Siheyuan: I will never tolerate gambling and drugs!

Rolling mill

The farce in the infirmary quickly subsided, and Cui Dake was carried away by his coworkers, leaving behind a mess.

The workers looked at Xu Lin with a mixture of awe and fear.

This Director Xu is not only a medical genius, but his methods are also incredibly ruthless.

With Xu Lin's comforting words, Ding Qiunan drank a cup of hot water, and her emotions gradually stabilized. The look in her eyes when she looked at Xu Lin was no longer just admiration; her dependence and adoration almost overflowed from her large, watery eyes.

Xu Lin patted her on the shoulder, said nothing more, and sat back down at his consultation table.

"Next!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it invigorated the entire group, and order was restored instantly.

The physical examination continues.

As noon approached, it was finally time for those familiar "old faces" in the courtyard to arrive.

Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and the others dragged their exhausted bodies, sporting huge dark circles under their eyes, and lined up at the end of the queue. Although they had slept the night before, the sight of tombstones every time they closed their eyes made the mental torment far exceed the physical one.

"Oh, all of you old folks are here?" Xu Lin looked up, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Perfect timing. The factory leaders care about the health of the employees, so let's all get checked out."

The first one is Yi Zhonghai.

He sat down cautiously and extended his wrist.

Xu Lin placed three fingers on the ground, closed his eyes, and concentrated. After a moment, he opened his eyes, his expression becoming somewhat strange.

[The pulse is deep and weak, indicating kidney deficiency and old injuries in the lower abdomen... It seems like he was kicked in the groin when he was young.]

Xu Lin instantly understood.

[Hey, so this old man who never had children in the original story had this problem all along. And considering his affair with Jia Zhangshi, it's probably because he was caught cheating by Jia Zhangshi and crippled! But if Yi Zhonghai had gotten involved with Jia Zhangshi so early on, then maybe Yi Zhonghai really could be Jia Dongxu's stepfather!]

After thinking it over, Xu Lin calmly withdrew his hand and said lightly, "Master Yi, you were injured when you were young, weren't you? Your back and... lower body, you should take care of them."

Yi Zhonghai's face turned deathly pale in an instant!

This was his deepest secret and hidden pain! He had always claimed that his wife, Zhou Jinzhi, couldn't conceive, but the problem actually lay with him. This was a secret known only to heaven and earth, not even to Jia Zhangshi, who had been drinking contraceptive soup. And now… Xu Lin had found out just by taking his pulse?!

His lips trembled; he wanted to ask but dared not.

Xu Lin didn't look at him again, and said to the recorder, "Recorder, he has kidney deficiency and old injuries. It won't affect his normal work."

Next up is Xu Damao.

Xu Damao sat down with some hesitation. After all, Xu Lin had deliberately made them count the tombstones until late at night yesterday, and now they had to count them again today. Anyone would be angry in that situation. However, he also felt somewhat guilty, so he was a little uneasy, worried that Xu Lin's words might affect his work. Xu Lin didn't seem to care about his little thoughts.

He took his pulse directly and began to diagnose him. Before long, he raised an eyebrow.

[Oh, so this kid's infertility was caused by a beating too. His injuries are newer than Yi Zhonghai's, but the damage is more severe; his meridians are even somewhat atrophied.]

Xu Lin glanced at Sha Zhu, who was also queuing not far away, and knew exactly what was going on.

[This grandson was used as a punching bag by Sha Zhu since he was a kid, getting a light beating every three days and a heavy beating every five days. That's probably when he was crippled. But these two childless kids together are quite a match.]

He withdrew his hand and said in the same tone, "Xu Damao, your health... has similar problems to Master Yi's, or even more troublesome. You need to be careful about your sex life in the future, otherwise it will affect your ability to have children."

"You!" Xu Damao was shocked. How could someone just say something like that? He jumped up. "Don't talk nonsense! I'm a bachelor, not even married yet, where would I go to have sex... You must have got it wrong."

Xu Lin knew Xu Damao would never admit to it, so he simply leaned back lazily in his chair. "Fine, fine, I'll pretend I made a mistake. But I have to remind you, this problem... although it's been going on for a while, it's not completely incurable. But, well, it depends on my mood."

One sentence, like a thunderbolt, struck both Yi Zhonghai and Xu Damao simultaneously.

