Courtyard House: Passing through the Silly Pillar, Activating the Blessed Cave Heaven

50

He Yuzhu's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "That's great! Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Qian. Which veteran worker is retiring? What's the specific situation?"

"There's a level 5 fitter in Workshop 1 who's retiring next month. I heard his son already has a stable job, and there's no one in the family who needs to take over his job. It seems he's considering transferring his successor's spot to get some money to supplement his family's income." Qian Dafei said it rather subtly. In fact, he had already found out that the other party did indeed want to transfer his spot, but being cautious, he chose to express it tactfully, leaving room for maneuver.

After listening, He Yuzhu tapped his fingers lightly on the table, thinking to himself, "Although Qian Dafei's words were vague, since he dared to come to me with this information, he must be absolutely certain." He stopped what he was doing and asked, "The fitter position is indeed quite good. Qian, did that experienced foreman mention transferring this position, and how much it would cost?"

"I'm not too sure about that. The specific price will have to be negotiated with your relative in person."

"This is the retired worker's detailed address. I've already found out." Qian Dafei took a piece of paper out of his pocket and placed it on the table. "As long as both parties agree on the price and I get the retired worker's retirement introduction letter, I can bring the letter to the personnel department to complete the relevant procedures and start working in the factory smoothly."

"Thank you so much for your help, Officer Qian. You've really gone to a lot of trouble this time," He Yuzhu said sincerely to Qian Dafei.

"You're too kind, Mr. He. It's all I should do."

"If you have nothing else, I'll go back to work now and won't bother you any longer." Qian Dafei said, getting up to take his leave after finishing his business.

After seeing Qian Dafei off, He Yuzhu stared at the address on the slip of paper, thinking to himself: the fitter position has high technical content and good development prospects. Once Su Shaoan enters Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, he will talk to the director of Workshop 1 and find him a good master with good skills and patience to mentor him.

As long as he studies hard, he will definitely have a bright future.

Having made up his mind, he decided to deliver the note to his cousin Cai Quanwu that night, so that they could contact the retired worker as soon as possible.

After get off work, He Yuzhu rode his bicycle to the Cai family's house behind the tavern.

Seeing that the gate was locked, he pushed the cart inside.

Su Shaoan, who was watching the children in the yard, spotted He Yuzhu immediately and greeted him warmly, "Zhuzi's here! Come in and sit down." Turning towards the kitchen, he called out, "Sister, Zhuzi's here! Come out and see!"

When the two children saw He Yuzhu, they immediately skipped and hopped over, tilting their little faces up and calling out in their clear voices, "Big brother! Big brother!" They felt that the tall and handsome He Yuzhu was as kind as their own brother.

He Yuzhu parked his bicycle against the wall, walked over to the two children, squatted down, and gently pinched their rosy cheeks: "Jianguo, Aiguo, have you been good lately? Have you made your parents angry?"

"I'm the best behaved. I never make Mom and Dad angry. It's my little brother who always cries," Cai Jianguo said earnestly, looking up at his younger brother, not forgetting to "expose" his brother's little problem.

"What a good boy! Next time your brother comes, I'll bring you some delicious candy." He Yuzhu stood up and turned to Su Shaoan, "Shaoan, where's my uncle? Isn't he home?"

"My brother-in-law is busy at the tavern up ahead and hasn't come back yet," Su Shaoan replied.

"Could you please go and ask him to come back? I have something important to tell him, it's about your work," He Yuzhu said.

As soon as Su Shaoan ran out of the courtyard, Su Xiulian lifted the kitchen curtain and came out.

As she wiped her hands, she said with a smile, "Zhu Zi is here, come in and sit down."

Your uncle is busy at the tavern up ahead; he probably won't be back until later.

"Auntie, Shao'an just told me. I've already asked him to call Uncle. He just left, and you came out right after him," He Yuzhu said with a smile as she turned around.

Su Xiulian looked around the courtyard and asked in confusion, "Huh, where's Shao'an? I just heard him talking, how come he disappeared in the blink of an eye?"

