Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 164 A rocket helps a deaf old woman fly to the sky! (1 words)

"Old Xu's family, do you have one pound of oil and five pounds of rice?"

"Yes! This neighborhood committee is really good. It started giving us poor households welfare benefits as soon as it was established. In the past, we only received them during the Spring Festival."

"Of course! I heard that families of martyrs not only receive rice and oil, but also canned fruit and meat."

"real or fake?"

"Why would I lie to you? There's an old lady named Wang in the next courtyard, isn't she? She's a martyr's family member. I just went over to see her. Her treatment is much better than that of you poor people."

"That's what they deserve."

"Grandma, are you also using one pound of oil and five pounds of rice?"

"..."

backyard.

The deaf old woman inside heard the discussion outside and couldn't help but come out to take a look.

As soon as he popped his head out, he was immediately called out by the person who had spoken earlier. His face darkened instantly, and he turned around and went back without saying a word.

Seeing this, the man couldn't help but mutter, "Hey, what's wrong with this old lady? She's still so unhappy even though she received a gift from the neighborhood committee?"

"Don't you understand? Think about what you just said!"

"This...isn't it?"

"Why not?"

"Alright, alright, I shouldn't have asked that question. I didn't mean anything by it."

"Sigh! This old lady has a bad temper; we'd better avoid provoking her."

"The enemy!"

"..."

inside the house.

The faint sounds of conversation outside made the already unhappy deaf old woman's face turn even more unpleasant.

Seeing this, Qin Huairu couldn't help but comfort her, "Grandma, don't mind them. They just can't stand to see others doing well; they're always gossiping."

"That's right, Madam, please don't worry about them."

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongxu immediately echoed his sentiment.

Since Sha Zhu became cold towards the deaf old lady, she has taken the initiative to become closer to Jia Dongxu and the others.

The deaf old woman used to look down on the Jia family and Jia Dongxu because whenever there was something good to eat, they always liked to keep it to themselves and never shared it with her, an old woman.

Unlike the old Sha Zhu, who may seem carefree at first glance, he was incredibly sweet-talking to this old lady and always managed to make her happy. The key was that he actually bought her meat and stewed meat when he had the money.

Moreover, Shazhu is a good cook; even a simple stir-fried cabbage tastes better than what others make.

To be honest, no one can compare to him in this respect.

Even Yi Zhonghai and his wife couldn't do that.

Most of the meals were prepared and delivered by Wang Guihua, but they were always bland and watery, with hardly any oil.

Unfortunately, after He Daqing returned last time, he revealed all of Yi Zhonghai's misdeeds, causing her to be implicated as well.

After that incident, Shazhu stopped paying much attention to her.

The deaf old woman tried to get close to him as before, attempting to awaken his respect for her as an "elder," but instead met with a firm rebuff.

In the courtyard now, apart from Jia Dongxu, no young man takes her seriously anymore. Even though the deaf old woman knows the other party's true purpose, she has no other choice.

She's an old woman, and although she's still able to take care of herself, she's used to Wang Guihua's care. Without Sha Zhu as an alternative, Yi Zhonghai and the Jia family are now completely tied together.

Since I can't take my house in the courtyard house with me anyway, I might as well sell it to the Jia family.

In this way, Qin Huairu can also take care of him.

If you want her house, you can't just do nothing; you have to give something in return.

As for money and supplies, the Jia family would definitely be reluctant to part with them. Besides, they themselves need Yi Zhonghai's monthly assistance, so they can only contribute manpower and effort, asking Qin Huairu to come over more often to help her clean the house and do laundry.

When Yi Zhonghai came to discuss this matter before, although he didn't say it too bluntly, the deaf old lady wasn't a child who didn't understand anything, so she tacitly approved of the plan.

"Dongxu, Huairu, don't try to comfort me. I don't care about those things."

"I really want one! I can have one too!"

"I just don't care about taking advantage of the country, nor do I want to cause trouble for the country."

"You probably don't know, but back when the war was raging, I, an old lady, saved the lives of the underworld officials in the city."

"I played a part in the construction of the straw sandals worn by the Red Army during the Long March!"

