Chapter 574: Denouncing Jia Zhangshi and Yang Qianjin

Jia Zhangshi, upon hearing Shazhu's words,

She trembled all over with anger.

She was about to explode.

Laoqianpo's husband was Lao Jia; Lao Jia died forty-odd years ago, and Jia Zhangshi kept his widowhood for forty-odd years.

But Shazhu said that Jia Zhangshi's title of 'Second Madam' came from Liu Haizhong, the former Second Steward; the neighbors call Liu Haizhong 'Second Steward', Jia Zhangshi calls herself 'Second Madam', which amounts to saying she and Liu Haizhong have gotten together—otherwise why would the neighbors call her 'Second Madam'?

Liu Haizhong's wife is called 'Second Madam' by people.

Jia Zhangshi is the Second Madam.

What would the neighbors think?

What can be tolerated, what cannot be tolerated?

Her gaze at Shazhu instantly turned a bit vicious, as if she wanted to devour him alive.

But for fear of getting a big slap from Shazhu, she could only glare at him with hatred, using her eyes to kill him figuratively.

The surrounding neighbors,

some looked at Shazhu in surprise, their eyes showing a hint of disbelief.

They couldn't figure it out.

How did Shazhu's mouth become so sharp today?

He could actually make Jia Zhangshi stammer, and his words sounded quite reasonable.

If Jia Zhangshi dared to admit it, she'd basically be Liu Haizhong's wife; if she didn't admit it, she'd have to change her title, perhaps to 'First Madam'.

But the problem is that Yang Qianjin is now the First Steward, while Yi Zhonghai, that dead ghost, was the former First Steward, so Jia Zhangshi is essentially following the current path.

The neighbors suddenly realized that Shazhu had dug a huge pit for Jia Zhangshi: if she admitted it, she'd break her widowhood defense; if she didn't admit it, how could she, as Second Steward, suck blood from Shazhu and Lou Xiaoe?

An unsolvable dilemma lay before Jia Zhangshi.

As a member of this bloodsucking preparation office, Yang Qianjin had long hoped to use the pretext of forcing Shazhu and Lou Xiaoe to repair the Siheyuan to become the Head Steward of the Dayuan.

Although he looked down on Jia Zhangshi a bit, as one of the initiators of this bloodsucking meeting, Laoqianpo lost face, and Yang Qianjin didn't look too good either.

Shazhu's arrogance.

It broke through Yang Qianjin's defenses.

If we don't crush Shazhu's arrogance, how can he listen to Yang Qianjin and obediently contribute money for the neighbors' house repairs?

At the very least, Yang Qianjin is unwilling to spend this money.

He himself doesn't want to spend money.

What's more, Shazhu himself doesn't get along with the Siheyuan neighbors and has moved out of the Siheyuan.

Yang Qianjin spoke up.

As two grasshoppers tied to the same rope with Jia Zhangshi, if she's unlucky, he's not doing well either.

Maybe it's just to help himself.

"He Yuzhu."

Having learned from the recent experience of being angrily scolded by Shazhu, Yang Qianjin didn't dare use an old-fashioned term of address for him, but called his full name, then immediately launched into a long-winded spiel.

"Who is the 'eldest sister'? Everyone knows; perhaps she lacks a bit in neighborly affection, but in terms of lifelong fidelity, she has nothing to say. I heard that from the time Jia Dongxu was eight, she began her widowhood and has kept it to this day. With such spirit, in the past she would have deserved a chastity archway. Some things can be joked about; others simply cannot be joked about, or they could cause loss of life."

He had just finished saying that.

His gaze then fell on Shazhu.

Shazhu glanced around at everyone, turned, and started walking toward the courtyard exit.

A sudden scene.

Those present were stunned.

Later, Jia Zhangshi reacted, realizing Shazhu wanted to flee, and without further thought she shouted.

"Shazhu wants to run."

Jia Zhangshi's body, following the rhythm of her shout, chased after Shazhu.

Shazhu cannot leave.

If he left, the Dayuan meeting of the Siheyuan would have no place to exert itself, since there are only two wealthy people: Shazhu and Lou Xiaoe.

Lou Xiaoe didn't come, and they didn't dare force her to come.

Qin Huairu went to look for Lou Xiaoe, but didn't even enter the hotel's main door.

This damn thing—if Shazhu left,

how could the Jia family turn their current one room into two rooms?

Shazhu is young.

Jia Zhangshi is old.

She chased a few steps but couldn't catch Shazhu; instead, Yan Fugui blocked Shazhu's path, whispered a few words to him, Shazhu nodded, turned back, and returned.

