Chapter 194

Seeing Yi Zhonghai inquire about the child's matter.

The eldest madam, already furious.

She was even more furious, blazing with rage.

Her face grew ferocious, her eyes turning an especially bloody red; to look at her was like seeing a man‑eating beast, and the more frightening it seemed, the more frightening it was.

To be a mother, to raise the child until grown, to see the child marry, establish a career, and have children.

This is the eldest madam's greatest dream.

She has always wanted to be a capable mother.

Just as she was about to fulfill this dream, the deaf old lady borrowed a knife to kill, using Yi Zhonghai, and ruthlessly stripped the eldest madam of her right to be a mother.

"Yi Zhonghai, you still have the nerve to ask why? You listened to that dead old lady's nonsense." The eldest madam pointed at the deaf old lady, gnashing her teeth as she cursed Yi Zhonghai: "You go to the alleys every day, basically never caring about our mother and daughter's time; when you're out of money, the dead old lady gives you cash; sometimes when you encounter trouble, the dead old lady helps you cover it up—my son is just like that, lacking."

Jia Zhangshi, hiding at the side and watching the drama.

She let out a loud "ah" shout.

"I remember now, that day the deaf old lady went to your room; I don't know what she said, but anyway you two started arguing; after the deaf old lady left, when you went out, you tripped on the threshold, and your belly happened to press against the wood; my old woman saw the blood, and I panicked..."

A familiar miscarriage scene.

It was imprinted on the minds of everyone present.

I never imagined there would be such behind‑the‑scenes details.

The deaf old lady had no sons or daughters, worried she would be left without heirs, she turned her thoughts to Yi Zhonghai, preparing to have him manage her after‑affairs.

If it were someone else.

Surely it would be exchanging hearts.

Using sincerity to exchange true hearts.

The deaf old lady did not follow the usual route; she took a devious path, bore ill will toward Yi Zhonghai, and sent him to the alleys under the guise of expanding his horizons.

Yi Zhonghai said he had no money.

The deaf old lady voluntarily gave the money, saying there was no hurry to repay it, and that if there was no money, repayment wasn't required.

Slowly.

Yi Zhonghai learned to go bad.

He spent all day lodging in the alleys; when he had no money, he went to the deaf old lady to get some; she gave him money and advice, helping Yi Zhonghai deceive the eldest madam, claiming he was working overtime at the steel plant.

Actually, he was exerting himself in the alleys.

There is no wall in the world that doesn't let the wind through.

The fact that Yi Zhonghai went to the alleys was still discovered by the eldest madam; she and Yi Zhonghai had a quarrel—this was a private matter between husband and wife, yet the deaf old lady, an outsider, insisted on intervening.

The next day, seizing the chance while Yi Zhonghai was away, she went to the door to lecture the eldest madam.

The eldest madam and the deaf old lady shouted at each other; the deaf old lady slapped the eldest madam, saying that since the eldest madam had no mother‑in‑law, she, the deaf old lady, would take Yi Zhonghai's place in disciplining this unfilial daughter‑in‑law.

The eldest madam's stomach was gripped by sudden, intense pain; the deaf old lady sensed something was off and slipped away; the eldest madam suffered terribly, with no one at home, she thought of calling someone to take her to the hospital for a check‑up, but when she reached the door she collapsed to the ground; Jia Zhangshi discovered this and went to look for Yi Zhonghai, yet Yi Zhonghai paid no attention, saying the eldest madam was deliberately putting on a bitter‑plight act to keep him from coming to the alleys.

This is the entire course of the incident as it originally happened.

It is somewhat tragic.

The tragic truth of the incident.

It rendered the scene as silent as silk.

Among everyone present, the one who felt it most deeply was Yi Zhonghai.

He constantly yearned for a child of his own, so that the Yi family line would continue, sparing no effort in scheming for his old age—first with Jia Dongxu, then with Qin Huairu.

What is he aiming for?

Isn't it just that in his old age he could have grandchildren surrounding his knees, so as not to be cut off by these people in the Siheyuan?

Something easily within grasp, yet when he was about to obtain it, it flew off to the clouds beyond.

Is there any joke more laughable than this?

Probably not.

The great rises and falls of sorrow and joy.

It truly left Yi Zhonghai unable to accept it.

Son.

His own son.

Because of his own pretentiousness, his son was just gone like that.

The hypocritical gentleman seemed to be on the verge of collapse, his body slightly trembling, the kindly face filled with ferocity, his scarlet eyes revealing a ruthlessness that would take a life.

"Return my son."

Yi Zhonghai, after letting out a shout, took the lead in striking.

Strike first to gain the advantage.

Strike later and suffer.

Yi Zhonghai, resolved to make the deaf old lady look bad, struck without holding back.

Before, perhaps he still had to worry about his own persona, and could not justifiably make the deaf old lady look good for no reason.

Now.

