“If you ask me, Jia Dongxu died at the wrong time.”
Chen Jianye said with some regret.
Everyone fell silent upon hearing this.
What does ‘died at the wrong time’ mean?
Why does that sound off?
What, he shouldn't have died today, he should have died later?
“Now that Jia Dongxu is gone, leaving the Jia Family as orphans and a widow, with Qin Huairu still pregnant, what will become of the Jia Family?”
“Qin Huairu is so young; without a man, how will she live?”
Chen Jianye continued.
Everyone’s expressions grew even stranger.
Listening to this, it sounded as if he was trying to find a man for Qin Huairu.
Jia Dongxu’s body was still lying at the Jia Family’s entrance.
Is it appropriate to say such things?
“That makes sense.”
Sha Zhu nodded instinctively, expressing agreement.
It was truly too difficult for Qin Jie, losing her man at such a young age.
Her bed must be cold.
Jia Zhangshi, crying over Jia Dongxu’s body, had already begun to gnash her teeth.
If she weren't crying, with her personality, she would have jumped up and bitten Chen Jianye to death.
However, Chen Jianye’s words also gave Jia Zhangshi a wake-up call.
Qin Huairu was still young; could she remain a widow?
Granny Jia knew all too well the taste of life without a man.
It was hard to endure.
“Since Jia Dongxu has passed, as neighbors, let’s not say too much. Let’s just help give Jia Dongxu a grand send-off.”
“According to my father’s standard, the Jia Family should set up eight tables in the Courtyard, with fish and meat on every table, to ensure my Jia Brother has a grand departure. What do you all say?”
Chen Jianye added.
Some residents of the Siheyuan (Courtyard) moved their lips, but ultimately held back.
If they could have another big meal, that would naturally be good.
But Jia Zhangshi hadn't spoken yet.
“No!”
Jia Zhangshi couldn't hold back.
According to the Chen Family’s standard for the last banquet, the Jia Family would have to spend dozens of yuan.
The expense was too great.
“Why not? My father’s funeral was handled grandly; my Jia Brother cannot fall behind.”
“The Jia Family is a prominent household in the Courtyard, and my Jia Brother was someone who cared about appearances. Now that we are sending him off, you say it’s not okay. I think you don’t care about my Jia Brother at all!”
“My father’s send-off was lively, and those who helped our family ate their fill, not being mistreated at all.”
“Are you planning to make us, who are helping, eat chaff and wild vegetables?”
Chen Jianye spoke eloquently.
His rapid-fire retort left Jia Zhangshi speechless.
To say that they should keep it simple to save money seemed a bit unfair to Jia Dongxu.
But to spend a lot of money on a grand affair, Jia Zhangshi was reluctant.
“This matter will be discussed tomorrow. Tomorrow, I will find Jia Family Sister-in-law to discuss it.”
Yi Zhonghai said, feeling a headache.
Previously, to earn a good reputation for himself, he had made the Chen Family spend a lot on their ceremony.
Unexpectedly, the Jia Family was not to be outdone and had a funeral so quickly.
Chen Jianye insisted that the Jia Family hold a grand ceremony, and Yi Zhonghai really couldn't say anything against it.
Otherwise, Chen Jianye would surely seize the opportunity to attack him.
“There’s one more thing.”
“Jia Dongxu is dead, and the factory must provide a pension. Jia Family Sister-in-law, let me remind you, absolutely do not let First Master handle it for you. He held onto my father’s pension for several days and refused to give it to us.”
Chen Jianye said with good intentions.
“I was keeping it for you; I never wanted it.”
“And I gave it to you in the end, didn’t I?”
Yi Zhonghai quickly explained.
“Hmph.”
Jia Zhangshi snorted coldly in response.
“Speaking of which, the pension given by the factory is actually everyone’s money; it is the wealth created by all the employees of our Rolling Mill.”
“For every extra cent the factory gives to the Jia Family, we employees receive one cent less.”
“So, I think the pension the factory gives to the Jia Family should also include a share for me, and everyone working at the Rolling Mill in the Courtyard should have a share.”
Chen Jianye’s tone shifted, revealing his true intentions.
He had held back these words for a long time.
When Chen Tuntian died, Jia Dongxu had said similar words, which had infuriated the Chen Family.
Now, Chen Jianye saying these words in front of the Jia Family, going even further than Jia Dongxu, made him feel incredibly satisfied.
The Siheyuan (Courtyard) residents looked at each other.
