Volume One, Chapter Nine: I Have Come to Report Again

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“Waa… Mom… save me… I won’t steal anymore…”
A crowd of residents from the courtyard gathered around, all feeling pity for Bang Geng.
As for Mrs. Jia Zhang, her screaming, like a slaughtered pig, still echoed throughout the courtyard.
“Su Jianshe, you damn scoundrel, why did you set up a mousetrap at home? Ow, my hand!”
“Su Jianshe, you little bastard!”
“Help me, someone come quickly!”
“Hurry up and open the door!”
Mrs. Jia Zhang lay sprawled at Su Jianshe’s door, her backside raised high, utterly shameless as she cursed loudly.
“Old Jia, look, you’re gone and these people are bullying me…”
“Old Jia, I don’t want to live anymore…”
Su Jianshe sneered disdainfully at her without a word, secretly cursing his misfortune, then used his key to unlock the door.
The lock clicked open, followed by the sound of a heavy object falling. Soon after, two people, one large and one small, curled up on the ground, clutching their hands and writhing in pain.
“Ow… it hurts so much, be gentle! Boohoo…” Bang Geng nearly fainted as he pulled his hand free.
Mrs. Jia Zhang screamed in agony like a slaughtered pig.
“Su Jianshe, you bastard, open this trap for me! What are you standing there for?”
“Ah!!! You scoundrel, I’m not done with you!”
The onlookers gasped, witnessing the cruel sight of the traps clamped tightly on the hands of Jia Zhang and Bang Geng.
Mrs. Jia Zhang’s hand was mangled and swollen, bruised and discolored like a long-kept pig trotter, fresh blood dripping constantly.
Bang Geng’s fingers were equally bloodied, a horrifying sight.
Qin Huairu let out a heart-wrenching scream and collapsed beside Bang Geng.
“My poor Bang Geng!”
The crowd quickly pulled Qin Huairu away and worked together to remove the traps from their hands.
An elderly woman in the courtyard took charge with authority.
“Quick, find someone to bring a cart, get Bang Geng and Jia Zhang to the hospital immediately!”
Qin Huairu wept bitterly on the side, but no one paid her any mind.
The group carried Bang Geng and Jia Zhang onto the cart and rushed to the hospital.
Watching this, Su Jianshe felt a secret satisfaction.
“Serves them right!”
“Su Jianshe, Jia Zhang and Bang Geng are in this state because of the traps at your house. You have to go to the hospital too!”
The elderly woman, after sending people off, turned to scold Su Jianshe.
He paid no attention.
“Ridiculous, those are just mousetraps to catch rats. There’s no such thing as animal traps. I don’t even know when they crawled into them.”
“If that counts as responsibility, then wouldn’t I be able to live at your house every day, eating and drinking without worry? After all, stealing from others doesn’t make you responsible—why not enjoy it?”
“Or if Bang Geng wants to steal from another house in the future, he just needs to stand at the door and have people hand over their belongings willingly. After all, stealing doesn’t come with responsibility.”
At these words, the crowd who had initially come to watch the spectacle hesitated.
They cast unfriendly glances towards the elderly woman.
Bang Geng’s reputation had never been good.
If it weren’t for Jia Zhang’s shamelessness and Jia Dongxu’s paralysis in bed, no one would bother with him.
Bang Geng had been reprimanded countless times.
“You…”
The elderly woman was instantly furious.
“By the way, is the five thousand yuan ready? That fool Zhu is going to be sentenced soon anyway. You’re so relaxed now, you might as well pay me back first.”
“This matter… let’s wait until Old Yi returns to discuss. We’re all neighbors, no rush, no rush.”
The elderly woman wanted to say more, but upon hearing the mention of the five thousand yuan, her expression changed drastically. She hurried off with the others to the hospital, fearing Su Jianshe would bring up the money again.
She cursed Su Jianshe silently as she quickened her pace.
The onlookers were stunned.
“Five thousand yuan? Is Su Jianshe robbing money? Is Old Master’s family really that wealthy?”
“Old Master’s family does have money; five thousand yuan is nothing to them. Unlike us, even fifty yuan is a struggle.”
“From now on, I’ve got to curry favor with Su Jianshe. Five thousand yuan—I’ve never seen that much in my life.”
…
As the situation settled, the crowd marvelled but gradually dispersed.
Many headed outside, mumbling about buying new locks.
Clearly, Bang Geng had left a deep impression on them.
Su Jianshe sighed lightly and began packing away the mousetraps.
“Put these away, so Xiao Yan won’t get hurt when she comes back.”
.............

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“I just wanted to go to their house to get some food. They should pay all the medical expenses! If they don’t, I’ll die right at that bastard’s doorstep!”
“And they have to compensate me! At least two hundred yuan! Otherwise, I…”
…
Liu Bing had just come out of the examination room, still wearing his mask.
Qin Huairu rushed up to him, her eyes red-rimmed.
“Doctor, how is Bang Geng? Are his injuries serious?”
“Doctor, he’s still young, you have to save him!”
