Siheyuan, Me and the Yu Sisters

Zhang Renkang walked out of the courtyard and felt that there was no one around. He threw his bicycle into the air and walked towards the Lou family villa. Just as he was about to approach the Lou family in the dark, Zhang Renkang suddenly found that the surveillance that had disappeared in the surroundings had reappeared. He carefully walked around the surroundings and found that this time there was a person observing at the main entrance of the Lou family villa. In addition, there was a person warming himself by the stove in a yard on the side. It was probably the person who took over the shift outside.

Zhang Renkang carefully avoided being seen and climbed over the wall to enter Lou's house. He accidentally fell into a snow pit and ate a mouthful of snow. He finally managed to get out of the snow pile. It turned out that Zhang Renkang did not climb in from the west side of the yard as before, but came in from the east back side. The Lou family had piled up snow here for more than one meter, and Zhang Renkang fell into the snow pile and was buried.

He pulled aside in the yard and patted the snow off his clothes. The noise here obviously alarmed the Lou family members in the house. Father Lou carefully looked to the side of the villa with something in his hand. When he saw that it was Zhang Renkang, he breathed a sigh of relief and whispered

"Ren Kang? Is that you?"

Zhang Renkang also whispered back

"it's me"

After shaking off the snow on his body, Zhang Renkang followed Lou Huaijin into the house. He first reached out to stop Lou Xiaoe who was about to jump up. Zhang Renkang first took off his coat, then his shoes and put on slippers. He cleaned the snow marks on his pants before walking towards the sofa. Lou Xiaoe asked with concern:

"Renkang, how did you do this?"

Zhang Renkang smiled and kissed Lou Xiaoe, who was so embarrassed that she sat aside. Lou's mother also brought Zhang Renkang a warmer (made of rubber with hot water inside, which many people must have used when they were young, but it is easy to crack and explode, causing burns). Zhang Renkang warmed himself up and sat down by the fireplace and asked

"You know there are people watching outside."

Lou Huaijin nodded and said

"I just found out this afternoon. You just met him."

Zhang Renkang shook his head and said

"I found him, but he didn't see me. There was another person who was on duty with him in the second yard of the alley on the west side, so I climbed over the east wall this time."

Zhang Renkang said again in confusion

"It shouldn't be like that. The higher-ups won't make a decision for a while. Besides, they're counting on you to go to Hong Kong Island to finalize the equipment issue. They can't be on guard against you running away."

Lou Huaijin said with a wry smile

“It might be my problem.”

Zhang Renkang asked in confusion

"what's the situation?"

Lou Huaijin sighed and said

"I met some old friends this morning and wanted to sell some of my stuff."

"Now if I can pull back the two textile factory production lines as agreed, the funds will be sufficient, but I have also privately ordered a batch of machinery in Hong Kong Island, and plan to start all over again."

"My funds are still quite tight, so I want to sell some of my antiques and calligraphy and paintings. I also have some properties in the suburbs that I haven't dealt with yet, which may have attracted some people's attention."

Zhang Renkang looked at Lou Huaijin in silence. It seemed that Lou Huaijin was still a little wary of him. He did not discuss these things with him. When Zhang Renkang came to Lou's house the night before yesterday, he knew nothing.

Lou Huaijin said nervously

"Renkang, will this alert the higher-ups?"

Zhang Renkang said slowly with an expressionless face

"It's hard to say. It must be unusual for you to sell something, especially since the assets and antiques and calligraphy and paintings you have should not be a small amount, right?"

"I asked you to stay not only because I liked your antiques and paintings, but also because I wanted to remind you that such a big deal would inevitably attract attention from above."

"You've exposed yourself again."

Lou Huaijin held his head and said unwillingly

"I just met up with a few old friends, how could the news leak out?"

Zhang Renkang sneered and said

"You don't think you're the only one who feels the wind is blowing in the wrong direction?"

"No news from the others? If you do this, they will start to guess what you are up to. Are two textile production lines so expensive?"

Lou Huaijin said regretfully

"What should I do? I just can't bear to have so many things in my hands. These are the hard work of three generations of my Lou family. How can I bear to let them go to waste?"

Zhang Renkang chuckled and said

"For you now, being able to get out and live is the best outcome for your Lou family. And according to the path I give you, you can at least take away a considerable fortune and live in Hong Kong Island. You may have a chance to rise again."

"But unfortunately, you didn't listen to my arrangements. Chairman Lou, do you want me to analyze for you the blood debt you owe to the people?"

