Chapter 410: The Hidden Move Has Been Settled

Spring came unusually late to the Steel Rolling Mill.

Along the factory road, the willow trees had just sprouted tender buds, and the wind still carried a hint of chill.

But the atmosphere inside the office building was already lively as midsummer.

Li Huaide moved into Yang Weiguo's south-facing office.

A wide desk had been newly installed, a leather sofa added, and several pots of clivia placed on the windowsill, their green leaves gleaming in the sunlight.

The door stood open, with a constant stream of people coming and going.

Some came to report work, some to deliver materials, and some just to show their faces and become familiar.

Everyone wore smiles, walked lightly, and spoke loudly.

It was like a festival.

Xu Damao hobbled into the crowd, carrying a string bag holding two bottles of Xifeng liquor and a pack of Great Front Gate cigarettes.

Only after the people ahead had cleared did he edge up to the doorway, peeking in.

"Director Li..."

Li Huaide was lowering his head to read a document, without looking up.

"Come in."

Xu Damao walked in cautiously, placing the string bag in the corner of the wall.

"Director Li, my relatives brought these back for the New Year; I don't drink or smoke, so I'm presenting them to you."

Only then did Li Huaide lift his head and glance at the string bag.

"Damao, have a seat."

Xu Damao perched on the edge of the sofa, his back ramrod straight.

"Director Li, with your new appointment, the factory has taken on a fresh look! We workers all say it's about time."

He spoke with flying spittle, praising Li Huaide to the heavens.

Li Huaide leaned back in his chair, sipping tea leisurely.

Only after he finished did Li Huaide speak slowly.

"Damao, you're a veteran comrade and have been a model in public security. The factory is short-staffed now; you need to shoulder more responsibility."

Xu Damao's eyes lit up.

"At your command! I, Xu Damao, will go through fire and water, shunning nothing!"

"No need to go through fire and water," Li Huaide laughed. "Just some matters need someone to handle them. Some people… need someone to give them a warning."

He said it rather indirectly.

But Xu Damao understood.

"You mean…"

"The Security Section." Li Huaide set down his teacup. "Comrade Li Ping'an is capable, but sometimes… he sticks too rigidly to principle and lacks flexibility."

He paused.

"Keep a closer watch on him, and report any developments promptly."

Xu Damao nodded heavily, thumping his chest so it sounded loud.

"Rest assured! I'll keep a close eye on him!"

Leaving the director's office, Xu Damao's spine was straighter than ever.

He walked slowly, with a limp, yet each step was steady.

Like a reviewing general.

As he passed the Security Department office building, he deliberately stopped, looked up at the second-floor window.

The window was shut, the curtains drawn.

Nothing inside could be seen.

Xu Damao tugged at the corner of his mouth and spat.

"What are you pretending for?"

Turning to leave, he bumped into Chen Jianghe coming out of the building.

The two met face to face.

Chen Jianghe glanced at him, said nothing, and continued walking out.

Xu Damao, however, called out to him.

"Captain Chen."

Chen Jianghe halted his steps and turned back.

"Anything?"

"Nothing much," Xu Damao said, hands behind his back, strolling over. "Just a reminder: the wind has shifted in the factory. Some people ought to bow their heads when they should, and pick a side when they should."

He spoke slowly, word by word.

Like reading a verdict.

Chen Jianghe stared at him, his eyes icy.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing at all." Xu Damao gave a false smile. "Just giving you a heads‑up. Your brother‑in‑law Li Ping'an isn't having an easy time these days."

He stepped closer and lowered his voice.

"Director Yang has fallen, yet Director Li still holds on—who is he showing off for? Does he really think he's somebody?"

Chen Jianghe's hand clenched into a fist.

His knuckles turned white.

But he didn't move.

Xu Damao patted his shoulder.

"Think it over well."

After saying that, he limped away.

His back view was full of pride.

In the Logistics Department office, Qin Huairu was organizing the reports.

