Chapter 398: Abdication for the Worthy

When the shy morning light seeped into the Siheyuan, Yi Zhonghai had already been standing by the sink in the Central Courtyard for a long time.

He held in his hand that old water kettle that had been used for over a decade, yet he forgot to water the flower pots.

The kettle tilted, and droplets fell one by one onto the bluestone slab, spreading a dark wet stain.

His gaze was hollow as he stared at the few Chrysanthemum Stamps in the corner.

The flowers had mostly withered, the remaining petals curled, trembling in the morning breeze.

Just like him.

Old, faded, it's time to step aside.

Xu Damao's words from last night still buzzed in his ears.

Like a swarm of flies that won't be shooed away.

"If you support me becoming First Elder, I'll pretend I don't know about these matters."

Those matters…

Yi Zhonghai closed his eyes.

Images from before the liberation floated in his mind.

The scent of cosmetics in the Eight Great Alley mingled with the smell of cheap tobacco; women in qipao leaned against the doors, their eyes like hooks.

He was young then; once he earned money, he would run there.

He thought it was a man's pleasure.

Only after marrying a wife did he realize he couldn't continue.

He saw countless doctors and drank countless bitter decoctions, all to no avail.

His wife cried, caused a scene, and eventually accepted her fate, dying in sorrow.

It is the deepest scar in his heart.

For decades he kept it tightly sealed, and no one spoke of it.

Now, Xu Damao's knife has forcibly pried it open.

And the matter with He Daqing…

Yi Zhonghai opened his eyes, his hand trembling slightly.

The kettle clanged onto the floor, spilling water everywhere.

The roar of machines in the Steel Rolling Mill Workshop sounded especially harsh today.

Yi Zhonghai stood at his workstation, the wrench in his hand unmoving for a long while.

Apprentice Xiao Zhao came over.

"Master, are you all right? Your complexion looks off,"

"…I'm fine," Yi Zhonghai recovered, "I didn't sleep well last night."

He forced himself to concentrate, tightening the screw before him.

But his mind remained chaotic.

He Daqing's simple, honest face, Deaf Old Lady's stooped silhouette, Xu Damao's smug smile…

Flashed intermittently.

"Master," Xiao Zhao lowered his voice, "I heard Xu Damao has been digging into some files lately, all secretive. Is he up to something again?"

Yi Zhonghai felt a tightening in his heart.

"…I don't know."

"You should stay vigilant," Xiao Zhao said, "That kid is now a model worker, his tail held high. A couple of days ago the Logistics Department broadcast that they would rectify the atmosphere; I think he's the first to target us old workers for a crackdown."

Yi Zhonghai gave no reply.

He only gripped the wrench tighter.

His knuckles turned white.

At dusk after work, Yi Zhonghai trudged back to the Siheyuan, exhausted.

The setting sun stretched his shadow long, like a bent cane.

At Hu Tong Kou, Xu Damao was talking with a few neighbors.

His voice was loud enough to be heard from far away.

"…so you see, a person must keep up with the times. Outdated ideas are unacceptable, and old habits even more so,"

Seeing Yi Zhonghai, Xu Damao's eyes lit up.

"First Elder, off work?"

The tone was overly familiar.

Yi Zhonghai nodded, not stopping his stride.

Xu Damao caught up, walking side by side with him.

"First Elder, what do you think about the matter we discussed last night?"

His voice lowered, yet each word was clear.

Yi Zhonghai's steps faltered briefly.

"…At the evening grand meeting, I will speak."

"Ah, that's good!" Xu Damao beamed, "Rest assured, as long as you promote me, I will manage the courtyard perfectly. Those old, petty matters, I won't utter a single word about them outwardly."

Yi Zhonghai gave him a glance.

That gaze was deep and heavy.

It made Xu Damao feel a shiver in his heart.

"Damao," Yi Zhonghai began slowly, "I can promote you. But you must promise me one thing."

"You speak!"

"My affairs cannot be made public." Yi Zhonghai said word for word, "At the meeting I will say you are young and capable, actively progressing. As for whether you can attain the position, I cannot guarantee."

Xu Damao was momentarily stunned.

"It's not… First Elder, you have to push me with all your force. Otherwise those people in the courtyard…"

"I can only go this far." Yi Zhonghai cut him off, "If you think that's not enough, then forget it."

Having said that, he pushed the cart forward.

Xu Damao stood in place, his complexion shifting repeatedly.

Finally he gritted his teeth and chased after.

"Done! First Elder, we'll do as you said!"

Night fell, and the Siheyuan arranged its formation.

It was still that Eight Immortals Table, still three chairs.

But tonight's atmosphere was more subtle than usual.

Three First Elders sat behind the table.

Yi Zhonghai sat in the center, Liu Haizhong on the left, Yan Bu Gui on the right.

The courtyard was densely packed with people.

Li Ping'an's family sat toward the back, Lin Xueqing watching her husband uneasily.

"Ping'an, what's happening tonight?"

"Changing the First Elder." Li Ping'an whispered.

Lin Xueqing was momentarily stunned.

"Change to whom?"

"Watch."

In the courtyard, Yi Zhonghai slowly stood up.

He cleared his throat.

His voice was a bit hoarse, yet still resonant.

"Neighbors and fellow villagers, we have gathered today to announce something."

Everyone perked up their ears.

Liu Haizhong straightened his back, expecting some major announcement.

Yan Bu Gui adjusted his glasses, his pupils darting.

