Chapter 201: Did the Jia Family kill Long Laotaitai?

Because it's a case.

Both the public security bureau and the street office attach great importance to it.

They rushed to the Siheyuan at great speed.

This also includes the merit of the person who reported.

When the two sons of the Liu family reported to the public security, they spoke with certainty that Yi Zhonghai had killed Long Laotaitai, urging the police to come quickly to arrest him, otherwise Yi Zhonghai would flee.

The two children of Yan Fugui, when they reported to the street office, gave a slightly different account from the Liu brothers: they said Long Laotaitai was beaten by Yi Zhonghai yesterday and died today, and the neighbors suspected that Long Laotaitai's death was related to Yi Zhonghai.

They all mean the same thing.

Yi Zhonghai bears responsibility for Long Laotaitai's death.

He must pay with his life.

This is also why, as soon as the police arrived, they immediately separated two people and subdued Yi Zhonghai.

If Yi Zhonghai really is the murderer...

Arrest him on the spot to prevent Yi Zhonghai from fleeing.

Also, there is the intention to protect the neighbors.

Desperate dogs jump over walls.

The police have seen many culprits unwilling to surrender, clearly already in a desperate situation, yet still attempting a death struggle.

The remaining few police officers were divided into two groups.

One group entered Long Laotaitai's room to investigate the scene, to see whether Long Laotaitai died naturally or, as the neighbors said, was killed by Yi Zhonghai.

The other group stopped the neighbors who wanted to go to work.

As witnesses.

It is impossible to remain uninvolved.

They need to take detailed statements.

According to certain regulations, these neighbors of the Siheyuan are also considered suspects.

The possibility of killing Long Laotaitai and framing Yi Zhonghai for it is not nonexistent.

Before the truth is ascertained.

These people must stay here honestly.

As for the matter of going to work, they entrusted the street office personnel to communicate with the Yagangchang.

They heard that not going to work can also earn money.

The neighbors all laughed.

Paid leave.

What is there to be sad about?

Only Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi showed a faint bitterness.

If Qin Huairu does not go to work, it is equivalent to an extra person consuming the Jia family's rations; previously, Qin Huairu worked at the Yagangchang, and her lunches were always taken care of by those smelly men.

The old saying goes well.

What is saved is what is earned.

Not going to work, Qin Huairu will invisibly consume some food.

Jia Zhangshi's complexion turned extremely ugly.

The police took in every expression on the neighbors' faces.

Observing words and colors.

But it is a required course for every police officer: through observing the suspect's facial expression, to confirm whether the suspect has committed a specific criminal act, is a process every police officer must undergo.

Neighbors with a calm complexion and a look of being able to rest an extra half day are considered reliable by the police; neighbors with an unpleasant complexion are thought to have some connection to Long Laotaitai's death, otherwise why would they show such an ugly expression upon hearing they cannot go out—this is the manifestation of a guilty conscience.

Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu also did not know about this matter.

Otherwise, the two widows, big and small, would surely complain again.

……

Under the police's demand, the neighbors each returned home, each sought their mother, and sat indoors waiting for the police to come and question them.

The first to be questioned.

It was Shazhu.

Looking at the police before him.

Shazhu genuinely felt a sense of closeness.

In his previous life.

His brother-in-law.

That is, the husband of He Yushui.

He was a police officer.

It was Shazhu who implicated He Yushui; if it weren't for Shazhu helping Bangeng take the blame for the chicken thief, He Yushui would not have delayed marrying her policeman boyfriend by a year.

What was his name again?

Liu Jianguo.

"Wife, pour some tea."

Shazhu greeted Yu Li.

Brew tea for the police comrade.

The police comrade declined Shazhu's kindness.

Do not take even a thread or a needle from the masses.

This is the rule.

It's my duty.

Thanks, but I don't need the tea, and I won't take long.

No problem, this isn't a breach of discipline—it's about military-civilian camaraderie. Early this morning, have a sip of hot water to warm yourself.

The police officer twice declined Shazhu's goodwill, then asked, "Who is this?"

My wife is Yu Li; I'm He Yuzhu, the canteen team leader at the second canteen of the steel rolling plant. Here's my work ID.

Shazhu took out his work ID from his pocket.

He handed it to the police officer.

This is proof of his identity.

The steel rolling plant.

A large factory employing tens of thousands.

In such a huge factory, being a canteen team leader is also a sign of capability.

A flash of admiration crossed the police officer's face.

Comrade He Yuzhu, we received a report that the deaf old lady—the deceased in the rear courtyard—had an argument yesterday with your courtyard's head steward, Yi Zhonghai, who then beat her severely; she died this morning, and some say her death is connected to Yi Zhonghai.

Also the term that might be a typo for the word meaning 'to file a report' is not a name.

