The Fitter Master in the Courtyard: Surrounded by Dead Men

The two said no more and walked one after the other through the corridor toward the factory manager's office.

As they approached the door, Lü Shuitian suddenly stopped, turned, and gave Yang Ping a deep look. "Master Yang, your hands... they truly have the Midas touch."

Yang Ping simply shook his head slightly: "It's just luck."

Lu Shuitian gave Yang Ping a thumbs up.

He genuinely admired this young man, without the slightest pretense.

"Walk."

Without further delay, he reached out and pushed open the door to Director Yang's office, walking straight in.

Yang Ping followed closely behind.

When Director Yang saw the two enter, he immediately closed the documents spread out on the table and gestured with his hand.

"Yang Ping, sit in the paddy field."

Two chairs were already prepared opposite the desk.

Without any formalities, the two took their seats.

"Enough with the small talk."

Factory Director Yang got straight to the point, "The reason I called you here today is about Yang Ping being transferred to the R&D department."

He picked up a document and handed it to Lü Shuitian and Yang Ping.

"The decision from above has been made, appointing Yang Ping as the deputy director of the workshop."

I spend two hours each day guiding workshop operations, and the rest of the time learning in the R&D department.

Lu Shuitian didn't take the document, but instead indicated that it should be passed to Yang Ping.

He already knew the general content, so there was no need for him to read it again.

Yang Ping didn't refuse and took the document, opening it.

It was an official notice, and as Director Yang had stated, it clearly confirmed the appointment of the deputy director.

The salary and benefits were also listed: the deputy director's salary was 110.5 yuan per month, and the R&D department's learning allowance was 17.5 yuan, totaling 128 yuan.

This monthly income is quite good.

He glanced at it briefly, then closed the document.

"Starting tomorrow, Yang Ping will officially report to the R&D department."

"Director Yang announced."

His gaze swept over Lü Shuitian, and seeing that the other remained silent, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

It goes without saying how important Yang Ping was to Workshop One; the fact that the workshop director remained silent at this moment was somewhat unexpected.

"Paddy field,"

He then asked, "Do you have any objections?"

Lü Shuitian answered decisively.

"OK."

Yang Guangchang nodded, indicating that if there were no objections, the matter would be handled according to the regulations.

Even if there were objections, Lü Shuitian was powerless to change the situation—the official document was issued, and everyone knew the consequences of disobeying it.

"Hiroshige, there's something I need to report."

"speak."

"Today, Master Yang helped Master Lin Dahai reach the eighth-level fitter level, so the factory should give him some reward."

Lu Shuitian recounted the whole story.

"Well, buddy, so that's why you didn't say a word about the transfer order. So it turns out Lin Dahai got promoted."

Yang Guangchang immediately understood.

With other level-eight workers in the workshop able to fill Yang Ping's vacancy, Lü Shuitian naturally felt at ease.

Otherwise, he would have to delay it a bit longer, at least letting Yang Ping stay in the workshop to handle more special parts.

No need for that now.

"This award deserves a substantial reward."

We hope Yang Ping will continue his efforts and train more level-eight workers for the factory.

Yang Guangchang laughed.

"Guangchang, let's skip the radio praise; it'll make too much noise."

Yang Ping quickly interjected.

He didn't want to attract the attention of the entire factory and be surrounded by people gossiping about him.

"Don't worry, it won't happen this time."

Yang Guangchang readily agreed.

He clearly remembered the scene from last time and was determined not to cause any more trouble, lest he be held accountable by his superiors.

"Okay, Yang Ping, I'll apply for a 200 yuan bonus for you, plus a bicycle ticket."

Do you think this is suitable?

After a moment's thought, Yang Ping gave an affirmative answer.

Lu Shuitian had no objection to these words.

The 200 yuan reward was already generous, not to mention the bicycle ticket; in his opinion, that was more than enough.

"no problem."

Yang Ping responded.

Such rewards are indeed plentiful.

Five yuan is enough for one person to eat for a month, thirty-three yuan is the monthly salary of an ordinary worker, and two hundred yuan is an even greater sum.

"Okay, it's settled then."

I'll take care of the formalities shortly; you can go back now.

