Chapter 128: The seeds of suspicion have been planted

After seeing Jia Dongxu off and he returned, Yi Zhonghai had already opened his eyes; he spoke weakly.

"Everyone left?"

Yi Da Ma nodded.

"They left, but this rumor probably won't be easy to dispel."

"I just asked Dong Xu; he said, according to others, this rumor has existed for a while, today it just broke out."

She looked at Yi Zhonghai, Yi Zhonghai also looked at her; they both thought of the same person.

"You mean it's Yang Qing?"

No one gave them a definite answer.

They keenly felt the deep malice within it.

Yi Da Ma analyzed.

"The rumor was so detailed, even I almost believed it; only someone familiar with our compound's situation could know it so clearly."

"This matter still requires you to find someone to inquire about."

"Guessing here is useless."

"If it's Yang Qing, that would be too terrifying."

Yi Zhonghai also nodded.

"Indeed formidable; what we've done pales in comparison to theirs—it's just a small-scale affair."

"This rumor is a killing blow; it's impossible to dispel, because Dong Xu is my disciple, and we still hope he'll support us in our old age—those ties can't be severed. Facing such a huge rumor, if we don't restrain ourselves, it's as good as confirming it."

"If we distance ourselves from Dong Xu, all our plans will come to nothing."

"Our previous investments will also go to waste."

"As for Sha Zhu's place, Liu Shumin is also not easy to mess with—her natal family squeezes Sha Zhu's wages and lunch box dry."

"It's a bottomless pit."

"What do you suggest we do?"

Thinking of the painful part, Yi Zhonghai's tears flowed uncontrollably.

"Supporting oneself in old age is so hard."

Yi Da Ma said irritably.

"Why are you crying?"

"People are forgetful; they won't remember it for long."

"Stay in the hospital a few more days; for Dong Xu's side, we'll first give him a month's living expenses, letting him rest quietly for now."

"Once the rumor passes and he's spent his money, he'll need you again."

"No rumor is more important than a family's livelihood."

"By then, he'll still come running over."

"What's important now is to find out whether this rumor was fabricated by Yang Qing."

"If it is, then we'll be in trouble from now on."

"Yang Qing's wings are already full-grown; we can't mess with him."

Yi Zhonghai nodded.

"Investigate, take out two hundred dollars, operate, we must find out clearly."

"If it really is Yang Qing, we must sabotage the planting project that Chen Hong is handling."

"If not, we'll test the waters; even if we lose some money, we'll see if past grudges can be settled in one stroke."

"Consider it spending money to buy peace."

Having said that, he collapsed weakly onto the bed, his eyes vacant as he stared at the ceiling.

All he did, why? To consolidate his own position, so he'd seek benefits for the compound's residents, for his own old age, to let the Jia family live a bit better.

He really hasn't gained much benefit; as a result, now the compound's residents betray him, Dong Xu doubts him, and he gets nothing.

Moreover, he's needlessly stirred up a big trouble.

Yi Da Ma also furrowed her brows.

"If we want to improve relations, we have to go through the elderly women's route; our visit might just be superficial."

"Only with two elderly women as guarantors could this matter possibly smooth over the past."

Yi Da Ma feels somewhat powerless, judging from this period of wits and courage against the Yang Qing family.

Whether Yang Qing or Chen Hong is the mastermind, they lose more than they win.

Especially when targeting the Yang Qing family, they almost always lose completely.

"By the way, could the last time you got beaten also have been Yang Qing's doing?"

Yi Zhonghai shook his head.

"Liang Jin Bao also wanted to scheme against Yang Qing."

"They're unlikely to collude."

"However, the idea of sowing discord between the two compounds came from Yang Qing."

"To say there's none at all is also impossible."

Yi Da Ma's mind is a tangled mess, impossible to sort out, making her head ache.

"Forget it; regardless of whether all this was Yang Qing's doing, it's true that the Yang family is now hard to provoke."

"Let's stay peaceful."

"We old bones can't stand being tossed around."

"Yang Qing has a saying that's often repeated."

The future belongs to the young.

You haven't noticed? Liu Guangtian's group is getting more and more opinionated.

Although Yang Qing isn't here today, Liu Guangtian and his group will still be around in the future—they're always hanging out together.

Speaking of Liu Guangtian, Yi Zhonghai said resentfully.

Then let's split them up.

Today, aside from the women's betrayal, it's these young people around Liu Guangtian who cause him the greatest embarrassment.

Otherwise, why would he be in this state?

Those spreading rumors most enthusiastically must be them.

Yi Da Ma shook her head.

Forget it; we don't have to worry about food and drink, and we'll have a pension after retirement. We might not live very well, but we won't be too badly off.

Taking on another godparent would also make things complete.

Don't bother; the Yang Family is hard to deal with, and the youngsters are even more unrestrained and lawless.

Going back and forth with all this trouble—for what?

I'm tired; I don't want to go through this anymore.

I think the old lady is wise—she doesn't contend or grab, and earns respect.

In her old age she lives happily and carefree.

Isn't this enough?

Yi Zhonghai listened to Yi Da Ma's words and also fell silent.

Today's affair can be said to stem from his greed; he wanted to steal Chen Hong's credit.

He didn't even hesitate to offend Elder Lady Xing.

That's a blunder.

After all, it's his own greed at work.

After Jia Dongxu returned home, he wore a grim face, not knowing what he was thinking.

After Qin Huairu coaxed Xiao Dang and Bang Geng to sleep, she came over.

How is it? Has your master accepted you?

Jia Dongxu shook his head, unsure whether to tell Qin Huairu that his master cannot have children.

Seeing his hesitant expression, Qin Huairu comforted him.

Things are already like this; getting angry won't help.

But this might not be a bad thing for us—at least we can now demand money with confidence.

Qin Huairu really thought that Jia Zhangshi was capable of doing something like this—her mother-in-law would dare to do anything to achieve her goals.

To ensnare Yi Zhonghai, offering herself wasn't out of the question.

She even suspected that her mother-in-law had used force.

Otherwise, judging by her mother-in-law's nature, could Yi Zhonghai have laid a hand on her?

Seeing Qin Huairu truly believe those rumors, Jia Dongxu snapped.

No, uh, I don't know how to explain it, but anyway my master and my mother didn't do those things.

Qin Huairu wondered.

How could the outside rumors be so detailed, as if someone had seen it with their own eyes?

And when I calculated the timing, most of it matches up.

Seeing that he couldn't explain clearly, Jia Dongxu said in a low voice.

My master cannot have children! He has a physical problem.

Qin Huairu covered her mouth.

Ah, no way—I thought it was always said to be Yi Da Ma's problem.

Jia Dongxu sighed.

That was Yi Da Ma trying to save face for my master.

Qin Huairu whispered.

So you mean, Grandfather didn't ask our mother to have children?

Jia Dongxu snapped.

You'd have to look for someone young anyway—how old is our mother, can she still bear children?

Qin Huairu softly rebutted.

What they're saying sounds like it wasn't now, but a long time ago.

Upon hearing that, Jia Dongxu hesitated again.

Anyway, his master and his mother can't make it clear.

In front of the widow's gate, there's much gossip; back when they sought to become disciples of Yi Zhonghai, who knows what his mother did?

Nowadays it's not like later; becoming a disciple is a very serious matter.

You can't just become a disciple casually.

Later there are also rumors: to learn anything, you must first sleep with the master.

Afterward, for the sake of the children's education, news of accompanying others to sleep is also common.