Fusion System: Rebirth in a Courtyard - Bird Fighting Chronicles

Chapter 48 The soap's true form chills the heart; the mold conceals treachery and exposes the d

The August morning carried a rare coolness, and the canteen at the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill was already bustling with activity. Sha Zhu, carrying his freshly made porridge and two steamed buns, habitually glanced towards a corner of the canteen—usually at this time, Qin Huairu would be waiting there with Jia Geng, either saying, "The rice jar at home is empty," or sighing, "The child wants meat," and a few words would be enough to make him willingly hand over most of his food. But today, the corner was empty, with only a few flies buzzing around the table.

"Zhu Zi, what are you daydreaming about?" He Yushui sat down opposite him with a tray, pushing a tea egg towards him. "Do you believe what I told you?" Silly Zhu, shoveling food into his porridge, mumbled, "What is it? Why are you so dramatic?" He Yushui lowered her voice: "It's about Qin Huairu selling you that soap! Last week I went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy salt, and I saw her sell a bar of Shanghai brand soap to the saleswoman, get three ounces of grain coupons, and then immediately buy half a pound of peach shortbread for Jia Zhangshi!"

Sha Zhu paused, his chopsticks clapping, and frowned. "Impossible, right? Sister Qin said she had many children and didn't have enough soap, that's why I gave it to her. Besides, she's a widow raising three children, it's not easy for her..." "Not easy for her, so you should use your things to exchange for money to buy snacks for your mother-in-law?" He Yushui rolled her eyes. "Think about it yourself, how many food stamps and how much soap have you given her in the past six months? Enough for you to save up to get married! And she, instead of helping you, treats you like a sucker and then goes to curry favor with Jia Zhangshi!"

He Yushui's words pierced Shazhu's heart like a thorn. He recalled the last time he delivered noodles to Qin Huairu and found Jia Zhangshi sitting in the yard gnawing on a chicken leg, while Qin Huairu's three children were drinking thin porridge nearby; he remembered how Qin Huairu would always say "I've saved some food for you" whenever he came home late from work, only to bring out leftovers, while the aroma of meat wafted from Jia Zhangshi's room. The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt, and he shoved the tea egg back into He Yushui's bowl: "I understand, don't tell anyone about this."

That afternoon after get off work, Sha Zhu made a special detour to the department store and bought two brand-new bars of Shanghai brand soap—this soap was a scarce commodity at the time, rationed, and he had managed to get it through the canteen manager. Clutching the soap, he walked towards the courtyard, determined to find out what was going on. As soon as he entered the middle courtyard, he saw Qin Huairu squatting by the public water tap washing bed sheets, Jia Geng squatting beside her playing with mud, and Jia Zhangshi sitting under the eaves cracking melon seeds, spitting the shells all over the ground.

"Sister Qin, busy?" Sha Zhu walked over and handed her the soap. "I just had someone get this soap for the kids' laundry." Qin Huairu's eyes lit up, and she quickly dried her hands and took it, her usual gentle smile on her face. "Zhu Zi, you're so thoughtful! We just ran out of soap at home and were worried about where to buy some. Come in and sit down, I'll get you a glass of water." Sha Zhu waved his hand. "No, I have to go to the canteen to hand in the accounts." He turned and left, but didn't go far, hiding behind the old locust tree in the middle courtyard.

Sure enough, less than half an hour later, Qin Huairu wrapped the soap in a cloth and quietly left the courtyard. Sha Zhu followed her from a distance, watching her walk into the supply and marketing cooperative at the street corner. He stood at the corner of the cooperative's entrance and could see everything clearly through the glass window—Qin Huairu handed the soap to the sales clerk, took three ounces of grain coupons and five cents, put them in her pocket, then turned and went to the pastry shop next door, bought half a pound of peach shortbread, and carefully put it into the cloth bag.

