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

Section Chief Liu was a slightly overweight man in his thirties or forties. His eyes kept scanning Qin Huairu up and down, and his desire was undisguised.

He didn't even read the explanation before staring at Qin Huairu: "Qin Huairu, right? Why would Jia Dongxu give you the workstation when everything was fine? And what's your relationship with Old Madam Long?"

Qin Huairu hurriedly explained, "Section Chief Liu, I'm a junior relative of Old Madam Long. Well, my husband Dongxu's situation is a bit complicated; he also has some health problems. Old Madam Long asked me to come to you, to ask you to transfer my husband's work position to me, and said that the favor she did for you when she introduced you to Factory Director Yang should be used here."

Upon hearing this, Section Chief Liu was visibly shaken. He stared intently at Qin Huairu, gritting his teeth as he said, "Qin Huairu, remember this: never mention Director Yang's name again, or don't blame me for being ruthless."

He then picked up the explanation, glanced at it, and nodded, saying, "Alright, I'll process your paperwork now."

After a series of steps, Qin Huairu completed the onboarding form.

Section Chief Liu smiled and said, "Alright, Qin Huairu, I'll give you three days. Go to Workshop 2 in three days. You'll be starting as a fitter, taking over Jia Dongxu's position. I'll make you a permanent employee right away, but your specific job grade will be determined next year."

Qin Huairu bowed deeply in gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Section Chief Liu! Thank you, Section Chief Liu!"

After saying this and preparing to leave, Section Chief Liu stood up and said, "It's alright, I'll see you out."

Qin Huairu was puzzled, but she still thanked her.

Just as the two were about to leave the office, a "snap" was heard, and Qin Huairu felt a slight pain from behind.

She turned around in alarm, glanced at the serious-looking Section Chief Liu, and hurriedly opened the door and ran out.

Section Chief Liu watched Qin Huairu's retreating figure, licking his lips. "Run? Do you think you can escape?"

Qin Huairu didn't stop for a moment and ran straight to the street office.

Director Wang looked shocked: "What? You took over Jia Dongxu's work position? Jia Dongxu even transferred his house to you? You're going to divorce Jia Dongxu?"

Qin Huairu said nothing, only lowered her head and cried softly.

Director Wang read through the documents Qin Huairu handed him several times, then sighed, "Qin Huairu, I didn't expect you to be so fast, and you even managed to get the job! It seems the deaf old lady helped you out again. This Jia Dongxu is quite clever, agreeing so readily. But then again, it makes sense; I guess this is the only way to avoid affecting your child's future. Sigh, if you ask me, it's because Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu are such troublemakers, otherwise your Jia family wouldn't have fallen to this state."

Half an hour later, Qin Huairu, clutching her and Banggeng's household registration book, grain ration book, and house certificate, hurried back to the courtyard and went straight into the back room.

But her eyes were unfocused, and she seemed lost in thought, as if she hadn't yet recovered from what had just happened.

When the deaf old woman saw Qin Huairu return with the things, a barely perceptible hint of joy flashed in her cloudy eyes, and she asked, "Is it all done?"

Qin Huairu looked around nervously, as if afraid that someone would discover some secret.

The deaf old woman squinted, her tone carrying a hint of meaning: "You've already done it, why are you afraid of people finding out? You said you were going to make dumplings for Xiao Yi and were going home now."

Hearing this, Qin Huairu's tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and she replied softly, "Grandma, I've done everything you asked."

"Huai Ru, this isn't what I asked for," the deaf old woman nodded with a happy expression, but after a moment she frowned and her tone suddenly became serious, "This is the way you came up with to save your and Bang Geng's lives, it has nothing to do with me, this old woman."

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu's face turned deathly pale. She stared at the deaf old woman in disbelief, about to defend herself, but was interrupted by the old woman.

"Qin Huairu, you don't think this is the end, do you?" The deaf old woman's voice came coldly.

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Qin Huairu, making her feel cold all over.

"Huai Ru, have you thought about what will happen when Jia Zhangshi returns in a few months? And Jia Dongxu, maybe in a few years, he'll be back too. What will you do when they all come back?"

Qin Huairu's body trembled uncontrollably. The faces of Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu flashed through her mind. She dared not imagine how the two would treat her after they returned. Just as she was about to shift the blame onto the deaf old woman, the other woman saw through her act.

The deaf old woman looked at her with a half-smile: "Qin Huairu, others may not know what kind of person you are, but do you think I don't? I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice. I'm helping you only so that Cuilan has something to look forward to. As long as you behave, I will not only continue to help you, but I can also find a way to bring you and Zhuzi together. Once your family has Zhuzi to help you, you should take good care of me, Cuilan, and Xiaoyi. After we pass away, the house and savings will all belong to your family. But let me make this clear: you must at least give Zhuzi a child. If you haven't given Zhuzi a child before I pass away, or if you are not filial enough to Cuilan and Xiaoyi, I will not only expose your swindling of the Jia family, but I will also hand over the IOU you just wrote and Cuilan's kinship certificate to the neighborhood committee. I don't need to say more about what will happen to you then, do I?"

These words terrified Qin Huairu, who trembled all over. She stared at the deaf old woman in horror, and after a long pause, stammered, "Grandma, don't worry, I will definitely take good care of you and Auntie. But... but Dongxu and my mother-in-law, they will come back sooner or later, and then... I won't be able to make the decision!"

The deaf old woman shook her head, a mocking smile on her face: "Qin Huairu, after doing all these things, do you still expect you to be in charge after they get out? Jia Zhangshi will probably do everything in her power to crush you!" As she spoke, she took something out of her pocket and handed it to Qin Huairu.

Qin Huairu accepted it with a heart full of doubt, only to find that it was a medal, but something just didn't seem right to her.

Before she could even ask, the deaf old woman beckoned her closer and whispered something to her.

Upon hearing these words, Qin Huairu was struck dumb, blurting out, "Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

"Fine, if you say it's impossible, then so be it," the deaf old woman said confidently. "Anyway, when Jia Zhangshi comes out in a few months, she'll naturally come looking for you to kill her."

"But I can't just accuse them without any evidence, that would be the death of them!" Qin Huairu was extremely anxious.

The deaf old woman scoffed, "Injustice? Injustice my foot! Was the Jia family ever clean? Others may not know, but do you think I don't? Jia Dongxu's father was a lackey and a traitor back then. Where do you think his medals came from? I tricked them out of him. Do you think Jia Zhangshi never dared to go against me? Do you really think she respects the elderly and cares for the young? It's because I have her under my thumb. Do you think Jia Zhangshi didn't object at all when Xiao Yi insisted on making Dongxu her caregiver and apprentice?"

P.S.: Please urge me to update more and give me good reviews. Thank you!