Chapter 96: Almost Angered Jia Zhangshi to Death

There's no wall that doesn't let the wind through.

Although outsiders didn't know the specific details of the rift between the Yi and He families that occurred in Yi Zhonghai's home, they could still detect a hint from how Shazhu treated the Yi couple and how the Yi couple treated Jia Dongxu.

After Shazhu and Yi Zhonghai had a private conversation, Yi Zhonghai increased his investment in Jia Dongxu, appearing to treat him as an heir and someone to support in old age.

There was an element of rivalry.

Shazhu couldn't be bothered; to him, it was merely a few fewer annoying pests, and each family keeping to themselves and living their own quiet lives wasn't bad—why bother with these trivialities?

The entire siheyuan, all residents, were miraculously moving toward a better direction—the Jia, Yi, Liu, Yan, Yang families, and so on.

The only one not faring well was likely the deaf old lady in the rear courtyard; after being educated by the street office for seven or eight days, she returned and kept her tail between her legs, no longer shouting for meat, eating whatever the eldest aunt brought her.

During that time, she had sought out Shazhu several times—either he wasn't there or he was busy—and after the eldest aunt said something to the deaf old lady (who knows what), the deaf old lady stopped coming to the door.

Shazhu also enjoyed a rare moment of peace.

While caring for Yushui, he channeled this energy into his work and even received the honorable title of Quarterly Outstanding Advanced Worker awarded by the recycling station.

Amidst the busyness.

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye.

The warm, blooming May arrived.

The siheyuan successively welcomed several great events.

The first was Liu Haizhong in the rear courtyard; his eldest son, Liu Guangqi, got married. On the eighth night after the wedding, taking advantage of the quiet, deep night, he used a cart to take away everything Liu Haizong had prepared for the wedding. The next day, Liu Haizhong woke up to find bare walls on all four sides and fainted from anger.

After being revived by someone pinching his philtrum, Liu Haizhong waved his belt, venting his resentment over the eldest son's escape entirely onto Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu. After that incident, the two brothers didn't leave the house for a whole week.

The second event concerned the Jia family—it was double joy. First, Jia Dongxu successfully completed the promotion from apprentice to formal worker.

He boasted he would become a first-class technician by year's end.

The second joy was Qin Huairu's pregnancy; Jia Zhangshi told everyone Qin Huairu was carrying a boy.

Strictly speaking.

The Jia family was enjoying triple joy.

The last joy was Yi Zhonghai; the hypocrite, citing the Jia family's double joy as an excuse, again spent money to arrange a brand-new item for the Jia family—a radio from the "three turns, one sound" series.

Observant people could see.

Yi Zhonghai was doing this to put eye drops in Shazhu's eyes.

After all, for the sewing machine, the Jia family had clashed with Shazhu several times, each time ending in Shazhu's embarrassment.

There were also rumors of a falling out between the Yi family and Shazhu.

Bicycle—Shazhu had one; sewing machine—Shazhu had one; if Yi Zhonghai were to give Shazhu a bicycle and sewing machine, there'd be suspicion of him sucking up to Shazhu.

The hypocrite simply purchased the other sound from the "three turns, one sound" set.

The radio.

Why not a watch?

Such a small trinket as a watch—how could it bear this grand occasion?

Yi Zhonghai wanted that big feeling.

A big item is conspicuous, letting the neighbors all see it.

If it were replaced with a watch, Yi Zhonghai would probably have to make Jia Dongxu raise his arm and go around showing off to the neighbors before they'd notice he'd bought the Jia family a watch.

A watch wouldn't serve Yi Zhonghai's showing-off plan.

As the hypocrite imagined, when the radio was put on display, the entire siheyuan exploded.

The neighbors all said Jia Dongxu had found a good master.

Flattering the high and stepping on the low was the neighbors' specialty; the fawning voices nearly drowned Yi Zhonghai, and someone even started posting lucky characters as a business—whether intentional or not, the big red lucky character originally meant for the Jia family's door was mistakenly pasted on the Yi family's door. After Jia Zhangshi discovered it, there was a commotion, and the lucky character was moved from the Yi family to the Jia family.

