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

Chapter 157 The Infant-Severing Kick, Yi Buqun Appears (1.3 words)

"Why... why did Uncle Yi..."

After a long while, Sha Zhu finally uttered these words.

Sha Zhu didn't understand.

I have no grudge against Yi Zhonghai, and for the past three years I have always regarded him as a respected elder. Why would he treat me like this?

When Sha Zhu suddenly realized that he had hated He Daqing for three years in vain, he was completely numb.

It is said that the deeper the love, the deeper the hate.

Conversely, if you don't love, how can you hate?
Because He Daqing abandoned him and Yushui without a word and ran off to Baocheng with the White Widow, completely unaware of the arrangements He Daqing had made, Shazhu hated He Daqing for three whole years.

But now.

When Sha Zhu discovers that his biological father doesn't truly love him at all, nor is he completely indifferent to him and his siblings.

Especially during these three years, He Daqing continuously sent him and Yushui living expenses every month, which made Shazhu feel confused, but also made him feel the power of the missing fatherly love.

If Sha Zhu had known all this from the beginning, he would still hate He Daqing for abandoning him and his sister.

Even if we keep those two rooms in the courtyard house, arrange a job for him and Yushui, and send them living expenses every month, so what?

Just like back then, when Yi Zhonghai took out the money He Daqing left behind before he left, Sha Zhu stubbornly refused to accept it.

But when you think you've lost all your father's love, and then suddenly discover that it has always been there, the feeling is different.

to be frank.

If Yi Zhonghai hadn't concealed everything and had openly laid out what He Daqing had asked of him, given Sha Zhu's personality, he still wouldn't have accepted or forgiven He Daqing, and would have hated him even more.

Yi Zhonghai's actions were a classic case of being too clever for his own good, creating an opportunity for He Daqing and his son Sha Zhu to reconcile.

When the problem is only internal, He Daqing and his son Shazhu may quarrel and even stop speaking to each other. But once they encounter a common enemy from the outside world, they can only unite against it and fight together against a common enemy.

A father and son are still a father and son; the bond of blood is always a wondrous thing.

"why?"

Hearing Sha Zhu's deeply confused question, He Daqing didn't lay a hand on him this time. Instead, he gritted his teeth and said, "So you can be my father, so you can take care of him in your old age! What kind of time is this to call him 'Uncle Yi'?"

"what?"

Sha Zhu was utterly shocked upon hearing He Daqing's explanation.

Seeing this, He Daqing knew that it was normal for Sha Zhu to not understand these things for a while, so he did not take his anger out on him.

"What do you think?"

"Yi Zhonghai is over forty now and still doesn't have a child of his own. Do you think it's because he doesn't want to have children, or because he can't?"

“When he took Jia Dongxu as his apprentice, I could tell that he wanted Jia Dongxu to support him in his old age.”

"I just didn't expect that having Jia Dongxu wasn't enough, they actually set their sights on you."

“Shazhu, think about it carefully. Why did he deliberately hide the fact that I sent you and Yushui living expenses? Do you really think he's just greedy for money? His ambition and schemes were beyond my imagination at first.”

"As a senior fitter in the steel rolling mill, Yi Zhonghai earns hundreds of thousands of yuan a month, making him arguably the highest-paid person in your institute. Even if he has high expenses and needs to subsidize his apprentice Jia Dongxu, is it really worth taking such a big risk and going to such lengths just for 150,000 yuan a month, even at the cost of his reputation?"

"If he really gives you your monthly living expenses, plus your own apprentice salary, that's over 300,000 a month. Just you and Yushui on your own, how comfortable would that be?"

“If you live a good life, how can Yi Zhonghai still show you kindness? How can you be grateful to him? How can you treat him like an elder and be filial to him? How can you be filial to him in the future?”

“When I left Beijing and asked Yi Zhonghai to take care of you and your brother Yushui, I guess Yi Zhonghai already had ulterior motives. He then went to great lengths to sow discord between us. This time, when you entered the steel mill, he used tricks to make you do such an unruly thing. If your master had been any more ruthless, you would have been expelled from the sect by now and be hated by everyone.”

“Your master and I are the two closest elders to you in this world. Why do you think Yi Zhonghai is doing this? Why does he hate it when you are close to us and insist on trying to sever your relationship with us?”

"..."

He Daqing only figured out everything he had just said after Dong Congyou specially came from Beijing to Baoding to find him, and the two of them sorted out and verified everything from the past.

If it was just to embezzle and deduct living expenses, Yi Zhonghai had no need to put so much effort into Sha Zhu, nor did he need to do those unnecessary things.

Everything is traceable.

Yi Zhonghai was cunning, but his methods were not sophisticated. It was only because He Daqing was not in Beijing and could not know the true situation that he was given an opportunity.

Most importantly, Yi Zhonghai was one of the few people who knew He Daqing's "weaknesses" and believed that he would probably never dare to return to Beijing in his entire life, which is why he dared to act so recklessly.

As for Dong Congyou...

With Yi Zhonghai already having gained He Daqing's trust and "authorization," things became much easier to handle.

“Shazhu, I’m so sorry for leaving you and Yushui behind and running away to Baocheng, but I had my reasons…”

Looking at the dazed and bewildered Sha Zhu, He Daqing couldn't help but sigh.

