Yi Zhonghai

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yi Zhonghai
Alias(es)	First Elder; First Uncle
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Siheyuan; steel rolling mill
Occupation/Role	First Elder of the Siheyuan; Level 8 fitter; later Health Section courtyard sweeper
Status	Deceased 265
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Yi Zhonghai was Lin Zhen's fitter master when Lin first arrived from the countryside, with Jia Dongxu as Lin's senior brother. Childless because First Aunt was infertile, Yi sought a disciple who would care for him in old age. Lin rejected that expectation outright, after which Yi withheld fitter instruction from him and focused his teaching on Jia Dongxu instead. Lin nevertheless surpassed him in trade skills and became an engineer. 1 114

As a respected Level 8 fitter and the courtyard's First Elder, Yi cultivated a public image of fairness, selflessness, and moral authority. Privately, his decisions repeatedly centered on securing dependable old-age care, first through Jia Dongxu's family and later through He Yuzhu (“Silly Zhu”) and Qin Huairu. 9 176

After Jia Dongxu's death, Yi tried to have Lin temporarily cover Dongxu's post so Qin Huairu could inherit it after childbirth. Lin agreed only in exchange for Yi's monthly wages, leaving Yi effectively paying for the arrangement while Ma Hua filled the position. 9 10

Personality

Yi Zhonghai presents himself as an upright, benevolent elder, placing great value on reputation and believing that “honor is priceless.” He uses this image to pressure others into sacrifices, often framing requests that serve his own interests as moral obligations. 9 176

His overriding fear is being left without care in old age. This drives his favoritism toward the Jia family and Silly Zhu, his interference in Silly Zhu's marriage, and his distrust of You Fengxia even after adopting her. 147 176 215

He is calculating and patient rather than openly malicious. Yi prefers indirect pressure, selective omissions, emotional blackmail, and matchmaking schemes that leave him outwardly blameless. When confronted privately, however, he admits that securing support in old age has shaped his actions. 114 127 215

His composure deteriorates as his schemes fail. Repeated humiliation, detention, illness, and the exposure of his deception leave him increasingly anxious, suspicious, and physically frail. 214 217 246

Abilities & Skills

Level 8 Fitter

Yi was a Level 8 fitter at the steel rolling mill, a position that provided a monthly wage of 99 yuan. 1 10

• Held considerable prestige as a highly ranked worker.
• Used his authority as a master to favor Jia Dongxu over Lin Zhen. 1
• Lost the ability to continue fitter work after a stroke left his hands severely impaired. 219

Courtyard Influence

As First Elder, Yi was accustomed to directing neighborhood affairs and leveraging his reputation to influence residents. 1 176

• Attempted to settle disputes and suppress scandals that threatened allies, including buying back Yan Bugui's stolen bicycle wheel to protect Silly Zhu. 120
• Used moral appeals to pressure Lin Zhen into replacing Jia Dongxu temporarily. 9
• Arranged or interfered with marriages to preserve his own eldercare plans. 127 148 215
• Lost his position and social authority after Jia Zhangshi publicly exposed his schemes. 217 219

Relationships

• First Aunt — Wife. She initially supports his efforts to help others, but becomes distressed by his worsening conduct; she warmly accepts You Fengxia as a daughter. 147 173 206
• Lin Zhen — Former apprentice and principal adversary. Yi resents Lin for refusing to support him in old age, while Lin repeatedly exposes and counters Yi's schemes. 1 114 176
• Jia Dongxu — Former apprentice and Yi's preferred candidate for old-age support before Dongxu's death. 1 217
• Qin Huairu — Jia Dongxu's widow and Yi's collaborator in plans involving Silly Zhu; their partnership later becomes coercive when she forces him to sign over his house. 113 216 257
• He Yuzhu / Silly Zhu — Yi's intended long-term caregiver. Yi manipulates his relationships and takes blame for assaulting Xu Damao to secure his gratitude. 183 206 215
• He Yushui — Silly Zhu's sister. She breaks with Yi after learning that he concealed He Daqing's financial support and claimed credit for it. 246
• You Fengxia — Adoptive daughter. Yi initially regards her with suspicion, but gradually recognizes her upright character; she remains closer to First Aunt than to him. 174 206 231
• Liu Yuhua — Silly Zhu's wife. Yi's interference in her marriage becomes central to his public downfall. 127 148 217
• He Daqing — Silly Zhu and He Yushui's father. Yi concealed his support payments to gain the siblings' gratitude and weaken their relationship with him. 219 239 246

Story Role / Major Arcs

Conflict with Lin Zhen

Yi's conflict with Lin begins when Lin refuses to become his future caregiver. Yi then denies him fitter training, but Lin's independent success as an engineer leaves Yi regretful and resentful. 1 150

Yi later attempts to use Lin as unpaid labor to preserve Qin Huairu's job inheritance. Lin forces him to pay for the arrangement, establishing their pattern of open negotiation masking a deeper power struggle. 9 10

Manipulating Silly Zhu's Future

After Jia Dongxu's death, Yi shifts his eldercare plans to Silly Zhu. He supports Silly Zhu's dependence on the Jia family, attempts to manage his marriage to Liu Yuhua, and later pushes Qin Huairu and Silly Zhu toward marriage. 113 127 183 216

His meddling contributes to the collapse of Silly Zhu and Liu Yuhua's relationship. Yi remains determined to prevent their reconciliation because it would undermine his plan to bind Silly Zhu to Qin Huairu and himself. 215 224

Adoption of You Fengxia

Lin Zhen arranges for You Fengxia to be adopted by Yi and First Aunt, deliberately using the courtyard's praise and You Fengxia's family background to make refusal difficult. Yi accepts her publicly but initially intends to find a way to send her back. 173 175 186

Although Yi distrusts You Fengxia's motives, he later realizes that she behaves respectfully and that First Aunt has formed a genuine maternal bond with her. 176 231 257

Arrest, Exposure, and Loss of Status

Yi is arrested after assaulting Xu Damao. He claims responsibility in place of Silly Zhu, calculating that the sacrifice will ensure Silly Zhu's lifelong loyalty. 206

His reputation collapses after Jia Zhangshi publicly accuses him of coercing Jia Dongxu, controlling Qin Huairu, sabotaging Silly Zhu's marriage, and plotting to marry Qin Huairu to Silly Zhu. 217

Following a stroke, Yi can no longer work as a fitter. The factory rejects his promotion to technician and transfers him to the Health Section to sweep the courtyard. 219 227

Final Decline

The truth about He Daqing's support payments ends Yi's hold over the He siblings and destroys his long-standing plan to rely on Silly Zhu. 239 246

After further strokes leave him bedridden and partially paralyzed, courtyard residents and the Jia and Liu families compete over the prospect of inheriting his property. 247 248 249

Qin Huairu ultimately coerces Yi into signing a will leaving his house to her. He asks Lin Zhen for treatment and later requests to see You Fengxia, but Lin refuses to save him. 257 258

Yi dies before the events of Chapter 265. 265

Trivia

• Yi's monthly wage as a Level 8 fitter was 99 yuan. 10
• He considered Lin Zhen, Jia Dongxu, and Silly Zhu as successive potential solutions to his old-age care. 246
• His attempt to protect Silly Zhu from criminal responsibility is portrayed as both a sacrifice and a calculated investment in future loyalty. 206