Courtyard House: In this life, I have a new home!

The salary Li Weidong turned down was a full one hundred yuan. That's one yuan more than Yi Zhonghai earned!

Li Weidong's salary is now three times his and three yuan more.

Yi Zhonghai muttered to himself, "Why? Why does he get to take so much?"

Li Weidong smiled and said, "I'm going to tinker with some gadgets. A ceiling fan, and I'll modify a bicycle."

Factory Director Yang's eyes lit up: "Modify bicycles? Just ask if you need anything."

"Get me a spark plug and a battery."

Li Weidong said, "I'll pay for it myself."

"Need not!"

Factory Director Yang had a loud voice. "Let's calculate the expenses for testing new products in the factory. We have spare spark plugs on our vehicles, and the battery was taken from my bicycle."

These days, there are few streetlights. Bicycles need to be equipped with lights to travel at night.

It generates electricity by rotating a small metal bottle through friction on the rear wheel.

Li Weidong nodded: "Okay, I'll go make the ceiling fan first."

Li Huaide pointed to a workstation: "Section Chief Li, look here. It's a fitter's bench, and there's also a brand-new machine tool."

He shouted to the side, "Xiao Zhang, Da Li, you two come over here and assist Section Chief Li."

Two men, around thirty years old, came over.

One looked honest and unassuming, while the other seemed more shrewd. Reaching the level five fitter at this age is quite an achievement.

The factory assigned them to Li Weidong as assistants, partly so that Li Weidong could mentor them.

After all, Li Weidong is a level seven engineer!

Xiao Zhang greeted him respectfully, "Hello, Section Chief Li!"

Da Li's voice was muffled: "Hello, Section Chief Li!"

Xiao Zhang is of normal height, about 1.7 meters, a bit thin, and has bright eyes.

Da Li is 1.8 meters tall with a square face and looks honest and simple.

Li Weidong said, "Go and get what I need."

Without saying a word, the two ran to the nearby junkyard to search for items.

Factory Director Yang said with a smile, "Section Chief Li... no, I should call you Engineer Li. There are three section chiefs in the factory, but you're the only engineer."

Li Weidong waved his hand: "Call me whatever you like, you can call me Dr. Li."

"Dr. Li, the workshop has already made several electric fans according to your drawings. They will be delivered upstairs in a bit."

Factory Director Yang said, "Your bonus will be issued once the approval comes from above."

Li Weidong glanced at the corner of the workshop.

There were a dozen or so electric fans there, with green blades and the rest painted white.

There were more than a dozen electric fans in the workshop, in three different models. The most basic ones just blow air and couldn't rotate; the slightly better ones could oscillate left and right; the most powerful ones even had two lights in the middle of the fan, quite a unique design, I wonder where Director Yang got them from.

A small truck pulled up to the workshop entrance, and several people hurriedly carried the electric fans onto the truck.

Factory Director Yang winked at Secretary Zhang: "Old Zhang, this batch of work is yours. I'll stay here and keep an eye on Dr. Li's new stuff."

Without saying a word, Secretary Zhang drove off in his car.

Just then, Xiao Zhang and Da Li pushed a cart over, which was full of materials that Li Weidong had specifically requested. The two of them helped each other out, and Li Weidong quickly took out the ceiling fan frame, applied a layer of white anti-rust paint, and hung it up to dry.

Next, Li Weidong used his best skills, hammering out the engine casing from a steel plate—someone else would usually use aluminum alloy casting for this job, but he insisted on doing it with his fitter's craft. Xiao Zhang and Da Li stood beside him, their eyes practically popping out of their sockets. Li Weidong explained as he worked, sharing all the tricks and tricks of fitter's work.

Before long, a large group of people gathered around, all holding laptops and eager to learn from him.

Factory Director Yang felt relieved to see that Li Weidong hadn't kicked anyone out. He believed that the more skills the workers learned, the better for the factory.

After finishing with all the parts, big and small, Li Weidong looked up and said, "Everyone, go back to your work now and digest what I just said as you work. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me anytime I'm at the factory."

"Thanks, Engineer Li!"

Everyone thanked them in unison, their voices filled with genuine gratitude.

Yi Zhonghai stood in the corner, his face turning green. He was the only level eight worker in the workshop, and he held onto his skills like a precious gem. Anyone else wanting to learn from him? No way. He only taught his own apprentices, and even then, it had to be the old-fashioned way—giving gifts during holidays and serving them tea and water. And even then, it depended on his mood; he'd only offer a few pointers. Want to learn something practical? You'd better wait and see, you have to keep him happy.

He completely forgot that it was the factory's rule to have experienced workers mentor new ones, and he received a subsidy for mentoring apprentices.

By doing this, Li Weidong has essentially undermined Yi Zhonghai's foundation!

Li Weidong ignored him and quickly assembled a 50cc gasoline engine. He pushed his bicycle over and fastened the engine to the rear rack in a few moments. The fuel tank was a small, homemade tin bucket, which was clipped onto the large bar under the seat. The engine and wheels were connected by gears, and the throttle cable was connected to the brake cable, running all the way to the handlebars, allowing for manual control of the throttle.

"This thing is amazing, absolutely amazing!"

Factory Director Yang rubbed his hands together excitedly, "Isn't this practically a motorcycle? Dr. Li, let's give it a try!"

Li Weidong started the engine, got on the bike, and rode around the factory area. The fuel was still pumped from Director Yang's car.

He turned back and nodded: "It works quite well, and can reach speeds of around 40 kilometers per hour."