"I told him to go to the tavern and call my uncle. I have something important to discuss with him," He Yuzhu explained.

"This child is really fast when he runs." Su Xiulian suddenly realized, then asked curiously, "Coming to see your uncle so late, is there something important?"

"It's about Shao'an's job. We've made progress, and I came here specifically to tell you this good news," He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"Really? We've heard news so quickly?" Su Xiulian's eyes widened in surprise, her face full of disbelief.

"We'll talk about it in detail when Uncle gets back," He Yuzhu nodded and said.

Since the public-private partnership was implemented, Cai Quanwu has blocked the passageway leading from the tavern to the backyard. Now, to get back to the backyard from the tavern, one has to go through a detour via the alley.

A moment later, Cai Quanwu followed Su Shaoan into the courtyard. Upon seeing He Yuzhu, he quickly asked, "Yuzhu, Shaoan said you have something important to discuss with me. What is it?"

"Uncle, there's news about Shao'an's job. I came here specifically to tell you this good news," He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"You've already made progress? That's great! Come inside and sit down, it's cooler inside." Cai Quanwu was overjoyed and quickly invited him in.

"No need, Uncle, let's just talk here. It's not complicated. I need to rush back to cook for Xiao'e after this. She's waiting for me at home," He Yuzhu said, waving his hand quickly.

"Alright, let's talk here then, it won't delay your return," Cai Quanwu said.

"Uncle, I asked a colleague in the personnel department of the steel rolling mill, and he said that a level 5 fitter in Workshop 1 will be retiring next month."

His children all have stable jobs, and there is no one in the family who needs to take over the business, so he plans to transfer the succession spot to someone else.

"Shao'an, what do you think of the fitter job? Are you interested?" After He Yuzhu finished speaking, he turned to look at Su Shao'an, wanting to hear his thoughts.

When He Yuzhu asked Su Shaoan this question, he immediately became nervous and stammered, "I... I don't know if I can do the job of a fitter... Brother-in-law, please help me make a decision, I'll listen to you." He knew nothing about the fitter job and really couldn't make up his mind, so he had no choice but to throw the question to Cai Quanwu.

Cai Quanwu said with a wry smile, "Shao'an, I've never been a fitter before, so I really can't say whether you can do it."

"Zhu Zi, do you think Shao An is suitable for this? You're knowledgeable and experienced, so give me your advice." He didn't have a better solution, so he simply passed the question back to He Yuzhu.

Seeing everyone staring at him, waiting for him to make a decision, He Yuzhu smiled and said, "Since Shao'an wants to work as a factory worker while learning cooking skills from me, I think choosing the fitter position is quite suitable."

Actually, there are many things in common between a fitter and a chef.

"A fitter and a chef can have something in common? How are they similar? I don't see it at all." Su Shaoan became interested and asked curiously.

"When a fitter is machining parts, he needs to have a steady hand and careful observation to grasp the dimensions and precision; when a chef is cutting vegetables, he also needs a steady hand, and when stir-frying vegetables, he has to keep an eye on the heat and the color changes of the vegetables to master the cooking time."

In this respect, the requirements for both are similar; both require sufficient patience and meticulousness,” He Yuzhu explained patiently.

After hearing He Yuzhu's explanation, Su Shaoan smiled and said happily, "Brother-in-law, sister, then I've decided to become a fitter! I will definitely study hard and strive to master the skills as soon as possible."

"Alright, now that you've made your decision, you must work hard after joining Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, humbly learn from the experienced workers, and not slack off or try to cheat," Su Xiulian instructed, her tone full of expectation.

"Don't worry, sister, I will definitely do my best and live up to your expectations," Su Shaoan readily agreed.

Seeing that he had made up his mind, He Yuzhu took out the address slip that Qian Dafei had given him, checked the address again to make sure it was correct, and handed it to Cai Quanwu: "Uncle, this is the detailed address of that retired worker. Keep it safe and don't lose it."

Cai Quanwu took the note, examined it carefully, and asked, "Zhuzi, when would be a good time for me to talk to him? Should I go now, or wait a few days?"

