The last time Yi Zhonghai organized a donation drive, Liu Kai Xuan found him bothersome and simply didn't attend the donation assembly.
Other neighbors who were unwilling to donate also did not attend the meeting the next day.
The outcome was predictable.
Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui shouted for a long time, but no one responded.
After the donation event, they opened the donation box and found a total of twenty-three cents collected.
This small sum wasn't even enough for the three of them, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui, to split. How could it possibly go to Old Lady Long?
They were almost furious enough to die on the spot.
To collect a substantial amount of money, they had to get Liu Kai Xuan on board.
Liu Kai Xuan now earned 180 yuan a month. A single hair plucked from him would be enough to make Yi Zhonghai and the others roll in riches.
Therefore, this courtyard-wide meeting tonight had to wait until Liu Kai Xuan arrived before it could begin.
To force Liu Kai Xuan to donate honestly, Yi Zhonghai and the others had prepared a grand spectacle for this evening.
They had even invited Old Lady Long herself to the scene to "observe the donation."
Seeing Liu Kai Xuan arrive, Yi Zhonghai declared loudly, "Since everyone is here, the meeting officially begins!"
"Recently, the winds have been blowing a bit strongly, and Old Lady Long's rheumatism has flared up again!"
"The elder is old, and her legs and feet are quite inconvenient!"
"To promote the good spirit of unity and mutual assistance in our courtyard!"
"Tonight, we have specially organized a donation drive for her!"
At this point, someone from the crowd asked, "Didn't we just have a donation a few days ago? Why are we donating again today?"
"Yes, who can afford to donate every day? Our families are also struggling!"
"Whoever wants to donate can, I'm out of money!"
As soon as Yi Zhonghai finished speaking, the crowd became agitated, and voices of opposition rose one after another.
Surrounded and badgered by a large group of people, Yi Zhonghai's old face turned from one shade to another, looking extremely unsightly.
In reality, given Yi Zhonghai's intelligence, he wouldn't make such a low-level mistake.
Donating again just days after the last donation was practically inviting public criticism.
While this was true, the core issue was that Yi Zhonghai, the old donkey, was seething with anger.
A while ago, Yi Zhonghai had been publicly slapped several times by Liu Kai Xuan.
If he didn't vent his frustration, Yi Zhonghai would surely be so angry he'd die.
"Everyone, please calm down!"
Seeing the agitated crowd, Yi Zhonghai, to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control, had to shamelessly explain.
"Comrades who donated last time are not obligated to donate this time!"
"However, Old Lady Long has made contributions to our country, and she truly needs help now!"
"Other neighbors, please donate generously to help her through this difficult time!"
Yi Zhonghai's words made his intention very clear.
Those who had donated last time could choose not to donate this time.
But those who had not donated last time were all expected to donate this time, without exception.
This tactic of moral blackmail was truly played by him to perfection, reaching the pinnacle of skill.
"I will now make the first donation!"
"I will donate five yuan!"
As he spoke, Yi Zhonghai took out five yuan from his pocket, showed it to everyone, and dropped it into the donation box.
Then, Liu Haizhong also walked to the donation box and said, "I will donate three yuan!"
After Liu Haizhong donated, Yan Bugui also stepped forward and announced loudly, "I will donate two yuan!"
"What? That old scoundrel Yan Bugui is actually donating two yuan?"
It was understandable for Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong to donate more for the sake of appearances, as they earned more at the steel mill.
Yan Bugui was different. He was notoriously stingy, known as "Old Man Yan."
He usually haggled over every penny. How could he donate so much?
"Could it be?"
Liu Kai Xuan mused inwardly, "Are the three elders planning to be magnanimous today?"
By leading the donations with larger amounts, they aimed to encourage others to donate more enthusiastically!
This way, the total amount collected would surely increase, and after the donation event, the three of them could secretly split the money.
After all, Old Lady Long couldn't count, and Yan Bugui and the others would be the ones to tally the exact amount donated.
Or perhaps, the three elders, Yan Bugui and the others, were now simply using Old Lady Long as a tool.
After the donation event, they would give Old Lady Long a pittance of a few walnuts and dates as a gesture.
After the three elders made their generous donations, the atmosphere below fell silent.
Seizing the opportunity, Yi Zhonghai loudly called out, "Now, let us invite Comrade Liu Kai Xuan to make a donation for Old Lady Long's charitable cause!"
"Clap... clap..."
"Damn it..."
As soon as Yi Zhonghai spoke, Liu Kai Xuan felt as if he was about to split in two.
However, with a wave of applause from below, Liu Kai Xuan couldn't directly confront and teach Yi Zhonghai a lesson.
Fortunately, Liu Kai Xuan had taken Zhao Feiyan shopping earlier that afternoon, and he had plenty of change in his pocket.
It was just a donation, and since he couldn't avoid it, he figured throwing a single cent into the donation box would suffice.
What did Old Lady Long's rheumatism have to do with him?
Anyone who had watched "Full House" knew that after Old Lady Long's death, her house was inherited by Sha Zhu.
Now that she was ill, Sha Zhu should be the one to provide financial support.
Moreover, Liu Kai Xuan had already mastered "mind-reading," and through its probing, Old Lady Long was as transparent as glass.
She didn't have rheumatism at all; she was just using it as an excuse to solicit money.
With Yi Zhonghai managing the whole affair, she didn't even need to say much herself.
She just had to sit at the venue for a while and receive money – where else could she find such a good deal?
Liu Kai Xuan approached the donation box, ready to make his donation.
Liu Haizhong stopped him again: "Kai Xuan, remember to announce the donation amount, so I can record it on the list!"
Liu Kai Xuan loudly declared, "I will donate one cent!"
As a result of Liu Kai Xuan's declaration, the atmosphere at the scene instantly became silent.
Everyone had expected Liu Kai Xuan to generously open his wallet this time and curry favor with Old Lady Long.
Who could have imagined that Liu Kai Xuan would present a single cent as a perfunctory gesture?
One cent, being the smallest denomination of currency, donating one cent was tantamount to stating directly: I refuse to donate!
"Liu Kai Xuan, you little brat, have you no conscience!"