After listening to Liu Haizhong's account, the clamor in the crowd gradually subsided.
But this wasn't enough to convince everyone. Those who didn't believe it simply scoffed, and a few even picked up their stools and turned away.
Some people were still skeptical, whispering in a corner, "This explanation is too simplistic. Who knows if it's true? Now that Xu Damao has jumped out to explain to Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu, who knows if he's taken some benefits?"
"Who says otherwise? Unless you produce some concrete evidence, I don't believe it."
"Aunt Liu, please stop talking. You want concrete evidence? Do you expect Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu to do *that* in front of you?"
"Anyway, it's best if this doesn't happen and the two of them are just talking about work. Otherwise, our courtyard will become famous. Look at what's been said outside in just one day. I'm embarrassed to say I live in the Hongxing Courtyard. It's shameful."
"That's true. Although Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu are the most shameful, the residents of our compound are also affected. If this matter continues, we'll probably be given the cold shoulder when we go out."
Seeing that the noise had subsided considerably, Liu Haizhong quickly gave Yi Zhonghai a wink, signaling him to strike while the iron was hot.
When he went back to Wang Dabao's for dinner that night, an older woman told him that Yi Zhonghai had given him two more packs of cigarettes and tea.
For this little bit of stuff, Liu Haizhong had to do his best to help Yi Zhonghai.
Yi Zhonghai had been observing the situation on the field. Upon receiving Liu Haizhong's signal, he immediately stood up with a serious expression.
"Dear neighbors, please listen to me. I, Yi Zhonghai, have lived in this compound for quite a few years. I am considered a long-time resident by many of you. You can all see what kind of person I am."
“I used to be the head of our compound, and I did favor the Jia family. I can’t deny that in front of everyone. Apart from that, I’ve always been honest and upright, and I’ve always been thinking about taking good care of every family in the compound.”
"Later, someone pointed out my mistakes, and I reflected on them myself, which is why I stepped down from my position as the head of the department."
Yi Zhonghai spoke with great emotion, his voice choked with emotion, and bowed deeply to the residents present.
"Please believe me, if I, Yi Zhonghai, really did have that kind of thing with Qin Huairu, may I die by running a car tomorrow and may my family's ancestral graves be struck by lightning."
The entire courtyard was silent. Everyone looked at each other, then at Yi Zhonghai.
"Uncle Da Bao, that old guy is really ruthless! He even gave away his ancestors' ashes." Yan Jiekuang chuckled at Wang Da Bao.
Wang Dabao was still sitting on the long bench in Old Yan's house. Yan Jiekuang was sitting in the middle, Yan Jiecheng and Yu Li were to Yan Jiekuang's right, and Wang Dabao was on the far left.
Wang Dabao took out a cigarette and offered one to Yan Jiecheng. With a 'clink,' he lit it himself. "He said that if such a thing really happened, there's a trick to his words. Jiecheng, let me test you. Tell me what's wrong with what he said!"
Yan Jiecheng's gaze was drawn to the lighter in Wang Dabao's hand, while Yu Li bent down and peered over: "Uncle Dabao, what are you and Jie Kuang talking about? There seems to be something wrong with what you're saying!"
"Of course."
Yan Jiekuang began to explain to his sister-in-law, "To put it simply, nothing definitely happened between Yi Zhonghai and Banggeng's mother before today. However, Yi Zhonghai was careful with his words. From this, we can see that he has feelings for Banggeng's mother. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to the vegetable cellar. It's just that he couldn't do anything with her there."
Yan Jiecheng and Yu Li were stunned by what Yan Jiekuang said.
It seems, it appears, it's as if that's really the case.
"Alright, Jie Kuang, I didn't know you could figure this out." Wang Dabao chuckled and patted Yan Jie Kuang's head, secretly surprised.
Yan Jiekuang scratched his head sheepishly: "Uncle Dabao, it wasn't me who figured it out. We've been learning how to make sentences with this kind of phrase in class these past two days, and it just so happened that you asked, so I thought of it."
"You only came up with that because you're smart." Wang Dabao winked at Yan Jiekuang. "Want to have dinner with your uncle in a couple of days? I'll buy you a bottle of soda after get off work these next few days, so you can drink it later."
"OK."
Yan Jiekuang was so happy he almost jumped for joy.
Yan Jiecheng and Yu Li, a married couple, watched from the sidelines, truly envious of Yan Jiekuang.
Wang Dabao is so young and he's already the head of the security department at the steel rolling mill; his future is limitless.
It's impossible for these people to curry favor with someone powerful; they won't even get a chance. But Yan Jiekuang is different; he can just chuckle and get Wang Dabao to invite him to dinner.
After finishing his speech, Yi Zhonghai sat down with red eyes and a solemn expression.
"Everyone heard that, right? Yi Zhonghai spoke earnestly just now, even making a solemn oath. Please believe him this once." Liu Haizhong stood up and looked at the residents of the compound.
Seeing that no one reacted, it was clear that they still had doubts. However, Yi Zhonghai's speech had a significant effect. People were less resistant to the matter and would soon be able to overturn their previous ideas.
Then Liu Haizhong spoke again: "Now that Yi Zhonghai has finished speaking, let's let Qin Huairu say a few words as well."
Qin Huairu stood up with her head down, tears streaming down her face before she could speak: "I've been married into this courtyard for over ten years, and I'm sure everyone has their own opinion of my character. My husband just passed away not long ago, how could I possibly do the kind of thing everyone's talking about?"
"Please believe me, my relationship with Uncle Yi is completely innocent, or may I die a horrible death!"
The two men made a vow, which silenced everyone.
Even the older women fell silent.
Sha Zhu turned his head and looked around, then said loudly, "I believe Sister Qin, and Xu Damao has admitted it himself, so this must be a misunderstanding."
With Sha Zhu leading the way, the residents followed suit, though the sound was almost identical to their earlier whispers.
Seeing this, Liu Haizhong nodded in satisfaction: "Alright, it's getting late. Now that things are clear, I hope everyone will stop any comments that are detrimental to our compound from the outside. Meeting adjourned."
As the crowd dispersed, Qin Huairu gave Sha Zhu a grateful look before quickly heading towards her house.
Yi Zhonghai walked to the table and said, "Old Liu, Old Yan, Da Mao, thank you all for today."
Liu Haizhong nodded with droopy eyelids.
Yan Bugui was also angry because this incident had made him a laughing stock, and he didn't dare to mention that he was the Third Uncle at school anymore.
"Hey Lao Yi, you're a grown man now. You need to know what you should and shouldn't do. Don't get senile anymore, or we can't keep cleaning up your messes."
"Yes, Lao Yan, you're right, I remember."
Yi Zhonghai nodded repeatedly with a droopy face and downcast eyes. "When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head," and Yi Zhonghai perfectly exemplified this saying.
Xu Damao picked up his teacup and glanced sideways at Yi Zhonghai: "Have some shame in the future. How old are you? Do you really want a son? Your seed has expired. Stop messing around!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
