Chapter 38: From Today, No Longer Pampering Shazhu

Yi Zhonghai's home.

Lin Shengli, Guan Yushan and Yi Dama sit around a table.

On the table are watermelon, cherries, peanuts and sunflower seeds.

Guan Yushan, eating watermelon, says:

"I've eaten many watermelons before, but this delicious watermelon is my first time tasting such a good one."

Yi Dama echoes, "Yes, and I have no idea where Shengli got such a tasty watermelon."

Lin Shengli says, "These were all given by others, and the cherries too."

He did not take out Xiong Yali lamb wool pork and Matsusaka beef.

Because they are too precious.

Keeping them for himself would be unappetizing?

Occasionally he'll bring some for Yi Zhonghai and his wife, as well as Guan Yushan.

Tonight there are more than just them.

Yi Zhonghai said he would also invite Liu Haizhong and Yan Bu Gui.

And also Shazhu, who is cooking.

These people, giving such delicious food to them, that's wasteful.

Furthermore.

In two more years, the wind will rise.

Having foreign items oneself might someday hand a handle to others.

In this soaring era, it's better to be cautious in everything.

After finishing the watermelon, Guan Yushan eats a cherry and says:

"The cherry is also especially tasty."

"It's the best cherry I've ever eaten."

Speaking, his gaze fixed on the Original Flavor sorghum liquor placed in the corner, and he laughed:

"But I'm still more looking forward to this liquor."

Lin Shengli: "I brought thirty bottles tonight; that should be enough for you all to drink."

Guan Yushan laughs, "Enough, enough; if we can't finish, I'll pack the leftovers."

Qin Huairu's home.

Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu sit in front of the table.

Through the open gate, Jia Zhangshi stared at Yi Zhonghai's home opposite and, indignant, scolded:

"That Little Jue, such a huge watermelon—still only two, and so many cherries, yet they don't give us any."

Just now, Lin Shengli, carrying two big watermelons and a large net basket of cherries, was seen by her and Qin Huairu.

Qin Huairu sighed lightly and said:

"Mother, if you want to completely offend Eldest Uncle and Uncle Guan, go ahead and scold, preferably louder."

Jia Zhangshi: "Hmph, shouldn't I say it?"

"Especially this Guan Yushan and Tan Yanfen."

"They are the ones most deserving of criticism."

"Little Jue just arrived unaware of our family's situation; do they still not know?"

"Our family is so troubled; on what grounds do they refuse to give us?"

Qin Huairu: "What did Dong Xu tell you at noon?"

"He asked you to endure a bit; tonight you must apologize to Eldest Uncle."

"As long as we treat Eldest Uncle like before, our days won't be hard."

"Later we'll find ways to sow discord in their relationship."

"These days are still long; take it slowly."

"You did promise Dong Xu."

"Did you forget?"

Jia Zhangshi sighed deeply and said, "Of course I haven't forgotten."

"It's just that I really can't stand it."

"They are truly over the line, how can they ignore our family's difficulties?"

As the words fell, Shazhu appeared within sight.

Qin Huairu hurriedly called him in.

Shazhu's mood wasn't high; he slipped both hands into his pockets, entered the Jia household, and turned his head to glance at Yi Zhonghai's home.

Qin Huairu, noticing he had no net basket in hand, asked with little interest:

"Where's your net basket?"

Shazhu: "Oh, I didn't bring it; the factory didn't host anything tonight."

Jia Zhangshi, irritated, said:

"Did you not bring it, or gave it to someone else?"

Shazhu became annoyed.

I gave it to someone else, so what?

This is what I brought; it's what I deserve.

I give it to whomever I love; can you control that?

If it weren't for Qin Jie being so beautiful, I wouldn't bother dealing with you.

Even though I think that way, Shazhu still forced a smile and said:

"Can't do it."

"Your family is in such trouble; as a neighbor, if we can help a bit, we must help."

"If there are leftovers, I would definitely think of your household first."

Jia Zhangshi muttered, "That's about right."

Qin Huairu: "Shazhu, it's already this late, aren't you going to cook for San Da Ye's house?"

