Chapter 160: Yi Zhonghai's Massive Bleeding

If Yi Zhonghai doesn't explain, it's fine; but once he explains, the twenty he just donated shows ulterior motive.

So you're just screwing us over like this, huh?

Second Uncle seized the chance and retorted.

"Eldest Uncle, doing this isn't proper."

Third Uncle also stood up.

"Let's drop it, just squabbling over trifles."

The people in the courtyard, unwilling to deal with the Jia family and Yi Zhonghai any longer, all left.

Jia Zhangshi was stunned.

After Qin Huairu and Jia Dongxu exchanged an embarrassed glance, they said to Jia Zhangshi:

"Mom, let's go back."

The crowd slowly dispersed, and Li Da Xiong followed Yang Qing to the backyard.

Yang Qing said in surprise.

"Hey, Da Xiong, what's up?"

The name Da Xiong isn't auspicious; Yang Qing doesn't want to have much contact with him.

Li Da Xiong gave an embarrassed laugh and asked sheepishly.

"Brother Qinger, I heard you have a lot of temporary work these days; could you introduce me to some?"

I see, you're looking for work.

"Why not go to the Jiedao?"

"The Jiedao only has heavy work; light work never comes my way."

Yang Qing glanced at his physique; it's only slightly better than before.

"Substitute work requires skill."

"For example, the cafeteria work— that's because I can cook and do it well."

"You don't have that skill, so no one would dare entrust you with that job, right?"

Li Da Xiong felt a wave of disappointment; his flattery seemed wasted.

Yang Qing comforted him.

"Don't worry, there won't be a shortage of work; we're currently streamlining the workforce."

"With so many people gone, work still needs to be done— there will be plenty of work waiting for you here."

"For instance, helping out many workers as an assistant."

"Stay sharp, have the cigarettes ready; maybe a master will give you a couple of pointers."

"Just learn slowly."

"Once you have the skills in hand, won't you fear a lack of work?"

"Not only will you not fear a lack of work, but when the factory expands hiring, your chances will be greater than others'."

"It's better to be familiar than to start from scratch."

Yang Qing's words opened up a line of thought for the confused Li Da Xiong.

Rather than running around doing odd jobs, it's better to focus on one point and dig deep.

Just like Yang Qing, he now has a good reputation in cooking.

With that reputation, even if he doesn't do substitute work in the cafeteria later, he can still take on some banquet jobs.

That's far better than them running around doing low-skill odd jobs.

"Thanks, Brother Qing, I understand."

Watching Li Da Xiong walk away, Yang Qing felt a sense of relief.

It's really that name that makes one's heart tremble.

In the middle of the night.

Jia Zhangshi gathered with Yi Zhonghai again.

The cellar had hardly any vegetables left; in pitch darkness, they didn't dare light a lamp.

Yi Zhonghai switched off the flashlight in his hand and said somewhat coldly.

"Jia Zhangshi, you've seen it too—I'm not refusing to help you; I really have no influence left."

"Being able to hold this meeting today is also because, after this period of trying to restore my image, I dared to speak up."

"As a result, your performance not only made me an accomplice."

"And the Jia family's image and finances are exhausted."

"From now on, it will be hard for you to get help from others."

"Moreover, Sha Zhu doesn't listen to me anymore; regarding the leftover vegetables, I'm powerless."

Jia Zhangshi rolled her eyes in the dark, then threw her arms around Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai jumped in fright.

"Jia's sister-in-law, what are you doing? Let go quickly."

Jia Zhangshi not only didn't let go, she held on even tighter.

"Old Yi, what's our relationship?"

"You can't just watch us widows and orphans starve to death."

Saying this, she writhed a little on Yi Zhonghai's body.

This made Yi Zhonghai feel nauseous; he shoved her hard in agitation.

With a thud, Jia Zhangshi fell to the ground.

Jia Zhangshi never expected Yi Zhonghai to dare push her.

"Old Yi, you actually treat me like this."

"Wuu… Yi Zhonghai, you heartless bastard, I can't go on."

Her voice grew louder and louder.

Yi Zhonghai hastily turned on his flashlight and covered Jia Zhangshi's mouth.

"Jia's sister-in-law, let the past be the past; think not just for yourself, but also for Dong Xu."

"Do you really want everyone to know?"

"By then, how will Dong Xu face the world, and how will Bang Geng grow up healthy?"

Yi Zhonghai also knew what kind of person Jia Zhangshi was.

He spoke up voluntarily.

"Like this, I'll subsidize you thirty each month until grain prices return to normal."

Jia Zhangshi had originally come to extort money from Yi Zhonghai, but since he offered the raise himself, her attitude softened considerably.

Yi Zhonghai only released her mouth when he saw she had stopped struggling.

Jia Zhangshi was the type who never got enough of taking advantage.

"No way—besides the thirty, you also have to give us ten catties of cornmeal each month."

"Asking for more would probably not fly with Yi Da Ma; Jia Zhangshi's demands were quite measured."

Yi Zhonghai had already been giving them coarse grain regularly; now that it was settled, they no longer had to beg shamelessly for it.

Yi Zhonghai didn't want to agree, but thinking of the money he had already spent, he finally gritted his teeth and accepted.

"Fine, then we have it settled like this."

"You can't keep using this to threaten me from now on."

"You should know that I'm also a lone tree unable to support myself."

"If you go too far again, we'll part ways, and we'll see who ends up regretting it."

Jia Zhangshi grabbed Yi Zhonghai's thigh and let her hand wander upward.

"People say a day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of kindness; we've already had quite a few days, Old Yi—sharing a pillow takes a thousand years of cultivation."

"You can't be so heartless."

Yi Zhonghai felt disgusted again—take a look at your current appearance.

He jerked his leg free and strode away.

Jia Zhangshi rubbed her hands together regretfully, slowly rose to her feet, and the flirtatious look on her face vanished, replaced by a smile of triumphant scheming.

"Hmph, playing with the old lady."

After tidying up, Jia Zhangshi returned home.

Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu were waiting for the outcome; seeing Jia Zhangshi return full of pride, they knew the matter was settled.

Qin Huairu slapped Jia Dongxu's leg.

"As I said, Yi Zhonghai is indeed easy to manipulate."

Jia Dongxu glanced embarrassedly at his mother, not knowing what price she had paid.

"Mom, how did things turn out?"

Jia Zhangshi climbed onto the kang and spoke confidently.

"With your old mother taking charge, how could we go wrong?"

"Thirty a month, plus ten catties of cornmeal."

Hearing that, both Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu let out a sigh of relief.

Bang Geng also spoke up then.

"Grandma, starting tomorrow, will we finally be able to eat our fill?"

Jia Zhangshi hugged her grandson fondly.

"Ah, from now on I'll make sure you're full every day, even if your parents have to starve, my dear grandson."

Xiao Dang shifted closer to Qin Huairu, not daring to speak.

"If Bang Geng can eat his fill, does that mean she can't?"

She looked pitifully at Qin Huairu, who comforted her.

"Our Xiao Dang will also be able to eat his fill."

With Grandma's backing, Bang Geng finally let out his frustrations.

"Good-for-nothing, not allowed to eat his fill."

Jia Zhangshi also spoke up for Bang Geng.

"Just a good-for-nothing—what's the point of eating so much?"

Xiao Dang whispered.

"Now I know more characters than my brother."

Jia Zhangshi froze for a moment, then glared at her.

"Good-for-nothing, what's the use of knowing so many characters?"

"Afterward, no more studying—it's a waste of money."