Unable to figure it out, Yi Zhonghai felt miserable; but once he understood, he nearly fainted from the distress.
I’ve always been the one morally kidnapping others, so how could I have fallen into a trap set by a junior today?
As Deaf Old Lady’s only true disciple, Yi Zhonghai had dominated the compound with his skill of moral kidnapping, with no one able to match him.
It was precisely through this unique expertise that there was no issue in the entire compound that Yi Zhonghai couldn’t resolve.
If moral kidnapping wasn’t enough, he would add some money, and then there was nothing that couldn’t be settled.
So, as the highest-paid person in the compound with no children to support, where had all Yi Zhonghai’s money gone over the years?
Wasn’t it spent on maintaining his reputation as the First Elder?
Originally, Yi Zhonghai had also considered covering the expenses for his disciple Jia Dongxu—this wasn’t the first time he had done something like this.
But what Yi Zhonghai hadn’t expected was that he would be forced by Zhang Yuanlin to eagerly take out his money.
Looking back on the entire process now, Zhang Yuanlin had planned it all from the very beginning.
Holding a wedding banquet was by no means a necessity; the Qin Family hadn’t insisted on it, and it was optional whether to have one or not.
Moreover, it was clearly Zhang Yuanlin who had decided on the banquet, so by all appearances, it was Zhang Yuanlin’s problem.
Yet he used the entire compound’s residents to pressure Yi Zhonghai into covering the compensation for the Jia Family—wasn’t this just shifting the blame in front of everyone?
But the crowd wouldn’t bother with such details; they only knew there was supposed to be a wedding banquet to enjoy, and now someone was uncooperative, so they couldn’t have it.
As for Zhang Yuanlin pointing out the master-disciple relationship, it wasn’t about making Yi Zhonghai pay for his disciple.
Instead, it was saying: since you’re master and disciple anyway, and for the sake of letting the compound have a lively event, what’s wrong with the master paying for the disciple?
Besides, you’re the First Elder; you should prioritize the greater good and must consider the entire compound!
In the end, Zhang Yuanlin was the one who seemed wronged—he was thinking of the compound’s excitement, considering all the residents; what had he done wrong?
The fault lay with you, Yi Zhonghai, for refusing to pay and failing to fulfill the compound residents’ wish for a lively occasion!
This time, Yi Zhonghai was utterly defeated.
Throughout the entire process, not only could he not keep up with Zhang Yuanlin’s reasoning, but he was also constantly suppressed, without even a chance to resist.
At this moment, Yi Zhonghai’s morale had completely collapsed. He hung his head, silent, while the surrounding discussions grew louder and louder.
Meanwhile, Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui kept their mouths shut, not daring to speak carelessly.
At this stage, they were still somewhat inexperienced, truly lacking the demeanor and problem-solving skills of the compound’s Great Aunts/Uncles.
After all, this was over a decade earlier than the original plot, and at that time, Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui’s abilities were still far behind Yi Zhonghai, Deaf Old Lady’s personal disciple.
Originally, the two of them were supposed to learn from Yi Zhonghai and gradually grow under his guidance.
But now, with Zhang Yuanlin in the compound, their mentor would likely have to change.
Finally, even Deaf Old Lady could no longer stand by. She couldn’t watch Yi Zhonghai, whom she had personally promoted, being condemned by everyone.
“Hmm, the Jia Family does have money, but Jia Dongxu just failed in his matchmaking and is feeling upset. We shouldn’t add fuel to the fire, should we?”
“Of course, having a happy event in our compound is something worth celebrating. We shouldn’t let one person spoil it for everyone.”
“But we have our First Elder; he has solved many troubles for our compound. Surely, he will have a solution for today’s matter as well.”
Zhang Yuanlin narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking that Yi Zhonghai would always fall short when it came to moral kidnapping because he wasn’t the most senior person in the entire compound.
If anyone had the greatest skill in moral kidnapping, it had to be the ancestral matriarch of this compound—Deaf Old Lady!
Hmph, so Jia Dongxu feels upset? Does the one with the foul mouth who started all this trouble have no idea how things escalated to such an ugly state?
You, Deaf Old Lady, pretend to be deaf and mute, but are you blind too?
But Zhang Yuanlin didn’t lash out. He knew that Deaf Old Lady’s intervention was meant to give Yi Zhonghai a way out.
