Fusion System: Rebirth in a Courtyard - Bird Fighting Chronicles

Chapter 41 The Wicked Woman Returns to Her Nest and Becomes Trouble Again, Cleverly Setting a Trap t

On the morning of the third day after Jia Zhangshi was taken away by the police station, just as the first layer of frost appeared on the public water taps of the Hongxing Courtyard, there was a knocking sound at the gate. Lin Chen, who was adding fuel to the coal stove, looked up and saw Qin Huairu standing behind the door, holding Jia Huaihua, her face paler than the wall. She had received a notice from the neighborhood committee last night that Jia Zhangshi had been released on bail because of "minor offenses and remorse" and could go home today. She hadn't dared to close her eyes all night.

Yan Bugui opened the door. He tightened his grip on the small ledger. Seeing Jia Zhangshi standing outside, along with the street official who had accompanied her, he immediately cleared his throat: "Comrade Jia Zhangshi, it's good that you're back. You'll have to reform your thinking properly from now on." His words sounded polite, but his eyes swept over Jia Zhangshi's empty hands—she hadn't brought anything back. It seemed she hadn't gotten anything good from the police station.

Jia Zhangshi wore a slightly worn blue cotton jacket, her hair was slicked back and shiny, and the sickly look on her face had long since disappeared, replaced by an arrogant demeanor. She glanced at Yan Bugui, snorted, and walked straight towards the central courtyard. When she passed Lin Chen's house, she deliberately stopped in front of the "Youth Role Model" banner and spat: "What a lousy banner, probably got it through connections."

Lin Chen was adding coal to the stove when he heard this, but he didn't even look up: "It's better than getting arrested for petty theft and sent to a labor camp." The coal shovel hit the stove wall with a "clang," startling Jia Zhangshi. She was about to throw a tantrum when she saw the steaming coal shovel in Lin Chen's hand. Remembering the embarrassing moment when she was caught red-handed by the burglar alarm, she swallowed her words and stomped her foot as she walked towards her house.

Qin Huairu hurriedly followed, but before she could speak, Jia Zhangshi pushed her aside: "What are you standing there for? I'm hungry, go stew a chicken for me!" She sat down in a chair, crossing her legs high, "The cornbread in the labor camp is giving me heartburn, I need to replenish my energy with chicken!" Jia Geng ran in from outside, his eyes lighting up at the words "stewed chicken," and sidled up to Jia Zhangshi: "Grandma, I want a chicken leg too!"

"You're such a glutton!" Madam Jia slapped Jia Geng's head, but her eyes darted towards the direction of Sha Zhu's house next door. "Isn't your mother close to Sha Zhu? Go ask him for a chicken and say I'm sick and need to nourish myself." Qin Huairu stood still, her lips pressed tightly together: "Mom, I earn my living with my skills now, I can't ask Sha Zhu for things anymore."

"You useless thing!" Jia Zhangshi suddenly stood up, pointed at Qin Huairu's nose and cursed, "If I hadn't pleaded for you at the police station, saying that you were forced by Yi Zhonghai, would you have been able to keep your job? Now you won't even let me ask for a chicken, I think you've grown wings!" She cursed more and more fiercely, her voice so loud that the whole courtyard could hear it, and many neighbors peeked out to watch the commotion.

Just then, Jia Dang came out of the inner room carrying a bowl half-filled with thin porridge, which Qin Huairu had specially cooked for the children that morning. As soon as he reached the door, Jia Zhangshi snatched the bowl away and smashed it on the ground with a bang: "How can such a little porridge be enough for my grandson? Qin Huairu, are you trying to starve us, grandmother and grandson, to death!" She raised her foot to kick Jia Dang, but was stopped by Sha Zhu, who arrived just in time.

Sha Zhu had just returned from the canteen, carrying a lunchbox filled with braised pork. Seeing the broken bowl on the ground and the trembling Jia Dang, his face instantly darkened. "Jia Zhangshi, haven't you caused enough trouble? Senior Sister Qin is learning a skill in the workshop, earning clean money. What right do you have to insult her?" He slammed the lunchbox on the stone table. "This is meat I brought for the children. If you dare lay a hand on her again, I won't be polite!"

