Courtyard House: Jia Zhangshi! How dare you hit my sister?

Seeing that Qin Huai'an had calmed down a bit, Director Wang quickly spoke up:

"Comrade Huai'an, let's go to the backyard to look at the house first, we can talk about the rest later."

Seeing that Jia Zhangshi didn't dare to say anything more, Qin Huai'an glared at her fiercely before following Director Wang to the backyard.

He needs to secure a house first, and then he must see Qin Huairu as soon as possible.

Only by understanding the specific circumstances can we make the next steps.

Soon, the two arrived at the backyard.

The house allocated to Qin Huai'an was two side rooms next to the east wing, which were the two rooms right next to the deaf old lady.

Although they were side rooms, they were all quite large, sandwiched between Liu Haizhong's house and the deaf old lady's house.

Director Wang took out his key, opened the door, and led Qin Huai'an inside for a tour, explaining as he went:

"Comrade Huai'an, although these two rooms are side rooms, the conditions are quite good."

"These two rooms in the backyard are the largest side rooms in the entire courtyard, more spacious than many of the side rooms."

"It's true that no one has lived here for a long time. If you tidy it up and add some furniture, it will be quite nice."

Qin Huai'an nodded:

"Um."

Director Wang handed him the key:

"Comrade Huai'an, take the key. It's yours from now on."

"If there's nothing else, I'll go ahead..."

Before she could finish speaking, she remembered something and changed her words:

"I see you haven't bought anything yet. At least you should buy some bedding first, right?"

"How about we go check out the supply and marketing cooperative at the entrance of the alley? I can give you directions while we're at it."

Qin Huai'an listened and thought it made sense, so he nodded:

"Okay, Director Wang, I'll go out with you now."

Director Wang is right. He has only recognized the house; the house is empty. He needs to buy some cleaning tools and daily necessities.

It's perfect that Director Wang is leading the way.

As soon as the two stepped outside, they saw a woman hanging clothes to dry at the entrance of the east wing—she was easy to recognize; it must be Second Aunt.

The second aunt noticed them too and greeted them with a smile:

"Hey, Director Wang, what brings you to our hospital today?"

Director Wang pointed at Qin Huai'an:

"Oh, I'm bringing a new comrade to familiarize himself with the place."

"He will be a new resident of our compound from now on, and his apartment will be one of these two side rooms next to yours."

"From now on, you'll be proper neighbors."

Upon hearing this, Auntie Er smiled:

"That's great. Young man, if you ever need anything in the future, just tell the old lady. We're neighbors, so don't be shy."

Qin Huai'an nodded.

At least on the surface, Auntie Er's words were relatively polite.

He then took the opportunity to ask, "Auntie, I have a question for you. Do you know where my sister went?"

The older woman was taken aback: "Young man, who is your sister?"

Qin Huai'an spoke first: "Qin Huairu."

A hint of unease flashed across the second aunt's face. After considering her words carefully, she stammered:

"Oh! Huai Ru! Well, she... she seems to be... at the clinic over there at the alley entrance."

Upon hearing this, Qin Huai'an immediately frowned:

"Clinic?"

"Excuse me, why did my sister go to the clinic?"

The second aunt glanced at Director Wang again before mumbling:

"Um... I'm not quite sure about that."

All I know is that she works at the clinic.

"You'll have to see for yourself to find out the specifics."

Seeing her expression, Qin Huai'an felt a bad premonition.

This was clearly because Director Wang was present, and there were some things that couldn't be said.

Auntie Erda definitely knows something, but if I ask her any further, she probably won't reveal anything.

Knowing where Qin Huairu is at least gives us some direction.

You'll find out the specifics once you go to the clinic.

So he said, "Auntie, thank you."

"Could you please tell me how to get to the clinic at the entrance of the alley?"

Auntie Er hurriedly said, "Oh, it's just a few steps away from the supply and marketing cooperative. Director Wang should know it."

Director Wang nodded: "It's alright, Comrade Huai'an, I'll give you directions later."

Qin Huai'an thanked him and then followed Director Wang out of the backyard, heading towards the supply and marketing cooperative.

Along the way, Director Wang was also a little apprehensive.

How could she not see through the way her second aunt had been trying to hide it?

There's definitely something they're hiding in the hospital.

But she had already made up her mind that she didn't want to get involved in the gossip in the courtyard, nor could she.

The truth will eventually come out; now that Qin Huai'an has moved in, he'll find out sooner or later.

If Qin Huai'an were a mild-mannered person, she could have at least given him a heads-up or used some tactics to put him in his place.

But considering what Wu Jianguo said, and looking at the relationship between Qin Huai'an and Director Wu, it was unrealistic for her, as a street office director, to use forceful methods.

So she planned to give directions and then return to the office; she wouldn't get involved in the rest.

Soon, the two arrived next to the supply and marketing cooperative.

This supply and marketing cooperative is very close to No. 95 compound, just a few steps away.

Director Wang pointed to the supply and marketing cooperative and said:

"Comrade Huai'an, this is the supply and marketing cooperative. You can buy all the daily necessities you need here."

Qin Huai'an nodded; his mind was completely elsewhere from the supply and marketing cooperative.

He began, "Director Wang, could you please show me how to get to the clinic?"

Director Wang pointed to an alleyway ahead:

"Go through this alley, turn right, and walk about 200 meters to get there."

"The clinic is right there."

Qin Huai'an nodded: "Okay, thank you."

Director Wang waved his hand:

"Oh, it's nothing. Comrade Huai'an, I have some things to take care of at the street office, so I'll head back first and won't be able to accompany you to the clinic."

Qin Huai'an replied, "Yes, Director, you go ahead with your work."

Director Wang nodded and turned to leave.

Following the direction pointed out by Director Wang, Qin Huai'an walked towards the clinic.

To be honest, his feelings were quite complicated along the way.

It contains the deep longing for the older sister that the original owner had in her memories, but at the same time, it is filled with the entanglement and division that comes with being an "outsider".

He didn't know how he would react when he actually saw Qin Huairu.

Also, why exactly did Qin Huairu end up at the clinic?

He thought that all of this was probably related to the Jia family.

But there's no point in making wild guesses now. The clinic is right in front of us; we'll find out when we get there.

Qin Huai'an quickly found the clinic, which was a two-story bungalow, larger than he had imagined.

After Qin Huai'an went inside, he saw a table at the entrance with a middle-aged woman sitting behind it, which should be similar to a reception desk.

Qin Huai'an walked over and asked, "Comrade, could you tell me which ward Qin Huairu is in?"

The middle-aged woman flipped through the booklet in front of her, searched for a while, and then spoke:

"Oh! She's in the last room on the first floor!"