Chapter 16: Jia Zhangshi's Counterattack

When the people in the courtyard set out, Jia Zhangshi kept staring outside.

Yang Qing and his wife today dragged her out and gave her a beating; Yi Zhonghai and her son Jia Dongxu, because of this, all scolded her severely.

This dealt a heavy blow to Jia Zhangshi's standing in the courtyard.

So she especially hated Yang Qing and Chen Hong.

Qin Huairu saw Jia Zhangshi's resentment and advised.

"Mom, the eldest uncle finally managed to appease Yang Qing and his wife; you can't cause trouble now."

Jia Zhangshi flared up upon hearing this, pointing at her own nose.

"You say I'm causing trouble? Who am I doing this for? Isn't it so you can have a meal of meat? Isn't it because you're pregnant, to nourish your body?"

"What am I doing this for? Do I really have no shame, no sense of decency?"

"Others can say, what face do you and Dong Xu have to blame me?"

Qin Huairu also realized she misspoke and hurriedly apologized.

"Mom, Mom, I was wrong; I shouldn't have said that about you."

"I apologize, Mom, sorry, please forgive me."

Saying this, she grabbed Jia Zhangshi's hand and continually comforted her.

Qin Huairu's sensibility put Jia Zhangshi at ease, but today the way everyone in the courtyard looked at her left her feeling even more devastated.

Clearly she had handled this matter beautifully, yet she was ostracized by everyone in the courtyard.

She now also understood how much damage to the courtyard's reputation would be caused if her actions were exposed.

That's why she didn't cause a scene.

But that doesn't mean she isn't angry inside.

The real culprits are Yang Qing and his wife; if it weren't for their prompting, the people in the courtyard wouldn't treat her this way.

Yi Zhonghai wouldn't scold him either, and Dong Xu wouldn't have to go door-to-door apologizing.

Even Qin Huairu, whom she had always kept under her thumb, dared today to give her a cold shoulder.

That single remark about causing trouble was simply too hurtful for her.

"Hmph, as long as you know."

"Watch the back courtyard for me; when Yang Qing and his wife go out, tell me."

Qin Huairu said worriedly.

"Mom, what are you up to now? We dare not provoke Yang Qing these days; everywhere outside, rumors are spreading about you and Bang Geng."

"Even if you don't think for yourself, think a little for Bang Geng."

Jia Zhangshi glared at her.

"It's just that they've got leverage over us; that's why I'm going to check out Yang Qing's house today."

"Only by grabbing their leverage can we be safe."

"Otherwise we'll keep being threatened by them."

"Once we have their leverage, they'll have misgivings in their hearts and won't dare to speak recklessly."

Qin Huairu thought, and indeed it's true—being constantly held hostage by someone's leverage is really unpleasant; if she had leverage over them in her hands, it would be much easier and she wouldn't have to worry.

"All right, Mom, you go to sleep first; you're tired from today, and I'll definitely keep an eye on them."

To be honest, if it weren't for Jia Zhangshi dragging Bang Geng into danger, Qin Huairu would truly be satisfied with this mother-in-law.

But this time, by using Bang Geng, she has left Qin Huairu with a grudge.

For the sake of livelihood, one can be shameless and make some sacrifices, but this absolutely does not include one's own children.

She glanced at Jia Zhangshi on the bed and muttered to herself.

"It seems we can't just listen to this mother-in-law all the time; she's a bit without principles."

"She even uses her own grandson; what else wouldn't she dare to do?"

Thus the seed of vigilance was planted.

In the dead of night.

The pitch-black sky made the stars appear especially bright.

Those who returned from fishing broke the courtyard's tranquility.

Most people were laughing happily.

Some carried three or five fish, some one or two, and even the least had at least one catch.

With the harvest, as the organizer of the fishing activity here, Yi Zhonghai gained great prestige, and his popularity, which had been repeatedly suppressed by Yang Qing and his wife, rose again.

"Thanks, eldest uncle; without you, we wouldn't have these fish today."

"Where, where, it's all just what should be done."

Seeing Yi Zhonghai continually receiving thanks, Er Da Ye and San Da Ye's faces looked a bit grim.

It felt as if they were merely decorations.

Liu Hai Zhong's face was especially grim; why is it that everyone does the same work, yet the benefits all go to you?

"Yes, yes, today the eldest uncle has made great contributions through hard work."

"Everyone, Mr. Liu has also spent a sleepless night; I'll take my leave now."

Having said that, he turned and left.

San Da Ye was fuming; despite his painstaking efforts teaching these people to fish, he ended up receiving not even a thank-you.

"Yes, yes, the eldest uncle has achieved remarkable merits."

"As for me, San Da Ye, I haven't been of much help either, so I'll just not disturb everyone."

"Goodbye, you all."

After saying that, he also hauled his family's several dozen fish home.

The scene instantly turned awkward; how the hell did I forget someone?

Yi Zhonghai was also extremely embarrassed; this damn, others thank me, what can I do? If you're able, go lose your temper at them—why put on this act for whom?

Yet in his heart he was immensely proud; when it comes to winning people over, everyone present is his junior.

Others also realized that what they had just done was a bit over the top, and after thanking again, they left.

He Yuzhu, however, spat in the direction where Liu Hai Zhong and Yan Fu Gui had left.

"What nonsense, one only knows how to put on airs, the other only wants benefits, and still damn thanks you—thanks for nothing, do you even deserve it?"

After saying that, He Yuzhu handed one of the two fish in his hand to the eldest.

As it turned out, Yi Zhonghai had only been helping others; he himself hadn't caught any fish at all.

Jia Dongxu had also originally wanted to give one fish to his master, but he couldn't bear to part with it; after Sha Zhu gave Yi Zhonghai a fish, he also gritted his teeth and gave Yi Zhonghai a fish.

"Master, take this fish; tomorrow have the mistress prepare a good fish meal for you."

He then carried the remaining two fish in his hand back home.

Yi Zhonghai held the two fish in his hand, his heart blooming with laughter; this scheme of his was not in vain.

Not only did he not have to exert effort to fish, but he also obtained two fish.

This time he really made a big gain.

After everyone had gone back,

In the backyard, Yang Qing and his wife also got up.

They lit the fire and warmed up the leftover fish soup from the evening.

While it was hot, they finished it all in one go.

Finally, they washed their faces with snow, and the couple left the Siheyuan.

Qin Huairu, who had been staring at Yang Qing, seeing this, immediately shook Jia Zhangshi.

"Mom, mom, they're gone, people have left."

Jia Dongxu, hearing this, asked curiously.

"What left?"

"Yang Qing left."

"Yang Qing left, so what's the point of shouting for our mom?"

Qin Huairu froze, not knowing whether she should tell Jia Dongxu what happened.

Upon seeing Qin Huairu's expression, Jia Dongxu knew something was up.

He spoke, a little angry.

"Speak, what mischief are you stirring up again?"

In today's society, men's status is high, especially for men with jobs, whose status is particularly high.

Qin Huairu, upon being shouted at by Jia Dongxu, immediately obediently told the story.

Jia Dongxu felt that what his mother said made a lot of sense.

The handle was grabbed by Yang Qing, and he also felt uncomfortable all over.

Especially, this handle not only greatly affected his own mother, but its impact on their whole family was disastrous.

Cough cough...

"Well then, Huairu, keep busy, I'm tired, I'll go to sleep first."