Chapter 18 Envy
Their entire village only had one bicycle and one sewing machine.

Li Jiandong is a good person. He managed to get the whole set by himself.

"What kind of a son-in-law did the Fourth Brother find? He's so rich."

"Although it was lent to the fourth brother and his wife as a dowry, the fact that they can afford these things shows that they are really rich."

"It is said that he is an eighth-level fitter at the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill, which has tens of thousands of employees."

"So he's an eighth-level worker. No wonder. Even if ordinary people have the money to buy three turns and one bell, they can't get these tickets."

That day, people from the entire village gathered at the door of Qin Huairu's house, staring enviously at the three-turn and one-ring ornaments placed in the yard.

This earned enough face for Qin Huairu and her parents, and Qin Huairu wished she could go home with Li Jiandong right away.

However, there are still three days until the wedding date, so no matter how urgent it is, we have to wait.

Back in the courtyard, Li Jiandong continued to prepare for the wedding.

He took a leave of absence and stayed at home today. The steel rolling mill was still operating normally. Coincidentally, his superior arranged a difficult task for him today, which required making a high-precision mold.

Everyone knows that the most complicated part of fitter work is making molds, especially precision-processed molds. Generally, fitters at level five or six cannot understand it at all, and only experienced workers at level seven or above have the opportunity to get involved in this kind of work.

Today's mold is too precise and difficult to make.

All the seventh-level fitters in the entire steel rolling mill gathered in one workshop and worked for a whole morning, but they still couldn't make the mold.

"It's too difficult. Why is the mold so complicated this time? I can't control so many details."

"I don't know what kind of precision parts are on the equipment, why such a task was assigned to our factory."

"What else could it be? Because our factory has produced an eighth-level fitter, and our superiors think highly of us."

The last sentence was said by Yi Zhonghai.

Although Li Jiandong has passed the eighth-level fitter assessment.

But Yi Zhonghai was always unwilling to believe that it was true, and he didn't believe in Li Jiandong's strength.

We just happened to encounter a difficult problem today, and Li Jiandong happened to be on leave.

What a coincidence.

This naturally made Yi Zhonghai, a conspiracy theorist, doubt whether Li Jiandong really had the level of an eighth-level fitter.

He must have received the news long ago and deliberately avoided this mold today, otherwise how can we explain such a coincidence.

"Yes, Master Li is now an eighth-level fitter. How can we do this kind of work without him?"

"The mold that our seventh-level fitters can't make may not be worth anything in the eyes of the eighth-level fitters. But why is Master Li not here today?"

Only then did everyone remember that there was a Li Jiandong, and they all started looking for Li Jiandong.

Director Cao explained, "Master Li is getting married in two days, so he asked for leave today to buy wedding supplies. Marriage is a major event in life. Besides, our superiors have given us two days to complete this mold task, so we don't need to rush. If we really don't understand, we can wait until Master Li comes back tomorrow to figure it out."

This is a godsend opportunity, and Yi Zhonghai can't wait until tomorrow.

The man next to him said sarcastically, "Marriage is indeed a big deal, but isn't it the wedding day yet? Could it be that personal interests should override collective interests?"

Director Cao was a little unhappy when he heard this. "Yi Zhonghai, what do you mean? You know the situation of Master Li's family. He has to take care of everything by himself. Do you have any objection to him taking leave to go back and take care of things?"

Yi Zhonghai said quickly: "Director Cao, I don't have any objections. I'm just worried that this mold is too difficult. What if Master Li can't make it? Let's set aside a day to think of other solutions."

"If we fail to complete the task, it will affect our entire steel mill. Who will bear the responsibility then? It is better to solve the problem sooner rather than later!"

Upon hearing this, Director Cao fell silent.

He really couldn't bear the responsibility of failing to complete the task.

She thought about it, and then said, "How about this, you guys continue your research here, and I'll go to Master Li's house in person. If he's not busy, I'll ask him to come back and take a look."

After Director Cao finished speaking, he left the workshop.

Li Jiandong just walked out of Yan's house and saw Director Cao.

"Director Cao, why are you here? Did something happen in the factory?"

"Master Li, are you busy?"

Director Cao had sweat on his forehead, it seemed that he had been walking in a hurry.

It was clear from his expression that he had something on his mind, not to mention that he came to see Li Jiandong when he was on leave, so there was no doubt about it.

Director Cao did not hide anything and directly told Li Jiandong about the difficulties.

