Chapter 54: Class Classification

"And Zhonghai, regarding you and Xiaocui..."

Yi Zhonghai remained silent and did not speak, so the Deaf Old Lady continued.

"Zhonghai, this is what I think: why not slowly let it be known that Xiaocui is injured and cannot bear children? This way, while you can protect yourself, you can also establish the image of a good man who never abandons his wife."

This method from the Deaf Old Lady was not just for her godson Yi Zhonghai, but also for herself; the higher Yi Zhonghai's status in the Siheyuan, the more she could naturally enjoy.

Yi Zhonghai knew better than anyone that once the news spread that he was not a man, no woman would be willing to be with him.

Yi Zhonghai's eyes lit up; rather than waiting to be discovered by Tan Cuicui, it was better to take the initiative and bind her to him completely before she became disillusioned.

"Fine, I will make it up to Xiaocui in the future."

Time returns to the present; at the end of the year, the news that Tan Cuicui could not bear children quietly spread through the Siheyuan. No one knew where it started, but the way everyone looked at Tan Cuicui was clearly different.

In the past, everyone would at least maintain some decorum, but now the looks directed at Tan Cuicui were nakedly contemptuous. Tan Cuicui also fell ill because of this, and Yi Zhonghai, in order to maintain his image as a good man, even took leave to take care of her for two days.

The uninformed masses had an even better impression of Yi Zhonghai; only Lao Jia noticed the changes in Yi Zhonghai over this past year, transforming from an honest, simple man into the hypocritical figure he was now.

"Sigh~"

"What's wrong, Lao Jia? Why are you sighing for no reason?"

"Nothing, I just feel that Lao Yi has changed quite a bit this year."

"What change? I don't feel anything."

"San Jie, I also feel that Brother Yi has changed a lot this year. When I first met him, I felt he was a kind person like a spring breeze, but now, whether it's his actions or his smiles, they seem a bit fake."

What Zhang Ping'an just said was also true; his impression of Yi Zhonghai during their first meeting and subsequent interactions was indeed good, but Zhang Ping'an, who knew the later plot, also saw the changes in Yi Zhonghai over the past half-year.

Zhang Ping'an also sighed in his heart; Yi Zhonghai had ultimately reached this point for the sake of his own reputation.

"Ping'an, you're right, Lao Yi has changed. He's changed ever since he took the old lady in the Back Courtyard as his godmother."

"Then that's no surprise."

When Zhang Xiaohua heard it was the Deaf Old Lady from the Back Courtyard, she understood; she had always avoided that gloomy old lady in the Back Courtyard.

"Let's not worry about it, we should just live our own lives well. Just try to comfort Xiaocui more in the future," Zhang Xiaohua said.

"Mm."

On January 21, 1951, people from the Military Control Commission came to register and announce policies:

"In order to implement land reform, distribute resources, narrow the gap between rich and poor, and achieve social equity, class classification has begun, including different class components such as Capitalist, Landlord, Rich Peasant, Middle Peasant, Poor Peasant, etc."

"Everyone must seek truth from facts; any fraud discovered will be severely punished."

Zhang Ping'an was naturally a Poor Peasant, the Jia Family were Workers, and most of the people in the Siheyuan were also Poor Peasants and Workers; only Yan Bugui's family were Small Business Owners.

Don't look at how Shazhu shouted in the show that he was a third-generation Poor Peasant; if you count it up, his family should actually be Hired Peasants, and that was what was registered.

It was just that He Daqing had been restless these days because he received a note saying that someone knew he had once cooked for Japanese officers, and if he didn't leave Sijiucheng, they would report him to the Military Control Commission.

He Daqing originally wanted to go to the Military Control Commission to ask, but he didn't dare to gamble, fearing he would be arrested, so he had been restless these days.

"Brother He, did you not sleep well?" Zhang Ping'an asked when he returned with fish and saw He Daqing with bloodshot eyes.

"Mm, I haven't rested well these past two days."

