Just as things seemed to be settling down, Yi Zhonghai, who was watching, objected. What did this mean? Was this putting all the blame on Sha Zhu? Yesterday's theft plus today's accident—even if Sha Zhu was a great cook, he couldn't possibly cover it up!

If Sha Zhu were fired, wouldn't all his plans have gone to waste? So he quickly walked up to Director Yang and said calmly, "Director Yang, I don't think this is how it's supposed to be."

Factory Director Yang was initially displeased at being contradicted, but upon turning around and seeing that it was Yi Zhonghai, he suppressed his anger and said kindly, "Master Yi, do you have any objections? You can speak freely, and we can all discuss it."

There was no other way; Yi Zhonghai was the only remaining level-eight fitter in the factory. Now, all the high-precision and specialized work in the factory required Yi Zhonghai and his colleagues. Factory Director Yang was particularly friendly towards top-notch skilled workers like Yi Zhonghai.

"Director Yang, I think you handled it well. We can't afford to delay the factory's normal production. But I have a different opinion on how He Yuzhu was handled. Director Yang, you see, Master He just said that there was a reason for his delay. Isn't it a bit inappropriate for us to jump to conclusions without even knowing the facts?"

After speaking, Yi Zhonghai glanced around at the workers. Those who hadn't eaten yet were all from Yi Zhonghai's workshop; the workers from other workshops and the logistics department had already finished eating and left.

Restrained by Yi Zhonghai's authority in the workshop, the workers had no choice but to speak up: "Yes, Director Yang, why don't you let Master He explain why we're late?"

Hearing what his fellow workers said, Yi Zhonghai nodded in satisfaction and said to Director Yang, "Yes, Director Yang, why don't you let He Yuzhu speak? Let's all help He Yuzhu analyze the situation and try to avoid it next time. Otherwise, if we do it again, it will delay the production schedule."

Factory Director Yang gave Yi Zhonghai a stern look. "I've been quite polite to you, haven't I? Fine, you want to get to the bottom of this? Very well, I'll grant your wish. Do you really think you can disregard me, the factory director, just because you're an eighth-grade worker?"

With a blank expression and a cold tone, Director Yang said, "Since everyone agrees with what Master Yi said, let's ask He Yuzhu to explain why the food was so bad and served so late. Come on, He Yuzhu."

He Yuzhu, who had initially thought he would be punished, was overwhelmed with gratitude upon hearing Yi Zhonghai's help: "Director Yang, comrades, please understand, there are indeed some special reasons that led to this situation. I also wanted to cook well and make sure everyone ate and drank well, but... sigh... I..." He Yuzhu feigned a wronged expression, hesitating to speak, completely unlike his previous arrogant and domineering self.

The fat man chimed in, "Master, what kind of time is this? Why are you still protecting him like this? As his disciple, I can't stand it anymore. Master, just say it outright! It was that ingrate Ma Hua who deliberately didn't prepare side dishes for you to get revenge on you, which caused the situation just now. Master, Ma Hua has already betrayed the sect, why are you still speaking up for him like this? Master, you..."

Hearing Fatty's words, Sha Zhu was overjoyed. He thought to himself, "Little Fatty, not bad! I didn't see that coming. I'll have to train you properly from now on. Young man, I have high hopes for you!" Sha Zhu nodded at Fatty with satisfaction, his heart pounding with pride. He had finally shown off in front of his master again. Would he be able to learn a few tricks from him tomorrow?

Seeing that Director Yang's face was expressionless, his secretary immediately went to the kitchen and shouted, "Where is Comrade Ma Hua? Please come out for a moment."

Seeing that Sha Zhu was feigning grievance and even slandering him, Ma Hua thought, "Uncle can tolerate this, but aunt can't!" Ma Hua put down his work, walked directly to the crowd, and said, "I am Ma Hua. What does the leader want with me?"

When Director Yang's secretary saw Ma Hua, she frowned slightly. She recognized him; wasn't he Sha Zhu's apprentice? He was usually quite honest, so why had he done something like this today? However, being a competent secretary, she turned to Director Yang and said, "Director and other leaders, Ma Hua is here. Director, what do you think?"

Factory Director Yang then glanced at Sha Zhu: "He Yuzhu, now that Ma Hua is here, do you want to confront him face to face?"

“Master, you must confront him face to face. Ma Hua is such an ingrate. My master taught him for almost four years with great effort. My master thought he was a bad person and expelled him from the sect. I never expected him to do something like this to retaliate against my master today.” The fat man rushed forward immediately. If he didn’t show his strength now, when would he? After the fat man finished speaking, he saw Sha Zhu’s eyes fixed on him, and he became even more excited.

"Alright, Comrade Ma Hua, what do you have to say? Is what He Yuzhu and the others said true?" Factory Director Yang looked at Ma Hua with a stern face. He was filled with anger, but not at Ma Hua; it was at Sha Zhu.

He was now utterly disappointed in Sha Zhu. He had truly misjudged him. If it weren't for Director Wang's report earlier, he wouldn't have known that Sha Zhu was actually bullying others in the kitchen because of his cooking skills. And now he was even slandering Comrade Ma Hua in front of so many of his fellow workers.

Ma Hua chuckled twice, looking at the fat man jumping around: "Fatty, I want to ask you, you just told your master He Yuzhu that I didn't prepare his side dishes, so I want to ask you, do I have anything to do with Sha Zhu?"

"I can't say it outright. First of all, Sha Zhu, you and I are just ordinary coworkers. What, you didn't do your job well and you want to blame it on me? Is that reasonable? As for the fact that Sha Zhu expelled me from the sect, I don't want to hide it from everyone anymore."

Comrades, do you remember the other night when Sha Zhu got caught stealing supplies from the cafeteria by the security guard? Sha Zhu wanted me to take the blame, but I refused, so he expelled me from his training program and said in front of everyone in the kitchen that he would never teach me again. Fatty is your master, though.

"It's not mine. Besides, everyone in the backyard knows how I treat Sha Zhu, but does Sha Zhu deserve to be my mentor? What has he taught me in these four years? Sha Zhu, you should tell us in front of all these leaders, what have you taught me?"

"Wow, he steals and then has the nerve to make his apprentice take the blame? That idiot Zhu is really something else." "Yeah, anyone who gets a master like that is doomed."

When Yi Zhonghai heard the mocking tone of his fellow workers, he immediately sensed that something was wrong. How dare Ma Hua say this in public?

He immediately shouted, "MCA, a teacher for a day is a father for life. Even if Zhu Zi did something wrong, you can't resort to underhanded tricks behind our backs. Look, because of you, so many of us are starving. Don't you feel guilty?"