Is there absolutely no way to solve this?!

Yi Zhonghai suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing with an unprecedented glint. His greatest obsession in life was to have an heir. For this, he had consistently supported the Jia family and nurtured Jia Dongxu, but ultimately, that child belonged to someone else! If… if only he could have one…

His heart instantly burned with passion!

But the moment he saw Xu Lin's ambiguous smile, he instantly calmed down. Beg him? Beg this mortal enemy who had humiliated him so utterly?

Yi Zhonghai clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his flesh, his face turning pale and then red, as he was caught in a fierce internal struggle.

Xu Damao, on the other hand, looked suspicious and disbelieving. He felt that Xu Lin was just playing him, since he had gone out and fooled around with Sha Zhu and Jia Dongxu several times, and he didn't seem like he was incapable.

Xu Lin took in the expressions of the two men and sneered inwardly.

"The bait has been cast; now it's up to you to bite." Xu Damao and Yi Zhonghai left Xu Lin's table and went back into the inner room to check the remaining items.

Just then, a voice that only Xu Lin could hear rang in his mind.

[Ding! Host's activity level for this month has been met; monthly check-in task completed!]

[Check-in rewards are being distributed...]

[Congratulations, host, you have received: Reward 1: A modern basement (500 square meters, fully furnished, with utilities (water, electricity, and internet), equipped with a temperature control, ventilation, and soundproofing system; the entrance can be customized by the host's will)!]

[Congratulations, host, you have received: Reward Two: "The Complete Guide to Modern Iron and Steel Smelting Technology" (including complete technical data on converter steelmaking, electric arc furnace steelmaking, and special steel formulations)!]

[Congratulations, host, you have received: Reward Three: One free purchase opportunity from the system shop!]

Xu Lin's heart skipped a beat!

I rely on!

This reward... is absolutely amazing!

A modern basement! Isn't this the love nest he's preparing for himself, Tan Shi, and Qin Huairu? With this thing, they can do whatever they want in the courtyard house without worrying about being overheard!

And that "Complete Guide to Modern Iron and Steel Smelting Technology" was a national treasure! In 1950s China, steel was the backbone of industry. With this technology, the country's steel production and quality could leap forward by twenty years!

but……

[This thing can't be taken out yet.] Xu Lin calmed down instantly.

[I'm just a lowly head of the infirmary right now, with little influence. Revealing such incredible technology rashly would only make me a monster to be dissected and studied. I have to wait—wait for the right opportunity, a position that will give me sufficient influence in the steel mill, or even at a higher level!]

As for the free opportunities in the system store, Xu Lin glanced at them and was dazzled by the wide array of goods.

"Never mind, I'll keep it for now and use it when I need it." After thinking this through, Xu Lin suppressed his inner turmoil and continued to give physical examinations to the workers and neighbors in the courtyard house who were waiting in line...

The afternoon passed in this seemingly calm yet subtly turbulent atmosphere.

……

After getting off work, Xu Lin couldn't wait to ride his old bicycle back to the yard.

Qin Huairu had already prepared the meal and was waiting for him in the room with Madam Tan and two maids.

Xu Lin first went inside, and while washing his hands in the bathroom, he activated the system with a thought.

[System, set up the basement entrance. Entrance number one is behind the bookshelf in my study. Entrance number two is in the kitchen cabinet at Sister Tan's house in the backyard.]

[Ding! Entry point setup complete!]

Silently, a vast underground space was embedded beneath the courtyard house. Xu Lin checked his study to make sure everything was alright, then returned to the dining table to eat with the women.

The group was eating and chatting happily at the table. The two young girls had learned from Madam Tan yesterday that Xu Lin and Qin Huairu had registered their marriage, and they were now offering their blessings to the newlyweds. The atmosphere at the table was harmonious and joyful when there was a knock on the door from the outside.

"Director Xu, are you home?" Yi Zhonghai's voice came in from outside the door at an inopportune moment. "Brother Xu, why are these people from the courtyard here again? They're so annoying. Haven't they learned their lesson from yesterday?" Xiao'e heard the voice and guessed who it was. Remembering how they blocked Xu Lin's gate last night, she spoke angrily on Xu Lin's behalf.

Xu Lin smiled, patted her head, and told them to continue eating. He said he would be right back after going out to check on things. He then got up and walked to the door.

