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

Faced with provocation and attacks, he has the ability to defend himself and the courage to call the police. He acts in an orderly and lawful manner, just like a real man!

She walked to the window, looked at the bright sunshine outside, and couldn't help but sneer as she recalled how those women had fled in such a disheveled state.

You want to bully my son? No way!

As evening fell, the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the courtyard in a layer of orange-red.

Smoke began to rise from the rooftops of every household, and the air was filled with the aroma of food.

But the atmosphere in the courtyard today was somewhat different.

At the base of the courtyard wall, a square table and three chairs have already been set up.

The three stewards, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui, sat behind the table with serious expressions.

In the courtyard, men, women, and children stood, sat, or leaned against the door frame. Almost everyone in the courtyard was there, whispering and discussing among themselves, their eyes occasionally glancing at the tightly closed door of the Jia family's house in the central courtyard.

Sha Zhu squatted at his doorstep, a cigarette between his fingers, his brows furrowed, glancing anxiously at Yi Zhonghai and then at the direction of the Jia family.

When he returned in the afternoon, he heard that there would be a hospital-wide meeting on the topic of "caring for the family members of Jia Dongxu after his death in the line of duty." But he felt uneasy. Yi Zhonghai's gaze at him carried a deep meaning that made him uneasy.

Qin Huairu sat in her own house, her heart pounding.

Xiao Dang and Huaihua huddled fearfully beside her, while Banggeng stiffened his neck, his face showing the sensitivity and anger unique to teenagers.

In the afternoon, Yan Bugui came over to inform them that the three old men cared about their family and that they would be having a meeting that evening to help them "organize their thoughts and plan for their future life."

Qin Huairu wasn't stupid; she immediately guessed that this was definitely aimed at the pension and house she had!

As soon as Jia Zhangshi was taken away, Yi Zhonghai couldn't hold back any longer!

With a creak, the door to the Jia family's house opened.

Qin Huairu took a deep breath, took her three children's hands, and walked out with her head down. She stood at her own doorway as if awaiting judgment.

Yi Zhonghai cleared his throat and tapped the table with his hand, and the courtyard immediately fell silent.

"Ahem, everyone, please be quiet."

Yi Zhonghai looked around, his face showing his usual seriousness and concern.

"The reason we've gathered everyone here today is simply to discuss how Comrade Jia Dongxu's wife, Qin Huairu, and their three children will live after his death in the line of duty."

He paused, his tone heavy with sorrow.

"Dongxu's passing is a great loss to our entire compound. It leaves Huairu and her children, a widow and orphans, in dire straits. As neighbors in this compound, as long-time residents, we can't just stand by and do nothing. So, the three of us old men discussed it and felt it was necessary to hold this meeting to help Huairu make a good life for herself and raise her three children, Banggeng, Xiaodang, and Huaihua, to adulthood, so that we can be worthy of Dongxu's spirit in heaven."

These words sound grand and righteous, standing on a moral high ground, leaving no room for criticism.

Many neighbors nodded in agreement.

"Yes, yes, that's only right."

"The old man is right, we should help him out."

Qin Huairu sneered inwardly, but on the surface she remained meek and submissive.

Yi Zhonghai then changed the subject and got to the main point.

"Right now, the factory's compensation and the leasehold rights to this house have been given to Huai Ru by the neighborhood committee. Logically, this is the factory and the neighborhood committee taking care of Huai Ru and the children, and we shouldn't say anything. But!"

He emphasized his words.

"We can't just look at the present; we have to think long-term. Five hundred yuan seems like a lot, but it's a fortune that will be gone in a few years. Banggeng will have to wait almost ten years to be replaced. In those ten years, food, drink, sanitation, schooling, and medical care—everything costs money. Huairu is just a young woman, inexperienced in big things, and she's holding such a large sum of money. What if… I mean, what if she gets scammed, or spends it on something she shouldn't in a moment of confusion? What will happen to the children then? How can we, the elders and neighbors, live with ourselves then?"

These words, seemingly out of concern, were actually malicious, directly questioning Qin Huairu's ability and character in managing money, implying that she might not be able to hold onto the money, and foreshadowing her future interference.

Liu Haizhong, with his pregnant belly sticking out, chimed in.

"Old Yi is right! This money was earned by Dongxu with his life; it's the children's lifeline, and it must be used wisely! We need a proper arrangement!"

Yan Bugui adjusted his glasses and slowly replied.

"As the saying goes, 'Preparation is the key to success, and lack of preparation leads to failure.' Necessary supervision and planning are still necessary. This is also a matter of being responsible for Huai Ru and the children."

The three of them, working in unison, created immense public pressure.

