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

When He Yubing said that the management position had been cancelled long ago, everyone present was shocked and immediately started whispering among themselves.

"It was cancelled in five or six years? Really?"

"Then all those hospital-wide meetings we've held over the years have been completely baseless, haven't they? And what about all this donation of money and grain to the Jia family?"

"Who says otherwise! I always thought the three old men were recognized by the neighborhood committee..."

Many of them genuinely didn't know, but quite a few were pretending not to. These past few years have been tough, and having a magistrate in charge meant things were easier; someone would step in and make decisions. As for whether this magistrate was appointed by the street office or self-appointed, who cared? Everyone was operating on the principle of "it's none of my business," and some had even long ago sided with Yi Zhonghai and his group.

Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui both stood up at this moment, no longer daring to maintain their airs of being the steward. Over the years, they had benefited greatly from this long-abolished stewardship; this pretense could not become reality. They also regretted how they had been so blinded by greed, listening to Yi Zhonghai and the deaf old woman. If this matter were to be reported to higher authorities, it would be a huge problem.

Yi Zhonghai's face darkened.

These two good-for-nothings, they used to live a life of luxury, reaping countless benefits by following me, always eager to get their share at those donation ceremonies. Now, a few words from He Yubing have terrified them, and they don't even have the courage to stand with me. They're utterly hopeless!

He gave a knowing look to an older woman in the crowd, who immediately understood and quietly stood up and walked towards the backyard. He Yubing naturally saw everything the "old widow" and the "barren hen" did, but she didn't care. Today, even if the King of Heaven himself came, he would have to face her two big punches.

"He Yubing, let's not talk about this now." Yi Zhonghai began to use his best techniques of changing the subject and subtly shifting the meaning.

"Now we're talking about your innocent assault and disrespect for elders. You beat Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu without cause, that's a fact, isn't it? Regardless of whether we're in charge or not, we're your elders and have the right to discipline you! Your father, He Daqing, isn't here, so we have a responsibility to discipline you younger ones on his behalf!"

Yi Zhonghai's words were forceful, and it seemed reasonable for him to change his position from that of a senior figure to that of an elder. After all, according to the old Chinese almanac, it's perfectly acceptable for the older generation to manage the younger generation.

But this tactic became a joke when used on He Yubing. He took a few steps and stood in front of Yi Zhonghai, offering up two powerful thrusts from both sides.

The entire room fell silent instantly, everyone staring in disbelief. What had He Yubing experienced outside that caused her to go crazy upon returning, even daring to hit an old man? Even if Yi Zhonghai wasn't the manager as he claimed, he was still an eighth-grade worker at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, a well-known figure among the factory leaders.

Most of the properties in this courtyard are registered under the name of the steel rolling mill; in other words, they are the mill's employee dormitories. The residents are managed not only by the local street office but also by the mill's security department. If He Yubing were to assault a factory worker without cause, especially a master craftsman of the eighth grade, he would face serious consequences, even if he returned from military service.

Yi Zhonghai was stunned. How many years had it been since he'd been beaten? Ever since he became a liaison officer and was promoted to a seventh-grade worker, he had been a master craftsman in the factory, respected and flattered by everyone in the courtyard. Who would dare to disobey him in the slightest? Today, in front of the entire courtyard, he had been slapped across the face by He Yubing in public!

"You...you...you..." he stammered for a long time, his face filled with disbelief.

He Yubing flicked her right hand and sneered, "Who the hell are you an elder to? I have fathers and ancestors, when did it become your place, a childless descendant, to point fingers at our He family? You've learned to change the subject, haven't you? I just asked you if you wanted to form your own organization? You'd better answer me clearly now, yes or no!"

"Let me tell you, Yi Zhonghai, I'm definitely going to the neighborhood committee office tomorrow. You three are impersonating government officials, bullying the people in this courtyard, meddling in other people's family affairs, and expecting others to contribute money and effort to help your apprentice? And expecting others to give up their houses?"

"Let me tell you, just because Jia Dongxu is your own apprentice, you, Yi Zhonghai, can't escape! You want to help your apprentice? Take your own money and food, take your own house! Why should you take from the He family? You, Yi Zhonghai, are an eighth-grade worker, with a monthly salary and subsidies of over a hundred, and your ration is the highest. Your apprentice's family is struggling to make ends meet, why don't you support them?"

That hit the nail on the head.

Everyone in the courtyard knew that Jia Dongxu was Yi Zhonghai's apprentice. Everyone in the courtyard also knew that Yi Zhonghai was good to the Jia family. But no one knew exactly how much Yi Zhonghai had given the Jia family. In any case, on the surface, Yi Zhonghai spoke up for the Jia family, getting Sha Zhu to provide money, food, and housing.

"I..."

Before Yi Zhonghai could speak, He Yubing gave him no chance, "Furthermore, you actually dared to collude with others to coerce military dependents, and that old hag even dared to arrange marriages for them! Are you fucking looking for death?"

The phrase "military dependents" carries significant weight.

In this era, military dependents are protected. He Yubing is an active-duty soldier, and He Yushui is his sister, making them a military dependent. Yi Zhonghai, with a whole courtyard of people, bullied He Yushui, a young girl. What kind of behavior is this?

Yi Zhonghai broke out in a cold sweat immediately.

"He Yubing, you can't make false accusations! I didn't coerce the military family! I was just thinking that the Jia family was in trouble, and everyone was helping out. This kind of neighborly assistance is a traditional virtue..." Yi Zhonghai was anxious. If this really got reported to the street office, even with Director Wang's protection, he would still be in serious trouble because of He Yubing's military status.

"Screw your traditional virtues!" He Yuzhu kicked Yi Zhonghai to the ground, then turned and pointed at the crowd, "Are you all in cahoots with these old bastards? I'm out here in the army, and all I have left at home are my two kids who're easy to bully, huh? Tomorrow I'll go to the Armed Forces Department and have them come and have a proper talk with you!"

These words startled everyone present. In this day and age, no one can withstand such a heavy accusation, and they all immediately began to distance themselves from the situation.

"No, Da Bingzi, our family is not with Yi Zhonghai and his group. We're just watching the fun, and that's not illegal."

"Yes, yes, our family is just a bystander. We never kick someone when they're down during a big meeting."

"That's right, it was all their idea, it has nothing to do with us!"

Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui panicked, their legs trembling. Liu the Fatty, whose forehead was already dripping with sweat in this sweltering heat, now had it pouring down like a stream. He quickly waved his hands, "Da Bingzi, this was all Lao Yi's idea. I was just listening; it has nothing to do with me!"

Yan Bugui quickly nodded, "Yes, yes, me too. It was all arranged by Lao Yi. I'm just a figurehead; whatever he says goes!"

Yi Zhonghai sat on the ground, his face turning blue with anger. He pointed at the two of them and muttered "you two" for a long time, cursing inwardly, "What a bunch of incompetent teammates! Why didn't you say that when you were dividing up the food?"

Just when they were in a very passive position and on the verge of being abandoned by everyone, a loud, aged voice shouted from the back of the crowd, "Shut up, all of you!"

An older woman helped a deaf old lady walk out from the backyard. Now, like a hen that had laid an egg, the old lady stood tall and proud, looking down at everyone with disdain, and began to squawk in a shrill voice.

"Our ancestor has arrived! Let's see who dares to cause trouble in the courtyard!"