Siheyuan: Shazhu's Leisurely Life

Chapter 78: Full House Meeting!

"Wife, everything is ready. I've also asked the post office. It will arrive in a month at the latest."

He Yuzhu said to Chen Miaoyun with a smile, what he was talking about was naturally the envelope and the supplies he had prepared.

When Chen Miaoyun heard this, she was slightly excited. She pressed her body against He Yuzhu and put her head close to He Yuzhu's ear and whispered softly, "Thank you, husband."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu's heart suddenly moved.

When he turned around and looked at Chen Miaoyun again, he could clearly feel a slight heat on her face. But He Yuzhu was quite satisfied. After all, she had always felt very shy to ask Chen Miaoyun to change her words. "Wife, why are you being so polite to me? We are not strangers. However, the baby is about to be born..."

As he spoke, He Yuzhu looked at his wife. Chen Miaoyun felt He Yuzhu's eyes and could tell what he was thinking. Her face became even hotter, but she nodded and hummed in agreement.

……

That night, He Yuzhu was very happy that he had solved the problem that was bothering his wife. So, he personally went into the kitchen and prepared a large table of delicious dishes.

The deaf old lady, the Chen Miaoyun sisters, Yu Shui and the aunt were all there.

Of course, most of the ingredients were brought by the aunties.

Everyone was having a great time during the meal. It wasn't often that they had a big meal, not to mention that He Yuzhu cooked the meal himself, so everyone was very full.

After dinner, the aunt and the two little girls, Yushui and Miaozhi, helped to clean up the dishes. The rest of the people lay on the sofa and sat on the wooden chairs, chatting from time to time.

……

After a while, an old man named Yi Zhonghai came back from outside the yard. This time was later than usual when he got off work. When he passed by the central courtyard, he naturally came to visit Zhuzi's house.

"Old Yi, why are you back so late today?"

The aunt looked at the time and said.

"Don't mention it. Just get ready. We're going to hold a general meeting in the hospital tonight."

"A meeting of the whole institute? Uncle, what happened?" He Yuzhu asked curiously after hearing this.

Since he came to this era, the number of times the whole hospital has held a meeting is very few. After all, some small trivial matters can be handled directly in private by the three uncles. It is not necessary to hold a meeting.

Normally, if a meeting of the entire compound is held, the commotion that occurs is definitely not small. At the very least, it is something that is known to all residents of the compound. Moreover, the three uncles cannot resolve the issue privately.

"This is a big deal. When I was leaving get off work tonight, I saw a group of people gathered not far from the factory. I went over to take a look and found out that it was Xu Damao, Qin Huairu, and your second uncle Liu Haizhong."

He Yuzhu listened and felt something in his heart, but he didn't interrupt.

"At that time, I saw Liu Haizhong lying on the ground, he had fallen hard. I asked him and found out that he was hit by Xu Damao's bicycle. And that's where the problem lies. Xu Damao said that they didn't hit him, but Liu Haizhong deliberately pulled their bike, so the accident happened accidentally. But Liu Haizhong said that it was Xu Damao who hit him on purpose. No one saw it, so naturally it's hard to tell who is lying."

"Finally, I took Lao Liu to the clinic and checked him out. He had a broken arm and had a minor surgery. He needs to rest for at least half a month."

After listening to Yi Zhonghai's story, He Yuzhu also understood what was going on.

Indeed, there was no surveillance in that era, and Xu Damao and Liu Haizhong each held their own opinions and neither of them was convinced by the other.

"We are planning to hold a meeting of the entire institute so that everyone can come together to discuss and come up with a decision."

"Well, this kind of thing is indeed difficult to handle. Let's discuss it together. Zhuzi, go and notify everyone and hold a meeting."

The deaf old lady also nodded after listening.

"Sure, I'll go then."

He Yuzhu nodded and went out to the three courtyards to inform the neighbors.

After a while, the courtyard became lively, with people carrying benches and long stools towards the central courtyard.

Because the central courtyard is the most spacious in the entire compound, all meetings are held in the central courtyard.

The three stone benches and a stone table in the middle of the courtyard were where the three old men sat. The rest of the people put down the stools and chairs they had brought with them, found a place to sit, and gathered around.

When most of the hundred or so residents of the courtyard had arrived, the first and third uncles were the first to sit on the stone bench.

"Okay, I think most people have arrived, so let's start today's meeting for the entire institute."

"Hey, uncle, why are you in such a hurry? My dad hasn't come yet." Liu Guangqi couldn't help but say as he saw there were only two uncles in the middle.

When the other neighbors heard this, they also talked about it.

"Yes, Uncle One. Uncle Two hasn't come yet."

