The entire courtyard is full of villains

"No, no!" Madam Jia immediately shook her head, her head bobbing like a rattle. "They only gave us half a pound of meat and a pound of flour, just enough dumplings for our family. If we go to their house, I know that old deaf woman in the backyard. Don't let her age fool you, she eats meat like a madwoman! Plus that good-for-nothing He Yushui and that silly Zhu... If we give away half a pound of meat, we won't even get a drop of oil! Tell her not to dream about it, we'll just spend the New Year at home!"

"Mom, my master said that our family only needs to provide flour and cabbage, and he and Shazhu will provide the meat."

"That won't do!" Madam Jia argued firmly. "I was hoping to have some plain white flour dumplings! If we take them all out, we'll probably have to eat mixed flour dumplings again!"

Qin Huairu objected: "How much does cabbage cost? Can't we just pay less for the flour? Zhu Zi works in the kitchen, and during the New Year, he cooks special meals for the leaders. He might even get some extra money. If we contribute some flour and cabbage, we can have a good meal together. Besides, this year, if it weren't for the old lady speaking up for us, and if it weren't for my master's efforts, would we have been able to keep our jobs? You keep refusing to give him face. Aren't you afraid of upsetting my master?"

"Hmm... well, then go ahead!" Jia Zhangshi replied impatiently.

"Okay, I'll tell my master later."

Just as Qin Huairu was about to turn around, Jia Zhangshi grabbed her arm: "Huairu, since the meat is from our family... how about we make some braised pork for dinner?"

"Mom, if we eat this half-pound of meat now, what will we have left for the New Year?"

"Just eat a little first, cut off two ounces, and save three ounces for the New Year, is that alright?"

Just then, Banggeng rushed in from outside, shouting, "Mom! I heard the factory is giving out meat? I want braised pork! I haven't had it in ages!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Jia beamed with joy: "Qin Huairu, did you hear that? My eldest grandson wants to eat meat!"

"Fine, fine, I got it," Qin Huairu replied irritably. She had intended to save the meat for the New Year, but these two good-for-nothings in her family couldn't even wait a little while.

She turned to leave, and Jia Zhangshi called after her, "Where are you going?"

"What for? I'm going to buy some scallions, ginger, and garlic! Otherwise, how am I going to make braised pork?"

"Then hurry up, hurry up!" Upon hearing that the meat was about to be put into the pot, Madam Jia's face immediately turned kind and gentle.

In the manufacturing workshop, Zhang Erhe accompanied Wu Liqun to check all the machines. The power was turned off where necessary. After confirming that everything was in order, the two left the workshop and locked the door tightly.

"Let's go, Erhe," Wu Liqun called out, "Did you get your meat yet?"

Zhang Erhe waved the cloth bag in his hand: "I already received it; my colleagues in the workshop brought it back for me."

"Alright, you've done a good job for the factory this time."

"Master," Zhang Erhe said in a low voice, "remember to leave the door open for me tonight."

"I know. Be careful. Or... should I have your junior brother go with you?"

“No,” Zhang Erhe quickly waved his hand, “Junior Brother is too honest. It would be inconvenient for him to follow me. If something goes wrong, it will be even more troublesome. You should just wait at home.”

Just as the two reached the factory gate, Li Huaide's secretary, Wang Chao, hurriedly chased after them, shouting, "Director Zhang! Director Zhang, please wait!"

Zhang Erhe turned around and saw it was him. He casually took out a cigarette case from his pocket and handed one to Wang Chao. Wang Chao briskly took it and tucked it behind his ear, then quickly said, "Director Li would like to invite you to his office."

Unable to refuse, Zhang Erhe had no choice but to follow Wang Chao toward the office building.

"Erhe's here! Come in and have a seat!" Li Huaide was writing at his desk when he saw Zhang Erhe come in. He immediately put down his pen and stood up to greet him. "Xiao Wang, go make some tea! Use the box of Biluochun tea from under my cabinet!"

"Yes!" Wang Chao responded crisply and turned to prepare.

