NCCnovel Chapter 150 The Entire School Sees Him Off, Never Forgetting Our Original Aspirations
Chapter 150 The Entire School Sees Him Off, Never Forgetting Our Original Aspirations
On a clear spring morning in 1978, dew still clung to the blue brick walls of the Hongxing Courtyard, and the crisp chirping of birds echoed from the branches of the old locust tree in the central courtyard. Lin Chen stood at the door of the side room, carrying a worn canvas backpack, taking one last look at this 12-square-meter room that held memories of his two lifetimes—the new paper pasted on the window frame still smelled of paste, the straw rope anti-slip cover that Liu Guangtian had woven for him the previous year hung on the doorknob of the storage room, and the pile of scrap metal that had accompanied him through the early days of his rebirth in the corner was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a neatly stacked tool bag.
"Master Lin, double-check to make sure nothing's been forgotten." Liu Guangtian ran over carrying a heavy wooden box, sweat beading on his forehead. The box contained the core molds Lin Chen had been developing over the years, which the master and apprentice had painstakingly wrapped in three layers of old cotton wadding the night before. Liu Guangfu followed behind, clutching an oil paper package, his face flushed, and said, "Master, these are a few pounds of grain coupons I've saved. They might be useful in the south. Please don't think it's too little."
Lin Chen smiled as he accepted the grain coupons and patted the two brothers on the shoulders. Two years ago, they were still teenagers being beaten and scolded by their father in the yard; now, one had become a key technical worker in the workshop, and the other had opened a small hardware store, both having shed their youthful naiveté. He took out two thread-bound forging manuals from his backpack: "These are advanced techniques I've compiled. Guangtian, you'll focus on precision forging, and Guangfu, you'll focus on tool repair. Write to me if you encounter any problems."
As they were talking, Qin Huairu hurried over carrying a blue cloth bundle, a freshly picked forsythia tucked behind her ear. Her sewing shop had grown significantly in the past two years; she had hired two neighbors to help and rented a fixed stall at the street corner. The floral-patterned polyester jacket she wore was a new design she had made herself, making her look particularly energetic. "Master Lin, this is a quilt I sewed for you overnight. It's humid in the south, so it'll keep you warm." She opened the bundle, revealing a cotton quilt embroidered with pine and crane patterns, the stitches fine and neat. "And this jar of pickled cucumbers, your favorite sweet and sour kind, you can eat them with steamed buns on the way."
Just as Lin Chen was about to thank him, he heard the clatter of abacus beads coming from the front yard. Yan Bugui, carrying an old cloth bag, strode over, his face unusually free of its usual calculating expression. "Little Lin, I've done the math for you. It includes the price list for hardware raw materials in those southern cities, as well as a detailed breakdown of transportation costs." He handed over a thick ledger, the words "Chenqing Hardware Preparation Details" neatly written on the cover. "If your technical workshop needs an accountant, I'll come and help you after I retire. You can pay me whatever you want."
This made everyone laugh. No one expected that the "calculator" who used to haggle over even half a pound of grain coupons would now offer to help for free. Lin Chen took the ledger, and upon opening it to the first page, he saw densely packed numbers, with even the origin and price of different specifications of steel clearly marked. It was obvious that a lot of thought had been put into it. "Teacher Yan, your kindness is more precious than anything else. Once the studio is stable, I'll invite you first."
By this time, the courtyard was already filled with neighbors. Liu Haizhong, leaning on his cane, stood at the front of the crowd. Although his legs were still not very agile after his stroke, he was in good spirits. He held a finely packaged bottle of sorghum liquor in his hand: "Xiao Lin, this is a special liquor that I asked someone to buy from the distillery. When you go south to discuss business, drinking some good liquor will make you look good." Behind him, Aunt Liu held a pair of cloth shoes, her eyes red, and said, "These are thousand-layer soles that I made for you. They're comfortable to walk in and more durable than the rubber shoes you buy."
