Chapter 24 Gratitude
Because of Yan Jiecheng's matter, Yan Bugui is now very grateful to Li Jiandong and has almost become his little follower in the yard.

Li Jiandong didn't expect Yi Zhonghai to give in so quickly and actually ask for help from outsiders.

He sneered and said, "It doesn't matter. Even the director of the street cannot confuse right and wrong. I am upright and I have nothing to fear."

As they spoke, Li Jiandong and Jia Dongxu continued to walk towards the front yard. Yan Bugui waved to Yan Jiecheng and quickly followed.

As soon as he walked into the central courtyard, Yi Zhonghai saw Li Jiandong.

Said to Deputy Director Dai: "Director Dai, Li Jiandong is back."

Deputy Director Dai turned around and saw Li Jiandong. His face suddenly became serious and he said, "Li Jiandong, come here."

Li Jiandong walked over and asked, "Deputy Director Dai, do you want to talk to me about something?"

Deputy Director Dai asked back, "Don't you know why I want to see you?"

"Let me ask you, did your department hold a general meeting yesterday? Why did you leave before the meeting was over?"

"Although the college-wide meeting is not an important meeting, this incident shows that you have no regard for the overall interests of the group and are disorganized and undisciplined."

"Now, write a self-review and promise not to make such a mistake again. Then, have Yi Zhonghai check it and send it to me."

Yi Zhonghai was very proud standing beside him.

He had already made up his mind that when Li Jiandong wrote the self-criticism and asked him to check it, he would definitely not let Li Jiandong off easily.

"Deputy Director Dai, I want to ask you, are you street officials serving the people, or are you bullying the people?"

Li Jiandong's direct question stunned Deputy Director Dai on the spot.

However, he quickly reacted and argued, "Li Jiandong, what do you mean?"

"Of course we serve the people, but we serve all the people, not just you. I am correcting your mistakes now, and this is also for your own good."

Li Jiandong sneered: "For my own good? Then do you know what the theme of yesterday's meeting was?"

"Someone forced me to donate money to others in the name of the general meeting of the whole college. How is this different from robbery? It can't be legal just because it is robbed at the general meeting of the whole college, right?"

Yi Zhonghai quickly explained: "Director Dai, don't listen to his nonsense. As a temporary uncle in the hospital, shouldn't I help the needy families in the hospital? How can this be considered robbing money?"

Before Li Jiandong could say anything, Yan Bugui beside him said:
"Director Dai, as an outsider, I can judge this matter. Although Lao Yi nominally asked everyone to donate money to the needy, we outsiders can see that he is targeting Li Jiandong. How can you only ask one person to donate money, and give him a fixed amount? Director Dai, what do you think?"

Yi Zhonghai looked at Yan Bugui with a gloomy expression.

What’s his business between me and Li Jiandong? If he keeps talking too much here, I will definitely make things difficult for him when I become the boss.

What Yi Zhonghai couldn't have imagined was that in addition to Yan Bugui, there were others who were also willing to speak for Li Jiandong.

Jia Zhang came out of the room and sneered, "Director Dai, don't be fooled by that old villain Yi Zhonghai.

He was just jealous that Li Jiandong was a better fitter than him, so he opposed Li Jiandong in every way.

We all saw what happened yesterday. He said he was helping the needy, but who doesn’t know what he was up to? "

Jia Dongxu was also a little angry and said, "Director Dai, my mother is right. The purpose of Master Yi's meeting was to help the needy. But he himself didn't want to spend a penny. Instead, my master taught people how to fish and gave Sister Ma in the backyard a job. So, what he said was to help the needy is simply nonsense."

When other people in the yard heard the noise, they came over to watch the fun.

When they learned that Yi Zhonghai had asked the deputy director of the street committee to deal with Li Jiandong, the residents were even more united in speaking out against Yi Zhonghai.

Director Dai's face turned pale as he shouted, "Li Jiandong, what do you guys in the hospital want to do? I just said one sentence and you're all waiting here. Are you trying to use the law to not punish the masses?"

