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

After the group returned to the Women's Federation office in the neighborhood, Liu, the head of the household, ordered someone to first lock Liu Haizhong in a small, dark room used for temporarily detaining bad elements. He planned to talk to Liu Guangtian first before deciding on the next course of action.

In his office, Director Liu had a very serious talk with Liu Guangtian, who had been switched at birth. Looking at the thin young man before him, he felt a pang of pity and poured him a glass of water, handing it to him: "Guangtian, don't be afraid. The doctor said your brother's injury isn't serious; with proper treatment, he'll recover quickly. Now, we need to talk about what you and Guangfu should do next."

Liu Guangtian took the hot water, held it in his hands to warm it, and kept his head down without saying a word.

Director Liu sighed and laid out the situation: "Guangtian, the matter your father, Liu Haizhong, has committed is extremely serious. In addition, he made some erroneous remarks at the steel rolling mill just now. The organization will not let him off easily this time. He will likely be sent to labor reform, and the time will not be short."

"As for what kind of people your mother and older brother are, I think you should know that yourself. To put it bluntly, your Liu family is rotten to the core, and with someone like your father, it's unlikely you'll ever rise again..."

Liu Guangtian finally raised his head. "Director Liu, what should Guangfu and I do from now on?"

"This is what I want to talk to you about. You brothers are still so young, and I don't want to see you go back to that hellhole. The Women's Federation's intention is to support you and Guangfu in separating from this family and living independently."

"Separate the family?" Liu Guangtian was stunned. This term was far too unfamiliar to him. The thirteen-year-old boy suddenly faced a future of being completely cut off from his family and raising his younger brother alone, which also brought a sense of fear about the unknown road ahead.

"Yes, separate the family property." Director Liu nodded firmly. "At least draw a clear line between your assets and your livelihood. The Women's Federation will help you fight for your rightful share of the family property as funds for your future living expenses. The neighborhood committee and the Women's Federation will also provide you with a certain amount of living allowance every month, depending on the circumstances, to ensure that you two brothers can survive and go to school."

"Of course, if you're determined to completely sever ties with them, our Women's Federation can help you resolve the issue. So, the decision is still yours. What are your thoughts?"

This was the core of Director Liu's conversation with Liu Guangtian. Healing and saving lives is also the Women's Federation's mission, and she didn't want to see these two children rot away along with that hopeless family. By ensuring the brothers completely severed ties with the Liu family, and with the Women's Federation's support, the impact on their future studies and employment could be minimized. If they were set up as a model example, it would be even more beneficial for the brothers.

These words stirred hope within Liu Guangtian. At thirteen, he was practically an adult in this era; he understood everything he was supposed to. He recalled countless days and nights of physical abuse, his younger brother's near-death state, his mother's indifference, and his older brother's apathy. That home had long since become a place for him and Guangfu. If their father went to a labor camp, and their older brother took over, what fate awaited them...?

"Director Liu, I want to separate from them! Guangfu and I want to sever all ties with them! They've never treated my brother and me like human beings. From now on, we don't have parents and older brothers like them!"

Director Liu greatly admired Liu Guangtian's decisiveness; he made a clean decision without any hesitation, proving that her good intentions were not in vain. "Good boy! You have guts! Don't worry, the Women's Federation will support you and your brother. We'll take care of the family division today!"

"However, you need to formally make this request yourself. Our Women's Federation is the supporter and coordinator. We'll go to your compound later and get this done in front of the police officers and neighbors."

Director Liu acted swiftly and decisively, immediately beginning the arrangements. First, he sent someone to notify the local police station, requesting that two officers be sent to the scene—after all, Liu Haizhong's case would ultimately be handed over to the police station, and the presence of officers would also serve as a witness in preparation for the investigation of the Liu family's assets.

Soon, two police officers from the local police station arrived. The group, along with Liu Haizhong who had been dragged out of the small dark room, set off again towards the courtyard house at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang. Naturally, they attracted a large crowd of onlookers who began to discuss the scene.

"Look, aren't those people from the Women's Federation? Which side is stirring up trouble this time?"

"Oh dear, the one being escorted is Liu Haizhong! That beastly rightist from the courtyard house!"

"What did he do this time? He's wearing a right-hand cap and still not behaving himself?"

"Can't they just shut up for once? They've dragged our No. 96 courtyard down with them, ruining our reputation!"

Amidst the murmurs, the group arrived at the gate of courtyard number ninety-five. Those in the front yard, seeing the commotion, quickly scattered. Director Liu led the group straight to the Liu family's house in the back yard.

Upon arriving at the Liu family's door, Director Liu didn't waste any words and gestured for the police officers and staff to knock on the door. He then chased out Gou Xianhui and Liu Guangqi, who were holed up inside, completely unconcerned about the lives of their son and brother.

"Go in and search!" Director Liu waved her hand, and several women's federation staff and a police officer went directly into the Liu family's house. This was pre-arranged to ascertain the Liu family's assets in order to facilitate the subsequent division of property.

Liu Haizhong's house wasn't large, so the search proceeded quickly. Soon, they had found most of the items, which were then taken to the yard and counted in front of everyone.

"Wow!" After the count was completed, the onlookers gasped in astonishment—more than three thousand eight hundred dollars! In an era when the average worker's monthly salary was only twenty or thirty dollars, this was an enormous sum! Who would have thought that the seemingly ordinary Liu family had hidden so much money!

When Liu Haizhong saw his past misdeeds exposed, he nearly fainted. Gou Xianhui also looked pained—this money was what she had saved up over the years by scrimping and saving with Liu Haizhong, intended for her eldest son's wedding and to save face for the family!

Liu Guangqi's eyes widened in fury—this was all his money! Everything in the Liu family would be inherited by him, the eldest son, and now it was exposed to everyone's eyes. He didn't know what the Women's Federation was up to. But seeing the Women's Federation bring his father and Liu Guangtian along gave him a very bad feeling!

After the inventory was completed, Director Liu gestured for silence. His gaze swept over Liu Haizhong, Gou Xianhui, and Liu Guangqi, finally settling on Liu Guangtian.

"Neighbors, and officers from the police station are here as well. Today, our Women's Federation is here to address the serious abuse of children by Liu Haizhong and the feudalistic legacy of his family. An investigation and hospital records confirm that Liu Guangfu was severely beaten by his father, Liu Haizhong, and Liu Guangtian has also suffered long-term abuse. His mother, Gou Xianhui, not only failed to stop it but also allowed it to continue. His brother, Liu Guangqi, is also indifferent to this."

"Such a family environment has seriously endangered the physical and mental health and safety of the two underage children! In order to protect the victims, at Liu Guangtian's insistence and with the approval of the street leaders, our Women's Federation now officially announces its support for the Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu brothers to separate from Liu Haizhong, Gou Xianhui, and Liu Guangqi!"

"Separate families?" The onlookers were in an uproar again. Let two teenagers separate and live independently? This was simply unheard of!