Qin Huairu's face turned pale, her fingers gripping the hem of her clothes tightly. She knew the crucial moment had arrived.

She looked up, tears welling in her eyes, but tried to keep her voice calm.

"Uncle, Uncle, Uncle, thank you all for your kindness. I will spend every penny of this money on the children and will never dare to squander it. I will also take good care of the house and wait for Banggeng to grow up..."

"Huai Ru!"

Yi Zhonghai interrupted her, his tone carrying the earnestness of an elder.

"We understand how you feel. You're still young and don't know how tough the world is or how treacherous people can be. It's not that we don't trust you, it's just that we're worried you'll suffer! How about this," he looked at Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui, "the three of us old men have come up with a plan, what do you think? You'll still keep the five hundred yuan, but we'll keep a ledger about how to spend it, how much each month, and where it's used. Every month, the three of us old men will help you check it to make sure the money is spent properly. The house will still be your leasehold, but if it involves repairs or any future changes, the three of us old men will also help you make a decision. This way, we can ensure your livelihood while avoiding unnecessary risks. What do you all think?"

This plan, though seemingly a concession, actually completely sidelined Qin Huairu, placing her economic power and property disposal rights under the "supervision" of the three old men!

At that time, Yi Zhonghai will have a million ways to control her!

The courtyard was completely silent.

The neighbors looked at each other, some thinking it made sense, others thinking it was excessive, but no one dared to speak first.

After all, Yi Zhonghai had long held considerable influence, and his words were quite eloquent.

Sha Zhu suddenly stood up and said urgently.

"Uncle! This...this isn't appropriate, is it? The money and the house were given to Sister Qin by the factory and the neighborhood committee. It's not right for our compound to interfere! Sister Qin isn't the type to squander money!"

Yi Zhonghai had long anticipated that Sha Zhu would jump out, and his face darkened.

"Zhu Zi! What do you know? Who's in charge here? Is it you or us three old men who call the shots? We're doing this for Huai Ru's sake! To be responsible for the bloodline left by your brother Dong Xu! You're just a bachelor, do you even know how hard it is to support a family? Don't meddle!"

Her words were a mix of threats and veiled criticism, using her status to intimidate him while subtly implying that Sha Zhu had no right to interfere in the Jia family's affairs. Sha Zhu was left speechless, his face flushed red.

Qin Huairu felt a chill run through her as she looked at the helpless scene.

She had hoped that Sha Zhu could stir things up, but Yi Zhonghai easily blocked her.

As for the other neighbors, they couldn't be relied upon at all.

Seeing that he had stunned Sha Zhu, Yi Zhonghai's eyes flashed with a hint of smugness. He turned to Qin Huairu, his tone softening, but still carrying an undeniable pressure.

"Huai Ru, look, everyone here is doing this for your own good. Just nod your head, and it's settled. If you ever have any difficulties in the future, the three of us uncles, and all the neighbors in the courtyard, will help you out."

Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui nodded in agreement.

All the pressure fell on Qin Huairu alone.

Looking at Yi Zhonghai's seemingly kind but actually coercive eyes, at Liu Haizhong's official tone, at Yan Bugui's scheming, at the indifferent or sympathetic gazes of the neighbors around her, at Sha Zhu's unspeakable frustration, at the terrified eyes of the three children... a huge sense of despair and powerlessness gripped her.

Having just escaped the clutches of Jia Zhangshi, are they about to fall into Yi Zhonghai's control again?

Just as her lips trembled, and she was on the verge of collapse and giving in, a clear voice, tinged with a lazy mockery, came clearly from the moon gate:

"Wow! It's so lively! Is there a college-wide meeting? Why didn't anyone notify me?"

The sound wasn't loud, but it was like a bolt of lightning, splitting the oppressive, stagnant air in the courtyard!

Everyone turned to look at the same time!

Li Zhenhua slowly pedaled into the courtyard, pushing a brand-new old-fashioned bicycle. He was wearing clean blue overalls, with a half-smile on his face. His gaze swept across the room, finally landing on Yi Zhonghai, whose expression had suddenly changed.

"Master Yi, Master Liu, Teacher Yan, are all three gentlemen here?"

Li Zhenhua propped up his bicycle, strolled over to the octagonal table, seemingly oblivious to the eerie atmosphere, and began to speak to himself.

"What important national affairs are they discussing? Even our backyard is involved?"

Yi Zhonghai's face instantly turned extremely ugly, and he thought to himself, "Oh no!" Why did he have to come back at this time?

Her chubby bangs jiggled wildly, and she quickly forced a fawning smile.

Yan Bugui's hand was trembling as he adjusted his glasses.

