Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

Some people were checking their pockets, while others were calculating with their heads down, as if they could already see a group of neighbors rushing to their door with money bags when they fell on hard times.

Only Old Lady Li kept her head down, her hands clutching the hem of her clothes, her knuckles white, and her body trembling slightly.

At this moment, He Yuzhu suddenly raised his voice: "Wait a minute! I have something I want to ask Old Mrs. Li."

"Bang!"

Yi Zhonghai slammed the cup he had just picked up onto the table, his face instantly darkening.

Interrupt him? Or this ignorant fool?

He glared at her and shouted sternly, "Idiot Zhu! What are you up to? This is a hospital-wide meeting, not a place where you can just barge in and talk! What kind of behavior is this! No organization, no discipline!"

The courtyard suddenly became as quiet as frozen water.

"Oh ho, I can't even get a chance to say a word at the whole college meeting? You're really something, sir! Why don't you just stop calling yourself Yi Zhonghai and just become emperor? From now on, at every meeting, the whole college will have to kneel down and shout 'Long live the Emperor!' Only after you give your golden word can we stand up and reply."

Your power is even greater than that of the upright officials of the old society. We ordinary people have to be mindful of your attitude even to breathe properly, don't we?

He Yuzhu's words were like a bucket of cold water poured into a frying pan, causing the whole courtyard to buzz.

Yi Zhonghai felt his blood rush to his head, veins throbbing on his forehead, his finger trembling as he pointed at He Yuzhu, his lips quivering for a long time but unable to utter a single word—his heart pounded wildly as if it had been struck by a hammer, and he almost fainted.

Those words were so venomous; every sentence was a deadly jab.

Is it possible that the neighborhood committee won't come to investigate him for engaging in feudal restoration? What era are we living in? This is an era where the people are the masters of the country. How can you suppress people's voices and make them feel like they're engaging in feudal restoration?

Liu Haizhong broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this. He quickly picked up his teacup to cover his face, blew on the hot water as if to drink, but dared not utter a single word.

At this moment, Yan Bugui slowly spoke up: "Zhuzi, you can't say it like that. Lao Yi didn't mean it that way either."

This is a major event in our courtyard house; everyone has something to say about it.

Ask whatever you want, but don't go off on a tangent.

"That's more like human speech." He Yuzhu sneered. "Third Uncle is more enlightened; he has a bit of a democratic spirit."

Otherwise, would we, the common people, not even have the right to speak up?

After saying that, he turned and walked towards Old Lady Li.

He had just realized something was wrong—Old Lady Li accepted the donations, then went through the trouble of returning every penny, not even leaving the Jia family with a single cent.

This isn't stupidity; it's an inherent pride that prevents one from owing favors.

Upon seeing this, Yi Zhonghai frowned and immediately shouted, "Shazhu! What are you up to now? Can't you just say it here? Why do you have to drag people away so mysteriously?"

"Do I have to make my private affairs public at the meeting? You're nosy about everything, including how I talk. Is the neighborhood chief your illegitimate son?" He Yuzhu retorted, his tone sharp as a knife.

After saying that, he walked straight to Old Lady Li, his voice softening: "Grandma, may I have a word with you in private?"

Grandma Li glanced at him and nodded silently.

The two walked through the central garden one after the other and arrived at the front yard.

At this moment, everyone is gathered in the meeting hall, and the front yard is quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind and the occasional meow of a cat.

"Grandma," He Yuzhu lowered his voice, "I can tell you're reluctant to accept the donation. Is there some kind of difficulty at home?"

After a moment of silence, Old Lady Li sighed, "Zhu Zi... since you've figured it out, I won't hide it from you anymore."

Her voice was as soft as falling snow: "The two little ones caught a cold, and we've spent all our money on medicine. We don't have a single penny left in the house."

But I have hands and feet; how can I rely on others' charity to make a living? The night before last, I was planning to borrow ten yuan from an old man for an emergency, but who knew... this morning, a "charitable donation" suddenly appeared.

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu was instantly enraged.

Earning just over seventy yuan a month, and you can't even lend ten yuan? If you don't want to lend, then don't. Why use this as an excuse to organize a collective fundraising? Who are you trying to fool? Disgusting!

He gritted his teeth, but suppressed his anger, and said gently, "Grandma, I remember you were very skilled and made clothes very neatly."

How about this—I'll provide the fabric, and you make a new outfit for me and Yushui each. The labor cost is six yuan, and I'll lend you an extra nine yuan. You can pay me back within three months, okay?

Grandma Li was taken aback and was about to decline when He Yuzhu immediately interrupted her: "Don't be in such a hurry to refuse."

Rain and I really wanted to get a new outfit, but we hadn't found a suitable person to make it.

Meeting you now has come at just the right time, solving my immediate problem.

Hearing this, Old Lady Li's eyes welled up with tears, and she finally nodded.

But she still whispered, "But Zhu Zi... this money... is too much."

I know you're helping me out...

"Hey," He Yuzhu waved his hand and laughed casually, "Just consider it as me buying some snacks for my younger siblings."

A tailor shop outside charges three yuan for a piece of clothing; your workmanship is exquisite, six yuan wouldn't be too much.

