Chapter 45: Shazhu Comes Out Immediately

He Yushui took a deep breath.

Forcing a smile, she stepped forward and greeted Wang Zhenshan politely.

"Uncle Wang, sorry to trouble you."

"It's Yushui. Are you here to pick up your brother?" Wang Zhenshan smiled.

He Yushui often came to the Wang family to play, and Wang Zhenshan had a very good impression of the young girl. She was well-behaved, sensible, hardworking, and had excellent grades. It was just a shame she had such an unreliable brother.

He Yushui looked bashful. "Uncle Wang, this lady is an auntie from our courtyard. She's from the countryside and hasn't seen much of the world. She didn't know the city rules and offended the officer. Please forgive her."

"Who are you calling a country person?!"

Jia Zhangshi snapped her head up, ready to fly into a rage. However, seeing the dark muzzle of the gun, her voice died in her throat.

By this time, Wang Zhenshan had already clarified the situation. Jia Zhangshi was simply brainless, rather than malicious.

"That's enough, Old Liu. Since this lady recognizes her mistake, put the gun away."

As the muzzle lowered, Jia Zhangshi finally dared to move. She turned around and scurried outside, hiding behind Jia Dongxu.

Wang Zhenshan looked at Shazhu, then at He Yushui, and sighed. "Yushui, don't mind me meddling, but you need to keep a closer eye on your brother in the future. Tell him to stop acting so violent all day long."

"We live in a new society now, not the era before liberation. If he gets thrown behind bars, it won't just be his problem—you'll be implicated too."

Knowing a son better than a father, Wang Zhenshan understood Wang Xinmin's little schemes and specifically wanted to warn He Yushui. He Yushui was still a middle school student and didn't quite grasp the gravity of it; she simply thought Wang Zhenshan was being concerned for Shazhu.

"Don't worry, Uncle Wang. After this incident, my brother will definitely turn over a new leaf."

Shazhu, who had been hanging his head in silence, suddenly glared. "Yushui, what do you mean? Turn over a new leaf? I didn't do anything wrong! That kid surnamed Li bullied Sister Qin; he deserved a beating!"

Looking at his unrepentant expression, He Yushui felt a sudden urge to just turn around and walk away.

The Deaf Old Lady, who had been playing dead on the sidelines, hobbled over with her cane. "Shazhu, don't talk nonsense."

Resting her hands on her cane, she turned to Wang Zhenshan and said loftily, "Comrade Xiao Wang, thank you for your trouble this time. Can we take He Yuzhu back now?"

*Comrade Xiao Wang*—this old lady truly knew how to pull rank.

Wang Zhenshan chuckled inwardly and nodded. "The paperwork is complete. Once you go back, you must ensure that He Yuzhu doesn't cause any more trouble and truly repents to become a new man. Otherwise, we will come back to arrest him again."

The Deaf Old Lady nodded indifferently. "I know that, old woman knows. Isn't this just bail pending trial? Back in the day, when I was weaving straw sandals for the soldiers, I was once arrested by the authorities, and it was my father who brought people to bail me out."

The story of the Deaf Old Lady weaving straw sandals had been told thousands of times. Wang Zhenshan had heard it, but he didn't believe it. Not wanting to get bogged down with her, he waved his hand. "Fine then, take He Yuzhu away now!"

Hearing this, Shazhu broke free from the policeman's grip and rushed out in a frenzy, heading straight for Qin Huairu.

His eyes widened with concern. "Sister Qin, have you been doing well lately?" He scanned her up and down, frowning. "Sister Qin, you look thinner. Were you worried about me? Heh, I knew you wouldn't forget me."

He Yushui looked at Shazhu's messy hair, cracked lips, sunken eyes, and filthy clothes. Then she looked at the well-groomed Qin Huairu and felt a wave of irony.

*You're in such a state, and yet you're still worrying about how others are doing?*

A faint blush appeared on Qin Huairu's face as she stole a glance at Jia Dongxu. Jia Dongxu turned his head away, pretending not to see.

