“Alright, I’ll go talk to Zhou Po Po first!”
Luo Hui Zhen went out and informed Zhou Po Po, Lao Lin’s family, and Wang Tie Hammer’s family, one by one.
Finally, she arrived at Xu Da Mao’s house.
Xu Da Mao lived in two rooms in the backyard. Luo Hui Zhen, who was in the backyard, saw Sha Zhu standing outside Xu Da Mao’s window, yelling at him.
“You little bastard, come out if you dare! I’ll beat you up!”
“Sha Zhu, you idiot! Just wait for me! When I get better, I’ll deal with you!”
Sha Zhu was eager to rush in and give Xu Da Mao a good beating, but he didn’t dare because Xu Fu Gui was inside.
Recently, Yi Da Ye had just told him to respect elders and not cause trouble for them.
There’s no such thing as an elder who is wrong; only a younger generation who is disrespectful.
Therefore, Sha Zhu could only stand at the door and rant.
Luo Hui Zhen walked into the backyard, “Xu Saozi, is Da Mao at home?”
Xu Fu Gui’s wife came out, “Hui Zhen, what brings you here? Come in and sit down!”
“Xiao Qing asked me to come over!”
Sha Zhu was about to leave, but when he heard Luo Hui Zhen mention Luo Xiao Qing, his eyes lit up. He hid behind a wall and eavesdropped.
Luo Hui Zhen entered the house. Xu Fu Gui said, “Hui Zhen, I wasn’t unwilling to lend a hand those past few years, but you know. The rules of this courtyard are strict, and Lao Yi hinted at things here and there, so we didn’t dare.”
Luo Hui Zhen said, “Xu Dage, there’s no need for you to say anything more. I understand. Every household has its own difficulties. Fortunately, it’s all over now.”
Xu Fu Gui’s wife said, “Yes, Hui Zhen’s family has finally seen better days!”
Luo Hui Zhen said, “I’m here today because Xiao Qing asked me to ask Da Mao how his recovery is going. In three days, Xiao Qing wants to hold a banquet to invite Director Wang and his husband for dinner. Xiao Qing said his husband is a leader from the Public Security Bureau. She said that she needs Da Mao’s drinking capacity to accompany the leader.”
Xu Da Mao had been tricked by Yi Zhong Hai, and everyone in the courtyard avoided him like a plague. They stayed away from him, and Sha Zhu was always either beating him up or insulting him.
Xu Da Mao was extremely depressed. Unexpectedly, at the darkest moment of his life, Luo Xiao Qing invited him. And it was for such a big event, to accompany a leader.
Xu Da Mao jumped out of bed, “Luo Yi, I’m fine now. Don’t worry, I’ll be there in three days!”
Xu Fu Gui’s eyes flickered. If Xu Da Mao could build a good relationship with Luo Xiao Qing, his life in the courtyard would be smoother in the future.
Xu Fu Gui’s wife was surprised, “Xiao Qing really said that? Can Da Mao do it? Don’t let him ruin things for Xiao Qing.”
“No, if Xiao Qing says Da Mao can do it, then he definitely can. Da Mao, you can just go directly there for dinner three days later.”
Xu Da Mao said, “Luo Yi, you can rest assured, I’ll arrive early that day!”
Xu Da Mao hummed a tune, lying in bed, the gloominess from Sha Zhu’s taunts completely gone.
Sha Zhu heard Luo Hui Zhen mention the banquet in three days. His eyes lit up, and he ran to Luo Xiao Qing’s house. “Xiao Qing, are you home?”
Luo Xiao Qing was lying in bed, listening to the radio, legs crossed.
Shen You Tian sat beside her, helping Luo Xiao Qing peel melon seeds and peanuts, stuffing them into his mouth.
“Wow, Luo Xiao Qing, you are living the good life! Your room is so warm. Unlike my place. Last night, the stove went out, and the whole room was like an ice cave.”
Luo Xiao Qing said, “Then save up some money and build a fire wall. Your main room is so big, just tidy it up. It’ll be so spacious!”
Sha Zhu scratched his head, “Me? Forget it, I can barely afford to eat!”
“You spent all ten yuan?”
Sha Zhu said, “Well, not all of it. Qin Jie gave birth, and as her uncle, I have to give Bang Geng some lucky money.”
Luo Xiao Qing rolled her eyes, “Did you give your sister any lucky money?”
“Yu Shui is family, no need for all that fuss. Qin Jie, a woman, is stuck with such an evil mother-in-law, poor thing.”
“Your sister is as skinny as a stick, doesn’t that make her pitiful? Cousin, go pour me a glass of water!”
“Okay!”
Shen You Tian obediently got up and poured water.
Sha Zhu looked up and saw Shen You Tian’s face clearly. He was stunned, swallowing hard. “Xiao Qing… is she your cousin?”
Luo Xiao Qing casually threw a handful of melon seed shells at Sha Zhu’s face. “What are you staring at? One more look, and I’ll gouge out your eyes!”
Sha Zhu didn’t get angry. He scratched his head, “A family with a good daughter, all families will ask for her hand in marriage. Your cousin is really beautiful. Luo Xiao Qing, you’ve been hiding this well!”
“What’s up? Just to say you need money? I told you, no!”
“I’m not asking for money. I heard Luo Yi telling Xu Da Mao that you want to hold a banquet in the courtyard in three days? Did you find a chef?”
Luo Xiao Qing clicked her melon seeds and glanced at Sha Zhu, “No, my mom’s cooking is good enough. I don’t need to spend money.”
“Hey, even if you find me, you don’t have to pay. We’re like brothers. Consider it a thank you for taking care of my little sister, Yu Shui. Don’t worry, my dad taught me a lot of skills. I guarantee I’ll cook a delicious meal for you!”
Luo Xiao Qing said, “Alright, after the banquet, whatever leftovers you want, you can take them. Don’t try to be greedy!”
“Alright!”
Sha Zhu happily ran out of the house.
Shen You Tian walked in, “Auntie, Xiao Qing, I heard you say that this Sha Zhu is smart. But now, he seems silly!”
“Silly?”
Luo Xiao Qing scoffed, “Cousin, Sha Zhu is playing the long game. He works as a sous chef at the steel mill. Usually, he doesn’t even get to cook. He has the skills, but no one trusts him. But if he takes on my banquet, everyone who eats at the banquet will know Sha Zhu’s skills. The neighbors in the courtyard will also know. In the future, whose house will need a cook and won’t look for him? They say he’s silly. I think you’re the silly one!”
Luo Hui Zhen listened to Xiao Qing’s words and smiled with satisfaction. This young girl is sharp, she sees things clearly. This Sha Zhu wouldn’t be so eager to help with the banquet if he didn’t benefit from it. He’s got his own agenda.
That’s Sha Zhu’s cunning. People always think he’s silly, but he is calculating without showing it. “Silly” is just Sha Zhu’s camouflage.
“Xiao Qing, stay home and watch the door, I’m going out to buy a fish!”
Luo Xiao Qing got up, “Mom, why buy fish? I’ll go to Shichahai and catch some. I’ll catch a few extra for the banquet as well.”