Upon hearing this result, Qin Huairu and her daughter-in-law, Jia Zhangshi, instantly lost all their hopes.
Lost in thought, she collapsed to the ground and burst into tears.
Jia Zhangshi used the same old routine: summoning Old Jia, wailing about her tragic death, and lamenting how unbearable life was. Her two short, thick legs swept back and forth on the ground like a broom.
Qin Huairu was alright; she hadn't inherited any of Jia Zhangshi's true skills. When she cried, she sobbed softly, tears streaming down her face, like pear blossoms in the rain.
Seeing this scene, Sha Zhu couldn't bear it. Although he had some disagreements with Jia Dongxu before his accident, seeing the pitiful state of the orphan and widow, he couldn't help but feel sympathy. He thought he should find some time in a couple of days to help the Jia family out.
Or one night, they could secretly slip two grain coupons under the door of the Jia family, making sure no one in the courtyard saw them.
When Qin Huairu saw it the next day, she would surely understand that it was Sha Zhu who did it.
After all, he was the only one in the courtyard who could secretly help his family.
“Auntie, stop crying. The ground is cold, you’ll catch a cold. We’re all neighbors, we can’t just stand by and watch you go hungry.”
As Yi Zhonghai's wife spoke, she went to help Jia Zhangshi up, and at the same time turned to Qin Huairu and said, "Huairu, you should get up too. Things have come to this point, and there's nothing we can do by crying. If we hurt ourselves by crying, we'll have to pay for medical treatment ourselves."
Jia Zhangshi wouldn't listen to any of the advice; all she knew was that without Jia Dongxu's money, the family would have a hard time.
Qin Huairu wiped away her tears and came over to help Yi Zhonghai's wife support Jia Zhangshi.
"Mom, don't cry. Our family still has to get through this. Although we didn't get any compensation for the work injury, the factory did give us some subsidies, which should be enough for us to get through until I go back to work after the New Year."
"Don't talk nonsense, how could such a small amount of money be enough?"
As Jia Zhangshi spoke, she subtly pinched Qin Huairu, the meaning clear: she was telling her not to say everything, as she, Jia Zhangshi, was still counting on everyone's help.
Qin Huairu cried out in surprise as she was being pinched, and immediately let go.
With a "thud," Jia Zhangshi was thrown to the ground, and Yi Zhonghai's wife was almost knocked over as well.
Jia Zhangshi was quite sturdy, and her blow was quite loud, startling everyone watching.
Qin Huairu got angry when she was pinched. "Mom, get up quickly. Our family can still make a living. Since Dongxu is like this, even if you cry your eyes out, his legs won't grow back. When I go back to work, I can support you."
The Qin Huairu of today is not the same Qin Huairu of before; Jia Zhangshi will have to think twice before saying anything.
Hearing that Qin Huairu's tone was off, Jia Zhangshi's wailing subsided.
After a while, he slowly and reluctantly got up from the ground on his own.
When Xu Damao saw this scene, he almost burst out laughing. Everyone in this compound understood what Jia Zhangshi meant. It was a pity that there was no one like Yi Zhonghai to step forward and encourage him to donate money.
Seeing Sha Zhu's worried expression, Xu Damao thought that Yi Zhonghai's suggestion was quite good. He should let him go and gather allies, so that he wouldn't have that fussy look on his face, wanting to help but unable to, which was disgusting!
Yan Bugui and Liu Haizhong then came out.
“Sister-in-law Jia, although Dongxu’s work injury compensation is gone, there are still some subsidies. Huai Ru just said that she can hold on until after the New Year. When Huai Ru goes back to work and gets a salary, we can get by.”
Yan Bugui straightened his dog-skin hat and moved the five-pointed star to the front.
Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi's triangular eyes widened immediately: "That subsidy is only a few dollars, and it's uncertain whether it will be enough for her to go back to work. After the New Year, the children's tuition fees are a huge expense, and there's money to be spent everywhere!"
"Why don't you go over to the street and get some work making matchboxes? There'll definitely be a lot of work before the New Year, everyone's busy with the holidays and won't have time to work," Xu Damao said as he followed Liu and Yan after they went over.
"Xu Damao, what are you up to?"
Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi immediately became indignant and almost pounced on Xu Damao to bite him. "I'm so old, and the house is still like this. You want me to paste matchboxes during the New Year?"
"If you upset Dongxu and make his condition worse, can you, Xu Damao, take responsibility for that?!"
Jia Zhangshi's words startled the neighbors so much that they took a step back. It was absolutely terrifying!
Even though everyone knows that Xu Damao usually likes to say things he finds offensive, what he said just now really didn't mean anything by it, yet he almost got extorted by Jia Zhangshi. Who would dare to advise him now?
Liu Haizhong's face also turned frosty, and he said coldly, "Sister-in-law, what Xu Damao said wasn't as unpleasant as you think. Besides, the New Year is just around the corner, and everyone needs to buy New Year's goods. Nobody has much money, and I can't very well ask everyone to help your family, can I? What about other families?!"
“What Huai Ru said earlier makes a lot of sense. She will go back to work after the New Year, and her household registration will be transferred to the city. She will have a fixed food allowance, and the family will be able to make ends meet. Now that Dong Xu is like this, the family is relying on her alone. You have to change your temperament.”
Hearing Liu Haizhong say this, Jia Zhangshi dared not make a fuss anymore, but she couldn't stop crying loudly.
The neighbors who were watching the spectacle all felt a subtle change in their hearts because of what happened to the Jia family.
Wang Dabao was pushing his bicycle and watching the excitement from outside the crowd when Yan Jiecheng found an opportunity to join in.
"Uncle Da Bao, have a smoke."
Wang Dabao took the cigarette and glanced at it. "Wow, it's not the economy brand anymore!" he exclaimed with a smile. "Well, you've got it now. It's classy!"
"Hey, wasn't it all thanks to Uncle Da Bao that you came up with the idea? It's almost Chinese New Year, and I can finally get a good box too."
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