Chapter 4: The Revenge Begins, Targeting the Jia Family First

Everyone in the courtyard had dispersed, leaving only Yi Zhonghai, Qin Huairu, Jia Zhangshi, and He Yuzhu inside the house. The atmosphere was so awkward it could be cut with a knife.

He Yuzhu flexed his legs, feeling both shocked and scared. Just moments ago, he had been completely immobilized—an utterly terrifying sensation, as if his own body no longer belonged to him.

He glanced at Chen Mo again, the arrogance in his eyes replaced entirely by caution.

This kid is uncanny, incredibly uncanny!

Yi Zhonghai’s face darkened like burnt soot. Today, as the head of the family, he had utterly lost face—not only had he failed to help the Jia family seize Chen Mo’s house, but he had also been publicly exposed in his schemes and ended up losing eighteen yuan and seventy-five cents!

That sum was nearly half a month’s salary for him, wasted just like that, causing him deep anguish.

What unsettled him even more was Chen Mo’s final remark: “Today is only the beginning.”

What does that mean? What does this kid intend next?

“Chen Mo, don’t think that knowing a few tricks makes you the boss around here!”

Yi Zhonghai tried to regain some dignity, forcing himself to speak, “This courtyard abides by rules and neighborly harmony. You assaulted someone and extorted money today—this isn’t over!”

Chen Mo looked at him as if he were a fool, slowly folding the eighteen yuan and seventy-five cents bill by bill and slipping them into his pocket with a crisp snap.

“Grandpa, are you getting old and forgetful?” Chen Mo said calmly. “Who threw the first punch? He Yuzhu. Who came to curse me to death and covet my house and pension? Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu. And who was the mastermind behind it all? You, Yi Zhonghai.”

“I was just defending myself and incidentally collected a bit for emotional distress and medical expenses. How does that make me a tyrant in your mouth?”

“You’d be a wasted talent if you didn’t take up storytelling with your skill at twisting facts.”

“You—!” Yi Zhonghai was so stunned he couldn’t utter a word, his aged face turning a deep purplish hue.

Seeing the situation deteriorate, Qin Huairu hurried to smooth things over.

She didn’t want the matter to escalate further. Her reputation had already taken a serious hit today, and if things spiraled any more, the image she had painstakingly built in the courtyard would be ruined.

“Chen Mo, this whole thing is a misunderstanding,” Qin Huairu said with tears welling in her eyes and a quivering voice. “My mother just has a sharp tongue, no ill intentions. Yuzhu acted impulsively—he just can’t stand seeing me wronged.”

“Show some generosity and don’t stoop to their level. We’re all neighbors here, bound to see each other every day.”

“Hmph.”

Chen Mo let out a cold laugh.

The old tricks—crying, causing a scene, playing the victim—were nothing new. The previous owner had fallen for them, completely fooled by her, always favoring the Jia family.

“Qin Huairu, save your act.”

Chen Mo bluntly pierced through her facade.

“Your tears mean nothing to me. You want me to let it go? Fine.”

Qin Huairu’s eyes brightened, sensing a possible breakthrough.

But Chen Mo’s tone shifted, his gaze growing cold: “You three—right now, immediately—get out of my house. Without my permission, don’t you dare set foot in here again. Otherwise, He Yuzhu will be your example today.”

At these words, Jia Zhangshi was the first to refuse.

Already furious from being slapped and getting nothing out of it, now Chen Mo dared to kick them out?

“You brat, who do you think you are? This courtyard belongs to everyone! How dare you stop us from coming in!”

Jia Zhangshi placed her hands on her hips, ready to cause a scene.

“This house belongs to me.”

Chen Mo pointed at the door.

“Leave, or I’ll make sure you leave lying down.”

Though his voice was low, the chilling menace in it stopped Jia Zhangshi’s next words dead in her throat.

She remembered Chen Mo’s supernatural tactics just now—a single needle had forced the foolish Yuzhu to kneel, and the slap she had taken still burned sharply.

This kid really doesn’t fear her tantrums anymore.

