Siheyuan: Return to the Era of Prosperity

Chapter 20 The culprit
Tu Qifang first glanced at Jia Zhang, then said, "You, the Jia family, have brought this upon yourselves. When you were registering your household registration, you, Jia Zhang, were reluctant to give up your rural land. The subdistrict office did a lot of ideological work on you, but you just couldn't bear to give up your land and didn't agree to change your rural household registration to a city household registration. Later, the country changed its policy and established agricultural cooperatives. If you don't work, you won't have food to eat. But now you come here to change your household registration. Do you really think the subdistrict office was opened specifically for your family?"

"In principle, you should be sent back to the countryside in your situation. You used the excuse of taking care of a pregnant woman and refused to go back. You have brought this situation upon yourself. Tell me, how many jobs did the neighborhood office recommend for you? You were never able to work for a full week, but you complained about this and that. Your family can't make ends meet, and you are the culprit."

What Jia Zhang fears most is the Street Office. The last time she changed her household registration, she caused trouble at the Street Office and was almost sent back to her rural hometown. Since then, she has had a natural fear of the Street Office.

In response to Tu Qifang's criticism, Jia Zhang did not dare to say a word in rebuttal and quietly retreated into the crowd.

Tu Qifang has completely given up on Jia Zhangshi. He is such a carefree person that he doesn't mind her leaving.

"Yi Zhonghai, the Jia family is in trouble and you want to help. There is nothing wrong with that. With your monthly income of 77 yuan, you can contribute money and effort to help the Jia family solve the problem, but you use other people's things as favors and spend your money generously. Do you think your behavior is correct?" Tu Qifang asked back.

"Secretary Tu, there is a nursery rhyme that has been circulating recently. I wonder if this is the reason." Xu Damao said with a smile.

When everyone heard Xu Damao's words, they couldn't help but laugh softly.

Tu Qifang looked at Liu Haizhu and Yan Bugui in confusion, asking with his eyes what was going on.

Liu Haizhong had long wanted to kick Yi Zhonghai out and take over as the boss, so he quickly said, "It's rumored that Old Yi wants to borrow Qin Huairu's land to have a son."

As he said this he started laughing too.

Seeing that Tu Qifang didn't quite understand, Yan Bugui further explained, "Secretary Tu, some time ago, I don't know who made up a nursery rhyme, saying that Lao Yi wanted to use a surrogate mother to have a child. But after investigation, it was said that it was a middle-aged man in his forties, and the other party covered his face. Until now, it is still unclear who spread the rumor."

Secretary Tu glanced at Yi Zhonghai, as if to confirm whether Yi Zhonghai had this idea.

Yi Zhonghai felt greatly offended and gnashed his teeth as he said, "Tu, this is a rumor."

Tu Qifang glanced at the other party and thought about how to deal with this matter so as to minimize the impact and satisfy Shen Zhiyu.

Yi Zhonghai knew that he was in trouble today, and his image as a good guy in the hospital was about to be lost. He quickly winked at an old lady, asking her to find the deaf old lady, who should be able to help him with her skills.

Tu Qifang knew that this matter couldn't be handled too seriously, otherwise it would affect himself.

If I don't impose heavier penalties, Shen Zhiyu will definitely be dissatisfied. If he reports it to his superiors, I will be in even more trouble. Now I can only hope to gain Shen Zhiyu's forgiveness.

When I was thinking about how to deal with it, I was interrupted by the deaf old lady.

"I just went to bed and you woke me up. You disturbed my sleep." The deaf old lady pretended to be unhappy. Then she said, "If you have nothing to do, it's not late. Let's go to bed."

If she hadn't been supported by an old lady, everyone might have been fooled by her. Everyone turned their eyes to Tu Qifang.

Tu Qifang glanced at the deaf old lady and said gently, "Old lady, you are old, it is better for you not to get involved in some things."

"What? I, an old lady, can't ask about it? Isn't Zhonghai trying to help residents in need? How can it deal with good intentions but end up with bad results?" the deaf old lady asked.

Tu Qifang glanced at the deaf old lady and asked Shen Zhiyu, "Shen Zhiyu, tell us what happened before and after."

"Okay, Secretary Tu. The story starts from last night. Yi Zhonghai came to see me after dinner last night. I had a feeling that he had bad intentions. Plus it was getting late, so I didn't open the door for him for fear of disturbing my brothers and sisters' rest. This morning he came to my house before dinner. His implication was that I should give Qin Huairu the job I left behind so that she could change her rural household registration to an urban household registration. I have already told him clearly that as a probationary member of the organization, I will not deceive the organization and will not give up my job to Qin Huairu."

"This afternoon, after I got back from get off work, my sister told me that a meeting of the entire compound would be held after dinner, and I knew it was because of the work position. This old man in our compound has always been eloquent, changing concepts, confusing the public, and taking it as his mission to favor the Jia family. I was worried that he would use moral kidnapping again tonight, so I informed the street office in advance, and everyone saw what happened afterwards." Shen Zhiyu said without exaggeration, seeking truth from facts.

Tu Qifang didn't know whether it was out of justice or for the sake of his future, so he immediately scolded Yi Zhonghai, "Their parents just passed away, and you gathered all the residents in the courtyard to bully a few children. What's more, Comrade Shen Deming is a veteran and a hero who sacrificed for the collective interest. He is a second-class meritorious contributor to the country. Do you know what you are doing? You are insulting and bullying the martyr's will."

Yi Zhonghai argued: "Director, I was kind-hearted..."

Seeing that Yi Zhonghai showed no remorse, Tu Qifang raised her voice and said, "Shut up. You still have no remorse at all. Don't you feel ashamed?"

"Tu girl, Zhong Hai's mistake was unintentional. He was also trying to help his neighbors. Although his method was wrong, his starting point was still to help others. He is worthy of encouragement. Just say a few words." The deaf old lady said with a smile.

Shen Zhiyu looked at the kind-looking old lady in front of him and felt that she was not an ordinary person and that she had found a very accurate entry point.

"Old lady, let's put one thing first. Yi Zhonghai's problem cannot be resolved with just a few words. He is trying to deceive the organization and bully the families of martyrs." Tu Qifang explained.

"Zhong Hai, it's not enough to bully the relatives of martyrs and deceive the organization, right?" asked the deaf old lady puzzled.

Tu Qifang knew that the residents of the courtyard had not yet realized the seriousness of the matter. Although it was common for officials to take over positions unless the people reported them, he absolutely could not tell anyone about it.

Yi Zhonghai blatantly held a meeting to decide to privately ask for jobs for the children of martyrs. If anything were to come to light, he, as the director, would definitely be in trouble.

"Old lady, Yi Zhonghai asked Qin Huairu to take over the job, which was illegal in itself. He also used his status as the old man in the courtyard to force the job and oppress the children of martyrs. Do you think this is enough?" Tu Qifang retorted.

(End of this chapter)