She had now been transferred to the Materials Section, in charge of warehouse entry and exit registration.

The work isn't tiring, but the responsibility is not small.

The door opened, and Li Huaide walked in.

The few female workers in the room hurriedly stood up.

"Factory Director."

"Get busy with your work." Li Huaide waved his hand, walked to Qin Huairu's desk, and said, "Little Qin, has the materials inventory sheet for last month come out?"

"It's out." Qin Huairu took the report from the drawer and handed it over with both hands.

Li Huaide took it and flipped through it.

"Hmm, not bad."

He paused.

"Work overtime tonight and also finish next month's procurement plan. Send it to my office."

"Okay, Factory Director."

Li Huaide nodded and turned to leave.

The room fell silent for a moment.

The few female workers exchanged glances, and no one spoke.

Qin Huairu lowered her head and continued organizing the reports.

Her fingers trembled slightly.

In Xi Kua Yuan, Li Ping'an was splitting firewood.

The axe rose and fell, and the wood split with a sound.

Wood chips flew, flashing golden-yellow in the afternoon sunlight.

Chen Jianghe pushed the door open and came in, his face grim.

"Brother-in-law."

Li Ping'an stopped his hand and straightened his waist.

"What's wrong?"

"That bastard Xu Damao..." Chen Jianghe gritted his teeth, "He's now Li Huaide's man, swaggering everywhere, and even said he'd deal with you."

Li Ping'an wiped his sweat and leaned the axe against the wall.

"What did he say?"

"He said you don't know the times, said you're a grasshopper after autumn." Chen Jianghe grew angrier as he spoke, "Just now in the factory, he even blocked me, threatening me with sinister tones."

Li Ping'an didn't speak.

He walked to the water barrel, scooped a ladle of water, and slowly washed his hands.

The water was very cold, piercing to the bone.

"Brother-in-law, are we just going to endure this?" Chen Jianghe followed him over, "That kind of petty man Xu Damao, once he gains power, forgets his own surname."

Li Ping'an shook the water off his hands.

"Do you know what Xu Damao used to do?"

"A projectionist."

"Yes, a projectionist." Li Ping'an turned around, "Back then the factory often organized trips to the countryside to show movies; a projectionist with an assistant would go for several days at a time."

He paused.

"The countryside conditions were harsh, but in some places…… the hospitality was especially thorough."

Chen Jianghe was stunned.

"You mean..."

"Investigate." Li Ping'an said calmly, "Investigate where he went for those rural movie screenings over the years, where he stayed, and who he came into contact with. Especially......"

He glanced at Chen Jianghe.

"Those who spent the night at widows' houses, those who extorted—check each one thoroughly."

Chen Jianghe's eyes lit up.

"I understand!"

"Be careful." Li Ping'an cautioned, "Don't startle the snake. The evidence must be solid and able to withstand scrutiny."

"Rest assured!" Chen Jianghe nodded firmly, "I'll handle it myself!"

He turned to leave, but then remembered something.

"Brother-in-law, these evidences...... who should we hand them over to when the time comes?"

Li Ping'an gazed at the jujube tree in the courtyard.

The tender shoots had already sprouted, a vivid green.

"Hand them over to the Inspection Department." He said slowly, "Submit them anonymously. Let Xu Damao know someone is dealing with him, but not who."

Chen Jianghe understood.

"Understood."

Half a month later, the evidence was complete.

A thick stack of materials contained villagers' testimonies, guesthouse records, and a receipt signed by Xu Damao himself.

There were also several photos.

They were taken by someone Chen Jianghe hired in the countryside.

Although blurry, Xu Damao's face could be recognized.

In a farmhouse courtyard, he was very close to a woman in her thirties.

The woman's husband had died the year before, leaving her alone in the household.

The back of the photo bore the date: July 1963, when Xu Damao went to the countryside to show films and spent three nights at that household.

