Courtyard House: My System - Artificial Human

The rest was handled by Xie Changkong and the other factory managers, so he didn't need to worry about it.

He left the steel rolling mill, putting on his imaging glasses as he walked, heading towards the square. Beside him was Lou Zhenhua, who was also carefree and without any worries.

Lou Zhenhua has been increasingly reclusive lately, rarely participating in activities at the steel mill, and has been entrusting all management responsibilities to Xie Changkong, following Lin Weidong's instructions.

What he looked forward to most each day was whether he would receive a letter from home on Hong Kong Island.

The remaining task is to study the business environment overseas.

Today's trip together was not at Lin Weidong's deliberate request, but Lou Zhenhua's own decision.

In fact, anyone with ideals and ambitions would not miss the opportunity to see him.

Lin Weidong's ambitions were not great; his purpose was simply to pay homage, just like countless ordinary people.

In the crowded streets, the powerful eyesight, enhanced by the imaging glasses, allowed for crystal-clear vision.

On this day, Lin Weidong also successfully fulfilled his dream.

Silk shop.

Chen Xueru did not go out. Like other merchants in Qianmen, she hung a red flag outside her window and then sat by the second-floor window, carrying out the plan she had agreed upon with Tian Zao.

She found several girls and, under the pretext of holiday discounts, invited them into the store to inquire about the situation.

Embarrassingly, after asking three different people, none of them were virgins; they were all already married.

She further deduced from their conversation that the three of them were basically concubines in the households of officials.

It's such a pity that such a beautiful girl isn't with her husband but instead ends up with some old geezer...

Chen Xueru shook her head secretly, gradually becoming disappointed.

On second thought, it seems normal; in the old society, they seemed to have no other choice.

Just as she was about to accept defeat, a charming figure suddenly came into view.

"Brother, this city is so nice! Look..."

"Stop looking around, stay close to me! Don't blame me if you get lost!"

"Then you'd better slow down, bro!"

"You're just talking nonsense! If you walk too slowly, you won't see anything. What did you come all this way for? If Dad and Mom find out you ran away with me, I don't know what they'll say. If we don't see anyone soon, I'll really have lost out!"

"How could we lose money? At least we got to see it for ourselves! I can't even remember the last time I went to the city..."

……

The brother and sister bickered back and forth. On the second floor of the silk shop, Chen Xueru looked at the girl in coarse linen clothes, whose figure could not be concealed, and liked her more and more.

Thinking you can still leave? Come back!

"The silk shop is having a huge sale!"

As soon as he said that, several pedestrians at the entrance of the silk shop stopped in their tracks.

"What kind of discount? What kind of discount?"

"What kind of discounts are available, boss?"

"Lucky draw! Today, anyone who walks into the store, whether you see something you like or not, or buy anything, just say 'Long live the working people!' and you can draw a prize from the cardboard box! Of course, the more you buy, the more chances you get to draw!"

After Chen Xueru finished her announcement, she stopped explaining. Erhu handled the specifics. No one knew how Erhu did it, but he always managed to get the people she selected to win the prize.

"Wow, I won a third prize! What is it?"

"Congratulations, comrade! The third prize is a handkerchief!"

"Hey boss, can you take a look at this note? What does it say? I can't recognize the words!"

"Oh, that's good to keep it up! Good luck next time!"

"What do you mean?"

"What else does it mean? It means I didn't win! Okay, don't block me, boss, look at mine, this is a third prize too!"

"Hey, you!"

……

"Hey, hey, hey! Boss, my sister won! First prize! Isn't it first prize?!"

"Wow! You're really lucky! It really is the first prize! Folks, you can see for yourselves, our store really does have big prizes, we're not kidding! If you still want to enter the draw, please think about what you might need at home. For every foot of cloth you buy from our store, you get one chance to win, two feet of cloth means two chances, and there's no limit!"

Erhu shook the cardboard box and shouted again, taking the opportunity to promote the store's business.

Some people were tempted and carefully selected fabrics, while most shook their heads and left.

Of course, whether they buy it or not is not important to Chen Xueru. At this moment, she has already asked Erhu's wife to invite the brother and sister upstairs.

"Congratulations! Our first prize is a custom-made outfit just for you. By the way, what's your name?"

"I... my name is Qin Huairu. You really want to give us a reward? We didn't buy anything."

"You don't need to worry about that. We business people value integrity above all else. Once we've made a promise, we'll definitely keep it. You look younger than me, so how about I call you Xiao Qin? Xiao Qin, take a look at these patterns and pick whichever you like, or... judging from your age, you're probably at the age to get married, right? How about we make you a new outfit for your wedding?"

"I'm not engaged yet..." Qin Huairu smiled shyly upon hearing this.

