"What do you know, you're just a kid?"
Yan Bugui glared at Yan Jiekuang with dissatisfaction. "Silly boy, no matter how capable Dabao is, he can't possibly keep an eye on things in our compound every day. After all, he's not a mediator, he has no obligation to do so."
“Even if Yi Zhonghai causes trouble, Da Bao has no right to stop him. If Xu Damao hadn’t insisted on getting involved, and Da Bao had been the mediator, Lao Liu and I wouldn’t be so worried now!”
Yan Jiekuang disagreed, "Dad, Uncle Dabao is the most righteous person in the compound, he definitely won't abandon us. Besides, there are still Liu Haizhong and Xu Damao, they don't want to be replaced by Yi Zhonghai either."
Yan Bugui nodded in deep agreement. "I've already discussed this with Xu Damao. We share the same interests in this matter. Xu Damao's idea is to devise a plan to deal with Yi Zhonghai, to let the residents of the compound see his true colors. Afterwards, Lao Liu and I can secretly help Xu Damao to successfully pass the observation period and officially take over the position of mediator."
Yan Jiecheng hesitated, "Dad, is this appropriate? What if we get found out? Won't it be even worse?"
Yan Bugui rolled his eyes at his eldest son, "That's why we need to be discreet. As long as Xu Damao stays put, Yi Zhonghai won't be able to make a comeback."
Just then, a commotion broke out outside.
The group put down their bowls and chopsticks and went out to check out the situation. They saw Yi Zhonghai talking to someone in the courtyard, with some tools beside him.
"Hey, Lao Yan, you just finished eating?"
Yi Zhonghai greeted him with a smile, but his eyes were unreadable.
"Oh, it's Lao Yi. I heard quite a commotion just now. What are you doing?" Yan Bugui adjusted his glasses and asked cheerfully.
"Well, while I'm taking advantage of this little bit of time during the meal, I was thinking of fixing up some tables, chairs, and benches in the yard so it's more convenient for everyone to sit on." Yi Zhonghai said, fiddling with the hammer in his hand. "Old Yan, do you see anything in your house that needs fixing? If so, don't hesitate to bring it out and I'll fix it for you."
Yan Bugui sneered inwardly; this old guy was indeed trying to win people over.
However, one cannot appear indifferent on the surface, since Yi Zhonghai is all smiles and welcoming, and one cannot lose face.
At that moment, Yan Bugui laughed and said, "Old Yi, you have a really good heart. But you never used to care about these little things. Why are you being so attentive now? Do you have some other intentions?"
Upon hearing this, the other residents in the front yard all looked at Yi Zhonghai.
Yi Zhonghai's expression changed slightly, but he quickly recovered and laughed, "Old Yan, you're wrong about that. We're all neighbors, it's only right that we look out for each other."
Yan Bugui secretly curled his lip in disdain, but for the time being he couldn't think of a way to stop Yi Zhonghai from currying favor with everyone. He thought to himself that this old fox was indeed full of tricks. In the time it took to eat a meal, he could come out and repair benches for the neighbors in the compound.
Just then, Xu Damao arrived carrying food.
Xu Damao first went to Wang Dabao's place, but found the door closed and the man hadn't returned yet, so he went to the front yard instead.
Seeing Yi Zhonghai's behavior from afar, he understood the situation. It seemed he had to come up with a foolproof plan, otherwise his position as the third uncle would surely be in jeopardy.
Xu Damao stepped forward and said loudly, "Hey, isn't this Yi Zhonghai? Why are you so diligent today? You even know to fix the tables and benches for everyone. You've never done this before. Could it be that you did too many bad things before and are now trying to make up for it?!"
A flash of anger crossed Yi Zhonghai's face, but it was quickly suppressed. He then smiled and said, "I was just bored. We're all neighbors, so I thought I'd try to strengthen our relationship."
Xu Damao gave a forced smile and patted Yi Zhonghai on the shoulder: "I'll just call you Lao Yi. You should take care of your own affairs first. When you have time, talk to your wife about adopting a child."
"Don't blame me for not warning you, Jia Dongxu is unreliable. Don't bet on him, or you two will be crying later!"
Yi Zhonghai's face turned red. Xu Damao, this young man, patting him on the shoulder was already disrespectful enough. Now he brought up the old matter again, mocking and ridiculing him, stabbing him in the heart, and also insulting Jia Dongxu, sowing discord between him and the Jia family.
"You don't need to worry about that, Damao. My wife and I aren't that old yet, we have time to think about these things."
Yi Zhonghai chuckled and stared at Xu Damao, saying, "As for you, Damao, you're not young anymore. Although you're a bit ugly, you should be able to find a wife. Hurry up and stop being picky. Just find someone who's perfect, and you'll live a good life."
Yi Zhonghai spoke earnestly, patted Xu Damao's arm with a slight smile, picked up his tools, said goodbye to the others, and returned to the Intermediate People's Court.
By the time Xu Damao realized what was happening, Yi Zhonghai had already disappeared beside the moon gate.
"Old Yan, that old bastard Yi Zhonghai called me ugly?!"
Xu Damao grinned and pointed in the direction Yi Zhonghai had left, yelling, "That old bastard is blind! He actually said I'm ugly and that I should just find someone who's perfect! How can you insult someone like that?!"
Xu Damao was so angry at Yi Zhonghai's words that he almost vomited blood. Such a personal attack was a bit too much for an unmarried young man like him to handle.
What does "complete" mean?
It just needs to have a nose, eyes, hands, and feet.
So, in people's eyes, Xu Damao is also a complete person? Otherwise, why would he be allowed to find someone complete?
The Yan brothers, Yan Jiecheng and Yan Jiekuang, almost burst out laughing when they saw Xu Damao's furious and trembling appearance.
Xu Damao turned his face and glared at the Yan brothers, equally angry, gritting his teeth but unable to utter a single word.
“Da Mao, I’m not trying to be mean, but why are you arguing with someone as morally bankrupt as Yi Zhonghai? You just believe his nonsense?”
Yan Bugui, with his sharp eyes, spotted the lunchbox in Xu Damao's hand at a glance. He grabbed Xu Damao's arm and pulled him into the house. "My eldest brother and the others also think that you're not worth arguing with Yi Zhonghai. Damao, you have plenty of connections, you're tall enough, you have a good job, and you can be as picky as you want when it comes to finding a wife!"
"Don't listen to outsiders' nonsense. It's cold outside. Come on, let's go inside and talk."
Yan Bugui enthusiastically pulled Xu Damao into the house. It was only then that Yan Jiecheng noticed the lunchbox Xu Damao was carrying and immediately felt a deep respect for his father!
Yan Bugui secretly resolved that he must not let Yi Zhonghai's evil scheme succeed.
Now that he was inside, seeing that the food on the table was still unfinished, Xu Damao simply put the lunchbox on the table and took out a bottle of loose liquor from his coat.
"It's no fun drinking alone at home, so I brought some beef and wine. I'll just mooch a meal at your place today, Lao Yan."
When Yan Bugui heard that there was beef in the lunchbox, he couldn't help but salivate. He stared at it for a few moments, and as he reached for the lunchbox, he muttered, "Da Mao, look at what you've done. You could have just come to eat, why bring anything else?"
Yan Jiecheng, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but lick his lips and quickly went to get Xu Damao a pair of bowls and chopsticks.
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