Courtyard House: In this life, I have a new home!

The deaf old woman's voice sounded strange and sarcastic, "Whether it's killing him or making him obedient."

Yi Zhonghai glanced at the deaf old woman but didn't say anything. He was thoroughly fed up with the old woman. Now that her status as a recipient of the "Five Guarantees" (a government welfare program for the elderly and disabled) had been revoked, she no longer dared to flaunt her past deeds of making shoes for the most beloved people.

Anyone with a brain could tell this old man was bragging. As for the words "family of martyrs," he dared not even mention them; if word got out, the deaf old woman might get shot.

The deaf old woman clutched the money in her hand, refusing to part with a single penny, only wanting to eat Yi Zhonghai's food, and insisting on the best meals every day. What was Yi Zhonghai after?

But knowing that he still had something on him that the deaf old woman had, Yi Zhonghai could only grit his teeth and swallow his anger.

"Old Yi, you're getting angry too."

Na Yumei advised from the side, "Thinking about tomorrow is more important."

"I've spoken to everyone today, and each household said they're coming."

Yi Zhonghai shook his head with a wry smile, "That's what we say, but whether these people will follow our plan after coming here to freeload is really hard to say."

The deaf old woman muttered to herself, "Never mind, tomorrow's matter is a done deal."

"Zhu Zi is really something. Why did he have to provoke that bastard Xu Damao? Wouldn't it have been better to just come home and have dinner earlier?"

Sha Zhu went straight to the hospital after get off work to see Xu Damao.

He was empty-handed, carrying nothing with him.

After circling the ward several times, I finally found Xu Damao's bed.

Xu Fugui stood by, his face long and drawn.

Xu Damao lay there, one leg in a cast and hanging high, staring blankly at the ceiling, his face full of despair.

"Hey, Damao, I've come to see you."

Sha Zhu walked over with a grin, "Look how considerate I am, I'm the only one in the whole courtyard who cares about you, you're not very popular."

Xu Damao clenched his fists, his eyes filled with hatred, wishing he could devour Sha Zhu alive.

If I had known it would end up like this, I would never have written a letter of forgiveness for Sha Zhu. Sha Zhu should have been imprisoned for a long, gruesome time.

"Silly Zhu! You're the one who caused me to end up like this!"

Xu Damao yelled at the top of his lungs, "If it weren't for you, Ezi and I would have had a child long ago, and things wouldn't have come to this!"

Xu Fugui quickly shoved Sha Zhu: "Get out! If you don't get out, I'll call security. Are you even human?"

"Hey, what a thankless task. Da Mao, get well soon so we can all have some fun together."

Sha Zhu walked out with a smug smile.

Seeing Xu Damao's miserable state, Sha Zhu felt extremely pleased. All the pent-up frustration from his time in jail vanished in an instant.

After Sha Zhu left, Xu Damao's long face turned bright red.

"That beast is a complete scoundrel!"

After finishing his rant, Xu Fugui leaned over and asked, "Da Mao, where did you put your money? Take it out and use it. The medical bills haven't been paid yet."

"What's the big deal if I didn't pay? I'm a worker, I get most of my expenses reimbursed."

Xu Damao said, "My company has signed the papers; I'll settle the bill after I'm better."

"But you need money to recover from your injury."

Xu Fugui reminded him.

"You don't have enough money? Why don't you buy me something nice?"

Xu Damao retorted, "Do you think I'm useless, so you don't want to..."

"What nonsense are you talking about? How come you're useless?"

Xu Fugui quickly interrupted.

I genuinely felt that Xu Damao was hopeless, but I couldn't say that. I had to get my hands on that five thousand five hundred first.

"Okay, go ahead and buy it. Write down how much it costs, and I'll pay you back when I'm discharged from the hospital."

Xu Damao said angrily.

He's a wicked man by nature; he knows perfectly well what Xu Fugui is up to. He's just after that money.

"No, no, you're my son. If I don't give you my money, who else would I spend it on?"

Xu Fugui patted his chest, looking very serious.

