Chapter 140: Self-Help

Silly Zhu assumed Chen Liang wanted to live in a tube apartment, so he was visibly excited. "Liangzi, if I get assigned a tube apartment, how about I trade it with you for this courtyard house?"

Realizing how that sounded, he quickly added, "If that’s not enough, I can add some money! I promise I won't let you lose out!"

"You must be out of your damn mind!" Chen Liang laughed and scolded him. "Do you have any idea how much effort I put into getting this place? Trade it with you? You don't look like much, but your imagination is certainly something else!"

"Huh? You don't want to live in a tube apartment? Then why did you bring it up to me?" Silly Zhu, confused by the scolding, started muttering to himself.

"Silly Zhu, which ear did you hear me say I wanted to live in a tube apartment? That’s all just your own wishful thinking!"

Too lazy to keep playing games, Chen Liang got straight to the point. "It’s your apprentice, Ma Hua. He wants to get a house assigned, but he doesn't qualify on his own, so he thought of you!"

"So it was that kid Ma Hua? Didn't I already tell him? We’re new here, we haven't even been here a year; it’s not appropriate for us to participate in the housing distribution!"

"Silly Zhu, there's a problem with your logic! What do you mean by 'not appropriate'?"

"It’s just not appropriate, that’s all. Think about it: everyone in the library knows my relationship with you, and Xiaoyu is now the deputy director in charge of logistics. I just don't want to put her in a difficult position!"

"So, you’re not getting involved in the housing distribution just to avoid making things difficult for Xiaoyu? Silly Zhu, I have to say, you really are a talent!"

Chen Liang looked at him with mockery and continued, "Your way of thinking is truly bizarre! Xiaoyu is the deputy director now. If she can't even secure benefits for the people under her, what would others think? That’s not how you avoid suspicion!"

"Tell me, if Xiaoyu becomes the director, does that mean the whole library should stop asking for benefits? You’re doing more harm than good with your 'kindness', understand?"

"Do you know why Old Man Lu can sit around doing nothing all day without anyone gossiping about him?"

Silly Zhu was completely baffled. "How would I know? I guess Director Lu has strong connections?"

Chen Liang sighed. "Damn! You really have a pig’s brain. Old Man Lu’s connections are one thing, but the main reason is that he can secure all sorts of benefits for the library from his superiors, get it?"

"This housing benefit is supposed to be one quota per department. You, as the head of the kitchen, tried to avoid suspicion and gave up the benefit, but the others don't know you turned it down voluntarily! Tell me, how is Xiaoyu supposed to manage the kitchen after this?"

It was the first time someone had explained it to him this way. After thinking about it, Silly Zhu realized Chen Liang actually made a lot of sense.

Silly Zhu asked tentatively, "Then should I apply for housing tomorrow?"

"That’s the spirit! You’re Xiaoyu’s representative in the kitchen. If she can't even look after you, no one will respect her when she becomes director later!" Chen Liang patted Silly Zhu on the shoulder and raised his glass to toast him.

"But I don't want to live in a tube apartment. If I get assigned a place, I’ll lose my spot in this courtyard!" Silly Zhu said, worried.

"If you don't want to live there, just transfer it to Ma Hua. The quota is yours anyway. If the master doesn't want it and gives it to the apprentice, who can say anything?"

Silly Zhu thought it over and finally nodded. "That works. Ma Hua is at the age to get married; it’ll be a nice nest for him."

"Glad you’ve figured it out. Cheers!" Chen Liang downed his drink and, ignoring Silly Zhu, turned to drink with his childhood friends.

Under Chen Liang’s deliberate encouragement, the drinking went fast tonight. Even high-quality Maotai is intoxicating when consumed in such a rush.

In a tipsy state, Chen Liang glanced at his friends, who were scattered across the floor, sleeping like logs. He gave a disdainful smirk—they wanted to challenge him to a drinking contest? Without his "cheat code," they weren't even close to being his match.

After a scoff, Chen Liang dragged his dead-drunk friends into the house one by one. It was mid-summer, so apart from the mosquitoes, sleeping on the floor wasn't a big deal.

Unlike the other bachelors, Silly Zhu had a family. After closing the courtyard gate without locking it, Chen Liang supported the swaying Silly Zhu all the way home.

Back at the entrance of the residential compound, they were inevitably scolded by Mother Chen, who was sitting out to cool off. Chen Liang gave a couple of perfunctory replies, then, too impatient to argue, kept his head down and helped Silly Zhu inside.

The front courtyard was occupied by the elderly, while in the middle courtyard, a group of young wives and girls were gathered together, chatting away. When they saw Chen Liang and Silly Zhu, the prettiest young wife among them suddenly looked displeased.

Little Liu Siyuan, with a stern face, asked, "What’s going on? Chen Liang, why did you let Silly Zhu drink so much?" Seeing that no one was around, she whispered, "You, do you not want Silly Zhu to have a son?"

A tipsy Chen Liang shot her a dissatisfied glance. "He wanted to drink, why are you yelling at me? It’s because you don't let him drink usually, so when he gets the chance, he goes overboard! That’s why he’s like this!"

The girl looked at Silly Zhu. "Even so, you shouldn't have let him drink this much. Look at him, he’s totally blacked out! Hurry up and help him into the room!"

Chen Liang, feeling guilty but not admitting it, helped Silly Zhu along and asked, "Where’s Xiaoyu? Isn't she out here cooling off with you all?"

The girl gestured toward Chen Liang’s house with a tilt of her head. "Your wife is quite the homebody. Even when we called her, she wouldn't come out; she’s in there reading a book all by herself!"

They walked as they spoke. It wasn't far. After dumping Silly Zhu on the bed, Chen Liang looked at the unconscious man. Stimulated by the alcohol, a bold idea suddenly formed in his mind.

The girl, who was bending over with a towel to wipe Silly Zhu’s face, was suddenly hoisted up by a surge of strength. Before she could make a sound, her mouth was sealed by Chen Liang!

He reached out and felt her chest; it felt a bit bony, so he gave it a firm squeeze before pulling his hand away and releasing the girl, who was on the verge of suffocating.

Seeing her mouth open and her face contorted in pain, she didn't dare make a sound. Damn, this was truly exhilarating!

Chen Liang took advantage of her, then left the girl, whose eyes were welled with tears, and slipped away (can't write any more, or this chapter will definitely get flagged!).

Left behind and burning with frustration, the girl glared resentfully at the spot where Chen Liang had disappeared. Then, looking at the dead-drunk Silly Zhu, she took out a mysterious "man’s energy booster," poured half a tael into him, gave him a few tugs, and climbed on.

If the man can't get the job done, she'll just have to help herself!