Chen Mo wrote for over an hour before finally putting down his pen.
Following this, the two of them busied themselves in the kitchen together. Because they had caught fish today, Chen Mo took one out to make pickled fish fillets. Thanks to his "Ox-Carving Blade Skill," Chen Mo’s culinary talent was superb.
Had Chen Mo not used jade stones to set up an array in the house to block the aroma, the "beasts" of the Courtyard likely would have been rioting by now.
The two had just finished eating and were preparing to clear the dishes when a loud *bang, bang, bang* sounded at the door.
Chen Mo walked to the entrance and pulled it open. Liu Guangtian was standing outside. An enticing fragrance wafted out from Chen Mo's home, and Liu Guangtian’s mouth nearly watered—it smelled simply too good. He cursed silently, thinking of the bastard inside eating such delicious food.
"Something up?" Chen Mo asked.
"There’s a full-yard meeting," Liu Guangtian said, snapping out of his daze and sounding annoyed.
"Got it."
Closing the door, Chen Mo returned to the kitchen to finish washing the dishes with He Yushui. After working for a while, they set off unhurriedly.
Once outside, Chen Mo locked the door behind them. He had no choice; he truly could not trust the beasts in this Courtyard. He had had his home ransacked once while away in the countryside. Even though Mrs. Jia and Bangeng were locked up, there was no guarantee the others wouldn't harbor some malicious intent.
From her window in the back courtyard, the Deaf Old Lady watched Chen Mo lock his door, a flash of malice in her eyes. *Who is that little beast trying to guard against?*
When Chen Mo opened his door earlier, she had caught the scent. That little beast must have been cooking something good inside, yet he hadn't sent a single bite to her, the elder of the clan—how unfilial! And that He Yushui, that money-losing girl, was now clinging to him every day. She couldn't let them have an easy life.
Chen Mo’s sharp senses immediately detected that someone was watching him. He glanced toward the direction of the gaze; it could only be the Deaf Old Lady. He thought to himself, *The old woman had better behave, otherwise, I don't mind showing her what happens when there is no filial son before a long-term sickbed.*
When Chen Mo and He Yushui arrived at the middle courtyard, the young men of the complex saw He Yushui in her new dress, looking so youthful and beautiful, and nearly drooled. They hadn't realized before just how pretty she was.
Seeing their expressions, Chen Mo felt a sense of disdain. He took He Yushui’s hand and stood to the side. Xu Damao scurried over to stand near them.
At the table in the middle courtyard sat the three Granduncles, led by Yi Zhonghai, looking stern with their enamel mugs sitting before them.
Yi Zhonghai took a sip from his mug and glanced at Chen Mo and He Yushui. He had intended to lecture them, but decided the main objective today was to make Chen Mo bleed money.
The neighbors began to murmur, wondering what the meeting was about.
"Everyone, settle down," Yi Zhonghai said, setting his mug aside. "You all know that our Courtyard is awarded 'Most Advanced' every year because we have always been united, friendly, and helpful toward one another."
At these words, the neighbors let out sighs. This rhetoric was stale and worn out, but no one dared to speak up. Although Yi Zhonghai had been demoted to a level-six fitter at the Rolling Mill, he still had decent connections, and many in the yard worked at the mill, so few wanted to offend him for no reason. Over time, the neighborhood had been brainwashed by his subtle influence.
"The purpose of today’s meeting is mainly to help a family in need," Yi Zhonghai said. "Everyone knows that food rations are getting scarcer, having already been reduced to seventy percent of what they used to be."
"The Jia Family here in our yard—only Dongxu has a ration. There are five people to feed, and Huairu is pregnant. They can't make ends meet, so the three of us Granduncles have discussed organizing a donation."
Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui cursed silently. *Dammit, when did you ever talk to me about organizing a donation?* Yi Zhonghai had only mentioned it to Liu Haizhong; as for Yan Bugui, he didn't hold him in any regard at all. Yan Bugui was furious, but he had to swallow it.
Seeing that the crowd was whispering and not showing any intention to donate, Yi Zhonghai placed a donation box on the table.
He continued, "As the First Granduncle, I’ll start us off. I’m donating twenty yuan."
He Yushui tugged at Chen Mo’s sleeve. Chen Mo smiled, didn't say a word, and gave her a look that said, *Don't worry.*
"As the Second Granduncle, I’ll donate ten yuan," Liu Haizhong said, generously pulling ten yuan from his pocket and dropping it into the box.
"Old Yan, it’s your turn," Yi Zhonghai said, his face hardening when he saw Yan Bugui wasn't moving.
Yan Bugui was annoyed and said, "Everyone knows my situation. I’m the only one with an income, and I’m supporting a whole family."
Yi Zhonghai immediately realized Yan Bugui was dissatisfied with him. He was irritated, but he couldn't let the donation drive fail. He lowered his voice and said, "Whatever you donate, I’ll reimburse you later."
Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui still seemed reluctant.
"I'll add another yuan on top," Yi Zhonghai added.
"Alright then, I’ll donate two yuan," Yan Bugui said, immediately agreeing once he heard about the extra yuan. He took out two one-yuan notes.
"I’ll donate twenty yuan!" Shazhu shouted, afraid someone wouldn't hear him. When He Yushui heard Shazhu throw away twenty yuan so easily—when he wouldn't give her five yuan for tuition and even told her to drop out of school—she was furious.
Yi Zhonghai was very satisfied and praised him, "Well done, Zhuzi. The young people in our yard should learn from him; that’s what a good comrade looks like." As he spoke, he looked directly at Chen Mo and Xu Damao.
Xu Damao looked disdainful. Shazhu said, "Xu Damao, how much are you donating? And you, Chen Mo, your salary is so high and you’re eating meat and fish every day. The Jia Family is in such a tough spot—aren't you going to show some support? Can't you see Sister Qin is heavily pregnant?"
Xu Damao and He Yushui were both incensed. Just as Xu Damao was about to retort, Chen Mo waved his hand and said, "Donate my ass. Forget about money; you’re getting nothing."
"That's right, donate my ass," Xu Damao added, emboldened by Chen Mo’s stance. He had seen Chen Mo’s ruthlessness firsthand—the way he had taken down so many people, even going so far as to slice their tendons. Just thinking about it sent shivers down his spine. If he crossed Chen Mo, he wouldn't even know how he died.
*Bam!* Yi Zhonghai slammed his hand on the table, shouting angrily, "Chen Mo! Do you have no compassion at all? You’re eating meat and fish every day—are you just going to watch your neighbors go hungry?"