Lying in his hospital bed, Xu Damao gritted his teeth and said, "I can get my cast removed tomorrow. I'll get a wheelchair and go home to stay there first."

Although he hid his money in a well-hidden place, people still searched his house every day.

Sha Zhu hummed a little tune as he walked back. When he passed the street corner, he saw a watermelon vendor and picked out a small one.

He thought to himself: "That deaf old woman spent five thousand yuan to get me out of trouble, she must still have gold bars hidden in her hands. I need to please her, get the money quickly, and then kick her to the curb."

Sha Zhu carried a watermelon to his doorstep and saw the deaf old woman sitting there enjoying the cool air, with an older woman chatting beside her.

Yi Zhonghai sat at the table drinking, with peanuts and braised eggplant on the table.

As soon as Sha Zhu entered the door, he smelled a seafood aroma, knowing it must be coming from Li Weidong's house. The smell made his mouth water.

"Zhu Zi is back, and he even bought a watermelon. That's great."

The deaf old woman smiled and said, "This child is thoughtful; he knows I love watermelon."

Sha Zhu carried the watermelon and walked towards them.

"watermelon!"

Banggeng rushed out of the house and, seeing the watermelon in Shazhu's hand, shouted, "Mom, Shazhu bought a watermelon!"

Banggeng had been pestering Qin Huairu to buy a watermelon, but Qin Huairu didn't have any money.

With the little money she managed to squeeze out of Jia Zhangshi, she spent 100 yuan to have someone get Banggeng out of the juvenile detention center ahead of schedule.

I sent some of the remaining money to my family, and now I only have a little over twenty yuan left. I'll have to make it until I get my salary next month.

This money would have been enough, but Banggeng is about to start school and needs to pay tuition, buy books, and get new clothes, so the money can't be spent recklessly.

No matter how much Bang Geng protested, Qin Huairu refused to buy the watermelon.

Hearing Banggeng shout that Shazhu had bought a watermelon, Qin Huairu quickly came out of the house.

Seeing the watermelon in Sha Zhu's hand, her eyes lit up: "Zhu bought a watermelon?"

"Just then, Bang Geng started clamoring for some."

Qin Huairu's voice was soft, like an invisible hand pulling Sha Zhu closer.

The deaf old woman's face darkened, and she frowned as she called out, "Zhu Zi, go cut the watermelon for Grandma."

Sha Zhu hesitated for a moment, then said to Qin Huairu, "Sister Qin, wait here, I'll cut the watermelon in half for you."

"Cut it in half?"

Banggeng exclaimed, "This little bit of watermelon isn't even enough for me by myself, and you want to cut it in half? I want the whole thing!"

Qin Huairu walked up to Sha Zhu, looking troubled, and said, "Zhu Zi, the child is making a fuss, why don't you buy it tomorrow?"

Qin Huairu moved closer to Sha Zhu, her feminine scent filling his nostrils. Sha Zhu's mind went blank for a moment, his eyes glazed over.

Qin Huairu reached out to pick a watermelon, and the back of her hand brushed against Sha Zhu's hand.

Sha Zhu, feeling dizzy, handed over the watermelon, his eyes sneaking up Qin Huairu's collar. Qin Huairu deliberately unbuttoned one of her buttons.

Once Qin Huairu carried the watermelon into the house, Sha Zhu, no longer amused, finally snapped out of his daze. Watching Qin Huairu's figure disappear through the door, Bang Geng darted inside like a gust of wind.

Sha Zhu turned around and saw the deaf old woman's face filled with disappointment.

"Grandma, I'll go buy it right now!"

Sha Zhu quickly replied, "They sell them right at the street corner."

He turned to leave, but stopped after taking only two steps. He patted his pockets and realized he was out of money. A penny couldn't buy a watermelon.

"You're a kind-hearted and filial child."

Yi Zhonghai walked over and stuffed a dollar into Sha Zhu's hand. "Go on, pick a big one. There are so many people waiting."

Seeing Banggeng happily munching on the watermelon, Yi Zhonghai felt quite satisfied. Earlier, when Banggeng had been fussing about wanting some, he felt sorry for him, but there was nothing he could do.

