Chapter 181: Dangerous House

Jin Hanyuan was dumbfounded.

“You wrote this? Are you sure you don’t know music?”

He truly couldn’t understand it. How could someone who didn’t know music compose a song like this? If word got out, how many people would be ashamed?

He could guarantee that once this song was released, it would become popular all across the country.

“I’ve made a fool of myself,” Zhou Yimin said, neither blushing nor flustered.

Made a fool of himself?

Jin Hanyuan was at a loss for words. Who would dare say that? Even for seasoned musicians like them, writing a song like this would be difficult.

Just look at those lyrics—so well written, the entire piece filled with main-theme patriotism.

The lyrics were catchy, and the melody was beautiful and pleasant.

Jin Hanyuan started getting a little excited. To compose the accompaniment for a song like this felt like an honor. Once this song became a hit, his name, Jin Hanyuan, would surely become known alongside it.

From that point on, Jin Hanyuan ignored Zhou Yimin and Director Li, diving into his work.

Though he was disabled, he moved swiftly and efficiently.

Under Zhou Yimin’s astonished gaze, he first began writing the musical score. For professionals like him, writing sheet music once the melody was set wasn’t hard.

As he worked on the notation, he was already thinking about which instruments to use to achieve the effect he wanted.

“Forget it, let’s go. No need to disturb him,” Director Li said to Zhou Yimin.

Staying would just mean waiting around for nothing.

Once they stepped out of Jin Hanyuan’s home, Zhou Yimin asked, “Auntie, that man just now…”

Before he could finish, Director Li cut in, “Yimin, just call him ‘Uncle’ from now on—you won’t lose out.”

She’d brought Zhou Yimin here today partly so he could get to know Jin Hanyuan. Very few people knew that Jin Hanyuan was the “big boss” quietly hidden in their neighborhood.

Or rather, he wasn’t technically a boss—he’d never held any official position—but Jin Hanyuan had strong connections.

It all started with his family’s support of the anti-Japanese war.

His family had once been a wealthy clan, a major household. But for the sake of the country and the nation, they gave everything they had—so much so that by the end, only Jin Hanyuan remained.

He even went to fight in the Korean War. Though he made it back alive, he lost a leg.

Originally, the state had other plans for him, but Jin Hanyuan, now disabled, chose to retire quietly instead of taking an official post. He chose this place because it used to be part of his family’s ancestral property.

In fact, his family had lots of ancestral land, most of which had been donated to the country.

There were even rumors that Jin Hanyuan had been gifted calligraphy scrolls by a master—priceless treasures that, if taken out, would be virtually “invincible.”

Director Li gave Zhou Yimin a rough idea of who Jin Hanyuan really was.

Zhou Yimin was filled with admiration.

He loved his country too, but to make such sacrifices? He honestly didn’t think he could. He wasn’t that noble.

Still, even after learning Jin Hanyuan’s background, Zhou Yimin didn’t plan on cozying up to him deliberately. He preferred to let things happen naturally.

Zhou Yimin’s gaze fell on one of the courtyard’s houses. He reminded her, “Auntie, that house really needs repairs. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of time before something bad happens.”

At a glance, it was clearly a dangerous structure.

He even noticed one of its walls was leaning.

Maybe it would be fine for now, but in another ten years, it would definitely collapse in an earthquake. Zhou Yimin hadn’t forgotten that huge disaster from history.

When the time came, if he could help in a way that didn’t expose his secret, he would.

To just stand by and watch such a tragedy unfold without doing anything—he really couldn’t do it.

“Hmm?” Director Li looked over and frowned slightly.

She summoned the courtyard’s manager.

The old caretaker hesitated.

“Just spit it out. Why are you hemming and hawing?” Director Li snapped impatiently.

The old man gave a bitter smile. “Director Li, there are several places like that in our courtyard. I’ve told them before, but they just didn’t care.”

Being the manager here was no easy job.

Some residents really didn’t want to spend money. They saw a wall leaning and just stuck a wooden beam up against it, thinking that would solve the problem.

“There are several like that?” Director Li was shocked.

“Director Li, let me show you.”

He led the way.

This courtyard was huge, covering over a thousand square meters, with more than thirty buildings of varying sizes and heights. Some looked relatively new, while others were so dilapidated they looked like they could collapse at any moment.

Soon, the caretaker brought Director Li and Zhou Yimin to the most dangerous one.

The walls of this house were clearly leaning, with two wooden beams propping up the outer wall. From inside came the weak cries of a child.

Director Li broke into a cold sweat at the sight.

“Who lives here?” she asked.

They had some nerve.

“Little Yao. His whole family. It’s tough,” the caretaker sighed.

Everyone living in the courtyard was poor, but Little Yao’s family was the poorest of the poor, burdened with both elderly and children.

“Let’s get them out first. This kind of house is extremely dangerous,” Zhou Yimin said.

Director Li personally went inside to bring the family out. The house wasn’t big, not even twenty square meters, but there were nine people inside—young and old.

This didn’t even count the family’s breadwinner, “Little Yao,” who was still out working, as the caretaker had mentioned.

“Is everyone out? I’ll…”

Before Director Li could finish, the leaning wall suddenly collapsed with a crash, sending dust flying. Everyone stared in shock, faces pale with fear.

Especially the family inside—had they come out even one minute later, they might’ve been buried alive.

Director Li was shaken too, and felt an overwhelming sense of relief. She was incredibly thankful for Zhou Yimin’s reminder. If not for him, something tragic would have happened today.

If something like that happened, the street office would definitely be held somewhat responsible.

The sound of the collapse quickly drew the attention of the neighbors, who gathered around.

“Are you crazy? Don’t go back in there!”

Suddenly, an elderly family member tried to go back into the half-collapsed house.

Director Li couldn’t help cursing.

“Our cornmeal is still inside—it’s the family’s only food!” the old man shouted, ignoring the danger.

Their already struggling situation was now even worse.

“Elder, even if the cornmeal is buried, it can still be dug out. There’s no need to risk your life,” Zhou Yimin said, trying to persuade him.

Then he turned to Director Li and said, “Auntie, our street office should conduct a full inspection. Houses like this need to be discovered in time and repaired collectively.”

Director Li nodded and told the caretaker, “Go call out everyone living in unsafe houses. Don’t let them stay inside.”

The caretaker was still stunned by the collapse. Once he snapped out of it, he quickly went off to follow her instructions.

He had never imagined the house would suddenly fall like that.

He’d actually brought Director Li here hoping she’d see how difficult Little Yao’s situation was and maybe help arrange some work for the family.

If things went on like this, they might really starve to death.

(End of Chapter)