Those were not peaceful times, especially around 1951, when the authorities were quite strict in their control.

He Daqing was just a cook, so naturally he wouldn't do anything bad. It's just that before liberation, he worked as a cook for some old remnant for a period of time.

He Daqing was also worried that this matter would lead to his arrest and implicate Shazhu and Yushui.

Around that time, he and Widow Bai started dating. Widow Bai wanted to marry him and proposed bringing their two children from Baocheng to Beijing.

How could someone as shrewd as He Daqing agree to that?

At that time, he had two rooms in the courtyard house. The main room where Sha Zhu now lives could be used as three rooms by simply making a partition. Even if he married the White Widow and brought her two children over, there would still be enough room for them.

But who will end up with this house in the future is anyone's guess.

Before marriage, everything is naturally negotiable.

But if they get married and live together for a long time, he won't necessarily have the final say anymore. The widow and her two children might have their own ideas.

At that time, He Daqing was afraid of being reported and imprisoned, so he proposed to go to Baocheng with the widow.

This would allow them to escape without arousing suspicion, and also leave the two rooms in the courtyard to Sha Zhu—a win-win situation.

Widow Bai naturally had no objection to He Daqing's suggestion.

Although he couldn't manage the two rooms in the courtyard house, He Daqing was a top chef in Beijing, and he would do well no matter where he went.

He Daqing was willing to abandon his own two children and go to Baocheng to help her raise them, which made Widow Bai overjoyed.

Thus.

She doesn't have to be a stepmother to Shazhu and Yushui, nor does she have to worry about anyone competing with her two sons for her affection.

From now on, all the money He Daqing earns and all the savings she has accumulated will belong to her and her two children.

And so, He Daqing settled down in Baocheng.

Because of Yi Zhonghai's deception, He Daqing felt that Sha Zhu was doing well over there and that Yu Shui was also being taken care of by Sha Zhu. In addition, he was still wary of the previous situation, so He Daqing only sent money to Beijing every month and had no intention of returning.

By the end of last year, the previous storm had basically subsided, and only now, in front of his own people, did He Daqing dare to say these things.

It's mainly for Sha Zhu.

If you don't speak up now, your own son will end up recognizing that old scoundrel Yi Zhonghai as his father.

"Baoguo, Shazhu, just listen to what happened earlier, don't take it to heart, and forget about it as soon as you leave. Don't mention it to anyone."

Looking at Wang Baoguo and Shazhu inside the room, Dong Congyou gave a serious warning.

Although the storm has passed, if He Daqing's past were to get out, it could be used by those with ulterior motives for revenge, and there might still be trouble.

The situation is not as dire as it was before.

Even if that experience wasn't a particularly big problem, I'm afraid some people might make a fuss about it and escalate it.

"Better safe than sorry," He Daqing said, and Dong Congyou also had to give him some advice.

Seeing that the misunderstanding had been cleared up, He Daqing and his son Shazhu fell silent. Dong Congyou chuckled and took the initiative to speak to Shazhu, saying, "Shazhu, now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, why don't you call me Dad?"

At this point, naturally someone needs to give them a push to help them break the ice.

Upon hearing Dong Congyou's words, Sha Zhu couldn't help but look at He Daqing inside the room, his expression somewhat complicated, while He Daqing also happened to look over.

"dad……"

After a moment of silence, Sha Zhu opened his mouth and finally spoke.

"Ah."

He Daqing responded softly, without saying anything more, but he did give a reply.

"it is good!"

Seeing that He Daqing and Sha Zhu had reconciled, Dong Congyou clapped his hands happily and then said to Wang Baoguo, who was standing to the side, "Baoguo, go and buy some ingredients. Your master is in a good mood today. Show off your skills at noon and we'll have a good meal."

"Wait a minute."

Just as Wang Baoguo was about to do as Dong Congyou said, He Daqing stopped him and said to Dong Congyou, "Old Dong, now that the misunderstanding between me and Shazhu has been resolved, we should take care of something else. Remember this meal, I'll treat you later."

"Da Qing, don't be impulsive! The fact that you and your son are reunited is already the best outcome. It's not worth sacrificing yourself for a petty person like Yi Zhonghai!"

Hearing He Daqing say this, Dong Congyou naturally guessed what he was going to do next, and his heart tightened. He quickly tried to dissuade him.

Dong Congyou was naturally angry at Yi Zhonghai for being such a despicable person, but he didn't want He Daqing to do anything risky because of him.

Upon hearing this, He Daqing could only say, "Old Dong, don't worry. This time, it's Yi Zhonghai who's in trouble. I won't force him."

"That's right, let's go straight to the government office and send that scoundrel Yi Zhonghai in."

Once he realized what was happening, Dong Congyou couldn't help but smile.

He was just confused because he was worried, and knowing He Daqing's personality, he didn't consider these things for a moment.

Putting everything else aside, the fact that Yi Zhonghai withheld and embezzled the living expenses that He Daqing gave to Sha Zhu and Yu Shui is enough to give him a hard time.

Even if we calculate based on a three-year period, at 150,000 per month, that adds up to a total of 5.4 million. That's almost a year's salary for those with higher salaries.

Calling it a huge sum of money is no exaggeration.

