Chapter 26: Scheming Against the Jia Family

The nasty Shazhu and the bastard Xu Damao noticed that their conversation had attracted the attention of the Jia Family ladies, so they deliberately lowered their voices.

So low that the Jia Family ladies inside could only vaguely hear bits like which girl was waiting to marry, which girl was pretty, and even the dowry of white flour, cooking oil, pork, etc.

The more they said, the more baseless it became.

If it weren't for Shazhu braking in time,

He and Xu Damao could even name the dowry of a bicycle and a watch for a bride from another family.

"Damao, how can you be so despicable?"

"Despicable? Shazhu, you're no better."

Xu Damao looked down on Shazhu, then suddenly realized Shazhu wasn't as honest as he seemed; after Xu Damao mentioned a bicycle as dowry, Shazhu quickly added a watch.

Regarding the scheme against the Jia Family,

Xu Damao and Shazhu, who were always rivals,

had rarely joined forces.

"Shazhu, do you think the Jia Family will fall for the trap?"

"Shamao, drop that 'ma' particle—you, Xu Damao, have taken action; is there anything you can't accomplish?"

Xu Damao gave Shazhu a proud glance with his small eyes.

I, Xu Damao, have stepped forward.

There's nothing I can't get done!

The poor donkey-faced man.

He was tricked by Shazhu again.

Consider it the interest on tonight's dumplings from Liu Bi Ju.

Not far away, Yi Zhonghai was at home.

Through the glass, he saw Shazhu and Xu Damao mingling together; just as his mood had improved from Shazhu asking him a question, it instantly became chaotic.

In Yi Zhonghai's eyes, Xu Damao wasn't a good person; Shazhu constantly hanging out with Xu Damao could hardly learn anything good, especially when he heard Xu Damao go to the neighborhood office to discuss marrying a wife, Yi Zhonghai's mood grew ever more gloomy—Shazhu could marry, but the wife had to meet Yi Zhonghai's approval.

"This Shazhu, why is he hanging out with Xu Damao again?"

"Old Yi, Zhuzi and Xu Damao are about the same age and have things to talk about." The old lady wiping the table stopped her work, saying, "Back when that dog translator came to our courtyard seeking the Qing, he said let the Qing host a private banquet for someone, but when the Qing returned that night he said there was none."

"Say, Zhuzi, why are you dragging the Qing into this?"

"I was just speaking offhand."

"We can't say this anymore; these days the Yagangchang factory has been spreading rumors about a reinvestigation—what you just said, only you and I need to know, we can't let a third person find out."

"I'm worried Zhuzi will be at a disadvantage."

Yi Zhonghai ignored the old lady; his gaze through the glass went to Shazhu mingling with Xu Damao.

Over these days of observation,

Yi Zhonghai found that Shazhu didn't seem like someone easily fooled.

Yesterday's meal was paid by Xu Damao.

Tonight, Xu Damao forced Shazhu to treat him to a meal; Yi Zhonghai vaguely guessed that Xu Damao would still be the one paying.

Don't ask why.

That's just what he thinks.

……

The Jia Family.

The Jia Family ladies felt as restless as a cat with an itch.

This itch,

really made them unable to resist.

The woman,

looked like a fairy from a painting.

and came with a dowry of white flour and cooking oil; in this inflationary era, food was as good as hard currency.

Jia Dongxu's heart stirred.

The good-looking guy called out "Mom".

Jia Zhangshi glanced at Jia Dongxu.

A mother knows her child best.

What Jia Dongxu was thinking,

as a mother, she knew very well.

This meant he had an idea.

Jia Zhangshi felt a bit doubtful; nowadays, to arrange a marriage one must pay the matchmaker and the bride's family dowry, and there's no precedent of paying money to marry off a daughter.

Could it be that a windfall pie had fallen from the sky onto the Jia Family!

"Dong Xu, this matter can't be rushed; Mother these days has asked someone to find you a wife, promising a beautiful one."

"I don't mean that; I mean we should look for families that pay to take a bride, rather than those demanding a dowry."

Jia Zhangshi thought for a moment.

What Jia Dongxu said made sense.

Let me take a look first.

We'll talk after I've checked it out.

She put down her needlework, slipped on cloth shoes and went out the door; before leaving she tidied her clothes, and Jia Dongxu followed behind her, mimicking her, fussing with his hair as they walked.

The junction of the central courtyard and the rear courtyard.

Two heads poked out.

The long-faced one is Xu Daming.

The square-faced one is Shazhu.

The two watched the Jia Family women hastily leave the Siheyuan, feeling as happy as if they had eaten honey, and also feeling they had done a great good deed benefiting the country and the people; Jia Family's Dong Xu now had a wife, the predicament that troubled Director Wang regarding the prostitute's remarriage was also opened up, and the unfortunate prostitute now had her own belonging.

Achieved multiple gains at once.

Why not do it?

Xu Daming raised his head and looked at Shazhu with his chin.

Shazhu liked Xu Daming's arrogant demeanor; seeing Liu Haizhong and his wife come out of the house, the couple Yi Zhonghai from Zhong Yuan also came out, and Yan Fugui also came to give He Yushui extra lessons.

He deliberately used words to jab at Xu Daming's heart.

"Xu Daming, are you lacking virtue or not?"

"Shazhu, what do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Shazhu raised his voice, "As the old saying goes, if you want others not to know, you must not do it yourself; if you do many guilty deeds, you will meet ghosts at night."

He twisted his body.

He patted his butt and left.

His manner was so carefree.

"Shazhu, let me tell you, I, Xu Daming, am lacking virtue—what can you do about it? At Liu Bi Ju tonight, you must treat me, otherwise you are my grandson."

Shazhu stopped, gave Xu Daming a cold snort, and staggered out of the Siheyuan.

Behind him were the bewildered people of the Siheyuan and Xu Daming, who had misunderstood Shazhu's words.

"Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, San Daye, give me your judgment: yesterday we invited me, Xu Daming, to eat, but the bill was paid by me, Xu Daming; today I let Shazhu treat me to a meal—am I wrong?"

"No, it's not wrong, I just want to ask: how did the Jia Family women go out?"

"They went to the Jiēdào to arrange a marriage for Jia Dongxu." Xu Daming didn't think much, casually said: "I heard they brought a dowry of white flour and cooking oil, and no bride price is needed."

Liu Haizhong glanced at his eldest son.

Opportunity!

"You guys chat, I'm going out to use the toilet."

His figure quickly disappeared.

……

Shazhu left the Siheyuan.

He sprinted straight to the Jiēdào.

Watch the show!

The Jia Family mother-in-law and daughter-in-law's big drama.

Shazhu discovered the Jia Family women crouching and listening at the wall corner beneath the window outside the Jiēdào office.

Don't say.

This hiding place.

Ordinary people wouldn't think of it, nor could they find it.

Too hidden.

After entering the house, he blinked at Director Wang, gestured with both hands indicating someone was eavesdropping at the wall corner, and mouthed a silent 'Jia' character.

Director Wang was helpless.

Everyone says Shazhu is an honest kid; when faced with rebellious soldiers stealing buns, he could still hold the buns to evade the soldiers, and not lose a single bun.

This scheme against the Jia Family is something an honest kid could pull off.