Chapter 233: Reap What One Sows

Although Shazhu sometimes admired Lin Shengli, he thought he really had talent.

But being able to predict the epicenter is impossible.

So, regarding Qin Huairu's words, Shazhu didn't believe them at all.

Qin Huairu gave Shazhu an annoyed look and said:

"She really does have talent."

"If one could really predict the epicenter, there's nothing surprising about it."

"She said it clearly at the meeting in the courtyard earlier: an earthquake would happen today."

"Look, it really came, huh?"

"It's a pity I didn't take it to heart at all back then."

Hearing this, everyone began to discuss.

They all looked regretful of not having listened earlier.

If we had truly believed Lin Shengli, would we still be this anxious now?

After more than an hour.

The rain stopped.

Yan Bu Gui thought for a moment and said:

"I have an idea; I think we should unite and overcome this difficulty together."

Shazhu scoffed: "Is that it?"

"You still call that an idea?"

"Everyone knows that when facing difficulties we should unite and overcome them together."

Yan Bu Gui glared at Shazhu and said angrily:

"Can you let people finish speaking?"

Shazhu: "Oh, there's more? Go ahead, we're all listening."

Yan Bu Gui: "I think we don't dare go home right now, right?"

"So, what should we do?"

Someone said: "San Da Ye, you're the leader of this courtyard; please speak, we're all listening."

Yan Bu Gui happily said: "Still, Xiao Xin is sensible."

"Then let's all start cooking together."

"Um, we could set up a stove in the courtyard and cook?"

Saying this, they looked at Shazhu and asked:

"Can you do it?"

Shazhu patted his chest: "No problem, I'll definitely let everyone have a hot meal."

Yan Bu Gui: "I also thought about it just now."

"Then, whoever has food at home should contribute food."

"Whoever has vegetables should contribute vegetables, right?"

"Let's overcome this difficulty together."

Someone spoke up: "San Da Ye, that saying is well put."

"Listen to words, listen to sounds; listen to the gongs and drums."

"You've said it so enthusiastically, let me ask, what does your family contribute?"

Shazhu grinned and chimed in: "Exactly, that's the crux of the problem."

Everyone else followed suit and chimed in.

Yan Bu Gui then became annoyed.

He glanced at everyone and said:

"Um, well, isn't the grain shop not closed right now?"

"I can't do anything about it either."

"I want to buy but can't, right?"

Saying this, he pointed at Yan Jiecheng and continued:

"Well, our family's share can be contributed by our eldest son in my place."

Yan Jiecheng: "No, Dad, we don't have much left either."

"Let's just make do for now."

"Besides, being able to put up this earthquake shelter, it's not that our family contributed the most wood."

Yan Bu Gui slapped his thigh and said:

"Right, what our eldest son said makes sense."

"Look, this shed is all made of wood from our old Yan family."

"If we didn't have that wood, everyone would have been drenched by that heavy rain just now."

San Da Ma: "Without putting up this earthquake shelter, we can't get through tonight."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Yan Bu Gui: "So I say, let's embody the spirit of not fearing hardship or death."

"Especially you young folks, let's charge into that house."

"Bring out the food."

"I and Shazhu will take care of cooking for you."

"Everyone, act now, seize the time, ah."

At that moment, Yan Jiefang came over with a few people.

"I said, what was it? The wood we got in '69 was all used by them."

"I say, you all are really something, huh."

"Earthquake shelter? Do you know how we survived?"

Yan Jiekuang: "A heavy downpour washed my house like a drowned chicken."

Yan Jiedi: "No, our house is even worse."

Yan Jiefang: "Enough nonsense, let me tell you, ah, I know every piece of this wood, ah."

"It was my brother Yan Jiekuang and I, bringing my sister late at night, hauling each piece back one by one."

"Now the items return to their original owners."

"All of you, step out for me."

"We are going to dismantle this earthquake shelter."

Everyone heard that and instantly became restless.

Shazhu frowned: "Kid, what are you saying?"

"This earthquake shelter was built by us; let's see who dares to tear it down."

Yan Jiefang: "Shazhu, we have many people here; if you dare to act, we don't mind acting together."

"And Xu Damao of Houyuan has been holding a strong resolve all along."

"We team up with Houyuan; let's see how you can beat us."

Qin Huairu glanced, then hurriedly grabbed Shazhu.

Yan Jiecheng: "Yes, it's the wood you brought from outside Dongzhimen; you may take it away."

"But if you dismantle this earthquake shelter, what will we do?"

Yan Jiefang said irritably, "What do I care about what you do, ah?"

"Dad has taught us since childhood to be self‑reliant, ah?"

"Now we are self‑reliant, and you just sit and reap the benefits, huh?"

"There's nothing that cheap in this world."

Having said that, Yan Jiefang walked up to Yan Jiecheng, patted his shoulder, and continued:

"I say, my own brother, ah, what dad said—have you forgotten it?"

Speaking that, he looked at Yan Bu Gui and kept going:

"The law of life is to enjoy wealth and honor."

"Accumulate wealth first, enjoy later."

"Do not covet others' money."

"One's own wealth should not be shared with others."

"Huh? You've forgotten all this?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Bu Gui sat down with a dark face.

He felt he was getting his own just desserts.

Yan Jiekuang glanced at San Da Ma and said:

"By the way, our mother also said, one's own money is spent by oneself, the bitter fruit one plants must be eaten by oneself."

"If you want a good life, you must work yourself to death."

"Lying at home won't make pies fall from the sky."

Yan Jiedi: "Stop the nonsense, tear it down quickly."

Yan Jiecheng hurriedly stepped forward, blocked everyone, and low‑growled seriously:

"Yan Jiefang, Yan Jiekuang, Yan Jiedi, do you still recognize me, your elder brother?"

Yan Jiekuang nodded, saying, "Recognize, once we rebuild the earthquake shelter and return, I will recognize you—tear it down!"

Everyone began to dismantle the earthquake shelter.

Shazhu felt aggrieved.

He wanted to rush forward to block them, but Qin Huairu held him tightly.

Of course, mainly because he also feared Yan Jiefang and his group.

Nearly ten of them were young and strong.

In contrast, his side had only himself and Yan Jiecheng, plus two youths; the rest were elderly.

Moreover, Yan Jiefang said that if Shazhu dared to act, he would join forces with Houyuan.

In the end, he could only watch helplessly as Yan Jiefang led people to tear down the earthquake shelter.