“The patient’s condition is not optimistic.”
Liu Bing spoke as he stepped away from the ward, then explained to Qin Huairu:
“Your mother-in-law’s condition is serious. There are two options: amputation or surgery. But surgery might leave her right hand impaired, unable to even hold chopsticks properly, and the surgical fees are not cheap.”
“What about Bang Geng?”
“His condition is worse. Because he is too young and not fully developed, at least three fingers have to be amputated!”
These words struck like thunder.
Qin Huairu, Bang Geng, and Jia Zhang were stunned.
“I… will I be disabled forever?”
Jia Zhang collapsed onto the ground, crying loudly.
“Oh my god… is there no justice left? I just went to get some food, and now my hand’s going to be amputated!”
“That heartless Su Jianshe, the Jia family will never let him off! Old Jia, please take him away…”
Liu Bing and the others frowned; if she weren’t a patient, they would have already kicked her out.
…
Inside the police station.
Yi Zhonghai anxiously waited.
A constable came out.
“Yi Zhonghai? Your visitation request was approved!”
“Follow me.”
Usually arrogant within the courtyard, Yi Zhonghai was now respectful and deferential.
“All right, all right!”
He nodded repeatedly and followed the officer deeper into the prison.
“Zhuzi, Zhuzi!”
His calls echoed through the dim cell.
Fool Zhu leaned against the wall in pain, his face full of resentment, cursing Su Jianshe silently.
Hearing someone call his name, his heart leapt with joy.
“I’m here! I’m here!” Fool Zhu responded eagerly.
Yi Zhonghai looked toward the voice; inside the dark cell, Fool Zhu gripped the iron bars with tearful eyes, his figure thin, clearly having suffered greatly.
“Old Master, you finally came, please get me out!” Fool Zhu begged.
Yi Zhonghai sighed bitterly. “Zhuzi, it’s not so easy to solve your case. Even if I get someone to help, Su Jianshe has to sign a letter of forgiveness. But that scoundrel demands five thousand yuan to sign…”
“If you don’t pay that money, you’ll be in for another ten years, maybe even lose your head.”
Fool Zhu’s anger flared. “Su Jianshe, just wait—I’ll make you pay when I get out! Five thousand yuan? They want my life!”
He pounded the iron bars wildly, almost insane, wishing he could kill Su Jianshe immediately.
At that moment, a constable approached and slammed a club on the bars. “Quiet! If you keep making noise, back to your cell!”
Fool Zhu quickly nodded, fearing punishment, clearly no stranger to hardship here.
The constable glared at both men and walked away.
Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai whispered, “Zhuzi, think of a way to get out first. Once you’re out, you can do other things. Give what you can now, I’ll figure out the rest.”
He sighed deeply, speaking earnestly.
As long as Fool Zhu remembers my kindness, this money will be well spent. At least I won’t have to worry about him when it comes to caring for me in old age. Compared to such a major matter, this money is insignificant.
Thinking of this, Yi Zhonghai’s anger surged. If there were others to choose from in the courtyard, he would have found someone else to support. As for Qin Huairu’s side… he hoped for some progress.
Hearing hope of release and that the Old Master was willing to help financially, Fool Zhu responded quickly: “I have money. What I’ve saved over the years plus Rainwater’s dowry totals three hundred yuan.” Then he told Yi Zhonghai where the money was kept at home.
Yi Zhonghai looked surprised. Three hundred yuan! He had no idea Fool Zhu was so wealthy. No wonder Qin Huairu had been pestering him lately. As for Rainwater’s dowry, that was not his concern.
After comforting Fool Zhu, Yi Zhonghai went to see the deaf old lady. Although sharing the dark cell, her condition was much better than Fool Zhu’s; her clothes were also relatively intact. Being elderly, the constables did not want her to die here.
“Old lady, it’s me, Zhonghai!” The deaf old lady seemed to notice Yi Zhonghai at last, then raised her brow. “Zhonghai, you’re here to take me out, right? I knew that little Su Jianshe wouldn’t do anything too cruel. Go, tell him to come here, kowtow, and admit his guilt. Then this will be over.”
After saying this, she closed her eyes as if waiting for Su Jianshe.
“This…” Yi Zhonghai’s face darkened, shaking his head and sighing, momentarily at a loss for words. But he quickly said, “Old lady, Su Jianshe demands five thousand yuan to write the letter of forgiveness. Otherwise, you and Fool Zhu will be imprisoned for life.”
Hearing this, the old lady’s face changed dramatically. She stood up and cursed angrily: “I knew that Su Jianshe was no good! Not a single one in that family is decent!”
“I won’t give a penny. Tell him not to dream about it.”
“At worst, I’ll sit in this cell a few more days. When I get back to the courtyard, he’ll be sorry!”
Faced with the deaf old lady’s rage, Yi Zhonghai still tried to reason gently.
“This isn’t a small matter. You won’t get out in just a few days. Fool Zhu might lose his head, and you might spend the rest of your life here…”
The deaf old lady’s face paled at his words.
