Uncle Li jumped down from the platform and patted Qiqi on the shoulder to steady her nerves.
Gu Qiqi nodded and followed the crowd as they rushed out of the courtyard.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Director Liu from the Demolition Office made his grand entrance.
Director Liu was in his fifties, looking pampered and well-maintained—his face, round and full like a harvest moon, had skin so fair and tender it rivaled a teenage girl's; his six-month-pregnant belly puffed out proudly, exuding his official authority; and his forehead, likely due to storing an excess of wisdom, suffered from Mediterranean syndrome.
"Haha, neighbors, you're all here—great!"
Director Liu laughed heartily, flanked by several staff members clutching briefcases, with a few official cars parked in the distance. Sharp-eyed onlookers noticed that the cars seemed to contain fully armed individuals who weren't police.
The crowd fell silent, staring at the bloated Director Liu, wondering what trick he was about to pull.
"Who's the owner of this house?" Director Liu asked.
Gu Qiqi parted the crowd and stepped forward: "I am."
Director Liu sized her up, squinting his eyes into a smile like the Maitreya Buddha: "So it's Comrade Gu Qiqi! Have you thought over the proposal I gave you last time?"
The proposal he referred to was buying her family's courtyard at less than one-fifth of the market price.
Qiqi smiled back, her face as warm as spring breeze: "Of course I haven't thought it over, Director Liu."
Director Liu kept smiling: "Qiqi, you're a college student. The state has nurtured you—you need to be reasonable!"
Qiqi replied: "The market price for this area is 5,200 yuan per square meter, Director Liu. You want to buy it at 1,500 yuan per square meter. Doesn't that violate the state's fair trade laws?"
Director Liu trotted out grand principles: "What's a little loss for you? Modern college students need a spirit of dedication. Demolition work benefits the nation and the people. You need to understand the policy, grasp it thoroughly, and obey it unconditionally..."
Qiqi looked regretful: "I'd love to contribute to the nation too! But I'm afraid my deceased parents wouldn't agree!"
Director Liu's face darkened, his official demeanor flaring: "Why are you so stubborn! You're obstructing national development and construction. Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"
Qiqi replied: "All the property owners on this street are watching here, Director Liu. People are watching, heaven is watching—only when everyone's good is it truly good..."
Director Liu swept his gaze around and indeed saw the residents spontaneously gathering around Qiqi, forming a semicircle to shield the girl in their midst.
United in opposition!
At the same time, he noticed the building materials stacked in the courtyard, meant for repairing the roof.
His mind turned, and he flicked a few precious strands of hair behind his ear with a plump, fair finger, the folds of fat under his thick scalp glistening in the sun: "Gu Qiqi, what are you hauling all this sand and cement for now? Trying to illegally raise the height of your house to extort the state's demolition compensation?"
Qiqi's eyes widened: "Director Liu, please come into my house and take a look! A huge hole fell through the roof—I have to fix it!"
Director Liu followed her into the living room for a quick inspection and soon came out expressionless.
He signaled to someone behind him, and a staff member-like figure quickly stepped forward, respectfully presenting a red-headed document.
Everyone fell silent, unsure what Director Liu was up to.
After a moment, Director Liu spoke: "Gu Qiqi, your roof is part of the building's exterior. Any construction requires approval from the Construction Bureau—do you have a permit?"
Qiqi was taken aback: "I'm just patching up a hole in the roof—do I really need a permit for that?"