I feel right at home in the world of the courtyard house.

"Dad, what's wrong?"

Li Jing'an rushed to the bedside in the bedroom, looking at his father-in-law, Old Wei, wrapped in the blanket. He spoke with concern, but a barely suppressed smile lurked in his eyes. Old Wei sensed something, clutching the blanket and twisting painfully to the inside of the bed, trying to hide.

"Dad, let me see, come here." Without saying a word, Li Jing'an reached out and started to move Old Wei's body. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, his fingers dug hard into Old Wei's arm and shoulder, and he secretly increased the force.

"Sizzle...sizzle..." Old Wei trembled all over in pain, making suppressed gasps, but dared not cry out.

"How could this be! Who did this?" Li Jing'an looked at the bruises around Old Wei's eyes, the red and swollen marks, and the bloody scratches from his fingernails, and an angry expression appeared on his face at the right time.

At this moment, Wei Jialing also came in. Seeing her father's miserable state, she could no longer hold back and rushed to the bedside to cry.

"I'm fine... I just tripped and fell." Old Wei was still trying to cover it up, his voice trembling.

The mother-in-law stood aside, looking at her son-in-law with eyes full of heartache: "Jing'an, think of a way, don't let your father suffer like this anymore."

"Mom, I want to help, but my influence is limited," Li Jing'an said with a troubled expression. "I'm just a factory director; I'm lucky if I can keep myself out of trouble. If it weren't for Jialing and the child, I wouldn't want to get involved in this mess."

"Mom and Dad, Jing'an did it for me and the child..." Wei Jialing cried as she explained on behalf of her husband.

The mother-in-law sighed helplessly.

"Dad, when do you want us to evacuate? Can we leave earlier?" Li Jing'an turned to ask his father-in-law on the bed.

Old Wei shook his head in despair.

"Why don't you two move to our factory's guesthouse?" Li Jing'an suddenly suggested. "It's secluded there, and the students won't be able to find you. It's much better than staying here."

The mother-in-law and Wei Jialing's eyes lit up, and they looked at Lao Wei with anticipation.

Old Wei sighed, "It's no use. We've already been notified that we'll continue the criticism and struggle sessions tomorrow, recounting our crimes and confessing... There's no escaping it; we can only grit our teeth and go for it."

"Dad, you're already like this, how can they still..." Wei Jialing sobbed uncontrollably.

"It's alright, don't cry," Old Wei murmured to himself, as if comforting his wife and daughter, or perhaps encouraging himself. "I'm not so easily defeated."

However, Li Jing'an, standing to the side, had a different plan in mind: "Oh, this old man is quite stubborn, and his words are quite firm. Alright, alright, looks like I'll have to add some more spice to his act tomorrow."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Hey, Da Mao... Team Leader Xu!"

When Yan Bugui saw Xu Damao enter, he instinctively wanted to call out "Damao," but seeing the other man's displeasure, he quickly changed his address and cautiously probed, "Didn't you just get married? You're a cadre now, surely your happy occasion wouldn't be so shabby?"

"I'm not going to hold the banquet in the courtyard. We're destroying the Four Olds now, and holding a banquet is considered one of the Four Olds."

"Even if we don't hold a banquet, giving out some sweets will let everyone share in the joy, won't it?"

"Hey Yan Laoxi, you've got a lot of trouble to do. Just stay out of the way."

"Hmm, Da Mao, why do you say that? I'm practically the third oldest man in our compound, aren't I?"

Xu Damao sneered, "By the way, your title 'Third Uncle' is also considered old-fashioned; you're not allowed to call me that anymore!"

After saying that, he walked past Yan Bugui and headed straight for the backyard.

He parked the car in front of the house and suddenly heard laughter coming from inside the deaf old lady's house from Sha Zhu and Lou Xiao'e. Xu Damao paused, peeked through the window, and saw them busily making dumplings. He was instantly consumed by jealousy, gritting his teeth in anger. He glared hatefully at the window and muttered, "Laugh away, you'll be crying your eyes out in a minute!"

He turned around and headed straight for Liu Haizhong's house.

At this moment, Liu Haizhong was sitting at the table eating sunflower seeds and snacks, while his sons Liu Guangfu and Liu Guangtian stood respectfully on either side to serve him.

"Captain Liu, haven't you eaten yet?" Xu Damao pushed open the door and entered.

"Hey, Team Leader Xu." Liu Haizhong quickly stood up.

"We've been neighbors for so many years, and you're still my elder, so please just call me Da Mao."

"Of course, now that I've taken on a leadership position, I can't be casual about it."

"You, Captain Liu, never forget your responsibilities. Director Li made the right choice in promoting you," Xu Damao quickly flattered.

The compliments made Liu Hai's heart flutter with joy: "So, what does Team Leader Xu want with me?"

"It's like this," Xu Damao said in a low voice, "I've realized we've been so focused on the factory and its surroundings that we've neglected our own backyard. You're the head of the street's propaganda team now, but our backyard is still 'in the dark'! With so many people of mixed backgrounds in the backyard who haven't been dealt with, how can we set an example for others? How can we carry out our work?"

