Courtyard House: My Wife is Xu Huizhen

Page 165

“Zhu Zi, I didn’t mean anything by it. I didn’t want to do anything to you. It was Zhao Di who acted on her own initiative. She was just being kind and confused. I have already given her a good scolding.”

Xu Wude spent a long time explaining, but all he emphasized was his lack of knowledge, pushing all the blame onto Xu Zhaodi.

He Yuzhu really hadn't expected Xu Wude to adopt such a humble attitude. As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face. Even if he was angry, he couldn't show it to her face.

In particular, Hüwood's words were so reasonable and well-founded that he completely absolved himself of responsibility, as if he had nothing to do with it at all.

However, He Yuzhu knew that when he ran out of the courtyard, he sensed with his mental power that Xu Wude was hiding in a nearby alley, which should have been his usual route.

Schwold stayed there to prevent any accidents from happening.

Because he had the ability to sense objects within a 10-meter radius, he was able to discover Hugh Wood's whereabouts in advance.

Hüwood didn't go out to the toilet and then lean against the wall as he claimed; it was a premeditated scheme.

But He Yuzhu knew that there was no point in saying those things now. He knew perfectly well that Xu Wude was scheming against him and wanted him to be his son-in-law.

After all, He Yuzhu has been very high-profile in the past two years. He has acquired a three-courtyard house and made his braised meat business a great success, which makes all the neighbors in the courtyard house very envious.

He Yuzhu only needs to keep Xu Wude in mind. This is the most crucial period before his wedding, and he doesn't want any mishaps. He can settle accounts with Xu Wude slowly after the wedding night.

"Uncle Xu, you're too kind. I know you didn't mean it; it was just Zhao Di fooling around."

He Yuzhu kept thinking about Xu Zhaodi's delicious food. And it has to be said, Xu Zhaodi had a wealthy life since childhood, and with her excellent genes, her granary was the most abundant. Thinking about it, she had gotten quite a good deal yesterday.

Unfortunately, Xu Zhaodi and her family are all very eccentric; none of them are good people. Xu Wude and Xu Damao are cut from the same cloth—selfish and only thinking about their own fate, not hesitating to harm the interests of others.

The fact that Xu Zhaodi could use this trick to try and control him also shows that she's not a good person either.

She said, "But I'm engaged to Huizhen in the future, so I appreciate Zhaodi's kind intentions."

"Yes, she was just confused for a moment. I've already criticized her. Don't worry, Zhuzi, I promise she won't bother you again."

Schwold has gone to great lengths, adopting a very low profile today because he knows that this is the only way to avoid a lot of trouble.

He Yuzhu had no choice but to accept Xu Wude's apology and let the matter drop.

Xu Wude relaxed when he saw that He Yuzhu was not pursuing the matter relentlessly.

He thought to himself that it was good that he had found a perfect excuse to push all the blame onto Zhao Di, otherwise things would have been difficult to handle.

Don't let He Yuzhu's youth fool you; I know all too well that he's ruthless.

Yi Zhonghai was also a prominent figure in the Siheyuan (traditional courtyard house) community. He had been a powerful figure in the world for decades, and most people respected him.

Even so, Yi Zhonghai still couldn't gain any advantage over He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu always managed to seize opportunities to torment Jia Dongxu and Yi Zhonghai. Each of his repeated entanglements caused Yi Zhonghai significant financial losses.

Xu Wude was afraid that He Yuzhu would hold a grudge and plot against him in secret, so he came over and humbled himself to apologize.

"Zhu Zi, I think I'll host another banquet for you tonight to apologize."

"Forget it, I wouldn't dare drink your wine."

Xu Wude said awkwardly, "Look at what you're saying, Uncle Xu is sincerely inviting you."

He Yuzhu said, "I've been quite busy these past two days, thank you."

Xu Wude laughed and said, "Then I won't bother you any longer. I'll go back and treat Lao He to drinks."

After seeing Xu Wude out, He Yuzhu returned to his office, wondering if Xu Wude would come back again when he invited He Daqing to dinner.

Xu Wude probably wouldn't be willing to use Xu Damao's mother to seduce He Daqing, but even if he were, He Daqing wouldn't take the bait.

After all, He Daqing had a young girl who was just over twenty years old in his arms, so he didn't even look at Xu Damao's mother.

If Xu Zhaodi were to be used again, would the Xu family be willing?

Chapter 121 He Yuzhu is setting a trap

He Yuzhu couldn't help but let his mind wander. Should he remind He Daqing to avoid being tricked?

At that moment, the office door was pushed open, and Xu Huizhen walked in.

"Is Old Xu here to apologize?"

"Yes, since he was so sincere, I accepted it."

He Yuzhu then opened the gift box, which contained two bottles of Fenjiu liquor, two packs of Zhonghua cigarettes with filters, and some high-end biscuits and pastries.

Xu Huizhen said, "Look, this is quite sincere. These things cost more than 30 yuan."

"It's alright, it's quite valuable, but have you ever thought about what would have happened if I had really gotten drunk and passed out?"

Xu Huizhen had always felt that with her wedding day approaching, she wanted to have a smooth and successful marriage, so that the most joyous occasion of her life could be completed perfectly, without causing any trouble.

