Courtyard House: The Thief System of All Realms

Chapter 25 Cleverly Asking About Job Positions to Plan for the Future: The Qin Family's Support

Sun Jingyuan lightly placed his fingertips on Wang Wenbin's wrist, concentrating on taking his pulse for a moment. Then, he lowered his eyes, holding a pen and slowly writing on the prescription paper. Between strokes of the pen, he spoke in a calm and even tone: "Director Wang, are there any plans to hire more staff for the factory canteen in the near future?"

Wang Wenbin was already eager to curry favor with Sun Jingyuan, and as soon as he heard this, his eyes lit up and he understood the situation. He put on a fawning and obsequious smile and hurriedly replied, "The other canteens are fully staffed and not short of people, but the canteen I directly manage has a vacancy for a kitchen helper position. We're worried about not having a suitable person to fill the position and haven't finalized a choice yet."

Sun Jingyuan paused slightly, glanced at him indifferently, and asked in a calm tone, "How does the factory determine the salary and benefits for kitchen helpers?"

"It's 27.5 yuan a month, paid exactly according to the factory's first-level worker salary standard. All the rules are clearly stated." Wang Wenbin answered crisply, even proactively explaining the intricacies, afraid that Sun Jingyuan wouldn't understand the difference. "Dr. Sun, you may not know, but a kitchen helper and an apprentice are completely different things. A kitchen helper starts with a first-level worker salary, which seems higher than an apprentice, but there's no room for advancement. By retirement, that's basically the same salary, with little increase. But a kitchen apprentice is different. The starting salary is low. Take Ma Hua, the apprentice that Sha Zhu took on, for example. He only earns 18 yuan a month, but once he passes the cook rating exam, his salary can rise all the way up. Sha Zhu is now an eighth-level cook, earning 37.5 yuan a month. His father used to be a fourth-level cook in the factory, earning 68.3 yuan a month. There's a significant difference between the two."

He paused, then added a sentence about the factory's unique rank system: "Besides, the rank calculation is reversed for cooks and you medical staff. For cooks, the lower the number, the higher the rank, with Level 1 cook being the top rank; for you medical staff, it's the opposite, the higher the rank number, the better the benefits, with the highest rank being Level 8."

Sun Jingyuan now works at a steel rolling mill and enjoys the salary and benefits of a Level 6 medical worker. His basic salary is 77.85 yuan, plus a special talent subsidy approved by the factory, bringing his actual monthly salary to 88.85 yuan.

Only Li Hongmei in the finance office knew the whole story and had never revealed a word about it to anyone else. If this matter were to spread throughout the factory, given that he was in his early twenties and earned a salary far exceeding that of most of the older workers and key employees, it would inevitably attract a lot of gossip and cause a lot of trouble.

Wang Wenbin took the prescription from Sun Jingyuan with both hands, carefully folded it, and put it in his inner pocket. Suppressing his curiosity, he asked, "Dr. Sun, do you know someone here who's looking for a stable job in a factory?"

"It was someone else who asked me to inquire about it. I'll ask about the specifics first before making any plans." Sun Jingyuan withdrew his hand and calmly instructed, "Once you get this prescription, decoct it three times a day and make sure to take it on time and in the correct dosage. You must abstain from sexual intercourse for a week. Even if you recover after a week, you still need to be more restrained and not take your own health for granted."

"Thank you so much, Dr. Sun, I am truly grateful!" Wang Wenbin was overjoyed and immediately patted his chest to assure everyone, "Don't worry, if your acquaintance wants to come, just give me a word, and they can be onboarded anytime without waiting for any procedures. I can't guarantee anything else, but I can still put in a good word and make arrangements for the personnel in the factory canteen."

"Okay, I'll find out what they mean and then finalize it with you." Sun Jingyuan nodded slightly, shook his hand lightly, and then calmly saw him out of the infirmary.

In the factory, job vacancies in various departments are always decided by the supervisor with just a word. As long as the rules and red lines are not crossed, no one will take it seriously.

