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

Open the system interface.

Lin Zhuo immediately saw many prompts.

"+2 from Yan Bugui's wish power".

"+1 from the three aunties' wishes."

"+5 from Jia Dongxu's wish power."

"+6 from Jia Zhang's wish power".

"+5 from Yi Zhonghai's wish power".

……

"+10 from Jia Dongxu's wish power."

"+1 from He Yuzhu's wish power."

"+3 from Qin Huairu's wish power".

"+3 from Jia Banggeng's wish power."

"+3 from Jia Xiaodang's wish power."

In just a short while in the morning, Lin Zhuo had gained 65 points of wish power.

But what exactly does this wish represent?

Lin Zhuo looked at the long message, trying to find some patterns.

Besides the Jia family, the people involved are Yi Zhonghai, Yan Bugui, and He Yuzhu.

If we look at the timeline, the earliest is the Third Uncle and his wife, and the latest is He Yuzhu and Qin Huairu and her two children.

I had met Uncle San and He Yuzhu earlier, but I hadn't met Qin Huairu and her two children or Aunt San at all. I had also received the power of their wishes from them.

But none of the many neighbors who watched gained any spiritual strength from them.

Lin Zhuo pondered carefully and concluded that the people who "contributed" the most among these individuals were the eldest uncle and the Jia family.

What do they have in common?

The old man, Jia Zhangshi, and Jia Dongxu were thoroughly offended by their own words.

However, Qin Huairu and her two daughters did not meet her.

Why did they also generate the power of will?

Lin Zhuo noticed that Qin Huairu and her two children were the last to generate the power of will. If there was anything they had in common with the First Uncle and Jia Zhangshi and her son, it was that they were all annoyed with him.

That explains it. He Yuzhu and I didn't say much, but because I was dragged here by an old man to do work, he also had a problem with me.

The oldest contribution from the three uncles and three aunts was probably because they were woken up by the man breaking the lock, which caused the uncles and aunts to have a problem with him.

Lin Zhuo vaguely grasped some of the patterns.

This system is great! It looks like all I have to do is fill the holes for these beasts and I'll reap the rewards.

"+2 from Jia Zhang's wish power".

Haha, that old woman is probably scolding me at home again. She should scold me as much as she can, the more fiercely the better.

Lin Zhuo checked the time and found it was almost time. He picked up half a pack of Beihai cigarettes from the table, closed the door, locked it with another lock, and headed out towards the steel mill.

On a winter morning, before it was fully light, the alley was already bustling with people.

Some people were queuing to use the public toilet, some were getting up early to buy breakfast, and others were rushing to work or school.

The pungent smell of coal smoke mingled with the enticing aroma of breakfast, occasionally wafting into Lin Zhuo's nostrils.

Lin Zhuo walked unhurriedly to the entrance of the steel rolling mill.

At this moment, workers wearing gray and blue work clothes were entering the factory in groups of three or five, while workers who had just finished their night shift walked wearily out of the factory.

The vast majority of workers walk to work, and occasionally a worker rides a bicycle, which attracts envious glances from many of their fellow workers.

Lin Zhuo went to the gatehouse and explained his purpose to the gatekeeper. When the gatekeeper heard that he was the son of Old Lin, who had died in a work accident, he registered him and let Lin Zhuo in without any problem. He even gave him directions.

Lin Zhuo found the union easily and saw a young man in his twenties cleaning inside. It was Wang Qing, the union officer he had met when he was handling his father's funeral arrangements.

Lin Zhuo stepped forward and greeted him.

"Officer Wang, I'm grateful for your help with my father's matter. I'm here today to report for duty."

Upon seeing that it was Lin Zhuo, Wang Qing put down what he was holding, shook hands with Lin Zhuo, and said:

"You're too kind. Isn't this what our union does?"

"Besides, Comrade Lin also died from a work-related injury. It's only right and proper for me to help out in a small way."

As she spoke, she was about to pour water for Lin Zhuo, but Lin Zhuo quickly declined.

"Officer Wang, there's really no need to be so polite. Let's get the formalities done first."

Upon hearing this, Wang Qing abandoned all formalities and said:

"Alright, let's get down to business first."

With that, he led Lin Zhuo out of the office.

