In all fairness, Chen Jianye also had physical needs.
But even if Qin Huairu actively threw herself at him, Chen Jianye would sternly refuse.
She was pregnant.
A person always had to have some bottom line, right?
Chen Jianye also found it hard to understand what Sha Zhu was thinking.
Qin Huairu's family had two children, and another one in her belly.
Was Sha Zhu really willing to marry a widow with three children?
Most likely, he was coveting Qin Huairu's beauty and wanted to get some action.
After all, she was the white moonlight that had stunned him when he was in his twenties and remained in his heart.
Whenever it was late at night and Sha Zhu was doing his 'handicraft', the person he was thinking of was definitely Qin Huairu.
Over time, his impression of Qin Huairu was involuntarily given a layer of halo.
The state of being unable to obtain her made Sha Zhu have an unusual obsession with Qin Huairu.
If Qin Huairu had given Sha Zhu a chance, it might have disenchanted him.
But Qin Huairu just wouldn't give in.
Since Sha Zhu couldn't get her, he naturally wanted her more and more, and was instead tightly held by the master angler, Qin Huairu.
Later, when Sha Zhu wanted to turn back, Qin Huairu ruined several of his blind dates, preventing him from escaping.
As Sha Zhu got older and couldn't find a wife normally, he could only resign himself to fate.
At the Jia, Jia Zhangshi saw Qin Huairu return with a net bag, her brows furrowed: "Where did that come from?"
"Mom, Sha Zhu gave it to me."
Qin Huairu said, feeling a bit guilty.
"Did Sha Zhu give it to you or did you ask him for it?"
Jia Zhangshi's face suddenly turned cold and sharp: "Dongxu has only been gone for a few days, and you're already restless, you cheap hussy!"
"Mom, then I'll return it to Sha Zhu."
Qin Huairu lowered her head, her eyes teary.
Jia Zhangshi didn't say a word, staring at the net bag for a while, then snorted and walked out the door.
Qin Huairu took the net bag to the stove.
She had originally said she would fry peanuts for Sha Zhu, but she hadn't.
She was afraid Jia Zhangshi would slap her with her big mouth.
Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui arrived at the Yi Family.
"Lao Yi, why did you call us?"
Yan Fugui placed his rations on the table.
"I brought my rations, so you won't lose out."
Liu Haizhong also placed his rations on the table.
In those days, when visiting someone's home for a meal, one had to bring one's own rations.
Because the food everyone ate was 'rationed' food; how much food each person ate per day was fixed.
If a guest didn't bring rations and ate the host's rice, the host would go hungry.
Of course, dishes and alcohol were not included in this, and were arranged by the host according to their means.
"What could I want from you? Just have a drink and liven things up."
Yi Zhonghai said with a smile.
"Oh my, what dishes are these? They smell so good."
Yan Fugui sniffed and exclaimed.
"Just some simple home cooking."
"Alright, you two sit down first, I'll go invite the Old Lady over."
"Once she arrives, we'll start."
Yi Zhonghai took out a bottle of Erguotou and placed it on the table, saying very generously.
Seeing the alcohol, Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui's faces were full of smiles.
In those days, alcohol was more expensive than grain; alcohol was the essence of grain, and the more you drank, the younger you became.
With alcohol, this meal wouldn't be bad.
First Aunt brought several dishes to the table; there was fish, meat, and eggs.
Though not a lot, there certainly was some.
No need to mention the fish; it wasn't hard to buy if you wanted to, just go to Shichahai and you could buy it from the fishing enthusiasts.
To see chunks of meat and a layer of grease floating in the bowl was very rare.
The eggs were even in large chunks, looking very tempting.
In the difficult period of '61, to be able to make such a rich table of dishes, only Yi Zhonghai could treat it casually.
Yan Fugui and Liu Haizhong were already salivating wildly.
Being older and knowing etiquette, they strongly held back, waiting for Yi Zhonghai to bring the Deaf Old Lady over.
