Volume 1, Chapter 55: How to Portray "Neighborly Harmony"

Not far away, Su Jianshe and Chu Yan, who had just finished their meal and were about to read, were drawn in by the commotion.

Chu Yan looked at the crowd with curiosity and asked, “Brother Jianshe, Poor Zhu is already in such a pitiful state, so why hasn’t the Jia family even mentioned compensation?”

Su Jianshe gently stroked the hair of his innocent and lovely young wife beside him, the strands seeming even softer, making him reluctant to let go. He explained, “From the very beginning, the Jia family never intended to compensate Poor Zhu, so why would they bring it up? Look at the branch Bang Geng is carrying on his back—it looks thorny, but since he’s dressed so thickly, there’s no way he got pricked. I bet Qin Huairu placed something under him when he sat down; otherwise, how could he sit there so long without wanting to get up?”

With sharp observation, Su Jianshe quickly drew his conclusion and told Chu Yan, “Forget about compensation. I think Poor Zhu has almost forgotten why he came here. These people are clearly conspiring to cheat him.”

...

“Zhu, listen to Grandma’s advice. What’s done is done; it can’t be changed, so let it go. You need to think about your future. Why don’t you accept Bang Geng as your godson? First, that would settle this matter; second, Bang Geng can take care of you when you’re old, no matter what happens.”

Poor Zhu looked at the old woman in disbelief and helplessly glanced at Yi Zhonghai, the respected elder of the courtyard, hoping he could seek justice on his behalf.

“Zhu, Bang Geng is just a child. You should listen to Grandma,” Yi Zhonghai said. “I’ll vouch for you: if Bang Geng ever denies this relationship, we’ll take him to the police!”

Poor Zhu’s eyes reddened as he looked around at the people in the courtyard.

He knew deep down he had become useless.

He had been crippled by that ungrateful wretch’s kick!

These people not only refused to help him seek justice,

But they didn’t even mention compensation from the Jia family.

Are these even human?

Looking at the seemingly kind faces before him, anger burned fiercely within Poor Zhu.

“You, Yi Zhonghai, you bastard! I thought you were a man of honor!”

“Old lady, I have always respected you like a grandmother, yet you treat me this way just because I took your family photo album?”

At that moment, Liu Haizhong, the second elder who had rushed to the hospital in vain, finally arrived.

“Zhu, I know what happened. This matter cannot be settled so easily!”

Grateful, Poor Zhu cast a hopeful glance at Liu Haizhong.

But Liu Haizhong suddenly changed tone:

“However, since it has come to this, the old lady is right. What good will it do if you send Bang Geng to the police station?

If Bang Geng recognizes you as his godfather, won’t your future have some support?

Besides, your family and the Jia family are close; this should be a win-win situation!”

“Liu Haizhong!!!”

Poor Zhu looked bitterly at those around him.

The cold wind swept through, calming him somewhat.

He realized he was utterly powerless against their bullying.

With winter approaching and temperatures dropping further,

Without the help of the courtyard residents,

Unable to even afford food, he might really freeze to death at home!

“Alright... I’ll listen to you.”

These words were painfully squeezed from Poor Zhu’s clenched teeth.

He was usually the one to bully others; when did it become his turn to be bullied?

“That’s more like it! Bang Geng, come here and kowtow to your godfather!”

Yi Zhonghai breathed a sigh of relief, fearing Poor Zhu might stubbornly insist on sending Bang Geng to the police station.

If that happened, his status as the elder, the unit’s honors next year, and this year’s subsidies would all be lost.

Many faces instantly brightened.

They didn’t care about Poor Zhu’s feelings.

Though the courtyard’s honored status had been revoked, no more trouble was to be tolerated.

If Poor Zhu really sent Bang Geng to the police station, the subsidy quota would be gone for good.

By all reason and justice, none would stand by and watch him hand Bang Geng over to the police!

Under Yi Zhonghai’s urging, Bang Geng reluctantly knelt before Poor Zhu and kowtowed, putting an end to the godfather matter.

“Brother Jianshe, you’re incredible. You even predicted how this would end!”

Witnessing the dispute near its end, Chu Yan looked at Su Jianshe with admiration.

