Chapter Four: Speaking Honestly

As soon as He Yuzhu finished speaking, the expression on Second Uncle Liu Haizhong’s face darkened. “He Yuzhu, are you challenging our authority? Openly defying us—do you even respect the Three Elders?”

Seeing Second Uncle’s furious glare, He Yuzhu couldn’t help but admire his acting skills in silence.

But He Yuzhu was not intimidated. Taking a deep breath, he calmly replied, “Second Uncle, please don’t get so worked up. I’m only speaking the truth. It’s true that Qin Hairu is raising three children alone, which is not easy, but that doesn’t mean I have to help her unconditionally. Everyone has their own difficulties, don’t they?”

Second Uncle was clearly dissatisfied with He Yuzhu’s response. He continued to scold him, “He Yuzhu, you’ve really let me down. Everyone in the courtyard knows the situation of Qin Hairu’s family. As a member of this courtyard, how can you be so cold and heartless? Today, you must give everyone an explanation at the courtyard meeting, or don’t even think about staying here!”

Hearing this, He Yuzhu snorted disdainfully.

The two houses in the courtyard were treasured heirlooms passed down from the He family ancestors. No matter how powerful the Three Elders were, there was no way they could evict him.

So He Yuzhu responded lightly, “Second Uncle, don’t waste your breath. Even if you yell until you’re hoarse, I won’t change my stance. I won’t interfere in Qin Hairu’s affairs.”

After saying this, He Yuzhu turned to leave, unwilling to waste any more time with these people.

Just as he was about to step over the threshold, the First Uncle inside the courtyard loudly called out, “Yuzhu! Stop right there!”

First Uncle’s voice was deep and powerful, carrying an authority that brooked no argument.

“Look at you, what kind of behavior is this? If you still respect me as your First Uncle, then apologize to Qin Hairu in front of everyone here,” he said. Usually quiet, First Uncle’s words were weighty and final.

Everyone in the courtyard widened their eyes, waiting to see how He Yuzhu would respond.

Unexpectedly, He Yuzhu didn’t lower his head in apology. Instead, he straightened up, his tone stubborn. “First Uncle, I have always respected you as my true uncle, but how can you treat me like this? It’s so unfair. From now on, I’m afraid the bond between uncle and nephew is broken.”

“You only apologize when you’ve done something wrong. Is it such a grave offense that I didn’t give Qin Hairu our family’s belongings?”

He Yuzhu’s words stunned everyone present. No one expected him to be so defiant.

They secretly murmured that He Yuzhu really was headstrong. In this courtyard, who else but him dared speak to First Uncle like that?

First Uncle’s face instantly darkened, like the sky before a storm, oppressive and suffocating.

“Yuzhu, don’t change the subject!” First Uncle’s voice was low but forceful. “You can do whatever you want with your family’s belongings; Qin Hairu won’t say a word. But a widow’s life is full of troubles. She’s a fragile woman struggling to get by. How can you accuse her of lacking backbone without reason?”

Upon hearing this, Qin Hairu’s tears fell like pearls breaking from a string, her grief evident.

They say the child who cries gets sweets, and with Qin Hairu’s tears, the courtyard’s people were moved to pity and began blaming He Yuzhu.

“Yuzhu, if you have issues with Qin Hairu, don’t drag me into this. You’re deliberately pushing me into the fire, leaving me caught in the middle!” Third Uncle hurriedly distanced himself, fearing to get entangled in the turmoil.

“He wasn’t like this before. How did he change so much?” He Yuzhu’s own sister, He Yushui, who should have supported her brother, also turned against him, making him feel even worse.

“Your brother was foolish before, but now he’s gotten worse and worse,” their nemesis Xu Damao seized the opportunity to pour oil on the fire.

“He Yuzhu is just bullying us orphans and widows, with no one to back us up. That’s why he’s throwing dirt on us!” Qin Hairu’s mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi, began to cry bitterly, playing the pity card.

The courtyard erupted in noise, everyone speaking their piece as if to say that anyone who said less would seem less righteous.

He Yuzhu, however, remained indifferent, his gaze vacant as he looked off into the distance, silently wishing this farce would end soon.

As if heaven had heard his wish.

“Whoever dares to bully my grandson, I won’t let it go!” The somewhat aged but remarkably clear voice of the deaf old lady echoed throughout the courtyard.

First Aunt supported the deaf old lady as she slowly approached. Though her steps were slow, they carried an unyielding presence.

At that moment, the sound of her cane striking the ground interrupted He Yuzhu’s thoughts, followed by her somewhat blunt declaration: “If anyone dares to cross my grandson, I’ll beat them with this cane!”

The deaf old lady was a unique figure in the courtyard. Alone, yet held in the highest respect.

Back in the day, she had personally sewn shoes for Red Army soldiers, and that bond was more precious than gold.

Now, time had not been kind. Her hair had turned white and her back slightly bent, but the resilience and authority radiating from her very bones remained undiminished.

In recognition of her contributions, the government had designated her as a five-guarantee household, delivering rice, flour, grain, oil, and other necessities monthly so she could live out her days in peace.

This treatment was unparalleled in the entire courtyard.

Thus, no matter who it was, upon seeing the deaf old lady, they would respectfully address her as “Madam,” fearful of offending her.

In the courtyard, her words were golden and unchallengeable.

Her grandson, He Yuzhu, though straightforward by nature, also dared not be unruly before her.

Xu Damao stepped forward with a sneer. “Madam, please don’t get upset. Everyone here knows your reputation. Who would dare go against Foolish Yuzhu? This is just a misunderstanding between him and the widow Qin. If he insists on clI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.