Siheyuan: Starting from the driver

Chapter 738 A False Alarm, A New Beginning

After leaving Bai Xiuwen, Wang Cheng immediately went back to revise Bai Xiuwen's explanation.

After making the revisions, he immediately went to Bai Xiuwen.

"Xiao Bai, hurry up and take a look!" Wang Cheng wiped the sweat from his forehead: "The manuscript is revised, the structure is smooth, and the key points are highlighted in red and bold."

"You'd better memorize this quickly, because we're counting on this to shine at next month's event!"

Bai Xiuwen gratefully accepted the manuscript and examined it carefully.

The slightly messy draft had been clearly divided into layers with red ink, key content was highlighted, and there were small annotations next to it: "pause here" and "rising tone".

Upon seeing this, Bai Xiuwen was overjoyed. The revisions were so good that he felt even more confident.

"Thank you, station manager. With your revisions, the manuscript will definitely be completed!"

"Alright, if you can do it, then memorize it well. I have other things to do." Wang Cheng patted Bai Xiuwen on the shoulder, closed the door, and left.

After finishing the revisions, I didn't even have time to drink a sip of water before I had to immediately deal with the rumors circulating on the site.

After collecting the scrap metal, the workers returned and gathered in twos and threes, whispering among themselves.

Upon seeing Director Wang enter with a dark expression, they scattered like birds and beasts.

"Are you all just sitting around doing nothing? You've finished your work, and you're just sitting around gossiping about these baseless rumors. What kind of behavior is that!"

"If I hear you spouting nonsense again, you won't get any bonuses this month!"

The men's faces turned bright red, and they hesitated to speak, then tried to get up and leave.

But Wang Cheng had no intention of letting it go so easily.

"Tell me, where did you hear this from? Who told you personally? What does that machine look like? Where is it used? What can it do?"

The group looked at each other, completely bewildered.

Finally, someone was pushed forward to explain: "Station Chief Wang, you're putting me in a difficult position. We just heard it from others; who knows if it's true or not? We're just having some fun."

"Laughing?" Wang Cheng clapped his hands in anger: "This is a workplace. Making baseless accusations and spreading rumors will delay important matters at the station. Can you take responsibility for that?!"

"Remember this! If I hear another one of these baseless rumors, you'll all have to write a self-criticism!"

"No, no, no, we didn't mean that!"

"Yes, Station Chief Wang, we will never dare to do it again."

Compared to oral health issues, writing medical reports is even more of a nightmare for them. They can barely read or write, let alone write medical reports.
Even if you rack your brains and pull out all your hair, you still can't come up with a few words.

"Get out! If I hear you gossiping again, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

The group immediately fled in panic.

Wang Chengcai was still furious, but he knew that it was better to guide than to block, and that he had to find the source.

The group had only heard about it secondhand, and there was no point in investigating further.

"No, we still need to go to the machine factory and find out what's going on!"

With that in mind, Wang Cheng rode his bicycle straight to the machinery factory to inquire about the situation.

The station also has a partnership with the machinery factory; otherwise, why would these rumors mention the machinery factory?

Wang Chengcai found his 'partner' at the machinery factory.

"Hey, Lao Wang, what brings you here?" Zhao Dazhu's mood immediately improved upon seeing Wang Chengcai.

Wang Cheng offered him a cigarette and cut to the chase: "Old Zhao, I want to ask you something. Has your factory recently come up with any amazing machines?"

"What machine? I don't know anything about it." Zhao Dazhu almost choked on his cigarette.

Fearing he might not have explained things clearly, Wang Chengcai gave a brief overview of the coal crusher's functions.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dazhu scoffed: "Hahaha, I thought it was something special? This is something worth inventing? Anyone could make one themselves."

"You know our machine factory. With those workshops, we're lucky if we can keep those old machines from falling apart! You think we can invent anything?"

"Besides, if it really happened, wouldn't those people in the technical department be the first to jump out and show off? I've been keeping watch here every day, haven't I heard a thing?"

Zhao Dazhu's simple words were like a bucket of cold water, completely extinguishing the last trace of doubt in Wang Chengcai's heart.

This also completely proves the absurdity of the rumors.

It was nothing more than a false alarm, a scare that was fabricated out of thin air and amplified through deliberate or unintentional spreading of rumors!
"That's great!" Wang Cheng exclaimed.

"What's so great?" Zhao Dazhu asked in return.

"No, it's nothing. You go ahead and do your thing. I have to go back now. Let's get together sometime."

After saying that, Wang Cheng immediately rode away, leaving Zhao Dazhu completely bewildered: "What's going on?"