When Jia Zhangshi saw the braised pork in the lunchbox, her eyes widened. Her fierce expression instantly turned into a pitiful one: "Shazhu, you've finally come! I suffered so much in the labor camp, and now I can't even get a hot meal. Qin Huairu even abused my grandson. You have to stand up for me!" As she spoke, she tried to throw herself into Shazhu's arms, but he dodged her to the side, and she almost fell to the ground.

"Stop pretending," Sha Zhu's voice was as cold as ice. "I saw it all at the door just now. You broke the bowl and then tried to hit the child. I was blind before to let you and Yi Zhonghai use me as a pawn. From now on, I'm not involved in your family's affairs anymore!" He turned to leave, but Jia Zhangshi grabbed his arm tightly. "You can't leave! Have you forgotten who spoke well of you in front of Master Yi? Have you forgotten who made Qin Huairu treat you well?"

Lin Chen stood at the door, witnessing everything clearly. He activated the system and glanced at Jia Zhangshi. The panel displayed: "Jia Zhangshi, Emotions: Greed + Anger + Pretense, Current Needs: Obtain food + Regain control of the courtyard, Weaknesses: Fear of being exposed for her bail, fear of losing control over Qin Huairu." He sneered and stepped forward, saying, "Aunt Jia, as far as I know, you were released on bail because you voluntarily confessed to helping Yi Zhonghai hide the account books. It's not some 'minor offense,' is it?"

Jia Zhangshi's face turned deathly pale instantly, as if all her strength had been drained away, and she released her grip on Sha Zhu. The surrounding neighbors began to murmur: "So that's how it is! No wonder she got out so quickly!" "She'll say anything for herself!" Yan Bugui took out his small ledger and quickly wrote down: "Jia Zhangshi, reason for bail: exposing an accomplice, credibility questionable."

Sha Zhu was stunned. He hadn't expected that there was such a hidden story behind Jia Zhangshi's bail. He looked at Jia Zhangshi with disappointment in his eyes: "You even sold Master Yi, what else are you incapable of doing? Don't look for me again, I have nothing to do with your family!" After saying that, he turned and left. Jia Geng secretly grabbed a piece of braised pork from the lunchbox, but Jia Zhangshi slapped his hand, making Jia Geng cry loudly in pain.

Seeing everyone's gazes, Jia Zhangshi felt both ashamed and angry, but dared not throw another tantrum and could only slink back into the house. Qin Huairu squatted down, hugging Jia Dang and Jia Geng, tears streaming down her face. Lin Chen handed her a handkerchief: "Senior Sister Qin, don't stoop to her level. If she bullies you again, just tell me." Qin Huairu took the handkerchief, choking back sobs, and said, "Thank you, Junior Brother Lin. Without you, I really don't know what I would have done."

At noon, Lin Chen went to work in the workshop. As soon as he entered the forging workshop, he saw Liu Haizhong squatting in a corner smoking, looking very unhappy. Since being demoted to a level six forging worker, he had been removed from his position as a team leader. The workers who used to fawn over him were now learning the techniques from Lin Chen, which made him feel very bitter. "Master Liu, what's wrong?" Lin Chen asked as he walked over.

Liu Haizhong threw his cigarette butt on the ground and stomped it out. "What else can I do? The workshop is going to carry out technological innovation and is preparing to select a group of key personnel to go to the city for training. I don't even qualify to sign up." He sighed. "I used to always think about promotion and didn't study the technology properly. Now it's too late to regret it." Lin Chen's heart stirred. He knew that although Liu Haizhong was ambitious for officialdom, he still had a basic level of blacksmithing skills, but he lacked systematic guidance.

"Master Liu, if you're willing to learn, I can teach you the techniques of precision forging," Lin Chen said. "Although you didn't get the chance this time, there will be another opportunity next time. As long as your skills improve, you won't be afraid of not being qualified." Liu Haizhong was stunned for a moment, looking at Lin Chen in disbelief: "You...you're really willing to teach me? I used to make things difficult for you."

"The past is the past," Lin Chen smiled. "Improving the workshop's technology benefits everyone. Tonight, I'll draw up the precision forging blueprints and explain the key steps to you." Liu Haizhong stood up excitedly, grasping Lin Chen's hand: "Lin, thank you! If you ever need anything in the future, just tell me. I, Liu Haizhong, will never hesitate to help!"

