In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Chapter 127, Section 126: The tough neighborhood office director, silenced in fear.

On Saturday evening, there wasn't a breath of wind in the alley.

The cicadas' chirping sounded weak and intermittent, adding to the restlessness.

The courtyard of a Shikumen house, under this small square of sky, felt even more oppressive and stifling than the thick, sticky air.

The aftershocks of yesterday's clash have barely subsided, and a new storm seems to be brewing.

Li Guihua moved her well-worn, low bamboo stool to the doorstep early in the morning and sat down.

She unconsciously rubbed a worn-out children's undershirt in her hands, her fingertips pressing hard, the fabric making a soft rubbing sound.

Her eyes, however, were like two uneasy searchlights, nervously scanning the heavy, black lacquered door again and again.

Every time she heard footsteps passing by outside the door, her shoulders would instinctively hunch.

She kept muttering to herself, her voice indistinct and filled with deep worry: "The street has suffered a setback, and the people who came this time are probably even more ruthless and of higher rank... What a disaster, I don't know how we'll end this..."

Zhang Xiuying stood straight on the bluestone slab in the center of the courtyard, like a javelin.

With her hands behind her back and her chin slightly raised, she looked serious and focused, like a veteran waiting for a challenge.

However, the hands behind his back, hidden by his body, had their ten fingers nervously intertwined, revealing the owner's inner anxiety.

Mrs. Feng crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe of her house.

Her brows furrowed slightly, as if she were calculating the intensity of the approaching storm.

He Caiyun leaned against the mottled wooden door frame, her arms crossed over her chest. Her toes tapped impatiently on the wooden floor with a suppressed rhythm, making a soft but unusually clear "tap, tap" sound.

Her eyes were sharp as two small hooks, fixed on the direction of the tightly closed black lacquered door, as if she wanted to burn through the door with her gaze to see what was happening outside.

At the entrance to the living room, Granny Chen sat on a creaky old rattan chair.

The old man's cloudy eyes stared intently at the door that symbolized an unknown fate, his face, etched with the wrinkles of time, a mixture of tension, worry, and a resolute determination.

Zhang Chunfang stood to the side, one hand supporting the old woman's arm, the other unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes, her young face full of apprehension.

Zhao Tiemin remained silent, like a rusty iron tower, squatting in the shady corner. He held a half-burnt "Pegasus" brand cigarette, his rough fingers unconsciously twisting the filter, the cheap sponge paper crumpled and fuzzy.

His gaze was fixed on a patch of moss on the ground, only occasionally lifting his heavy eyelids to glance at the door, his eyes filled with unfathomable sorrow and numbness towards life.

Everyone is waiting.

We wait for the neighborhood committee members to come again. We wait for the shoe hanging over our heads to finally drop.

Yesterday, Yang Guangming's insightful analysis was like a ray of light piercing through the gloom, pointing everyone in the right direction.

It would be best to hold on, but if we can't, we should still try to secure more permits and temporary worker quotas.

Job openings are as distant as the stars; ration coupons and odd jobs are the only means of survival.

This pragmatic hope, like a faint spark, dispelled the initial despair, but also brought a deeper and more specific anxiety.

Will Director Tian from the subdistrict office come in person? What kind of person is she? Will their almost outrageous demands yesterday have completely enraged the subdistrict office?

What awaits them today is an olive branch of compromise, or an even harsher iron fist?

Time flowed exceptionally slowly in this stifling stillness, each second stretched out thick and long.

The faucet wasn't turned off properly, and the sound of water dripping into the enamel basin below was monotonous and rhythmic, like a small hammer striking everyone's extremely tense nerves.

The occasional bicycle bells outside the alley, or the drawn-out cries of vendors in the distance: "Gardenia—Magnolia—", only served to accentuate the heaviness and suffocating feeling of waiting in the courtyard.

However, until it was completely dark and every household in the alleyway lit up with dim yellow lights, there was no other movement outside that black lacquered door, except for the occasional curious or inquiring glance from a passing neighbor.

Officer Liu didn't come. And Director Tian, ​​rumored to have a strong hand, wasn't even there.

"What the hell is going on? This is terrifying!"

Li Guihua finally couldn't hold back any longer. She slapped her thigh in frustration, the sound echoing loudly in the quiet courtyard, "You shouldn't have even said you weren't coming! You made me worry all day! Hanging in mid-air like this is worse than being stabbed!"

He Caiyun pursed her lips, took a few steps down the stairs, her tone carrying a hint of uncertain hope, yet mixed with deeper doubt:
"Could it be that we set our expectations too high and scared them away? Or...did they go back and devise even more ruthless methods?"