Even if he crippled the deaf old lady, the people in the courtyard would say nothing; those eager to repay would give Yi Zhonghai a thumbs‑up, frankly saying he is a real man.

For the child.

This is the reason.

It is also an excuse.

The eldest madam's revelation that she had miscarried because of the deaf old lady became the reason for Yi Zhonghai to strike at the deaf old lady.

Also ruthless.

He specifically aimed his attack at Long Laotaitai's mouth.

Heavy fists viciously struck the mouth of the Dayuan ancestor.

Then a shrill scream was heard, and the neighbors vaguely saw several yellowed teeth, amidst the flying blood spatter, fall from midair onto the ground.

Good fellow.

The few remaining teeth of the Dayuan ancestor, under Yi Zhonghai's heavy blow, all said goodbye to the Dayuan ancestor.

Yi Zhonghai, having landed the blow, completely ignored the blood-soaked Dayuan ancestor and started cursing on his own.

"Old lady, everyone sees how I treat you—providing your three meals on time, you're greedy and want better food; I, Yi Zhonghai, do my best to satisfy your desires. I never thought you'd be grateful to me; I just hoped you'd remember me fondly. Instead, I've been dreaming in vain, gotten nothing, and even turned into an enemy. Today, in front of everyone, I want to ask you properly, old lady, what exactly is your heart toward me?"

Yi Zhonghai's voice had already been raised to its maximum; he was practically shouting his anger at Long Laotaitai, not worrying that she would say anything bad about him.

Just that blow just now.

How much force was used.

What consequences would the other party face.

Yi Zhonghai knows.

An adult young man hit by his blow would have to collapse on the spot, let alone the recipient being an elderly Long Laotaitai.

The Dayuan ancestor at this moment had his mouth open but couldn't utter a word.

Isn't this exactly the scene Yi Zhonghai had been looking forward to?

Taking advantage of Long Laotaitai's inability to speak, he tried as much as possible to cleanse his image.

After all, the recent exposé ruined Yi Zhonghai's reputation.

What a hypocrite excels at is turning bad into good; he simply used the fact that his own child is gone to make a big fuss, deliberately accusing Long Laotaitai of being inhuman.

"Not just the matter of supporting you in your old age and seeing you to the end; I, Yi Zhonghai, swear by my word—I promised to support you in your old age and see you to the end. What do you have to worry about? What is there to worry about?"

Long Laotaitai moved her lips.

She seemed to want to say something.

She knew that if she let Yi Zhonghai continue speaking, the result would be...

She wanted to retaliate.

Yet the excruciating pain made her feel like she was dying, as if it had drained all her vitality, rendering her unable to utter a word.

"The one who should really be worried is me, Yi Zhonghai—I support you in your old age and see you to the end; who will support me in my old age? Let's think honestly: do you deserve me, Yi Zhonghai? All my life, what I want, you old lady couldn't not know? I just want a child of my own, so that in my old age I won't be cut off without heirs."

The tone shifted.

He accused Long Laotaitai of being inhuman.

"Old lady, how can your heart be so vicious? You worry about being cut off without heirs, you scheme against me, Yi Zhonghai—I stepped into a trap, but don't you worry about me being cut off without heirs? You schemed against my only son, that's my son! You clearly know my wife is pregnant, yet you deliberately anger her—doesn't that clearly show you don't want me, Yi Zhonghai, to have a son?"

Yi Zhonghai started cursing Long Laotaitai.

"Long Laotaitai, I ask you one question—answer me honestly: are you human? To me you don't look like a person; you look like a beast wearing human skin. No human would do such a wicked thing. I've lost my son—does that benefit you? Speak, speak honestly. You think staying silent makes it fine? Let me tell you, today I will seek justice for my son."

Yi Zhonghai's hoarse, exhausted roar, paired with a ferocious face, and Long Laotaitai's miserable state as further proof.

The onlookers felt a surge of fear.

Yu Li was among them.

Presumably also her first time seeing Yi Zhonghai like this, Yu Li couldn't help but lean her body toward Shazhu, instinctively grabbing his arm.

Shazhu, noticing his wife's unusual emotion, reflexively grabbed her hand.

The husband and wife were of one heart.

Their unity could cut through metal.

As long as they both put their strength in the same direction.

Even Yi Zhonghai couldn't shake them in the slightest.

His gaze swept past Yi Zhonghai and Long Laotaitai, landing on Xu Daming and Lou Xiaoe; perhaps it was an illusion, but Shazhu faintly felt a sense of desolation from Xu Daming.

His thoughts shifted.

Biesun was the sort who kept the red flag flying at home and colorful flags fluttering outside, with a silver tongue that had who knows how many young wives and widows swooning.

What happened to him?

What could make Biesun feel this lost?

He nodded toward Xu Daming from afar.

