Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

Think about it, in this era where teaching an apprentice can starve the master, master craftsmen would keep their skills to themselves. But Yi Zhonghai was teaching Jia Dongxu with all his might and selflessness, and he was also very strict in urging him to practice every day. But reaching the second level of craftsmanship was not enough. He also demanded that Jia Dongxu take the test twice this time and skip to the third level!

He went to the factory to talk to them, and Yi Zhonghai took care of everything!

Jia Dongxu just needs to make the most of his time and practice diligently!

This is a classic example of a strict teacher producing outstanding students! Moreover, Yi Zhonghai selflessly "helped" his apprentice's entire family.

Even Director Wang, upon seeing Yi Zhonghai tutoring Jia Dongxu every day after get off work, had to give him a few words of praise—that's what it means to be a teacher and a godfather.

If Jia Dongxu becomes unfilial in the future, our neighborhood office will not stand idly by.

But they all overlooked one problem.

Human energy is limited.

Even Zhang Dabiao wouldn't dare say that he could simultaneously dominate the Hong Kong shopping malls and study hard at school; he simply couldn't keep up with that level of energy.

Think about it, what is it like to be in a state of high stress for a long time?

I'm completely exhausted! I was too excited!

What Yi Zhonghai didn't know was that most of the money and food he gave to his apprentice ended up in Jia Zhangshi's stomach. Jia Dongxu's nutrition was not keeping up, and his recent weight gain was due to edema!

One more thing: after Jia Dongxu's long-term efforts, Qin Huairu is pregnant again!

The Jia family is expecting another child, which makes both the Jia family and Yi Zhonghai very happy.

Everyone felt that everything was moving in a positive direction: having a son, getting a promotion and a raise, loving parents and filial children—hope was just around the corner!

Then, at the end of April, the factory held a certification exam.

At what he considered the perfect completion of a Level 3 worker's piece, the moment he was about to be promoted to Level 3 worker—the most glorious moment of his life—he plunged headfirst into the high-speed running equipment.

That's it.

It came suddenly and was very hastily done.

------------

Because Yi Zhonghai had put in a good word, Jia Dongxu was able to take the exam twice in a row. Even Liu Pangpang, Factory Director Yang, Li Huaide, Secretary Nie, and others were present, all thinking that the factory had produced a talented person. Everyone praised Jia Dongxu, saying that his talent was the result of years of hard work and gradual accumulation of knowledge. Master Yi emphasized the importance of solid foundation building and humility in teaching his apprentices, proving that strict teachers produce outstanding students.

At that moment, Jia Dongxu, holding the newly completed workpiece, smiled at Yi Zhonghai and said, "Godfather, I did it!"

Then suddenly everything went black, and right in front of everyone, he grabbed the workpiece (the third-level worker's grade) and collapsed onto the control panel. The machine was still running, and he fell straight in.

There was no alcoholism, no dizziness from overeating, no hunger, and no drowsiness.

It's like suddenly achieving a predetermined goal, then feeling completely drained, leading to sudden cardiac death.

He was so exhausted lately, both mentally and physically. He suddenly felt a wave of relief and everything went black. He lost consciousness.

The upper body was almost completely cut open, and half of the head was cut off. The whole scene was a mess, and the machine was emitting black smoke and broke down.

Jia Dongxu's downfall was rather abrupt.

"Dongxu!"

Yi Zhonghai rushed over like a madman, dragged Jia Dongxu out, and held him in his arms, trying to wake him up, but the white stuff was already flowing out of his head, how could he possibly have a chance to wake him up?

The scene was in complete chaos, and the steel mill immediately called the police, summoned a doctor, and notified Jia Dongxu's family.

It was Liu Pangpang who went back to call the person.

He had an exceptional performance today, advancing from a level 6 blacksmith to a level 7 blacksmith, and he's feeling great about it.

I was still thinking about whether to send Guangqi to Zhang Dabiao's place to exchange some meat when we get back today, so that our Liu family can cook some good dishes to celebrate.

Then Jia Dongxu died right in front of him.

