Siheyuan: Pioneer in anti-corruption, fighting against evil!

He Xiumei arrived at Qin Huairu's door and saw her pouring water. "Sister Qin, where is my brother? Why is the light off at home? Is he working overtime?"

Qin Huairu smiled awkwardly: "He might have drunk and fallen asleep. Don't you know his temper?"

He Xiumei didn't think much about it and pushed her bicycle towards her home. She was too hungry to chat with Qin Huairu.

After returning home, Qin Huairu reported to Jia Zhang: "Mom, Xiumei is back. I'll send her two steamed buns."

Jia Zhang glared at her unhappily and said, "Qin Huairu, do you know how to save money? If the people in the courtyard don't help us, we can only rely on ourselves. If you send us steamed buns, what will we eat?"

"What if she comes to us and asks for food?" Qin Huairu asked back.

"Close the door tightly and let her go to someone else to borrow money. If others can lend to her, they can also lend to us." Jia Zhang said coldly.

Qin Huairu felt that what her mother said made sense, so she quickly locked the door.

He Xiumei put down her bicycle and bag, walked to Sha Zhu's door and knocked.

"Brother, open the door."

Hearing his sister's voice, Sha Zhu immediately remembered what he had forgotten - preparing dinner for his sister.

"Xiumei, why are you back?"

He Xiumei said dissatisfiedly: "Didn't I tell you that I would be back tonight? Didn't you have to prepare some food for me? Bring it out quickly, I'm starving."

Sha Zhu was a little embarrassed: "I'm sorry, Xiumei, I've been really busy recently and forgot about your matter. As for the food...I really didn't prepare it."

He Xiumei said helplessly: "Did you send it to Sister Qin's house again? Her family is really not doing well. You should take care of her more.

Uncle Li agreed without thinking. Zhou Zhonghai vomited blood twice last night, and Aunt Li felt that she must help him supplement his nutrition. Zhou Zhonghai also cherished his life, and when Aunt Li said that she wanted to give him some tonic, he did not refuse. However, he did not let Aunt Li go to the vegetable market to buy vegetables, but decided to buy some cooked food himself. This can reduce the traces of cooking in the house, and as long as the doors and windows are closed, people outside will not know what they have eaten.

Smelling the aroma of meat, He Xiuying felt even hungrier. "Uncle Li, Aunt Li, are you home?"

Hearing He Xiuying's voice, the couple was a little flustered, but soon regained their composure. This was not the first time for them. In order to avoid being discovered by others about their living conditions, Zhou Zhonghai often enjoyed his meals in secret. Every time he ate, he always chose a corner that was not easily peeped by the outside world so as not to be seen from outside the window.

This is also one of the reasons why Zhang Huiru has never noticed it.

"Xiuying, you are late. The meal that Auntie just prepared is only enough for me and the old lady, there is no more. Do you want to try at someone else's house?" Auntie Li said.

He Xiuying knew that her situation was different from Zhang Damu's. If Zhang Damu came forward, Zhou Zhonghai would do his best to help him no matter what.

She stood in the yard, thinking about the other families, and felt that only the deaf old lady in the backyard might have a chance. Although she was not sure if she could borrow food, she had to try because she was starving.

Aunt Li felt a little reluctant and said, "How much can Xiuying eat by herself? Why not let her come in and eat something?"

Zhou Zhonghai's face was gloomy. "She is about to get married, it would be a waste to give her food. Besides, Zhang Damu hasn't eaten yet. If I give her food, do I have to give it to Zhang Damu? If that guy eats too much, he will scold me. It's just right not to give him food."

Thinking about how harshly Zhang Damu scolded her yesterday, Aunt Li became a little angry and didn't even want to let him eat breakfast.

The deaf old lady was coaxed back home for dinner in the evening to teach Zhang Damu a lesson. If the deaf old lady knew that Zhang Damu had no food to eat, she would not ignore it.

"What if Xiuying goes to see the old lady? If she lets it slip, wouldn't that be bad?"

Zhou Zhonghai smiled confidently and said, "Do you still remember why I asked Aunt Li to cook noodles for the old lady?"

“Is it to make the noodles easier to digest?”

Zhou Zhonghai smiled and said, "That is indeed one reason. But another important reason is that there is meat mixed in the noodles, and the old lady would never give it to others. Even Zhang Damu would be no exception."

If Zhang Damu had money and could buy something nice for the deaf old lady, the old lady might still help. But the key is that Zhang Damu has no money now and will not get paid next month. It is absolutely impossible for the old lady to wait two months for Zhang Damu to enjoy the delicious food.

In addition, when He Xiuying went to borrow money, the deaf old lady was not kind to her. Not to mention borrowing money, she might not even be willing to let her in.

Aunt Li nodded as she thought of the deaf old lady's personality. When it comes to greed, the deaf old lady is no less greedy than Zheng Zhang, and even more greedy. Zheng Zhang is the kind of person who can eat anything and is easy to serve.

As for the deaf old lady, she would not eat anything unless it was a particularly good delicacy. Even when she was eating the dishes she cooked herself, she would complain that they were not as delicious as Zhang Damu's.

The situation in the backyard was just as Zhou Zhonghai had expected. The deaf old lady complained that the food was not tasty enough while eating it with big mouthfuls. Because the meat was mixed with noodles, the heat completely stimulated the aroma.

Before she even reached the door, He Xiuying could already smell the rich fragrance.

Hearing the knock on the door, the deaf old lady quickly hid the noodles under a basket.

Seeing this, He Xiuying simply did not ask for food. She just said hello to the deaf old lady and turned away.

Looking around the courtyard, He Xiuying found that there was indeed no one she could borrow anything from. The only one who could lend her something, Lou Xiao'e's house, was completely dark, and it was obvious that no one was there.

He Xiuying returned to the central courtyard and found that Zhang Damu was still motionless. She immediately burst into tears out of grievance.

Zhang Damu is usually lazy and just makes do with everything. As a girl, He Xiuying naturally cannot be so careless.

After wiping away her tears, He Xiuying had no choice but to walk out of the room, hoping to buy something to eat outside.

When she arrived at the front yard, she saw that the lights were on in Zhang's house. Curiosity drove her to go over and take a look.

Hearing the noise outside, Li Jian signaled Lou Xiao'e to go out and take a look.

Lou Xiao'e opened the door and was slightly surprised to see He Xiuying. "Xiuying, what are you doing here?"

He Xiuying was also surprised, "Lou Xiao'e, don't you live in the backyard? Why are you in the front yard?"

That time was similar to this time, except that it was Jia Liu who rejected her.

Li Li asked curiously: "The deaf old lady has always treated Han Dun as a treasure. After all, Shui Lin is Han Dun's biological sister."

Xu Dajun said contemptuously: "I have told you so many times that the deaf old lady is not a good person, but you just won't change your ways. Do you think she really likes Han Dun? She just sees his value and wants him to take care of her in her old age. In their eyes, Han Dun is just a tool."