Li Huaide stepped forward and patted Zhang Erhe on the shoulder, his tone sincere: "I really have to thank you for this! You have no idea, I was scolded by the workers the other day and I couldn't even lift my head. Today, hearing the cheers in the workshop, I finally feel at ease and can finally give myself an explanation!"

“Brother Li, you’re being too formal,” Zhang Erhe laughed. “Why make such a big deal out of things between us brothers?”

"Haha, I was being too polite," Li Huaide laughed. "Your sister-in-law really liked the things you had sent over the other day. I have to go to my father-in-law's house on the first and second days of the Lunar New Year. Come to our house on the third night, and we brothers will have a good drink together. I'll introduce you to your sister-in-law."

“Okay, I’ll follow Brother Li’s arrangements.” Zhang Erhe said, taking out two packs of white cigarettes from his bag and handing them over. “These are from a friend in Shanghai. They’re for export, for higher-ups. They have filters and the taste is really good. I kept a few packs for you to try. Consider it my early New Year’s greetings.”

"Oh, Erhe, look at you... I haven't even prepared anything for you yet, and you've already brought it to me!" Li Huaide took the cigarette and was weighing it when Wang Chao brought in tea. The two then changed the subject and started chatting about other things at the factory.

After sitting for about fifteen minutes, Zhang Erhe glanced at his watch and said, "Brother Li, I have to go pick up my wife and kids. I still have some things to take care of at home."

"Okay, it's settled then. I'll be waiting for you at home on the evening of the third day of the Lunar New Year!"

In the west wing of a traditional courtyard house in Yu'er Hutong, Guan Xue sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed), carefully instructing her mother, Guan Baishi:

"Mom, remember, don't tell anyone about the meat and flour. Save them for when we make dumplings on New Year's Eve."

Guan Bai lowered her head and softly hummed in agreement.

At this moment, Guan Linpeng walked in from outside and interrupted irritably: "Sister, don't you know what kind of person Mom is? The moment you leave the house, Dad might secretly take that meat and sell it for money, or go to the card table to gamble!"

Upon hearing this, Guan Xue frowned, a rare occurrence for her: "He wouldn't dare? If he dares to run that way again, I'll have Erhe break his legs!"

“Oh dear—what are you saying?” came Old Guan’s leisurely voice from outside the door. He led Zhang Jiao in and strolled in. “Let’s see if Zhang Erhe dares to touch me? Hit his father-in-law? He’s gone too far!”

Guan Linpeng chimed in detachedly, "Dad, have you forgotten? Didn't you interrupt me once before?"

"Back then, he hadn't even married your sister yet! I wasn't his father-in-law!" Old Guan was hit where it hurt and became a little embarrassed and angry.

Guan Xue ignored his excuses and coldly stated, "I'll say it one last time: if you dare to go to those places again, or touch gambling equipment again, I won't stop Erhe. Let him break your legs so you can rest and recover at home. At worst, I'll give Erhe two more sons. He's very capable; he can definitely support my mother and my brother."

"Ouch..." Old Guan shrank his neck, picked up Zhang Jiao beside him, and pretended to be pitiful, "Jiaojiao, listen to this, your mother said she's going to break Grandpa's legs, Grandpa is so scared..."

To everyone's surprise, Zhang Jiao blinked her big eyes and said seriously, "Grandpa, Mom and Dad are good people. If they say they're going to break your legs, it must be because you did something bad." She held up four little fingers and said earnestly, "Jiaojiao is four years old. She knows that doing bad things will get you punished. Why don't you understand?"

"You ungrateful little thing!" Old Guan feigned anger, gently pinching her cheek. "Grandpa has always been so good to you! Taking you to play with the birds, watch the fish, and stroll around the garden. How could you still take the side of those two ungrateful people? Grandpa has really spoiled you for nothing!"

Although Old Guan was unreliable, he was skilled at everything from entertaining birds and fish to soothing children when he was young. He also had his own way of coaxing kids. He and Zhang Jiao had always gotten along well, so he wasn't really angry about being "betrayed" by the little girl. He just shook his head and acted with great enthusiasm.

Chapter 81 Give Me an Explanation

The grandfather and grandson were playing happily when the door was suddenly interrupted by a series of loud banging noises.

