Chapter 174

People are a very strange kind of animal.

It is embodied in contradictions.

Some things, before doing them, are full of unknown fear; but once you truly try them, when encountering problems, you habitually treat them as a way to solve the problem.

Yi Zhonghai, who had once committed a murder-to-silence act, faced the old lady's incessant nagging.

Suddenly he felt a bit dazed.

In his mind, a scene he dared not see involuntarily surfaced.

The old lady, with her feet on Bangchui and Huaihua, spoke down from above, declaring the two were illegitimate children; then, with a ferocious expression, she pointed at Yi Zhonghai and loudly denounced him as a hypocrite—clearly it was he who made her unable to bear children, preventing her from becoming a mother, yet behind the scenes she had staged a 'openly repairing the plank road while secretly sneaking through Chen Cang' ruse, secretly bonding with Qin Huairu, so that Qin Huairu gave birth to Bangchui and Huaihua for her; she went mad, wanting to perish together with Yi Zhonghai.

Bangchui and Huaihua were Yi Zhonghai's incomparable treasures.

Yi Zhonghai, who had spent his whole life scheming for his old age and had gone mad, would not tolerate anyone destroying what he had painstakingly obtained.

Son and daughter!

A voice kept flashing in his mind.

Kill him.

If she died.

Then you could openly be with Qin Huairu.

You can't let your son and daughter call you 'grandfather' for their whole lives, right? Though your surname is Yi, due to various unspeakable factors, you have taken the Jia surname.

Even if you add incense offerings in the future.

It would still be adding to the Jia Family's incense, having no relation to the Yi Family at all.

The recent sworn kinship ceremony.

Yi Zhonghai did not stop it immediately because he had a bigger plan in mind; he did not want his biological son and daughter to call him 'grandfather', he wanted to change 'grandfather' to 'father', and thus, in front of the numerous neighbors and Yagangchang workers, openly acknowledge that he is the father of Bangchui and Huaihua, their real father!

He had already thought of the names.

A boy won't be called a fool; that name sounds stupid. He will be called Yi ChuanZong, nickname Shitou. In the future, when he has a grandson, he will be called Yi Jiedai. The girl Huaihua is not important; just change the Jia surname to Yi.

All of this has a precondition.

The old lady does not object.

The problem is.

Is it possible?

Because you couldn't become a mother yet you have your own child, the old lady feels betrayed; one can imagine how furious she will be upon learning the truth—this anger must come from deep within her bones.

I, because you couldn't become a mother, yet you have your own child, the eldest aunt is like being stabbed in the back; one can imagine the anger the eldest aunt feels upon learning the truth, it must come from deep within her bones.

Blame strict.

If the old lady seeks revenge, Bangchui and Huaihua will surely come to no good; for an old lady who turns love into hate, there is nothing she cannot do.

She undoubtedly became a great obstacle on the path of Bangchui and Huaihua returning to their ancestral roots; only by removing her could Yi Zhonghai truly rest easy.

Forget propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame—none of it matters anymore.

The thought of killing has gained the upper hand.

His gaze was ferocious.

With a sudden whoosh he sat upright, his empty right hand grabbing the large tea urn filled with tea.

He moved step by step to stand behind the old lady.

In the flash of lightning and spark.

The tragedy did not occur.

Just as Yi Zhonghai moved behind the old lady, reason took over his mind.

Just as Yi Zhonghai moved behind the eldest aunt, reason occupied his mind.

He was terrified afterwards.

If the tea urn were smashed down, whether the old lady lives or dies is another matter.

Yi Zhonghai would not end well at a critical moment.

This isn't the Yagangchang, where accidents can be blamed on others and workers can help Yi Zhonghai prove his innocence; if someone really died, even the hypocrite would have to eat peanuts as punishment.

This isn't the Yagangchang; if there's an accident, someone takes the blame, and workers can help Yi Zhonghai prove his innocence; if a life is really lost, even a hypocrite will have to eat peanuts.

