Courtyard House: Starting as a mediocre engineer

And so, a small workshop assembling monkey-themed three-wheeled vehicles appeared on the street.

There seems to be a lot of adjectives used here. The motorized tricycle was indeed the prototype of the later three-wheeled vehicle. However, modifying an ordinary tricycle would definitely result in a counterfeit or substandard product, far inferior to a specially designed model.

As for small workshops? Need I say more? Their monthly assembly volume was a mere 10 vehicles? They weren't even as good as the shops that sold three-wheeled motorcycles later on, let alone what kind of factory they were.

But regardless, at least the production problem of three-wheeled vehicles has been solved. And there's even a system reward—a whopping 50 skill points!

Before he knew it, it was National Day. After finishing breakfast, Zhuang Zhongchen tidied himself up and headed outside.

Passing by the Central Courtyard, Zhuang Zhongchen saw Banggeng squatting on the ground playing. Unable to resist a mischievous prank, he asked, "Banggeng! Why aren't you at school yet?"

Banggeng jumped up in surprise: "No, it's a holiday today! No school! Really!"

"Got it, so what if you skipped school? A real man should be able to take a beating. I'll let your mom beat you up later!"

No, no—!

Hearing that her beloved grandson had been bullied, Jia Zhangshi rushed out of the house and, amidst Zhuang Zhongchen's loud laughter, gently patted him several times: "Chenzi, you shameless rascal. All you do is tease our grandson..."

Just then, Xu Damao and Lou Xiao'e also happened to come out. They couldn't help but joke, "Bang Geng, did you pretend to be sick and skip class again?"

"No, it's National Day holiday today!"

"Da Mao, are you bullying my pheasant too?"

"Hahaha! Aunt Jia, it's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding—!"

"..."

Not long after leaving home, Zhuang Zhongchen arrived at a nearby intersection. He saw Wen Yumei, whose eyes lit up, and she waved happily.

"Brother Chen, you brought something with you? My dad told you not to spend any money, he just wanted to invite you to a simple meal."

"Uh...come with me to the store up ahead."

Why?

"Buy a few more cans of fruit. That will make things look more presentable."

"oh oh!"

Today is the Wen family's formal invitation. It's Zhuang Zhongchen's first visit as their prospective son-in-law, so a generous gift is definitely in order.

However, the generous gifts given during this period were actually quite ordinary. Two bottles of wine, a carton of cigarettes, some local specialties, and a few cans of fruit. Even Zhuang Zhongchen felt it was a bit stingy, so he simply used four shopping vouchers to buy a large can of malted milk powder.

In those days, there were three magical commodities—vermicelli, dried noodles, and canned fruit. Under no circumstances did these three items require ration coupons, and the market would try its best to guarantee supply. Of course, apart from vermicelli, dried noodles and canned fruit were also quite expensive, beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Therefore, when giving gifts, noodles and canned fruit are considered generous gifts and are considered to be very impressive.

That's why back then, when a pregnant woman gave birth in the hospital, carrying a bowl of chicken soup noodles with a poached egg, and a jar of fruit on the shelf, she could basically walk around the hospital with her head held high—that was the most glamorous new mom!

But later on? Forget vermicelli and noodles, canned fruit was still pretty delicious. Especially the ever-popular canned yellow peaches.

Carrying several large bags, Zhuang Zhongchen arrived at the tenement building where the Wen family lived.

In those days, apartment buildings were considered high-end, while courtyard houses were considered low-end. The comfort of living was also very different; people living in courtyard houses had to heat their own stoves and heated beds, and even going to the toilet required going to a public toilet outside.

Wen Yumei's father, Wen Yongchang, was an electrician and a key worker in the factory, which is why he was able to be allocated such a "good" three-bedroom apartment.

Looking back now, these old-style tenement buildings...? Although they had central heating and running water, they didn't have individual kitchens and bathrooms; those were all shared in the hallways. They were usually rented to people who had moved to Beijing from other parts of the country; who in Beijing would live in such an old, dilapidated place?

Amidst the curious gazes of her neighbors, Wen Yumei happily welcomed Zhuang Zhongchen into her home.

"Dad, Mom, this is Chenzi."

"Hello, Uncle, hello, Aunt, my name is Zhuang Zhongchen."

"Mmm, have a seat!"

"Oh, so you're Chenzi? You're a handsome young man. I've often heard Xiaomei talk about you. Don't be so polite, why are you spending so much? Put it down quickly. Anmin, quickly make some tea for your brother Chenzi!"

You know what, Wen's mother, Su Yueying, was much more enthusiastic. Wen's father, Wen Yongchang, had a cold face, as if they owed his family a debt.

"Chenzi, what made you take a liking to our Xiaomei?"

"Uh... Meizi is kind-hearted. The first time I saw her, I... I..."

Wen Anmin, who was standing nearby, brought over some tea and couldn't help but say, "Love at first sight!"

"Yes, yes! That's exactly the feeling. I love her inner beauty. Later, I heard Meizi say that this is because of the good upbringing she received from her uncle and aunt."

Zhuang Zhongchen chuckled inwardly. He couldn't very well tell her parents that he had been lustful at first sight, could he?

Sure enough, Wen's parents smiled and asked, "Chenzi, I heard from Xiaomei that you work at the Labor Bureau? What kind of work do you do?"

Zhuang Zhongchen knew perfectly well that things had now entered the formal process. Some things could no longer remain ambiguous. This was a very serious discussion about marriage.

"Yes! I work in the Vocational and Technical Education Section of the Labor Bureau. I am currently serving as the acting section chief."

"Huh?" The Wen family members were all stunned. "Acting section chief? You're still the section chief?"

"I guess so!"

"So... are you a cadre?"

"Currently a level 20 cadre. His acting term ends at the end of the year, and he should be promoted to level 19 cadre."

"oh oh!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the Wen family looked at Wen Yumei. What's going on? Didn't you say that this kid was just a errand boy at the labor bureau?

Feeling both angry and anxious at being suspected like this, Wen Yumei shook Zhuang Zhongchen's arm and pleaded, "Why didn't you tell me? When did you become a cadre?"

"Haven't I always been a cadre? I thought you knew that." Zhuang Zhongchen suppressed a laugh and pretended to be clueless.

"Can't you tell me if I don't ask? You're so mean, I'm ignoring you now. Humph."

"Cough cough." Wen Yongchang couldn't stand it anymore, feeling that his brat had become a leaky little cotton-padded jacket.

"Chenzi, you shouldn't be that old, right? How did you get promoted to a cadre position? That doesn't make sense, does it?"

"Uncle, I became a cadre after I returned from my advanced studies. You can ask around if you don't believe me."

"No need for that. Further studies? Where will you go for further studies?"

"University? I graduated from a university cadre training program."

"No, you're a college student? Why didn't Xiaomei tell us?"

"Dad, this isn't my fault! Brother Chen, confess and you'll be treated leniently. Is there anything else you haven't told me? Hmph!"

"No...right? Does being an engineer count?"

"Huh? You're an engineer? Are you trying to drive me crazy? Ugh!"

"Hehehe."