He Yuzhu left Li Anquan’s home in high spirits and returned to the Middle Courtyard. Seeing Qin Huairu standing at the doorway waiting for news, he stepped right up to her.
"Sister Qin, regarding that money... you just help him keep it! I’ve already laid down the law; if he dares to come looking for you again, I’ll break his legs and teach him a lesson he won't forget!"
Qin Huairu’s inner abacus was clicking away. Ma Xiaojuan’s compensation totaled over 600 yuan! Because she had been a permanent employee, her compensation was much higher than Jia Dongxu’s. With that money, Qin Huairu could finally feel secure.
"Zhuzi, I’m a mother myself, you know. I’m just afraid that if he gets all that money, he’ll squander it! I’ll dole it out to him little by little later on. It’s not like I actually want his money!"
Qin Huairu was playing the hypocrite, trying to pocket the money while maintaining a virtuous image. He Yuzhu, foolish as he was, believed her completely.
Li Anquan left his home with a cold face. After a moment's thought, he headed straight for the Public Security Bureau.
The officer on duty saw Li Anquan enter and, feeling a bit puzzled, stepped forward to ask him warmly, "Little friend, is there something you need? This is the Public Security Bureau."
Zhang Ming was very enthusiastic about his work; he felt his position was truly sacred.
Li Anquan nodded solemnly. "Uncle Officer, hello. I want to report a crime. Someone has forcibly seized my mother’s compensation. They even impersonated my family to claim it at the factory, refused to give the money to me, and used physical threats against me!"
Hearing this, Zhang Ming stood up straight and waved to his colleagues. "We’ve got a situation here. Everyone, gather 'round."
Several officers quickly surrounded Zhang Ming, who, as captain, immediately began asking for details. Li Anquan explained everything clearly, detailing the entire sequence of events.
"That is roughly what happened... Uncle Officer, both my grandfather and my father sacrificed their lives for the country! My family is a family of martyrs. Could you please notify the Support-the-Military Office? They said they would protect us. Also... I want to ask the leaders of the Workers' Association why my family's money was claimed by someone else!"
Zhang Ming looked at the articulate boy and nodded. He turned to his subordinates and ordered, "Go to the Support-the-Military Office and the Workers' Association. Tell them to meet us at Courtyard No. 95!"
Because it involved the family of martyrs, Zhang Ming took the matter very seriously. The other officers nodded and immediately set out.
Li Anquan had already decided that he had to make Qin Huairu, He Yuzhu, and Yi Zhonghai feel the sting of their actions. Otherwise, left alone and vulnerable, there was no telling how they would continue to bully him.
"Little comrade, wait here for a moment. Once everyone arrives, we will launch an investigation so as not to alert them prematurely."
Li Anquan was naturally very cooperative, providing Zhang Ming with the news of Ma Xiaojuan’s death in the line of duty and the name of the Red Star Rolling Mill. Zhang Ming immediately dispatched men to the factory to investigate.
About half an hour later, two women in military uniforms arrived at the bureau. Their expressions were grave—this was a major matter for the Support-the-Military Office, which was tasked with protecting the families of soldiers and the children of martyrs from bullying.
"Where is the young comrade Li Anquan? We are from the Support-the-Military Office!"
Li Anquan stood up and gave a practiced military salute before speaking. "My grandfather and father were both soldiers. They told me that I should become a soldier too when I grow up. I admire soldiers more than anyone!"
Li Anquan didn't overthink it; he just started with some flattery. If he had the backing of the Support-the-Military Office, He Yuzhu and the others were in for a rude awakening!
The representatives from the Support-the-Military Office had already checked the files; his father and grandfather had indeed sacrificed their lives for the country. To compensate the family, the state had provided Ma Xiaojuan with a job at the Red Star Rolling Mill. Now that she had passed away in the line of duty, the fact that someone was bullying Li Anquan was intolerable to them.
"Little comrade Li Anquan, thank you for your support. Rest assured, as a family member of a soldier, I will ensure justice is served for you. Let’s head to your home now. If the situation is as you described, they will face the punishment they deserve!"
Li Anquan felt a surge of joy, but he deferred to Zhang Ming’s arrangements. Just then, the deputy head of the Workers' Association arrived as well.
The representatives from the Support-the-Military Office and the police looked displeased, as the money should have been handed directly to Li Anquan. Before coming, the association representatives had conducted their own investigation and hurried to explain.
"Comrade Officers, comrades from the Support-the-Military Office, we have investigated this. Because the family members of the deceased were minors, the 'First Elder' of the courtyard, Yi Zhonghai, was authorized to claim it on their behalf to hand over to them. Yi Zhonghai even signed for it. Here is the proof!"
This procedure was considered reasonable, so although the officers were still unhappy, they didn't blame the Workers' Association. However, the fact that Yi Zhonghai had handed the money to Qin Huairu instead was a clear violation!
Qin Huairu and He Yuzhu were still feeling smug. He Yuzhu thought he had won Qin Huairu’s favor, and Qin Huairu had secretly hidden the money without telling Mrs. Jia. She knew that with Mrs. Jia’s personality, she would absolutely demand the money if she knew about it.
Suddenly, a group of people arrived at the Middle Courtyard and began summoning those inside.
"He Yuzhu, Yi Zhonghai, Qin Huairu! You're all home, right? Come out, all of you!"
Hearing the shouting, many residents of the courtyard came out to watch. Seeing soldiers and police, everyone grew cautious and kept a safe distance.
He Yuzhu lived in the main room of the Middle Courtyard, flanked by Qin Huairu on one side and Yi Zhonghai on the other. The three of them stepped out, looking flustered at the sight of the police and soldiers. Especially upon seeing Li Anquan in the group, He Yuzhu’s face darkened, and he pointed a finger at him.
"You little brat, are you looking to die? You actually dared to report this to the police? Are you even a man?"
This time, Li Anquan didn't snap back. Instead, he looked terrified! He scrambled back, hiding behind Zhang Ming and gripping his coat tightly.
Zhang Ming was instantly furious. This child had just lost his mother and was left with only his younger sister. And yet, this man dared to threaten the child right in front of them!
Zhang Ming exploded. "You! Grab this man! He dares to threaten a martyr’s family in front of us police and soldiers? Process him severely!"
He Yuzhu panicked, but the police didn't hesitate, quickly slapping a pair of cold silver handcuffs on his wrists.
Yi Zhonghai hurriedly stepped forward. "Comrade Officers, Comrade Soldiers, is there some sort of misunderstanding? I am the manager of this courtyard, Yi Zhonghai."
He assumed the police would show some respect to the courtyard's manager, who assisted the neighborhood committee and the police with local security. But Zhang Ming just sneered.
"Hmph, you think you’re worthy of being a manager? You’re involved in this too. Cuff him as well!"