The Life of a Son-in-Law in a Courtyard House

Yi Zhonghai knew that Yang Dalin was not telling the truth, so he put on a sincere look and said, "Dalinzi, I know that you may not have been here long and do not trust me yet. The neighbors who have lived here for a long time all know me. I am fair and just in doing things. Even if your brother Dongxu is my apprentice, I will not favor him if his family does something wrong."

Otherwise, everyone would have stopped me from being the liaison officer a long time ago.

So think about it carefully. If there's anything you want to say, just say it directly. There's no need to hide anything.

It's normal for neighbors to have minor conflicts; it's impossible to have absolutely no friction.

"When you lived in your hometown, did you also know that even if your parents had conflicts with some neighbors, they wouldn't completely break off relations, and if something serious happened, everyone would unite?"

Yang Dalin felt that Yi Zhonghai was right after hearing what he said.

That's really how it is in the countryside. Even if the two women have quarreled, if something else happens, everyone will unite and work together to deal with external threats.

In some cases, the women were arguing, but the two men from both families continued to chat and laugh together as usual.

There's no life-or-death feud between them; a little friction and they'd stop associating with a neighbor? That's impossible.

After all, this isn't the future; neighbors like this can stay together for decades, or even a lifetime.

You never know when you might need their help, so how could you just break off relations all at once?

But Yang Dalin really didn't want to talk about Qin Huairu.

Yang Dalin couldn't say it either, because if he did, it would indirectly prove that Qin Huairu was beaten by him.

So Yang Dalin continued, "Uncle Yi, I understand what you're saying. Don't worry, I really have no problem with Sister-in-law Dongxu."

Perhaps it's because I haven't been here long enough for you all to know me yet.

Even if I have any opinions, I will speak directly to Brother Dongxu. Why would I argue with a woman?

What kind of man argues with a woman?

Don't worry, Uncle Yi and Brother Dongxu. By the way, why is Brother Dongxu's family in such dire straits?

What's the reason? Why haven't you tried to find a solution?

Yang Dalin will definitely not admit to anything, and will portray himself as a chauvinistic man who wouldn't argue with a woman.

Actually, he was the one who hit Qin Huairu, but he would never admit it to anyone.

If you really think that Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu won't hold it against them, that's just nonsense.

Lies between adults are even more readily made, so Yang Dalin decided to change the subject to avoid continuing to entangle Qin Huairu.

When Jia Dongxu heard Yang Dalin ask him why his family was in such dire straits, he immediately felt embarrassed.

Yi Zhonghai also felt ashamed. He was a level 7 master craftsman, and after teaching an apprentice for several years, the apprentice was still only a level 1 worker. It was embarrassing to talk about it.

Neither Jia Dongxu nor Yi Zhonghai knew what to say, so Wen Xiumei interjected appropriately.

She said, "Hey, Dalin, your brother Dongxu is actually quite smart, but he gets nervous easily during exams, which is why he keeps getting stuck on the Level 1 Fitter exam."

Yang Dalin knew that Wen Xiumei was trying to make Jia Dongxu look bad, saying that he was quite clever.

Actually, he was never cut out to be a fitter.

Yang Dalin was preparing to come up with a good idea that might change Jia Dongxu's fate, and then there probably wouldn't be so much trouble in the courtyard anymore.

So Yang Dalin ignored Yi Zhonghai's ugly face and said, "Brother Dongxu, don't be embarrassed, this is normal."

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses; you might just not be suited to learning to be a fitter.

Just like some people who are good at math but not at other subjects in school, you could consider trying a different job.

Why does it have to be suspended from the fitter?

For example, machinists, electricians, welders, and so on.

I think Dongxu, you could ask Uncle Yi to show you around other jobs. Seriously, maybe you have a lot of talent in other areas?

Upgrading like this would be much faster; you need to address the root cause of the problem.

Otherwise, it's not good for you to be stuck at the level of a first-class fitter for your entire life, is it?

Remember, "People thrive when they move, but trees die when they're transplanted."

The more Yang Dalin spoke, the uglier Yi Zhonghai's expression became.

Yang Dalin thought to himself, if he managed to snatch away Yi Zhonghai's choice of caregiver, Yi Zhonghai would be furious with him.

So, changing the subject, he said, "Of course, Dongxu, even if you go to learn other jobs, you can't forget Uncle Yi, your first mentor who has been by your side for so many years, right?"

Learning other trades is to improve one's life and enhance one's quality of life.

Master Yi is your greatest mentor; you must never forget his kindness.

Even though Yang Dalin spoke up for Yi Zhonghai, Yi Zhonghai's expression wasn't very pleasant, but Jia Dongxu's thoughts started to stir when he heard this.

Yes, I'm not cut out to be a fitter, but can't I do something else? Dalinzi is right.

A tree dies if it's moved, but a person thrives. Why should I stubbornly stick to being a fitter?

Let's try another approach. If that doesn't work, I can always go back to being a fitter, right?

So Jia Dongxu looked up at Yi Zhonghai with a pleading expression.

Upon seeing Jia Dongxu's expression, Yi Zhonghai knew that his foolish apprentice had been swayed by his words.

I really can't think of a good way to get him to refuse right now.

After all, it involves the livelihood of his apprentice's family, and he can't keep subsidizing them himself.

What if the apprentice has children in the future?

The Jia family also has Jia Zhangshi.

If I'm going to provide subsidies, it's for their whole family, not just for Jia Dongxu alone.

Therefore, Yi Zhonghai really couldn't directly reject his apprentice's idea.

So Yi Zhonghai could only say, "Dongxu, Dalinzi's idea might be a good one. I'll ask around for you later. I don't know if the factory will agree, but I'll try my best."

Jia Dongxu seemed to have found a lifeline. He hurriedly said, "Master, you must help me ask around. Our factory has already laid off some people. To be honest, I'm very worried. You must help me, otherwise I'll have to take my family back to the countryside."

Yi Zhonghai hadn't thought of this before. Yes, if the reduction of personnel included this apprentice who had been a first-class worker for several years, all his plans over the years would be ruined.

Even if his apprentice changed jobs, at least he still lived in the courtyard, so he couldn't escape his grasp.

Judging from the current situation, there will definitely be further staff reductions next year. When that happens, it will all be over.

Yi Zhonghai had also thought of this, so he seriously said to Jia Dongxu, "Okay, don't worry, I'll take care of it tomorrow. Think about it carefully tonight and tell me on your way to work tomorrow."

Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Yang Dalin prepared to leave. He stood up and said, "Brother Dongxu, think it over tonight. Don't rush. You guys chat. I'm going to Brother Zhu's house."

After Yang Dalin bid farewell to Yi Zhonghai and the others and went outside, Yi Zhonghai and Wen Xiumei exchanged a glance. They thought about calling Yang Dalin over, but they couldn't get anything out of him.

But since the person has already left, all we can do for now is comfort Jia Dongxu.

After all, Yang Dalin's matter wasn't a big deal; keeping his apprentice in the capital was the most important thing.

Thinking back to the worker who died in the workshop a few days ago, was he doing this because he was worried about being laid off?

The more Yi Zhonghai thought about it, the more he felt he had guessed the truth.