In her eyes, neither Poor Zhu nor the Jia family was innocent—especially Qin Huairu, who dared to disrespect Brother Jianshe while she was stuck in the restroom.

“This matter is far from over!”

Su Jianshe shook his head. From the start of the incident, the looks from Yi Zhonghai, Qin Huairu, and others had been off.

---

Reflecting on their past deeds, Su Jianshe knew they would never let this go easily.

Qin Huairu stood up as if nothing had happened, tenderly removing the branch from her son’s back and wiping tears from her eyes.

Poor Zhu, disheartened, was unwilling to linger.

He saw clearly that the courtyard residents had stirred up this trouble because he had no heirs.

As for godson Bang Geng?

After this incident, how could he see the ungrateful wretch as his own?

Qin Huairu, wiping tears, defended Poor Zhu.

“Zhu, it’s Qin’s fault for not teaching Bang Geng well! Whether to beat or scold, Qin takes it all, never blaming you!”

“But this really isn’t Bang Geng’s fault; it was Su Jianshe’s doing!

He’s just a child—if not under someone’s orders, how could he do such a thing?”

These words shocked not only Poor Zhu but also the onlookers.

Everyone turned to Su Jianshe standing by the courtyard gate with complicated expressions.

Poor Zhu and Su Jianshe harbored deep enmity.

This was an undeniable fact.

At one time, the deaf old woman and Poor Zhu almost harmed Chu Yan.

Then Poor Zhu left the old woman’s photo at Su Jianshe’s home, falsely accusing him of theft.

Such actions from Su Jianshe no longer seemed surprising.

“Could Su Jianshe have lured Bang Geng with candy?”

“That seems likely. Otherwise, why would Bang Geng kick Poor Zhu’s vital spot so hard, causing serious injury?”

“I never expected this. I thought Bang Geng acted out of resentment for his family’s lack of benefits!”

“No more trouble in the courtyard. Winter is coming; if there’s more chaos, the aid supplies will be lost!”

“Let’s see how the elders decide. This matter cannot be overlooked.”

Poor Zhu’s face darkened, glaring at Su Jianshe with bloodshot eyes shimmering with tears.

Qin Huairu, seeing Poor Zhu deceived, was secretly relieved and quickly said:

“Bang Geng is just a child who doesn’t understand his actions. He’s not to blame!”

“It’s also my fault, Qin’s, for being too busy to supervise him.”

“Dongxu is bedridden, my mother is frail, and I’m the only laborer left at home. It’s truly helpless!”

Tears welled in Qin Huairu’s eyes.

In the distance, Yi Zhongtian and the deaf old woman watched Qin Huairu’s emotional display with dark expressions.

This was far from their prior agreement.

Learning of the betrayal, Poor Zhu glared fiercely at Su Jianshe.

“Damn it!”

He roared, as if ready to fight Su Jianshe to the death.

But onlookers knew Poor Zhu’s words were empty; his legs still ached, and he wouldn’t bring more trouble on himself.

Still, Qin Huairu, Yi Zhonghai, and others, unaware of the full story, were alarmed.

If they truly angered the fearless Su Jianshe, the consequences would be disastrous.

“Zhu, listen to Sister Qin!”

Qin Huairu quickly comforted Poor Zhu.

“This isn’t all Su Jianshe’s fault. It’s my neglect of the child that caused this tragedy.

If you blame anyone, blame me. Sister Qin is sorry!”

Her eyes moistened again.

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai joined in.

“Zhu, you should focus on healing first. After all... your health is the most important!”

With regret on his face, Yi Zhonghai seemed unwilling to see Poor Zhu so broken.

“Be obedient and rest for a few days. We’ll talk about everything else later!”

Poor Zhu was overwhelmed with sorrow and anger.

He had been crippled; his life held no hope.

Though the doctor said treatment might restore him, without a miracle, he was doomed.

In his heart, Poor Zhu wailed:

---

“You say it so easily, but I really am useless now. I’m a cripple and will be bullied by all of you!”

At this thought, his eyes reddened, filled with sorrow.

Just as he was about to speak, the old woman tapped the ground with her cane.

“Zhu, don’t be sad. The most important thing now is to heal. You’re badly injured; recover first, then worry about everything else.”

“Accept Bang Geng as your godson. Even when you grow old, there will be someone to look after you!”

