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

It was called dragging, but it was really escorting them away. That's the good thing about the beasts in the courtyard; unless they've lost a hand or foot, they recover pretty quickly. Apart from his unsightly face, Yang Ruihua was now completely clear-headed and didn't dare utter another word. He obediently followed Yan Bugui, head down, and walked out on his own.

Just as they reached the front gate, they bumped into Deputy Director Cao from the neighborhood committee, who was walking towards them, followed by several staff members. Deputy Director Cao was temporarily acting as director in place of Wang Xuemei, and he had come to announce the punishments for those old bastards. Seeing Deputy Director Wang's demeanor, it was clear that something had definitely happened in this courtyard house again.

"Old Wang, what's going on?"

The leaders of the subdistrict office and the police station were old acquaintances, and Deputy Director Wang didn't stand on ceremony, explaining the matter in a few words.

Deputy Director Cao was also furious: When will these idiots ever stop? Although he is now the acting director, which seems like a good thing, the entire street office is actually guilty because of this incident. They will all be punished at the end of the year, and there's no way he can be promoted. He's just doing thankless work.

After thinking for a moment, he said to Deputy Director Wang, "Old Wang, hand over Yan Bugui to our subdistrict office. We need to announce the official punishment decision against him when we go in. As for his wife, Yang Ruihua, just handle her according to your police station's procedures. Just let our subdistrict office know when the results are out."

"Alright, Lao Cao, the men are yours. But your neighborhood committee needs to really put in the effort this time; we can't let these people cause any more trouble! If they make any more noise, it'll look bad for everyone."

"Don't worry, don't worry, we will definitely handle it seriously!" Deputy Director Cao quickly assured him.

"See you later!" Deputy Director Wang waved and led the trembling Yang Ruihua toward the police station. On the other side, young police officer Xiao Zhang had already found a flatbed cart, and together with several people who had been temporarily brought in to help, they carried the pained and somewhat delirious Yan Jiecheng onto it and hurriedly sent him to the hospital.

Deputy Director Cao glanced at the distraught Yan Bugui, then at the residents peering around in the distance, and his anger flared. This dilapidated courtyard was like a hornet's nest; when would there ever be peace! He instructed the staff around him, "Go, notify everyone to gather immediately in the central courtyard for a courtyard-wide meeting!"

In less than ten minutes, almost everyone who could come had gathered at the Central Courtyard, forming a dense, dark mass that was surprisingly quiet.

Deputy Director Cao glanced around the room and, without further ado, announced, "Today, on behalf of the Hongxing Subdistrict Office, I hereby formally announce the decision regarding the handling of some residents of Courtyard No. 95!"

He picked up a document: "Upon investigation, it has been found that three residents of this compound, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui, have long relied on their so-called status as stewards to form cliques, spread rumors, coerce neighbors, and undermine unity within the compound. Their actions constitute de facto small group activities, which are of a vile nature and have a very bad influence!"

"In order to uphold the law, educate the individuals involved, and purify the street environment, the following decision is hereby made."

"First, the positions of Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui as liaison officers in the compound are hereby revoked. The three are officially identified as rightists and will be placed under the supervision of the masses for reform."

"Second, effective immediately, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui must complete the cleaning of the roads and public toilets in the area designated by the subdistrict office before 7:00 AM every day, and the work will be inspected and approved by the subdistrict staff."

"Third, every Sunday at noon, the three individuals must arrive at the designated location of the subdistrict office on time to attend the public assistance and education meeting, and may not be absent or late for any reason."

Upon hearing the announcement, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui turned deathly pale. They knew all too well what "mass education" meant—it was a disguised struggle session! They would have to bow their heads and confess in front of a crowd, accept unwarranted accusations and insults, even... They dared not think any further.

After Deputy Director Cao finished reading, he didn't want to look at the courtyard again. He turned around and left with his staff, as if staying even a second longer would bring bad luck.

The residents of the courtyard looked at the three old men with mixed feelings. Some felt a sense of shared misfortune, some were gloating, but most were disgusted. Wearing such a terrible label, the reputation of the entire courtyard was damaged. From now on, finding a spouse or a partner would be a hassle; if they heard that three men from the courtyard had been labeled as "right-hand men," many would turn away without a second thought. At this moment, they finally came to hate these three old beasts as well.

The crowd slowly began to disperse. Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui also moved away, wanting to escape back to their homes to lick their wounds and avoid the most humiliating moment of their lives. Just then, a loud shout rang out.

"stop!"

The shout came from He Yuzhu. He lit a cigarette and slowly walked up to the three of them.

"Did you all understand the decision Director Cao just announced? I am now one of the people supervising your renovation. It just so happens that you've made this compound a mess for so many years, every corner is filthy. Nobody cared before, but now it's your turn to do the work."

He pointed to the front, middle, and back yards. "Now, immediately clean every nook and cranny of these three yards! Especially the old garbage, weeds, and grime at the base of the walls—leave no dirt behind! You're not allowed to go home for dinner until you've finished!"

"You!" Liu Haizhong's chubby face flushed red, the humiliation almost making him explode on the spot. "He Yuzhu! Don't push your luck! We're still your..."

"What do you mean 'at least'? At least you're right-wing elements? You're not happy about it, are you? You think I'm bullying you by ordering you around? Fine, Director Cao and the others haven't gone far yet. I'll go and bring them back right now and ask them if I have the right to supervise your labor reform. I'll ask them if this is going too far."

Yi Zhonghai pulled Liu Haizhong back from arguing. He understood better now: they were meat on the chopping block, and He Yuzhu was the knife. Resistance? It would only bring more severe blows and humiliation. He gritted his teeth and almost squeezed out three words, "We'll sweep."

Yan Bugui was completely disoriented. He had lost his job, his son's leg was broken, his wife had been arrested, and he himself had been cuckolded. At this moment, he had no will to resist. Hearing Yi Zhonghai's words, he could only nod numbly.

He Yuzhu snorted coldly, "You guys know what's good for you. Everyone has their own tools, go find them yourselves. I'll just watch from here. Yushui, bring out a stool and pour me a cup of tea."

He Yushui responded crisply, quickly brought over a stool, and then a cup of hot tea. He Yuzhu stood imposingly at his doorstep, drinking tea, lighting a cigarette, and coldly watching the three old beasts who had once dominated the courtyard, now hunched over like three old dogs, forced to pick up brooms and begin sweeping the yard bit by bit.