Chapter 516

After the wedding ended, the guests gradually dispersed.

Lin Zhengpeng and Su Qing saw off the last group of guests, returned to the courtyard, their faces full of fatigue yet bearing an unmistakable happiness.

Zheng Juan grabbed Su Qing's hand, saying with concern, "You're exhausted, aren't you? Sit down and rest a bit; I've simmered some sweet soup for you, drink it quickly."

Su Qing smiled and nodded, sitting beside Lin Zhengpeng; the courtyard's atmosphere was warm and harmonious, the evening breeze brushed by, carrying a faint floral scent.

Meanwhile.

In the Siheyuan on South Luogu Lane, a sour, hostile aura now permeated the air.

Qin Huairu returned to the Siheyuan, and as soon as she entered, she squatted under the wall of Zhongyuan, sighing, thinking that she hadn't been able to reap any benefits from the wedding and had been publicly humiliated by Qin Jingru, feeling both angry and resentful.

Xu Damao squatted nearby, smoking, and said with schadenfreude, "I told you long ago, you went there just to invite trouble. Qin Jingru tore into you publicly, Lin Shengli doesn't regard you, and you still went over to get scolded?"

"Xu Damao, stop making snide remarks!" Qin Huairu glared at him, her anger intensifying, "If you hadn't constantly tried to drive a wedge between me and Lin Shengli back then, I wouldn't be in this situation today!" "I sowed a wedge?" Xu Damao sneered, "It was your own insatiable greed; can you blame me? Lin Zhengpeng's wedding had the chiefs serving as witnesses; their lives are something you can't match."

Shazhu came out of the house, holding an empty wine bottle, a hint of drunkenness on his face, and instead of his usual vigor defending Lin Shengli, he muttered in a weird, sarcastic tone:

"What's so great about it? Isn't it just becoming a general and holding a flashy wedding? You really think you're superior, don't you?"

When those words came out, Xu Damao and Qin Huairu were both stunned—Shazhu used to always protect Lin Shengli, instantly arguing with anyone who doubted him; why had his attitude changed today?

In fact, Shazhu had his own calculations in mind.

He had previously thought that by speaking more for Lin Shengli and defending the Lin family, Lin Shengli would appreciate his "support," perhaps even help him find a good job or secure some benefits.

But after waiting and hoping, Lin Shengli's attitude toward him remained lukewarm, no different from how he treated other neighbors; he gave no special favor, nor helped him solve any trouble.

The more Shazhu thought about it, the more unbalanced he felt, as his eager face met a cold butt; gradually his desire to flatter Lin Shengli faded, and he reverted to his old blunt self, even more resentful of the Lin family's splendor—he simply couldn't stand others doing better, especially someone like Lin Shengli, who left the Siheyuan and made a name for himself.

"Hey, Shazhu, why aren't you defending Lin Shengli today?" Xu Damao raised an eyebrow, teasing, "Aren't you always saying General Lin is impressive and the Lin family is glorious?"

Shazhu instantly flared up, tugging at his sleeve as he stepped forward: "Xu Damao, you're looking for a fight, right? When did I ever speak for him? No matter how glorious Lin Shengli is, it has nothing to do with me. I just can't stand his high‑and‑mighty attitude!"

"I think you're jealous!" Xu Damao also stood up, "You used to try to curry favor with people, failed, and now you turn around and insult them; you really have prospects!"

The two argued, faces flushed, pointing at each other's noses, spitting furiously.

Liu Haizhong came from Houyuan, frowning as he scolded, "What are you arguing about? It's late at night, give us some peace!"

He scolded outwardly, but inside he felt a sharp bitterness—Lin Shengli is now a general, his son's wedding had the chief officiating, while he himself has an unemployed son and has lost his former prestige; compared, his own face feels dim.

"Second Elder, stay out of it!" Shazhu glared at Liu Haizhong, "My matter with Xu Damao is none of your business!"

Liu Haizhong's face darkened, but he dared not erupt—he was truly afraid now, fearing that any further trouble would draw Lin Shengli's attention and strip away his last shred of dignity.

He hummed, turned, and walked toward Houyuan.

