“Bah!” Jia Zhangshi was furious, spat on the ground, and turned to leave.
Although she suffered a setback, Jia Zhangshi’s enthusiasm for chatting with people did not wane.
Staying at the factory with nothing to do, if she didn't find someone to chat with, she would be bored to death.
As for knowing how to use Carpentry tools, Jia Zhangshi never even considered it.
She wasn't going to work there for long anyway; after Qin Huairu gave birth and finished breastfeeding, Jia Zhangshi planned to have Qin Huairu take over her shift.
Moreover, when the Carpentry assessment came in the second half of the year, according to the agreement she signed with the Security Section Leader, she could be directly promoted to First-Level Fitter.
Since she could be directly promoted and wasn't going to work for long, why would she bother trying?
Jia Zhangshi redoubled her efforts, expanding her search to chat with people from other Squad Leaders.
Unexpectedly, it was the same situation as with the Pliers worker team.
As soon as she opened her mouth, the people nearby would immediately change their expressions, fearing her like a tiger.
Jia Zhangshi talking by herself with no one to talk back to was no fun either.
Finally, it was time for dinner.
Jia Zhangshi felt uncomfortable no matter how she stayed, so she greeted Yi Zhonghai: “Lao Yi, I’m going back to the Courtyard to take a look. Didn’t you say you’d give me a day off? I figured taking a day off is better than resting well back in the Courtyard.”
“Just don’t tell Wang Lif.”
“Jia Family Sister-in-law, just go. I’ll pretend not to see you and won’t actively tell Wang Lif.”
Yi Zhonghai waved his hand.
Jia Zhangshi got the message, grinned happily, and swung her arms as she left the Workshop.
Worked for a short while, got a full day's pay, comfortable.
No sooner had Jia Zhangshi left than someone found Wang Lif and said that Jia Zhangshi had run off.
The Pliers worker team had nearly twenty people; if Jia Zhangshi wanted to slack off, she had to ask if others agreed.
“Not suffering from scarcity but from unevenness”—the ancients had already made this clear.
Everyone else was working at the factory, earning a salary, so why should Jia Zhangshi get paid for nothing?
Just because of her bad breath?
“Ran off? Are you sure?”
Wang Lif’s expression was very grim.
Factory production was not playing house; it involved significant danger.
Employees coming and going as they pleased—wasn’t that just playing around?
“I saw her walk out of the Workshop. Judging by her demeanor, she probably won’t be coming back.”
The reporting Carpentry estimated.
“Alright, I know. You go back to your work.”
Wang Lif waved his hand and found Yi Zhonghai: “Master Yi, where’s your apprentice?”
“Ah? You’re asking about Jia Zhangshi? She said she needed to go pee.”
Yi Zhonghai pretended not to know.
“Someone told me Zhang Jie ran off. Is that true?”
Wang Lif asked seriously: “It’s working hours now. If anything happens to her, you and I are both responsible.”
“Then I really don’t know. She couldn’t have run off, could she? How could she run off while working at the factory?”
Yi Zhonghai’s heart trembled, and he spoke with difficulty.
He had to distance himself from this matter.
“Alright, I’ll report this to the Leader. If Jia Zhangshi ran off, her wages must be docked!”
Wang Lif said angrily.
He was going to get serious.
Otherwise, the rest of the Pliers worker team would be led astray by Jia Zhangshi.
How could the Squad Leader be managed then?
“Alright, Squad Leader, I only have one request.”
“When you report the situation to the Leader, please don’t say I’m her Master.”
Yi Zhonghai pleaded quietly.
“I understand.”
Wang Lif nodded.
He acted very quickly, without any delay.
The Workshop Leader told Wang Lif to go to the Rolling Mill East Gate and confirm with the Security Section whether Jia Zhangshi had left the factory, then report back.
“I’ll go immediately.”
Wang Lif’s tone was firm.
After going downstairs, he cursed again: “Damn it, going to the East Gate and coming back, like walking a dog.”
