Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

In the weapons research institute's office area, Su Zhenbang personally led Lin Weidong to a private office by the window, opened the door and smiled, "Weidong, this is your private office. It's well-lit and quiet, which is convenient for your research and development. If you need any equipment or data later, just let me know."

The office is spacious and bright, with a brand-new wooden desk placed by the window, next to a row of filing cabinets, and a sofa for resting in the corner. The configuration is far superior to the cubicles of other researchers.

This scene was witnessed by Chen Bin, who happened to be passing by. He was already holding back his anger, and now he was even more furious. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his flesh.

Seeing this, several of Chen Bin's trusted confidants immediately added fuel to the fire: "Brother Bin, this is going too far! Lin Weidong just arrived and already has a private office. You've been at the research institute for so many years and made so many contributions, yet you don't even get this kind of treatment!"

"That's right, Brother Bin. He must have gotten in through Deputy Director Su's connections. Otherwise, how could he be so highly regarded?" "Brother Bin, we can't let this go. We have to teach him a lesson and let him know the rules of the research institute!"

These words instantly ignited the flames of jealousy in Chen Bin's heart.

He stared coldly at the office door, his eyes sinister: "Don't worry, he won't be smug for long. I want to see just how much real skill this so-called chief engineer really has."

A scheme targeting Lin Weidong quietly took shape in his mind.

After showing Lin Weidong around the office area, Su Zhenbang mentioned the bulletproof vest upgrade project that the research institute was currently promoting during their casual conversation. His tone was full of helplessness: "The current bulletproof vests are not protective enough and are too heavy, making it inconvenient for soldiers to move around in them. We have tried many solutions, but we have not been able to break through the bottleneck."

Lin Weidong's eyes lit up. Remembering the advanced bulletproof vest technology blueprints he had previously obtained, he quickly said, "Deputy Director Su, I also have some research on bulletproof vests. Perhaps I can be of help."

"Oh? Really?"

Su Zhenbang was overjoyed. "That's wonderful! Since you have experience in this area, your first project at the research institute will be upgrading bulletproof vests! I believe that with your technical skills, you will definitely be able to overcome this challenge!"

That afternoon, Su Zhenbang had someone take Lin Weidong to the single dormitory assigned by the research institute.

The dormitory is located within the research institute campus. It has a two-bedroom, one-living room layout, fully furnished, and is clean and tidy.

"Mr. Lin, here is your dormitory key. Please contact the logistics department anytime if you need anything," the staff member said with a smile as he handed the key to Lin Weidong.

Lin Weidong took the keys and was very satisfied with Su Zhenbang's arrangements.

Su Wanqing came along too, helping him unpack his luggage, her face full of joy: "Weidong, isn't the environment here nice? It's much more convenient than the courtyard house."

"Yes," Lin Weidong nodded.

"Starting tomorrow, I can fully dedicate myself to the project."

The two tidied up a bit in the dormitory and chatted about their initial ideas for the project. It wasn't until evening that Su Wanqing reluctantly left.

Director Wang from the neighborhood committee visited the courtyard house again.

"Now that Widow Li is dead, the deaf old woman has no one to care for her or supervise her."

"We're planning to find someone in the courtyard house to help her buy daily necessities and keep an eye on her so she doesn't leave the courtyard. Who do you all think would be suitable?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Yi Zhonghai immediately stood up with a sincere smile on his face.

"I'll take care of her! I have plenty of time now, and I've been her neighbor for a long time, so it'll be convenient for me to look after her."

He had a plan in mind: this way, he could openly enter and leave the deaf old woman's house every day, making it easier to scheme against her, especially since the deaf old woman had so much gold.

Seeing this, the staff of the subdistrict office nodded: "That's great. Since Comrade Yi Zhonghai volunteered, then this task will be assigned to you. Be sure to supervise well and report any situation in a timely manner."

That evening, Yi Zhonghai entered the deaf old woman's home under the pretext of taking care of her.

The deaf old woman had been waiting for him. Seeing Yi Zhonghai enter, she asked, "What did the neighborhood committee say? Are you here to supervise me now?"

"Yes, I took it on my own initiative because I was afraid that something might go wrong if other people were supervising."

"Grandma, don't worry, apart from not being able to go out as often, your life will be the same as before."

Upon hearing this, the deaf old woman nodded, then immediately changed the subject.

"Xiao Yi, how much money was left in your house when you left?"

Yi Zhonghai wondered why the old lady was asking this, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "There are probably still more than a hundred left."

At this point, the deaf old woman asked, "Does your daughter-in-law look like she's short of money? Does she look like she's lacking food or clothing?"

"She has neither a job nor any income, where do you think she got the money?"

Yi Zhonghai then realized, "Oh right, the old lady gave him a fried egg on the day he came back, which means there are still eggs at home."

"Zhonghai, there's something I need to remind you: your wife might be having an affair."

Yi Zhonghai frowned and shook his head: "Impossible, she's not that kind of person."

"Why not?" the deaf old woman said in a low voice, mysteriously. "I heard that she and He Daqing are very close."

He had no idea that the old woman had rented out a spare room to generate a stable income, a fact that the deaf old woman deliberately kept from Yi Zhonghai.

She had always harbored resentment towards the older woman who had fallen out with her years ago. If it weren't for that woman, she wouldn't have let the wolf into her house and caused her so much suffering.

Now she just wants to find a way to kick the other person out, preferably to let them starve to death outside.

Once the seed of doubt is planted, it quickly takes root and sprouts. Yi Zhonghai remained silent, his fists clenching quietly, his trust in the older woman beginning to waver.

The deaf old woman saw this and knew she had achieved half of her goal. She was secretly pleased, but pretended to be worried: "Xiao Yi, you have to investigate carefully, don't let anyone keep you in the dark."

Yi Zhonghai nodded and changed the subject, saying, "I plan to win over the poor households in the courtyard and get their support so I can regain control of the courtyard. But I'm a bit short on funds right now."

The deaf old woman immediately pulled out a stack of large black ten-yuan notes from under the kang mat and handed them over: "Take this, use this money first. This is what I hid before."

Yi Zhonghai looked at the thick wad of money in the deaf old woman's hand and quickly took it, saying, "Thank you so much, ma'am! I'll definitely repay you in the future!"

"We're all on the same side, no need to be so polite."

The deaf old woman waved her hand, reminding her, "However, you've just returned, and your identity is sensitive. It's not appropriate for you to take out too much money right away, as it might arouse suspicion."

"Yan Bugui is a very greedy man. If you give him some benefits and let him take the lead, he will be willing to do anything. In the end, the credit will be yours and the risks will be his. Isn't that great?"

Yi Zhonghai suddenly understood and nodded quickly, "Grandma, you're so thoughtful! I know what to do!"

After leaving the deaf old woman's house, Yi Zhonghai returned to his own. An older woman quickly poured him a cup of hot water and handed it to him, saying, "You're back? Did anything happen at the old woman's today?"

Yi Zhonghai took the water glass, looked at the middle-aged woman, his face grim, and asked in an icy tone, "In the two years I was gone, was the family's money enough?"

The older woman didn't think much of it and casually said, "It's just about enough. If we're careful with our spending, we can manage."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai's suspicions deepened, and he clenched his fists tightly.

A surge of anger and a feeling of being deceived welled up inside him. He suppressed his anger and didn't ask any more questions, but he was already convinced that the old woman was definitely hiding something from him.