Chapter 140 Zheng Haiyang is in grave danger
In the second courtyard, there used to be a side room and a wing room next to the Zheng family's house that were empty. Nowadays, everyone is short of housing, and many people have had their eyes on those two rooms, but the factory leaders just won't budge. It was because of this that some people with ulterior motives set their sights on Yu Junsheng's two rooms.
Xu Dongliang, who works at a supply and marketing cooperative, somehow managed to get his hands on this house, making everyone in the courtyard extremely envious.
Moreover, after the incident of stealing the water tank in the middle of the night, everyone had a very bad impression of Xu Dongliang and his wife. Although what happened that night was said to be a misunderstanding, everyone present knew what really happened. The two of them had most likely gone to the Yu family to steal something, but accidentally messed things up and then changed their story. Therefore, they weren't very welcoming to the two of them at the moment—pah! Two thieves!
Respectable people, mindful of Xu Dongliang's position as director of the supply and marketing cooperative, couldn't embarrass him directly. They tried to greet him with a smile, "Hehe, Director Xu, Xiao Dong, are you moving into our compound?" But the smiles looked insincere and dry.
He didn't mince words; he just rolled his eyes at them and snorted, "Hmph, why should people from the supply and marketing cooperative live in our machinery factory's staff quarters? The factory really can't tell the difference between insiders and outsiders these days!"
Guan Ailian watched the people coming and going, carrying things around, and she was so angry she wanted to grind her teeth.
She had considered taking those two empty rooms before, but what did the factory leaders say back then?
They insisted that their family's housing conditions were too comfortable and did not meet the housing allocation standards, and rejected their application.
If it weren't for that, she wouldn't have bothered to set her sights on Yu Junsheng's house, thus bringing Dong Xiangxiang, that wolf, from the countryside and harming her own son!
My husband is a junior manager in the logistics department, and my son is a projectionist at the factory. Even with their circumstances, they don't meet the housing allocation criteria. Why, why should someone from the supply and marketing cooperative get a housing allocation?!
Guan Ailian immediately curled her lips into a cold smile and said sarcastically, "Isn't that right? I don't know which divine intervention they used, but they actually managed to allocate our factory's buildings to outsiders. This is truly a rare sight. I've lived for decades and never seen housing allocated like this! It just goes to show that honest, hardworking people like us are at a disadvantage. Isn't that just how the world is?"
The implication is quite clear: it implies that Xu Dongliang bribed factory leaders to obtain the two rooms through improper means.
Everyone: "..."
The crowd quickly exchanged knowing glances: What happened to Aunt Guan? Why is she suddenly so brave?
Although, although everyone thinks that way, you can't just say it so bluntly, it makes people lose face. This isn't like Aunt Guan's usual style.
Aunt Cao: I know, I know! Guan Ailian is upset about the housing situation! Her family applied for housing before, but the factory didn't approve it!
Everyone suddenly realized, "Oh, that's how it is! No wonder!"
Then everyone continued to look at the newlyweds, Dong Siwei and Xu Dongliang, with strange eyes, tsk tsk, wondering how strong their connections were to get these two rooms.
Anyone could understand the sarcasm in Guan Ailian's words. Xu Dongliang and Dong Siwei's smiling faces froze for a moment. They obviously did not expect someone to embarrass them on the spot.
Who hasn't been through relationships? It's something everyone knows, so what's the point of talking about it?
So Dong Siwei raised her eyebrows and was about to put her hands on her hips and yell back.
Xu Dongliang reacted quickly and grabbed her.
He whispered, "We just moved in, so we shouldn't cause any trouble with anyone."
That's true. The people in this courtyard already have a prejudice against them, and they will be living here for a long time to come, so it's really not a good time to cause conflict.
Dong Siwei could only take a deep breath and swallow her anger.
Then, the man chuckled, quickly went back into the house, grabbed a bag of fruit candies, and handed a handful to each of the onlookers. He casually explained, "Everyone, have some candy! Hehe, Siwei and I just got married, so let's all share in our joy. Originally, we were allocated a house in our supply and marketing cooperative's staff quarters, but Siwei and I both felt the neighbors in our compound were very welcoming and the atmosphere was very harmonious. We really liked the lively atmosphere of our compound, and since my godmother's family also lives here, we thought we could look after each other, so I switched places with someone else and moved to our compound. We hope you'll all take good care of us in the future!"
Everyone: "..."
Everyone gave Xu Dongliang and Dong Siwei strange looks, wondering why these two young people had something wrong with their brains at such a young age.
Who doesn't know the reputation of their compound now?
"Enthusiastic" and "harmonious atmosphere" are good words, but what do they have to do with their compound?
Well, it is indeed lively, but I like the liveliness and energy of their courtyard.
Everyone looked at him strangely, not understanding, not understanding at all.
