Chapter 573: Jia Zhangshi, Yang Qianjin, start your performance

Shazhu didn't take Jia Zhangshi's threat to heart.

This threat.

It's simply like taking a shower in a raincoat—you can't grasp the crux of the matter.

Nowadays, the houses are all private property bought by others.

Jia Zhangshi, this Second Lady Steward, hasn't even been appointed by the Street Office; she's more makeshift than a vegetable stall crew, and has no authority to evict residents.

In the past, it might have been possible.

The prerequisite is for Jia Zhangshi to become Yi Zhonghai.

Back then, it could have happened that Yi Zhonghai teamed up with Long Laotaitai to drive out the neighbors in the Siheyuan.

That was then.

This is now.

The overall situation is different now.

Jia Zhangshi isn't Yi Zhonghai; even if she copied his old tactics of threats and inducements, she still accomplished nothing.

At the very least, Shazhu ignores Jia Zhangshi.

Looking at Jia Zhangshi,

he replied with a sentence.

"Lou Xiao'e is a guest at the Yagangchang; I'm just a cook who doesn't work there—how could I possibly have the virtue or ability to make her listen to me and hide? As for what you, Jia Zhangshi, said—'evict me He Yuzhu, evict Lou Xiao'e'—I don't look down on you, but even if I lent you a hundred dog's guts, you wouldn't dare evict me He Yuzhu, nor could you evict Lou Xiao'e. This is my private property, and Lou Xiao'e's is private too; you, self-proclaimed Second Lady Steward, think you're mightier than the state? Try evicting me—believe it or not, I'll slap you with a big palm."

Shazhu moved his wrists, looking like he wanted to beat someone up.

He broke through Jia Zhangshi's defenses.

Laoqianpo's face flushed red; she suddenly didn't know what to say.

She seemed to have realized the reality.

She knew she couldn't drive away Shazhu, nor Lou Xiao'e.

"Zhuzi, you've misunderstood my mother-in-law; she's thinking of the neighbors' welfare. Although you get along well with Lou Xiao'e, you shouldn't do something that lets the neighbors down."

Qin Huairu interjected out of nowhere.

It instantly sparked everyone's imagination.

Getting along well with Lou Xiao'e.

Everyone knows Lou Xiao'e was Xu Daming's ex-wife; Xu Daming and Shazhu are on good terms, and he even protected Shazhu for ten years. That word "good" made the neighbors' imaginations run wild.

They wondered whether the two had become so close as to share a room.

One can't help but admire.

Their imagination is rich enough.

Not a bit wrong.

Shazhu and Lou Xiao'e have developed a private relationship beyond friendship.

Seeing everyone's attention drawn to Shazhu, wondering how he and Lou Xiao'e get along, Qin Huairu suddenly added another remark.

"Of course, these are just my personal guesses; I can't guarantee or warrant them—I'm merely speaking casually. Otherwise, why would Lou Xiao'e ride back to the Siheyuan on your He Yuzhu's motorcycle? I've heard that in the Capital City, Lou Xiao'e comes and goes in a small car."

Such a scheming bitch, truly a scheming bitch.

While making everyone suspect an affair between Shazhu and Lou Xiao'e, she immediately distanced herself from any connection.

Unintentionally, she directed the fire at Shazhu and pondered the suspicions on Lou Xiao'e; under the influence of hearsay, rumors can become lethal.

Shazhu's current wife is Yu Li.

To prove his innocence, Shazhu will surely distance himself from Lou Xiao'e.

"Qin Huairu could know which hotel Lou Xiao'e is staying at; in the Siheyuan, that's just being close to Shazhu. If Shazhu avoids suspicion by staying far away, would Lou Xiao'e then have no one to rely on? When Qin Huairu goes to her, could she obtain Lou Xiao'e's consent?"

As long as the two are connected.

Qin Huairu would then have confidence to extort money from Lou Xiao'e.

What a clever scheme!

Jia Zhangshi herself suspected Shazhu of hiding Lou Xiao'e; hearing Qin Huairu's words stirred her suspicions further. Knowing she couldn't match Shazhu, she called for allies and said to Yang Qianjin:

"Head Steward, this is the Shazhu who lives in the Siheyuan yet ruins the neighbors' interests. You are the new Head Steward of our Siheyuan, and today you're convening the first grand courtyard meeting—this clearly shows no respect for you; I simply can't tolerate it."

Jia Zhangshi also learned to provoke, using words to goad Yang Qianjin.

Yang Qianjin didn't fall for it.

Jia Zhangshi's tricks.

He understood.

