Chapter 6: Taking Advantage of the Situation

When compensation was mentioned, the room fell into silence once again.

In the current market, a jin of pork costs seven jiao, high-quality Northeast rice is twenty-three fen per jin, refined flour is eighteen fen per jin, and white flour is ten fen per jin.

Fifty yuan is enough for a family of five to live comfortably for two months.

This was practically like cutting flesh from their own bodies.

Mrs. Jia pursed her lips and complained, "Old Yi, fifty yuan! It’s not your own money, so you really don't feel the pinch."

"Sigh, Old Sister, what else could I do?"

Yi Zhonghai’s emotions surged, but he lacked the energy to scold anyone. He rubbed his temples and said, "Can't you see? Li Aiguo came prepared today. Even without mentioning Director Wang, that Zhou Tiehu alone is enough to give you all a hard time."

He deepened his tone, adding a hint of a threat: "Li Aiguo is the child of a railway employee. According to regulations, the railway police station has jurisdiction. You all know how protective railway people are of their own. The injuries on his body alone are enough to get all of you arrested."

"Damn that Li Aiguo. I never realized he had such schemes before. If I’d known, my family wouldn't have gotten involved," Liu Haizhong said, his brows tightly locked.

"Hmph, you were only in it for the Li family’s room anyway," Mrs. Jia rolled her eyes at him.

"What room?"

Shazhu was confused. Just as he was about to ask, he caught秦淮茹 (Qin Huairu)’s soft gaze and began to giggle foolishly again.

Jia Dongxu’s face turned green.

Yi Zhonghai waved his hand in annoyance: "Alright, stop arguing. Fifty yuan from each family, hand it to me now!"

Liu Haizhong had been planning to go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy liquor today, so he happened to have the money on him.

Mrs. Jia’s tattered pocket contained the gift money she had just collected, but it wasn't enough, so she dug out a grimy black handkerchief from under her bedding.

She turned her back to Qin Huairu, secretly took out a handful of money, and just as she was about to hide the handkerchief back, she seemed to remember something and rolled her eyes at Qin Huairu.

"What are you looking at?"

Qin Huairu could only turn her back.

Mrs. Jia stuck her rear end out as she crawled under the bed, then crawled back out, patted the dust off herself, sat on the edge of the bed, and flipped the mattress over as if nothing had happened.

Yi Zhonghai collected the compensation from the two families and turned to Shazhu: "What about yours?"

"I’m taking the fall for them, and I still have to pay?" Shazhu asked, feeling aggrieved.

Yi Zhonghai stroked his stubble: "Shazhu, how did I teach you..."

"Fine, fine, I’ll pay, alright? This money was originally saved to buy Yushui a bicycle."

Shazhu reluctantly took out fifty yuan and handed it to Yi Zhonghai.

After taking the money, Yi Zhonghai counted it once, pushed the door open, and walked out.

"Aiguo, count it. It’s one hundred and fifty yuan in total."

Yi Zhonghai suppressed his anger and handed the money to Li Aiguo.

One hundred and fifty yuan—this was truly a case of trying to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice used to lure it.

Li Aiguo didn't reach out to take it; instead, he frowned: "First Uncle, there were four people who beat me. Why is it only one hundred and fifty yuan?"

"Huh? It’s calculated by the head..."

Yi Zhonghai was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Liu Haizhong: "Old Liu, two of your children were involved. Hurry up and bring the money."

"What kind of mess is this!"

Although reluctant, Liu Haizhong had no choice but to reach into his pocket.

However, he only had fifty yuan on him.

He had no choice but to run home once.

After receiving the money from Liu Haizhong, Yi Zhonghai counted it again, confirmed it was correct, and handed it back to Li Aiguo.

"I’ve received the compensation. Which one of you is going to the police station?" Li Aiguo counted it once and tucked it into his pocket.

"Me!" Shazhu walked out boldly, pointed at Li Aiguo, and said, "Grandson, I’ve marked this debt down for you."

Yi Zhonghai, standing to the side, frowned but didn't stop him.

In any case, Shazhu was the one going to the police station; letting Li Aiguo vent a little might be good for him.

But he didn't expect that as soon as Shazhu finished speaking, his finger would be gripped by Li Aiguo.

"Good, grandson, daring to sneak attack!"

As the "God of War" of the courtyard, Shazhu actually had some skills.

Learning from his previous lesson, he swung his other fist, intending to smash it into Li Aiguo’s forehead.

But that, too, was easily caught by Li Aiguo.

Li Aiguo sneered, exerting force with both hands. A few cracking sounds of bone were heard, and Shazhu’s face twisted in pain as he let out a scream.

