Chapter 39: Xu Damao's Bad Luck

After staying home to accompany Character and finish all the paperwork, He Yuzhu then returned to the factory to work; just as he entered the cafeteria, Ma Hua came over mysteriously and said something worth celebrating had happened.

Qin Huairu was dealt with.

The reason was still her unlucky son; after the Steel Rolling Mill learned of the matter, it immediately took measures. Although Qin Huairu had entered through a backdoor, making it hard to fire her, her rank was indeed demoted all the way.

She was transferred from the workshop to report to the Street Cleaning Squad; from now on, rain or shine, she will sweep garbage on the roads.

"Master, I heard the mistress is a martial arts expert; could you let her teach me a few moves?" Ma Hua asked next.

Seeing his eager look, He Yuzhu smiled slightly; this kid thinks practicing martial arts is like storytelling, so let him taste some hardship.

"Alright, come back with me after work."

The cafeteria now has all meat and vegetable dishes; He Yuzhu glanced at the menu, found nothing particularly difficult, and signed off. The big pot dishes have been taken over by Ma Hua, while He Yuzhu only does some small stir-fries.

The cafeteria work was completed easily and pleasantly; He Yuzhu brought Ma Hua back to the Courtyard House, where the grocery shop was under construction, so Character stayed at He Yuzhu's place first.

Of course, only during the day.

After explaining Ma Hua's purpose, He Yuzhu brewed tea and rested.

Character certainly couldn't use Ma Hua as a practice dummy; she merely gave him a general introduction to the Technique.

Their atmosphere here is fine, but a nearby neighbor's house is overcast with gloom.

"My dear grandson, how can you be so foolish?" Jia Zhangshi, wrapped in a headscarf, lay on the kang crying, "How can I go on living?"

Hearing Jia Zhangshi's sobs, Qin Huairu also felt uneasy; she couldn't bear to part with her son, but now wasn't the time to cry—she still needed to think of a solution.

As long as he isn't executed, it's fine.

But nobody in the Courtyard House paid her any mind; who could she turn to for help? Qin Huairu looked around, feeling truly unfortunate—when trouble arose, there was no one to offer advice.

She didn't notice that her own home was actually missing a person.

Bang Geng had caused such a big incident; seeing her sister indifferent, Qin Jingru sneaked out to the backyard to find Xu Damao. If she didn't act now while he was still infatuated with her, in a few days even the yellow flowers would be cold.

"You're crazy, coming to find me at this time." Xu Damao and Qin Jingru hid in a corner, "If anyone sees us, we'll both be in trouble; your whole family are reckless fools."

"Do you miss me? I haven't come to see you in all these days." Qin Jingru whispered, "If you despise me, I'll return to the village and never come back."

Xu Damao thought exactly that inside, but couldn't show it; he comforted Qin Jingru a few words, then hurried back.

"Brother Damao, when will you divorce and marry me?"

"We'll take it slow; go back first—your sister will be worried soon."

Qin Jingru smiled and told Xu Damao that her sister was now worried about Bang Geng's affair and wouldn't pay her any mind; there would be plenty of time later for her to meet Xu Damao.

She grabbed Xu Damao's hand, slowly pulling it toward her willow-like slender waist, resting her head on his chest, and asked if he felt her waist had become a bit slimmer.

Xu Damao glanced around, his hands began to roam dishonestly, a lewd smile on his face, and he told Qin Jingru he didn't feel she'd gotten thinner—if anything, she seemed a bit fatter.

"How disgusting, you asked about the waist."

The two were heating up in the corner when suddenly a basin of cold water poured down from above; Lou Xiaoe stood outside, cold-faced, looking at Xu Damao and saying, "You bastard, you won't die a good death."

Xu Damao hurriedly chased after her, but had already watched Lou Xiaoe go to the central courtyard; then voices suddenly rose in a clamor, and five or six neighbors rushed over in haste.

Unfortunately, they saw nothing.

"Xu Damao, last time you luckily escaped, but I didn't expect you to remain unrepentant, continuing your affair with Qin Jingru." Er Daye, supporting his sore waist with some excitement, finally felt it was their turn to act: "If not dealt with, it cannot appease public anger."

"Exactly, you two are simply disgracing the Courtyard House."

"Especially Xu Damao, who shows no respect for elders, must be reported to his unit."

Xu Damao's eyes turned red; if he weren't a projectionist, and having offended the Lou family, he wondered how he could survive in the city, and guessed that this unlucky Qin Jingru would also leave him.

What to do.

Drag someone into the water.

"We're just saying a few words; there's really nothing going on." Xu Damao shouted loudly, "You all bully the weak and fear the strong, thinking I'm easy to pick on, right?"

"You're already embracing, yet you say there's nothing?"

Xu Damao suddenly pointed at He Yuzhu and said, "Last night so late, he and that Character were still in the grocery shop; why aren't you managing him—do you think he's a leader?"

He Yuzhu shook his head; Xu Damao was indeed a bit confused—he and Character were a couple getting their certificate, which is different from his situation.

He should be clinging to Elder One and Qin Huairu instead.

"Say that again, Xu Damao." He Yuzhu stepped forward, "Don't compare your hooligan self to me."

Xu Damao pointed at He Yuzhu; Character suddenly darted out, one hand swatting away his hand, the other striking his ribs like lightning.

A simple hook at the feet.

Xu Damao spun three hundred sixty degrees in the air and crashed heavily to the ground.

A fine move, the Technique waist sever.

Character stuck out her tongue, retreated to He Yuzhu's side, and whispered, "I'll be gentle from now on; this is the last time I'll strike."

"It's fine; he just deserves a beating."

Elder One looked at Xu Damao and asked Lou Xiaoe, "How do you plan to handle this—divorce him, or wait and see?"

Lou Xiaoe's face looked grim; she snorted and said, "What's there to wait and see? Send him to the police station."

"Hmph, that's how we'll do it." m.

Qin Jingru hurriedly signaled to her sister; Xu Damao however she didn't care, but she couldn't go to the police station—otherwise how would she marry in the future?

Seeing Xu Damao lying on the ground like a dead dog, Qin Jingru, taking advantage of everyone's inattention, sprinted out.

"Elder One, my sister just came from the countryside, she knows nothing; can you not arrest her?" Qin Huairu sidled up to Elder One, "I expect she'll run back to the countryside."

If things get serious, Elder One also fears Qin Jingru might not be able to cope.

"Old Yi, this won't work..."

San Daye was about to speak when Qin Huairu gave him a fierce look, indicating that it was his letting Xu Damao send someone away that caused all these troubles; if Qin Jingru isn't let off, she'll also pursue San Daye.

"How can this be blamed on me? If you hadn't taken in your sister, this wouldn't have happened." San Daye also retorted, "It's all your daydreaming about latching onto He Yuzhu."