Li Jiandong didn't want such a big hat, and said with a sneer: "Director Dai, you should ask Yi Zhonghai about this. He is the temporary boss you elected."

"Yes."

Liu Haizhong also walked out from the backyard and said, "Director Dai, the reason why Li Jiandong left early this time is actually because Yi Zhonghai has limited abilities.

Everyone in our hospital doesn’t respect him as the manager. If I, Liu Haizhong, were the manager, this situation would definitely not happen.”

The Sun family members who were very close to Liu Haizhong in the backyard immediately agreed: "Old Liu is right, Yi Zhonghai is not fair, I also agree to replace him."

"We all agree to replace Yi Zhonghai. We should choose our own boss."

"Yes, we choose our own boss, why should the street office arrange it for us?"

The residents are very excited, which shows how unpopular Yi Zhonghai is now.

In this situation, even Director Dai couldn't help him. He could only say angrily: "Yi Zhonghai, look at the compound you manage. If a situation like today happens again, don't come to me. Just quit as the manager."

Yi Zhonghai was sweating profusely: "Yes, Director Dai, I will definitely correct my mistakes as soon as I know them."

Director Dai snorted and left, and the matter was left unresolved.

After Yi Zhonghai returned home, he couldn't understand why the residents, who were usually scattered and mindful of their own business, suddenly united around Li Jiandong today?
It would be fine if only the Jia family and the Yan family helped Li Jiandong, but even Liu Haizhong and others were speaking for Li Jiandong.

He couldn't figure it out.

At this moment, Liu Guangqi, the eldest son of Liu Haizhong, knocked on the door of Li Jiandong's house and said to Li Jiandong at the door: "Uncle Li, my father invites you to my house for dinner. The wine and food are ready. Please be sure to come and give me a favor."

Liu Guangqi is polite and fair-skinned. He is a rare top student in the school and is currently attending high school.

Li Jiandong had already guessed the purpose of Liu Haizhong's invitation. There was no conflict of interest between the two and they could cooperate temporarily, so he nodded and agreed: "Guangqi, you go back first and tell your dad. I'll be there later."

After Liu Guangqi left, Qin Huairu asked Li Jiandong, "Brother Jiandong, we share the same courtyard with the Liu family, so what can he do with you?"

Li Jiandong smiled and said, "Huai Ru, let me tell you, Liu Haizhong is obsessed with being an official. As long as he can be an official, he can do anything. Now the street is about to elect a manager, guess why he came to me?"

Qin Huairu understood immediately: "He wants you to help him canvass for votes?"

Li Jiandong nodded. He was now the most popular person in the courtyard. Not only the Jia family and the Yan family would stick with him, but even Sister Ma in the backyard was relying on the odd jobs he provided to improve her life.

There were other families, all of whom were workers in the steel rolling mill, and they respected him very much as an eighth-level fitter.

Therefore, as long as Liu Haizhong can win over Li Jiandong, he will be able to win several votes at once.

"This Liu Haizhong is obsessed with power. He must have made many secret moves to become the boss. That means he must have won over people around him. You have seen the intrigues in the compound. It is better to have more friends than more enemies."

After Li Jiandong finished explaining to Qin Huairu, he got up and walked towards the backyard.

Liu Haizhong's house was at the back of the yard. When Li Jiandong passed by, the door was open. Liu Haizhong saw Li Jiandong and hurriedly stood up to greet him. "Lao Li, we meet in the cafeteria every day. Today is the first time I invite you to my home. When you, an eighth-level fitter, come in, my humble home becomes more prosperous."

It is said that the more you lack something, the more you like to show it off.

Liu Haizhong only has primary school education and is semi-illiterate. His favorite thing is to throw out idioms at random, and he even uses words like "彭朴生辉".

Li Jiandong laughed and said, "Old Liu, you are too polite. We are from the same factory and neighbors in the same compound. If I hadn't been so busy with work recently, I would have come to visit you a long time ago."

Li Jiandong, as a level 8 fitter, was able to give Liu Haizhong face in this way, which made Liu Haizhong very happy.