Yan Bu Gui returned to the Siheyuan, and as soon as he entered, San Da Ma pulled him inside: "How was it? Shengli didn't make things difficult for you, right?"

Yan Bu Gui smiled and nodded: "No, Lord Shengli is generous; I've long stopped taking it to heart, and he even let me stay for a meal. I sent a congratulatory gift to Pengzi and apologized, so I feel much more at ease."

San Da Ma's face broke into a smile: "That's good, that's good! From now on we'll live our lives peacefully, and not think about those crooked ways anymore."

The two's conversation was overheard by the passing Xu Damao, whose inner imbalance grew, and he spat at the door of Yan Bu Gui Jia:

"Pah! What a thing! Using apologies to ingratiate yourself with Lin Shengli—truly spineless!"

Yan Bu Gui heard it but ignored him—he felt at ease now and was too lazy to argue with someone like Xu Damao.

He knew that the days ahead were for himself, and living peacefully was the right path.

As night deepened, the Siheyuan gradually grew quiet, yet the air still reeked with jealousy and resentment.

Xu Damao lay on his bed, tossing and turning, scheming how to cause trouble for the Lin family; Qin Huairu sat in a broken shed, pondering how to bother Qin Jingru again, even if just to reap a small benefit; Shazhu, drunk, lay on his bed, still muttering about the Lin family's splendor, his eyes full of jealousy and grievance; Liu Haizhong worried that if his son still couldn't find a job, what would he do in the future… Meanwhile, in the Lin family residence, the lights remained warm.

Lin Shengli stood in the courtyard, gazing at the stars above, his heart full of reassurance.

The carrier‑borne aircraft were delivered smoothly, his son's wedding concluded perfectly, the nation grew ever stronger, his family ever happier—this was the life he wanted.

He knew that behind tranquil days there were always discordant voices; the people of the Siheyuan would not settle easily, and folks like Qin Huairu and Xu Damao might cause trouble again.

But he was not afraid—he had the nation's backing, his team's effort, his family's companionship, and an old neighbor like Yan Bu Gui who understood reason; no matter what trouble arose, he could handle it calmly.

Early the next morning, Lin Shengli went to the Research Base.

After the carrier‑borne aircraft were delivered, there remained much work on maintenance training and performance optimization; the J‑20's development had entered its final push, and Hanna led the team monitoring the Stealth Coating test data, still needing his oversight.

In the Research Base's laboratory, the lights burned through the night. Hanna, holding a test report, walked up to Lin Shengli, her brows tightly knit:

"Lin, the Stealth Coating's stability in high‑temperature environments still falls short of the standard; once it reaches supersonic flight, the radar cross‑section will exceed the design limit by 0.02 m². The gap is small, but in combat that becomes a fatal flaw."

Lin Shengli took the report, examined the data curves carefully, his fingers unconsciously tapping the desk, and after a moment of thought said:

"Adjust the proportion of the nanomaterials, add 15% titanium‑alloy microparticles to enhance the coating's high‑temperature resistance and stability. Over at Zhengpeng's side, have him lead a team to concurrently optimize the Fire Control System, ensuring that stealth performance and strike accuracy are balanced—stealth is for penetration, strike is the goal; both are indispensable."

"Understood!" Hanna nodded, immediately turning to assign tasks. Having followed Lin Shengli for years, she was accustomed to his precise judgments; as long as she adjusted according to his line of thought, results were often achieved with half the effort.

Lin Zhengpeng, upon receiving the notice, also threw himself into the work at once.

He balanced Su Qing's life, carving out time each day to return home and be with her, while overseeing the Fire Control System's optimization; though busy, he felt fulfilled and happy.

Days passed like this, one after another, and at the Research Base the R&D team kept tackling challenge after challenge.

In the Lin family residence, the young couple treated each other with respect, and the days were warm and harmonious.

At Yan Bu Gui Jia, the husband and wife lived peacefully, no longer scheming about leveraging connections.

And in the Siheyuan, those seeds of jealousy and resentment quietly sprouted; Qin Huairu and Xu Damao were brewing new schemes, Shazhu often joined the commotion, and the Siheyuan's mischievous wind was destined to stir up another wave of turmoil.