Chapter 17

012. Sha Zhu Wants to Beat Up Lu Jianye (Third Update)

Just after he left, several of the older women in the courtyard gathered together.

"Lu Jianye, that kid, has really changed; he's much tougher now!"

"Yi Zhonghai was forcing us to donate money; it's all thanks to him for not agreeing."

"Exactly. Yi Zhonghai is an eighth-level fitter at the rolling mill with a monthly salary of ninety-nine! He only donated ten yuan, so what right does he have to demand it from us?"

"Just wait and see, the sky over our courtyard is about to change."

……

They probably didn't even realize themselves that they were all speaking in favor of Lu Jianye now.

……

Not long after, Lu Jianye returned carrying a radiator and began to install it.

Xu Damao was incredibly envious, so he came over again to cozy up to Lu Jianye.

"Lu Jianye, brother, I admire you for being a real man!"

"In our courtyard, you're the first one who dares to stand up to Yi Zhonghai!"

"You were right to divorce; a woman like Wang Dahua isn't worthy of you!"

"When there's an opportunity tomorrow, I'll introduce you to a young girl!"

……

Lu Jianye was still installing the radiator and didn't pay any attention to Xu Damao.

However, he understood.

Xu Damao, a guy whose badness oozed from his pores, couldn't possibly be this kind-hearted.

If there were a pretty young girl, he would keep the benefit for himself.

Xu Damao rambled on for a long time before Lu Jianye finally stopped his work.

"This is nothing; it's just... basic procedure."

"Yi Zhonghai, Jia Dongxu, and the Deaf Old Lady are spreading rumors that I'm infertile, castrated, and a dead end; do you think I'd let them get away with it?"

"Sha Zhu hates me to the bone now, but he has no tricks left."

"I'm the canteen kitchen monitor now; he doesn't even dare to take a lunchbox home anymore."

"Because I announced in the canteen that whoever dares to steal state assets, I won't be polite!"

Xu Damao's eyes rolled around, and he said, "Brother Lu, don't underestimate Sha Zhu."

"He's been in the canteen for so many years; taking lunchboxes is a habitual offense."

"If you don't keep an eye on him, he'll succeed."

Lu Jianye didn't care at all: "He wouldn't dare!"

"The eyes of the masses are sharp!"

"Whoever discovers it can report it directly, and I'll give a reward!"

Xu Damao was tempted right then and there!

There's a reward for reporting?

There's such a thing?

This is great!

From childhood to adulthood, Xu Damao and Sha Zhu never got along.

But the two old fogies in the courtyard always sided with Sha Zhu, so Xu Damao could never get the upper hand.

One could even say he was beaten by Sha Zhu while growing up!

Now that a Lu Jianye had appeared in the courtyard, Xu Damao felt his chance had come.

Xu Damao chatted for a while longer and then went home happily.

With such a big thing happening to Jia Dongxu, the courtyard was very lively.

It wasn't just people gathering in twos and threes to gossip; there were also family members of coworkers harmed by Jia Dongxu coming to demand compensation.

Jia Zhang Shi threw a tantrum, rolling on the ground; no matter how others demanded, she insisted on one thing: no money!

After driving the people away, Jia Zhang Shi was still very smug.

"Pah!"

"A bunch of country bumpkins, still wanting money?"

"Your sons deserved to die!"

"It was all you who harmed my son!"

……

Lu Jianye went to the restroom and happened to hear these words.

He couldn't help but laugh.

The old hag has no money?

She has plenty of money.

Jia Zhang Shi had always looked down on Qin Huairu, thinking she was from the countryside and had brought shame to the Jia family.

Moreover, Qin Huairu had a rural household registration and no urban grain supply.

So every month when Jia Dongxu received his salary, he only gave Qin Huairu five yuan.

This money still had to cover the family's food and drink; not a single cent could be spent on Qin Huairu herself.

Jia Dongxu hid eight yuan for himself, and the rest was all handed over to Jia Zhang Shi.

Jia Zhang Shi kept that money for her old age.

But now, even though Jia Dongxu was clearly in need of life-saving money, she refused to take it out.

One wonders.

Whether Jia Dongxu is even her biological son.

Besides, she said other people's sons deserved to die?

Doesn't Jia Dongxu, the instigator, deserve to die?

Heh~

Jia Dongxu, oh Jia Dongxu, your lifespan is up; it's time to hit the road!

Qin Huairu didn't return until the middle of the night.

Her eyes were swollen from crying, and she couldn't sleep even while lying on the kang.

Jia Dongxu had caused such a huge disaster; the family had to pay compensation.

Could the rolling mill still keep such an employee?

If they lost this job, what would happen to the Jia family's life?

The more Qin Huairu thought about it, the sadder she became, and her tears wouldn't stop flowing.

The day dawned anyway.

Lu Jianye got up early to cook, never repeating a dish.

Today, it was fried pancakes and tofu pudding.

The "poultry" (neighbors) were jealous again.

But they could only watch helplessly, swallowing their saliva constantly, unable to eat any of it.

Lu Jianye went to work.

Walking there was annoying again; he had to buy a bicycle.

He arrived at the rolling mill's canteen kitchen.

Sha Zhu was listless, while the others were quite cheerful.

Soon.

The rolling mill's broadcast sounded.

Jia Dongxu had been fired.

"Xiao Pang, tell me, what was Jia Dongxu thinking? He really thought he was invincible. Now look, he has to pay for two people."

"It's not that I'm talking about you, Ma Hua, but is this a problem we should be considering?"

"Just cook your dishes well and get scolded by your master less; that's better than anything."

Liu Lan heard them talking and walked over, saying: "You two, you really should think carefully."