He Daqing neither confirmed nor denied Dong Congyou's statement, but said, "I have my own plan for this. You don't need to worry about what happens next, Lao Dong."

"How about that?"

Upon hearing He Daqing's words, Dong Congyou was clearly still uneasy and stated directly, "Shazhu is not only your son, but also my apprentice. Besides, I haven't even had a chance to settle accounts with him for what happened before!"

at the same time.

Hearing his master say this, Wang Baoguo hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but say, "Master, actually I have already taught that scoundrel Yi Zhonghai a lesson for you."

"what happened?"

Dong Congyou's expression froze, and He Daqing also looked at him.

Before Wang Baoguo could explain, Sha Zhu, who clearly realized something, looked somewhat surprised and subconsciously asked, "Senior Brother, were you the one who made the move that night?"

Looking at Sha Zhu, Wang Baoguo raised an eyebrow and said, "It's not just me, but also your other senior brothers. What, do you want me to say their names so you can report them to the police station?"

Wang Baoguo clearly still harbored some resentment towards Sha Zhu, so when he spoke, he couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark.

"Baoguo, don't worry, that kid Shazhu would never do something like betraying his senior brother. If he dares, I'll break his legs."

After understanding the whole story, He Daqing made a guarantee to Wang Baoguo directly.

"Uncle He, you're overthinking it. I was just joking with Sha Zhu."

Now that Dong Congyou, as the master, has already forgiven his junior brother Shazhu, Wang Baoguo, as the senior brother, should know his limits, even if he is still a little angry, especially in front of He Daqing.

Seeing this, Dong Congyou stepped in to smooth things over, and then said to Wang Baoguo, "Baoguo, let's postpone buying groceries. Can you ask Dachun and Dawei to come over for me? After we've had lunch at home, we'll go with your Uncle He to settle accounts with Yi Zhonghai."

Regardless of whether He Daqing intends to settle this matter publicly or privately, Dong Congyou has no intention of standing idly by and will definitely lend a hand.

"Master, should I call all my junior brothers?"

Faced with Dong Congyou's arrangement, Wang Baoguo was already itching to teach Yi Zhonghai another lesson.

"No! A few people are enough. Don't make too much of a fuss about this."

After shaking his head, Dong Congyou seemed to remember something and said to Wang Baoguo, "Don't get involved in what happens next. Also, don't go with those guys who were with you last time. It'll only cause trouble if they get recognized."

Wang Baoguo knew that Dong Congyou meant well, but after hearing this, he couldn't help but say, "Master, it's one thing for others, but as the eldest brother, I can't just ignore this, can I?"

That night it was dark, and almost no one spoke. We ran away after the fight, and Yi Zhonghai didn't know us. Even if I stood in front of him now, he definitely wouldn't recognize me.

Wang Baoguo was somewhat unwilling to accept that he wasn't allowed to participate in the upcoming operations.

"Be careful."

Out of caution, Dong Congyou thought it over and ultimately shook his head, choosing to refuse.

……

afternoon.

After having dinner at Dong Congyou's house, Sha Zhu and his son He Daqing, along with Dong Congyou and several of his apprentices, rode several bicycles to No. 95 Nanluoguxiang.

"Hey, Sha Zhu, how come you...you...you...you are He Daqing?"

When Sha Zhu and He Daqing arrived at the courtyard, just as they entered the front yard, Aunt Yan was a little puzzled to see Sha Zhu suddenly return at this time. However, upon glancing around, she immediately noticed He Daqing behind him and was completely dumbfounded.

Seeing Aunt Yan's reaction, He Daqing smiled and said directly, "What's wrong, Aunt Yan? It's only been three years, and you don't recognize me anymore?"

"Wait...didn't you go to Baocheng? Why are you back?"

Aunt Yan was completely bewildered.

It wasn't just seeing He Daqing return that left them bewildered.

Furthermore, it was discovered that He Daqing had returned with Sha Zhu.

Moreover, judging from Sha Zhu's appearance, he doesn't seem to have any resistance or overreaction towards He Daqing.

This is like seeing a ghost in broad daylight.

In this entire courtyard, who doesn't know that He Daqing abandoned Shazhu and Yushui, the brother and sister, and ran away to Baocheng with the widow Bai?

Therefore, Sha Zhu hated He Daqing to death.

During those three years, He Daqing was a taboo subject for Sha Zhu. Anyone who dared to mention He Daqing or his name in front of Sha Zhu would likely come to a bad end.

Because of this incident, Xu Damao got beaten up by Sha Zhu quite a few times.

Judging from the current situation, He Daqing not only returned from Baocheng, but also reconciled with Sha Zhu.
“My own son is here, why can’t I come back? I just went to Baocheng, I didn’t die in Baocheng.”

Thinking about how he was tricked by Yi Zhonghai and almost lost his own son, Sha Zhu, He Daqing, filled with resentment, directly asserted his sovereignty.

"Uh... Lao He, I didn't mean anything by it, I was just curious, don't mind me."

Faced with He Daqing's unfriendly tone, Aunt Yan felt a little embarrassed and quickly offered an explanation.

He Daqing didn't say anything, and directly led Sha Zhu, Dong Congyou and their group straight to the Central Court.

He came here specifically for Yi Zhonghai, and he didn't intentionally target Aunt Yan earlier; he had no intention of wasting time here.