Just then, Director Zhou walked in, holding a document in his hand. "Lin Chen, come here for a moment." Lin Chen followed Director Zhou into the office, where Director Zhou handed her the document. "This is an order from a military unit. They need a batch of high-precision gear forgings. The requirements are very high, and only you in the workshop can handle it." He paused for a moment. "If you can complete this batch of forgings on time, the factory will give you a special bonus and will also list you as a key candidate for development."

Lin Chen took the document and glanced at it with the system. The panel displayed: "High-precision gear forging, material: 30CrMnSiA, precision requirement: IT5 grade, challenges: temperature control and cooling rate during forging. Recommended fusion: high-temperature resistant mold steel + intelligent temperature controller to generate a dedicated forging die." He felt reassured and said to Director Zhou, "Don't worry, Director Zhou, I guarantee I will complete the task on time, and the precision will absolutely meet the requirements."

Director Zhou was overjoyed: "Great! I'll get you the best materials. Just let me know what equipment you need." Lin Chen nodded, thinking to himself—this order was very difficult, so he could use the system to generate special molds, which would not only complete the task but also improve the forging skills in the workshop. He suddenly thought of Liu Haizhong; perhaps he could have him assist, which would not only hone his skills but also allow him to participate in important tasks, changing everyone's perception of him.

When Lin Chen was leaving get off work in the afternoon, he called Liu Haizhong aside and explained the military order to him: "Master Liu, I'd like you to help me with the preheating work in the forging process. This is a great learning opportunity, are you willing?" Liu Haizhong's eyes lit up and he nodded quickly: "Yes! Of course! I'll do my best and won't hold you back!"

Back in the courtyard, Lin Chen had just entered the central courtyard when he saw Jia Zhangshi standing in front of the communal chicken coop, acting suspiciously. He quietly hid behind a pomegranate tree, activated the system, and the panel displayed: "Jia Zhangshi, Target: Stealing Li Dama's hens, Tools: Pre-prepared sacks, Plan: Steal them home and slaughter them tonight, then sell them on the black market tomorrow." Lin Chen sneered; it seemed this old woman was still incorrigible.

He quietly retreated home and took out the "anti-theft bell" he had previously fused from his system space—it was made of wire, a bell, and a simple sensor; it would ring shrilly whenever someone touched the chicken coop. He walked to the chicken coop and, when no one was looking, fixed the anti-theft bell to the coop door. He then sprinkled some talcum powder around the coop—this was the method he had used to deal with Jia Geng, and now it was perfect for dealing with Jia Zhangshi.

Just as they finished setting things up, they heard Jia Zhangshi's voice coming from inside the house: "Jia Geng, go see if anyone's outside. If no one's there, Grandma will take you to eat chicken!" Jia Geng's voice was filled with excitement: "Okay, Grandma!" Lin Chen quickly hid inside and peeked through the crack in the door. He saw Jia Geng peek out cautiously, wave his hand towards the house, and Jia Zhangshi immediately grabbed a sack and ran straight to the chicken coop.

"Ring ring—" The piercing ringing of the bell suddenly rang out, startling Jia Zhangshi so much that she dropped the sack in her hand. Hearing the bell, Aunt Li ran out of the house: "Who is it! Who is stealing my chickens!" Jia Zhangshi panicked and turned to run, but she stepped on the talcum powder and fell flat on her back with a "thud," wincing in pain.

The neighbors, drawn by the ringing bell and screams, saw Jia Zhangshi lying on the ground and a sack beside her, and understood what had happened. "Jia Zhangshi, you dare steal chickens again!" Aunt Li, trembling with anger, rushed over to grab her. "I haven't even settled the score for stealing my millet last time, and now you've stolen my chickens! I'm not finished with you!"

Jia Zhangshi struggled to her feet, slapping her thigh and wailing, "I didn't! You framed me! Lin Chen put the bell there; he just wanted to get revenge on me!" She pointed in the direction of Lin Chen's house, trying to distract him. Lin Chen came out of the house, holding a small notebook. "Aunt Jia, do you have any evidence that I framed you? I installed this burglar alarm bell specifically for Aunt Li to prevent her chickens from being stolen. Everyone in the yard can testify to that."

Yan Bugui stepped forward and said, "I can testify that I saw Lin Chen putting things into the chicken coop this afternoon. He said it was for security." Liu Haizhong also chimed in, "I saw it too. Jia Zhangshi, don't try to deny it!" The neighbors echoed him, and Jia Zhangshi's face grew paler and paler, knowing that she had been caught again.

