“The Chen Family is cooking.”
Yi Zhonghai glanced at the Chen Family across the way.
“Tsk, that kid from the Chen Family… someone should really talk to him.”
The Old Lady clicked her tongue, dissatisfied, and said,
“Eating such good food, yet he doesn’t even think to invite me, his Old Ancestor, to have a taste.”
“Eating all by himself at home.”
“Unacceptable.”
“Otherwise, why would I ask you to come out? It’s just that some people are shameless and won’t listen.”
Yi Zhonghai said with a look of helplessness.
“Don’t worry, I support you.”
The Deaf Old Lady’s face broke into a smile.
Liu Haizhong, Yan Fugui, and Sha Zhu each went to a different Courtyard.
Soon, the heads of each household gathered in the Middle Courtyard.
“First Master, the Chen Family’s door was closed. I called out to Chen Jianye and told him to come out, but he said he was busy.”
Sha Zhu said, looking displeased.
“He’s too busy even for the Old Ancestor’s summons? He’s putting on quite the airs.”
Yi Zhonghai’s face darkened, his expression indignant.
The Deaf Old Lady’s face also darkened a few shades.
He truly doesn’t take her seriously!
Originally, Yi Zhonghai had sought out the Deaf Old Lady, asking her to help say a few words. The Deaf Old Lady considered it completing a task.
After all, she usually received a lot of care from Yi Zhonghai and his wife, so when it was time to contribute, she couldn’t just stand by.
Now, the Deaf Old Lady was enraged.
Even if Yi Zhonghai hadn’t asked her, she would have to step forward and criticize the younger generation.
No respect for elders, no sense of propriety.
If this continued, other residents in the Courtyard would follow suit, and where would she have any say in the Siheyuan (Courtyard)?
“First Master, I was eating, why did you call me over?”
“Yeah, First Master, I was spanking my kid, and Third Master called me over halfway through.”
Several householders complained one after another.
At this moment, everyone was either cooking or disciplining their children.
They had all put down what they were doing to come over.
“Everyone, don’t be anxious. Today, our Courtyard’s Old Ancestor, the Deaf Old Lady, has a few words to say to us.”
“Everyone, please welcome her.”
Yi Zhonghai was the first to applaud.
“The Old Lady has something to say.”
“The Old Lady hasn’t spoken in a long time, this is rare.”
The heads of the various households in the Courtyard followed suit, applauding and quietly discussing.
“Cough, cough.”
The Deaf Old Lady first coughed twice to clear her throat.
Everyone quickly quieted down.
“Recently, there have been quite a few things happening in our Courtyard. Ever since Little Chen left, two more people have passed away in succession.”
“It’s fortunate that Zhonghai is in charge of the overall situation, which prevented anything bad from happening to the Courtyard. Zhonghai also suffered a great loss; it hasn’t been easy for him.”
The Deaf Old Lady said.
“Old Lady, I am the First Master chosen by everyone. Maintaining the stability of the Courtyard is my duty.”
Yi Zhonghai said earnestly.
“Now, I see that in this Courtyard, both humans and ghosts are jumping out, being restless, and causing trouble for the Courtyard Grandpas’ work.”
“I had to call everyone over to tell you all that you need to be more stable in the future and listen to Zhonghai.”
The Deaf Old Lady continued.
Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui cursed inwardly.
You old immortal, coming out to endorse him, your bias is too obvious.
No wonder Yi Zhonghai kept refusing to say what he wanted them to do while they were eating earlier.
They didn’t have to do anything; just standing there and listening to the Deaf Old Lady speak was supporting Yi Zhonghai.
As long as they didn’t voice any opposition, they were tacitly agreeing to the Deaf Old Lady’s words, and at the same time, once again elevating Yi Zhonghai’s status in the Courtyard.
As the saying goes, one who eats another's food is soft-mouthed.
Even though they were unconvinced, the smell of alcohol hadn't even dissipated from their mouths, so they couldn't speak harshly.
“The Old Lady is right, First Master isn’t easy either.”
“First Master has sacrificed too much for our Courtyard.”
“Indeed, we should listen to First Master.”
