Courtyard House: My Wife is Xu Huizhen

Page 12

Before this, He Daqing only thought about favoring Jia Dongxu, taking him as an apprentice, teaching him his skills, and wanting to cultivate him so that he could support him in his old age.

Now that He Daqing is gone, He Yuzhu has no elders to rely on. Could I train He Yuzhu to be my backup plan?

But there's no rush. We need to observe more and see if He Yuzhu has the ability. If he's a good person, we can keep him as a backup.

After all, having only one Jia Dongxu is a good safety net, preventing him from failing at crucial moments.

He chuckled and said, "Zhu Zi, what are you saying? I know the situation was complicated at the time, and you were just reacting instinctively. How could I possibly blame you!"

As he spoke, he patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder to show his closeness.

He Yuzhu smiled kindly: "Grandpa, I'm glad you don't blame me."

Then, the tone shifted abruptly, and he immediately kicked Jia Dongxu when he was down: "Look at Jia Dongxu, he's a complete scoundrel. His mother can even beat rainwater, how can she raise him properly? Besides, he hit his own master, why didn't he say a word and just ran away? Isn't that betraying his master and ancestors?"

Yi Zhonghai smiled awkwardly: "Dongxu is still a good guy. He has always been very respectful and filial to his master. He is not a bad kid."

When the neighbors in the courtyard saw that the main person in charge of the Jia family had left, most of them went back to cook. They had already seen the excitement, so what was the point of staying?

It seems that although He Daqing is gone, He Yuzhu has risen again. Today, the Jia family did not gain any advantage in the fight, and both the Jia family and Yi Zhonghai suffered losses. It seems that it is unlikely that anyone can bully He Yuzhu.

Yi Zhonghai said with a smile, "I cut a piece of meat today, and your aunt has already prepared the meal. So don't cook today, just have a couple of drinks with your uncle."

"this..."

At first, He Yuzhu was determined to stay away from Yi Zhonghai, but his family's location was awkward, situated between the families of Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu. It was impossible to stay away from them; they would see each other every day, and this kind of life would continue for another twenty or thirty years.

Perhaps I should slightly change my strategy and maintain some contact, just like the article says, leaving the sugar coating but still needing to fight back the bullets, instead of just taking advantage without helping.

After all, Jia Dongxu isn't married yet, and there are still 10 years before his name is displayed on the wall. During these 10 years, I can take advantage of him without worry.

Once Jia Dongxu has his name on the wall, I'll just stop helping him.

Although such behavior is somewhat unethical, who told them to have such malicious intentions! He Yuzhu felt no guilt whatsoever in taking advantage of them, after all, those two families had bullied him so badly that he was even worse than those who had formed alliances, so he could deal with them however he pleased.

Yi Zhonghai said, "This matter happened rather suddenly today. Let's have a drink, talk things out, and let's move on. We can still be good neighbors and help each other and stay united and friendly."

"Thank you very much, sir," He Yuzhu said politely.

Yi Zhonghai didn't want to fall out with He Yuzhu either. Through today's observation, he could see that He Yuzhu was quite capable in combat, agile and quick, and had Jia Dongxu completely outmaneuvered. This kind of person could only be won over, not made an enemy.

The two went into the inner room together and saw Yu Shui sitting in Aunt Yi's lap, chatting happily. He Yuzhu felt at ease.

Yi Zhonghai is the one who loves to show off and uses morality to coerce others.

Aunt Ke Yi is quite upright and kind. She takes care of the housework and supports the deaf old lady. She is a good person.

It's a pity they can't have children, otherwise there wouldn't be so much trouble in the courtyard house.

He Yuzhu took He Yushui over, asked her a few questions, and the four of them went to the east wing together.

A moment later, Aunt Yi also called Jia Dongxu over.

Jia Dongxu was also quite straightforward; he first apologized to He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu said first, "Whether I apologize or not doesn't matter, I don't care. But I'm making this clear from the start: I'm not lending the house. If you bring up the matter of lending the house again, don't blame me for turning against you."