Upon hearing this, Director Yang's eyes lit up with excitement, and he and Director Li took turns riding around, having so much fun they couldn't stop.

As soon as Li Weidong opened the door, Li Huaide came over and asked, "Dr. Li, about the blueprints..."

"I'll go back and get it done right away."

Li Weidong glanced at the clock on the wall; it was already eleven o'clock.

Factory Director Li quickly stopped him: "Don't leave at noon, I'll have the kitchen prepare something for you—"

"Let's do it another day. I'll treat you tomorrow."

Li Weidong waved his hand, "I have some things to take care of at home, I have to go back quickly."

Factory Director Yang and Li Huaide exchanged a glance, and could only let him do as he pleased.

Li Weidong hopped on the modified bicycle and rode back. Everyone on the street stared at him, many muttering – is that a motorcycle or a bicycle? And why is it smoking?

He stopped the car at the entrance of the courtyard house. A ceiling fan was tied to the back coat rack, and a piece of pork belly, weighing about two pounds, was hanging from the handlebars.

These things were taken from the system repository, of course.

Yan Bugui was sitting at the gate of the courtyard, enjoying the cool breeze. This man loved guarding the gate; his eyes darted around, always looking for something to scheme about.

His eyes widened as soon as he saw Li Weidong park the car. The engine was sputtering and puffing smoke. Yan Bugui jumped to his feet: "You...you call this a motorcycle? No, wait, isn't this a modified bicycle? Did you make it yourself?"

"Yes, I changed it myself."

Li Weidong raised his chin.

Yan Bugui's face was full of smiles: "Then get one for me too! With this, it will be much more convenient to go fishing outside the city."

Li Weidong glanced at him: "You? Can you afford gasoline? Or can you afford the modification costs?"

These days, you need fuel coupons to get gasoline, which is impossible for ordinary people to obtain.

Yan Bugui rubbed his hands together, getting anxious: "Isn't this all made from scrap parts? How much is it worth? If you can get the gasoline, consider it a donation to your great-uncle..."

"Yan Bugui, have you had too much to drink?"

Li Weidong sneered, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Yan Bugui was addressed by his full name, and only then did he realize that the person standing opposite him was Li Weidong, not one of the easy-to-manage residents in the courtyard.

"You can modify it if you want, it'll cost three hundred yuan."

Li Weidong simply said, "Get the money ready."

After saying that, he snorted and pushed the cart into the yard.

Upon reaching the central courtyard, they encountered a second obstacle. Madam Jia Zhang was sitting in the corridor, fanning herself; she was so plump she was sweating profusely, her face glistening with oil.

When she saw the ceiling fan and the piece of pork belly in Li Weidong's car, she felt so sour her teeth almost crumbled: "Oh my, so rich now, and he doesn't even know how to help us orphans and widows! He just cares about eating all by himself, isn't he afraid of stuffing himself to death!"

Li Weidong paused, then sneered, "Your family has an orphan and a widow? Jia Dongxu is almost thirty, how come he's an orphan and a widow needing charity? You're only in your early forties, perfectly healthy, you're not going to starve to death if you go out to work!"

Li Weidong finished speaking, turned around and left, not even giving Jia Zhangshi a second glance.

Madam Jia Zhang was so choked up that her face turned purple, and she couldn't utter a word. Only after Li Weidong's figure disappeared into the backyard did she begin to howl like a pig being slaughtered—

"Old Jia, open your eyes in heaven! Your wife is being bullied! Go and take her away!"

"Mom, don't shout like that. If someone hears us and reports us, that would be terrible."

Qin Huairu quickly stepped forward and pressed down on her arm.

Startled, Jia Zhangshi swallowed the rest of her howl. Practicing feudal superstitions would be considered a light punishment—being thrown into a cowshed would be the least of their worries; they might even be sent back to the countryside to farm.

"Let's talk about it when Dongxu gets back."

Qin Huairu sighed.

"That orphaned brat, he has money but doesn't know how to help our family. God will strike him down sooner or later!"

Madam Jia cursed and swore, spitting everywhere, "He eats and drinks the finest food and drinks while supporting three money-losing brats, where does he get such a big appetite!"

She turned her head and shouted into the courtyard, "Xiao Dang, Huaihua, you two go over there for a free meal, but this time you absolutely have to bring back some meat!"

"No, Mom, we can't bring them back. If we do, they won't even be able to get in the door anymore."

Qin Huairu understood perfectly, "They only let Xiaodang, Huaihua, and Xiaoxi sit at the table because they get along well..."

Jia Zhangshi rolled her dead fish eyes and grumbled indignantly, "But our corn cobs aren't bad either! Why won't you let the corn cobs eat? You're so heartless..."

Qin Huairu's head was buzzing, so she quickly changed the subject: "Mom, I'm going to cook."

"More cornbread and pickled vegetables? Can't you just stew some meat or steam some plain white bread?"

Madam Jia wiped the foul-smelling saliva from her mouth. "Those two girls had a good lunch again."

"I don't know if Shazhu's canteen is serving food today. If not, we'll only be able to eat vegetarian food."

As soon as Li Weidong propped up his bicycle, Xiao Xi pounced on him like a little cannonball, hugging his clothes and shouting into the house with a beaming face, "Brother's buying meat! Sister, come out quickly, brother's buying meat!"

Lin Yurou lifted the curtain and took the meat, while He Yushui followed behind, carrying the ceiling fan into the room.

The deaf old woman poked half her head out from the doorway, her eyes glaring at you like knives.

"You unfilial brat! You have so many electric fans in the house, but you didn't even think to install one for your ancestor!"

She pounded the ground with her cane.