Chapter 95: Yi Zhonghai and Shazhu Sever Ties (Please Subscribe)

Shazhu showed a shocked, disbelieving expression.

It felt like a needle prick, aching the eldest aunt's heart.

What a fine child.

Even if I told the truth.

This child still refused to believe.

Between Shazhu and Jia Dongxu's elder-care options, the eldest aunt favored Shazhu most; his honest, steadfast nature made her think even more highly of him.

Jia Dongxu really won't do.

What sort of good child could come from Jia Zhangshi's teaching!

Recently, because the Jia family's sewing machine was compensated to Shazhu, Jia Zhangshi had Jia Dongxu and Yi Zhonghai's couple stir up trouble several times.

"Zhuzi, listen to the eldest aunt explain: this is true. After He Daqing left, the cafeteria was going to take you on as an apprentice—it was your Head Steward who found the cafeteria director and pressed down hard on that appointment."

"Why?" Shazhu stared straight at the eldest aunt. "There must be a reason!"

The eldest aunt paused.

She too suffered from the flaw of being hasty and unable to eat hot tofu.

She only wanted to tell Shazhu about it first to avoid gossip, but she hadn't expected Shazhu to throw a "why" back at her.

Everything always has a reason.

One can't just act on temperament without reason.

"Zhuzi."

"Eldest aunt, I'm not angry at you, I'm angry at the Head Steward. What does he gain by doing this? If I become an apprentice, I'd earn the steel mill's money, not his. How can he keep the cafeteria from taking me on as an apprentice? I have nothing—I eat and live at the cafeteria, the key is Yushui. Yushui is only nine; am I supposed to gain a reputation for not supporting my sister, letting her starve? Why? How can he do this?"

Why.

It's just that there are no kids causing trouble.

If there were a child.

It wouldn't go so far as to scheme like this—taking Jia Dongxu as an apprentice, finding him a wife, and still scheming against Shazhu.

"Zhuzi, calm down."

"I can't calm down; he's treating me like a fool, on one hand urging me to work well, saying he'll handle the apprentice matter, claiming that even if I don't make it this year, next year I'll surely become an apprentice."

Shazhu's voice suddenly rose.

Inside it carried a strong anger.

The anger of being deceived.

"Over here he feeds me sweet talk to keep me calm as an apprentice, then he runs over there and tells people I can't be taken on as an apprentice, treating me as his Head Steward while he treats me like a silly child—what kind of Head Steward is that?"

Shazhu's counter-question.

It made the eldest aunt heartbroken.

Some things she couldn't decide.

"Eldest aunt, tell me, what is the Head Steward really after? With the old man around, whether I become an apprentice doesn't matter; with the old man backing me, the key is—if the old man is gone, I need to support Yushui—what does he mean?"

"Zhuzi."

The eldest aunt grew anxious, mainly because Shazhu's voice was too loud; there are idle gossipy women in the courtyard who love to stir up trouble.

If they found out that Yi Zhonghai deliberately arranged for someone to block Shazhu from becoming an apprentice, his reputation would be utterly ruined.

"Keep your voice down."

"I can't lower my voice—how can I? Eldest aunt, tell me what I should do. Am I supposed to thank the Head Steward for deliberately blocking my apprentice spot? Let me say this without fear of your laughter: I'm lucky to have met a good person—Director Wang saw how hard it is for me to support Yushui alone and got me a job at the scrap station; without this job, I and Yushui would just be waiting to go hungry."

Going hungry is exactly the scene Yi Zhonghai wants to see.

Using He Daqing to lift himself up.

This is a scheme Yi Zhonghai had long designed.

In Yi Zhonghai's plan, once Shazhu and Yushui are starving, the hypocrite will appear as a savior to provide food and drink for the siblings.

While showing off his benevolence, he also tramples He Daqing, using this to establish his image as Head Steward, facilitating Yi Zhonghai's grand plan for old age.

Multiple gains at once.

But no one expected Shazhu to just drop the task and quit.

As a result, Yi Zhonghai's plan was carried out but failed, and now it might backfire on him.

Otherwise the eldest aunt wouldn't be telling Shazhu all this.

Regarding Shazhu's emotions,

the eldest aunt understands.

Being treated like a fool and feeling angry, now that people know the truth, venting like a lit fuse on a firecracker is normal.

Venting in the courtyard is better than Shazhu confronting Yi Zhonghai face-to-face at the steel mill.

