Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

As soon as it was light, the forging workshop of the steel rolling mill was filled with the clanging and hammering sounds.

Liu Haizhong, dressed in work clothes stained with oil, had just entered the workshop when the workshop foreman stopped him:

"Liu Haizhong, I'm assigning you a task today: move all the scrap parts piled up over there to the scrap yard in the backyard. You have to finish moving them before noon. There are other tasks in the afternoon."

Each of those scrap parts weighed dozens of kilograms and was piled up like a small mountain. It would be difficult to move them all even if it took a whole day, let alone before noon.

Liu Haizhong was seething with anger, but he dared not argue back. He was currently being punished, and if he dared to talk back again, he might be punished even more severely.

"understood."

He gave a muffled reply, picked up a thick hemp rope, and began to tie the workpiece.

He had only been working for a short while when several workers who usually disliked him gathered around.

"Master Liu, you've worked hard!"

A short, stout worker said sarcastically, "You used to be the one ordering us around, now it's your turn to do the work yourself. How does it feel?"

Another tall, thin worker chimed in, "Master Liu, you're strong, this kind of work is nothing to you, right? Hurry up and get to work, we're still waiting to use the scrap yard."

Liu Haizhong lowered his head, pretending not to hear, but in his heart he cursed all these people.

In the past, he relied on his status as a fifth-grade worker and liked to put on airs, often ordering young workers around, which offended many people.

Now that he's in trouble, these people naturally won't miss the opportunity to kick him while he's down.

The following morning, Liu Haizhong was called around by these people.

"Liu Haizhong, move the big one over here!"

"Liu Haizhong, hurry up, stop dawdling!"

"Liu Haizhong, pass me a tool!" He spun around like a top.

Exhausted and drenched in sweat, with a back so sore they could barely straighten up, they didn't dare utter a single complaint.

Liu Haizhong had finally made it to lunchtime and was about to go to the canteen to get his lunch when the workshop director came over again.

"Liu Haizhong, don't go get your food. Go clean the factory's public toilets first. They must be clean before work this afternoon. If they're not up to standard, you'll have to keep cleaning them tonight!"

"What?" Liu Haizhong's eyes widened, unable to believe his ears.

"Director, I haven't eaten yet. Could I get some food first?"

"No!"

"This is factory policy. If you don't want to work here, just get out!"

Liu Haizhong gritted his teeth and had no choice but to endure it.

He took the bucket and broom handed to him by the workshop director and slowly walked towards the public toilet.

The steel rolling mill is a large factory with tens of thousands of employees. The public toilets are crowded with people every day. They are smelly, swarming with flies, and covered in filth, making it impossible to walk in them.

Liu Haizhong stood at the toilet door, looking at the scene inside, his stomach churning, and he almost vomited.

He's lived this long, when has he ever done this kind of work?

But he had no choice but to grit his teeth and go inside, holding his nose.

As he cleaned, he cursed Lin Weidong and Liu Guangtian in his heart.

"It's all your fault, you little brats! Just wait until I get through this, and I'll teach you a lesson!"

Just as he was about to finish cleaning, the toilet door was pushed open, and Sha Zhu walked in.

He spotted Liu Haizhong cleaning immediately, his eyes lit up, and an idea instantly formed in his mind.

Sha Zhu deliberately walked to a squat toilet, but instead of going in, he unzipped his pants outside the toilet.

After he finished, he deliberately winked at Liu Haizhong and said, "Master Liu, thank you for your hard work. Please clean this toilet more often and keep it clean."

After saying that, he swaggered out.

Liu Haizhong looked at the filth outside the squat toilet, and was so angry that he trembled all over and his face turned green.

He really wanted to rush up and beat up Sha Zhu, but when he thought about his current situation, he could only force himself to hold back.

"Idiot Zhu! You just wait!"

After finally cleaning the toilets, Liu Haizhong picked up a bucket and a broom and ran quickly toward the cafeteria.

He was so hungry. He had worked hard all morning and hadn't eaten a single thing.

But as soon as they entered the canteen, the workers who were getting food and eating all frowned and covered their noses.

"What's that smell? It stinks!"

"It smells like a toilet!"

Following the smell, everyone saw Liu Haizhong walking briskly towards the food serving window.

The stench emanating from him was so strong that people around him quickly moved away, making way for him.

Liu Haizhong didn't care at all, walked straight to the food serving window, and said to the cook:

"Give me a serving of braised pork, a serving of stir-fried vegetables, and two steamed buns."

"Hey, isn't this Master Liu?" Sha Zhu's voice suddenly rang out.

He deliberately moved closer to Liu Haizhong and exaggeratedly fanned his nose.

"Mr. Liu, how many days has it been since you last showered? You smell like a toilet. Did you fall into the toilet?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the cafeteria erupted in laughter.

Everyone looked at Liu Haizhong with a mocking expression, and some even gagged.

"Haha, Sha Zhu is right, this smell is too strong!" "I think Master Liu got so engrossed in cleaning the toilets that he made himself stink too."

"Get away from him, or you'll spread his stench to us."

Liu Haizhong's face flushed red and then turned pale. He slammed the lunchbox in his hand on the windowsill and roared, "What are you laughing at! What's so funny!"

But his roar had no effect; instead, it made everyone laugh even harder.

The cook looked at him with a troubled expression, his spoon hesitant to fall.

Looking at the mocking looks from the crowd and listening to the harsh laughter, Liu Haizhong felt a mix of anger and humiliation, and he could no longer hold back.

He grabbed his lunchbox, turned around angrily, and left the cafeteria without even getting a meal.

But inside the courtyard house, the scene was quite different.

Widow Li specially changed into a newly bought floral dress, put on some light makeup, and dressed up in a flamboyant manner.

She heard that He Daqing was resting at home today.

She stood at her own doorstep, glancing occasionally in the direction of He Daqing's house, her eyes filled with anticipation.

During this time, with the help of the deaf old woman, Widow Li finally cleared away the obstacles.

The deaf old woman found Jia Zhangshi and gave her a lot of benefits.

Jia Zhangshi was already somewhat wavering, and then the deaf old woman added to the threat.

She finally gave up the idea of ​​continuing her relationship with He Daqing and promised the deaf old lady that she would no longer seduce He Daqing.

Without Jia Zhangshi's interference, Widow Li became even more proactive in approaching He Daqing.

She would bring He Daqing some delicious food every day, help him clean the house, and mend his clothes.

He Daqing already had a good impression of Widow Li, and with Widow Li taking such initiative, their relationship quickly warmed up.

Today, Widow Li dressed up specially, hoping to invite He Daqing out for a walk and test him.

If He Daqing is sensible, that would be best.

If that doesn't work, then she'll have no choice but to proceed with the original plan and force him to comply.