The entire courtyard is full of villains

"Hey, is Huairu in such a hurry to go out?" Yan Bugui parked his bicycle against the wall and looked up again. Qin Huairu's figure was already almost out of the alley. He couldn't help but mutter, "What's she rushing off to?"

Once inside, he called out to the inner room, "Old Yang! Old Yang!" Yang Ruihua came out from the inner room, needle and thread in hand, and asked, "What are you shouting for?" "Have you seen Qin Huairu? I just bumped into her at the door. She was running out of breath. Where is she going?" Yan Bugui asked with a frown.

"I guess she's going to work," Yang Ruihua replied casually, continuing to mend clothes with her head down. "We're not close to the steel mill. If she walks, she'll be late if she doesn't hurry."

"Going to work?" Yan Bugui narrowed his eyes, then suddenly realized, "What kind of work does she go to? Isn't Jia Dongxu's workstation in the Jia family? The police came to the compound this morning. I heard that Jia Dongxu was sentenced to a year and a half for slandering Zhang Erhe, and he was just sent to a labor camp."

“So she’s taking over Jia Dongxu’s job.” Yang Ruihua said without looking up. “I saw that the work clothes she was wearing were exactly the same as those in Yi Zhonghai’s factory.”

"That's even more wrong!" Yan Bugui suddenly raised his voice, looking puzzled. "Old Yang, don't you know? If this person is sentenced, the factory will definitely take back the work position. How can a family member be allowed to take over the job? I've never heard of the Jia family having any powerful connections in the steel rolling mill. How could she keep the work position?"

Yang Ruihua paused in her needlework, then suddenly slapped her thigh: "Oh dear, I forgot about that! The other day, Qin Huairu was so eager to help, she even went with Yi Zhonghai's wife and helped the deaf old lady out. I think she probably asked the deaf old lady for help, otherwise how could it have gone so smoothly?"

"Slap!" Yan Bugui slapped his thigh hard, his face full of regret: "Why didn't you say so sooner! If I had known there was such a way, I should have talked to the Jia family and bought this workstation! Our Jiecheng doesn't have a proper job yet, so we could have bought the workstation, let Jiecheng work there, and have him pay us some interest every month. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone? Jiecheng would have a job, and we could earn some interest. What a great deal!"

Yang Ruihua slapped his thigh, his face full of regret: "That's right! Why didn't I think of that! We missed such a perfect opportunity." The couple chatted back and forth, feeling more and more sorry for each other!

Yan Bugui became increasingly unwilling to give up, and turned to leave: "No, I have to go ask Jia Zhangshi, there might still be a chance." With that, he rushed towards the Jia family's residence in the central courtyard as if the wind was blowing.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Jia Zhangshi sitting on the threshold with her legs crossed, picking her teeth, while Banggeng was squatting on the ground next to her, intently circling around a group of ants. "Sister-in-law Zhang, busy?" Yan Bugui immediately put on a big smile and quickly went over.

Madam Jia glanced at him, a suspicion immediately forming in her mind—this old codger Yan was known for being stingy, but today he was all smiles like a Buddha; he must be up to no good. She put down her toothpick and said slowly, "What's up, Old Yan? You're such a busy man, what brings you to my courtyard?"

"I came here specifically to see what happened to Dongxu after hearing about it." Yan Bugui pulled up a small stool and sat down, his tone somewhat earnest. "Although the third uncle in my courtyard has been relieved of his job, we've been neighbors for so many years, we're still family, and we should still care about each other. As the old saying goes, a close neighbor is worse than a distant relative, so we should be united and friendly, shouldn't we?"

He made a few preambles, then suddenly changed the subject, glancing towards the doorway before lowering his voice to ask, "By the way, Sister Zhang, I just ran into Huai Ru at the gate. She was wearing the steel mill's uniform; is she filling in for Dong Xu?"

Jia Zhangshi's heart skipped a beat, her expression instantly turned cold, and her eyes became fierce: "What? Old Man Yan, do I have to report to you first just because my Huairu is filling in for someone else?"

"No, no, that's not it." Yan Bugui quickly waved his hand, rubbing his hands together, looking like he was thinking of her. "Sister Zhang, think about it. Huai Ru is a woman, and the steel mill is a physically demanding place. She has to work hard and then come home to breastfeed Xiao Dang. It's so hard for her. I was just wondering if you're thinking of transferring your workstation?"

