Chapter 631: Parting in Displeasure, the Jia Family Widow's Schemes

Hearing Yi Zhonghai had the idea of targeting the Jia family's house.

Jia Zhangshi, who had been scolded by Qin Huairu and rendered mute for a while, could no longer contain herself; as an elder of the older generation, Jia Zhangshi now placed unprecedented importance on the house.

Over these past years, Jia Zhangshi has always remembered when Jia Dongxu married Qin Huairu, recalling her frantic search for a house throughout the siheyuan.

Later, seeing He Daqing elope with a widow.

She had thought it was an opportunity.

Sixteen-year-old Shazhu and six-year-old Yushui simply couldn't withstand adult persuasion; a few kind words were enough to easily turn Shazhu's big house into the Jia family's old house.

Unexpectedly, Shazhu remained unmoved, and in the end Jia Zhangshi also failed to persuade him to give up his house.

She also became the laughingstock of the neighbors.

Unable to obtain the house, Jia Zhangshi had no choice but to hire someone to install a lattice partition inside the house; Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu slept in the inner room, while Jia Zhangshi slept alone in the outer room.

The inner and outer rooms were separated by a cloth curtain.

It appeared they did not infringe upon each other.

But the hardship involved was known only to Jia Zhangshi; the true inconvenience was that Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu were newlyweds deeply enamored with each other, finding it unbearable to be apart.

They were also in the state of newly experiencing forbidden fruit.

Upon waking in the morning, they longed for nightfall to engage in human reproductive acts.

There was no way around it.

Jia Zhangshi could only hide outside; after dinner each day, she would excuse herself by saying she needed to go for a walk, wandering the streets, returning to the siheyuan, then lingering in someone else's home until they fell asleep, only then appearing in the central courtyard; even so, she still felt inconvenienced and had to wait outside the central courtyard for a while; when necessary, she would pretend to make a disturbance, and only upon hearing the signal from inside the Jia family's inner room that matters were concluded would she return to the Jia household.

She is a widow.

Not a machine.

She also knows that feeling.

Having endured past hardships, she now pays special attention to these things.

Just like Shazhu's lunchbox, many say Shazhu is digging at the corner of the Yagangchang wall, but the truth is known only to Shazhu himself: he is afraid of hunger after having starved, and does not want Yushui to go hungry; having a lunchbox in hand gives him inner confidence.

This is the same principle as Jia Zhangshi's years of scheming with Qin Huairu to obtain Shazhu's house; she believes only when the house bears the Jia name can she feel at ease, otherwise if Louxiaoe returns, or He Hui returns, or Shazhu suddenly comes to his senses, the Jia family will have nothing left.

In Jia Zhangshi's heart, these houses of the siheyuan are the result of the Jia family widow's painstaking calculations; before she, Jia Zhangshi, closes her eyes in death, no one may entertain designs on these houses.

Whoever plots against the house, Jia Zhangshi will fight them to the death.

Upon hearing Yi Zhonghai's demand for the house, Jia Zhangshi was the first to lose her composure, demanding sharply what qualifications Yi Zhonghai had to demand a house from their Jia family.

To dispel Yi Zhonghai's notion of wanting the house, she gave him no chance to respond, continuing her speech.

"Our Jia family's house was earned by our Jia family's own hands; what does it have to do with you, Yi Zhonghai? What gives you the right to demand our Jia family's house? What qualifications do you have to demand our Jia family's house? I know what you want to say—nothing more than claiming our Jia family's house was taken from Shazhu's hands."

Qin Huairu this time.

Did not scold Jia Zhangshi as she had just done.

Some things can make Jia Zhangshi keep silent, but some things truly require Jia Zhangshi to come out and stir up trouble.

To cause a commotion.

Is also not bad.

So as not to let the Jia family be seen as cowardly softies.

Qin Huairu deliberately handed over the initiative of the matter to Jia Zhangshi.

Yi Zhonghai gave a cold snort.

The Jia family widow's tactics.

He knows.

One pretends to be a good person, using the image of a good daughter-in-law to gain the neighbors' sympathy; the other pretends to be a hateful mother-in-law, using a detested, annoying mother-in-law to assist Qin Huairu.

He has seen it many times.

Has also become immune to it.

Moreover, he wants to see what the Jia family widow's bottom line is.

Saying nothing, he adopted an attitude of letting Jia Zhangshi speak freely.

"You Yi Zhonghai will surely say those two rooms are your Yi Zhonghai's rooms; I, the old woman, do not acknowledge it—what do you mean by 'your Yi Zhonghai's rooms'? How did they become your Yi Zhonghai's rooms? When you Yi Zhonghai initially gave the house to Shazhu, it was to demonstrate your unconditional trust in Shazhu; whether you have a place to live or not has nothing to do with our Jia family; it was not our Jia family forcing you to transfer the house into Shazhu's name."