The cell was cold and damp; her old bones had endured pain for who knows how long.

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At this moment, she forced herself to sit up straight, unwilling to let Yi Zhonghai see her vulnerability, but his words broke down her defenses.
In the courtyard, she was the revered matriarch, a five-guarantee household living without worries.
Now she was trapped in prison, hungry and forced to labor for reform.
Thinking that when she died there might be no one even to wrap her body, the deaf old lady’s face turned ashen as she cursed:
“I should have drowned that brat in the chamber pot years ago. He’s a curse!”
“This money was supposed to be Fool Zhu’s funeral fund, but now that bastard Su Jianshe wants to take it.”
After a long pause, she reluctantly said:
“There’s a hidden box under my cabinet with a thousand yuan inside. Take it and use it first.”
Seeing the old lady relent, Yi Zhonghai breathed a sigh of relief, said a few more words, then left.
But his heart remained bitter.
“Fool Zhu and the old lady combined gave only thirteen hundred yuan. The rest will have to come from me.”
It was a painful expense.
Yi Zhonghai felt Su Jianshe’s move had struck at the heart.
It was as if his very pulse had nearly stopped.
…
Su Jianshe packed the mousetraps into a cardboard box and headed straight to the police station.
“The Jia family acts like dogs. Even when they’re in the wrong, they find excuses to make me pay. This time, I’m going to settle it once and for all!”
Inside the police station, two officers were reviewing documents when Su Jianshe arrived.
“Gentlemen, I’m here to report again.”
The officers looked surprised, wondering if that gang of bullies had come after Su Jianshe again.
After sitting down, Su Jianshe told them in detail about the situation at home.
Explaining why he bought the mousetraps, he smiled: “I cured some cured meats and feared rats would steal them, so I placed a few large mousetraps where they usually appear.”
The officers eyed the large traps on the table and were taken aback.
Forty-Nine City was near the mountains and forests; many households kept traps hoping to catch squirrels or similar small animals.
The officers were no exception and immediately recognized these traps as larger than their fists combined—traps fit for hunting in the mountains.
Still, since they were mousetraps, it was reasonable to use them for rats.
But when they heard the thieves not only refused to compensate Su Jianshe but also tried to turn the tables and make him pay, the officers were furious.
“Comrade, don’t be afraid. With us here, we’ll bring these villains to justice.”
“Yes, the law will ensure you get justice. No need to worry.”
Su Jianshe was deeply grateful, thanking them repeatedly.
But inside, he laughed slyly: “These old guys want to fight me? Not yet!”
Elsewhere, Yi Zhonghai returned to the courtyard, worry etched on his face. The over three thousand yuan spent pained him deeply.
Before reaching his door, Qin Huairu stopped him.
“Old Master, you have to stand up for our family. Bang Geng is so young—how could he be crippled? Boohoo…” Qin Huairu sobbed uncontrollably.
Yi Zhonghai wanted to comfort her but restrained himself, aware of the situation. Before he could say more, Jia Zhang approached, cursing loudly, her arm wrapped in bandages, looking even more swollen and ridiculous.
“Yi Zhonghai, you have to help us. Su Jianshe hurt me!” Jia Zhang wailed. “I took Bang Geng to their house to get food, and Ma Chengxiang set up animal traps at their door. Look at my hand—it’s like a pig’s trotter now!”
As she spoke, she collapsed, pounding the ground with her only good hand, calling her deceased husband’s name: “Old Jia, I can’t hold chopsticks with this hand anymore. How can I live? Please take me away…”
Yi Zhonghai was furious. “Su Jianshe has gone too far. How could he hurt people like this? Doesn’t he know the power of those traps?” He decided to handle the matter seriously.
Still, Yi Zhonghai wondered why Su Jianshe would set traps to harm people. But seeing Bang Geng’s pale face wrapped in bloody gauze and Jia Zhang’s crying, he was certain Su Jianshe was at fault.
Jia Zhang still lay on the ground wailing without tears. Yi Zhonghai had no time to care.
At this moment, he reveled in the satisfaction of finally having evidence against Su Jianshe.
“You little brat, this time I’ve caught you!”
Not only would they avoid paying the five thousand yuan, but Su Jianshe would have to compensate them!
Yi Zhonghai examined Bang Geng’s injuries closely, growing more certain:
If they reported this to the police now,
not only would they avoid paying the five thousand yuan,
but they might even profit from the situation.
“Even though Su Jianshe lives in our courtyard, Jia Zhang, rest assured I won’t be biased. I will do everything to bring this scoundrel to justice!”
“If he can find the police, I’m going to the station too.”
With that, Yi Zhonghai resolved to visit the police station again.
At this moment,
he already had a plan.
“If Su Jianshe can’t come up with five thousand yuan, I’ll make sure he ends up in jail!”
However, just as Yi Zhonghai took a few steps forward, he felt his thigh gripped tightly.
Looking down, he saw Jia Zhang, her right hand wrapped in gauze, clutching his leg desperately.