Yi Zhong Hai had often used his position as the First Uncle to bully others in the courtyard, threatening anyone who disobeyed him, and if they didn't comply, he would call for a whole courtyard meeting to drive them out!
This call to action was well-played. On one side was the First Uncle, the courtyard's manager, a Grade 8 machinist at the steel mill, and on the other, the common people. Everyone in the courtyard knew who they would stand with.
Now, the street director had directly declared that the courtyard's management uncles had absolutely no power. They could only mediate family disputes with the consent of the parties involved, so what were they afraid of?
Hearing Jia Zhang Shi mention money, Director Wang instructed Yan Fu Gui, "Yan Fu Gui, haven't you been keeping records of the donations? Take them out now and let the Jia family return all the money they received. From now on, don't create any more chaos in the courtyard. Remember your responsibilities. If this happens again, don't blame me for dealing with you!"
Yan Fu Gui nodded hastily. As soon as Yi Zhong Hai mentioned a whole courtyard meeting, Yan Fu Gui had immediately taken the donation record book. Whenever it involved the Jia family, it was a donation. This was already known by everyone in the courtyard.
Ever since Old Jia passed away, Jia Zhang Shi had been crying poverty every day. For funeral expenses, she needed donations. For her son's wedding, she needed donations. When her grandson was born, she needed donations. When they ran out of grain, she needed donations. She constantly found reasons, and Yi Zhong Hai would offer his comforting words. Even if their own stomachs were empty, even if they were reluctant, they had to donate some money.
After all, no one wanted to be targeted by Yi Zhong Hai.
Holding the donation record book, he looked back over the years, and the amount donated to the Jia family had reached over 400 yuan.
Director Wang was furious!
"Jia Zhang Shi, go get that money and return it, or I'll send you back to the countryside."
Jia Zhang Shi loved money more than anything. Whenever money was involved, she would always cry, make a fuss, and even threaten suicide. But today was strange. Hearing Director Wang's words, she didn't even complain about her sore feet. Instead, she stood up directly, went back to the house, and came out carrying a box.
When the box opened, everyone in the courtyard was shocked!
She hadn't lied. Looking at the stack of money, Jia Zhang Shi hadn't exaggerated when she said she had 1,000 yuan in savings.
Director Wang returned all the donations in front of everyone. Those who received the money were ecstatic.
Finally, they were getting their money back. Jia Zhang Shi had been a thorn in everyone's side in the courtyard, but there was nothing they could do. With Yi Zhong Hai's protection, everything was always downplayed, and everyone except the Jia family suffered.
The courtyard's management uncles had indeed helped the street solve many problems, and now all the money that everyone had donated had been returned. There wasn't much harm done, so Yi Zhong Hai, Liu Hai Zhong, and Yan Fu Gui only received a warning.
If they had another incident, they would lose their position as courtyard uncles!
After dealing with Yi Zhong Hai, Director Wang glanced at the foolish He Yu Zhu and decided not to say anything more. He would address him at the street office tomorrow.
After greeting He Yu Cheng, Director Wang left the courtyard.
Now, only Yi Zhong Hai, Liu Hai Zhong, and Yan Fu Gui remained. The street's power was crucial. If their actions were publicized, they would be gossiped about endlessly.
Did Yi Zhong Hai not know he was using his position for personal gain? He knew it well. As the saying goes, "You want the horse to run, but you don't want it to eat grass." He just used his mouth, and a bunch of people helped him out. How convenient!
He played the game of "pretending to build a path while secretly crossing the river," claiming to be a widower. But behind everyone's back, he had a son and daughter. At his age, he was playing games with someone who could be his daughter. What kind of feeling was that?
Pang Geng was his good son. Little Dang and maybe even Hua Hua could be his daughters. He loved the way Jia Dong Xu raised his children and was grateful to him.
But now that this had happened, he was probably going to have a hard time in the courtyard!
The Jia family had so much money, but he had constantly urged everyone to donate to them. They received a lot of money, and they were still bullied by the Jia family three days a week.
Why was Jia Zhang Shi so arrogant in the courtyard? Wasn't it because of Yi Zhong Hai's position? Now Director Wang had clarified the duties of the courtyard uncles. They had no power, just because they were older, had eaten more food, and helped with some petty matters. They could only mediate neighborhood disputes if the other party agreed!
Respect him, and he's the First Uncle. Don't respect him, and he's nothing.
Yi Zhong Hai was deeply troubled. All day long, he talked about respecting the elderly and loving children. All parents were good people, and neighbors should help each other. But in the end, he had been consumed by this. The authority he had accumulated over the years was gone!
If the people in the courtyard didn't listen to him anymore and were no longer afraid of him driving them out, the thought alone gave him a headache.
He went back home with First Aunt. As soon as they entered, First Aunt scolded him, "Old Yi, didn't Jia Zhang Shi hit her head or something? How could she say those things in front of Director Wang?"
Yi Zhong Hai was also confused. Had Jia Zhang Shi been possessed today? Didn't she understand the principle of "silently amassing wealth?" She had always been greedy for money. To get a penny out of her, she would whine for hours. Now, she had openly admitted everything in front of Director Wang, revealing her entire wealth.
Not only had she returned all the donations, but everyone now knew she had 500 to 600 yuan in savings. This was a slap in his face. He had told everyone that she was struggling, but she had hundreds of yuan in savings? How could she possibly be struggling?
Jia Dong Xu had a salary, savings at home, and three pieces of furniture along with a sewing machine. They were living better than most people in the courtyard.
Yi Zhong Hai had known all this, but he pretended not to know to win over the Jia family.
He was so angry that he sighed and said, "Alright, I'm not going to get involved with their business anymore. Let them do whatever they want."
Meanwhile, in the Jia family home, He Yu Cheng had lifted the control over Jia Zhang Shi.
Upon realizing her actions, Jia Zhang Shi felt a pang of heartache. Since Old Jia passed away, the courtyard had donated to the Jia family over ten times. Now, all that money was returned, and her family's wealth was exposed!
Who would be willing to help the Jia family in the future? How could she take advantage of others anymore? This was crazy! She wasn't a fool like He Yu Zhu. How could she admit it in front of Director Wang? If she hadn't admitted it, all that money would still be in her money box.
Seeing Jia Dong Xu and Qin Huai Ru sigh in the house, she knew her son was her own, her flesh and blood. She couldn't bear to hit him, but Qin Huai Ru, who came from the countryside, deserved a beating for venting her anger.
The thought of losing over 400 yuan made her feel like she couldn't breathe.