Director Nie and others left the Courtyard.
Several old sister-in-laws gathered to chat.
"Oh, Lao Yi and the others aren't here. If they were, it would have been good to greet the Leader."
"Exactly! The Leader came to our Courtyard, didn't smoke a single cigarette, or drink a single sip of water."
"It's also that the Leader came at an inconvenient time, just when Lao Yi and the others went to work."
First Aunt, Second Aunt, and Third Aunt gathered to chat.
They also talked about how Chen Jianye had truly made a name for himself this time.
Appearing in the newspaper, that was a treatment only advanced figures and labor models received.
Chen Jianye, the subject of discussion among the Courtyard residents, didn't have the thought of 'I've made a name for myself.'
He calmly put away the rewards on the table and, in a corner where no one could see, stored them in his personal space.
Afterward, he continued reading.
Chen Jianye could naturally hear the discussions outside.
He just didn't care at all.
He was thinking about the rather bizarre events of the past two days.
If it were in later generations, Chen Jianye really wouldn't dare to openly kill a murderer.
The times are different, everything is different.
In later generations, even if he killed a murderer, he would have to stay at the Public Security Bureau for a few days, giving statements, being interrogated, and so on.
Now, in the 1960s, the Public Security handled cases with an emphasis on efficiency, rather roughly.
This provided fertile ground for his plan.
As a result, not only was he not punished, but he was given generous rewards.
It was also a pleasant surprise.
Chen Jianye suddenly understood why people of that era liked to meddle and were eager to act bravely for a just cause.
Firstly, the officials did not crack down on such behavior.
Secondly, there was indeed honor; even if the officials didn't give honor, it was excellent conversation material when bragging to acquaintances.
Whether ordinary people chose to stand by idly or act bravely in the face of injustice could be shaped.
Clearly, the officials in the 1960s made different choices than the officials in later generations.
Chen Jianye believed there was no right or wrong in either approach.
In the 1960s, there were still many special agents, as well as mountain bandits, brigands, and local tyrants in the mainland.
These people posed a significant challenge to the operation of social order.
It was difficult for the Public Security alone to cover all aspects.
More ordinary people were needed to act bravely, to stand up courageously against injustice, maintaining their inner conscience while also preserving social stability.
By later generations, social order had stabilized, and individuals were no longer needed to act based on simple righteousness.
Also to maintain social stability, the officials chose a different approach.
They shaped the reactions of ordinary people to injustice to be timid and hesitant.
After a brief moment of thought, Chen Jianye suppressed the jumbled thoughts in his mind and focused on reading.
Overthinking was useless; it was better to gain experience.
Another hour passed, and it was now around four or five in the afternoon.
Yu Li brought the folded clothes to the Chen Family.
"I heard that just now, the Public Security, Director Nie of the neighborhood committee, and even reporters came to see you?"
Yu Li's eyes sparkled.
"That's right, just now many people were watching outside the door. Li Jie, you didn't come?"
Chen Jianye nodded.
"Oh, my mom wanted me to guard the Old Lady's gate in the Backyard, so I missed it."
Yu Li was a little unhappy, then smiled brightly: "Jianye, you're capable again, you're even going to be in the newspaper."
"Good luck, good luck."
Chen Jianye said modestly.
"You are indeed a capable person. If in a few years, after my sister graduates, you're still not married, I'll introduce my sister to you."
Yu Li said with a laugh.
"No, this sounds like you're cursing me to be a bachelor. You should wish me to find a wife soon instead."
Chen Jianye waved his hands repeatedly.
"Haha."
Yu Li also realized the problem in her words and covered her mouth, laughing loudly.
Placing Chen Jianye's clothes on the dining table, she turned and left.
At the entrance of the Siheyuan (Courtyard).
A group of people led by Yi Zhonghai returned.
"First Master, you've just returned. Just now, Director Nie, the Public Security, and reporters all came."
"That's right, the reporters interviewed Jianye and said they wanted to publish his deeds in the newspaper."
"Director Nie also praised Jianye, saying that our Courtyard has hope of becoming an advanced Courtyard this year."
The residents of the front Courtyard gathered around Yi Zhonghai and others, speaking one after another.
"Ah? When did the Leader leave?"
Yi Zhonghai quickly asked.
"They just left a short while ago."
Third Aunt said.
"Oh, why didn't you keep the Leader for a meal?"
Yi Zhonghai said anxiously.
"We did, Director Nie said he had other matters and told you to work hard."
"As a woman, it wasn't good for me to force him to stay."
First Aunt said.
"What did the Leader say when he came?"
Yi Zhonghai asked.
Everyone spoke animatedly.
Yi Zhonghai would occasionally ask a question.
Soon, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Fugui all knew what had happened at the Chen Family.
"This is great news. Jianye's performance has been affirmed by the Leader."
"Let's work hard this year, strive to win the Advanced Courtyard title, and we can all get rewards from the neighborhood committee during the New Year."
Yi Zhonghai's face showed a smile, but he secretly muttered to himself that he probably couldn't suppress Chen Jianye anymore.
Even if the Courtyard really won the Advanced Courtyard title this year, everyone would only remember Chen Jianye's Credit , not his Yi Zhonghai's hard work.
Everyone echoed their agreement.
Yi Zhonghai said a few more words, explaining that the funeral arrangements for the Old Lady had been completed.
Then he led the people behind him directly towards the Backyard.
With the Old Lady's funeral over, the next step was to distribute her inheritance.
Everyone who helped would get a share.
This was a promise Yi Zhonghai made in front of most of the Courtyard residents.
Jia Zhangshi quickly came out of the house and followed the group.
"Granny Jia tried to force her way into the Old Lady's room today. Thankfully, a few of us were guarding it, and the gate was locked, so she didn't get a chance."
First Aunt said to Yi Zhonghai.
"That old woman even ran behind our group, trying to fish in troubled waters."
Second Aunt reminded.
"We'll kick her out first later."
Third Aunt said angrily.
Jia Zhangshi was nowhere to be seen when help was needed, but now that the inheritance was to be divided, Jia Zhangshi was very active.
One must know that the Yan Family sent two people to help with the Old Lady's funeral.
Third Aunt would not let Jia Zhangshi take advantage for free.
Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Fugui stood side by side, arriving at the Old Lady's doorstep.
"Lao Yi, you say a few words first. Things need to have a procedure."
Liu Haizhong reminded.
Not everyone would receive a share of the Old Lady's inheritance.
It was hard to guarantee that some residents in the Courtyard wouldn't be unhappy if they didn't get anything.
"You're right."
Yi Zhonghai nodded, then turned to the many Courtyard residents who had followed along: "The Old Lady has passed away. With everyone's help, we successfully laid the Old Lady to rest."
"According to our initial agreement, I will first advance the expenses, and then, whatever money is found in the Old Lady's room will be settled by paying back any excess or making up any deficit."
"In addition, the Old Lady's belongings will be taken by those who participated in helping, as compensation."
"Now I will open the gate. I, Second Master, and Third Master will be responsible for searching the Old Lady's room. Those who participated in helping can take items, but they must be checked by our wives when leaving."
"Everyone else is to observe and cannot participate."
After speaking, Yi Zhonghai's gaze was calm, awaiting everyone's reaction.
"I have no objections."
"First Master and the others put in effort, they deserve to take it."
"First Master's arrangements are flawless, I agree."
Everyone expressed their opinions one after another.
Just as the situation was looking good, a sudden roar came: "I disagree!"
Immediately, everyone's gaze turned towards the source of the sound.
