Siheyuan: At the beginning, I can integrate everything!

The morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, hanging heavy and gray over the courtyard.

The withered branches of the old locust tree in the courtyard trembled in the wind, making a dry, creaking sound.

The courtyard is usually filled with the clanging of pots and pans at this time of day, but today it is unusually quiet.

"Buzz—"

A piercing gong shattered the silence.

Yi Zhonghai stood in the center of the courtyard, holding a broken copper gong in his hand, his eyes red-rimmed.

His chest heaved violently, and he was panting heavily, as if he had just finished a long run.

"Everyone out! Whether you're at work or not, come out for a meeting!"

His voice was so loud it cracked, carrying an unyielding ruthlessness.

One by one, the doors of each house were pushed open, and the adults, wearing old cotton-padded coats and hunching their shoulders, came out.

Qin Huairu stood behind Yi Zhonghai, her hair disheveled, her eyes swollen like walnuts.

Tears and snot covered his face, and he was haphazardly wiping them with the back of his hands, which were red from the cold.

"Uncle, what's going on so early in the morning?" Yan Bugui rubbed his hands together, a glint of shrewdness shining behind his gold-rimmed glasses.

"Something terrible has happened!"

Yi Zhonghai slammed the gong mallet in his hand, his eyes reddening even more.

"Jia Dongxu... Dongxu, that kid, worked the night shift in the workshop last night to catch up with the factory's production schedule..."

His Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice trembled. "I wasn't paying attention while operating the machine, and I got caught in it!"

"hiss--"

A gasp erupted from the crowd as the older women covered their mouths, their eyes filled with terror.

Get caught in the machine? That's a large cutting and rolling mill in a steel mill. How could anyone possibly survive if they got in there?

"Where is she? Has she been rescued?" Liu Haizhong, with his pregnant belly, unusually refrained from using official jargon, and his face was a little pale.

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu's legs went weak, and she collapsed to the ground.

"Why is my life so miserable! Dongxu... he can't save his leg!"

She slapped her thigh and cried her heart out.

Yi Zhonghai, with a sullen face, interrupted everyone's discussion.

"He's still being treated at Hongxing Hospital! His life has been saved, but from now on... he'll be bedridden for the rest of his life."

He scanned the crowd, his gaze gradually sharpening.

"Everyone knows what's going on with the Jia family right now. Banggeng just had an accident a few days ago, and now Dongxu has fallen too."

"The pillar that supports their family has collapsed! The medical expenses and future living costs are a bottomless pit!"

At this point, Yi Zhonghai threw down the gong he was holding.

He pulled a crumpled notebook out of his pocket and slammed it down on the octagonal table next to him.

"Our courtyard has been recognized as an advanced courtyard house every year. Now that our neighbors are in trouble, we can't just stand by and watch them die!"

"I propose a hospital-wide fundraising effort! Every household, regardless of age or number of people, should donate at least ten yuan!"

Ten yuan?!

The crowd erupted in chaos.

These days, ten yuan can feed an entire family cornbread for half a month.

Who doesn't tighten their belt to make ends meet?

"Sir, this...this is way too much."

The three women huddled behind Yan Bugui, muttering under their breath, "My husband Yan only earns so little a month, and he has to support so many mouths to feed..."

"Too much?" Yi Zhonghai suddenly turned his head, his eyes piercing like knives at the third aunt.

"If it were your own Yan Jiecheng lying in the hospital, would you still think it's too much?!"

The three women choked and turned pale, quickly shutting their mouths.

Yan Bugui wanted to retort, but when he saw Yi Zhonghai's murderous gaze, he swallowed his words.

Yi Zhonghai ignored the whispers of the others.

He turned around and strode towards the front yard.

Their footsteps were heavy, making a dull thud on the bluestone slabs.

Qin Huairu followed behind like a little shadow, crying and sobbing.

The people in the compound looked at each other in bewilderment, and then followed in a large group.

Yi Zhonghai's goal is very clear.

East wing room.

The door to Zhang Huaimin's house was tightly closed.

Since the farcical "thief" incident last night, the people in the compound have kept their distance from this house.

But Yi Zhonghai went all out today.

With Jia Dongxu out of commission, his only hope for retirement is gone.

With the Jia family's world collapsing, Yi Zhonghai's retirement plan also collapsed in half.

If he can't stabilize the Jia family, all his hard work over the past half-life will have been wasted.