The third uncle received the notice at the last minute and didn't know what had happened. He looked at Yi Zhonghai with some confusion.

Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai knocked his teacup on the table and said, "Okay, be quiet."

After these words were spoken, everyone in the courtyard stopped talking out of respect. After all, this old man's prestige in the courtyard was not just talk.

"Today's meeting is held because of Second Uncle Liu Haizhong. Let me tell you about the specific content of today's meeting..."

As he spoke, Yi Zhonghai also told about the scene outside the steel mill, including the scene where Liu Haizhong was sent to the hospital to have his bones fixed.

"Because the surgery cost three yuan, Liu Haizhong now requires Xu Damao to compensate for all expenses including the surgery fee, a total of 40 yuan..."

As soon as Yi Zhonghai finished speaking, the crowd heard a quarrel coming from far away.

Then, Xu Damao and Liu Haizhong appeared at the gate. The two of them were arguing, and it seemed that the content of their argument was also related to compensation.

When everyone looked over, Xu Damao and Liu Haizhong were also stunned. Apparently, they didn't know that so many people had gathered in the yard.

At this time, in the crowd, the second aunt's family saw that Liu Haizhong's arm was already covered with a white bandage. They couldn't help crying out in pain: "Oh, old man, what happened to you? Why are you hurt so badly..."

When Liu Guangqi's three brothers saw this, they were furious: "Xu Damao, if you dare to hit my dad, we will beat you to death!"

As he said this, he was about to step forward.

Yi Zhonghai stood up quickly and scolded: "Liu Guangqi, stop right there! Don't do anything! The purpose of the meeting today is to solve your father's problem. If you do something, you will have to solve this problem by yourselves! If you report it to the security department, you will only be asking for trouble!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong and the second aunt were both startled and said quickly: "Guangqi, that's enough, don't move for now."

Xu Damao was also frightened by Liu Guangqi's three brothers, but he was relieved when he saw that they were all stopped. He was secretly annoyed. These bastards are not very old, but there are still many of them. When he has a son in the future, he will see who dares to scare him by relying on their numbers!

After Liu Guangqi and his brothers were stopped, they stopped attacking and just went over to help Liu Haizhong over.

At this time, Qin Huairu also came over from behind.

For a moment, in the Central Court, the atmosphere between Xu Damao and his wife and Liu Haizhong's family was extremely tense.

In this age of lack of spiritual entertainment, when the neighbors in the courtyard saw this scene, they were all excited to watch a good show. In any case, tonight was lively.

Of course, everyone's eyes eventually turned to the two old men on the field. They were the key people to solve the problem in the hospital.

Seeing that the situation was under control, Yi Zhonghai returned to his position.

"Old Liu, tell me first, what exactly happened today?" He spoke to Liu Haizhong first.

Seeing this, Liu Haizhong stood up again and stood in the middle of the field. "Everyone, you all saw that my arm was broken and bandaged so much. I am not exaggerating how serious it is. All this is because of Xu Damao and his wife!"

Liu Haizhong pointed at Xu Damao and Qin Huairu and said, "I ran into them today when I was getting off work. They were riding their bikes. I went to look for them because I had something to say to them, but they didn't listen to me at all. Xu Damao was even more vicious. He knocked me down while riding his bike. I ended up like this. It's all because of him!"

"The doctor at the clinic just said that the injury is very serious and I need at least half a month to recuperate. As everyone knows, I am a fifth-level blacksmith in the factory. I fell and injured myself, and it is fine if I suffer, but who will bear the responsibility for delaying the factory's production tasks? Not to mention, my half-month salary is thirty yuan. I want Xu Damao to compensate me a total of forty yuan. Is that not unreasonable?"

When everyone heard this, they nodded repeatedly.

There is nothing wrong with what the second uncle said!

After all, going to the hospital also costs money. Not to mention the cost of surgery and treatment, there are also subsequent nutritional costs and some food to recover. Considering the salary of the second uncle as a fifth-level blacksmith, the forty yuan is really not too much. "I think what the second uncle said is fine."

"Indeed, Xu Damao and his wife are too reckless. How could they hit someone?"

"Forty dollars in compensation, Uncle Er really doesn't want much."

Many people in the hospital spoke out in support.

Liu Haizhong hummed twice in response to this, and was quite satisfied with the situation. After all, what he had just said was reasonable and the amount of compensation was definitely too little for him. After all, he was the second uncle in the hospital. In this position, if he paid attention to his reputation, he would get more benefits. This was also some experience summed up by him as an official fan.

Xu Damao's face turned red with anxiety. Yi Zhonghai saw that the second uncle had finished speaking, so he said, "Xu Damao, the second uncle has finished speaking. Now it's your turn. Tell me what's going on."

