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

"Dr. Ding, when you go to get the food, please bring me eight steamed buns and two vegetarian dishes."

Li Weidong handed three lunch boxes and meal tickets to Ding Qiunan.

Dan Dahai arrived at exactly twelve o'clock. After exchanging a few pleasantries and sitting down, he saw three cans of food on the table and couldn't help but swallow hard.

"Chief Engineer Li, please speak directly if you need me."

Dan Dahai felt a little uneasy.

Li Weidong was a high-level leader in the factory, while Shan Dahai was only a middle-level manager. When the leaders invited someone to dinner, the meal was never pleasant.

Dan Dahai was afraid that after this meal, he wouldn't be able to fulfill the requests Li Weidong made.

"It's just a small matter."

Li Weidong smiled. "Isn't your workshop short a team leader?"

"Yes, do you have anyone you recommend?"

Dan Dahai breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't a big deal.

"Let the bangs dry for two days."

Li Weidong said.

"No problem, I'll announce it when I get back."

Dan Dahai readily agreed. The team leader was essentially still a worker, just with an added title; he was in charge of about ten people.

"Just two days, we'll find a legitimate reason to remove him from office then."

Li Weidong said with a smile, "Don't let anyone else know about this."

"OK!"

Dan Dahai was stunned for a moment. "Wouldn't Liu Haizhong be spitting blood? He came to me three or four times to try to become the group leader, and I didn't dare accept the gifts he offered."

"This guy is obsessed with power. If we make him a team leader, who knows what kind of trouble he'll cause."

Li Weidong snorted coldly, "I just want to teach him a lesson. Come on, eat first, the steamed buns will be here soon. No drinking this time, we'll have a couple of drinks another night."

The "next time" that Shan Dahai mentioned was just two or three days away.

After finishing his lunch, Liu Hai worked half-heartedly. But as soon as he turned his head and saw Director Shan coming over, his hands immediately moved as fast as a wound-up toy.

"Liu Haizhong, come out with me."

After saying this, Shan Dahai turned and walked out of the workshop.

In this forging workshop, no matter how loudly you shout, it's useless. Everywhere you hear the dull thud of hammers striking, and even if you yell your lungs out, your voice won't carry very far.

As Shan Dahai spoke, he also made a hand gesture.

"Director, you wanted to see me?"

His face was full of anticipation.

He'd been eyeing the team leader position for the past few days, but Shan Dahai wouldn't accept any gifts from him. How could he possibly advance?

Before, he at least had the title of "Second Uncle" in the compound, which gave him some authority. Now that he's even lost that title, Liu Haizhong feels uneasy, like he's naked and insecure.

"Old Liu, about that 1.9 group leader thing. I've thought about it, and I think you should take it."

Dan Dahai said, "You'd better behave yourself from now on..."

Liu Haizhong felt as if magpies were chirping all around him, and his vision blurred with stars. Finally regaining his composure, he grabbed Shan Dahai's hand, his voice trembling with excitement, "Director, don't worry! Don't worry!"

"I'll work my hardest and never let you down. And that thing, I'll get it tonight..."

The last sentence was written very low in his bangs.

"No need. If you do it that way, you can forget about being the team leader."

Dan Dahai put on a stern face, "If you focus your attention on production, that's the best you can do for me. Go back now, I'll announce it after get off work."

Liu Haizhong felt as if he were walking on cotton as he returned to his workstation, picked up a workpiece, and was full of energy.

When Li Weidong stepped into the laboratory, several soldiers were already standing inside. Leading them was Director Tian. Factory Director Yang, Secretary Zhang, and Li Huaide had also arrived shortly afterward.

"Advisor Li, what about that new rifle you've developed?"

Director Tian's eyes were filled with anticipation.

"Yes, I'll pack two of them right now."

Li Weidong said with a smile, "Go and test its power."

He opened the laboratory door and quickly assembled the two guns.

"Let's try it at the shooting range in the back. This thing can hold fifteen bullets."

Li Weidong handed the gun barrel to Director Tian.

"Hey, this feels really comfortable to hold!"

Director Tian took it, a look of surprise on his face.

"I designed the ergonomics based on the hand shape of people in our country."

Li Weidong said with a smug tone, "Try it and see how it works."

"Yes, yes, the factory has a shooting range run by the security department."

Secretary Zhang smiled and replied, "Let's go, let's give it a try."

A group of people moved to the firing range and soon obtained preliminary results.

Director Tian weighed the gun in his hand, a satisfied look on his face: "This thing is better than the previous one, and the recoil is much lighter. I really didn't expect that in just a few days, Consultant Li would have come up with another new gadget."

"If you think it's okay, then it's okay."

Li Weidong nodded and continued, "Next, it'll be all about the various tests, right?"

He knew very well how many hurdles a gun had to overcome to go from blueprints to a real object before it could be determined whether it could be officially used.

Director Tian rubbed his hands together: "Then the blueprints for this gun..."

"It's in the lab, I'll go get it right now."

Without saying a word, Li Weidong turned and left.

Secretary Zhang and Factory Director Yang stood to the side, feeling extremely frustrated. The guns Li Weidong produced had absolutely nothing to do with their factory. If only he could make something for civilian use.

But these words had to be kept to themselves; no one dared to utter them.

After receiving the blueprints, Director Tian didn't leave immediately but stayed to chat with Li Weidong over tea. It wasn't until after 4 PM that Xiao Tang finally returned with five gun barrels.

