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

Chapter 203 Reverse Assistance: Qin Huairu Traps Jia Zhangshi
"Aunt Yi, what do we do? It seems like we've messed things up?"

As Chen's mother left, Qin Huairu looked nervously at Wang Guihua and couldn't help but ask.

Things didn't seem to go as they had originally planned.

"Ugh……"

Upon hearing this, Wang Guihua sighed and said helplessly, "I never expected Chen Xueru to be so hostile towards us."

According to their initial plan, as long as they made a sincere apology right from the start, Chen Xueru might soften her heart and choose to forgive them, no longer holding a grudge about what happened before.

This is the smoothest and best outcome.

But if Chen Xueru doesn't cooperate, they'll use moral blackmail, with the help of shills they've already found, to make Chen Xueru half-heartedly comply, or force her to compromise, in order to achieve their own goals.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned.

Wang Guihua and Qin Huairu never expected that Chen Xueru would refuse so decisively and show such strong resistance towards them.

The only one to blame is that they and Yi Zhonghai were too optimistic and wishful thinking.

Just think about it.

Given the tense relationship between the two sides, and with Li Hongbing and Chen's mother both absent, it was one thing for Wang Guihua and Qin Huairu to suddenly come to apologize, but to put on an act, they even had the audacity to barge into the house and perform in front of everyone—it was simply too presumptuous.

Anyone would react strongly in that situation.

Moreover.

Chen Xueru is currently in her postpartum period. Not to mention Wang Guihua and Qin Huairu, even Aunt Yan and Aunt Yang, who usually have a good relationship with her, would not rashly go into her house and do such an impolite thing.

……

morning.

Not long after this incident, people from the street and the women and children came together.

Their purpose in coming here was, of course, to investigate Jia Zhangshi and the events of last night's hospital-wide meeting.

Last night, although Jia Zhangshi was taken away by Fuqin's men first, the issues surrounding her have not yet been fully clarified, and the matters concerning Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong also need to be dealt with.

The group that arrived did not go straight to the Jia and Yi families in the central courtyard, but instead started by visiting and investigating the residents of the front courtyard, house by house.

To understand the true situation, the evaluations and feedback from the neighbors in the courtyard are obviously the most objective and crucial.

This is one of the reasons why reputation is important in this era, and why one should not easily offend one's neighbors.

Offending only one or two people is fine, but if you offend most of them, or even all of them, then things can get a bit difficult.

"Aunt Yang, how does Yi Zhonghai usually treat his wife? What's their relationship like?"

When Aunt Yang heard the woman from Fudan ask this question, she couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Comrade Fudan, why are you asking this?"

"It's nothing, just trying to understand the situation. Just answer truthfully."

The woman glanced at Aunt Yang and said calmly.

Seeing this, Aunt Yang didn't think much of it and replied directly, "They have a very good relationship. The two of them have never argued or quarreled. Not to mention the other people in the courtyard, I have never seen such a situation."

Grandma Yang's answer surprised the women and children.

Based on what they knew, and from Yi Zhonghai's speech and remarks at the hospital-wide meeting last night, he was clearly a person with oppressive and discriminatory ideas and tendencies towards women.

I thought Yi Zhonghai would also have some issues in this regard, but I didn't expect him to be such a model husband.

at this point.

This greatly surprised them.

However, several discoveries were made regarding the relationship between Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Compared to Jia Zhangshi's discriminatory behavior and purpose in belittling women yesterday, the issue of Jia Zhangshi, the mother-in-law, oppressing her daughter-in-law Qin Huairu is clearly more obvious and serious.

The key point is that Jia Zhangshi never deliberately concealed how she treated Qin Huairu, so almost everyone in the courtyard knew.

When the women and the neighborhood committee investigated and questioned them, especially when they specifically asked about this issue, the people in the courtyard naturally did not hide anything and told them everything they knew and understood.

They had no connection with Jia Zhangshi, and their relationship wasn't particularly good, so there was no need for them to cover for her or take this risk.

If you do that, you might end up being seen as an accomplice of Jia Zhangshi and implicated.

Today, the women's federation and the street office came over specifically to ask questions. Anyone with a modicum of common sense would know why they came.

soon.

After completing their investigation in the front yard, the women and the street office staff arrived at the middle yard and split into several groups to talk to Wang Guihua and Qin Huairu and gather information.