"These Red Army soldiers wore the shoes I made as they climbed snow-capped mountains and crossed grasslands."

"Later on, the Eighth Route Army also wore my shoes to fight the Japanese..."

"..."

As the deaf old woman spoke, her expression grew increasingly smug.

however.

Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu, who were inside the room, were dumbfounded.

Feeling utterly incredulous, Jia Dongxu couldn't help but look at the deaf old woman and ask in surprise, "Madam, I've grown up in this courtyard house since I was a child. How come I've never heard anyone mention these things before?"

"Back then, you were only just buying soy sauce!"

After saying that, the deaf old woman added with a touch of arrogance, "Besides, back then, was it something that could be easily known by just anyone? That would have cost you your head. Are you trying to harm this old woman?"

"Madam, I didn't mean that, but after liberation, I never heard you mention it again?"

Jia Dongxu couldn't help but wonder.

"I've already said, I don't want to take advantage of the country."

The deaf old woman glanced at Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu, first boasting a bit, then calmly said, "Besides, so many years have passed, there's no point in bringing it up again. Seeing the country peaceful and prosperous today, I'm content."

"Madam, you are this!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongxu immediately gave the deaf old woman a thumbs up, and then asked curiously, "Madam, I have a question for you. It seems that the Red Army did not pass through our area during the Long March, right? How did you manage to deliver the shoes to the Red Army?"

"You weren't listening carefully, were you?"

Hearing Jia Dongxu ask this tricky question, the deaf old lady was a little displeased. She immediately tapped Jia Dongxu on the head with her cane and said with certainty, "Have you forgotten that I once saved an underground comrade? I asked him to deliver this to the Red Army for me!"

“Oh my, it really is… Madam, look at me.”

When the deaf old woman hit him on the head, Jia Dongxu was not angry at all; instead, he showed a fawning smile.

It was as if being tapped by a deaf old woman was such a kind and honorable gesture.

While everyone inside was laughing, Yi Zhonghai, who had just returned from outside, looked rather grim.

"Zhonghai, what's wrong with you? You look unhappy."

Seeing Yi Zhonghai's appearance, the deaf old woman felt a little strange and couldn't help but ask.

"Director Wang just went to Li Hongbing's house..."

Just now, Yi Zhonghai, along with Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui, saw Director Wang off. Yi Zhonghai also witnessed Director Wang's visit to Li Hongbing.

Given Yi Zhonghai's current relationship with Li Hongbing, it's naturally impossible for him to enter the house.

However, like the other residents in the courtyard, Yi Zhonghai could see everything that was happening inside the house from the outside.

This time, Li Hongbing completely outmaneuvered him.

Anyone could see that Director Wang appreciated Li Hongbing.

Objectively speaking, this incident did not cause them any direct harm.

But as an adversary, the better Li Hongbing did, the more uncomfortable Yi Zhonghai felt.

With Director Wang's appreciation, Li Hongbing will have a direct advantage over them in the subdistrict office.

If anything happens in the future, the people from the neighborhood committee might just side with him.

This is not a good thing.

"What? Director Wang went to Li Hongbing's place?"

Upon learning this, the deaf old woman, who had been smiling just moments before, was completely dumbfounded.

Although the others were somewhat annoyed, they couldn't help but be curious when they saw the deaf old woman's strong reaction.

Upon seeing this, Yi Zhonghai immediately asked with concern, "Grandma, what's wrong?"

“This…I…Zhonghai, I may have done something foolish today.”

Seeing Yi Zhonghai, Jia Dongxu, and Qin Huairu all looking at her, the deaf old woman panicked and couldn't help but worry, "When Director Wang came over just now, didn't he tell you all to go out and talk to me alone?"
Actually, I just wanted to know if anyone in our department was bullying me. I was afraid I wouldn't dare to speak up, so I let you leave.

As a result... I said some bad things about Li Hongbing. Originally, I just thought...

The deaf old woman didn't really intend to do anything to Li Hongbing through Director Wang; she just wanted to do something bad to leave a bad impression on Director Wang.

