Chapter 58: Lao He ran away?

"You don't even need to hear about this. Lao He has always had that idea. Last time, he almost ran away with the White Widow."

"I guess he can't run away now. He has two tricycles and can receive cash every day. His brother is also stupid. He gave all the money he earned to Lao He."

Jia Zhang asked quickly, "Auntie, how much money can Old He's family earn this month?"

"How much? It's scary to tell you. My husband Yan has calculated that the two brothers can earn hundreds of yuan a month together. This is a tricycle. We have to buy another one today.

This amount of money is more than what the old man earns. Li Zhiguo only borrowed fifty. If he doesn’t pay it back, it won’t have much impact on the He family.”

The third aunt thought that she would let Old Yan borrow the tricycle to go out for a ride when he had time.

The aunties in the yard were still chatting and pulled Tang Chunyan along.

Jia Zhang was worried and sat there for a long time.

"Mom, you really don't want to eat lunch."

Chen Bihua came to call twice, and this was the first time she saw that her mother-in-law had no appetite.

"What else can we eat? Others are living a good life, but we are running out of cornmeal."

In the end, Jia Zhang left the stool at the door of her house and waited there, but Li Zhiguo did not come back early, and the two brothers of the old He family were not there either.

"Hey, Rain, you're back."

Jia Zhang's eyes lit up and she quickly stood up to greet him.

"Hello, Aunt Jia!"

He Yushui came back from the college skipping and jumping, carrying a canvas backpack.

"Yushui, did you have enough food in the school cafeteria at noon? Do you want me to bring you something to eat?"

Jia Zhang's face was full of smiles. Maybe in the future she would be He Yushui's stepmother.

"I'm full now. I'm going home to do my homework."

He Yushui felt a little scared and quickly ran away.

Jia Zhang stood there awkwardly but she wasn't angry. They were just kids, so they could just chat a few more times. The key point was with Sha Zhu!
Just as I was thinking about it, Sha Zhu actually came back early.

"Stupid column!"

"Jia Zhang, what do you want me to do?"

Sha Zhu specially took some time off and left early. Today his family bought a tricycle, which is a big item and must be celebrated.

"It's nothing, Silly Zhu, it's still cold today, so don't wash your clothes anymore, just take them out. Mom, no, Aunt Jia, I'll wash them for you."

Jia Zhang's face was full of tenderness.

As a result, Sha Zhu shuddered and ran away.

In the evening, Li Zhiguo pushed his bicycle back to the yard with three fish hanging on the handlebars. The big one weighed about two kilograms, and the small one weighed less than two ounces.

But he caught all of them himself. It was rare, he finally got something with his real ability.

"Oh, you're finally back. Something big happened in our hospital."

Yan Bugui had no time to look at the fish today because there were more important situations in the yard.

"What's wrong?"

Li Zhiguo was puzzled. When he left in the morning, the sea was calm and peaceful. It couldn't be that serious.

"Jia Zhang blocked the rain and the silly pillar in the house, and the brother and sister were too scared to come out. Later, it was Sun Erniang who discovered something was wrong and asked the old lady to come out and drive the people away."

Yan Bugui found this matter strange, as it was the first time it happened in the hospital.

Hearing this, Li Zhiguo's first reaction was that it was impossible, "Third Master, is Jia Zhang crazy?"

"She's not crazy. Lao He wants to buy another tricycle. She's trying to please Sha Zhu and Yu Shui and wants to be their stepmother."

Yan Bugui could see clearly that there was calculation going on here.

"It has to be her. Even rabbits don't eat grass near their nests. Jia Zhang actually has intentions towards Lao He. Let's go to the middle courtyard to check. Has Lao He not returned yet?"

Li Zhiguo was in a good mood. How could Sha Zhu also be blocked by the door?
"He hasn't come back yet, and Old Cai is nowhere to be seen either."

Yan Bugui followed behind. He also had his own plans. He didn't want Jia Zhang and the old He family to become a couple. Otherwise, if Jia Dongxu went to ride a tricycle, he wouldn't be able to borrow a car to make money.

"Old lady, she's still guarding."

Li Zhiguo stopped the car and went over to see the deaf old lady sitting at the gate of the He family.

"Guarding it, waiting for Lao He to come back."

The deaf old lady likes those who are a little dumber. Shazhu is the dumbest in the yard, so she has always favored him.

"Then you just stay here and watch over it. Where's my brother Shazhu?"

Li Zhiguo really didn't expect that Sha Zhu was no match for Jia Zhang.

"Yes, I'm cooking."

Shazhu was busy in the house, feeling extremely embarrassed today.

"Hey, you really don't want a stepmother who comes to your doorstep?"

Li Zhiguo walked into the house and saw Shazhu stirring the pot with a spoon.

"Hey, stop talking about it, Jia Zhang is just daydreaming, how can my dad like her?
When I came back in the afternoon, she gave me a fake smile and said she would help me wash my clothes. After all, I am still a virgin, how could I not be afraid? "

Shazhu has recovered. Jia Zhang has designs on his father, so he is safe.

"Silly Zhu, I think you can consider letting Jia Zhang be your stepmother. She is actually very caring."

