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

"Deputy Factory Director Li, take out your notes."

The voice, though not loud, carried an unquestionable command.

Li Huaide shuddered, instinctively pulling out a pen and notebook, bending over like a shrimp, his voice trembling: "Sir, I've remembered your instructions, every single word!"

"First, this Yi Zhonghai, his technical skills may be at a high level, but his moral character is a failing grade!" The high-ranking leader's gaze was piercing, his tone chilling. "He's using the exploitative class's 'suffering is a blessing' mentality for moral blackmail—what kind of behavior is this? This is the style of an old-fashioned gang leader! This kind of person controlling the grassroots discourse is a dereliction of duty on our part! We must investigate thoroughly and rectify this!"

The pen nib made a screeching sound as it scratched across the paper, and cold sweat dripped from Li Huaide's forehead onto the notebook, spreading into a blot of ink.

He knew perfectly well: Yi Zhonghai was finished.

This is tantamount to putting a coffin lid on Yi Zhonghai's head. Anyone who dares to overturn Yi Zhonghai's case in the future will be going against the organization!

"Yes! Yes! I will immediately organize a joint investigation by the security department and the propaganda department when I get back! We will not tolerate this!" Li Huaide nodded vigorously.

Zhou Jianguo sat in the corner, looking at Li Huaide's disheveled appearance, and he had only two words in his heart: satisfaction.

The high-ranking leader picked up his teacup to moisten his throat, his gaze sweeping over the barely touched plate of Mapo Tofu on the table, his brows furrowing again: "And there's He Yuzhu, the one who cooked earlier."

Upon hearing the name He Yuzhu, Li Huaide's heart skipped a beat.

This was his trump card, which he originally intended to use to host a private banquet for a high-ranking leader.

"This guy has skill, but that's about it." The senior leader shook his head, his tone revealing undisguised disgust. "The food reflects the man. Those dishes were too fiery and too dry. A chef who can't calm down will only produce food that's restless and superficial. I don't think he's arrogant; he's dishonest."

At this point, the senior leader glanced at Zhou Jianguo, his admiration deepening, then turned to Li Huaide and said coldly, "If this kind of person isn't properly disciplined, he'll cause big trouble sooner or later if placed in an important position. From now on, don't let him touch my food."

With a "clatter," the pen in Li Huaide's hand slipped and fell to the ground.

This one sentence was tantamount to sentencing Sha Zhu to death.

As long as the top leader is still in power, does Sha Zhu want to show his face at the steel mill's reception banquet?

Go dream!

"I've got it! I've got it all!" Li Huaide picked up the pen, cursing Sha Zhu's ancestors for eighteen generations in his mind.

That silly Zhu, he's usually so arrogant, but today he messed up at a crucial moment and even offended the big boss!

Go back and transfer him to the kitchen; I absolutely cannot let him jeopardize my career!

The dinner party ended.

The secretary glanced at his watch and stepped forward to whisper, "Sir, there's an important war preparedness meeting this afternoon."

The senior leader nodded and stood up, using the handrail for support.

Li Huaide darted to the door and opened it, his humble posture almost making him the doorknob.

Zhou Jianguo also stood up and stood to one side, saying, "Take care, leader."

The high-ranking leader walked to the door and suddenly stopped.

He didn't go out, but turned around, his gaze passing over Li Huaide and landing directly on Zhou Jianguo.

"Little Zhou."

"exist."

The high-ranking leader pulled a dark red notebook from the inner pocket of his Zhongshan suit.

The leather of that notebook was worn and faded, clearly an old personal item.

That was a confidential memorandum from the top leader!

The leader opened the cover, pulled out a pen, and quickly wrote down a string of numbers.

Immediately afterwards, with a crisp "rip", the paper was neatly torn off.

The senior leader walked back to Zhou Jianguo and handed him the note.

"Take it."

Zhou Jianguo took it with both hands, glanced at the string of numbers, and was shocked, but his face remained calm: "Sir, this is..."

"This is my home phone."

This short sentence, every word like a heavy hammer, left Li Huaide completely bewildered.

"I don't like seeking special treatment, nor do I like interfering in grassroots work beyond my authority. But..." The senior leader paused.

"However, if anyone is unreasonable, abuses their power, or makes you, an honest person, suffer a great injustice with nowhere to turn for help, then call this number and come directly to me."

The senior leader patted Zhou Jianguo on the shoulder: "We, the working class, have shed blood and sweat; we can't let you shed tears anymore. But I also have one request—the sword can slay evil, but it cannot harm the innocent. Understand?"

Zhou Jianguo felt as if the note in his hand was incredibly heavy.

He took a deep breath and gave a standard salute:

"Understood! I will not attack unless attacked; if attacked, I will punish them no matter how far away they are!"

