Chapter 3: Moving Out of the Family Compound

Qian Jiangang was stunned, unable even to take a step before Liu Huiru grabbed his arm. Moments later, Qian Lai emerged from inside, holding a red passbook. “This passbook has your name on it, doesn’t it? And why is there a pencil note that says, ‘For Xiao Zhen’s wedding’? What’s the meaning of this?!”

At her words, the crowd erupted in gasps.

“Qian Jiangang! You’re a traitor to your own family. You hid away so much secret money for someone else behind my back!” Liu Huiru snatched the passbook, checking it again and again, unable to believe her eyes.

“Old Qian is really good to his sister-in-law, isn’t he? Hahahaha…”

The small courtyard was instantly submerged in a wave of scornful laughter and mockery.

“Ha!” Qian Lai let out a bitter laugh. “Dad, all these years you’ve supported the elder branch of the family until our own home is bare, yet it’s still not enough for you. Now you’re forcing me to marry a paralyzed man, giving me no dowry and handing all the betrothal money to my cousin. You’ve taken my university spot without a second thought and just handed it to your niece.

“Everyone, please judge for me—hasn’t Qian Jiangang gone too far? If Qian Dong needs money to marry, shouldn’t he use his own sister as a bargaining chip, so it’s legitimate and reasonable?”

“Director Qian, you can’t be so biased!”

“My goodness. He’s prepared a dowry for his niece but won’t give a single cent to his own daughter? Is he even her real father?”

“I heard that it was supposed to be Qian Xiao Zhen who was engaged to the Gu family, but as soon as she found out the groom was paralyzed, she absolutely refused to go.”

“Tsk tsk, the Qian Xiao Zhen family really knows how to bleed others dry.”

...

“What nonsense are you spouting? Would any of you be willing to marry a cripple? Whoever wants to go, go! I’m not going, no matter what.” Qian Xiao Zhen, unable to bear the crowd’s comments, rushed to the center of the courtyard and screamed.

“Dad, taking care of Comrade Gu Hanchuan is an honor for our family. Whether it’s my cousin or me, whoever marries into the Gu family should be the one to manage the dowry and betrothal money. Isn’t that a fair request?” In the crowd, Qian Lai’s awaited guests finally arrived, and she deliberately raised her voice.

“That’s only right!” a dignified female voice rang out. The onlookers parted to make way as a competent-looking middle-aged woman entered the courtyard, bringing three others with her.

Qian Jiangang’s face changed dramatically. He recognized one of them—she was the director of the Municipal Industrial Bureau, directly overseeing the steel plant, and another was Director Wu from the neighborhood office. The young man in military green was the very officer who had handled the compensation matter the day before.

“I’m Wang Mei from the Municipal Organization Department,” the woman said, her gaze sharp as a blade. “Comrade Qian Jiangang, we have already heard about your family’s situation. As for Comrade Gu Hanchuan’s marriage, it is of great importance to both the capital and our local authorities. The leaders have given explicit instructions: we must pay close attention to the wishes of Comrade Gu Hanchuan’s fiancée, ensuring she has no worries and can marry with peace of mind.

“Oh, and one more piece of good news: Comrade Gu Hanchuan has been promoted to deputy division commander. The military will ensure his future is well taken care of…”

Even the authorities in the capital knew about this!?

Qian Jiangang’s knees went weak.

“And another thing—stop calling him a ‘cripple.’ Comrade Gu Hanchuan is a first-class hero who was wounded for the country! Marrying him is an honor for your family. Once the wedding is settled, I will personally award your family with the ‘Glorious Military Family’ plaque,” Wang Director declared. The crowd erupted into thunderous applause.

Qian Jiangang forced an awkward smile and nodded deferentially.

“I’m Xiao Li, Deputy Commander Gu’s orderly,” the young man said with a salute, stepping forward with an envelope in hand. Glancing at the bandage on Qian Lai’s head, he continued, “Sister-in-law, I’m truly sorry. The moment we heard you were the one hurt yesterday, the leaders immediately gave instructions.”

He held out the envelope to Qian Lai. “This is your compensation and nutritional allowance. Please accept it! We have also arranged a private hospital room and personal care for you. Auntie, you no longer need to worry about her recovery.”

