Chapter 38 Treat
"Lao Li, are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner."

Xu Fugui supported himself on the ground with one foot, smiling in a somewhat ingratiating manner.

Li Jiandong knew Xu Fugui was not the kind of person who would show off his kindness for no reason. If he invited him to dinner, he must want him to help him.

"Lao Xu, we are from the same hospital. If you have anything to say, just tell me directly. There is no need to be so polite."

Li Jiandong would not easily agree to have the meal before knowing the other party's background.

Xu Fugui did not force it, and said with a smile,
"Since you are so honest, Lao Li, I won't be polite either."

"Look, you have accepted three apprentices in our academy, and each of them is very promising. Can you please accept one more and take my Damao with you?"

Li Jiandong's disciples are indeed very capable.

Jia Dongxu is now a third-level fitter, but he has already reached the level of a fourth-level fitter and has a bright future.

Yan Jiecheng is also a third-level maintenance worker. He is also learning to drive and has a lot of skills.

Shazhu originally did not have any worker quota.

However, after becoming Li Jiandong's apprentice, he joined the steel rolling mill militia within a few days.

Now, it’s even more amazing. He was directly converted to a formal employee of the police station.

With these three golden signs, Li Jiandong's good reputation has spread.

Everyone knows that Li Jiandong is good at educating his apprentices and is particularly concerned about them.

Residents from other nearby courtyards would often approach Li Jiandong, asking him to take their children as apprentices.

Xu Fugui was the only worker in the family, so even if he taught Xu Damao how to project, he could only do some private work.

So he came to Li Jiandong, wanting to give his son a good future.

Li Jiandong knew Xu Fugui's thoughts very well, and he did have a vacant spot for a disciple.

If we can see that Xu Damao has potential, it is not impossible to take him in as a disciple.

At this moment, Li Jiandong accepted Xu Damao as his apprentice, but he didn’t know what he could teach him.

Right now, it would be better to focus on Ding Qiunan. He still cares a lot about medical skills.

"Lao Xu, I have my own plan for taking in disciples. Damao is your son and also my junior. If I can take him in, I will definitely give him priority."

Li Jiandong's words were ambiguous, neither promising nor rejecting.

"Okay, Lao Li, your words are enough. I went to the countryside to show a movie a few days ago, and the villagers gave me two chickens.

I'll ask Xifeng to stew one tonight, you must come over and have a drink together."

Xu Fugui invited with a smile.

Li Jiandong knew that Xu Fugui was trying to curry favor with him.

If he doesn't refuse, then the meal will have to be accepted, otherwise Lao Xu will think too much.

So he smiled and said, "Since you, Mr. Xu, have invited me so kindly, let's meet after get off work tonight."

"Okay, see you after get off work."

Xu Fugui waved his hand and left contentedly.

Li Jiandong also walked into the workshop with his hands behind his back.

at the same time.

Yi Zhonghai took a special leave and went to the subdistrict office to find Deputy Director Dai.

When Deputy Director Dai saw that it was him, he immediately said with a dark face: "Yi Zhonghai, why did you come to see me again?"

Having been embarrassed twice in a row for helping Yi Zhonghai, Deputy Director Dai now sees him as if he were the god of plague.

Yi Zhonghai put the things he brought on Deputy Director Dai's desk with a smile.

"Director Dai, I'm here to visit you. How are you feeling lately?"

Wearing a vice motherboard, he said sternly,

"You don't need to come to see me. As long as you don't annoy me, I'll be in good health."

Being scolded so blatantly, no matter how thick-skinned Yi Zhonghai was, he still felt a little uncomfortable.

However, he came here today to ask for help, so he had to endure it even if he was scolded.

"Deputy Director Dai, actually, I came here for another matter."

Yi Zhonghai nodded and smiled, and began to speak ill of Li Jiandong.

"When you were running for the position of the boss last time, Li Jiandong embarrassed you. I have been keeping an eye on him all this time."

"Finally I found out that he has a big problem. He is engaged in speculation and runs a tavern to make money."

"What? There is such a thing!" Director Dai suddenly became alert, but then frowned in doubt.

"It's absolutely true. As long as you arrange for someone to investigate, he will be finished immediately. Let's see if he dares to be arrogant in front of you again."

