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

Chapter 189 Killing someone is just a matter of a beheading, but He Daqing strikes at the heart! (9k)

a few days later.

People from the neighborhood committee suddenly came to his door and took He Daqing, who was off work that day, away for investigation.

Before leaving, He Daqing sent a distress signal to Li Hongbing, who had come out to check the situation.

"what happened?"

"Sigh, what has He Daqing done wrong?"

"It's hard to say. Maybe He Daqing did something in Baocheng and then ran back to Beijing. Now the truth has come out."

"I was wondering why He Daqing suddenly divorced Widow Bai and ran back from Baocheng."

“I think so too. After all, He Daqing abandoned Sha Zhu and Yu Shui and ran away for the sake of Widow Bai.”

"Hey, don't make wild guesses! We don't even know what's going on yet!"

"..."

Listening to the discussions among the people in the courtyard, Li Hongbing couldn't help but ponder.

The distress signal He Daqing sent to him just now was obviously not something Li Hongbing could do to rescue him. After all, Li Hongbing had no obligation to do so, and the relationship between the two families was far from that point.

What He Daqing wanted Li Hongbing to do was simply to help him notify Sha Zhu or Dong Congyou.

The most effective way to do this is to go directly to Dong Congyou. Sha Zhu doesn't know any big leaders right now, so even if he wanted to borrow power, he wouldn't have anywhere to turn to. However, Li Hongbing doesn't plan to do that.

Li Hongbing was unaware of He Daqing's current situation and did not want to be implicated unnecessarily.

"Aunt Yan, do you want to make money?"

Li Hongbing's gaze swept around the room before finally landing on Aunt Yan, and he asked her a question.

Nowadays, most men go out to work, and school-age children are all in school, so the only ones who can run errands are the housewives in the neighborhood.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Yan immediately perked up and couldn't help but ask, "Hongbing, do you have connections?"

Not only Aunt Yan, but all the other women in the courtyard also looked at Li Hongbing.

If there's a way to make money, who wouldn't want it?

"It's nothing, it's just that Grandpa He was called in by the neighborhood committee to find out what happened. Sha Zhu doesn't know about this yet. If you go to the steel mill and tell Sha Zhu, you can earn a couple of cents for running the errand, it shouldn't be a problem."

Seeing this, Li Hongbing spoke up directly.

"Isn't this...not good?"

Aunt Yan was somewhat tempted, but at the same time, she hesitated.

It's a bit unethical for a delivery person to ask for a fee, and she's unsure if Sha Zhu will actually pay.

“What’s wrong with that? You made a special trip and put in the effort, so it’s only right that you ask for a small fee. If Sha Zhu can’t even spare two cents for a small fee, then he’s too stingy.”

Let alone two cents, even if it were five cents or a dollar, even if Sha Zhu didn't give it, He Daqing would make up for it later, and they would even have to thank Aunt Yan.

Of course.

The premise is that He Daqing can return safely in the end.

"Alright, I'll make the trip."

Hearing Li Hongbing's words, Aunt Yan, who was tempted, no longer hesitated. She asked someone to help look after Yan Jiedi, who had just turned five, and then left the courtyard.

As they watched Aunt Yan leave, everyone couldn't help but feel envious.

Actually, they all wanted to earn those two cents.

However, this idea came from Li Hongbing, and he also told it to Aunt Yan. If they directly took over this errand-running job, they would not only offend Aunt Yan, but also Li Hongbing.

It's not worth it for two cents!

Seeing that Aunt Yan had gone to inform Sha Zhu, Li Hongbing, feeling satisfied, went straight back to his room.

Without implicating himself, he could be considered to have helped He Daqing.

Given that He Daqing was taken away by the neighborhood committee, it's perfectly reasonable and logical for neighbors to inform their son, Shazhu, about such a serious matter. It wouldn't raise any suspicions.

And he only moved his mouth.

If we hadn't notified Sha Zhu immediately, but instead went directly to Dong Congyou, who knows what might have happened if something had actually occurred.

As for asking Aunt Yan to ask Sha Zhu for the errand fee, it was naturally Li Hongbing's intention. After all, it was for the He family's sake, and he couldn't let Aunt Yan make a wasted trip!

Despite making the offer, Li Hongbing had no intention of using his personal connections to help He Daqing.