"Consultant Li, what do you think of this chrome plating?"

Director Tian carefully handed over the gun barrel.

Li Weidong glanced at it and said, "It's so-so. The craftsmanship needs some more work."

Director Tian was secretly surprised as he watched him skillfully assemble the five guns, but he didn't say anything aloud: "Then let's take these guns back and test them."

Li Weidong drew the gun from his waist and placed it on the table: "This Black Star is yours."

"The Big Black Star?"

Director Tian paused for a moment, then laughed, "Hey, that's quite a vivid description. There's a big black star embedded in the gun handle, isn't there?"

At that time, the gun's reputation hadn't spread to Hong Kong yet, and no one was calling it "Big Black Star." Li Weidong mentioned it casually, and Director Tian filled in the gaps perfectly.

Factory Director Yang wanted to treat everyone to a meal, but Director Tian absolutely refused to stay. Factory Director Yang had no choice but to give up.

After get off work, Li Weidong rode his bicycle home.

He secretly rejoiced: "There's definitely going to be a good show tonight. Xu Damao has really fallen for him this time, as long as he doesn't cause any more trouble. I'll have to figure out a way to get his house, even if it costs some money. Next up is that old bastard Yi Zhonghai; he's definitely involved in that prop malfunction."

Before he got home, he took out a cow's head from the warehouse.

Cleaning this thing up was a real pain. But Li Weidong had the system's help; with a single thought, the warehouse had washed the bull's head clean and even split it in two. He stuffed the bull's head into a canvas bag under the cart's frame, then rode his bike into the alley.

Li Weidong pushed his bicycle into the courtyard and spotted Yan Bugui standing by the screen door, tending to the plants as usual, his eyes darting around as he looked at each of the neighbors coming and going.

The person walking ahead was Old Hu, carrying a bag of green peppers and potatoes.

Yan Bugui, with his sharp eyes, immediately leaned over: "Old Hu, what good stuff did you buy today? Can I take a look at its quality?"

He was thinking that if he could just grab a potato or two green peppers, he could have an extra dish at home that evening.

Old Hu didn't even glance at him, simply snapping, "Get lost!"

He raised his voice loudly: "Trying to take advantage of me? Dream on! You've let me steal so many things before, but you've never helped me in the slightest."

Yan Bugui quickly changed his tone: "The fact that I'm not causing you trouble is already a huge help to you."

"Who do you think you are now? Why are you causing me trouble?"

Old Hu spat, "You're just a nobody. If you dare cause me trouble, I'll make sure you regret it. As for the neighborhood committee..."

"Wow, you're amazing!"

Yan Bugui gritted his teeth and said, "You better not fall into my hands. What about your little grandson? Will he still be able to go to school?"

Old Hu paused for a moment, then stopped arguing with him and quickly walked towards the backyard with the vegetables.

Old Hu's family lived in the back annex, which consisted of three rooms. His son worked as a technician at the steel rolling mill, and these rooms were about to be transferred to his name, no longer under the factory's jurisdiction.

These days, if you can afford to buy a house, things can change drastically if the market turns around.

Li Weidong glanced at Yan Bugui sideways and pushed the cart past him.

Upon arriving at the Intermediate People's Court, he saw Jia Zhangshi sitting at her doorstep on a small stool, fanning herself with a banana leaf fan, staring at Li Weidong with a face full of resentment. Her lips moved incessantly as she muttered curses.

Li Weidong knew that the old man was definitely cursing him. With a thought, he instantly activated his mental power.

A tile suddenly fell from the eaves and landed squarely on Jia Zhangshi's large head.

"Snapped!"

With a sharp crack, the tile shattered into several pieces. Jia Zhangshi screamed and jumped up and down in pain.

A large bruise appeared on her forehead—who told her to crane her neck and look up when she heard a noise on the roof. Luckily, it didn't draw blood.

Li Weidong sneered and continued pushing the cart forward. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the deaf old woman staring intently at him, her eyes like eerie will-o'-the-wisps.

Li Weidong pretended not to see it and went straight back to his room.

"Madam, please go inside first."

Yu Mei came out and helped the deaf old woman. "Zhu Zi won't be back for a while. Uncle Yi has already gone to pick him up."

As soon as Yi Zhonghai finished work, he rode his bicycle and rushed to the detention room. When he arrived at the door, he saw Sha Zhu limping out.

Sha Zhu's face was covered in bruises, clearly indicating that he had suffered a lot inside.

"Pillar! Over here!"

Yi Zhonghai raised his hand and shouted.

Sha Zhu forced a wry smile: "Thank you, sir."

"What happened to your leg? Is it alright?"

Yi Zhonghai asked urgently. This was the person he had carefully chosen to take care of him in his old age and see him off in his final days, and who could also help raise his son's unfortunate child. He couldn't afford to have any mishaps.

The cow's head was thrown into the basin, and He Yushui was scrubbing it vigorously. Xiao Xi stood beside her, a finger in her mouth, watching longingly.

"Yan Jiefang took most of that furniture."

Lin Yurou said softly, "His room is so tidy now, it really looks like a proper place."

"He said he's bringing his girlfriend home; the yard is definitely going to be lively today."

After Li Weidong finished speaking, the corners of his mouth turned up.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Yan Jiefang led a young woman over. The two stood at the door for a moment, then Yan Jiefang opened the door and let the woman go inside first.

"That girl is quite pretty."