Fusion System: Rebirth in a Courtyard - Bird Fighting Chronicles

Chapter 26: Rain Falls, Love Awakens, Leaving the Old Courtyard; Hammer Sounds, Success Unveiled, Da

On the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year grew stronger. At the foot of the wall of the Hongxing courtyard house, several teenagers cheered around lit firecrackers. The red paper scraps from the firecrackers landed on the frost-covered blue bricks, like scattered flowers blooming. Lin Chen had just returned from the workshop, a newly printed list of parts for the modified forging press tucked under his arm. From afar, he saw Sha Zhu squatting at his doorway, smoking, a small pile of cigarette butts already at his feet, his brow furrowed.

"What's wrong? Did the boiler modification go wrong?" Lin Chen walked over and kicked his heel. The boiler modification diagram he gave Sha Zhu yesterday should have been enough to solve the problem of uneven grate spacing. Sha Zhu looked up, his eyes red-rimmed, and stubbed out his cigarette on the ground: "It's not the boiler, it's the rainwater... She wants to move out, and she said she wants to date a local police officer."

Lin Chen was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant. He Yushui had long been fed up with the chaos in the courtyard house, especially with Qin Huairu constantly exploiting Sha Zhu under the guise of "taking care" of him, and her younger sister had suffered as a result. "This is a good thing. Yushui is getting on in years. Finding a reliable partner and moving out will give her some peace and quiet." Lin Chen squatted down beside him. "You should be happy for her."

"Happy my ass!" Sha Zhu's voice suddenly rose. "I've seen that cop. He puts on airs just because he's wearing a police uniform. I'm worried he'll be mistreated by Yu Shui! Also, she's moved out. Who's going to keep an eye on the Jia family for me?" Lin Chen frowned as he listened. This Sha Zhu was still thinking about taking care of Yi Zhonghai in his old age and about being morally blackmailed by Qin Huairu. He was truly hopeless.

As they were talking, He Yushui walked in from outside the courtyard carrying a cloth bag containing several newly made clothes. When she saw Lin Chen, her eyes lit up. She quickly walked over, took a folded piece of paper from the bag, and handed it to him, saying in a low voice, "Brother Lin Chen, this is Li Jianguo's contact information. He's a local police officer in the branch's security department, and he's an upright man. If anyone in the courtyard gives you trouble again, or if there's anything at the factory, you can ask him for help."

Lin Chen unfolded the note; it contained a phone number and address written in neat, strong handwriting. He looked up at He Yushui and noticed her cheeks were slightly flushed, her eyes filled with the shyness of a young girl in love, and a hint of anticipation for the future. "Thank you, Yushui. I wish you and Comrade Li a happy marriage soon." Lin Chen carefully placed the note into his inner pocket. "If you need any help after you move out, just let me know."

Sha Zhu, standing nearby, was jumping up and down anxiously: "Yu Shui, tell me the truth, did Lin Chen push you to move out? Let me tell you, this courtyard may be chaotic, but with me here, no one dares to bully you!" He Yu Shui turned around, and for the first time, she snapped at Sha Zhu: "Brother! Can't you wake up? All these years, the Jia family has treated you like a fool, and Master Yi has been brainwashing you every day, telling you to take care of him in your old age. You've made a mess of your own life, and you want me to get involved too? Comrade Li Jianguo promised me that if anyone dares to scheme against our family like Qin Huairu did, he will definitely uphold justice!"

These words were like a slap in the face, landing hard on Sha Zhu's cheek. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself speechless. Qin Huairu happened to be walking past the tap carrying an empty wooden basin. Hearing this, she paused, the color draining from her face instantly. She lowered her head and hurried home. Lin Chen glanced at her, a cold smile playing on his lips. This white lotus was finally panicking. Without Sha Zhu as her long-term meal ticket and Yi Zhonghai as her backer, her future wouldn't be easy.

Back inside, Lin Chen had just laid out the parts list on the table when he heard a knock at the door. Opening it, he saw Yan Bugui, holding an abacus and wearing a shrewd smile. "Team Leader Lin, busy? I've come to do some accounting with you." Without waiting for Lin Chen's reply, he walked into the room, placed the abacus on the table, and began to work rapidly. "You see," he said, "Guangtian and Guangfu are learning a trade from you. That's the custom for apprentices; they should give their master a small gift. But I know you're an honest person and don't covet these things, so I've been thinking, I'll have Jiecheng help you move the coal briquettes, and I'll pay your water and electricity bills. What do you think?"