Actually, the infirmary isn't a bad option, but there are strict rules for hiring there. Without a medical degree, you can't get a permanent position. You can't just put anyone in there to fill the vacancy; that would be against the rules.

Although he could first work as a regular employee in the factory and then be transferred to another position to help out, these trivial matters would only add unnecessary trouble, and Sun Jingyuan didn't have the extra energy to bother with them.

After Wang Wenbin left, the clinic gradually quieted down. Other medical staff either went to the cafeteria for meals or were busy making rounds, leaving only Sun Jingyuan in the large office.

He made sure no one was around and he wouldn't be disturbed, then with a thought, he stepped directly into his exclusive cultivation and breeding area within the Myriad Realms Thief Space.

The moment you step into the space's planting and breeding area, you are greeted by a vibrant scene. On one side is a continuous stretch of fertile planting area where various seasonal vegetables and grains that were stolen earlier are thriving under the space's self-nourishment. The cabbages are tightly wrapped and plump, the bean vines climb all over the trellises, the tomatoes and cucumbers are bright in color, and the rice and wheat ears are full of plump grains, all of which are at their best for harvest. As far as the eye can see, it is lush and green, full of the atmosphere of a bountiful harvest.

The livestock area adjacent to the planting area is neatly divided. All kinds of livestock and poultry, such as cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs, are young animals that were stolen earlier. After this period of gestation and growth, they have all grown into adulthood. The cattle are robust, the sheep are fat, the chickens, ducks and geese have bright feathers, and the pigs are plump and round. They are all growing very well and have fully met the standards for slaughter, and can be slaughtered at any time.

Just as he finished surveying the entire space and confirmed that all the planting and breeding resources were fully saturated, a system notification suddenly sounded in his mind:

[The Thief Space's planting and animal husbandry areas have reached the required resource threshold, triggering a God-level theft reward!]

[God-level theft successful: Home-style seasoning gift pack (containing 100 catties each of Thirteen Spices, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, etc., automatically stored in the space's storage area)]

As soon as the system notification sound ended, a layer of warm, pale white spiritual light emanated from the entire Thief Space. The space quietly expanded outward, and the internal layout was reorganized, directly completing an autonomous upgrade!

Beside the original farming and breeding area, a complete water resource area suddenly appeared: a clear stream meandered by, its water flowing slowly without stagnation, and at its end connected to a living pond with crystal-clear water; in a corner inside the pond, an ancient and elegant spiritual spring slowly emerged, its spring gurgling and constantly overflowing with clear spring water, the well water surrounded by a faint spiritual aura, looking extraordinary.

Sun Jingyuan looked at the upgraded and more fully functional Thief Space, nodded to himself, and exited the space without lingering. With the abundant ingredients, complete seasonings, and newly added spiritual spring water in the space, he wouldn't have to worry about meals at all from now on.

He quickly tidied up the clutter on his desk, just as the office bell rang to signal the end of the workday. He pushed his bicycle out of the factory area and headed towards the courtyard house.

All the new furniture in his yard has already been made, and the house renovation is in the final stages of bathroom repairs. In another day or two, everything will be completed, and he will no longer have to suffer the inconvenience of making do.

Back in the courtyard, Sun Jingyuan had just sat down on a recliner in the yard and hadn't even decided what to eat for dinner when a fierce argument erupted from the central courtyard. The argument was filled with crying, shouting, cursing, and the sound of slaps, creating a chaotic scene.

He got up and took a bunch of fresh fruit from the planting area of ​​the Thief Space, then strolled slowly toward the central courtyard, intending to join in the fun.

In this era with little entertainment, the everyday gossip among neighbors is the most common way to relieve boredom, and there is no need to deliberately avoid it.

By this time, the courtyard was already packed with neighbors, three layers deep, so crowded that it was impossible to move. Everyone craned their necks to watch the excitement, and the noise of discussion was deafening.

In the center of the crowd, Jia Dongxu was held tightly by the arms by two burly men, who slapped him repeatedly across the face. Half of his face swelled up instantly, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. He looked utterly pathetic.