Qin Huairu suddenly raised her head and looked at the young section chief, whose figure was tall and straight against the light. Tears almost welled up in her eyes!

An indescribable mix of grievance and hope welled up in my heart instantly.

Li Zhenhua's appearance was like pouring a ladle of cold water into a boiling oil pan, instantly causing an uproar in the entire courtyard, yet strangely plunging it into an extremely oppressive silence.

All eyes were on the young deputy director who was pushing a brand-new bicycle and had a half-smile on his face.

The moment Yi Zhonghai heard Li Zhenhua's voice, his feigned sorrow and "concern" turned ashen. The veins on the back of his hand, which was gripping the teacup, bulged, and his knuckles turned slightly white from the force.

He had planned everything meticulously, deliberately choosing a time when Li Zhenhua might still be at the factory or had just returned to the backyard, hoping to quickly resolve the situation and create a fait accompli before Li Zhenhua could react. He never expected that this guy would suddenly appear at this critical juncture!

Liu Haizhong's chubby face twitched uncontrollably a few times, forcing out a smile that looked more like a grimace. He subconsciously half-stood up from the chair and stammered.

"Director Li... Director Li? You... you're back from get off work? We were just having a hospital-wide meeting to discuss the Jia family's future, all for... for the good of Huai Ru and the children..."

He spoke incoherently, trying to explain, but only appeared more guilty.

Yan Bugui adjusted his glasses, which had slipped down to the tip of his nose, his Adam's apple bobbing. He coughed dryly, not daring to look Li Zhenhua in the eye, and only vaguely echoed him.

"Yes, yes, Lao Yi and Lao Liu are right, they're just... just helping to make a decision."

Li Zhenhua seemed oblivious to the unpleasant expressions on the three men's faces. He slowly walked to the octagonal table, his gaze sweeping over the three cups of tea that had already lost their warmth, before finally settling on Yi Zhonghai's face, who was trying to appear calm. The mocking curve at the corner of his mouth became even more pronounced.

"make a decision?"

Li Zhenhua chuckled softly, his voice not loud, but it clearly carried throughout the entire courtyard.

"Master Yi, Master Liu, Teacher Yan, you three are all senior members of the community, highly respected. Comrade Jia Dongxu has just passed away, his body barely cold, and you three are already so eager to jump out and 'make decisions' for that widow and her orphan? What kind of decisions are you making? Are you helping them manage their money, or helping them look after their house?"

He paused, his sharp gaze fixed on Yi Zhonghai.

"To me, this doesn't sound like helping; it sounds more like... a power grab?"

The words "seize power" were like two resounding slaps to Yi Zhonghai's face, and also to the hearts of all his neighbors.

A series of suppressed gasps filled the courtyard.

These words were too harsh, tearing away the pretense of "concern" from Yi Zhonghai and others, revealing their nakedly calculating nature.

Yi Zhonghai was so angry that he trembled all over. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up, shouting in a fierce but weak voice.

"Li Zhenhua! What nonsense are you spouting! We're doing this for Huai Ru's sake! For the children's sake! She's a young widow, inexperienced, and holding so much money. If something goes wrong, who can bear the responsibility? We're taking precautions! We're being responsible!"

"Take responsibility?"

Li Zhenhua scoffed as if he had heard a huge joke.

"Master Yi, you've really taken on a lot of responsibility! Director Wang of the neighborhood committee made the decision himself, and the factory union stamped it, legally and legitimately transferring the pension and housing rental rights to Comrade Qin Huairu, her immediate family member and the mother of her minor children. What, do you three think the neighborhood committee and the factory's decision is wrong? Do you think Director Wang and the factory union leaders are less reasonable and better at making arrangements than you three? Do you need the three of you to 'correct' it?"

These words are truly malicious!

This directly elevates Yi Zhonghai and his group's actions to the level of questioning the decisions of the street and factory leaders!

When this huge accusation was slapped on Yi Zhonghai's head, he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.

"You...you're spouting nonsense!"

Yi Zhonghai pointed at Li Zhenhua, his fingers trembling.

"We absolutely did not mean that! We were just doing our part as neighbors and the caretaker of the compound!"

"Do your best?"

Li Zhenhua pressed on relentlessly, his tone growing increasingly cold.

"Master Yi, you've really timed your efforts perfectly! When Jia Zhangshi was around, you weren't so 'dedicated' to helping Qin Huairu fight for her rights; instead, you advised her to swallow her anger. Now that Jia Zhangshi has just been sent away, you can't wait to jump out and 'monitor' her money and house? Who are you really doing this for? For Qin Huairu and her three fatherless children, or for your own shady schemes?"