Chapter 8: Let Me Buy You a Drink

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Lin Shaowen watched as Mrs. Jia Zhang charged at him. He sidestepped just in time, causing her, unable to stop, to crash into Yan Bugui’s flowerbed.

Crash!

Not only was Mrs. Jia Zhang covered in dirt and dust, but several flowerpots were shattered to pieces.

“Mrs. Jia Zhang, what do you think you’re doing?” Yan Bugui shouted angrily.

“You little beast, how dare you dodge me? I’ll scratch your face to pieces!”

Mrs. Jia Zhang wiped the dirt from her face and lunged forward again, clawing wildly.

Lin Shaowen wasn’t going to let her have her way. As he dodged, he lightly tripped her with his toe.

“Ahhh…”

With a scream, Mrs. Jia Zhang tumbled several times before finally stopping.

A large bump had formed on her head. Sitting on the ground, she patted her thigh and wiped away tears. “Old Jia, you left so early, leaving me alone to be bullied. Come up and take this little beast away, Old Jia...”

“Mom.”

Qin Huaru, who was just bringing in the laundry, heard the commotion outside and rushed out to help Mrs. Jia Zhang.

Smack!

Without a word, Mrs. Jia Zhang slapped Qin Huaru. “Where were you just now? I was almost beaten to death, and you didn’t come out.”

“I... I was putting away the clothes,” Qin Huaru said with reddened eyes.

“You old beast, keep shouting if you want...”

Lin Shaowen, amused, lit a cigarette and sent one to Yan Bugui before lighting his own.

“You little beast, don’t get cocky. Old Jia will come and get you sooner or later.” Mrs. Jia Zhang tried to stand but plopped back down, wailing, “Old Jia, come quick, this little beast is too wild...”

“Mom, what are you doing?”

A voice called from outside.

Jia Dongxu, Yi Zhonghai, and others who lived in the yard had all returned from work. Seeing Mrs. Jia Zhang sitting at the door, mourning, they stopped to watch the spectacle.

“Doctor Lin, what’s going on?” Yi Zhonghai asked angrily.

“No idea,” Lin Shaowen shrugged innocently. “Isn’t Mrs. Jia Zhang doing a spirit-calling ritual? I guess that counts as ‘promoting feudal superstition,’ right? Uncle Yi, you’re the fairest here—should we call the neighborhood committee? If that doesn’t work, maybe the police...”

Hearing this, Mrs. Jia Zhang immediately stopped her wailing.

But the look she gave Lin Shaowen was filled with hatred, as if she wanted to kill him on the spot.

“It’s just superstition propaganda? We’re neighbors; a little fuss is no big deal.” Yi Zhonghai tried to smooth things over.

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“Just a fuss?” Lin Shaowen asked in surprise.

“What else could it be?”

Yi Zhonghai snapped, “You just arrived and don’t know anything. You’ll have to learn.”

“Oh, Uncle Yi’s right.” Lin Shaowen gave a thumbs-up, then turned to Yan Bugui. “Since it’s just a fuss, you should get compensation for the broken flowerpots, right?”

Yan Bugui was instantly attentive. “Exactly! Aunt Jia, you broke three of my flowerpots and some flowers. You have to pay.”

“Bah! Your flowerpots hurt my head too. You have to pay my medical expenses!” Mrs. Jia Zhang shouted.

“That’s right, Third Uncle, you have to pay for my mother’s medical bills,” Jia Dongxu chimed in.

“Old Yan, look at that big bump on Aunt Jia’s head. She needs to see a doctor.” Yi Zhonghai said earnestly.

“Wait, why are you blaming me?” Yan Bugui was shocked.

“Third Uncle, if we call the neighborhood committee, they can talk to them about ‘promoting superstition’...” Lin Shaowen said quietly.

Yan Bugui showed interest immediately.

Mrs. Jia Zhang seemed to be trying to frame him, and Yi Zhonghai’s character was well known to him.

If the neighborhood committee got involved, the money for the flowerpots might actually come through.

Yi Zhonghai’s face darkened as he scolded, “We’re all neighbors. Why call the neighborhood committee? Enough, everyone go home. Stop making a scene.”

Mrs. Jia Zhang wanted to say more but was stopped by Jia Dongxu.

He knew his master had given him a way out. If they really called the committee, Mrs. Jia Zhang would not only be scolded but might have to pay for Yan Bugui’s flowerpots.

Yan Bugui cursed “bad luck” and went back inside.

Seeing everyone staring at him, Lin Shaowen shrugged and turned to leave as well.

“You little beast, you’ll get your comeuppance sooner or later.”

Mrs. Jia Zhang spat at Lin Shaowen’s back.

Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu ground their teeth in anger. After today’s mess in the canteen, they had gotten the fool Pillar all dirty. Luckily, Lin Shaowen hadn’t told anyone about their attempt to take his room yesterday, or else they would have been in serious trouble.

“Master, that kid’s too wild. We need to deal with him.” Jia Dongxu whispered.

“Yes, we have to deal with him,” Mrs. Jia Zhang gritted her teeth.

Qin Huaru looked at her mother-in-law and husband, wisely staying silent.

“Deal with him? How?”

Yi Zhonghai sighed, “He’s a doctor at the factory clinic. He doesn’t mix with us. He hides in the medical room all day. You can’t even find a chance to cause trouble.”

“That little beast is a doctor?”

Mrs. Jia Zhang was surprised but hated Lin Shaowen even more.

Why did all the benefits go to that little beast?

“All right, everyone go back and eat.”

Yi Zhonghai couldn’t think of a way to handle Lin Shaowen for now and dispersed the crowd.

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Back inside, Lin Shaowen felt somewhat troubled.

Although he had kitchen utensils, meat, and wine, he wasn’t skilled in cooking. Even if he was, he wasn’t interested in cooking.

In his time, everyone was supported by those “knights in shining armor.”

After thinking for a while, he suddenly slapped his forehead. Wasn’t there a cook in this yard?

In the back yard, the disheartened fool Pillar had returned to his room. After Lin Shaowen’s commotion today, the supervisor had scolded him all afternoon. If the factory director hadn’t needed the small kitchen, he probably would have been reprimanded officially.

“Damn it, Lin Shaowen. Don’t let me catch you, or I’ll kill you.”

Fool Pillar cursed angrily and prepared to find something to fill his stomach.

Bang!

His door was kicked open.

“Lin Shaowen, what are you trying to do?” Fool Pillar shouted.

“Invite you for a drink.”

Lin Shaowen swayed slightly, holding a bottle of Erguotou liquor.

“Gulp!”

Fool Pillar swallowed nervously. “You’re really that kind to invite me for a drink?”

“Look at you, such a coward. It was just a fight, nothing serious.” Lin Shaowen sneered.

“I’m not a coward!” Fool Pillar was furious.

“You’re the only one around here who still looks like a man. The food and drink are ready. Want some or not?” Lin Shaowen leaned against the doorframe. “Don’t tell me... you’ve really chickened out?”

“Chicken out?” Fool Pillar stood up and shouted, “There’s no such word as ‘chicken’ in my eyes! It’s just drinking, let’s go.”

“That’s more like it.” Lin Shaowen smiled.