He felt as if his hands were being crushed by iron pliers.

Li Aiguo applied a little more pressure, and Shazhu could no longer hold on; his legs went weak, and he collapsed onto his knees in front of Li Aiguo.

"Li Aiguo, let go immediately!" Yi Zhonghai saw that things were going south and hurried to intervene.

Zhou Tiehu was also afraid of an incident and spoke up: "Alright, Aiguo, He Yuzhu still has to go to the police station, don't hurt him."

Only then did Li Aiguo let go, giving him a push as he did so, causing Shazhu to fall face-first into the dirt.

Shazhu’s miserable state drew a burst of laughter.

The one laughing the hardest was Xu Damao.

Xu Damao was often bullied by Shazhu, and seeing Shazhu get beaten and even forced to kneel before Li Aiguo, he wished he could be Li Aiguo himself.

This damn sense of immersion!

"Shazhu, don't you act like a big shot in front of me all day? How come you’re a grandson in front of Li Aiguo?"

Xu Damao spoke sarcastically, but once the words were out, he felt something was off, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Director Wang put on a stern face: "Alright, stop the nonsense. He Yuzhu, I ask you, are you voluntarily taking responsibility for beating Li Aiguo?"

"Yes, I am doing it voluntarily." Shazhu looked at Qin Huairu and bravely puffed out his chest.

"Very well, go to the neighborhood police station to turn yourself in now."

After Shazhu left, Director Wang smiled at Li Aiguo: "Comrade Aiguo, due to my negligence, you’ve been wronged..."

"Aunt Wang, that’s not right. You are the Director of the Neighborhood Office, serving tens of thousands of residents; how could you attend to every little detail?"

Li Aiguo said sincerely: "Besides, back when my father was bedridden, you personally came to our door to help him apply for injury subsidies. I’ve kept all of that in my heart."

Director Wang looked at Li Aiguo silently, feeling a wave of emotion—what a sensible child.

"I have work to attend to, so I’ll be going first. If you have any issues in the future, you can come directly to the Neighborhood Office to find me."

"Alright, Aunt, I’ll come visit you in a few days."

"..."

Director Wang always felt that Li Aiguo was climbing up the social ladder, but she didn't object.

After all, since Li Aiguo was so sensible, he surely wouldn't go around causing trouble in her name.

Director Wang turned to chat with Captain Zhou for a moment before leaving.

……

Having received the money and sent Shazhu to the police station, Li Aiguo had achieved his goal.

"Let’s go, Uncle Zhou, come inside and sit for a while."

He pulled Zhou Tiehu back into his home.

He dug out an enamel mug and pinched some tea leaves to brew a cup, only to find the thermos empty.

"You sit for a moment, I’ll go boil some water."

"Don't bother, Aiguo. We’re family. Since your father is gone, I am your own uncle."

Zhou Tiehu unbuttoned his collar and looked around. Seeing the dilapidated room, he sighed: "It’s really hard for you to live on your own. Once you pass the driver’s exam, Uncle will introduce you to a wife."

"Then I’ll be counting on you."

As Li Aiguo spoke, he opened the coal stove vent and placed the iron kettle on top.

He turned, pulled a pack of cigarettes from the drawer, and handed one to Zhou Tiehu.

Train drivers often worked back-to-back shifts, staying awake all night, and relied entirely on cigarettes to stay alert; they were all heavy smokers.

Zhou Tiehu nodded with satisfaction.

This kid Aiguo was much better at social nuances than his father.

He hadn't hesitated to seek his help and had specifically instructed him to go to the courtyard’s Neighborhood Office first and call for Director Wang.

He dared to think and act, and he knew how to handle people—he was a good seed.

Li’s son was one of his own; he deserved to be mentored.

*Hiss...*

*Hoo...*

Zhou Tiehu exhaled a long cloud of smoke, wrapping his face in a mist.

"Aiguo, you need to buckle down for this exam."

Li Aiguo’s expression tightened, and he straightened up: "Uncle Zhou, have you heard some news?"

"I heard from Section Chief Wang that this exam is different from the ones in the past..."

Zhou Tiehu hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to reveal the news from the section.

"To improve the skill level of drivers, the Bureau has specifically increased the difficulty of the exam.

Those who pass and rank in the Bureau will receive titles.

The first place will be named 'Driver Skill Model,' and the second and third places will be named 'Driver Skill Expert.'

The top three are guaranteed to get behind the wheel.

In the future, when it comes to promotions, priority will also be given to Skill Models and Skill Experts."