Siheyuan, don't mess with me

Chen Zhiguo's few words warmed He Yushui's heart. The naive girl wished that Chen Zhiguo was her brother at this moment. She also wanted to hug her brother and act like a spoiled child like Chen Xiaoli did!

Although some unpleasant things happened, it did not affect their yearning for delicious food. A large bowl of braised pork and a big pot of bone soup were so filling that several people sat in their chairs and didn't want to move!

"Brother, I want to eat rice in broth tomorrow. I want to have another bowl of sweet rice. The braised pork is so delicious, and the broth is also delicious." Chen Xiaoli was so full that she couldn't even walk! Wang Meihua and He Yushui were not much better!

Chen Zhiguo was also convinced. They all ate two bowls of rice. Seeing Chen Zhiguo soaking rice in the broth of braised pork, they also tried to soak a bowl. From the first bite, they never put down their chopsticks. After all, who uses sugar to cook? It's sweet, mixed with the aroma of meat. How can the taste buds not be conquered!

Chen Zhiguo went to the kitchen and boiled some hawthorn water for them, otherwise they would feel uncomfortable at night if they ate too much!

Just as the family was drinking hawthorn water and chatting, there was a knock on the courtyard door. "Brother Zhiguo, the meeting has started," Liu Guangtian began to shout across the courtyard door.

"Coming, I'll go right away!" For today's courtyard meeting, Chen Zhiguo's whole family came out and surrounded He Yushui. Wang Meihua even hugged He Yushui in her arms. As for his own daughter, she was naturally taken care of by her brother!

In the central courtyard of the quadrangle, everyone who could come out came out to watch the excitement. He Yuzhu sat there with his head hung down, apparently having been criticized. Director Wang, two staff members from the street office, and two policemen from the police station were all together, with Liu Haizhong standing next to them!

Liu Haizhong saw that Chen Zhiguo's family had all come out, and all the main parties involved today had arrived, so he cleared his throat and coughed twice, "The meeting is about to start, everyone be quiet, don't talk, and now Director Wang from our street office will speak!"

Director Wang stepped forward and stood in the middle of the crowd. "Dear residents of the Siheyuan, I just learned that there is such a vicious person, spreading rumors and slandering us! What does she want to do? Is she dissatisfied with society?"

Director Wang's words shocked everyone. This matter is a bit serious! Usually, people spread gossip and add some of their own imagination. Isn't that what people say when chatting? But today, this matter has become serious!

Chapter 47: The price, the consequence of not being able to control your mouth!

Director Wang paused and continued, "Regarding He Yushui, it was only a few days ago that the last incident happened. How come some people still dislike this little girl? Is she getting in your way? Or is she eating your food?"

"Also, I want to criticize He Yuzhu again. As a brother, can you care about your sister? You are not a child anymore. You are already in your twenties. If you got married earlier, your children would be so old. How come you don't care about others?"

"After I came here just now, I talked to Grandma Hu in the front yard. He Yushui has been staying at Chen Zhiguo's house, and she goes there almost every day. But she didn't go there to fill her stomach, but to let Chen Zhiguo help her with her studies. She has fallen behind in her studies because she hasn't eaten well recently. Don't you feel pain in your heart when you spread rumors about such a studious child?

Here I want to focus on criticizing He Yuzhu. What happened today and a few days ago were all caused by your lack of care as a brother. If you cared about He Yushui, would He Yushui have cried with hunger a few days ago?

If you care about your sister, how can He Yushui not listen to the class when she is full at school? At the same time, I also learned that He Yushui stayed at Chen Zhiguo's house for a few days. Chen Zhiguo went back to his hometown and only came back today!

I don't see you care about your sister usually, but why do you want to make trouble when something happens? I think you are not caring about He Yushui, you are worried that He Yushui's matter will affect your own face! What's the use of you, this selfish brother? You don't care about what I eat, drink, or where I live. You only think of it when something happens? What do you want for?

Also, you don't care about your own sister, so the rumormongers just think He Yushui is easy to bully? No one backs her up! He Yuzhu, stand up, why are you so weak now? I heard you were very fierce just now, right? Come on, tell me if there is anything wrong with what I said, point it out! Let's deal with He Yushui's matter in front of everyone in the courtyard today, don't bully a little girl every day!"

What else did He Yuzhu have to say? He just admitted his mistake. "Director Wang, I was wrong! I will definitely change. I will definitely take good care of He Yushui! If I don't change, you can slap me in the face!"

