Smack!
Another big slap sent Jia Zhangshi spinning 360 degrees before crashing heavily onto Jia Dongxu, who hadn’t yet managed to get up.
Despite her short stature, Jia Zhangshi was surprisingly heavy. The impact nearly broke Jia Dongxu’s back.
“Oww!”
Jia Dongxu screamed in pain and collapsed face-down once more.
Jia Zhangshi found herself sitting on her son’s body, wide-eyed and momentarily stunned.
She was completely dazed, never imagining that anyone in the compound would dare lay hands on her.
Within moments, Jia Zhangshi’s face swelled dramatically, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth—clear evidence that Zhang Yuanlin’s slap carried far greater force than before.
To an observer, it might seem Zhang Yuanlin had some personal vendetta mixed in.
In truth, Zhang Yuanlin was indeed furious. Jia Zhangshi’s foul-mouthed, unrestrained rant had pushed him to the brink of violence moments earlier.
“You… you dare hit me!”
Never having suffered such humiliation, Jia Zhangshi covered her face as tears streamed down uncontrollably.
Witnessing this, Yi Zhonghai couldn’t help but admonish:
“Zhang Yuanlin, this is going too far! We should resolve issues through discussion. Hitting an elderly person is wrong, don’t you know that?”
Zhang Yuanlin snorted coldly, his expression dark. “First Elder, I’d prefer to talk reasonably too. But you heard what Jia Zhangshi said just now—is that something a decent person would say?”
Yi Zhonghai was momentarily speechless. Before he could formulate a response, Jia Zhangshi lunged at Zhang Yuanlin again, claws bared.
Again? This old shrew has no shame left at all?
Fine. I’ll show you what real misery feels like!
Smack!
Another big slap landed, swelling the other side of Jia Zhangshi’s face and even knocking out two teeth.
Seeing his mother beaten, Jia Dongxu saw red and roared as he charged at Zhang Yuanlin.
“You bastard, you’re asking for it!”
Smack!
Zhang Yuanlin’s hand moved like lightning, leaving Jia Dongxu dizzy and spinning in place.
“Enough!” “Zhang Yuanlin, if you keep this up, do you even want to keep your job at the factory?”
Yi Zhonghai grew increasingly grim-faced watching his apprentice get pummeled. Moreover, this was his jurisdiction—how could he allow Zhang Yuanlin to beat people at will?
Hearing this, Zhang Yuanlin turned calmly to Yi Zhonghai. “First Elder, you should be addressing them. Everyone saw what happened—you know perfectly well who started it.”
Realizing she’d met her match, Jia Zhangshi scrambled to Yi Zhonghai’s side and began wailing.
“Heavens, this is murder! Zhang Yuanlin is bullying us mother and son! Old man, if your spirit watches over us, strike down this scourge! He’s gone too far!”
What the hell? You’re cursing me?
In the two years since his transmigration, Zhang Yuanlin had maintained a low profile, acting like an ordinary resident in the compound. He’d ignored minor conflicts, gradually becoming marginalized and overlooked.
But now, by stepping forward to protect Qin Huairu, Zhang Yuanlin knew his days of lying low were over.
Since that’s the case, no need to pretend anymore. Time for payback—settle old scores and grudges! Let’s fight!
Then, in front of the compound’s residents, and even in the presence of Yi Zhonghai, Zhang Yuanlin kicked the wailing Jia Zhangshi, sending her tumbling to the ground and landing flat on her back.
Yi Zhonghai was also enraged—this was a blatant disregard for his authority as the First Elder!
“Zhang Yuanlin, watch out or I’ll report you to the Steel Rolling Plant for bullying an elderly person!”
Qin Huairu hadn’t expected things to escalate to this point and hurriedly grabbed Zhang Yuanlin’s hand.
“Brother Zhang, let it go. We can just leave. You can’t lose your job because of me!”
Seeing Qin Huairu on the verge of tears from anxiety, Zhang Yuanlin comforted her gently:
“It’s alright, we’re in the right. I just wanted to shut that old hag up. Next, I’ll reason with them.”
After speaking, Zhang Yuanlin turned his attention back to Jia Zhangshi, who was still wailing on the ground, and Yi Zhonghai, who was glaring furiously. He declared loudly:
“Report me for bullying an elderly person? Fine, First Elder, let’s compare: you report me to the Steel Rolling Plant for bullying an elderly person, and I’ll report Jia Dongxu to the police station for molesting an innocent girl and Jia Zhangshi for defamation. Let’s see how the Security Department rules, and then how the police station decides. We’ll find out who ends up in trouble—me or the two of them!”
