Fusion System: Rebirth in a Courtyard - Bird Fighting Chronicles

Chapter 40: Success is achieved, the situation is initially stable, but undercurrents rise again, aw

As the footsteps of the police officers from the local station disappeared at the end of the alley, the moonlight in the courtyard suddenly seemed dazzling. Lin Chen held the pale yellow release notice in his hand, his fingertips tracing the three characters "Jia Zhangshi," the rough edges of the paper tickling his fingertips. The murmurs in the middle courtyard hadn't subsided when Yan Bugui's abacus stopped working. From the front yard came his hushed conversation with Aunt Yan, the words "meritorious service" and "secret" faintly audible.

"Junior Brother Lin, how could Jia Zhangshi have performed meritorious service?" Qin Huairu walked over carrying the sleeping Jia Huaihua. The doll slipped from the child's arms, and Lin Chen bent down to pick it up. By the moonlight, he could see that the small "Chen" character on the doll was sewn exceptionally tightly. Her voice was filled with lingering fear. After all, Jia Zhangshi had even cut back on her own granddaughter's rations for the sake of grain coupons. It was always unsettling to see someone like that suddenly "perform meritorious service."

Lin Chen shoved the doll back into Jia Huaihua's arms, his fingertips touching the child's warm cheek. "Either you exposed others in the labor camp, or... you found out what Yi Zhonghai didn't confess." He looked up at the dark windows of Yi Zhonghai's house; the faded "Labor is Glorious" couplet on the door frame now seemed like an ironic footnote. Sha Zhu walked over carrying an empty lunchbox, still stained with the oil from braised pork, clearly having just returned from the canteen when the commotion broke out.

"Whatever merit she may have made, if she dares to steal again, I'll be the first to punish her!" Sha Zhu slammed his lunchbox on the stone table, his loud voice startling the night birds on the courtyard wall. Ever since he saw through Yi Zhonghai's scheme, he'd become much more assertive. Yesterday, he even took the initiative to fix Aunt Li's leaky chicken coop, exchanging it for two eggs as payment. Aunt Li was so happy that she praised him to everyone she met, saying, "Sha Zhu has finally seen the light."

"Don't be impulsive." Lin Chen held his arm. "She was released early, so there must be a police station record. Let's see how things go. If she behaves herself, fine. But if she causes trouble again, we'll deal with the evidence." He remembered the tin box in the hidden compartment. Besides the military blueprints, there seemed to be a stack of yellowed papers underneath. He hadn't had time to look at it closely at the time, but now he thought it might be related to Jia Zhangshi.

The lights in the front yard suddenly went out; Yan Bugui had probably finished settling accounts. Liu Haizhong coughed as he walked out of the back yard, a pipe clutched in his hand, the pipe glowing red in the darkness. "Xiao Lin is right," he said, unusually serious, "Yi Zhonghai is down, the yard can't be in chaos anymore. That old woman Jia Zhangshi, she stole our dried sweet potatoes years ago, I haven't settled the score with her yet." His words carried a hint of resentment, but also a desire to maintain the stability of the yard.

Lin Chen nodded and said nothing more. He knew that although Liu Haizhong was irritable, he wasn't confused about right and wrong, especially since Liu Guangtian had recently performed outstandingly in the workshop and received praise many times, so the father had also toned down his temper quite a bit. The group chatted for a few more minutes before returning to their rooms to rest. Only the pomegranate tree in the courtyard swayed gently in the moonlight, casting dappled shadows.

Back inside, Lin Chen opened the system panel. 26000 points lay there quietly. Below the newly unlocked "Equipment Blueprint Generation" function, there was a small note: "Requires 10000 points to generate a basic industrial equipment blueprint." He hesitated for a moment, deciding not to use the points for the time being—the polishing equipment for military parts had just been successfully trial-produced, and the workshop didn't need new equipment for the time being, so it was better to save the points for unforeseen circumstances.