The heads of the various households in the Courtyard said one after another, expressing their support.
“Little Zhang, I heard about your argument with your daughter-in-law during the day. Zhonghai handled it well, so I didn’t come out.”
The Deaf Old Lady’s gaze fell on Jia Zhangshi.
Jia Zhangshi represented the head of the Jia Family.
“Ah?”
Jia Zhangshi was somewhat uncertain and said vaguely, “I went to work, what else could I say?”
“Your Dongxu is gone, I know you’re upset.”
“There’s nothing to be done. If he’s gone, he’s gone. Don’t cause trouble every day.”
“Do you understand?”
The Deaf Old Lady said.
“Yes, yes, yes.”
Jia Zhangshi nodded repeatedly.
“Zhonghai’s arrangement is good. He’ll let you work at the factory for a year first, and after a year, when Qin Huairu has given birth and finished breastfeeding, she’ll swap places with you at the factory.”
“This is a stable method, and I naturally support it.”
“Not only do I support it, but you all must support Zhonghai.”
The Deaf Old Lady continued.
“Yes, yes, yes.”
“That’s the truth.”
“The Old Lady is a reasonable person.”
About ten householders nodded in agreement.
Just follow the Deaf Old Lady’s words.
Chen Jianye finished cooking and sat at the dining table.
Hearing the conversation outside, his brows furrowed.
The matter concerning the Jia Family was originally his initiative, decided by a unanimous vote after he contacted many householders in the Siheyuan (Courtyard).
How did it become Yi Zhonghai’s arrangement?
Shameless bastard.
He cursed under his breath and continued eating.
He couldn’t be bothered to go out and argue over such a small matter.
This time, Yi Zhonghai had gathered the Deaf Old Lady, the other two Grandpas, and the heads of about ten households.
There was no point in Chen Jianye arguing with him.
“As for the extremely few unstable elements in the Courtyard, I also need to say a few words.”
The Deaf Old Lady continued.
“Old Lady, that person has problems with his mind, his mental state isn’t very stable, so perhaps it’s better not to talk about it.”
Yi Zhonghai said from the side.
“Heh heh, back when I was weaving straw sandals for the army, bullets whizzed past me, and I wasn’t afraid, nor did I run.”
“Now, what is this small matter?”
The Deaf Old Lady’s face showed a hint of pride.
“Old Lady, you speak, I will protect you.”
Yi Zhonghai looked completely convinced.
“Some people shouldn’t rely on their ability to wield a knife and act aggressively everywhere. If you ask me, it’s useless.”
“With so many people in our Courtyard, if we resort to knives every time something happens, how can we live our lives?”
“His acting aggressively alone harms the unity of our Courtyard. If a similar situation arises again in the future, I’ll risk my reputation and go to the street committee to report the situation to the Leader and have him driven out of our Courtyard.”
The Deaf Old Lady said forcefully.
After saying the last sentence, she lifted her cane and slammed it hard on the floor.
It made a thudding sound.
“The Old Lady has finished speaking, everyone can disperse.”
“In the future, if anything happens, discuss it with the three of us. Absolutely do not act impulsively; we must maintain the harmony of our Courtyard.”
Yi Zhonghai concluded.
Everyone was eager to go home for dinner and scattered like birds and beasts.
“Lao Yi, this move of yours is too brilliant.”
Liu Haizhong said admiringly.
“I said there’s no such thing as a free meal. If you want to do something, just give us a heads-up in advance. How could we hinder you?”
Yan Fugui also said.
“The Old Lady had a sudden urge to come out and say a few words, what could I do?”
“Shall I send the Old Lady home and then come back to finish the wine?”
Yi Zhonghai said with a smile.
Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui waved their hands repeatedly, indicating that they were full and told Yi Zhonghai to attend to his proper business.
“Old Lady, shall we go back?”
Yi Zhonghai said, supporting the Old Lady.
“No hurry, let’s go see the Chen Family.”
“I just said those words; I wonder if that Chen Family kid heard them.”
The Deaf Old Lady swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
The aroma of the food coming from the Chen Family was truly enticing.