Yan Bugui was also getting anxious. He had only been the head steward for a few days and hadn't even had a chance to show off his power yet.

He hurriedly explained, "No, don't talk nonsense, that's not how it is. I just called everyone to a meeting, I don't know anything else."

The deaf old woman glared at Yan Bugui with intense resentment, but quickly suppressed her anger. She still needed him.

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu immediately roared, "Shut up, all of you! The old lady may have done something wrong before, but that's all in the past!"

Why are you bringing this up again? The old lady is so old; don't you have any compassion?

"Pfft, Sha Zhu is right. Don't you have any compassion? Are you even human? Why don't you hurry up and learn from Sha Zhu and start subsidizing the Jia family?"

"You've ruined your jobs and reputations! The old lady was just lying to try and take advantage of you. Tell me, is it really worth it?!"

Ma Hua immediately retorted sarcastically, "Serves you right! I love seeing you all hate me but can't do anything about it."

Ma Hua looked at the old lady and Sha Zhu with a smug expression.

The old lady was filled with hatred; she had considered everything, but had forgotten about Ma Hua, that bastard. Suppressing her anger, she turned to look at Yi Zhonghai, who was watching the scene unfold.

The meaning was clear: would you help or not? Yi Zhonghai sensed the old woman's intention. He initially wanted to refuse and ignore her, but he was afraid she would expose him.

He could only cough loudly twice, and once everyone had calmed down, he finally spoke: "Yes, what Zhu Zi said earlier was right. The old lady may have had many misperceptions before, but they're all in the past now."

Now the old lady just wants to find someone to take care of her in her old age and see her off in her final days.

Besides, didn't the old lady promise to leave the house to that person? I don't think things are that complicated. Let's not bring up the past.

"If it's okay, it's okay; if it's not okay, it's not okay. Besides, the old lady said it at our all-staff meeting, and we all agree, right?"

Yi Zhonghai's words were well-chosen; he didn't directly deny the old lady's fault, but he emphasized that the matter was discussed at a meeting in the courtyard.

The old lady's house will definitely be left to the person who takes care of her in her old age and sees her off in her final days.

Upon hearing this, the people in the courtyard disregarded everything else, given how scarce housing was these days, and immediately began whispering among themselves to discuss the matter.

The old lady was furious when she heard Yi Zhonghai's words. She had only used the house to deceive everyone, but Yi Zhonghai had given her a firm and irrefutable deal.

Now, he could only nod helplessly, "Yes, Zhonghai is right, that's exactly what I meant."

Upon hearing the old lady's words, everyone hurriedly asked, "Grandma, none of us are wealthy. If you eat white flour buns and meat every day, we can't afford to support you."

"Pah, what nonsense are you talking about? There's still Sha Zhu's family who can afford to support you, old lady. Sha Zhu can steal things to support you. Hahahaha!"

"Grandma, can you tell us if it's okay to eat cornbread and cornmeal porridge every day? Everyone knows my family's situation; this is all we can afford."

Although it was said in jest, it was also a way of forcing the old lady to make a statement. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the old lady, waiting for her to say something.

Even just two steamed buns would be fine for our family. It just means the whole family will eat a little less; we could buy a house!

The old woman was furious. "Steamed cornbread? You bastard! How dare you feed this to an old woman like this? I'll kill you!" Originally, the old woman had hoped to use the house to trick everyone into serving her.

She could finally live a life where she could choose her concubine every day. In the old lady's dream, it would be, "Oh, Old Yan, you've made me stewed meat again today!" No, no, the Li family sent me roast duck!

"Bring it to me tomorrow? No, no, Old Liu from the backyard said he'll deliver it tomorrow. I think it'll be the day after tomorrow."

But now, with a snap, the old lady's dream was shattered, and her heart was broken too. Dreams are beautiful, but reality is cruel, yet the old lady couldn't simply say no.

She could only say tactfully, "I'm an old woman, so old, as long as I can chew, I'll eat anything."

Upon hearing this, Ma Hua immediately laughed and said, "Everyone, the old lady said that anything she can chew is fine with her. Ah, she's so considerate! She's thinking of you all."

The crowd looked at Ma Hua with some confusion, and Yan Bugui asked Ma Hua with some surprise, "Ma Hua, what do you mean?"

Originally, Yan Bugui hadn't held out much hope for the old lady's house, but after hearing what Yi Zhonghai said, and considering that the entire courtyard had approved it, plus he was the only elder in the courtyard...

As long as I take care of the old lady until her death, why would I be afraid that she would change her mind? That's why I'm paying special attention to this matter.

"Don't you understand? The old lady is so old, her teeth are probably all gone by now. Don't you understand what she means? No need for cornbread."

The old lady said that she only needed to eat cornmeal porridge three times a day, and there was no need to cook any vegetables, since she didn't have any teeth anyway! Ma Hua shrugged and explained to everyone.

Seeing everyone's sudden realization, Ma Hua chuckled at the old lady whose eyes were practically blazing with anger: "Grandma, is my explanation right?"

The old lady was so angry she almost passed out. If we're talking about ruthlessness, Ma Hua is the real ruthless one. At least others give me a little something to eat.

You're just trying to fool me with cornmeal porridge. This isn't about providing for my old age and funeral; it's about making sure I die a slow death.

Upon hearing Ma Hua's words, Jia Zhangshi immediately shouted at the crowd, "I think it's fine. Old lady, you can come with my family from now on, and I promise to send you away."

As soon as Jia Zhangshi finished speaking, the crowd, who had just been red-faced and ready to fight, immediately burst into laughter. Sending them away, please!

“Jia Zhangshi, your family is struggling to make ends meet. How are you going to support the old lady?”

Upon hearing that person's words, Madam Jia raised her chin arrogantly: "How much can the old lady eat? When cooking, just add two more bowls of water and you'll have everything you need."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately gave Jia Zhangshi a thumbs up. Jia Zhangshi was right, absolutely right.

When the old lady heard Jia Zhangshi say this, she could no longer contain her anger. Good heavens, your corn porridge is cooler than my dishwater! Damn it, you even add water to my cooking!

The old lady stood up abruptly, raised her cane, and struck Jia Zhangshi. Jia Zhangshi, who was sharing her experiences with everyone, never expected the old lady to do such a thing.

The cane struck Jia Zhangshi, who was completely unprepared, with great force.

"Oh dear, why are you hitting me, old lady!" Jia Zhangshi said as she dodged.

"Why would I hit you? Ever since you came into this courtyard, I've known you're no good. You even tried to send this old lady away. I'll beat you to death!"

The old lady was furious and chased after Jia Zhangshi with her cane in hand.