Courtyard House: Primordial Chaos Pearl

With the newly acquired sum of five hundred yuan in his hand, the first thing Lin Dong did was go to the state-run department store—he wanted to buy himself a piece of "hard currency": a Forever brand bicycle. In Beijing in 1965, a bicycle was comparable to a car today, a symbol of status and wealth. In the entire Hongxing Courtyard, only one old man, Yi Zhonghai, owned an old Flying Pigeon brand bicycle.

The department store was bustling with people, especially the bicycle counter, which was packed with them. Lin Dong squeezed in and pointed to the most eye-catching Forever brand bicycle: "Comrade, I'll take this one." The saleswoman, a young woman, looked him up and down. Seeing that he was dressed neatly and didn't seem like he couldn't afford it, she quickly wrote out the receipt: "This bicycle is 180 yuan, and you'll need industrial coupons."

Lin Dong was prepared, taking out money and his saved industrial coupons from his pocket. People around him cast envious glances, and a man in work clothes couldn't help but say, "Young man, you're really capable. You can afford a Forever bicycle at such a young age." Lin Dong smiled, pushed his bicycle out of the department store, attracting the attention of passersby.

When he pushed his brand-new Forever bicycle into the Hongxing Courtyard, the entire courtyard fell silent instantly. Qin Huairu, who was washing vegetables, dropped the basin of water on the ground with a clatter. Jia Zhangshi craned her neck and ran out of the house, her eyes wide like copper bells. Uncle Yan Bugui, the third uncle, even put down his abacus and hurried over to greet him.

"My goodness! A Forever brand!" Jia Zhangshi circled the bicycle twice, reaching out to touch it, but Lin Dong dodged her. She clicked her tongue, "Lin Dong, have you struck it rich? You can afford such an expensive bike, did you steal it...?"

"Aunt Jia, watch your words," Lin Dong interrupted her coldly. "This money is what I earned selling hardware accessories. It's legal income. The department store has invoices. If you don't believe me, I can show them to you." He deliberately emphasized the words "legal income," leaving Jia Zhangshi speechless.

Yan Bugui pushed up his glasses, circled the bicycle for a long time, and calculated with the abacus clicking loudly: "Lin Dong, this bike isn't cheap, it's 180 yuan. Your hardware accessories business is so profitable, why don't you bring Uncle San along? I'll provide the brains, you provide the raw materials, and we'll split the profits 30/70, I get 30% and you get 70%, how about it?"

"Uncle, this business is risky. You're a teacher, it's better to live a peaceful life." Lin Dong refused with a smile. He didn't want to get entangled with Yan Bugui. That old man was shrewd and might expose him at any time.

Uncle Liu Haizhong also walked over with his hands behind his back, and said in a pretentious manner, "Lin Dong, now that you've made your fortune, you should think about the collective. Bicycles are a rare commodity, so if there's an emergency in the courtyard, you'll have to run errands more often." His words seemed like an order, but in reality, he wanted to take advantage of the free service.

"Don't worry, Second Uncle, if there's any emergency in the courtyard, I'll definitely help," Lin Dong replied outwardly, but inwardly he sneered. Liu Haizhong was trying to use his official power to control him now that he had some ability; not a chance.

Yi Zhonghai also came out of the house, looked at the bicycle and nodded: "Lin Dong, it's good to be capable, but you have to keep a low profile and not attract jealousy." His words seemed like a reminder, but they actually carried a bit of sourness—his Flying Pigeon bicycle was bought more than ten years ago and was already so old that the paint was peeling off.

"Thank you for reminding me, sir. I'll remember that." Lin Dong pushed his bicycle back to his small side room amidst the complicated gazes of the crowd. He knew that this bicycle was not only a means of transportation, but also a symbol of his strength. From now on, anyone in the courtyard who wanted to bully him would have to think twice.

As soon as he parked his bicycle, He Yuzhu ran in, circled the bike twice, and said enviously, "Lin Dong, you're really awesome! This Forever bicycle is so impressive!"

"If you like it, Brother Zhu, I'll give you a ride whenever you go out," Lin Dong said with a smile. "By the way, Brother Zhu, I have a business opportunity I'd like to discuss with you."

"Cooperation?" He Yuzhu was taken aback. "Besides cooking, I can't do anything else. What can I cooperate with you on?"

