Chapter 18: A Year of Meticulous Savings, Wasted in One Encounter with Chen Shi!

At the same time, the duties of a fireman were far from simple.

A fireman was responsible for the startup, shutdown, and operation of the boiler. They had to understand its working principles and technical requirements, making adjustments and controls according to operational procedures.

Fuel Feeding: Based on process needs and fuel supply conditions, they had to feed fuel into the furnace, adjusting the supply rate and airflow to ensure efficient combustion and operational safety.

Energy Regulation: Depending on production demands and the boiler’s working state, they regulated combustion intensity and temperature, controlling steam-water flow and pressure to maintain stable and efficient operation.

Troubleshooting: They identified and resolved operational faults, quickly diagnosing issues and taking corrective measures to ensure safe equipment functioning.

Maintenance: Regular inspections and upkeep were necessary, including cleaning the furnace and flues, replacing damaged parts, and keeping the boiler in good condition.

Safety Management: They strictly followed operational and safety protocols to ensure workplace and personnel safety.

Daily Logs: They recorded boiler operation data, faults, and repair logs, providing relevant information for analysis and decision-making by other departments.

Don’t underestimate the role of a fireman—in this era, it required at least a vocational school graduate!

Someone like Chen Shi? Without Old Chen Han’s influence, he’d never have gotten into the railway system.

Plainly put, whether you could work for the Ministry of Railways was determined at birth. If your family had connections, you had a chance. If not, you were at the mercy of fate.

Of course, aside from some textbook knowledge, most of what Chen Shi needed to study was in Old Chen Han’s work logs.

Old Chen Han would likely explain things to him in detail—but today, with Jia Dongxu’s wedding filling the courtyard with prying eyes, he had to hold back. He’d wait until the festivities were over to tutor Chen Shi properly.

Chen Shi might be illiterate, but Old Chen Han knew the railway exams inside out. He was confident he could guide Chen Shi to pass—provided Chen Shi put in the effort.

Tian Xiulan returned with the books, wrapped in a cloth bundle, and quietly slipped them under Chen Shi’s quilt.

“The banquet’s starting!”

At Yi Zhonghai’s announcement, the courtyard buzzed with excitement. Young women from the neighborhood acted as impromptu servers, carrying out hot and cold dishes in rapid succession.

Silly Zhu, while directing kids to serve, began announcing the dishes:

“Sesame liver, golden pork slices, braised pork with greens, sweet and sour beans, four-delicacy tofu, crispy fried pork, shredded bean rolls, stir-fried kidney flowers, braised pork belly in yuanbao shape…”

“Wow, Silly Zhu, your skills are really showing today! Granny Jia, you’d better give him a fat tip later!”

“Candied yam is served!”

Soon, the crowd grew lively. Chen Shi was called out, pulling Shen Youchu along to the courtyard’s center.

Leaders from the steel mill arrived—most out of respect for Yi Zhonghai. Seated at the head table was none other than the Deaf Old Lady from the backyard, her eyes gleaming greedily at the feast.

Yi Zhonghai said, “Chen Shi, Dongxu mentioned how you lent them the camphorwood chest. Later, take your wife and toast the guests. Oh, and I saved some candies for your family—no need to buy extra.”

No doubt about it—Yi Zhonghai, the old fox, had a reputation as the neighborhood’s kind-hearted man for a reason. He knew how to cover all bases.

Seeing him “help” the loafer Chen Shi, many praised Yi Zhonghai’s generosity. Once again, Yi Zhonghai had used Chen Shi to boost his own image.

[Comparison Task Reminder: Chen Shi’s wedding scale vs. Jia Dongxu’s wedding scale! If the host does not hold one, they will lose to Jia Dongxu!].

Chen Shi raised an eyebrow. This is my chance.

Pulling Shen Youchu along, he said, “Thank you, Uncle Yi! We’ll head over now.”

Before Yi Zhonghai could react, Chen Shi had already dragged Shen Youchu to the center, shoving Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu aside.

“Greetings, leaders and neighbors! I’m Chen Shi, Old Chen Han’s son. This is my wife. Today, Uncle Yi kindly arranged this grand wedding celebration for Dongxu and me. I’m truly grateful—Uncle Yi really is a good man!”

Steel Mill Director Yang, overhearing, raised an eyebrow. “Old Yi, you organized this? Impressive! Your awareness is commendable. Old Chen Han is a fine comrade!”

A military man himself, Director Yang knew Old Chen Han’s history better than most. He’d come today for the Deaf Old Lady—and because cadres in this era were expected to mingle with the masses. Serving the people meant going the extra mile, even if it wore you out.

Yi Zhonghai’s face stiffened. He hadn’t expected Chen Shi’s move. But with Director Yang’s words, any explanation would be pointless.

Chen Shi didn’t give him time anyway. Raising a glass, he toasted, “Director Yang, though I don’t have a job yet, I’ll work hard to contribute to our nation’s construction. If I can give a thousand catties of effort, I won’t stop at nine hundred! Please, Director Yang, would you be our witness?”

“Th-this…”

Jia Dongxu was on the verge of tears. This was his wedding banquet—how had that loafer Chen Shi stolen the spotlight?

Old Chen Han’s face darkened. He tried to step forward, but Xu Damao and Silly Zhu blocked him.

Xu Damao smirked. “Heh, Uncle Chen, what’s done is done. Let’s see where this goes.”

Truth was, Silly Zhu resented Jia Dongxu for marrying a pretty wife and wanted to see him humiliated.

Old Chen Han: “You—”

Director Yang, a blunt military man, didn’t wait for others. “Good! Today is Comrade Chen Shi and…”

“Shen Youchu!”

“Comrade Chen Shi and Shen Youchu’s joyous day! Remember, liberation came from the Party, and happiness from the working class. May you two find your place after marriage and work together for our nation’s future!”

“Boom—”

Applause erupted. Chen Shi pulled Shen Youchu into three ceremonial bows, officially completing their wedding under everyone’s witness.

Retired military cadres from the steel mill who knew Old Chen Han’s deeds began offering gifts.

Yan Bugui, watching, nearly twisted his face in anger. “That son of Old Chen Han is too much! He said he’d hold a wedding, so I prepared a red envelope—figured I’d at least get a meal out of it! I even put in five thousand yuan! And now he pulls this stunt? Absolutely shameless!”

(Note: 5,000 yuan here equals about 0.5 yuan in modern terms.)

Yang Ruihua sighed. “Dear, what’s done is done. The steel mill cadres (a small group of people specially trained for a particular purpose or profession) already gave money—just accept it.”

Yan Bugui groaned. “A year of meticulous savings—wasted in one encounter with Chen Shi!”