Moreover, Li Hongbing generally prefers not to use personal connections when things can be solved with money.

In this world, the debts of gratitude owed to others are the hardest to repay.

As for why Aunt Yan was only asked to ask Sha Zhu for two cents for running errands, instead of taking the opportunity to ask for fifty cents or a dollar.

On the one hand, Li Hongbing had no grudge against He Daqing and Sha Zhu, so there was no need for him to frame them.

On the other hand.

Li Hongbing's main purpose in asking Aunt Yan to run errands was not to help her earn money; this was just a side effect.

Moreover, the two-cent delivery fee, although not small, is still within the normal range.

Asking for 50 cents or a dollar could easily be seen as taking advantage of someone's misfortune, raising suspicions that your motives are impure or that you know something inside, thus creating unnecessary trouble.

……

the other side.

After being reminded by Li Hongbing, Aunt Yan went to the steel rolling mill without stopping and had someone find Sha Zhu and told him about He Daqing being taken away by the street office.

however.

Upon hearing this news, Sha Zhu was initially incredulous, thinking that Aunt Yan was joking with him. He immediately said irritably, "No... Aunt Yan, are you kidding me? My dad hasn't done anything wrong, why is the neighborhood committee taking my dad here?"

"Shazhu, everyone in the neighborhood knows your dad was taken away by the neighborhood committee. Why would I lie to you?"

Seeing that Sha Zhu still didn't believe her, Aunt Yan became a little annoyed and couldn't help but say, "Besides, would I have nothing better to do than come all this way just to play this joke on you?"

Sha Zhu was stunned for a moment, then looked at Aunt Yan to confirm, "Aunt Yan, my dad was really taken away by the neighborhood committee? Why? What did my dad do wrong?"

"Silly Zhu, I don't know either. I was just about to ask you! Why did this happen out of nowhere..."

Faced with Sha Zhu's three barrage of questions, Aunt Yan couldn't answer at all.

"No, I have to go back and check."

Anxious, Sha Zhu wanted to go straight back to the courtyard house.

Seeing this, Aunt Yan quickly stopped him and said, "Silly Zhu, you haven't given me the money yet!"

"what money?"

Sha Zhu was taken aback upon hearing this.

"You should give me some money for running errands! I came all this way to deliver this message, and I haven't even had a chance to drink some water yet. Shouldn't you give me some money for running errands?"

Aunt Yan was very serious and earnest; she didn't seem to be joking at all.

If she doesn't get that two-cent delivery fee, she'll have made a wasted trip today and lost a lot of money.

"Aunt Yan, are you taking advantage of my misfortune? Something happened to my family, and you came here yourself, asking for errand fees right off the bat. Is this how you do things?"

Sha Zhu wasn't short of those two cents, but what Aunt Yan had done made him feel uncomfortable, and he clearly didn't want to give it to her.

Moreover, he is currently preoccupied with He Daqing, and has no interest in wasting time with Aunt Yan.

“But this soldier said that if I help run this errand, you will definitely give me the two cents for running the errand.”

Seeing that Sha Zhu was trying to renege on his debt, Aunt Yan became anxious.

"Aunt Yan, did Hongbing send you to deliver this message?"

Sha Zhu was stunned again upon hearing this.

"Sort of, but not entirely. However, the idea came from Hongbing, and I only made this trip because of his advice, just for the two cents for running the errand."

Right now, all Aunt Yan cares about is the two cents for the errand fee; she doesn't care whether Sha Zhu is grateful to her or not.

Thanks to Where Money Is Really Available.

Moreover, the two cents she earned from running the errand was also earned through her "labor".

"Here you go! Aunt Yan, this is two cents, please keep it!"

Upon hearing that it was Li Hongbing who had sent Aunt Yan to deliver the message, and that Li Hongbing had also asked Aunt Yan to ask him for the two cents for running the errand, Sha Zhu immediately stopped resisting. He took out two cents from his pocket and gave them to her, reminding her, "Aunt Yan, next time something like this happens, please explain it clearly so as not to cause any misunderstandings."

Sha Zhu is a person who likes to take things seriously and is prone to double standards.

In his view, the two are different in nature.

If Aunt Yan was trying to extort money from him by using the errand-running incident as an excuse, that would be extortion.

But if Li Hongbing saw that He Daqing was in trouble, and asked Aunt Yan to come and inform him, and promised him a two-cent reward for running the errand, that would be called being righteous.

