Chapter 7: The Courtyard Full of Beasts, No One Speaks the Truth

The people of the entire courtyard gathered again, but Shazhu did not come out.

It was not for any other reason, but because Yushui had returned.

"Brother, aren't you going to help Sister Qin?" Yushui was kind-hearted; she asked while eating fish.

"The chicken soup is here. Come, Yushui, drink some soup. Drinking soup is such a wonderful thing." He Yuzhu did not pick up on her topic.

Ever since their father left, the two of them had lived in the courtyard, lonely and helpless, and they had indeed received no small amount of relief from others.

Because Qin Huairu would do his laundry and tidy his room for the sake of some leftovers, it was only natural that He Yushui felt close to her.

He Yuzhu never locked his room door, and Qin Huairu's family came and went as they pleased. Whenever something good went missing, he suspected that every time Qin Huairu came over to tidy up, she would scout things out and then go home to incite Bang Geng to come and take them.

Otherwise, why would the Siheyuan Thief Saint Jia Geng not steal from anyone else's house but only patronize his? It was all because they were spoiled.

"I'm talking to you about something serious, Brother!" He Yushui angrily put down the steamed bun in her hand. This silly brother, he was like a bachelor poking at a fire; how could he not see who was good to him?

If it weren't for Sister Qin, no one would even be able to enter this room.

"Eat your food, eat more. How is your partner doing?" He Yuzhu picked up a steamed bun, took a fierce bite, and asked with his mouth full.

"It's settled. We'll get married after the New Year." He Yushui took a delightful sip of the chicken soup.

"No need to be in such a rush. You can observe him a bit more; your brother will prepare more dowry for you." He Yuzhu didn't look up, but he knew that in the TV show, Shazhu carried the reputation of a petty thief, and all his money went to supporting Qin Huairu; it would be a miracle if his sister could hold her head high in her partner's home.

"Forget it, where would you have any money? Hmph, but Brother, your cooking is getting better and better. It's really delicious." He Yushui wrinkled her nose and hummed a few times.

"Hey, I say, you silly sister, look at what's on the bed." He Yuzhu finished the steamed bun in a few bites, gestured toward the bed, and then took some peanuts and a sip of sorghum liquor.

"What is it? Being all mysterious."

"Lift the quilt and take a look."

"What is it? Oh! A new cotton-padded jacket! Is it for me, Brother?" He Yushui picked up the Down Jacket, her face full of surprise.

"Nonsense, if not for you, then for whom? You're my only sister. But this isn't a cotton-padded jacket; it's a Down Jacket. It's filled with duck down. It's a set, with a quilt, gloves, and everything. Take it all with you in a bit."

"Really? Thank you, Brother, hehe."

No sooner had He Yushui finished speaking than their door was pushed open by the First Elder and the others, and the First Elder walked in, fuming with rage.

"What time do you think it is? All you know is eating, eating, eating! Get out here!" The First Elder grabbed He Yuzhu by the collar, intending to drag him out.

He Yushui hurriedly ran over and separated the two: "What are you doing, First Elder? If you have something to say, say it. Why are you dragging my brother?"

"It's nothing, Yushui. You stay in the room and keep eating, and try on the clothes while you're at it. I'll go out and see." He Yuzhu wasn't angry; he patted his hands to comfort Yushui, grabbed a handful of peanuts, and followed the First Elder outside.

"I'll say a few words first. A major event has happened in our courtyard. Qin Huairu's Bang Geng, well, he stole and ate Xu Damao's hen and was caught by the comrades at the Public Security Station. So, everyone, please help out and pool some money. Alright, I now invite the First Elder to preside over the Full Courtyard Meeting." Seeing He Yuzhu come out, the Second Elder stood up first and rambled on incoherently.

Seeing the Second Elder sit down, the First Elder stood up.

"Bang Geng is still young and cannot have a criminal record. We need two hundred yuan. Everyone, please think of a way; we cannot ruin the child's life."

"The First Elder has finished speaking, so let me say a few words. Do not neglect a small good deed, and do not commit a small evil deed. As the saying goes, a prodigal who returns is worth more than gold. Everyone should give Bang Geng a chance to reform. After all, the impact is too great. Everyone, contribute money if you have it, and contribute effort if you can." The Third Elder, wearing his glasses, put on a fake smile and showed off his eloquence.

"Three Elders, we have already lent money to Sister Qin. If we have to contribute more effort, we won't be able to put food on our own tables."

"That's right, my family isn't wealthy either."

