Chapter 350: A Beauty's Invitation

Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui sat upright behind the heavy Eight Immortals table in the center of the Courtyard, their expressions solemn.

Wang Xia sat to one side, her expression cold.

On a small stool across from the table, He Daqing sat with his back straight—a posture carved into his bones from years of military life—though his face was livid, clearly suppressing his anger over his wife being beaten.

Liu Haizhong was the first to stand up, his slightly protruding belly wobbling with the movement.

He cleared his throat, his voice revealing a hint of imperceptible nervousness: "Today is the first time our 95 Courtyard has held a general meeting. This meeting is mainly to discuss two things. First, the issue of Jia Zhangshi stealing property from coworkers at the factory and also physically assaulting a military dependent; the behavior is very vile... Tonight, we must criticize her..."

Before he could finish, He Daqing interjected: "Liu Haizhong, I, I have already transferred to civilian work; I am no longer an active-duty soldier."

Liu Haizhong was interrupted and momentarily forgot his lines: "Ah, right, right... The second thing: our Jiedao Factory encourages the women comrades in the courtyard to attend literacy classes... Specifically... specifically, let's ask Director Wang to explain it to everyone!"

Wang Xia stood up in response and said sternly: "Let me first talk about the issue of Jia Zhangshi. She stole things at the Jiedao Factory; this matter has conclusive evidence and cannot be denied. She keeps saying she was framed, but she cannot produce a shred of proof. In my opinion, there is something wrong with her mind. Whenever something unsatisfactory happens to her, she always feels that others have colluded to harm her..."

He Yuzhu, who was leaning against his own doorframe, suddenly added loudly: "Director Wang, actually, this kind of problem of hers has a name in medicine: 'amnesia' combined with 'persecutory delusion'! It means she does bad things and forgets them immediately; whenever anything goes slightly wrong, she insists that someone is intentionally harming her..."

Although the people in the courtyard did not quite understand those pedantic terms, they understood the gist and immediately burst into a roar of laughter.

Jia Zhangshi was so embarrassed her face turned bright red, and she stomped her feet and cursed: "You little bastard! Lao Jia sending word, and today me stealing... me taking things, it must all be your doing!"

He Yuzhu laughed even louder: "Did everyone see that? She's having another episode; this is classic 'persecutory delusion'! She forgets everything she has done herself and is very quick to shift the blame!"

Laughter erupted in the courtyard once again.

Wang Xia slapped the table hard: "I will continue. I have always felt that Jia Zhangshi is a pitiful person; widowed early in life, raising her son alone, it hasn't been easy. Once, I respected her in my heart and wanted to help her. Even though people in the courtyard often came to the Jiedao Factory to report that she loved spreading rumors and calling other people's daughters 'money-losing goods,' I still arranged a formal job for her."

Whispering broke out in the courtyard again; everyone had thought Jia Zhangshi was a temporary worker, never expecting that Director Wang had given her a proper job.

Wang Xia raised her hand to press down and continued: "However, I gave Jia Zhangshi the opportunity for a formal job. And her? Not only did she not know how to be grateful, but her performance was also very poor—not only spreading rumors in the courtyard, but the same in the factory. What is most unacceptable is that she actually spread rumors about her own daughter-in-law, and even tarnished the reputation of Comrade He Yuzhu. At first, I couldn't understand what Jia Zhangshi was trying to gain by spreading rumors. Later, I figured it out... She didn't really want her son to divorce, but wanted to use the tarnishing of her daughter-in-law's reputation to get back the tens of millions in bride price received by the Zhao family!"

The courtyard fell into a deathly silence. Everyone was too shocked by this unbelievable scheme to speak.

"Finally, regarding the literacy class, I suggest all female comrades attend. Only by learning to read and studying books can one understand reason, and not be like certain people who are unreasonable, ignorant, and ultimately harm themselves... That is all I have to say."

These words were like a knife, making Jia Zhangshi tremble all over. She gripped the corner of her clothes tightly; she admitted to the rumor-mongering, but the stealing... she really didn't take anything.

After Wang Xia sat down, Yi Zhonghai slowly stood up and said: "I am an old acquaintance of the Jia Family. Director Wang has said what I most wanted to say... After Lao Jia passed away, I always felt a responsibility to teach Dongxu well. I have tried, and today, Dongxu is a very good young man, unlike his mother; please look at him and Jia Zhangshi separately." He cupped his hands to those around him, then changed the subject, "But this time, Jia Zhangshi's theft and assault are truly too outrageous. My opinion is: temporarily send her back to her old home in the countryside."

"Yi Zhonghai, you old childless man!" Jia Zhangshi lunged up and cursed, "Liu Haizhong! He Daqing! You are all heartless! Back then, Lao Jia gave his life to save you, and now that he is gone, you treat me like this? Did dogs eat your conscience?"