If the matter of Li Hongbing disrespecting the elderly is really investigated, it will definitely bring up her old stories of freeloading in the courtyard and knocking on other people's windows. In that case, she will be the one who suffers. That's why the deaf old lady doesn't dare to do it.

If that were her plan, the deaf old woman would have already taken out her hospital bills from back then and used the fact that she was "beaten" into the hospital by Li Hongbing to "attack" her.

However, Li Hongbing's current status in the hospital is quite unusual.

Even if the deaf old woman was in the wrong back then, and even if the problem really lay with Li Hongbing, few people in the courtyard would dare or be willing to offend him for the sake of this old woman.

The deaf old woman naturally wouldn't do something with such little chance of success.

"Grandma, don't worry, it's not as serious as you think."

After learning the whole story from the deaf old woman, Yi Zhonghai pondered for a moment, then offered a word of comfort before speaking: "No matter what, it is an indisputable fact that Li Hongbing disrespects the elderly. He has never greeted you when he sees you."

Even if Li Hongbing is incredibly capable and talented, and even if Director Wang admires him greatly, you are not lying.

Moreover, when Director Wang went over just now, he only inquired about Li Hongbing's situation. The things they talked about after he came in were unrelated to what you just said.

Think about it again. Would someone who has reached the position of Director Wang report on you to Li Hongbing?
This isn't a big deal; at most, it'll annoy Li Hongbing, but that's pointless and will only encourage him to cause you trouble.

"I suggest you avoid doing things like what happened today..."

Yi Zhonghai actually knew what the deaf old woman was thinking; she just wanted to sow discord between Li Hongbing and do something bad behind his back.

To be honest, this kind of thing is unnecessary.

As Yi Zhonghai just said, they can't really kill Li Hongbing, but if they make him unhappy, they'll be in trouble.

It's like plucking the fur off a tiger.

It's unclear when exactly, but in Yi Zhonghai's mind, Li Hongbing's image had become as fierce as a tiger.

I'm just really scared.

By now.

Yi Zhonghai no longer wanted to cause trouble for Li Hongbing, and he had no desire to oppose him.

They can't win even if they try, and even if they do, it doesn't seem to do them any good.

After hitting a wall many times, even the most stubborn person will eventually know to turn back.

The deaf old woman sighed.

She knew all this, but she just couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong with her.

However, the deaf old woman was also afraid of Li Hongbing. Otherwise, when she had such a good opportunity to face Director Wang alone before, she would not have just secretly complained about him.

The deaf old woman is now regretting it.

She's now afraid that Li Hongbing will find out and cause her trouble, bringing up her past mistakes.

……

the next day.

When Li Hongbing returned from outside, Yan Bugui stopped him again.

"Uncle Yan, what brings you here today, or is there going to be another hospital-wide meeting tonight?"

Since Yan Bugui had specially waited for him here, there must be something he wanted to discuss, so Li Hongbing asked directly.

"Yes, something is indeed happening, but it concerns you."

Yan Bugui was being mysterious and kept everyone in suspense.

"Oh? What does this have to do with me?"

Li Hongbing immediately became interested.

He had just returned from get off work at Fengzeyuan and hadn't been in the courtyard all day, so what could possibly be related to him?

Seeing this, Yan Bugui lowered his voice and whispered to Li Hongbing, "I mainly want to remind you today that you should be more polite and courteous to the old lady in the backyard in the future, so as not to cause trouble for yourself."

"The old lady in the backyard? The deaf old lady?"

Li Hongbing was stunned for a moment, looked at Yan Bugui with some surprise, and asked speechlessly, "Uncle Yan, what's wrong with you today? Why are you suddenly saying all this? Are you alright?"

Everyone in the courtyard knew that he and the deaf old lady didn't get along. Yan Bugui had waited here late at night just to talk to him about this.

If you didn't know better, you might have thought he was possessed by Yi Zhonghai.

Should he be polite to the deaf old lady?

Otherwise, you'll only cause trouble for yourself.

Although he had no feelings for the deaf old lady who liked to pretend to be deaf and dumb, apart from that time when she tried to act like an old ancestor in front of him, Li Hongbing had never taken the initiative to target her.