"Okay! Since you, He Yuzhu, have expressed your opinion in person, I will believe you this time, but I want to make it clear to you that there will be no next time for this matter. There will be no more than three times the last chance. You should seize this last chance!"

"Well, let me tell you who spread the rumor. I still hope that she can come forward and admit her mistake. Don't wait for me to find you out. If that happens, you won't beg for mercy!"

Everyone in the courtyard looked at each other in bewilderment. It turned out that the rumor was spread by someone from our courtyard! Hearing Director Wang's voice, it seemed that he knew who it was? Who was this person? Just as everyone in the courtyard was guessing, Director Wang said, "This is your last chance. If you don't take it, I will catch you!"

The third aunt wanted to move but was stopped by Yan Bugui. In fact, he asked about it when he got home, and it was true. Yan Bugui had clearly warned the third aunt, but the third aunt still couldn't help it. When she was buying vegetables in the morning, she said a few words to several aunts who were with her. She didn't expect that the word would spread so widely in just one day!

In fact, Yan Bugui was also gambling, and Director Wang was cheating. There was no evidence in hand. Also, it was just a few women chatting together. Who could prove it?

Director Wang waited for a minute and said, "Since you don't want to admit it, then don't say I'm heartless! Xiao Wang, call them over!"

As Director Wang finished speaking, several aunties came in from the front yard. Auntie Li from Yard 98, Auntie Qian, Auntie Zhang from Yard 97, and Auntie Liu from Yard 94. These people have always been on good terms and often go shopping together. When they saw these people, everyone in the courtyard looked at the three aunties. At this time, the three aunties' legs went weak, and they tightly grasped Yan Bugui's arm. Their faces turned pale. It was confirmed! What else is there to say? It's all obvious!

"Li Ruihua, come out!" Director Wang shouted. The third aunt's full name is Li Ruihua, but everyone has been calling her the third aunt for so many years and has forgotten her original name!

The third aunt's legs were shaking. She wanted to move but couldn't. At this time, Yan Bugui still had some responsibility as the head of the family. While supporting the third aunt, he said, "Director Wang, is there a misunderstanding here?"

"Misunderstanding? Go ask these people and see what they say." Director Wang pointed at the aunts and said,

Yan Bugui knew the situation was hopeless, but he still tried to argue, "My family didn't say anything. How could they say it was her?"

Director Wang smiled, "We all know you, Teacher Yan, who is good at speaking and arguing. But don't worry, we rely on evidence when we do things. We have learned about these aunties." Director Wang took a few blank papers handed over by Xiao Wang, "This is the transcript of our interrogation with the comrades from the police station. Do you want to see it? Or, were you by your wife's side at the time and knew whether she said it or not? Can you testify for her?"

Yan Bugui had no choice. When he met someone of equal status, he could act unreasonable, but due to the suppression of their status, if he continued to act unreasonable, he might end up getting himself into trouble. Yan Bugui figured it out and immediately shut his mouth!

"Since you, Li Ruihua, won't come out, we will just tell you the result. Our comrades from the subdistrict office and the police station have all learned about this matter. This morning, Li Ruihua said a lot of slanderous words about He Yushui on the way to buy vegetables with these aunties. After our investigation, these words are all rumors, and none of them are true!

But this rumor has spread through the mouths of these aunties and has caused a bad impact! In order to clear He Yushui's name and clear the rumors in society, the subdistrict office and the police station have decided that Li Ruihua will be detained for five days and fined 50 yuan. After the detention, he will be required to sweep the streets for three months. Let me take turns sweeping the roads in Nanluoxiang to show the residents that this is the result of spreading rumors!

In addition, these four aunties will be fined 50 yuan each and will be sent to sweep the streets for three months. Let’s see if you dare to speak without restraint in the future!”

Not to mention how limp the third aunt was, Yan Bugui's heart was broken. She was broke! She was broke! This woman who spent her money ruining the family was killing me!

After Director Wang made the announcement, two policemen came forward to escort Li Ruihua away. However, Li Ruihua's legs were so weak that he could not stand up. It was all thanks to Yan Bugui who was supporting him!

Director Wang had expected this to happen. Two female officers from the street office stepped forward and held Li Ruihua. "Let's go! This mean woman has such a bad heart!" Everyone who heard this cursed. It was too vicious! If this matter was not clarified, the life of this little girl He Yushui might be over! So, they didn't hesitate to hold Li Ruihua's arms and drag her away!