Shazhu steadied his nerves.

Following the prepared story, he began to recount everything in detail.

He spoke without embellishment.

He used simple, plain words to honestly recount everything that had happened.

He said this in front of the police officer.

Playing tricks.

Indeed, it's not a wise thing to do.

Shazhu wouldn't do something that would only make himself unhappy.

Just say what you have to say.

He said the deaf old lady had torn into Yi Zhonghai, but then an aunt suddenly revealed that her own child had been schemed away by the deaf old lady, which enraged Yi Zhonghai, causing him to lash out and beat the courtyard's elders badly. He recounted all that, and added further details about how the deaf old lady had countered Yi Zhonghai's claims—such as the claim that the locust flower was his bloodline.

Also 'he' refers to Shazhu? Probably Shazhu speaking.

You know the deaf old lady was beaten—why wasn't she taken to the hospital afterward?

In the police officer's eyes.

A flash of sharpness appeared in his gaze.

Other courtyards.

The police officer has also been there.

For any big or small matter, the neighbors all pitch in; if they face a life‑threatening crisis, some look for people, some send them to the hospital, and some raise money.

Such a cold‑blooded courtyard as the Red Star Courtyard.

It was the first time he had encountered such a thing.

The courtyard's elders were badly beaten by Yi Zhonghai, yet afterward nobody sent them to the hospital; they were left to fend for themselves indoors until they died.

They seriously doubted the elders' death.

This is a fact those neighbors are happy to see.

In that case.

Everyone in the courtyard is under suspicion.

Why not let them go to work?

This is the starting point.

Suspicion.

Comrade, let me explain: our family has always been on bad terms with the deaf old lady's family; we basically avoid each other and hardly speak when we meet. As for sending her to the hospital, you mentioned—I can't do that. In the courtyard, aside from the deaf old lady, the Yi family, and the Jia family, we help any other family that runs into trouble—but not those three. I don't want to spend money helping them only to be gossiped about; I'm human, not a saint.

Facing questioning.

Shazhu's logic is very clear.

Yesterday two street officials were at the scene; before leaving, they assigned our courtyard's three head stewards—Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Fugui—to handle the matter. I don't understand why they didn't send the deaf old lady to the hospital but instead helped her back to the rear courtyard.

Also the term meaning 'street' appears; we have its pinyin Jiēdào in the glossary.

The police officer's expression.

His expression had eased somewhat.

Shazhu's explanation.

It leaves nothing to fault.

It makes sense that others put the head stewards in charge while Shazhu stayed out of it.

You're saying Yi Zhonghai never intended to beat the deaf old lady, but only flew into a rage and struck her after listening to his wife—the aunt you mentioned?

Comrade, I can't answer that—I'm not sure whether Yi Zhonghai intended to beat the deaf old lady. But as for what you mentioned later—that Yi Zhonghai, after hearing the aunt's words, violently beat the courtyard's elders—I can assure you this is true; ask anyone in the courtyard and they'll say the same.

Shazhu's heart.

Divided attention.

While answering the police officer's questions, he was also pondering the meaning behind the officer's words.

Yi Zhonghai only flew into a rage and beat the courtyard's elders after listening to his wife.

Could the police officer be suspecting the aunt?

Think carefully.

The aunt who was at the scene yesterday really seems a bit suspicious; she suddenly interjected, clearly doing so on purpose.

She revealed the fact that the child was gone.

It is also deliberately provoking Yi Zhonghai.

But how should we interpret Long Laotaitai's words?

Long Laotaitai spoke emphatically, saying that the eldest madam's words were just giving Yi Zhonghai an opportunity to strike her, and also calling the eldest madam Yi Zhonghai's chief strategist. The couple had done many things that were sorry to the Siheyuan neighbors, and all these matters were ideas suggested by the eldest madam, carried out by Yi Zhonghai.

"Do you know the Jia Family across the way?"

"I know, we don't associate." Shazhu took a sip of tea, "Go inquire, inquire about Jia Zhangshi, a pure troublemaker, a few years ago I went out to support, my wife was at home, Jia Zhangshi, because of a grudge against my family, fabricated lies, saying I died, even framed me, scolded my wife as a jinx, said staying in the Siheyuan would implicate their Jia Family badly, together with Yi Zhonghai they wanted to drive my wife away, fortunately it didn't succeed, their family's affairs I really don't know much, what I know I've all said, Qin Huairu has a bad reputation at Yagangchang, nickname Qiao Gua Fu."

"Do they have a grudge against Long Laotaitai?"

Shazhu thought for a moment.

He began to speak very earnestly.