As for politeness and courtesy, Li Hongbing was really too lazy to put on such superficial formalities for the deaf old lady.

Right now, he's actually looking to cause trouble for the deaf old lady!

"Alas, times have changed! Hongbing, I'm doing this for your own good!"

Li Hongbing's reaction was clearly within Yan Bugui's expectations. He immediately felt somewhat helpless and quickly said to Li Hongbing, "There are some things you don't know. It turns out that this old lady once saved the underworld."

During the Long March, the Red Army even wore straw sandals made by an old lady to cross snow-capped mountains and grasslands!
During the War of Resistance against Japan, the old lady donated shoes to the Eighth Route Army.

More importantly.

Her husband and son left Beijing to join the army in the south.

He hasn't returned all these years; he's most likely already sacrificed himself on the battlefield...

This old lady's status is different now; she is not only a patriotic hero, but may also be a family member of a martyr.

If you continue to disrespect or be impolite to her, she might complain, and you could really be in trouble.

Upon hearing Yan Bugui's words, Li Hongbing's expression faltered slightly.

This deaf old woman not only delivered shoes to the Red Army and the Eighth Route Army, but also saved underground guerrillas; her son and husband might even be...

"Uncle Yan, where did you hear all this from?"

Li Hongbing was speechless and asked directly, "Did the military come, or the government, or the neighborhood committee?"

In just one day, the deaf old woman's status underwent a dramatic change, gaining so many invincible halos.

Is the world about to change?
"Uh, no, it was the deaf old lady herself who said it, and now the whole courtyard is talking about it."

Yan Bugui was somewhat embarrassed.

These matters have not yet been officially confirmed.

"Oh? The deaf old lady said it herself?"

Li Hongbing was taken aback for a moment, but became even more interested.

"Actually, it was Jia Dongxu who spread the rumor at first, but Jia Dongxu said that the old lady said it herself. Today, someone went to the old lady to ask her, and the old lady did not deny it."

Yan Bugui explained.

Li Hongbing became interested and couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Yan, you've been a long-time resident of this courtyard. Are these things really true?"

At first, Li Hongbing thought it was outrageous and felt speechless.

But when Li Hongbing learned that these remarks came from Jia Dongxu, or even from the deaf old woman, he perked up.

There are many speculations and doubts about the identity of the deaf old woman in the original drama.

In the original drama, Sha Zhu also mentioned to the deaf old woman that she had donated shoes to the Red Army and the Eighth Route Army, and the deaf old woman did not deny it.

Many people have questioned this matter and listed numerous doubts.

Some people believe that the deaf old woman was just bragging to Sha Zhu, and Sha Zhu believed her, or that he knew it was fake but deliberately made the deaf old woman laugh.

Sha Zhu's habit of boasting might have been learned from the deaf old lady.

In fact, Li Hongbing is more inclined to believe that the deaf old lady was concerned about her image, boasting to enhance her own image, or even doing it on purpose.

In the old city of Beijing, the most famous thing is old Beijing cloth shoes.

Even if straw sandals existed, they were exclusively for poor families. How could a deaf old woman, who was greedy and always wanted to be waited on, make straw sandals?

Moreover, Sha Zhu in the drama clearly stated that the Red Army soldiers wore shoes made by a deaf old woman to climb snow-capped mountains and cross grasslands. Yan Bugui also mentioned this earlier. However, the route of the Long March had nothing to do with Beijing.

The difference is significant.

The key point is that now there are even stories of deaf old women saving underground soldiers, and husbands and sons going south to join the army and dying in battle.

"How could I know this?"

Hearing Li Hongbing's question, Yan Bugui shook his head helplessly and explained, "Although I am an old resident of this courtyard, I only came earlier than you all. Before I came, the old lady had already lived here for who knows how many years."

Moreover, the courtyard house was full of people and gossip. Even if things like rescuing local comrades, sending shoes to our army, and relatives going south to join the army did happen, the old lady would have kept it very well hidden at the time. How could she have let others know so easily...

Li Hongbing nodded.

Yan Bugui is right.