Li Ruihua was dumbfounded. She had never expected this result. Now she could only beg, "Let me go! Let me go! I will definitely change!"

But no one listened to her pleas. If this matter was not handled properly and the matter was reported to higher authorities, the blame would definitely fall on the street office, the most basic unit, and the entire street office would suffer!

Therefore, Director Wang tried her best tonight. She had to cut the Gordian knot and solve the problem quickly so that she would not be passive if the leader asked about it tomorrow. Although she is also a senior veteran, she does not want to leave the impression that she is not good at doing things to her superiors!

Just like that, Li Ruihua was dragged away by two female officers, leaving a trail of water along the way!

Director Wang glanced at the four women and said, "You must report to the street office tomorrow and do the propaganda while sweeping. If anyone dares to be lazy, I will make her sweep all the time!" Don't underestimate the power of the street office director, it is very easy to subdue them!

The four aunties were taken away by Xiao Wang. So, only Director Wang and the frightened people in the courtyard were left in the courtyard. They had never expected that a few words of gossip would lead to such an outcome. It is estimated that when they go home tonight, the masters of the family will severely warn them to mind their mouths. Not only will they be embarrassed, but they will also be fined and have to sweep the streets. This is a disgrace to the streets. They have lost both face and dignity!

"I hope everyone can learn from the lesson and not talk about things that have no basis. This is the result of talking about it. Next, our street office will organize publicity throughout the street, using the cases of these few people. So, everyone should control their mouths and think before speaking. Don't accuse me of being unkind later!

I have one more thing to ask you. Chen Zhiguo, come out!" Director Wang called his name, and Chen Zhiguo had no choice but to step forward.

"I know how you feel, but this is not an excuse for hitting someone. Go and apologize to He Yuzhu. You can talk things out, but you can't use violence. If you do, even if you are clearly in the right, you will become unreasonable!"

Director Wang said this, and Chen Zhiguo was reluctant in his heart, but he also had to apologize to He Yuzhu. This was also Director Wang's warning to himself! But this was only on the surface, as for what happened in secret? Wait!

"I'm sorry! He Yuzhu, I was impulsive. I apologize to you!" Chen Zhiguo looked very sincere and bowed to He Yuzhu, which made He Yuzhu embarrassed. He had never met anyone who apologized to him before. He quickly said, "It's okay, it's okay. It's my fault as a brother. I'm sorry, Yushui, I was impatient!"

"That's right. If you recognize your mistakes and can correct them, you are a good child. Especially He Yuzhu, you must change your quick temper in the future!"

He Yuzhu nodded repeatedly. Director Wang saw that the matter had been resolved. She had to go back to arrange the street publicity for tomorrow. This matter could not be delayed. If it spread throughout Yanjing City, the district leaders above would also be in a passive position! What a headache! With just one mouth, the whole street was disturbed!

He said a few words to Liu Haizhong, probably praising Liu Haizhong. You can tell from Liu Haizhong's expression!

"Everyone, please disperse! I hope everyone will be more careful in the future and not let rumors like this spread!" Director Wang left in a hurry after saying this. There will be no peace tonight, as there are still many things to do. All the people in the street have to be sent out. I hope the rumors will not spread!

Liu Haizhong wanted to say a few words, but no one gave him face and they all left in twos and threes. However, with Director Wang's praise, Liu Haizhong can happily drink a few more glasses tonight!

The lonely He Yuzhu wanted to go home, but was stopped by Chen Zhiguo!

Chapter 48 The Fragile Shazhu

"Let's go. You'll be alone at home anyway, so why don't you come to my house and chat?" Chen Zhiguo pulled He Yuzhu's arm. If it weren't for He Yushui, Chen Zhiguo really didn't want to bother with such a person. Anyway, Chen Zhiguo was not familiar with He Yuzhu, he just felt that he was a little selfish and a little arrogant!

Unexpectedly, He Yuzhu actually nodded, "Okay, I'll go home and get a bottle of wine, and we men will have a good chat together." He agreed very readily, and He Yuzhu ran home to get the wine. Chen Zhiguo asked Wang Meihua to take He Yushui back first, and he was waiting for He Yuzhu in the Central Courtyard!

