Uncle Shazhu, a simple-minded man in a courtyard house, persuades people with reason.

He Ping'an has always been inclined to assume the worst about people's hearts... Therefore, when he acts or judges people, he always focuses on actions, not intentions. The human heart is truly unfathomable!

The rumors about the He family had been circulating for almost half a year, and everyone in Nanluoguxiang knew about them, but the neighborhood committee did not make a move.

During the Korean War, all work served the military. He Yuzhu, a military dependent of a volunteer regiment commander, was ignored and uncared for by the neighborhood committee just like He Yuzhu, who was 30 years old and still unmarried in the original drama!

This in itself speaks volumes...

He Ping'an sat quietly in the chair, waiting for an explanation from the street office director named Wang Yiqin. Even though he hadn't sent anyone to notify the street office; even though Wang Yiqin's background was not to be trifled with.

Wang Yiqin, female, 35 years old, joined the organization at the age of 18, a true veteran revolutionary. Her husband is a retired division commander who is now a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Machine Building, responsible for approvals and wielding great power!

According to the formula used by later film and television industry giants, the power and influence of Wang Yiqin's lover's position was definitely at the diamond level!

Not long after, hurried, deliberately low footsteps entered the central courtyard. A middle-aged woman in a gray Lenin suit led two staff members forward, extending their hands warmly.

Perhaps because she was rushing too fast, Wang Yiqin, who was already a little out of breath, became even more breathless after seeing Yi Zhonghai and his apprentice with broken arms and hands on the ground.

He Ping'an did not get up, and ignored the outstretched hands, looking at the afterglow of the setting sun and admiring the rare fiery clouds.

No matter how great He Ping'an's achievements are, he is still a young man. To ignore an old revolutionary who is almost forty years old is quite rude.

A hint of annoyance flashed in Wang Yiqin's eyes. She took a half-step back to defuse the awkwardness, and her smile grew even warmer.

"Commander He, your heroic deeds in Korea have greatly inspired our people's determination to resist the American imperialists, especially in Tieyuan..."

He Ping'an suddenly laughed, chatting and joking as if he were meeting an old friend he hadn't seen for many years:

"Director Wang's appearance is not what a Communist Party cadre should look like! He looks even more slovenly than my stupid nephew..." He Ping'an said, still not getting up.

Wang Yiqin had been rushing on her way, and was covered in sweat mixed with the dust from the roadside, making her face look somewhat comical, with streaks of gray and white.

"It's all about serving the people, so being a little dirty doesn't matter. Back then..." Wang Yiqin's smile remained unchanged, her veiled sarcasm perfectly countered by her open mockery.

"Heh..." After his mockery, He Ping'an pointed at the group of beasts and launched his attack. "Does Director Wang also think my nephew should give the house away for free, otherwise he's tarnishing the reputation of his heroic uncle?"

Wang Yiqin's smile vanished, and she solemnly shook her head in denial.

"Commander He, I guarantee with my Party spirit... our street office has never issued such an instruction. Moreover, I myself have repeatedly asked our comrades to take good care of every soldier's family!"

Soldiers are fighting on the front lines, and no one dares to do something as dangerous as harming their families. Forget bullying, even neglecting to take care of them is considered dereliction of duty.

"Then how do you put this..." He Ping'an pointed at the beast and pressed on relentlessly, not giving Wang Yiqin a chance to change the subject.

The facts were clear: Wang Yiqin's posture was no longer as straight as before.

"Commander He, this was a mistake on our part as the subdistrict office. We will immediately review the situation and apologize to you and your family! The main problem is that the government has only recently been established and the workload is heavy; we simply don't have enough manpower..."

First admit the mistake, then reflect on it, apologize, and then provide an explanation (to shift the blame)... the standard procedure!

"Not enough manpower?" He Ping'an's lips curled into a mocking sneer, his words dripping with sarcasm.

"Shortage of manpower? Does that mean you can just sit idly by and watch military families be oppressed? Director Wang, then let me ask you, what important matters are your street office's 'manpower' busy with that makes you disregard national policies... huh?"

He Ping'an's words were too heavy, too heavy for anyone to bear. Wang Yiqin could no longer maintain the most basic dignity of an old revolutionary, and panic appeared in her eyes.

"Commander He, you've misunderstood! It was my carelessness that led me to believe the lies of the three managers, Yi Zhonghai, and that I overlooked the situation of the He family!"

"Carelessness...oversight?" He Ping'an walked a few steps to Wang Yiqin.

"I don't recall notifying the neighborhood committee about today's events, so... could the careless Director Wang please tell me why you were able to arrive so quickly this time, hmm?"

"This..." Wang Yiqin was speechless for a moment.

"Alright..." He Ping'an waved his hand dismissively. He had given her the chance, but Wang Yiqin hadn't cherished it! Whatever happened afterward, she couldn't blame him!

Although the two were not in the same system, and He Ping'an's rank was higher than Wang Yiqin's, he couldn't directly punish Wang Yiqin, a local cadre. But some things don't go that way, especially in an era where military priority was paramount!

Wang Yiqin naturally understood the meaning behind He Ping'an's words. Her expression froze, and her eyes welled up with emotions...

The head of the neighborhood committee may not seem to hold a high position, but she's extremely well-informed about everyday family matters, and on top of that, her husband is a high-ranking official. She knows He Ping'an very well!

Wang Yiqin glanced at Yi Zhonghai, who was clutching his finger and groaning in pain, and considered giving up on this troublesome good-for-nothing. But then she remembered something from many years ago…

"Commander He! Regardless of the circumstances, today's incident was caused by a mistake on our part as the street office's part, and we will absolutely not shirk our responsibility!"

"Never shirk responsibility" – never give up the right to handle matters, and never relinquish control over the situation.

A hint of surprise flashed across He Ping'an's indifferent eyes, but his calm smile returned as he looked at Wang Yiqin and nodded earnestly.

"Alright, then I'll leave this matter to Director Wang. At the same time, I will report this matter to the Armed Forces Department and my direct superiors verbatim!"

Wang Yiqin's already unpleasant expression turned completely dark as she desperately tried to salvage the situation.

Some people spout nonsense like, "Chiefs are busy with countless affairs, and we shouldn't bother them with personal matters or discuss solutions privately."

He Ping'an was utterly annoyed by what he heard! He raised his hand to stop Wang Yiqin's nonsense and issued a final warning with a cold face.

"Director Wang, old revolutionary comrade... one shouldn't be too greedy; pushing your luck won't work on me!!"

Without saying goodbye, He Ping'an took Bai Ling's hand and led the He siblings straight out of the courtyard. Only Wang Yiqin, her face grim, and the beast, who finally dared to breathe loudly, remained.

"Director Wang, what... what should we do?" The male staff member behind Wang Yiqin stepped forward with a stiff upper lip.

"Phew..." Wang Yiqin pointed to Yi Zhonghai and his apprentice, as well as the unconscious Jia Zhangshi, "Take them to the hospital first, as for..."

Wang Yiqin coldly surveyed the birds who had just relaxed, her tone icy: "Go and call for backup. Take them all back to the police station for interrogation! Spreading rumors and bullying military families—how dare they… Investigate, investigate thoroughly!"