He lay in bed, but couldn't fall asleep. Yi Zhonghai's words, "I won't let you go," when he was arrested, still echoed in his ears. Although he knew the other party couldn't cause any more trouble, he couldn't let his guard down. What worried him even more was Jia Zhangshi's "meritorious service." That woman was shrewd and ruthless; if she really had some secrets, she probably wouldn't stay still. He turned over and looked out the window. Moonlight shone through the window paper, casting a thin strip of light on the ground, much like the starlight that had seeped through the cracks in the window during his first rebirth.

Just as dawn was breaking, Lin Chen was awakened by the noise in the courtyard. He opened the window and saw Qin Huairu washing clothes by the communal pool, scrubbing the work clothes that Sha Zhu had changed out of yesterday, the foam shimmering with iridescent colors in the morning light. "Good morning, Junior Brother Lin!" She looked up and greeted Lin Chen with a smile, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes showing relief—no more playing the victim, no more having to watch Yi Zhonghai's face, these days made her feel much more relaxed.

"Good morning, Senior Sister Qin." Lin Chen returned a smile. "Why are you up so early today?" "I promised to help Aunt Li mend the quilts yesterday, so I wanted to finish washing the clothes early so I could start working." Qin Huairu wrung out her work clothes and hung them on the line. "By the way, Jia Zhangshi is coming out tomorrow. Do you think I should go pick her up? After all, she's Huaihua's grandmother." Her tone was hesitant, clearly indicating that she didn't want to have any further involvement with Jia Zhangshi, but was also bound by the bond between grandmother and granddaughter.

"Go if you want, no one will say anything if you don't." Lin Chen leaned against the door frame. "If she's still the same as before after she gets out, just tell her clearly that you make a living with your skills now and don't owe her anything." He paused and added, "If she dares to lay a hand on you or the child, come find me and Sha Zhu."

Qin Huairu's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously, "Yeah! With you and Shazhu here, I'm not afraid of her." Just then, Shazhu came out of the house yawning. Seeing the work clothes hanging on the line, he grinned, "Senior Sister Qin, thank you for your help! I'll bring you some meat buns from the cafeteria tonight!" Qin Huairu's cheeks flushed slightly, and she gave him a reproachful look, "Who wants to eat your meat buns? Getting back to work is the most important thing!"

Lin Chen couldn't help but laugh as he watched the two bickering. He turned and went back inside to wash up. Just as he picked up a towel, he heard Yan Bugui's loud voice from outside the courtyard gate: "Lin Chen! Is Lin Chen home? The comrades from the neighborhood committee are here!" He was startled, put down the towel, and quickly went out. He saw Yan Bugui leading two people in cadre uniforms standing at the courtyard gate. One of them was Officer Wang, who had handled the case of Jia Zhangshi stealing chickens last time.

"Comrade Lin Chen, hello." Officer Wang extended his hand proactively with a friendly smile. "We've come to present you with a banner. Yesterday, the police station reported Yi Zhonghai's case, and the street leaders said you made a great contribution by protecting state secrets. They specifically asked us to bring this banner to commend you." Another young officer held a red banner in his hands, embroidered with a dozen large golden characters that read "Resourceful and Courageous in Protecting Secrets, a Model of Youthful Responsibility," which shone brightly in the morning light.

Everyone in the courtyard gathered around. Liu Haizhong, standing on tiptoe, watched with the most fervor, muttering, "Great! This is a commendation from the street committee, more valuable than a factory award!" Yan Bugui took out his notebook and quickly jotted something down, probably wanting to include this in his "Courtyard Chronicle." Qin Huairu hugged Jia Dang, her eyes full of admiration, while Sha Zhu patted Lin Chen on the shoulder, even happier than if he himself had received the commendation.

Lin Chen accepted the banner, feeling a surge of emotion. In his past life, he had suffered endless bullying in the courtyard house, unable to even get a decent meal. Now, he had become a role model honored by the neighborhood. All of this change began with his rebirth on that cold night, and with the sudden appearance of the "All Things Fusion System." But he knew that what truly sustained him to this point was not just the system, but also the kindness hidden deep within his heart and his stubborn refusal to bow to fate.

