“No, I can’t.”
Yi Zhonghai shook his head like a rattle-drum, directly refusing.
“Lao Yi, you have to cooperate with the work.”
“You handled the Chen Family matter very well, and the Leader saw it, so they specifically picked you to do this.”
“This shows the Leader’s high regard for you.”
Wang Lif said.
“Sigh, I… Although Dongxu and I are Master and apprentice, I’ve long considered him my son.”
“Now that he’s gone, I’m even more grieved than the Jia Family. I can’t do this.”
Yi Zhonghai waved his hands repeatedly.
Are you kidding? Can the Jia Family and the Chen Family be the same?
Jia Zhangshi would surely fight someone if she knew her son died at the Rolling Mill.
Yi Zhonghai wouldn’t dare go back to deliver the bad news.
He’d be remembered by Jia Zhangshi for a lifetime.
“Lao Yi, it’s really hard on you, but in our Workshop, only you are suitable for this task right now.”
“You…”
Wang Lif was still trying to persuade him.
“Anyone in our Workshop can go tell the Jia Family about this. I think Old Hu is quite suitable.”
“Let me recover for two days, then I’ll take over the responsibility.”
Yi Zhonghai thought for a moment and said.
First, get someone to take the initial blow from the Jia Family.
He just happened to see Hu Nanpeng and Chen Jianye getting along well recently, chatting and laughing.
“Alright, then I’ll get you two days. You, as his Master, still need to worry more about the Jia Family’s affairs.”
“We really can’t do without you.”
Wang Lif nodded in agreement.
Yi Zhonghai returned to his workstation, still in a state of shock and confusion.
He clearly hadn’t recovered from the news of Jia Dongxu’s passing.
‘Yi Zhonghai actually came back. Shouldn’t he be the one to go to the Siheyuan (Courtyard) to explain the situation to the Jia Family?’
Chen Jianye glanced at Yi Zhonghai, a hint of doubt appearing between his brows.
“Old Hu, come here for a moment.”
Wang Lif shouted loudly.
“Coming.”
Hu Nanpeng put down his work and walked to the Workshop area.
Chen Jianye immediately understood what was going on.
It turned out Yi Zhonghai didn’t dare to face the Jia Family’s initial wrath, so he handed this task to Hu Nanpeng.
One has to admit, Yi Zhonghai is really good at manipulating things.
He successfully avoided Jia Zhangshi’s hatred.
When there’s trouble, don’t step forward; let someone else do it.
Chen Jianye felt he had learned a lesson.
Wang Lif called Hu Nanpeng over and told him about Jia Dongxu’s situation.
Hu Nanpeng was shocked.
“Old Hu, go to the Middle Courtyard of South Gong and Drum Lane No. 95 Courtyard, find the Jia Family, and tell them that Jia Dongxu passed away at the factory.”
“Tell them to bring Jia Dongxu back and bury him properly.”
“You can hint that the factory will provide compensation, but don’t say too much else.”
“I’ve also arranged for Master Yi to be responsible for the subsequent comforting of the Jia Family.”
Wang Lif said in a deep voice.
“Okay, I’ll go.”
Hu Nanpeng agreed without hesitation.
When a task fell to him, even if he wasn’t happy about it, he would agree to do it.
Most people have a similar personality to Hu Nanpeng; when there’s work, they do it, what else can they do?
Chen Jianye had a deep understanding of how difficult Jia Zhangshi was to deal with.
He didn’t stop him.
Letting Hu Nanpeng experience more, and incidentally witness Yi Zhonghai’s shamelessness, was also a lesson learned.
Hu Nanpeng specifically rode the Workshop’s bicycle.
In about ten minutes, he arrived at South Gong and Drum Lane No. 95 Courtyard.
Hu Nanpeng lifted the bicycle, ascended the steps, and walked inside.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
A group of old women gathered in the front Courtyard, chatting. Seeing Hu Nanpeng, who was unfamiliar, Second Aunt called out.
“Ladies, I’m here to find someone.”
Hu Nanpeng put down his bicycle and replied with a smile.
“Who are you looking for?”
“You look very unfamiliar. You’re not an enemy agent, are you?”
“Don’t think that just because there are only a few old women in the Courtyard, if you try to do anything bad, you won’t escape our fiery eyes.”
A group of old women aimed their suspicions at Hu Nanpeng.
