Chapter 349: Yi Zhonghai

Leaving was a decision he had never hesitated over.

This has nothing to do with personal wishes; it's the prevailing trend.

Yang Qing could understand; if he were in that position, he might have acted even more recklessly.

Under the pressure of the two titans, a slight mistake could mean eternal doom.

In peaceful times, you can speak freely without backache, criticizing this and that.

But under special historical conditions, you're nothing more than a vulgar commoner, possibly even worse than an ordinary person.

Let's not compare ourselves with a top strategist recognized worldwide.

There may have been faults, but certainly the merits outweigh them.

In this world, where is there a perfect solution, and where is there a perfect person?

Yang Qing knew he was merely an insignificant individual.

All he could do was strive to live, not causing trouble for everyone.

After Yang Qing returned, people came to visit him one after another.

The laughter and joy in Yang Qing's home made Yi Zhonghai feel very uncomfortable.

In the dead of winter, someone splashed water at his doorstep.

He had fallen several times already.

For this reason, Yi Da Ma moved to live with the deaf old lady.

During the New Year, the cabbage in his cellar was ruined by someone—gnawed to bits and scattered all over the ground.

Yi Zhonghai had difficulty speaking.

He knew it was retaliation; Sha Zhu handed him vegetables with shaking hands he couldn't bear to look at, and the buns he gave were all dead dough balls.

The meat dishes had no meat, the vegetable dishes had no vegetables; as a proud eighth-level worker, he could only have dead dough balls in pickle soup.

In the factory, rumors of his love-hate entanglement with Jia Zhangshi flared up again.

He knew it was Xu Damao, because he didn't even try to hide it.

Retaliation, naked retaliation.

During the New Year, everywhere was filled with laughter and joy, except he was all alone.

Even the brat Bang Geng wouldn't get close to him, and every day Qin Huairu would point a stick at him, watching him study.

People were almost becoming foolish, turning into bookish idiots.

Upon seeing him, no one knew whether to greet him.

His heart felt chilly and bleak.

He seemed to see his own desolate twilight years.

At night, as he slept, he was repeatedly jolted awake by nightmares.

Standing in the Zhengyuan, Yi Zhonghai gazed toward the backyard, his figure solitary.

Yan Jiecheng carried a fish, which his father had asked him to bring to Yang Qing.

As he passed Yi Zhonghai, he spat fiercely.

Then he harshly cursed.

"Old childless."

His voice rang out, as if he feared others couldn't hear.

Yi Zhonghai trembled all over, his fists clenched tightly.

"Yan Jiecheng, do you still know how to respect your elders?"

Yan Jiecheng snorted and walked off without turning his head.

"Heh, my respect goes only to people, not to beasts."

Yi Zhonghai trembled with anger, pointing his finger at Yan Jiecheng.

"You you you……"

He Yuzhu happened to come out just then, his arm still in a sling, winter bone healing slowly.

Seeing Yi Zhonghai's state, he felt delighted in his heart.

Upon seeing Sha Zhu, Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but say.

"Zhuzi, Yan Jiecheng insulted me."

He Yuzhu gasped, then walked toward the backyard.

It seemed his earlier words were like a fart.

Yi Zhonghai nearly lost his breath, staggered a step, and almost fell.

He stumbled back home, gazed at the empty room, and flung himself onto the kang, bursting into tears.

Whether he regretted scheming against others, which left him isolated, no one knows.

But from his stifled sobs, one can hear that he is now heartbroken.

Ow ow ow………

Heaven, how unfair—why can't I have a child?

If I had a child, who would dare bully me?

Woo woo wow………

The blankets were soaked through; Yi Zhonghai hadn't eaten dinner, lying on the kang, staring straight at the ceiling.

He lay there for a day and two nights; Yi Da Ma sensed something odd and finally went home to glance at him.

She found him lying on the kang like a corpse.

It frightened her.

After all, he's someone who has lived half a life, after all, he has feelings.

"Old Yi, Old Yi."

Yi Da Ma reached out and touched it, scalding hot.

Yi Zhonghai stared blankly at the ceiling, as if he felt nothing at all.

Yi Da Ma hurriedly went to the deaf old lady's place, briefly explaining the situation.

Then she returned home, lit the kang for Yi Zhonghai, covered him with the blanket, and gave him his medicine.

She also cooked a pot of meat congee for him, feeding him spoonful by spoonful.

Yi Zhonghai gradually reacted, tears pouring down.

Wuu wuu wuu…

He suppressed his sobs.

Everyone has their own hardships, even if he isn't a good person.

Yi Da Ma embraced Yi Zhonghai, patting him with her hand, tears flowing despite herself.

The deaf old lady eventually came, even though, given her connection to He Yuzhu, she shouldn't have.

But they had worked together before, and Yi Zhonghai had treated her decently in the past.

Both emotionally and logically, she had to come.

After entering the room and seeing the couple's condition, she asked about the situation.

Has Zhonghai's fever subsided? If not, we should go to the hospital.

Yi Da Ma wiped away a tear and sensed.

A bit better.

The deaf old lady nodded.

Then that's good; take good care of him at home.

Ah, karma cycles; this tribulation might not be a bad thing.

Having said that, the old lady left.

Yi Da Ma also fell into thought.

Yi Zhonghai's tragic ordeal eventually stirred some commotion in the courtyard.

After managing things for so many years, the eldest elder still had some sentimental ties.

Gradually, people also went to see him.

After crying, Yi Zhonghai fell asleep.

But even asleep he had nightmares, not knowing what tragedy he dreamed of, and would occasionally cry in his sleep.

Looking at Yi Zhonghai's state, one couldn't help but feel compassion.

Yang Qing, upon learning the situation, also went over to take a look.

Yi Zhonghai looked miserable and unkempt, having grown much thinner.

The once righteous-looking Yi Zhonghai is gone; all that remains is a pitiful old fool.

Yi Zhonghai slept straight through a day and night.

The first thing he said upon waking was:

"Xiu'er, let's go adopt a child."

Yi Da Ma fell silent for a long time upon hearing that.

She had already prepared to part ways with Yi Zhonghai, but now Yi Zhonghai presented her with a condition she couldn't refuse.

A child—this is something she had always dreamed of.

She often went to show Yang Qing the children; seeing the three adorable kids, she couldn't help but want to tear up.

Just thinking of the locust blossoms made her heartbroken again.

After all, they belong to someone else, even though she raised them from infancy.

But the children know what they want; if they say they don't want to be close, they won't be.

Her experience left her longing desperately for a child of her own.

But she couldn't raise one, nor could she afford to.

Even helping others with their children during the day left her feeling strained.

If she had to care for them around the clock, she wouldn't even be confident in herself.

Moreover, as a single person, she couldn't afford to raise a child.

Now Yi Zhonghai has thrown her a bait.

Even if she knows the bait might be poisonous, she can't refuse it.

This is her lifelong obsession.

Even if it might cost her her life.

Yi Da Ma finally nodded.

"Good."