Siheyuan: Starting from the driver

Chapter 735 Settle Down

The seven-day, almost sleepless battle has come to an end, and the results are remarkable.

After reporting the situation to Section Chief Qian, Li Kailang was finally able to relieve himself of his burden.

After that, all you need to do is maintain the status quo, persevere, and make it a habit.

When it was time to get off work, Li Kailang went home and didn't even eat dinner. He slept soundly for a whole day and night, without going to work.

I slept soundly for days, and the tension in my mind suddenly relaxed.

Although he wasn't there, the warehouse and quality inspection operations proceeded as smoothly as expected.

One by one, the warehouse managers began to fill out the new forms conscientiously, and the quality inspectors also took the initiative to share information.

It wasn't until the third day that Li Kailang finally went to work full of energy.

Let's go to the warehouse and check the situation first.

Previously, there was always some mess and disorder at the warehouse entrance, with the warehouse manager shouting loudly about the location of the materials.

But now, the warehouse entrance is orderly, and the loading and unloading workers are loading and unloading materials in an orderly manner.

A warehouse clerk is filling out a new form as required, quickly checking the information, his movements swift yet composed.

Li Kailang strolled inside, deep into the warehouse, where the passageways were much smoother than before.

The situation on the quality inspection side has also improved a lot, with all kinds of information clearly marked on the information sharing board.

The quality inspectors carried out their work in an orderly manner. After each batch of materials was inspected or a problem was encountered, someone would quickly go to the information board to update the status or fill in a note.

Everything is in order.

Li Kailang stood in the corner and observed for more than ten minutes, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He also saw Section Chief Qian inspecting the warehouse with satisfaction, nodding from time to time.

As soon as Section Chief Qian looked up and saw him, his face immediately lit up with a smile, and he strode over: "Deputy Section Chief Li! You've finally come to work? How's it going?"

"Much better, Section Chief," Li Kailang said with a smile. "How's Section Chief Qian? How's everything going?"

"Very good, very good. Not only has efficiency improved, but more importantly, there are fewer errors. Even though you weren't here yesterday, there were no mistakes in the warehouse. The warehouse manager and quality inspector have a much easier time. Everyone says your system is really effective!"

"By the way, yesterday Director Yang came to my office to ask about the warehouse situation! I quickly gave him a detailed report on how hard you've worked, how you established these rules, how you stabilized the situation, and all the changes that have occurred this week! Guess what?"

Section Chief Qian deliberately kept everyone in suspense, observing Li Kailang's earnest expression before smiling and saying, "After hearing this, Factory Director Yang said 'Good! Good! Good!' three times in a row!"

"His voice was so loud and clear! He even praised you, Deputy Section Chief Li, at the end, saying you're a capable person who gets things done! I was genuinely happy for you!"

Section Chief Qian's undisguised praise, and his relief at having strongly supported the decision.

If he hadn't withstood the pressure back then, Director Yang might not have cared about him at all, and might not have even asked him anything.

"Oh, right." Section Chief Qian slapped his forehead. "Factory Director Yang wanted to see you. You weren't here yesterday, so he specifically asked you to go see him today when you have time. You're feeling better now, so why don't you go?"

"Okay." Li Kailang nodded.

After watching for a while and greeting everyone, I went directly to find Director Yang.

"Xiao Li, you still look a bit pale. It's good that young people have a lot of energy, but there's a limit. Health is the foundation of everything! You can't do this again next time!"

Although it was criticism, the tone was more like the care and admonition of an elder.

"Thank you for your concern, factory manager. I'm fine. I'll recover after a good night's sleep."

"That's good." Factory Director Yang nodded. "Section Chief Qian gave me a detailed report on your work. He personally handled everything for seven consecutive days and achieved such results, stabilizing the warehouse and quality control, and even establishing this whole set of rules."

"Yes, hardworking, resilient, resourceful, and able to hold his own in crucial moments! Excellent!"

"You flatter me, Factory Director. This is the result of everyone's hard work," Li Kailang said modestly.

"Hmm, not arrogant or impatient." Director Yang's eyes revealed satisfaction.

After a few casual words, Director Yang got straight to the point.

“Now that things have stabilized in Corey, it’s about time you got back to focusing on your studies. You can’t neglect your studies, as I told you before. Your graduation exams are coming up soon, so you can’t put your mind on that.”

"Just let Section Chief Qian handle Corey's matter. Once you get your diploma, there will be plenty of tough challenges ahead of you. Without this diploma, I won't have the proper authority to use you! Don't you think so?"

Li Kailang naturally understood what Director Yang meant: "Yes, Director! I understand the importance of this. I had planned to focus all my efforts on reviewing for the exam after this busy period. Please rest assured!"