Seeing this, Xu Damao hurried to the center of the yard.

"Everyone, don't just listen to him. I am the one who was wronged in this matter!"

"What do you think."

"To talk about this, I have to mention that before, Second Master came to my door and asked me to help him with something..."

It turned out that just a few days ago, the second uncle suddenly came to Xu Damao and asked him to help with something.

Because Xu Damao often accompanied some leaders to drink and build interpersonal relationships in the factory, he had some say with some of the leaders. Liu Haizhong got the news from somewhere that a team leader position in their third workshop had become vacant. Liu Haizhong wanted Xu Damao to say a few good words to Deputy Director Li so that he could be given the position of team leader.

"They are all neighbors in the same courtyard, and he is the second uncle, so I agreed to this matter, but I never expected that the second uncle would not give any benefits when he asked someone to do things for him. It's not that I, Xu Damao, covet these benefits, but I went to see Deputy Director Li and invited him to dinner and drinks. These were all paid for by myself. Moreover, I did recommend the second uncle, but after explaining the situation of the second uncle, Deputy Director Li said that the team leader of the workshop should not only have skills, but also culture. What kind of culture does the second uncle have? There is a better candidate in the third workshop, so this matter did not come about. When the factory issued a personnel transfer today, the second uncle came to me, and his words were full of questions, blaming me for not doing things for him. Can I blame me for not doing a good job? He pulled my bicycle, and I didn't control it well, so I fell down. Not to mention that he broke his bones, I was also injured, and so was my wife!"

Qin Huairu also stood up and nodded repeatedly. "That's right, you can't blackmail us just because you're seriously injured, right?"

At this time, those voices that had previously supported the Second Uncle fell silent after listening to Xu Damao's story.

Seeing this, Xu Damao continued, "From the beginning to the end, I didn't take any benefits from Second Uncle. I even helped him for free. But he didn't thank me. Instead, he made such a scene. I feel wronged. After what he did, I, Xu Damao, will never help anyone again!"

"You little bastard, you are just talking nonsense. If you didn't want to run away, why would I pull you? It's because you feel guilty! I see you didn't help me with this matter at all!"

"Hey, Uncle, you are so heartless for saying that. I paid for Deputy Director Li to have a meal and drinks, but you don't acknowledge a single word I said!"

For a moment, Xu Damao and Liu Haizhong started arguing again.

But this time, the neighbors in the yard all understood the whole story.

Judging from the reaction of the second uncle, what Xu Damao said is probably the truth of the matter.

The second uncle asked Xu Damao to help him with something, but he was unwilling to pay him even a bit of money and even went to Xu Damao's house to question him.

Although the spirit of dedication is advocated now, we are all ordinary people living our lives. If such a thing happens to them, they will not even spend money to treat Deputy Director Li to a meal like Xu Damao did. After all, that is real money, and if you want to help others, you have to look at the cost.

For a time, many people felt contempt for the Second Uncle.

It is shameful to talk about it through the backdoor. If you want to be a team leader, you should go and fight for it yourself. It would be fine if you used the backdoor, but you also want to get it for free. When you fail to get it for free, you even blame others. What kind of person is this!
"Old Liu, I think Ren Damao did nothing wrong in this matter. It's not right for you to ask him to pay 40 yuan." The third uncle listened to the whole thing and naturally stood on Xu Damao's side without any surprise.

After all, anyone with a discerning eye could see that Liu Haizhong was just trying to get something for nothing. He wanted Yan Bugui to do something for free and even give him something in return? It was pure dreaming!

The second uncle saw that something was wrong with the situation and immediately became anxious. "Old Yan, what do you mean by that? I don't care! Why is it wrong? Is my arm fracture fake? He has to pay me forty dollars!"

Seeing this, the third uncle continued, "Old Liu, you asked Xu Damao to do something for you, but you didn't give him any benefits or fees. It was already very rare for him to invite Deputy Director Li to dinner and drinks to help you speak for this matter. How much did a meal and a drink cost? If the matter was not done, it was not Xu Damao's fault. To be honest, you didn't even pay for the meal and drinks. Why should he help you?"

"Just because he says so, he can invite you? It all depends on his mouth. Can't he say whatever he wants?"

"Even if he didn't ask, it's what he should do. You didn't give Xu Damao anything. Why should Xu Damao do you this favor? If I ask you to help, will you help?"

"Old Yan is right. Old Liu, you were wrong in this matter. You broke your bones because you pulled Xu Damao's bicycle. You caused trouble for yourself. You can't blame Xu Damao."

Yi Zhonghai also spoke at this time.