Jia Dongxu had indeed had this idea before. Since his mother's forceful approach didn't work, he would try a softer one: apologize first, and then discuss the matter of borrowing the house after having some drinks.

I never expected that even after I apologized, He Yuzhu would still refuse me like that. In that case, it seems that building the house is not going to work out.

He said awkwardly, "No way, I won't lend you that house."

Leaving aside the food and drink, a conversation between father and son unfolded in the west wing of the backyard.

Xu Damao asked, "Dad, you suggested that Jia Dongxu borrow a house, but Jia Dongxu didn't manage to borrow one. Wasn't that a waste of time?"

Xu Wude put down his wine glass and glared at him: "How could I have such a stupid son like you? Can't you see? Although the Jia family can't borrow a house, He Yuzhu has completely offended them. The Jia family and Lao Yi are tied together, so isn't he offending both of them at the same time?"

Chapter 17 Where does the family get money?

"You can do it like that?" Xu Damao asked in confusion.

"You're still too young to see things clearly. Do you think that just because He Yuzhu hit the Jia family mother and son, they don't hold a grudge against Shazhu?"

Xu Damao thought about it for a moment and realized that he had been looking at things superficially. Yes, this incident had planted a time bomb in the relationship between their families. On the surface, the matter was over, but they would definitely feel uncomfortable. Who knows when it would explode in the future.

Then, looking rather naive, he asked, "Dad, how could you have predicted that Sha Zhu wouldn't lend the house to them?"

"How did I end up with such a stupid son like you?"

Xu Wude said something first, then drank a cup of wine before saying, "I'm actually hoping to lend the house to the Jia family sometime soon. Do you think the Jia family will return the house to Sha Zhu after they borrow it?"

"The Jia family borrowed the house but won't return it?"

"That's for sure. The Jia family will definitely use all sorts of excuses to delay returning the house. After a while, the house, although nominally belonging to Sha Zhu, will actually become the Jia family's property."

Xu Wude patiently explained, "Who would easily give up something they've already gained? No matter how much the two families fight, it will only get worse. Either they'll both suffer heavy losses, or one of them will lose. Whatever the outcome, Sha Zhu won't gain anything."

"Now you know what your father was planning, right?" Xu Wude asked smugly.

"Dad, you're really capable. I'll learn a lot from you in the future," Xu Damao quickly flattered his father.

He felt a little smug. He had thought he would be unable to get revenge after being beaten up by Sha Zhu, but his father had set a trap for him in the blink of an eye. No matter what the outcome was, it would actually be disadvantageous for Sha Zhu.

This is better than just beating up Sha Zhu.

At Yi Zhonghai's home, He Yuzhu declined the offer to drink, citing her young age, and simply ate her food while chatting with Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu.

Yi Zhonghai still wanted to reconcile the two, but Jia Dongxu had his own plans. It seemed unlikely that he would borrow Sha Zhu's house now. Sha Zhu had slapped his mother and his face was still swollen. How could he possibly reconcile with Sha Zhu?

Yi Zhonghai tried to persuade him a few times, but Jia Dongxu readily agreed. However, Yi Zhonghai could tell that he hadn't listened at all. He sighed, realizing that his apprentice was ignoring him at this crucial moment.

After eating and drinking his fill, He Yuzhu saw that He Yushui was already dozing off, so he quickly got up to say goodbye and carried He Yushui back to his home.

As for what Yi Zhonghai said, Jia Dongxu didn't know and didn't want to find out.

The next day, He Yuzhu took Yushui to school. When they arrived at the door, he gave Yushui a piece of candy, and Yushui skipped inside. He Yuzhu then turned around and went to the market.

I bought meat and vegetables at two different farmers' markets before going to work.

When they arrived at the kitchen, they ran into Xu Huizhen washing vegetables. When she saw He Yuzhu come in, she snorted and turned her face away.

He Yuzhu turned around and came to her side, asking, "Why are you still angry with me?"

