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

He Yuzhu's face was full of sincerity at this moment.

"Master Yi, you've misunderstood me. How could I be doing anything bad? I'm just actively implementing the spirit of neighborly mutual assistance and respect for the elderly and care for the young that you've repeatedly emphasized before. You three gentlemen used to set rules and hold meetings in the courtyard, and you always said the same thing. If the Jia family is in trouble, the whole courtyard has to help. If you don't help, you have no sense of collective honor and you're selfish. I've kept all those words in mind."

"I'm just carrying forward the good ideas and traditions you've taught me! I'm showing everyone that the mutual help we advocated in our No. 95 courtyard wasn't just talk; people are actually putting it into practice! Master Yi, you're setting a great example for everyone!"

Yi Zhonghai never dreamed that one day someone would use his own words against him, leaving him speechless and unable to utter a single rebuttal. He Yuzhu had used all the very methods Yi Zhonghai had repeatedly advocated in the past; if he were to refute them, it would be tantamount to denying everything he had done in the past and the solid foundation they had built up in the courtyard over the years. This feeling of being treated the same way he had been treated was far more frustrating and devastating than mere physical humiliation.

"You, you're just making excuses!"

Before he could say anything more, He Yuzhu's eyes suddenly turned fierce. "What's wrong, Yi Zhonghai? You're a convicted criminal now, a rightist! Ideological reform is the top priority! The comrades from the street office are right here, and they need manpower to solve the practical difficulties of the masses. Shouldn't you, a rightist, be at the forefront, proving your determination to repent with your actions? Do you still want to act like before, just talking and ordering others around while you hide in the back and enjoy the benefits?"

"I..." Yi Zhonghai stammered, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Every word He Yuzhu uttered was enough to crush him, leaving him utterly powerless to resist.

Song Li, a female cadre from the street office standing to the side, was also displeased when she heard the conversation between He Yuzhu and Yi Zhonghai. Her pretty face darkened, and she began to scold Yi Zhonghai.

"Comrade Yi Zhonghai! Please watch your attitude! Comrade He Yuzhu is now actively assisting our subdistrict office in solving the urgent needs of families in the area who are facing real difficulties."

"As a rightist, instead of being grateful for the opportunity given to you by the organization to make amends, and instead of thinking about how to do better, you spoke ill of the comrades who were actively helping you? It seems that your ideological awareness is indeed seriously problematic! The reform efforts given to you are far from sufficient! After you go back, I will definitely report your behavior today to the leaders of the subdistrict office truthfully."

"Since you're all rightists, you should be even more humble, reflect deeply, and use arduous labor reform to wash away your mistakes! Instead of resisting, hiding, or even attacking other comrades here!" Song Li became more and more angry as she spoke.

Yi Zhonghai was terrified by Song Li's reprimand. His biggest fear now was that the authorities would impose even harsher measures on him. The "rightist" label had already plunged him into despair; if the neighborhood committee deemed him resistant to reform and had a poor attitude, and then imposed even more arduous, exhausting, or humiliating punishments, he would truly have no chance of recovery.

Ignoring the onlookers, he bent down at a ninety-degree angle towards Song Li, his voice filled with panic.

"Reporting to the government! I truly know I was wrong! I was just confused and blinded by greed! I absolutely did not mean to attack Director He! I fully accept the arrangements! I will go to the hospital tomorrow morning! I will definitely take good care of Dongxu and fulfill my responsibilities as his mentor! I will definitely reform myself with practical actions, please see my performance! Please, Officer Song, be lenient and don't..."

His speech was incoherent and his posture so humble that there was not a trace of the spirited and respected old man from a few months ago.

"Hmph, it's good that you know you're wrong. Remember what you said today, we'll see how you behave. If we find you being two-faced or passively defiant again, we won't let you off easily."

"Yes, yes, yes! Certainly! Certainly!" Yi Zhonghai nodded and bowed repeatedly, not daring to look at He Yuzhu again, but in his heart he hated He Yuzhu to the bone.

Having settled things with Yi Zhonghai, Song Li turned to He Yuzhu, a smile returning to her face. "Director He, you're really capable. The most difficult problem of arranging a male caregiver has been solved. But what about the female caregiver to look after Comrade Qin Huairu in labor? And her child... can't be locked up in the room forever, can he?"

He Yuzhu chuckled and pointed to Gou Xianhui, Liu Haizhong's wife and former second aunt, who was watching the commotion not far away. "Comrade Song Li, there's more than one rightist in our compound. Look, that aunt over there is Liu Haizhong's wife, the second rightist. I think it would be perfect for her to serve Qin Huairu."

All eyes immediately turned to Gou Xianhui.

Gou Xianhui was engrossed in watching the show, secretly relieved that this hadn't happened to her family. She was planning to fry two eggs for Old Liu that evening to make him some nourishing food when He Yuzhu suddenly called her out in front of everyone, leaving her completely stunned. When she realized He Yuzhu was referring to her and understood what he meant, she was immediately filled with embarrassment and anger.

"I'm not going! Why should I go? I have so much to do at home! I have a husband and baby to take care of! How can I have time to take care of someone else during their postpartum period? I'm not going, I'm not going!"

She knows all too well what it's like to take care of a new mother during her postpartum period: staying up all night, cleaning up after her baby, and soothing the infant. She can only get a few hours of sleep a day. Besides, even the 50-cent subsidy has been canceled now. Anyone who goes is an idiot. She would never go, even if you beat her to death.

He Yuzhu had anticipated her reaction and wasn't in a hurry. "Second Aunt, don't be anxious. I didn't tie you up with a rope, did I?"

Although he was smiling and speaking amicably, his demeanor made Gou Xianhui uneasy. "However, I think we still need to talk to Second Uncle about this. After all, he's now a criminal, and it's precisely the time for him to actively cooperate and strive for leniency. As his family, shouldn't we also actively cooperate and help create better conditions for his rehabilitation?"

Seeing Gou Xianhui's somewhat unpleasant expression, he continued, "Think about it, if the comrades from the street office can't find anyone to help, and some rightist family members, even though they have time, make excuses and refuse to lend a helping hand to their neighbors in need, what if this gets back to the factory leaders or the comrades in charge of the street office's reform efforts? Won't they think that the family members have ideological problems, or even that the whole family is resisting reform? Then, they might add a note to Second Uncle's reform evaluation saying that the family members are not cooperating and are affecting the reform's effectiveness. Then it will be very difficult for Second Uncle to get rid of his label sooner..."

"You, you're threatening me!" Gou Xianhui was furious. Who would spread the word? It would be He Yuzhu, you trespassing brat! How could such a scoundrel emerge from three generations of farmers in the He family? Despite her hatred, He Yuzhu's words struck her right in the heart.

She knew Liu Haizhong too well! Liu Haizhong valued his superiors and his reputation more than his own life. Now that he was in charge, he lived in constant fear and dread, even from He Yuzhu, who had become an official. If she refused to take care of Qin Huairu, causing Liu Haizhong to be marked as unmotivated in his reform efforts, he would skin her alive! She knew her husband was ruthless when beating children, and he would beat his wife to death as well.