It seems that in the original story, Yan Bu Gui's scheme was successful, forcing Old Lin to sell his house when he couldn't make ends meet.
The price was undoubtedly suppressed by Yan Bu Gui, which is why Yan Jie Cheng had a house and a wife when the story of the courtyard began.
Originally, Luo Xiao Qing, reading the original story, felt that Yan Bu Gui was merely stingy, fond of scheming, but not inherently bad. He even helped Sha Zhu pick up scraps to pay off his debts.
However, having been in the situation, Luo Xiao Qing realized just how ruthless Yan Bu Gui's schemes were!
Luo Xiao Qing said, "Old Lin, going back to the countryside might not be better!
Food is becoming scarcer by the day. You and Shui Tao at least have city hukou.
Finding work will be easy. If you go back to the village, and the harvest fails, then you'll be truly crying out to heaven!"
Once the ration system is implemented, the Lin family will have a guaranteed supply of grain. All things considered, it's only a year away.
The Lin family leaving now would be a huge loss.
"I know, it's just that we really can't make ends meet."
Luo Xiao Qing said, "Old Lin, I earned some money from hunting. How much are you short? I'll lend you the money.
You can repay me slowly once you have it."
Old Lin looked at Luo Xiao Qing with red eyes, hesitant for a moment: "No, you're not married yet.
Your money is for big things."
"Old Lin, just rest assured, my money is enough for marriage. And I've found a job.
Just waiting for the arrangement from above.
Once it's finalized, I'll report for duty."
"Really?"
Old Lin looked at Luo Xiao Qing excitedly.
At this moment, Luo Xiao Qing was the last lifeline for the Lin family!
"Really! But Old Lin, don't talk about this. You should know the situation in our courtyard."
Old Lin nodded: "You can rest assured. So Xiao Qing, this grain you sent us will last us a few days.
I'll go out and find work these days. If things get really bad at home, I'll come to you again."
"Okay!"
As Luo Xiao Qing walked out of Old Lin's house, she heard the sounds of celebration from Yan Bu Gui's house:
"Yang Rui Hua, Old Lin's family must be running out of money soon, even with Luo Xiao Qing sending them grain.
At most five days, Old Lin's family will be begging us to buy their house. Then, we'll ruthlessly lower the price.
Won't that secure Jie Cheng's house?"
"You're really clever, dear!"
"Of course, you can't be poor from eating or wearing, but you can be poor from lack of scheming! The art of scheming is profound."
Luo Xiao Qing didn't know about Yan Bu Gui's scheming skills, but Old Lin's house was likely out of his reach this time.
This was also a way of repaying Old Lin's kindness.
Luo Xiao Qing returned to her room, where Luo Hui Zhen greeted her anxiously: "You child, why were you shouting at the deaf old lady?
That old lady has Yi Zhong Hai behind her. Yi Zhong Hai is a hypocrite, even more frightening than a villain like Xu Da Mao.
If you provoke him, he'll definitely target you!"
Luo Xiao Qing said, "Mom, what could Yi Zhong Hai do to me? This house is our private property, bought with our own money.
We don't rent it. He can't kick us out of the courtyard.
Besides, I'm going to work at the police station soon. Yi Zhong Hai is just a neighborhood committee-appointed First Elder.
How can his status compare to a police officer?"
Luo Hui Zhen said, "Look at me, worrying unnecessarily. I forgot about that. You have a plan.
From now on, I'll listen to you for everything at home."
"Brother, brother, what's for dinner tonight?"
Luo Xiao Qing said, "Mom, make some spicy rabbit meat tonight, and stir-fry a chicken."
Luo Hui Zhen said, "What kind of family is this? Eating like this, you'll be bankrupt!"
"Xu Da Mao said he wants to come over for a drink tonight!"
Luo Hui Zhen said, "Then I'll go cook now!"
"Great, meat tonight! Brother, kiss, kiss!"
Duo Duo and Guo Guo each held one of Luo Xiao Qing's cheeks and kissed him.
In their minds, the best time is when their brother isn't sick and they get to eat meat.
Just as Luo Hui Zhen's family was cooking, Yi Zhong Hai arrived at the Jia family with ten kilograms of cornmeal:
"Dong Xu, Old Sister-in-law, although Dong Xu's salary came this month, it must still be tight.
I brought you some cornmeal."
Jia Zhang Shi said, "Thank you, First Elder, you're such a good man! Not like some people in our courtyard with rotten hearts!"
Yi Zhong Hai knew Jia Zhang Shi was talking about Luo Xiao Qing, so he didn't respond.
Instead, he looked at Qin Huairu's stomach: "Dong Xu, it looks like Huai Ru is about to give birth.
Just let your master know if you need any help.
Take these fifty yuan. Consider it as a gift from your master for the baby!"
Jia Dong Xu was touched: "Master, thank you! I don't know what I would do without you.
Huai Ru's due date is just a few days after the New Year.
Our house is far from the courtyard. Could Master help borrow a bicycle?
To take Huai Ru back and forth for delivery."
Jia Zhang Shi said, "Yes, First Elder, look at our Jia family. We're just a poor widow and orphan.
Those people in the courtyard are eating big fish and big meat every day, but they won't help us.
You should help Dong Xu. He's your only apprentice, he'll be the one to take care of you in your old age."
Hearing about taking care of him in his old age, Yi Zhong Hai's expression changed: "Old Sister-in-law, I want to help Dong Xu, but my capabilities are limited."
"First Elder, I heard that Luo Xiao Qing earned hundreds of yuan from hunting, and he even bought two bicycles.
The only family in the courtyard with a bicycle is the Luo family, and they have two."
After Qin Huairu finished speaking, she lowered her head and touched her stomach. Charging into battle and offending people was not her forte.
All she could do was use her beauty and fragility to evoke the protection of others.
Sure enough, seeing Qin Huairu's head slightly lowered, radiating a maternal glow, her fair neck extending downward,
Yi Zhong Hai was moved and couldn't help but want to give her the best:
"Dong Xu, don't worry, after we finish eating, I'll call a courtyard meeting.
We're all neighbors in the same courtyard. Huai Ru giving birth is a big deal. The Luo family has no reason not to help."
Jia Dong Xu said, "Master, thank you. I'll definitely take good care of you in the future. Master, have some here."
"No, I'll go find Lao Yan and Lao Liu first to discuss the meeting. You guys eat first."