Siheyuan: Starting from the driver

Chapter 748 A Thief Causes Trouble Among Neighbors During a Wedding Banquet

get off work.

As Li Kailang pushed his bicycle through the gate, he bumped into Cui Yuan cleaning up furniture at the doorway.

Upon seeing him, Cui Yuan wiped his sweat and smiled, "Little Li, you're back just in time! Remember to come to the wedding on the 6th."

As he spoke, he took out a bright red invitation from his home and gave it to Li Kailang.

"So soon?" Li Kailang set up the bicycle frame, looking at the ink-written "August 6th" on the invitation with some surprise. "Shouldn't we wait until the results come out?"

A clear female voice came from under the eaves: "What are you waiting for, that damn thing!"

Liu An came out carrying a table, her eyebrows raised in a smug look. "I told you long ago that if I didn't pass the exam, would I just waste a month waiting? I might as well get married sooner rather than later. Besides, we've already got our marriage certificate."

Just a few days after Liu Angang finished his college entrance exam, both families started discussing and setting a date, which was set for more than half a month later.

That's plenty of time; both families have had ample time to prepare.

The two families have been personally visiting the people they wanted to invite over the past few days to talk to them, but they hadn't sent out invitations yet. Now they're finally sending them out.

The wedding arrangements for the two were all made, with two tables set up: one for close relatives and one for close friends.

Master Cui Yuan and Liu Huazhong were naturally invited, as were their two friends, Li Kailang and Bai Xiuwen.

As for the others, the three elderly men and other residents were not invited.

Back when they got their marriage certificate, Cui Yuan and Liu An had already distributed wedding candy to everyone to celebrate.

Right now, the Cui family is busy borrowing tables, chairs, and benches so they can hold the wedding banquet later.

“Okay, I’ll definitely participate then.” Li Kailang nodded.

"Okay!" the two replied happily.

When attending someone else's wedding banquet, one naturally wouldn't go empty-handed; one would bring some rice, flour, or other grains so as not to let the guests waste their food.

Both families prepared food several months in advance for the wedding.

Li Kailang watched the two figures hurrying away and couldn't help but feel happy for them.

"Get out of the way!"

Suddenly, Banggeng darted past from behind in a flurry of activity.

The bangers are all on summer vacation now. As for their final exam results, they are still not as good as Shiraichi's, but they have improved compared to before.

With Qin Huairu in charge, Bang Geng had no choice but to pay attention to his studies.

Banggeng ran home and saw Jia Zhangshi pasting matchboxes again.

Yesterday, Jia Zhangshi worked tirelessly and finally managed to paste 2 matchboxes. She was so tired that she could hardly stand up straight, and her fingers were almost stiff.

Seeing Qin Huairu take away all the wages that were rightfully hers, Jia Zhangshi felt utterly miserable.

That wasn't all; Qin Huairu also brought back 3000 documents, claiming that:

"If you finish this month's paste, there's always next month. Finishing it a day earlier means you can rest sooner. Don't always think about being lazy!"

Upon seeing Banggeng, Jia Zhangshi waved her hand and said, "Banggeng, you've come at the right time. Help Grandma tidy up, and Grandma will go cook."

"what?"

"What? You don't want to eat?"

"Oh." Banggeng reluctantly packed up the matchbox.

Banggeng's holiday was a good thing for Jia Zhangshi, as she finally had someone to help her paste matchboxes.

I was planning to have Banggeng help me with the matchboxes today, but I don't know when he ran off to play. It's better not to let Grandma and Grandson make matchboxes than to do it alone.

Banggeng isn't stupid. He works himself to death making matchboxes all day, earning only a penny or two. He'd rather go out and have fun.

Jia Zhangshi went back to her room to prepare a meal. She had to finish it before Qin Huairu returned, otherwise she would keep nagging and wouldn't listen.

As soon as the stalks were cleaned up, a fragrant aroma wafted over.

Following the clues, their eyes were fixed on Sha Zhu's house.

