The Fitter Master in the Courtyard: Surrounded by Dead Men

A Jiefang brand truck was parked in the yard, with a lot of metal machinery piled up in its bed.

Some parts are rusty, clearly indicating that they have been idle and abandoned for many years.

"No problem, just leave it here."

Be careful when moving it, don't break the machine.

He gave a word of advice.

If the parts rust, that's easy to fix; he can just grind a new set according to the dimensions. But if it falls apart, he's not confident he can put it back together exactly as it was.

"Don't worry, Master Yang, we have a plan!"

Cao Dayu patted his chest and agreed, then turned and headed towards the moving team.

Song Zixu followed silently.

Yang Ping didn't linger and headed straight for the workshop.

It's all going to happen tomorrow anyway, so there's no need to wait here idly. I might as well go back to the workshop and take a look around.

"Master Yang!"

When Lü Shuitian saw him return, a smile immediately spread across his face, and he appeared extremely happy.

"How's the R&D department doing?"

He leaned closer and asked.

"It's great, the benefits are good in all aspects."

Yang Ping's answer was brief.

"That's good."

Lü Shuitian nodded.

He felt at ease as long as Yang Ping wasn't wronged.

"By the way, Director Yang asked me to pass on a message: you should focus on learning the skills properly, and if you don't understand something, go find Engineer Guo. Don't just hang around with those people."

He suddenly remembered the factory manager's instructions and quickly added that sentence.

"understood."

Yang Ping waved his hand.

It seems that Director Yang is aware of the situation inside, but he is powerless to change it, so he simply chooses to ignore it.

Now that he's been transferred there, and personally handpicked by his superiors, the factory director naturally doesn't want him to act like one of those "spoiled brats."

Just drifting through life.

Yang Ping strode towards her workstation.

When Xie Quancai and the others saw him approaching, they all stopped what they were doing and looked up to ask, "Yang Ping, how's it going over there?"

"Master Yang, everyone says the conditions in the R&D department are great, they even have meals delivered to your door, is that true?"

"Absolutely! I heard life there is incredibly comfortable; everyone acts like royalty!"

"Won't Master Yang be mistreated there?"

"Hey, what's so great about Master Yang? He's the one who always gets bullied and humiliated. Who gave him the right to be bullied?"

Everyone chimed in with their own opinions, creating a lively discussion.

Yang Ping simply smiled slightly and said:

"Don't worry, everyone, the benefits in the R&D department are indeed quite good."

"I did alright today, and Engineer Guo promoted me to team leader right away. Nobody will give me a hard time."

He downplayed the situation.

"Look at him! My apprentice's got guts; he became a team leader right away!"

Xie Quancai beamed with joy, finally feeling relieved.

Being able to become a team leader at least shows that Engineer Guo values ​​him.

Having someone to look after me means I won't be ostracized in the R&D department, and that's enough.

As for gradually becoming an engineer, that's a story for later.

"Absolutely! Master Yang has never been an ordinary person!"

"Okay, we can rest assured now that he's the team leader."

"As expected, Master Yang is still the best."

Everyone wore genuine smiles, happy for him.

"Alright, alright, everyone get back to your posts."

I'm coming to check up on you all, so your pass rates don't drop while I'm gone.

Yang Ping adopted a leader's demeanor—no, now it should be said that he adopted the demeanor of a deputy director.

I must say, it does have a certain air of authority.

Upon hearing the sound, everyone returned to their workstations and began diligently polishing the parts, including Lin Dahai, an eighth-level fitter.

Only Xie Quancai laughed and spat out a remark:

"You brat, you've only just become the deputy director, and you're already putting on airs with your master?"

Zhao Qiancheng returned to the machine while cursing, but the file in his hand had already started moving obediently.

Yang Ping nodded slightly, said no more, and slowly inspected the workshop with his hands behind his back.

He walked from one workstation to another, sometimes bending down to check the smoothness of the polished parts, and sometimes whispering a few words of advice on techniques.