When Shazhu returned to the siheyuan on his bicycle, seeing the Jia family lit up and decorated, with a big lucky character still on the door,

Shazhu, unaware of the situation,

was dazed.

The first thought that came to mind was that Damao's earlier guess about the relationship between Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu was correct—the hypocrite and the scheming white lotus had some mysterious connection.

Calculating the time.

The timing was off.

They married on the third day of the first lunar month; now it's only May, still half a month short of the ten months of pregnancy.

Even a genius child couldn't be formed and born in five months—unless the timeline were pushed back five months.

In a daze.

Suddenly, a frivolous whisper came to Shazhu's ear.

"Shazhu, what are you looking at?"

He frowned.

He looked in the direction the voice came from.

He couldn't help but coldly snort a few times.

"What do you mean?"

Shazhu turned his head to glance at the person, then replied indifferently.

It wasn't someone else.

It was precisely the male and female protagonists of the "Beast Siheyuan"—the female lead Qin Huairu, and beside her, supporting Qin Huairu, was the late husband of the scheming white lotus, Jia Dongxu.

His appearance was handsome and refined.

The key point was that he was a short-lived ghost.

Speaking of which.

If we start from Jia Dongxu's perspective, Qin Huairu as a daughter-in-law is simply too valuable—raising three children and, through her blood-sucking ways, securing multiple properties for the Jia family; just the few houses in this siheyuan alone are estimated to be worth tens of millions.

Definitely a multi-millionaire.

"What are you looking at? Is this something you're looking at?"

Jia Dongxu seemed not to notice Shazhu's cold indifference.

Asking about the pot that isn't open.

It's also not ruled out that this guy is showing off under some pretext; regarding the matters between Yi Zhonghai and Shazhu's family, some people seem to have told Jia Dongxu, and in Jia Dongxu's eyes, the better he lives, the more upset Shazhu feels inside—so angry he can't eat or sleep.

Everyone in the siheyuan knows about the conflict between the Jia family and Shazhu's family.

"Seeing the 'xi' character pasted on your family's door, I guess." Shazhu also spoke harshly, opening his mouth with vicious words: "Stop guessing—it's definitely Jia Damu who found a good match."

Also blame Jia Dongxu for seeking trouble for no reason.

Wanting to take advantage of the Jia family's triple joy to make Shazhu feel disgusted.

But it backfired.

Instead, Shazhu gave him a dressing-down.

"Jia Dongxu, are those people your stepfather's? Are there still others in your family? Did your mother marry into someone else's family, or did someone marry into your Jia family? When the time comes, will you, Jia Dongxu, be managing your stepfather's affairs, or will you call him uncle?"

A series of several questions.

The questions made Jia Dongxu's head buzz.

"Shazhu, are you asking for a beating?"

The words were harsh.

But the person was somewhat timid.

Jia Dongxu actually stepped in front of Qin Huairu, blocking her with his own body.

Shazhu stopped his bicycle, took off his upper garment, and waved at Jia Dongxu hiding behind Qin Huairu.

"Surname Jia, I'm just asking for a beating—come on, let's practice."

"Shazhu, if you hit our Dongxu, my old woman won't let you off. On our Jia family's joyous day, you don't help but instead hit our Dongxu—what are you doing?"

Jia Zhangshi opened her mouth, and Shazhu immediately associated her with the shrewish, rascal-like Laoqianpo from TV dramas.

A person's name.

A tree's shadow.

Laoqianpo Jia Zhangshi as well.

"Jia Damu, I saw the 'xi' character pasted on your Jia family's gate and congratulated Jia Dongxu on having a stepfather—did I say something wrong? Could it really be that Jia Dongxu married another wife? Nowadays there's this marriage law—if Jia Dongxu really marries another wife, he'd at least have to divorce Qin Huairu first."

Shazhu's mouth.

