Courtyard House: I fish in the heavens, a professional bird abuser.

The morning sun finally pierced through the clouds, shining on the gleaming handlebars and rims, reflecting a dazzling light.

He Yuanchao straddled the wide leather seat and sat firmly on it, then stepped onto the pedals and pushed off with all his might!

"Splash—!"

The chain made a smooth and powerful turning sound, and the brand-new tires rolled over the slightly bumpy bluestone pavement of the alley, making a steady "rustling" sound.

He Yuanchao rode his brand-new Forever 28 bicycle and joined the flow of people going to work.

Wherever they go, they get a 200% head-turning rate!

"Look! A bicycle! A new one!"

"Forever brand! A 28-inch model! So beautiful!"

"Whose young man is this? He's so capable!"

"Is that He Yuanchao from the alley behind? I heard he's a level four worker at the steel rolling mill?"

"A level four worker? No wonder! But he's so young..."

Envious whispers and gasps of amazement, accompanied by the crisp sound of bicycle bells, became the most pleasant background music on He Yuanchao's way to work.

He felt the cool breeze brushing against his cheeks, and the speed and sense of control brought by the steel steed beneath him. An unprecedented feeling of comfort and exhilaration welled up within him.

This is the kind of grandeur a time traveler should have!

The familiar smell of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, a mixture of machine oil, rust, and steam, wafted towards me.

In the vast factory area, blast furnaces stand tall, chimneys spew white smoke, and the roar of machines forms an eternal background sound.

Workers dressed in various colored overalls surged like ants from various entrances into their respective workshops.

When He Yuanchao rode his brand-new, gleaming Forever brand 28-inch motorcycle, which shone brightly in the morning light, and steadily parked it in the parking shed outside the fitter's workshop, it instantly attracted everyone's attention!

"My God! A bicycle?!"

"A Forever brand! And it's brand new! The protective film was just removed, right?"

"Whose...whose is this?"

"He Yuanchao?! It's He Yuanchao from the fitter's workshop!"

"Hiss... He bought it? Where did he get the ticket? Where did he get the money?"

"The salary for a level four worker is high... but this is just too... too extravagant!"

Exclamations and whispers rose up like a tidal wave.

The workers stopped to watch, their eyes like searchlights, focusing on the brand-new bicycle and He Yuanchao pushing it.

Envy, jealousy, disbelief, curiosity... a mix of emotions.

Qin Huairu was walking towards the workshop with her head down and heavy, tired steps.

The fright of last night, the stench of this morning, and her mother-in-law's miserable state left her exhausted, her face as pale as a sheet.

The sudden commotion at the workshop entrance made her instinctively look up.

Then she saw the gleaming Forever brand bicycle and He Yuanchao pushing it.

His tall and upright figure, and brand-new dark blue work clothes, were made even more dashing and extraordinary by the Forever 28 motorcycle that symbolized wealth and status.

His face was expressionless, but his composure and confidence pierced Qin Huairu's eyes and heart like needles!

Bicycle... a brand new Forever brand...

Qin Huairu felt a sudden dizziness, as if her heart was being gripped tightly by a cold, large hand, causing her so much pain that she could barely breathe!

Even when Jia Dongxu was at the height of his fame, he couldn't afford a bicycle!

Qin Huairu walks more than half an hour to and from get off work every day!

But the man she once discarded like trash now possesses all of this with ease!

Intense sorrow and regret overwhelmed her like a tsunami.

She bit her lower lip hard, tasting the rusty, metallic flavor of blood, barely managing to suppress the sob in her throat and the burning sensation in her eyes.

She hurriedly lowered her head and quickened her pace, wanting only to escape this suffocating scene as quickly as possible.

Yi Zhonghai happened to walk to the workshop entrance.

A small, conspicuous piece of gauze was stuck to the bridge of his nose, and there were still obvious bruises around his left eye, which were the medals he had been "accidentally injured" by Sha Zhu yesterday.

When he saw He Yuanchao pushing that brand-new bicycle, his already gloomy face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot!

A bicycle! And a Forever brand one at that! That little bastard!

After hitting someone, they became even more arrogant!

Yi Zhonghai had worked at the steel rolling mill for nearly thirty years. As a dignified eighth-grade fitter, his salary was much higher than He Yuanchao's, but it still took him more than half a year to save up to buy a bicycle, and he also had to pull strings to get the necessary tickets!

What makes this kid so special? Why did he climb so fast? Why is he so successful?

An indescribable sense of jealousy and anger surged within Yi Zhonghai.

He snorted coldly, glared at He Yuanchao, and walked into the workshop with a dark face.

He felt his old face, along with yesterday's injuries, burning with pain under the reflection of that brand-new bicycle.

He Yuanchao seemed oblivious to the stares he was receiving.

He locked the car, put the keys in his pocket, and strode confidently into the fitter's workshop.

The workshop was filled with the roar of machines and flying metal shavings.

A huge overhead crane slowly moved overhead, carrying heavy workpieces.

The familiar smell of engine oil and the sound of metal cutting filled the air.

