Courtyard House: They all say I'm a good person

Chapter 51 But, Yu Li gave me two cents.

"Master Jia, I'm so sorry!"

"I really can't help you with this!"

Upon hearing Jia Dongxu speak, Shen Zhishou showed no hesitation and decisively refused.

His cotton ration coupons were all confiscated from Sun Hu.

Although he still had a lot of tickets, he couldn't just give them away, even if the other party offered him money or benefits.

To put it bluntly, this is speculation and profiteering!

Shen Zhishou was worried that he might be reported for something the moment he helped the Jia family.

The Jia family were experts at this kind of thing—complaining about the cook after a good meal.

In the original storyline, Sha Zhu helped the Jia family a lot, but neither Jia Zhangshi, Bang Geng, nor Qin Huairu, Xiao Dang, and Xiao Huaihua truly approved of Sha Zhu.

Later in the story, when Xiao Dang and Xiao Huaihua have grown up, they call Sha Zhu "Silly Dad".

Let alone this being a term of endearment used by close friends, anyone with a sound mind would understand that it is by no means a normal way of addressing someone.

When they were little, the two sisters knew to call him Uncle He, but later he became known as their "foolish father." It's true that bad bamboo can't produce good shoots.

"My older brother had saved up some cotton coupons. He helped me out because I had just gotten married and was short of everything. He didn't have any extra cotton coupons!"

"I really can't help you with this!"

Shen Zhishou spoke in a serious tone, spouting heartfelt lies.

These days, who doesn't keep their good stuff hidden away?

But some things cannot be hidden.

So, we need to explain where these things came from, otherwise people will say you're engaging in speculation and profiteering.

However, Shen Zhishou was someone whose background was unclear to the people in the courtyard. They had no idea what his origins were.

The only thing that's certain is that this kid is no ordinary person.

He changed jobs at the grain depot so easily, even though it was such a good job.

Most importantly, Yi Zhonghai heard from Yan Bugui that when Shen Zhishou was still working at the grain station, he went out on a day off and came back quite late at night, and was brought back by a car.

These days, not just anyone is qualified to ride in that car.

The steel rolling mill also has cars, but even Director Yang usually travels by bicycle. Cars are only used when leaders urgently summon him or when picking up experts, engineers, or leaders from higher-level departments.

Unfortunately, Shen Zhishou was unaware of these things.

If he knew, all he could say was that vision determines the height these people reach.

These days, although the private use of official vehicles is prohibited, many organizations still use them to curry favor, making it a way to use public resources to build personal connections.

You get the favor, and you don't even have to pay for it yourself. Why not?

"Little Shen, your older brother here really treats you well. What's your relationship like?"

"A friendship that transcends life and death!"

Shen Zhishou thought about Sun Hu and his gang, who were now completely dead. They were indeed friends who had risked their lives for each other, and he hadn't lied to anyone.

Speaking of which, the corpses of Sun Hu and the others are still in my space. I need to find a time and place to dispose of them. Otherwise, it won't be a problem in the short term, but it will feel unsettling in the long run.

"Master Jia, don't we all get work clothes issued at our factory?"

"If the child's clothes are too short, just alter one of the adult's clothes, and they'll have everything they need, right?"

Shen Zhishou stared at Jia Dongxu and asked a question in return.

Jia Dongxu was immediately a little embarrassed. He gave an awkward laugh and said, "It's just that things weren't going well a couple of years ago. I had to sell all my old cotton-padded coats just to have food. Sigh..."

Another sigh!

Yi Zhonghai chimed in, "That's right. The past two years were years of famine, and the rations were reduced again and again. This year is finally a little better, but who knows what will happen in the future!"

Shen Zhishou nodded and said, "Yes, the first two years were really tough!"

While verbally agreeing with the two, Shen Zhishou secretly held them in utter contempt.

During years of famine, life in the village was much harder than in the city.

Shen Zhishou transmigrated because his predecessor couldn't survive.

If it weren't for the physical transformation brought about by the transmigration benefits, Shen Zhishou felt he might not have been able to endure it. Even so, he became extremely thin.

Otherwise, why would Shen Zhishou bother the old village chief to give him a letter of introduction so he could go to the city to find a job?

Now that I've established myself in the city, it's time to go back to my village. After all, wealth and honor without returning home are like wearing fine clothes at night.

Besides, he also borrowed money from the village, which he also has to pay back.

Thinking about it this way, I realize I have quite a lot to do.

He chatted with the master and apprentice for a few more minutes, but Sha Zhu didn't come back. He guessed that Sha Zhu had a banquet to prepare at the factory and would be back late today.

Shen Zhishou simply said goodbye to the two of them.

Chatting with these two cunning masters and disciples is nothing compared to lying at home, where you can at least get a massage from your wife.

When they got home, Yu Li had already cut the meat and put it in the pot.

When you render oil from fatty pork, the aroma of lard fills the air.

Listening to the sizzling sound coming from the pot, I felt incredibly happy.

At the same time, a fragrance slowly spread throughout the courtyard, and many people could smell it.

……

The Yan family was eating when they smelled the aroma, so they slowed down their eating and would occasionally take a deep breath of the fragrance in the air.

"This young Shen really does have some skills!"

Yan Bugui took a deep breath and slowly opened his mouth.

"That's right, you can still buy meat at this hour!"

Yan Jiecheng was extremely envious and jealous.

Unfortunately, the Yan family was stingy, and they always saved the meat ration coupons for the New Year.

In fact, butcher shops have meat available both in the morning and evening.

Especially after the weather gets cooler, as long as you have enough money and coupons, the butcher shops in Beijing really don't lack meat.

The problem is that most people don't have any ration coupons.

Each household receives a fixed amount each month.

There aren't many families like the Jia family, where once they receive their ration and wages, they go out and buy meat for a treat.

Many families save these things up to celebrate holidays or to entertain guests.

But there are very few families like the Yan family who have been saving money all along.

Compared to the Yan family, who ate with gusto, Jia Dongxu's face was grim at the Jia family's side in the Intermediate Court.

He recalled that he had asked Shen Zhishou to help him get some cheap, negotiated grain, but it hadn't worked out; he had just asked Shen Zhishou to help him get some cotton coupons, but that hadn't been agreed to either.

As it turned out, the Shen family was cooking meat!

"Qin Huairu, you are no longer allowed to associate with Yu Li!"

Jia Dongxu looked directly at Qin Huairu and spoke angrily.

Qin Huairu was taken aback, her face showing confusion: "Why?"

"You helped her out, and she didn't even bring you a single piece of meat when she ate it. What's the point of you visiting such a selfish person?"

"But Yu Li gave me two cents!"

Qin Huairu's weak words directly struck a blow to Jia Dongxu, who thought he was standing on the moral high ground.

Jia Dongxu froze, speechless for a long time.

Madam Jia Zhang's face lit up: "Qin Huairu, why didn't you tell me about this?"