"I have no other choice but to come to you, Master Li. How about you come back to the workshop with me?"

As an eighth-level fitter, Li Jiandong is naturally qualified for this kind of job.

So, he nodded and said, "Director Cao, don't worry, I'll go take a look, there shouldn't be any big problems."

Although Li Jiandong has been busy with his wedding these two days, Jia Dongxu is still working normally. After a few days of 100 times experience return, Li Jiandong has broken through to the eighth-level technician, and his level has improved compared to the eighth-level fitter.

Li Jiandong was confident about this mere precision mold.

He and Director Cao went straight to a workshop, and when they arrived they found that Director Yang and the production director were already there.

After many experiments, I still failed. This membrane is too difficult to use.

Seeing Li Jiandong, Director Yang and the production director went to greet him.

"Master Li, please come and take a look. The mold this time is extremely complicated. I'm afraid our factory has encountered a big problem."

Li Jiandong nodded: "Director Yang, let me try to study it first."

In order to make this precision mold, a workshop specially set aside several machines. Li Jiandong walked to one of the machines, and the precision mold was placed on the iron table next to the machine tool.

There are six pieces in a set, with the large piece containing the small piece.

Li Jiandong walked over and took a quick look, and he already had an idea of ​​how to make it in his mind.

"Master Li, how is it, can you make it?"

Director Yang asked with concern.

The other experienced fitters also looked expectant.

Although they felt a little unhappy about being surpassed by Li Jiandong, the up-and-coming star, they now wanted to see how Li Jiandong operated. Being able to learn something was much more practical than feeling envy, jealousy and hatred.

Only Yi Zhonghai was cursing in his heart that Li Jiandong could not make this mold.

However, Li Jiandong's next move disappointed him.

After Li Jiandong finished studying it, he said, "Director Yang, this mold is indeed a bit complicated, but I should still be able to make it."

After saying that, Li Jiandong picked up one of the six parts and looked at it carefully in front of him.

After about a minute, Li Jiandong put down the part, picked up a rough blank of the same model, put it on the machine and started to operate. Precision machining requires very strict experience and skills of the master. Many differences that cannot be seen by the naked eye will cause a set of molds to fail.

Li Jiandong's hands were very steady and his movements were as smooth as flowing water. He quickly made the accessory.

"Master Qu, please measure this part to see if it is up to standard."

Master Qu is an experienced seventh-level fitter. When he saw Li Jiandong's operation just now, he felt that Li Jiandong's movements were very master-like.

At this moment, seeing Li Jiandong handing it to him, he took out the micrometer and started measuring.

"The inner diameter of the bevel screw hole has an error within 4 threads, which is qualified."

"The inner diameter of the front stud is within 4 threads, which is qualified."

As the measurement results came out, the seventh-level fitters around all took a deep breath.

You should know that 100 threads are equal to 1 millimeter, which is impossible for ordinary people to distinguish with the naked eye. What's more, the shape of the precision parts this time is not very standard, and it is even more difficult to find the correct scale on the non-standard parts.

However, Li Jiandong only needed one operation to control the error of this accessory within 10 millimeters.

You should know that under normal circumstances, if the error is no more than 100 wires, the mold accessories are qualified.

"Master Li, it's you. So many of us have been tinkering with it for a long time, but you made it in no time."

"Before, I thought there was not much difference between a level 7 fitter and a level 1 fitter. After watching Master Li's operation today, I finally understood what it means to look at the world from a narrow perspective."

"It's hard to control the error within 10 threads, even for an eighth-level fitter. Master Li is really born to be a fitter. No wonder he was promoted to eighth level at such a young age."

Director Yang was also very excited.

"That's great. With Master Li in our factory, we no longer have to worry about not being able to complete precision mold tasks."

"Master Li, I'll leave the remaining five parts to you."

Li Jiandong nodded: "Director Yang is too polite, this is all within my job responsibilities."

Li Jiandong completed the remaining five accessories in one go.

The total error does not exceed 4 wires.

The seventh-level fitters around him were completely impressed by Li Jiandong. Those who had looked down on him before now also admired him wholeheartedly.

Although Yi Zhonghai didn't want to believe it, the facts were before him. He saw with his own eyes how Li Jiandong easily made that precise template.

"Director Yang, Director Cao, the parts have been made. I have something else to do at home, so I'll go back first."

Li Jiandong only took half of his vacation today. Since he had completed his work, of course he had to use the rest of the time to rest.

