Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

The woman rushed to the deaf old lady's door as fast as she could, took a deep breath, and gently knocked: "Grandma? Grandma? Are you awake? I'm from Xiao Yi's family, I have something urgent to ask you..."

The room was quiet, without a single response.

The woman knocked again, her voice louder and trembling with tears: "Grandma! Please open the door! Old Yi and Zhuzi... they were arrested by the soldiers last night and haven't come back yet! You have to help us! Just saying a word might make a difference!"

The deaf old lady sighed inwardly inside the house, then huddled under the covers, pretending she couldn't hear anything.

She had already heard some rumors when she went to the restroom that morning.

Yesterday, a group of soldiers came and arrested all those who had offended Zhou Feng. They interrogated them all night before releasing them.

However, the old man and Sha Zhu were detained there because they were the organizers.

The scariest thing is that those who were arrested, no matter who asked them or how they were asked, dared not utter a single word about what they had experienced the previous night.

That's a bit scary!

You know, even if these middle-aged women in the courtyard are taken away by the police, they can still share what they're talking about right away in the courtyard.

They are not ashamed at all, but rather proud of it.

If they're this scared, then the place they went to last night must have been something special!

How could an old woman like her possibly mess with someone of that status?

She had already done more than enough to remind Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu so many times!

After waiting for a while and hearing no more noise outside, the deaf old lady got up and took out the chamber pot.

Looks like it's not a good day to go out; I'll just have to eat indoors.

Just as she started, there was a sudden loud banging on the door. The middle-aged woman heard the rustling sounds inside and became anxious.

"Grandma, I know you're awake... Please, for all these years Old Yi has taken care of you, and Zhu Zi often brings you meals... please go and say a word for us!"

The deaf old lady inside the house turned pale and shook her hand helplessly. What kind of mess is this?

You yourselves wouldn't listen to advice and were blind enough to offend important figures. Now that something has happened, you're blocking my door. What kind of logic is that?

Somewhat helpless, the deaf old lady opened the door and walked straight outside, as if she hadn't seen the old woman standing there.

"Grandma, Lao Yi hasn't come home all night. Could you please go to the neighborhood committee and ask where he's being held? I'm begging you!"

An older woman grabbed the deaf old woman's sleeve as if it were a lifeline, but the latter ignored her and went to the tap to wash her hands.

Then he glanced at the older woman, mumbling incoherently, "What did you say? I can't hear you. I need to go back and rest; I didn't sleep well last night!"

"Grandma, you can't do this, you..."

Before the older woman could finish speaking, the deaf old lady leaned against her, crying out, "Ouch, my leg hurts! Quickly, take me back inside, it hurts so much!"

After much trouble, the woman finally managed to take the deaf old lady back home, but her heart was filled with coldness.

She's not stupid; the deaf old lady's attitude clearly shows she's pretending not to hear.

He doesn't want to get involved, afraid of getting himself into trouble, but he's still putting on airs!

After leaving the deaf old lady's house in a daze, the woman stood blankly in the yard for a while, then suddenly gritted her teeth.

No, not at the factory!

Yes, to the steel rolling mill!

Lao Yi is an eighth-level fitter, and Zhu Zi is the head chef in the canteen; they are both key personnel in the factory!

The factory leaders definitely won't ignore this!

Director Yang has always valued Lao Yi, and he's also very good to Zhu Zi!

Thinking of this, the old woman's hope was rekindled. Without bothering to wash up or tidy herself up, she hurriedly left the courtyard and walked quickly toward the Third Steel Rolling Mill.

Meanwhile, in the office of the deputy director of the Third Steel Rolling Mill, Li Huaide rubbed his temples with a headache. In front of him was an official letter from the Special Operations Division.

The message is concise: Your factory employees Yi Zhonghai and He Yuzhu are currently under our supervision and education due to their involvement in a confidential matter. Their return date will depend on their performance. Their work relationship will be handled by your factory in accordance with relevant regulations for the time being.

He knows this document very well!

Previously, Xu Damao was arrested, and a document like this was subsequently issued. Now another one has been issued, and Yi Zhonghai and He Yuzhu have been arrested again.

Are the people in this courtyard poisonous or something?