On his way back to the office, Wang Cheng felt both angry and amused, but mostly annoyed at being fooled.

It wasted most of his precious time, making him nervous in front of Bai Xiuwen.

This is so frustrating to suffer in silence!
"Damn it, these bastards are afraid they won't mess up anything important at the station. I'll give them a good talking to when I get back!"

Back in his office, Wang Cheng drank a large enamel mug of cold boiled water to calm his agitation.

That's when he went directly to Bai Xiuwen.

"Xiao Bai, are you busy?"

Bai Xiuwen was intently looking at the script, muttering to himself as if he were reciting it.

"How is it, Station Master?" Bai Xiuwen appeared calm, but his slightly forward-leaning posture revealed his concern.

"It's been investigated!" Wang Chengcai let out a heavy sigh of relief, a relieved smile on his face. "It's pure nonsense! I went to the machinery factory and asked Old Zhao; it's completely unfounded!"

"They're short of money even to repair machines, how could they possibly have the mind to come up with new inventions? It's just a few people chatting about it over tea and dinner, and then it got distorted over time, making it sound like the real thing! Isn't that infuriating?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Xiwen's tense shoulders visibly relaxed.

"I see. Thank you for making the trip, stationmaster. I feel relieved now."

Wang Chengcai was both annoyed and amused by his nonchalant attitude.

"You're quite composed, kid. You made me worry about you for ages! But then again, this whole thing caused quite a stir. Even though it's been investigated and cleared up, there's no smoke without fire."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious and cautious after careful consideration.

"Just in case, when you go back to the courtyard, casually mention to your brother Li that you've asked him if he's mentioned it recently."

"No need to be too formal, lest people feel awkward. Just mention it casually during a chat, or better yet, nothing at all, and everything will be fine."

"If there is any, I mean, just in case there's even a hint of it, we'll have some idea so we won't be caught off guard."

Bai Xiuwen raised his head, looked at Wang Chengcai, and nodded slightly.

"The station manager is right, he's very thoughtful. I'll ask Brother Li about it when I get the chance."

He said that, but he wouldn't actually go to Li Kailang to ask him. If Brother Li really wanted to harm him, why would he find him a job?

Wang Cheng nodded in satisfaction: "Okay, as long as you understand. Focus on memorizing your draft and doing your job well, that's the right way!"

He patted Bai Xiuwen on the shoulder, said nothing more, and got up to leave.

Even after leaving the station, Wang Cheng was still angry and had to explain to the staff. "All you do is gossip and ask about this nonsense all day long, like a woman, so fussy!"

"If we don't give them a good talking to today, who knows what kind of trouble they might cause in the future!"

Immediately, Wang Cheng was filled with rage and roared at the empty space ahead: "Everyone, assemble!"

the other side.

The bell rang signaling the end of the last exam, marking the successful conclusion of the three-day National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao).

As the students walked out of the examination hall, the sunlight shone on their faces, which were brimming with youth and joy, carrying a sense of ease and anticipation after a heavy burden had been lifted.

Cui Yuan, who was waiting outside the examination center, saw Liu An's smile and immediately went to greet her, naturally taking her schoolbag.

The two smiled at each other, and Liu An affectionately took Cui Yuan's arm.

"How did you do on the exam?"

"It feels pretty good! I've answered all the questions and written everything that was supposed to be written." Liu An's voice was clear and crisp.

"Now that the exams are over, what delicious food are you planning to make for me?"

"You lazybones, all you do is eat, eat, eat." Cui Yuan flicked Liu An's nose, making her cheeks puff up in anger.

"Haha, we're having braised pork today! Want some?"

"Eat!" Liu An's eyes lit up immediately. She grabbed Cui Yuan's hand and hurriedly walked towards the courtyard, not even going back to her own home.

He took a special leave to pick up and accompany Liu An for these three days, and temporarily handed over his work to his master and senior brother for a few days.

Upon hearing this, how could Master Liu Huazhong possibly refuse? This was someone he had personally found for his niece; if he didn't help him, who would he help?
Instead of going straight back to the courtyard, the two went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some vegetables.

The supply and marketing cooperative was bustling with activity, with many students who had just finished their exams coming to take a look; it was full of lively atmosphere.

"This is great." Liu An looked left and right, like a cheerful little bird.

However, the two of them didn't have any good tickets with them, so they could only admire from afar and couldn't touch them.

The two strolled around, bought some things, and returned to the courtyard; it was still early.

"An'an!" Aunt Cui looked at the loving couple.

