Chapter 89

The news that Shazhu came to Yagangchang on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to prepare the Lantern Festival reunion meal.

It spread like the wind throughout the Siheyuan.

They are all sly individuals.

They are all scheming how to gain advantages from Shazhu.

People have their own way.

Ghosts have their own way.

All these messy things in the Siheyuan have surfaced; as for Xu Daming and Yan Fugui, needless to say, one is Shazhu's brother, the other is the tutor of Shazhu's sister Yushui; because of this relationship, the two are not particularly anxious, while the anxious ones are some other people.

For example, Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai is worried about two matters.

The first matter.

Namely, he worries that Li Jianshe will eventually uncover the truth, letting Shazhu know that Yi Zhonghai is the behind-the-scenes black hand who prevented Shazhu from receiving a commission as an apprentice worker.

When that time comes.

What will Yi Zhonghai and Shazhu do then?

Will Shazhu, who originally kept his distance from Yi Zhonghai out of respect, take the opportunity to turn against him?

The second matter.

Namely, Long Laotaitai.

The gluttonous Long Laotaitai clamors to eat at Abundant Marsh Garden.

Damn it!

Is that a place Yi Zhonghai can go?

Taking Long Laotaitai there once would probably eat up Yi Zhonghai's monthly wages.

Yi Zhonghai eagerly wants to foist Long Laotaitai onto Shazhu.

Long Laotaitai also has this idea; recently, Yi Zhonghai and his wife have been feeding her cornbread porridge and steamed buns day after day, making even a bite of meat a luxury for Long Laotaitai; meanwhile, Shazhu, who has been looking after Yushui, has become white and plump, looking like he's about to turn into a pig.

Long Laotaitai again proposed to Yi Zhonghai, asking him to help send He Yushui to this boarding school; if there is no boarding school, then send Yushui to someone else's home, with Shazhu providing He Yushui money and grain on time each month.

That's the meaning.

He Yushui is in the Siheyuan.

It distracted Shazhu's thoughts of caring for Long Laotaitai.

Yi Zhonghai casually gave a perfunctory reply.

Long Laotaitai again turned her thoughts to Shazhu going to Yagangchang to prepare the reunion dinner; on one hand, Li Jianshe personally came to invite Shazhu out of retirement; on the other hand, Shazhu is not an employee of Yagangchang.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Shazhu also cannot work for free on this reunion meal.

When the time comes, should we give Shazhu some hardship pay and bring some meat dishes when leaving?

More than ten days without eating meat.

Long Laotaitai is just waiting for this meal.

In order to eat the meat dishes Shazhu brings back in the evening, Long Laotaitai drank a bowl of sorghum millet porridge at noon, saying she needed to empty her stomach to enjoy Shazhu's good dishes in the evening.

Elder Aunt told Yi Zhonghai about this.

Yi Zhonghai, who was putting on a cotton jacket, upon hearing that Long Laotaitai wanted to eat Shazhu's food, a flash of ease crossed his face; he wished Long Laotaitai would leech off Shazhu for life.

Then let's also buy some meat tonight.

Elder Aunt flashed a hint of worry.

Will it make Long Laotaitai unhappy?

After thinking it over.

This is a good thing; it's equivalent to using this meat meal to tell Long Laotaitai that Yi Zhonghai and his wife actually do not want to live together with Long Laotaitai.

The reputation has already been secured.

The rest is just superfluous.

The gluttonous Long Laotaitai makes Yi Zhonghai and his wife a bit overwhelmed.

Old man, you still have a way.

Otherwise, you couldn't be the Head Steward of the Siheyuan.

He boasted.

Yi Zhonghai went out happily.

He is still satisfied with his methods; the only dissatisfaction is having no descendants, forcing Yi Zhonghai to plan for his old age.

Yi Zhonghai's current candidates to support him in old age are Jia Dongxu and Shazhu, with Jia Dongxu as the first choice and Shazhu as the backup; only if Jia Dongxu, the first choice, encounters problems will Shazhu become the official choice.

Therefore, Yi Zhonghai is trying to get as close as possible to Shazhu, while also taking Jia Dongxu as his disciple, because Jia Dongxu's hand was injured by a firecracker, making it somewhat weak; this is a good thing for Yi Zhonghai, as many things Jia Dongxu relies on Yi Zhonghai.

As for Shazhu, Yi Zhonghai feels he should find time to talk with him, preferably to dispel Shazhu's idea of letting Li Jianshe help find the behind-the-scenes black hand.

