Fusion System: Rebirth in a Courtyard - Bird Fighting Chronicles

Chapter 52 A desperate plea for help in the cold rain, a secret plan to make a living through a lect

A cold rain at the end of September drenched the bluestone path of the Hongxing Courtyard. Lin Chen had just finished revising the third version of the lecture outline requested by the Municipal Bureau of Industry when he heard staggering footsteps outside the courtyard gate, followed by Jia Xiaoxu's tearful cry: "Master Lin, please save my mother!" He put down his pen and hurried out, only to see Qin Huairu being supported by her two daughters, her right trouser leg soaked in dark red blood, her forehead veins throbbing with pain. Jia Zhangshi was stamping her feet anxiously beside her, her usual sharp tongue completely replaced by panic.

"What happened?" Lin Chen frowned and stepped forward, his gaze falling on Qin Huairu's twisted ankle. Jia Zhangshi hurriedly interrupted, "She was moving shelves in the warehouse and slipped and fell! The logistics staff brought her back and left, saying she had to go to the hospital herself. But we don't have any money..." Before she could finish, she was interrupted by Qin Huairu's painful groan. Lin Chen squatted down and carefully lifted her trouser leg, revealing an ankle swollen like a steamed bun, with bluish-purple discoloration under the skin—clearly a fracture.

"You need to go to the hospital to have your bones set, otherwise you'll be disabled." Lin Chen got up and went inside, grabbing his bankbook and bicycle keys. "I'll take you to Jishuitan Hospital; their orthopedics department is the most famous." Qin Huairu was stunned, her eyes instantly reddening—when she used her status as Yi Zhonghai's apprentice to scheme against Lin Chen, she never imagined she'd need this "enemy" to save her life. Jia Zhangshi also reacted, quickly helping Qin Huairu up: "Little Lin, you're such a good person. I was so foolish before..."

Lin Chen didn't reply. He helped Qin Huairu onto the back of his bicycle, had Jia Xiaoxu carry the medical kit, and rushed to the hospital in the rain. They were busy registering, getting X-rays, and finding a doctor to set the bone; they didn't return until dark. The doctor advised a month of bed rest, prohibiting her from working, and prescribed a lot of herbal medicine to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. Lin Chen handed the medicine packet to Jia Zhangshi: "Cook it twice a day, one dose each morning and evening. Tomorrow I'll have Aunt Liu come over to teach you how to care for the patient; she used to take care of a neighbor with a broken bone."

Back at the courtyard house, Liu Haizhong was repairing a drainage ditch with Liu Guangtian. Seeing Lin Chen helping Qin Huairu back, he quickly put down his shovel and went to help: "Xiao Lin, how are you? Is it serious?" "She fractured her leg and needs a month to recover." Lin Chen sighed. "The Qin family is in trouble now. Qin Huairu can't go to work, so she won't get paid. I even paid for her medical expenses first." Liu Haizhong frowned and turned to Liu Guangtian, saying, "Tomorrow, go to the workshop and tell Director Zhou to ask the logistics department to set aside some relief supplies for the Qin family."

Hearing this from inside the house, Jia Zhangshi rushed out to thank him, "Master Liu, thank you! You're such a kind person!" Liu Haizhong waved his hand, "I had some reservations about your family before, but we're neighbors, I can't just stand by and watch you suffer. From now on, live a good life and stop doing petty theft." Jia Zhangshi nodded repeatedly, her face full of shame. Lin Chen watched this scene and nodded inwardly—Liu Haizhong's change was more thorough than he had expected.

The next morning, as soon as Lin Chen arrived at the workshop, Director Zhou called him over: "Lin, the Municipal Bureau of Industry called again, saying there's a lecture next Wednesday, and you should prepare well. Oh, and the bureau specifically instructed that Yi Zhonghai also go, saying he should help supplement the technical details of fitter work." Lin Chen's heart sank. He knew Yi Zhonghai was trying to cause trouble under the guise of the lecture, but he couldn't refuse the bureau's arrangement, so he could only nod in agreement: "I understand, Director Zhou, I'll prepare well."

