Courtyard House: I fish in the heavens, a professional bird abuser.

night.

The courtyard was completely silent, save for a few lazy chirps of insects and the faint barking of dogs in the distance.

The light in Xu Damao's house was still on.

Under the dim light, he hunched over the table, his face contorted with a twisted, excited expression, like a hyena plotting a famous conspiracy in the dark.

The pen in his hand made a scratching sound as it grazed the rough paper, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

He is writing a letter.

A letter that can destroy a person.

Xu Damao's wicked plan was simple yet insidious—to report someone.

He wanted to report He Yuanchao for "speculation and profiteering".

In this era, this charge is like a Damocles' sword hanging over everyone's head.

It was heavy, cold, and possessed the power to destroy everything.

These days, private buying and selling is strictly prohibited. Once you're labeled as a "speculator," you'll face anything from criticism and education to confiscation of illegal gains, to dismissal from public office and imprisonment. It's a crime that can ruin a person's life.

With each character Xu Damao wrote, the smile on his lips deepened.

He could almost see He Yuanchao being forced to wear a tall hat and being criticized and denounced in front of the entire institute and factory.

He could almost hear He Yuanchao's desperate cries as he worked on the farm.

This kind of imagination made his blood boil, bringing him a morbid pleasure.

His "evidence" was listed clearly and he believed it to be flawless.

First, He Yuanchao's brand-new bicycle and television set.

These two large items are luxuries that countless families in this era dream of.

That adds up to a huge sum of nearly five hundred yuan!

He Yuanchao, a mere fifth-level fitter, how much would he earn in a month even if he didn't eat or drink?

How could it be possible to save enough in such a short time?

The source of this money is definitely suspicious!

Xu Damao used extremely vicious language in the letter, implying that the money was either embezzled or stolen, and every word he used was designed to destroy him.

Secondly, He Yuanchao ate fish and meat almost every day.

In the courtyard, which family doesn't count their meat tickets on their fingers, hoping to enjoy meat only during festivals?

What gives him the right to support the Korean War?

The aroma of meat wafting from his window was like poisonous thorns, piercing Xu Damao's heart.

Where did he get his meat and fish ration coupons?

It must have been obtained through illicit means, by buying and selling on the black market!

This is a typical example of decadent capitalist lifestyle! It is the enemy of the people!

Third, and most importantly, Yan Jiecheng personally announced on Qianmen Street that day that He Yuanchao's calligraphy had sold for four hundred yuan!

Four hundred yuan!

This is simply irrefutable proof of "speculation and profiteering"!

Thinking of this, Xu Damao's hands trembled with excitement.

He deliberately used bold strokes and vivid colors to describe this passage in great detail, as if he had seen it with his own eyes.

A worker who doesn't work properly and makes such a huge profit by writing a few bad words—what is this if not speculation and profiteering?

What is this if not undermining socialism?!

Xu Damao embellished these "evidence" and compiled them into an anonymous whistleblower letter. He read it repeatedly to confirm that every word was full of destructive power.

He carefully folded the letter and put it into an old envelope, without writing the sender's address.

After doing all this, he blew out the lamp and, by the moonlight, slipped out of the courtyard silently, like a ghost.

He walked all the way to the mailbox at the street corner, where there was a small, inconspicuous complaint box.

He looked around nervously to make sure no one was there.

Then, he quickly stuffed the letter, which contained all his malice, into the dark entrance of the complaint box.

The soft sound of the letter slipping from his lips sounded to him like a victory horn.

He believed that as long as the neighborhood committee intervened in the investigation, He Yuanchao would be severely punished, even if he wasn't arrested!

He, Xu Damao, will soon witness He Yuanchao fall from grace and be shattered to pieces!

The first step of the treacherous plan has been completed.

The second step is then carried out by another person.

Liu Haizhong, the newly appointed "manager," is now indulging in the vanity that comes with power.

After Xu Damao's secret visit and his embellished "analysis," he chose to stand with Xu Damao without hesitation.

Bringing down He Yuanchao, the most conspicuous young man in the courtyard who disregarded him the most, was crucial for consolidating his own position.

So Liu Haizhong actively cooperated in the courtyard. He began to intentionally or unintentionally spread rumors among the neighbors that "He Yuanchao's background is illegitimate" and "He spends money extravagantly and doesn't live a decent life," thus laying the groundwork for the whistleblower letter.

He would put on airs of a bureaucrat, carrying a large tea mug, and stroll around the courtyard.

He saw a few middle-aged women picking vegetables and chatting, so he went over to them.

"Ahem!" He cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.

"Hey, I'm telling you, our institute is getting better and better, but some people still need to improve their ideological awareness."

"It's good that young people have more money, but the money should be earned honestly!"

"Look at our young He, he's so young, yet he's buying TVs and bicycles, spending money like water. That's not the frugal and hardworking spirit of us working class!"

His words were full of hints and suggestions.

