Siheyuan: Starting from the driver

Chapter 772 An Outburst from Silence

Time flies, and it's the weekend.

It's been a week since the joke came out.

This week, Banggeng was very well-behaved, staying at the front door all day and not going out to play much.

He seemed to have undergone a complete transformation, which surprised everyone in the courtyard.

The little tyrant who used to run rampant in the yard, his eyes gleaming with cunning and recklessness, is now as quiet as a faded clay statue.

"Hey, you know what, that juvenile detention center really works! Look at Bang Geng, he's like a completely different person when he comes back!" Yan Bugui exclaimed, hands clasped in his pockets.

"That's right! He used to be such a rascal, but now he's so well-behaved. He sits there all day without even moving an inch!" the third aunt chimed in.

"He's become more sensible. It seems that the place where he's disciplined is different."

"Sigh, if only my son had a bit of a 'bangge' (a nickname for a dog) and was half as obedient as he is now!"

"Absolutely! I'll scare my little rascal a bit too. If he keeps causing trouble, I'll send him to juvenile detention so he can learn some manners from Bang Geng!"

Everyone was amazed by Bang Geng's transformation; the effect of just one visit to the juvenile detention center was so remarkable! Many parents' eyes gleamed.

Then, naturally, people followed suit, and the words "juvenile detention center" became the most popular "magic weapon to keep children in check" in the courtyard overnight.

"You brat, if you don't behave, believe me, I'll send you to a juvenile detention center and let them teach you a lesson!"

"You brat! Dare to talk back again? Believe me, you'll be learning some 'rules' from Brother Banggeng tomorrow!"

"Oh, look how nice Bang Geng is! When will you be able to make things so easy for me? If you keep causing trouble, I'll send you there!"

Every time he hears the words "juvenile detention center," "Bang Geng," or "learning the rules," Bang Geng's stiff, stone-like body will tremble almost imperceptibly.

Only Yi Zhonghai, every time he passed by the Intermediate People's Court, would frown even more deeply upon seeing Bang Geng's "mud sculpture"-like posture.

However, in Yi Zhonghai's view, this was ultimately just the calm before the storm!
Something bad will happen someday.

He could only shake his head inwardly and walk away with a heavy heart.

In interactions with family members, the hamster takes "obeying orders" to the extreme.

When it's time to eat, Jia Zhangshi or Qin Huairu only need to say, "Bang Geng, time to eat."

He would immediately get up, walk to the table, and stand in the same rigid posture, waiting for the instructions to "sit" and "eat".

"Bang Geng, drink more water, your throat is hoarse. Mom is doing this for your own good."

"Banggeng, put on this clean shirt. The one you're wearing is all sour. Mom is doing this for your own good."

"Hey, get some sun. Don't always look down; it's good for your eyes. Mom's doing this for your own good."

"For your own good!"
"For your own good!"
Every time he hears those three words, Banggeng's hands clench into fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, leaving deep white marks.

Those gentle words sounded more grating to him than the most vicious curses in the juvenile detention center.

Several more days slipped by in this eerie and oppressive calm.

The neighbors' imitation intensified, and "juvenile detention center" and "learning from the best" became almost common phrases for disciplining children.

The children were terrified by the terrible threat, and the yard was indeed much quieter. The adults' faces showed long-lost relaxed smiles.

At noon, the courtyard was unusually lively.

Liu Haizhong somehow managed to get three ounces of pork.
He enthusiastically set up a small stove in front of his house, ready to show off his "barbecue skills".

The aroma quickly filled the entire courtyard, attracting the children to gather around, their eyes fixed on the sizzling, oily slices of meat.

Banggeng remained seated in the corner of the Jia family's threshold, his head bowed.

The enticing aroma of meat wafted over and entered his nostrils.

In the past, he would have been the first to rush over, grinning and begging for it.

But now, he only made a very slight movement of his Adam's apple, and then there was no other reaction.

The two brothers, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, strutted around the yard showing off a piece of stolen meat.

A group of children stared longingly at the piece of meat, following the two brothers closely.

Unbeknownst to them, the two wandered to the central courtyard and saw Banggeng standing there stiffly like a clay sculpture, which immediately piqued their interest.

The two exchanged a glance, each guessing what the other was planning.

Without hesitation, the two staggered over to the stick and presented it to it like a treasure.

"Does it smell good? Want some?"

The fat swayed in front of the stalk's nose.

Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi, who were inside the house, did not stop it, seemingly hoping to use this to awaken Banggeng.

"Hey! You're pretty good at holding your tongue!"

"I refuse to believe I can't fool you!"

Seeing that Banggeng remained unmoved, the two brothers immediately perked up.

