I am Jia Dongjin in the Siheyuan (Courtyard House)

Chapter 87 Drawing Lots

"Old Liu, let's focus on the meeting and stop thinking about other things."

Yi Zhonghai kept his eyes on Liu Haizhong. He stepped forward and issued a warning to the Liu father and son.

Yan Fugui didn't say anything, but he tugged at Yan Jiecheng, and the father and son stepped forward to show the Yan family's stance.

Jia Dongjin also noticed the strange behavior of the Liu family father and son. He remained calm and secretly moved closer to He Yuzhu.

When the Yan and Jia families were fighting over the house, the Luo family remained neutral and was one of the few who did not support the Yan family. Jia Dongjin would not allow the Luo family to be bullied.

Besides, Liu Haizhong went too far, while He Yuzhu was doing a good deed, so he wouldn't let He Yuzhu suffer a loss.

Just now, when Liu Haizhong publicly humiliated Old Madam Luo, Jia Dongjin wanted to speak, but was glared at by Jia Zhangshi and shut up.

Both the Luo and Jia families were impoverished. Perhaps it was because the poor looked down on each other, but Jia Zhangshi didn't have an urban household registration, and the Jia family couldn't afford to buy expensive grain. They could only try to take advantage of the people in the courtyard. Old Mrs. Luo had often ridiculed the Jia family in the past, and Jia Zhangshi had always held a grudge against them. Even if Jia Zhangshi was kind, she would never allow her son to help the Luo family.

At 2-2, the Liu family's chances of winning are slim. If the Yan family is also included, the Liu family will definitely be at a disadvantage.

Liu Haizhong relaxed his iron fist and looked coldly at He Yuzhu, his eyes full of threat.

Jia Dongjin breathed a sigh of relief, silently retreated, and stood next to Jia Zhangshi again.

Madam Jia reached out and grabbed her youngest son, her eyes flashing a warning, telling Jia Dongjin not to meddle in other people's business.

In moments of heightened tension, the body's natural reactions are the most authentic, reflecting its true inner emotions.

Qin Huairu, standing beside her, frowned slightly. She couldn't understand why the man felt such goodwill towards the He family, and treated He Yushui like family.

Since their marriage, Qin Huairu has come to understand that although her husband is a womanizer, he is actually very sentimental and kind-hearted, and is her closest life partner.

The situation was clearly dangerous, with a fight possible at any moment. The woman was unwilling to let her young man take any risks, so she picked up the small pawn in her arms and shoved the child into Jia Dongjin's arms, thus eliminating any thought of Jia Dongjin helping the He family.

Upon seeing this, the old lady of the Luo family immediately cried to He Yuzhu, "Silly Zhu, you have to stand up for me! That heartless Liu Haizhong is trying to steal my house for his own son!"

She knew in her heart that Yi Zhonghai and Yan Fugui were standing behind Sha Zhu. As long as he was on her side, Liu Haizhong would be helpless.

The old lady of the Luo family had even thought that if she could secure the house, it would be great to marry her eldest granddaughter, Luo Daya, to He Yuzhu. It was just a pity that Daya was not good-looking and He Yuzhu might not be interested.

Yan Bugui chimed in, adding fuel to the fire: "That's right, that's right! Old Liu's actions are extremely unethical; he deserves an explanation!"

He also wanted to make a big fuss, the bigger the better, so that the neighborhood committee would intervene and the Yan family would have a chance to get the house. He had even written an application, ready to submit it to the neighborhood committee at any time, explaining his family's difficulties and hoping to be given priority in the allocation of the house.

Surrounded by the crowd, Liu Haizhong lost face and pointed at He Yuzhu, yelling, "Idiot He Yuzhu, don't think you're so great just because you can fight! This is between me and the neighborhood committee, it's none of your business!"

He was both angry and anxious. Although Liu Guangtian could easily take down He Yuzhu with him by his side, everyone in the courtyard was watching him closely. He was outnumbered and dared not touch He Yuzhu.

Liu Haizhong glanced at Yi Zhonghai. He regretted that he shouldn't have shown off to Yi Zhonghai that morning, turning a potential ally into an enemy. Now he could only bite the bullet and fight alone.

"Subdistrict office?"

He Yuzhu scoffed, sneering, "I'll go report this to the neighborhood committee right now and see if they approve of your reckless behavior!"

As he spoke, He Yuzhu turned to leave. He knew that Director Wang of the neighborhood office hated this kind of unauthorized occupation of houses the most. As long as he went to the neighborhood office to file a complaint, Liu Haizhong would be out of luck in occupying the house.

Yi Zhonghai quickly pulled He Yuzhu back: "Silly Zhu, let's handle things within the hospital. Don't be impulsive, let's talk things out."

If Sha Zhu really goes to the neighborhood committee, this matter will really blow up, and the whole compound will lose face. He needs to think of a way to both quell the storm and satisfy all parties.

"Old Liu, I have an idea. We can draw lots."

Just as the group was struggling, Xu Fugui's eyes darted around and he came up with an idea.

Xu Fugui had his own ideas. Liu Haizhong was from the backyard, so he was naturally on the same side as him. In the past, Yi Zhonghai had secretly suppressed the Xu family, and Xu Fugui was unwilling to let Yi Zhonghai and Yan Fugui join forces to suppress Liu Haizhong.

Therefore, he casually suggested the bad idea of ​​drawing lots. Xu Fugui had no interest in Lao Mo's house, but he also didn't want others to take advantage of it.

"Drawing lots is a good idea, I think it's a good idea, Old Xu!"

