Courtyard House: Starting as a mediocre engineer

Time flies, and more than a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Upon waking up in the early morning, Zhuang Zhongchen washed and cleaned himself. Thinking of his passionate night with Mi Cuicui, he smiled knowingly.

He put on his coat, picked out a black stick more than a foot long from the drawer, and stuffed it into his arms.

After this period of effort, Zhuang Zhongchen successfully tracked level 2 and fought level 3.

Especially since his combat skills have reached a professional level, encompassing not only unarmed combat but also weapon-based combat. If he adds his excellent physical gifts, he could easily take on a hundred men…right?

As for the black baton, it was a specially made stun gun. Zhuang Zhongchen made two in total. The longer one could be carried around, while the shorter one was only a little over half a foot long and could be stuffed into his briefcase.

When considering self-defense weapons, Zhuang Zhongchen ultimately chose the stun gun.

One is inconspicuous; who would be wary of a stick?

One advantage is that it's non-lethal; as long as it doesn't kill or maim someone, it generally won't cause any major problems.

The last one is its sheer power. Everyone knows this; stun guns have always been infamous. Even in older Hong Kong movies, gangsters were most afraid of the stun guns used by mainland police.

The movie screen shows a sinister grin. "Damn it! I'll smear you to death!"

Since he had nothing better to do, Zhuang Zhongchen decided to design and decorate the place himself. And that's how these two dream sticks came to be!

In those days, cadres wielded considerable power. It wasn't unusual for them to carry firearms if necessary.

For example, many cadres were armed when they went to the countryside. Some postmen who went to mountainous areas were also armed. Even the principals of all schools were armed. Wow! That's how hardcore they were.

Therefore, non-lethal police equipment like this is generally not subject to regulation. It doesn't even fall under the category of controlled knives, right?

After closing the door, Zhuang Zhongchen walked out of the courtyard.

"Chenzi, taking a walk?"

"Let's get some exercise. Oh, Uncle San, are you getting ready to go fishing again?"

"That's right. It's finally a beautiful sunny day. There should be more fish, right?"

"I understand. Fish need to go out for a walk too."

"Haha, you're just being cheeky!"

Greeting everyone along the way, Zhuang Zhongchen made his way to the main street.

In the days since, he has developed a good habit of taking walks. He has also performed four good deeds.

On another occasion, at a bus stop, after witnessing someone catch a pickpocket, Zhuang Zhongchen, acting as a helpful bystander, turned the pickpocket over to the police station. Interestingly, this was actually considered "catching a criminal"?

However, today was rather unlucky. I took a long walk around the street but found nothing. There was an old lady across the street though.

And where are the pickpockets and thugs? My dream girl is already itching for a fight!

Forget it, I'll just find a restaurant to have breakfast.

Although I'd transmigrated into the body of a native of Beijing, I still couldn't stand the strange taste of douzhi (fermented mung bean juice). The jiaoquan (fried dough rings) were alright, though. I bought three, plus a youtiao (fried dough stick). With a large bowl of vegetable porridge, I ate to my heart's content…

But as soon as I got back to the courtyard house, I heard a group of people chatting.

"Have you seen the news? It seems we're fighting with the Indians!"

"What? There's such a thing?" Amidst the laughter, someone said, "Are those Indians out of their minds? What's gotten into them?"

Just then, Banggeng's eyes lit up, and he excitedly squeezed into the crowd: "I know! Our school teacher just announced that we're having a parade to celebrate our victory! We get three days off!"

(⊙_⊙)(⊙_⊙)(⊙_⊙)……

"No, a three-day holiday? Those Indians were being disobedient, so I just gave them a little scolding. It's just me disciplining some naughty kids, what's there to celebrate?"

"Hey, if you're going to make up a lie, at least make it believable!"

"I really didn't lie!"

"Sister Qin, just a reminder, you should discipline your child!"

"Mom, I really didn't lie to you!"

"Pah! Who would believe that? Not even your grandma. Do you think we're all fools? Slapping an Indian a few times is no big deal. And you're planning to skip three days of class?"

"mom--!"

Fine! That was the true attitude of ordinary people in Beijing back then; nobody took it seriously. The funniest thing was, there wasn't even a cheer to celebrate the victory?

Unlike decades later, when Indians are almost disgusting the whole world. Luckily, we have a rich guy in our country.

To be fair, traveling back to a turbulent era would indeed allow you to personally experience many famous historical scenes. But sometimes, the feeling it evokes is completely different.

Some policies, behaviors, and practices may seem quite absurd to later generations. But in this era, they all make perfect sense.

Nobody's a fool. What seems absurd now had its own underlying logic at the time.

I won't go into details here. But please note: many things are completely different, so don't generalize.

But then again, isn't this different behavioral logic in this vibrant era one of the reasons for the excitement? Otherwise, wouldn't the time travel have been pointless?

……

By this time, Zhuang Zhongchen had realized that this main quest would be very difficult to complete.

With less than two months left, not a single job had been secured. As for apprehending criminals, they barely managed to get one by sheer luck.

And they're practically invisible during the day. Even if the neighborhood isn't very safe, it's unlikely they'd commit a crime in broad daylight, right? If you wanted to search, maybe there'd be a sliver of a chance at night. But to become Batman? That's just crazy!

The only remaining possibility seems to be good deeds. But even good deeds have limitations, confined to the neighborhood? Are there really not that many? Why doesn't the old lady come to her own neighborhood for a carnival?

Forget it, whatever! Zhuang Zhongchen calmed down and decided to let things take their course.

However, things are unpredictable, and surprises are always possible. Although the special intelligence was temporarily shelved, the unit suddenly won a "big prize"!

Do you remember? Back then, in order to deceive his superiors, Zhuang Zhongchen once made a seemingly reasonable suggestion—a safety escape dog hole for the icehouse?

Unexpectedly, after the report was submitted, it was quickly approved by the higher authorities. Furthermore, it received a recommendation for a national award, and ultimately won the third prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award?

Don't underestimate this kind of national award. If it's the first prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award, it's equivalent to a national model worker, which later became the May Day Labor Medal.

The winners will immediately receive the following benefits: a complimentary apartment; regular recuperation; free domestic public transportation, including trains, ships, and buses. Upon request, they may also receive travel privileges such as sleeper berths or first-class cabins; free medical care, including access to VIP wards; bonus points for their children's middle and high school entrance exams; priority admission to military and state-owned enterprises; and free access to nursing homes and other welfare institutions…

Anyway, the government just took care of all the welfare benefits all at once!