Because Yi Zhonghai hasn't yet figured out how to face Shazhu once he learns the truth, and he also doesn't want the persona he painstakingly built to collapse just like that.

There is no persona.

Yi Zhonghai is just a dispensable fart; knowing that Shazhu is to provide the team-building meal for Yagangchang today, he thought to find time to talk with Shazhu, and incidentally mention the matter of Long Laotaitai waiting for Shazhu's lunchbox, but he didn't expect that Shazhu would specially take an hour off, arrive early at Yagangchang, and even carry He Yushui, who was playing at the alley entrance, to the Yagangchang cafeteria.

According to the memory of his previous life.

Shazhu, familiar with the route, walked from the south gate of Yagangchang to its first cafeteria.

Everyone says that near one's hometown, one feels sentimental and timid.

Looking at the familiar cafeteria.

Shazhu rarely felt a surge of wistfulness.

In my previous life.

It was here that Qin Huairu begged him to steal stick noodles; others used this phrase as a modifier; also here, the drunk Li Jianshe wanted to rape and harm Qin Huairu; also here, Shazhu hit Deputy Factory Director Li who wanted to rape and harm Qin Huairu.

He exhaled.

Shazhu, after letting out a breath, steadied his mind at the cafeteria entrance.

He then stepped into the cafeteria.

Seeing Shazhu's figure appear, Li Jianshe's heart, which had been hanging in midair, finally settled, and he hurried forward to greet him.

"Master He, you've finally come; I really thought you'd stood me up."

"I promised you, I wouldn't stand you up; yesterday Xu Daming already gave me the menu, so we're just following it."

A hint of difficulty appeared on Li Jianshe's face.

To hold a banquet.

The biggest change was the sudden increase in the number of attendees; the increase wasn't large, still manageable, but the increase was huge, so you could only add more tables.

Thus.

The previously prepared materials will definitely not be enough.

"Director Li, tell me how many people were added, and that's it."

Forty people were added.

Originally seventy people, now it's one hundred ten; Shazhu had originally prepared an extra table, which means we're now short of materials for three tables.

Shazhu suspected it was the cafeteria director's doing.

After all, he had taken sick leave.

Li Jianshe invited Shazhu again.

Moreover, he couldn't openly take credit.

So he employed this tactic of cutting off the firewood from under the pot.

Suddenly, thirty more people were added.

"Director Li, balance the meat dishes appropriately; the freed-up vegetables, I'll make two vegetarian dishes; as for the meat dishes, I'll handle them as I see fit—whatever we have, we'll make."

Treat a dead horse as if it were alive.

This is also the only feasible solution.

"Sorry to trouble you, Master He."

"No problem, just wait and see."

Shazhu decided to make two dishes: stir-fried potato shreds and mapo tofu; besides, he saw some pork intestines in the cafeteria and thought of making a dish of garlic-braised intestines.

These two dishes test the chef's skill; few can make them outstanding; the ingredients aren't complicated, and the latter dish truly examines the chef's ability.

An expert can tell at a glance.

Then they know whether it's there.

Stir-fried potato shreds and mapo tofu were quickly fresh out of the oven, served up, followed by four-joy meatballs, braised carp, and so on.

During the process of serving these dishes.

Shazhu began making the garlic-braised intestines, having someone chop the garlic, fragrant mushroom, and other ingredients; this task, lacking much technical difficulty, could be done by anyone in the kitchen.

The person directed by Shazhu became excited.

Although they were doing only simple, peripheral work, if one really looked into it, he could be considered a participant in the Yagangchang Lantern Festival dinner's preparation, just like a certain movie extra who showed his face and dared to shout that he too was a 'hundred-million extra' slogan.

The emphasis is on participation.

The meaning is different.

In the kitchen.

In full swing.

In the cafeteria.

They agreed, it was in full swing.

Everyone attending tonight's Lantern Festival banquet came for Shazhu's culinary skills, after all, the Yagangchang factory widely spread the rumor that Shazhu's cooking was superb.

The saying 'If you don't know Chen Jinnan, calling yourself a hero is in vain' was changed in the Yagangchang factory to: 'If you don't eat Shazhu's delicious dishes, coming to the Yagangchang factory is in vain.'

"Four-joy meatballs."

"Braised carp."

"Stir-fried potato shreds."

"Mapo tofu."

"Spicy cabbage."

The Yagangchang factory secretary, as the host, said a few opening remarks, then let the leaders who came down from above say a few words, followed by the model worker's speech and the workers' representative speech segment.

After these procedures were completed.

Shazhu's final dish.

The garlic-braised intestines were also done.

It was brought up amid calls of the number.