Lin Zhuo took out a cigarette and lit it for Wang Qing. "Thank you for your help, Officer Wang."

Wang Qing took a deep breath and said:

"It's no trouble at all. The factory has already approved your application. Today, you just need to go to the personnel department to fill out the forms. Once you're officially a steel mill worker, you'll be considered one."

"You can handle the rest, like household registration and grain rations, with just a letter of introduction from the factory."

The two quickly arrived at the personnel department. Wang Qing explained their purpose, and the staff brought out forms, which Lin Zhuo filled out quickly.

The personnel officer carefully collected the forms, then opened a letter of introduction and said:

"Take care of your household registration and food rations these next few days, and you can start work officially next Monday."

"Besides you, there are quite a few recent graduates joining the factory this time. As is customary, the factory will organize an entrance exam."

"You'll be assigned jobs based on your exam scores. Go back and prepare well."

Lin Zhuo thanked Wang Qing and left the personnel department. He couldn't help but ask:

"Officer Wang, is there still an exam?"

Wang Qing patiently explained:

"Exams are also meant to make the best use of people's talents; they mainly test knowledge of mathematics, physics, and chemistry."

"Those with good grades might go on to learn technical trades like fitter or electrician. Those with very poor grades might end up working as boiler operators or foundries."

"But don't be too nervous, it's not that absolute."

As they spoke, Wang Qing escorted Lin Zhuo downstairs, and the two waved goodbye.

Lin Zhuozhen felt no pressure about the exam.

Before transmigrating, Lin Zhuo grew up in an ordinary family in a third- or fourth-tier city in a province known for its intense college entrance examination competition. Through his own efforts, he was admitted to a mid-tier 985 university and could barely be considered a test-taker in the small town.

Although it has been many years since I graduated, the educational standards of this era are vastly different from those of decades later.

At this point, the average level of high school students may not be as good as that of junior high school students later on.

The main problem is the current environment, where people generally don't value education.

University entrance exams are too difficult, so most parents just want their children to study casually and be able to read and do math.

When he saw it was time to eat, Lin Zhuo ate a little something and went home to rest.

I got up too early this morning, and now I'm really sleepy.

Lin Zhuo was half asleep when he was suddenly awakened by a knock on the door. When he opened his eyes, he saw that it was already completely dark outside. Looking at the clock on the table, it was almost 6 o'clock.

"Who is it?"

"Xiao Lin, it's me, Second Uncle."

Lin Zhuo was a little puzzled. He didn't think he had much contact with his second uncle, and he hadn't seen him come to join in the fun this morning. So why was he here now?

Lin Zhuo opened the door, his chubby bangs seemingly trying to hide his face, and quickly went inside.

Liu Haizhong said with a smile:

"Kobayashi, you haven't eaten yet, have you?"

Lin Zhuo nodded upon hearing this, though he didn't know what his second uncle was up to.

With a concerned look on his face, Liu Haizhong said:

"You're so young, you can't go hungry all the time. Your second aunt cooked a few dishes, why don't you come over for a couple of drinks?"

Lin Zhuo knew Liu Haizhong quite well.

He is ambitious but lacks talent, yet he has a strong desire for officialdom. He is always concerned about national affairs and pontificates about the country, but he has no real ability.

He always wanted to replace Yi Zhonghai, but he was suppressed by Yi Zhonghai in every aspect.

In the factory, Liu Haizhong was a level seven worker, and Yi Zhonghai was a level eight worker. In the courtyard, Liu Haizhong was the second oldest, and Yi Zhonghai was the oldest.

She was wicked, but she couldn't outsmart Xu Damao and was completely fooled by him.

Lin Zhuo didn't believe that Liu Haizhong was suddenly so concerned about him; he must be up to no good.

Lin Zhuo's expression was quite appropriate, and he said with a look of gratitude:

"Second Uncle, you're too kind. I'm just one person and have nothing to worry about. This will do."

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong feigned displeasure and said:

"Kobayashi, I have to criticize you for what you just said."

"I'm the second oldest in the compound, and Old Lin and I have been coworkers for many years. Inviting you to my home for a meal is nothing."

"Stop being so polite, let's go."

Lin Zhuo smiled and said:

"Then I shall respectfully comply."

Whatever Liu Hai's intentions may be, I'll just deal with them as they come.