Courtyard House: A Carefree Life Begins with a Lottery of Wish Power

Lin Zhuo and Sun Wukong parted ways and returned home. Lin Zhuo lay on the bed and picked up a copy of "The Legend of the Swordsmen of Shu Mountain" to read.

Lin Zhuo had seen this at a junkyard before. A set of books was piled up there as junk. Lin Zhuo said he bought it to use as toilet paper.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, martial arts novels were no longer allowed to be published. This set of "Shushan" is a book from the previous dynasty, printed in vertical traditional characters. It was a bit difficult to read at first, but it was not so bad after getting used to it.

"+3 from Liu Hai's wishes."

"+2 from Auntie Er's wish power."

"+3 from Liu Guangtian's wish power."

Lin Zhuo wasn't particularly surprised to receive the system notification.

Not only the Second Uncle's family, but also the Jia Zhang family contributed a lot of their blessings in just one day.

After watching for a while, Lin Zhuo heard a knock on the door.

Lin Zhuo put the book back into his personal space before opening the door.

Upon seeing Liu Haizhong, Lin Zhuo was somewhat surprised. He greeted him and invited Liu Haizhong into the house.

The two people sat down around the stove.

Liu Haizhong smiled and said:

"Kobayashi, you had your factory entrance exam today, right?"

"Um."

Lin Zhuo nodded. He was also a little puzzled. Since he knew that Liu Guangtian had already taken the factory entrance exam, he should have known that he couldn't give the spot to Liu Haizhong. Why did Liu Haizhong still come to him?

With a broad smile, Liu Haizhong said:

"I've already heard from the personnel department that you got excellent grades and ranked first."

Lin Zhuo was quite happy to hear this. Although he knew he would do well on the test, he didn't expect to get first place.

Liu Haizhong continued:

"When our workshop director Zhou heard the news, he rushed to the personnel department to ask for you, saying he would do anything to get you into our forging workshop."

"Director Zhou is a senior official, and everyone gives him face. If nothing unexpected happens, you'll be becoming a blacksmith."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhuo narrowed his eyes slightly.

This is a bit strange.

I didn't even know Director Zhou before, so why would he be so eager to take me over?

These kinds of jobs that require people are usually good jobs, where you have an acquaintance who can put in a good word for you.

As for blacksmithing, it's basically blacksmithing, which is only slightly better than foundry work. Most people would avoid it like the plague.

I don't even know the forging workshop director, why would he want to screw me over?

If Lin Zhuo said there wasn't something fishy going on here, then he'd be a complete fool.

Combining this with the system notification from earlier, Liu Haizhong's family wasn't exactly friendly to me, so their sudden good news late at night must mean they had ulterior motives.

"Second Uncle, that's great! Being in the same workshop as you means I'll have the chance to learn from you. You can't hold back on your knowledge then."

Liu Haizhong nodded and said:

"We're neighbors in the same compound, so don't worry."

Then, Liu Haizhong changed the subject, saying:

"Kobayashi, there's something you need to be aware of."

Lin Zhuo showed an expression of listening attentively.

Liu Haizhong then continued:

"When you get to the workshop, don't mention that Director Zhou asked you to come here."

"Director Zhou will definitely tell others that you insisted on coming to the workshop yourself."

"Our workshop is a bit tough, but Director Zhou only insisted on bringing you here because he sees you as a talented person. If you ask for it, it will make you seem like you're afraid of hardship and fatigue, which will affect your impression on the leaders."

Lin Zhuo nodded repeatedly and said:

"Second Uncle, don't worry, I'll do whatever you say."

Liu Hai stood up with satisfaction and patted Lin Zhuo on the shoulder.

"Xiao Lin, do your best."

Then he turned and left.

As soon as he stepped outside, Liu Haizhong curled his lips into a smirk, looking like he'd pulled off a cunning scheme.

Lin Zhuo's reaction was exactly what he expected.

If Lin Zhuo has any complaints, he should complain about Director Zhou.

"Hmph, kid, you're still too green to mess with me."

