When Jia Zhangshi unleashed her full power, no one could rival her.
Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai quickly stepped in to suppress the situation.
"Dongxu, try to persuade your mother. Today is Da Mao's happy occasion, don't make it too awkward. We all live in the same courtyard, we'll see each other all the time."
Yi Zhonghai is a capable man; he knows how to seize the key point. If he had directly intervened like the other two, he would have been criticized by Jia Zhangshi as well. But instead, he had Jia Dongxu take the lead.
Since Old Jia passed away, the only people Jia Zhangshi cared about were Jia Zhangshi and Banggeng, the only two male members of the Jia family.
"Mom, please stop talking. How am I supposed to get along with others in the yard if you keep saying this?"
Seeing that Yi Zhonghai had spoken, Jia Dongxu could only try to persuade Jia Zhangshi. Over the years, Yi Zhonghai had taken good care of the Jia family, and he had nothing but praise for Jia Dongxu. Moreover, whether in the compound or the factory, everyone relied on Yi Zhonghai's protection.
“I’ll go back, but I want to bring some vegetables with me. Why should they be eating and drinking lavishly here while we can only eat coarse food at home?”
They all said it was the leaders, and that leaders should take care of us poor people, otherwise I'd report you to the local authorities.
Jia Zhangshi's goal was simply to get some food; she didn't care where they ate.
Jia Dongxu then looked at Yi Zhonghai. He was also thinking about having something good to eat, so he didn't stop Jia Zhangshi from coming over.
Everyone in the room looked at Yi Zhonghai, giving him a headache. This old man usually had some influence in the courtyard and could even talk to the leaders on the street, but when it came to someone like Jia Zhangshi, he was helpless.
"Da Mao, you see, we're all from the same courtyard, and we usually help each other out. Now that you're doing a bit better, but the Jia family is having some difficulties, how about you have your Aunt Jia take some vegetables back with you?"
"We'll eat less if there are only a few of us."
Yi Zhonghai shifted the blame eastward, passing the buck back to Xu Damao, but he had already done his part as a good person.
When it comes to passing the buck, Xu Damao, having honed his skills in the aftermath of his job, is quite adept at it.
"Uncle, you're right, we are here to help the residents in need in the compound."
I noticed that Uncle San is the only one in his family who works and earns money, only about 30 yuan a month, supporting a family of six. So I told Uncle San that after we finish eating, we could ask him to take some home.
So, Uncle, you should ask Uncle San's opinion on this matter.
Xu Damao wasn't afraid of Yan Fugui exposing him, so he directly shifted the blame.
"Yes, Da Mao told me all this beforehand. Lao Yi, my family is much worse off than the Jia family, isn't it? I earn less money than Dong Xu, but I have more people to support."
"Oh, by the way, speaking of which, Lao Yi, when are you going to find a job for my son Jiecheng? He's a grown man; it's not good for him to just stay home all the time."
Sure enough, Yan Fugui answered smoothly, even adding his own touch by bringing up Yan Jiecheng's work-related issues. "Yi Zhonghai, didn't you say we should help each other? My family is in such dire straits, come and help me!"
“Old Yi, Old Yan is right. His family is in such a difficult situation, you have to treat them all equally and not always side with the Jia family.”
Liu Haizhong spoke up. He was willing to do anything to undermine Yi Zhonghai's prestige. Besides, Yan Fugui had already taken the lead today; he just needed to add fuel to the fire.
"What's more difficult than our family's situation? You skip school every day to go fishing and then sell your catch on the black market, do you think we don't know?"
Yan Fugui, you're stingy, not poor. Don't always try to take advantage of others.
What Jia Zhangshi suddenly said made a lot of sense, and everyone looked at her with new respect. Thinking about it, it made sense. A widow who could raise her son to adulthood, help him get married, and thrive in the compound was definitely not someone to be trifled with.
But the words are true, yet it feels strange coming from Jia Zhangshi's mouth.
Next, Yan Fugui and Jia Zhangshi started revealing each other's dirty laundry and got into a huge argument. The others were either trying to mediate or arguing back, making for quite a lively scene.
Xu Damao, however, treated himself to a bite of food and a glass of wine, as if watching a movie. Besides, what movie could be this exciting?
"Alright, stop arguing. It's so late at night, what will the other families in the courtyard think of us?"
"Okay, Dongxu, you take your mother home first. I'll get some flour and cured meat for your family when I get back; you can cook for yourselves and improve your meals."
Yi Zhonghai knew the crux of the matter, but he hadn't wanted to cut into his own territory before. Now, he had no choice but to act; otherwise, it would be a slap in the face for him.
Seeing that her goal had been initially achieved, Jia Zhangshi knew when to stop and quickly returned home. Such speed and efficiency—no wonder she could still thrive even after both men had passed away.
As soon as Jia Zhangshi left, Yan Fugui started causing trouble again. He ate a lot and quickly from the communal food. Now that Xu Damao had promised him the leftovers, he felt that what others ate was his.
Therefore, Yan Fugui began to forcefully end the drinking session.
"Old Yi, Old Liu, I think everyone has had a good time drinking and enjoying themselves. How about we call it a day?"
It's getting late, and if we keep drinking, it'll disturb everyone's rest, and it won't be good if it gets back to the boss.
Yan Fugui's words were very comprehensive, leaving Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong speechless.
"Alright, that's settled for today. Damao, you did a good job today. In the future, if you need any help, whether at work or in life, just ask your second uncle."
Liu Haizhong knew Yan Fugui's thoughts, and as a temporary ally, he had to support him.
Yi Zhonghai had no objections, so everyone went back.
"Da Mao, I feel a little dizzy. Can you ask Jie Cheng and your second aunt to come over and help me back?"
Everyone else left, but Yan Fugui pretended to faint.
This old man, he was so sharp-tongued and logical when he was arguing with Jia Zhangshi, but now he's like this. I guess he's worried that while he's gone back and calling his third aunt to get the leftovers, Jia Zhangshi might steal some, or he's worried that Xu Damao might keep some for himself.
Xu Damao was truly exasperated with this old man and had no choice but to go and call for backup.
After the three aunties finished collecting all the leftovers and washing the pots and pans, Xu Damao washed up and went to bed.
Today marks Xu Damao's closest encounter with the three stewards since his time travel. Through his memories and the events depicted in the TV series, Xu Damao realized that many of his previous beliefs were wrong, or rather, biased.
Everyone in this courtyard has their own selfish side, and the TV series presents this side to all viewers, even amplifying it. In this era, Xu Damao asks himself, is his morality superior to others?
The answer is no. He could only say he wouldn't harm others, but he certainly couldn't help countless people who were unrelated to him. Especially after that year arrived, far too many things that would defy humanity would happen, and it would be difficult enough to protect himself.
In this era, Xu Damao's goal is to marry, have children, and ensure a stable life for his family.
To achieve our goals, we must be humble when necessary and assertive when required. There's nothing shameful about it; it should be the same even in this new era.
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