A nation's industrial development begins with junior engineers.

"Teacher Yan, oh, is it appropriate for me to call you that?"

Yan Fugui tilted his head. He was used to being called that at school. But this was the first time he'd been called that back in the compound. Back there, he was known as "Third Uncle."

Unsure of Jiangxia's background, Yan Fugui cupped his hands in greeting: "You flatter me, but people in the courtyard usually call me Third Uncle!"

As he spoke, he straightened his posture, waiting for Jiang Xia's reply.

Jiang Xia scoffed. "Third Uncle? He really thinks he's someone important. In Jiangjia Village, I'm still the young master."

(A kind reader pointed out the discrepancy and corrected the salutations, which are inconsistent with the previous text. Your understanding is appreciated.)

Jiang Xia turned to look at the pile of junk: "Teacher Yan, so you're one of the senior members of the institute. I'm just a junior, how could I dare to let you do anything?"

"I'll find a hauler to haul this pile of junk away and sell it to a recycling center. After deducting labor costs, I'll distribute the proceeds to the people in the yard. What do you think?"

"Not so good!" Yan Fugui immediately retorted.

"Oh?" Jiang Xia stared at Yan Fugui.

"I searched for this with great difficulty~~~~" No, Yan Fugui shrank his neck.

"Um... these are all useful items for each family. It wouldn't be right for us to sell them without saying a word, would it?" Yan Fugui stammered.

Jiang Xia nodded, looking at the dilapidated state of affairs: "Oh, then there's nothing I can do. Please inform the people in the compound to take their belongings back. Also, please pay the fine for encroaching on public housing."

Yan Fugui was so frustrated he wanted to bang his head against the wall.

He secretly regretted leaving the things there to save trouble. Now, someone had a piece of their mind against him.

Jiang Xia looked at the frustrated Yan Fugui and grinned.

Jiang Xia had already made his own decision regarding the people in this courtyard.

That means "staying on the sidelines, observing the situation rationally, and not interfering unless provoked."

Whether someone is shrewd and calculating, someone is planning for retirement, or someone is willing to join forces, it doesn't matter.

Everyone has their own life, and everyone is doing well and not disturbing each other.

But blatantly taking advantage like this is unacceptable.

Jiang Xia knew all too well that if he went soft now, it would be difficult to stand up again later. Didn't you see a group of old ladies and young wives pointing and whispering in this direction from the covered walkway?

We need to give them both the sticks and the sweet dates.

Jiang Xia approached Yan Fugui and pointed to the pile of dark stuff on the ground.

"Teacher Yan, you must be very knowledgeable to become a teacher. Do you know what Wulingzhi is?"

Yan Fugui was quite skilled; he immediately recited a passage while shaking his head: "The nature of Wulingzhi is to promote blood circulation, so it is mainly used for women's amenorrhea, to treat coldness in the heart and abdomen, and to promote the flow of qi and blood."

"Wonderful! This is it. This pile of Wulingzhi can be exchanged for a lot of money at the pharmacy."

"I never expected such a pleasant surprise in an empty house. It's a good thing the neighbor who piled up all sorts of junk inside didn't appreciate its value."

Yan Fugui's eyes widened: "You mean this is Wulingzhi?"

“Yes, Wulingzhi is convenient for flying squirrels and can be collected year-round, but it is most abundant in spring and autumn. Teacher Yan still wants to test me.” As she spoke, Jiang Xia pointed to several large flying squirrels hanging on the roof.

"Teacher Yan, now I believe you haven't been in this room. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come to collect the Five Spirit Vertebrae!"

"I'm so happy today! I have a new house and I've even made a little money! Life is so wonderful!"

"Bang bang bang~~" Yan Fugui really hit the wall this time.

Jiang Xia chuckled inwardly, deliberately ignoring him, waiting for him to bump into her to his heart's content.

He picked up a broom that someone had thrown into a pile of junk, and reached out to sweep it towards the "Wulingzhi".

"Hey, that's good. The color is whitish, this is top-grade Wulingzhi. A pile of this weighs almost 20 jin, it should sell for at least 20 yuan."

Upon hearing this, Yan Fugui immediately appeared in front of Jiang Xia, pressing down on the broom that Jiang Xia was waving.

"mine!"

"Huh? Teacher Yan, what do you mean by that? This is my home, shouldn't the things in my home be mine?"

Yan Fugui finally managed to swallow his last breath.

"No, no, no, I mean, I have to help you! We live in a civilized community, helping each other is only right!"

After saying that, ignoring Jiang Xia's advice, he picked up a broom and started sweeping frantically.

Jiangxia fanned away the rising dust, pushing it back outside.

"Teacher Yan, there's a whole bunch more on the left. And on the right, yes! This pile is even better!"

Haha, the people in this courtyard are really interesting. Aren't they much more lively than what's shown on TV?

To put it another way, this is a large-scale live-action sitcom.

We were seated in VIP seats to watch the show.

The group of women in the covered walkway watched Yan Fugui help Jiangxia with his work and started gossiping among themselves.

"Hey, why is this stingy old man cleaning the house for the young man?"

"Yeah, didn't you see the young man picking at Old Yan's things? Did the sun rise in the west today?"

"Tch, did you see those two in white uniforms behind the house? Third Uncle is trying to make a good impression!"

After working for a while, Yan Fugui looked at the pile of "Wulingzhi" and had an idea.

This pile of stuff weighs far more than twenty pounds; if you sweep it more carefully, it's probably forty or fifty pounds.

Why didn't I discover this treasure sooner?

This is truly a boon for young children.

Yan Fugui's eyes darted around: "Young comrade, may I ask your surname?"

"No need for formalities, my surname is Jiang. My name is Jiang Xia, and I am also an employee of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill."

Yan Fugui adjusted his glasses. "Jiang Xia? That name sounds familiar."

"Xiao Jiang, look at you, you're working at the steel rolling mill now. You're definitely not short of money. You have three rooms to yourself, and you work short shifts. You're living a really good life."

“Your third uncle is different. He has a family of five, and they all rely on his salary to make ends meet. Life is tough for him!”

"Look, this pile of Five Spirits Decoction?"

Jiang Xia took out a cigarette and waved it in front of Yan Fugui. He took a puff and put it in his mouth.

"Teacher Yan, are you trying to tell me about this 'see-it-all-you-can-get-a-share' thing?"

Yan Fugui was a little embarrassed. Why did this kid talk like that? He was a scholar, yet he spoke so bluntly.

"Teacher Yan, to be honest, I have a grandmother and two younger sisters in the countryside. Life is really tough for us. A while ago, we couldn't get any food, and my younger sister was crying because she was starving."

"I can't make ends meet anymore! Teacher Yan, you've been a city person your whole life, how about lending me some money? I'll pay you back as soon as I have it!"

"No money? Food will do!"

Yan Fugui had a flat face; this guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes couldn't be a good person. Who would come up to borrow money or grain right away?

But looking at that huge pile of "Wulingzhi", Yan Fugui's heart began to churn again.

"Little Jiang, my family isn't well-off. But considering you're a junior and just started working, how about I help you get rid of this pile of Wulingzhi?"

"Can you help me with this?"

"Yes! Didn't you say this pile of stuff weighed twenty pounds? How about I give you ten yuan, grandpa!"