262

In the current leadership team, there aren't many people who actually get things done.

Oh well, let it go. Even if those people want to cause trouble, we can't just ignore them!

"Thank you very much. As long as Qijia Village remains peaceful, those people won't be able to cause any trouble," said Deputy County Head Niu. He was worried that someone might use the people of Qijia Village to stir up trouble.

Secretary Qi had been through a lot, and he quickly understood what was going on!

"I understand, I will keep the villagers in check," Secretary Qi said with a smile. "There are only a few troublemakers in the village, I will send people to keep an eye on them. Most of the people are quite well-behaved."

"That's good." Deputy County Chief Niu said with a smile, and then talked to Secretary Qi about a few things, telling him to be careful.

Of course, these were all said in private, and only the two of them knew about them.

Amidst everyone's blessings, Qi Ergou embarked on his journey to the provincial capital to pursue his studies.

After that, Qijia Village was busy managing the crops, and He Tiantian's life was busy and fulfilling.

The Snake King and the Little Whirlwind Turtle also cultivate all day long, without disturbing each other!

After a month and twenty days of hard work, Huo Yingjie finally completed the task ahead of schedule.

When Huo Yingjie came out of the lab, he had dark circles under his eyes and looked much thinner than before. His three assistants were also in bad shape, exhausted.

After organizing the data and checking it, Huo Yingjie personally handed it over to Chief Engineer Sun.

"Chief Engineer Sun, this project is complete. Please take a look," Huo Yingjie said respectfully, presenting his work with both hands.

Chief Engineer Sun had been closely monitoring Huo Yingjie's work progress, and he received the news as soon as Huo Yingjie finished. Huo Yingjie truly did not disappoint him, completing the task ahead of schedule.

"Good, not bad." Chief Engineer Sun nodded and said, "I have approved your leave. You just need to register with Director Liu and the Political Department's Security Division."

"Thank you, Chief Engineer Sun," Huo Yingjie said gratefully. He had a 20-day vacation, and after deducting the time spent on the road, he and He Tiantian could spend more than half a month together.

"Take a good rest and I wish you a pleasant holiday," Chief Engineer Sun said with a smile, nodding subtly.

After returning to his dormitory, Huo Yingjie washed up and shaved.

Huo Yingjie looked at himself in the mirror, his hair had grown a bit long, and he looked a little haggard, but still handsome.

After registering tomorrow, he will get a haircut so that he can stand in front of He Tiantian looking his best.

He first went to Director Liu, who immediately processed the paperwork without saying a word. Afterward, Director Liu personally took him to the Political Department's Security Division to explain the reason. The people in the Political Department's Security Division had received Huo Yingjie's application beforehand, which had Chief Engineer Sun's endorsement, so they did not make things difficult for him.

"Comrade Huo, you are an outstanding project completion worker and a national asset. Therefore, you will be on leave tomorrow, and the organization will arrange for someone to protect your safety," Director Hua of the Political Department's Security Section said earnestly. They would not allow Huo Yingjie to get into trouble, nor would they allow him to do anything that would harm the country!

Huo Yingjie was taken aback and asked, somewhat puzzled, "I'm just an ordinary military worker. Is it worth the country wasting military power to protect me?"

This treatment came way too early!

"You may not realize your importance yet, but I can tell you that you are worthy of the country's efforts," Director Hua said. Several of Huo Yingjie's projects this year involved extremely important military projects that had remained unsolved until external assistance was sought. Huo Yingjie completed the tasks quickly and accurately, filling a gap and allowing a crucial weapon to be developed ahead of schedule.

Huo Yingjie paused for a moment, then realized that the project he was working on today must have attracted the attention of his superiors.

Yes, those projects were completed and they did play a significant role.

"Thank you, Director Hua, thank you to the organization, and thank you to the country for your cultivation and protection," Huo Yingjie said, saluting. Although having two people with him was a bit troublesome, it was necessary. The leak incident had been ongoing, and while this was to monitor him, it was also to protect him.

"It's good that you understand," Director Hua said with a smile. "Do a good job, I have high hopes for you. Last time, your girlfriend was worried. When you go to see that young lady, you must explain things properly. As a soldier, especially a military industrial worker, you need a stable home base to work with peace of mind."

"Yes, Director Hua, I've got it." Huo Yingjie smiled, it was rare for the usually serious Director Hua to say something like that.

"Alright, go to the living quarters, get a haircut, and look more presentable. We're soldiers, we're quick, steady, and accurate in our work," Director Hua chuckled. "Kid, I have high hopes for you."

