Chapter 428: Persuading Yan Fugui

Yu Li's words.

Like a lit fuse, it instantly detonated Yan Jie Di's dissatisfaction; she opened her mouth and angrily poured out bitter complaints.

"Sister-in-law, you don't know, just now my dad mentioned going to the countryside; my third brother absolutely refuses to go, and even said he'd let me go."

Seeing Yan Jie Di gritting her teeth, as if she wanted to tear Yan Jiekuang apart.

Shazhu didn't know how to persuade her.

Even an upright official finds it hard to settle family matters.

Every family has its own difficult sutra to recite.

Yan Fugui could not possibly fail to consider the pros and cons of Yan Jie Di going to the countryside.

From the moment Yan Jie Di came to him, Shazhu knew Yan Fugui actually also hoped she would go to the countryside, or at least supported the idea of her going.

I don't have the bearing of an old man.

I don't have the bearing of an older brother.

Yan Fugui handled this poorly, completely lacking a father's demeanor.

Yan Jiekuang also behaved most improperly; as his sister, Yan Jie Di is younger and a pretty girl—how could he not worry at all about her safety?

Although he already had a rough idea, Shazhu still asked a question.

"Si Ni Zi, what does your father mean? He wouldn't really make you go, would he? If your dad agreed, does your mother also agree to let you go?"

"Our parents made us draw lots, saying we're his daughters, flesh and blood no matter who goes or stays, someone will be unhappy and someone happy; they say our biggest problem is not finding work in time. Uncle He, I'm not just complaining—finding work isn't that easy."

Shazhu sighed.

He admitted that what Yan Jie Di said made sense.

Because of certain matters.

Many factories have stopped or closed.

This has led to the current situation of many wolves and little meat.

"Head of the household, if you don't talk to San Daye, Yan Jie Di is after all a girl; if she really goes to the countryside and something happens, they'll be the ones to regret it."

Yu Li's following words.

Even if not explained clearly.

Yet Shazhu heard it clearly.

He glanced at Yan Jie Di's little face, which had turned deathly pale, hesitated a moment, then nodded in agreement.

As he stepped out the door.

He still thought, helping Yan Jie Di would offend Yan Jiekuang; not helping, he couldn't bear to see her someday return to the Siheyuan with a child in hand, a child in her arms, and a child in her belly—a mother and four children—given Yan Fugui and his wife's temperament, this scene could literally anger them to death.

This could be called an overflowing saintly heart.

He walked toward Yan Fugui's home.

He arrived at the door.

He shouted a few times.

"San Daye, are you home?"

Inside, Yan Fugui, whose brows were furrowed over Yan Jie Di's going to the countryside, heard Shazhu's voice from outside.

It was strange that Shazhu came looking for him.

He was startled for over ten seconds, then understood Shazhu's purpose; a faint embarrassed expression flitted across his face as he rose from the stool and stepped toward the door, replying.

"Shazhu, I'm inside."

The door was pushed open.

Shazhu walked in from outside.

Seeing Yan Fugui's welcoming posture, he made a small joke.

"San Daye, after all these years as neighbors, why do you personally greet me?"

"You Shazhu, you only know how to rub San Daye the wrong way." Yan Fugui pointed to the nearby stool, told Shazhu to sit down, and had Third Aunt pour him water: "Old woman, pour a cup of tea."

"I just had some, I won't drink more." Shazhu saw Yan Jiekuang also there, thought the timing was right, and said some things face‑to‑face, which is far clearer than behind‑back talk: "Jiekuang, you're not out, huh? Perfect—I'd like to talk with you. Just now Si Ni Zi came to my place and said your Yan Family received a notice to send someone to the countryside; she intends to go herself."

Shazhu polished his wording.

He reframed the forced sending of Yan Jie Di to the countryside as her voluntary decision; although the outcome is the same, the inner nature changed, making it easier to accept.

It also sounds better for the Yan Family's reputation.

Yan Fugui was astonished, doubting his own ears.

Mainly, Shazhu's direct approach caught Yan Fugui off guard; in Yan Fugui's mind, even if Shazhu came for Yan Jie Di's countryside matter, he should first lay some groundwork.

Good fellow.

Getting straight to the point.

Shazhu's favor, considering the Yan Family's face, Yan Fugui must accept; with Shazhu's remark as groundwork, once it spreads, the Yan Family's reputation will look a bit better—otherwise Yan Jiekuang's future marriage will surely be ruined, for no one would agree to let their daughter marry a selfish man who could abandon his own sister.

"Yes." Yan Fugui, with an air of self‑evidence, said earnestly: "This girl simply won't be reasoned with; she insists on going to the countryside, saying she doesn't want to trouble us old folks, and if she doesn't go, her brother must."

"Si Ni Zi, this girl has her own mind." Shazhu praised Yan Jie Di: "She's got stature, her looks aren't bad; in our neighborhood she's absolutely the top‑notch girl, educated, and in a few years I'd guess San Daye's doorstep will be worn out by matchmakers."

Anything.

has a gradual process.

To increase the odds of his persuasion succeeding.

Shazhu used as beautiful wording as possible to embellish Yan Jie Di, praising her to the heavens.

The prettier the girl, the more dangerous the countryside for her.

Wolves surround her.

Male comrades have designs on Yan Jie Di.

The good young men in the countryside also had ideas about Yan Jie Di.

Even if you think the worst, some old ruffians would not have designs on Yan Jie Di.

Shazhu just wants to put pressure on the Yan family.

Otherwise, they truly wouldn't take this matter to heart.

Shazhu, who was sizing up the expressions on Yan Fugui and his wife as well as Yan Jiekuang's face, sensed the moment was right, took a deep breath, and directly stated his purpose.

"San Daye, Third Aunt, and Yan Jiekuang, my words might be easy to say (talking without back pain), or I might offend Yan Jiekuang, and afterward Yan Jiekuang will curse my ancestors in his heart, but I still want to say this so that you, San Daye, Third Aunt, and Yan Jiekuang, won't regret it later."

Yan Fugui stared for a moment; how could he hear these words as so harsh? He instinctively glanced at his own third son, knowing that it would be best for the third son to go to the countryside.

But they are just parents.

They must keep things fair, like holding a bowl of water level.

At that moment, when drawing lots, it was Yan Jie Di who drew the slip that said 'go to the countryside'.

Thus.

Yan Fugui also felt awkward saying anything further.

Unless Yan Jiekuang voluntarily goes to the countryside in Yan Jie Di's stead.

The problem is that Yan Fugui's scheming genes have penetrated the bone marrow of several of his children; expecting Yan Jiekuang to say 'I'll take Yan Jie Di's place to go to the countryside' is pure daydreaming.

Shazhu's appearance gave Yan Fugui a faint hope.

I currently lack the ability; otherwise I'd find a job for Si Ni Zi. You all know I'm responsible for garbage sorting every day. To speak bluntly, I don't fear Yan Jiekuang hating me—if we really must send someone to the countryside, it's best for Yan Jiekuang to go.