Chapter 153

Yan Yan Fugui stared at the chair with envy, wishing he could move the chair to his home.

The residents of the courtyard surrounded Cao Cao Weiguo, scrambling to ask him to make furniture.

Cao Cao Weiguo didn't refuse on the spot, nor did he muddle-headedly agree.

He pushed it off, saying he had no time now, and would help when he was free in the future.

The residents were naturally unwilling, but they didn't dare to pull and drag him.

After all, everyone knew Cao Cao Weiguo wasn't someone to be trifled with.

And they didn't want to offend Cao Cao Weiguo, so as not to lose the opportunity to take advantage.

Compared to inviting a carpenter master from outside, Cao Cao Weiguo's work would definitely save a lot of expenses.

Or rather, he wouldn't even ask for labor fees; just treating him to a meal would be enough.

Everyone is a neighbor in the same courtyard; is it embarrassing to ask for money for helping out?

Sihe Academy

After sending off the enthusiastic neighbors, Cao Cao Weiguo continued crafting the furniture.

Planing, chiseling, shaving... he worked with great intensity.

By lunchtime, he had finished four backrest chairs and one round table.

More than half of the purchased lumber had been used; the remainder was enough to build two cabinets.

Looking at the brand-new furniture, the residents of the courtyard were green with envy.

Seeing Shazhu sat in his home, his expression as if he had just eaten excrement.

Watching Cao Cao Weiguo’s smug appearance, he felt a suffocating anger in his chest.

This stingy, treacherous little man—what right did he have to be so glorious?

He He Yushui looked at the dilapidated furniture in their room, feeling equally unsettled:

"Sigh, I really envy Sister Song Yulan for marrying such an excellent husband."

"They eat well, dress well, and use better things than anyone else."

"If I could have a set of furniture like this when I get married, how wonderful that would be."

Hearing his sister’s words, Seeing Shazhu felt even more jealous and angry:

"You useless thing, if you envy Song Song Yulan so much, why don't you go marry Cao Cao Weiguo as his concubine?"

"Seeing Shazhu! You bastard!"

These words immediately left He He Yushui feeling humiliated and furious; she cursed angrily and slammed the door as she left.

Back in her own room, He He Yushui sat on the bed, fuming.

Thinking of Song Song Yulan’s happy appearance and Cao Cao Weiguo’s handsome face.

He He Yushui couldn't help but blush, feeling deep envy and jealousy toward Song Song Yulan.

She and Cao Cao Weiguo lived in the same courtyard; they could be considered childhood sweethearts.

If she had noticed Cao Cao Weiguo sooner, perhaps the one who married into the Cao family wouldn't have been Song Song Yulan.

Unfortunately, she had missed her chance!

However, in the past, Cao Cao Weiguo’s family situation was poor, and his job was not good.

She truly hadn't looked twice at the impoverished Cao Cao Weiguo.

By the time Cao Cao Weiguo became successful, it was too late for her to take notice.

He He Yushui left in anger, but Seeing Shazhu didn't care at all.

What he cared about was Cao Cao Weiguo, and what he cared about was Qin Qin Huairu.

The more excellent Cao Cao Weiguo became, the more jealous he grew, and the more furious he felt inside.

Especially the way Qin Qin Huairu looked at Cao Cao Weiguo; it made him feel restless and agitated.

The Jia Family

Having failed to take advantage of the situation, Jia Jia Zhangshi sat on the kang, cursing and swearing:

"That selfish beast Cao Cao Weiguo, he wouldn't even help build a piece of furniture; that wicked beast will never be able to father a son."

"And that Song Song Yulan, she looks like a vixen; following Cao Cao Weiguo won't lead to a good end."

Qin Qin Huairu listened to Jia Jia Zhangshi’s curses, unable to stop herself from feeling resentful.

Why was Cao Cao Weiguo at odds with the Jia family? Wasn't it because she had offended him?

Jia Jia Zhangshi cursed all day long; it wasn't as if Cao Cao Weiguo didn't know.

There were many eyes and ears in this courtyard; there were no walls that didn't leak.

Qin Qin Huairu advised her gloomily: "Mom, stop cursing. If you keep cursing like this, it’ll be a miracle if Cao Cao Weiguo ever helps our family."

Jia Jia Zhangshi glared at her: "What’s wrong? Are you heartbroken because I’m cursing Cao Cao Weiguo?"

Qin Qin Huairu said indignantly: "What are you saying? I’m afraid that if you curse like this, you’ll offend Cao Cao Weiguo too deeply."

Jia Jia Zhangshi shouted arrogantly: "Offend him, so be it! Am I afraid of him? Not only will I curse him, but when I get the chance, I’ll finish him off."

Watching Cao Cao Weiguo become more and more successful, Jia Jia Zhangshi couldn't stop her jealousy and resentment.

She believed the one who should be successful was her son, Jia Jia Dongxu.

The one who should be dead was Cao Cao Weiguo.

The Front Courtyard

The Third Master’s eyes lit up: "I really didn't expect Cao Cao Weiguo to have the skill to make furniture."

The Third Mistress echoed him with a sigh: "Who would have thought? Not only is his cooking good, but he can also build furniture."

"With so many skills, he’ll never go hungry."

"Those chairs and tables are even more sturdy than those made by master craftsmen outside."

"If these were placed in our house, how much face would that add?"

The Third Master pondered: "Don't just drool over it; build a better relationship with Cao Cao Weiguo."

"Once the friendship is deep enough, would it be a problem to have him build some new furniture for us?"

"Cao Cao Weiguo is so rich, maybe we wouldn't even have to provide the lumber."

Yu Li said from the side: "You really dare to scheme; even if Cao Cao Weiguo is rich, that’s his own money."

The Yan family’s stinginess and scheming made Yu Li feel annoyed, and she felt quite stifled inside.

Why was her life so bad, marrying into such a family?

From the time she married until now, she hadn't bought or made a single new piece of clothing.

Usually, when eating, the pickled vegetables were divided by the stalk, and she still had to pay for her share of the food every month.

Yan Yan Jiecheng didn't have much ability, but his talent for scheming surpassed his father’s.

Not only was he stingy in daily life, but he even took half of the money she earned from her temporary jobs.

His excuse was that even close brothers must settle accounts clearly; even if they were husband and wife, food expenses had to be split equally.

No one could take advantage, and no one would suffer a loss.

Is this something a husband should do?

Look at Cao Cao Weiguo’s care and love for Song Song Yulan.

Then think about Yan Yan Jiecheng’s calculation and indifference toward her.

Yu Li’s heart was filled with grievances.

The Third Master didn't sense his daughter-in-law’s grievances; instead, he started calculating:

"Yu Li, it’s time to pay last month’s food expenses."

"Last month, you two ate 9 extra steamed buns, 10 bowls of porridge... each of you needs to pay 2.6 Brother Yuan more."

Yu Li angrily took 2 Brother Yuan out of her pocket:

"This is my food money. The extra stuff was eaten by your son Yan Yan Jiecheng; if you want more money, go ask your son."

"Starting this month, I’ll cook for myself, and don't ask me for food money anymore."

After saying this, Yu Li walked out with resentment, tears spilling from her aggrieved eyes.

The Third Master watched Yu Li’s back: "Hey, this Yu Li is trying to rebel."

The Third Mistress cursed angrily: "This bird that eats but doesn't lay eggs, she has no skills but quite a temper."

After Yan Yan Jiecheng returned home, he was first asked for food money by the Third Master.

Then he was lectured by the Third Mistress, and immediately after, she started complaining about Yu Li.