However, after hearing Xu Dongliang's words, everyone understood that they hadn't taken over the machinery factory's premises through back channels, meaning they hadn't encroached on their interests.
As a result, the neighbors lost their sour feeling and started to look at the new couple much more pleasingly.
After all, people still need to buy things from the supply and marketing cooperative every day, so they all want to be on good terms with Xu Dongliang, the director of the cooperative.
With the current shortage of supplies, some in-demand goods are simply impossible to buy without connections. However, if you know someone within the supply and marketing cooperative, it's a different story. Not to mention the very affordable, unrequited, defective goods—these are impossible to obtain without connections within the cooperative.
With this in mind, everyone happily accepted Xu Dongliang's candy and offered their congratulations repeatedly, creating a truly festive scene.
Xu Dongliang saw all of this and was very satisfied. He continued to hand out candy to everyone.
When it was Cheng Jiajia and Yu Junsheng's turn, he didn't hesitate either, giving each of them a small handful of fruit candies, showing no sign that they had had a conflict not long ago.
Cheng Jiajia and Yu Junsheng naturally smiled and wished each other a son soon.
After all, I've already earned 100 yuan from them. It's not like I can't even say a kind word to them. It's not like I have to. It's really not like I have to.
Xu Dongliang didn't say much and continued handing out candy to the others, until Cheng Jiajia watched in disbelief as he gave Zheng Haiyang a handful of candy that was more than everyone else's.
"Here, Ocean Brother, have some candy too. I remember you have a little brother at home. Kids love candy, so take some more."
Xu Dongliang's expression softened as he grabbed Zheng Haiyang's hand and stuffed a handful of fruit candies into it, but he still couldn't bear to let go with his other hand.
Xu Dongliang smiled gently, "Here you go, come back for more when you're done eating."
Zheng Haiyang didn't notice his ulterior motives, only that the man had been squeezing his hand for a while. It was damp and warm, making him uncomfortable. He frowned and politely declined, "Candy is hard to buy. A few pieces for Haihua to sweeten his mouth is enough. How can I let him go to such lengths?"
Xu Dongliang scoffed, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at Zheng Haiyang. "Oh, it's just a little candy, no big deal. Don't just give it to the kid, you eat some too." He mainly wanted to give it to Zheng Haiyang; who cared about that little brat!
Zheng Haiyang: "..."
He always felt something was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Suddenly a gust of wind blew by, and Zheng Haiyang sensed that he was a little cold. He shivered and thought he should hurry back and put on another layer of clothing.
Looking at Xu Dongliang again, the kid was staring blankly at his own neck.
Zheng Haiyang frowned, wondering why this person was looking at him like that.
Dong Siwei was completely unaware of Xu Dongliang's intentions, assuming he just wanted to get along with Zheng Haiyang. So she enthusiastically chimed in, "Yeah, Haiyang, what kind of relationship do we have? It's just a little candy, what's the big deal? If your Haihua likes it, just have Dongliang bring it for you. He often finds defective products at the supply and marketing cooperative without needing coupons."
Cheng Jiajia witnessed this scene and looked at the beaming Xu Dongliang and Dong Siwei with amazement.
Cheng Jiajia and Yu Junsheng took the wedding candy and stood at their doorstep to watch the show.
Seeing this, Cheng Jiajia chuckled mischievously, "Tsk tsk tsk, it's really interesting how these two are vying to please Zheng Haiyang! I wonder what Dong Siwei's reaction will be when she finds out that the couple knows that the other person and she have fallen for the same guy?"
Out of curiosity, Yu Junsheng also took a look, but quickly looked away.
Nothing else, it's just an eyesore!
He shook off the goosebumps on his body. "Hey, honey, why do I feel uneasy looking at those two?"
Honestly, ever since he discovered that Xu Dongliang might have those unspeakable feelings for Zheng Haiyang, he felt uncomfortable whenever he saw the two of them, always feeling that something was off.
Cheng Jiajia glanced at him sideways, thinking to herself that it wasn't just him who felt uneasy; Xu Dongliang's affectionate gaze made even his wife feel uneasy.
Eek~
However, Cheng Jiajia was still very much looking forward to seeing what kind of sparks Xu Dongliang and Zheng Haiyang would create in the days to come.
Anyway, she didn't believe that Xu Dongliang deliberately chose a house next to the Zheng family's house without any reason.
Their compound is getting more and more lively!
With her own agenda in mind, Cheng Jiajia paid extra attention to the two families across the street, glancing at them every now and then. Even when she was busy with something, she would still keep an eye on the commotion over there.
Because of this, Yu Junsheng laughed at him for quite a while.
However, as Cheng Jiajia expected, things soon became lively at the Zheng family's place.
Xu Dongliang and Dong Siwei moved in in the morning. A group of people went in and out and finally settled the furniture and belongings. Then the two of them went to Zheng's house to eat together. They said that the stove in their house was not yet built and the house was a mess, so they would eat at Zheng's house for the next few days.
