Courtyard House: My Time Travel is a Bit Too Strong

Having said that, he didn't even wait for Sha Zhu to come to his senses before picking up his teacup, slowly blowing on it, taking a sip, and looking as relaxed as if he were sunbathing on his own kang (heated brick bed).

About half an hour later, Chen Xueru led He Yushui, who had just washed up, back into the courtyard.

Lin Quan looked up and immediately lowered his brow slightly.

Seeing this, Chen Xueru interrupted him before he could speak, saying, "I'll take Xiaoyushui to the silk shop and get her some new clothes—and while I'm at it, I'll also accompany Shazhu to the steel mill."

Lin Quan glanced at Sha Zhu before slowly speaking, "If this drags on any longer, He Daqing's workstation might be quietly erased."

With a "whoosh," Chen Xueru's pupils contracted slightly, and she instantly understood—someone was secretly trying to poach her partner!

Workstations don't wait for anyone; if you're even a step behind, it'll all be for naught.

"Still standing there? You think you can get a stable job by just standing there like an idiot?"

Lin Quan frowned, glared at Sha Zhu, and turned to walk towards the front yard. Chen Xueru, holding He Yushui's hand, followed closely behind. Sha Zhu then seemed to wake from a dream, and sprinted after her, his steps hurried but not daring to fall an inch.

Once outside the courtyard, Chen Xueru lowered her head and said softly to Xiao Yushui, "Husband, I'll take the child to the shop first."

Lin Quan nodded slightly, without saying another word.

After watching the mother and daughter turn the corner, he patted Sha Zhu on the shoulder, turned around, and headed straight for the Military Control Commission.

"Brother Quan... what's wrong with us...?"

Sha Zhu noticed that Lin Quan wasn't taking the road to the steel rolling mill. After hesitating for a moment, he couldn't help but speak up.

Before the words even finished, Lin Quan rolled his eyes: "I could find the steel rolling mill with my eyes closed—but who recognizes you? Who listens to me?"

Sha Zhu opened his mouth, but then remained silent.

Lin Quan led him straight through the corridor and pushed open the door to Director Wang's office.

Aunt Wang was working on her documents when she looked up and saw him. A slight smile appeared at the corner of her eye, but her expression immediately tightened: "Oh, a rare guest? So, what are you up to now?"

"Why can't I come and see you?"

Lin Quan chuckled and pulled Sha Zhu inside, then expertly found a chair and sat down. Aunt Wang glanced at the two of them and snorted, "Spit it out if you have something to say, or get lost."

Lin Quan didn't waste any time. He got up, poured a glass of water, and handed it to her. Then, with a thought, he flicked his finger, and a can of tea sealed with celadon landed steadily on the desk—half a pound, quite heavy.

That was a product he obtained from the Martial Soul World. It was made from the tender buds of an old tea tree that had been inhabited by a hundred-year-old plant-type soul beast two years ago. Its aroma was invigorating and had the effects of refreshing the mind, promoting sleep, and nourishing the spirit.

"Aunt Wang, this is a treasure I got by risking my reputation."

"Legend has it that these are the spring buds of a thousand-year-old tree, which can refresh the mind without harming the spirit. Drinking two cups when you can't sleep is more effective than taking sleeping pills."

Before he finished speaking, he had already fluently recounted the story of Sha Zhu.

After listening, Director Wang's expression changed three times, and he slammed his pen onto the manuscript paper with a "thud".

In a flash, Aunt Wang from Linquan suddenly stood up and slammed her hand heavily on the edge of the desk, causing the teacup to jump half an inch.

"Outrageous! How could such despicable acts be tolerated in this peaceful place of Beijing?!"

Seeing the veins throbbing slightly on Aunt Wang's forehead, Lin Quan calmly added fuel to the fire:

"Let's put He Daqing aside for now—he has his flaws, but he's at most a muddle-headed person, definitely not a bad one."

