abc-du-gratuit Chapter 13 Liu Haizhong's Favoritism and Family Conflicts
Chapter 13 Liu Haizhong's Favoritism and Family Conflicts
Just as dawn was breaking, the whistle of the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill pierced the tranquility of the courtyard. Lin Chen, carrying two cornbread buns, had just stepped out of the side room when he bumped into a crowd gathered around the public water tap in the central courtyard. Madam Jia Zhang stood in the middle, hands on her hips, spitting as she cursed something. Qin Huairu stood to the side, holding Jia Huaihua, her eyes red-rimmed. Jia Geng and Jia Dang shrank behind their mother, heads bowed, not daring to utter a sound.
"What's all this noise so early in the morning?" Lin Chen walked over, his gaze sweeping over the broken rough porcelain bowl and the pickled vegetables scattered on the ground. He instantly understood seven or eight parts of the situation. The system panel popped up a notification at the right time: "Conflict event detected: Jia Zhangshi is arguing with Liu Guangfu because her pickled vegetables were stolen, triggering a family conflict subplot."
"Xiao Lin, you've come at the right time!" Madam Jia grabbed him like a lifeline. "Look at Liu Guangfu! He stole my pickled vegetables and even dared to smash my bowl! This is the pickled vegetable I've been saving for three days, to feed Gengzi with rice!" Liu Guangfu's face flushed red as he clutched the empty pickled vegetable jar, protesting, "I didn't steal it! The jar fell over against the wall, and it was already broken when I picked it up!"
As the argument raged, Liu Haizhong stormed in, carrying his toolbox, followed by Liu Guangtian, who was cowering. He'd heard the commotion as soon as he entered the yard, and seeing the shards of the jar in Liu Guangfu's hand, he slapped him without asking any questions: "You little brat! Didn't your family teach you not to take other people's things? I'll beat you to death, you thief!"
"Dad! I really didn't steal it!" Liu Guangfu cried, covering his face. "She just tilted the jar herself!" Liu Haizhong was even angrier and raised his foot to kick her, but Lin Chen quickly stepped forward to stop him. "Master Liu, let's ask her first. Guangfu doesn't seem to be lying." He pointed to the cracks in the brick wall. "Look, there are still bits of pickled vegetables stuck in these cracks. It's obvious the jar tilted and rubbed against them. If she had stolen it, why would she have scattered pickled vegetables all over the floor?"
Liu Haizhong looked in the direction he was pointing and sure enough, there were small bits of pickled vegetable scraps embedded in the cracks between the bricks. But he was always concerned about his reputation in the courtyard, and being stared at by Jia Zhangshi made him even more embarrassed. He glared at Liu Guangfu and said, "Even if you didn't steal it, you still have to pay for breaking someone else's things! Half a jin of grain coupons will be deducted from Jia Zhangshi's this month!" Liu Guangfu dared not argue anymore, and tears welled up in his eyes. Liu Guangtian wanted to speak up for his brother, but Liu Haizhong forced him to shut up with a glare.
Lin Chen watched this scene with a cold smile. Last night, the system had alerted him that Liu Haizhong had sent all of the family's last two jin of white flour to his eldest son, Liu Guangqi, who was away, while he had to divide even the cornbread among the Liu brothers, Guangtian and Guangfu, by the number of pieces. Such blatant favoritism was no wonder there were constant conflicts in the family. Without a word, he took half a jin of coarse grain biscuits from his canvas bag and handed them to Jia Zhangshi: "Aunt Jia, take these biscuits as compensation. Guangfu is still young, don't hold it against him."
Seeing an opportunity to profit, Jia Zhangshi immediately calmed down, took the biscuits with a beaming smile, and said, "Little Lin is so sensible!" She turned and went back into the house, completely ignoring Liu Guangfu who was still crying. Liu Haizhong, seeing this, also seized the opportunity, scolding them harshly, "Hurry up and go!" and dragging the two brothers towards the factory. Lin Chen watched their backs, took two cornbread buns from his bag, and stuffed them into Liu Guangfu's hands: "Take these and eat them, don't be angry with your father." Liu Guangfu hesitated for a moment, took the cornbread buns, and whispered, "Thank you, Uncle Lin," before quickly following them.
