60s: I have a store

Chapter 592: Afraid of Brothers Suffering and Afraid of Brothers Driving Land Rover
Chow Tai Fook was half-kneeling on the ground debugging the gearbox. The oil stains mixed with rust on the knees of his overalls glowed dimly under the incandescent light.

Beads of sweat rolled down the edge of the helmet, hitting the hot metal parts and creating a fine white mist.

Checking the truck for any problems is something every truck driver needs to do.

If the problem can be discovered now, there will be no need to discover it after the vehicle is dispatched and the goods are loaded.

If it is closer to the factory, it can be easily solved. But if it is far away, or even in a deserted place, it will be a big trouble.

Suddenly, he heard familiar footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw Li Feng standing in the shadow of the machine tool with a brown paper envelope between his legs. The armband on his oil-stained work clothes was reflecting light slightly.

Li Feng patted Chow Tai Fook.

Zhou Dafu turned around and saw that it was Li Feng. He quickly said, "Master, do you have something to talk to me about?"

"Take a break. I have something to tell you." Li Feng kicked away the iron filings at his feet and slapped the envelope with the smell of ink on Chow Tai Fook's palm, which was covered with engine oil.

Chow Tai Fook nodded without saying much. He put down the work in his hands and followed Li Feng to the lounge.

After seeing Chow Tai Fook sit down, Li Feng handed him the letter of recommendation.

Amid the reverberation of the metal collision, Zhou Dafu stared at the raised factory logo on the kraft paper, his Adam's apple rolling as he swallowed back his nervousness: "Master, what is this?"

Li Feng's cigarette flickered in his mouth, and he squinted his eyes as he scanned the young man's red eyes: "I recommend you to take the driver's license test."

Before he could finish his words, Chow Tai Fook suddenly stood up and his knee accidentally hit the corner of the table, making a dull sound.

He almost rushed over to hug his master, the oil on his body rubbing against Li Feng's shoulders, and his voice was filled with tears: "Master, are you telling the truth?"

The person in his arms froze for a moment, then his rough palm slapped him hard on the back: "What does this look like? There are so many people watching here?"

Zhou Dafu then let go of Li Feng and apologized: "Master, I'm sorry, I was too excited at the moment!"

Ever since Zhou Dazhong became the section chief, he has felt the pressure. He is typically afraid that his brothers will suffer, and also afraid that his brothers will drive a Land Rover.

In addition, after getting married, family expenses also increased. You have to know that your wife has a rural household registration and has no ration, so she can only buy food at a high price.

Chow Tai Fook just didn't want to ask Zhou Yimin for help. He knew that as long as he asked, Zhou Yimin would definitely help. With Zhou Yimin's ability, a little bit of food was nothing.

The old master took out a crumpled rag from his tool kit and threw it over: "Remember, don't embarrass me, and don't memorize for the theory test."

As he spoke, he took out a well-read "Mechanical Maintenance Manual". The cover was filled with densely packed notes. These were all books that Li Feng had read before.

After Zhou Dafu took it, he hurriedly thanked him: "Thank you, Master, don't worry!"

Then he took the book and began to study carefully, focusing on sharpening his knife before the battle, which not only made him smarter.

Li Feng did not disturb him and let Zhou Dafu read quietly.

Then he came to the truck and finished what Chow Tai Fook had not finished.

Soon, the bell for the end of get off work rang.

Zhou Dafu finally came to his senses, packed up his things, and couldn't wait to go back and share the good news with his wife.

As dusk climbed up the mottled brick wall of the courtyard, the oil stains on the knees of Chow Tai Fook's overalls gleamed in the setting sun, and the letter of recommendation in his arms was damp from sweat.

Pushing open the door, the blue cloth shirt on the clothesline in the yard swayed gently in the wind. Chen Shumin was washing rice by the well, and the sound of the porcelain basins colliding was crisp and pleasant.

