Courtyard House: From Bloodsucking Jia Zhangshi to Industrial Giant

Chapter 17 Section Chief Qian Invites People to Dinner, Xu Damao Plays a Trick

Section Chief Qian never expected that because of a single sentence from Yi Zhonghai, Old Ma would be chasing after him relentlessly!

He sat down next to the other man with a smirk, took out a bottle of wine from his pocket, bit it open, and poured it into several glasses brought by the director of the third workshop.

Five cups, each containing two ounces, were filled, with each cup containing exactly two ounces.

He handed the first glass to Section Chief Ma: "Old Ma, that's not very nice of you. How many times have we cooperated since you transferred to the machinery factory? I admit I was wrong today, but you don't have to keep chasing after me."

Section Chief Ma scoffed, "Cooperation? Why don't you just say your steel rolling mill poached five of our people?"

Section Chief Qian protested, "I've explained this to you eight hundred times already! This was an arrangement made by the leadership; it has absolutely nothing to do with me!"

"Nobody would believe you."

"Alright, alright, believe it or not. But today, I really have to thank you, and this young comrade Zhang Chengfei." Section Chief Qian changed the subject, looking at Zhang Chengfei, "Here, this glass of wine is for you."

Zhang Chengfei hesitated: "Is it okay to drink alcohol during work hours?"

"It's after get off work hours, it's alright." Section Chief Qian picked up his chopsticks again and placed a large piece of scrambled eggs on Zhang Chengfei's plate. "Try this scrambled egg, it's oily and fragrant."

Zhang Chengfei ate the eggs and had to admit, they were definitely more delicious than the stew cooked in a large pot.

Section Chief Ma picked up a large mouthful of meat and stuffed it into his mouth. He ate with relish, and his anger subsided considerably: "This dish is delicious. Old Qian, you really went to a lot of trouble."

Previously, I said the other party was being sarcastic by spending a lot of money, but this time it's genuine.

Section Chief Qian shook his head: "What's this extravagance? When those Russian experts came to repair the machines before, they ate steak salad and drank vodka. We even had to send a few people to drink with them."

That level of expense really went to waste!

The workshop director also said, "We've been treating them to the best of everything, but those Russian experts are still finding fault with everything they do. Compared to them, the few words you said to our Section Chief Qian, Section Chief Ma, are like a tickle."

Section Chief Qian was displeased: "What? You want Old Ma to criticize me a few more times?"

Section Chief Ma laughed heartily: "It's not that I can't fulfill your request."

Everyone laughed along, and the previously awkward atmosphere instantly eased considerably.

While they were eating meat and drinking, Jia Dongxu was bragging to his coworkers. Although he hadn't called Zhang Chengfei "Third Grandfather" in front of everyone in the workshop, that didn't stop him from showing off now!

After several years working in the factory, he finally had a chance to shine today with his third grandfather, and he boasted to everyone about his performance.

Liu Haizhong, who was standing nearby, was furious after hearing what happened that morning. That was a chance to shine in front of the boss!

If the leader remembers your name, maybe when it comes to selecting a team leader in the future, the leader will just say, "So-and-so, their performance is pretty good." Wouldn't that solve the problem?

Damn it, why did it have to be the machines in their workshop 3 that broke down, and not the ones in their workshop 2?

If their machine breaks down, Zhang Chengfei only knows him in the workshop, so he might ask him for help. He's a forger, and he's incredibly strong!

Yi Zhonghai felt a pang of sadness watching Jia Dongxu speak so eloquently. Even though he was the person who had helped Jia Dongxu the most in the courtyard after Old Jia's death...

But to be fair, the person in the entire courtyard who least wanted Jia Dongxu to have a good life was precisely him.

If Jia Dongxu recovers, will he still be able to control him and take care of him in his old age?

Further away, Xu Damao finished his meal, holding his unwashed lunchbox, and leaned against the food serving window chatting with Sha Zhu.

