Fusion System: Rebirth in a Courtyard - Bird Fighting Chronicles

Chapter 17: A Malicious Scheme in Court Reveals Intent; Ironclad Evidence Exposes Sharpness

Dusk, like cotton wool soaked in ink, slowly enveloped the blue bricks and gray tiles of the Hongxing Courtyard. Lin Chen had just written down the last set of data for modifying the forging press in his notebook when Yi Zhonghai's cough rang out from beside the stone table in the middle courtyard—the cough was deliberately drawn out, carrying a certain controlled authority, and was particularly clear in the quiet courtyard.

"Everyone come out here, I need to discuss this!" Yi Zhonghai's voice wasn't loud, but it pierced through every window. Lin Chen put down his pen, his fingertips tracing the words "high-frequency induction heating" on his notebook, a cold smile playing on his lips. He knew without guessing that Yi Zhonghai wanted to "demand an explanation" for the day's orders.

Within five minutes, a dozen or so people had gathered in the courtyard. Yi Zhonghai sat at the head of the stone table, holding a rough porcelain teacup. The lid tapped lightly against the rim of the cup. As his gaze swept over the crowd, it lingered on Lin Chen for a couple of seconds. Liu Haizhong stood by the stone table, hands on his hips, his face filled with the excitement of watching a spectacle. Liu Guangtian, who had just been given some pointers by Lin Chen, shrank behind his father and secretly gave Lin Chen a wink. Yan Bugui, on the other hand, stood at the edge of the crowd, holding an abacus, his fingers unconsciously fiddling with the beads, clearly calculating what benefits he could gain from this.

Qin Huairu was the last to emerge, her eyes still red, cradling the sleeping Jia Huaihua in her arms. Jia Geng and Jia Dang followed behind, their little faces full of vigilance. She stopped beside Yi Zhonghai and said timidly, "Master, how about we just let this go? Comrade Lin got the order based on his own ability..." "Foolish!" Yi Zhonghai interrupted her. "This isn't about ability, it's about rules! Our courtyard emphasizes seniority and hierarchy. He's a newcomer who stole an opportunity from a senior colleague and made you suffer in the workshop. Can we break those rules?"

Lin Chen stood outside the crowd with his arms crossed, watching Yi Zhonghai put on a serious air, and chuckled inwardly. He knew Yi Zhonghai's plan: on the surface, he was standing up for Qin Huairu, but in reality, he wanted to use the word "rules" to control him, both to regain the face he lost in the workshop during the day and to solidify his position as the "patriarch" of the courtyard. If he backed down and admitted his mistake, he would be inferior to Yi Zhonghai in the courtyard; if he stood his ground, he would be branded as "disrespectful to elders," giving Qin Huairu an opportunity to win people over.

"Xiao Lin, don't stand there, come and sit down." Yi Zhonghai gestured with his chin toward Lin Chen, his tone seemingly gentle but carrying an undeniable force. "I called everyone here today for no other reason than to have a frank discussion. What happened in the workshop during the day was indeed inappropriate—Comrade Qin has been learning from me for three years, waiting for this order to be promoted, and you, with just a few words, snatched it away. Wasn't that a bit too eager for quick success?"

"I disagree with what Master Yi said." Lin Chen walked slowly to the stone table, but did not sit down. He simply glanced calmly at everyone. "First, the Shanghai Machine Tool Factory's orders are awarded through technical bidding. Whoever's solution meets the requirements gets the order, not what you call 'grabbing'. Second, Comrade Qin Huairu's solution has three fatal flaws. If we really use her solution, not only will we fail to complete the order, but we will also have to pay the manufacturer 50,000 yuan in breach of contract fees. Team Leader Ma and Director Zhou can testify to this. Third, I have been in the workshop for three months and completed six technical improvements. I get orders based on my abilities, not on being eager for quick success."

