Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 110 Shameful things in the academy must not be publicized (4k)

"Jia Zhangshi, who cares about your family's worthless favors?"

Sha Zhu was furious.

If Yi Zhonghai hadn't intervened, Sha Zhu wouldn't have planned to help the Jia family with this favor.

He'd put in the effort and even done someone a favor, but the Jia family's actions had left him in a completely unfavorable position.

The key point is that what Jia Zhangshi said just now was really insulting.

"Silly Zhu, Silly Zhu, don't be angry."

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai, who heard the commotion, rushed over and comforted Sha Zhu, saying, "Your Aunt Zhang must have forgotten about this. It's such a joyous occasion, so don't hold it against her. I'll talk to her for you."

Yi Zhonghai never expected that Jia Dongxu's wedding, which had ended smoothly, would still cause such a commotion.

“Uncle Yi, this is not what Jia Zhangshi said just now.”

Yi Zhonghai's words were vastly different from what he had just heard. Sha Zhu, being straightforward, had spoken his mind directly.

"This was just something said in the heat of the moment. You, Aunt Zhang, were angry and said things without thinking. Don't take it seriously."

If this gets out, it will damage the Jia family's reputation, and Yi Zhonghai himself will also be affected to some extent.

The key issue is that the previous incident had just passed, and now Sha Zhu and the Jia family have had another falling out, which is not something Yi Zhonghai wants to see.

Both sides are his options for taking care of his children, and Yi Zhonghai definitely leans more towards Jia Dongxu. He doesn't expect Sha Zhu and Jia Dongxu to be as close as brothers, but if their relationship gets too strained, it will be difficult for him to be caught in the middle.

"Sister-in-law, you didn't handle this well. Master Shazhu is the head chef of Emei Restaurant. He came all the way here to cook for your family. How could you not even prepare a red envelope?"

Pulling Jia Zhangshi aside, Yi Zhonghai muttered a complaint in a low voice.

Yi Zhonghai knew that Jia Zhangshi was unreliable, but he didn't expect her to be this unreliable. He was quite tired.

"Dongxu's master, this really wasn't my intention, but Shazhu didn't say anything before! I thought his master came to help out of respect for Shazhu."

Jia Zhangshi was somewhat displeased, but she remained stubborn.

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai could only say helplessly, "Shazhu is Shazhu, and personal favors are personal favors, but today is your family's happy occasion, so you still have to pay the due amount. That's the rule. Even if you just hire an ordinary, unknown chef from outside, you can't make them work for free, can you?"

If he had known this would happen, he should have communicated with Jia Zhangshi beforehand.

"So what do we do now? They've already left, so I don't think we need to give them the red envelope anymore."

Even Yi Zhonghai said so, which made Jia Zhangshi feel a little embarrassed, but she was still reluctant to spend money.

"We still have to make it up to them!"

Faced with Jia Zhangshi's attitude, Yi Zhonghai was speechless, but he had no choice but to say, "If people find out about this, then if anything happens to your family in the future, let alone Master Shazhu, who else will be willing to come to our door?"

"But... we're out of money. We spent it all on a sewing machine."

Hearing Yi Zhonghai say this, Jia Zhangshi had already agreed in her heart, but she pretended to be poor in front of him.

She has the money, but she doesn't intend to pay for it herself.

"Sister-in-law, don't you still have the money you just received as gifts?"

Yi Zhonghai knew what Jia Zhangshi was planning, but he wasn't stupid; he couldn't always be the one to be taken advantage of.

"This……"

Jia Zhangshi was in a dilemma.

The money she received as gifts today couldn't be hidden; Yi Zhonghai pointed it out directly, and she didn't know how to refuse it.

"Mom, we should pay for this, so please don't make things difficult for Master."

Just then, Jia Dongxu, knowing that the money couldn't be saved, directly offered advice.

Seeing that Jia Dongxu spoke up and was much more "reasonable" than Jia Zhangshi, Yi Zhonghai also showed a gratified smile.

If it weren't for Jia Dongxu's filial piety and "sensible" nature, and the fact that he had a stingy and troublesome mother like Jia Zhangshi, Yi Zhonghai wouldn't have taken him on as an apprentice and planned to have him support him in his old age.

Of course.

Jia Zhangshi liked to throw tantrums and cause trouble, but she would never act recklessly in front of him, after all, he was Jia Dongxu's teacher and still held considerable influence.

This is why Yi Zhonghaineng has always put them first.

Madam Jia wasn't stupid; she couldn't possibly be completely oblivious to what Yi Zhonghai and his wife were thinking.

With the help of Yi Zhonghai and his wife, their family's life was able to be more comfortable.

Moreover, Jia Dongxu also needed Yi Zhonghai, a senior fitter, to mentor him and pass on his skills while working at the factory.

This is my thigh; I have to hold on tight.

