The Courtyard House: Xu Damao's Aunt is the Queen of Women

No. 9, Yu'er Hutong, Jiaodaokou People's Commune, also known as Jiaodaokou Subdistrict Office, has not changed its address since its establishment in September 1958 until 2026.

In 1960, the administrative structure of the street offices was adjusted to that of communes. When handling external affairs and issuing certificates, the official seal of the people's communes was used.

When residents go to handle matters, they have to say they're going to Jiaodaokou People's Commune. Saying "street office" makes them sound like laymen, and even the officials will correct them.

Yu'er Hutong is very close to Mao'er Hutong. Yu'er Hutong is to the south and Mao'er Hutong is to the north. They are separated by only a courtyard wall or a narrow passageway, and the straight-line distance is almost zero.

Enter Mao'er Hutong from the north entrance of Yu'er Hutong, walk straight west along the hutong, and you will reach No. 95 Courtyard. You don't need to turn much; it's just a few minutes' walk.

Many famous people lived in Yu'er Hutong. Qi Baishi lived in courtyard number 13, Marshal Luo lived in courtyard number 31, and General Su lived in courtyard number 33.

Jiaodaokou Subdistrict Office is a converted three-courtyard siheyuan. The front courtyard's rear building served as the gatehouse and mailroom, while the three main rooms in the middle courtyard housed the director's office and meeting room. The east and west wing rooms housed departments such as civil affairs, household registration, and public security.

The deaf old woman, leaning on her cane, entered the gate of the subdistrict office, walked to the door of the director's office, and knocked on the door.

"Enter!"

Director Wang's voice came, and the deaf old woman pushed open the door and went in.

"Mingfen, are you busy?"

Director Wang, who was sitting behind his desk working on official business, looked up and saw the deaf old woman. A hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

When this old woman comes, nothing good ever comes of it.

But she had no choice but to greet her with a smile, get up and walk over to help the deaf old woman.

"Oh, ma'am, what brings you here? Come sit by the stove and warm yourself up."

"The old lady needs your help with something."

"Sit down and talk, sit down and talk."

Director Wang beckoned the deaf old woman to the stove. Noticing her slightly swollen right cheek, he asked, "Grandma, what happened to your face?"

The deaf old woman's tears flowed instantly, and she cried uncontrollably.

"Mingfen, that little bastard Liu Hao..."

The deaf old woman tearfully recounted what had happened since Liu Hao moved into the courtyard, including the events of the previous night, albeit incompletely. She sobbed, "That little beast is worse than bandits and tyrants! He runs rampant in the courtyard, bullying the neighbors and disrupting the peace. He even hit me, an old woman like me! Is there no justice? Is there no law? He's a beast!"

Director Wang frowned. If what the deaf old woman said was true, then Liu Hao... really didn't hit her hard enough.

What kind of person is Sha Zhu? Is he worthy of Sister Ye Juan?

Are you pretending to be confused, or are you really confused?

If it were her, she would want to slap you too. How could you be so humiliating?

Moreover, the deaf old woman accused Liu Hao of being arrogant and domineering, bullying his neighbors, and beating people at the drop of a hat, but she did not say why Liu Hao beat people.

Furthermore, if Liu Hao really is a bully, why didn't the person who was beaten report him to the neighborhood committee or the police station?

After a moment's thought, she decided to investigate further before making a decision.

Liu Hao married Ye Juan. His father-in-law is Ye Tingkai, the deputy director of the Xicheng District Public Security Bureau, and he's not someone you can just mess with.

Of course, she wasn't afraid of Ye Tingkai. He was just a deputy director. If Ye Juan's grandfather were still alive, then she would have to be wary of him.

"Madam, tomorrow is a day off. I'll take some time this morning to come to your courtyard to investigate. If the evidence is conclusive, I will not let you off lightly."

Upon hearing this, the deaf old woman's heart trembled. She wiped away her tears and said in a wronged tone, "This...does it still need an investigation? Mingfen, you child, do you think this old woman would fabricate lies to ruin that little beast Liu Hao?"

When Director Wang heard this, how could he not understand what the deaf old woman was thinking?

