Chapter 15

Zhao Jianguo walked out of the Siheyuan gate, his steps didn't stop, but his hand furtively touched the ring in his pant pocket. Just now in the courtyard, Yi Zhonghai's words "No matter how well you draw on paper, it's not as real as cutting once on the lathe" still echoed in his ears; he didn't respond, but he had turned it over in his mind several times. He knew these words weren't just meant for him, but also for Dong Xu. But right now he couldn't dwell on that; his mind held only one thing—was that system prompt just now real or not?

Turning the corner, with no one around, Zhao Jianguo leaned against the wall, closed his eyes and focused; the familiar interface indeed popped up. No longer the dull, dusty "sign-in +1" of before, this time the whole panel was much brighter, and at the top an extra line of small text read: "System level raised to LV. 2". He cracked a smile, thinking to himself, this time he really hit the jackpot.

Looking down, the words "Junior Electrician Technology" were clearly displayed in the skill column. He tried to recall the scene of fixing the radio this morning; that familiar feeling bubbling up from his brain returned—vacuum tube models, wiring paths, medium-frequency adjustments—everything felt as if engraved in his bones, startling even himself. This wasn't something you could glean from reading a book; it was genuine "know-how".

Zhao Jianguo opened his eyes, lowered his head and pondered: the system could give knowledge and items, but it needed a trigger. This morning after fixing the radio, the thought "If only I could trade for something solid" popped into his head, and the ring heated up, dropping five catties of premium flour and two industrial coupons into his possession. But this wasn't something you could just wish for; he tried thinking, "Sign-in a wrench," and nothing came out. Then he switched to, "Sign-in the technical data Dong Xu needs," and still got no response.

Zhao Jianguo understood—the system didn't listen to idle wishes; it only counted results. You had to actually get the job done before it would settle the account. Just like fixing the radio: when the machine sounded, the task was considered complete and the reward arrived. This wasn't a sign-in system at all; it was basically "payment upon acceptance".

Zhao Jianguo patted his trousers and stood straight, feeling confident. Since he could direct the system to output things, he needed to know how to settle accounts. The premium flour and industrial coupons weren't free; they had to be used where they mattered most.

On his way home, Zhao Jianguo casually stopped at the empty pottery jar at the Hutongkou, poured the five catties of flour into it, then scooped half a bowl of ordinary white flour from his home's flour bin and mixed it in with chopsticks, stirring twice. The color and feel were nearly identical; outsiders couldn't tell. As for those two industrial coupons, he pulled out his father Zhao Erniu's technical notes, slipped them between a page, and pressed them under the bottom of the bedside table. This stuff couldn't be used hastily; he needed a proper occasion—like when an old master at the factory retired and he could casually transfer a few coupons, making it look natural.

Just as Zhao Jianguo entered the house, Li Xiaohua was lifting the lid of the flour bin to prepare dough; seeing the flour, her eyes lit up: "Why is today's flour so white? Did the factory issue another subsidy?"

"Impossible." Zhao Jianguo leaned against the doorframe, chuckling, "Section Chief Zhang traded some industrial coupons for fine grain, gave me half a catty, saying it was to honor his father; I couldn't refuse, so I took it."

Li Xiaohua nodded, not asking further. In the Siheyuan, who doesn't have some pull? As long as you don't flaunt it, everyone pretends not to notice. She grabbed a handful of dough, rubbed it, and smiled satisfactorily: "Then let's fry some scallion oil pancakes to fortify your father."

Zhao Jianguo answered, turned back inside, pulled the small notebook from under the bed, opened a page, and wrote with his pen: "Applicable routes for electrician skills: radio → amplifier → motor repair → factory equipment maintenance." He paused, then added: "The future breakthrough lies in the factory; I can't rely solely on fixing household appliances to make a name."

Zhao Jianguo knew the Siheyuan was only so big, and there were only a few appliances. Even if San Daye's radio was fixed, it would at most earn a few compliments; but if he could show his skill in the factory, that would be a genuine foothold. Especially the technical assessment—registration opens next month, so he needs to prepare in advance.

Zhao Jianguo closed the notebook, flipped to another page, and wrote: "System reward rule: Directed Sign-in = results-bound, not wishful projection." After reading it aloud to himself, he nodded. This system is quite clever—it doesn't let you get something for nothing, but as long as you truly solve a problem, it gives you resupply. In short, it's "do a job, close an order".

As he was pondering, a commotion came from outside. Zhao Jianguo poked his head out and saw Yanbugui dragging a small stool to sit in the middle of the courtyard, the radio resting on his leg, the antenna pulled up high, and the Speaker emitting a clear voice: "……Next up is the storytelling broadcast of *The Yue Fei Chronicle*, presented by the renowned storyteller Liu Lanfang for your listening——"

The voice was loud and every word crystal clear; even the deaf old lady next door poked her head out and gave a thumbs-up.

"San Daye, is this machine louder than before?" Qin Huairu also came out of the house, smiling as she asked.

"You bet!" Yanbugui proudly slapped the machine, "Fixed by Little Zhao, it's sharper than the department store veteran's! Before it sounded like a cat's meow; now it's on par with the broadcast station."

Zhao Jianguo stood at the doorway, hearing this, and didn't step forward. He knew the lower profile the better. Sure enough, as soon as the words finished, Dong Xu emerged from the house, still holding the repaired tool kit. He said nothing, just stood by the well platform, listening to the radio, his gaze a bit vacant.