Sha Zhu's heart sank completely. He stood there, clenching his fists, until Qin Huairu came out carrying a cloth bag, then silently turned and walked back. He thought of all the help he had given Qin Huairu over the years, of the food coupons, soap, and meat coupons he had saved up to give her, and of her always saying "Thank you, Zhuzi" and "You're such a good person," and he felt a wave of nausea. He used to think that Yi Zhonghai's saying "helping widows is accumulating good karma" made sense, but now he realized that he wasn't accumulating good karma at all; he was supporting a lazy, good-for-nothing mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

When they returned to the courtyard, Madam Jia was sitting in the yard eating peach shortbread. Seeing Sha Zhu return, she deliberately held the shortbread high, exclaiming, "Oh my, this peach shortbread is so fragrant, and it's even from Shanghai! It's all thanks to my filial son, Qin Huairu." Qin Huairu came out of the house and saw Sha Zhu's gloomy face. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly smiled and said, "Zhu Zi, you're back? I left you some sweet potato porridge." Sha Zhu ignored her and walked straight to his house, leaving behind the words, "Don't ask me for anything again. I don't have that much spare money or possessions to support idle people."

Qin Huairu's smile froze on her face, and Jia Zhangshi stopped eating sunflower seeds, staring blankly at Sha Zhu's retreating figure. The neighbors in the courtyard had all heard this and peeked out to see what was going on. Yan Bugui, who had just returned from the workshop with his account book in hand, pushed up his glasses and whispered to Aunt Liu beside him, "I've already calculated it. The things Sha Zhu gave the Jia family over the past six months, converted into grain coupons, would amount to more than thirty jin—enough to feed an adult. Now we've realized it, too late!"

Qin Huairu overheard this, her face paled, and she shouted at Yan Bugui, "Teacher Yan, stop trying to sow discord here! Zhuzi and I are neighbors, what's wrong with helping each other out?" Yan Bugui rolled his eyes: "Helping each other out? Someone gives you soap and you sell it for money, someone gives you food coupons and you buy peach cakes for your mother-in-law, is that helping each other out? Master Qin, you have to have a conscience." The surrounding neighbors also chimed in, and Qin Huairu's face turned red and white, and she turned and ran into the house.

Lin Chen, who had just returned, witnessed this scene, a knowing smile playing on his lips. A notification popped up on the system panel: "Detected that Sha Zhu's favorability towards Qin Huairu has dropped to 0, triggering the plot 'The Sucker Awakens,' completing the side quest 'Breaking the Chain of Moral Kidnapping,' rewarding 1000 points. Current points: 50500." Lin Chen nodded in satisfaction. With Sha Zhu, his "long-term meal ticket," gone, Qin Huairu had lost a crucial source of income. She would undoubtedly become even more reliant on Yi Zhonghai, presenting a perfect opportunity to expose her hidden flaws.

The next morning, Lin Chen had just arrived at the workshop when Director Zhou called him to his office. "Lin, I have an urgent task for you." Director Zhou placed a drawing on the table. "This is a mold for a military order, which needs to be forged from 30CrMnSiA alloy with very high precision requirements. Originally, we planned to have Yi Zhonghai handle the fitter work, but he said he wasn't feeling well and recommended Qin Huairu instead. You're a key technical member, so I want you to be in charge of the forging process and work with Qin Huairu to complete it."

Lin Chen picked up the blueprints and frowned slightly. "Director Zhou, Qin Huairu is just a junior fitter. Can she handle this high-precision mold?" Director Zhou sighed. "I know her skills are average, but Yi Zhonghai said she's his personal apprentice and has privately taught her a lot of core techniques. He even said to let her try and hone her skills. The order is urgent, so we have no choice but to try our best. Keep a close eye on things and make sure nothing goes wrong."

Lin Chen understood immediately; this must have been Yi Zhonghai's idea. Qin Huairu, having lost Sha Zhu's support, would surely complain to Yi Zhonghai. Yi Zhonghai, wanting to secure this "future retirement guarantee," wanted to use this order to give her a chance to establish herself in the workshop. A cold smile curled at the corner of Lin Chen's lips. Perfect; he wanted to see just how much real skill Qin Huairu, this "personal apprentice," truly possessed.