Yi Zhonghai, supported by his mother, walked over, carrying a mahogany box. In the past two years, the old man had completely abandoned any plans for retirement, focusing instead on passing on his craft. The young apprentices in the workshop were all eager to learn from him, and his face now held a peace he hadn't shown before. "These are my notes from when I was learning from a German engineer when I was young. They contain the secrets of precision forging, which will be useful for your research and development in the south." He opened the box; the notebook inside was yellowed, but the handwriting was still clear. "If you encounter any technical difficulties, just write to me, and I'll search through all the available materials to help you figure it out."
Lin Chen took the notebook, his fingertips touching the yellowed pages, his heart filled with emotion. He recalled how, when he was first reborn, Yi Zhonghai had always favored the Jia family in order to bind Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu, but as the retirement group disintegrated, the old man gradually rediscovered his original intentions. "Uncle Yi, don't worry, I will definitely keep this notebook safe and sound, and in the future, I will pass on my skills like you."
"Master Lin, wait for me!" Xu Damao hurried over on a worn-out bicycle, a large cloth bag strapped to the back. Since Lin Chen helped him get a job at the scrap yard, he had completely changed his petty thieving ways. He not only married a virtuous widow but also managed the scrap yard business with his quick wit, and now he looked like a respectable man. "These are some local specialties I asked my relatives in the south to buy. There are dried longan and dried lychee to help you relax on the road," he said, scratching his head. "I was so immature before, always going against you. Please don't take it to heart. If you need to dispose of any scrap in the south, just let me know, and I'll help you find the right channels."
Lin Chen smiled and patted his shoulder: "The past is the past. I'm happy for you that you're doing well now." Looking at these familiar faces, he recalled the cold night when he was first reborn. Jia Zhangshi instigated Jia Geng to steal grain, Liu Haizhong beat and scolded his children, Yan Bugui schemed against his neighbors, and Qin Huairu pretended to be pitiful to gain sympathy. But now, everyone has found their own stable life through the trials of time. Perhaps this is the most touching change.
"It's getting late, we should head to the train station," said Aunt Li, glancing at the sky. She carried a thermos filled with freshly boiled eggs. "Eat some eggs if you get hungry on the road to replenish your energy. Take good care of yourself in the south, and write to us often to let us know you're safe."
The crowd escorted Lin Chen out, with Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu carrying the luggage in front, followed by the neighbors, chatting and laughing all the way. Passing the Jia family's house, Jia Dang, who was helping Qin Huairu mind the shop, saw Lin Chen and his group and quickly ran out to hand them a paper package: "Master Lin, these are my clothing design sketches. The clothing industry is very developed in the south; perhaps they can be used as references for work uniforms in your studio." The young girl had already been admitted to a textile industry school, becoming the first college student in her department, her face brimming with youthful vigor.
"Jia Dang is really promising; he'll definitely be a great designer someday," the neighbors praised. Qin Huairu stood to the side, her face full of pride. She looked at Lin Chen, her eyes filled with gratitude: "Master Lin, if you hadn't enlightened me back then, I'd still be struggling to make ends meet; how could I have the good life I have today? If you need a seamstress when you go south, Jia Dang and I will come and help you."
Lin Chen nodded: "Okay, once my studio is stable, I'll invite you and your daughter first." The group walked to the courtyard gate, looking at the courtyard with its blue bricks and gray tiles, Lin Chen suddenly stopped and looked back. By the public pond in the middle courtyard, Qin Huairu's pitiful figure seemed to still be in his mind; in the corner of the back courtyard, Liu Haizhong's voice of beating and scolding his children seemed to still echo; under the eaves of the front courtyard, Yan Bugui's abacus sound of calculating grain coupons seemed to still be ringing. Now, only the warmth and reluctance between neighbors remained.
"People's hearts aren't a ledger; sincerity is the foundation," Lin Chen said softly. He wasn't just saying this to his neighbors, but also to himself. In the two years since his rebirth, with the help of the system and his own efforts, he not only escaped the fate of freezing and starving to death, but also helped those around him find a stable path in life. And the foundation of all this was treating people with sincerity.
"Well said!" Yi Zhonghai exclaimed. "I used to always think about scheming against others, thinking that this was how I could secure my retirement. But in the end, I realized that sincerity begets sincerity, and that's the only way to have a truly peaceful life. Xiao Lin, when you go to the South, remember this: no matter how big your business becomes, never lose your original sincerity."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Liu Haizhong said, "Xiao Lin, go ahead and make your way in the world. If anything happens at home, we neighbors will all help take care of you. If you miss home, just come back and visit. The courtyard house will always be your home."
