Chapter 188: Li Pingle's Birthday

On Li Pingle's birthday, the Siheyuan was lively from early morning. At first light, the little girl was busy sweeping the floor and wiping the tables, neatly gathering the clothes from the drying line.

"Brother, does this new outfit look okay?" she tugged at the hem of her floral overcoat and asked nervously.

Li Ping'an was chopping firewood in the courtyard, looked up and laughed: "When did Sister Lin ever look down on you? Go check the rice in the pot, don't let it burn."

In the Front Courtyard, Yan Bu Gui poked his head out and asked: "Ping'an, are we expecting guests today?"

Li Pingle is having a birthday, inviting friends for a simple meal.

Yan Bu Gui clicked his tongue: "Wow, you even set a special table, that must cost a lot…"

In the Central Courtyard, Jia Zhangshi cracked sunflower seeds and sneered: "Show off what? Making a birthday seem like a wedding ceremony."

Sha Zhu stuck his head out of the kitchen: "Jia Dama, if you're craving meat just say so, I'll set a bowl aside for you!"

"Who cares!" Jia Zhangshi spat, but kept glancing at the Li Family.

As the sun rose higher, Li Ping'an set up a small table in the courtyard, placing peanuts and sunflower seeds on it. Li Pingle nervously fiddled with his hem, repeatedly looking toward the gate.

"Brother, why hasn't Sister Lin arrived yet?"

"We were supposed to meet at ten, and it's still…" before the sentence finished, the courtyard gate swung open.

Lin Xueqing entered carrying big and small bags, her white shirt paired with a blue skirt, fresh as a cool breeze.

"Pingle, happy birthday!" she smiled and handed over a paper‑wrapped bundle, "This is fabric I picked out for you, perfect for making a garment."

Li Pingle gratefully took it, his cheeks flushing: "Sister Lin, you're spending too much…"

"And this." Lin Xueqing pulled out an Iron Box, a Shanghai snowflake ointment, fragrant when applied to the face.

Li Ping'an took the netted bag: "Why did you buy so many things?"

"It's the first time I'm celebrating Pingle's birthday; how could I come empty‑handed?" Lin Xueqing blinked, then added, "Besides, aren't you the big eater?"

The three of them chatted and laughed in the courtyard, sunlight filtering through the jujube leaves and casting dappled shadows. Li Ping'an watched his sister's happy expression, feeling warm inside.

"Time to eat! Sha Zhu brought out Red Braised Pork, 'This meat is stewed today, guaranteed to make you drool!'"

Just as they were about to pick up their chopsticks, urgent footsteps came from the Front Courtyard. Wang Dahu ran in, panting:

"Li Chief! There's a situation!"

Li Ping'an paused his chopsticks: "Take your time and tell me."

"Nightingale has shown up! At the Liuli Factory! Wang Dahu lowered his voice, 'The Public Security Bureau wants us to provide support!'"

Lin Xueqing set down her chopsticks: "Go right now?"

Li Ping'an glanced at the table full of dishes, then at his sister's disappointed face, torn between options.

"Brother, you go." Li Pingle said sensibly, "Lin sister and I will wait for you to return."

Li Ping'an pondered briefly: "Xueqing, stay home with Pingle. Dahu, come with me!"

The Liuli Factory market was bustling with voices, vendors' cries rising and falling. Li Ping'an and Wang Dahu pretended to browse stalls, carefully searching for their target.

"There!" Wang Dahu whispered suddenly.

In front of the antique stall, a man in a top hat was fiddling with a porcelain vase—exactly who they were looking for!

Li Ping'an was about to step forward when he suddenly sensed something wrong—at least five accomplices were covertly supporting them nearby!

He calmly pulled Wang Dahu into the adjacent Alley: "There's an ambush."

"What to do?"

"Use the plan as the plan." Li Ping'an's eyes flashed with a sharp light: "You flank from behind, I'll go deal with them."

Li Ping'an straightened his collar and strode toward the antique stall. Seeing him, the man was visibly startled, then immediately gave a strange smile.

"Li Chief, I've been waiting for you for a long time."

"Enough chatter, today you can't escape."

"Is that so?" Nightingale suddenly raised her voice, "Let's go!"

In an instant, five burly men surrounded them from all sides. The market erupted into chaos, pedestrians scattering in panic.

Li Ping'an remained calm under pressure, his fists and kicks swift as wind. Yet the opponents' moves were fierce, clearly prepared.

"Li Chief! Behind you!" Wang Dahu shouted.

Li Ping'an sidestepped the surprise attack, grabbed the opponent's wrist with his other hand. At that moment, a gun was suddenly drawn!

