Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 1092 Huai Ru's Surprising Move
Sha Zhu finally couldn't resist the temptation of the "female teacher" and caught up with Yan Bugui at the entrance of Mao'er Hutong, which was next to the public toilet.

Sha Zhu grabbed Yan Bugui and said, "Third Uncle, wait a minute, is what you said about the youth association true? When did it happen? Can I go?"

Yan Bugui was overjoyed, thinking to himself, "With me taking action, you're sure to take the bait."

Yan Bugui said calmly, "What? Shazhu, you want to go? You can ask your factory's union about it, but there are standards for participation. You have to be an outstanding young person recommended by your unit. Are you up to the task?"

Sha Zhu's heart sank to the bottom. He was far from outstanding in the factory and had offended many people. Good things never came his way. Yan Bugui noticed Sha Zhu's disappointment and continued, "However, all the female teachers in our school will participate, and I, as this year's outstanding teacher, have a recommendation spot."

Sha Zhu's eyes lit up, and he grabbed Yan Bugui's hand, saying, "Uncle, why don't you recommend me? You see how much respect I show you in the yard. You should think of me, your neighbor, for this good thing. I'm getting old, and if I don't find someone soon, I'll be almost thirty. Please have pity on me."

Yan Bugui looked troubled, but his eyes fell on the net bag in Sha Zhu's hand. Following Yan Bugui's gaze, Sha Zhu suddenly understood. He gritted his teeth, realizing he had to apologize to Sister Qin for his wedding. Sha Zhu quickly opened the net bag, took out a box, hesitated for a moment, then took out another box and handed it to Yan Bugui, saying, "Don't worry, as long as you recommend me, whether it works out or not is none of your business. Take these two boxes of food. This isn't leftovers; it's cooked and served in lunchboxes. It's all meat dishes. If it really works out, I'll thank you properly."

Yan Bugui looked very troubled, but his hands, which were tightly clutching the lunchbox, betrayed him. Yan Bugui said, "Okay, it's settled then. I'll definitely recommend you before the meeting. You can trust your third uncle to handle things. Alright, you can go back now."

When Sha Zhu saw that Yan Bugui had agreed, he flattered him a few times, then turned around and walked away happily, humming a little tune as he went. Yan Bugui watched him enter the courtyard from afar, then jogged after him, carrying the lunchbox and running home. Taking the lunchbox to the public toilet was something Yan Bugui would never do.

Sha Zhu, carrying the remaining two lunchboxes, hummed a little tune and swayed as she walked into the central courtyard. As soon as she entered, she saw Qin Huairu waiting there. Sha Zhu's heart skipped a beat. Qin Huairu also saw her and walked over with a smile, but when she got closer and saw Sha Zhu carrying two lunchboxes, her expression changed instantly.

In the morning, after Qin Huairu mentioned that Sha Zhu would bring dishes for dinner, the Jia family was looking forward to it. Bang Geng and Xiao Dang hadn't eaten yet, and were eagerly watching the courtyard, hoping for Sha Zhu's return. They also wanted to see what four meat dishes looked like. The two children were excited, chattering excitedly around Qin Huairu about dinner. Qin Huairu was strong as a mother, and her children were her top priority. Fulfilling their wishes became her responsibility.

But upon seeing the two lunchboxes, Qin Huairu asked, "Zhuzi, didn't we agree on four? Why are there only two?"

Sha Zhu realized he'd messed up. He didn't know how to explain it to Qin Huairu, so he stammered for a long time before finally saying, "Third Uncle took it."

After Sha Zhu finished speaking, he stuffed the lunchbox into Qin Huairu's mouth, turned around and ran home. As soon as he got home, he locked the door.

Qin Huairu was stunned for a moment. She didn't know what had happened, but she knew very well that the two lunch boxes had entered the Yan family's house, and they were probably eating there now. She sighed, picked up the net bag, and turned to go back into the house.

Pushing open the door, one adult and two children were sitting at the table, waiting. It was rare for Jia Zhangshi to be so diligent; she had even set out the bowls and chopsticks.

