Restarting life in Siheyuan

Comrade Xiao Xu also stood up when he saw this. "Everyone, please be quiet. Even if the re-election of the compound is the request of the sub-district office, it is also the actual need of your compound. Comrade Yi Zhonghai took the initiative to apply to the sub-district office to resign as the manager. We respect Comrade Yi Zhonghai's decision. According to the process, we also need to re-elect the manager of the compound. Now please follow the procedure and convey the spirit of the superiors first. Comrade Liu Haizhong, please continue to preside over it."

With the appearance of Comrade Xiao Xu, the compound naturally became quiet. Zhu Xuefeng looked at the absent-minded Third Uncle and the relaxed First Uncle, and then at the energetic Second Uncle. It was really interesting. The layout of the compound would change today.

"Dear men and women, uncles and aunts, and neighbors!" Liu Haizhong's voice was loud and powerful, penetrating the tranquility of the middle courtyard. "Today, we gather here to respond to the call of the Party Central Committee and further promote the great revolutionary movement. Now let me convey the spirit."

Liu Haizhong was reading out loud the documents from his superiors without any stuttering, but unfortunately the effect was not very good. There was a lot of whispering among the people below. Maybe someone already knew the topic of the day and was tirelessly explaining it to their uninformed neighbors. The buzzing sound was incessant and seemed to be expanding.

Liu Haizhong saw it and felt a little embarrassed, but he still patiently continued to convey the spirit. After finally finishing conveying it, Liu Haizhong was relieved. Fortunately, nothing went wrong. Sha Zhu, who always challenged him, behaved well today and didn't make any trouble.

The second item is what the compound is most concerned about. After Liu Haizhong started the second item of the day, the compound suddenly became lively. Although they couldn't understand why Yi Zhonghai quit, several neighbors still nominated Yi Zhonghai as soon as possible during the candidate nomination stage.

"Let me remind everyone here!" Xiao Xu stood up again.

"I hope everyone will consider carefully the nomination of the steward candidate this time. The comrades nominated must have the ability and willingness to do so. Don't make rash nominations."

He paused, looked at everyone present, and continued: "Everyone knows that Comrade Yi Zhonghai, the former uncle, has worked diligently for many years and devoted countless efforts to the compound. But unfortunately, due to health reasons, Comrade Yi Zhonghai had to reluctantly resign from this position. Here, on behalf of the Street Office, I would like to express my most sincere gratitude and high respect to Comrade Yi Zhonghai!"

"So I hope everyone respects Comrade Yi Zhonghai's personal wishes and doesn't make things difficult for him."

Comrade Xiao Xu sat back down after he finished speaking, and the compound once again enjoyed a brief moment of peace.

"Comrade Lao Yi has worked hard and conscientiously for the affairs of the compound over the years. I suggest that everyone give him a round of applause!"

As he said this, Liu Haizhong turned to Yi Zhonghai and bowed deeply. The courtyard was filled with applause, which became more and more numerous and more and more orderly.

Although Yi Zhonghai had been calm, he was also somewhat moved at this moment, with a look of emotion and relief in his eyes. He slowly stood up and said in a hoarse but firm voice:
"Thank you all for your concern and support. Although I am no longer in good health, my heart will always be connected with the compound. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to serve as a great uncle, thanks to your trust and support. Here, I would like to especially thank every neighbor for their help and cooperation in my work. In the days to come, I will also firmly support the work of the compound and continue to implement the requirements of the street office!"

As soon as he finished speaking, warm applause rang out from the crowd again. Now that Yi Zhonghai has withdrawn from the election, the compound was silent for a while after the applause, and no one continued to recommend candidates. As the organizer, Liu Haizhong felt a little embarrassed and had to look around the compound. Finally, his eyes fell on Qin Huairu in the distance. The two looked at each other for a moment before Liu Haizhong shifted his gaze.

"I hope everyone will continue to be brave enough to nominate candidates. This is for the sake of our entire compound." After saying that, he stopped talking nonsense and sat down. There was another round of discussion in the yard. Qin Huairu knew that it was time for her to take the lead. Although she was reluctant, they were both Deputy Director Li's people now, so she had to help anyway.

"I propose Comrade Liu Haizhong!" An unexpected female voice came over, and Qin Huairu stood up with a simple smile on her face. She cleared her throat:

"Listen to me, everyone. Over the years, Second Uncle has helped our compound solve so many problems. Everyone knows this. Although I am not well educated, I have sharp eyes. I, Qin Huairu, would like to express my support for Comrade Liu Haizhong today. He is a sincere man and reliable in his work. With him around, our compound will surely prosper!"

