The Courtyard House: Xu Damao's Aunt is the Queen of Women

"Mrs. Jia, are you sure Yi Zhonghai gave you the room next to the deaf old woman in the backyard?"

The speaker was Ye Juan, her tone playful and somewhat excited.

"No!"

Yi Zhonghai jumped up abruptly and shouted angrily, "Jia Zhangshi, don't make trouble! I only said I would help you apply, I didn't say I would allocate a house to your family!"

Madam Jia, with her neck stiff, said arrogantly, "What utter nonsense! You patted your chest and guaranteed that this house would definitely be given to my family, and now you're going back on your word?"

"I don't care, this house is mine! Anyone who dares to take it from me, I'll fight them to the death!"

Yi Zhonghai kept a cold face and cursed inwardly that this shrew was hopelessly stupid.

How can we bring what we say in private to the public?

"This is public housing. The factory decides how to allocate it. If you forcibly occupy it, you'll go to jail!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi was startled. Could occupying a room really land her in jail?

But this matter cannot be left unresolved; Yi Zhonghai must provide some compensation.

Jia Zhangshi's small, triangular eyes darted around, then she plopped down on the ground, slapped her thigh, and began to wail.

"Hey, Lao Jia! Dongxu! Open your eyes and see! That heartless bastard Yi Zhonghai is making a fool of us orphans and widows!"

"Yi Zhonghai, you old fox, you promised to give me a house, then turned around and lied, making me furious. You're heartless and cunning, taking advantage of my plight as a widow and orphan. If you don't get justice today, I'll lie here and never move an inch..."

Liu Hao couldn't help but laugh out loud. He had just arrived at the courtyard house and happened to witness the chicken theft and house-grabbing incident. Not only that, he also got to see the courtyard's key figure, Jia Zhangshi, throwing a tantrum up close. For someone who loves watching a good show, this was definitely the right place for him.

Ye Juan was clearly enjoying herself, watching Jia Zhangshi curse with great interest.

"Old Yi, you're a complete scoundrel! You tricked me with empty promises, saying you'd help me with the housing allocation, but now you're lying and refusing to listen. I'm on the ground, risking my life, crying to Old Jia and then to Dongxu. If you don't give me the compensation, I'll spit all over your bed!"

"Yi Zhonghai, if you don't compensate me today, I'll hang myself right at your doorstep! You try me!"

While slapping her thigh, Jia Zhangshi cursed rhythmically.

Qin Huairu couldn't bear to watch any longer, so she rushed to Jia Zhangshi and reached out to help her up.

"Mom, stop it! There are so many people watching!"

Jia Zhangshi flung Qin Huairu away and howled at the top of her lungs, but not a single tear came out.

"Hey Dongxu, open your eyes and look! Your wife thinks I'm an old woman who's embarrassing her. Come on, take your mother away! She's just making a fool of herself by not living!"

Qin Huairu did cry; her eyes were like faucets, tears streaming down her face, making her look like a pear blossom in the rain.

"Mom, how could you say that to me! Since I married into this family, have I ever said anything bad about you?"

"Waaaaah... Dongxu's gone, and everyone in the family, young and old, is counting on me. And you still say this to me? I don't want to live anymore!"

Liu Hao clicked his tongue and praised Qin Huairu's acting skills, saying they were truly impeccable.

Look at her pitiful and broken appearance, no wonder she managed to hook up with Sha Zhu and have him completely under her thumb.

Ye Juan whispered, "How about that? I told you there aren't many normal people in this courtyard. This Jia family mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are just putting on a show."

"Do you believe it or not, Sha Zhu will soon stand up and comfort Qin Huairu, and then Yi Zhonghai will compromise and compensate Jia Zhangshi?"

Holy crap, you're a time traveler too, right?

Liu Hao was astonished. Ye Juan knew the beasts in the courtyard like the back of her hand. She was either a time traveler or she had figured it out through her intelligence and analysis.

"Comrade Ye Juan, Imperial Jade Liquor?"

Ye Juan was taken aback for a moment and asked, "You're going to treat me to drinks? Imperial Jade Liquor, tsk tsk, I didn't know you had such good wine. Let me make it clear first, I can't hold my liquor, I can only drink half a jin at most."