But at the same time.

Does this give the deaf elderly woman more room to "play around"?

They had never heard of these things before, but now they suddenly appeared all at once.

Even when Beijing was still under enemy occupation, speaking out about these things would endanger one's safety or even cost one's head. But now the country has been established for several years.

Given the deaf old woman's personality, if these things really happened, she wouldn't have kept them hidden.

Otherwise.

How could she have done things like acting arrogantly and taking advantage of her age in the courtyard house before?
These are two completely opposite extremes.

Thinking about these doubts, Li Hongbing looked directly at Yan Bugui and asked again, "Uncle Yan, when did you first hear about these things, and when did the others in the courtyard find out?"

"Yesterday afternoon, or after Director Wang came by yesterday, the old lady was talking to Jia Dongxu in the house. It seems that what she said was somewhat related to the old lady Wang, the family member of a martyr in the next courtyard..."

Upon hearing Yan Bugui's answer, Li Hongbing basically had the answer in his mind.

It's highly likely that the deaf old woman felt resentful about the difference in treatment between herself, a lonely elderly person, and the families of martyrs in the neighboring courtyard, which is why she said those things.

There are two possible purposes for doing this.

One possibility is that the deaf old woman boasted to save face, and Jia Dongxu and his group believed her.

Another possibility.

The deaf old woman wanted to return to the realm of her ancestors, so she deliberately added a halo to herself, trying to create a golden body.

There was even Yi Zhonghai plotting behind the scenes.

After all, he, the once all-powerful old man, has fallen, and the deaf old woman's original status as the matriarch has also been broken by Li Hongbing. They now need a new "person in charge" to appear.

However, Li Hongbing felt that this was unlikely.

Given Yi Zhonghai's current state, he probably doesn't have those ambitions, nor does he have that much courage.

Do you really think he's still the same old big shot who no one can control?

This golden statue, how could it be so easy to sculpt?

With just a few words and no concrete evidence, they wouldn't be able to get past the military and government, let alone Li Hongbing.

But no matter what, the deaf old lady was always involved in causing trouble.

Just as I was thinking about how to deal with the deaf old lady, she handed me such a good handle right to my door. It couldn't be more thoughtful.

"Uncle Yan, does the neighborhood committee know about this?"

Looking at Yan Bugui, Li Hongbing couldn't help but probe.

"You probably don't know!"

Yan Bugui didn't make any definitive statements.

However, as far as he knew, these things were only being talked about in this courtyard house and had not yet spread outside.

"Shouldn't you inform the neighborhood committee about this?"

Li Hongbing couldn't help but be speechless.

"Tell the neighborhood committee?"

Yan Bugui was stunned for a moment and didn't react.

This time, Li Hongbing was truly speechless and directly complained, "Uncle Yan, don't forget, you are now the head of our courtyard."

If these things are true, then the deaf old lady in the backyard is a national hero, or even a family member of a martyr. Shouldn't you report it immediately?

What an honor it would be if our courtyard house had more national heroes and families of martyrs!

"But I've only just heard about these things, and I'm not sure if they're true!"

Yan Bugui was in a bit of a dilemma.

It's obvious he's afraid of taking responsibility.

He hadn't thought too much about it, but the questions Li Hongbing had just asked him made Yan Bugui uncertain.

How could someone as shrewd as Yan Bugui not realize that the deaf old woman was possibly bragging?

He himself had his own doubts.

It's better to believe something is true than to believe it isn't.

But what if it's true?
It was with this in mind that Yan Bugui reminded Li Hongbing.

It's not that he was particularly kind-hearted or cared much about Li Hongbing; the main point is that if this matter is true, then his warning to Li Hongbing was effective, which means Li Hongbing owes him a favor.

Even if there is no definitive conclusion, it won't cause him any loss.

It was just a few reminders, requiring no effort or cost, and it was clearly a sure-fire way to make money, so Yan Bugui was more than happy to do it.

"Uncle Yan, you're usually a very shrewd person, why are you so confused this time?"

Having understood Yan Bugui's concern, Li Hongbing could only shake his head helplessly and offered to analyze the situation for him: "Uncle Yan, who spread these rumors?"

