Chapter 401: Cancel the Liaison Officer

The Siheyuan in the morning light was much quieter than usual.

By the sink the usual clamor was gone, only a few scattered women were washing clothes, rubbing the garments in their hands, muttering under their breath.

"I really never guessed Yi Zhonghai was this kind of person…"

"Over a thousand bucks, that's enough to buy a lot of stuff!"

"He always pretends to be a saint, but behind the scenes does such immoral deeds."

Jia Zhangshi carried out a basin of dirty clothes, and upon hearing the gossip, curled their lip.

"I've long said that old thing isn't a good person! Pretending all his life, now his ruse is exposed, right?"

She set the basin heavily on the sink edge, splashing a spray of water.

"He even bragged about helping our family, I think it's just for show! If he really helped, why didn't he give us a share of that money? My Bang Geng is growing its body now!"

The words were harsh, but no one replied.

Everyone knew Jia Zhangshi's character.

When Yi Zhonghai fell, the Jia family was the most anxious.

They had taken so many advantages openly and covertly over the years; now their backing is gone, how will they get by?

In the Central Courtyard, Yi Zhonghai's household door was tightly shut.

The curtains were drawn tightly, as if to shield the master's shame.

In the rear courtyard at Liu Haizhong's home, the atmosphere was somewhat different.

Liu Haizhong sat beside the Eight Immortals Table in the main hall, holding a tea jar, leisurely blowing the froth.

Er Da Ma was making breakfast in the kitchen.

"Old Liu, you think now… the First Elder's position is truly vacant?" Er Da Ma poked her head out.

"Can it still be a pretense?" Liu Haizhong took a sip of tea, "Yi Zhonghai himself said his virtue doesn't match his rank. This position, even if he refuses, must be given."

"Then who can take it?"

"What do you think?" Liu Haizhong set down the tea jar, puffed out his belly, "In our courtyard, in terms of seniority and ability, besides me Liu Haizhong, who else?"

Er Da Ma's eyes lit up.

"You mean…"

"The Steel Rolling Mill's seventh‑grade forge worker, who has been a Third Elder for many years, is experienced in handling courtyard matters."

Liu Haizhong grew more confident as he spoke, "The most important thing is that I am fair and just, unlike Yi Zhonghai, who is one thing on the surface and another behind it."

He stood up and paced around the room.

"In a moment I'll go find Yan Bu Gui to discuss. He's been a Third Elder all these years with no real achievements. If he backs me for First Elder, I'll promote him to Third Elder."

"What about Xu Damao?" Er Da Ma worried, "That kid is watching."

"Him?" Liu Haizhong scoffed, "A cripple—what has he ever done for the Siheyuan? On what right? Who in the courtyard would obey him?"

Just then, Yan Bu Gui arrived.

Carrying a tea cup in his hand.

The two sat down with mutual understanding.

Xu Damao squatted on his own doorstep, smoking.

The smoke swirled in the morning light, like his current mood.

Chaotic, yet with a twisted sense of pleasure.

Yi Zhonghai was finished.

He publicly confessed, his prestige ruined.

The once lofty First Elder had become the courtyard's joke.

But Xu Damao could not feel happy.

Because Yi Zhonghai had ultimately double‑crossed him.

He wasn't made First Elder; instead Yi Zhonghai made himself look bad.

"Old fool, even at death he still tries to drag me down." Xu Damao slammed the cigarette butt to the ground and crushed it with his foot.

He was unwilling to accept it.

On what grounds should Xu Damao bear this loss?

Yi Zhonghai swallowed Sha Zhu's money, then returned it, offered an apology, and that's it?

The fool Sha Zhu actually forgave him?

And Liu Haizhong, Yan Bu Gui, those two old fools, are surely now scheming how to split the First Elder's position.

What do they consider Xu Damao as?

Air?

Xu Damao stood up, limped back into the house.

Wang Cuihua was stitching clothes, saw his pallor, and whispered, "Damao, what's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" Xu Damao sneered, "These people in the courtyard won't let me be at ease. Then none of you should expect to be at ease!"

He pulled from the drawer the copied stack of remittance slips.

He fetched a few more sheets and began writing.

He wrote how Yi Zhonghai intercepted remittances and embezzled funds.

He wrote how Liu Haizhong occupied a position without contribution and put on a bureaucratic façade.

He wrote how Yan Bu Gui schemed stinginess and took advantage of neighbors.

Finished, he placed the material into an envelope.

"I'll go to the street office."

"Damao!" Wang Cuihua panicked, "Don't cause trouble..."

"Cause trouble?" Xu Damao turned his head, his eyes fierce, "They provoked me first!"

He pushed the door open and went out, limping, but his strides were long.

As if he were going to war.

Director Wang of the Street Office was reviewing documents.

He looked up at the sound of knocking.

Xu Damao stood in the doorway, holding an envelope.

"Director Wang, I have an important matter to report."

Director Wang knew him—a model of security at the Steel Rolling Mill, whose legs were weak but had been quite active lately.

"Come in and speak."

Xu Damao entered and placed the envelope on the table.

"These are the issue documents concerning the three First Elders of our courtyard. Please review them."

Director Wang opened the envelope and took out the documents.

The more he read, the tighter his brows became.

After reading, she set the documents down and looked at Xu Damao.

"Are these circumstances true?"

