The entire courtyard is full of villains

"Er Gouzi, you've made something of yourself out there, you don't even recognize your own second uncle anymore?"

Yi Zhonghai was slapped across the face, his face instantly turning a deep liver color, and he didn't dare to move.

"You...you don't recognize me?" Old Man Yi suddenly straightened his hunched back and pointed to his face. "Er Gouzi, open your eyes and look! If your brother hadn't dragged you to kneel at my door back then, would I have raised you all these years?"

After saying this, the color drained completely from Yi Zhonghai's face.

He lowered his head and squeezed out two words: "...Second Uncle".

"Well, Er Gouzi, it's rare that you still recognize your second uncle." Old Man Yi sneered, "I thought that now that you've become a master chef and live in a brick house, you've forgotten your second uncle who toils in the soil."

"No, Second Uncle, I... I thought you were all taken advantage of by the little devils..."

"Shut up!" Old Man Yi interrupted him. "Back then, you instigated your brother and son to steal Wang Manyin's dog. When it was discovered, you turned around and ran away, causing them to get caught—your brother was only seventeen, and your son was only thirteen! They were whipped to death with horsewhips by Wang Manyin's henchmen on the threshing ground! All these years, have you been able to sleep at night? Don't you feel guilty?"

"I didn't, Uncle, I really didn't..."

"Alright, stop explaining. Explaining won't bring him back." Old Man Yi's voice was deep. "I'll just ask you one question: You've been successful outside for so many years, why haven't you gone home to offer incense to your ancestors? I'm not going to argue about whether you're filial to me or not, but you don't even care about your ancestors?"

Yi Zhonghai's legs went weak, and he knelt down with a thud: "Second Uncle, I didn't... I really did go back..."

"Where did you go back to?" Old Yi pressed.

Yi Zhonghai stared, unable to utter a single word.

Tan Saihua, sensing something was wrong from inside the house, quickly came out: "You are...?"

"Er Gouzi, tell her who I am."

Yi Zhonghai quickly said, "Saihua, this is our second uncle. Second uncle, this is my wife, Tan Saihua."

Yi Laonian nodded and sized up Tang Saihua a few times: "Saihua... why does that name sound so shady? Could she not be from a respectable family?"

"No, no, no, Uncle, Saihua comes from a respectable family..."

Zhang Erhe chimed in sarcastically, "Whether it's proper or not, only Yi Zhonghai knows. Anyway, if we had a hen that doesn't lay eggs, I would have chased it away long ago."

"Zhang Erhe, you!" Yi Zhonghai stood up abruptly. "My wife is older than you, so watch your mouth!"

Snapped!

He got slapped again on the face.

"Second Uncle, why did you hit me again..."

“Ergouzi,” Old Yi glared at him, “this is what happens when you have no manners. What, after being away from the village for so many years, have you forgotten the rules of your hometown?”

Yi Zhonghai covered his face: "Second Uncle, that bastard Zhang Erhe has absolutely no manners..."

Snapped!

The third slap.

After finishing his fight, Yi Laonian turned to Zhang Erhe and beckoned, "Second brother, come here."

Yi Zhonghai's ears rang: "Second...Second Uncle, what do you call him?"

"Oh, I forgot to introduce you," Yi Laonian said casually, "This is my sworn brother. Although there's a big age difference, we get along very well. Come on, Er Gouzi, call me Uncle."

Yi Zhonghai pointed to his nose, his voice trembling: "I...I'm so old, why would I call him uncle?"

“Yes,” Old Man Yi said matter-of-factly, “he and I became sworn brothers, so he’s your uncle. What, you’re young but have a high seniority, and after being away from the village for so many years, you’ve even forgotten this custom?”

Zhang Erhe crossed his arms and laughed heartily beside him: "Come on, Er Gouzi, call me Uncle."

Yi Zhonghai glanced at his second uncle, who was holding his hand up with an unquestionable expression, then at Zhang Erhe, who was beaming with pride beside him. Finally, he gritted his teeth and forced out a reluctant "Yes!"

"...Uncle."

"Hey—" Zhang Erhe responded in a drawn-out tone, taking out two fruit candies from his pocket. "My dear nephew, you're such a good boy. Here, Uncle will give you two candies to sweeten your mouth when you get home."