"Wait till you get to the forging workshop, then we'll see how I deal with you."

Liu Hai was secretly pleased with himself and hummed a little tune as he went home.

"+2 from Liu Hai's wishes."

Lin Zhuo received a system notification as soon as he bolted the door.

This further confirmed his earlier thought: that old bastard Liu Haizhong wasn't up to any good.

Recalling what he had just said to me, on the one hand, he told me that I had come in first place; on the other hand, he told me that Director Zhou had asked me to come to the forging workshop, and he also told me not to tell Director Zhou about his request for me.

Lin Zhuo carefully pondered the content of their conversation and began to understand some of it.

Liu Haizhong talked for a long time, just telling me not to tell Director Zhou why I went to the forging workshop.

Why not let yourself say it? It's absurd to say it would affect the impression you make on your boss.

The most likely explanation is that he's afraid something might be revealed in his bangs.

Lin Zhuoyue thought about it more and more and felt that his thinking was correct.

Liu Haizhong definitely didn't play a good role in this matter; it's very likely that he was the one who caused Liu Haizhong to be assigned to the forging workshop.

Lin Zhuo felt he had seriously underestimated the shamelessness of this guy, who even had the nerve to come here pretending to be a good person.

However, Lin Zhuo didn't care about these little tricks at all.

It would be great to be in the same workshop as Liu Haizhong, as that would give us more opportunities to reap the rewards of our wishes.

Looking at my current wish power, it's already at 90. With just 5 more points, I can draw a prize again.

Lin Zhuo couldn't help but feel a little more expectant.

The next day, Lin Zhuo arrived at the factory. The exam results had already been posted on the bulletin board, and Lin Zhuo's score of 95 points confirmed that he was indeed number one.

Sun Jiale scored 30 points, but he wasn't even in last place.

Lin Zhuo indeed went to the forging workshop, and Sun Jiale also went to the team as he wished.

Sun Jiale squeezed next to Lin Zhuo and asked in surprise:

"Brother Zhuo, what's going on? Why were you made a blacksmith?"

"Even the fifth-ranked person became a fitter. Even if you don't become a fitter, you shouldn't at least become a blacksmith."

Lin Zhuo said indifferently:

"It's all work, and blacksmithing is a special job. It gives me a few extra kilograms of grain coupons every month, which I can use to help support my family."

Blacksmiths are considered manual laborers and receive 40 jin of grain coupons per month.

Soon, the newly hired workers were taken away by various workshops.

Lin Zhuo was taken to a small hut in the corner of the forging workshop.

A middle-aged man around 50 years old was engrossed in looking at the blueprints on the table, occasionally scribbling in a small notebook.

"Director Zhou, the new comrade has come to report for duty."

Director Zhou then raised his head and said warmly:

"Kobayashi, right? Welcome, welcome!"

Then, turning to the workers nearby, he said:

"Go out and call Lao Liu over."

Liu Haizhong jogged into the house and respectfully said:

"Director, you called me."

Director Zhou pointed at Lin Zhuo and said:

"Xiao Lin officially joined our workshop today. You know Xiao Lin well, so you'll be assigned to your group. Take good care of him."

Liu Haizhong nodded quickly in response:

"Director, don't worry, I will definitely take good care of Xiao Lin and help him adapt to the job as soon as possible."

Director Zhou then turned to Lin Zhuo and said:

"Xiao Lin, Lao Liu is one of the few level seven forging workers in our factory. If you learn from him, you'll definitely master his skills."

Lin Zhuo said:

"Director, I will definitely work hard."

Director Zhou was quite satisfied with Lin Zhuo's handsome appearance and upright attitude.

"Xiao Lin, you have a solid foundation in cultural knowledge. You would have no problem doing an easier job. It's rare that you would take the initiative to ask to come to our workshop with its harsh conditions."

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong looked at Lin Zhuo nervously, afraid that Lin Zhuo might say something wrong. Before Lin Zhuo could speak, he preemptively said:

"Director, Xiaolin's awareness is truly commendable; he proactively requested to train himself, right, Xiaolin?"