Courtyard House: Drunk and barging into the Xu family's house, I woke up numb.

He Yuzhu applauded for him.

“That’s right, you’re right to curse me. I, Sha Zhu, am a scoundrel. I say nonsense and do nonsense.”

"Since you don't want to die, then sit there and listen to what I have to say."

Qin Huairu and the older woman exchanged a glance without saying a word. They helped Jia Zhangshi to a chair and sat her down.

"I don't want to waste any more words, so I'll just tell you directly."

“I know you oppose our marriage and Qin Huairu’s remarriage, simply because you’re afraid that the children will follow her after she’s gone.”

"When the time comes, no one will care for you, no one will take care of you in your old age and see you off in your final days. You will become a completely lonely old person. Am I right?"

Madam Jia remained silent, and He Yuzhu, knowing he was right, continued.

"As long as you approve of my marriage to Qin Huairu, I promise not to cause trouble behind your back."

“I, He Yuzhu, promise you that once you get out of prison, Qin Huairu and I will take care of you in your old age and see you off in your final days. You can live here, right next to us.”

"The issue of elderly care for an older woman and man is my responsibility. Including my father, I will have to support three elderly people in the future, so I don't mind having one more."

"Furthermore, I assure you that Banggeng is Jia Dongxu's son and your Jia Zhangshi's grandson. That will never change, and I will not allow him to change his surname."

“Once I marry Qin Huairu, you and the three children will be part of our family, just like we used to eat at the same table.”

"I've already said all I need to say. I, Sha Zhu, am a man of my word, and I won't go back on my promises."

He Yuzhu's words struck a chord with Jia Zhangshi. One of the reasons she was wary of Qin Huairu was that she was afraid she would remarry.

Now that Shazhu has said he can take care of her in her old age and that Banggyeong won't change his surname, she's really tempted.

In the past, such conditions would not have been enough to sway her, but Sha Zhu's words just now made her realize that she had no leverage to blackmail Qin Huairu.

If she insists on refusing to agree, she will likely be the one who suffers the consequences.

Seeing that the time was right, an older woman spoke up to offer advice.

"Sister-in-law, since Sha Zhu has put it this way, just agree."

“Your family has relied entirely on Sha Zhu for the past few years. You know what kind of person he is and how he has treated you and the children without me having to tell you.”

"Huai Ru has had a tough time all by herself, spending more than four years in the factory amidst all the gossip and rumors."

"Now that she's going to be with Stupid Joo, you might as well go along with it and let Yoon go. There's no need to make things worse."

"The fact that Cao Xu from the backyard didn't step in to deal with this matter today is already a huge favor."

“If you really want to make a fuss about this, and the security department gets involved, Qin Huairu’s job will probably be ruined.”

“Once she is fired, the Jia family will never be able to find a replacement. It’s like you’ve smashed the Jia family’s secure job with your own hands.”

The old woman's words completely broke down Jia Zhangshi's psychological defenses.

Yes, if she relentlessly pursues this matter, she'll not only destroy Qin Huairu's livelihood, but also the entire Jia family's.

“I can’t stop you from getting married, but I don’t believe you when you say you’ll take care of me in my old age.”

"What kind of old woman follows her daughter-in-law when she remarries? What will the people in this compound think of me then?"

He Yuzhu thought to himself, "When you went to jail for stealing, why didn't you think about what others would think of you? Now you're worried about what people will say about you."

If you want to negotiate, just say so. Beating around the bush is really hypocritical. If it weren't for Qin Huairu, I wouldn't bother with you, you old hag.

"Don't worry about that. I've calculated it. When you come out, Bang Geng will be at least sixteen and will definitely be working already."

“When you come back, you can still stay at the Jia family’s house. Just tell everyone that Banggeng is being filial to you. It’s only natural for a grandson to be filial to his grandmother.”

Jia Zhangshi snorted.

"You said it yourself, that will have to wait until I get out, and it will be at least three to five years before I get out."

"Who knows what might happen in such a long time? What if you change your mind?"

"I can't be completely without any protection."

Qin Huairu understood what Jia Zhangshi meant and spoke up.

"Mom, you tell me, how much money do you want for insurance?"

Seeing that Qin Huairu had made her point clear, Jia Zhangshi stopped hiding anything.

"I need half a month's salary from you."

Qin Huairu refused outright.

"You're dreaming! Paying upfront? Half a month's salary? Impossible!"

"I work myself to the bone to earn money to support my family, and you want to take half a month's salary without lifting a finger, just by saying a few words? Don't even think about it!"

The older woman felt that Jia Zhangshi was being increasingly greedy; she really dared to ask for half a month's salary.

“Sister-in-law, Huai Ru still has to support her family. It’s no use for you to ask for so much money inside.”

"Don't you still have over five hundred yuan in retirement savings?"

"You're not short of money, so why make things difficult for the children?"

Jia Zhangshi's outrageous demands nearly made He Yuzhu lose his temper and shut up.

“Mrs. Jia Zhang, Qin Huairu used to give you three yuan a month, so I will give you three yuan a month in accordance with her allowance.”

"These are my terms. If you don't agree, then forget it."

Just then, there was a knock on the Jia family's door, and Yang Zitao, who had returned from Cao Xu's room, walked in.

"Alright, you've all changed your clothes. Come back to the police station with me."

He Yuzhu responded.

"Okay, coming right away."

He walked up to Jia Zhangshi and whispered.

"If anyone asks, just say that my marriage with Qin Huairu is already arranged, but I didn't have time to tell you while you were at the police station these past two days."

“You don’t know the truth, which is why this has happened. You don’t need to say anything more.”

"It was Jia Zhangshi who said in a low voice."

"Five yuan. Qin Huairu pays three yuan, and you pay five yuan. If you agree, we'll do as you say. If you don't agree, then I'll just go for it."

He Yuzhu glanced at Jia Zhangshi, who was trying to extort money on the spot, and replied with a tilted face.

"Okay, I'll do as you say!"

Jia Zhangshi confirmed.

"Are you serious?"

He Yuzhu said.

"really!"

Yang Zitao called from outside the door.

"Hurry up, if you don't come out in this freezing weather, I'll have someone tie you up."

He Yuzhu responded.

"I'm coming……"

Two people came, four people left. Yang Zitao walked back to the police station, thinking about the last words Cao Xu had said to him.

"If you want to get away, go back to the station and hand the person over to your newly appointed deputy director, Jiang Hai. After that, you won't need to worry about anything else."

After thinking all the way, Yang Zitao suddenly had a phrase pop into his mind: "Shift the blame eastward, use someone else to do the dirty work!"

Chapter 140: The Engagement Banquet – He Yushui's Engagement is Rejected! [Please Subscribe]

The following morning, He Yushui went directly to Fengzeyuan after leaving the factory.

When she arrived, He Daqing was already drinking tea in a small private room.

After entering the private room, He Yushui did not see He Yuzhu. She raised her hand to check the time on her watch; it was almost ten o'clock.

"Dad, hasn't my brother arrived yet?"

He Daqing said nonchalantly.

"If he doesn't want to come, he doesn't have to. Your dad is here."

"I reckon he's probably already forgotten about what happened to you today."

He Yushui asked in surprise.

"forget?"

"On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the day of the old lady's funeral, I went back and specifically told him not to take on any work on the eighth day."

"I finally managed to get Jiang Hai and his dad to come out together. They agreed to come, but now they're not showing up. What's going on?"

He Daqing explained.

“He went on a blind date with Liu Yuhua yesterday, and I arranged things between them. They will get married the day after tomorrow.”