Volume One, Chapter 18: Demanding the House

Gao Yuan did not believe a single word of what Auntie Zhou was saying.

She claimed that after serious discussion, the neighborhood committee had proposed to the hospital that his mother be transferred back from Yanling to resume her position. She also insisted that the hospital leadership, considering their family's actual situation, had readily agreed.

What kind of nonsense was she spouting? Did the neighborhood committee really have enough clout to issue instructions to Jishuitan Hospital? If the hospital director hadn't spat in her face, it would be out of sheer politeness.

Even with his heels, Gao Yuan could figure out that the policy had shifted and the political climate was improving, which was the only reason his mother had been transferred back. As for these neighborhood cadres, it was obvious they were here to claim credit, acting as if they had gone to great lengths to resolve his mother's return to the city.

Gao Yuan glanced at Old Man Qin, who happened to be looking at him as well. The old man let out a bitter smile. This only confirmed to Gao Yuan that the three old women were here to curry favor with his mother. However, he didn't call them out. He understood the nuances of social etiquette, and clearly, so did his mother.

Zhang Xuemei smiled and said, "Oh my, I am truly grateful for the concern and care shown by you leaders; I'm sorry you had to go to such trouble for my sake."

Auntie Zhou felt comforted, her old face blooming into a smile. "We’re all neighbors; it’s only right that we help one another."

As soon as she finished, Gao Yuelin lit a cigarette and asked slowly, "Auntie Zhou, since you put it that way, do you think it's time to implement the policy regarding this house my father left us and return it to us?"

Auntie Zhou almost choked. She gave an awkward laugh and said, "Yuelin, the neighborhood committee doesn't have the final say on housing matters; it requires approval from the district. Don't make things difficult for me."

"Our family is truly in a difficult spot. Look, Xiaoya and I just returned today, and this place is so cramped we can't even lay out a bed on the floor. If the neighborhood committee can't resolve this, I'll have to go stay at your place tonight to make do," Gao Yuelin said with a cheerful tone, still unhurried.

Gao Yuan secretly gave his uncle a thumbs-up. One word: Brilliant!

"What kind of talk is that, coming to stay at my house?" Auntie Zhou was instantly incensed, her face darkening. "I’m at my age, how could I share a bed with a grown man? If that got out, how could I ever show my face again?"

"So, it turns out your house isn't spacious either, then," Gao Yuelin countered.

"I..."

Old Man Qin chuckled, sounding like a leaking tire. He knew the situation of the Zhou family all too well: a private courtyard with a total of nine rooms and a separate latrine—the conditions were exceptionally generous.

Seeing Zhou Yourong cornered by Gao Yuelin, while Auntie Li and Auntie Zheng just watched the show without any intention of helping her out, Old Man Qin thought for a moment and said, "Yuelin is right. The reality of Yuemin's family situation is clear. Five people in twenty square meters—it really isn't enough. As for this courtyard, I can testify that it was indeed left behind after Uncle Gao passed away. Due to various special reasons, it was later requisitioned by the organization. Now that Yuelin and Xiaoya have returned to the city with nowhere to stay, the neighborhood committee should help resolve their housing issue. We can't really let them sleep on the street, can we?"

He hadn't wanted to get involved in these neighborhood committee affairs; he had been dragged along by Auntie Zhou and the others. Auntie Zhou had insisted, "You and the Gao family have been neighbors for years; shouldn't you go congratulate them on their good news?" Unable to refuse, he had come along. But after hearing Auntie Zhou constantly taking credit, Qin Guohua felt ashamed to even be there. She had done nothing; when the Jishuitan Hospital staff couldn't reach Xuemei, they called the neighborhood committee to pass on a message, yet she had twisted the facts to claim all the credit for herself. How could someone be so shameless?

Qin Guohua despised this behavior. Hearing Gao Yuelin bring up the housing problem, he felt he had to speak up for justice.

"Old brother, you are a man of sense," Gao Yuelin said, offering Qin Guohua a cigarette. Qin Guohua accepted it and nodded with a smile. Gao Yuan hurried over with a match to light it for him.

Zhou Yourong felt like she was being roasted over a fire. She knew the Gao family's situation perfectly well. Her original plan was to claim credit so that the Gao family would owe her a favor; that way, if she ever had any ailments, she could turn to Zhang Xuemei, an authority in surgery. She hadn't expected the youngest Gao to hit her with the housing issue, immediately backing her into a corner. And now, Old Qin was stirring the pot too.

Zhou Yourong shot frequent glances at Auntie Li and Auntie Zheng, signaling for them to say something, but they acted as if they hadn't seen anything and refused to speak. Zhou Yourong was fuming, regretting this visit. Yet, she knew the Gao family's housing issue had to be addressed. The Gao family was on the rise; if they made a real scene, she wouldn't have a peaceful day as the director of the neighborhood committee.

"Yuemin, I know your family's difficulties. With so many people and such little space, you can't live like this. As Brother Qin said, the neighborhood committee should help, but we have our own limitations. It's not realistic for the third son to demand an immediate solution right now, is it?"

Gao Yuemin had been smoking in silence, watching coldly. When he saw Zhou Yourong pass the ball to him, he looked up and uttered one word: "Right."

Gao Yuan felt like applauding his father. His father was the one with true wisdom. No matter what you say, I agree, but I’ve shown you my family's reality. I didn't bring it up, but if you want me to state my position, forget it. How you solve it is up to you, Director.

That was the implication.

Zhou Yourong was choked up again. She sighed and said, "I have a proposal. See if your family can agree to it. There is a vacant room in the neighborhood committee's courtyard; let Yuelin make do there for a few days. As for your current situation, I will report it truthfully to the district leaders and strive to have them return this courtyard to your family as soon as possible."

Gao Yuemin maintained his smiling expression. At this point, Gao Yuan felt he should add some fuel to the fire. He asked, "Auntie Zhou, is the property title for this courtyard clear?"

Zhou Yourong was a veteran of the Jianguomen neighborhood and was very familiar with the properties in the dozen or so hutongs under their jurisdiction. She said, "The title is clear and definitive. The deed and land certificate for this courtyard are both in your grandfather's name."

Gao Yuan smiled and said, "Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. How about this: my uncle doesn't need to go to the neighborhood committee to cause trouble. Since you are all here, please help us talk to the family currently living in the north wing and have them vacate it for us. Since it is our own house, even if the whole thing can't be returned yet, surely our family has the right to decide which room we live in?"