Chapter 82: with translation of chapter title

The elder strode to the Jia Family, without saying any pleasantries, and laid it out plainly. If you don't bring out money, this gathering will have no share for her family—not even a bit!

"You're calling the shots, you're calling the shots!" Jia Zhangshi shouted loudly, "When did the Courtyard House become yours to call the shots? I really don't know what position you think you hold."

San Daye didn't waste words either; after speaking, he was about to leave.

Qin Huairu quickly grabbed him, not saying anything else; when the time comes, everyone will be eating in the Courtyard House while her family hides in the room smelling the food—she'd feel stifled to death.

"San Daye, look, my mother-in-law also earned quite a bit of money, and you're just ignoring us—isn't that too unfair?" Qin Huairu felt somewhat wronged, "Even if it's an advance, would that be okay?"

"What do you mean advance? Your mother-in-law picking up trash is atonement—what merit has she earned?" He Yuzhu, holding melon seeds, stood at the doorway and said, "Don't even think about that money."

He Yuzhu said that and left; he went to find Ma Hua to come over and discuss how to prepare the meal.

San Daye also turned and left.

It seems this money is indeed unavoidable; Qin Huairu also has no money in hand, so she can only beg her mother-in-law to first produce the money—worst case she'll repay her when wages are paid.

This is practically stepping on Jia Zhangshi's tail; last time most of her money already went to He Yuzhu, and the few remaining she's reluctant to spend.

Even though she's starving, she still won't spend on a meat bun.

"No money, just no money." Jia Zhangshi pointed at Qin Huairu, "Put on your seductive charm and go find Yi Daye—hurry up."

Qin Huairu's face flushed red with shame, yet she still turned and left the house.

At noon, the sun hung in the sky, but the north wind still howled; Ma Hua sat on a stool, accompanying He Yuzhu in drinking while raising his own question.

"Master, can my cooking skills manage? If not, you take charge of the pot and I'll assist."

Ma Hua has some courage, but this is He Yuzhu's residence; if he messes up, even He Yuzhu might not be able to hold his head high.

"Just relax, don't worry about my face; now everyone in the Courtyard House knows my temper, they won't say anything."

The four of them were happily eating when San Daye brought in a Yi Daye with a dark complexion; seeing the full table of dishes, his eyes almost popped out.

Even though it's not a holiday, they still got to eat braised pork.

"Little Ma, can we have braised pork for this gathering?" San Daye asked with a smile, "We can add some extra potatoes too."

He Yuzhu waved his hand, telling him to directly say how the preparations were, what to make and how—those are the chef's concerns, not really related to them.

Yi Daye coughed once, indicating that he'd handle the ingredients on his side; when it's time, whatever needs to be made will be made.

"You can call the shots? If the preparations aren't enough, we'll have to get the chef to add more, right?" He Yuzhu, who's not unfamiliar with such situations, said, "Hurry up, I don't have time to argue with you."

Yi Daye's face was pitch black, as if it had been roasted in a furnace.

"The toughest part, the Jia Family, is already settled; other families can also gather their contributions this afternoon, basically similar to previous years, plus what Jia Zhangshi earned—you can estimate."

He Yuzhu understands the quantities from previous years; saying cabbage soup is a joke—probably they'll make dumpling soup.

Ma Hua gave the same answer.

"In previous years we always ate dumplings, and could still make a few side dishes; this year we're just making dumpling soup—did we miscalculate?"

"Last year's seasonings, oil, etc., were all provided by my master; this time we have to figure out how to buy them, and sometimes we'd also get a bit of meat—but this time there's none."

Ma Hua said bluntly.

Yi Daye looked at the things on the table, fixed his gaze on He Yuzhu and said, "He Yuzhu, your family isn't exactly well‑off, why don't you take a bit more? Then the whole Courtyard House will praise you."

Before he finished speaking, Character slammed her chopsticks heavily on the table and said, "What are you even? A toad on a cutting board—you're treating yourself like a dish."

"You……

"What are you even coming back for? Hurry up and hide at the Garbage Disposal Station; if you dare cause trouble in the Courtyard House again, I'll break your dog legs."

Yi Daye muttered, "A good man doesn't fight a woman," then turned and left.

"Was I just too violent? From now on I'll definitely be gentle." Character embraced He Yuzhu's arm and said softly.

He Yuzhu smiled, patted Character's hand, and took Ma Hua out to check the gathered items.

"If we can't make dumplings, we can make buns instead—but we absolutely must not drink the soup." San Daye also came out, saying, "This time I'm leading it."

Over the afternoon, the items or money had basically all been collected; Ma Hua, looking at the stuff, also felt a bit overwhelmed—these things were too scattered.

Moreover, he hadn't even mastered the red case, so making buns was definitely not his forte.

He Yuzhu naturally knows this; although most people eat the same thing at the gathering, for those elders they still need to have stir‑fried dishes.

Even if it's just stir‑fried cabbage.

"Go find San Daye to get the money back; the rest you handle yourself, and if you don't understand, come ask me again." He Yuzhu instructed, "Make sure the money is counted, then go buy oil, salt and such at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative."

Of course, we also need to look after our own business.

Watching the Courtyard House bustle with activity, Yi Daye felt restless at home—what is this, isn't he just being marginalized?

Or maybe just go back to the Garbage Disposal Station.

After leaving the house he couldn't move his feet; at that moment Jia Zhangshi came up beside him, smiling, and said, "Yi Daye, the stuff doesn't look like much this time—you'd better make the call for our family; we can't let this merit go to waste."

Yi Daye turned his head away; the Jia Family's money was still given by him—how could she have the nerve to say that? Does Jia Zhangshi have no shame?

"You'd better keep an eye on He Yuzhu—right, this time he's not the head chef, but if anything's missing of mine, I'll definitely kick up a fuss."

"Enough, we're all neighbors in the Courtyard House—what's there to fuss about?" Yi Daye scolded, "Every year it's your family that overeats and hoards; this year there's less, so you just need to bear it a bit."

Jia Zhangshi was a little angry.

"Your mouth has no filter at all; when it's time to divide the goods, let Qin Huairu come over instead—this time it's not like before, you're just asking for a beating."

Thinking of Qin Huairu made Jia Zhangshi even angrier.

"Hmph, the Jia Family is still under my control; treating our widowed families as easy targets—you've miscalculated!"

Yi Daye scratched his head; previously gatherings never had so many things—how come this year everyone's throwing harsh words at him.

All in all, inside and out, nobody's acting like a person.

He Yuzhu returned with Ma Hua, laughing and chatting; the preparations were basically done, and it was time to test Ma Hua's cooking skills.