At that moment, he wanted to disappear into the ground, utterly humiliated. One could imagine that by tomorrow, the news of Qiao Erbao squatting on the ground would be circulating throughout the entire steel mill, from middle management upwards.

"Two comrades, come and help Director Qiao inside," Xu Damao instructed the male comrade from the security department.

What happened next made everyone present at the auto repair shop break down and burst into laughter. Two tall and strong security guards grabbed Qiao Erbao by the arms and lifted him up from the ground, then escorted him into the shop like a prisoner.

"You, you're all so outrageous!" Qiao Erbao was so angry he almost vomited blood.

"Oh, it really is Director Qiao. What's going on? We didn't receive any notification. Young comrade, remember this, this is Director Qiao from our steel rolling mill. You can go in directly from now on."

When Xu Damao saw the two of them, he almost burst out laughing, so he could only talk to the security guards to distract himself.

"Welcome Director Qiao to inspect the auto repair shop," Xu Damao said.

"Please invite Director Qiao to the factory to provide guidance." After waiting for a while, seeing that Qiao Erbao was squatting there without moving, Xu Damao continued.

"Um, my leg is numb and I can't move it," Qiao Erbao said helplessly and awkwardly.

"Hey, Director Qiao is short. If you're helping him up, it'll be like escorting a convict. Just hold his arm," Xu Damao said considerately, though he might as well not have said anything.

"Let go, I have other things to do today. I'll go back first and come back in a few days." Qiao Erbao suddenly broke free from the security officer and limped into the car.

"What are you still squatting there for? Come on!" Qiao Erbao yelled at the driver.

After being yelled at by Qiao Erbao, the driver knew it was time to leave the auto repair shop. Despite his numb legs, he forced himself to move into the car.

"Director Qiao, how about we have a simple meal before you leave?" Xu Damao sincerely invited.

"Don't worry, I'll definitely go in for dinner, but whether the factory manager will still be you by then is uncertain," Qiao Erbao said ruthlessly.

Watching the two men reverse and prepare to drive away, Xu Damao was helpless. What could he do if the leaders passed by the factory gate without entering? Wouldn't this make him seem unhospitable?

"Buzz...bang"

Just as Xu Damao was leading everyone to head back, they suddenly heard a loud noise behind them, which startled them so much that they quickly sought cover. In those days, enemy reconnaissance planes would occasionally intrude, so everyone was very vigilant.

After waiting for a while and seeing no other sounds, everyone looked for the source of the noise.

"Quickly, save them!" Xu Damao shouted.

It turned out that the loud noise was caused by Qiao Erbao's car crashing into a roadside wall. The wall collapsed, the car was also crushed, and the fate of the people inside was unknown.

All ten people ran to the scene of the car accident and worked together to clear away the broken walls, and then they were able to see what was inside.

The situation didn't seem too bad; at least Qiao Erbao's cursing could be heard, but the driver seemed to have passed out.

"What are you looking at? Get me out of here! My leg is broken, get me to the hospital!" Qiao Erbao said urgently.

Xu Damao didn't think about anything else at that moment. If this person died on his side, he would also bear some responsibility. So, while directing the people to clean up, he also directed others to find the factory's doctor.

With many hands making light work, Qiao Erbao and the driver were pulled out in just a few minutes. Qiao Erbao's leg was crushed by the truck bed, while the driver had no external injuries and was conscious. It seems the driver swerved at the crucial moment, and Qiao Erbao, sitting in the passenger seat, bore the brunt of the impact.

"It hurts so much! Call a doctor! I'm going to be crippled!"

When people are vulnerable, it doesn't matter whether they're leaders or not; everyone's life endurance is the same. Qiao Erbao had finally turned his luck around, but he hadn't even enjoyed it for a few days. If he were to lose his leg now, his life would probably be over.

After much anticipation, the doctor finally arrived. However, after examining the patient, the factory doctor clearly stated that surgery was necessary at a major city hospital, which the factory couldn't provide. So, the repair shop's only beat-up car was brought out.

The car looked utterly wretched. Not a single patch of paint was intact, and it was covered in rust; the door was even held together by a wooden plank, teetering on the verge of collapse. Xu Damao had gone to great lengths to prevent the steel mill from taking the car, but this had terrified Qiao Erbao.

"Xu Damao, we don't have that much of a grudge, do we? I just had a car accident, and you're still trying to take me in this beat-up car? Do you want me to die too slowly? This car could fall apart at any moment on the road." Qiao Erbao resolutely refused to get in the car.

"Director Qiao, don't let the outside of this vehicle fool you, it's actually quite good inside. It's faster than a handcart, at least. How about we make do and get you to the hospital first?"

Xu Damao hadn't expected Qiao Erbao to be so wary of him. Honestly, the car accident had nothing to do with him, even though his spatial abilities could help.

"No way, a handcart it is. I'd rather die than ride in this broken-down cart," Qiao Erbao insisted.

Left with no other option, Xu Damao arranged for several security personnel to push a cart and take Qiao Erbao to the hospital, with Gao Yan accompanying him on behalf of the auto repair shop. Xu Damao himself had to rush to the steel rolling mill to report to his superiors.

"Really? Qiao Erbao's visit to your place had this effect?" Li Xuewu asked, his face full of disbelief.

During this period, Qiao Erbao, taking advantage of Huang Xian's prestige, repeatedly provoked him, to the point that Li Xuewu wanted to deal with him through other means. But before he could even make a move, Qiao Erbao himself was defeated by Xu Damao; it was too much of a coincidence.

"It really has nothing to do with me. If there is any connection, it's indirect." Xu Damao then recounted how they held the meeting and how they made Qiao Erbao and the driver wait at the door for an hour.

"According to the driver, his foot was still numb at the time, but Qiao Erbao insisted on driving immediately, so he had no choice but to drive off. But as soon as he started driving, his foot cramped up, and then he couldn't take his foot off the accelerator," Xu Damao said.

"You're a lucky guy," Li Xuewu remarked after hearing the news.

Next, Xu Damao reported the situation to the two main leaders, and then the entire steel rolling mill knew that Qiao Erbao had been in a car accident.

Afterwards, Xu Damao went to the hospital with several factory leaders to visit Qiao Erbao. Unfortunately for Qiao, he refused to take a car and had to be pushed to the hospital on a cart for over half an hour. The doctor said his recovery might not be ideal and he might become lame.

"Old Joe, you should rest well and wait until you recover before going back to revolutionary work," Yang Zhenhua comforted him.

"Old Joe, you... sigh," Huang Xian sighed. He had finally found a follower, but now he was completely useless. Huang Xian felt extremely bitter, as this meant that the situation he had fought so hard to achieve was about to change again.