Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

After dinner, Yan Bugui followed Zhao Xiulan's instructions and knocked on doors in the courtyard one by one.

"Everyone, let's have a hospital-wide meeting! Deputy Director Zhao has something important to say!"

In the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, the open space in the center of the courtyard was filled with people.

Yan Bugui stood at the front of the crowd, clutching a small notebook in his hand, looking as if he was about to take notes at any moment.

The deaf old woman was helped by Widow Li to sit on a stone bench.

Other neighbors gathered in twos and threes, whispering and discussing the matter, mostly guessing that it was about Liu Haizhong hitting the child.

Lin Weidong, Lin Jianjun, and Zhao Xiulan walked out together.

As soon as Zhao Xiulan stood in the center of the crowd, the courtyard instantly quieted down.

Yan Bugui quickly said, "Everyone, the main reason I've gathered you all here today is because of the incident a few days ago where Liu Haizhong beat his child. I'd like Deputy Director Zhao to give us some feedback and also to establish some rules."

Zhao Xiulan nodded, her gaze falling on Liu Haizhong in the corner, and slowly spoke:

"Everyone in the neighborhood knows about Liu Haizhong beating Guangtian the day before yesterday."

"The child is your own. Discipline is acceptable, but there needs to be a limit. To hit so hard, leaving the child with a bloody head, is not just simple discipline; it's enough to warrant detention and imprisonment!"

These words immediately caused a small commotion in the crowd.

Some people clicked their tongues in surprise, not expecting the matter to be so serious. Others nodded in agreement, feeling that Liu Haizhong had indeed gone too far.

Zhao Xiulan paused for a moment, then continued, "But after all, it's a family matter, and I don't want to push things too far."

"After discussion by the subdistrict office, Comrade Liu Haizhong will be punished by cleaning the courtyard once a week for a period of one month, to give everyone an explanation and to teach him a lesson."

"This is my family matter, what right does the neighborhood committee have to interfere?" Liu Haizhong said, his face full of resentment and anger.

Zhao Xiulan's face darkened, and she said sternly, "Since you don't understand, then let me add another one: go to the neighborhood office for half an hour of study every day after get off work. You can stop when you've figured it out!"

Liu Haizhong's face turned bright red. He just let out a heavy groan, turned his head to the side, and his chest heaved violently.

The onlookers saw it all clearly, and some whispered among themselves, "Serves him right! He always beats the kids, now he's got what he deserves!"

Yan Bugui whispered to the person next to him, "It's a good thing to clean the yard, so we don't have to take turns. I just don't know if Liu Haizhong can do it well."

The second aunt stood next to Liu Haizhong, wanting to say something but not daring to speak, only sighing repeatedly.

Just then, Liu Guangtian suddenly pulled Liu Guangfu out from behind the crowd.

Liu Guangtian announced loudly, "Fellow neighbors, Guangfu and I plan to separate from Liu Haizhong's family!"

"What did you say?!" Liu Haizhong suddenly stood up and asked.

His eyes widened like saucers, and he pointed at Liu Guangtian's nose, launching into a tirade, "You little brat! You think you're all grown up now?"

"I'm not dead yet, and you dare to split up the family! I'll beat you to death, you ingrate!" he said, and was about to rush forward to attack.

"Liu Haizhong! Stop!" Zhao Xiulan shouted sternly.

"This is a hospital-wide meeting, not a place for you to run wild! Let's talk this out. If you dare to lay a hand on me again, I'll take you straight to the police station!"

Liu Haizhong was intimidated by Zhao Xiulan's imposing manner. His outstretched hand froze in mid-air, his chest still heaving violently, and he was still cursing under his breath, but he didn't dare to actually step forward.

Zhao Xiulan turned to Liu Guangtian and his brother, and asked seriously, "Guangtian, Guangfu, have you two thought it through?"

"Dividing the family property is no small matter. From now on, we'll be two separate families. Have you thought it through?"

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu exchanged a glance, nodded heavily, and said in unison, "We've thought it through, we really do need to separate the family!"

At this point, the second aunt couldn't hold back any longer. She grabbed the two children's hands and said, "No! Children, you can't share them!"

"The family is doing just fine, why are you splitting up? How will you all live in the future?"

