Chapter 457: I Just Don't Want to Let He Yuzhu Have an Easy Time

He Yuzhu walked up to the two of them, his gaze sweeping across their faces, and teased, "You two, have you finished discussing it tonight? Which family are you planning to steal from?"

Xu Damao's face darkened, and he cursed, "He Yuzhu, what nonsense are you spouting? What stealing or not stealing? Can't you show some virtue in your speech?"

He Yuzhu sneered, "You've been jumping around the Rolling Mill lately, treating people from the Propaganda Department to meals every other day. Where did the money come from?"

As soon as these words were out, Xu Damao's eyes widened immediately: "He Yuzhu, are you investigating me?"

"Don't forget, I am the former Minister of Security Department of the Lou Steel Rolling Mill, and many people inside were brought up by me. You treat guests every day like a silly roe deer; you've almost become the joke of the Rolling Mill. Others might not understand you, but I do—you're up to no good. Behave yourself, or if you go back in again, you won't be coming out."

Hearing He Yuzhu say this, Xu Damao hurriedly defended himself: "He Yuzhu, don't you go slandering me! Before Liberation, I saved up quite a bit of family property following my Siqiang; I'm not short on money! I treat them to meals so they'll give me an easier job; don't you go thinking crooked thoughts!"

He Yuzhu ignored him and turned to Liu Guangtian, his voice turning cold: "Little Liu, I'll warn you one more time. I don't care how you mess around outside, but if you dare to reach out inside the Siheyuan—" He paused, his gaze like a knife, "I'll break every one of your fingers."

After saying this, he turned and walked toward the East Cross Courtyard, leaving the two of them stunned on the spot.

Once the figure disappeared behind the moon gate, Xu Damao grabbed Liu Guangtian and walked out of the courtyard.

Reaching a secluded spot, Xu Damao lowered his voice and asked, "What exactly did you do in the courtyard?"

Liu Guangtian whispered, "I just... took a mutton-fat jade bracelet from Lao Longzi and swiped three hundred thousand yuan from Zhao Si. But I don't know how it happened; He Yuzhu even found the money I buried in the coal pile."

Xu Damao stomped his feet in anger: "What am I supposed to say about you? Even a rabbit doesn't eat the grass around its own burrow!"

"But I don't know any rich people outside," Liu Guangtian said, feeling aggrieved.

Xu Damao's eyes rolled, and he said, "Why didn't you ask me? I'm in the antique business; how could I not know who has goods? I'll give you an address. Their ancestors were imperial relatives; they have a whole room full of calligraphy, paintings, and antiques, and there's hardly anyone at home. Just get one piece out, and it'll be enough for you to live on for half a year."

Liu Guangtian's eyes lit up: "That's great! Hurry and give me the address; if I succeed, I'll give you a commission."

"I wouldn't dare get involved in your business," Xu Damao hurriedly waved his hand, "If you really get something, I can help you find a way to sell it."

The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, He Yuzhu's door was knocked upon.

Opening the door, he saw He Yushui standing outside.

"Why so early today?" He Yuzhu rubbed his neck, which had a stiff feeling from sleeping wrong.

"Brother, can you... sponsor us some money?" He Yushui asked with a grin.

"How much do you need? What for?"

"Our Chorus expanded to twelve people for the summer break, and we're always short on instruments during rehearsals. I want to help Xiaomi, Dahua, and Xiaoqi buy one each... three million is fine, or if that's really not possible, two million will do. I can go without buying new clothes this year."

He Yuzhu nodded: "Alright."

"Really? That's great!" He Yushui jumped on the spot in joy.

"Besides learning the piano, have you learned any other instruments this summer?" He Yuzhu asked.

"I also learned the accordion!" He Yushui said proudly: "This money includes the cost of two accordions."

"Why buy two?" He Yuzhu asked, puzzled.

"Sigh, don't mention it," He Yushui's little face fell, "Xiao Cheng was going to buy an accordion herself, but, but, her money was stolen by a thief. That was money her parents saved for a year; she's been crying for two days. Can I buy one for her too?"

"Sure!" He Yuzhu handed the money to He Yushui and said, "Since Xiao Cheng's money was stolen, don't go buy it yourselves; have Ershuan accompany you."

"Got it!" He Yushui clutched the money and ran off quickly.

Three days later, Chen Xueru arrived at the No. 95 Siheyuan carrying large and small bags.

Just as she entered the main gate, she was stopped by Yan Bugui.