At this time, Liu Haizhong's wife Hu Guiying came over with dishes and said, "Old Li, please sit down and try my cooking skills today. In the future, our Old Liu will have to rely on you to take care of him in the steel mill."

"Sister-in-law, you're welcome."

Li Jiandong had just replied when he noticed that Hu Guiying's belly was bulging. He immediately congratulated her, "Old Liu, your family is about to have a new baby. I live in this courtyard every day, but I didn't even notice it."

Liu Haizhong laughed and said, "We men are all busy with work. Let alone you, even I only found out that I was going to have another son in the past two months."

As far as Li Jiandong knew, there had not been any ultrasound examination at that time. Liu Haizhong's statement of having more sons was entirely his own wish. He actually didn't know whether the next baby would be a boy or a girl.

But Li Jiandong knew, and he also knew that the son he conceived was named Liu Guangfu.

The three sons of Liu Haizhong are named Qi Tianfu and the intention of the names is very clear, which is to enjoy the best happiness in the world.

If Liu Haizhong's personality doesn't change, this blessing of equals heaven will only be a wishful thinking.

But Li Jiandong would not remind him of such things.

It is difficult to change one's nature, and it is useless to remind people, and it will only make people feel uncomfortable.

The food was served quickly.

Liu Haizhong kept toasting and discussing the election for the backyard boss with Li Jiandong while drinking. Although Li Jiandong didn't think Liu Haizhong was a good person, at the moment, there was indeed no one more suitable to be the backyard boss than him.

The drinking lasted until almost nine o'clock. Liu Haizhong was drunk and asked his son Liu Guangqi to take Li Jiandong back to the Central Courtyard.

On the way, Li Jiandong asked Liu Guangqi: "Guangqi, what grade are you in now?"

Liu Guangqi said honestly: "Uncle, I am already a sophomore in high school."

"You're already in your second year of high school. You'll be able to start working by this time next year. You need to study hard."

Li Jiandong patted Liu Guangqi on the shoulder.

Liu Guangqi looked at Li Jiandong with admiration in his eyes: "Uncle Li, if I graduate next year, can I become your apprentice and learn locksmithing from you? My dad is only a level 6 blacksmith, I want to learn from you."

Li Jiandong laughed: "Okay, let's talk about it after you graduate."

Qin Huairu heard the sound, opened the door, and let Li Jiandong in. Liu Guangqi also turned around and went back to the backyard.

Another night passed.

The next day, Li Jiandong went to the steel mill and started to study and make the scrapped car parts that were dismantled yesterday. With the order of Director Yang, Li Jiandong could legitimately make parts during working hours.

Yi Zhonghai found Director Cao and said that Li Jiandong was not doing his job properly. Director Cao scolded him and even arranged for Jia Dongxu to help Li Jiandong.

Although Li Jiandong is not doing locksmith work now, he is still contributing to the steel mill.

What's more, he is a level 8 worker. Yi Zhonghai's complaint against him is simply looking for trouble. He doesn't know his own worth.

It took Li Jiandong five full days to make all those precision parts.

Then, the fleet was notified to send a vehicle to the maintenance workshop, and several maintenance workers worked together to install all the parts. Now everything is ready and all that is left is to start it.

Li Jiandong sat in the car and turned the key.

Then he shifted gears and released the clutch. Under the gaze of a dozen pairs of nervous eyes, the truck that was about to be scrapped began to creak forward.

ooh ooh...

There was a roar of cheers in the maintenance workshop. No one expected that this impossible task was actually accomplished by Li Jiandong.

"Master Li, you did it. You are amazing. It is hard to imagine that you developed this kind of parts that foreigners use to choke us in just five days. From now on, our trucks will no longer be scrapped in just a few years."

Captain Ma was so excited that he held Li Jiandong's hand tightly and refused to let go.

Other people in the maintenance team were also amazed by Li Jiandong, and no one dared to underestimate his maintenance capabilities anymore.

Soon Director Yang also arrived.

Even for a large factory like a steel rolling mill with tens of thousands of employees, having one more truck is very important to them, not to mention that Li Jiandong repaired the truck that was about to be scrapped.