"I make hardware accessories and semiconductor components, and I need someone to help transport them. Sometimes I even have to trade on the black market. You have wide connections and are reliable. I'd like you to run errands for me. The payment is five yuan per trip. How about that?" Lin Dong said, expressing his idea. He knew that He Yuzhu had connections in various vegetable markets and black markets in Beijing, so having him help transport goods would be both safe and convenient.

"Five yuan a time?" He Yuzhu's eyes lit up. He worked as a cook in the cafeteria, earning only thirty-seven yuan and fifty cents a month. Five yuan this time was more than three days' wages for him. "Lin Dong, are you serious? Can I really help?"

"Of course it's true." Lin Dong took out a semiconductor component from the house. "Take this to the radio factory in the south of the city tomorrow and give it to Boss Li. He will give you five dollars as a reward."

He Yuzhu took the semiconductor component and carefully put it into his pocket: "Don't worry, I guarantee I'll complete the mission!" He now completely believed that following Lin Dong would lead to a good life, and he also kept in mind Lin Dong's earlier warning not to help the Jia family.

The next morning, He Yuzhu set off with the semiconductor components. When he returned at noon, he excitedly ran to Lin Dong's room with five yuan in his hand: "Lin Dong, it worked! Boss Li not only gave me the money, but also said I could run all the jobs from now on!"

"That's great!" Lin Dong said with a smile. "Brother Zhu, we're partners now. Work hard, and when you make money, you can buy a bicycle too."

He Yuzhu nodded vigorously, full of enthusiasm.

Lin Dong's next plan is to renovate his small side room. The room is small, dark, and leaky. Now that he has money, he can fix it up and improve his living conditions.

He found a construction team from the neighborhood committee, finalized the construction plan, and started work the next day. The construction team members were coming and going, hauling cement, sand, and bricks, making the whole courtyard lively.

Seeing Lin Dong renovate his house, Jia Zhangshi was consumed by jealousy. Every day, she would mutter and curse in the yard: "That heartless bastard! He's made a little money and now he's showing off. He'll squander it all sooner or later!"

Qin Huairu often stood at the door, watching the construction scene with greed in her eyes. She found He Yuzhu and asked him to ask Lin Dong if Jia Dongxu could also come to the construction site to help and earn some wages.

He Yuzhu didn't soften his stance this time and refused directly: "Sister Qin, I'm just running errands for Lin Dong, I can't make that decision. Besides, isn't Brother Dongxu injured? The work on the construction site is too heavy for him to do."

Qin Huairu was rebuffed and felt very uncomfortable, but there was nothing she could do, so she could only leave dejectedly.

Uncle Yan Bugui also came to Lin Dong, wanting him to subcontract the house renovation to his son, Yan Jiecheng, saying that Yan Jiecheng was a carpenter and would charge cheaper fees. Lin Dong knew that Yan Jiecheng's skills were poor and that he liked to cut corners, so he refused outright. Yan Bugui was rebuffed and very unhappy, but he didn't dare to show it.

Uncle Liu Haizhong, under the guise of being the "street office group leader," came to the construction site every day to "inspect," pointing fingers and trying to get the construction team to leave him some cement and sand. Lin Dong pretended not to understand his meaning and always changed the subject. Unable to gain anything, Liu Haizhong's expression grew increasingly grim.

Halfway through construction, Lin Dong discovered that several bags of cement were missing. His heart sank; he knew someone from the compound had stolen them. He didn't make a fuss, but instead placed several bags of cement mixed with sand on the construction site. Then, he pretended to go out on an errand and hid in the shadows to observe.

Sure enough, not long after, Jia Dongxu sneaked off to the construction site, picked up a bag of cement, and ran home. Lin Dong followed him and blocked his way at the door of Jia Dongxu's house.

"Brother Jia, isn't it a bit much to steal my cement?" Lin Dong said coldly.

Jia Dongxu jumped in fright, dropping the cement to the ground. Hearing the commotion, Jia Zhangshi ran out of the house. Seeing Lin Dong, she immediately started yelling, "What theft? This cement was leftover from the construction site; we picked it up. How is that stealing?"

"The rest?" Lin Dong sneered. "I deliberately mixed this cement with sand; it's completely unusable. If you don't believe me, you can try it."

Madam Jia's expression changed. She knew Lin Dong wouldn't lie; this cement was definitely unusable. But she still wouldn't give up: "Even if it was mixed with sand, we picked it ourselves, it's none of your business!"

"It's none of my business!" Lin Dong stepped forward. "Everything on the construction site belongs to me. Your son took it without permission; that's theft! I'm going to the police station to report him right now!"