But I never imagined what would have happened if He Yuzhu had drunk more yesterday and hadn't run away from the Xu family.

Xu Huizhen was stumped by He Yuzhu's question, and only then did she seriously consider the serious consequences.

He Yuzhu said, "Think about it, Lao Xu will definitely make me marry Xu Zhaodi, then what will happen to our relationship?"

Xu Huizhen's expression changed instantly, realizing the seriousness of the situation, and she was filled with lingering fear.

If it really comes to that, wouldn't I have to cancel my engagement with Brother Zhu and never be able to marry him again?

How could they be so cruel?

"Is there any benefit to this?"

He Yuzhu said, "You know best how much money I can earn in a year; you're the one who does the math."

“Yes, now you can earn tens of thousands of yuan a year, something you wouldn’t have dared to dream of in the past,” Xu Huizhen said with some emotion.

Xu Huizhen felt very fortunate when she thought about her hesitation when she opened her own shop. Luckily, she acted impulsively and went out to work with Brother Zhu.

Now, He Yuzhu's steamed bun shop and braised meat business bring in more than 1 yuan a year, and he also earns two to three thousand yuan a year selling alcohol, which is much higher than what those craftsmen earn by working a regular job.

Moreover, Brother Zhu also owns this three-courtyard house. Although the Xu family doesn't know how much money Brother Zhu earns in a year, they know from his booming business that he's making a lot of money.

Plus, the house is in a class of its own among courtyard houses; which girl wouldn't be envious?

If Xu Zhaodi and Brother Zhu are caught in bed together, Brother Zhu will have no choice but to marry Xu Zhaodi, and then he, as the betrothed, will have to cancel the engagement.

As Xu Huizhen thought about these things, she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine and couldn't help but shiver.

Seeing this, He Yuzhu knew that Xu Huizhen had realized the seriousness of the matter because he hadn't left in time, and said, "Now you know, right? In the end, we'll be like that pair of unfortunate lovers who will be knocked down with a stick and can never be a couple again."

"Their intentions are so malicious, it's truly frightening," Xu Huizhen said through gritted teeth.

"This scheme is the least of our worries. You have no idea how bizarre our neighbors in the courtyard are. They're all rotten to the core."

Xu Huizhen took a deep breath, calmed herself down a bit, and asked, "Is this why you want to move out?"

"Yes, I'd rather move out than live in that courtyard house, where there are always problems all the time."

Xu Huizhen suddenly rolled her eyes and said, "Then why are you letting Grandpa go back to live in the courtyard house?"

He Yuzhu said, "That's his old house, of course he has to go back to live there."

He Yuzhu thought that with He Daqing taking the lead, those troubles wouldn't reach him, and he could enjoy his happy and wonderful married life with Xu Huizhen in peace.

I've earned quite a bit of money in the past two years, and there are enough resources in the space to ensure that I won't go hungry or cold for the next 20 years. As long as I keep a low profile, stay in this courtyard, and live a peaceful life, that's enough.

Xu Huizhen didn't say much. He Yuzhu had already said that after the two got married, they would live in this courtyard and not with her father-in-law, He Daqing. Although He Yuzhu was the eldest son, he had already separated from the family and was living separately. He would only get together with his father-in-law during holidays.

After all, without a mother-in-law, and with her father-in-law having taken a second wife who was only five or six years older than her, living together would be too awkward.

"Alright, I have my own plans for this, so don't ask any more questions. The important thing is to prepare for our wedding."

"Okay, I'll listen to you." Xu Huizhen thought about the serious consequences of that matter and decided not to say anything more.

He Yuzhu took out the cigarettes and alcohol and put them aside, then asked Xu Huizhen to take the things out, saying, "I have to go out for a bit."

"What are you going to do?"

He Yuzhu said, "I need to talk to Dayong about something."

"Then go and come back quickly."

He Yuzhu left the shop, turned into the alley, and after walking for a short while, he arrived at Dayong's meat stall.

When Da Yong saw He Yuzhu coming over, he invited him in and asked, "Shopkeeper, did you need something from me?"

"There is something. You know someone in our courtyard named Xu, right?"

Da Yong thought for a moment and asked, "You mean that Xu Yingfang, right?"

"Yes, that's him."

"Did he offend you?" Dayong asked.

He Yuzhu nodded and said, "Don't ask about the specific reasons. Anyway, he tried to scheme against me, but I managed to dodge it."

"Got it, you want me to put a sack over his head and beat him up?"

He Yuzhu shook his head and said, "I vaguely heard that Xu Wude has a lover outside. Can you help me find out who she is?"

Xu Damao was flirting with a young widow from the countryside while showing movies; it was obvious he wasn't a law-abiding man.

Like his son, Xu Wude was one of the few film projectionists available before liberation. He made a good living by relying on his superb film projection skills. He also had affairs with women and widows in the countryside. He Yuzhu had heard about it before, but he didn't know the specifics.

He Yuzhu wasn't the kind of person who could forgive and forget after being framed. He wanted to teach Xu Wude a lesson and make him remember it, so He Yuzhu planned to target Xu Wude's private life.

However, I'm getting married soon, so I can't afford to waste my energy on such trivial matters. Da Yong knows a lot of kids, so I'll let him take the lead and find out more about Xu Wude's background.