"Director Yang, Master Li is getting married in two days. I originally wanted to take a leave today to stay at home to deal with the wedding. But when I heard that the factory encountered problems, I came back to deal with them."

Director Cao explained to Director Yang on behalf of Li Jiandong.

Director Yang doesn’t know yet that Li Jiandong is getting married.

Hearing this, he joked, "Jiandong, why didn't you tell me about your marriage? You are an eighth-level fitter in our factory, and we managers will have to rely on you in the future. If you don't send me an invitation, don't blame me for going uninvited."

Li Jiandong knew that Director Yang was joking.

He smiled and responded, "Director Yang, you misunderstood. I just wrote the invitations this morning and I haven't started sending them out yet. I hope Director Yang and Director Cao will show their favor. And all the workers can come and show their support if they have time."

"Of course, of course. We will definitely be there for Master Li's wedding."

The seventh-level fitters said in unison.

Li Jiandong was promoted to level eight, so they had to give him face.

On the way back, Li Jiandong took the opportunity to ask Director Yang that he wanted to borrow two Skoda trucks from the fleet to pick up the bride.

Director Yang approved it with a wave of his hand, and also lent his own jeep to Li Jiandong.

Time came quickly to three days later.

The courtyard was filled with joy. Li Jiandong's house was already full of people before dawn in the morning.

They were all women in the yard. Knowing that Li Jiandong had no elders in his family, they came forward to help.

"Li Jiandong, congratulations! From now on, there will be someone to warm your bed for you in the winter."

"You are already thirty this year, so you must hurry up and make a baby. Daqing is only two years older than you, and your son Shazhu is about to start working."

He Daqing was in charge of the wedding banquet today and just happened to come over to get something. When he heard someone talking about him, he immediately smiled and replied, "Sister Wang, although my son is about to join the workforce, I'm still looking for a significant other. If there is anyone suitable, please help me introduce someone to someone."

These words caused the whole audience to burst into laughter, and they all laughed at He Daqing for being a fool.

Yan Bugui walked in from outside: "Old Li, it's time to go pick up the bride."

"Okay, let's go."

Li Jiandong was ready.

In front of him, there were four young guys, Jia Dongxu, Yan Jiecheng, Liu Guangqi and Xu Damao, who were responsible for leading the charge.

Among them, Jia Dongxu was responsible for warding off evil spirits with a felt in his hand, while the other three were responsible for holding red paper paste and sticking it on the trees on the roadside to ward off evil spirits.

The four men went ahead in a Skoda truck, and Li Jiandong, wearing a Zhongshan suit and a big red flower on his chest, followed closely in a jeep.

When they arrived at Qinjiazhuang, they saw from afar that Li Jiandong was driving to pick up the bride, and the villagers were instantly delighted.

It's quite impressive to be able to borrow a bicycle to take your wife these days, and it's even more unique to take a car to pick up the bride.

"The son-in-law of the Qin family is really amazing. He got three cars and a jeep at once."

"Such a wealthy in-law is rare. We can't let him get his wife easily later. We need to pay a few more red envelopes."

"Erdan, don't mess around. It's an honor for our entire Qin family that Huairu can marry into the city. We have to leave a good impression on our son-in-law and not let the city people look down on us farmers. In the future, Huairu will be looked down upon because of us when she marries into the city."

"Yes, yes, yes, everyone, please be more alert and don't bring shame to the people of Qinjiazhuang and make our son-in-law look down on us."

The people in Qinjiazhuang all care about their reputation, and the elders in the family are all sensible. The wedding reception went very smoothly, and some of the originally tacky parts were omitted and downplayed.

Li Jiandong carried the young lady into the car, and they both sat in the back seat. He had prepared dozens of red envelopes but had not used them all. After the jeep started, he scattered them all out of the window.

On happy occasions, everyone should celebrate together. Spending a little money is nothing.

On the way back to the courtyard, before the car stopped, we heard the sound of gongs, drums and firecrackers outside.

Jia Dongxu and Xu Damao went first, and the young people and the uncles in the courtyard worked together to carry the dowry down from the car.

The three turns and one sound were clearly visible, and the residents in the Siheyuan and the surrounding courtyards were all stunned.

"The wife that Lao Li married comes from a very famous family. Her dowry is worth three thousand yuan and one ring."

"Who says it's not? Having just one piece is good enough, but she brought a whole set as a dowry."

(End of this chapter)