Terrified, Jia Dongxu immediately begged for mercy: "Brother Lin Dong, I was wrong, I'll never do it again, I'll give you back the cement."

"I'll give it back to you, but you have to compensate me for my losses," Lin Dong said. "A bag of cement costs three yuan. If you give me three yuan, we'll call it even."

Jia Zhangshi was reluctant to spend the money and wanted to renege on her promise, but Lin Dong's cold gaze intimidated her into silence. Jia Dongxu could only take out three yuan and hand it to Lin Dong. Lin Dong took the money, told Jia Dongxu to carry the cement back to the construction site, and then turned and left.

After this incident, the Jia family became completely honest and never dared to steal anything from the construction site again. The other people in the courtyard also became much more restrained, and no one dared to mess with Lin Dong anymore.

Two weeks later, the house renovation was complete. The small side room was expanded considerably, a window was added, making the room bright and airy. The roof was also re-tiled, so there was no longer any worry about leaks. Lin Dong also had a large wardrobe and a desk built inside, and bought new bedding and sheets, making the whole house look brand new.

On the day of his housewarming, Lin Dong invited He Yuzhu to his home for dinner and prepared a large table of delicious dishes. Looking at the brand-new house, He Yuzhu said enviously, "Lin Dong, you live such a comfortable life. I wish I could live in a house like this."

"If you work hard, you can live here too." Lin Dong poured He Yuzhu a glass of wine. "I plan to expand my business. In the future, I will not only make semiconductor components, but also complete radio sets. I will need more manpower then. If you are willing, you can come and help me manage. I will pay you a monthly salary of fifty yuan."

"Fifty yuan?" He Yuzhu's hands trembled with excitement. "Lin Dong, are you serious? I can really become a manager?"

"Of course it's true," Lin Dong said with a smile. "You're reliable and have many connections, so you're the perfect candidate."

He Yuzhu was so moved he couldn't speak. He picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp: "Lin Dong, don't worry, I'll work hard for you from now on and I'll never let you down!"

The two were drinking when they heard arguing outside the courtyard gate. Lin Dong frowned, got up, and went out to investigate. He saw a man in a black jacket with several thugs blocking the gate, cursing and swearing. It was the same man in the black jacket he had chased away at the mine last time.

"Lin Dong, you come out here!" the man in the black jacket shouted. "You beat me up at the mine last time and stole my ore. Today I'm getting my revenge!"

Lin Dong sneered; he knew the man in the black jacket was there for revenge. He turned and went back into the house, picked up a kitchen knife he had forged himself, and walked to the courtyard gate. He Yuzhu followed him out, picked up a carrying pole, and stood beside Lin Dong.

"You think you can get revenge with just a few of you?" Lin Dong looked at the man in the black jacket and the group of thugs with icy eyes.

"Kid, don't be so cocky! We outnumber you today, let's see how you fight back!" the man in the black jacket said, waving his hand to signal the thugs to attack.

Lin Dong activated the "Chaotic Body Refining Technique," instantly filling his body with power. He charged forward first, punching the foremost thug in the face. The thug screamed and flew backward. He Yuzhu was equally ruthless, swinging his carrying pole with tremendous force, knocking down another thug.

Seeing this, the man in the black jacket pulled out a dagger from his pocket and stabbed at Lin Dong. Lin Dong dodged to the side, grabbed his wrist, and twisted it hard, causing the dagger to fall to the ground. He then punched the man in the chest, causing him to cough up blood and collapse unconscious.

The remaining thugs were terrified and turned to run. Lin Dong shouted, "Stop!" The thugs froze in fear. "Carry them away. If they ever come back, I'll break their legs!"

The thugs quickly carried the black-jacketed man and his injured accomplice away in a sorry state.

Everyone in the courtyard was stunned, never expecting Lin Dong to be so skilled in combat. Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui exchanged glances, all seeing surprise and apprehension in each other's eyes. They knew that from now on, Lin Dong was no longer a pushover to be bullied at will; in this courtyard, Lin Dong had become an untouchable figure.

Lin Dong returned to the house and continued drinking with He Yuzhu. He knew that although he had driven away the man in black jacket this time, there might be more trouble in the future, but he wasn't afraid. With the Chaos Pearl in hand, the Chaos Body Refining Technique protecting him, and He Yuzhu as a reliable partner, he was confident in facing any challenge.

His career has only just begun, and his path of revenge is far from over. He will not let any of those who have bullied him get away with it. And his goal is not only to establish himself in this courtyard house, but also to carve out a place for himself in this special era.