Chapter 29 In this age of roaring machines, ...
In this era of roaring machines, a level-six fitter is the "technical emperor" of the factory.
The workers often say, "Third-level workers grow old and gray, fourth-level workers become masters, and fifth-level workers walk around with their heads held high."
As for Level 6, that's something to be revered.
Chen Xuefeng, at only thirty-two years old, had already reached the ceiling of Level 6.
He stood in the workshop, and the factory manager had to hold the cigarette in his hand to offer it to him.
The county was hoping that he could grow into an eighth-level fitter.
Now that Yu Jiajia has saved Chen Gong's only son, she has directly established connections with him.
Yu Jiajia is a capable person and would never become a fitter; her career was already going smoothly.
But the Yu family has fitters. Yu Hongding is now a level four fitter, and Yu Songqing, a college graduate, is an assistant engineer.
If Yu Hongding could receive technical guidance from Engineer Chen, he might be able to become a Level 5 fitter.
Their status and salaries were worlds apart.
Yu Songqing's future will also be smoother.
Cheng Xiuying truly felt that Sibao was the Yu family's lucky star. Look at all the big things that had happened in the family recently; every single one of them was related to Sibao! She cupped Yu Jiajia's little face in her hands and said, "Sibao, you are truly Mom's lucky charm."
Yu Jiajia was quite shy.
After the mother and daughter talked for a while, Cheng Xiuying said, "Go back and pack your things quickly. Mom will be waiting for you downstairs after you get off work."
Yu Jiajia continued to slack off in the office. When she heard music playing on the radio, she slung her brand-new military green backpack over her shoulder and left work, going home with Cheng Xiuying. "Mom, shall I take Songchuan to see Sister Xu later?"
Cheng Xiuying: "Don't go today. The Chen family will probably come to our house, and it wouldn't be appropriate if you weren't home. Go over tomorrow morning and make some steamed rice cakes to take with you tonight."
Yu Jiajia: "Mom, you're so thoughtful!"
Cheng Xiuying thought her daughter was really well-behaved!
Cheng Xiuying was still riding the bike; Yu Jiajia only wanted to ride, not carry anyone else.
The two then went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy popsicles. This time, Yu Jiajia paid for them, and each of them got a cream popsicle. As soon as they left the supply and marketing cooperative, they saw Yu Songchuan rushing over happily, "Mom, Fourth Sister, I saw our bicycle from far away!"
A brand-new green bicycle was parked in front of the supply and marketing cooperative, which was very eye-catching!
Cheng Xiuying glanced disdainfully at her youngest son, whose face was covered in sweat; he was an eyesore.
Yu Jiajia handed Yu Songchuan eight cents, "Go buy it."
Yu Songchuan was even happier. "Thank you, Fourth Sister."
Cheng Xiuying: "Sibao, you can't be so loose with your hand. Girls should save more money."
Yu Jiajia whispered, "Then let's be more careful next time!"
Cheng Xiuying nodded: "Next time I go in to buy, you wait for me behind the locust tree. I definitely won't let anyone I know see me when I'm buying."
Yu Jiajia smiled, "I'll listen to Mom." She added, "Mom, when we get the meat coupons at the end of the month, let's invite Dad and the three of us go to the state-run restaurant for meat!"
Cheng Xiuying: "Don't wait until the end of the month. I have meat coupons here. Let's go tomorrow at noon, and invite your dad to have pork rib noodles."
Yu Jiajia happily pulled Cheng Xiuying: "Mom, I'm going to pay, you can't argue with me."
When Yu Songchuan came out licking his popsicle, the two immediately changed the subject.
The three of them quickly left the area to avoid running into Yu Songqing again.
Cheng Xiuying did not go behind the locust tree in the alley, which shows that Yu Songchuan was unaware of this secret base!
Cheng Xiuying drove Yu Jiajia home. "Songchuan, you should walk back by yourself. You're too heavy. Don't let the bicycle break."
Yu Songchuan ran alongside him, saying, "Then I'll run."
Yu Jiajia: "I'll carry your schoolbag for you."
That's all she can do to help.
Once on Jiefang Road, Yu Songchuan could catch up with the cars if he walked fast, while Cheng Xiuying rode very slowly so that everyone could see her brand-new bicycle clearly.