Who said that?
It couldn't be you, could it?

This concerns national heroes and the families of martyrs. Do you think this kind of thing is important or not?

As a senior member of the School of Management, do you have the responsibility and obligation to report this?
As for the investigation and verification, is it really necessary for you to get involved?
This is not within your job scope or right.

All you need to do is report the important information you hear or learn to the subdistrict office, and you have already completed your task.

As for the outcome, even if you achieve nothing, you have not made any mistakes..."

What Li Hongbing didn't say was that no matter what the final outcome was, Yan Bugui would definitely make a profit.

If those things are true, and the deaf old woman is indeed a national hero and a martyr's family member, then Yan Bugui, as the person who reported it first, must have made a contribution.

But if it's fake...

Well, this is exactly what happens when timely information and clues are provided, allowing the higher-ups to discover the bad guys hiding among the masses.

Even with a different identity, the credit remains the same.

"That's the truth!"

After listening to Li Hongbing's analysis, Yan Bugui nodded in agreement.

Given Yan Bugui's shrewdness, it wasn't that he couldn't think of these things, but rather that he was too timid and afraid that he would suffer the consequences.

However, he can completely absolve himself of any involvement simply by being an objective relayer and reporting what he has heard, without adding his own analysis or judgment.

Those words were spoken by the deaf old woman and Jia Dongxu, what does it have to do with Yan Bugui?

"Hiss~, this isn't right!"

Just as Yan Bugui was being persuaded, his gaze suddenly fell on Li Hongbing, and he couldn't help but frown.

"Uncle Yan, is something wrong?"

Li Hongbing became curious and wanted to know what his concerns were.

"Hongbing, don't you and the old lady have a bad relationship?"

"What if this old lady really becomes a national hero and a family member of a martyr? Wouldn't you be in trouble?"

"Don't forget, you had a conflict with the old lady when you were in the courtyard before!"

"Hey Hongbing, do you know something?"

"Your Uncle Yan and I usually have a pretty good relationship, right?"

"You can't let me down like this!"

"..."

The more Yan Bugui thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. He didn't hide anything and directly voiced his doubts.

If Li Hongbing doesn't give him a reasonable explanation, he really doesn't want to report it.

"Hey! Uncle Yan, you're judging a gentleman by your own petty standards!"

Li Hongbing shook his head helplessly, but he couldn't help but admire Yan Bugui's shrewdness, which was that he had even seen through this point. However, Li Hongbing naturally could not admit it, and immediately said, "It is true that I had a conflict with the deaf old lady before, but she was the one who took the initiative to cause trouble. I did not bully her."

Uncle Yan, there are no outsiders around us now. I'm going to ask you a question. You don't need to say it out loud; just think about it in your heart.

Based on the way the deaf old woman behaved and what she did in the past, what do you think of her? Is she worthy of respect?

I'm sure you know what kind of person I am, Uncle Yan. You have your own answers to right and wrong!
Even if the deaf old lady weren't a national hero or a family member of a martyr, I still wouldn't tolerate her acting like she always did, taking advantage of her age.

Such behavior is utterly unworthy of the title "national hero" and tarnishes the reputation of the families of martyrs. Even if the matter goes to the local street office or higher authorities, I will maintain this attitude.

In that case, whether or not this deaf old woman is a national hero or a family member of a martyr, besides benefiting herself, what impact would it have on me?
At worst, I'll just avoid her in the future and not provoke her, as long as that deaf old woman doesn't cause trouble for me.

But now that they may be national heroes or martyrs' families, what belongs to them is theirs, what can I do?
Do you think I should cause trouble?
Isn't that just asking for trouble?
However, this matter is directly related to you, Uncle Yan.

I reminded you to report it earlier, and it was for your own good.

There's more than just you, the caretaker, in this courtyard. There's also Grandpa Du and Grandpa Liu in the middle and back courtyards!

If you're even a step too slow, the credit won't go to you.

And think about it, as the head of the management office, if you don't report such an important situation in the compound, what will the people from the neighborhood committee think if they find out?
Is it irresponsible, or is it malicious?
If it's the former, then at most it's just a matter of criticism and education, but if it's the latter...

