The Red Era: Living in Seclusion in a Siheyuan as a Boss

Chapter 451: The Accent Remains the Same, the Hair Turns Gray

After having a good meal and a few drinks, the three of them left "Liuquanju" and happened to pass by Jiaodaokou Police Station on their way home.

Qin Huairu held two important documents tightly in her hands: one was a copy of the release certificate issued by the prison, and the other was a certificate for household registration.

She decided to go to the Jiaodaokou Police Station to handle her household registration procedures to avoid having to make another trip.

These days, it is really difficult to get around without a household registration. Even daily chores like buying non-staple food and receiving food coupons are strictly issued according to household registration.

Just imagine how inconvenient life would be without these bills as even basic food and clothing would become a problem.

However, it is not easy to obtain a household registration and you need to wait.

Unlike later generations, when all information can be quickly retrieved from the system, at that time, everything had to be handled by manpower, and the efficiency was naturally low.

Therefore, the sooner you get your household registration, the better.

This is not only about personal convenience, but also about the well-being of the entire family.

When Sha Zhu heard that Qin Huairu was going to apply for a household registration, he patted his chest proudly and said confidently that it was a simple matter.

It turned out that he also had connections in the police station and could help with the process.

Who is this person? Qin Huairu asked curiously.

Sha Zhu proudly revealed the answer. It turned out that the director of Jiaodaokou Police Station was Liu Zhiye's cousin Liu Shuming.

With this relationship, it would naturally be much easier for Qin Huairu to handle her household registration.

"Comrade, is there anything I can help you with?" A policeman in white uniform was standing at the door. He stopped Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu and asked politely.

Sha Zhu smiled and responded: "Hello, comrade! Is Director Liu here?"

The guard looked at the two of them with a puzzled look, and instead of answering directly, he asked, "Who are you?"

Sha Zhu suddenly realized what was going on and quickly explained, "Oh, I'm his friend, my name is He Yuzhu, please tell Director Liu that I have something to ask him."

When the guard heard that they were the director's friends, his attitude became more polite. With a smile on his face, he invited Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu to go to the guard room to rest for a while.

"Please take a seat for a moment. I'll call the leader and let him know!"

Sha Zhu smiled and nodded to express his gratitude.

The guard immediately picked up the internal phone on the table and quickly dialed the director's number: "Director, I'm guard Xiao Sun. There's a comrade who claims to be your friend, He Yuzhu, visiting at the door..."

On the other end of the phone, Director Liu Shuming laughed heartily when he heard that it was Sha Zhu: "Oh, it's Xiao Sun, He Yuzhu is my buddy, just ask him to come to my office!"

"Okay! Director!" The security guard Xiao Sun put down the phone quickly, with a warm smile on his face. He turned to Sha Zhu and the other man and said, "Comrade He, the leader wants you two to go to his office. Do you need me to show you the way?"

Sha Zhu smiled and waved his hands, looking relaxed, "No need to bother you, I've been here a few times before, I'm familiar with the place, thank you!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Sun smiled politely and waved his hand, "Okay! Since you are so familiar with me, I won't see you off. Goodbye!"

In the office on the second floor of the police station.

"Knock, knock, knock!!!" There was a slight knock on the door.

"Come in!" a deep voice came from inside.

Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu pushed the door open and greeted them warmly as soon as they entered: "Hey! Shuming, you are so busy so early in the morning?"

Upon hearing the voice, Liu Shuming immediately stood up from behind his desk and came over with a smile on his face, "Hey, Brother Zhuzi, you're here? I was wondering why when I got to work this morning, I felt a magpie calling at the door! I guess it's you two who are coming..."

When Sha Zhu heard this, he immediately laughed so hard that he couldn't close his mouth. He pointed at Liu Shuming and joked, "Good fellow, you really deserve to be the top leader. Your mouth is getting sweeter and sweeter. You are good at speaking and make people feel comfortable when they listen to you!"

Liu Shuming laughed, not caring about Sha Zhu's joke. He warmly invited Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu to sit on the sofa, and then personally poured tea for them.

"Hey! Isn't this Sister Qin? When did you come back?"

They have all known each other for more than ten years. Except for Qin Huairu who still had a bit of embarrassment that was difficult to conceal on her face, everyone else seemed quite natural.