"Bullshit!" Jia Zhangshi exploded instantly, jumping up from the threshold, her hands clasped in front of her chest, vegetable scraps still under her fingernails, ready to scratch Yan Bugui's face. "You damned old miser! My son just went in, and you're already trying to steal our livelihood? Get the hell out of here!"

Yan Bugui was so frightened that he shrank back, and the small stool he was sitting on overturned with a "clatter". Before he could catch it, Jia Zhangshi's claws were already scratching at him, grabbing his shirt collar and ripping it hard.

Yan Bugui winced in pain and quickly rolled to his feet, shouting as he backed away, "Sister Zhang, let's talk this out! If you don't want to sell, then don't sell! Why resort to violence? This is uncivilized, utterly uncivilized!"

"Can being polite put food on the table?" Madam Jia Zhang stood with her hands on her hips, spitting as she spoke. "Let me tell you, Yan Bugui, if you want to take our workstations, you'll only get there if I'm dead! If you dare spout any more nonsense, I'll tear your mouth apart!"

At the entrance of Workshop 3, a group of workers surrounded Master Li, teasing him and saying, "Brother Li, congratulations! You've found a beautiful female apprentice. Not everyone is so lucky!"

Master Li, however, looked miserable, waving his hands and sighing repeatedly: "Hey guys, stop watching me make a scene, okay? If you really think my pretty apprentice is good, if you're not convinced, go find Director Guo. I'm willing to transfer her over, no questions asked! Whoever wants this 'pretty' can take her. I'll change my mind!"

"Hey, what are you saying? You're not satisfied with your pretty female apprentice?" someone joked with a laugh.

"What good is being pretty!" Master Li waved his hands anxiously. "This is a factory; we rely on skills, not looks! Take Qin Huairu, for example; she's completely clueless! This morning I taught her the names and uses of the tools, and guess what? The whole morning was gone, and she hadn't remembered a single one!"

"No way?" Someone nearby raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Even the dumbest person wouldn't do something like this?"

"Don't believe me?" Master Li retorted, "Come over this afternoon and I'll teach her again in person. You'll see for yourselves!"

Just then, Liu Haizhong, with his pregnant belly, walked over from the side and came closer when he heard the noise: "Old Li, who were you talking about just now?"

"Who else could it be but Qin Huairu?" Master Li said irritably.

"Qin Huairu?" Liu Haizhong narrowed his eyes and asked in confusion!

"Yes, that's her, Jia Dongxu's wife from your compound?"

"Why is she at the factory?"

"He's here to fill in," someone nearby chimed in. "This morning, Guo Da Piezi said Jia Dongxu was sick and couldn't come to work, so he had his wife fill in for him."

Chapter 46 The Stingy Man's Scheme

Liu Haizhong stroked his chin, knowing perfectly well that Jia Dongxu wasn't sick at all; he had clearly been arrested. But he had no grudge against the Jia family, and with so many people present, telling the truth would create a permanent feud with them.

He wasn't afraid of the Jia family, but the thought of that old hag, Madam Jia Zhang, throwing a tantrum in the courtyard gave him a terrible headache. Thinking this, he didn't reply, and slowly walked away with his hands behind his back.

A while later, the work bell rang. Guo Da Piezi entered the workshop but didn't see Qin Huairu. He frowned and was about to leave when she came running in, panting, with sweat still on her forehead: "Director Guo."

"It's good that you're back." Guo Da Piezi waved his hand and turned to Master Li, saying, "Old Li, take her over and teach her again. Make sure it's done this afternoon." Master Li responded weakly, his face full of resistance—this afternoon was probably going to be even more exhausting.

Sure enough, when it was time to leave work that evening, Mr. Li immediately went to find Guo Da Piezi, pleading with a bitter face: "Director, please spare me!"

"What's wrong?" Guo Da Piezi asked, taken aback. "It's all because of Qin Huairu!" Master Li stamped his feet anxiously. "Her brain is just a block of wood, I really can't teach her!"

"Can't teach me? That can't be right?" Guo Da Piezi was still somewhat skeptical.

"Wait a minute!" Master Li turned and went out, then came back a moment later with a coworker. "Master Zhou, you watched me teach her this afternoon. Tell me, how's she doing?"

Master Zhou uttered four words crisply and decisively: "A complete mess."

“Director Guo,” Master Li turned to Guo Da Piezi again, his tone aggrieved, “Ever since you became director, I, Old Li, would dare say I fully support you, but I’ve never held you back, have I? You can’t do this to me! At this rate, will I even be able to complete my tasks this month?”