This is not simply a matter of adding one more car, but a matter of mastering the technology of car repair, which means that many cars that are otherwise to be scrapped do not need to be scrapped in the future.

He held Li Jiandong's hand tightly and said excitedly: "Jiandong, I was right about you. You actually fixed this scrapped truck."

"I've asked someone to get some firecrackers. Later, we'll inform the entire factory to celebrate and praise your feat over the past few days.

In addition, I have sent the automotive precision parts mold you designed these days to the Institute of Science and Technology. You will definitely be one of the city's outstanding workers this year."

Li Jiandong doesn't care about rewards. His disciple-recruiting system has already given him a lot of rewards.

However, the sense of accomplishment of being able to start a truck that no one else can repair is very satisfying.

"Thank you, Director Yang. Without your strong support, I would not be able to repair this scrapped car. This is not just my achievement, but the result of the concerted efforts of our steel mill leaders and employees."

Li Jiandong's words were very thoughtful, making Director Yang and the workers feel very comfortable.

Not long after Director Yang left, a notice came from the factory loudspeaker, praising Li Jiandong and the maintenance team for repairing the truck that was about to be scrapped. The workers were very excited to hear the notice. The workers at that time still had a strong sense of collective honor.

The workers in workshop 1 were all very proud and felt honored to work in the same workshop with Li Jiandong.

Yi Zhonghai's face turned pale. Every time Li Jiandong received an honor, he became very jealous.

At noon, Secretary Cui came to a workshop and told Li Jiandong that Director Yang invited him to the guesthouse for a celebratory banquet.

Li Jiandong gladly accepted the invitation. When he arrived, several senior factory leaders had already taken their seats and were waiting. There were a total of six people at the table, including five leaders and Li Jiandong.

Although it was a celebratory banquet, there were only seven dishes, which was not as sumptuous as the banquet Li Jiandong had on his wedding day.

During the meal, Director Yang discussed with Li Jiandong and asked him to repair the remaining two trucks as well.

Of course Li Jiandong readily agreed.

After finishing his meal, Li Jiandong, who was a little drunk, was given half a day off by Director Yang and asked to go back to the dormitory to rest. Lying on the single bed, Li Jiandong opened the disciple-recruiting system and found that there were major changes in Yan Jiecheng's column.

【Yan Jiecheng】

Maintenance worker: Level 3 (/)/ (can become a master)

Driver: Level 3 (/)

Tips! Please complete the first mission as soon as possible - the third-level maintenance worker assessment.

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Li Jiandong was a little confused. For a dual-professional apprentice like this, if only one of the two professions could be completed, could he continue to accept other apprentices?

Since there is a mission to go out on a mission, it should be possible to go out on a mission.

Li Jiandong didn't care to lie down anymore. He left the dormitory and went straight to the motorcade. Captain Ma also attended the celebration banquet at noon. He was drinking tea and squinting in the office. When he heard the knock on the door, he lazily hummed a syllable with his nose: "Come in!"

Li Jiandong opened the door and walked in and said, "Captain Ma, why didn't you go back to the dormitory to rest?"

Captain Ma opened his eyes, stood up from his chair and said with a smile: "Master Li, why is it you? Didn't Director Yang give you a holiday and let you go back to the dormitory to rest? Is there anything else you want to talk to me about?"

Li Jiandong did not keep the topic secret and said directly, "There is indeed something I need to ask you, Captain Ma, for help. It is Yan Jiecheng from our hospital. He has been following me to repair cars these days. According to my judgment, he should have the ability of a third-level maintenance worker now, so I want to apply for an individual worker-level assessment."

The assessment of levels below three, including level three workers, can be carried out separately in general factories.

In a large factory like a steel rolling mill with tens of thousands of employees, as long as the workers are no more than level three, they can all be internally assessed.

For example, in the last worker level assessment, except for Li Jiandong who was assessed individually by someone from above, all others were assessed within the factory under the supervision of the supervisor. The reason why it is usually conducted twice a year is to make it more convenient to conduct unified assessments.

However, if you encounter special circumstances, you can also apply for individual work-level assessment.