In Sha Zhu's heart, Li Hongbing held a special place.

After all, if it weren't for him, he might still be brainwashed and fooled by Yi Zhonghai, and would have already fallen out with his master Dong Congyou and his fellow disciples, let alone reconcile with He Daqing and his son.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a benefactor.

At least.

Of all the people in the courtyard, Li Hongbing was the least likely to harm him.

soon.

Sha Zhu didn't even bother to ask for leave; he skipped work and ran back to the courtyard house even faster than Aunt Yan.

"Hongbing, what's wrong with my dad?"

As soon as he got back, Sha Zhu went straight to Li Hongbing.

Seeing this, Li Hongbing asked with some doubt, "Shazhu, didn't Aunt Yan tell you?"

Sha Zhu quickly replied, "She did say that, but she only said that my dad was taken away by the neighborhood committee, and she didn't know anything else."

"What I know is similar to what Aunt Yan said, but asking me won't help!"

Li Hongbing was speechless.

They actually came to ask him, an outsider, about their own family affairs.

"Hongbing, you're familiar with Director Wang and Director Yang at the subdistrict office. Could you do me a favor and ask them to inquire about my father's situation and plead for leniency?"

Just as Li Hongbing was inwardly complaining, Sha Zhu suddenly made such a request.

"Silly Zhu, I can't help you with this."

Li Hongbing shook his head and refused outright, saying, "I don't know anything about the situation, and both Director Wang and Director Yang are principled people. I can't and don't have the right to speak up for you. You'll have to do it yourself."

Li Hongbing had no intention of getting involved in something that would do him absolutely no good.

Who knows if He Daqing has any problems?

Li Hongbing had already done more than enough by suggesting that Aunt Yan help inform Sha Zhu.

“Shazhu, if you really want to help your dad, you have to ask your master. Asking others might not be helpful.”

Seeing the bewildered Sha Zhu, Li Hongbing couldn't help but offer a word of advice.

Sha Zhu is still young now.

When He Daqing ran into trouble, the first person he should have contacted was clearly his master, Dong Congyou. Instead, he went to the courtyard house and even came to him.

Leaving aside whether Li Hongbing has the ability to help He Daqing, he also has to be willing.

Given the relationship between Dong Congyou and He Daqing, they certainly wouldn't sit idly by.

Moreover, as a master chef specializing in Sichuan cuisine, Dong Congyou must have met many people over the years and have connections to help He Daqing by finding out more information.

If even Dong Congyou couldn't do it, then there's no point in expecting anyone else.

"Yes, find my master!"

Li Hongbing's reminder made Sha Zhu realize the truth of his dream.

However, he didn't leave immediately. Instead, he looked at the bicycle in Li Hongbing's house and asked somewhat embarrassedly, "Hongbing, could I borrow your bicycle for a bit?"

"Okay, let's ride it!"

Li Hongbing did not refuse Sha Zhu's request.

He Daqing's matter had nothing to do with Li Hongbing. Although he didn't want to get involved, there was no need to rush to avoid suspicion given the unclear situation.

"Thank you! Thank you so much, Red Soldier!"

Seeing that Li Hongbing agreed so readily, Sha Zhu couldn't help but feel grateful to him.

Although Li Hongbing had just refused to help him inquire about He Daqing's situation and plead for him, these things were not his obligation. Moreover, Li Hongbing had first asked Aunt Yan to inform him, then gave him advice, and now even lent him a bicycle, which was already a great help.

He, Shazhu, cannot be a person who pushes his luck or is ungrateful.

Watching Sha Zhu leave, Li Hongbing couldn't help but shake his head.

He Daqing has been back in Beijing for more than half a year, and things have been peaceful during this time.

Today's events happened suddenly and are somewhat mysterious.

Several doubts flashed through Li Hongbing's mind, but he didn't think about them too deeply.

If it's not something you should worry about, then you should spend less time thinking about it and scheming about it. That's how you can live a more relaxed and longer life.

……

night.

Not long after Li Hongbing picked up Chen Xueru from the silk shop and brought her back from get off work, Sha Zhu and He Daqing, who had been taken away by the street office for investigation that morning, also returned from outside.

"Great Qing, you've returned?"

"What did the people from the neighborhood committee want with you this morning?"

