My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 63: Targeting Yan Jiecheng

Just when everyone thought the problem was solved, Zhang Lei suddenly stood up and shouted, "Three gentlemen in charge, I have a problem!"

Hearing Zhang Lei's words, Yi Zhonghai's heart skipped a beat. He said irritably, "Zhang Lei, what are you doing causing trouble? This has nothing to do with you. Didn't you give up on your own?"

Zhang Lei looked at Yi Zhonghai and said slowly, "Uncle, it's true that I voluntarily gave up the silver ingot. But the fact that Director Wang suddenly took it away raises questions. Shouldn't we find the person who reported this and punish them? After all, our courtyard has always believed that matters within the courtyard should be resolved within the courtyard. This person's actions clearly do not conform to our courtyard's rules. Don't you all agree?"

Hearing Zhang Lei's words, everyone nodded and said, "Yes, we need to find this person. We've lost a lot of money for no reason."

Seeing Zhang Lei take the lead, Jia Zhangshi quickly squeezed forward and loudly echoed, "Yes, we have to find this person!"

At this moment, Yan Fugui frowned, his tone full of impatience, and said, "Zhang Lei, what are you doing causing trouble?"

Seeing Yan Fugui speak, Zhang Lei immediately looked at him and said in a clear voice, "I'm telling you, Third Uncle, you can't protect Yan Jiecheng just because he's your son. Everyone clearly heard you say during your argument that it was your son, Yan Jiecheng, who reported him!"

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai was surprised that Zhang Lei would speak up for him. He then looked at Yan Fugui and said in a deep voice, "Yes, Lao Yan, if it weren't for your Yan Jiecheng, how could this matter have escalated to this point?"

At this moment, Yan Fugui glared angrily at the two men and raised his voice, saying, "You need to provide evidence for your statements. Don't spout nonsense without proof, especially you, Zhang Lei, you're just being unreasonable!"

Zhang Lei grinned and said calmly, "Third Uncle, you're not quite right. You say we've wronged your Yan Jiecheng, but why did Director Wang specifically mention Yan Jiecheng and not anyone else in the compound? Don't you all agree? Is Yan Jiecheng really better than everyone else in the compound?"

The crowd started chattering amongst themselves: "That's right, Yan Jiecheng from the Third Uncle's family, he just does odd jobs. What great skills could he possibly have that would make Director Wang mention him specifically?"

Not to be outdone, Jia Zhangshi retorted in a shrill voice, "Yeah, Yan the stingy! Is your Yan Jiecheng any better than my Dongxu? My Dongxu is a proper, full-time employee, while your Yan Jiecheng can't even get a temporary job!"

At this moment, Zhang Lei muttered, "I'll find someone with a son to compete with you." As he spoke, he first looked at Yi Zhonghai, then quickly shook his head: "Forget it, you don't have a son."

Yi Zhonghai's face immediately turned ashen. Zhang Lei's words were clearly aimed at him on purpose. He could have kept quiet, but he just had to say it in public.

When Liu Haizhong saw Zhang Lei turn to look at him, he immediately became smug, thinking to himself: Yi Zhonghai, just based on the fact that you don't have a son, you are far inferior to me!

Zhang Lei looked at Liu Haizhong and said loudly, "Second Uncle, any one of your three sons is better than Yan Jiecheng, right? Especially your eldest son, Liu Guangqi, isn't he?"

Liu Haizhong puffed out his chest and said smugly, "Of course! My eldest son, Liu Guangqi, has both good character and a high level of education! He's even dating the leader's daughter; they might be in-laws someday! He's definitely a cut above Yan Jiecheng!"

Zhang Lei looked at Yan Fugui and pressed on, saying, "Third Uncle, look around. There are plenty of people in this yard better than your son. If it weren't for your son Yan Jiecheng reporting him, why would Director Wang single him out? Don't you all agree?"

The crowd immediately joined in the commotion, chattering on and on about Yan Jiecheng's faults. Yan Fugui was rendered speechless by their criticism, his face turning red and then white.

At this moment, Zhang Lei saw that Yan Fugui was so angry that he couldn't speak, so he turned to Liu Haizhong and said loudly, "Second Uncle, you have to make a decision on this matter. Everyone trusts you now. Tell me, how should we punish Yan Jiecheng?"

Upon hearing Zhang Lei praise him in public again, Liu Haizhong was overjoyed. He immediately patted his chest and said, "Zhang Lei is right. I will definitely give everyone an explanation and Yan Jiecheng must be punished severely!"

At this moment, Liu Haizhong said, "We'll fine Yan Jiecheng—"

The moment the word "money" left his mouth, Yan Fugui's eyes widened and his face instantly changed.

Zhang Lei quickly winked at Liu Haizhong and said, "Second Uncle, Third Uncle's family isn't doing well either, so let's not fine them. How about we have Yan Jiecheng clean our yard for a month? That would be appropriate and serve as a warning to others."

Liu Haizhong paused for a moment, then nodded and replied, "Alright, then let's punish him by making him clean the yard for a month!"

Zhang Lei then added, "By the way, we people in this courtyard are very respectful of the elderly and kind to the young. We can't leave the deaf old lady out unnoticed. How about having Yan Jiecheng empty her chamber pot for a month? That would also reflect our fine tradition of respecting the elderly and kind to the young."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai felt that Zhang Lei's consideration was quite thoughtful and showed respect for his elders, so he immediately agreed, "Zhang Lei is right, let's add emptying the old lady's bedpan for another month!"

Yan Fugui felt aggrieved as he watched Liu Haizhong and Yi Zhonghai finalize the punishment. However, he thought that as long as it didn't involve money, he would let Yan Jiecheng work for a month. In any case, it wouldn't cause any real loss to his family.

Seeing that Yan Fugui agreed, Liu Haizhong nodded in satisfaction and said, "Okay, it's decided then. Old Yan, when you get home, tell Yan Jiecheng about the decision and tell him to stop causing trouble."

Yan Fugui listened, but remained silent with his head down.

Zhang Lei nodded in satisfaction, secretly scoffing to himself: Yan Jiecheng, this is just a small punishment for you. If you dare to have lustful thoughts about my woman again, I guarantee you won't even be able to be a man anymore.

Soon the crowd gradually dispersed, and Zhang Lei took Ye Shuqin back to his home.

He walked and laughed, already able to imagine Yan Jiecheng's expression when he heard the punishment.

In this world, only those who have wronged you know better than you do about your injustice.