Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

In the chief engineer's office, sunlight streamed through the window onto the desk, illuminating the spread-out converter optimization drawings.

Lin Weidong pointed to the label on the oxygen supply system and discussed the details of parameter adjustment with Su Wanqing in a low voice: "The pressure threshold of the dual-supply system needs to be refined further. According to the previous test data, lowering the upper limit can reduce the risk of molten steel splashing."

Su Wanqing gripped her pen and quickly scribbled in her notebook, her brows slightly furrowed.

At that moment, the office door was suddenly pushed open, and two factory staff members walked in, their expressions serious.

"Chief Engineer Lin, could you please come with us to the factory office? We need your cooperation in an investigation."

Su Wanqing looked up abruptly, her face full of worry: "What happened? Is there some misunderstanding?"

Lin Weidong's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly guessed that it was most likely the rumors spread by Liu Haizhong that had taken effect.

He said to the anxious Su Wanqing, "It's nothing, just a small matter. I'll be right back. You organize the parameters first, and we'll continue the discussion when I get back."

After saying that, he picked up his coat and followed the people from the factory office out, leaving Su Wanqing standing there, filled with anxiety.

The atmosphere in the factory office was heavy.

Three staff members from the higher-level supervisory department sat on the sofa, their faces somber.

Seeing Lin Weidong enter, the middle-aged man at the head of the group pointed to the chair opposite him: "Chief Engineer Lin, please sit down. We received an anonymous tip that you instigated Liu Haizhong's son to separate from his family and that you abused your power to arrange for them to work in the steel rolling mill, thus violating family ethics. What is your explanation for this?"

Lin Weidong sat down calmly, his tone even: "Comrades, the allegations are completely fabricated."

"The brothers Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu came to me because they had been subjected to domestic violence by Liu Haizhong for a long time. They had no other choice but to work in the factory to escape their family."

"I was just trying to help them out; I never encouraged them to split up, nor did I use my position to do anything special. Their onboarding process was all in accordance with the factory's regulations."

“Words are no proof,” another employee said. “Rumors are spreading throughout the factory, negatively impacting your reputation and the factory’s order. You must provide evidence to prove your innocence.”

Just as Lin Weidong was about to explain further, the office door was suddenly kicked open.

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu ran in, panting, their foreheads covered in sweat.

"Leaders, please don't misunderstand Chief Engineer Lin!" Liu Guangtian said urgently.

"The division of the family business was our own decision; it had nothing to do with Chief Engineer Lin. It was voluntary!"

Liu Guangfu quickly added, "Yes! My father used to beat and scold us all the time, and we couldn't take it anymore, so we wanted to separate the family."

"Chief Engineer Lin was just trying to help us find jobs. He never pressured us. Instead, he encouraged us to communicate with our families as much as possible."

"It was my father who deliberately spread rumors and framed Chief Engineer Lin out of jealousy!"

The two brothers took turns explaining the whole story in detail.

From Liu Haizhong's long-term domestic violence, to how they were desperate and sought help from Lin Weidong, to Liu Haizhong's harassment of them in the workshop, and the process of spreading rumors.

They explained everything clearly, their tone earnest, their eyes filled with anxiety and sincerity.

The staff members from the supervisory department exchanged glances, their expressions softening considerably.

They had only inquired based on the whistleblower letter before, but now, after hearing the Liu brothers' explanation and considering Lin Weidong's consistent behavior, they had already made their own judgment.

"If that's the case, then the matter is clear," said the middle-aged man in the lead.

"Chief Engineer Lin, I'm sorry to bother you. We will verify the situation and clear your name."

Lin Weidong stood up and nodded: "It's alright, cooperating with the investigation is what we should do."

As they left the factory office, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu quickly apologized to Lin Weidong: "Chief Engineer Lin, we're sorry that you've been wronged because of our matter."

Lin Weidong patted them on the shoulder and said, "It's alright, now that it's over, you can go back to work."

After learning that Lin Weidong had been questioned by the factory office, Li Huaide was so angry that he paced back and forth in his office.

He knew Lin Weidong's character well and also knew Liu Haizhong's moral character. It was obvious that Liu Haizhong was deliberately spreading rumors and framing him.

But the factory office was the supervisory department of the steel rolling mill, so he couldn't directly lash out; he could only suppress his anger and wait for the outcome.

Upon learning that the matter had been clarified and Lin Weidong was safe and sound, Li Huaide immediately took Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu straight to the factory's broadcasting station.

He wanted all the factory workers to know the truth, to clear Lin Weidong's name, and to severely crack down on such rumors and trouble-making.

In the broadcasting station, the announcer's voice resounded throughout the steel rolling mill: "Dear employees, we are now broadcasting an important announcement."

"Regarding the recent rumors circulating that 'Chief Engineer Lin Weidong instigated Liu Haizhong's son to divide the family property,' the factory office and higher-level supervisory departments have verified that this is completely false information."

Subsequently, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu's voices were broadcast over the loudspeaker. They recounted in detail how they suffered domestic violence, voluntarily separated from their family, how Lin Weidong kindly helped them, and how Liu Haizhong spread rumors.

Finally, Li Huaide's voice rang out, stern and firm: "Comrade Liu Haizhong, out of personal jealousy, deliberately damaged factory workpieces, spread rumors, and made things difficult for apprentices. His behavior seriously violated the factory's rules and regulations, as well as family ethics and social morality."

"After deliberation by the factory's Party Committee, it was decided to severely criticize Comrade Liu Haizhong and order him to make a profound self-criticism at a general meeting of all workshop employees."

"Starting today, Comrade Liu Haizhong will be assigned to take over the heavy physical labor previously performed by the Liu Guangtian brothers, and will also clean the factory toilets during his lunch break for one month."

"This will result in the withholding of this month's bonus as a warning! We hope all employees will take this as a lesson, resolutely resist rumors, unite and cooperate to maintain good order in the factory!"

The broadcast played on repeat, and all the factory workers learned the truth.

Everyone condemned Liu Haizhong's behavior and expressed sympathy for Lin Weidong's plight, and the previous rumors vanished instantly.

In the forging workshop, Liu Haizhong turned pale and trembled all over when he heard the broadcast.

He never imagined that his rumors would not only fail to bring down Lin Weidong, but would instead lead to his own downfall.

Doing heavy work and cleaning toilets, and then having to make a self-criticism in front of all the employees—this is an utter disgrace!

The workshop foreman walked up to him, his face stern: "Liu Haizhong, from today onwards, you'll be responsible for moving iron blocks, cleaning tools, and cleaning the toilets at lunchtime. If you dare to slack off or cause any more trouble, the factory will not let you off easily!"

Liu Haizhong lowered his head, not daring to refute, but his heart was filled with resentment.

He blamed everything on the brothers Lin Weidong and Liu Guangtian, his eyes filled with a sinister glint, and he secretly vowed to take revenge.

Lin Weidong had already returned to his office, and Su Wanqing quickly asked, "Are you alright? I was so worried about you."

Lin Weidong smiled and said, "It's nothing, I'm sorry to have worried you."

Su Wanqing then said, "This Liu Haizhong is really ruthless. Not only did he split up the family, but now he's even suppressing his own son."

Lin Weidong smiled and said, "These two brothers have made Liu Haizhong lose face so badly, he's bound to retaliate."

"I just didn't expect it to turn out like this."