Factory Director Yang nodded.

Before the two left, he added, "All actions must be carried out in accordance with the orders; no unauthorized changes are permitted. Understand?"

"Understood, Director Yang."

They agreed in unison.

As soon as he stepped out of the office, Lü Shuitian said to Yang Ping, "Master Yang, please come to the workshop to give me some pointers whenever you have time. If you're not available, you can stay in the R&D department to learn."

He knew that Director Yang's insistence on strict adherence to the transfer order stemmed from his fear that Yang Ping would stay in the workshop for too long, delaying his promotion to engineer and attracting the attention of higher authorities.

If you're in the R&D department, you don't have this concern.

Otherwise, Yang Ping wouldn't have been given the title of deputy director, a sinecure where he was only responsible for imparting technical knowledge.

"Don't worry, Director Lü."

Yang Ping responded, "I will train a few more level-eight workers for the workshop."

With them around, I feel at ease.

"That's wonderful!"

Lu Shuitian almost wanted to hug him, but knowing Yang Ping disliked such gestures, she stopped herself. "Master Yang, you've done me such a big favor. I'll treat you to dinner tonight; let's go to Fengzeyuan."

He gritted his teeth and made the decision.

The frustration I had felt from Yi Zhonghai in the past has finally vanished, and I feel completely refreshed.

In recent days, Yang Ping has solved many technical problems in the factory. Although the factory has already awarded him a prize, Lu Shuitian, the workshop director, still feels that something is still missing.

So at noon that day, he made the decision to invite Yang Ping to have a meal at Fengzeyuan.

"Director Lü, the banquet at Fengzeyuan is not cheap."

Yang Ping looked up and said.

He knew the prices there better than anyone—a typical meal would cost at least thirty yuan, and if you wanted to be more particular, sixty or seventy yuan would easily slip through your fingers, which was by no means a small amount for ordinary people.

"Don't worry, I can afford to treat you to a meal."

Lu Shuitian waved his hand and laughed.

It may be expensive, but it's only once in a lifetime, so let's just say it's a token of our appreciation.

"become."

Yang Ping nodded.

"Call your master Xie Quancai too. Others are fine, but I can't handle too many people."

Lu Shuitian added another sentence.

"That would be great."

A smile appeared on Yang Ping's lips.

If he went back and told his master, he'd probably jump for joy—ever since being treated to a meal by a high-ranking official last time, Xie Quancai was now quite ecstatic about being "invited to dinner."

He is particularly enthusiastic about such things.

After returning to the workshop, Yang Ping briefly explained a few words to Xie Quancai before taking his leave.

When I got to my machine tool, the crowd that had gathered there earlier had already dispersed, and everyone was busy with their work. After all, the task was my own, and if I didn't finish it, I would have to bear the consequences myself. Nobody wanted to waste any more time.

"Yang Ping, how did things go?"

Xie Quancai leaned closer and asked in a low voice.

"After the appointment of the deputy director, Director Yang transferred me to the R&D department. From now on, I will come here every day to lead two hours of practical training, and spend the rest of the time learning there."

Yang Ping explained the arrangements in detail.

"Great! That's wonderful!"

Xie Quancai's eyes lit up, and he couldn't hide his excitement.

As Yang Ping's master, he couldn't wait for his apprentice to go further and fly higher and higher—if his apprentice was successful, he, as the master, would also feel proud.

Yang Ping, you'd better work harder in the R&D department and strive to become an engineer as soon as possible.

Don't forget to come back and give me some pointers, and let me experience what it's like to be an engineer.

Xie Quancai then laid out his plans.

Yang Ping could only shake his head helplessly upon hearing this.

He should have realized it sooner; Xie Quancai was never a serious person.

Do you really think engineers are like cabbages on the street, something you can just become whenever you want? If it were that easy, engineers would be everywhere in the world by now.

Not to mention training an engineer, which is even more difficult.

Unless you're like him, holding a trump card that no one else has.

"Master, there's something else."

Director Lü hosted a dinner at Fengzeyuan Restaurant that evening and invited the two of us over.

Yang Ping also passed on another message.

"really?"

Xie Quancai's eyes lit up, his tone revealing barely suppressed excitement.

