The sky collapsed, and in the blink of an eye, I found myself transported to Nanluoguxiang.

Li Kaixin left the courtyard and headed straight for the neighborhood office.

When I arrived at the office, Director Wang was dealing with something.

Looking up and seeing Li Kaixin, a gentle smile immediately appeared on his face.

"Happy New Year! What, are you treating us to a meal today instead of today?"

Yesterday, Li Kaixin invited his mentor and Director Wang to a dinner at the state-run restaurant tomorrow afternoon to celebrate his promotion to a permanent driver position.

Li Kaixin first smiled and said, "Aunt Wang, how about treating us to a meal tomorrow?"

His expression immediately turned serious, and his tone became solemn: "Aunt Wang, there's something I need to report to you."

Next, he briefly described the situation of Jia Zhangshi occupying public housing in courtyard No. 95.

As Director Wang listened, the smile on his face gradually disappeared, and his brows furrowed more and more tightly.

"Bang!"

Director Wang slammed his hand on the table, his face filled with anger.

"That Jia Zhangshi is truly lawless!"

Taking another deep breath, he thanked Li Kaixin, saying, "Kaixin, thank you for not reporting it to the police directly. If things had blown up, it would have affected both me and the neighborhood."

"Aunt Wang, please don't be so polite. It's all I should do," Li Kaixin replied.

The words had barely left his mouth.

Director Wang stood up, his expression serious: "Come on, I'll go with you. I want to see just how bold Jia Zhangshi is to dare to forcibly occupy public housing."

As soon as Li Kaixin and Director Wang stepped into the courtyard, they heard a howling sound coming from the middle courtyard.

Jia Zhangshi was lying sprawled on the ground, patting the ground with her hands.

She kept shouting, "This is outrageous! They're all bullying us orphans and widows!"

Li Kaixin quickly walked to Liu Jianming's side and asked in a low voice, "Brother Liu, what happened?"

Liu Jianming looked helpless and explained in a low voice:

"After you left, she insisted on kicking me out."

"When I told her I was a staff member in the housing management department, she initially said she didn't believe me."

Then, he gestured in the direction of the three older women: "Later, that older woman also tried to explain, but suddenly she lay down on the ground and started throwing a tantrum."

When the three women behind the door saw Director Wang arrive, they quickly shrank back and peered inside.

Jia Zhangshi howled on the ground, trying to get away with it by acting like a rogue.

Seeing that Li Kaixin had returned, Jia Zhangshi deliberately cried even louder.

"Oh my god! You guys are going to drive my old bones to their breaking point."

"People from the compound teamed up with two outsiders to bully me! Is there no law anymore?!"

But out of the corner of his eye, he secretly glanced at Liu Jianguo, plotting how to smooth things over regarding the issue of occupying the house.

Liu Jianming was so angry by her words that his face turned red, and the third aunt in the room shook her head as she listened.

Director Wang stood at the gate of the courtyard, coldly watching this scene.

With her back to the door, Jia Zhangshi was completely unaware that Director Wang had arrived and was still performing on her own.

Director Wang walked in from the gate with a sullen face.

Upon seeing Director Wang, Jia Zhangshi immediately fell silent, hurriedly scrambled to her feet, and forced a smile.

"Director Wang, what brings you here?"

"If I hadn't come, I wouldn't have known you could cause such a big mess!" Director Wang interrupted sharply.

After speaking, she looked at Liu Jianming beside her and softened her voice.

"Comrade, please tell me what happened."

Upon seeing this, Liu Jianming immediately said angrily, "This house is registered as a vacant public housing unit by the housing management department. Today, I accompanied Comrade Li Kaixin to view the house, only to find that it has been occupied by this old lady."

Director Wang then turned his gaze to the three women behind the door: "Yan's daughter-in-law, tell me, what's going on with this house?"

The third aunt stammered, unable to utter a single word, fearing that she would completely offend the Jia family and indirectly offend the eldest uncle.

But under Director Wang's stern gaze, he finally spoke up tactfully.

"This house is just temporarily borrowed by Sister-in-law Jia to store some things."

"borrow?"

Director Wang snorted coldly and continued, "Occupying public housing without permission is an encroachment on public property, and it's a crime punishable by imprisonment."

Upon hearing this, Madam Jia Zhang became frightened and tried to argue her way out of it.

Director Wang interrupted directly, thinking that the people from the Housing Management Department were brought by Li Kaixin, and then directly questioned Li Kaixin.

"That's great! You're one of the people involved in this. What are your thoughts?"

Li Kaixin quickly waved his hand: "Aunt Wang, you can handle this."

"Just say it!" Director Wang said, feigning anger.

Li Kaixin then carefully considered his words before speaking:

"Since they took advantage of public funds, a fine is necessary."

He paused, glanced at Director Wang, and then said, "In addition, let her participate in labor reform, such as cleaning the streets, which can be considered as making amends for her mistakes."

Director Wang nodded after listening, then turned to look at Jia Zhangshi:

"Listen carefully, Madam Jia. Your punishment is as follows."

"Buy a new lock, pay a 50 yuan fine, and clean the streets for three months."

At this moment, Qin Huairu, who had been watching from inside the house, rushed out.

Her voice trembled with tears: "Director Wang, Dongxu is the only breadwinner in my family, we really can't afford to pay this fine."

Director Wang's heart softened for a moment when he saw Qin Huairu's tearful appearance, but upon glancing at Liu Jianming beside her, he immediately hardened his stance again:

"No discussion!"

"Pay the fine within a week, start street sweeping tomorrow, and move all your belongings out of the house immediately!"

After saying that, Director Wang turned and left, ignoring Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu on the ground.

Seeing this, Li Kaixin quickly pulled Liu Jianming away and ran away.

After leaving courtyard house number 95, Li Kaixin and Liu Jianming walked into courtyard house number 94 one after the other.

Liu Jianming would occasionally turn his head to glance at Li Kaixin, his eyes filled with a hint of inquiry.

Finally, he couldn't help but speak, his tone revealing doubt.

"Brother Li, tell me the truth, did you already know about the situation at No. 95 Courtyard all along?"

Li Kaixin quickly waved his hand, his face beaming with a smile: "Brother Liu, I really didn't know that. It was my first time going in too, who would have thought I'd encounter something like this?"

Liu Jianming shook his head with some doubt, but did not ask any further questions.

The two quickly arrived at the door.

After opening the door, Li Kai looked around inside and out, and already had an idea in mind.

As soon as they left courtyard number 94, Liu Jianming eagerly asked Li Kaixin, "Brother Li, you've looked at both places, which one are you planning to choose?"

Li Kaixin looked at him strangely: "Brother Liu, do you think I'm the kind of person who likes trouble? Of course I'd choose Courtyard No. 94."

When they reached the gate of their own yard, Li Kaixin asked Liu Jianming to wait a moment.

When he came out again, Li Kaixin had a gray package in his hand, the contents of which were unknown.

Then, he took out two packs of Daqianmen cigarettes from his pocket and stuffed them into Liu Jianming's hand.

Liu Jianming quickly refused, saying, "No, no! This is just my duty; how can I accept your things?"

Li Kaixin insisted on stuffing the gift into Liu Jianming's hand, his tone sincere: "Brother Liu, if you don't accept it, you're disrespecting your brother. You've gone to so much trouble to come all this way, please accept this small token of your appreciation."

Unable to refuse, Liu Jianming smiled helplessly and said, "Brother Li, you're too kind."

Then he took the two packs of cigarettes and put them in his pocket.