"Who is it?" Guan Linpeng put down what he was holding and called out as he walked out. But the person outside didn't answer; instead, the banging on the door became even more violent, making the door rattle loudly.

Old Guan's eyes suddenly darted around, as if he had suddenly remembered something. He hurriedly shoved Zhang Jiao into Guan Xue's arms, turned to Guan Baishi, and whispered urgently, "Just say I'm not here!" As soon as he finished speaking, he had already slipped into the toilet.

"Mother..." Guan Xue held the child, her voice tight, "Is my father out again...?"

Before he could finish speaking, with a loud crash, the wooden door was kicked open, and several men with cigarettes in their mouths and cotton-padded coats draped askew rushed in, shouting, "Old Guan! Where the hell have you been?"

"What do you want with my father?" Guan Linpeng stepped forward to stop them, but was shoved hard by the leader and fell to the ground with a thud. The group didn't care, lifted the curtain and rushed into the inner room. When they saw Guan Xue on the kang (a heated brick bed), their eyes lit up instantly, and they chuckled, "Oh ho, old Guan is something else, keeping a mistress at his age?"

"What nonsense are you talking about! This is my sister!" Guan Linpeng scrambled to his feet and rushed into the house, blocking Guan Xue and her mother's path. His face flushed, he pushed them out, "Get out! You ill-mannered fools, who gave you permission to barge into the inner room?"

The leader wasn't annoyed. His gaze remained fixed on Guan Xue, and he grinned crookedly, "Is this Old Guan's daughter? She's quite pretty." He flicked his cigarette ash, his tone turning serious, "Where's Old Guan? When are you going to pay us back? The end of the year is just around the corner. What's that old saying? Debts don't last past the New Year!"

As he spoke, he gestured with his chin toward Guan Linpeng: "Guy, with Old Guan gone, the son has to pay for the father's debts. Shouldn't you help settle the accounts?" Although he was speaking to Guan Linpeng, his eyes never left Guan Xue.

"Go find him to settle his debts!" ​​Guan Linpeng shouted, his neck stiff. "Besides, his debts are gambling debts, not mine!"

The leader of the men laughed and turned to Guan Xue, his tone flippant: "Little sister, since your brother is unwilling to pay, why don't you pay the debt for him?"

Guan Xue's face turned ashen with anger as she gripped Zhang Jiao tightly in her arms: "He's been broke for ages! Who told you to lend him money for gambling debts? We're not responsible for that money!"

"Oh, you're not going to do anything about it?" The leader's face darkened, and he gave his subordinates a wink. "Then we're in trouble."

Several henchmen immediately scattered and began searching the courtyard. A moment later, two men returned carrying Old Guan, covered in dirt, and shouted gruffly, "Boss, this old bastard was hiding behind the toilet! If it weren't for Little Liu's sharp eyes, he would have gotten away!"

Old Guan forced a smile and cupped his hands in greeting to the leader: "Master Li, didn't we say we'd wait until after the New Year..."

"Slap!" A crisp slap landed on Old Guan's face. The leading man roared, "How dare you call me Master Li? Who told you I promised to postpone it until after the New Year? I said I'd think about it. When did I give you permission to postpone it?"

Old Guan covered his face and hurriedly bowed again: "Master Li, please calm down! You know that at the end of the year, pawnshops lower their prices. Although I have some things at home, selling them now would be a huge loss. Please wait until after the New Year when the market improves, I'll pawn the things and return them to you immediately..."

Before he could finish speaking, "slap!" Old Guan received another solid slap across the face. "You think you're so great, huh!" The man surnamed Li grabbed him by the collar. "You think the market is good just because you say so? I could say it'll be even worse after the New Year!"

"I already promised to increase the interest rate!" Old Guan argued, covering his face, his lip bleeding.

Old Li leaned closer to him, his eyes sinister: "We've known each other for so long, I'll give you face, but you have to agree to one condition."

"W-what conditions?" Old Guan felt a sense of panic.

The man surnamed Li gestured towards the inner room, his gaze sweeping over Guan Xue's direction: "Is that your daughter inside? Let her keep us company for a few nights, and I'll let you pay me back after the New Year. If we're in a good mood, we'll even waive the interest, how about it?"