Seeing them leave, many people in the front yard gathered around Aunt Yan.

"What's going on? Why did He Daqing suddenly return from Baocheng?"

"How would I know that?"

"That's strange. Didn't Sha Zhu always hate He Daqing? He didn't seem like it at all when I looked at him. Have they made up?"

"What's so strange about that? They are father and son after all. As Lao Yi often says, there are no bad parents in the world, only children who are not perfect. I think it's quite normal."

"I think Sha Zhu's personality is abnormal, very strange."

"Hey, the one who came in with Sha Zhu and the others just now, wasn't that Sha Zhu's master?"

"That's right, he was the one who hosted the banquet for the Jia family back then. I still remember his culinary skills..."

"..."

He Daqing obviously couldn't hear the discussions in the front yard; by now, he had already arrived in the middle yard.

The residents of the middle courtyard, like those in the front courtyard, were shocked and bewildered by his appearance, especially when they saw Sha Zhu and his son He Daqing appear together in their sight.

“Silly Zhu…the Qing Dynasty…”

The most bewildered of all was Wang Guihua.

At this moment, she felt more than just shock; she also felt tension, panic, worry, and even fear.

Ruined.

As Yi Zhonghai's wife, Wang Guihua knew all too well what He Daqing's return at this time meant for them.

"Great Qing, why have you returned?"

Seeing Sha Zhu and He Daqing return together and stand before her, Wang Guihua couldn't pretend not to see them and could only force a smile and greet them.

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai was taking a nap in his room. Wang Guihua was getting anxious, but she couldn't get away to inform Yi Zhonghai about the matter.

What worries Wang Guihua the most is...

Sha Zhu actually got involved with He Daqing. This is not a good thing.
then.

Wang Guihua then quickly probed Sha Zhu, "Sha Zhu, shouldn't you be working at the factory right now? Why are you back at this time? Also, you and..."

Seeing Wang Guihua still putting on an act, He Daqing sneered, interrupted her, and asked mockingly, "Wang Guihua, are you very disappointed to see me back?"

"Great...Great Qing..., what do you mean by that? I don't understand."

As soon as He Daqing uttered those words, alarm bells rang in Wang Guihua's mind. She had a strong premonition that something was wrong, but she could only pretend to be stupid.

Upon realizing that Wang Guihua was feigning ignorance, He Daqing didn't bother arguing with her and asked directly, "Where is that old bastard Yi Zhonghai? Tell him to get out here."

"Great Qing, what do you mean by this?"

As her heart sank to the bottom, Wang Guihua's face darkened, but she could only pretend to be confused.

"Hehe, it's fine if you don't say anything."

He Daqing, who shared a bed with Yi Zhonghai every day, didn't believe that Wang Guihua was unaware of what Yi Zhonghai had done, and that she was still trying to deceive him at this point. So he said directly, "I heard that Yi Zhonghai was beaten up some time ago and is currently recovering from his injuries. He probably can't go anywhere else. If you don't let him out, I'll have to go in by myself."

He Daqing clearly didn't intend to waste time with Wang Guihua, and after saying those words, he headed straight for their house.

"He Daqing, what are you trying to do?"

Seeing this, Wang Guihua panicked completely. She tried to stop him, but was blocked by Dong Congyou's apprentice. In her anxiety, she could only shout to Yi Zhonghai, who was sleeping inside the house, "Old Yi, wake up! The Qing Dynasty is back, and they've come looking for you..."

This commotion naturally attracted the attention of the residents of the Intermediate People's Court who were already paying attention to the area.

And at the same time.

Following Wang Guihua's warning, He Daqing quickened his pace and walked into the house.

"He Daqing?"

When He Daqing entered the room and went into the inner room, Yi Zhonghai, who had been taking a nap on the bed, was also awakened by Wang Guihua's noise.

When Yi Zhonghai opened his eyes and saw He Daqing walking in from outside, he almost doubted his life, thinking that he was having a nightmare and hadn't woken up yet.

Yi Zhonghai had just gotten up and was about to get off the bed when He Daqing kicked him back onto the bed.

"Ah~"

Yi Zhonghai screamed as he fell onto the bed after being hit.

Followed by.

He Daqing went straight up and, taking advantage of Yi Zhonghai's dazed state after being kicked, grabbed him by the collar, dragged him off the bed, and carried him outside.

Under normal circumstances, Yi Zhonghai would definitely not be this weak.

However, his right hand is injured, which reduces his fighting ability by at least half.

Moreover, Yi Zhonghai was still groggy from just waking up, and He Daqing's kick was delivered in anger, so Yi Zhonghai was hit hard and was completely suppressed, falling into a disadvantageous position.

"He Daqing, what are you doing? Stop! Stop right now!!"

Seeing He Daqing drag Yi Zhonghai out of the house, Wang Guihua, who had been blocked outside, shouted angrily.

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai, having recovered his composure, was also extremely angry. He hysterically shouted, "He Daqing, are you out of your mind? Breaking into a private residence in broad daylight and committing violence, what do you want to do?"

What the hell.

Who could stand being caught in this situation while taking a nap at home in the middle of the day?

At this time.

