Chapter 79 is exactly this principle.

Yi Zhonghai grabbed the letter of silver dollars and hugged it tightly to his chest.

I felt a little better, and the humiliation lessened somewhat.

He secretly calculated the old man's wealth in his mind.

Thinking that as long as this secret contract doesn't get leaked,

Sooner or later, we'll squeeze this old man dry.

He even wanted to take over this courtyard to satisfy his own desires.

"Alright, go wash your face. There's a well in the yard outside; go clean it."

"Yes, Godfather, I'll go right away."

Yi Zhonghai quickly washed his face and came back.

Two more exquisite white porcelain plates appeared on the table.

One plate contained golden-brown, crispy, and fragrant peanuts.

One plate contained neatly sliced, marbled braised beef.

Next to it was a heavy jar of liquor, sealed with a red cloth, its aroma filling the air.

"Would you like to have a few drinks? Keep my godfather company, chat a bit, and relieve his boredom."

Wei Jianxiong pointed to the jar of liquor, his tone amiable.

"Yes! I can drink! Thank you, Godfather!"

Yi Zhonghai nodded hastily in agreement, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes.

He usually drinks outside.

It was all cheap, pungent, and irritating bulk liquor.

The snacks to accompany the drinks were nothing more than salty vegetables that were so salty they tasted bitter, and bland tofu.

At best, it's just a cheap side dish with a few bits of minced meat.

Where have I ever seen such a lavish feast?

He respectfully offered three cups of wine in succession.

Yi Zhonghai's chopsticks never stopped.

He kept shoveling food into the plate of braised beef, wolfing it down without any regard for appearances.

Wei Jianxiong slowly peeled the peanuts.

One by one, slowly and deliberately, I put them into my mouth.

She watched him wolf down his food with a smile, her eyes filled with amusement.

After the plate of braised beef was finished, everyone ate it clean.

The old man slowly spoke, breaking the silence.

"Now you know how good your godfather is, right?"

"Follow me, and you'll have plenty to eat and drink; you'll never have to worry about anything."

"I know! I know!"

I will remember my godfather's kindness for the rest of my life!

Yi Zhonghai let out a loud, satisfied burp, his mouth glistening with oil.

"What a spineless thing, so easily satisfied with such a small amount of food."

Wei Jianxiong shook his head, chuckled and scolded, but his tone carried a hint of doting affection.

"Take good care of me from now on. What's a plate of beef compared to that?"

Nowadays, the Manchu Han Imperial Feast is no longer available.

But you can choose any of the famous restaurants in Beijing.

We guarantee you'll eat to your heart's content, with plenty of delicacies from land and sea.

"Yes! Yes! You're the best, Godfather!"

I will definitely take good care of you in the future!

Yi Zhonghai had a broad smile on his face, his facial muscles were clenched together.

That fawning manner was almost downright humble.

Jia Laonian rejected Yi Zhonghai's earlier proposal almost immediately.

Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai felt embarrassed to continue pressing the matter.

They had no choice but to give up for the time being and turn to leave.

After all, he offered his warm welcome only to be met with a cold shoulder.

On the contrary, it is easy to arouse suspicion.

It makes people think that he has ulterior motives, ill intentions, and bad intentions.

There's no room for negotiation now.

Yi Zhonghai had no choice but to stand up.

After exchanging a few polite words, he took his leave.

The moment I stepped out of the Jia family's house,

He didn't stop for a moment, hurrying out.

But he couldn't help but stop and slowly turn around.

He gazed deeply and meaningfully in the direction of the He family's residence.

That gaze was heavy, filled with countless complex emotions.

Intertwined and entangled, beyond description.

There was a sense of apprehension and wariness towards He Yuzhu's family.

There was an undisguised, irrepressible envy.

There was a hidden, persistent jealousy in my heart.

It was even entangled with a faint, quietly growing hatred.

He looked away, no longer hesitating.

He turned around and walked quickly towards his own courtyard.

As soon as I stepped into my own courtyard gate

His wife, Li Guihua, immediately came to greet him with a look of eager anticipation.

"Old man,"

What exactly happened at Old Jia's house? How did your conversation go?

"What else could it be?"

It's just that farce that happened during the day.

It was the old lady who personally spoke up, taking their whole family into custody.

They were forced to move to the back room, no questions asked.

"ah?

Was it really the old lady who gave the order? That old lady is truly sensible!

"Yes, it's absolutely true, I heard it with my own ears."

"I think that Jia Zhangshi..."

They dug their own grave and deserved it!

"Alright, keep this to yourself, but don't spread it around, lest you cause trouble."

"Go get me some wine, and a plate of peanuts too. I'd like to have a couple of drinks."

"Hey,

Why the sudden urge to drink? Is there some joyous occasion today?

Just after Yi Zhonghai left the Jia family,

As soon as Jia Zhangshi returned to the room, she couldn't help but start complaining, her face full of dissatisfaction.

"Old man,

What are you thinking? Are you out of your mind?

Yi Zhonghai took the initiative to come to our door to offer help and plead on our behalf.

Why did you have to refuse so bluntly, not giving him any face at all?

"What do you know, you old woman? You're all talk and no action!"