Chen Jianghe placed the materials into a file folder and sealed it.

"Brother-in-law, it's all here."

Li Ping'an took it and weighed it.

It was heavy.

"Has the Investigation Department been contacted?"

"Contacted." Chen Jianghe said, "I found a reliable person to submit it anonymously. They said, for this kind of lifestyle issue, if the evidence is solid, they will definitely handle it seriously."

Li Ping'an nodded.

"Then let's send it."

Chen Jianghe walked away with the file folder.

Li Ping'an stood in the courtyard, watching his back disappear at the alley mouth.

The setting sun sank in the west, and a glow of evening clouds burned on the horizon.

Red as blood.

Three days later, Xu Damao was summoned to the Investigation Office.

He went in with his head held high, but came out with a deathly pale face.

His leg was more lame, and he almost dragged himself as he walked.

The news spread like wings, instantly reaching the entire factory.

"Have you heard? Xu Damao is under investigation!"

"Why?"

"It's a lifestyle issue! Showing films in the countryside and fooling around with a widow, plus extortion!"

"Good heavens, I never would have guessed..."

"We saw it long ago! That bastard is no good!"

Xu Damao hid at home, not stepping out for two days.

Wang Cuihua cried, asking what was happening, but he said nothing, just clutching his head and huddling in the corner.

Like a stray dog.

On the third day, the decision was posted.

"Strip Xu Damao of his title of model for public order, remove his post as group leader of the projection team in the Logistics Department, demote him to an ordinary worker, and give him a major demerit."

Black ink on white paper, stamped with a bright red seal.

Xu Damao stood before the bulletin board, looking at that sheet, his whole body trembling.

He wanted to tear it up, raised his hand, then lowered it.

Those around pointed and whispered.

He suddenly turned and ran off, limping.

He ran into the alley, ran back to the siheyuan.

He slammed the door shut.

He never came out again.

When Li Huaide learned the news, he was drinking tea in his office.

The secretary carefully placed the decision on the desk.

He glanced at it, saying nothing.

He continued drinking tea.

After a while, he finally spoke.

"Any movement from Li Ping'an's side?"

"Nothing much." the secretary said, "Same as usual—going to work, getting off work, keeping an eye on factory security."

Li Huaide set down his teacup and gazed out the window.

The clivia on the windowsill had bloomed, orange‑red spikes, very beautiful.

"This person……is not simple."

He muttered to himself.

The secretary dared not respond.

"Tell the people below," Li Huaide turned his head, "don't provoke Li Ping'an in the future. This person……we can't move against him for now."

"Yes."

The secretary withdrew.

Li Huaide picked up his teacup again; the tea had gone cold.

He took a sip and frowned.

Bitter.

Just like the feeling right now.

In Xi Kua Yuan, Li Ping'an was teaching his son boxing.

Li Yaozong stood in a horse stance, his little face tense.

"Dad, did Uncle Xu make a mistake?"

"Hmm." Li Ping'an corrected his son's posture, "If you make a mistake, you must accept punishment."

"Then will he change?"

"I don't know." Li Ping'an patted his son's shoulder, "Some people can change, some cannot; that's how it is: rivers and mountains may shift, but nature is hard to alter."

Just then, Lin Xueqing came out of the house.

"Ping'an, just now someone from the factory came and said you need to go to a meeting tomorrow."

"What meeting?"

"They didn't say, just that it's very important."

Li Ping'an nodded and didn't ask further.

He looked toward the outside of the courtyard wall.

The siheyuan was quiet.

Only the wind could be heard, and a faint broadcast from afar.

Xu Damao's door was still closed.

Like a tomb.

Li Ping'an withdrew his gaze and continued teaching his son boxing.

Every move, every form, done meticulously.

This world is like practicing boxing.

You need to be steady, accurate, and fierce.

But the most important thing is knowing when to throw a punch and when to pull back.

What he teaches his son is not just boxing techniques.

There's also this principle.