I Have a Lake as I Walk Through the Courtyard

Upon hearing Director Wang's question and seeing his expression, Qin Huairu's legs went weak and she collapsed to the ground. "I...I just have a bit of an upset stomach..."

Director Wang looked at the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and indeed, their reputation was well-deserved. He then looked at the two staff members who had come with them. "She's pregnant, after all. You should take her to the hospital for a thorough check-up! See if she's had any problems with the pregnancy."

"No need, no need! Director Wang, I just need to rest for a bit!"

Director Wang narrowed his eyes. "Really not? Having a baby in your belly is no small matter!"

"Really, no need. I'll just go back to my room and lie down for a bit."

"I'm afraid that won't work! Whether you've aggravated the pregnancy today is crucial! It affects how I handle things afterwards! What are you all standing around for? Take her to the hospital!"

Qin Huairu was very astute and immediately understood Director Wang's implied meaning. "Director Wang, please spare me! I didn't harm the baby; it was my mother-in-law who forced me! Waaah!"

Hearing this, Lin Feng finally felt relieved. This pregnant woman was really troublesome; he had no way to use his strength!

Director Wang glanced at Jia Zhangshi. "Can you still speak? Should we take her to the hospital too?"

"Go away! My whole body aches, ouch..."

"Take this old woman to the hospital!" Director Wang said, turning to Lin Feng. "Although they were at fault first, you still have to pay the medical bills. Hitting someone is ultimately wrong."

"Director Wang, I'll pay the medical expenses! I'll admit the mistake! But there's something I want to report!"

"Oh, what do you want to report?"

Lin Feng cleared his throat. "Director Wang, I'm reporting Jia Zhangshi. She has a rural household registration, and her husband passed away many years ago. According to the new policy for returning to Beijing from rural areas, people like her who are unemployed and without household registration are eligible for this policy. Director Wang, am I right?"

Lin Feng's voice was loud, and Jia Zhangshi, who had been lying on the ground groaning, jumped up immediately upon hearing this.

"You little wretch, how could you be so malicious? I'm so old, how am I supposed to survive if I go to the countryside?"

"Mrs. Jia, your thinking is wrong. You're only in your forties, in your prime, with a strong and robust physique. People in the countryside who are in their sixties or seventies are still working in the fields, and they don't even have your size. They've all survived, so why can't you?"

After Lin Feng finished speaking, he turned to look at Director Wang. "Director Wang, the government has this policy, don't you agree?"

"Indeed, you have a very detailed understanding of the policy!"

"Absolutely! We hold meetings at the station all the time, it's a pity those three old men didn't even manage to publicize this policy properly! They were so negligent!"

Listening to Lin Feng's sarcastic remarks, Director Wang was almost amused by his own anger. How could someone so young be so petty?

"Director Wang, I'm not going back! Waaah, I don't even have a house in the countryside anymore! My grandson is about to be born here, I have to take care of them!"

Lin Feng looked at Jia Zhangshi with a serious expression. "Don't worry, the government won't let you sleep on the streets. When you go back to the production team, you'll be allocated a house and given opportunities to earn work points. You must trust the Party and trust the government!"

"Go to hell! I curse your ancestors for eight generations!" Jia Zhangshi cursed upon hearing this, and was filled with regret!

"Dongxu! You just left, and they're already bullying me and your wife! Waaah, they have no conscience! Open your eyes and look at us! We can't live like this anymore! Just take us with you!"

Seeing that things had suddenly escalated to this point, Director Wang coughed twice. "Lin Feng! According to policy, Jia Zhangshi's situation only falls under the category of mobilization; it doesn't necessarily mean she has to be repatriated!"

"Director Wang! The country is currently facing a difficult period, having just experienced three years of natural disasters. Rural areas desperately need labor. Look at Jia Zhangshi's physique; she's equivalent to two strong laborers. Someone like her staying in the city without a job, expecting everything to be done for her, instead of going to the countryside to contribute to socialism—this person has a problem with her thinking!"

Director Wang looked at Lin Feng with a headache. He was right. If the people didn't report it, the officials wouldn't investigate. But if someone reported it, she would have to deal with it.

"Alright, I've received your report! Jia Zhangshi, I'll take you to the hospital. We'll send you to the countryside once you're better!"

The women, who had been secretly laughing at Lin Feng's words, all looked at Jia Zhangshi with pity after hearing Director Wang's words. What was the state of the countryside like these days? No one knew better than them! They were truly starving! Even if this old woman managed to extort medical expenses this time, she would have lost a lot.

"Director Wang, I'm not going back! My daughter-in-law is pregnant. What will happen to her if I leave?"

Qin Huairu was stunned and quickly knelt down beside her mother-in-law. "Director Wang, please spare my mother-in-law! How will I survive without her?"

"Widow Qin, you're mistaken..."

"Shut up! I'm scared of you, okay? Waaah, Director Wang, I don't want to go to the countryside, please let me go, I won't go to the hospital either!"

Director Wang turned to look at Lin Feng helplessly. "This Xiao Feng, what Jia Zhangshi said isn't entirely unreasonable! Qin Huai is like a woman, pregnant, she really can't do without someone to take care of her!"

Hearing Director Wang's words, Lin Feng knew this guy was going to try to smooth things over again. "Director Wang! Tell Jia Zhangshi to go without worry. Where are we? This is the Civilized Courtyard! With us here, we can absolutely guarantee Qin Huairu's child will be born smoothly!"

After saying that, he turned to look at Jia Zhangshi. "We must go to the hospital! I'll pay whatever it costs! I'm admitting my mistake here!"

Director Wang had a dark expression on his face. How come he never knew this kid was so difficult to deal with? Just as he was feeling annoyed, the old lady, supported by an older woman, slowly arrived at the Intermediate People's Court.

"Lin Feng! I've watched you grow up, just like Sha Zhu, and now you've made something of yourself! I know you hate Jia Zhangshi, and I hate her too; she's like a troublemaker in the yard! But Qin Huairu is heavily pregnant, and she really needs someone to take care of her. Childbirth is like going through hell for a woman! How about I have her apologize to you for what happened this time? You can make any requests you have."

Lin Feng rolled his eyes. He hadn't expected this matter to bring out the old man. It seemed that these families had long been united.

"Old lady, what are you saying? If she's a troublemaker, then what are we?"

With a soft "pfft," Director Wang couldn't hold back, his face turning red as he turned away. The old lady's face darkened, and she angrily slammed her cane on the ground.

"Xiaofeng, it's good to be forgiving. I'll compensate your family 5 yuan for what happened today. Let's make this a small matter and let it go. We all live in the same courtyard; it's inevitable that we'll have our share of disagreements!"

Before Lin Feng could answer, Director Wang immediately chimed in, "I think this is a good idea! Lin Feng, life isn't always black and white. Let's just leave it at that!"

After speaking, Director Wang looked at Jia Zhangshi. "As for your question, we'll discuss it again after your daughter-in-law gives birth! If you dare to cause trouble again in the meantime, don't blame me!"

"I won't do it again, government, I won't do it again!"

"Alright, that's enough! Regarding the issue of Raymond Lam's renovation disturbing the neighbors, I believe everyone has moments like this. Nobody renovates their house frequently, so let's all just bear with it! Can everyone leave?"

Director Wang left immediately after making his announcement, not giving Lin Feng a chance to speak again. Lin Feng watched Director Wang's retreating figure and thought to himself, "No wonder he's called Director Wang! What a pity!"