"Yi Dama bought quite a few good things."

"There are chicken, fish, and also pork."

Jia Zhangshi: "Yes, Shazhu, I looked, there are many things—two big watermelons and a huge netful of cherries."

"Go take a look, and while you're at it, bring some watermelon and cherries for a few kids."

"Also, bring some meat for a few kids tonight."

"It's been several days since we've smelled meat; the kids are still growing."

Several days?

Some people in our courtyard haven't smelled meat for months—Zheng Juan's house in the back courtyard and San Da Ye's house in the front courtyard have never had the scent of meat year‑round.

You've only had a few days, and you're already making a fuss? How dare you?

Shazhu has actually always been quite dissatisfied with Jia Zhangshi.

His inner complaints are naturally many.

However.

No matter what, he would never show it, nor dare to reveal it.

Who made Qin Huairu so beautiful? Who made him like Qin Huairu? Who made him keep thinking of Qin Huairu?

Just being able to see Qin Huairu every day, and occasionally flirting when no one's around, is enough to satisfy him.

There are also beautiful people in the courtyard, like Zheng Juan.

But.

He thinks Zheng Juan lacks Qin Huairu's charm.

Zheng Juan is too slender; she doesn't have the rounded charm that Qin Huairu has.

However, Zheng Juan's advantages are her youth, being an unmarried girl, and her education.

Although she didn't finish high school, she is still more cultured than Qin Huairu.

So, he has always been thinking of Zheng Juan.

His dream is to marry Zheng Juan as his wife and keep flirting with Qin Huairu.

Of course, actually getting her would be even better.

He does like Qin Huairu, but marrying her is impossible.

Moreover, Qin Huairu already has a husband.

He's a master chef, a golden rice bowl; he won't marry anyone who isn't an unmarried girl.

After the Deaf Old Lady's repeated urging, he confessed to Zheng Juan last year.

He thought that with his status as a chef, Zheng Juan, whose family conditions are so difficult, would agree.

Who knew Zheng Juan would bluntly reject him.

One must admit, the Deaf Old Lady's eye for people is quite sharp.

She deemed Zheng Juan a good girl and earnestly wanted to match her with Shazhu.

So she kept urging Shazhu not to give up Zheng Juan easily.

The neighboring courtyard also has beauties, like Liang Ladi, and since she's without a man, it's even more convenient.

But Shazhu finds Liang Ladi too thin.

Shazhu looked around the room, finally fixing his gaze on Qin Huairu's face, and asked, "Bang Geng hasn't finished class yet?"

Qin Huairu: "Class is over; I'm taking my two younger sisters out to play."

Shazhu: "Hmm, this kid… is not bad."

"Knows how to take the sisters out to have fun."

Ah, I just like that about him—whatever food there is, he always thinks of the sisters.

Seeing Shazhu not reply to her words but instead stare at Qin Huairu, Jia Zhangshi became unhappy:

"What are you looking at? I'm talking to you."

Shazhu also couldn't hold back for a moment.

Qin Huairu is really pretty.

Hearing Jia Zhangshi's words, he hastily moved his gaze away, looked toward Jia Zhangshi, and asked:

"Granny Jia, what did you say?"

Jia Zhangshi let out a cold snort and said:

"I'm saying, why don't you go cook at Eldest Uncle's house?"

Shazhu wore an arrogant look: "Hmph, just wait—there will be a time when he begs me."

It turns out just now, Yi Zhonghai found him and asked him to come to Yi Zhonghai's house tonight to cook, to welcome Lin Shengli.

Upon hearing that, Shazhu immediately stated his conditions.

It was to have Yi Zhonghai go find Factory Director Yang and have the punishment against him revoked.

Yi Zhonghai knew this simply wouldn't work.

It was broadcast to the whole factory, it's already a fact.

So he didn't agree.

Thus Shazhu got angry, saying that he also wouldn't go cook.

No matter what Yi Zhonghai said, Shazhu simply wouldn't give in.

Helplessly, Yi Zhonghai, who for the first time felt disappointed with Shazhu, had no choice but to go find Nan Yi.