Jia Dongxu felt his actions were impeccable.
Those onlookers whispering were purely enjoying the drama without fear of consequences.
He couldn't let his anger get the better of him and become a laughingstock for them.
But as a disciple, with his Master beaten, Jia Dongxu had to make a statement.
So he righteously shouted, “Comrade Security Guard, you must catch this young man and teach him a lesson! How dare he hit a worker at our factory gate!”
“Is there still law? Is there still justice?”
His voice was thunderous, drowning out others' doubts about him.
The Security Guard looked at Chen Jianye with an interrogative gaze.
If Chen Jianye didn't give him an explanation, he certainly wouldn't let Chen Jianye off easily.
“Comrade Security Guard, I had a reason for hitting Yi Zhonghai.”
“Everyone, listen. Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu live in the same Courtyard as me. My father, Chen Tuntian, a Carpentry from the Rolling Mill, passed away three days ago at the factory. My mother passed away yesterday.”
“Yi Zhonghai, as an elder in the Courtyard, ignored my job succession. Today, I came to the Rolling Mill gate, and the Security Guard Comrade stopped me according to the rules. Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu followed me the whole way, waiting to see me stumble and make fun of me.”
“Everyone, tell me, should I have hit Yi Zhonghai?”
Chen Jianye laid out the facts.
Anyway, it wasn't him who was losing face.
“Master Yi went too far with this, intentionally hiding it from the young man.”
“As an elder, he should guide the younger generation, especially since this young man is truly pitiful.”
“Yi Zhonghai's actions were unprincipled. The young man is still too young and prone to impulsiveness.”
Everyone started to give their opinions.
“So, you do have a reason, but you shouldn't have hit him.”
“This matter still depends on whether Master Yi pursues your responsibility.”
The Security Guard pondered for a moment, then looked at Yi Zhonghai.
However, the disdain in his eyes already betrayed his inner thoughts.
The Security Guard also felt ashamed of Yi Zhonghai's behavior.
Following this young man all the way just to watch him become a laughingstock was truly unprincipled.
“I can take responsibility. If the Rolling Mill Leader comes, I will say the same things I just said.”
“If they think what I did was wrong, I will apologize to Yi Zhonghai, and medical expenses are not an issue.”
Chen Jianye's tone was firm.
“Hmph.”
Yi Zhonghai, unable to keep his composure, snorted coldly and left.
He had done something disgraceful and dared not let the Rolling Mill's Leader know.
Jia Dongxu quickly followed.
“Young man, Master Yi isn't pursuing your responsibility, so you should go about your business.”
“Don't be too impulsive in how you conduct yourself and your work. I heard you say just now that your father was a Carpentry. Are you also going to be a Carpentry now that you're taking over his position?”
The Security Guard asked a bit more.
“That's right, I'm taking over as a Carpentry.”
Chen Jianye nodded.
He pulled out a pack of daqianmen cigarettes from his pocket and politely handed it over: “Thanks for earlier.”
“Thanks for what? You're about the same age as my son, so I'm just saying a few extra words to you.”
“Since you'll be a Carpentry in the future, you shouldn't have a temper with Master Yi. He's a great Carpentry Master at our Rolling Mill.”
“There are only three Eighth-Grade Fitters in our factory, and each one is highly sought after.”
“If he's willing to teach you, it'll save you a lot of trouble.”
The Security Guard took the cigarette and casually offered advice.
“Our relationship isn't good, and I don't expect anything from him. I'm too lazy to bother with him.”
Chen Jianye said with a faint smile.
“Hey, you're too young. If you can't be friends, you can at least be colleagues.”
“At least don't be enemies.”
“If you make an enemy of Master Yi, he's experienced and well-connected; he has plenty of ways to make trouble for you.”
The Security Guard lowered his voice and warned him.
“Thank you, Uncle. After I take over the position, I will keep a low profile.”
“I'll just work hard, earn my wages, and not provoke anyone.”
Chen Jianye accepted the advice.
There was no point in saying more; it was better to go along with what the other person said.
