The Courtyard House: He Yuzhu Returns with Boundless Hatred for Revenge

With only a few days left until the Lunar New Year, many schools have begun their holidays. At the Textile Industry Vocational School in Beijing, Liu Guangqi is packing his bags, planning his return home for the holiday. But he truly dislikes that home; his father is irritable, his mother weak, and his two younger brothers are timid and fearful—there's no warmth whatsoever. But it's the Lunar New Year, and he has to go back eventually. Right now, he just hopes to get through these next few years, graduate smoothly, get a good job, and leave that courtyard house far behind.

Just as he was finishing packing and preparing to leave the dormitory, a teacher came to the door and stopped him, "Liu Guangqi, the principal would like to ask you to go to his office now."

Liu Guangqi was extremely surprised. The principal wanted to see him? This was unprecedented. He considered his performance at school to be average; while not outstanding, he was still a very progressive and noticeable student, but it didn't warrant the principal coming all the way to see him. Instantly, an ominous premonition enveloped his heart.

"Okay." Feeling uneasy, the teacher followed the clerk out. The principal's office door was ajar, and voices could be heard coming from inside. The teacher knocked, and after receiving permission, pushed the door open and entered. The principal was sitting behind his desk, holding a document. The school's secretary sat beside him, both looking rather grim. Seeing Liu Guangqi enter, the principal's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, his usual amiable expression replaced by a hint of regret.

"Liu Guangqi, please have a seat." The principal pointed to the chair opposite him.

Liu Guangqi sat down as instructed, but his anxiety only intensified. The principal and the Party Secretary both being present in front of him was definitely not a good sign; either something was wrong at home, or he was being asked to provide support somewhere. Otherwise, the Party Secretary usually wouldn't even show up. But even if someone was chosen to provide support, it should be a graduating student, not a first-year student like him.

As it turned out, Liu Guangqi was indeed clever and unfortunately guessed correctly. The principal didn't beat around the bush, "Liu Guangqi, the reason I called you here today is to discuss your family situation. We have just received an official notification from your district. Your father, Comrade Liu Haizhong, has been labeled a rightist due to certain issues, and his actions have had a very negative impact on society."

Liu Guangqi felt a buzzing in his head, as if he had been hit hard with a hammer. The sky had fallen! His father was wearing a right-hand hat, so what good could come of it for him? His future was ruined.

"Principal, I've always been at school, and I'm not very clear about my family's situation. I'm constantly studying hard, hoping to achieve something in the future and serve my country..."

Before he could finish speaking, the principal raised his hand to interrupt him, his tone filled with helplessness, "Guangqi, we understand that you may not be aware of the situation, and we trust your performance during your time at the school. However, you are aware of the nature and discipline of the school. We cultivate builders of organizational ideals, and we have strict requirements regarding students' family backgrounds and political background checks. Your father's issue has crossed a red line. After deliberation by the school's Party Committee, the school's opinion is that we hope you will voluntarily apply for withdrawal from the school."

"Expel me?!" Liu Guangqi jumped to his feet, his eyes wide. "Principal! No way! If I drop out, my future will be ruined! I'm a model student in the school, a member of the Youth League! Can't you give me another chance? Please, give me another chance! My father's problem is his own, it has nothing to do with me! I promise I'll go back and cut all ties with him, I promise..."

He pleaded desperately, almost kneeling down. A vocational high school diploma was a golden ticket in those days, a stepping stone to escaping worker status and entering the cadre ranks. Without it, Liu Guangqi would be reduced to his original state, even worse off than an ordinary apprentice. What organization would dare hire a rightist's son who had been expelled from vocational high school?

The Party branch secretary next to him sighed. "Liu Guangqi, calm down. This isn't about your personal conduct. Your father's problem is too serious, and the impact is too bad. The school also has its own stance and pressure. Asking you to withdraw voluntarily is already considering your personal circumstances and giving you the last bit of dignity. If the school were to expel you directly, it would leave a much worse record on your file. I hope you'll think carefully about what you're doing."