The courtyard immediately exploded.

Wang Xia slapped the table with a "bang": "Jia Zhangshi! If you cause any more trouble, I will call the Lianfang Team right now and have you taken away in a vehicle!"

Liu Haizhong was so angry he turned red, and he stood up with a start: "I, I agree with Lao Yi! Jia Zhangshi has used this matter to blackmail everyone for many years; actually, Lao Jia didn't die saving us at all... He tripped over a stool and fell onto a bomb... Also, back in the old society, Jia Zhangshi even went to report He Daqing's family, and only failed because she broke her leg halfway there! She is a poisonous snake hiding among people!"

"Liu Haizhong, you villain! You bastard!" Jia Zhangshi shrieked.

"Shut your mouth! When your leg was broken back then, who carried you back from the alley? If it weren't for me, you would have frozen to death long ago!" Liu Haizhong jumped and roared back.

Jia Zhangshi looked as if her throat had been pinched, and she suddenly fell silent.

Yan Bugui pushed up his glasses and said coldly: "I agree as well."

Wang Xia scanned the crowd and said: "Now, let's vote by a show of hands."

Arms were raised in unison; almost no one supported Jia Zhangshi.

The next morning, the sky was gray.

Jia Dongxu took leave to send Jia Zhangshi back to their hometown.

The two sat on the chairs, neither paying any attention to the other. When the vehicle was halfway there, Jia Dongxu said in a low voice: "Mother, it is the son who is useless and cannot protect you."

Jia Zhangshi turned her face away and cursed in a cold tone: "Protect me? You better protect your wife first! Right now, she hasn't had anything with that little beast from the He Family, but who knows about the future!"

"Mother, Yingzi is sincere toward me. If her father hadn't taken out 1.8 million to pay for the bracelet for you this time, you would have been facing a lawsuit..."

Jia Zhangshi snorted coldly: "If you have any filial piety, hurry up and produce a son. Once I have a grandson, I will come back to help you raise the children."

Jia Dongxu suddenly realized that his mother was not upset about returning to the countryside this time; she was certain she could come back. And this time, she even made Zhao Si bleed money.

In the blink of an eye, it was the end of December.

The north wind howled at the test track, stinging people's cheeks, but the enthusiasm of the crowd surrounding the new vehicle seemed to dispel the chill.

Ershuan followed closely behind He Yuzhu, reaching out to gently stroke the military-green shell of the truck, his movements as careful as if he were touching a young lady.

This vehicle had a rugged exterior, designed by He Yuzhu with reference to military trucks from later generations, and inside was the engine he had spent months building.

In the shed, only Secretary Liu, Factory Director, He Daqing, and Liu Xiaohua were present; the Soviet Union Experts and Chief Engineer Ji did not appear—they did not think highly of this test drive at all, feeling that He Yuzhu's design was flashy but impractical.

He Yuzhu opened the door and sat in the driver's seat. He inserted the key into the lock and gave his wrist a light turn.

"Boom!"

The engine let out a low roar; it started on the first try, and the idle was steady and even.

He Yuzhu stepped hard on the accelerator, the engine speed climbed sharply, responding quickly, the sound full of power.

Secretary Liu in the passenger seat, whose expression had been somewhat tense, saw a flash of surprise in his eyes upon hearing the sound of the car engine.

"Little He, let me try."

After the two swapped positions, Secretary Liu drove the car around the track twice, feeling the abundant power, and couldn't help but praise: "This car... drives much smoother than the Gas Che, and it has plenty of kick!"

He Yuzhu took the opportunity to say: "Secretary Liu, I would like to make a few more prototypes and send them directly to the front lines for real-world testing. The data gathered on the battlefield is the most authentic."

Secretary Liu pondered for a moment and nodded: "I will go and lobby the higher-ups. However... it might not succeed."

"If there are funding difficulties, I can try to find Liu Rusi to pull some sponsorship."

He was confident in his heart: the comprehensive performance of this vehicle was at least fifty percent better than the Big Brother's Gas Che!

At Huaqing University, the last computer class before the winter break ended, and the classroom was almost empty.

He Yuzhu packed up his lecture notes and was about to leave when Kajia caught up to him, clutching her books.

"Teacher He!" Her cheeks were slightly flushed, but her eyes were bright, "I still have many questions I would like to ask. Could you let me treat you to a meal? Let's go to the Xijiao Zhaodaisuo."

He Yuzhu smiled and politely declined: "There's no need for a meal; if you have questions, ask them now."

"No! This semester, you have helped me too much." Kajia's tone was firm, "I must treat you to this meal! I cannot owe you too much!"