He Yuanchao had just reached his workstation and hadn't even had time to change into his work clothes when the workshop's loudspeaker suddenly crackled with electrical noise. Immediately afterward, a loud and cheerful voice echoed throughout the workshop, even drowning out the roar of the machines:

"Attention! Attention! Attention all workers in Workshop 1 of the Fitter Department! We have some very exciting news to announce!"

The noise in the workshop instantly subsided, and the workers stopped what they were doing and looked up curiously.

"He Yuanchao, a young worker in the fitter workshop of our factory, passed the fifth-level fitter assessment yesterday with a near-perfect performance, thanks to his superb skills and steady, solid work style!"

boom!

The workshop erupted in chaos!

"A fifth-grade worker?! He Yuanchao?!"

"My goodness! How old is he? He's only been working at the factory for a few years!"

"You just passed CET-4 at the end of last year, right? It's only been a few months! You're at CET-5 now?!"

"Is this for real? How could it be so fast?!"

Shock! Utter shock! Ten times more shocking than when I saw that bicycle!

Qin Huairu had just picked up a file when she heard the broadcast. Her hand trembled, and the file fell onto the iron workbench with a loud clatter.

She froze, her face turning from white to ashen, her eyes staring blankly ahead, as if her soul had been ripped away.

Level 5 fitter? Monthly salary of 62.8 yuan?

Qin Huairu has been working on the job for over a year and is still only a first-level worker, earning only 27.5 yuan a month!

This enormous gap is like an insurmountable chasm! The poor apprentice she once looked down upon as having "no future" has now reached a height that she can't even see from her!

Intense sorrow and regret, like poison, relentlessly eroded her internal organs.

If only I had chosen him back then... wouldn't I be the one sitting on the back of a brand new bicycle now, basking in the envious glances of everyone? This thought, like a venomous snake, gnawed at her heart, causing her unbearable pain.

Yi Zhonghai stood in front of his designated workbench for an eighth-grade worker, his face so gloomy it could drip water!

Level 5 worker! That little bastard actually passed!

That's fast! This speed has broken the factory record!

He felt that his position and authority were being challenged like never before! A strong sense of crisis gripped him.

The broadcast continued, the factory manager's voice, full of praise and joy, echoing clearly:

"...Comrade He Yuanchao, at only twenty-seven years old, is the youngest level-five fitter in the history of our factory!"

His success fully demonstrates the hard-working and pioneering spirit of our factory's young workers!

He is a role model for all workers! The factory has decided to issue a factory-wide commendation to Comrade He Yuanchao!

He also called on all factory workers, especially young workers, to learn from Comrade He Yuanchao! To dedicate themselves to their posts, hone their skills, and contribute even more to the nation's industrial development!

"Whoosh—!"

After a brief silence, thunderous applause erupted!

Spontaneous and enthusiastic applause rang out in the workshop!

Whether they knew He Yuanchao or not, whether they harbored jealousy or not, at this moment, everyone was impressed by his undeniable technical prowess! A Level 5 worker! The youngest Level 5 worker! This is solid, genuine skill!

"Support Korea! That's awesome!"

"A Level 5 worker! That's amazing!"

"Treat us to a meal! You absolutely have to treat us to a meal, Yuan Chao!"

"Hahaha! Our workshop is really going to shine this time!"

His coworkers swarmed around him, offering their congratulations and patting He Yuanchao on the shoulder with genuine smiles on their faces.

The atmosphere in the workshop was instantly ignited!

"Master He! Congratulations!" A young female worker with two braids and rosy cheeks squeezed to the front and boldly stuffed a lunchbox wrapped in a clean handkerchief into He Yuanchao's hand. Her eyes sparkled with undisguised admiration. "These are steamed buns made by my mother. They're still warm! You...you should try them!" After saying that, she turned and ran away, blushing.

"Hey! Xiaoling, why are you running away!" Several female workers nearby burst into laughter.

"Master He, there's a movie at the Cultural Palace this weekend, 'The Red Detachment of Women,' and I... I got an extra ticket..."

Another female worker with short, ear-length hair blushed, quickly stuffed a movie ticket into He Yuanchao's work clothes pocket, finished speaking quickly with her head down, and also disappeared into the crowd.

"Brother Yuanchao, I heard you bought a bicycle? That's amazing! Are you free this weekend... could you teach me how to ride?" Another pretty female worker mustered up her courage and asked in a clear voice.

For a time, He Yuanchao seemed to be the center of a magnet.

He was surrounded by congratulations, teasing, and the shy or bold advances of the female workers.

He is young, highly skilled, and has a bright future. Now, he is a Level 5 worker with all the necessary bicycle permits and licenses, making him a highly sought-after man in the marriage market these days!

Qin Huairu watched He Yuanchao being surrounded by people like a star, and the young, vibrant, and bold female workers who were showing goodwill. Then she thought about her own situation, with a family to support and a mess of things to do. The stark contrast made her heart ache, and she dug her nails deep into her palms.

"Hey, speaking of which, Qin Huairu, I remember you went on a date with He Yuanchao back then, didn't you?" A middle-aged female factory worker who loved to gossip suddenly seemed to remember something. Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but it clearly reached Qin Huairu's ears.

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Requesting some free gifts, thank you~