Chapter 2: Collecting the Debt

The middle courtyard.

Today is Bang Geng’s *zhua zhou* ceremony.

In an era where a single steamed bun is enough to keep one alive, the neighborhood committee advocates for thrift and hard work, so most families do not hold *zhua zhou* banquets.

Unfortunately, the Jia family is not an ordinary family; they do not accept the neighborhood committee’s advocacy.

To collect gift money, Mrs. Jia had Qin Huairu go door-to-door more than ten days in advance, instructing people to bring gifts and offer their congratulations.

The room is bustling with activity.

Qin Huairu, face full of joy, sits cross-legged on the *kang* holding Bang Geng. In front of him are laid out small trinkets: a seal, a red armband, a brush, an abacus, coins, and an account book.

From time to time, residents arrive with gifts.

They aren't anything expensive—just a few pieces of pastry, a couple of pencils, or half a bolt of floral fabric.

The gift money was set by the Jia family: fifty cents per person.

Mrs. Jia sits by the door at a table set up for the gift registry. Watching the money and gifts brought by the residents, her old face blooms like a vibrant chrysanthemum.

"Good, good, good. Today is my grandson Bang Geng’s *zhua zhou* day. I, Mrs. Jia, thank you all on behalf of the Jia family."

The three managing elders—Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui—are all present.

Sha Zhu and Xu Damao have also been squatting in the room for a while, waiting to join in the fun.

As long as Bang Geng grabs a gift with a favorable omen, this *zhua zhou* banquet will be a complete success.

Qin Huairu plants a kiss on Bang Geng’s chubby little face: "Son, you are destined for great things. Go and grab the seal."

Bang Geng giggles, kicking his little legs as he crawls toward the trinkets, drawing everyone’s gaze.

Suddenly.

The sunlight is blocked, a shadow falls over the *kang*, and Bang Geng looks up in surprise.

Mrs. Jia curses with dissatisfaction: "Who is so blind? Can’t you see my grandson is in the middle of his *zhua zhou*? If he doesn't grab—"

She turns her head, her expression changes drastically, and the rest of her words freeze in her throat.

"You... you..."

Mrs. Jia’s strange behavior draws the attention of the residents.

Everyone turns around in unison, collectively gasping, contributing to the warming of the 1960s climate.

Li Aiguo stands at the doorway, leaning against the doorframe, his expression furious and teeth gritted, looking just like a door god from the old days.

When the residents meet Li Aiguo’s angry gaze, they involuntarily lower their heads, their eyes shifting restlessly.

Seeing Li Aiguo, Qin Huairu’s face turns pale.

Li Aiguo takes the opportunity to size up this legendary "vampire."

Qin Huairu is only seventeen or eighteen years old.

Although she has just given birth, her figure has recovered well, with a curvaceous silhouette.

Sitting cross-legged on the *kang* now, her already plump bottom looks even more voluminous.

His predecessor’s taste was actually quite good.

Qin Huairu is wearing a bright red cotton-padded jacket today, her jet-black hair draped behind her, with a melon-seed-shaped face and delicate features.

Only, those sparkling eyes are filled with shame and fear.

Seeing Li Aiguo staring at Qin Huairu with such an odd look, Jia Xudong flies into a rage, leaping up from his chair and rushing toward Li Aiguo.

"You little thief! Today is my son’s *zhua zhou*, and we didn't invite you. Why are you here!"

Incompetent rage—that is the first impression Jia Xudong leaves on Li Aiguo.

This kind of person has no real ability, yet his temper is extremely volatile.

Li Aiguo doesn't even look at Jia Xudong, his eyes fixed firmly on Qin Huairu.

His cracked lips part, emitting a hoarse voice: "I came here today only to collect a debt!"

"Collect a debt?"

Hearing this, Mrs. Jia stands up with a dark face, her triangular eyes squinting: "Li Aiguo, our Jia family doesn't owe you anything. What kind of debt are you collecting? Did you not get enough of a beating the other day, and your skin is itching again?"

Ever since Li Aiguo appeared, Yi Zhonghai had been sitting silently with a gloomy face, cursing Mrs. Jia inwardly for bringing up the one thing that shouldn't be mentioned.

This kid is clearly here to settle scores, and you just had to bring that up.

However, Yi Zhonghai is a bit puzzled.