Lou Huaide held his head in pain and screamed in a low voice. Lou Xiaoe was so scared that she hugged Zhang Renkang's arm tightly and said nervously:

"Renkang, don't argue with my dad. What happened to my dad?"

Zhang Renkang patted Lou Xiao'e's head and said with a smile:

"It's okay, Uncle Lou is just a little upset, it's okay"

Then he said to Lou's mother

"Auntie, can you help me dry my coat? I want to talk to Uncle Lou about something, okay?"

Lou's mother knew that the two had something to say, so she took Lou Xiao'e to the door, picked up Zhang Renkang's coat and shoes, and walked into the villa to make room. Zhang Renkang looked at Lou Huaijin and said

"The Red Star Steel Rolling Mill was built by the Lou family in Sijiu City three or four years ago, right? At the same time, the Lou family also seems to have two textile factories, a detergent factory, three grain stores, a restaurant, etc. I heard that you seemed to have claimed that half of Sijiu City was your property."

Lou Huaijin looked at Zhang Renkang without saying anything. Zhang Renkang continued

"When the Japanese invaders came, you seemed to be the vice president of the Chamber of Commerce for the maintenance of this city, right? Do you want to think about how much your steel mill and other factories contributed to the Japanese invaders? How many Chinese people died?"

"Before liberation, you supported the Baldhead Army. How much did you donate?"

"What did you do during the strike movement on the eve of the liberation of Beijing?"

"Boss Lou, don't you think you can avoid talking about it now that you've donated your property? Or do the higher-ups and the people forget about it?"

Lou Huaijin whispered

"I know, I know, that's why I've been worried about being liquidated every day for the past ten years. I let Ezi marry Xu Damao just because I wanted to keep Ezi alive when the time comes."

Zhang Renkang laughed and said

"When the time comes, Xu Damao will be the first to distance himself from you. Otherwise, Xu Damao will also be liquidated along with you. Do you think any of you can escape when that day comes?"

Zhang Renkang chuckled and continued

"If Ezi and I weren't married, do you think I'd have the time to get involved with you guys? Are you tired of living?"

"If it weren't for the fact that Ezi was carrying my child, I wouldn't care about your family's life or death. With only Ezi, I can still hide her, but you and your aunt will die."

Lou Huaijin nodded and looked at Zhang Renkang sharply and said

"I can see that you are sincere to Xiao'e. Now that things have come to this, tell me what to do. I am giving my life to you from now on. As long as you protect E'e, you don't have to worry about whether your aunt and I live or die."

Zhang Renkang leaned back and lowered his head in deep thought. After a while, he said

"You don't have to do anything, just wait"

"In a few days, go there and donate all your assets. Pick out the best antique paintings and calligraphy and put them away. I will take them away."

"Let's say that since West Germany can provide you with the funds, you plan to sell your property and invest in a detergent factory in China to donate to the country. You want to be the factory director and make more contributions to society. You want the higher authorities to grant you a piece of land. You donate all your property to contribute to the development of the country and to repent for your previous sins."

Lou Huaijin nodded and said

"This will help the higher-ups to dispel their vigilance against me, right?"

Zhang Renkang shook his head and said

"The higher-ups can only half believe it, but you should go and pay the deposit for the machinery later. The French goods are at Nanhouzi's place, and they will probably be delivered after the New Year. With this thing, they will at least be a little concerned about you. When the time comes, don't wait any longer, just take your aunt to Hong Kong Island in the name of visiting relatives. I will send Xiao'e on board to meet you."

Lou Huaijin nodded and said

"Okay, I'll do as you say. I'll go talk to the higher-ups next Monday."

Zhang Renkang nodded and said

"This is your only chance. If you wait until the second half of next year, it will be difficult for you to leave even if you want to."

After saying this, Zhang Renkang smiled and took the hand of Lou Xiaoe who came back with her coat and said

"Xiao'e, have you felt uncomfortable these past two days?"

Lou Xiao'e said shyly

"How can it be so fast? It's been less than two months. Have you finished talking to Dad?"

Zhang Renkang nodded and said

"We've discussed it."

Lou Xiao'e greeted Lou Huaijin happily and took Zhang Renkang upstairs.

(I mainly consider that Lou Bancheng is a hero who fought in the old society. How could he easily follow Zhang Renkang's instructions and trust Zhang Renkang? Therefore, Lou Bancheng must have his own little tricks. This scene is designed as a reference for a certain leader who embezzled and fled.)