Yan Jiecheng is from the team, so the team leader has to help apply for this work-level assessment.

"So that's what happened. If Yan Jiecheng already has the qualifications of a third-level maintenance worker, it would take too long to wait for the next assessment. Besides, the salary gap between a third-level maintenance worker and a driver apprentice is also huge. I'll take care of the application for the assessment."

Captain Ma got up on the spot and went to the office building to find the political office to fill out an application for attack assessment.

The political office learned that the person to be assessed this time was Li Jiandong's neighbor, who had previously worked with Li Jiandong to repair a truck in the factory that was about to be scrapped, and he passed the test with green lights all the way.

When Yan Jiecheng received the work-level assessment notice, he was stunned for a moment. It was not until he saw Li Jiandong that he understood what was going on.

"Master, you helped me apply for the work-level assessment?"

Yan Jiecheng asked excitedly.

He is currently earning 18 yuan a month as a driver apprentice, and more than 40 yuan a month as a third-level maintenance worker.
If you take part in the work-level assessment at this time and pass it, your monthly salary will double.

Li Jiandong patted him on the shoulder and encouraged him: "Take the test seriously and don't think too much. With your current maintenance ability, you can definitely pass the test for a top maintenance worker."

Yan Jiecheng nodded vigorously: "Well, I won't let you down, Master."

The assessment over there is already prepared.

Li Jiandong and Captain Ma accompanied Yan Jiecheng to participate in the work-level assessment. After several rounds of assessment, Yan Jiecheng successfully passed the third-level maintenance worker.

Li Jiandong also showed that his mission had been completed.

"Jie Cheng, congratulations! You are the first person in our team to pass the first-level maintenance worker assessment within half a month since its establishment. You are several days faster than Jia Dongxu from the first workshop."

The team leader said with a smile, and suddenly remembered that Jia Dongxu was also Li Jiandong's apprentice, and he immediately shut his mouth in embarrassment.

Li Jiandong asked Yan Jiecheng to continue working.

Seeing that it was almost time to get off work, Li Jiandong left the steel mill and walked home.

When I returned to the courtyard, Yan Bugui had not yet finished get off work.

Li Jiandong walked straight to the middle yard and saw Sha Zhu holding two stone pillars and lifting and putting them down repeatedly.

Sha Zhu put down the stone pillar and wiped his sweat, saying, "Uncle Li, you're back. Is it too late?"

Normally, workers at the steel mill get off work at five o'clock, and it's already past ten when the workers get home.

Li Jiandong smiled and said, "It's not five o'clock yet, but it will be soon. Zhuzi, you lift the stone pillars every day. Are you practicing kung fu?"

Sha Zhu smiled naively: "Uncle Li, please forgive me for making fun of you. I don't know any Kung Fu. It was my dad who forced me to exercise."

Li Jiandong said,
Yan Jiecheng had just finished his training as a maintenance worker, and Li Jiandong was thinking of trying to see if he could take in another apprentice.

Sha Zhu's cooking and fitness are both very practical skills, so Li Jiandong thought of using him to test it out.

He looked at Sha Zhu and said, "Zhu Zi, I have a set of military boxing techniques here, do you want to learn it?"

When Sha Zhu heard that he could learn boxing, he immediately became excited.

He said loudly: "Uncle, I want to learn, I really want to learn, it's too boring to lift stone blocks all day, I have wanted to learn kung fu for a long time."

"You can learn from me if you want, but you have to take me as your teacher."

Li Jiandong said with a smile. He thought Sha Zhu would agree readily, but he hesitated when he heard about becoming your disciple. He stammered, "Uncle, I would like to become your disciple, but I have to listen to my dad. How about I ask my dad when he comes back and then give you a reply?"

Li Jiandong laughed out loud. He didn't expect that the teenage Sha Zhu would be so obedient.

"Okay, okay, wait until your dad comes back and ask him. Uncle is waiting for your good news."

Qin Huairu heard the voice and poked her head out of the house. Seeing Li Jiandong's happy look, she asked, "Brother Jiandong, why did you come back early today? You are so happy. Did something good happen to you?"

(End of this chapter)