The Beginning of a Courtyard House: Sixty Years of Internal Strength

"Yeah, Xiaoqiang, you're right, that's the only way. The purchasing staff in the office were all chatting, and since they hadn't received their assignments all morning, they had to go to the cafeteria for lunch together."

Li Jianguo avoided the cafeteria where Sha Zhu worked; if he went there, he'd probably have to cook for himself again.

At times like this, he's definitely up to no good. I wonder if he agreed to let Yushui take care of the old lady.

After lunch, we waited in the office for two hours, smoked a few cigarettes, and then the section chief finally returned, reported the task, and everyone dispersed.

When I got home, I was about to chat with Yao Yao about work when Xu Damao came running over with a bottle of wine: "Brother Jianguo, I haven't had a drink with you since the all-staff meeting. I didn't expect you to go straight to the countryside. To celebrate your victory, we must have a few drinks."

Seeing his excited expression, Li Jianguo recalled his behavior when he ran away back then.

This good brother really lives up to his reputation.

"Okay, Damao, come in."

Li Jianguo took out some lettuce and peanuts, and opened a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor). The two began to toast each other.

"Brother Jianguo, you were amazing that day! I admire you so much! Have you ever trained? Your skills are incredible."

"Shazhu used to learn wrestling on the overpass for a while, but I never expected he wouldn't be a match for you."

"Silly Zhu, this guy is just bullying people because he eats well and is strong."

I've never trained; I just used to fight a lot in the streets since I was a kid.

"Da Mao, if you exercise more and get stronger, even Sha Zhu might not be able to beat you."

"Oh well, I'll pass. I just want a peaceful life. I'll pass on the training; it's too tiring."

By the way, Brother Jianguo, I mainly want to talk to you about something. Recently, there have been a lot of rumors about you in the compound, saying that you bully and beat up the elderly.

This news has spread throughout several neighborhoods. I suspect it was spread by that widow Yi Zhonghai. You'd better be careful.

"Oh? Is that so? That Yi Juehu is really wicked. We have to find a way to get back at him."

Remembering that I gave Yan Bugui two eggs yesterday, and he didn't even properly explain it to me, that stingy Yan is no good either; he takes things and does nothing!

"Brother Jianguo, Old Man Yan has always been like this; he doesn't want to offend anyone."

Rumors are a tricky thing to deal with, since your explanations are useless, especially since you actually did it.

"Rumors stop with the wise, so why don't we just hold back?" Xu Damao glanced at Li Jianguo furtively.

When Li Jianguo saw Xu Damao's expression, he understood: Xu probably wanted him to fight against them.

"Da Mao, the best way to deal with rumors is not to explain or stop them, but to create an even bigger rumor."

Trying to play these tricks on me? Just you wait. I'll have someone spread the word in the next couple of days that Yi Zhonghai is taking advantage of an old lady who has no descendants. That'll give him a run for his money.

If he doesn't admit it, then the neighborhood committee should send someone to donate the old lady's entire estate. If he remains silent, that's tacit agreement, and we'll see what he does then.

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Brother Jianguo, that was a brilliant move."

That hit his weak spot right away; he absolutely couldn't bear to part with the old lady's inheritance.

My dad told me that when the high-ranking official left, he left some money for the old lady.

"It seems this old lady is truly hiding her true intentions, which further proves that Yi Zhonghai, that old fox, has ill intentions."

Otherwise, why would he go to such lengths to take care of an old lady who is not related to him at all?

"Da Mao, now that I've ruined the Yi Juehu affair, who's taking care of the old lady? Li Cuilan?"

Li Jianguo wanted to ask about the rainfall, but he couldn't ask directly.

"Oh dear, just thinking about this makes me angry. Brother Jianguo, you have no idea how wicked Yi Juehu is."

I secretly asked Yu Shui, and Yi Zhonghai, who had tricked Sha Zhu, said that you ruined the conference, beat up several families, Qin Huairu was also beaten, and Li Cuilan had a heart condition. Only Yu Shui was fine, so they hoped that Yu Shui would take care of her.

Sha Zhu actually arranged for Yu Shui to take care of the old lady. I think he just felt sorry for Qin Huairu. She only got slapped, and the injury wasn't serious.

Because of this, Yu Shui and Sha Zhu had a big argument, but in the end, Yu Shui couldn't win against Sha Zhu.

Now, it's the rain that reluctantly cleans the old lady's soiled diapers; it's so pitiful. Yi Zhonghai is truly inhuman! Sha Zhu is just as foolish; this is his own sister.

"Da Mao, you said that Yu Shui just started school and probably can't read, right? She can't even write a letter."

Don't you think we should help her? After all, her father, He Daqing, is far away in Baocheng and doesn't know that He Yushui's situation isn't very good either, right?

Xu Damao was stunned when he heard this, and then looked up at Li Jianguo.

"Brother Jianguo, I really admire you more and more. This move is even better!"

He Daqing adored his daughter the most, spoiling her rotten.

Everyone else spoils their sons, but he spoils his daughter.

If He Daqing knew that Yushui was washing diapers for the old lady, and that Yi Zhonghai was hypocritically deceiving Shazhu, he would definitely cause a huge scene. Then let's see how that deadbeat Yi Zhonghai will face people!

Seeing that Xu Damao was quite drunk, Li Jianguo quickly tried to persuade him to stop.

"Da Mao, stop drinking. You can drink next time. I think you've had too much. Go home now, or you'll get beaten up again."

"Oh, okay. Brother Jianguo, how about I handle this publicity?"

"Da Mao, let it go. If Yi Zhonghai finds out it was you, he'll probably order Sha Zhu to beat you up again."

Upon hearing the name "Silly Pillar," Xu Damao quickly shrank back and muttered something.

"I'm afraid of him." Then she quickly swayed away.

After Xu Damao left, Wang Yaoxing spoke up eagerly.

"Brother Jianguo, should I go do some promotions tomorrow?"

Li Jianguo shook his head and did not agree to let Wang Yao go.

"Forget it, nobody in the compound wants to talk to us anymore. I'll go to the black market later and see if I can find some thugs or something."

They often do dirty work, but they'll do anything that damages their reputation as long as they're paid, and it's less risky.

"Okay." Wang Yao nodded disappointedly. Actually, she really wanted to participate; this kind of thing was too much fun.

"Yaoyao, bring me paper and pen. I'll write a letter first, and you can mail it to He Daqing tomorrow."

Seeing her disappointed look, Li Jianguo decided to give her some work.

"OK."

After tidying up the table, Wang Yao quickly grabbed the paper and pen.

Li Jianguo thought about it for a moment and then started writing, detailing how Yi Zhonghai tricked Sha Zhu and bullied Yu Shui.

The description of the horrific scene of diapers being washed by rainwater is particularly disgusting.

He refused to believe that He Daqing wouldn't be angry after seeing this letter.

"Yaoyao, go buy a stamp tomorrow and mail this out."