The Fitter Master in the Courtyard: Surrounded by Dead Men

Yang Ping habitually reached into his pocket, took out two milk candies wrapped in rice paper, and handed them to the little girl's outstretched palm.

"Yueling, take this."

"Thank you, Brother Yang Ping!"

Xu Yueling peeled a piece of candy and put it in her mouth. Her cheeks immediately puffed out in a round shape, and her eyes curved into crescent moons.

"Why are you only getting home now?"

As Yang Ping pushed open the door and entered the room, the grandfather clock in the corner had just struck nine.

He bent down to change his shoes and mumbled, "The factory has set up a new team, and I've been put in charge."

It was already dark when I finished, so I decided to eat out.

As soon as he said it, he paused for a moment—his tone sounded just like a husband reporting to his wife that he was coming home late.

He shook his head, secretly hoping that Xu Damao would settle down soon so he could take his sister away.

The fact that this girl always stays here makes him feel like something's not right.

"Brother Yang Ping, you've worked so hard."

Xu Yueling looked up, her eyes sparkling with undisguised admiration.

She had just been certified as a level six fitter a few days ago, and in the blink of an eye, she became a team leader. In her eyes, this neighbor brother was simply omnipotent.

Yang Ping glanced at the Xu family's tightly closed door; it was quiet inside. "Uncle Xu and the others haven't returned yet?"

"Let me tell you a secret—"

Xu Yueling tiptoed and looked around the corridor a few times before lowering her voice and saying, "You have to promise not to tell anyone."

Yang Ping nodded.

If Xu Fugui knew that his daughter was so easily "betrayed"

I'm afraid he'd laugh in exasperation.

"My brother went to the countryside to show movies and fell in love with a girl."

She leaned closer, her warm breath brushing against Yang Ping's ear, "Mom and Dad rushed over to help him with the wedding arrangements."

My brother told me that if anyone asked, I should say they went back to my maternal grandparents' house.

It turned out to be the case.

Yang Ping suddenly realized.

No wonder the couple left in such a hurry, without even having time to pack their luggage properly.

What do you mean by "arranging a wedding"?

—It's highly likely that Xu Damao's illness relapsed, and he flirted with the girl, resulting in him being caught on the spot, detained in the village, and forced to admit his guilt.

This kid has done this kind of thing many times before, and every time he would proudly brag about it in the courtyard.

Well, now that I've been walking by the river so often, I've finally gotten my shoes wet.

"Did they say when they'd be back?"

Yang Ping asked.

Xu Yueling shook her head. "I only left some money for myself to manage for a few days."

As she spoke, she unconsciously tugged at the hem of her clothes.

Under the light, that slender wrist looked particularly forlorn.

Xu Yueling nodded gently.

"Just stay quietly at home for the next few days and don't go out. Wait for your parents to come back."

"Come find me anytime if you need anything, okay?"

Yang Ping added another instruction.

"Okay, Brother Yang Ping!"

Xu Yueling smiled and answered crisply.

Yang Ping then pushed the old bicycle and turned to go inside.

……

In the workshop, a dozen or so people had unknowingly gathered around Yang Ping's machine tool.

All eyes were fixed on the newly processed metal piece in his hand, filled with undisguised curiosity and curiosity.

Yang Ping remained calm and composed, picked up the measuring tools, and carefully checked every dimension of the part under the light.

It was a workpiece with a precision of level seven, and he examined it with exceptional care.

After measuring the last spot, he put down his tools. Before he could even utter a sound, anxious inquiries from those around him surged up.

"Master Yang, how's it going?"

"Master Lin, is your job... good enough for a level seven exam?"

Everyone's face was tense, waiting for his conclusion.

"Passed."

Yang Ping's voice was steady, "But I've only just reached the lower limit of level seven, so I still need to put in the effort to practice."

These words were like a pebble thrown into still water, immediately stirring up a low murmur.

Early this morning, Yang Ping began to guide Lin Dahai in figuring out the intricacies of level seven parts, and then let him try it out on his own.

Naturally, no one knew that he had already quietly passed on the key feel and experience of a level seven fitter to the other party.

