I am Jia Dongjin in the Siheyuan (Courtyard House)

Chapter 69 Proposal

Liu Hong's case was not complicated; it was undoubtedly a case of rape. He had been drinking and asked his son to ask Qin Huairu for help. Qin Huairu refused to go and publicly declared that she would not marry him. Finally, persuaded and accompanied by Yi Zhonghai, she went to Liu Hong's house.

After Liu Hong proposed marriage and was rejected, he covered Qin Huairu's mouth, pressed her down on the kang (a heated brick bed), and began to grope her. Qin Huairu struggled fiercely, but fortunately Jia Dongjin arrived in time to rescue her.

However, defining their relationship is difficult. It was Zhang Youde, the head of the security department of the steel rolling mill, who personally introduced Liu Hong and Qin Huairu as a couple.

Zhang Youde, the head of the security department of the steel rolling mill, also served as the deputy director of the district public security bureau. This involved a leader, making things even more complicated, and no one dared to make any rash moves.

Not long after, Zhang Youde arrived. He was getting old and was about to retire, but he never expected to get into such a troublesome situation at the last minute.

But he insisted on being the matchmaker, personally introducing the two to potential partners. The old man was so angry he almost fainted, and could only force himself to handle the situation.

"You beast, what are you all standing there for? Lock him up right now!"

The Jia family waited for six days. During that time, three groups of people came to explain the situation, from Director Yang Li Huaide to Wang Dali, the head of the electrician group.

"My daughter-in-law's life is also a life. She wanted to jump into the river with her child. How can I forgive her?"

Unlike the previous incident where Yan Fugui snatched the house, this time the Jia family resolutely refused to issue a letter of understanding, and as the mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi took the lead.

"Mom has the final say on this matter, it's a matter of life and death. No amount of money can make us forgive her. We can't be soft-hearted, and we can't be foolish."

Whether it was Jia Zhangshi, Qin Huairu, or Jia Dongjin, all three of them knew very well that the other party was a security officer, and the security department was a powerful department. They absolutely could not play the fool.

Since things have escalated to this point, the snake must be killed, otherwise it will inevitably cause future troubles. This is a matter of life and death, and there is absolutely no room for forgiveness.

In late March 1959, the final verdict was announced. Liu Hong, as a security officer, knowingly broke the law and was dismissed from his post for hooliganism, sentenced to ten years in prison, and his household registration in Beijing was cancelled.

Considering that Liu Hong and Qin Huairu were dating, the sentence was to be lenient, only vaguely classified as hooliganism.

While preserving the reputation of the security department, in order to appease Director Zhang's anger, Liu Hong's household registration in Sijiu City was cancelled, the steel rolling mill took back Liu Hong's house, and the three children were kicked out.

This incidental punishment was extremely severe, leading to a series of tragedies that followed.

"Zhonghai, that damned Liu Hong has been sentenced to ten years in a prison in the Northwest! Ten years! That kid got what he deserved. Luckily, it didn't involve you. Some people in the compound are still spreading rumors and slandering you. No way, I have to go out and talk to these people. How dare they talk behind people's backs like that."

Bad news travels fast. After learning the result, Gao Cuilan excitedly ran home to tell Yi Zhonghai, but she was shocked by Yi Zhonghai's appearance.

These past few days, Yi Zhonghai unusually took a few days off under the pretext that his wife, Gao Cuilan, was unwell. However, instead of taking Gao Cuilan to the hospital, he mysteriously left early and returned late, and even Gao Cuilan didn't know where he went.

Yi Zhonghai lost his appetite and tossed and turned at night. He looked haggard and showed signs of aging for the first time.

Yi Zhonghai shook his head and quietly stopped Gao Cuilan from going out to spread rumors, only asking her to make tea.

The woman quickly brewed the tea, and Yi Zhonghai picked up the teacup. Before he could even drink it, he heard a commotion in the courtyard, as if a large number of people had arrived.

"Zhonghai, the Jia family has returned to their courtyard house. Hey, why are they coming towards our house!"

Through a corner of the curtain, Gao Cuilan saw the four members of the Jia family enter through the hanging flower gate, followed by a group of neighbors. Jia Dongjin and Jia Zhangshi, who were leading the way, did not go back to their own home, but headed straight for their own home in the east wing, their demeanor extremely hostile. Jia Zhangshi, in particular, was cursing as she walked, attracting the attention of everyone in the courtyard.