Seeing that no one was around in the courtyard, Banggeng quietly slipped to the window of Shazhu's house and saw smoke billowing from the stove, the aroma coming from there.

"Gulp!" He couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

"It smells so good." Banggeng could tell from the smell that it was stewed braised pork.

He immediately tried to sneak in, but saw Jin Huainu at home, mending clothes.

He would occasionally lift his head to look at the stove, and then glance at the doorway.

This is going to be difficult.

However, this was no challenge for Banggeng. He simply brought a stool from home, stepped on it, and climbed over into the kitchen.

"Hehe, this is no problem for me!" Banggeng said smugly, looking at the braised pork in the pot, which was not yet fully cooked.

But he couldn't wait; by the time the braised pork was ready, there wouldn't be any left for him.

He immediately grabbed a bowl, scooped in a large spoonful, put the lid back on, and planned to return the way he came.

"Pillar, you're back!"

Sha Zhu nodded, then asked knowingly, "Hmm, what's for dinner? It smells delicious!"

"Braised pork! How about it? We saved up our meat coupons for a whole month just for this one meal," Jin Huainu said proudly, trying to take credit.

"Braised pork? Great! That's my favorite." Sha Zhu laughed, then went to the kitchen to take a look, where he naturally saw the petty thief, Bang Geng.

"Bang Geng! What are you doing!"

"Mom!"

Banggeng immediately grabbed the bowl and climbed out the window.

"Bang Geng! Stop right there!"

"Silly Zhuzi! If you're so capable, then chase me! If you can't catch me, your braised pork is mine!" Banggeng ran ahead like a rocket.

Sha Zhu, furious, grabbed a spoon and chased after him: "You little brat! Trying to steal a bite again? This time, your grandpa will spank your bottom into four pieces!"

"Hehehe!" Bang Geng ran while making a smug face at him, seemingly unafraid that Sha Zhu would catch up.

The two of them caused a commotion in the yard.

Xu Damao happened to be pushing his bicycle home from get off work, with a small cloth bag hanging on the handlebars, looking like he had found something.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he witnessed this chaotic scene.

I found it especially funny to see Shaju looking both angry and helpless against the stick.

"Hey! Silly Zhu, you've got some free time on your hands, playing hide-and-seek with a kid this afternoon? No wonder they say a cook's skill lies in his hands, and chasing kids is also a form of leg training?"

"But I have to say, haven't your skills declined? You can't even keep up with a child."

Sha Zhu was already furious from being provoked by Bang Geng, and these words sent his anger soaring to the top of his head!

"You little brat! Who are you being sarcastic about? Have you been watching too many movies and made your tongue so sharp?"

"If you keep talking nonsense, do you believe I'll crack open your head and see what kind of wicked ideas are inside?"

Seeing that he was completely enraged, Xu Damao was not intimidated at all, but instead became even more emboldened, putting his hands on his hips and displaying a smug and self-satisfied expression:

"Oh, oh, oh! Getting angry? Did I hit a nerve? Sha Zhu! Don't try to act tough with me! I, Xu Damao, am a cultured man, I won't stoop to your level!"

"She can't even manage her own family affairs, and you're still meddling in hers. What, do you really treat her like your wife? You're really enjoying yourself."

"What a pity, he might not even have your rotten flesh in his heart. Who knows what his wife at home is thinking?" This sentence completely hit Sha Zhu in the gut.

"Fuck your grandpa Xu Damao!"

Sha Zhu hates it most when people talk about Qin Huairu, especially when they mention that his family has a daughter named Jin Huainu who looks like Qin Huairu.

She even bluntly stated that he shamelessly fawned over the Qin family.

Sha Zhu roared and swung his fist, ready to pounce.

Just as a fight was about to break out, Yi Zhonghai walked out from outside with a grim face and shouted sharply:
"What are you doing?! Stop it, all of you! Why are you so angry in this heat?! Don't you have any manners?"

"Da Mao! Shut your mouth! All you ever say is nonsense, nothing good!"

