Chapter 129: Hello there, Elder One shuhaige.net

The next day.

The rumors grew even more outrageous; Chen Hong and her husband stifled laughter as they went to visit Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai, hiding in the hospital to avoid work, never expected this couple to come see him.

He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Chen Hong, Yang Qing suppressing his smile, greeted Yi Zhonghai.

"Elder One, I only just heard you fainted, so I came to check on you."

"How are you? Nothing serious, right?"

"If you're sick, we should treat it; we can't hide illness and avoid doctors."

Yi Zhonghai's face twitched as he listened; inwardly he cursed Yang Qing fiercely, but on the surface he forced a stiff smile and exchanged pleasantries with him.

"Thank you for worrying, it's nothing major; the doctor said I'm just overworked and need to rest."

Yang Qing chuckled inwardly; at this point he was still patting himself on the back—let's see how I squeeze you.

"Elder One, this is an occupational illness."

"The factory ought to give an explanation for this, and the subsidy can't be cut."

"Leave it to me; I'll go to the factory and get an explanation for you."

Yi Zhonghai cursed inwardly, 'What explanation do you want? Aren't you embarrassed enough by the joke I caused? Do you have to go to the factory to publicize us?'

"When the time comes, how will the leaders view me? I'll have done something shameful, won't be able to face people, and then make the factory foot the bill?"

"The factory might pay this sum, but how would he ever stay employed there afterward?"

So he took sick leave, not even daring to use the factory's free medical care.

Thinking this through,

he had to swallow his anger and stop Yang Qing.

"No need, no need; bothering the factory over this small matter would be bad."

"It's not a big problem; I'll rest two days and then return."

Yang Qing watched his trembling face, inwardly delighted beyond measure.

"Serves you right; yesterday you tried to screw over my wife—may you die of anger."

"The feeling of you disliking me, being unable to do anything about me, yet having to fake a smile for me—it's simply exhilarating."

Chen Hong felt it was enough; going further would offend them too severely.

"Elder One, since you're fine, we'll be off; I still need to set up the courtyard's planting project."

Yi Zhonghai nodded frantically.

"Go on, it's important, important business."

He was practically raising both hands to see them off.

After leaving the hospital gates and walking to a secluded spot, Yang Qing burst into loud laughter.

"So exhilarating—is this the thrill of revenge?"

"So exhilarating, and a bit addictive."

He even wanted to go back and throw a few more barbs at Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai was equally furious; the rumors were everywhere, and he didn't believe Yang Qing was unaware—he did it on purpose.

"He came just to watch my joke."

He clenched his fists so hard his nails dug into his flesh.

"A little mouse he used to toy with at will now dares to come watch his joke."

He wished he could kill Yang Qing.

But thinking of Yang Qing's current power, he suddenly went limp on the bed, weakly lifting his gaze to the ceiling.

"What else can he do?"

"If he keeps tripping Yang Qing, what's in it for him?"

Afterward, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"A gentleman's revenge may come after ten years; Yang Qing, don't give me a chance—I'll make sure you never recover."

Returning to the courtyard, Master Lei was already waiting here.

Chen Xueshen was leading his students, explaining to Lei Gensheng the specifications of various frames.

After Chen Hong returned, she first began cleaning the courtyard.

Each household's broken jars and bowls were moved into their own homes.

In this regard, San Da Ma set an example, playing an excellent leading role.

After a day's time, all planting areas and frames were completed.

They had also undergone carbonization treatment, been coated with clear varnish and tung oil, giving them a distinctly antique feel that complemented the siheyuan perfectly, blending in very well.

When people off work came back and saw the courtyard's transformation, their spirits lifted instantly.

"Not bad, quite nice to look at."

"Compared before and after, it's like heaven and earth."

"No wonder the street office has to manage it; this is what a courtyard should be—those old broken bowls and jars before, what were they? The courtyard had become a trash heap."

People gathered around the frames, walking in circles, poking here and looking there.

The frames were built very solidly, with tight seams, looking durable at a glance.

After they'd had their fill of novelty,

Chen Hong stepped forward.

"All right, today we've put up the frames; tomorrow we can finish the planting boxes and install them."

"Today we will distribute the racks to each household."

"However, before distributing the racks, the matter needs to be made clear."

"All together, the planting racks and pots for the whole courtyard cost about 30 yuan."

"This money was fronted by the Jiedao initially."

"But once there is produce, besides what is needed for personal use, any surplus vegetables must be handed over to the Jiedao to offset the debt, until it is fully repaid."

"There is also another issue: the planting qualification is also reviewed every year."

"If any household does not put effort into planting, causing reduced yield or abandonment, the Jiedao has the right to reclaim it without compensation and give it to an advanced planter."

"Alright, any questions? If not, I'll start the distribution."

As soon as they heard money was involved, someone immediately became dissatisfied.

"Chen Hong, you won't make us pay money, will you? We can use broken jars and not spend money; doing this isn't it a disguised forced sale?"

"Yeah, yeah, 30 yuan—how much vegetables do we have to sell?"

"Then aren't we just working for the Jiedao for free?"

Yang Qing looked at those few people speaking sarcastically and stepped forward.

"Those who said that, use your brains."

"I've told you all: besides what you need for your own living, the surplus vegetables are to offset the debt."

"In other words, you are using the Jiedao's things for free to grow vegetables, needing to contribute nothing except handing over the surplus to the Jiedao."

"Moreover, your labor output is not unpaid; after deducting the Jiedao's fronted funds, it will be purchased at market price."

"This is equivalent to giving us another source of income."

"If you're not grateful, that's fine, but you're still here speaking sarcastically."

Someone objected to Yang Qing.

"Yang Qing, that's not how it works—we can grow things ourselves in earthenware pots without spending money!"

Yang Qing let out a snort.

"First, you need to understand that random planting is not allowed; if you dare to plant, the Jiedao dares to arrest you."

"Besides, the neighbors won't agree either."

"If you plant haphazardly and you're happy, are the neighbors to your left and right happy?"

"You've turned a perfectly good courtyard into a garbage dump—who would want that?"

"Then flies and mosquitoes will swarm everywhere; believe it or not, they'll smash your windows at night."

When Yang Qing said this, a voice of approval came from the crowd.

"Good, exactly—those broken jars and pots, who would find them disgusting? Don't we want to marry?"

"With the mess you've made, who would still want to marry into it?"

"It's utterly selfish."

After being rebuked by the crowd, those few people also shrank back.

Yang Qing continued.

"Besides, if you plant yourselves, what can you grow?"

"The Jiedao invited Professor Chen from the Agricultural College to give us instruction on rationalized planting experience."

"Not only does it let us plant, but the yield is also high."

"Most importantly, the professor will impart scientific planting experience to us."

"Like using human waste as fertilizer you do—it's not only unhygienic, but also smells terrible, attracting mosquitoes and flies, and tarnishing our courtyard."

"Professor Chen will teach you scientific fertilization, scientific soaking fertilizer, and methods to prevent pests and diseases; it won't attract mosquitoes or flies."

"If you plant yourselves, what do you know?"

"The Jiedao is seeking welfare for everyone, not trying to take advantage of you."

"You can have doubts, but you must not maliciously speculate, nor chill the hearts of those who are doing good for everyone."

"If everyone doesn't know what's good for them, who will still step up for us and plan our future?"

"Trust the Jiedao, trust Professor Chen; they truly have our best interests at heart."

"Otherwise, to go to such great lengths of manpower and material resources just for a few of your vegetables—wouldn't that be a joke?"