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Everyone was stunned when they saw He Yuzhu and Xiao Shan walk in.

"Zhuzi, Xiaoshan, why are you two back?" the third aunt asked.

He Yuzhu looked at Jia Zhangshi, opened his mouth, but said nothing.

So he turned to Xiao Shan and said, "I really can't say it, Xiao Shan. You tell me!"

Everyone looked at the two of them with bewilderment.

The two men felt uncomfortable under Jia Zhangshi's gaze, and had a bad feeling about it.

Xiao Shan took a deep breath and said to Jia Zhangshi, "Aunt Jia, please accept my condolences!"

"Xiaoshan, don't talk nonsense. Why should I be mourning?" Jia Zhangshi said stubbornly.

But my heart was trembling, and even my hands, which were holding the shoe soles, were shaking.

Everyone stared at Xiao Shan in disbelief.

Xiao Shan sighed and said, "Aunt Jia, you have to hold on! Your family depends on you to make a living! Brother Jia got caught in a machine while working in the workshop, and he's gone!"

Jia Zhangshi's eyelids fluttered open, and she fainted to the ground.

Chapter 146: A Meeting to Discuss Helping the Jia Family's Orphans and Widows! (Please Subscribe!)

Upon seeing this, Xiao Shan and the others quickly helped Jia Zhangshi up and seated her in a chair.

At this moment, Qin Huairu came out of the house with tears streaming down her face. Looking at Xiao Shan, she clutched her stomach and asked, "Xiao Shan, did your brother Dongxu really have an accident? You can't lie to your sister-in-law!"

Xiao Shan nodded: "Sister-in-law, you can't get into trouble, you're pregnant."

Jia Zhangshi quickly had people pinch her philtrum to wake her up.

Upon waking, Jia Zhangshi burst into tears, crying, "Dongxu, how could you leave your mother like that! How are we, a widow and orphan, supposed to survive? There's no one to support us anymore. Old Jia, come quickly and bring Dongxu back! He still has unborn children!"

Hearing Jia Zhangshi's wailing, many old ladies in the courtyard felt a pang of sadness.

Xiao Shan turned and left; he couldn't stand the atmosphere.

He Yuzhu stayed behind to comfort Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu.

Xiao Shan was speechless. Could it be that He Yuzhu would get involved with Qin Huairu?

He Yuzhu now has a wife and son, and his mother-in-law also lives here.

But it's hard to say.

With Jia Dongxu dead, He Yuzhu became Yi Zhonghai's only option.

By ruining He Yuzhu's plans, Yi Zhonghai had a chance.

Thinking of Yi Zhonghai, Xiao Shan, who had just been discharged from the hospital, came back: "By the way, an old lady and an old man fainted from a sudden heart attack. They're in the steel mill's clinic. You should go and check on them quickly!"

"Okay, thank you, Xiaoshan." The middle-aged woman hurriedly got up and walked outside.

In the afternoon, the body was transported back to the courtyard house, where a simple funeral was held.

The funeral was held the following day.

All expenses were advanced by the steel rolling mill.

Three days later, the courtyard gradually returned to calm.

Jia family.

The three old men were sitting in the outer room.

Jia Zhangshi was crying inside the house, while Qin Hairu sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), clutching her stomach and wiping away tears.

Jia Zhangshi looked at Yi Zhonghai and said, "Uncle, how are we going to live from now on? Dongxu is gone, and there's not a single man left in the house. We're just two widows, and people are going to bully us to death in the yard."

“Sister-in-law, with the three of us uncles here, anyone who dares to bully your family will be dealt with severely by us.” Yi Zhonghai sighed and said, “Our courtyard is a united courtyard, and we certainly won’t stand by and watch you suffer. Starting today, the grain will be redistributed.”

"Dongxu is gone. The steel mill's plan is to give him a 300 yuan severance payment according to the old system, and also have someone from your family take over Dongxu's job. Huairu is pregnant now, sister-in-law, why don't you go..."

Jia Zhangshi immediately became agitated: "Bah! I'm already fifty! You want an old woman like me to do heavy work in a steel mill? Yi Zhonghai, are you trying to work me to death?!"

Previously, with Jia Dongxu's persuasion, Jia Zhangshi had become more restrained in front of Yi Zhonghai.

Now that her son is dead, Jia Zhangshi is filled with resentment.

So I don't remember anything about restraint anymore!

Yi Zhonghai's face darkened immediately, and he considered giving up.

The reason they treated Jia Zhangshi well before was because of Jia Dongxu.

Now that Jia Dongxu is gone, if it weren't for this old man's position, he would have started cursing long ago.

Yan Bugui quickly advised, "Sister-in-law Jia, if you don't want to go, but Huairu is heavily pregnant, you can't keep delaying your work!"

“What’s wrong with that? When Xiao Shan’s father died, it took almost two years before he was allowed to take over the business!” Jia Zhangshi said indignantly.