Holy cow, when did Chen Jianye become so shameless?
You even want a share of Jia Dongxu’s pension, that’s truly amazing.
Just wait and see if Old Woman Jia scratches you or not.
“Jianye, the pension the factory gave to the Jia Family was earned by Jia Dongxu with his life; it has nothing to do with you.”
“What you’re saying is too much.”
Yi Zhonghai said with a stern face, scolding him.
“First Master, when my father died, Jia Dongxu said similar words, and you were standing right there, but you didn’t criticize him.”
“What, he can say it, but I can’t? How am I inferior to him? Does he have an extra head or an extra hand?”
Chen Jianye said coldly.
“Chen Jianye, you little bastard, you really deserve to die!”
Jia Zhangshi angrily bounced a few times in place, then rushed down the doorstep and attacked Chen Jianye.
“Granny Jia, others might be afraid of your tantrums, but I’ve been waiting for you.”
Chen Jianye was waiting for Jia Zhangshi to lose control and make a move.
As Jia Zhangshi attacked, he precisely gripped Jia Zhangshi’s wrist with one hand, and with the other, he swung fiercely.
*Smack!*
Chen Jianye’s palm landed on Jia Zhangshi’s cheek, like a stone hitting water, causing ripples in the mass of fat.
Because Chen Jianye hit her quite hard, fine beads of oil emerged from the pores on Jia Zhangshi’s face.
With one slap, Jia Zhangshi’s head snapped to the side, and she fell to the ground.
Chen Jianye withdrew his hand, wiped it on his pants, and cursed inwardly.
Damn, I wonder what brand of chaff she eats to grow such a thick layer of fat.
So much grease!
“Dongxu, open your eyes and see, your mother is being bullied by a little beast!”
“There’s no justice in this world, no law!”
“Heaven, send down a lightning bolt and strike down the little bastard of the Chen Family!”
Jia Zhangshi’s face bore uneven finger marks, and her cries were heart-wrenching.
The ‘sausage’ marks that had disappeared from Jia Dongxu’s face now appeared on his mother’s face.
“Chen Jianye, what are you doing? Do you have any respect for elders at all?!”
Yi Zhonghai was furious.
“Yi Zhonghai, are you blind? It was clearly Jia Zhangshi who attacked me first!”
“Others indulge her, but I don’t. What, was I wrong to fight back?”
Chen Jianye cursed directly.
Yi Zhonghai’s chest heaved with anger.
“Chen Jianye, how dare you speak to First Master like that? Apologize immediately!”
Sha Zhu, Yi Zhonghai’s top enforcer, shouted.
Yi Zhonghai pulled Sha Zhu’s hand, signaling him not to get agitated.
Chen Jianye merely glanced coldly at Sha Zhu, his gaze falling on Jia Zhangshi: “Granny Jia, your Jia Family has no able-bodied men now. What right do you have to throw a tantrum at me?”
“Let alone Jia Dongxu lying on the ground, even if he stood up, would he be a match for me?”
“I advise you to recognize the situation. I don’t care if you throw tantrums in front of others, but don’t do it in front of me.”
Chen Jianye’s voice was loud, and by striking in front of many Courtyard residents, he was directly suppressing the Jia Family’s arrogance.
Before, with Jia Dongxu, the Jia Family was still considered a complete household.
Now that Jia Dongxu was dead, the Jia Family was left with only the old, weak, and sick. Granny Jia didn't even have the capital to throw tantrums anymore.
To be frank, in the countryside, someone in Jia Zhangshi’s situation would be considered the lowest of the low.
Not keeping a low profile was bad enough, but she still wanted to throw tantrums.
So, Chen Jianye exposed the Jia Family’s inherent weakness in front of everyone.
“Oh, Heaven, I can’t go on living!”
“Lao Jia, open your eyes and see, take this little beast of the Chen Family away!”
Jia Zhangshi cried even more sadly.
Without her son, no one would support her anymore.
She wouldn't have the confidence to argue with other Old Woman Jia.
“Yi Zhonghai, Granny Jia has gone mad after losing her son. She’s openly engaging in feudal superstition; are you going to do something about it?”
Chen Jianye shouted.
Yi Zhonghai looked troubled.
“If you don’t want to deal with it, I’ll go to the neighborhood committee tomorrow and report the situation to Director Nie.”
“If you don’t handle it, I will handle it for you!”
Chen Jianye’s words were forceful.
For a moment, everyone in the Courtyard fell silent.
