In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Section Chief Tian's grand promises had an immediate effect.

Li Daguo and Yang Guangming talked for a long time, analyzing their current strengths and weaknesses, and formulating a more detailed plan for entering the mountains and a training program.

Li Daguo was even more eager to go into the mountains again tomorrow and wipe out all the prey in the western mountains.

“Before, it was twice a week, which was unavoidable. The harvest was small, and the running was tiring, so it inevitably affected our enthusiasm.” Li Daguo rubbed his hands. “Now it’s different. With you, Guangming, we are full of confidence! I think we should change it to three times a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and the rest of the time for training or patrols. What do you think?”

After thinking it over, Yang Guangming realized that going into the mountains three times a week wouldn't be a burden for him; on the contrary, it would allow him to accumulate points faster.

He nodded and said, "I have no problem with that. I'll follow Captain Li's arrangements. However, it also depends on Section Chief Tian and the factory's opinion, since it involves personnel allocation and the use of firearms and ammunition."

“I’ll talk to them!” Li Daguo patted his chest confidently. “The reasons are readily available. In order to complete the tasks assigned by the factory faster and better, and to ensure a more stable supply of meat, it is necessary to increase the frequency. Section Chief Tian will definitely support it, and maybe we can even apply for more bullet quotas.”

As Li Daguo had predicted, when he reported his idea of ​​increasing the frequency of mountain expeditions to Section Chief Tian, ​​Section Chief Tian agreed almost without hesitation.

He even proactively offered to explain the situation to the department and factory to seek more support.

“You’re all motivated, that’s a good thing,” Section Chief Tian said at the time. “But you need to pay attention to the balance between work and rest, especially Guangming, who is the main force. We can’t let him get worn out. You can decide the specific arrangements yourselves. If you have any difficulties, feel free to come to me.”

With the imperial edict in hand, Li Daguo and Yang Guangming immediately sprang into action.

When the members of the hunting team heard that they would be going into the mountains more often, they not only did not complain, but were all overjoyed.

For them, hunting in the mountains, especially with a sharpshooter like Yang Guangming, was almost entirely safe. Although trekking through mountains and rivers was arduous, compared to the monotonous patrols or training in the factory area, activities in the mountains felt more like a kind of "leisure" with a mission-like nature.

More importantly, the harvest is guaranteed!

In the past, eight out of ten times when venturing into the mountains, the harvest was meager. At noon, they could only eat the cold, dry rations they brought with them. Returning and handing over the meager game they had brought back wouldn't bring any real benefits, at most a verbal praise. Over time, their enthusiasm naturally waned.

Now? With the sun shining brightly, every trip into the mountains feels like a "stocking up" trip.

With more game and more to hand over, the factory took it seriously, and they felt proud. Most importantly, as long as the harvest met the target, they could cook a stew of one or two pheasants or rabbits on the mountain at noon, and everyone could enjoy a hearty meal.

In these times of scarcity, a hearty meal of meat is more powerful than any moral encouragement. Just the thought of this midday treat is enough to fill all the team members with anticipation for their journey into the mountains.

The news quickly spread throughout the security department.

The guards from other departments and other teams were green with envy when they heard that the hunting team could eat meat in the mountains at noon.

Many people privately approached Li Daguo or familiar hunting team members, subtly inquiring whether they could "take me along" on their next trip into the mountains.

“Hey Li, look, we’re all brothers from the same section. Your hunting team is doing really well now, why don’t you let us brothers benefit too? I’m a pretty good shot and I’m in good shape, I promise I won’t hold you back!” one of the patrol team members said to Li Daguo.

"Brother Tiezhu, do you need someone to carry things next time we go into the mountains? I'm strong, I can carry it!" This was a request from a simple and honest man in the guard team to Wang Tiezhu.

At first, Li Daguo hesitated.

After all, the hunting team was a formally established unit, and having extra personnel involved raised a series of issues such as safety, discipline, and the distribution of the spoils. However, after consulting with Section Chief Tian, ​​he adopted an open attitude.

"They're all from the security department. It's a good thing they want to go and learn and get some experience."

Section Chief Tian seemed pleased with the idea, saying, "As long as it doesn't affect your hunting team's normal mission and doesn't violate safety regulations, you can bring a couple more along."

But the number of people must be controlled; no more than three at a time, and they must obey Li Daguo's commands. As for the harvest... they're considered helpers; they can have lunch with us, but they can't participate in the final distribution of the spoils.

