The Fitter Master in the Courtyard: Surrounded by Dead Men

Liu Guangqi slowly raised his hand and showed his father a string of pork wrapped in oiled paper and tied with hemp rope.

The meat looked fresh, with a good balance of fat and lean, and it glistened in the afternoon light.

"this……!"

Liu Haizhong was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly realized.

It turns out I was just being paranoid.

The son didn't run away; he just went out to buy some household necessities.

The tension in his heart suddenly eased, and he let out a long, silent breath. The cold sweat on his back felt cool in the wind.

It was just a false alarm.

"Old Liu,"

A voice chimed in at the opportune moment, filled with undisguised heartache, "You've found your son, shouldn't we settle our scores?"

The speaker was Yan Fugui.

He squatted down next to his bicycle, his fingers repeatedly tracing the twisted and deformed frame and the completely flattened wheels, his brows furrowed in worry.

The car had only had new wheels for a few days, and before it was even fully refreshed, Liu Haizhong sat on it so hard that it broke. He felt his heart deflate along with the car wheels.

The neighbors, who had been listening intently, finally understood what had happened and their faces showed surprise.

At first, they guessed it was hit by a car or run over by some reckless animal, but they never expected it to be the "culprit".

It turned out to be Liu Haizhong himself.

Looking at his sturdy build, I felt relieved—his weight would probably be too much for an ordinary bicycle to withstand.

"Old Yan,"

Liu Haizhong cleared his throat, trying to stabilize the situation, "Here's what we'll do, I'll give you another twenty yuan."

But then again, your frame isn't sturdy, and that has its own problems, so you can't blame it all on me.

You'll have to share some of the repair costs.

He remembered the twenty yuan he had just lost to replace the tire a few days ago, and the pain was still fresh in his mind. Now he had to spend money again, and all of this added up to almost enough to buy a used car.

"No, that doesn't make sense."

Yan Fugui shook his head vigorously, pointing to the damaged area with his finger. "See? The rims need to be replaced, and the frame needs to be repaired. It'll cost at least thirty."

The rims cost twenty, the frame ten, and I'll take care of the rest of the odds and ends myself.

"Twenty is all, not a penny more."

Liu Haizhong straightened his face and said in a stern tone, "Take a look for yourself, these are the only two main parts that are damaged."

If you're not happy about it, I'm really not going to pay.

Liu Haizhong immediately quit.

"you……"

Yan Fugui was so angry that his face turned pale and his fingers trembled.

He never expected Liu Haizhong to be so shameless, and for a moment he stood there dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.

The onlookers then realized that Liu Haizhong had actually managed to crush the bicycle by sitting on it, and they couldn't help but marvel at his "skill."

of.

"In my opinion, this matter should be decided by the neighborhood committee."

Yang Ping's voice was not loud, but every word was clear: "Pay whatever amount is due."

The Liu family had caused him a lot of trouble in the past, especially when Liu Guangqi was preparing for his wedding, they even tried to take his house.

Seeing Liu Haizhong acting so arrogantly and unruly, Yang Ping naturally wanted to seize the opportunity to give him a good beating.

"Yes, let the neighborhood committee handle this!"

Yan Fugui's eyes lit up, and he quickly agreed.

"Thirty yuan, here you go!"

Liu Haizhong's face turned ashen. He glared at Yang Ping, then pulled out three crumpled banknotes from his pocket and shoved them into Yan Fugui's hand.

After saying that, he turned and left, his steps quick and heavy, as if staying even a moment longer would be pierced by the gazes of those around him.

Seeing this, Liu Guangqi lowered his head and hurriedly followed.

"Wow, this show is quite something."

"Who would have thought that Uncle Er's plop would break the bicycle seat?"

"Who told him to be so fat, like a pig? I bet he weighs at least 200 pounds. He could probably fetch a good price at the butcher shop."

"Shh, keep your voice down, or he'll hold a grudge if he hears you."