I'm sure it's not as simple as just getting rid of you, the senior figure in the School of Management, and that's it?

When Li Hongbing finished speaking, Yan Bugui was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat.

No matter how small, matters concerning the families of martyrs are of utmost importance.

“Hongbing, this is all Grandpa Yan’s fault. He shouldn’t have thought of you like that.”

Yan Bugui felt both fear and embarrassment.

"Uncle Yan's thinking is not wrong. It's only human nature. It's good to talk it out."

Li Hongbing didn't intend to argue with Yan Bugui about this, and he spoke his suspicions directly, which was quite frank.

At least it's better than secretly plotting against crickets behind someone's back.

He himself is not a completely good person, nor does he intend for others to treat him as a saint.

Seeing Li Hongbing say this, Yan Bugui breathed a sigh of relief; he really didn't want to offend Li Hongbing.

The reason I asked so directly was mainly because there was no one else around, and also because I felt that my relationship with Li Hongbing was better than that with the others in the courtyard.

Despite Li Hongbing's ruthless treatment of Yi Zhonghai, Jia Zhangshi, and Jia Dongxu, Yan Bugui believed that Li Hongbing was actually quite easy to get along with as long as one didn't provoke him or oppose him.

Looking at Yan Bugui, Li Hongbing took the initiative to probe, "Uncle Yan, when do you plan to go to the neighborhood office?"

"This……"

Faced with Li Hongbing's question, Yan Bugui hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "I plan to go to the subdistrict office early tomorrow morning, wait for Director Wang to arrive at work, and then report this situation."

There's no need to be wary of Li Hongbing in this matter.

After all, it was Li Hongbing who reminded him to go to the street office to report the situation of the deaf old lady as a national hero and family member of a martyr. He wouldn't deliberately leak the information to Liu Haizhong and Du Jianguo, the other two old men in charge of the courtyard.

Actually, if it weren't so late, there probably wouldn't be anyone at the neighborhood office, and he didn't know where Director Wang lived. Otherwise, he would have wanted to go there now, so that Liu Haizhong and Du Jianguo wouldn't get there first.

This is a great opportunity to make your face known.

"Isn't this not good?"

Upon learning of Yan Bugui's plan, Li Hongbing frowned.

"Why not?"

Seeing Li Hongbing's reaction, Yan Bugui's heart tightened.

If it were anyone else, it wouldn't matter, but this is Li Hongbing!
Despite his youth, Li Hongbing has a unique perspective on things and issues, and even Yan Bugui, a shrewd strategist, dares not underestimate him.

"Uncle Yan, think about it, it's been around since the founding of the People's Republic of China that Officer Yang, oh, that's the current Director Yang of the Subdistrict Office, has been in charge of civil affairs work in this area."

"Director Yang has visited our courtyard house more than once or twice. He knows our courtyard house like the back of his hand."

"As a result, these conditions of the deaf old lady have only been discovered now. Don't you think this will make some people feel that Director Yang did not do his job well in the past?"

"Now that you've made a new discovery, instead of reporting it to Director Yang immediately, you're going to Director Wang instead. What will Director Yang think of you then? Isn't this directly offending Director Yang?"

"Although Director Yang is only the deputy director now, he is still a leader in the subdistrict office..."

"..."

Although the newly arrived Director Wang is the head of the subdistrict office, and Li Hongbing had met her once yesterday, he had a good impression of her. However, since she was new to the area, her understanding of the grassroots situation in the jurisdiction was not comprehensive or thorough enough.

Director Yang is different. After all, he has been rooted in this area for many years, almost since the liberation. He knows the people and things here very well.

If he were to lead the investigation into the deaf old woman's case, it would definitely be easier to get to the bottom of things and there would be a better chance of getting results sooner.

Besides, when Director Yang was still Officer Yang, he had taken good care of him. Although they didn't have any special relationship in private, they were old acquaintances, and Li Hongbing didn't want to take advantage of him.

