Chapter 11: Taking on an Apprentice

Rolling Mill

The bell for the end of the shift rang, and workers poured out of the rolling mill like a tide.

In the kitchen, a group of people were busy carving up the leftovers.

Do not underestimate these leftovers; they were a kitchen "perk" that countless people envied and were jealous of.

Taking these leftovers home not only saved on the family's food rations, but they were also richer and oilier than the meals cooked at home.

Li Dong asked, "Brother Cao Weiguo, aren't you taking some back?"

Cao Cao Weiguo shook his head and smiled, "I won't take any. You guys take a bit more."

Seeing Shazhu, while packing food into his lunchbox, said in a sour, sarcastic tone, "Some people have eaten at Donglaishun, so how could they look down on these leftovers?"

Li Dong said with annoyance, "Seeing Shazhu, no one will think you're a mute if you don't talk."

Liu Lan and the others shook their heads speechlessly; this Seeing Shazhu truly never learned his lesson.

He had no filter on his foul mouth and made himself detestable the moment he opened it.

The cafeteria director walked in from outside, ignoring those hiding their lunchboxes.

He walked up to Cao Cao Weiguo with a smile, "Cao Weiguo, let's go together. Director Liu wants to treat you to a meal, and I'm going to tag along and share in the honor."

Glancing at Liu Liu Limin, who was busy cleaning up, Cao Cao Weiguo smiled, "Director Liu is too kind."

The cafeteria director exaggerated, "What's a meal? Even if you ordered ten bottles of Moutai, he'd still be happy to pick up the tab."

Cao Cao Weiguo said, "Oh, then I'm in for a treat today."

The two left the cafeteria chatting and laughing, leaving Ma Hua and the others looking on with envy.

Liu Liu Limin quickly finished cleaning up and then hurried to catch up.

"Ding! Daily sign-in successful!"

"Obtained 1 jin of fruit hard candy, 10 jin of peanut seeds!"

Listening to the prompt in his mind, Cao Cao Weiguo and the cafeteria director walked into the state-run restaurant near the rolling mill.

Liu Hong, the fat-eared deputy director of logistics, welcomed them enthusiastically.

The table was already covered with dishes—fish and meat, all hearty, oily, and substantial.

The cost of this one table of food, if converted to coarse grains, could feed a family of three for two months.

Liu Hong raised his glass, "Master Cao, thank you for taking in my nephew and giving him a bowl of rice to eat."

Cao Cao Weiguo said modestly, "Director Liu, you are too kind. Liu Limin is honest and hardworking; he suits my taste, and I am happy to teach him my craft."

These words greatly increased Liu Hong's favor toward Cao Cao Weiguo. He said to Liu Liu Limin, "Liu Limin, Master Cao doesn't look down on you. Why aren't you quickly offering your master a toast for the apprenticeship?"

Liu Liu Limin happily held up his glass and bowed solemnly to Cao Cao Weiguo, "Master, thank you for being willing to teach me." ===== CHAPTER 19 =====

Cao Cao Weiguo took the wine, drank it in one gulp, and said with a smile, "If you follow me, you must learn seriously. You cannot give up lightly. The same goes for how you conduct yourself—you must be persistent!"

Liu Liu Limin said sincerely, "I will listen to everything Master says!"

Liu Hong laughed heartily, "Hahaha... Good! My Liu Limin is lucky to have met a good master."

Sihe Academy

The news that Seeing Shazhu had been criticized in a factory-wide bulletin spread quickly throughout the courtyard.

Because most of the residents here were workers at the rolling mill, and furthermore, there was Xu Xu Damao's mouth to consider.

Xu Xu Damao and Seeing Shazhu were mortal enemies who often clashed in their daily lives.

Seeing Seeing Shazhu stumble was even more satisfying to him than finding money.

"Seeing Shazhu, aren't you a big shot? The factory director and leaders all love eating your food!"

"What's the matter? Did you blow your own horn too much? Pfft, it's leaking air!"

"You've set a precedent for our courtyard—you're the first big shot to be criticized in a factory-wide bulletin!"

Xu Xu Damao shouted with schadenfreude, making Seeing Shazhu furious and causing the neighbors to shake their heads and mock him.

"Xu Xu Damao, are you looking for a beating?"

Having been filled with anger at the factory, Seeing Shazhu was immediately ignited by Xu Xu Damao's provocation.

He rushed up and began punching and kicking Xu Xu Damao, and the First Master hurried over to intervene.

This Seeing Shazhu never learned his lesson; he had just been punished by the factory for hitting someone, and now he was doing it again.

If Xu Xu Damao reported this to the police station, Seeing Shazhu might end up in jail.

The First Master shouted angrily, "Sha Zhuzi, your wounds haven't even healed and you've already forgotten the pain. Is the lesson not heavy enough for you?"

Xu Xu Damao clutched his stomach and shouted, "First Master, this Seeing Shazhu is hitting people in public. I'm going to report him to the neighborhood office."

The First Master said with a stern face, "Xu Xu Damao, if you didn't provoke Seeing Shazhu, would he hit you? Isn't this something you brought upon yourself?"