Where does Yi Zhonghai get so much influence to get the old lady to agree?

Even if he does have some influence, what can we offer in return for his kindness?

It was just saying a few nice words for you; it's not a huge favor.

I'll find a chance to pay him back later, what's the rush?

Jia Laonian impatiently interrupted his wife, explaining in a deep voice, his eyes full of composure.

You're the one who's really confused!

"How can such a debt of gratitude be so easily repaid?"

As Jia Laonian spoke,

He picked up the pipe again.

He skillfully pinched a pinch of tobacco leaves and pressed them firmly into the pipe.

Light the match and ignite it.

He then started puffing on his cigarette.

"Why is it so hard to pay it back?"

Madam Jia Zhang persisted, pressing for more information.

"Alright, stop nagging."

Go quickly and fetch a basin of water to clean yourself up.

Jia Laonian waved at her impatiently.

Why are you in such a hurry?

"Do we really have to move out?"

"Don't move?

If we don't move, our whole family will be kicked out of this yard.

This is all because of the trouble you caused!

Is it really worth causing such a huge mess just because of a momentary craving?

"There are dormitories available at the factory."

But that's a large communal sleeping area where dozens of people are crammed together. Are you willing to endure that suffering?

"I'm not going to that kind of hellhole!"

When you go to pick up the keys tomorrow...

Remember to pick out two decent rooms for our family.

Madam Jia Zhang knew in her heart that the matter was already settled and could not be changed.

They had no choice but to back down.

"Okay, go fetch the water now."

Old Jia responded listlessly.

When Yi Zhonghai went to the Jia family,

He Daqing happened to run into them after taking the old lady back to the backyard.

He Daqing was hiding behind the hanging flower gate at that time.

He held his breath and remained completely still.

Until Yi Zhonghai's figure disappeared at the end of the alley,

Then he turned around and walked out from behind the door.

"Pah! What good intentions could a weasel have for offering New Year's greetings to a chicken!"

He Daqing headed in the direction of the Yi family's residence.

He spat out a mouthful of saliva.

He could roughly guess what kind of shady business that kid was up to.

However, as long as the other party doesn't try anything funny with us...

He was too lazy to meddle in other people's business.

After returning to the house,

He Daqing recounted the scene he had just witnessed.

I told Chen Shuxiang the whole story.

Chen Shuxiang simply replied with a curt statement.

Why meddle in so many other people's business?

As long as they don't cause trouble for ourselves, it's fine.

"I didn't mean to interfere, I just muttered a few words casually."

"That old bastard Yi Zhonghai is probably up to no good."

"Alright, you've had a long day."

Who has the time to think about these things?

Instead of wasting time on that, you should teach Zhu Zi more.

Let him hone his skills even more!

"The recipes in my cookbook have too many limitations."

Moreover, many of the ingredients are currently difficult to gather.

In two years, we'll send the pillar to a proper restaurant.

Go learn the authentic styles of Sichuan and Shandong cuisine.

This will also give him a legitimate reason to fight in the future.

"Zhu Zi is still young, let's talk about it in a few years."

The situation abroad is turbulent right now, and people's hearts are unpredictable.

"That's exactly the point I'm making."

He Yuzhu, standing to the side

But he was secretly thinking about something else.

"Old man Jia Laonian is still alive."

"So Yi Zhonghai has already set his sights on Jia Dongxu's widow?"

"No, I have to think of a way."

Should we invite Dr. Lin over?

Should we give Yi Zhonghai's wife a proper medical checkup?

That might thwart his plans.

"Zhu Zi, what are you daydreaming about?"

He Daqing noticed that his son was restless.

I wasn't listening to them at all.

"Huh? Father, what did you just say?"

"You little rascal, where has your soul flown off to?"

We were just saying we'd send you to learn a proper trade!

He Daqing raised his hand,

He gave He Yuzhu a light tap on the back of the head.

"Oh, Father, when can I go to school?"

"What, you still want to study and learn to read?"

"If you don't read and learn to read, you won't even be able to understand a recipe in the future."

Are we supposed to remain blind forever?

He Yuzhu retorted confidently.

"Why don't you just have your mother teach you to read?"

Alternatively, you can go to the backyard and find the old lady.

She was literate and skilled at using an abacus.

It's the same if you let her teach you.

"OK!"

He Yuzhu immediately beamed with joy.

He was worried about not finding a suitable reason.

After all, no one taught them, yet they suddenly learned to read.

It really doesn't make sense.

"Then I'll bring you some paper and pens tomorrow."

While I'm at it, I'll see if I can get a couple of proper textbooks.

"Thank you, Dad!"

"This is something you chose to learn yourself."

If you dare to be lazy and not study hard,

Be careful, or I'll get the family discipline in order to give you a good taste of the ruler.

Chen Shuxiang earnestly gave instructions from the side.

"Yes, Mother, I will study hard."

"Remember to invite Da Mao to come along."

Let him benefit from this and learn something too.

"no problem!"

He Yuzhu readily agreed.

The family chatted casually for a few more minutes about everyday matters.

He Yuzhu then turned around and went back to his small side room.

The first thing he did after returning to the house

They were just eager to see what was happening in the ecological space.