A courtyard house, equipped with a fishing system, living in an era.

"Yi Zhonghai is no good. He encouraged you to rent Sha Zhu's house, clearly wanting to deal with Sha Zhu. It's not a matter of whether you want to rent his house or not... it's that since he's decided to do it, our family has to take his house!"

Jia Dongxu felt his eyes starting to spin.

"No, only Shazhu was left at home with the rainwater on him. Why would he bother with Shazhu?"

"How would I know? But it's just a matter of giving a slap on the wrist and then a sweet treat, that kind of routine! Otherwise, why do you think you're still an apprentice?"

Jia Dongxu was already confused, and now he was even more confused.

"What does this have to do with me being an apprentice?"

"Aren't you going to talk about it? Let's give you a taste of sweetness after the beating!"

"What about borrowing the house?"

"Just go along with what he says. You can tell him later that you also want to borrow a house, but you're too shy to ask. Let Yi Zhonghai solve it for you himself."

"Will this work?"

"He just needs an excuse... just give him that excuse!"

……

Madam Jia Zhang understood perfectly well that Yi Zhonghai simply wanted her to take the lead.

After all, over the years, in order to raise Jia Dongxu, Jia Zhangshi had done a lot of tantrums and outbursts.

However, she has now raised her son to adulthood, and he is now a full-time worker at the steel rolling mill.

Whether it was for the sake of finding a daughter-in-law in the future or for the sake of the Jia family's reputation, Jia Zhangshi decided to stop.

Before, I had no choice but to live, but now... even if I don't consider my own reputation, I have to think about my grandchildren's reputation in the future, right?

So after hearing Jia Dongxu's account, Jia Zhangshi subtly passed the buck back to Jia Dongxu.

Unfortunately, Jia Zhangshi lacked experience!

Little did she know, getting on that pirate ship was easy, but getting off was incredibly difficult!

……

"Dongxu, what you said makes sense. Master really didn't think this through!"

Yi Zhonghai's smile was relatively sunny, but after Jia Dongxu took his leave, a hint of coldness appeared in his eyes.

Luo Wencui, Yi Zhonghai's wife, brought him a cup of hot tea.

"Sigh, it's all my fault. I haven't given you a son or daughter all these years. This apprentice I picked up along the way is just unreliable..."

Yi Zhonghai composed himself.

"Why bring this up? We're all getting old!"

Luo Wencui suggested, her face showing a hint of hope.

"We're only 40 years old, why don't we go to a big hospital and see a Western doctor?"

Yi Zhonghai waved his hand, looking as if he had lost faith in seeking medical treatment.

"Forget it, stop making a fuss. We've made it this far, let's just stay like this!"

Yi Zhonghai's tone was tinged with melancholy, yet it left no room for doubt.

Luo Wencui opened her mouth, but ultimately changed the subject!

"If Madam Jia is unwilling to get involved, what should we do?"

"That's why I always say you can't overfeed a dog! If it's full, it won't want to bite!"

After a moment of silence, Luo Wencui suddenly spoke.

"What do you think of that boy Ping An in the east courtyard? I later found out he's only fifteen..."

Yi Zhonghai choked. How could he possibly look fifteen?

Judging from his behavior, he seems even more like a seasoned veteran than Liu Haizhong…

"He's no good... He's on good terms with the work team now, and I heard those people will all be powerful figures in the factory in the future—Party Secretary, Factory Director, and at the very least, department heads. Don't mess with him!"

The issue of elderly care has become a major concern for Yi Zhonghai in the past two years.

Especially after witnessing the tragic scene of elderly people living alone being exploited and losing their entire fortunes, he felt even more fearful and anxious!

Therefore, Yi Zhonghai set his sights on Xu Ping'an the moment he appeared.

But after observing for a month or two... I gave up!

This guy is too slick; he can't handle him!

After a moment of silence, Yi Zhonghai stood up.

"I'll teach Dongxu's family a lesson in a few days. Now, they've already lent me their name anyway..."

……

In the main room of the courtyard, Sha Zhu and his younger sister He Yushui were baking two steamed buns made from a mixture of wheat and water around the coal stove.

"Brother, you eat! Sister Fangfang gave me a steamed bun this afternoon..."

"Is it Xu Ping'an's family from the Central Academy of Fine Arts?"

"Yeah, Fangfang's older brother is amazing. Fangfang said that after their elders passed away..."

