Chapter 44: The Semi-automatic Machine Tool is Completed

"What are you daydreaming about? Take the fish and go home!" Li Mingyuan patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder, interrupting his reverie.

He Yuzhu woke as if from a dream, clutching the fish basket and following Li Mingyuan toward the West Courtyard, his mind filled with Qin Huairu's delicate face.

"Uncle Li, that Miss Qin is truly beautiful. I wonder whose daughter she is?" Although He Yuzhu pretended to ask casually, the anticipation in his eyes could not be hidden.

He Yushui giggled on the side; she had never seen her brother like this, acting just like a green boy.

Li Mingyuan glanced at He Yuzhu, his expression turning serious: "Stop thinking about it. That girl is here to have a blind date with Jia Dongxu. I heard it's already been settled; she's practically someone else's wife."

He Yuzhu's face fell instantly, as if a basin of cold water had been poured over him.

"How could she take a fancy to that blockhead Jia Dongxu?" He Yuzhu muttered unconvinced, a flash of unwillingness crossing his eyes.

Li Mingyuan glared at him: "Worry less about other people's business. Besides, how old are you? A fifteen-year-old kid, what are you thinking about!"

He Yuzhu agreed readily: "I know, Uncle Li, I won't think about it anymore."

Yet in his heart, he was calculating when he might see Qin Huairu again; perhaps she hadn't gotten engaged to Jia Dongxu yet, and he still had a chance.

……

At this moment, inside the Jia Family's house, the atmosphere was not relaxed at all.

Jia Zhangshi served a bowl of cabbage porridge so thin one could see their own reflection, along with a few pieces of pickled vegetables; this was the dinner to entertain a distinguished guest.

Qin Huairu looked at the meager meal and sighed inwardly; the conditions were even worse than she had imagined.

Jia Dongxu buried his head in his porridge, not even daring to look at Qin Huairu once.

Jia Zhangshi, however, chattered on incessantly:

"Huairu, don't mind our family's poor conditions. Once Dongxu gets a firm footing at the factory, life will surely get better."

Qin Huairu forced a smile, thinking to herself that she had resigned herself to her fate.

Just then, an alluring fragrance drifted over from the other end of the courtyard—the fresh scent of fish mixed with the aroma of vinegar and chili, making Jia Zhangshi swallow her saliva.

Qin Huairu couldn't help but look up toward the direction of the fragrance; it was the direction of Li Mingyuan's home.

Jia Zhangshi's face turned gloomy instantly: "It's that Li Mingyuan again! Eating well and drinking well every day, and he deliberately lets the scent drift all over the courtyard. What is he showing off!"

Jia Dongxu didn't dare to respond, only keeping his head down and shoveling the thin porridge.

……

In the West Courtyard, Li Mingyuan was teaching He Yuzhu hand-in-hand how to make Sour and Spicy Fish.

"The fish must be pan-fried first to lock in the moisture, then add pickled peppers and simmer over low heat until the flavor is absorbed." He Yuzhu's eyes were bright, earnestly memorizing every step.

Soon, a pot of fragrant Sour and Spicy Fish was ready.

"Uncle Li, you are too amazing. This dish tastes even better than at a restaurant!" He Yushui held her rice bowl, eating the Sour and Spicy Fish in small bites, her face full of happiness. He Yuzhu also ate ravenously, nodding and praising from time to time, but his eyes drifted toward the wall every now and then, wondering what he was thinking.

"What are you thinking about? The food is about to fall off the table." Li Mingyuan tapped the table, and only then did He Yuzhu come back to his senses, scratching his head in embarrassment.

Li Mingyuan shook his head, thinking that this He Yuzhu was likely still pining for Qin Huairu; he really was a carbon copy of the one in the TV show.

At this time, Qin Huairu was sitting at the Jia Family's table, smelling the fragrance drifting from afar, feeling unsettled.

"How good it would be if I could marry someone like Li Mingyuan." She thought to herself, then gave a bitter smile; it was better to cut off such wishful thinking early. Following Jia Dongxu for now at least meant she could move into the city, which was already the best result she could strive for.

Li Mingyuan looked out the window, lost in thought. He had watched "Romance of Our Parents" in his previous life and knew of the tragic fate that awaited Qin Huairu after marrying Jia Dongxu.

However, that was someone else's life; he had no intention of interfering, nor did he have any particular fondness for her, only hoping that He Yuzhu wouldn't fall too deep.

The night grew deep, and the Siheyuan gradually quieted down.

Li Mingyuan lay on his bed, but his mind was on tomorrow's work. The modification of that Semi-automatic Machine Tool should be nearing its end, and he had to go and test it himself tomorrow. With these thoughts, he slowly drifted into sleep.

……

Early the next morning, Li Mingyuan rode his bicycle to the Rolling Mill. As soon as he entered the factory gate, he saw Factory Lou Changzhang rushing up to greet him:

"Chief Engineer Li, good news! According to your blueprints, the first Semi-automatic Machine Tool has been modified and is just waiting for you to test it!" A smile appeared on Li Mingyuan's face; this was even faster than he had expected.

In the workshop, workers were gathered around the modified machine tool, discussing it animatedly.

The exterior of this machine tool looked no different from a regular one, except for a few strange attachments, especially the device with the Flashlight Bulb hanging on it, which drew many curious gazes.

"Make way, everyone, Chief Engineer Li is here!" Chen Dezhong shouted loudly, and the crowd immediately cleared a path.

Li Mingyuan walked up to the machine tool, carefully inspected every detail, and nodded with satisfaction: "The modification is good. Now I will install the most critical part."

He took the prepared Relay and Photoresistor from his toolbox and began installing them at the key positions of the machine tool.

His movements were skillful, as if he had done it a thousand times. The surrounding workers watched in a daze, not even daring to breathe loudly.

"Chief Engineer Li's craftsmanship is simply like magic." An old worker whispered, drawing nods from those nearby.

Li Mingyuan turned a deaf ear, focusing entirely on adjusting the position of each component, occasionally using a Multimeter to measure the circuit.

Two hours later, Li Mingyuan finally straightened his back and wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Alright, it's ready for testing."

The workers immediately quieted down, everyone's eyes focused on the modified machine tool, and the air seemed to freeze.

Li Mingyuan picked up a steel pipe, placed it into the machine tool's fixture, and pressed the start button.

A miracle happened—the machine tool actually began to operate automatically, the cutting tool precisely contacting the steel pipe and beginning to machine it along the preset path without any manual intervention!

"Look, look! It's moving by itself!" A young worker exclaimed, then covered his mouth, but the shock in his eyes could not be hidden.

The entire workshop instantly boiled over, everyone staring unblinkingly at the machine tool that seemed to have come to life.

The steel pipe rotated evenly on the machine tool, and the cutting tool moved precisely along the set trajectory, cutting out perfect Spiral Rifling.

Even more magically, when the light passed through the cam, the light from the Flashlight Bulb shone onto the Photoresistor, and the machine tool would automatically adjust the feed depth to ensure machining precision.

"Is this the legendary automated production?" Factory Lou Changzhang's voice was distorted with excitement.

Ten minutes later, the first rifled steel pipe was finished.

Li Mingyuan took off the finished product and handed it to Chen Dezhong: "Take it for inspection." Chen Dezhong carefully took the steel pipe as if holding some rare treasure and immediately took it to the inspection room.