I Have a Lake as I Walk Through the Courtyard

Sha Zhu, who was eating at home, didn't see his sister and Yu Haitang, but instead saw two staff members from the neighborhood committee. After being called to the neighborhood committee office, he saw his sister sitting on a stool in the office, crying.

"Girl, what's wrong with you!"

"It's all because of you!" Yu Haitang didn't have a good impression of this guy. She quickly recounted what had happened that day. Sha Zhu was stunned when he heard the story, his face showing an expression of disbelief.

In another room, Director Wang berated Yi Zhonghai mercilessly. "What's wrong with you lately? One thing after another, how can you face the trust and reliance the leadership has placed in you?"

When his scheme was exposed, Yi Zhonghai immediately tried to deny it without thinking. "Director Wang! I did this for his own good. He doesn't have parents around, and I was afraid he'd be deceived! That's why..."

"Do you even believe what you're saying? Do you think I'm stupid?! Once this gets out, no one can stop you! A morally corrupt person like you wants to stay in an important position at the steel rolling mill? You're dreaming! You'd better think about how to explain this to Director Yang!"

Hearing Yi Zhonghai say that, Director Wang was furious. He had been working so hard to clean up Yi's mess, and this guy did it! The more Director Wang thought about it, the angrier he became. "Think it over carefully before you speak!" he said, then slammed the door and left the office.

Director Wang stormed into the reception room and called a staff member to fetch Factory Director Yang. Although they had a good relationship, Yi Zhonghai's attitude made it pointless for her to do anything for him.

"You're a grown man, say something! How can you let your sister bear such a big thing all by herself?"

Yu Haitang sat between the two siblings, one silent and the other crying, feeling extremely annoyed.

Sha Zhu rubbed his face with both hands. "I don't know either, my mind is in such turmoil! How could he do this? Were all the good things he did for me before just a lie?"

In another room, after hearing what had happened, Factory Director Yang was also incredulous. "Old Yi! What are you, an eighth-grade worker, doing this kind of thing for? You have plenty to eat and drink. Isn't this just a thankless task?"

"Director Yang, it's not that I don't want Zhuzi to get married; I've introduced her to quite a few potential partners. I'm only doing this because I'm afraid she'll be scammed!"

Factory Director Yang looked at him impatiently. "There's no need for these words! If this matter really escalates, it will definitely be recorded in your file. Your rank won't be lowered, but you can forget about staying in Workshop One!"

Yi Zhonghai then realized the seriousness of the situation. "Factory Director, I just want to find a daughter-in-law I approve of. I really never intended for Zhuzi not to get married. You know I don't have any children. I truly treat him like my own son!"

Factory Director Yang and Director Wang were both bewildered by Yi Zhonghai's words. Could there be a father in this world who treated his son like this? But upon closer reflection, it seemed to make sense.

"No matter what, you definitely did something wrong, and you got caught red-handed! Now, don't even talk about treating them like a son; you're lucky if they don't treat you like an enemy! How do you plan to handle this?"

Yi Zhonghai lowered his head, his face streaked with tears. "I'll do whatever the leader says, as long as it satisfies Zhu Zi, I'll do anything!"

"That's more like it! That's more like an attitude of admitting fault!" Factory Director Yang stroked his chin. "You and Zhu Zi are both my right-hand men. You'll foot the bill, and I'll act as your mediator!"

"I'm willing, thank you, Director Yang!"

Factory Director Yang and Director Wang left the room. "Director Wang," Yang said, "I think we should just let this matter drop. Getting this around is really bad for unity!"

Director Wang nodded. "I hope Sha Zhu can understand. I don't want this to escalate! I'll try to keep Zhao the matchmaker quiet, but you can handle He Yuzhu's situation!"

When the two entered He Yuzhu's office, Yu Haitang was frantically pawing at him. "You big guy, you're driving me crazy! Give me an answer!"

Sha Zhu was at his wits' end by Yu Haitang. The more he shook his head, the more confused he became. Just when he was at his wit's end, the office door opened and Sha Zhu saw Factory Director Yang as if he had seen a savior.

"Director Yang, what brings you here?"

Factory Director Yang glanced at Sha Zhu, his eyes filled with sympathy. "Isn't this all because of you? How do you plan to handle this?"

"I don't know!" Sha Zhu, who never holds back his words, was suddenly stumped by the question.

Factory Director Yang pondered for a moment. "You two have been through so much together over the years. Although you're not related by blood, you're closer than family. He admitted his mistake, but his only motivation was to find a daughter-in-law he approved of! Old Yi truly treats you like his own son!"

"You can't just spread rumors like that! That's so irresponsible of Sha Zhu's life."

Factory Director Yang looked at the girl and suddenly smiled. "You're right! But the victim now is He Yuzhu. How should we handle this? We need to hear his opinion!"

Sha Zhu sighed. "I was furious when I first heard about this, but now I don't seem so angry anymore. He has indeed helped me a lot over the years, I think..."

"Wait!" Yu Shui suddenly looked up. "Did Yi Zhonghai say why he insisted on finding my brother a daughter-in-law he approved of?"

Factory Director Yang gave He Yushui an approving look. "Yi Zhonghai has no children; he treats your brother like a son. He's acting this way towards your brother because he wants someone to rely on in his old age!"

The two girls exchanged a glance, and Yu Haitang slammed her hand on the table in anger. "He's trying to control Sha Zhu's life! What gives him the right? Just because he treats Sha Zhu like his son? This is outrageous!"

Sha Zhu finally realized what was happening. "Actually, I respect that old man a lot, and he's given me a lot of help and care over the years. Even if he didn't say it, I would take care of him in his old age. But he doesn't need to do this..."

"That's what happens when you're too involved to see clearly! People often get caught up in the ups and downs because it's so important to them! His method was wrong, but his motives weren't so bad. My suggestion is to make a small matter into a big one, and a small matter into nothing, and have him compensate you 200 yuan. What do you think?"

"I don't want the money! I wouldn't be where I am today without him. I just hope he won't do this again!"

Hearing this, Factory Director Yang breathed a sigh of relief, not expecting Yu Haitang to be even more furious. "You're just going to let him off like that? 200 yuan! Even if you don't want it, you could give it to Yushui. Don't you know what Yushui eats at school every day?"

Sha Zhu looked up at his younger sister. "I've neglected you before, but I promise you I'll increase your allowance every month! I'll give you an extra 5 yuan every month until you graduate."

Factory Director Yang stood up, in high spirits, and patted Sha Zhu on the shoulder. "I knew I hadn't misjudged you. You may be a bit of a gossip, but you're not a bad person at heart. Raising your sister all by yourself and getting her into vocational school—there aren't many people in this alley who could do that! You and Yi Zhonghai are like father and son, so don't argue about the 200 yuan. Consider it an explanation to everyone around here! Mistakes always need to be punished!"

Sha Zhu hesitated for a moment after hearing this, but finally nodded.