"Jia Zhangshi, when you say this, are you not feeling guilty?"

"Why should I feel guilty? What do I have to feel guilty about? How am I supposed to feel guilty?"

"Why would my house be transferred into Shazhu's name? Do you, Jia Zhangshi, dare say you don't know? Dare say there is no involvement of your Jia family in this?" Yi Zhonghai waved his hand toward Qin Huairu beside him, saying: "Qin Huairu, come here, come here, you explain—why? Explain whether there is any involvement of your Jia family in this."

"What does it have to do with my daughter-in-law, Yi Zhonghai? Isn't it just that Louxiaoe has returned, bringing Shazhu's son He Hui? You Yi Zhonghai are anxious, worried that Louxiaoe will take Shazhu away, that her family of three has reunited, and thus has nothing to do with you Yi Zhonghai, no longer associating with you Yi Zhonghai. You Yi Zhonghai are using our Jia family's reputation to deliberately entrap Shazhu, saying Qin Huairu is not bad, saying my old woman is quite good, saying Bangeng, Xiao Dang, and Huaihua all regard Shazhu as their own father, saying they will support Shazhu in his old age, and telling Shazhu not to follow Louxiaoe away."

Yi Zhonghai was at a loss for words.

Did not know what to say.

The things Jia Zhangshi said.

Were all facts that Yi Zhonghai had done in the past.

With Louxiaoe's return, besides the infertile Damazhu, the most panicked person in the siheyuan was Yi Zhonghai.

This is a very clear principle.

Shazhu followed Louxiaoe and her mother; they are a family of three reunited.

What does it have to do with Yi Zhonghai?

Nothing.

Not the slightest connection.

Even if Louxiaoe said she would take Yi Zhonghai along, Yi Zhonghai would not dare go; in an unfamiliar situation, if Louxiaoe caused trouble, Yi Zhonghai truly would have no way out. Moreover, when Louxiaoe left initially, Yi Zhonghai also bore responsibility, fearing Louxiaoe would retaliate against him, making it impossible for him to follow.

The Jia family widow is not afraid either.

Bangeng joined the Yagangchang, again driving for its leaders; Xiao Dang found work; Huaihua is studying; Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi have both grown old.

Bangeng and the other two were unfilial, but they still had to take care of Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu.

They also left Yi Zhonghai behind.

Yi Zhonghai, with no other choice, could only cling tightly to Shazhu, using Qin Huairu's matter to successfully manipulate Shazhu, causing Shazhu to sever ties with his biological son and daughter-in-law.

This matter.

Was brought up by Jia Zhangshi.

Instantly making Yi Zhonghai look like a fool.

"Jia Zhangshi, setting aside facts, is it not true that my Yi Zhonghai's house, through Shazhu's hands, became your Jia family's house? And regarding Louxiaoe's return, I have also contributed somewhat to your Jia family; otherwise, Shazhu would have long followed Louxiaoe to another city to enjoy blessings, and your Jia family could not have turned the Hou Yuan and Zhong Yuan of the Siheyuan into your private property. You, placing your hands on your hearts, say this matter has no merit from me, Yi Zhonghai?"

"You have already set aside facts, yet still speak to me of what? Your Jia family's house was transferred via Shazhu, not from my Yi Zhonghai's hands. As for your claim that you gave the house to Shazhu, fine—go find Shazhu and have him give it back to you."

"Shazhu is dead."

"I never said he was alive either."

"Jia Zhangshi, I ask you one thing: will you or will you not give me my house?"

"No."

"Fine, then I will spread the word that your Jia family poisoned Shazhu, causing his miserable death, and tell those outsiders. I, Yi Zhonghai, am old and cannot handle your Jia family, nor do I believe He Yushui's husband can handle your Jia family. He Yushui's husband is now the deputy head of the district—we shall see."

"Yi Zhonghai, are you threatening our Jia family? I tell you, our Jia family fears nothing; you may speak to whomever you wish, go ahead and speak—do you truly think our Jia family fears you? You cannot threaten our Jia family."

"Wait and see."

"Our Jia family truly is waiting—Yi Zhonghai, hurry up and get lost. There is no house here for you, and you have no right to reside here."

Jia Zhangshi's hand.

Pointed toward the gate of the Siheyuan.

She pointed.

Yi Zhonghai coldly snorted at Jia Zhangshi, glanced at the other Jia family members present, then turned and walked toward the front yard.

He harbored a belly full of resentment.

His lungs felt like they were about to explode from anger.

After Yi Zhonghai left the Zhong Yuan,

Bangeng, Xiao Dang, and Huaihua immediately gathered around Qin Huairu, using a resentful tone to complain to Qin Huairu about Jia Zhangshi.

"Mom, look at my grandmother—she even drove Yi Zhonghai away."