Yi Zhonghai suppressed his anger and said, "The situation is different! Back then, their family only had one minor in Xiaoshan, so they couldn't take over the family business even if they wanted to! Your family is different; you have a suitable candidate! Jia Zhangshi, if you don't want to go, you can wait until Qin Huairu gives birth before you go."

Jia Zhangshi immediately looked at Qin Huairu.

Qin Huairu immediately said, "My mother is getting old after all. I'll go after I give birth! What kind of daughter-in-law stays at home while her mother-in-law goes to work in a steel mill doing heavy labor?"

Seeing Qin Huairu's filial piety, Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but think of Jia Dongxu, and his heart softened.

Looking at Jia Zhangshi, she said earnestly, "Sister-in-law, Huairu is clearly a filial child! Now that Dongxu is gone, Huairu will definitely take care of you in your old age and see you off in your final days."

"Mom, don't worry! You can stay home and take care of the children, and I'll go to work to earn money." Qin Huairu also looked at Jia Zhangshi and said, "I'll treat you the same way Dongxu treated you before, and I'll even give you three yuan a month for your retirement."

Looking at Qin Huairu, Madam Jia sighed, "Huairu, you're going to suffer in the future! If you want to remarry, just say so, and I will definitely not stop you. Just let the children stay with me, so they won't cause you any trouble."

“Mom, Dongxu treated me well before, and I, Qin Huairu, am grateful. Now that Dongxu is gone, I can’t abandon this family. Let’s not talk about remarrying anymore.”

The three old men discussed the matter at the Jia family's house until dark, and finally managed to sort things out.

Qin Huairu will return to the factory to take over her shift after giving birth.

The next day, Xiao Shan went home after get off work.

Just as I was getting ready to make dinner, Liu Guangtian stood at the door: "Xiaoshan, there's a meeting in the yard, my dad told me to call you!"

"What is it?"

Liu Guangtian said speechlessly, "It's still about the Jia family! I don't know what's wrong with that old man, he keeps holding meetings for no reason."

Xiao Shan carried a stool to the central courtyard, where most of the people had already arrived.

Jia Zhangshi helped Qin Huairu sit on the stool, wiping away her tears.

Yi Zhonghai scanned the room and said, "Is everyone here? Let's begin! Today we'll talk about one thing: the Jia family. Dongxu is gone, leaving behind an orphan and a widow. Our compound is an advanced one; we can't just watch them starve and freeze. If we can lend a helping hand, we should!"

"Now that Huairu is about to give birth, it's the time when she needs to replenish her nutrition. Zhuzi, you're a chef and you come into contact with a lot of people, could you make something delicious for your sister-in-law to help her get some nutrition?"

“No problem. I, He Yuzhu, may not have any other skills, but getting something to eat is no trouble at all.” He Yuzhu agreed without hesitation.

Li Caijuan immediately pinched him from below and whispered, "Our family is struggling to make ends meet, will you die if you don't brag!"

He Yuzhu got a little anxious: "How can you not have any compassion! The Jia family is in trouble right now, let's help them if we can."

He Yuzhu's words made Li Caijuan roll her eyes in anger.

At this moment, Xiao Shan slowly said, "Uncle, we need to come up with a plan for this matter! Otherwise, our whole courtyard will be in a daze."

"Whether the Jia family is short of money or food, you need to explain clearly, Uncle. Those of us who intend to help should also have a clear understanding!"

Upon hearing Xiao Shan's words, Xu Damao immediately chimed in, "Xiao Shan is right! Uncle, you have to tell us what the Jia family lacks! You just come here asking us for help, but how much? How long will you help? You have to give us an answer!"

Chapter 147, Yi Zhonghai, who shot himself in the foot! (Please subscribe!)

Before the old man could even speak, Jia Zhangshi blurted out, "We lack everything! We're an orphan and a widow with no source of income. With Dongxu gone, we've even lost our rations of grain. How are we supposed to survive now?!"

As Jia Zhangshi spoke, she began to feel aggrieved herself.

Everyone looked at each other.

Yi Zhonghai quickly said, "Sister-in-law, our courtyard is a united one. We can't just watch your family suffer! Those with money should contribute money, and those with food should contribute food."

Nobody's stupid; they just looked at each other, completely speechless with awkwardness.

Xu Damao looked at Yi Zhonghai with disdain and said, "Uncle, do you think everyone is a fool? Jia Dongxu used to be a level four fitter, earning a little over fifty yuan a month. Now there's a famine, and the yard is distributing grain uniformly, so his family won't spend much money. You're asking us to donate money now? You're trying to fool us idiots!"

"Xu Damao, if you don't speak, no one will think you're mute." Jia Zhangshi immediately became anxious.

Without Jia Dongxu constantly stopping her, Jia Zhangshi's foolishness began to show.

In Xiao Shan's view, Jia Zhangshi was shrewd, but also foolish.

They are shrewd in dealing with family matters, but foolish in lacking foresight, thinking that they can solve everything by being unreasonable and argumentative.

Lou Xiao'e also tugged at Xu Damao's sleeve.