The others thought similarly to Xu Fugui. Since it wasn't their business, they figured they might as well draw lots, so everyone would have a chance and why let others benefit from it?

Therefore, Liu Daneng in the front yard had an idea. Ignoring Yan Fugui's disdainful look, he loudly shouted his support for drawing lots.

"Old Xu's idea is good." Yi Zhonghai nodded, expressing his support.

Yan Fugui, standing next to him, looked reluctant, but could only nod in agreement.

Liu Haizhong was so angry that his eyes were blazing. When he saw that the old lady of the Luo family also loudly agreed, he knew that the situation was beyond saving. He neither agreed nor disagreed, but simply picked up his teacup and drank some water.

To Jia Dongjin's astonishment, such a major matter as the house was unanimously decided to be resolved by drawing lots, with no one objecting except for Liu Haizhong.

The idea of ​​drawing lots was proposed by Xu Fugui. Xu Damao immediately ran home, got paper and pen, and made 21 small paper balls. There were 21 households in the courtyard, and each household received one paper ball, ensuring fairness for everyone.

One, two, three... they kept drawing lots until 16 slips of paper were drawn, but still no house was drawn. Everyone in the courtyard held their breath, and the noisy courtyard meeting hall became so quiet that you could almost hear a pin drop.

Those who haven't drawn lots yet, only five families remain in the courtyard. The Xu, Yi, and Jia families don't matter, but the other two are the instigators, the Luo and Liu families.

"Old Xu, Da Mao made the paper ball. You draw lots first."

Yan Fugui prayed for a long time, bowing down to Buddha and Sun Wukong, but still didn't draw a house. Fearing that Xu Damao would cheat, he shouted for the Xu family to draw first.

Xu Fugui smiled, reached into the shoebox and grabbed a crumpled piece of paper. When he unfolded it in front of everyone, they all gasped. There were no words on the paper, and the Xu family had not won a house.

Next was Yi Zhonghai, who was childless and the least likely person in the courtyard to need a house. Yi Zhonghai readily accepted a slip of paper, but he didn't draw it.

Holy crap!

He Yuzhu couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. It seemed that after all the twists and turns, the house would still end up in the hands of the Luo family and Liu Haizhong.

Liu Haizhong, confident in his status, originally intended to be the last to draw lots. However, seeing that the house was among the last three pieces of paper, his face twitched, and he couldn't hold back any longer. He stepped forward to draw lots, but was pulled back by his wife from behind.

"Old Liu, don't be anxious. You are the only manager of the courtyard. We are of high moral character and must be the last to be caught. We must listen to God's arrangement."

Second Aunt gave Jia Zhangshi and Old Lady Luo a cold look. For some reason, she felt that the house should belong to the Liu family. If Liu Hai was the last one to draw the house, no one would dare to object, and it would even improve his image, which had just been belittled by everyone.

Old Mrs. Luo was on the verge of tears. She didn't dare to go forward to draw lots. She just looked sadly at Madam Jia, hoping that the Jia family wouldn't draw a house.

The people in the courtyard looked serious, but Jia Zhangshi had a beaming smile. She already had a front house, so she was the most relaxed one, on par with Yi Zhonghai, who had no heir.

Just as Jia Zhangshi's hand was about to reach into the shoebox, Jia Dongjin noticed that her hand suddenly stopped, and a sly look appeared on her face.

Madam Jia withdrew her right hand, glanced at Old Madam Luo with a hint of smugness, and said something that astonished everyone: "I'll transfer this chance to draw lots for only three yuan. Anyone want it?"

Old Mrs. Luo had always looked down on Jia Zhangshi, but now Jia Zhangshi was very proud. She had a good son, and now the Jia family was doing very well, immediately surpassing the Luo family. What use was Old Mrs. Luo's pride if she couldn't bear children?

Jia Zhangshi was overjoyed. She decided not to argue with her old enemy, not to get involved in the lottery, and to get rid of the house, which was a hot potato.

Jia Dongjin was stunned. Before he could react, Xu Damao took out three yuan and got the chance to draw lots.

Xu Damao walked up to the shoebox. Almost identical to Jia Zhangshi, he made a feint and then began offering his chance to draw lots. "I'm also offering my chance to draw lots for four yuan. Anyone want it?"

"I want!"

Grandma Luo finally realized what was happening. She shakily took out four yuan and got the chance to draw lots.

"Wait a minute, drawing lots is a big event in the courtyard. It reflects the equality of everyone in our courtyard. It's not a game. Da Mao, hurry up and return the money to Old Madam Luo."

Xu Fugui sternly rebuked Xu Damao, his eyes blazing with anger, wishing he could publicly teach his son how to behave.

"Old Xu, since you say everyone is equal, why can't someone pay to be caught one more time?" Having already received three yuan, Jia Zhangshi was afraid that the business would fall through, so she quickly spoke up to support her old nemesis, Old Mrs. Luo.

Liu Haizhong gave Jia Zhangshi and Xu Damao a deep look, feeling a strong sense of defeat and humiliation. He was the only person in charge, and this was the first time he had convened a general meeting of the entire courtyard to discuss important matters concerning the houses, but it ended up like this, with everything being messed up as if it were a child's game.

"One more time is one more time. It's all God's arrangement. Our Liu family are the leading cadres, so let the Luo family draw first. We won't say a word." The second aunt was also very nervous, but she still generously let the Luo family draw first.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the courtyard was speechless, even Yan Fugui nodded repeatedly. The second aunt helped the Liu family regain some goodwill.

Afterwards, everyone in the courtyard held their breath and waited for the final result of the lottery.