It's been widely reported that Xu Damao was arrested because he offended Zhou Feng, hasn't it?

Are these two really that stubborn?

Do they really have to test whether Zhou Feng's background is strong or not?

Now you know!

He didn't feel particularly sorry for Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu. One of them was an old-fashioned man, and the other was a reckless scoundrel. Neither of them showed him much respect, and he didn't like either of them.

However, Yi Zhonghai was, after all, an eighth-level fitter and a key technical worker, and Sha Zhu was also an indispensable head chef in the canteen.

Suddenly they were under control, where was he supposed to find people to replace them?

Now even the factory's production order and logistical support will be significantly affected!

"Get ready, come with me to the workshop!"

After hesitating for a moment, Li Huaide called out to the outside, and his secretary immediately followed.

He still needs to investigate this matter. He doesn't need the details of what happened, just to understand what occurred.

This way, he could better determine how long Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu would be imprisoned and whether he needed to hire another cook.

As for who to ask, there's no need to consider it; it has to be that fat-headed, big-eared guy with bangs!

It wasn't for any other reason than that every time Li Huaide saw this guy with bangs, he acted like a peacock about to spread its tail feathers, showing off in all sorts of ways.

Li Huaide could easily extract information about a person's ancestors by asking just a few questions.

"Master Liu, I have a question for you."

When Liu Haizhong, who was originally in the workshop, came out of the workshop with his head held high and chest out when he heard that Deputy Factory Director Li was looking for him.

Maybe jumping over the fire basin this morning worked, and the man's luck has turned around?

But this excited expression was instantly suppressed after hearing Li Huaide's next words.

"Were quite a few of your people arrested last night? What exactly happened?"

"Boss, I don't know anything about this, please don't ask me!"

Liu Haizhong had a bitter face; he really didn't want to talk to Deputy Factory Director Li like this.

But he didn't dare to mention the Special Operations Division!

Offending the deputy factory director would at most result in him making things difficult for him at work, which Liu Haizhong believed he could handle.

If I say something wrong and get targeted by the Special Operations Unit, that would be a huge problem!

Then Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu didn't come back, right?

Who knows where they've been locked up!

He can't do something so stupid again!

Looking at Liu Haizhong, who seemed timid but kept his mouth shut, Li Huaide almost laughed in exasperation.

But he also knew that even he himself would be a little intimidated by the Special Operations Unit, let alone ordinary people.

We didn't get a single useful piece of information out of them!

However, he also knew that the leader who had contacted him before must have known the information, but the key was that he didn't dare to ask him!

"Sir, Comrade Zhou Feng has come to work. Would you like to go and see him?"

Just then, Li Huaide's secretary leaned in and whispered something in his ear.

This was also a task assigned to him by Li Huaide: whenever Zhou Feng came to work, he had to notify him immediately!

"Let's go, we won't get anything out of him. The real person is here, let's go ask him!"

As he spoke, Li Huaide straightened his clothes, left the workshop, and headed towards the purchasing department.

It was rare for Zhou Feng to come to work in the purchasing department office!

Most of the colleagues had gone out to buy supplies, leaving only one familiar face in the office. Ma Yingjie immediately poured hot water for Zhou Feng, just like before.

"Brother Feng, you're finally back! You must have been so busy these past few days. Take a break! If you have any work to do in the future, feel free to leave it to me. I'll take care of it and make sure it's done efficiently."

"Sure, there will definitely be an opportunity to use you."

Zhou Feng didn't stand on ceremony and patted Ma Yingjie on the shoulder.

Sometimes he really needs help, and if this little horse is capable, it wouldn't be a big deal to have him follow him.

Hao Pingchuan was also in the office at this time, but he was different from Bai Ling.

Bai Ling's work relationship had been transferred to the Special Operations Division, but she was just using the city bureau's name as a cover, while he was only seconded to the Special Operations Division to carry out missions.

He was still in his office pondering how to build a good relationship with Zhou Feng, just as Bai Ling had suggested, when he saw Li Huaide push the door open and come in from the outside.

"Brother Zhou, it's been so long! You must be really busy lately!"

Zhou Feng also stood up with a smile and exchanged a few pleasantries with Li Huaide.