"Hey! It's nothing. I don't know which bastard wrote a letter of complaint to frame me. The neighborhood committee asked me to come over to investigate and find out what happened. Now that things are clear, it turns out that someone deliberately retaliated against me and framed me, so the neighborhood committee let me go."

"Oh my god, is that true? Who did this?"

"Old He, what did that person report and frame you for?"

"It's nothing. Before Liberation, I worked as a cook for so-and-so for a while. People are just using that as a pretext."

"..."

Hearing the commotion outside, Li Hongbing and Chen Xueru also came out of the house.

at the same time.

Upon seeing Li Hongbing appear, Sha Zhu quickly pushed over the bicycle he had borrowed earlier and thanked Li Hongbing, saying, "Hongbing, thank you for today. Here's your bicycle back, it's in perfect condition!"

As Li Hongbing took the bicycle, He Daqing also looked at him and said gratefully, "Hongbing, about today's matter..."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Hongbing responded, "Uncle He, it's just borrowing a bicycle. Sha Zhu already thanked me, so you don't need to thank me again."

He Daqing was interrupted by Li Hongbing halfway through his sentence. He paused for a moment, then realized what was happening and replied with a smile, "Yes, I want to thank you for lending Shazhu your bicycle. Since you put it that way, I won't stand on ceremony."

In fact, He Daqing understood that Li Hongbing should know that what he wanted to thank him for was not only lending the bicycle to Sha Zhu, but also helping to deliver the message and pointing Sha Zhu to find Dong Congyou.

If it weren't for Li Hongbing, even that blockhead Sha Zhu might not have figured it out so quickly.

This delay might mean he'd have to spend the night inside. However, Li Hongbing deliberately interrupted him, preventing him from saying these things, clearly not wanting to make enemies.

After all, the person who reported him hasn't been caught yet, and if word gets out that Li Hongbing helped him, he might offend the other party and be resented.

Knowing Li Hongbing's thoughts, He Daqing naturally wouldn't repay kindness with enmity, and wisely cooperated.

Li Hongbing smiled in response to He Daqing's reaction.

It's really easy to talk to smart people.

Based on what He Daqing had just revealed, Li Hongbing had already roughly guessed who was behind these whistleblower letters reporting He Daqing.

Yi Zhonghai from the Intermediate People's Court is the prime suspect.

It wasn't just because Yi Zhonghai and He Daqing had an irreconcilable feud.

Furthermore, just a few days ago, it was revealed that Yi Zhonghai's fitter skills have severely declined due to the aftereffects of his hand injury, causing him to fall from a senior fitter to a level 5 fitter, which has greatly affected his salary and status.

Yi Zhonghai may not have had a clue at first who ambushed him and crippled his hand in the chaos, but with He Daqing's return to Beijing and the subsequent events, it wasn't hard for Yi Zhonghai, with his sharp mind, to guess what had happened.

If Yi Zhonghai had thought of these things back then, and had the police station investigate Dong Congyou and his disciples, there might still have been hope of bringing them to justice.

But now that so much time has passed, Yi Zhonghai has clearly run out of options with Dong Congyou and his disciples, so he has shifted the blame to He Daqing.

One harbored the hatred of having his son crippled, and the other harbored the grudge of having his child taken away. Both He Daqing and Yi Zhonghai hated each other to the bone, especially Yi Zhonghai, who was crippled as a result.

However, both of them had something on each other and neither wanted to fight to the death, so they were able to coexist peacefully until now after that incident.

Unfortunately, Yi Zhonghai's downgrade as a fitter reignited his hatred, leading him to secretly seek revenge.

Back then, He Daqing tricked Yi Zhonghai into writing down his crimes. Relying on his leverage over Yi Zhonghai, he bet that Yi Zhonghai wouldn't dare to fight back, so he ruthlessly crippled Yi Zhonghai's manhood. As a result, Yi Zhonghai, with both old and new grudges, secretly started making underhanded moves.

He is also gambling.

Even if Gambler Daqing guessed that it was him who reported him, he had no evidence and dared not risk adding to his own crimes by dragging him down with him.

Unexpectedly, He Daqing returned unharmed in less than a day.

Li Hongbing was not afraid of offending Yi Zhonghai, but he did not want to get involved in the feud between He Daqing and Yi Zhonghai.

