Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

The deaf old woman came to the Jia family and saw Jia Zhangshi applying medicine to her skin.

"Jia Zhangshi, do you want to take revenge on Qin Huairu's mother?"

Madam Jia put down the medicine and said in a muffled voice, "How can I not want to? But now, sir, I can't beat you in a fight or out-argue you. What else can I do?"

The deaf old woman said, "Grandma, I have a solution here, would you like to hear it?"

"What method?"

"How could this woman from the Qin family come to the courtyard house just to take care of the children? Look at He Daqing, he's still a bachelor!"

"you mean?"

The deaf old woman walked up to Jia Zhangshi and said, "Can't you spread rumors?"

Madam Jia guessed that the old lady must have other motives, so she pretended to be in a difficult position and said, "I have to go to the street to get matchboxes to paste, I don't have time."

The deaf old woman took out five yuan and said, "As long as you get this done, these five yuan are yours."

Madam Jia already hated the He family, but she couldn't resist the temptation of money, so she immediately agreed.

The next morning, Madam Jia went crazy, talking to whoever she could in the courtyard, gossiping about Qin's mother and He Daqing with great enthusiasm.

"You guys don't know! Qin Huairu's mother is always sneaking into He Daqing's room, the two of them are exchanging glances, and nothing good ever happens between them!"

"That old bastard He Daqing always liked widows, but now he's changed his taste and is eyeing other people's mothers-in-law!"

"Otherwise, tell me, what kind of mother-in-law stays at her son-in-law's house every day? She must be up to no good!"

Her voice was high-pitched and loud, as if she was afraid others wouldn't hear her. In just two days, her words spread from the courtyard to the street, becoming the subject of laughter among the neighbors.

He Daqing went to buy groceries that day. As soon as he entered the market, several familiar stall owners teased him: "Daqing, we heard you've changed your tastes lately? You don't like widows anymore, and you like your in-laws now?"

These words made He Daqing blush with embarrassment. He was so angry that he threw down his vegetable basket, turned around and went home, not daring to go out all day.

He finally understood that his reputation as a "widow-lover" was now firmly established.

Qin's mother's days became even more difficult.

She spends her days taking care of her children and doing housework, and rarely interacts with her neighbors.

But now, people always point and whisper about her when she walks down the street, and the gossip behind her back feels like needles pricking her heart.

At first, Qin's mother would blush and argue back, saying, "Don't talk nonsense! I've lived an honest life, and I have a clear conscience!"

But with so many people talking about it, the spittle could drown a person.

Later on, Qin's mother simply stopped going out. Even when she was sunbathing in the yard, she would find a secluded corner, afraid of being seen and attracting a lot of gossip.

She felt incredibly wronged and couldn't sleep at night, tossing and turning in bed, secretly wiping away tears.

Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu saw this and were very anxious.

That evening, the couple could no longer bear it and, filled with anger, knocked on the Lin family's door.

Lin Weidong had just returned from the factory and was talking to Zhao Xiulan about what happened in the workshop when he saw the two of them come in with pale faces. He knew something must have happened.

Sha Zhu plopped down on the stool. "Wei Dong, you have to help us think of a solution! That crazy woman Jia Zhangshi is spreading rumors about my mother-in-law and my father everywhere. Now the whole neighborhood is laughing at our family! What kind of mess is this?!"

Qin Huairu, her eyes also red, choked out, "Chief Engineer Lin, we know you're quick-witted. Help us analyze this; someone must be pulling strings behind the scenes! Jia Zhangshi's brain couldn't possibly come up with such a wicked plan!"

Lin Weidong frowned and pondered for a moment.

He had long suspected something was amiss. Although Jia Zhangshi was shrewish, she had always only resorted to tantrums and public swearing. This level of reputation-damaging behavior was definitely not her doing.

"This matter cannot be left like this. Mom, you are the deputy director of the subdistrict office. Tomorrow, you should convene a general meeting of the entire subdistrict, gather everyone in the subdistrict, and explain this matter clearly in front of everyone."

Zhao Xiulan nodded: "I think it's a good idea! It's perfect for shutting down this unhealthy trend! Daring to spread rumors and cause trouble on my turf, they're really asking for it!"

Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu exchanged a glance, and immediately understood.

With Lin Weidong and Zhao Xiulan involved, this matter will definitely be thoroughly investigated and resolved.

The next evening, the general meeting of the entire institute was held on time in the courtyard.

Zhao Xiulan stood in the middle of the crowd and cleared her throat: "I've called everyone here today because I have something to say! Recently, some people in the courtyard have been spreading rumors that Qin Huairu's mother and He Daqing have an ambiguous relationship. That's complete nonsense! Today, I'm going to find out the truth about this in front of everyone!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur arose from the crowd below.

Yan Bugui shrank back, not daring to utter a sound.

Liu Haizhong watched the spectacle with schadenfreude. An older woman stood at the back of the crowd, glancing at the deaf old woman with a complicated expression.

The deaf old woman, leaning on her cane, sat on a small stool at the front, squinting her eyes, looking as if it were none of her business.

Lin Weidong glanced at everyone, his gaze finally settling on Jia Zhangshi, who was huddled in a corner.

He walked slowly over, looked at Jia Zhangshi, and said, "Jia Zhangshi, did you spread those rumors outside?"

Jia Zhangshi panicked, her eyes darting around: "It wasn't me! I didn't say that!"

"Didn't you say? Then yesterday afternoon, you told Aunt Wang at the alley entrance that Qin's mother was going to He Daqing's house every day. Who said that? And the day before yesterday, you told Aunt Li from the neighborhood office that He Daqing had changed his tastes. Who said that?"

The details he mentioned were all things Zhao Xiulan had inquired about in the neighborhood during the day.

Jia Zhangshi was no match for such deception and panicked instantly, stammering, "I...I was just saying it offhand."

Lin Weidong pressed on, "Just saying it offhand? You think you can turn white into black just by saying it offhand? You think you can make Qin's mother the subject of gossip and make He Daqing lose face? Is your mouth just for spreading rumors and causing trouble?"

Jia Zhangshi was rendered speechless by the questioning. When she was pushed to the limit, she decided to give up entirely.

She shouted in a shrill voice, "What's wrong with me just saying that? Who knows what she does all day in our courtyard! What kind of mother-in-law stays at her daughter's house taking care of the kids all day! She's definitely up to no good!"

These words caused an uproar. So, her reason for spreading rumors was this?

Zhao Xiulan was so angry that her face turned ashen, and she launched into a tirade against Jia Zhangshi.

"You brainless shrew! Qin's mother is just trying to help take care of the child because she loves her daughter. How could she have ulterior motives?"

"You're lazy and good-for-nothing, you don't care about your son, but you forbid others from caring about their daughter? I think you're blinded by greed and your conscience has been eaten by dogs!"

"Spreading rumors and damaging someone's reputation is unacceptable! Jia Zhangshi must compensate Qin's mother with ten yuan for emotional distress."

"Starting tomorrow, Jia Zhangshi will be responsible for cleaning the entire courtyard for a week. If she dares to slack off, she'll be sent straight back to the countryside!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi immediately sat down on the ground, ready to throw a tantrum. "Ten yuan? And I have to sweep the yard? I don't have any money! I won't do it! Why are you punishing me!"

"On what grounds? Because you spew filth and spread rumors! No money? How about I have someone send you back to the countryside tomorrow?"

With a bitter face, Jia Zhangshi said, "I'll pay for it, I'll sweep it up, okay?"