Just then, Qin Huairu came out carrying Jia Huaihua. Seeing the scene before her, she sighed helplessly, "Mom, can't you just behave yourself? I earn a salary every month, enough for us to eat. Why do you still have to steal?" Jia Zhangshi glared at her, "What good is your little salary? I need to save money for Genggeng to get married!"

"Stealing to make money? What a joke!" Lin Chen took out his phone (the system's integrated recording device). "Last time you stole Grandpa Wang's chicken, I already recorded it. This time you stole Grandma Li's chicken, caught red-handed. If I send you to the police station again, it won't be as simple as just getting you released on bail." When Jia Zhangshi heard the word "recording," her legs went weak, and she almost fell to the ground again.

Aunt Li stepped forward, pointing at Jia Zhangshi, and said, "You have to pay this time! My hen is worth five yuan. If you don't pay, I'll report you to the neighborhood committee!" Jia Zhangshi cried, "I have no money... I really have no money..." Yan Bugui took out his account book and calculated, "Adding the five yuan you owed Uncle Wang last time, the five yuan you owed Aunt Li, and the one yuan and fifty cents you owe me, you owe everyone a total of eleven yuan and fifty cents. You must pay it all back within three days!"

Seeing Jia Zhangshi's expression, Lin Chen already had an idea in mind: "Aunt Jia, I can pay this money for you first, but you have to do me a favor." Jia Zhangshi's eyes lit up: "What favor? As long as I don't go to jail, I'm willing to do anything!" Lin Chen smiled: "It's very simple. You help me look after the workshop's material warehouse and work the night shift. I'll give you three yuan a month. If it's to pay off the debt, it can be paid off in four months."

Everyone was stunned, not expecting Lin Chen to make such a request. Qin Huairu quickly said, "Junior Brother Lin, thank you! My mother, she..." Lin Chen waved his hand, "Senior Sister Qin, I'm just doing this so that Aunt Jia has something proper to do, so she won't steal anymore." Jia Zhangshi also realized what was going on and quickly nodded, "I'm willing! I'm willing to work the night shift!" She was secretly calculating in her mind—there must be a lot of scrap iron in the workshop's material warehouse. She could steal some and sell it to pay off her debts and save some money for herself.

Lin Chen had already seen through her thoughts and added, "By the way, there are surveillance cameras in the warehouse (simple surveillance cameras integrated with the system), and a special logbook. The materials that come in and out every day must be recorded clearly. If anything is missing, not only will you have to pay compensation, but you will also be sent to the police station." Jia Zhangshi's face fell instantly, but at this point, she could only agree.

The next morning, Lin Chen took Jia Zhangshi to the workshop to report for duty. When Director Zhou saw Jia Zhangshi, he was a little puzzled: "Xiao Lin, what's going on here...?" Lin Chen explained what had happened, and Director Zhou thought for a moment and nodded: "Alright, the warehouse does need someone to look after it, so let her go. I'll have the supervisor keep an eye on her."

After settling things with Jia Zhangshi, Lin Chen began preparing for the production of military forgings. He integrated high-temperature resistant mold steel and intelligent temperature controllers into a system to generate a set of specialized forging dies, and then familiarized Liu Haizhong with the forging process. Liu Haizhong studied very diligently, proactively asking questions whenever he encountered something he didn't understand, and Lin Chen taught him his techniques without reservation.

During the lunch break, Qin Huairu came over with a lunchbox containing steamed buns and pickled vegetables that she had specially made for Lin Chen and Liu Haizhong. "Junior Brother Lin, Chef Liu, please try my steamed buns." Liu Haizhong took the bun, took a bite, and exclaimed, "Delicious! Even better than the steamed buns in the cafeteria!" Lin Chen also took a bite and found it to be quite good. He smiled and said, "Senior Sister Qin, your cooking skills are getting better and better."

Qin Huairu blushed slightly and said softly, "I also learned how to make pickled vegetables from the workshop masters. If I have the chance in the future, I'd like to find a part-time job in the cafeteria to earn more money." Lin Chen nodded, "Great! I can talk to the head chef in the cafeteria; we're on good terms." Qin Huairu's eyes lit up, and she quickly thanked him, "Thank you, Junior Brother Lin, you're such a good person."