"Director Wang, I have something I'd like to report to you."

Seeing that among the people who came to her door were a staff member from the Women and Children's Hospital and Director Wang from the Subdistrict Office, Qin Huairu suddenly spoke up before the conversation could even officially begin.

Earlier, Qin Huairu and Wang Guihua already knew that the street office and women's affairs personnel were coming to investigate, so after a period of anxious waiting, they were actually prepared when it was their turn.

Upon hearing Qin Huairu's words, Director Wang quickly encouraged her and said, "Qin Huairu, whatever the situation, just tell me. My colleagues from the Women and Children's Hospital and I are here to help you!"

The staff members standing nearby became even more alert, their eyes fixed on Qin Huairu.

Obvious.

Based on what they learned in the front yard, they have confirmed that Li Hongbing's report is true and that Jia Zhangshi is a wicked mother-in-law who has often oppressed and bullied her daughter-in-law, Qin Huairu.

With neither Jia Zhangshi nor Jia Dongxu present, they assumed that Qin Huairu wanted to bravely seek justice for them, so they were prepared to stand up for Qin Huairu.

It is commendable that a long-oppressed housewife could bravely take such a rebellious action.

Unexpectedly.

Under their approving and sympathetic gazes, Qin Huairu, who had become somewhat nervous, mustered her courage and said, "Director Wang, there's more to the story about my mother-in-law and the Li family in the front yard yesterday. My mother didn't really discriminate against women or belittle their status, nor did she disrespect gender equality."

Rather... my mother-in-law had a past conflict with the Li family, so she said those things intentionally to retaliate against them, it wasn't..."

"Qin Huairu, are you sure what you're saying is true?"

Hearing what Qin Huairu said, which was completely different from what he had thought, Director Wang's previously admiring gaze towards Qin Huairu immediately darkened.

Qin Huairu spoke up, surprisingly to plead for Jia Zhangshi.

"Absolutely true!"

Facing Director Wang's direct gaze, Qin Huairu's heart tightened, but she still gritted her teeth and said, "Director Wang, you should know that my family has a grudge against Li Hongbing. My mother-in-law did something wrong because she couldn't think straight, but she really didn't mean to oppose gender equality or discriminate against women..." In order to distance Jia Zhangshi from the issue of discrimination against women and backward feudal ideas, Qin Huairu took the initiative to make yesterday's incident seem like a personal grudge and retaliation.

In this way, there would be no discrimination against women or denigration of women's status, and the woman would have no way to pursue the matter. At that time, the only option would be to release Jia Zhangshi.

This idea was something Qin Huairu came up with on the spur of the moment, and after discussing it with Wang Guihua, they decided it was feasible and took the initiative to do it.

In Qin Huairu's view, as long as it doesn't involve discrimination against women, it's none of Fudan's business.

As for personal grudges and retaliation, these fall under the category of neighborhood disputes, which are significantly less serious.

Even when the neighborhood committee intervenes in such cases, the response is usually just criticism and education, without any serious punishment.

In this way, they can turn a major problem into a minor one and resolve their current crisis.

Exactly.

After hearing Qin Huairu's explanation, Director Wang's face turned ashen, and he said angrily, "Personal grudges and retaliation? This Jia Zhangshi, how dare she! She's incorrigible!"

This wasn't Jia Zhangshi's first offense. She had been criticized more than once before, and had even been made to study and receive education. Now that something like this has happened again, how could Director Wang not be angry?

The key is.

Qin Huairu is lying.

Whether Jia Zhangshi discriminated against women or not had already been determined before they even visited her home; it was practically a done deal.

But now Qin Huairu has overturned this statement and offered a completely different explanation.

In front of Comrade Fuqin, Qin Huairu attributed Jia Zhangshi's matter to personal grudges and retaliation, which made her, as the director of the street office, lose face.

This layer is actually something they had previously overlooked, and it belongs to the part that is not the main contradiction.

Now, Qin Huairu's emphasis has directly elevated it to the level of the primary contradiction.

But at the same time.

Even if Jia Zhangshi did those things out of personal grudges and retaliation, it does not overturn or deny the fact that Jia Zhangshi discriminated against and degraded the status of women.

In fact, Qin Huairu's actions not only failed to help Jia Zhangshi, but actually harmed her.