But as her hands touched the fabric, she subconsciously glanced back at her older brother's patched clothes.

"Why are you looking at me? The boss is just being kind and letting you choose, so just choose!"

Qin Huaihai was afraid that his sister's hesitation would displease the boss, so he glared at her with a look of disappointment, then put on a smiling face and looked at Chen Xueru.

"Boss, since you're so kind, we'll naturally follow your arrangements. We'll take whatever you give us! How could we dare to make any demands!"

"Hey sir, that's not a very appropriate thing to say. As the saying goes, if you're going to do a good deed, you should see it through to the end. Since we've already promised, we should naturally make sure this young lady is satisfied with the outfit. Otherwise, why would we even bother with this event? Just tell us, young lady, what kind of clothes would you like?"

Chen Xueru was overjoyed to hear that the other party had not yet made a marriage promise. She was single-mindedly thinking about how to lure Qin Huairu into her home. She directly grabbed Qin Huairu's hand and encouraged her.

Although Qin Huairu didn't understand why the exquisitely dressed and beautiful boss had suddenly changed her way of addressing her, this move certainly gave her confidence.

She made up her mind and pointed to a piece of gray fabric.

"Sister... could you make me a set of clothes, top and pants, using this color fabric?"

"This one? It's bluish-gray, to be honest, it doesn't really suit you. Have you thought about it?"

"Okay! This is it, thank you."

Qin Huairu nodded affirmatively, thinking to herself that the blue-gray color was just right; she could wear it, and her mother and sister-in-law at home could also wear it.

Chen Xueru couldn't understand Qin Huairu's thoughts on this choice, but based on her own understanding and habits, she felt that no girl would dislike bright and beautiful clothes.

Qin Huairu's choice was certainly not solely for his own benefit.

Thinking of this, Chen Xueru's goodwill towards her increased, and she said with a smile.

"Okay! Let me take your measurements. By the way, little sister, where do you live? Leave your address later, and I'll have someone deliver it to you when it's done."

"Sister, my home is in Qinjiacun, Changping, which is far from the city. Please don't bother. My brother can pick it up next time he comes to the city."

"Qin Family Village?" Chen Xueru was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. She hadn't expected her younger sister to be from the countryside; she didn't look like it at all!

"Yes, boss, don't bother. Just tell us a time and we'll come pick it up ourselves," Qin Huaihai chimed in, feeling it was too much trouble for them.

"Changping...that's indeed a bit far. So how did you get here today?"

Chen Xueru chuckled and, while measuring the dimensions with a tape measure, asked the two of them for information.

"We heard from the village cadres that there was a celebration in the city, so we got up early this morning and started heading back and forth. We met a kind driver on the way and hitched a ride on his donkey cart, which is how we made it here before noon. We plan to go to the square to take a look."

After Qin Huaihai finished explaining, Chen Xueru found another opportunity to win his favor.

"You set off so early this morning? Haven't you had lunch yet?"

Qin Huaihai understood the implication in the words and felt somewhat incredulous and embarrassed, so he quickly explained.

"It's alright, we brought our own dry rations. We can just grab a bite while we wait in the square."

Qin Huairu also gave a shy smile and touched her pocket.

"Brother, I have something to tell you, please don't take offense, but you're already too late. People in the city have already lined up. Even if you get to the square, you'll only be able to stand outside because it's packed with people! How about I treat you to a meal, and you can just wander around the area?"

"It's okay if I can't see... I can hear sounds too!"

"Alright! Men really do love to care about national affairs. You're just like my husband, always insisting on going to see. How about this, let Huairu stay with me. We can discuss what clothes to make. Brother Qin, you can decide for yourself, and then come back to pick up Huairu when you're done?"

Chen Xueru finished explaining the arrangements in one breath, and before the two could hesitate, she continued.

"Don't worry, Huai Ru won't get lost here. I'm just worried you won't be able to find her. Let me tell you the location, Brother Qin. This is Qianmen, Chen's Silk Shop. If you can't find it, just ask around! How about it, little sister? I'll make you some clothes, and you can chat with me for a while?"

Chen Xueru had practically blocked all of Qin's siblings' escape route, and the two siblings exchanged a glance and remained silent.

Just because they made a dress for free, we have to give them face. Besides, the silk shop is a big and powerful business. We're from the countryside, so we're not afraid of them scheming for anything. After all, we have nothing but people!

"Sister, I'll chat with you for a while."

If Qin Huai agreed, Chen Xueru immediately made the arrangements.

"Erhu, Erhu! Brew a pot of tea for Brother Qin to take with him, and also give him directions. Brother Qin, if you're in such a hurry to see the excitement, then I won't keep you for dinner! I'll take Huairu to eat later."

