Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

The deaf old woman got up at the crack of dawn the next day.

Leaning on her cane, she walked unsteadily to the neighborhood office, found Director Wang, and forced a kind smile onto her face:

"Director Wang, I heard that the streets have recently taken in quite a few people who fled famine?"

"I'm an old woman living alone, with no one to take care of me. I'd like to find an honest man to live with me so we can help each other out."

Director Wang knew perfectly well that she wanted to find a free maid to serve her.

But in the current situation, the refugees are so hungry that they are dizzy and they are just grateful to have a bite to eat.

She nodded: "Grandma, I'll take you to the refugee camp. You can pick one that you like."

The refugee resettlement site was located in an abandoned warehouse. As soon as you opened the door, a sour smell mixed with sweat and mold hit you.

The warehouse was packed to the brim, with men, women, and children sitting on the floor. They were all emaciated, their eyes filled with exhaustion and fear.

The deaf old woman frowned, covered her nose with a handkerchief, and slowly moved through the crowd with her cane.

Her gaze swept critically over everyone, disliking this one for being too thin and weak, afraid he wouldn't be able to do the work. Disliking that one for looking slick and slippery, afraid he wouldn't obey.

Finally, her gaze fell on a middle-aged woman in the corner.

The woman looked to be in her thirties, with a strong build and powerful arms. Her eyes and brows revealed an honest and docile nature.

When the deaf old woman looked over, she timidly lowered her head, appearing submissive and resigned.

"She's the one," the deaf old woman said to Director Wang, pointing at the woman.

Little did she know that the "honest man" she had her eye on was actually a cunning schemer.

This woman's surname is Li. She escaped from the disaster area. Don't be fooled by her gentle appearance; she's actually incredibly cunning.

Not only does she know how to feign pitifulness to gain sympathy, but her scheming methods are even more ruthless than Jia Zhangshi's; she is a veritable upgraded version of Jia Zhangshi.

When Widow Li saw that the deaf old woman had chosen her, she quickly smiled gratefully and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, Auntie! Thank you for taking me in! I will definitely serve you well!"

The deaf old woman nodded in satisfaction, thinking to herself that finally someone would be there to take care of her.

After leaving the neighborhood office, she leaned on her cane and led Widow Li towards the courtyard, her steps becoming lighter.

At the entrance of the courtyard, Jia Zhangshi was squatting on a small stool pasting matchboxes.

Her fingers were covered in paste, and she moved slowly. Hearing footsteps, she glanced up and saw the deaf old woman approaching with a filthy woman. She then said in a sarcastic tone:

"Oh my goodness! Grandma, where did you pick up this beggar? He's all dirty, don't make a mess of our yard!"

Upon hearing this, the deaf old woman's face instantly darkened.

She had just brought Widow Li back and was thinking of having the newly hired servant serve her well, so she wouldn't allow Madam Jia to say anything here.

She stopped and glared at Jia Zhangshi, slamming her cane into the ground as she said sharply:

"Jia Zhangshi! Stop talking nonsense! This is Widow Li, whom I hired to take care of me! Who gives you the right to gossip?"

Jia Zhangshi was stunned by the reprimand. Although she was unconvinced, she dared not utter another word.

She knew how formidable the deaf old woman was; if she really angered her, who knew what schemes the old woman might devise against her.

She lowered her head dejectedly and continued pasting the matchbox in her hands, muttering under her breath, "He's clearly a refugee..."

Standing behind the deaf old woman, Widow Li kept her head down the whole time, looking docile and timid.

But no one noticed that her hands, hanging at her sides, had quietly clenched into fists, and a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes hidden beneath her messy bangs.

She memorized Jia Zhangshi's face, and remembered this old hag who had called her a beggar the moment she opened her mouth. She remembered this debt.

The deaf old woman, too lazy to pay any more attention to Jia Zhangshi, led Widow Li back to her own home.

As soon as she entered, the deaf old woman rummaged through the wardrobe and pulled out a set of worn-out coarse cloth clothes, tossing them to Widow Li. She then took out two dimes from her pocket, placed them on the table, and spoke with a somewhat imperious tone:

"Change into these clothes first, then take this two cents and go to the bathhouse at the street corner to take a bath and get yourself clean. When you come back, you'll start the fire, cook, and clean the house, understand?"

Widow Li quickly picked up her clothes, carefully took the two cents from the table, and clutched them tightly in her palm.

