Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 97 Let go of the need to help others
"Xu Damao, tell me the truth, did you do this or not?"

"Dad, I didn't, Jia Zhangshi is slandering me..."

"You still haven't told the truth?"

"I'm your father, don't I know you?"

"Look at you, you can't even lie properly!"

"When Matchmaker Sun arrives later, let's see what you do then!"

"I... Dad, actually..."

"..."

While Yi Zhonghai was sending Wang Guihua to find Matchmaker Sun, Xu Fugui returned home, closed the door, and began interrogating Xu Damao.

Knowing son Moruo father.

In front of his biological father, Xu Fugui, Xu Damao was still too inexperienced and confessed in no time.

"You, Xu Damao! What can I say to you? You've got nothing better to do than meddle in this mess."

Upon hearing Xu Damao's admission, Xu Fugui was furious.

It wasn't that she was completely angry that Xu Damao had done something wrong, but rather that not only had he done it, but he had also been caught red-handed, and now Jia Zhangshi had exposed him in front of the entire courtyard.

"Old Xu, now is not the time to be angry. You need to think of a solution quickly, and make sure this doesn't become a fact. Otherwise, Da Mao's reputation will be ruined, and how will he find a wife in the future!"

Tao Cuilan was also angry, but she was more worried and couldn't help but get anxious.

For Qin Huairu, Xu Damao's actions could be considered a good deed, helping the girl avoid the pitfalls of the Jia family.

However, in the context of the Jia family and the entire courtyard, Xu Damao's actions were immoral and drew criticism and controversy.

What Xu Damao sold was not the Jia family, but the shared "trust" of the entire courtyard.

Even if the Jia family has many faults, they are still "one of us" in the courtyard. Xu Damao has broken the rules.

Who knows if Xu Damao, who has wronged the Jia family today, will wrong the other families in the courtyard tomorrow?

Stabbing someone in the back is always a taboo.

"You raised a fine son!"

Hearing Tao Cuilan's words, Xu Fugui cursed under his breath in anger, but then looked at his son and said, "Tell me the whole story of what happened that day in detail, without omitting a single detail."

"That day..."

The entire college meeting was about to begin, and Xu Damao himself felt a sense of fear.

However, Xu Fugui was his father, and Xu Damao believed that he would not harm him, nor did he dare to disobey. So he told him everything without any concealment.

After listening to Xu Damao's explanation, Xu Fugui pondered for a moment, his brows relaxed slightly, and he asked him directly, "When Matchmaker Sun saw you that day, were you still some distance away?"

"Yes, I stopped talking as soon as she came over, and I slipped away immediately."

Xu Damao quickly said.

Upon hearing this, Xu Fugui couldn't help but ask for confirmation: "So, that means Matchmaker Sun didn't hear what you and Qin Huairu said that day, but only saw you talking to Qin Huairu?"

"Definitely. Unless she has super hearing, it's impossible for her to hear. Besides, I wasn't speaking loudly when I was talking to Qin Huairu."

Are you sure there was no one else around at the time?

"I'm sure! I'm not stupid..."

"Shut up!"

"Someone like you is incredibly stupid, isn't that just plain dumb?"

"..."

Although he was scolded by Xu Fugui again, after sorting things out, Xu Damao was no longer so nervous.

Knowing full well that he had done something wrong, he wouldn't have shouted it out loud; he would have definitely tried to hide it from people. Therefore, he was certain that no one except Qin Huairu heard what he said that day.

"Xu Damao, you remember this: when Matchmaker Sun comes over later, no matter what they ask, don't admit that you never did this. Got it?"

This cannot be admitted.

Once you admit it, your reputation will be ruined.

Even if he clearly knew that Xu Damao had done it, Xu Fugui was not a saint, so naturally he could not put righteousness before family.

Thinking about the trouble he had brought upon himself and his Xu family, Xu Fugui wanted to beat him up to vent his anger.

But he's my only son, I can't just stand by and watch him ruin it.

If things are really as Xu Damao said, even if Yi Zhonghai and Jia Zhangshi bring over Matchmaker Sun, there's nothing they can do about it.

Even if they bring Qin Huairu here, without any other witnesses, as long as Xu Damao holds the line, there's still room for negotiation.

"remember."

With Xu Fugui supporting him, Xu Damao felt more confident and relaxed.

at the same time.

While Xu Fugui and his son Xu Damao were discussing countermeasures behind closed doors, Liu Haizhong had already arranged for someone to notify those who hadn't come to watch the commotion that a hospital-wide meeting was to be held.

Because Xu Fugui was also a party involved, in order to avoid suspicion, Liu Haizhong would preside over the entire hospital meeting tonight, which made him a little excited and proud.

……

"Uncle Yan, I understand. I'll be there in a bit."

"Hey."

After dismissing Yan Bugui, who had come to deliver the message, Li Hongbing turned around and went back into the house.

He had already heard the commotion that Jia Zhangshi was making in the backyard and had a rough idea of ​​what was going on, but he was too lazy to get involved.

On the day Qin Huairu and Jia Dongxu went on their blind date, Qin Huairu did approach him, but even though he had a grudge against the Jia family, he didn't say a single bad word about them. He merely "kindly" pointed her in the right direction. Even if Qin Huairu showed up in person and brought up the matter, the Jia family couldn't do anything to him.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with what he did.

Xu Damao is the son of Uncle Xu Fugui, and he has no grudge against the Jia family. Qin Huairu wanted to understand the Jia family's situation, so was it wrong for her to recommend him?

Who knew Xu Damao would speak ill of the Jia family? It wasn't Li Hongbing who told him to do it.

"Hongbing, what's the matter?"