Although he had had some conflicts with Yi Zhonghai before, compared to the real mortal feud between them, these were nothing.

Everything is afraid of comparison.

With the ultimate conflict of the Qing Dynasty drawing all the attention, Li Hongbing, who had already reached a tacit "ceasefire" with Yi Zhonghai and the Jia family, had no need to jump into this vortex.

Li Hongbing's current thought is simple: to live his happy life in peace.

As long as Yi Zhonghai and the Jia family behave themselves and don't provoke him, Li Hongbing won't bother with them.

Of course.

If there were an opportunity to resolve the issue completely, like with the deaf old woman before, or to remove them from the courtyard house, Li Hongbing wouldn't mind giving them a push.

If you don't take action, all you do is take action; if you do, you should eliminate the threat completely.

Not long after.

After returning the bicycle, He Daqing took Sha Zhu back to the Central Courtyard.

"Yi Zhonghai, are you disappointed to see me return safe and sound?"

Upon discovering that Yi Zhonghai was also secretly monitoring his situation, He Daqing sneered and, in front of everyone else in the court, stepped forward and asked this question.

What Li Hongbing could guess, He Daqing naturally also thought of.

Not many people knew about his past, and Yi Zhonghai happened to be one of them. Moreover, he had used this incident to threaten him back then, so He Daqing's first suspect was him.

The key is.

Yi Zhonghai's right hand, which was crippled in the past, suffered lasting effects, and he was demoted during the recent salary grade system reform and reassessment process, just a few days ago.

Everything was too coincidental.

Given what happened next, it was inevitable that Yi Zhonghai would harbor resentment and seek revenge.

"I don't know what you're talking about, it's inexplicable."

He Daqing's pointed remark startled Yi Zhonghai, but apart from impatience and anger, his expression remained unchanged.

Yi Zhonghai was also surprised that He Daqing was able to return so quickly, as if nothing had happened.

"Isn't it strange that I'm alright? What happened back then isn't a big deal now. I didn't do anything wrong, so of course I'm safe and sound. It's just a pity that some people miscalculated."

Speaking of this, He Daqing became somewhat proud.

Although he initially used this incident as an excuse to flee to Baocheng under the guise of the White Widow.

But that period of fame had already passed before he returned to Beijing.

Times have changed, and with the changes in policies, his matter is actually not a big deal now.

Because he was just a cook, even though the person's identity was somewhat sensitive at the time, He Daqing did not do anything bad.

The reason he only returned now is that Yi Zhonghai exaggerated the facts in his whistleblower letter and added some fabricated stories to smear him.

Thanks to Dong Congyou's intervention and connections, and since it wasn't a particularly big deal, He Daqing was able to get out that very night after some investigation, which was already considered fast.

Yi Zhonghai, his face dark, didn't respond and went straight back into his room.

Seeing this, He Daqing did not pursue the matter and also took Sha Zhu back, leaving behind a group of onlookers.

The confrontation between He Daqing and Yi Zhonghai just now has clearly led many people to think or suspect that the person who secretly reported He Daqing was Yi Zhonghai.

"Dad, was the person who reported you that old bastard Yi Zhonghai?"

Sha Zhu, who had just returned to the house, asked He Daqing that question directly.

After Yi Zhonghai's brainwashing and deception were removed, and the father-son estrangement with He Daqing was eliminated, Sha Zhu was very shrewd. Except for occasional moments of being clueless, he mostly used feigned ignorance to trick people.

He could easily see through He Daqing's obvious attitude just now.

Even after He Daqing's incident, Sha Zhu, who had calmed down, had already suspected Yi Zhonghai.

"It's most likely him, no doubt about it."

He Daqing nodded.

"That old bastard, I'm going to settle the score with him."

Having received He Daqing's acknowledgment, Sha Zhu, who had been holding back his anger, immediately lost his temper.

Now that the rift between him and He Daqing has disappeared, although they don't usually show much affection, in Shazhu's heart, He Daqing's status and importance as a father are unmatched by anyone.

Seeing that Sha Zhu was about to impulsively cause trouble for Yi Zhonghai, He Daqing quickly stopped him, saying, "Stop!"

"dad?"

Sha Zhu stopped in his tracks upon hearing the sound and looked over, somewhat puzzled.

Others might not know, but Sha Zhu knew perfectly well that He Daqing was no coward. He could never have learned the ease with which He Daqing had crippled Yi Zhonghai's manhood.