Perhaps it's because these past few days have been too tough, but finally something happy has happened.

He Yushui chattered on and on about many stories she had heard...

Sixteen-year-old Shazhu still had a childish face, but his expression was gloomy.

He Daqing ran away, and not only that, he took all the money and paper money from the house with him, but he didn't even leave behind any grain.

Sha Zhu couldn't believe that He Daqing could be so ruthless. If he were the only one left in the family, he wouldn't really care. But there was a 7-year-old sister here. How could He Daqing do such a thing?

He didn't believe it, so he took his sister to Baoding to find him.

They eventually found the Bai family, but He Daqing avoided them!

Sha Zhu initially felt a sense of confusion and fear about the future, unsure of where the road lay.

Now that they've heard about Xu Ping'an's situation... it's like the two of them are on the same script. Should they copy each other?

Find a target to use as a punching bag, and beat them up in front of everyone...

On the one hand, it's a way to vent one's anger.

On the other hand, they also wanted to make an example of someone.

Let those with ulterior motives in this courtyard know that although He Daqing has run away, the He family still has Shazhu to carry on the family line!

No matter how old a method is, as long as it works!

No matter where you are, might makes right.

In addition, Shazhu was also thinking about how he and his sister should live their future.

The apprentices at Emei Restaurant are definitely out of a job.

These days, apprentices receive almost no wages. The tradition is to work as a handyman or helper at the master's house for three years before even starting to learn the craft!

Sha Zhu had no coins on him, and he had a younger sister who was only a few years old. If he went to work as an apprentice, the two siblings would starve to death.

As he was contemplating the future, Yi Zhonghai pushed the door open and walked in.

"Pillar, are you free?"

Sha Zhu snapped out of his thoughts and forced a smile.

"Master Yi, it's so late, is there anything I can help you with?"

"I'm eating. I happen to have something I want to discuss with you."

Yi Zhonghai glanced at the two fist-sized steamed buns made from a mixture of flour and water that were baking on the stove, then looked away.

"Zhu Zi, it's like this. I noticed you've been staying with Yu Shui lately, haven't you?"

"The side room next door is just sitting empty anyway. Your brother Dongxu is getting married next month, and his family can't fit it all in. Why don't you clean up the side room and lend it to your Aunt Jia for a few days?"

Sha Zhu's face was gloomy as he asked in a cold voice.

"Is this Master Yi's idea, or the Jia family's idea?"

Yi Zhonghai's expression remained unchanged, but his heart sank.

Sure enough, these disobedient young people still need to be disciplined. Can't you all just listen to me?

If you all listen to me, there won't be so many problems, right?

"Hehe, how would I know their house isn't big enough? Your brother Dongxu came to my house last night and asked me to come over and ask around."

Ask me?

You were practically issuing orders, and this is what you call asking questions?

However, Sha Zhu wasn't blinded by greed, and Yi Zhonghai was clearly not his target.

Yi Zhonghai, a mid-level fitter at a steel rolling mill, earns 56 yuan a month.

He is a somewhat well-known figure in the Nanluoguxiang area.

As long as he doesn't openly bully the He family, Sha Zhu can tolerate him.

But who are you, Jia Dongxu? How dare you shit on your grandfather He's head?

Borrowing a house?

Is it the kind of loan that is never repaid?

Sha Zhu was actually quite calm inside, but his face was contorted with rage.

You, Jia Dongxu, still want to get married?

Yi Zhonghai was stunned when he saw Sha Zhu's expression.

This little bastard isn't planning to hit me, is he?

Before my thoughts could settle, I saw Sha Zhu yell and stand up, about to rush outside.

"not good!"

Yi Zhonghai was shocked and reached out to grab Sha Zhu, but to his surprise, Sha Zhu showed no sign of stopping.

The inertia knocked Yi Zhonghai down, and his entire right side slammed against the threshold of the He family's house.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my right arm.

Sha Zhu glanced back at Yi Zhonghai, who was lying on the ground groaning in pain, but didn't stop walking, a faint smile still on his lips.

"Jia Dongxu, you come out here!"

Inside the house, the Jia family mother and son were having dinner when they heard the shout outside the door, and they were both startled.

"Silly Pillar?"

"I'll go see what's going on!"

When the Jia family mother and son went out, everyone in the courtyard who heard the commotion ran out to see what was going on!