As she spoke, she subconsciously touched her neck.

Zhang Xiuying frowned, ignoring Li Guihua's complaints and He Caiyun's guesses, and turned her gaze to her son standing in the shadows by the door: "Mingming, what do you think?"

Her voice carried an urgent need for someone to take charge.

Yang Guangming stepped forward from the shadows by the door, his voice low but carrying a calming power:

"Mom, don't worry. What's meant to come will come. If they haven't come, it means things aren't as simple as they think."

Perhaps... they also have internal disagreements, or they need to consult with their superiors.

We should just do what we're supposed to do and wait for them to come. Panic won't solve anything.

His words acted as a reassurance, calming the restless atmosphere slightly. But the invisible pressure did not truly dissipate; it merely sank below the surface.

Beneath the seemingly peaceful everyday life of the Shikumen (stone gate) at night, a deeper unease permeates the air.

The smell of coal smoke wafting from each kitchen was still pungent, the clanging of spatulas against each other rang out as usual, and the greetings of "Have you eaten yet?" from neighbors still echoed in the narrow passageway.

But that former ease and leisure is like a layer of foam floating on oil, which will burst at the slightest touch.

When cooking, hanging clothes to dry, or standing at the doorway eating their rice, people's eyes would always unconsciously and warily glance at the sky cut off by the eaves above their heads, and at that small, now empty drying platform.

This unresolved storm, the core point of contention concerning living space, seems to be only temporarily dormant, accumulating even more intense power in the shadows.

It was Sunday, nearing noon. The scorching sun made the bluestone pavement scorching hot, and the air felt like solidified lead.

Finally, two figures appeared on the threshold of that heavy, black lacquered door.

The one leading the group was still Officer Liu, with a faux leather briefcase with worn-out edges tucked under his arm.

But unlike his unease yesterday, he straightened his back a bit, his face carrying the solemnity of a guide, and even revealing a subtle sense of confidence, as if he had a strong backing.

He turned slightly to the side, making way for the figure behind him, his posture respectful.

A middle-aged female cadre, who appeared to be in her early forties, followed her in.

Her short, ear-length hair was neatly combed, close to her scalp, revealing a smooth, full forehead. Her face was square, and her complexion was a weathered wheat color, typical of someone who had spent years working on the front lines.

What is most striking is her gaze, sharp as two gleaming awls. As soon as she entered, she scrutinized everyone in the courtyard, whether standing or sitting, with a swift and powerful gaze. An aura of calm authority, emanating from her, instantly enveloped the small courtyard.

She was wearing a light gray top that was faded from washing but ironed very crisply, with the buttons fastened tightly all the way up to the collar, and she was carrying a slightly worn canvas bag.

The person who came was none other than Director Tian Suhua, the head of the subdistrict office.

The courtyard fell silent instantly.

Even the sound of water dripping slowly from the ditch in the corner of the wall could be clearly heard at this moment.

He Caiyun, who had been leaning out over the balcony railing, quickly retreated like a startled rabbit.

Li Guihua's hand, which was about to slap her leg, froze in mid-air, and she awkwardly withdrew it.

Zhang Xiuying's straight back unconsciously tensed up even more, like a fully drawn bowstring.

Even Zhao Tiemin, who was squatting silently in the corner, raised his heavy eyelids, a hint of instinctive vigilance flashing in his cloudy eyes, and his fingers tightened slightly as he held the cigarette.

Director Tian walked steadily and firmly, without the slightest hesitation, and stood directly in front of the bluestone slab in the center of the courtyard, which had been worn smooth as a mirror by the passage of time and footsteps.

She didn't waste time with pleasantries; her gaze swept across the room again like a searchlight. Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, carrying a power that pierced through the noise and reached the hearts of everyone.

"Neighbors, is everyone here?"

Her voice was flat and businesslike: "I am Tian Suhua from the Subdistrict Office. Today, I came here with Officer Liu to thoroughly explain and ensure the renovation of the drying platform is implemented."

Her gaze landed precisely on the third-floor pavilion, and her tone left no room for doubt, "Comrades Zhao Tiemin and He Caiyun, could you please come down for a moment?"

Then, he turned to the kitchen doorway and said, "Teacher Feng, Comrade Lin, please come over here as well."

The four people whose names were called felt a chill run down their spines.

Zhao Tiemin gave a muffled "hmm," and as if carrying a heavy sack of rice, slowly stood up and brushed the dust off his trousers.

He Caiyun felt her legs go weak. Holding onto the stair railing, she stumbled down the stairs, her face slightly pale.