The courtyard instantly erupted into a clamor, with everyone talking at once, but not a single person was willing to take out any money.

"Alright, go and invite Long Laotaitai." The First Elder tapped the table and glanced at Shazhu.

He Yuzhu was stunned, nodded, and hurriedly went to the Back Yard to carry Long Laotaitai over. Only after settling her in a chair did he return to his doorway, eating peanuts while watching the spectacle.

"Grandma, Bang Geng has been caught. Tell me, shouldn't everyone step up to help?" The First Elder came to Long Laotaitai's side and shouted loudly.

"Mm, I can hear you. We're neighbors, so help—we should help. I, your grandma, still have two yuan or so; you can take it in a bit." Long Laotaitai nodded; naturally, she wouldn't refuse such a matter.

"But, there are people who have money but refuse to help. What do you say we should do about that?" The Second Elder stood up and looked at He Yuzhu as he asked.

"That won't do! Do you have any conscience, Shazhu! Sister Qin takes such good care of you!"

"Are you even a person if you don't help? You have nowhere to spend your money anyway!"

"Exactly, Shazhu, you don't have any expenses. What's wrong with helping Qin Huairu?"

In an instant, the entire courtyard turned into a denunciation meeting against He Yuzhu.

Watching the crowd continuously denouncing him, He Yuzhu smiled: "Long Laotaitai, you say something."

"Silly grandson, tell Grandma, do you have money?" Long Laotaitai didn't denounce He Yuzhu; instead, she looked puzzled.

She naturally knew how much money He Yuzhu had, and she also knew that He Yuzhu couldn't save any money. The money, naturally, had been dug out by Qin Huairu.

"I do." He Yuzhu nodded.

"Then you should help her. Redeem the person first, and then have her write you an IOU and record the interest." Long Laotaitai nodded. Since you insist on admitting you have money, what else can be said? But an IOU must be written; otherwise, she knew what kind of person Qin Huairu was—she wouldn't be able to pay it back in her next life.

"I never said I wouldn't lend it. I said from the beginning, let her borrow first, and if it's not enough after she's done borrowing, then come find me. Which one of your families doesn't have money? Why is it that none of you will lend any, and you're all trying to ruin me alone? Besides, why do you say my money is useless? This is the dowry for Yushui. You can't expect me to let my own sister marry into someone else's family and be looked down upon!" He Yuzhu stuffed the peanuts in his hand into his pocket and walked over to Long Laotaitai's side.

"Let's go, Grandma. Let's go back. I'm not staying with these selfish beasts who are full of benevolence and morality. It's bad luck." Saying this, He Yuzhu prepared to carry Long Laotaitai away.

"Shazhu, what kind of crap are you spouting! Who are you calling a beast?" The Second Elder wouldn't have it and walked over, fuming.

"Whoever picks up the conversation, that's who I'm talking about. Also, remember this: I have a name, and my name is He Yuzhu! Move aside, a good dog doesn't block the path!" He Yuzhu shoved the Second Elder aside with his shoulder, carried Long Laotaitai on his back, and returned to the Back Yard.

The courtyard immediately exploded, and people began to curse He Yuzhu incessantly.

He Yuzhu turned a deaf ear, walked back to his room with his hands behind his back, poured himself another cup of wine, and drank it with delight.

Serves you right, just let you all be left in the dark.

Standing on the moral high ground to accuse others—that is the kind of person I hate the most. If you are so kind, then you help.

The First Elder is a Level 8 Fitter with a monthly salary of over ninety yuan; has he not been able to scrape together this little bit of money after all these years?

The Second and Third Elders—one has a fiery temper, the other is petty and calculating; their children have to hand over money to the family just to eat. Do they not have money?

Why should I be the one to pay? Isn't it just because if this money is spent, Qin Huairu won't be able to pay it back?

To hell with it!

This kind of hypocritical behavior truly disgusted him, and it reminded him even more of that junior schoolmate.

Standing on the moral high ground, having married a wife of the same age with connections, looking down on him from the bottom of his heart, and accusing him.

How long had he been working before he could return to the capital on the grounds of living in two different places? As for himself, he could only pick up a gun as a graduate and risk his life against those vicious criminals!

What is the use of being shot three times in exchange for the title of hero?

Everyone looks down on me for kneeling in the square, but how much better are you?

If I had such a wife and father-in-law, I too could be full of benevolence, righteousness, and morality!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became; He Yuzhu gave Yushui a few instructions, covered himself with the quilt, and fell fast asleep.