Xu Damao said to Yi Zhonghai, "Uncle, it's not that I'm not giving you face, but you heard how awful Jia Zhangshi's words were! People who know us would think she helped us while we were having this meeting!"

"You can help whoever wants to, but I'm not helping. You clearly have money but you're pretending to be poor, treating everyone like fools. Wife, let's go home!"

Seeing Xu Damao and his wife getting up to leave, Qin Huairu quickly stood up and said, "Brother Damao, my mother is getting old! Plus, Dongxu just left, so she's still a bit confused. Please be magnanimous and don't take it to heart."

As soon as Qin Huairu stood up, Xu Damao's eyes lit up instantly.

Previously, because of Jia Dongxu's influence, Xu Damao didn't have many thoughts.

Now that Jia Dongxu is dead, Qin Huairu's pitiful appearance with her big belly instantly hits Xu Damao's soft spot.

Xu Damao immediately changed his tune: "Sister-in-law, it's only because of you. I usually have a good relationship with Brother Dongxu, so I'll give you this face. Xiao'e and I won't go back for now."

"Thank you, Brother Da Mao."

Xiao Shan looked at Xu Damao and knew that he was blinded by lust.

So he said to Yi Zhonghai, "Uncle, what Brother Mao said before was right, the Jia family is not short of money at all! It's unacceptable for us poor people to donate money to the rich!"

Someone in the courtyard whose income was less than Jia Dongxu's immediately spoke up: "That's right, you can't do that! Our family only earns a little over twenty yuan a month, while Jia Dongxu earns twice as much as we do in a month. Asking us to donate money to their family is just nonsense."

Seeing an opportunity to annoy Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong naturally wouldn't let it pass: "Old Yi, it's obvious you haven't figured this out. Dongxu earns a lot; it's impossible for them to have spent it all in just a few days! Listen to the public's voice; they're dissatisfied with you."

Yi Zhonghai's face turned pale and then red: "Dongxu had some savings before, but the Jia family now has four people, soon to be five. They have no ration, they only spend and don't earn. It will be a few months before Huairu takes over the job. I'm just worried that they won't have enough to spend! Everyone knows how expensive grain is now. Before, with Dongxu's ration plus the subsidies from the hospital, it was almost enough. Now that Dongxu's ration is gone, it will cost a lot more to buy grain."

“Uncle, the child’s household registration will follow the mother’s. Your sister-in-law will be going to work at the steel rolling mill soon, so she can transfer her household registration here in advance. Then your sister-in-law and the child will both have a fixed quota, and their lives will be much more comfortable than before.” Xiao Shan said slowly, “Moreover, Brother Dongxu’s injury was a work injury, and the steel rolling mill will also give him several hundred yuan in compensation.”

"Sir, could you please do some research before holding a meeting? You're not asking us to donate money, are you? To make back the money you donated to the yard to sell grain?"

“If that’s the case, you should have said so earlier. We could have all chipped in to help you. There’s no need to use the Jia family’s name to ask for donations.”

As soon as Xiao Shan said this, many people's gazes towards Yi Zhonghai immediately changed.

"Xiaoshan, stop talking nonsense!" Yi Zhonghai immediately became agitated.

If this is confirmed, he won't have the face to stay in the yard anymore.

He Yuzhu also spoke up, "Xiaoshan, Grandpa Yi isn't that kind of person! So many people in our compound have benefited from Grandpa Yi's kindness."

“Brother Zhu, I won’t argue with you about this. Let’s calculate it in front of everyone today, whether the Jia family is short of food and money or not. Don’t let word get out that our courtyard is heartless and that people will say we’re selfish.” Xiao Shan said to He Yuzhu.

Yan Bugui readily agreed, saying, "I'll handle this! Let's start from when Jia Dongxu is promoted to a third-level fitter..."

Yan Bugui had barely finished speaking when Jia Zhangshi objected: "Who needs your calculations? If you don't want to donate, fine! We, a widow and her orphan, can manage on our own. Huairu, come back with me."

After saying that, Jia Zhangshi pulled Qin Huairu back into the house, leaving everyone in the courtyard looking at each other in bewilderment.

The most embarrassed person is Yi Zhonghai.

He was in charge of this donation drive, and he hadn't really paid attention to how much money the Jia family had before.

Now that everyone has said this, they've realized that they were misled by the Jia family's outward appearance.

Dongxu's salary is not low, and he compensates the family every now and then. Including the compensation, the Jia family must have at least five or six hundred in savings!

Yi Zhonghai looked at the people in the courtyard, sighed, and said, "I misjudged this time and wasted everyone's time. I'll buy some eggs later and give two to each family in our courtyard."

Many people were initially full of resentment, but Yi Zhonghai's words instantly changed their tone.

"The old man was just concerned about the residents of the compound; he meant well, and we can understand."

"Sir, you'd better get this donation sorted out next time."

"Grandpa is really generous. Our family hasn't eaten eggs for two months, and we're only able to benefit from Grandpa's generosity this time."

……