Back in the workshop, Qin Huairu was already waiting by the fitter's station, holding blueprints in her hand, her brows furrowed, clearly unable to understand the complex mold structure. Seeing Lin Chen approach, she quickly forced a smile: "Junior Brother Lin, I'm really sorry to trouble you this time. The precision requirements for this mold are too high; I'm a little unsure." Lin Chen placed the forged alloy blank in front of her: "Senior Sister Qin, according to the blueprints, first machine the mold's positioning holes; the tolerance cannot exceed 0.03 millimeters. I've already used the system… used high-precision measuring tools to measure it; the blank is fine."

Qin Huai picked up the blank, pretended to study it for a long time, and then picked up the drill bit to start machining. Lin Chen stood aside and observed, noticing that her grip on the drill was very unorthodox and her force control was unstable, clearly indicating that she rarely machined high-precision parts. Sure enough, after drilling the first positioning hole, Lin Chen measured it with calipers and found that the tolerance was 0.1 millimeters, far exceeding the requirements. "Senior Sister Qin, the precision is not enough, we have to drill it again." Lin Chen handed her the calipers, "The positioning hole is the foundation of the mold; if it's inaccurate, all the subsequent machining will be wasted."

Qin Huairu's face flushed red and then paled. She took the calipers and examined them, stammering, "Maybe...maybe the drill bit isn't sharp enough. I'll try a different one." She changed to a new drill bit and started working again, but this time it was even worse; she drilled the positioning hole off-center, completely ruining the blank. Qin Huairu was so anxious she was almost in tears, squatting on the ground wiping away her tears: "What can I do? This blank is so valuable, I can't afford to pay for it..."

The surrounding workers gathered around, whispering amongst themselves. "Does Qin Huairu even know how to work? She can't even drill such a simple positioning hole properly." "She claims to be Master Yi's personal apprentice, but I think she's all talk and no action." "The egg-stealing incident was embarrassing enough, and now she can't even do the work properly. She's really disgracing Master Yi." These words pierced Qin Huairu's ears like needles, and she cried even harder, while secretly plotting how to shift the blame onto Lin Chen.

Just then, Yi Zhonghai walked in, leaning on his cane—he wasn't sick at all; he had been deliberately hiding in the workshop break room, waiting for Qin Huairu to ask for help. "What's going on? What's all the noise about!" Yi Zhonghai frowned and walked to Qin Huairu's side. "Huairu, what happened?" Qin Huairu threw herself into his arms, crying, "Master, I didn't do it on purpose. It was because the blank that Junior Brother Lin gave me was faulty that I drilled the positioning hole off-center."

Yi Zhonghai immediately turned his gaze to Lin Chen, his face darkening: "Lin Chen, what's going on? I told you long ago that the blanks for military orders need to be carefully inspected. How can you be so irresponsible?" Lin Chen sneered and took out the previous inspection records: "Master Yi, this is the inspection report for the blanks. It has my signature and inspection data on it. The tolerance is only 0.01 millimeters, which fully meets the requirements. Moreover, although Senior Sister Qin's first hole wasn't precise enough, the position was correct. It was only after changing the drill bit that it went astray. How can you blame the blanks for being faulty?"

Yi Zhonghai took the test report and looked at it. The data was clear and unambiguous; he couldn't find any reason to refute it. The surrounding workers also testified: "We all saw it. The first hole was in the right position, just not precise enough." "The second time, Senior Sister Qin's hand was shaking, that's why she drilled off-center." Yi Zhonghai's face turned pale, then red, and he could only force himself to say, "Even if the blank itself was fine, as a key technical member, you should have been there to guide Huairu. How could you just watch her scrap the blank?"

"I gave instructions, but Senior Sister Qin wouldn't listen." Lin Chen took out his phone—no, it was a simple recording device integrated with the system—and pressed play. The conversation from earlier played: "Senior Sister Qin, hold the drill firmly and apply even pressure." "I know, I know. I've been a fitter for so many years, do I need you to teach me?" "Senior Sister Qin, the drill bit angle is wrong, it will affect the accuracy." "Don't stand here pointing and gesturing, you're interfering with my work!"