He Yuzhu tugged at Jia Zhangshi’s sleeve and whispered, “Aunt Jia, let’s just go.”

He was truly scared now; if Chen Mo struck again, he might never get back up.

Yi Zhonghai also realized there was no gain in staying and only humiliation to suffer.

He cast a fierce glare at Chen Mo, as if he wanted to devour him alive, then swung his sleeve and said, “Let’s go!”

Leading the retreat, he left. He Yuzhu helped the reluctant Jia Zhangshi, while Qin Huairu cast a complex glance at Chen Mo before following them out.

Once they were gone, Chen Mo immediately shut the door and bolted it from the inside.

Finally, the room fell silent.

Chen Mo exhaled deeply, feeling all his strength drained.

Just now, he had relied solely on his willpower and the system’s power to hold on. Now that his guard was down, the weakness in his body surged back.

He patted the heavy eighteen yuan and seventy-five cents in his pocket and finally felt a bit reassured.

[Notification: Host has successfully punished the beasts in the courtyard: Jia Zhangshi, Qin Huairu, Yi Zhonghai, He Yuzhu, and gained monetary rewards. Overall rating: B+.]

[Rewards granted: 50 Punishment Points, 1 Physical Recovery Potion (Basic).]

The system’s voice echoed in his mind, invigorating him.

“Physical recovery potion? Nice!”

Without hesitation, he used it. A warm current rose from his dantian, swiftly flowing through every limb and sinew.

His body, once emaciated from prolonged illness, felt like parched earth soaking up rain, gradually revitalized.

Though not yet bursting with vitality, he no longer struggled for breath after a few steps.

“Whew...” Chen Mo felt truly alive. After three months in this world, today was the first time he truly controlled his body.

He opened the system panel to check.

Host: Chen Mo

Physique: Weak (Recovering)

Medical Skills: Divine Slap (0 uses left), Silver Needle Acupuncture (Basic)

Items: One set of silver needles

Punishment Points: 50

Fifty points could be exchanged for many useful things.

Browsing through the system’s shop, he found an array of items—from various medical techniques to rare herbs, even some advanced medical devices beyond this era.

But for now, his priority was improving his living conditions.

“First, get some food.”

He rubbed his growling stomach.

The original occupant had been ill for so long that the household had run out of food, surviving on rice water alone.

Now with money and recovering health, Chen Mo refused to neglect himself any longer.

Pocketing his cash, he opened the door and stepped outside.

The sky had already darkened, and the aroma of home-cooked meals wafted from every household in the courtyard.

Of course, in this era, “delicious meals” mostly meant cornbread, pickles, and cornmeal porridge.

Chen Mo’s appearance immediately caught everyone’s attention.

After the commotion in his room, the entire courtyard had been all ears.

Now seeing him unharmed and seemingly more energetic, everyone found it unbelievable.

“Has Chen Mo really cured Yuzhu?”

“Yeah, I saw it with my own eyes. Just two needle pricks, and Yuzhu was up on his feet.”

“My god, when did he learn that skill?”

“Do you think asking for eighteen yuan and seventy-five cents was a bit much?”

“Not at all! Yuzhu deserved it! He was peacefully convalescing at home, and his whole family barged in trying to snatch his house. Yuzhu even threw the first punch. It’s a mercy his leg wasn’t broken!”

“Exactly. If you ask me, that money was too little!”

The courtyard’s sentiment had completely shifted.

People might have sympathized with the widow Qin Huairu before, but after Jia Zhangshi revealed the truth, everyone’s minds were clear as glass.

Yi Zhonghai’s blatant favoritism and scheming had also left many disheartened.

Yan Bugui, the third uncle, squatted at his doorstep, puffing on dried tobacco while appraising Chen Mo with calculating eyes.

His mental wheels turned rapidly.

This kid quietly had medical skills? And powerful ones at that? This was a gold mine!

Earning over eighteen yuan at once was almost a month’s salary for a teacher like him.

If he could learn a thing or two from Chen Mo or get discounted treatment...