Stepping out of the office, Lin Chen saw Yi Zhonghai standing at the end of the corridor, a fake smile on his face: "Director Lin, congratulations! It's truly an honor for our steel rolling mill to be able to give a lecture in the city. You'll have to give this old technician a lot of guidance in the future." Lin Chen smiled faintly: "Master Yi, you're too kind. We can learn from each other. This lecture covers a lot of fitter techniques, so I'll need your help." A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Yi Zhonghai's eyes, but he repeatedly agreed: "Definitely, definitely. I'll go and prepare the materials right away."

During the lunch break, Sha Zhu came to Lin Chen with a lunchbox containing steaming chicken soup: "Director Lin, this is for Qin Huairu. Could you take it over for me? She fractured her bone and needs some nourishment." Lin Chen took the lunchbox and reminded him, "Sha Zhu, you can deliver it this time, but you need to make it clear that this chicken soup is a gift out of neighborly affection, not something given away for free like before. Also, don't let her morally blackmail you anymore." Sha Zhu nodded: "I know. After you reminded me last time, I haven't delivered anything to her house. This time it's a special case because she's injured."

When Lin Chen delivered the chicken soup to the Jia family, Qin Huairu was leaning against the headboard, tears streaming down her face. Seeing Lin Chen enter, she quickly wiped away her tears and struggled to get up: "Junior Brother Lin, thank you so much. I'll definitely pay you back for the medicine later." "The money isn't urgent," Lin Chen said, placing the chicken soup on the table. "I came today because I have something to tell you. You've been bedridden for a month, and the family has lost its income. Our three children still need to eat; we can't just sit around and do nothing."

Qin Huairu lowered her head, her voice choked with sobs: "I don't know what to do. My mother is old and can't do heavy work, and the children are still young..." "I have an idea," Lin Chen interrupted her. "I know Director Wang of the clothing factory in the neighborhood. They're short of menders there. The work isn't heavy; you can do it from home. They pay by the piece, five cents per piece. You used to practice in the fitter's workshop; you're skilled with your hands, so you can definitely do it."

Qin Huai's eyes lit up, then dimmed again: "But I can't move right now..." "Aunt Liu will come to help you. You'll be in charge of sewing, and she'll help you cut the fabric and deliver the finished product." Lin Chen paused, then said seriously, "But I have two conditions. First, you can't scheme against Sha Zhu anymore, and you can't use the child as an excuse to ask for things again; second, keep an eye on Jia Zhangshi and Jia Geng. If I find them stealing again, I'll immediately have Director Wang stop the work, and you have to pay me back for the medicine right away."

Qin Huairu nodded hurriedly, tears welling up in her eyes again: "I promise you, I'll never scheme against Shazhu again, and I'll discipline my mother and child properly. Junior Brother Lin, thank you for giving me this opportunity. I'll definitely work hard from now on." Lin Chen stood up: "No need to thank me. You have to walk your own path. I'll talk to Director Wang this afternoon, and the fabric can be delivered tomorrow."

After leaving the Jia family's house, Lin Chen went directly to the street garment factory. Factory manager Wang was an elderly woman in her fifties; Lin Chen had previously helped her improve a sewing machine, and the two had a good relationship. Upon hearing about Qin Huairu's situation, Factory Manager Wang readily agreed: "No problem, I'll have the warehouse prepare the fabric and thread for you right away. Tell her to do a good job; if she does well, I can introduce her to more work in the future."

The next morning, the garment factory delivered ten pieces of old clothing that needed mending. Aunt Liu arrived as promised to help, teaching Qin Huairu how to unsew and mend. Jia Zhangshi also volunteered to help with cooking and childcare, making the atmosphere at home much more harmonious than before. Whenever Lin Chen passed by the Jia family home, he would always see Qin Huairu leaning against the headboard, diligently mending clothes, with Jia Xiaoxu helping her thread the needle. The previous opportunism was gone, replaced by a more grounded and reliable demeanor.