Back home, Cheng Xiuying pushed the bicycle into the main room again, and Yu Songchuan eagerly fetched a basin of water and came over to wipe the bicycle.
Cheng Xiuying snatched the towel: "Don't damage the car, I'll do it."
Yu Songchuan:......
Fine, I won't wipe it then.
Yu Jiajia couldn't help but laugh. She took a palm-leaf fan and squatted down next to Cheng Xiuying, watching her wipe the car.
Yu Songchuan: "Sister, let me fan you."
He took the palm-leaf fan and vigorously fanned Yu Jiajia and Cheng Xiuying.
Cheng Xiuying took his bonus, saying she would save it for him to use when he got married. He didn't want to give it to her at all, but he couldn't withstand his mother's iron fist.
From now on, if I want to eat popsicles, I'll have to ask my fourth sister.
If he asks his third sister for help, she will buy him a popsicle and watch him eat it with a look of satisfaction on her face.
After this happened twice, he was too ashamed to ask his third sister for more.
My eldest and second eldest brothers are just like that.
The fourth sister is different; she's very generous, and the two of them will eat together.
Now, Fourth Sister even brings his mom along to eat popsicles! From now on, he'll come home as soon as he gets out of school and wait outside the supply and marketing cooperative to mooch popsicles.
With that thought in mind, he fanned himself even more vigorously.
Granny Xu brought over a steamed bun. "Thank you for the last two times, Siya. My family just made some meat buns, so I brought one for you." She then asked, "Washing the car? Is it something you treasure?"
After wiping the last tire, Cheng Xiuying stood up with a towel in her hand. "It's a new car awarded by the county committee, so of course I have to take good care of it. Take the meat buns back with you; my family doesn't eat them. You should go home now."
Granny Xu: "Your new car is quite something. Let me see the badge you keep on display." She strode over to the dresser. "Where's the badge? Why is there only the base left?"
Cheng Xiuying: "...When no one is home, you have to keep it safe."
You underestimated the Xu family; they're not stupid.
Granny Xu pursed her lips. She knew no one would casually place a badge of a great man on the dresser. "You're quite careful. Since you don't eat the buns, I'll take them away." She muttered, "You won't even eat meat buns, you're so cunning."
Cheng Xiuying: "I really don't dare to accept it. Who knows if you've put something in the bun?"
Before leaving, Granny Xu glanced at Cheng Xiuying again, took a bite of the meat bun in front of her, and said, "A pure meat bun with pork and scallions, it's so fragrant it'll make your teeth fall out."
Although the steamed bun was spat on, it was Dali's saliva. She didn't mind the dirtiness of eating her own grandson's saliva; it still tasted delicious!
The aroma of meat immediately filled the air; this bun really had a lot of filling, and the meat must have been very fatty, as it was oozing oil.
Cheng Xiuying rolled her eyes. "Hurry up and leave. You're not welcome in my house. Tell Jinbao to eat his buns slowly so he doesn't choke."
Granny Xu: "Jinbao will never choke again!"
After Granny Xu left, Cheng Xiuying said, "Who cares about their steamed buns?"
It's actually quite rare!
"What kind of family is the Xu family? Yesterday they had braised pork, and then they picked up their two grandsons from school. Today they're even making meat buns? We wouldn't even dare to eat that!"
How much meat does it take to make this meat bun?!
Yu Jiajia coaxed, "Mom, wait until next month, I'll give you meat buns!" Actually, she already had meat buns in her spatial backpack, but she couldn't take them out.
Yu Songchuan: "Sis, I want to eat too!"
Yu Jiajia: "We'll buy eight, Mom can have two! We'll each have one."
Cheng Xiuying was touched: "Good girl, let's not buy it, let's save some money. We're having meat tonight too, I'll stew you green beans with braised pork." Don't buy so much, just secretly buy four, two for each of us, it'll taste so good.
Yu Songchuan didn't care whether he could eat meat buns in the future; he just wanted to eat braised pork with green beans today.
It was Yu Jiajia's turn to cook dinner, but Yu Songyan had already taken over the task and would have to wait for him to return.
Cheng Xiuying provided technical guidance from the side.
The lean meat from yesterday was fried and soaked in lard; it will last for half a month.
Take out about half a pound, slice it thinly, stir-fry it in oil until fragrant, then add green beans, stir-fry until dry, and steam it in a pot. I also steamed eggplant on the side, and then heated up some cornbread.