"I thought it had been hit by a car, but it turns out it was just something someone sat on and broke..."

As they discussed the matter, they walked back in twos and threes.

Before long, the news had spread to every corner of the compound.

Liu Haizhong was so ashamed that he couldn't face anyone. He hid in the house and refused to show his face. He had a belly full of anger and nowhere to vent it. In the end, he could only grab his two sons and give them a good beating to vent his anger.

**Chapter 85 The Mystery of Engineer Li**

"Yang Ping, we really have to thank you this time."

Yan Fugui's face showed gratitude, and he was about to speak when Yang Ping spoke first.

"Third Uncle, how do you plan to thank me for helping you this time?"

Yang Ping's tone was straightforward, without the slightest hint of politeness.

Upon hearing this, Yan Fugui's face immediately showed hesitation.

Taking something from him was like cutting flesh from his body; the discomfort was more intense than anything else.

If you don't give me an explanation this time,

Yang Ping added unhurriedly, with a smile on her face, "Next time something similar happens, I'll just watch the show from the sidelines."

"Here! I'll give it to you..."

Yan Fugui's expression changed several times before he finally managed to squeeze out, "I...I'll give you two potted plants!"

Although the words were out of his mouth, he felt as if his heart had been clenched.

For so many years, Yan Fugui has always been the one scheming against others and taking advantage of them. Who has ever been able to get anything out of him? But unexpectedly, he has suffered losses time and time again with Yang Ping, and has been manipulated by him time and time again.

Two potted plants are not enough.

Yang Ping shook his head.

He just casually said something, and Yan Fugui made an extra ten yuan. Now he thinks he can just get rid of him with two pots of flowers? It's not that easy.

"So what do you want?"

Yan Fugui remained silent for a moment, then asked in a muffled voice.

His mind raced through the items in his home—he weighed each one carefully, but no matter which one he thought of, the thought of giving it to Yang Ping made his heart ache.

"The fishing rod you lent me before..."

Yang Ping didn't beat around the bush, "Just give me the one that's good quality."

He didn't have a suitable fishing rod, so he hadn't gone to the river these days.

Although he could borrow it, he always had to pay a price for borrowing Yan Fugui's things, which he found troublesome, so he kept putting it off.

I was originally planning to go to the back mountain to find some suitable bamboo to make my own fishing rod, but before I could go, this happened today—perfect timing, I can just ask Yan Fugui for the fishing rod directly.

"……become!"

Yan Fugui gritted his teeth and finally agreed.

He usually wouldn't use that fine fishing rod much, but now it's going to belong to Yang Ping.

The thought of it made him wince, but given the current situation, he couldn't refuse—after all, Yang Ping had indeed done him a great favor this time.

"Okay, bring the fishing gear first, we'll talk about the bicycle later."

Yang Ping nodded, a hint of satisfaction in his expression.

It was just a casual remark, but unexpectedly, I received two pots of flowers in full bloom and a fishing rod that looked pretty good—from Yan Fugui.

No matter how you look at it, he's the one who profited.

Yan Fugui couldn't bear to hand the items over himself, so he turned around and pushed the clanging bicycle towards the repair shop at the alley entrance, leaving his wife to take the items out.

The three women had no choice but to go inside and fetch the flowers and fishing rod.

Yang Ping carried two potted plants in one arm and a slender bamboo fishing rod in the other, walking briskly towards the backyard with a smile on her face.

……

The next morning, Yang Ping went to work in the R&D department as usual.

He walked to the familiar machine tool and continued polishing the parts at hand.

The parts used to manufacture battery equipment are not complicated in themselves; even an ordinary fitter could make them, it's just that there are a lot of them.

It would take him at least three or four days to finish the whole thing by himself.

As he was busy with his work, a series of unhurried footsteps approached from afar—it was Li You entering.

But instead of walking straight into his office as usual, Li You turned around and walked towards the parts processing area.

