I painted an aircraft carrier on the courtyard house for Dongda University.

Seeing the expressions on their faces, Qin Huairu felt a chill in her heart, but still looked tremblingly at the deaf old woman: "Grandma, how is it? Can Dongxu and Uncle be released?"

The deaf old woman shook her head, her face pale. "This is a very troublesome matter. They just made a phone call, which means that a big shot is watching this. There's nothing we can do about it."

Qin Huairu's face turned deathly pale instantly. She collapsed to the ground, her voice trembling, "What are Bang Geng and I supposed to do then???"

The deaf old woman's eyes flickered as she said to Qin Huairu, "Huairu, someone specifically mentioned a couple of things to me when I left. I suspect that Jia Dongxu has more to do than just this one thing; he probably has other problems as well."

Qin Huairu was stunned by these words. The deaf old woman's meaning was clear: Jia Dongxu was completely beyond saving.

If her husband goes in, she and Banggeng will be finished. Without food rations or money in Beijing, does she really have to go back to the countryside? But what can she do there? Farm?

The deaf old woman squinted at Qin Huairu: "Huairu, from what they're saying, it's not just a matter of whether or not to save Dongxu, but there might be other complications. However, I have a way that might save you and Banggeng, it just depends on whether you're willing?"

Qin Huairu, who had been desperate, saw a glimmer of hope upon hearing this and said urgently, "Grandma, thank you! Just tell me, as long as Bang Geng has a way to survive, I'll do whatever you say!"

The deaf old woman squinted and continued, "Huai Ru, Dong Xu is most likely to be sentenced. But once Dong Xu is sentenced, coupled with Jia Zhangshi's problem, your entire family will be labeled as 'black five categories.' In other words, you and Bang Geng won't survive, let alone Bang Geng's future. To put it bluntly, once you're labeled as 'black five categories,' your family is basically destined to die out. Do you understand?"

Qin Huairu, her face filled with terror, knelt down with a thud and kowtowed, pleading, "Grandma, please save my Banggeng!"

The deaf old woman gestured for Qin Huairu to come closer and whispered something in her ear.

The woman had been silent ever since she returned.

Seeing Qin Huairu's expression shift between shock, fear, and unease, she remained silent, equally uneasy.

After a while, Qin Huairu walked out of the back room in a daze and went straight home.

An older woman looked at the deaf old woman with a complex expression, hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "Grandma, why do you have to do this? How can Huai Ru face people after this?"

The deaf old woman explained, "Cuilan, I know you're kind-hearted, but things aren't like they used to be. Xiao Yi is definitely going to jail this time; even Deputy District Chief Zheng doesn't want to help. I have to make plans for you and me. I don't lack money; we can definitely live comfortably. But Deputy District Chief Zheng warned me to stay away from Jia Dongxu. Although he didn't say it clearly, the fact that even a deputy district chief is afraid to help Xiao Yi means there's definitely a big problem. As long as we can get Huai Ru out of the Jia family, I'll think of a way to get her and Sha Zhu together. Then, no matter what, your retirement, Xiao Yi's, and I won't be a problem. Sigh, it's all Xiao Yi's fault. I've advised him so many times, but he just won't listen."

The middle-aged woman was completely bewildered and could only nod helplessly.

Qin Huairu returned home shakily, nervously found a few sheets of paper, and began to write stroke by stroke, gritting her teeth.

After finishing writing, Qin Huairu returned to the back room with the stick.

He nodded repeatedly at the deaf old woman's instructions, and then headed straight for the police station.

When Qin Huairu saw Jia Dongxu, she was on the verge of tears.

Seeing her like this, Jia Dongxu felt a pang of sadness, but still held onto hope: "Huai Ru, you must ask your master's wife and the old lady to get my master and me out of here."

Qin Huairu's face was filled with sorrow: "Dongxu, there's nothing we can do. The old lady said this matter is too big, and they really don't have any good solutions."

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongxu's face turned deathly pale, and he froze completely.

Qin Huairu cried out, "Dongxu, how are Banggeng and I supposed to live! You can't get out, and Banggeng and I don't even have rations. We're out of money now. Banggeng and I will starve to death soon. It doesn't matter if I die, but Banggeng..." She broke down in tears.

Jia Dongxu trembled, as if he were thinking of something terrible: "Huai... Huairu, is there really no other way? If all else fails, go and beg Zhou Weiguo. As long as they give in, I'll definitely be alright."

Qin Huairu's eyes flickered as she continued to sob, "Dongxu, I begged you, but what's the use? You and that old man have completely offended them this time. How could they possibly let you off the hook!"

Jia Dongxu slumped in his chair, then suddenly his face lit up with hope: "Huai Ru, hasn't that Zhu Zi always been fond of you? You... you go keep him company, and then use this to get Zhou Weiguo to let me and my master go. Yes, yes, that'll definitely work! It'll absolutely get Zhou Weiguo to let us go."

Qin Huairu froze, staring straight at Jia Dongxu.

Jia Dongxu also felt that these words were too explicit, and quickly explained, "Huai Ru, don't misunderstand, I don't mean for you to really do this. It's just that for our family to survive, this is the only way. Just bear with it. Believe me, once I get out, I will definitely work hard, and our family's life will definitely get better and better."

Qin Huairu's last shred of guilt vanished. She took out several sheets of paper from her cloth bag: "Dongxu, I understand. Don't worry, no matter what, I will do everything I can to help you. I promise I will make sure Banggeng lives a healthy life, even if it means being vilified. Dongxu, this is a statement the old lady asked you to sign. She said she will try to use her connections to get you and Uncle out of here, but you need to write a statement so she can find someone. Please sign and put your fingerprint on it so she can find a way to save you." After saying this, she forced herself to suppress her nervousness and handed over the papers.

To her surprise, Jia Dongxu looked excited, as if he had finally been saved, and said directly, "I knew the old lady wouldn't abandon me and Uncle! Where do we sign?"

Qin Huairu stood there stunned for a long time before finally saying, "Here, here, and here too."

After a long while, Qin Huairu walked out of the police station trembling, holding several sheets of paper that Jia Dongxu had signed without even looking at them.

Subsequently, Qin Huairu rushed to the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, where she was stopped by security personnel.

"Hello comrade, could you please help me find Section Chief Liu in the Personnel Department? I need to tell him that Old Lady Long's junior needs to speak with him."

Half an hour later, Qin Huairu sat in the personnel department office, looking nervous, and said, "Section Chief Liu, today I want to take over my husband Jia Dongxu's work position. This is the explanation he wrote."