Chapter 216: Energy‑Saving Stoves Benefit the Whole Courtyard·Green Energy Specialization Activated

At daybreak, Zhao Jianguo was already standing at Jia Dongxu's house door, knocking.

"Are you up yet? Today we have to fine‑tune the stove one last time."

When the door opened, Jia Dongxu was still holding a Wrench, his eyes a little red. He had stayed up until two a. m. last night just to adjust the angle of the intake port. The two of them said nothing more and went straight to the Kitchen.

The Siheyuan's chimney used to constantly spew black smoke, and cooking in the morning was like a battle; now it's different. After the new stove was installed, the exhaust pipe was so clean it could reflect a silhouette. They opened the valve, and the flame burst out with a "puff", blue, adhering steadily to the bottom of the pot.

"All set," Jia Dongxu exhaled, "This time it really doesn't smoke."

Zhao Jianguo nodded and casually recorded the gas meter reading. The two of them went house to house, checking each connection for leaks and adjusting the flame intensity. San Daye squatted in front of his own stove for a while, muttering, "Why is this flame blue? Back when we burned coal, a red flame meant it was strong."

"Red flame wastes gas, blue flame saves," Zhao Jianguo poured him a glass of water, "Please boil a kettle and see how long it takes to start."

San Daye lit the fire half‑incredulously, placed an aluminum kettle. He pulled out an old‑style stopwatch from his pocket, timed it, eyes fixed on the base of the flame. After five minutes the water boiled, the kettle lid jumped. He touched the pot bottom—no black ash at all.

"That's really fast," he muttered, "Saved half the gas."

The news spread faster than the wind. Before noon, everyone in the Courtyard knew San Daye had approved the new stove. Some people came proactively to ask how to use it, some said the nozzle needed replacement, and others wanted Zhao Jianguo to check whether their own gas meters were accurate.

Sha Zhu returned from the cafeteria, circled the stove several times. He reached out to touch the burner, then leaned in to sniff.

"No smell," he said, "Before, lighting always had that raw gas odor; now there's none at all."

"The combustion is complete, so of course there's no odor," Zhao Jianguo handed him a small booklet, "This is the operating guide; just don't wipe the igniter with a wet rag."

Sha Zhu took the booklet and stuffed it into his pocket, "No need to read it, as long as the fire works. Tonight I'll take charge of the wok and make fried sauce noodles for you!"

At three p. m., Zhao Jianguo stood in the Courtyard and stretched lazily. System Prompt chimed once.

【Check-in Successful】

【Acquired Skill: Green Energy Specialization】

His mind filled with many things, such as micro‑algae cultivation conditions, photosynthetic efficiency curves, waste‑gas recycling pathway designs. He turned back into the house, pulled a transparent hose from the bottom of the Toolbox, inside it soaked a greenish substance.

"What's this?" Jia Dongxu asked.

"Algae seed," Zhao Jianguo said, unscrewing the exhaust pipe interface, "Connect it, let it consume the waste gas."

The two attached the hose to the stove's tail, secured the Culture Chamber. High‑temperature waste gas flowed through the pipe, and the green algae inside began to sway gently, as if coming to life. After a while, a fresh scent drifted from the exhaust, like grass after rain.

"You can still do this?" Jia Dongxu stared.

"When watering the rooftop garden later, we'll use the nutrient solution it produces," Zhao Jianguo patted the machine, "Energy saving is only the first step."

Before night fell, Sha Zhu set up a big pot. He first tossed diced meat into the pot, oil droplets popped up bit by bit, and the aroma surged outward. The key was that the flame obeyed—when set low it stayed low, when set high it stayed high, never flickering. The sauce was stir‑fried for forty minutes, darkening in color, the oil glossy coating the ingredients, the scent drifting far down the Hutong.

San Daye was the first to bring a bowl over, "Give me a bowl, and ladle extra sauce!"

Sha Zhu used long chopsticks to stir the noodles, lifted them into the bowl, drizzled two big spoonfuls of fried sauce, then sprinkled some cucumber strips. San Daye took it, bit down, and his nose wrinkled.

"Delicious!" he shouted, "I haven't had noodles this tasty in ten years!"

When he said that, everyone gathered around. Children tiptoed to look at the pot, an elderly lady brought a small basin to serve, and even Jia Dongxu, who usually avoids the bustle, took a bowl and stood at the side.

Zhao Jianguo sat on a small stool, cradling the bowl and eating slowly. The noodles were firm, the sauce perfectly seasoned, each bite filled with oily fragrance. He looked up; the chimney emitted only white vapor, clean and bright, reflecting the streetlamp like a thin mist.

System Prompt popped up again.

【Carbon Emissions Reduced 30%】

【Environmental Contribution Met Target】

【Awarded Title: Environmental Pioneer】

He smiled, lowered his head and continued eating the noodles.

Halfway through the Meal Ticket, Sha Zhu suddenly slapped his thigh.

"Hey! My spouse said we're making braised pork tomorrow; can we borrow this stove?"

"Which household doesn't cook?" San Daye chimed in, "Everyone should get a turn!"

"My child needs to boil milk; it can't get cold."

"Can I steam buns?"

A cacophony of voices erupted. Zhao Jianguo set down his chopsticks, pulled out a notebook and began recording the usage order.

"Come in order, no cutting in line," he said, "Who causes trouble goes to the end of the list."

Everyone laughed and cursed a few words, but still obediently gave their names.

Before sleep, Zhao Jianguo walked a lap around the Courtyard. Every household's windows glowed, the stoves were still in use, the exhaust pipe worked quietly, and the green algae swayed slowly in the Culture Chamber. He reached out to touch the pipe wall; it was warm, as if a life were breathing.

He took out his phone, opened the management App, ready to record a segment of operational data. As his finger touched the Screen, a new message popped up.

【Northwest Direction, Received Distress Signal】

【Equipment Type: Solar Irrigation System】

【Error Code: E-721】

He stared at that line for two seconds, without opening the details.

In the neighboring Courtyard, Sha Zhu was humming a tune while scrubbing the pot, San Daye was teaching his grandson the solar terms song, and Jia Dongxu crouched at the doorway repairing a rice cooker.

Zhao Jianguo flipped his phone over and pressed it against his palm.