He Yuzhu thought for a moment and said, "If it's convenient, let's talk about it tomorrow night after he gets off work."

Since he was home from get off work and had plenty of time, we could discuss the details of transferring the spot and ask him how much it would cost.

My colleague didn't mention a specific number, but as far as I know, the market price for a fitter's job in the factory is around seven or eight hundred yuan.

If he quotes this price, just agree to it. Don't try to negotiate too much, or you might ruin the deal.

"Understood, I know what to do." Cai Quanwu nodded and said, "Then I'll bring nine hundred yuan tomorrow. If he asks for seven or eight hundred, I'll pay him on the spot once we've reached an agreement, to avoid any unforeseen complications."

"Zhu Zi, that man isn't retiring until next month. If your uncle reaches an agreement with him tomorrow and gives him the money, what if he goes back on his word? What if he takes the money and then denies it later?" Su Xiulian asked worriedly, her heart filled with concerns.

"Uncle and Aunt are right, we must be careful."

You don't need to pay him the full amount at once. Pay a deposit first, and then pay the rest after he has actually retired and received the official succession letter.

As for agreements or similar matters, there's no need to sign them specifically. When you go, just mention that Ms. Qian from the personnel department already knows about this.

"With money to guarantee the deal, he certainly wouldn't dare to renege on his promise. After all, he doesn't want to make a big fuss and affect his retirement," He Yuzhu offered a prudent suggestion.

"Okay, I'll do as you say tomorrow. I'll pay the deposit first, and then pay the balance after I get the letter of introduction," Cai Quanwu said thoughtfully. "Zhu Zi, is there anything else you need to tell me? I'm afraid I might forget something important."

There's nothing else that needs special attention.

"Once you receive your handover letter, please let me know as soon as possible. I'll talk to the workshop director and find him a skilled and patient mentor so he can learn faster," He Yuzhu said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Su Shaoan was overjoyed. The thought of becoming a formal worker soon filled him with excitement and anticipation.

He Yuzhu suddenly frowned and said seriously, "Shao'an, don't be too happy yet."

I can only help you find a job and a good mentor, but whether you can learn the skills and whether you will have a bright future depends entirely on your own efforts.

If you slack off and don't study hard after you get into the factory, don't blame me for being ruthless. No one will be able to help you then.

Also, once you're in the factory, don't let anyone know about our family relationship. Just treat us like ordinary colleagues to avoid causing unnecessary trouble.

Su Shaoan's smile froze, and he immediately straightened his back, saying solemnly, "Brother Zhu, don't worry, I will definitely not let you down! I will definitely learn the skills well, study hard, and become a qualified fitter as soon as possible!"

"That's right."

"As long as you are willing to work hard and be down-to-earth, you will surely be successful in the future." He Yuzhu nodded in satisfaction. "Uncle, I have said everything I need to say. It's getting late, and I have to go back to cook for Xiao'e. I won't bother you any longer."

"I'll see you off. I also need to check out the little tavern up ahead; I have some things to take care of."

"Xiulian, dinner is ready. Have Shaoan go to the tavern to call me back for dinner." Cai Quanwu said, walking out of the courtyard gate with He Yuzhu.

Reaching the alley entrance, He Yuzhu lowered his voice and said seriously to Cai Quanwu, "Uncle, after Shao'an enters the factory, you must keep a close eye on his mouth, make him talk less and do more."

His work permit cannot withstand close scrutiny. If someone with ulterior motives takes notice, he'll be in big trouble.

My position as head of logistics sounds prestigious, but it's actually quite precarious. Many people in the factory are eyeing this position, hoping I'll make a mistake.

"I will give Shaoan a thorough talking-to. Don't worry, I will make sure he keeps his mouth shut and never reveals anything he shouldn't say." Cai Quanwu said solemnly. "Zhuzi, how about I go ask around at other factories and find Shaoan another job? It doesn't matter if it costs more money."

It wouldn't be worth it if you were implicated because of his affairs.