Siheyuan (courtyard house): My father, Li Yunlong!

"Director Li, you know I'm just an outsider in the Jia family, a mere servant! My mother-in-law... she doesn't care about us at all! She'll definitely hold onto that money tightly! Director Li, only you can help me now... please, please show me a way out!"

As she spoke, she seemed to lose all her strength, her body went limp, and she was about to kneel on the ground.

Li Zhenhua reacted quickly and caught her arm.

Upon touching her arm, even through the thin mourning clothes, I could feel its coldness and slight trembling.

"Sister Qin, what are you doing?"

Li Zhenhua's voice remained calm, but the strength in his hands was irresistible, preventing her from actually kneeling down.

He half-supported, half-carried her, the two of them very close, and he could smell the faint scent of soap mixed with her tears on her body.

"Director Li... I... I really have no other choice..."

Qin Huairu leaned against his arm, raised her tearful eyes, her gaze filled with helplessness and a desperate allure.

"As long as you're willing to help me... I'll do anything... I... I can satisfy you even more than last time..."

Her voice grew softer and softer, and an unnatural blush rose on her cheeks, whether from the cold or from shame, it was hard to tell.

Li Zhenhua looked down at the pitiful woman in his arms who had offered herself to him willingly.

He certainly understands what "more satisfying to you" means.

However, he did not dislike this kind of "transaction," especially when the other party needed his help.

"Help you?"

Li Zhenhua's fingers seemed to casually caress her cold arm, his tone tinged with amusement.

"Sister Qin, helping you comes at a risk. Madam Jia is no pushover. If she finds out about what's going on between us, it'll make a scene, and I, as the section chief, won't look good either."

"She won't know! I promise!"

Qin Huairu grasped at a straw and made an urgent promise.

"I'll be very careful! Director Li, please... From now on... from now on I'll listen to you in everything..."

Li Zhenhua stared at her for a few seconds, as if weighing the pros and cons.

Finally, a meaningful smile appeared on his lips. He leaned close to Qin Huairu's ear, lowered his voice, and breathed hot air onto her earlobe.

"Then let me see your sincerity."

Qin Huairu trembled; the hot breath from Li Zhenhua made her ears burn.

She understood that this was a pledge of allegiance, a way to exchange more complete obedience for a promise.

Although she was wearing mourning clothes and doing this at night while her deceased husband's mourning hall was still in disgrace made her tremble with shame, she steeled her heart and a resolute glint flashed in her eyes when she thought of Jia Zhangshi's meanness and the future of her children.

"Director Li...I...I understand..."

Her voice was barely audible, trembling, yet she reached out and, with trembling hands, unbuttoned the top button of her mourning clothes, then the belt around her lower abdomen... The pale mourning clothes slipped down, revealing the thin, faded undergarments beneath.

In the dim light of the kerosene lamp, she closed her eyes and offered her cold lips, her awkward yet earnest movements expressing her so-called "sincerity"... (details omitted here)

The clouds dispersed and the rain ceased, leaving an atmosphere of ambiguity and slight desolation in the dilapidated little house.

Qin Huairu curled up on Li Zhenhua's sweaty chest like a frightened kitten, her fingers unconsciously tracing his firm muscles.

The physical pleasure had not yet completely faded, but the anxiety of reality had already taken hold of my mind again.

"Zhenhua..."

For the first time, she omitted the title "section chief," her voice hoarse with a hint of dependence.

"Now... what am I going to do? My mother-in-law... she'll definitely not let me off the hook..."

Li Zhenhua let out a satisfied sigh, his large hand lazily stroking her smooth back, a smug smile of complete control playing on his lips.

"What's the rush? Now that I've taken you, I'll naturally make arrangements for you."

His tone was confident, carrying a condescending sense of condescension.

"Your current situation may seem like a dead end, but if you look at it from another perspective, it's a golden opportunity."

"A godsend opportunity?"

Qin Huairu raised her head, her eyes filled with tears and confusion.

"That's right."

Li Zhenhua turned to the side, looking at her with sharp eyes.

"Your mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi, is the biggest obstacle to your miserable life. Remove her, and you'll find a broad road ahead."

"How do I move it?"

Qin Huairu's heart raced.

"Simple."

Li Zhenhua sneered.

"Tomorrow morning, stop crying and sobbing. Go straight to Director Wang of the Subdistrict Office, then go to the Women's Federation! Just make two points: First, Jia Zhangshi's household registration isn't in the city at all; it's a rural household registration. She's been staying in the city for a long time, freeloading, which doesn't comply with policy! Now that Jia Dongxu is dead, she has even less reason to stay in the city. We demand that the Subdistrict Office follow the rules and send her back to her original rural hometown!"

