Chapter 777: Brotherly Love

Red Star Sihe Academy

Lady Yi spent money to set up a large table of food and wine, partly to celebrate Yi Yi Zhonghai’s return and partly to thank Xu Xu Damao for his efforts. Even though Yi Yi Zhonghai was full of reluctance and Seeing Shazhu looked sour, Lady Yi insisted on holding this banquet, and the Deaf Old Lady also voiced her support.

Yi Yi Zhonghai and Seeing Shazhu felt uncomfortable, but Lady Yi and the Deaf Old Lady understood the ways of the world. Especially in the current situation, Yi Yi Zhonghai was home, but he was still under "observation." They would need Xu Xu Damao to continue running errands to strive for an early return to work; otherwise, their whole family would truly be eating through their savings.

Lady Yi diligently poured wine for Xu Xu Damao: "Xu Damao, drink up. Come, eat. Your Uncle being able to come home this time is all thanks to you."

Xu Xu Damao held his wine glass with an arrogant expression, shaking his head as he said: "I used up a lot of favors this time. If it weren't for my face, which leader would be willing to handle such a thankless task? You don't know how sensitive and serious this matter was. If I hadn't been running around, you wouldn't be eating this meal for another three or five years—and even if you were, it would probably be at a funeral."

"Cough, cough!"

Yi Yi Zhonghai coughed with an ugly expression: "Xu Damao, I know you worked hard this time. I am very grateful. I’ve said before that you are the most promising person in our courtyard. Sure enough, looking at the whole courtyard now, no one has a higher position or more ability than you. In the future, this old man will have to rely on your care."

"Hmph."

Watching Lady Yi and Yi Yi Zhonghai fawn over and flatter Xu Xu Damao, Seeing Shazhu felt as if a stone were blocking his chest, filled with indignation and disdain. What was Xu Xu Damao? A bad seed full of evil schemes. What ability did he have? Wasn't it just fawning over leaders and getting involved in shady, rotten business? What was so great about that? He just didn't care to curry favor with leaders; otherwise, even Cao Cao Weiguo would have to lick his boots. Xu Xu Damao wasn't even qualified to pour his urine.

Xu Xu Damao caught Seeing Shazhu’s look of disdain. He slammed his wine glass onto the table with a straight face and said mockingly: "Seeing Shazhu, what’s with that expression? What, you’re not convinced or you have an opinion? Tell me, what have you done since your godfather was arrested? You’ve just been at home hooking up with widows and serving your object of affection, forgetting your godfather entirely, haven't you? Your godfather treated you like his own son; is this how you repay him? Has your conscience been eaten by dogs? I saved your godfather; you don't even offer a toast to thank me, and you’re still pulling a long face. Do you have any shame left? Oh, right, your face was lost in a widow’s crotch long ago; you’ve had no face for a long time."

"Bang!"

Seeing Shazhu slammed his hand on the table and roared in shame and anger: "You dog, what did you say? Xu Xu Damao, you lowlife, what are you? What right do you have to point fingers at me?"

Xu Xu Damao mocked: "What right do I have? By the fact that I fished your godfather out, by the fact that I did more than you, by the fact that I put in more effort than you. Anyway, at this table, I am more qualified than you. If you’re not convinced, let’s debate it. You tell me yourself, what have you done for your godfather?" Seeing Shazhu was so angry his face turned red. Lady Yi hurriedly tried to mediate: "Alright, alright, why say these things on such a happy day? Let’s eat and drink in harmony. Xu Damao, you are our benefactor; Seeing Shazhu is our godson. You are both good boys. It is our blessing to have you two as our juniors. Come, I’ll pour you both a drink, and you two brothers can toast each other."

Yi Yi Zhonghai reached out and grabbed Seeing Shazhu’s arm, pulling him down to sit: "Sha Zhuzi, sit down. What are you doing? Is this how I taught you? You should love and care for your neighbors. How can you start a conflict at the drop of a hat? As the saying goes, a distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor. Take this time, for example: if it weren't for Xu Damao, a good neighbor, helping to run around, could we be sitting at this table eating now? No matter what conflicts you had in the past, that’s all in the past. From now on, you must look forward together. You two grew up together like brothers; you should be as close as hands and feet, advancing and retreating together. Unity is strength. What good does fighting each other do you?"

Lady Yi chimed in from the side: "Your Uncle is right. Take your Uncle’s advice: it is better to resolve grievances than to harbor them. You are both capable and promising boys. You both work in the same factory; wouldn't it be great if you helped and took care of each other? Two people’s strength is always greater than one’s. Don't you agree? Look at you—you grew up together in the courtyard and work together; you are simply born brothers."

"Ptooey!"

"Ugh!"

After Lady Yi finished speaking, Seeing Shazhu and Xu Xu Damao reacted violently in unison.

Brothers?

Seeing Shazhu and Xu Xu Damao looked at each other, the thick "brotherly love" almost overflowing from their eyes: *Brother, go in peace; I’ll take care of your wife.*

Yi Yi Zhonghai said earnestly: "Sha Zhuzi, Xu Damao, after this incident, I realized how happy it is to be able to sit at home and eat, and how reassuring it is to see the neighbors in the courtyard. Similarly, when I was outside, holding a cornmeal bun, I felt so lonely and helpless. Fortunately, I have you—I have Xu Damao, I have Sha Zhuzi. When I came back from outside and saw you, I suddenly had an idea. I have no children; in the future, my wages and property will all go to you. You are my children."

Wages!

Property!

Seeing Shazhu and Xu Xu Damao were both stunned, their eyes suddenly brightening.

Yi Yi Zhonghai was a Grade 8 worker; his wages were very high. Although he was down on his luck now, what if he could get back up? What if he could return to work in the future?

That was a lot of wages that the two of them wouldn't be able to spend. If they could put it in their own pockets, that would be quite an income.

Xu Xu Damao didn't lack money, but who would complain about having too much?

As for Seeing Shazhu, he was too short of money. He wanted to marry Jin Jin Lian, he wanted to take care of Qin Qin Huairu, he wanted to buy a house... he needed money too much.

"Uncle! No! Godfather! I will definitely be filial to you! I am your child!"

Filled with excitement, Seeing Shazhu grabbed Yi Yi Zhonghai’s hand with deep affection. In his heart, Yi Yi Zhonghai, who was willing to give him money, was his father; money was his father...

Yi Yi Zhonghai resisted the urge to wipe away his goosebumps and pushed away Seeing Shazhu’s greasy hand with a loving smile: "Sha Zhuzi, I know your heart, and I have always treated you as my own child."

The Deaf Old Lady, who had been silent, nodded with a smile: "Good! Good! A kind father and a filial son! I am happy! Even if I die now, I can close my eyes in peace."

Xu Xu Damao undermined them from the side: "Old Lady, are you drunk? I see the kind father, but where is the filial son? Where is he? Why don't I see him? Did he fall into the latrine?"