"This matter ends here. The whistleblower letter was anonymous, we have no evidence, and talking to Yi Zhonghai is just empty talk, it's useless."

He Daqing said calmly.

What I said to Yi Zhonghai in front of those people was just to give him a warning.

Both Yi Zhonghai and He Daqing knew in their hearts that they would not fight to the death until the very last moment.

Last time it was He Daqing, this time it was Yi Zhonghai who took a gamble, but Yi Zhonghai didn't win, and he didn't lose either.

Yi Zhonghai thought that by secretly writing anonymous whistleblower letters, he could remain invisible and watch himself suffer. This idea was rather naive.

If He Daqing is unable to escape this time, even if it's not Yi Zhonghai, there's no doubt that Yi Zhonghai will be dragged down with him.

If I go in myself, no matter what the outcome, I can't leave Yi Zhonghai outside to deal with Sha Zhu and Yu Shui.

In He Daqing's view, Sha Zhu and Yu Shui are no match for Yi Zhonghai now.

If it were the old He Daqing, he might not have had such a resolute thought, but only after losing something do you realize its value.

So Yi Zhonghai should be thankful that he didn't get into trouble this time.

"Is that all that's left?"

Even though he knew He Daqing was telling the truth, Sha Zhu still felt aggrieved.

Seeing Sha Zhu's indignant expression, He Daqing couldn't help but shake his head with a smile, lamenting that he was too young.

"Killing someone isn't enough; there's a punishment that's even more satisfying!"

After saying this, seeing Sha Zhu looking at him, He Daqing whispered, "To pierce the heart!"

Originally, He Daqing didn't want to tell Sha Zhu these things, but Sha Zhu is no longer a child. Li Hongbing in the front yard is a year younger than Sha Zhu, and he is much smarter than his own son.

Fortunately, He Daqing also knew that comparing Sha Zhu to Li Hongbing was just asking for trouble, so he had long since let it go.

"To destroy their spirit?"

Sha Zhu's expression froze for a moment, clearly not immediately understanding He Daqing's meaning.

Seeing this, He Daqing was not angry this time. Instead, he patiently tried to comfort Sha Zhu, saying, "What is Yi Zhonghai now?"
The family line will end!
This is the pain he will carry for the rest of his life!

Moreover, what was the purpose of all those things he did before? Wasn't it so that someone would wholeheartedly take care of him in his old age?
"You don't need to do anything else now, just honestly go on blind dates, find a wife and bring her back, and when she gives birth to a few big, healthy sons, Yi Zhonghai will be furious..."

Speaking of this, He Daqing felt a bit of a headache.

In the past six months, he and Dong Congyou had arranged more than one match for Sha Zhu, but each time Sha Zhu complained that the other person was not pretty enough, which angered He Daqing so much that he hit her several times.

But Sha Zhu just wouldn't change.

The problem is that the women he and Dong Congyou arranged for Sha Zhu, even if they weren't particularly attractive, weren't ugly either.

That silly boy, Zhu, has a huge ambition; he just wants a fairy from heaven.

Taking this opportunity, He Daqing also wanted to give Sha Zhu a good talk.

"Dad, it's not that I don't want to find someone, it's just... but could you and Master help me find a pretty blind date? That way, if I marry her, you'll have more face, right?"

Sha Zhu immediately understood He Daqing's meaning, but started discussing conditions and helplessly complained, "Besides, our family's conditions aren't bad either!"

"You still have the nerve to say it?"

Seeing Sha Zhu like this, He Daqing was furious and almost hit Sha Zhu again. He said with a hint of disappointment, "Which of the men your master and I found for you before was not good enough for you?"

"If it weren't for my and your master's sake, you wouldn't even have the chance to go on a blind date with her. How dare you look down on her?"

"What's wrong with my conditions?"

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu retorted, "I have a house and a job now, and my salary isn't low. I even got promoted one level in this assessment and am now a level nine cook, earning thirty-one yuan a month. And I'm not exactly ugly, am I? What's wrong with wanting to find a prettier wife?"

"Do you think you're Li Hongbing? That you can pick and choose any girl in Beijing you want?"

This time, He Daqing really took action, kicking Sha Zhu in the butt.