Also absolute.

"Qin Huairu, have you divorced Jia Dongxu? I tell you, if Jia Dongxu hasn't divorced you but marries another wife, and this gets reported to the public security bureau, he won't get away with it."

The faces of the Jia mother and son.

They were visibly turning green.

Especially Jia Dongxu.

Looking at him, he's almost like a green-haired turtle.

"Shazhu, our Dongxu and Huairu are fine—what nonsense are you spouting?"

Day.

Shazhu discovered a truth.

Jia Zhangshi this bastard thing.

She deserves a scolding.

"So it's not that Jia Dongxu divorced Qin Huairu and married another wife—then I'm not wrong. I congratulated Jia Dongxu on having a stepfather, congratulated Jia Damu on the old tree blooming, having a new pursuit—I also congratulated wrongly, you Jia family people."

Jia Zhangshi was made to tremble all over by Shazhu's anger.

Mouth wide open.

A look of wanting to speak but not knowing what to say, filled with anxiety.

"Shazhu, look at how you've made my mother angry."

Jia Dongxu is also a well-known filial son in the siheyuan.

The tone shifted.

He began threatening Shazhu.

"If my mother dies from your anger, gasping her last breath to find my father, Shazhu, you're in big trouble. If my mother dies from your anger, without ten million, this matter won't end."

"Jia Dongxu, since you have a stepfather, you don't need your biological mother anymore, huh? I'll anger your mother to death, give you ten million, and you can take this ten million to honor that stepfather of yours."

There are rumors in the siheyuan.

Saying that Yi Zhonghai treats Jia Dongxu so well not because of any relation between Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu, nor because Jia Dongxu is Yi Zhonghai's disciple—some unknown deity fabricated this rumor, claiming Yi Zhonghai will become Jia Zhangshi's second elderly companion and Jia Dongxu's stepfather.

Shazhu's words truly struck Jia Dongxu in the lungs.

Jia Dongxu, struck where it hurts by Shazhu, completely forgot he wasn't Shazhu's match, became angry from embarrassment, rolled up his sleeves, and prepared to fight Shazhu.

"The kind are bullied, the gentle are ridden—am I easy to bully?"

Shazhu wiped his arms and rolled up his sleeves.

A posture of preparing to deal with Jia Dongxu.

Jia Dongxu, seeing Shazhu really meant business, fled with his buttocks exposed toward Jia Zhangsi, forgetting entirely how he had just nearly angered Jia Zhangshi to death.

Shazhu was speechless.

Qin Huairu was also helpless.

Yan Fugui also slightly shook his head.

This Jia Dongxu.

A typical loudmouth.

When faced with the real thing, he backs down.

Lao Kou's gaze fell on the wooden box on the back rack of Shazhu's bicycle.

"Hey, radio, Shazhu, you bought a radio?"

He finished speaking.

He leaned in to take a close look.

While looking.

He let out sounds of admiration from his mouth.

"This must be the newly developed Red Star brand radio our country just released this year, I saw related reports in the newspaper, I heard those components inside are all domestically produced, Shazhu, you must have spent quite a bit of money on it?"

"Not that much money."

Shazhu rarely put on an act.

Hearing someone in the courtyard bought a radio, the neighbors who came to watch the fun all gathered around, pointing and commenting on Shazhu's radio.

Their words were full of admiration.

Shazhu could be said to be the wealthiest household in the Siheyuan.

Having a sewing machine, a bicycle, and now a camera, and now a radio—if he bought a watch, he'd be the first to achieve the three turns and one chime.

Amidst the envious voices.

A discordant voice sounded.

"In my opinion, this radio must have come from illegitimate sources, probably stolen by Shazhu from somewhere."

Just that tone of voice, full of sarcasm.

None other than Jia Zhangshi.

Wherever she goes, there's someone singing against the tune.

Jia Zhangshi's words carried a faint sourness.

I thought the Jia family would be the protagonists today, but the protagonist turned out to be Shazhu.

