Courtyard House: A Carefree Life Begins with a Lottery of Wish Power

Seeing Liu Haizhong pull out five yuan, Yan Bugui couldn't help but breathe a slight sigh of relief.

Liu Haizhong was at least not as extravagant as Yi Zhonghai, who came up with a huge sum of money right away.

However, Yan Bugui immediately became worried again.

Five yuan is too much for me.

He had five one-yuan bills in his pocket when he went out, but it would be too painful to actually take them out.

Yan Bugui clutched five banknotes tightly in his left pocket, wrestling with an intense internal struggle; the banknotes were practically soaked with sweat from his grip.

Finally, steeling himself, he pulled out two bills and handed them to Liu Haizhong, a somewhat stiff smile on his face, saying:

"My salary can't compare to yours, so mine is a little less."

Liu Haizhong took the two slightly sweaty coins and sang:

"Uncle, two pieces."

Upon hearing Liu Haizhong's account report, the old man Yi Zhonghai frowned almost imperceptibly.

While the third uncle appeared to be diligently keeping accounts, he was actually keeping a close eye on Yi Zhonghai's every move out of the corner of his eye.

Upon seeing Yi Zhonghai frown, Yan Bugui couldn't help but curse inwardly.

Is two yuan a small amount?

Those were things I painstakingly picked out myself from between my teeth.

Jia Dongxu and my Yan family are not related, but for him to give me these two yuan is already more than enough to live up to his status as the third uncle.

After the three elderly men had all donated, He Yuzhu stepped forward and handed the money to Liu Haizhong.

Liu Haizhong sang:

"Five yuan for Sha Zhu."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai cast an approving glance at He Yuzhu, while Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui's expressions were not very pleasant.

You silly Zhu donated the same amount as Second Uncle, but three yuan more than Third Uncle. What do you mean by that?

You're slapping these two old men in the face.

Sitting on a small stool, neck hunched, hands tucked in, Xu Damao saw it all clearly. He couldn't help but laugh to the person next to him:

"You really have to admit, Sha Zhu is a fool."

"You only earn a few dollars a month, yet you're so extravagant."

"Look, Uncle Er and Uncle San don't look well."

For young people like He Yuzhu and Xu Damao, whose monthly salary is only twenty or thirty yuan, donating one yuan is already quite a lot, and donating fifty cents is absolutely acceptable.

That idiot Zhu insisted on acting like a big shot, donating five yuan right off the bat. Wasn't that putting me, Xu Damao, on the spot?

Xu Damao nudged Lin Zhuo beside him and whispered:

"Lin Zhuo, how much are you donating?"

Lin Zhuo glanced at Xu Damao's sly look, then simply smiled and said:

"Who said I was going to donate money? I'm just here to watch the show."

Xu Damao gave Lin Zhuoshu a thumbs up and said:

"Dude, you're awesome."

Although he said that, Xu Damao's face showed disbelief, thinking that Lin Zhuo was just bragging.

The three old men in the courtyard all took the lead in donating. No matter what grudges you have with the Jia family, you should give them face.

Otherwise, let's see how you, Lin Zhuo, will get along in the courtyard in the future.

With the three old men and He Yuzhu taking the lead, the neighbors, though reluctant, all gave some token gestures.

Some people donate a dollar, while others donate a few cents.

Even Xu Damao donated one yuan.

The second and third uncles were responsible for collecting money and keeping accounts, while the eldest uncle sat in the middle, looking around.

He kept track of which family donated how much and which family didn't attend the meeting.

After a while, the people who had gotten up to donate money returned to their seats, and the courtyard returned to peace.

Just as everyone was waiting for the old man to announce the end of the meeting, they saw the old man staring at someone with a gloomy expression.

Following the old man's gaze, everyone realized that he was staring at Lin Zhuo.

Lin Zhuo, however, seemed oblivious as he chatted idly with Xu Damao beside him.

After a while, Xu Damao also realized that something was wrong; why was everyone looking at him?

Looking up again, I met an old man's murderous gaze, which startled me, and I quickly shut my mouth.

Lin Zhuo met the old man's gaze with a smile, without backing down.

"+3 from Yi Zhonghai's wish power".

"+3 from Yi Zhonghai's wish power".

Xu Damao glanced at Lin Zhuo's calm demeanor and secretly admired him.

In this courtyard, even the most unruly young man, Sha Zhu, becomes as docile as a lamb when standing in front of Yi Zhonghai.

Even Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui would be trembling with fear if they encountered Yi Zhonghai in a fit of rage.

Yi Zhonghai stared at Lin Zhuo for a long time, but seeing that Lin Zhuo didn't move, he couldn't hold back any longer and said in a deep voice:

"Lin Zhuo, we're all neighbors in the same courtyard. If a neighbor is in trouble, how can you be so heartless as to not help at all?"

All eyes in the compound fell on Lin Zhuo again. Many people nodded in agreement after hearing what the old man said, seemingly dissatisfied with Lin Zhuo's behavior.

"Zhang San's wish power +1".

"Zhao Si's wish power +1".

"Wang Wu's power of will +1".

……

Lin Zhuo couldn't help but secretly admire Yi Zhonghai. Not only was Yi Zhonghai a skilled fitter, but he was also adept at using deceptive tactics and moral blackmail.

Yi Zhonghai went so far as to accuse Jia's family of not helping their neighbors, claiming that Yi Zhonghai was selfish for not donating money to them.

He suddenly found himself on the opposite side of everyone in the hospital.

Even the most selfish person doesn't like having a selfish neighbor.

Lin Zhuo smiled and said neither humbly nor arrogantly:

"Uncle, look at what you're saying. I just didn't help your apprentice's family, how come in your mouth I'm not helping anyone?"

"You can't wrong an innocent person."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai's expression stiffened. He hadn't expected Lin Zhuo to dare to contradict him in front of so many people, and his words were like knives.

Looking at the neighbors who had just shown their disgust towards Lin Zhuo, they also looked thoughtful after hearing Lin Zhuo's words.

Lin Zhuo is right.

They just had a fight with the Jia family, and now they're forcing them to donate money to the Jia family.

I wouldn't want to donate if it were me.

On the contrary, Yi Zhonghai's motives are somewhat questionable. If Jia Dongxu weren't his apprentice, would he still care so much?

Seeing everyone's expressions, Yi Zhonghai knew that Lin Zhuo's words had had an effect.

Seeing Yi Zhonghai make a fool of himself, Liu Haizhong was secretly delighted and couldn't wait to watch the show.

Yan Bugui narrowed his small eyes slightly; Lin Zhuo's words had struck a chord with him.

Yi Zhonghai's case is a classic example of being generous with other people's money while trying to gain a reputation for being public-spirited and righteous.

Most of the people in the courtyard were there to watch the spectacle with a "let's see what's going on" attitude.

"+5 from an old man's wish power."

"+5 from an older woman's wish."

The straightforward He Yuzhu couldn't hold back any longer and stood up, saying:

"Lin Zhuo, the Jia family is indeed not doing well. Jia Dongxu is the only one in the family who earns a salary. With Jia Dongxu hospitalized, they have difficulty making a living."

When He Yushui saw her brother jump out and argue with Lin Zhuo, she quickly grabbed his clothes, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't hold him back.

He Yushui was so anxious that she stomped her feet.

Upon hearing He Yuzhu's words, Lin Zhuo couldn't help but worry about his intelligence.

Upon hearing his explanation, one would assume he was either an old man or someone Qin Huairu had instilled this idea in him.

He actually believed what people said, otherwise they would all call him Silly Zhu.