Qin Huairu's eyes widened instantly. Sending her mother-in-law back?

She never dared to even imagine this before!

"second."

Li Zhenhua continued to offer guidance.

"Jia Dongxu's pension, along with the factory's promise that Banggeng will take over the job in the future, should, according to regulations, be left to the widow and her minor children to support them! What right does Jia Zhangshi, an old woman with a rural household registration, have to monopolize it? You demand that the neighborhood committee and the Women's Federation take charge and order Jia Zhangshi to hand over every penny of the pension so that you, as her mother, can manage it and use it to raise the Jia family's bloodline—Banggeng, Xiaodang, and Huaihua!"

"But...what about the house?"

Qin Huairu was also most concerned about this place to settle down and make a living.

"Houses are simpler now!"

Li Zhenhua scoffed.

"The leasehold rights to this house were allocated to Jia Dongxu by the factory. Jia Dongxu is dead, and you are his legal wife and the mother of three minor children. Legally, morally, and ethically, the right to reside in this house belongs to you and the children! What right does Jia Zhangshi, a rural resident, have to occupy it? You should also make this demand, requesting the neighborhood committee and the factory to uphold justice and clearly establish that you, Qin Huairu, are the future tenant of this house! For the sake of the children, no one can find fault with that!"

Qin Huairu was deeply moved, as if she had seen a ray of light in the darkness!

The path pointed out by Li Zhenhua is ruthless and direct, yet every word he uttered is reasonable, and he stands entirely on the high ground of policy and morality!

If handled properly, Jia Zhangshi would have no chance to fight back!

"But... my mother-in-law will definitely make a scene..."

Qin Huairu was still a little afraid of Jia Zhangshi's tantrums and outbursts.

"Making a scene?"

Li Zhenhua snorted dismissively.

"What can she do to cause trouble? The policy is clearly written! With the neighborhood committee and the Women's Federation stepping in, does she dare to defy the organization? At that time, you won't even need to lift a finger; someone will naturally take care of her! Just stick to one point: everything is for the children! You're doing this so that Jia Dongxu's bloodline can survive and grow up! Who dares to say no?"

He paused, then added the final touch, his voice becoming increasingly seductive. He whispered.

"Once you get the money and the house, and drive that old hag away, won't you be the one calling the shots in this yard? With me backing you up, giving you regular food and meat coupons, you won't have to worry about not being able to support three children. Your good days are yet to come."

These words ignited a flame in Qin Huairu's eyes.

The fear of the future was replaced by a desperate determination and anticipation.

She hugged Li Zhenhua tightly, as if she had found her only support.

"Zhenhua... I'll do whatever you say! Tomorrow... I'll go tomorrow!"

"That's more like it."

Li Zhenhua smiled with satisfaction, patted her back, and spoke with a hint of weariness in his voice.

Qin Huairu nestled obediently in his arms, already planning her words and actions for tomorrow.

In the middle of the night, Qin Huairu quietly slipped back to her cold home.

Jia Zhangshi's snoring continued, and the children curled up in their sleep.

She lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), her eyes open, until dawn broke.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the courtyard was still shrouded in sorrow and silence.

Qin Huairu had already gotten up. Instead of preparing breakfast as usual, she changed into her oldest cotton-padded jacket, which was patched in several places. She deliberately made her hair a little messy and washed away the traces left by Li Zhenhua last night, leaving only a haggard and sorrowful look on her face.

She glanced at the still-sleeping Bang Geng, gritted her teeth, and gently pushed the door open and went out.

She left the courtyard house and headed towards the neighborhood office.

As soon as Director Wang of the neighborhood office arrived at work, he saw Qin Huairu standing at the office door, dressed in mourning and looking extremely haggard. His heart skipped a beat.

She already knew about Jia Dongxu's situation and was having a headache over how to deal with the Jia family's mess.

"Director Wang..."

Before Qin Huairu could speak, tears streamed down her face, and she knelt down again with a thud.

"Director Wang, you have to help us, mother and children! We can't go on living..."

Director Wang quickly helped her up.

"Comrade Huairu, get up quickly, let's talk things out calmly, don't be like this."

She ushered Qin Huairu into her office and poured her a glass of hot water.

Following the script taught by Li Zhenhua, Qin Huairu tearfully launched into her accusations.

She did not overemphasize Jia Zhangshi's evil deeds, but focused on the two core issues of "policy" and "children".

First, it was pointed out that Jia Zhangshi was a rural resident and her long-term stay in the city did not comply with regulations. Now that Jia Dongxu had passed away, she should return to her hometown.

She then emphasized that the pension and the right to inherit the work position should legally belong to her and her children, and that Jia Zhangshi had no right to seize them.