"Eldest aunt, it's also strange—our two families get along fine; logically, now that the old man is gone, you two should be the elders for my sister and me, yet you act this way, not letting me become an apprentice. Eldest aunt, everyone suspects, I even suspected the Jia family's matriarch, but never the Head Steward—so it turns out the Head Steward really did this."

"Zhuzi."

"Eldest aunt, the Head Steward's affairs are none of your business; from now on you're still my eldest aunt, as for the Head Steward, he can come and go."

Shazhu turned and left the Yi family home, pushing his bicycle toward the scrap station.

Seeing Shazhu leave, the eldest aunt worried he'd run to the steel mill to confront Yi Zhonghai face-to-face, which would embarrass Yi Zhonghai terribly, so she hurried to the steel mill herself.

……

Yagangchang.

The eldest aunt saw Yi Zhonghai.

Seeing her old companion come for her, Yi Zhonghai mistakenly thought there was a new development in the matter of the deaf old lady, given that the deaf old lady had just been taken away from the courtyard.

Then, after the eldest aunt began explaining the whole story to Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai was so angry his lungs felt like they'd burst.

What the hell?

You told Shazhu the truth.

How can this be?

You should know that on the way to the steel mill today, Yi Zhonghai was still figuring out how to smooth things over, without damaging his own position, and have Li Jianshe take responsibility.

He was stabbed in the back by the big mom.

Shazhu already knew the truth, so Yi Zhonghai had no need to bother with these pointless efforts.

Just think about the money he had handed out recently.

Yi Zhonghai felt exhausted.

All his scheming amounted to nothing.

The money is gone, and he's lost face.

"Old man, are you okay?"

"Does this look like nothing's wrong, damn it?"

This is definitely a problem.

If it weren't for the crowd watching, Yi Zhonghai—who had successfully cultivated his kindly old‑man persona—might have slapped the big mom hard.

Good-for-nothing woman.

She's just out to ruin my affairs.

"I understand, you can go back now."

That said.

But the bleak look on Yi Zhonghai's face couldn't escape the big mom's notice.

Looking at the worried Yi Zhonghai, the big mom wondered whether telling Shazhu the truth had been right or wrong.

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai was actually lost in thought.

"Old Yi, Old Yi, what's wrong with you?" the big mom called out worriedly.

"It's fine, I was just thinking about technical matters; I know about this—you'd better get back." Yi Zhonghai said to the big mom after hearing her shout.

"I'm heading back—you take care."

The big mom let out a soft sigh.

She also saw that Yi Zhonghai was forcing himself to stay calm.

This matter.

The big mom wanted to help but was powerless; in the family Yi Zhonghai had the final say, and she had urged him many times, but he wouldn't listen—now Shazhu knows the truth, and the situation Yi Zhonghai had painstakingly built over the years collapsed in an instant.

……

That evening, after work.

Yi Zhonghai, his mind full of thoughts, returned to the siheyuan, ignored the neighbors' strange looks, went straight inside, and through the glass saw Shazhu coming back.

He pushed the door open and stepped out.

He walked quickly a few steps.

He came up to Shazhu.

He lowered his voice.

After all, it was an embarrassing matter.

"Shazhu, the big mom told me everything—I know you're angry and resent me for doing this. Let's talk inside, lay it all out, so that if you end up resenting the big dad, he'll have nothing to say."

He spoke in a serious tone.

He wore an earnest expression.

It left Shazhu feeling like a monk two zhang tall, unsure what to do with his own head.

According to Shazhu's expectation, Yi Zhonghai should now be like a rat crossing the street.

But looking at Yi Zhonghai's face, it was clearly not the case.

The hypocrite had come up with a solution!

Besides this answer, Shazhu couldn't think of any other explanation.

"Then let's talk inside," Shazhu agreed readily, locked his bike, and followed Yi Zhonghai to his home.

There were sharp people around.

They noticed the changes in Shazhu's earlier words.

In the past,

Shazhu always addressed Yi Zhonghai as 'big dad', and even when calling him he used the honorific 'nin', but just now he used the informal 'you'.

"Shazhu, have some tea."

The big mom had prepared in advance; as soon as Shazhu came in, she poured tea for both of them.

After doing these things, the big mom found an excuse and left the Yi household.

It's not that they lack the face to confront it, but some things are hard for men to say when a woman is present; no matter how Yi Zhonghai settles it or what he says, he'll end up losing face.