Looking at the old lady who suddenly turned her head, Yi Zhonghai's face showed a hint of a smile, and he suddenly thrust the tea urn forward toward her eyes.

"Look, you've put in so much tea leaves again—how much does that cost?"

The old lady stopped what she was doing, stared with her eyes, fixedly gazing at Yi Zhonghai, as if trying to see some clue from his face.

The eldest aunt stopped what she was doing, glared with her eyes, fixedly staring at Yi Zhonghai, as if trying to see a clue from his face.

The more one must not reveal the truth.

Experts exchanging moves.

Victory or defeat often hinges on a hair's breadth.

Yi Zhonghai responded openly and frankly, his expression completely natural, demonstrating that he was pure and innocent, having done nothing guilty.

Yi Zhonghai responded to the eldest aunt openly and frankly; his facial expression was quite natural, revealing a scene of himself being pure and innocent, having done nothing guilty.

The old lady spoke.

"You're feeling sorry for the tea leaves now, but when you were scheming over Zhuzi's bicycle earlier, why didn't you feel sorry for your own money? You tried to force a duck onto a shelf, only to be outschemed yourself—Zhuzi's bicycle won't be carrying Qin Huairu to and from work, yet we have to buy her a bicycle; where are we supposed to get the bicycle ticket? I think Zhuzi is right: eat according to your appetite. Of the thirty-odd workers in the Yagangchang who commute by bike, only Zhuzi and Xu Daming ride; everyone else can walk to work, but Qin Huairu is precious, so we must get her a bicycle."

「You now feel sorry for the tea leaves; just now, when you were scheming about Zhuzi's bicycle, how come you don't feel sorry for your own money? Forcing a duck onto a shelf, you ended up being schemed against. Zhuzi's bicycle won't be carrying Qin Huairu to and from work; we still have to buy a bicycle for Qin Huairu. Where are we going to get the bicycle voucher? I think Zhuzi is right: eat according to the size of your belly. In the courtyard, there are thirty or forty workers from the Yagangchang; the only ones who commute by bike are Zhuzi and Xu Daming. Everyone else can walk to work. Only Qin Huairu is precious, so we must get her a bicycle. 」

Some words were not spoken.

For example, why you, Yi Zhonghai, are so concerned about Qin Huairu, why you pay special attention to Bangchui and Huaihua—those kinds of things the old lady did not say.

Even if she sensed something was amiss, she still did not say anything.

Even if she noticed something was wrong, she still didn't say anything.

According to Yi Zhonghai's nature, unless First Aunt has solid evidence proving all this, Yi Zhonghai will certainly make all kinds of excuses.

Saying it is equivalent to saying nothing.

It would be better not to say it.

"Buying a bicycle for Huairu, this wasn't my idea, it was Shazhu's, and besides, it's just a matter of a single sentence—do you really take it to heart?"

Huairu!

This form of address.

Clearly represents intimacy.

"Yi Zhonghai, Qin Huairu is your disciple's wife; I advise you to put away your petty thoughts."

"Look at you, you've gone down a rabbit hole—I know widows' gates attract gossip, but this isn't hopeless; Dong Xu is my disciple, he died, his wife works under me, if I don't look after her a bit, how will the workers view me? They'll think I, Yi Zhonghai, am a cold-blooded beast."

"Alright, alright, I can't argue with you, but let me remind you: Jia Zhangshi is exactly the sort of unreasonable, shrewish old woman you know; as for the bicycle matter, you handle it—I simply won't agree."

The suppressed urge to kill and silence.

Begins to stir again.

Changed target.

No longer the First Aunt.

Became Jia Zhangshi.

They secretly wonder.

With Jia Zhangshi, Qin Huairu's mother-in-law present, Yi Zhonghai wanting the simpleton and Huaihua to recognize their ancestors and return to the clan is truly not easy.

Kill Jia Zhangshi.

Kill all those who block the simpleton and Huaihua's path to recognizing their ancestors and returning to the clan.

Make them call him dad!

……

Hou Yuan.

Long Laotaitai, who considers herself the ancestor of the Dayuan.

