Chapter 166 features a suspicious person, Lin Shen.
No matter what awaits her on the road ahead, she knows very well that she has embarked on a journey with no turning back.
After all, with her research capabilities, she will inevitably stand out in the public eye sooner or later, just as a pearl cannot remain hidden forever.
The celebration banquet was held in the canteen of the machinery factory.
A red banner hung in the center, and the tables were unusually filled with braised pork, steamed fish, and seasonal vegetables, with even two bottles of soda on each table.
This is a rare find these days.
The workers took turns toasting Xu Zhili, and she responded with soda instead of alcohol, her smile polite, but her eyes kept glancing at her younger brother, An'an, standing beside her.
The little guy was quietly drinking his soda, showing no signs of nervousness even though there were many people around him.
"Comrade Xu Zhili, you really made us female workers proud today."
Upon hearing this, the surrounding female workers echoed his words, and the applause grew even more enthusiastic.
Xiao Zhao, who worked in the same workshop, affectionately put his arm around her shoulder: "You're usually so quiet, but you really come through when it matters."
Xu Zhili curved her lips into a smile, her voice low but clear: "Actually, I just did what I was supposed to do. We women have never been inferior to men. No matter what position we are in, we can hold up half the sky."
"Comrade Xu, you are absolutely right."
Another female worker excitedly chimed in, “Our hands can operate machines and manage household chores, and when something really happens, we can shoulder the responsibility. Just like you this time—if it weren’t for your meticulousness and perseverance, who would have thought…”
Before she could finish speaking, Chef Wang from the cafeteria interrupted, waving his spoon: "If you ask me, that Li Junzhe—pfft! He's really good at pretending. He seems like such an honest and unassuming person, but he's actually a spy. Comrade Xu Zhili, how exactly did you figure out that something was off about him?"
All eyes turned to them.
Xu Zhili lowered her eyes and took a sip of tea: "Nothing special, I just felt that some of his behaviors were illogical, so I paid more attention to them."
She omitted the late-night ambushes and tracking, the cold sweat on her palms and the turmoil in her heart when she discovered the secret contact point.
These memories are still vividly etched in her mind, but there's no need to say more.
Halfway through the banquet, Xu Zhili quietly asked Xiao Zhao, a female worker next to her, to look after her younger brother, under the pretext of going to the restroom. She then quietly left the table.
The night breeze caressed her face, slightly dispelling the gloom in her heart.
She strolled slowly along the factory path, the image of the man in the baseball cap from the commendation ceremony lingering in her mind.
"Comrade Xu Zhili."
A deep voice suddenly sounded from behind.
Xu Zhili turned around abruptly, her hand instinctively reaching into her pocket to grip the Hero fountain pen—the nib facing outwards, the only weapon she could muster at the moment.
A middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit emerged from the shadows; he had a thin face and a calm gaze.
"My surname is Zhang, and I'm from the county public security bureau." He showed his badge and spoke calmly, "Could I take a few minutes of your time?"
Xu Zhili carefully checked the documents and relaxed slightly: "Please speak."
"We have noticed your reaction regarding the suspicious person at the commendation ceremony."
Comrade Zhang cut to the chase, "Could you describe in more detail what you saw at the time?"
Xu Zhili recounted everything, including the person's posture, movements, and even details of the camera model.
Comrade Zhang listened intently, nodding occasionally.
"Thank you, this information is very valuable."
His expression turned serious. "Based on current intelligence, enemy intelligence organizations may have already identified you as one of their targets, and we cannot rule out taking further action."
Xu Zhili's heart tightened: "Why? I'm just an ordinary worker."
"You helped us destroy their key stronghold and capture five agents. To them, you are not only an object to be eliminated, but also a 'role model'."
Comrade Zhang lowered his voice further and leaned closer, saying, "We suggest you leave this area immediately and lay low for a while."
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhili remained silent for a while before slowly shaking her head in response: "If I were to hide, it would seem as if we were afraid of them. I cannot leave; my family cannot do without my care, and there are still a lot of things waiting for me to handle at the factory."
"But your safety is of utmost importance," Comrade Zhang said with a worried expression.
"I know it." Xu Zhili nodded gently.
Then she looked up, her gaze resolute, "But I still want to stay... Maybe I can help you lure them out."
Comrade Zhang frowned instantly, his face showing distress: "This is far too dangerous."
“A few days ago, I suspected Lao Chen, who is Li Junzhe. At that time, no one believed me, right?”
Xu Zhili's tone was calm yet revealed a hint of determination, "But facts show that some risks are worth taking."
After some deliberation, Comrade Zhang reluctantly agreed, but insisted that Xu Zhili must undergo basic safety and self-defense training and maintain regular contact so that he could keep track of the situation at any time.
Back in the dining hall, the atmosphere remained lively.
As soon as Xu Zhili sat down, she noticed an unfamiliar face at the table—a young man in his late twenties, wearing glasses and with a refined appearance.
The young man seemed to notice Xu Zhili's gaze and politely smiled and nodded at her.
Xu Zhili responded with a polite smile.
But in her heart, she couldn't help but wonder, who exactly was this strange young man in front of her?
He had a strange feeling about him, and the way he looked at him was more inquisitive, with a hint of scrutiny.
"Comrade Xu Zhili, this is Comrade Lin Shen, a college graduate who was just transferred to the factory's technical department. He came here specifically to help us improve our production technology."
The county party official, with a friendly smile, began the introduction, accompanied by Factory Director Zhou and Director Zhang.
Lin Shen stood up, bowed slightly, and wore a polite smile. "Comrade Xu Zhili, I have long admired your name. I heard about your deeds in the county and I greatly admire you."
Xu Zhili quickly responded modestly, "Comrade Lin, you flatter me. It's just my duty."
But she still had doubts in her heart, always feeling that Lin Shen's enthusiasm hid ulterior motives, and wondered what he would do next and how she should deal with it.
Lin Shen pushed up his glasses and laughed, "No need to be modest. I heard you even drew a detailed map of the factory area from memory, marking all the suspicious locations? That's truly an extraordinary ability."
Xu Zhili looked up at him: "Comrade Lin has only just arrived, yet he is already so familiar with this matter?"
Lin Shen's smile paused for a moment, then he resumed: "The news of his commendation has spread throughout the entire factory; it's hard not to know about it."
Lin Shen stood up, extended his hand, and wore a polite smile. "Comrade Xu Zhili, I've long admired your name. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Xu Zhili quickly stood up and gently shook Lin Shen's hand. "Comrade Lin, you're too kind. Please take care of me in the future."
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