When Xu Lin opened the door, he saw a large, dark mass of people standing outside. Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui, Sha Zhu, Jia Dongxu, Xu Damao... all the "main force" that had surrounded him last night were there.

This time, however, their faces were devoid of any arrogance; instead, they wore expressions of flattery and pleading.

"What? It's only just gotten dark, and you're already trying to ambush me?" Xu Lin leaned against the doorframe, teasing the people in front of him.

Hearing the sarcasm in Xu Lin's tone, Yi Zhonghai rubbed his hands together, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace: "Director Xu, we...we've come to apologize to you and Comrade Qin Huairu. We were wrong last night; we were blind to your greatness and offended your newlywed bliss..."

"Oh? So what?"

"We've discussed it and decided we don't want to go...to Babaoshan anymore," Liu Haizhong chimed in, looking pained. "We're willing to pay compensation to calm your nerves!"

"Money?" Xu Lin laughed. "Do you think I need your little bit of money?"

Everyone was speechless.

Xu Lin felt a sense of satisfaction looking at their frustrated faces. But when he turned around and saw Xiao Yushui looking towards the door, he knew that the little girl was still worried about her silly brother, afraid that something might really happen to him.

So Xu Lin took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one for himself, tossed the remaining half-pack to Xu Damao in front of him, gestured for him to distribute it to the others, took a drag of his cigarette, and said unhurriedly...

"Gentlemen, why do you all insist on picking a fight with me? Come to think of it, since I came to this courtyard, I don't think I've ever intentionally offended any of you. We've already fought several times, why don't you ever learn?" Hearing Xu Lin's question, everyone in the courtyard, except for Jia Zhangshi, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui who looked resentful, seemed to understand what he meant. However, no one spoke at this point. Seeing their expressions, Xu Lin didn't bother waiting for them to speak and directly said...

"Alright, I'll let you off this time for the sake of the rain." Everyone was overjoyed. "However, while you may escape the death penalty, you won't escape punishment." Xu Lin continued, "Your disturbance has had an extremely negative impact. How about this, each of you, contribute ten yuan to Director Wang of the neighborhood office, saying it's to support the front lines in the Korean War. That will be the end of it."

Ten yuan!

Everyone's hearts are bleeding! This is almost half a month's salary for them!

Jia Zhangshi was about to throw a tantrum, but Yi Zhonghai glared at her sternly and stopped her.

Paying money to avoid trouble is better than going to the morgue!

"We...we'll donate!" Yi Zhonghai gritted his teeth and squeezed out these words.

"Fine, hand the money over to Director Wang first thing tomorrow morning. Get out of here." Xu Lin waved his hand impatiently. The birds looked at each other, each one looking as if they had lost their parents, and dispersed dejectedly. Xu Damao, however, did not leave, because he wanted to know if what Xu Lin said during the day was true. When Sha Zhu saw that Xu Damao had not left, he pulled Jia Dongxu to stay as well, standing aside and watching Xu Lin. Seeing these three like-minded people, Xu Lin also became interested. "What? You three brothers want to spar with me?" Hearing Xu Lin's words, the three of them immediately shook their heads like rattles. Xu Lin found the three men's expressions amusing. After taking a drag of his cigarette, he said, "I'm not trying to be mean, but do any of you three have any conscience? I've treated you to meals before, and I even lent you money for prostitutes when you were short of cash, and I even gave you a way out so you wouldn't have to pay me back three times. I didn't expect any repayment, but you're not going to keep bothering me with those three old guys, getting beaten up every other day." Hearing Xu Lin's words, the three men lowered their heads in shame. Xu Lin didn't have time to argue with them anymore. He was looking forward to checking out the basement, a reward from the system, with Tan Shi and Qin Huairu that evening, to see if they could put on a show. So he directly exposed Xu Damao's little scheme, "Alright, alright, Damao, I didn't lie to you about that problem. It really exists, and it can be cured, including Zhu Zi and Dong Xu's premature ejaculation. But I'm not doing this for nothing. You three should discuss it further." With that, he turned and went back into the house, closing the door behind him. Xu Lin had hinted at their situation during their physical exams earlier that day, but they hadn't taken it seriously. Now, with Xu Lin directly pointing it out, they instantly understood. They were a little angry at Xu Lin's bluntness, but mostly overjoyed. After all, what man doesn't want to be stronger? Xu Damao, on the other hand, was completely convinced that Xu Lin wasn't deliberately messing with him. So, after exchanging glances, the three of them put their arms around each other's shoulders and headed towards Sha Zhu's house, intending to have a proper discussion.

