Siheyuan: Walking the Path of Qin Huairu

The news has been getting tighter recently, and the police have been arresting speculators everywhere. Ma Wu, a subordinate of Qian Jinlai, happened to be caught in the crossfire, and his crime cart was confiscated, along with the dried seafood, but fortunately he was not arrested.

Ma Wu came in with a sad face and said, "Brother Qian, I didn't check the almanac before going out today, so the cart and the goods were confiscated. Wow, the loss is huge. Brother Qian, we have to be more careful in the future."

Qian Jinlai immediately gathered his brothers together, and Ma Wu tearfully recounted his experience. The brothers were a little discouraged after hearing this, and some said, "We are just trying to make a living, what's wrong with that? The police have nothing to do, so why are they picking on us instead of catching enemy spies?"

Qian Jin said, "There is no way. We should be more careful in the future. Let's cooperate with two or three people who go to Pigeon City and put the goods far away. When we meet customers, we can take them out for transactions. Those who are waiting in Pigeon City can take out some samples. Even if the police come and throw away the goods, they can run away quickly. In this way, the loss will not be too big."

Zhang Laoer said: "Another way is to contact some purchasing units and sell directly to them. Even if we lower the price and make less money, it is safer."

So everyone talked about it and quickly came up with various solutions. It must be said that three heads are better than one. There are policies from above and countermeasures from below.

The shadow of autumn is fading away and the footsteps of winter are approaching.

Sijiu City welcomed the first snow of this winter. Snowflakes were scattered all over the sky. They used their white jade-like bodies to decorate the world with silver light.

Xu Huizhen was hiding in the neighborhood committee, slacking off. The work of the embroidery factory had been put on track, and everything was proceeding step by step. She had nothing to do, and Deputy Director Fan was active and proactive in his work, so she was happy to have some free time. It was so nice to be a hands-off boss.

Director Wang has been in poor health recently, has high blood pressure, and often takes time off, so she came to the neighborhood committee to preside over the work.

She was bored and admiring the snowy scenery of the north. A girl of fifteen or sixteen walked in from outside, with a bunch of snowflakes on her head. She seemed to sense something, stepped out, brushed off the snow on her body, and walked back in.

Seeing Xu Huizhen staring at her, she walked up and said, "Hello! I want to see Director Wang."

Xu Huizhen said, "Director Wang has been ill these days and has not been at work. If you have any questions, please tell me and see if I can help."

The girl said solemnly, "I want to change my house and buy a new one in another yard."

Xu Huizhen: "You live well here, why do you want to change rooms? Tell me the reason."

The girl said with a worried look on her face: "The yard where I live now is not safe. My brother's leg was broken by someone the day before yesterday."

It turned out that the girl's name was Ren Xuemei. Her father was a volunteer soldier and died on the battlefield. Unexpected events happen all the time. Last year, her mother's unit caught fire. In order to rescue supplies, her mother also died in the fire. She and her younger brother Ren Qingsong were left to depend on each other.

He didn't know when it started, but he felt that the atmosphere in the yard had changed. The neighbors who used to be warm and friendly now avoided them. Their eyes were cold and indifferent. At first, Ren Xuemei didn't care. You go your way, and I go mine.

Later, an old man in the yard found her and said, "Xuemei, your parents are gone, and your family has more than enough space for two people in three rooms. The second old man's son is getting married and has no place to live. Can you lend him one room as a new home? We have been neighbors for many years, and we should help each other. When your mother passed away, it was the neighbors in the yard who helped you with your funeral. You brothers and sisters should remember this kindness."

The yard they lived in was a double courtyard, and the affairs in the yard were usually managed by the first and second uncles. The three rooms in her family were the main houses in the yard, with the best location and spacious rooms. Moreover, they were private houses with property deeds, not public housing. Why should they be given to others to live in? It would be difficult to evict them later.

So she said, "Uncle, I am fifteen years old this year and will be married in two years. After marriage, I plan to live at home and take care of my brother. My brother is thirteen this year and will be able to get married in a few years. By then, our house will be in short supply."

After being rejected, the old man looked unhappy. From then on, he never treated her well. One night, two pieces of glass in the house were broken for no reason.

Around 9 o'clock the night before yesterday, she and her brother went to bed. Suddenly, someone kicked the door open, and then she heard her brother's screams. She rushed out of the room and saw a man holding a stick, coming out of her brother's room and quickly disappearing into the darkness. She didn't bother to chase him, so she went to her brother's room first and turned on the light. She saw that her brother had fainted, his left leg was bloody, and his leg was abnormally bent, probably broken.

She ran to the yard and shouted, "Someone, come and catch the bad guy." Hearing Ren Xuemei's shout, some neighbors went out to see what happened, while others stayed indoors. Finally, an old man in the yard arranged for two young men to take Ren Qingsong to the hospital. The doctor diagnosed that Ren Qingsong had a broken leg.

Ren Xuemei paid the surgery fee with tears in her eyes and the doctor performed the operation.

Xu Huizhen asked: "Didn't you call the police?"

Ren Xuemei said with a sad face: "I called the police, but they didn't find anything. They said it was dark and no one saw the attacker."

Xu Huizhen: "Do you have anyone you suspect?"

Ren Xuemei: "My brother and I live a peaceful life and don't have any enemies. I guess it must be related to the people in the yard, but I don't know who they are. They want our house. My brother and I can't beat them, so we want to change houses and leave that yard."

Xu Huizhen thought to herself, "Isn't this too outrageous? They are so cruel just for their own selfish desires! She wants to take care of this matter, not just for the system's reward, but also to solve the worries of this brother and sister."

So she said, "Xuemei, you are the children of martyrs. Our neighborhood committee will not stand idly by when you suffer such an unprovoked disaster. We cannot let heroes shed blood and tears. Give me three days, and I will find a way to find out the truth and give your brother justice. If the murderer cannot be found, the first and second uncles in your courtyard will also be replaced. They are not worthy of being the uncles in charge. As for changing houses, don't rush and take your time. Take good care of your brother these days. Come to me anytime if you have any problems."

Ren Xuemei had tears in her eyes and a look of gratitude on her face. She choked up and said, "Thank you, Director Xu."

Xu Huizhen: "Do you have enough money for your brother's treatment? If not, ask me for it first. After we catch the murderer, I will make them pay back the money with interest."

Ren Xuemei: "I have money. My parents have received pensions if they die."