"Shumin!" Zhou Dafu's voice was shaking. Chen Shumin turned around and saw her husband's red eyes and a grin that stretched from ear to ear. The wooden ladle in her hand fell into the water with a clang.

"A letter of recommendation for a driver's license! My master gave it to me!" Zhou Dafu took out an envelope from his pocket. The edge of the kraft paper was still stained with oil. "If you get a driver's license, you can get a permanent job, your salary will increase, and you will get subsidies!"

Chen Shumin rubbed her hands on her apron and carefully took the envelope.

The gold-plated factory logo flickered in the afterglow, and she suddenly remembered her husband huddled under the kerosene lamp reciting theories late at night. Her nose felt sore and her eyes instantly turned red.

"Really." She murmured, her voice choking with sobs, "Now we can buy you a new coal stove and a new pair of work shoes."

Zhou Dafu hugged his wife into his arms and patted her back with his rough hands. The rustling sound of the work clothes fabric mixed with the suppressed laughter of the two.

He suddenly remembered something, let go of her hand and ran out the door: "I'll go call Uncle Sixteen and Dazhong! This is such a big thing, we have to let them know!"

When Zhou Yimin stepped into the courtyard, hot rice wine was already placed on the eight-immortals table.

Zhou Dazhong rolled up his sleeves to help set the table, and the enamelware pot made a crisp sound when it hit the wooden table.

"Tell me quickly, why did Captain Li suddenly give you a letter of recommendation?" Zhou Dazhong put a piece of braised pork into Chow Tai Fook's bowl, and oil stains dripped onto the table along with the chopsticks.

Zhou Dafu picked up the wine bowl, swallowed the spicy taste with his Adam's apple rolling: "It's because I study by the truck every day."

As the moonlight climbed up to the eaves, the laughter in the courtyard startled the night owl perched on the locust tree.

Zhou Yimin raised his wine bowl, and the moonlight shattered into silver stars in the wine: "Da Fu, I didn't expect you to have the opportunity to become a regular employee so soon."

Zhou Dafu said at this time: "It's all thanks to your help, Uncle Sixteen, otherwise how could I find such a good master."

Zhou Dazhong clinked his glasses too, and the enamel pot made a loud, crisp sound that startled the crickets in the corner of the yard into silence.

After hearing the news, Zhou Yimin's eyes sparkled, and he waved his big hand covered in engine oil: "Let's have hot pot tonight!"

Before he could finish his words, he rushed out of the yard like a whirlwind, the wrenches in his work pants pocket clinking as he ran.

He was rushing home on his motorcycle, the bell ringing cheerfully in the alley, startling an old man who was enjoying the cool air on the side of the road and making him frown.

At home, Zhou Yimin lifted the aluminum vegetable cover and glanced at the jars and cans. There were homemade pickled radishes, dried black fungus, half a piece of bacon hidden at the bottom of the rice jar, and of course beef and mutton.

He grabbed the bamboo basket and stuffed everything into it, then fished out a package of treasured butter base from under the bed, the plastic packaging rustling as he squeezed it.

"Let's go!" He shouted to his wife who was still in a daze. When he turned around, he bumped into the door frame and almost knocked over the coal stove in the corner.

Chow Tai Fook has already set up a honeycomb coal stove here, and the flames are licking the bottom of the pot, making crackling sounds.

Chen Shumin was wearing an apron and washing cabbages by the well. Amid the sound of the ladle scooping water, she secretly threw two handfuls of spinach into the basin - the vegetables that she usually couldn't bear to eat were finally available today.

Zhou Dazhong got half a sheep bone from somewhere and was squatting at the foot of the wall chopping it with an axe. The broken bones splashed on his Liberation shoes, which were washed white.

"The ingredients are here!" Zhou Yimin's voice pierced through the twilight.

The bamboo basket slammed heavily on the wooden table, and the aroma of bacon mixed with the spicy aroma of pepper and star anise instantly spread.

