“You scoundrel, are you trying to extort money again? Do you want me to bring people from the Military Control Commission over?” The Deaf Old Lady pushed through the crowd and walked over.
The scoundrel saw an Old Lady stand up and was a bit defiant: “Who are you, you dog meddling in other people’s business?”
“Don’t mind who I am. I saw what just happened clearly. This Comrade accidentally bumped into your wife, it wasn’t intentional at all. You’re just trying to extort him because you see he’s from out of town. I’m telling you, I, this Old Lady, am definitely getting involved in this matter.”
The Deaf Old Lady was old and had a kind face, making it easy for her to gain others’ trust.
Everyone had been silent just now because they didn’t know the true situation. Now that they knew the truth, how could they stand by and do nothing?
Facing everyone’s condemnation, the scoundrel didn’t dare to resist and left with his wife.
That person thanked the others who helped, and finally walked up to the Deaf Old Lady, saying sincerely, “Auntie, thank you for today’s matter. If it weren’t for you, I would definitely have been disciplined.”
The Deaf Old Lady smiled and said, “It’s nothing, little Comrade. I believe in your character. I live at Naluoguxiang No. 95. If anyone brings up today’s matter, you can come find me, and I’ll testify for you.”
The young man carefully wrote down the Deaf Old Lady’s address and said with a smile, “Auntie, my name is Yang Peishan, and I work at the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry. If you have any difficulties, you can come find me. As long as it doesn’t violate principles, I will definitely not refuse.”
The Deaf Old Lady very carefully noted down the young man’s identity. This was a central unit; even a doorkeeper there was not someone outsiders could offend. Who knows, she might need this connection someday.
If this young man became a leader in the future, her favor would be worth a lot.
Having gained a great favor, the Deaf Old Lady was in a very good mood and went to the Military Control Commission with a smile all the way.
Others were afraid to interact with people from the Military Control Commission, but she wasn’t afraid at all. She was a lone Old Lady, and there was nothing for her to be afraid of.
On the contrary, interacting with the Military Control Commission had many benefits. If it weren’t for the Military Control Commission’s backing, how could an Old Lady like her occupy the best house in the Back Courtyard of the Siheyuan (Courtyard)?
“Old Lady, you’re out for a stroll again.”
The people from the Military Control Commission were very familiar with her and greeted her warmly when they saw her.
The Deaf Old Lady smiled and said, “Girl, what have you been busy with lately? I’m just bored at home alone, so I came out for a walk.”
“Oh, by the way, Old Lady, the Government is preparing to establish a Nursing Home recently. Would you like to sign up, Old Lady? When the Nursing Home is built, many uncles and aunties like you will move in. You won’t feel lonely with them.”
The Deaf Old Lady was scared when she heard this. Living with a bunch of old men and women, how could she show off her status? No matter how good the conditions of the Nursing Home were, it couldn’t compare to living comfortably outside.
At that time, everyone would be around the same age; who would listen to whom?
“No, I wouldn’t live in a Nursing Home even if it killed me. But how do I tell the Military Control Commission?”
The Deaf Old Lady’s good mood vanished instantly, and she kept pondering how to avoid going to the Nursing Home.
All her connections were with the Military Control Commission now; finding others wouldn’t work.
“Girl, I don’t need it. Let’s leave the opportunity to others! You don’t know, the neighbors in our Courtyard are especially good. They take great care of me and treat me like an elder in their family. They also said they would take care of me in my old age. I can’t bear to leave them either.”
That person was surprised and said, “Your Courtyard neighbors are so good. What are their conditions like?”
To stay in the Siheyuan (Courtyard), the Deaf Old Lady endured her disgust and praised everyone in the Courtyard. How Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong were Master Craftsmen at the Steel Factory and earned a lot; how He Daqing was the cook in the Courtyard, and his cooking skills were exceptionally good…
The people from the Military Control Commission were immediately relieved when they heard this: “Since they are so filial, you can stay in the Siheyuan (Courtyard) for now. The Government has too many things to deal with right now, and we are also not taking good enough care of you elderly people.”