You want me to listen to your side of the story, punish Liu Hao without asking why, and kick Liu Hao out of courtyard number 95.

Putting aside the fact that the west wing of No. 95 is someone's private property and she has no right to kick them out, even if she did, what reason would you give to kick them out?

Are Liu Hao and Ye Juan cowards who can be easily manipulated? Why don't they dare to report her?

"Grandma, to tell you the truth, Ye Juan's adoptive father is the deputy director of the Xicheng District Public Security Bureau!"

These words struck the deaf old woman like a bolt from the blue, leaving her dazed and confused.

The deaf old woman was dumbfounded; she couldn't even hold her cane properly and fell to the ground.

"This...this...really?"

Director Wang laughed and said, "Look at what you're saying, do you think I'd fool you?"

"Ye Juan's adoptive father is named Ye Tingkai, and her adoptive mother is named Zhang Shuhua. Both of them were military officers who were demobilized and returned to Beijing in 1958. Ye Tingkai is the deputy director of the Xicheng District Public Security Bureau, and it is estimated that he will be promoted to director in the next two years. Zhang Shuhua is the deputy director of the Third Textile Factory."

"Grandpa Ye Juan was awarded the rank of senior colonel in 1955 and served as the commander of the Baoding Military Sub-district. He passed away in 1960. If he were still alive, he would have been promoted to general long ago."

After saying that, Director Wang said earnestly, "Take my advice: in the future, try to be more tolerant and live your life in peace."

The deaf old woman came to her senses and was not frightened. Instead, she became even more determined to drive Liu Hao and Ye Juan away.

She knew Sha Zhu's temper very well; he definitely wouldn't swallow this insult.

But Sha Zhu was no match for Liu Hao, that cunning and treacherous little beast.

If anything were to happen to Sha Zhu...

The deaf old woman dared not think any further. She steadied herself and looked up at Director Wang.

"Mingfen, old woman, I have another favor to ask of you."

"Please speak!"

The deaf old woman sighed and truthfully said, "The Zhu family's social class..."

Director Wang's expression changed drastically. Was the student's background information falsified?

"Grandma, you don't mean you want me to cover this up, do you?"

"Sigh... Mingfen, I'm so grateful for your help all these years. I've never been able to live a peaceful life without you. I remember all your kindness! I wouldn't have bothered you if I hadn't really run out of options."

The deaf old woman leaned down, grasped Director Wang's hand, and pleaded with tearful eyes, "I only have this one grandson, Mingfen, you have to help me!"

"I'm kneeling before you."

The deaf old woman was about to kneel down when Director Wang pressed her down forcefully, took a deep breath, and said in a deep voice, "Grandma, I can help you with this, but this is the last time. After this, we're even."

Upon hearing this, the deaf old woman nodded with a bitter smile, knowing that this connection had also been severed.

Silly Zhuzi, silly Zhuzi, Grandma really risked her life for you.

"Okay, I won't bother you again after today."

"Yes, the He family's background is very dangerous. The people in your compound have been paid to keep quiet, so they probably won't report it. But if Xu Damao, Liu Hao, and Ye Juan report it to the steel mill or the district, then there's nothing I can do."

The deaf old woman knew that Director Wang was telling the truth, and her face was scrunched up with worry.

She was confident that she could suppress Xu Damao, and Liu Hao would be helpless.

"Mingfen, you've gone all the way to help him. We'll need you to talk to Liu Hao on his behalf."

"Okay, I'll come over after get off work this evening. You can go back now."

Director Wang nodded in agreement, then expressionlessly dismissed them.

The deaf old woman didn't say anything, picked up her cane from the ground, and walked away shakily.

Director Wang closed the door, returned to his desk, sat down, rubbed his temples, and felt a headache coming on as he thought about the He family's falsified background.

If this had happened two years ago, it would have been easy to resolve.

It's a bit difficult now. The Four Cleanups Movement that started last year is in full swing. Everyone has to confess their problems and expose each other. Anyone who dares to conceal or cover up will be labeled as protecting bad people and having an unstable stance.

If this hat were put on her shoulders, they couldn't bear it!

Go to courtyard number 95 tonight. No matter what, we have to make sure Liu Hao and Ye Juan don't report it!