Inside, Xu Lin returned to the dining table in high spirits and continued eating with the girls. As if suddenly remembering something, he pulled out sixty or seventy yuan from his pocket and handed it to Qin Huairu. "Huairu, take this money. Tomorrow, take Xiao'e and Yushui to buy some things for your parents. The day after tomorrow, I'll take you home to meet them. Then, buy the two girls some new clothes, notebooks, and pens. It's almost the end of the month, and they'll be starting school soon. Consider this a reward for their good behavior." The two girls clapped their hands excitedly. Qin Huairu awkwardly accepted ten yuan, then handed the remaining several tens of yuan to Xu Lin, refusing, "This is too much money. Ten yuan is enough to buy things for them. My family..." "No need for that. Just bring some rice and noodles back from home. People in the countryside don't care about these things… Many girls in the village go back to their parents' homes, and it's good enough if they don't bring anything. Even those who do bring things don't spend this much money…" Hearing this, Tan didn't wait for Xu Lin to speak before stuffing the money Qin Huairu was about to hand back into her pocket. "Your parents raised you with great difficulty. You've been here for so many days without even saying goodbye to your family before getting your marriage certificate with Xiao Lin. If you go back empty-handed, what will your family think of Xu Lin? Besides, Xu Lin earns such a high salary a month; he won't be short of this little bit of money. Just accept it…" She patted Qin Huairu's hand after saying this. Qin Huairu was deeply moved. From the attitude of the people in the courtyard towards her the day before yesterday, she could sense that many people in Beijing looked down on people from the countryside. But Xu Lin and Madam Tan never showed any of that. On the contrary, they cared for her even more than she did as their daughter, never showing any disdain because she came from the countryside. Thinking of this, her big eyes welled up with tears again. Seeing Qin Huairu about to cry, Xu Lin quickly chimed in, "Sister Tan is right. I don't want to be kicked out by my father-in-law and mother-in-law on my first day. If you really want to thank me, hehehe, there will be plenty of opportunities tonight..." Madam Tan had nodded in satisfaction upon hearing the first half of Xu Lin's sentence, but upon hearing the second half, she blushed deeply, glaring at Xu Lin with shame and anger, and then... She reached out and slapped Xu Lin, interrupting his unbridled chatter. "Are you trying to kill me?! The kids are right here, what nonsense are you spouting..." Qin Huairu also noticed at this moment. Lou Xiao'e and He Yushui looked at the three of them with blank expressions, their cheeks flushed with embarrassment, as if they were drunk. They lowered their heads, wishing they could crawl under the table. They complained to Xu Lin in their hearts, "Like last night, is it something you can talk about at the dinner table... Brother Xu, really..." Xu Lin also realized that he had almost corrupted the children. He gave them an awkward laugh and then lowered his head to continue eating. For a moment, the dinner table was unusually quiet.

After finally finishing dinner and cleaning up the mess, Madam Tan was about to take the two maids back to the backyard when Xu Lin secretly whispered in her ear that after Xiao'e and Yushui had gone back to the backyard and gone to sleep, she should lock the door and wait for him in the kitchen in the backyard. After saying this, Xu Lin gave Madam Tan a mysterious smile. Of course, Madam Tan understood Xu Lin's smile, but she wondered why he was going to the kitchen. Did Xu Lin want to do what he did in her kitchen before...? Madam Tan was about to advise Xu Lin to spend more time with Qin Huairu, who had just married into the family, when she felt Xu Lin's large hand groping her bottom. The words she wanted to say were swallowed back down. She glared at him, twisted her waist a couple of times, and followed the two maids waiting for her at the door back to the backyard. Qin Huairu had just come out of the kitchen and hadn't seen their little antics. After Madam Tan and the others left, she shyly said to Xu Lin, "Sir, shouldn't we go upstairs to rest too...?" Hearing that Qin Huairu remembered the secret code they had set up yesterday, a mischievous smile immediately appeared on Xu Lin's face. He pulled the obedient Qin Huairu into his arms, waved his hand, and said with the heroic spirit of a general commanding thousands of troops.

