Siheyuan: Starting from 1958

Chapter 692 Sour Grapes (First Update)
Seeing Jia Zhangshi flaunting her nouveau riche image in front of him, the things she said became increasingly unpleasant.

Qin Huairu and Bang Geng both stood by, watching the spectacle with mocking expressions.

Even Kuihua, whom he had always thought was a decent person, stood beside him, looking at him with disdain.

He Yuzhu didn't want to deal with that old hag Jia Zhangshi, feeling it was too shameful.

But at this moment, he simply couldn't bear it any longer.

Seeing that a growing number of neighbors had gathered to watch the commotion, they decided to give Jia Zhangshi a good beating for her arrogance.

Let her know that even if Banggeng earns money outside, her Jia family's life is not as good as hers.

He put the snakeskin bag he was carrying on his shoulder down on the ground and said, "Jia Zhangshi..."

“I didn’t want you to lose face in front of so many neighbors. People would say that I, He Yuzhu, bully the elderly and like to show off.”

"And yet you actually went too far in front of so many neighbors, criticizing me, He Yuzhu, one sentence after another."

"Since you're so eager to compete, then let's have a proper competition..."

"Er Mao..."

"Take out the holiday supplies the hotel just gave us and show them to Mrs. Jia..."

"Which family's New Year's Eve dinner is more lavish this year, ours or the Jia family's?"

"Alright, Uncle He..." Er Mao had long been unable to tolerate Jia Zhangshi, that shrew, and was just waiting for He Yuzhu to speak.

Although He Yuzhu and his mother Liang Lati have become a couple, it would be a bit awkward for Er Mao and Da Mao to directly call him "Dad" since they are already adults. He Yuzhu also doesn't want to suddenly have a son in his twenties, so he continues to have Da Mao and Er Mao call him "Uncle".

Er Mao put down the bags he was carrying on his shoulders and pointed to the two large burlap sacks, explaining them to Jia Zhangshi and the surrounding neighbors...

“Jia Zhangshi…”

"These two bags of supplies were sent to my Uncle He by the restaurant. Now I'll show you what good stuff is in them..."

"Ten pounds of pork, all top-quality pork belly..."

"A pig's leg weighs at least five pounds."

"There are also five catties of mutton, five catties of beef, two old hens, and two carp..."

"The carp you bought is indeed a bit bigger than the one the restaurant gave to Uncle He, but do you have any beef or mutton?"

Do you know how much lamb and beef cost per pound outside these days?

"Let me tell you..."

"My uncle's five catties of mutton can buy all the old hens, carp, and pork belly you have..."

"Besides the meat, the restaurant also gave my uncle five catties of pastries, three catties of candy, three catties of melon seeds, and three catties of peanuts..."

"More importantly, all of these things were New Year's benefits that the restaurant gave to my Uncle He. He didn't have to pay a single penny. Does your Jia Zhangshi have anyone giving you New Year's benefits?"

Seeing the various meats and pastries that Er Mao took out of the snakeskin bag, not only did Jia Zhangshi's face turn red, but the neighbors who were watching the commotion also became very envious.

Many people had just mentally calculated that buying all the supplies the restaurant had given to He Yuzhu would cost at least a hundred yuan.

Many people don't even earn this much money in two months, yet Dongjun Hotel gave it to He Yuzhu for free as a New Year's bonus.

Just then, a neighbor whose family worked at the Dongjun Hotel suddenly spoke up: "Er Mao..."

"Do all employees at Dongjun Hotel receive so many benefits?"

This sentence immediately attracted everyone's attention, and as if they had planned it together, they all focused their gaze on Er Mao.

If Dongjun Hotel really gives every employee this many New Year's supplies, then their welfare benefits are too good.

Er Mao shook his head and replied, "How could that be..." "No matter how rich our restaurant is, we can't possibly give every employee a New Year's bonus of over a hundred yuan..."

Some neighbors who didn't have family members working at Dongjun Hotel immediately chimed in, "I knew it!"

"Dongjun Hotel already pays its employees very high salaries, how could they possibly give them so many benefits on top of that..."

"People run restaurants to make money, not to run charities. Why should they give their employees so many benefits?"

"Zhu Zi is the restaurant's sous chef, which is equivalent to the restaurant's deputy manager. He's a leader, so it's certain that he gets good benefits."

"Those who work as ordinary employees at Dongjun Hotel should not even dream about it."

The person who spoke was clearly a sour grapes, and their words were barbed, as if they were afraid that someone else would get all the benefits.

After these words spread, many neighbors in the courtyard showed expressions of disappointment.

Without exception, all of these people had family members working at the restaurant.

Er Mao chuckled, then changed the subject, saying, "Who told you that ordinary employees at Dongjun Hotel don't get New Year's benefits?"

"My Uncle He is in the management at the restaurant, and they're receiving their perks today..."

"Tomorrow afternoon, the kitchen staff and security guards will receive their welfare benefits..."

"The day after tomorrow afternoon, regular front desk staff will receive their benefits."

"The benefits at the restaurant are based on everyone's rank, and everyone gets them."

“My Uncle He is a leader, so his benefits are naturally better, but the ordinary employees in the restaurant are not bad either.”

"Even the lowest-ranking waiters and kitchen helpers can receive a New Year's bonus worth thirty yuan each."

"I remember there were about two pounds of pork, a carp, a chicken, a pound of beef, a pound of mutton, a pound of pastries, a pound of peanuts, and a pound of sunflower seeds..."

"Anyway, all the things added up to a big bag..."

"I am the restaurant's sous chef, and I can receive a New Year's bonus worth eighty yuan."

After saying that, he turned his gaze to Old Wang in the front yard: "Uncle Wang..."

"Your son works as a kitchen helper and can receive a New Year's bonus worth thirty yuan..."

"Although the quantity of each item was not large, it was very complete. Pork, chicken, fish, mutton, beef... the restaurant basically distributed everything that can be eaten during the Chinese New Year."

Old Wang's face immediately lit up with a smile, and he retorted to his neighbor who had just been blaming others for being unsuccessful: "I knew Dongjun Restaurant wouldn't mistreat its employees..."

"as expected……"

"If I remember correctly, my family hasn't eaten beef or mutton for almost 20 years."

"Thanks to Boss Dongzi, we'll be able to have beef and mutton for Chinese New Year this year..."

"no……"

"I need to go back and tell my wife right now."

"She's going to buy New Year's goods early tomorrow morning. Since Dongjun Hotel gave my son New Year's goods, we should definitely buy less."

"Otherwise, if we buy too much, we won't be able to finish it, and it will definitely go to waste."

Jia Zhangshi, who wanted to humiliate He Yuzhu in front of everyone, was humiliated by He Yuzhu instead. Sometime later, this old hag quietly slipped back to the central courtyard.

When I get home, I close the door immediately, afraid that my neighbors will point fingers at me.

(End of this chapter)