Yi Zhonghai's eyes lit up and he spoke with certainty.

Although speculation and profiteering have not been strictly punished in recent years, it is still good for making things difficult for others.

Seeing Director Dai's face changing constantly,

Yi Zhonghai originally thought that Director Dai must be thinking of a way to deal with Li Jiandong.

Unexpectedly, Deputy Director Dai sneered.

"Yi Zhonghai, are you trying to use me as a gun? I tell you, if you are not as skilled as others, you have to admit it. You are far inferior to Li Jiandong."

"Don't come to me anymore. Just do it business-like. I don't know you well."

Yi Zhonghai’s face froze.

He spent a lot of money and energy to establish a relationship with Deputy Director Dai, but is this the end of it?

"No, Director Dai, I really want to help you vent your anger, and this time I have solid evidence.

You just need to arrange someone to go to the tavern with me, and Li Jiandong will be finished."

"Yi Zhonghai, stop talking and leave my office immediately, or don't blame me for being rude."

Deputy Director Dai was resolute and glared at Yi Zhonghai fiercely.

Yi Zhonghai knew that he had completely lost his backer and could only leave Deputy Director Dai's office in disgrace.

But he didn't give up.

He has evidence in his hands, even if Deputy Director Dai is unwilling to help.

Could it be that the relevant street departments don’t care about it?

So he turned around and went into another office.

"Hello, I want to report someone for speculation."

This office is full of serious people working hard.
He immediately perked up and asked, "Who do you want to report for speculation?"

"I want to report Li Jiandong from our hospital. He opened a pub together with other people in the hospital. However, after visiting and investigating everywhere, I found that the wine sold in their pub is more than one-tenth more expensive than that in other pubs...." Yi Zhonghai exaggerated and made a good report.

After hearing this, the staff frowned slightly.

But there's something wrong with this person in front of me.

His neighbor in the same courtyard opened a pub, but no one else reported it, but he reported it first?
It's only one-tenth of the price, so it can't be considered speculation.

However, no matter what, since someone has reported it, we have to investigate.

"Come on, I'll go check it out with you. If he really sold the wine at a high price, we will definitely punish him."

…………

The steel mill is closed.

Jia Dongxu had just seen Liang Ladi off and felt a little sad.

It just so happened that Yan Jiecheng was going to teach arithmetic to illiterate people in the tavern today.

Li Jiandong planned to take them there for a drink first, and then go to Xu Fugui's house to eat chicken.

Just sat down and the drinks haven't been served yet.

Yi Zhonghai walked in with two street officials.

"Master Li, you are here too."

Both officers knew Li Jiandong. He was not only a big shot but also an eighth-level worker with a good reputation.

Li Jiandong also greeted with a smile,
"So it's Secretary Liu and Secretary Cao. It's time to get off work now, right? Are you here to drink or do some work?"

Secretary Liu, who is a little older, said politely.

"Master Li, we are here to do business! Just now, Master Yi from your hospital came to us to report that your tavern was engaged in speculation.

The alcohol you sell is one-tenth more expensive than elsewhere.

Could you please provide us with the selling price here?"

Although we all know each other, we still have to handle things impartially.

This is a good cadre of the people.

Li Jiandong glanced at Yi Zhonghai, then smiled and said to Secretary Liu: "Secretary Liu, if this is all, then there is no need to investigate."

"The wine here is indeed more expensive than other places. But, what's the reason?"

Li Jiandong glanced at the customers in the store.

"As a pub owner, it's not convenient for me to tell you. Why don't you ask the people who drink there and you'll find out."

Secretary Liu was a little confused. Since he had already been reported, why was there any reason not to explain it?

But he soon found out.

Before he could ask, a drinker who was drinking said with a smile:

“Master Li is indeed a kind person. He makes money himself and doesn’t talk about his peers behind their backs.

In this case, let me say a few fair words on behalf of Master Li.

The reason why it is one-tenth more expensive is that our tavern never adds water to the wine to cheat customers."

"That's right!" another drinker next to him said:
"Otherwise, why is the alcohol expensive here, and why are there so many people coming here to drink?"