Li Hongbing didn't know what their internal relationships were like, but if someone didn't get along with Director Yang, they might use this as leverage to attack him.

Although today's cadres and missionaries are quite pure and have strong beliefs, wherever there are people, there is a world of intrigue, and the situation that Li Hongbing is worried about cannot be completely ruled out.

"Oh dear, I really didn't expect that..."

Hearing Li Hongbing's words, Yan Bugui felt a deep sense of lingering fear.

Yan Bugui's original idea was very simple.

Director Wang is now the head of the subdistrict office, and she comes from elsewhere. I should take this opportunity to make a good impression on her; maybe I can be valued by her.

It is said that Liu Haizhong is a complete official-minded person in the courtyard, but Yan Bugui also wants the opportunity to show off and the benefits.

But now, reminded by Li Hongbing, Yan Bugui realized that he had actually overlooked Director Yang, with whom he was closest.

Moreover, Yan Bugui was so focused on currying favor with Director Wang that he hadn't considered anything Li Hongbing had just said.

If you really do things the way you plan, you might make a big mistake.

Don't end up offending Director Yang by trying to curry favor with Director Wang.

They say they've flattered me, but it's really not that great.

No matter what, Director Wang couldn't possibly consider him, a mere senior official in the management department, as a confidant.

But if you offend Director Yang, you're really offending him, and the consequences will be extremely serious.

Thinking of all this, Yan Bugui couldn't help but say gratefully to Li Hongbing, "Hongbing, I really have to thank you this time. You saved my life!"

Yan Bugui's statement was somewhat exaggerated, but in his opinion, it was indeed the case.

Offending the leaders of the neighborhood committee would be a really serious matter.

The deputy director of the subdistrict office is also a director!

Even though they, as state cadres, cannot arbitrarily bully or make things difficult for ordinary people, Yan Bugui, as an ordinary citizen, might not think that way now.

"No! I have to go out right away."

Yan Bugui looked a little nervous. His gaze shifted and landed on the bicycle that Li Hongbing was holding. He asked somewhat embarrassedly, "Hongbing, could I borrow your bicycle for a bit? I'll be back soon, it won't be long."

"Uncle Yan, what are you planning to do?"

Having vaguely guessed Yan Bugui's plan, Li Hongbing still asked a question.

"Well... I'm going to Director Yang's house to report the deaf old lady's situation to him immediately, so that I won't be embarrassed to speak up when there are too many people from the neighborhood committee tomorrow."

Yan Bugui didn't know Director Wang's address, but Director Yang had worked there for so long that Yan Bugui knew it perfectly well, even though he hadn't visited him before.

After Li Hongbing's reminder, Yan Bugui realized that this matter not only needed to be reported to Director Yang, but also could not be known by anyone else in the subdistrict office for the time being; it could only be reported to him alone.

Seemingly worried that Li Hongbing might not agree to lend him the bicycle, Yan Bugui quickly explained, "Hongbing, don't worry, I can ride this bicycle. I borrowed other teachers' bicycles before when I was at school."

"Uncle Yan, I'm not that stingy."

Yan Bugui had clearly misunderstood. Li Hongbing explained, handed the bicycle to him, and reminded him, "But it's dark at night, so please ride slowly and be careful not to fall."

"Alright! Don't worry, Hongbing, even if your Uncle Yan falls down, he won't let your bicycle get bumped or scratched."

Having successfully borrowed a bicycle from Li Hongbing, and after their heart-to-heart talk, Yan Bugui felt that his trust and relationship with Li Hongbing had taken another step forward, and he was quite excited and happy.

Watching Yan Bugui leave, Li Hongbing couldn't help but shake his head with a smile.

That stingy old man Yan can be quite interesting sometimes!
Although there was an element of exploitation involved, Li Hongbing had no intention of framing Yan Bugui, and his words just now were not false.

His main target was still the deaf old woman.

Since the deaf old lady so desperately wants to be a national hero and a martyr's family member, Li Hongbing can only lend her a hand and help her reach the heavens!
We can't let her continue to act like a tyrant in the hospital with these unverified titles, can we?

No fakery, just the real thing!

(End of this chapter)