Courtyard House: In times of famine, my hamster became a spirit.

As someone who deals with superiors all the time, Deputy Factory Director Li knew what it was without even getting a close look.

penicillin!

Moreover, it's an original imported product with labels entirely in English!

These days, this thing isn't called medicine, it's called life.

Deputy Factory Director Li's face was full of greed, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

He instinctively turned his head to scan both ends of the corridor, making sure no one was there, before taking a half-step forward, his voice extremely low and even trembling: "Where...did you get this?"

With a flick of his wrist, Zhou Jianguo made the box of medicine that countless people would fight tooth and nail for disappear as if by magic.

"Where it came from is not important." Zhou Jianguo looked directly at Deputy Factory Director Li. "This is a little bit of family wealth left by our elders. Director Li, I'm clumsy and don't know how to cook or entertain guests, but I know the rules—especially how to separate public and private matters."

Deputy Factory Director Li is a shrewd person.

Zhou Jianguo's words were like handing a ladder to his feet.

This is an easy question.

On one side is Sha Zhu, a cook who only knows how to flip woks, spews nonsense, and loves to cause trouble.

On one hand, there's penicillin, which can save his brother-in-law's life, help him maintain his position in the family, and even allow him to build a stronger network of connections.

Choosing Sha Zhu? Only someone with a brain kicked by a donkey would choose Sha Zhu!

What kind of technical backbone? What kind of hospitality mission?

In the face of real, tangible benefits, it's nothing at all!

Deputy Factory Director Li gave Zhou Jianguo a deep look.

The young man's gaze was so steady that even the deputy factory director felt a chill run down his spine.

This isn't the look of an ordinary worker; it's the look of a wolf that hasn't yet shown its claws.

"Good! Good comrade! Your awareness is truly high!"

Deputy Factory Director Li's expression softened, as if Zhou Jianguo were his half-brother.

He reached out and patted Zhou Jianguo on the shoulder heavily.

"You're absolutely right, we must keep public and private matters separate! Our factory's atmosphere has indeed been tainted by a few bad apples. These black sheep must be dealt with severely, without any leniency!"

With a slight smile, Zhou Jianguo smoothly slipped the cool medicine box into the pocket of Deputy Factory Director Li's Zhongshan suit while shaking hands.

"Director Li is wise. Then I won't keep you from upholding justice."

"Don't worry, the factory will not wrong an innocent person, nor will it let a bad person go unpunished." Deputy Factory Director Li pressed the hard box through the fabric, feeling relieved, but a fierce glint appeared in his eyes.

The two brushed past each other, their unspoken understanding unspoken.

……

Inside the interrogation room.

Wang Zhenggang, with a dark expression, was unfastening the partition on the interrogation chair for Sha Zhu.

Sha Zhu rubbed his wrist, which was red from being strangled, with a smug look on his face. His arrogance was about to overflow again: "Go easy! I'm telling you, Section Chief Wang, I'll talk to Director Li later and see if I can get your brother-in-law into the canteen too? He'll be a good apprentice under me, it won't be bad for him."

Yi Zhonghai stood aside with a forced smile, a huge weight lifted from his heart: "Alright, Zhuzi, say no more. This time, we are very grateful for Director Li's magnanimity. Quickly thank Section Chief Wang."

"Why thank him? He's just stubborn, destined to be a doorman..."

"Bang!"

The interrogation room door was pushed open, and the door slammed against the wall with a loud bang.

Deputy Factory Director Li left and then returned.

When Sha Zhu saw the newcomer, his face crinkled into a wide grin, and he eagerly moved closer, saying with a cheeky grin, "Oh, Director Li, you haven't left yet? I'm heading back now, and I'll make sure you get a proper special meal tomorrow to calm your nerves..."

"Get your dirty hands off me!"

A loud shout, like a bolt from the blue, completely stunned Sha Zhu.

Deputy Factory Director Li slapped away Sha Zhu's outstretched hand, rubbed it against his clothes in disgust, and his expression was ten times darker than it had been in the corridor.

"He Yuzhu! You've disappointed me so much!"

Deputy Factory Director Li pointed at Sha Zhu's nose, spitting all over his face, "The organization trusted you and entrusted you with such an important position, and this is how you repay the organization? You're embezzling from your post! You're undermining socialism! You're tarnishing the reputation of the entire working class!"

The interrogation room fell into a deathly silence; not even a breath could be heard.

Everyone was stunned.

Yi Zhonghai's smile froze, his lips trembled, completely unable to keep up with the rollercoaster-like turn of events: "Director Li... Director Li? Didn't you just say..."

"That was giving him a chance to confess! I didn't expect him to be so rude and show no remorse!"

Deputy Factory Director Li interrupted Yi Zhonghai sternly, turned to look at the astonished Wang Zhenggang, waved his hand, and roared decisively, "Section Chief Wang! The previous disciplinary action is null and void! If this black sheep isn't dealt with severely, how can I face the thousands of hardworking employees in the factory?"

He said in a chilling tone, "Cuff him! Detain him for now, until the factory committee decides! Those who should be fired will be fired, those who should be sent to the police will be sent to the police! This must be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law! No one can plead for leniency!"

"This..." Wang Zhenggang was stunned for a second, then a surge of joy welled up in his heart.

Although I don't know if Deputy Factory Director Li has taken the wrong medicine, this order is just what I want!

"Yes!!" Wang Zhenggang roared, fearing that Director Li would change his mind.

"No...no! Director Li! That's not what you just said!" Sha Zhu panicked completely, his legs went weak and he almost knelt down on the spot, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets. "I'm Zhu Zi! Didn't we just agree on Tan Family Cuisine..."

"Take him away! Can't you understand human language?" Deputy Factory Director Li didn't even glance at him, turning his back in disgust.

Two security officers, who had been holding back their anger for a long time, pounced on the enemy like wolves and tigers, this time with deadly intent.

"Grandpa! Help me! Grandpa! What's going on?!"

Sha Zhu's pig-like screams echoed in the interrogation room, so mournful and shrill they were almost jarring.

Yi Zhonghai stood there, looking as if all his energy had been drained away.

He stared at Deputy Factory Director Li's cold and resolute back, then at Sha Zhu being dragged to the detention room like a dead pig. His mind went blank, buzzing.

What exactly happened?

We had already turned the page, so how come the sky fell down just because I went to the bathroom?

He subconsciously turned his head to look outside the door.

In the shadows at the end of the corridor, Zhou Jianguo slowly turned and left.

The figure wasn't tall, but in Yi Zhonghai's blurred vision, it appeared unusually cold.

The interrogation room door slammed shut, shutting out all the noise.

Zhou Jianguo walked out of the security building. The night wind blew by, carrying the chill of early winter.

He reached into his pocket and felt it; it was empty.

One box of medicine can change the future of an enemy and, incidentally, slap that hypocrite's face in the face.

This deal was incredibly profitable.

But this is just the beginning.

He looked up at the pale moon overhead, straightened his collar, and walked briskly.

"Silly Pillar is gone, so... who's next?"