Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

The next morning, Widow Li began her work.

She specially changed into a clean set of coarse cloth clothes, combed her hair neatly, and asked the deaf old lady for some face cream, which she applied to her face, making her look much more energetic than usual.

She calculated exactly what time He Daqing would go to work every morning, and deliberately carried a basin of clothes to wash them by the well.

Sure enough, not long after, He Daqing walked over slowly with his hands behind his back.

His eyes lit up the moment he saw Widow Li, and he slowed his pace.

"Miss Li, are you doing laundry so early?" He Daqing approached her, his tone warm.

"Yes, the old lady's clothes are dirty, I need to wash them quickly."

Then Widow Li raised her head, a weak smile on her face, "It's just that the well water is too cold, my hands are all red from the cold."

As she spoke, she deliberately stretched out her hands.

Although those hands were rough, they had a faint reddish tinge from being soaked in cold water, making them look quite pitiful.

A surge of protective instinct welled up within He Daqing, and he quickly said, "Oh dear, how can you use such cold water directly? Stop washing now, I'll go boil some hot water for you."

Widow Li quickly waved her hand, looking embarrassed. "No, no, it's too much trouble for you."

"I was just saying, it's nothing."

He Daqing said, feigning seriousness, "How can that be allowed?"

"How can a young lady like you endure such hardship? Wait here, I'll go boil some water for you right away!"

After saying that, he turned around and ran towards Sha Zhu's house, afraid that if he was a step too late, Widow Li would have to wash her clothes with cold water again.

Widow Li watched his retreating figure, a mocking look in her eyes.

He Daqing is indeed a lustful old man; he took the bait so easily.

Not long after, He Daqing came running over with a basin of hot water, panting, and said:

"Miss Li, the hot water is here, quickly use this to wash!"

"Thank you so much, brother! You're so kind!" Widow Li said quickly.

He Daqing looked at her and stood to the side, chatting with her casually.

Widow Li went along with him, praising him from time to time, which made He Daqing dizzy with flattery.

This scene was witnessed by Jia Zhangshi, who was squatting by the door pasting matchboxes.

Seeing He Daqing fawning over Widow Li, she immediately felt resentful.

Why is it that this outsider woman can make He Daqing care so much?

She was secretly thinking that she might be able to get something out of Widow Li, and besides, she hadn't settled the score with Widow Li for pushing her down last time.

"Miss Li, look at your hands, they've become so rough from washing. Don't do these kinds of rough jobs yourself in the future."

"Tell me, and I'll have Sha Zhu help you," He Daqing said, his eyes fixed on Widow Li's hands.

Widow Li gently shook her head: "No need to trouble yourself. I'm just destined to serve others; doing some work is nothing to me."

After a pause, he said, "Besides, I'm happy to have you keep me company and talk to me."

"Since my husband passed away, no one has cared about me like this anymore."

As she spoke, Widow Li pretended to wipe away non-existent tears with her hand.

Seeing this, He Daqing quickly comforted her, "Miss Li, don't be sad."

"I'll take care of you from now on! Don't worry, no one in this courtyard will dare to bully you!"

Widow Li wiped away her tears, looked up at He Daqing, and said, "Really?"

"Brother, you're so kind. But... I'm afraid of what people will say. After all, I'm a widow."

"What's wrong with the widow!"

"Besides, Zhu Zi's mother has been gone for almost twenty years. We're openly helping each other out, so what's there to be afraid of gossip about!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, eager to announce to the world that he would take care of Widow Li.

Widow Li secretly felt smug as she looked at him.

This He Daqing is indeed a lecher. I had heard he was shrewd, but I never expected to be so easily fooled.

She lowered her head and whispered, "Big brother, I know you're good to me. We can get to know each other more gradually in the future."

These words were like honey, sweetening He Daqing's heart. He smiled broadly and quickly said, "Okay! Okay! If you need anything in the future, just let me know!"

As the two were chatting animatedly, Jia Zhangshi, carrying a broken basin, deliberately walked over in a hesitant manner.

He pretended to go to the well to fetch water, but actually wanted to listen to what they were saying.

She had long disliked Widow Li and was itching with jealousy. She was jealous that He Daqing cared so much about her, and she also coveted the trust that the deaf old woman had in her.

Widow Li caught a glimpse of Jia Zhangshi out of the corner of her eye, and immediately had an idea.

While He Daqing turned around to help her carry the clothes to the backyard, she deliberately dropped a penny on the ground.

Upon seeing the money on the ground, Jia Zhangshi immediately took a large step forward and stepped on it. Then, without making a sound, she bent down, picked up the money, and held it in her palm.

She secretly wiped the dust off the money with the corner of her clothes and immediately stuffed it into her bosom.

Widow Li had been watching this unfold. After Jia Zhangshi finished fetching water, she deliberately said, "Aunt Zhang, you're fetching water too? I think I dropped a penny earlier, did you see it?"

Jia Zhangshi's heart skipped a beat, but she still forced herself to say, "I...I didn't see it."

"Oh, maybe I remembered it wrong."

Widow Li smiled, didn't ask any further questions, and instead took out two more cents from her pocket and handed them over.

"Aunt Zhang, please take these two cents. I've only just arrived at the hospital, and I'm so grateful for your help. Please don't find this small token of my appreciation too much."

Jia Zhangshi was stunned. She didn't expect that Widow Li would not only not pursue the matter, but would also give her money.

He quickly took it, tucked it into his pocket, and put on a fawning smile: "Miss Li, you're too kind! If you ever need anything in the future, just tell me, and I'll definitely help you!"

"Thank you then."

Then Widow Li said with a smile, "Actually, I do have something I'd like to trouble you with."

"I'm new to the hospital and don't know many of the rules. If I do anything wrong in the future, please give me some pointers."

"Also, neighbors in the courtyard, please put in a good word for me, so that people don't misunderstand me as a troublesome person."

Madam Jia quickly assured her, "No problem!"

"Don't worry, I still have some influence in the neighborhood! If anyone dares to speak ill of you, I'll be the first to object!"

That's exactly what Widow Li wanted to hear.

She knew that someone like Jia Zhangshi could be easily manipulated and used by her as long as she was given some benefits.

In the following days, Widow Li frequently tried to curry favor with Jia Zhangshi, occasionally sending her small gifts, such as a handful of fragrant roasted melon seeds or a small piece of brightly colored fabric.