In the afternoon, Lin Chen was adjusting the forging equipment when he suddenly heard a ringing sound coming from the warehouse—it was the security bell he had specially installed. He and Liu Haizhong rushed over and saw Jia Zhangshi stuffing a piece of scrap metal into her clothes. When she saw Lin Chen, she trembled and dropped the scrap metal. "Jia Zhangshi, you really haven't learned your lesson!" Lin Chen's voice was icy. "I told you long ago that there are security cameras in the warehouse, and you still dared to steal!"

Jia Zhangshi, her face deathly pale, knelt on the ground, wailing, "I was wrong! I'll never do it again! I just saw this piece of scrap metal that nobody wanted, so I wanted to take it back and sell it for money..." Director Zhou, hearing the commotion, rushed over. Seeing the scrap metal on the ground, his face turned ashen. "Jia Zhangshi, you truly are incorrigible! From today onwards, you don't need to come to work. Pay back your debts immediately, or I'll send you to the police station!"

Lin Chen stepped forward and said to Director Zhou, "Director Zhou, let's give her another chance. If she's fired, she'll be even less able to pay back the money she owes everyone. Why not let her clean the workshop, with half her wages, until she pays off her debts?" Jia Zhangshi immediately kowtowed, "Thank you, Comrade Lin! Thank you, Director Zhou! I'll never dare to steal again!"

Director Zhou thought for a moment and nodded: "Alright, I'll listen to you. If you do it again, I won't tolerate it!" Jia Zhangshi quickly agreed, feeling both hatred and fear towards Lin Chen—she hadn't expected Lin Chen to be so capable, able to see through even her little schemes. It seemed she would have no choice but to work honestly from now on.

When Lin Chen returned to the courtyard house after get off work that evening, he told his neighbors what had happened. Aunt Li smiled and said, "Little Lin, you really know how to do things! Now Jia Zhangshi has finally behaved herself." Uncle Wang nodded in agreement, "Yes, with a proper job, she won't have time to steal." Yan Bugui took out his ledger and updated the record: "Jia Zhangshi, Occupation: Workshop cleaner, Monthly salary 1.5 yuan, Debt repayment plan: 1 yuan deducted each month, to be paid off in 11.5 months."

Lin Chen returned home and opened the system panel. A new notification popped up: "The host has successfully guided Jia Zhangshi onto the right path, resolved the neighborhood dispute, and completed the 'Returning from the Wrong Path' mission, earning +2000 points. Current points: 31000. New feature unlocked: Skill Optimization (can optimize skills already mastered by oneself or others, increasing proficiency)."

He looked at the points on the panel, quite satisfied. The skill optimization function could be used to improve Liu Haizhong's blacksmithing skills, allowing him to grow faster. He walked to the window and saw Jia Zhangshi cleaning the yard. Although her face wasn't looking too good, her movements were quite serious. Qin Huairu was washing clothes with the children nearby, and Sha Zhu had returned from the canteen with some snacks for the children. The yard was a peaceful scene.

Just then, there was a knock at the gate. When he opened it, he saw Officer Wang from the neighborhood committee. "Hello, Comrade Lin Chen." Officer Wang handed him a notice. "The district is selecting 'Youth Role Models,' and the neighborhood committee has recommended you. Here is the application form. Please fill it out and submit it tomorrow." Lin Chen took the application form, somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected to be recommended.

Officer Wang smiled and said, "You deserve this. You not only protected state secrets but also helped your neighbors resolve conflicts and encouraged everyone to make progress together. You are a well-deserved role model for young people." Lin Chen quickly thanked him, "Thank you, Officer Wang. I will definitely fill it out carefully." After seeing Officer Wang off, Lin Chen looked at the application form and secretly made up his mind—in this life, he would not only take revenge but also live out his own value and become a true role model.

Night deepened, and the courtyard gradually quieted down. Lin Chen sat at the table, filling out an application form, his mind replaying his experiences since his rebirth—from the initial struggle for survival to his current status as a key technical member, from being bullied by the retirement group to thwarting their schemes one by one. All these changes were inseparable from the system's help, but even more so from his own efforts. He put down his pen and looked out the window. Moonlight streamed through the window paper, illuminating the application form, making the two characters "Lin Chen" stand out clearly.