Chapter 5: The Good Man

"It is indeed true that Sha Zhu and the others acted foolishly."

"Could you please show leniency, considering they are young and ignorant?"

"Beyond covering Li Aiguo’s medical expenses, each of our families will provide an additional fifty yuan in compensation to him."

"We only have one request: that this be handled according to the organization's policies."

Upon hearing Yi Zhonghai’s words, Director Wang’s brow furrowed, and her expression turned stern.

"The organization's policies?"

Feeling her piercing gaze, Yi Zhonghai felt cold sweat slowly seeping down his back.

He carefully weighed his words: "'The principal culprits must be punished, those coerced are not to be held accountable, those deceived are innocent, and those who turn against the enemy are to be rewarded.' You are well aware that their backgrounds are impeccable. They are our class brothers, and they can withstand any scrutiny. Toward our class brothers, our attitude should be as warm as spring; we must give them a chance to repent and start anew. Furthermore, arresting so many people at once would have a negative impact on our courtyard, and perhaps even... on the Neighborhood Committee itself."

It must be said that Yi Zhonghai was indeed a wily old fox; he instantly pinpointed Director Wang’s weak spot. The Nanluogu Lane Neighborhood Committee secured the mobile red banner every year precisely because of the neighborhood’s harmony. If five people were hauled away at once, this year’s banner would certainly be lost.

However... Director Wang could not make the final decision on today’s matter.

Director Wang turned to look at Zhou Tiehu. "Captain Zhou, what do you think of this..."

"It is Aiguo who has been wronged. As long as Aiguo agrees, I have nothing to say." Zhou Tiehu frowned slightly, appearing displeased. He had already decided that if Li Aiguo was unwilling and the Neighborhood Committee failed to act, he would have the Railway Police Station intervene.

"Aiguo, what do you think?"

All eyes turned toward Li Aiguo. In their view, Li Aiguo, who had just moments ago been determined to see them punished severely, would surely refuse.

To everyone’s surprise, Li Aiguo offered a faint smile. "Director, it doesn't matter if I have suffered a slight grievance personally. I cannot let this affect the reputation of Nanluogu Lane or the unity of our courtyard."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s gaze toward Li Aiguo shifted immediately.

"Good, very good! This child has a sense of the big picture and high political consciousness!" Director Wang could not help but exclaim in admiration.

Li Aiguo did not act modest, merely nodding slightly. He knew that if he had insisted on sending them all away today, with Zhou Tiehu standing by, Director Wang would have been forced to accept it. However, they would only be sent to the Nanluogu Lane Police Station. Yi Zhonghai had many acquaintances in both the Neighborhood Committee and the police station. Coupled with the backing of the Deaf Old Lady, a woman of mysterious status, it would be difficult to ensure they were severely punished.

It was better to endure for a while longer. Once he obtained his locomotive engineer’s license, he would become a railway employee and fall under the jurisdiction of the railway department. Then, the Railway Police Station could intervene.

By then... heh heh.

Furthermore, Li Aiguo still had to live in the Nanluogu Lane district. In this era, the Neighborhood Committee was far more powerful than its future counterparts. From job assignments to household registration transfers, the distribution of resident subsidies, and even the issuance of various rations coupons—everything was under the management of the Neighborhood Committee. Most importantly, the Neighborhood Committee was responsible for investigating the reputations of the masses, a necessary step for the promotion of cadres. It was not worth ruining his relationship with the committee for the sake of a few beasts.

Besides, Li Aiguo also wanted to see who would be willing to take the fall. A fine show of "dogs biting dogs" was about to unfold.

It was something to look forward to.

...

Seeing that Li Aiguo had agreed, Yi Zhonghai breathed a sigh of relief and invited the people involved in the incident into the inner room of the Jia residence. He closed the door and clicked on the light. The dim, yellow glow fell upon everyone’s faces.

"I have staked my old reputation to secure these terms. Now, tell me, who is going to confess?"

After Yi Zhonghai finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence. No one wanted to go to the police station to confess. If things went poorly, they could end up behind bars. Silence became the theme of the moment.

With no other choice, Yi Zhonghai began to call names one by one.

