Chapter 9

Old Yi really lost face this time, big time.

Liu Hai Zhong secretly felt pleased.

He schemed against someone, got called out on the spot; if Yang Qing takes this to the Jiedao office, Yi Zhonghai is sure to get a good scolding.

Everyone knows Yi Zhonghai's purpose, but no one mentions it.

They still have to get by; if they offend Yi Zhonghai, the steel plant will give them endless petty troubles.

The Jia family also stayed quiet; they all knew Yi Zhonghai had lost face badly, and one misstep could bring trouble upon them.

Jia Dongxu returned home with a worried face.

Mom, it looks like we won't get the Yang family's house; Chen Hong is too formidable, even my master can't handle her.

That dog-like Yang Qing has perked up since Chen Hong arrived.

I think we should target the deaf old lady; she's so old she hasn't got many years left.

Jia Zhangshi also wiped the arrogant look off her face.

Chen Hong, that little slut, is indeed not easy to deal with.

Her status as a martyr's family is crucial—we workers can't touch her; this needs careful planning, no rash action.

As for Old Lady Long, she's no pushover either—she was placed here by the Military Control Office and rumored to have an unusual background; otherwise Yi Zhonghai wouldn't be courting her.

The easiest target is actually He Yushui's house.

Daughters always have to marry; by then Huairu can use some tricks, with your master helping, it shouldn't be difficult.

Qin Huairu then said.

Sha Zhu will surely marry someday; once he has a wife, he won't be so easy to fool.

Jia Zhangshi gave a cold smile.

Marriage—did you ask me? Did you ask Yi Zhonghai?

If I don't want him to marry, he won't be able to.

She said this and glanced at Qin Huairu.

Jia Dongxu didn't notice his mother's oddness; he was still applauding her fierceness.

Only Qin Huairu noticed Jia Zhangshi's glance, and her heart sank.

After returning home, Yi Zhonghai was still fuming, his whole body trembling.

We can't just let it slide; we have to deal with him.

Yi Da Ma advised from the side.

Things aren't like before—Yang Qing used to have a poor background and no backing, but now his wife is formidable; your scheming can't be spotted by ordinary folks, he saw through it instantly.

We don't need to tangle with Yang Qing; wanting a house is pointless—it's the Jia family that's short on housing.

This time you spoke up and endured such humiliation—it also gives Dongxu an answer.

I think this is the best we can do for now; if we really help Jia Dongxu get a house, would that actually be good?

Will he still be able to rely on you later?

Once this person is satisfied, he'll get swollen-headed; then who'll remember you?

Don't let the dog eat too much; overfed, he's useless.

After hearing Yi Da Ma's words, Yi Zhonghai's anger faded; he climbed onto the kang and settled down.

What you said is also right; we don't need to—it's just that Chen Hong is too aggravating.

Yi Da Ma tossed him a small blanket to cover his legs and went on.

You've been scheming against them to death; the fact they didn't fight you to the death is already good, yet you're still angry.

For this person, doing more is no match for having money; we have money and a house, so we won't lack support in our old age.

As long as he stays here, plus your master's status, Jia Dongxu can't get away.

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This meeting made most people realize that Yang Qing is no longer the same.

Before, the fatherless child had no one who loved him; now he has a wife, and the key is that this wife is not easy to provoke.

They constantly invoke their martyr family status, making things impossible to deal with.

Over the next few days, the courtyard grew much quieter.

Yang Qing and Chen Hong also spent a few days peacefully pasting matchboxes.

As food became plentiful, both of their complexions improved.

Midway, Grandma Wang came by twice; seeing no issues, she relaxed.

Aunt Wang didn't mention the household registration transfer, and Yang Qing didn't ask about it.

However, from Aunt Wang Yang Qing learned that the central authorities have already kicked off a reflection wave, beginning to discuss past mistakes.

They believe correction will come soon.

If his memory serves, a rural regulation will be issued in March; in September the steel boom will end, and at the same time they'll start streamlining steel industry workers, bringing a wave of layoffs.

Jia Dongxu likely was just after the workforce was streamlined, when his workload suddenly spiked, and due to carelessness he ended up taking a boxed meal.

Wife, the matchbox quota allotted to us is also limited; we need to think of other ways.

Also our house needs tidying up; before we were dirt poor, no one eyed us; later, when our lives improve, we fear being targeted by thieves.

For such petty theft, police won't put much effort; most victims just consider themselves unlucky.

So we need to repair this house thoroughly, as a precaution.

All this needs money.

These days the couple have almost used up this month's matchbox quota.

It's also time to look for other ways.

Chen Hong put the prepared matchbox aside, placed her frozen hands into the quilt, and said.

"You said, what are some ways to make money?"

Yang Qing took out the bait he had made from compressed biscuits and sweet potato bricks over this period, and said.

"Look, this is excellent fish bait."

"Let's go fishing."

Chen Hong gave him a disappointed look.

"Now the lake and river surfaces are all filled with fishing holes; any fish have long been caught."

"Besides, I heard they dragged nets last year; where could there be any fish left now?"

"In these famine years, anything edible has already been scavenged."

"Zheng Yi, however, had everything under control."

"Hey, this water is still alive; there are few who drag nets upstream."

"By now, we've managed to make up a bit."

"Moreover, fishing also has its tricks; let's give it a try—if we catch a fish, our lives could improve a lot."

"The agricultural market buys at seven mao per jin, while the pigeon market can sell for one and a half to two."

"The gap is that big—even pork has risen to two or three."

Chen Hong hesitated and said.

"Then let's give it a try?"

"Let's give it a try."

The two of them walked westward all the way and arrived at Shichahai.

The weather was freezing, with thick snow piled up, and there weren't many people.

Yang Qing felt they had come to the right place—few people, fish would come up to the surface to feed and breathe; where the snow was thick, other areas were darker under the snow, but after they cleared a patch of ice, light would filter through, and the fish would be drawn to the light.

The two of them panted as they piled up a windbreak, then began chopping ice.

Perhaps it was already the first lunar month; the ice wasn't as thick as imagined, and the couple soon finished chopping through.

They baited the hole, dropped the bait, and leaned against each other, waiting for the fish to bite.

Maybe it was good luck, or maybe they had truly come at the right time; a few minutes later, a fish took the hook.

Seeing this, Chen Hong was so excited she almost jumped up.

Yang Qing quickly reached out to stop her, whispering.

"Quiet, quiet—don't scare the fish away, and don't draw people over."

"Make a fortune secretly."

Chen Hong heard this, gave a hehe smile, deftly took off the hook, and threw the fish into the snow pile.

"Keep going, keep going."