"Yes, we all hope you succeed soon, and then come back and tell us about the exciting things in the South," Yan Bugui said.
Lin Chen's eyes welled up with tears. He bowed deeply and said, "Thank you everyone. I will work hard in the South and live up to your expectations. Once I've established myself, I'll come back and take you all to visit the South."
The group boarded a pre-arranged pedicab and headed towards the train station. Lin Chen sat on the back of the pedicab, looking back at the increasingly distant courtyard house. The blue bricks and gray tiles gradually blurred in the morning mist, but the figures of the neighbors were clearly imprinted in his mind. He took out the old horseshoe from his backpack—it was the first item he fused with after his rebirth, and now he had polished it to a shine, making it his lucky charm.
Upon arriving at the train station, Wang, the cadre sent by the research institute to pick him up, was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing Lin Chen surrounded by a group of people, his hands laden with gifts, he couldn't help but smile and say, "Master Lin, you're really popular here!"
"These are my neighbors, the people I'm closest to here," Lin Chen said. He put the gifts from his neighbors into the suitcase that Officer Wang helped him carry. Each gift carried deep affection and was his most precious baggage since he ventured south.
"The train is about to board, Xiao Lin, hurry up and get on the train," Yi Zhonghai said. The old man held Lin Chen's hand, his eyes full of reluctance. "When you get to the south, eat well, rest well, and don't overwork yourself. If you encounter any technical difficulties, be sure to write to me."
"I understand, Uncle Yi." Lin Chen nodded.
"Master, please take good care of yourself. I will learn the craft well and wait for you to come back and see my progress," Liu Guangtian said with tears in his eyes. "If I have the chance, I will definitely go to the south to work with you."
"Okay, I'll wait for that day," Lin Chen said. He said goodbye to each of his neighbors, keeping every word of advice in his heart.
As Lin Chen entered the waiting room, he looked back and saw his neighbors still waving at him from the entrance. He waved back and turned to walk towards the ticket gate. The ticket inspector took his ticket and said with a smile, "Going south to make your way in the world? Have a safe trip!"
"Thank you," Lin Chen said. He boarded the train and found his seat. Outside the window, the figures of the neighbors gradually shrank until the train started moving and the familiar blue bricks and gray tiles could no longer be seen.
As the train slowly pulled out of the station, Lin Chen opened his backpack and took out the gifts from his neighbors, examining them one by one. Qin Huairu's cotton quilt carried a faint scent of soapberry, Yi Zhonghai's notebook was filled with the weight of time, Yan Bugui's account book was filled with meticulous care, Liu Guangtian's tool bag still carried the warmth of forging, and Xu Damao's local specialties exuded the flavor of the South... Each gift was like a warm star, illuminating his journey south.
He opened the system panel, where he had accumulated 5000 points. The unlocked "Equipment Improvement Blueprint" shimmered on the panel. He knew that the spring breeze of reform and opening up was blowing in the warm land of the south, and countless opportunities awaited him. With the warmth of the courtyard house and his original aspirations, along with the system's assistance and his own skills, he was sure to be able to carve out a place for himself there.
Sunlight streamed through the car window, illuminating Lin Chen's face. He gazed at the rapidly receding scenery outside, a smile playing on his lips. He recalled the words of the institute director at the end of the letter: "I wish to embark on the spring of reform with you." He knew this was not only a technological journey, but also a steadfast commitment to his original aspirations. The years spent in the courtyard house had taught him that no matter how far he went, he must never forget the fundamental principles of sincerity and diligence. This original aspiration would ultimately support him as he navigated the turbulent waters of the southern business world, creating his own legend.
The train headed south, carrying Lin Chen's dreams and aspirations, towards that golden age full of hope. Meanwhile, in the Hongxing Courtyard, the branches of the old locust tree swayed gently in the spring breeze. The neighbors stood at the gate, gazing southward, hoping for news from afar, and also hoping that the young man who had ventured out with everyone's expectations would soon return home in glory.