Xu Daming also grinned at Shazhu, then, thinking of something, he took Lou Xiaoe and weaved through the crowd to reach Shazhu.

Watching Long Laotaitai tear apart Yi Zhonghai's big show before his eyes, he couldn't muster any interest; instead, a boundless sense of loss welled up.

"Xu Daming, are you alright?"

"Shazhu, do you think Yi Zhonghai is pitiable or not?"

Shazhu blinked.

That remark came from Xu Daming's mouth.

That's totally inappropriate.

The neighbors all know that Xu Daming has three grudges within the compound: one against the Jia Family, two against Yi Zhonghai, three against Long Laotaitai.

Based on Xu Daming's nature of repaying grudges with grudges and kindness with kindness.

He shouldn't have said that.

Not only should he not have said that, but he also added insult to injury, mercilessly mocking Yi Zhonghai and Long Laotaitai.

It's strange.

Could the sun have risen from the west?

Xu Daming felt sympathy for Yi Zhonghai.

Your grandpa's.

Did you take the wrong medicine?

"I don't think so."

Xu Daming looked at the speaking Shazhu, smiled a bit, "Shazhu, you don't know, you also won't have this kind of experience, forget it, I won't say more, go watch the show."

Shazhu scratched his head.

You won't have this kind of experience.

Even if you say it, you won't know.

What the hell is this?

Eastern hammer, western stick—what nonsense?

He turned his head toward Lou Xiaoe and asked.

"Lou Xiaoe, what's wrong with your family's foolish Damao?"

"Shazhu, our family's Damao isn't foolish; he's fine—don't you dare call our family's Damao that."

Shazhu let out another cold snort in his heart.

Truly foolish woman.

Xu Damao's loss is so obvious; as his wife, you not only failed to notice, but you're acting so nonchalant.

That's settled.

Watching the show.

Shazhu redirected his gaze back into the crowd.

A period of time passed.

Yi Zhonghai tore apart Long Laotaitai's big show, already reaching its climax.

Not sure if he's acting, Yi Zhonghai, who was questioning Long Laotaitai why she did this, began wildly slapping his own face.

An appearance of extreme regret.

Even a hypocrite can bring himself to strike.

The big slap landed mercilessly on his own face.

Shazhu could see it with the naked eye.

On Yi Zhonghai's cheek, a clear five-finger mark appeared.

One can see the hypocrite's current mood.

"My son, my son, Dad I'm sorry to you, Long Laotaitai, I hate you, you destroyed my son, give me back my son."

He received a slap.

Long Laotaitai still couldn't speak.

She laughed.

Fresh blood slowly trickled from the corner of his mouth.

His appearance really wasn't pretty.

"Why did you do this? Why did you do this? Answer me—I, Yi Zhonghai, owe you nothing; you schemed against my son, my son."

"Yi Zhonghai, do you still have the face to mourn here?" A big mom joined the fray, firing at Yi Zhonghai: "I told you before, Long Laotaitai isn't a good person, but you wouldn't listen; you took her money to buy a house in the hutong, you got a venereal disease, you made me unable to be a mother for life; you listened to her words and destroyed the child in my womb; if I were you, I'd find a piece of tofu and kill myself."

"Son." Yi Zhonghai's howling had snot flowing into his mouth cavity, "I'm sorry to you."

"Pa-pa-pa!"

Three heavy slaps landed hard on Yi Zhonghai's face.

The one who struck was a big mom.

It carried a hint of personal revenge.

These three slaps, the big mom put in twelve percent of her strength; Yi Zhonghai's mouth corner faintly showed traces of blood seeping out.

The atmosphere on scene.

Suddenly became a bit eerie.

Many people didn't know what to do.

Continue watching the show.

Not right.

Turned head and went home.

Also not right.

You look at me, I look at you, we're just going with the flow. You don't leave, I don't leave. Qin Huairu also stems from this mindset, gritting her teeth to stay on the scene.

Among so many neighbors, she is the most embarrassed person.

The scheming woman suddenly realized that the matter of the club must be kept from Yi Zhonghai; no matter what, she must not let Yi Zhonghai find out.

Observing Yi Zhonghai before her eyes.

She became possessed.

She constantly yearned to have her own son.

If Yi Zhonghai knew that Qin Huairu used someone else's child to scheme, calculate, and drain him, he would very likely do something irrational.

Jia Dongxu's tragic fate.

Qin Huairu certainly didn't want to follow in his footsteps.

She needed to save herself.

Letter!

Qin Huairu's eyes suddenly lit up; she recalled that letter, said to be one Jia Dongxu deliberately left for Jia Zhangshi before his accident.

Having this letter is equivalent to having a means to counterbalance Yi Zhonghai.

The problem is that we don't know where the letter is.

Regarding the matter of the letter.

Qin Huairu is completely bewildered.

She has searched the entire house, even Bangeng's schoolbag, but still cannot find that letter.

Where is the letter!