As soon as the recording was played, the entire room fell silent. Yi Zhonghai's face darkened completely; he hadn't expected Qin Huairu to be not only technically incompetent but also so arrogant and domineering. Qin Huairu, on the other hand, turned pale with fright and lunged forward to grab the recording equipment: "How could you secretly record this! You're violating my privacy!" Lin Chen dodged to the side and said coldly, "Senior Sister Qin, I'm doing this to preserve evidence so you can't turn the tables on me. As Master Yi's personally trained apprentice, you've studied metalworking for five years, and you can't even drill a proper positioning hole? You still have the nerve to call yourself a skilled worker?"

Director Zhou rushed over upon hearing the news. After hearing what had happened and seeing the scrapped blanks and the inspection report, he slammed his fist on the table in anger: "Qin Huairu! You've disappointed me so much! Master Yi praised you to the skies, saying how good your skills were, but you're not even as good as a junior fitter! This mold order delayed the project; can you take responsibility for that?" Qin Huairu's legs went weak with fear, and she knelt on the ground: "Director Zhou, I was wrong. I'll never do it again. Please give me another chance."

Yi Zhonghai quickly pleaded, "Director Zhou, Huairu is just too nervous. Please give her another chance. I'll personally guide her." Director Zhou glanced at him, his tone full of sarcasm, "Master Yi, you should worry about yourself first. The person you recommended has caused such a big problem; you, as the recommender, also bear responsibility. From today onwards, Qin Huairu is transferred from the fitter's workshop to the logistics department to wash work clothes. She can come back only when her skills meet the standards."

After saying that, Director Zhou looked at Lin Chen again: "Xiao Lin, I'm entrusting this mold-making matter to you. I'll assign you two experienced fitters as assistants. Make sure it's completed within three days." Lin Chen nodded: "Don't worry, Director Zhou, I guarantee I'll complete the task." He looked at Qin Huairu, who was slumped on the ground, without any sympathy in his eyes—this was all her own doing. She rose to power by playing the victim and using moral blackmail, and she wouldn't last long.

In the afternoon, Lin Chen and two fitters worked overtime to rush out the mold. He used the system to integrate high-precision measuring tools and ceramic cutting tools, optimizing the processing flow and compressing the workload that originally required three days into two. During this time, Sha Zhu came to the workshop to find him, carrying a lunchbox: "Master Lin, thank you. If it weren't for you, I would still be kept in the dark by Qin Huairu."

Lin Chen took the lunchbox; inside were braised pork and rice, the aroma filling the air. "Master Shazhu, no need to thank me. You've finally realized it," Lin Chen said with a smile. "Don't easily believe other people's tears anymore. Some people may seem weak, but they're shrewder than anyone else." Shazhu nodded, taking a bite of the braised pork: "I understand. From now on, I'll work hard, save money to get married, and never meddle in the Jia family's affairs again."

Just then, Yan Bugui walked in with an account book, a fawning smile on his face: "Master Lin, this is last month's inventory ledger. I've calculated it all, please take a look." Lin Chen took the account book; the numbers were neat and tidy, every expenditure was clearly marked, and there were even simple statistical charts attached. "Teacher Yan, your accounting is really clear, even more professional than an accountant's," Lin Chen praised.

Yan Bugui's face broke into a long-lost smile: "This is what I should do. Master Lin, I was foolish before, always thinking about scheming against others. Now I understand that working hard is the right way." He paused, then added, "By the way, I heard that Yi Zhonghai went to see the factory manager this afternoon, apparently to plead for Qin Huairu, and said that you deliberately made things difficult for her. You'd better be careful."

