Volume 1, Chapter 33: "Wait and See"

Deaf Granny, hearing Su Jianshe compare her to a dog, struck the ground with her cane in a rage, itching to strike him with it. However, recalling how she had been kicked to the ground twice before, she dared only brandish the cane to vent her spite.

Yi Zhonghai barked at Su Jianshe, "Su Jianshe, the old lady is our elder! Show some respect!" Despite his words, Yi Zhonghai quietly edged away. He suddenly felt a foul odor assault his senses again, as if the old lady had passed gas. Regret flooded his heart, and he cursed inwardly, "I should have let her rot in jail; she reeks too much! If it weren't for her status in the courtyard and that little nest egg of hers, I would never have bailed her out!"

Nearby, Liu Haizhong also rebuked Su Jianshe angrily: "Su Jianshe, don't think about going home today! This whole mess started with you. As the Second Master of this courtyard, I order you to stay right here and look at what you’ve turned our compound into!"

Hearing Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong’s attempt to obstruct his return home, Su Jianshe remained indifferent. "I’m going back to my own house. What business is it of yours? Don’t flatter yourselves!"

Meanwhile, Jia Dongxu and Mrs. Jia, who were tangled in a dispute with a young woman from the neighborhood office, noticed Su Jianshe’s return. Mrs. Jia was startled at first, then began to shriek loudly: "Everyone, look at this unfilial wretch! His mother just died, yet he and his wife are still hogging two rooms!"

"My Dongxu and Bangeng have been respectful to their elders since they were kids. Why is it that my family doesn't have two rooms? This is unfair and against policy! They are turning back the clock of history and deserve to be criticized!"

Hearing this, the crowd turned toward Su Jianshe, who was facing off against Deaf Granny. Even the young woman from the neighborhood office cast her gaze his way. Fearing the stir wasn't big enough, Mrs. Jia continued, "Look, Su Jianshe is physically fit—a grown man stealing housing from us, the old, the weak, and the disabled! Does he have no shame?"

Taking advantage of the crowd's focus on Su Jianshe, Jia Dongxu hurriedly leaned toward his mother and asked in confusion, "Mom, why are we dragging Su Jianshe into this?"

Looking at her paralyzed son, Mrs. Jia’s temper flared. She scolded, "You really are a blockhead! If we don't make a scene, what benefits could we possibly get? You think we’re going to work for nothing? Let me tell you, no way! As long as we make a big enough scene, we might even get some compensation!" Mrs. Jia said smugly, "Our family already has three disabled people, and Xiaodang is just a money-loser. If the matter blows up, they’ll have to compensate us! Besides, I’ve had my eye on that brat’s house all along. If we don’t drag him into this, how are we supposed to get the place?"

Jia Dongxu nodded thoughtfully.

On the other side, Deaf Granny, who had intended to denounce Su Jianshe, realized that with everyone’s attention focused here, she had an epiphany. She sat down on the ground, disheveled her hair, and began to play the part of a shrew. "Come and look! This scoundrel Su Jianshe is hitting an old woman! I’m a Five-Guarantees household, a martyr’s dependent—he’s going to be cursed by heaven!"

...

"I never imagined the old lady was a martyr’s dependent. Su Jianshe is being way too much!"

"That's right, Su Jianshe, get lost! Our neighborhood doesn't welcome a lowlife like you!"

"Daring to hit a martyr’s dependent! Su Jianshe, I was wrong to think you were a decent person!"

Hearing the old lady’s claim, coupled with the fact that Su Jianshe was indeed confronting her, many onlookers began to attack him with vitriol, hurling insults incessantly!

"Su Jianshe, I thought you were a chef at the steel mill—someone with vision and depth. To think you’re fighting for a house against such a struggling family; do you have any humanity left?"

...

Yi Zhonghai could no longer restrain himself. He stepped forward, a flash of wild joy crossing his face before he quickly suppressed it. "Su Jianshe, as the First Master of the courtyard, I must severely criticize you! Your mother has passed away; you and your wife are still occupying two rooms? And you didn't register in time—who can you blame for that?"

