Chapter 176: A New Face of Steel Rolling

In the bitter cold of the twelfth month, the Steel Rolling Mill was bustling with activity. The expansion project was nearing its end, new factory buildings rose from the ground, and the recruitment red list covered the notice board at the factory gate.

Early that morning, Li Ping'an had just entered the Security Department when the orderly formation before him startled him. Twelve youngsters in faded military uniforms saluted in unison, their voices booming like thunder: "Director, hello!"

Wang Dahu cheerfully stepped forward: "Director, these are all soldiers who just discharged this year and have been assigned to our Section!"

Li Ping'an examined the youths closely; each stood upright, eyes sharp, truly good material. "Dahu, you take the veteran team to handle training; within three months you must have them familiar with every corner of the factory."

"Don't worry, Director!" Wang Dahu pounded his chest, promising to train them stricter than in the army.

On the way to the cafeteria at noon, Li Ping'an deliberately detoured to the rear yard of the plant. Four half‑grown mongrels were frolicking on the open ground, their coats glossy and eyes alert.

"Director, these are fine hunting dogs we got from the old hometown in Xishan!" the keeper Lao Zhang hurried over, adding, "After two more months of training, they'll be ready for night patrols."

Li Ping'an nodded approvingly: "Train them well; the plant's security will depend on them from now on."

The third cafeteria was especially lively today. Above the window a new sign hung—"Squad Leader: He Yuzhu." Sha Zhu wore a white apron, his large ladle clanging: "Everyone line up! One by one!"

Xu Damao approached the window holding a lunchbox: "Hey, Sha Zhu, you're the Squad Leader now?"

"What's up?" Sha Zhu scooped a ladle of Red Braised Pork, deliberately flashing it before Xu Damao, "Now my salary's 37.5 yuan, that's the same as your two months' Apprentice Worker wages!"

"Show off what?!" Xu Damao's face darkened, "Projecting films is a technical job! When I can run the screenings on my own and get promoted, my salary will be higher than yours!"

"Technical work? Sha Zhu shoved the meat back into the lunchbox, 'Then don't come to the cafeteria for dinner at night!'"

Xu Damao also wanted to go to other cafeterias, but the taste wasn't as good as Sha Zhu's, so he still didn't go.

The surrounding workers laughed. The two had been fighting since they were kids; even after joining the plant they remained the same.

In the Siheyuan, some families were joyful while others were sorrowful.

Yan Bu Gui sat on the doorstep, sighing: "If Jie Cheng could get into the plant, how great that would be…"

San Dama replied from inside the house: "Who told you not to teach him properly back then!"

Yan Bu Gui: "None of them inherited my excellent genes; the Yan family's scholarly lineage is about to be cut off by me!"

San Dama: "Come on, you talk about a scholarly lineage while you can't even fill your stomach. Just think about how to arrange things for Jie Cheng after he graduates middle school!"

Yan Bu Gui wore a sorrowful expression, saying nothing.

The central courtyard of the Jia family: Jia Zhangshi was both stitching shoe soles and scolding the people in the courtyard for not taking care of the Jia family. Qin Huairu was cooking in the kitchen, listening to her mother‑in‑law's words, vigorously kneading dough. She also wanted to enter the plant, but her rural household registration was like a shackles, binding her firmly at home.

The rear courtyard of the Liu family presented a different scene.

Liu Haizhong stood with his hands behind his back, pacing the house: "Guangqi has entered the technical secondary school; three years later he'll graduate as a technician. Starting high, promotion will be easier. From then on, the Liu family will rely on the eldest son!"

Er Da Ma echoed: "Exactly! He's much stronger than those who are just workers!"

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu squatted in the courtyard doing homework, listening to the words from the house, the brothers exchanged a glance.

"Bro, shall we also get into the plant later?" Liu Guangfu whispered.

Liu Guangtian bit his pencil tip, "When we grow up, we'll definitely be stronger than big brother!"

That night, Li Ping'an stayed in the Security Section for a late meeting. The newly arrived veterans were drilling, their chants echoing loudly.

"Director, this batch of soldiers has good quality!" Wang Dahu handed over the training records, noting especially the one named Zhao Dayong, who had served as a Recon Soldier in the army.

Li Ping'an took the record, glanced at it: "Get them familiar with night patrols as soon as possible. The New Year is approaching; we can't afford any mishaps."

Returning home it was already deep night. The Siheyuan was silent, only the Liu household still had lights on. Through the window, Liu Haizhong could be heard giving a talk: "…to make your big brother proud!"

Li Ping'an shook his head, pushed open his own house door. Li Pingle was still embroidering under the lamp; seeing him return, he hurried up: "Brother, have you eaten?"

"I ate at the plant," Li Ping'an set down his briefcase, "It's so late and you're still not sleeping?"

