Chapter 27

Sister Xie stood on the other side of the coffee table and said softly, “Director’s suggestions are excellent—I’ll make sure to convey your directives properly to our section chief. Our factory’s security force is truly in shambles.”

Vice Director Li made no comment on Sister Xie’s words, nor did he rebuke her; instead, he continued speaking to Li Xuewu: “This is precisely why we need talents like you, Xuewu. Go to the Security Department and work hard—strive to produce results quickly.”

Li Xuewu saluted again.

“Yes, Comrade Leader, rest assured—I will complete the mission.”

Vice Director Li smiled broadly.

At that moment, Sister Xie understood and offered to take Li Xuewu to the Security Department for duty.

Vice Director Li stood up and walked him to the edge of his desk, patting Li Xuewu’s shoulder and repeating, “Full of vigor—work hard and achieve results.”

Li Xuewu bid farewell to Director Li and followed Sister Xie out the door.

Sister Xie said nothing, only gently patted Li Xuewu’s arm.

This young man is too astute—his expressions and words are perfectly timed, and he doesn’t speak recklessly. He’s a promising prospect.

After decades of ups and downs in his past life, Li Xuewu had summed up one truth: if you’re a commoner, find a big tree to shelter under—otherwise, one day your pride and youthful arrogance will be shattered piece by piece, placed on a plate, and forced to wear a smiling face. Reality is, after all, that hammer.

Just eat your meal—it’s not shameful.

When they reached the third office on the right, Sister Xie knocked lightly. Hearing “Come in,” she led Li Xuewu inside.

The office wasn’t large. A bald old man with thick glasses looked up at Li Xuewu—his eyes behind the lenses were sharp, nothing like the senile incompetence Sister Xie had described.

Sister Xie smiled and said, “Director Fu, I’ve brought you Li Xuewu.”

Upon entering, Li Xuewu immediately stood at attention and saluted.

“Comrade Leader, hello!”

Li Xuewu’s voice was loud, crisp, and strong.

The word “Comrade Leader” sent a jolt through Fu Bin. Years of military tradition had ingrained in him such a strong first impression of Li Xuewu.

Fu Bin’s gaze softened. He waved his hand and said, “Once out of the military, don’t call me ‘Comrade Leader.’ Use my title. Don’t stand—sit down and talk.”

Sister Xie sat down farther away and remained silent.

Li Xuewu sat on the chair beside the desk, still holding perfect military posture.

Fu Bin was pleased with Li Xuewu’s attitude and said softly, “Earlier, Section Chief Xie told me you’re a demobilized cadre, a hero who earned merit on the battlefield, wounded and discharged. It’s a pity you didn’t stay in the army at such a young age—but don’t be discouraged. The working class remains the backbone of our nation’s construction. You can still contribute to the motherland here in the factory.”

Li Xuewu replied just as directly: “Yes, Director. I will adjust my mindset, obey superior leadership, and complete tasks to standard and on time.”

Fu Bin burst into loud laughter. “You still carry the fine traditions—excellent! Keep it up. We may be veterans, but we never lose our colors!”

Sister Xie interjected, “Xuewu, you must communicate and learn more from Director Fu. He’s also a demobilized cadre—before discharge, he was a battalion commander. Far higher rank than your platoon leader!”

Li Xuewu acted as if hearing this for the first time. He sprang to his feet and saluted again, perfectly.

Li Xuewu thought: I’ve saluted you this much—if you don’t show me some favor, it’d be downright unreasonable.

“Comrade Leader, former Reconnaissance Platoon Leader of the Tiger Regiment’s Reconnaissance Battalion, Li Xuewu, reporting for duty. Awaiting your orders.”

This shout startled Sister Xie, but Fu Bin was deeply moved—he stood up and returned the salute.

“Comrade Li Xuewu, former Battalion Commander of the Iron Blood Regiment, now Director of the Red Star Rolling Mill Security Department, Fu Bin, salutes the battlefield hero. I hope you continue to uphold the spirit of fearlessness in hardship and death, and keep contributing your strength and youth to the motherland.”

Sisikew

“Yes, I will complete the mission. Salute to the Comrade Leader!”

Fu Bin laughed again, stepped out from behind his desk, gripped Li Xuewu’s arms with both hands, studied him closely, and kept muttering, “Good, very good.”

Sister Xie clapped at the perfect moment, even wiping a corner of her eye.

Fu Bin held Li Xuewu’s hand with one hand and pointed at Sister Xie with the other: “Your Personnel Department has recruited us a fine soldier. I owe you thanks.”

Sister Xie hurriedly replied, “I’m not worthy of your thanks—it’s our duty. I’ll relay your suggestion to our section chief so we can recruit more demobilized and transferred cadres, especially ones like Xuewu.”

Fu Bin nodded. “Exactly. They’re disciplined, high-quality, fearless of hardship or death—all excellent.”

Sister Xie, excited, said, “You’re absolutely right—I’ll make sure your message is delivered. We won’t disturb you further. I’ll take Xuewu to the Security Department for duty.”

Fu Bin grasped Li Xuewu’s hand again. “Young comrade, work hard. Security work can yield results too. If you need anything, come find me.”

Li Xuewu answered crisply, “Yes.”

Before leaving, he saluted Fu Bin once more, then turned and walked out.

After exiting the office, Sister Xie’s expression cooled. She continued leading Li Xuewu deeper inside, no trace of her earlier excitement. Li Xuewu likewise reined in his intensity.

When Sister Xie knocked on Deputy Director Dong Wenhua’s door, she said naturally, “Director Dong, I’ve brought you a new recruit.”

Dong Wenhua was a pale-faced young man in a light Zhongshan suit. His desk was piled high with books. Seeing Sister Xie and Li Xuewu enter, he greeted them warmly and ushered them to the sofa.

Only after Dong Wenhua sat down did Sister Xie and Li Xuewu take their seats.

Li Xuewu stood straight, eyes fixed on Dong Wenhua.

Sister Xie introduced: “This is the new Security Department cadre, Li Xuewu. High school graduate, demobilized cadre. His family is a medical lineage—his father is a doctor at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. His older brother and sister-in-law are university lecturers. His third brother is a medical student, and his younger sister is in high school. All of them graduated from our factory’s middle school. The Li family’s upbringing is well known.”

Dong Wenhua spoke gently: “Excellent. It shows our factory school still produces talent. The Li family is full of highly educated individuals—your father must have an extraordinary cultural background!”

Li Xuewu replied softly: “My father studied traditional family medicine. Our ancestors were scholar-farmers. My father knows much more than I do—I’ve read little compared to my older brother and third brother.”

Dong Wenhua looked at Li Xuewu and said, “Take your time. You’re only nineteen. As long as you keep reading, your knowledge will grow.”

Sister Xie added at the right moment: “Xuewu, you must communicate and learn more from Director Dong. His family has deep scholarly roots—he’s a renowned talent in our factory and even the entire industrial ministry, a master writer whose articles have appeared in major newspapers.”