"Hehe, we are all old drunkards. We can't tell whether the wine is diluted with water or not after taking a sip. Everyone knows the trick." "Yes, Master Li's wine is not diluted with water, so the cost is much higher than other taverns. It's only one-tenth the price, which is very conscientious."

The drinkers were not fools. They all said that Li Jiandong's wine was not only affordable, but also of good quality and low price.

Li Jiandong smiled and asked Secretary Liu: "Secretary Liu, you also heard that speculation means buying at a low price and selling at a high price."

"Our store should be considered as buying at high prices and selling at high prices, so it shouldn't be considered as speculation, right?"

Secretary Liu nodded, "It really doesn't count!"

When Yi Zhonghai saw that things were developing in a direction he had not expected, he was unwilling to give up and was about to find fault again.

At this time, the door of the pub was pushed open.

Two women came in with six children.

Seeing Li Jiandong and others, he nodded respectfully and greeted them: "Hello, Teacher Li, Hello, Teacher Jia."

The children also greeted them: "Hello, Teacher Li, Hello, Teacher Jia."

Secretary Liu was stunned for a moment and asked, "Master Li, how do these children call you teacher?"

The children's mother asked back:
"Don't you know? The street recently asked for a literacy campaign."

"Teacher Li responded to the call and specially opened a study corner in their school tavern."

"They teach us illiterate adults and preschoolers how to read and do math."

Literacy campaign is the street’s recent priority, so how could Officer Liu not know about it?

But there are many difficulties, and few hospitals are willing to support their work.

Everyone does not attach importance to culture and thinks that literacy and arithmetic are useless. Some people even get a headache when they study.

I didn't expect that in such a small pub, they would support their literacy work so much and even set up a study corner.

If we put the study corner on the dining table, wouldn't we be able to make some more money?

"Master Li, I never thought that there is someone as sensible as you in our neighborhood.

You don't know that in order to educate everyone about literacy, we have run around and talked a lot, but it's a thankless task.

You are the only one who supports our work like you do."

Secretary Liu's tone was excited.

How great it would be if everyone was as sensible as Master Li!

They don't have to work so hard and their work is thankless.

"Don't get excited, Secretary Liu. In fact, literacy is a process. It will be fine once everyone realizes the importance of learning."

Li Jiandong counselled Secretary Liu with a smile.

"Master Li is right, but this process is really despairing."

Secretary Liu sighed and said, "Master Li, I'm so sorry for delaying your business."

"We also received a report and had to handle it impartially. I hope you don't mind."

"In addition, we will also report your opening of the study corner to the leadership truthfully. I believe that the leadership will know the actual situation on your side and will definitely give you praise."

Li Jiandong said: "Officer Liu is too polite. It is our duty to cooperate with you. We are so happy to have such hard-working cadres like you. How can we blame you?"

"Thank you Master Li for your understanding. We won't disturb you from drinking anymore. Goodbye."

After Officer Liu finished speaking, he took Officer Cao away.

Only Yi Zhonghai was left standing there, feeling very awkward. He paused for a few seconds and then left in shame.

Li Jiandong and Jia Dongxu were drinking in the tavern. After Yan Jiecheng finished teaching arithmetic to the illiterate people, they left together.

Return to the courtyard.

Xu Damao was waiting at the door of Li Jiandong's house. When he heard the exhaust sound of the car, he hurried to the front yard.

"Uncle Li, you're back."

Li Jiandong stopped the car and nodded to Xu Damao, "Damo, you've been waiting for me for a long time, right?"

"It won't be long. My mother has already cooked the chicken and asked me to come over and call you to eat."

"Okay, you go back first, I'll leave my things at home and then I'll come over."

Yan Jiecheng went home.

Li Jiandong went home, washed his face and went to the backyard.

Xu Fugui and Sun Xifeng were waiting at the door. When they saw Li Jiandong coming, they greeted him with a smile.

"Old Li, you are a rare guest. This is your first time visiting my house since we moved into this courtyard, right?"

Xu Fugui said with a smile.

"Yes, I've been busy lately. I've actually wanted to come visit you for a long time, but I was afraid of disturbing you."

Li Jiandong also spoke politely.

Following the couple into the house, Xu Damao walked at the end and closed the door.

