8mi Chapter 211: Zhang Lei's Discussion on Housing
Chapter 211: Zhang Lei's Discussion on Housing
Director Wang entered the deaf old lady's room and frowned upon seeing her lying on the bed. He then asked Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui beside him, "Liu Haizhong, Yan Fugui, tell me what happened?"
Upon hearing Director Wang's question, Liu Haizhong immediately felt his chance to shine had arrived, so he quickly stepped forward and said, "Director Wang, this morning we found the deaf old lady's door locked, and we knew something was wrong. So, my wife, an older woman, and I broke down the door and found that she had already passed away. Everyone in the neighborhood came over after they found out, and after discussing it with Yan Fugui, Zhang Lei, and me, we decided to report it to the neighborhood committee."
Hearing Liu Haizhong's words, Director Wang nodded and said, "Okay, in that case, you should make preparations, inform the neighborhood office about the arrangements for the deaf old lady's funeral, and then bury her together."
Upon hearing this, an older woman standing nearby immediately stepped forward and said to Director Wang, "Director Wang, no, the old deaf woman's death is definitely not as simple as a natural death."
Hearing this, Director Wang frowned and said, "Why do you say that?"
An older woman looked at Director Wang and said, "Director Wang, the old lady was perfectly fine yesterday, how could she have died overnight? There must be something fishy going on."
At this moment, Liu Haizhong couldn't help but step forward and say, "Auntie, stop making a scene. The deaf old lady clearly passed away of natural causes. She was old, so why are you making such a fuss?"
Yan Fugui, who was standing nearby, also stepped forward and said, "Yes, ma'am, we know you and the old lady have a good relationship, but you can't just say things like that!"
At this moment, Director Wang looked at the elderly woman and said, "Liu Cuilan, you saw what happened today. The deaf old lady's room was locked from the inside. Based on this alone, we can conclude that the old lady died of her own accord. Do you have anything else to say?"
Hearing Director Wang's incisive words, Liu Cuilan was stunned. She wondered to herself, could it really be as Director Wang said, that the old lady had passed away naturally due to old age? But she couldn't understand why the deaf old lady, who had been chatting and laughing with her just yesterday, was now lying motionless.
Zhang Lei stepped forward and looked at Director Wang, saying, "Director Wang, please don't blame the old lady. I guess she's been taking care of the deaf old lady for so many years, treating her like family, and she can't accept the news of the old lady's passing, which is why she said such things."
After listening to Zhang Lei's words, Director Wang nodded and said to Liu Cuilan, "Alright, Liu Cuilan, I know how you feel right now. But things should be handled as they are. If you have evidence to prove that the deaf old lady did not die a natural death, you can tell me, or you can go to the police station to report it."
Upon hearing Director Wang's words, Liu Haizhong, standing to the side, spoke up with obvious dissatisfaction: "Auntie, Director Wang has already made it very clear. What are you still arguing about? The person has already passed away. The most important thing is to let the old lady rest in peace. Do you want the old lady to be unable to find peace even in death?"
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged woman was stunned. After a moment of silence, she said, "I'm sorry, I was wrong. I'm just a little sad."
Seeing the older woman's sad expression, everyone expressed their understanding.
At this moment, Liu Haizhong shouted to the people in the courtyard, "Come on, everyone, lend a hand. Old Yan, go order a coffin."
Seeing Liu Haizhong's skillful command, Director Wang said, "Liu Haizhong, now that Yi Zhonghai is no longer in this courtyard, you, as his second uncle, need to take responsibility."
Upon hearing Director Wang's words, Liu Haizhong beamed with joy and quickly replied, "Director Wang, don't worry, leave this to me."
Director Wang nodded: "Alright, I'll leave this to you. Just come to the subdistrict office for reimbursement as much as it costs."
After saying that, Director Wang turned and left with two staff members.
Liu Haizhong felt as if he had received a royal decree, his face beaming with joy. He quickly called out to Director Wang's retreating figure, "Director Wang, take care! I will definitely get things done!"
Looking at Liu Haizhong's sycophantic manner, Zhang Lei stepped forward, gave him a thumbs up, and said, "Second Uncle, this courtyard still needs you. To be honest, Director Wang still values you the most."
Upon hearing Zhang Lei's words, Liu Haizhong immediately beamed with joy and said smugly, "Zhang Lei, you have a good eye. Director Wang is definitely going to promote me."
Zhang Lei suppressed a laugh and stepped forward to pat Liu Haizhong on the shoulder: "Second Uncle, you're the best."
These words energized Liu Haizhong even more, and he immediately began to enthusiastically direct everyone to prepare for the deaf old lady's funeral. Many people in the courtyard were actually reluctant to have anything to do with the deaf old lady, but after all, death is a serious matter, and they had to save face. Soon, every household came to lend a hand.
Looking at the busy crowd in the courtyard, Zhang Lei deliberately walked up to Yan Fugui and said, "Now that the deaf old lady is gone, her two rooms are a real treasure. I wonder who will end up with them."
After saying that, he sighed with feigned regret, turned around, and went home. But his voice, neither too loud nor too soft, drifted into the ears of everyone present. The crowd instantly realized—yes, the deaf old lady was gone, and those two rooms were a real benefit. Families with many children were especially scheming, each with their own agendas.
The only person who paid the most attention to the deaf old lady was an older woman who was still immersed in the grief of losing her loved one. She was saddened by the sudden death of the deaf old lady, but at the same time, she felt helpless. Yi Zhonghai was still in prison, the deaf old lady was gone, and the two people who were closest to her in the courtyard were no longer by her side. She had no one to rely on.
Whether it was Zhang Lei's words or not, everyone in the courtyard suddenly became more diligent, quickly tidying up the deaf old lady's belongings.
This scene surprised Liu Haizhong, but his second aunt was the first to react. She leaned close to him and whispered, "Old Liu, Zhang Lei was right. The deaf old lady is gone, and there's no indication of who will inherit the house. I think they're all after it."
Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong's face immediately darkened, and he said unhappily, "Houses? What right do they have to covet houses?"
The second aunt looked at him and advised, "Old Liu, think about it. These days, which family in the neighborhood doesn't have many children? Which family doesn't need a house? Our two sons, how can they not get married when they grow up? Without a house, where will they live?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong's heart skipped a beat. He had never really thought carefully about the future of his two sons, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu. Although he didn't treat his two sons well on a regular basis, they were still his own flesh and blood. They were supposed to settle down and start their own families; he couldn't let outsiders gossip about them.
He composed himself and said to the second aunt, "Alright, I understand, I know what I'm doing. You go and help out quickly, I'll communicate with the neighborhood office about this beforehand."
Upon hearing this, the second aunt immediately beamed with joy and quickly replied, "Honey, I knew you were the most capable!"
Looking at the two rooms belonging to the deaf old lady, Aunt Er's eyes were full of certainty, as if the house was already hers.