Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 107 Something's not right?
"Let's go then. Your Comrade Wang should have recovered by now," He Yuzhu said casually, glancing at Wang Shunzi.

"it is good."

“I’ll go too,” Wang Cuiping said from the side. She had just overheard the conversation between the two and felt a sense of déjà vu. He Yuzhu’s words to Meng Yutang were just like when Yu Zecheng was lecturing her when she first went to Tianjin.

"Comrade Cuiping, are you free? After all, you're heavily pregnant."

“It’s alright, just drive slowly on the road. If you can’t, I’ll have Zhu Zi take me there on his bike. This matter needs to be resolved today, otherwise the whole family won’t be able to sleep peacefully.”

“Alright,” Meng Yutang said.

When He Daqing heard that he was going to the Military Control Commission, his legs went weak. He Yuzhu supported him and said, "Dad, don't you always say that you are knowledgeable and experienced? You didn't go weak when you saw the Japanese devils back then. What's wrong with you today?"

"You kid, how can that be the same? I used to just cook, now I'm working in the government office. Have you ever seen an ordinary person enter the government office without their legs going weak?" He Daqing said irritably.

“Me,” He Yuzhu said.

"You think you can?"

"You'll see once you've been there; it's not that scary."

"You're just trying to fool your father."

"It's no use talking about it, you'll see when you get there."

He Daqing actually wants to kill Wang Shunzi right now. His son almost died just now, but he can't, because that would ruin his family.

So he glared at Wang Shunzi, who probably already knew what was going to happen to him. He was looking dejected and didn't even notice.

Afterwards, He Yuzhu, He Daqing, Wang Cuiping and others followed Meng Yutang to the Military Control Commission by car. Since there was no such thing as overloading at this time, the two young soldiers naturally squeezed on as well.

Upon arriving at the Military Control Commission, Meng Yutang first had the guards at the gate escort Wang Shunzi to solitary confinement, while he himself was punished first, perhaps because the boy's punishment would be lighter.

Then he took the initiative to lead the three of them to find Minister Fang of the Ministry of Public Security. When Minister Fang saw that it was Wang Cuiping, he thought that Wang Cuiping had something to ask the organization.

After finding out what happened, he told He Daqing and his son, along with Wang Cuiping, to wait in the reception room. Then, in his office, he launched into a tirade against Meng Yutang.

After scolding him, Minister Fang told Meng Yutang to go and write a self-criticism, while he himself went to the deputy director in charge of them. The deputy director took the matter very seriously and went to see the minister again.

The group held a small meeting and decided to hold a larger meeting later to publicize the incident and the people involved, making them a role model for others to learn from.

After all, the central government is going to move into Beijing. This matter has already been decided. If something like this happens again, people will have to file a complaint and cause a huge uproar.

Despite repeated orders from above to be mindful of their methods, they still managed to get themselves into trouble within just a few days.

In the end, it was decided that Minister Fang would be responsible for the reassurance work, as it was inconvenient for the director and deputy director to appear.

When Minister Fang returned, the three of them were already getting a little impatient, especially He Daqing.

The three were invited to the office. Minister Fang first apologized, then asked if they had any requests, saying they could offer a small amount of compensation.

He Yuzhu then explained the matter of the supporting documents and the apology. Minister Fang considered it for a moment and then agreed. He thought the supporting documents were very helpful, as many people could work and live with peace of mind with them.

He decided that Meng Yutang should issue a public apology in the end, since the kid would have to make a self-criticism at the meeting anyway, and it wouldn't hurt to apologize to the people.

Of course, the military control council will still consult He Daqing on any issues, and He Daqing has indicated that he will definitely cooperate.

After finishing their business, Minister Fang asked Wang Cuiping if she had any difficulties and told her to take care of her pregnancy and not to rush to work. He explained that they couldn't do their job while heavily pregnant, and today's situation was a good example of that.

Wang Cuiping said she would return to work as soon as possible after giving birth.

Before leaving, Minister Fang asked one more question.

"Young comrade, your name is He Yuzhu, right?"

"Yes, Minister Fang."

"Are you interested in joining our Department of Public Security? You seem to have a thorough understanding of our policies and working methods; have you had any prior contact with us?"

"Minister, have you forgotten about the matter of the secretary of the Dongcheng District Committee of the Fourth Nine City Working Committee providing the supporting documents?" Wang Cuiping reminded him.

"Oh, it's him! So, young comrade, how about joining us?"

“Um, Minister Fang, I’m not even 14 years old yet, can you really take me?” He Yuzhu asked.

"Yes, yes, you can have it. What, you're only 14?"

"correct."

