The Courtyard House: He Yuzhu Returns with Boundless Hatred for Revenge

After leaving the Armed Forces Department, He Yubing figured since she was already there, she might as well get everything done today. After turning a couple of corners, she arrived at the District Women's Federation. She told the receptionist and entered the Women's Federation compound.

Sha Zhu was confused again. "Brother, then what are we doing at the Women's Federation?"

"Hmph, you have the nerve to say that?" He Yubing glanced at him sideways. "I'm asking you, how much money have you given to the Jia family all these years? Don't think I don't know. Your reputation around that courtyard is rotten to the core. Everyone knows you have money to support the Jia family instead of your sister, and to support that Qin Huairu."

Sha Zhu blushed deeply, utterly humiliated by He Yubing. Having lived two lives, he still felt like a complete idiot when he thought about it.

"Tell me the truth, you must know exactly how much money you gave in total."

Sha Zhu grumbled for a while, "In total, it seems like I borrowed about eight hundred."

"Eight hundred? How could you possibly give that away! Eight hundred could have married dozens of virgins. How could I have a brother like you? You're a fucking idiot!"

When he scolded Sha Zhu, he himself blushed, because he had done the same thing before, and scolding Sha Zhu was tantamount to scolding himself.

"Then go and get it back for me now."

"Brother, there's no way to get it back," Sha Zhu said helplessly. "It's not that I don't want it, but every time I borrow it, they just give it to me without even giving me a receipt. There's no proof, and no witnesses. Even if I report it to the police station, they can't do anything to the Jia family."

"So, just because the police station can't do anything doesn't mean the Women's Federation can't. Come on, let's go inside."

He Yuzhu introduced herself and was quickly led to the office of the director of the district women's federation.

The director, surnamed Zhao, was a middle-aged woman in her forties with a rather authoritative air. Information injected into the system indicated that she was a cadre in the Military Control Commission and had met He Yubing several times.

Upon seeing He Yubing, Director Zhao was overjoyed and stood up to greet her. "Yubing, it's been almost ten years since we last met, hasn't it? I never imagined you would become such a meritorious person, a source of pride for our entire district. I already know about your appointment as the Director of the Public Security Bureau. Welcome to our district's big family."

He Yubing stood at attention and saluted, "Hello, Director Zhao. It's been many years. You still look as charming as ever."

"Sit, sit, sit," Director Zhao gestured for them to sit down, and then had tea poured. "Yubing, have you come here for some business?"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, He Yubing got straight to the point, "Elder sister, as you know, I went to fight in the Korean War in 1951, leaving only my brother and me at home. My brother, well, he's a disappointment, so I can only trouble you women's federation to see if you can help."

He recounted the story again, finally getting straight to the point: the Jia family.

"Big sister, my brother is such a disappointment. All the money he worked so hard to earn was borrowed by the Jia family. When Qin Huairu called me 'sister,' saying that her family couldn't make ends meet and she shed a few tears, my brother couldn't resist and lent her over eight hundred yuan. He brought it on himself; he deserved it."

He Yubing sighed, "But my poor sister is so thin, I can't swallow this. And my brother has been on dozens of blind dates over the years, and not a single one has worked out. I also suspect there's something fishy going on. The post office has already reported Yi Zhonghai to the police, but it seems the police station can't do anything about the Jia family, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. We can only turn to the Women's Federation for help; at least this money has to be returned to my brother."

As he spoke, Sha Zhu's face turned as red as a monkey's bottom. Damn it, how could he not have thought there might be something wrong with his dozens of failed blind dates? No, at least a hundred times, until Ran Qiuye and Qin Huairu confirmed their relationship, when he was already over thirty! Why hadn't he noticed anything amiss? Was he really like his older brother said, just an idiot...?

Director Zhao's face darkened upon hearing this. Having held this position for many years, what despicable things hadn't she seen? She immediately understood the situation.

"Hmph, isn't this just the same old tricks used by prostitutes in the old society? I can't believe that even after more than ten years since the liberation of New China, there are still people using such tactics. It's a disgrace to us women comrades of the new era. Don't worry, what the police station can handle, our Women's Federation can handle. What the police station can't handle, our Women's Federation can still handle."

Director Zhao spoke with absolute certainty, but then paused for a moment, "However, Yubing, although I believe you would never speak carelessly about this, the proper procedures still need to be followed. Words alone are not enough; at the very least, our Women's Federation needs to investigate the Jia family's actions. Only if it's truly as you say will we take action. What do you think?"

He Yubing nodded, her expression calm. "Elder sister, you can go ahead and investigate. It's the right thing to do. We'll handle this officially, and I won't say a word. But there's one thing I can guarantee you: send someone to inquire around the courtyard and the surrounding area. Anyone with eyes can see what's going on with the Jia family. Also, you can send someone to investigate the matchmakers who arranged the marriage for my brother."

Seeing his upright attitude, Director Zhao trusted him even more. Without further ado, he got up, walked to the door, and called out to the staff member outside, "Xiao Li, come in for a moment."

A young woman in her early twenties with two braids walked in quickly. "Director Zhao, you wanted to see me?"

"Okay, take notes. Comrade He Yuzhu has some information to report, please make a statement here."

Xiao Li responded, sat down at the desk next to him, opened his notebook, and questioned Sha Zhu one by one as requested by Director Zhao and He Yubing.

After more than half an hour of fussing, seeing that they had asked enough questions, Xiao Li closed her notebook and left. Director Zhao turned to He Yubing, "Yubing, don't worry, our Women's Federation will handle this. This kind of behavior—using the guise of neighborly assistance to actually take advantage and ruin other people's marriages—cannot be tolerated. Especially that Qin Huairu; if she really is using her looks to string that young man along, as you say, then that's even worse. She's tarnishing the reputation of all women comrades!"

He Yubing stood up. "Then I'll have to trouble you, elder sister. I just got back and have a lot of things to take care of, so I won't bother you any longer. I'll treat you to a meal another day once I'm settled."

"Hey, skip the meal. You've just taken office, you'll be busy with a lot of things." Director Zhao also stood up, patted his arm, and said, "Yubing, do a good job. I've watched you grow up, you're a good young man."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, He Yubing took his leave with Sha Zhu.

Once outside the Women's Federation compound, He Yuzhu smiled again. He certainly wouldn't let the Jia family get away with it, especially Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi. He was going to live in this compound for a long time, and naturally, he found it repulsive; he wanted to get them out as soon as possible, ideally, the whole family should die outside.

Sha Zhu was completely stunned. He had experienced too much in the past half day; such a huge amount of information had overwhelmed him, and his mind was a little slow to process it.

"Big brother, where are we going now?"

"Hmph, of course I'll clean up your mess one by one. Just come with me."

As he spoke, he turned into a supply and marketing cooperative by the roadside. He took out the money and coupons from his pocket, bought two bottles of good wine, a carton of good cigarettes, and two jin of pastries.

The two wandered through the streets and alleys, finally stopping at the entrance of Big Pomegranate Alley. Sha Zhu felt a pang of unease upon seeing the place; wasn't this his master's house?