Back then, Jia Dongxu and Sha Zhu hit him so hard; how could Li Aiguo have survived?

Facing the aggressive Mrs. Jia, Li Aiguo laughs: "They say you, Mrs. Jia, are an old shrew, overbearing and unreasonable. I’ve finally seen it for myself."

He emphasizes his tone: "But today, if you don't give me an explanation, I will give you one!"

Yan Bugui’s small eyes dart around, and seemingly remembering something, he stands up and walks over.

"Aiguo, we’re all in the same courtyard. Anything can be discussed. The neighborhood committee advocates for unity and friendship; don't let this hurt our harmony."

Li Aiguo has no fondness for this "Third Elder" who turned and ran the moment he saw him getting beaten.

"Heh, it wasn't you getting beaten, so of course you can stand there and talk without feeling the pain."

"You... you..."

Yan Bugui looks like he’s swallowed a grasshopper, his face turning red with anger.

Hearing Li Aiguo mention the "beating," Yi Zhonghai knows today’s trouble is unavoidable.

He gives a subtle wink to Sha Zhu, who is standing to the side grinning foolishly.

*This kid must not be left alone!*

Sha Zhu catches the hint, sneers twice, rolls up his sleeves, and rushes over.

"I see you still want a beating, you little brat! How dare you come to Qin-jie’s house to cause trouble? Watch me beat you flat!"

As he speaks, he raises his massive fist and swings it at Li Aiguo.

Sha Zhu is the "God of War" of the courtyard, having practiced martial arts since childhood, and he has a sturdy build.

If this punch lands, the person would be dead or at least severely injured.

Some kind-hearted residents can't bear to watch, quietly covering their eyes, waiting for the impending scream.

Unfortunately.

The scream never comes.

When the residents open their eyes and see the situation at the door, they can't help but gulp.

Sha Zhu’s fist has been caught by Li Aiguo.

And Li Aiguo looks quite relaxed.

"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible..."

A magnitude-nine earthquake erupts in Sha Zhu’s pupils.

The person he knocked down with one punch two days ago is now evenly matched with him.

But the immense force coming from his fist is no lie.

"You little thief, you think you can suppress me, Sha Zhu, like this? Ridiculous!"

Large beads of sweat break out on Sha Zhu’s forehead as he tries to pull his fist back.

The facts prove that Sha Zhu is delusional.

After being strengthened by the system, Li Aiguo’s physical fitness is now comparable to that of a special forces soldier.

As he exerts a little force, the sound of "crackling" comes from the joints of Sha Zhu’s wrist.

"Ouch, my mother!"

Sha Zhu lets out a miserable cry, nearly falling to the ground.

Li Aiguo lets go and gives him a shove, and Sha Zhu rolls toward the *kang* like a gourd.

His head competes with the *kang* for hardness; the *kang* wins completely.

The bright red blood makes Qin Huairu, who is close by, gasp in shock.

Li Aiguo’s physique was only average; how could he be this strong?

Seeing Sha Zhu get the short end of the stick, Yi Zhonghai’s expression changes drastically. He can no longer sit still and walks up to Li Aiguo with a stern face.

"Li Aiguo, what are you doing?

Even if Sha Zhu was in the wrong, you shouldn't have resorted to violence.

This is a new society; fighting and brawling are strictly prohibited.

Your behavior is of a vile nature, and I could send you to the police station right now.

Considering it’s not easy for you to live on your own, in the spirit of unity among the masses, if you apologize to Sha Zhu, we will forgive you."

There is a type of person who, when you reason with them, acts like a rogue.

When you act like a rogue back, they start reasoning with you.

This type of person’s perspective is very flexible, always standing on the side that benefits them.

Yi Zhonghai is exactly that kind of person.

But Li Aiguo, in his past life, had watched *Qin Man Si He Yuan* with a girl on a yacht, so he was all too familiar with Yi Zhonghai’s tactics.

Li Aiguo stands on the threshold, looking down at Yi Zhonghai from the height of three steps: "First Elder, do you think playing these little tricks in front of me is useful?"

"I said it just now: I came here today to collect two debts. The first is the bride price my family gave to Qin Huairu back then."

Li Aiguo pulls a piece of paper from his pocket and reads aloud: "Bride price: fifteen yuan, three feet of floral fabric, one enamel basin, one spittoon, and one thermos."