She looked up, a flattered expression on her face, and said in a voice barely audible, "Thank you, Auntie! I understand! I will definitely serve you well!"

The old deaf woman was very pleased with his docile and obedient demeanor.

She waved her hand impatiently and said, "Alright, alright, hurry up and go! Come back and get to work!"

Widow Li nodded, hugged her clothes, clutched two cents, and turned to leave the house.

As soon as she stepped out of the gate, she bumped into Jia Zhangshi, who was guarding the entrance.

Her eyes lit up when she saw the money clutched tightly in Widow Li's hand. She immediately stepped forward, blocking Widow Li's path, hands on her hips, and shouted sternly:

"Stop right there! You beggar! Where did you come from? What are you doing in our courtyard? Did you steal the money you have?"

As she spoke, she reached out and grabbed at Widow Li's wrist, clearly intending to rob her.

Widow Li may look thin and frail, but she has been doing farm work for many years and has considerable strength in her hands.

When she saw Jia Zhangshi rushing over, a cold smile flashed in her eyes, but her face still showed that timid look.

Just as Jia Zhangshi's hand was about to touch her wrist, she suddenly dodged to the side and then pushed back.

Jia Zhangshi had been squatting for a long time, and her legs and feet were numb. She couldn't withstand this push.

She cried out "Ouch!" and staggered back two steps before falling hard on her bottom, wincing in pain.

Upon seeing this, Widow Li immediately threw the clothes she was holding onto the ground, placed the two cents on the clothes, and then lay down on the ground with a "plop".

She covered her head with her hands, kicked her legs wildly, and cried out in a heart-wrenching voice, "Don't hit me! Don't hit me! I'm just a refugee! The old lady was kind enough to take me in and let me serve her! I didn't steal any money! Please, don't hit me!"

Her cries were sharp and loud, instantly alerting the neighbors in the courtyard.

Several women who were at home came out of their houses and gathered around to watch the excitement.

Jia Zhangshi sat on the ground, looking at Widow Li lying on the ground crying and shouting, completely stunned.

She clearly didn't hit the other person, so how did they end up lying on the ground? She opened her mouth, wanting to explain, "I didn't hit her! She pushed me! It was her!"

But Widow Li gave her no chance to explain, and cried even harder, saying to the onlookers between sobs:

"Neighbors, please be my judges! I'm just a poor soul, a refugee from famine. I'm so grateful to this kind old lady for taking me in and even giving me money to take a bath."

"This old lady came up to me and accused me of being a thief, and tried to steal my money. I... I really had no other choice!"

Upon hearing this, and looking at Widow Li on the ground and then at Madam Jia sitting on the ground, everyone immediately understood most of it.

Everyone in the courtyard knows Jia Zhangshi's usual character. She's a master of extortion, tantrums, and opportunism. Now, seeing that this is just a newcomer, a woman fleeing famine, she's trying to bully her and steal her money—it's absolutely outrageous!

"Jia Zhangshi, you've gone too far! You're bullying a poor, unfortunate person from out of town!"

"Exactly! The old lady kindly took her in, and you, on top of that, immediately accused her of being a thief and tried to rob her! Have you lost your conscience?"

"They're here to take care of the old lady, and you're bullying them like this? Aren't you afraid of getting your comeuppance?"

The neighbors were all criticizing Jia Zhangshi, making her wish she could disappear into the ground.

Looking at the disdainful looks from the crowd and listening to their harsh words, she staggered to her feet and fled back to her dilapidated house, slamming the door shut behind her.

When Widow Li saw that Jia Zhangshi had run away, her crying gradually stopped.

She slowly got up from the ground, tears still on her face, but her eyes had returned to calm.

She bowed to the crowd, her voice trembling slightly, "Thank you all for speaking up for me, neighbors. I... I'm so grateful to you all."

Seeing her like this, everyone felt even more sorry for her and comforted her, saying, "Don't be afraid, young lady. We're here. Jia Zhangshi won't dare to bully you anymore!"

Widow Li nodded, bent down to pick up the clothes and the two cents from the ground, carefully held them in her arms, thanked everyone, and then lowered her head and slowly walked towards the bathhouse at the street corner.

She walked out of the courtyard house, out of sight of everyone, her face still wet with tears, but a sinister smile slowly crept onto her lips.

She muttered a cold snort under her breath, "You dare to mess with me? You're courting death! Just you wait, I'll make you pay for this, you old hag!"