"Garlic-braised intestines."

Everyone was stunned.

They seemed to have never heard the name 'garlic-braised intestines' before.

The leader specially invited to attend the Yagangchang Lantern Festival banquet took a small piece of intestine, put it in his mouth, chewed carefully, preserving the intestine's original flavor while eliminating its inherent fishy odor, comparable to the famous dish 'nine-turn intestines', truly making people linger after eating, unable to stop.

"Garlic-braised intestines, a dish that can fully rival the nine-turn intestines, Old Xu, I've discovered that the Yagangchang factory truly hides crouching tigers and hidden dragons, actually harboring a state-banquet chef."

The Yagangchang factory secretary was mystified.

He knows the Yagangchang chef's skill.

Cook a big pot of rice.

No.

Being scolded by the workers.

Prepare the reception meal.

No.

The guests complained.

"Or did you hire a state banquet chef?" The leader pointed with his chopsticks at the fragrant, delicious four-joy meatballs and asked curiously, "Color, aroma, taste—all three must be present to be called delicious; this four-joy meatball dish can rival the one I ate at the elders' home."

The Yagangchang secretary was stunned.

His gaze turned to Lou Banche.

Former major shareholder of Yagangchang, now nominally Lou Chairman.

"Old Xu, don't ask me; I'm also puzzled—when did our Yagangchang get such a great Buddha?"

"Old Wu, the Lantern Festival gathering was arranged by you— which deity did you invite?"

Factory Director Wu also wondered, waving and calling Li Jianshe, who was waiting at the door, inside.

Reading words and expressions.

Human nature.

Li Jianshe roughly guessed the answer from the faces of several leaders.

He seemed to have won the bet.

What needs to be done now.

It's just to drop the 'acting' two characters before his title; if he could directly become the proper director, that would be best.

"Greetings, leaders; today's banquet dishes are all made by He Yuzhu, Master He alone."

This is Li Jianshe's cleverness.

Not openly praising Shazhu.

He is sure these leaders will privately inquire about Shazhu's news.

"I recall there was a chef named He Daqing in the Yagangchang cafeteria before; could this He Yuzhu be He Daqing's brother?"

Isn't this the opportunity Li Jianshe has been waiting for?

It's not about telling tales.

It's answering the leaders' question.

You can't say my answer to the leaders' question is wrong, can you?

"Comrade leader, you misunderstood; He Daqing is He Yuzhu's father, this Master He Yuzhu is only seventeen years old."

The pot exploded.

They were startled by Shazhu's age.

A seventeen‑year‑old boy chef actually has such superb culinary skill.

Li Jianshe remembered what Xu Daming told him: leave the cooking to Shazhu, and just wait for the leaders' praise.

This meal, whether leaders or worker representatives, was eaten happily and with great satisfaction.

"Old Xu, Old Wu, your Red Star Yagangchang truly hides dragons and tigers, and is truly full of talent."

The higher‑up leaders.

Very satisfied with this meal.

The heads of Yagangchang are also pleased; they received praise from the leaders.

These days, many talents in the factory—what does that indicate?

It indicates the factory has capability, indicates their leaders lead well—this is recognition from superiors to Yagangchang's leaders.

How could Yagangchang's leaders not be pleased?

Besides being happy.

Also have worries.

Shazhu is not at Yagangchang, yet Yagangchang everywhere spreads rumors about Shazhu; everyone knows Shazhu was forced to leave because he couldn't bring up apprentice workers.

Now the leaders praise their leadership as having direction.

This amounts to slapping those people's faces.

"Li Jianshe, you handled this well; I heard you're still acting deputy director, so just drop the acting and become deputy director directly."

"Not sticking to convention to bring in talent, Old Qian actually took leave at this critical juncture, Old Wu—let's just drop a bombshell and directly nominate Li Jianshe as cafeteria director."

"I'm not as bold as Old Xu; just be director. Regarding He Yuzhu's matter, I'll have the Security Section investigate later—definitely give He Yuzhu an explanation."

Li Jianshe eagerly went to the back kitchen to find Shazhu, but was told Shazhu had already left; before leaving, following Li Jianshe's instructions, he brought three lunch boxes.

This is Shazhu's benefit from cooking this time.

In fact, given Shazhu's culinary skill, asking Yagangchang's leaders for a radio would not be excessive, but Shazhu didn't do that.

People can't push things to the extreme.

Three lunch boxes—only after Li Jianshe repeatedly asked did Shazhu take them; originally Li Jianshe wanted to give Shazhu six lunch boxes, but Shazhu took only three.

