Siheyuan: I have a multi-dimensional chat group!

Qin Huairu noticed Jia Dongxu's embarrassment and quickly whispered in Jia Zhangshi's ear, "Mom, please be considerate of Dongxu when you speak! Dongxu is a level three fitter, and he's about to take the level four exam! If word gets out that he can't even support his mother, wife, and children, wouldn't that make Dongxu look bad?"

Upon hearing Qin Huairu's words, Jia Zhangshi slapped her mouth repeatedly: "I was just too busy having fun! I wasn't worried that our family wouldn't benefit in the end, I just blurted it out without thinking that much."

Others hesitated to contradict Jia Zhangshi out of respect for Yi Zhonghai and the Jia family, but Xu Damao had no such concerns: "Aunt Jia, there's a famine right now. You should just give all your food to Brother Dongxu."

"These days, who doesn't work and still has enough to eat? Some elderly women only eat a dry meal at noon, and drink porridge for breakfast and dinner."

"Just as you just said, your family of five needs three meals a day, all dry. Aunt Jia, no one can afford to feed them like that!"

Xu Damao's words set a precedent, and the neighbors immediately followed suit.

An older woman in the courtyard spoke up: "Da Mao is right. I haven't had a proper meal in two weeks! I eat two cornbreads a day, one in the morning and one in the evening."

“We’re not working, so it’s okay if we eat less! We can’t let the breadwinners of our families go hungry, they’re working so hard at the steel mill.”

There were also those who directly attacked Jia Zhangshi's physical condition: "Sister-in-law Jia, you're eating too much! Many people in our courtyard have lost weight in the past two months, but you've gained weight! You can't eat like this, you have to reduce some of the pressure on Dongxu."

……

Seeing that her neighbors were all focusing their anger on her, Jia Zhangshi was furious.

Then she used her ultimate skill again—summoning the dead!

Jia Zhangshi plopped down on the ground and began to wail, "What does our family's business have to do with you? Old Jia, come and see for yourself! There are no good people in this yard! Are they planning to starve this old woman to death?!"

Jia Dongxu quickly came over and pulled his mother away, telling Jia Zhangshi to shut up: "Mom, I didn't say I wouldn't take care of you. Why are you calling for Dad? Let's not bother him."

"Dongxu is right! Sister-in-law, Old Jia came straight for you. You two haven't seen each other for years. Maybe one day he'll miss you and call you down for a reunion!" Someone in the crowd, who couldn't stand Jia Zhangshi's behavior, said slyly.

Seeing the chaotic scene, Yi Zhonghai couldn't stand it any longer.

If this continues, this conference will have to be canceled again!

So Yi Zhonghai tapped his teacup on the table a few times: "Alright, everyone, say less!"

"Sister-in-law Jia, stop saying things like that in the future. You're a feudal superstitious person! You don't want to be called in by the neighborhood committee for some ideological education, do you?"

It must be said that Yi Zhonghai had a very thorough understanding of Jia Zhangshi.

His threat immediately silenced Jia Zhangshi.

He obediently let Jia Dongxu help him up and sit back in his original seat.

Seeing that things were gradually quieting down, Yan Bugui coughed and said to Yi Zhonghai, "Old Yi, shouldn't we get down to business? Wasn't today's meeting supposed to address the food shortage issue for some families in the compound? The meeting has been going on for almost an hour now, and we still haven't gotten to the main point!"

At this moment, He Yuzhu jumped out to defend Yi Zhonghai: "Uncle, what's the rush! Anyway, it's the weekend tomorrow, everyone's off! Staying at home is just as bad as staying at home, so why not get together and chat!"

Li Caijuan pulled He Yuzhu aside, telling him to talk less.

Li Caijuan knew very well that in today's situation, it was best to speak as little as possible, otherwise she could easily get herself into trouble.

Seeing that He Yuzhu finally spoke, Xu Damao was not about to let him off so easily: "Silly Zhu, you're the head chef at the steel mill. When it comes to food in our yard, you're the one who has the most! Why don't you contribute some? Anyway, your family can't finish all the food."

"You son of a bitch..." Upon hearing Xu Damao's words, He Yuzhu immediately became furious.

Chapter 86, Li Caijuan's Charm! (Please subscribe!)

However, He Yuzhu was interrupted by Li Caijuan halfway through his sentence.

Li Caijuan smiled and said to Xu Damao, "Brother Damao, you're joking! Zhuzi and I are both workers, and we have to be careful with our food rations. The rainy season is when we grow up, and sometimes we don't even have enough food. We have to go out and buy expensive grain. We really don't have any extra food."