At this point, Qin Huairu paused and ignored Jia Zhang who was looking at her strangely. Her eyes were full of sincerity: "Of course, the first uncle has worked hard over the years, especially for our family's affairs, and he has put in a lot of effort. Our family will remember the first uncle's kindness for the rest of his life. However, the first uncle and his wife are not in good health now, and it is really not appropriate for the first uncle to work so hard. Master Liu is the most suitable candidate as the second uncle. I believe he can lead our compound to move forward and make everyone's life more and more promising!"

Qin Huairu's words were simple and straightforward, but very reasonable, and many people nodded in agreement. The atmosphere suddenly became particularly warm. Now that someone took the lead, the election work in the compound became lively again. The third uncle was soon elected, and Teacher Yan's face at the eight-immortals table finally looked a little better. Unfortunately, the third candidate has not been born yet. Several uncles who were recommended have taken the initiative to express that they have no ability in this regard and cannot take on such a heavy responsibility. As for choosing young people, that is impossible.

Then, the election officially began. After a heated discussion and voting, the results were finally announced. Liu Haizhong was elected as the new first uncle as he wished, and Teacher Yan was promoted from the third uncle to the second uncle. After the election results were announced, warm applause and cheers rang out again in the compound.

As the newly elected uncle, Liu Haizhong stood in front of everyone, full of confidence: "Thank you all for your trust and support! From today on, I will shoulder the responsibility of leading the compound forward. I promise that I will not disappoint everyone's expectations, continue to carry forward the fine traditions of Comrade Yi Zhonghai, and serve the residents of the compound wholeheartedly. At the same time, I will also actively respond to the call of the superiors, carry out the revolutionary movement in depth, and make our compound a strong fortress of the revolution!"

As the new second uncle, Mr. Yan also delivered a brief speech. He first expressed his gratitude to Yi Zhonghai for his hard work and promised to continue to contribute to the development of the compound under the leadership of the new uncle.

"Well, the re-election work of No. 95 Compound has been successfully completed. The masses were able to actively cooperate and participate. This proves that the masses in our compound have a high level of awareness and strongly support the work of the Street Office. I will report the re-election results as soon as possible. Thank you all."

Comrade Xiao Xu stood up and spoke again. The re-election was successfully completed and the crowd had dispersed. Comrade Xiao Xu chatted with the two newly elected uncles for a while and left, but people in the compound were still whispering about today's re-election in groups of three or five.

"How could this old fellow Yi Zhonghai be willing to give up his status as a great master? There is something strange about this." Jia Zhang was still muttering to herself. Looking at her radiant daughter-in-law, she felt very uncomfortable. As someone who had experienced this, how could she not understand the strangeness of her daughter-in-law's condition? She had scolded her several times but had no evidence, so she could only turn a blind eye. As long as she could still save face, she would pretend that she knew nothing.

But she couldn't understand why her daughter-in-law stood up to support Liu Haizhong today. It seemed that her daughter-in-law and Liu Haizhong had nothing to do with each other. What kind of logic was this? She didn't believe Qin Huairu's nonsense. She had heard about how many stupid things Liu Haizhong had done in the past few years. She had heard about how Sha Zhu almost had his house demolished, and she heard that he was beaten and ran around the yard.

"I say, his wife, what are you thinking? Now that Yi Zhonghai is no longer a big boss, can he legitimately stop helping our family? You think Liu Haizhong is stupid. What did he promise you? Why are you supporting him in public? When did you two get involved?"

Jia Zhang's suspicion did not elicit any rebuttal from Qin Huairu. Qin Huairu just glanced at her mother-in-law and said, "Isn't it good that the first uncle doesn't help us? You always say that he has ulterior motives in helping us. Now that he doesn't help us, you have nothing to doubt. I think it's good." "But, but..." Jia Zhang was a little anxious. Even though the two families had less contact now, they could still get some benefits from the first uncle every month. Wouldn't that be gone in the future?

"No buts. In the past, they were just an old couple, and they helped us with some of their surplus. Now they are in poor health and have two more children, so they naturally can't help us. You have to rely on yourselves in the future. I heard that the feed factory is still short of people, how about signing you up?"

Jia Zhang shook her head like a rattle, "No, no, Huaihua is only five years old now, she can't go to school, and I have to take care of her. Besides, you can't take care of the three children's dinner, so I have to do it. I have to go to work, it won't work."

