Chapter Forty-Two: Chen Hong's New Backer

When Silly Zhu spoke, everyone understood: his entry into the factory was entirely due to his father, He Daqing, who spent money to secure a position for him. This had nothing whatsoever to do with Yi Zhonghai. Yet Yi Zhonghai pretended it was his own doing, shamelessly claiming credit. This behavior was even worse than embezzling the living expenses of Silly Zhu and his siblings—he wanted people to be grateful to him for a lifetime!

But Silly Zhu wasn’t done yet. He continued, “All of you know our First Master Yi Zhonghai. An eighth-level worker, earning ninety-nine yuan a month. Most dual-income families don’t earn as much as he does alone. Yet he always tells me how hard things are for the Jia family, urging me to help them more. I want to ask, exactly how ‘hard’ is their situation? The Widow Qin earns twenty-seven yuan and fifty cents a month—can she not support her whole household?”

He gestured toward Widow Qin. “We’re all old neighbors here. Tell me, whose elderly mother does nothing all day, yet eats so well she’s plump and healthy? And this is supposed to be hardship?”

Widow Qin immediately burst into tears. “Silly Zhu, how can you say that? It’s not easy for a woman like me to work and support the family. My mother-in-law helps take care of the children at home—is that wrong?”

Silly Zhu sneered, “It’s not easy for your family, but what does that have to do with me? Why must I be the one to help you? If we’re talking about hardship, is your family worse off than Old Lady Han’s?”

Silly Zhu’s words caused an uproar among the courtyard residents. Indeed, Yi Zhonghai always claimed the Jia family was struggling, but no matter how hard it got, it couldn’t compare to Old Lady Han’s family. She received the minimum five yuan a month for social assistance, spent her days gluing paper boxes and scavenging just to barely get by.

So why didn’t Yi Zhonghai ask Silly Zhu to help Han’s family? Was there something special going on?

Silly Zhu soon explained, “That’s because Yi Zhonghai has his own selfish motives! The son of the Jia family who passed away was his apprentice. He’s counting on the Jia family to look after him in his old age!”

“You’re talking nonsense, Silly Zhu! I’m telling you, my family would never support anyone in their old age!” Jia Zhang, notorious for her unreasonable stubbornness, naturally refused to let Silly Zhu get away with it when the gossip turned to her own family.

Yi Zhonghai, already shaken by Silly Zhu’s words, was pushed over the edge by Jia Zhang’s retort. With a thud, he collapsed and fainted on the ground.

“Please, Zhu, for heaven’s sake, don’t say any more!” First Aunt rushed over anxiously, pleading with Silly Zhu to stop.

Silly Zhu glanced coldly at Yi Zhonghai, feeling not the least bit sorry for him. He chose not to say anything more, but announced his plan to move, “Neighbors, I’ve arranged with the Wang family next door; we’re swapping houses. From now on, I’ll be neighbors with the folks in the adjacent courtyard!”

Having said his piece, Silly Zhu left, paying no mind to anything else and shutting himself in his house.

Second Master Liu Haizhong and Third Master Yan Bugui looked pleased. Silly Zhu had stripped Yi Zhonghai bare—how could Yi Zhonghai still have the dignity to continue being First Master?

After Silly Zhu left, Liu Haizhong took a sip of tea, cleared his throat, and addressed the crowd, “Since Silly Zhu’s gone, I’ll say a few words. Our courtyard has held the Red Banner for years—everyone knows it’s true. No need to worry, Silly Zhu’s claims are false, the truth won’t be hidden. All right, everyone, let’s disperse!”

Yan Bugui rolled his eyes beside him—so much talk and not a word of substance.

Chen Liang, holding little Rain’s hand, overheard her exclaim in disbelief, “I never imagined Master Yi was such a person—he’s just too…” She didn’t finish, but Chen Liang could guess: shameless, without honor.

Before marrying Chen Liang, Rain was a teacher at the Red Star Kindergarten under the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill. Yi Zhonghai, as one of the few eighth-level workers, was famous throughout the factory. Before his pretense was exposed, his reputation was impeccable. Now, well, Yi Zhonghai would have to fend for himself.

Back home, Chen Liang and his wife stopped discussing the matter. After washing up and getting into bed, Chen Liang, with a mysterious air, produced a garment as thin as gauze. “Wife, try this on.”

Rain took a look—what a strange style! Puzzled, she glanced at Chen Liang, but finally gave in and changed into it under the covers.

Once she was dressed, Chen Liang stole a glance, then couldn’t resist diving under the blankets. Yes, Chen Liang, that rascal, had brought out what men called a disposable intimate garment.

Though there was no real battle that night, Rain was thoroughly worn out by his antics. In the end, she used her ultimate move—pouting and lightly pounding his chest—before they finally fell asleep in each other’s arms.

The days passed, and soon the old year was drawing to a close and the new year was about to begin. The tasks Chen Liang had assigned to Cao Da Wu were finally bearing fruit, and his plan for financial freedom was about to be realized.

During this time, Silly Zhu brought Old Deaf Lady into Chen Liang’s courtyard.

No one knew what Old Deaf Lady had told the neighborhood committee, but they quickly sent someone to coordinate the move.

After confirming both parties’ wishes, the committee efficiently approved the house swap.

When moving day came, Chen Liang gathered his idle friends and quickly helped Silly Zhu and Old Deaf Lady clear out their belongings.

Once Silly Zhu settled in with Old Deaf Lady, he felt much more at ease.

The families in Chen Liang’s courtyard, though each with their own quirks, were overall far better than those in the previous one.

At least the courtyard’s steward, Old Master Chen Dashan, would always step up when needed. Right was right, wrong was wrong, no excuses. Sometimes, if Chen Liang annoyed him, he’d insist on kicking him a couple times just to vent.

That’s right, Chen Liang lived in the central courtyard, and the steward was Chen Dashan. Ever since the apple-peeling incident, after Chen’s mother had given him a good scolding, Chen Dashan was always looking for a chance to give Chen Liang a thrashing! But Chen Liang was clever. Whenever things looked bad, he’d slip away.

The laughter and joy of the Chen family soon infected Old Deaf Lady. She loved to tease little Chen Hong, who, after missing from the story for several chapters, was now the sweetest, calling her “Granny” over and over. Finally, she’d found a protector even more formidable than Second Uncle and Second Aunt.

Chen Hong: Ha! You ordinary folks can’t imagine—this young lady is the chosen one! Hmph, even my guardian has come to me, so tremble, mortals!