Guo Da Piezi frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "How about this, Lao Li, you train her for another three days. If she still can't understand after three days, I'll find a way to transfer her to another position." Master Li breathed a sigh of relief. Although he hadn't completely turned her down, he could grit his teeth and get through three days. He quickly thanked him.

Meanwhile, Yan Bugui returned home, increasingly frustrated, muttering under his breath, "Damn the Jia family! Jia Dongxu is in jail, and their backer Yi Zhonghai isn't around either. They don't even know their place, yet they dare to offend me? They won't listen to reason, so they'll have to suffer the consequences!"

He didn't even feel like fishing that afternoon, staying home all day waiting for the steel mill workers to get off work. As the workers gradually returned, he quickly stood at the entrance of the courtyard house. A short while later, he saw Liu Haizhong return with his hands behind his back.

"Old Liu!" Yan Bugui called out from afar. "What's up, Old Yan?" Liu Haizhong walked over. Yan Bugui stepped forward and pulled him towards the door of the back room: "I need to talk to you about something, it's not convenient here." Liu Haizhong looked puzzled: "What is it? Why are you being so secretive?"

"Old Liu, you know that Qin Huairu took Jia Dongxu's place, right?" Yan Bugui asked in a low voice.

"I know, I heard it from someone in the workshop today." Liu Haizhong sneered, his face full of disdain. "That Qin Huairu is as stupid as a pig. Her master taught her all morning, but she didn't learn anything, except for being eager to eat."

Yan Bugui's eyes lit up, secretly pleased—since she couldn't do it, his plan was even more credible. He immediately took two steps closer, his tone tinged with righteous indignation: "This is unacceptable! The Jia family's actions are utterly unethical. Think about it, among those of you working at the steel mill in our compound, you and Lao Yi are the highest-ranking workers. Now that Lao Yi has been detained, aren't you the one who's respected in the compound?"

These words struck a chord with Liu Hai, and a smile instantly spread across his face, the corners of his mouth involuntarily turning upwards. Seeing this, Yan Bugui quickly pressed his advantage: "But think about it again, such a big thing as Qin Huairu taking over the job, and the Jia family didn't even inform you. This clearly shows they don't respect you and look down on you, this 'big shot'!"

Liu Haizhong's smile vanished instantly, and his brows furrowed—indeed! He was now the de facto leader of the courtyard, yet the Jia family was so ignorant of the rules, completely disregarding him, which made him feel resentful.

"And also, Lao Liu," Yan Bugui changed the subject, his gaze falling on Liu Haizhong, "your Guangtian isn't young anymore, is he?"

“That’s right, he’ll be sixteen after the New Year.” Liu Haizhong sighed when he mentioned his son. “This kid doesn’t have his brother Guangqi’s brains. I think he’ll have to leave school after junior high and won’t even have a proper job.”

“Old Liu, I know what you’re thinking.” Yan Bugui patted his arm earnestly. “You’re usually strict with Guangtian, but it’s all for his own good. A doting mother spoils her son, and a strict teacher produces outstanding students. You genuinely hope he will amount to something.”

Liu Haizhong nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of agreement: "Old Yan, you really understand me! Here, have a cigarette, and keep talking." He took out a cigarette and handed it to him. Yan Bugui took the cigarette, secretly pleased with himself—this Liu Haizhong is so easily swayed, a few sweet words were enough to coax him into taking out a cigarette, he's practically brainless.

He lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said slowly, "Isn't your Guangqi about to graduate from vocational school? He'll be working hard from now on, and he'll get promoted sooner or later."

“He hasn’t graduated yet, but he said he’ll start as a junior staff member and wait two years to gain experience before being promoted.” Liu Haizhong spoke with pride when talking about his eldest son, and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but turn up.

"That's right!" Yan Bugui emphasized. "Keep working, and you'll achieve great things. When Guangqi becomes a cadre, you can also get promoted in the factory. Your family will be 'two cadres in one family.' Not only in the courtyard, but the whole alley will look up to you. How prestigious!"

Liu Haizhong beamed with joy, forgetting to even bring the cigarette to his lips. Yan Bugui, seeing that the time was right, suddenly turned serious: "But then again, if you and Guangqi become successful in the future, but Guangtian never has a proper job and just wanders around in society, what will people say?"

These words were like a needle piercing the center of his bangs, instantly extinguishing the smile that had just appeared. Yes, how could outsiders know that he treated all three children equally? They might accuse him of favoring his eldest son and neglecting his youngest. He leaned forward anxiously, "Old Yan, stop beating around the bush, tell me quickly what to do?"

