[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-good-life":3,"chapter-siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-good-life-siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-beautiful-life-chapter-3":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Siheyuan: The Salted Fish's Beautiful Life",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},2103846,3398,"Chapter 3","siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-beautiful-life-chapter-3",3,"\u003Cp>Sihe Academy\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo brought a pot of cornmeal porridge out of the kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corn buns, pickled vegetables, and cornmeal porridge were his dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhu, why are you only just back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Zhu hummed a tune as he walked into the rear courtyard, and Qin Qin Huairu snatched the lunchbox from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, Qin, why are you grabbing it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Zhu said, but there wasn't a hint of anger on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu looked pitiful: \"I'm in a hurry, we've run out of food at home, and the children are crying from hunger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Qin Qin Huairu's appearance, Sha Zhu felt a pang of heartache, feeling he had made a huge mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Zhu hurriedly said: \"Don't worry, Qin, I still have some cornmeal at home, I'll bring it over in a bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu wiped the corner of her eye and said with a tearful face: \"Zhu, can you lend me 10 Brother Yuan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"10 Brother Yuan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Zhu said in surprise: \"Qin, what do you need so much money for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this era, the minimum monthly ration standard for one person was 5 Brother Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Zhu was a cook in the steel mill cafeteria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had become an eighth-grade cook two years earlier than Cao Cao Weiguo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His monthly salary was now thirty-seven Brother Yuan and five jiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu looked miserable: \"Sigh, I borrowed 10 Brother Yuan from Cao Cao Weiguo, and he came to collect the debt today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qin, your family's life is so hard, and he has the heart to collect a debt!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think he's just bullying people!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Robbing someone while they're down!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kicking someone when they're already in the well!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Zhu's anger flared up, and he glared with bull-like eyes as he headed straight for Cao Cao Weiguo's house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cao Cao Weiguo! Cao Cao Weiguo! Get out here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Zhu had a loud, booming voice, and the whole courtyard could hear him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo opened the door to see Sha Zhu standing in front of the house, fuming with rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cao Cao Weiguo, you bastard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're clearly not short of money, yet you're dunning Qin for a debt; isn't this bullying!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A grown man, bullying a woman, aren't you ashamed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo glanced at the pitiful-looking Qin Qin Huairu, then looked at Sha Zhu with contempt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Debts must be repaid; it's only right and proper!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there something wrong with me asking for my own money back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Zhu waved his hand and shouted rudely:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Stop talking nonsense with me, do you think I don't know what you're thinking?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you short of money?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're just robbing someone while they're down, wanting to bully Qin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't it just because you think Qin is pretty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't it just because you think Qin has a nice figure!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't it just because you think Qin has a big chest and a perky butt!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't it just because you want to do that-that-that with Qin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm telling you! No way!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As long as I, He He Yuzhu, am here, no one can touch a single finger of Qin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo sneered: \"Sha Zhu, I'm asking Qin Qin Huairu for a debt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is between her and me; what does it have to do with you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's the matter? Have you and Qin Qin Huairu become a family?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When did you marry Qin Qin Huairu?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or did you marry into the Jia family as a son-in-law?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Zhu turned red in the face upon hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although this was something he dreamed of,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it wasn't something you should say out loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man needs to save face!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The neighbors watching the spectacle in the courtyard burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bolder neighbors pointed at Sha Zhu and Qin Qin Huairu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are always many rumors around a widow's door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Sha Zhu had been helping Qin Qin Huairu for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter had long been rumored in all sorts of ways in the Sihe Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Jia Zhangshi rushed out of the house and cursed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cao Cao Weiguo, what kind of dog farts are you spewing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sha Zhu, Qin Qin Huairu, you two shameless things!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Jia family's face is going to be lost because of you two!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you dare to do anything shameful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See if I don't tear you apart!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Zhu's deepest desires were exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The neighbors' mockery and Jia Jia Zhangshi's cursing made him even more embarrassed and angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cao Cao Weiguo, you're asking for a beating!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Embarrassed and angry, Sha Zhu clenched his fists and struck at Cao Cao Weiguo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo raised his leg and kicked, fast and fierce like a gust of wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kick sent Sha Zhu flying, and he fell to the ground, screaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a turtle flipped on its back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cao Cao Weiguo, why are you hitting people again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The First Master pushed through the neighbors and hurriedly helped Sha Zhu up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glared at Cao Cao Weiguo, ready to hold him accountable:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can't neighbors talk things over properly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How can you hit someone!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is too outrageous!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the courtyard, the First Master was closest to Sha Zhu; this was something all the neighbors knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was that the First Master had no children and had his eye on Sha Zhu to support him in his old age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo was calm and composed: \"Ask Sha Zhu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who struck first? See who is being outrageous!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The First Master naturally saw that Sha Zhu had struck first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With so many neighbors present, he was embarrassed to argue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he still had to preach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't let Cao Cao Weiguo ruin the atmosphere of the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he certainly couldn't let his authority be damaged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No matter what, neighbors should be united and friendly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone should love and care for each other, like one family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If there's an issue, you can discuss it; you can't just hit and hurt people!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As the saying goes, a distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor; how can you just start hitting people!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We won't have any barbaric, bandit-like behavior in our courtyard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you have something to say, just say it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We managing masters will make the decision for you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Zhu stood up angrily and shouted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First Master, this Cao Cao Weiguo is bullying people, his character is corrupt!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The First Master stared seriously at Cao Cao Weiguo:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cao Cao Weiguo, tell us your side!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo sneered with contempt: \"Fine, I'll tell you. Half a year ago, Bang Geng had a fever and was hospitalized.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qin Qin Huairu borrowed 10 Brother Yuan from me, and today I asked Qin Qin Huairu for the debt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm asking for my own money back; how is that bullying?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"10 Brother Yuan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's so much!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's half a month's salary for me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cao Cao Weiguo is really generous to the widow Qin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The neighbors present immediately began to discuss in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this era, 10 Brother Yuan was a huge sum of money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Zhu said angrily: \"Qin's family are orphans and widows, they can't even afford a meal, and they can't even get enough porridge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Asking for a debt at this time is bullying! How is it any different from robbing someone while they're down!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo kept a straight face: \"No matter how Qin Qin Huairu is living?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Debts must be repaid; it's only right and proper!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was just mentioning it to Qin Qin Huairu; I wasn't going to press her too hard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But since you're making such an unreasonable scene, don't blame me for not being polite.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this, Cao Cao Weiguo looked at Qin Qin Huairu and said with a cold face:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qin Qin Huairu, you must pay me back today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Otherwise, I'll go to the Neighborhood Office and the police station to file a lawsuit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu was immediately anxious and at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Jia Zhangshi jumped up and howled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cao Cao Weiguo, you Huang Huang Shiren!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're trying to force our family to death!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our family is living so hard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't help us, and on top of that, you're chasing us for a debt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You heartless beast!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1375,"2026-06-16T06:41:09.589Z","2026-06-16T08:22:04.667Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","a19f00db13d8cfd40a007a1e85f8a993a3dca782de277e533809e1f980bc98b0","siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-beautiful-life-chapter-4","siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-beautiful-life-chapter-2",843,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsiheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-beautiful-life-cover.gif"]