He pulled out a bottle of Erguotou from his arms like a magician, the glass bottle gleaming coldly in the moonlight: "How can we eat meat without wine!" Everyone gathered around with laughter, and the enamel bowl hit the wine bottle, making a crisp sound.

The honeycomb coal stove spewed out orange flames, burning the old-fashioned copper hot pot red.

The moment the butter melted at the bottom of the pot, the aroma of dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns suddenly exploded, mixed with the spicy scent of star anise and cinnamon, and went straight into the nasal cavity.

Zhou Dazhong shouted "make way" at the top of his lungs, and squeezed into the crowd carrying an aluminum basin filled with mutton bone soup. When the boiling soup was poured into the pot, the red oil foam almost splashed onto Zhou Dafu's nose.

"Put the meat in first!" Zhou Yimin picked up the chopsticks, picked up three trembling slices of bacon, and dropped them into the red soup three times.

The meat slices were covered with thick butter, glowing amber in the moonlight. He blew on them and put them in his mouth. He inhaled because of the spiciness but still shouted incoherently: "Shumin, try it quickly, the meat is well marinated!"

Chen Shumin carefully scooped up a piece of duck blood with a colander. The tender red blood clot was swirling in the boiling soup. When she bit it open, boiling hot juice gushed out. It was so hot that she gasped, but she couldn't help but pick up the second piece.

Chow Tai Fook’s enamel bowls soon piled up into a small mountain.

He first picked up the bean curd skin soaked in soup, and the aroma of beans mixed with the rich taste of butter exploded on the tip of his tongue. Then he picked up a few trembling wide vermicelli. The crystal vermicelli shone with an oily luster in the moonlight. He took a slurp and took a bite. The spiciness was so intense that sweat broke out on his forehead.

He didn't bother to wipe the sweat off his face, and stretched out his chopsticks to the quail eggs floating in the soup. When he peeled the eggshell, the orange-red and shiny egg yolk slowly flowed out and mixed with the soup into his mouth. The salty, fragrant and spicy taste created a storm in his mouth.

"Don't just eat meat, eat vegetables!" Chen Shumin stuffed the washed spinach into Chow Tai Fook's hand.

As soon as the emerald green leaves touched the boiling red oil, they instantly curled up into dark green, and when they were picked up, they were still covered with fine chili seeds.

Zhou Dazhong took a big gulp of Erguotou and slapped his thigh because it was so spicy. He grabbed a handful of coriander and threw it into the pot: "Add more coriander to enhance the flavor!"

The coriander swirled in the boiling soup and immediately absorbed the red broth. When he scooped it out, the broth dripped from the tips of the leaves into the bowl.

The white mist rising above the copper pot blurred everyone's eyes, and the sound of talking mixed with the sound of chopsticks colliding and vermicelli slurping came one after another.

Zhou Yimin looked at everyone and continued to pick up the tripe. Zhou Dafu's lips were red from the spiciness, but he was still putting mutton into the bowl. Chen Shumin smiled and poured wine for everyone. She also took a sip and blinked because of the spiciness.

The moonlight shines through the locust tree in the yard and falls on the boiling red soup, reflecting the satisfied smiles on everyone's face. At this moment, all the hardships of life are transformed into warmth and comfort in this boiling hot pot.

Soon, everyone was full and didn't care about the pictographic Ge You lying down.

Everyone worked together to clean up the "battlefield" and it was cleaned up in less than half an hour.

The next day, at 5:30 in the morning, before Zhou Dafu's alarm clock rang, he was awakened by the rustling sound of people sweeping fallen leaves in the yard.

The moonlight outside the window had not yet faded. He put on his starched work clothes in the dark, with the torn "Mechanical Maintenance Manual" in his trouser pocket. His fingertips unconsciously stroked the rough edges of the corners - that was the mark left by countless late nights of hard study.

The aroma of Chen Shumin's cooking noodles wafted from the kitchen, and the poached egg lying at the bottom of the enamel bowl was shaking in the heat.