"It's good that you know what's going on." Director Yang nodded with satisfaction. "Go ahead and make sure you get your studies arranged. If you need anything, just let me know."

After saying that, he patted Li Kailang's arm.

Li Kailang turned and left Director Yang's office, returning to his department.

He spent a day processing the backlog of documents and submitted his final suggestions for optimization to Section Chief Qian in writing.

After that, only routine maintenance and fine-tuning are needed, and you no longer need to do everything yourself as before.

Once that's done, it's about time to stop and focus on your studies.

As he finished get off work, Li Kailang pushed his bicycle back to his familiar courtyard house.

After more than a week of "disappearance," his return did not cause much of a stir.

The previous buzz surrounding his promotion to deputy section chief had long since died down, drowned out by the endless chatter and trivial matters of the residents in the compound.

Everyone was busy making a living, and the focus of gossip had long since shifted.

However, beneath the still waters, there are still some subtle ripples.

Yan Bugui was still watering his potted plants when he caught sight of Li Kailang pushing his cart in, and his movements visibly stiffened.

He quickly turned his head back, pretending to be intently watching to see if any insects were emerging from the flowerpot.

That deliberate attempt at naturalness only made things more awkward.

Last time, Yan Bugui frankly pointed out Yan Jiecheng's faults, making Yan Bugui realize he was in the wrong and somewhat embarrassed. Although he didn't hold a grudge, the sense of estrangement was real.

Li Kailang saw it all, but remained completely calm.

Just as I propped up my bicycle, I heard a loud crash from the courtyard, followed by Jia Zhangshi's piercingly high-pitched voice:
"This is exhausting! Pasting so many broken matchboxes, when will it ever end? I can't live like this anymore!"

There sat Jia Zhangshi, disheveled and dirty, on a small stool in front of her house, with a mountain of matchboxes piled up in front of her.

She exaggeratedly rubbed her waist, cursing and pounding her chest as she pasted the box.

Seeing Li Kailang entering through the hanging flower gate, her voice rose an octave:
"Hmph! Some people, once they get a tiny bit of official position, they think they're all that! They can't wait to distance themselves from us ordinary folks!"

"You're insane!" Li Kailang cursed, too lazy to pay attention to Jia Zhangshi's impotent rage.

He only dared to speak recklessly when Qin Huairu was not in the courtyard.

When Jia Zhangshi saw that Li Kailang completely ignored her, she became even more furious.

"Mom! What are you doing! Why are you yelling here instead of pasting matchboxes!" Qin Huairu suddenly appeared at the entrance of the hanging flower gate, staring directly at Jia Zhangshi.

In an instant, Jia Zhangshi was speechless, her face filled with panic and confusion.

Last month, Jia Zhangshi pasted 4000 matchboxes and handed over 54 cents for food expenses. She was still short 1.46 cents, but Qin Huairu didn't tolerate Jia Zhangshi's behavior and insisted on paying it back.

Jia Zhangshi felt terrible that she had worked so hard for a month but hadn't earned a single penny and even had to pay for her own food. And that wasn't all; at the beginning of the month, Qin Huairu took Jia Zhangshi to collect 1 matchboxes.

She'll never be able to work herself to death!

If I don't finish making 2 of these this month, my food allowance will be deducted! Instead of cursing, I should get to work! Is dinner ready yet?!

Jia Zhangshi was so angry that her face turned pale and her lips trembled when her daughter-in-law scolded her in public. However, she did not dare to talk back loudly.

She glared at Li Kailang with hatred, but her momentum eventually gave way, and she packed her things to go inside and cook.

Qin Huairu gave Li Kailang an apologetic yet helpless smile and said in a low voice, "Xiao Li, I'm sorry, that's just how my mother is, please don't mind her."

Looking at Qin Huairu's apologetic face, anyone who didn't know better would think the two had a very good relationship.

Li Kailang avoided the situation at all costs, not daring to even reply, for fear that Qin Huairu would seize the opportunity to establish a relationship with him.

He took out the key, opened the door, went inside, and closed the door—the whole process was completed in one smooth motion.

"Oh!"

Qin Huairu's face instantly darkened. She hadn't expected Li Kailang to be so disrespectful for her actions.

"Hmph!" Having been turned away, Qin Huairu naturally wanted to vent her anger on someone.

Naturally, it could only be Jia Zhangshi.

The courtyard once again echoed with Qin Huairu's reprimand of Jia Zhangshi, Jia Zhangshi's unwilling grumbling, and the clanging of pots and pans inside the Jia family's house.
Li Kailang returned to his room, let out a long sigh, and briefly summarized the achievements of the past seven days.

