Upon hearing this, Li Xiangdong realized it was almost 8:30, so he quickly took Zhao Sufang and ran back, while Li Zhen accompanied Huang Guimei and Li Yan.

Before the two even reached the office door, they saw Li Jin inviting Liu Donglai and a few others to leave, and the two sides met up.

Outside, people had already prepared firecrackers, with a long bamboo pole carrying a string of 1,000-shot firecrackers, just waiting for the order to light them.

Liu Dong glanced at his watch; the hands had already struck 8:27. He smiled and said, "Everyone, get ready! Don't miss the auspicious time of 8:30!"

Everyone stood in the order they had agreed upon beforehand. Liu Donglai was naturally in the center, with Wang Fugen, Li Jin, and Wang Zhenbo to his left, and Factory Director Yan, Li Xiangdong, Li Tang, and Zhao Sufang to his right.

When the time came, someone lit the firecrackers, and the "crackling" sound of firecrackers rang out. A group of children clapped and jumped around, waiting for the firecrackers to stop so they could pick up the duds.

Li Jin first said a few opening remarks, and then invited Liu Donglai to speak.

Liu Donglai cleared his throat and said loudly, "Fellow villagers! I am especially happy to be able to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the establishment of the first brigade collective enterprise in Huichuan County today!"

"This is an innovation, an exploration. We hope this company can lead all the people of Lijiapo Brigade onto a path of prosperity!"

"I also hope that the Lijiapo Cannery can become a model, influencing more production brigades and leading to the establishment of more collective enterprises. In short, I want to say congratulations to the people of Lijiapo Brigade!"

Before he could finish speaking, Li Qing and Li Kang in the audience took the lead in applauding, and everyone's face was filled with happy smiles as they clapped enthusiastically.

Next was Wang Fugen, who also solemnly stated that he would definitely support the team-run enterprise, which won enthusiastic applause from everyone.

Next up was the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Following the customs of ribbon-cutting in later generations, Li Xiangdong had several large red flowers made of red cloth, and invited Li Zhen, Ning Ruoruo, Li Guoling, and several other young girls from the village to act as etiquette ladies, bringing up the red flowers, and also giving each of them a pair of scissors.

Ning Ruoruo was carrying a plate when she walked up to Liu Donglai. Liu Donglai was talking to Wang Fugen next to him, but when he caught sight of the girl in front of him, he was stunned.

He stared intently at the girl in front of him, growing more and more suspicious and alarmed. He wanted to ask her something, but the occasion was inappropriate. He suppressed his excitement, picked up the scissors in front of him, and prepared to cut the ribbon.

Just then, someone suddenly shouted, "Secretary Liu—Director Wang—"

The crowd, who were about to grab the scissors for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, looked up and saw two people riding bicycles speeding towards them.

Hu Shusong and Sun Zhiqing abandoned their car and ran this way.

The two only heard this morning that Secretary Liu and Director Wang had come to Lijiapo for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, but Li Jin did not inform them. This is outrageous!

For the past ten days or so, the two of them have lived in constant fear. The results of the investigation into Deputy Director Zhang have been announced. He has not only been removed from all his posts, but has also been handed over to relevant departments for investigation into his dereliction of duty and corruption cases in recent years.

As Zhang's two loyal lackeys, Hu Shusong and Sun Zhiqing felt a sense of impending doom, always thinking that the knife was about to fall on their heads. Therefore, the two were always trembling with fear and wanted to show their loyalty to Secretary Liu, but they just didn't know how.

Now that Secretary Liu has come to our Wudahe Commune, this is an excellent opportunity.

Hu Shusong ran up to Liu Xiangdong, panting, and said with a bow and a smile, "Secretary Liu! Director Wang! We are so honored that you could come to our Lijiapo Brigade of Wudahe Commune to cut the ribbon! On behalf of all the members of Wudahe Commune, I thank you!"

Sun Zhiqing couldn't run as fast as Hu Shusong. He arrived after Hu Shusong finished speaking, and he followed behind with a big smile on his face.

Liu Dong glanced at the two of them, his face expressionless, and said, "We're about to cut the ribbon."

This means you'd better get out of here. I'm not here for you. Don't be so polite and delay the auspicious time for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Hu Shusong kept saying "yes, yes, yes," while glancing at Li Jin repeatedly, "Why don't you hurry up and keep us here for the ribbon-cutting ceremony!"

Unfortunately, Li Jin was blind and didn't respond to the challenge or say anything; he just stood there motionless like a piece of wood.

Hu Shusong and Sun Zhiqing had no choice but to stand awkwardly to the side.

It was well past 8:30, and Li Tang, as the ceremony's host, shouted, "Please, guests, cut the ribbon now!"

"Click! Click! Click!"

The sharp scissors cut the red cloth in one swift motion, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony was officially completed.

"Please, Secretary Liu Donglai and Director Wang Fugen, unveil the ribbon!"

Liu and Wang removed the red cloth covering the plaque, and someone immediately took it and placed it on the gate using a ladder.

As the plaque slowly rose, the sunlight shone on the golden characters, making them even more dazzling. Everyone spontaneously began to applaud again. Li Xiangchao and Guo Daming lit two more strings of "Dadi Hong" firecrackers, and the crackling sound of firecrackers sent up a cloud of smoke.

People smelled the distinctive sulfurous odor of firecrackers and felt even happier today than during the Lunar New Year!

Once the firecrackers stopped going off, the ribbon-cutting ceremony was officially over.

Li Jin then invited Liu Donglai, Wang Fugen, and others to visit the fish canning factory. Liu Donglai was currently preoccupied with many things and initially wanted to refuse, but after thinking for a moment, he said, "Director Wang, let Captain Li show you around. I'm a bit tired, so I'll rest in the office first, and we can leave together after you've finished."

Wang Fugen smiled and nodded, then left with Li Jin and the others, leaving only Liu Donglai and Li Xiangdong in the room.

Liu Donglai beckoned to Li Xiangdong and whispered, "Go and call over the little girl who gave me the scissors during the ribbon-cutting ceremony."

Li Xiangdong's eyes widened in disbelief!

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