Huo Yingjie readily agreed, looking forward to the trip even more.

Huo Yingjie went to the living area to get a haircut.

There were only a few hairstyles available in that era. Huo Yingjie's hair was a bit long, so he had it styled to be a little longer than a crew cut, which made him look smart and handsome.

Huo Yingjie had quite a few coupons, so he bought two pieces of cloth: a pink floral polyester and a blue floral cotton. He also bought a pair of leather shoes, a pair of sandals, and two pairs of short stockings. Because of the heat, Huo Yingjie didn't buy any food, worried it would spoil before they even arrived at their destination.

The next morning, Huo Yingjie carried a large rattan box and, after a thorough inspection, saw Director Hua approaching with two soldiers.

"Salute!" The two soldiers saluted in unison.

Director Hua smiled and said, "These are the soldiers protecting you!"

"Thank you, Director Hua. Can we set off now?" Huo Yingjie asked. If they didn't leave now, they probably wouldn't be able to catch the train tonight.

"Okay, have a safe journey." Director Hua nodded. "You must take good care of Comrade Huo's safety on the road."

"Yes, sir!" The two soldiers stood ramrod straight and saluted.

"Where is your luggage?" Huo Yingjie asked. He was going to be gone for twenty days, not just a day or two, and it didn't seem right for them not to bring any clothes.

"Comrade Huo, our luggage is in the car, please go ahead!" the young soldier replied with a smile.

I see!

"Let's go then," Huo Yingjie nodded and left with the two soldiers.

Sitting in the car, Huo Yingjie thought to himself, "Outstanding people get special treatment."

Last year when he went home for the Spring Festival, he could only hitchhike on the road and was even looked down upon by two inexplicable women; this time, when he took a vacation to visit his girlfriend, he not only had a private car to pick him up, but also someone to protect him.

One of the two soldiers protecting Huo Yingjie sat in the passenger seat, while the other sat in the back seat with Huo Yingjie.

The young soldier sitting in the back seat kept smiling, which puzzled Huo Yingjie.

"What's making you so happy that you keep smiling?" Huo Yingjie couldn't help but ask, hoping to get along well with them since they would be spending twenty days together.

The young soldier grinned and said, "Comrade Huo, don't you remember me?"

Huo Yingjie was taken aback. To be honest, the face did look somewhat familiar, but he had been using his brain too much lately and couldn't quite make it out for the moment.

"Excuse me, I can't remember for a moment." Huo Yingjie apologized, feeling a little embarrassed that he hadn't recognized the cute little soldier.

The young soldier smiled, not minding at all, and said with a smile, "Comrade Huo, it was at the end of last year when I went to the train station and offered to see you off. Those two female soldiers gave me a hard time, and you even spoke up for me!"

Huo Yingjie suddenly realized who this person was, and extended his right hand, saying, "I'm sorry, it was my fault before, I didn't recognize you, please forgive me."

"It's alright, Comrade Huo. I've heard that you researchers often overuse your brains, so it's normal that you couldn't remember for a moment," the young soldier said understandingly. "My name is Li Yunzhong, and the man in front of me is my comrade Zhang Aijun. For the next twenty days, he and I will protect you. I hope we can get along well, and I wish you a pleasant holiday."

Huo Yingjie smiled and said, "Thank you very much, you've worked hard."

"It's no trouble at all, it's what we should do," Li Yunzhong said. "We expect to get to the train station in three hours. The tickets have already been bought, so there's plenty of time. Don't worry."

Huo Yingjie was taken aback, and once again sighed, "Although I have lost some freedom, my welfare benefits have really improved a lot."

In this era, Huo Yingjie was already very satisfied that the country could achieve this.

Along the way, Huo Yingjie and Li Yunzhong chatted, but once they left the military camp and weapons research institute, they both avoided work and talked mostly about the local customs and culture of their hometown.

After chatting, Huo Yingjie had gained a basic understanding of them.

Li Yunzhong, the young soldier, was cheerful and talkative, but he knew how to speak appropriately. Zhang Aijun, a bit older, probably around twenty-six or twenty-seven, was relatively more composed and didn't say much, his eyes alertly scanning his surroundings.

Upon arriving at the train station, they led Huo Yingjie directly through a special passage to wait for his train.

That's great, I don't have to squeeze in with so many people anymore.

When boarding the train, you are given priority.

The journey was long, and they were in sleeper berths. Huo Yingjie and Zhang Aijun were in the lower berths, while Li Yunzhong was in the upper berth diagonally above Huo Yingjie.