Arriving at the Dayuan meeting site, they saw that the original three stewards' seats were now only two, with just two stools; Yang Qianjin took one, and Jia Zhangshi had just taken the other.

Damn bastard.

In terms of rank, the division is quite clear.

Shazhu walked up to the stool.

He lifted the stool with his hand and walked to a spot about two meters from the big table, sat down heavily, and lightly fanned his nose with his hand.

Such a small action instantly angered Yang Qianjin.

This clearly shows Shazhu despises sitting at the same table as him.

He was about to say something.

Jia Zhangshi returned, saw her seat taken by Shazhu, and muttered discontentedly.

Shazhu, do you have any sense of seniority? Is this stool yours to sit on? Only we, the stewards of the Siheyuan, have the right to sit on stools. Move aside quickly, or I won't let this go with you.

He reached out to grab the stool.

Shazhu glared at Jia Zhangshi and let out a cold snort.

Get lost.

Seeing Shazhu furious like a lion, Jia Zhangshi didn't dare to persist, and walked over to the table honestly.

Not knowing what she was thinking, she sat on Yang Qianjin's stool, gradually squeezing him, and eventually took over half the usage rights of the stool.

He Yuzhu, let's talk about the serious matter: repairing the Siheyuan houses. This is a good thing that concerns the neighbors' interests. As the elder lady just said, it's to give you fame—just like Song Jiang on Mount Liang, who earned a name for righteousness and generosity; many heroes saw Song Jiang, immediately bowed, and thus established Mount Liang's prestige.

To trick Shazhu.

Yang Qianjin also used Song Jiang as an example.

He Yuzhu, with your good reputation for repairing the Siheyuan neighbors' houses, not to mention anything else, at the very least your business at the Bai Xu Restaurant will improve greatly, which will also help your future promotion. Considering your decades of neighborly ties, this good opportunity is being given to you, so seize it.

A kind gaze.

It fell on Shazhu.

An appearance of righteous indignation, claiming to consider your reputation, Shazhu.

Shazhu felt only the urge to curse his mother.

What a hypocrite.

Under the banner of righteousness for your own good, openly doing the thing of sucking your blood.

Bastard.

If it were the younger Shazhu, who loves impulsiveness, he might have fallen for Yang Qianjin's scheme.

Having lived two lives and reached this age, if he easily fell for Yang Qianjin's tricks again, Shazhu would have lived in vain; moreover, his affection for the Siheyuan had long vanished, and since his rebirth he has kept his distance from those people.

Make him pay so these Siheyuan people can enjoy.

On what basis?

Just because those beasts have thick faces?

Nobody's money comes from the wind; Shazhu has no obligation to spend money on these people, who never helped him and even stabbed him in the back; Shazhu hasn't forgotten his time as a warehouse keeper, and those beasts wish him dead.

Shazhu owes nothing to those beasts!

He laughed.

It was as if he heard the funniest joke in the world.

He laughed without restraint.

Hahaha.

He Yuzhu, what are you laughing at?

I'm laughing at your naivety; such a good opportunity, you should keep it for yourselves. What Song Jiang? You could be him yourselves—why would I take it? I can't steal what others love.

Yang Qianjin frowned deeply.

He began to doubt whether his moral coercion was losing its touch, wondering why Shazhu hadn't fallen for it.

Jia Zhangshi blurted out a sentence.

You don't want this opportunity? Then give it to Lou Xiao'e. I heard in the newspaper that Lou Xiao'e's money is so much that several trainloads couldn't haul it all; giving the neighbors money to repair the Siheyuan would at most be thirty or forty thousand, or a little over a hundred thousand—to Lou Xiao'e it's just a drop in the bucket.

You go find Lou Xiao'e yourself.

Last time Lou Xiao'e came, you disagreed and even gave her a way out. Yang Qianjin seized the opportunity, put on the airs of an elder, criticized Shazhu harshly: "He Yuzhu, last time we were seeking benefits for the whole Siheyuan, you also benefited; your Siheyuan also has an ancestral home, using others' money to do things for you—if you disagree, don't speak; you're tearing down everyone's stage, can't you bear to see the neighbors' good fortune?"

Shazhu, it's all your fault—listen to what you're saying, what nonsense is this? Originally our Jia Family could turn one room into two, giving Bangeng a place to live; but because of you, the Jia Family has nothing. My old woman doesn't care; if you don't pay to repair our house, Lou Xiao'e must foot the bill—you can't let the Jia Family lose its incense.

Jia Zhangshi harbored deep resentment.

Because of Shazhu's words, Jia Zhangshi's plans were thwarted.

