Chapter 25: with translation of chapter title

Shazhu, all smiles, was seeing the factory leaders out of the back kitchen when he spotted Yi Zhonghai; he hurried over and grabbed him.

"Eldest Uncle, Eldest Uncle, what are you doing here?"

Yi Zhonghai gave Shazhu a look, made a nasal sound, and said nothing.

He was still brooding over Shazhu's provocation and false accusation against Lin Shengli earlier.

If it weren't for the fact that Shazhu usually respects him and treats him decently—he could even be called his top enforcer—he wouldn't bother with Shazhu now.

Seeing him silent, Shazhu frowned and asked again: "Is it Factory Director Yang who summoned you?"

Yi Zhonghai didn't answer but countered: "What do you say?"

Shazhu nodded and said: "Definitely."

"You're a Level 8 Pipe Worker at the factory—who else should we invite if not you?"

"Eldest Uncle, could you plead with Factory Director Yang to lift my punishment?"

"If not, just record a major demerit—I'll accept that—but could you at least avoid demoting my wages?"

"After that, how would I support Qin Jie's family?"

Yi Zhonghai: "Shazhu, your punishment is deserved; you brought it on yourself."

"Bang Geng has been spoiled rotten by you and Jia Zhangshi."

"I never imagined Bang Geng would turn out like this."

"In my view, this punishment of yours might not be a bad thing."

"Maybe it'll teach you a lesson and make you more alert from now on."

"By the way, I have one last thing to say."

"The newly arrived Section Chief Lin is my nephew."

"He'll be living in our courtyard from now on; I hope you'll be polite to him, otherwise don't blame me for not showing favor."

Having said that.

He left while Shazhu stared dumbfounded.

Damn it.

No wonder he wasn't willing to help—turns out he has a nephew.

Does having a nephew mean he doesn't want to deal with me anymore?

No, how could he have a nephew?

Didn't he say he had no other relatives?

Well, this is troublesome now.

Without Eldest Uncle backing me, how can I continue to throw my weight around in the courtyard?

If I don't show off, how can I catch Qin Jie's eye?

This is unbelievable!

Lin Shengli actually is Yi Zhonghai's nephew and even lives in the courtyard.

Then my title of "War God" seems undeserved now.

Moreover, he's so handsome—will Qin Jie leave me for him?

The more Shazhu thought about it, the more depressed he became.

Hmph, I refuse to believe it.

Wait till I go back and train, then I'll challenge him to a fight.

I must regain the face I lost today.

Ah, Eldest Uncle, you really let me down.

Fortunately...

Plus, the Deaf Old Lady is on my side.

Having her backing me is enough.

Uh-oh, Lin Shengli wouldn't be here to steal Eldest Uncle's inheritance, would he?

If that's really the case, I'll need to come up with a plan.

First Workshop.

The pipe workers were working.

Group Leader Sun gave the workers some guidance, then sat on the long bench by the door to rest.

Suddenly.

He discovered Jia Dongxu was missing.

Jia Dongxu usually relied on being Yi Zhonghai's apprentice and never took him seriously.

Plus, Jia Dongxu often slacked off and left early.

So he also kept a special eye on him.

"No, where did this kid run off to again?"

Just as he was about to call the workers over for questioning, Jia Dongxu walked in.

Group Leader Sun frowned and asked:

"Where did you run off to again?"

"Don't you know it's work hours now?"

Jia Dongxu grinned sheepishly: "I've got something to do."

Group Leader Sun: "How come you have so many things to do?"

"Did you take leave?"

Jia Dongxu asked impatiently, "Do I have to ask for leave when I go to the bathroom?"

Group Leader Sun muttered, "What a lazy person, always leaving a lot of crap and urine."

Jia Dongxu, displeased, said, "What do you mean?"

Group Leader Sun: "Earlier you left early, went home saying you needed to use the bathroom, and Factory Director Yang caught you."

"A fine of two yuan, two points deducted; now you left early again. If Factory Director Yang finds out, what penalty do you think should be given?"

Jia Dongxu frowned and said:

"How could I be considered leaving early? I was just going to the bathroom."

"What? Do you still want to file a petty report or something?"

"If you dare to file a petty report, don't expect my master to cooperate with you on the job later."

Group Leader Sun, angry, said, "Jia Dongxu, stop using Master Yi to pressure me."

Jia Dongxu retorted, "What if I use my master to pressure you?"

"If you have the guts, bring one to press me."

Group Leader Sun took a deep breath, calmed his anger, and said:

"Fine, today I'll give Master Yi some face. You go back to work right now, or I'll report you."

Though he felt annoyed, Group Leader Sun still worried that Yi Zhonghai would not cooperate with him in the future.

If he doesn't cooperate, the work will be hard to carry out.

Don't look at him as just a Group Leader, but for a Level 8 Pipe Worker like Yi Zhonghai, if he doesn't cooperate, he really has no way.

If I tell the leaders, they might say his work is inadequate.

There's nothing we can do.

A Level 8 Pipe Worker is not an ordinary person.

Jia Dongxu sneered, glanced disdainfully at Group Leader Sun, and swaggered toward the workshop.

"I really don't know what Master Yi sees in this kid."

"Lazy and stupid."

Master Yi has taught him for many years, and he's still only a First-level Pipe Worker.

He took the Second-level Pipe Worker exam over ten times, stubbornly failing to pass.

If Master Yi taught me with such dedication, I would at least be at Level Six by now.

Watching Jia Dongxu's back, Group Leader Sun felt a bit indignant.

Jia Dongxu returned to his post, casually picked up a file, and the broadcast suddenly emitted a resonant, powerful song:

"Unity is strength, unity is strength."

"This strength is iron, this strength is steel."

"Harder than iron, stronger than steel......"

Jia Dongxu jumped up excitedly and shouted, "It's quitting time, quitting time."

Then he loudly sang along with the broadcast.

The workers who were working at the moment all turned to look at Jia Dongxu in an instant.

Their faces showed envy, jealousy, and hatred.

With Level 8 Pipe Worker Yi Zhonghai covering him, Jia Dongxu could basically walk across the workshop.

Group Leader Sun frowned and shouted,

"Jia Dongxu, don't affect everyone."

"There are still more than ten minutes until quitting time."

At this moment.

The song on the broadcast abruptly stopped.

Then a soft, sweet voice of Yu Haitang came right after:

"Leaders, fellow workers, good afternoon everyone."

"Now broadcasting three pieces of news."

"First, cafeteria cook He Yuzhu, for acting like a hooligan and framing others, has been decided by the plant leadership to receive a major demerit and a one‑level salary reduction."

"Second, publicity department projectionist Xu Damao, for acting like a hooligan, has been decided by the plant leadership to receive a warning, a fine of five yuan, and two points deducted."