Courtyard House: From Deputy Division Commander to Civilian, Progressing All the Way

Lin Fan stopped and looked at Yan Bugui's terrified expression, a faint, cold smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"Uncle, the factory just issued the appointment today. I've been promoted to head of the security department at our Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill. I just received my uniform and sidearm, and haven't had a chance to change into them yet."

Lin Fan spoke calmly, and even deliberately reached out and patted the leather holster lightly.

"Slap, slap."

Two soft sounds, yet they were like two heavy hammers, striking Yan Bugui's heart hard.

Head of Security! Armed!

Yan Bugui felt a sudden dizziness and almost fell to the ground.

The head of security at a factory with tens of thousands of employees! That's a powerful department that can directly arrest and interrogate people! Don't even mention a primary school teacher like him; even the director of the neighborhood committee would have to politely offer Lin Fan a cigarette!

"Congratulations... Congratulations, Section Chief Lin! Congratulations, Section Chief Lin! Section Chief Lin is truly young and promising, rising step by step!" Yan Bugui bowed at a ninety-degree angle, his smile extremely obsequious, even carrying a deep sense of fear.

Lin Fan ignored him and continued pushing the cart toward the Intermediate People's Court.

At this moment, the courtyard was in an uproar.

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong, who worked at the factory, had obviously known the news in advance. The two were standing at their doorstep, their faces pale, whispering to each other.

He Daqing and Shazhu had just gotten off work and were standing in the yard, excitedly discussing something.

When Lin Fan pushed the cart in, his crisp uniform and the pistol at his waist instantly attracted everyone's attention.

The entire courtyard was deathly silent.

Xu Damao happened to be on leave today, and he usually loves to boast and show off. Seeing Lin Fan's imposing appearance, he was so jealous his eyes were practically bleeding.

"Goodness... he's really armed! This Lin Fan has become a complete genius!" Xu Damao muttered under his breath, hiding behind a pillar, not even daring to look Lin Fan in the eye.

Yi Zhonghai swallowed hard.

He felt as if something was blocking his throat, and even his breath tasted bloody.

A month ago, Lin Fan was just an apprentice who could be manipulated at will; half a month ago, Lin Fan became a quality inspector, and he could barely comfort himself that it was just a sinecure.

But now!

Head of Security!

This is no longer a difference in status; it's a difference in the power of life and death!

Yi Zhonghai knew the security department's methods all too well. If Lin Fan wanted revenge, he could easily find a charge of "disrupting production" or "stealing public property" and have someone drag him out of bed in the middle of the night and lock him in the factory's solitary confinement room. At that point, his title of Grade 8 worker would be worthless!

"Section Chief Lin... is back."

Yi Zhonghai steeled himself, took heavy steps forward, and forced out a smile that looked worse than a grimace.

"I heard about the factory meeting today. Secretary Lin, that's truly gratifying! Section Chief Lin, your promotion is a huge joy for the entire institute. How about... I host a banquet here tonight to celebrate for Section Chief Lin?"

Yi Zhonghai has completely given in, even going so far as to abandon his seniority and "old man" airs and humbly try to please Lin Fan.

Liu Haizhong also quickly came over, his pot-bellied body bent over like a shrimp.

"Yes, yes, Section Chief Lin. We'll need your help a lot in the factory from now on. The security department's work is demanding; if you need manpower, my two sons, Guangtian and Guangfu, are strong and healthy and ready to serve you anytime!"

Liu Haizhong is seizing the opportunity; he not only backs down but also tries to gain some benefits for his son.

Lin Fan stopped the car, his cold gaze sweeping over the two old foxes who had once held absolute power in the courtyard.

His hand remained casually resting on the holster at his waist.

"Uncle, Uncle. There's no need for a celebration. My brother, Secretary Lin, said that we cadres must be honest and upright, and we can't engage in that kind of wining and dining."

Lin Fan's voice wasn't loud, but every word clearly reached everyone's ears.

"As for taking care of you, we're all neighbors in the same compound. As long as you abide by the rules and regulations in the factory and behave yourselves, I, Lin Fan, will naturally not make things difficult for anyone. But if I find out that anyone is dishonest, or taking advantage of their age, or forming cliques..."

Lin Fan's eyes suddenly sharpened, and his murderous aura, so palpable, made Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong tremble.

"Then don't blame me, Lin Fan, for being ruthless. The solitary confinement cells in the security department are freezing cold!"

A stark warning!

A relentless and merciless reprimand!

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong were so frightened that they broke out in a cold sweat and nodded repeatedly in agreement, not daring to utter a single word of rebuttal.

"Brother Lin is awesome!"

He Daqing and Shazhu watched with great enthusiasm. He Daqing immediately gave a thumbs up: "Brother Lin, those words are truly inspiring! From now on, Brother Lin, you'll be the one to set the rules in our courtyard!"

Lin Fan ignored the group of beasts with their own agendas and pushed the cart to the front of his house, preparing to go inside.

Just then.

The door to the Jia family's house was suddenly pushed open.

Jia Zhangshi rolled out like a ball of flesh.

Her once venomous and arrogant face was now replaced by a sickeningly obsequiousness and fawning. She even twitched in pain from laughing so hard that it aggravated the still-healing wounds on her face.

"Oh my! Section Chief Lin! Brother Lin! You're finally back!"

Jia Zhangshi rushed to Lin Fan without regard for anything else, blocking his way.

Everyone in the hospital was stunned.

Has this old hag gone mad? She was beaten to a pulp by Lin Yang's bodyguard just a few days ago, and now she dares to run into the line of fire again?

Lin Fan frowned, looking at Jia Zhangshi who was blocking his way, his eyes filled with disgust.

"What do you want?" Lin Fan asked coldly.

Jia Zhangshi rubbed her hands together, her waist bent so low it almost touched the ground, looking pitiful.

"Section Chief Lin, I was completely wrong, it was all my fault for being blind and foolish! I apologize to you! Please, be magnanimous and don't hold a grudge against an old woman like me who's half-buried!"

As she spoke, Jia Zhangshi pretended to wipe away tears.

"Brother Lin, we're old neighbors living in the same courtyard. Look at my Dongxu, he's an honest and simple boy. He's been working in the factory for so many years and he's still an apprentice. He's exhausted every day, like a grandson, and he doesn't even earn enough to eat."

When Jia Zhangshi finally revealed her true colors, she was utterly greedy and shameless.

She grabbed Lin Fan's bicycle handlebars and pleaded, "You're the head of the security department now, overseeing hundreds of people. Please have mercy and give my Dongxu a position in the security department! It doesn't have to be a high-ranking official position, just a deputy section chief or an office clerk will do!"

"Dongxu has always been obedient since he was a child. Now that he's in the security department, he'll definitely serve you like a slave and take good care of you!"

These words were spoken.