"Stop crying! Fine, let's break up!" Liu Haizhong abruptly interrupted his second aunt.

He glared fiercely at his two sons. "If we're going to separate, let's do it cleanly. Let's sever all ties! From now on, you go your separate ways, and I'll go mine. We'll have nothing to do with each other!"

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu were stunned; they hadn't expected Liu Haizhong to be so decisive.

The two brothers felt a chill in their hearts. Any hesitation they had felt was instantly extinguished, leaving only utter disappointment.

The discussion in the courtyard instantly erupted.

"My God, severing ties with family? That's too ruthless!"

How could Liu Haizhong be so heartless towards his own son?

"They must have been heartbroken; anyone would have been devastated."

"What will happen to the Guangtian brothers now?"

Everyone was talking at once, their eyes filled with incomprehension and accusation as they looked at Liu Haizhong, while many others looked at Liu Guangtian and his brother with sympathy.

Liu Guangtian snapped out of his daze, his disappointment turning into utter resolve. He raised his head, met Liu Haizhong's gaze, and said, word by word:

"Fine, we're severing ties! From this day forward, my brother and I have nothing to do with you, Liu Haizhong!"

"Fine! You've got guts!" Liu Haizhong laughed angrily.

"Since we're no longer related, you're moving out today! This house is mine, it's none of your business, so don't stay here and get in the way!"

These words caused the discussion in the courtyard to grow louder. Even Lin Weidong frowned. He hadn't expected Liu Haizhong to be so ruthless to his own son, kicking him out right after severing ties and not even letting him stay for a single night.

"Isn't this going too far? Even if you're severing ties, you don't have to be this ruthless!"

"Yeah, it's so late, where are we going to send those two kids?"

"Liu Haizhong is so heartless, he's practically inhuman!"

The murmurs surged like a tide, but Liu Haizhong seemed not to hear them, still holding his neck up and looking completely indifferent.

The deaf old woman standing nearby brightened up, and she started making plans in her mind.

She saw Liu Guangtian and his brother go to Lin Weidong's house today, and this matter is most likely related to Lin Weidong.

Now Liu Haizhong hates Lin Weidong to the core, and his son has cut off their relationship. He must be burning with anger. Isn't this a good opportunity?

With just a little provocation, Liu Haizhong and Lin Weidong could be put into a fight, allowing me to reap the benefits and perhaps even resolve the Jia Zhangshi affair as well.

She glanced at Liu Haizhong without making a sound, a subtle smile playing on her lips.

Looking at the situation before her, Zhao Xiulan felt a pang of emotion. She cleared her throat and said:

"Since you both agree to sever ties, let's settle this matter today in front of the entire neighborhood. After the severance, may you each live your own lives peacefully and not interfere with each other."

The courtyard gradually quieted down, and the neighbors all looked at Liu Guangtian and his brother with complicated expressions.

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu took a deep breath and nodded to Zhao Xiulan and the others, which was considered as acknowledging the result.

After the matter was settled, the neighbors gradually dispersed, leaving Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu standing in the courtyard.

Clutching the luggage that Liu Haizhong had thrown out, and looking at the familiar courtyard, she didn't know where to go for a moment.

Lin Weidong walked over and said, "Guangtian, Guangfu, it's so late and there's nowhere to go outside. Come to my place for the night, and we can talk about it tomorrow."

Liu Haizhong suddenly came out of the house, leaned against the doorframe, and said, "Hmph, the houses in the yard aren't places where just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can live!"

"They're no longer part of the compound, so why are they living here?"

"They can stay, but they need a letter of introduction from the neighborhood committee. Otherwise, how will they know who they are? What if they cause trouble for the neighborhood?"

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu were stunned. They hadn't expected that Liu Haizhong wouldn't even give them a place to stay for one night. The last bit of family affection in their hearts had completely turned cold.

Lin Weidong frowned, looked at Liu Haizhong, and said, "My mother is the deputy director of the subdistrict office. I'll have her issue the letter of introduction right now, is that alright?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong could only let out a heavy snort, turn around and go back into the house, slamming the door shut.

Lin Weidong patted Liu Guangtian on the shoulder and said, "Ignore him, come with me."

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu said to Lin Weidong, "Thank you, Chief Engineer Lin."

Then he picked up his luggage and followed.