Yang Ping paused, a hint of surprise in his eyes, and looked up to greet him:

"Engineer Li."

From the very first day he joined the R&D department, he felt that Engineer Li was somewhat strange.

From what I've observed over the past few days, Li You goes straight to his small office as soon as he arrives at work each day. Except for meals and bathroom breaks, he almost never shows his face until he leaves quietly at the end of the workday.

He doesn't chat with people, nor does he offer any advice; he just locks himself inside.

Yang Ping had asked Cao Dayu and Song Zixu before, and both of them said that Li You had always been like this, and they were used to it and too lazy to ask any more questions.

But the more it's like this, the more something feels off.

Since they didn't have much contact on a regular basis, Yang Ping didn't think too much about it.

Today, Li You actually walked into the parts section on his own initiative, which is a first for him—I wonder what he's planning to do.

"Yang Ping,"

Li You stopped beside his machine tool, his gaze sweeping over the scattered parts on the table, and asked in a calm tone, "Are you preparing to make a battery?"

Li You slowly shifted his gaze from the battery production equipment and casually asked a question.

"Yeah, I'll make a few batteries to kill time. I'm just idling around in the R&D department anyway."

Yang Ping replied.

He made no mention of any plans regarding lithium-ion batteries.

He had previously given Cao Dayu and Song Zixu serious instructions that if any part of this matter was leaked, they should be asked to leave the project team.

Fearing being excluded, the two immediately swore an oath never to tell anyone.

Therefore, no one else knows the inside story at the moment.

"Is it a lead-acid battery?"

Li You pressed for an answer.

"Otherwise what? Are there other kinds?"

Yang Ping asked back, feigning nonchalance.

Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible hint of disappointment flashed across Li You's eyes. He simply said, "Just asking. It's nothing else. You're busy."

After saying that, he turned and left without stopping.

Yang Ping watched his retreating figure, her brows furrowing slightly.

If what was just revealed was "lithium battery"

What will happen if we use those two words?

He always felt that this person was somewhat suspicious, and if he had the chance in the future, he would definitely investigate his background.

"Master Yang!"

"Team leader!"

Not long after, Cao Dayu and Song Zixu arrived and greeted them respectfully.

"It's good that you're here. Let's finish the parts that weren't completed yesterday."

Yang Ping gathered his thoughts and gave the instructions.

"clear!"

The two responded readily and quickly walked to the adjacent machine tool to continue polishing the unfinished parts.

Yang Ping paused for a moment, then took a few steps closer and lowered his voice to reiterate: "Let me remind you again—the research and development of lithium batteries must be kept strictly confidential."

Got it?

"Rest assured, we will not divulge a single word."

Cao Dayu immediately gave his assurance, and Song Zixu nodded solemnly beside him.

Cao Dayu readily agreed, and Song Zixu nodded in agreement.

"This mission has far-reaching implications. If word gets out and falls into the ears of those with ulterior motives, it could bring disaster. We must keep our mouths shut."

Yang Ping once again gave her earnest instructions.

Upon hearing that this might lead to danger, Cao Dayu and Song Zixu both became more serious.

The two men straightened their backs simultaneously, their voices low but clear: "Don't worry, Master Yang (team leader), we will not reveal a single word to anyone."

Despite this, their eyes gleamed with barely suppressed excitement—they had never taken on such an important task before, and they could already see themselves rising to fame in the clan and becoming the younger generation praised by their elders.

Yang Ping didn't say anything more and turned around to continue the polishing work at hand.

He didn't let anyone else in the workshop get involved precisely because he was cautious: the fewer people who knew about the lithium battery project before it was fully developed, the more potential trouble could be avoided.

After that, the three of them devoted themselves to the fine grinding of the parts.

There were no other matters to disturb the R&D department, and no one visited the parts manufacturing area. The only sound in the silence was the faint rustling of tools against metal.