"Report, Director Liu!" Qin Huairu stood there, her voice trembling and uneasy, "I... I just came back today."

When she saw the person in police uniform, Qin Huairu straightened her back involuntarily, then quickly lowered her head, as if she was avoiding something.

Liu Shuming looked at Qin Huairu in front of him with mixed feelings.

He clearly remembered how Qin Huairu got involved in that scandal. After all, he was one of the people who personally participated in the case.

However, the person standing in front of him at this moment was a middle-aged woman with gray hair, rough and dark skin, and a haggard face.

Qin Huairu's current appearance is completely different from what she was ten years ago, which made Liu Shuming feel a little pity and sympathy.

"Hey! Sister Qin, since you're back, you should live your life well from now on. Don't make the same mistakes and detours you made in the past again, okay?"

Liu Shuming looked at Qin Huairu, his eyes full of concern.

Then, he said, "Sister Qin, if you have any difficulties or obstacles, just tell us. We have known each other for a long time, and if I can help you, I will definitely help you without hesitation!"

In fact, he also knew in his heart that Sha Zhu brought her here specifically because he must need his help with something.

Qin Huairu's eyes were red with tears welling up in them. She choked up and said to Liu Shuming, "Thank you, Brother Liu. I really...really appreciate you. Actually, I do have something and I would like to ask you for help."

When Liu Shuming heard this, he quickly responded politely: "Sister Qin, you are too polite. If you have anything to say, just tell me directly. Do we still need to beat around the bush?"

Sha Zhu at the side continued the conversation: "Shu Ming, the thing is, your sister Qin just came back, about her household registration problem..."

When Liu Shuming heard this, he immediately understood what was going on. "Hey! I thought it was something big! It turns out it's just about getting a household registration. That's easy!"

He turned to Qin Huairu and asked, "Sister Qin, have you brought all the relevant supporting documents?"

Qin Huairu nodded quickly, with a look of anxiety on her face, "I've brought them all, not a single one is left behind!"

Seeing this, Liu Shuming stood up without saying a word, "Well, without further ado, I will take you to the Household Registration Department to handle this matter..."

After going downstairs, they came to the household registration section. When the clerks there saw that it was the director himself who was leading the people to handle the procedures, they immediately took action with an amazing efficiency.

They reviewed the relevant materials quickly and completed most of the process quickly.

Afterwards, the public security officer from the household registration department said to Qin Huairu: "Comrade, go back and get your household registration booklet. I will add your information right away. That's it!"

Qin Huairu was delighted to see that things were going smoothly, and she kept thanking the people in the household registration department, "Thank you! Thank you so much for troubling you!"

"Hey! You're welcome! We are all serving the people!"

Seeing that the work was done, Sha Zhu said goodbye to Liu Shuming, "Shuming, since this matter is done, we will not disturb you from work. Come to my house some other day and we can have a good drink together!"

However, Liu Shuming laughed and teased Sha Zhu: "Hey, I don't dare to go to your house easily. If I get you drunk again, your captain Huang will come after me!"

"Yes, let's go to my second brother's house. I'll bring the wine and you bring the food. How about that?"

Sha Zhuxiao cursed at him, "Come on, just drink me to death, and why are you going to Zhitai's house? You are all police officers, and you can all drink. Do you really think I'm stupid..."

"Let's go. See you later!" Sha Zhu waved to him and took Qin Huairu out of the police station.

Master An Wu was still waiting for them there, but because they had drunk a lot at noon, he couldn't help but doze off under the warm sunshine and let out a loud snoring sound.

"Master Wu! Master Wu! Wake up! Hey..." Sha Zhu patted his shoulder.
Master An Wu suddenly woke up, rubbed his eyes, and said in confusion with a bit of apology: "Ouch, I accidentally closed my eyes. Zhuzi, have you two finished your business?" As he said that, he subconsciously wiped the remaining saliva from the corner of his mouth.

Seeing this, Sha Zhu asked with concern, "Master Wu, are you okay? How about I take you back on my tricycle?"

When Master An Wu heard this, he was immediately unhappy. He glared at Sha Zhu and said in a heroic tone, "Who are you looking down on? I can ride the tricycle back even with my eyes closed. Do you believe it?"

