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

After hesitating for a moment, Sha Zhu slowly loosened his fist, took a step back, and his tone softened, but he still glared defiantly at Xu Damao: "Hmph, today I'll let you off the hook for Dongxu's sake! But if you dare to bully Qin Huairu and her orphan mother again, I won't let you get away with it!"

Xu Damao was also stunned. He didn't expect Sha Zhu to suddenly stop. How surprising!

He froze for a few seconds before reacting, then couldn't help but sneer, "Idiot Zhu, are you fucking chickening out? If you've got the guts, then make a move! Stop putting on airs!"

"you!"

Sha Zhu felt like getting angry again, but when he remembered Zhang Dabiao's words, he could only glare at Xu Damao and say nothing more.

He turned and walked to Qin Huairu's side, whispering to comfort her, "Sister Qin, don't be afraid. With me here, Xu Damao won't dare to bully you... or your Jia family."

He really started to treat Qin Huairu like his wife. Zhang Dabiao had said it before, and there was no doubt that Qin Huairu would marry him.

Qin Huairu looked at Shazhu, a hint of gratitude flashing in her eyes. She quickly lowered her head to wipe away her tears, crying even more aggrievedly: "Shazhu, thank you, but... we really don't have the money for a funeral. Dongxu... he can't be buried so hastily."

Just then, Yi Zhonghai slowly walked over from outside the courtyard, a look of pity on his face. He cleared his throat and said to the onlookers, "Everyone, please be quiet, please be quiet."

Upon hearing his voice, everyone quieted down.

Yi Zhonghai, as the "former" eldest uncle of the courtyard, has been involved in many scandals last year. However, after so many years, and although his work grade has been downgraded, his skills are still there, and he is still highly valued by the leaders in the factory. All the level 8 workers have been transferred to the Northwest, and the newly promoted level 7 workers lack experience, so he is often temporarily pulled in to save the day.

So he usually had some prestige in the courtyard, and when he stepped forward, the neighbors instinctively thought he was there to mediate the conflict.

In an instant, the entire room fell silent.

Looking at Liu Haizhong, who dared not say much and was being pulled along by Liu Guangqi, and Yan Bugui, who preferred to avoid trouble, Yi Zhonghai sneered inwardly—you guys are useless even when given a chance.

You still have to rely on me!

Without me, Yi Zhonghai, this compound would fall apart sooner or later!

Yi Zhonghai looked at Xu Damao and Jia Zhangshi, then at the pitifully crying Qin Huairu, sighed heavily, and said in a heavy tone, "Damao, don't be too anxious. Dongxu just died, and the Jia family, with its orphans and widows, is indeed having a hard time. Please be more understanding of them. Take a couple more days; it won't make a difference if we wait a little longer."

Xu Damao – ["A short while? My wedding banquet has already been postponed for three days, and the Jia family still hasn't clearly stated when the funeral will be held."]

[Is this supposed to be a short while?]

Jia Dongxu passed away two days before May Day. Xu Damao's wedding date on May Day has already been missed. And there are only a few days in May according to the Chinese almanac, such as May 4th, May 7th, May 8th... If it is delayed any longer, who knows when it will be.

Moreover, they've already gotten their marriage certificate. He's a beautiful wife, but he can't use her. To take care of his health, he hasn't been messing around outside and has been celibate for almost a year and a half.

He's not a simpleton like Sha Zhu; he's tasted fine food before. Do you think he's in a hurry?

After speaking, Yi Zhonghai turned to Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu with his hands behind his back, his tone softening slightly: "Aunt Jia, Huairu, I know it's difficult for you. Dongxu died unjustly, and everyone understands your desire to give him a dignified funeral. But keeping the body for too long isn't a solution; it's not good for Dongxu's spirit in heaven, and it's also bad luck for the neighbors in the courtyard."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi immediately launched into a wailing cry: "Uncle Yi, I don't want to stay here so long either, but we have no money! The little compensation the factory gave us is simply not enough. I can't let my son have such a shabby burial, can I?"

Xu Damao then jumped in and said, "Just tell me how much money the factory gave us!"

"Let everyone tell me if it's enough! I don't believe the compensation the factory gives isn't enough for the funeral, and the factory can't just say they're not going to take care of your Jia family."

"We'll find out easily if we investigate. If you won't tell us, we'll go to the factory and ask!"

Xu Damao has hit the nail on the head. You say there's not enough money? We need to see just how much it's not enough!

They're using the excuse that the compensation isn't enough to get us to pay for your family's funeral—everyone suddenly remembered the Jia family's past practices.

They save their own money as a retirement fund, while the donations from everyone else become their living expenses—isn't this making the whole family support them?

The Jia family is sucking the blood of the entire household!

Fortunately, Zhang Dabiao exposed their little scheme last year, and they recovered all their losses.

The Jia family may be pitiful this time, but they won't let us be their suckers again!

Everyone started to stir, especially Liu Guangqi, who nudged Liu Pangpang.

Liu Pangpang then stepped forward, coughed, and said in a pretentious tone, "Yes, Jia Zhangshi, just tell me how the factory has arranged things?"

"If it's unreasonable or compliant, we'll help your Jia family report the situation to the factory."

Liu Guangqi added at the opportune moment: "Our Hongxing Daily Necessities Manufacturing Plant was formerly a comprehensive utilization plant under a steel rolling mill."

"All the salary structures and policies regarding work injury compensation and pensions are from the same source as those for steel rolling mills, and I've come across a lot of documents in this area."

"Tell me your thoughts, and I'll analyze whether it makes sense to you."

"If it's reasonable, then let's stop making a fuss and proceed with the funeral. If it's unreasonable, we'll all help you report it to the labor union or the party secretary. We won't let your Jia family suffer any losses."

Liu Guangqi spoke frankly, and everyone nodded in agreement.

Disliking someone on a regular basis is a private matter, but this kind of thing concerns everyone's vital interests and cannot be wrong.

If they dare to illegally deduct your family's pension today, they might inexplicably deduct your salary tomorrow. Who can stand for that?

But if your Jia family tries to use this incident to extort money from the factory, and then try to extort money from us as well, then we won't play along.

Nobody's a fool, right?

Xu Damao, Liu Haizhong, and Liu Guangqi's words essentially exposed the Jia family's ulterior motives.

Whether others would do the same is uncertain, but the Jia family—it's absolutely possible!

Jia Zhangshi was stunned.

She had already discussed it with Yi Zhonghai beforehand, hoping to make a little money while taking advantage of this opportunity, but how come these people are all so smart?

You guessed it already?

So she unconsciously looked at Yi Zhonghai—[What should we do?]

Jia Zhangshi hesitated and refused to speak, and Yi Zhonghai remained silent, which made everyone even more puzzled.

Liu Guangqi gave Xu Damao a look.

Xu Damao nodded, instantly understanding what it meant, and then walked towards the door.

"You're not going to talk about it? That's alright, I'll go ask Deputy Factory Director Li right now."

"Everyone heard the Jia family say that the compensation wasn't enough for Jia Dongxu's funeral. Does that mean our steel mill withheld their compensation?"

"This matter is under the jurisdiction of Deputy Factory Director Li—"

"He has to take care of it!"