Chapter 67: Jia Dongxu's Promotion

The next morning in the Yagangchang meeting room, the leaders of all departments came to attend the meeting.

"Today I've called everyone together—I'm sure you all know why. Yesterday, fitting workshop Level 8 Worker Yi Zhonghai was injured due to improper operation. Now we'll discuss the follow‑up handling of the Yi Zhonghai incident and his work reassignment." Factory Director Yang, seated in the chief seat, spoke first.

"The accident has been investigated clearly—it was Yi Zhonghai's own improper operation. Now Yi Zhonghai has lost his right thumb, which will greatly affect his future work. He no longer qualifies as a Level 8 Worker, so I propose removing his Level 8 Worker status." Guo Da piezi said immediately.

"I agree with Director Guo's suggestion. Since Yi Zhonghai is injured, he's no longer fit to work in the workshop. I suggest transferring him to logistics to watch the warehouse." Li Huaide said.

"Agree."

"Agree."

"Agree." The leaders present all expressed agreement.

"Good, since everyone agrees, let's settle it. Now let's discuss what benefits Yi Zhonghai should receive when transferred to logistics." Factory Director Yang said.

"According to convention, such cases are demoted three levels—that is, they receive the benefits of a Level 5 Worker." Guo Da piezi continued.

"I think that's fine. After all, Yi Zhonghai was once a Level 8 Worker and contributed to the factory; we shouldn't be too harsh, since there are still many workers watching." Li Huaide said.

"Director Li makes sense; we can't disappoint the workers' brothers." Li Qiang said, taking a sip of tea.

"Good, that's settled. Xiao Huang, take the meeting minutes, organize them and give them to me so I can submit them." Factory Director Yang said to his secretary.

"All right, Factory Director." Secretary Huang nodded and agreed.

Yi Zhonghai stayed in the hospital for ten days, only leaving after his stitches were removed.

The day after his discharge, Yi Zhonghai went to work at Yagangchang. He knew he definitely wouldn't stay in the workshop, and his eagerness to return was mainly to find out how the factory would assign him.

"Master Yi, how's your recovery?" Yi Zhonghai was summoned to Factory Director Yang's office, where Yang asked with concern.

"Thank you for your concern, Leader. I'm fine." Yi Zhonghai said, though the gauze on his hand was still on and he was just being polite.

"I know what you're worried about. The factory has already held a meeting to study this. Given your condition, you're no longer fit for the workshop, so the factory decided to transfer you to logistics to handle warehouse registration, with the pay of a Level 5 Worker." Factory Director Yang said tactfully—it's really just a warehouse-watching job.

"Thank you, Leader. I'll follow the factory's arrangement." Yi Zhonghai knew this was the best outcome for him.

The Level 5 Worker benefits are not bad. Levels 1‑2 are Junior Workers, 3‑5 are Intermediate Workers, 6‑8 are Senior Workers, above that are technicians and engineers. Given my situation, the factory still giving me Intermediate Worker benefits is already quite good.

"Good, since you agree, go report to the warehouse." Factory Director Yang began to usher him out.

"All right, I'll go report to the warehouse now and won't disturb your work, Factory Director." Yi Zhonghai was not oblivious.

After Yi Zhonghai completed his warehouse registration, he officially began his logistics job of watching the warehouse.

"Master, I heard you've been transferred to watch the warehouse?" After work, Jia Dongxu came to Yi Zhonghai's home.

"Hmm, watching the warehouse is also nice and easy. The factory gives me Level 5 Worker benefits, which is already quite good." Yi Zhonghai was also satisfied with his current situation.

"It's a shame you have all those skills." Jia Dongxu felt sorry for him.

"It's fine, Dongxu. From now on, after work you come over, I'll cook you a special dish and pass on my years of experience so you can get promoted sooner." Yi Zhonghai now understood: if he didn't seriously teach Jia Dongxu, and Jia Dongxu ended up apprenticing to someone else, it would be all for nothing. Since he's no longer in the workshop, many things are out of his control, and he can't keep pulling Jia Dongxu's strings as before. The only way is to treat him better and hope he doesn't apprentice to another master.

"Really, thank you, Master." Jia Dongxu heard this and was indeed very happy.

"Then let's start now. These are my own notes—take them back and read them; if anything's unclear, come find me anytime." Yi Zhonghai handed over a thick notebook to Jia Dongxu.

"Thank you, Master." Jia Dongxu excitedly took the notebook, knowing Yi Zhonghai had always treasured it like a precious item, and now he was willing to give it to him—how could Jia Dongxu not be excited?

In fact, Jia Dongxu is very smart, and now Yi Zhonghai is teaching him earnestly, so Jia Dongxu's progress is rapid. At the year‑end assessment, he also successfully passed the Level 3 Fitter exam.

"Dongxu, you really got promoted?" Qin Huiru still found it hard to believe the good news Jia Dongxu brought, knowing that raising a level isn't just a pay raise—other benefits go up as well. When he was a Level 2 Worker he was a Junior Worker; now he has finally reached the threshold of an Intermediate Worker.

"Why would I lie? Here's the certificate." Jia Dongxu pulled out his Level 3 Worker certificate from his pocket.

"Mom, look—Dongxu passed the Level 3 Worker exam!" Qin Huiru, holding Jia Dongxu's certificate, excitedly went to Jia Zhangshi's side.

"Good, good, good—I knew our Dongxu would amount to something; he'll definitely be able to test for Level 8 Worker someday." Jia Zhangshi was even more excited.

"Mom, I need to go properly thank my Master. If he hadn't taught me this period, I couldn't have passed the Level 3 Worker exam so quickly." Jia Dongxu said with a smile.

"Dongxu, wait a sec—have you never wondered why Master Yi didn't teach you before, but now he's willing to?" Jia Zhangshi blocked Jia Dongxu as he was leaving and asked.

"What's up, Mom?" Jia Dongxu also realized the issue.

"Master Yi was transferred to watch the warehouse because he's afraid you'll take another master and then won't support him in his old age. All these years you've been a Level 2 Worker—I suspect he never really taught you, just to control you and manipulate our family." Jia Zhangshi said.

"Mom, no way?" Qin Huiru was startled by Jia Zhangshi's words.

"How couldn't it be? You don't even have my insight into this old bastard." Jia Zhangshi, ever clear‑headed, understood Yi Zhonghai better than anyone.

"Mom, what you say makes sense. I've asked him several times to see his notes, but he always said my foundation was too weak and I couldn't understand. After he left the hospital he suddenly volunteered to give them to me." Jia Dongxu, not a fool, after Jia Zhangshi's reminder also realized it.

"So from now on, when dealing with him, keep an eye out—don't let him sell you out and then have you help count the money for him."

"I understand, Mom."