Courtyard House: Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) Traded for an Aircraft Carrier, the Whole Count

No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, Intermediate Courtyard.

Ever since Jiang Chen left, Yi Zhonghai's right eyelid had been twitching incessantly. He paced back and forth in the room, his unease growing stronger. He didn't drink a single drop of the cornmeal porridge that an older woman brought him.

"Old Yi, what's wrong?" an older woman asked worriedly.

"It's nothing." Yi Zhonghai waved his hand irritably. "Where did that kid go? Did he really go to the factory to cause trouble? If he did, I have plenty of ways to deal with him..."

Just then, a rapid and piercing sound of a gong suddenly came from the front yard.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Immediately afterwards, Director Wang's signature loud voice boomed through the loudspeaker: "All residents of Building 95! Assemble at the Central Courtyard immediately! Everyone, right now!"

Yi Zhonghai's heart skipped a beat, but then a glimmer of hope rose within him. The director of the subdistrict office came in person, and with such a grand entourage? Could it be because their institute's application for advanced worker status this year had been approved? After all, it's the end of the year, and the subdistrict office needs to extend its greetings.

Thinking of this, he straightened his collar, forced a calm smile, and pushed open the door to go out.

The courtyard was in complete chaos. Residents put down what they were doing and gathered around. Uncle Liu Haizhong, with his large belly, stood with his hands behind his back, maintaining order with an air of authority. Uncle Yan Bugui, the third uncle, was calculating whether it was time to issue receipts again, pushing up his glasses and squeezing to the front.

Director Wang, accompanied by two street officials, stood solemnly by the stone table in the center of the courtyard. Jiang Chen, pushing his bicycle, stood quietly in the corner, like an outsider watching a play.

Yi Zhonghai hurried forward, his face beaming with smiles: "Oh, Director Wang, what brings you here in person? Is it about our institute's evaluation for outstanding employees...?"

"Yi Zhonghai, you stand right there!"

Director Wang's sharp shout, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, shattered Yi Zhonghai's smile. The entire hospital fell silent instantly; even the children dared not cry.

Yi Zhonghai was stunned, stumbled, and almost lost his balance: "Director Wang... what are you saying?"

Director Wang stared at him coldly, his gaze sharp as a knife: "Yi Zhonghai, I'm asking you, who is in charge of this No. 95 compound?"

Yi Zhonghai felt uneasy and stammered, "It...of course it's under the jurisdiction of the subdistrict office, under the jurisdiction of the government."

"Oh? Is that so?" Director Wang sneered, pulling a black voice recorder from his pocket and holding it high. "But I've heard that this compound is your personal fiefdom, Yi Zhonghai's? You're the one who calls the shots?"

The moment Yi Zhonghai saw the black box, his pupils contracted sharply, and his mind went blank. It was Jiang Chen's action that morning!

"Sizzle—"

After the crackling sound of electricity, Yi Zhonghai's arrogant voice echoed throughout the entire hospital, so clear it was as if he were shouting into everyone's ears:

"What crime? In our courtyard at number 95, this is our own business! ... In this courtyard, I, Yi Zhonghai, call the shots! If I say it's nothing, then it's nothing!"

Whoosh—!

The crowd erupted.

"My God, is this really something an old man would say?"

"Isn't this too domineering? Don't they even respect the law?"

"I knew he always took sides; turns out he really thinks he's some kind of local tyrant!"

Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with shock, and... barely concealed excitement. With Yi Zhonghai down, that position would be vacant, wouldn't it?

Yi Zhonghai's face turned ashen, his legs buckled, and he nearly collapsed to the ground. Pointing at the recording pen, his lips trembled as he tried to explain, "This...this is taking things out of context! Jiang Chen framed me! I was only thinking of the compound..."

"Enough!" Director Wang gave him no chance to argue. "The evidence is conclusive! Yi Zhonghai, as the person in charge, not only refused to cooperate with the police investigation, but also abused his power to threaten the victims, attempting to protect criminals and establish his own independent kingdom! Your ideology is rotten to the core!"

Director Wang surveyed the room, his voice firm and resolute: "Given Comrade Yi Zhonghai's serious ideological errors and misconduct, the Subdistrict Office has decided, after deliberation: Yi Zhonghai is hereby dismissed from his post as 'Uncle Yi'! He is suspended from his duties for self-reflection! He is to be publicly criticized throughout the entire institution! Furthermore, he is ordered to write a profound self-criticism, which must be submitted to the Subdistrict Office for review!"

"Removed...removed from office?" Yi Zhonghai's vision went black, and he swayed. The reputation he had cultivated for over a decade, his supreme authority in the compound, collapsed completely at this moment.

He turned to look at Jiang Chen in the corner. Jiang Chen remained expressionless, but his eyes held a chilling indifference that made him feel cold.

At this point, Director Wang spoke up again: "A country cannot be without a ruler for a day, and an institute cannot be without a leader for a day. Yi Zhonghai has been dismissed, but someone still needs to manage things in this institute. Tell me, who is suitable to temporarily replace this old man?"

Liu Haizhong was so excited that his whole body was trembling. He raised his hand high, about to volunteer, when he heard Jiang Chen speak calmly.

"Director Wang, I think Uncle Liu Haizhong is quite good."

Liu Haizhong suddenly turned to look at Jiang Chen, his eyes filled with incredible surprise. This kid's got it!

Jiang Chen slowly pushed the cart forward: "Although Master Liu is a bit short-tempered, he has a high level of political awareness and keeps up with the times. Most importantly, Master Liu hates this kind of feudal patriarchal style, so he will definitely be able to lead our hospital back on the right track."

This flattery left Liu Haizhong dizzy. He immediately puffed out his chest and loudly declared, "Director Wang! Comrade Jiang Chen is right! I, Liu Haizhong, firmly support the decision of the subdistrict office! I will definitely rectify the conduct of the hospital and will never allow it to be run by one person!"

Director Wang glanced at Liu Haizhong. Although he knew Liu Haizhong was also ambitious for officialdom, there was no more suitable candidate at the moment, so he nodded and said, "Alright, then Comrade Liu Haizhong will temporarily take over the duties of the eldest uncle. Comrade Yan Bugui will assist him."

"Yes! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!" Liu Haizhong was so excited that his face turned red and his neck bulged. He looked even happier than if he had eaten meat during the New Year.

Looking at the smug Liu Haizhong and then at the indifferent Jiang Chen, Yi Zhonghai felt a chill in his heart. He knew the situation was hopeless. Jiang Chen's move had not only brought him down but also promoted the incompetent Liu Haizhong to power. Liu Haizhong was ambitious but lacked talent, and was fond of grandstanding; things were likely to get interesting in this courtyard from now on.

But he knew even better that the mastermind behind all of this was Jiang Chen, the taciturn man he had never taken seriously.

After dealing with matters in the courtyard, the crowd gradually dispersed. Liu Haizhong was lecturing a few people, indulging in the thrill of his newly acquired official position.

Jiang Chen glanced at the old Shanghai brand watch on his wrist, straightened his collar, and hopped on his bicycle.

"I've finished swatting the flies at home, time to get to work at the factory."

He muttered something to himself, pushed off with his foot, and the bicycle shot out of the courtyard like an arrow. Behind him was Yi Zhonghai's lonely, hunched back and Liu Haizhong's wild, maniacal laughter.

The world in this courtyard has completely changed.