"If you dare to raise a hand on the street today, the comrades from the police station nearby won't let you off."

Liu Haizhong had also been eager to act. He felt the money he’d spent today to坑 (trap) Su Jianshe was well worth it. "Su Jianshe, if you dare to lay a hand on the old lady like you did at the courtyard assembly, let’s see if these people on the street will let you get away with it!" Although Liu Haizhong’s face was solemn, anyone with eyes could see he was mocking Su Jianshe.

But at that moment, the crowd was so immersed in their anger toward Su Jianshe that no one paid any attention to Liu Haizhong. After all, Deaf Granny was somewhat famous in the surrounding streets. Not only was she a Five-Guarantees household, but rumor also had it that she was a martyr’s dependent. Once upon a time, she had mended shoes for the army and had even assisted in handling logistics for them. Such things were enough to touch the hearts of those present and spark some sympathy.

Five-Guarantees households were not rare in any compound, but one who was a martyr’s dependent and had helped the army was extremely scarce. Even the young woman from the neighborhood office, who was almost in tears, rushed forward to help Deaf Granny when she saw her sitting on the ground.

"Old lady, get up quickly. Please rest assured, no matter what happens, the neighborhood office will definitely seek justice for you!"

However, as she helped her up, the young woman frowned, seemingly catching a foul odor. Looking around, she saw everyone watching. After a moment of hesitation, she endured the stench and pulled the old lady up. Forcing a smile, she comforted her: "Old lady, you are a well-known Five-Guarantees household of our office, and a martyr’s dependent at that. If you encounter any injustice, just tell me, and I will surely help you solve your troubles!"

"The comrades from the police station are right there. Don't be afraid, we are here!"

After saying this, the young woman seemed to have more to add. She stepped forward, keeping a distance from Deaf Granny, and glared at Su Jianshe. "Su Jianshe, you usually look so refined. I thought you were a good person; I didn't expect you to dare to lay a hand on an old lady!"

Elsewhere, the Jia family mother and son, who had initially attracted everyone's attention, were now stunned. Jia Dongxu sat in his wheelchair, hesitating as he looked at Deaf Granny, Yi Zhonghai, and Liu Haizhong in the distance, and asked in confusion, "Mom, why are the First and Second Masters and the old lady here?"

Mrs. Jia replied dismissively, "What’s there to be afraid of? With me here, what can they do? We are going to get that house today!"

Whenever she thought of the spacious house Su Jianshe lived in, a burning desire ignited in Mrs. Jia’s heart. She had secretly scouted that place many times and had planned everything out on the way here. *When the time comes, I’ll settle down in that house, light the kang fire in winter, and Qin Huairu will have to empty my chamber pot—that’s what I call living the good life!*

As for her paralyzed son beside her, Mrs. Jia never considered letting him move in to live with her. Even her own flesh and blood couldn't stop her from pursuing her own comfort.

Jia Dongxu, in his wheelchair, hadn't expected his mother to treat him this way. He had been full of anticipation, hoping that once they grabbed the house, his health might improve.

"Wait and see. Anyway, we’ll occupy the house first. Let’s see how Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong stop that little beast from going home to get his housing registration papers!"

After watching for a long time with no result, Mrs. Jia simply stood up, not even bothering to brush the dust off herself. She was already calculating whether or not to lie down again later.

Meanwhile, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and the newly hoisted Deaf Granny all glared at Su Jianshe with grim expressions. A glint of greed shone in Liu Haizhong’s eyes, as if he could already see the extra room in his own home. As for the money spent? He’d treat it as an exchange for the house from that little beast.

Everyone had their own ulterior motives.

"Su Jianshe, let me tell you, this isn't the courtyard; this is the front of the neighborhood office. If you dare to act violently on the street, a prison sentence is waiting for you!" Yi Zhonghai’s face held the same mockery. He had gone to great lengths to scheme against Su Jianshe, from initially sounding out the neighborhood office's attitude to bringing the old lady here. He had invested heavily. If he couldn't discipline this little beast today, all his efforts would be in vain. "Su Jianshe, I’d like to see what you have to fight me with!"

