Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

In the cafeteria, I had just made myself a cup of Shaoxing wine and took a sip with great relish.

Apprentice Ma Hua was tidying up the vegetables, preparing for lunch.

Seeing his master's expression, he asked curiously, "Master, aren't you in a hurry?"

These days he feels that he has just realized that his master truly admires Yang Jianguo from the bottom of his heart.

But now, MCA feels they don't understand it anymore.

This has been publicly criticized throughout the factory, so why isn't the foreman worried at all?

Could it be that all that admiration before was just for show?

The two of them actually had a bad falling out, so is that why he's so happy?

"Which eye of yours saw that I wasn't worried?"

Sha Zhu raised an eyebrow and laughed, "So what if your worries are written all over your face? Hurry up and chop your vegetables."

"Not very capable, but quite easygoing." He put down his teacup and noticed that the man was still unconvinced.

Sha Zhu then chuckled and said, "You just don't understand."

"Master, please tell me about it?" Seeing the smiling face, Ma Hua knew that the master was not angry.

"Okay, then I'll say a few words to you." Sha Zhu waved for him to come closer.

Ma Hua, holding a kitchen knife, squatted down in front of him, turning sideways.

Sha Zhu then lowered his voice and asked, "Do you think this is a big deal?"

Ma Hua said sternly, "Then why isn't it big?"

He glanced around before daring to continue, "That deputy factory director has been labeled a hooligan; our factory has lost face big time."

Sha Zhu nodded, his eyes filled with satisfaction, and said, "Good, you've learned to use your brain now."

“Look at what you’re saying, Master. Isn’t everything I learned from you?” Ma Hua scratched his head and flattered.

Sha Zhu grinned, "Alright, stop flattering me."

"This is a big deal. Even you can see it clearly. How could the leaders not understand it?"

"If it were someone else who caused the factory to lose face like this, and became infamous throughout the system, how would you handle it?"

Ma Hua muttered to himself, "Then I'll have to issue a public reprimand, write a self-criticism...demote and pay cut, and that'll be too lenient."

Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Second Uncle Was Completely Stunned

What's the story behind the founding of the nation?

“A public reprimand and a deduction of half a month’s salary, that’s more than 30 yuan, more than my salary for two months.”

Ma Hua said this with a pained expression, feeling as if her heart was being cut by a knife.

Thirty-odd yuan, how much meat can you buy?

Seeing his pathetic state, Sha Zhu slapped him on the head, "You won't admit you're stupid, get lost!"

"Master, you still haven't explained it clearly!" Ma Hua rubbed his head, looking aggrieved.

Isn't it torture to only say half of what you mean?

You've made yourself clear, but you don't understand what you're saying.

If Yang Jianguo knew this, he would definitely say, "No wonder he is a disciple taught by Master He."

But in Sha Zhu's eyes, this apprentice had not inherited any of his intelligence.

How could that silly Zhu have taught such a stupid apprentice?

I'm stupid...

I, He Yuzhu, am a very clever person.

— It eats brains.

Being a cook is just a side job, you know?

Looking back at Yang Jianguo, his coworkers in the workshop spoke up for him, saying he had been wronged.

"Why should we? So many people drank, and no one acted like a hooligan. That apricot blossom wine was a complete waste."

"Don't be so demanding, even when feeding a dog, at least you won't get complaints."

“Jianguo, this won’t do. Let’s go with you to find the factory manager.”

"Exactly! They throw a wedding banquet, serve delicious food and drinks, and then end up getting a public reprimand. What kind of nonsense is this?"

Looking at his fellow workers, and Director Ma, who stood with them without saying a word.

Yang Jianguo chuckled and raised his hand, pressing it down slightly: "Hey, hey, don't get excited, take a break, take a break!"

"Hua Zi, brew some tea for the masters."

The apprentice, who was indignant on behalf of his master, turned and ran to make tea.

"This matter is indeed unjust, but it's also unreasonable to say that we have no connection whatsoever with it."

"After such a big incident, Director Yang was also criticized."

"We might suffer a little injustice, but it's nothing, don't you think?"

Seeing that everyone had calmed down a bit, Yang Jianguo clenched his fists and said, "I want to thank you all in advance. You've all thought of me, Jianguo."

"But this is the end of the matter; continuing to make trouble will not benefit anyone."