Yan Bugui’s face lit up with a smile as he said, “Little Chen, feeling better? Going out?”

Chen Mo glanced at him, aware of the old man’s thoughts, and nodded faintly. “Yes, Uncle, going out to buy some things.”

“Good, good. Health is the foundation.”

Yan Bugui smiled, scheming how to get favors with little or no cost.

Chen Mo had no interest in chatting further and strode out of the quadrangle.

First, he went to the grocery store. In this era, purchases required ration coupons, but the original occupant’s parents had left not only money but also some coupons as part of their pension.

Chen Mo didn’t hesitate, using both cash and coupons to buy a pound of pork, five large white steamed buns, and half a pound of peanuts.

The shop assistant glanced twice at this young man buying such good food.

Carrying his haul, Chen Mo felt utterly satisfied.

After three months in this world, he was finally able to enjoy a proper meal.

He didn’t return directly to the courtyard but found a quiet alley to store the food in his system space.

The system space was small—only one cubic meter—but sufficient for temporary storage.

Afterwards, he visited the pigeon market.

In this era, the pigeon market was the only place common folk could freely trade, albeit with some risk, and buy items unavailable through ration tickets.

Guided by memory, he found the spot easily.

He didn’t plan to buy big items, just something to strengthen his body.

After a round, he found a promising item—a shrewd-looking middle-aged man discreetly selling a cleaned old hen.

“Brother, how much for the chicken?” Chen Mo whispered.

The man looked around cautiously and held up five fingers.

“Five yuan?” Chen Mo asked.

The man nodded.

Five yuan for a chicken was a fortune in this era; ordinary workers earned only about thirty yuan a month.

But Chen Mo wasn’t short on money now, and he needed the old hen for nourishment.

“Alright, I’ll take it.”

Chen Mo paid decisively, took the old hen wrapped in a rag, and quickly left the pigeon market.

By the time he returned to the courtyard, night had fully fallen.

The courtyard was quiet; everyone had finished eating and was preparing to rest.

Chen Mo entered his room, closed the door, and retrieved all his purchases from the system space.

White steamed buns, braised pork, peanuts, and a whole old hen!

He cut the pork in half and simmered it simply with soy sauce and star anise.

The rich aroma soon wafted from his small kitchen.

In this bland, modest courtyard, the smell was like a bombshell.

At the Jia family in the center courtyard, Jia Zhangshi lay in bed, grumbling and cursing Chen Mo.

Qin Huairu sat under the lamp, mending Banggeng’s clothes, her mood sour.

Suddenly, a strong, irresistible meat fragrance drifted into the room.

“What’s that smell? So fragrant!” Jia Zhangshi sat up and sniffed hard.

“It’s meat! The smell of meat!” Banggeng exclaimed, licking his lips, pressed against the window sniffing eagerly.

Qin Huairu also caught the scent and traced it to Chen Mo’s house.

“It’s coming from Chen Mo’s place!” Qin Huairu’s heart sank.

“That little bastard! Where did he get the money to buy meat?!” Jia Zhangshi’s eyes reddened. “It must be the money he extorted from Yuzhu today! Damn him! Using our family’s money to buy meat—he’s just asking for a rotten stomach!”

Banggeng licked his lips and looked at Qin Huairu. “Mom, I want to eat meat.”

Qin Huairu sighed. “There’s no meat, go to sleep.”

“No! I want meat! He has meat!” Banggeng shouted stubbornly. “Why does he get to eat meat while we have to drink porridge?”

Hearing this, Jia Zhangshi joined in the ruckus. “Right! Why! Huairu, you go, go to his house and bring back the meat! That’s our money!”

Qin Huairu’s head ached. “Mom, don’t be ridiculous. How can we just take his meat?”

“How can’t we? Chen Mo’s an orphan, what he eats is his business. Banggeng’s the only seedling of the Jia family, growing strong! If he eats meat, why can’t Banggeng?”

Jia Zhangshi grew more excited. “Banggeng, come on, let’s go with grandma and snatch his meat!”

She grabbed Banggeng’s hand, ready to set off.