Courtyard House: Starting as an engineer, crushing a yard full of poultry

"Speak louder, or your dad will get pinned to the nail."

This is also part of the encoffining process. When driving in the large nails, the son must come and shout to dodge the nails, so that the deceased's soul is not impaled by the nails and unable to be reborn in the coffin.

If the deceased had no son, then it would be a nephew or someone of the sort who would call out to him.

The earthworker raised his hammer, holding a large nail in one hand, and looked at the coffin handle. The implication was clear: you should shout now. This first nail is being driven into the center of the coffin head; you need to shout that. The rest don't require it.

Just then, the aroma of fried fish wafted over. The rich, oily smell made one's mouth water.

"I want to eat fish, I want to eat fish."

Bang Geng let out a loud howl. He used to make a fuss whenever he smelled something delicious. Maybe we should get Qin Huairu to go out and get some so he can satisfy his craving.

The earthworker heard Banggeng speak, but didn't quite catch what Banggeng was shouting. He just swung his hammer down. But when it was halfway down, he realized that the bastard hadn't said anything right. He hurriedly stopped the hammer, almost twisting his back in the process.

"Bang Geng, what are you doing?"

Yi Zhonghai was so angry he felt like vomiting blood. Normally it wouldn't be so bad, but now that his father is dead, and he's supposed to be yelling for help, all he can think about is food.

Besides, Banggeng is already eight years old. These days, eight-year-olds are quite capable of taking care of their younger siblings. They also go out to collect coal scraps and firewood. It's rare to see someone as naive as Banggeng.

Qin Huairu was so angry that she slapped Bang Geng's buttocks. But it was more like a tickle to Bang Geng; he was wearing thick cotton pants in the cold weather, so the slap didn't hurt.

"You silly boy, hurry up and call out!" the earthworker said, rubbing his back.

After all that trouble, they finally managed to nail the lid of Jia Dongxu's coffin shut.

The workers packed up and left. They agreed on a time tomorrow to go to the mass grave and make preparations.

The neighbors who had come to watch the commotion gradually dispersed. Only the Jia family and Yi Zhonghai remained. Just then, the aroma of sweet and sour fish wafted in.

The taste of this sweet and sour fish is even more tempting.

"Mommy, I want to eat fish!" Banggeng cried.

Xiao Dang clung to Qin Huairu's leg; she dared not misbehave. Otherwise, Madam Jia would raise her hand and slap her.

"That little beast! We're in this situation already, and he's still eating all that fish and meat, without even sending some to our family. He'll choke to death if he eats all by himself!" Jia Zhangshi cursed.

In Jia Zhangshi's mind, no one else could be in a good mood right now. And anyone with money should help the Jia family; otherwise, they'd be utterly heartless!

"Li Xiangdong is something else, eating fish and meat in this situation! Uncle, go and criticize him!" Sha Zhu said angrily, "Look how hungry he is!"

Yi Zhonghai gave a wry smile and said, "Forget it, I'll teach him a lesson when we have the meeting tonight. This isn't how you treat your neighbors."

"No way, Bang Geng is in such a terrible state. He should at least get some of the fish he made," Sha Zhu said angrily.

Sha Zhu should show off in front of Qin Huairu now, saying, "Look how much I cherish your son, treating him like my own." Then it'll be much easier to take advantage of her later and get her into bed.

"Forget it, it's getting late. Let's call a meeting to arrange Dongxu's funeral tomorrow." Yi Zhonghai stood up.

“But that eight-immortal table was kicked to pieces by Li Xiangdong,” Sha Zhu said.

"Let's move ours first," Yi Zhonghai said. "We'll have Li Xiangdong pay for that table later. He's a skilled carpenter, isn't he?"

Li Xiangdong was eating rice with sweet and sour carp, and he also made a bowl of pickled vegetable and shredded pork soup. He slurped down his dinner and had just washed the dishes when Yan Jiecheng arrived at the kitchen door.

Smelling the lingering aroma of sweet and sour carp and rice, Yan Jiecheng couldn't help but shed tears from the corners of her mouth.

Chapter Twenty-Four: A Hilarious and Filial Piety Amidst a Turmoil (Seeking Flowers and Votes!)

"Li Xiangdong is in a meeting! Hurry up."

Yan Jiecheng said aggressively.

Yan Bugui was also at the screen door, waiting for Yan Jiecheng to finish speaking before coming out.

"Tsk tsk, Yan Jiecheng, are you an idiot?" Li Xiangdong shook his head and said, "How dare you talk to me like that!"

"You...you can still hit me?"

Yan Jiecheng was startled. He remembered that Sha Zhu was treated like a child in Li Xiangdong's hands. Then he, Yan Jiecheng, was even more like a newborn infant, powerless to resist.

"Are you an idiot? Why would I hit you!" Li Xiangdong shook his head and said, "Didn't you want to get into the steel rolling mill? Hehe..."

Yan Bugui became anxious upon hearing this. Although Li Xiangdong hadn't said it explicitly, the meaning was clear: this was a move to cut off Yan Jiecheng's path to the factory.

"No. Li Xiangdong, we didn't offend you." Yan Bugui's words were tantamount to begging for mercy. Only then did he remember who Li Xiangdong was.

Yan Jiecheng was also dumbfounded. He remembered now; Li Xiangdong wanted to prevent him from getting into the steel rolling mill. That was far too easy.

If he enters in time, then as the head of the technical department, it would be a piece of cake for Li Xiangdong to deal with an apprentice; there would be no difficulty at all.

"Get lost!" Li Xiangdong said coldly. He turned and went back to his bedroom, putting on his cotton-padded coat. He locked the door and slowly made his way to the courtyard.