The results were certainly encouraging, and they were recognized by Section Chief Qian and Factory Director Yang. The warehouse operations were also proceeding smoothly, and everything was moving in a positive direction.

Director Yang's earnest words still echoed in my ears: "Just let Section Chief Qian handle the department's affairs. You're about to graduate and take your exams. Without the diploma, it wouldn't be proper for me to use you!"

It seems that the night school diploma is still very important to him.

He rubbed his face vigorously, walked to the table, where textbooks, notes, and a thick stack of review materials were neatly piled up but covered with a thin layer of dust.

When you press your hand on it, a clear fingerprint appears.

I haven't touched them for over a week, and the knowledge seems to have settled down along with the dust.

"Phew, it's time to get back into the swing of things and start preparing for the exam."

Li Kailang opened his notebook and looked at the dense handwriting and formulas. His eyes swept over them, and while the familiarity was still there, there was also a faint sense of unfamiliarity.

I forced myself to sit down, spread out my notes, picked up my pen, and tried to concentrate on this.

However, after reading only a few lines, Jia Zhangshi's suppressed wailing drifted in from outside the window, mixed with accusations against her heartless daughter-in-law.

The sound wasn't loud, but it was like the fine tips of needles, constantly disturbing the little bit of concentration he had just managed to muster.

"Tsk!" Li Kailang frowned in annoyance, looking in the direction of the Jia family: "Are you crazy?!"

He suddenly stood up, walked to the window, and slammed it shut to block out the noise more completely.

I returned to my desk, took a deep breath, and buried myself back in my book. This time, I was able to concentrate for a little longer, and the words on my notes began to become clear again.

After studying for a while, I looked out the window and relaxed my eyes.

Seeing Cui Yuan return alone, without Liu An by his side.

The two used to be inseparable. Liu Anyi would go out of her way to find Cui Yuan after school, and would even stay for dinner at Cui's house.

The college entrance examination is just a few days away. Although Liu An's grades are average, he still has to prepare for the exam. Maybe he will suddenly perform well and get a good score?

Who knows, until the results are in?

The next day.

Li Kailang took his study materials and went to the department to study.

"As long as I don't do anything, this place is quite quiet." Sitting in his private office, Li Kailang felt much calmer.

There were so many things to do before, and I was always busy. But now it's great, I don't have to deal with anything. This is exactly what Director Yang wanted at the beginning.

With nothing else to do, Li Kailang buried himself in his studies. He didn't know the exact date of his graduation exam, so he needed to prepare early.

"Knock knock!" Suddenly, a knocking sound rang out.

"Please come in!"

When Section Chief Qian came in, he saw large and small notebooks on Li Kailang's desk and said apologetically, "Deputy Section Chief Li, you're studying! I hope I didn't disturb you?"

Whether it's disturbing you or not, you've already come in.

Li Kailang noticed the document in Section Chief Qian's hand: "Section Chief Qian, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Well, you gave me a few suggestions yesterday, didn't you? I thought they were great, so I had someone implement them."

"However, the implementation wasn't ideal. After all, it was your suggestion, so you know best. You can explain it clearly in just a few words, which is much better than us pondering it for ages. Don't worry, it won't interfere with your studies!"

Section Chief Qian's words were perfectly watertight.

Li Kailang looked at the document, then at his open textbook and the half-finished solution.

I had already decided yesterday to stop interfering and focus on my studies, but now he's suddenly back in charge, which is a bit annoying.

'I should have kept my suggestion yesterday.'

Practical considerations prevailed.

He cannot leave any impression of being "overconfident" or "unrealistic".

"Okay, Section Chief Qian. I'll go to the warehouse and quality inspection department right now and get things sorted out as soon as possible. A little extra time won't hurt my studies."

Section Chief Qian's smile widened, and he patted him on the shoulder: "Oh, I'm sorry to have troubled you and interrupted your studies."

"It's nothing." Li Kailang closed the book helplessly.

I spent half a morning concisely explaining my questions to the warehouse manager and quality inspector.

"Do you have any other questions?"

No one raised their hands.

"Okay, let's do it this way. If you have any questions, come to my office."

After saying that, Li Kailang returned to his department to study.

"Why is Deputy Section Chief Li suddenly ignoring everything and even getting into a bad mood?"

“I heard that Deputy Section Chief Li has been busy studying lately. Aren’t we just taking up his time? How can he be in a good mood?”

"The one who doesn't manage things has a terrible temper, while the one who manages things has a good temper. It seems we went too far before."

"that's true."

The crowd began to whisper amongst themselves.