Siheyuan's Silly Pillar has been replaced by someone else

The second aunt had tried to persuade him, but it was no use; he couldn't remember Liu Haizhong's words.

It was no use; she still had to try to persuade him. The braised meat was clearly Yan Bugui's; he ate and drank it at home, and then still asked them for money.

This is absolutely outrageous.

"We'll try to persuade your dad together tomorrow after he sobers up."

On his way back from Liu Haizhong's house, Yan Bugui passed by the central courtyard and saw that Yi Zhonghai's room was lit up, so he went inside.

Hearing Qin Huairu trying to persuade Yi Zhonghai again, he joined in the persuasion.

"Old Yi, Huai Ru is right. When doing business now, you have to greet people with a smile."

No matter their status, as long as they come to buy our products, we must serve them well.

By the way, in Xu Damao's words, the customer is God.

If you always have a sullen face and act like an elder, who will buy our products?

"Don't you know why our restaurant and steamed bun shop went out of business?"

Yi Zhonghai wasn't unaware of this principle; he simply refused to admit defeat. In his view, as an elder, personally serving those mischievous children was the greatest favor he could bestow.

Why should we expect him to greet us with a smile?

How could an elder try to please the younger generation?

If he actually tries to curry favor, that's called turning against the Heavenly Gang.

Hearing Yan Bugui's words, he became even more furious. According to Yan Bugui, the poor business of the restaurant and steamed bun shop was all his fault.

"What do you mean I don't know? If the restaurant and steamed bun shop aren't doing well, can you blame me?"
I told you, the filling for your steamed buns doesn't have enough oil, it doesn't taste good. Are you going to listen to me?

At first, Yi Zhonghai did have this concern, but Qin Huairu and Yan Bugui were reluctant to add more oil and meat, and he was alone and powerless to change the situation.

Yan Bugui had drunk some alcohol and was in a bad mood.

"Is that what I meant? Besides, Qin Huairu agreed at the time."

Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Qin Huairu quickly intervened to mediate, and with her persuasion, both of them calmed down.

In the end, Yan Bugui left, and Qin Huairu took off all her clothes to have a good talk with Yi Zhonghai before Yi Zhonghai finally relented.

He's too old to do anything reckless.

The next day, Xu Damao got up to wash up and heard his second aunt and her two sons surrounding Liu Haizhong, trying to persuade him.

"Second Aunt, what's wrong?"

When Auntie Er saw Xu Damao, she didn't try to hide anything and immediately pulled him aside, saying, "You've come at the right time. Help us explain things to him."

Yan Bugui had so much braised meat that he couldn't sell, so he delivered it to our house every day.

Our family can't finish it all.

He brought another five jin yesterday, ate and drank at our house, and even took the money for the braised meat.

You say that makes no sense.

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao couldn't help but laugh, and he laughed for a while before stopping.

"I'll say something you won't like to hear: this is treating you like fools."

He takes his meat, sells it to your family, and then wants to eat at your house.

There's no such logic in the world.

This is like Brother Zhu inviting me to his restaurant, him eating with me, and then making me pay the bill in the end.

Liu Guangtian said, "Who says otherwise? What's even more infuriating is that Third Uncle said he'd bring my family something nice today."

We're considered well-off now, right? We can eat anything, but we can't eat braised meat every day.

I was thinking of asking a friend to get some mutton for my parents.

We eat braised pork at home every day now, so if I get any, it'll just sit there unused.

Liu Haizhong actually regretted it and didn't want to eat braised meat every day.

There are so many good things out there, why eat braised meat every day? He's just too embarrassed to refuse.

"That's enough, everyone stop talking. I'll go talk to Lao Yi and Lao Yan and tell them not to send any more to our house."

Aunt Er and Liu Guangtian were finally relieved.

Xu Damao returned to the pool to brush his teeth and asked, "Will Grandpa Liu succeed?"

Liu Guangfu said, "It won't work if it doesn't succeed. No family can eat braised meat every day."

Xu Damao, however, felt that Liu Haizhong's mind was not up to the task. He didn't remind Liu Guangfu either.

He was only happy when Liu Haizhong started arguing with those two.

In the front yard, Yi Zhonghai and a few others were preparing to go to the braised meat shop.

"Old Yi, Old Yan, I have something to tell you. Please stop sending braised meat to our house from now on."

Yi Zhonghai and his three companions stared intently at Liu Haizhong, just like when they used to reprimand people in the courtyard during meetings.

They weren't giving these to Liu Haizhong out of kindness; they simply had unsold stock and wanted him to help them sell it.

If the people in the compound hadn't refused, they would have given them to every single household.

Qin Huairu spoke on behalf of the group: "Why? Is it because our braised meat isn't good? If it doesn't taste good, tell us and we'll change it today."

Facing the gazes of several people, Liu Haizhong felt a little intimidated.

He had originally wanted to refuse assertively, but now he no longer had the confidence to do so.

"No, it's just that you gave us too much, and we can't finish it all."

Yan Bugui said, "Old Liu, just say you look down on us, don't make up these excuses."

Last night, I drank with you, and we finished all the braised meat you had left.

I was just telling Lao Yi that I was worried your family wouldn't have enough to eat, so I'd save some extra for them today.

In his anxiety, Liu Haizhong forgot his fear and said, "You still dare to talk back. The braised meat is yours. You came to my house to eat and drink my food, and now you're asking me for money."

What do you take me for?

Yan Bugui was somewhat embarrassed and, fearing gossip, didn't dare to speak up in defense.

Actually, he didn't need to say anything himself. The braised meat business was between him and Yi Zhonghai.

If business is bad, Yi Zhonghai will also lose money.

Yi Zhonghai stepped forward and said, "Old Liu, what are you saying?"

We sell braised meat; that's how we make a living.

It's free to send it to you today, and it's free to send it to him tomorrow too.

How can we do business then?

If you give someone rebar as a gift and they treat you to a meal, would you tell them you don't need the money?

For Yi Zhonghai, the trick of shifting the focus was far too easy.

With just a few words, Liu Haizhong's meaning was changed, and he even turned around and questioned Liu Haizhong.

Liu Haizhong opened his mouth for a long time, but still couldn't figure out how to explain.

"That's different."

Yi Zhonghai said, "What's different? You told me last year that now that we've started reform and opening up, we need to change our mindset."

My business ideas all came from you. And you're trying to deny it?

"I didn't mean that..." Liu Haizhong was even more confused, wanting to say that he didn't mean it that way.

Yi Zhonghai rudely interrupted him: "You said you have too much food at home to eat, but you're reluctant to give it away."

Old Yan ate it for you, what more do you want?

Liu Haizhong said angrily, "Why should I give away my things?"

Yi Zhonghai said, "I didn't force you to give it away. Just tell me, did you finish all the braised meat left at home?"

"I ate it all up." Yan Bugui had eaten most of it yesterday, which had whetted his appetite, so he ate quite a bit as well.

The rest, Liu Guangtian and his brother used to fill their stomachs.

Yi Zhonghai said, "You've finished eating, so what are you still saying? You said you couldn't finish, but Old Yan finished it for you, and that solved the problem, didn't it?"

It's getting late. If you're still having trouble figuring things out, wait for Lao Yan and me to get back, and we'll have a good talk.

We've been friends for ages, would Lao Yan and I lie to you?

Don't listen to that scoundrel Xu Damao's attempts to sow discord.

They didn't give Liu Haizhong time to react before turning around and leaving.

We can't stay here, or things will get out of hand and too many people will find out.

Before leaving, Yi Zhonghai glared fiercely at them, warning them not to speak carelessly. (End of Chapter)