"My brother speaks sense—Yi Zhonghai just said those things; he is now barefoot and unafraid of wearing shoes. If he spreads this, our Jia family will be in serious trouble."

"You all are still young; some things must be done this way." Qin Huairu turned solemn, speaking to Bangeng and the other two: "You only see the surface of the matter, not its essence. Yi Zhonghai appears fearless, barefoot and unafraid of shoes, but he also has a weak point."

"Retirement?" Bangeng frowned slightly. "Yi Zhonghai's retirement?"

Besides this.

He could imagine no other answer.

Since Bangeng could remember.

The words 'retirement' have constantly echoed in his ears.

"Yes, exactly retirement. Yi Zhonghai is now in his early nineties. Besides our Jia family, no one else supports him in retirement, yet he worries about following Shazhu's fate, so he hesitates to let our Jia family care for him. The Yagangchang factory's benefits are not good these days; I heard Yi Zhonghai has not received his pension for two months. To improve his retirement, he can only extract benefits from our Jia family. Although this Siheyuan house is not worth much now, and people prefer apartments, for those without homes, this is still a place to settle."

"I understand—Yi Zhonghai wants his house back, using the house matter to find someone to support him in retirement. If that person can see him through to the end, Yi Zhonghai will give the house to them."

"Exactly, that is the idea." Qin Huairu glanced at the three children. "Now, it comes down to willpower. Our Jia family still has what Yi Zhonghai desires; he will not resort to desperate measures. People have greed—if our Jia family had softened just then, Yi Zhonghai would have pushed further. That is why your grandmother acted so firmly."

"I said, why don't you manage my grandmother? Turns out you were pursuing this idea."

"Bangeng, Xiao Dang, Huaihua, it's not that Mother is criticizing you—you lack willpower. Earlier, Yi Zhonghai said our Jia family poisoned Shazhu and even described how to do it. Look at you—then you were either pale or flustered. What is this? This is self-incrimination without being struck. Pay attention next time."

Qin Huairu sighed.

"Originally, our Jia family had no trouble, but your performance just now will make Yi Zhonghai firmly believe it. If Yi Zhonghai had not latched onto this, he would not have resorted to threats. Your grandmother has given him a taste of his own medicine."

"Mom, what should we do now?"

"Wait."

"Wait?"

"Wait for He Yushui and them, or we go to see He Yushui to discuss Shazhu's aftermath—funeral arrangements must be handled within the Siheyuan regardless."

Bangeng and the other two.

Stiffened, dazed for a moment.

Yesterday everything was fine—Shazhu's aftermath had nothing to do with our Jia family; we did not participate, did not discuss, pretending it never happened.

How could Qin Huairu suddenly bring up Shazhu's aftermath so calmly?

Their gaze fell on Qin Huairu's face, seeing her solemn expression, Bangeng and the other two each focused their eyes on Jia Zhangshi.

By now.

It seems Jia Zhangshi has become their only lifeline.

They do not want to involve themselves in Shazhu's aftermath.

As the saying goes: "If one's conduct is upright, one need not fear a crooked shadow; at midnight, one need not fear ghosts knocking at the door."

Yet Shazhu's death is deeply tied to the Jia family. The three Jia family youths, usually white-eyed wolves, now show a hint of panic—what if, what if Shazhu's corpse explodes? They would then be frightened to death.

Thinking that Jia Zhangshi stands with them.

Unexpectedly, Jia Zhangshi's facial expression is exactly the same as Qin Huairu's.

This gives Bangeng and the other two a chilling, creepy sensation.

They swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

Their scalps also tingled slightly.

"Grandmother."

Jia Zhangshi directed her gaze toward Bangeng, seeing his guilty expression, and inwardly felt somewhat lacking in vigor.

Bangeng was afraid.

She was not afraid anymore.

Jia Zhangshi grew older and cherished her life more, felt that things were becoming increasingly strange, wanted to bid farewell to all sorts of messy affairs, and if it were another elderly person, they would have long prepared burial clothes at home; in some places with conditions, the elderly would even have their descendants personally purchase a coffin for them, and whether there was something to do or not, they would touch the coffin, chat, and talk.

Thinking of Shazhu's funeral, and then thinking that Shazhu died because she had driven him away with her own suggestion, Jia Zhangshi worried that Shazhu would come to seek revenge on her.

Having shouted "Old Jia" and "Little Jia" all her life, she had not summoned the two, but feared that angering Shazhu might bring him back to life.

She also did not agree with Shazhu's funeral arrangements.

However, whenever she thought of certain matters, Jia Zhangshi felt no confidence in her heart.

Qin Huairu's suggestion was to create a way out for the Jia family; otherwise, the Jia family might truly face the threat of being settled with.

Ah!

A sigh rose in Jia Zhangshi's heart.