Grumbling, Wang Lif still made the trip to the East Gate.
These people in the Squad Leader really couldn’t cause any more trouble.
If there was more trouble, Wang Lif wouldn’t have the face to see the Workshop Leader.
About ten minutes later, he arrived at the East Gate, handed a cigarette to the Security Guard on duty, and asked if a plump, strong woman who walked with swinging arms had left.
After receiving confirmation, Wang Lif sighed heavily. After thanking the Security Guard, he returned to the Workshop.
He went up to the second floor of the office and reported to the Leader that Jia Zhangshi had run away.
“Give her a written disciplinary warning and fine her five yuan.”
The Leader also got angry.
Running away during work hours—it was truly an eye-opener.
It should be noted that when Jia Zhangshi left, she didn’t inform anyone.
It was a joke.
Wang Lif took the disciplinary notice downstairs, feeling heavy-hearted.
He had caused trouble for the Leader again.
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Inside the Siheyuan (Courtyard).
Jia Zhangshi leisurely returned.
Although walking back was tiring, Jia Zhangshi was in a great mood this time.
Not working and still getting paid—that felt good.
Unlike Chen Jianye, who was bent over, huffing and puffing while working.
A complete idiot.
“Oh, Jia Family Sister-in-law, you’re back from your leave?”
Third Aunt called out.
“Yes, it was too tiring, so I came back to rest.”
Jia Zhangshi replied with a smile.
“Granny Jia is in a good mood today.”
“Of course, she’s even smiling.”
“The sun must have risen from the west.”
The other old women in the Courtyard and the adjacent alley were greatly surprised.
Normally, Jia Zhangshi always had a sour face. Last night, she was pushed into a cesspit, and today she was actually laughing and chatting.
It was truly strange.
“Sigh, people, you just have to be more open-minded.”
Jia Zhangshi sighed, as if she had comprehended the true meaning of life: “You talk among yourselves, don’t mind me.”
With that, Jia Zhangshi walked towards Jia.
She still needed to conduct a surprise inspection to see if Qin Huairu was working at home.
She was working herself to death at the Rolling Mill; how could she let Qin Huairu enjoy herself at home?
Qin Huairu was hanging clothes to dry when she turned around and saw Jia Zhangshi standing behind her, which startled her.
She thought to herself that she had been cursing Jia Zhangshi for most of the day, luckily she hadn't cursed just now.
“Hmph, so afraid of me? You’re cursing me in your heart, aren’t you?”
Jia Zhangshi looked suspicious.
“Mom, what are you talking about? I was thinking about what we should eat tonight.”
“Why were you standing behind me? You suddenly scared me.”
Qin Huairu quickly tried to cover up.
“I’m checking what you’re doing at home.”
Jia Zhangshi went home, grabbed a small stool, and came back out.
“Mom, aren’t you going to sleep for a bit at home?”
Qin Huairu asked.
Jia Zhangshi walked leisurely towards the front Courtyard, with her hands behind her back, carrying the small stool.
She didn't even bother to respond to Qin Huairu.
Upon reaching the front Courtyard, Jia Zhangshi put down the small stool and joined the other Old Woman Jia in their chatting group.
“Ugh, Old Woman Jia, don’t open your mouth.”
“Old Woman Jia, move to a different spot, don’t sit upwind from me.”
“Old Woman Jia, go brush your teeth and then come back.”
A group of Old Woman Jia were tormented by the smell of sewage on Jia Zhangshi.
Especially when Jia Zhangshi opened her mouth, the smell was simply unbearable.
It was like a plate of sewage being served to them.
“I won’t!”
Jia Zhangshi was so angry her teeth ached.
The group of Old Woman Jia scattered in a rush.
If they couldn't provoke her, they could at least avoid her.
Jia Zhangshi’s face fell, and she was very unhappy.
Everyone saw that the familiar Jia Zhangshi was back, in exactly that state.