Having solved Qin Huairu's livelihood problem, Lin Chen devoted all his energy to preparing for the lecture. He used a system that integrated "mechanical principles manual + workshop practical cases" to create a detailed set of lecture notes, and also drew dozens of equipment drawings, explaining the technical details of the improved forging equipment clearly. To prevent Yi Zhonghai from playing any tricks, he deliberately left a few "traps" in the lecture notes—intentionally writing down the wrong parameters for several fitter processes, to see if Yi Zhonghai would point them out.

Unexpectedly, after receiving the lecture notes, Yi Zhonghai not only failed to point out the errors but also secretly copied down the incorrect parameters and embellished several key steps. Lin Chen witnessed this through the workshop's surveillance cameras and sneered inwardly—it seemed Yi Zhonghai was determined to ruin his reputation at the lecture. He immediately used the system to create a concealed audio and video recording device combining a voice recorder and a miniature camera, preparing to expose Yi Zhonghai's scheme at the lecture.

On Friday afternoon, Yan Bugui approached Lin Chen with an excited smile, carrying an account book: "Director Lin, great news! Our workshop's production efficiency has increased by 15% this month, and the scrap rate has dropped below 5%, all thanks to your equipment improvements and new process implementation. Director Zhou said you'll get double your bonus this month!" Lin Chen smiled and said, "This is the result of everyone's hard work. You've also worked hard organizing the ledgers. By the way, how's Qin Huairu's mending going?"

"I went to Aunt Liu's house yesterday to settle accounts, and I happened to run into her delivering finished products to the garment factory." Yan Bugui pushed up his glasses. "Qin Huairu can mend ten pieces of clothing a day, earning fifty cents, which adds up to fifteen yuan a month, more than her salary in the logistics workshop. I heard that the quality of the clothes she mends is particularly good, and even Factory Director Wang praised her as a skilled worker." Lin Chen nodded, a weight lifted from his heart—as long as Qin Huairu could work diligently, the Jia family would no longer have to rely on stealing and robbing to make a living like before.

Over the weekend, Lin Chen spent the entire time refining the lecture content. He even invited Sha Zhu and Liu Haizhong to be his audience to simulate the lecture scenario. Although Sha Zhu didn't understand the technology, he always managed to ask some easy-to-understand questions, helping Lin Chen translate technical jargon into plain language. Liu Haizhong, on the other hand, offered many suggestions from a forging perspective, making the lecture materials more relevant to actual production. After two days of polishing, the lecture content was now very well-developed.

On Monday morning, Lin Chen had just arrived at the workshop when he received a call from the Municipal Bureau of Industry, saying that the lecture would be held at the Municipal Workers' Cultural Palace, and that technical experts from major factories throughout the city and bureau leaders would be in the audience, urging him to take it seriously. After hanging up, Yi Zhonghai approached him: "Director Lin, I've compiled the lecture materials. Take a look and see if they're okay." Lin Chen took the materials, flipped through them, and found that they were full of irrelevant basic knowledge; the key process parameters and operating procedures were vague, clearly indicating deliberate withholding of information.

"Master Yi, this material is too basic and doesn't meet the city's requirements." Lin Chen returned the material to her. "How about this, I'll give you a copy of my lecture notes. You can combine it with your fitter experience and add some practical examples. Give it to me before you leave work this afternoon." Yi Zhonghai was secretly delighted. He had been worried about not having a chance to get Lin Chen's lecture notes, but unexpectedly, Lin Chen offered them to him. He quickly took the lecture notes: "Okay, okay, I will definitely add them carefully."

