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

"Zhu Zi, your uncle watched you grow up. We should support and help each other in this courtyard. Your brother Dongxu might be getting married in a few days, so please help with the cooking."

He Yuzhu patted his chest and said:

"Don't worry, my skills are excellent, it just costs 5 yuan."

Before he could finish speaking, Yi Zhonghai had already walked towards the backyard.

"Well done, Zhuzi. Your brother Dongxu's family isn't well-off either. You're helping others by not taking wages."

Hearing this, He Yuzhu stamped his feet, withdrew his outstretched hand, and hurriedly went to find the half-eaten steamed bun, but it had already soaked in the drainage ditch.

Helpless, he walked home, looking at the empty room, his anger towards He Daqing growing stronger.

"Brother, I'm hungry."

He Yushui's face was deathly pale, and her lips were black. Lying on the bed, she spoke weakly.

He Yuzhu quickly went to the bedside and lay down, holding Yushui and saying:

"Rain, I have good news for you! The old lady spoke to the factory manager on my behalf, and I can start working in the canteen tomorrow. Then we'll have food to eat! Let's go to sleep tonight, and we won't be hungry anymore."

He Yushui stared blankly at the ceiling, tears streaming down her face.

"Dad, where are you? Everyone in the courtyard likes my brother, but not me. Aunt Jia always scolds me for being a good-for-nothing. Rainwater misses you so much."

……

"Zhonghai, go out and spread the word now that I delivered straw sandals to the People's Party army and am a martyr's family member."

"Madam, I need to find someone to handle this, otherwise we'll be in big trouble if we get caught."

"Okay, take this money. Take Sha Zhu directly to the factory later and give him another good talking-to."

"Don't worry, he can't escape my grasp."

"Well, go quickly"

Yi Zhonghai took about 50 yuan and left the room, then hurriedly ran towards the courtyard gate.

……

The next day, word spread in Nanluoguxiang that the wealthy old woman was a martyr's family member and had even donated straw sandals to the People's Liberation Army.

Besides those in the courtyard, people from other alleys who had heard about it also came to visit the old woman, bringing eggs and money.

The old woman accepted everything and then directed the people in the yard to help wash clothes and clean. Cuilan watched from the side, shaking her head in disapproval.

I've seen fools before, but never anyone this foolish. None of the older generation came to the courtyard, probably because they all knew what was going on. Sigh...

From then on, the wealthy old lady was officially designated as the "Old Buddha" of the courtyard at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang.

……

"Dongxu, open the door quickly! Look who I've brought!"

Upon hearing Yi Zhonghai's voice, Dongxu hurriedly opened the door.

The woman outside the door blushed, lowered her head, and couldn't utter a single word.

I didn't quite hear what Yi Zhonghai was saying.

Qin Huairu looked at Jia Dongxu with a flushed face, feeling happy inside. What a handsome young man!

Just as I was about to go over and speak, I almost tripped and fell. My legs went weak and ached. That damned Yi Zhonghai was speeding away like a madman.

The plum blossoms have bloomed twice already.

Seeing that the person he had been longing for almost fell, Jia Dongxu hurriedly went to help him up.

"I... my name is Jia Dongxu, and I want to marry you. Is that alright?"

Qin Huairu was also lying in Jia Dongxu's arms, looking at his handsome face, and leaning against his broad chest, she couldn't help but nod.

Yi Zhonghai, standing to the side, looked ashen-faced, his fists clenched tightly in his sleeves.

"Dongxu, what's going on? Why is it so noisy outside?"

Hearing voices outside the door, Jia Zhangshi, who was sleeping inside, got dressed and asked,

"Mother, Master brought a girl to meet for a blind date, and I've already made my choice."

Upon hearing this, Madam Jia rushed out. She had felt an immediate liking for Qin Huairu upon their first meeting.

She looks good, has a big butt, looks like she'd have a son, and her legs don't have much of a gap.

However, his expression turned ugly after a short while.

The girl's blush wasn't a proper blush; it was even spreading between her eyebrows.

