Chapter 233 Extra Chapter 11: The Red Flag

Ever since Zhou Hongqi and Jin Junwei moved into courtyard number three in Yinxing Hutong, the people in the hutong have often made fun of Jin Junwei behind his back, saying he's a freeloader.

Some people even deliberately raised their voices when Jin Junwei approached, just to embarrass him.

Jin Junwei didn't take it to heart; what the other person was saying was the truth, so why should he deny it?

Not everyone can live off a woman.

Let those gossipy people talk; he just eats white flour buns, rice, and meat every few days, wears new clothes, and doesn't have to work in the fields. In less than a month since moving into courtyard number three and cooking for himself, his life is no worse than that of the factory leaders' children.

However, while it's acceptable to say he's a kept man, it's unacceptable to say anything bad about Sister Hongqi.

Jin Junwei started arguing with Grandpa Sun and Grandma Sun from Courtyard No. 2 at the entrance of the alley. When the argument got heated, he suddenly started scratching people. If the neighbors hadn't pulled them apart, Jin Junwei would have had more bruises on his face.

After all, it was one against two, and even though he had replenished his energy during this time, he still wasn't strong enough.

"Ouch! Little Jin, who did you get into a fight with?"

When the neighbors in courtyard number three heard that the fight was between Grandpa Sun and Grandma Sun from the next courtyard, they weren't surprised at all.

It's no wonder that couple offends anyone; they won't settle down unless they get a beating every day.

“Those two are just bullies who prey on the weak. You won’t get the upper hand if you fight them. When Hongqi comes back, talk to him and let him deal with them.”

Jin Junwei smiled and said, "It's nothing."

He turned around and went into his own home to prepare dinner.

"Hiss..." The neighbors smelled the delicious aroma wafting from his house and took several deep breaths.

Someone muttered under their breath, "They bought meat last week and bones today. They really know how to spend money."

Don't be fooled by the people in the alley who laugh at him for living off a woman; in reality, most of them are just envious. After all, Jin Junwei's life as a kept man is too good to pass up.

When the factory workers returned home after get off work, Jin Junwei waited at his doorstep until after 7 p.m., but Zhou Hongqi still hadn't returned. He knew she must have stayed at the factory to work overtime.

When Zhou Hongqi returned on his bicycle, the entire Ginkgo Alley was pitch black.

It's only a little past nine o'clock at night, but the power went out early today. With nothing else to do, everyone's already gone to sleep. Only those with radios are still listening to the broadcast.

Grandpa Li, who lived in the gatehouse, was the first to hear the noise. He came out with a flashlight to check, found it was her, nodded to her, and went back to his room to sleep.

Just as she was about to knock on the courtyard gate, the gate opened from the inside.

Jin Junwei came out to meet her with a flashlight.

"The machines in the factory broke down today."

"Have you got a meal yet?"

"I've already eaten, but I'm hungry again."

"I'll reheat the food."

Zhou Hongqi pushed the bicycle back into the house. She had only bought it less than a month ago; her master had given it to her as a wedding gift.

She and Jin Junwei didn't have any ceremony. A few days after they got their marriage certificate, they went to her mentor's house, where her mentor led them to read through some quotations. That was considered a ceremony.

They were afraid the kids in the yard would mess with their new bicycle if they left it outside. There were many children in the front yard of their No. 3 courtyard, especially the Ding family's kids who were particularly unruly.

A kerosene lamp was lit in the middle of the small square table in the room. Zhou Hongqi, who had just washed his face, was about to take the large bowl that Jin Junwei brought over when he looked up and saw several red marks on his face.

"Who hit you?" Zhou Hongqi stood up jokingly.

Jin Junwei originally thought that this was a small matter and there was no need to mention it, but when he saw her angry and distressed expression, his eyes reddened and he immediately complained that it was Grandpa Sun and Grandma Sun.

Grandpa Sun and Grandma Sun gossiped outside that Sister Hongqi was a tomboy, big and burly, and that she was dating a young man six years younger than her.

Of course, he omitted some of the more offensive remarks.

"It's them again!" Zhou Hongqi slammed his fist on the table in anger.

They had only been living there for less than a month when they saw the Sun family next door arguing with other neighbors every few days.

"You wait, I'll get revenge for you after I finish eating." Zhou Hongqi said and then started eating heartily. She had worked overtime for several hours and was starving. She needed to eat her fill to have the strength to beat someone up.

Jin Junwei hesitated, "Wouldn't this be bad? What if it affects your work?"

"It's alright. If word gets out, it'll just be a family dispute within the factory, a minor matter." Zhou Hongqi was very tactful. To fight in the factory would be to disregard factory rules and show a lack of organization and discipline. But to fight in the family compound after work was perfectly normal.

Who doesn't have their share of conflicts when living in the family compound? These kinds of things don't even get taken to the factory's labor union or women's federation.

Jin Junwei felt relieved and became bolder. He diligently poured water for him and asked if he wanted more rice.

"That's enough, you're too full to move around much."

Just when most people thought the day was over, a sudden howl broke the tranquility of Ginkgo Alley at night.

"Did you hear that? Could it be a thief?"

"It doesn't sound like that to me, it sounds like someone is arguing?"

"No, I have to go out and take a look."

The first to hear the commotion were the residents of courtyards one and three. It started with loud banging on the gates, followed by exclamations from courtyard two: "What are you doing?"

Then came a series of banging sounds.

