Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

After sitting for a while longer, feeling that the time was right, Liu Jianguo got up to say goodbye and returned to his office as the deputy director of the security department.

After handling some routine documents in the office, I noticed the clock on the wall was about to strike 5:30 PM, just as I was about to leave work. Then I heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

The office door was pushed open, and Li Bing rushed in, his forehead beaded with sweat, his breathing slightly rapid, but his face beaming with the excitement of completing a task. Upon seeing Liu Jianguo, he immediately lowered his voice and reported:

"Director! It's done! The matter is resolved!"

Seeing that he was panting, Liu Jianguo pointed to the teacup on the table and said in a calm tone, "There's no rush. Take a breath, have some water, and speak slowly."

He needed Li Bing to provide a clear report of every detail.

Li Bing did as instructed, picked up his teacup, took a large gulp, and after a moment, when his breathing had become more even, reported in an even quieter voice:

"Director, it was done as you instructed. I found out about Qin Family Village, and it is indeed a very poor mountain village. I secretly observed that Qin Huairu's family has an older brother who is not young anymore. He can't find a wife because his family can't afford the bride price."

Li Bing's language was direct and ruthless, carrying the efficiency of a suicide squad member on a mission: "I went straight to her father and got straight to the point. I said there was a leader in the city who could give his son a permanent job, plus an extra 20 yuan in cash, on the condition that Qin Huairu go with the leader, without any official status. In other words, I bought her with a job and 20 yuan."

Despite being mentally prepared, Liu Jianguo still paused involuntarily when he heard the word "buy" uttered by Li Bing, and subconsciously repeated:

"purchase?"

This word sounds so jarring in the new society.

"Yes, buy it."

Li Bing confirmed, his tone completely calm, "Her father went back and discussed it with her mother, and maybe her brother, behind closed doors for a long time. In the end, they came out and said they agreed. However, her father also made a request, saying that now it's a new society, and reputation is important. To outsiders, it has to be said that their daughter married into the city, that it was a proper marriage, but the man is older or has a special job, so it's inconvenient to publicize it."

Liu Jianguo fell silent; he needed to calm down.

This was the first time since he transmigrated that he had so directly and nakedly experienced the cruelty left over from the old society and the helplessness of the lower classes.

A mix of shock, slight discomfort, and even a hint of secret guilt swept over me.

But soon, another emotion took over: since they were the beneficiaries, and both parties were willing to give and receive, it seemed inappropriate to criticize them too much.

Even deep down, he couldn't help but feel a bit of anticipation and curiosity as a man about to meet Qin Huairu, the graceful and vibrant woman he remembered.

The end-of-get off work bell rang throughout the factory area, and rousing revolutionary songs began to play from the loudspeakers.

In an instant, the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill was like a giant beast awakening from its slumber. The doors of countless workshops opened, and crowds of people dressed in blue and gray overalls surged out like a tide.

The workers chatted and laughed, pushing their bicycles or walking, their faces showing the weariness of a day's work and the longing to go home. The sounds of broadcasts, bicycle bells, and clamor mingled together, creating a vibrant and characteristic scene of the "fiery era" as they left work.

Liu Jianguo and Li Bing also pushed their carts out with the flow of people.

When Liu Jianguo reached the fork in the road near the canteen on the main road of the factory area, he saw Li Wu leading two members of the security department, setting up a checkpoint near the back door of the canteen to conduct spot checks on workers carrying packages after get off work. This was a routine inspection to prevent theft of food, oil and other supplies from the canteen.

Just then, a commotion arose at the front of the line. Li Wu was seen struggling with a slightly overweight young kitchen worker in a white chef's uniform, seemingly in an argument. The chef's face was flushed, and he was agitated, clutching his canvas satchel tightly.

Liu Jianguo stopped and observed calmly. A lot of thoughts raced through his mind in an instant:

Li Wu and his team had just taken office as squad leaders and needed to establish their authority by making contributions. This opportunity to "catch someone red-handed" was a good chance for them to accumulate experience and participate in more real cases. Only by continuously achieving results could they solidify their status as "workers in place of cadres" and pave the way for their future official cadre status and promotion. With this in mind, he decided to intervene.

Liu Jianguo pushed his bicycle over, his voice low but authoritative: "Li Wu, what's going on?"

Upon seeing Liu Jianguo, Li Wu immediately straightened his back, saluted, and loudly reported:

"Reporting to the director! We conducted a routine check of items taken home today. When we randomly checked this colleague from the cafeteria, he strongly resisted and refused to open his bag for inspection. However, his bag was noticeably bulging and its shape was suspicious!"

He pointed to the chef's satchel.

After Li Wu finished his report, Liu Jianguo's sharp gaze, carrying a faint but palpable killing intent honed on the battlefield, swept directly towards the kitchen staff member.

The young cook was struck by that gaze and instantly seemed frozen in place. His arrogance vanished, his face turned pale, and his lips trembled as he tried to explain, but he couldn't utter a single word. He could only mumble incoherently, and cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead.

He had only one thought in his mind: "I'm done for! I've been caught red-handed! I'm definitely going to lose this job! My parents will kill me when I get home!"

Ignoring his fear, Liu Jianguo turned to the two team members beside Li Wu and commanded in a calm but unquestionable tone:

"You two, take him back to the security office and keep him under separate supervision."

Then he said to Li Wu, "Li Wu, you go too. Follow the proper procedures, search his bag and personal belongings, take a statement, and interrogate him in detail."

He deliberately left himself an out, saying, "We'll discuss everything when I arrive tomorrow morning and review the interrogation records. If there's really nothing there, and it's just a misunderstanding, we'll release him according to the rules once the matter is clarified."

After speaking, Liu Jianguo, with a slightly stern expression, said something to the ashen-faced cook, which served as both a warning and a message to the surrounding workers:

"Comrade, cooperating with the investigation is the proper course of action. It's the duty of the security department; the inspection is to prevent the loss of state property. If you really didn't take anything, we will never wrongly accuse you."

This statement sounds grand and is beyond reproach.