As his words fell, the entire crowd fell silent. Even Jia Zhangshi stopped her howling.
Immediately after, Zhang Yuanlin looked at Matchmaker Zhang and asked in a normal tone:
“Auntie, you’re the one who arranged the match between the two families, right? Then you must know the situation of both families. Why don’t you explain to everyone what the Qin family’s circumstances are, whether they’re suitable for marriage, whether they accepted any betrothal gifts, or whether they’ve registered a marriage.”
Upon hearing this, Matchmaker Zhang looked troubled.
Noticing her eyes darting toward Jia Zhangshi, Zhang Yuanlin realized she likely had some connection to the Jia family and decided not to press her further.
“Since you’re not comfortable speaking up, I’ll just go to the police station and file a report. This matter will be investigated thoroughly one way or another. Otherwise, if we let Jia Zhangshi spout nonsense like this, not only will I have trouble finding a partner in the future, but even Qin Huairu will be looked down upon!”
“Yes, it’s true that I know Qin Huairu and her family, but we’re just friends for now. I only showed them the way here today. Whether a match works out depends on fate—it’s their first meeting, so it’s best to part on good terms.”
“But what do you do? Just because it didn’t work out, you start badmouthing them—calling them country bumpkins one moment, greedy the next, and even dragging me into it by calling us adulterers. Do you really think you can spout nonsense without consequences these days?”
“Enough talk. Since the Three Great Uncles have no intention of resolving this matter sincerely, and the Jia family refuses to take a stance, let’s settle it at the police station. And as for summoning the dead to seek vengeance—promoting feudal superstitions, is it? Jia Zhangshi, I’ll make sure you rot in jail!”
After Zhang Yuanlin finished speaking, Yi Zhonghai’s face tightened, Jia Dongxu turned pale, and Jia Zhangshi grew flustered and panicked, frantically begging Yi Zhonghai to think of a solution.
Just as Zhang Yuanlin was about to turn away, countless thoughts raced through Yi Zhonghai’s mind, and he finally spoke helplessly:
“Zhang Yuanlin, let’s talk this out properly. There’s no need to involve the police station. We can resolve this right here in the compound!”
Seeing Yi Zhonghai concede, Zhang Yuanlin kept walking and shook his head, saying:
“First Elder, I still believe going to the police station is more reliable. Given how things have developed, you’ve seen the Jia Family’s attitude yourself. Moreover, you immediately rushed to the Steel Rolling Plant to accuse me of bullying the elderly without considering the circumstances, while the other two Great Uncles remained silent spectators. How can anything be resolved in the compound under these conditions?”
These words left Yi Zhonghai’s face ashen, made Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui blush with shame, and caused Jia Dongxu and Jia Zhangshi to tremble with fear.
If this matter truly escalated to the police station, Jia Dongxu would most likely lose his job. Even if he managed to keep it, he’d face a public reprimand and be required to make a self-criticism before the entire plant. Moral integrity issues like this were absolutely unforgivable.
As for Jia Zhangshi, her false accusations would undoubtedly lead to detention and re-education. Prison food in these times wasn’t something ordinary people could endure, and the inmates were all vicious criminals!
Just as Zhang Yuanlin was about to cross the threshold into the front courtyard, Deaf Old Lady’s voice sounded behind him.
“Young man from the Zhang family, do an old lady a favor. Earlier, no one realized the severity of the situation. Now that you’ve spoken up, give the Three Great Uncles a chance to handle this matter properly.”
“I’ll stand witness here and guarantee this matter will be resolved to your satisfaction. But you must also make reasonable demands. If no agreement is reached in the end, you can still go to the police station.”
Zhang Yuanlin paused at the threshold, his back to the crowd as a faint smile touched his lips.
While observing earlier, he had noticed Deaf Old Lady’s arrival. His entire commotion had been precisely to pressure the compound’s most senior resident into intervening.
Firstly, this would ensure that regardless of the outcome, the matter could never be reopened. With Deaf Old Lady’s endorsement, any resolution would be final and binding – failure to honor commitments would cause both Deaf Old Lady and the Three Great Uncles to lose face and authority.
Secondly, it provided the perfect opportunity for Qin Huairu, his future bride, to witness the true character of the compound’s key figures. Experiencing it firsthand would give her clearer understanding than any detailed descriptions could provide.