Why?

An orphan whose mother died and father ran off with a widow—how does he keep outperforming the Jia family in everything, first with a sewing machine, then a bicycle?

Jia Zhangshi just wanted to use the radio to suppress Shazhu, to anger him, to let him know the Jia family had reaped the benefits from Yi Zhonghai's orphan.

Unexpectedly, Shazhu also bought a radio.

The superiority between the two sides was immediately clear.

One was given by Yi Zhonghai.

The other was bought by oneself.

Who has ability and who doesn't—everyone sees it clearly.

Dissatisfaction with Jia Zhangshi was also expected.

A radio, such a large item, entering the Siheyuan, must be explained to the people in the courtyard, otherwise trouble will follow.

This is the characteristic of this era.

"Jia family woman, if you're capable, go steal a radio and try." Shazhu, not used to Jia Zhangshi's behavior, retorted angrily, "What do you mean, Jia Dongxu got upset and went home to tell his parents? Does he still sleep at night sucking on a milk bottle?"

Qin Huairu's face.

Flushed like a monkey's butt.

She gave Shazhu a fierce glare with her eyes.

"Jia Zhangshi, if you can't speak properly, don't speak at all—opening your mouth only to accuse others of theft, why can't you stand seeing others do well? When others acquire something, you call it stealing—what kind of people are you? Can't stand seeing others do well?"

"Xu Daming, what's it to you?"

"How is it none of your business? Shazhu is my brother, you bully my brother, that's not acceptable, and you keep saying Shazhu stole the radio, just as Shazhu said earlier—if you have the ability, go steal one yourself." Xu Daming suddenly drew out his tone, glanced sideways at the hypocrite sitting nearby waiting for a chance to perform, "At least Shazhu obtained his radio through his own ability, unlike some people, relying on their mother!"

What was said before was all nonsense.

The climax was this "relying on mother!"

As residents of the Siheyuan, the Jia family, Shazhu's family, and Yi Zhonghai's family—everyone knows the tensions among the three households.

Looking down on Jia Dongxu, yet endlessly envious of him.

Able to enjoy the benefits from Yi Zhonghai's orphan.

Last year, a brand-new sewing machine; this year, they acquired a radio.

Then look at ourselves.

Not even a single hair.

"Xu Daming, don't think you can distract me—I just want to ask Shazhu where this radio came from? Again, a bicycle, again a sewing machine, and now a camera—Shazhu, if you don't give me a clear explanation, I'll report you to the Jiēdào."

Jia Zhangshi stubbornly held her ground like a dead duck.

The neighbors all focused their gaze on Shazhu, wanting to hear how this radio came to be.

They are all the same kind of people.

How come Shazhu managed to achieve the three turns and one chime, while they can't even afford a bicycle?

Shazhu also wanted to take this opportunity to clarify his possessions.

Being misunderstood cannot be allowed.

Especially Yi Zhonghai.

He gave Shazhu a look that said, if you can't explain clearly, I'll take you to task.

This is settling accounts after the autumn harvest!

"Bicycles, how they came about, Elder Yi knows the specifics, the old man left money, I bought the bicycle, as for the sewing machine, Jia Dongxu of the Jia family compensated for it, the camera I borrowed one million from Elder Yi, and when I paid it back recently, the neighbors also saw it, as for this radio, I bought it, as for where the money came from, I borrowed it from the Red Star scrap yard, if any neighbors don't believe me, they can go inquire at the Red Star scrap yard to see if I'm lying."

"You have so much face?" Jia Zhangshi obviously didn't believe Shazhu's words, "Things worth hundreds of thousands or even millions, you say borrow and they just lend it to you?"

Shazhu also couldn't be bothered to waste words.

He produced his honor certificate as an outstanding advanced individual from the Red Star scrap yard.

This thing.

Equivalent to the labor model of the Yagangchang.

Nowadays in this era.

Labor models and soldiers are idols to countless people.

Everyone immediately gathered around to take a close look.

The big red seal.