Gunfire rang, Li Ping'an felt a heat on his shoulder. He gritted his teeth, flicked out a silver needle, his wrist was hit, and the Handgun fell to the ground.

Seeing the situation turn bad, he turned to flee.

"Want to run?" Li Ping'an was about to chase, but Wang Dahu had already blocked the way. The two of them surrounded him from front and back, quickly subduing him.

Back at the Siheyuan, night had fallen. Li Pingle was still guarding the table full of dishes; when he saw his brother return wounded, his small face turned pale with fright.

"Brother! How did you get hurt?"

"It's nothing, just a scrape." Li Ping'an forced a smile, "You haven't eaten yet?"

"We've been waiting for you." Li Pingle, eyes reddened, said, "The dishes have been reheated three times…"

Lin Xueqing carefully cleaned his wound: "The bullet just grazed you, fortunately. Don't get it wet for the next few days."

Sha Zhu brought out the freshly heated dishes: "Eat first! No matter how big the matter, you must fill your stomach!"

The three sat around the table, candlelight flickering. Li Ping'an looked at the most important people beside him, his heart a mix of emotions.

"Today was supposed to be a joyous day…"

"Brother, it's enough that Ping'an is back safe." Li Pingle passed him a piece of meat, "May birthdays come every year; no need to rush now."

Lin Xueqing whispered softly: "Nightingale being caught is a good thing; you should focus on recovering."

After the meal, Li Ping'an escorted Lin Xueqing home. Moonlight was like water as the two walked side by side through the Alley.

"Thanks to your vigilance today," Lin Xueqing said, "but you really need to be careful from now on; bullets don't have eyes."

Li Ping'an held her hand: "Having you by my side thinking of me, I cherish my life greatly."

Back at the Siheyuan, Li Pingle had already fallen asleep. On the table lay a small cake, with a note beside it: "Brother, saved this for you."

Li Ping'an sat in the courtyard, eating cake slowly by the moonlight. The sweetness melted in his mouth, and the wound on his shoulder still throbbed faintly.

The next day during interrogation, he remained silent the whole time. Li Ping'an was not in a hurry, just quietly watching him.

Your plan has already been exposed.

A cold laugh: Did you think catching me was the end?

At least you've cut off one of your arms.

At that moment, Wang Dahu rushed in: Chief, we just received word that the agents plan sabotage during the National Day parade!

Li Ping'an felt a chill in his heart. The National Day parade is a grand event celebrated by the whole country!

Continue the interrogation! We must extract the concrete plan!

In the days that followed, Li Ping'an kept working despite his injury. Lin Xueqing came daily to change the dressing, and couldn't help but say:

You never know how to care for yourself.

Once the National Day mission is finished, I promise you'll get proper rest.

Late that night, Li Ping'an was still in the office reviewing files when the Telephone rang suddenly. This red Telephone is a direct line to the Public Security Bureau and rarely rings.

Li Chief? Liu, Deputy Director, said in a stern voice, we just intercepted an Encrypted Telegram; the agents plan sabotage at the Steel Factory.

Specific target?

It might be the newly built high furnace. Strengthen security immediately!

Li Ping'an hung up the Telephone and sounded the alarm at once. The entire Steel Factory instantly entered combat readiness.

Wang Dahu, take people to guard the high furnace! The others split up to investigate!

At dawn, they discovered a timed bomb in the high furnace control room! Only five minutes remained before detonation!

Evacuate personnel! Li Ping'an ordered sternly,

The workers withdrew quickly. Li Ping'an examined the bomb carefully; its structure was complex, and a reckless removal could trigger an early explosion.

Chief, there's no time! Wang Dahu was sweating profusely with anxiety.

Li Ping'an steadied his mind, a silver glint flashing between his fingers. One by one, silver needles were inserted precisely into the bomb's interior...

Crack! The timer stopped at the final second.

Everyone exhaled in relief. Wang Dahu slumped on the ground: That was close...

Li Ping'an wiped a cold sweat: Nightingale still has accomplices.

In the following days, the Steel Factory's security was extremely tight. Every entrant and exit was inspected rigorously, even the cafeteria's food delivery trucks were turned upside down.

That evening, Li Ping'an inspected the plant area. Under the setting sun, the Steel Factory was unusually quiet, with only the footsteps of the Patrol Squad echoing.

He knew the hidden enemies were like lurking Poison Snakes, ready to strike lethally at any moment. This time, he would never let anyone get hurt again.

Guarding this land and the people he cherishes is his oath never to retreat.