Upon seeing Li Hongbing return, Li Hongmei, who was learning and practicing how to use a sewing machine, couldn't help but ask.

She had heard some of the commotion in the backyard, but she was too busy studying the sewing machine to pay attention.

Li Hongmei only took it seriously when Yan Bugui came to say that a hospital-wide meeting was to be held.

"It's nothing, it's just that Jia Zhangshi is causing trouble. She said that when Qin Huairu and Jia Dongxu went on a blind date, Xu Damao went to Qin Huairu and spoke ill of the Jia family. She's now demanding an explanation from the Xu family!"

Li Hongbing briefly explained to Li Hongmei what he had just learned from Yan Bugui.

"Is there still this?"

Li Hongmei was taken aback for a moment, then asked with some surprise, "Didn't Jia Zhangshi look down on Qin Huairu? And several days have passed since then. Why is this matter being brought up again now?"

"Who knows! I bet Jia Dongxu is making a huge fuss about marrying Qin Huairu right now, and Jia Zhangshi couldn't take it anymore and gave in!"

The fact that Jia Dongxu was making a fuss about marrying Qin Huairu was no secret in the courtyard. Everyone had been talking about it these past few days. Li Hongbing hadn't paid special attention, but he had heard some of it.

"Sis! Don't worry about this. Just focus on working on your sewing machine. I'll go over there later."

Li Hongbing, who originally didn't want to pay attention to Liu Haizhong's solemn announcement of a hospital-wide meeting, decided to go and watch the excitement.

This kind of thing can be handled by one person; there's no need for the whole family to get involved.

"That's fine."

Having learned about these circumstances, Li Hongmei did not object.

She had been busy making clothes for herself and Li Hongbing lately, and now that she had a sewing machine, she had to use it quickly instead of wasting time on these irrelevant things.

It's been a while.

As Wang Guihua brought the matchmaker Sun from her home, Li Hongbing slowly walked towards the central courtyard.

By this time, all the families in the courtyard had arrived, and everyone who could come had come.

The desire to gossip and join in the fun is practically in the nature of Chinese people; few are willing to miss out.

at the same time.

Seeing Li Hongbing following behind Wang Guihua and Matchmaker Sun, Liu Haizhong breathed a sigh of relief.

He had already counted the number of people earlier. Even Sha Zhu had come back from get off work. The only family missing from the entire compound was the Li family in the front yard.

He had just confirmed with Yan Bugui that Li Hongbing had agreed to come, so he didn't send anyone to urge him.

Everyone in the courtyard was there; each household had sent someone. If Li Hongbing didn't come, it would mean he didn't respect the entire courtyard meeting and didn't take his position as the second uncle seriously at all.

In the past, I would definitely have given him a warning and made him realize the consequences of his actions.

But now that Li Hongbing has even gotten rid of Yi Zhonghai, who used to be a big shot, Liu Haizhong wouldn't dare to easily find fault with him, no matter how unhappy he was.

However, if Li Hongbing does this, although Liu Haizhong won't cause trouble for himself or do anything special, he will definitely feel uncomfortable and have a grudge.

Although Li Hongbing arrived a little late, at least he got here.

This shows that Li Hongbing still gives face to his second uncle.

Think back to how Li Hongbing treated Yi Zhonghai.

With this self-comfort, Liu Haizhong felt incredibly happy and proud, and he found Li Hongbing even more pleasing to the eye.

Li Hongbing hadn't expected Liu Haizhong to have such a rich inner world. Seeing He Yushui waving at him from the crowd, he walked over.

He even reserved a front-row seat for himself to watch the excitement. Not bad at all.

The plenary meetings don't always end quickly, so many people bring their own stools or chairs from home, otherwise they'll just have to stand there.

"Hey! I was wondering why I wasn't allowed to sit in this chair. Turns out it was reserved for your Brother Hongbing."

As Li Hongbing sat down on the chair that He Yushui had moved over herself, Sha Zhu, who was sitting on a small stool beside him, began to complain, half-jokingly and half-dejectedly.

Seeing this, Li Hongbing was amused.

Li Hongbing grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds from his pocket, shared half of the rainwater with them, and then, without any politeness, "educated" Sha Zhu: "Don't always complain. Think more about your own problems, find the reasons for your actions, and see if there's anything you haven't done well enough."

Although what he said to Sha Zhu last time had some effect, seeing that he still kept hanging around the deaf old lady, Li Hongbing couldn't be bothered to care anymore.

Before you can help someone, you have to consider whether that person is worth helping and whether you can help them.

Practice proves.

Unless we go all the way and bring He Daqing back from Baocheng to completely expose Yi Zhonghai's true colors, no matter how much we do, it will only be scratching the surface for Sha Zhu.

Yi Zhonghai's mind was entirely focused on his retirement plan, while Li Hongbing didn't have the energy to keep an eye on Sha Zhu every day and fight with them for "control" of Sha Zhu.

From Sha Zhu's perspective, Yi Zhonghai could indeed be said to have done him a "favor," and perhaps because he could receive some "care" from the deaf old lady, he was also immersed in it.

If you consider Sha Zhu as a brother, considering all the things he does—always revolving around Yi Zhonghai and the deaf old woman, only to suffer along with them—it's unnecessary.

Strictly speaking.

Sha Zhu isn't anyone to Li Hongbing. Right now, Yi Zhonghai and the deaf old lady are both behaving themselves, so he's too lazy to do those thankless tasks.

Simultaneously.

Don't overestimate your abilities, and don't underestimate the obsessions of some people. Everyone has their own destiny.

Sometimes, letting go of the urge to help others can indeed make things much easier.

(End of this chapter)