Yan Bugui deliberately dragged out his words, slowly saying, "Well..." Liu Haizhong immediately understood and hurriedly said, "Old Yan, as long as you can help Guangtian find a legitimate business, I'll treat you to drinks afterwards, with at least two meat dishes on the table. I'm not lying to you!"

"Okay, I'll remember what Lao Liu said." Yan Bugui nodded in satisfaction, then lowered his voice and said, "Do you remember what the neighborhood committee said during their legal education session last time? If a worker breaks the law and is sentenced, their workstation in the factory will be taken back!"

Liu Haizhong blinked his small eyes, and after a moment of surprise, he realized, "Oh, there is such a rule! But what does it have to do with us?"

"The connections are huge!" Yan Bugui slapped his thigh and glanced towards the Intermediate People's Court. "The police came this morning. Jia Dongxu has already been sentenced to a year and a half. According to the rules, his work station should have been taken back by the steel rolling mill long ago. It's against the rules for Qin Huairu to be filling in for him now!"

Chapter 47 The Younger Generation's Schemes

Liu Haizhong's eyes lit up, instantly understanding Yan Bugui's meaning, but then he frowned: "Old Yan, you mean to report it to the factory? But if the Jia family finds out it was us, won't that old hag Jia Zhangshi cause a huge uproar in the yard?"

"Are you stupid!" Yan Bugui poked his arm irritably. "If this gets reported to the factory, the position will definitely be taken back. Then we'll offend the Jia family, and someone else in the factory will take the position—so many eyes are on the vacant positions. Do you think you can get the position with your connections? Wouldn't that be like getting nothing but trouble?"

Liu Haizhong pondered for a moment, then silently shook his head: "It really won't work. I'm only familiar with those people in the labor and personnel department, we're not close, I can't compete with them."

"That settles it," Yan Bugui said gently. "We've been neighbors in the same courtyard for so many years. If we really go too far, it'll be awkward to keep running into each other all the time."

Liu Haizhong nodded repeatedly, eagerly asking, "Then what do you suggest we do? We can't just watch the opportunity slip away, can we?"

"Listen to me." Yan Bugui glanced towards the Intermediate People's Court and said in a low voice, "Tonight, go to the Jia family and tell Jia Zhangshi that the news has spread among the factory workers that some people know about Jia Dongxu's sentencing, and now the factory is investigating Qin Huairu for taking over the job, which is against regulations. Then you say, why not 'give' her the job and give her some money? That way, the Jia family will get the money and their situation will improve; the factory will have no grounds to investigate further; and you'll be helping your neighbor while also getting Guangtian to take over the job. Isn't that a win-win-win situation?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Liu Haizhong excitedly slapped Yan Bugui's shoulder hard, making the man stumble. He didn't care about that, his face full of praise: "Old Yan, it has to be you! In terms of brains in our department, no one can compare to you! If you ask me, you were born in the wrong era; in ancient times, you'd at least be on par with Qin Hui!"

"Don't talk nonsense. How can that treacherous Qin Hui compare to me? I'm at least Sima Yi!" Yan Bugui rubbed his arm, correcting him verbally, but inwardly he was overjoyed—as he spoke, Liu Haizhong had already stuffed the box of good cigarettes his apprentice had given him into his hand. He secretly calculated that one cigarette a day would last for almost twenty days; he was making a killing.

The two huddled together for a while, finalizing their plans and the amount of money to be paid. Only then did Liu Haizhong walk smugly towards the backyard, his mind filled with the image of the Jia family being eternally grateful. Yan Bugui walked home, clutching his cigarette case, his mouth practically stretched to his ears—he had both disrupted the Jia family's plans and pleased Liu Haizhong, while also getting a good pack of cigarettes; this deal was incredibly shrewd.

When Yan Bugui returned home, he ran into Yan Jiecheng, who had just come back from odd jobs, holding a bowl full of rice and showing it off, his mouth stuffed bulging. "Hey, Jiecheng! How many times have I told you to eat properly? Look at the way you're eating!" he scolded, frowning.

Yan Jiecheng mumbled a reply, put down his rice bowl, wiped his mouth, and said, "Dad, don't say anymore. Let me have something to eat first. I did a lot of work today, and I didn't eat much this morning. My legs are weak when I got back."

"By the way, how did it go with the job inquiry I asked you to do at the neighborhood office this morning?" Yan Bugui picked up his bowl and slowly ate a mouthful of rice.

