In the late spring of 1977, the cold wind had shed its winter chill, and one could already smell the burgeoning life beneath the soil.
Bai Yajing and her family stood at the entrance of a familiar alley, clutching the approval document stamped with a red seal tightly in their hands, their knuckles turning white from the force.
Nine years have passed, and the bluestone path still winds its way forward, only now there are a few clumps of stubbornly growing weeds in the corners of the walls, and a few more marks of wind and rain erosion on the brick walls.
"Mom, is this our old home?"
Jingxing and Jinyu looked up, their 8-year-old eyes filled with curiosity.
The brother and sister were wearing matching blue cotton-padded jackets, their fair cheeks flushed slightly from the cold wind.
Grandpa Bai squatted down, looking at his two great-grandchildren at eye level. His Adam's apple bobbed a few times before he spoke: "Yes, this is the home where our Bai family has lived for generations."
They had packed their luggage before they arrived, so they came here feeling relaxed.
The stone lions in front of the garden gate have been worn smooth, and the two mottled characters "Bai Yuan" on the lintel are still faintly discernible.
Bai Yajing and Grandpa Bai each led a child toward the gate.
"Hey, who are you? Where are you going?" a shrill female voice came from ahead.
Bai Yajing looked up and saw a woman in her fifties standing inside the door with her hands on her hips, wearing a floral short-sleeved shirt, her hair tied up, and looking wary.
Old Master Bai always upheld the gentlemanly conduct; even though others spoke unpleasantly, he still explained with a smile.
"Hello, my surname is Bai, and I am the owner of this garden."
"The property rights have been returned to our family. I'm here to—"
"Pah! You're talking nonsense!" the woman interrupted him with a fierce look.
"This garden is where we've lived for almost ten years. When did it become yours?"
She sized them up, their simple clothes flashing with disdain. "Getting old and forgetful, huh?"
Old Master Bai felt a tightness in his chest, but he had been mentally prepared before he came.
Since the government began implementing policies to return private property that had been occupied during the movement, he has heard that many original homeowners have encountered resistance when trying to reclaim their properties.
Those tenants who have occupied other people's houses for many years have long regarded other people's homes as their own.
"Comrade, please don't get agitated."
Old Master Bai took out a document from his bag. "This is a property ownership certificate issued by the housing management office. It clearly states that this house belongs to the Bai family. My name is Bai Mingyuan, and I am the original owner."
The woman snatched the document, squinted at it for a long time, and her expression grew increasingly grim.
"Fake! It's all fake! This house was allocated to our family by the organization, and no one can take it away!" She suddenly became angry and looked like she was going to tear up the documents. Bai Yajing couldn't bear it any longer and grabbed her with one hand, exerting a little force.
"ah!!!!"
The screams grew louder and louder, startling all the birds in the garden away.
Old Master Bai was trembling with rage as he watched his property ownership certificate nearly torn to shreds. "This is illegal! I can sue you!"
Even though the captured woman was in so much pain that her face turned pale, she still stubbornly refused to give in.
"Go ahead and sue me if you dare!" she yelled at the top of her lungs. "My son works at the neighborhood committee office, let's see who's afraid of who!"
Bai Yajing was both angry and amused.
"It seems that with your intelligence, it will be difficult for us to explain this to you clearly."
"Come on, take us to your son. I want to see how he blatantly embezzled my family's property!"
After saying that, she tried to drag the woman to the neighborhood office.
When her daughter saw that she was going to use force, a look of guilt flashed across her face. She tried desperately to break free, but no matter how hard she struggled, it was useless. She couldn't break free at all.
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