Better to avoid it.

This matter also falls on the big mom; if she hadn't proactively told Shazhu the truth, things probably wouldn't have come to this pass.

After the big mom left,

Yi Zhonghai turned his gaze to Shazhu.

"Shazhu, are you resenting the big dad for deliberately blocking you, not letting you mention the steel plant cafeteria apprentice position?"

Shazhu didn't speak.

He lifted the teacup.

He took a sip.

Seeing that.

Yi Zhonghai let out a faint sigh and began his performance.

Even if you stay silent, I, Elder Uncle, know you resent me in your heart—cutting off someone's livelihood is a grave grudge. Besides, not letting you become an apprentice worker—if you were alone, you wouldn't be this furious. You're a good kid; there's no doubt about it. Just because your father He Daqing went to Baocheng, you single‑handedly raised He Yushui to be plump and healthy; you're a person of responsibility. Elder Uncle truly admires you.

A hint of mockery flashed across Shazhu's face.

Yi Zhonghai's words were just messing with a simpleton.

He really thought he was still the single-minded He Yuzhu from his previous life, believing whatever Yi Zhonghai said, never thinking twice.

Ptooey!

Ah, it's all my fault!

Yi Zhonghai doesn't play by the rules.

After praising.

He shifted his tone and dumped the responsibility onto himself.

Just an old trick of advancing by retreating.

His sigh, full of regret and self-blame, combined with the kindly old man's expression, genuinely convinces people from the heart.

If it were the Shazhu of his past life, he might have believed Yi Zhonghai's lies, thinking Yi Zhonghai truly meant well for him.

Nowadays.

It's just a fart.

Don't worry, Zhuzi, even if you don't believe me, preventing you from becoming a regular apprentice isn't my fault; it's your father He Daqing's decision.

Yi Zhonghai this old fox, playing with concepts slippery as hell, actually put the chamber pot on He Daqing's head, insisting it was He Daqing's idea.

This is also a plan Yi Zhonghai devised after a whole day's thought, a win-win solution.

He Daqing went to Baocheng.

Shazhu is again in the Capital City.

It's impossible to go specially to Baocheng to find He Daqing for verification because of this matter.

The only way to verify is to write a letter.

Thus.

This gave Yi Zhonghai room to maneuver.

Shazhu writes a letter, Yi Zhonghai sends a telegram; as long as Yi Zhonghai sends the telegram to the white widow before Shazhu's letter reaches He Daqing's hands.

Then the matter was left unsettled.

Only thus could Yi Zhonghai, under the pretense of doing good for Shazhu, gloss over the matter.

Otherwise, Yi Zhonghai's excuse would really be hard to stand on.

Unfortunately, the Shazhu facing Yi Zhonghai is not the submissive Shazhu of old, but a Shazhu who has suffered all his life, not so easily fooled.

I don't believe it.

Zhuzi, you have to believe this is the truth. Even I, Elder Uncle, was baffled at first—why, after your father He Daqing ran off with the white widow, would he still pressure you to become an apprentice? I asked your father, and this is what he told me.

Yi Zhonghai just made it up.

He said: First, the factory rules prohibit anyone under seventeen from becoming a cafeteria apprentice; if you were promoted in violation of those rules while he wasn't around, people would resent him. Second, your father He Daqing wants to apply some pressure— as the saying goes, "Jade uncarved is not a vessel"—to become talented you must endure some hardship. As for Yushui, your father said before he left that he would send you a regular monthly stipend; that money is Yushui's living expenses. Zhuzi, you've misunderstood Elder Uncle.

The hypocrite began to take credit.

Elder Uncle originally planned to keep this matter to himself forever, even preferring that you never learn of it so you wouldn't bear a grudge against your father. If it weren't for your Aunt, he would have shouldered it alone.

The hypocrite suddenly became full of vigor.

Yes, it was Elder Uncle who arranged for someone to block your apprenticeship. Zhuzi, if you're upset, take it out on me—just don't cause trouble for your father He Daqing.

Shazhu sized up Yi Zhonghai.

When he saw Yi Zhonghai's panda eyes.

He felt amused inside.

Then he slowly said: "Head Steward, although I'm called Shazhu, I'm not brainless; I'm not stupid. As the old saying goes, 'If you want no one to know, unless you do nothing yourself'; Heaven watches above; when people act, they should restrain a bit, lest Heaven see displeasure and send the thunder god to strike you."

