Watching the children wolf down large chunks of meat, He Yuzhu felt a warm current surge through his heart.
He had not started a family even in the 21st century, remaining a complete bachelor. Watching these sensible children, he felt the warmth of family for the first time.
Helping the widow Qin Huairu was one thing, but if he were to marry and live with someone, Lou Xiaoe would be more suitable. For now, he felt only the sympathy of neighbors toward the widow.
“Bang Geng, take this lunchbox home and give it directly to your mother. Don’t give it to your grandmother, understand?” He Yuzhu instructed.
“I know. Even if you hadn’t told me, I would have given it to Mom. If Grandma took it, Mom wouldn’t get to eat even a bite.” Bang Geng spoke while eating.
“Good boy. You’re both clever and filial. You’ll definitely amount to something in the future.” He Yuzhu smiled.
After the three children finished the meat, they carried the lunchbox home, hopping along happily. The moment they entered, Jia Zhangshi, the wicked mother-in-law, came over to meet them.
Although it was 1961, Jia Zhangshi was still fat and broad-faced. Most of the lunchboxes He Yuzhu had brought back in the past had ended up being eaten by her.
This wicked mother-in-law not only skimped on her wife’s food, but was even unwilling to spare much for the three children. Aside from letting Bang Geng eat his fill and stay warmly dressed, she completely disregarded the two girls.
“Bang Geng, what tasty food did Silly Zhu have you bring back? Hurry and let Grandma see!” Jia Zhangshi said anxiously.
“No. Uncle He said the food in this lunchbox is for my mom.” Though Bang Geng was young, he was stubborn by nature and clung tightly to the lunchbox, refusing to let go.
“Bang Geng! What’s gotten into you? How much does Grandma usually dote on you? Now you won’t give me any tasty food? Have I taught you all this time for nothing?” Jia Zhangshi said furiously.
Bang Geng was only six years old this year, but children from poor families matured early, and he had already begun to understand things.
Over the past few days, He Yuzhu had subtly influenced the children with patient guidance during meals, bringing about a considerable change in their temperament.
“Mom has to work, and after she comes home, she still has to cook and do the housework. She needs nutrition. Grandma does nothing at home. Even if you want to eat, you can’t eat too much. Uncle He said so himself!”
The two girls, Huaihua and Xiaodang, were only around four years old and spoke in childish voices as well. “Uncle He said that if we don’t listen to him, there won’t be even one lunchbox in the future, and we won’t be allowed to go over either!”
The three children had eaten at He Yuzhu’s home for several days, and their temperaments had changed completely. They clung tightly to the lunchbox and refused to let go, leaving Jia Zhangshi helpless.
Bang Geng found a pair of chopsticks, carefully opened the lunchbox, picked out two pieces and a lump of meat, and placed them in a bowl.
“Grandma, this is for you. Mom, let’s eat in the inner room. You haven’t had meat in so long that your face has lost all its color.”
Qin Huairu’s eyes filled with tears of excitement. She had never imagined that her children could be so sensible. More importantly, she understood that children of just a few years old could never have come up with these words themselves.
There was no need to ask. She knew that all of these arguments had been taught to the children by He Yuzhu, leaving her with complicated feelings.
For so long, as a widow raising a child, she had already prepared for the worst. If things truly came to it, she would simply risk everything.
But in the end, she had never taken that final step. At most, she had flirted with other men, let them touch or pinch her, and allowed them to take minor liberties.
Yet she had never behaved ambiguously toward He Yuzhu. After thinking it over again and again, she still could not understand her own state of mind.
While Qin Huairu was still hesitating, the three children had already surrounded her and pushed her toward the inner room.
During this period, whenever He Yuzhu brought over a lunchbox, most of it was eaten by her mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi, and Bang Geng.
The two remaining daughters got only a little, while she could do nothing but watch helplessly.
When the lunchbox was opened, an intoxicating fragrance rushed into their noses. Large, glistening layers of pork belly shimmered translucently, dazzling the eye and stirring the senses.
In 1961, when even eating one’s fill was difficult, half a lunchbox of pork belly was practically comparable to a state banquet.
Although Qin Huairu repeatedly urged the children to eat more, all three had been educated by He Yuzhu to be exceptionally sensible and refused to eat another bite no matter what.
When the first bite of meat melted in her mouth, Qin Huairu’s entire body and soul completely succumbed to it.
If she could eat such delicacies every day, she would be willing to do anything!
Outside, Jia Zhangshi swallowed the two pieces of Dongpo pork in three quick bites, like Zhu Bajie devouring a ginseng fruit. The more she ate, the more unbearable her hunger became.
Hearing the children and daughter-in-law inside politely yielding the food to one another, she drooled with envy, yet did not dare go in and snatch it.
This wicked mother-in-law was no fool. On the contrary, she was extremely shrewd. She had survived widowhood herself; without cleverness, she would never have managed to stay alive.
Although she could easily go in and snatch the meat now, the children had changed. They had become united with that Silly Zhu!
If one of the children happened to be loose-lipped and told others that she had stolen the meat, her reputation in the Siheyuan would be completely ruined!
Besides, if that Silly Zhu found out, she might not even get to eat these two bites of meat in the future. Thus, she could only curse and grumble, blaming everyone and everything.
He Yuzhu sat quietly at home and waited. The reason he had orchestrated all this was simply that the system had truly run out of money.
When there was no conflict, he created conflict; when there were no difficulties, he created difficulties! If Jia Zhangshi, that vicious mother-in-law, could not eat the meat, it would be strange if she did not produce negative emotions!
Sure enough, the number in the system began to jump!
Jia Zhangshi’s negative emotion currency +42, +34, +27, +16…
Although the negative emotion currency was discounted because he had not roasted her to her face, even a mosquito was still meat. Before long, the amount had climbed past 120 System Currency!
Just as he was celebrating, he suddenly saw a new line of incoming funds flash by.
Xu Damao’s negative emotion currency +32, +24, +21, +11…
He had not roasted Xu Damao from beginning to end today, so why had Xu Damao produced negative emotions as well? After thinking it over carefully, He Yuzhu understood.
When he returned today, everything had gone smoothly during his driver’s license test, so he had loudly announced at the entrance that any neighbor who needed a vehicle should let him know.
At the time, Second Uncle and Third Uncle had both come out to flatter him. Many people in the Siheyuan must have heard it, and with Xu Damao’s sharp ears, he had surely heard about it too.
Apparently, he had been stewing in envy, jealousy, and hatred at home, allowing his negative emotions to grow until they finally produced income.
However, like Jia Zhangshi, he had not been roasted to his face, so the negative emotion currency he generated was heavily discounted.
He Yuzhu was a very intelligent man who believed in preparing for danger in times of peace.
Although roasting people was satisfying when done again and again, there was also a problem. Once these people accumulated enough negative emotions, they would inevitably seek revenge!
Xu Damao in particular was full of vile schemes. He had recently stolen Xu Damao’s girlfriend, and now he had gained both promotion and wealth. It would be strange if the man did not stab him in the back!
He Yuzhu’s guess was correct. Xu Damao was secretly cursing and swearing at home, determined to ruin that damn Silly Zhu’s reputation completely!