People, once they have power, start to get arrogant, just like these three. They're basically just mediators in the courtyard, with no real power, yet they act all high and mighty.

Yi Zhonghai, who had been speaking righteously just moments before, suddenly became speechless. He had just said that everyone in the institute had to attend, but now Ma Hua had pointed out that some people hadn't come. Wasn't this a slap in the face to himself?

Yi Zhonghai blushed slightly as he watched the chuckles of the crowd. It was just too funny, hahaha!

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu immediately stood up and shouted at Ma Hua, "Who do you think you are? The old lady is the matriarch of our courtyard. How can you compare to her?"

Ma Hua chuckled and said, "Wow, our courtyard still has ancestors? I thought they were gone after the fall of the Qing Dynasty. Tsk tsk tsk, I've really broadened my horizons today."

Yi Zhonghai's expression changed and he immediately stopped Sha Zhu, saying to Ma Hua, "Ahem, Zhu Zi misspoke. The old lady is the oldest in our compound, and her legs aren't very good. For the sake of her health, she usually doesn't participate unless there's a problem. Ma Hua, do you have any more questions?"

“That’s all,” Ma Hua could only say. If he said anything more, Yi Zhonghai would definitely call out the old lady, and then he would be accused of disrespecting the elderly. That Yi Zhonghai was really insidious.

"Alright, since there's nothing else, let's continue the meeting," Yi Zhonghai said, gesturing for Yan Bugui to continue. Seeing how aggressive Ma Hua was, Yan Bugui wasn't about to say anything more. He just wanted a free meal; he didn't want to be insulted in front of so many people.

For a moment, the front yard was completely silent. No one spoke. Sha Zhu couldn't hold back any longer and spoke directly to Ma Hua: "Ma Hua, you said you moved to this yard, but you didn't even bother to introduce it to everyone or treat us to a meal."

"Yes, Ma Hua, why don't you introduce him?" "It would be best if you treated me to a meal; I want braised pork." Jia Zhangshi said without any politeness. She had already figured out that this young man was definitely rich; the whole room was full of new furniture, making Jia Zhangshi's mouth water.

Yi Zhonghai coughed twice: "Ma Hua, your neighbors in our courtyard are so lively. If it's not possible, why don't you treat everyone to a meal, and we can all get together and have some fun?"

"No way," Ma Hua refused outright. So you were just waiting for me here? Damn it, how dare you say that? Over a hundred people, and you expect me to treat them? I'd rather you eat shit than not. A hundred people like that, even the public toilets outside wouldn't be enough to feed them all.

“Ma Hua, there’s no need for so much talk. We’re doing this for your own good. You just moved into the courtyard house and don’t know anyone yet. It would be so much more lively if we all had a meal together. Besides, we’re all neighbors, so don’t be shy,” Yi Zhonghai said earnestly, as if Ma Hua would be a sinner against the courtyard house if he didn’t treat everyone.

Everyone stared intently at Ma Hua. They had already found out that Ma Hua was also a cook, and his cooking seemed to be even better than Sha Zhu's. How wonderful it would be to get a free meal!

Ma Hua glanced at the greedy eyes around him, sneering inwardly. They were all truly a bunch of heartless bastards. No wonder the courtyard was "filled with birds." Don't think you're innocent; when an avalanche occurs, not a single snowflake is innocent.

When Yan Bugui saw that Ma Hua was silent, he thought that Ma Hua had given in. He stopped playing with his glasses and said directly, "Ma Hua, this doesn't need to be too lavish. It's just a simple meal in our courtyard to have some fun and welcome you."

"Old Yan, what nonsense are you spouting? I'm telling you, Ma Hua, you absolutely have to prepare braised pork for me. If you don't have it, I'm not worthy!" Jia Zhangshi snapped, "What do you mean 'anything is fine'? What do you mean 'not lavish'? I'm still waiting to eat braised pork!"

"You, you, your behavior is indecent and disgraceful," Yan Bugui said helplessly as he continued wiping his glasses. He dared not confront Jia Zhangshi.

Ma Hua coldly observed all of this, then suddenly laughed and said, "Alright, it's just treating someone to a meal, sir. Then please give me the money and the tickets."

Yi Zhonghai was speechless for a moment, and Ma Hua immediately laughed and said, "Uncle, no way, no way, you're going to make me pay? Didn't you say you were welcoming me? Oh, so the tradition in our courtyard is just verbal welcome, without any actual gesture?"

Jia Zhangshi panicked. "What? You dare ask me for money? I'm being lenient by not asking you!" she yelled at Ma Hua. "Of course you're paying! I heard you're a cook. Let me tell you, you're not only paying, you're putting in the work too. You'd better behave yourself. There has to be braised pork, and you'd better cook something decent for me, or I won't let you off the hook!"

"Is that so?" Ma Hua chuckled lightly, staring expressionlessly at Jia Zhangshi. "Your things are going to be gone, I'm telling you."

Seeing the expression on Ma Hua's face, Qin Huairu's heart skipped a beat. She quickly tugged at Jia Zhangshi's neighbor, signaling her mother-in-law to stop talking.

Seeing the awkward silence, Yi Zhonghai immediately said, "Ma Hua, Aunt Jia didn't mean that."

Ma Hua directly retorted: "What does that mean? Do you think I'm easy to bully since I'm new here? You even want me to treat everyone in the hospital to a meal. What's wrong with you? Are you some kind of landlord tyrants who haven't been wiped out yet? So arrogant. Braised pork? Have you ever eaten braised pork?"

Jia Zhangshi was about to retort that her mother hadn't eaten, but Qin Huairu held her back tightly. She realized that Ma Hua was not someone to be trifled with.

Yi Zhonghai couldn't sit still any longer. If this got out, what would people think of his courtyard? How could a newcomer treat the whole courtyard to a meal? If word got out, wouldn't he, an old man, be cursed to death?

"That's not what they meant. They just noticed we have new students in our department, and it happens to be around the time of our annual departmental dinner, so that's why they brought this up. Since you don't agree, then forget it."

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