Really can't be true.

This advanced individual honor certificate, when brought out and shown.

Shazhu immediately became the brightest cub in the Siheyuan.

Jia Dongxu's regularization has nothing comparable to Shazhu's first-quarter advanced individual honor.

"Jia Zhangshi, see clearly now, don't think everyone is like your family, always doing petty theft, your own heart sees everyone as dirty."

Xu Daming took advantage of the situation to kick someone when they're down.

Dealing with the Jia family.

Vile scoundrels are always the vanguard.

"His Elder Yi."

"Zhuzi, Xu Daming, you both say fewer words."

The hypocrite, seeing Shazhu produce his first-quarter advanced individual honor certificate, immediately smiled.

As if the person who just wanted to operate on Shazhu wasn't Yi Zhonghai.

"Our Siheyuan now has four blessings arriving at the door, first blessing, Jia Dongxu became a regular worker, turned into a formal employee of the Yagangchang, second blessing, Qin Huairu is pregnant."

Shazhu's mind went blank for a moment.

Qin Huairu is pregnant.

So this means Bangeng will appear in this world in a few months.

The Divine Thief.

Also known as the strongest white-eyed wolf.

In the previous life, it was this white-eyed wolf who saw Shazhu become hemiplegic, needing help with urination and defecation, then teamed up with Xiao Dang and Huaihua, two beasts, and in the middle of the night threw the injected Shazhu under the Overpass.

Shazhu's fist involuntarily clenched.

Then quickly loosened again.

There is a long future ahead.

There is plenty of time.

"The third blessing is that Dong Xu and Zhuzi both bought radios, the neighbors finally have something to pass the time in the evenings."

The surrounding crowd all shouted approval in unison.

Shazhu took it in stride.

Just the hypocrite's old trick.

Using the idea of seeking welfare for the neighbors to morally blackmail you.

Just like this radio.

Clearly it's Shazhu's radio, he anxiously hooked up the battery, but the neighbors won't remember Shazhu's kindness, they will only remember Yi Zhonghai seeking welfare for them.

Shazhu isn't in a hurry at all.

As for this radio.

There are two in total.

One for the Jia family, one for him.

However the Jia family does it, he just follows suit.

Besides, when Shazhu came back today, he had already enrolled in the city night school, needing to attend from eight to ten in the evening, this time slot, the neighbors also shouldn't expect to listen to the radio.

Iron General's Gate.

Don't even think about it.

"The fourth blessing is that Zhuzi received the first-quarter advanced work individual award from the scrap yard, this is the honor of our Siheyuan, hoping the neighbors can all learn from Zhuzi."

"Elder Yi, if you want me, the old woman, to say, just come up with something practical, let Zhuzi treat our neighbors to a good meal, advanced work individual, a great joy."

The neighbors looked toward Shazhu.

All wanting to taste Shazhu's cooking.

The famous chef god of the Yagangchang.

"Sure, just a meal, fine, but does the Jia family also need to set out three times?" Shazhu smiled at Jia Zhangshi, "Elder Yi said three blessings, regularization, pregnancy, radio, as long as the Jia family sets out three times, also no need for three times, setting out twice is enough."

Jia Zhangshi's idea of eating Shazhu.

Shazhu is now counter-eating the Jia family, and even two times in a row.

Jia Zhangshi's facial expression.

Instantly turned ugly.

"Jia Grandma's complexion, could it be she's sick?" Shazhu solemnly expressed his stance to Jia Zhangshi: "Jia Grandma, I declare before the neighbors, if you remarry, I'll give you a free meal."

The words ended.

Pushing the bicycle, he walked home.

As for the radio.

Xu Damu carefully held it and followed behind Shazhu.

Yi Zhonghai watched the two enter Shazhu's house one after the other, and instinctively felt a bad feeling—last time it was the same situation, and then Xu Damu brought back a girl of seventeen or eighteen for Yi Zhonghai to take in, letting the couple regard Yi Zhonghai and his wife as parents.