That didn’t matter. As long as he could get the money today, she could spin any tale she wanted.
In Zhang Yuanlin’s eyes, the so-called Great Aunts and Uncles in charge of the compound were as childish as playing house.
Zhang Yuanlin had no interest in arguing with these people over trivial matters. Without tangible benefits, they weren’t even worthy of playing games with him!
With Deaf Old Lady speaking up, the previously restless crowd quieted down.
Then, Deaf Old Lady walked over to Yi Zhonghai and pulled him back to reality from his existential crisis.
“First Elder, even an old lady like me wants to join in the fun, but no one in our compound has the capability. At critical moments, it still falls to you, the First Elder!”
Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai’s face twitched.
Zhang Yuanlin watched, barely suppressing a laugh.
On the surface, it seemed like Deaf Old Lady was praising Yi Zhonghai, but in reality, she had run out of options.
Otherwise, would she say such things?
Zhang Yuanlin had already pushed Yi Zhonghai to the brink of despair by forcing him to pay up. Now, Deaf Old Lady’s similar remarks nearly made Yi Zhonghai voluntarily resign as First Elder.
Although he knew Deaf Old Lady was trying to save face for him and emphasize the importance of his role as First Elder…
Why did her words sting so much?
What did she mean by “it still falls to you, the First Elder”? Put nicely, it meant he was important; put bluntly, it meant the whole compound was waiting for him to pay up!
“Sigh!”
With a silent sigh, Yi Zhonghai raised his head and looked at Zhang Yuanlin, his eyes clearly reflecting defeat and helplessness.
“Zhang Yuanlin, I’ll give you the money, but I need some time to prepare.”
Over a hundred yuan—that was his hard-earned savings tucked away for emergencies. He needed to brace himself before parting with it, or he wouldn’t be able to bring himself to hand it over.
Zhang Yuanlin nodded, offering no further pressure.
But then, as if remembering something, he added:
“By the way, First Elder, since you’ve advanced the compensation that belongs to me, why not be merciful and pay the Qin Family what they’re owed as well?”
“Although I’m married to Huairu and we’re one family now, the humiliation they suffered today will likely be hard to forget for a long time. Paying them early avoids future delays and prevents further unhappiness.”
“Besides, this compensation concerns the reputation of our compound. Settling it all at once will bring the matter to a close. You’re the First Elder and Jia Dongxu’s master—you should help out while you’re at it.”
Yi Zhonghai felt his heart skip a beat, instinctively taking a step back as if wanting to turn and flee.
Is this even human?
This is clearly a demon—he has no conscience!
Asking me to advance two hundred yuan? That’s over half a year’s wages for me!
If I give you the money, how will I make ends meet? How will I support Deaf Old Lady? How can I remain the First Elder?
Yi Zhonghai desperately wanted to roar, to vent, but he couldn’t—because he was the First Elder, the one the entire compound placed their hopes in!
The most crucial moment came when Deaf Old Lady approached and whispered sternly:
“Hold your ground! You can collect the money slowly from Jia Dongxu!”
Yi Zhonghai swallowed hard, only then realizing how painfully dry his throat had become.
He then took a deep breath and spoke with difficulty:
“Alright, you make a valid point. Our compound has been selected as an advanced collective multiple times in a row, and we should maintain this honor. So no matter what issues arise, they should be resolved before anyone leaves.”
“However! You must give me time. Two hundred yuan… is no small amount!”
Zhang Yuanlin nodded slightly and smiled:
“Thank you, First Elder, for your generosity. Just as Deaf Old Lady said, everyone in this compound depends on you. It really has to be you, First Elder!”
“But you must hurry, don’t keep people waiting too long.”
Yi Zhonghai staggered again but was discreetly supported by Deaf Old Lady.
At this moment, Qin’s father said cheerfully:
“Xiao Zhang, we’re not in such a hurry. Why don’t you two take this opportunity to get your marriage certificate instead?”
Qin’s mother chimed in:
“Yes, yes! I feel like only after you two get the certificate can we truly rest easy!”
Qin Huairu blushed, but her eyes were full of anticipation.
Zhang Yuanlin’s smile widened as he agreed.
Heh, I’ve been waiting for you two to say exactly that!
As the saying goes: money isn’t secure until it’s in your pocket, and a wife isn’t truly yours until you have the certificate!