"You mean people would believe you if you said you were 18? Comrade Cuiping, Xiao He is really only 14." Minister Fang didn't want to give up on such a promising talent.

"Yes, he's a few days shy of turning 14."

"What a pity, what a pity. Young comrade, you should go back to your studies first, so that you can make greater contributions to the country in the future."

"Yes, Minister Fang."

After sending a car to take the group away, Minister Fang still felt a little regretful, but there were more important things to do, so he let the matter drop.

When the group returned to the courtyard, they were seen by Madam Jia, who instinctively asked a question.

"Weren't you all arrested? Why are you back?"

Before, when the group went out with the soldiers, the family thought they had all been arrested. Jia Zhangshi even told Jia Laonian that the house in the middle courtyard couldn't be left to a young girl, and so on.

Seeing them now, they looked like they'd seen a ghost; their return was far too fast.

"Who told you we were arrested? Get back to your home and stop talking nonsense. I don't have time to waste with you!" He Daqing cursed.

"You haven't explained yourselves clearly yet, so why are you back?"

Unfortunately, no one paid any attention to her. The group continued walking inside, not wanting to waste time arguing with her; they were all eager to get home.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they heard an unpleasant voice shout, "Master's wife, my brother Zhuzi and the others are back."

Xu Damao had just entered puberty, and his voice was incredibly unpleasant. Coupled with the fact that he shouted with all his might, it startled everyone.

He Yuzhu keenly noticed that the crack left in Yi Zhonghai's door had been quietly closed.

Then a crowd of people poured out of Lao He's house, including Xu Fugui and Zhao Cuifeng.

"What are you all doing blocking the doorway? Hurry up and move aside to let Zhuzi and the others in." The old lady walked slowly at the back and shouted when she saw that the door was blocked.

With a whoosh, the doorway opened, and He Daqing entered first, followed by He Yuzhu supporting the heavily pregnant Wang Cuiping.

"How is the Qing Dynasty?" Xu Fugui asked.

"Da Qing, is there something wrong? Why did it take you so long to come back?" Chen Lanxiang asked a beat late.

"It's alright, it's alright, how can things be done so quickly in the government?" He Daqing seemed to have experienced the entire internal process of the Military Control Commission. "Cuiping, please sit down, are you hungry? I'll go get some food." Chen Lanxiang knew immediately that He Daqing was being nonsensical again.

"Master's wife, the food is here." As soon as the crowd dispersed, Xu Damao ran into the kitchen, carried the food that was still warm on the stove, and went into the main room.

"Well done, Da Mao, you're quite clever." He Daqing rarely praised him.

"Da Qing, tell me quickly, what's that military control commission like?" Xu Fugui asked curiously.

"They were all wearing military uniforms, and we even met a high-ranking official."

"What a high-ranking official he is."

"Minister, it must be very big. He talked to us for quite a while."

"What did they say?"

"Alright, alright, let's eat first. You two old men can chat later." Before He Daqing could answer, Chen Lanxiang objected.

"Okay, okay, let's eat first, no rush." ​​Xu Fugui said a little awkwardly. He really wanted to know, because he wasn't exactly innocent either.

He Yuzhu finished his meal in a few bites, then was pulled away by the old lady and Chen Lanxiang, who asked him all sorts of questions.

He Yuzhu answered each question, and finally the old lady said, "It seems that this new government is really different. Otherwise, if Zhuzi had hit a soldier today, our family would have been bankrupt in the past, and Zhuzi would have ended up in jail."

"That's right, it seems there's hope for the future," Chen Lanxiang said with emotion.

"Are you really that easy to talk to?" Zhao Cuifeng interjected from the side.

"Aunt Xu, it depends on the situation. Today we have a point, and they made a mistake, so they're being easy to talk to. But if they really did something wrong, they won't be so easy to talk to. Don't overthink it and think they're easy to bully."

"Yes, yes, I didn't think it through, I didn't think it through. As long as we're reasonable, as long as we're reasonable," Zhao Cuifeng quickly explained.

"What happened to that soldier?" Chen Lanxiang still remembered the soldier who pointed a gun at her son.

"I don't know, it probably won't be easy, things are very strict over there," He Yuzhu said.

"Hmph, he deserves it," Chen Lanxiang said.

"By the way, what kind of official is your Aunt Wang?" the old lady asked.

"I'm not sure either. It's not big, but it's not small either," He Yuzhu said vaguely. He made a rough estimate and thought he was the deputy captain of the Beijing Criminal Police Team?
Even if I explained it, no one would understand. Besides, there isn't such an official position now. After the Public Security Bureau is established, we don't know how it will be divided. This section chief is probably not the section chief from later.