A warm smile spread across her face, her eyes shimmering with charm. She pursed her lips and said, "Shazhu, you've really been wronged this time."

Having not heard Qin Huairu's voice for so long, Shazhu felt a tingling sensation deep in his bones. He patted his chest and said, "What grievance! I, He Yuzhu, am a man who stands tall! I can handle big things!"

The slight grievance in his heart vanished like a gust of wind. The satisfaction he felt was like eating an old popsicle in the middle of a sweltering summer.

*Pfft.* Qin Huairu almost laughed out loud, but seeing Jia Zhangshi's angry face, she quickly composed herself.

Seeing Shazhu flirting with Qin Huairu in front of so many people, Yi Zhonghai frowned.

"Zhuzi, don't just focus on talking to Comrade Qin. So many people came to welcome you today shows that everyone cares about you. A person must know how to be grateful; don't let everyone's concern go to waste. In the future, you should know how to give back and be more proactive in helping everyone."

This speech was righteous, lofty, and full of moral integrity. Shazhu found it deeply profound. He nodded heavily and patted his chest. "First Uncle, please rest assured. Under your leadership, I, He Yuzhu, will certainly unite the neighbors better and actively help them resolve their troubles."

Jia Zhangshi's eyes darted around, and she smiled. "Shazhu, my house is short on fine white flour. You have wide connections, help us buy some, will you?"

"...Auntie Jia, I just got out. I need to go home and change my clothes first." Shazhu knew that if he helped the Jia family buy flour, Jia Zhangshi certainly wouldn't pay for it. Only a fool would do such a thing.

Jia Zhangshi's face immediately fell. "You were just saying you'd help the neighbors resolve their troubles? I see, it's all just lip service."

Jia Dongxu silently gave Qin Huairu a look.

Though somewhat reluctant, Qin Huairu walked gracefully to Shazhu's side with a gentle smile. "Brother Zhuzi, lately my milk hasn't been enough, and Banggeng can't get full; he doesn't even have the strength to cry. I wanted to buy some fine white flour to cook porridge, I was wondering..."

"Fine, fine, fine! How many pounds do you need?" Shazhu was lost in that pool of spring-like charm.

Qin Huairu bit her lip. "About seven or eight pounds! But we don't have any money at home for the time being."

"Money? We're neighbors, it's only natural to help. What's all this about money!" Shazhu said, thumping his chest. "Aren't you looking down on me, Shazhu? Banggeng is such a good kid, he's meant for great things; we can't let him go hungry. I'll bring it to you in a bit..."

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Just as Shazhu was about to agree, the Deaf Old Lady suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit. She reached out and called to him, "Yuzhu, Grandma is old. Standing for so long has made my legs tired; I can't walk anymore. Carry Grandma home on your back."

"Alright!"

Shazhu knew the old lady was definitely up to something, but he silently made a gesture to Qin Huairu. Qin Huairu smiled, gave a soft hum of agreement, and nodded with a blushing face.

Only then did Shazhu turn to the Deaf Old Lady. He squatted down and grinned. "Grandma, let your grandson carry you home."

As she leaned against Shazhu's back, the Deaf Old Lady whispered, "Shazhu, leave the Jia family matters to Jia Dongxu. You're an outsider; stay out of their business."

"Hehe, we're all neighbors. I'll help where I can." Shazhu laughed as he hoisted the old lady onto his back and began walking toward the courtyard.

"I took a huge loss this time; you have to help me vent this anger," the Deaf Old Lady whispered into his ear. "That kid surnamed Li is not to be trifled with now. Stay low in the courtyard for a few days, and then we'll plan our next move."

Shazhu curled his lip in disdain. "How powerful can he be? Not as powerful as you, Grandma. Didn't I still get released?"

Just then, the roar of a motorcycle engine echoed from the distance.