Chapter 172: Promotion and Raise

The news that Li Ping'an was awarded an individual second‑class merit, promoted to deputy director of the Security Department at the Steel Rolling Mill (a 14th‑level cadre) and concurrently appointed deputy chief of the Police Substation spread through Nanluoguxiang like a bomb. The bright 161 yuan on his pay slip (base salary 141 yuan plus a 20‑yuan allowance) became the hottest topic on the streets.

Li Ping'an's promotion to deputy director was like a stone dropped into the Siheyuan's pool, splashing up a huge commotion.

At dusk, as he pushed his bicycle into the Front Courtyard, Yan Bu Gui hurried over: "Congratulations, Ping'an, you're a director now! I always thought you were a dragon among men, and now you've taken off; don't forget an old neighbor. My child is about to graduate middle school, see if you can…

Li Ping'an stopped and said: "Third Elder, the Security Section is all veterans, and the posts are already filled."

Li Ping'an cut Yan Bu Gui off before he could finish: If I help Yan Bu Gui, and Jia Zhangshi then asks me to get Qin Huairu into the plant, whether I help or not I'll easily offend someone, so it's better to refuse outright! Besides, we're just ordinary neighbors.

Yan Bu Gui's eyes flicked: "Well… now that you've been promoted and got a raise, you should treat everyone to a meal, right? Let the neighbors share the good fortune."

"Third Elder, the state now promotes thrift and frugality; as a teacher you should know the policy," Li Ping'an said solemnly, "and as an official I should lead by example."

In the Central Courtyard, Jia Zhangshi cracked sunflower seeds and sneered: "Yo, being an official makes you different, all sneaky and nosy."

Jia Dongxu was smashing things in the room: "Why does that Li Ping'an, a refugee from Henan to Four Nine City, get to rise and get rich!"

Qin Huairu silently washed clothes, thinking: "If I'd been matched with Li Ping'an back then, I wouldn't be serving that old lady Jia Zhangshi now; I'd be an official's wife…"

Yi Zhonghai stood at his own doorway, his brows knotted. Now it would be even harder to push Li Ping'an out.

In the back yard, Deaf Old Lady waved her palm leaf fan: "From now on in this courtyard, it looks like Li Ping'an decides everything."

Early the next morning, he arrived half an hour early at the Steel Rolling Mill Security Department. The new office was spacious and bright, and the plant gate was visible through the window. Just as he set the "Deputy Director Li Ping'an" plaque straight, Wang Dahu peeked in.

"Director!" Wang Dahu stood at attention and saluted, his voice booming, "The brothers are waiting in the conference room!"

Li Ping'an was taken aback by the "Director" address, then laughed and scolded: "Cut the act! Calling me Section Chief sounds better."

In the conference room, more than twenty security officers sat upright. Li Ping'an surveyed the room and got straight to the point: "I'm honored by the organization's trust to oversee the plant and surrounding security. Starting today, we'll coordinate with the Police Substation to crack down on the black forces around Nanluoguxiang."

He moved to the map, circling several areas with a red pen: "Especially the traffickers; we've already received three child‑abduction reports. If we don't eliminate these scums, we're betraying our uniforms!"

For the next three days, Li Ping'an led the core of the Security Department and the Police Substation officers to sweep Nanluoguxiang thoroughly. He fully employed his master‑level skill and Divine Perception, often pinning suspects to the ground before they could react.

That night, Li Ping'an patrolled the Alley with two officers. Moonlight was like water, the surroundings silent. Suddenly, his Divine Perception caught unusual movement at a distant alley mouth.

"Follow me!" he whispered, leading the two silently forward.

In the shadow of the alley mouth, two dark figures were dragging a seven‑ or eight‑year‑old boy. The child's mouth was covered, only a whimper escaping.

"Damn, this brat's pretty stubborn!" a hoarse male voice cursed.

"Cut the chatter, get him out quickly! The next patrol's coming!" another female voice urged.

A cold glint flashed in Li Ping'an's eyes as he signaled the officers behind him. The three lunged like leopards, pinning the two attackers to the wall before they could react.

"Let go of me! What are you doing?" the woman screamed, struggling.

Li Ping'an ripped off her headscarf in one hand, sneering: "Doing what? We're after you traffickers!"

In the Police Substation Interrogation Room, the pair initially stayed defiant. But when Li Ping'an accurately named several recent crime locations and times, their mental defenses collapsed completely.

"I told you! I kept telling you!" the man slumped in his chair, "We also have a hideout in an abandoned factory outside Dongzhimen, with three kids inside…"

Li Ping'an immediately led a team straight to Dongzhimen. In a basement of the abandoned factory, they rescued the three abducted children. When the kids leapt into their parents' arms, the entire Police Substation erupted.

"Li Chief, you're truly a god!" the young officer Xiao Zhang said admiringly, "How did you know there were children in that factory?"

Li Ping'an smiled without replying. He couldn't admit that his Divine Perception had uncovered it.

The thunderous operation lasted half a month. It dismantled three theft gangs, arrested seven traffickers, and rescued five abducted children. Security in Nanluoguxiang was cleared, and petty thefts almost vanished.

That weekend, Li Ping'an finally rested, teaching his sister Tai Chi in the courtyard. Suddenly, noise erupted from the Front Courtyard, and neighbors poured in, three or four households carrying eggs and peanuts; the leading man seized Li Ping'an's hand:

"Li Chief! Thanks to you we found our dog Egg! No need for thanks, you're our benefactor!"

"If our little girl were gone, how would we two old ones survive! Li Chief, thank you, you've saved our family's life!"

It turned out the parents of the rescued children had come to thank them. The neighbors watched with envy, and Jia Zhangshi sneered: "Show off what…"

That evening, Li Ping'an pushed his bicycle: "Ping Le, let's go, I'll take you to a restaurant."

"Really going to Quanjude?" the little girl's eyes sparkled.

"Of course! My sister got into the Textile Factory, and I got a promotion and raise—double happiness!"

The roast duck shop was fragrant. Li Pingle rolled a thin pancake, whispering: "Brother, those people in the courtyard…"

"Don't pay them any mind." Li Ping'an rolled another pancake for his sister, "Remember my words, we'll just live our own lives."

Under the moonlight, the brother and sister pushed the bike slowly back. Li Ping'an stared at the Siheyuan's dark silhouette, his mind clear—future days would be a fight to come.