Transmigration: On the Gossip Front
Chapter 820 - 821: 1960s Quadrangle Courtyard 69

Chapter 820: Chapter 821: 1960s Quadrangle Courtyard 69

After two years, when things get better, I’ll take her to the countryside to show her how hard life can be there.

"I want to work at home during the summer vacation," Zhang Li had already made up her mind. "I’ve discussed it with Aunt Wang, and I plan to make paper boxes at home."

Make paper boxes? Zhang Yu was stunned by what Zhang Li said, looking at her disbelievingly.

"Do you know how tough it is to make paper boxes?" Although she hadn’t done it herself, she knew there were people in the courtyard who did.

It involves working from dawn to dusk every day and only earning several yuan after a whole month.

"I just want to ease my sister’s burden." Zhang Li knew that ever since their parents had passed away, Zhang Yu had been struggling.

"There’s no need for that." Zhang Yu whispered to Zhang Li about the family’s financial situation, "Really, we are not that short of money at home."

"I know." Zhang Li responded, "If I start taking on manual work, people will not think our family is wealthy."

"Sis, I came back the other day to get something, and they didn’t know. I heard a few aunties gossiping at the door about how much money our family has while they were enjoying the cool air."

"They were all calculating our family’s money." Ever since Zhang Li heard their conversation, she had been thinking about how to convince everyone that their family didn’t have money.

Seeing Zhang Li’s pitiable expression, Zhang Yu really couldn’t help but laugh, "It’s okay, let them discuss if they want to."

"Even if you make paper boxes, they will still think our family has money."

Zhang Yu believed it was impossible to convince them that their family was poor, "After our parents died, the workplace provided us with a pension."

"The specific amount is something they will inquire about." In those times, there really were no secrets—as long as they asked around, they could find out how much the pension was.

"Plus, our dad was a long-distance driver, and he made a good income."

Zhang Yu didn’t know exactly how much Zhang Hao made on the side, but it was definitely substantial.

As for the family’s collectibles, Zhang Yu didn’t discuss them with Zhang Li; this secret was something Zhang Hao and his wife planned to divulge to their children when they grew older.

No one expected that the couple would pass away in quick succession, and of course, this secret was also buried with them.

If it wasn’t for the original owner’s soul not leaving and lingering in the courtyard, no one would have discovered the treasures dug out from beneath their bedroom during the courtyard renovation.

This time during the renovation, she avoided the space below and only renovated the surface.

A storm is coming, and some things are better left below. After all, the protection measures have been well implemented, and they are safer staying underground.

"They mentioned that when they run out of money, they would come to us for a loan," Zhang Li said, seeing that Zhang Yu didn’t seem to care at all, which made her anxious.

Coming to borrow money, Zhang Yu understood why Zhang Li was so anxious, "Even though we don’t use the same entrance, we are still residents of the same courtyard and the same alley."

"If they truly face an emergency and need money, we can certainly lend it to them."

In the future, not lending money would be normal, lending money would be a favor; but in those times, not lending money even if you were wealthy would make neighbors say you are heartless.

"But it’s fine to lend money as long as an IOU is written up, with a clear agreement on the repayment date. I won’t charge interest, which is already very generous."

"If they don’t repay after borrowing, don’t expect to be able to borrow again." Even if people would later call her heartless, Zhang Yu wasn’t afraid; it was perfectly normal not to lend to a deadbeat who doesn’t repay debts.

"And most importantly, don’t forget what I do for a living; I work in the finance department at the steel rolling factory."

"When it’s time to pay the wages, if they don’t pay back the loan, no problem, I’ll just deduct it directly from their salary."

"I don’t believe anyone who borrows money from finance would fail to repay it." This kind of operation is not impossible; so long as there is a written IOU, I can’t believe they would not repay the money.

Some people in the courtyard, having finished their meal, came out to enjoy the cooler air and happened to overhear Zhang Yu saying this. Originally, someone had been thinking about borrowing money under the pretext of borrowing from Zhang Yu to get some cash in hand.

As for repaying the money, they were sorry to say, they had never considered it. Little Yu clearly had money and did not rely on it for daily expenses. How could they be pressed to repay it?

But hearing that Zhang Yu could deduct it from their wages, everyone suddenly got quite a fright; how could they forget that Zhang Yu works in finance? If it came to debt collection, it would be extremely easy.

Quite a few people dismissed this idea; later, the reputation of not repaying borrowed money could spread to their workplace. Once others heard about it, they would start pointing fingers and gossiping.

A few people looked at each other and muttered, "Goodness, this girl is not someone who suffers losses easily."

Everyone heaved a sigh of helplessness; this path to easy money was no longer an option.

Zhang Yu continued to lie on the sun lounger, "In a couple of days, the renovation will be done, and then we can seal up Moon Gate and build cabinets against the wall."

Everyone had heard Zhang Yu mention the plan to seal the Moon Gate before, but still they were stunned when it actually came up for discussion.

"Little Yu, do you really plan to seal the gate?" Someone standing outside of Moon Gate asked with reluctance.

"Yeah, that way the house can have an extra hallway. It will be easier to get to the south wing or the annex without going outside."

"It’s better for everyone this way." Zhang Yu said, smiling gleefully.

"I remember when your mother was alive, we could chat a bit whenever we came and went." Someone recalled those days when Yang Zhaodi was still alive, occasionally bringing back some discolored fabric from the factory.

Thinking back, Zhang Hao and his wife had really helped a lot before they passed away. After their death, their neighbors got greedy and even started scheming against the Zhang sisters.

"Yes, but they are no longer with us." Back then, the sisters believed their neighbors were good people, but reality has proven otherwise.

"Let the past be the past. After all, we have to look forward." Zhang Yu saw a trace of regret in their eyes, but she definitely would not soften her heart.

In this courtyard, there’s no place for soft-heartedness; otherwise, it’s like walking straight into hell.

Everyone watching the smiling Zhang Yu knew she was unlike her parents, who, despite looking stern, still had a soft spot.

But with Zhang Yu, if you did something that wronged her in the slightest, she would take action when necessary, with absolutely no room for soft-heartedness.

"It’s all because of the Jia family." Someone muttered quietly.

"Right, it’s all because of the Jia family." If not for Lady Jia Zhang, how could things have turned out this way?

The crowd’s animosity towards the Jia family had reached a peak.

"It’s all Yi Zhonghai’s fault, knowing it wasn’t right, yet still scheming against the Zhang sisters."

Everyone began to talk about how despicable Yi Zhonghai was, bringing up even the charity donations, without any intention to keep their voices down.

Yi Zhonghai, who had finished his meal and was ready to come out to cool off, heard the voices ahead and his expression turned sour.

And not to mention Liu Haizhong, who was ready to come to the central courtyard after his meal. Seeing Yi Zhonghai he greeted, "Old Yi, you’re out here."

These words infuriated Yi Zhonghai to no end, causing him to turn around and head back inside.

"Old Yi, are you going to work at the office tomorrow?" After Yi Zhonghai closed his door, Liu Haizhong did not hold back from spreading word of Old Yi’s matters at the factory.