Chapter 24: Gu Ning

After both parties signed the IOU, Yang Qing took out the letter of understanding.

Yi Zhonghai asked doubtfully, "You've already prepared it?"

Yang Qing nodded.

Since we see each other all the time, we never thought of cutting ties.

Qin Huairu rolled her eyes, "You must have been waiting for us to give you money all along."

However, this matter cannot be pointed out.

After everyone left, Chen Hong looked at Yang Qing and admired him even more.

How did you think to help Yi Zhonghai?

Yang Qing said softly.

When he said he would donate to us, I took the opportunity to help him out; compensation is like cutting into someone's flesh, that's hatred. Although donations are also painful, they are about feelings, and feelings require reciprocity—when there is give and take, hatred lessens.

So I naturally helped him, he accepted the favor, and this grudge is settled.

I've heard people say, the martial world isn't just fighting and killing, it's about human relations and worldly wisdom.

Although our relationship with the people of the big courtyard isn't good, there's no need to kill them.

After all, we are going to live here.

Chen Hong nodded and gave him a thumbs up.

You handled this very well.

When it's time to be accommodating, we must be accommodating.

Yang Qing laughed.

To be honest, just now I was still afraid you'd act rashly and fall into their scheme.

Chen Hong's face turned ugly as she recalled what just happened.

To be honest, I was furious just now; you said they were begging us, yet they dared to scheme against us, as if we had no temper.

Yang Qing shoved the money and the IOU into Chen Hong's hands.

Maybe they did it on purpose.

Chen Hong looked over doubtfully.

Yang Qing explained, "Actually, they could have gone further and just said our money wasn't lost, that we found it."

That way, the amount Jia Zhangshi stole would be relatively small, not warranting a prison sentence—just a labor reform would suffice.

But they didn't do that; instead, they provoked us.

Think about it—could there be other schemes involved?

Chen Hong froze.

You mean they never thought of letting Jia Zhangshi come out?

Yang Qing nodded.

I just realized this too—the commotion caused by Jia Zhangshi would be too big; if she came out, our courtyard's reputation would be ruined.

If Yi Zhonghai handles it poorly, it will provoke public anger.

Now, sacrificing Jia Zhangshi brings happiness to the whole courtyard; all problems are solved.

What about Qin Huairu?

Yang Qing thought for a moment.

It must be because of Bang Geng—'a woman is weak, but becomes strong as a mother.'

Chen Hong tapped her head.

It's too complicated.

Yang Qing patted her.

Then we don't need to think about it.

Let's keep beating the quilt; we might have another tough battle tonight.

Chen Hong looked over.

What do you mean?

Yang Qing reminded her.

You forgot what happened this morning?

Chen Hong: "You mean the Sun family people will come over?"

Yang Qing nodded.

Quite possible.

Chen Hong said through gritted teeth.

It really is one wave after another.

Not mentioning the matter of Yang Qing and his wife airing the quilt.

The people in the siheyuan, after returning, also reviewed the events.

Er Dama found San Da Ma.

Today I've broadened my horizons—the old Jia family's daughter-in-law is not simple.

San Da Ma nodded in agreement.

If it weren't for Yang Qing's skill, we might really have been schemed against by them.

Er Dama leaned in and whispered.

What do you mean by what Yang Qing said?

San Da Ma: "Which line?"

San Da Ma spoke impatiently: "Just that sentence about whether the Jia Family has money or not."

San Da Ma glared at her: "You mean, the Jia Family has a ghost?"

"This isn't obvious?" Er Dama said matter-of-factly.

"You mean, the Jia Family has money?"

Er Dama nodded.

You calculate, Old Jia's compensation, Yi Zhonghai's support, Sha Zhu's lunchbox………

San Da Ma slapped her head: "If you don't think about it, you don't know; but once you think about it, the Jia Family really does have money!"

Afterwards she spoke angrily: "After this calculation, our family has become the poorest in the courtyard."

Er Dama waved her hand.

"That's not right; your family to the west, the Li Family, none of the three have jobs, Old Li is still sick in bed, the daughter-in-law relies on odd jobs, takes care of the home, the child needs money for school—that's real poverty."

San Da Ma nodded.

"Yeah, yeah, our life is so hard, I occasionally give them one or two steamed buns."

"I've advised Gu Ning to remarry; she didn't, but if she remarried, her life would be much better."

Er Dama expressed disagreement: "If Gu Ning remarries, what about her father-in-law? What about her daughter?"

"They wouldn't let her bring along a sickly weakling and a money-losing burden, would they?"

"How would the remaining two survive?"

San Da Ma sighed.

"Ah, they're all unfortunate people; just seeing that family swollen with edema makes me feel uneasy inside."

Er Dama also sighed.

"What can we do? On the black market, a jin of carrots is 7 yuan; we can't afford it, let alone their family."

"We can only endure; getting through it will be fine."

"Many people have died from edema; being alive means there's hope."

The Gu Ning they were talking about is now at home pasting matchboxes; regarding courtyard affairs, she doesn't want to get involved, she only can keep working nonstop to keep her family from starving.

Yesterday, she fished all night and caught seven fish.

She kept one for her father-in-law and child to improve their livelihood, sold the rest for twenty, and bought some sweet potatoes, potatoes, and cabbage stalks.

Coarse grains are unaffordable for her family; these are improvements to their livelihood.

Life's hardships have forged her resilient character, but Yang Qing's changes keep tempting her.

In her heart, a voice keeps telling her.

"Gu Ning, find a man to marry; look at Yang Qing, he's worse off than you, yet after marriage his life improved."

"Moreover, it's visibly apparent that life will keep getting better."

"Find a man………"

"Find a man…………"

Gu Ning, disturbed by this voice, grows increasingly irritated and anxious, and even while pasting paper boxes she keeps making mistakes.

The father-in-law helping her nearby also saw that her mind was in turmoil.

"Ning, if you're tired, just rest."

Gu Ning took a deep breath.

"It's fine, Dad, I just spaced out a bit."

Old Li also heard about Yang Qing's changes and said with a bit of regret.

"Before, I didn't see that Yang Qing could amount to anything; otherwise I would have let you marry him back then."

"Everyone lives in the same courtyard; you don't need to worry."

"Ah, otherwise, just listen to me, find a man to marry; I can still support this family for two more years."

"If it really doesn't work, send Sweetie to the welfare institute; once your life improves, bring her back."

Gu Ning, already vexed and agitated, finally couldn't hold back after the old father-in-law muttered, and she spoke angrily.

"Alright, don't say more; I'm leaving—what will you do?"

"What about Sweetie?"

"I'm not exactly a young maiden, and I'm not good-looking; who would want me?"

"If I don't leave, our family remains a family; if I go, it'll be family destroyed and people lost."

"Don't say more of that."

"At home you can still help me; marrying off means becoming someone else's ox and horse."

"Maybe it's even worse than now."