Chapter 15

Yi Daye's face is indeed big; he actually managed to get some meat from Wang Da Li, although the pieces are only as big as a beer bottle cap, and there are only two of them.

But Yi Daye's confidence greatly increased. Everyone in the courtyard house still gives him face.

He should be able to persuade He Yuzhu.

What flavor these two pieces of meat have, Qin Huairu hasn't tasted a bit; Jia Zhangshi couldn't wait to eat even before finishing her meal, she grabbed the meat with her hands and ate it, even pouring hot water into the bowl that held the meat.

She drank it clean.

Today the grocery shop's business is still not bad; many people who have worked all day come for a drink, and there are also mischievous kids coming to get soy sauce.

When it was past eight in the evening, He Yuzhu was about to tidy up and go home; Yi Daye came uninvited, his face full of smiles and also flushed, presumably because he had drunk alcohol.

Zhuzi ah, we two old fellows haven't sat together and talked for a long time. Yi Daye asked, "These days why haven't you come to my place? Are you feeling embarrassed?"

This is really something to dare think, what's there to be embarrassed about? You, who owes money, should be the one feeling embarrassed. Moreover, now he wants to get away from Yi Daye and them, so he should see them less.

Yi Daye began to nag, saying He Yuzhu is the most capable young person in the Courtyard House, with a cook's skill, so he never has to worry about not having food.

And he can eat well and drink well.

Unlike others, whose families are starving to the point of their fronts touching their backs, with nothing to eat, they can only silently cry at home.

Yi Daye, saying this you need to be careful, my family isn't wealthy either, can be said to be relatively poor in the Courtyard House, and everyone has hands and feet, who would go without food?

You didn't go back today, you don't know that Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi have started fighting again, and it's not just over a couple mouthfuls of food.

He Yuzhu hearing this just wanted to laugh; although he didn't go back, he still knows the reason: Jia Zhangshi is doing it for the meat, it's a glutton's problem, and has nothing to do with not having enough to eat.

But Yi Daye saying this, could it be to get me to support the Jia Family again?

Yi Daye, just say what you have to say directly, stop beating around the bush here.

Refreshing! My meaning is still simple: from now on, bring your lunch box back and share some of the food with the Jia Family, as the saying goes, fish brings cold, meat brings phlegm, cabbage and tofu keep one safe.

Such comforting words from the poor are not forthright.

He Yuzhu hadn't finished speaking when Yi Daye continued, saying: "A few days ago Qin Huairu returned over five hundred to you, you can't spend it all, take out two hundred and give it to her."

This is his own theory of enlightenment: if I disagree to give two hundred, Yi Daye will definitely say it's counted as a loan, and if I still disagree, he'll insist on giving at least some food.

But I don't want to give anything.

Yi Daye, in a few days Character will come back, you're not trying to make us argue, are you?" He Yuzhu shook his head, "Then I'll say it was you who let her have it, and she'll surely step on you again.

To Yi Daye, this would be the utmost disgrace of his life, a strong-bodied eighth-level worker being stepped on by a woman; if it really got out, he wouldn't be able to stay in the workers' circle.

If you don't give money, count it as you lending her……

Character will step on you.

Giving some food would be okay.

Character will step on you.

Yi Daye angrily hit his legs twice; this isn't a good thing, there's no need to harp on it all day.

You, this is trying to drag me in, if you don't tell Character, wouldn't that be fine?" Yi Daye said with a smile, "Everyone keep their mouths shut, and we'll pretend nothing happened.

He Yuzhu shook his head, saying this money is for purchasing goods for the grocery shop; when Character returns and finds few items in the grocery shop, she'll surely suspect I'm not managing it well.

Three hundred isn't enough; our family can't even buy that much worth of goods in a year.

Not enough, far from enough; I've been thinking these days where to get this money.

Since Yi Daye doesn't know what's good for him and comes again asking for money, I might as well take the chance to get what he owes me out too—who can't pretend to be poor?

A single coin can stymie a hero, right? I remember my dad always gave us siblings living expenses; this sum should be in your hands, take it out soon these days, I need to use it.

Upon hearing this, Yi Daye's slight tipsiness completely vanished; he hadn't expected that coming to borrow money would end with him having to produce the money himself.

That sum of money is what I've been keeping, but whenever there's a collective activity, he'd take out a bit to use; if it all has to be repaid, I'm afraid I'd have to lose everything.

Well, that money is indeed in my hands, but after so many years I've also forgotten a bit; let me go back and calculate it properly.

He Yuzhu wiped the smile from his face and coldly said: "In three days' time, if I don't see this sum of money, you better get your bedding ready and keep Bang Geng company."

Zhuzi, let's discuss this again, this sum isn't a small amount.

I say what I mean and do what I say." He Yuzhu showed no mercy, "With the time you spend grinding your teeth, you'd better go prepare the money. Think about your age—you don't want to end your later years in disgrace, do you?

Yi Daye's face turned deathly pale; he, a respected eighth-level worker, if he went in would likely never come out in this lifetime, and his plans could not be realized.

Without descendants, how could he face his ancestors?

Give the money!

In this matter, he also knows there's no room for resistance, but coming up with this sum is indeed difficult for him; after thinking it over, he plans to let the Second Elder and San Daye also bear some of it.

When eating, nobody ate less, so why do I have to be the one to pay?

What Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi, now they're all put aside; even if the Jia Family exploded tonight, Yi Daye wouldn't bother with it. But if after three days he can't come up with the money, that would be deadly.

After returning home, He Yuzhu reheated the morning's steamed buns; because the weather was a bit cold, he also made a pot of delicious meat soup, and after eating this meal he only felt himself sweating all over.

It was as comfortable as taking a hot bath.

Jia Zhangshi was restless at home; although she had already eaten two pieces of meat, she couldn't suppress her craving at all, and upon smelling the aroma of the meat soup, she craved even more.

Qin Huairu, go find Yi Daye and have him get some more meat." Jia Zhangshi ordered, "Tell him that if he doesn't want you to be beaten to the point of being unpresentable, he should at least give half a catty.

I don't have the face for that." Qin Huairu was still dreaming that the matter she entrusted to Yi Daye could be accomplished, but she didn't want to go now and invite dislike.

You're really itching for a fight, huh." Jia Zhangshi pointed at Qin Huairu.

Two people started arguing again with a clatter, the people in the Courtyard House seemed no longer surprised, not even a single person came to watch the excitement.