Grandpa Niu knew that Grandpa Ma was difficult to deal with, but he didn't expect him to be particularly difficult this time. He was already in a bad mood and didn't want to talk to him much, but Grandpa Ma just wouldn't budge and kept arguing his point.
In the end, Grandpa Niu was at a disadvantage and had no choice but to admit defeat, promising to give the Lin family five yuan as compensation for emotional distress.
Grandpa Ma felt he had completed his task and had also dealt a blow to Grandpa Niu, so he was in a good mood and happily watched Su He take credit.
Su He immediately gave him another grateful look, but she didn't want the Niu family's money, lest people say they were taking advantage of the situation to extort money, which would turn them into being unreasonable even if they were in the right. However, she also didn't want to give the Niu family any money.
So after thinking for a moment, he said, "Our family isn't short of five yuan, but since it's compensation for Aunt Lü, it wouldn't be right for me not to accept it. How about this, let's put the money in this month's water bill, so that everyone can pay less."
Before Grandpa Niu could say anything, the onlookers outside were delighted.
"Oh, that's great! We probably won't have to pay the water bill this time."
"Yes, each family saved several cents."
"This Xiao Su is really good; he knows how to think about our tenement."
...
Su He smiled sheepishly after hearing these words.
"Don't thank me, everyone. If you want to thank someone, thank Uncle Niu and Uncle Ma. One of them took the initiative to set an example and contributed to our institute, while the other is fair, just, and can distinguish right from wrong. With them around, our institute will definitely get better and better!"
Upon hearing this, everyone started thanking Grandpa Niu and Grandpa Ma again.
The two old men were in a good mood after hearing this, and Grandpa Niu was no longer so distressed.
Finally, seeing that the matter was resolved, everyone left. However, as Grandpa Niu was leaving, Lin Jingyan, who hadn't said a word, called him back.
"Uncle Niu, please wait!"
Grandpa Niu glanced at Lin Jingyan with surprise, "Is there anything else, Lin?"
Lin Jingyan said coldly, "I want to tell Uncle Niu that I don't want this kind of thing to happen again in the future, otherwise I will have to talk to the factory director. I heard that you are planning to be promoted to the eighth level next year?"
Grandpa Niu's face turned cold as soon as he heard this. It was obvious what Lin Jingyan meant. He was being threatened. After all, they both worked in the machinery factory, and Lin Jingyan was the factory director's favorite. He was capable and had connections.
Grandpa Niu was a little scared at this point. Although he was capable, he was getting old and would be retiring in a few years. The factory no longer valued him as much. If he caused another incident like this, he would probably ruin his reputation in his later years.
In the end, all he could do was sigh and say, "I understand."
Then, he left with his back hunched over.
...
Su He was somewhat surprised by what the two were saying, but she didn't ask. She was just glad to know that Lin Jingyan was doing it for her.
After Lin Jingyan finished speaking, he went inside and asked Su He and Grandma Su, "Are you alright?"
Su He shook her head. "It's nothing, I was just a little angry, but thankfully I vented my anger later. But are you really okay after what you just said?"
After all, Uncle Niu is a level seven fitter who has worked in the machine factory for many years. He must have some connections. Would he be willing to be threatened?
Lin Jingyan shook his head. "It's alright, don't worry."
Seeing that Su He still seemed uneasy, he explained, "When Uncle Niu was young, he had a bad temper and offended a lot of people, so he doesn't have many connections these days. In addition, one of the people he offended before has now become a factory leader."
They haven't bothered him because they didn't want to stoop to his level; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to advance to level seven fitter. But I reckon that's the highest he can go. His skills aren't quite there yet, and he probably won't be able to advance to level eight anytime soon.
Su He understood immediately; it meant that Grandpa Niu might be disappointed next year.
Su He gloated, since it had nothing to do with her anyway; after all, they were the ones who offended her.
...
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