Chapter 59: Estrangement

Afterward, Wang Meipo and Sha Zhu discussed the details.

Wang Meipo gave a special reminder.

"This matter, you must keep it secret; you also must not meet at your courtyard."

"Also, the meeting must not be on Sunday; take leave yourself, and while others are at work, you two should meet somewhere."

"Finally, after you go to her house, settle the matter as soon as possible."

"It's best to get the certificate directly."

"So for the introduction letter, figure it out yourself and arrange it secretly."

"Don't let anyone know."

Wang Meipo's few sentences cut straight to the core; she is truly a person of broad experience, knowing how to proceed, with a high success rate.

He Yuzhu, upon Wang Meipo's reminder, grasped many of its implications.

"Aunt Wang, rest assured, once this matter succeeds, I will prepare another dowry for you."

Leaving Wang Meipo's house, Sha Zhu swept away the gloom that had clouded his mind these days.

His mood improved a lot.

Arriving at the Siheyuan, he saw the gatekeeper San Da Ye and greeted him.

"San Da Ye, over there."

San Da Ye wore a bewildered expression, wondering what was going on and what happy event Sha Zhu had encountered.

Although he had his guesses, he wouldn't spread them around; if he really blabbed this much, he might end up offending Sha Zhu to death.

In this courtyard, aside from the three elders, Sha Zhu held the most power; after all, he controlled the food supplies.

Offending even a single person would be foolish.

(San Da Ye rarely gossips throughout the whole story.)

"Sha Zhu, why didn't you bring a lunchbox today?"

Oops, Sha Zhu slapped his forehead; he had left the lunchbox at Wang Meipo's house in his haste.

But he wouldn't tell the truth.

"Oops, I met a friend on the road who hadn't eaten for several days, so I gave it to him. San Da Ye, if you hadn't reminded me, I wouldn't have remembered that I didn't bring my lunchbox back."

He sighed afterward.

"Never mind, let's talk about it tomorrow."

"These days are hard for everyone."

Sha Zhu wasn't even afraid of Qin Huairu or Yi Zhonghai's suspicion; these days he hardly brought a lunchbox, and even when he did, it was for He Yushui.

Everyone knew his mood had been bad lately, so they didn't fuss over this matter.

He restrained his emotions, returned to his usual demeanor, and with a heavy heart, walked toward home.

Yi Zhonghai saw from the window that He Yuzhu hadn't brought a lunch, and couldn't help stepping out of his house to stop him.

"Zhuzi, why aren't you bringing a boxed meal?"

He Yuzhu, suppressing his anger, replied coldly.

"What would I need a boxed meal for?"

"Even if I have a boxed meal, I still couldn't marry a wife."

"Elder, why don't you go out and investigate? Rumors everywhere claim I'm taking food from the factory to tempt my brother's sister‑in‑law."

"Am I not disgraceful enough?"

"If you want to bring it, then bring it."

"When serving the dishes, you can buy an extra portion."

"You aren't afraid of these idle gossip, are you?"

Yi Zhonghai hadn't expected the result to be like this.

This wasn't the outcome he wanted.

Without Sha Zhu's food, his disciple Jia Dongxu had started drinking his blood these days.

And that was all his retirement money.

He understood perfectly: having money is better than not; with money, someone will support your old age, without it you're just a miserable old man no one knows.

Now Jia Dongxu was siphoning his pension, and he couldn't endure it.

"Zhuzi, a person shouldn't only think of themselves; you must…"

Yi Zhonghai tried to keep coaxing Sha Zhu, but Sha Zhu cut him off directly.

"Elder, I just stopped bringing a lunchbox, that's all; I can't keep that big hat of yours."

"Now I just want to live properly and restore my reputation."

"Otherwise, how could I live up to our old He Family?"

"Sorry, Elder, I truly can't stand it any longer."

"Idle gossip about me is everywhere."

"I just want to live for myself now; I don't want to deal with anything else, nor can I."

After saying that, Sha Zhu left, leaving Yi Zhonghai bewildered.

Is this a slip‑up?

Or is Sha Zhu just too agitated?

Watching He Yuzhu return home, Yi Zhonghai frowned and went back to his own house.

When Yi Da Ma saw his expression, she knew things were not going smoothly.

She, while polishing the shoe sole, asked.

What's wrong, Zhuzi isn't bringing leftover vegetables and rice to the Jia Family anymore?

Yi Zhonghai plopped down on the kang, speaking in a somewhat decadent tone.

This time Sha Zhu might have been provoked too severely.

He doesn't want to manage anything anymore.

It's all Xu Damao's fault; he's the one spreading rumors everywhere.

Now it's great, our courtyard has become famous: previously Jia Zhangshi seized things by force, and now Sha Zhu's reputation spreads outside.

Yi Da Ma lowered head and said.

Let's just do it as I said.

On one side let Jia Dongxu strive to raise his level, on the other side let the Jia Family take some paper-box work, so they can strive to live better.

Not like now, scheming this, scheming that.

As a result, Jia Zhangshi went in, and Zhuzi also became annoyed with you all.

Yi Zhonghai said impatiently.

What do you and those womenfolk know?

Just as you said, the Jia Family can now support themselves, no need to beg us; why should they provide for our old age?

Dong Xu's worker rank cannot be promoted, and moreover the Jia Family cannot let them find other ways out.

We can't rely solely on a little master-disciple affection to maintain this relationship.

After all, Yi Zhonghai doesn't want things to slip out of his control.

That's why he went to such trouble, scheming.

Jia Family.

Qin Huairu saw Sha Zhu again not bringing a lunch box, her face full of disappointment.

Dong Xu, continuing like this isn't a solution; otherwise go look for your master again.

Over these past days, they can barely afford the steamed corn buns.

Several times they came to the door, but Sha Zhu blocked them outside.

The matter really exceeded their expectations.

Ah, it's all because of those rumors.

Now even I dare not go out.

A big wave of sewage splashed not only on He Yuzhu, but Qin Huairu also became a victim of the rumors.

Thinking of the brother's wife, who is being thought of? Isn't it her, Qin Huairu?

Jia Dongxu's sighs continued without cease.

One shouldn't do it like this.

Using his own wife to exchange for grain also dealt him a big blow.

Now everyone knows he's a green-haired turtle.

He has no face to show.

Let's leave things as they are for now; after the rumors disappear, we'll talk about other matters.

Qin Huairu also agreed with Jia Dongxu's method.

She also didn't dare to disagree; now Jia Dongxu's gaze at her is icy cold.

This incident also dealt a big blow to Jia Dongxu.

It made him a bit sensitive inside.

Even Bang Geng and Xiao Dang understand that their father's current state is not right.

It's still better to avoid provoking.

Doing homework, doing homework, I am a diligent little bee.

Xiao Dang, at this time also took Bang Geng's old books to flip through.

He also occasionally asks a few questions.

They are striving to present an image of a virtuous father and filial son.

They are very afraid of making their father unhappy.