Siheyuan: At the beginning, I can integrate everything!

"A gravitational compression field?"

Zhang Huaimin carefully considered the attributes of this new trait in his mind.

The previously unlocked "space gravity forbidden zone" allows for a wide range of gravity adjustment.

This "compression field" compresses extremely powerful gravity into a very small space.

Not only can it be used for defense, but it can even compress high-density ore into super-strong material in an instant!

This is practically a "microscopic forging hammer" tailor-made for his upcoming high-precision scientific research.

"Cool."

Zhang Huaimin rolled over in bed with satisfaction.

He squeezed every last drop of profit out of this mansion.

Early the next morning.

The snow from last night reflected a blinding white light in the sunlight.

Although the air was cold, the atmosphere inside the courtyard had an inexplicable eerie peace.

Zhang Huaimin was wearing that dark blue cotton-padded jacket.

On his chest, the pure gold "Special Class National Defense Contribution" medal gleamed dazzlingly in the sunlight.

He moved a small stool and wobbled to the big jujube tree in the front yard.

He was still holding a candied hawthorn that Chen Bing had specially bought for him in Wangfujing last night.

"Click."

Zhang Huaimin bit into the outer layer of crystal-clear syrup, and the sweet and sour taste melted in his mouth.

He crossed his legs and leisurely basked in the sun.

He exudes a sense of relaxation, as if he is "invincible and lonely at the top".

Just then.

"Hey, Huaimin, up so early?"

A voice, tinged with obsequiousness and ingratiation, came from the side of the gate.

Yan Bugui was wearing a faded, tattered cotton-padded jacket, but in his hand he was holding a brand-new, large-sized brush wrapped in newspaper.

He hunched over and jogged over to get closer.

The ingratiating smile on her face squeezed the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes so tightly they could trap a fly.

"Uncle, are you going to practice calligraphy?"

Zhang Huaimin looked at the brush in Yan Bugui's hand and asked the question knowingly.

"Hey! Why are you practicing calligraphy? I just noticed there's snow on your front steps that hasn't been swept clean."

Yan Bugui rubbed his hands together, smiling like an old chrysanthemum.

"I just bought these brushes from the supply and marketing cooperative, so I can use them to sweep the snow off the steps for you."

"So you don't slip and fall when you go in and out."

Yan Bugui spoke with such self-righteousness that he completely forgot how stingy and concerned he was with saving face as a former teacher.

Now, under the light of the pure gold medal on Zhang Huaimin's chest.

His pitiful intellectual pride had long been thrown to the ground and crushed by himself.

joke!

This is a Buddha statue that even the military region leaders personally delivered a plaque to, calling him "good grandson" at every turn!

If I don't stick close to this powerful figure, how will I survive in this courtyard house in the future?

After saying that, Yan Bugui didn't wait for Zhang Huaimin's reply.

He squatted down and picked up the brush that was originally used to write big-character posters.

With extreme care, as if sweeping ancestral tablets, they began to clear the snow from around Zhang Huaimin's feet.

He even wiped the bluestone slab under Zhang Huaimin's feet until it was spotless.

Zhang Huaimin watched this scene and chuckled to himself.

This is what it means to dominate the entire field in the most Versailles style.

Yan Bugui used to scheme against his meager pension every day.

What now?

They eagerly come to be his free cleaners, and have to put on a smiling face for him.

"Uncle, thank you for your hard work."

Zhang Huaimin chewed on a candied hawthorn, his tone relaxed and casual.

"It's no trouble at all! It's an honor for me, Lao Yan, to serve Huaimin!"

Yan Bugui was flattered and worked even harder at sweeping.

"Hey! Uncle San, you're quite skilled at this!"

Just then, a rough laugh came from the middle courtyard.

Sha Zhu, wearing a slightly yellowed white coat, strode over carrying a steaming clay pot in both hands.

He's now the deputy director of the cafeteria, and he walks with a confident stride.

"Uncle Zhuzi," Zhang Huaimin called out sweetly.

"Hey! Brother Huaimin!"

Sha Zhu strode over and placed the casserole steadily on the stone table in front of Zhang Huaimin.

Open the lid.

A rich, mouthwatering aroma of braised meat instantly filled the entire front yard.