After Sha Zhu left, the deaf old woman sighed and said, "Zhonghai, you'd better get things done tomorrow. Otherwise, that young widow will ruin Zhuzi."

"Don't worry, he'll definitely be there tomorrow."

A hint of disdain flashed in Yi Zhonghai's eyes.

In Yi Zhonghai's mind, Sha Zhu should live with Qin Huairu. That way, Sha Zhu would raise Qin Huairu's son, which would make things much easier for Yi Zhonghai.

Qin Huairu could still use Sha Zhu as a cover to continue doing that kind of thing with Yi Zhonghai.

Even if Qin Huairu is pregnant, there's no need to worry. Whether it's Sha Zhu's child or Yi Zhonghai's, in the end, it's Sha Zhu who's the sucker who'll be raising it.

As for the relationship between the two men, Yi Zhonghai has already decided when to clarify it. He'll wait until the day he breathes his last.

After dinner, Li Weidong was knocking on those doors. Yan Jiefang happily came over to lend a hand. He and Ding Xiaojuan had already agreed to go for a walk in the park together the next day.

Chen Xiaoyu and Liu Guangtian were clearing away the dishes, looking like a young couple.

At Liu Haizhong's house, Liu Haizhong and Liu Guangqi were still drinking. There was a lot of food today, originally intended for a blind date, but they hadn't touched a single bite.

Even so, Liu Guangfu continued to eat cornbread and porridge with pickled vegetables. He wasn't given any meat or vegetables. He had long since thrown down his bowl and stormed off in a huff.

Liu Da Nao took a swig of liquor, cursing under his breath, "That bastard, he's really despicable! I don't even have a wife yet, and he's already made his move!"

Liu Haizhong waved his hand: "Alright, I'll find a matchmaker tomorrow and set you up. It's no big deal."

Liu Guangtian was pushing his bicycle, with the large rooster hanging from the handlebars. Chen Xiaoyu was carrying a cloth bag containing two cans of meat.

The two chatted and laughed as they walked through the courtyard. It was just past seven o'clock; the sun had set, but the sky was still bright.

Sha Zhu was drinking with Yi Zhonghai, while the deaf old lady was happily munching on a watermelon.

"Liu Guangtian, you little brat... who's this? Your girlfriend?"

Sha Zhu was stunned, and even dropped his chopsticks.

"Yes, we just talked about it!"

Liu Guangtian straightened his chest, grabbed Chen Xiaoyu's hand, and walked straight away.

Sha Zhu felt so bitter that he couldn't even drink anymore.

Yi Zhonghai chuckled and smoothed things over: "Silly boy, hurry up and drink your wine. Your girlfriend is coming tomorrow, so get ready."

Sha Zhu hurriedly asked, "Really? Grandpa, can you tell me what she looks like? Is there a Sister Qin...?"

"Whiter than the Qinhuai River."

Yi Zhonghai smiled.

Sha Zhu grinned and said, "Hehe, thank you, sir! I'll definitely take good care of you from now on."

He tilted his head back and downed a glass of water. "And what about her figure? What does she look like?"

"We'll find out tomorrow."

Yi Zhonghai poured himself a glass of wine. "You silly boy, how could I, an elder, go into details? Wouldn't it make me seem indecent if I said too much?"

"That's true."

Sha Zhu was itching to get back to work.

Qin Huairu came out to empty the watermelon rinds, frowned, and turned back into the house.

Madam Jia, fanning herself, said, "Your face is as long as a bitter gourd; who are you trying to fool?"

"Shazhu is going on a blind date tomorrow, introduced by an old man."

Qin Huairu frowned.

Madam Jia suddenly exploded in anger: "You...you still want to marry him?"

"What are you saying, Mother-in-law? Even if I remarry, I still wouldn't look down on someone like him."

Qin Huairu, a bit arrogant, continued, "If he gets married, he definitely won't support our family anymore."

"That's right! Sha Zhu can't get married! That old coffin-stuffer Yi Zhonghai is just wasting his time!"

Jia Zhangshi gritted her teeth.