Within the Siheyuan, when discussing housing shortages, the Jia Family is foremost.

Their family had only one room; initially five people squeezed in, the kids were young and unaware, so it was fine, but as the children grew, five adults sharing one room became inconvenient.

Jia Zhangshi, Qin Huairu, Xiao Dang, and Huaihua have all experienced the hardship of Bangeng sleeping in the outer room.

They didn't dare to get up at night.

They felt embarrassed.

The inner room's bed was small; when Huaihua and Xiao Dang were little, Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu could barely sleep holding their granddaughter and daughter, but once the kids grew, even turning over became difficult.

After getting up at night, they couldn't find their sleeping spot.

Simply, Xiao Dang left home; Huaihua followed in his footsteps; Bangeng enjoyed free meals and free lodging.

But people have longings.

Jia Zhangshi hoped that one day Xiao Dang would return, Huaihua would return, and Bangeng would return.

Those who should marry should marry; those who should take a wife should take a wife.

She originally wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to coerce Lou Xiao'e into funding the Siheyuan renovation, claiming her wall was broken, pushing it down and expanding it a bit, turning one room into two—Bangeng would have his own room, while Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu would share one.

The result was ruined by Shazhu.

How could Jia Zhangshi not hate Shazhu!

That's why she shouted that shameless remark.

If you don't pay to repair our house, Lou Xiao'e must foot the bill!

Shazhu looked at the demanding Jia Zhangshi before him, then at the expectant faces of the neighbors, and found it especially funny.

Truly, residents of the Siheyuan.

They actually took Lou Xiao'e funding the Siheyuan renovation as a given, and also accepted Jia Zhangshi's claim that if Lou Xiao'e didn't pay, Shazhu would have to.

Really, what a thick face.

Moreover, they blame Shazhu for ruining their good deed, preventing them from sucking blood successfully, and never stop to wonder why Lou Xiao'e would help them, or what qualifies her to give them money.

He looked at the people in front of him.

Shazhu felt relieved about everything; no wonder, in his previous life those bastards, clearly knowing that the one who paid money and provided goods was Lou Xiao'e, yet they deliberately gave the praise to Qin Huairu.

In front of Shazhu and some outsiders, they said Qin Huairu was benevolent and righteous, claimed their current life was purely thanks to Qin Huairu's grace, while Lou Xiao'e, who spent all her money and goods to satisfy the beasts' wishes and demands, was deliberately cast aside by them.

They both intended to embarrass Lou Xiao'e and took the opportunity to mock Shazhu.

After all, Lou Xiao'e spent money to support this bunch of beasts only out of respect for Shazhu.

Without Shazhu, Lou Xiao'e would treat them as worthless shit.

They all secretly laughed at Shazhu as an idiot, for the sake of a widow even cutting ties with his own biological son, looking forward to seeing Shazhu's joke, until Shazhu was driven out of the Siheyuan by Bangeng, Xiao Dang, and Huaihua, and froze to death starving under the overpass.

Purely deserved.

They're utterly shameless.

Shazhu doesn't need to save face for them either.

"You thief's grandmother, what are you? Saying Lou Xiao'e doesn't pay money, so I have to? Who gave you the guts? I don't believe you'd dare come to our house and rob us!"

Jia Zhangshi's face changed.

Shazhu not paying money, indeed cannot be forcibly taken.

I don't want to die.

"Why should Lou Xiao'e give you money? Just because she's rich? Her wealth is her own earnings. Not mentioning Lou Xiao'e, speaking of those in our Siheyuan, when some neighbors raise their work grades and subsidize household expenses, what are you, Jia Zhangshi, doing?"

What else can they do.

Obviously just eating, loafing, and stirring up trouble.

"You make only a dozen or so cloth shoes a year—is that your great achievement, Jia Zhangshi? Jia Zhangshi, neighbors, I lay down my words: helping is a favor, not helping is duty. If they want to help, they help; if not, they don't. The money is in their pockets—what use is it to blame me? They owe neither the Jia family nor the Siheyuan anything, so why should they give you benefits? Give the neighbors benefits? To think of morally blackmailing them for gain, what good could they possibly be after?"

Shazhu not only scolded Jia Zhangshi harshly, but also mocked those present who wanted to bleed Lou Xiao'e dry and their own neighbors.

The situation is different now.

The Head Steward position was abolished long ago, yet they still want to act as Head Steward.

Before, Shazhu wasn't afraid of these people.

Now he's even less afraid!

"Still acting as Head Steward and Head Stewardess, waving a chicken feather as if it were a command arrow—do they really think they're something?"