Yang Ping knew the reason why he did this.

The atmosphere in the workshop was too stifling; someone had to step forward and offer some hope and a glimmer of light.

Besides, Lin Dahai was someone he personally mentored, so both morally and logically, he should be the first to overcome this hurdle.

If Lin Dahai can steadily reach level seven, many things will be much easier in the future—at least, it won't be difficult to share the burden of guiding beginners.

"It really worked?"

"It's only been a few days... Master Lin is already at level seven? Master Yang's teaching skills are amazing!"

"Let me see! I'll measure it again with calipers!"

"Stop measuring, I just compared them one by one, and they're exactly the same as the drawings."

The crowd buzzed with discussion; their earlier anxiety had transformed into excitement and disbelief.

Master Yang, your skills are absolutely amazing!

The onlookers were taken aback at first, but then their eyes lit up.

Who would have thought that Yang Ping would have such abilities?

Hope was rekindled in everyone's hearts—it turned out that upgrading was not so far away after all.

Unable to contain himself, someone raised his voice and asked: "Master Yang, when can we learn from you?"

Yang Ping smiled and said: Don't rush.

First, everyone should correct their own bad habits, and then I will naturally pass on the tips to you.

Once you master the method, it's not difficult to reach level seven, just like Master Lin.

it is good!

Everyone responded in unison, and they returned to their machine tools with great enthusiasm, grinding the parts with more care and attention than ever before.

They also began to consciously correct the habits that Yang Ping pointed out.

A barely perceptible hint of satisfaction flashed across Yang Ping's eyes as he watched the scene unfold.

It seems that this arrangement was not in vain.

Master Yang, thank you for your guidance.

Lin Dahai stepped forward and thanked him sincerely.

Go ahead and hone your skills.

Yang Ping simply waved his hand lightly.

Lin Dahai nodded emphatically, turned around and returned to his workstation, his movements more focused and steady than ever before.

Xie Quancai then put down the level 7 workpiece, his face full of admiration: Yang Ping, you're really something.

Master, if it weren't for your patient guidance back then, I wouldn't be where I am today.

If we're talking about who's truly amazing, it has to be you.

Yang Ping spoke sincerely.

"You little rascal, all you do is flatter me!" Xie Quancai chuckled and scolded, but couldn't hide the smile on his lips.

Everyone loves to hear nice words, even if they know it's flattery, they still feel good.

Yang Ping simply smiled slightly, said nothing more, and turned back to his work machine.

Inside the workshop, the sound of metal rubbing together rang out again, more dense and more resounding than before.

With the increase in the number of level 7 fitters in the factory, the progress of this batch of parts on his hands has also increased significantly.

At this rate, it's estimated that it won't be completed until the 10th of next month; it might even be finished before the 1st.

The scene in the courtyard was quite different at this moment.

Xu Fugui and his wife returned from outside, bringing not only their son Xu Damao, but also a broad-shouldered, sturdy young woman behind them.

"Oh, Sister-in-law Xu, who is this young lady...?"

The three women had just returned from washing cabbages in the front yard when they bumped into this group of people.

Her gaze fell on the girl behind the Xu couple and Xu Damao—judging from her figure, she looked like a capable and fertile woman.

"This is Da Mao's wife, Ma Xiaoling."

"Since we'll be living in the same courtyard from now on, we'll have to ask Auntie San to take good care of us."

Xu's mother gently led Ma Xiaoling forward, introduced her with a smile, and winked at Ma Xiaoling at the same time.

"Hello, Auntie!"

Ma Xiaoling smiled and shouted loudly.

"Okay, okay, don't worry!"

The three women laughed so hard that the wrinkles around their eyes deepened.

She glanced at Xu Damao standing to the side and saw that his face was ashen, and he looked like he had been forced to do something terrible. Her heart skipped a beat. Getting married should be a happy occasion, so why did he look like he had been forced to do something terrible?

The words were on the tip of her tongue, but the third aunt swallowed them back. After exchanging a few simple pleasantries, she carried the vegetable basin to her own house.

