Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

Offering well-intentioned advice, only to be accused of "murdering a child"?

His fingernails dug into his palms, his chest heaved, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Yi Zhonghai slammed his hand on the table and roared, "Sister-in-law! Shut up! Third Uncle is doing this for your family's good; you're just stirring up trouble!"

He turned to Yan Bugui and waved, "Old Yan, don't take it to heart."

Sweet potatoes are fine for adults, but Huairu is pregnant and her stalks are growing. They have no nutritional value, so they're not suitable for her.

Sigh, my sister-in-law is just worried sick about her grandson... Just ignore it, like she just farted and let it go."

These words, though seemingly meant to mediate, actually backfire on both sides.

Jia Zhangshi was subdued, but Yan Bugui was put on the spot—to argue? That would be going against a pregnant woman; to turn against her? That would make him seem intolerant of a widow.

He stared at the ground, his lips twitched, and finally he let out a cold laugh, placing the teacup on the table:

"Fine, I'm out of ideas."

"Your Uncle Yi and Uncle Liu can do whatever they want, I, the third uncle, can't handle this mess."

After saying that, Yan Bugui plopped back into the rattan chair, leaned heavily against the backrest, his eyes turned cold, and he didn't say another word.

Yi Zhonghai slowly glanced around the courtyard, his gaze lingering on He Yuzhu for a couple of seconds before he slowly spoke: "If I do the math, there are only a few families in our courtyard who are struggling financially—the Jia family, Old Lady Li's family, and the Wang family in the backyard."

These three families endured the toughest times, eating only bland soup and water, with hardly any oil in their meals.

He paused, then his tone suddenly rose a few degrees: "So, I've discussed it with the two old men—whoever has the money and the heart to help them get through this period will lend a hand; as for those who can't even afford to eat, we won't force them, they should just take care of their own food first."

"As an elder, I'll take the lead and make a statement—I'll temporarily set aside ten yuan each month to buy grain and distribute it to these three households."

If you can help, lend a hand; if you can't, it's not your fault.

As soon as he finished speaking, He Yuzhu felt a jolt in his heart and cursed inwardly: That old fox!

If you don't call it an apportionment, every word is forcing people to hand over money; if you call it a charitable donation, that phrase "help if you can" is like a soft knife held to your throat—if you don't pay, you're cold-blooded!

He Yuzhu didn't want to get involved in the Jia family's mess, but unfortunately, he was the most sought-after person in the entire hospital.

Although his salary wasn't disclosed, the aroma of stewed meat wafting from his room every night was enough to make the neighbor's kids drool and peek over the wall.

Who doesn't know that Sha Zhu is living a really comfortable life?

Just then, Liu Haizhong coughed twice, stepped forward, and sighed dramatically: "I'm under even more pressure than Lao Yi... but as the second uncle, I can't just talk the talk without walking the walk."

"I grit my teeth and squeeze out eight yuan a month, which is my way of doing my part for the neighbors."

"Good! Second Uncle is righteous!"

"That's impressive! Uncle Er has a lot of mouths to feed, yet he still manages to spend money. He's really got a sense of style!"

"I really misunderstood him before..."

Hearing the praise from the courtyard house, Liu Haizhong's eyebrows lifted, and he was overjoyed—this wave of praise had boosted his prestige to the maximum!

But no one knew that of those eight yuan, five were "sponsorships" that Yi Zhonghai had secretly given him.

He only paid three yuan himself, yet he earned a reputation for "generosity" and gained five favors for free—it's an amazing move!

As for Yi Zhonghai, although it appeared to be eighteen yuan, he had already planned it out. Since the black market grain price was fluctuating greatly and he was in charge of all the grain purchases, he could get away with spending twelve yuan even if it appeared to be eighteen yuan on paper.

He pocketed the remaining six pieces without anyone noticing.

What's even more ingenious is that he had the final say on the distribution of grain—on the surface, he treated everyone equally, but behind the scenes, he would give the Jia family an extra half ladle, and who could possibly find out?

Less money spent, better treatment for the apprentice's family, and a great reputation—killing three birds with one stone, very secure!

As soon as Liu Haizhong stopped speaking, Yi Zhonghai immediately turned to He Yuzhu, his eyes half-smiling and half-smiling: "Silly Zhu, you also grew up in this courtyard. You're neighbors all the time."

If we can lend a hand, we will; everyone will remember your kindness. If you're truly in a difficult situation, we won't force you.

Before he finished speaking, the entire courtyard fell silent, and everyone's eyes were fixed on He Yuzhu.

Who doesn't know? These days, the wealthiest man in the courtyard is He Yuzhu!

The aroma of braised pork that wafts out through the cracks in the window every night is enough to steal your soul.

Unfortunately, very few people have ever eaten his lunchbox.

"Brother Zhuzi..." Qin Huairu's eyes reddened, her voice trembling, and she gently stroked her belly with one hand, "Please help me, I'll never forget this..."

A pregnant woman pleading with tears in her eyes is incredibly moving.

He Yuzhu felt a wave of nausea rush to his head—this whole drama must have been rehearsed long ago! It was probably Yi Zhonghai who orchestrated it behind the scenes!

He sneered and said decisively, "Fine, then I'll deliver a lunchbox to Old Lady Li and Old Wang's family every day."

