The Fitter Master in the Courtyard: Surrounded by Dead Men

Ma Hua shrank back, his face pleading cautiously, "Master, didn't I just explain it clearly to you? I really misunderstood..."

He didn't dare to talk back.

In this cafeteria, Sha Zhu is the undisputed "local tyrant."

If I, a mere soldier who only knows how to stir-fry, really anger him, he might pack his bags and be fired in the blink of an eye.

"If you do something foolish again, you'll regret it!"

Sha Zhu waved his hand, only then remembering that he seemed to have heard about this before.

I was so angry I was completely dumbfounded.

"Don't worry, there will never be a next time!"

MCA quickly agreed.

Sha Zhu snorted, grabbed his greasy apron and tied it tightly: "The food serving window is mine later."

I refuse to believe I can't handle Yang Ping!

As the sun began to set, Li Chengde strolled over with a smile and patted Yang Ping on the shoulder.

"Master Yang, today is a day of great joy."

"Come on, let me treat you to a meal at a restaurant, and we'll have a good drink together!"

A buzz of discussion arose around them, like a pot boiling over.

"Young Master Yang, that's amazing! He's only in his early twenties and he's already at level six, earning sixty-two yuan and fifty cents a month!"

Someone chimed in, "Yang Ping, are you married yet? My daughter's just reached that age, how about I introduce you two?"

Someone nearby immediately retorted, "Come on! Your Yuhua weighs at least 180 pounds. Do you think Master Yang would even look at her? My daughter is much more suitable. She's pretty, strong, and not fat at all. I guarantee Yang Ping will like her!"

Another person pushed their way to the front: "Master Yang, don't listen to their idle chatter. Can you teach me how to reach level six? I'm also thinking of learning the tricks of the trade..."

Yang Ping was surrounded by layers of people, and the cacophony of voices around him made his head spin.

He subconsciously looked up to find his master, Xie Quancai, only to see the other standing outside the crowd with a helpless, bitter smile on his face—Master Xie had been working for over forty years and probably had never experienced anything like this before.

Amidst the commotion, a shout rang out: "What are you all doing gathered here! Don't you have work to do?"

Workshop foreman Lü Shuitian strode over with a stern face, his gaze sweeping across the crowd before suddenly fixing on several unfamiliar faces: "What are you guys from Workshop Two doing here? If you keep joining in the fun, I'll go straight to Director Chen!"

The faces of those people from Workshop 2 changed instantly.

The ground turned white, and he shrank back, not daring to utter a sound.

If this gets reported to my own boss, I'll definitely get a scolding.

"Still standing there? Get back to work!"

Lu Shuitian roared again.

The crowd dispersed like the receding tide, pushing and shoving their way into the workshop.

Some people who had come to see what was going on, but when they caught sight of Director Lü in the distance, they all turned back and quietly slipped away.

In just a short while, the once crowded open space was now only occupied by Yang Ping, Xie Quancai, and Lü Shuitian.

Lu Shuitian's expression softened, and he patted Yang Ping on the shoulder: "It's inevitable that people will talk about you these days. Just bear with it for a few days, and it will pass."

Yang Ping nodded: "Understood, Director."

Yang Ping nodded slightly.

He knew in his heart that the current excitement would eventually dissipate, and people's curiosity would not last long.

Xie Quancai, who was standing to the side, finally breathed a sigh of relief—being surrounded by so many people, he did feel a little suffocated.

"Alright, you two go about your business."

Lu Shuitian's voice was calm and steady, "I'll be watching here, no one will dare to cause trouble."

Both of them nodded in agreement.

Just then, the sound of footsteps approached from afar.

"Oh, Director Lü, you're here too?"

Lu Shuitian turned his head upon hearing the sound, and a smiling face came into view.

He immediately put on a smile: "Director Li, what brings you here?"

If it were an ordinary worker, he might have already given him a stern scolding, but the person in front of him was Li Chengde, the director of the logistics department, so he naturally couldn't be negligent.

"I heard our factory has produced an outstanding worker, so I came to check it out while I was passing by."

