Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

Zhao Xiulan walked over with a glass of water and overheard Yan Bugui's words. Her face darkened, and she slammed the glass down on the table with a loud bang.

"Uncle Yan, I don't like hearing that."

Zhao Xiulan stood with her hands on her hips, her voice clear and bright, "Jianjun's salary is earned through his hard work at the steel mill, while I only received a small salary after running around the neighborhood office. Our flour was bought with his salary, not by chance. Neighborhood help is expected, but you can't force people to help, can you?"

She was an official in the neighborhood office and had seen plenty of these kinds of squabbles; she wasn't as easy to deal with as Lin Jianjun.

Yi Zhonghai's expression changed slightly, clearly not expecting Zhao Xiulan to be so uncooperative. He suppressed his anger and continued to appeal to her emotions: "Xiulan, your words are a bit extreme. We're not forcing you; we're just thinking that since your family is well-off, it would be a good deed to set aside some money to help Grandma Deaf, wouldn't it?"

"We acknowledge the importance of doing good deeds, but we must act within our means."

Zhao Xiulan retorted, "Our Dongzi is still young and growing, so he needs to eat wheat flour too. Besides, Grandma Deaf is a recipient of the Five Guarantees, and the neighborhood committee provides subsidies. If she really lacks food or clothing, she should contact the neighborhood committee. Our family has no obligation to provide her with daily assistance."

"you!"

The deaf old woman was speechless, pointing at Zhao Xiulan with her left hand for a long time without being able to speak.

Zhang chimed in, "Xiulan, please say less. Grandma Deaf is old and can't take any more anger."

Yan Bugui added fuel to the fire: "That's right, Xiulan, your temper is too fiery. If word gets out, people will think that our Lin family is bullying our neighbors just because we have some money."

Lin Jianjun frowned even more, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face, clearly having been persuaded.

Lin Weidong was extremely anxious.

No! We can't let them succeed!

If we give in, these people will come knocking on our door every day like flies that smell blood, treating the Lin family like suckers!

He took a deep breath, took a step forward with his small body, tugged at Zhao Xiulan's clothes, tilted his little face up, and spoke in a clear, crisp voice.

"Uncle, you don't have any children, so why are you always eyeing other people's food coupons and flour?"

The room fell silent instantly upon hearing this.

All eyes turned to the seven-year-old child.

Yi Zhonghai's smile froze, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes, followed by a hint of annoyance: "You child, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Lin Weidong blinked his big eyes, looking completely innocent, as if he had just casually asked, "I'm not making this up."

He pointed at Yi Zhonghai and continued in a crisp voice, "My dad said, 'Uncle, you have a high salary, you're a senior fitter, you earn more than my dad. It's just you and Aunt Zhang at home, you have enough to eat and use, why do you still come to our house asking for flour?'"

He then turned to the deaf old woman, his little brows furrowing: "Grandma Deaf, Uncle Li from the neighborhood committee came to our house yesterday and said he brought you ten jin of coarse grains and a cotton-padded coat. Why did you say you didn't receive them?"

He had dug these words out of the original owner's memories; Zhao Xiulan had indeed mentioned them when she got home from get off work yesterday.

Yan Bugui, who was standing to the side, was also stunned. He did not expect that this seven-year-old child could say such sharp words.

Before Lin Weidong could finish speaking, he looked at Yan Bugui, counting on his fingers and saying in a childish voice, "Third Uncle, you're a primary school teacher, you get a salary every month, and you can also get subsidies from the steel mill. You have three children, but I'm the only one in my family. Your child hasn't eaten white flour for half a year, and we only bought some today. Why don't you buy it yourself instead of coming to our house to ask for it?"

A series of questions, like small hammers, pounded on the faces of Yi Zhonghai and his companions.

Their carefully woven web of moral blackmail was torn to shreds by this seven-year-old child in the most innocent and naive tone.

Yi Zhonghai's face turned pale and then red, pointing at Lin Weidong, too angry to speak for a long time: "You...you child, you really have no manners!"

Zhao Xiulan quickly shielded Lin Weidong behind her, sneering, "Uncle Yi, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. Our Dongzi is only seven years old; children speak without thinking, and he's just telling the truth. What, you think the truth is unpleasant, so you say the child is ill-mannered?"

Lin Jianjun also realized what was happening, and a cold glint appeared in his eyes as he looked at Yi Zhonghai and the others. He had almost been tricked just now; now that he thought about it, these people weren't there to visit, they were clearly there to steal!

He straightened his back and said in a deep voice, "Uncle Yi, Grandma Deaf, Uncle Yan, you've all seen our family's situation. We won't refuse to help each other as neighbors, but if you're trying to take advantage of us under the guise of mutual assistance, then please leave."

The expressions on Yi Zhonghai and the others' faces turned extremely ugly.

They never expected that not only would they not gain any advantage today, but they would also be rendered speechless and lose face by a seven-year-old child.

The deaf old woman, embarrassed, glared at Lin Weidong, then, leaning on her cane, stood up angrily: "Hmph! Go away! This old woman doesn't want you!"

Yan Bugui also sheepishly put away his abacus, muttering "This child is hopeless," and followed behind dejectedly.

Yi Zhonghai's face was ashen. He glanced at Lin Weidong, and the sinister look in his eyes sent a chill down Lin Weidong's spine. He snorted coldly and turned to leave, saying, "Fine, very well done! Well done, Lin family!"

Zhang quickly picked up her bamboo basket and followed after them.

The curtain was blown shut by the wind with a "snap".

The room finally quieted down.

Zhao Xiulan breathed a sigh of relief, bent down to pick up Lin Weidong, and gave him a big kiss on the cheek: "My good son, you're so smart! You were absolutely right!"

Lin Jianjun also came over, patted Lin Weidong's head, and smiled with satisfaction: "Dongzi has grown up and become sensible."

Lin Weidong leaned against Zhao Xiulan's chest, but he felt no relief whatsoever.

He knew that today's incident had completely offended Yi Zhonghai and his group.

The days ahead are unlikely to be peaceful.

Whatever, since we're here, let's make the best of it.

Now that he's traveled to this era and this courtyard, he can't let the tragedy repeat itself.

He couldn't control Sha Zhu's fate, but he had to firmly grasp the fate of the Lin family in his own hands!

What's more, he has a secret. Just now, when he started to argue with someone, he seemed to hear a strange mechanical voice in his mind, but he was too anxious at the time to listen carefully.

Lin Weidong closed his eyes and carefully sensed it.

Just then, a cold, mechanical voice rang clearly in his mind.

[The host has successfully resolved the initial moral blackmail crisis, meeting the binding requirements.]

[The Powerful Nation System is officially activated!]

[New player gift pack has been sent, please check it!]