"I don't even know you, why should I be angry with you?" Xu Huizhen said angrily.

He Yuzhu didn't mind, took out a hard candy from his pocket and handed it to him: "Here, have a candy."

"I...I won't eat your candy."

The little girl was shy and embarrassed to take the candy, but when she caught sight of the candy in He Yuzhu's hand, she couldn't help but swallow.

My family is struggling financially. It's rare for us to even have a piece of candy during holidays, let alone on ordinary days. The candy right in front of me looks so tempting, but because of my relationship with He Yuzhu, I'm too embarrassed to eat it.

He Yuzhu asked with a smile, "Really not going to eat?"

"I said I wouldn't eat it, and I won't," Xu Huizhen said, forcing herself to speak.

He Yuzhu had already seen the longing in her eyes, so he stopped teasing her and directly handed her the candy.

Xu Huizhen hesitated as the candy drew closer, considering whether to refuse it outright. Before she could decide, He Yuzhu had already stuffed the candy into her mouth.

"It's in my mouth, it can't fall out."

Xu Huizhen glared at her, then pursed her lips tightly.

A sweet aroma filled her mouth; the candy was so sweet that Xu Huizhen forgot her unpleasantness with He Yuzhu and hesitated whether to say thank you.

He Yuzhu asked, "Is it sweet?"

Xu Huizhen hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly. The candy was indeed sweet and delicious. She wanted to eat more of it. Thinking of this, her face flushed slightly, and she felt a little embarrassed.

He Yuzhu saw that he had changed Xu Huizhen's bad attitude towards him with just a piece of candy. It seemed that the little girl was easy to fool.

After giving her a piece of candy, Xu Huizhen's attitude softened considerably. The two chatted for a few minutes before He Yuzhu went inside to clean and begin his day of studying.

When evening came, Jia Dongxu entered the house and asked, "Mom, does your face still hurt?"

Jia Zhangshi touched her face and said angrily, "How can it not hurt? That damned idiot Zhu, you're useless too, you didn't even manage to hit him once." Then she cursed and swore at Zhu and her son.

Jia Dongxu was embarrassed; he tried to show concern for his mother, but instead got a scolding.

She quickly changed the subject, asking, "Mother, Tianxiu is coming to visit soon, what should we do?"

Two days ago, through a matchmaker's introduction, Jia Dongxu and Tian Xiu met in Beihai Park. They both took a liking to each other. After all, Jia Dongxu is indeed handsome, and you can tell from the photos that he is a rare pretty boy.

In addition, he had a proper job at the steel rolling mill, and he was handsome and outstanding. Tian Xiu took a liking to him at first sight.

Jia Dongxu also took a liking to the other party. The next step was to visit the man's home. The woman would come to the man's home to see the future marital home and meet the elders in the family so that she could understand the man's family.

Normally, this is just a formality, and nothing unexpected usually happens. After visiting each other's homes, they can then seriously discuss marriage.

Both sets of parents presented their birth dates and consulted someone to determine the wedding date, followed by a series of procedures such as betrothal gifts.

Therefore, Jia Dongxu attached great importance to the upcoming family gathering. If things went smoothly, his marriage would be settled.

Jia Zhangshi was confused and asked in return, "What do you mean, 'what should we do'? Just do what needs to be done!"

Jia Dongxu said, "I originally wanted Grandpa He to cook a few dishes, but He Daqing ran away, so I have to cook them myself. But our house is dilapidated, and I'm afraid Tian Xiuxiang won't like it."

Jia Zhangshi said irritably, "He Daqing ran away, why are you still talking about him? None of the He family members are good people. They run away now, and now they run away when we need them."

Then he looked up at his home and said, "What's wrong with our home? I think it's fine."

Jia Dongxu pursed his lips. What's so good about this house? A corner was blown off by a shell before, and it was just hastily repaired. It's also drafty and not warm in winter. He's wanted to fix the house for a long time, but his mother is reluctant to spend the money, so it's been delayed until now.