He Daqing, do you know how I've lived these past years?

After several angry shouts came from inside, Fan Fuyou walked out with his head held high and entered the archives room.

"Xiao Wang, I'm changing my name. From now on, I'm Fan Jinyou. My managerial affiliation is no longer with the restaurant. Please write this down and send it to HR. I'm now the manager of the tavern near Zhengyang Gate."

……

Meanwhile, at the restaurant, Jia Gui also recounted the war situation in the east.

When asked about the missing arm,

Jia Gui, also looking dazed, said, "When we attacked Hanyang, if it weren't for the strict orders from above to be cautious and proceed step by step, we would have fallen into the trap set by the American general."

"At that time, we fought several battles, both large and small."

But that time they only put up a slight resistance before retreating, and there was little resistance along the way. Originally, we planned to pursue them while we were ahead, but the higher-ups wouldn't allow it. So General Yue captured Hanyang and led a portion of his men in pursuit, only to fall into an ambush. However, we managed to break through the encirclement. That's when my arm was blown off."

After saying this, he took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Huang Ying. After reading it, He Yuzhu and his sister asked about He Daqing.

Huang Ying also said indignantly:

"I know a little about this; it has a very negative impact, but it was handled by my deputy director, Wang."

Jia Gui nodded helplessly and asked the waiter to bring out the dishes from the wooden planks on the wall.

Watching He Yuzhu eat like a pig, he asked:

“Zhu Zi, in principle, some people in the courtyard are familiar with your father. Even if they are strangers, they should take care of you out of respect for him. Why is it like this now?”

He Yuzhu, upon hearing this, angrily put down his chopsticks and said:

"They're all hypocritical bastards."

Yan Bugui, now a powerful figure, constantly accuses me of being uncivilized, and since his wife has given birth to a son, I don't want to argue with him.

"And then there's Liu Haizhong in the backyard. At first, he had some cornbread, but then the old lady next door broke his window and said, 'Why are you giving me such bad food?' From then on, she never gave me anything."

"That wealthy old lady, being a lonely elderly woman, didn't have much to eat. Occasionally, she would bring me white noodles and often called me her 'good grandson'."

Of all the people in the courtyard, only the old man's family treated me the best. If someone gossiped about me, I'd smash their head in. The old man handled everything else. The old woman would sometimes secretly slip me some food.

Jia Gui was taken aback and asked:

"What about the Jia family? Didn't they offer any assistance to my nephew?"

He Yuzhu nodded hesitantly and said in a low voice:

"Yes, Brother Dongxu gave me two steamed buns."

He Yushui, who was standing to the side, put down her bowl and said:

"Uncle Jia, Brother Dongxu just gave us two steamed buns, and not long after, Aunt Jia rushed into the house demanding them back. Then she took all the valuables in the house, and even stole the cornmeal that my brother and I bought with the money we earned from collecting and selling garbage."

"And that old lady in the backyard, I've seen her secretly eating chicken legs several times. Once, I was so hungry I was dizzy and went to beg for some, and when I saw her with only a pitiful bowl of white noodles, she said she had nothing."

At this point, He Yuzhu shouted:

"Don't talk nonsense. That rich old lady is a very nice person. You must have seen wrong."

He Yushui pouted when she saw her angry brother, looking like she was about to cry.

Huang Ying also went over and hugged Yu Shui to comfort her.

After lighting a cigarette, Jia Gui looked at He Yuzhu and said:

"Zhu Zi, you must remember, no one is kind to you for no reason. At the very least, they have ulterior motives. All of this happened after your father left. You might not believe it, but the White Widow you mentioned is my cousin and colleague of over ten years. There's definitely something going on here."

Don't worry, I'll recover now and find some time to go to Baocheng to find your father. Everything will be clear then. If he really abandoned you, then I, Jia Gui, was blind to recommend Fugui to him. Don't worry, I will definitely give you an explanation."

He then pulled out a pistol and slammed it on the table.

Huang Ying also found it amusing:

"You've become even more lawless than your older brother. Now you need proof of ownership for a gun, so you'll have to get a new one. Otherwise, you can't use it, and you can't just fire it in the city without a reason."

Jia Gui chuckled as well:

"I know, I know, I was just trying to scare people,"

"Miss Huang, I'll take them to bathe first, then escort them back to their courtyard. I'll visit Madam tomorrow."