Because of the commotion, many people ran over to the front and back yards, and the residents of the middle yard couldn't help but speak up when they saw He Daqing suddenly return and break into Yi Zhonghai's house to commit violence.

"He Daqing, what's going on with you? Not only did you come back suddenly, but you also did something like this. What did Yi Zhonghai do to you?"

"That's right. Back when you abandoned Shazhu and Yushui and ran away with the widow, it was Yi Zhonghai and his wife who helped you out. Otherwise, Shazhu would have starved to death by now."

“In the years you’ve been gone, Yi Zhonghai has helped your silly Zhu a lot.”

"You might not know this, but it was Yi Zhonghai who helped find connections that allowed Sha Zhu to get a job at Emei Restaurant. Now, thanks to Yi Zhonghai, Sha Zhu is even a worker-cook at the steel mill!"

"Without Yi Zhonghai, you might not even have a son." "He Daqing, aren't you going a bit too far treating Old Yi like this?"

"..."

Despite everyone's attempts to dissuade him, they all spoke out in support of Yi Zhonghai and expressed their indignation. Some even told He Daqing to thank Yi Zhonghai, which made He Daqing laugh in exasperation.

Fortunately, He Daqing knew in her heart that they, like Sha Zhu, had also been deceived by Yi Zhonghai's disguise.

It was precisely for this reason that He Daqing did not hold it against them.

“You’re wrong. It was because of Yi Zhonghai that I almost lost my son.”

He Daqing looked around at everyone, then pointed directly at Yi Zhonghai, who was being helped up from the ground by Wang Guihua, and accused, "You people have probably all been deceived by Yi Zhonghai's hypocritical appearance."

It's true that I left Beijing alone back then, but before I left, I had already made all the arrangements for Sha Zhu and Yu Shui, and asked Yi Zhonghai to take care of them. I never expected that I would have trusted the wrong person.

What you just said was that Yi Zhonghai used his connections to get Sha Zhu into the Emei Restaurant as an apprentice. Now I'm telling you, the connection is with me, He Daqing. Yi Zhonghai has absolutely no connections whatsoever.

This is Sha Zhu's master. I think some of you should know him. He is also my friend. It was I who asked Yi Zhonghai to find him that allowed Sha Zhu to get into the Emei Restaurant. As a result, Yi Zhonghai took all the credit for it.

And what you don't know is...

For the past three years, I have been sending Yi Zhonghai a sum of money every month, 150,000 yuan for living expenses each month, which was meant for Sha Zhu and Yu Shui. However, this hypocrite Yi Zhonghai embezzled it.

If I hadn't come back today, Sha Zhu wouldn't have known that this money existed.

If it weren't for Yi Zhonghai, would Sha Zhu and Yu Shui have had to beg on the streets? Would they have needed to scavenge for rotten vegetable leaves at the market to fill their stomachs? Would they have almost starved to death?

All of this was orchestrated by Yi Zhonghai in secret; it was all part of his conspiracy.

"What do you think? Should I take action against Yi Zhonghai?"

As soon as He Daqing said these words, not only were everyone present stunned, but even Yi Zhonghai and his wife were completely unsettled.

The truth has come out.

The worst has happened.

In fact, they should have realized this the moment they saw He Daqing return.

"Great Qing, you have misunderstood me."

Seeing that He Daqing had exposed all these things in public, and that the people in the courtyard were looking at him strangely, Yi Zhonghai, feeling anxious, quickly tried to defend himself, saying, "I gave the money you left behind before you left to Shazhu, but Shazhu didn't want it!"
Sha Zhu goes to the market to pick up rotten vegetable leaves and even begs outside. It's all because he's stubborn and refuses to take your money. There's nothing I can do about it.

Sha Zhu is right here now, you can ask him directly if this really happened.

It was because he was so distraught at the time that when I helped him get a job at Emei Restaurant, I was afraid he would become stubborn again, so I didn't dare use your name.

I discussed this matter with Master Dong, who is here too. You can ask him if you don't believe me.

As for the living expenses you sent back, for the same reason, I didn't dare let Shazhu and Yushui know. Besides, Shazhu had already joined Emei Restaurant and had his own salary, which was enough to support himself and Yushui, so I didn't give him the money.

However, I haven't touched a single penny of the money you send me every month. I'm saving it for Shazhu and Yushui, planning to give it all to Shazhu when he gets married in the future..."

Although it was risky to carry out those operations, Yi Zhonghai was prepared and had thought of all the excuses and justifications in advance.

This is to prevent things from being exposed, so that there won't even be a chance to defend oneself.

It just so happens that it came in handy right now.

"He Daqing, you can't be so ungrateful!"

As Yi Zhonghai finished speaking, Wang Guihua, who had been panicking, gained confidence and immediately stood up, saying to He Daqing with a straight face: "Back then, you selfishly abandoned Shazhu and Yushui for that white widow, not caring about the life or death of your own child. Old Yi advised you against it."

In the three years since you left, Lao Yi and I have been helping Sha Zhu and Yu Shui, and we've worried a lot about you, your irresponsible father.

Take rainwater for example!
Sha Zhu works as an apprentice at Emei Restaurant. She gets off work late every night, and with such light rain, she doesn't know how to cook. If it weren't for Lao Yi and me asking her to come over and eat with us at night, she wouldn't even have anything to eat.