Inside is a whole braised pork knuckle, stewed until tender and falling off the bone, with a bright red color!

"This is a top-quality forearm elbow that I went to the black market early this morning specifically to get for you!"

Sha Zhu patted his chest, his face full of pride.

"I simmered it in my family's secret broth for a full three hours. Try it, I guarantee it will melt in your mouth!"

As Sha Zhu spoke, his gaze involuntarily fell on the pure gold medal on Zhang Huaimin's chest.

Although I saw it from afar last night.

But now, upon closer inspection, one can see the national emblem and gears engraved on it, as well as the heavy, golden texture.

It still deeply shocked Sha Zhu, this rough and uncultured man.

"Good heavens!"

Sha Zhu swallowed hard and couldn't help but reach out his rough, large hand, wanting to touch it.

But he pulled his hand back as if he'd been electrocuted, only halfway through.

He was afraid that the oil on his hands would soil this sacred object.

"Brother Huaimin, your brand is simply amazing!"

Sha Zhu gave a thumbs up and exclaimed sincerely.

"I heard from Director Yang that this is a first-class merit award and a special-class contribution award for national defense!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, this thing."

Sha Zhu looked around, his voice rising eight octaves with excitement.

"Let alone our dilapidated courtyard house!"

"That's our entire Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, from the factory manager to the cleaning ladies, tens of thousands of people combined!"

"It's not even as good as the single hair on your chest!"

Although Sha Zhu's words were crude, they spoke the truth.

In those days, this level of national honor was something that ordinary people could only dream of.

Yan Bugui listened from the side, nodding repeatedly in deep agreement.

"Of course! Huaimin is now our country's precious darling!"

"From now on, whenever someone from our institute goes out and mentions, 'I live in the same institute as Consultant Zhang,' they'll walk down the street with their backs straighter than everyone else!"

Yan Bugui's flattery was truly masterful.

Zhang Huaimin watched the two of them singing in unison, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He didn't take the large pork knuckle, but instead casually tossed the wooden skewer for the candied hawthorn aside.

"Uncle Zhu, Third Uncle, please stop flattering me."

Zhang Huaimin pointed to the medal on his chest, speaking casually.

"This thing is just a lump of iron plated with gold; it only looks nice."

"What's truly formidable is the guns and cannons that our country is making that are getting tougher and tougher."

That's quite a show-off.

Without realizing it, it has been elevated to several levels.

Yan Bugui and Sha Zhu were stunned. Although they didn't quite understand, they thought it was awesome.

Just as they were chatting enthusiastically and laughing in the front yard.

Behind the moon gate of the Intermediate People's Court.

A pair of bloodshot old eyes were fixed on the golden light on Zhang Huaimin's chest.

It is Yi Zhonghai.

He was wearing his stained Level 2 work clothes, having just returned from his night shift in the foundry workshop.

His face was etched with exhaustion and dejection.

He hid in the shadows, watching Zhang Huaimin being surrounded by Sha Zhu and Yan Bugui like a star being fawned over.

He stared at the pure gold medal, so dazzling it almost blinded him.

Yi Zhonghai felt a sharp, stabbing pain in his chest.

The golden light was like a series of red-hot knives, stabbing viciously into his heart.

It completely shattered the last shred of his pride and resentment.

"First-class merit...Special-level contribution to national defense..."

Yi Zhonghai's lips trembled violently, and a hissing sound, like that of a dying beast, came from his throat.

He recalled his former glory as a highly respected eighth-grade worker in the workshop, where he commanded a large following.

I recalled the days when I wielded immense power in this compound, relying on moral blackmail.

Let's look at it now.

He became the laughingstock of the entire factory and was relegated to the backbreaking work of scavenging steel slag.

And that five-year-old orphan whom he schemed against and regarded as "without descendants".

Yet he was awarded the nation's highest honor, enjoying a life of wealth and luxury that he could never attain in his lifetime!

Extreme jealousy, regret, and deep despair.

It overwhelmed Yi Zhonghai like a tidal wave.

His already sallow face was now completely black, like the bottom of a pot.

My body swayed uncontrollably for a couple of moments, and I quickly grabbed the wall next to me to keep from collapsing to the ground.