Chapter 73

As soon as Yi Dama finished speaking, the Deaf Old Lady's expression changed drastically, and she was extremely nervous in her heart.

The Deaf Old Lady had now been stripped of her status as a Five-Guarantee Household, and He Yuzhu no longer cared for her, so she could only rely on Yi Zhonghai. If Yi Zhonghai adopted a child, his focus would definitely be on the child, and he naturally wouldn't care for her anymore. How could the Deaf Old Lady not be nervous?

"Sigh, wife, I've said it so many times, this kind of thing doesn't work. You know about Old Sun Tou in the courtyard next to ours in the hutong. He adopted an orphan and raised him with great difficulty, hoping the child would take over his job and be filial to him."

"As a result, that ungrateful wolf took over Old Sun Tou's job, became a formal worker, and then ignored Old Sun Tou, even kicking him out of the house and starving him to death."

"I don't want us to end up like that!" Yi Zhonghai said in a deep voice.

Yi Dama also let out a long sigh. Old Sun Tou's matter was known not just to Yi Zhonghai, but to the entire street. It was after learning about this that Yi Zhonghai completely extinguished the idea of adopting a child.

The Deaf Old Lady also breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

"The problem still lies with Silly Zhu. How good Silly Zhu used to be, doing whatever he was told. Old Lady, hurry up. When we return to the Siheyuan, you should investigate carefully why Silly Zhu has become like this."

"Wife, you too. When you have nothing to do, go to Silly Zhu's house, wash his clothes, mop the floor, and ask around to find out what exactly caused Silly Zhu to change like this."

"I will also arrange for people in the factory to inquire secretly. Let's figure out the reason for Silly Zhu's big change first," Yi Zhonghai said in a deep voice.

Yi Dama nodded.

"Little Yi, Silly Zhu's matter certainly needs to be inquired about, but now you should think about the rumor problem. The factory can put pressure on the pamphlet matter, but you must find a way to solve the rumors about Bang Geng and yourself first, otherwise, you won't have any prestige left in the courtyard," the Deaf Old Lady reminded him.

The Deaf Old Lady's words dealt another heavy blow to Yi Zhonghai. Could Yi Zhonghai not know that he needed to solve the rumors about himself? Of course he knew, but Yi Zhonghai didn't have any good methods, so he could only use the old routine.

"I plan to hold a full-courtyard meeting to clarify things after the factory resolves the pamphlet matter," Yi Zhonghai said helplessly.

"Sigh, that's all we can do," the Deaf Old Lady sighed.

Afterward, the Deaf Old Lady left; after a day of tossing and turning, it was time to rest. Not long after the Deaf Old Lady left, a knock on the door was heard from outside.

"Is First Grand Uncle asleep?" Qin Huairu's voice sounded.

Yi Zhonghai asked Yi Dama to open the door, and after Qin Huairu entered, he said, "Huairu, is something the matter?"

"First Grand Uncle, can you help me? My family is really having a hard time. My mother took all the money, my mother-in-law was arrested, I'm still pregnant, and the children are still growing. I only have a few cents left in my hand."

"We can still hold on at the guesthouse, but the factory can't let us stay at the guesthouse forever. First Grand Uncle, please help me," Qin Huairu said, tears streaming down her face.

Yi Zhonghai knew that Qin Huairu was truly poor this time, so he couldn't help but let out a long sigh and then said slowly, "After we return to the Siheyuan, I will discuss it with Old Liu and Old Yan to organize everyone to donate some money to your family."

"Thank you, First Grand Uncle, thank you, First Grand Uncle," Qin Huairu thanked him repeatedly.

"Old Yi, is it appropriate to ask everyone to donate money at a time like this? Should we consult the Deaf Old Lady?" Yi Dama asked after Qin Huairu left.

"No need to consult the Deaf Old Lady. The current situation is very unfavorable for us, but I will take this opportunity to see if my words still carry weight in the Siheyuan," Yi Zhonghai said in a deep voice.