With Section Chief Tian's instructions, Li Daguo felt more confident. So, from the next trip into the mountains, the hunting team would often include one or two "unofficial members." Sometimes, there were even three or four.

These unofficial personnel, all in high spirits, carried rifles issued by the factory and followed the team into the mountains.

They may not be as good marksmen as Yang Guangming, or even as good as some of the veteran members of the hunting team, but their enthusiasm is unprecedented. They are alert and take the initiative to do odd jobs such as scouting, carrying heavy objects, collecting firewood and fetching water.

For them, being able to handle a gun and go into the mountains for "real combat" is a rare experience and a source of enjoyment in itself. Not to mention, there's the mouthwatering mountain meat feast as the ultimate reward.

Therefore, the competition for each spot is fierce, and team leader Li Daguo is needed to coordinate the allocation.

Yang Guangming was pleased with this outcome.

Many hands make light work. While these unofficial team members may not contribute much to shooting, they do take on a lot of miscellaneous tasks, allowing the official members of the hunting team to focus more on searching and shooting. Moreover, this atmosphere of "mentoring newcomers" and cross-team exchange is beneficial to enhancing unity within the security department.

For Yang Guangming personally, this is also a way to quickly expand his social circle.

Of course, the core output still relies on him.

In the next two trips into the mountains, Yang Guangming continued his stable and efficient performance.

On his first trip into the mountains, he personally caught nine pheasants, five rock partridges, six doves, and four rabbits, for a total of twenty-four.

On his second trip into the mountains, he seemed to have better luck, killing 28 prey on his own.

Although they never encountered large prey such as wild boars or roe deer, the steady production of small prey was still quite valuable.

The team's total catch, thanks to the sporadic contributions of the non-members and the gradually improving hit rate of the regular members, remained stable at around forty each time, with a total weight fluctuating around eighty pounds.

This number made the canteen logistics manager beam with joy every time he saw Li Daguo. It also made Section Chief Tian stand ramrod straight when reporting to the factory leaders.

Yang Guangming silently calculated his points.

As Section Chief Tian said, each small game item is worth one point. His two trips into the mountains added another fifty-two points. Combined with the twenty-six points from his first trip, his total points reached seventy-eight points after just three trips.

The 500-point threshold for housing eligibility seems far off. But if he can maintain this pace—three times a week, 25 points each time—that's 75 points a week. Then, in about seven weeks, less than two months, he can accumulate 500 points!
This calculation ignited a fire within him.

While a single room in a tenement building may not have a separate kitchen and bathroom, it at least offers a completely private space of one's own. One can discreetly prepare meals there, store things one doesn't want others to see, and significantly improve one's quality of life.

Li Daguo was equally thrilled.

The hunting team's current achievements are dazzling. A stable supply of over 200 jin (approximately 100 kg) of meat per week is unique among all the factories and mines in Pingyang County.

These days, every two or three days, the factory canteen can serve diced chicken or rabbit meat in the large pot of stew. Although each worker may only get one or two pieces, the long-lost meaty smell is enough to make the workers talk about it for days.

Since the arrival of the sun, the ordinary workers' complaints about the hunting team have long since vanished, replaced by unanimous praise and eager anticipation.

Under these circumstances, Li Daguo felt that it was almost a foregone conclusion that the hunting team would be transformed into a permanent squad.

He now walks with a confident stride and speaks with a strong voice, already planning how he, as the team leader, can better carry out his duties and how to secure more resources and authority if the hunting team becomes a permanent institution.

The other official team members, such as Wang Tiezhu and Zhao Xiaohu, were even more enthusiastic.

Every trip into the mountains felt like a festival. They would eat meat until their mouths were greasy, and when they returned to hand over their game, the envious looks from their colleagues in other departments gave them a sense of accomplishment that made them fall deeply in love with their work as a hunting team.

They genuinely admired and supported Yang Guangming, their vice-captain.

Those unofficial members who occasionally managed to participate became the hunting team's most active "promoters."

Back in his original department, he would always embellish his experience of going into the mountains, focusing on how Yang Guangming was incredibly accurate with his shots and how the stewed meat at noon smelled delicious for miles around.

This further solidified Yang Guangming's reputation as a "sharpshooter" in the security department and even the factory, and made more people eager to get the next "mountain experience voucher".