Upon closer listening, everyone recognized the voices of Grandpa Sun and Grandma Sun; their wailing was quite pitiful. Considering their fight with Jin Junwei that afternoon, everyone understood what was going on.

One by one, they became inexplicably excited, got up to find flashlights, put on their shoes, and went out to see the excitement.

Finally, someone has arrived in Ginkgo Alley who can handle Grandpa Sun and Grandma Sun.

These people silently thanked the housing management department for assigning Zhou Hongqi to Ginkgo Hutong.

In Courtyard No. 2.

Zhou Hongqi was more than capable of handling the three members of the Sun family by himself.

Grandpa Sun and Grandma Sun were slapped several times by her, and now they could only cover their faces and whine. Sun Dashan grabbed a stick to help, but before he could hit them, Zhou Hongqi snatched the stick away and started slapping him repeatedly, making him jump around in pain.

When Zhou Hongqi knocked on the door, it was Sister-in-law Zhou, who lived next door to the Sun family, who opened the door for her.

Zhou Hongqi knew her fairly well and knew that Zhou Dasao's real name was Luo Guifang. After her husband left, she raised three daughters by herself and lived a very frugal life.

Since Zhou Hongqi got a bicycle, if he runs into Luo Guifang on his way to work in the morning, he will invite Luo Guifang to ride on her bicycle to the factory.

As soon as Luo Guifang opened the door, she guessed that Zhou Hongqi was there to settle scores with Grandpa Sun and Grandma Sun. After reminding her to be careful, she sent her three daughters back inside.

She stayed behind to watch the Sun family being beaten. Taking advantage of Sun Dashan's inattention, she tripped him with her foot, making it easier for Zhou Hongqi to beat him up.

It wasn't just Luo Guifang; everyone in the No. 2 courtyard only talked and tried to persuade, but no one actually took any action to stop people.

If it were someone else's family being attacked, everyone would have rushed to help pull them away. But since the people being attacked are from the Sun family, no one wants to help.

It's no surprise that the Sun family was disliked by many in Ginkgo Alley.

The two gentlemen in charge who are good at upholding justice are both on night shift at the factory.

It seems that the beating the Sun family received was arranged by fate.

“Hongqi, although Grandpa Sun and Grandma Sun deserve to be hit, don’t hit them too hard.”

"Yes, yes, that's good enough."

Zhou Hongqi was well aware of the situation. She might hit them, but she wouldn't seriously injure them. She was just using the Sun family as a "chicken" to scare the others in the alley, so they would know when to stop and wouldn't bother her Junwei when she wasn't home.

After being persuaded by everyone, Zhou Hongqi stopped, spat, and warned, "If you dare to say bad things about our Junwei again, or scratch our Junwei's face again, I'll make you regret it!"

Her Junwei's face is so precious, and he only has a few red marks. If they don't go away, she'll come knocking on his door again another day.

Among the onlookers, some shrank back and pursed their lips.

Who knew Zhou Hongqi would have such a bad temper?

Looking at Jin Junwei standing behind Zhou Hongqi, everyone understood: this pretty boy may look like an easy target, but he'll tell on people!

After Zhou Hongqi and Jin Junwei left, and the crowd gradually dispersed, Grandpa Sun and Grandma Sun finally dared to wail.

Aunt Bai, who lived in the same courtyard, came over and banged on his door, saying in a harsh voice, "If you keep yelling and wake my granddaughter, my fists aren't to be trifled with!"

The Sun family immediately fell silent.

Meanwhile, back home, Zhou Hongqi was about to boil eggs to apply to Jin Junwei's face.

"No need, no need, save the eggs for tomorrow."

“What’s a couple of eggs compared to face?” Zhou Hongqi insisted.

The two sat in front of the stove, waiting for the eggs to cook.

Zhou Hongqi's eyes were glued to Jin Junwei's face. It had taken him more than half a month to get used to it.

"Ahem." Jin Junwei whispered a reminder to her, "Sister Hongqi, it's time to replace the family planning supplies at home."

The factory and the neighborhood office are now promoting "late marriage and late childbirth," but that has nothing to do with their family.

Hongqi is 26 years old today, which means she is already considered to be "late in marriage and childbearing".

However, Sister Hongqi is currently too busy with work, and her mentor suggested that she consider having children later.

"Huh?" Zhou Hongqi blushed, a rare occurrence for him. What he said... sigh!

However, these family planning supplies are meant to be reused; they can be used again before being thrown away.

The next day, Zhou Hongqi went to work as usual, looking refreshed and energetic.

"Sister Luo, I'll give you a ride." Zhou Hongqi generously invited her to get in the car. Luo Guifang thanked him and sat in the back seat without hesitation.

As the two were chatting, Luo Guifang suddenly noticed several marks on Zhou Hongqi's neck and immediately looked away.

When she came home from get off work yesterday, her three daughters told her about the argument between Uncle Jin and Grandpa Sun and Grandma Sun that afternoon.

The two little girls, too young to understand, asked her with curious faces, "Aunt Sun asked Uncle Jin who was in charge, him or Aunt Zhou, and then they started fighting. Mom, who's in charge?"

Luo Guifang was at a loss for words when asked the questions, and all she wanted to do was sew up Grandpa Sun and Grandma Sun's foul mouths.

When I got off the bus, I noticed the heavy lunchbox hanging on the hood of Zhou Hongqi's car. I thought to myself, no matter what people outside say, the couple is living a good life.

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The sky is falling! Why wasn't my last chapter a bonus chapter? [Melted] It's all messed up now.