Yet, out of concern for saving face, he began speaking to Shazhu.

"Second Lady, rest assured—this is the neighbors' affair. As Head Steward Yang Qianjin, I will take full responsibility for the neighbors and consider their interests."

Yang Qianjin made a solemn promise.

He focused his gaze on Shazhu.

His kind eyes were full of the meaning that made you want to surrender, and they also gave you a strange feeling that if you refused, you'd be as good as having made a mistake.

Just based on that,

Yi Zhonghai couldn't match Yang Qianjin's deep skill; a hypocrite still had to utter these moral-binding words, pairing them with his benevolent gaze, working in tandem.

Yang Qianjin said nothing; just relying on his false benevolent gaze made you inexplicably feel a faint guilt, as if you had done something that provoked heaven and resentment.

"Shazhu, the Head Steward has gathered everyone in the courtyard for a meeting, not to show off but because we're repairing the houses—everyone benefits. Our courtyard is full of poor folk who can't afford repairs; when it rains, it leaks; when it snows, it seeps. Since you have money, and Lou Xiao'e does too, we wanted you to contribute some love. The fact that only you came while Lou Xiao'e didn't isn't to force you to pay—it's to give you fame, to encourage you to do good deeds."

Jia Zhangshi, as the vanguard of the Jia Family's interests,

saw Yang Qianjin step down.

seemed to have gained confidence inwardly.

He said a few more sentences, and even pointed the blame at Shazhu.

You paid for the neighbors' house repairs; they'll surely praise you, and when people ask why your siheyuan is so new, they'll say it was Lou Xiaoe and Shazhu who funded the repairs—such great benefactors—shouldn't outsiders give you a thumbs‑up?

The thief's grandma!

Shazhu glanced at Jia Zhangshi and said lightly.

Just five simple words.

Jia Zhangshi was so angry she wanted to stomp her feet.

"Shazhu, what are you saying? Who is the thief's grandma? Didn't you brush your teeth today? Your mouth reeks!" Jia Zhangshi flared up, pointing at Shazhu and shouting, "Shazhu, how did I become the thief's grandma? Explain yourself—who is the thief? Who is the thief's grandma? If you don't clarify, I won't let this go."

"Shazhu, what are you doing? How can you insult people like that!" Yang Qianjin also backed Jia Zhangshi, shouting at Shazhu: "I've decided—apologize to the older sister, and we'll consider this settled."

"Old helper, he calls me Shazhu and that's not an insult, but when I call her the thief's grandma it's an insult. Who the hell are you? Who flew open their pants to reveal something like you? Such double standards! She scolds me and I deserve it; if I speak the truth, am I at fault? You old coot, this isn't even your business—just watch and keep quiet."

This time Shazhu didn't indulge Qianjin; he fired back with words.

He had originally wanted to just strike.

As Qianjin spoke, he raised a big slap and slapped Qianjin.

But because he didn't know Qianjin's background or what Qianjin's few kids did, in case they were capable, things remained troublesome.

Do you really think the world is already peaceful?

Nonsense.

Anything could happen.

Consider a blunt strike.

In the dark, you strike and leave; you can only suffer a dumb loss.

Qianjin didn't expect Shazhu to call him "old helper" and "old coot"; he was momentarily speechless, unsure how to reply.

I thought Shazhu would mind his own status.

But I didn't expect Shazhu to break the norm.

You, damn it, are actually the manager of the Capital City's renowned Bai Xu restaurant—yet you call yourself an old coot and an old helper, effectively lowering your own status.

He wanted to rebut, but Shazhu's words were sound and well‑founded!

They allow Jia Zhangshi to call Shazhu this and that, but forbid Shazhu from calling Jia Zhangshi the thief's grandma?

This is a fact.

Otherwise Bangeng wouldn't have ended up in jail.

He truly lacks the qualification.

Qianjin sighed inwardly; didn't Jia Zhangshi say Shazhu was inarticulate?

In fact, Shazhu is not only not inarticulate, he's eloquent.

Seeing Qianjin publicly rebuked by Shazhu and not knowing what to say, Qin Huairu seized the moment and uttered a smoothing remark.

"Zhuzi, my mother-in-law and the Head Steward didn't mean it; everyone in the courtyard knows the nickname Shazhu came from your father, we've just gotten used to it—from now on we'll stop calling you Shazhu, just like I call you Zhuzi—calm down; now let's talk about renovating the siheyuan."

Qin Huairu saying that was naturally not a sudden conscience; she was helping Jia Zhangshi save face.

She did that.

On one hand she wanted to use the chance to suppress Jia Zhangshi and weaken her prestige; on the other hand she wanted to display her persona as a dutiful daughter‑in‑law.