Li Chengde spoke gently, his gaze sweeping over Xie Quancai before landing on the young man beside him. "This must be Yang Ping, right?"

"Yes, yes, that's Yang Ping."

Lu Shuitian's tone was filled with pride, "The youngest level six fitter in the factory is a promising talent."

He quickly introduced Yang Ping: "This is Director Li from the logistics department. He's in charge of everything in our factory, from food and drink to toilet facilities."

"Hello, Director Li."

Yang Ping immediately inquired.

He recognized the face—it was the Deputy Factory Director Li from the later part of the story.

However, it was still early, and the other party was still sitting in the position of director of the logistics department, and had not yet been promoted.

The original owner had never met Li Chengde before, and today was their first time meeting.

"Good, young man, you've got potential."

Li Chengde looked him over with a smile, "If you continue like this, you'll definitely be able to reach the level of an eighth-grade worker in the future."

Lu Shuitian chuckled to himself.

"Director Li, Yang Ping is making really fast progress. Now he can even make top-grade parts from level six components. At this rate, I think he won't be far from becoming a level seven fitter."

In the workshop, Lü Shuitian couldn't hide his pride when he talked about Yang Ping, and he would always praise her to everyone he met.

"Yeah?"

Li Chengde's eyes flickered slightly, a hint of barely perceptible surprise flashing across them.

If that's the case, Yang Ping's future path will probably not be limited to an eighth-level fitter—he might even break into the ranks of engineers, or go even further.

I originally just stopped by to say hello and get acquainted with you, but now my thoughts have changed.

Such talent is worth befriending early on; they might be able to lend a hand in crucial moments later.

"Yang Ping, Director Lü, and Master Xie,"

Li Chengde then smiled and said, "I prepared a few dishes at the small canteen at noon. If you gentlemen don't mind, let's have a simple meal together."

"Director Li, you're too kind."

Lu Shuitian immediately agreed, "Just send someone to tell us, and we'll come over."

He naturally wouldn't refuse.

Li Chengde has been gaining momentum in recent years, and has already secured the position of director in just a few years. He may very well become the deputy factory director or even the factory director in the future, so this relationship needs to be established as early as possible.

"Thank you very much, Director Li!"

Xie Quancai quickly echoed his sentiments.

"Thank you, Director Li."

Yang Ping then expressed his gratitude.

He knew perfectly well that this Director Li was someone who acted on rumors.

Upon hearing that he was likely to be promoted to the seventh rank, he immediately arranged a meal and invited him to dinner. He spoke politely and considerately, and his attitude was humble—some other director might not have done so.

No wonder he rose to the position of factory director in just seven or eight years at the steel rolling mill, becoming the undisputed leader of the factory.

"Then it's settled. I'll go and make the arrangements. You all keep busy."

Li Chengde didn't linger; he smiled and turned to leave.

Some things can wait until the dinner table to be discussed.

"it is good."

Lu Shuitian responded from behind him.

Watching Li Chengde's figure disappear at the workshop entrance, Yang Ping turned his gaze away and looked at Director Lü beside him.

"Yang Ping, we're only able to go to the cafeteria today thanks to you."

Lu Shuitian patted him on the shoulder, his tone casually teasing.

"You're being too polite."

Yang Ping wore a polite smile and bowed slightly.

"Alright, you go ahead and do your work. I'll come and get you later, and we'll go together."

Lu Shuitian waved his hand, turned around and left.

Yang Ping nodded in agreement.

Once Lü Shuitian was out of sight, Xie Quancai, who had been holding back his laughter, finally grinned, his shoulders slumped, and his eyes gleamed: "Good lad, your master has really made you proud this time! I never even knew which way the door to that little canteen faced before."

He was clearly thrilled to be able to eat at that place.

Everyone knows that this area is reserved for factory leaders or visiting dignitaries; ordinary workers can't even get close to it.

"master,"

Yang Ping spoke casually, but her eyes remained unmoved. "We'll just go there often from now on."