It's not unacceptable to have Jia Dongxu take care of Yi Zhonghai and his wife in their old age, since they don't want Jia Dongxu to be adopted or have his surname changed.

In the future, all of Yi Zhonghai's assets, as well as the two east wing rooms in the central courtyard, will belong to the Jia family.

Not long after.

Jia Zhangshi went back into the house, quickly wrapped some money in red paper, and came out again.

As she handed the red envelope to Sha Zhu, Jia Zhangshi said with a displeased expression, "Sha Zhu, I've given you this red envelope from your master. If you need money to do something for our family next time, just make it clear in advance, so that there won't be any misunderstandings and we won't be the ones in trouble."

Despite being the one who had failed in her duty, Jia Zhangshi shifted the blame to Sha Zhu, looking completely self-righteous.

"Silly Zhu, what are you doing?"

Seeing that Sha Zhu had a dark face and didn't say anything, but instead tore open the red paper in front of her, Jia Zhangshi became anxious.

"not enough."

Sha Zhu clearly didn't trust Jia Zhangshi's character and work ethic, so he specifically checked the money wrapped in the red paper, and in the end, it turned out to be exactly as he had thought.

"Take it or leave it, don't push your luck."

Having already given them money, and still not satisfied with Sha Zhu, Jia Zhangshi completely changed her tune this time, directly saying to Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu, "Go back! Go back, don't pay any attention to this greedy fool Sha Zhu!"

"Uncle Yi, look..."

Seeing that the Jia family had all gone back into the house and even closed the door, Sha Zhu became indignant again.

Upon seeing this, Yi Zhonghai also sighed.

In the end, he had no choice but to pay out of his own pocket to make up for the Jia family's shortfall.

Yi Zhonghai knows the rules, and he was the one who led the way for Sha Zhu and the Jia family. If Sha Zhu has any objections, it will affect him in the end.

“Uncle Yi, don’t call me again if there’s anything related to the Jia family next time. I can’t afford to offend them. I’m just doing favors and helping them out, and I don’t get any credit in return. It’s like I owe them something.”

Sha Zhu is really angry this time.

One after another.

If he were to suffer a loss or injustice, Yi Zhonghai would step in, and Sha Zhu would let it go.

But when it comes to his master, Sha Zhu really can't stand it.

How can he face his master now that he's done this?

If word gets out, what will his fellow disciples think of him?

Doesn't that idiot Zhu have any shame?

"Silly Zhu..."

"Uncle Yi, I have to go to my master right away and deliver the red envelope that the Jia family left behind."

"Ugh……"

"..."

Yi Zhonghai clearly wanted to brainwash Sha Zhu a bit more, but Sha Zhu was in a hurry to go back and make amends, so he didn't have the mind to listen to Yi Zhonghai's ramblings and left directly.

……

the other side.

After taking the candy, melon seeds, and peanuts, Li Hongbing returned to Zhao Weiguo and Li Hongmei's new house and found several other people inside, chatting and laughing with Li Hongmei.

"Hongbing, let me introduce you. This is Aunt Sun."

"This is Aunt Qian."

"This is Sister Xu." "This is..."

"Aunt Sun, Aunt Qian, Sister Xu... this is my younger brother."

"Oh my! This is your younger brother? He's so handsome! He looks so energetic..."

"..."

Before Li Hongbing returned, the neighbors in the courtyard took the initiative to visit Li Hongmei and get to know her.

This is the factory's housing. Most of the residents in the courtyard are factory employees. They've all gone to work today. People like Aunt Sun, Aunt Qian, and Sister Xu are all family members of the employees.

As fellow employees or family members of a food factory, they had common topics to discuss and quickly became acquainted.

"Come!"

"Aunt Sun, here's some candy for you!"

"Oh, thank you! You're too kind."

"My sister is getting married today, let's all share in the joy."

"Sister Xu, don't be shy, help yourself!"

"From now on, we'll all be living in the same courtyard, and we'll all be neighbors. My sister and brother-in-law are new here, so please take good care of them."

"It should be..."

"..."

After greeting everyone, Li Hongbing took out the candy, melon seeds, and peanuts he had brought and offered them to everyone on behalf of Li Hongmei.

When you first meet someone, be polite and say a few kind words; it will make it easier to get along with them in the future.

If you encounter someone difficult to get along with, that's a problem for later.

Although Li Hongbing doesn't live here, Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo are here, so they'll inevitably come over often in the future.

Seeing how sensible Li Hongbing was, Li Hongmei couldn't help but smile with relief.

After a while.

Zhao Weiguo moved the furniture that had been prepared in advance over, and the neighbors who had received wedding candy in the yard also came forward to lend a hand.

Give and take – this is the right and harmonious way for neighbors to get along.

night.

Li Hongbing stayed for a meal at his new house before riding his bicycle back home.

Humming a little tune, Li Hongbing was clearly in a good mood.

"Red Soldier, you're back?"

