I make a living solving crimes.

Inspections by superiors had little impact on the work of ordinary workers. Times are different now. No matter how big-name the leaders are when they come to inspect and visit, the workers will just do their jobs as usual.

The reception was handled by the management of the cotton mill.

Chang Wei hated this kind of pomp and circumstance. It was not because he was aloof, but because he had suffered greatly from it. When he was a child in his previous life, he was often dragged to participate in various welcome interactions because he was well-behaved.

They put on white shirts, blue pants, white shoes, and red scarves, and held either a bunch of cheap plastic flowers or a garland of colorful ribbons, while marching in place and shouting cheerfully, "Welcome, welcome, warm welcome."

The scene before my eyes is so similar.

He had chosen today's inspection himself, and he had to complete the process no matter how difficult it was.

Hating something doesn't mean you're not good at it.

He greeted the leaders of the cotton mill warmly and sincerely, and declined the invitation to make a public speech. He asked to visit the workshop and then talk to the militia and security officers in the factory.

This somewhat humble and pragmatic attitude made the factory leaders a little uncomfortable, but the secretary was the only one who liked him very much. He pulled his arm and asked the factory director to make arrangements immediately.

Because we arrived late, it was almost noon when we got here. After touring several factory buildings, the group had lunch in the small canteen.

After finishing his meal, Zhang Long came out of the small restaurant and patted his belly. "The food was good today. I ate three bowls of rice."

Zhao Hu walked beside Zhang Long, bumped him with his shoulder, and said proudly, "I ate four bowls."

Zhang Long was not very convinced and said: "Actually, I can still continue eating."

Zhao Hu was unwilling to be left behind and said, "I can do the same. I can still eat two bowls."

Lao Wang followed behind them, listening to their childish bickering. He turned his head to see that no comrades from the factory were following him, and whispered, "Do you think it's because the bowl is too small and there's not enough food in it?"

He discovered this when he had his first meal in Lin'an.

People in the south use small bowls and they never fill them up.

Zhao Hu turned around and lowered his voice and said, "Not only the bowl for the rice, but also the plate of vegetables was not full. I didn't dare to eat freely."

Zhang Long didn't care about the quantity, but just sighed, "It is said that Shanghai people are exquisite. Look at those dishes, they are colorful, fragrant and delicious, and even the presentation is very particular."

Lao Wang nodded silently without saying anything.

When he was in Yi County, he used large bowls for meals, soup and vegetables. When he arrived in Lin'an, he felt it was a paradise on earth. It was not until he came to Shanghai this time that he understood why the locals looked at them with contempt.

The people here live such a refined life!

Chang Wei, who was regarded as the guest of honor, naturally could not be so casual. He and the factory leaders walked slowly behind and listened to the factory director's report on the good situation.

It was not until he returned to the office building and Chang Wei took the initiative to walk into the secretary's office that he could finally hear peace and quiet.

The secretary personally poured him a cup of tea and said with a smile, "Team Leader Chang, are you not full?"

Chang Wei smiled and nodded slightly.

"When I first arrived in Shanghai, I often didn't have enough to eat. If I wanted to eat more, I would be laughed at. You are so young, you must not be used to it."

Chang Wei took the teacup and said with a smile: "The weather in the north is cold, so we need enough calories. I have a big appetite."

The secretary did not comment or continue to discuss the topic. He looked at the factory through the window glass and said, "We used to live in the countryside. After entering Shanghai, we had to rely on the working class, thinking that this is where the proletariat is most concentrated."

Chang Wei knew that he had something else to say, so he listened quietly without interrupting.

“After entering the city, we discovered there were many problems.”

"What's the problem?"

"For example, most of the excellent workers with strong technical skills have backgrounds as backbones or members of trade unions outside the Kuomintang. Many ordinary workers have problems such as bad family backgrounds, overseas connections, petty theft, and gang membership in the past. In short, there are many problems among the workers."

“The situation among the workers is also very complicated!”

"Yes, but after a few campaigns, we found that the problem was even bigger. Many workers were selfish and stole things. This was a very serious problem. Stealing became very common."

The secretary sighed and continued, "I have reported this to the higher-ups and considered using the Three Antis Campaign to resolve the issue, but the capital did not agree, saying that the workers are a complex class system but cannot be targeted."

"I used to work in politics. I am not good at production and have made criticisms of the workers' ideological work. Therefore, I am not very popular in this factory. But now that you are here, I still have some ideas that I want to report to the organization through you."

Chang Wei nodded. He already felt that although the secretary was the top leader, he felt a bit sidelined. The one who had the final say in the factory was the factory director. It was just that the secretary represented the organization and was an old revolutionary, so he still had a say.

"I've heard of your deeds. You are a young cadre trained by us. When you come to Shanghai, you should listen more, watch more, and think more. Don't be fooled by them. Capitalism is everywhere here!"

The secretary spoke earnestly, like an old man next door. He stood in front of the window and pointed to a building not far away and said, "That's the workers' club of our factory. We hold dances every week. There is also a billiard table inside. Do you know billiards?"

"I've seen them in hotels, but they're rare in Beijing. Clubs usually show movies, practice calligraphy, and organize learning of opera."

"You're talking about movies. Last year, there was a movie in Hong Kong called... something called "Beauty Trap" that was shown in Shanghai. Did you know that there was a long queue outside the cinema every day for six days and five nights? Some people even held playing cards and casseroles in hopes of exchanging them for a movie ticket?"

At this point, the secretary sighed, "I am not against the workers living a good life. We are making revolution for the proletariat to have enough food and clothing, right? However, there are still many places where people are starving. People here live too... too well!"

Chang Wei understood his concerns very well.

Shanghai is indeed different from other places.

Life here still largely remains the same as in the old society.

They live in two different worlds from other Chinese people.

Everyone here envies the capitalists, but everyone also wants to overthrow them and take their record players and coffee pots back home.

Coming out of the secretary's office, Chang Wei's footsteps were unusually heavy.

A polarized world will bring about storms.

There shouldn't be such big differences within a society or a class.

At this age, he can understand the old man's decision more and more.

This is the wheel of history, and it is not something that can be changed by the absence of a few people.