The deaf old woman gently stroked Bang Geng’s head, her eyes filled with a trace of tenderness.

Facing these people, who not only blocked her path but never mentioned compensation, Poor Zhu’s grief deepened.

He had been crippled by Bang Geng’s kick, even losing some ability.

“I’m a useless man—completely useless!” he shouted.

“Even if I recover, won’t I just be making a suit for that ungrateful wretch?”

Meanwhile, Su Jianshe leaned against the wall, quietly watching the scene unfold with his wife.

“Everything dirty gets thrown at me!” Su Jianshe felt nauseated.

“People like this want me to help? A leopard can’t change its spots!”

Faced with this group of hypocrites trying to drag him down, Su Jianshe’s anger and chill mixed.

He was no saint. If they dared come after him, he would show them what happens to evildoers.

“They’ve gone too far. Only you have the patience, Brother Jianshe!” Chu Yan said angrily.

Su Jianshe gently stroked her head.

“Don’t stoop to their level. If they really dare harm us, I have my ways to deal with them!”

Feeling the warmth and safety from his hand, Chu Yan blushed and nodded happily.

“Zhu, don’t be too sad. You haven’t found a wife for so long—maybe it’s just not meant to be!”

The old woman pretended to comfort, but each word stabbed Poor Zhu’s heart.

“Poor Zhu, take care of yourself!”

“Get through this winter, and when spring comes, find a good job; life will improve!”

“Though Bang Geng is your godson in name, with me as the elder watching over him, he’ll be closer to you than your own son!”

Yi Zhonghai’s words sounded sincere.

If not for the fact that Poor Zhu’s injury was caused by Bang Geng, Poor Zhu might have believed him.

Seeing Yi Zhonghai had said all he could, and the matter was about to be settled, Liu Haizhong hurriedly interrupted:

“Consider this a reconciliation, turning enemies into friends! Zhu, don’t feel burdened. The courtyard folks will take care of you. Besides, I’m not an easy man to mess with; I’ll rally everyone to help you get through the winter safely!”

Liu Haizhong borrowed phrases he’d just learned from the newspaper, unsure of their exact meaning but feeling they fit.

He emphasized his status as the courtyard’s second elder, lest anyone miss it.

“Zhu, your main priority now is recovery. Leave the household chores to Bang Geng for these few days. Once you’ve calmed down, I’ll have him help with the heavy work!”

Wiping tears from her eyes, Qin Huairu chimed in eagerly.

“Bang Geng, quickly apologize to your godfather. Though you’ve accepted Poor Zhu as your godfather, don’t be careless with your apology; don’t hurt his feelings!”

Following his mother’s earlier instructions, Bang Geng kowtowed to Poor Zhu and said perfunctorily,

“Sorry, Poor Zhu, I was wrong.”

His tone and attitude even made Yan Bu Gui frown slightly.

The crowd murmured:

“The Jia family’s apology—where’s the sincerity?”

“There’s no sincerity. They just say pretty words but haven’t given Poor Zhu a penny!”

“I heard the hospital fees were covered by everyone else. The Jia family hasn’t mentioned Poor Zhu’s medical expenses at all!”

“Come on, who are the Jias? They’re notorious misers—there’s no way they’d spend an extra dime on Poor Zhu.”

Yet Qin Huairu seemed oblivious, still smoothing things over.

“Zhu, it’s getting late. Why don’t you go home and rest?”

“The weather’s getting colder. Standing outside like this might make you sick.”

She didn’t even plan to let Poor Zhu eat; she just wanted to send him away quickly.

After all, since Bang Geng accepted the godfather relationship, this matter was closed.

“But I’m not willing to accept this. I’ve become barren and will never hold my head high again!”

Poor Zhu had hoped to regain his dignity after recovery.

But Qin Huairu’s mention of the cold instantly snapped him back to harsh reality.

The weather was indeed bone-chilling.

With no money for coal, the broken stove at home would surely go out.

It would be colder inside than outside.

“No, I must make that bastard Su Jianshe understand the consequences. I refuse to believe no one in this world can deal with him!”

Supported by two crutches, Poor Zhu seemed ready to seek out Su Jianshe for a reckoning.

Though crippled, his spirit remained unbroken.

With his crutches, he staggered a few steps forward.