"What really catches the eye is that old deaf man in the backyard... I just feel like something's not right about him."

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Quan's gaze, sharp as a nail, pierced straight at Sha Zhu: "Have you heard anything about the old deaf man in your courtyard?"

Sha Zhu was startled by the stare, opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

Lin Quan patiently asked again, "Tell me, what are people in the compound gossiping about? Things like being a martyr's family member, making straw sandals for the army back then... have you heard of any of that?"

Sha Zhu's mind went blank for a moment before he finally came to his senses.

He didn't hide anything, spilling out all the bits and pieces he had heard like beans pouring from a bamboo tube—

Although a "grandfather system" hasn't been established yet, Yi Zhonghai, the "moral saint," has already been preaching throughout the compound, paving the way for elderly care; Sha Zhu, being easily swayed, naturally listened to a few of his words: things like being a martyr's family member, sending shoes to support the front lines...

After listening, Lin Quan turned to look at Aunt Wang.

Director Wang's lips twitched, and he actually laughed in anger.

She was in charge of this area, and courtyard number 95 was right next to Lin Quan's house. She knew the details of every household in Tongluoguxiang with her eyes closed—which family had hung up a martyrs' family plaque, which elderly person had dealt with the army, and which alley had produced a true hero. She knew it all.

"Snapped!"

She slammed her hand on the table: "Number 95, this is truly eye-opening!"

"Call for help!"

Without saying much, he got up, made a phone call, called in people to check files and old ledgers, determined to peel away the layers of hidden spies, plastered walls, and lies buried under this courtyard.

Lin Quan stood silently with his hands at his sides, without uttering a single word.

Only after Aunt Wang had assigned the staff did he speak: "Aunt Wang, what do you think we should do with Sha Zhu?"

"Before his father, He Daqing, passed away, he reserved a workstation for him at the steel rolling mill, and he never moved from there."

"Don't let his seemingly clumsy appearance fool you; he's a real expert in the kitchen. With a flick of his wrist, he can fill the whole yard with delicious aromas."

Aunt Wang then looked up, examined Sha Zhu again, glanced at Lin Quan, and suddenly stood up: "I'll go with you."

"Boss Lou of the steel rolling mill just donated the factory to the country, so the workers will all have secure jobs from now on."

She casually gathered the documents on the table, turned around and walked out, nodding at Lin Quan and Sha Zhu.

The driver was already waiting at the gate. The jeep engine roared, and the three of them got in and headed straight for the steel rolling mill.

Although the military control committee she was in was divided into district-level units, its rank was very high—once the military control was withdrawn, she would at least be the top leader or second-in-command of the district.

In terms of job rank, the small factory with only two thousand employees is not even at the provincial level; even if it is expanded and upgraded in the future, it will only barely reach the threshold of the provincial level.

When she personally arrived, even the heads of the steel rolling mill had to show her respect.

Lin Quan hadn't expected that Aunt Wang would actually come in person.

Sha Zhu clutched the hem of his clothes the whole way, his heart pounding like a fluttering sparrow.

He may be foolish, but he's not stupid.

With Director Wang standing at the factory gate, who would dare to play tricks or trip him up behind his back?

The wheels kicked up dust, and in less than fifteen minutes, the rusty iron gate of the steel rolling mill came into view.

The driver jumped out of the car, flashed his ID to the gatekeeper, said a few words, and the iron gate creaked open slowly.

Less than half a minute later, the newly appointed director of the steel rolling mill and the former boss, Lou Bancheng, quickly came out to greet them. Seeing this, Lin Quan nimbly jumped out of the jeep and called out to Director Wang:

"Aunt Wang, you decide what to do next. I'll leave now—"

As soon as he finished speaking, his gaze swept across the face of the simpleton, his tone not harsh, but every word clear:

"Think things through before you act in the future—what you can touch and what you should avoid."

"Don't bother me with small things, and I can't handle big things, nor do I plan to."