Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

Upon hearing this, one could tell that Jiang Shouqin, the deputy director of logistics, had treated the purchasing department like his own backyard during the year that He Yuzhu had been away from the factory, constantly making a fuss over it.

"A while ago, the group leader was transferred away and replaced with his own people just because he delayed the handover of supplies for two days. He also used his connections to divert scarce goods from several neighboring factories to our area and then resell them. He was clearly trying to sabotage things."

Zhang Deliang then interjected, "He even gave me special treatment several times, saying it was for the factory to entertain leaders from other units... How could I refuse?"

Jiang Shouqin, in charge of logistics, held the factory rules and regulations in his hands. He could justify everything he did, from transferring personnel and assigning tasks to controlling the budget. Although Zhang Deliang and Section Chief Zhou were cadres, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and comply. If it weren't for their ranks, which prevented them from being moved at will, even their positions would be in jeopardy.

The kitchen was peaceful, though. There wasn't enough time for Jiang Shouqin to intervene; besides, everyone there was personally trained by He Yuzhu, so replacing one or two wouldn't make a difference. To really overhaul the team, he'd have to take over the entire kitchen staff.

He had no say in the farm's affairs: ordinary employees could be replaced easily, but agricultural technicians were all directly appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture, and he couldn't even change the roster.

If you count on your fingers, all Jiang Shouqin really managed to get his hands on this whole year was the purchasing department's group one—and that was only by exploiting loopholes and skirting the rules to get a small piece of the tough nut to crack.

"Go on as usual, do what you're supposed to do." He Yuzhu blew away the floating tea leaves, took a sip, and said, "Leave Group One for now, no need to rush. He can't hide for long; his true colors will show sooner or later."

Now, with the Hong Kong-based Zhenghe Group standing behind him, he no longer cares about the power he wields on the mainland. More than attending meetings and signing reports, he longs to go home, have a hot meal with his parents, and teach his children calligraphy.

But not arguing doesn't mean swallowing one's anger. If anyone really takes advantage of him, he'll still fight them head-on—who does Jiang Shouqin think he is? If He Yuzhu hadn't taken the initiative to back down and refused to take on too much responsibility, this guy wouldn't have even been allowed into the steel rolling mill.

He gave them a few more instructions and then told them to go back first. They had just returned and needed to settle down and sort things out one by one.

Not long after, Director Yang's secretary knocked on the door and came in: "Director He, the director would like to invite you to a meeting in the conference room in half an hour."

He Yuzhu had a feeling that this matter was related to him. He slowly finished reading half a page of the newspaper, got up at the right moment, and strolled over.

Pushing open the conference room door, it was already packed with people—factory leaders, workshop directors, department heads, and even the canteen director Zhang Deliang was sitting in the back row. It seemed this was no ordinary matter.

"Comrades, we have gathered you all here today for one thing: to solemnly commend Comrade He Yuzhu for his outstanding contributions and to call on the entire factory to learn from him!" Director Yang's voice was loud and clear. As soon as he finished speaking, there was an uproar below. Many people looked at each other in astonishment.

—Yesterday the radio was still criticizing him for "physically assaulting someone," and today they're making a high-profile example? What are they learning? How to beat Yi Zhonghai so badly he's bedridden for half a month and can't even hold a wrench properly?

Director Yang glanced at everyone's expressions and understood. This project was top secret, and he himself had only received the notification yesterday. He knew nothing of the details, only that He Yuzhu had done something big. Several high-ranking leaders from the Ministry of Industry smiled throughout the report and patted him on the shoulder repeatedly to express their gratitude.

But once it's in the newspaper tomorrow, nothing can be hidden anymore.

"This is a commendation order issued by the ministry: Comrade He Yuzhu overcame difficulties in the mission, significantly shortened the construction period, saved the country a lot of manpower and material resources, and significantly enhanced national defense and scientific research capabilities..."

That transistor computer was a key tool for subsequent nuclear tests. Before leaving, He Yuzhu heard that two prototypes had been successfully manufactured and were being prioritized for allocation to another top-secret project.

At the time, Leader Wang asked him if he would be willing to be transferred there to assist in tackling the problem, but he politely declined, giving the honest reason: he really didn't understand.

This is not an excuse. He could learn it now, but there was no need—the country's path now is more stable and faster than it was in his previous life. Hybrid rice has been quietly rolled out, and although the yield is still not high, the tragic situation of people starving and gnawing on tree bark has disappeared; the food ration coupons in Beijing have only been reduced once, and the supply is still 80% of the usual amount, whereas in his previous life, they were reduced three or four times in a row, and in the end, only 70% remained.

With the arrival of the transistor machine, he was able to make more trips to Hong Kong Island to exchange for scarce steel, bearings, and blueprints; although the exaggerated claims in various places had not disappeared, they were finally suppressed by the steady stream of solid grain production.

Everyone, the factory will soon issue a formal document to organize everyone to thoroughly study Comrade He Yuzhu's exemplary deeds. As for the assault incident the day before yesterday... well, there was a reason for it! Director He, from now on, you must report to the organization immediately in any incident, and you must never act arbitrarily or impulsively again!

Director Yang's voice was loud and clear, with a hint of reprimand in his tone, yet also showing tact.

He Yuzhu immediately straightened his back and replied loudly, "Yes! From now on, I will strictly abide by the law and factory rules, never resort to violence, and never settle things privately!"

