Siheyuan: I live next door to Xu Damao, my last name is Cao

The next day, the warm sunlight sprinkled softly on every corner of the courtyard like a golden veil, awakening the sleeping people.

Jia Zhang seemed to have had all her strength drained away, and she slowly sat up from the shabby wooden bed with difficulty.

Her face, which was already full of wrinkles, was now filled with sorrow, as if every wrinkle concealed deep worry.

Her eyes were wandering and she was very hesitant. Her anxiety and uneasiness were intertwined, making her mood even more confused.

Jia Zhang sighed heavily, and this sigh seemed to carry all the pressure of life.

When she thought of her poor son Jia Dongxu and young grandson Banggeng, her already fragile heart tightened again.

In order to keep this precarious family going, she knew she had to swallow her pride and go to Yi Zhonghai for help.

Jia Zhang dragged her legs, which felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead, and walked slowly and laboriously step by step.

Along the way, she kept sighing and muttering about the unfairness of fate.

She was really resistant to the idea of ​​work.

After all, she had hardly ever had a serious job in her life and had always lived a life of mediocrity. Although her family was not wealthy, they had never required her to work so hard.

However, the cruel reality was ruthlessly laid before their eyes - Jia Dongxu, the pillar of the family, became disabled due to an accident and lost his ability to work.

Daughter-in-law Qin Huairu also divorced their family and found a job of her own.

Seeing that the family’s savings are getting smaller and smaller, if no action is taken, the family may just have to wait to starve to death.

Thinking of this, Jia Zhang hardened her heart, bit her lip, secretly encouraged herself, and unconsciously quickened her pace.

Not long after, Jia Zhang finally arrived at Yi Zhonghai's door.

Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar door, she hesitated again and again, but finally she stretched out her trembling calloused hands and gently knocked on the door.

"Boom, boom, boom..."

The knock on the door was particularly clear in the silent air, and made Jia Zhang's heart beat even faster.

After a while, the door opened.

Yi Zhonghai appeared at the door. When he saw Jia Zhang, who looked haggard, a trace of imperceptible helplessness and disgust flashed across his face.

However, out of politeness, he still managed to force a smile and asked, "Hey, Sister Jia, how come you have time to come to my place today?"

Jia Zhang's face was full of flattering smiles. She walked quickly to Yi Zhonghai and said in a tone that was almost pleading: "Uncle, you are a respected elder in our courtyard. You have to help us, an orphan and a widow! Look, Qin Huairu has a job now and can earn money to support the family, but we can't just sit there and eat up all the money, right? So, I have to trouble you to show mercy and take me to the steel mill to take over the job."

After hearing this, Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but frowned slightly and began to think secretly in his heart.

You know, just yesterday, he had a big conflict with Jia Zhang.

Now, Mrs. Jia Zhang actually had the nerve to ask me to take her with me to take over the post. It was really a headache and troublesome matter.

However, when he thought of the deep friendship between him and Jia Dongxu as a master and disciple, as well as their years of neighborly relationship, Yi Zhonghai found it difficult to refuse.

Finally, Yi Zhonghai sighed helplessly and said slowly: "Ah... Never mind, since you said so, I will take you to give it a try. But I have to be frank, I can't say for sure whether you can succeed in taking over the post."

Hearing Yi Zhonghai agree, Jia Zhang was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly, as if she had found the last straw.

In this way, the two walked side by side towards the steel mill.

Along the way, Jia Zhang seemed extremely nervous, her hands clenched tightly together, and a layer of fine beads of sweat had already appeared on her palms.

From time to time, she turned her head to look at Yi Zhonghai, anxiously asking about various matters concerning the replacement job.

Yi Zhonghai patiently explained every link and precautions to her in detail. At the same time, he repeatedly reminded her to be careful with her words and actions and behave well after arriving at the factory, and never act recklessly and cause trouble like before.

While listening, Jia Zhang prayed silently in her heart that she could successfully take up the post this time.

Finally, after a long journey, they finally arrived at the office of Director Li Huaide, the leader of the steel rolling mill.

As soon as he entered the door, Yi Zhonghai couldn't wait to explain to Director Li in detail the purpose and reason of his visit.

Director Li sat behind his desk, listening carefully to Yi Zhonghai's story.

When his eyes fell on Jia Zhang, who was feeling uneasy, his face was filled with suspicion.