Cheng Xiuying told Yu Songyan about Granny Xu bringing steamed buns to their house to look at the badges on the dresser. Yu Songyan nodded, "Okay." Then he asked curiously, "Did they buy so much meat? Braised pork yesterday, and meat buns today?"
Pork and scallion buns, how much meat must that have taken?
Cheng Xiuying: "It must be a lot! Is it because Jinbao almost got into trouble that they're spoiling the kid by feeding him meat? Aren't they afraid of emptying their savings?"
The Yu family can afford to eat so much meat because Sibao has done a great service, and they need to celebrate.
This meat is a scam; it's free!
Yu Jiajia and Yu Songchuan huddled together under the eaves, enjoying the aroma of meat while reading a book on traditional Chinese medicine, checking on how well Yu Songchuan was learning.
Yu Songchuan studied very diligently, spending his days at school researching traditional Chinese medicine. He was determined to earn money during the summer vacation. He didn't specifically study the medicinal properties of the herbs, but he remembered their names and pictures very clearly.
As long as the medicinal herbs on the mountain look like those in the book, he'll definitely be able to recognize them. After picking them, he'll process them according to the methods in the book.
Yu Songchuan: "Now we're just waiting for Sunday. Let's go up the mountain and check out the situation first."
Yu Jiajia: "Okay!"
She has no shortage of food and drink now, but she is quite willing to go up the mountain to see the beautiful scenery. It would be even better if she could catch some pheasants or rabbits.
Just as the Yu family was about to start their meal, the Chen family arrived.
Grandma Chen was holding Chen Dongsheng, and Liu Xianghong was pushing a bicycle behind them. A live chicken was tied to the left handlebar and a large piece of cured meat was tied to the right handlebar. There was also a net bag of things in the back of the bicycle.
The person leading the way was Sister Xu, who called out from the doorway, "Auntie, Director Liu is looking for you."
She didn't know why Director Liu wanted to come to the Yu family, but all those things hanging in the car were for the Yu family.
That chicken is so plump! That cured pork is so fatty it's practically dripping with oil, it's cured so well!
Just looking at it makes my mouth water.
Chen Dongsheng called out in a childish voice, "Sister Jiajia."
Cheng Xiuying put down her chopsticks and came out, her face full of smiles: "Oh, Director Liu, what brings you here?"
The rest of the Yu family also came out.
Little Chen Dongsheng reached out his hand to Yu Jiajia, "Sister."
Yu Jiajia touched his little face, took him and put him on the ground. Chen Dongsheng took out his pocket and pulled out four White Rabbit milk candies. "Here you go, sister."
Yu Jiajia: "So many candies! Are they all for me?" She took one, "Thank you, Little Mantou."
Liu Xianghong carried some things into the house, saying, "We brought Xiaomantou to see Jiajia."
Cheng Xiuying: "Oh dear, why are you being so polite? You've come all this way, why did you bring so much stuff? Jiajia just casually brought the little steamed buns back to the factory, don't worry about it."
This chicken looks like a hen; it must lay eggs!
This cured pork looks delicious; it would be so fragrant to make cured pork rice.
And those things being put into pockets, are they peaches?
Liu Xianghong placed the live chicken at the door and handed the other things to Cheng Xiuying: "Sister Xiuying, when I was looking for Xiaomantou, I felt really panicked for a while. I felt that something was wrong with Xiaomantou, but I couldn't find him. I was so upset that I just wanted to cry."
A little while later, Xiao He from our workshop came to find me and said that Xiao Mantou was at the broadcasting station. When Jiajia rescued Xiao Mantou, he was drinking water by the river. He's so small, how could he go to the river?
Jiajia saved Xiaomantou. Xiaomantou should call Jiajia "godmother," but Jiajia is still young, so she'll be Xiaomantou's older sister from now on.
Cheng Xiuying declined, saying, "Xiang Hong, you're being too polite. The fact that Xiao Mantou is alright means he's lucky and should have escaped this calamity."
With the help of a benefactor, they naturally escaped this calamity.
Grandma Chen said, "Xiuying, please accept this. Xiaomantou is here to see his sister." She then handed Yu Jiajia a small bag: "This outfit is for Jiajia. If it doesn't fit, we can alter it."