Yang Ping nodded.

"Fengzeyuan... Just from the name, you can tell it's a big place. I've heard that many leaders have met there, and even foreign guests have been entertained there."

I never imagined that at my age, I'd have the good fortune to be able to go in and have a meal.

Xie Quancai sighed repeatedly, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out.

His life has been simple; he was content to have eaten at Fengzeyuan once.

"Master, if you like it, we can eat there every day from now on."

Yang Ping said half-jokingly.

That wasn't entirely a joke.

Fengzeyuan is Yao Fengze's property, and Yao Fengze is his man. So, rounding it up, that place is not much different from his own.

"Nonsense! Going there to eat every day? Even if I sold your master, I couldn't pay for all that food."

Xie Quancai laughed and cursed.

"If it's not enough to cover the cost of the meal, you can wash dishes in the kitchen to pay off your debt."

Yang Ping laughed as she dodged.

"You little rascal, you think you can get away with this after just three days of not being disciplined?"

Xie Quancai casually picked up a stick from the side and made a feint, but didn't actually hit him.

Yang Ping had already smiled and slipped aside.

Outside the parking lot, Yang Ping, Lü Shuitian, and Xie Quancai had just stood still when the door to the propaganda department opened, and Gao Yue walked out from inside.

"Gao Yue,"

Yang Ping stepped forward to greet him. "Director Lü said he'd like to invite us to dinner at Fengzeyuan Restaurant. Let's go together."

He had just mentioned it to Lü Shuitian, who, upon hearing that she was Yang Ping's girlfriend, immediately smiled and agreed.

"OK."

Gao Yue's eyes curved into a smile.

So the four of them, two in front and two behind, headed towards Fengzeyuan.

On the way, Lü Shuitian joked about the wedding. Although Yang Ping knew it wasn't going to happen anytime soon, he followed the conversation and started talking about plans for renovating the house and preparing for the future.

Gao Yue listened from the side, a faint smile always on her cheeks.

Xie Quancai nodded secretly, thinking that this young man was indeed reliable and dependable. It was a pity that his daughter was not destined for such a marriage, otherwise he would have liked to take the lead in arranging the marriage.

A pang of regret rose in Lü Shuitian's heart—if Yang Ping were still single, he would be happy to introduce his daughter to him; such a good son-in-law is truly hard to find.

Before long, the plaque of Fengzeyuan came into view.

Yang Ping, Gao Yue, and Lü Shuitian had all been there before, and their expressions remained unchanged.

Xie Quancai, however, was seeing this for the first time. From the moment he entered, he kept looking around, his eyes filled with undisguised curiosity and joy.

Lu Shuitian hadn't planned on having a private room, but the innkeeper, Yao Fengze, recognized Yang Ping and offered to give one away for them.

"Yang Ping, you even know the owner here, and you still gave up a private room for him."

Xie Quancai stepped into the elegantly decorated room and couldn't help but admire it.

Lu Shuitian also looked surprised and carefully examined his surroundings.

Lu Shuitian knew all too well what kind of person the owner of Fengzeyuan was.

This restaurant is frequented by countless important figures, and the network of connections behind it is unfathomable.

It's truly baffling that he's being so polite to a junior like Yang Ping now.

"My father did the boss a favor in his early years."

Yang Ping explained calmly, "That's why I always get some preferential treatment when I dine here."

He had already prepared this explanation, and he would say the same thing to everyone.

Lu Shuitian nodded thoughtfully.

Xie Quancai, who was standing to the side, also looked enlightened: "I didn't expect that Lao Yang had such a connection."

He himself never mentions it, probably because he has long forgotten about it.

The owner of Fengzeyuan, however, remembered it clearly—those who can build a business to this extent are indeed people who value relationships.

He had a close relationship with Yang Ping's father, which is why he took Yang Ping as his apprentice.

Gao Yue listened quietly without saying anything.

Yang Ping smiled faintly and gestured for Lü Shuitian to order.

Lu Shuitian modestly selected two dishes and then handed the menu to Yang Ping.

Yang Ping didn't even look at it before handing it directly to his master.

He has dined at Fengzeyuan countless times.