"Old Liu, you have many sons; one less wouldn't matter. Why not let Liu Guangtian go and confess?"

"Old Yi, I’ve long since realized that because you can't have children of your own, you’re jealous of me!" Liu Haizhong smacked his lips and glared. "My two boys were just accomplices. If someone is going to confess, it should be the principal offenders!"

The principal offenders were Jia Dongxu and Sha Zhu. One had provided the idea, and the other had provided the muscle. At this time, Jia Dongxu was still alive. He was the one Yi Zhonghai had chosen to support him in his old age; Sha Zhu was only a secondary choice. Naturally, Yi Zhonghai hoped to have Sha Zhu take the blame.

Seeing everyone’s eyes fixed on him, Sha Zhu suddenly flared up, stiffening his neck as he shouted, "So I stand up for Jia Dongxu and end up in this mess, and you people have no conscience left!"

"Zhuzi, don't be angry; there’s no other way," Yi Zhonghai deployed his signature moral kidnapping tactic. "Look, Jia Dongxu has an elderly mother and young children. If he gets locked up, who will provide for Qin Huairu and Bang Geng?"

*I will...* Sha Zhu wanted to say, but he dared not speak the words aloud. He was afraid of being scratched by Mrs. Jia.

"You only have your younger sister, Yushui, at home, and she doesn't need you to look after her anymore. You are the most suitable person to take the blame."

Seeing that Sha Zhu remained unmoved, Yi Zhonghai continued, "How many times has your Uncle Yi taught you? One must not think only of oneself; one must consider the big picture. 'A single flower does not make a spring; a garden of a hundred flowers makes the spring.' Do you not understand this principle?"

Sha Zhu had been lectured countless times, so of course, he understood. But going to the police station to confess was no small matter; if things went wrong, he might not come back. The word "Sha" (meaning "silly") in Sha Zhu’s name did not mean he was truly foolish. On the contrary, he was quite shrewd. In the courtyard, aside from Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai, who had taken advantage of him, the other residents were only ever bullied by him. Even the calculating Yan Bugui had never managed to get the better of him.

Seeing that Sha Zhu was determined not to do it, Mrs. Jia secretly gestured to Qin Huairu. Qin Huairu’s eyes instantly turned red, and two streams of hot tears rolled down her fair, smooth cheeks, landing straight in Sha Zhu’s heart.

"A-woo—"

A crisp sound of weeping echoed through the room. Qin Huairu’s eyes were red, and she sobbed continuously, large, bean-sized tears falling from her eyes.

"He Yuzhu, you are a good man; I cannot let you suffer this injustice. This whole matter started because of me. I will go and confess."

It had to be said that as a first-class national actress, Qin Huairu possessed profound performing skills and exquisite acting ability. Her expression, tone, and sobbing all made Sha Zhu feel a surge of pity. In particular, the words "good man" struck a chord deep in Sha Zhu’s heart.

A numbness spread through Sha Zhu’s bones, and his expression became dazed. When Jia Dongxu saw his infatuated look, he wanted to punch him on the spot. But remembering that he still needed Sha Zhu to take the fall, he held back.

Yi Zhonghai saw that the time was right and played his final trump card. "Sha Zhu, the Deaf Old Lady treats you like her own son. If you run into trouble, she will surely help you. She has a good relationship with our rolling mill and the Neighborhood Committee. You will definitely be fine."

He would be fine, and he could continue to be a "good man" for his sister Qin. Sha Zhu stopped wavering and hesitated no longer. He stood up and patted his chest. "Don't worry, I will take responsibility for this alone."

As he spoke, he looked at Qin Huairu with deep affection. Qin Huairu’s figure was full yet slender; even her poorly tailored work uniform could not hide the soft curves of her body. Her skin was as fair as if coated in cold cream... Especially the spring water overflowing from those peach-blossom eyes that instantly engulfed Sha Zhu. He felt that everything was worth it.

Seeing Sha Zhu flirting with Qin Huairu right in front of him, Jia Dongxu could no longer stand it. He stood up, wanting to teach Sha Zhu a lesson, but was stopped by Yi Zhonghai.

"Since Sha Zhu has decided to take the blame, we should now prepare the compensation money."