"You dare talk back!" Yi Zhonghai slammed his hand on the stone table, splashing water from his teacup. "I've worked in the steel rolling mill for twenty years, and my level eight fitter title is earned through hard work! Who gives you the right to talk to me about technical stuff, you greenhorn? I've seen Comrade Qin's plan; it's clearly very sound. You're just nitpicking!" Liu Haizhong immediately chimed in, "Exactly! Who in our institute doesn't know about Master Yi's skills? Xiao Lin, you're too arrogant. You need to apologize to Master Yi!"

Yan Bugui pushed up his reading glasses and quickly calculated on his abacus: "According to the rules, a junior who disrespects an elder must apologize. Either we should host a banquet, or we should give Uncle Yi twenty catties of grain coupons to calm his nerves, and give Comrade Qin five catties of brown sugar to help her recover—she has a hard time raising three children, and she needs to be nourished after this." He was shrewd; he was both flattering Yi Zhonghai and subtly helping Qin Huairu get some benefits. If things went well, he might even be able to freeload off a banquet himself.

Lin Chen looked at Qin Huairu and noticed that although she had her head down, a barely perceptible hint of expectation lingered at the corner of her mouth. He suddenly recalled the scene he had scanned last night: Qin Huairu had entered Yi Zhonghai's house with a lunchbox containing cigarettes and alcohol, and the two were plotting to give Ma Weiguo a gift. It seemed that the master and apprentice had already planned it out. If they secured the order, Qin Huairu would be promoted, and Yi Zhonghai could use the excuse of "meritorious training of his apprentice" to gain more benefits in the factory; if they failed, they would shift the blame onto him and create a stir in the courtyard to suppress him.

"Master Yi said I was nitpicking, so let's lay out the plan in front of everyone and discuss it." Lin Chen took out two drawings from his pocket, one by Qin Huairu and the other by himself. "Look here, everyone. Comrade Qin Huairu marked the forging temperature as 800℃, but the Shanghai Machine Tool Factory requires high-strength alloy steel. The critical point of this type of steel is 950℃. 800℃ simply cannot meet the forging requirements, and the forged gear will break under stress. This is not a technical error, but a basic common sense mistake."

He pointed to another spot: "Look here, the forging die she designed is made of cast iron. This material deforms at high temperatures, and the machining precision can only reach a maximum of 0.1 millimeters, while the order requires 0.01 millimeters—a tenfold difference. If we really produce according to this plan, our factory will go bankrupt." A gasp rippled through the crowd. Old Wang from the front yard took the blueprints and looked at them. Although he couldn't understand the technical parameters, he grasped the point: "So, Comrade Qin's plan really won't work?"

Qin Huairu's face flushed instantly, and she hurriedly explained, "I... I was careless for a moment, and even Master didn't notice..." "I didn't notice?" Yi Zhonghai's expression changed, and he immediately distanced himself from the situation, "I only looked at the procedure and didn't pay attention to the temperature markings! Don't blame me for your own lack of skill!" As soon as he said this, a burst of snickers rang out from the crowd, and even Liu Haizhong awkwardly turned his head away—everyone knew that Yi Zhonghai valued his reputation the most, and now, in order to protect himself, he actually betrayed his apprentice.

Lin Chen stopped dwelling on the plan and changed the subject: "Actually, it doesn't matter who gets the order; it's all for the factory's benefit. But Master Yi called everyone here today, saying it was to talk about rules. I'd like to ask, are our department's rules 'only elders are allowed to bully juniors, and juniors aren't allowed to reason'? Are they 'as long as you have your master backing you up, you don't have to take responsibility for your mistakes'?"

He looked at Yi Zhonghai, his eyes sharpening: "Last night at eight o'clock, Comrade Qin Huairu came to your house with a lunchbox containing Yunyan cigarettes and Moutai liquor. The lunchbox was printed with the words 'Shanghai Machine Tool Factory,' and there was a note inside that said, 'Team Leader Ma's preference; please pass this on.' Master Yi, is this also the rule in our institute? Using public property as gifts, using back channels to give gifts to leaders—I've never heard of such a rule before!"