"Grandma!" Liu An immediately let go of Cui Yuan and went to hug Aunt Cui's arm.

Aunt Cui exchanged a few pleasantries before getting straight to the point.

"An'an, the exams are over, it's time to get things done for you two. The sooner it's done, the sooner you can have peace of mind. What do you think?"

Liu An knew exactly what Aunt Cui meant. Her face flushed red, and she nodded shyly, "I'll do whatever Grandma says."

"Good, good!" Aunt Cui smiled broadly, her wrinkles smoothing out like flowers blooming.

He took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his pocket, on which the plan was written in a neat hand.

"Here's what I'm thinking: you two can get your marriage certificate when you have some free time, and then we can hold the wedding banquet on an auspicious day next month."

"We'll invite our two families to the wedding banquet, along with some close relatives and friends. We'll discuss the details with your parents later. What do you think?"

Only by getting the marriage certificate can the two of them be together openly and legitimately.

Although their relationship was just one step away from completion, during the few days that Cui Yuan stayed with her, there were still quite a few gossipy people spreading rumors.

After saying that, Aunt Cui thought of something else: "Oh right, if you do well in your studies, we won't have the wedding banquet, and we'll get a divorce. We can't let it interfere with your studies."

Upon hearing that they weren't even having a wedding banquet and were going to get a divorce, Liu An immediately tensed up: "Grandma, how could you think like that? Cui Ge and I are truly in love, and we genuinely want to be together."

"How can you stop the marriage just because I have good grades, and even want a divorce? Besides, don't I know whether my grades are good or not?"

Seeing Liu An's tearful face, Aunt Cui felt anxious: "An'an, don't cry. I didn't mean it that way. I just don't want to delay your studies."

"I heard from Xiao Li that you can't date in college. If you do, you won't be able to go to college. I don't want to ruin your life!"

Upon hearing Aunt Cui's explanation, Liu An burst out laughing.

Seeing this, Aunt Cui felt relieved.

Liu An explained, "Grandma, you misheard. It means you can't date in college. I got married before college, so it doesn't count."

"Oh, is that so? It's all my fault, Auntie. I misheard. I'm so sorry!" Aunt Cui apologized.

"It's alright, how could I possibly get into university with grades like this? Grandma, you're overthinking it." Liu An waved her hand, then took Cui Yuan's hand.

Seeing the two so affectionate, Aunt Cui felt relieved, thankfully her relationship hadn't been ruined.

"Grandma is overthinking it. This weekend, invite your parents over so our two families can discuss when to get married and set a date."

"Okay, Grandma." Liu An nodded.

Seeing the two of them so affectionate, Aunt Cui didn't want to be a third wheel, so she turned and left. It was getting late, and she should start preparing dinner.

evening.

Looking at the light shining through the window of Cui Yuan's small house, and the occasional low laughter drifting out.

Yan Jiecheng, who was enjoying the cool air in the courtyard, listened to those voices, his eyes dimmed, and his heart felt as if it were stuffed with a tattered cotton ball.

He waved the palm-leaf fan in his hand idly, trying to drive away either mosquitoes or the vexation in his heart.

He couldn't help but become sentimental.

In the courtyard, everyone—those older than him and those younger than him—were married, some even preparing for their weddings.

He's still all alone, and more importantly, he has no future.

"Sigh," he sighed deeply.
"Brother, why are you sighing?" Yan Jiedi, the younger sister, asked curiously as she came out of the house.

"It's nothing," Yan Jiecheng waved his hand, his voice low.

“Strange,” Yan Jiedi tilted her head.

Yan Bugui also heard Yan Jiecheng's sigh and saw his son pacing back and forth in the yard with heavy footsteps. He naturally understood his eldest son's distress.

That's the situation at home. He wants to help, but he also has to consider the actual circumstances at home.

However, Yan Jiecheng, who has been through so much, will not be defeated by a small matter.

Hope was quickly rekindled.

"Just hang in there, bear with it for another six months, and everything will be alright. Once we pay off the family's debts next year, I can go on blind dates and get married!"

The thought that I had saved 62 yuan in my pocket, and that by the end of the year I might be able to scrape together more than 80 yuan, and then wait for my salary in January next year.

Maybe you'll get 100 yuan, and become a 100-yuan big spender yourself.

Thinking of this, Yan Jiecheng felt excited, although he couldn't compare to Sha Zhu, Xu Damao, Li Kailang and others.

But compared to my past self, that's a huge improvement.

Once there is one, there will be two; from nothing to something.

Thinking of this, Yan Jiecheng's hope was rekindled.

(End of this chapter)