Chapter 104: Yi Zhonghai Shows Earnestness

In the Siheyuan, no matter what matter, as long as Yan Butgui and the three senior matriarchs know it, that definitely means everyone in the Siheyuan knows it.

"Second Brother, I heard everyone in the Siheyuan is saying that the First Aunt made a cotton quilt for Yushui." He Yuzhu, upon hearing this news, immediately went to Li Qiang's house to discuss countermeasures.

"I've heard that too," Li Qiang said, frowning. Actually he could somewhat understand why Yi Zhonghai did this—nothing more than wanting to ease relations with He Yuzhu. But this time Yi Zhonghai used an open scheme; they really couldn't refuse, otherwise if word got out people would say they don't understand propriety. He Yuzhu's marriage, Yi Zhonghai giving He Yushui a cotton quilt—if they refused, it would be tantamount to completely breaking with Yi Zhonghai.

"Second Brother, what should we do about this? I really don't want any involvement with Yi Zhonghai," He Yuzhu said anxiously.

"What's the big deal? It's just a kind gesture for Yushui's wedding—no matter what, we can't refuse," Li Qiang said with a smile.

"So we can only accept it?" He Yuzhu asked unwillingly.

"If he really sends it, just take it—after all, we're neighbors, and there's no deep hatred between us; refusing would make people say we don't understand propriety," Li Qiang said with a smile.

"This Yi Zhonghai is really troublesome," He Yuzhu sighed.

"Alright, this isn't a big deal—it's a kind gesture for Yushui's wedding, a good thing; you should be happy, why do you look so bitter?" Li Qiang joked.

"If it were anyone else, I'd be happy, but this Yi Zhonghai is too sinister—I feel uneasy." Over the years, He Yuzhu couldn't possibly be unaware of what kind of person Yi Zhonghai is; especially after Yi Zhonghai fell out with Jia Dongxu, Yi Zhonghai would often find excuses to talk to him, the meaning couldn't be clearer.

"Yi Zhonghai's doing this probably has some expert behind him," Li Qiang said after thinking.

"What expert?" He Yuzhu didn't quite grasp Li Qiang's meaning.

"Who in the Siheyuan cares most about Yi Zhonghai?" Li Qiang asked He Yuzhu.

"The deaf old lady, of course—she's Yi Zhonghai's adoptive mother," He Yuzhu blurted out without thinking.

"That's it—I think this idea came from the deaf old lady. As for Yi Zhonghai's old-age support, she's always favored you. Initially, Yi Zhonghai had no one else in his heart besides Jia Dongxu; if he had listened to the deaf old lady back then, your relationship wouldn't be so strained now. Now that he's fallen out with Jia Dongxu, he's surely worried about his old-age support; if the deaf old lady gives him a little help now, he'd have to be moved." Li Qiang sees through everything. Fortunately, Yi Zhonghai didn't listen to the deaf old lady back then; otherwise, whether He Yuzhu could marry would still be doubtful, and even if he did, the match would likely have been arranged by Yi Zhonghai. This man's desire for control is too strong; if He Yuzhu married a strong-willed wife who didn't obey him, he'd be like someone trying to fill a bamboo basket with water—futile.

Fortunately, I acted quickly and pulled He Yuzhu out of that mire before Yi Zhonghai could react—whether I was doing it out of gratitude to Li Bin and He Daqing or because I couldn't let go of my own feelings, in any case He Yuzhu is now happy and hasn't repeated past mistakes.

"According to what you say, we can only accept it," He Yuzhu asked.

"Just take it—why refuse something given for free?" Li Qiang said with a smile.

"Didn't I just say that? If it were from anyone else, I'd definitely be happy."

"Alright, stop overthinking—there are only two days left until Yushui's wedding; is everything else ready?" Li Qiang asked.

"There's nothing much to prepare—just bring the vegetables back tomorrow. Last night I went to my master's place; this time he had the senior apprentice come over to take charge of the cooking." He Yuzhu said.

"Sure, I'll bring the vegetables back tomorrow morning, and you can tidy up this afternoon—surely it won't delay anything," Li Qiang said with a smile.

"Then there's nothing to prepare—I'll head back now." He Yuzhu, having gotten no good ideas from Li Qiang's place, could only go back; anyway, let things take their course—if Yi Zhonghai really sends the quilt, he can only accept it with a smile.

That evening, the First Aunt came to He Yuzhu's house holding a brand-new cotton quilt.

"The First Aunt is here—please come in," He Yuzhu said, seeing her and warmly welcoming her inside. In the eyes of the Siheyuan neighbors, the First Aunt is an honest and loyal person, even better than Yi Zhonghai; besides, a guest is a guest—he couldn't very well turn her away at the door.

"Zhuzi, I heard Yushui is getting married. As an elder, I don't have much to give, and your family has no senior relatives, so I took the liberty of making a cotton quilt for Yushui—I hope you won't reject it," the First Aunt said with a smile.

"How could we not? We should thank you, First Aunt," Yu Li said, smiling as she took the quilt—her emotional intelligence is far higher than He Yuzhu's.

"Fine, as long as you don't reject it," the First Aunt said, still worried they might refuse—after all, in recent years Yi Zhonghai and He Yuzhu have often quarreled, the two families not getting along well; she knew everyone would see this big gift as a sign of their intentions, and she feared He Yuzhu might act rashly—if he refused, their family would lose face in the Siheyuan.

"First Aunt, please have a seat," He Yushui pulled over a chair and greeted her to sit down—after all, she's giving a wedding gift, so he couldn't be rude and not say hello.

"Oh, no need to be polite—I'll manage myself; I'm not an outsider," the First Aunt said with a smile.

"Of course, you've gone to trouble for my sake—I haven't thanked you yet." He Yushui, being well‑educated, spoke flawlessly.

"You little girl, you've only known me a few years and you're already being so polite," the First Aunt said, though she was actually very pleased inside.

The First Aunt sat at the He household for only about ten minutes before leaving; as she departed, He Yuzhu and his wife accompanied He Yushui to see her to the door, which made her even happier.

"How was it? What was their attitude?" As soon as the First Aunt got home, Yi Zhonghai hurriedly asked—since the First Aunt had left. He felt like fifteen buckets drawing water, seven up and eight down, afraid that He Yuzhu would refuse.

"Pretty good, they were very warm toward me," the First Aunt said with a smile.

"All right, that's a good start. From now on, look after their family more, especially that little rascal He Xiao—now's the time when he's mischievous; pay more attention at home, and if anything comes up, lend a hand," Yi Zhonghai specially instructed.

"Understood," the First Aunt said with a smile; tonight the old couple can finally sleep soundly.