"Good! That's got guts!" The big boss laughed heartily, then strode out of the private room without looking back.

Li Huaide stood frozen in place, his head buzzing.

It's a private phone number!

Li Huaide has served the big leader for so many years, always at his beck and call, sending gifts and greetings during holidays, yet all he has now is the secretariat's office phone number.

Did Zhou Jianguo actually obtain such extraordinary resources from just one meal?

What does this mean?

This means that as long as Zhou Jianguo is willing, he can bypass the factory director and the party secretary and speak directly to the top leader!

How can this be considered a first-class fitter?

Li Huaide mechanically followed the farewell until the Hongqi sedan disappeared from sight, at which point he seemed to relax completely, as if a muscle had been pulled out.

He turned around and looked at Zhou Jianguo, who was slowly adjusting his cuffs.

The next second, Li Huaide's face turned into a somewhat fawning smile.

"Hey, Brother Jianguo!"

Li Huaide rushed up the steps in three strides, grabbed Zhou Jianguo's hand, and acted as if they were half-brothers.

"Look at the mess this has made! It's like the flood washed away the Dragon King's temple! I was so blind before, I never imagined there was such a dragon hidden in our factory!"

Li Huaide held Zhou Jianguo's hand tightly, not letting go, and gently patted the back of Zhou Jianguo's hand with his other hand, lowering his voice, his tone ambiguous and urgent:

"Jianguo, I've kept what the big leader said in mind. Don't worry about Yi Zhonghai and Shazhu, I'll definitely get revenge for you! Also, isn't it a waste of your talents to work in the fitter's workshop? How about this, tomorrow... no, right now I'll sign the papers and transfer you to the logistics department as deputy director! If we brothers join forces, won't we be the ones calling the shots in this steel rolling mill from now on?"

Li Huaide's plan was meticulously executed.

Since we can't suppress them, let's try to win them over!

As long as Zhou Jianguo is tied to his side, wouldn't the connection with the top leader become a resource for Li Huaide?

Zhou Jianguo looked down at Li Huaide's well-maintained hands, then at his face, which was full of calculation and ingratiation.

If he were still the same honest and simple Zhou Jianguo, he would probably be moved to tears of gratitude long ago.

But Zhou Jianguo was completely unmoved, and even felt a little like laughing.

That's human nature; when you're weak, he's a wolf.

When you're powerful, he's just a dog.

He slowly withdrew his hand from Li Huaide's palm.

Li Huaide's hand froze in mid-air, his smile frozen.

Zhou Jianguo took half a step back, creating some distance:

"Director Li, you flatter me. The senior leader just taught us to uphold principles. I'm a craftsman, paid like a fitter, and rely on my skills for a living. The position of deputy director is too high. My hands, used to holding files, are probably not up to the task of holding a teacup."

Li Huaide's expression changed, and he was about to speak to persuade Zhou Jianguo when Zhou interrupted him.

"As for Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu..." Zhou Jianguo raised his eyelids, "I don't need anyone to stand up for me, I just need the factory to give me justice. As long as the rules and regulations are followed and certain people aren't allowed to get away with things, that's the greatest care you can give me. What do you say, Director Li?"

These words were both soft and firm, seemingly gentle yet containing a hidden barb.

It not only demonstrated Zhou Jianguo's unwillingness to compromise his principles, but also subtly warned Li Huaide – don't try to use me, and don't try to fool me.

I keep the big boss's phone number in my pocket. If you act unfairly, I don't mind using you as a test subject.

Looking at the young man in front of him, who was twenty years younger than him, Li Huaide felt a sudden rush of cold sweat down his back.

"Yes, yes, yes! Brother Jianguo, you're so insightful! I misunderstood, I was being too worldly!" Li Huaide reacted quickly, immediately giving himself a way out. His expression turned serious. "Don't worry! From today onwards, as long as you're here, no one will dare to interfere in this kitchen area! As for Yi Zhonghai's matter, I'll hold a factory-wide meeting tomorrow to issue a public reprimand! I must give you and all the factory workers justice!"

This is him making a statement, and also showing weakness.

He was telling Zhou Jianguo: I won't mess with you, and you shouldn't mess with me either.

He nodded, which was taken as agreement.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Director Li. It's getting late, I'll head back now."

After saying that, Zhou Jianguo turned around and walked towards the old-fashioned bicycle parked in the corner, which rattled everywhere except for its bell.

Zhou Jianguo straddled his bicycle, braced himself on one foot, and turned back to take a deep look at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

Li Huaide remained standing on the steps, watching him leave like a statue.

Zhou Jianguo reached out and pressed his hand into his chest pocket.

That thin piece of paper, pressed against my heart, was frighteningly hot.