"Bang! If you dare steal again, I'll tell your teacher and have her give you more homework!"

The clever little rascal Banggeng had already slipped away like an eel through the gaps in the crowd the moment Yi Zhonghai called out his question, taking advantage of Sha Zhu's momentary daze, and darted back to his own home.

He was secretly pleased with himself, knowing he could treat himself to a delicious meal again tonight.

Sha Zhu was so angry that his chest heaved, glaring at Xu Damao but there was nothing he could do.

Xu Damao curled his lip and pushed the cart toward the backyard with a disdainful look.

Sha Zhu returned home in a huff, and Jin Huainu immediately stepped forward: "Zhu Zi, where's the braised pork?"

"I took it home with the stick!"

“Take it home? No way, that’s our meat for this month, I’ll go get it.”

Upon hearing this, Shazhu hesitated for a moment: "Forget it, we've already taken the stick, it won't make a difference."

Jin Huainu looked at Sha Zhu, but wasn't going to let him do whatever he wanted: "No way! This is our meat, you don't want to eat it but I do!"

Having said that, he ignored Sha Zhu's attempts to stop him and headed straight for the Jia family.

Banggeng was showing off his braised pork to Jia Zhangshi.

"Grandma, look! I swiped some braised pork from Sha Zhu!"

"Braised pork!" Jia Zhangshi's eyes lit up; she was also incredibly tempted. "Bang geng is so delicious!"

"Hehe!" Bang Geng was still grinning foolishly, completely unaware of Jin Huainu's figure behind him.

"Jin Huainu! What are you doing here!" Madam Jia noticed Jin Huainu and glared at him.

"Nothing happened! That's meat from my family!" Jin Huainu snatched the bowl from Banggeng's hand.

The piece of braised pork, glistening with oil and trembling slightly, wobbled a few times in the bowl before settling down.

Banggeng's smugness froze instantly, followed by a piercing howl: "My meat! Give me back my meat! Silly Zhu's wife is stealing my meat!"

How could Jia Zhangshi let such a "fat piece of meat" slip through her fingers, especially when it was snatched away right in front of her!

Ignoring her aching back, her plump body slammed into Jin Huainu like a cannonball: "You little slut! How dare you touch my grandson's things! You've gone too far!"

Jin Huainu was prepared; she was not one to swallow her pride. The moment Jia Zhangshi lunged at her, she nimbly dodged to the side.

"What do you mean, 'your grandson's stuff'? Open your old eyes and look! This is meat that my family saved up for a month to buy and stew! Your Jia family is blatantly robbing us! The old folks are shameless, leading the young ones to become robbers?"

These words struck a nerve with Jia Zhangshi.

She didn't bump into Jin Huainu, lost her balance, tripped on the threshold, cried out "Ouch!" and fell towards the outside.

The fall was solid! Jia Zhangshi's massive body slammed onto the muddy ground outside the threshold with a "thud," kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Ah—my feet! My back!" The pig-like screams instantly drowned out Banggeng's cries.

Jia Zhangshi clutched her right ankle, rolling on the ground and howling in pain, tears streaming down her face, her plump face contorted in agony.

"Grandma!" Banggeng was truly terrified. He ran over to help her but didn't dare to, and could only wail.

Jin Huainu, holding a meat bowl, frowned deeply as he looked at Jia Zhangshi, who was rolling and wailing on the ground.

She felt a little scared. Had the old woman broken something? She just wanted to get her things back; she didn't mean to actually hurt her.

The commotion was ten times louder than the commotion caused by Sha Zhu chasing the stick earlier. The entire courtyard was instantly alarmed.

"What happened? What's going on?" Yi Zhonghai, who was closest, was the first to come over.

A whole bunch of neighbors rushed out from the front and back yards to watch the spectacle.

When Sha Zhu heard the commotion, his heart skipped a beat, and he quickly ran back.