While they verbally criticized it, they had already let the matter drop—from now on, no one in the factory was allowed to mention it again.

Wang, the clerk standing to the side, knew the situation perfectly well, even better than Director Yang: He Yuzhu had done a truly commendable job this time; Yi Zhonghai had set a trap for his family first, and it was only a matter of time before he took action. A beating would be too lenient! If the chain of evidence wasn't still weak, and if Ma Huaisheng hadn't stubbornly denied it and Qian Youde hadn't recanted his testimony, Yi Zhonghai would have been suspended and investigated long ago.

Furthermore, the reward didn't even go through the factory's procedures—that alone shows how substantial it was.

The entire meeting revolved around this one thing. After finishing his speech, Director Yang instructed the publicity department to quickly compile the materials, write them into slogans, and broadcast them throughout the factory.

He Yuzhu felt a little embarrassed: he had just been called out yesterday, and today he was on the loudspeaker. But that was the pace of those days—good and bad news spread like wildfire; and for him, this reversal of public opinion became the most practical "protective charm".

Just after lunch break, the factory's loudspeaker blared: "...We strongly commend Comrade He Yuzhu for his courageous spirit in shouldering heavy responsibilities and overcoming difficulties! We call upon all employees to take him as a role model, dedicate themselves to the front lines, and work hard!"

In Heilongjiang Province, He Yuzhu was truly the most hardworking one—no other young worker in either of the two groups could outlast him.

Many workers were puzzled after hearing the broadcast: "Yesterday they were criticizing people by name, how come they're making an example of someone today?"

When everyone heard about his deeds—stopping scrapped steel billets, repairing critical equipment, and working 36 hours straight while ill—they finally understood: year-end performance evaluations are all about results! Whoever has shouldered heavy responsibilities for the country is a role model. He Yuzhu has truly become a shining role model for the steel rolling mill this time.

Qin Huairu from Workshop One also heard the broadcast. She sighed silently, secretly relieved: Luckily, Yi Zhonghai wasn't in the factory today, otherwise he would have been furious.

She felt a pang of regret, but also a bit frustrated—with such a powerful figure by her side, she couldn't benefit from it at all. And Sha Zhu, with all his abilities, why couldn't he lend a hand to their family?

Back when she first married into the courtyard house, Sha Zhu saw her and she blushed and stuttered, unable to speak properly; but one day, she completely changed.

Qin Huairu made a firm decision: No, I have to find a way to get him to give in! Even if it's just a small favor, the Jia family will be comfortable for days!

She's currently focused all her attention on this matter—as long as she can get in touch with the He family, even if the factory only gives her some support, the benefits will be far greater than for others.

Nowadays, everyone knows that frontline workers earn more, but support staff are the real "golden jobs." For one thing, the daily rations of three meals a day, and the food coupons saved each month, are enough to cover a grade of salary.

Qin Huairu found it increasingly difficult to learn the work of a fitter. Yi Zhonghai taught her every day, but she always seemed to be looking through a fog, understanding but not quite, and could only nod and pretend to understand.

Sometimes she even considered: if she couldn't pass the Level 2 fitter exam, she could be transferred to logistics—just the unseen benefits alone would add up to at least thirty yuan more per month.

Unfortunately, even the workshop director doesn't have the authority to transfer production staff to logistics; it requires He Yuzhu's approval or the final decision from several factory leaders.

However, Qin Huairu was not idle during Yi Zhonghai's absence from the factory.

This woman was very clever. Even when Yi Zhonghai wasn't around, she could still exchange meal tickets and beg for steamed buns from the other male workers. By saving a meal at noon, she could bring home a box of leftovers for dinner.

This noon, she exchanged a few witty remarks with a bachelor in her workshop and received four steamed buns in return. She worked swiftly and skillfully, getting the buns before the man even touched her clothes.

She only asked for a little less today—four steamed buns. She definitely won't get any when we get home.

But she didn't dare take a bite beforehand; Bang Geng was still growing, and she felt bad if she missed even a single bite. She knew Jia Zhangshi's face all too well: if there were two or three steamed buns, she would definitely eat one all by herself, leaving the other half for Jia Dongxu and Bang Geng to share, all while justifying herself by saying, "At my age, how many more days can I eat refined grains?"

If we really didn't give it to her, the old lady would throw a tantrum over a steamed bun, losing all sense of shame and not caring about the word "shame" at all.

After finishing work and returning home in the evening, Qin Huairu put the lunchbox containing steamed buns into a pot to heat it up, then turned around to prepare to cook a dish.

She had barely stepped inside when Jia Zhangshi leaned over and lifted the lid of the lunchbox—a glance at the four plump white steamed buns immediately brightened her face: tonight they could have some fine grains. But then she thought again and frowned: Qin Huairu's meager salary couldn't possibly afford four white steamed buns in one go.

She snorted coldly, stopped washing the clothes in her hands, casually threw the basin on the ground, and turned to go back into the house.

Qin Huairu frowned, went over and brought the basin back, raising her voice to ask, "Mom, what are you doing?"

"What's going on? I'd like to ask you that too! Where did these four steamed buns come from? Yi Zhonghai didn't go to the factory, so who did you hook up with this time? Did someone buy them for you?"

Qin Huairu's heart was instantly ablaze with anger: Who was she trying to please by risking her life to bring back food? She hadn't touched a single bite!