"That man just now is the third uncle in the courtyard, Yan Fugui's family. He's a very kind person."

If you ever need any help in the future, you can ask her. Just give her a small reward; you won't get her help for nothing.

Xu's mother leaned close to Ma Xiaoling's ear and whispered her instructions.

She, her husband, and daughter are about to move out of this courtyard, and from now on, Xu Damao and his new wife will have to live on their own.

As they walked further in, Xu's mother stopped to introduce the place to everyone she met.

Within half a day, the news that Xu Damao had gotten married spread like wildfire throughout the courtyard.

Along with it spread the news, so did Xu Damao's perpetually sour face.

Gradually, some people began to murmur: This wife came too suddenly.

Didn't I just hear a while ago that Xu Fugui and his wife went back to the wife's family home for some business? How come they've brought a wife back so soon?

The Xu family kept quiet about the specific date, and everyone could only discuss it privately.

Before we knew it, it was already late.

The men who went out to work gradually returned to the courtyard.

"What? Xu Damao got married?"

"I heard that girl is quite sturdy; I wonder where she came from?"

"Why did this kid get married without saying a word?"

"Let's go take a look and see what the new bride looks like!"

"Let's go together, and see if Xu Fugui is going to throw a banquet—if he is, I'll have to eat a few more bowls."

Curious neighbors began to flock to the backyard in twos and threes.

Mother Xu had already prepared a bag of candy, and upon seeing everyone arrive, she smiled and distributed a few pieces. "Our Da Mao got married the other day, please share in our joy."

Let's skip the banquet; isn't the country promoting frugality these days?

When the news broke, some people were secretly disappointed, while others clamored to see the bride.

After being urged several times by his mother, Xu Damao finally led Ma Xiaoling out of the house, albeit reluctantly.

He still had that unwilling look on his face, while Ma Xiaoling stood in front of everyone with a smile on her face.

"This girl looks like she'd have a lot of fertility!"

"Indeed, they look quite well-matched standing together."

Everyone laughed and said a few auspicious words.

After all, it's a joyous occasion, and nobody wants to make things ugly.

"Xu Damao got married? Let me see!"

Sha Zhu pushed through the crowd and emerged.

Seeing Ma Xiaoling's robust figure, he chuckled and turned to look at Xu Damao, who had a long face.

Someone in the courtyard burst out laughing first, followed by a chorus of suppressed laughter.

Xu Damao's new wife, Ma Xiaoling, was tall and sturdy, and the contrast was striking when she stood next to the thin Xu Damao.

Someone then shouted, half-jokingly, "Da Mao, your wife looks so radiant! You'd better take better care of yourself; you need to nourish yourself properly, there's a long road ahead of you!"

While the words were ostensibly a gesture of concern, the underlying sarcasm was obvious to everyone.

The one who spoke was Sha Zhu. He didn't care that today was the Xu family's wedding day. He only picked on things that didn't sound good, saying that Ma Xiaoling was strong enough to be two Xu Damaos, and that Xu Damao looked weak.

"Oh!"

A tacit chuckle immediately spread through the crowd.

As Xu Damao listened, the faint smile on his face vanished. His lips moved, but surprisingly, he didn't reply. He simply lowered his head and remained unusually silent.

"Where did these stray dogs come from, barking like that?"

Ma Xiaoling frowned, her voice bright and crisp, aimed directly at Sha Zhu, "Don't you feel ashamed of spewing filth? What business is it of yours, an outsider, to meddle in our Xu family's affairs?"

That shout was like a splash of cold water into a hot oil pan, and everything suddenly went silent.

Everyone was somewhat surprised, staring at the newlywed bride with astonishment, not expecting her to be so fierce and shrewish.

Sha Zhu was caught completely off guard, choked and stood there for a long time, unable to recover his senses.

The courtyard, which had been noisy and rustling just moments before, was now so quiet that only the sound of the wind could be heard.

Seeing this scene, Xu Damao's expression did not brighten; instead, it became even more gloomy, and he turned his back.

His father, Xu Fugui, and mother remained silent, standing quietly.