"If this drags everyone else into this, I'll really lose face."

With a sincere expression, Yang Jianguo looked at the masters present and said, "I would like to thank you all first."

"I remember your kindness. We have a long future ahead of us."

Yang Jianguo's explanation was reasonable and well-founded, and he also expressed his gratitude to his mentors.

No one could find fault with them; they were satisfied both verbally and in their hearts.

Once the blueprints arrived, everyone's attention was focused on their work, and no one mentioned the matter again.

After getting off work, Li Ying followed the line toward the bike shed.

Along the way, people greeted her and asked her for directions.

That permanent women's car immediately became the focus of the food factory.

A colorful women's bicycle.

One in the entire factory!

"Yingzi, your car is so beautiful. When will I be able to buy one like this?"

Hearing her coworkers' praise, Li Ying smiled but remained silent.

When? You'll have to ask yourself!

You ask me, how could I possibly know?

"Hey Yingzi, does your man have any brothers? Can you introduce me to some?"

Li Ying shook her head and said, "He only has one child, so you have no chance."

"Oh, what a pity, we didn't find a matchmaker as good as Aunt Liu."

These words resonated with everyone, and wouldn't it be great if we didn't have a matchmaker like Aunt Liu?

If I had approached Aunt Liu before Li Ying's family, wouldn't her husband have become my husband?

Li Ying laughed and scolded, "Pah, you wish! My man wouldn't even look at you."

"You don't think much of me?" He puffed out his chest, raised his head, and proudly patted himself.

He pushed it up a little more, and said confidently, "Come on, tell me what's missing?"

Everyone burst into laughter, pointing at her and saying, "She's missing a name; she's not called Yingzi."

The former was taken aback, then nodded dejectedly and resignedly: "Fine, I'll change my name to Hu Ying tomorrow."

"Too late, hahaha..."

Amidst the teasing of the crowd, Yingzi rode her bicycle out of the factory gate.

She rushed home with great enthusiasm, eager to see her husband.

Push the cart into the yard at the gate, carefully place it against the wall, and lock it.

Yingzi even checked the distance between herself and the wall, afraid that she might accidentally scratch or scrape it.

After finishing, open the door and feed the chickens first.

These two old hens are really something; they laid four eggs on the very first day.

If they come every two days, wouldn't we have eggs to eat every day?

Therefore, even if it is known to be unlikely.

Yingzi still held onto some hope; who could complain about having a good life?

Just as I was feeding the chickens, my second uncle, Liu Haizhong, returned with his hands behind his back and his head held high.

"Jianguo's wife, feeding the chickens!"

"Hey, Second Uncle, you're back."

"Ah."

He nodded with a smile and took a few steps forward.

As if remembering something, he stopped and turned around, looking at Li Ying with a troubled expression.

"Um, Jianguo's wife, there's something I want to talk to you about."

“Second Uncle, please speak.” Yingzi tucked the winnowing basket into her waistband and smiled as she supported herself with one hand.

"Your son, Jianguo, was publicly criticized at the factory today. You probably don't know that yet, do you?"

Li Ying's hands, which were gripping the winnowing basket, turned a little whiter.

But the next second, a smile appeared on his face: "Really? Everyone makes mistakes. It's a good thing to give them a reminder."

Upon hearing this, Uncle Er was stunned!

He wanted to see Jian Guo's wife make a fool of herself, but instead of seeing a joke, he was left speechless.

The whole factory broadcasts this message over the loudspeaker.

Is issuing a public reprimand a good thing?!

Uncle Er suddenly felt that he couldn't understand the world anymore.

Chapter Seventy-One: A Treasure Bestowed by Heaven, and Change

"You're busy, I'm going back to my room to cook." Li Ying turned and went back inside.

As soon as the door closed, the smile vanished, replaced by anxiety in his eyes.

But there's no point in being anxious.

He worked absentmindedly, hoping Yang Jianguo would come back soon.

But when everyone in the factory returned, he was nowhere to be seen.

"Working overtime again, huh?"

Li Ying peered out through the crack in the window, muttering to herself.

Yang Jianguo had told her that his job was special.

If you're pressed for time, working overtime every day is the norm.

So if you come back late, tell her not to worry.

Eat and rest first; he can just grab a quick bite when he gets back.

Yingzi agreed verbally, but she didn't really mean it.