Chapter 35

Dad, what's Old Yan doing here? Xu Daming just got home when he happened to see Yan Butai coming out of his house.

What else could he be doing? He saw Zhuzi and Li Qiang become sworn brothers, got jealous, and wants Yan Jiecheng to also become sworn brothers with Li Qiang, so he wants me to talk to Li Qiang about it.

Dad, stay out of this. Li Qiang and He Yuzhu became sworn brothers only because both families lack elders; Li Qiang did it out of pity for He Yuzhu's brother and sister. If Li Qiang also became sworn brothers with Yan Jiecheng, that would basically make Yan Butai his godfather. How foolish would Li Qiang have to be to accept Old Yan as his godfather? Xu Daming quickly caught on.

If you hadn't mentioned it, I'd have forgotten all about it. That Old Yan is despicable—he's just using me as a pawn. If I actually went and said that, Li Qiang would hate me. Fu Gui also figured it out.

This can't be that simple. I should go to Li Qiang's place to see what's going on; otherwise, why would Old Yan out of the blue want Yan Jiecheng to become sworn brothers with Li Qiang?

Alright, go check it out.

Hey, Brother Qiang got another new bike! Xu Daming arrived at Li Qiang's courtyard and instantly saw the new bicycle parked there.

Damings here—Zhuzi is about to get married, right? I bought a bike as a wedding present for him, Li Qiang said, smiling.

Zhuzi's getting married? He sure can keep a secret! Xu Daming said, astonished.

You know how the folks in our courtyard are—if we'd spoken up earlier, someone probably wouldn't be able to sleep.

That really could be the case. Oh, I see now, Xu Daming said, looking suddenly enlightened.

Figured out what? Li Qiang asked.

Just now when I got home, Old Yan had just left my house. Dad said he wants Yan Jiecheng to also become sworn brothers with you, and he wants Dad to mediate. He's just jealous because you bought Zhuzi a bike.

When I came back this afternoon, Old Yan brought this up to me, but I ignored him.

Brother Qiang, as I said, you were right to ignore him. If you actually became sworn brothers with Yan Jiecheng, how would you address Old Yan? As his godfather? Xu Daming said, laughing.

No way—I'd have to be an idiot to become sworn brothers with his family. If I really did, my parents would rise from the grave at night to beat me to death.

I think you could.

Well, that's settled. You're about to graduate, right?

About a month left.

Can you get into high school?

Brother Qiang, you're overestimating me. With my sorry self, getting into high school is unlikely; just graduating from junior high would be fine. Xu Daming is quite self-aware.

So what are your plans after graduation?

My dad said that after I graduate, I'll follow him and learn to run a projector.

That's also pretty good—being a projectionist is a good job.

In the future, I'll still have to rely on your care.

Alright, no need to be polite between us brothers.

Brother Qiang, go ahead and get busy. I need to go back and tell my dad about this, so he doesn't end up being used as a pawn by Old Yan.

Okay. Go tell Uncle Xu. Tell him not to get involved in this.

Alright, just hold on.

Xu Daming hurried out of Li Qiang's house and rushed back home.

Dad, do you know why Old Yan wants to become sworn brothers with Li Qiang?

Why?

I just went to Li Qiang's place—Zhuzi is about to get married, and Li Qiang bought him a bike, Xu Daming said mysteriously.

I was wondering why Yan Butai suddenly wanted to become sworn brothers with Li Qiang—he's just jealous that Li Qiang bought Zhuzi a bike, Fu Gui now understood.

I bet there's more to it than that, Xu Daming said.

Then tell me, what else is there? Fu Gui asked curiously, looking at his son.

Yan Jiecheng is about to graduate from junior high; if he becomes sworn brothers with Li Qiang, his job prospects would be secured. Xu Daming is sharp—when Li Qiang asked about his post‑graduation plans, he realized Yan Butai had another motive for wanting the sworn‑brother tie. No wonder the novel calls Xu Daming the most perceptive person in the courtyard; he also saw through the plot by Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huiru against Zhuzi, and had even hinted at it to Zhuzi, but Zhuzi, bewitched by Qin Huiru, missed the hint entirely.

Yi Zhonghai also knew Xu Daming had seen through his and Qin Huiru's scheme against Zhuzi, so he kept stirring up trouble between them, making them appear like enemies. That way, Zhuzi would never believe Xu Daming. Eventually Xu Daming also realized Zhuzi was totally under Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huiru's control, so he stopped worrying.

How did you figure all this out? Fu Gui stared at Xu Daming, utterly incredulous—his son is far too smart, his thinking well beyond his peers.

Just now, when Li Qiang asked about my post‑graduation plans, I suddenly realized Yan Jiecheng is also about to graduate, and that's what came to mind.

Good, good, good—truly my son. Fu Gui happily patted Xu Daming on the shoulder.

That afternoon after work, Li Qiang wheeled his bike to Zhuzi's door.

Zhuzi, Zhuzi.

Second brother, my older brother is cooking—Brother Qiang, you bought another bike? He Shui ran out, saw Li Qiang pushing the bicycle, and happily said. Since becoming sworn brothers, He Shui changed how she addresses people: she no longer calls Binzi Ge and Qiangzi Ge, but directly calls Big Brother and Second Brother, and still calls Zhuzi Brother; she says that's how family should address each other. Not only did she change her own way of speaking, she also got Zhuzi to change his.

This is for your brother. Isn't he about to get married? I'm giving him a bicycle, Li Qiang said with a smile.

Brother, come out quickly—Second Brother bought you a bicycle! He Shui shouted excitedly at the door.

Second Brother, is what He Shui saying true? Zhuzi asked, looking at the bicycle in front of him and smiling.

It's right here—do you think it's real or fake?

"Second Brother, this is too precious, I can't take it" He Yuzhu although he really wanted a bicycle, but he also knew the value of a bicycle.

Enough with the nonsense—it's already bought. If you're so bold, go see if they'll let you return it.

Zhuzi, if you don't want it, give it to Dongxu Brother to ride, Jia Zhangshi said, stepping forward shamelessly.

What right do you have? My brother bought this bike for me, and you want his family to ride it—what are you thinking? Zhuzi gave Jia Zhangshi a look and said.

You said you didn't want it, and Qiangzi also said that once it's bought, it can't be returned.

Whether we return it or not is our own business—it's got nothing to do with you, Zhuzi snapped.

It's like a dog biting Lü Dongbin—no gratitude for good intentions. I'm just trying to help you solve the problem, and you're so unappreciative, Jia Zhangshi muttered before walking away.

Alright, don't lower yourself to her level—just leave the bike here. Li Qiang parked the bike and walked away.

Thanks, Second Brother, He Shui said, stroking the brand‑new bike and laughing happily.

Alright, since Second Brother brought it, let's keep it.

Brother, could you ride the bike and take me to school tomorrow? He Shui pleaded, holding Zhuzi's hand.

All right, Zhuzi said, understanding He Shui's wish—kids always want to show off something nice.

Thanks, brother.