He handed over the candy, and Yi Zhonghai's face turned pale and then flushed, unsure whether to accept it or not. Everyone in the entire courtyard was dumbfounded.

Chapter 153 How about... we give it a try?

Zhang Erhe cupped his hands in greeting: "Alright, old brother, you must be tired from the journey today, you should get some rest. Tomorrow I'll get some good wine and food, and have Er Gouzi serve you, so we can have a good drink together."

"We absolutely have to drink it!" Old Man Yi's eyes narrowed when he heard there was good wine.

“Brother, my house is in the east wing of the front yard.” Zhang Erhe pointed in the direction. “If that Er Gouzi dares to be disrespectful to you in the slightest, just come to the front yard and find me. I’ll give him a good slap!”

"Okay, okay, good bro."

Old Man Yi turned his head and gestured towards Yi Zhonghai with his lip: "Er Gouzi, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and invite your second uncle and aunt into the house. What, not welcome?"

"No, no!" Yi Zhonghai felt uneasy being stared at by everyone in the courtyard, so he quickly stepped forward to help him up. "Second Uncle and Second Aunt, please come inside quickly, please come inside quickly."

Tan Saihua quickly stepped forward to help the old lady, saying, "Second Aunt, please take it easy."

Old Yi's wife snorted – she already resented her nephew, and by extension, she thought his wife was no good either.

After Yi Zhonghai helped the two into the house, Xu Damao approached Liu Haizhong and asked, "Uncle Liu, are we still going to the hospital?"

Liu Haizhong subconsciously shook his head: "I'm not going."

He wasn't stupid; these old men and women were clearly sent by Zhang Erhe to deal with Yi Zhonghai. Yi Zhonghai had offended Zhang Erhe before, and that man was vengeful. If he were to openly visit Yan Bugui now—who didn't know the Yan family had a grudge against Zhang Erhe? Who knew what underhanded tricks Zhang Erhe might pull next? He couldn't handle that.

Xu Damao glanced at him disdainfully: "Coward."

---

Inside the house, Yi Zhonghai had just helped Yi Laonian sit down when he anxiously asked, "Second Uncle, why...why are you here?"

"What's wrong?" Old Master Yi glanced at him. "Can't I come?"

"Yes, I can come, but... how did you know I was here?"

"Hmph, Er Gouzi, I never would have guessed." Old Yi sneered, "Back then you were quite capable, running away from the village to Fengtian, and then from Fengtian to the capital."

"Second Uncle, I'm just trying to make a living, I have no other choice..."

"Alright, I'm too lazy to argue with you. A few days ago, the police came to the village to investigate you, and that's how I found out you're not dead, you've actually made it in Beijing. I have no choice, you caused my family line to end back then, I can't stay in the village anymore, so I have no choice but to come and rely on you in my old age." Old Man Yi stared at him, "What? You don't want to take care of me? If you don't want to, I'll go find my good brother and have him get justice for me!"

"No, no, no!" Yi Zhonghai quickly waved his hands. That bastard Zhang Erhe was just waiting to watch the show; if his second uncle really went over there, who knows what dirty tricks he would pull.

He said carefully, “Second Uncle, of course I can take care of you in your old age. But as you know, there are policies in Beijing that outsiders can’t stay for long… How about this: you can stay here for a few days, and I will take good care of you. I will buy you a ticket and personally take you back. I will send you money every month from now on to ensure your peaceful old age.”

"What?!" Old Yi jumped up. "Er Gouzi, have you lost your conscience? How did I scrimp and save to raise you two brothers back then? And now you're telling me I can't stay in Beijing and you want to send me back?"

"Second Uncle, please keep your voice down..." Yi Zhonghai quickly advised, "It's not that I want to kick you out, it's just that the policy doesn't allow it. People from other places can only stay for a while, and then they'll be sent back."

"Is there really such a policy?"

"Yes, it really exists!"

“Alright, I’ll ask my brother later. He’s a leader, he knows a lot, he definitely won’t lie to me,” Old Yi said, squinting.

Yi Zhonghai felt exhausted and asked again, "Second Uncle, you came from our hometown, how did you run into Zhang Erhe?"

"Hey, I got off at Qianmen Railway Station. I didn't know anyone there, and I even ran into a pickpocket. Luckily, my good brother stepped in and caught the thief. He knew I was coming to see you, so he kindly brought me here."

