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

When Director Wang glared at them like that, Yi Zhonghai and Jia Zhangshi naturally felt guilty, because they were the ones who had orchestrated the forced donations in the past. If they hadn't returned the money in the end, they might have been sent to labor reform.

Despite feeling guilty, I still had to get the money, otherwise I wouldn't have another chance. I still had to find a way to "incentivize" everyone to donate more.

Director Wang gestured to Liu Haizhong, who immediately perked up. He was looking forward to showing off in front of Director Wang, and this donation drive was a good opportunity for him to demonstrate his abilities as the "only" manager of Courtyard No. 95.

So he quickly stepped forward, cleared his throat, and adopted a businesslike demeanor.

"Neighbors, listen to me." Liu Haizhong deliberately raised his voice, making it loud and clear throughout the courtyard. He wanted to show off in front of Director Wang and overshadow Yi Zhonghai.

"Director Wang said that...donations are voluntary, open, fair, and just. There's no coercion or comparison... Ah, we're all neighbors. Helping the Jia family is a favor, not helping is our right; it's all up to us. Now, those who want to donate, come up and put your money in—"

"Wait, where's the donation box?"

"Third brother! Where's the donation box?"

It was only then that Liu Haizhong realized—damn it, there's no donation box, what kind of money are we supposed to donate?

So he hurriedly called out to Yan Bugui, who was also in a bad mood.

[Damn it, I'm not some old man anymore, why would I still use our family's donation box?]

Is there a rent?

However, he didn't dare to cause trouble in front of Director Wang, and obediently moved the donation box over and placed it on the square table in the middle of the courtyard.

Just as she was about to retreat, Liu Haizhong called out to her again.

"Third brother, why are you running away? Are you keeping accounts?"

"Didn't you always keep the accounts?"

Yan Bugui – [Am I not some big shot anymore? Why am I still being asked to keep accounts?]

【You're trying to use me as free conscript, huh?】

[You're exploiting the working people! Making me work without paying me? When you have work to do, you call me "Third Brother," but when you don't, you call me by my first name. What's wrong with your bangs?]

Just as he was about to retort, after all, he was not in a position to interfere in politics, and he didn't get paid for his work, so why should he, Yan Bugui, work for free? Then he saw Director Wang nodding to him.

With no other option, Yan Bugui obediently sat down at the square table, took a notebook and pen, and began to take notes.

Yan Bugui took his place, and Liu Haizhong prepared to be the first to express his opinion. After all, he was in charge, and he was also the only senior member of the household, so he had to take the lead.

He pulled out two crumpled 10-yuan bills from his pocket—he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret, because 20 yuan was no small sum these days, and temporary workers only earned around 18-22 yuan.

However, death is a serious matter, and Director Wang was still watching. Liu Haizhong gritted his teeth and prepared to stuff the money directly into the donation box, but was suddenly stopped by Liu Guangqi.

Why are you pulling me?

Liu Guangqi lowered his voice and said urgently, "Dad, are you crazy?"

"Our family is large, and we're always short on food coupons and money. If you donate so much, how will we survive this month?"

"Listen to me, just donate ten yuan at most as a token gesture. It won't make you lose face, and it won't put your family in dire straits!"

Liu Haizhong originally wanted to argue, but then he suddenly realized that it was always right to listen to his eldest son when it came to matters, since he was a cadre!

How could a cadre be wrong?

While they were still hesitating, Liu Guangqi added, "In the past, Yi Zhonghai was always the first to donate, just to make a big splash and force everyone to donate, and they couldn't donate too little—just think about how much hatred that made him!"

Liu Haizhong then realized why Yi Zhonghai was always the first to donate; there was actually this reason behind it.

So she silently pulled out a card, glared at Liu Guangqi, and muttered under her breath, "You brat, you're always causing me trouble. I'll deal with you when we get back!"

After muttering to himself, he reluctantly put ten yuan into the donation box, deliberately announcing loudly, "I, Liu Haizhong, donate ten yuan!"