The principal nodded, his tone gradually becoming serious. "Liu Guangqi, we have no other choice. You are still young, and you have a long road ahead of you. Voluntarily withdrawing from school, going back to help your family, and deeply understanding the problems might lead to other paths in the future. Staying at school is not good for you or for the school."

Liu Guangqi was struck dumb, frozen in place. All his pleas and promises seemed so pale and powerless before the red line. He felt a chill run through his body; his dream of a cadre position, a future away from his suffocating family... shattered in that moment, leaving no hope behind.

I don't know how I walked out of the principal's office. Stepping into the school corridor again felt like stepping into another world. From this day forward, all of this would be completely separated from me.

Just as he walked aimlessly to the entrance of the teaching building, a figure blocked his way.

"Guangqi? What's wrong? You look so pale." It was Xu Hongyan. She was wearing a red scarf, her cheeks were rosy, and she looked at him with concern in her eyes.

Xu Hongyan wasn't particularly beautiful, but she came from a wealthy family; her father was a powerful official in an industrial sector, making her quite influential at the school. Soon after enrolling, she developed feelings for Liu Guangqi, a handsome and progressive young man, and actively pursued him. Liu Guangqi was initially hesitant. He was ambitious and not entirely satisfied with Xu Hongyan's appearance, but her family background was undeniably attractive. Although dating at school was forbidden in that era, the two had already established a relationship in private.

Upon seeing Xu Hongyan, he opened his mouth, unsure how to speak, and after a long pause, he finally managed to squeeze out, "Hongyan, I... I've been asked to drop out of school."

"What?!" Xu Hongyan exclaimed in surprise, her face full of disbelief. "Drop out of school? Why? What right do they have to ask you to drop out? What mistake did you make?" As she spoke, she grabbed Liu Guangqi's arm and asked urgently.

Liu Guangqi's mind was in complete turmoil. How could he explain it? That his foolish and volatile father had become a universally despised rightist, committing shameful acts that had ruined his own future? What would Xu Hongyan think of him if she found out? Would she still treat him the same way? Given her father's position, if he knew his daughter was associating with the son of a rightist… Liu Guangqi dared not think further.

"I'm not entirely sure either. Maybe there are some family issues that have involved..."

Seeing his expression, Xu Hongyan frowned slightly. Coming from a family of cadres, she was far more sensitive to political developments than the average student. Liu Guangqi's reluctance to speak made her suspicious.

"Wait here for me! I'll go ask!" With that, Xu Hongyan strode towards the principal's office. Her father and the principal were old friends, and she wanted to find out what was going on herself.

Liu Guangqi tried to grab her, but his hand fell limply halfway down. He knew he couldn't stop her, and he was too ashamed to. He could only stand there blankly, yet a sliver of hope remained in his heart—perhaps the principal, out of respect for her father, might give him a chance...

After an unknown amount of time, Xu Hongyan returned. Her steps were not as hurried as when she left, appearing somewhat slow, and her expression had completely changed. The previous concern had vanished, replaced by a complex and enigmatic look, along with a hint of resolute determination.

She walked up to Liu Guangqi, stopped, and looked up at him, her eyes seeming to have dimmed considerably. "I've found out."

Liu Guangqi's heart sank to the bottom. He could almost read the answer from Xu Hongyan's expression. "Hongyan, I..."

Xu Hongyan sighed and, without letting Liu Guangqi finish speaking, said directly, "Guangqi, let's break up."

Despite having a premonition, hearing those words still stung Liu Guangqi. "Hongyan, let me explain. That was my father's problem. I'm innocent."

"Of course I know you're innocent, but so what? He's your biological father! Liu Guangqi, don't you understand? This isn't some ordinary little mistake! The report clearly states the details of You Pai and everything he did. Do you know what this means? It means your family background is seriously tarnished. Your future, even your future children, will be affected."

She looked away, gazing at the bare branches in the distance, her words devoid of emotion. "We're from completely different worlds now. I was too naive before, thinking that if you tried, you might still be accepted. But now, you should understand that. Continuing like this won't benefit anyone."