"Then... how could you become sworn brothers with him?" Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but complain.

"Hey!" Old Man Yi glared at him. "You're just a junior, yet you're meddling in the affairs of the elders? I can become sworn brothers with whomever I want!"

"Second Uncle," Yi Zhonghai said with a hint of resentment, "don't you even look at his age? How old is he?"

"No matter how old he is, he's still your uncle!"

"Alright, alright, forget I wasted my breath." Yi Zhonghai waved his hand and turned to Tan Saihua, saying, "Saihua, cook a lot of food tonight to welcome your second uncle and aunt back." He then smiled apologetically and explained to Yi Laonian, "Second uncle, it's getting late, there's no time to buy anything. I'll go get some meat tomorrow, and we'll have a good meal together."

"That's more like it." Old Yi nodded listlessly.

After finishing his meal, Yi Laonian slapped off his shoes and climbed onto the kang (heated brick bed), immediately releasing a pungent smell. Tan Saihua couldn't help but frown and quietly cover her nose.

"What's wrong?" Old Master Yi, though old, had sharp eyes and immediately noticed. "Niece-in-law, are you looking down on your second uncle?"

"No, no, no, Uncle," Yi Zhonghai quickly smoothed things over, "Saihua is just feeling a little unwell."

Old Man Yi looked Tan Saihua up and down, then curled his lip: "Nephew, it's not that your second uncle is criticizing you—you should find a wife with a thick waist and a big bottom. Look at the one you found... she's pale as a ghost, doesn't look like she can have children. My good brother said she's 'unfertile' today. If you ask me, this kind of old hen should have been kicked out long ago. Why keep her at home to eat for free?"

"Second Uncle!" Yi Zhonghai was extremely anxious.

Upon hearing this, Tan Saihua burst into tears and ran to the backyard.

"Pah! What a terrible habit, crying the moment you mention it!" Old Master Yi spat. "Er Gouzi, this kind of woman is no good! Divorce her later. You're not that old yet. Your second uncle will find a matchmaker to find you a woman with a big waist and a round bottom. If you can't marry a virgin, a widow will do. At least you have to carry on the Yi family line!"

He stared at Yi Zhonghai and said, word by word, "Let me tell you, the heavy responsibility of continuing the family line rests on your shoulders! We can't let this branch of the Yi family die out in your hands!"

"Second Uncle, you can't talk nonsense!" Yi Zhonghai said urgently. "Saihua has been with me for so many years, helping to manage the household. She has worked hard even if she hasn't done anything special. If I just abandon her like this, what would that be like?"

Snapped!

Old Man Yi slammed his hand on the table: "Er Gouzi! Have you been bewitched by this stinking woman? She takes care of the household, isn't that her job? As the old saying goes, 'Of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is to have no descendants!' Are you deliberately trying to see our Yi family line die out? You...you are being unfilial!"

After saying that, he turned around and began searching around the room.

"Second Uncle, what are you looking for?"

"Find a knife!"

Why are you looking for a knife?

"I'll chop you up first, you unfilial wretch! Then you can slit your own throat and go down to complain to our ancestors!"

"Second Uncle, please stop making trouble..." Yi Zhonghai felt like he had a splitting headache.

"Am I making a fuss?" Old Master Yi retorted, his neck stiff. "I'm working hard to ensure the continuation of our Yi family line! Besides, the root of this problem is your fault—if you hadn't killed your elder brother and younger brother back then, our branch would have had three people, and the family line wouldn't have ended!"

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai immediately felt guilty and dared not utter a word.

"Uncle... this matter can't be rushed..."

"What do you mean 'can't be in a hurry'?! Your uncle is almost sixty, and you're in your late forties! If we're not in a hurry now, when will we be? When we're all dead, other families will be breaking pots and burning paper money, and what about us? Just watching helplessly? Your second aunt and I can watch, but what about our ancestors?! Yi Zhonghai, think about it carefully!"

After finishing his sentence, Yi Laonian gave a heavy "humph" and squatted down to the side, puffing on his pipe.

Yi Zhonghai imagined the scene he was describing—when he gets old, lying in bed with no one to care for him; when he dies, no one to send him off with a funeral feast; and in the afterlife, he would be scolded by his ancestors…

He was suddenly filled with panic, and one thought kept popping into his mind:

How about... Try it?

Chapter 154 Talking About ...