Under the slogans of combating enemy agents and being vigilant against imperialism’s persistent desire to destroy us, the entire Courtyard was highly wary of strangers.
“I’m here to talk to the Jia Family about something.”
Hu Nanpeng only said half of it.
After all, with so many people, if Jia Dongxu had passed the imperial examination, Hu Nanpeng would naturally help spread the good news.
Jia Dongxu’s death wasn’t good news.
“Why are you looking for my Jia Family?”
Jia Zhangshi squinted her eyes, scrutinizing Hu Nanpeng.
“You are Jia Dongxu’s mother, right? Can I speak a few words with you?”
Hu Nanpeng pointed to another spot.
“Just say whatever it is directly. Do you think we’re children in class, whispering to each other?”
Jia Zhangshi became even more suspicious that Hu Nanpeng had ulterior motives.
“Alright, then I’ll just say it.”
“Jia Dongxu had an accident at the factory. He’s gone.”
Hu Nanpeng said directly.
“What did you say?”
“Say it again!”
Jia Zhangshi froze for a moment, then burst into rage.
The old women next to her were also shocked.
He’s gone?
It can’t be, can it?
“I said, Jia Dongxu passed away at the factory. The Leader sent me over to tell you…”
Hu Nanpeng repeated.
Before he could finish, Jia Zhangshi lunged forward, grabbed Hu Nanpeng’s collar with both hands, and roared, “You’re spouting nonsense!”
“How could my son have an accident? You must be here to swindle money, aren’t you?!”
“I’m a Carpentry from Jia Dongxu’s Workshop. Why would I lie to you?”
“The Leader sent me to inform the Jia Family. You can go to the unit to pick up Jia Dongxu.”
“Why are you getting so agitated? Let go of me quickly.”
Hu Nanpeng tried to free himself from Jia Zhangshi’s hands, but found he couldn’t manage it for a moment.
If he acted forcefully, he could definitely break free from Jia Zhangshi’s grip.
But he was wearing his work uniform. What if it got torn?
Wearing a work uniform outside was strong proof of being an employee of the Rolling Mill, indicating a solid social status.
Hu Nanpeng cherished his new work uniform. As for his old work uniforms, he had his wife alter them for the children in the family to wear.
He simply didn’t have any extra clothes.
“You tell me clearly, otherwise I’m calling the police.”
Jia Zhangshi yelled like a madwoman.
“I’ve said it clearly enough, what else do you want me to say?”
“My Leader told me to come and say this. Let go of me, why are you always pulling at me?”
Hu Nanpeng struggled to dodge, wrestling left and right.
“My son can’t possibly have had an accident. You must be trying to trick me.”
Jia Zhangshi had an expression of ‘I’ve already seen through you’.
“Yes, yes, yes, Jia Dongxu is perfectly fine. Before work ends, arrange for someone to bring him back from the Rolling Mill.”
“If you don’t call someone today, you can come pick up Jia Dongxu tomorrow too.”
Hu Nanpeng said in annoyance.
Slap!
Jia Zhangshi swung her hand, her fleshy palm landing on Hu Nanpeng’s face: “Whether my son is okay or not, I’ll beat you to death first, you jinx!”
“What does that have to do with me? Are you crazy?!”
“Why don’t you go to the Rolling Mill and see for yourself? If I lied to you, would you give me money?”
Hu Nanpeng was on the verge of going crazy.
No wonder Lao Jia and Jia Dongxu were both gone.
It would be a miracle if life could be good with such a wife and such a mother.
Jia Zhangshi scratched Hu Nanpeng relentlessly. Several old women from the Courtyard came over and restrained Jia Zhangshi.
Hu Nanpeng seized the opportunity to carry his bicycle and run out the main gate.
After leaving the Siheyuan (Courtyard) gate, Hu Nanpeng still ran for a while, confirming that no one was chasing him, before he got on his bicycle.
Upon returning to the Workshop, Wang Lif took Hu Nanpeng’s hand and inquired about the situation.
Hu Nanpeng showed the finger marks and scratch marks on his face.
“This trip was indeed tough on you. I will tell the Leader.”
“You completed your task well.”
Wang Lif praised him highly.
The most important issue was to ensure the Jia Family knew about Jia Dongxu’s death and handled his funeral peacefully.
Hu Nanpeng had completed his task.