Yi Zhonghai heard this.

His heart involuntarily tightened.

He never expected Shazhu to not fall for the trick.

What now?

When Elder Aunt told me about this today, my first thought was disbelief—I considered everyone else, but I never suspected you.

But Elder Aunt told me, and I also mentioned it to my coworkers at the station; they offered me an explanation.

I'm not sure if it's correct, but they said you have no children, so your biggest worry is providing for your old age; the old man fled to Baocheng, and in your view I'm someone with no support, someone you could rely on for your retirement. You deliberately had someone block my apprenticeship just to manipulate me—wait until I'm starving, wait until Yushui is starving, then you'll come to our aid, and we'll feel indebted to you.

After thinking it over, I have to believe it.

As for the deaf old lady, you see her as a burden, eating meat every day and unable to support herself; you give me work, hoping I'll take over the pot. You should just say it straight, but instead you hint at it and try to put the blame on me.

Zhuzi, do you agree to take care of the old lady?

I disagree.

Yi Zhonghai felt he was being taken for a ride by Zhuzi.

I disagree.

How can you still say that?

The misunderstanding led Yi Zhonghai to believe that Zhuzi had agreed to support the deaf old lady.

Elder Uncle, from now on our two families will just be ordinary neighbors; I won't embarrass you in front of outsiders, but in private don't put on the airs of a supervising Elder Uncle. Going forward we'll each live our own lives—I'll take Yushui to earn a living, and you'll take Elder Aunt to support the deaf old lady. If you dare to scheme or try to pawn the deaf old lady off on me, don't blame me for not warning you.

Yi Zhonghai's heart tightened.

The situation has deteriorated to the point where the two families will never associate again, even unto death.

This isn't the ending Yi Zhonghai wanted.

Shazhu is nevertheless Yi Zhonghai's backup choice for his old-age care.

In short, he hasn't been made permanent yet.

The backup just quit.

"Shazhu, I really didn't think it through; please don't get angry, I."

"All right, all right." Shazhu waved his hand, cutting off the hypocrite's explanation, "Let bygones be bygones; I don't want to waste words with you. The matter is simply this: if you still want to scheme against me, fine—let me help you with your old-age care. But then I'll starve you until you can't take it, so hungry you'll eat your own ba ba—don't blame me!"

Yi Zhonghai looked utterly bewildered.

How did Shazhu become so ruthless?

Just because of those harsh words Shazhu flung at him, Yi Zhonghai didn't dare to rely on him for his old-age care; if it really were as Shazhu said, and Yi Zhonghai had Shazhu look after him, Shazhu would deny him food and drink each day, leaving Yi Zhonghai to fend for himself.

"Shazhu."

"All right, then it's settled." Shazhu turned to warn Yi Zhonghai, "If the eldest uncle bears a grudge and wants to nag at me, I welcome it—but I'll give the eldest uncle a word of warning: I'm young, and you will surely die at my hands; by then don't blame fate or complain about injustice."

Yi Zhonghai smiled at Shazhu.

But this smile,

looked hardly better than crying.

The hypocrite thought that starting a conflict with Shazhu now would be of no benefit to him.

Mainly because Jia Dongxu hasn't died yet.

Shazhu made clear his relationship with Yi Zhonghai, and the two families are effectively severed; for Yi Zhonghai, it merely means losing a backup, and the hypocrite will focus all his efforts on Jia Dongxu.

He wanted Shazhu to see.

Without Shazhu.

Yi Zhonghai could still have Jia Dongxu support him in his old age.

But Yi Zhonghai's heart, for some reason, has continually felt a bit off; ever since Shazhu left, he's been in a daze—so much so that even when the eldest aunt returned, he didn't notice, until she shouted a few times and the absent-minded Yi Zhonghai finally came to his senses.

"Old man, are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

"How did the talk with Shazhu go?"

Yi Zhonghai sighed and then related to the eldest aunt, in full detail, everything Shazhu had said to her.

Upon hearing Shazhu declare that the Yi Zhonghai and Shazhu families were merely ordinary households, the eldest aunt's heart sank.

"Don't worry, without Shazhu we still have Jia Dongxu; not fighting over a bun, not arguing over breath— isn't that just providing for the elderly? No matter what, we can't let Shazhu have a look."

No more interests.

Even the terms of address have changed.

From 'Shazi' it changed to 'Shazhu'.