Courtyard House: Become Stronger Through Blind Dates

"Young man, what's your name? You just said you wanted to report your father?" Deputy Director Wang asked in a very amiable manner.

"My name is He Yuzhu, and this is my sister He Yushui." He Yuzhu explained the situation in detail again, including He Daqing's workplace, the time when he ran away with the white widow, and the current predicament of the siblings.

After listening to the story, Deputy Director Wang felt great sympathy for the two siblings' plight and said, "Comrade He Yuzhu, first of all, I apologize for what just happened. We really need to deepen our study and implementation of the Marriage Law."

"Parents abandoning their children is not a simple family matter, but an illegal act! It's commendable that you, at such a young age, have this legal awareness."

He changed the subject, asking, "So what is your request? Do you want us to help you find your father and bring him back? Or what?"

He Yuzhu immediately replied, "Director Wang, my request is very simple."

"First, I hope the police station can help verify the exact whereabouts of my father, He Daqing, and it would be best if they could provide him with his specific address in Baocheng."

"Secondly, if we can get in touch with him, we hope the organization can criticize and educate him so that he can realize his mistakes."

"As for whether he'll come back... if he's determined not to want us, then he needs to tell us that clearly in person and pay child support for me and my sister according to the regulations!"

"If possible, I hope the organization can intervene and get the comrades in Baocheng to assist us. Either we go to him, or we send him back to deal with the problem!"

Deputy Director Wang pondered for a moment and decided to directly send an adult back across provinces, a process that was complicated and difficult in this day and age.

However, it is entirely possible to help contact and verify the information, and to educate the person involved.

"Alright, Comrade He Yuzhu," Deputy Director Wang said, "we will immediately contact Lou's Steel Rolling Mill, where your father used to work, to verify He Daqing's situation."

"If we can get his address, we'll call the local police station and ask them to intervene, give him a reprimand, and require him to fulfill his parental obligations. What do you think?"

"Okay, thank you, Director Wang!" This was exactly the effect He Yuzhu wanted. He immediately stood up and, together with his sister, bowed to Deputy Director Wang. "With the organization stepping in, I feel relieved!"

Deputy Director Wang was very efficient and immediately arranged for someone to contact the steel rolling mill.

Sure enough, when He Daqing resigned, he left behind his address and the factory information where he was about to start working.

Soon, a slip of paper with He Daqing's specific address and factory name in Baocheng, along with a letter of introduction, was handed to He Yuzhu.

"Comrade He Yuzhu, here's the address. I'll contact Baocheng in a bit. If you go on your own, please be careful and communicate well with your father," Deputy Director Wang instructed.

"I understand, thank you Director Wang, I'm sorry to have troubled you!" He Yuzhu reached out and took it, feeling much more at ease.

With official intervention, it won't be so easy for He Daqing to feign death.

After thanking him again, he took He Yushui's hand and left the police station.

"Brother, can the police help us find Dad?" He Yushui asked, looking up at him.

"We won't wait. I'll go to the restaurant to ask for leave and then take you to find Dad," He Yuzhu said with a smile, rubbing the little girl's head.

With the address in hand, He Yuzhu felt confident and led He Yushui straight to Emei Restaurant.

It was almost lunchtime, and the restaurant's kitchen was bustling with activity.

As soon as He Yuzhu pulled He Yushui into the kitchen area, a middle-aged man wearing a blue cadre uniform and with a slicked-back hairstyle blocked their way.

This man was the restaurant owner's brother-in-law, surnamed Zhao, who was in charge of purchasing. He usually relied on his status to boss around the apprentices and helpers in the kitchen. Everyone called him "Zhao the Skinflint" behind his back.

"He Yuzhu!"

Zhao the Skinflint, hands on his hips, nearly spitting in He Yuzhu's face: "You little brat, you actually know how to come? Huh? You skipped work all day yesterday without even saying goodbye!"

"What time is it? Do you think this is your home, coming and going as you please? You even dared to bring a burden to work, what do you think you're doing? You've gone too far!"

His shrill voice attracted the attention of many people in the kitchen. Some looked on with sympathy, some with amusement, and others continued with their work, unconcerned that it was none of their business.

He Yuzhu didn't even lift his eyelids, completely ignoring his presence, and pulled He Yushui inside, heading straight for Master Chen Baoguo's rest room.

"Hey? I'm talking to you! Are you deaf?" Zhao Bapi felt he lost face when He Yuzhu dared to ignore him, so he took a step forward and tried to grab He Yuzhu's arm.

He Yuzhu shifted his feet nimbly, dodging the attack, and had already reached the door of the lounge.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" He knocked on the door.

"He Yuzhu, you son of a bitch..." Zhao Bapi cursed angrily from behind.

At that moment, a steady voice came from inside the room: "Come in."

He Yuzhu immediately pushed the door open and slammed it shut, shutting out Zhao Bapi's insults.

The lounge was small, with a recliner, a table, and a few stools.

A middle-aged man with a lean face, dressed in a white chef's uniform, was sitting behind the table drinking tea. He was Chen Baoguo, He Yuzhu's master and one of the pillars of Emei Restaurant.

When Master Chen saw He Yuzhu and then saw He Yushui, who was holding his hand and looked rather timid, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he didn't rush to scold her.

"Master," He Yuzhu called out respectfully.

"Zhu Zi, what's going on? It's so noisy outside. And why didn't you come yesterday?" Master Chen put down his teacup, his tone calm yet authoritative.

"Master, something happened at home." He Yuzhu said succinctly, "My father, He Daqing, ran off to Baocheng with a widow the night before last. He didn't leave a word or any money for living expenses. Now, only my sister Yushui and I are left."

"What?" Upon hearing this, Chen Baoguo sat up straight, a look of surprise on his face.

He knew He Daqing, though he was a bit unreliable, but he never expected him to do something so outrageous.

"Such a thing really happened?"

"Master, I couldn't accept it yesterday. I even got into a fight with the people in the next yard because of it. I was hit on the head a few times and felt a little dizzy, so I didn't come to work and didn't have time to tell you I was off. It was my fault."

Upon hearing that He Yuzhu had been beaten, Master Chen's expression softened, and he began to scrutinize He Yuzhu.

He noticed that his usually somewhat impulsive apprentice was speaking clearly and logically today, and his eyes were much calmer.

"So what are you doing today...?" Master Chen asked, glancing at He Yushui.

"Master, I plan to take Yushui to Baocheng to ask my father for an explanation."

He Yuzhu took out the slip of paper the police station had given him from his pocket, handed it over, and continued, "I've already asked the officers at the police station to help me get the address. I'm here today to explain the situation to you, sir, and to ask for your help."