Lin Chen instantly understood Yan Bugui's intentions. He wanted to use Liu Guangtian and his brother's apprenticeship as an excuse to build a relationship with him and take advantage of them. "Master Yan, you're too kind. Guangtian and Guangfu are here to learn the skills, not to become apprentices, so there's no need for any formalities. I can move the coal briquettes myself, and I can pay my own water and electricity bills, so I won't trouble you." Lin Chen picked up the parts list. "If there's nothing else, I need to study and modify the parts, so I won't keep you any longer."

Yan Bugui's smile froze; he hadn't expected Lin Chen to be so blunt. He coughed twice, still unwilling to give up, and said, "Well... Team Leader Lin, I heard you're modifying the forging press and need a lot of scrap, right? I have some old iron kettles and broken iron pots piled up in my backyard, all good iron. If you need them, I can sell them to you cheaply?" Lin Chen raised his eyelids slightly: "Master Yan, the workshop has a dedicated scrap supply channel; all the materials have passed quality inspection. Your scrap metal is useless."

Yan Bugui was rebuffed and left sheepishly. Lin Chen watched his retreating figure and shook his head helplessly. This Yan Bugui was truly a shrewd schemer, calculating everything, but unfortunately, his calculations were utterly insignificant in the face of absolute power.

The next morning, Lin Chen had just arrived at the workshop when Zhou Jianguo summoned him to his office. Pointing to a document on the table, Zhou Jianguo's face was grave: "Lin Chen, something's happened. During the investigation, Yi Zhonghai insisted that you instigated him to withhold apprentice benefits, and that you deliberately framed him to steal his technical instructor position. Even more troublesome, he also reported you to the factory management, saying that you abused your position to take scrap materials from the workshop for private work and sell them on the black market."

Lin Chen's heart sank. He hadn't expected Yi Zhonghai to be so insidious, turning around and accusing him to protect himself. "Director Zhou, whether I instigated him or used scrap materials for personal work, the workshop's ledgers and surveillance footage can prove it." Lin Chen took out his phone—a retro-style phone he had redeemed with system points, equipped with recording and photo-taking functions. "I have evidence here of Yi Zhonghai withholding apprentice benefits, and a recording of him instigating Jia Zhangshi to steal eggs and frame me. These can all prove my innocence."

Zhou Jianguo took the phone and listened to the recording. His face darkened further. "That Yi Zhonghai is outrageous! He's a level eight fitter, a factory-level model worker, and he actually did something like this! Don't worry, I'll explain the situation to the factory management and clear your name. However, the factory management has decided to suspend your technical guidance position and temporarily halt the forging press renovation project until the investigation is complete."

Lin Chen frowned. Suspending his duties and halting the project was exactly what Yi Zhonghai wanted. He knew Yi Zhonghai must have connections in the factory, otherwise he wouldn't dare to make such a brazen accusation. "Director Zhou, the forging press renovation project can't be stopped. The heavy machinery factory's order is still waiting for delivery. If the construction period is delayed, our factory will have to pay a large amount of liquidated damages," Lin Chen said urgently.

"I know, but I can't change the factory's decision," Zhou Jianguo sighed. "Unless you can provide evidence to prove your innocence within three days, complete the forging press modification, and deliver the order on time." Lin Chen gritted his teeth: "Director Zhou, I promise you, within three days I will prove my innocence, complete the forging press modification, and deliver the goods on time!"

Back in the workshop, Lin Chen immediately gathered Liu Guangtian and his brothers, along with several core workers from the precision group, and explained the situation to them. "Team Leader Lin, don't worry, we all believe in you!" Uncle Wang said, patting his chest. "We're willing to work overtime with you to complete the forging press modification!" Liu Guangtian also said excitedly, "Team Leader Lin, my dad said that if Yi Zhonghai dares to falsely accuse you again, he'll take the old workers from the workshop to the factory headquarters to petition!"

Lin Chen was deeply moved. He nodded, "Alright! Let's divide the work. Uncle Wang, you take two people to organize the workshop's ledgers and find evidence that Yi Zhonghai is withholding apprentice benefits; Guangtian, you come with me to process and modify the parts; the rest of you will be responsible for dismantling and cleaning the forging press. Let's race against time and complete the task within three days!"

