Traveling back to 1966, starting by living in a cowshed.

Chapter 197 Xu Damao's Stubbornness

"Xu Damao, you bastard! It's clearly your fault! Stop fooling yourself!"

Qin Jingru struggled to shake off his hand, and her shouts grew louder.

"How many folk remedies have you tried this past year? Did they even work? I don't think you're any good! That comrade was right, you're just a useless person who can't have children!"

Xu Damao was hit where it hurt, his face turned pale instantly, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he raised his hand to hit Qin Jingru.

"You bitch, dare say that again!"

"stop!"

Seeing that no one in the courtyard stepped forward to stop him, Lin Zhou had no choice but to step forward himself, grab Xu Damao's wrist, and say coldly:

"Mr. Xu, what kind of skill is it to hit a woman? It's not your fault that you can't have children, but it's wrong of you to hit her."

Xu Damao's wrist ached from Lin Zhou's grip. He struggled a few times but couldn't break free, and his face turned red with anger.

"It's you? You bastard! Mind your own business! If you hadn't come here last year spouting nonsense, we wouldn't have ended up like this!"

"I'm talking nonsense?" Lin Zhou sneered.

"When I mentioned that Lou Xiao'e had two children, why didn't you accuse me of talking nonsense?"

"She married you hoping to build a good life with you, have children, but you wouldn't even go for a checkup at the hospital. How can you face her like that?"

When the people in the courtyard heard Lin Zhou mention Lou Xiao'e, they immediately saw Lou Xiao'e standing to one side with her two children, watching.

Immediately, the people in the courtyard began to chatter amongst themselves.

Yang Ruihua whispered to Yan Bugui:

"I knew something was off about Xu Damao, and when this comrade said it last year, I believed him."

Look, this time Qin Jingru's checkup revealed that she herself had no problems, but Xu Damao did. It's truly a tragedy.

Yan Bugui adjusted his glasses, his eyes gleaming, and said:

"It's really hard to say. Xu Damao is a smooth talker, and Qin Jingru is easily swayed. I guess it won't be long before she's fooled by him again."

"However, speaking of which, Lou Xiao'e's friend mentioned last year that Jie Cheng and Yu Li couldn't have children, and over the past year, Jie Cheng has been bringing this up with me all the time."

"If Jie Cheng had been depleted of his health before, he has spent a lot of money to replenish his nutrition this year, but Yu Li's belly still hasn't shown any signs of pregnancy, which is really worrying."

Although he spoke softly, Yu Li, who had just returned from the restaurant to get something, overheard him. She had come over to see what was going on because she had heard shouting coming from the courtyard, and that's when she heard what Yan Bugui said.

Yu Li's face instantly turned ugly. Last year, Lin Zhou publicly questioned her and Yan Jiecheng's inability to have children, making her feel ashamed in the courtyard.

Over the past year, she and Yan Jiecheng have spent a lot of money on supplements to improve her nutrition, but her belly has not improved, which has put a lot of pressure on her. After all, most people nowadays believe that if a woman cannot have children, it is because she is infertile.

"Dad, what you said is wrong," Yu Li couldn't help but say, her voice tinged with grievance.

"Whether I can have children or not is not my business, so how can you blame me?"

Yan Bugui's smile froze. He hadn't expected Yu Li to return, and he said, somewhat embarrassed, "..."

"I was just saying it casually, don't take it to heart. I'm just hoping you two can have a big, healthy son soon so that the Yan family can continue its lineage."

"You can't force someone to carry on the family line," Yu Li said, biting her lip, her eyes reddening slightly.

"Jie Cheng and I have tried our best, but this is not something that can be rushed."

The atmosphere in the courtyard grew increasingly chaotic, and Yi Zhonghai stood to the side, his face growing ever more grim.

He felt that Lin Zhou was a jinx. Last year, his visit caused chaos in the courtyard, and now his return has stirred up so many conflicts.

He coughed, trying to control the situation: "Stop arguing! If you keep this up, what will become of our courtyard's reputation? Look at the state of yourselves!"

His voice carried a hint of the authority he once held as a senior figure, and the murmurs in the courtyard gradually subsided.

Yi Zhonghai looked at Lin Zhou and said in a serious tone, "Comrade, since you have come to our courtyard, you are a guest and should not cause trouble here."

"We have our own ways of handling things in our courtyard houses, and we don't need outsiders to interfere."

Lin Zhou released Xu Damao's wrist and said calmly, "Sir, I didn't start any trouble, I was just telling the truth."

"Some conflicts can't be resolved by hiding them. It's better for everyone to talk about them sooner rather than later."

Seeing this, Qin Huairu quickly took Qin Jingru's hand and gently comforted her:

"Jingru, don't cry. Let's talk this out. Xu Damao didn't do it on purpose. Can't you two, as a couple, discuss and resolve things together?"

She knew in her heart that once it was confirmed that Xu Damao couldn't have children, Qin Jingru would definitely want a divorce. Moreover, she didn't want the Jia family's reputation to be affected by their divorce.

Xu Damao rubbed his wrist, which had been gripped red by Lin Zhou, and looked at Qin Jingru's red eyes. He also had doubts in his heart. He then looked at the two children that Lou Xiao'e had brought.

He sighed, and his tone softened somewhat as he said:

"Jingru, I'm sorry, it's my fault, but I really want to live a good life with you. How about this, you go to a big hospital for a proper check-up. Maybe your own check-up wasn't accurate. This time, I'll go with you for a proper check-up, and maybe you'll get pregnant this time."

Qin Jingru sobbed, "I've had so many checkups and it's always the same. I have absolutely no problem! Look at your ex-wife, Lou Xiao'e, she's already had two children."

The moment she spoke, all eyes turned to Lou Xiao'e. Lou Xiao'e's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a flicker of embarrassment and displeasure in her eyes. She hadn't expected Qin Jingru to suddenly turn her attention to her.

"Qin Jingru, don't talk nonsense." Lou Xiao'e frowned, her tone serious. "Xu Damao and I divorced a long time ago. We each have our own lives now. Don't drag me into this."

Xu Damao quickly added, "Jingru, don't think nonsense. If I were useless, wouldn't I be like a eunuch? I'm perfectly fine now."

The farce in the courtyard continued. Lin Zhou stood aside, watching everything unfold before him, and couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

There's a reason why this courtyard house is called the "Beast Courtyard." Everyone has their own thoughts and calculations, and those hidden conflicts are like landmines buried underground. Once triggered, they will explode instantly.

Seeing the farce unfolding before her, Lou Xiao'e immediately lost interest. She had originally planned to come find Sha Zhu and, incidentally, slap Xu Damao in the face.

Sha Zhu is now working at Yan Jiecheng's restaurant, while Xu Damao's life is a mess. Even if it is proven that he, Xu Damao, cannot have children, he will not feel any sense of accomplishment.

So he said to Lin Zhou, who was standing next to him, "Let's leave first, it's too chaotic here."

Lin Zhou nodded. He had originally planned to reveal a few more secrets, but after thinking about it, he decided against it and followed Lou Xiao'e toward the front yard.

After they left, the onlookers in the courtyard started talking even louder. Lin Zhou's visit to the courtyard with Lou Xiao'e had once again brought quite a stir to this peaceful place.