Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Television Set

Before long, many people were startled from their sleep, running out of their homes while cursing under their breath.

"Zhuzi, what kind of racket are you making? Why are you banging a gong in the middle of the night?"

"If you must play the gong, at least have some sense of time! I just drifted off, and you’ve woken me up. How am I supposed to get any sleep?"

"Hey, you really know how to pick your moments, don't you? My boy is burying himself in his books, preparing for the university entrance exams. With your gong sounding off, his focus is completely shattered! If this ruins his studies and he fails to get into his dream school, will you be able to live with your conscience?"

He Yuzhu stood in the center of the courtyard, his brows tightly locked, saying nothing as if waiting for something.

Only when he saw that nearly everyone in the courtyard—men, women, and children—had gathered, did he slowly speak: "I didn’t want to disturb everyone’s peace, but I have no other choice." He sighed and continued, "I’ve called you all here because I need you to help me judge the situation and settle a matter."

"The television I just bought, which I brought home last night, was found broken this morning. Has anyone here seen who might have done it?" As soon as He Yuzhu finished speaking, it was as if a stone had been cast into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.

"Oh my, a brand-new TV broken already? Which heartless wretch did this?" someone cried out in surprise.

"That person has no humanity! A television costs a fortune; isn't this like stabbing a man in the heart?" another woman said indignantly.

"Since when did such scum appear in our courtyard?" another muttered in disbelief.

In a corner of the crowd, Xu Damao kept his head down, not daring to draw a full breath. He could feel a piercing gaze locked onto him—it was Yan Jiecheng’s stare. Xu Damao felt a chill run down his spine. He snuck a glance upward and glared fiercely at Yan Jiecheng, but Yan Jiecheng showed no fear; instead, he winked at him and gestured toward the brand-new leather shoes on his own feet, signaling him not to worry.

Seeing this, Xu Damao feigned composure and began to shout, "He Yuzhu, don't just blame us whenever something goes wrong for you."

"Maybe you broke the TV yourself through your own carelessness, and now you’re putting on an act, playing the thief calling 'stop thief'!"

"Deal with your own family matters; what is the meaning of dragging us all out here?"

"If you can't find out who did it, are we supposed to chip in and buy you a new one?"

Xu Damao’s words were clearly intended to pit the rest of the residents against He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu looked at Xu Damao, his eyes as calm as water. "Xu Damao, no one else has even spoken yet, and you’re the first to jump up."

"Could it be that you’re the one who broke my TV?"

He Yuzhu had actually harbored suspicions for a while; after all, in the courtyard, his relationship with the Jia family and Xu Damao was the worst. When the TV was damaged, these were the first two households to come to mind.

"Don't you go smearing me with false accusations! If you have the guts, show me the evidence!" Upon hearing this, Xu Damao felt even more panicked, but he refused to show weakness. "You’re just trying to extort money from me!"

The louder Xu Damao spoke, the more hollow he felt inside.

"Right, right, you can't just talk without evidence. It’s not good to wrong an innocent person!" someone nearby chimed in.

"But I think it’s eight or nine parts likely that Xu Damao did it. His relationship with He Yuzhu has always been bad," another whispered.

"In a case like this, nobody will ever admit it. I’m afraid He Yuzhu will have to swallow this bitter pill," another sighed.

The residents of the courtyard were abuzz with gossip and debate. He Yuzhu scanned the crowd and suddenly said, "Since no one is willing to admit it, I will call the police. I’ll let the police come to our courtyard and investigate this case for me."

As soon as He Yuzhu said this, the courtyard exploded.

The First Elder, the senior figure of the courtyard, was the first to step forward in opposition: "Zhuzi, you absolutely cannot do that!" His face was stern and frightening.

Others joined the First Elder in pressuring He Yuzhu: "Our courtyard has always been a model in the eyes of the neighborhood committee. We earn the 'Advanced Unit' title every year. If the police really come here to make arrests, this year's honor will be washed away."

"Yes, not only will this year be in jeopardy, but it will be even harder for us to stand out in future evaluations."

"If word of this gets out, our reputation will be ruined. People saying we have dealings with the police is not a glorious thing. How will our neighbors and outsiders look at us in the future? It won't be good for anyone!"

The neighbors, who had appeared to be standing up for the He family, changed their tune the moment He Yuzhu mentioned the police, fearing that an investigation would damage the courtyard’s reputation and bring shame upon themselves.

He Yuzhu saw through them like a clear mirror. He knew exactly what kind of people they were—nothing more than selfish, petty individuals who only cared about their own interests. However, he did not lash out on the spot; instead, he silently contemplated a strategy.

After a moment, he spoke slowly, his voice low and firm: "For the sake of the harmony of our courtyard, I can hold off on calling the police for now."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but He Yuzhu’s next words made them tense up again: "However, this matter cannot simply end here." As he spoke, his gaze was like a torch, fixed squarely on Xu Damao, as if trying to see through to his very soul.

Xu Damao felt a chill as He Yuzhu stared at him, and he instinctively averted his eyes, pretending to look at the stars in the sky. He Yuzhu continued to scan everyone present, and finally, his gaze rested on Yan Jiecheng.

Yan Jiecheng was wearing a pair of brand-new leather shoes, which looked especially striking under the dim light.

"Knock, knock, knock..." Just then, the door to the Third Elder’s house was suddenly rapped upon.

The Third Elder had been fast asleep and was startled by the sudden knocking. He squinted his eyes and asked in a mumble, "Who is it? In the middle of the night—is there no letting a man sleep?"

"Third Elder, it’s me, He Yuzhu," came the voice from outside. "I need to see Yan Jiecheng about something."

"Oh, you child, look at what time it is," the Third Elder complained.

"Exactly, it’s too late. Can’t you wait until tomorrow to talk about whatever it is?" the Third Elder grumbled, clearly just as annoyed at being woken up.

But Yan Jiecheng knew this was merely self-consolation, because the person standing outside was He Yuzhu—the one person he least wanted to see at this moment.

Yet, fate seemed unwilling to let him off the hook.

The knocking at the door resumed, even more urgent and forceful than before.