A few days later, just as Xu Damao and Liu Haizhong had hoped, the people from the neighborhood committee arrived.

It was Director Wang who arrived.

A woman in her forties, wearing glasses, who looked very refined, but whose eyes revealed a sharp and capable nature.

Upon receiving the news, Liu Haizhong immediately went out with a beaming face, as if welcoming a high-ranking official who had come to inspect the area.

He invited Director Wang to his home, brewed the best tea, and put on a very formal and respectful demeanor.

Xu Damao, meanwhile, was secretly observing from behind his own window, his heart pounding with excitement.

The show is about to begin!

However, things took an unexpected turn.

Contrary to Liu Haizhong and Xu Damao's expectations, Director Wang did not arrive with a group of people to investigate He Yuanchao in a menacing manner. Instead, he first sought out Liu Haizhong, the newly appointed "manager."

"Comrade Liu Haizhong, how's the situation at the institute lately?" Director Wang sat at the octagonal table, picked up his teacup, gently blew on it to cool it down, and spoke in a casual tone, as if he were having a casual chat.

Upon hearing the leader's question, Liu Haizhong immediately puffed out his signature belly and began to report in a very official tone.

"Reporting to Director Wang! Everything is fine! Under my leadership, the neighborhood is harmonious and friendly!"

His face radiated confidence, as if he had everything under control.

"Everyone is highly motivated and actively responded to the call to action, working hard to produce goods. The entire compound is now thriving and thriving!"

"Yeah?"

Director Wang asked a question softly and put down his teacup.

The teacup made a crisp "click" as it touched the table.

The sound wasn't loud, but it was like a heavy hammer blow to the center of his bangs.

He saw that Director Wang's eyes suddenly became incredibly sharp, like two knives piercing his heart.

"Then how come I heard that someone is making trouble behind our backs, fabricating stories, and falsely accusing and framing our factory's outstanding workers? Hmm?"

The final "hmm" was delivered with a slightly rising tone, conveying an undeniable sense of authority.

The smile on Liu Haizhong's face instantly froze, solidifying into a comical expression.

A fine layer of cold sweat seeped uncontrollably from his forehead.

"Director Wang...Director Wang, what are you saying? There's absolutely no such thing in our institute!"

His voice began to tremble, and his back, which had been straight just moments before, involuntarily bent over.

"No?"

Director Wang's lips curled into a cold smile, a knowing sneer.

Without saying another word, she took an envelope directly from her briefcase.

She slammed the letter onto the table with a "bang".

"Then explain to me what this is?"

Liu Haizhong saw the familiar envelope and the handwriting... Although it was anonymous, he recognized it at a glance. It was the same envelope that Xu Damao had secretly shown him a few days ago!

In an instant, he felt dizzy and his calves started to cramp, almost making him unable to stand.

It’s over.

Director Wang's face darkened completely, and his voice became extremely stern.

"Liu Haizhong! Let me tell you! The factory leaders and our street office are very clear about Comrade He Yuanchao's situation!"

Her voice grew louder and heavier with each sentence.

"His bicycle ticket was a reward personally approved by Deputy Director Lou of your steel rolling mill, because he solved a major technical problem in the workshop! This is a public commendation from the factory!"

"His TV ticket was awarded to him by the Municipal Federation of Trade Unions after he represented your factory in the city's Youth Workers' Skills Competition, winning first place and bringing great honor to the factory! It's an honor for the entire city!"

"As for his calligraphy, it caught the eye of Professor Shen Molin, a leading scholar of Chinese classical studies at Tsinghua and Peking Universities! Professor Shen cherishes talent and, fearing that his financial difficulties might affect his research, proactively gave him four hundred yuan as a reward and living allowance! This is called encouraging younger generations, and it's a celebrated story in academic circles!"

"All income is clearly sourced, verifiable, and legal! Completely honest and clean!"

"You guys are really something, resorting to such underhanded tactics behind the scenes, distorting the facts, and maliciously slandering us! What are you trying to do?!"

Director Wang slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacups to jump and spill tea.

With a loud "bang," Liu Haizhong was so startled that he trembled all over and almost slid off the chair.

"I'm warning you, Liu Haizhong! Don't think that just because Yi Zhonghai has fallen and you've become the manager, you can do whatever you want in this courtyard and control everything!"

Director Wang stood up and pointed his finger at him condescendingly.

"The eyes of the masses are discerning! The policies of the nation are not to be challenged!"

"If you dare to engage in these underhanded tactics of forming cliques, inciting the masses, and disrupting stability and unity again, don't blame me for firing you! I'll send you to a study session to sober up! And you'll have to write a profound self-criticism!"

After Director Wang finished speaking, he grabbed the letter of complaint from the table and tore it to shreds in front of Liu Haizhong.

Without even glancing at Liu Haizhong, whose face was ashen and covered in cold sweat, she turned and left.