She can't sit still.

The matter of the Jia Family and Yi Family becoming sworn brothers and Yi Zhonghai wanting to buy a bicycle for Qin Huairu was deliberately spread to Long Laotaitai's ears by some interested parties.

The cake is only that big.

Those who eat the cake.

Have decreased.

Otherwise, it's fine.

People can not only eat their fill, but also eat well.

Conversely.

Those who originally could eat their fill and eat well will go hungry, and besides being hungry, they will develop resentment toward the extra people brought in to share the cake, resenting that the cake-sharers have taken their things, leaving them unable to eat their fill or eat well.

Long Laotaitai now feels this way.

Supplies are scarce and expensive.

Yet he is a glutton.

He constantly craves meat, bringing it up in front of Yi Zhonghai and saying to the First Aunt, "Anyway, this old lady wants to eat well."

Yi Zhonghai is like a skilled wife unable to cook without rice; he simply can't get her any meat, and his reputation as a Level 8 Technician at the Yagangchang isn't worth even a catty of pork.

Every day he serves her sorghum porridge and millet rice.

His throat hurts.

He can't defecate.

He must use coercive measures.

He spends the whole day in a state of near ecstasy.

Yi Zhonghai buying a bicycle for Qin Huairu is tantamount to touching Long Laotaitai's most painful wound. Well done, Yi Zhonghai, you utter hypocrite, using my old lady to boost your reputation for caring for the elderly, yet when she needs you most, you pull a 'destroy the bridge after crossing the river' on me.

A belly full of resentment.

You have money to buy Qin Huairu a bicycle.

When it's time to buy meat for my old lady, you say you have no money or no coupons; in short, you make every excuse.

Compared to the bicycle,

which costs more?

Definitely the latter.

Long Laotaitai feels a sense of being stabbed in the back, making Yi Zhonghai forget her.

This is intolerable.

I am the ancestor of the Dayuan.

For meat, for better food, Long Laotaitai leans on her cane, trembling as she steps out of the house, walking shakily toward the Yi family in the Zhong Yuan.

When she enters the Yi family's home,

The deceitful drama between Yi Zhonghai and the First Aunt has already ended.

Nobody won over anyone.

Yet each thought they had won over the other.

The difference lies in Yi Zhonghai, anxious and irritated, sitting on a stool smoking, while the First Aunt turned and went to the front courtyard, chatting with the Third Aunt.

"Zhonghai, why are you smoking so much? Smoking isn't good, and your wife doesn't even say anything about it."

They're all old foxes.

What Liaozhai-style trick are you playing?

Isn't it just to find out if their talk is safe or not?

As for going to such great lengths.

Yi Zhonghai glanced at the Long Laotaitai who wouldn't come to the Three Treasures Hall without cause, stubbed out the cigarette in his hand, and said in a low voice: "She's gone to the front courtyard; she won't be back for a while, old lady. If you have something to say, say it quickly."

Long Laotaitai sat down on the stool opposite Yi Zhonghai.

Her murky old eyes, at this moment, fell upon Yi Zhonghai like a sharp blade.

Seeing Long Laotaitai paying such close attention to him,

Yi Zhonghai's heart.

In an instant, it rose to his throat.

But then it quickly returned to normal.

Old people become sly.

Old ghosts become crafty.

Although the uneasy expression on his face flashed by, Long Laotaitai still sensed that something was off with Yi Zhonghai; thinking back to all the previous ups and downs, plus the evidence of Yi Zhonghai buying a bicycle for Qin Huairu, it was enough to prove that Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu shared a secret unknown to outsiders.

Perhaps in others' eyes,

Today's events were simply that Yi Zhonghai tried to scheme against Shazhu but failed, ending up being tricked by Shazhu, and thus had no choice but to buy a bicycle for Qin Huairu.

But in Long Laotaitai's eyes,

Everyone, including Shazhu, fell for Yi Zhonghai's scheme.

The starting point was spending money to buy a bicycle for Qin Huairu.

