The entire courtyard is full of villains

Zhang Erhe looked up and saw Yi Laonian running in, his face full of excitement and his eyes red.

"Oh, dear brother,"

"Good brother, are you alright? Really alright?"

Zhang Erhe patted his chest and laughed loudly, "It was nothing serious to begin with, I'm sorry to have worried you."

"You scared me to death!" Old Man Yi slapped his thigh, still feeling lingering fear.

Zhang Erhe took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit one for himself, and tossed one to Yi Laonian, raising an eyebrow as he asked, "What's up? Er Gouzi's been picking on us again lately?"

"Oh, you're absolutely right!" Old Yi lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and immediately began to complain bitterly, "You don't know, Er Gouzi has been so smug these past two days, his tail is practically wagging in the air!"

“He keeps saying that the neighborhood committee thinks my sister-in-law and I have been living here for too long and wants to send us back! If I hadn’t stood firm and refused to budge, he might have really sent us back to the countryside!”

"Hey, this Er Gouzi really knows how to kick someone when they're down!" Zhang Erhe patted Yi Laonian on the shoulder. "Don't worry, good brother, I'll talk to the neighborhood committee later, and I guarantee no one will dare to touch you."

He paused, then pondered, "But if you want to live in the city for a long time, you still need to find a job to support yourself."

Upon hearing this, Yi Laonian quickly waved his hand and said, "I'm so old, I don't know anything, what kind of work can I find? Don't make things difficult for you, my good brother."

"No way!" Zhang Erhe waved his hand. "Finding a permanent employee might be difficult, but temporary workers are easier to find."

He thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up: "I was just planning to find my father-in-law a job as a gatekeeper. Why don't you team up with him and work as a gatekeeper together?"

"This...will this work?" Old Yi's eyes lit up, his tone full of cautious anticipation.

"Hey, what's wrong with that!" Zhang Erhe waved his hand. "As long as you two keep a close watch on the gate and don't slack off, you can definitely do this job, right?"

"Capable! Capable!" Old Yi nodded hurriedly, his wrinkles beaming with joy.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Mr. Yi, filled with joy, rushed home to share the good news with his wife.

Zhang Erhe watched his retreating figure and slapped his forehead—he had been so focused on talking about work that he forgot to ask the old man who had been gossiping about him in the courtyard these past few days.

Just as he finished feeling annoyed, he saw Yi Laonian rushing back.

He sidled up to Zhang Erhe and said, "Good brother, I almost forgot to tell you! These past few days while you were away from the hospital, there's been a lot of gossip about you around here!"

"Especially that woman with bangs, she's always jumping around and gossiping! She says you have a strange disease and deserve it! She also says you've become arrogant since becoming a cadre, treating the government car like your own every day, eating lavish meals every day, wasting resources!"

"Fish and meat?" Zhang Erhe found it somewhat amusing. When did he ever eat fish and meat at every meal?

"Anyway, she's the woman with bangs, so you'd better watch out for her!" Old Man Yi added.

"Okay, I understand, good brother." A hint of coldness flashed in Zhang Erhe's eyes, but he responded casually.

P.S.: They're reporting me for a book that's already finished? I've spent all day revising it.

Chapter 189 The Water Is Too Deep

At the alley entrance, Liu Guangtian had spent the whole day wandering around with others. By evening, he was so hungry that he slowly made his way home. He was born in 45 and had just turned 15.

But at that time, the school system was being reformed, with a 5+2 system. After seven years of schooling, he failed to get into a vocational school or a high school, so he was completely idle. At that age, people wouldn't let him do odd jobs because they thought he was too weak; he couldn't stay at home either, so he just wandered around the streets every day.

Today, like any other day, after finishing his breakfast, he stole two cigarettes from Liu Haizhong and slipped out of the house. After all, Liu Haizhong wouldn't be back for lunch, and Liu Haizhong's wife didn't know how to cook. Besides, these days food rations had been reduced again and again, and were pitifully scarce; everyone was consciously or unconsciously saving food. The families in the courtyard who worked at the steel mill mostly ate one meal a day, breakfast and dinner, since the able-bodied men ate lunch at the factory anyway.

Liu Guangtian stayed outside until almost time to cook dinner before quietly slipping back home. As for the two cigarettes he'd taken that morning, he'd already finished them. It wasn't that he didn't want to take more; it's just that Liu Haizhong only had about ten cigarettes in his pocket that morning. Taking two could get by, but taking more was definitely not an option.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw several people in Zhang Erhe's house in the east wing across the street, and then a fragrant aroma wafted over. He was a little curious: Wasn't Zhang Erhe supposed to be in the hospital? Why are there so many people? Driven by curiosity, he took two steps forward and was craning his neck to look inside when suddenly someone patted him on the back.

