I Have a Lake as I Walk Through the Courtyard

Jia Zhangshi's baseless accusations enraged the usually composed Yang Laowu! If this accusation were even remotely attached, it would affect his son's career. Years of experience as a fitter had made Yang Laowu suddenly quiet down. The oppressive atmosphere was like a volcano about to erupt, and the neighbors in the courtyard, sensing something was wrong, gradually quieted down as well.

Yang Laowu's gaze was like a death stare, and Jia Zhangshi, who had been chattering incessantly, couldn't help but swallow hard under that gaze. "What are you looking at? Did I hit the nail on the head?"

"Heh, very good! I originally thought you were just a little greedy and selfish, but I didn't expect you to be truly wicked, wicked to the bone! For your own little bit of benefit, you can disregard other people's reputations, even at the cost of damaging your daughter-in-law's reputation. In your heart, what is the most important thing?"

Yang Laowu glared at Jia Zhangshi with eyes like knives, his imposing aura causing Jia Zhangshi to involuntarily back away. "I hope your mouth is still as stubborn as it is tomorrow! Just you wait!"

After saying that, Yang Laowu turned and went back into the house without looking back, leaving a group of neighbors looking at each other in bewilderment. "Old woman Jia, you really don't know what to say! You've pushed Master Yang, who has such a good temper, to this point!"

"Yes, that old woman is awful! She's spouting complete nonsense!"

Most of the workers in the courtyard were from the workshop. During this period, Yang Laowu was genuinely teaching skills in the workshop, and many people were hoping to learn something useful to improve their skills when they took the grading exam in October. Seeing Yang Laowu suffer a loss, they all glared at Jia Zhangshi with anger in their eyes.

Upon seeing this, Jia Zhangshi's heart skipped a beat. "What's all the noise about? Am I wrong?" Jia Zhangshi said, putting her hands on her hips and walking back into the house like a proud rooster, though she looked more like she was bluffing than anything else.

Qin Huairu had a cold smile on her lips. Without Yi Zhonghai, if Yang Laowu continued to act so fairly, the role of this mother-in-law would be meaningless!

"Your mother-in-law has gone a bit too far this time!" Sha Zhu whispered, watching Qin Huairu's constantly changing expression. Although he didn't respect Yang Laowu as much as Yi Zhonghai, he liked the man's temperament.

"When has she ever not gone too far?" Qin Huairu subconsciously rubbed her aching arms. "You should get some rest too. The work in the workshop is getting heavier and heavier, and I'm sleepy too!"

Xu Damao quietly crept up to Lin Feng's side. "That old woman is too reckless! She really thinks being an eighth-grade worker is just for show! Do you think Qin Huairu will face retaliation when we go to the workshop tomorrow?"

Lin Feng shook his head. "Master Yang is different from Yi Zhonghai. Besides his love of good food, there's nothing else about the yard that he cares about!"

"Great! You figured out Yi Zhonghai's intentions!"

Lin Feng rolled his eyes. "Only an idiot wouldn't see that!"

Xu Damao grabbed Lin Feng, who was about to go back inside. "How about we get together tomorrow? Brother, I still have two old hens at home..."

Lin Feng unconsciously swallowed after hearing this; Nan Yi's cooking was simply irresistible. "Isn't it a bit much if we do this every day?"

"Tch, what's there to be afraid of? Besides the Jia family, who else in this courtyard would beg and plead for food? It's not like we can't afford it, we're just reluctant to part with it. What's it to them?"

Lin Feng's eyes darted around. "How about we call Old Yang along too?"

"That's great!" Xu Damao pondered for a moment. "Let's take some things tomorrow and have Nan Yi go and invite him; that kid has enough influence!"

"It's settled then!"

The next morning, Yang Laowu, seething with anger, went to Sister Hua. "You're the women's chairperson in the factory; there's something you can't ignore."

"Hehe, Master Yang! I've figured it out. You only talk to the Women's Chairwoman when you need something, otherwise you ignore her completely. So, what's up?"

"It's all because of your precious apprentice!" Old Yang recounted what happened yesterday. "Not only yesterday, but I've heard quite a bit since I came here. Your apprentice is a perfect example of someone tormented by a wicked mother-in-law. No wonder she can't concentrate on her work. If you had a mother-in-law like that, you wouldn't be able to concentrate on work either, constantly being forced to seduce men and take advantage of them! How could your mind not be distracted?"

Sister Hua stared intently at Yang Laowu for a full ten minutes, making him extremely uncomfortable. "You think I don't know about Qin Huairu's affair? You think you can use me as a tool? Dream on!"

Yang Laowu gave Hua Jie a disdainful look. "You always say women hold up half the sky, but when it comes to real things, you chicken out. Don't forget she's still your apprentice."

"Don't try to label me. They haven't said anything themselves, so how can I get involved? Even an upright official has trouble settling family disputes."

Yang Laowu looked at this shrewd woman, who was as clever as a monkey. "If you don't take care of this, I'll go find Director Yang! Otherwise, I can't stand staying in this yard for even a minute longer! Even eating a meal is a nightmare!"

Qin Huai finished a first-level workpiece. Under Yang Laowu's tutelage, he has made rapid progress and his hands are much steadyer. After placing the qualified workpiece, he glanced at the two people not far away from time to time. When he saw the two leaving the workshop one after the other, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he expected, Yang Laowu did not take his anger out on him!

"Xiao Qin, you've made great progress."

Qin Huairu, preoccupied with her own thoughts, looked up, her eyes filled with wariness. "Guo Da Piezi, what are you doing here?"

Guo Da Piezi chuckled. "There's meat in the workshop today, want me to treat you?"

Just as Qin Huairu hesitated, several female workers surrounded her. "Guo the Big Foolish One, your abacus beads are almost hitting our faces! If you really want to treat us, do you want me to help you spread the word?"

"No, no, no! Ladies, I was just trying to lighten the mood because it was a bit dull. You all go about your business!"

"Pah! You old lecher! I'll tell his wife to teach him a lesson tonight!" A middle-aged woman shouted as she watched Guo Da Piezi's retreating figure, and many workers in the workshop covered their mouths, trying their best to suppress their laughter.

"Qin Huairu, Sister Hua specifically told us to keep an eye on you, to learn from Yang Laowu well, and to make us women proud!"

"I understand, Sister Zhao! I'll definitely do my best!" Qin Huairu swallowed hard, realizing she was being targeted.

After listening to Yang Laowu's complaints, Director Yang angrily slammed his fist on the table. His reaction was so strong that Sister Hua was completely dumbfounded.

"Master Yang, is everything you said true?"

"Of course it's true! I vouch for it with my reputation as a level eight worker!"

"Good, very good! We're all liberated now, and this kind of thing still happens!" Director Yang said, looking at Sister Hua. "This falls right into the scope of your women's work. I'll speak to Director Wang of the street office; you two should work together to handle this matter properly. We can't let the workers suffer! Her mother-in-law's behavior has seriously affected her and the residents' work and lives; we must deal with it severely!"

Hearing Director Yang's words, Sister Hua was a little puzzled. "Old Yang, isn't it a bit much to ask us to go along with the neighborhood committee? After all, it's their private matter!"

"What family trouble? Master Yang has come to me to complain about it all! This is no small matter! If you handle it well, I'll give your women's organization a good talking-to throughout the factory!" Factory Director Yang thought for a moment. "Perfect for setting an example!"

Sister Hua gasped in shock after hearing this. This was putting Qin Huairu in a very difficult position! Thinking of this, Sister Hua looked at Yang Laowu. Sure enough, the factory director's darling was an eighth-grade worker.