Qin Hongxiang listened to every word, feeling as though the gold she had coveted was being handed away before her eyes. Her slitted eyes glared fiercely at Qian Xiao Zhen, who could only shake her head helplessly, while Qin Hongxiang’s eyes were filled with resentment.

“And one more thing,” Xiao Li said, smiling at Qian Jiangang, “since sister-in-law has decided to manage the betrothal money herself, the leaders support her. So, Uncle, if you please…”

With all eyes on him, Qian Jiangang had no choice but to hand over the money, though he was clearly reluctant.

Tears welled in Liu Huiru’s eyes, a flood of emotions overwhelming her. “Lai Lai, since your father has already set aside the dowry, and you are marrying first, it rightfully belongs to you.” She pressed the passbook back into her daughter’s hands, squeezing them tightly.

“You—” Qian Jiangang began, but was immediately interrupted.

“Comrade Qian Jiangang, we are well aware of your family’s situation,” Director Wu from the neighborhood office said coldly, his gaze sweeping over Qian Jiangang and Qin Hongxiang. “We will not allow Qian Lai and her mother to suffer any more injustice. Since Qian Lai is leaving to care for our hero, it is our duty on the home front to look after her loved ones. This is no longer a simple family dispute; we want society as a whole to treat our heroes and their families well.”

“Esteemed leaders,” Qian Lai seized the opportunity, “may I ask, are non-immediate family members allowed to live in the state-owned enterprise’s family compound?”

Qin Hongxiang and Qian Xiao Zhen’s faces darkened at once.

What did she mean by that?

“Of course not.” A man squeezed his way through the crowd. At the sight of him, Qian Jiangang nearly burst into tears.

“I’m Liu Fugui, director of the steel plant. Director Wang, Director Ren, Director Wu, as soon as I heard you were here, I rushed over, didn’t even finish my meeting. Still, I’m late.” Liu Fugui shook hands all around, his face beaming. “The Qian family did face difficulties in the past, so we bent the rules and allowed his sister-in-law’s family to stay in the compound. But now, the children are all grown and employed. It’s no longer appropriate for them to continue living on factory property.”

“Director, you… you’re going to make them homeless!” Qian Jiangang’s timid protest triggered something in Qin Hongxiang, who immediately threw herself to the ground, crying and wailing.

“We can’t go on like this! You’re throwing a widow and her orphans out on the street! How can we survive…?” she howled.

“Leaders, please, don’t drive us out. We have nowhere else to go. This is a new society—how can you make people homeless? And anyway, once my sister gets married, only my uncle and aunt will be left in the courtyard—three rooms for two people, isn’t that a waste?” Qian Xiao Zhen sobbed, snot and tears streaming down her face.

Hearing this, Qian Jiangang turned pale as a sheet.

Qian Xiao Zhen truly was a debt collector. As a workshop director, he was only entitled to a two-room house. Years ago, he had used his position as the newly appointed union chairman to seize the old director’s courtyard, gaining the privilege of three large tiled rooms. After the major restructuring, he had lived in fear that the factory would reclaim the courtyard. Fortunately, as a technical director, the new plant manager had shown him some respect and let the matter slide.

But now, Qian Xiao Zhen had blurted everything out in front of everyone.

“Workshop directors are allocated two main rooms according to regulations. Qian’s courtyard is a legacy issue. In that case…” Director Liu’s words made Qian Jiangang feel as if the sky was falling. “You have half a month to move out of the family compound. Qian, get your things in order and vacate the courtyard as soon as possible.”

Director Ren smiled calmly. “Exactly. Historical problems must be resolved decisively, so things return to normal. Director Liu is doing the right thing.”

Qian Lai had long awaited this day. Watching Qin Hongxiang and Qian Xiao Zhen collapse to the ground, wailing helplessly, she felt a surge of satisfaction.

But this alone was not enough to repay Qian Jiangang and the main branch of the family for all the exploitation and harm they had inflicted on her and her mother over the years.

While Qin Hongxiang’s family was still in the courtyard, she would recover everything owed to them by the main branch.

And as for Qian Jiangang’s hidden stash of ill-gotten gains—she would reclaim that too!