Yi Zhonghai's face turned deathly pale, and he nearly dropped the teacup in his hand. Qin Huairu was even more shocked, trembling all over and instinctively taking a step back—she hadn't expected Lin Chen to know about this. The courtyard fell silent instantly, all eyes fixed on Yi Zhonghai. Yan Bugui forgot about his plans, and Liu Haizhong also dropped his amused expression. He knew that if this was confirmed, it wouldn't be as simple as "lack of manners"; it would be a serious offense.

"You...you're talking nonsense!" Yi Zhonghai reacted, slamming his fist on the stone table and shouting, "When did I accept a gift? Comrade Qin only came to ask me about technical issues! This is slander, defamation!" Lin Chen sneered, "Whether it's defamation or not, just ask Team Leader Ma. Last night at ten o'clock, you went to Team Leader Ma's house and chatted for a full hour. When you came back, your lunchbox was empty. This morning, Team Leader Ma's wife told my master's wife at the market that someone gave her cigarettes and alcohol yesterday, and Team Leader Ma had her return them, saying, 'Old Yi, how come you're getting more and more confused?'"

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai completely lost his confidence. He had indeed gone to Team Leader Ma's house yesterday, intending to use their old colleague relationship to push the order onto Qin Huairu. Unexpectedly, Team Leader Ma not only refused the gift but also scolded him, saying that he "disregarded the factory's interests and formed cliques." He had kept this a secret all along, but he didn't expect Lin Chen to know even the details.

"Even if... even if I went to Team Leader Ma's house, it was for work!" Yi Zhonghai still tried to hold on. "I was worried that Comrade Qin lacked experience and wanted to help her get more guidance opportunities!" "Helping her get opportunities means giving gifts?" Lin Chen pressed. "Master Yi, you're an eighth-grade fitter, a key technical member of the factory. If everyone relies on giving gifts to get orders, what future do those of us who rely on our skills have? Yesterday, you told Team Leader Ma in the workshop that my plan was complicated, and then you went to give gifts. Was this for work, or for your own selfish reasons?"

Liu Haizhong suddenly coughed. He remembered Lin Chen's warning yesterday not to get involved with Yi Zhonghai, and secretly rejoiced that he hadn't spoken too definitively. Yan Bugui was even smarter; he quietly retreated to the back of the crowd, afraid of being implicated—he knew that the factory was currently investigating "backdoor deals," and if he got involved, he would lose his "intermediate instructor" title.

"I..." Yi Zhonghai opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal. He looked at the eyes of his neighbors around him, some questioning, some disdainful, and some gloating. These gazes felt like needles pricking him. He suddenly realized that the "authority" he had painstakingly cultivated for more than a decade had completely collapsed in just a few words from Lin Chen.

Just then, Sha Zhu returned from outside carrying a lunchbox. Seeing the commotion in the courtyard, he hurriedly asked, "What's going on? Is there a hospital-wide meeting?" He had just finished get off work at the military district guesthouse and was unaware of what had happened in the workshop during the day. Jia Zhangshi immediately rushed over, pointing at Lin Chen and shouting, "Sha Zhu, you're finally back! Lin Chen bullied your sister-in-law, stole her order, and even falsely accused Master Yi of giving gifts! You must stand up for your sister-in-law!"

Sha Zhu looked at Qin Huairu and noticed her red eyes, which instantly ignited a surge of anger within him. He was about to speak when Lin Chen stopped him: "Brother Sha Zhu, listen to me first. This is Qin Huairu's plan. Look at the temperature markings here, and think about the alloy steel kitchen knife you use in the cafeteria. Doesn't it need to be forged at high temperatures to be durable?" Sha Zhu took the blueprints. Although he couldn't understand the technical parameters, he understood the properties of steel: "That's right. Alloy steel needs to be heated until it's red-hot before forging. 800℃ isn't enough. This plan definitely won't work."

