Chapter 70 Election
Wang Shuanghua no longer had any doubts, and immediately stated the main purpose of his trip, inviting Shen Zhiyu to be the manager.

“You are kidding. You want me to be a boss? I am not married yet!” Shen Zhiyu flatly refused.

Wang Shuanghua knew from Tu Qifang’s analysis that Shen Zhiyu was unwilling to be the boss.

But she really had no other choice, so she had to let Shen Zhiyu take over. She immediately explained, “Comrade Shen Zhiyu, no one stipulates that the steward must be an older person. Young people can also be competent. You are better than Yi Zhonghai as the steward.”

Shen Zhiyu really couldn’t refuse Wang Shuanghua’s kindness. If he really let that old guy Yi Zhonghai do it, it would be like a toad landing on someone’s foot – it doesn’t bite but it makes people sick.

“Secretary Wang, this manager also needs to be elected by the compound. With Yi Zhonghai’s methods, I don’t think I can compete with him. Even if I want to be elected, my hope is slim.” Shen Zhiyu said.

“You don’t have to worry about this, as long as you are willing.” Wang Shuanghua obviously made some arrangements.

After that, the two of them ate and chatted, and Shen Zhiyu introduced the situation of other courtyard residents to Wang Shuanghua.

Before they knew it, the two of them were chatting until after 9 o’clock in the evening, and only ended the conversation at the waiter’s urging.

“Shen Zhiyu, let’s part ways now. After get off work tomorrow, I will come to your hospital to preside over the election of a new manager.” Wang Shuanghua said.

“Secretary Wang, it’s getting late. Let me take you there. It’s still a little dangerous for a female comrade like you.”

Shen Zhiyu didn’t dare let her go alone as it was still dangerous. This was different from the future where there were cameras everywhere.

Wang Shuanghua did not refuse and walked towards her home with Shen Zhiyu.

Shen Zhiyu left only after watching Wang Shuanghua enter the yard.

After returning home, his younger brothers and sisters had already rested. Shen Zhiyu did not disturb them. After washing up, he read a book for a while before going to rest.

I wonder what kind of trouble will arise in tomorrow’s election for the steward.

At around 7 o’clock in the evening, quite a few people were already sitting in the central courtyard of the Red Star Siheyuan.

There are more than 20 households in the courtyard, with nearly a hundred people, filling the yard.

In the middle courtyard, near Sha Zhu’s house, there was a square table covered with a tablecloth, on which were melon seeds and water cups.

This is a masterpiece among the bangs. After knowing that the manager would be chosen tonight, he started jumping up and down.

At around seven o’clock in the evening, the originally empty central courtyard seemed crowded because everyone in the courtyard gathered together.

With so many people sitting together, the air became a bit stuffy.

Three street office staff members were sitting in front of the square table.

Sitting in the middle of the table was Wang Shuanghua, who was in charge of the Red Star Courtyard and was also the host of this election.

Sitting on Wang Shuanghua’s left was a young man about seventeen or eighteen years old, and on his right sat a female secretary who was about the same age as Wang Shuanghua.

Shen Zhiyu disliked the crowds and the heat, so he pulled a stool and sat at the outermost edge. Sitting next to him were Xu Damao, Liu Guangqi, Liu Guangtian, Liu Guangfu and others.

“Ahem… Everyone, be quiet. Today, the respected comrades from the Street Office came to our compound to elect a manager. Everyone must…”

“Okay, Uncle Er, the people from the street office haven’t said anything yet, but you’re the one who started it.” Sha Zhu said sarcastically at Yi Zhonghai’s suggestion. “Sha Zhu is very jumpy! Guang Qi, he said your dad, you three brothers, don’t go up and beat him up.” Shen Zhiyu said in a low voice.

Xu Damao’s eyes lit up, and he quickly said, “That’s right, Shazhu’s grandson is almost beaten. Guangqi, how about giving it a try?”

Liu Guangqi glanced at the two men and said, “Forget it. We have comrades from the street office here today. We’ll beat them up another day.”

A few people discussed in low voices about beating up the fool, then ended and looked towards the field.

Liu Haizhong was arguing with Sha Zhu at this moment.

Liu Haizhong is slow to react and is no match for Sha Zhu when it comes to quarreling.

“Zhuzi, don’t talk. Everyone be quiet and let the comrades from the street office speak.” Yi Zhonghai saw that the staff of the street office were getting impatient and felt that he had achieved his goal, so he said to Sha Zhu.

“Quiet! I’m Wang Shuanghua, the street office clerk who manages our courtyard. The two people next to me are also staff members of the street office. Today, the three of us came to the courtyard for one purpose, to select a new manager.”

After Wang Shuanghua finished speaking, Shen Zhiyu was the first to start applauding.

Xu Damao and others also joined in, and finally everyone started applauding.

“The system of “managers” was originally established to prevent reactionaries and spies, and later it was used to help the street office mediate neighborhood conflicts.”

“It cannot replace the role of the sub-district office or even the police station. When encountering major issues, the police and sub-district office are still needed to handle them.”

“The three managers of Hongxing Courtyard, especially the first one Yi Zhonghai, wantonly expanded their power. They would drive people away at will and demand jobs from neighbors. Their power is greater than that of our street office. This is a wrong approach, and similar situations will never be allowed to happen in the future.” When Wang Shuanghua said this, he looked at Yi Zhonghai.

Everyone in the yard was also very excited when they saw Yi Zhonghai being dragged out to be whipped again.

In the past few days, Jia Zhang has been behaving badly in the courtyard. Many people hate her very much. They also vaguely know the role of Yi Zhonghai behind the scenes. Now that they have the opportunity to mock Yi Zhonghai, naturally no one will lag behind.

“Uncle, please tell us what you think. This person has more power than those in the police station and the street office. He must be a high-ranking official like the director of the Public Security Bureau. Come on, tell us how you feel, and let us, the peasants, feel what it feels like to be an official.” Xu Damao added insult to injury.

Sha Zhu frowned as he looked at Yi Zhonghai who was being ridiculed by everyone. He was about to get angry, but he stopped because he was afraid that so many people would team up to beat him up.

Now hearing Xu Damao’s mockery, he found a scapegoat.

It just so happened that Xu Damao had extorted a sum of money in the first month of this year, and he had long wanted to take revenge. He shouted angrily: “Xu Damao, you are courting death. Who gave you the courage to speak like that?”

Although Shen Zhiyu knew that Wang Shuanghua was going to choose him, he could also win some votes in advance. He looked at Sha Zhu and said, “Sha Zhu! Is this courtyard yours? We can’t even say anything. Or are you a former landlord and rich man? We servants have no right to speak.”

After hearing what Shen Zhiyu said, Sha Zhu wanted to say something, but He Yushui quickly stepped forward and said, “Brother Zhiyu, my brother didn’t mean that. He was just used to playing around with Brother Damao, and he didn’t really mean that.”

“Yu Shui, shut up. And don’t call these two villains brothers.” Sha Zhu pushed He Yu Shui away.

Shen Zhifang helped He Yushui, who was sitting on the ground.

Shen Zhiyu looked at Sha Zhu and said two words calmly: “Idiot!”

“Very insightful!” Xu Damao gave Shen Zhiyu a thumbs up.

(End of this chapter)