The Fitter Master in the Courtyard: Surrounded by Dead Men

You've already reached the upper-level of Grade 7. With a little more practice, you'll reach the advanced level, and your foundation for Grade 8 fitter will be solid.

"Of course! Your master will definitely be at least an eighth-grade fitter someday!"

Xie Quancai puffed out his chest, his tone tinged with pride.

When Xie Quancai brought this up, a smug look immediately appeared on his face, as if he were the only eighth-level fitter in the entire workshop.

He cleared his throat and continued speaking.

"If Yi Zhonghai dares to chatter on and on in front of me again, I'll tell him—my family has two eighth-grade craftsmen, who dares to speak to him like that!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Ping couldn't help but chuckle softly.

It seems that Master still harbors resentment over Yi Zhonghai's past suppression of him and has not been able to completely let go of it.

However, Yang Ping didn't say much.

He knew that once his master was officially awarded the title of Level 8 Fitter, this problem would naturally be resolved.

"Yang Ping, I'll continue polishing the parts."

Xie Quancai did not stay any longer.

He turned around and walked back to his machine tool, bent down and continued working, getting closer and closer to his goal of becoming an eighth-level fitter.

Yang Ping stood there for a moment, then strolled over to Lü Shuitian and chatted idly for a few minutes while sitting on a bench.

When the bell rang to signal the end of the workday, he went to pick up Gao Yue as usual.

He doesn't plan to modify his bicycle for the time being—he wants to wait until he installs a power-off protection device.

Otherwise, riding like that is not only unsafe, but also makes it easy for someone to take it away.

If it were really stolen, the thief would probably be overjoyed, twisting the gear lever to go all the way up and speeding around the city, probably not going home until dark.

"Yang Ping, let's go to the movies with Xiao Bai this weekend."

Gao Yue walked to his side and said softly.

"--ah?"

Yang Ping was stunned for a moment, almost thinking she had misheard.

He asked again, "What did you just say?"

"Watching a movie with Xiaobai, what's up?"

Gao Yue looked up at him, her eyes filled with a hint of doubt.

"Just the three of us? Going to the movies together?"

Yang Ping still found it somewhat unbelievable.

"yes."

Gao Yue nodded, her expression perfectly natural.

Yang Ping turned his head to look at the girl beside him.

"Aren't you...happy?"

He carefully considered his words and asked.

A smile bloomed on Gao Yue's face, and her eyes curved into crescent moons.

She didn't reply, but simply shook their clasped hands gently.

This reaction startled Yang Ping.

Far from showing the slightest displeasure, his expression even revealed a hint of tacit approval.

He was momentarily dazed, as if a sudden warm current had enveloped his chest.

What was going on? He almost wondered if he had stumbled into some bizarre dream.

Surely not… He shook his head, banishing those absurd thoughts.

Reality doesn't just give away such gifts for nothing.

"Let's go, it's time to go back."

Yang Ping pulled his wandering thoughts back, and seeing that Gao Yue had no intention of discussing it further, he didn't press the matter further.

Gao Yue responded with a light, cheerful tone.

The wheels rolled over the streets at dusk.

Yang Ping habitually waited for those familiar questions—what he did today, who he met—but the girl behind him just quietly hugged his waist, her cheek pressed against his back.

This unusual silence made him somewhat uncomfortable.

He took the initiative to speak and told her about everything that happened in the lab.

There was nothing to hide in the first place.

"You've already made a lithium battery?"

Gao Yue's voice was tinged with surprise, and her arms unconsciously tightened a little.

"Yes, we also test-assembled an electric car."

Yang Ping felt the warmth on his back, a smile spreading across his eyes. "Once the whole system is fully tuned in a couple of days, we'll install it on this car, and then I'll take you for a test drive."

"OK."

She responded quickly.

Yang Ping remembered the ticket that had been sitting in the drawer for a long time. "If we're free this weekend, how about we go pick out a bicycle? The ticket's about to expire if we don't use it soon."

He had mentioned buying her a car earlier, but she always refused with various excuses.

This might be an opportunity.

"Don't spend any money."

Gao Yue shook her head, her hair brushing against his coat. "I don't usually need it, really."

Yang Ping didn't insist, only giving a soft "Mmm".

He made a sound.

The evening breeze swept through the streets and alleys, and the bicycle bells jingled all the way, creating delicate ripples in the deepening twilight.

Keep that bicycle ticket safe for now; you can use it later.

As he approached the gate of Gao Yue's courtyard, he instinctively gripped the brakes and stopped the car.

"We've arrived, Gao Yue."

"Yang Ping, you're lucky this time."

Gao Yue nimbly jumped off the back seat, left those words behind, and ran into the courtyard without looking back.

"Um."

A smile immediately spread across Yang Ping's face.

Hearing her words, I realized that my previous guess was indeed correct—it really was Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; and Sunday was a day off.

He knew Gao Yue was kind-hearted, but he didn't expect her to be this kind of kind.

This is really...

As Yang Ping rode away on her bicycle, she couldn't hide the smile on her face.

He felt that today was a truly wonderful day, the kind of day that brings a sense of clarity and boundless joy to the heart.

Moreover, the days to come will likely only bring more joy.

98. Dual Directors and Third-Class Merit

Yang Ping went to work at the steel rolling mill as usual.

The research and development of lithium batteries has now been completed, and we are just waiting for approval from higher authorities. There is nothing urgent to do for the time being.

Seeing that he had some free time, he started thinking about improving the fitter's machine tool. If the machine could be more stable, the grinding precision of his workers would naturally be easier to improve, which would also pave the way for everyone to take the eighth-level fitter exam in the future.

Once the equipment is stable, the improvement of skills will naturally follow.