Before leaving get off work in the afternoon, Yi Zhonghai handed the supplementary materials to Lin Chen. Lin Chen flipped through them and discovered that not only had Yi failed to point out the incorrect parameters in the handouts, but he had also copied those incorrect parameters into his own supplementary content. He had even tampered with several key steps; following his instructions could easily lead to equipment malfunction. Lin Chen calmly put the materials away: "Thank you for your hard work, Master Yi. Let's go to the city for rehearsal tomorrow."

Back in the courtyard, Lin Chen took out his lecture notes and used the system's "Skill Fusion" function to combine his forging and fitter skills into a "Comprehensive Mechanical Skill," instantly identifying all the problems in Yi Zhonghai's supplementary material. He sneered, took out a pen, and made some modifications to the lecture notes, preparing to teach Yi Zhonghai a lesson during tomorrow's rehearsal.

Just as Lin Chen finished revising the lecture notes, he heard an argument coming from outside the courtyard gate. He went out and saw Xu Damao arguing with Jia Zhangshi, holding a broken bowl in his hand: "Jia Zhangshi, when are you going to pay me back the five catties of grain coupons you owe me? You said you'd lend me those to pay Jia Geng's tuition, and it's been half a year now, haven't you paid me back yet?" Jia Zhangshi trembled with anger: "When did I lend you grain coupons? Don't make false accusations!"

"You still dare to deny it?" Xu Damao pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. "This is the IOU you wrote, and it even has your fingerprint on it! If you don't pay it back, I'll sue you in court!" Lin Chen frowned. He knew Xu Damao was deliberately trying to cause trouble and sow discord within the Jia family; perhaps it was all planned with Yi Zhonghai. He stepped forward, snatched the paper, and used the system to examine it. He found that the paper had been written just yesterday, and the fingerprint was freshly pressed.

"Xu Damao, stop pretending." Lin Chen tore the note to shreds. "This IOU is fake. The paper was just bought yesterday, and the fingerprint is fresh. If you dare to cause trouble at the Jia family again, I'll call the police." Xu Damao's face changed, and he said fiercely, "Lin Chen, mind your own business! This is between me and the Jia family!" "I'm going to mind my own business!" Liu Haizhong came out of the house, holding an iron rod. "Xu Damao, if you dare to cause trouble again, I'll break your legs!"

Xu Damao looked at the iron rod in Liu Haizhong's hand, then at the neighbors who had gathered around, and retreated hastily in fright: "Fine, you guys are ruthless! I'll leave, okay?" With that, he turned and slunk away. Jia Zhangshi quickly thanked Lin Chen and Liu Haizhong: "Thank you so much. If it weren't for you, he would have extorted me today." Lin Chen looked at her and said seriously: "Don't associate with Xu Damao anymore. He's not a good person. Just focus on helping Qin Huairu with her sewing work and don't cause any more trouble." Jia Zhangshi nodded repeatedly: "I understand, I'll never associate with him again."

The next morning, Lin Chen and Yi Zhonghai went to the Municipal Workers' Cultural Palace for rehearsal. Officer Li, who was in charge of reception, led them to the conference room, where many technical experts from other factories were already seated. Once the rehearsal began, Lin Chen, following the revised handouts, clearly explained the improved technology of the forging equipment, occasionally demonstrating with blueprints, which earned rounds of applause.

When it was Yi Zhonghai's turn to supplement the fitter's process, he explained his revised instructions, pointing out the incorrect parameters and steps. The technical staff in the audience frowned, and one couldn't help but ask, "Master Yi, those parameters you're using are wrong. Following those parameters will easily cause the mold to crack." Yi Zhonghai's expression changed, but he forced himself to remain calm and said, "No way, I've been a fitter for thirty years, how could I be wrong?"

"Master Yi, you are indeed wrong." Lin Chen stood up and took out his revised handouts. "These are the correct parameters and steps. What you just said was the incorrect content that you corrected yourself. There were indeed a few incorrect parameters in the handouts I gave you yesterday. I deliberately left them there to see if you would carefully review them. I didn't expect that you not only didn't review them, but also copied down the incorrect parameters and even tampered with the key steps, trying to embarrass me in the lecture."

