Chapter 9: Dumbfounded

In the morning the sky had no sun, instead patches of dark clouds gathered; perhaps everyone felt this low pressure, so each moved about cautiously.

A slight cool breeze blew on He Yuzhu, taking away a hint of warmth from him.

It was already past ten; he hadn't waited for Qin Huairu to repay the money, fearing they were still dreaming there, so he would personally shatter that dream.

Around ten thirty.

He Yuzhu brought several police to the Jia Family's gate, with a few street officials behind; nowadays theft is still a serious case, worth mobilizing so many.

Workers resting at home surrounded the scene three layers inside and three outside; this arrest operation was quite rare.

"Zhuzi!" Qin Huairu wore a painful expression, "How could you do this? Bang Geng is someone you watched grow up."

She had quarrelled loudly with her mother-in-law yesterday, which contained a hint of performance; she hoped He Yuzhu could know her difficulties, letting the debt repayment drop.

But He Yuzhu meant it!

"He's someone I watched grow up; only this way can I eradicate his bad habits—who else would care for him?" He Yuzhu shook his head, "No need to say more; hurry and send him to the Juvenile Detention Center."

He had a bit of the skill of occupying the moral high ground.

"Silly Zhu, I'll fight you to the end." Jia Zhangshi rushed out of the house, charging at He Yuzhu, her bared-teeth-and-claws aura showing considerable fighting spirit.

He Yuzhu dodged to the side, swept lightly with his foot; Jia Zhangshi flew out like a kite, she cried "aiyo" twice on the ground, looking at her bloody hands.

She slapped her thigh and started throwing a tantrum.

"This life is impossible to live; hurry and take me away too. Old Jia, they're going to arrest your grandson."

First Elder felt a bit embarrassed, hurried over to pull her up, but Jia Zhangshi flailed wildly, instead pulling First Elder down as well; the two grappled on the ground.

The Jia Family's place is tiny; police entered and within a minute hauled out Bang Geng, while Qin Huairu watched Bang Geng being taken away, tears pouring down.

"Zhuzi, Zhuzi, Bang Geng just stole a bit of food; we'll compensate you and that's it—please spare him." Jia Zhangshi shouted through tears.

The child died, came to suckle; big snot flowed into the mouth, knowing to spit it out—what were you doing earlier?

"Compensate? Can you afford it? Besides stealing food, he also stole money and tickets." He Yuzhu snorted, "Wait until you gather the items and money before speaking."

Watching Bang Geng being taken away, Jia Zhangshi fainted on the spot.

First Elder had long known this matter; he felt somewhat helpless about the outcome, but Second Elder, unaware of the situation, sensed an opportunity.

"Shazu, do you still have the Courtyard House in your eyes, do you still have the Three Elders? For such a big matter, why wasn't it reported?" Second Elder shouted aggressively, "It's simply disregarding leadership."

He Yuzhu glanced at him and said, "Who do you think you are, daring to meddle in police affairs? You know your own standing."

Having said that, he raised a big palm and slapped his face, leaving the words "Why hit you? Ask the Third Elder," then He Yuzhu turned and went home.

"Lawless, lawless." Second Elder covered his face and said, "Old Yi, are you going to manage this or not?"

At that moment First Elder was still holding Jia Zhangshi; he sighed and shook his head.

"Enough, don't hold her anymore." The people on the street hadn't left yet, "Let's talk about something proper."

Several elders hurriedly moved over a table, brought hot tea; Second Elder especially warmly invited them to eat, saying the household had already prepared food.

"Forget about eating, I'll say a few words about your situation." The street official sipped tea, "Bang Geng's arrest is inseparable from your usual indulgence."

"Well, Bang Geng is still a child; we never expected this, his family life is hard, stealing a bit of food is just stealing a bit, treat it as giving to beggars. Zhuzi handled this matter, sigh."

"Old Yi, now it's a new society, everyone works together in unity, how could there still be beggars?" The street official furrowed his brow, "Bang Geng stealing things needs to be controlled; you old comrade have problematic thinking."

Hearing the criticism of First Elder, Second Elder was delighted inside, adding a few more remarks; perhaps this position would become his.

"Exactly! Old Yi lacks sensitivity in this area; work can't be one-sided protection; we need to show some strength."

"What strength? We're all working people; this is an internal contradiction, no need for great force."

The street official gave no clear answer, turning to Qin Huairu and said, "You don't need to worry; as long as you actively compensate the loss, Bang Geng will be out soon. I heard you owe He Yuzhu money—pay it back soon."

Upon hearing this, the several elders also fell silent; everyone thought He Yuzhu was venting anger, so the money need not be repaid. If it had to be repaid, then Bang Geng wouldn't have been arrested for nothing.

"Leader, the Jia Family is indeed in difficulty, an orphan and widow, life is not easy." First Elder pleaded, "Shouldn't we persuade Zhuzi to just let this go for now?"

"Old Yi, your idea is wrong; repaying debts is natural and proper."

The street official said a few words, then rose to leave. Third Elder hurried over and asked, "Didn't we agree to eat at Old Liu's place? He has prepared good wine; I'll go catch a fish in a moment, and we can have a proper drink."

He patted Third Elder's shoulder, yet still departed.

"What do you say we do?" First Elder furrowed his brow.

Third Elder wouldn't spend money, and at noon there was nothing to eat; after humming a couple of lines he went home.

Second Elder also wouldn't spend money; at He Yuzhu's place he had no leverage, holding his teacup he walked away with deliberate steps.

First Elder sighed, escorted Jia Zhangshi back, then lowered his head and went home.

……

At that moment He Yuzhu was at home checking his rewards.

"Ding, the host found an excuse to send Bang Geng to the Juvenile Detention Center; although he hasn't recovered his own money yet, this counts as progress, rewarding ten catties of potatoes, one hundred catties of grain, unlocking snack—hawthorn slices, industrial item—lighter."

He Yuzhu reckoned in his mind; he ate lunch at the canteen, sometimes had leftover rice at night; with this hundred catties of grain, it would be enough to last him until the year's end.

Unfortunately the rewards are only cabbage and potatoes; it would be nice to have some fruit.

The only thing that left him a bit puzzled was the lighter.

He didn't know the lighter's history is quite long, traceable back to before World War I; even gas lighters were invented in the 1950s.

So his worry is a bit superfluous; the system has already concealed the origin of the items without a single flaw.