Carrying He Yushui.

All the way cycling to the Siheyuan gate.

As expected.

Saw the gate‑guarding great general Yan Fugui.

Shazhu reached out and handed two of the three lunch boxes to Yan Fugui.

One will do.

San Daye, what are you thinking? One is yours, the other is Xu Daming's.

The group greeting dinner.

Really, we have Xu Daming to thank.

If it weren't for Xu Daming publicizing all over Yagangchang, saying how superb Shazhu's cooking skills are, Li Jianshe, this future big shot whose word carries great weight in Yagangchang, couldn't have found Shazhu.

To accept someone's favor.

Then you have to repay it.

You definitely saved this last one for Long Laotaitai.

Yan Fugui suddenly lowered his voice.

He told Shazhu the truth.

Shazhu then realized that Long Laotaitai had actually set her mind on him, and in order to eat this dinner of his, she had drunk a bowl of sorghum porridge at lunch.

Heard that Yi Zhonghai's family also prepared meat dishes.

But Long Laotaitai didn't eat.

She said it wasn't as tasty as Shazhu's cooking; if she wanted to eat, she would eat Shazhu's food, and to this day she's still sitting in Yi Zhonghai's home, motionless, bitterly waiting for Shazhu to return.

Shazhu felt annoyed.

Can't shake it off.

Regardless of whether Yan Fugui reminds him or not, none of these three lunchboxes belongs to Long Laotaitai. The first lunchbox is Yan Fugui's; he helped Yushui a lot with tutoring, and tonight he's still busy with the work of eradicating illiteracy—I heard that in several nearby Dayuans people also come to listen to Yan Fugui's lessons. The second lunchbox belongs to Xu Daming; that bastard Xu Daming said he wanted to treat Shazhu to a meal, which is also low, saying Shazhu hasn't messed with him in two or three months, feeling a bit off. The third lunchbox is for Shitou at the scrap station; Shazhu promised to have a good drink with him.

He deliberately raised his voice and said: "San Daye, please look after Yushui for me; I'm going to the scrap station to have a drink with our coworkers."

Yan Fugui is sharp.

Of course he understands why Shazhu said that.

While making conversation, he also handed the two lunchboxes to Third Aunt.

He won't leave.

Long Laotaitai still has to cope.

As expected.

Long Laotaitai, who had waited for Shazhu all night and had only drunk a bowl of sorghum porridge all day, hurried out of Yi Zhonghai's home leaning on her cane.

Yi Zhonghai and his wife followed behind.

"Yan Fugui, what do you say Shazhu went off to do?"

"He said he went to find his coworkers at the station to drink, and asked me to help look after Yushui."

Long Laotaitai's complexion was very bad.

Put yourself in another's shoes.

Consider from another's position.

Whoever is in Long Laotaitai's position would also be full of anger.

With great difficulty I waited for you to come back, but you rascal went off to drink with your coworkers, so I, the old lady, waited for you in vain; the problem is I didn't get to eat Yi Zhonghai's meat dishes, I was single-mindedly sitting waiting to enjoy Shazhu's lunchbox, but Shazhu left, the lunchbox is gone, Yi Zhonghai's meat dishes are also finished, Long Laotaitai got nothing, and ended up with a belly full of resentment.

"Yushui, the old lady asks you, where did you go today, why didn't you come home?"

Long Laotaitai, whose lungs were about to explode with anger, directed her fury at Yushui.

Yushui was a bit afraid of Long Laotaitai.

Also a bit afraid of Yi Zhonghai.

A tiny hint of fear showed on her little face.

Yan Fugui snorted coldly in his heart and patted Yushui on the shoulder.

"My brother carried me on his bicycle to the steel plant cafeteria to cook."

"Then what?"

"Then my brother let me eat at the steel plant cafeteria, carried me back, had San Daye look after me, and he rode his bicycle to the scrap station."

"Yushui, didn't your brother bring a lunchbox?"

"He brought one."

Yan Fugui's heart.

It sank.

The little girl isn't stupid.

She knows she needs to lie at this time.

This is a kind lie.

Otherwise, Yan Fugui couldn't keep even one of the two lunchboxes in his hand; Long Laotaitai's Dayuan would put on airs of ancestry, and on both sides Yi Zhonghai and his wife would act as gatekeeping demons.

Among them is one lunchbox belonging to Xu Daming's family.

"I saw Shazhu's bicycle handlebar with a net bag tied to it, inside which was an aluminum lunchbox."

"How could he do that? The old lady waited for him all night, how could he not care about the old lady?"