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu immediately gave Master An Wu a thumbs up and said with a smile, "Master Wu, I'm convinced! So let's go now?"

"Let's go..." Master An Wu pedaled the bicycle swiftly, and the three of them were on their way again. ————

"Huai Ru, you are really back!"

"I'm back, Auntie!"

"Wow... Third Aunt, I really miss home, I miss each and every one of you, and I miss our courtyard. I miss it day and night..." Qin Huairu's voice was filled with endless attachment and sorrow.

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back..." The third aunt's voice was a little choked, and her eyes were instantly moist. She gently patted the back of Qin Huairu's hand, as if conveying a kind of silent comfort and strength.

Jia Zhang's gaze fell on Qin Huairu with complicated feelings, and finally she only said one sentence: "Huairu, you are finally back, I... I am really sorry for you!" There was a slight tremor in her voice, revealing her inner guilt and self-blame.

"From now on, we won't make any more trouble. Just the two of us can live a peaceful and stable life, okay?"

When Qin Huairu heard this, she could no longer hold back her emotions, and tears gushed out like a spring. She cried out, "Mom! It's all my fault, I didn't..." There was deep self-blame and regret in her voice, as if she wanted to pour out all her emotions.

The mother and daughter hugged each other and cried in front of their neighbors.

After Qin Huairu had vented all her emotions, she looked around with red eyes and said anxiously, "Mom! Where is Banggeng? Xiaodang and Huaihua are not here either. Why aren't they at home?"

Jia Zhang sighed helplessly and said softly, "Don't worry, they are all fine. But this is a long story, let's go home first and I will tell you in detail."

Qin Huairu heard that the children were all safe and sound, and her anxiety was slightly reduced, but she was still sad because she hadn't seen the children. She nodded reluctantly and remained silent, her heart full of concern for the children.

Seeing her like this, Jia Zhang sighed again, took out a red rope from her pocket and tied it around Qin Huairu's right hand.

The third aunt helped to light the brazier, and then let Qin Huairu fall over it.

This ceremony usually uses an iron basin, but an aluminum basin is also acceptable. However, charcoal fire must be used to give people a sense of ritual. After coming out, one must turn over a new leaf and start a new life.

There is also a saying that burning away the bad luck on your body can also be a kind of relief for the mind. Let the past be the past, and stepping over the fire basin proves that everything has started anew. It is also a kind of encouragement to those who have been released from prison, telling them not to be discouraged and to cheer up.

Some also use pomelo leaves to wash their hands which is also a common custom.

Pomelo leaves are believed to ward off evil spirits, increase good fortune, and help improve the luck of people released from prison.

After entering the room, Jia Zhang hurriedly took out a new set of clothes from the closet and handed it to Qin Huairu.

"Huai Ru, stop staring at those old things. I've already boiled some hot water in the pot. Go take a bath first, get rid of your fatigue, and then put on these new clothes!"

Qin Huairu responded with an "oh", and then slowly withdrew her slightly dazed gaze.

Everything before her eyes was so real and so within reach, making her finally convinced that she had truly returned to her long-lost home.

During these ten years, Qin Huairu learned a lot.

After Qin Huairu had tidied herself up, she put on a new set of clothes and stood in front of the mirror, looking at herself carefully. She felt that the clothes were a little loose, but it was undeniable that her mental outlook was indeed refreshed.

"Mom, where is the sewing box at home?" she asked softly.

Jia Zhang heard the noise, lifted the door curtain and walked in slowly, asking in confusion: "Huai Ru, why are you suddenly looking for needlework?"

Qin Huairu smiled slightly and explained, "Mom, the dress you bought for me seems to be a little too big. It feels a little loose when I wear it, so I thought about altering it myself."

When Jia Zhang heard this, her face darkened instantly, and she said slowly: "Huai Ru, this dress is not something I bought specially for you, but one of the clothes you left behind."

"I have kept it carefully for you all these years, hoping that one day you would come back and wear it. I never expected that you would be so thin now. You must have suffered so much over the years..., wuwu..." After she finished speaking, she was overwhelmed with grief and tears welled up in her eyes.

Ten years have passed, and the conflict between the mother and daughter has long since faded with the passage of time.

