I painted an aircraft carrier on the courtyard house for Dongda University.

Upon hearing the three ministers' words, Director Wang wished he could disappear into the ground.

He had just promised to ensure that Zhou Weiguo would not be mistreated in the factory, but he was immediately proven wrong?

Why is Yang Weimin, that brainless idiot, targeting Zhou Weiguo? They have absolutely no conflict.

Just as he was pondering this, Zhou Weiguo said, "Uncle Wang, it's probably related to Chief Engineer Song. Last time you demoted Factory Director Yang, wasn't that somewhat related to me? Am I just an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire? Factory Director Yang doesn't dare to mess with Chief Engineer Song, so he's targeting me, a nobody with no official position, to torment me?"

Director Wang then realized what was happening and clenched his fists tightly in anger.

Just then, Li Huaide started arguing with the cadre from earlier.

"Deputy Director Yang! I told you to arrange a chef to replace He Yuzhu, and what kind of garbage did you arrange? Our staff are already exhausted from working all day long, and they rely on a decent meal to keep them going. How can you show favoritism? You try it yourself, what kind of rubbish has this been cooked!"

Deputy Director Yang glanced at Li Huaide with displeasure and said, "Director Li, I didn't have time to prepare when I suspended Sha Zhu yesterday. It's already good enough that I managed to bring in someone who used to be an apprentice at Donglaishun. What more do you want?"

Upon hearing this, Li Huaide was so angry he almost rolled his eyes back. He retorted, "Are you an idiot? You're really something else—you'd hire an apprentice from a hot pot restaurant to be the head chef at the factory!"

Deputy Director Yang was stunned for a moment before he realized what was happening. He looked directly at the fat man and said, "Didn't you tell me your stir-fry was so-so, but your soup was absolutely amazing? Where's the soup?"

The fat man said somewhat aggrievedly, "Brother-in-law, I didn't expect that such a big steel rolling mill like yours wouldn't even have all the necessary seasonings, especially the essential seasoning powder. I can't even make a hot pot base?"

Li Huaide looked at the two "idiots" in front of him and almost burst out laughing, but he still said angrily, "You try it yourself and see if the workers are exaggerating when they say this stuff is pig swill?"

Deputy Director Yang looked at the stew in the pot, forced himself to eat a bite while feeling nauseous, and spat it out as soon as it entered his mouth. Then he said with an embarrassed look, "Well, this is not my fault. Director Yang is in a hurry to deal with He Yuzhu, so I can't do anything about it. I can only find someone to fill in."

At this point, Director Wang couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward, asking, "I won't talk about the food yet, I want to ask you first, why are you still calling Li Huaide 'Director Li'? Wasn't he already promoted to acting deputy factory director?"

Deputy Director Yang didn't recognize Director Wang, but seeing his attire and demeanor, he truthfully replied, "Well... our Factory Director Yang said that Section Chief Li is still in his probationary period and must perform exceptionally well to be officially appointed. To allow Section Chief Li to advance further, this matter will not be publicly announced for the time being, but Section Chief Li's responsibilities have already begun to be adjusted."

Upon hearing this, Director Wang asked directly, "The adjustments have begun? Yang Weimin dismissed He Yuzhu from his post with just one sentence? Shouldn't the kitchen be under the jurisdiction of Deputy Factory Director Li Huaide? I remember I clearly said that Yang Weimin's personnel authority was suspended, didn't you all know that?" Director Wang practically shouted this last sentence.

Li Huaide quickly stepped forward and said, "Director Wang, um... the punishment for He Yuzhu is only suspension, not dismissal, and Director Yang notified me to handle it, so I handed it over to Deputy Director Yang. I was also at fault in this matter, I..."

Zhou Weiguo watched from the back for a long time, but it didn't seem very interesting.

Fortunately, I took out some cigarettes, thinking I'd go out and get a couple.

He had just reached the door when he saw Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu walking towards him from afar.

Too lazy to look at those two disgusting people, I simply walked to the side.

To his surprise, Jia Dongxu and Yi Zhonghai walked towards him.

Just as Zhou Weiguo squatted down and lit a cigarette, Jia Dongxu laughed and said, "Zhou Weiguo, are you scared now? Why were you hiding when you saw us, master and disciple? Now you're scared, where were you before?"

Yi Zhonghai's face hardened: "Dongxu, how have I taught you to speak like this? We're all neighbors; don't you understand such a simple principle as mutual respect?"

Zhou Weiguo burst out laughing when he heard this.

These two were just amusing themselves. Zhou Weiguo didn't say anything, just smoked his cigarette and watched them perform.

Seeing his expression, Jia Dongxu became angry and pointed at him, saying, "Zhou Weiguo, what's so great about you? Stop pretending! Let me tell you, Sha Zhu losing his job is just a matter of my grandma saying a word. How about that? Now that you know the truth, aren't you scared?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Weiguo couldn't hold back any longer and burst out laughing: "Your grandma? Who's your grandma? Don't tell me she's a deaf old woman! You're hilarious! What, recognizing a master isn't enough, you also need to recognize a godfather and a godmother?"

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai's face darkened slightly, and he said, "Weiguo, don't talk like that. The deaf old lady is the matriarch of our courtyard. Even if you are Shazhu's uncle, you should still address her as 'old lady,' right? Otherwise, you are being extremely rude and ill-mannered."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Weiguo immediately said, "Yi Zhonghai, stop spouting nonsense. I'm too lazy to argue with you! Deaf old lady is just an old deaf person, and a deaf person who keeps causing trouble! I've already put you in jail, how can you still chat with me so calmly? For that alone, I have to admire you as a talent."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai's face stiffened for a moment, but he quickly composed himself: "Weiguo, what happened that day was all a misunderstanding. As the saying goes, it's better to resolve a feud than to let it fester. You and Zhuzi will still be living in this courtyard, so there's no need to have such strained relations with your neighbors. As long as you show some respect and take Zhuzi to apologize to the old lady, this matter will be over. Don't worry, the old lady said that as long as you maintain good relations with your neighbors and respect your elders, you'll be good children. She'll immediately go to Director Yang to reinstate Zhuzi's job."

Zhou Weiguo looked at Yi Zhonghai and said with a smile, "Continue, go on, what other requests do you have?"

Yi Zhonghai smiled with satisfaction and said, "Then from now on, whenever you have time, have Zhuzi cook meat for the old lady a few more times. The old lady loves silly Zhuzi the most, and she always saves the best things for him. Don't worry, Zhuzi's efforts for the old lady will be rewarded."

Zhou Weiguo continued, "Anything else?"

Yi Zhonghai could no longer suppress his smile: "Of course, as neighbors, harmony is the most important thing. Go to the police station and release Jia Zhangshi. Don't worry, you will definitely get the compensation you are owed; you won't be shortchanged a single penny."