Chapter 23: You Come, I Go

These three people, pretending to cooperate, depicted Yang Qing and his wife as bullies who oppress neighbors and show no mercy even when they are in the right; their malicious intent makes one shudder upon reflection.

Now, whether they take this money or not, both are wrong.

If they take it, they become bullies of the poor; in this society, whoever is poor is considered right, and you can't argue even if you have a mouth.

As for Yang Qing's family, they already have 400—can they still be considered poor?

If they don't take it, Qin Huairu said, they only want a letter of understanding, not to withdraw the case; we're all neighbors, why won't you write it? Do you capitalists lack compassion?

In this regard, Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai are very much in sync.

Seeing their demeanor, Yang Qing felt ice-cold all over—this is the Siheyuan's moral paragon and white lotus flower; they are formidable beyond measure.

At the same time he felt doubtful; normally, Yi Zhonghai should have pulled him inside for a private discussion, so why didn't Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai do that, instead scheming against him in public?

This is not right.

Clearly, Yi Zhonghai only needed to quietly discuss with him, pay a little extra compensation, let him pretend the 196 wasn't lost, and the matter could be settled—major issues reduced to minor, minor to none.

Could someone of Yi Zhonghai's high caliber not think of this method?

Even Qin Huairu could think of it—how could he not?

Conspiracy, there is a conspiracy here.

Yang Qing tugged Chen Hong's hand to prevent her from getting too agitated and misspeaking.

Then he looked at Yi Zhonghai for a while, then at Qin Huairu for a while, and he thought of a possibility.

That is, these two people do not want Jia Zhangshi to come out so simply.

The specific reason he cannot know, but his judgment is probably correct.

Otherwise they wouldn't have done something that would anger him.

Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu felt a jolt in their hearts; upon seeing Yang Qing again, his ambiguous smile.

"Yang Qing, take the money; there's nothing to be embarrassed about in the big courtyard."

At that moment, Yang Qing flicked his hand and did not take the money.

Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu felt a jolt in their hearts; upon seeing Yang Qing again, his ambiguous smile.

Things have gone bad.

Indeed, Yang Qing opened his mouth and said.

"Elder One, if you say the Jia family's life is hard, I agree—after all, now it's the lean season and grain is scarce."

"But if you say the Jia family is poor, then I have something to say."

"Everyone…"

Yi Zhonghai hurriedly called out to stop him.

"This matter is not a problem; Dong Xu is my disciple—how could I bear to see his life be hard?"

"I will provide this money; Qin Huairu, take back your 200, and since your family still needs to live, I will cover it."

In an instant, Yang Qing went from being accused of bullying the poor to 'shearing' Yi Zhonghai's wool.

Yi Zhonghai, fearing Yang Qing might say more, dared not bargain with him and directly produced 500, plus taking Yang Qing's 200, totaling 700, which he handed to Yang Qing.

"This 200 is your money; Chen Hong, count it. This 500 is my compensation to you; Yang Qing, count it."

Yang Qing did not take it, but watched his performance.

Yi Zhonghai could only continue filling the pit he dug himself.

"Yang Qing's family is struggling—lacking food and warmth, their house is in such disrepair; previously I was negligent, not caring enough."

"Today, as Dong Xu's master and as an elder of the big courtyard, I donate 500 to the Yang family to help them repair their house, add some furnishings, and re-plaster the kang."

Yang Qing showed a smile, signaling him to continue.

Yi Zhonghai gritted his teeth and continued.

"Look at this cold weather; they dress so thinly—I still have one foot of cloth coupon and three jin of cotton coupon here, which I also donate to you."

"I hope you two will keep getting better."

Only then did Yang Qing accept the money and coupons.

Just as Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu relaxed, thinking everything was fine.

Yang Qing spoke again.

"Since Elder One is so enthusiastic, I cannot refuse."

"Today, in our big courtyard, I felt everyone's enthusiasm and warmth, and also a generous elder who donated to our family."

"I am happy, and I also believe that minor disputes between left and right neighbors should be forgiven."

"So I have signed this letter of understanding."

Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai instantly relaxed all over.

Who would have thought that at this moment, Yang Qing would say again.

"However…"

Yi Zhonghai's heart jumped—Is this not enough?

Seeing Yi Zhonghai's uneasy appearance, Yang Qing let out a breath.

"However, since this donation is for our family to repair the house and buy furniture, we should still draw up a written agreement."

"What I can guarantee here is that the funds will be used exclusively for this purpose; after my house is repaired, if there is any surplus, I will certainly return it to Elder One."

"I will also produce the detailed expense receipts for everyone to supervise."

"Come on, Elder One, let's draw up the agreement, determine the money's usage scope—this is also respect for the donor; I, Yang Qing, am still quite sensible."

The people around didn't expect Yang Qing to act this way; originally this money was compensation, and how it's spent is nobody else's business.

Now compensation has turned into donation, which sounds nicer; Yang Qing actually doesn't need to bother with earmarked funds—he could just dispose of it as he wishes.

But being sensible, they still drew up a written agreement.

Yang Qing is truly a man, no wonder he's a Jingcheng man—he handles things openly and straightforwardly.

Yeah, look at how proper they are—they even put it in writing as proof.

If I may say, the eldest master is also open-hearted; for his disciple's family, you could say he's poured his heart and soul.

Yeah, having done this much, there's nothing more to say.

Many fathers and sons can't reach this level.

Yeah, yeah, and to take care of the Yang Family, they stubbornly took an extra 300—such breadth of mind, no wonder they're the eldest master.

…………

Jia Dongxu listened to these words, feeling moved, tears streaming.

Master, you've been too good to me.

Yi Zhonghai patted his shoulder.

You are my close disciple; if I'm not good to you, who would I be good to?

Qin Huairu stood aside, also quite moved; if it weren't for Yi Zhonghai stepping in, her family's circumstances would probably collapse today.

She regretted scheming against Yang Qing; why did she stir up trouble? Is she base, is she base?

She even wanted to slap herself twice.

Through today's events, she also came to understand a principle.

The Yang Family really isn't the same anymore; Chen Hong is formidable, and Yang Qing is formidable too.

This round of scolding and beating left her and the eldest master with no temper left.

From now on, we really can't provoke this family; not a single one is easy to provoke.

Yang Qing's hidden depth is truly profound; before, he was just plain weak, almost unbearable to watch.

Looking at him today, he's incredibly formidable, not someone to provoke, not someone to provoke.

Since Yang Qing took a wife, it seems whoever provokes him ends up unlucky.

Hearing everyone's words, Yi Zhonghai's stifled heart also felt much better.

This money was well spent; not only did he gain fame, he also gave Dong Xu and his wife a hard push toward him.

To be honest, he's even started to feel a little grateful to Yang Qing.

He reflected a bit, and it seemed he and Yang Qing had no deep grudge; provoking them really wasn't appropriate.

Yang Qing smiled at him, the smile full of deep meaning.

Yi Zhonghai also nodded, indicating he understood Yang Qing's goodwill.

There are no eternal enemies, only eternal Benefit.

He wants money, Yi Zhonghai wants fame, and wants Jia Zhangshi to stay out; now it's a win-win.