Hearing these words, the Deaf Old Lady finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She thought to herself, she must quickly decide on the person to take care of her in her old age. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to justify herself.
While they were still chatting, a young man in a military uniform came to find them, saying that a stronghold left by the bald-headed men had been discovered. The Public Security Bureau had already surrounded the place and needed people from the Military Control Commission to evacuate the surrounding crowd.
This was a big deal, and no one dared to be negligent. Except for the necessary personnel who stayed behind, everyone else rushed to the scene.
The Deaf Old Lady had no intention of watching the excitement; bullets don’t have eyes, and if one strayed and hit her, it would be too unfair.
She didn’t leave either, planning to wait until the matter was resolved before departing.
The people from the Military Control Commission didn’t mind her either; they just poured her a glass of water and then talked among themselves.
“The bald-headed men are really too rampant. We’ve caught so many, but we can’t catch them all.”
“You’re right. Our current work is so complicated; we’re busy all day long and still have to deal with their affairs. It would be great if we could catch them all in one go.”
“How is that possible? They usually hide in the dark, just like ordinary people. When they’re not acting, who knows if they’re human or ghost? It’s hard to catch them all in one go.”
“Oh, by the way, I heard that the higher-ups are discussing using the power of the masses to apprehend them. With the help of the people, they definitely won’t have a good outcome.”
“I heard that too. They say they’re going to select some enthusiastic people based on their place of residence to be our Liaison Officers. They are local people and are very familiar with those around them. If anyone acts abnormally, it definitely won’t escape their eyes.
With their help, those rats will definitely have nowhere to run.”
The Deaf Old Lady pricked up her ears and carefully memorized what those people said. This Liaison Officer position seemed very important at first glance. She couldn’t let just anyone in the Courtyard get their hands on it.
If someone disobedient became the Liaison Officer and was responsible for interacting with the Military Control Commission in the future, her influence would be greatly diminished.
Would anyone pay attention to an Old Lady who had no influence?
No.
No one more formidable than me is allowed to appear in the Siheyuan (Courtyard).
The Deaf Old Lady’s mind raced, thinking of ways to solve the problem. Among the few families in the Siheyuan (Courtyard), He Daqing was a scoundrel, Xu Fugui was heartless, Liu Haizhong was ruthless, Yan Bugui was calculating, and Yi Zhonghai was too hypocritical.
None of these people were suitable candidates for Liaison Officer.
However, the Liaison Officer must definitely be chosen from among them.
So who was the most suitable?
According to the Deaf Old Lady, none of them were suitable. Those people were not peaceful.
The Deaf Old Lady thought for a while and could only think of the method of checks and balances: “Girl, let me ask you, if we’re choosing Liaison Officers, how should they be chosen?”
“Old Lady, this hasn’t been decided yet. But, it definitely won’t be too many. If each household has one, we wouldn’t be able to manage them all. It’s probably one or two for dozens of households. This matter hasn’t been decided yet, so please don’t tell anyone, Old Lady.”
The Deaf Old Lady frowned. The Siheyuan (Courtyard) had only seven households in total, so it was definitely impossible to choose too many. It would be good if they could choose one.
With only one person, how could she create checks and balances? She had to find a way to get more.
The Deaf Old Lady returned from the Military Control Commission to the vicinity of the Siheyuan (Courtyard) without having thought of a good solution. Suddenly, she heard someone say, “The location of our Courtyard is too inconvenient; the Lane entrance in front of the gate is too small.”
“It’s good enough to have a place to live; you’re still being picky,” another person said.
The Deaf Old Lady looked and saw that the speaker was a neighbor from next door to the Siheyuan (Courtyard). After thinking carefully, she understood what the two were talking about. An immature idea formed in her mind.