The entire courtyard is full of villains

"Grandma, you didn't say that Sha Zhu hit the cafeteria manager."

"I... Director Yang, that bastard Yi Zhonghai only told me that he beat up his colleague, he didn't say it was the canteen director!" Old Lady Long also became anxious.

“Grandma, a fight between colleagues is at most an internal conflict, but fighting with a leader is a completely different matter,” Yang Liming said seriously. “We’ve been chanting the slogan of equality for so many years, but in the end, how easily can the bureaucratic atmosphere be changed? Sha Zhu’s behavior is simply…”

Grandma Long became even more anxious upon hearing this: "Director Yang, what will happen to the pillar... what will happen to the pillar?"

"Grandma, if someone hits their boss, they'll definitely be fired. I can't really get involved in this myself, since he has no grounds for complaint."

Grandma Long was completely panicked. Yi Zhonghai's recent behavior clearly indicated he had no intention of supporting her in her old age; she had pinned all her hopes on Sha Zhu. If Sha Zhu really got fired, would she have to support him from then on? Who would be supporting whom then?

Her voice trembled slightly: "Factory manager, please help Zhu Zi. As long as he's not fired, we'll accept any punishment!"

“Grandma, this isn’t just about punishment,” Yang Liming said gravely. “It’s about ideology and stance. Sha Zhu didn’t just beat up the canteen director; he challenged the leadership authority of the entire steel rolling mill. If he dares to beat up the canteen director today, will he dare to beat up the logistics chief tomorrow? And the day after tomorrow, will he dare to go after the deputy factory director? I must follow the factory’s decision and deal with this seriously.”

"Oh, Xiao Yang!" Old Mrs. Long leaned forward. "No matter what, Zhu Zi has worked as a cook in the factory for so many years. Even if he didn't make any great contributions, he certainly put in a lot of hard work. Now that he's been fired, where are you going to find a cook as capable as him?"

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Yang Liming's face: "Grandma, the cook... has been found."

"Who hired them?"

"Zhang Erhe introduced him," Yang Liming said, looking away. "I heard his skills... are even better than Sha Zhu's."

It's Zhang Erhe again!

Old Lady Long gritted her teeth. That damned Zhang Erhe had made one move after another—first sowing discord between her and Yi Zhonghai, and then removing Sha Zhu's support.

"Xiao Yang, is there really no other way?"

"Grandma, I really have no choice this time." Yang Liming picked up his teacup, a silent farewell.

Grandma Long seemed to have lost all her energy in an instant, aging several years. She remained silent for a long while, finally appearing as if she had made up her mind:

"Xiao Yang... this is the last time I'm begging you."

As she spoke, she shakily pulled a worn-out piece of paper from her bosom and slowly pushed it in front of Yang Liming.

"Take a look at this first."

Yang Liming took the letter with some skepticism and unfolded it. After reading only a few lines, his pupils suddenly contracted, and he abruptly looked up:

"You surnamed Long... how did this thing end up in your hands?"

"Xiao Yang, don't worry about why he has these things with me. Anyway, they're in my hands, and they'll stay with me. I'm old, I have no other requests, I just want to live out my old age peacefully, and then I can take these things with me to the grave. Of course—"

She looked up at Yang Liming across from her and said slowly: Of course, if I did not die a natural death, then naturally someone will expose these things to the world.

"you!"

Yang Liming glared at her fiercely, and after a long while, he slumped to the ground in despair.

"No wonder...no wonder you were the ones who saved me. This was all a trap. If I'm not mistaken, the ones who captured me were your people too, weren't they?"

Grandma Long simply smiled, neither denying nor admitting it.

Yang Liming, however, seemed to have already understood.

"Fine... I'll take this loss."

He gritted his teeth, looked up, and asked, "Hey, Mr. Long, what do you suggest we do?"

Grandma Long looked at him calmly.

"Director Yang, I have only one request. I'm getting old, and before I die, I just want to eat something satisfying. Sha Zhu can't get into trouble. As long as he can stay in the factory as a cook and see me off peacefully, that's enough."

Yang Liming stared intently at her, and Old Lady Long met his gaze calmly.

After a long while, Yang Liming picked up the teacup on the table and took a big gulp.

"Okay, I'll definitely do it. But you'd better remember this—if you dare to leak anything, I'll risk my position to expose you all."

Grandma Long did not answer directly, but simply stood up, leaning on her cane.

"Xiao Yang, it's not 'try your best,' it's 'you absolutely must protect Sha Zhu.'"

After saying that, she walked straight out of Yang Liming's office. Just as she stepped out, she heard a loud crash behind her—the sound of a teacup slamming to the ground.

The composure that had been on Old Lady Long's face gradually faded.

She knew that while producing that document would force Yang Liming to submit, it would also sever all ties. From then on, only mutual distrust would remain. Now she was old, no longer the fearless woman she once was.

She leaned on her cane and slowly walked out. Tan Saihua was still waiting at the door.

Just as she was about to step out the door, a car drove in from outside. She couldn't dodge in time, and the car came to a sudden stop in front of her.

The car window rolled down, and a person leaned out.

Old Mrs. Long squinted, almost spitting out the name through clenched teeth:

"Zhang, Er, He".

P.S.: I'd still love to see more updates! Thank you everyone!

Chapter 166 Trivial Matters

The car door opened, and Zhang Erhe jumped out.

"Who do we have here? Isn't this Old Lady Long?" He smirked. "Let me guess, you came to the factory so early in the morning—to rescue Sha Zhu, right?"

Grandma Long had calmed down and said in a gentle voice, "Erhe, we're all old neighbors in the same courtyard. Is it really necessary to be so ruthless? Shazhu did offend you, but you also hit him in public. Besides, we've known each other for over ten years, since your parents' generation. Is it really necessary?"

