As you wish, start from the Siheyuan

"Here's two dollars. Your chicken is just over one dollar. No need to give me the change."

Sha Zhu took out a few crumpled bills from his pocket and threw them at Xu Damao's feet.

Xu Damao, who was about to stage a grand scene to hold his enemy accountable, looked down at the money at his feet, feeling a little overwhelmed.

"Since Shazhu is willing to pay compensation, I think we should stop here! Shazhu, Xu Damao, you are grown up, don't act like children. You have lived in the same courtyard for decades. You should unite and help each other in the future. Don't let outsiders look down on us."

The old man lectured the two of them righteously. To be honest, the old man had no children in his life, and he was really good to Sha Zhu, protecting him everywhere. Everyone knew what he was thinking.

I whispered to Lou Xiao'e, "Sister Xiao'e, do you have an old hen that lays eggs?"

Lou Xiao'e was also a little angry. After thinking for a while, she walked over to Xu Damao and said, "Da Mao, this is the best egg-laying hen in our family. It's not easy to buy."

Xu Damao was also gagged by a few bills thrown on the ground just now. He was a little confused for a moment, but he immediately realized who Xu Damao was.

"This is the old hen that I prepared to nourish Lou Xiao'e. Listen carefully, it's an old hen that lays eggs. I don't need to tell you how much a pound of eggs costs... It can lay two eggs a day, sixty eggs a month, and in a year..." Xu Damao began to calculate incessantly.

"Three uncles, is this just a child's mischief? This is theft, a crime! But I, Xu Damao, still have some sense of justice. We are neighbors, the chicken is returned, and ten yuan is paid as compensation. We must learn a lesson and prevent such things from happening again in the future!"

Xu Damao's words were well-reasoned, and the others in the courtyard echoed him, "That's right, if I keep stealing your things in the future, I'll have to pay compensation...!"

The third uncle seemed to agree with Xu Damao's calculation just now. "Yes, every family is in a difficult situation now. Who would be willing to sell the old hens that lay eggs? The eggs are a good dish! Shazhu, what do you think?"

The first uncle glanced at the third uncle at this time, without saying anything, but his expression looked a little ugly.

"How many chickens can you buy with ten dollars? You can't calculate it like this. No, five dollars at most, and I'll give you the chicken." Sha Zhu looked at Qin Huairu who was watching him silently, and said through gritted teeth.

"I don't think Brother Yuzhu is the type who would steal a chicken, right? Brother Yuzhu can't possibly do such a thing. He's a chef at a steel plant, he's seen everything, how could he be short of a chicken?

I went out for a walk this afternoon and I thought I saw a few kids barbecuing on a cement pipe. Let's investigate further so as not to wrongly accuse good people!"

I stood up as if I wanted to exonerate Sha Zhu.

Qin Huairu's face changed drastically, and she looked at Sha Zhu in panic, "Didn't Sha Zhu admit it? This must be another prank by these two brothers."

"Who is with them? They broke up a long time ago. Oh, by the way, I think I saw Bang Geng stealing soy sauce from the kitchen again this afternoon. Could it be that Bang Geng stole my chicken?"

Xu Damao also noticed that Qin Huairu was a little different today. He then remembered that he saw Banggeng stealing a bowl of soy sauce at the steel mill in the afternoon, so he quickly asked about it.

Seeing that people around her started talking again, Qin Huairu was anxious and could only turn to Sha Zhu for help with affection.

"Xu Damao, please don't say anything nonsense. Banggeng is a good boy. I took the chicken. I just wanted to disgust you. I will compensate you ten dollars and take the chicken away. Is that okay?"

Sha Zhu also hurriedly accepted it. This was Sister Qin's instruction, and he couldn't mess it up!

The farce finally ended with Sha Zhu admitting his mistake and paying compensation. However, the truth of the matter remained a mystery to everyone. When many people thought of Sha Zhu, the victim, they were shocked and speechless.

Does it matter who stole the chicken?

"Xiao Fang, come, let's eat right away. Someone has prepared a chicken for us to eat!" Xu Damao received the money and the chicken, feeling very proud.

When Sha Zhu, who was walking home, heard this, his face turned so dark that he could not even look at himself.

Not long after I sat down at Xu Damao's house, the prepared dishes were served one after another. There were not many items, just three dishes and two soups (with an extra chicken soup), but the portions were large, enough for the three of us as we didn't like to waste food now.

Braised shark's fin, firewood duck, braised sea cucumber, a clear soup with bird's nest, and Chef He's sister-in-law's stewed chicken.

My appetite increased after seeing this and I immediately became eager to try it.

"Haha, Xiao Fang, come eat quickly. Xiao E has worked hard today, so Xiao Fang is having a great meal. I'm not afraid of you making fun of me. I usually cook at home, and today I'm taking advantage of you."

Xu Damao started eating first, and I also tasted a few bites of the food. It was so delicious! I felt like I had lived two lives in vain.

Then Xu Damao and I raised our glasses of white wine, and Lou Xiaoe raised her glass of red wine. “Cheers, welcome Comrade Xiao Fang…! Today is such a great day!”

"How dare you say that? Are you scared by two dollars? Xiao Fang was right. How can an old hen that lays eggs be the same as an ordinary chicken? Xiao Fang, just eat as much as you can. If it's not enough, there's more. Come over if you want to eat my cooking next time."

Lou Xiao'e drank and ate with us openly.

"Sister Xiao'e, I just can't bear to see you guys being bullied, brother Damao. It's my duty. But Sister Xiao'e, your cooking is really delicious. This is the most delicious dish I have ever eaten. It's not an exaggeration to say it's the most delicious food in the world.

All the delicacies from the mountains and the sea are just like this! When my godmother comes over later, please let me show my filial piety and help me make something delicious."

I was sweating as I ate and drank.

Lou Xiao'e was extremely happy when she heard the profound sound and understood the elegant meaning. The safety of her family has always been her biggest concern.

"If Xiao Fang likes it, eat more. Don't be so formal with me. It's my duty to cook for my brother's elders. You are sweating. Let me wipe it for you with a towel."

Lou Xiao'e quickly got up, took a pink towel from the washbasin rack, pressed it on my forehead, and wiped it. I quickly took it and wiped it. It smelled quite good.