The excuse was that Qin Huairu's home had two newborn babies that needed care.

Just give the money directly.

What does Jia Zhangshi think?

How do outsiders view it?

The matter of the eldest aunt cannot be gotten past.

That's why the so-called 'tricking Shazhu' incident happened.

If Long Laotaitai hasn't misjudged, the Yagangchang factory already has rumors that Yi Zhonghai was tricked and had to buy a bicycle for Qin Huairu.

Using rumors and gossip.

To achieve her goal of buying a bicycle for Qin Huairu herself.

One cannot help but admire.

This scheme is clever.

As one who has cut off the family line.

Some of Yi Zhonghai's thoughts, Long Laotaitai deeply empathized with, fearing that after his death no one would know, and no one would dress him in mourning clothes.

His thoughts and energy.

Are all focused on the subsequent incense offerings.

Jia Dongxu died, but Yi Zhonghai lived, and he became especially concerned about Qin Huairu.

What specifically is there in this?

How could Long Laotaitai not know?

"I know about your affair."

Just an ordinary sentence.

It nevertheless caused ripples of a tremendous wave in Yi Zhonghai's previously calm heart.

Your affair.

I know.

Just like those who like to fool around, upon hearing this sentence they instinctively think that the other's husband or wife has discovered their infidelity.

The difference between them and Yi Zhonghai is that one worries about the incident happening, while the other worries about it being exposed.

Basically, there is no difference.

It merely subjects people's spirits to the utmost interrogation.

Yi Zhonghai jumped up with a sound, stared straight at Long Laotaitai, then after thinking realized something was off, hastily sat back down on the stool, and casually made up an excuse to excuse his own guilt.

"I've been sitting so long my bones are about to rust."

"Is Jia Dongxu's death related to you?"

"Old lady, are you confused? Jia Dongxu is my disciple; a teacher for a day is a father for life, even a vicious tiger does not eat its own offspring—what nonsense are you spouting?"

"You know very well I'm not talking nonsense; normally you would want Jia Dongxu to support you in your old age and see you through to the end, but since Qin Huairu became pregnant with triplets, you changed—although you deliberately kept your distance, in some subtle details you still revealed your deepest true thoughts."

Reasoning.

Laying out the facts.

Long Laotaitai wants to convince Yi Zhonghai with objective evidence.

She certainly doesn't want to spend her old age eating only coarse grain porridge and steamed corn buns.

This seems to have become Long Laotaitai's only opportunity to get a handle on Yi Zhonghai.

For the sake of eating meat.

Long Laotaitai spares no effort, even using her life as proof.

"Before Qin Huairu was pregnant, when you got off work and went home, you would immediately go inside; after she became pregnant with triplets, you would usually pause for a moment at the doorway, your gaze always fixed on the Jia Family's Qin Huairu. Once Qin Huairu's pregnancy became apparent, you deliberately went along with Jia Zhangshi's wishes in everything—actually using Jia Zhangshi's hand to support the child in Qin Huairu's womb. After Qin Huairu gave birth, you appeared much happier, giving people the sense that life now had a purpose."

The more Yi Zhonghai listened, the colder his heart felt.

The more he listened, the more he regretted.

I never expected he would have so many loopholes in the deaf old lady's eyes.

"Old lady, what do you mean?"

"So you're saying you admit that Qin Huairu's triplets are related to you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I don't know what I'm saying, but I'll keep telling you: Jia Dongxu must have found out about your and Qin Huairu's affair, feeling uneasy because one is his master and the other is his wife; he didn't sleep well at night and dozes off during the day, which is why he accidentally ended up underground—I don't know if I'm right."

The deaf old lady acted as if she had Yi Zhonghai completely under her control.

"My demands aren't high: if I should be given meat, you give me meat; if I should be given soup, you bring me soup; as long as you do that, regarding your and Qin Huairu's matter, I, the old lady, will turn a blind eye, and if you're in a hurry I'll even help you cover up; if necessary, I can also help you think of a way to make them take the Yi surname."