After hearing what the other two uncles said, Liu Haizhong instantly calmed down.

He was not a fool. If he insisted on doing so, it would be of no benefit to him. Although he was also the second uncle in the courtyard, Liu Haizhong knew that in terms of prestige and means, the first uncle Yi Zhonghai was far ahead.

Others don't think I'm in the right in this matter. If I insist on asking for 40 yuan in compensation, I'm afraid I'll be embarrassed in the end.

After all, the so-called three uncles are not a lifelong position. They are elected by everyone in the yard and then decided by the street office.

If he made too much trouble, and his identity as the second uncle was also taken down, he would suffer a great loss. To him, the position of the second uncle and the forty yuan were still clearly distinguishable.

I thought so in my heart, but I couldn't fake the pain I felt. I thought I could get 40 yuan in compensation, but now it's all gone.

After thinking about it, Liu Haizhong gritted his teeth and said, "Old Yi, Old Yan, I thought about what you two said and it does make sense. As the second uncle in the yard, what I did was a little inappropriate, but I broke my arm after all. Although Xu Damao is not the main cause of this, he should bear a secondary responsibility. You can't just not give him any compensation, right?"

Seeing that Liu Haizhong had relaxed his tone, Yi Zhonghai thought for a moment and said, "How about this, I will go to the factory tomorrow and explain the situation to the leader. You only have a broken arm and can still walk. I will ask you to go to the workshop, but you don't have to work. You can help guide the workers. You are a level 5 forger. If I ask, I believe the leader will agree. At that time, your salary will not be affected."

"Also, I remember that you, Xu Damao, went to the countryside a few days ago and brought back some eggs? How about you give me five eggs as compensation, plus five yuan, as medical expenses and nutrition expenses for Second Uncle? Let's end this matter here, okay?"

Xu Damao and Qin Huairu felt distressed after hearing Yi Zhonghai's arrangement, but when they thought that they were both fine now, but Second Uncle Liu Haizhong actually had a broken bone, they knew that if they were really stingy, this matter would not be easily let go, so they nodded in agreement immediately.

When Liu Haizhong heard this decision, although it did not meet his expectations, considering the situation, it was better than nothing, so he had no choice but to agree.

Soon, Xu Damao returned to the house, took out five eggs and five dollars and gave them to Liu Haizhong.

"Second uncle, I've given you all these things. Don't come to me for anything in the future. I don't want to spend money to help others do things, and then have to pay for these things afterwards."

After saying these words, Xu Damao and his wife went straight back to the house.

As a result, Dongxi's bangs were so embarrassed when they heard this that they couldn't speak. Many residents looked at him at this time, and for a moment, they had different thoughts.

Yi Zhonghai waved his hand and said, "Okay, today's matter has been resolved. Let's adjourn the meeting. Everyone can go back and have a good rest."

"Got it."

After watching the excitement, the crowd dispersed one after another.

At this time, in the backyard, Xu's family.

It was not until they returned to the house that Qin Huairu pulled Xu Damao away.

"Did you really mean what you just said? Invite Deputy Director Li to dinner and drinks? How come I didn't know about this?"

"Tsk, how can I, Xu Damao, do such a stupid thing? He asked me for help, but he didn't even take any reward. He thinks I'm a fool. Who will do it for him? He doesn't even take a piss to look at himself. With his education level, he wants to be a team leader?"

Qin Huairu heaved a sigh of relief after hearing this. If she really lost money and had to pay Liu Haizhong back, she would have been unable to sleep.

She also understood that in the situation just now, this excuse was the best result. Although she still had to pay five eggs and five dollars. But if she really got tangled up in Liu Haizhong, without an excuse, she might really have to pay forty dollars.

"But that Deputy Factory Director Li is not a good guy either. You should try to have less contact with him in the future."

Qin Huairu thought about herself in the factory, and how Deputy Director Li looked at her with a strange look in his eyes, so she gave another reminder.

"Of course I know what kind of person he is, but there is nothing I can do. If you want to get ahead in the factory, you have to deal with people like him. But don't worry, I, Xu Damao, will definitely not let anyone draw attention to myself, even if I don't say anything else."

With Xu Damao's assurance, Qin Huairu felt much more at ease.

Although Xu Damao is not a very honest person, he is indeed capable. After marrying into the Xu family, Qin Huairu no longer has to worry about her life, which makes her slowly satisfied with her current life.

After this incident, the relationship between the Jia, Xu, and Liu families in the compound was completely frozen. When they walked in the compound, they would at most say hello, and no extra words were spoken.

As for the He family, they were immersed in a happy day full of laughter and joy.

Because, as the days passed, Chen Miaoyun's due date was getting closer.

……

(End of this chapter)