Chapter 446: Where Oppression Exists, Resistance Rises

When the sudden sound of a pot being struck rang out, the courtyard residents were instantly shocked.

It had been such a long time since the courtyard had been this noisy—seems like… right, since the reinstatement of the college entrance exam.

Normally the sounds of laundry and scooping furnace ash were faint, and the only commotion was a couple arguing, but people no longer cared about the bustle because Wu Guiwen would immediately assume the authority of the decision‑maker and intervene.

The courtyard grew quiet, the couple became increasingly harmonious, and they were even awarded the titles "Model Security Courtyard" and "Five‑Good Grand Courtyard" by the Street Office.

Hey, it was odd today—someone actually dared to strike a pot in the courtyard; if Wu Guiwen heard it, he'd surely flare up on the spot.

Out of curiosity, people from the front courtyard and the backyard all rushed to the Inner Courtyard to watch the spectacle.

When they saw that it was Lu San'er holding a pot and striking it, everyone stopped finding it strange.

Only Lu San'er wasn't afraid of Wu Guiwen enough to do such a thing.

But letting Lu Cheng keep hitting like that isn't okay either; it disturbs Gui Yun's studies, which means she can't get into university, and without university she can't watch TV.

"Lu San'er, stop hitting it—do you still want to watch TV?"

"Yeah, we know you're anxious, we're anxious too; if we hold out another half‑year until Gui Yun gets into university, then we'll be able to watch TV."

Seeing everyone had come out, Lu Cheng stopped striking the pot: "How do you all know about watching TV? You haven't seen that people in this courtyard are about to die."

But when they looked again, it wasn't the case—Gui Yun was clutching a pair of pants, about to hang herself, while Wu Dama held her daughter's legs and was pulling hard downward.

"Hey, what's going on? Wu Dama, don't pull down, Gui Yun's tongue is being strangled out…"

Wu Dama huffed: "I can't lift her up, help me quickly."

Seeing Gui Yun struggling to breathe, everyone rushed forward and gave her support.

"What's this? Why are you trying to hang yourself?"

"She was fine a couple of days ago—what triggered this?"

Everyone was puzzled, but Wu Dama could only weep, holding her daughter with a painful heart.

Gui Yun also couldn't speak; she had almost been strangled to death.

She didn't know what had come over her today; at first she hadn't intended to hang herself, she only wanted to scare her father, but seeing that he was unmoved, she felt aggrieved and, like being possessed, truly wanted to hang herself.

Lu Cheng deliberately called out the big fellow, gathering everyone's strength so they could pressure Wu Guiwen.

"You don't know, Sister Gui Yun can't bear the pressure any longer; that's why she wants to end it all, to free herself from these oppressive days…"

Wu Guiwen immediately shouted in displeasure: "Don't talk nonsense—what's this oppression? She's my daughter, I'm doing this for her good…"

Without Lu Cheng needing to say more, the courtyard folk, who have long suffered under Teacher Wu, began to criticize him.

"Teacher Wu, this time we stand with Lu San'er; you've indeed been too harsh on Gui Yun."

"Yes, Teacher Wu, I've been watching Gui Yun's mental state deteriorate day by day; if this continues, even a healthy person would develop illness from the strain."

"Getting sick from the pressure is one thing—there's a hospital to treat it. But if she really commits suicide, Teacher Wu, you'll have nowhere to even cry."

"Yes, Teacher Wu, you said your son is working on construction on the Third Front and probably won't return to you; the only one you can rely on now is this daughter. If she really kills herself, you'll face a lonely old age with no one to look after you…"

They said many hands make light work; everyone kept speaking up, leaving Wu Guiwen no chance to reply, and finally he sat down on the bench in anger.

"What do you know? I'm a teacher; how could I not know how to teach my daughter?"

"Then you really taught wrong. Even if they're your students, each class could have a ten‑minute break, right? Yet you keep them locked at home all day, even the time to go to the bathroom they have to run for."

"Teacher Wu, my words are harsh, but you're even more black‑hearted than a capitalist."

"It's true the words are harsh; in these times, calling someone a capitalist is worse than insulting one's own mother."

"Putting on such a label would have gotten you dragged out for struggle sessions just a few years ago."

Wu Guiwen, furious, stood up directly; before he could speak, others blocked him and sent him back.

"Teacher Wu, don't get hot‑headed; I'm just using a metaphor—my words may be coarse but the reasoning isn't. You really need to think, this child is indeed suffering too much."

"Yes, Teacher Wu, today Gui Yun tried to hang herself and the big fellow stopped her; if later she suddenly jumps into a river, that wouldn't be the same situation as today."

Listening to everyone's counsel, Wu Guiwen realized he had been overly harsh; one shouldn't risk a life just to get into university.

In that case, who will support him in old age?

Lu Cheng saw signs that Wu Guiwen wanted to ease up, perhaps just a step away, and said: "Teacher Wu, why not teach as you normally do—regular classes, regular breaks, and on Sundays go out to relax…"

Wu Guiwen let out a deep sigh, said nothing, patted his butt, and went back inside.

This left everyone a bit at loss: "Teacher Wu, is this agreement or not?"

Lu Cheng laughed and said: "You still don't understand Teacher Wu's temperament; not denying means you agree."

Everyone, hearing the logic, happily cheered for Gui Yun.

"Gui Yun, stop sitting on the ground; your dad has agreed, he won't force you to study anymore. Come on, go out with Wang Dama for a walk."

Gui Yun sniffed, about to leave the courtyard, when Lu Cheng urgently pulled her back.

"It's not Wang Dama; she still has to wash my clothes. We'll go out on Sunday instead."

Wang Dama instantly laughed: "I'm saying you're so kind today, giving Gui Yun such a big push."

"Don't say that; labor is also relaxation. Besides, I've also secured TV time for everyone…"

Lu Cheng's reason for doing this is that ever since the big fellow couldn't watch TV and had to stay cooped up at home, he hasn't had a chance to go see Sun Yan Hong for a massage.

The happiest of all is Gui Yun; as long as she isn't studying, she's willing to do the laundry, and she does it with great vigor.

"Lu Cheng, thank you; today really was thanks to you."

"Ah, it's not all my credit; mainly you performed well just now."

Gui Yun stopped washing, remained silent for a moment, then said: "I just saw my dad wasn't worried at all, really wanted to hang herself."

Lu Cheng was startled; she truly had been suppressed to the breaking point.

"You must never think like that—if you can't get into university, just don't apply; a living person can even die from holding in urine, but there'll always be a way out." Gui Yun smiled, continued washing: "Hmm, you're right, I'll just do my best."

"Hey, that's right, keep washing well. In my view, you're the strongest in the courtyard, powerful, and you wash the cleanest!"

"To hell with you."

Chen Xianglan didn't return until evening; Lu Cheng hurried over to the drying line, patting the washed and hung clothes.

Mom, why did you only just get back? I've already finished washing these clothes, and it's worn me out…