Siheyuan: Being a fisherman in 1962

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhang's face darkened and she was about to explode, but He Yushui took the lead.

"What nonsense! How can we interfere in Shazhu's affairs? Besides, living separately is better for everyone, so there won't be chaos all day long." There was an unquestionable firmness in He Yushui's words. She knew very well that only by keeping a distance could more disputes be avoided.

However, the crying of children broke this brief silence.

They snuggled up to Qin Huairu, crying in their childish voices, not wanting to be separated from their mother.

Qin Huairu looked troubled. She felt sorry for the child, but was also worried that she would not be able to bear the burden of raising the child alone.

Seeing this, Sha Zhu became even more furious. He turned around abruptly and proposed two seemingly unreasonable but realistic solutions: "Either I live with Qin Huairu and the children; or I live with you, He Yushui!"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the audience was shocked.

Jia Zhang was the first to object: "Aren't you just making trouble? You know the situation of Qin Huairu's family, how can I add to your chaos!"

Qin Huairu also looked embarrassed and shook her head repeatedly.

He Yushui was so angry that her face turned pale. She didn't expect Sha Zhu to be so rude.

"You...you are simply unreasonable! How can you trample on my reputation at will!" She pointed at Sha Zhu angrily, her voice trembling.

The night in the courtyard became more complicated and heavy because of this sudden conflict.

In the courtyard, several old locust trees swayed gently, as if adding a bit of solemnity to the upcoming conversation.

"Shazhu, I know you have concerns, but we are all neighbors, and we should help each other." Qin Huairu's voice was soft and firm. She slowly approached, trying to touch Shazhu's heartstrings in the most direct way. "She has been in poor health recently, and she has been taking medicine frequently. Sometimes she is not mentally clear. She regretted the things she did afterwards."

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu frowned, his eyes full of struggle.

Thinking of all the difficulties Jia Zhang had caused me in the past, I couldn't help but feel a chill in my heart.

But looking at Qin Huairu's eyes full of expectation, he couldn't bear to refuse.

After all, in this courtyard, Qin Huairu's gentleness and tenacity were his rare comfort.

"But...but I'm worried, after all this, who will dare to marry me in the future?" There was a hint of helplessness and bitterness in Sha Zhu's voice. He knew very well how important reputation was to a man in this era.

Qin Huairu smiled gently when she heard that. She patted Sha Zhu's shoulder lightly, as if giving him strength.

"Silly Zhu, if you really can't get married because of this, I, Qin Huairu, will be the first to stand up and say good things for you. I promise to let her know your goodness and your kindness, which is more important than anything else."

As soon as these words came out, Sha Zhu looked up at Qin Huairu. There seemed to be thousands of words in his eyes, but in the end they just turned into a heavy sigh.

"Okay, Qin Huairu, I believe you this time. But we have to make it clear that if Jia Zhang makes trouble again, I won't agree." Sha Zhu finally gave in, but there was still some reluctance and warning in his tone.

After hearing this, Qin Huairu quickly nodded and agreed: "Don't worry, I will persuade her well. She is also a miserable person, so we should bear more responsibility for her."

At this moment, Jia Zhang, who had been observing silently, suddenly spoke. Although her voice was weak, it was filled with unquestionable majesty:

"Silly Zhu, you don't need to be afraid of me. Although I am not a good person, I know how to repay kindness. If you treat me well, I will naturally not treat you unfairly."

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu looked at Jia Zhangshi. The pair of eyes that once frightened him now showed a hint of kindness, which made him feel a little at a loss as to what to do.

But on second thought, since the decision has been made, I have no choice but to go ahead with it.

"Okay, Jia Zhang, let's make it a deal. But you have to promise me that you won't behave like before." Sha Zhu said, with a tone that contained both compromise and persistence.

Jia Zhang smiled slightly, and there seemed to be some deep meaning hidden in that smile. She nodded slightly, agreeing to Sha Zhu's request.

As night falls, the courtyard returns to its former tranquility.

Sha Zhu stood in front of his little house, looking at the last rays of sunset in the sky. He felt uncertainty about the future but also a little excitement about the challenge.

After this night, a new chapter in his life will begin, and he will face it bravely, whether it is good or bad.

Qin Huairu stood not far away, quietly watching Sha Zhu's back, knowing that her actions were not only for Jia Zhang's family, but also for the harmony of this courtyard and Sha Zhu's seemingly rough but actually delicate heart.

Sha Zhu stood in front of his house, his brows furrowed, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Qin Huairu's eyes full of pleading could not be erased from his mind, forcing him to re-examine his relationship with this neighbor and colleague.

"If I don't help her this time, I'm afraid the relationship between us will really be over." Sha Zhu thought to himself, with a bitter smile on his face.

He never thought that his feelings for Qin Huairu had quietly evolved from neighborly care to an indescribable emotion.

This feeling became clearer and firmer when he realized that he might only have to spend the rest of his life with Qin Huairu.

At this moment, Xu Damao interrupted at an inopportune moment. His sarcastic tone seemed like a chill in the night wind:

"Silly Zhu, Qin Huairu has already spoken, why are you, a grown man, still hesitating?" There was a hint of gloating in Xu Damao's eyes, as if he was watching a good show.

Sha Zhu turned around abruptly, staring at Xu Damao with a sharp gaze, and said in a low and powerful voice: "You don't need to interfere in my affairs! Mind your own business!"

This one sentence made Xu Damao's face freeze and he closed his mouth awkwardly.

Returning to Qin Huairu, Sha Zhu took a deep breath and tried to make his tone sound calm: "Qin Huairu, I really don't want to see you homeless. But, you also know that Jia Zhangshi..."

Before she finished speaking, Qin Huairu's eyes were already filled with despair and pleading.

"I really have no other choice. If we don't do this, we will have to live on the streets. Although Jia Zhang is sometimes confused, she is also my mother-in-law and I can't ignore her." Qin Huairu's voice trembled and tears welled up in her eyes.

Looking at Qin Huairu's appearance, Sha Zhu's heart softened.

He knew that he couldn't refuse.

So he nodded and made a decision: "Okay, Jia Zhang can live with me temporarily. But I have a condition."

Qin Huairu heard this, and a glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes: "What are the conditions?"

"I want her to promise me in front of everyone that she won't do anything excessive again." Sha Zhu's voice was firm and powerful. He looked into the distance, as if declaring his position to the entire courtyard.

Qin Huairu knew the importance of this condition very well. She immediately nodded in agreement and turned to persuade Jia Zhang.

After a while, Jia Zhang came out trembling with the support of Qin Huairu.

Under the gaze of everyone, she managed to force a smile and said in a trembling voice: "Silly Zhu, I...I promise you that I will never cause you any trouble again in the future."