The Life of a Son-in-Law in a Courtyard House

Yan Bugui's gaze lingered on the departing Director Wang.

I feel really upset.

Yang Dalin received another big bag of things today, and he could only let it go without giving some to the elders in the courtyard to try.

He lent him money, I helped you financially, and you have something good but instead of sharing it with the person who helped you, you donate it to the street, to strangers?

Yan Bugui didn't understand, and he was also jealous.

Yan Bugui's small eyes darted around, and he decided to stir up trouble by finding two people to form an alliance and put Yang Dalin in a difficult position.

Yan Bugui pulled Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong aside and invited them to the Yan family home. The rest of the Yan family members were ushered to another room by Yan Bugui.

Liu Haizhong disliked Yan Bugui's manner. As soon as he arrived at Yan's house, he asked, "What's going on? Old Yan, you're being so mysterious."

Seeing that Yi Zhonghai was also getting impatient, Yan Laokou quickly closed the door and said, "I have something to discuss with you. Come, come, have a seat."

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong had no choice but to sit down, after all, they were both over forty years old.

Even if they dislike Yan Bugui, they will still give him some face and won't directly break off relations or embarrass him.

Yan Bugui whispered mysteriously, "You two lent money to Yang Dalin, right?"

"Were we the three of us who lent him the most?"

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong said at the same time, "Yes, what's wrong?"

Yan Bugui then said, "What else is wrong? Something terrible has happened, you two."

Liu Haizhong's attention was drawn: "What's wrong? Why are you so startled?"

Yi Zhonghai said impatiently, "Old Yan, if you have something to say, say it. If not, we're going home for dinner. We're starving after a long day of work. Hurry up."

Yan Bugui looked up at the direction of the bedroom. Seeing that the other members of the Yan family were not paying attention, he whispered, "The three of us are Yang Dalin's biggest creditors, right? We lent him so much money and helped him through such a big crisis."

He's also one of his elders in the neighborhood. You know, we lent him so much money, and he got such good things, but instead of thanking the three of us, he just gave them to Director Wang of the neighborhood office, to a stranger. That's a bit unreasonable, isn't it?

We three aren't exactly rolling in dough either; we're not rich. We had to squeeze out every penny to lend him the money. Don't you think Yang Dalin is a bit ungrateful?

Isn't this going a bit too far? Doesn't it show that you don't respect the three of us?

Whether we want a gift or not is our business, but whether or not to give one is Yang Dalin's decision, right?

At the very least, they should bring something to show the three of us, even if we don't want it.

As it turned out, we didn't see anything at all; he simply donated it to Director Wang as a good Samaritan.

"Isn't this treating the three of us, the elders who have lent him the most money, too casually?"

Yi Zhonghai glanced at Liu Haizhong, who was somewhat persuaded by Yan Bugui, coughed, stood up, and pointed directly at Yan Bugui's nose, saying, "Yan Bugui, Yan Bugui, what kind of twisted logic is this?"

Didn't they say that day that whoever could lend money would go to their house? We were all willing to lend money that day; they didn't come to us begging.

Also, didn't everyone who lent you money receive a small bag of dried seafood? Don't tell me your family didn't get any.

Finally, it's their own property, they can give it to whomever they want, what's it to you? According to you, you lent them money, so they owe you a huge favor, and while they haven't paid you back, they're sending you something nice to thank you, right?

The IOU that Da Linzi signed with you specifies how many years it will take to pay off.

Have people been sending you gifts all these years?

How can you be so shameless, Yan Bugui? I never realized you were such a shrewd schemer.

Even if someone has some feelings for you, you'll still manage to take them all away through your schemes.

"Old Liu, let's go home. Let's ignore this heartless teacher."

When Liu Haizhong heard Yi Zhonghai's second sentence, he realized what was going on.

Yes, I lent it to them myself, and they even gave me some dried seafood in return.

Yang Dalin received another award this time and didn't want to be high-profile, but both of them were praised quite a bit by Director Wang.

It's even better if Director Wang praises it. Not to mention, Yang Dalin even gave each of them a pack of cigarettes, which they still carry in their pockets.

Old Yi is right. Old Yan is truly ruthless; he's always scheming to take advantage of others.

I was so narrow-minded when I worked with him before.

Liu Haizhong also suddenly stood up, pointed at Yan Bugui's nose and said, "Old Yan, I really didn't expect you to be such a scheming person. Old Yi is right, you really don't know what's good for you, you're utterly black-hearted. I'm ashamed to be associated with you."

"Let's go, Lao Yi, go home for dinner. Honestly, you're keeping us from having dinner."

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizi opened the door and slipped away.

Yan Bugui was dumbfounded. Didn't he just see that Liu Haizhong had been persuaded?

Why are they both here with me all of a sudden?

I was right.

But it wasn't appropriate for her to go out and continue the struggle with the two people, so she could only watch them leave.

After Liu Haizhong came out, he said to Yi Zhonghai, "Old Yan, sigh, why is he always thinking about scheming to take other people's things?"

How come I never realized he was this kind of person before?

Yi Zhonghai stopped, took out a pack of cigarettes that Yang Dalin had just given him, tore it open, handed one to Liu Haizhong, lit it, took a puff, and said, "Him? He used to be a bit more careful when he was a big shot, and he cared about his reputation. Now he doesn't care at all and only thinks about scheming to take other people's things."

When you're alone with him in the future, try to pay less attention to him. He has a lot of fallacies, so don't let him lead you astray.

If we go to Dalinzi's house with him today, do you believe that by tomorrow the neighborhood will spread the word that the three of us are disrespectful to our elders, bullying others and taking advantage of kindness?

Then we'll have made a huge fool of ourselves in front of Director Wang.

We were just praised today.

Dalinzi called the two of us aside to talk about his donation; he still respects us a lot.

"We just didn't call Lao Yan. Lao Yan is resentful; he wants to use us to his advantage to control Da Linzi, and he wants something in return."

Liu Haizhong exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "Indeed, Dalinzi is a kind and thoughtful kid. We're not lacking in that kind of thing. Just now, I almost got dragged into a ditch by Old Yan. I'll be more careful in the future and try not to pay attention to him."

I don't want to talk to him anymore. What kind of elder is he who's always scheming to take things from other people's children? I'm increasingly disgusted with him.

Knowing he had achieved his goal, Yi Zhonghai gestured for him to leave and said, "It's good that you understand. Let's go home and have dinner."

The two then went home one after the other.

When Liu Haizhong arrived home, he saw that the meal was ready. At the dinner table, he said, "Before we eat, I have something to say: you should have less contact with the Yan family in the future."

Guangfu, Guangtian, you two, you should also stay away from the Yan family kids, understand?

"Okay, Dad."

"Guangfu, you and Dalinzi from the front yard are about the same age. Go visit him more often and get along well with him."

Stop wasting your time playing around. Look at what he did at sixteen, and then look at you!

Liu Guangfu knew that he had to listen to his father and not talk back, or he would get a beating.

So Liu Guangfu readily replied, "Yes, I understand, Dad."