"Everyone, please act within your capabilities."

Jia Zhangshi was naturally dissatisfied with such a small amount of money, and was about to wail when Director Wang stopped her with a look.

Then, everyone's eyes were fixed on Yi Zhonghai.

Normally, he used to be the first to donate, but now that he's been stripped of his title as the person in charge and is being watched closely by Director Wang, he doesn't dare to steal the limelight of being the first to donate.

However, it wasn't a big problem. He took out two large black ten-yuan bills, ten yuan more than Liu Haizhong's. This would show that he was sentimental and that he was a helpful "good guy". But before he could put them in, Jia Zhangshi couldn't help but jump out.

"Yi Zhonghai! Are you trying to fob me off like a beggar? You're Dongxu's master, or his godfather! My son learned his craft from you, served you faithfully for so many years, always at your beck and call, and now that he's dead, you only donate twenty yuan? You have the nerve to even offer that?"

"I'm telling you, at least a hundred! Otherwise I'll..."

Before Jia Zhangshi could finish her madness, Director Wang interrupted her spellcasting.

"Jia Zhangshi! Haven't you made enough trouble? I said, donations are voluntary, no coercion allowed! How much Yi Zhonghai is willing to donate is his own choice. If you dare to keep nagging and causing trouble, I'll immediately cancel the donation, and you'll have to figure out your own funeral arrangements! Even if the body rots by then, no one will care!"

Jia Zhangshi was startled, and Qin Huairu promptly pulled her back, but Jia Zhangshi still muttered a few words of grievance—

"He's different. Yi Zhonghai is Dongxu's godfather! A disciple is like half a son, and he also bears responsibility for Dongxu's death..."

Everyone immediately realized that Yi Zhonghai should bear at least one-third of the responsibility for Jia Dongxu's death, since he was the one who forced Jia Dongxu to take two exams in a row.

He had initially thought 20 yuan was enough, but now everyone was looking at Yi Zhonghai with disdain, making him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles and sweating profusely. Finally, he gritted his teeth, took out five 10-yuan bills, and stuffed them into the donation box before Jia Zhangshi could say anything.

Two years ago, Yi Zhonghai was a millionaire, so fifty or a hundred yuan wasn't a big deal for him. But last year he lost nearly ten thousand yuan. The Jia family had been borrowing money and grain every month, and his job grade had dropped and his salary had decreased. To be honest, he really had no money left.

And he also needs to save some money for retirement, right?

So this fifty dollars was truly his limit.

"I am Dongxu's master and also his godfather. We have been master and apprentice for many years. He has followed me to learn the craft for so many years, working hard for me and suffering a lot. I am donating fifty dollars to show my appreciation and hope that he can pass away peacefully."

"Logically, I should donate more, but as everyone knows, I'm only a level 4 worker and my salary isn't high."

"Besides, everyone has seen how much I've helped the Jia family over the years, so this is really all I can offer."

There was no mention of the Jia family specifically saying that they only borrowed and never repaid, and that they had never paid back anything.

The neighbors whispered among themselves, "Jia Zhangshi is going too far. Donations are voluntary, so why is she forcing people to donate more?"

"Exactly, Yi Zhonghai donating fifty yuan is already quite a lot. His salary as a fourth-grade worker is only around 60 yuan, which is almost a month's wages!"

"It seems the Jia family hasn't changed their greedy ways; they want to make as much money as possible by taking advantage of Dongxu's death!"

"..."

The neighbors were all talking at once, Director Wang was still keeping an eye on Jia Zhangshi, and Qin Huairu was also pulling her along. In the end, Jia Zhangshi could only endure it.

Then it was Yan Bugui's turn. According to the rules of the courtyard donation, the three old men would go first to set an example.

Yan Bugui looked completely bewildered—[I already took out the donation box and was helping with the record-keeping, why do I still have to pay?]

That's going too far!