svetikya Page 203
Page 203
Liu Haizhong said, "Yes, that's why Xu Damao should be punished, severely punished."
Xu Damao was somewhat surprised. They wanted to impose a fine? What was going on?
"You want to fine me?"
Yi Zhonghai had indeed thought so before. Giving the Xu family 30 yuan was indeed a bit too much, so he thought he would take this opportunity to reduce the amount he was giving.
After all, now that both members of the Xu family are working, their combined monthly salary, including his own contribution, exceeds sixty yuan.
Yi Zhonghai was embarrassed to bring up the matter, but he had already discussed it with Liu Haizhong beforehand and asked Liu Haizhong to take the lead.
Liu Haizhong said, "Yes, this has had a very bad impact. As for how much compensation you need, you two can discuss it when you get back."
Xu Damao was immediately displeased. He had thought that even if he took Yi Zhonghai to get his teeth fixed, it wouldn't cost more than a few dollars. He could just spend a few dollars on some supplements to get by and that would be the end of it.
After all, Yi Zhonghai still had to give his family 30 yuan every month, so they couldn't let things get too tense, lest Yi Zhonghai change his mind.
Unexpectedly, Yi Zhonghai had been plotting this all along, trying to get some of the money back.
Xu Damao was so angry he laughed, and said, "Just say what you have to say right here."
Liu Haizhong and Yi Zhonghai exchanged a glance. Yi Zhonghai shook his head slightly, then said hesitantly, "You two can discuss it yourselves later."
"Don't be like that. Is there anything you can't say here? Tell everyone so we can all hear it and see how much compensation I should pay." Xu Damao was going all out and continued to press for answers.
"this..."
Liu Haizhong was in a bit of a predicament; this whole situation had left him in an awkward position.
Yan Bugui had only said one sentence before, which was also to maintain his status as the head of the management. After listening for a long time and seeing Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong exchanging glances, why didn't they consult him about this matter?
It turns out that these three senior students from the School of Management also have their own little clique. The two of them teamed up and left me out. They would discuss and decide on things on their own, without needing to consult me at all.
Yan Bugui wanted to be a nice guy, but he couldn't be fooled like this. He immediately got angry and said:
"Uncle Liu, just say what you have to say. Now that everyone's here and things are settled, what's there to hide?"
Yi Zhonghai was immediately distressed. Why was Yan Bugui also causing trouble? But if this matter were to be brought up, it would indeed be a bit excessive.
If you lose a tooth, you can just get it replaced; it only costs a dollar or two. I have a lot of requirements, and it would be too embarrassing to say them out loud.
Just as he was about to give Liu Haizhong a meaningful look, Liu Haizhong had already been provoked by Xu Damao and Yan Bugui.
Thinking that this matter concerns Lao Yi, why is everyone talking about themselves?
Besides, Lao Yi's request this time is indeed a bit excessive. Why should I cover it up for him? Seeing Lao Yi suffer and have his reputation damaged, wouldn't I be the one who benefits in the end?
Liu Haizhong pretended to be provoked and said directly, "Actually, it's very simple. From now on, Lao Yi only needs to give your family 25 yuan every month."
Previously, he was paid 30 yuan a month, but now Yi Zhonghai is demanding a reduction of 5 yuan per month, only 25 yuan.
After Liu Haizhong said it, everyone was in an uproar.
Keep in mind that Xu Wude was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, and with a monthly pay cut of 5 yuan, that would amount to 270 yuan over four and a half years.
After doing the math, someone exclaimed in surprise, "That's 270 yuan!"
"Goodness, you have to pay this much for just one tooth?"
"I didn't realize how much it was until I calculated it. It's just too much."
"Yes, that's 270 yuan. Bicycles are only 180 yuan now. You could have bought a bicycle and a watch with that money."
Hearing these comments, Yi Zhonghai felt a burning sensation on his face. He even started to complain in his heart to Liu Haizhong. He had asked for a 5 yuan reduction in pay each month, and Xu Damao was not allowed to bargain with him.
But saying it like that makes it seem like I'm fixated on the 5 yuan, and it makes me look like the bad guy.
