Chapter 10: Killing with Praise!
With time tight, Shen Youchu hurried home, packed her things, got the marriage papers from the village, and then pulled Chen Shi toward the bus stop.
Chen Shi asked, “Aren’t you going to see your mom?”
Shen Youchu kept her head down and replied softly, “She’s out surveying the fields. I heard some people move the boundary markers just a little to claim extra land. It’s fine—she knew I was meeting a matchmaker today. We can come back in a few days after everything’s settled.”
Chen Shi nodded. Since he was empty-handed, showing up to meet his future mother-in-law wouldn’t make a good impression. So he followed Youchu’s lead, chatting as they walked to the bus stop.
Chen Shi wasn’t unfamiliar with Qin Village—his grandfather lived there. But this was West Qin Village, while his grandfather was in East Qin Village, still a short distance away.
He couldn’t be bothered running back and forth. First, he’d get the marriage papers, marry his lucky little wife, and bring her home. He was eager to see just how much “good fortune” she’d bring him.
When Chen Shi and Shen Youchu boarded the bus, they ran into Qin Huairu and her family. Huairu’s eyes were red and teary, looking lost, while the rest of the Qin family buzzed with excitement.
The sight put Chen Shi in a good mood. He hummed a tune all the way back to Peking, deliberately lagging behind with Shen Youchu as they entered the alley.
By the time they reached the courtyard, the Qin family was already making a scene at the Jia household.
“Aiyo! Raising my daughter wasn’t easy! If you want to marry her, you’d better buy her a sewing machine and fork over 300,000 in betrothal gifts!”
Qin Datian had done the math. Originally, the mutual aid group planned to buy an ox together, but he realized that would cause more problems—how would they split the cost? The fodder? Who would take care of it? What if it got sick?
Better to borrow money and buy the ox himself, then rent it to the group in exchange for some fodder. A foolproof profit.
The ox he wanted cost 1,531,000 yuan. His family had a donkey, which sold for 780,000, plus 500,000 saved from years of scrimping.
That left a gap of 251,000 yuan. At first, Qin Datian considered selling land—after all, the new government had just redistributed it to farmers, and land deeds could still be traded.
But who would willingly sell land they’d just received? Then Chen Shi showed up, revealing Yi Zhonghai and the Jias’ intentions. How could the Qin family resist?
“Why don’t you just rob us instead? Your daughter’s a rural girl—my son’s a working-class city man! He could marry any girl in Peking! If you’re demanding gifts, forget it!”
Old Mrs. Jia wasn’t one to back down. Hands on her hips, she stood at the door like she was shooing flies.
Neighbors whispered among themselves:
“Aiyo, I thought Jia Dongxiu picked a good wife in Qin Huairu. But look at this—her family’s nothing but trouble!”
“A sewing machine costs over 1.7 million, plus 300,000 in gifts? You could marry a princess for that!”
“Fine, call off the wedding then!”
The Qin family grabbed Huairu and turned to leave. Seeing his pretty bride slipping away, Jia Dongxiu panicked and rushed to stop them.
“Mom, I only want Huairu! Please, just agree!”
Old Mrs. Jia fumed. “There are plenty of good girls out there. Let them go! We’ll have Matchmaker Wang find you someone better!”
“No! I only want Huairu! If it’s not her, I won’t marry anyone!”
Terrified of losing her chance at city life, Huairu gazed tearfully at Dongxiu. The charm of an eighteen-year-old beauty was too much—not just for Dongxiu, but even the usually dense Silly Zhu felt weak in the knees.
“Auntie Jia, if Dongxiu’s set on her, just agree!”
Huairu’s sister-in-law chimed in: “Our Huairu’s the prettiest girl in ten villages! Marrying her is a steal! And if the Jias can’t afford it, well… I heard Dongxiu’s master makes 700,000 to 800,000 a month!”
Instantly, all eyes turned to Yi Zhonghai.
Old Mrs. Jia looked at him too. She’d raised Dongxiu alone, and now that he’d finally found a girl he liked, she wanted this to work. If Yi Zhonghai paid for the sewing machine and gifts, she could grudgingly accept—after all, the machine would stay in the Jia household.
Either way, the Jias stood to gain.
Yi Zhonghai’s face darkened. He hadn’t expected the fire to land on him.
Two million yuan—three months of his wages. And with no children of his own, he needed to save for his own old-age care.
Chen Shi seized the moment. “Aiyo, Sister Qin, you’ve come to the right person! Uncle Yi here is famous for his generosity! He treats Dongxiu like his own son—helps anyone in the courtyard who’s in need! His wife’s health is poor, so he’s counting on Dongxiu to support him in old age. Dongxiu’s not just any apprentice—he’s practically an adopted son! Right, everyone?”
Silly Zhu, ever the fool, thought Chen Shi was genuinely praising Yi Zhonghai. “That’s right! Never thought you, of all people, would say something decent, Chen Shi. Uncle Yi’s the kindest man in our courtyard—every family’s gotten his help at some point!”
Chen Shi nearly laughed. Silly Zhu was the perfect accomplice. Now Yi Zhonghai was trapped on a moral high ground. If he refused to help Dongxiu, his carefully crafted reputation would crumble.
Yi Zhonghai shot Chen Shi a glare. Unfazed, Chen Shi just hummed his tune. As the neighborhood troublemaker, what did he have to fear?
This was an open scheme—just like how Yi Zhonghai had sabotaged Chen Shi’s matchmaking by calling his parents “sickly.”
Chen Shi didn’t need Qin Huairu, but if Yi Zhonghai wanted to play dirty, he shouldn’t complain when the tables turned.
This was killing with praise—and Chen Shi played it perfectly.
Gritting his teeth, Yi Zhonghai said, “Sister Jia, Sister Qin, let’s discuss this inside. This is a happy occasion—no need to make a scene.”
The Qin family brightened. This was their chance! They eagerly followed the Jias inside.
Meanwhile, Chen Shi brought Shen Youchu back to the east courtyard—where Old Chen’s bamboo rod was already waiting.
“You little brat! Who told you to stir up trouble? What business is it of yours to meddle in the Jia family’s affairs? Couldn’t resist flapping your mouth, could you?”
Chen Shi dodged behind his father. “Dad! Youchu’s about to be your daughter-in-law! If you hit me now, the whole courtyard will say ‘Old Chen beats his new daughter-in-law!’”