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

Chapter 232 The Little Thief Sells His Mother, a "Genius"

Qin Huairu's sudden shout not only stunned Sha Zhu, but also made everyone else in the courtyard look over in utter shock.

This Qin Huai Ru...

That question just now was quite bold.

It's one thing to use such offensive language, but the worst part is that it was said to their face.

Even though Sha Zhu is known for his sharp tongue and skill in insulting people, he was somewhat at a loss for words at this moment.

"Shazhu, we Banggeng crave meat. Kids don't understand rules. If you don't want to give it to us, fine. But what did you mean by saying that earlier?"

As Qin Huairu stepped forward and shielded Banggeng to her side, the oppressive feeling from before subsided, and Shazhu finally breathed a sigh of relief. He said irritably, "Qin Huairu, how dare you say that? I'm stewing meat right now, and your Banggeng comes up here asking me for meat. Where do you get the nerve?"
If it were someone else's child, that would be one thing, but don't you know what kind of relationship our two families have?
I refused, and that brat Banggeng threatened to report me to the neighborhood committee, saying I bullied him. Everyone heard that just now, so do you think that makes sense?
I'd like to ask you and Jia Dongxu how you discipline your child. All the kids in our neighborhood combined are incredibly tough, yet they've caused plenty of trouble already.

Sha Zhu felt angry just thinking about what had just happened.

The roe deer meat in this pot was something he had worked very hard to get his hands on, and it was specially prepared to treat Li Hongbing to drinks. He hadn't even had a chance to take a bite himself when that rude brat Banggeng popped up and brazenly demanded some meat.

Who is Sha Zhu?

Even if Bang Geng is a child, we can usually let him off the hook, but can we tolerate him for this?
Hearing Sha Zhu criticize Bang Geng in public, showing no respect for Bang Geng and his family, Qin Huairu couldn't stand it and immediately retorted, "Sha Zhu, how we raise our children is none of your business. You're an adult, arguing with a child, aren't you ashamed?"

"Qin Huairu, if you put it that way, then it's a bit boring."

Sha Zhu pouted and said unhappily, "Don't you even remember what your son Bang Geng said just now? He kept talking about the neighborhood committee, as if he would send me to jail if I didn't give him meat. What kind of child is like yours?"

"Silly Zhu, what about you? If you were just saying 'bang geek,' that would be one thing, but you not only cursed me, you also said you wanted that..."

At this point, Qin Huairu's tone softened, but she quickly retorted angrily, "Shazhu, you're insulting women, do you know that? Believe me or not, I'll report you to the Women's Federation!"

"I...I insulted..."

Faced with the huge accusation suddenly slapped on his head by Qin Huairu, Sha Zhu subconsciously pointed to himself with his finger in disbelief, looking completely astonished.

He just...

"Shazhu, you just insulted my mother. You said you wanted to sleep with her, I heard it all. You better eat the meat you cooked right now, and I'll forgive you. Otherwise, I'll have my mother sue you in the Women's and Children's Association!"

Qin Huairu had already figured out Sha Zhu, but after Bang Geng's words, before Sha Zhu could even be confused, Qin Huairu herself broke down.

It's said that children speak without restraint, but Bang Geng's words just now made Qin Huairu extremely embarrassed, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

At the same time, the crowd that was originally just watching the drama unfold suddenly looked at Qin Huairu and her son Banggeng with meaningful expressions.

Those inappropriate words, coming from the mouth of a child like Bang Geng, just felt really wrong to everyone.

The key joke also mentioned that he wanted the pot of meat from Sha Zhu as compensation, and then he forgave Sha Zhu, which means he sold his mother for personal gain... and for the meat!
This is not the kind of thing a son should do, even though Bang Geng is still a child.

That's laughable!

"Bullshit! What I just said was... when did I ask for 'that' from you? You and your son, don't just throw accusations at me, you idiot!"

When Qin Huairu said she wanted to find Fuqin, Shazhu was really startled. But when Banggeng jumped out and kept asking for the roe deer meat in his kitchen, Shazhu's eyes immediately changed.

Once he realized what was happening, Sha Zhu glared at Qin Huairu and Bang Geng, then sneered, "Well, I see now. Qin Huairu, Bang Geng, you two mother and son are working together to try and extort money from me! You've got a good plan, but don't even think about it!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of the surrounding courtyard residents, who were watching the drama unfold, became quite interesting.