Officer Wang offered a few more words of encouragement, mentioning that the neighborhood committee was preparing to report his deeds to the district level, hoping to get him named a "Youth Role Model." Lin Chen quickly humbly replied that it was all he should do, and specifically mentioned the help he received from Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu, praising them as well. Officer Wang smiled and said, "It seems the Hongxing Courtyard is truly a place where hidden talents abound. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, feel free to tell the neighborhood committee."

After seeing off the comrades from the street office, Lin Chen hung the banner in the most prominent position in his main room. The red silk made the whole room brighter. Sha Zhu came over to look at it again and again, clicking his tongue in amazement: "The calligraphy is so beautiful, much more impressive than Yi Zhonghai's 'Model Worker' certificate!" Just then, the sound of a tricycle came from outside the courtyard gate, followed by Jia Geng's shout: "Mom! Grandma's back!"

Everyone looked towards the courtyard gate, where they saw Jia Zhangshi step down from a tricycle. She was wearing a faded gray cloth dress, her hair was neatly combed, and although she looked somewhat ill, she was in good spirits. She was carrying a cloth bag in her hand. When she saw the people in the courtyard, she paused for a moment, then smiled, but the smile was somewhat stiff and did not seem like genuine joy.

Qin Huai hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and said, "Mom, you're back." Jia Zhangshi hummed in response, her gaze sweeping across the courtyard before finally settling on the banner hanging at the entrance of Lin Chen's main room. Her eyes darkened. She didn't say anything more and walked straight towards her own house, with Jia Geng following behind, carrying a tin can, probably something Jia Zhangshi had collected during her time in the labor camp.

"This old woman is acting strangely," Sha Zhu scratched his head. "Didn't she always come back crying and begging for food before?" Lin Chen frowned. He also felt that Jia Zhangshi was acting strangely. When he glanced at the banner just now, he clearly saw a flash of resentment in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it. "Let's see how she behaves first," Lin Chen said in a low voice, his vigilance growing stronger.

At noon, Lin Chen went to work in the workshop. As soon as he entered the factory area, he saw Director Zhou waiting for him at the door. "Xiao Lin, come to my office with me." Director Zhou's expression was somewhat serious, unlike when he presented the banner in the morning. Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat. He followed Director Zhou into the office and saw a document on the desk with the words "Supplementary Investigation Regarding the Yi Zhonghai Case" printed on it.

"Yi Zhonghai has confessed," Director Zhou handed Lin Chen a glass of water. "He not only stole the military blueprints, but also admitted to withholding a lot of apprentices' benefits over the years and subsidizing the Jia family. More importantly, he said that Jia Zhangshi knew where he hid the blueprints and helped him cover up a lot of things." Lin Chen's hand holding the water glass paused. Just as he had guessed, there was still a connection between Jia Zhangshi and Yi Zhonghai.

"What about Jia Zhangshi's 'meritorious service'?" Lin Chen asked. Director Zhou sighed, "She exposed a prisoner in the labor camp who was hoarding tools, which counts as meritorious service. But the police station suspects that she already knew about Yi Zhonghai stealing the blueprints, but only exposed him after Yi Zhonghai fell from power, hoping to get a reduced sentence. They are investigating now, and if it's confirmed, she will have to go back to serve her sentence."

Lin Chen nodded, understanding. Jia Zhangshi had calculated the timing perfectly, managing to escape Yi Zhonghai's control, leave early, and establish herself in the courtyard. However, despite her meticulous planning, she hadn't anticipated that Yi Zhonghai would betray her. "Is there anything I can do?" Lin Chen asked, knowing that Director Zhou had summoned him for more than just this.

"Yi Zhonghai said that in the hidden compartment where he hid the blueprints, there was also an account book that recorded the details of the deductions of welfare benefits over the years," Director Zhou said. "But we couldn't find it when we searched. He said it might have been taken by Jia Zhangshi. That account book is very important and can prove a lot of things. Keep an eye out in the courtyard and let me know as soon as you have any clues."

Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat. He remembered the stack of yellowed papers he'd seen in the hidden compartment yesterday; it was probably the account book Director Zhou had mentioned. He hadn't had a chance to look at it closely then, and later, he'd been too busy to remember it. "Okay, I'll keep an eye out," Lin Chen agreed, already having a plan in mind.

After get off work in the afternoon, Lin Chen returned to the courtyard and deliberately lingered in the middle courtyard. He saw Jia Zhangshi sitting at her door, picking vegetables slowly, unlike her usual hurried movements. He walked up to her and greeted her with a smile, "Aunt Jia, why didn't you tell everyone you were back? We would have welcomed you back with a feast."

Jia Zhangshi raised her head and said with a forced smile, "How could someone who has just returned from labor reform dare to trouble everyone?" Her gaze swept over Lin Chen and landed on the workshop badge on his chest. "I heard that Comrade Lin made a great contribution and even received commendation from the street committee? He's really young and promising." There was a hint of sourness in her tone.

"It's all good luck," Lin Chen said, sitting down on the stone stool next to her. "Speaking of which, when we found the blueprints at Yi Zhonghai's house yesterday, we saw a stack of papers in a hidden compartment. I wonder if you put them there? The officers at the police station said they were very important. If we find them, they can prove a lot of things." As he spoke, he observed Jia Zhangshi's expression and saw that her fingers suddenly clenched the vegetables in her hand, her nails digging into the vegetable leaves.

"I don't know what kind of paper it is," Jia Zhangshi's voice was a little tight. "I've been in the labor camp for so long, I haven't cared about family matters for a long time." She threw the vegetables in her hand into the basket, stood up and was about to go into the house. "I'm tired, I need to rest." Lin Chen watched her back and a cold smile appeared on his lips—sure enough, the account book was in her hands.

That evening, Lin Chen invited Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu to his home. Seeing the banner on the wall of the main room, Sha Zhu praised it a few more times, while Qin Huairu asked with some concern, "Is there something wrong with Jia Zhangshi?" Lin Chen nodded and recounted Director Zhou's words and his own findings. "That account book is definitely in her hands," Sha Zhu slammed his hand on the table, "No way, I'm going to ask her for it!"

"Don't be impulsive," Lin Chen pulled him back. "She definitely won't admit it now. We need to think of a way to get her to hand over the account book herself." He looked at Qin Huairu. "Senior Sister Qin, go tell Jia Zhangshi tomorrow that Yi Zhonghai has confessed to withholding your resettlement fee. The police officers at the station are investigating this money. If they have the account book, it can prove your innocence. Otherwise, it might implicate you."

Qin Huairu's eyes lit up: "I know! She cares about herself the most, she must be afraid of being implicated." Sha Zhu also understood: "Good idea! When the time comes, we'll pretend to call the police station, and she'll be scared and definitely take out the account book!" The three discussed the details and went back to their rooms to rest, waiting to close the net the next day.

The next morning, Qin Huairu went to Jia Zhangshi's house. Not long after, Jia Zhangshi's scream echoed from the courtyard: "What? That heartless Yi Zhonghai actually implicated me too!" This was followed by Qin Huairu's sobs: "Mom, if we can't find the account book, the police will definitely think I was involved too. Then I'll lose my job, what will happen to the three children?!"

Lin Chen and Sha Zhu rushed over and saw Qin Huairu sitting on the ground crying, while Jia Zhangshi paced around the room, her face pale. "Aunt Jia," Lin Chen said, frowning, "this matter could be serious or minor. If the account book can't be found, Senior Sister Qin will definitely be implicated. If you know where the account book is, please take it out. Otherwise, when the police come, it won't look good for anyone."

"I...I didn't take it!" Jia Zhangshi was still stubborn, but subconsciously looked under the bed. Sha Zhu, who had sharp eyes, saw her movement and quickly said, "I'll go call Officer Wang from the police station. He said yesterday that he wanted to ask you about the situation!" He then started to walk out.

