Siheyuan: Since 1962

Chapter 2 Academy Meeting
When we arrived at the middle courtyard, most people in the courtyard had already arrived.

A circle was formed under the eaves.

Everyone was talking in low voices, glancing at Qin Huairu from time to time.

In the middle of the yard, three old men were sitting upright, and there were three tea cups on the small square table in the middle.

Jia Zhang's wailing could be heard intermittently from the Jia family's house to the yard.

Qin Huairu was standing in the middle of the yard, her face already covered with tears.

"Okay, now that most people are here, let's start the meeting."

When Yi Zhonghai saw Zhou Weimin arriving, he clapped his hands to attract everyone's attention.

"Ahem, let me say a few words first. Everyone knows about the accident that happened to Jia Dongxu in the workshop. Just now, Jia Dongxu is in the hospital. This... Old Yi, you should tell me."

Liu Haizhong was halfway through his speech when he saw Qin Huairu crying harder and harder, and he got stuck and could only sit down awkwardly.

Yi Zhonghai glared at him, then stood up and said loudly, "I told you straight away, Dongxu didn't make it in the hospital and is gone now. Now the only ones left in the Jia family are Jia Zhang, Qin Huairu and two children. The family is an orphan and a widow, the two children are still young, Jia Zhang is not in good health, and Qin Huairu is pregnant and will give birth soon. Now that Dongxu is gone, life is really unbearable. I called everyone to the meeting today just to ask for your help so that the Jia family can get through this difficult time and last until Qin Huairu can take over."

"That's how it is. We are all neighbors, so if we can help, please do so."

After Yi Zhonghai sat down, Yan Bugui followed up with a leisurely sentence to show his presence as the third uncle.

When everyone in the yard heard that they had to donate, they looked at each other and no one said anything.

Life is hard for everyone these days, and basically everyone is counting the days.

This donation will make the rest of this month difficult.

"I know that everyone's life is not easy. As an uncle, I will take the lead and everyone can donate as much or as little as they want."

Seeing that no one was talking, Yi Zhonghai stood up and looked around, then took out two big black tens from his pocket and placed them on the table.

As an eighth-level fitter and a big shot in the yard, and as he took the initiative to donate money, it is natural that he would not be short of money.

"My eldest son just got married half a year ago, and I don't have much money, so I'll just donate ten dollars."

Liu Haizhong followed closely behind, took out two yellow five-yuan bills from his pocket and put them on the table.

"My family is not much different from the first and second uncles. Life is tight. Donating three dollars is my way of showing my appreciation."

Yan Bugui took out three dollars from his pocket with some heartache, and straightened the money again and again. Only after he straightened the money out did he reluctantly put it on the table.

These three dollars are enough to cover his family’s food expenses for a month. How can he not feel bad about it?

Only after the three uncles donated money did the crowd show some reaction.

But you still searched your pockets and I searched my clothes pockets, and no one stood up at the first time.

Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai immediately gave He Yuzhu a look, and then looked at Zhou Weimin.

He Yuzhu immediately understood, took out five dollars from his pocket, and shook the bill after walking out of the crowd.

"Brother Jia has helped me and Yu Shui a lot in the past, so I'll donate five dollars."

"I just got hired not long ago, and I don't have much money, so I'll just donate two dollars."

Zhou Weimin walked out of the crowd without hesitation and put the two one-dollar bills he had prepared long ago on the table.

This money still has to be paid. His predecessor had a good relationship with Jia Dongxu. Besides, he got this golden finger by sacrificing Jia Dongxu, so this money can be regarded as his farewell gift.

With these two people taking the lead, other people in the yard also took out money.

You give fifty cents and I give one dollar, and soon there is a pile of money on the table.

He Yuzhu retreated back into the crowd and quietly pulled Zhou Weimin aside, saying with a hint of blame: "No, Weimin, you only pay two dollars?"

"What can I do? It's almost the end of the month and I don't have any money."

Zhou Weimin searched his pockets, turned out the pockets on both sides of his clothes, and spread his hands helplessly to indicate that he had tried his best.

"No, you don't have money, tell me. Look at your area, how much have the people donated?"

He Yuzhu leaned close to Zhou Weimin's ear and said with a look of disappointment, his eyes still fixed on the crowd of people who were donating money.

Without waiting for a reply, He Yuzhu suddenly raised his voice and shouted: "Xu Damao, my buddy donated five dollars, and you only donated one dollar. Is it not okay for you to donate just because you got married?"

He Yuzhu's shout made everyone in the compound laugh.

It’s not possible after getting married. Everyone knows what this means.

"What's wrong with one dollar? Isn't one dollar money? My money is useful. Someone knows if I can do it, but who knows if you can do it?"

Xu Damao would not fall for such obvious provocation. He would think he was stupid if he was asked to donate five dollars without any response after donating the money.

"Hey! Xu Damao, you want to be beaten, right?"

He Yuzhu's defense was broken immediately. He rolled up his sleeves and was ready to beat Xu Damao.

"That's enough! We're holding a meeting, what a mess!"

Yi Zhonghai slapped the table and glared at He Yuzhu. Seeing that he had calmed down, he picked up the money on the table and handed it to Qin Huairu.