Seeing his wife standing at the door with a bowl, Jia Zhangshi lay on the ground wailing and howling, while Bang Geng cried his heart out beside her. Thinking back to when Jin Huainu went to find meat, he was completely exasperated.

Upon seeing Yi Zhonghai, Jia Zhangshi suddenly felt reassured: her wailing became even more pitiful.
"Ouch! Old Yi! It hurts so much! This little slut tried to steal my things and then pushed me! She's trying to kill me! She almost made this old woman die!"

Upon hearing this, Jin Huainu was furious: "You're slandering me! Who pushed you? You rushed at me to grab the meat and tripped on the threshold!"

"Everyone's watching! I'm here to get my own meat back! Banggeng stole it from our pot!"

"Take it? You're robbing me! Stealing my grandson's food! Look, everyone!" Seeing the large crowd, Jia Zhangshi started wailing and throwing a tantrum.

The neighbors were talking about it.

"Wow, that's quite a commotion!"

"Jia Zhangshi is too much of a troublemaker. She even has the audacity to steal things and thinks she's in the right?"

"That must have been a hard fall; you might have really broken a bone?"

Everyone knew what kind of person Jia Zhangshi was, so they didn't believe her at all. The braised pork smelled so good that everyone in the courtyard knew which family had cooked it.

Qin Huairu arrived late, and seeing the scene before her, she felt completely overwhelmed: "What...what's going on?"

Sha Zhu opened his mouth, feeling utterly speechless: "Sister Qin...no, it was Huai Nu who came to take our meat, but Aunt Jia..."

Sure enough, it was Jia Zhangshi causing trouble again. Qin Huairu was so angry that she rubbed her forehead in exasperation, and then immediately shouted at the bewildered Banggeng:
"Bang Geng! Look what you've done!"

Jia Zhangshi, protective of her son, said, "Qin Huairu, why are you yelling at my precious grandson! Banggeng didn't do anything wrong, why are you yelling at him! I'm hurt, and you won't even talk to me, but you still curse Banggeng! You're only good at bullying your own family!"

Qin Huairu then turned to Jia Zhangshi: "Mom! I think you're just bored and looking for trouble all the time. Starting next month, add another 3000! Let's see if you still have the mood to look for trouble!"

"Ah! No!" Madam Jia panicked immediately!

Yi Zhonghai glanced at Jia Zhangshi's swollen ankle: "Alright, stop arguing! Her ankle is probably sprained; it's very swollen. It's hard to say whether the bone is broken."

"We need to get her to the hospital right away! At her age, she can't afford a serious fall!"

"Ah?" Jia Zhangshi turned pale with fright. "No! I won't go to the hospital! They want to harm this old woman! Who knows what they'll do to me if I go to the hospital! I'd rather die at home than go!"

Qin Huairu said indifferently, "It's fine if I don't go. It's not like I'm the one who got into trouble. It would be better if I were crippled, so I wouldn't cause trouble later. It would be best if I were disabled, so I wouldn't have to go home anymore."

Upon hearing this, Madam Jia, imagining herself limping in the future, immediately couldn't sit still: "Go! Go to the hospital right away!"

"I don't have any money," Qin Huairu said, spreading her hands.

"I have money! I have money! Let's go to the hospital right now!"

As she spoke, Jia Zhangshi struggled to get up, but one leg was too weak to support her weight.

No one around her offered to help her, fearing they might be taken advantage of; Qin Huairu was too lazy to help her either.

"Alright, everyone, you can all go now." Qin Huairu waved her hand and said, then looked at Jin Huainu: "Little sister, I'm really sorry, that's just how my mother is, please don't take it to heart!"

"You brat! Apologize to your auntie now! I think you're asking for a beating. All you do all day is play, and now you're even stealing things. Let's see how I deal with you!"

Qin Huairu went home, grabbed a broom, and chased after the stick, beating it!
"Ahhh! Mom, I was wrong, I was wrong!"

In an instant, the yard was in chaos, with chickens flying and dogs barking.

(End of this chapter)