The arguments in the courtyard grew louder and louder.
Chen Yuan listened for a few moments, frowning, and then realized that the reason for the group's quarrel was the house that had already been allocated to him.
He decided to intervene and stop this farce. He walked up to everyone, raised his hand in a 'stop' gesture, and said, "Everyone, stop arguing! This house doesn't belong to any of you, because it has already been allocated to me. Please leave my home immediately!"
Everyone turned their heads in unison, their gazes fixed on this young, unfamiliar face.
Jia Zhangshi was the first to react. She sized up Chen Yuan, then pursed her lips: "Where did this greenhorn come from? What nonsense are you spouting!"
Liu Haizhong also looked disbelieving, frowning, his expression like he had encountered an impertinent fly: "You? So young, how could you be allocated such a good house? Factory housing allocations require queuing; it wouldn't be your turn!"
The surrounding neighbors also began to whisper, scrutinizing Chen Yuan with suspicious eyes.
"Who is this young man?"
"Never seen him before, probably new?"
"......"
Facing everyone's doubts, Chen Yuan remained calm. He had long anticipated this situation; otherwise, what would be the point of the housing contract?
At this moment, Yi Zhonghai, with a kindly expression, slowly stepped forward and asked Chen Yuan, "Little Comrade, you said this house was allocated to you? Do you have any proof?"
Chen Yuan took a document from his briefcase and handed it over: "This is the housing allocation notice and residency contract issued by my unit. One look and you'll know it's real."
Yi Zhonghai took the document and examined it carefully, his brows gradually furrowing.
He meticulously checked every detail on the document, not letting go of any potential points of doubt.
Jia Zhangshi and the others all gathered around, craning their necks to see what was happening.
"Let me see!" Jia Zhangshi pushed Yi Zhonghai's shoulder.
"Alright, stop arguing! It truly has the factory's official seal..." After finishing, Yi Zhonghai returned the document to Chen Yuan, then turned to the crowd and said, "Everyone, stop arguing. This house has indeed been allocated to this young Comrade! The seal and date are correct. It was directly allocated by another unit, not through our factory's queuing system."
With that single sentence, the noisy courtyard instantly fell silent. The expressions on several people's faces varied, but all contained a layer of unwillingness.
Jia Zhangshi's face changed from arrogant to ugly, her expression like she had bitten into a bitter gourd, her eyes seeming to want to devour someone.
Liu Haizhong also had an constipated expression.
Yan Bugui, seeing that the situation was not right, quietly retreated a few steps, as if to distance himself from the matter.
Chen Yuan gave Yi Zhonghai an unexpected look. Such a fair declaration. He wondered if the First Grandpa of this world was different from the one in his impression? So willing to help, and strictly by the book?
However, the next moment, Yi Zhonghai's tone shifted, a barely perceptible smile on his face: "But little Comrade, I see on your allocation form that there are two rooms. Isn't it a bit wasteful for you to live alone?
The Jia Family's situation is quite special. Why don't you temporarily let them live in one of the rooms? It would also be for the harmony of the courtyard!"
As soon as these words came out, an alarm immediately sounded in Chen Yuan's heart. Sure enough, old habits die hard!
Jia Zhangshi immediately perked up, her previous slump gone, her eyes instantly brightening: "Exactly, exactly! What's a little kid like you doing living in such a big place? It's a waste!
Our family has old and young, and we're living in cramped quarters! Giving up one room won't cost you a pound of flesh!"
Chen Yuan chuckled inwardly. These tricks were too childish for him: "The house allocated to me by my unit, why should I give it to someone else? Jia Zhangshi isn't my relative, why should I take care of her? The way you say it, it's as if I owe her something."
Jia Zhangshi's eyes widened, "You ill-mannered brat, you have no respect for elders or love for the young! I'm telling you, this old woman has already moved things in. You want to kick me out? No way!"
Chen Yuan announced coldly, without expression: "Then please move your things out as soon as possible, otherwise don't blame me for being impolite."
Jia Zhangshi didn't take Chen Yuan's words seriously at all. She directly sat down on the threshold of the disputed room, blocking the entrance like a wall: "I'm not leaving. What can you do to me? Try to touch me if you dare? I'm an old person!"
She raised her chin, looking defiant, her face full of the expression, "What can you do to me?"
The commotion in the courtyard grew louder and louder, attracting more and more neighbors who gathered in small groups, discussing animatedly.
"What's going on?"
"I heard it's about fighting over a house!"
"It's Jia Zhangshi again, then it's not surprising!"
"You can't say that; their family really isn't spacious..."
"Heh heh, if you like being a saint, then give your house to her."
"....."
In the crowd, two more people approached: Jia Zhangshi's daughter-in-law, Qin Huairu, and the devoted Sha Zhu.
"What's happening, First Grandpa?" Sha Zhu asked, frowning, as he stepped forward.
Yi Zhonghai sighed, a hint of helplessness on his face, and briefly explained the situation, deliberately emphasizing the difficulties of the Jia Family and the "lack of understanding" of this "newcomer, young man," Chen Yuan.
After listening, Sha Zhu immediately stepped forward, patting his chest: "Little brother, I'm the kind-hearted person in this courtyard. You're new, so you might not understand many things.
Old Jia Zhangshi's life isn't easy, so please be accommodating. Let the old lady live in one room; it will also show your kindness."
The corners of Chen Yuan's mouth curved slightly, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes: "Kindness? How come I don't see you giving your own house for her to live in?"
This hit home, and Sha Zhu was momentarily speechless, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Just as Sha Zhu was in an awkward situation, Qin Huairu gently stepped forward, her face full of tenderness: "Comrade, I am Qin Huairu. My mother-in-law is old, and our family has three children; life is truly difficult..."
She deliberately lowered her voice as she spoke, appearing pitiful. Her eyes occasionally stole glances at Chen Yuan's reaction, to see if he was moved by her "plight."
Her posture, her eyes, her tone, all exuded a practiced air of pitifulness that made people instinctively want to sympathize with her.
Chen Yuan observed her for a few moments. This pretty widow was indeed attractive, especially in this era and in this courtyard, she seemed quite alluring.
However, he was not a creature of his lower instincts; this trick wouldn't work on him.
"I understand your family's difficulties very well, but this is the house allocated to me by my unit. Why should I give it up?"
"Impossible! Please move your things out immediately! I don't care what difficulties your family has; that's your business, not my obligation!"
His tone was firm and unsparing, which surprised the people around him, as in this era, most would consider neighborly relations a bit.
Qin Huairu pursed her lips, a flicker of unease and annoyance in her eyes, but she still wouldn't give up, almost pleadingly saying: "Comrade, please be kind. My children have nowhere to live... We are truly very difficult..."
As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly, and tears welled up, making her look like she was about to cry. Her pitiful appearance was enough to move anyone with a soft heart.
The onlookers began to whisper. Some were already looking at Qin Huairu with sympathy, while others expressed dissatisfaction with Chen Yuan's attitude.
"Young people are too ignorant!"
"Treating a struggling family like this is outrageous!"
"What's wrong with giving up one room? It won't cost you a pound of flesh!"
Chen Yuan sneered, thinking that if this wasn't handled well, there would be more trouble in the courtyard later. These people were mistaking softness for being easily bullied.
It seemed the only way to solve the problem was the most direct way, to let them know he wasn't to be trifled with.
Without another word, he walked directly into the house.
Inside, several bundles and some sundries were already piled up, clearly moved in by Jia Zhangshi. There was even a quilt already spread out on the bed in the corner.
Chen Yuan, without a word, grabbed a cotton cloth bundle, strode to the doorway, and threw it out with force!