Jia Zhangshi was pinned to the ground by several burly women, where she screamed and howled in a shrill voice, disturbing the peace of the courtyard.

"They're hitting me! This is outrageous! Someone's going to die! Neighbors, please help me!"

"You still dare to act wildly even after things have come to this?"

Several country women didn't fall for Jia Zhangshi's tantrums at all, and instead slapped her hard across the face several times.

Jia Zhangshi was immediately stunned by the beating. She trembled all over and shrank to the ground, no longer daring to cry or shout. Her previous arrogance vanished in an instant.

Qin Huairu stood to the side, her eyes red-rimmed, tears streaming down her face, her shoulders trembling slightly, looking exceptionally wronged and helpless. She glanced up and saw Sun Jingyuan leisurely eating fresh fruit and observing coldly from outside the crowd. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, and she quickly lowered her head, clutching the hem of her clothes, unable to meet his gaze any longer.

"Jia Dongxu, we, the Qin family, know all the outrageous things you've done! Our Qin family's daughters are not to be bullied or mistreated at will. Don't even think about pushing your luck!" The one who spoke was Qin Huairu's father, Qin Zhenbang. Although he was over fifty years old, he was still very strong. The simple and honest demeanor he had developed from years of hard work was now fully unleashed. His eyes were sharp as he stared at Jia Dongxu, and every word was filled with anger.

"Stop! Who are you people, daring to openly beat people in the courtyard? Have you no manners?!" Yi Zhonghai, who had just returned from outside, saw the scene and immediately put on a stern face and shouted angrily, adopting the imposing posture of an old man, and quickly walked into the middle of the crowd.

Qin Zhenbang and his companions were all honest country folk who had never dealt with officials before. Intimidated by Yi Zhonghai's authoritative rebuke, they immediately stopped what they were doing, their expressions showing a hint of fear. They exchanged glances but did not make another move.

"Who are you? Mind your own business!" Qin Huairu's older brother, Qin Zhijun, mustered his courage and stepped forward, asking in a deep voice, though his tone had lost its previous toughness.

"I am the eldest man in this courtyard, in charge of all affairs, and I make the rules!" Yi Zhonghai stepped forward quickly, carefully helped up Jia Dongxu, who was beaten and looked disheveled, turned his head and looked at the Qin family with a stern face, his tone full of undisguised rebuke.

Qin Zhijun and the others exchanged glances, wondering if the old man in the courtyard was actually an official in charge. For a moment, they hesitated, caught in a dilemma.

Just as everyone hesitated, Sun Jingyuan, who was outside the crowd, suddenly chuckled and slowly spoke, his voice clearly carrying throughout the room: "I'm saying that it's your own family matter, why bother about other people's identities? As the old saying goes, even an upright official can't settle family disputes. Besides, this is neither the government nor the factory. He's just the elder elected by the courtyard. He has neither an official position nor real power. You don't need to be afraid. Just handle it as you see fit."

"That's right! It's none of our business to outsiders. What are we afraid of!" Qin Zhijun snapped back to reality, suddenly realized, and his fear vanished. He slapped Jia Dongxu hard across the face with two resounding blows.

"Sun Jingyuan!" Yi Zhonghai gritted his teeth in anger, staring intently at Sun Jingyuan, his eyes filled with rage but also helplessness. He knew he had no control over this young man.

"You little beast! You've sown discord, you'll die a horrible death! I'm not finished with you!" Jia Zhangshi, who had been pinned to the ground, recovered and began to curse Sun Jingyuan again, her mouth full of mean words.

Sun Jingyuan wasn't annoyed. He immediately raised his voice and imitated Jia Zhangshi's tone, his voice carrying a deliberate air of sorrow: "Old Jia! You left us too soon! Look at this woman at home, throwing tantrums and behaving unreasonably in the yard, beating and scolding the neighbors. She's completely lawless, and nobody can control her!"

"Hahaha!"

The neighbors who had been watching the spectacle were instantly amused and burst into laughter, their voices rising and falling, their eyes full of mockery as they looked at Jia Zhangshi.

