Zeng Wen Fang recounted what had happened earlier.
"That Xu Da Mao is such a jerk. Everyone knows your family is the most upright in this courtyard." He Yu Shui had often eaten from the Yang family's table when she was a child and hungry.
Yi Zhong Hai and the deaf old woman had all said they would take care of He Yu Shui, but none of them took her, this "money-losing" burden, seriously. After all, they expected He Yu Zhu to support them in their old age, not He Yu Shui.
In the original story, He Yu Shui had always been indifferent to Yi Zhong Hai and the deaf old woman, so it was understandable.
"Let's not bother with those people. Today, we should all thank Zhuzi. If not for him, Yang Xuan would be dead, and our family would be ruined." Yang Da Cheng raised his cup and expressed his gratitude to He Yu Zhu.
He Yu Zhu quickly raised his own cup: "Uncle Yang, you're being too kind. Even if I didn't know him, I wouldn't just stand by and watch. Besides, we are neighbors in this courtyard."
He Yu Shui also said: "That's right, Uncle Yang, you've helped my brother and me a lot before. My brother just happened to be there. Don't be so polite."
"Of course I know that. Zhuzi is kind-hearted, and this is nothing to him. But for our Yang family, it's a huge favor. It's all in the wine, Zhuzi, I toast to you!" Yang Da Cheng raised his head and emptied his cup.
He Yu Zhu could only follow suit and drink the wine.
Unexpectedly, after filling up his own cup and He Yu Zhu's, Yang Da Cheng stood up to toast again. He Yu Zhu quickly stopped him: "Uncle Yang, you don't have to keep toasting, I can't handle it. There are so many delicious dishes here, I haven't even started eating!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Zeng Wen Fang complained: "Old Yang, you're enough. Take it slow. Let Zhuzi have some food first."
In the middle of the meal, Zeng Wen Fang said: "Zhuzi, you're twenty-eight today, right?"
"Almost thirty! My brother is thirty-five." He Yu Shui said for He Yu Zhu.
"Then you need to find a suitable partner quickly." Zeng Wen Fang said.
"It's driving me crazy! Every time he dates someone, it doesn't work out. He's too picky. And his standards are not low." He Yu Shui complained.
"Pfft." Yang Xuan couldn't help but laugh.
"Stinky boy, what are you laughing at? Zhuzi saved your life." Zeng Wen Fang patted Yang Xuan on the shoulder, not very hard.
"Actually, Silly Zhu's conditions aren't bad, but it's impossible for him to find a partner." Yang Xuan said.
"Why?" He Yu Shui asked in confusion.
"Hmm." Yang Da Cheng hummed, signaling Yang Xuan not to say anything more.
Zeng Wen Fang felt a little uneasy, after all, He Yu Zhu was Yang Xuan's savior. But if Yang Xuan spoke the truth, he would surely offend many people in the courtyard.
He Yu Shui couldn't tell, but He Yu Zhu could see right through it: "Why would it be impossible for me to find a partner?"
"Don't you understand? There are too many people in this courtyard who are trying to sabotage you." Yang Xuan said.
"You mean Xu Da Mao? I'll teach that little bastard a lesson someday." He Yu Zhu said.
"If it was just Xu Da Mao, your kids would be able to drink soy sauce by now." Yang Xuan said.
"Who else?" He Yu Zhu continued.
Yang Da Cheng still didn't want Yang Xuan to say anything offensive: "Zhuzi, don't listen to Yang Xuan's nonsense. Let's drink."
He Yu Zhu shook his head: "No, Uncle Yang, I need to get to the bottom of this. Otherwise, I'm doomed to be a bachelor for life. Yang Xuan, just say it. If you tell me who's been scheming behind my back, I owe you one. I'll treat you to drinks later."
"I said it, you might not believe me, you might even think I'm stirring up trouble." Yang Xuan said.
"I'm not stupid. I can tell right from wrong?" He Yu Zhu laughed in annoyance.
"That's not necessarily true. Silly Zhu, let me give you an inappropriate analogy. Suppose Yu Shui is dating someone, but that person has a very close relationship with a widow. So close it's like family. Everyone in the courtyard says they're not clean. Would you still let Yu Shui marry him?" Yang Xuan asked.
"Impossible! If Yu Shui dared to date someone like that, I'd break her legs. I, He Yu Zhu, couldn't stand the shame!" He Yu Zhu said without hesitation.
He Yu Shui initially glared at Yang Xuan, the analogy was too inappropriate, but then she realized something was wrong. It was clearly talking about Qin Huai Ru. Now she understood why her silly brother couldn't find a partner.
He Yu Zhu also understood, but he pretended to be clueless: "I know what you mean, but Qin Jie and I really have nothing going on. I just pity them and their family, so I help them out."
"I believe you. But will others? If it were you, and Yu Shui encountered this situation, would you believe it?" Yang Xuan said.
"Is this why my brother couldn't find a partner?" He Yu Shui asked.
"It's not just that. I told you, there are many people in this courtyard who don't want your brother to find a partner. It's not just this one thing." Yang Xuan said.
"Who else?" He Yu Zhu calmed down and asked softly.
"I bet you wouldn't guess." Yang Xuan smiled.
"You tell me." He Yu Zhu actually guessed who Yang Xuan was talking about, but he still couldn't believe these people would act so wickedly behind his back.
"Silly Zhu, if you get married, who are you going to listen to, your wife or yourself?" Yang Xuan asked.
He Yu Zhu didn't understand what Yang Xuan meant: "Of course, I'll listen to whoever is right."
"Then, for example, do you think your wife would let you help a widow?" Yang Xuan asked.
He Yu Zhu didn't say anything.
Yang Xuan asked He Yu Shui: "Yu Shui, would you let your husband help a widow?"
He Yu Shui rolled her eyes at Yang Xuan, but still shook her head.
Yang Xuan continued to ask: "Would you let your husband support someone else's old folks?"
He Yu Shui shook her head again.
He Yu Zhu slammed his cup on the table. He finally understood.
Whether it was Yi Zhong Hai or the deaf old woman, they all hoped he would take care of them in their old age. But if he married, would his wife be understanding and agree to him supporting Yi Zhong Hai and the deaf old woman? He Yu Zhu now understood why these people were so indifferent to his efforts to find a partner.
"So, if I stay single, I'll be forced to take care of them?" He Yu Zhu still couldn't understand. He was always extravagant and couldn't save a penny. How could he support these people in the future?
"There's a widow, isn't there? If they pair you up, she can manage your money. She can even prepare your future children for you. Are you still worried about not taking care of them in the future?" Yang Xuan laughed.
The He siblings both looked a bit dark in the face.
He Yu Shui recalled some details: "That's right, several times my brother was close to dating someone, but the girl changed her mind. I felt something was wrong at the time, and now, looking back, I know what happened. I thought Xu Da Mao was behind it."