The days passed quietly in a regular and fulfilling rhythm. In the blink of an eye, Yang Guangming had been working in the security department of Dongfang Pharmaceutical Factory for a full week.

During this week, he quickly adapted to the new work and life rhythm and felt a long-lost sense of satisfaction.

While hunting in the mountains was certainly exciting and rewarding, even the days spent at the factory were well-paced.

When not going into the mountains, I usually spend my mornings in the security office handling paperwork, or learning team management from Li Daguo, and familiarizing myself with the key areas and patrol routes of the factory.

The afternoons are mostly for training. Sometimes they practice shooting and physical training at the training ground, and sometimes they participate in temporary patrols in a certain area of ​​the factory.

This rhythm of "one day in the mountains, one day in the factory" is quite leisurely for Yang Guangming.

When venturing into the mountains, he was the absolute core and main force. In the dense forests, his keen senses and precise marksmanship were fully utilized, leading the team to numerous fruitful results. This feeling of gaining recognition and creating value through his own abilities was fantastic.

When he stayed at the factory, he was more like a newly promoted security officer.

I arrive at and leave work on time, complete my assigned tasks, exchange and learn with colleagues, and occasionally participate in less stressful patrols.

This regular, calm, and even slightly "leisurely" work environment gave him ample time to observe, reflect, and quietly integrate into this new group.

For a man, especially one like him who has been tempered by countless lifetimes of experience and now possesses exceptional shooting talent, his current job—hunting in the mountains—is the most ideal and "leisurely" activity he can find right now.

There are no complicated interpersonal conflicts, no tedious and repetitive mechanical labor, the goals are clear, the results are intuitive, and you can also enjoy the fun of the mountains and forests and the thrill of hunting.

Needless to say, this job is directly related to his personal interests—housing allocation eligibility and rank promotion.

The food in the canteen was still simple, but with the stable supply from the hunting team, the occasional diced meat always brought a little surprise.

The dormitory living conditions are not exactly comfortable, but with my points steadily increasing and my own single room seemingly getting closer, the current inconvenience doesn't seem like much.

He got along well with his roommate, Zhao Xiaohu. Xiaohu was lively and straightforward, and he admired Yang Guangming, the "sharpshooter" vice-captain, immensely, and took good care of him in daily life. The two lived comfortably in the same room.

His relationship with the other members of the hunting team grew increasingly close.

Wang Tiezhu's honesty and simplicity, Zhang Jianguo's straightforwardness and competence, and the unique characteristics of Liu Zhiqiang and others all made Yang Guangming feel that the group had a good atmosphere.

As the team leader, Li Daguo had his own plans and expectations, but he genuinely supported and protected Yang Guangming, and their cooperation at work became increasingly seamless.

The captains and key members of the other teams in the security department, such as Zhang Jianjun of the security team, Wang Fugui of the patrol team, and Zhou Guoping of the guard team, although they had not had much contact yet, were all very polite to each other. Their attitude became even more friendly after they expressed their appreciation for Yang Guangming's marksmanship and the hunting team's contributions.

Yang Guangming is very satisfied with the current situation. Everything is developing in a positive direction; with a down-to-earth approach, the future looks promising.

On Tuesday morning, Yang Guangming had no plans to go into the mountains. According to the new shift schedule, their hunting team had just gone into the mountains on Monday, and their next trip was scheduled for Wednesday.

This morning, he and Li Daguo were in the security department office organizing last week's mountain-going records and planning Wednesday's route and supplies.

Others in the office were also busy. Zhang Jianjun, the captain of the security team, was reviewing several dispute mediation records, his brow slightly furrowed.

Patrol team leader Wang Fugui, holding a teacup, discussed in hushed tones with deputy leader Sun Youcai about several potential hazards near the factory perimeter wall.

The phone ringing in the slightly noisy office wasn't particularly abrupt.

The main office phone is primarily used for internal communication with various departments within the factory, as well as for non-urgent official communications. The phone in Section Chief Tian's office is of a higher priority.

Zhang Jianjun, who was close to the phone, answered: "Hello, Public Security Section... Oh, looking for Comrade Yang Guangming? May I ask who you are... County Public Security Bureau? Captain Lin? Okay, please wait a moment."

Zhang Jianjun covered the microphone, looked up and shouted, "Guangming, it's a phone call. Captain Lin from the county public security bureau is looking for you."