Lin Fengjiao gently patted her husband, Teacher Feng's, arm. The two exchanged a glance and walked together to the spot designated by Director Tian. They maintained the restraint of intellectuals, but their tightly pursed lips revealed their nervousness.

"Let's get acquainted." Director Tian's gaze swept over the four faces one by one, with a condescending scrutiny. "The Zhao family, the Feng family. Officer Liu has already reported the situation to me."

She nodded slightly, her tone softening somewhat, "The neighborhood office has heard about everyone's difficulties and understands them."

These words sounded gentle, but they made He Caiyun's heart leap into her throat.

She was all too familiar with this "courtesy first, then force" tactic; the "but" in the second half of the sentence was the real killer move.

Sure enough, Director Tian abruptly changed his tone, his voice instantly becoming harsher, like hailstones falling: "But! Understanding is one thing, policy is another!"

Her voice suddenly rose, carrying a resolute force: "The district's document on 'fully tapping the housing potential' is a hard task! It's to solve the housing difficulties of more worker brothers and sisters! This is a principle, a matter of the overall situation! There's no room for bargaining!"

Each word was like a small hammer, striking the hearts of everyone.

She paused, her gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping over the panicked faces of Zhao Tiemin and He Caiyun, as well as the forced composure of Mrs. Feng and her husband. Her voice carried a final, decisive tone:
"Considering that the environment of Shikumen is indeed too compact and the space is too small, turning four households into five households would create too much potential for conflict."

The subdistrict office held a special meeting yesterday to discuss everyone's opinions and decided to handle the matter as a special case!

We fully respect the actual concerns of both the Zhao and Feng families!

He Caiyun and Zhao Tiemin had just subconsciously revealed a glimmer of hope, thinking that things had taken a turn for the better.

Director Tian's next words, however, were like a bucket of ice water poured over their heads, instantly freezing them in place:

"Therefore, the neighborhood committee has decided that the Zhao and Feng families should move out of the Shikumen as soon as possible and temporarily stay with relatives and friends!"
Our neighborhood committee will find more spacious and suitable housing for your two families as soon as possible and give it priority!

Once it's finalized, we'll arrange for you to move in immediately! "Boom!"
He Caiyun felt as if her head had been struck hard by a hammer; her vision went black, and she saw stars. Her ears were ringing, and she couldn't make out what Director Tian was saying after that.

"Move out? Find someone else to stay with? Arrange it as soon as possible?"

These words, when put together, were like a bolt from the blue for her!
How tight is the housing situation right now? Every home is packed to the brim. Once people move out, when will the so-called "assignment as soon as possible" ever materialize?
At that point, you'll be completely helpless, crying out to heaven and earth! It's not impossible that you'll end up homeless!
An overwhelming fear gripped her heart like a cold, iron claw.

All the bravado and scheming vanished before Director Tian's resolute decision, delivered with an administrative order.

Her face was ashen, her lips trembling, like a dying quail being strangled; she dared not even breathe loudly, let alone lash out.

Overwhelmed by immense grievance and panic, her mental defenses crumbled instantly, her eyes welled up with tears.

"Director Tian... Director Tian!"

He Caiyun's voice was trembling and strained, filled with uncontrollable sobs, completely devoid of its usual sharpness and harshness. "You...you've misunderstood! I...we absolutely didn't mean to oppose the government! Really not! It's just...it's just that our family is really struggling..."

She frantically counted on her fingers, rambling incoherently as she lamented her plight, her voice filled with desperate pleas:
"Look at this, six people! Only Tiemin is a formal employee, and with his meager salary, grain coupons, and cloth coupons, how can he not be struggling to make ends meet?"

I'm just a temporary worker... My kids are all young and always asking for food... I was really... really forced into it, that's why I said those stupid things!
We...we're willing to cooperate with the renovation! We really are! The drying platform...you can use the drying platform!"

She practically shouted out her last words, with a sense of despair that suggested she was giving up on everything.

Zhao Tiemin also mumbled an "uh-huh" from the side, which was considered as echoing his wife's pleas for mercy. A layer of fine beads of sweat instantly seeped out on his forehead, and his fingers gripped the half-smoked cigarette tightly, almost breaking it in two.

Lin Fengjiao stood to the side, her heart sinking as if weighed down by a piece of lead.

Director Tian's move of "cutting off the fuel supply" was brilliant! Precise and ruthless! He directly divided and attacked the "troublemakers," accurately targeting the Zhao family, who had initially "demanded exorbitant prices," and the Feng family, whose space was already the worst.

