Chapter 85: 1953

"Ping'an, the things you wanted are finished. I've put them in the Security Department room. Tomorrow, you and Dongxu can haul them back together."

"Got it."

"This time, I really have to thank Lao Yi and Xiao Cheng and the others. There's a lot of work at the end of the year; Xiao Cheng and the others made the screws, and Lao Yi and I did the frames and such."

"San Jie Fu, do you think I should send something to Lao Yi's family before the New Year?"

"No need. I'll just treat him to a couple of drinks when the time comes."

"That works. I still have plenty of liquor; I'll bring two jars for you when I move them."

"Hahaha, good."

Lao Jia didn't have any other hobbies; he just loved smoking a little tobacco and drinking a little liquor. No, it should be said that most middle-aged men in this era generally had these hobbies.

However, this Yi Zhonghai and San Jie Fu Lao Jia were truly close. Previously, Yi Zhonghai had accumulated a lot of work while on leave, and San Jie Fu Lao Jia helped him finish it. This time, it was Yi Zhonghai reciprocating the favor. It's no wonder Yi Zhonghai would always protect the Jia Family in the show; there must be reasons related to this.

The next morning, Zhang Ping'an bought some steamed buns at a breakfast stall and took Jia Dongxu to the Rolling Mill.

"Brother Tan, sorry for the trouble. I brought some steamed buns for you and the brothers."

"What trouble is there in storing a few things? It's a coincidence that I'm on duty today. Ping'an, I'm looking at this—is this a tricycle frame?" Tan Jun asked as he took the buns.

"That's right. Didn't Director Lou approve the discarded tricycles in the factory for me? But they were rusted beyond recognition, so I had to patch them up."

"Haha, only you have the leisure for this. Xiao Sheng, give him a hand. Come eat buns when you're done."

"Coming!"

The few of them were all quick-handed people. Before long, the loading was finished. Zhang Ping'an also took advantage of the fact that it wasn't work time yet to hurry and transport it back to the courtyard; he didn't want to be surrounded by onlookers.

After the two of them unloaded everything into the courtyard, Zhang Ping'an planned to buy some paint to coat it, otherwise, it would rust as soon as it touched water.

"Dongxu, go get busy. Leave the rest to me."

"Uncle, don't you need me to give you a hand?"

"No need. I still have to go out for a trip to buy some paint."

"Alright."

When Zhang Ping'an returned after buying the paint, the quiet courtyard had come to life, with every household emitting cooking smoke.

Zhang Ping'an was just about to open the paint to apply it when he remembered it was now nearly twenty degrees below zero. He didn't know if it would have an effect outdoors. No wonder that boss had such a strange look when he bought the paint.

Forget it, better to go into the space to paint. Although it has a bit of a smell, the mountain forest should be able to absorb it quickly.

He flashed to the Back Mountain behind the Cottage and applied the paint evenly over all the frames. The dark green body of the vehicle radiated a brand-new luster. Zhang Ping'an thought for a moment and decided it would be better to let it settle in the space before bringing it out.

Zhang Ping'an wasn't in a rush to assemble it either. He flashed out of the space and took out some food he had prepared to bring home.

At noon, Zhang Xiaohua came looking for him.

"Ping'an, it seems Little Sister is seeing someone."

"Ah? With whom?"

"It's that Public Security officer who came that day, I think his name is Wang Zhiyong or something. I've seen them at the alley entrance several times. Little Sister didn't say anything, and I didn't ask too much."

"That's a good thing. But I have to ask Li Ge what Wang Zhiyong's background is first."

"Mm, it's good to find out clearly."

It just so happens that this is the time to give gifts and build connections during the New Year. Director Wang of the Police Station, Li Aiguo, and Second Uncle's childhood friend Li Baoguo all need to be visited.

Having made up his mind, Zhang Ping'an rummaged around in the space again. Tobacco, liquor, tea, plus a piece of Wolf meat, divided into three portions. Perfect.

In the afternoon, Zhang Ping'an went straight to the Clothing Shop, called Si Jie out, and asked directly, getting straight to the point.

"Si Jie, that Wang Zhiyong, he..."

"Ping'an, you already know?"

"....." Fine, no need to ask. She admitted it directly.