When everyone is rated as level eight, no one will be able to find anything to criticize.

We did it right away.

Yang Ping walked to the parts processing area, dragged out a fitter's machine tool, and started disassembling it, intending to first understand its internal structure.

"Master Yang, what are you busy with?"

Cao Dayu was modifying a bicycle when he saw Yang Ping fiddling with the machine again, so he quickly put down what he was doing and came over to take a look.

He knew he would be rewarded for his previous successful development of lithium batteries; he certainly didn't want to miss out on the next project.

Yang Ping's voice was crisp and clear.

There's no point in hiding this; it's fine to talk about it.

"I see!"

A hint of surprise flashed across Cao Dayu's expression.

Improving fitter's machinery—that's no small matter.

The factory has a lot of fitter equipment; if the modification is successful, it will cause quite a stir.

"Master Zhao, count me in!"

He said immediately.

"Me too."

Song Zixu accepted the offer without hesitation.

"Okay, you two can help out for now. I'll call you when I need you."

Yang Ping nodded.

Having two helpers certainly saves him a lot of trouble, freeing up his time and energy for more trivial tasks.

"Okay!"

The two responded with smiles.

Yang Ping didn't say anything more and bent down again to continue disassembling the machine.

The internal structure must be thoroughly understood; this step must be done personally.

Cao Dayu and Song Zixu then continued working on the bicycle modifications while waiting for Yang Ping to give them instructions.

For the next few days, Yang Ping devoted almost all his time to this machine.

Only after he had a clear understanding of every part and had drawn up complete design drawings did he finally straighten up and rub his sore neck.

Just as I was pondering what to do next, the phone on my desk suddenly rang.

He quickly picked up the receiver.

"Yang Ping, I am Factory Director Yang."

Come to my office.

The factory manager's voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Coming right away!"

Yang Ping responded fluently.

He paused for a moment, then turned and walked towards Director Yang's office.

The door was ajar, and shadowy figures could be seen inside.

Pushing open the door, four figures in dark blue police uniforms came into view.

He raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of surprise flashing across his face, but he didn't stop walking and went straight to an empty chair in the reception area to sit down.

"Yang Ping!"

Factory Director Yang's voice was a little hurried.

The three officers turned around at the sound, their eyes all falling on him with scrutiny and curiosity.

The only one who didn't move was the one by the window—we'd met once before, so the novelty had worn off.

"You're Yang Ping?"

The person asking the question was an older police officer with different shoulder insignia, and his tone was calm.

"it's me."

Yang Ping agreed readily.

"Good lad!"

The older officer's eyes revealed approval.

He had assumed that the person who could capture enemy agents one after another would be a weathered middle-aged man, but he was surprised to find that the person in front of him was a young man whose eyebrows and eyes still showed signs of immaturity, and who looked to be no more than twenty years old.

It is truly rare to have such courage at such a young age.

Yang Ping merely curled the corners of her lips slightly.

He wasn't in a hurry to respond since the matter was still unclear.

"I came here specifically to deliver this award to you."

The older police officer opened the cloth bag he had been keeping by his side, took out a few items, and solemnly handed them over, saying, "The rewards for the first two captures of enemy agents have been approved."

"This is two hundred yuan in cash, a stack of grain coupons, and—"

He paused, picked up a deep red brocade box, opened the lid, and inside lay a bronze medal, its starlight subdued and its ribbon neatly arranged.

"Third-Class Merit Medal"

According to regulations, ordinary citizens are not easily awarded military merits, but your two cases were far-reaching and had a profound impact, so the higher authorities made a special exception and approved the awarding of merits.

Yang Ping accepted it.

The cash was thick and substantial, the food coupons were neatly arranged, and the medal rested quietly in my palm, slightly cool yet heavy.

Thank you.

A smile finally spread from his eyes and across his face.

Money and food stamps are certainly real, but this third-class merit medal is an honor that has been tempered in fire.

Even years later, when he looked back, Yang Ping had never received such high honors.

"You deserve this honor."

The lead officer saluted him solemnly and personally pinned the medal on his chest.

Yang Ping stood up straight, returned the salute at military posture, and allowed the other party to pin the third-class merit medal on him.

The three young police officers standing nearby couldn't hide their envy—this was a glory they had yet to attain.

A smile spread across Director Yang's face, but his eyes flickered slightly.

At first, he was surprised by the police’s sudden visit; but when he saw Yang Ping being rewarded, his surprise turned into disbelief.

He never expected that this young man was not only a skilled fitter and had outstanding research and development capabilities, but also adept at capturing enemy agents.

Such a versatile talent is truly rare, one in a thousand.

Meeting him was already a stroke of luck, let alone keeping him under my command—it was a blessing I had accumulated over eight lifetimes.

The ceremony is complete.

After the officer returned the greeting, he sat down again.

He turned to Yang Ping, his words carrying a sense of farewell: "The factory will have further rewards later, and I have already discussed it with Director Yang."

We won't stay any longer today; we still have official business to attend to.

"clear."

Yang Ping nodded in agreement.

He and Director Yang got up together, saw the police officers to the door, and then returned to the office.

"Yang Ping,"

Factory Director Yang sat down, his tone solemn, "The factory has decided to promote you to deputy director of the R&D department, with an additional 20 yuan per month."

From now on, you will receive 148 yuan per month.

"Thank you for your guidance, factory manager."

Yang Ping expressed his sincere gratitude.

"Work hard!"

Factory Director Yang stared at him, his tone carrying a hint of entrustment, "Don't let your superiors down."

"Don't worry,"

Yang Ping answered readily, "I will definitely do my best."

"Go."

Factory Director Yang waved his hand, indicating that the conversation should end there.

Yang Ping said no more and turned to leave.