He frowned and said slowly, "She? Can she do it? Our work as a fitter is not easy at all! Not only does it require certain professional technical knowledge, but it also requires rich practical experience. Besides, she is already so old, does she really have the physical strength and energy to handle this job?"

Hearing this, Jia Zhang hurriedly took a step forward and eagerly explained: "Director, I can definitely do it! Although I am not young, I am still very strong! Now that my son is disabled, our family has lost its source of income, so I have to come out to take over his job."

As she spoke, Jia Zhang's eyes actually turned slightly red.

Yi Zhonghai, who was standing nearby, saw this and quickly agreed, "Yes, Director Li. Although Jia Zhang has never been involved in the locksmith business before, as long as she is willing to learn, with her hardworking spirit, she will surely be able to master the relevant skills quickly and start working smoothly."

Li Huaide still stared at Jia Zhang, his eyes full of hesitation and worry.

In fact, he knew clearly in his heart that the current predicament faced by the Jia family was indeed difficult.

However, the Jia Zhang in front of him, regardless of her age or appearance, did not look like someone who could be qualified for the job of a fitter.

However, after careful consideration, taking into account the special circumstances of the Jia family and the spirit of humanistic care that the factory has always advocated.

Finally, Director Li gritted his teeth and made a decision - to give Jia Zhang a chance to try.

"Okay, since you said so, I'll give you a chance, Jia Zhangshi, you should work hard and don't let your leader down."

Li Huaide said seriously.

Then, he said to Yi Zhonghai: "Yi Zhonghai, the task of teaching Jia Zhang is now handed over to you."

When Yi Zhonghai heard Li Huaide asking him to teach Jia Zhang, he suddenly felt embarrassed.

He didn't want to have too much involvement with Jia Zhang, and now he has to take on the responsibility of teaching her, which is not an easy task.

Yi Zhonghai frowned slightly, and tried to choose his words to refuse: "Director Li, this... I have a lot of work on hand, and after all, Jia Zhang and I are not a master-apprentice relationship, so it may not be convenient to teach. Besides, there are also special masters in the factory who are more suitable to teach newcomers."

After hearing what Yi Zhonghai said, Li Huaide's face instantly darkened.

He had already had doubts about whether Jia Zhang was capable of doing the job, and now Yi Zhonghai was making excuses, which made him very unhappy.

"Yi Zhonghai, what do you mean? I have given you a chance, and you don't appreciate it? You are also clear about the situation of the Jia family. I gave Jia Zhang this opportunity because we all work in the same factory. If you don't want to do it, then just pretend I didn't say anything. You, the Jia family, should figure out a way on your own and don't waste my time here." Li Huaide said sternly.

Yi Zhonghai felt nervous when he saw that Li Huaide was unhappy.

He knew Li Huaide's position in the factory. If he offended him, his life in the factory would be difficult.

Moreover, he really couldn't bear to see the Jia family fall into trouble.

Yi Zhonghai said quickly: "Director Li, don't be angry, I didn't mean that. I just feel that my ability is limited and I'm afraid that I can't teach Jia Zhang well."

Yi Zhonghai secretly groaned in his heart. He didn't want to take on this troublesome matter.

But looking at Li Huaide's unhappy face, he knew that he could not refuse this matter.

Yi Zhonghai sighed helplessly and said, "Director Li, I will do my best to teach Jia Zhang."

Li Huaide's expression eased a little. He looked at Yi Zhonghai and said, "That's good enough. Remember, you must teach Jia Zhang well and let her get started as soon as possible. If she makes any mistakes, you can't get away with it. I hope you won't let me down."

After saying that, he asked them to leave the office.

Yi Zhonghai nodded helplessly, but his heart was full of helplessness and worry.

He didn't know whether he could teach Jia Zhang well, nor did he know what the future of the Jia family would be.

But now that things have come to this, he can only grit his teeth and take things one step at a time.

Yi Zhonghai brought Jia Zhang to the fitter's work area with a somewhat gloomy expression.

However, Jia Zhang didn't notice Yi Zhonghai's emotions and was still happy thinking that she finally had a job.

Yi Zhonghai pointed at some tools and began to introduce the basic work content and precautions of fitter to Jia Zhang in a stiff tone.

Jia Zhang was confused by what she heard, but she didn't dare to ask more questions and just nodded continuously.