Lin Chen sneered inwardly; Yi Zhonghai was truly persistent. He pulled out a video recording of Qin Huairu's processing error—a video he had deliberately set up that morning, clearly documenting the entire process of Qin Huairu drilling the misaligned positioning hole. "Thank you for the reminder, Teacher Yan. I was prepared." Lin Chen waved the videotape in his hand. "With this, even if Yi Zhonghai finds the factory manager, he can't turn things upside down."

Sure enough, the next morning, the factory manager summoned Lin Chen to his office. Yi Zhonghai was sitting next to him, his face grim. "Lin, Master Yi reported that you made things difficult for Qin Huairu in the workshop, deliberately making her process complex parts, causing the blanks to be scrapped. Is that true?" the factory manager asked. Lin Chen took out a videotape and put it into the projector in the office: "Factory manager, you'll see for yourself."

In the video, Qin Huairu's unsteady grip on the drill and loss of control were clearly visible, along with her refusal of Lin Chen's guidance. The factory manager's brows furrowed more and more as he watched, and after finishing, he slammed the video on the table: "Yi Zhonghai! What else do you have to say? Qin Huairu's skills are lacking, and she won't listen to instructions, causing the blank to be scrapped. Instead of reflecting on your own ineffective teaching, you're accusing Xiao Lin of making things difficult for her. You've completely disgraced this level eight fitter!"

Yi Zhonghai's face turned deathly pale. His lips moved, but he couldn't utter a single word of rebuttal. The factory manager continued, "From today onwards, you are relieved of your technical advisor position and your monthly bonus is deducted. From now on, Lin Chen will be responsible for assigning technical tasks in the workshop." After saying this, the factory manager looked at Lin Chen: "Xiao Lin, you did a great job. You're principled and responsible. You'll get a raise this month. Keep up the good work!"

Lin Chen quickly thanked him, "Thank you for your trust, Factory Director. I will definitely do my best." As he walked out of the office, he saw Yi Zhonghai slumped in his chair, his eyes filled with despair. Lin Chen knew that Yi Zhonghai had lost his position as technical advisor and had also ruined his reputation because of Qin Huairu's affair. His status in the workshop had completely collapsed, and his retirement plans had been completely ruined.

Back in the workshop, Lin Chen told everyone about the raise, and the workers all congratulated him. Yan Bugui, holding the newly organized ledger, smiled and said, "Master Lin, you deserve this. From now on, you'll be the technical core of our workshop, so please mentor us." Liu Guangtian also chimed in, "Master Lin, I've memorized your optimized mold sketches. When are you going to teach me forging?"

Lin Chen looked at the enthusiastic workers before him, then glanced out the window at Qin Huairu washing her work clothes in the logistics workshop—her clothes were soaked with soap, her hair disheveled, and she no longer possessed her previous delicate charm. A relieved smile appeared on Lin Chen's lips. A notification popped up on the system panel: "Frustrated Yi Zhonghai's conspiracy to favor Qin Huairu, consolidated the workshop's technical position, completed the 'Technical Foundation' main quest, rewarded with 5000 points, current points: 55500 points. New feature unlocked: Equipment Modification."

Lin Chen knew this was just a small step on his path of rebirth and revenge. Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu, though temporarily thwarted, would surely find another opportunity to retaliate. The deaf old woman in the backyard hadn't yet revealed her true colors, and Xu Damao was watching him intently. But he wasn't worried. With the All Things Fusion System in hand and with more and more people supporting him, he was confident he could bring down those who had schemed against him, making them pay the price for their evil deeds.

Back at the courtyard house that evening, Sha Zhu had prepared a feast for Lin Chen and Yan Bugui. At the table, Sha Zhu raised his glass: "Master Lin, Teacher Yan, I'd like to toast you both. I was so foolish before, being taken advantage of without even realizing it. It's all thanks to you two for pointing that out to me. From now on, we should help each other in the courtyard, and we won't do anything underhanded!" Lin Chen and Yan Bugui also raised their glasses, and the three of them drank it all in one gulp. Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating three sincere smiling faces. This courtyard house, once filled with scheming and strife, finally felt a touch of warmth.