Qin Huairu placed the lunchboxes on the table, opened the lids, and thankfully found one box of braised pork and another of chicken stew with mushrooms. However, when Jia Zhangshi saw them, her face immediately turned cold, and she asked, "Didn't we agree on four dishes? Why are there only two?" Qin Huairu had no choice but to repeat what Sha Zhu had said. Before she could finish speaking, Jia Zhangshi's voice echoed throughout the courtyard. She shouted, "Why? Why is Old Man Yan stealing our food? I'm going to find him!"

After saying this, Jia Zhangshi put on her shoes and rushed out of the house, heading towards the Yan family's house in the front yard. By this time, Jia Zhangshi's shouts had already alerted the neighbors. Before Jia Zhangshi even reached the Yan family's door, the neighbors who were still awake came out, and Yan Bugui also came out, standing at the door waiting for Jia Zhangshi.

Jia Zhangshi pointed directly at Yan Bugui's nose and said, "You stingy old man Yan, you schemer, you've come to scheme against our family! We're an orphan and a widow, how can you be so shameless? You call yourself the Third Master? Do you even deserve to be called the Third Master? If you don't return Shazhu's lunchbox today, I'm not done with you."

To be honest, Yan Bugui was a little embarrassed. He had indeed schemed to get Sha Zhu's lunchbox, but he really didn't know that Sha Zhu had promised to give it to Qin Huairu. As Qin Huairu recounted the whole story of the morning and the things her children had been looking forward to all day in front of everyone, the neighbors started pointing fingers at Yan Bugui.

Yan Bugui was a little embarrassed, but he immediately said, "Mother and daughter-in-law Jia, I really didn't know these were for your family. There's definitely no more food. My family has three big boys who eat quickly. But one thing is certain: I didn't ask Shazhu for these two lunchboxes on my own initiative. He asked me for a favor and gave them to me voluntarily. If you don't believe me, you can go and ask Shazhu."

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai came out and said, "Liu Gen, go and call Sha Zhu. Let's talk things out face to face."

Liu Gen went to the Central Court and returned not long after. He walked up to Yi Zhonghai and said, "Master, the lights are off and the door is locked at Sha Zhu's house. No matter how I call, no one answers."

The group exchanged glances, realizing that the problem lay with Sha Zhu, who was hiding and afraid to come out. Without Sha Zhu, they couldn't explain the situation. Yi Zhonghai then dismissed everyone and persuaded the Jia family mother and daughter-in-law to return home.

Back home, Qin Huairu grew increasingly angry. She refused to eat and suddenly stood up. Jia Zhangshi looked at Qin Huairu and asked, "What's wrong?"

"No, I can't swallow this. I'm going to find Sha Zhu." Qin Huairu stormed off, heading straight for Sha Zhu's main house.

Sha Zhu was at home worrying. He couldn't hide from Sister Qin forever. He was smoking and thinking of a solution when there was a knock on the door. He didn't even need to ask to know that it must be Qin Huairu. Sha Zhu sighed. He figured he was going to either stick his neck out or pull it back, so he opened the door and let Qin Huairu into the house. Seeing that Sister Qin was angry, he didn't even need her to ask. Sha Zhu told her everything that had happened that day.

After listening, Qin Huairu calmed down and slowly thought about what had happened. She was certain that if what Sha Zhu said was true, then Sha Zhu must have been deceived by Yan Bugui. Maybe the social event was fake, but even if it was real, given Yan Bugui's reputation, it would be a miracle if he could get an admission recommendation.

Qin Huairu shared her thoughts with Shazhu, who was stunned and said, "No way, would Old Man Yan really lie to people?"

Qin Huairu's eyes darted around, and she said, "Here's what we'll do. Tomorrow, I'll have Banggeng take me to visit all the female teachers at your school. I'll try to invite them all over. You can cook a meal, and once Yan Bugui sees it, this matter will be settled." Sha Zhu nodded in agreement.

(End of this chapter)