Long Laotaitai exploded.

She couldn't care about face anymore.

Opening her mouth, she launched a complaint against Shazhu.

"Old lady, I, Yan Fugui, will say something I shouldn't: everyone in the courtyard knows Shazhu's character; if you want Shazhu to help cook, you should tell him yourself; you definitely didn't tell him about this; if you had, given Shazhu's nature, bringing you a lunchbox would be easy."

Long Laotaitai was speechless.

Didn't know what to say.

What Yan Fugui said was correct.

Because Long Laotaitai never explicitly told Shazhu, Shazhu didn't bring her a lunch box; when this lawsuit is brought before the elderly, it's also that Shazhu is in the right.

Yi Zhonghai and his wife also look solemn at this moment.

Long Laotaitai is getting increasingly unreasonable.

Just for a bite to eat.

She really can be unreasonable.

They now have some regrets, regretting that for the sake of temporary fame they took on this hot potato of Long Laotaitai; Long Laotaitai didn't give all her belongings to Yi Zhonghai and his wife, she hid some things herself, otherwise how could there be fifty jin of white flour and fifty jin of rice, and they're reluctant to give these to Yi Zhonghai and his wife.

Fundamentally, it's a selfish person.

In order to get Shazhu to take care of her, she also wants to send He Yushui away.

Leaving her own biological sister uncared for, she instead takes care of this old woman who has no blood relation.

Is this how a person makes a living?

He's basically an animal.

"Old lady, are you alright?"

Just after asking.

Long Laotaitai felt as if someone had dealt a heavy blow to her chest, she spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and promptly fainted onto the ground.

……

Next day

Shazhu had just pushed his bicycle out of the Siheyuan, preparing to go to work.

Coming out of the toilet, Yi Zhonghai, his belt still fastened, saw Shazhu about to leave and hurriedly shouted.

"Shazhu, wait for me."

After the incident where Long Laotaitai was made to faint by Shazhu's anger last night.

Yi Zhonghai understood a principle.

Some things cannot be feigned ignorance about with Shazhu.

What ought to be confronted openly must be confronted openly.

For example, taking care of Long Laotaitai.

Shazhu actually also heard Yi Zhonghai's shout, but pretended not to have heard it; after coming back from drinking last night, He Yushui eagerly recounted the whole story, including how Long Laotaitai gave He Yushui a dirty look, because she hadn't eaten the lunch box Shazhu brought, Long Laotaitai got angry and fainted, etc., he told it all.

This can be figured out with one's toes.

One can also guess what Yi Zhonghai shouted to stop him about.

Except for the matter concerning Long Laotaitai.

Other matters simply cannot make Yi Zhonghai worry so much.

Yi Zhonghai saw Shazhu about to ride away on his bicycle, mistakenly thought Shazhu really hadn't heard, shouted a few more times at the top of his voice, then took off running after the bicycling Shazhu.

Exhausted to the point of being smug.

Exhausted like the third grandson.

Exhausted to the point of almost losing breath.

Typical triple exhaustion.

Yi Zhonghai originally wanted to come back after work and have a good chat with Shazhu, but also worried that Shazhu would go drink again; Shazhu used to worry about Yushui, coming back at noon and evening after work to take care of Yushui and cook for her; since Yan Fugui started tutoring Yushui, whenever Shazhu didn't come back, Yushui would eat at Yan Fugui's house, and the sole thread tying him to Shazhu was thus gone.

The matter of Long Laotaitai.

Better to go early than late.

Never expected Shazhu to ride so fast; even with all his might, Yi Zhonghai couldn't catch up, always keeping a long distance behind Shazhu.

Two legs are definitely no match for two wheels.

Being led around like a dog is also understandable.

Later Shazhu felt he had shaken off Yi Zhonghai about as much as possible, thinking that as a neighbor in the Zhong Yuan, he could never avoid Yi Zhonghai anyway, so he pretended to go to the toilet and stopped his bicycle.

It wasn't just for show.

He really went to urinate.

Coming out of the toilet, a refreshed and relaxed Shazhu saw Yi Zhonghai holding his bicycle, panting heavily.

A look of astonishment surged on his face.

"Elder Uncle, I didn't realize you run every day such a long distance; I really ought to learn from you."

From the Siheyuan to this spot.

About four li.

Yi Zhonghai came running.

Upon hearing Shazhu's words, the hypocrite felt as if a huge stone had lodged in his chest, leaving him utterly weak.

"Shazhu…… Elder…… Uncle…… is chasing you."

"Chasing me? Elder Uncle, do you have business with me?"