The air was filled with the smell of metal shavings, and amidst the rhythmic hum of the machines, he could actually taste a sense of leisure.

Being a leader is indeed somewhat different.

But none of the tasks that need to be done can be left undone.

His earlier promise—to train a few more level-eight fitters for Workshop One—resurfaced in his mind.

His gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Zhao Qiancheng's sweat-drenched back.

This person was personally trained by him, and he had a thorough understanding of his character and skills, so promoting him was naturally a smooth process.

As for the other spot, he had already set his sights on his master, Xie Quancai.

However, the master is older and many of his habits are deeply ingrained. He needs to be patiently and gradually guided to change them. It can't be rushed.

As for the rest, we'll offer guidance as much as we can.

When the time is right, progress will come naturally; if someone truly doesn't understand, he won't force it.

As the sun began to set, the workday bell rang crisply.

Surrounded by Xie Quancai, Zhao Qiancheng, and several others, Yang Ping walked out of the workshop gate, exuding an indescribable aura as he chatted and laughed.

This scene was witnessed by Jia Dongxu, who was not far away.

He stood rooted to the spot, finding the laughter and chatter extremely grating.

He had already heard the news that Yang Ping had been promoted to deputy director.

While I, a level 5 fitter, still struggle with my skills, others have easily risen to high positions, earn generous salaries, and are doing the respectable job of teaching skills.

The quiet, unassuming man who used to walk around the courtyard with his head down and could chat with anyone has now become like this.

Jia Dongxu felt as if his heart was stuffed with a ball of cotton soaked in vinegar, both sour and suffocating. He only hated that God was biased and gave such good fortune to someone else for nothing.

Yi Zhonghai quietly walked over and stood beside him, his face so gloomy it could wring water out of it.

He had planned everything perfectly, even preparing his methods and connections, all he wanted was to acquire Yang Ping's house to pave the way for his retirement.

It seems now that the abacus beads are no longer movable.

Time propelled Yang Ping to the position of deputy director, and finally made some people realize the reality—they were no longer his match.

Rumors also circulated that Yang Ping had already appeared in the R&D department.

What kind of place is that? It's filled with powerful, influential "little emperors."

With deep roots, even a single sentence from an ordinary person can leave them breathless.

Thinking of this, the man not only gave up the idea of ​​competing, but also vaguely felt a sense of crisis that he himself was in danger.

"Master, what should we do next?"

When Jia Dongxu saw his master stroll in, he quickly went up to greet him and asked.

"What's the panic?"

Yi Zhonghai waved his hand, trying his best to keep his voice steady, "Your master is at least an eighth-level fitter. The reputation and friendship he has built up over the years still have some weight."

Yang Ping...can't touch us.

These words were spoken to his apprentice, but weren't they also spoken to himself?

"Why!"

Jia Dongxu nodded vigorously, his face full of trust.

In his mind, the deputy director was only one level higher than an eighth-level fitter, just like the difference between a fifth-level fitter and a sixth-level fitter. How big could that be?

As the master and apprentice talked, they headed towards the courtyard house.

On the other side, Yang Ping said goodbye to everyone after leaving the workshop and headed to the parking lot alone.

Among all the people in the group, he is currently the only one who truly deserves the title of "car owner".

This title.

As soon as I got to the parking area, I saw Cao Dayu and Song Zixu there, bending down to unlock their bicycles.

Yang Ping paused slightly.

Aside from the director, this was the first time he had seen anyone else in the factory with a bicycle.

On second thought, it became clear: Cao Dayu and his colleagues had flexible get off work hours, arriving late and leaving early; while he was always punctual, so it was only natural that they wouldn't meet.

"Master Yang!"

"Team Leader Yang!"

The two looked up and saw him, and quickly stood up to greet him.

Cao Dayu continued, "Those machines have all been moved over. As you wish, they're all placed in the parts manufacturing area so you can easily inspect and repair them."

"Okay, thank you for your hard work."

Yang Ping nodded.

Yang Ping spoke softly.

