Visiting Jia Dongxu, Liu Haizhong Speaks Too Much

Qin Jingru quickly came out and saw it was Xu Damao.

She said with disappointment, "Oh, it's you. What's up?"

Xu Damao smiled, "Look at you, why aren't you happy to see me this early in the morning?"

Qin Jingru smiled, "I'm not unhappy, I just remembered how cowardly you were yesterday."

Xu Damao glanced at the roof ridge of Lin Zhen's house.

He said indignantly, "If I had four sons to bolster my reputation, I'd walk around the courtyard like I owned it. Sister Jingru, you don't know this Lin... Never mind, let's not talk about him."

"Then what do you want with me?"

Xu Damao smiled, "Nothing much, I was just wondering if you ate eggs last night? Those 30 eggs were specifically bought for you."

Qin Jingru shook her head, "My sister said to eat them after brother-in-law is discharged from the hospital."

"See, I guessed as much. Sigh! Some things can't be said. How about this, I'll treat you to hot pot tonight?"

Qin Jingru's eyes widened when she heard this.

"Ah? That, doesn't that require coupons?"

"Tsk! I can tell you're from the countryside, too naive. To eat hot pot or Peking duck, you just need money. It's settled then. I'll come back early this afternoon and buy you a new outfit."

Qin Jingru shook her head, "That won't do, I can't just accept things from you for free."

"It's fine, just listen to me. I genuinely see you as a sister. It's settled then, okay? Don't let Grandma Jia know, and don't tell your sister. There are some things I need to make clear to you privately."

"Then, okay!"

Xu Damao pushed his bicycle and went to work.

Qin Jingru watched his retreating figure, secretly pleased.

This Xu Damao wasn't so bad after all, at least he was very generous.

In the steel rolling mill workshop.

Yi Zhonghai asked Liu Haizhong to request half a day off.

He didn't dare to delay production and came to the workshop in the afternoon with a weak body.

As soon as he saw Lin Zhen, he put on a stern face and said, "Xiao Lin, you're too disloyal!"

Lin Zhen feigned ignorance, "First Elder, what are you talking about?"

"Stop pretending! Let's put this behind us. Jia Dongxu has been lying in the hospital for several days, and you haven't truly visited him. Let's go together after work, shall we? I've already spoken to everyone in the courtyard, and your wife, Lou Xiao'e, said she'll follow your lead."

Lin Zhen thought about it and realized it was true.

Since Jia Dongxu was hospitalized, apart from the arrangements made by the factory on the first and second days.

He really hadn't visited him even once.

Moreover, apart from Silly Zhu, no one else from the courtyard had gone either.

They were all neighbors. Even if they disliked the Jia family, they should at least go through the motions.

Since Yi Zhonghai was organizing it, he definitely had to go, to avoid being gossiped about by the neighbors.

"Tsk, First Elder, as the leader of the courtyard, you should have organized this long ago. I've wanted to visit for a long time, but I was afraid Grandma Jia would glare at me. I'll definitely go this afternoon!"

"Alright, I'll go notify Silly Zhu and Xu Damao later."

"No, look at your sallow complexion. Even a strong man can't withstand three bouts of diarrhea. You don't need to run errands, I'll do it for you."

Yi Zhonghai looked at Lin Zhen with complicated feelings.

He thought, This kid is truly unfathomable. Now he's actively participating.

If you hadn't tricked me, everyone would have gone yesterday during their day off!

Yesterday was indeed a good opportunity to visit Jia Dongxu. Everyone in the courtyard had the day off and had time.

But Yi Zhonghai had been sulking all day yesterday.

If he didn't organize it, the Second Elder Liu Haizhong wouldn't bother.

The Third Master Yan Bugui was happy not to visit, to avoid spending money again.

Lin Zhen strolled to the cafeteria and told Silly Zhu. Silly Zhu nodded, "Okay, I'll leave early this afternoon."

Then he went to the propaganda department and told Xu Damao.