He knew what she was thinking—the sewing machine outside was neat and efficient; she was using her hands, which was time-consuming and laborious.

But she didn't understand that some people help others without making you feel like you're receiving charity.

"It's settled then." He said decisively. "I'll have Yushui bring the money to you later."

As soon as they finished speaking, the two returned to the central garden together.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, Yi Zhonghai greeted him with a sullen face, his tone sarcastic: "Oh, finished chatting? You kept everyone waiting for ages, delaying important business. Do you feel good about it?"

"I fucking—"

"Pillar," Old Lady Li suddenly spoke, her voice not loud but clear, "Let me speak."

"I wasted time, and I should apologize."

She stood ramrod straight, as if she had suddenly straightened her spine, which had not been visible for many years.

Just as He Yuzhu was about to open his mouth to curse, Old Lady Li grabbed his clothes. She didn't use much force, but she pulled him steadily to the center of the yard.

She stood ramrod straight, her gray hair swaying gently in the wind, her voice soft yet clear:

"I'm sorry to have taken up your time, everyone."

"My old bones are still strong enough to eat and walk, so I won't accept the money—I'll remember this kindness, thank you everyone..."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a moment of silence.

These words were both soft and firm, yielding yet showing backbone. They neither offended the three old men nor did they easily dismiss the matter of the donation.

A woman in her sixties personally bowed to express her gratitude; who would dare to hold a grudge? Many people immediately waved their hands, saying, "Oh, Grandma Li, you're too kind!" "It's alright, it's alright, we understand perfectly!"

Actually, Grandma Li had no idea that a donation drive was going to be held for her today; she only found out when the meeting started.

She couldn't stand taking things from others for free, and even when she asked He Yuzhu to help carry grain just now, she immediately agreed to make him a new jacket.

She already had a plan in mind: a drop of kindness deserves a spring of gratitude in return.

She'll have to repay Sha Zhu's kindness sooner or later.

"Third Uncle," she turned to Yan Bugui, Liu Haizhong, and Yi Zhonghai, her tone still calm, "let's leave it at that. There's really no need for that. Thank you for your trouble."

The three men hurriedly nodded and bowed, how could they dare to be presumptuous? In terms of age, the three of them combined were not even as old as Grandma Li. One was seven or eight years younger than her, and the other two were fourteen or fifteen years younger. They could act like elders on ordinary days, but when they were actually facing this senior, their legs went weak.

Yi Zhonghai's face turned ashen.

He knew perfectly well that Old Lady Li's sudden refusal to donate was most likely due to He Yuzhu's interference! That kid had just called her out and whispered a few words to her, and now he's pulled this stunt.

The rice container at home is almost empty; can you still refuse with a straight face? Unless someone's backing you up!

He slammed his fist on the enamel mug, the lid clanging loudly, breaking the silence.

"Since Grandma Li is unwilling to accept the donation, let's talk about the second matter!"

……

"The second thing—" Yi Zhonghai slammed his hand on the table, his voice booming like thunder, "is that someone is alienating the masses!"

The entire room fell silent.

"Our courtyard house is a collective! We're aiming for the 'Civilized Courtyard House' title! If we win, there will be tons of benefits—the neighborhood will give us subsidies for our children's weddings, we'll get priority in job recommendations, and we'll even get an extra two kilograms of coal coupons! But what do we see now?" His gaze swept across the crowd, his tone suddenly rising. "Some people are living a life of luxury, keeping to themselves, and completely disregarding their neighbors! If this continues, the title will be lost, and who will take responsibility?!"

Jia Dongxu was the first to respond: "We can't spoil them!"

With one person taking the lead, the others chimed in: "That's right!" "That old man is absolutely right!" "A civilized courtyard is a matter of reputation for the entire community; it must be addressed!"

In the corner, Xu Damao jumped to his feet, his voice booming, "I knew it a long time ago! That guy who's out of touch with the masses is Sha Zhu!"

He was He Yuzhu's mortal enemy since childhood, always ready to take advantage of any opportunity to stab him in the back.

But He Yuzhu in this life is no longer the naive young man who could be easily manipulated.

Hearing Xu Damao jumping up and down, he just sneered and didn't even lift his eyelids.

Did you collect my corpse in my past life? Ha, we'll see about this one.

"Snapped!"

Before he could finish yelling, he received a slap on the back of the head, and Xu Fugui pulled him back from the crowd: "Shut up! You disgraceful wretch!"

But Yi Zhonghai's lips were already curled up in a smile.

The objective has been achieved.

He knew Xu Damao would definitely jump out, and even if he was beaten back, the fire would still be lit.

"That's right!" He slammed his teacup down, his gaze piercing He Yuzhu like a knife. "It's you, He Yuzhu! What else do you have to say?!"

All eyes in the crowd were fixed on He Yuzhu.

He finally looked up, his eyes as cold as well water in the twelfth lunar month, a mocking smile playing on his lips, and slowly began to speak:

"What did I do wrong? You say I'm out of touch with the masses, so I really am? You, Yi Zhonghai, can decide life and death with just your words? You might as well change your name to King Yama Yi! More powerful than the police station?"

One sentence silenced the entire room.

When it comes to verbal skills, no one in the entire courtyard can match him.

The only thing that can win an argument with him is that he himself doesn't want to argue.