Qin Huairu is also quite old, and Jia Zhang is over 60 years old.

To put it bluntly, the dirt is almost up to your neck, what else is there to let go of?
Besides, their family is already struggling enough, so there is no need for them to act like a bully.

…………

In the afternoon, the sun shone obliquely in the courtyard. A group of children returned from school skipping and jumping, and their laughter filled the entire space.

Their faces were filled with carefree smiles, as if the whole world was full of fun.

However, among this group of children, Huaihua's expression looked particularly different.

She looked worried and had a frown on her face, as if something heavy was weighing on her mind, preventing her from laughing as happily as the other children.

"Come on! Huaihua, I'll take you guys to go fishing in the nearby lake!"

At this time, He Qiu strode to Huaihua and slapped her on the shoulder with a generous and enthusiastic tone.

He was looking forward to Huaihua being able to enjoy this rare happy time with them as usual.

However, Huaihua just responded in a low voice: "No, Brother Xiaoqiu, I won't go today..." After that, she lowered her head and hurried to the east wing.

He Qiu looked at Huaihua's departing back, his heart full of doubts and confusion.

He was about to grab Huaihua to ask for clarification, but was stopped by Xu Xiaonian who was standing beside him.

Xu Xiaonian shook his head at He Qiu and whispered, "Don't call her, something really happened at home!"

He Qiu was slightly stunned, thinking to himself, if there was really something wrong in Huaihua's family, how could I not know about it? "What happened in her family?" He couldn't help but ask.

Xu Xiaonian lowered his voice and said mysteriously: "Huaihua's mother is back from prison!"

He Qiu couldn't help but exclaimed when he heard this: "What! You said Aunt Qin is back?"

Xu Xiaonian hurriedly reached out to cover his mouth, and urged him repeatedly: "Shh! Keep your voice down, don't let Huaihua hear it!"

Huaihua hates it most when people mention her mother who is serving a prison sentence; she will get angry if anyone mentions this.

Jia family.

Looking at Huaihua, who was in a low mood and walked into the house silently with her head down, Jia Zhang smiled and said kindly, "Huaihua, come and take a look, who is back?"

Inside the house, when Qin Huairu heard the news that Huaihua had returned from school, joy surged in her heart. She couldn't wait to get up and almost trotted out to greet her.

However, when Huaihua looked up and her eyes fell on the mother in front of her who seemed a little strange - Qin Huairu, she couldn't help but feel a trance and confusion in her heart. She stood there hesitantly, looking a little at a loss.

Looking at the little girl Huaihua who was just a kid ten years ago, her appearance has changed a lot now.

Qin Huairu was stunned for a moment when she saw this, then she quickly stepped forward, hugged Huaihua tightly in her arms, and burst into tears while holding her.

"It's me, Huaihua. I'm your mother! Woo woo... I'm sorry for you. It's my fault..."

After crying for a long time, Qin Huairu kept calling out in a hoarse voice: "Huaihua, my daughter!"

"Why don't you call me mom? Ah..."

On the side, Jia Zhang looked at Huaihua standing still, feeling extremely anxious. She urged, "Huaihua, hurry up and call her mother. This is the mother you've been thinking about day and night. Hurry up and call her mother!"

"You silly child, don't you keep talking about wanting to see your mother? She is the mother you've always been thinking about..."

Huaihua's eyes finally lit up. "Mom...Mom, why did you come back just now? Woohoo...If you don't come back, I'll have grown up..."

----

In the bicycle factory in Liujiazhuang, machines are roaring and workers are busy with their respective tasks.

"Jia Xiaodang!" Xiaoli, a co-worker, suddenly called out. Her voice sounded particularly clear in the noisy environment. "It's not time to get off work yet. Where are you going in such a hurry?"

Jia Xiaodang was busy organizing tools. When she heard Xiaoli's greeting, she responded quickly without turning her head: "Oh, it's Xiaoli. I'm on leave. Something happened at home, so I'm leaving first!"

After leaving the factory gate, Jia Xiaodang had already mounted her 80% new bicycle. She pushed hard with her feet, and the wheels started to turn rapidly, carrying her away quickly to the end of the factory area.

(End of this chapter)