"Don't go!" Jia Zhangshi hurriedly stopped him, her expression changing several times. Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she bent down and dragged a wooden box from under the bed. Inside, as expected, was a stack of yellowed account books. "It's right here," she threw the account books on the ground. "That bastard Yi Zhonghai, he withheld Dongxu's workers' compensation and Qin Huairu's resettlement fees back then—it's all recorded in these!"

Lin Chen picked up the ledger, opened it, and saw that it was indeed clearly recorded. Every deduction, the time, and the purpose were written down clearly, and the last page had Yi Zhonghai's signature. He breathed a sigh of relief. With this ledger, he could not only clear Qin Huairu's name, but also completely put an end to Yi Zhonghai's remaining influence.

"Senior Sister Qin, look," Lin Chen handed the account book to Qin Huairu, "With this, your innocence is proven." Qin Huairu took the account book, looked at the numbers on it, and tears streamed down her face—the deducted resettlement fee was enough for her and her three children to live on for several months. No wonder life was so difficult back then.

Just then, Officer Wang's voice came from outside the courtyard gate: "Comrade Lin Chen, we've come to find out what's going on!" It turned out that Lin Chen had already arranged for Sha Zhu to go and call for help. When Jia Zhangshi saw Officer Wang, her legs went weak and she sat down on the ground, muttering, "I didn't do it on purpose, Yi Zhonghai forced me..."

Officer Wang picked up the ledger and looked at it, his face serious. "Comrade Jia Zhangshi, according to the ledger records, you did indeed participate in concealing Yi Zhonghai's withheld funds. Although you have performed meritorious service, the circumstances are serious, and you need to come back with us for investigation." Two officers stepped forward, helped Jia Zhangshi up, and walked towards the courtyard gate. Jia Zhangshi looked back at Qin Huairu, her eyes full of regret, but she said nothing.

After the police officers left, the courtyard finally quieted down. When Qin Huairu handed the account book to Officer Wang, she made sure to keep a copy. Looking at the numbers, she let out a long sigh of relief: "Finally, I'm cleared of all charges." Sha Zhu patted her shoulder: "From now on, live a good life. With Lin Chen and me around, no one will dare to bully you and your children."

Lin Chen returned home and opened the system panel. A new notification popped up: "The host has successfully recovered the deducted payment ledger, cleared Qin Huairu's name, dismantled the influence of Yi Zhonghai's remnants, and completed the 'Correcting the Chaos' mission. Points +3000. Current points: 29000. New feature unlocked: Material Traceability (can query the origin and composition of items)."

He looked at the points on the panel, feeling quite calm. Having experienced so much, he was no longer obsessed with points and system functions; what mattered more was the well-being of those around him. He walked to the window and looked towards the central courtyard. Qin Huairu was teaching Jia Dang how to mend clothes, while Sha Zhu helped by handing him thread. Sunlight filtered through the branches of the pomegranate tree, falling on the three of them, warm and peaceful.

Yan Bugui walked over with a small notebook, smiling, and said, "Lin Chen, you handled this matter beautifully today! I've written it down in the 'Courtyard Chronicles.' Anyone who dares to cause trouble again will have to see these records!" Liu Haizhong also came over, holding a tin box: "This is my treasured tea. Come to my house tonight for drinks to celebrate!"

Lin Chen smiled and agreed. He knew that Yi Zhonghai had fallen, Jia Zhangshi had received her due punishment, the retirement group had completely collapsed, and life in the courtyard could finally be peaceful. But he also understood that this was just the beginning. Technological innovation in the workshop was still ongoing, the road to entrepreneurship was long, and many more challenges awaited him.

Laughter echoed from Liu Haizhong's house that evening, filling the courtyard with the aroma of wine and food. Lin Chen gazed at everything before him, raised his glass, and silently vowed, "In this life, I will not only survive, but live a vibrant life, ensuring that those around me can live in peace." Moonlight streamed through the window paper, reflecting in his glass and creating shimmering ripples, as if holding countless hopes within it.