After He Daqing and Wang Cuiping finished their meal, everyone started asking questions, and the conversation lasted until 10 p.m. When the clock struck and they saw that He Yushui and Xu Xiaohui were already asleep, everyone dispersed.

After returning to the side room, He Yuzhu soaked his feet, took off his clothes, and went to bed. He hadn't been lying down for long when he heard noises from next door, which sounded like an argument and low sobbing.

He Yuzhu didn't pay much attention to it, because it was so normal and happened all the time, so he went to mess around with his few acres of land in his space.

When he exited the space, it was past eleven o'clock. There was no more noise from next door, and He Yuzhu was also a little tired, so he fell asleep.

The next day, He Daqing was also called in for questioning by the factory after he went to work. The factory was also afraid of being implicated. After confirming that he was fine, and after He Daqing promised that he could go to the military control committee to check on him, the factory staff allowed him to return to the canteen to continue cooking.

Yi Zhonghai acted as if nothing had happened. When he was getting his food, he even went to check if He Daqing was in the kitchen. When He Daqing saw him, he immediately had someone shake the ladle for him.

Strangely, Yi Zhonghai didn't say anything, but took his lunchbox and went to eat in the corner. However, when he looked at He Daqing before leaving, his eyes were full of calculation.

After a few days, He Yuzhu noticed that Yi Zhonghai was coming home late every day, so he asked He Daqing if anything strange had happened recently.

He Daqing shook his head and said no, which made He Yuzhu even more puzzled.

After the Lantern Festival, the Military Control Commission really did come. Meng Yutang came with the supporting documents. In the past few days, they had visited Fengzeyuan, the steel mill, and even asked those former policemen to confirm that He Daqing was just a cook and that he had given the supporting documents because he was forced to cook for others.

Of course, they also discovered something else: when the old government was still in power, He Daqing lost his job because of this incident and was investigated several times by the Kuomintang (KMT), or rather, extorted money from them several times.

After Meng Yutang arrived, he specifically called out the Jia and Yi families from the front yard before apologizing.

The Jia family was completely dumbfounded. Yi Zhonghai knew that this matter was no longer a valid point, and his gaze toward He Daqing became increasingly gloomy.

Time flew by and it was already March. On this day, He Daqing didn't come home after work. He just asked Jia Laonian to send a message home saying that his coworkers were treating him to drinks that evening and he would be back late.

Chen Lanxiang thought that someone else wanted He Daqing to host a banquet. He had drunk plenty of such wine, and with his skills, he wouldn't accept ordinary banquets, so there were still many people who would try to find connections to invite people to host banquets.

However, He Yuzhu keenly noticed something was amiss: He Daqing hadn't left an address. In the past, He Daqing would always leave an address, which Chen Lanxiang had arranged for him.

It was because he was too drunk and acted recklessly, and Yi Zhonghai hadn't come back today, so He Yuzhu asked him a few more questions.

"Uncle Jia, who did my father go drinking with?"

"It looks like Bai Yanlang from our workshop."

"The one surnamed Bai?" He Yuzhu had a bad feeling and then asked, "Is my dad familiar with him?"

"They probably aren't close; I've never seen them speak to each other."

"Uncle Jia, do you know where he lives?"

"I roughly know the location, but is there something wrong with the pillar?" After He Yuzhu asked so many questions, Jia Laonian also sensed that something was amiss.

"It's a bit strange, Uncle Jia, could you tell me the address? I'll go pick up my dad."

"Oh, okay, over there on the small street east of Shizipo."

"Thank you, Uncle Jia. You can go back now."

After Jia Laonian left, Chen Lanxiang asked, "Zhuzi, what happened? Why are you asking so many questions today?"

"I can't explain it. Mother, I'm going out for a bit. We'll eat when I get back."

"Oh, Zhu Zi, is your father alright?"

"Probably not, I'll go check and I'll be right back."

"Be careful, things aren't safe outside right now. I've heard there are a lot of spies."

"Okay." He Yuzhu pushed the cart and walked out.

"Lanxiang, it's lunchtime, where has Zhuzi gone?"

"He was afraid his dad would drink too much and not be able to come back, so he went to pick him up." Chen Lanxiang didn't tell the truth so as not to worry the old lady. In fact, she was also worried and resenting He Daqing for being unreliable. He was a grown man and made his son worry about him every day.

He Yuzhu went straight to Shizipo Street after leaving the house. When he arrived, he asked for directions to Dongxiao Street. When he got to the entrance of Dongxiao Street, he saw Yi Zhonghai coming out of the alley. He turned his bike around and rode into the alley next to it.

After Yi Zhonghai left, He Yuzhu entered Dongxiao Street and asked several people before finally finding out where Bai Yanlang lived.

(End of this chapter)