The first thing I saw when I entered was the vermilion coffin inside the Jia family's house.

Qin Huairu, dressed in mourning clothes, knelt at the head of the coffin, with Xiao Dang and Bang Geng beside her.

"Sister Qin is in a meeting!"

Sha Zhu stood at the door with a pained expression and called out.

Li Xiangdong chuckled inwardly; this simp was doomed to live under this wicked woman's thumb. But it was also Sha Zhu's own fault. If he hadn't been lusting after her body, he wouldn't have fallen into her trap.

Li Xiangdong was still looking for a corner when he heard Xu Damao call out, "Section Chief Li, here you are, we've saved you a spot."

Now that Li Xiangdong is at work, he needs to consider the potential repercussions. He's become too close to Xu Damao. Xu Damao will definitely use his connections to bully others.

In that case, it will definitely be Li Xiangdong's reputation that will be damaged.

"No need, I didn't even bring a chair. Since there's nothing else for me, I'll head back. This weather is freezing." Li Xiangdong said casually.

Xu Damao laughed as soon as he heard that. He'd known Li Xiangdong was going to cause trouble since he'd spoken to him as soon as he got back, and now it was already starting.

"Meeting started, everyone quiet down! Keep your children close and don't let them run around," Yi Zhonghai shouted.

There was one particularly mischievous kid. He was bored out of his mind at home, but Qin Huairu kept a close eye on him and found a way to get him out to play.

Now that he's finally out, Qin Huairu can't hold him back anymore. He dashed out to play with the children, making Qin Huairu tremble with anger.

Sha Zhu went up and pulled Bang Geng back, which caused Bang Geng to kick Sha Zhu. Fortunately, Yi Zhonghai spoke up at this moment, otherwise who knows what kind of trouble Bang Geng would have caused.

Sha Zhu stood right behind Qin Huairu, his gaze fixed on her fair and delicate neck. Sha Zhu felt that even Qin Huairu's neck was attractive to him.

"You stupid Zhu, you son of a bitch, stay away from Qin Huairu. Don't think I don't know what you're up to." Jia Zhangshi howled like a sow about to be slaughtered:

"Get lost! Don't think that just because Dongxu is gone, you can bully the Jia family!"

Sha Zhu froze for a moment. If Jia Zhangshi hadn't been Qin Huairu's mother-in-law, he would have already smacked her with a big shovel. Now, all he could do was laugh awkwardly and back away.

"Everyone, please be quiet. Now I'll talk about Dongxu's funeral tomorrow." After wiping his eyes, Yi Zhonghai continued, "Zhu Zi, Yan Jiecheng, Xu Damao, and Li Xiangdong, the four of you will carry the coffin tomorrow morning."

"Liu Guangqi and Zhang Datong, you two will take over!"

"We're leaving at five o'clock tomorrow morning. No one's given out condolence money yet, so we need to hurry..."

"Yi Zhonghai, have you forgotten who you are?" Li Xiangdong said calmly.

There had been some hushed discussions, but as soon as Li Xiangdong spoke, all fell silent.

"Fine, then see where I've gone wrong with my arrangements?" Yi Zhonghai said indignantly.

"I don't care about anyone else, but you've arranged for me to carry the coffin tomorrow. Did you even ask for my opinion?" Li Xiangdong said indifferently, "Who do you think you are to make decisions for me?"

"Do you think that by arranging this kind of situation for me, I'll have no way to complain?"

Yi Zhonghai immediately said righteously, "Li Xiangdong, you were a section chief in the factory. We can't compare to you in terms of technical skills. But when it comes to interpersonal relationships, you're still a bit too young."

“We’re all neighbors in the same compound. If you don’t help with weddings and funerals, what will people think of you? Who will help you if you encounter problems in the future?”

"It's normal to exchange favors, like helping to carry a coffin..."

Li Xiangdong sneered, "Yi Zhonghai, I asked you whether you consulted me before making this decision! Who do you think you are?"

"By the way. Don't use your role as coordinator to make things happen; it won't work."

Yi Zhonghai took a deep breath and said, "Okay, I was wrong just now. Now I'd like to ask for your opinion..."

"I won't agree!" Li Xiangdong said decisively.

"You won't agree? Why won't you agree?" Yi Zhonghai looked surprised, but was overjoyed. He felt that Li Xiangdong had the moral high ground and was about to morally crush him.

"Why not? I just moved here less than three days ago. I have no dealings with you!" Li Xiangdong said bluntly.

“Uh, this…” Yi Zhonghai paused for a moment before hurriedly saying, “If you put in some effort now, wouldn’t that mean we’re already in contact?”

"Yi Zhonghai, have you forgotten your place again?" Li Xiangdong sneered. "Do I need you to teach me how to do things? Let me tell you, I have no desire to have anything to do with you!"

Yi Zhonghai was speechless after being rebuked. Li Xiangdong's words were all reasonable; Yi Zhonghai's attempt to argue irrationally would only result in him losing face.

"My God, Lao Jia, Dongxu..."

Madam Jia sat down heavily on the ground and began the ritual of summoning the soul. Now she could call out the name of one more person.

“Jia Zhangshi, shut up!” Yan Bugui jumped up from his seat. “Do you only feel happy when you’ve lost the Advanced Compound?”

When it comes to matters concerning his own interests, Yan Bugui is never ambiguous.

Jia Zhangshi immediately calmed down, not because she was afraid of Yan Bugui, but because she herself remembered that if she wanted to summon the spirit again, she would have to go to the cowshed.

"Tsk tsk, what is all this! You might as well go back to sleep instead."

Li Xiangdong turned to leave.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Li Xiangdong Flips the Table (Seeking Flowers and Votes!)