Courtyard House: Purchasing Agents' Comeback from the Great Famine

Yan Fugui gestured for Erleng's family to be quiet. Once Erleng's mother and wife were silent, Yan Fugui spoke:

"Er Leng's family, don't have any objections. We're selecting families who can't make ends meet right now. Your family's per capita living expenses have exceeded five yuan, and you're all city residents. If you're frugal, you can definitely manage. I know your family's situation. It's definitely difficult, but at this critical juncture, who isn't struggling? If your family needs everyone's help, then most families in Beijing will need help."

"Yes, Erleng's mom, my eldest son only earns 33 yuan a month, but he has to support six people in our family. The average living expenses per person are a little over five yuan, which is about the same as your family. If your family is considered a poor family, then is our family also considered a poor family?"

"That's right, Erleng's family can't be considered a poor household, otherwise I would be the first to disagree."

I disagree.

Seeing everyone in the courtyard criticizing them, Erleng's mother and wife didn't say anything more, but their expressions were clearly not good.

Seeing that Erleng's family had stopped talking, Yan Fugui continued, "Now let me talk about the Jia family. Qin Huairu has now also entered the steel rolling mill, and Banggeng and Xiaodang have also changed their household registration to the city. Qin Huairu's salary is 27.5 yuan a month, and their family's per capita living expenses are about 7 yuan a month."

After a pause, Yan Fugui continued, "Logically speaking, their family shouldn't be classified as a poor household. The reason is that Jia Zhangshi has a rural household registration and isn't subject to rationing, so they've always had to buy expensive grain. As for whether the Jia family should be classified as a poor household, I won't comment; let's all discuss it together."

I disagree.

I disagree.

"I disagree too!"

"Jia Dongxu from the Jia family died in a work injury a while ago, and the factory paid out a large sum of money in compensation. Add to that Qin Huairu's salary, and the Jia family isn't struggling financially at all. Besides, Jia Zhangshi has a gold ring that hasn't been factored in."

"Exactly. The Jia family has so much savings. If they can be considered a poor family, I'll be the first to disagree."

When Jia Zhangshi saw that everyone disagreed, she immediately started cursing, "You damned dead and childless people, why don't you agree? I don't have a ration, and cornmeal is only 80 cents a pound now. Tell me, who can afford that? I don't care. If you don't classify me as a poor family today, I'll go to each and every one of your houses and make a scene. If you make my life difficult, no one else will have a good life either."

As she spoke, Jia Zhangshi plopped down on the ground, slapped her thighs with both hands, and began to summon the soul.

"Old Jia! Dongxu! Come quickly and take a look! These damned, childless bastards in the yard are bullying me! Come quickly and take them away!"

Yan Fugui looked at Jia Zhangshi with a gloomy face and said in a deep voice, "Jia Zhangshi, Director Wang just left, and you're here promoting feudal superstition again. If you don't get up, I'll have Jiefang call Director Wang over and have her send you back to the countryside."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi immediately stood up. At this moment, she really dared not offend Yan Laokou. She had already realized that Yi Zhonghai did not want to manage things, and Liu Haizhong was an incompetent fool. In fact, the only elder in charge of the courtyard was Yan Fugui. If she offended him now, what if he made things difficult for her family and prevented them from being classified as a poor household?

Seeing this, Qin Huairu pursed her lips, stepped forward, bowed to the crowd, wiped away her tears, and began to sob softly:

"Dear aunties, uncles, and elders, Dongxu passed away a while ago. The factory did give him 300 yuan in compensation. As you all know, my mother-in-law is the kind of person she is. I didn't even see the 300 yuan. She hid it away to save for her retirement. Once the money is in her hands, it only goes in and never goes out. Recently, the rations have been reduced, and Banggeng and Xiaodang are crying for food every day. As their mother, I am really so sad that I can't sleep."

"Although my salary is 27.5 yuan, my mother-in-law has a big appetite and there is no fixed amount. With only my salary, we are really struggling to survive. Please help us. When my son grows up, I will definitely make him repay everyone's kindness. I, Qin Huairu, thank you all here."

Seeing Qin Huairu crying so sadly, many men in the courtyard did begin to soften. After all, Qin Huairu was beautiful and a widow, which naturally aroused a man's protective instincts.

Qin Jingru sat below, not saying a word the whole time, but when she heard Qin Huairu pretending to be pitiful again, she rolled her eyes so hard they almost reached the sky.

Is Qin Huairu pitiful? Not at all. Even if others don't know Qin Huairu, how could she not know her?

During this period, Qin Huairu had someone paying for her meals every day. She ate either steamed buns or meat dishes. She couldn't possibly eat that much by herself, so she probably took most of it home with her.

Moreover, given Qin Huairu's methods, she didn't believe she hadn't taken advantage of that pockmarked man and that cripple, and might even have borrowed money from them, just like the old fool Zhu.

Qin Jingru did not expose Qin Huairu's true colors; she wanted to see if Qin Huairu could fool so many people in the courtyard.

Qin Huairu's tricks might fool men, but they won't fool the older women in the neighborhood.

really.

No sooner had Qin Huairu finished speaking than Erleng's mother stood up and said, "Qin Huairu, stop pretending. Your family can't even make ends meet? Look at Banggeng, he doesn't look hungry at all. He's screaming for food. Qin Huairu, don't treat us like fools."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Banggeng. Banggeng showed no signs of having ever gone hungry. His complexion was rosy, and he looked much stronger than before, unlike the other children in the yard, who were all pale and thin. Anyone with eyes could see the difference at a glance.

Before Qin Huairu could explain, Erleng's mother continued, "Qin Huairu, lately, your Banggeng has been bragging to my grandson every day that your family eats white flour buns and meat every day. Children don't lie, how do you explain this?"