Yi Zhonghai jumped suddenly, spilling hot water all over his hand from the teacup. Ignoring the burn, he shouted, "Cuilan, go hide at the deaf old lady's house!"

Gao Cuilan's face turned pale. She had just run to the moon gate leading to the backyard when she heard a loud bang on her own door. When she turned around, she saw Jia Dongjin playing pranks and kicking her door hard.

"Beat this old bastard! Sha Zhu, don't stop me, let me tell you what Yi Zhonghai did."

Jia Zhangshi was furious. She vividly described what Yi Zhonghai had done on the day of the incident, saying, "How could he do such a thing? He's Master Dongxu, after all. How could he do this to his apprentice's wife like this! Luckily, my Dongjin was quick-witted. If he had arrived a step later, my wife would have hanged herself."

Qin Huairu followed behind Jia Zhangshi. Seeing He Yuzhu trying to stop Jia Dongjin from kicking down the door, she grabbed a broom from the doorway and smacked He Yuzhu, coldly shouting, "Foolish Zhu, this is none of your business, don't go looking for trouble!"

He Yuzhu was still unconvinced, but He Yushui rushed forward and whispered something in his ear, which immediately made He Yuzhu stop in his tracks.

The verdict shocked the entire courtyard. On the day the verdict was announced, Jia Dongjin ignored all advice, kicked down the door of the Yi family home, grabbed Yi Zhonghai by the collar, and dragged him out of the house.

Kindness is precious; do not squander it cheaply.

For some people, kindness is synonymous with weakness and only fuels their evil intentions.

Kindness is like a double-edged sword; without a blade, it will harm oneself, while with a blade, it can protect oneself.

True kindness is a wisdom with its own edge; it requires the support of intelligence and discerning judgment. Kindness misplaced will diminish its brilliance, and excessive kindness will breed greed. Only kindness with its own edge is truly valued.

With the heart of a Bodhisattva and the methods of a Vajra, protect yourself first, then gently illuminate the world.

Without saying a word, Jia Dongjin struck in front of everyone, knocking out four of Yi Zhonghai's front teeth.

The courtyard was packed with people, mostly neighbors from nearby streets and courtyard houses. No one said anything, and no one stepped forward to stop them. He Yuzhu tried to go forward to persuade them, but He Yushui held him back tightly.

Liu Haizhong from the backyard arrived just in time. He only said a few polite words. Seeing that Jia Dongjin did not use any force, he did not step forward to pull them apart. Instead, he blocked He Yuzhu from intervening.

The other people in the courtyard looked on coldly, and the deaf old lady and Gao Cuilan hid in the backyard, not saying a word the whole time.

"Silly Zhu, take a closer look. If he had nothing to hide, would he not resist?"

There was no evidence to prove Yi Zhonghai's guilt, but after Jia Zhangshi's scolding, many people in the courtyard understood what was going on, except for He Yuzhu, of course.

Before the incident, Yi Zhonghai appeared righteous and awe-inspiring, but then quietly left. If it weren't for Jia Dongjin's alertness, Qin Huairu would have almost been murdered.

Qin Huairu has two young children to raise, so it's unlikely she'll attempt suicide. In the end, she'll most likely marry Liu Hong reluctantly.

This scheme was so insidious that it sent chills down the spines of everyone in the courtyard, who all despised Yi Zhonghai.

Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu also stormed into the Yi family home, smashing Yi Zhonghai's house to pieces. They even rushed in with sticks, breaking teapots and teacups, thus avenging his mother.

"Great job! That's how it should be done!" Jia Zhangshi excitedly smashed Yi Zhonghai's bowls and plates on the ground.

Liu Hong received severe legal punishment, and the Jia family won a great victory. It was the perfect time to press their advantage and vent their anger, and they were perfectly justifiable and beyond reproach.

People have their own sense of justice, and even the street office staff following behind pretend not to see it.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Jia Dongjin held Qin Huairu's hand, and as they looked into each other's eyes, he earnestly inquired about their marriage.

"Qin Huairu, you know I've broken up with Zhang Qin. I want to marry you. I promise I'll treat you and our child well. Everyone can be our witnesses. Will you marry me?"