Upon arriving at the forging workshop, Liu Haizhong had just changed into his work clothes when workshop director Zhou Jianguo walked in with a production order sheet: "We have an urgent order today for precision forgings for military units. The tolerance must not exceed 0.02 millimeters. Liu Haizhong, you'll lead the team and be in charge. Make sure it's completed before the end of the workday." Liu Haizhong patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry, Director Zhou, I guarantee I'll complete the task!"
When assigning tasks, Liu Haizhong gave the easiest rust removal work to his newly transferred nephew, Liu Erzhu, while dumping the most crucial forging process on Lin Chen. He even emphasized, "Lin, you're a college graduate, quick-witted, so you have to handle this key process. Don't let us down." Lin Chen glanced at the blueprints. The forging material was a high-strength alloy, and it was difficult to control the temperature with ordinary forging presses; a slight mistake could cause cracks. He knew that Liu Haizhong was deliberately making things difficult for him, trying to embarrass him.
"Master Liu, this forging requires precise temperature control. Our old forging press in the workshop doesn't have a temperature monitoring device. I suggest we modify the equipment before starting work." Lin Chen made a reasonable suggestion, but Liu Haizhong rejected it outright: "Modify what? Can you take responsibility for delaying the project? Just do what I tell you to do, why are you talking so much nonsense!" Liu Erzhu next to him smiled gloatingly and continued to polish the scrap iron in his hands.
Lin Chen didn't argue anymore and silently walked to the forging press. He opened the system panel, scanned the structure of the forging press, and the system immediately popped up an optimization plan: "Can fuse thermocouple + scrap instrument + high temperature resistant wire to make a simple temperature monitoring device, consuming 100 points and 5 points of mental energy." Lin Chen confirmed the fusion without hesitation, and while everyone was not paying attention, he quietly took out the prepared materials from the storage room and quickly started operating behind the machine.
During the lunch break, everyone in the workshop went to the canteen for lunch, but Lin Chen was still debugging the equipment. Liu Guangtian came over with two steamed buns and handed him one: "Uncle Lin, you haven't eaten yet, have you? My dad asked me to bring this to you." Lin Chen took the bun and frowned when he saw that Liu Guangtian's hands were covered in burn blisters: "How did you get this?"
"I accidentally knocked over the lid of the quenching tank," Liu Guangtian said vaguely, his eyes darting around. Lin Chen saw through his lie immediately; the lid of the quenching tank weighed over fifty pounds, something a teenager couldn't possibly lift. He pulled Liu Guangtian's hand and scanned it with the system: "You were burned by the forging work, weren't you? Did your dad make you do work beyond your capabilities?"
Liu Guangtian couldn't hold back any longer and cried in grievance, "My dad made me help Liu Erzhu, and Liu Erzhu made a mistake and dropped the red-hot forging into my hand. My dad even scolded me for being stupid and told me not to make a fuss." Lin Chen's anger surged. This Liu Haizhong was not only biased but also allowed his relatives to bully his own child; he was simply unfit to be a father. He took out the burn ointment he had redeemed from the system from his bag and carefully applied it to Liu Guangtian's hand, "Don't be afraid. If he bullies you again, just tell me."
After starting work in the afternoon, Lin Chen activated the modified forging press. The temperature monitoring device clearly displayed the furnace temperature, and he precisely controlled the forging pressure, each hammer blow just right. Liu Haizhong, who had initially been watching with a detached, amused expression as he watched Lin Chen operate with such ease. Liu Erzhu was even more anxious, scratching his head in frustration. He hadn't even finished half of his rust removal work, while Lin Chen had already completed three forgings.
Suddenly, with a loud crash, the grinder Liu Erzhu was operating jammed, sparks flying everywhere. Panicked, he reached for the power cord, only to be shocked by the leaking wire. Lin Chen, quick as a flash, yanked off the main switch and rushed over to pull Liu Erzhu aside: "Don't touch any live equipment!"
Liu Haizhong rushed over, but his first concern wasn't whether Liu Erzhu was injured. Instead, he yelled, "You useless piece of trash! You can't even operate a grinding machine! What are we going to do about the delayed schedule?" Liu Erzhu said aggrievedly, "This machine was faulty from the start, it's not my fault!" Liu Haizhong was about to continue yelling when Zhou Jianguo arrived, his face turning ashen upon seeing the scene. "What happened? Why wasn't this equipment malfunction reported beforehand?"
