1952: Walking through Nantongluo Alley

Early the next morning.

Chen Xiao rode his bicycle to the steel rolling mill.

Today is Thursday, and there are still three days until my wedding with Qin Huairu.

As long as we can get through these three days, we can activate the system.

When he arrived at the workshop, Chen Xiao continued to learn from the master.

Jia Dongxu didn't come to work these two days, so Chen Xiao had a lot of peace and quiet.

"Chen Xiao, how long have you been at the steel mill?" The old master asked without turning his head while operating the machine.

Chen Xiao thought about it and then said.

"After this month it will be six months."

"Back then, your mother Xiuqin was a skilled craftsman in the workshop. I never expected such an accident to happen."

As he spoke, the old master sighed.

"Let the past be the past..."

Chen Xiao had never met the original owner's mother, and his impression of her was just an impression, so he didn't have much affection for her.

"You've been following me for half a year now. You're usually quite clever and intelligent, and now you can even read simple blueprints."

"I was thinking of recommending you to take the Level 1 machinist exam this afternoon."

Chen Xiao waved his hands repeatedly to refuse.

"No, no, Master, this is against factory regulations. If an apprentice wants to take the first-level fitter exam, he must be an apprentice for at least three years."

"Why not? Now you can read blueprints and understand the basic operation of the lathe. Now all you need is an exam. Once you pass it, you will be a first-class fitter."

"Although the factory stipulates that apprentices must complete three years of service, there are always exceptions. Just because Xiuqin is your mother, we, the veterans, will all go to the leadership to plead for you."

As soon as the master finished speaking, he looked at the other masters in the workshop.

"Everyone, tell me, am I right?"

After a moment of silence, the voices of many veteran craftsmen rang out in the workshop.

"That's right. Chen Xiao is Xiuqin's son. Xiuqin's locksmith skills are so good, so his son Chen Xiao's talent for locksmithing won't be much worse."

"I suggest that we all go to the leadership and have Chen Xiao take the machinist exam this afternoon."

……

The masters were talking one after another, and Chen Xiao stood aside, not knowing what to say.

"Nonsense! You are just kidding! How can you take the machinist exam if you have been an apprentice for less than three years?" Yi Zhonghai stopped the lathe and said dissatisfiedly to the masters.

"How can I not take the exam if I haven't been here for three years? Master Yi, don't think I don't know that you secretly went to your superiors some time ago to recommend your apprentice Jia Dongxu to take the machinist exam."

"How long has your apprentice Jia Dongxu been here? Only two years at most? Your apprentice can take the machinist exam, so why can't Chen Xiao?" an old master retorted.

Yi Zhonghai was so angry that his face turned red.

"You are talking nonsense! When did I ever look for a leader?"

"You know whether you have looked for him or not." The old master said with a roll of his eyes.

"Exactly. They're both apprentices, so why can Jia Dongxu take the machinist exam, but Chen Xiao can't?"

“Isn’t this discrimination?”

"Besides, how can Jia Dongxu compare to Chen Xiao? He's been here for two years and still can't read blueprints."

……

The masters were talking one after another, which made Yi Zhonghai's face turn red. He turned on the lathe and continued to work, no longer paying attention to them.

It was lunch time. After lunch, a group of old employees ran to the office to find their leader.

Then he told Chen Xiao about taking the machinist exam.

Originally, the leader didn't want to agree, after all, it was against the rules.

But with so many old masters, and the death of Chen Xiao's mother Xiuqin, the factory must have some responsibility.

Out of guilt, the leader finally agreed.

"Chen Xiao can take the machinist exam, but if he fails this time, he must work for three years before he can take the exam again."

This group of old masters agreed without thinking.

They believe in Chen Xiao's skills.

When they arrived at the workshop, the old masters told Chen Xiao the news.

When Chen Xiao learned that if he failed the machinist exam, he would have to serve as an apprentice for three years before he could take it again.

For a moment, Chen Xiao felt overwhelmed.

Also, he doesn't like being led by the nose by others.

Chen Xiao clasped his fists and said to the group of masters.

"Dear masters, I, Chen Xiao, thank you all today. I know you are all doing this for my own good. I hope to be promoted to a regular employee soon."

"However, I still hope to take one step at a time and slowly work my way up from an apprentice. We are all good people, and my family has contributed to the country. I don't want my Chen Xiao to be different from others and rely on backdoor methods to achieve some goals."

"Also, I will take this machinist exam seriously and strive to get a permanent position!"

After listening to Chen Xiao's words, this group of old masters admired Chen Xiao even more.

Some veteran teachers even wanted to introduce a partner to Chen Xiao.

Afterwards, the old masters gathered together and told Chen Xiao various locksmithing tips. Chen Xiao listened with great interest, nodding from time to time.

As the broadcast sounded, the steel rolling mill welcomed the fitter examination.

Chen Xiao and other apprentices who were taking the exam came to a workshop.

Including Chen Xiao, there are more than 50 people taking the exam.

A leader stood in front of them and was talking about the things to pay attention to in the exam.

Below, many apprentices were whispering to each other with their heads down.

Most of them were discussing what Chen Xiao said.

"Have you heard? This time, there's an apprentice who has been here for less than six months and is here to take the exam."

"Is this even possible? It's impossible! How can a six-month apprentice like him be able to take the exam? I don't accept it! I don't accept it!"

"If you don't agree, go talk to your boss! If you don't agree, then go and f**k up to all the veterans in the workshop!"

"What's the point? This test is about real ability. Even if you use backdoors, what good will it do? If you fail the test, you'll still be a clown."

Chen Xiao stood aside and clenched his fists secretly.

If the leader hadn't been there, Chen Xiao would have gone up and beat him up.

You must abide by the order of each world you are in. As an ordinary person with no power, no influence, and no money, don't be the first to take action, otherwise you will not end up well.

If we really beat them up now, some of them would just be disqualified from taking the exam, and in serious cases, they might be sent home like Jia Dongxu.

These are not what Chen Xiao wants to see.

But this does not affect Chen Xiao's criticism of them.

"Are you dissatisfied? Isn't the leader standing in front of us now? If you have any objections, go tell him now!"

"By the way, the guy who just said that his mother is dead, let's have a good chat after the exam."