Whether Qin Huairu meant it or not, Bang Geng's words just now made it irrelevant whether he meant it or not.

"Shazhu, don't make false accusations! Banggeng is still a child, how can you take his words seriously?"

Qin Huairu felt extremely frustrated after being tricked by Bang Geng, but with so many people around her, she had no choice but to stand up and make a statement.

To be honest, Qin Huairu really did have her eye on Sha Zhu's pot of roe deer meat.

It just happened after the failed attempt to extort meat from the stick, not before.

As the aroma of the roe deer meat stewed by Sha Zhu wafted out in the afternoon, everyone in the courtyard, including Qin Huairu, couldn't resist taking a bite.

However, they are all adults, not children, and they still have some sense of propriety.

Rushing up to ask for it is against the rules, and given Sha Zhu's personality, he'd most likely not get it. In the end, he'd only humiliate himself and become a laughingstock.

Shame!

This kind of thing might be talked about for the rest of my life.

Especially Qin Huairu, given her family's relationship with Sha Zhu, knew even more that it was impossible, so she could only dream about it.

However, with the appearance of Bang Geng and the subsequent development of events, Qin Huairu, who had just seized the "handle" of Sha Zhu, saw how much Bang Geng wanted to eat meat and naturally took the opportunity to set her sights on Sha Zhu's pot of roe deer meat.

Qin Huairu did this not for herself, but still for the sake of her son, Banggeng.

No matter what.

Bang-ge didn't understand any of this and was too eager to extort meat from Sha-zhu, which ruined her plan.

"Silly Zhu, look how old you are, why are you still arguing with a little kid like Bang Geng?"

Just as Qin Huairu and Sha Zhu were locked in a stalemate, creating an awkward situation, Wang Guihua suddenly stepped forward and advised Sha Zhu, "Sha Zhu, I see there's quite a bit of meat in that pot on your stove. Scoop out a bowl for Bang Geng to enjoy, and we'll let this matter drop. We're all neighbors; why ruin our relationship over a few pieces of meat?"

With Wang Guihua's appearance to resolve the situation, Qin Huairu breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but give her a grateful look.

Although the attempt to borrow the room yesterday failed, leaving Qin Huairu with a slight grudge against Wang Guihua, her intervention at this crucial moment has been a great help.

Without her intervention, the scene would likely have been even more awkward and unpleasant.

As for the others in the courtyard, they were all just there to watch the drama unfold.

however.

Wang Guihua's actions immediately darkened Sha Zhu's face, especially seeing her exchanging glances with Qin Huairu. "Wang Guihua, what business is it of yours?"

"It's my own meat, when did it become your place to decide for me? You tell me to share a bowl with the hamster, so why should I?

"If you want meat, go buy it yourself. What kind of skill is it to covet other people's food all the time?"

"If you have so much free time, mind your own business and stop meddling in other people's affairs."

"I, Shazhu, am not stupid. Don't think I don't know you have a good relationship with Qin Huairu and the Jia family. You were even Banggeng's godmother before. What are you pretending to be a good person for me?"

"..."

Sha Zhu's words caused Wang Guihua's expression to change. She immediately suppressed her anger and said in a deep voice, "Sha Zhu, I know you hate me because of what Yi Zhonghai did in the past."

But those things were all done by Yi Zhonghai, they have nothing to do with me. Even if I wanted to persuade or oppose, Yi Zhonghai would have to listen to me first, not even myself...

I am now divorced from Yi Zhonghai, and the previous agreement between me and Bang Geng to become godparents was nullified in front of everyone. I am no longer Bang Geng's godmother, and I had no intention of showing favoritism just now.

You can't pin all the blame for Yi Zhonghai's misdeeds on me alone. Besides, when you were still an apprentice at Emei Restaurant, you came home late at night, and I was the one who usually cooked for Yushui. Even if you didn't do anything special, you still put in the effort, right?
Let bygones be bygones. Wouldn't it be better if we could be good neighbors again?

In front of everyone, Wang Guihua said these words directly, clearly indicating that she wanted to shake hands with Sha Zhu and make peace, and wipe the slate clean of the past.

“Wang Guihua, it’s true that Yi Zhonghai is the culprit, but you’re not a good person either. Don’t think that just because Yi Zhonghai is in trouble now and you’ve suffered some grievances, you can pretend to be innocent.”

"Do you really think I, Shazhu, am truly stupid and have forgotten everything from the past?"