Even Qin Huairu, who was wiping away tears, couldn't help but burst out laughing. She quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth, secretly glared at Sun Jingyuan, and then quickly lowered her head to hide the smile in her eyes. The grievances in her heart also dissipated a lot.

Seeing this, Qin Zhenbang quietly pulled his daughter's arm, lowered his voice, and asked cautiously, "Huai Ru, who exactly is this young man? He doesn't seem like an ordinary neighbor; he speaks and acts with confidence."

"He's a doctor at the steel mill's clinic, a top student who graduated from a proper medical university. The factory gave him the treatment of a level six medical worker, with a basic salary of 77.85 yuan per month, plus special subsidies from the factory." Qin Huairu replied softly, her tone unconsciously tinged with emotion as she spoke of Sun Jingyuan's identity, and her usually hunched back straightened slightly.

"How much?!" Qin Zhenbang's eyes widened instantly, his face filled with shock. He almost thought he had misheard, and his voice trembled uncontrollably.

This young man looks to be only in his early twenties, but his monthly salary is equivalent to the entire harvest of a family in the countryside for a whole year. He is also a doctor who graduated from a prestigious university. He is a truly respectable person and someone you can't afford to offend.

"What exactly do you want?! Don't go too far!"

Just then, Jia Dongxu, who was being held up, suddenly roared, his eyes bloodshot, his face contorted, and his whole body radiating a fierce aura. The onlookers were so frightened that they all took a half step back, and the scene instantly quieted down.

"Why are you shouting so loudly? It's not your yard. You almost startled me so much that I dropped the fruit in my hand." Sun Jingyuan said slowly and casually, but his tone instantly broke Jia Dongxu's momentum, making his ferocious appearance a joke.

Qin Zhenbang, who had been intimidated by Jia Dongxu, immediately regained his confidence. Qin Zhijun stepped forward and slapped Jia Dongxu again, stunning him and putting an end to his arrogance.

"Sun Jingyuan, stop stirring up trouble here! This is a private matter in the courtyard, so don't meddle!" Yi Zhonghai looked at Sun Jingyuan and felt a headache coming on. He knew that this kid seemed to be watching the show, but in fact, every word he said was supporting the Qin family. However, he was helpless against Sun Jingyuan. In terms of words and confidence, he couldn't gain the upper hand at all.

"None of your business." Sun Jingyuan glanced at him indifferently, showing no mercy whatsoever, and retorted coldly, too lazy to waste any more words on him.

"Jia Dongxu, let me tell you, the way you married my sister is the same way you're sending her back to the countryside today. This marriage is completely off!" Qin Zhijun spat on the ground and threatened viciously, "If you dare not agree, we'll come to Beijing all the time and beat you up every time we see you, making sure you can't live in peace!"

"Fine! I agree! Send her back right now and get rid of this trouble. I never want to see her again!" Jia Dongxu gritted his teeth and roared, word by word. At this moment, he was already full of resentment towards Qin Huairu and blamed all his misfortunes on her. He just wanted to get rid of her immediately so that he wouldn't have to see her anymore.

"Hey, you man, why don't you use your brain before you act?" Sun Jingyuan suddenly looked at Qin Zhijun and spoke in a calm tone, interrupting their conversation.

"My name is Qin Zhijun, I'm not some kind of tough guy, don't call me that!" Qin Zhijun immediately glared at him with displeasure and retorted in a deep voice, feeling somewhat annoyed.

"Alright, Qin Zhijun, then tell me, why do you insist on taking Qin Huairu back to the countryside?" Sun Jingyuan casually tossed the fruit pit into the nearby trash can, lit a cigarette, and slowly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of blunt advice, "She finally managed to get from the countryside to the city, and now she has the opportunity to stay and live a good life in the city, without having to go back to the countryside to suffer. Why insist on going back to the same path?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu trembled slightly, her eyes reddened further, and she lowered her head, her voice filled with a sense of loneliness and helplessness as she whispered, "My household registration isn't in the city, and I have no livelihood or income. I can't stay here; I simply can't stand it."