Siheyuan's Silly Pillar has been replaced by someone else

The two widows tacitly shifted the blame onto Yi Zhonghai.

The only way to get Yi Zhonghai to agree is to persuade him gradually.

This task was assigned to Xiaohua.

The next morning, Xiao Huaihua delivered breakfast to Yi Zhonghai on time.

After Yi Zhonghai finished eating, he came over right on time to clear the table.

"Dad, I'm done eating."

"Mmm, this feels so good. This is how life should be lived," Yi Zhonghai said contentedly.

Since Xiao Huaihua took over taking care of him, Yi Zhonghai has finally been able to enjoy the taste of retirement.

He was so happy that he didn't want Qin Huairu to come and take care of him anymore.

Xiao Huaihua smiled and said, "Dad Yi, Chen Kai is off work tomorrow. I'll have him take you to the public bathhouse for a good soak."

What do you think?

Yi Zhonghai nodded in satisfaction.

A few days ago, Huaihua brought Chen Kai to the courtyard house.

Following Xiao Huaihua's instructions, Chen Kai fawned over Yi Zhonghai.

Chen Kai responded to Yi Zhonghai's theories with an air of elation, making Yi Zhonghai extremely happy.

You know, he had said these things to Banggeng for decades, but Banggeng never took them to heart.

Yi Zhonghai had been holding back for a long time and desperately wanted someone to understand his good intentions.

Chen Kai is a dutiful son in his eyes because he listens to what he says.

"Okay, I'll call Lao Liu and Lao Yan, and the three of us brothers will go together."

Xiao Huaihua felt sorry for Chen Kai, but didn't want to refuse, so she said, "Yi Dad, there are too many of you, Chen Kai can't take care of everyone by himself."

"It would be troublesome if someone slipped and fell in the bathhouse."

Yi Zhonghai thought about it and realized he was right. The three brothers were going to live out their old age together, and none of them could be missing.

“You’re right. Okay, I’ll tell Lao Liu to have Guangtian and Guangfu go with them.”

With the Liu brothers by her side, it wouldn't cost too much money or be too tiring, so Xiao Huaihua was naturally happy.

After Xiao Huaihua packed her things and left, Yi Zhonghai went to find Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui to discuss the matter.

Qin Huai pulled Xiao Huaihua into the house: "How is it?"

Xiao Huaihua said, "Yi's dad seems to be in a good mood. Mom, if you have something to say to him, you should take the initiative to speak up."

Qin Huairu simply said "I understand" and then ignored Xiao Huaihua.

Xiao Huaihua could make Yi Zhonghai happy, but she couldn't bring herself to talk about Banggeng; that was something only Qin Huairu could say.

Yi Zhonghai went to the front yard and sat down at the chess table.

"You guys started playing chess so early."

Yan Bugui laughed and said, "Isn't this just because Old Liu has nothing better to do?"

Yi Zhonghai turned to Liu Haizhong and asked, "How's your business?"

Liu Haizhong shook his head. The situation is different now than before; relying solely on rebar isn't as profitable anymore.

Furthermore, Liu Haizhong is getting old and no longer has the energy to run a business.

"I've sent Guangtian and Guangfu to find a way. Are you two still going to the fried chicken shop later?"

Yi Zhonghai had long since given up on going, but Yan Bugui was unwilling to give up.

"go."

Liu Haizhong said, "I'm not saying this to be rude, but you guys running that fried chicken shop don't have many customers. How much money can you make in a day?"

Is it worth it for such a small amount of money?

Yan Bugui said, "Of course it's worth it. Even a small mosquito is still meat."

We can't compare to you; you're a big boss.

Yi Zhonghai didn't want to talk about this sad thing, so he said, "Tomorrow, Huaihua's boyfriend wants to take me to take a bath. Why don't you go together?"

"We'll have Guangtian and Guangfu accompany you and take care of the two of you."

Liu Haizhong readily agreed.

Yan Bugui hesitated for a moment, but then agreed. Even if he wanted to save money, he still needed to take a bath.

If you don't go with them, you'll have to go by yourself. Then you won't even be able to find someone to give you a back massage.

