Silly Zhu's Moving: The Old Neighbor's Nightmare

Nearly a month of ordinary life passed, during which Sha Zhu took away the water tanks and other containers he had purchased.

They purchased piglets, calves, and lambs from a rented warehouse for breeding purposes.

After purchasing a small quantity of pork, beef, mutton, and some wild livestock, they returned the warehouse.

He practices martial arts every day, learns cooking, and occasionally goes to a small restaurant with his second senior brother to have a few drinks.

He secretly ate some good food, but didn't do anything outrageous again.

On this day, Sha Zhu had just finished cooking and was resting in the kitchen when a waiter ran over, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Zhu Zi, your dad is here to see you."

Sha Zhu suddenly snapped out of his daze. He turned to look at the main hall and saw He Daqing glaring angrily at him as he walked towards them.

They got closer. Before Sha Zhu could speak, they opened fire on him.

"You silly boy, Zhu, how long has it been since you went home? It's been two months. I didn't know you were here, I thought you had disappeared. What are you trying to do? Didn't you used to go home every weekend?"

Sha Zhu looked at He Daqing with an embarrassed expression. He thought to himself, "You old fool, you thought I'd disappeared? I thought you were going to run off with the widow!"

No, I guess they're planning to run away. They haven't seen me come back and are afraid something's wrong. They came to check on me.

He said, "I didn't have anything to do when I went back. I was doing well practicing cooking here, so I didn't go back."

Hearing Sha Zhu's words, He Daqing was furious. "I'm going back this weekend. Yu Shui is at home. I haven't seen you in a long time and I miss you. You're not working this weekend, so what are you studying? Are you sleeping in the dorm? Where's your master?"

Sha Zhu pointed to where his master was resting and said, "Over there, they're resting."

He Daqing then walked towards where Master Wang Yijun was resting. When Wang Yijun saw He Daqing coming over, he asked, "Daqing, what brings you here?"

He Daqing took out a cigarette and offered one to Master Wang, saying, "Senior brother, I came to see how Zhuzi is doing with his studies. I haven't been back yet. I also want to tell you something."

Wang Yijun lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, "Hmm, Zhuzi is doing well. He's been working at the third stove for over a month now, so getting into the second stove shouldn't be a problem. I was even planning to find a boss to raise his salary a bit more. What did you need me for?"

"What? Sha Zhu has already started cooking?" He Daqing asked in surprise.

He Daqing thought to himself, "Now that I can cook at Fengzeyuan, there shouldn't be any problem if I go back and take over my shift."

I was thinking of asking my neighbor Yi Zhonghai at the Intermediate People's Court for help. But it's not so troublesome now.

After all, once you're cooking, you're basically ready to graduate. If you discuss it with your senior apprentice, they shouldn't object.

The apprentices and the master chefs were paid differently, which ensured that Zhuzi and Yushui had a livelihood.

He Daqing glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then whispered to his senior brother, "Isn't this what's been happening lately with the government cracking down on counter-revolutionaries?"

News of fighting landlords and redistributing land would occasionally surface in the countryside.

I cooked for the Japanese puppet government, and I don't know who leaked the news.

The rumors were spreading like wildfire in the streets. I went to the military control committee to explain, and there wasn't a problem, but there were still some people...

They've been relentlessly targeting me behind my back, even after I've investigated twice and haven't found the culprit. My neighbors are also gossiping about me; it's making me incredibly uncomfortable.

He continued, "I'm planning to go out and have some peace and quiet, and come over to see how Zhu Zi is doing in his studies, and whether he can take over my class. What do you think, senior brother?"

Wang Yijun thought for a moment and said, "Have you offended anyone?"

He Daqing replied, "I've thought about it carefully for several days but I still can't figure out who I've offended. The government doesn't even have time to deal with it, and this person who's been underhanded has been ruining my reputation."

When Sha Zhu, who was standing nearby, heard He Daqing say this, he knew what was going on. Wang Yijun saw that it was Sha Zhu coming over but didn't say anything.

When Sha Zhu saw his master looking at him, he spoke up, "Dad, are all the courtyard houses electing a head steward lately?"

Hearing Sha Zhu suddenly speak, He Daqing turned his head to look at him and said, "How did you know?"

Sha Zhu replied, "Just tell me, isn't that right?" He Daqing glared at Sha Zhu and said, "Yes, they said it was to prevent enemy agents and mediate neighborhood relations, to act as a liaison for the government."

