A Hundred Forms of Fowl Living, Handling with Ease

Seeing Third Master Yan Bugui deliberately trying to flatter him, Lin Zhen stood up and said calmly, "Third Master, you're right. As a neighbor, fellow worker, and good buddy, I'm heartbroken about what happened to Dongxu. I'm willing to contribute the most to this donation, but how much I donate will depend on your performance, Third Master."

"Huh? Why does it depend on my performance?"

"You're the third boss of the courtyard, and a people's teacher, a role model for the courtyard. Besides, Yan Jiecheng grew up with Dongxu; he's a childhood friend, unlike me who moved in halfway. How about this: no matter how much you and Jiecheng contribute together, I'll match it with double."

"Wait, wait, no, that's not how the math works. Yan Jiecheng isn't married yet. Besides you and Jia Dongxu, none of the younger generation in the courtyard are married. They can't be counted!"

"Isn't Old Master Yan getting married by the end of the year? It's only a few months away. Besides, he lives in his own house and is already working. Why can't he be counted?"

Xu Damao also fanned the flames from the side.

"Exactly! Yan Jiecheng is already preparing to get married. If he doesn't count, then I won't either. I don't even know where my wife is!"

Silly Zhu impatiently said, "Shut up, Xu Damao. What business is it of yours? Whether others donate or not, you have to donate."

"On what grounds?"

"On the grounds that you call Sister Qin the sweetest every day!"

"Don't talk about me, Silly Zhu, don't you call her that too?"

"Quiet, quiet! What kind of order is this with all this chaos?"

Seeing people arguing heatedly, First Master Yi Zhonghai was furious.

He first glared at Yan Bugui.

He thought to himself, Who else could you scheme against but Lin Zhen?

Is he someone who would just take a loss?

Third Master Yan Bugui also felt he had said too much.

He awkwardly said, "Alright, alright, my Old Master Yan will also contribute."

Yan Jiecheng watched the excitement from the side without saying a word.

Anyway, his salary was all handed over; he didn't have the final say on whether to donate money.

First Master Yi Zhonghai said, "It's getting late, and we don't want to delay everyone's rest. Let's start now. Donating more or less is entirely up to your conscience."

With that, he first took out 50 yuan and placed it on the table.

He intended to set an example by donating a large sum. As an eighth-grade fitter at the steel rolling mill, his monthly salary was 99 yuan.

He and his wife were the only ones at home, with no children to spend money on, so they could save.

He Yuzhu also took out 50 yuan.

When it came to supporting Qin Huairu, he would never fall behind Yi Zhonghai. Moreover, as the head chef in the cafeteria, his current monthly salary was 37.5 yuan.

He was single, and his sister He Yushui had a job, so she didn't rely on him.

He was also someone who could save and had the means.

After the two of them took the lead, the rest would be pressured to donate generously as well.

"Hey! Xu Damao, it's your turn!"

Silly Zhu was the first to pressure Xu Damao to open his wallet.

Xu Damao was not short of money.

As the projectionist at the factory, not only was his salary high, but he also often went to the countryside to show movies and earn extra income.

He was single and had saved more money than Silly Zhu.

But Xu Damao was unwilling to be the sucker.

He glared and tilted his head, immediately showing his displeasure.

"Hey! Silly Zhu, why are you always picking on me? Lin Zhen hasn't contributed yet?"

Lin Zhen said calmly, "Don't mind me, I'm waiting for Third Master."

Silly Zhu impatiently said, "Exactly, are you going to give ten more than Third Master? Hurry up!"

"Isn't donating money voluntary? Silly Zhu, are you robbing me!"

"Stop messing around, hurry up!"

Xu Damao reluctantly took out 4 yuan, muttering.

"Silly Zhu, you're amazing, sigh, you're really showing off in the courtyard!"

Second Master Liu Haizhong took out 10 yuan.

It was Third Master Yan Bugui's turn.

He fumbled for a long time and pulled out 2 yuan from his pocket.

Silly Zhu's eyes lit up immediately.

"Hey! Third Master, you truly live up to your reputation. The third boss of the courtyard, you and your son only contributed 2 yuan. I'm telling you, that's quite something!"

"Get lost! Get lost! You won't starve if you don't eat, and you won't be poor if you don't scheme. Do you think I'm like you? One person is full, and the whole family isn't hungry! I have six people in my family!"

The Third Uncle's face flushed red. He turned to his eldest son and said, "Jiecheng, I covered 1 yuan for you here. Remember to pay me back after you get married."

Yan Jiecheng was instantly displeased.

"Dad, you can't calculate it like that. Don't I hand over all my wages to you?"

"You hand over your wages, but don't you also eat with us? Your name is on the donation list today, representing yourself. You must pay me back after you get married."

"What if I don't get married?"

"You still have to pay it back!"

"Alright, Old Yan! We'll settle the household accounts at home, don't delay everyone's time."

The First Uncle hurriedly stopped the father and son's argument.

Yan Jiecheng, angered, lowered his head and stopped talking.

Lin Zhen stood up and placed 4 yuan on the table.

He smiled slightly, "Third Uncle really thinks of me, not wanting me to spend too much money."

Third Uncle Yan Bugui chuckled awkwardly, "I just matched Xu Damao's amount to prevent you from wasting money."

Yi Zhonghai said with a somber face, "Old Yan, we are helping neighbors in need, how can you call it a waste?"

"Oh, I, I, I misspoke today. My apologies, my apologies. I'll be going back first!"

The Third Uncle's family left in embarrassment.

Lin Zhen was also preparing to go home.

But he was called back by Yi Zhonghai.

"Lin Zhen, wait a moment."

"What is it, First Uncle?"

"Uh... you were just promoted to engineer today, which should be a happy occasion. Unfortunately, your senior apprentice suffered a work injury. You are both my apprentices. Your family is well-off, can you help out a bit more? Qin Huairu will have to take care of the children, serve her husband, and she also has an elderly mother-in-law. You..."

"Stop right there!"

Lin Zhen quickly stopped the First Uncle's moral blackmail.

"First Uncle, what you're saying is not right."

"What's not right?"

"I'm nominally your apprentice, but you haven't taught me any skills. My promotion to engineer today is entirely due to my own talent. Jia Dongxu isn't my senior apprentice!"

"Ah? This..."

"Also, my salary is higher, but I support a family of six by myself. Just like Third Uncle, if you don't overspend and don't overdress, you won't be poor. Being able to donate the same amount as Xu Damao is already pretty good!"

"You..."

"Lastly, Jia Dongxu didn't ask me to 'entrust his wife and offer his son'*, so I wouldn't dare to be overly solicitous. You know how formidable Grandma Jia is, right? Xu Damao's parents were scolded by her and sent back to the countryside."

It was because Xu Damao had also proposed to Qin Huairu back then.

Jia Zhangshi and Xu Damao's parents had a falling out.

They were all neighbors who saw each other frequently, but Jia Zhangshi would curse Xu Damao's parents every time she saw them.

The elderly couple couldn't stand it anymore. They left Xu Damao in the city and returned to their village to live.

Upon hearing Lin Zhen mention it, Xu Damao instantly recalled what happened five years ago.

He nodded with deep emotion.

"I feel like I even lost money on these 4 yuan. Can I get a refund?"

Silly Zhu chuckled, "Xu Damao, hurry home. Where do you get a refund after donating money? Do you even know what the word 'shame' means?"

The First Uncle pursed his lips, unable to retort.

Lin Zhen's words were all reasonable.

If he continued, who knew what old grievances Lin Zhen might bring up.

"Alright, I was just mentioning it. You all should do as you see fit."