Courtyard House: Starting as a mediocre engineer

At this moment, Zhuang Zhongchen had no idea that he had been completely exposed. He had already received 200 yuan in royalties for translating the materials and was quite satisfied with this large sum of extra money.

Although this translation involved over 8 words, the payment of 200 yuan was significantly lower than previous payments. However, the volume was large and consistent, and it was a commissioned translation project from a translation agency.

If I continue like this, and can manage one commissioned translation and one submitted paper per month, then I can quickly pay off my debts and never have to worry about them again.

There was also a certificate of merit awarded by the 10,000-ton hydraulic press project team, a thank-you letter from Xing Xiao, and some local specialties. Although I had long since stopped appreciating them, they were still an unexpected surprise.

The most gratifying thing is that skill points have finally accumulated to a certain number again.

Without a second thought, I purchased Medical Skill lv0. Medical Skill lv0 → Medical Skill lv1.

Spend another 10 skill points to upgrade Language Level 1 to Language Level 2.

Now that I've finally laid a solid foundation in life skills, I need to focus on a few key areas and continuously improve them to the point of specialization. Anyway, I still have over 20 years, plenty of time to grow into the Sword Master of Shilipo!

But just then, they suddenly heard Madam Jia shout, "Help! Huai Ru is about to give birth—!"

What the hell!

Thinking that this was his first child, Zhuang Zhongchen immediately ran towards the central courtyard...

Two hours later, Qin Huairu gave birth to Huaihua safely, and both mother and daughter were well.

The courtyard was filled with joy as everyone gathered together, chatting and laughing.

"No, Chenzi. What were you thinking just now? A grown man rushing in to deliver a baby?"

"Damn! I thought she was being taken to the hospital. Help me carry Sister Qin."

"Why send her to the hospital? That's just a waste of money. Don't you trust us aunties? Besides, Huai Ru is already having her third child; she can give birth easily with a simple leg extension."

"Why didn't you say so earlier? I don't have much experience with this kind of thing."

Amidst the laughter, Zhuang Zhongchen secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had indeed lost his composure just now, his mind only focused on Bai Lianhua and his own maid. If he had known it would turn out this way, he should have prioritized upgrading his medical skills to level 2. That would have put his mind at ease.

……

More than a month later.

Zhuang Zhongchen was washing clothes at home. He kept sighing to himself, thinking that without Qin Huairu, his laundry maid, life was truly unbearable.

Just then, Xu Damao's voice was heard from inside the courtyard: "Louzi, the factory has arranged for me to go to the countryside to show movies. I won't be going home this weekend."

"Okay. Be careful."

In those days, state-owned factories were local tyrants, especially steel rolling mills, which were the leading steel companies. Coupled with the older women in textile factories, they could practically do whatever they wanted in the country.

To boast without any modesty—I'm just average, third best in the world.

However, there are indeed two companies that are even more arrogant. One is called the "Iron Boss," and the other is called the "Electricity Tiger."

Therefore, the nearby rural areas are their private plots. It's simply impossible for a purchasing agent to personally go to the countryside to buy pigs.

Wouldn't that be underestimating the steel giant? As long as the steel mill makes a move, without even uttering a word of nonsense, the farmers will come knocking with drums and gongs, bringing pigs, sheep, chickens, and ducks to their doorstep.

On the other hand, steel rolling mills also have obligations to their "private plots," such as poverty alleviation, literacy programs, and sending medical teams to rural areas.

This included Xu Damao, who also had to show movies in the countryside. Because of this, Xu Damao thrived in the countryside. The shouts from the courtyard earlier were, in a way, Xu Damao's way of showing off.

Realizing that Xu Damao was about to leave, Zhuang Zhongchen quickly called out, "Damao, wait!"

"What is it, Chenzi?"

"I owe you 100 yuan, please check it."

"Oh, my family isn't in a rush to spend money. Are you financially comfortable?"

"You still have to pay back what you borrow. I'll pay back the money whenever I run into them. There are a few other lenders too; I promise I'll pay them back within the next few months!"

"Understood, Chenzi."

Xu Damao accepted it with a smile and handed it directly to Lou Xiao'e: "Lou Zi, keep this safe."

"Eh!"

Pushing his bicycle, Xu Damao waved and left. Just then, Zhuang Zhongchen and Lou Xiao'e exchanged a quick glance, then looked towards the central courtyard and nodded slightly to Qin Huairu, who was holding a nursing baby…

That evening, Qin Huairu secretly slipped into Lou Xiao'e's house. Finding the doors and windows tightly covered, and only a dim lamp lit inside, she chuckled incessantly: "I keep thinking, we're like thieves. If I didn't come over, it would look even more like Lou is cheating on me. Hehehe."

Lou Xiao'e laughed and scolded, "Sister Qin, if we have fish soup tonight, will that shut your mouth?"

"Of course! I want to drink more; I have a chubby little girl at home who's still nursing. Sigh! I'd even decided that if I had a big, healthy boy, I'd name him Huai Shu (Locust Tree)."

Zhuang Zhongchen understood that these words were specifically addressed to him. The pretty widow was afraid he would show favoritism towards boys. So he smiled slightly: "I think 'locust flower' sounds better. 'Boy' isn't fun at all."

Lou Xiao'e, who was standing to the side, chuckled: "Chenzi, then you go and have your own daughter in the future. Let's see what your wife says then."

"I've noticed that it's only women who are so sexist and prejudiced against women. How can you fight amongst yourselves? Why do women have to make things difficult for each other?"

"How dare you slander us women? Not a single word you men say is true."

"Alright, alright! Let's not talk about this. Your own child will definitely like it, right?" Under the kang table, Zhuang Zhongchen gently squeezed Qin Huairu's thigh, saying this specifically to her.

Women are like that; they're fascinating creatures. When several women get together, their boldness multiplies, and sometimes they even talk about rather explicit topics.

Qin Huairu and Lou Xiao'e were the same. Their secret friendship, built on shared meals and drinks, made their relationship even closer.

"Let me tell you something! Speaking of adultery, I just heard something," Lou Xiao'e said, gossiping vividly as she ate. "Isn't there a woman named Sister Lian in that courtyard over there?"

"Sister Lian? Isn't that Lu's wife? She must have several children by now, right?" Qin Huairu asked curiously.

"Yes! This is the place. Just a few days ago, they found..."

"Were they caught later?"

"We caught her, we cornered her inside. Lian's husband beat her horribly. And..."

"Wow, you can do that?"

"..."

You know what, sometimes being behind the times has its advantages. Back then, it was all about catching people in the act. There were no tools for screenshots, location tracking, or taking photos. As long as you ran away fast enough, weren't caught red-handed, and denied everything afterwards, no one could really do anything to you.

More than an hour later, Qin Huairu had quietly moved to Zhuang Zhongchen's house, and the two soon became entangled in a passionate embrace...

"Huai Ru, I also prepared some things, especially for you and Huai Hua. We'll take them home together later."

"Mmm. You're so nice. I like you a lot."