Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

You Hongjuan's pregnancy was already obvious; it started showing in March of this year. Liu Pangpang was so happy that he sent red eggs to every household, which infuriated Yi Zhonghai, who almost vomited blood again.

With the Liu family's wedding banquet and the various ways they prepared nutritious meals for You Hongjuan, the Liu family's finances were almost depleted.

At the time, some gossipy people said that Liu Guangqi and You Hongjuan's premarital pregnancy was immoral and immoral. As a result, the three Liu brothers smashed their doors and windows and threw down 10 yuan as compensation.

I smashed your doors and windows because you're foul-mouthed. Giving you money is compensation for the damages. I won't shirk my responsibility, but try being foul-mouthed again.

I'll smash it every day!

Even Director Wang's mediation was useless.

Zhang Dabiao went to the countryside to collect things that day and only found out when he came back.

Therefore, given the Liu family's situation, Liu Guangqi was able to contribute another 100 yuan, which was a significant support for Zhang Dabiao.

Xu Damao didn't hesitate: "I'll offer 200!"

Following Da Biao is always a safe bet, and last time he even earned the title of "Dongcheng District Moat Fishing King" by hanging out with Zhang Da Biao, he was ecstatic. Even Sha Zhu could only tell him, "You're something else!"

This is the highest praise for a man—"You're awesome!"

So he had to follow Zhang Dabiao's lead in everything, lest he miss out on any good things in the future.

"Silly Zhu, what about you?"

After paying the money, Xu Damao started yelling at Sha Zhu.

"You used to be such an active donor to the Jia family, and now you're raising money for mutual aid among all the young people in the compound. You can't back down, can you, Sha Zhu?"

These words made Sha Zhu blush: "Of course, I..."

But he had no money, he really had no money, his pockets were emptier than his face.

"Rain, lend me 200..."

Having no other choice, I had to talk to my younger sister, Yushui.

The rain gave him a disapproving look and went back inside to get the money.

"My brother pays 200, I'll pay 100."

She naturally supported what Zhang Dabiao was going to do. Seeing that Mu Wanqing didn't make a move, Yu Shui thought she had won another round; Mu Wanqing's family really had no money.

Yan Jiecheng was somewhat embarrassed, but he still stepped forward: "Da Biao, you know my situation, I don't have much money."

"However, I, Yan Jiecheng, am not one to mince words. I will contribute my strength, and if anyone needs help, just let me know. If I, Yan Jiecheng, hesitate to ask, I will be the one to lend a hand."

He stuck out his little finger; Yan Jiecheng has really gone too far this time!

Mu Wanqing and the others didn't move because their family circumstances were indeed not as good as these families, but they all expressed their willingness to cooperate and contribute money or labor as long as the young people in the courtyard needed help.

In no time at all, the "Youth Mutual Aid Association" had raised 900 yuan in its housing provident fund!

Everyone was stunned by how quickly they raised the money.

Back when we donated to the Jia family, we could only manage to get a hundred or so yuan each time, even if we dragged our feet.

Are these young people all crazy?

Are we just fed up with life?

Jia Dongxu, in particular, was furious. He was so stingy when donating money to our family, but now he's all so eager to get a housing provident fund. Why is that?

Since this housing provident fund is meant to help the young people in the compound, our Jia family must have a share!

And it's a large portion!

Our Jia family is the most impoverished.

Before he could even make a move, Yan Bugui started scheming again.

"Da Biao, your intentions are good, but with so much money, how do we manage it? Who is eligible to apply for assistance, and who isn't? And how do we keep the accounts...?"

"You young people can't grasp this."

"I think it's better for the experienced old men in our compound to manage it. Otherwise, if word gets out that you're raising funds privately, it won't be right for the neighborhood committee to find out, will it?"

There's a tiny bit of truth to that.

But Zhang Dabiao wouldn't listen.

He directly reached out and stopped Yan Bugui from speaking.

"Since it's a youth mutual aid association, the participants are all young people, and the managers are also young people. This is a mutual aid fund accumulated by the public, which is not the same as a donation. I will go back to the street office to report it later."

"You adults' business is none of our concern."

"But it's none of your business what happens to us young people."

