Watching Xu Damao run back to the backyard in a fit of rage, He Yuzhu couldn't help but burst into laughter. After he finished laughing, he turned to Yang Xuan and said, "Yang Xuan, I didn't realize you could be so sharp-tongued. You really got Xu Damao all worked up. Be careful, though; this guy has no tolerance and is all about scheming."
“Whether it's a barking dog or a biting dog, if it dares to bare its teeth at me, I'll take it down with a couple of hits,” Yang Xuan replied.
“Now that's something I like to hear,” He Yuzhu chuckled.
Yang Xuan changed the subject and got serious: “Come over for dinner at my place tomorrow. My parents want to thank you properly.”
“Why be so polite? We're neighbors in the same courtyard. It's just a small favor, no need for such formality,” He Yuzhu waved his hand dismissively.
“Don't be so polite with me. If I can't convince you, my parents will come to ask you themselves,” Yang Xuan said.
“No, Yu Shui is coming back tomorrow,” He Yuzhu replied.
“That's perfect. Let's all go to my house together,” Yang Xuan suggested.
“Alright. I’ll gladly accept. Thank you in advance,” He Yuzhu said.
Suddenly, Yang Xuan thought of something. Xu Damao had brought back two hens this year, and coincidentally, Yu Shui was returning home that day. Wasn't the courtyard drama about to unfold?
According to the plot, tomorrow He Yuzhu would bring back chicken meat from the steel mill, while Qin Guo's son, Bang Geng, would sneak over to steal Xu Damao's hens. In the end, He Yuzhu would take the blame and be labeled a chicken thief.
However, the situation had changed. He Yuzhu and his sister were going home for dinner tomorrow, so he wouldn't need to risk skimping on the chicken meant for the factory heads. Would that pot of dirt still be able to land on He Yuzhu's head?
“Then it's settled. I'm heading back now. I drank a lot of water today, and I'm still feeling a bit dizzy,” Yang Xuan said as he walked home.
“You should get some good sleep. Don't get muddled next time; you might not have someone to pull you up in time,” He Yuzhu advised.
“Silly Zhu, does your family have a thing for widows?” Yang Xuan asked, turning back after a few steps.
He Yuzhu didn't catch on right away: “What?”
But he quickly realized, and as soon as Yang Xuan's smile appeared, he responded, “You little brat! Just wait until I pull down your pants and give you a good spanking.”
Yang Xuan ran off quickly: “I didn't say it! Everyone in the courtyard says so. If you weren't into widows, why haven't you dated anyone? Your conditions aren't bad; you make thirty-seven and a half a month, and your sister just got into a vocational school. Plus, she's a chef in the cafeteria, good at cooking, and often brings back leftovers. How could you not have a girlfriend? Or is there someone you really like?”
Yang Xuan teased, glancing over at the Jia family.
He Yuzhu felt a bit flustered: “You little brat, stop talking nonsense! Or I'll tell your parents!”
Yang Xuan dashed home.
He Yuzhu paused, glanced at the Jia family, and sighed.
The widow from the Jia family was indeed somewhat alluring, but he really didn't want to marry a widow! Wouldn't a young girl be more appealing?
Moreover, the Jia family, especially that Jia Zhangshi, was quite a handful.
He Yuzhu only helped Qin Huairu out of sympathy.
But over time, some things became hard to explain.
He Yuzhu wasn't foolish; he knew that getting too close to a widow could tarnish his reputation, but he couldn't bring himself to push the Jia family away.
Qin Guo's status was simply too high!
She always referred to herself as a sister to He Yuzhu and maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far, making it impossible for He Yuzhu to escape while allowing everyone to think there was something going on between them. She had firmly tied He Yuzhu to her sinking ship.
Yang Xuan and He Yuzhu's conversation was overheard clearly by Qin Huairu inside the house, and she nearly rushed out to tear Yang Xuan's mouth apart. But she couldn't. If she lost her temper, it would only confirm Yang Xuan's words.
After Yang Xuan left, Qin Huairu finally stepped out of the house.
“Silly Zhu, I heard everything Yang Xuan said just now. Our family has indeed dragged you down, affecting your chances of finding a partner. From now on, you should just ignore us. Let us starve or die; the sooner the better,” Qin Huairu said, putting on a pitiful expression.
He Yuzhu felt flustered, as if he were the one who had just said those words. “Sister Qin, why are you getting upset with a half-grown brat? I'll deal with Yang Xuan later. Don't worry; I won't turn a blind eye to your family's difficulties.”
“Yang Xuan made some valid points. Getting too close to a widow like me will affect your reputation. How will you find a partner in the future?” Qin Huairu said.
“If you walk the right path, you won't fear shadows. As long as we act properly, we shouldn't worry about what others say,” He Yuzhu replied, feeling a bit heated. Every time the widow played the pity card in front of him, he couldn't help but want to show off his masculinity.
Qin Huairu smiled slightly.
Yang Xuan returned home and checked the skill leveling system, discovering that his machining skill had accumulated about two hundred points of proficiency. At this rate, he would be able to master the basics by the next day.
It was a peaceful night.
Yang Xuan slept soundly that night.
He was awakened in the morning by Zeng Wenfang.
After breakfast, the father and son headed to the steel mill.
“Yang Xuan, you little brat! Just wait until I deal with you today!” He Yuzhu called out as he ran up from behind, initially intending to scold Yang Xuan but quickly changed his words when he saw Old Wang.
Yang Xuan took off running; at sixteen, he hadn't fully grown yet and was definitely no match for He Yuzhu. A wise man doesn't suffer immediate losses; once he levels up his martial arts skills, he would get his revenge.
Yang Dacheng cheerfully said to He Yuzhu, “Silly Zhu, thanks for yesterday. Come over for a drink tonight.”
“Uncle Yang, you're too polite. I already told Yang Xuan, it's just a small favor, no need to take it to heart,” He Yuzhu replied.
Yang Dacheng shook his head: “For you, it's a small favor, but for our Yang family, it's a huge deal. If we don't show gratitude for such a big thing, wouldn't we be ungrateful?”
“Alright, alright, Uncle Yang, I promise to come. Yu Shui is coming home today, and I'll come with her. Just don't mind if we eat a lot,” He Yuzhu said.
“That's nothing; just adding another pair of chopsticks,” Yang Dacheng said.
Yang Xuan ran all the way to the workshop.
Even so, he still didn't arrive earlier than Zhou Demin.
Zhou Demin was almost always the first to arrive at the workshop, and once there, he could maintain and adjust the machines in preparation for starting up.
He couldn't be too eager, though, to avoid overshadowing certain people.
Without saying a word, Yang Xuan also went to help.
Seeing Yang Xuan arrive, Zhou Demin handed him the tools he was holding and stood aside to watch, ready to point out any mistakes Yang Xuan made.
But today, Yang Xuan was no longer the same Yang Xuan as yesterday.
His machining skill had reached the beginner level.
[Machining Skill]: Beginner (115.0634/10000)
He had already reached the level of a first-class machinist. Naturally, he performed the machine maintenance and adjustments with ease.