"Now that things have come to this, I naturally won't bother you anymore, but as for being good neighbors, I'll pass."

"As Hongbing said, it's best if we don't associate with each other unless necessary, and if something happens, we should stay out of each other's way!"

"Some things can pass, but not everything can be treated as if it never happened."

"..."

Sha Zhu was completely unmoved by Wang Guihua's emotional appeals, and even publicly exposed her true colors.

The current Sha Zhu is not the same Sha Zhu who was brainwashed and manipulated by Yi Zhonghai back then.

The Wang Guihua of today is not the same Wang Guihua who was once respected as an elder by Sha Zhu.

When He Daqing returned and the truth came to light, Sha Zhu had already seen through Yi Zhonghai's true colors. As for Wang Guihua, who was an accomplice, even though Sha Zhu didn't see through her at first, after so many years, especially in the three years since He Daqing returned, Sha Zhu has also gained a more thorough understanding of what happened back then.

Especially a few days ago, on the very night Wang Guihua returned, she took the initiative to approach Li Hongbing, trying to curry favor and make peace. However, Li Hongbing's attitude and words served as a wake-up call for Sha Zhu.

The key is.

Wang Guihua's words just now clearly favored Qin Huairu and Banggeng. Without the support of her elders, Shazhu wouldn't be so blind as to not see that.

“Shazhu, I’m a victim too…and I did have some ideological problems in the past. If it weren’t for Fucheng’s LGBTQ+ education, I probably wouldn’t have realized these things by now. I admit that some of my actions back then may have hurt you and Yushui…”

Whether it was genuine remorse or a performance for show, Wang Guihua's statement prompted some people around her to help persuade Sha Zhu.

"Stop trying to persuade me!"

Hearing the words of advice to be magnanimous, Sha Zhu shouted angrily and looked at Wang Guihua, saying, "Wang Guihua, since you came back this time, I don't think I've ever targeted you or caused you any trouble, have I?"

What exactly are you trying to achieve by saying all this?
Is he continuing to act like a good person, or is he trying to make himself feel better after committing some sin in the past?
Don't forget, my dad is still locked up inside!
If it weren't for you and Yi Zhonghai back then, my dad wouldn't have done those things, and he wouldn't be in this state now.

Wang Guihua, I've already been lenient by not holding you accountable. Don't push your luck!

At this point, Sha Zhu looked at the people who had spoken up earlier and warned them in an unfriendly tone: "And you, I'll give you a piece of advice today: Don't advise others to be kind if you haven't experienced their suffering. And stop talking without understanding the pain."

It was clear that Sha Zhu had lost his temper and was quite angry; those who had been joining in the fun earlier had all quieted down.

Wang Guihua, who had originally wanted to take this opportunity to reconcile with Sha Zhu, fell silent after hearing what Sha Zhu had just said.

For a moment, the courtyard became quiet.

Just then, seeing that even Wang Guihua, his former godmother, couldn't do anything about Sha Zhu, and smelling the aroma of roe deer meat coming from the stove, the greedy and clever Bang Geng started making a fuss again.

"Silly Zhu, you owe me my meat!"

"You insulted women and bullied my mother. If you don't compensate our family for the meat, I'll have my mother sue you in the Women's Federation!"

"Then the women's men will arrest you and send you to the countryside to work on a farm."

"Silly Zhu, did you hear that?"

"..."

Now, Banggeng is already six years old (by Chinese reckoning). Although he doesn't yet have a mature understanding of some things, he has a general idea and knows what is beneficial to him.

Because of the repatriation of Jia Zhangshi and the recent incident involving Yi Zhonghai and Wang Guihua, Fuqin has been appearing frequently in the courtyard over the past year, and Banggeng has obviously learned or heard a lot about the relevant information and situation.

At least.

In Banggeng's view, Fucheng was as powerful as the neighborhood committee, or even more powerful. Even his grandmother Jia Zhangshi and his very powerful godfather Yi Zhonghai had to submit to him, let alone Shazhu.

As for sending Sha Zhu to the countryside and to work on a farm, it was naturally based on the fates of Jia Zhangshi and Yi Zhonghai.

just.

With Banggeng scoring a second goal, the onlookers in the courtyard were once again dumbfounded.

If they hadn't witnessed the whole incident, they might have even suspected that Bang Geng's words were taught to him beforehand.

What a filial and good eldest son!

(End of this chapter)