Courtyard House: Drunk and barging into the Xu family's house, I woke up numb.

"Cao Xu, thank you!"

Cao Xu said softly.

"Didn't I just thank you? Why..."

Cao Xu couldn't finish his sentence; he stood frozen, feeling the softness on his lips.

It wasn't until Ding Qiunan ran far away again that he came to his senses, savoring the moment and the icy touch. Cao Xu remained speechless for a long time.

When did this little girl become so bold? Running over to kiss him in broad daylight, this is truly unprecedented.

He had just reached the security office when he ran into Sun Guofu, who was returning from an outing.

"Cao Xu, I heard that Qin Huairu caused trouble at the factory office?"

Cao Xu gave a polite greeting and replied.

"Being fired is never a pleasant experience, so it's normal to make a fuss. There's nothing to be surprised about."

"He should be receiving criticism and education in the interrogation room."

Sun Guofu was taken aback.

“Criticism of education?”

"I heard she scratched Deputy Factory Director Li's face, and that's all the criticism and education she got?"

Cao Xu said.

"Then what else do you want?"

"Are you suggesting we have her come to your office and pull this stunt next time?"

Sun Guofu was speechless.

"I……"

He thought for a moment and then continued.

"But we can't tolerate people who disrespect their superiors and threaten their leaders."

Cao Xu said.

"Then why don't you handle it?"

Sun Guofu thought for a moment and waved his hand.

"Fine, let's do it your way."

“This morning I didn’t listen to your advice and reported Qin Huairu to be expelled.”

"As a result, Li Huaide took advantage of the loophole, handled the matter specially, and directly confirmed it, even going so far as to pin a huge charge on me..."

Cao Xu knew that Sun Guofu reported the dismissal as a way to make a show of severe punishment and deter the workers who liked to cause trouble.

Then, Director Yang suggested that, considering Qin Huairu's husband and family circumstances, she should be given a lighter punishment, such as being made to sweep the streets or clean toilets.

By combining kindness and severity, Sun Guofu established his authority, while Director Yang showed kindness and won over a group of workers—a win-win situation.

However, both Director Yang and Director Wang said they were notified at the last minute to attend a meeting.

After Sun Guofu reported the matter to the deputy factory director in charge according to procedure, Li Huaide immediately gave him special treatment on the grounds that the factory director and the head of the personnel department were not present and that the matter had a bad influence.

In the eyes of the public, Sun Guofu became the culprit who disregarded the actual circumstances of workers' families and enforced the law too harshly, and became the scapegoat to take the blame for others.

"By the way, I have something to tell you. The deputy director of our security department has been appointed."

"He's coming to take up his post tomorrow. Come with me to pick him up."

Cao Xu said.

"After much anticipation, our deputy director is finally about to reveal his true colors."

"Director, do you know this person's background?"

Sun Guofu shook his head.

"I don't know. Let alone her background, I don't even know her name."

"The only thing that is certain is that this person is a lesbian."

Cao Xu was stunned.

"Lesbian?"

Sun Guofu said.

"You didn't expect 4.6 either, but that's just how reality is."

“I went to the bureau today, and the leader told me that they would take care of our factory.”

"They're worried that some unhealthy practices have resurfaced in our factory lately, so they sent a female colleague over to make things easier."

"I heard that this person wasn't sent down from the bureau, but was parachuted in from above, and managed to squeeze out the originally assigned person."

"In my opinion, he's either the son of an official or the son of a military officer."

Cao Xu agreed with Sun Guofu's view, since the originally appointed deputy director was supposed to take office around the fourth day of the Lunar New Year.

Then there was no further news. I thought they wouldn't send anyone for a while, but now they've suddenly sent someone in.

I just don't know who this mysterious deputy director who intercepted the deal is, or what his background is.

P.S.: It's pretty obvious who this deputy director is!

Chapter 157 Xia Jie: Section Chief Cao, nice to meet you! [Please subscribe]

At 10:00 a.m. the following day, Wu Youcai, deputy director of the bureau’s staff office, arrived at the main gate of the steel rolling mill in his jeep.

Wang Youyu, director of the personnel department of the steel rolling mill, Sun Guofu, director of the security department, Cao Xu, head of the security department, and others greeted them at the main entrance.

After the jeep arrived at the door, Wu Youcai and the others got out of the car, and Wang Youyu stepped forward to shake hands with them.

"Director Wu, welcome to our steel rolling mill for guidance."

Wu Youcai also shook hands with Wang Youyu and smiled.

"Director Wang, you're too kind. I'm just here to take a look around the factory. I wouldn't dare to offer any guidance."

He then shook hands with Sun Guofu, Cao Xu, and others in turn.

At this moment, Cao Xu's attention was entirely focused on the woman behind Wu Youcai; he recognized her.

This person was none other than Xia Jie, a demobilized soldier whom Cao Xu had picked up at the guesthouse.

Wu Youcai's group consisted of only four people, and she was the only woman among them, so her identity was obvious.

He saw Xia Jie, and Xia Jie saw him too, but unlike him, there was no surprise in her eyes.

18 Instead, she secretly winked at herself. At this moment, Wu Youcai turned around and pointed to Xia Jie behind him, introducing her.

"This is Comrade Xia Jie, the young cadre I brought to you this time."

"Comrade Xia Jie was appointed as the deputy director of your factory by Deputy Director Zhou."

Following Wang Youcai's introduction, everyone exchanged pleasantries, which naturally included a handshake.

When Cao Xu shook hands with Xia Jie, this woman who had kept it a secret from him from beginning to end without a word, playfully scratched his palm.

After exchanging pleasantries, Wang Youyu said...

"Director Wu, Factory Director Yang and the others are still waiting in the conference room. Shall we go over there directly?"

Wu Youcai nodded.

"Director Wang is right. Let's talk in the conference room. It's freezing cold outside, so let's not let everyone get cold."

As soon as Wu Youcai finished speaking, a few laughs rang out around him, and then everyone followed the familiar route to the factory office building.

Cao Xu knew that this was not the time for the two of them to "reminisce," and since Xia Jie did not take the initiative to greet him, Cao Xu did not bring it up.

When he arrived at the meeting, Wu Youcai read out the bureau's appointment of Xia Jie in accordance with the rules, and then gave a speech that sounded like it was full of profound meaning.

After completing the necessary procedures, Wu Youcai drove away without having a meal at the steel rolling mill as usual.

Wu Youcai's act of leaving as soon as he finished his business has already made his stance clear.

After everyone else left, the way several factory leaders looked at Xia Jie changed slightly.

Although the person in charge had left, the banquet that had been prepared in advance was already set up, so everyone had no choice but to turn the banquet into a welcome feast.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Xia Jie left early, saying she wanted to take a walk around the factory. Director Yang then arranged for Cao Xu, the head of the security department, to accompany her.

As for why he was sent, it's simple: he was the lowest-ranking person at the welcoming banquet, and everyone else was a factory leader.

If he doesn't go to accompany them, does he expect the factory director or deputy factory director to do so?

Once outside, the two walked along the main road of the steel rolling mill, and Cao Xu looked at his old friend Xia Jie beside him.

At this moment, Xia Jie is different from the delicate girl she was when we first met, different from the decisive woman she was when facing the robbers, and different from the girl-next-door image she had at the Cao family's old house.

She now exudes a more capable and efficient air, which can be described as heroic and dashing.

The two walked quietly down the road without saying a word.