Yu Jiajia refused.
Grandma Chen insisted on giving it to her, saying, "Little Mantou should have called you godmother, but now she just calls you sister."
It means that if you don't accept it, you'll have to call her godmother.
Yu Jiajia:......
Liu Xianghong: "Our family is small, but we've saved up a lot of cloth coupons. Jiajia, please accept them."
Yu Jiajia had no choice but to accept it and put it aside.
Cheng Xiuying packed up her things and pulled Old Lady Chen and Liu Xianghong into the house. "You haven't eaten yet, have you? Come in and eat with us." She then called out, "Song Yanjia, add two more dishes and make a steamed egg custard for Xiao Mantou."
Grandma Chen: "Don't bother, we'll just sit for a bit and then leave."
Cheng Xiuying: "Auntie, you're just being polite with me. Please come inside and sit down."
Yu Jiajia also led little Chen Dongsheng into the house and made him some orange juice.
Yu Songchuan was extremely curious and asked in a low voice, "What exactly happened?"
Chen Dongsheng said in a childish voice, "My sister is my savior."
Yu Jiajia quietly recounted what happened at noon, and then asked, "Little Mantou, will you look for your mother alone again next time? Will you go to the river again?"
Chen Dongsheng touched his swollen buttocks and shook his head vigorously, "No!"
Yu Songqing also strained his ears to listen, and by the end, he didn't know what to say. How could Jiajia be so lucky as to hear the baby crying?
No, it can't be said that Jiajia was lucky. If someone else heard a child crying, they wouldn't care.
But Jiajia was concerned and went outside to look for the crying, because she was simply worried that the child might be in danger.
Cheng Xiuying and Yu Hongding hosted the Chen family, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
Grandma Chen: "Xuefeng went to Shanghai on a business trip and won't be back for a while. When he comes back, he'll bring Xiaomantou over."
Cheng Xiuying: "Engineer Chen is busy with work, so we can't delay his work."
Grandma Chen said, "Just call him Xuefeng. No matter how busy he is, nothing is more important than Xiaomantou." The old lady was truly grateful to Yu Jiajia. If it weren't for Yu Jiajia saving Xiaomantou, she wouldn't be alive.
Yu Hongding: Engineer Chen? Chen Xuefeng? ??? Level 6 fitter!!!
Yu Songqing was also shocked. That was a level six fitter, the factory's top technician!
Yu Jiamin and Yu Songyan quickly prepared the meal, stir-frying tomatoes and eggs and making hot and sour cabbage, as well as stewing steamed eggs. They also added the original dishes of braised pork with green beans and steamed eggplant, making for a very sumptuous dinner.
The steamed egg custard, drizzled with sesame oil and simmered until tender, is especially suitable for children.
But Little Mantou didn't like steamed egg custard; he'd had enough of it. He preferred braised pork belly with green beans and steamed eggplant, both cooked until soft and tender.
He still ate standing up; his buttocks were swollen from being spanked, so he couldn't sit on a stool.
Everyone felt that he was both pitiful and ridiculous.
Cheng Xiuying: "Did you apply the medicine?"
Old Mrs. Chen gritted her teeth: "I won't apply it. Let him suffer for a couple more days, then he'll learn his lesson."
“Our little mantou is so smart, he’ll definitely remember this.” Cheng Xiuying stood up and went to the bedroom to get a jar of liniment for sprains and bruises. She pulled the little mantou over and made him lie on her lap while she applied the ointment.
Her once fair buttocks are now red and swollen; she was really beaten hard.
He cried as soon as Cheng Xiuying touched him, but he stopped crying after the medicine was applied and said in a childish voice, "Thank you, Auntie. It's cool and refreshing, and it doesn't hurt as much anymore."
Cheng Xiuying helped him put on his pants: "You can't run out by yourself next time. You're so good-looking. If you get kidnapped by a child trafficker, you'll get a spanking every day and won't have anything to eat."
Chen Dongsheng sobbed, "I'll never dare to do it again."
“That’s right.” Cheng Xiuying handed the ointment to Liu Xianghong: “This is medicine from my hometown village. It’s very effective in treating external injuries. Take it back with you later and apply it to your wound tonight.”
Everyone then continued eating. The meal was too lavish, but with guests present, no one dared to grab food recklessly. The Yu family members all picked up meat and vegetables at Cheng Xiuying's pace.