If I can't get the lunchbox back, I'll cook some food myself and bring it over.

Qin Huairu was stunned. Her tears hadn't even dried yet, but her heart had already turned cold.

Old Mrs. Li and the Wang family both have children, so what about the Jia family?

"Pillar...our family..." she hurriedly asked.

"There's nothing I can do." He Yuzhu spread his hands, his tone calm but not argumentative. "I only have two lunchboxes. I can't just conjure up a third one out of thin air, can I? Besides—Grandma Li doesn't have a job and barely makes ends meet with odd jobs on the street; Uncle Wang doesn't have a formal job and supports his family entirely by carrying heavy loads."

But what about your family?

His gaze sharpened, and his voice suddenly became clear: "Jia Dongxu is a level three fitter, and he has a level seven master over him, earning over forty a month! Sister-in-law Jia, your family is much better off than these two, isn't it? You can't even endure this little bit of hardship, yet you want to compete with impoverished families for a bite to eat?"

As soon as these words were spoken, a low murmur of discussion arose in the courtyard.

"Well, that makes sense... There are indeed people from the Jia family who work."

"The Li and Wang families are the truly impoverished ones; the neighborhood committee prioritizes them when assigning tasks."

"Shazhu's distribution is fair."

Upon hearing that she hadn't gotten the lunchbox, Jia Zhangshi became agitated and jumped up, ready to start cursing, her voice rising three-tenths of its normal volume:

"Old Jia! Come up here quickly—"

"Even if you dug Old Master Jia and Old Master Jia out of their graves, I still won't have a third lunchbox! Besides, Third Uncle," He Yuzhu sneered, his gaze fixed on Yi Zhonghai, "wouldn't this count as the feudal superstition you were shouting about overthrowing a while ago? Should I go to the neighborhood committee right now and report that Jia Zhangshi is practicing summoning the dead?"

The last sentence was like a stone thrown into water, instantly creating ripples.

Yan Bugui's eyes suddenly lit up. He immediately grabbed Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong's arms and said in a low voice, "That's right! Old Yi, Old Liu, Jia Zhangshi is clearly crossing the line! If the higher-ups find out, the three of us will be blamed for covering it up. At best, we'll get a public reprimand; at worst, we'll have to write self-criticisms and go to study sessions!"

Yi Zhonghai's face immediately darkened, and he cursed Jia Zhangshi's ancestors for eighteen generations in his heart - a bunch of good-for-nothings who are more than good at ruining things! But he still had to keep the situation in check, waving his hand to Yan Bugui and putting on a peacemaker's act: "It's not that serious, Lao Yan, don't make a big deal out of it."

"My sister-in-law was just confused in her haste and spoke without thinking... Sister-in-law!" He suddenly turned and glared at Jia Zhangshi, his tone suddenly becoming stern, "Aren't you going to apologize right now? If you keep being stubborn, someone will really report you, and tomorrow you'll be sent to the cowshed for ideological reform!"

These words sound gentle, but they actually contain a sharp edge.

Who reported it? Wasn't it one of the people present? But if you still hold a grudge after she apologized, then you're deliberately nitpicking, and who will dare to help you in the future?

Madam Jia trembled, her lips quivered, and she withdrew her hand, which had been about to chant incantations to summon the soul.

Dozens of eyes were staring at her from all around, making her feel a chill run down her spine.

After a long pause, he finally managed to utter a dry "I'm sorry," his face contorted like a bitter gourd, as he retreated step by step to the corner of the wall.

But the look in her eyes before she left was like a knife stabbing into He Yuzhu's face—resentment, bitterness, and pure hatred.

For no other reason than that he refused to give the Jia family a lunchbox.

With the storm temporarily subsided, Yi Zhonghai immediately put on a kind face, turned to He Yuzhu, and said earnestly, "Silly Zhu, don't take it too seriously."

It's understandable that the older woman is anxious about her child.

"Look...you're such a good cook, could you think of a way to nourish Banggeng and the baby in her belly?"

He Yuzhu almost burst out laughing.

This old man has a skin thicker than a city wall.

He slowly said, "Sure, sir, you give me twenty yuan a month, and I'll cook for them myself, adding a hearty dish every day, like braised pork or stewed pork hock, how about that? I guarantee they'll get enough nutrition."

"Twenty yuan?" Yi Zhonghai's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and he choked on his words.

He was so reluctant to part with even eight pieces of paper that he only reluctantly took it out because of his apprentice.

This kid is asking for twenty yuan a day, which is more expensive than hiring a head chef at a state-run restaurant!

Feeling embarrassed, he forced a smile and managed to squeeze out two words: "Silly Zhu... this twenty..."

"Don't complain about the price." He Yuzhu interrupted directly, his tone turning cold. "After I take the money, I still have to run errands to buy groceries and cook at home. It will take at least two hours a day."

Why don't you take a stroll through the state-run canteen? How much does a meat dish cost? How many meat coupons? I have twenty yuan, without coupons, enough for thirty days of meat dishes! You do the math, on the market you might not even be able to buy pork without coupons for 1.5 yuan a pound, good quality fat pork is 1.2 yuan, and on the black market it's even worse, 2 yuan and up!

After he finished speaking, the courtyard fell silent.

Everyone knew in their hearts that he was telling the truth.