“However, our family is dual-income, and although we don’t earn as much as the eldest and second eldest uncles in our compound, we still earn quite a bit. So, our family will contribute ten jin of cornmeal as a small contribution to our compound.”

Li Caijuan's words were logical and reasonable, leaving no room for criticism.

Xu Damao thought to himself, "Shazhu's wife is no simpleton! It won't be easy for her to deal with Shazhu again!"

Upon hearing Li Caijuan's words, Yi Zhonghai frowned.

Based on his understanding of He Yuzhu, if this matter were brought up, He Yuzhu would have to contribute at least twenty catties of cornmeal every month.

But now his wife has taken over the conversation, only contributing ten kilograms of cornmeal, and without mentioning a monthly contribution.

Yi Zhonghai nodded and said, "Caijuan did a good job. Ten catties of cornmeal a month can at least help some families in difficulty to eat more."

Hearing Yi Zhonghai say this, He Yuzhu wanted to speak, but Li Caijuan stopped him.

Li Caijuan said to Yi Zhonghai, "Uncle, ten catties of cornmeal a month? My family can't afford that! Food is so scarce now, and it'll probably be even scarcer in the next few months. I'm pregnant now, and the family will soon be joined by someone. Who knows what will happen in two months!"

“Yushui is still studying and can’t go hungry. This ten pounds of cornmeal is what we’ve managed to squeeze out from between our teeth.”

“I only make a little over twenty yuan a month, and Zhuzi just makes thirty. Our combined monthly salary is only half of yours! You’re the oldest in the neighborhood, and we all depend on you!”

These words surprised many people in the courtyard.

We don't usually have much contact with Li Caijuan, so we got to know her today.

He speaks with reason and evidence, leaving no room for criticism.

You can't expect someone to starve themselves just to help others!

Moreover, they were too embarrassed to snatch food from a pregnant woman's mouth; they would lose face if word got out.

"Brother Zhu's wife is pretty good! This old man is in a bind now; moral blackmail won't work anymore," Xiao Shan said with a smile to Xu Damao beside him.

Xu Damao pursed his lips; he was the one in the courtyard who couldn't stand seeing He Yuzhu doing well.

"He's just incredibly lucky. Once my wife marries into the family, she'll definitely outshine Li Caijuan!"

Upon hearing Xu Damao's words, Xiao Shan smiled but remained silent.

In the future video, Lou Xiao'e is portrayed as a naive and innocent girl who gets sold out but still pays the price for it!

Seeing that Yi Zhonghai remained silent, Xiao Shan spoke up: "Uncle, how about we call it a day? Sister Caijuan's ten catties of cornmeal should be enough."

"If all else fails, I'll contribute ten pounds of cornmeal. Anyway, if I'm full, the whole family won't go hungry!"

The three old men glanced at Xiao Shan at the same time.

Xiao Shan's words really hit home!

The three old men spent half a day in a meeting, and all they contributed was twenty jin of cornmeal.

If this plenary meeting really ends like this, those three old men can quit; they'll be drowned in spittle.

Liu Haizhong was the first to become restless because he valued his second uncle's position too much.

Liu Haizhong then spoke up: "Xiaoshan, the meeting isn't over yet! Our three elders haven't spoken yet, how can we end it?"

As he spoke, Liu Haizhong looked at Yi Zhonghai and said, "Old Yi, why don't you come up with a plan? This dragging on like this is wasting everyone's time!"

Since Liu Haizhong had put it so bluntly, Yi Zhonghai had no choice but to speak.

Who told him to be an old man!

Unless he doesn't want to work here anymore!

Yi Zhonghai mentally organized his thoughts and looked at everyone, saying, "My idea is to first take stock of each family's food shortage and wage situation. Our institute can't guarantee that every family lacking food will have enough to eat, but we will definitely make sure they don't starve to death!"

“Everyone knows I earn a lot, so I’ll take out twenty yuan to buy cornmeal for the people in the courtyard. That will help us get by for a while.”

Yi Zhonghai was a shrewd man; he didn't say he would receive it every month.

Currently, no family in the facility is so destitute that they are on the verge of starvation.

Apart from the Jia family, other families received rations, but they weren't full; they weren't starving.

Yi Zhonghai originally wanted to take this opportunity to help his apprentice, since their family was the most in need of food in the courtyard.

However, given how the conference has unfolded, the Jia family cannot be mentioned anymore.

Compared to other families in the compound, Dongxu earns quite a bit.

That's really difficult. I'll just secretly help out a little myself.

This time the situation is different from the last time.

Last time there was no shortage of food; cornmeal was only a few cents a pound. Even if the ration wasn't enough, buying a few more pounds of cornmeal would have been enough to make ends meet.

No, we really have no food left!