"Director Zhou, this grinding machine is old and worn out. I mentioned needing repairs last month, but Master Liu hasn't approved it yet," Lin Chen said, taking out his list of potential equipment hazards. "Look, there are several other pieces of equipment with problems listed here. If we don't address them promptly, a major accident will happen sooner or later." Zhou Jianguo took the list, growing angrier as he read it. Pointing at Liu Haizhong's nose, he yelled, "Is this how you take responsibility? Do you treat equipment safety like a joke? Your entire bonus this month is gone!"
Liu Haizhong dared not refute, and could only lower his head and endure the scolding. Zhou Jianguo then looked at Lin Chen: "Xiao Lin, you understand equipment modification, so I'll entrust this matter to you. Just tell the warehouse what materials you need." Lin Chen nodded in agreement: "I guarantee I'll complete the task, Director Zhou."
After get off work, Lin Chen had just stepped out of the workshop when Liu Haizhong stopped him. His face darkened as he said, "Lin, are you deliberately going against me?" Lin Chen leaned against the wall, his tone calm: "Master Liu, I'm just stating the facts. If there are hidden dangers in the equipment and they aren't addressed, who will bear the responsibility if an accident occurs? Besides, Guangtian is a promising talent; you shouldn't let him suffer."
"I can discipline my son however I want, it's none of your business!" Liu Haizhong glared at Lin Chen. "Don't think you're so great just because Director Zhou values you. In this workshop, you still have to listen to me!" Lin Chen smiled, took out his phone—a simple recording device he made using the system to integrate scrap parts. He pressed play, and the conversation between Liu Haizhong and Liu Erzhu when assigning tasks that morning came through, along with Liu Haizhong's voice cursing Liu Guangtian.
"If you want these words to reach Director Zhou's ears, or for the factory union to know that you've been withholding apprentice benefits to buy things for your nephew, then bring it on." Lin Chen packed up the equipment, turned around, and left. Liu Haizhong stood frozen in place, his face turning pale and then red. He hadn't expected Lin Chen to have a backup plan, and he was both shocked and frightened. He no longer dared to underestimate this young man.
Back at the courtyard house, Lin Chen saw Liu Guangfu squatting at the door as soon as he entered. Liu Guangfu rushed over to him, saying, "Uncle Lin, my dad is throwing a tantrum at home and smashed all of my mom's sewing needles." Lin Chen followed him into the backyard and heard Liu Haizhong cursing, "It's all because of your good sons! They're all useless and can't even handle small things!" Aunt Liu sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) wiping away tears, while Liu Guangtian stood to the side with his head down.
Lin Chen walked into the room and placed a cloth bag on the table: "Master Liu, this is a forging techniques manual that I asked someone to buy from out of town, along with some ointment for treating burns." He pointed to Liu Guangtian, "Guangtian is very talented, he just lacks a good teacher. If you're willing, I can teach him precision forging techniques in the future, and maybe he'll be even better than you."
Liu Haizhong looked at the manual on the table. The cover was worn, but the notes inside were dense and clearly meticulously organized. He recalled Lin Chen rescuing Liu Erzhu and modifying the equipment during the day, and his anger gradually subsided. He knew he was biased, but his eldest son, Liu Guangqi, was his hope, and he always wanted to give his eldest son the best, neglecting his two younger sons.
"I...I was a bit harsh on the Guangtian brothers before." Liu Haizhong scratched his head, a rare look of guilt on his face. "Xiao Lin, thank you. I'll have to ask you to guide Guangtian from now on." Lin Chen smiled. "We're all neighbors, it's only right to help each other. But I have one condition: you can't hit or scold the children anymore, you have to teach them skills properly."
Liu Haizhong nodded repeatedly, "I understand, I won't hit them again." Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with surprise and joy. Aunt Liu hurriedly wiped away her tears and went to pour hot water for Lin Chen, but Lin Chen quickly declined, "Auntie, no need to bother, I have things to take care of back home."
Back in his side room, Lin Chen opened the system panel and saw the message: "Side quest completed: Resolve Liu Haizhong's family conflict, reward 300 points, unlock 'Equipment Modification Master' beginner skill." He nodded in satisfaction. This not only resolved the conflict with Liu Haizhong but also gained a talented apprentice, a win-win situation.