……

Qin Family Village

"Zhonghai, you have to think of something! My mother wants to marry me off to the butcher in the next village. If she finds out I'm unfaithful, I'll be beaten to death!"

Yi Zhonghai hesitated as he looked at the lovely woman before him, his heart also wavering.

It's been several months, and there's been no sign of pregnancy at all. After hesitating for a moment, she said:

"Just bring a bag of chicken blood with you, tear it up, and spill it on the white cloth, that'll do."

Qin Huairu was stunned upon hearing this, and roared angrily:

"You, Yi Zhonghai, are you trying to deny everything now? I'm a young, innocent girl who's been with you all this time, and now you're pushing me to marry a man who's over forty and old enough to be my father!"

Yi Zhonghai also smiled and said:

"No no,"

Qin Huairu also looked at Yi Zhonghai sternly and said:

"Zhonghai, either you divorce your wife and marry me, or you find me a job in the city. We agreed on that years ago. If you can't do it, I'll go to your factory and cause a scene. We'll all die together."

Yi Zhonghai was also getting irritated by what he was hearing, when suddenly a brilliant idea struck him.

Yes, Jia Dongxu!

Jia Dongxu has had many unsuccessful blind dates. Sometimes I even see him in the alleyways nearby. He's asked me several times where Huai Ru is from, probably because he's been eyeing her ever since he saw her the last time.

When we get married, I'll get him drunk, lure Jia Zhangshi away, and then sprinkle some chicken blood on him—that'll be perfect.

They're neighbors again, so we won't have to go through the trouble of coming to Qin Family Village anymore.

Haha, I'm so smart!

Having devised a plan, Yi Zhonghai hurriedly told Qin Huairu about it.

Seeing Huai Ru hesitate, Yi Zhonghai gritted his teeth and said:

"I'll pay for the reconstruction of your thatched hut into a stone and mud house."

Qin Huairu reluctantly nodded in agreement and left the meadow in turn.

"How can you not explain it? It's better for your daughter to marry into the city than to still be toiling in the fields."

"Hmph, Yi Zhonghai, you're no better. Did you ruin my daughter? Do you think I couldn't see the change in her appearance? I was blind to believe your lies back then!"

"Don't talk nonsense. I, Yi Zhonghai, am an upright and honest person. Don't slander me."

"Okay, give me the money for the house renovation, and I won't hold Huai Ru's matter against you anymore. We shouldn't contact each other again."

"Hehe, you're dreaming. Before you married into Qin Family Village, you were already mine. Although times have changed, you're still destined to be a maid. After you marry into the family, you can serve the mistress."

Upon hearing this, Qin's mother hurriedly pulled a pair of scissors from her bosom, pointed them at Yi Zhonghai, and roared:

"You heartless bastard, don't even think about sending my daughter to that hell! That old hag should have died long ago!"

Yi Zhonghai crossed his legs and laughed:

"What, now that you've married a peasant and are in charge of the money, you think you're so tough? I've already helped you get wives for both of your sons."

Qin's mother also said in a firm voice:

"My husband bought this house and the oxcart outside,"

Yi Zhonghai sneered:

"Really? I bet you bought it on credit. With your personality, what's yours is yours, and what your husband gives you becomes yours, it has nothing to do with him."

Qin's mother also shook her head and said:

"Stop saying such useless things. I would never let my daughter go there to live a life worse than that of pigs and dogs."

Yi Zhonghai lit a chimney:

"Really? You seem to have forgotten who I am. What if something suddenly happens to your husband while he's away? Don't worry, I won't mistreat you. I'll take care of Huairu after she marries into the family, and I'll also give you a separate sum of money. The money for this house will also be yours."

Qin's mother suddenly smiled at Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai stared at him intently.

"Little girl, you're still as beautiful as ever."

He then grabbed Qin's mother and began to grope her.

Just then, Qin's father's voice came from outside the door.

"Wife, this is the money I earned from working at other people's houses in my spare time. I've put it on the table. Take it. I'm going to the fields now. Huairu is already waiting for me there. Hurry up and cook."

Behind the door, Qin's mother bent over, covering her mouth.

"Woooo..."

After the courtyard gate closed, Qin's mother turned around and looked at Yi Zhonghai with a radiant smile.

……