Upon hearing this, Yang Guangming put down his pen, got up, and walked over. Li Daguo also looked up, casting a concerned glance at him.

The other voices in the office also quieted down, and many people looked at Yang Guangming. A call from the police station was unusual.

Yang Guangming took the microphone: "Hello, this is Yang Guangming."

Lin Guodong's familiar and cheerful voice came from the other end of the phone, seemingly with a hint of a smile: "Guangming, it's me, Lin Guodong. Did I disturb your work?"

“Brother Lin, no, no, you’re too kind,” Yang Guangming said immediately, his tone naturally warm and friendly. In private, Lin Guodong would tell him to call him “Brother Lin,” and he would readily comply.

"What do you want from me?"

"Yes, something's come up. Are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner," Lin Guodong said, getting straight to the point.

"Eating? Brother Lin, what's this...?" Yang Guangming was somewhat surprised.

"Nothing special, just the two of us brothers and my cousin, sitting together and chatting," Lin Guodong explained. "My cousin, He Dongliang, is the deputy captain of your security team, you know him, right?"

Yang Guangming's heart skipped a beat. He certainly knew He Dongliang—a deputy captain who looked shrewd and capable, and much more talkative than Zhang Jianjun. It turned out he was Lin Guodong's cousin. He hadn't known this connection before.

“Of course I know Captain He. So he’s your cousin,” Yang Guangming said.

“Yes, we’re cousins.” Lin Guodong laughed. “Look at our connection. It’s 6:30 tonight, at the ‘People’s Restaurant’ on the street east of your factory. I know it’s close to your factory. Dongliang is going too. You can come over together after get off work. It’s just a casual meal and a chat.”

After a moment's hesitation, Yang Guangming readily agreed: "Okay, Brother Lin, I'll go with Captain He after get off work. Thank you for your expense."

"It's no trouble at all, just a simple meal. It's settled then, see you tonight." Lin Guodong seemed to be in a good mood.

See you tonight, Brother Lin.

After hanging up the phone, Yang Guangming returned to his seat. Li Daguo leaned over and whispered, "Captain Lin from the Public Security Bureau? They want to have dinner with you?"

"Well, they said it was nothing much, just a get-together. They even invited Captain He Dongliang, saying he's his cousin," Yang Guangming explained simply.

Li Daguo suddenly realized: "He Dongliang is Team Leader Lin's cousin? I've heard that before. That's a good thing, we should get to know each other better. Team Leader Lin is a good guy, very loyal. He Dongliang is also well-liked in our department, and easier to talk to than Team Leader Zhang."

The others in the office were curious, but they didn't ask any further questions. After all, everyone knew about Yang Guangming's previous act of presenting the banner, and it was normal for him to have a personal relationship with Lin Guodong.

Shortly after starting work in the afternoon, He Dongliang, the deputy captain of the security team, walked into the office of the Security Science University.

He walked straight to Yang Guangming's desk, a smile on his face: "Guangming, busy?" Yang Guangming stood up: "Captain He, not busy. What brings you here?"

"My cousin should have called you by now, right? He invited us to dinner tonight," He Dongliang said with a smile. "He asked me to invite you over after get off work. I was afraid you'd forget, so I came to let you know."

"How could I forget? Brother Lin mentioned it on the phone at noon." Yang Guangming laughed too. "Then shall we walk together after get off work?"

"Sure! I'll finish up some things on my end, around 5:30, and then I'll come find you," He Dongliang said readily. "People's Hotel, you know where that is, right?"

"I know, it's not far to the east of the factory."

"Alright, see you tonight." He Dongliang patted Yang Guangming's arm, nodded to Li Daguo and the others in the office, and then turned and went back.

After He Dongliang left, Li Daguo whispered to Yang Guangming, "It seems that Captain Lin really wants to befriend you. He Dongliang is quite a figure in the department, and for him to personally come to invite you shows a lot of respect. Have a good chat tonight; it's all about connections."

Yang Guangming nodded. He understood Li Daguo's good intentions and was aware of the importance of such interpersonal relationships in the current environment.

Lin Guodong is a powerful figure in the Public Security Bureau's Security Brigade, and He Dongliang is a key deputy captain in the Security Section of the Factory's Security Department. Both of them are worth getting to know better.

At 5:30 p.m., He Dongliang finished dealing with a minor dispute in the workshop and appeared on time at the security office. Yang Guangming had also finished packing his things.