"I asked, and the neighborhood office just told me to keep waiting, nothing else." Yan Jiecheng said with a sullen face, clearly having no hope.

"Hmph, this is just passing the buck." Yan Bugui curled his lip, then changed the subject, "You've finished eating, now go and keep watch at the entrance of the Intermediate People's Court. When Liu Haizhong comes out of the Jia family, come back and tell me immediately."

Yan Jiecheng responded subconsciously at first, then realized what was going on and his eyes lit up: "Dad, what was Liu Haizhong doing at the Jia family? Could it be that he has some kind of secret relationship with the Jia family?"

Yan Bugui looked at his brainless son and said irritably, "Who told you he had something going on with the Jia family? I told you to keep an eye on him, so go keep an eye on him!"

"Didn't you tell me to wait for him to come out of the Jia family? There must be something going on here!" Yan Jiecheng became more and more excited as he thought about it, and leaned closer to lower his voice, "Dad, you have such sharp eyes! Did you notice that Liu Haizhong is getting together with one of the women from the Jia family? Don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on him tonight, and I'll report him as soon as he comes out. I guarantee I'll catch him red-handed! But it's a deal, when you become a big shot, you'll have to give me two yuan as a reward!"

He paused, then glanced mysteriously towards the door before leaning closer and saying, "Dad, I always feel like this position of the eldest son is cursed. Whoever takes it gets entangled with the Jia family. When you take it, you'd better sever all ties with the Jia family! After all, I'm Mom's own son, you can't let her down!"

"You're talking nonsense!" Yan Bugui slammed his hand on the table, making the dishes rattle. "All you ever think about is this rubbish! I asked you to keep an eye on things because Liu Haizhong is going to talk to the Jia family, and after he's done, I'll go talk to the Jia family too—it's all for your job!"

Yan Jiecheng touched the table that had been slammed so hard, and blew on it with concern: "Dad, can't you talk to me properly? Why are you slamming the table? This table was supposed to be my wedding furniture!"

"Get out! Get out now!" Yan Bugui couldn't hold back any longer and kicked Yan Jiecheng out of the house. Watching his son's retreating figure in his slippers, he thought, "How could I, with my lifelong reputation, have given birth to such an idiot? If Yang Ruihua hadn't been home when he gave birth, I would have suspected we'd made a mistake!"

Liu Haizhong returned to the backyard with a cheerful smile, which secretly relieved Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, who were waiting for dinner. The two quickly brought him hot water and helped him wash up. They kept their necks hunched over and didn't dare to utter a sound throughout the meal, afraid of spoiling his mood.

Just as Liu Guangtian put down his chopsticks, he tried to sneak out, but Liu Haizhong, who was holding a wine glass, called out to him, "Guangtian, you stay."

Liu Guangtian's heart skipped a beat, his legs instantly trembled, and his mind raced—he hadn't caused any trouble these past two days, had he? Could it be that his father was going to take his anger out on him? But when he came back, he had a smile on his face and didn't seem angry at all. He stammered softly, "Uncle! What...what's wrong?"

“Just stay, you brat. What are you asking? Come with me to the Jia family after dinner,” Liu Haizhong explained.

"Uncle!" Liu Guangtian leaned closer and whispered, "Do you want me to guard the door for you?"

"What door?" Liu Haizhong put down his wine glass and frowned.

"Isn't it said that... once you become an old man, you have to get involved with the Jia family?" Liu Guangtian's voice became less and less confident as he spoke, and it was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

Liu Haizhong was stunned at first, but after realizing what was happening, he angrily kicked Liu Guangtian, making him stagger: "You bastard! I'm taking you to the Jia family to talk about your job! All you ever think about is nonsense!"

Liu Guangtian clutched his kicked thigh, but felt a sudden sense of relief—thankfully, he wasn't going to have to accept Jia Zhangshi as his stepmother; that fat shrew's insults were too vicious. As for Qin Huairu, she wasn't out of the question either… He secretly glanced at Liu Haizhong, thinking that his father was getting on in years, and if something were to happen to him, it wouldn't seem like a complete loss. With that thought, he couldn't help but chuckle.

"What are you laughing at! You're so unserious!" Liu Haizhong glared at him, finished the last sip of wine in his glass, stood up and put on his coat. "Come on, let's go to the Intermediate People's Court."

"Hey, grandpa!" Liu Guangtian immediately responded and followed after him eagerly.