"Huai Ru, this is a token of our appreciation, please accept it. If your family encounters any difficulties in the future, please tell us and we will help you if we can. Don't be too sad, take care of yourself, and giving birth to the baby is the most important thing. Your whole family is counting on you."

"Thank you, uncle, and thank you all. I will remember all the help you have given my family, and I will definitely repay you in the future."

Qin Huairu took the money and put it in her pocket, then thanked everyone with tears in her eyes.

Seeing her like this, everyone felt sympathy for her and didn't feel so bad about donating the money they had just donated.

After all, he is a man with a miserable life, so any help you can give is appreciated.

Seeing Qin Huairu's attitude and the reactions of the people in the courtyard, Yi Zhonghai nodded with satisfaction: "We are all neighbors in the same courtyard. It is only natural for us to help each other. Don't worry too much. Huairu, go back and comfort your mother-in-law. Don't cry anymore or else something bad will happen. Everyone should go home. If you are able, please help out more in the future."

At this time, Zhou Weimin, who was preparing to return to the front yard with the crowd, was pulled into his house by He Yuzhu.

"Wei Min, what's wrong with you today? I didn't finish what I was saying just now. Fifty or sixty yuan is not enough for the Jia family to live for three months. I don't know what to say to you about this!"

After He Yuzhu finished speaking, he poured himself a glass of water and drank it all.

He wasn't that angry at first, but seeing the way Qin Huairu thanked him just now, he just felt very uncomfortable.

I suddenly thought of the time when He Daqing left and made a living with the rain, and the pain he felt suddenly came to my mind.

"Wow, fifty or sixty dollars is not enough? He Yuzhu, how much do you want everyone to contribute? Are we all going to do the same as you, paying five or ten dollars at a time? How can we make ends meet?"

Zhou Weimin took a bowl from the cupboard, wiped it, poured himself a glass of water, and sat down opposite He Yuzhu.

Before today, Zhou Weimin was too disdainful to talk much with He Yuzhu, but now, it’s not that he can’t chat.

"Why can't you make a living? Do you think every household is the same as you? Who in this courtyard doesn't have some money saved?"

He Yuzhu was furious when he saw Zhou Weimin's nonchalant attitude. This was a matter of life and death, why couldn't he pay more attention?
"He Yuzhu, you are really good. You have set your sights on everyone's savings. Let me ask you, did Brother Dongxu get into trouble in the factory this time? Will the factory be responsible for Brother Dongxu's funeral? Does the factory have to pay for his death? Before Sister-in-law Jia gets a job, can she still receive ten yuan a month? Tell me with confidence that the Jia family is in a worse situation than everyone else in the compound?"

Zhou Weimin spoke slowly and slowly, but his speaking speed became faster and faster. At the last moment, he slammed the table and stared at He Yuzhu.

In his opinion, He Yuzhu is a person who seems to be smart but is actually reckless and a complete scoundrel.

He is also timid and cautious in love, and is completely controlled by Qin Huairu.

It is not true to say that he likes widows. He just wants the good things about widows and wants to marry a virgin. He has his fill and wants everything but gets nothing in the end.

In other words, he was the protagonist and let Lou Xiao'e have his child, otherwise the family would have ended up being wiped out.

He is a man who has really messed up a good hand of cards.

Perhaps his only advantages are his cooking skills and his loyalty.

The fact that he was able to bring things to see Director Yang after he stepped down is something that not most people can do.

"Me! You are the only one who is right, alright, I have nothing to say to you! I just can't bear to see Sister Qin cry like that, alright!"

He Yuzhu wanted to refute, but he couldn't find anything wrong, so he could only force himself to reply.

"He Yuzhu, I don't know how you came up with this idea, but don't blame me as your brother for not reminding you. The Jia family is different now than when Brother Dongxu was here. You should know that people's words are scary, and there are many gossips around a widow. I can't control you if you want to help, but think about it before you do anything. Don't let yourself lose your reputation and also implicate the sister-in-law of the Jia family."

Zhou Weimin tapped the table with his fingers, and his tone unconsciously became heavier.

Now that things have come to this, he doesn't mind making things a little more serious.

To put it bluntly, these people in Siheyuan are just a group of ordinary people. If we put it bluntly, there will be fewer problems.

"Wei Min, I..."

He Yuzhu was about to explain when Zhou Weimin interrupted him.

"He Yuzhu, you don't have to explain to me. It's up to you to decide what to do. I'm just doing my duty as a brother and reminding you. Otherwise, when you can't find a wife, you'll blame me for not reminding you."

"Okay, that's enough. Think about it. I have to go home and cook."

After Zhou Weimin finished speaking, he didn't want to hear He Yuzhu's answer, so he turned around and went home.

No matter how much you say, it will be useless. Whether He Yuzhu listens or not depends on what he does.

"What the hell is this!"

He Yuzhu felt as miserable as a fucked dog at this moment. He originally wanted to pull Zhou Weimin into the house to have a good talk with him, but in the end he got a lecture.

If Zhou Weimin was just scolding him, he could still scold back.

But this was said for his own good, leaving him with no way to talk back, which made him feel so suffocated.

I didn't cook dinner. I took a plate of peanuts from the cupboard and started drinking alone.

New author, new book, please recommend and collect.



(End of this chapter)