Just as he finished drawing the blueprints for the equipment modification, he heard a knock at the door. Opening it, he saw He Yushui, holding a piece of paper and beaming with excitement: "Comrade Lin, I passed the interview! The technical department wants me to start work next Monday!" Lin Chen took the offer letter, genuinely happy for her: "That's great! We'll be colleagues from now on."
After He Yushui sat down, she lowered her voice and said, "I heard from Li Jianguo that Xu Damao really went to the factory office to report you, saying that you were selling scrap materials from the workshop privately. However, the factory office checked the scrap recycling register and found that you had signed it every time, and you also had a formal agreement with the scrap yard, so they scolded him and sent him back." Lin Chen had long expected Xu Damao to do this. He took out the video recorded by the system of Xu Damao and Jia Zhangshi plotting to steal eggs: "This guy is still not giving up. Sooner or later, he will pay the price."
He Yushui frowned as she watched the video: "Jia Zhangshi went too far, stealing and then instigating the child. But it seems like Uncle Yi is very protective of the Jia family. My brother told me last time that Uncle Yi secretly changed Qin Huairu's assessment results." Lin Chen's eyes turned cold. Yi Zhonghai, that old fox, appears fair and selfless on the surface, but secretly he's been scheming for his retirement. It seems he needs to find an opportunity to teach him a lesson.
As the two were talking, they heard Yi Zhonghai's voice coming from the central courtyard: "Everyone, come to the central courtyard for a moment. I have something to announce." Lin Chen and He Yushui exchanged a glance, got up, and went out. They saw that the stone table in the central courtyard was surrounded by people. Yi Zhonghai was sitting in the main seat, and Qin Huairu was standing to the side, looking somewhat uneasy.
"I called everyone here today because I have some good news to announce." Yi Zhonghai cleared his throat. "Qin Huairu has passed the fitter's assessment. The factory has decided to make her a full-time employee. From now on, she will be a key technical member of our workshop." Everyone was a little surprised. Qin Huairu's skills were obvious to all. She couldn't even do the most basic parts grinding properly. How could she possibly pass the assessment?
Lin Chen's lips curled into a cold smile. It was indeed Yi Zhonghai manipulating things behind the scenes. He stepped forward and took out his records of Qin Huairu's assessment data: "Uncle Yi, I have Qin Huairu's assessment records for the last three times. Her parts pass rate was only 30%, far below the passing mark. How did she suddenly pass?" Yi Zhonghai's expression changed: "Little Lin, the assessments are uniformly evaluated by the technical department. Don't question them so easily."
"I'm not questioning the technical department, I just think there might be a misunderstanding." Lin Chen took out the scanned photos of the assessment samples from the system. "This is Qin Huairu's assessment sample. The polishing marks on it are completely different from her usual technique, but very similar to yours. And I heard that you were in the technical department the whole day of the assessment, is that right?"
Yi Zhonghai was speechless, his face turning pale and then red. The neighbors began to whisper amongst themselves, all suspecting something was amiss. Qin Huairu lowered her head in shame, wishing she could disappear into the ground. Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Lin Chen stopped pressing the matter: "Perhaps I really was mistaken. I hope Sister Qin will study her skills diligently in the future and not let everyone down."
Taking advantage of the situation, Yi Zhonghai adjourned the meeting and slunk home. Lin Chen watched his retreating figure, knowing that Yi Zhonghai would definitely hold a grudge against him now, but he didn't care. In this courtyard house, constantly backing down would only lead to being bullied; only by demonstrating sufficient strength could one gain a foothold.
Back inside, Lin Chen had just put away the blueprints when a new mission notification popped up: "Main mission triggered: Expose Yi Zhonghai's retirement schemes, protect the technical fairness of the workshop. Mission reward: 500 points, unlock the 'Interpersonal Game' skill." Lin Chen clenched his fist. It seemed a confrontation with Yi Zhonghai was inevitable. He opened the window, looked at the moonlight in the yard, and a meticulous plan already formed in his mind.
As night deepened, the courtyard gradually quieted down, but Lin Chen knew that beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were surging. Yi Zhonghai's favoritism, Liu Haizhong's change of heart, Jia Zhangshi's greed, and Xu Damao's treachery—these people intertwined, forming a complex web. And he, relying on his wisdom and the system, would tear open cracks step by step within this web, forging a bright path for himself.