Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

The 25th day of the twelfth lunar month.

A sudden heavy snowfall arrived quietly.

What caught everyone off guard, even more than the heavy snow, was an emergency order issued by the municipal party committee.

The reputation of Zhao Xiulan from Hongxing Subdistrict Office should be restored, and those involved in the previous anonymous whistleblower incident should be thoroughly investigated.

The order came quickly and urgently, clearly indicating that it was the result of direct intervention from higher-ups.

Despite the wind and snow, staff from the neighborhood committee went door-to-door to warn residents who had reported the incident.

They were told in a stern tone that they must not make any more malicious reports, otherwise they would be dealt with according to the law.

Most of them were bought off by Yi Zhonghai.

The letter of complaint was written with the mindset of "taking money to solve problems".

Now that things have escalated, he was so frightened that he nodded repeatedly in apology and dared not make any further moves.

However, this thorough investigation ultimately failed to implicate the deaf old woman and Yi Zhonghai behind the scenes.

They left no direct evidence, so they escaped investigation unscathed.

Inside the deaf old woman's house.

"The tactic of reporting them is no longer working."

"Lin Weidong is currently riding high, with his mother backed up by higher authorities. An anonymous report will only backfire."

As she spoke, the deaf old woman looked up at Yi Zhonghai, who was sitting to the side.

"Go spend some money and find those people from before to get Zhao Xiulan transferred out of the subdistrict office."

"As long as she's not in this position, the Lin family will lose all say in the neighborhood, and we'll have a chance in the courtyard."

Yi Zhonghai was secretly plotting something, but he quickly replied, "Don't worry, Grandma, I'll take care of it right away."

The deaf old woman seemed to see through his thoughts, her eyes turned cold, and she warned, "Don't even think about trying to get away with this."

"If Zhao Xiulan is still in the subdistrict office, you will never be able to show your face again in the courtyard. You will only be able to follow Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui and eat their dust."

"You should think about it carefully and see if this can be done."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai nodded quickly: "Don't worry, I will definitely handle it well!"

He knew in his heart that the deaf old woman was right.

At the same time, inside the Lin family's house.

Lin Weidong and his parents sat around the stove, while Zhao Xiulan knitted a sweater: "The people from the neighborhood committee have already come to handle the matter. Those who reported me have been warned, and they even restored my reputation in public."

Lin Weidong smiled, understanding dawning on his mind.

This must be the result of Su Zhenbang's behind-the-scenes manipulation.

"Dad, you can rest at home during this time."

Lin Weidong looked at Lin Jianjun and said, "Minister Shen told me that the steel rolling mill director who was parachuted in earlier has been demoted to deputy section chief because of what happened before."

"After the New Year, when I take up my post at Hongxing Machinery Factory, I will transfer him to your command. You can decide how to arrange things then."

Lin Jianjun laughed heartily: "Good! I'll have to teach him a lesson then, so he knows what it means to work diligently and conscientiously."

Zhao Xiulan gave him a reproachful look: "Stop thinking about settling personal scores. Working hard is the most important thing."

The snow outside the window was falling heavier and heavier. Yi Zhonghai, carrying four gold bars, braved the wind and snow and walked out of the courtyard.

Following the address given by the deaf old woman, he stumbled his way to the door of the district committee office director's house.

He knocked on the door, and a deep voice came from inside: "Who is it?"

"Long Xiaoni sent me," Yi Zhonghai said quickly.

The door was quickly opened, and a middle-aged man wearing a cotton-padded coat poked his head out.

Seeing Yi Zhonghai covered in snow, her eyes flickered for a moment, and she quickly invited him inside: "Come in quickly."

After entering the room, Yi Zhonghai rubbed his hands, which were numb with cold, and explained his purpose: "Director, I would like to ask you for a favor."

"Transfer Zhao Xiulan from Hongxing Subdistrict Office and assign her to any other position."

As he spoke, he took out three gold bars from his pocket and placed them on the table, saying, "It's just a small token of my appreciation."

In fact, he had four gold bars in his pocket, and secretly embezzled one.

In his view, three gold bars were enough to handle this matter.

The director picked up a gold bar, weighed it in his hand, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

Of course he knew who Zhao Xiulan was.

That's Lin Weidong's mother.

The Hongxing Machinery Factory, which Lin Weidong is about to take the helm of, is a genuine provincial-level unit.

Its future development potential is limitless.

Transfer Zhao Xiulan away? This is practically an opportunity delivered to our doorstep!

"This is not difficult to handle," the director said slowly, taking a drag of his cigarette.

Yi Zhonghai was overjoyed and quickly thanked him, "Thank you very much, Director!"

"I will definitely repay you when I have the chance!"

Unbeknownst to him, the director was actually plotting to use Zhao Xiulan to get close to Lin Weidong.

After the Hongxing Machinery Factory is completed, it will be a department-level unit, and Lin Weidong's status will be predictable.

By transferring Zhao Xiulan to his office, he would have the opportunity to get to know Lin Weidong.

With the remaining gold bar in his pocket, Yi Zhonghai left the director's house, completely satisfied.

Back in the courtyard house, he immediately went to inform the deaf old woman: "Grandma, it's done!"

"The director of the district committee office said that Zhao Xiulan will be transferred after the New Year."

The deaf old woman nodded in satisfaction: "Good! Well done! Once Zhao Xiulan leaves, our lives in the courtyard will be much easier."

Lin Weidong is currently discussing with his parents where to spend the Chinese New Year.

"Let's go back to the village and spend the year with Grandpa and Grandma Weidong this year," Lin Jianjun said.

"Sure, you two both have time this year anyway. But after the factory reopens after the New Year, I don't know if we'll have time to go back."

Since his parents had said so, and it had been a long time since he had seen his grandparents, Lin Weidong decided to go back home for the Chinese New Year.

So he said, "Why don't we go and buy the things in the next couple of days, and then we'll go back?"

Lin Jianjun said nonchalantly, "What's there to buy? We'll just buy some vegetables and meat and head back."

"Just listen to me, I'll drive out tomorrow to buy some things, and I'll decide what to buy then."

Zhao Xiulan chimed in, "Since Wei Dong said so, let him make the arrangements."

The next day, after getting up, Lin Weidong planned to go to the department store to buy all the things for the New Year at once.

As soon as I arrived at the entrance of the courtyard house, I saw an older woman who was about to leave.

The other person greeted Lin Weidong, saying, "Weidong, are you going out?"

Lin Weidong looked at the middle-aged woman with slightly disheveled hair and said, "Yes, it's almost Chinese New Year, and she's getting ready to buy some New Year's goods."

"Yes, it's almost Chinese New Year."

Lin Weidong noticed that the other person was not in good condition and had obvious bruises around his eyes.

So he asked, "What's wrong with you?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than the woman burst into tears.

Seeing this, Lin Weidong took the other party back to the west courtyard.

Lin Weidong poured a glass of hot water for the older woman: "Have some water first."

The older woman took the water and drank a sip before her emotions calmed down a bit.

After a long silence, the middle-aged woman spoke up: "Please excuse my poor appearance."

"I've suffered so much during this time."

Lin Weidong looked at the other person with a face full of doubt.