Xu Damao shook his head, "Why didn't Old Yi say something earlier? Yesterday was such a good opportunity, and he didn't organize it. Not today, I have something to do this afternoon."

Lin Zhen smiled, "What is it? Going on a date?"

Xu Damao's eyes widened, "You, you, you, don't talk nonsense. You're amazing, Zhuge Liang? You can predict everything."

"With your petty mind, I know what you're up to just by your posture. You always leave early from work. Today, Silly Zhu, Liu Guangtian, and I have all left, and you haven't even left yet. Tell me, are you trying to seduce some village girl?"

Xu Damao immediately put on a fawning smile.

"Master Lin! I'll call you that from now on, you're too amazing. I finally found someone I like, of course, I have to make a move! You already have four sons, and I also want to come home from work to have a child greet me. Master Lin, my dear brother, please show mercy this time and don't suppress me, okay?"

"Get lost! What kind of seniority is that, calling me that randomly? You want sons? You... Never mind, your business has nothing to do with me."

In the hospital.

Qin Huairu was at a loss.

No matter how she tried to tend to Jia Dongxu, nothing was right.

"Dongxu, what station's broadcast do you want to listen to?"

"Turn off the radio! I'm annoyed by whatever station it is!"

"Should I help you turn over?"

"Get lost, don't touch me! Don't you know my wound hasn't healed properly?"

"Then... should I put a pillow under your head?"

"I told you to get lost, can't you hear me?"

Qin Huairu's eyes turned red with grievance, and she left the ward.

She squatted in the hallway and started crying again.

My life is just too bitter, she thought.

Lin Zhen never yelled at Lou Xiao'e like this.

I'm taking care of you meticulously, staying by your side through thick and thin, why do you keep scolding me?

I... I...

Why did I look down on Lin Zhen back then and insist on being with you!

She cried in the hallway.

Jia Dongxu also shed tears on his hospital bed.

But Jia Dongxu's tears weren't from sadness; they were from pain and anger, from his impatience.

From his waist down to his toes, he had no feeling.

But the pain in his lower back was like fiery ants crawling in his bones.

The pain in his entire back made it impossible for him to sleep.

He had been hospitalized for several days.

Not a single neighbor from the courtyard had come to visit him.

The anger in his heart made Jia Dongxu even more depressed.

"Everyone in this courtyard is a beast! There's no kinship at all!"

"I've been in the hospital for days, and no one even came to keep vigil for my mother. No one offered."

"When any of you gets hospitalized, I'll definitely set off firecrackers in the courtyard to celebrate!"

"When I get out of the hospital, I won't care about First Elder, Second Elder, or Third Master. I'll just call you by your names!"

And so, Jia Dongxu cursed incessantly for a whole day.

He even cursed the floor tiles in the courtyard.

His cursing made Qin Huairu dizzy, and the nurses frowned.

If it weren't for his condition causing suppressed and agitated emotions, they would have disciplined him.

It was almost six o'clock, and Jia Dongxu was still cursing.

Jia Zhangshi, who was coming to take over, arrived, followed by more than a dozen people.

They were all representatives from each household, specifically there to visit Jia Dongxu.

People brought gifts, more or less.

Jia Dongxu, who had been angry moments before, immediately changed his mood.

He smiled and said, "Oh my! Old lady, Third Masters, thank you for coming to see me!"

Yi Zhonghai said, "Take good care of yourself and get discharged soon."

"Mm, thank you, First Elder, for your concern. I'm recovering well and expect to be back at work after the new year."

Second Elder Liu Haizhong chuckled, "No need to rush. Your position has been arranged. Lin Zhen found an apprentice cook to fill in. Once Qin Huairu finishes her confinement, you can go back to work, and you'll then..."

Liu Haizhong was still talking when Yi Zhonghai quickly covered his mouth.

"Old Liu, what are you saying!"

Jia Dongxu, whose smile had just returned, froze instantly.