On the train, Li Yunzhong was always busy buying meals for everyone.

Huo Yingjie lived a life where he was waited on hand and foot; even when he went to the toilet, someone would wait outside for him.

This feeling is a bit comfortable, but also a bit tense.

They finally arrived in Taoyuan County. The train was surprisingly on time. Huo Yingjie and his group arrived in Taoyuan County just after noon. They exited the train station and went straight to a restaurant for lunch.

They arrived at Taoyuan Hotel, where Niu Lili worked.

Upon seeing the three people enter, Niu Lili stepped forward and asked, "Comrades, please come in and have a seat. There are four seats over there."

"Thank you!" Huo Yingjie said politely, following behind Niu Lili and sitting down in the designated spot.

"What would you like to eat?" Niu Lili asked. Because she was close by, she could see Huo Yingjie clearly and felt that he looked familiar, as if she had seen him somewhere before.

"I want beef noodles, what about you guys?" Huo Yingjie asked the two men beside him. The perks this time were really great, meals were even provided. The two young soldiers had been paying for their meals the whole way, and they could get reimbursed by their unit.

"We want beef noodles too," Zhang Aijun said. "How many grain coupons? How much?"

Niu Lili calculated and said, "A large bowl costs 50 cents and two ounces of grain coupons."

"Alright! Three big bowls, please," Huo Yingjie said, to avoid Zhang Aijun being too frugal, so he gave him a big bowl while the two of them ate small bowls.

They claimed that since it wasn't training, there was no need to eat too much; just being 70% full was enough.

Huo Yingjie knew they were soldiers of high moral character who were saving food for the country, but he didn't want it to be like this. How could they not have enough to eat?

This meets basic needs, not extravagance!

"Please wait a moment!" Niu Lili said with a smile, glancing at Huo Yingjie one last time before leaving.

Zhang Aijun glanced at Niu Lili's retreating figure and whispered, "Please note, we should eat the noodles that are coming later first."

"What's wrong?" Li Yunzhong looked around alertly. "Is there enemy activity?"

Zhang Aijun lowered his voice and said, "That female comrade just now stared at Comrade Huo several times."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunzhong laughed and said, "Aren't there quite a few people keeping an eye on Comrade Huo along the way?"

“This…” Zhang Aijun smiled wryly. Good-looking people always attract attention, no matter where they are. Huo Yingjie did indeed receive a lot of attention along the way.

After telling the kitchen staff, Niu Lili sat behind the counter and glanced at Huo Yingjie a few more times.

Where have I seen this before?

Zhang Aijun keenly noticed Niu Lili's gaze and became even more cautious. This woman was suspicious. If she wasn't from a hostile force, then she was attracted to Huo Yingjie's appearance.

Niu Lili has always had a good memory; she remembers almost every customer who comes to the shop. Now, seeing Huo Yingjie, she couldn't recall him for a moment, and she felt very upset. So she took a plate, picked up some of the restaurant's best-chosen, refreshing side dishes, and brought it over, wanting to take one last look.

Zhang Aijun became even more vigilant, staring at Niu Lili.

"These are the side dishes provided by our restaurant. You can get more if you're finished. Take only what you can eat, so as not to waste anything," Niu Lili quickly explained, noticing Zhang Aijun's wary gaze.

"Thank you!" Huo Yingjie said with a smile.

At that moment, Niu Lili suddenly thought of someone, or rather, a photograph.

"I know who you are! You're Huo Yingjie, aren't you?" Niu Lili asked excitedly. He Tiantian had shown her a picture of Huo Yingjie before, which was why Niu Lili couldn't figure out who he was for a moment.

Zhang Aijun and Li Yunzhong quickly stood up and blocked Huo Yingjie's way, asking, "Who are you, and why do you know Comrade Huo?"

Niu Lili was startled and took a step back. She recognized Qi Rongjun's features in them and knew they were soldiers. Anyone who would require military protection like Huo Yingjie was definitely not simple. These people were dressed in civilian clothes, not in uniform, presumably to conceal their military identities.

The two women's wary gazes made Niu Lili realize her earlier rashness, and she quickly explained, "I'm He Tiantian's good friend, and she showed me Huo Yingjie's photo."

Upon hearing the name He Tiantian, all three of them were taken aback.

The person who gets Tianbao to share photos must have a good relationship with her.

"I see. What's your name?" Huo Yingjie asked. Since she was Tianbao's good friend, she was also his friend.

Zhang Aijun and Li Yunzhong were slightly relieved. (To be continued.)