In the courtyard, Mrs. Jia had always been a woman who feared nothing and no one, yet she harbored a sliver of dread deep in her heart for Xushu.
In their daily lives, when conflicts arose in the courtyard, most residents chose to bite their tongues and let things slide, fearing the influence of Yi Zhonghai. But Xushu was different; he was truly capable of calling the police to handle matters. Furthermore, Xushu held the status of a martyr’s dependent, a title that hung over Mrs. Jia’s head like a sharp sword, preventing her from acting out in the slightest. She knew well that if she spoke out of turn and provoked him, she might find herself stepping through the gates of the detention center once again—an experience she had no desire to repeat.
Consequently, Mrs. Jia had learned her lesson. She no longer engaged in shouting matches with Xushu, but instead spent her days plotting how to sneak into his home and filch some belongings. Unfortunately, Xushu was extremely cautious; no matter how long he planned to be away, even if it were just for a quick trip to the Middle Courtyard, he would always lock his door securely. Mrs. Jia, accompanied by Banggen, had observed him for a long time, their eyes nearly straining from the effort, yet they could never find an opening. After all, although Shazhu had the inclination to teach Banggen how to pick locks and sneak into rooms, he had yet to produce any real results.
Chapter 75