For the next two days, Lin Chen and his coworkers practically lived and ate in the workshop. Using his advanced material analysis privileges within the system, Lin Chen precisely calculated the material composition and processing precision for each part. He also combined several different alloy scraps to create a new type of alloy part with higher hardness and better toughness, used in the core components of the forging press. Liu Guangtian also performed exceptionally well. With his extraordinary talent and diligent efforts, he quickly mastered the forging techniques for complex parts, becoming Lin Chen's invaluable assistant.

Meanwhile, He Yushui wasn't idle either. Upon learning that Yi Zhonghai had falsely accused Lin Chen, she immediately went to find Li Jianguo. Li Jianguo was furious upon hearing this: "Yushui, don't worry, Comrade Lin Chen is an upright man, and I will never let him suffer injustice. I'll investigate Yi Zhonghai's situation right away and definitely clear his name."

Using his position, Li Jianguo quickly uncovered evidence of Yi Zhonghai's crimes. It turned out that Yi Zhonghai had not only withheld apprentices' benefits but had also been using his position to smuggle high-quality materials from the workshop to the black market for exorbitant profits. His report to the factory administration about Lin Chen was merely an attempt to divert attention and cover up his own crimes.

On the afternoon of the third day, when Lin Chen and his colleagues started up the modified forging press, a huge roar echoed through the workshop. The forging press ran smoothly, the automatic feeding device accurately delivered the steel billets into the mold, and the cooling system also played a good role, increasing production efficiency by a full 50% compared to before. Zhou Jianguo and the factory leaders looked at everything before them, and their faces showed gratified smiles.

Just then, Li Jianguo led two police officers into the workshop. They went straight to Yi Zhonghai and showed him the arrest warrant: "Yi Zhonghai, you are suspected of embezzlement, bribery, and false accusation. Come with us now!" Yi Zhonghai's face turned pale, his legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground. He looked at Lin Chen, his eyes filled with despair and resentment, but he couldn't utter a single word.

The factory leadership immediately announced that Lin Chen was reinstated as technical advisor and promoted to deputy director of the forging workshop, responsible for technological innovation and production management. His colleagues erupted in enthusiastic applause. Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu jumped up excitedly, and Uncle Wang was moved to tears: "That's wonderful! Director Lin, you're truly our role model!"

As Lin Chen stepped out of the workshop at dusk, he saw He Yushui and Li Jianguo waiting for him at the door. He Yushui smiled and said, "Brother Lin Chen, congratulations on clearing your name and getting promoted! Jianguo and I are treating you to dinner to celebrate." Li Jianguo also smiled and said, "Comrade Lin Chen, you are truly young and promising. If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to contact me anytime."

Lin Chen readily agreed. The three of them went to a small restaurant nearby and ordered a few dishes. During the meal, He Yushui told Lin Chen that she and Li Jianguo had set their wedding date for the Lantern Festival (January 15th of the lunar calendar). After the wedding, they would move into the dormitory assigned by Li Jianguo's work unit, leaving the traditional courtyard house completely. Lin Chen was genuinely happy for her and raised his glass, saying, "Yushui, Comrade Li, congratulations on your marriage! May you be forever united!"

It was late at night when Lin Chen returned to the courtyard. As soon as he reached the middle courtyard, he saw Qin Huairu standing under a streetlamp, holding a pair of brand-new cotton insoles. Seeing Lin Chen return, she quickly went to greet him and handed him the insoles: "Director Lin, these are insoles I made for you. They're stuffed with new cotton. Try them on and see if they fit."

Lin Chen took the insole, feeling its weight. He looked at Qin Huairu and noticed a complex mix of emotions in her eyes: gratitude, guilt, and a barely perceptible unease. "Thank you, Sister-in-law Qin." Lin Chen put the insole in his pocket. "Yi Zhonghai has been arrested, and his crimes have been exposed. From now on, focus on learning your skills, take good care of the children, and don't associate with those shady characters anymore."

Qin Huai nodded, her eyes slightly red: "Director Lin, I know I was wrong. I always thought about relying on others, on Master Yi, on Sha Zhu, and ended up making a mess of myself. From now on, I will definitely learn a skill properly, support my child with my own hands, and never do anything crooked again."