The blind dates that he and Dong Congyou had previously found for Sha Zhu were all people with stable jobs, good personalities and character, and similar family backgrounds.

If he were to become a random person, I wonder how comfortable Sha Zhu's life would be from now on.

If Sha Zhu didn't have a father and a master who were both top-level cooks, where else could he find such a good thing?

Putting them aside, there are plenty of people of the same age in Beijing who are better off than Sha Zhu, yet Sha Zhu still has the nerve to be picky.

Sha Zhu remains true to his original intentions; from beginning to end, all he cares about is how good it looks.

He Daqing just wanted to ask, can being good-looking put food on the table?

The key point is that those girls are more than as good-looking as Sha Zhu.

"I didn't intend to compare myself to Li Hongbing..."

As He Daqing carried Li Hongbing out, Sha Zhu felt somewhat depressed.

Don't bully people like this.

It's impossible to say that he had no such thoughts at all, but Shazhu couldn't admit it.

“Shazhu, your master and I are doing this for your own good. You don’t understand now, but you will one day.”

Knowing that Sha Zhu was stubborn, He Daqing sighed helplessly. He had no other choice but to say earnestly, "Sha Zhu, think about it yourself. Given our family's current situation, what kind of wife should you look for?"
With an enemy like Yi Zhonghai who is always thinking of taking revenge on us, if we are too soft-hearted, we can't always rely on the two of us to protect us, can we?
What if Yi Zhonghai and his gang use some underhanded tricks while we're away? Can you defend against them?

With your master around, your fellow disciples can be of use in crucial moments, but we can't always rely on others.

"I will eventually leave before you..."

"dad……"

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu could no longer remain silent; he was deeply shaken.

In particular, He Daqing's words, "In the end, she will leave before him," threw Sha Zhu into a state of panic.

Aside from the time He Daqing returned, it had been a long time since the father and son had opened up to each other like this.

Neither He Daqing nor Sha Zhu are good at or willing to open up about their inner thoughts. The father and son rarely have any soul-searching conversations.

Sha Zhu was tough and resilient, and He Daqing had a rather violent temper, so he often resorted to physical violence. Although he didn't hit hard, he frequently went into "battle" mode.

Because Sha Zhu's biological mother passed away early, there was no buffer zone between the father and son. Since Sha Zhu was a child, they had become accustomed to and accepted this way of life.

He Daqing returned after being away for several years, and Sha Zhu, who hadn't felt his father's love for a long time, actually enjoyed it.

“Shazhu, your master and I are experienced people, we've lived longer and experienced more than you, and we would never harm you. You should listen to us more about some things.”

If it were just to satisfy Sha Zhu's wish, as long as He Daqing spent more money to find a matchmaker, it wouldn't be difficult for Sha Zhu to marry a beautiful wife, given their family's circumstances.

But what He Daqing wanted was someone he knew well, someone with a strong personality, and someone who could even keep Sha Zhu in check.

Knowing son Moruo father.

He Daqing knew his son, Shazhu, all too well.

Sha Zhu was born with a lazy streak.

To put it nicely, it's being carefree; to put it bluntly, it's being irresponsible and hopeless.

If I were there, things might be alright.

If he's gone, no one can keep him in check. He'll cause trouble and mess things up, and we might not be able to live a good life.

Moreover, his concerns were not without merit.

If you don't find someone who can keep things in check, marrying into this courtyard house might end up harming the family.

If Li Hongbing knew He Daqing's thoughts, he would definitely be very surprised, because he was not only looking for a wife for Shazhu, but also looking for a matriarch for the He family.

But it must be admitted that He Daqing was very farsighted. This stubborn and lazy donkey, Sha Zhu, really needed someone to lead him.

Although the plot has been rewritten, Sha Zhu will no longer be misled and brainwashed by Yi Zhonghai, nor will he be trapped by moral blackmail. He is also unlikely to fall into Qin Huairu's trap. However, a person's fundamental nature is probably hard to change.

Sha Zhu's personality and way of doing things are still largely the same.

If they could really find someone like that, just as He Daqing had suggested, it would be incredibly lucky, like their ancestors were emitting auspicious smoke, and Sha Zhu would be getting a huge windfall.

"Dad, please let me think about this..."

This time, Sha Zhu's heart was clearly wavering.

only.

It's probably unrealistic to expect him to agree and accept it immediately.

(End of this chapter)