Courtyard House: Report enemy agents at the start, and you'll take off immediately.

Page 131

Yan Jiefang, quick-witted, interjected, "Brother, didn't Yu Li say that our family are all stingy people who wouldn't even part with a single hair?"

"Dad said this morning that we should give a five-yuan gift. Once this money is registered, you'll have face!"

"Anyway, even if you don't go, Dad will still give a five-yuan gift."

Yan Jiefang added, "More people means more food to eat."

Yan Jiecheng looked at his younger brother, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

He certainly understood this principle; Yan Bugui had indeed said that morning that he would give a gift of five yuan.

But what his second and third brothers didn't know was that Yan Bugui had whispered to him in private that the five yuan would be deducted from his future wages.

In other words, the five yuan was actually paid by Yan Jiecheng.

Yan Bugui made it sound very nice, saying he was helping him save face and make him look good, but he ended up having to pay for it himself.

That's why Yan Jiecheng didn't want to go, so that he could argue with his father later.

Besides, he didn't really want to go in the first place, and it would be so awkward to sit at the same table as Yu Li.

"What if Sister Qianqian comes tomorrow?"

Yan Jiekuang suddenly uttered such a sentence, and upon hearing it, Yan Jiecheng's eyes immediately lit up.

"Alright, then I'll reluctantly go!"

At this moment, He Yushui was counting the number of people on her fingers with Qin Jingru.

Just now, Qin Jingru asked Sha Zhu in confusion if he only had one younger sister.

This time, He Yushui's prepared answer came in handy.

"See, I don't need to say anything more. It's fine to include it or not."

"Anyway, he has never treated me as his younger sister."

"The housekeepers of the Intermediate People's Court, Yi Zhonghai and his wife, plus a deaf old lady."

"And your sister's family, a total of five people."

Seemingly anticipating Qin Jingru's follow-up questions, He Yushui quickly added, "She's pregnant with another one!"

"Now there are only eight people left. Think about it yourself."

"If I marry my kind and honest older brother, will I have to take care of the elderly from the moment I step into the door?"

"First, we need to take care of that deaf old lady until she passes away."

"Next up are Yi Zhonghai and his wife, and then you'll need to take care of Jia Zhangshi."

"Wait, why should I be the one to take care of Jia Zhangshi?"

Qin Jingru was completely stunned and instinctively retorted.

He Yushui said righteously, "Your sister has to take care of three children and also manage Jia Dongxu. How can she have the energy to care about Jia Zhangshi?"

"Then you should go and beg Sha Zhu. If he asks you for help, do you think you'll go?"

She continued, "Forget everything else, even if my dad comes back, you still have to take care of him in his old age."

"You could say that you've basically spent your whole life taking care of the elderly, working like an ox or a horse."

Qin Jingru was terrified; just imagining a few scenes was enough to fill her with fear.

"Oh dear, I've only just met your brother, who said I was going to marry him? Really!"

At this moment, Qin Jingru felt an unprecedented sense of relief, and any slight goodwill she had previously felt towards Sha Zhu vanished without a trace.

He Yushui smiled and took her hand.

"That's right! Now you understand why your sister specifically brought you here to meet my brother on a blind date!"

"Come on, it's rare for you to come to Beijing, let me show you around, Wangfujing Street is especially lively."

"And the No. 1 Department Store in Beijing, I just went there yesterday, and I haven't had enough yet."

Upon hearing this, Qin Jingru completely forgot about going to the toilet and followed He Yushui out the door with a look of anticipation.

Not long after they left, Zhao De leisurely rode out on his bicycle.

He planned to invite some close work colleagues, Director Yang, and Deputy Secretary Li, and he also needed to give Old Li a heads-up.

After all, Yu Li and her family were busy at home, so he couldn't get much help out.

Therefore, the division of labor was clarified, and everyone did their own thing. In short, everyone was quite busy.

Qin Huairu was also busy.

Sure enough, I just went to the hospital and first got a good scolding from Jia Zhangshi, and then I was urged to go home and cook.

After preparing the meal, it still needed to be taken to the hospital so that Jia Zhangshi could go home.

Qin Huairu stayed at the hospital to have dinner with Jia Dongxu before she could return home.

Yi Zhonghai also returned with her. On the way, Yi Zhonghai said to her, "Huai Ru, if Dong Xu really leaves, you have to be mentally prepared!"

"He's pregnant."

"Grandpa, Dongxu will definitely recover. He's the pillar of our family!"

Qin Huairu replied, and Yi Zhonghai said again, "Huairu, Dongxu will only be able to stay at home from now on. What do you think about letting your sister-in-law take over his job at the factory?"

"Should we send Mother-in-law?"

Qin Huairu was taken aback.

"Is she capable?"

Yi Zhonghai retorted, "Why not? My sister-in-law is still young!"

Qin Huairu immediately realized that she understood.

That's right, my mother-in-law is actually still young.

He's just lazy and likes to eat and do nothing, which is why he stays at home all day enjoying a life of leisure.

She had also thought that even if Jia Zhangshi went out to find a cleaning job on the street, it would be much better than staying at home sewing shoe soles. After all, how much money could one earn sewing shoe soles!

Furthermore, Jia Zhangshi was merely using this as an excuse to stay at home; she didn't actually do any needlework diligently.

But if she were to sweep the streets, even if she only earned ten yuan a month.

Adding Jia Dongxu's thirteen yuan, he could earn more than twenty yuan a month.

In this way, the Jia family can completely stop relying on others and become self-reliant.

Take Yan Bugui's family as an example; the whole family lives off his salary.

How much does he earn in a month?

It's only thirty-seven yuan, not even forty yuan.

However, this mere forty yuan is enough to support three sons, one daughter, and his wife—a total of five people!

This is why Jia Zhangshi was spoiled by Yi Zhonghai.

In addition, Sha Zhu would occasionally lend a hand, which fostered a dependency mentality in him, making him think that he could live a good life without any effort.

To be honest, Qin Huairu had never seen a lazier widow than Jia Zhangshi in her entire life.

But this person happens to be her mother-in-law, so what can she do about it?

In those days, it was incredibly difficult for a daughter-in-law to keep her mother-in-law in check. The saying "a daughter-in-law who endures many years of hardship becomes a mother-in-law" was not just a casual remark.

Now that Jia Dongxu has fallen ill, Jia Zhangshi naturally has to take his place. They can't let Qin Huairu, who is pregnant, go to work at the factory!

That was Yi Zhonghai's thinking; he simply couldn't stand Jia Zhangshi's behavior.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, sir."

In reality, Qin Huairu really wanted to work in a factory.

That way, you can not only get rid of the troubles of household chores, but also eat better.

"Huai Ru, what do you think of Sha Zhu?"

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai suddenly changed the subject and asked this question.

Qin Huairu couldn't help but think about it for a moment:

"Uncle, I brought my cousin from the countryside this morning. I told her that Sha Zhu is a nice guy."

"When I left, she was chatting happily with Shazhu, and they seemed to be getting along well."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai stopped and frowned slightly.

Qin Huairu's cousin

"Uncle, my mother-in-law has offended you a lot before."

"But I know in my heart that you have helped our family a lot over the years, and I will always remember your kindness!"

Qin Huairu quickly added.

Yi Zhonghai looked at her, and after a while, his brows relaxed:

"Huai Ru, have your cousin have a good talk with Sha Zhu later."