"Right, right! Team Leader Xu reminded me!" Liu Haizhong suddenly realized, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes. "How could I forget that! We'll hold a hospital-wide meeting tonight! That old Yan, he dared to call me 'second-in-command' a few days ago, today we'll teach him a lesson!"

He immediately instructed his sons to notify each household to hold a meeting after the meal.

After Xu Damao took his leave, he passed by the deaf old lady's house again. Hearing the laughter and cheerful voices inside, the resentment in his eyes almost overflowed.

When he got home, Qin Jingru saw him enter and quickly greeted him, "You're back? Come and eat."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

As night fell, the general meeting of the entire college was convened as scheduled. Tables and chairs were set up, and everyone gathered, waiting for the two "leaders".

Liu Haizhong and Xu Damao strolled leisurely from the backyard. Liu Haizhong spotted Yan Bugui sitting in a chair and immediately glared at him, shouting, "Old Yan! What are you doing? Get down! Find somewhere to squat!"

Yan Bugui looked bewildered: "Weren't we in a meeting? I was waiting for the two of you..."

"It's a meeting, but do you even deserve to sit in a chair?" Liu Haizhong announced sternly. "From today onwards, there are no more 'Grandpa One,' 'Grandpa Two,' or 'Grandpa Three' in the compound! Those are all outdated and must be abolished! From now on, Team Leader Xu and I will jointly lead the compound!"

"Captain Liu, I'm just observing." Xu Damao quickly waved his hand, trying to distance himself from the situation. "I work for the factory, unlike you. You're the one in charge of this compound."

Liu Haizhong nodded in satisfaction and turned to the crowd: "I've just been appointed as the captain of the street's propaganda team. My primary tasks are to clear up historical issues, classify social classes, and explain policies! Our courtyard has always been an advanced courtyard house, so we must identify exemplary cases!"

His gaze was like a knife, fixed on Yan Bugui in the crowd: "Yan Bugui! Explain your issues in writing tomorrow!"

"What's wrong with me?" Yan Bugui stood up, trembling.

"You were a teacher before liberation and received a salary from the Kuomintang. Isn't that a political stain? And what about your lifestyle of taking advantage of others? Are you being wronged?" Liu Haizhong pressed aggressively.

Then, he pointed to Lou Xiao'e under the veranda: "Lou Xiao'e, you too! Confess about your capitalist class!"

"I've never exploited anyone!" Lou Xiao'e stood up and retorted.

"You didn't exploit people, your parents did! Wasn't everything you ate and drank as a child obtained through exploitation?" Liu Haizhong demanded sharply. "Write clearly how your parents exploited people! Write clearly how you severed ties with them!"

Lou Xiao'e wanted to argue, but Sha Zhu quietly tugged at her sleeve, so she had no choice but to shut up unwillingly.

Liu Haizhong surveyed the surroundings. "Our department needs to investigate further! Everyone must keep their eyes peeled and report anyone with a criminal record immediately. We cannot let a single bad person get away with it!"

"Lou Xiao'e and Yan Bugui, starting tomorrow, you will be responsible for cleaning from the courtyard gate to the alley entrance! The purpose is not just sweeping, but to cleanse your minds of impurities through labor!"

"Second Uncle, I don't like what you're saying!" Sha Zhu stood up, blocking Lou Xiao'e's way. "Teacher Yan's habit of taking small advantages is an old one, but when has Lou Xiao'e ever exploited anyone? She's been married into the family for so many years and hasn't even said a harsh word to anyone. Making a woman sweep the alley entrance, are you punishing her or mistreating her?"

"He Yuzhu! What do you mean?" Liu Haizhong's face instantly darkened, and he slammed his hand on the table. "Are you the leader of the Workers' Propaganda Team or am I? Who gives you the right to tell me what to do when I'm implementing policies?"

"I just can't stand your abuse of power!" Sha Zhu retorted, his voice even louder than Liu Haizhong's. "You just became the team leader and you're already targeting the honest folks in the compound. Isn't that just trying to establish your authority? But the way you're doing it is so despicable! What kind of skill is it to bully a woman?"

"Outrageous!" Liu Haizhong roared, trembling with rage, pointing at Sha Zhu's nose. "He Yuzhu, you openly defied the Workers' Propaganda Team in carrying out their duties! Your actions are even worse than theirs! Since you like sticking up for others so much, then join them in the sweeping! If you have the guts, then don't sweep! I want to see just how tough you really are!"

"What right do you have—" Sha Zhu clenched his fists and was about to rush forward, but a pair of rough hands grabbed his arm tightly.

"Zhu Zi! Stop talking!" Yi Zhonghai squeezed next to him at some point, lowering his voice and saying urgently, "Are you crazy? He has power now. If you really go against him, tomorrow won't be as simple as just sweeping the floor! Do you want Lou Xiao'e to suffer with you?"

Xu Damao watched Sha Zhu from the side, feeling a little regretful. Why didn't he rush over and give Liu Hai a couple of punches?