"It's just a small favor, nothing I should do."

Cao Dayu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile.

"Team Leader Yang, can the production schedule for lithium batteries start tomorrow?"

Song Zixu then asked, his tone revealing an barely suppressed urgency.

It's clear that he cares deeply about this matter and is eager to turn the lithium battery from blueprints into reality as soon as possible.

"Tomorrow I will first debug the equipment and replace a batch of aging parts."

Once all the machines are stable, we can officially begin work.

After a moment's thought, Yang Ping briefly explained the arrangements to follow.

"good!"

Song Zixu's eyes lit up instantly, as if he could already see his name being transmitted to every corner along with that thin battery plate.

Cao Dayu also laughed, his brows full of relaxed joy.

"You guys go back first, I still have to wait for someone here."

Yang Ping waved his hand, his tone gentle.

"Alright!"

The two said no more, got on the old bicycle, and their figures gradually disappeared at the end of the alley.

Yang Ping stood still until Gao Yue rushed over from the other end, then accompanied her for a while on the night road and escorted her to her doorstep.

He then rode back alone, the wheels making a soft rustling sound as they rolled over the bluestone pavement.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, Yan Fugui emerged from behind the screen wall, beaming with smiles as he offered his congratulations.

"Yang Ping, I heard you've been promoted to deputy director? Congratulations!"

It seems the news has spread very quickly; the neighbors have already heard about it.

"Thank you, Uncle San."

Yang Ping nodded politely in response.

"hey-hey,"

Yan Fugui took a half step closer, lowered his voice, and probed, "Everyone says that the auxiliary position in your factory has a lot of power, and they can put people in there... Is that really true?"

Clearly, he had inquired about it privately.

Yang Ping replied briefly.

He knew exactly what was going on in his mind; Yan Fugui's schemes were no secret to him.

They simply wanted to use their connections to get Yan Jiecheng a job at the steel rolling mill, even if it was just as a fitter. That would be a secure job, much better than being a temporary worker who only worked sporadically.

But this is not a favor that can be done casually; he has to personally ask Director Yang for help—and Yan Fugui's current gesture is far from enough to make him use his connections to ask for help.

"Is there really... absolutely no way?"

Yan Fugui's face visibly darkened, but he was still unwilling to give up and pressed on with more questions.

"It's simply impossible."

Yang Ping answered calmly, "I've only just taken office as deputy director. My job is to provide technical guidance, not personnel transfers. I have no ability to place people in here."

Yan Fugui frowned and fell silent, ultimately refusing to utter another word.

As he watched Yang Ping turn and walk away, a sense of relief quietly settled in his heart.

"Honey, how did the talks go?"

The third aunt leaned out of the house and asked.

He said he couldn't muster the strength.

Yan Fugui's tone revealed a hint of relief, "Luckily, the gift wasn't given out, otherwise it would have been like throwing a meat bun to a dog."

Upon hearing this, the three women smiled, as if they had gotten a free bargain.

The two men looked at each other and smiled. In their view, not losing anything was already a gain—if they had actually handed over the gift and the matter hadn't been settled, how could they have the nerve to ask for it back?

Yang Ping pushed his bicycle through the middle courtyard, caught a glimpse of Sha Zhu leaning against the door, nodded slightly, and headed to the back courtyard.

Sha Zhu spat on the ground and muttered under his breath:

"It's just a deputy director position, what's there to brag about... Just wait and see, who knows who will be the deputy director of the cafeteria in a few days."

His words were full of disdain, but he knew best the sour envy in his heart.

He worked in the canteen for most of his life, but in the end, he was still only a level eight cook.

But Yang Ping had only been there a short time, and in the blink of an eye, he became the deputy director—who would feel comfortable with that?

Upon seeing Yang Ping, Ma Xiaoling immediately came out of the house to greet her, her eyes crinkling with a smile, "Yang Ping, I really have to congratulate you this time!"

Yang Ping smiled and nodded: "Thank you, Sister Xiaoling."