“Master Yi, you have always been my respected idol, but I have some different opinions about what you said today. What you just said, ‘A teacher for a day is a father for life,’ is very true. We apprentices should respect our teachers. But I want to ask Master Yi, would you respect a master who has not taught you anything for four years and has even made you take the blame?”
Ma Hua's words left Yi Zhonghai stunned. He looked at Sha Zhu in disbelief. Could this really be true? Sha Zhu, it's been almost four years! Couldn't you at least have taught him a little something?
"Fellow comrades, what I, MCA, just said is true. Since I became Ho Yu Chu's apprentice for the past four years, all he has done is make me do this and that, without giving me the slightest guidance. He even constantly says I'm clumsy and incompetent. I've endured it all for the past four years."
But He Yuzhu was my mentor after all. As long as he lectured me in front of everyone, I'll accept the charge of stealing the cafeteria supplies.”
After Ma Hua finished speaking, he lowered his head, looking like an honest man who had been wronged. This immediately aroused the indignation of the surrounding workers, who all thought back to when they were apprentices and their masters had always beaten and scolded them.
But no one should bully people like Sha Zhu. He hasn't taught anyone any skills in four years, and he still has the nerve to talk about respecting teachers and valuing the way. He even has the nerve to make his apprentice take the blame for him.
Sha Zhu couldn't sit still any longer. Everyone's disdainful gazes fell on his face. "Ma Hua, you're no longer my apprentice. Don't call yourself my master anymore. I can't teach an apprentice like you."
"What I'm asking you now is why you didn't prepare the side dishes for me." Hmph, I'll just make it clear in front of so many people that Ma Hua isn't my apprentice, so that the director won't make me take on apprentices in the future.
"He Yuzhu, you used to be my master, so it was only right that I help you with some work. But I'm not your apprentice anymore. Why do you still have the right to order me around? I am an apprentice in the cafeteria, that's true."
But you, Sha Zhu, are not a landlord or tyrant from the old society. Why should I help you with this and that? Director Yang, I want to ask you, is this canteen still the canteen of our working class in the new society?
Why can He Yuzhu sit there like a landlord, comfortably ordering me around? I've already finished my job! I've said my piece. Director Yang, all the leaders and colleagues, please see this: if you think I, Ma Hua, am wrong, I accept the punishment," Ma Hua said, hanging his head and falling silent.
Seeing Ma Hua's pitiful appearance, the onlookers were immediately filled with anger. "That damned idiot Zhu," they thought, "how dare he treat us working-class people like this! He's gone too far! Ma Hua isn't even your disciple anymore!"
Why should you expect others to help you? A very few, like Yi Zhonghai, even preached things like "a teacher for a day is a father for life," and that the MCA should do it, but they were drowned out by the public's fervent resistance.
Factory Director Yang glanced helplessly at the dejected Sha Zhu. "I told you to stop talking, but you wouldn't listen. Now look what's happened. I have no choice but to punish you. Calm down. It seems that today's events are entirely Comrade He Yuzhu's fault."
This has absolutely nothing to do with Comrade Ma Hua. As for the punishment, we'll have to wait for our factory leadership to discuss it at a meeting. Comrades, let's hurry up and eat; it's getting late, and we still have to work this afternoon.”
As Director Yang's words spread, the crowd dispersed, whispering amongst themselves in small groups.
Sha Zhu glared at Ma Hua with resentment. He never expected that Ma Hua, who was usually so quiet, would betray him at such a crucial moment. "Fine, let's see how your leaders punish me. You expect me to cook the farewell dinner? Just you wait!" With that thought, Sha Zhu turned pale and plopped down in a chair.
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