"No! Absolutely not!" Old Guan shook his head desperately, his voice trembling with tears. "My daughter is already married, Master Li, this really won't do!"

"You fucking bastard, you don't know what's good for you!" the man surnamed Li roared in anger, yelling at his men, "Hey guys, loosen up Old Guan's bones!"

"Let's see who dares to touch me again, or I'll call the police!" Guan Xue suddenly rushed out from the inner room and stood in front of Old Guan.

"Oh, I didn't expect her to be such a feisty one." The man surnamed Li raised an eyebrow, his face full of disdain. "Go ahead and report it! Paying back debts is a matter of course. Even if the police come, they'll make your dad pay it back!" He leaned closer to Guan Xue, sniffing the air. "Mmm, smells really good. Little sister, I just talked to your dad. If you keep us entertained for a few days, this money..."

"Keep dreaming!" Guan Xue shouted angrily.

Before the man surnamed Li could finish speaking, he was suddenly kicked in the chest with great force and flew out and crashed to the ground with a thud.

"Erhe!" Guan Xue was both surprised and delighted, and rushed into Zhang Erhe's arms as he rushed in.

"It's alright, you go back to the inner room first, I'll handle this." Zhang Erhe patted her back, his voice steady.

"Be careful." Guan Xue reluctantly retreated into the inner room, gripping the door frame tightly.

"It hurts so much!" Li grimaced on the ground, yelling at his men, "Are you all dead? You just watched him hit me!"

His subordinates quickly helped him up and whispered urgently in his ear, "Brother Li, this is Zhang Erhe!"

"I don't care about Zhang Erhe or Li Erhe! They're not my father, I'm not afraid of them!" This guy surnamed Li had just come to Beijing from Tianjin a few months ago on a solo mission. He got a job as a bouncer at a casino by being tough and arrogant, and he had no idea how tough things were in the city.

The subordinate inwardly curled his lip in disdain, but still patiently advised, "Brother Li, this guy is the local tyrant of Nanluoguxiang! His men are all skilled fighters, and the black market in that area used to have to give him a nod. A lot of our goods went through his channels. The boss specifically told us not to mess with him!"

"Damn it! So all that kick I took was for nothing?" the man surnamed Li cursed indignantly.

The subordinate didn't speak, but his eyes clearly told him: this kick was for nothing—he dared to provoke the Second Master's wife; he simply didn't know the meaning of death.

Having been in the underworld for many years, Li knew he couldn't let this go if he didn't admit defeat today. He had his men help him up, then bowed and walked up to Zhang Erhe, cupping his hands in a forced smile: "Second Brother..."

"You dare call me 'Second Brother'?" Zhang Erhe's eyes turned cold.

Old Li's face tightened, and he quickly changed his words: "Second Master! I was wrong today. I shouldn't have spoken so rudely to Second Madam. I'm sorry!" As he spoke, he slapped himself twice.

"For the sake of your Boss Shen, I'll make a note of this." Zhang Erhe's tone remained firm as he turned to ask, "How much does Old Guan owe you?"

"Three, three hundred and sixty!" Old Li replied, covering his face.

Old Guan, standing nearby, glared at her: "I clearly owe one hundred and forty!"

Zhang Erhe ignored the argument and stared at Old Li, saying coldly, "You look unfamiliar to me. How come I've never seen you before?"

"Yes, yes, Second Master, I haven't been in Beijing with Boss Shen for very long," Old Li said cautiously.

“No wonder.” Zhang Erhe sneered. “I warned you before that if anyone dares to lead Lao Guan to gamble or borrow money again, I’ll break their hand—didn’t you hear me?”

Old Li's face turned ashen. Just as he was about to beg for mercy, Zhang Erhe stomped down with a kick, knocking him to the ground with a thud. Then, Zhang Erhe raised his foot and stomped hard!

"Ah—!" With a shrill scream, Old Li's arm broke on the spot, and he immediately fainted.

"Take him back," Zhang Erhe said in a deep voice to the remaining thugs. "Tell your Boss Shen to give me an explanation."

Chapter 82 Keeping Promises