"Guangtian, what are you looking at?"

When Liu Guangtian turned around, he was startled to find that it was Zhang Erhe.

"Uncle Erhe!"

"What are you looking at?"

Liu Guangtian had a sudden inspiration: "I...I heard you were discharged from the hospital and wanted to come and see you."

"Oh, Guangtian actually remembered to check on your Uncle Erhe." Zhang Erhe laughed, took out a cigarette from his pocket, and tossed it to Liu Guangtian. "Alright, I'm satisfied with that thought. Take this cigarette, don't give it to your dad, understand?"

"I heard you, Uncle Erhe."

Liu Guangtian's feelings were somewhat complicated. These past few days, his mother had been badmouthing Zhang Erhe in the yard, yet Zhang Erhe was still treating him so well. He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn't mention his mother's words—after all, she was still his mother.

After he walked away, Wu Qian came out of the house and looked at Liu Guangtian's back: "Second brother, isn't that kid Liu Pangzi's second son?"

"correct."

"Liu Haizhong's wife has been saying a lot of bad things about you in the yard, and you still give his second son cigarettes? What were you thinking?"

Zhang Erhe took out another pack of cigarettes from his pocket, flicked one out and lit it: "Qian'er, don't let this kid's listless appearance fool you, let me tell you, he's a ruthless guy."

Wu Qian glanced again in the direction where Liu Guangtian disappeared: "Look at that cowardly look, he doesn't seem like a tough guy at all."

"Then you just wait and see." Zhang Erhe exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Second Brother, what should we do about Fatty Liu's family?"

"That stupid woman with bangs should drag her whole family down with her, just like Yang Ruihua. Do you know what bangs care about most?"

"To become an official?"

“That’s right.” Zhang Erhe nodded. “Destroy whatever he cares about most. Qian’er, tomorrow find a few people to inquire about Liu Haizhong’s hometown.”

Why would you want to know his hometown?

"Stop asking, you'll need this information."

"Alright," Wu Qian agreed.

The two hadn't chatted for long at the door when Sun Xiangdong arrived. The couple each rode a bicycle; Sun Xiangdong had a stub on his face, probably from another argument on the way. After getting off, Sun Xiangdong's wife came over first: "Erhe."

A little girl, about ten years old, followed beside him and whispered, "Second Uncle."

“Jingjing’s here,” Zhang Erhe squatted down and opened his arms. “Let’s see what Uncle Er has in his hands.”

Sun Jing looked up at her mother, then walked over and said, "Second Uncle, I don't know."

Zhang Erhe held two milk candies in his hand: "Here, have some."

"Thank you, Second Uncle."

Sun Xiangdong also came over. His wife glanced at him and said, "Erhe, I'm going in to talk to Guan Xue."

"Row."

Not long after, Wu Qian's wife arrived with their two children. After putting the children down, she went into the kitchen to help Guan Baishi with the chores.

"Look at her, look at her!" Sun Xiangdong said with a look of disgust. "Even the third brother's wife knows to come and help with the chores. Look at her, she comes and goes, but she just stays inside and doesn't even come out of the door. She acts like she's some kind of princess."

Zhang Erhe glanced at him, then said to Wu Qian, "Qian'er, I seem to remember someone back then who was really into this kind of thing, huh? And after getting married, they even developed some skill in housework. Who was it?"

Wu Qian remained silent, only smiling with pursed lips. Sun Xiangdong, standing nearby, grabbed Zhang Erhe by the neck: "Zhang Erhe, are you still going to accuse me of making sarcastic remarks?"

"Yeah, we tried to persuade you back then, but you were so stubborn, clinging to that deputy factory director's daughter. What, are you starting to look down on her now?"

Sun Xiangdong sighed: "It's not that I dislike it, it's just that..."

"Brother, are your wife and aunt still at odds?" Wu Qian asked.

“Absolutely,” Sun Xiangdong said with a wry smile. “You know my mother’s old traditions; she absolutely has to have a grandson. And your sister-in-law isn’t one to let things go. The two of them argue at home every day, it’s driving me crazy. Look at the mark on my face; on the way here, she hit me because of a single inappropriate word. This life… is truly unbearable.”

“If you can’t live together, then get a divorce. Who can’t live without whom?” Zhang Erhe said.

“Hmm, divorce…” Sun Xiangdong’s expression froze. Getting a divorce was easy enough, but he wouldn’t be able to get past his father-in-law’s objections.

Zhang Erhe knew that his talk of divorce was just an angry outburst: "Didn't I tell you two to go to the hospital for a checkup? What's going on? What did the checkup reveal?"

"Your sister-in-law went for a checkup, and she...she's fine."

