Chapter 169: Xu Damao Joins the Factory

Zheng Zeming's incident was about half a month ago, and the Nanluoguxiang joint defense team has kept the Alley so tidy that nothing is left on the road. Li Ping'an can finally breathe a sigh of relief, but fresh events keep coming in and out of the courtyards.

That day, just after finishing his practice, he heard Xu Damao flaunting in the Front Courtyard: "Third Elder, did you see? I've also entered the factory, as a Projectionist, one of the Eight Great Staff, with good benefits,"

Yan Bu Gui: "Damao, you joining the factory is a great cause for celebration; we must buy groceries and treat everyone, let's have a couple of drinks together!"

Xu Damao: "Third Elder, I just entered the factory, and I'm still an Apprentice Worker; I haven't even received a salary yet. Moreover, these days the nation promotes thrift and frugality, so we must not be extravagant."

Li Ping'an peeked and saw Xu Damao in brand‑new work clothes, his hair slicked to a shine, looking like a peacock spreading its tail.

Xu Shu, this Damao is…

Xu Fugui patted his son's shoulder: "This kid graduated high school and insists on joining the factory; I used my connections to slip him into the publicity department, to learn film projection with me!"

Xu Damao deliberately puffed his chest to display the factory emblem: "Brother Ping'an, from now on we'll be making a living at the Steel Rolling Mill!"

A snicker came from the doorway of the West Side Room. Sha Zhu, apron tied and holding a wok spatula, said: "I thought I was achieving great things, only to find I'm just a film‑projection Apprentice Worker."

Xu Damao's face darkened: "Sha Zhu, what do you know? Projecting films is a technical skill! It's still better than being a cook."

Hey! Looking for a fight, huh? Sha Zhu brandished his spatula and charged.

Li Ping'an quickly stepped between them: "Hold your tongues. Damao finding a job is a good thing…"

Xu Damao, pleased, straightened his collar and swayed toward Sha Zhu: "Some people are just jealous!"

Before things settled, a jubilant shout came from Xi Kua Yuan: "Brother! Look at my newly embroidered peony!"

The little girl ran over holding an embroidery frame; the silk thread glimmered softly in the morning light. The peony was rendered with Virtual-Real Random Needle Embroidery, each petal vivid and lifelike.

The new needle technique taught by Master Su? Li Ping'an examined it closely; it showed more skill than the lotus from last time.

Li Pingle's small face flushed: "The master said I've mastered all her skills!"

Xu Damao leaned over and glanced: "Can embroidery be a livelihood?"

Li Pingle glared at him, angry, and Master Su said, "With a craft in your hands, you can travel the world!"

Those words struck a chord with Li Ping'an's concerns. He had recently heard that private handicraft workshops were to be restructured, and Master Su's embroidery studio might not last long.

After dinner he called his sister over: "Pingle, you've been learning from Master Su for over four years, right?"

Four years and seven months! The little girl counted on her fingers: Flat Needle, Set Needle, Seed Beating, Pan Gold, Virtual-Real Random Needle… I've mastered all the master's supreme skills!

Li Ping'an patted her head: "Now that you've completed your apprenticeship, brother thinks… shouldn't you go to the Textile Factory?"

Why? Li Pingle was stunned: "Isn't staying in the embroidery studio with the master fine?"

It's good for now, but what about later? Li Ping'an lowered his voice: "Master Su is getting old, the embroidery studio's livelihood…"

He didn't finish the sentence, but Li Pingle understood. She pressed her lips together, eyes rimmed red: "The master treats me like a beloved daughter…"

Because of that bond, we must plan ahead. Li Ping'an gently advised, "Joining a factory is at least a respectable path. We'll still visit Master Su often."

The next day, Li Ping'an took special leave to bring his sister to the embroidery studio.

Master Su was embroidering Mountains and Waters; seeing them arrive, he laughed: "Pingle, come quick, these distant mountains are done with the newly refined Set Needle Method."

After Li Ping'an explained his purpose, the elder was silent for a long while, then gently set down his embroidery needle: "I foresaw this day. Pingle, you have good talent; you should find a stable place."

She took the little girl's hand: "Remember, a craft is alive. Where you practice doesn't matter; what matters is the heart."

Leaving the embroidery studio, Li Pingle wiped tears all the way. Li Ping'an felt a sour sting inside, but it was an inevitable choice.

Meanwhile at the Steel Rolling Mill, Xu Damao finally found a sense of presence. Though he was only an Apprentice Worker, unable to even touch the Projector's buttons, spending his days pouring Film Canisters and moving equipment, he somehow managed to brag impressively.

At noon in the canteen, he deliberately squeezed into Sha Zhu's window: "Give the guys an extra slab of meat!"

Sha Zhu clanged his spoon loudly: "Xu Damao, what are you showing off about being an Apprentice Worker?"

What's wrong with being an apprentice? Xu Damao shouted hoarsely, "Tonight the factory will screen 'Railway Guerrilla Team,' and the equipment must be inspected by my dad!"

The back‑kitchen assistant chef came over: "He Shifu, look how he's going wild!"

Sha Zhu sneered: "Let him bounce around, can a film projection even produce golden nuggets?"

Even so, during the evening screening, Sha Zhu still crouched behind the crowd to peek. Xu Damao, following behind the master, handed over the Film Canister, and it truly seemed that way.

After the show, Xu Damao slipped into the back kitchen: "Sha Zhu, have you watched the film? Want me to explain the details?"

Scram! Sha Zhu raised his rolling pin.

Xu Damao laughed loudly and ran off, bumping into Li Ping'an and his sister at the factory gate.

Brother Ping'an! He tugged his work clothes and shouted, "Tomorrow I'll graduate, and I'll screen films for you every day!"

Li Ping'an hadn't replied when Li Pingle sprang forward, brandishing the freshly received Textile Factory Recruitment Notice: "Brother! The factory assigned me to the Design Department!"

She pulled out a handkerchief embroidered with Seed Embroidery of several clusters of osmanthus, the buds plump and three‑dimensional.

Xu Damao glanced: "Embroidery, huh…"

Look closely! Li Pingle thrust the handkerchief in front of his eyes: "This is Seed Embroidery! One seed wrapped with three loops of thread; if the tension is off by a hair, it fails! It's far harder than you moving Film Canisters!"

Xu Damao choked, his face flushing red.

Li Ping'an smoothed things over: "Each has its own merit. Damao brings fun to everyone, and Pingle decorates life with embroidery; both are fine."

He said that, yet watching Xu Damao's sullen retreat and the delicate embroidery in his sister's hand, Li Ping'an realized the drama in this Alley was far from over.

On the next day's day off, Li Pingle set up an embroidery frame in the courtyard to stitch a gratitude piece for the master. In the morning light, needles and threads fluttered as she aimed to depict the master‑apprentice transmission using Virtual-Real Random Needle Embroidery.

From the Front Courtyard came Xu Damao's shout: "Dad! Is the Film Canister placed correctly?"

In the Central Courtyard, Sha Zhu, irritated, grabbed his spatula and cursed: "Xu Damao! Why are you yelling so early?"

I'm reviewing my duties! Xu Damao replied confidently, "The master says practice makes perfect!"

Li Ping'an stood beneath the jujube tree; the Front Courtyard echoed with Xu Damao's shouting, while the Back Courtyard resonated with his sister's needlework. This motion and stillness mirrored the two faces of time.

The sunrise dyed the horizon red, and a new day began. The stories of these youths have only just turned the first page.