As the three were chatting, they saw Ma Hua and his wife carrying bags and leaving the house.

Yan Bugui then asked, "Aren't you going to work?"

Yan Bugui's habit of blocking the door hasn't changed over the years. Ma Hua couldn't completely ignore him, so he said, "We're going to see my parents."

Yan Bugui paused for a moment and said, "That's not right. You don't only visit your parents on weekends."

Today is Friday, why is it a day early?

This is what makes Yan Bugui so detestable.

He will remember everyone's habits and use those habits to monitor you.

Ma Hua said impatiently, "Can't I see my parents a day earlier?"

He's taking the train to Shanghai early tomorrow morning and will stay there until the end of the year. Before leaving, Ma Hua and his wife thought they should visit their elderly parents.

Meng Na pulled Ma Hua out the door.

Yi Zhonghai said angrily, "Like master, like apprentice."

Sha Zhu is unfilial, and the apprentices he taught are also unfilial.

Liu Haizhong advised, "Alright, there's no need to get angry about this."

Liu Haizhong is living a pretty good life now. His son is filial and stays by his side every day.

His mindset improved considerably.

On the contrary, Yi Zhonghai had a lifetime of misfortune, found fault with everything, and was easily angered.

The three chatted for a while longer before Xu Damao came out from the backyard.

"Uncle Liu, are you playing chess?"

Liu Haizhong smiled when he saw Xu Damao.

"Da Mao, going to the construction site again? How's that thing I told you about the day before yesterday?"

"Could you help me with some work?"

Xu Damao said with a smile, "It's not that I don't want to agree. My construction site is almost finished, and there's not much work left."

I've been thinking about where to find work these past couple of days.

He's already being kind by not kicking Liu Haizhong when he's down; he certainly wouldn't drag Liu Haizhong into it.

After Xu Damao left, Yi Zhonghai spoke again: "Old Liu, why did you ask that scoundrel Xu Damao for anything?"

Aren't you afraid he'll take advantage of you?

Liu Haizhong looked at Yi Zhonghai and said, "Old Yi, society has changed. You can't judge people with old eyes."

Of course I could tell that Xu Damao didn't want to make money with me.

But if you say Xu Damao cheated me, I disagree.

If he wanted to take advantage of me, he would have involved me in the work long ago, instead of constantly rejecting me.

These words shocked Yi Zhonghai and Yan Bugui. No matter how you looked at it, Liu Haizhong would never say such a thing.

"Old Liu, do you know that Xu Damao doesn't want to work with you?"

"I'm not stupid, of course I know."

Yi Zhonghai and his companion thought to themselves, "If you're not stupid, then no one is."

"Then why aren't you angry?"

Liu Haizhong laughed and said, "If I get angry, will Xu Damao be able to make money with me?"

Actually, Liu Haizhong wasn't angry because of Liu Guangqi's reminder.

Liu Guangqi didn't come back often, but he did come back sometimes.

Liu Guangqi came back a while ago. During that time, they talked about business.

Liu Haizhong thought his eldest son was capable and hoped Liu Guangqi could help him come up with a solution.

Unable to come up with a solution, Liu Guangqi sent Liu Haizhong to curry favor with Xu Damao.

At first, Liu Haizhong refused, feeling that as an elder, he shouldn't ask Xu Damao for help.

Liu Guangqi then gave him a detailed analysis, the gist of which was that He Yuzhu is now rich, and Xu Damao only got rich by following He Yuzhu.

Liu Haizhong and He Yuzhu don't get along, so going to He Yuzhu won't help.

Only by joining forces with Xu Damao and having Xu Damao go to He Yuzhu can we have a chance to make money.

Liu Haizhong still believed his eldest son's words. That's why he's been trying to curry favor with Xu Damao lately.

In fact, Liu Guangqi also had his own selfish motives. Xu Xiaoling was now a leader in the Industrial Bureau, which happened to be the superior department of Liu Guangqi's factory.

Liu Guangqi was afraid of offending Xu Damao, so Xu Damao asked Xu Xiaoling to make things difficult for him.

Yi Zhonghai disagreed with this idea and angrily turned and went home. (End of Chapter)