Sha Zhu's Rebirth in the Courtyard: Starting with Hitting Someone in the Head

Chapter 15 The Old Deaf Man's Self-Criticism

In the front yard, Yan Bugui was squatting by the door brushing his teeth.

A mouthful of toothpaste foam was held in the mouth, making a gurgling sound.

The courtyard gate opened. Two men in uniform entered.

He wore a dark green cotton-padded coat with a Zhongshan-style lapel and four pockets. A cloth badge reading "Chinese People's Police" was pinned to his chest. His cap badge was a red five-pointed star with a yellow border, and the words "Public Security" were embedded inside.

They wore brass collar badges, with "People's Police" written on the right collar and the character "户" and a serial number nailed to the left collar.

(Type 50 police uniform)

The police station. The household registration officer.

Yan Bugui almost swallowed the toothpaste foam.

"Comrade...is something the matter?"

The one in front glanced at him and said, "Looking for Liu Haizhong in the backyard."

Yan Bugui quickly replied, "The east wing of the backyard."

The police officer nodded: "Thank you, we understand."

They went to the backyard.

Yan Bugui, holding his teacup and still wiping the foam from his mouth, took two steps and then stopped.

They already know. Why would you follow them?

Intermediate People's Court.

Jia Zhangshi poked her head out of the window of the west wing.

Who is it?

Jia Dongxu is standing at the door, "from the police station."

Jia Zhangshi's eyes darted around.

"Who should I look for?"

"backyard."

Jia Zhangshi pulled her head back in. The window wasn't closed tightly; a crack remained.

In the backyard, Liu Haizhong sat on the threshold.

The cigarette was stuck between his fingers, and the butt was burning. He didn't notice.

Wang Caifeng sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) inside the house.

Her eyes were swollen shut. Two tear tracks ran down her face, sometimes dry, sometimes wet. Her hair was disheveled, as if she hadn't combed it for days.

Three days.

My son was missing for three days. He came home from school, and then he was gone.

The police officer walked up to Liu Haizhong and said, "Comrade Liu Haizhong."

Liu Haizhong raised his head. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

"We've been looking for your son, Liu Guangqi, for three days. We've asked at the train station, the bus station, inside and outside the city."

Liu Haizhong stared at the police officer's mouth.

"Couldn't find it."

Liu Haizhong's hand trembled. The cigarette butt fell to the ground.

The police officer paused for a moment.

"You need to be mentally prepared. We will continue the search."

Wang Caifeng rushed out of the house, "What do you mean by mental preparation?"

Her voice was so hoarse it was almost inhuman.

"My son is only twelve! Where else could he be? He must be somewhere waiting for me to pick him up!"

The police officer looked at her but didn't say anything.

Wang Caifeng's voice lowered. "He's definitely waiting somewhere..."

He squatted on the ground, his shoulders shaking.

She didn't cry out loud.

The police officer said, "We'll let you know if we have any news."

gone.

People gathered at the back gate of the courtyard.

Yan Bugui held his teacup in his hand, the toothpaste foam dried up, leaving a white residue on his lips. Yang Ruihua stood beside him, holding a rolling pin.

Jia Zhangshi squeezed to the front, craning her neck as far as she could.

"It's been three days. A young boy, just gone like that. What kind of mess is this?"

No one responded.

"If you ask me, they must have run into child traffickers. These days, things are in chaos."

Wang Caifeng suddenly raised her head, "What did you say?!"

Jia Zhangshi took a step back.

"I...I was just worried about you."

"No need!" Wang Caifeng stood up.

"I don't need you to worry about me! Go back to your own home!"

Jia Zhangshi blushed. She muttered, "My good intentions have been wasted," and turned to leave. After taking a couple of steps, she turned back, saw Wang Caifeng's gaze, and swallowed back the words she wanted to say.

Yan Bugui sighed.

"Old Liu, don't be too sad. The police said they'll keep looking."

There was no response from Liu Haizhong.

Yan Bugui stood there for a while, then carried his teacup back to the front yard, with Yang Ruihua following behind.

