Courtyard House: Inheriting the Restaurant, the Jia Family Wants to Get It for Free

The news that Yi Zhonghai was going to hold a grand banquet spread like wildfire, quickly reaching the ears of the Jia family in the backyard.

"What? He's going to throw a banquet? A banquet for that bastard kid who came from who-knows-where?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi, who was on the bed, was so angry that she almost had another stroke and pounded the bed board hard.

"Old Jia! Open your eyes and see! That damned widow is bullying us orphans and widows! He's stabbing us in the heart!"

Jia Zhangshi's wailing was sharp and piercing.

Qin Huairu silently tidied up the house, listening to her mother-in-law's curses, feeling a surge of irritation.

Ever since Yi Zhonghai brought the child back, Jia Zhangshi's temper has become even more volatile. She spends all her time crying and cursing, venting all her resentment on him.

"Mom, please keep your voice down, or the neighbors will laugh at you."

Qin Huairu couldn't help but offer a word of advice.

"A joke? I'm afraid they'll laugh at me?" Jia Zhangshi glared at Qin Huairu with her triangular eyes. "Let me tell you, this isn't over! Yi Zhonghai wants to hold his banquet peacefully? No way! I'll crawl to his doorstep, even if I have to, and overturn his table!"

A malicious glint flashed in Jia Zhangshi's eyes. She rolled her eyes and beckoned to Qin Huairu.

"Huai Ru, come here."

Qin Huairu walked over reluctantly.

"Listen to me," Madam Jia lowered her voice, a chilling smile playing on her lips, "on the day he holds the banquet, you..."

She leaned close to Qin Huairu's ear and whispered something to him.

Qin Huairu's face grew paler with each word she heard. She never imagined that her mother-in-law could be so vicious.

"Mom, this...this isn't a good idea, is it? If this gets out of hand, it won't do us any good."

Qin Huairu hesitated.

"What's wrong with that!" Madam Jia glared. "We're almost starving, what are we afraid of making a scene? I want to make Yi Zhonghai lose face in front of the whole factory! I want him to know that the Jia family isn't someone to be trifled with!"

Seeing Jia Zhangshi's crazed state, Qin Huairu dared not say anything more and could only nod silently.

Meanwhile, preparations were also underway at Yi Zhonghai's home in the Intermediate People's Court.

Yi Zhonghai knew Jia Zhangshi's character well, and he was certain that she would not let the matter rest and would definitely cause trouble on the day of the banquet.

"Zhao Di, we need to prepare for this in advance."

Yi Zhonghai called Tan Zhaodi over, took out a wad of cash from his pocket, and stuffed it into her hand.

"Take this money and go visit those gossipy but quick-witted women in the courtyard."

"Tell them to keep an eye on that old hag from the Jia family on the day of the banquet."

"If she dares to cause trouble, have them stop her and keep her away from the table. After it's done, I'll give everyone this amount!"

Yi Zhonghai lowered his voice, a calculating glint in his eyes.

Yi Zhonghai held up two fingers.

Tan Zhaodi looked at the money in her hand, then at her husband, and nodded: "I understand."

Although she did not approve of this practice of bribing people with money, she was even more unwilling to let that shrew Jia Zhangshi ruin her son's important day.

So Tan Zhaodi took the money and went from house to house visiting each other.

"Is Sister-in-law Liu home?"

"Oh, it's Sister-in-law Yi. Come in and have a seat."

Sun Dali warmly welcomed Tan Zhaodi into the house.

"No, no, I'll just say a few words and leave." Tan Zhaodi smiled and quietly slipped a bill into Sun Dali's hand. "Sister-in-law, we're having a banquet at home in a couple of days, and we'd like to ask you for a favor..."

"Oh, what are you doing? You're too kind!" Sun Dali declined verbally, but her hand gripped the money tightly. "Just let me know if you need anything. We're neighbors, it's only right to help each other out."

"Actually, it's nothing serious, it's just... you know that Jia family woman, I'm worried she might cause trouble..."

"I understand! I understand!" Sun Dali immediately got the message. "Don't worry, I'll take care of it! I'll get a few of my girlfriends with me, and I guarantee she won't even be able to leave the house!"

The same scene played out in several households in the courtyard. Those housewives who usually loved to join in the fun and take advantage of others, after receiving Yi Zhonghai's money, all patted their chests and made guarantees.

An invisible "defense line" was quietly established under Yi Zhonghai's financial offensive.

The entire courtyard was filled with an atmosphere of impending storm.

Everyone knew that this banquet at Yi Zhonghai's house was definitely not just a simple meal. It was a demonstration, a war.

Everyone in the courtyard craned their necks, brought out their small stools, and waited to see how this good show would end.

Finally, the day for the banquet arrived.

Early in the morning, the cook Yi Zhonghai had hired, along with his helpers, set up a makeshift stove in the yard. Some were washing vegetables, some were cutting meat, and some were tending the fire; they were all busy and having a great time.

In the center of the courtyard, several large round tables have been set up and covered with brand-new tablecloths.

Wearing a brand-new set of work clothes and leaning on a cane, Yi Zhonghai paced back and forth in the yard, personally directing the work. Tan Zhaodi, holding the sleeping Yi Jiefang, beamed with a happy smile and greeted the passing neighbors from time to time.

The entire courtyard was immersed in a festive yet eerie atmosphere.

As dusk fell and darkness descended, lights came on in the courtyard house.

The guests invited by Yi Zhonghai arrived one after another. There were colleagues from the steel rolling mill, as well as neighbors from the courtyard.

"Old Yi, congratulations!"

"Wow, what a handsome child! He looks like a filial son!"

"Tan Zhaodi, you are so lucky to have someone to rely on in your old age!"

The guests surrounded Yi Zhonghai and Tan Zhaodi, showering them with all sorts of compliments.

Yi Zhonghai beamed with joy, leaning on his cane as he warmly invited everyone to take their seats. Tan Zhaodi, holding her son, couldn't stop smiling; she felt she had never been so glamorous in her life.

Yan Bugui from the front yard also arrived with his family. As soon as he sat down, he began to indulge his calculating nature, whispering to his wife Yang Xiulian, "Look at this feast, there's chicken, duck, fish, and meat. Old Yi really went all out this time. We have to eat our fill today and get our money back from the gifts we gave."