"Young lady, who are you looking for?" Yan Bugui pushed up his glasses and asked.

"I'm looking for He Yuzhu; I'm his fiancée," Chen Xueru answered proudly.

"Zhuzi's wife-to-be? How come I haven't heard of this!" Yan Bugui looked puzzled.

Chen Xueru pursed her lips and smiled: "I couldn't exactly report this to you first, could I!" After saying this, she handed a red envelope to Yan Bugui, "I'm here today to pay a formal visit. We're getting married on National Day!"

Yan Bugui took the red envelope, gave it a squeeze, and his face immediately blossomed into a smile: "Oh my, the He Family really has one happy event after another this year! Young lady, please come in, please come in!"

He Yushui, who was washing up in the courtyard, saw Chen Xueru and hurriedly put down her towel to run over and help her carry things.

"Sister Xueru, why did you buy so many things?" He Yushui's eyes curved into smiles.

"I'm about to be your sister-in-law, don't I have to butter you up first?" Chen Xueru reached out and touched He Yushui's braided pigtails, "Do you agree?"

"I couldn't agree more! Does that mean I won't have to spend money when I buy clothes from you in the future?"

"In the future, she'll have to spend money even when buying her own clothes," He Yuzhu walked over, not knowing when he had arrived.

"Why are you saying that to a child?" Chen Xueru gave him a reproachful look.

"The rule in our family is not to lie to children," He Yuzhu laughed.

"Why?" He Yushui asked, looking up.

"Her shop is about to be converted into a state-run one."

He Yushui's little face fell instantly.

He Yuzhu patted her head: "Even if it's converted to state-run, it has nothing to do with you. We spend money when we should, and buy clothes when we should; isn't it the same?"

"That's great then!" He Yushui started smiling again.

Once Chen Xueru entered the He Family's house, the courtyard was no longer peaceful.

Yan Bugui walked to the side and secretly opened the red envelope to take a look—it actually contained twenty thousand yuan.

He trotted happily to Yang Ruihua's side: "This woman is really wealthy; she gave twenty thousand right off the bat!"

Yang Ruihua curled her lips: "I finally understand now how that brat He Yuzhu has so much money; it turns out he latched onto a rich woman. I was wondering why Shen Guizhi and He Yushui wear new clothes every day; it turns out they're living off the son's soft rice!" Her tone was full of disdain.

"Stop spouting nonsense outside!" Yan Bugui scolded in a low voice, "What good will it do to have a falling out with the He Family now?"

Yang Ruihua wouldn't listen; she turned and ran to the street to spread gossip, adding her own embellishments.

Inside the He house, however, it was a different scene.

Shen Guizhi held Chen Xueru's hand, looking at her again and again, her eyes full of joy: "Your name is Chen Xueru, is your nickname Xue'er?"

Chen Xueru nodded.

"When you were little, I even held you! You were good-looking back then, and now that you're grown, you're even prettier!" Shen Guizhi said.

He Yuzhu explained from the side: "My mother, her family used to run a silk shop at Qianmen, which was operated for the Shen Family."

Chen Xueru hurriedly chimed in, "Yes, I have heard my father and mother mention it."

In the Houyuan, Xu Damao and Li Yong squatted in the corner, whispering while smoking.

Xu Damao nudged Li Yong with his elbow and winked, saying, "Your eyeballs were about to pop out when you saw He Yuzhu's wife just now. Tell your buddy, are you craving a woman?"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Li Yong turned his head away, "I don't like that type at all; she looks too shrewd at first glance."

"Give it a rest, sour grapes," Xu Damao sneered.

Guangqi also wandered over to join the fun: "Xu Damao, don't you always say you have a lover too? Why don't you bring her over for us to see?"

"I'm not planning to marry her, so why would I bring her back?" Xu Damao rolled his eyes.

"Afraid she's not presentable?" Guangqi provoked him on purpose.

"Screw you! You're getting more and more boring lately, not even as fun as your brother!" Xu Damao retorted with a sinister tone.

Li Yong pulled him, "Let's go, stop wasting time with this bookworm, let's find a place to do something exciting."

The two walked to a deserted corner, and Li Yong suddenly darkened his face: "Damao, every time I see He Yuzhu getting a wife, I feel stifled. Tell me, can we cause him some trouble?"

Xu Damao chuckled: "That depends on how you want to play it—are we going big, or going small?"

Li Yong gritted his teeth and squeezed a few words through them: "I just want to make sure he doesn't have a pleasant day today."