Lin Chen recounted the gift-giving incident to Sha Zhu, whose face immediately darkened. He recalled how he had always been used as a pawn by Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai, arguing countless times with his sister He Yushui over delivering grain coupons to the Jia family. Looking back, he realized how pathetic he had been. "Sister Qin," Sha Zhu said, looking at Qin Huairu with disappointment, "I helped you before because I knew it wasn't easy raising three children. But if it's about winning orders through gifts, I can't help you. Brother Lin is right, you have to earn a living with real skills."

Qin Huairu was shocked that even Sha Zhu wouldn't help her, and tears welled up in her eyes. "I have no choice," she cried. "Three children need to eat. If I don't get a permanent position, I'll be fired from the factory, and then the four of us will starve!" Jia Zhangshi immediately chimed in, "That's right! Our family has it so hard! Lin Chen, if you have any conscience, give the order to your sister Qin, or we'll report you to the factory for bullying a widow and her children!"

"You can sue me, but first I have to tell you about stealing the chicken." Lin Chen turned to Jia Zhangshi, his eyes icy. "Last Wednesday night, you stole a speckled chicken from Aunt Li's house and hid it in a hole under the old locust tree outside the yard. The next morning, you secretly stewed it, and the chicken soup even splashed onto your cotton-padded coat; there's still an oil stain on the collar. Aunt Li went to confront you, and you threw a tantrum, accusing her of slandering you, didn't you?"

Jia Zhangshi's face turned deathly pale instantly, and she instinctively covered her collar: "You...how did you know?" "I not only know this, but I also know that you stole pickled radishes from Grandpa Wang's house last Saturday, and yesterday afternoon you stole half a bag of flour from Master Yan's house." Lin Chen's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear. "I didn't want to say anything, after all, we're all neighbors, we see each other all the time. But if you insist on twisting the truth, then we'll take all this to the neighborhood committee and let the head of the committee judge who should be punished!"

Aunt Li and Uncle Wang immediately stepped forward. Aunt Li pointed at Jia Zhangshi's collar: "I was wondering where my chickens were! So it really was you who stole them! You old woman, you're so despicable!" Uncle Wang chimed in, "Half a jar of my pickled radishes is missing. I thought the cat had taken them, but it was you!" Yan Bugui was even more agitated, grabbing his abacus to calculate: "Half a bag of flour is worth three jin of grain coupons. According to the 'steal one, fine ten' rule, you have to compensate me with thirty jin of grain coupons!"

Jia Zhangshi was so frightened that her legs went weak and she almost collapsed to the ground. She hadn't expected Lin Chen to know so much about these things. If this really escalated to the local authorities, she would definitely be sent to a labor camp. Qin Huairu panicked as well and quickly pulled Jia Zhangshi back: "Mom, don't say anymore! We were wrong!" She turned to Lin Chen and bowed deeply, "Comrade Lin, I'm sorry, it was my fault and my master's fault. We shouldn't have taken your order, and we shouldn't have spread rumors and slandered you. I will study my skills properly from now on and never do anything crooked again."

Seeing that Qin Huai was backing down, Yi Zhonghai knew that continuing the argument would be pointless, so he could only offer a way out: "Since Comrade Qin has admitted his mistake, let's just let it go. Xiao Lin, you're young and promising, so please help Comrade Qin out more in the workshop. We're all neighbors, so it's only right that we support each other." He wanted to gloss over the matter and save face.

"Help is fine, but it has to be done according to the rules." Lin Chen wouldn't budge an inch. "First, Master Yi has to admit his mistake to Team Leader Ma and Director Zhou, explaining that you recommended the plan without carefully reviewing it and even tried to bribe your way in; second, Jia Zhangshi has to compensate everyone for what she stole: five cents for the chicken at market price, two pounds of pickled radish, and half a bag of flour; third, in the future, if there are any more 'discussions' in the courtyard, we have to present the facts and reason things out, we can't use seniority to pressure people, and we certainly can't distort the truth."