The two said goodbye to their colleagues who were still in the office, and then left the security office building together.

On a spring evening, the sky was still bright, a gentle breeze caressed my face, carrying a slight chill, but it was very comfortable.

The factory area was bustling with people leaving get off work, the sounds of bicycle bells and workers' laughter mingling together, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

As they walked out of the factory gate, He Dongliang casually took out his cigarette case and offered one to Yang Guangming. Yang Guangming waved his hand and politely declined, saying, "Thank you, Captain He, but I don't smoke."

He Dongliang didn't force him. He lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled a thin stream of smoke.

"Guangming, how have you been doing at the factory these past few days? The hunting team has really made a name for itself; now everyone in the factory knows that our security department has a sharpshooter as deputy captain." He said with a smile, his tone casual yet familiar.

"It's all thanks to everyone's hard work; I just got lucky," Yang Guangming said modestly.

“Excessive modesty is just arrogance,” He Dongliang said with a smile, pointing at him with the finger holding a cigarette. “I’ve heard that you carried most of the harvest by yourself, and your marksmanship is terrifying. My cousin spoke highly of you when he mentioned you to me last time. Those two banners and thank-you letters you received helped him a lot.”

Yang Guangming's heart stirred slightly, and he followed up by asking, "How's Brother Lin doing lately? Is work going well?"

"Smoothly, how could it not be smooth?" He Dongliang flicked his cigarette ash, his tone tinged with pride. "The official document has been issued. My cousin is now a proper captain of the county public security bureau's public order brigade!"

Yang Guangming promptly revealed a surprised and delighted expression: "Really? That's wonderful! Congratulations, Brother Lin! This is a joyous occasion! No wonder Brother Lin is treating us to a meal today, it turns out it's a happy occasion!"

"So, the reason he's having this meal today is twofold: first, to thank you for the banner you presented earlier—at this crucial juncture, a letter of thanks from our Dongfang Pharmaceutical Factory carries significant weight; second, to celebrate," He Dongliang explained. "He originally wanted to invite a few more people, but after thinking about it, he decided that the three of us would feel more comfortable and it would be easier for us to talk."

As they talked, the two soon arrived at the "People's Hotel".

This is a state-run restaurant located on the street. The storefront is small, and the name of the restaurant is written on a dusty, gray sign. Some faded promotional posters are pasted on the glass windows.

Lin Guodong was already waiting at the door.

He was wearing a police uniform, looking energetic, with a bright smile on his face.

"Pillars of the nation, radiance! You're here!" Upon seeing the two, Lin Guodong immediately came forward to greet them.

"cousin."

"Brother Lin."

The two greeted each other.

"Come on, let's go in. I've already made a reservation." Lin Guodong led the two into the restaurant with practiced ease.

The restaurant was more spacious inside than outside, with a dozen or so square tables, most of which were occupied by diners. The air was filled with the aroma of food and the cacophony of voices. A small blackboard stood against the wall, displaying the day's menu in chalk.

He Dongliang was clearly a regular here. He glanced at the small blackboard and smiled at a female waitress in her forties who came to greet him, "Sister Wang, am I not too late? Do you still have braised catfish?"

The waitress, addressed as Sister Wang, smiled and nodded: "Little He is here, there are three more."

"Great! I'll have this." He Dongliang said immediately, then looked at the blackboard, "And one mixed shredded vegetables, one stir-fried cabbage with vinegar, and one potato slice. For the staple food... Guangming, cousin, do you want steamed buns or rice?"

Lin Guodong said, "I'll have a steamed bun."

Yang Guangming also said, "I'll have a steamed bun too."

"Then six steamed buns," He Dongliang said to Sister Wang. "And a pot of tea. Hurry up and bring the dishes, Sister Wang, we're all starving."

"Okay, you can go sit in the small room inside first. The food will be served when it's ready." Sister Wang quickly wrote it down and pointed to a small private room separated by a curtain inside the restaurant.

The three of them lifted the curtain and went inside. The small private room was indeed very small, with only a square table, four chairs, and some promotional posters on the walls, but it was quiet and convenient for talking.

After we sat down, Sister Wang first brought us a pot of coarse tea and three white porcelain teacups.

Lin Guodong took the initiative to pick up the teapot and pour tea for the two of them, and then said again, "Guangming, this is the second time we've eaten together. Last time it was at the police station canteen, there were too many people, so it wasn't convenient to talk. Today there are no outsiders, just the three of us, so let's have a good chat."