Recently the Jia family has been in an uproar.

But now, because of the siheyuan repairs, the elderly widow Jia Zhangshi and the young widow Qin Huairu have reconciled.

More importantly, she wanted to tell Lou Xiaoe that she remains that dutiful mother‑in‑law, a good daughter‑in‑law unwilling to remarry.

Qianjin, his mind thrown into disorder by Shazhu's foul mouth,

Taking advantage of Qin Huairu's smooth talk,

he regained his composure.

He essentially experienced the plight of a scholar meeting soldiers.

"Zhuzi, I'm Qianjin; the last time Lou Xiaoe left, I introduced myself as Head Steward, considering the neighbors' interests; just now the second aunt said the neighbors' houses are all broken and need repair—otherwise, when it rains heavily outside, it drips inside, and even with a stove in winter it's still bitterly cold, and we have no money."

Shazhu gave a cold snort.

He looked at Qianjin with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Since I moved in, I've heard Zhuzi doesn't associate with the Jia family—that's wrong; setting aside facts, we're all residents of the same compound, we never see each other head‑on—what deep grudge could justify never speaking for a lifetime?"

Shazhu was also speechless.

A true Moral Heavenly Venerable possessed him.

When Yi Zhonghai was alive, his catchphrase was "let's not talk about facts."

Qianjin is of the same ilk.

"I heard you two families have had some unpleasantness; give the Head Steward some face, let's get along nicely. Now for the main point: repairing the siheyuan houses—twenty‑seven or twenty‑eight households still need your help, He Yuzhu, to assist the neighbors. The Head Steward put it this way—it may sound harsh, but the sense is sound; don't blame me for being blunt. I'm doing this for the neighbors' sake, to restore harmony to our siheyuan and secure its bright future."

Qianjin really thought of himself as a scallion.

Also for the siheyuan's bright future.

He didn't even bother to take a piss and look at himself.

"So what do you want to do?"

He Yuzhu stared coldly.

Also to restore harmony to our siheyuan.

I scoff.

He somehow gathered some manuscripts, memorized them, and made them his own.

He really likes to gild his own face.

To cloak others' selfish desires in a splendid robe of righteousness and speak so pure and unworldly is utterly shameless.

I can't be bothered to guess what you're thinking; just say it out, I'll listen. It's rare that the Siheyuan has something like this—don't hide it, speak.

Zhuzi, then I'll say it; if it's not good, don't get angry—I'm saying this for the neighbors' sake. There's a saying that's too good: sacrifice the small family for the big one; for our Siheyuan this big family, I'd endure any hardship or fatigue, and that's only right.

Yang Qianjin must be imagining himself as Bao Qingtian.

An air of righteous indignation.

If there were some incense and such, one could probably enshrine him.

Don't talk about useless stuff; just say what you want.

Jia Zhangshi took the chance to fan the flames.

They hurriedly said a line.

The First Elder, for the neighbors' sake, is willing to offend people; as the Second Madam, I can't fall behind either. Shazhu, after the neighbors unanimously agreed, they think the money for repairing the Siheyuan houses should come from you, Shazhu.

Shazhu looked at Jia Zhangshi with an unfriendly gaze.

This old thing.

In my previous life I teamed up with Qin Huairu, forcing myself to publicly kneel and kowtow, calling her mother, and even promised to give her three dollars a month in pension.

Now it's just to suck blood.

They're utterly shameless.

"What the thief's grandmother means is also what the neighbors mean?"

Shazhu's gaze.

Looking at the people around.

The tone reveals neither good nor bad.

"Let me, He Yuzhu, pay for the house repairs—do you also want to tear down the walls? Then one room would become two. I want to know if this is the thief's grandmother's idea??"

What does Jia Zhangshi even count as?

She's nothing but a shameless old hag.

What right do they have to demand Shazhu pay for the neighbors' house repairs?

"The prisoner's grandmother, may I ask—what is your status? In what capacity do you ask me to pay? Just because you're the grandson of the thief who's in jail?"

Shazhu stared straight at Jia Zhangshi.

His face suddenly broke into a smile.

"What's my status? I'm the Second Madam of the courtyard."

Jia Zhangshi was a bit dazed by the question.

He has no damn status.

Or it's self-appointed.

"The neighbors all know our Siheyuan used to have a Second Elder." Seeing Yang Qianjin not quite understand, Shazhu kindly explained, "Liu Haizhong, Jia Zhangshi's title of Second Madam—could it not have come from Liu Haizhong's title of Second Elder?"