Either her husband died on her wedding night, or she's already been taken advantage of by that bastard Yi Zhonghai.

No, I disagree.

Madam Jia also hurriedly denied it.

Jia Dongxu also shouted anxiously:

"Mother, I only want Huairu. I don't like anyone else. If you don't let me marry her, I really can't live."

Qin Huairu listened to the man beside her, feeling both happy and sad. "A withered flower isn't worth protecting with your life," she thought.

Tears welled up in her eyes, which broke Jia Dongxu's heart.

Madam Jia Zhang's eyes also flashed with a fierce light as she rolled up her sleeves and charged towards Qin Huairu.

"Get out of here, you damned vixen! My Dongxu will never marry you. You country bumpkin are not worthy of entering the Jia family's gate. Just a few days ago, the Jia family was a prestigious and powerful household."

Yi Zhonghai, his face flushed, grabbed Jia Zhangshi and dragged her into the house.

After closing the door, he said coldly:

"Xiaohua, we've all known each other for a long time. I'm not afraid to tell you, Qin Huai is the daughter of your mother's good friend. Why make things difficult for her?"

"Jia Gui has already been punished. Do you think he can protect you in this courtyard?"

Besides, even Director Yang brought gifts to visit Madam, and I'm Dongxu's mentor. Don't you think about Dongxu's feelings?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi stopped wailing and got up from the ground, saying:

"Yi Zhonghai, I'm not blind. You're introducing any of these women to Dongxu. You're really being kind."

Yi Zhonghai calmly replied:

"How would I know if she is? The factory is having its grading exams in the next few days. The higher Dongxu's grade, the more money he gets. After you get married, you can take a break. I can get Dongxu to give you 3 yuan a month as a retirement allowance."

Seeing Jia Zhangshi hesitate, he pressed on, saying:

"If you're not going to take care of Dongxu, then so be it. I don't think Dongxu will last long. You and your son can just do what the He family does: pick up trash and vegetable scraps to keep your stomachs empty. Isn't that what you're best at?"

Madam Jia Zhang also felt a chill run down her spine as she recalled her life before meeting Jia Gui.

"Okay, I agree, but I won't pay for the banquet."

Yi Zhonghai suppressed his anger and said:

"Alright, I'll pay for the banquet, and you can decide on the bride price yourself."

Madam Jia sneered:

"Even two yuan is too much for a withered, faded woman."

Yi Zhonghai slapped the table and said:

"Alright, 10 yuan, otherwise we'll both lose face."

Madam Jia gripped the hem of her dress tightly and remained silent.

Outside the door, Jia Dongxu pulled out ten silver dollars from his pocket and handed them to Qin Huairu, saying:

"Huai Ru, I, Jia Dongxu, truly love you. Consider this money my gift to you. Take it home, and I'll come to pick you up tomorrow to marry you. Don't worry about the date; with you, every day is a good day."

Qin Huairu, moved by Jia Dongxu's affectionate gaze, nodded and stuffed the silver dollar into her pocket.

After bringing Jia Zhangshi and Yi Zhonghai out, the two almost decided on the child's name.

So, after Jia Zhangshi reluctantly gave him a ten-yuan note, Yi Zhonghai hurriedly left with Qin Huairu.

Jia Dongxu followed behind, reluctant to leave, until they reached the city gate before returning home.

In the backyard, inside the wealthy old woman's room, a fat man was repeatedly slapping himself while shouting:

"Madam, I won't do it again next time."

The wealthy old woman, smoking a cigarette, stepped on his head and said:

“Haizhong, do you know why your father named you that? It's because the head guard and the steward were one and the same person, so the steward's son was named Zhonghai, and you are Haizhong.”

"I never expected you to be such a traitor, learning bad things instead of good ones, thinking you could rise to power just by relying on Jia Gui?"

"Hmph, stay away from He Yuzhu from now on, and don't help him anymore. I'll make you a level six worker in a few days, and I can give you the same supervisor position that Jia Gui gave you."

……