Facing the glares of Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and the others, Su Jianshe also wore a mocking smile. But he was mocking the people in front of him who were hurling abuse at him.

"First, that house belongs to my family. It was allocated long ago, and we can dispose of it however we want—but we will never let a beast live in it!"

"Second, Yi Zhonghai, why don't you mention why this old thing got kicked by me? During the full-courtyard assembly, you were all spouting nonsense up there. I didn't stop you, but you failed to keep this old thing from biting people, and now you won't let me fight back?"

Su Jianshe scanned the crowd with contempt. Not giving them a chance to interject, he quickly pulled a small booklet from his pocket.

"Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and you old thing, open your eyes wide and see what I have in my hand!"

The young woman from the neighborhood office, seeing the refined Su Jianshe not only refusing to admit fault but also speaking harshly to the elderly, had been burning with anger. But hearing Su Jianshe’s retort and seeing Yi Zhonghai and the others fall silent, she suddenly understood the complications involved.

However, before she could speak, she saw a small booklet in Su Jianshe's hand.

"A housing registration book? You’ve already registered that house?"

The woman’s exclamation surprised not only Yi Zhonghai but also the confident Liu Haizhong. Liu Haizhong stared at Yi Zhonghai in disbelief and roared angrily, "Yi Zhonghai! Didn't you say this brat hadn't registered their house at all? Why does he have a registration book? Or were you playing me for a fool from the start?"

Liu Haizhong was so angry he jumped, his entire plan having fallen through. Whether it was the money his family had spent or the house he had schemed for, it was all for nothing. And he had to swallow his pride, having nowhere to vent his frustration. The money was already spent; it was impossible to get it back from those people.

"Su Jianshe, you... you didn't register, did you? How do you have a registration book?"

"It’s fake, it must be fake! You must have just thought about registering and haven't had the chance!" Yi Zhonghai thought he had seen through the truth and was about to expose Su Jianshe.

But he saw the young woman from the neighborhood office suddenly realize something, a look of understanding on her face. "It was you! You were the one who came to the office with your wife this morning to register! No wonder you looked so familiar!"

The girl from the neighborhood office suddenly understood and hurried to mend her relationship with Su Jianshe. Working in the neighborhood office, this girl was no simple character. The very fact that she could summon tears at will showed her methods. She stood where she was; despite Yi Zhonghai and the other man constantly slandering Su Jianshe, she had her own judgment.

*Su Jianshe might not be as unbearable as Yi Zhonghai says. If it were really true, the police are right there—would Yi Zhonghai have let him off so easily?*

"What? This little beast already registered their house this morning? How is that possible!"

"He went out with his wife, didn't he? Where would he find the time to register!"

Mrs. Jia, who had just climbed up from the ground, had a face as dark as the bottom of a pot. She shouted in disbelief; if it weren't for the police being present, she would have already started cursing. "Where did this little beast find the time, and how did he know their house needed registration?"

But with the account from the young woman, Mrs. Jia’s last shred of confidence vanished instantly.

"But Su Jianshe hit someone on the street, and he hit Deaf Granny..."

Before Mrs. Jia could finish, the young woman’s voice rang out in the crowd again. "As for the matter of Su Jianshe hitting someone that Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong spoke of, the comrades from the police station are right here!"

"If that were really the case, would the police have just sat by and done nothing?"

Deaf Granny’s expression changed drastically upon hearing this, her face—which had looked slightly rosy from a few days of good food—turning instantly pale. "No... no, Su Jianshe didn't hit anyone; I fell myself!"

As she spoke, Deaf Granny, who just a moment ago needed Yi Zhonghai’s support, suddenly became nimble on her feet and hurried toward the courtyard, fearing that if she were a second late, she would be taken away by the police.

Yi Zhonghai felt his face burn with shame and hurriedly followed the old lady out. "Old lady, walk slowly, I’ll help you!"

As for Liu Haizhong? His face was livid, his heart felt as if it were being sliced by a knife, and he returned to the courtyard in a fury. At his doorstep, his cursing could be vaguely heard—words like "ingrate," "bastard," and "little brat" echoed incessantly.

The Jia family mother and son? No one bothered with them anymore.