Courtyard House: Purchasing Agents' Comeback from the Great Famine

Intermediate People's Court.

The scene of the college-wide meeting.

At this moment, Liu Haizhong had already brought out the eight-immortal table from his home. It was the same as before, with Yi Zhonghai sitting in the middle, and Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui sitting on the left and right sides respectively. Everyone in the courtyard, except for the children, had also arrived at the central courtyard.

Yi Zhonghai picked up the enamel mug on the table, took a sip of tea, and said loudly:

"Today, a major incident occurred in our compound: Jie Cheng has died. Jiefang has already reported it to the police. Whether Jie Cheng's death was accidental or premeditated murder will only be known after the police arrive and investigate."

"I know everyone has to go to work soon, so let's keep it short. First of all, no matter what the cause of death is, the person is gone, and we in the hospital still have to handle his funeral arrangements."

"Because food is in short supply right now, I discussed with Lao Yan that we won't hold a banquet this time. Everyone can just give a token amount of money. If your family is really struggling, you can contribute your labor instead of your share of the money. Now I will arrange the eight people to carry the coffin."

As he spoke, Yi Zhonghai first looked at Wang Feng and said in a deep voice:

"Wang Feng, you are young and strong, and you are the only cadre in the hospital. You will be one of the eight coffin bearers."

Wang Feng, sitting below, was slightly taken aback when he heard that he was being asked to carry the coffin. He then realized the key point: Yi Zhonghai was deliberately making trouble for him. Last time, when Jia Dongxu died, he was also asked to carry the coffin. Why was he being asked to do it again? Did he really look like a coffin bearer?

It's obvious that Yi Zhonghai wants revenge. He had a lot of conflicts with Yi Zhonghai before, and he had even beaten Yi Zhonghai several times. Yi Zhonghai just couldn't do anything about it. Now that the opportunity has come, it's normal for him to cause him some trouble.

However, he wasn't so easily manipulated. Thinking of this, he stood up and said:

"I'm sorry, I have to go to the countryside to buy supplies these few days and I really can't spare the time. How about this, I'll give you one yuan as a token of my appreciation for the hard work of the people who carried the coffin."

"Bang."

Before Yi Zhonghai could speak, Liu Haizhong slammed his hand on the table and demanded in a reprimanding tone:

"Wang Feng, what kind of attitude is this? An old man assigned you a task, and you dare to refuse? Do you even respect us three stewards?"

Wang Feng snorted coldly, showing no leniency towards Liu Haizhong, that fat bastard.

"You fatso, are you going to say again that you're some kind of high-ranking leader? Besides, I'm going to the countryside to purchase goods for the factory. The factory's business is the country's business. Which is more important, national affairs or carrying a coffin?"

Wang Feng's tone was icy: "You're stopping me from doing things for the factory, which is hindering the country's development. I think you're clearly rebelling! You must be an enemy agent, here specifically to sabotage our country's development. I'm going to report you to the security department later and have them investigate you thoroughly."

"That's right, Dad. Wang Feng is the deputy head of the purchasing department at the factory. He's always busy. How could he have time to carry a coffin?" Liu Guangtian chimed in.

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong's obese body trembled. He glared hatefully at Liu Guangtian, pointed at Wang Feng, and shouted:

"Slander! This is slander! When did I ever say I wouldn't let you go to the countryside to buy supplies? I just... I just..."

Seeing that Liu Haizhong couldn't utter a word after a long pause, and was rendered speechless by Wang Feng's retort, Yi Zhonghai had no choice but to stand up and speak in a deep voice:

"Wang Feng, don't make a big deal out of this and label people randomly. Jie Cheng's funeral arrangements are a private matter, and they are definitely not as important as the factory's official business. Since you have tasks to complete these few days, then just do as you said earlier, and you can contribute one yuan. You won't have to carry the coffin."

"No problem, I'll pay this dollar. Consider this dollar as a reward for whoever carries the coffin."

As he spoke, Wang Feng glanced disdainfully at Liu Haizhong and sneered:

"Fatty Liu, look at you, you're so old, yet you still can't see things as clearly as Guangtian."

Liu Haizhong was trembling with anger, and he was helpless against Wang Feng. The key was that Liu Guangtian, that unfilial son, actually spoke up for Wang Feng. He was so angry that he felt like his lungs were about to explode. If it weren't for the fact that there was a hospital-wide meeting in progress, he would have given Liu Guangtian a good lesson.

Seeing Liu Haizhong's angry yet helpless expression, Wang Feng smiled slightly and sat down next to Qin Jingru.

Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai quickly changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the courtyard before finally settling on Xu Damao.

"Xu Damao, send one of the coffin bearers."

"I?"

Xu Damao pointed at himself, a look of disbelief on his face.

"Yi Zhonghai, I haven't fully recovered yet. I've even had to change my job from showing movies in the countryside to guarding a warehouse. You want me to carry a coffin? What are you up to? Are you trying to revive my old injuries?"

Upon hearing Xu Damao's answer, Yi Zhonghai's face darkened.

"Dear neighbors, our No. 95 compound has always upheld the traditional virtues of respecting the elderly and caring for the young, and has consistently received awards for being an advanced compound from the street office in recent years. But look at us now, with something happening in the compound, you're all making excuses and shirking responsibility. Is this what an advanced compound should be like?"

"I won't say anything else, but the Yan family has encountered such a big problem. If the people in our courtyard don't help, then who should we ask for help? Every family will encounter this kind of thing in the future. Today we help other families, and tomorrow other families will help us. We can't be too selfish and always think about ourselves."

"That old man is right, Xu Damao. You've been working in the warehouse for so long, and your injury still hasn't healed? Who would believe that?"

"That's right, Xu Damao, every household will encounter this kind of thing in the future. Once you're called upon, you can't refuse unless it's something really important. Besides, there are only about ten young and strong people in our compound. If you don't go, who will?"

Upon hearing Yi Zhonghai's words, a group of people began pointing at Xu Damao. Wang Feng was a section chief and a cadre; his trip to the countryside to make purchases was to help the factory. But Xu Damao was just a warehouse guard. He could simply take a day off, couldn't he? Did he think that taking a day off would lead to the theft of things from the warehouse?

The most important reason is that Yi Zhonghai spoke to their hearts. After all, this kind of thing is unavoidable for every household. If you don't help other families now, who will help your family when something happens to you in the future? Moreover, carrying a coffin requires eight people, and one or two families simply cannot carry it.

"You...you guys?"

Xu Damao was speechless after being told off by everyone. His health was really not good anymore. Now that one of his kidneys had been cut, he really couldn't lift the coffin. He couldn't tell the people in the courtyard directly, otherwise he would really lose all face.

With a sigh, Xu Damao said with a dark face, "Alright, alright, I really haven't recovered yet. How about this, Wang Feng gives one yuan, and I'll give two, is that alright?"