Courtyard House: Starting as a mediocre engineer

At the post office, Zhuang Zhongchen stuffed a stack of manuscript papers into a large envelope and handed it to the post office worker…

Working until midnight, Zhuang Zhongchen finally finished translating the entire paper. The paper was not long, only a little over 3300 words.

However, during the translation process, Zhuang Zhongchen discovered that the content was actually "relatively outdated" and there were several areas that could be improved.

This is similar to Dr. Carrier of the United States, who invented the modern air conditioning system in 1902 and successfully designed the four major modules of refrigeration equipment.

More than 100 years have passed, and refrigerators, air conditioners and other equipment still have the same four main modules, and their working principles have not changed at all.

But can a refrigerator or air conditioner from 5202 be compared to one from 1902? Numerous small details have been continuously improved. Their performance is now worlds apart.

The same principle applies. Hydraulic systems from the Industrial Cthulhu era have evolved countless times over.

However, after careful consideration, Zhuang Zhongchen decided to keep it as it was. After all, he needed to maintain the persona of someone who was good at "armchair strategizing."

Accurate translation is one thing, but you've never even been inside a factory, so where did you learn to improve things?

Therefore, it is certainly right to contribute to the country, but boys also need to learn to protect themselves.

Finally, Zhuang Zhongchen added a "Translator's Note" section, offering a small suggestion regarding hydraulic oil filters.

Firstly, in the entire hydraulic system, the filter element is an inconspicuous component. If a minor technological innovation is proposed, it won't attract much attention.

Secondly... okay! Actually, this is the most important point. Mainly, it's to reach 4000 words, all for the sake of the payment!

由于自己是新手翻译，就以千字3元计算。3000多字就9块多？他喵的连10块钱都不到？如果有4000字，那就是12块。起码心情方面也愉快了许多吧？

The journal they submitted their work to was *Mechanical Engineering*. At that time, this journal was the top journal in the field of mechanical engineering in China. Later, it remained a top journal, and even became one of the top journals in the field of mechanical engineering globally.

Since my work is a translation, not a groundbreaking independent paper, the chances of it being published in such a top-tier journal are actually quite slim.

However, Zhuang Zhongchen didn't care. He could simply submit to a lower-ranked journal after the manuscript was rejected. He was sure he'd find a suitable one eventually.

Anyway, this is my first submission, so it's okay to waste some time. I'll just consider it as gaining experience!

……

Returning to the courtyard house, I found that the entire courtyard had already become filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Liu Guangqi, along with several friends, had already set off to fetch the bride. Liu Haizhong and his second aunt were also eagerly awaiting her arrival…

Seeing this joyous scene, Zhuang Zhongchen smiled slightly.

After much deliberation, Zhuang Zhongchen decided to remain neutral regarding the intelligence mission.

To be honest, it's because the consequences were truly unpredictable.

For example: if I intervened and caused Liu Guangqi's "elopement" to fall apart halfway, would Liu Guangqi and his wife be grateful? Would his uncle Liu Haizhong and aunt really be grateful?

Forced relationships are never sweet. It might even backfire. Perhaps trying to "change your fate" will only make things worse, resulting in the loss of your shopping vouchers?

Isn't that just being a busybody?

It's better to let go of the urge to help others and respect their fate!

To put it bluntly, it's just a waste of 5 shopping vouchers. Although there's a loss, it's still bearable.

"Chenzi. Chenzi, come here quickly."

Zhuang Zhongchen suddenly saw Lou Xiao'e waving at him with a smile. Surrounding her were Qin Huairu, Yu Li, He Yushui, and other young women from the courtyard.

"Louzi, what's up?" Zhuang Zhongchen walked over curiously.

Unexpectedly, the group of girls kept chattering and laughing: "Chenzi, we're asking you a question. Does Shazhu really have Qin Jie's shadow in his heart? Hehehe..."

"Don't talk nonsense, you're twisting my words. It was—the collection of all the virtues of the women in the courtyard. Maybe it includes those older women. Perhaps even a bit of Aunt Jia?"

"Huh? Sha Zhu likes Aunt Jia?" The girls burst into laughter. "He certainly has some unusual tastes!"

"Hey! Dear sisters, please spare me! Actually, Aunt Jia has many good points. Her good points are... are..."

When Zhuang Zhongchen suddenly spoke in a difficult tone, the girls burst into laughter. Qin Huairu glared at him: "Chenzi, you dare to talk badly about my mother-in-law behind her back? You're asking for it! Humph."

"Oh, right! Aunt Jia has a plump and healthy appearance. Isn't that an advantage? She's fair-skinned and chubby, like a steamed bun that's risen properly."

"Hahaha..." The girls finally couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.

"..."

After chatting about all sorts of things for a while, the bride finally arrived. As firecrackers went off, the courtyard became a lively scene…

As the guests arrived to offer their congratulations, Zhuang Zhongchen presented them with celebratory gifts: two yuan and five liang of grain coupons. Since they were all neighbors from the same courtyard house, he gave them a little more than usual. The grain coupons were for the celebratory banquet at noon. The grain ration was indeed insufficient, and the guests would have to pay for it themselves.

After registering with Uncle Yan Fugui, Uncle Liu Haizhong happily offered her a cigarette as a congratulatory gift. Aunt Liu Haizhong was even more delighted to accept the money and ran to the inner room to put it away.

In this day and age, wedding gifts are mostly tangible items. Things like enamel basins, enamel spittoons, thermos flasks, bed sheets... usually, several people pool their money to give one gift.

These items would be hung in the main room, displayed publicly in front of all the guests. The more items a family hung, the more prestigious they were.

On the contrary, not many people gave cash, so Auntie Er had to make many trips back and forth.

However, Zhuang Zhongchen glanced around and saw through the crack in the door of the inner room that his second aunt was putting money into a box.

Frowning slightly, Zhuang Zhongchen pulled Liu Haizhong aside and pointed towards the inner room: "Second Uncle, there are many people around today. Don't tell anyone, and be sure to hide the money well."

Liu Haizhong turned his head and immediately understood. He patted Zhuang Zhongchen on the shoulder, "Thanks," and then hurriedly ran into the inner room...

It was just a small favor, to prevent the elderly couple from losing their property as much as possible. As for whether it could prevent burglaries from entering their home? Well, I've done my best.

To be honest, Mr. and Mrs. Liu spent a lot of money on this wedding. They not only prepared a side room as their bridal chamber, but also gave their new bride a bicycle. In addition, they set up four large tables in the courtyard.

For a wedding banquet like this, there's definitely not enough room for everyone. Each household in the courtyard can only send one representative to the table, and the rest of the households will be given a pot of mixed vegetables.

Once all the mixed vegetables were served, Zhuang Zhongchen and the others sat down at the table and began to eat and drink heartily...