Chapter Nineteen: Yi Zhonghai Receives a Formal Disciplinary Warning

Yi Zhonghai brought Jia Dongxu to Factory Director Yang’s office in a hurry, bypassing the formality of knocking and barging straight inside.

Seeing Yi Zhonghai burst in uninvited, the director’s expression darkened. However, Yi was one of the few Level 7 fitters in the factory, and if possible, Yang preferred not to offend him.

"Master Yi, what brings you to my office?"

Noticing the director’s inquiry, Yi immediately put on a look of profound grievance. "Director Yang, you must uphold justice for me! That Liu Haizhong, having just been promoted to director of Workshop One, is picking on me and my apprentice, Jia Dongxu, for no reason. Not only did he dock two months of my wages, but he also fired my apprentice!"

Jia Dongxu chimed in hastily, "That’s right, Director Yang! You must stand up for us."

In truth, Jia Dongxu did not care about the job. Now, he looked down upon ordinary people like Yi Zhonghai; if he wanted money, he could easily acquire an inexhaustible supply. The only reason he did not want to quit was that he still needed the status of a factory worker.

"Oh? Then tell me, why did Director Liu punish you?"

Factory Director Yang was no fool. Moreover, Liu Haizhong had been promoted by Wang Lin. While he initially didn't know why, hearing Yi Zhonghai’s distortion of the truth made it crystal clear. Wang Lin had installed Liu in Workshop One specifically to discipline Yi and Jia. Yang had no intention of offending Wang Lin, so he decided to abandon Yi Zhonghai.

"Why the hesitation? Do you really think I don't know what happened in Workshop One?"

Seeing that the director refused to back him, Yi became desperate. "Director Yang, you had better think this through. The grade assessment is coming up soon, and I am confident I will become a Level 8 fitter."

The value of a Level 8 fitter was immense, and this was Yi’s leverage. He was certain of his promotion. However, he failed to account for who was truly pulling the strings. When compared to Wang Lin, his status as a Level 8 fitter was insignificant.

"Yi Zhonghai, you have a lot of nerve threatening a superior. Secretary Chen, go to the Publicity Department immediately. Tell them not only to uphold Director Liu’s punishment but to add a formal demerit to Yi Zhonghai’s record."

Yi was enraged, pointing a finger at the director and shouting, "You—how dare you?"

"Get out."

The director, now also furious, realized that Yi was truly incorrigible. It was no wonder someone like Wang Lin held such a grudge against him. With no other choice, Yi had to take Jia Dongxu and leave, needing to return to the courtyard immediately.

***

Burning with rage, Yi decided to teach the director a lesson. "That man surnamed Yang will learn the consequences of offending me."

"Master, what do we do now?" Jia Dongxu asked anxiously, needing his worker status for certain matters.

Yi scoffed. "Since diplomacy failed, we resort to force. We’ll find your mother and have her make a scene at the factory. I want to see how that fellow Yang handles it."

A faint smile touched Jia Dongxu’s lips, though he kept a look of concern. "Will finding my mother work?"

Yi was certain. "Don't worry, it will. You might even turn a misfortune into a blessing and get your position back."

"Alright, I’ll listen to you, Master."

They soon arrived at the Jia residence, where Yi twisted the facts to Mrs. Jia, claiming Liu Haizhong was targeting them out of spite. Jia Dongxu stood by with a pathetic expression. "Mother, you must stand up for me! They are all bullying me."

Upon hearing that her son was being bullied at the factory, Mrs. Jia was incensed. "Come on, son! We’re going to the rolling mill to demand an explanation. If I’m not satisfied, we aren't coming home!"

She dragged Jia Dongxu toward the Red Star Rolling Mill. Watching them leave, a look of triumph crossed Yi’s face. "Hmph, let's see how you handle this, Yang. And Liu Haizhong, you’ll learn the cost of crossing me."

He imagined the chaos that would ensue when Mrs. Jia made her scene, and how Liu would eventually be forced to take the fall. Beyond that, he intended to make life miserable for Liu’s family in the courtyard.

Yi went to the back courtyard to Liu’s house. "Is Mrs. Liu home? It’s Yi Zhonghai. I need to speak with Guangtian and Guangfu."

Mrs. Liu was home, but she had no intention of opening the door. Before leaving for work, Liu Haizhong had instructed her that if Yi came home early and knocked, she was not to answer.

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu were also inside. They wanted to open the door, but their mother stopped them. Though they didn't know why, they trusted her and remained silent. Finding no response, Yi assumed the house was empty and returned to his own home.

"You’re lucky today, Liu Haizhong. Tomorrow, I’ll make you regret provoking me."

Meanwhile, Wang Lin and Qin Huairu had skipped work to go shopping on Wangfujing Street.

"Wife, this dress suits you perfectly. It looks beautiful on you. We’re buying it."

"There’s no need to buy me more; I already have two new sets," Qin Huairu said, her heart aching at how freely Wang Lin was spending money. They had come to buy items for a visit to her parents' home, but once those were done, Wang Lin started buying things for her.

"It’s still not enough. Let’s get two more for you to rotate." Wang Lin was in high spirits. In his past life, he was a pauper who had to agonize over every purchase. Now, he had more money than he could spend, and his system-granted conglomerate provided endless wealth. The ability to buy whatever caught his eye was a luxury he deeply savored.

"Husband, stop buying!" As Wang Lin reached for more, Qin Huairu acted coquettishly. The sound sent a thrill through him. "Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you."

The couple’s public display of affection left every woman nearby envious. "Miss, your husband is so good to you. Unlike mine, who just knows how to order me around and never buys me a thing," the salesclerk remarked with a sigh. Qin Huairu blushed, and Wang Lin looked as if he wanted to lean in and kiss her.

Just then, a delicate figure rushed over and, by chance, collided with Wang Lin.