Chapter 20: The Deaf Old Lady's Advice

The people of the siheyuan heard and all nodded.

What the old lady said was absolutely right; they had long held resentment against Jia Zhangshi's arrogance.

If not for Yi Zhonghai's pressure from He Yuzhu, they would have already dealt with her.

Now that Jia Zhangshi has met with retribution, they practically clap in delight.

Even the theft that occurred in their courtyard can't be hidden; they hope Jia Zhangshi won't show up again, otherwise the siheyuan's reputation would truly be ruined.

The thief was caught and gone, which counts as punishing evil and promoting good; it affects the siheyuan, but not greatly.

If released, the siheyuan would become a thief's den—who wouldn't feel uneasy?

Qin Huairu wiped away a tear, left the courtyard gate, and headed for the steel rolling mill.

Women nowadays are truly strong; in this new era, a pregnant woman walking such a long distance is bound to run into trouble.

Arriving at the steel rolling mill, upon seeing Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu, Qin Huairu burst into tears and recounted what had happened.

Yi Zhonghai spoke angrily.

"What does your mother want to do? Don't you know Yang Qing and his wife are not to be trifled with now?"

"Yesterday I exhausted myself trying to appease them, and today you cause this trouble?"

Yi Zhonghai felt a bit weary; most importantly, he had spent a lot of money these days.

The gift money Yang Qing gave was not easy to get back; he himself had contributed over seventy.

Now Yang Qing and his wife have him over a barrel—how much money will he need?

He didn't think 196 could settle this matter.

Yang Qing's solemn demeanor yesterday is still fresh in his memory; they had warned him, yet he went to provoke them—if it were him, he wouldn't simply let Jia Zhangshi off.

When the three returned to the siheyuan, the atmosphere in the courtyard made Yi Zhonghai's heart skip a beat.

Something had happened; seeing everyone's schadenfreude, Jia Zhangshi had clearly provoked public anger.

If he ignored public opinion and insisted on rescuing Jia Zhangshi, he would clearly offend the majority.

This deal isn't worth it.

He first went into his own room.

Yi Da Ma, who was mending shoe soles on the kang, sighed upon seeing him.

"This is you being tossed back again."

Today's wages are as good as gone.

"This muddy situation isn't easy to wade through; Jia Zhangshi has provoked public anger."

"The fish‑snatching incident will likely spread."

"By then, our siheyuan will be notorious."

"Besides, it's uncertain how the street office will deal with you three elders."

"If you don't state your position now and continue to side with the Jia family,"

"Your reputation and prestige……"

Yi Da Ma said no more, believing Yi Zhonghai could see it clearly.

You say, how does Yi Da Ma see things so clearly?

There's a saying, 'He who stays near ink gets stained black'—is Dragon Old Lady that simple?

To become an elder respected by all in the siheyuan isn't just the result of Yi Zhonghai's making; Dragon Old Lady's own strength stands there.

Moreover, she was sent by the Military Administration Office back then—who can say how deep the connection goes?

As the saying goes, 'A family with an elder is like possessing a treasure'—meaning, with more experience, many things become clear; this experience can guide the younger generation so they take fewer detours.

Dragon Old Lady's wisdom influences Yi Da Ma, because Yi Da Ma has been taking care of her.

Is Yi Da Ma simple? Unable to bear children, yet she can keep a Level 8 Worker like Yi Zhonghai in check; if she were simple, Yi Zhonghai would have long discarded her.

Furthermore, the issue of Yi Zhonghai's inability to have children also hints at something strange—given his wealth and power, if he could father a child, wouldn't he be tempted to harbor ulterior motives?

There's only one answer: he too cannot have children.

The two are a perfect match, a couple bound by shared fate.

Yi Zhonghai thought it over, but still found it hard to make a firm decision.

This concerns his disciple—how could he not help? How would others view him?

Sometimes there is no perfect solution; he must make a choice.

Should he abandon Jia Zhangshi, or ignore the courtyard folk's feelings and fish her out?

It's too hard to choose—one is his disciple, the other is the courtyard he has long managed.

To him, both are indispensable.

"I'll go see the old lady."

After all, he still wanted to ask the old lady whether there was a solution.

Upon arriving at the old lady's home, she seemed to have known he was coming; seeing him, she waved him to sit.

"Old lady, look at the current situation—what should I do?"

The old lady looked at him with a smiling, narrowed gaze.

"Zhonghai, without Jia Zhangshi, it would actually be better for you—Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu would have fewer people to rely on, so naturally you'd grow closer."

"Qin Huairu is still pregnant now; during this time, let your wife look after her—wouldn't that bring out your feelings?"

"Why must you wade into this muddy mess?"

Yi Zhonghai knows this as well, but he has leverage over Jia Zhangshi; if he ignores her, he will not only chill his disciple's heart but also drive Jia Zhangshi mad.

"Old lady, Dong Xu is my disciple, Jia Zhangshi is my disciple's mother—so the saying goes, a disciple is half a son; how could I not care for him?"

"If I truly didn't care, what would others think of me? If even disciples won't help, who could I help?"

The old lady smiled with narrowed eyes as she looked at him, and her gaze made him feel a little guilty inside, as if she could see right through him.

Old lady, this matter, you need to help me think of an idea.

The deaf old lady drank her tea slowly, then narrowed her eyes as if she were asleep.

Yi Zhonghai didn't dare wake her, so he could only wait patiently.

After a while, the old lady finally opened her eyes.

Then there's only one way.

Yi Zhonghai asked excitedly.

What way?

The old lady said leisurely.

Save, yet not save!

Yi Zhonghai was dumbfounded.

What does that mean?

The old lady said irritably.

The meaning is that we must save, but cannot let him out.

That's what the police said when they left: gaining Yang Qing's understanding can reduce the sentence.

Alright, the old lady is tired, you may go.

Yi Zhonghai was dumbfounded for a moment, then quickly figured it out.

Save, yet not save!

Great idea!

Yi Zhonghai left the old lady's place feeling satisfied, then entered the Jia Family.

Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu were both as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

Seeing Yi Zhonghai, they immediately went up to him excitedly.

How is the master?

Yi Zhonghai sighed.

Ah, I inquired about the situation with the police; the evidence is already solid.

Dongxu, wanting your mother to come out completely unscathed is impossible.

We can only spend money to ward off disaster, have Yang Qing write a letter of understanding, and minimize the harm.

Qin Huairu asked carefully.

Is 196 enough? I also don't know where grandma put the money; I only have 200 dollars in hand, this is what we've saved over the years.

Jia Dongxu turned his head aside embarrassedly, there's nothing to be done; who let him give most of his money to his mother.

In front of his wife, he naturally lowered his head.

196? Yi Zhonghai almost rolled his eyes; where is there such a cheap deal? The more you steal, the more you get, letting people act as if nothing happened?

How could that be possible? Do you think they're idiots?