"It's alright, it's already very good. Then please take care of Huairu..."

Having achieved her goal, Chen Xueru was eager to show Qin Huairu her family's wealth and lure her into joining the Lin family, so she directly interrupted Qin Huaihai's thanks.

"What's the trouble! I hit it off with Huai Ru right away, and besides, I think she's a lucky person. I'd be happy to take care of her! You should hurry up, or you won't be able to squeeze in from the outer perimeter."

"Okay! Alright!"

Qin Huaihai agreed and went downstairs to leave.

After he left, Chen Xueru quickly took the measurements, then stopped pretending and told Qin Huairu to leave.

"Come on, sis, let's go to the backyard for a bit. I'm exhausted from looking at the shop all day, and I bet you're hungry too, right?"

Qin Huairu was greatly surprised. She thought that she could help by staying, but she never expected that this older sister would go to rest directly.

"Sis, I see a lot of people buying fabric downstairs. Will Erhu and the others be able to handle it all?"

"It's okay! If we're too busy, we can just close down! What's making money more important than talking like sisters? I really like you, hey? Huai Ru, with your looks, your doorstep must be worn down by matchmakers, right?"

"No way... Sister, you're the prettiest!" Qin Huairu smiled shyly.

"See, I guessed right! And you're being modest! Tell me the truth, are there any you like in there? Or what kind do you like?"

Chen Xueru dared to ask this question, but Qin Huairu didn't know how to answer, so she could only smile awkwardly.

In fact, quite a few matchmakers came, but they would be sent away by the parents after only a few words.

Her parents were quite stubborn, saying that a fortune teller had read her face when she was a child and said that she was destined for wealth and that she would marry into a city to enjoy a life of luxury.

Qin Huairu had doubts about this, but the old couple were stubborn and convinced, and even her elder brother and sister-in-law believed it without question, and rarely allowed her to have contact with men.

In fact... this matter was not her decision to make, and she had no say in it, so she really couldn't answer Chen Xueru's question and had never considered it.

One of them chatted enthusiastically and laughed, while the other followed shyly.

Upon entering the backyard, Qin Huairu was immediately dazzled by the sight of the clean and tidy stone-paved ground.

Along the veranda in front of the house, a row of potted plants and trees are neatly arranged, lush and green, and you can faintly smell their fragrance.

The various arrangements are so much nicer and cleaner than my own mud-brick courtyard...

In such an environment, Qin Huairu couldn't help but clutch her clothes and walk lightly, her heart instantly filled with feelings of inferiority.

Chen Xueru noticed the change in her and continued the previous topic.

"Let me show you my man. Let me tell you, you can't just find any man. You have to do your research and not just agree to anything..."

Qin Huairu came to her senses, listening in a daze, and hesitated to go in.

She thought to herself, "Sister, aren't you being a little too honest? Your man... how can I even look at him?"

"What are you standing there for, little sister? Come in, I'm here to show you some photos!"

Chen Xueru's brainwashing operation officially began, and she was busy with it.

By the time Tian Zao returned from the parade, the two had become very familiar with each other.

In Chen Xueru's words, the two of them have the character "Ru" in their names, so they are sisters by nature!

Tian Zao never expected that Chen Xueru would actually find someone to fill in for her. She glanced at the other person's big buttocks without making a sound, feeling slightly annoyed.

Compared to Chen Xueru's carefree attitude, she was actually quite conflicted. When Chen Xueru first came up with this idea, she joined in for the fun, but when she actually found someone, she felt uncomfortable.

But at this moment, Chen Xueru had already pulled the person aside and started introducing them to her.

"Zao'er, this is Qin Huairu, my newly acquainted sister. This is Tian Zao, also my sister. Huairu, you can just call her Sister Zao'er."

"Sister Zao'er..."

Qin Huairu stood up and obediently called out to people. Tian Zao suppressed her inner turmoil and greeted them in a normal manner.

"Hmm, don't be shy, sit down and talk. Hey! Huairu, you don't look that old, do you?"

"I'm turning 18 soon, sis!"

"Yes, Huairu just said that her birthday is at the end of June, it's coming soon." Chen Xueru explained meaningfully, standing behind Qin Huairu and showing a smug look to Tian Zao.

The more she learns about Qin Huai, the more satisfied she becomes.

Rural families have simple mindsets; they can get things sorted out with a little money, and besides, her parents wanted her to marry into the city.

Secondly, she has a good appearance and figure, and with some growth, she will become even more outstanding. Chen Xueru is confident that this type will definitely meet Lin Weidong's preferences.

Of course, you can only know a person's face but not their heart. She wasn't stupid, so she didn't say anything about doing small things when they first met. She planned to observe Lin Weidong first.

And right now, there's a ready-made excuse.