A dazed, clueless look.

Again made the hypocrite feel uneasy.

Are you doing this on purpose or unintentionally?

"Shazhu…… you…… you don't…… get anxious…… let Elder Uncle me…… catch my breath first…… only then can I speak."

Yi Zhonghai was so exhausted he was panting, able to utter only broken phrases.

Shazhu patiently waited for Yi Zhonghai to catch his breath.

The hypocrite finally got to the point, opening with a test.

"Shazhu, I heard you went to the Yagangchang cafeteria last night to cook?"

"Elder Uncle, you said this matter, it's correct, I went to the Yagangchang cafeteria to cook, you don't know, the food I made, those model workers and worker representatives found it delicious."

"He deliberately stalled for a moment."

"Elder Uncle, you shouldn't be asking me about this, right? You are the outstanding worker representative of Yagangchang, a top technician in your workshop, last night at the banquet, weren't you drunk? Were you confused?"

"Yi Zhonghai's heart."

"It started hurting again."

"Shazhu's words were tantamount to stabbing a knife into Yi Zhonghai's heart. In the past, in the Siheyuan, Yi Zhonghai boasted himself as a big shot at Yagangchang, yet he did not appear at yesterday's Yagangchang team-building event, making people doubt his technical capability: he is not the Yagangchang model worker, nor the Yagangchang outstanding worker representative."

"This made Yi Zhonghai a bit depressed."

"How does this kid Shazhu not play by the rules?"

"How am I supposed to answer your words?"

"If I say he's not there, I slap Yi Zhonghai's face; if I say he is there, and if Shazhu spreads the word, everyone will know Yi Zhonghai is boasting, which is even more embarrassing."

"But after thinking it over, Yi Zhonghai suddenly felt confident, given his understanding of Shazhu as a typical reckless youth."

"If it were someone else."

"Could others ask like that?"

"No."

"Such a Shazhu is easy to handle."

"Thinking this, Yi Zhonghai's confidence rose; he squeezed out a smile on his generous face and spoke to Shazhu in a very sincere tone."

"\"Shazhu, Elder Uncle didn't look for you for this matter; it's about the old lady, have you heard? \""

"Shazhu found it funny."

"Yi Zhonghai's persona of wanting to sell and also to establish."

"Really fucking shit."

"It also constrained Yi Zhonghai."

"Hypocrites always like to use the big stick of moral blackmail to screw people over."

"Dragging the topic onto Long Laotaitai's head, just to get Shazhu to take care of Long Laotaitai."

"Shazhu believes that as soon as he mentions Long Laotaitai, Yi Zhonghai will readily bring up the matter of Long Laotaitai fainting from anger because she didn't get Shazhu's lunchbox, and without waiting for Shazhu to react, Yi Zhonghai will likewise have Shazhu help cook for a few days."

"\"I haven't heard anything. \" Shazhu did not play as Yi Zhonghai expected, saying, \"Elder Uncle, the old lady didn't pass away, did she? This matter is settled; I'll handle the cooking, and the coffin and such should be your responsibility, Elder Uncle. On one hand, the old lady is close to you; on the other, I really have no money—I still owe you 1,000,000. \""

"Yi Zhonghai was stunned."

"He originally wanted to give Shazhu a beating."

"But ended up getting hit by Shazhu instead."

"\"Shazhu, you misunderstood, the old lady is fine. \" Yi Zhonghai, thinking he didn't believe it, asked Shazhu, \"Did you really not know what happened last night? \""

"Shazhu, however, didn't take the bait and snorted."

"Elder Uncle, I don't even know how I got back last night; early this morning, good grief, I haven't even taken off my shoes, and something else happened in the courtyard? It couldn't be that Old Lady Jia again took a dislike to Qin Huairu and wants to divorce her, could it?"

"Again poking Yi Zhonghai's heart."

"Everyone knows Yi Zhonghai is the matchmaker between Qin Huairu and Jia Dongxu."

"\"Elder Uncle, don't worry; nowadays it's new people, new things, new atmosphere. At worst, they divorce, and Xu Damao is still waiting in the wings to marry Qin Huairu. Your support for Qin Huairu in this matter—Jia Dongxu is your disciple, but Qin Huairu was also introduced by you. \""

"\"Shazhu, you're mistaken, it's Long Laotaitai. \""

"\"Long Laotaitai isn't fine, is she? \""

"\"The old lady didn't eat anything all day yesterday. \""

"\"Elder Uncle, regarding this matter you told me, it's indeed as you said: last night I drank with comrades from the station, and he said that back when he was in Anqiu, he heard a man named Jia Gui mention that there is a folk remedy specifically for treating loss of appetite. \""

"Yi Zhonghai stood frozen, only reacting after a full few seconds."