The sycamore leaves outside the examination room rustled in the morning breeze. Zhou Dafu's palms were sweaty as he held his admission ticket. The factory logo on the metal school gate shone coldly in the morning sun.

Among the people queuing, some were holding notebooks and muttering to themselves, while others were squatting in the corner and drawing something on the ground with branches.

He saw a few familiar co-workers and nodded to them, but his throat seemed to be stuck in a gear and he couldn't make a sound.

When the security guard checked his ID, he suddenly remembered the day Zhou Dazhong got promoted, and his heart beat faster.

When I pushed open the iron door of the examination room, the smell of test papers with wet ink hit me in the face.

Zhou Dafu's seat was in the third row by the window. The sun shone obliquely on the table, casting a swaying shadow of the trees on the title of "Truck Fault Analysis".

The sound of the invigilator's footsteps distributing test papers came closer and closer. He took a deep breath and dug his fingernails into his palms to remind himself of the nights he had spent at the machine tool.

As the pen tip moved across the paper, the first multiple-choice question, “What is the problem with abnormal gear noise?”

It was exactly the same as the example question taught by his master. His wrist suddenly stopped shaking and the formula automatically emerged in his mind as if it was welded into his mind.

In the practical examination room, the roar of trucks hurt my eardrums.

Chow Tai Fook stood in front of workstation No. 3, looking at the faulty gearbox placed on the table. The smell of oil instantly calmed him down - this was no different from his daily work.

He put on work gloves, and heard the crisp metallic sound of the wrench and nut engaging with each other. The moment he discovered that the bearing ball was missing, the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw the candidate at the next workstation sweating anxiously on his forehead, but he was recording data in an orderly manner.

When the bell for handing in the papers rang, the back of Zhou Dafu's work clothes was already soaked with sweat.

The moment he walked out of the examination room, the sunlight suddenly became dazzling. He took out the letter of recommendation from his arms. The traces of oil on the edge of the kraft paper were softened by his body temperature.

Soon everyone arrived at the place to collect their results.

The incandescent lights made the metal benches in the waiting area very hot, and Chow Tai Fook's overalls had long been stained with dark sweat stains.

He counted the cracks on the ceiling, listened to the names constantly being broadcast on the distant radio, and dug his nails deep into the old scars on his palms.

When the 37th name was announced, the candidate sitting next to him suddenly jumped up and cheered. The metal chair legs made a harsh sound on the ground, which made his heart shrink suddenly.

"Next group, No. 201-220!" The electric current sound from the broadcast hurt my eardrums.

Chow Tai Fook swallowed mechanically, his Adam's apple rolling up and down on the collar of his work clothes.

When another round of lists was read out and his name still did not appear, he felt his temples throbbing. The shadow at his feet flickered with the rotation of the fan, as if mocking his futility.

People around me got up and left one after another. The remaining body temperature mixed with the smell of sweat on the empty chair fermented into sour anxiety in the sultry air.

“Chow Tai Fook!”

The cry was like a hammer hitting the top of my head.

Zhou Dafu's knee hit the chair leg heavily, and the dull sound of metal collision mixed with his pounding heartbeat.

He staggered forward, and the admission ticket in his overalls pocket was taken out and fell on the concrete floor covered with footprints.

"If you don't come to collect your scores, your scores will be cancelled!" The examiner shook his hand holding the transcript impatiently, and the edge of the paper made a rustling sound as it swept across the table.

Zhou Dafu almost pounced on the table, and the tip of his pen drew a crooked mark of ink in the signature column. The moment the ink spread, he heard a suppressed whimper in his throat.

When the gold-stamped certificate was handed to him, Chow Tai Fook's fingers were still shaking.

In the photo under the plastic cover, my expression was tense and stiff, completely different from my current silly grinning look.

Zhou Dafu didn't expect that he could pass the exam in one try! He was very excited, but he couldn't show it here, for fear that his score would be cancelled.

(End of this chapter)