Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

Early the next morning, Zhou Feng rummaged through his kang cabinet, took something out of his shirt pocket, and strolled off toward the Third Steel Rolling Mill.

If this were any other world in this era, Zhou Feng would definitely have some reservations. After all, if no one reports it, it's not a big deal to give gifts and use connections. But if it's pointed out, it's a serious matter that he'll be in big trouble!

But in the courtyard house, there is a deputy factory director named Li, who is known for his greed and lust. He happens to be in charge of logistics and personnel. Isn't that a perfect match?

As long as he could establish a connection, Zhou Feng was confident he could get into the steel rolling mill through him.

They had only gone halfway when they ran into Xu Damao, who was also going to work at the steel rolling mill.

"Hey! Zhou Feng? Out for a walk so early?"

Xu Damao, still pushing his bicycle, raised his hand to greet Zhou Feng. After all, the two had exchanged views on Zhou Feng's "hobbies" many times.

"What are you going to do for a walk? I'll come with you to your steel mill!"

"To our factory?"

"Yes, I'll apply for the job as a projectionist!"

Xu Damao's face darkened instantly, but a few seconds later, he laughed again, and his expression relaxed.

"Pshaw, you're kidding me! Someone as capable as you would come to a steel rolling mill to compete with me for a job? That's ridiculous! I don't believe it!"

He knew perfectly well that the supplies Zhou Feng had exchanged in the past few days were enough to cover several months' worth of his salary.

How could someone who can procure so many supplies possibly come to the factory and compete with him for the projectionist position?

Besides, is being a projectionist really that easy?

This job requires a level of skill and expertise that is not something the average person can handle!

So he wasn't worried about it at all.

"Hey? Da Mao, I heard you often eat with the factory leaders, right? In that little canteen that Sha Zhu and the others run?"

At this point, Zhou Feng suddenly changed the subject and talked about the small canteen, which immediately piqued Xu Damao's interest.

This is one of the few things he can boast about to others.

"Absolutely! The factory leaders always invite their buddies over for a couple of drinks when they eat! Everyone else just stands aside!"

"So... do you know Deputy Factory Director Li? Could you show me which route he usually takes to work? I need to talk to him about something personal."

As soon as Zhou Feng finished speaking, Xu Damao, who had been patting his chest and full of vigor just moments before, suddenly lost his composure, and his eyes began to dart around.

"What could you possibly want with Deputy Factory Director Li?"

Xu Damao looked Zhou Feng up and down with suspicion, his mind filled with doubt.

This kid doesn't seem like a bad element; he shouldn't be an enemy agent!

He's quite vigilant; he wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility if something happened because he led the way.

"Actually, I just want to find a job in our factory."

Zhou Feng leaned closer and lowered his voice: "You see, my connections aren't bad. Being a purchasing agent isn't too much to ask, is it? Then you factory workers can at least have some good food during holidays, right?"

Seeing that Xu Damao's expression didn't change much, Zhou Feng added fuel to the fire: "If you help me out today, and make a connection, you can take this piece of pork belly, about an inch wide with fat, back with you to improve your meals!"

Xu Damao didn't care at all about the factory or anything like that.

But Zhou Feng's description of pork belly with fat instantly made his eyes light up, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

"Hey! Look at what you're saying. We're neighbors in the same courtyard, bringing this up is just being nosy!"

"Come with me, I know this place like the back of my hand, I guarantee I'll run into Deputy Factory Director Li!"

Xu Damao, beaming with delight, pushed the cart with Zhou Feng in tow, winding his way to an intersection.

The two had only waited for three minutes when he excitedly nudged Zhou Feng with his elbow and pointed to a middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit with a cadre-style haircut: "Isn't that Deputy Factory Director Li? Come with me!"

As he spoke, Xu Damao enthusiastically pulled Zhou Feng along and walked towards them.

"Vice Factory Director Li! Good morning! Have you eaten yet?"

Li Huaide raised his eyelids, saw it was Xu Damao, and said with obvious impatience, "Xu Damao, don't you live in Nanluoguxiang? Why are you blocking my way here?"

"Look at what you're saying, how could I dare to block you!"

Xu Damao bent down even lower and quickly pushed Zhou Feng forward.

"Deputy Factory Director Li, let me introduce you. This is Comrade Zhou Feng from our institute. He wants to discuss something with you!"

He then lowered his voice and added in Deputy Factory Director Li's ear, "He has connections and is capable!"

Li Huaide's lips twitched uncontrollably, and the disdain on his face was palpable.

How could he not know what kind of person Xu Damao was?

To these leaders, she was just someone who accompanied them for drinks in the cafeteria.

Saying a few more words to him is already giving him face enough!

Relationship?

How could Xu Damao possibly know what level of relationship is considered appropriate in the eyes of people of their caliber!

Not to mention ability; among these tens of millions of people, there are many capable individuals.

But there's a limit to how many opportunities there are, and not everyone with ability can get ahead!

"Director Li, hello, I'm Zhou Feng!"

With Xu Damao's introduction, Zhou Feng seized the opportunity, quickly stepped forward, and spoke with a smile on his face.

"Deputy factory director, deputy factory director!"

Li Huaide quickly corrected Zhou Feng's "slip of the tongue," but his expression softened considerably.

"Hey, the deputy factory manager is still the factory manager, it was bound to happen sooner or later! That's why I came to see you today..."

"Wait! Your name is Zhou Feng, right? Like Xu Damao, you live in Nanluoguxiang..."

Li Huaide suddenly interrupted Zhou Feng and scrutinized him carefully.

"Courtyard No. 95!"

Xu Damao added a comment from the side, which earned him two pairs of eye rolls.

Zhou Feng was secretly annoyed that Xu Damao was so clueless. He had already offered him pork belly, and after introducing the two of them, Xu Damao still wouldn't leave. Did he expect Zhou Feng to give something to Deputy Factory Director Li in front of him?

Li Huaide rolled his eyes at Xu Damao in annoyance.

Last night, a high-ranking leader (whose name cannot be explicitly stated) called him and mentioned the matter of Comrade Zhou Feng at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang!

They said that if the other party wanted to work as a purchasing agent in the steel rolling mill, they hoped he would make things convenient for them and fully cooperate with the relevant departments' subsequent actions.

As for that leader…

It can only be said that people who have no connection with him do not want to have any contact with him, but everyone wants to be associated with him!

"Alright, Comrade Zhou Feng."

Li Huaide instantly adopted a businesslike yet somewhat polite expression.

"Since Xu Damao brought you here, come with me to the factory to talk. I'll take you to the security department to get a temporary pass first."

After saying that, he gave Xu Damao a meaningful glare.

This guy is still standing there, doesn't he find it annoying?

But Xu Damao was overjoyed by that glance, and even gave Deputy Factory Director Li a smug smile.

He had already imagined the whole scenario in his mind: Deputy Factory Director Li didn't want to talk to Zhou Feng, but he reluctantly agreed out of respect for him, so he gave him a wink before leaving.

He's even starting to regret it now!

If I had known I had such a lot of influence with Deputy Factory Director Li, I should have used it to get things done for myself!

What's the deal with helping Zhou Feng?

It's just a strip of meat about the width of a finger!

He made a huge mistake handling this matter today!