Xu Damao gasped, unable to contain himself, and exclaimed, "Reducing it by 5 yuan a month? Are you kidding me? Are you taking advantage of our family's lack of resources?"
Chapter 150 Granny Zhang's nose was smashed flat.
Xu Damao's mother, Chu Sumei, had been holding back and hadn't said anything because she felt that Xu Damao's beating of Yi Zhonghai was indeed inappropriate and had angered everyone in the courtyard.
Unable to contain himself, he cursed, "Yi Zhonghai, are you even human? You put my old Xu in jail, and only a month has passed, and you want to back out? No way! If you don't pay me a penny less, I'll hang myself on your doorframe."
Yi Zhonghai's face burned. It was wrong for Xu Damao to beat up an elder, but it was indeed inappropriate for him to use this to threaten to reduce the previous compensation. It was like kicking someone when they were down, which was not very ethical.
Ignoring Liu Haizhong's backstabbing, Yi Zhonghai quickly said, "Everyone, listen to me, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to discuss it with them, not make a final decision."
Then Yi Zhonghai complained bitterly, saying that the previous compensation of 30 yuan per month was too high. He found a job for Xu Zhaodi, and both she and Xu Damao earned more than 30 yuan a month. He would give him another 30 yuan, which would be more than 60 yuan a month for living expenses.
Yi Zhonghai kept nagging about lowering the price, but He Yuzhu objected, saying, "Old Yi, you have to keep your word. How can you change your mind so easily? It's only been a month, and you already want to go back on your word?"
"You sent Grandpa Xu to the police station, and you only get thirty yuan a month in compensation? Is that too much?"
Faced with He Yuzhu's questioning, Yi Zhonghai was speechless. The matter had already been settled, and it was not up to Yi Zhonghai to go back on his word.
He Yuzhu said, "If I can't go to jail, I'll give Aunt Yi 30 yuan a month, how about that?"
Yi Zhonghai said, "I just wanted to discuss it."
"This matter is completely different from Xu Damao assaulting someone; how can you conflate the two?"
"That's right, Xu Damao is getting his teeth fixed, so we'll just buy him some gifts."
"..."
After listening for a long time, no one criticized or agreed to let him provide compensation. After all, Yi Zhonghai was asking for an exorbitant amount, wanting to reduce the compensation by 270 yuan, which everyone felt was excessive. On this point, they all sided with Xu Damao.
Now I can rest assured. I was worried that Yi Zhonghai would have absolute power in the courtyard, and that everyone would take advantage of my misfortune to make me suffer huge losses.
Unexpectedly, Yi Zhonghai made a foolish move by proposing a monthly reduction of 5 yuan, which turned the situation from proactive to reactive, and made Xu Damao breathe a sigh of relief.
I thought I was going to suffer a huge loss today, but I didn't expect there to be hope of getting through this safely. As long as we deal with Yi Zhonghai, things will be much easier from here on out.
Xu Damao glanced at He Yuzhu. It was He Yuzhu who gave him confidence today. If it weren't for He Yuzhu's support, Xu Damao would have compromised and surrendered long ago.
Yi Zhonghai glanced at Liu Haizhong beside him with some resentment. What a terrible teammate, why does he have to say everything?
When I discussed it with Xu Damao before, I said that 5 yuan was an exorbitant price and that I wanted to ask him to come up with a different price later. This was not the final price.
But for Liu Haizhong to say it like that, it's as if he's set on just 5 yuan a month, which is indeed a bit high.
This guy with bangs is really good for nothing but causing trouble. He looks normal, but he doesn't think before he speaks.
"Da Mao, that 5 yuan a month was just a joke, it's not real."
Yi Zhonghai wanted to explain further, but He Yuzhu interrupted him.
He Yuzhu said, "Alright, stop explaining. Everyone understands what's going on. It's wrong for Xu Damao to hit someone, but he can't pay compensation. I think it'll be fine if Xu Damao sweeps the yard for half a month."
He Yuzhu acted swiftly and decisively, directly defining the nature of Xu Damao's beating of Yi Zhonghai. Previously, some residents who made mistakes were punished by being forced to sweep their yards. Such punishments mainly did not involve actual compensation; they were just somewhat unsightly.