"Ms. Jia Zhang, this locksmith job is not easy. Since you are here, you must learn it well. If something goes wrong, we will both be in trouble."

Yi Zhonghai said seriously. Jia Zhang quickly responded, "Master, don't worry, I will definitely study hard."

However, she was wondering why this job was so troublesome.

In the following days, Yi Zhonghai had to spend a lot of time and energy teaching Jia Zhang.

Jia Zhang was always clumsy, either using the wrong tools or getting the wrong steps.

Yi Zhonghai's patience was gradually worn out, and he often lost his temper with Jia Zhang.

"Jia Zhang, why are you so stupid? Is this how you use this tool? How many times have I told you!"

Yi Zhonghai rebuked loudly.

Jia Zhang also felt wronged, she felt Yi Zhonghai was too strict. But in order to keep the job, she could only swallow her anger and continue to study hard.

At the same time, other people in the courtyard were also paying attention to Jia Zhang's situation.

Some people feel sorry for her because she still has to work at such an old age.

Some people also think that she deserves it. She was so arrogant in the past, so now she deserves to suffer a little.

"This Jia Zhang was so arrogant and domineering before, but now she has to come out and work." Sha Zhu said gloatingly.

"Well, there's nothing we can do. Given the current situation of the Jia family, what will happen if she doesn't come out to work?" Yan Bugui understood Jia Zhangshi very well.

Their family will have a very difficult life in the future.

As time went by, although Jia Zhang's progress was slow, he gradually mastered some basic skills of locksmithing.

However, she was still dissatisfied with the job. She often envied Qin Huairu's easy job in the kitchen and thought about how to get a lighter job.

After working as a fitter for a few days, Jia Zhang became increasingly dissatisfied.

She looked at her rough hands and tired body, her heart full of resentment. That day, she took advantage of her break time to find Director Li Huaide.

Jia Zhang said confidently: "Director Li, I think this job arrangement is unfair. Qin Huairu can find a job in the kitchen, which is easy and clean, but I am doing this tiring and dirty benchwork here."

After hearing this, Li Huaide suddenly felt dissatisfied.

Li Huaide thought to himself, this Jia Zhang really doesn't understand anything?

Qin Huairu had someone help her find a job. You are an old lady with no connections and no gifts, so it's good enough that we can arrange a job for you.

Of course, these words cannot be said to Jia Zhang.

"This is the factory's arrangement, there's nothing we can do about it." Li Huaide said unhappily.

Jia Zhang was not willing to give in. "You can't treat me differently like that. I also want to do something easier. I really can't handle this kind of locksmith work. Otherwise, you can swap my job with Qin Huairu's."

"Qin Huairu and I are mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, it's okay for us to switch places."

"But as far as I know, Qin Huairu has divorced your family."

Jia Zhang wanted to say something, but Li Huaide was getting impatient.

"Do you think you can pick a job casually? The positions in the factory are arranged according to demand and ability. If you don't want to do it, you can leave. There are many people waiting for this job." Li Huaide's face darkened.

Jia Zhang was a little panicked when she heard this. She knew she couldn't lose this job, but she was unwilling to do this hard locksmith work.

She began to coax him, "Director Li, please be kind and give me an easier job. I'm too old to do locksmith work."

Li Huaide looked at Jia Zhang with annoyance, "I've already given you a chance, but you didn't cherish it. If you keep making trouble like this, I'll have no choice but to fire you."

Seeing Li Huaide's firm attitude, Jia Zhang did not dare to make trouble anymore.

She returned to her job dejectedly, but her heart was still full of dissatisfaction and complaints. But she also knew that she had no other choice but to continue working.

In the following days, although Jia Zhang was dissatisfied, she did not dare to go to Li Huaide to make trouble again.

She could only complain while trying to adapt to the job. In order to support herself and her family, she had to grit her teeth and persevere.

Every morning, Jia Zhang dragged her tired body to the steel mill to start a day of hard work. She worked hard to operate the tools, and although her movements were still clumsy, she was much more skilled than when she first started.

Yi Zhonghai felt a little relieved when he saw Jia Zhang's progress, but he was still not very satisfied with her performance.

"Jia Zhang, hurry up and don't dawdle. If you keep going like this, when will you really be able to get started?"

Yi Zhonghai urged. Jia Zhang didn't dare to talk back, so she could only speed up, but she felt more and more wronged.

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