"That day, he saved me at a critical moment, and I developed a bit of a fondness for him. Plus, he's been patrolling this area frequently lately, and back and forth, we got familiar." Sure enough, the "hero saves the beauty" plot applies in any era.

"Mm." What could Zhang Ping'an say? Better investigate and see first.

The next morning, Zhang Ping'an pedaled the tricycle with a Wild Boar inside and went straight to the Police Station.

"Ping'an, caught a big one again?"

"Well done. Ping'an knows it's almost New Year and is sending us benefits."

"Hahaha, that's right. Let the Director distribute it for us in a bit."

Zhang Ping'an would come by once or twice almost every month, and most of the Public Security officers at the station knew him.

"Li Ge, I'll leave it to you. Is Director Wang in?"

"He's in. Go on over."

"Alright."

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Come in."

"Why is it you kid?"

"It's almost New Year, so I came to give you a gift. There's also a Wild Boar downstairs, and everyone is waiting for you to distribute it."

"Good, good, good. This Wild Boar came just in time; everyone can have a prosperous New Year. Tell me, kid, do you have something else on your mind?"

"Cough, it's not a big deal. I'm just asking you, what is the family background of that Wang Zhiyong in your station?"

"What kind of background could he have? Just like you, an ordinary person." Wang Weiguo looked at Zhang Ping'an strangely.

"Then how is his character?"

"Anyone who can enter the Public Security team definitely has impeccable character. Why? Are you trying to introduce a partner to him?"

"No, it's my Si Jie. The two of them are seeing each other, so I just came by to ask while I was at it."

"Pfft, cough, cough, what?" Wang Weiguo, who was drinking water, almost choked to death.

"No, is your reaction really necessary? Wang Zhiyong, Wang? Damn, he wouldn't be a relative of yours, would he?" Zhang Ping'an said, though he hadn't thought it would be Director Wang's son.

"Hmm, you could say that. That kid is not bad, but he spends most of his time patrolling the streets, so you two rarely run into each other." Good kid, you've got a sharp eye, just as accurate as your father was back in the day.

"Alright, I understand, Wang Shu. Then I'll head back first, I won't hold up your work."

"Mm, go ahead."

After going out, Zhang Ping'an stuffed another black parcel to Li Aiguo and then left.

Counting the patrol staff outside the Police Station and those working inside, there are probably about thirty people. This Wild Boar weighs over two hundred catties; after removing the bones and offal, there should be about one hundred and fifty catties left, which is enough for five catties per person.

Arriving at the Military Control Commission, Zhang Ping'an was unfamiliar with the place and couldn't just brazenly hand out gifts.

"Comrade, who are you looking for?"

"Oh, oh, I'm looking for Li Baoguo. I'm his nephew, Zhang Ping'an."

"You're looking for Captain Li? He's out on official business."

"I see. Never mind then, sorry to bother you."

"It's nothing."

Zhang Ping'an didn't ask for Li Baoguo's home address either; he figured that even if he did ask, the person wouldn't disclose it. Forget it, there's always another time.

Returning home, Zhang Ping'an assembled two tricycles in his space and took them for a test ride. They felt pretty good, and the cargo bed was quite large. He would ride one of them home for the New Year this year, and leave the one from the Rolling Mill for Xiao Cheng and the others to ride home.

Wang Weiguo returned home from work and stared at his son; Wang Zhiyong really couldn't take it anymore.

"Dad, if you have something to say, just say it. Staring at me like that makes me feel creeped out."

"Are you seeing someone?"

"Uh, how did you know?"

"Hmph, the girl's younger brother has already come to our door, how could I not know? I was wondering why you changed your patrol route; so it was because of this."

"Hehe, Lanhua is very brave and also very outstanding. If you saw her, you would definitely praise her too."

"I know, I've met Lanhua. She is, um, she is the niece of my comrade-in-arms."

"Really, Dad? Doesn't that mean we'll be even closer as a family?"

"Mm, you're at the right age too. After the New Year, I'll go propose marriage for you."

"Wash your hands and eat. What are you two father and son so happy about?" said Wang Zhiyong's mother, Qian Xiaofang.

"Ask your son."

"Hehe, Mom, I'm seeing someone, and she is..." Wang Zhiyong excitedly recounted the whole story.