When Li Hongbing returned from outside pushing his bicycle, he unsurprisingly ran into Yan Bugui, who was tending to the flowers and plants in the yard.

Yan Bugui hasn't become the head of the courtyard yet, nor has he developed the bad habit of stealing other people's cabbage leaves and scallions, but he has still become the gatekeeper of the courtyard.

It's clear that Yan Bugui really enjoys tending to his flowers and plants.

"You're back. Has Grandpa Yan eaten?"

Li Hongbing greeted him casually.

"I just ate."

Yan Bugui responded with a sentence, seemingly remembering something, and felt a pang of regret.

Today wasn't a day off, so it's understandable that the Li family wasn't holding a banquet, but the Jia family was having a feast in the courtyard, and they even invited Master Shazhu's chef from the Emei Restaurant. It's a real pity that I couldn't sit at the table and have a taste.

However, if he were asked to take a day off specifically to attend the banquet, Yan Bugui would definitely be reluctant.

Besides Li Hongbing's family, Jia Dongxu invited every family in the courtyard to his wedding.

only.

Nowadays, it's not acceptable to bring the whole family; otherwise, no matter how many tables the Jia family sets up, it wouldn't be enough.

One meal is enough to bankrupt their family.

After giving a gift of money, each family is only allowed one seat at the banquet.

His wife used to help with the chores, and her meals were provided. Since Yan Bugui couldn't go, Yan Jiecheng had to take over.

No matter what, we have to make sure we get our money back from the gift money.

When I got back from school in the afternoon, I heard that kid Yan Jiecheng bragging about how delicious the lunch was, which made my dinner taste bland. I wanted to slap that guy to death.

After regaining his composure, Yan Bugui quickly remembered the "important matter" and hurriedly said to Li Hongbing, "Hongbing, today the Jia family invited Sha Zhu's master to cook, but they didn't give him a red envelope. Don't you think that's shameful?"

"Is this happening?"

Li Hongbing never expected that upon his return, he would hear such juicy gossip.

I knew the Jia family wasn't much to look at, but I never expected they could make such a fool of themselves at such an important and joyous occasion as a wedding.

"Later, Sha Zhu came to ask for it. At first, the Jia family was not going to give it. Later, Lao Yi stepped in. It seems that Jia Zhangshi didn't give much. In the end, Lao Yi paid the money out of his own pocket."

Yan Bugui shook his head.

In the afternoon, many people were in the courtyard, and naturally, the fact that Sha Zhu had come to visit could not be kept secret.

Although the red envelopes were still given, the way the Jia family handled the matter drew criticism from many people.

If this gets out...

It's not just the Jia family that's losing face; their entire courtyard's reputation might also be affected.

Moreover, the Jia family invited a master chef like Sha Zhu to cook for their happy occasion. Everyone wanted to find out more about the situation and wondered if they could ask Sha Zhu to invite his master chef next time they had a happy occasion.

As a result, Jia Zhangshi's actions might have cut off all their paths.

"That's basic stuff!"

Knowing the situation, Li Hongbing smiled, showing no surprise whatsoever.

"Basic operations? What does that mean?"

Faced with this new term that Li Hongbing suddenly came up with, Yan Bugui was a little confused and looked at Li Hongbing curiously.

"Oh, what I mean is, this isn't the first time the Jia family has done something like this. It's not surprising at all; it's just basic operation, or in short, basic procedure."

He accidentally brought over some terms from later generations, but thankfully they weren't anything strange or unusual. Li Hongbing gave a simple explanation.

"Basic operations, that's an interesting and apt way to put it!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui pondered for a moment and understood Li Hongbing's meaning, and couldn't help but laugh.

"Uncle Yan, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

Having overheard some gossip, Li Hongbing didn't intend to chat with Yan Bugui any longer.

"Hongbing, I'm just telling you this, don't tell anyone else! It'll be embarrassing!"

Seeing Li Hongbing about to leave, Yan Bugui quickly stopped him and whispered a reminder: "Although it's the Jia family who's embarrassed, if word gets out, it won't be good for our courtyard's reputation either..."

"I understand, we shouldn't air our dirty laundry in public!"

Li Hongbing smiled, but secretly shook his head.

It is probably this kind of thinking that leads Yi Zhonghai and Yan Bugui in the drama to try to cover things up and deal with them in their own courtyards whenever something happens.

Of course.

This doesn't rule out the possibility that these old men had ulterior motives, especially Yi Zhonghai, who was eager to have Sha Zhu or Qin Huairu take care of him in his old age.

However, regarding the Jia family's matter...

Even if Yan Bugui hadn't reminded him, Li Hongbing wouldn't have done it.

The Jia family's reputation wasn't good to begin with, so if I did this, it wouldn't cause them any worse consequences. On the contrary, it would easily earn me, a grown man, a reputation as a gossip.

Not worth it!

(End of this chapter)