「Depending on our two families' relationship, I really want to say a lot of bad things about the Jia Family, but I'm human, I have my bottom line as a person; whether the Jia Family and Long Laotaitai actually have a grudge, I'm not entirely sure, and I also don't really know what the standard for this grudge is, but I know their relationship isn't good。」

They took a breath.

They said earnestly.

「Yi Zhonghai and his wife took care of Long Laotaitai; Long Laotaitai had a habit of being greedy and wanting tasty food. She could manage a few years ago, but not these days. Long Laotaitai kept shouting every day that she wanted to eat meat. The Jia Family recently became sworn siblings with the Yi Family, and the Jia Family's several children call Yi Zhonghai 'dry grandfather' (godfather). The two families live together. I haven't seen it, but I heard that Long Laotaitai and Jia Zhangshi fought over meat, because Long Laotaitai couldn't outmatch Jia Zhangshi, leading to several unpleasant incidents。」

「We've understood this much; I'm going to the next house。」

The public security left.

They watched his receding back.

Shazhu's mind suddenly felt insufficient.

He is not an idiot.

In the courtyard, there are over twenty households and over a hundred people; why did the public security single out Er Da Ma, Jia Zhangshi, and Qin Huairu for questioning, while leaving others unasked?

Long Laotaitai could have a grudge against everyone in the courtyard.

Everyone hopes Long Laotaitai will die.

First, Er Da Ma was suspected; later, Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu were suspected.

Long Laotaitai's death.

It was shrouded in a shadow for no reason.

「Head of the household, did the public security just mean that Er Da Ma or the Jia Family killed Long Laotaitai？」

「Not really clear; as long as it has nothing to do with us, that's fine。」

Shazhu comforting Yu Li.

In his mind, he involuntarily recalled how Long Laotaitai, in her previous life, had matched him with Lou Xiaoe; taking on the identity of the Dayuan ancestors, he had himself help cook, in order to treat Lou Xiaoe to a meal, and when the time was right, he simply locked the door.

Under dry tinder and fierce fire.

Then there was He Xia.

A silly girl!

……

Hou Yuan.

Liu Haizhong's home.

Looking at the solemn public security comrade before him.

The official-obsessed mind suddenly went blank.

They didn't know what to say.

Could only force a stiff smile on their face.

「Comrade, hello, I'm Liu Haizhong, I'm the Second Steward of the Siheyuan; if you have anything you want to know, I'll definitely tell you。」

「According to our investigation, we learned this: yesterday Yi Zhonghai hit Long Laotaitai; afterwards, the two Jiēdào comrades entrusted this matter to you three stewards, and despite knowing that Long Laotaitai had been hit by Yi Zhonghai, you didn't send her to the hospital but instead took her indoors—why？」

Liu Haizhong's mouth was dry.

They were at a loss for words.

At the moment Er Da Ma shouted that Long Laotaitai had died and vanished.

The official-obsessed person then realized they seemed to have made a mistake.

They failed to send Long Laotaitai to the hospital in time.

If they had sent her to the hospital.

Maybe then none of this would have happened.

Became like ants on a hot pan.

Burned out and declined.

Based on his failure to send Long Laotaitai to the hospital, her death also counts as his responsibility.

They swallowed dryly.

Now it's just a matter of whether Long Laotaitai's death was normal or abnormal.

Normal death.

It means Long Laotaitai died from the injuries caused by Yi Zhonghai's beating.

Liu Haizhong bears the responsibility for not sending Long Laotaitai to the hospital.

He barely managed.

Counts as dereliction of duty.

At worst, I'll just give up the steward's position.

This isn't the situation Liu Haizhong wanted; in the Yagangchang factory he's just an ordinary worker, placing his dream of becoming an official on the position of steward in the Siheyuan, using the Dayuan meetings to indulge his official addiction.

Not even the steward position can be kept.

What future does Liu Haizhong have left?

Liu Haizhong, full of contradictions, can only hope that Long Laotaitai's death was abnormal.

That's what the neighbors said—that Yi Zhonghai, taking advantage of the night, sneaked into Long Laotaitai's house and killed her.

As long as we have solid evidence that Yi Zhonghai killed Long Laotaitai.

Liu Haizhong's responsibility would naturally disappear.

The person was killed by Yi Zhonghai; what does it have to do with me, Liu Haizhong?

At worst, he could still hold onto his dream of being Head Steward.

Deep inside, he forcibly calmed his emotions.

He said to the public security officer: "Comrade, listen to my explanation; this is what happened. At the time, the Jiēdào assigned the three of us to specifically take care of Long Laotaitai. Yan Fugui ran off, and Yi Zhonghai didn't care either. I saw that no one was attending to Long Laotaitai, and I had no other option, so I asked Long Laotaitai whether she wanted to go to the hospital. Long Laotaitai said no, I believed her words, thinking she was fine, and I called my two children to take Long Laotaitai home."