"Look at Jia Dongxu's smug face! Having a cadre relative isn't enough for him to show off!"

Sha Zhu glanced at him and said, "Weren't you trying to curry favor with Zhang Chengfei just now?"

Xu Damao was speechless: "I wasn't trying to curry favor. I was just trying to get along with him since he had just started working."

"Isn't that the same thing?" Sha Zhu sneered.

Xu Damao was furious: "You dare to criticize me? Aren't you the same? You want to serve food to others, but unfortunately, they don't appreciate it."

"If you don't appreciate it, then don't appreciate it. I don't care."

"Stubborn to the end." Xu Damao glanced at the group of female workers sitting together, his eyes darting around. "Hey Shazhu, don't you look like you're just watching the show?"

He Yuzhu followed his gaze and saw it was Sister Hua and her group of gossips. He immediately revealed a knowing smile: "You want Sister Hua and the others to see Zhang Chengfei?"

Seeing Xu Damao nod, he rubbed his hands together and said, "That's great. Sister Hua and the others used to only look at the male colleagues in our factory. If they look at Zhang Chengfei now, it'll be like they've stepped out of the steel rolling mill and are facing the entire industry."

Xu Damao laughed too: "Wait here, I'm going to chat with Sister Hua."

He carried the dirty lunchbox and plopped down next to Sister Hua.

"What's wrong, you little pencil stub? You're so eager to go to the little warehouse?" Sister Hua's gaze shifted downwards, revealing a disdainful smile.

Xu Damao was inwardly cursing, but his words were sweet: "Sister, didn't we agree? We can chat, but we can't hurt each other's feelings."

"Who told you that?"

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Can we talk about something else?" Xu Damao pointed to Zhang Chengfei, who was drinking in the distance, "Sister Hua, what do you think of this kid's looks?"

Sister Hua had already noticed Zhang Chengfei's good looks, and upon hearing this, she immediately commented: "He's good-looking, tall with long legs, broad shoulders, and a big nose. Most importantly, the shape of his mouth... Overall, I give him a first-class grade."

Several female workers from within the group understood her implication and immediately revealed lewd smiles.

Xu Damao thought to himself, "Who says all men are lecherous? When this woman gets lewd, she's clearly more terrifying than any man, okay?"

He suppressed his thoughts and said, "Sister, you've encountered such an exceptional person, and you don't have any particular feelings about them?"

Sister Hua's gaze returned to him: "You brat, do you have a grudge against him?"

"No way! We're brothers, best brothers!" Xu Damao laughed awkwardly.

He really had no grudge against Zhang Chengfei; he just wanted to make him uncomfortable.

Sister Hua laughed: "My good brother still comes looking for me? Xu Yingfang, you're a real scoundrel, you're rotten to the core!"

Xu Damao, his face pressed so close, still chuckled awkwardly, "So you mean you're not going to watch?"

"Look, why wouldn't you look?" Sister Hua slammed her hand on the table. "I've been so busy with work lately. If you look at him, consider it a perk for the women in the factory!"

The other female workers were overjoyed upon hearing this; Xu Damao's wicked scheme had succeeded, and he was ecstatic.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Section Chief Qian asked Zhang Chengfei with a smile if he had eaten well. Zhang Chengfei nodded and then asked if anyone had brought paper and pens.

The workshop director took out his work notebook and a pen from his pocket and handed them over.

Zhang Chengfei took the notebook, placed it on the table, and began to write and draw.

The others were initially confused, but when they saw the first line he wrote, they immediately understood what he was doing.

Section Chief Ma picked up a Sichuan peppercorn and popped it into his mouth: "See Old Qian? My men, Old Ma's men, they're just one word: reliable!"

"These are two words," Sister Xie said quietly.

P.S.: I'd like to know what kind of content you godfathers would like to see, more about the courtyard scenes or more about work. Please leave a message, and I will listen carefully and adjust the proportions accordingly.