Zhang Erhe casually took out his cigarette case and lit a cigarette.

"Then I'd like to ask, what were you doing while I was in the hospital?" He took a drag and slowly blew the smoke towards Old Lady Long's face. "Were you thinking of... taking advantage of my family's extinction?"

Grandma Long coughed as she was choked by the smoke.

Zhang Erhe continued, "Yi Zhonghai is childless, and you, Old Lady Long, are also childless. When my parents were alive, they took pity on you and sent you plenty of good food, didn't they? What, now that my parents are gone, that kindness is gone?"

A hint of unease flashed across Old Lady Long's face.

"Erhe..."

“Who the hell told you to call me Erhe?” Zhang Erhe interrupted her. “This is a steel rolling mill. Call me Section Chief Zhang.”

“…Alright, Section Chief Zhang.” Old Mrs. Long gripped her cane. “It’s better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester. I know you’re holding a grudge. Here’s what we’ll do: when Zhu Zi comes out, I’ll have him and Yi Zhonghai set up two tables, and we can sit down and clear up the misunderstanding.”

Zhang Erhe took a deep drag on his cigarette.

As Old Lady Long stared at his face, her unease grew stronger. Suddenly, Zhang Erhe flicked his cigarette butt at her.

"You old deaf man, who the hell do you think you are?" His voice suddenly turned cold. "Trying to clear up the misunderstanding with me? Let me tell you, I'm going to fight you to the death—no, that's too kind of you. I'm going to wipe you all out, you vermin."

He took a step forward and lowered his voice: "Yan Bugui was the first, Yi Zhonghai was the second. But I guarantee, you old deaf man... will definitely not be the last."

After hearing this, Old Lady Long's heart sank completely.

"Fine..." she said in a hoarse voice, "I knew I wasn't wrong. You were the one who did Yan Bugui's thing. I never thought your parents, who were honest their whole lives, would raise such a wolf cub. And if I'm not mistaken, you were also behind Yi Zhonghai's new wife, weren't you?"

She raised her head and looked up at Zhang Erhe: "Section Chief Zhang, I know you're feeling pretty smug right now. But let me give you a piece of advice: young man, don't be so arrogant and domineering."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Erhe burst into laughter.

"Old deaf man, if young people don't act arrogantly, are they going to wait until they're buried in the ground before they become arrogant? Let me give you a piece of advice: when you get old, you should behave yourself and keep your claws out all the time. Otherwise, when your claws get chopped off... you'll feel the pain more than anyone else."

Grandma Long stopped talking, leaning on her cane, and slowly turned around.

Tan Cuihua, like a servant, hurriedly stepped forward to support her, and the two moved out step by step.

Zhang Erhe stared at her back.

This old woman definitely has more secrets. We can't let her rest so easily… It seems she thinks Yi Zhonghai is unreliable and wants to drag Sha Zhu onto her retirement chariot?

Okay! Let's find something to cause trouble and create chaos within yourselves.

Just then, there was a movement in the back of the coat—Zhang Jiao woke up and crawled out groggily.

"dad……"

"Oh, Jiaojiao's awake?" Zhang Erhe's expression softened instantly. "Come on, Dad will return the car and take you to the hospital to see Mom."

"Good~"

Zhang Erhe drove the car back to the drivers' quarters and then carried Zhang Jiao to Li Huaide's office.

The door was open, and he walked straight in.

Li Huaide was reviewing documents when he looked up and glared at him: "Hey, I'm a deputy factory director, can't you show me some respect? Knock on the door!"

"Isn't the door open?"

"We have to knock it down, even if it's open!"

Zhang Erhe raised an eyebrow: "Then I won't come next time."

"No, no, no," Li Huaide immediately laughed, "You're getting all worked up over a couple of jokes?" He got up and walked over, "Oh, this must be Jiaojiao?"

Zhang Jiao was a little shy and shrank closer to her father.

"Don't be afraid, Jiaojiao. This is Uncle Li. He gave you candy last time," Zhang Erhe coaxed softly. "Say hello to Uncle Li."

“Hello, Uncle Li,” Zhang Jiao said softly.

"Oh, what a good girl!" Li Huaide smiled, his eyes crinkling. "Why did you bring your daughter today? You drove off in such a hurry this morning, is something wrong?"

My wife gave birth.

"Did you give birth? Boy or girl?"

"Big Fatty Boy".

"Great!" Li Huaide clapped his hands. "You now have a son and a daughter, making a perfect 'good' family! You must invite me to the full moon celebration!"

"Don't worry, I'll call you even if no one else wants to."

The two chatted for a few more minutes, and Zhang Erhe took out two packs of cigarettes from his coat and tossed them over.

Li Huaide didn't stand on ceremony, took it, and locked it in the cabinet.

"Get lost," he said with a laugh, waving his hand. "I bet your heart is already at the hospital."

Li Huaide, having been through similar experiences, naturally understood that Zhang Erhe's mind was entirely on the hospital. The feeling of blood ties and intertwined lives when he held the child that morning was undeniable. He hurriedly rode his bicycle, carrying Zhang Jiao, to the hospital.

The ward was quiet. Zhang Erhe had pulled some strings, and Guan Xue was the only one staying in this room. The baby had already been brought to its mother. As soon as Zhang Jiao entered, she went to the crib and looked curiously at the swaddled infant.

The little guy seemed more relaxed than he had been in the morning. His skin was still red, but it wasn't wrinkled like a little old man anymore. Zhang Jiao watched for a while, then looked up, her little face full of confusion: "Mommy, why does my little brother look like a little monkey?"