An extraordinary life journey through old Beijing courtyard houses

"If you ask me, people shouldn't be too selfish."

"Both of you should compromise. Old Liu should compensate Old Xu for the price of one chicken."

"Old Xu gave the dead chicken to Old Liu, but the chicken feathers that were plucked off belonged to Old Xu."

"From now on, Old Xu, don't bother with the chicken-and-egg thing anymore; it's something you can't see..."

Yi Zhonghai appeared to be fair, but he actually favored Liu Haizhong, since they were from the same factory, and one should consider the other's feelings even if one doesn't respect the monk.

So before he could even finish speaking, Xu Fugui objected:

"No, my chickens are at their prime for laying eggs! They lay at least two eggs every three days!"

"You all know how much food we fed them before. They can't just die like this in vain; they must be compensated double!"

"Double my ass! You're extorting me!" Liu Haizhong cursed, his face contorted with rage.

Liu Haizhong's wife retorted, "That's right! They even take advantage of children, how shameless!"

"You're spouting nonsense!" Xu Fugui roared. "Did I tell him to kill our chickens?"

"You failed to discipline your children properly and now you want to shirk your responsibility? That's outrageous!"

"I've put up with your family for a long time. Last time it rained, no one was home, and the rain soaked all the bedding."

"When we went up to the roof, we found three tiles were broken. Tell me, who did that?"

Liu Haizhong's wife retorted, sticking out her neck, "Who knows? The old cat probably stepped on it when it climbed onto the roof."

Xu Fugui's wife questioned, "Guangqi's mother, aren't you happy saying that?"

"How long has it been since an old cat could break a roof tile? I find that unbelievable! Let me tell you, don't play dumb with me!"

"Today we'll settle both old and new scores. Your family can no longer try to get away with this by making trouble and obfuscation..."

Jiang Baobin realized that the reason the Xu family was asking for a high price was because it included the loss caused by the broken tiles.

Liu Haizhong's wife yelled, "Who's being unreasonable? Saying our house was trampled on in broad daylight?"

"Who saw it? Ah! Step forward... Nobody saw it! That's just slander!"

"Da Mao's mom, you better explain yourself today, or we're not done!"

Xu Fugui's wife, hands on her hips, retorted defiantly, "So what if it's not over yet! Do you think I'm afraid of you?"

"Let me tell you, Liu family's daughter-in-law, if you don't pay my family a hefty price today, I won't let you off the hook!"

Just as the two women were about to fight, onlookers quickly pulled them apart.

Jiang Baobin was quite disappointed – why bother? A woman's "Nine Yin White Bone Claw" combined with "pulling hair out of dry land" is the most spectacular sight.

Just as he was enjoying his melon, a notification sound suddenly rang in his mind:

"Ding! Temporary mission issued: Resolve the conflict between the Xu and Liu families to prevent it from escalating and damaging the reputation of the compound; mission reward: 5 silver coins."

Hey! There's a reward! I have to get involved, but how?

Jiang Baobin's mind raced.

Yi Zhonghai's proposal was rejected, so he has withdrawn from the circle and remains silent.

Others disagreed and couldn't come up with a good solution for the time being.

Jiang Baobin quietly approached Jia Zhangshi and whispered:

"Aunt Jia, I'm a junior and it's not easy for me to speak up. Now is the time for you to make the final decision and show your face. They will definitely listen to you."

Jia Zhangshi tilted her head and glanced at him—I do want to show my face and make them all listen to me.

There's really no way to deal with them; they're all so resentful and unwilling to submit, it's difficult to manage them.

Jiang Baobin suggested, "Why don't we have Aunt Xu and Aunt Liu go to the market together tomorrow?"

"Aunt Xu can just pick any hen she likes, and Aunt Liu can just pay her the difference."

Jia Zhangshi was in her thirties at the time, a time when she loved to show off.

Upon hearing that the idea was excellent, he immediately claimed it as his own and announced it to the public.

As expected, it received unanimous praise from everyone, except for Xu Fugui, who was still relentless in his criticism:

"No way! The chickens we bought at the market were frightened and won't lay eggs for a while. We'll lose money!"

Damn! Jiang Baobin never expected Xu Fugui to be so difficult to deal with.

Everyone says that Yan Laokou is cunning and calculating, but Xu Fugui is no less so.

No wonder the two families are so close; they're birds of a feather!

Jia Zhangshi was immediately speechless, feeling extremely dissatisfied with Xu Fugui:

You're really asking for it. We've helped you so much, and you're still not satisfied.

Suddenly, I heard another muttering in my ear.

Jia Zhangshi was overjoyed and said loudly, "That's easy, hens lay an egg every two days."

"Once the chickens are bought, they will be kept at the Liu family's place. Every two days, the Liu family will compensate your family with an egg."

"We'll give the chicken to your family once it starts laying eggs, and you won't have to pay for any more eggs after that."

As soon as Jia Zhangshi finished speaking, everyone cheered and praised it as a good idea.

Even though Xu Fugui emphasized that his chickens didn't lay an egg every two days, but rather two eggs every three days.

After being persuaded by everyone, he let it go.

With the matter resolved, everyone dispersed, satisfied.

Especially Jia Zhangshi, who could be described as arrogant and haughty.

How could she not be happy? She really made a name for herself today!

Even Yi Zhonghai, who always prides himself on his wisdom and resourcefulness, had to admit defeat.

Liu Haizhong's wife brought the dead chicken home and busied herself boiling water to prepare to pluck its feathers.

In this sweltering heat, we need to deal with it quickly, or it will stink!

Liu Haizhong seemed to be fine; no, he was busy too.

Within five seconds of entering the house, the entire front yard was filled with the child's pig-like screams...

Having a mischievous kid at home means you can't avoid getting into trouble, but it can also be quite entertaining.

Otherwise, they would be like Yi Zhonghai and his wife, whose lives, though peaceful, were lifeless and dull, unlike the lively atmosphere of the Liu family.

Jiang Baobin waited at home for a long time, but there was no notification that the task was completed.

It seems that nothing is as simple as it seems.

Whether it's the new century or the old Republic of China era, making money is just as difficult and life is just as unpleasant!

It was hot inside, but he still leaned against the doorway, enjoying the cool breeze.

At this moment, He Yushui was playing in the yard.

On a whim, he waved to her.

The little girl came running over excitedly.

"Rain, has your brother come back yet?"

The little girl shook her head.

Have you eaten yet?

The little girl shook her head again.

Looking at the child whose face was like a little kitten's, Jiang Baobin sighed inwardly: This child is also unfortunate, losing his mother at such a young age.

Her father had to support the family, and her brother was a hothead who was never home, so she could only rely on the heavens to make a living.

This is probably why He Yushui and Qin Huairu got along well later; she probably only received some warmth from Qin Huairu.

As if on cue, He Yuzhu strolled in from outside, hands tucked into his belt.

This guy glared at Jiang Baobin with an unfriendly look and said to his sister:

"Rain, go home. Don't hang out with idiots next time."

Jiang Baobin was speechless: The whole world calls you Sha Zhu'er, and you still have the nerve to call me stupid?