Li Zhiguo really couldn't help but make a joke, but he stopped while he was ahead and gave Sha Zhu a cigarette.

"That also requires my father's consent. He doesn't like Jia Zhang's family."

Sha Zhu took a puff of his cigarette happily and didn't care anymore.

Yan Bugui suddenly interrupted and said, "Old He will definitely not agree. He didn't like her at the beginning, and now that Jia Zhang is old, she despises her even more."

"Uncle, are you taking this too seriously?"

Li Zhiguo knew this person and would never meddle in other people's affairs unless he could gain any benefit from it.

"I misunderstood Lao He last time. I can't watch him jump into the fire pit this time."

There is nothing wrong with Yan Bugui's excuse.

"Don't worry about it. If Old He wants to find someone like Bai Hehua, Jia Zhangshi can't compare to her."

Li Zhiguo suddenly realized that he had said the wrong thing. It was impossible for him to have met the White Widow. He quickly added, "I heard from Lao He that Lotus is only 30 years old. How old is Jia Zhang? She is not within Lao He's target range."

"That's great!"

"I just said my dad doesn't like it."

Yan Bugui and Sha Zhu both felt relieved.

After Li Zhiguo finished joking, he was in a hurry to send the fish back. Since the fish was not big today, he would not stew it with sauerkraut but just braise it directly.

When he was about to reach the door, he suddenly thought of something and whispered, "Madam, the food will be controlled soon. If you can't finish it, you can send it to my house. I have a big appetite and will make it for you."

Everyone in this yard will be fleeced by him, and even the deaf old lady can't escape.

As for the gift given by the old lady when he held a banquet last time, that is a different matter.

"Grandson, what did you say?"

Li Zhiguo is the oldest among the younger generation, so it is not an exaggeration for the old lady to call him the eldest grandson.

"Ma'am, you'll understand after a while."

He left with a smile. The old lady was not deaf. Besides, it was only 1953, so the old lady was not too old.

The deaf old lady seemed to be thinking about something, but she couldn't figure it out.

"Madam, what did Li Zhiguo say to you just now?"

Sha Zhu came over and wanted to help the old lady into the house to rest.

"My eldest grandson told me to wear more clothes so as not to catch a cold."

The deaf old lady grabbed Sha Zhu's arm, stood up and walked into the house, and said, "Sha Zhu, the meat is ready, send a bowl to my eldest grandson. His wife is pregnant, and he can't lack nutrition." "Oh! My sister Qin needs to eat better."

Shazhu was happy because his wife was a good person just like him.

……

"Li Zhiguo, you caught another fish!"

Xu Damao was washing vegetables when he saw someone pushing a bicycle back in a dashing manner. When he saw the fish, bad memories came back to him.

"Da Mao, since you are here, it will be easy for you to help me deal with the fish."

As Li Zhiguo spoke, he took down the three fish and placed them on the stage.

"No, why should I do this?"

Xu Damao has already brought it to the table, he has already married a wife and has prepared the wedding banquet, so we have to resist.

At this time, Tang Chunyan heard the noise and came out of the house. She shouted to everyone she saw: "Li Zhiguo, can you help me order noodles for lunch tomorrow at the same time?"

"Of course! Chunyan, the noodles there are pretty good. I've eaten at many restaurants, and within a three-mile radius, that one is the most authentic and the portion is generous."

Li Zhiguo started chatting with people.

"It tastes good, there's a lot of it, and the eggs are fried well..."

Tang Chunyan chatted for a long time. She was very happy and no longer had to worry about lunch.

"Okay, next time I'll order another restaurant that can deliver stew..."

Li Zhiguo suddenly changed the subject and said, "Look at me, I still have to deal with the fish. Why don't we let Damao help? He's a good cook and it will only take a while."

"You really caught a fish. Where is it?"

Tang Chunyan was curious. Was this really not all in vain?
"It's on the table. Hey, Damao, don't just stand there. Show us your cooking skills."

Li Zhiguo thought that it was not difficult for Xu Damao, who had just learned how to imitate, to do this. Even if Tang Chunyan had not just appeared, he still had too many other ways to control her.

"Da Mao, hurry up and deal with the fish. I haven't seen it before."

Tang Chunyan urged, watching curiously from the side. She had never seen such a scene before.

"Wife, watch carefully, my cooking skills are really great."

Xu Damao had a numb face and tears in his eyes. He spent half the afternoon giving instructions on the wedding day, but all his words of love were in vain.

"Well, Damao, you go ahead and do your work. I'll go back and take a break. My legs are numb from fishing all day."

Li Zhiguo immediately pushed his bicycle home and just happened to see his wife coming out of the kitchen.

"Brother, you're back. I didn't catch any fish today, but it's okay. I've already cooked two dishes."

Qin Huairu wiped her hands and was about to come over to pour the wine.

"I caught some fish. It's not a big one today. Look, Damao is preparing it over there. He'll bring it over soon. I'll fry it and braise it. It'll be quick and won't delay our meal."

How could he come back empty-handed? That would be embarrassing, especially since he really caught the fish himself.

