Siheyuan: I just came across and wanted to chase me away

Chapter 1050 Qin Huairu's Status Rises

"I understand," Lu Jia replied, her lowered eyelids concealing the fleeting coldness in her eyes—Gu Nan, you wait. As long as I find a chance to investigate what happened back then, I will definitely avenge my brother and will never let you get away with it. She lowered her head and drank her soup, the bottom of the spoon making a soft sound against the bowl, masking the ferocity in her eyes, as if she were just listening to an ordinary conversation.

He Yuzhu didn't say anything more, and lowered his head to pick at the rice in his bowl. The two ate their meal in silence. The sunlight from outside shone through the paper windowpane, casting dappled shadows on the table, like scattered gold dust, creating a scene of tranquil beauty.

On the other side, Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai walked back to the courtyard house side by side. As soon as they entered the alley, the evening breeze blew the stray hairs at her temples, and she couldn't help but frown, her voice full of worry: "Uncle Yi, you know... if He Yuzhu's matter doesn't work out, how am I supposed to go back and tell Jia Zhangshi? You know that kind of person, she can't tolerate any nonsense. If she finds out that the matter of Bang Geng hasn't been settled, who knows what kind of trouble she'll cause. Then the whole courtyard will know."

Yi Zhonghai stopped and looked at her worried face, then sighed, "You're just overthinking things. He Yuzhu may be a braggart, but he's never broken a promise. Besides, even if things don't go well here, I'll think of something else. Banggeng is a kid we've watched grow up in the compound; we can't really send him to the countryside to suffer. That place is really tough; how could a kid like him endure it?"

Qin Huairu wanted to plead with Yi Zhonghai again, even just to ask him to say a few good words to He Yuzhu, but before she could even utter the words "Uncle Yi," Yi Zhonghai had already walked away quickly with his hands behind his back, his spine ramrod straight, without even turning around, as if she behind him was just an insignificant shadow.

She stood there, the wind swirling fallen leaves past her feet, feeling both angry and frustrated—this old man, who usually put on a show of being fair, selfless, and a good-natured mediator in the courtyard, always willing to offer his opinion on any conflict, but when it came to actually helping the Jia family with their troubles, he would make excuses and run away faster than anyone else. In the end, he simply didn't care about the Jia family's affairs, probably thinking that as a widow and her orphan, they wouldn't gain anything by helping them.

Yi Zhonghai left in a hurry, his heart burning with anger. He truly didn't know how to deal with Qin Huairu—this woman looked gentle and weak, her tears flowing easily, but she was incredibly cunning. He had initially asked her to win over He Yuzhu to pave the way for his retirement, but what had happened? Not only did it fail, but He Yuzhu ended up marrying Lu Jia, and now he was drifting further and further away from him, not even bothering to address him as "Master" when they met.

Besides, He Yuzhu is treating him like dirt now, so even if he swallowed his pride and pleaded on his behalf, He Yuzhu might not listen. Not to mention Gu Nan, who is now the deputy director of the steel rolling mill, in charge of the technical scheduling of most of the plant, while he is just a level 5 fitter, and he heard that he will be demoted to level 4 after the next technical assessment. The two are not even on the same level, so how could he possibly have the ability to interfere in other people's affairs?

Feeling increasingly aggrieved, Yi Zhonghai stormed home. When he reached the gate, he slammed it shut with a bang, the door slamming against the frame and sending dust flying from the lintel.

Seeing this, Qin Huairu could only dejectedly move home, her heart pounding like a rabbit trapped in its stomach—she hadn't gotten a definite answer from Yi Zhonghai today, nor had she seen any confirmation from He Yuzhu, and she didn't know how Jia Zhangshi and Banggeng would interrogate her this time.

Sure enough, as soon as they pushed open their courtyard gate, Jia Zhangshi and Banggeng came to greet them one after the other. Jia Zhangshi was still clutching a half-finished shoe sole in her hand, while Banggeng looked restless. Both of them had eager eyes, like two sparrows waiting to be fed.

Banggeng took two steps forward, grabbed Qin Huairu's arm, and asked in a trembling voice, "Mom, how is it? Did He Yuzhu agree to help us? Did he promise? Can he let me not go to the countryside?"

Qin Huairu felt uncomfortable under the gazes of the mother and daughter, as if she were being pricked by needles. She composed herself, forced a smile, and nodded: "Zhuzi has already agreed to help, but Deputy Factory Director Li didn't go to work today, and he couldn't find him. This can't be rushed; we have to wait until he sees Deputy Factory Director Li."

Banggeng was still a teenager, and he didn't quite grasp the implications of what he was saying. He just gave a blank "Oh," and the eagerness in his eyes faded a little, but there was still a hint of unease.

Jia Zhangshi was different. Having lived most of her life, what hadn't she seen? She immediately frowned, her tone clearly urging, "It's good that Shazhu agreed, but we have to hurry! I heard from the second aunt in the courtyard that the list of those going to the countryside will be finalized in a few days. If this matter isn't resolved, won't Banggeng be taken to the countryside? Can anyone endure that kind of hardship? Digging in the ground and basking in the sun every day, eating only cornbread and pickled vegetables, I can't bear to see my grandson suffer like that!"

Qin Huairu nodded, looking at Jia Zhangshi and Banggeng, her tone so earnest it was like she was making a vow: "Don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on He Yuzhu these next two days, going to the kitchen every day to wait for him and urge him to get things done quickly. Banggeng is my own son, flesh of my flesh, how could I not worry about him?"

Jia Zhangshi's eyes darted around, and she quietly patted Banggeng's arm. Banggeng immediately reacted, pulling Qin Huairu's hand and snuggling into her arms, saying in a tearful voice, "Mom, I can't go to the countryside! My classmate said that in the countryside, you have to work in the fields every day, get up before dawn, and you don't even have enough to eat. In winter, there's no coal, and you're freezing. You must talk to Shazhu and beg him to give me a chance. Please don't let me go! If I go, I might not come back..."

As she spoke, tears actually fell, landing in a stinging thud on Qin Huairu's hand, making her heart clench.

Qin Huairu also felt this was a difficult matter. He Yuzhu's words sounded like an agreement, but she had no idea whether it would actually work. But seeing her son's pitiful appearance, she could only nod reluctantly: "Okay, Mom understands, I'll definitely take care of it for you. I'll go cook now, you and Grandma rest for a while."

To everyone's surprise, Madam Jia suddenly smiled, her wrinkles smoothing out like a blooming chrysanthemum: "Look how tired you are! You've been a great hero to our family today! How can we let you do the cooking again? I'll cook for you, make some millet porridge, and steam a couple of cornbread buns, so you can get some rest!"

Qin Huairu was indeed exhausted—she was now working in logistics at the factory, moving materials and registering ledgers every day. Moving those heavy iron parts nearly broke her arms; it was even more physically demanding than when she was a first-class fitter. Her back ached, and she was too lazy to even move her fingers. She didn't stand on ceremony, nodded, and went into the inner room. She leaned against the edge of the kang (heated brick bed) to rest, and soon drifted off to sleep, even pleading with He Yuzhu in her dreams.