Seeing Third Master Yan Bugui deliberately praise him,
Lin Zhen stood up and said calmly, "Third Master is right. As neighbors, coworkers, and good buddies, I'm deeply saddened by what happened to Dongxu. I'm willing to contribute the larger share this time, but how much I give depends on Third Master's performance."
"Huh? Why does it depend on my performance?"
"You're the courtyard's third-in-command, and a people's teacher besides—a model for the whole courtyard. And Yan Jiecheng grew up with Dongxu; they've been close since childhood, unlike me, who moved here halfway through. How about this? No matter how much you and Jiecheng contribute together, I'll give twice that."
"No, no, no, that's not right. You can't calculate it that way. Yan Jiecheng isn't married yet. Among the younger generation in the courtyard, aside from you and Jia Dongxu, none of them have started families, so he doesn't count!"
"Isn't Yan the eldest getting married by the end of the year? That's only a few months away. Besides, he has a room of his own and already has a job. Why shouldn't he count?"
Xu Damao also fanned the flames from the side.
"Exactly. Yan Jiecheng is about to get married. If he doesn't count, then neither do I. I don't even know where my future wife is!"
Silly Zhu said impatiently, "Shut up, Xu Damao. Why do you always have to stick your nose into everything? Even if nobody else donates, you have to."
"Why?"
"Because you call Sister Qin the sweetest!"
"Don't talk about me, Silly Zhu. Don't you call her that too?"
"Quiet, quiet! What kind of behavior is this, making such a mess?"
Seeing everyone arguing at once, First Elder Yi Zhonghai was furious.
He first shot Yan Bugui a glare.
Of all people to scheme against, why did he have to choose Lin Zhen?
Was Lin Zhen someone who would willingly take a loss?
Third Master Yan Bugui also felt that he had said too much.
Awkwardly, he said, "Fine, fine, fine. My eldest will contribute too."
Yan Jiecheng stood nearby, watching the show without saying a word.
His wages had all been turned over anyway. Whether he contributed or not was not up to him.
First Elder Yi Zhonghai said, "It's getting late, so let's not keep everyone from resting. We'll begin now. How much each person gives is entirely up to them."
As he spoke, he took out fifty yuan and placed it on the table.
He deliberately wanted to set an example by giving a large amount. As an eighth-grade fitter at the rolling mill, he earned ninety-nine yuan a month.
There were only the two of them at home, with no children to spend money on, so he could save.
He Yuzhu also took out fifty yuan.
When it came to helping Qin Huairu, he would never fall behind Yi Zhonghai. Besides, he was the head chef in the cafeteria and currently earned thirty-seven yuan and fifty cents a month.
He was single, and his sister He Yushui had a job and did not rely on him.
He could save money too, and he could afford to give.
After the two of them took the lead, the others were practically being pressured into generosity.
"Hey! Xu Damao, it's your turn!"
Silly Zhu was the first to force Xu Damao to cough up some money.
Xu Damao was not short on money either.
As the factory's projectionist, not only did he have a high salary, but he often went to the countryside to show films and earn extra cash.
He was unmarried and on his own, with even more money saved up than Silly Zhu.
But Xu Damao was unwilling to be taken for a sucker.
He widened his eyes, cocked his head, and immediately became unhappy.
"Hey! Silly Zhu, why are you always picking on me? Lin Zhen hasn't paid yet!"
Lin Zhen said calmly, "Don't mind me. I'm waiting for Third Master."
Silly Zhu said impatiently, "Exactly. You should give ten yuan more than Third Master anyway, right? Hurry up!"
"Isn't donating supposed to be voluntary? Silly Zhu, this is robbery!"
"Quit whining and hurry up!"
Xu Damao reluctantly took out four yuan, muttering under his breath.
"Silly Zhu, you're something else. Sigh, you're the only one in this courtyard who gets to show off!"
Second Elder Liu Haizhong took out ten yuan.
Then it was Third Master Yan Bugui's turn.
After fumbling around for a long time, he pulled two yuan from his pocket.
Silly Zhu's eyes immediately lit up.
"Hey! Third Master, you really are something. The courtyard's third-in-command, and you and your son together only gave two yuan? Let me tell you, that's really something to behold!"
"Get lost, get lost! Go somewhere else. Eating won't make you poor, dressing won't make you poor; failing to calculate is what makes you poor. You think I'm like you? One person fed, the whole family fed! I have a family of six!"
Third Master flushed, then turned to his eldest son and said, "Jiecheng, one yuan of this is an advance I paid for you. Remember to pay me back after you get married."
Yan Jiecheng immediately became unhappy.
"Dad, you can't calculate it like that. Haven't I already handed all my wages over to you?"
"You did hand over your wages, but don't you eat with the family? Your name is on today's donation list. You represent your own household. Once you get married, you must pay me back."
"What if I don't get married?"
"You still have to pay me back even if you don't!"
"Enough, Old Yan! Settle your household accounts when you get home. Don't waste everyone's time."
First Elder hurriedly stopped the father and son from arguing.
Yan Jiecheng lowered his head in anger and said nothing more.
Lin Zhen stood up, took out four yuan, and placed it on the table.
With a slight smile, he said, "Third Master really did think of me. He couldn't bear to let me spend more money."
Third Master Yan Bugui smiled awkwardly. "I just matched the amount Xu Damao gave, so you wouldn't waste money."
Yi Zhonghai said with a dark expression, "Old Yan, we're helping neighbors in need. How can you call that a waste?"
"Oh dear, I... I said too much today. My fault, my fault. I'll head back first!"
Third Master's family left in disgrace.
Lin Zhen was also about to go home.
But Yi Zhonghai stopped him.
"Lin Zhen, wait a moment."
"What is it, First Elder?"
"Uh... you were just promoted to engineer today. It should have been a happy occasion, but your senior brother suffered a work injury instead. You're both my apprentices. Your family is well-off, so could you help out a little more? Qin Huairu will have to raise the children, care for her husband, and look after an elderly mother-in-law in the future. You..."
"Stop right there!"
Lin Zhen quickly cut off First Elder's moral pressure.
"First Elder, that's not right."
"What isn't right?"
"I'm your apprentice in name, but you never taught me any skills. I was promoted to engineer today entirely because of my own talent. Jia Dongxu doesn't count as my senior brother!"
"Ah? This..."
"Also, my salary may be a little higher, but I support a family of six by myself, just like Third Master. Eating won't make you poor, dressing won't make you poor; failing to calculate is what makes you poor. Being able to give the same amount as Xu Damao is already not bad!"
"You..."
"And lastly, Jia Dongxu never entrusted his wife and children to me, so I wouldn't dare go currying favor. Do you not know Grandma Jia's temper? Xu Damao's parents were cursed back to the countryside by her."
Back then, Xu Damao had also proposed marriage to Qin Huairu.
Jia Zhangshi and Xu Damao's parents had an unpleasant falling-out.
They had been neighbors who saw each other every day, but whenever Jia Zhangshi saw Xu Damao's parents, she would mutter curses at them.
The old couple eventually could not stand it anymore. They left Xu Damao in the city and went back to live in the countryside.
The moment Xu Damao heard Lin Zhen mention it, he recalled what had happened five years ago.
He nodded with deep feeling.
"I'm the one losing out by giving these four yuan. Can I get it back?"
Silly Zhu laughed. "Xu Damao, hurry home. Who asks for their money back after donating it? Do you even know how to write the word 'shame'?"
First Elder pursed his lips, unable to retort.
Every word Lin Zhen had said made sense.
If he continued, Lin Zhen might bring up even more old history.
"Fine, I was only suggesting it. It's entirely up to you."
Before you continue