Lin Chen took out a voice recorder, pressed play, and the recording played of yesterday's conversation between Yi Zhonghai and Xu Damao: "Damao, I've got Lin Chen's lecture notes. I changed a few parameters in them. Tomorrow during rehearsal, I'll deliver the incorrect version and embarrass him..." The entire room was stunned as soon as the recording played. Officer Li's face turned ashen, and he said sternly, "Yi Zhonghai, your behavior is outrageous! We're going to report this to the steel mill and have you dealt with seriously!"

Yi Zhonghai, his face ashen, slumped into his chair. Lin Chen looked at him coldly and said, "Master Yi, technology is for benefiting production, not for scheming. With your jealousy and resentment, you're not fit to be an eighth-grade fitter." He then turned to Officer Li and said, "Officer Li, I can handle the rest of the rehearsals myself. I guarantee there won't be any problems."

After the rehearsal, Officer Li patted Lin Chen on the shoulder and said, "Master Lin, you're truly outstanding! Not only are your skills superb, but your character is also impeccable. This lecture is all thanks to you; the bureau will give you a major commendation." Lin Chen smiled and said, "Thank you, Officer Li. It's what I should do." Walking out of the Cultural Palace, Lin Chen breathed a sigh of relief, finally thwarting Yi Zhonghai's scheme. But he knew that Yi Zhonghai would definitely not let it go so easily, and he would have to be more vigilant in the future.

Back at the steel rolling mill, Lin Chen told Director Zhou about the rehearsal. Director Zhou was furious and immediately decided to remove Yi Zhonghai from his position as technical advisor, demote him to a regular fitter, and deduct his entire year's bonus. Upon hearing the news, Yi Zhonghai fainted on the spot and was taken to the hospital by his colleagues.

Back at the courtyard house that evening, the neighbors all gathered around to inquire about what had happened. When they learned that Lin Chen had thwarted Yi Zhonghai's plot and even received praise from the Municipal Bureau of Industry, everyone showered him with compliments. Qin Huairu had Jia Zhangshi bring over a bowl of freshly stewed chicken soup: "Junior Brother Lin, this is specially stewed for you. Thank you for helping our family so much. Don't worry, I will definitely do my mending work well and live up to your expectations."

Lin Chen took the chicken soup, took a sip, and found it very flavorful. Looking at his neighbors, he suddenly felt a warmth in his heart. Since his rebirth, he had been busy with revenge and improving himself; only now did he realize that even a traditional courtyard house could have a warm side. As long as those who had schemed against him stopped causing trouble, and everyone could live peacefully, it would be quite nice.

Back inside, Lin Chen opened the system panel, which displayed: "Side quest 'Frustrate Yi Zhonghai's Lecture Plot' completed, reward 3000 points, current points: 69500. Side quest 'Guide Qin Huairu onto the Right Path' completed, current progress 80%, reward 2000 points, current points: 71500." Lin Chen nodded in satisfaction, one step closer to the system's maximum level.

He took out the lecture invitation from the Municipal Bureau of Industry, his heart filled with anticipation. This lecture was not only an opportunity for him to showcase his skills, but also the beginning of him breaking free from the constraints of the courtyard house and venturing into a wider world. He believed that as long as he had the system at his fingertips and the support of his sincere friends, he would surely be able to carve out his own niche in this era.

However, unbeknownst to Lin Chen, in the hospital room, Yi Zhonghai woke up with eyes filled with resentment and malice. He picked up his phone and dialed a number: "Old buddy, Lin Chen really messed me up, you have to help me get revenge..." A sinister voice came from the other end of the line: "Don't worry, I've had my eye on him for a long time. Next week's lecture, I guarantee I'll ruin his reputation!"