Chapter 54: Failed Blind Date

Because of Xu Damao, rumors about He Yuzhu began to spread wildly around the Qiu family's vicinity.

At the same time, Qin Huairu also began to show concern for Sha Zhu, frequently coming and going at his home, doing household chores for him.

Although Jia Dongxu's face was grim, he also tacitly accepted this behavior.

At the same time, Yi Zhonghai again sought He Yuzhu twice; although the effect was small, he couldn't bear Yi Zhonghai's words, which were nine parts true and one part false.

This made He Yuzhu much more cautious, so he asked someone to inquire about the Qiu family's situation.

Upon inquiring, it was said that Qiu Fengling had a passionate romance with a person from Bei Su when she was in college.

This made Sha Zhu feel even more uncertain.

Nowadays people take male-female relationships more seriously; Qiu Fengling's past made Sha Zhu feel a bit disappointed.

"Yu Shui, do you say Qiu Fengling had a relationship with a foreigner?"

He Yushui didn't understand these things, but instead asked.

"Why don't you go ask in person?"

He Yuzhu's face showed a difficult expression.

"This matter, it's not good to ask; if you ask, then how to deal with it?"

"Forget it, asking you is also pointless."

On the other side, the Qiu family also began to investigate Sha Zhu because of the rumors.

These days, Qin Huairu frequently coming and going at the He household naturally spread to the Qiu family.

This made the Qiu family's faces look very bad.

Another Sunday arrived.

Qiu Fengling and Sha Zhu strolled to Shichahai.

Both were not in high spirits, having been tossed about enough by the rumors.

"He Yuzhu, my family does not want me to marry you."

In the end, Qiu Fengling still spoke up.

He Yuzhu opened his mouth wanting to flare up, "You, a capitalist woman, still dare to bring up breaking up."

But thinking of what He Yushui had said to him when he went out.

"Brother, if Fengling Jie says she won't be with you, you must definitely find out the reason."

"Only by knowing what methods others used can you avoid repeating the same mistakes."

He felt that was right; some things are better clarified.

"Can I know why?"

Qiu Fengling looked toward Shichahai.

"Parting on good terms, no need to continue, right?"

He Yuzhu sighed.

"Hey, I, He Yuzhu, am not such a shameless person."

"Mainly, someone in our courtyard doesn't want me to marry and is deliberately causing trouble for me."

"I want to ask you the reason, not to cling to you shamelessly."

"But I want to know what methods they used."

"The enemy is in the dark, I am in the light; hidden arrows are the deadliest."

Qiu Fengling didn't expect Sha Zhu to say such words, as if he had already made mental preparations early on.

She thought it over, then related the situation her family had inquired about in full.

After hearing Qiu Fengling's words, Sha Zhu's face turned as black as a pot bottom.

Hearing what He Yushui said is one thing; personally experiencing it is another.

Looking at He Yuzhu's ferocious face, Qiu Fengling frightenedly retreated two steps.

Seeing this, He Yuzhu felt even more sorrowful.

"I can only tell you, I helped the Jia family because they had helped me."

"Jia sister-in-law freely coming and going at my home is also because I treat her as family."

Qiu Fengling couldn't help but ask.

"What about other places?"

He Yuzhu didn't know how to refute, because it was all true.

The eldest uncle helped me after my father ran away; I couldn't refuse to help him.

"The old lady is because I saw she was old and took care of him."

"Yi Da Ma also took care of the old lady."

"The eldest uncle often said to respect the elderly; I respect the elderly, I didn't feel anything wrong, and the old lady treats me quite well."

Actually, it's because he followed Yi Zhonghai's lead; he needed Yi Zhonghai as a backing, and without a backing, just look at Yang Qing's life to know.

But such talk cannot be spoken aloud; it's not an honorable matter.

Qiu Fengling felt it seemed they had misunderstood He Yuzhu, but by now the matter couldn't be clarified; rumors are like a knife.

She asked the question she cared about most.

"What about your violent tendency?"

He Yuzhu paused, then nodded.

"It's true, but I have never laid a hand on a woman."

"The objects of my violence are all bad people."

Qiu Fengling was a bit disappointed; violence, to a woman, is too frightening.

Especially those who are still making excuses for themselves.

You mean Xu Damao? And also that orphan from your courtyard?

Xu Damao's parents aren't around, and Yang Qing is an orphan.

Qiu Fengling shook her head and looked at He Yuzhu.

Sha Zhu, have you ever considered the harm this does to others?

This...

He had nothing to say in his defense.

Qiu Fengling disappointedly waved her hand at him.

Reaching out to the weak and begging the strong for mercy is a sign of weakness.

Sha Zhu, we have no chance anymore.

Goodbye.

Having said that, she left.

Qiu Fengling's words were like a sharp sword, deeply piercing Sha Zhu's heart.

He couldn't understand; he was merely reaching out to a capitalist's son, to a petty person like Xu Damao—what was wrong with that?

Why has it now become the reason a woman leaves him?

The dispirited Sha Zhu returned home.

Yi Zhonghai saw his state and felt delighted.

Qin Huairu also breathed a deep sigh of relief.

This week nearly wore her out.

When Xu Damao heard the news, he ran to the backyard to share it with Yang Qing.

Seeing Chen Hong again, Xu Damao's eyes nearly popped out.

Are you Chen Hong?

Chen Hong glanced at him, her face wearing a lecherous, piggish expression that she found disgusting.

Yeah, how could you not recognize me?

Xu Damao's eyes turned red.

No, it's just that your change is too great.

Yang Qing added a handful of firewood to the stove and said to Xu Damao.

Brother Damao, what brings you here?

Xu Damao happily told Yang Qing.

I'm telling you, Sha Zhu's matchmaking attempt failed.

Hahaha, how about that—are you happy?

He thought Yang Qing would be happy, and Yang Qing was indeed happy, but he couldn't show it.

Brother Damao, what's there to be happy about?

Xu Damao was unhappy.

Is there anything more satisfying than seeing the person who bullied you meet misfortune?

Yang Qing shook his head.

Brother Damao, you're not married either; Sha Zhu can't get married, which won't do our courtyard's reputation any good.

Nobody wants to stay in a courtyard with someone who can't find a wife.

That's pretty dangerous.

Xu Damao thought about it and realized it was indeed true.

Where there are old bachelors, there is gossip, which naturally affects the place's reputation.

Sha Zhu's reputation will be ruined, and consequently the reputation of the courtyard where he lives won't be great either.

Yang Qing added.

Brother Damao, for a man, not marrying means no burden—you can live carefree, it's no big deal. But marrying a shrewish wife is true torment.

Haven't you heard? A bad wife can ruin three generations.

Yang Qing's words opened a new world for Xu Damao.

Exactly, why would I ruin He Yuzhu's marriage? Not looking for a wife, Sha Zhu wouldn't lose anything—instead it would benefit Yi Zhonghai and the Jia family, those bastards.

And if we find him a shrewish wife to drag him down to death, that would be satisfying.

Thank you, brother—I understand now, elder brother.

You eat, I'm leaving first.

Hey, Brother Damao, eat before you go.

No, I still have something urgent to do—goodbye, Yang Qing, Chen Hong.