Hurried to stitch a cushion for the master. Li Pingle lifted the embroidery hoop, revealing a lifelike peony design; the senior craftsmen at the plant all said his skill was excellent!

Seeing his sister's confident smile warmed Li Ping'an's heart. Since this girl entered the Textile Factory, she's become much more cheerful.

The next day was a day off; Li Ping'an rose early to go to the plant. Just as he pushed the cart out, he saw Yan Bu Gui sweeping the courtyard.

"Ping'an…" Yan Bu Gui came over, "Does the plant still need workers? Jie Cheng…"

"Third Elder," Li Ping'an interrupted, "Now hiring requires political vetting; I can't decide."

Yan Bu Gui stepped aside with a grin. At that moment, from the central courtyard, Jia Zhangshi's loud voice called: "Jia Dongxu! Hurry up! Your master is still waiting!"

Jia Dongxu came out carrying a tool bag, saw Li Ping'an and gave an embarrassed smile: "Li Ping'an, my master asked me to go early."

Watching Jia Dongxu's hurried back, Li Ping'an was thoughtful. Yi Zhonghai was truly attentive to this apprentice; in just a few years he's already a Level‑2 Pipe Fitter.

Arriving at the plant, the training ground was bustling. Four police dogs could already follow simple commands; upon seeing Li Ping'an they wagged their tails and ran over.

"Director, these dogs are truly humane!" Lao Zhang said proudly, "Last night we caught a wall‑climber; it latched onto his trouser leg and wouldn't let go!"

Li Ping'an crouched, patting a dog's head: "Train them well; give them extra meals for the New Year."

Entering the Security Section, the new recruits were studying plant regulations. Wang Dahu stood on the podium, spitting furiously: "…especially night patrols, every blind spot must be inspected!"

Seeing Li Ping'an, the recruits all stood up in unison.

Continue. Li Ping'an waved his hand, "I'll just take a look."

He sat in the back row, his Divine Perception lightly scanning the new faces. Suddenly his brows furrowed—the young man in the corner breathed in a peculiar way, as if he had practiced internal martial arts.

"Dahu, what's the name of that skinny tall guy?" he whispered.

"Zhao Dayong!" Wang Dahu stepped forward, "Director, this kid is impressive; last night he climbed Warehouse No. 3 with his bare hands!"

Li Ping'an silently noted the name. It seems among these newcomers there are hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

At lunch, he deliberately sat opposite Zhao Dayong.

"How many years did you serve in the army?"

"Three years." Zhao Dayong set down his chopsticks, "I was a soldier in Dongbei."

"Dongbei, huh…" Li Ping'an nodded, "Winters there are much colder than here."

The two chatted casually, while Li Ping'an's Divine Perception continued to probe. The young man's aura was steady; indeed he was a practitioner, but his eyes were clear, not scheming.

After finishing the meal and heading out, he ran into Sha Zhu smoking at the cafeteria entrance.

"Ping'an!" Sha Zhu handed over a cigarette, "Heard the Security Section earned another merit?"

"Just part of the job." Li Ping'an waved his hand, "I heard you're up for the Advanced Worker award again this month?"

Sha Zhu blew a smoke ring proudly: "Brothers, this skill—there's no second one in the whole canteen!"

As they were speaking, Xu Damao pushed the projection equipment past, deliberately coughing twice: "Some people just know how to sweet‑talk!"

"Looking for a beating, huh?" Sha Zhu raised his fist.

Li Ping'an hurriedly stopped them: "How old are you guys, still causing trouble!"

Watching the two bicker, he couldn't help but laugh. Life at the factory is getting livelier and livelier.

In the evening, returning home, the Siheyuan was arguing. Yan Bu Gui pointed at Jia Zhangshi and shouted: "... Is it only your family's Dongxu who has promise?"

"Of course!" Jia Zhangshi put her hands on her hips, "Definitely stronger than your family's Jiecheng!"

Li Ping'an shook his head, pushed the cart into the back courtyard. The two Liu youngsters were doing homework; Liu Haizhong's loud voice came from inside: "... Can't even do this problem? Learn from your older brother!"

Liu Guangtian suddenly looked up, "I want to be a Security Section officer when I grow up, just like Brother Ping'an!"

Li Ping'an's steps halted, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

Night had deepened; he stood in the courtyard gazing at the star‑filled sky. The factory was developing, the people in the courtyard were growing, everything was changing. Only the sky above remained the same as before.

But he knew that beneath this seemingly peaceful surface, the undercurrents never ceased. Those new faces, those hidden experts, were reminding him—the path to guard this tranquility is still long.

A cold wind blew, bringing the distant roar of the rolling mill. A new era was arriving, and he had already prepared himself.