He Yucheng deliberately controlled the thoughts of the people in the courtyard. At this moment, everyone in the courtyard had immersed themselves in their roles, arguing loudly, "No way! I say, Uncle Yi, aren't you being a bit biased? In these times, whose family isn't struggling? If we can have meat just once a year, we have no ties with the Jia family; at most, we can only be considered neighbors. Why should we voluntarily give the good stuff to the Jia family?"
One person raised a different opinion, and immediately the other residents in the courtyard echoed in agreement!
"Exactly! In these times, whose family isn't struggling? Who doesn't lack nutrition? You have a high salary, you have more money, why don't you say you’ll take some out and buy us something good? Be a bit proactive!"
"Right! It's easy to talk when you're standing there. The Jia family has skin thicker than the royal city of Sijiu!"
"I see it clearly; Uncle Yi's butt is directly leaning towards the Jia family. Come on, tell me what wrong the He family's second son did?"
Yi Zhonghai didn't expect that over a fish, the entire courtyard's neighbors were picking at their own faults. He couldn't help but frown; the Jia family was truly unpopular.
Seeing the fire was hot enough, He Yucheng also spoke up, "Come on, Uncle Yi, continue your performance. Tell me, what wrong have I done?"
"Just say, what wrong has Yucheng done?"
He Yuzhu, the big fool, saw so many people making things difficult for Yi Zhonghai. Noticing the swelling on Qin Huairu's face from being beaten by the Jia family that hadn't gone down yet, he hurriedly stepped forward and said, "That's enough, Yucheng. Uncle Yi was just speaking casually. You brought back a fish, and you and Yushui ate it all without considering the people in the courtyard. Can't we say something about it?"
As for this big fool, He Yucheng had completely given up on him. If he liked widows, then let him be drained of blood for a lifetime; he would regret it later. In his previous life, many people said that He Yuzhu was getting old and couldn't earn money anymore, then he was driven out of the courtyard by a stick and ultimately froze to death outside!
But come on, he was still his own elder brother, related by blood. How could he let him freeze to death outside? It would be better to arrange for him to live in perpetual pain and guilt.
Hearing He Yuzhu stand up for him, Yi Zhonghai's expression eased a bit.
Jia Dongxu also stood up and pointed at the crowd in the courtyard, saying, "Shut up! My master is Uncle Yi of the courtyard. Whatever he says, you all should listen. How is it biased towards our family? Look at what my mom has become! Didn't you see? A trip to the hospital cost several bucks. To silence us, they just threw out that money!"
Then He Yucheng continued, "Shut up! Your mom's situation is her own bad luck; what does it have to do with me? Did I commit a crime by eating a fish?"
"Not a crime!"
"Right, not a crime!"
"Why should we give to the Jia family!"
At this moment, Yi Zhonghai's head was even more painful. When did the people in this courtyard become so united? Wasn't this challenging his authority?
But the matter still needed to be handled. Yi Zhonghai sighed and said, "Yucheng, Uncle Yi doesn't mean it that way. We're all in the same courtyard. The Jia family is indeed in trouble. Dongxu's monthly salary is just over twenty, supporting a family of five. Now with Qin Huairu's condition, I thought, if we can help a bit, we should help. We are a civilized courtyard!"
Everyone in the courtyard was familiar with this phrase. Every time Yi Zhonghai said this, the residents would have to contribute.
Yi Zhonghai was not being considerate, wanting everyone to donate money to the Jia family.
Ever since Yi Zhonghai took Jia Dongxu as his disciple, whenever the Jia family faced difficulties, Yi Zhonghai would call for the entire courtyard to donate money. It happened at least once or twice a year, and over the past few years, it must have happened at least ten times, with hundreds of bucks donated to the Jia family each year!
They called it a civilized courtyard, but there were no specific standards, mainly to set an example for everyone to learn from, to live together more harmoniously. If there were benefits, it would be easier to find jobs. Those with jobs would be recognized or given bonuses!
But these neighbors were truly donating real money.
Money was spent, and the benefits all went to a few elders. Just a title of a civilized courtyard, no matter how you thought about it, it was not worth it. It was like paying for suffering.
At this moment, someone in the courtyard shouted, "It's you, Uncle Yi! Isn't Jia Dongxu your disciple? You're Jia Dongxu's master. They say a master and disciple are like father and son. Jia Dongxu can be considered your son. You have no children, so aren't you counting on Jia Dongxu to support you in your old age? You want us all to raise your son!"
This remark immediately caused a burst of laughter in the courtyard! He Yucheng directly used his mental power to lock down the entire courtyard, then using a clone, slipped into a corner and said, "Exactly! We spent our money, and all the benefits go to you, Yi Zhonghai. How can this be fair? No donations!"
"Right, no donations! In these times, whose family isn't struggling? During festivals, we don't even have meat. Why should we raise the Jia family's children? If they can't afford it, they shouldn't have so many kids. Jia Dongxu has been working at the steel factory for years and is still just a first-level worker. He got that by seniority. If he doesn't work hard, he just wants to drain our blood. No donations!"
"Right, we have no money, no donations!"
Yi Zhonghai didn't expect the people in the courtyard to stand up together against him. In this dark and chaotic situation, he didn't know who started the uproar. One by one, they were shouting, and Yi Zhonghai was furious.
But the situation had already occurred, and it needed to be resolved. Yi Zhonghai spoke up, "Everyone, quiet down! They say distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors. As the elder of the courtyard, I will definitely be fair and just. I know everyone's lives are tough, but who doesn't have difficulties? If we help the Jia family today, then in the future, when everyone has difficulties, I will also call for the courtyard to help everyone. Don't you all agree?"
"Agree? Besides the Jia family having trouble, when have you helped anyone in this courtyard over the years? You just talk big; we won't donate."
"Exactly!"
Hearing the residents of the courtyard collectively oppose donating to his family, Jia Zhangshi came out to throw a tantrum.
"Damn it! You are all beasts! Your families can't survive, and you all stand by and watch. Why shouldn't you donate money to my family? Eating alone, aren't you afraid of choking? Old Jia, take them all away; we can't survive!"
Yi Zhonghai's face turned ashen with anger, feeling that his prestige was completely lost. In the entire courtyard, besides himself, who could control Jia Zhangshi? A few people spending a little money was all to avoid disaster. Since they didn't want to spend money, let Jia Zhangshi make a scene!
Director Wang, who had been listening in the front yard, could no longer hold back. He stepped forward and shouted sternly, "Jia Zhangshi!"