Yang Guangming accepted the teacup with both hands: "Thank you, Brother Lin. I haven't had a chance to properly thank you for what happened last time."

"Oh, don't be so formal."

Lin Guodong waved his hand, "That's part of my job. But you, you delivered the banner and thank-you letter promptly, and your sentiments were deep."

Especially the one your factory's union sent, which said "Police and civilians work together to ensure production," hit the nail on the head.

Our director even specifically mentioned at the meeting that Dongfang Pharmaceutical Factory truly lives up to its reputation as a large provincial-level factory; its vision is truly impressive.

This recognition was a great help in my promotion.

He Dongliang chimed in, "That's right. My cousin's position as the head of the public security brigade has been vacant for a while, and quite a few people are keeping an eye on it."

My cousin is capable and qualified, but at crucial moments, a formal expression of gratitude from a key organization represents tangible achievements and a strong foundation of support, instantly adding weight to his position.

Yang Guangming quickly said, "Brother Lin has real skills. Our factory is just reporting the situation truthfully. If it can help Brother Lin, that would be great."

"We complement each other, we complement each other," Lin Guodong said with a smile, clearly in a very good mood.

He took two glass bottles of Fenjiu liquor from his bag and placed them on the table. "I'm happy today, let's have a drink. I saved up my tickets for a long time to get this liquor."

"Fenjiu! This is good stuff!" He Dongliang's eyes lit up. "My cousin really went all out today."

Yang Guangming also said, "Brother Lin has gone to so much trouble."

"What's the expense? The most important thing is to be happy," Lin Guodong said, unscrewing the bottle cap. The rich aroma of the wine immediately wafted out.

At this time, the waiter began to serve the dishes.

First came a cold dish of shredded vegetables, followed by stir-fried cabbage with vinegar and braised potato slices. Finally, served in a large enamel basin, was the only meat dish of the day—home-style stewed catfish.

The catfish chunks in the pot were soaking in a dark brown broth, along with some stewed tofu and glass noodles. It was steaming hot and smelled delicious.

In this day and age, such a hearty dish is definitely a sincere offering for entertaining guests.

"Come on, let's eat and chat." Lin Guodong invited, picking up a piece of fish with his chopsticks first. "The stewed fish at this restaurant tastes good, and the ingredients are of high quality."

Yang Guangming and He Dongliang didn't stand on ceremony and started eating. The fish was fresh and flavorful, the tofu was soaked with broth, and the glass noodles were smooth and delicious.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, the atmosphere became increasingly harmonious.

He Dongliang started talking non-stop. He focused on telling Lin Guodong about Yang Guangming's "heroic deeds" after he joined the factory.

"Cousin, you have no idea how well Guangming has thrived in our hunting team."

On my first trip into the mountains with a team, I hunted twenty-six wild animals all by myself! Pheasants, rabbits, rock partridges, and doves—every shot hit its mark!
The entire factory workforce has been overjoyed this past week; the canteen smells deliciously of meat every day.

He Dongliang spoke in an exaggerated tone, but his expression was serious: "Now their hunting team goes into the mountains three times a week, and each time they harvest at least seventy or eighty catties of meat."

In our factory canteen, we get meat every few days. Everyone in the factory now praises their hunting team and admires Guangming's excellent marksmanship.

Lin Guodong nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with even more admiration as he looked at Yang Guangming: "Guangming, I knew you were no ordinary person long ago. You're cultured, sensible, and I never expected you to have such amazing marksmanship. Well done, gold shines wherever it is. You'll definitely have a bright future at the pharmaceutical factory."

Yang Guangming raised his glass and said, "Brother Lin, Captain He, if you keep praising me like this, I won't be able to drink anymore. I just did my job and got a little lucky. I'll need more guidance from you in the future."

"It's not so much about giving pointers, but about looking out for each other."

Lin Guodong clinked glasses with him, drank it all in one gulp, his face slightly flushed. "You're in the factory, and although you and Dongliang aren't in the same team, you're in the same department. If you need anything in the future, or if you encounter anything you don't understand, just go to him."

Although your security department is simpler than the general public, places with lots of people always have their share of complexities. Dongliang has worked there for a long time and knows many people; he can be of help.