The crowd dispersed. The courtyard fell silent.

He lit another cigarette in his bangs.

I took a deep breath and coughed violently.

Wang Caifeng sat on the threshold, staring blankly ahead, like a clay sculpture.

In the evening, the courtyard gate opened again.

This time, it's a big operation.

Two military control officers, one on the left and one on the right, were holding a person in the middle.

Old deaf man.

His hair was a mess, like a bird's nest, and his face was streaked with gray and white. One button was missing from his cotton-padded jacket.

The soldier pushed her to the middle of the front yard.

"Stand here and read."

Everyone in the courtyard had returned from work and gathered around.

Yan Bugui came out of the house, his eyes wide behind his glasses. Yang Ruihua was carrying Yan Jiedi, followed by their three sons.

Looking at the old deaf man, Jia Zhangshi smiled broadly. His hands were tucked into his sleeves, and he seemed about to pull them out, probably wanting to say something.

Jia Dongxu grabbed her hand and shook his head.

The couple with bangs didn't come out.

He Yuzhu leaned against a pillar in the covered walkway, his arms crossed over his chest.

The old deaf man unfolded a piece of paper, his hands trembling, making a rustling sound.

She read it aloud.

"A...a letter of self-criticism." The voice was dry and lifeless.

"I, Jin Caizhu, am deeply rooted in feudalistic ideas."

Madam Jia Zhang whispered to Jia Dongxu, "Isn't her surname Long?"

Jia Dongxu didn't dare to reply.

"I shouldn't... I shouldn't have called myself the ancestor in the courtyard. This is a remnant of feudalism. It's a manifestation of oppressing the people."

Yan Bugui adjusted his glasses and whispered to Yang Ruihua, "Zhu Zi did the right thing. Ancestor? Now who cares about her?"

Yang Ruihua tugged at his sleeve.

"I will definitely change in the future. I will be a better person. I won't cause trouble for... or the government."

The last sentence is, "Please keep an eye on things."

The soldier nodded.

"Alright. Remember what you said today. If you do it again, it won't just be a written apology."

The deaf old man nodded vigorously.

The soldier left.

People in the courtyard were watching her.

Madam Jia spoke first. "Oh dear, the old lady has really fallen for it this time."

Someone nearby chuckled.

Yan Bugui said, "Alright, alright, everyone disperse."

Jia Zhangshi did not leave.

"How powerful they used to be! One tap with a cane, and who wouldn't bow their head? And now? Truly, heaven has its..." She paused, then her eyes darted around, "No, it's the People's Government that's good!"

The old deaf man lowered his head, took small steps, and hurried toward the backyard.

As I passed through the covered walkway, I glanced at He Yuzhu.

That look in his eyes was complex; it contained hatred, fear, and...

She lowered her head and quickened her pace.

The crowd dispersed again.

Jia Zhangshi spat at the old deaf man's retreating figure.

He Yuzhu straightened up.

In my past life.

The old deaf man slammed his cane on the ground. Anyone who dared to say no would be met with a bang of his cane against the glass.

I even brought out this big Buddha statue several times, feeling that it was good to have someone protecting me, and I never doubted their intentions.

At that time, Yi Zhonghai was supporting them from the side. Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui greeted them with smiles. If Jia Zhangshi dared to cause trouble, she would get a few lashes from the cane.

Seeing the apology being read aloud in the front yard today was fucking satisfying.

He Yuzhu walked towards his room and saw that the moon gate across the courtyard was sealed off.

The walls were made of bricks and cement, and were built very solidly. People were clearing away the rubble inside.

He returned home and took out the set of knives his master had given him.

They were laid out in bunches.

Slicing knife. Chopping knife. Boning knife. Scissors.

There are also a few carving knives and sharpening rods.

He picked up the sharpening rod.

Remove the slicing blade.

He Yuzhu sharpened his knife, his eyes fixed on the view outside the window.

The moon gate is sealed off. The courtyard has been cleared out.

Liu Guangqi's "disappearance" has been officially filed as a case. The police station will continue the search.