Qin Huairu was folding the clothes that had been dried and said, "Leave Huaihua to Auntie to play with her son. You can make dinner after get off work. It's not too late. What's wrong with that?"

Seeing Qin Huairu's understatement, Jia Zhang felt aggrieved, "You also work, why don't you go home to cook dinner? You want to order an old woman like me to work and take care of the family at the same time. How can you be so cruel?"

Qin Huairu knew of course that this was impossible, and she was just saying it in passing. If she wanted Jia Zhang to do this, she would probably have to force her with a gun, and it was just a joke.

"If you don't want to go to work, just stay at home and take care of the kids. Don't think about messy things all day long. The uncle will be Liu Haizhong in the future. If he hears what you said just now, it will definitely not be good. He is not like Uncle Yi and Aunt Yi, and he will definitely punish you."

Not to mention that every household was discussing today's election, as soon as the meeting was over, Sha Zhu and his wife sent the old lady back to the backyard and pulled Zhu Xuefeng into the main room.

Sha Zhu looked at Zhu Xuefeng with a puzzled look on his face, and Lou Xiao'e's heart was in her throat, waiting for his reply.

"Brother, is it okay?"

Seeing Zhu Xuefeng smile, Lou Xiao'e felt relieved.

"Have you really thought about it?"

Sha Zhu nodded, motioned for Lou Xiao'e to go outside and observe, then spoke in a low voice.

"The old man and old lady have already found out that things are not good. If they continue like this, they will definitely be blamed. They have no choice but to leave, but Ezi saw that I would not leave, so she naturally stayed with me. Brother, you said before that if there is really something you can help me."

"Brother Zhuzi, you have a good memory. Don't worry, it's nothing. Since they have a way to leave by themselves, it's just some personal belongings. I will be responsible for getting them there. Don't give me 20% of the money. It's just a shame. When they leave, give me the key and I will help you solve it."

Sha Zhu was overjoyed. Today, the couple were hurriedly called to Lou Xiao'e's house. Mr. Lou told them a surprising decision. The old couple decided to leave secretly and go to Hong Kong to seek their opinions.

After much consideration, Sha Zhu decided to stay. Lou Xiao'e was a little torn, but finally decided to stay with her man.

Mr. Lou sighed, sent the mother and daughter away, and talked with Sha Zhu for a long time. However, the mother and daughter cried in the next room, which forced Mr. Lou to end the conversation.

In the end, Mr. Lou failed to convince Sha Zhu, but he understood Sha Zhu's concerns. Sha Zhu was so kind and loyal to help an old lady and neighbor who had taken care of him in their old age. Mr. Lou could only express his admiration, and there would be nothing wrong with that for his own daughter.

The final result agreed upon was to come for consultation. If Sha Zhu's brother could really help solve the property transfer, he would pay 20% of the fee. If not, Mr. Lou would prepare to contact the previous person in charge as soon as possible. Even if it meant a loss, he had to leave quickly. The commotion in the past few months had completely scared him. If he stayed any longer, it would definitely not be good. His daughter was now married and was at least a worker. If she stayed, it shouldn't be a big problem.

Zhu Xuefeng's statement made Sha Zhu very happy. After seeing Zhu Xuefeng off, he hurried out, holding Lou Xiaoe's hand, and said only one sentence.

"Okay, let's go."

Zhu Xuefeng watched Sha Zhu and his wife leave in a hurry in the side room and shook his head. It really has come to this. It is better for them to leave and put an end to it all.

Sha Zhu and Lou Xiao'e hurried back to the Lou Mansion. They looked around like thieves before entering the house. While closing the door carefully, they once again looked around to see if anyone was following them.

"Zhu Zi, you said he agreed to help for free?"

Mr. Lou was full of suspicion. There are such people in this world. Maybe they don't know the details of their own family. After all, the wealth in the basement is only known to him and his wife. Not to mention his son-in-law, even his daughter doesn't know. How can one not be jealous of money? No matter how good the character of Sha Zhu's brothers is, it is estimated that they will inevitably change their minds after seeing so much wealth.

This man didn't take the benefits, and Master Lou was not at all relieved. He walked around for a while with his hands behind his back, and finally stopped in the suspicious eyes of Sha Zhujia and Lou Xiao'e. He had made up his mind. After he left and the dust settled, his daughter and son-in-law would have to take care of the aftermath. Sooner or later, he would know. (End of this chapter)