Seeing that everyone in the courtyard had fallen silent and no one was there to support him, Yi Zhonghai had no choice but to take the stage himself and began to speak.
“I know everyone is having a hard time, but the Jia family is in even greater difficulty. So, as the eldest elder of this courtyard, I’ll set an example by donating 30 jin of cornmeal to the Jia family to help them through this difficult time.”
After Yi Zhonghai finished speaking, he silently looked at the audience, hoping someone would respond.
After looking around for a while without anyone speaking, Yi Zhonghai could only turn his gaze to Liu Haizhong.
Liu Haizhong was reluctant, but as the second eldest uncle of the courtyard house, his status did not allow him to refuse, so he had no choice but to speak up.
“As the highest-ranking member of the family, the eldest uncle has already donated 30 jin of cornmeal, setting an example for us. As the second eldest uncle in the family, I certainly won’t donate less. So I will donate 20 jin of cornmeal! I hope it can help the Jia family.”
Yi Zhonghai nodded in satisfaction after hearing Liu Haizhong's words, and then turned his gaze to Yan Bugui.
Seeing Yi Zhonghai's gaze, Yan Bugui knew there was no way to avoid it, so he shook his head slightly and could only say helplessly.
“Everyone knows our family’s situation. We can’t compare with the eldest and second eldest uncles, but as the third eldest uncle in the courtyard, I certainly won’t stand idly by. How about this? Our family will donate 10 jin of sweet potatoes as a token of our appreciation.”
After Yan Bugui finished speaking, his face flushed, and he was so heartbroken that he could hardly breathe, as if he had lost hundreds of millions.
Yi Zhonghai's emotions didn't fluctuate much after hearing this, because it fit Yan Bugui's character perfectly; it was already quite good that Yan Bugui was willing to donate.
But what's wrong with these people down there? They're not moving at all. Didn't they see that the three of us old men donated? How can they be so inconsiderate?
Seeing this from below, Sun Zhengguo chuckled to himself, thinking to himself.
"In the original storyline, it was always Yi Zhonghai's henchman Sha Zhu who started it. Now that no one is taking the lead, the situation is rather awkward."
Seeing that no one spoke, Yi Zhonghai had no choice but to call on people. He looked at the people below, his gaze settling on Sha Zhu, who was hiding in the corner, and then he spoke.
"Shazhu, you know about Dongxu's family situation. How much are you planning to donate?"
As soon as Yi Zhonghai finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to Sha Zhu.
Seeing everyone staring at him, Sha Zhu thought to himself, "Am I not low-key enough? I've run to this corner, and you, Yi Zhonghai, still managed to find me."
Thinking of this, Sha Zhu could only bite the bullet and answer.
“Uncle, you should know our family situation. I’m a temporary worker, and I only earn 15 yuan a month. It’s hard enough to support my brother and me. I can’t afford to donate anymore. You should look for someone else.”
Sha Zhu's words left Yi Zhonghai speechless. "I asked you to donate grain, even if it was just a little less, but instead you're here complaining."
Yi Zhonghai was in a bad mood. He felt that he had never been so humiliated in his life. He had no choice but to turn his attention to Xu Fugui. If his family couldn't make ends meet, surely Xu Fugui's family could?
All eyes turned to Xu Fugui, who, being straightforward, didn't waste any words and directly stated that he was willing to donate 5 jin of cornmeal as a token of his appreciation.
After breaking through Xu Fugui's defenses, things became much easier. The neighbors started donating grain, one pound of cornmeal from one family, another two pounds of sweet potatoes from another.
Sun Dajiang didn't step forward either. Like Xu Fugui, he donated 5 jin of cornmeal. Of course, there was no scene of complaining about the amount or hurling insults.
After everyone had donated, Yan Bugui tallied up the donations: a total of 89 jin of cornmeal, 26 jin of sweet potatoes, and 5 jin of potatoes, enough for the Jia family to eat for a while.
Finally, with Jia Dongxu bowing in gratitude, the conference concluded successfully, and the meeting was adjourned.
Although some food was donated at this conference, Yi Zhonghai knew that this was the first time, and probably the last.
Judging from everyone's expressions today, if this kind of conference is held a few more times, Yi Zhonghai will not be able to maintain his position in this compound.
This left Yi Zhonghai in a deep state of confusion. The Jia family was a bottomless pit; once you jumped in, you couldn't get out. Yi Zhonghai didn't know what to do.
Back home, Lin Wencui couldn't wait to ask.
“Dajiang, didn’t the subdistrict office say that donations are not allowed? How could Yi Zhonghai dare to organize donations on his own initiative unless the subdistrict office approves it?”
Sun Dajiang shook his head and replied with a smile.
"When did Yi Zhonghai donate money? Tonight he only donated food."
"Isn't that a fallacy of equivocation? Is there even a difference?"
Lin Wencui said indignantly.
"There's a big difference. Donations have to be reported, but donating grain is none of your business, you didn't hear him say that people can't just starve to death? The street office wouldn't dare to accept that kind of accusation."
"Dad, why do you still donate? They can buy it themselves. Jia Dongxu earns 32.5 yuan a month, and cornmeal is only a few yuan a pound."
Sun Zheng'an, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but interject.
"Silly boy, even you understand this principle, how could others not understand it? How could a troublemaker like Xu Fugui not understand it? Are you wondering why no one is standing up for you?"
Sun Zheng'an nodded to the side, while Sun Dajiang looked at Sun Zhengguo and then asked.
"Jung-guk, what do you think of this matter?"
Sun Zhengguo, standing to the side, was speechless. Why was he involved?
However, since his father asked, Sun Zhengguo also shared his opinion.
"This is how I see it, Dad. Do you think I'm right?"
"First, it's just 5 jin of cornmeal, which only costs a few cents. It's not worth it. Otherwise, people will say you're rich but heartless and gradually distance themselves from you."
Secondly, if you step forward and sabotage this matter, and something goes wrong, people will say you are ungrateful and heartless, and your reputation will suffer.
Third, this incident is unlikely to happen again. Look at how everyone in the compound behaved today. If Yi Zhonghai dares to act like this again, he probably won't be able to stay in this compound anymore.
After listening to his son's words, Sun Dajiang couldn't help but give his son a thumbs up. His son's analysis was excellent.
Sun Dajiang wanted to say something more, but Lin Wencui became unhappy and shouted loudly.
"Go back to sleep! What time is it? Don't you have school tomorrow?!"
Upon hearing Lin Wencui's shouts, the three siblings quickly fled the scene and went back to their room to sleep.
Lin Wencui was very satisfied to see that the children had all left. She swayed her hips as she walked into the room, and before entering, she gave Sun Dajiang a meaningful look.
Sun Dajiang was left alone at the scene, his mouth slightly open, as if he wanted to say something.
Finally, Sun Dajiang seemed to remember something, his face immediately lit up with excitement, and he muttered to himself.
"Yes! It's getting late, we should go to bed."
Sun Dajiang quickly walked towards the room...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com