Seeing that Yi Zhonghai had made up his mind, Yi Dama didn't try to persuade him further. Jia Zhangshi was sent to the countryside, Yi Zhonghai's group moved into the guesthouse, and Xu Damao went to the countryside to show movies. He Yuzhu thought the Siheyuan would be quiet for a while, but he didn't expect that the next night, Liu Haizhong's house would be in an uproar.

The reason Liu Haizhong couldn't help but make a scene was that as soon as he returned home, he was closely watched by Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, who recorded his every word and action. Liu Haizhong felt a sense of suffocation.

The key was that neither Liu Guangtian nor Liu Guangfu said anything good about him.

"Are you two little bastards trying to rebel against heaven!" Liu Haizhong roared angrily, pulling out the 'Seven Wolves' belt from his waist, preparing to stage a play of fatherly kindness and filial piety.

"Guangfu, record this sentence too. He is dissatisfied with the Street Office and the organization," Liu Guangtian said unhurriedly.

"I... when was I dissatisfied with the Street Office and the organization?" Liu Haizhong held the 'Seven Wolves' belt high, roaring in a fierce but cowardly manner.

"Recording your every word and action is the power the Street Office gave us. When we were recording your words and actions, you said we were trying to rebel against heaven. If this isn't dissatisfaction with the Street Office and the organization, what is?" Liu Guangtian said triumphantly, deliberately shaking his arm to make the red armband on his arm even more eye-catching.

"Dad, you'd better be quiet. We have already followed Brother Zhuzi's instructions and sent a silk banner to the Street Office with gongs and drums. The Street Office immediately praised us and demanded that we strictly supervise you. This is Director Wang's original words. If you don't believe me, go ask," Liu Guangfu also said triumphantly.

Liu Haizhong was so angry he wanted to vomit blood. This wasn't sending a silk banner at all; it was clearly inviting an imperial sword specifically to deal with him.

"Dad, if you still want to be a leader, just be honest. Don't think about playing that old routine again, beating us at every turn. We don't ask you to specifically favor us, just treat us the way you treat Liu Guangqi."

"Anyway, we listen to Director Wang and the organization, strictly supervise you, and strictly supervise ourselves. That's the situation, and that's the case. Anyway, you just figure it out yourself," Liu Guangtian said with schadenfreude.

"You... you're really something!" Liu Haizhong said through gritted teeth. The 'Seven Wolves' belt in his hand never dared to fall. In the end, Liu Haizhong threw the belt on the ground in hatred and went back to his room to lie down, choosing to be out of sight and out of mind.

Er Dama was staying at the guesthouse, and there was no one to cook for Liu Haizhong, so Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu cooked for him. This time, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu wouldn't treat themselves poorly.

Liu Haizhong liked to eat fried eggs and had to eat two every night. This was something that couldn't be helped; Liu Haizhong was a forgeman and needed strength. Now that there was no meat, he could only fill the deficit by eating eggs.

In the past, only Liu Haizhong could eat eggs, but this time, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu fried six eggs in total, two for each person. When Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu brought the food up, Liu Haizhong saw that six eggs had been fried.

Liu Haizhong's high blood pressure was almost triggered. Just as Liu Haizhong was about to roar, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu showed the red armbands on their arms to Liu Haizhong.

Liu Haizhong couldn't help but be furious, flying into a rage, burning with anger, uncontrollable, and stomping his feet...

However, no matter how angry Liu Haizhong was, he had to endure it, because he still wanted to be a leader.

Liu Haizhong was almost suffocated to death.

Liu Haizhong thought about it more and more, and finally couldn't help it. After finishing his meal in a few bites, he left the rear courtyard, preparing to go to the Rolling Mill to discuss countermeasures with Yi Zhonghai.

Just as Liu Haizhong arrived at the front courtyard, he saw the wives of Wang Liugen, Li Dana, Zhang Sanshi, and Zhao Shanhe gathered together, also preparing to leave the Siheyuan.

"Dana's wife, what are you all doing?" Liu Haizhong asked.

(End of chapter)