"I, Yi Zhonghai, am fifty‑eight this year." Yi Zhonghai's voice drifted in the night wind, "I'm getting old, my energy limited. Over the years you have all esteemed me and elected me as this First Elder. But after much thought, I feel I should step down and make way for the worthy."

Wow—

The courtyard erupted in a clamor.

"What? The First Elder wants to retire?"

"This… what's happening?"

"We never heard of it!"

Liu Haizhong sprang to his feet.

"Old Yi, what are you saying! Our courtyard's First Elder is doing fine, why retire?"

Yan Bu Gui quickly added, "Indeed, Old Yi, you are virtuous and respected; the courtyard cannot do without you."

Yi Zhonghai waved his hand.

"Thank you, both brothers. But my mind is made."

He paused, his gaze sweeping the room.

"As for my successor, I recommend Comrade Xu Damao."

Now, even the chatter ceased.

A dead silence fell.

Everyone was stunned.

Xu Damao?

The limping, opportunistic Xu Damao, who recently caused a city‑wide stir over his lifestyle issues?

Sha Zhu was the first to laugh out loud.

"First Elder, aren't you feverish? Recommending Xu Damao? Is he fit?"

Xu Damao, who had already stood to receive applause, darkened at those words.

"Sha Zhu! What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean!" Sha Zhu stood, "Someone like you still wants to be First Elder? You can't even take a pee to look at yourself!"

"You!" Xu Damao trembled with anger.

Yi Zhonghai raised his hand.

"Zhuzi, say a few fewer words."

He looked at the crowd.

"I recommend Xu Damao for my reasons. First, Comrade Damao is young and energetic. Second, he is now a model of security at the factory, with progressive thoughts. Third…"

He paused.

"Our courtyard needs fresh blood; the old ways must change."

The words sounded very official.

But everyone could tell it wasn't sincere.

Liu Haizhong's face was grim.

Yan Bu Gui's brows were tightly knotted.

Li Ping'an watched silently, his mind clear as a mirror.

Xu Damao surely had something on Yi Zhonghai.

Otherwise, given Yi Zhonghai's temperament, he would never have yielded so easily, let alone recommended Xu Damao.

"I oppose!" Liu Haizhong said loudly, "Everyone can see Xu Damao's character. Making him First Elder, I won't accept it!"

"I won't accept it either!" Sha Zhu shouted along.

"Me too!"

"Me too!"

A chorus of opposition rose in the courtyard.

Xu Damao's face turned green.

He looked at Yi Zhonghai, his eyes pleading.

Yi Zhonghai sighed.

"Let's do this: everyone raise hands to vote. Those who agree to Xu Damao as First Elder, raise your hand."

He was the first to raise his hand.

But in the courtyard, only a scattered seven or eight people raised their hands.

Most were those close to Xu Damao, or those he had promised favors to.

"Those who disagree, raise your hand."

Clamor—

A sea of arms rose.

Like a forest.

Xu Damao's face went from green to black.

Yi Zhonghai lowered his hand.

"It seems there are still differing opinions."

He looked at Xu Damao, his eyes complex.

"Damao, you also saw. I recommended you, but everyone doesn't accept. This matter… I've done my best."

Xu Damao stared at him fixedly.

His lips trembled, wanting to say something, but he didn't say it out.

He knew Yi Zhonghai had set him up.

On the surface he pushed him, but secretly he made everyone oppose him.

Good move.

Really good move.

"Let's disperse." Yi Zhonghai wearily waved his hand.

The crowd dispersed one after another.

Discussion voices rose and fell.

"What kind of show is the First Elder putting on?"

"Who knows, anyway Xu Damao wants to be First Elder, no way."

"I think the First Elder was also forced, you didn't see his face..."

Xu Damao stood where he was, watching Yi Zhonghai's back as he tidied up.

His eyes were venomous like a poison snake.

Yi Zhonghai, you're playing me.

We'll see.

In the West Wing, Li Ping'an closed the door.

Lin Xueqing was still puzzled.

"Ping'an, today the First Elder..."

"He's been caught by Xu Damao." Li Ping'an poured a cup of water, "But Old Yi isn't a pushover, he played a double game."

"Will Xu Damao let it go?"

"No." Li Ping'an took a sip, "But in the short term he can't stir up anything. Though Yi Zhonghai has stepped back, his prestige remains. These people in the courtyard won't listen to Xu Damao."

Lin Xueqing breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good. I was afraid Xu Damao would really become First Elder, then the courtyard would be in chaos."

Li Ping'an smiled.

He said nothing.

He knew inside, this matter isn't over.

Someone like Xu Damao, after suffering such a loss, will surely retaliate.

And Yi Zhonghai surely has something shady in his hands.

Otherwise he wouldn't be manipulated by Xu Damao.

This drama still has more to watch.

Outside the window, the night was deep.

In the Central Courtyard, the light in Yi Zhonghai's room was still on.

He sat in his chair, looking at the portrait of the great man on the wall.

He held a cigarette in his hand, but didn't light it.

He just sat like that.

Like a statue.

He knows that from today onward, his decades‑long prestige in the Siheyuan is finally over.

Although he didn't let Xu Damao succeed, he also lost his influence.

From now on, no one will take his words seriously.

He gave a wry smile.

He's old.

Really old.

Even someone like Xu Damao could force him to abdicate publicly.

A cat's meow came from outside the window.

Harsh and lingering.

As if crying.

Yi Zhonghai slowly stood, walked to the bedside, and lay down.

The light was still on.

He kept his eyes open, staring at the ceiling.

Until the sky turned pale.