Courtyard House: Starting as a mediocre engineer

On New Year's Day, the calendar had turned to 63. Today is also Zhuang Zhongchen's duty day.

Early in the morning, Zhuang Zhongchen arrived at his office and carefully placed the lunchboxes he had brought with him.

There were lunchboxes specially delivered by Wen Yumei, and also some secretly prepared by Qin Huairu and Mi Cuicui. Although the government canteen was closed, there was no need to worry about meals at all.

I never imagined that this was how you make a living based on your looks?

He boiled water and brewed a whole mug of fine tea. Then Zhuang Zhongchen began to ponder his main quest.

With only about 20 days left until the mission deadline, the "apprehending of criminals" was already complete, and the "good deed" had just been finished as well. All that remained was "job opportunities"? Yet, he still felt completely lost.

It seems almost impossible to complete this task. Hopefully, the system will be lenient with the results during the settlement!

Zhuang Zhongchen picked up a newspaper and casually flipped through it. He needed to be on duty 24 hours a day, so he brought a few newspapers and magazines to pass the time.

When Zhuang Zhongchen saw the photo of the dashing, handsome American president in the international news, his expression turned strange. If his memory served him right, he had been assassinated this year, hadn't he? And the subsequent investigation had turned into a Rashomon-like affair, like a soap opera. Even before Zhuang Zhongchen's transmigration, there was still considerable controversy surrounding him.

At this moment, Zhuang Zhongchen sighed inwardly, realizing that this was an era of rapid change, full of countless opportunities.

For example, someone like me, after three more years of experience, could actually be promoted to a Level 7 engineer? A Level 7 engineer at 23? That's equivalent to a 23-year-old senior university lecturer? If this happens later, I'll probably have just graduated with my bachelor's degree, right?

Of course, the chances of becoming a Level 6 engineer are slim. Not only is seniority required, but also project review.

And after a few years, due to changes in the political situation, all certification exams will be frozen. Whatever technical level you held before, that level will remain unchanged. This includes vocational skills level exams. Even technical schools and vocational schools will be closed.

It wasn't until the early 80s that these things were fully restored. In other words, they were frozen for more than a decade?

Thinking of this, Zhuang Zhongchen was suddenly startled. Was he kidding? If no one had taken the certification exam, what was the point of having a vocational skills department? Wouldn't he be left with nothing to do? What if the entire department was abolished? What would become of him, the department head?

Oh well, things will work themselves out. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out! Anyway, I'm not going to be demoted as a section-level cadre. As long as my income is good, brothers, you can do whatever you want with me!

Before they knew it, it was noon. Zhuang Zhongchen heated two lunchboxes on the radiator and quickly finished his lunch.

To be honest, the courtyard has become very lively lately. Today one family hosts a dinner party, tomorrow another family hosts a banquet. It's like a retaliatory rebound, with the old and young men often gathering together for a big feast.

This puzzled Zhuang Zhongchen somewhat. "Didn't we agree to be beasts? How come we're actually being so friendly? Brother, I've suddenly lost a lot of fun, you know?"

But then I thought about it again. In the original story, the key conflict actually revolved around He Yuzhu. However, after all my swift and decisive actions, he's now married with children and has absolutely nothing to do with the "white lotus" character.

Now that the biggest destabilizing factor has been eliminated, what contradictions are left?

After all that fuss, it turns out I was the culprit myself?

But what will happen to Yi Zhonghai's retirement? What will become of Lou Xiao'e in the future? And will the relationship between Xu Damao and He Yuzhu continue its love-hate dynamic?

It seems the plot has taken a huge turn, which makes people very excited.

However, just as Zhuang Zhongchen was lost in thought, the phone rang suddenly: "Hello, this is the safety department of the water pipe factory. An accident has just occurred at our factory."

"What accident?"

"Falling from a great height. Hmm... one person died!"

"Understood. We'll get there as soon as possible."

It seems this New Year's Day is rather unlucky. An accidental death occurred on the very first day of the new year.

More than an hour later, Zhuang Zhongchen arrived at the water pipe factory with two of his men. The factory manager and the head of the safety department personally greeted them.

As they shook hands, Zhuang Zhongchen asked meaningfully, "How was it?"

The head of the safety department understood immediately and quickly replied, "The deceased's family members are employees of our factory. We have already calmed the family down and they can sign the papers at any time. Leader Zhuang, we apologize. We failed in our safety work; thank you for your help."

Zhuang Zhongchen nodded in satisfaction; state-owned factories like this still knew the rules.

"Do you know the cause of the accident?" Zhuang Zhongchen began to formally begin the work process.

"Oh! There were four of them, performing maintenance work on the factory's lighting. One of them lost his footing and fell from a great height. He was already dead when he hit the ground. He was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital."

"Why aren't you wearing a seatbelt?"

"No need! The light is on the roof, and there's a safety fence around it. Who would have thought the fence would have a hole in it, and he would fall through the gap? Ugh! What bad luck."

"Okay, take me to see it in person."

Zhuang Zhongchen didn't bother to pay any more attention. No matter how the factory tried to explain, they would still be punished in the end. After all, someone had died in the accident.

However, upon climbing onto the roof and arriving at the scene, Zhuang Zhongchen was taken aback. After several seconds of silence, he immediately began to observe carefully…

A dozen minutes later, Zhuang Zhongchen returned to the ground from the rooftop. The factory director and the head of the safety department looked puzzled: "Leader Zhuang, is something the matter?"

"Hehe, I'm just going to the restroom. They're taking pictures up there; it'll probably take a while."

"Okay, the restroom is on the first floor of the office building."

"Thanks. Oh, call those three over later and have them identify the scene."

"No problem, I guarantee I'll cooperate."

However, about ten minutes later, an SUV and two sidecar motorcycles drove into the factory gate. Zhuang Zhongchen took a closer look and was surprised to find that the policeman leading the group was someone he recognized.

"Old Qi."

"Hey, Chenzi, you're on duty today too? Did you report the incident just now?"

"I suspect it was murder. Did you see those three people? One of them pushed the deceased off the roof."

"Oh?" Old Qi immediately made a gesture, signaling the police to take control of the three men.

Unexpectedly, upon discovering the police, a burly man suddenly sprang to his feet and fled, leaving those around him stunned.

"Grab him!"

Several policemen pounced on him. Unexpectedly, the burly man was incredibly strong; he managed to break free from the police's grasp. In his panic, he rushed towards Zhuang Zhongchen's location.

Without hesitation, Lao Qi grabbed the burly man's waist. He was also forcefully thrown away by the man. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, he was in front of Zhuang Zhongchen…