Just as He Yuzhu was walking towards the front yard side by side with Chen Zhiguo, carrying a bottle of Erguotou, Yi Zhonghai was watching coldly from the window. He always felt that Chen Zhiguo was a scourge who was preventing him from unifying the Siheyuan. Now it would be difficult for him to make a comeback!

The old lady looked at Yi Zhonghai's back and felt that it was becoming increasingly difficult to communicate with him. He was silent every day and no one knew what he was planning!

When he walked into the front yard, he saw Yan Bugui wandering in front of Chen Zhiguo's house. When he saw Chen Zhiguo coming, he hurriedly went to greet him, "Zhiguo, can you help me talk to your aunt and plead for mercy!"

Chen Zhiguo looked at Yan Bugui coldly, "Back then, when He Yushui was hiding outside crying, why didn't you step forward? If you had stepped forward to comfort He Yushui at that time, I would definitely help you today. There must be consequences for every cause. I can't help you!"

After saying that, Chen Zhiguo walked around Yan Bugui and went to open the gate. Hearing what Chen Zhiguo said, He Yuzhu's face turned red, but he still glared at Yan Bugui fiercely and followed Chen Zhiguo into the courtyard!

Yan Bugui staggered back home. Do you think he regrets it? Of course, but it is probably impossible for him to change. He has developed such a calculating habit over many years. How can he change it?

Looking at the untied dining table, Chen Zhiguo was speechless. Wang Meihua had already entered the bedroom with He Yushui and Chen Xiaoli. "Sit down for a while. I'll make some side dishes. We can eat and chat at the same time!"

"Okay, how about I do it? I'll let you taste my cooking skills today!" He Yuzhu must have been stimulated today, otherwise he wouldn't be so easy to talk to!

In the kitchen, He Yuzhu skillfully cut potatoes and cabbage. After a while, he brought two dishes, potatoes stewed with roe deer meat, and shredded potatoes. He ran again and brought a plate of hot and sour cabbage and peanuts.

Chen Zhiguo was out of peanuts, so these must have been brought by He Yuzhu. Chen Zhiguo had just cleaned the living room, made a cup of tea for He Yuzhu, and started serving the wine!

Drinking wine and eating meat, "You have good conditions, you can even get roe deer meat!" He Yuzhu seemed to have forgotten that Chen Zhiguo slapped him, and spoke with a teasing tone, as if he was very familiar with Chen Zhiguo. Is this He Yuzhu's way of doing things? Chen Zhiguo didn't know, he could only get to know him slowly!

After drinking three small cups in a row, He Yuzhu took a sip of tea and said, "Hey, isn't this Mingqian Longjing? You can get this, too?"

What kind of tea it was, Chen Zhiguo didn't know. He just found it in Gu Cheng's office. He just thought it tasted good. He couldn't tell what kind of tea it was. "Do you know anything about tea?" Chen Zhiguo brought up the topic.

"I didn't do any research. I poured a cup of this tea when our leader was entertaining guests. After drinking it, I never forgot it again!"

"Oh, I still have some here, I'll give it to you later!" Chen Zhiguo didn't care whether the tea was hard to get or expensive. In his eyes, things are dead, but people are alive! There's no need to care too much about material things!

"What a man!" He Yuzhu gave a thumbs up and raised his glass to toast Chen Zhiguo. After putting down the glass, He Yuzhu said to Chen Zhiguo seriously, "I really want to thank you for what happened today. If it weren't for you, my sister's reputation would have been ruined!"

"Why, you just understand it now?" Chen Zhiguo asked jokingly.

"Yes," He Yuzhu unexpectedly admitted, "Let me tell you about my past!"

Chen Zhiguo also sat up straight and began to listen to He Yuzhu's past. "I used to be stupid and dumb, so my father called me Shazhu. Later, no one called me by my real name, and they all called me Shazhu! I don't object to this. I didn't know what was good or bad when I was a child. But after my father ran away, the name Shazhu became my protection. If anyone wanted to bully me, I would act stupid and act tough. Anyway, I would be Shazhu. It doesn't matter if I'm stupid, at least I can protect myself and my sister!" He Yuzhu took a sip of wine and continued, "Today is the first time someone called me by my real name after my father passed away. Actually, I've been tired all these years. My father has been gone for eight years. At that time, I was only sixteen and my sister was only six. It was not easy for me to support the family. If I'm not a little stupid and tough, how could I do it?

Why should I thank Yi Zhonghai? Because he helped me when I went to work at the steel mill. I was sixteen years old and I changed my age to become an apprentice in the canteen of the steel mill. That's how I have come to where I am today!