As expected, the Security Guard was even happier, feeling that Chen Jianye was teachable.
After a cigarette's worth of time, Chen Jianye waved and left, heading to the Neighborhood Office in his district.
This trip took him over thirty minutes.
Over several kilometers, Chen Jianye saw many features unique to this era.
For example, houses with blue bricks and black tiles, and moss growing at the base of the walls.
Slogans painted on the walls, such as “Serve the People” and “Break Down Feudal Superstitions.”
And occasionally, bicycles passing by, their bells ringing.
Bicycles were very precious in this era, considered a major household item.
There were over ten households in the Siheyuan (Courtyard), but not a single bicycle.
Chen Jianye remembered that a few years later, Yan Fugui would acquire a Flying Pigeon brand bicycle.
From then on, he would lord it over everyone in the Courtyard.
'It would be great if I could get a bicycle.'
Chen Jianye thought to himself.
He walked along, admiring the scenery of the era along the way.
Meanwhile, there was a new development in the Fitter First Team of the Rolling Mill's First Workshop.
Normally, before starting work in the morning, the Team Leader would hold a small meeting.
The main purpose was to explain the personnel arrangements; if someone took leave, their work needed to be covered.
Or if any Leader came to the Rolling Mill, they needed to pay attention to work discipline and so on.
“Jia Dongxu, where's Master Yi?”
The Team Leader, not seeing Yi Zhonghai, asked loudly.
“My Master is feeling a bit unwell, so he won't be attending the morning meeting today.”
Jia Dongxu replied.
“Is it serious?”
The Team Leader asked with concern.
Yi Zhonghai was the most skilled Carpentry in the Fitter First Team, so much so that calling him a treasure was not an exaggeration.
Even though Yi Zhonghai spent most of his time teaching apprentices and didn't do much actual work.
But with Yi Zhonghai there, the Team Leader felt confident and had the courage to take on difficult tasks.
“Not serious.”
Jia Dongxu quickly said.
The Team Leader expressed concern for a couple of sentences, then proceeded with the meeting as usual.
Afterward, he told everyone to go to their posts and start working.
Before returning to his own post, Jia Dongxu specifically went to a secluded corner, found Yi Zhonghai, and informed him that the meeting was over.
“Then go do your work. You don't need to worry about me today.”
Yi Zhonghai instructed.
The finger marks on his cheek hadn't faded yet, and he absolutely couldn't let others see them.
It was too embarrassing.
“Master, why are you hiding? If you ask me, you should stand out.”
“Let everyone see.”
Jia Dongxu urged.
Yi Zhonghai's face darkened.
I'm like this; if everyone sees me, they'll just laugh at me.
“Master, think about it, Chen Jianye went to the Neighborhood Office to complete the job succession process. He'll definitely come to the unit tomorrow.”
“Why don't we take this opportunity…”
Jia Dongxu went on and on.
Yi Zhonghai's expression changed erratically, but he finally decided to listen to Jia Dongxu and swaggered in front of everyone.
“Lao Yi, what happened? Did you get beaten up?”
“Who gave you such a big slap? No wonder you didn't want to attend the morning meeting.”
“Lao Yi, that slap wasn't light; you've got five finger marks on your face.”
A group of old Carpentry Masters laughed and asked.
The younger Carpentry Masters saw the finger marks on Yi Zhonghai's face and didn't dare to ask him directly, so a few of them gathered together and whispered.
“Don't even mention it. Today, some kid at the gate beat me up.”
Yi Zhonghai touched his cheek, his resentment growing.
“Who?”
“Which kid is so arrogant? Which Workshop is he from?”
“How can you tolerate him?”
The old Carpentry Masters became even more interested.
“It's Chen Tuntian's son, Chen Jianye. My Master is an elder, so he didn't stoop to his level.”
“But that kid just got bolder and bolder.”
“If my Master hadn't stopped me, I would have taught him a lesson.”
Jia Dongxu said indignantly.
He established his persona as a disciple who shared his Master's worries.