Chapter 898

The Third Aunt said with a look of disgust, "He's such a grown man yet understands nothing; he deserves to be disciplined every single day."

These elderly neighbors had no jobs and would gather to chat whenever they were free.

Especially the older women, who could be called unpaid propaganda committee members.

No family gossip could escape their mouths.

Even the slightest disturbance would be spread by them until the whole city knew.

Shazhu's roar was like adding fuel to the fire.

These meddlesome women would certainly add a few more layers of stench to Shazhu's already foul reputation.

"Shazhu!"

Jia Zhangshi, who was sewing shoe soles at the doorway, saw Shazhu and her eyes lit up:

"Shazhu, are you alright now?"

Shazhu said weakly, "I'm fine."

Jia Zhangshi teased him with schadenfreude: "You're something! Fighting people in the courtyard, then fighting people in the factory—you're really quite impressive!"

Shazhu took it as a compliment rather than a shame: "That's right! A man like me isn't born to be bullied! Those villains who provoke me are just asking for a beating!"

Jia Zhangshi leaned in with her shoe sole: "Whoa! Did you fall into a cesspit? The smell is really pungent!"

Shazhu's expression turned ugly: "I stepped in excrement during the fight."

Jia Zhangshi covered her nose and said, "Zhuzi! After you got into trouble, my Huairu worried about you quite a bit, running around begging people for help. Shouldn't you show some appreciation?"

Upon hearing this, Shazhu felt a warmth in his heart: "In this courtyard, only Sister Qin treats me well. Don't worry, once I recover, I'll definitely stew a pot of meat for your family!"

Jia Zhangshi was a pragmatic person and didn't care for empty promises: "We can talk about stewed meat later. Right now, my family has run out of food. The children have been drinking rice porridge for days, crying from hunger while holding their stomachs, and their bathroom visits are nothing but clear water. I was wondering if you could lend us some grain or money coupons to help us out."

Shazhu said without hesitation, "I still have some cornmeal in my cupboard. Come to my place and take it; we can't let the children go hungry."

Jia Zhangshi happily followed Shazhu toward his room, saying as they walked, "The times the Third Aunt scolded you before, it was just in the heat of the moment. I didn't mean it, so don't take it to heart."

Shazhu waved his hand: "You are an elder; how could I take it to heart?"

Opening the dusty cupboard, Shazhu pulled out half a bag of cornmeal.

Jia Zhangshi peered into the cupboard, which was so empty it invited contempt.

"Zhang Dama, I'll keep one bowl for porridge; you take the rest."

Shazhu scooped out a bowl and handed the remaining cornmeal, bag and all, to Jia Zhangshi.

Jia Zhangshi took the cornmeal and was unhappy with the weight: "Just this much? It's not even five jin; how many meals can this last?"

Shazhu said with a bitter face, "Zhang Dama, be content. I don't even know where I'll find my next meal after this one."

Thinking of his salary being docked for the next three months, endless sorrow welled up in his heart.

Jia Zhangshi looked unsatisfied: "Are you trying to fool me? You're so capable, always going out to do private work. Everyone knows you make big money; how could you be short of food?"

Shazhu said, "Zhang Dama! I wouldn't dare fool you. I do go out for private work often, but the money is getting harder to earn. Look at me, running around all day, yet there's hardly a cent left in my pocket. The cornmeal you're holding now is actually something I borrowed from the First Uncle."

Jia Zhangshi scolded him for his lack of ambition: "Look at you! Others are doing better and better! How did you end up doing worse and worse? Shazhu! You need to show some spirit, work hard, earn more money, and stop causing trouble. My family is counting on your help; you can't let us down!"

Shazhu chuckled foolishly: "Zhang Dama is right! I'll definitely work hard in the future. Wait until I'm successful, and I'll stew meat for your family every single day!"

Jia Zhangshi laughed: "Deal! I'll be waiting! When that time comes, I'll have Huairu make noodles for you! Her noodles are delicious!"

Shazhu nodded repeatedly, drooling: "Deal, deal, deal! That would be great!"

"Alright! Seeing you've suffered so much, get some rest! I'm heading back!"

"I'll see you out!"

Jia Zhangshi left with the cornmeal, and Shazhu lay on his bed, physically and mentally exhausted.

"Guo Dagou! Fatty! Xu Damao! Liu Haizhong! You just wait!"

"If I, Shazhu, don't take revenge for this, I'm not a man!"

Fatty defied his master!

Xu Damao stirred up trouble!

Liu Haizhong snitched!

Guo Dagou (Section Chief Guo) retaliated!

Shazhu hated every one of them and swore to make them pay in blood.

He would return the suffering and misery he endured to these villains tenfold.

"Zhuzi! My dear grandson!"

The Deaf Old Lady leaned on her cane as she walked into the room, her heart aching terribly at the sight of the disheveled and miserable Shazhu:

"My dear grandson! What on earth happened?"

"Tell me! Seeing you like this breaks my heart!"

Shazhu propped himself up with one arm and slowly climbed up, as if he had suffered serious injuries.

The people from the Security Section were ruthless and underhanded; it wasn't fatal, but it was certainly painful.

He leaned against the wall covered in old newspapers and spoke weakly:

"I have an unfilial apprentice. He saw that I had fallen on hard times... I couldn't take it and got into a fight with him."

"... The factory docked three months of my salary."

"Grandma! Why am I so unlucky?"

"What!"

The Deaf Old Lady angrily poked the ground with her cane:

"This is bullying an honest man!"

"The leaders in your factory are all blind! Fools!"

"My dear grandson, don't lose heart!"

"Grandma has seen your potential since you were small."

"Although you've encountered villains and bad luck, I know you'll be successful!"

"Take this lesson to heart and think three times before you act in the future!"

"Remember that there are villains and bad people in this world; don't be too honest in your dealings!"

"That Cao Weiguo! Liu Haizhong! Xu Damao! And that apprentice you mentioned—they are all complete villains and scoundrels!"

"You must guard against them! Be careful of them! Use your brain more!"

"We won't harm others, but we can't let others harm us!"

Shazhu said with a face full of resentment: "Grandma, you're right! I'll definitely be more careful in the future! Once I catch them, I'll destroy those scoundrels! I'll make them kneel and repent! I'll show them that evil cannot triumph over good!" ===== CHAPTER 900 =====