Seeing Zhang Ping'an, He Daqing suddenly had a thought; he had performed meritorious service in catching the Agent last time, so he should be on record at the Police Station and should have a good relationship with the station chief.

"Ping'an, a friend of mine is also a Chef. He once cooked for the Japanese; will the authorities settle accounts for that?"

"Was your friend voluntary?"

"Of course not, that would make him a traitor; he must have been forced."

"Then it's fine. I'm afraid more than half of the Workers in our Rolling Mill once forged steel for the Japanese, right? Look, nothing has happened to them."

"Ah, yes, yes, yes."

Being told this by Zhang Ping'an, He Daqing suddenly saw the light and his face showed joy. He had been stuck in a dead end for the past few days, and the problem that had troubled him for days was finally solved.

"Ping'an, I have something else to do, I'll get busy first."

"Alright."

Zhang Ping'an had an idea; he was afraid that Yi Zhonghai had made his move, and the friend He Daqing spoke of was likely himself.

However, even if he could pass this hurdle, the hurdle of the White Widow would be difficult. He Daqing might not be a lecher, but he wasn't far off, and his wife had been gone for so many years, so he would be easily ignited.

His brother-in-law Lao Jia was not a fighter and had a good relationship with Yi Zhonghai. No, he had to find a way to keep He Daqing here; at least he could have an ally then.

Zhang Ping'an thought about this as he returned to his courtyard.

He Daqing, for the sake of peace of mind, decided to go and ask, and even brought the certificate Shazhu had received last time.

"Comrade, I'd like to ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"It's like this..."

"There's no big problem with this. Many of our countrymen were forced. Besides, your son is a hero who reported an Agent; I'll just register your file here."

"Good, good, good. Thank you, Comrade. Here, have a cigarette."

With the confirmation from the Military Control Commission comrade, the stone in He Daqing's heart was completely lifted, and he felt deep hatred for the person who threatened him.

He Daqing racked his brains but couldn't figure out what the other party wanted. They just wanted to force him to leave Sijiucheng. What for? His house? But the land deed was in his hands, and no one could take it away. His money? He didn't see that mentioned on the note.

"Forget it, I'll take it one step at a time."

And Yi Zhonghai, who had been paying attention to He Daqing these days, was anxious. Why hadn't He Daqing run away yet? If he didn't run, how could he spread rumors?

Evening, at the Deaf Old Lady's residence in the Back Courtyard.

"This shouldn't be. That reckless man wouldn't think that deeply, and he wouldn't dare ask others. Is he not afraid?"

"It seems this method won't fool him. I'll have to find another way. His wife has been gone for many years, right?"

Yi Zhonghai understood instantly. Before moving into the Siheyuan, he had also been to the Badahu Tong, and it wouldn't be hard to find a woman of ill repute now.

"Zhonghai, find a respectable woman. He Daqing won't fall for those women of ill repute."

"Alright, I'll see," the Deaf Old Lady's words put Yi Zhonghai in a difficult position. Where was he supposed to find a respectable woman for He Daqing?

Zhang Ping'an went into the Jia Family home.

"Ping'an."

"Ahem, San Jie, I have something to discuss with San Jie Fu today."

"Ping'an, what is it? Tell me."

"It's like this: I've been in the Siheyuan for almost two years now. I see that girl Yushui looking with such envy whenever she sees other children with their mothers, and Brother He isn't as meticulous as a woman when it comes to taking care of her."

"Although we can all lend a hand from time to time, we aren't her family after all. I was thinking that since Yushui is still young and Brother He isn't that old, I wanted to ask if you know anyone suitable to introduce to Brother He."

"Ping'an, what you say is true, but He has quite high standards. Yushui's mother wasn't ugly back then; if she isn't pretty, He probably won't be interested. Plus, there's the hurdle of Zhuzi."

"Mom, Dad, Uncle, I actually have a candidate in mind," said Qin Huairu.