"..."

Liu Hao fell silent. This little queen not only had a Northeastern accent, but also the drinking capacity of a Northeastern woman.

Half a jin!!!

He can't even drink half a jin of baijiu!

"Okay, once I've tidied up the house, I'll cook a meal and treat you to a drink."

"Okay, you can cook? I can't. I eat lunch at the factory and dinner at Xu Damao's house."

Liu Hao sighed. He was an only child. His parents ran a seafood shop in the market. His grandparents were in poor health, so from the first grade onwards, he had to do laundry, cook, clean, and take care of his grandparents. Occasionally, he would also have to go to the shop to help kill fish.

But his life is fulfilling and happy because his parents and grandparents love him very much.

"Children from poor families mature early..."

"Sister Qin, don't talk nonsense. What Jia Zhangshi said is all rubbish. Don't take it to heart!"

Sure enough, when Sha Zhu saw Qin Huairu crying, he immediately ran over to comfort her.

"You little brat, you're the one spouting nonsense! I'll scratch you to death!"

As soon as Sha Zhu came out, Jia Zhangshi immediately shifted her target, baring her teeth and claws as she charged at Sha Zhu.

As long as she keeps making a fuss, Yi Zhonghai will eventually give in.

Sure enough, Jia Zhangshi was acting like a mad dog, biting anyone she could get her hands on, so Yi Zhonghai had no choice but to pay a fine to avoid further trouble.

"Jia Zhangshi, stop! I'll give you five catties of cornmeal, and that'll be the end of it. If you cause any more trouble, I'll never help the Jia family again!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Jia Zhangshi immediately stopped chasing and scratching Sha Zhu, and grumbled unwillingly, "You think you can get rid of me with five catties of cornmeal? Who do you think you are? I want eight catties!"

"Here you go, stand to the side and don't disrupt the meeting."

Yi Zhonghai waved his hand impatiently, too lazy to argue with Jia Zhangshi anymore.

Three or five kilograms of cornmeal is no problem for him, after all, his monthly salary is 99 yuan.

Jia Zhangshi glared at Sha Zhu, then turned and walked to the side, watching the commotion with her chubby hands tucked in as if nothing had happened, as if she hadn't been the one throwing a tantrum just moments before.

Yi Zhonghai cleared his throat, turned to look at Liu Hao, and a kind smile appeared on his square face.

"Accountant Liu, welcome to our facility. I'm Yi Zhonghai, an eighth-grade fitter from the Third Steel Rolling Mill, and the manager of the facility!"

Liu Haizhong immediately stepped out with her big pregnant belly, trying to make her presence known.

"Little Liu, I'm Liu Haizhong, a level seven forging worker from the Third Steel Rolling Mill. I'm the second oldest in this compound. Once you move into this compound, you have to obey the management of us three old men and follow our orders in everything you do..."

Ahem~ Yi Zhonghai coughed a few times, interrupting Liu Haizhong's spellcasting.

"Accountant Liu, your second uncle is straightforward and likes to meddle in other people's business, but it's all for the good of the hospital."

"Our No. 95 compound has been recognized as an advanced compound for several consecutive years. The residents are all old colleagues and neighbors from the steel rolling mill. In terms of kinship, they are closer than relatives."

"Let me introduce you. This is He Yuzhu, who lives in the main house of the central courtyard. He is the head chef of our steel mill canteen. He is an honest, kind, and warm-hearted man. Whenever anyone in the courtyard has a problem, he is always the first to lend a hand."

"This is Qin Huairu, who lives in the west wing of the central courtyard. Her husband used to be a steel mill worker, but he died in a work injury in 1961. It's not easy for a widow to raise three children alone. Please help her as much as you can in the future."

"Once you move in, feel free to come to me if you have any difficulties. We don't engage in backstabbing in this community. We'll all see each other all the time, so we'll look out for each other and make sure you're comfortable."

"There's just one thing: we're all government employees, so we have to follow the rules. Don't learn those crooked ways from outside. In our institute, the last thing we tolerate is selfishness..."

Yes, that's the taste!

Liu Hao laughed; this Yi Zhonghai really was just like the one in the courtyard fanfiction.

His words were a constant reminder that one had to follow his rules in order to stay in the courtyard.