Yu Songchuan ate a bit too fast, so Cheng Xiuying stepped on his foot under the table and gave him a threatening look. Yu Songchuan quickly ate properly.
Grandma Chen thought the Yu family's upbringing was truly excellent.
After the meal, Yu Songyan cleared away the dishes.
Yu Jiajia and the others led Chen Dongsheng to play jump rope at the door. The child was only a little over a meter tall and could only run steadily, so jumping rope was really difficult for him, but he liked to watch. He even held the rope for Yu Jiajia and watched her jump.
When Grandma Chen and Liu Xianghong said goodbye, Chen Dongsheng hugged Yu Jiajia, reluctant to leave, saying he wanted to stay here because there were many older brothers and sisters here.
His crying was useless; Old Mrs. Chen took him away.
Cheng Xiuying re-tied the hen to the handlebars, then put half of the peaches into the basket. She pressed down on Liu Xianghong's hand, which was trying to untie the rope, and said, "Xianghong, take this chicken back to lay eggs for Xiaomantou. We should give and take. If you do this, I can't accept anything."
Liu Xianghong thought to herself that she would have Xuefeng bring the chicken next time.
Chen Dongsheng: "I don't want chickens, and I don't want eggs."
Everyone laughed at him. Cheng Xiuying picked him up and said, "Eat more eggs so you can grow taller." She bounced the child around and asked, "Are you afraid of being lifted up high?"
Chen Dongsheng puffed out his small chest: "I'm not afraid."
Cheng Xiuying tossed him up a little, and the child giggled. Seeing that he wasn't scared, Cheng Xiuying tossed him even higher, which terrified Old Mrs. Chen, who was afraid her beloved grandson would fall.
Cheng Xiuying and Yu Hongding escorted the Chen family to the entrance of the courtyard. When Cheng Xiuying handed the little steamed bun to Old Mrs. Chen, the little steamed bun clung to Cheng Xiuying and wouldn't let go, even trying to toss her high in the air.
Cheng Xiuying patted his chubby head: "Come to our house to play next time."
As soon as she saw the Chen family off, Cheng Xiuying couldn't wait to go home and check on the cured meat.
Four pounds of cured pork, such a big piece! If I take a few pieces every now and then, it'll last until the end of the year.
And peaches too! She hasn't tasted peaches yet this year!
Aunt Xu ran out carrying the chubby girl: "Auntie, what's going on? Is Director Liu related to your family?"
She was a worker in the fifth workshop.
Since someone asked, Cheng Xiuying wasn't in such a hurry to go home anymore, and the cured meat and peaches wouldn't run away.
Cheng Xiuying smiled and said, "Little Mantou is Jiajia's sworn brother." She then recounted how Yu Jiajia had saved Little Mantou.
Sister Xu was so envious. Why didn't she go for a stroll around at noon? If she had saved Xiao Mantou, she and Jianguo would be able to do whatever they wanted in the factory. They would definitely get a promotion and a raise.
Others were envious; this saved Chen Gong's only son.
Everyone in the steel rolling mill knows Engineer Chen.
Yu Jiajia hurried home; she didn't want to listen to people chatting and feed mosquitoes there. She wanted to go back and try on her new clothes.
Seeing Aunt Hu picking up fallen scallions on the road, she quickly ran over to help.
Obtained [Leather Shoe Ticket*1 + 'Crisis Prediction' Advanced Skill*1 (5/5)]
Shoe coupons are in high demand! But she can't produce them; there's no way to explain it. Could she say she found them? That would be even less likely.
She really wants to wear leather shoes!!! A dress and leather shoes look so good together!
We have enough fragments for 'crisis prediction', we can synthesize it now.
With cool special effects, she gained the advanced skill of 'crisis prediction'.
She sensed it for a moment and didn't feel anything different. She probably could only make a prediction if there was danger.
Anyway, she was in a very good mood.
When they were almost home, they ran into Grandma Zhou washing bed sheets by the sink. Yu Jiajia went over and helped wring the sheets dry.
Obtained: ['Black Hair +1' * 1 + Ancient Five Animal Frolics * 1 (1/3)]
Yu Jiajia:! ! !
I don't know what the Five Animal Frolics are for yet, but they're really great for darkening hair.
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