Courtyard House: Starting as an eighth-grade worker, with too many wives.

Many people greeted me along the way.

"Has Master Li eaten?"

"Is Master Li taking a stroll?"

"Would Master Li like to play a game of chess?"

His face was almost frozen from smiling.

Li Jianguo then hurriedly went back.

People in this era are too enthusiastic.

He was somewhat overwhelmed.

the next day.

Li Jianguo woke up.

My face felt a little uncomfortable from the cold.

It's getting colder.

Winter is almost here.

Winters in Beijing are quite cold.

A layer of condensation formed on the window.

He reached out from under the covers and touched his nose; it was ice cold.

"System, check-in."

Li Jianguo struggled to get out of bed while doing his daily sign-in.

"Sign-in successful. Congratulations, host, you have obtained: Master-level Fitter (What is an eighth-level fitter? Master-level is truly powerful). Some supplies."

"I'm lucky today, I actually got the job as a fitter."

Li Jianguo was quite satisfied with the reward.

Isn't Yi Zhonghai just an eighth-level fitter?

He was very smug.

Before, when he was in the factory or workshop, everyone looked at him with great respect.

Now he possesses this skill.

Who knows when we might need it.

"It's so cold in this house."

"Should we install a radiator?"

While making breakfast, Li Jianguo, still wearing his thick cotton-padded coat, couldn't help but start thinking about how to make his life more comfortable.

Who knows how long I'll be staying here?

Even if he's only staying for one winter, he wants to live comfortably.

The stove was lit.

The flames licked the bottom of the pot.

Porridge is cooking in a pot.

I ate breakfast.

He rode his bicycle to work at the steel rolling mill.

He caused quite a stir yesterday.

Along the way today, workers greeted him everywhere.

"Good morning, Mr. Li!"

"Master Li is here!"

Li Jianguo smiled as he rode past them on his bicycle.

We arrived at the workshop.

Several experts are still verifying the issues discussed yesterday.

They were gathered around a blueprint, whispering amongst themselves.

Li Jianguo simply joined in as well.

With him around, the speed of problem-solving increased significantly.

Time flew by and it was noon.

Li Jianguo was having a lively discussion with the experts.

The experts had other plans for the afternoon, and left in a hurry without having lunch in the cafeteria after the discussion.

Li Jianguo had no choice but to go to the cafeteria alone.

He arrived quite late, and there were very few people in the cafeteria.

Several long benches were empty, with only a few people sitting in the corner.

Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu happen to be in this group.

The two people were sitting in the corner, eating and chatting.

I saw Li Jianguo coming alone.

The two exchanged a glance and gave each other a cold smile.

"Li Jianguo".

Sha Zhu secretly vowed revenge.

"This is my territory now."

"I've finally got you!"

He had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.

There were too many people with Li Jianguo yesterday, including leaders, so he didn't succeed.

Today is a great opportunity.

Sha Zhu slowly got up and went behind the window.

Ma Dong was standing there, and he looked at Sha Zhu with some confusion as he walked in.

"Master, there aren't many people here anymore, you don't need to bother, I can keep an eye on things."

"fine."

"I'll keep an eye on things for a bit, you eat yours."

Sha Zhu stood at the window, waiting for Li Jianguo.

Li Jianguo walked over and took out his grain coupons.

"Two steamed buns and one side dish."

The food in the canteens during that era was basically not very oily.

At best, it's just a way to appease the stomach.

Li Jianguo didn't think much of it at first.

I just arrived and saw what the people in the cafeteria were eating.

My appetite has become so-so.

He really didn't want to eat lunch if he wasn't really hungry.

Go home and cook some meat or something; how could it not taste good?

But since we're here, we still have to eat.

"Yo—"

Sha Zhu looked at him with a sly, sarcastic smile.

"When will our great engineer finally appreciate the food in our little cafeteria?"

"Master, what's wrong with you...?"

Ma Dong was somewhat confused and worried as he watched Sha Zhu talking to Engineer Li, the factory's rising star.

"It's none of your business."

Go eat your food!

Sha Zhu dismissed him with a single sentence.

Li Jianguo looked at him expressionlessly.

"The food in the cafeteria is really bad."

"It looks so unappetizing."

"Looks like I'll have to talk to the factory manager and see if we can get a different chef."

Not only was he not angry, he also went along with what Sha Zhu was saying.

They really put us in a difficult position.

"you!"

Sha Zhu was depressed.

I really want to swear.

But seeing that there were other people in the cafeteria, he didn't dare to yell.

She just glared fiercely at Li Jianguo.

He then spoke in a deep, muffled voice.

"We don't have enough food coupons."

"This requires a pound of grain coupons!"

He did this on purpose.

We're going to fleece Li Jianguo.

Li Jianguo saw through his little scheme.

He didn't say a word.

They gave him a pound of grain coupons.

Sha Zhu smiled.

Suddenly I realized that Li Jianguo wasn't really that bad.

It's just a paper tiger.

Look at him now, isn't he still obediently listening to me?

One jin of grain coupons equals one jin.

This is a big, fat sheep.

He deserves to be slaughtered.

Wait until he puts away the grain coupons.

Li Jianguo suddenly spoke up.

"It seems that not only is the food bad at this cafeteria, but the chefs also cook terrible food."

"And they lined their own pockets."