As she reached the door, she seemed to remember something and suddenly stopped.

She turned around, her cold gaze once again locking onto Liu Haizhong.

"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you. Professor Shen Molin greatly admires Comrade He Yuanchao, considering him a once-in-a-century genius. Not wanting to let such a gem go to waste, he has formally accepted him as his last disciple."

"From now on, He Yuanchao will be Professor Shen's student."

"It's a blessing that your compound has produced such a talented person. Anyone who dares to cause him trouble again is going against Old Master Shen and against our neighborhood committee! You'd better watch yourselves!"

After saying that, Director Wang left Liu Haizhong's house without looking back.

The "tap-tap" of high heels hitting the ground felt like stepping on the heart hidden in her bangs.

Only Liu Haizhong was left, slumped in a chair.

He was drenched in cold sweat, as if he had just been pulled out of the water.

His eyes were vacant, and his mouth was slightly open, but he couldn't make a sound.

It was as if all the energy and spirit had been drained from him.

Shen Molin's student?

Shen Molin's students...

These five words, like five endless, insurmountable mountains, weighed heavily on his heart, plunging him into utter despair.

What does that mean?

Those were figures far beyond the reach of a nobody like him, a mere steward!

It’s over.

It's completely over.

Not only did he fail to bring down He Yuanchao, but he also sealed his own fate. Director Wang's words were tantamount to a death sentence for his political life.

Xu Damao's wicked scheme not only failed to harm He Yuanchao in the slightest, but instead pushed himself and Liu Haizhong, these two clowns, into an abyss of no return.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire courtyard at an astonishing speed.

From the moment Director Wang stepped out of Liu Haizhong's house, the discussions and exclamations never ceased.

Everyone was stunned by this earth-shattering news.

Shen Molin's student!

This identity is ten thousand times more impressive than all the titles combined, including "Level 5 Fitter," "Technical Expert," and "Master Calligrapher"!

That's Shen Molin!

A legendary master of Chinese studies, living in newspapers and on the radio!

He Yuanchao became his student, which was like a carp leaping over the dragon gate and rising to the top in one step!

Where is the support?

This is truly a connection to the heavens!

From that moment on, the way people in the courtyard looked at He Yuanchao completely changed.

Before, there was envy, jealousy, and sour comments.

Now, all distracting thoughts have disappeared.

What remains is pure awe and reverence.

It's a sense of distance that ordinary people feel when they look at the chosen ones, a distance that comes from the heart and that they dare not disrespect.

After hearing the news, Sha Zhu locked himself in his room.

He didn't smash anything or curse anyone.

He was just one person, drinking bottle after bottle of the cheapest Erguotou.

He drank alone for a whole day and night.

When he finally came out, everyone saw that the resentment and unwillingness in his eyes had completely disappeared.

Instead, there is a numb acceptance of fate.

He knew that he would never be a match for He Yuanchao again in his lifetime.

An insurmountable chasm now separates them.

Qin Huairu's face turned deathly pale, and she seemed completely disoriented.

All her unrealistic dreams, her vague fantasies, and her schemes to regain power through old relationships and maneuvering were shattered in the face of the words "Shen Molin's student."

All that remains is endless regret and despair.

He regretted his past foolishness and despaired over the already predetermined and ever-widening gap between himself and He Yuanchao.

However, just when everyone thought that He Yuanchao would be completely untouchable in the courtyard and become a supreme being,

An unexpected person stepped forward.

She was a deaf old lady.

That night, the moonlight was like water, shining on the bluestone slabs with a cool glow.

The courtyard was quiet; the daytime hustle and bustle had long since subsided.

The deaf old lady, leaning on the dragon-headed cane that had been with her for decades, walked shakily, step by step, surrounded by several old ladies who were usually closest to her, to He Yuanchao's doorstep.

Her steps were slow, but each step was firm and steady.

The "thump, thump" of the cane striking the ground sounded particularly clear and heavy in the quiet night.

She stopped at the doorway, raised her wrinkled face, and her cloudy old eyes gleamed with an unusual shrewdness in the moonlight.

She didn't knock; she just spoke directly.

"Little He, come out for a moment, the old lady has a few words to say to you."

The deaf old woman's voice was old and hoarse, yet it carried an undeniable air of authority.

It was a tone of voice born from someone accustomed to being in a superior position and giving orders.

The lights were on inside, and He Yuanchao heard it.

He put down the book in his hand, slowly got up, and walked to the door.

The door was opened.

He Yuanchao stood at the door, looking at the old lady outside who was surrounded by a crowd, her face full of wrinkles, but her eyes were unusually shrewd, and frowned slightly.

He knew that this person was the most hidden and highest-ranking player in the courtyard.

People like Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong are nothing more than pawns in her eyes.

Now that the chess piece is useless, she, the last "ancestor," is finally going to personally step out of retirement.

He wanted to see what tricks the last "ancestor" of this courtyard house was up to.