The price of grain in Pigeon City has increased many times over!

If someone in the courtyard really starves to death, this old man won't have to work anymore.

"Second Uncle, First Uncle is contributing twenty yuan, how much are you going to contribute? You're the best at getting benefits for the residents in our compound, we can't let First Uncle outdo you." Someone in the crowd spoke up, directly pushing Liu Haizhong forward.

It has to be said that those who live in this courtyard are no pushovers!

If Liu Haizhong wants to be a big shot, he can't be less than Yi Zhonghai.

If he doesn't show up enough, all his previous actions will be seen as just an act.

Liu Haizhong clearly lacks this kind of political wisdom, but he doesn't want to be outdone by Yi Zhonghai.

We've been arguing for so long, a few dollars won't matter.

So Liu Haizhong said loudly, "I'll put up thirty yuan to buy cornmeal, and then I'll share it with the families in our compound who have trouble eating and who earn little."

"Good, it has to be Second Uncle, he really steps up when needed! Even First Uncle has never been this generous." Someone in the crowd shouted.

Yi Zhonghai's face instantly turned ugly.

Liu Haizhong's actions were blatant provocation!

I, Yi Zhonghai, offer twenty, and you take thirty. Does that make you look good?

However, we cannot say that Liu Haizhong was wrong in this matter.

　3.2 Liu Haizhong, this money is meant to help families in need in the hospital. Yi Zhonghai, you're unwilling to accept it. Do you not want to see everyone have enough to eat?

Upon hearing the later praise of Liu Haizhong, Xiao Shan knew it was Liu Guangtian who had said it.

Surprisingly, the father and son are now working together quite well.

"I think Uncle Er's behavior should be reported to the neighborhood committee so they can issue a commendation." Someone, not wanting to miss out on the excitement, added fuel to the fire.

Liu Haizhong is only a level six worker, and he received almost half a month's salary in one go.

Yi Zhonghai was a grade eight worker, but he only received twenty yuan.

Liu Haizhong's family consists of five people: two adults and three children.

Yi Zhonghai lives with only his elderly wife and son.

A comparison makes it clear who has contributed more to the yard.

As a result, Liu Haizhong's reputation in the courtyard soared.

Yi Zhonghai's face darkened further.

Chapter 87. There are more experts in the courtyard; whose subordinate is this? (Please subscribe!)

He Yuzhu tried to speak several times, but Li Caijuan stopped him each time.

If Li Caijuan hadn't stopped He Yuzhu, Yi Zhonghai wouldn't be in such a passive position.

He Yuzhu is a troublemaker who's good at causing chaos. He can mess up anything good.

Now that He Yuzhu is being controlled by his wife and can't help, Yi Zhonghai is feeling bad.

Just moments ago, Madam Jia Zhang said she was considering Jia Dongxu's reputation, but now that she sees it's actually beneficial, she's immediately gotten carried away again.

All that could be heard was Jia Zhangshi shouting loudly, "Our family should get a share of the grain we bought! We're the only ones in the yard with a small ration!"

Upon hearing Jia Zhangshi's words, someone immediately objected: "Your Dongxu earns even more! A third-level fitter, he makes more than forty yuan a month. Even if the grain price is high, your family can still afford it."

"Jia Dongxu, if you say you can't support your mother, wife, and children, then your family can take all the grain, and no one will say anything. If you earn a lot, then don't meddle."

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongxu's face instantly turned a deep shade of liver!

Xiao Shan watched with a smile. When it came to their own interests, the people in the courtyard no longer talked about being a harmonious family; they were almost at each other's throats.

Madam Jia Zhang retorted, "Why can't we accept the grain donated by the old men in the courtyard when our family is short of food? It's not like it was donated specifically for your family. Anyone who is short of food can accept it! Uncle, don't you agree?"

Hearing that Jia Zhangshi had brought the war to his own hands, Yi Zhonghai felt somewhat helpless.

However, seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, Yi Zhonghai could only cough and say in a proper manner, "Sister-in-law, your family's ration is small, but Dongxu does earn more than most people in the yard! Of course, the cornmeal we donated this time is for families that are short of food, so if you are short of food, you can naturally receive it too!"

Not wanting to be pointed at and gossiped about for not being able to support his wife and children, Jia Dongxu quickly stepped forward and said to Yi Zhonghai, "Master, we don't need that! It's not like I can't earn money; we can certainly make enough to eat!"

Seeing her son speak up, Jia Zhangshi had no choice but to shut her mouth, no matter how unwilling she was.

"Third Uncle, First Uncle and Second Uncle have both donated, and you haven't said anything yet!" I don't know who had such a sharp tongue, but they just said that.