Siheyuan, my new life

As Guo Yongping pushed his bicycle out of the steel rolling mill gate, Feng Tao, the director of the second fitter workshop, hurried to the security office building, which was less than forty meters away from the gate. He had only glanced at the figure pushing his bicycle out of the factory gate casually, but he hadn't paid any attention to it and had no idea that the figure not far away was Guo Yongping, who had reported his junior colleague Hao Aiguo to the leaders of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

Before coming here, Director Feng went to the production department to ask Deputy Director Huang to go to the security department with him. After all, the last time Hao Aiguo was arrested for going to the black market, he had to ask Deputy Director Huang to help him find Deputy Factory Director Li Huaide. In the end, he got help from that big leader and Hao Aiguo and some others were released after paying a small fine.

However, Director Feng was rebuffed today. After learning his purpose, Deputy Director Huang shook his head vigorously, bluntly telling him that he should never contact Hao Aiguo again regarding anything related to him. He couldn't bear the humiliation and didn't understand what Hao Aiguo was thinking. This ordinary workshop worker dared to openly pressure the canteen director of the security training base—he was simply courting death! Even the main leaders of the steel mill treated the security department with utmost respect. Everyone knew that He Daqing was the high-ranking leader who had taken over the security training base canteen from the steel mill, and even been directly appointed as the deputy section-level canteen director. Hao Aiguo's open pressure on He Daqing was tantamount to slapping that high-ranking leader in the face.

Seeing the troubled look on Director Feng's face, Deputy Director Huang still reminded him not to go to the other leaders of the steel rolling mill, because no one would offend that big leader for the sake of an ordinary worker.

In fact, Director Feng only wanted to visit Hao Aiguo at the Security Department. The reason he wanted Deputy Director Huang to accompany him was to smooth things over a bit so that Hao Aiguo wouldn't suffer at the Security Department. He had heard some rumors about the Security Department interrogating prisoners and knew that Hao Aiguo had offended He Daqing. He was afraid that Hao Aiguo would be deliberately targeted after being arrested and brought to the Security Department.

Leaving the production office, Director Feng still forced himself to walk towards the security office building. No matter what, Hao Aiguo had once saved his life, and now that his junior brother was in trouble, he couldn't just stand by and do nothing. Now he could only do his best and leave the rest to fate. In any case, the steel rolling mill's handling of the matter had already been announced to the entire factory through the broadcasting station, and he was powerless to change anything. At present, he could only hope that Hao Aiguo would suffer less in the security department.

As soon as Director Feng reached the entrance of the security department's office building, he was stopped by two fully armed security guards who reached out to him: "Comrade, this is the security department. May I ask what business you have here?"

Director Feng quickly put on a smile and explained, "Comrades, I am Feng Tao, the director of the second fitter workshop. I am here today to see Section Chief Deng of the Security Section about something. Could you please inform him?"

One of the security guards glanced at the middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit standing in front of him, turned and walked into the office building. Less than two minutes later, he returned to the door with a calm expression and said in a flat tone, "Director Feng, Section Chief Deng is in his office. It's the first room on the right on the first floor. You can go in."

Director Feng agreed and stepped into the office building. As soon as he reached the door of the first office on the right side of the first floor, he was delighted to see Section Chief Deng standing in front of him with a smile.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Director Feng took out a pack of Peony cigarettes, opened it, and handed one to the other man, saying with a wry smile, "Section Chief Deng, I don't come here unless I have a reason. I'm here today because of my good-for-nothing junior brother, Hao Aiguo."

Section Chief Deng lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and shook his head helplessly. "Director Feng, given our relationship, I would certainly do my best to help with anything else. However, regarding Hao Aiguo's matter, I advise you not to waste your time. To be honest, if it weren't for the fact that the New Year is just around the corner, Hao Aiguo would probably have already been transferred to the Dongcheng Branch Bureau. I won't lie to you, it was our Secretary Lin who personally made the decision. Your junior colleague is truly speechless. What is he thinking? He Daqing is the director of the canteen at our security training base. How dare he openly force Director He to provide cheap grain to the residents of the courtyard house?" This is ruining Director He's future! His application for promotion to section chief has already been submitted, and it's just waiting for the official announcement next year. At this crucial moment, Hao Aiguo pulled this stunt—who is he trying to embarrass? Besides, Guo Yongping's uncle was Dou Dagang, the former head of the archives department at the steel rolling mill. Before his death, Dou was a division chief. And our Deputy Director of the Security Department, Wang Shengli, was Dou's old subordinate. Dou just passed away, and Guo Yongping has only been living in the courtyard house at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang for two or three days. Hao Aiguo has already pressured and slandered a military family member like this, and now he's only given a demerit and a demotion. You should all be secretly happy.”

Section Chief Deng told Feng Tao these inside stories because he owed Feng a favor. His brother-in-law worked in the fitter workshop, and when he first joined the factory, he used his connections to find the workshop director, Feng Tao, and asked him to give him some preferential treatment. Director Feng was quite generous and arranged for his brother-in-law to be mentored by a senior sixth-level fitter. Now, his brother-in-law has passed the second-level fitter qualification exam, while most of the workers who joined the factory at the same time are still only first-level fitters.

Feng Tao said with a wry smile, "Section Chief Deng misunderstood me. Of course I know that Hao Aiguo's matter has been announced and cannot be changed. I came here today to ask you to ask the brothers to be lenient. If it weren't for Hao Aiguo saving my life, I guess I would be overgrown with weeds by now."

Section Chief Deng frowned and pondered for a moment before sighing helplessly, "Since you've brought it up, I'll tell the guys down there later." He lowered his voice and whispered, "Director Feng, you need to remind Hao Aiguo. Make sure he doesn't fall into the hands of the Security Department again. Deputy Director Wang Shengli personally interrogated him, and Deputy Director Xiong Qingshan has even ordered the Public Security Section to keep a close eye on Hao Aiguo. With two deputy directors looking after him like this, I hope Hao Aiguo will have to fend for himself from now on."

Upon hearing this, Feng Tao felt a wave of powerlessness wash over him. Clearly, Hao Aiguo had thoroughly offended the security department this time, and if they were caught red-handed, it would likely be more than just a job loss.