"How did a folk remedy even come up?"

"\"Jia Gui said, for someone who doesn't want to eat, you must use fresh donkey dung balls and fresh donkey urine, mix them together and ferment for three days; after three days, you just need to give that person this mixture to drink, and the old lady will surely want to eat. If you have time that day, try it on the old lady. \""

"This is treating Long Laotaitai's mouth like a cesspool."

"Yi Zhonghai also knows about folk remedies."

"But the folk remedy Shazhu mentioned."

"It's lacking in virtue."

"Yi Zhonghai, burdened with worries, looked at Shazhu with a mind full of confusion, and noticed that Shazhu before him seemed a bit different."

"\"Shazhu, Elder Uncle will speak frankly: Long Laotaitai wants to eat your cooking. \""

"His thoughts turned over and over."

"Yi Zhonghai felt he must make the topic clear with Shazhu, also employing this tactic, using the pretext that Long Laotaitai wants to eat Shazhu's cooking."

"\"The old lady wants to eat my cooking? \" Shazhu panted, \"I thought it was a big deal; when I have time, I'll definitely help the old lady. \"'"

"Yi Zhonghai's heart."

"Something's off."

"In Yi Zhonghai's eyes, Shazhu's words are just an excuse—when will you cook, what dish, you don't even have a definite answer."

"Nothing at all."

"Just one sentence."

"Isn't that just empty talk?"

"\"Shazhu, you need to give me a definite answer. \""

"Shazhu laughed."

"I'll give you a definite answer."

"Ptooey."

On what basis should I give you the approval?

Eldest Uncle, I really can't give you this approval. First, our station's work is very busy, and the station chief demands we work overtime to contribute our strength to the motherland. Second, the station requires us to arm our minds and actively respond to the superior's anti-bandit and suppression efforts. You should understand my meaning—I can't just drop these important matters to cook for Long Laotaitai. You know I haven't even been able to look after my sister Yushui for days; she's been eating at San Daye's place. Are you asking me to make a mistake? Or do you think, in your heart, Long Laotaitai's importance outweighs my contribution to the motherland? Give me a definite answer.

Yi Zhonghai finally fell silent.

Shazhu slapped him with a huge accusation.

What is Yi Zhonghai supposed to do now?

He was at a loss for words.

His head was throbbing as well.

"Shazhu, you know Long Laotaitai has no other ailment; she just likes to eat tasty things. She told me that Tan family cuisine is delicious."

Yi Zhonghai remained Yi Zhonghai in the end.

Clearly, he had already been slapped with Shazhu's big accusation.

Yet he still wasn't ready to give up.

He was also driven to desperation by Long Laotaitai.

Long Laotaitai has already declared she wants to eat all the famous foods in the Capital City.

"Eldest Uncle, many people in the Capital City know how to make Tan family cuisine, and there are restaurants that serve it. If Long Laotaitai wants to eat, you should take her there."

Yi Zhonghai opened his mouth.

He didn't know what to say.

"Eldest Uncle, you wouldn't think Long Laotaitai is a burden and don't want to deal with her, would you?"

Yi Zhonghai's heart.

It rose to his throat.

His gaze stared straight at Shazhu.

This kid.

How did he still see through Yi Zhonghai's thoughts?

"Eldest Uncle, I'm not saying this about you; in my heart, you are my role model, especially for taking care of Long Laotaitai who has no blood relation to us. I truly feel proud from the bottom of my heart. If you say you won't take care of her anymore, my ideal will be shattered. Eldest Uncle, for the sake of my ideal, please continue to take care of Long Laotaitai."

Seeing Yi Zhonghai's constipated, ugly expression, Shazhu slapped his own thigh, and a look of sudden realization flashed across his face.

"Eldest Uncle, I understand what you mean by looking for me. You must be unable to bring it up yourself with Long Laotaitai, so you found me and want me to mention this to her. I'm young; if I misspeak, it's no big deal. Let me think: either we don't do it, or if we do, we must do it thoroughly. We need to find someone with influence. This afternoon, I'll go to the Jiēdào office and tell Director Wang about your reluctance to care for Long Laotaitai, so Director Wang can assign someone to look after her, or else let Long Laotaitai become self-reliant. I guarantee I'll get this done."

Yi Zhonghai even wanted to slap Shazhu.

You're letting Director Wang handle this.