Yi Zhonghai's face turned pale and then red. After hesitating for a long time, he finally gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I'll go apologize to Team Leader Ma tomorrow." Although Jia Zhangshi was unwilling, under the angry glares of Aunt Li and Uncle Wang, she could only nod and say, "I'll compensate... I'll buy a chicken to compensate Aunt Li tomorrow." Yan Bugui immediately chimed in, "What about my flour? You'll compensate me now?" Jia Zhangshi glared at him fiercely but didn't say anything, which was considered an admission.

Lin Chen looked at everyone and softened his tone: "I don't mean to pick a fight with anyone, but I feel that whether in the workshop or in the yard, we must follow the rules and have a conscience. Master Yi is skilled and deserves our respect, but he can't use his skills as a privilege; Comrade Qin has a hard time raising her child, and we can help her, but we can't resort to robbery or deception; if Aunt Jia is really short of food, she can tell everyone, and it's not a problem for neighbors to lend each other some, but we can't steal."

He pulled two jin of grain coupons from his pocket and handed them to Qin Huairu: "These are from my bonus. Take them back and buy some food for your child. But let me make this clear: this is a loan. You'll have to pay me back once you're officially hired and receive your salary. If you want to learn any skills in the future, feel free to contact me anytime; I'll teach you for free." Qin Huairu took the grain coupons, her tears falling even more profusely, this time out of gratitude: "Comrade Lin, thank you... I will definitely study hard in the future and never do anything like that again."

Sha Zhu stepped forward, took out two steamed buns from the lunchbox, and handed them to Jia Geng: "These are from the guesthouse, for the children. Sister Qin, if you ever have any difficulties in the future, just tell me, and I'll definitely help if I can. But I'll never get involved in anything involving giving gifts or using connections again." He Yushui, who had been standing at the courtyard gate at some point, saw this scene and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Yi Zhonghai sat alone at the stone table, staring at the empty teacup in his hand, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He suddenly realized how laughable his scheming had been in the face of absolute strength and an honest character. As Liu Haizhong left, he patted him on the shoulder: "Old Yi, don't think about it anymore. Xiao Lin is a tough nut to crack, but he's also a good person. Stop with the underhanded dealings and just live a simple life."

Lin Chen returned home and, as soon as he opened the door, a system panel popped up: "Main quest 'Gain a Foothold' completion rate increased to 70%, reward 800 points, unlock 'Equipment Diagnosis' skill. Side quest 'Upholding Justice' completed, reward 500 points, gained 'Neighborhood Trust' buff, increased favorability with the courtyard residents by 30%."

He looked at the prompts on the panel and smiled with satisfaction. He knew that in this game, he had not only won the order and his reputation, but also won people's hearts. Although Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu would not let it go so easily, at least in this courtyard, no one would dare to provoke him easily anymore.

Just as he was about to sit down to rest, he heard a knock on the door. Opening it, he saw He Yushui holding a math workbook. "Comrade Lin," she said, "I don't know how to do this problem. Could you teach me?" Lin Chen nodded and let her in. Under the lamplight, He Yushui's cheeks were slightly flushed as she listened attentively to Lin Chen's explanation, occasionally glancing up at him with a hint of admiration in her eyes.

After explaining the problem, He Yushui didn't leave immediately. After hesitating for a long time, she whispered, "Comrade Lin, thank you for helping my brother today. He used to be easily deceived by Jia Jiameng. I tried to persuade him many times, but it was no use. It was only because of you that he listened." Lin Chen smiled and said, "Brother Shazhu is a good person, just too honest. With me here, I won't let him be used as a pawn anymore."

He Yushui nodded, got up to leave, but turned back at the door. "Comrade Lin, my brother said he'll be off the day after tomorrow and would like to invite you for hot pot as a thank you." Lin Chen agreed, watching He Yushui's figure disappear into the night. He knew that his life in this courtyard had only just begun. And his struggle with Yi Zhonghai, Qin Huairu, and others was far from over. But he wasn't worried, because he knew that as long as he stayed true to himself and relied on his skills, there was no obstacle he couldn't overcome.