Finally, she tearfully complained about the house issue, saying that Jia Zhangshi had threatened to kick them out.

Her crying was perfectly timed, logical, and every sentence made sense, perfectly portraying a weak woman driven to desperation and left with no choice but to rely on the organization.

As Director Wang listened, his brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

She knew Jia Zhangshi's character well, and what Qin Huairu said was probably true.

From a policy perspective, Qin Huairu's demands are completely reasonable and legal.

Repatriating Jia Zhangshi, who has no urban household registration, and entrusting her pension and housing rights to Qin Huairu, her direct relative, to raise her minor children, is the most compliant and quickest way to resolve the matter.

Otherwise, given Jia Zhangshi's temperament, who knows how much trouble she would cause in the future.

"Comrade Huairu, I understand your situation."

After a moment's thought, Director Wang made a decision.

"Go home first, calm down, and take care of your child. Our neighborhood committee will immediately contact the steel mill's labor union and women's federation to come to your home and talk to Comrade Jia Zhangshi. We will definitely resolve your family's problems properly in accordance with policy and ensure your and your child's basic living needs."

Having received Director Wang's clear statement, Qin Huairu felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders.

She left the neighborhood office with profuse thanks. Next, she went to the Women's Federation, used the same words and the same tears, and received the same support and sympathy from the Women's Federation comrades.

When Qin Huairu dragged her "tired" body back to the courtyard, it was almost noon.

The neighbors in the courtyard pointed and whispered among themselves when they saw her.

Jia Dongxu had only been dead for a day, and this daughter-in-law of the Jia family had been missing for a whole morning. How could people not speculate?

As soon as Qin Huairu entered the central courtyard, Jia Zhangshi, who had been waiting impatiently, rushed out of the house, hands on her hips, her triangular eyes gleaming, spitting as she spoke.

"You good-for-nothing Qin Huairu! Where have you been all morning? You didn't cook, you didn't even care about the kids, did you run off to seduce some random guy? Dongxu's body's barely cold, and you can't even stand being alone anymore, can you?"

Normally, Qin Huairu would have already bowed her head, admitted her mistake, and silently continued working.

But today, she simply raised her tearful eyes and calmly looked at Jia Zhangshi, her voice not loud, but carrying an unprecedented resolve.

"Mom, I went to the neighborhood committee and the Women's Federation."

Madam Jia was taken aback and didn't understand.

"What are you doing there?"

"I'll go find a way to survive for Banggeng, Xiaodang, Huaihua, and all of us, including my mother and me."

Qin Huairu said, emphasizing each word.

Jia Zhangshi's heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition welled up in her mind, her voice becoming even sharper.

"What do you mean? What kind of livelihood are you looking for? Didn't I tell you, I'll keep that money for you!"

"That compensation was earned by Dongxu with his life; it was the money the factory gave Banggeng and the others to keep alive."

Qin Huairu met Jia Zhangshi's gaze without flinching.

"According to the policy, it should be my responsibility as the mother to manage and use the money for the children. Also, Mom, your household registration is in the countryside, but you've been living in the city for a long time, which doesn't meet the requirements. Director Wang from the neighborhood committee and the Women's Federation said they will come to our home and handle it according to the policy."

"What?"

Like a cat whose tail has been stepped on, Madam Jia suddenly bristled, her voice rising abruptly and shattering the tranquility of the courtyard.

"You, Qin Huairu! You dare to complain about me? You've gone too far! Policy? What a load of bull! I'm Dongxu's mother! This money is mine! This house is mine! You want to send me back to the countryside? No way! Let's see who dares to touch me!"

As she cursed, she instinctively reached out to hit Qin Huairu.

Just then, a stern voice came from the courtyard gate.

"Comrade Jia Zhangshi! What are you trying to do!"

Everyone turned around and saw Director Wang of the street office leading a group of five or six people, including two staff members, the female workers' committee member of the steel mill's trade union, and the director of the street women's federation, all with serious expressions.

Yi Zhonghai and an older woman who rushed back after receiving the news followed behind, both looking extremely grim.

The arrival of Director Wang and others instantly quieted the chaotic scene.

Jia Zhangshi's arrogance immediately diminished by half, but she still stubbornly held her head high.

"Director Wang, you've come at the perfect time! Look at this jinx! Dongxu just left, and she's already trying to kick me, her mother-in-law, out! There's no justice in this world!"

Director Wang ignored her tantrum, walked directly to the middle of the yard, looked around at the neighbors who were watching the commotion, and said in a deep voice.

"Perfect timing, many neighbors are here. Regarding the compensation and family resettlement issues following Comrade Jia Dongxu's death, the street committee, factory union, and women's federation are here today, working on-site to handle the matter in accordance with relevant national and governmental policies!"