He leaned forward, the meat almost touching Banggeng's lips: "Banggeng, eat! It's delicious! Only good children get meat!"

An obedient child.
This statement is like a pebble thrown into a stagnant pond.

In an instant, Banggeng immediately thought of his experience in the juvenile detention center.

Every punch that landed on him, every time he was kicked to the ground, every time he was locked in a dark room, was accompanied by shouts of "disobedience!"

Countless images, like a runaway slideshow, exploded in his mind!

Liu Guangfu persisted in offering the piece of meat forward, saying, "Bang Geng, be good."

"obedient?"

This completely detonated the already overburdened string in Bang Geng's brain!
"Ugh—!"

A roar that sounded inhuman suddenly burst forth from deep within Banggeng's throat.

Everyone was stunned by the terrifying sound!
The laughter abruptly stopped.

Suddenly, the stick-like creature raised its head!
His face and eyes were bloodshot, and the veins on his forehead bulged out menacingly. His face turned from pale to a purplish-red like a pig's liver in an instant!

"roll!!!"

He roared like a wild beast at Liu Guangfu, who was standing right next to him and completely terrified, spitting all over the child's face.

Then, with all his might, he pushed it out hard!

"I go!"

Liu Guangfu was suddenly pushed and had no time to react.

The person was thrown backward, and the piece of crispy meat in his hand flew away.

He fell heavily to the ground, hitting the back of his head with a dull thud.

The pain brought tears to his eyes instantly, and he covered his head and screamed.

"Juvenile detention center! Juvenile detention center! You sent me here! You studied here!!" Bang Geng completely lost his mind.

"Bang!" He kicked over the swill bucket that the Jia family had placed at the door!

The pungent smell of rancid water mixed with rotten vegetable leaves was instantly spilled all over the ground, making it filthy.

"Ah!" Jia Zhangshi, who was closest to the splash, jumped away with a scream after her trouser leg was splattered with water.

Without even glancing at the source of the aroma in the backyard, Bang Geng's gaze was fixed on the small grill hidden in his bangs.

At that moment, Liu Haizhong was happily grilling meat, surrounded by a crowd of people.

"I'll let you eat! I'll let you control me!!" Bang Geng shouted with a frenzied urge to take everyone down with him.

"Bang Geng! Are you crazy?!" Liu Haizhong was terrified; he had gone to great lengths to get the meat!
He tried to protect the stove, but it was no use.

"Bang—!!!" Bang Geng used all his strength to kick over the small grill.

The blazing charcoal fire, the scorching iron rack, and the half-cooked chunks of meat burst forth in all directions like a shower of flowers!
"Oh my God!"

"It's on fire!"

"Get out of the way!"

"It's burning me!"

The courtyard instantly erupted in chaos!

Sparks fly!

The people closest to the fire, including Liu Haizhong who couldn't back away in time, were splattered with hot coals and oil, screaming and desperately slapping themselves.

A spark flew onto a pile of old newspapers next to it, instantly igniting a small cluster of flames!

Fortunately, someone nearby reacted quickly and stepped on it.

Banggeng stood in the center of the chaos, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath.

Looking at the terrified crowd around him, at Liu Haizhong hopping around while clutching his burned arm, at the mess on the ground...
The anger that had just erupted seemed to dissipate most of it with this tug.

But what followed was fear!
"the fat is in the fire!!!"

He's caused a huge mess, far bigger than petty theft or breaking windows.
They might even be arrested and sent to a juvenile detention center.

"No, I don't want to go!"

The gull made an incomprehensible hoarse sound from its throat, and its body began to tremble uncontrollably, more violently than ever before.

Just a moment ago they were like fierce demons, but in the blink of an eye they were trembling with fear.

"They've rebelled! They've defied the heavens!!"

Liu Haizhong was so angry that his whole body was trembling with fat. His finger pointing at the stick was shaking. Half of his sleeve was burned with a hole, and a large red patch was on his arm.

"You little bastard! You've only been out for a few days? A leopard can't change its spots! I'll beat you to death!"

He grabbed a small iron rod used for poking fire from the side, and in a fit of rage, was about to rush over and teach the stick a lesson.

"Old Liu! Stop!" A loud and authoritative voice rang out!

At the courtyard gate, Yi Zhonghai darted between Banggeng and Liu Haizhong.

He had been watching from the sidelines, his heart pounding in his chest. Seeing the fear in Bang Geng's eyes confirmed his worst fears!

This child isn't just bad, he's completely ruined!

"Old Yi! Get out of the way! This little beast!" Liu Haizhong glared angrily.

"Old Liu, Banggeng is just a child, what are you doing?"

