Courtyard House: A Major Power's Heavy Industry, Hand-Crafted Nuclear Fusion

Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, Workshop 1 Rest Area.

The afternoon sun slanted in through the dusty high windows, and fine iron filings and dust floated in the air.

At this time of day, the workers would usually gather together to chat and joke, or gossip about each other's lives. But today, the atmosphere in the rest area was completely different.

"Master Su, how did you practice that blind filing technique you just used? Could you tell us about it?"

"Yes, Engineer Su, I've been trying to figure out the principle behind that air spring for ages, but I still can't understand it. Could you explain it to me again?"

"Master Su, have a smoke! This is a brand new Daqianmen cigarette I just bought!"

Su was sitting in the center of the long bench, surrounded by people.

Those coworkers who used to ignore him and even occasionally join Yi Zhonghai in making sarcastic remarks are now all wearing fawning smiles.

The title changed from "Little Su" or "Hey, that guy" to a more respectful title—"Master Su" or "Engineer Su".

This is the power of an eighth-grade worker.

In this era where technology reigns supreme, possessing top-tier technology means having a voice and status.

Su Zheng remained calm, showing no arrogance despite the crowd's adulation. He took the Daqianmen cigarette, tucked it behind his ear, but did not light it.

"There's no secret to blind filing; it's all about practice. Once you've filed ten thousand surfaces, your hand becomes a ruler."

Su Zheng gave a casual reply, but his eyes darted through the crowd to a spot not far away.

In the corner, Yi Zhonghai was holding his enamel teacup, seemingly drinking tea, but his eyes were actually staring at them with a gloomy look.

Although there were a few people sitting around him, such as Jia Dongxu, it was noticeably quieter.

He used to be the core of the workshop's technology team, the center of attention. But today, Su Zheng's "air spring" completely overshadowed him.

What upset him even more was the bicycle ticket in Su Zheng's hand!

That was something he'd been wanting to get for a year but hadn't been able to!

"Master, look at how arrogant Su Zheng is..." Jia Dongxu said indignantly, "He just got lucky and guessed right, what's so great about that?"

Yi Zhonghai put down his teacup and glared at Jia Dongxu: "Shut up! Luck? Can you polish a mirror with luck? Is it so hard to admit that someone else is excellent?"

Although he was scolding his apprentice, Yi Zhonghai was also feeling resentful inside.

He took a deep breath, stood up, straightened his clothes, put on a fake smile, and walked towards Su Zheng.

The crowd automatically parted to make way.

"Su Zheng," Yi Zhonghai walked up to Su Zheng, adopting the posture of an elder speaking earnestly, "You did a good job today and brought honor to our compound. However, young people must not be arrogant or complacent when they achieve something. Although you have been awarded the eighth-grade worker title, you are still young and lack experience. In the future, if you encounter anything you don't understand at work, you should ask us older comrades for advice."

These words were spoken flawlessly.

While acknowledging Su Zheng's achievements, it subtly put him down – no matter how good your skills are, your experience is still limited, so you still have to listen to me.

Su Zheng raised his head, looking at Yi Zhonghai with a half-smile:

"The old man is right. But speaking of experience, I do have a question I'd like to ask you. That air spring you just talked about, it seems you haven't quite figured it out yet? How about I draw you a diagram so you can take it home and study it carefully?"

"Cough cough cough..."

Yi Zhonghai almost choked to death on his own saliva.

Which pot is not open to mention which pot!

This is exposing someone's shortcomings in public!

The workers around him wanted to laugh but dared not, their faces turning red from holding it in.

Yi Zhonghai's face stiffened, and he quickly changed the subject: "Well... let's talk about the technical stuff later. I heard the factory rewarded you with a lot of vouchers? Especially that bicycle voucher? Su Zheng, that's a big deal. Nobody in our compound has a bicycle yet. You live alone, and you only walk a short distance to and from get off work, isn't buying a bike a bit... wasteful?"

They've finally shown their true colors.

Su Zheng sneered inwardly.