This Brother Li is quite considerate; he's one of the few good friends Zhou Feng has in this world.

As the two were talking, Hao Pingchuan walked out of the office with a displeased expression.

During the time Zhou Feng was away from the factory, although Sun Yue had warned Hao Pingchuan, he kept looking at the ever-increasing accounts on the purchasing side and felt an inexplicable anger towards Li Huaide that he wanted to confront but couldn't.

Therefore, he never gave Li Huaide a kind look whenever he saw him.

Li Huaide was no pushover either. Since Hao Pingchuan had already shown hostility, he wouldn't bother to fawn over him.

As a result, the two, who should have had a close superior-subordinate relationship in the Third Steel Rolling Mill, didn't even exchange basic pleasantries when they met; both of their eyes turned to Zhou Feng.

"Brother Zhou, was someone targeting you in your courtyard yesterday? I heard it was quite unpleasant. Was it serious? Are you worried about retaliation?"

Upon hearing Li Huaide's words, Hao Pingchuan's expression immediately turned somewhat grim. No one had informed him of this matter!

However, it's understandable, since he was responsible for Zhou Feng's safety within the steel rolling mill.

As for what happens inside the courtyard house, that's none of his business.

"Don't worry, Brother Li, it's all taken care of. None of it was serious. The people who committed the crimes are already locked up, and we probably won't see them for a while."

Li Huaide immediately felt reassured.

If we can't see them for a while, does that mean they might come back at any time?

"Oh, alright then, I'll hire new people. Ha... they brought it on themselves. Of all people to offend, they had to offend my brother Zhou!"

"In my opinion, what's the point of regulation? Just sentence them to life imprisonment or send them to eat peanuts. Let's see if they dare to take advantage of your kindness and cause trouble again."

Li Huaide revealed an expression of shared hatred and indignation.

Zhou Feng chuckled, "Brother Li, locking them up is serious enough; why make them eat peanuts?"

The two chatted happily, while Hao Pingchuan, standing to the side, was so angry he was itching to bite them.

Li Huaide's demeanor would have made him a treacherous minister in the old society!

Zhou Feng is already quite special; the power his superiors have given him is already outrageously large. If he were to actually listen to Li Huaide's nonsense, wouldn't that be a disaster for the people of this world?

"Comrade Zhou Feng, Deputy Factory Director Li is wrong. Power can indeed bring convenience, but one must still uphold justice. A country has its own system and laws; power cannot supersede the law!"

"Of course, you just need to figure out the right balance yourself."

Li Huaide and Zhou Feng exchanged a glance. The former rolled his eyes, somewhat speechless, and without even looking at Hao Pingchuan, patted Zhou Feng on the shoulder: "Brother Zhou, don't worry. Even if Yi Zhonghai and He Yuzhu come back, their ranks won't be what they are now! I'll give you a good beating then!"

"Then thank you, Brother Li. I was just saying that this has caused you and the small canteen to hold a banquet."

"Hey, there are chefs everywhere, plenty in the whole of Beiping! I'll find the best cook, and you'll be the first one I cook for you!"

"Okay!"

The two of them were talking back and forth, which made Hao Pingchuan, who was standing next to them, get a little red-eyed.

An eighth-level fitter and a canteen chef—these are both considered talented individuals, no matter where you put them!

Just because he offended Zhou Feng, he's now locked up?

He was worried that Zhou Feng would be led astray by Li Huaide and corrupted by power, but now it seems there are already signs of that!

"Comrade Zhou Feng, you see, Yi Zhonghai is a senior worker in the factory, and He Yuzhu is an indispensable cook in the canteen. Isn't there some misunderstanding here? I think if they really did something wrong, we should bring them to the factory for criticism and education. Give them a chance to correct their mistakes. After all, it's not easy to train an eighth-grade worker..."

For Hao Pingchuan, with his limited intelligence, to say something so tactful is already quite remarkable.

But listening to his words, Li Huaide and Zhou Feng were still a little stunned, looking at this guy with some confusion.

You don't even know what happened, and you don't have much of a relationship with Zhou Feng, yet you start by begging for mercy, right?

Zhou Feng really wanted to pull Bai Ling over and ask her what was going on with this guy.