Chang Dafeng couldn't help but scream, "What?!"
She stared at the two people in front of her in disbelief. "Pah! How dare they be so shameless? What era is this? Everyone needs food! They want to eat at his house?!"
They want to eat at her house? Do they even deserve it?!
What kind of supply and marketing cooperative director are you? You're dreaming if you think you can freeload off them!
Chang Dafeng immediately frowned, put her hands on her hips, and tried to kick the person out.
"My family doesn't have any extra..."
But he was dazzled by a cloth bag that was shoved in front of him.
The curse that Chang Dafeng was about to utter was abruptly blocked in her throat, "...!!!"
Xu Dongliang seemed oblivious to Chang Dafeng's earlier displeasure, and said with a smile, "Siwei and I are both adults with big appetites, so we can't just eat your food for free, Godmother. These few pounds of rice are our food for the next few days. Godmother, please keep them and give them to Haihua and Haiyang to help them recover."
This means that once the grain is handed over to the Zheng family, it belongs to them, and they can do whatever they want with it, as long as they have enough to eat.
Chang Dafeng naturally understood the meaning behind her words. Her eyes darted around, and she immediately put on a chrysanthemum-like smile, warmly taking Xu Dongliang's hands. "Oh, Xiao Dong, Xiao Xu, take your time with the stove. Make sure it's sturdy and durable. Don't rush it. Just relax and eat at your godmother's house. Our two families are so close, there's no need for formalities." Her words were as enthusiastic as could be, and her hands gripped the cloth bag with as much force as possible.
Xu Dongliang smiled slightly, released his grip, and followed Chang Dafeng into the inner room.
Dong Siwei, however, didn't look too happy. That old hag was really a scoundrel! She and Xu Dongliang had treated her so well before, and all they did was cook a meal together since their family hadn't prepared a proper meal, and this old hag was already upset.
Even if they hadn't brought any food, couldn't they have eaten a few meals at the Zheng family's house? How much stuff had the two of them brought to the Zheng family on their previous trips? It would have been enough for dozens of meals, let alone a few.
But thinking of what Xu Dongliang had told her before she came, Dong Siwei gritted her teeth and endured it.
With their own food, the Zheng family naturally wouldn't refuse Xu Dongliang and his wife's offer to share the meal, but Chang Dafeng's nature was hard to change, and she didn't cook a particularly lavish meal.
However, Xu Dongliang brought two bottles of wine, saying it was to celebrate their move, so Chang Dafeng stir-fried a small dish of soybeans, which served as a snack with the wine.
On the kang (heated brick bed) in the Zheng family, the whole family sat around the kang table. Xu Dongliang and Zheng Haiyang, two grown men, sat together, drinking and chatting.
During this time, Xu Dongliang was very friendly to Zheng Haiyang, and kept pouring him drinks. He would say thank you for taking care of him and his wife in the future, and then put his arm around Zheng Haiyang's shoulder and comfort him, saying that things would get better eventually. He would also say that he had some connections and would definitely help him if needed.
Zheng Haiyang had been having a lot of bad luck lately, so he was trying to drown his sorrows in alcohol. He kept drinking, one glass after another, and soon collapsed onto the table with a "thud".
Xu Dongliang's eyes were also blurry, and he swayed from side to side. "Ocean Brothers, drink, drink!"
With a loud crash, the man collapsed onto the table.
The others looked at each other in bewilderment.
Dong Siwei was dumbfounded: "Wait, why are they both drunk?" She hadn't mentioned this when they came, and how was she going to get Xu Dongliang home if he was drunk?
Dong Siwei quickly went over and shoved him a few times, "Dongliang, Dongliang, wake up, wake up, let's go home and sleep!"
Unfortunately, Xu Dongliang was sleeping like a log, not moving an inch.
Dong Siwei tried to pull it several times but couldn't budge it.
Chang Dafeng thought that her son would still need to rely on Xu Dongliang's connections and influence in the future, so she said enthusiastically, "Hey, why bother? Let Dongliang sleep on this kang (heated brick bed), he can keep Haiyang company."
Dong Siwei hesitated for a moment, but she really couldn't keep up with Xu Dongliang, so she just let him be.
Jiang Qiubai glanced at the two men slumped on the kang (a heated brick bed), finding it all rather awkward. She wanted to say that this was inappropriate, given the recent rumors about them, but in the end, she didn't dare to contradict Chang Dafeng.
Forget it, the old hag is bothering me right now, so I'd better keep quiet.
Because the two were sleeping in the main room, Chang Dafeng was afraid that any noise would disturb them, so she specially called all the family members to the Xu family next door, just in case her son couldn't sleep peacefully.
However, Zheng Haiyang's sleep was indeed restless. He felt hot all over and couldn't breathe. He also kept feeling like someone was poking him from behind.
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