"Whether I waste it or not is my business." Su Zheng's tone was calm, but it revealed a cold indifference that kept people at a distance. "Uncle, this ticket was awarded to me by the factory and is my personal property. How I use it is none of your concern."

"Hey, why can't you listen to reason?" Yi Zhonghai wanted to say more, "What I meant was, Dongxu's family is struggling financially. If he had a car, it would be easier for him to do odd jobs in more distant places to supplement their income..."

"What does Jia Dongxu's troubles have to do with me?"

Su Zheng interrupted him directly, stood up, dusted off his backside, and said, "Uncle, the work bell has rung. Let's worry more about production and stop eyeing other people's pockets. That's a problem with our thinking."

After saying that, Su Zheng turned and walked to his workstation, leaving Yi Zhonghai standing there with his face as black as the bottom of a pot.

……

In the evening, on my way home from get off work.

The wind was stronger than in the morning, and it stung my face.

Su Zheng walked in front, with Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui, and a few others following behind, keeping a distance of about ten meters.

"Old Yi, this kid's completely unresponsive now," Liu Haizhong said, hands behind his back, looking annoyed. "I tried to talk to him at the factory gate just now, but he completely ignored me!"

"Hmph, a petty person becomes arrogant when they get ahead." Yan Bugui pushed up his glasses, his eyes full of calculation. "But that bicycle ticket... it's really tempting. If we could get our hands on it, we could resell it and make at least a hundred yuan!"

"Don't even think about it." Yi Zhonghai said with a gloomy face. "This kid is very wary now. We need to change our strategy."

As they were talking, Su Zheng had already reached the entrance of the courtyard house.

Yan Bugui's eyes darted around, and he quickly took two steps to catch up.

"Hey, Su Zheng! Little Su!"

Yan Bugui, his face beaming, stepped in front of Su Zheng. "Congratulations! I heard you became an eighth-grade worker? Our compound has produced a real talent! How about we go to Uncle San's house for a couple of drinks tonight? Have your Aunt San fry some peanuts, and we two can have a good chat?"

Yan Bugui was planning to use "sugar-coated bullets" to get close to her first, and then slowly plot to get that vote.

Su Zheng stopped and looked at Yan Bugui's old face, which was beaming like a chrysanthemum.

"Uncle, there's no need for alcohol."

Su Zheng pointed to his head, "I just got promoted, and my mind is full of technical problems. I need to go back and review them. Besides, you're serving peanuts by the piece, and I'm afraid I won't have enough to eat."

Yan Bugui's smile froze: "You child, how can you talk like that? Third Uncle meant well..."

I appreciate it.

Su Zheng walked past him and strode into the courtyard. "I'm busy, see you later."

As soon as I entered the Intermediate People's Court, I saw Qin Huairu washing clothes by the sink.

In the dead of winter, her hands were red from the cold. When she saw Su Zheng return, she immediately stood up, shook the water off her hands, and looked at him with a resentful gaze.

"Brother Su Zheng, you're back?"

Her voice was soft and sweet, yet with a hint of something else.

Su Zheng ignored her completely, looking straight ahead, and walked directly into his house.

Qin Huairu bit her lip, her eyes reddening again. She felt that her charm had completely failed her in front of Su Zheng.

Just then, Liu Haizhong's eldest son, Liu Guangtian, came running out from the backyard, banging a gong loudly.

"Notification! Notification!"

"After lunch, there will be a hospital-wide meeting!"

"Everyone must attend! An old man said that today we're going to discuss the 'construction of an advanced courtyard ethos' and 'neighborhood mutual assistance' issues in our compound!"

"No one is allowed to be absent!"

Su Zheng paused slightly, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

An exemplary academic atmosphere? Neighborhood mutual assistance?

This is revealing their true colors; they're about to hold a "forced donation rally."

These beasts, they really can't wait for that bicycle ticket.

"Okay."

Su Zheng pushed open the door, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Since you want to play, then tonight I'll play with you properly."