Xu Xu Damao was choked with frustration and said indignantly, "First Master, you're just biased. It was clearly Seeing Shazhu who started hitting people, yet you're blaming me."

Qin Qin Huairu leaned in, "Forget it, neither of you is a good person. It takes two to tango; don't point fingers at each other."

The First Master decided firmly, "This matter ends here. To make such a fuss over a few words and go to the neighborhood office—aren't you ashamed?"

Xu Xu Damao left, waving his hands in resentment, "First Master, just keep protecting Seeing Shazhu. You'll regret it one day."

Seeing Shazhu cursed angrily, "Grandson, haven't you had enough of my fists?"

The First Master kicked Seeing Shazhu, "Sha Zhuzi, when will you ever get rid of your impulsive, foul temper?"

Seeing Shazhu glared, "What's wrong with being impulsive? They were asking for a beating!"

Looking at the stubborn and defiant Seeing Shazhu, the First Master felt weary.

If he weren't counting on Seeing Shazhu to provide for his old age, he really wouldn't want to deal with this thick-headed fool who couldn't keep his mouth shut.

Dragging Seeing Shazhu back to his room, the First Master asked about the cause and effect of the bulletin criticism.

Seeing Shazhu cursed Cao Cao Weiguo with a belly full of resentment, "That villain, I'll make him pay sooner or later."

The First Master said in a deep voice, "Stop provoking that Cao Cao Weiguo. A biting dog doesn't bark. Don't look at how he keeps to himself in the courtyard and ignores everyone behind closed doors—that man has a lot of schemes."

Seeing Shazhu, unconvinced, pounded the table with his fist, "Evil cannot triumph over good. First Master, just watch. If I don't make that villain Cao Cao Weiguo call me 'Grandpa,' then my name isn't He."

The First Master scolded Seeing Shazhu angrily, "Sha Zhuzi, why are you so stubborn? Haven't you suffered enough already?"

Qin Qin Huairu pushed the door open and walked in, "Cao Cao Weiguo is back, and he's drinking again, swaying as he walks. How can such a stingy miser be willing to go out and drink?"

Seeing Shazhu said with disdain, "Hmph, it's that fat pig Liu from logistics treating him. Truly, fish find fish, shrimp find shrimp, and turtles find turtles—they're all black-hearted villains."

Qin Qin Huairu said in surprise, "This Cao Cao Weiguo has quite the connections. Why would the logistics director treat him to a meal?"

Seeing Shazhu said dismissively, "Cao Cao Weiguo took on that fat pig Liu's nephew as an apprentice—the same big, stupid guy I flatly rejected before the New Year."

Qin Qin Huairu looked at Seeing Shazhu, speechless. He had grown up so much, yet he didn't understand the ways of the world.

He had pushed away such a good opportunity to build a relationship with a deputy logistics director.

The First Master felt completely helpless. Indeed, there are no wrong nicknames, only wrong names.

He really is a "Seeing Shazhu" (Foolish Pillar)!

Relying on his bit of ability, he didn't take anyone seriously.

Compared to the shrewd Cao Cao Weiguo, Seeing Shazhu was just a brute.

Sigh!

Why hadn't he noticed Cao Cao Weiguo before?

If only Cao Cao Weiguo could provide for his old age!

Back Yard

Xu Xu Damao stopped the alcohol-reeking Cao Cao Weiguo, "Cao Weiguo, you're back."

Cao Cao Weiguo responded groggily, "Oh, Brother Xu, back from... from showing a movie."

Xu Xu Damao smiled and said, "Came back at noon. Thanks for helping my family change the lightbulb this morning. I'll definitely treat you to a drink another day."

Cao Cao Weiguo waved his hand, swaying, "Drink? No more! Can't drink anymore!"

Looking at Cao Cao Weiguo's drunken state, Xu Xu Damao smiled, "Not today, then. Forget it, you've really had quite a bit. Hurry back to your room and rest."

The enemy of an enemy is a friend!

The well-informed Xu Xu Damao had already heard at the factory that Seeing Shazhu was criticized in the bulletin because of a conflict with Cao Cao Weiguo.

In the past, Xu Xu Damao hadn't thought much of the solitary Cao Cao Weiguo.

But things were different now. Cao Cao Weiguo had become a regular employee in the cafeteria, and the food he cooked was even better than Seeing Shazhu's.

He had status, skill, and a grudge against Seeing Shazhu.

Xu Xu Damao was thinking about forming an alliance with Cao Cao Weiguo.

A union of two strong forces to fix Seeing Shazhu together.

But now that Cao Cao Weiguo was completely wasted, discussing cooperation would have to wait for another day.

"Alright, I'm going... going back to my room."

Cao Cao Weiguo stumbled back to his room, and Xu Xu Damao shook his head and went home.

Lou Lou Xiaoe heard that Cao Cao Weiguo was drunk and wanted to cook him a bowl of hangover soup.

It would also be a way to thank him for his help that morning.

Xu Xu Damao said with disgust, "You're a married woman, why are you getting close to a single drunkard? Don't you have any brains?" ===== CHAPTER 20 =====