She understood that this was Director Tian's way of putting them in a difficult position, intending to break up their alliance and make an example of them.

I'm not afraid, but Director Tian is the head of the street and holds real power. We have to give her face and be humble. It's not the best policy to stand up to her head.

Mrs. Feng took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in her heart. Her face quickly showed the kind of restrained yet deeply helpless and sorrowful expression unique to intellectuals.

Unlike He Caiyun, she didn't panic and beg for mercy. Instead, she followed Director Tian's lead in "understanding the difficulties" and cleverly shifted the core demand from the sensitive issue of "job quotas" to the more reasonable and harder-to-refute universal pain point of "housing difficulties".

“Director Tian.” Mrs. Feng’s voice carried a perfectly measured hint of weariness and helplessness, yet remained clear and articulate, displaying excellent manners. “You just mentioned that the neighborhood committee would prioritize providing housing for us if we moved out. We are grateful for that… this consideration. However…”

She sighed softly, her gaze sweeping over the cramped courtyard and her own low kitchen door, her eyes silently conveying the confinement of the space:
“The space in this Shikumen is really at its limit. Last time the kitchen was renovated, the three of us squeezed in, and it was like making a temple in a snail shell. It was difficult to even turn around.”

She paused, a barely perceptible sob rising in her voice. This wasn't entirely feigned; rather, it touched upon the deepest, most hidden pain in her heart, causing her to reveal her true feelings.
"Director Tian, ​​there are some things... I usually feel that family scandals should not be aired in public, so I really don't want to mention them."

Having you here today is like seeing a trusted family member, so... I'll just have to swallow my pride and say a few words."

She lowered her head slightly, concealing her turbulent emotions.

Director Tian frowned almost imperceptibly, but Mrs. Feng maintained a humble posture and continued the conversation smoothly, so she couldn't interrupt her rudely.

"You know, there are three people living in our kitchen now."

But...but there are more than three people in our family.

Mrs. Feng's voice lowered, filled with heavy embarrassment and shame:

"My eldest son got married early and was lucky. His workplace allocated him a small apartment, and he moved out, so I don't have to worry about him."

But our second son... got married last year too.

Her gaze drifted into the distance, seemingly piercing through the low rooftops of the shikumen houses, and piercing into some crowded corner:
"There's just so little space in the house, it's really... really not enough room for everyone!"
When a new bride enters the family, she can't possibly be squeezed into a small cubicle with her parents-in-law.
There's no other way... there's really no other way!
The second son and his wife had no choice but to... had to move in with his mother-in-law and squeeze in!

When she said the words "mother-in-law's house," her voice trembled noticeably with shame.

"What a tragedy!" Granny Chen couldn't help but sigh, wiping her eyes with empathy.

Zhang Chunfang also showed a look of sympathy.

Teacher Feng's family used to be quite well-off, but he was caught up in a special period of time.

The old house was replaced with a renovated kitchen. It was a bit difficult, but as a teacher, being able to continue working and have a family reunion already makes her much better off than some of her colleagues.

Mrs. Feng's eyes were slightly red, and tears glistened in her eyes:
"The in-laws' conditions are also average. If the young couple squeezes in, how can there be fewer conflicts?"

Every time my second son comes home, he looks worried and sighs constantly, as if he's under a lot of mental pressure...

As her mother, my heart is breaking! I feel so ashamed! I've let my child down so much! And I've let my in-laws down too!
But...but this housing problem is like a mountain weighing on us. What can ordinary people like us do?

Her voice was filled with helplessness and deep maternal love.

She raised her eyes, looked earnestly at Director Tian, ​​and skillfully steered the conversation back to the current renovation project:
"It was a mistake on our part to demand permanent positions through this renovation project. It was unreasonable and short-sighted."

"I must admit my mistake to the neighborhood committee and to Director Tian."

She bowed slightly, adopting an extremely humble posture, "But the actual difficulties at home, especially the housing problem of our second son, are like a huge stone, weighing heavily on the hearts of our whole family!"

Director Tian, ​​you are the official in charge of our neighborhood's daily life, and I'm hoping that the neighborhood can...

In consideration of this renovation, please understand our family's difficulties and help us think of a solution, even if it's just...

Even if it's just to find a small room, nothing too big, just enough for the two young men and their spouses to have their own place so they don't have to live with others anymore...

Now I feel at ease, and I have absolutely no complaints about the organization or this reform!

Mrs. Feng's words were sincere and reasonable. She cleverly transformed the previous unreasonable demand for "work" into the more legitimate and unavoidable issue of "solving housing difficulties."

