Chapter 14: Mrs. Jia Zhang Comes to Rent a Room

Chapter 14: Jia Zhangshi Comes to Rent a Room

Ever since He Yuzhu began working in the kitchen, Master Fan Dakang assigned him new dishes every day to take charge of. After each shift, He Yuzhu felt as if his arms no longer belonged to him, sustained only by the miraculous spring water.

Through long hours of practice and Master Fan Dakang’s guidance, He Yuzhu’s culinary skills and mastery of Sichuan cuisine improved rapidly. The customers were very satisfied with the dishes he prepared.

One day, after work, He Yuzhu returned home with Yushui. Just as he stepped inside, Xu Damou came knocking.

“Foolish Zhu, did you know? Jia Dongxu had a matchmaking date today,” Xu Damou said.

“That’s nothing surprising. He’s gone on several blind dates this past year. He’s grown up now; looking for a wife is normal. Besides, Jia Dongxu is handsome, a formal worker at the steel mill, and his master is a respected elder in the same courtyard. He’s got the best conditions in the entire neighborhood. But though Jia Dongxu’s prospects are good, Jia Zhangshi’s reputation is terrible. That’s why nothing has worked out this year. It’s all because of Jia Zhangshi,” He Yuzhu said slowly.

“Heh, this time it’s different. Jia Zhangshi went back to her hometown and found a matchmaker. Though the girl is from the countryside, she’s a great beauty—really pretty,” Xu Damou said enviously.

A countryside beauty? Calculating the time, it must be Qin Nairu. Age might be an issue now, or else she would have been snatched up already.

“How old are you? What does whether she’s pretty have to do with you?” He Yuzhu replied.

“Nothing, really,” Xu Damou said sulkily.

“Alright, go do what you need to—I haven’t eaten yet,” He Yuzhu urged him away.

“Fine, you eat first. I’m leaving,” Xu Damou said.

After Xu Damou left, He Yuzhu ate, washed up with Yushui, and went to sleep.

The next morning, as He Yuzhu and Yushui were eating breakfast, a knock came at the door.

Opening it, He Yuzhu saw Elder Yi Zhonghai and Jia Zhangshi standing outside.

“Elder, what brings you here?” He Yuzhu asked.

“Zhu, did you know Jia Dongxu had a matchmaking date yesterday?” Yi Zhonghai asked.

“Yes, Xu Damou told me when he came by yesterday,” He Yuzhu replied.

“Since Dongxu’s matchmaking went well, and the Jia family only has one house, we wanted to discuss renting a room in your home for the wedding,” Yi Zhonghai continued.

(He Yuzhu’s house has three rooms: a large main room with separated bedroom and living room, an eastern adjoining room connected to the main room, and an eastern wing room near the adjoining room. The western adjoining room is occupied by others, so no need to worry about details.)

So this was a move to seize the house—renting a room, and not just any room, but the main room. Never mind whether the rent would be paid or collected; if Jia Zhangshi rented it, would this house even still be his? He Yuzhu thought.

“Elder, this house is private property, not public housing. If the Jia family needs a place, they can apply to the neighborhood committee. Even though quite a few people have moved in recently, there are still empty rooms. If you don’t like this one, there are others in different courtyards,” He Yuzhu said.

“Zhu, neighbors should help each other. You have three rooms—rent the main room to the Jia family. You and Yushui are still young; you can live in the adjoining room. If you rent the room to the Jia family today, they will help you in the future,” Yi Zhonghai began to pressure him.

Good grief, worthy of the moral high ground. First they try to rent the room, then seize it, and eventually they’ll devour everything.

“No. This is my house. If I say no, it’s no. Anything else? If not, please leave,” He Yuzhu answered firmly.

He turned to close the door but was blocked by Jia Zhangshi, who pushed past him and stood in front of the door.

“Who do you think you are, refusing to rent? You worthless little bastard, why won’t you rent to me?” Jia Zhangshi said spitefully.

“I warn you, step aside, or bear the consequences,” He Yuzhu warned.

“If you don’t rent to me, I won’t move,” Jia Zhangshi began throwing a tantrum.

