"You're back. What good things did you bring back from the countryside?"

The familiar taste, the familiar recipe. As always, Yan Laokou is at the forefront of his duties as a doorkeeper.

"Ah! Teacher Yan, school is about to start, if you don't come back soon, you won't be able to go to school."

Sun Dajiang greeted them, took out a wild game sausage from his package, and handed it to Yan Bugui.

"Teacher Yan, take these home and let your child try them. Don't think it's too little; there aren't many in total."

"Wow, that's right, Da Jiang, you're really something." He even gave a thumbs up after saying that.

It wasn't that Sun Dajiang was trying to curry favor with Yan Bugui, but rather that the children had just returned today and he didn't want to waste time arguing with Yan Bugui at the gate. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to leave for at least ten or twenty minutes.

Seeing Yan Bugui's skillful movements, Sun Zhengguo thought to himself, "As expected of you, Old Man Yan, you managed to dig out a bicycle, a radio, and a television."

Back home, I unpacked my things. My parents had already tidied up the room. Lying in bed, I reflected on the past two months.

First of all, he grew 5 centimeters taller in 2 months, gained a few kilograms, and his muscles all over his body became slightly bulging. He also mastered the Tongbei Quan 108 Forms. Even his grandfather praised him as a good prospect. Lin Hong took 2 years to reach this level, but he achieved it in just 2 months.

He could probably take on three Xu Damaos now! "Hey, I'm not a fool like Zhu, why do I keep hitting Xu Damao for no reason? If I'm going to hit someone, I should hit the War God Zhu of the Siheyuan." (Zhu, who was chopping vegetables at Hongbinlou, sneezed, "Who's thinking about me again?" which earned him a look of disgust from the other apprentices.)

The family was having dinner tonight. The food was good; Mom had prepared four dishes and a soup. The family was enjoying this rare moment of peace.

Footsteps approached from afar, breaking the rare tranquility at the doorway.

Is anyone home?

Who is it?

Before the person could even knock, Sun Dajiang opened the door, revealing a young man with slightly curly hair, a slender build, and a handsome face standing at the entrance.

"Dongxu!"

"No wonder he was able to marry Qin Huairu in the original story; it turns out Jia Dongxu was quite good-looking," Sun Zhengguo thought to himself.

"Uncle Dajiang, there's a meeting in a bit, could you come over then?"

After saying that, he couldn't help but glance at the food on the table. He swallowed hard.

"Okay, I'll go in a bit."

"Then you keep eating, I still need to notify the others."

After saying that, he turned and went to the next house without looking back.

Sun Dajiang closed the door and continued eating at the table, chatting with his mother about the upcoming meeting.

"Dad, what kind of meeting is it? Can I go later?"

"What are you going to do? You're just a kid, you don't understand anything."

"Let's go have some fun, anyway, it's too hot to sleep."

Sun Dajiang didn't respond to him, nor did he say whether he would go or not, which seemed to be his tacit agreement.

After finishing their meal, Sun Dajiang and his son each took a stool and a large palm-leaf fan and went out.

The Intermediate Court has a large open space, so every major meeting is held there. Many people arrived gradually, and by the time Sun Dajiang and his son arrived, almost everyone was present.

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong were sitting on the stools in front. The meeting was not as grand as it would be later. There was an octagonal table, and the three of them sat in a triangular formation. I'm getting a bit off-topic.

Seeing that most of the people had arrived, Liu Haizhong raised his voice, mimicking the tone of their workshop director's speech at a meeting.

"Well, well, let me say a few words first. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, our institute has been..."

The crowd below was completely bewildered, and Sha Zhu, that simpleton, continued to hurl insults at Liu Haizhong.

"It's so hot outside, you called us out just to hear you talk about these things."

Yi Zhonghai, sitting beside him, couldn't stand it any longer. He coughed lightly twice, making Liu Haizhong blush, and could only glare fiercely at Sha Zhu.

"Today's conference was convened at the request of Yi Zhonghai. Now, Comrade Yi Zhonghai will say a few words."

When Yi Zhonghai heard that they had finally gotten to the point, he coughed lightly.

"I've gathered everyone here today mainly to ask you to bear witness because of my personal matters. I must apologize to you all in advance."

It has to be Yi Zhonghai; a few words from him turned the tide in his unfavorable situation. Unlike Liu Haizhong, that good-for-nothing who only knows how to offend people.

"Dongxu is a child we've all watched grow up. After observing him for a long time, I've found that he's filial to his parents, hardworking, has good character, and is ambitious. I'm going to take him on as my apprentice, and everyone here is a witness to that."

"It seems that Yi Zhonghai is already preparing his successor. He's confirming this in front of so many people. After all, in this day and age, taking on a disciple is like having half a son. It's not just a saying. If Jia Dongxu treats him badly in the future, he'll be criticized to death. For people in this era, reputation is very important."

Sun Zhengguo thought to himself, "I'm afraid Yi Zhonghai wouldn't even consider it. In the future, he'll have to bury his son. Jia Dongxu's passing has caused chaos in the entire courtyard every day."

What Sun Zhengguo was thinking was unknown to others.

"Dongxu! Quickly serve your master tea."

Madam Jia quickly arranged for her eldest son to serve tea, so that her son would have a powerful backer, whether in the courtyard house or the factory.

Yi Zhonghai now enjoys immense prestige, both in the compound and the factory. Otherwise, he wouldn't have become a powerful figure in just two years. Jia Zhangshi's later tantrums and bullying in the courtyard were all due to Yi Zhonghai's influence.

Then Jia Dongxu knelt on the ground, kowtowed three times to Yi Zhonghai, and then raised the teacup in his hand.

"Please have some tea, Master."

Yi Zhonghai took the teacup and took a small sip.

"Yes, you must study hard from now on and not be lazy."

Seeing the dirt on Jia Dongxu's forehead, Yi Zhonghai nodded in satisfaction.

"The apprentice understands."

The conference concluded amidst a chorus of congratulations.

Everyone picked up their stools and went home.

Sun Dajiang's family was also tired after a long day, and they went to rest after arriving home.