Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

After the system's mechanical voice disappeared, several clear streams of information instantly appeared in Lin Weidong's mind.

[Powerful Nation System Reward Rules]: Upon completing tasks related to strengthening the nation (technological breakthroughs, resource integration, eliminating hidden dangers, etc.), the host can randomly obtain attribute bonuses, skill blueprints, and knowledge reserves. Daily efforts to resolve internal power struggles can trigger random small rewards.

[New player gift pack has been claimed]: Stamina +5, Brainpower +10, and pulley modification scheme unlocked.

A warm current surged through his limbs and bones, and his body, which was still somewhat weak due to the soul transmigration, instantly became light and strong, and his mind became incredibly clear.

"Dongzi, what are you daydreaming about? Hurry up and eat, you'll be late for school!"

Zhao Xiulan's voice brought Lin Weidong back to reality. On the table were cornbread, pickled vegetables, and a bowl of warm corn porridge. Lin Weidong finished eating in a few bites and then sat on the doorstep to study the system.

The next morning, my mother woke me up early, and I slung my patched coarse cloth schoolbag over my shoulder and skipped out the door.

Hongxing Elementary School was not only where the original owner studied, but also where Yan Bugui attended classes.

As soon as I entered the classroom, I saw Yan Bugui standing in front of the podium, holding a piece of chalk in his hand. His eyes swept over the students and finally landed precisely on Lin Weidong, with a hint of malicious smile.

"Lin Weidong, you're here pretty early today." Yan Bugui tapped the blackboard, his voice rising a few decibels. "I heard from your mother yesterday that you're quite capable at home, very quick-witted. Since you're so good, your studies must be pretty good too, right?"

The classroom fell silent instantly, and all the students' eyes turned to Lin Weidong. The children in the courtyard all knew that Teacher Yan and the Lin family had a falling out yesterday, and today she was clearly trying to make things difficult for him.

Lin Weidong put down his schoolbag, looked up at his teacher with a well-behaved expression, and said, "Teacher Yan, I'm just an ordinary student, not as cultured as you are."

Yan Bugui's face twitched. Suppressing his anger, he pointed to the several arithmetic problems newly written on the blackboard: "Since you're late, I'll test you. If you can solve these problems within one minute, you don't need to attend my class today."

The problems on the blackboard were things like the chicken and rabbit problem or the monk dividing steamed buns problem. Even older students would have to think about them for a long time, let alone a seven-year-old. Yan Bugui deliberately chose some of the most difficult problems, wanting to embarrass Lin Weidong in public and get revenge for yesterday's defeat.

"Teacher Yan, one minute is too long, half a minute will do." Lin Weidong walked up to the podium, picked up the chalk, and wrote down the answer.

The enhanced mental abilities provided by the system were not just for show; those convoluted arithmetic problems were no different from one plus one in his eyes.

"There are chickens and rabbits in the same cage. There are 35 heads and 94 feet in total. How many chickens and rabbits are there? There are 12 rabbits and 23 chickens!"

"If there are 100 monks and 100 steamed buns, and each senior monk eats three, while three junior monks share one bun, how many buns will each senior and junior monk have? The senior monks will have 25, and the junior monks will have 75!"

Lin Weidong spoke rapidly, and then the chalk scribbled on the blackboard as he not only gave the answers but also clearly wrote out the simplified algorithms. In no time, the five difficult problems on the blackboard were complete with additional steps besides the answers.

The classroom was completely silent; all the students were stunned. Yan Bugui's eyes widened, and he leaned close to the blackboard, pointing at the equation with his finger, muttering to himself, "This... how can this algorithm be so simple? How come I didn't think of that?"

In all his years of teaching, this was the first time he had ever seen someone solve the "chicken and rabbit in the same cage" problem so quickly, and the algorithm was even more ingenious than the one in the textbook.

"Teacher Yan, I'm done calculating. Can we dismiss get out of class now?" Lin Weidong put down the chalk, tilted his head to look at him, his eyes full of mockery.

Yan Bugui's face flushed red and then turned pale; he had completely lost face. He snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and stepped down from the podium: "Fine, you're something else. Take today's lesson or leave it!"

The students then realized what was happening and burst into enthusiastic applause. Several bolder boys rushed to Lin Weidong's side, bombarding him with questions: "Weidong, you're amazing! How did you solve that problem so quickly?"

"Weidong, can you teach me? My dad beat me yesterday because I couldn't solve a math problem!"

Lin Weidong was surrounded and felt his ears were hurting from the noise until Yan Bugui shouted angrily, and the children returned to their seats.

With nothing to do, Lin Weidong went to sunbathe under a tree outside the classroom. The children in the classroom couldn't help but envy him, while Yan Bugui was seething with resentment.

On his way home from school in the afternoon, Lin Weidong was humming a song when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind him.

"Wei Dong! Wei Dong! Wait a minute!"

Lin Weidong turned around and saw Wang Jianjun, a classmate. His father was the workshop director of a steel rolling mill and lived in the courtyard next door. His family was well-off, but Wang Jianjun's grades were terrible. He always came in last place in every exam and was often beaten by his father with a belt.

Wang Jianjun ran up to Lin Weidong, panting, his face flushed. After hesitating for a long time, he suddenly knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"Wei Dong, I beg you, please take me as your follower! I'll acknowledge you as my elder brother!"

Lin Weidong was startled and quickly helped him up: "What are you doing? Get up!"

Wang Jianjun's eyes were red, and he said in a tearful voice, "My grades are terrible! Every time after an exam, my dad whips me with a belt! Big brother, teach me how to do the problems, and I'll follow you. I'll give you half of the allowance my dad gives me!"

Lin Weidong looked at his pitiful appearance and a thought struck him. Wang Jianjun's father was the workshop director, in charge of many workers and equipment. Moreover, having another subordinate would provide more assistance.

"I can take you as my underling, but I have rules," Lin Weidong said, putting on a stern face.

"First, you're not allowed to bully your classmates anymore; second, you must study hard, and you must do the problems I teach you carefully; third, if anyone bullies me, you have to stand up for me!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Jianjun nodded vigorously, "No problem! I'll listen to you, big brother! From now on, you're my real big brother!"

As he spoke, he pulled a crumpled piece of candy from his pocket and stuffed it into Lin Weidong's hand: "Brother, this is a fruit candy I've been saving up for a long time, here, have it!"

Lin Weidong took the candy, unwrapped it, and put it in his mouth. A sweet taste filled his mouth. This was a rare snack in this era, and Wang Jianjun's willingness to take it out showed some sincerity.

"Alright, from today onwards, you're my little brother." Lin Weidong patted him on the shoulder. "Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you mental arithmetic, and I guarantee you'll pass the next exam!"

Wang Jianjun was so excited he almost jumped up. He followed behind Lin Weidong, calling him "Big Brother" repeatedly in a loud voice.

As soon as the two reached the entrance of the courtyard house, they saw Yan Bugui squatting against the wall, his face so gloomy it could drip water. Clearly, he had witnessed the entire scene of Wang Jianjun becoming an apprentice.

Yan Bugui stared intently at Lin Weidong, his eyes filled with resentment and venom.

Lin Weidong ignored him, raised an eyebrow at Yan Bugui with disdain, and then swaggered into the courtyard.

Just then, the system voice in my mind sounded again.

[Trigger a random small reward: Resolve Yan Bugui's difficult situation, gain a follower, and unlock basic fighting skills.]

[New Mission Issued: Help Wang Jianjun improve his grades and escape domestic violence. Mission Reward: Brainpower +5.]