"That would be great!"

Xie Quancai took his apprentice's joke as gossip and let his imagination run wild, "Serving us the best food and wine every day, making all those directors fawn over us, and even getting that level eight worker Yi Zhonghai to clean the toilets—haha!"

He started laughing as he spoke, since no one was around and he didn't have to pay taxes for bragging.

Yang Ping smiled but didn't reply.

……

In the kitchen, it was a completely different scene.

Li Chengde carried in his things: a plump chicken, a fresh fish, and a piece of glistening pork. *Snap*

It was placed on the cutting board.

"Shazhu, get these sorted out. We'll add a few more hearty dishes for lunch; I have important guests."

"Okay! Don't worry, Director Li!"

He Yuzhu immediately put on a smile and quickly took it.

"This meal is crucial. You'd better bring out all your best skills and don't mess things up."

Li Chengde added another instruction, his tone more serious than usual.

Before leaving, Li Chengde gave him repeated instructions.

"Don't worry, Director, the food for the guests will definitely be excellent!"

He Yuzhu patted his chest and gave his assurance.

After watching his leader's figure disappear into the distance, he immediately rolled up his sleeves and began preparing for the luncheon.

While busy preparing the food, he was preoccupied with something else—he had to hurry up and get the dishes ready so that he could have a free hand at the main window when lunch was served, and make sure that kid Yang Ping got a taste of what it's like to wring out a ladle.

Little did he know that this sumptuous meal was originally prepared for Yang Ping.

When the sun was at its zenith, Lü Shuitian found Yang Ping right on time.

"Let's go, Master Yang, Master Xie, let's go eat."

Yang Ping and Xie Quancai stood up in response, and the three of them walked side by side towards the cafeteria.

By this time, a large crowd of people had gathered in the factory area, numbering at least five or six hundred, making it even more lively than the scene in the morning.

Everyone was hoping to strike up a conversation with Yang Ping during lunch break, and some were even so eager that their desire to arrange a marriage was written all over their faces.

But as soon as the crowd gathered around, they saw that Lü Shuitian was also there, and immediately stopped in their tracks.

"What are you all doing crammed in here? Can't you even let people eat in peace?"

Lu Shuitian put on a stern face and shouted.

"No way... Director Lü has misunderstood!"

"We're just passing by, just passing by!"

The crowd dispersed with smirks, not daring to linger any longer.

"Let's go."

Lü Shuitian turned his head to signal.

Yang Ping was already used to this scene, but Xie Quancai was startled by the crowd. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the people being dispersed by the director.

Before long, the three of them arrived at the entrance of the small canteen.

Li Chengde was already waiting inside the house. Upon seeing them appear, he immediately greeted them with a beaming smile.

Li Chengde raised his hand to indicate, "This way, please. Let's go to the inner room."

He took the first step.

Inside the canteen, there is a separate banquet area, which is separated from the area where factory leaders usually dine. This area is used to receive important visitors or partners, ensuring that conversations are not disturbed.

"good!"

A flush rose to Lü Shuitian's face.

Although he often visited the internal canteen, he rarely ventured into the reception room inside.

Given his position as workshop director, he would not normally be invited inside unless there was a special reason.

Yang Ping and Xie Quancai were newcomers and unaware of the situation. They assumed it was just an ordinary place to eat and showed no unusual expression.

The furnishings in the reception room were clearly more elaborate.

The tables and chairs are all made of the finest rosewood, crafted by a skilled old carpenter. Several elegant ornaments adorn the walls, showing respect for the guests.

"This place is very well decorated."

Xie Quancai looked around and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Upon hearing this, Lü Shuitian smiled and explained in a low voice, "Only this reception room is like this; the regular dining areas outside are not."

He briefly explained the differences between the two places.

Xie Quancai then understood.

Yang Ping, however, remained calm.

With his knowledge from later generations and the considerable wealth he has accumulated, he has seen far more magnificent scenes than this.

The arrangement before him seemed simple and even a bit outdated to him.

Li Chengde did not pay attention to these details.