“Dad, you’re underestimating this liaison officer. I’ve heard that they deal directly with the government, and they’re selected from the most active members of the community. Once selected, they can even organize the masses directly,” Sha Zhu said.

Hearing Sha Zhu say this, He Daqing asked in confusion, "What does this have to do with me?"

Sha Zhu thought to himself, "It has nothing to do with you, but some people don't think that way."

Sha Zhu said to He Daqing, "Dad, think about it, you haven't offended anyone, so it can only be a struggle for interests."

Just because you don't care about the old man in charge of the compound doesn't mean others don't. You're a threat to them in the compound.

You're a cook, not a factory worker; you can completely ignore them. That way, the foreman won't have much authority.

Besides you, who else in our department has any prestige? They probably want to get rid of you for that reason.

Hearing his simple-minded son say this, He Daqing asked doubtfully, "No way, could it be Yi Zhonghai? He asked me yesterday if I wanted to be the steward."

"Dad, I think you've fallen for their trap. If you really leave, they might kill three birds with one stone."

He Daqing became increasingly puzzled, and Wang Yijun also looked at Sha Zhu and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Think about it, Dad, if you leave, will my sister Yushui and I be easy to manage? We're both so young. And you, who's in the way, are leaving too."

"Think again, isn't the old lady in the backyard and Yi Zhonghai particularly close? What do they have in common?" He Daqing looked at Sha Zhu and said, "Go on."

Sha Zhu said, "Dad, Yi Zhonghai isn't a good person. When I was little, I went out to sell steamed buns, and I saw him go to the Eight Great Hutongs several times."

Back then, I only knew that the steamed buns sold well there, but I didn't know what the place was for. I only found out when I grew up.

Sha Zhu thought to himself, "Although I made all of this up, it's true that Yi Zhonghai wants to get rid of you."

"I know that, but that was before Liberation. Why are you bringing it up?" He Daqing replied. Good heavens, my fabrication actually came true.

Sha Zhu hurriedly continued, "Dad, think about it, the old lady in the backyard and Yi Zhonghai have no children. How will they take care of them in their old age, especially Yi Zhonghai?"

At her age, without a child, it's no wonder she's anxious. Besides, the old lady in the backyard has a sweet tooth.

The old lady doesn't like you, but she just wants to eat something nice. Are you just going to ignore her?

Your son, I just started learning to cook from a young age, and you even sent me to Fengzeyuan to learn cooking. Can you imagine that this old lady has no ideas?

"Now that you're gone, those two old hags without sons won't be able to fool your stupid son anymore."

In those days, people were still living in poverty, and the average lifespan of ordinary people was 50 to 60 years.

If you're over thirty and still don't have children, there's little hope of having any more. Most people will either adopt a child from a brother's family or take one in as a foster child.

Sha Zhu continued, "Now that you're gone, this nuisance is gone, and there's a backup plan for retirement, after all, it's Jia Zhangshi, the mother of Yi Zhonghai's apprentice."

He's a carefree rascal, so Yi Zhonghai can rest assured. If he wants something good to eat, someone will prepare it for him. Isn't that killing three birds with one stone?

He Daqing looked at Sha Zhu and said, "I never realized you were so eloquent."

Sha Zhu hurriedly explained, "I noticed several old men in the courtyard going to the Eight Great Hutongs when I was selling steamed buns before Liberation."

When I got older and understood what that place was for, I felt a deep contempt for them, and I learned to keep things to myself.

Sha Zhu continued, "Dad, a few days ago I ran into a neighbor from our neighborhood on Qianmen Street, but I can't remember his name."

"We're quite familiar with each other. He told me he saw you with a woman." He Daqing's eyes darted away when he heard Sha Zhu say this.

Seeing He Daqing's expression, Sha Zhu quickly stepped in. "Dad, tell me, isn't this a scheme orchestrated by Yi Zhonghai and the old lady in the backyard?"

If they're afraid you won't leave, they'll find you another woman to seduce you. If you still don't leave, will they set you up in a honey trap and force you to go?

In addition, I think the rumors circulating on the street lately are just people in the compound with ill intentions, trying to sabotage you.

Sha Zhu is ruthless; he'll arrange it for you first, whether it's true or not, just by guessing and making assumptions.

Anyway, that's what many novels say, so Sha Zhu didn't feel any psychological pressure at all.

Master Wang Yijun, who was listening nearby, was dumbfounded. What kind of people are you neighbors?

After all, Master Wang Yijun is usually very easygoing and rarely plays tricks, so hearing Sha Zhu say this today has really opened his eyes.