In particular, the predicament of "the second son living with his mother-in-law" is a huge shame and pressure for a man and a family in this era, which is very convincing and can evoke the most sympathy.

She used a strategy of retreat to advance, appealing to the audience's sympathy and acknowledging her previous "mistakes" while simultaneously presenting a more fundamental and legitimate demand, thus putting Director Tian in a difficult position.

The hard lines on Director Tian's face softened a bit under Mrs. Feng's vivid and logical narration.

She could no longer suppress him as she had with the panicked He Caiyun, so she softened her tone and tried to soothe her:

"Comrade Lin, your family's situation is indeed special, and the difficulties you face are real."

The neighborhood committee will keep your second son's situation in mind.

Her tone softened somewhat, "But the housing problem is a complex issue that affects many things, and solving it will take time, and even more so, opportunity."

This renovation project primarily addresses the urgent needs of newly impoverished households, providing much-needed assistance.

The issue with your second son is an improvement-oriented need, something that's just icing on the cake.

The subdistrict office will give priority to these properties in its future work, taking into account the availability of housing.

We hope you can understand the difficulties the neighborhood faces, and try to overcome them while we have another chance.

Her words were impeccable, offering hope, clarifying priorities, and even promising a tangible reward.

Mrs. Feng, well aware of the importance of knowing when to stop, immediately nodded, her face showing understanding and gratitude, even managing a slightly weary smile:

“I understand, Director Tian, ​​I get it! The neighborhood also has its difficulties. Of all the difficulties, housing is the most difficult.”

As long as the organization remembers our family's difficulties and gives us hope, we are willing to wait! Thank you, Director Tian, ​​for your trouble!

She bowed slightly again, striking a perfect pose.

A potentially violent conflict was temporarily averted by Mrs. Feng's strategy of feigning retreat and appealing to the enemy's sympathy.

Director Tian then smoothly steered the conversation back on track, his tone regaining its previous seriousness and sense of control:

"Alright, Officer Liu has brought back everyone's situation, difficulties, grievances, and requests after two trips."

The neighborhood committee also held thorough discussions and took into account everyone's practical difficulties.

Her gaze swept over the crowd again, carrying an unquestionable authority. "Therefore, I, as the director, have come here in person today to give everyone a clear answer and to thoroughly implement this important task of the district!"

She raised her voice slightly, with a decisive air:

"Let me reiterate! This renovation is a crucial task mandated by the district! It's a political mission!"

Every organization and every individual, regardless of their difficulties or grievances, must cooperate unconditionally! This is for the greater good!

Anyone who continues to cause trouble and obstruct the reform is defying policy and will bear the consequences!

Her gaze was sharp as a knife, and it lingered for a moment on the faces of Zhao Tiemin and He Caiyun.

These words were resounding and carried a powerful administrative pressure, causing the air in the courtyard to freeze again, as if even breathing had stopped.

He Caiyun shrank back in fright, completely becoming a frightened bird.

Grandma Chen held Zhang Chunfang's hand tightly.

Zhang Xiuying's face was tense, her lips were pursed into a thin line, and her hands behind her back were clenched even tighter.

Director Tian looked at the awe-inspiring reactions of the crowd with satisfaction, knowing that the time was right, and then she revealed her real bargaining chip for this trip—compensation.

Of course, the scale and content of this compensation must be firmly controlled by her.

She changed the subject, her tone becoming somewhat sympathetic:

"Of course, the streets aren't unreasonable either."

Considering that the renovation would indeed impact everyone's lives, the subdistrict office made an exception. I personally intervened and argued with higher-level leaders, securing some compensation for everyone!

She paused deliberately as she spoke, her gaze sweeping over the instantly brightened eyes of the crowd, savoring the sense of control she felt.

At the opportune moment, Officer Liu puffed out his chest, as if he had also contributed to "securing compensation," with a hint of pride on his face.

However, Yang Guangming's heart skipped a beat.

Director Tian only mentioned "securing compensation," but never mentioned the specific details of the compensation or the standards promised by Officer Liu last time. It was clear that she wanted to handle it vaguely, keeping the compensation verbal or reducing it to the bare minimum.

Can't wait any longer!
Yang Guangming knew that this was the last window of opportunity, a crucial moment that would determine whether he could secure tangible benefits for the four families.

Once Director Tian has made his position definitively stated, or announces a compensation plan that falls short of expectations, it will be extremely difficult to negotiate further.

We must raise the most crucial issues of principle before she fully grasps the rhythm and announces the final plan! We must catch her off guard!
(End of this chapter)