Yan Bugui and Liu Haizhong frowned deeply. As Qin Huairu walked away, they both turned their scrutinizing gazes to Sha Zhu.
"Why are you looking at me? Tonight, my family, Uncle Yi's family, the old lady in the backyard, and the Jia family are all going to celebrate the New Year together. Uncle Yi just suggested this, otherwise it would be too quiet with only a few of us families. It's the New Year, wouldn't it be more lively to celebrate together?"
Sha Zhu glanced at the two old men, Liu and Yan, his face full of disdain, and muttered something under his breath.
Yi Zhonghai quickly explained, "Here's what happened: Sha Zhu and I each contributed one yuan to make dumplings at Jia's house. Firstly, there are only a few of us in our family, and secondly, the old lady is all alone."
“Shazhu’s side only has Yushui and his brother, and here it’s just my wife and me. I thought we’d all go to the Jia family’s house for the New Year, and leave the leftover food there, which is a way of helping them out.”
After Yi Zhonghai's explanation, Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui finally gave up the opportunity to criticize Sha Zhu.
“I’m not trying to be mean, but this is different from other things. You have to tell me and Lao Liu, right?”
Yan Bugui adjusted his glasses and gave Yi Zhonghai a wink, as if to say, "Didn't we just say we wouldn't let Sha Zhu get close to Qin Huairu? And here you are, pulling this stunt without a word."
Liu Haizhong sighed with his hands behind his back: "Old Yan is right. Old Yi, remember this and don't let it happen again. It's indeed quiet for your families to spend the New Year alone, but I understand."
Seeing that Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui had some reservations but still nodded in agreement, Yi Zhonghai chuckled and continued.
"I just thought of this myself, and I mentioned it to Sha Zhu when I went out. I didn't expect Huai Ru to come out at the same time, so we just happened to talk about it together."
Yi Zhonghai stirred the paste in his hand that was used to paste couplets, "But don't worry, I'll definitely discuss things with you next time there are matters in the courtyard."
Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui had never seen Yi Zhonghai so submissive before, and they felt relieved.
But Sha Zhu was staring at them with wide eyes, which was really disgusting.
"Hey, I was wondering why we need to report to you two when we're celebrating the New Year together?"
Sha Zhu stopped putting his hands in his sleeves and put them in his pockets. "We have to have a good talk with you. You're just mediators selected by the neighborhood committee to resolve conflicts between neighbors and prevent enemy infiltration. You're no different from the residents of this compound. We call you 'Grandpa' because you're old. Don't think you're something special. Don't be so ungrateful!"
Sha Zhu's words really offended Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui, and the two old guys immediately glared at each other.
"I... I say, Sha Zhu, how can you talk like that? Who gave you the nerve to do this?" Yan Bugui blinked his small eyes and immediately bristled.
Liu Haizhong took two steps forward, his finger almost pointing at Sha Zhu's nose: "Sha Zhu, say it again. We're doing this to maintain harmony in the compound. Everyone knows what you're thinking. We just want to separate you from Qin Huairu so you don't cause any embarrassing trouble."
Xu Damao, not wanting to be outdone, jumped off the bench in a flash.
"Let me tell you, you silly Zhu, you can curse at me if you want, I'm young. But it's a bit much to point your finger at these two old men and curse them. Don't you see what they've done for them all this time?"
"When movies are showing, Qin Huairu's business can earn the equivalent of several days' wages for a worker."
"Also, did you pay for the paint on the windows of every household in this compound?"
Xu Damao glared at Sha Zhu with his big eyes wide open, rushed up and started yelling at him, "Didn't your family also use the money you earned from your peanut and melon seed stall to buy paint? What's wrong with you? Now that you've eaten, you want to smash your rice bowl? You're really a scoundrel!"
Sha Zhu felt he was in the wrong about what Xu Damao was saying, and couldn't keep up with the conversation.
He took a breath before speaking: "Hey, we're not talking about the same thing. We're talking about celebrating the New Year together. What, are we a few families on espionage? What's it to you if we celebrate the New Year together? I have to tell you in advance!"
"So what? If you old men don't agree, we can't celebrate the New Year, right?"
"Alright, alright, Zhu Zi, say less."
Seeing that things were about to escalate, Yi Zhonghai quickly pulled Sha Zhu aside, saying, "Old Liu and Old Yan didn't mean it that way, don't misunderstand."
Wang Dabao realized he couldn't just stand by and watch the show; he had to chime in too.
“It’s the New Year, let’s not have any unpleasantness over this. Lao Yi’s method is feasible. It’s good to have a lively New Year. We can discuss anything else after the New Year.”
Yan Bugui glared at Shazhu: "I'm not going to argue with you today because I'm giving Dabao face. Otherwise, I would have made you pay for your insults and your disrespect."
"I'm not afraid of you. You're never going to stop. Let's talk this over."
Sha Zhu, still defiant despite being dragged along by Yi Zhonghai, retorted sharply to Yan Bugui.
Liu Haizhong kicked the door with a thud: "Alright, stop making a scene. Aren't you ashamed to cause trouble at the front gate? Da Bao just said we'll talk about it after the New Year."
Sha Zhu snorted coldly and was dragged away by Yi Zhonghai.
If they don't leave soon, Yi Zhonghai is really afraid that they'll start fighting during the Chinese New Year.
Yan Bugui trembled with anger: "Tell me... tell me, this Shazhu is really a scoundrel. His father ran away with a widow, and everyone felt sorry for him. Now he's saying that Lao Liu and I are being disrespectful. What kind of person is he!"
"Why bother arguing with him? He's a mad dog, he'll bite anyone he sees, he doesn't care whether it's the New Year or not."
Xu Damao comforted Yan Bugui from the side.
Liu Haizhong's face was gloomy. First of all, it was Yi Zhonghai's doing a bad job. It involved Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu, yet he didn't let a word out and secretly organized these families to celebrate the New Year together.
The second reason must be Sha Zhu's attitude.
Liu Haizhong had previously argued with Sha Zhu because Sha Zhu had helped Qin Huairu, but Yi Zhonghai's meddling caused the two of them to get together again.
Thirdly, it seems that Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu have returned to their previous relationship, which makes Liu Haizhong a little uneasy.
Wang Dabao guessed some of Yi Zhonghai's thoughts. It was nothing more than the same old trick: to subtly influence Sha Zhu and then recruit Jia's help!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
