Chapter Three: A Fool’s Errand

Chapter 3

“Oh, you, as a mother, never have your mind on your own child. All you do is run off elsewhere. What are you trying to do?” Jia Zhangshi began with a sharp reprimand, her tone heavy with dissatisfaction and complaint.

Qin Huairu felt a pang of sorrow in her heart, her eyes involuntarily reddening.

She explained plaintively, “Mother, I just went out to borrow grain from First Uncle. What you said makes it sound like I do nothing all day.”

First Uncle, that is Yi Zhonghai, a well-known figure in the courtyard community. His status as an eighth-level mechanic earned him much respect among neighbors, and his monthly wage of ninety-nine yuan made him appear wealthy in everyone’s eyes.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just reminding you that now you are part of the Jia family. You should behave like a proper daughter-in-law and not cause unnecessary trouble that makes people laugh at us,” Jia Zhangshi persisted, her tone carrying a warning.

Qin Huairu sighed, knowing it was futile to argue with her mother-in-law, so she changed the subject. “Mother, Banggeng has been craving meat today. Could you possibly—”

“Enough, enough. Go ask Shazhu for some food,” Jia Zhangshi interrupted impatiently, throwing the problem back at her.

Qin Huairu felt bitter again. She had just asked Shazhu yesterday and was turned down. Going again today would only be embarrassing.

But faced with her mother-in-law’s unwavering gaze, she steeled herself and stepped out.

Elsewhere, He Yuzhu was busy preparing a sumptuous meal in the kitchen, his mood unusually buoyant because today was the day he was to meet his blind date.

He eagerly awaited his beloved’s arrival, imagining a beautiful dinner shared between them.

But reality was rarely so kind.

Instead of his blind date, the matchmaker arrived with bad news.

It turned out the girl had somehow heard rumors of He Yuzhu’s poor character and promiscuity and had immediately rejected him.

He Yuzhu felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, leaving him completely downcast.

He stared at the carefully prepared meal before him, unable to summon any appetite.

Scratching his head in frustration, he muttered, “Where did these rumors come from? How did I become such a person?”

At that moment, Qin Huairu pushed open the door. Her arrival only deepened He Yuzhu’s gloom.

“Zhuzi, I saw the door was unlocked, so I came in by myself. Don’t mind me,” Qin Huairu said, pulling over a chair and sitting at the table as if she belonged there.

Seeing Qin Huairu act as if he were no stranger, He Yuzhu’s irritation flared further.

Suppressing his anger, he said, “Qin Huairu, haven’t you understood what happened yesterday? There’s nothing between us. Stop acting so familiar.”

Qin Huairu’s smile instantly froze.

But as a widow who had weathered many storms, her pride and dignity had long since been discarded for survival.

She teased, “Zhuzi, what’s wrong? If Qin Jie did anything wrong, just say it straight. Don’t keep me bottled up inside.”

He Yuzhu rolled his eyes and replied gruffly, “Nothing’s wrong. I just think what happened before is over. We should each go our own way now.”

Hearing this, Qin Huairu panicked inside.

She knew she couldn’t give up so easily, so she put on another smile. “So you think our family is holding you back? Fine, then don’t bother with us anymore.”

She even pretended to wipe away a few tears, hoping to win his sympathy.

But He Yuzhu was resolute this time, no longer falling for her act.

“Qin Huairu, I know it’s tough being a widow with a child, but that’s no reason I must help you. Helping you is out of kindness; not helping is my duty. Look at Third Uncle’s family—they survive on one person’s income but never accept charity. That’s true pride.”

His words cut deep, stabbing sharply at Qin Huairu’s heart.

Her face burned painfully, and the last shred of her shame was shattered.

She ran crying out of the He residence and back to her own home.

“Ding—Congratulations, host. You have successfully thwarted Qin Huairu’s plan. The system hereby rewards you with two precious grain coupons and three fragrant meat coupons.”

The sudden electronic voice caused a gleam of disbelief to flash in He Yuzhu’s eyes.

Truly a case of unintended consequences!

Reflecting on the moment just now, He Yuzhu realized he had only casually refused Qin Huairu’s request, yet unexpectedly completed a system task.

This unforeseen reward filled He Yuzhu with even more hope and confidence.

While He Yuzhu was basking in his joy, another dramatic scene was unfolding in a different corner of the courtyard.

Jia Zhangshi, the elderly woman famous for her “superb acting,” stood in the center of the yard, weeping as if the whole world owed her a debt.

“Oh, my poor Dongxu, how could you be so heartless to abandon us mother and son, leaving us lonely and vulnerable in this world, at the mercy of others!” Jia Zhangshi’s cries rang out like thunder on a summer afternoon, instantly attracting a crowd from the courtyard.

Peering through a crack in the window, He Yuzhu sighed heavily at the “spectacular” performance before him.

This old woman always found ways to stir up trouble—truly a headache.

Jia Zhangshi’s lamentations only grew louder and more intense despite the audience’s presence.

Pointing sharply at He Yuzhu’s door, her voice was as sharp as a knife. “Everyone, you must judge fairly! This He Yuzhu is a cold-blooded beast. Not only does he refuse to help our family with food, but he also opposes us at every turn. It’s utterly unreasonable!”

Just as Jia Zhangshi prepared to continue her “performance,” a deep, commanding voice cut through the crowd like a refreshing stream, instantly silencing her cries.

“Jia Zhangshi, don’t rush to make a scene. Save what you have to say for the courtyard meeting,” said First Uncle Yi Zhonghai, his tone carrying undeniable authority, calming everyone present.

Within this courtyard, the three elders—Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui—were acknowledged as the arbiters of all affairs, respected for their fairness and impartiality.

Whenever the entire courtyard convened, no matter the matter, it was their judgment that prevailed.

And He Yuzhu would not back down in this dispute.

Stepping out of his room, he faced the three elders and the gathered neighbors, calmly stating, “Gentlemen, you may have been manipulated. Jia Zhangshi is not truly pitiable; she is merely putting on a show to garner everyone’s sympathy.”