"Come on, I'll show you something good."

So Xu Lin led Qin Huairu to the study. Under her questioning gaze, he gently opened the door of a floor-to-ceiling bookcase in the corner, and then pushed the tightly sealed back panel inside. Only then did Qin Huairu realize that behind the bookcase was not a wall, but a downward step covered with carpet.

"This...this is?" Qin Huairu was stunned.

"Come with me."

Xu Lin took her hand and led her inside. He then casually closed the open cabinet door and walked down the steps.

When the sensation underfoot changed from steps to a soft wool carpet, the sight before her eyes left Qin Huairu speechless.

A spacious and bright living room, soft and comfortable leather sofas, and a modern open kitchen with gleaming cookware. In the distance, there are also fitness equipment and a study... This is no basement; it's clearly a modern palace hidden underground!

"My God... Brother Xu, when... when was this basement dug?" Qin Huairu covered her mouth in shock.

"I had Master Hou dig it up secretly when the house was being repaired," Xu Lin mumbled, having already prepared his explanation. "I'll take you to another entrance to pick up Sister Tan; she's waiting." Qin Huairu suppressed her shock, nodded, and followed Xu Lin up another set of steps to the backyard. After confirming that the two young girls were in bed, Tan Shi also secretly went downstairs. Following Xu Lin's instructions, she went to the kitchen and locked the door. A moment later, she heard a rustling sound coming from an empty cabinet on the edge. Thinking it was a mouse, she curiously moved the cabinet aside to investigate. As soon as she moved the cabinet aside, she saw a person peeking out from behind the cabinet, where there should have been a wall. "Ah!" Mrs. Tan cried out in fright. Xu Lin quickly covered Mrs. Tan's mouth. "Sister Tan, it's me. I just connected the basement to your kitchen." Hearing Xu Lin's voice, Mrs. Tan breathed a sigh of relief, removed Xu Lin's hand, patted her ample chest, and tried to calm herself down. "You almost scared me to death! You shouldn't have told me in advance next time!" Xu Lin chuckled. Indeed, if it were him, he probably would have already attacked. "Alright, alright, come on, come down and see the basement I had someone dig." After saying that, he took Mrs. Tan's hand and entered the basement through a hidden door behind the cabinet.

After Tan went down to the basement, Xu Lin took one of them by the hand and led them on a tour of the basement, a reward from the system. As they became more familiar with it, they explored on their own. Qin Huairu, like a curious child, touched and looked at everything. When she pushed open the door to one of the rooms, she let out a gasp of surprise.

"what!"

Xu Lin and Madam Tan rushed over upon hearing the noise, only to find a small mountain of golden yellow croakers, large and small, along with silver ingots, piled up in the room, shimmering brilliantly under the lamplight.

"This...so much gold!" Qin Huairu felt her heart was about to jump out of her chest.

"Oh, this?" Xu Lin explained without changing his expression, "Didn't I take down the hideout of the gang that kidnapped Xiao'e last time? This is the spoils of war we seized from them."

This explanation makes perfect sense; after all, someone capable of planning the kidnapping of the Lou family's daughter is certainly no ordinary thief.

Tan suddenly understood, and then explained to Qin Huairu about Lou Xiao'e's kidnapping. After understanding, Qin Huairu looked at Xu Lin with even more admiration. Her man was not only a fighter and a money-maker, but also capable of "double-crossing" others!

After touring the basement, Xu Lin grinned mischievously and pulled the two into his arms, one on each side.

"So, are you satisfied with our new home?"

Qin Huairu blushed and buried her head in his chest, too ashamed to speak.

Tan gave him a flirtatious glance, her eyes full of allure: "I'm satisfied, but... this bed is so big, where did you get it...?"

Xu Lin laughed heartily, picked them both up by the waist, and strode towards the luxurious bed that could easily sleep five or six people. He tossed them onto the bed with a forceful throw and said arrogantly...

"That's none of your business, Corporal Qin Huairu!" Qin Huairu glanced shyly at the puzzled Tan Shi beside her, then looked hesitantly at Xu Lin. Without responding as instructed, she pounced on Xu Lin and rushed between the two of them. "Alright! It seems this general hasn't been strict enough with his troops. Today I'll give you two greenhorns a good lesson..."

Qin Huairu: "..."

Ms. Tan: "..."