Xu Damao was about to retort when Xu Zhaodi tugged at his sleeve and said, "Don't say anything. Then Mom and I helped you sweep."
Xu Damao then stopped talking and sat down obediently.
Yi Zhonghai was extremely frustrated. He had originally thought he could take this opportunity to discuss with the Xu family and reduce some of the cash assistance, but his plan had failed this time.
She glared at He Yuzhu with some resentment. It was He Yuzhu who had messed things up this time. She said angrily, "It's getting late. The hospital-wide meeting is over. Everyone go back to sleep. You have to go to work tomorrow."
"No, why are you breaking up the meeting? I have something to say," Xu Damao immediately stood up and shouted.
"While everyone's here, let's talk about how Jia Dongxu hit me for no reason."
Yi Zhonghai frowned. This wasn't the topic they'd discussed before, so he said, "But it's too late today. How about we talk about it again in a couple of days?"
Then Yi Zhonghai gave Jia Dongxu a wink.
Jia Dongxu immediately realized what was happening and said, "I'm too sleepy, I'm going back to sleep."
As they were talking, they got up and walked towards the central courtyard. Qin Huairu was quick-witted and ran away with her son in her arms, while Jia Zhangshi stayed behind.
He immediately started swearing and said, "Xu Damao, you also broke Dongxu's head, and I haven't even settled the score with you yet. Are you trying to extort money from us?"
Xu Damao's mother stood up and started arguing with Jia Zhangshi. She could even yell at Yi Zhonghai, so why would she be afraid of a mere old woman like Zhang?
The neighbors who were watching the commotion were also shocked. No one had ever done this before. Jia Dongxu was really showing no respect to Yi Zhonghai and his two companions.
But then they thought about it again, and realized that Jia Dongxu was Yi Zhonghai's apprentice, and they were all very indignant.
Anyone with eyes could see that Xu Damao had suffered a loss in the fight between Jia Dongxu and Xu Damao. Today, at the hospital-wide meeting, Xu Damao wanted to demand an explanation, but Jia Dongxu refused to take the challenge and simply ran away.
However, out of respect for Yi Zhonghai, no one said much. They just kept in mind to avoid arguing with Jia Dongxu as much as possible, otherwise they might be the ones who suffer.
Xu Damao was too lazy to deal with Granny Zhang; his mother would handle it. This time, his main goal was for Jia Dongxu to make amends to him.
But Jia Dongxu, that coward, actually ran away. It was truly shameful and infuriated Xu Damao. How could he be so utterly ridiculous?
Xu Damao turned to Yi Zhonghai and said, "Uncle Yi, what do you suggest we do about this?"
"What do you mean, what to do? Dongxu hit you, and he probably hit Dongxu pretty hard too. Both of you are injured. You should both go to the hospital for treatment. The steel mill will reimburse you anyway."
At that time, the company's benefits were good, and medical expenses could be reimbursed. But Xu Damao was not convinced. Why did Jia Dongxu beat him up for no reason and get away with nothing?
There's no such thing as an unreasonable thing in the world. When the whole college was finally convened to discuss it, things turned out like this. Yi Zhonghai played a game of tai chi, which made Xu Damao furious.
Xu Damao was furious, or perhaps he was just too young and naive. He had always thought that Yi Zhonghai would give him an explanation, but he never expected that the master and apprentice would try to brush him off and make a fool of him.
At this moment, Granny Zhang and her mother had started arguing and pushing each other. Granny Zhang, who had been at a disadvantage, suddenly slapped her mother across the face.
These past two days, Xu Damao has been extremely frustrated. He can't appeal his grievances, and his mother has been beaten. Suddenly, evil thoughts arise in his mind. He thinks that since Jia Dongxu has flattened his nose, he will take revenge on Jia Dongxu's mother.
Before the meeting started, I saw half a brick at my feet. So I bent down, picked it up, and rushed towards Granny Zhang.
They wanted to smash Zhang Pozi's nose flat in return, just to settle the score.