He Dongliang also said seriously, "Guangming, my cousin is right. Our security section, the captains and deputy captains are generally quite honest and don't have too many tricks up their sleeves."

Team Leader Zhang is a bit serious and doesn't talk much, but he's upright and conscientious. Team Leader Wang is more diplomatic and has a wide network of connections. Team Leader Zhou is reliable and steady.

Overall, it's alright.

But since you're new here, you might not be aware of the little conflicts and underhanded dealings between departments or among team members.

If you encounter anything you're unsure about in the future, or need to ask for information, feel free to ask me.

These words were spoken from the bottom of his heart.

Sunshine could clearly feel the sincerity in it.

He raised his glass again: "Thank you, Brother Lin, thank you, Captain He. I'm new here, and it's my good fortune to have met such caring brothers like Brother Lin and Captain He. This glass is for you both."

The three men clinked their glasses together, making a crisp sound, and then each tilted their heads back to drink. The fiery liquor slid down their throats, a warmth spreading from their stomachs throughout their bodies, and their relationship seemed to deepen with each sip of the drink.

The conversation gradually expanded, from work to life, from interesting things at the factory to changes in the county town.

Lin Guodong recounted some bizarre cases encountered by the police, He Dongliang shared some gossip about certain leaders in the factory, and Yang Guangming appropriately shared some interesting anecdotes from his hunting trip. The atmosphere was lively and relaxed.

Two bottles of Fenjiu were shared among the three of them, and before they knew it, they were empty. Lin Guodong and He Dongliang both had a good tolerance for alcohol, and Yang Guangming's body was young, so his tolerance and control over alcohol far exceeded that of ordinary people. Therefore, all three of them were only slightly tipsy and not drunk.

Looking at the time, it was almost 8:30 PM. Most of the other guests in the restaurant had already left.

Lin Guodong called the waiter to settle the bill. The waiter brought the bill, and Lin Guodong started to take out his money. Yang Guangming and He Dongliang did so almost simultaneously, each taking out their food coupons from their pockets.

“Cousin, this meal is to celebrate your promotion, so I won’t rush to pay the bill, but you have to accept the food coupons.” He Dongliang said, counting out three ounces of food coupons and placing them on the table.

Yang Guangming also took out three grain coupons: "Brother Lin, Captain He is right. You treat us to this meal, but we'll have to pay for the grain coupons ourselves."

This is an unwritten rule for hosting a dinner party nowadays.

The person hosting the dinner pays for the food, but the guests have to pay for their own staple food with food coupons.

After all, food is rationed, and there's only so much each month. If you miss even a single bite, you'll go hungry. We can't let the person hosting the party pay both money and receipts; that would be too much of a burden.

Seeing this, Lin Guodong knew he couldn't refuse, so he didn't insist and said with a smile, "Alright, I'll pay for the vegetables, you can pay for the food coupons yourselves. I'll treat you properly next time."

After paying the bill, the three got up and left the private room. As they stepped out of the restaurant, a gentle evening breeze helped to sober them up a bit.

The streets were nearly deserted, and the streetlights cast a dim, yellowish glow.

"Guangming, go back and get some rest." Lin Guodong patted Yang Guangming on the shoulder. "Keep in touch. Dongliang, take good care of Guangming at the factory."

"Don't worry, cousin, I've got it covered," He Dongliang replied.

"Thank you, Brother Lin, thank you, Captain He. We had a great meal and a pleasant chat today," Yang Guangming said sincerely.

"As long as you're happy. That's settled then, I'm heading this way." Lin Guodong pointed in another direction.

"Take care, Brother Lin."

"Cousin, be careful on the road."

Lin Guodong waved his hand and disappeared into the night with steady steps.

He Dongliang and Yang Guangming walked side by side toward the pharmaceutical factory.

“Guangming, my cousin is a loyal and sentimental person. You saw it today; he genuinely wants to be your friend,” He Dongliang said as they walked.

“I understand, Captain He. It’s fate that we can become friends with you two cousins, and it’s also my good fortune,” Yang Guangming said.

"Hey, let's not stand on ceremony." He Dongliang smiled. "In the future, if you need any help in the department, whether it's work or life, just ask. The hunting team is now the face of our security department. If you work hard, you might be able to rise to a higher position in the future."

The two talked for a while and quickly returned to the factory gate. Then, they parted ways in front of the security office building and went back to their dormitories. (End of Chapter)