That would be tantamount to letting the entire Jiēdào, and even the whole Yagangchang, know that Yi Zhonghai wants to abandon Long Laotaitai after crossing the river.

How could Yi Zhonghai still borrow people to gain a foothold?

He was helpless.

He told Shazhu he was preparing to leave, but then worried Shazhu might misunderstand his words, so Yi Zhonghai ran back to Shazhu, earnestly repeated himself, made sure Shazhu understood his meaning, and only then left reassured.

Watching his retreating figure.

Shazhu spat disdainfully on the ground.

You've taken the benefit.

You've shoved the burden onto me.

You're thinking of nothing good.

I originally thought that after Long Laotaitai returned, things would quiet down for a while, but instead she's been causing a ruckus every day, all because of food—either she dislikes eating cornbread or she's demanding meat.

In an era of scarce supplies.

Where am I supposed to get you meat every day?

Even Yi Zhonghai, who earns the most in the Siheyuan, is finding it hard to get by.

He wants to pass the buck.

Shazhu certainly won't meekly take on that blame.

Qin Huairu, who was washing clothes by the sink in Zhong Yuan, saw Yi Zhonghai return from outside fuming, and she greeted him, not with any other intention, just wanting to ask where Jia Dongxu had gone. He had said he was going to the toilet after nine the previous night and never came back. Because Yi Zhonghai was full of resentment, he had no desire to chat, so Qin Huairu's greeting was like hitting a wall.

"Head of the household, I saw you chasing after Shazhu."

"Who says otherwise? I wanted to settle Long Laotaitai's matter with Shazhu as soon as possible so we could save trouble."

"Did Shazhu agree?"

"He agreed to nothing, just saying he'd cook for Long Laotaitai when he had time." Yi Zhonghai let out a long sigh, speaking somewhat helplessly: "Just because I asked Shazhu when he would cook for Long Laotaitai, guess what he said?"

"He didn't agree?"

"Not agreeing is actually better; he said he'd go see the Jiēdào office chief to have them arrange Long Laotaitai's support, and I didn't agree."

Yi Zhonghai just cares about saving face.

He also likes to build up his image.

Shazhu doesn't care about anything else; he just latches onto Yi Zhonghai's concern for face and his self-promotion to make his point.

"If someone's mind is sound, they definitely wouldn't accept you!" The aunt's words undoubtedly poured cold water on Yi Zhonghai: "People call Shazhu 'Shazhu,' but Shazhu isn't stupid; when faced with a problem, people weigh the pros and cons. As for Long Laotaitai in Hou Yuan, could Shazhu not know what kind of person she is? Even if he hadn't considered it, isn't there Yan Fugui?"

Yi Zhonghai was utterly baffled.

How could Yan Fugui also be involved?

The aunt continued.

"You think everyone in our Siheyuan is a fool, but some things people see clearly, they just don't want to say. As for Long Laotaitai, I think you should have a good talk with her. Now the whole country is tight on supplies, yet she keeps clamoring for this and that—what's the point?"

The aunt suddenly lowered her voice.

"Just now I went to the toilet and heard people saying someone suspects Long Laotaitai is an escaped spy, the evidence being her fondness for eating meat."

"What? Someone said that about Long Laotaitai?"

Yi Zhonghai was extremely shocked.

He never imagined things would develop like this; it had far exceeded his expectations.

Last time, because the deaf old lady's house was searched and this rice and white flour were found, it caused Yi Zhonghai to be caught in a difficult situation for a period of time?

? 's tail.

Still coming.

"I think you underestimated Shazhu; Shazhu is now a mid-level recycler at the scrap station, and he also cooks a mean meal. Some things you should tell Shazhu directly." The old lady again said, "Just taking the fact that we have no children as an example, the old lady doesn't allow us to adopt children; I think we should tell Shazhu directly. Anyway, I think Shazhu is stronger than Dong Xu."

"Let me think."

"What are you thinking about? Aren't you going to work?"

Yi Zhonghai only then realized the time was already 8:30 a. m.

Yagangchang starts work at 8 a. m.

He was late.

Yi Zhonghai rushed out of the Siheyuan, anxiously hurrying toward the Yagangchang.

He arrived at the Yagangchang.

He was marked late, and still hadn't found his disciple Jia Dongxu.

Yi Zhonghai was dazed.

Where had Jia Dongxu gone.

That damned day he didn't show up at all.

Yi Zhonghai mistakenly thought Jia Dongxu was newly married and indulging in some pleasures, so he took a day off, waiting until evening when he got off work to realize that Jia Dongxu had disappeared.