"I really need to tell the factory manager that this must be dealt with seriously."

"You're slandering me!"

Sha Zhu suddenly became a little anxious.

This master chef position is not easy.

He can't be lost.

"When did I slander you?"

"Isn't that evidence in your pocket?"

Do you really think he was comfortable keeping that pound of grain coupons?

If you take it, you have to bear the consequences.

Sha Zhu instinctively reached out to take it out.

He reached into his pocket and clutched the grain coupon.

Li Jianguo wouldn't give him that chance.

"it's useless."

"Even if you destroy the evidence, as long as I say—"

"Do you think Director Yang trusts me or you?"

"Even if this is fake, do you think he would offend me?"

This is a blatant threat from Li Jianguo.

His smiling face sent a chill down Sha Zhu's spine.

That smile was too faint.

It was so bland it made me uneasy.

"Li Jianguo!"

Yi Zhonghai watched as Sha Zhu suffered a loss.

He was on Sha Zhu's side.

I couldn't help but speak up in support.

He put down his chopsticks and stood up.

"We're all neighbors in the same courtyard, isn't this going too far?"

"It's one thing to cause trouble in the compound, but now they can't even stop at work!"

Li Jianguo turned his head and looked at him with a cold smile.

"What's wrong?"

"Are you going to stand up for what's right?"

"Or are they colluding to line their own pockets?"

"Don't talk nonsense!"

"It seems I was right."

Li Jianguo smiled.

He just made a casual remark about slander.

But whatever he says, Director Yang has to take it seriously.

This is the difference between identity and status.

Yi Zhonghai was somewhat flustered.

It was only then that he suddenly realized.

As long as he stays in this steel rolling mill, this person is not someone they can bully.

He is an eighth-grade fitter.

Although rare, it is not irreplaceable.

But Li Jianguo is different.

Sha Zhu realized what was happening.

He's a head chef; isn't that something the factory manager could fire with just a word?

Holding that pound of grain coupons in my hand felt like holding a hot potato.

I want to return it, but I don't know how.

Make him apologize?

He definitely wouldn't say that to Li Jianguo.

The atmosphere became incredibly awkward for a moment.

Ma Dong, who was standing to the side, vaguely sensed something was wrong.

He quickly stepped forward to change the subject, also giving Sha Zhu and the others a way out.

He walked over, a smile plastered on his face.

"Master Li, we must have received the wrong grain coupons."

"I'll remember this. Next time you come, just deduct from this account until it's all used up."

"Do you think this will work?"

Li Jianguo didn't say whether it would work or not.

He carried his food away.

He carried his enamel mug and found an empty seat to sit down.

They ate slowly and deliberately.

"this……"

Sha Zhu was furious.

He stared at Li Jianguo's back, gritting his teeth.

"Don't give me a chance, or else I..."

"Alright."

Yi Zhonghai patted him on the shoulder.

He lowered his voice.

"Let's avoid conflicts with him in the factory, so he won't say anything untoward to the factory manager."

"There's plenty of time later; we'll definitely have a chance to deal with him!"

He was furious.

It's only been a few days.

He had already lost all face in the courtyard house.

The old man who used to be so proud of being the head of the courtyard house now seems like a joke.

The two parted ways in a somber mood.

I'm off work.

Li Jianguo rode his bicycle, intending to first go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some food.

Just as he stepped out of the factory gate, he ran into Xu Damao.

His eyes lit up when he saw Li Jianguo.

He jogged over to get closer.

"Master Li, are you going home?"

"Um."

Li Jianguo knew Xu Damao's true nature.

They weren't that enthusiastic about him.

He didn't stop pedaling and kept riding.

Xu Damao wasn't angry even though he was being given the cold shoulder.

He jogged to catch up, talking as he ran.

He's much more flexible and adaptable than people like Sha Zhu.

"Master Li, I heard from those people in the factory office today that you're really amazing!"

"Those professors and experts now all listen to you!"

"It's such a blessing for our factory that you've come!"

People who are good at flattery are truly remarkable.

The compliments they give are never the same.

Li Jianguo found it quite pleasing to hear.

He slowed down and glanced at Xu Damao.

Seeing Xu Damao's expression, Li Jianguo suddenly had a plan.

Xu Damao and Shazhu have never gotten along from the very beginning.

The two of them exchanged messages quite frequently.

But it seems that Xu Damao always comes out on the losing end.

This made Xu Damao hate Sha Zhu from the bottom of his heart.

I'm happy whenever I see Sha Zhu having bad luck.

This is a good opportunity.

Li Jianguo thought about it and then spoke to Xu Damao.

"Da Mao, in this whole compound, I think you're the only one who's reasonable."

"I'm new here, and I'll need your help in the compound from now on."

Hearing Li Jianguo speak to him so kindly and gently.

Xu Damao felt as comfortable as eating watermelon on a sweltering summer day.

It feels comfortable from head to toe.

He scratched his head, feigning a little embarrassment.

"Master Li, what are you talking about?"

"You are a capable and knowledgeable person."

"A person of your caliber is someone I respect most."

"It's only right that I do things for you."

"If there's anything you need my help with, just let me know."

"Alright then."

Li Jianguo didn't stand on ceremony with him and spoke frankly.

"Shazhu tried to cause me trouble at noon today, but it didn't work out."

"I think he'll probably hold a grudge."