And in this courtyard, the richest and easiest to manipulate are now.

Who else could it be but that orphan who just received a 500 yuan pension?

"Zhang Huaimin! Open the door!"

Yi Zhonghai walked to the door of the east wing and pounded on the door panel.

"Knock knock knock!"

The door was closed.

"Zhang Huaimin! I know you're in there!"

Yi Zhonghai gritted his teeth, his voice growing louder and louder.

"Your Uncle Dongxu is in the hospital undergoing emergency treatment and needs money for his life! As a family member of a martyr, how can you have no sense of responsibility whatsoever?!"

The door bolt made a soft "click" sound.

The door opened.

Zhang Huaimin stood on the threshold.

Wearing a slightly worn blue cotton-padded jacket, she held a steaming hot roasted sweet potato in her hands.

The morning sunlight slanted across his fair, delicate face.

Her large, clear eyes watched quietly as Yi Zhonghai, who was furious, stood outside the door.

Beside him, Chen Bing, dressed in civilian clothes, stood with his arms crossed, guarding the door like a door god.

His eyes were as cold as ice.

"Grandpa, are you calling for my soul at my doorstep so early in the morning?"

Zhang Huaimin took a bite of sweet potato, his voice soft and gentle, yet revealing a composure beyond his years.

Don't try to fool me with your smooth talk!

Yi Zhonghai pointed at Zhang Huaimin's nose, spitting everywhere.

"The Jia family is in deep trouble right now, and the whole neighborhood is donating money. Your father died on the job, and the factory just gave out a 500 yuan compensation!"

"What use is so much money to a little kid like you?!"

He took a deep breath and struck a righteous and awe-inspiring pose.

"I've made the decision! You take half of your compensation, two hundred and fifty yuan, and donate it to your Uncle Dongxu for surgery!"

"This also promotes our spirit of neighborly mutual assistance, and your father in heaven would be pleased!"

These words caused even the neighbors who were watching the commotion to gasp in shock.

Two hundred and fifty yuan!

This is robbery!

When Qin Huairu heard this number, a greedy glint flashed in her eyes.

Even the crying subsided considerably.

If they can really get this money, not only will their medical expenses be covered, but the rest will be enough for their family to eat meat for several years!

Chen Bing's brows furrowed sharply.

He was about to step forward.

Zhang Huaimin stretched out his chubby little hand and gently stopped him.

"Brother Chen, it's alright. I'll reason with the old man."

Zhang Huaimin slowly swallowed the sweet potato in his mouth.

He dusted off his hands, looked up, and stared directly at Yi Zhonghai.

That look in his eyes held no fear, no anger, only a coldness as if he were looking at a clown.

He slowly reached his hand into the inside pocket of his cotton-padded coat.

The movements were so slow, so slow it was unsettling.

As Yi Zhonghai watched his actions, a sudden and extremely ominous premonition arose in his heart.

What tricks is this kid up to now?

Under the watchful eyes of hundreds of people in the hospital.

Zhang Huaimin took out a small notebook, about the size of a palm, wrapped in red silk, from his pocket.

He held the corner of the notebook between two fingers.

With a flick of her wrist, she gently lifted the red silk covering.

The morning sunlight shone directly on the cover of that little notebook.

Red background with gold lettering.

Right in the center, there is a large, bright red official seal of the Ministry of National Defense, exuding solemnity and austerity.

It was clearly printed on it!

Certificate of Protection and Preferential Treatment for Families of Revolutionary Martyrs!

These large characters were so bright and painful to the eyes in the sunlight.

The once bustling courtyard house fell into a deathly silence in an instant.

Even the wind seemed to have stopped moving.

Yi Zhonghai's pupils suddenly contracted to the size of pinpoints.

His hand, which was pointing at Zhang Huaimin, froze in mid-air and began to tremble violently.

It felt like my throat was stuffed with dry grass, and I couldn't make a sound.

Zhang Huaimin held the red booklet and gently waved it in front of Yi Zhonghai.

The edge of the notebook brushed against Yi Zhonghai's nose, stirring up a slight chill.

He raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing an innocent yet chilling smile.

"Sir, you just said you wanted me to take out half of the martyr's pension?"

He tilted his head, his voice clear and crisp, each word piercing to the heart.

"The money is hidden behind this notebook."

"Please take a look at the official seal on this first, you..."

He paused for a moment, the cold light in his eyes intensifying.

"Would you dare catch it with your bare hands?"