Chapter Ten: The All-College Assembly (Conclusion)

Page (1/3)

“Everyone must know by now that He Yuzhu was injured today and is still hospitalized, and his father, He Daqing, has run off with all their property along with the Widow Bai,” Yi Zhonghai said as he took a sip from his tea cup before continuing.

“As you all know, silly Zhu has a job, but he’s just a temporary worker earning only eighteen yuan a month, and his wages haven’t been paid yet.”

“We all live in the same courtyard as Zhu. As neighbors, we should uphold the spirit of mutual aid. I’ll set an example here by donating twenty yuan.”

When Yi Zhonghai convened a courtyard-wide meeting solely to raise funds—especially for the He family and He Yuzhu—Jia Zhangshi was displeased.

“Eldest uncle, my family is struggling too; we need donations as well,” Jia Zhangshi stood up, but this time she didn’t throw a tantrum; instead, tears streamed down her face, evoking a deep sense of grievance.

“You know our situation—we’re a mother and orphan family relying only on Dongxu’s income. Now, because of that wretched Wang Lin, who is terminally ill, my son Dongxu is in trouble. We don’t have a single yuan left,” she said.

Yi Zhonghai’s expression darkened.

He had already given up on Jia Dongxu and hadn’t spared a thought for the Jia family’s current plight. What angered him even more was Jia Zhangshi undermining him at this moment.

“That’s true; the Jia family is really having a tough time now,” someone agreed.

“It’s all because of that cruel Wang Lin. Dongxu didn’t even do anything to Wang Lin’s wife, yet Dongxu was thrown in.”

“Better not say too much; Wang Lin is the deputy factory director—he’ll make things difficult for you.”

“Yes, best not to mention Wang Lin.”

Recalling how everyone who crossed Wang Lin had met a bad end, the crowd quickly fell silent on the subject.

“Jia Zhangshi, put your worries aside for now. Dongxu will be out in a few days.”

“How will he get out?” Jia Zhangshi’s wide, innocent eyes looked up, asking.

Yi Zhonghai hesitated briefly, then came up with a plan.

“I’ll talk to Wang Lin over the next few days to see if we can get a letter of forgiveness. Only with that can Dongxu be released.”

At this, Yi Zhonghai remembered something else.

Jia Zhangshi had also taken things from Wang Lin. If she didn’t return them, given her personality, she would never hand them back.

“Jia Zhangshi, for your son’s sake, it’s best you return the things you took from Wang Lin’s house. Otherwise, you won’t get his forgiveness letter. Don’t blame me then.”

Jia Zhangshi looked conflicted.

Page (2/3)

She had taken the most from Wang Lin—those things were all money, and she was reluctant to return them.

But thinking of her poor son still sitting in jail, she steeled herself and agreed.

“Alright, I promise to return them.”

However, Jia Zhangshi forgot that even if she could return the items, others might not manage to.

Seeing Jia Zhangshi’s agreement, Yi Zhonghai felt a bit more confident that he could get the forgiveness letter from Wang Lin.

Who was he? Yi Zhonghai was an eighth-grade fitter at Red Star Steel Mill and a respected elder in the courtyard.

Even Director Yang would give him some face; surely Wang Lin, a mere deputy factory director, wouldn’t dare offend him.

With Jia Zhangshi’s matter settled and no longer demanding donations, Yi Zhonghai’s gaze shifted to Second Uncle Liu Haizhong.

Feeling Yi Zhonghai’s look, Liu Haizhong took a sip of water.

“Since Eldest Uncle has taken the lead, I support it too. I’ll donate ten yuan.”

After Liu Haizhong spoke, Third Uncle Yan Bugui nudged his glasses and said,

“Everyone knows my situation. I only have 27.5 yuan this month to support a family of four. My wife is pregnant now, so money is tight. I’ll just give half a yuan as a token.”

“I’ll donate three mao,” another chimed in.

“I’ll give one mao.”

Though the amounts were small, everyone made a small contribution.

Except for one—Xu Damao.

“Xu Damao, you’re the last. How much will you donate?”

“I have no money, so I won’t donate,” Xu Damao said as he stood to leave.

Yi Zhonghai’s face darkened, but without silly Zhu, he really had no way to deal with Xu Damao.

At that moment, an unpleasant voice broke the mood.

“Wife, see? This courtyard meeting is completely pointless.”

The speaker was none other than Wang Lin.

Wang Lin and Qin Huairu had come not just out of curiosity but also because Wang Lin himself was intrigued. Thus, they came out of the Shadow Realm to attend this courtyard meeting.

Seeing Wang Lin present, Yi Zhonghai immediately forced a smile.

Page (3/3)

“Ah, Deputy Director Wang is here too. How about donating some money for silly Zhu?”

Wang Lin sneered.

“Donating to a robber? What are you thinking?”

Yi Zhonghai’s face changed.

“I am measured in my actions. You got him to the hospital in time; how serious could his injuries be?”

Wang Lin’s words made Yi Zhonghai’s face even uglier.

To ensure silly Zhu was sterile and thus a suitable heir for his old age, Yi Zhonghai had spent a fortune on doctors—now silly Zhu was indeed sterile.

What Yi Zhonghai hadn’t expected was that Wang Lin knew the robber was silly Zhu, and from the tone, he also knew Yi Zhonghai had been watching from behind all along.

“Deputy Director Wang, please don’t slander. Silly Zhu is not a robber.”

Wang Lin ignored Yi Zhonghai, took Qin Huairu’s hand, and was about to leave.

Hearing Wang Lin’s words, Xu Damao’s beady eyes twitched as he sneaked out of the courtyard.

Wang Lin saw this clearly and even knew what Xu Damao intended to do, but said nothing.

Yi Zhonghai, seeing Wang Lin once again ignoring him, spoke in dissatisfaction.

“Deputy Director Wang, you’re making things difficult for us three elders and all the courtyard residents. Someone as uncooperative as you doesn’t belong here. Don’t you all agree?”

Yi Zhonghai knew Liu Haizhong was a fool and would support him, but Third Uncle Yan Bugui might not.

He stepped over to Yan Bugui and whispered in his ear.

Ordinary people might not have heard what Yi Zhonghai said, but Wang Lin was from the Shadow Realm—feared by foreign powers—and heard every word clearly.

Simply put, Yi Zhonghai offered one of Wang Lin’s five rooms to Yan Bugui if they could get Wang Lin expelled.

“Eldest Uncle is right. Someone like Wang Lin doesn’t belong in our courtyard.”

Seeing Yan Bugui agree, Liu Haizhong, as Second Uncle, hurried to chime in.

“That’s right, that’s right. I agree.”

Yi Zhonghai looked at Wang Lin with a triumphant gaze, standing tall like a victorious rooster stretching its neck.