"Then you're the one with the problem." Zhang Erhe looked at Sun Xiangdong. "Didn't you get checked out?"

“I…I…” Sun Xiangdong stammered.

“Eldest brother, fourth brother is gone, leaving only the three of us brothers, so I’m being blunt, don’t take it to heart,” Zhang Erhe advised. “This illness, the earlier it’s detected and treated, the better. Don’t wait until it really ends in divorce. What will happen to Jingjing then? She’s naturally gentle, and you two are too strong-willed. If you two divorce, she’ll never be able to hold her head up again. Even if you don’t think about others, you have to think about the children.”

Sun Xiangdong hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Okay, Erhe, I understand. I'll go to the hospital tomorrow."

"Alright, let's not talk about these unpleasant things anymore. Let's have a good meal tonight," Zhang Erhe changed the subject.

“By the way, Second Brother,” Wu Qian leaned over and lowered his voice, “I see you still have some good stuff in your storeroom, why don’t you move those things to…” He gestured with his mouth.

Zhang Erhe came over and slapped him: "All you ever do is scheme for the black market! Those things are all obtained through connections. Who are you buying them from on the black market? They're buying from those old-timers, capitalists, and the like. Do you want us to die even faster? There are so many eyes watching us on the black market! We can keep some for ourselves or use to meet our factory's quotas, but you're selling them on the black market? Don't you know what kind of business we're in now?"

Sun Xiangdong, who was standing next to Wu Qian, patted him on the back and said, "Third brother, your second brother is right. The black market is too murky now. We brothers have finally managed to clean up our act, we can't get involved in this mess again."

P.S.: I don't know if you guys feel it, but since 12, time seems to be going by faster and faster. Before we know it, it's almost Chinese New Year again. Every year at this time, I get a headache!

Chapter 190 Liu Guangtian Suffers

Because they were in a rush that evening, Guan Bai didn't prepare many dishes, just braised pork ribs and a stew of cabbage and glass noodles. The steamed buns were made with a mixture of flour and water.

Now that portion sizes have been drastically reduced, everyone scrambles to eat as soon as the dishes are served. The three little girls are happily gnawing on ribs, and even Wu Qian's two little boys have their wives carefully remove the meat from the bones so they can devour it. Zhang Erhe, on the other hand, is holding Gou Sheng and letting Guan Xue eat first. Guan Xue has been worried about him these past few days and hasn't been able to eat or drink.

Sun Xiangdong gnawed on two bones, then sat up straight: "Erhe, how about... a drink tonight?"

Before he could finish speaking, Guan Xue glared at him. Sun Xiangdong realized his mistake; Zhang Erhe had just been discharged from the hospital, how could he possibly drink alcohol? Meanwhile, Sun Xiangdong's wife put down her chopsticks and said irritably, "Sun Xiangdong, if you want to eat, then eat; if you don't, then go home. Erhe has just recovered from a serious illness, and you're already clamoring to drink? Do you want to fly to the moon?"

Sun Xiangdong chuckled, unusually refraining from rebuttal.

Guan Baishi stewed a whole pot of vegetables, which were eventually all eaten. As usual, she scraped out a small half-basin to keep, but only after scraping it out did she realize that Ma Qianli was no longer there, so keeping this bowl of vegetables seemed pointless.

After dinner, Zhang Erhe instructed Wu Qian to take Qiqige back. Old Baldy also led Guan Linpeng back, leaving Guan Baishi and Zhang Erhe's family of four behind. Zhang Erhe wanted to help his mother-in-law tidy up, but Guan Baishi wouldn't allow it, urging him to rest more. She finished tidying up herself and then took Zhang Jiao to sleep next door.

After Guan Xue coaxed Gou Sheng to sleep, Zhang Erhe tiptoed into bed. Guan Xue leaned closer and whispered, "Erhe, you've scared me to death these past two days."

Zhang Erhe stared at Guan Xue for a long while without saying a word. Guan Xue was somewhat taken aback: "Is there something on my face?"

"No," Zhang Erhe breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "I just think you're exceptionally beautiful."

"What a disgrace." Guan Xue rolled her eyes at him.

---

In the east wing of the backyard, Liu Haizhong had been wearing a livid face ever since he returned. His wife was cowering at home like a quail. She knew things were going to go wrong the moment Zhang Erhe came home. Sure enough, the moment Liu Haizhong entered, he couldn't hold back and slapped her twice across the face, yelling, "You spendthrift woman!"

Given the current situation, Liu Haizhong didn't know what to do and could only anxiously wait for his eldest son, Liu Guangqi, to come home from get off work.

When Liu Guangqi got off work today and finished socializing with his colleagues, he saw his parents staring intently at him.

"Dad, what's wrong?"