There were four dishes and one soup on the table. In addition to the stewed rooster, there were also scrambled eggs with tomatoes, shredded pork with Beijing sauce and a plate of mapo tofu. The soup was seaweed egg drop soup.

Several people sat down one after another.

Xu Fugui opened a bottle of wine and filled it up for Li Jiandong, and then he kept complimenting and toasting him.

At Xu Fugui's signal, Xu Damao toasted Li Jiandong.

Both Xu's father and son are capable people, and Li Jiandong enjoyed the meal very much.

I didn't get home until almost nine o'clock in the evening.

When Li Jiandong woke up the next day, his head was still a little confused.

"Old Li, I heard that Yi Zhonghai brought people to the tavern yesterday evening to report us?"

Li Jiandong finished washing up and was about to go to work when He Daqing suddenly came over and asked him.

"Yes, it happened, but the report was not established. Instead, Yi Zhonghai lost all his face."

Li Jiandong said with a smile.

He Daqing was furious when he heard this:

"This old guy Yi Zhonghai really doesn't want to live a good life!

He actually reported our internal affairs to outsiders."

"Just wait and see. From now on, whenever he comes to my cafeteria to get food, I will make sure he doesn't get full."

Li Jiandong laughed and said, "Not really. Yi Zhonghai is petty, so are you petty too?"

"I just can't stand people like him. If I don't teach him a lesson, he won't know how many eyes the Horse King has." He Daqing was angry.

Li Jiandong knew He Daqing's temper. If he didn't let him vent his anger, he would most likely get sick.

So I didn't try to comfort him, since he was happy that Yi Zhonghai was in trouble.
Arriving at the steel rolling mill, Li Jiandong returned to a workshop he had not seen for a long time.

Jia Dongxu was a little uneasy today, probably because Liang Ladi left and he was missing her.

Li Jiandong was watching him from the side and saw that he had made several mistakes, so he had to interrupt his work.

"Dongxu, wake up, isn't it just that they left temporarily?

It's not like we won't see each other anymore. If you get distracted and hurt your hand, you wonder if there will be anyone willing to marry you in the future."

Jia Dongxu woke up suddenly and realized that he had been distracted all day.

He quickly apologized to Li Jiandong: "Master, I was wrong, but I don't know what happened. Once I calmed down, she was all on my mind."

"Ah! You kid."

Li Jiandong shook his head and sighed.

He is not a romantic, and he cannot understand what is going on with Jia Dongxu now.

Li Jiandong has never been obsessed with a woman.

"Dongxu, take a rest first and adjust your spirit.

If you really miss that girl, I can take you there on the weekend.

If you are in this state during normal working hours, an accident will happen sooner or later."

Li Jiandong had a serious expression, because he knew that in the original drama, Jia Dongxu died of a work-related accident.

Today's workshop equipment is relatively crude, and there is no humane protection. Almost every year, many workers suffer work-related injuries of varying degrees due to operational errors.

Li Jiandong didn't want his excellent apprentice to die due to a work-related injury.

Jia Dongxu took a deep breath and said,
"I understand Master. I will go out and sober up first and come back to work later."

"Go."

Li Jiandong nodded.

The morning passed quickly.

When it was time for dinner, Li Jiandong took Jia Dongxu to a cafeteria.

Yi Zhonghai was standing not far in front of the two of them.

Li Jiandong thought of what He Daqing said in the morning and deliberately paid more attention to him.

Soon it was Yi Zhonghai's turn to get food.

"Liu Lan, go take a rest. I'll serve them some food."

Seeing that it was almost Yi Zhonghai's turn to get food, He Daqing asked Liu Lan, who had just started working, to go and rest first. He took her place, picked up the spoon, and scooped a large spoonful.

When Yi Zhonghai saw that He Daqing was so 'honest', he immediately laughed and said, "Thank you..."

Before he could finish saying thank you, he saw He Daqing's hand shaking skillfully.

It was really just a shake, and half of the food in the spoon was gone.
Then, he directly put it in Yi Zhonghai's lunch box and shouted, "Next."

Yi Zhonghai's face suddenly turned ashen.

He blocked the food window and asked He Daqing: "He Daqing, what do you mean by this?"

(End of this chapter)