It was so sudden, Liu Pangpang didn't even have time to react.

Director Yang called out his name directly, because he was an old man from courtyard number 95.

Moreover, Yi Zhonghai was sobbing uncontrollably while holding Jia Dongxu's body, and he was covered in blood. He couldn't go back to the courtyard to report the news.

Sha Zhu and Xu Damao? The two of them weren't in the workshop, nor were they in front of the leaders.

If Liu Haizhong doesn't go to deliver the message, who will?

------------

Then, Liu Pangpang returned to the courtyard house in a daze, around 10 a.m.

Jia Zhangshi was still sewing shoe soles in front of her house in the middle courtyard. There wasn't much sunlight in front of the main hall in the front yard, so after Banggeng went to school in the morning, she would carry that small basket of shoe soles to the middle courtyard, where she would sit in the sun, gossip with the old ladies in the yard, and sew shoe soles.

Liu Pangpang rushed into the central courtyard shouting, "Jia Zhangshi! Jia Zhangshi! Is the Jia family home?!"

Some people were puzzled. Wasn't today a grading exam?

He'd only been at work for a few hours, so why was this old man with bangs already back?

Jia Zhangshi was a little confused: "Liu Haizhong, what's wrong?"

"You're in such a hurry. You're supposed to be a big shot, but you don't act like one at all."

Liu Haizhong is quite chubby, so he was a little out of breath after running back and was panting.

An elderly woman asked, "Uncle, weren't you taking a certification exam? Are you done?"

Old Liu's wife, Wu Ma, also came over when she heard the voice: "Uncle, did you pass the exam?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong immediately straightened up and proudly declared, "Passed...passed!"

"I'm currently a Level 7 Blacksmith! My salary is 97!"

(Referencing the 1956 standards of Shijingshan Iron and Steel Plant, which remained unchanged in 1961. The specific wage standards for high-physical-labor/high-temperature jobs in the metallurgical industry, such as iron smelting/forging, are approximately 96-98 yuan for level 7 and 113.6 yuan for level 8; for non-high-temperature forging workers in general machinery/steel plants (Category VI): level 7 is 84.5 yuan (corresponding to the general metallurgical/mechanical standard of 99 yuan for level 8). Here, we tentatively assign Liu Haizhong a level 7 heavy physical labor, non-high-temperature wage of 97 yuan. Actual take-home pay = basic job grade + allowances/bonuses/piece rate, approximately 111-117 yuan. Corrections will be made if necessary.)

"Oh my, congratulations, sir! You must be the highest-paid person in our compound now, right?"

"Of course! A level 7 worker, one of a kind!"

"Hey, no, isn't Da Biao's salary a little over 100 yuan? That research and development studio of some department gives him 90 yuan a month, and the Red Star Daily Necessities Manufacturing Factory also gives him a basic salary of 15 yuan. He can make quite a bit more money from purchasing every month."

"What's the point of comparing yourself to Zhang Dabiao? He has over 40 yuan in savings, and the monthly interest is only a little over 2000 yuan. How can you compare yourself to him? You could work your whole life and still not have as much savings as him. Isn't comparing yourself to him just masochism?"

"What you said makes sense..."

"Congratulations, sir! You should definitely throw a few tables to celebrate!" These were Yang Ruihua's exact words. He was seizing the opportunity to gain as much advantage as possible.

"Don't you think it's a pity about Old Yi? He was a level 7 fitter before last year, but he was demoted and can't take the exam anymore. Otherwise, he would have definitely gotten a level 8 this year, right?"

"Who can argue with that? But he deserved it; he was the one who had the heart to scheme against others."

"Will he still be able to take the certification exam in the future?"

"The exam can only be taken the year after next, but I heard from others that the highest level is level 6. Levels 7 and 8 are for senior technicians who have to handle classified materials. Lao Yi's certificate will not pass the review, so he is not qualified to take the exam."

"Hey, didn't I bring this on myself...?"

"..."

The conversation veered off course.

Wait, what was I back for again?