"And then there's Sha Zhu. He likes to fool around with everyone in the yard, and he never knows when to stop. If it weren't for our old Yi stepping in to mediate, who knows where he'd be right now!"

After she finished speaking, seeing the agreement of many people around her, Wang Guihua straightened her back instantly.

"Wang Guihua, stop spouting nonsense in front of me. Don't think I don't know what happened just because I wasn't in the yard before. I already asked Shazhu about it."

Seeing that Yi Zhonghai and Wang Guihua were both good at talking nonsense and could even turn black into white, He Daqing said disdainfully, "What you say sounds high-sounding, but in reality, during the days when Yushui lived with your family, he never took advantage of you at all."

Rainwater only eats dinner at your house once a day at most, but Shazhu pays your food expenses every month, a standard of 30,000 yuan a month.

Thirty thousand yuan can buy almost thirty jin of grain. Even if it is replaced with refined rice and flour, it will still be about fifteen jin. Even if you add the cost of vegetables, how much can a small child like Yushui eat?

Everyone in the neighborhood knows your family's food standards. I'm already being lenient by not criticizing your withholding of rainwater from our meals. And you still want to use this to ask for favors?
As for Sha Zhu...

It's common for young people to play around; everyone goes through that phase. Even if they're not careful, there's always a limit.

Moreover, in the past three years, you and Yi Zhonghai have certainly made a lot of demands of Sha Zhu, haven't you?

Do you really think I don't know how much he's done for your family and how many times he's suffered in secret?

He Daqing was almost laughing in anger; Wang Guihua really knew how to flatter herself.

Upon hearing this, everyone realized that it was indeed the case.

These are all public facts, including the fact that Sha Zhu pays Yi Zhonghai's family a monthly fee for rainwater and food.

only.

No one expected that Sha Zhu would give Yi Zhonghai's family so much money for food.

It's just dinner, and not even every day.

There are always a few days each month when Sha Zhu has a day off, and Yu Shui naturally goes back to his own home to eat.

No one took it seriously before, thinking that Yi Zhonghai and Wang Guihua were only charging Yu Shui for food because of Sha Zhu's good reputation, and that it was just a small token. They didn't expect them to be so greedy.

The main problem is that the food at Yi Zhonghai's house is really not good, and there's not much oil or fat in it.

If their food were even slightly better, and with Wang Guihua's help in cooking, they could earn 30,000 yuan a month, and no one would say anything.

"Silly Zhu, what do you say?"

There was a debate between the two sides. Since they were still in the right, no one sided with He Daqing. Instead, Yi Zhonghai turned his attention to Sha Zhu in the middle of the room.

As the central character, Sha Zhu's attitude is crucial.

If Sha Zhu is willing to stand up for him, then not only will he be fine, but He Daqing will also be in the wrong.

Even if he simply remains neutral, he will be invincible, and He Daqing will be unable to do anything to him.

After all, he had reformed Sha Zhu for three years, and Yi Zhonghai knew how deep Sha Zhu's hatred for He Daqing was, so he still had some confidence.

"Yi Zhonghai, everyone calls me Sha Zhu, do you think I'm really stupid? Do you still want to treat me like an idiot like before? Go to hell!"

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Sha Zhu couldn't hold back his anger any longer. Recalling everything he had experienced in the past three years, as well as the times he was tricked by the Jia family and worked like a slave for Yi Zhonghai, Sha Zhu couldn't help but rush forward.

The more respect he had for Yi Zhonghai before, the more he hated Sha Zhu now.

Sha Zhu's current clarity of mind is naturally thanks to He Daqing.

The reason why He Daqing's first thing upon returning to Beijing was to find Sha Zhu and clear up the misunderstandings between father and son was clearly to guard against Yi Zhonghai's move, lest Sha Zhu continue to be used by Yi Zhonghai and turn against his own father.

"Silly Zhu, don't be impulsive!"

In the blink of an eye, just as Sha Zhu was about to rush up and give Yi Zhonghai a good beating, He Daqing, quick-witted and sharp-eyed, pulled him back.

Don't let Sha Zhu's brute strength fool you; that talent was inherited from He Daqing, who isn't old yet and has worked in the kitchen for many years. His strength far surpasses Sha Zhu's.

"dad?"

Sha Zhu was somewhat taken aback by He Daqing's actions.

Are they coming here now to seek revenge on Yi Zhonghai?

He Daqing was being a bit too "civilized" right now. He hadn't treated his master, Dong Congyou, like this that morning. He had kicked him as soon as they met, leaving Dong stunned.

Realizing that Sha Zhu was no longer on his side and that the situation was the worst possible, Yi Zhonghai said to He Daqing with a stern face, "He Daqing, whether you believe what I'm saying or not, that's the truth."

"For the past three years, I haven't touched a single penny of the living expenses you sent to Shazhu and Yushui. I'm just temporarily holding onto them for them, and they're at my house now. I'm returning them all to you."

Yi Zhonghai is rich, so he sticks to this story, and at worst he'll just have to give the money back to He Daqing.

Denying that He Daqing had sent him money over the years would undoubtedly be the riskiest approach.

Not to mention that the post office can check remittance records, He Daqing might still have receipts for all the remittances sent to him over the years.