Qin Huairu, however, did not realize this. Fearing that Director Wang would hold Jia Zhangshi accountable for retaliation, she quickly assured him, "Director Wang, my mother-in-law was wrong in this matter. When she comes back, we will definitely persuade her properly and promise that she will never make this mistake again. We will also do our best to supervise her."

"Come back? Given your mother-in-law's current condition, she still wants to come back?"

As Qin Huairu finished speaking, Director Wang's gaze fell on her face, and he sneered, "Qin Huairu, aren't you being a little too optimistic and oversimplifying things?"

"Uh... Director Wang, what do you mean by this?"

Qin Huairu looked up at Director Wang, her mind a little blank.

She wasn't sure if she had said something wrong, but Director Wang's reaction seemed a little different from what she had expected.

"Qin Huairu, we have investigated the matter of your mother-in-law discriminating against and degrading women. The facts are basically correct, but there are some discrepancies with what you have reported."

At this point, Director Wang gave a somewhat sarcastic smile and continued, "But at the same time, we also thank you for reminding us. If it weren't for your reminder, we would have almost overlooked Jia Zhangshi's motivation for revenge based on personal grudges. We will also deal with this matter seriously."

"Ah?! Director Wang... I, I didn't mean that, I..."

Qin Huairu was stunned.

Her intention in saying those things was to help her mother-in-law get away with it, so how did it turn into a report?
Just as Qin Huairu was feeling flustered and at a loss, Director Wang looked at her with sharp eyes and, before she could think of something to say, said, "Qin Huairu, let's talk about something else, which is also about your mother-in-law, and also about you."

"I?"

Qin Huairu was stunned once again.

"That's right!"

At this moment, the woman next to Director Wang nodded and took the initiative to speak, "We understand that your mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi, is not very kind to you. Is that true?"

"This……"

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu hesitated for a moment before quickly speaking up in defense of Jia Zhangshi: "Director Wang, and this lady, who told you this? There's absolutely no such thing. My mother-in-law is very good to me..."

Even though Jia Zhangshi was usually quite harsh on her, and would often order her around and berate her, and even say some unpleasant things, and complain and criticize her a lot, Jia Zhangshi was still her mother-in-law after all.

Even though Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu are no longer around, Qin Huairu, as the daughter-in-law, dares not say a single bad word about Jia Zhangshi, let alone complain to Director Wang or the women's federation about her mother-in-law.

If she were to do that, and Jia Zhangshi or Jia Dongxu found out, she would have no place to stay in this family.

Daughter-in-law sues mother-in-law...

If this got out, Qin Huairu believed that her reputation would be completely ruined.

If Jia Dongxu divorces her because of this, she won't be able to stay in the city, and she won't even be able to go back to her parents' home.

however.

Faced with Qin Huairu's response and denial, Director Wang and Fu Zi's colleagues frowned and exchanged glances.

"Qin Huairu, the situation we know is not like that."

"From what we understand, your mother-in-law has often criticized and verbally abused you, looking down on you because you married into the family from the countryside."

"Not only that, you also take on all the responsibilities of washing clothes, cooking, and other household chores by yourself. Your mother-in-law doesn't help at all."

"Also, because you haven't been able to conceive again in the past few years, your mother-in-law often speaks rudely to you, even saying some unpleasant and offensive things..."

"Qin Huairu, don't be afraid. We're here to help you. We're on your side. We're not enemies. Don't be nervous, and don't worry about what your mother-in-law or husband will do to you."

"We've got you covered. We're here to support you and stand up for you. Be brave and tell us what's wrong..."

"..."

Qin Huairu's various behaviors led Director Wang and the comrades in the Women's Federation to believe that Qin Huairu was afraid of being retaliated against by Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu, or that she was too deeply oppressed and that her ideas of women's equality were suppressed, so they began to try their best to persuade her.

They had clearly encountered a situation like Qin Huairu's before.

Originally, Director Wang was a little unhappy because Qin Huairu lied and wanted to find a reason to exonerate her mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi, but now he felt sorry for her instead.

Even though the People's Republic of China has been liberated and has entered a new society for several years, there are still far too many oppressed women like Qin Huairu in terms of behavior and thought.

only.

Hearing what Director Wang and Comrade Fuqin said, Qin Huairu was completely stunned.

(End of this chapter)