"Every word is true!" Xu Damao straightened his back, "Yi Zhonghai's withholding of remittances is known throughout the courtyard. Liu Haizhong and Yan Bu Gui's issues are also known to the residents."

Director Wang pondered for a moment.

"You go back first. This matter will be handled by the Street Office."

Xu Damao left, expressing profound gratitude.

When he reached the street, he let out a long sigh.

The pent‑up frustration in his heart finally eased a bit.

You won't let me be a First Elder?

Then I'll overturn the table!

No one will sit!

In the evening, the Siheyuan held another grand meeting.

This time it was convened by Liu Haizhong.

He stood behind the Eight Immortals Table, his back perfectly straight, and cleared his throat.

"Neighbors, as the saying goes, a train cannot run without an engine, and a Siheyuan cannot exist without a First Elder. Today's meeting is mainly to discuss the selection of a First Elder."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping the room.

"Comrade Yi Zhonghai, for personal reasons, voluntarily resigned from the First Elder post. This position cannot remain vacant; someone must step up."

Yan Bu Gui nodded beside him.

"Old Liu is right. The courtyard cannot be without someone to manage affairs."

Liu Haizhong continued: "I, Liu Haizhong, have worked at the Steel Rolling Mill for thirty years, a seventh‑grade forge worker. I have also served as the Second Elder in the courtyard for over a decade, handling all kinds of matters with abundant experience. Most importantly, I am fair and impartial, never showing favoritism."

He began to list his own merits.

From work performance to personal conduct, from neighborhood relations to collective honors.

He spoke with saliva flying, his face flushed and his neck thick.

In the courtyard, some nodded, some sneered, some yawned.

Jia Zhangshi muttered softly, "Another one who wants a post..."

Qin Huairu pulled her back, "Mom, stop it."

Just then, footsteps sounded at the courtyard entrance.

Director Wang of the Street Office entered, accompanied by two officials.

The whole room fell silent instantly.

Liu Haizhong was startled, then quickly went to greet him.

"Director Wang, why are you here?"

Director Wang ignored him and walked straight to the Eight Immortals Table.

He scanned the entire room.

"I heard you are selecting a First Elder?"

"... Yes," Liu Haizhong forced a smile, "Yi Zhonghai resigned, the courtyard needs someone to manage affairs."

"Manage affairs?" Director Wang sneered, "Given your situation, can you even manage affairs?"

She picked up the document in her hand.

"Yi Zhonghai, withholding others' remittances, embezzling funds, moral depravity. Liu Haizhong, occupying a position without doing work, putting on an official façade, not serving the people. Yan Bu Gui, petty and taking advantage of neighbors, causing severe negative impact."

With each accusation, the person named grew a shade paler.

"After research, the Street Office has decided to revoke the qualifications of the three of you as 'Elder Managers'. Starting today, the Siheyuan abolishes the liaison system; for any matters, go directly to the Street Office to report."

Boom—

Like a bomb exploding in the courtyard.

Liu Haizhong was dumbfounded.

Yan Bu Gui's glasses almost fell off.

Yi Zhonghai wasn't present, but he would probably faint upon hearing this.

Director Wang looked around the room.

From now on, everyone in the courtyard must unite and help each other; no forming cliques, no one‑man rule. If there are any disputes, go to the subdistrict office to settle them. Understood?

No one spoke.

"Meeting adjourned!"

Director Wang led the people away.

Leaving a courtyard full of people staring dumbfounded.

Xu Damao stood in the corner, his mouth split up to his ears.

After the meeting, everyone went home.

Liu Haizhong walked back like a frost‑beaten eggplant, listless and dejected.

Yan Bu Gui followed behind him, his steps heavy.

The two schemed all day, only to end up drawing water with a bamboo basket—all for nothing.

They also got a scolding.

Xu Damao, on the other hand, was quite pleased.

Although he ended up gaining nothing, seeing Liu Haizhong and Yan Bu Gui humiliated and Yi Zhonghai completely collapsed made him feel relieved.

You won't let me be the First Elder?

Then nobody should be!

Sha Zhu and Ma Dongmei returned home and shut the door.

"All right now." Ma Dongmei said, "The courtyard is peaceful."

"Peaceful?" Sha Zhu curled his lip, "I doubt it. That brat Xu Damao will surely not stay quiet."

"At least no one is hovering over us telling us what to do." Ma Dongmei took out that stack of cash from the drawer, "This money… let's put it in the bank. Keeping it at home feels unsafe."

"All right." Sha Zhu nodded, "We'll go deposit it tomorrow."

In the west wing, Li Ping'an was checking his son's homework.

Lin Xueqing finished clearing the bowls and chopsticks, then sat down.

"Ping'an, Director Wang's move was really impressive."

"It should have been like this long ago." Li Ping'an didn't look up, "Those elders in the courtyard—how many of them are truly public‑minded? All are self‑serving."

"So what about the courtyard from now on…"

"Just keep things as they should be." Li Ping'an put down his pen, "Life goes on, work continues. Only there are fewer people hovering over us."

Lin Xueqing thought for a moment, then smiled.

"Indeed."

Outside the window, the night grew darker.

In the courtyard, lights in each household lit up one after another.

But tonight's light seemed quieter than usual.

The elders' shouting and lecturing that used to echo in the courtyard will never be heard again.

A new era began silently.

Although no one spoke it aloud, everyone felt it.

This courtyard, from now on, will be different.