You may say that I am not good to my sister. Yes, I am indeed. I am careless and don’t know how to take care of others. I can’t even take care of myself. I just make do with it!

When my father was around, he would beat me when he was not satisfied, and he never asked me if I was hungry or thirsty. I had to find food by myself, so I developed the habit of finding food by myself. I thought that if Rainwater did not ask for anything, it did not need anything. This was my fault!

Actually, when the rain happened last time, I was thinking about how I should take good care of my sister. I also wanted to learn more and ask someone, but except for your family, where else can I learn from?" Chen Zhiguo thought about it and it was true. Yi Zhonghai's family had no children, and Jia Zhang's family was even worse. Liu Haizhong's family had sticks, and Yan Bugui's family had abacus. I couldn't learn from anyone!

"Actually, I have noticed the changes in Yu Shui during these days at your house, but I never dared to ask because I was afraid that if I spoke, Yu Shui would stop coming to your house! But I swear to God, I really want her to be well!

If I didn't care about her, I wouldn't have come here to make trouble as soon as I heard the news. At that time, my head exploded and was full of rain. I was bullied by you!

But when I got to your house and saw Yu Shui at your house, I felt a little jealous again. Although I am already 24 years old, I also want to be loved by my parents. My mother passed away early, not long after giving birth to Yu Shui. You don’t know how envious I was when I was a child, watching other children calling their mothers and moms. I also wanted to call them! Especially when I saw the mother of a child standing at the door or in the yard, calling her own child to go home for dinner, I hoped so much that I could be called! Zhuzi, go home for dinner!” As he spoke, He Yuzhu burst into tears, and at this time, He Yu Shui, who was eavesdropping in the bedroom, ran out, “Brother!”

She hugged He Yuzhu's shoulders and started crying. He Yuzhu also burst into tears. This was the first time that He Yuzhu cried in front of outsiders. Before, he was a rebellious fool, who was timid to everything, including his leaders. There was nothing he was afraid of!

Today, she revealed her true colors in front of Chen Zhiguo, or maybe Chen Zhiguo's efforts to protect He Yushui today completely moved him, so he took off his disguise, tore off his protective layer, revealing a fragile heart!

After crying for a while, He Yuzhu pushed He Yushui away and said, "Just cry for a while, my shoulders are all wet with snot and tears!" He spoke with disgust but with a smile on his face. The conflict between him and Yushui was finally resolved!

She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her hands and said, "I'm sorry to have made a fool of myself in front of you! Come and have a drink!"

"Isn't it good to have such a brother and sister? Today I finally get to know you, let's drink!" Chen Zhiguo was also happy. He Yuzhu and He Yushui reconciled, and the knot in He Yushui's heart was also untied!

Today, He Yuzhu opened his heart and spoke out his true feelings! He said these words not only to Chen Zhiguo, but also to He Yushui in the room. If the brother and sister were alone together, He Yuzhu might not be able to say these words! It was exactly the scene tonight, Chen Zhiguo's slap, Director Wang's scolding, and the Chen family's care and protection for He Yushui! All of this was integrated into a period of time, and the continuous stimulation finally broke He Yuzhu's defense!

After drinking a bottle of wine, He Yuzhu and Chen Zhiguo became good brothers. He Yuzhu is a straightforward person. If you are in conflict with him, or if he treats you as a friend, he will treat you wholeheartedly. This is also the way of doing things for the men in Yanjing!

Chen Zhiguo also likes such simple-minded and straightforward friends. He doesn't like those who hide their thoughts in their hearts. Although, he is also a person who likes to hide his thoughts in his heart! Maybe it's too tiring, so he likes friends who are more direct and don't need to spend time to calculate!

"It's too late today, and I didn't drink enough wine. Wait until the New Year in two days, and I'll prepare some delicious dishes, and we'll drink slowly!"

"Okay, I'll serve the dishes and you cook! I have some good wine here, let's celebrate the New Year, come over during the holidays and have some fun together! It's in my yard, it's quiet!"

Just like that, the New Year's Eve dinner was arranged, just like that! So, it's just that simple!

He Yushui still didn't go home and continued to live with Wang Meihua! Anyway, the truth has been revealed, so he can continue to live there!

Chen Zhiguo, who had drunk a little bit of wine, couldn't sleep. He looked at the time and decided to go to the black market. Can he buy more food before the New Year?