"I don't care if he's a kid or not, damn it, he's ruined my life!" Liu Haizhong was furious and tried to push Yi Zhonghai away.

But Yi Zhonghai was like a tree that had taken root; he just couldn't be moved.

"This meat wasn't ruined by the stick, you ruined it yourself!"

"Pah! Why would I go looking for trouble and ruin my own meat jerky? Yi Zhonghai, get out of my way right now, or I'll get rough!"

Even if it's a threat in Liu Hai's hair, Yi Zhonghai won't give in.

"If you want to eat meat, just eat it at home. Why did you have to grill it? What are you trying to do!"

"Bang Geng was perfectly fine until your two kids started causing trouble and provoking Bang Geng. Bang Geng wouldn't have torn your flesh apart!"

Liu Haizhong knew that his actions were intentional, but how could he possibly think it was his fault?

Upon hearing that it was the Liu brothers who were causing trouble, they immediately found an outlet for their anger.

"You brat!" With a roar, Liu Haizhong spotted the two brothers, grabbed his things, and gave chase.

Although Liu Guangfu was suddenly pushed to the ground and his head was shaken, he was resilient and recovered after a while.

Upon seeing Liu Haizhong chasing after them, the two were so frightened that they fled in panic.

"Don't run! I'll beat you both to death!"

"Bang Geng! Bang Geng! My son!" Qin Huairu hugged her trembling son tightly, her voice trembling with sobs.

He was held in his mother's arms, and after feeling that familiar sense of security, the last string of the taut nerves in the man's body finally snapped.

"Wah—!" With a cry, the eight-year-old boy, like a three-year-old child who had suffered all kinds of grievances, burst into tears in his mother's arms!
Jia Zhangshi also ran over. Looking at the mother and son who were crying in each other's arms, her old face was filled with confusion and helplessness. Her lips trembled and she could not speak.

Yi Zhonghai watched this scene, sighed heavily, and then looked at everyone.

"Don't bring up 'juvenile detention center' or 'school sports jokes' all the time! Have you ever thought about what those places are?"

"You use that place to scare the kids, have you ever thought about what Bang Geng went through in there?! Do you think it's good for him to just sit there like that?!"

"That's from fear! He was beaten so badly he's scared to death! He's been beaten silly!!"

Yi Zhonghai's words struck like a heavy hammer, hitting everyone's heart.

Just moments ago, I thought Bang Geng overturning the grill was a case of "a leopard can't change its spots," but now, seeing his completely destroyed state, I couldn't help but feel a chill and lingering fear.

Yan Bugui rubbed his hands together and muttered, "Old Yi is right. This effect is too bizarre."

The other parents with children also had their eyes flicker.

Those who had just thought the "child-suppressing magic weapon" was quite useful were instantly extinguished.

Yes, this isn't the way they want the Korean-style hamburger to look.

It's better for kids to be a little mischievous; at least they're still alive and well.

What can we do when this happens so suddenly?

The two brothers had already run far away with a stack of cigarettes, so they had no choice but to return reluctantly.

"You two troublemakers! I'll deal with you when we get home!"

Upon seeing this, Yi Zhonghai naturally offered some words of comfort.

"Old Liu, is the burn serious? Quickly rinse it with some cool water."

"The meat can still be eaten after washing it, so let's not waste it."

He directed the chaotic situation, "Everyone, lend a hand and clean up these embers first, before they really catch fire! The ground is slippery, be careful!"

Under Yi Zhonghai's command and with everyone's subconscious cooperation, the chaotic scene was gradually brought under control.

Everyone silently cleaned up the charcoal embers, oil stains, swill, and spilled debris on the ground; the atmosphere was terribly oppressive.

Yi Zhonghai walked to Qin Huairu, who was holding her son, squatted down, and lowered his voice.

"Xiao Qin, this can't go on. This child is practically losing his soul; this isn't an illness."

He carefully considered his words, "We have to think of a way, we have to find someone to take a look. If this continues, this child might really be ruined."

Qin Huairu held her son tightly, who was crying so hard he was almost exhausted. Looking at his pale face, her heart ached.

It turns out that his experience in the juvenile detention center was not a process of reform, but a form of torture that almost completely destroyed him.

"I'm sorry, Banggeng, it's Mom who's sorry!"

I thought it would be a wonderful renovation, but it turned out like this.

"Uncle, I understand. I'll try to find someone right away."

Qin Huairu carried Banggeng, who was in a semi-conscious state after his mental breakdown, and struggled to move back into the house.

Qin Huairu carefully placed the stick on the kang (a heated brick bed).

His body continued to twitch slightly and unconsciously, uttering incoherent murmurs: "Don't hit me. I'll listen to you. I won't go to the juvenile detention center."

(End of this chapter)