If I were to do that, and He Daqing were prepared, I would be handing him leverage and an opportunity.

"You'll definitely have to pay this money back."

Knowing Yi Zhonghai's intentions, He Daqing sneered, "But do you think the police at the police station will believe your claims?"

For the past three years, Shazhu and Yushui have not only been unaware of the living expenses, but they haven't received a single yuan. In fact, Yushui even charged for a meal at your house. Do you think the police will believe you or me?
And don't forget, we've been corresponding all these past three years. I still keep all the letters you wrote to me.

With these letters as evidence, the police will surely see through your inconsistency between words and actions, and how you deceived me and Shazhu. You can't distort the facts with just a few empty words.

Yi Zhonghai panicked.

If this matter goes to the public, it won't be good for him.

If things go wrong, he might really end up in jail.

Realizing this situation, Yi Zhonghai felt immense regret.

Although Yi Zhonghai's main purpose was not to embezzle the money, he still had his eye on it.

Helping the Jia family these past few years has put considerable pressure on him.

After all, he also had to think about his future. He couldn't possibly spend all his salary and savings on the Jia family and Jia Dongxu. He had to save for his retirement so that he could have a solid financial foundation.

If you don't have any capital, you'll really be at the mercy of fate when it comes to retirement.

“He Daqing, we’ve been neighbors for so many years and know each other very well. There must be some misunderstanding here. I think we should go inside and have a good talk to clear up the misunderstanding and save ourselves from being laughed at by everyone.”

Yi Zhonghai's words were clearly meant to have a deeper meaning.

Only a small number of people present understood the implication in his words.

In front of so many people, Yi Zhonghai deliberately mentioned that the two had been neighbors for many years and knew each other well, clearly intending to use the "reason" that he had fled to Baocheng to threaten He Daqing.

He Daqing had just mentioned the police station and the public security bureau. Yi Zhonghai realized that if this matter went to the authorities, it would definitely not be good for him. Fortunately, he also had something on He Daqing, so he prepared to go inside and negotiate with him.

"it is good!"

Having clearly understood Yi Zhonghai's threat, He Daqing hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and agreeing.

Upon discovering He Daqing's concerns, Yi Zhonghai breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt somewhat smug.

Bet right.

"dad?"

"The Qing Dynasty..."

Seeing that He Daqing agreed to go inside with Yi Zhonghai alone, Sha Zhu and Dong Congyou were a little worried, but He Daqing reassured them, "It's alright, he's a cripple, what can he do to me? He's the one who should be worried!"

When He Daqing said this, he didn't deliberately avoid people, and his voice was at a normal volume. Yi Zhonghai, who also heard it, couldn't help but feel gloomy.

He hates it most when people call him disabled.

His right hand is only injured now, and the doctor said it is basically recoverable.

But if he really becomes disabled, then his life will be over.

soon.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Yi Zhonghai and He Daqing returned to the house and closed the door.

"He Daqing, you haven't forgotten why you ran away to Baocheng back then, have you?"

As He Daqing closed the door, only the two of them remained in the room. Yi Zhonghai stopped pretending and said with a smile, "People will think that you abandoned Shazhu and Yushui for a widow, and even abandoned your own children to run off with a widow."

But I know that you ran away because you were afraid of being purged by the higher-ups after working as a cook for those remnants of the regime. Am I right?
I just never expected you'd dare come back..."

"What do you want?"

Hearing Yi Zhonghai's words, He Daqing suddenly became wary.

"It's up to you to decide what you want!"

With his gaze fixed on He Daqing's face, Yi Zhonghai said with resentment, "Don't think I don't know what you were trying to do just now. You just wanted to ruin my reputation and destroy my name."

"I can get you in too!"

He Daqing said coldly.

Faced with He Daqing's threat, Yi Zhonghai was no longer afraid and immediately threatened back, "Then I can too. At worst, we'll all go in together and see whose crime is more serious."

Seeing He Daqing remain silent, Yi Zhonghai realized that he didn't really want to fight to the death, so he took the initiative to say, "Daqing, I admit that what I did was not fair, but now that you've found out, I definitely won't do it again."

Come to think of it, in the three years you've been gone, my wife and I, even if we had ulterior motives, have indeed taken good care of Shazhu and Yushui. You can't completely deny that, can you?
All I care about now is preserving my reputation. As for your money, I'll return it to you, and I'll even give you an additional three million as compensation. What do you think?

Yi Zhonghai's plan was clearly a way to settle the matter by spending money.

Although he had incriminating evidence against He Daqing, Yi Zhonghai was ultimately the one who had planned this first. Fearing that He Daqing would become desperate, Yi Zhonghai could only offer some compensation to appease He Daqing's anger.

"Three million is a lot, and that's all I can come up with. If you're not willing, then let's go to the police station together right now. What do you think?"

The three million yuan compensation was a real blow to Yi Zhonghai, but there was nothing he could do about it.

"Okay, but you have to write a confession, writing down everything you've done over the past three years."

After a moment of silence, He Daqing finally nodded, but made a request.

however.

Now it was Yi Zhonghai's turn to object.

"This is impossible!"

If this confession is written, then He Daqing will truly have leverage over Yi Zhonghai, which he certainly wouldn't want.

"Then there's nothing we can do."