Zhao Jianguo had a read on it. Dong Xu wasn't foolish; he had pored over that little booklet all night yesterday, and now hearing how deftly the radio had been fixed, his earlier doubts had already begun to loosen. Zhao Jianguo knew some things needed no extra words—the facts spoke louder than anything.

But just then, Footsteps sounded at the Courtyard Gate. Yi Zhonghai walked in with his hands behind his back, hearing the radio blaring happily, he frowned: "Oh, this machine still works? I thought it should have long gone to the Scrap Yard."

Yanbugui didn't even lift his eyelids: "Just fixed it, Little Zhao's work—skill's not bad."

Yi Zhonghai smiled lightly, his tone casual: "Young people's enthusiasm is good, but electrical appliance repair calls for formal training and a master's guidance. Those 'quick tricks' learned outside may look slick, but if one day there's a leak that causes a fire, it's no joke."

At those words, the Courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Zhao Jianguo stayed silent, Qin Huairu lowered her head and went back inside, Dong Xu stood where he was, his fingers slowly tightening the strap of the tool kit.

Yanbugui wasn't having it; he shoved the radio forward: "Master Yi, if you don't believe me, come fix it yourself? I've left this machine here—if you get it working, I'll publicly admit my mistake."

Yi Zhonghai's face stiffened, he gave a dry laugh: "I don't know how to do this; I'm just reminding you, safety first."

"Safety first?" Yanbugui snorted, "I've listened to this machine for twenty years and never had an incident. On the other hand, some people teach their apprentices to hold back, leaving them stuck at junior level for ten years—that's truly harmful."

Upon hearing that, even the deaf old lady nodded.

Yi Zhonghai's complexion shifted, he said nothing more and turned to leave. Just before walking away, he glanced at Dong Xu, his gaze a bit heavy, as if reminding him of something.

Dong Xu lowered his head, not meeting that gaze.

Zhao Jianguo stood at the doorway, taking in the whole scene. He knew Yanbugui's words weren't just backing him up; they were also lighting a lamp for Dong Xu. Some people aren't lacking ability—they've been suppressed for so long they've come to believe they're stupid.

At dinner, Li Xiaohua chatted while dishing vegetables: "When that radio sounded tonight, the whole courtyard bustled. San Daye even said he wanted to treat you to a meal, thanking you for fixing the machine."

"No, no, no." Zhao Jianguo waved his hand, "It's just a bowl of porridge; he shouldn't go to such expense."

"You gave someone porridge?" Li Xiaohua blinked.

"Hey, the other day He Yushui was crying from hunger, so I casually gave her some." Zhao Jianguo said offhandedly, "A starving child tugs at anyone's heartstrings."

Li Xiaohua sighed, "You kid, your heart is truly kind. But these days, good intentions need backing; otherwise, helping one can leak out to ten."

Zhao Jianguo nodded, not adding more. He understood his mother's meaning—relying solely on the stash in his ring couldn't save many people. He needed connections, ability, and a backer.

After the meal, Zhao Jianguo returned to his room, opened the notebook, and added a line under "System Capabilities": "Reward trigger conditions: solving the problem + others' approval." After pondering a while, he felt the system was increasingly like a "task posting platform"—you need to take on a job, complete it, and get praised; only when all three are present does it count as cleared.

Zhao Jianguo closed the notebook, leaned against the headboard, and his mind began to plot the next step. The technical assessment registration was looming; he needed to get hold of review materials. This wasn't easy—the factory didn't circulate them, and bookstores didn't carry them. Unless… he silently muttered in his mind, "Directed Sign-in: technical assessment materials."

No reaction.

He frowned, tried again: "Check-in: knowledge that can pass the technical assessment."

Still no movement.

He understood—the system doesn't recognize daydreams, you need a precondition. You must first accept a task, do the work, then it gives rewards. Like fixing a radio: if the machine doesn't make a sound, there's no prosperity powder. The technical assessment is the same: you must first sign up, actually take the exam, then it may give assistance.

He smiled, thinking this system still observes the Rules Sign quite well.

Just then, Yanbugui's voice came from outside: "Little Zhao! Little Zhao, are you there?"

He got up and opened the door; Yanbugui stood at the doorway, holding a Cloth Bundle: "Here, I rummaged for half a day and found a few old books, inside there's a copy of 'Electrical Basics'; I don't know if you can use it."

Zhao Jianguo took the package, opened it, and indeed it was a textbook from the early 1960s, the paper yellowed but the characters clear.

"San Daye, this is too precious, I can't take it for nothing."

"Take it!" Yanbugui waved his hand: "You help me fix the machine, I'll give you the book, we're even. Besides, leaving it with me just gathers dust; better let you use it."

Zhao Jianguo held the book, his heart warmed. He knew this wasn't just a book, it was trust.

He nodded: "After I finish reading, I'll copy a copy for you to keep as a family heirloom."

Yanbugui laughed heartily: "Come on, my two sons get a headache at the sight of books. You keep it and use it; just help me fix this broken machine more in the future."

Having said that, he turned and left.

Zhao Jianguo closed the door, placed the book on the table, and stared at it for a while. He knew that from today on, he was no longer the transmigrator who just got by with check-ins. He had skills, resources, and someone willing to trust him.

He opened the book; the first page read: "The basic principles of circuits."

He picked up a pen and wrote a line of small text in the blank margin: "First step: let the system know I can do it."