Yi Zhonghai invited the Deaf Old Lady in the Backyard, and the two communicated about some things.
"Zhonghai, don't worry, among these people in the Courtyard, I only recognize you."
The Old Lady finally said: "No one else will do. If you need to discipline the young ones, I will definitely help you."
"Alright, Old Lady, let's go eat."
Yi Zhonghai received the confirmation and was happy in his heart.
Returning to the Middle Courtyard, Yi Zhonghai also called Sha Zhu.
Sha Zhu was just worrying about having to cook, and hearing there was food, he was so happy he couldn't close his mouth.
He quickly grabbed his rations and followed Yi Zhonghai.
They arrived at Yi Zhonghai's house.
Sha Zhu handed his and the Deaf Old Lady's ration bags to First Aunt, saying words like 'First Aunt, you've worked hard'.
"Old Lady, please take the main seat."
Yan Fugui got up, smiling warmly.
"Hmph, who cares about main seats now? Everyone just be casual."
The Deaf Old Lady leaned on her cane and unhesitatingly sat in the main seat.
As a junior, Sha Zhu naturally sat at the lower end, standing to pour wine for everyone.
Yi Zhonghai and First Aunt sat in the host's positions.
Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui sat in the secondary seats.
"Come on, our Old Ancestor of the Courtyard is at the table, we can start eating."
Yi Zhonghai picked up his chopsticks and put a piece of meat on the Old Lady's plate.
He set the example, and the others all picked up their chopsticks to eat.
From time to time, they would raise their cups and take a sip of wine.
Tsk tsk, it was really invigorating.
While the Yi Family was drinking heartily, the Chen Family's dishes had just started cooking.
There was no woman to manage the household, so Chen Jianye had to clean up, pick vegetables, cook, and stir-fry when he got home.
Unlike Yi Zhonghai.
He could just clean himself when he got home and then invite people to eat.
Household chores and cooking were naturally done by First Aunt.
"Lao Yi, what exactly do you want from us? Give us a hint."
Yan Fugui's gaunt face was flushed.
He really didn't believe that Yi Zhonghai was so bored he'd invite him and Liu Haizhong for a big meal.
With both wine and meat.
If Yi Zhonghai had no agenda, Yan Fugui wouldn't feel comfortable eating.
"Really nothing, we've all been busy with Courtyard work, it's rare to have a chance to gather."
"Today, let's not talk about anything, just drink well and eat well."
Yi Zhonghai said, his face glowing.
"Lao Yi, I'll toast you a drink."
Liu Haizhong raised his cup.
"I'll join."
Yan Fugui and Sha Zhu also raised their cups.
Drinking more wine was more cost-effective than eating dishes.
After eating for half an hour, the Deaf Old Lady wiped her mouth and put down her chopsticks: "You all continue to eat, I'm done."
"Old Lady, I'll see you back."
Yi Zhonghai quickly said.
"I have something to talk about with everyone, Zhonghai, go call the people from the Courtyard over."
The Deaf Old Lady suddenly said.
Yi Zhonghai tilted his head, looking at Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui.
'Here it comes!'
Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui's hearts trembled, knowing work was coming.
Could there be such a thing as a free lunch in this world?
Impossible.
After eating and drinking well, it was time for them to work.
So the main point of Lao Yi's meal was the Old Lady's speech?
Their hearts full of doubts, the two hurriedly got up: "I'll go call people."
"I'll go too." Sha Zhu also got up.
Yi Zhonghai helped the Deaf Old Lady out the door.
"Zhonghai, what's that smell? It's so fragrant."
The Deaf Old Lady sniffed.
She had also had some wine and meat just now.
But the cooking fumes she smelled outside were full of oil, too rich.
The meat she ate at the Yi Family was meat in the dish.
The aroma wafting out now, with its abundant oil, was like having vegetables in the meat.