He Daqing shrugged and said helplessly, "I have something on you, but I don't have anything on you. As soon as I step out of this door, you'll report me. Even if you pay me 30 million now, I won't have anywhere to spend it."

"This……"

Yi Zhonghai hesitated.

He knew He Daqing was not easy to deal with, but leaving him with leverage would obviously put him in a very passive position.

"Yi Zhonghai, no one would do something that would put them at a disadvantage."

"I just need a guarantee. Otherwise, if you don't trust me and I don't trust you, what's the point of continuing this negotiation?"

"Besides, I think you know in your heart who has the bigger issue between us."

"Even if I had your confession, I wouldn't use it unless I'd lost my mind."

"But you know me, I'm not one to like being taken advantage of..."

"..."

As He Daqing spoke, Yi Zhonghai's expression changed repeatedly before he finally said, "I can write a confession, but the compensation I give you won't be three million; it will be at most one million."

And when we go out later, you need to come with me and explain to everyone that what happened earlier was a misunderstanding, and clear my name.”

He Daqing had just added conditions, so Yi Zhonghai naturally wanted to secure the greatest possible benefit for himself.

"Can……"

He Daqing hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.

With the matter settled, the tense atmosphere in the room dissipated considerably.

Not long after.

Yi Zhonghai returned to the inner room, took out the money that had been agreed upon earlier, and had He Daqing count it while he wrote a confession on the table.

"Now, we're even, right?"

After finishing writing, Yi Zhonghai pressed his fingerprint on it and said something.

"It's cleared up, hahaha..."

After checking what Yi Zhonghai had just written and confirming that there were no problems, He Daqing couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He Daqing's actions made Yi Zhonghai feel uneasy, and he couldn't help but urge, "In that case, let's go out and clarify things with everyone now!"

"Clarify my ass!"

After putting away Yi Zhonghai's letter of repentance, He Daqing's expression changed drastically. Caught off guard, he kicked Yi Zhonghai hard in the groin, hitting his manhood squarely.

"what!!!!"

"He Daqing!!"

"Fuck!!"

"Sandman!!"

"..."

With the force of that kick, Yi Zhonghai fell directly to the ground, curled up like a shrimp, and kept writhing and screaming.

The soul-crushing pain instilled in Yi Zhonghai an unprecedented fear.

The key is.

He Daqing's kick just now was really too insidious.

No man could accept such a fatal blow.

at the same time.

Hearing Yi Zhonghai's screams and cries for help from inside the house, Wang Guihua frantically shouted and tried to rush in, but was stopped by several of Dong Congyou's apprentices.

inside the house.

With Dong Congyou and the others outside, He Daqing wasn't worried at all and had no intention of leaving immediately. Instead, he quietly watched Yi Zhonghai scream in agony.

Yi Zhonghai's screams and curses lasted for several minutes before gradually subsiding.

"He Daqing, aren't you afraid that I'll fight to the death if you do this?"

Sweat poured down his face, veins bulging on his forehead, Yi Zhonghai, his face contorted in agony, gritted his teeth and questioned He Daqing.

He still can't understand how He Daqing dared to do that.

“Yi Zhonghai, that storm has long since passed. Besides, I was just a cook for someone back then; I didn’t do anything wrong. Do you think I’m really afraid now? The situation is different now!”

Looking at Yi Zhonghai's face filled with endless hatred, He Daqing felt extremely pleased and said with a light laugh, "If I hadn't acted a little 'fear' just now, how could you have 'threatened' me, and how could you have willingly written down your crimes?"

"Even without that incident, just because you attacked me just now, I could still get you locked up. There are plenty of people outside; a quick investigation would reveal everything. You don't think you can escape, do you?"

When Yi Zhonghai said those words, he felt a sense of vengeful pleasure, as if he had regained control over He Daqing's weaknesses.

"Sure, we can go in together. Maybe we can keep each other company once we're inside."

To Yi Zhonghai's surprise, He Daqing was not afraid at all. Instead, he said with a smile, "But Lao Yi, I have to remind you of something."

If I go in, even if I'm locked up for ten or eight years, or even twenty years, when I get out, at least I'll still have my son, Sha Zhu, to support me.

What about you?

Once you're in there, you'll definitely lose your job at the steel rolling mill, and you won't be able to receive any pension afterwards.

When you regain your freedom in the future, you will have become a worthless, useless person.

Do you think that by then, Jia Dongxu, as his apprentice, will still remember you as his master, and will he still take care of you in your old age and see you off in your final days?

He Daqing's hurtful remarks sent a chill down Yi Zhonghai's spine, leaving him utterly disheartened.

What the hell...

"Old Yi, the initiative is now in your hands. It's up to you to choose. If you want to take a gamble, I, He Daqing, will accompany you to the end!"

After saying this, He Daqing picked up the money on the table. Just when Yi Zhonghai thought He Daqing was about to leave, he suddenly kicked him hard in the spot where he had just been.

Scored twice!

"what!!!"

"He Daqing!!"

"Fuck..."

"I am going to kill you!!!"

"..."

After kicking and turning around, He Daqing ignored Yi Zhonghai's screams and curses behind him, pulled out twenty 50,000 yuan bills from his hand, and scattered them behind him.

"This million is compensation for your medical expenses..."

(End of this chapter)