Chapter 30: Bargaining

"Xu Damao, I am asking you today: how do you intend to resolve the matter of my television?" He Yuzhu's voice was low and powerful, each word squeezed out from between his teeth with an undeniable gravity.

Xu Damao’s heart skipped a beat; he had not expected He Yuzhu to be so direct. He tried to search for help in the eyes of the man standing beside He Yuzhu—Yan Fugui—hoping he would step forward and speak a word of justice. After all, Yan Fugui had accepted his favors and should, by all rights, lend him a hand. But at this moment, Yan Fugui’s gaze was shifty and evasive, clearly caught in hesitation.

"Zhuzi, what are you saying? How would I know how your television got soaked in water?" Xu Damao feigned innocence, attempting to use words to defuse the crisis.

However, He Yuzhu was not a man to be easily fooled; he had long since seen through Xu Damao’s tricks. "Don't play those games with me. Yan Fugui, tell me yourself: did you see with your own eyes that day that Xu Damao was pouring a bucket of water onto the television?" He Yuzhu’s words carried a mix of interrogation and threat, making Yan Fugui feel the immense pressure.

Yan Fugui was caught in a dilemma: on one side was the money he had received from Xu Damao, and on the other was the unquestionable authority of He Yuzhu and the influence he wielded. Ultimately, he chose to compromise. After all, offending He Yuzhu in this courtyard was not a wise move.

"I... I did see it. Brother Zhuzi, I will testify." Yan Fugui’s voice trembled, but his words struck Xu Damao’s heart like a hammer.

Seeing this, a cold smirk curled at the corner of He Yuzhu’s mouth. He knew he had seized the lifeline of Xu Damao. "Xu Damao, what else do you have to say for yourself now? I am telling you, if you don't give me a satisfactory answer today, I will make sure you cannot survive in this courtyard!"

Upon hearing this, beads of cold sweat instantly broke out on Xu Damao’s forehead. Since breaking up with Lou Xiaoe, his reputation had been poor, and with several recent matchmaking attempts ending in failure, he knew well that in an era where reputation was paramount, the consequences of bearing such a label would be unimaginable.

"Brother Zhuzi, we are all neighbors here, why make such a big scene? Let’s sit down and discuss it properly; there must be a way to solve this." Xu Damao tried to use a conciliatory tone to calm He Yuzhu’s rage. But He Yuzhu was clearly not buying it. He stared coldly at Xu Damao and said, "Discuss? Fine, then tell me, how do you plan to discuss this?"

Xu Damao gritted his teeth, steeled himself, and said, "As long as you don't make this a public scandal, I will do whatever you ask." A cunning glint flashed in He Yuzhu’s eyes.

"That’s what you said. Don't go back on your word later."

"I won't, I won't." Xu Damao nodded repeatedly, though he was secretly calculating how to get out of this.

"Then first, get my television fixed," He Yuzhu demanded.

"Fix it? That won't do, you must compensate me with a new one!"

When Xu Damao heard this, he nearly jumped. Where would he find the money to pay for a new television?

"A new one? In your dreams!" He Yuzhu snorted coldly. "Do you think I don't know your financial situation? How about this: I won't make it too hard on you. You fix the old one and pay for a new one, and we can call it even."

Xu Damao nearly fainted. He knew he was done for, but he couldn't just accept it. "Brother Zhuzi, aren't you forcing my hand? Where would I get the money for a new one?"

"No money? If you have no money, go borrow it, go steal it—somehow, you must resolve this for me." He Yuzhu’s words were laced with mockery and threats. Helpless, Xu Damao had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree. "Fine, I'll pay, will that do?"

He Yuzhu nodded in satisfaction. "That’s more like it. Tomorrow, we will have the First Elder call a courtyard-wide meeting and let everyone hear exactly how Xu Damao has been up to his dirty deeds."

"No, no, no! Brother Zhuzi, let’s resolve this privately, let’s handle it privately!" Fearing the prospect of a public meeting, Xu Damao begged for mercy in a panic.

Eventually, after some haggling, Xu Damao not only paid for a new television but also threw in a pair of new leather shoes.

He Yushui exhausted every trick in her book, following He Yuzhu closely and nagging incessantly, hoping to keep the newly purchased television for herself. She switched between acting spoiled and pleading, even invoking their past bond as siblings, but He Yuzhu remained unmoved, his mind set like iron.

"Brother, can't you just leave the television for me? I’m begging you!" There was a hint of sobbing in He Yushui’s voice, but He Yuzhu merely gave her a cold glance and walked straight toward Yu Haitang’s home.

Watching as the television was carefully carried into Yu Haitang’s house by her brother, He Yushui felt as if her heart were being cut by a knife. She could not understand why her brother had become so cold and heartless after getting a partner, disregarding his own sister.

"You’ve forgotten your sister now that you have a girl; you heartless man!" He Yushui cursed him silently, tears welling up in her eyes, though she forced herself not to let them fall.

He Yuzhu acted as if he hadn't heard his sister’s complaints at all. "Good sister, just lend me a hand and help me secure this big thing so it doesn't fall off on the way."

Though she complained, He Yushui still helped, and the two worked together to tie the television securely to the back of the bicycle. However, when He Yuzhu suggested she accompany him to Yu Haitang’s home, she firmly refused.

"Forget it, I don't want to get involved in your business. Go yourself." With that, He Yushui turned and left, leaving He Yuzhu alone to push the heavy bicycle on the road to Yu Haitang’s home.

Yu Haitang’s house was located in an old alleyway in the capital, filled with blue bricks, grey tiles, and an antique charm. Although this was not his first visit, He Yuzhu carried a heavy sense of purpose this time. He knocked on the door, and after a moment, it creaked open, revealing Yu Haitang’s face, which lit up with a hint of surprise.

"Yuzhu, why are you here?" Yu Haitang asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and anticipation.

"I figured your place didn't have a television yet, so I specifically brought you a new one," He Yuzhu said, gesturing to the "big guy" on the back of his bike.

Upon hearing this, Yu Haitang was so astonished she couldn't close her mouth, and she quickly called her family out to welcome him. When her parents saw He Yuzhu, their faces immediately broke into wide smiles, greeting him as warmly as if they were welcoming a long-lost relative.

"Oh my, Yuzhu, you really are a blessing to our family. We were just worrying about when we might be able to afford a television," Yu Haitang’s mother said, holding He Yuzhu’s hand with gratitude.