“Elder, Jia Zhangshi is making a scene. Will you intervene?” He Yuzhu asked Yi Zhonghai.

“Zhu, just rent the room to her. You’ll get monthly rent and improve your and Yushui’s life,” Yi Zhonghai said.

“If you won’t intervene, don’t blame me for taking action,” He Yuzhu said, pushing Jia Zhangshi outside.

“This is unjust! Someone is bullying a widow and her child! Old Jia, open your eyes and see who’s bullying us! Come take him away!” Jia Zhangshi flopped to the ground, unleashing her mournful wails.

“Zhu, how can you lay hands on an elder? You must respect your elders. Go apologize to your Aunt Jia immediately,” Yi Zhonghai scolded, attempting to guilt-trip He Yuzhu after he pushed Jia Zhangshi away.

He Yuzhu ignored Yi Zhonghai and shouted toward the Jia household, “Jia Dongxu, stop playing dead and drag your mother away. Don’t make a scene at my door, or I’ll report your mother to the neighborhood committee for promoting feudal superstitions.”

Hearing this, Jia Dongxu could no longer feign ignorance and came out from his home.

“He Yuzhu, no matter what, my mother is your elder. How could you hit her? Believe it or not, I’ll report you to the labor security office,” Jia Dongxu said as he helped Jia Zhangshi up.

“Go ahead and report. Forcibly renting my house and promoting feudal superstitions? Let’s see who the labor security office will come after,” He Yuzhu said indifferently.

“Don’t report to labor security. Matters in the courtyard should be resolved here. Zhu, since you hit her, you owe the Jia family one yuan, and that will settle it,” Yi Zhonghai stepped in to mediate.

“No way. Make it five yuan,” Jia Zhangshi shouted.

“Whoever wants to pay, can pay. I’m not paying. If you have the guts, sue me,” He Yuzhu said, closing the door and ignoring the commotion outside.

Jia Zhangshi wanted to continue causing trouble but was dragged back home by Jia Dongxu.

“Brother, are they trying to take our house?” Yushui asked fearfully.

“Don’t be afraid, Yushui. Brother is here. No one can take our house,” He Yuzhu comforted her.

After breakfast, He Yuzhu rode his bicycle as usual, taking Yushui to Master Fan’s house.

Watching Yushui playing with Xiao Hu, He Yuzhu said to Master’s wife, “Madam, please pay more attention to Yushui today. She was a bit frightened this morning.”

“What happened? Who scared her?” Madam asked.

He Yuzhu recounted the morning’s events to Master and Madam Fan.

“After my father left, word spread around the courtyard that he abandoned us, especially from that Jia Zhangshi who said Yushui was a burden and that my father didn’t want us anymore. Yushui became very clingy and scared I’d abandon her too. It hasn’t been long since that, and this morning’s incident frightened her again,” he explained.

“Zhu, what kind of people live in your courtyard? This won’t do. I’ll go speak to them. They can’t treat you like this; they must respect your elders,” Madam Fan said angrily.

“Madam, it’s no use. They won’t reason with you. They only know how to throw tantrums and cause trouble.”

“What can we do then? How about you and Yushui move out? Come live with me,” Madam Fan suggested.

Moving out was an option. They could even buy a place now, live there, and visit occasionally. That would prevent them from being bullied again, He Yuzhu thought.

“Madam, could you help me find out if anyone is selling a house? I want to buy one.”

“Buy a house? Do you have the money? Just come live with me,” Madam Fan said.

“Madam, I don’t mind living here for now, but in a few years, I’ll want to find a wife and will need a house. It’s better to buy one now while others are moving out, maybe pick up a bargain. As for money, I have some,” He Yuzhu explained.

“Since you have the money, I’ll help you inquire, and you do too. It’s getting late; Master Fan and I should be off to work,” Madam Fan said.

“Zhu, I don’t care where your money comes from, but don’t take the wrong path or take risks. Remember, you have Yushui to care for. If anything happens to you, what will become of her?” Master Fan warned on the way to work.

“Master, rest assured, I won’t go astray,” He Yuzhu promised.

“As long as you remember your word,” Master Fan said.

Soon they arrived at Fengzeyuan, and another busy day began.