Not long after, Xu Damao came with the fish. He was about to say something, but stopped himself. Finally, he said, "Li Zhiguo, next time you catch fish, call me. It won't delay things."

"Okay, Damao, since you said that, we are good brothers.

Your Chunyan doesn't know how to cook. I happened to be eating out at noon, so I ordered a takeaway for her. The waiter delivered it to the yard. She paid for it herself, and it had nothing to do with me."

When Li Zhiguo saw someone coming up, he took the initiative to explain.

"Hey, Xu Damao, you're helping to process the fish again. That's good. From now on, you won't have to show porn movies anymore. You can also work as a cook in the kitchen."

Sha Zhu came with a bowl in his hand, "Li Zhiguo, my wife asked me to bring you a bowl of meat. You have to eat it closely with Sister Qin, because she is pregnant."

"Madam, you are so nice to me! Well, I'll bring the bowl to you later, and you can also take a look at your new tricycle."

Li Zhiguo took the meat quickly, half a bowl of braised pork.

"Hey! Tricycles are not uncommon, but there are not many families with two tricycles. I guess there are only a few households in the whole capital."

Sha Zhu glanced at Xu Damao from the side, and now he must be jealous.

"Virtue!"

Xu Damao was shocked. How come even the deaf old lady was rushing to bring braised pork to Li Zhiguo?
"Huai Ru, eat more and don't leave any leftovers. I'll cook it tomorrow. I went to buy some flour and rice today. Don't tell anyone about this. The street gave me the purchase amount."

He made up an excuse and put food into the jar.

"Well! We will return to the country early on Sunday morning, and we won't have to take anything with us. We have to bring the light to the city that day."

Qin Huairu was afraid that she would have to go back to her parents' house with lots of things, because they were all bought with money.

"Don't worry about it. I'll take care of the arrangements."

Li Zhiguo ate a few more bites of fish, finished the wine in the glass, and went out for a walk.

"There's so much left, don't waste it."

Qin Huairu ate all the food on the plate.

Li Zhiguo arrived at the middle courtyard. Before he could ask Jia Zhang about her inner thoughts, he heard a commotion in the front yard. He hurried out to see that two tricycles were being carried into the yard and the residents were watching the excitement.

"Old He, sure, double happiness."

Li Zhiguo shouted, and immediately the residents in the courtyard looked strange.

He Daqing said modestly, "It's not a double happiness. I bought this one today, and the one next to it has been bought for two months."

Yan Bugui replied, "Old He, when Shazhu and Yushui come, you will know what the other joy is."

Just then Sha Zhu came running over and shouted in a loud voice, "Dad, you're back. Jia Zhang blocked Yu Shui and me in the house this afternoon. She wants to be Yu Shui and me's stepmother."

"What? She's too greedy!"

He Daqing's words were quite sudden. When he reacted, he said quickly, "This Jia Zhang has been thinking about me for a long time, but I won't agree. I can't let Old Jia down!"

Everyone shook their heads. If you, Old He, were so upright, how could you almost run away with the White Widow?
After the incident with Jia Zhang, He Daqing had no time to show off his tricycle and immediately went to the Jia family to argue.

Jia Zhang heard the noise and was just going out. When she saw her lover coming, she couldn't help but become embarrassed, "Lao He, you know everything! Then let's..."

"Without us, Lao Jia is my brother, and I can't let him down."

He Daqing suddenly understood the meaning of the brothers that Li Zhiguo often talked about. It was really useful.

Jia Zhang's face suddenly turned ugly, "Old Jia has been gone for many years, and Dongxu has married a wife."

"Oh my god! Are you really going to marry my uncle He?"

Jia Dongxu pulled aside the curtain and came out, looking shocked, but he couldn't hide the joy on his face.

"Jia Dongxu, I can't let your father down. He is my brother. Don't worry. I will be single for the rest of my life and I will never get together with your mother."

He Daqing was just about to swear an oath to prove his innocence.

"Uncle He, actually..."

Jia Dongxu also wanted to rescue him.

"Let's go, everyone, go and see the new tricycle my family bought. From now on, my brother and I will each have one and work all day long. I will quit being the cook for the time being.

But if anyone wants to hold a banquet, they can still come to me. The standard fee is five dollars, and if you bring my Shazhu, it will be two dollars more."

He Daqing took the opportunity to spread his reputation, and it was still very profitable to be a kitchen helper.

After watching the fun for a while, Li Zhiguo went back to get the bowl and returned it to the He family, but he did not take the opportunity to flirt with them.

……

Time flies. It’s Wednesday, February 25th. I got up late, went fishing, and returned home empty-handed to save face.

On the 26th, Thursday, I got up late and discussed sewing skills with Dongxu's wife. We had a very pleasant conversation.

On the 27th, Friday, Damao's wife woke me up as we had an appointment the day before. We had the same takeout for lunch. In the afternoon, inspiration came like diabetic insufficiency, and I made a useless slingshot.

On Saturday, the Lantern Festival, my second aunt woke us up early, went to the vegetable market, and took a nap in the afternoon.

It was not until Sunday morning that Li Zhiguo suddenly remembered that he had forgotten about expanding the silk shop.

(End of this chapter)