Yan Bugui was thoroughly rebuked, but what could he do after Zhang Dabiao had said that?

He's not even in charge anymore.

Yi Zhonghai frowned as well. He had been keeping a low profile and biding his time, preparing to regain his status as a powerful figure once he reached a higher rank.

But now this "Youth Mutual Aid Association" has popped up. At least a third of the residents in the compound are young people. These people will listen to Zhang Dabiao, not the old man. This is a fatal blow!

And what good would it do him to become a big shot again?

This will affect his retirement plans!

Absolutely not!

"Zhang Dabiao, you can't just invest and manage it all by yourself, and make all the decisions, can you?"

"So this youth mutual aid association is just your one-man show?"

"Besides, you're a primary school student running a youth mutual aid association, leading the young people in our compound. It's a bit... well, let's just say it doesn't sound right."

Before he could finish speaking, he looked at Fatty Liu and said, "Old Liu, so Da Biao has basically done all your work? What are you, an old man, supposed to do then?"

Yes, right now the only person in charge is Liu Haizhong. If the "Youth Mutual Aid Association" gets going and becomes influential, then his position as the person in charge will become meaningless.

To put it bluntly, it's like someone pooping on your neck while riding on your bangs!

Even someone as dim-witted as Liu Haizhong could figure this out: this is an attempt to seize his power!

Liu Haizhong was instantly furious!

Anyone who tries to stop me from being the boss is asking for my life!

If anyone wants to take my life, I'll take theirs first!

As soon as Liu Haizhong stood up, Zhang Dabiao hurriedly said, "I propose that Liu Guangqi serve as the president of the Youth Mutual Aid Association. He is a youth cadre and has management experience. Everyone who agrees, please raise your hand."

Upon hearing that his eldest son, Liu Guangqi, was the president of this association, he was shocked.

He's the boss in charge, and his son is the leader of the youth—that's pretty good!

The entire compound will then be under the management of my Liu family, covering the old, middle-aged and young. What's wrong with that?

So Liu Pangpang sat down, feeling incredibly happy!

Zhang Dabiao is a good kid!

That thing is exactly what I want!

very good!

Then, all the young people raised their hands—except for Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu.

Seeing that Zhang Dabiao had pushed him forward, Liu Guangqi didn't hesitate.

He stood up and nodded to the young people around him: "Since everyone agrees, I, Liu Guangqi, hereby guarantee that I will manage the mutual aid association well and ensure that our housing provident fund is used effectively."

"We will definitely be fair, fair—"

"It's still about fairness!"

Liu Guangqi said "fairness" three times in a row, and the young people applauded enthusiastically.

If they can do that, the 900 yuan will be enough for them to find a way to survive in these difficult times.

Zhang Dabiao stood up and continued, "Furthermore, I recommend Xu Damao as vice president!"

"Da Mao often goes to the countryside and can get some of our scarce supplies from the villagers. He has more connections in this area than I do as a temporary purchasing agent. With his help, if an elderly person in a family is sick and needs an old hen to nourish their body, they can go to Da Mao. Only Xu Da Mao can do this kind of thing."

"As usual, raise your hand if you agree."

In an instant, all the young people raised their hands, except for Jia Jia and Sha Zhu.

Indeed, Xu Damao had more connections than Zhang Dabiao in this regard, and Zhang Dabiao rarely went to the countryside, and the materials he acquired had to be handed over to the factory, as they were public property.

The projectionists and drivers, on the other hand, own the supplies they acquire during their business trips, which is even more convenient for them than for Zhang Dabiao.

This is an unspoken rule among the eight officials, just like how cooks can bring their own lunchboxes.

If anyone makes a fuss about this, they're going against all the projectionists, cooks, drivers, and mail carriers. Aren't they just asking for trouble?

Xu Damao naturally stepped up without hesitation; this was Zhang Dabiao's chance to show off!

As for the local specialties that I might not have enough of myself in the future, and need to help others bring them back?

That's nothing!

You give me money, I'll help you bring things—that's only fair. Besides, the Xu family certainly doesn't need these things.

Just make a few more trips. If there's really nothing good, just go to Da Biao's place for a free meal and drinks.