Chapter 94

Hearing this, Shazhu couldn't help but speak:

"Second Elder, since Eldest Uncle is here, I think it's better for him to preside."

"After all, he's still an Eldest Uncle of our courtyard; everyone agrees, right?"

As soon as those words were spoken.

The whole venue was suddenly restless.

Everyone agreed with what Shazhu said.

Many people in the courtyard actually disagreed with Liu Haizhong, but because of his status as Second Elder, they couldn't speak up.

Since Shazhu has now taken the lead, they naturally follow.

They overwhelmingly support Yi Zhonghai to preside over this meeting.

This made Liu Haizhong quite embarrassed.

He also harbored a bit more resentment toward Shazhu.

"Hmph, Shazhu, you actually led the opposition against me."

"Then later, don't blame me for leaning toward Xu Damao."

Actually, this is instinctive for Shazhu.

Because Yi Zhonghai has always favored him.

He only switched allegiance during this period.

Of course.

Compared with Liu Haizhong, even if Yi Zhonghai no longer favors him, he's still better than Liu Haizhong.

Yi Zhonghai is more impartial.

Liu Haizhong has always been at odds with him.

Just now at his house, it was clear he wasn't favoring him.

Then it's better to let Yi Zhonghai preside.

Yi Zhonghai stood up and said loudly:

"Actually, I think Second Elder spoke quite well."

"After all, I no longer live here now."

"But since everyone asks me to preside, I'll do it."

"I think tonight's matter is actually rather serious."

"Our courtyard has been like this for many years, and no household has ever claimed to have lost anything."

At this point, he glanced at Shazhu and continued:

"Of course."

"Some households may have lost things as well."

"But they didn't report it."

"Even if our courtyard hasn't lost anything."

"Perhaps they think it's nothing serious."

"Perhaps they want to use this method to help others."

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze toward Shazhu.

In small groups, they began whispering to each other.

They all knew Yi Zhonghai was referring to Shazhu.

Shazhu has never locked his door.

Bang Geng often rummaged through his house.

Most people have seen it with their own eyes.

They even warned Shazhu about it.

Each time Shazhu was indifferent, and when in a bad mood he even complained that people were meddling.

Over time, everyone stopped reminding him.

However,

Everyone in the courtyard knows about Bang Geng stealing things from Shazhu.

At first, everyone also didn't lock their doors.

It was only because Bang Geng was around that they started locking doors.

Yi Zhonghai paused, and after the room quieted down a bit, continued:

"Anyway, regardless of whether they intend to help people this way,"

"I think it's all wrong."

"Taking without asking is considered theft."

"In my personal view, ah,"

"This method is highly inadvisable."

"It will only make thieves bolder and bolder."

"Steal needles when young, steal gold when grown, ah."

"Regardless, as long as nothing is reported, we can say our courtyard hasn't lost anything."

"And because of that, our courtyard can win the spiritual civilization award every year."

"But today a chicken was actually lost; I think that's a relatively serious matter."

"Therefore, we must take it seriously."

Alright, no more nonsense, everyone knows what happened tonight, now let's get to the point.

He said, looking at Shazhu:

He Yuzhu, tell the truth.

Did you steal Xu Damao's chicken?

Shazhu instinctively replied:

No.

I'm not a thief; what chicken would I steal?

Hearing this, Qin Huairu frowned involuntarily, thinking to herself:

This Shazhu is unreliable again at a critical moment.

Just now at his place, didn't you admit it to Second Elder?

How come you changed your story now?

Jia Zhangshi was also worried, just like Qin Huairu.

She glared at Shazhu fiercely, thinking to herself:

Shazhu, you bastard, why won't you admit it?

Just admit you stole the chicken, okay?

Otherwise this will ruin my family's Bang Geng.

Xu Damao was sitting not far behind Shazhu.

Because Lin Shengli told him that Lou Xiao'e's inability to have children might be his problem.

And the root of this problem is very likely that Shazhu has been kicking his crotch since childhood.

So, he has been staring at Shazhu's back all evening.

His eyes were almost shooting fire.

If he hadn't considered that he wasn't a match for Shazhu, he would have attacked this morning.

Of course.

He had also long sworn to himself in secret.

If tomorrow's hospital check shows it's his problem, he will surely fight Shazhu to the end.

Hearing Shazhu's words, he snorted coldly and questioned:

Then why did you admit earlier, at your home, that you stole it?

Second Elder was present at the time.

Liu Haizhong nodded and said:

That's right, Shazhu himself told me personally then that he stole the chicken.

So I think we should cancel this meeting.

Shazhu is just a chicken thief.

Chicken thieves should be reported to the street office, reported to the factory, and paraded for public criticism!

Let everyone see what kind of chicken thief this is.

Liu Haizhong bore a grudge because of Shazhu's earlier words.

Naturally, he was eager to punish Shazhu.

Upon hearing his words, some were happy, some were worried.

The happy ones were naturally Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu.

As long as we label Shazhu a chicken thief, Bang Geng's reputation will be preserved.

Bang Geng is still young and has a bright future ahead.

If he were labeled a chicken thief, his reputation would be ruined.

The label 'chicken thief' will follow him for life.

As for Shazhu's reputation, they couldn't care less.

On the contrary, the worse Shazhu's reputation, the better.

No woman would like him.

If Shazhu never marries for life, he can serve them forever.

The worried ones are naturally Shazhu himself and He Yushui.

Although He Yushui has already lost hope in Shazhu.

But after all, they are siblings.

As soon as Liu Haizhong finished speaking, Shazhu's face changed and he shouted:

Hey hey hey, Second Elder, you can't just slap a label on me like that.

This label is too big for me to wear.

Qin Huairu: "Second Elder, this is an internal matter of our courtyard."

I think we should settle it within our courtyard.

If outsiders learn that our courtyard has a chicken thief, our people outside will likely be pointed at and gossiped about.

We might even lose our civilized unit award, and everyone will still be on guard against our courtyard.

Upon saying that,

The hall stirred again.

Everyone felt Qin Huairu made a lot of sense.

As for Shazhu, he gratefully glanced at Qin Huairu.

Xu Damao pointed at Shazhu, asking:

"Shazhu, in front of everyone, say it again—was my chicken stolen by you?"

Shazhu turned his head and glared at Xu Damao, saying angrily:

"Go stand where it's cool."

"I already made it clear just now, the chicken wasn't stolen by me."

"Are you deaf?"

Xu Damao pointed at Shazhu angrily: "Shazhu, don't fucking talk to me like that."