Lin Chen watched her retreating figure, lost in thought. He knew that Qin Huairu's transformation hadn't happened overnight, but at least she had begun to wake up. Perhaps, given a chance, she could truly turn over a new leaf.

Back inside, Lin Chen had just taken off his clothes when a system notification popped up on the panel: "Host has successfully cleared his name and been promoted to deputy director of the forging workshop, completing the 'Career Promotion' task, rewarding 2000 points. The hidden task 'Justice Begs' has been triggered, assisting the public security department in capturing Yi Zhonghai, task reward: 1500 points, unlocking the 'Advanced Mechanical Modification' blueprint."

Lin Chen opened the advanced machinery modification blueprint, and various advanced machinery modification solutions immediately appeared before his eyes, including CNC machine tools and automated production lines. He felt a surge of excitement. With these blueprints, he could not only improve the production efficiency of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill to a new level, but also lay a solid foundation for his future development.

Just then, the knocking sounded again. Lin Chen opened the door and saw Liu Haizhong. Liu Haizhong was holding a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor) and had a fawning smile on his face: "Director Lin, congratulations on your promotion! This bottle of liquor is one I've been treasuring for several years; I brought it here especially to celebrate with you."

Lin Chen invited him inside to sit down. Liu Haizhong took a sip of his drink and said with emotion, "Director Lin, I was blind to your greatness before and offended you greatly. Please don't take it to heart. Now I understand that only real skills can secure a place in the factory. It's a blessing for Guangtian and Guangfu to learn from you. If you ever need anything in the future, just ask, and I, Old Liu, will never hesitate!"

Lin Chen smiled and said, "Master Liu, let's not dwell on the past. Guangtian and Guangfu are very talented, and I will teach them well. From now on, let's work together in the workshop to increase production."

Liu Haizhong nodded repeatedly: "Okay! Okay! I'll follow Director Lin's arrangements from now on!"

Night deepened, and the courtyard gradually quieted down. Lin Chen stood by the window, gazing at the moonlight outside. He knew that Yi Zhonghai's downfall was only the first step in his revenge plan. Next, there were Yan Bugui, Jia Zhangshi, and others waiting for him to deal with. But he wasn't in a hurry; he had plenty of time and patience.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, He Yushui and Li Jianguo held a simple wedding. The neighbors from the courtyard all came to offer their congratulations. Although Sha Zhu still felt a little awkward, he still gave his sister a large red envelope. Lin Chen also went, giving He Yushui a pair of silver bracelets, crafted from pure silver fused with his system, symbolizing peace and happiness.

After the wedding, He Yushui and Li Jianguo moved out of the courtyard house. Watching their departing figures, Lin Chen was filled with mixed emotions. He Yushui had finally escaped the quagmire of the courtyard house and started a new life. And he, too, would continue steadfastly on this path of revenge and growth.

Back in the workshop, Lin Chen immediately threw himself into his new work. Based on the advanced machinery upgrade blueprint, he developed a detailed workshop upgrade plan, including introducing new production equipment, optimizing production processes, and strengthening employee technical training. Zhou Jianguo highly approved of his plan and fully supported his work.

Under Lin Chen's leadership, the forging workshop's production efficiency increased significantly, and product quality also improved remarkably. Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill's reputation grew, and orders poured in. Lin Chen became a star figure in the factory, receiving unanimous praise from leaders and colleagues.

However, Lin Chen did not become arrogant or complacent. He knew that the people in the courtyard would not give up just because of his success. Yan Bugui was still eyeing him, Jia Zhangshi had not completely changed her petty thieving ways, and Qin Huairu's transformation still needed time to be verified. But he was no longer the Lin Chen who could only passively defend himself when he was first reborn. He now had enough strength and confidence to face any challenge.

One day, Lin Chen was inspecting production in the workshop when he suddenly received a phone call. It was Li Jianguo calling, informing Lin Chen that Yan Bugui had been suspended from his job at the school for offering paid tutoring and had also been reported for illegally selling grain coupons; the police were now investigating him. A cold smile crept onto Lin Chen's lips. Yan Bugui's good days were finally over.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Chen looked at his busy coworkers in the workshop and felt a great sense of accomplishment.