Siheyuan: Start with a Truck Driver

Liu Dazhi frowned and observed Xiaodang carefully. He found that Xiaodang was holding the strap of his backpack tightly, his eyes were wandering, as if he was avoiding something. He felt alert and felt that there must be something wrong with Xiaodang.

Liu Dazhi walked towards Xiaodang, his steps were steady and powerful. Every step seemed to step on Xiaodang's heart, making her heart beat faster.

Xiaodang watched Liu Dazhi approaching her, her heart filled with fear. She wanted to run away, but her legs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead, and she couldn't move at all.

Liu Dazhi walked up to Xiaodang and stared at her. "What's wrong with you? Why are you so nervous?" Liu Dazhi's voice was low and serious. Xiaodang stammered, "Nothing... nothing, I just feel a little uncomfortable."

Liu Dazhi obviously didn't believe Xiaodang's words. He pointed at Xiaodang's backpack and said, "Open your backpack. I want to check it."

Xiao Dang's face turned even paler. She hugged her backpack tightly, unwilling to open it. "No, this is my personal belongings. You can't check it casually."

Xiaodang's voice trembled. Liu Dazhi's face became more serious. "This is the factory's rule. All workers' backpacks must be inspected. If you have no problem, why don't you dare to open the backpack?"

Xiaodang was speechless, she knew she couldn't escape anymore.

Her heart was filled with despair and she didn't know what to do.

Liu Dazhi looked at Xiao Dang's panic and was more certain that she had stolen something. But he didn't want Xiao Dang to be embarrassed in front of so many workers, after all, everyone makes mistakes.

At this time, the afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the ground through the factory windows, adding a touch of warmth to the entire workshop. However, Xiaodang could not feel this warmth, and her heart was as cold as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.

Liu Dazhi turned slightly and said to Xiaodang in a low voice, "Come with me, let's talk in the gate room." Xiaodang's body trembled slightly, her eyes full of fear and shame. She knew that her behavior had been discovered, so she could only follow Liu Dazhi obediently.

They walked through the crowd and came to the guardhouse. The guardhouse was quiet and small, in sharp contrast to the noise outside. The afterglow of the setting sun was blocked by the walls of the guardhouse, and the room seemed a little dim. Liu Dazhi closed the door and turned to look at Xiaodang. There was no blame in his eyes, only seriousness and earnestness.

"Tell me, what's in your bag that shouldn't be in it?" Liu Dazhi's voice was particularly clear in the quiet guard room.

Xiaodang lowered his head, holding the backpack tightly with both hands, tears welling up in his eyes. "I... I took some scraps of cloth." Xiaodang's voice trembled.

Liu Dazhi frowned. "Why did you do this? You know it's against factory regulations."

Xiao Dang sobbed, "Brother Dazhi, I have no choice. Yan Jiecheng is Jiefang's elder brother. He said Jiefang agreed to help him get some scraps of cloth to resell, saying that he could make a lot of money. I didn't want to embarrass Jiefang, so... I just got obsessed."

Liu Dazhi sighed, "Xiaodang, you are so confused. The factory rules cannot be violated. If you do this, you will not only harm yourself, but also bring trouble to Jiefang."

Xiao Dang was full of regret, "Brother Dazhi, I know I was wrong. What should I do now?"

Liu Dazhi was silent for a moment. "I must report this matter to my superiors. As for how to deal with it, it depends on their decision. You must be mentally prepared."

Xiaodang's face turned even paler. She knew she was about to face serious consequences, but she could only accept it helplessly. She stood there, her heart filled with regret and anxiety, waiting for an unknown fate. Outside the gatehouse, the sun was setting, and darkness was about to cover the entire factory.

Liu Dazhi walked quickly towards the office of Zhang Youfu, the security chief, with a serious and responsible heart. Along the way, the factory corridor seemed particularly quiet, with only Liu Dazhi's footsteps echoing in the air, as if telling of the upcoming tense atmosphere.

Arriving at Zhang Youfu's office door, Liu Dazhi knocked gently. "Come in." Zhang Youfu's steady voice came from the room. Liu Dazhi pushed open the door and saw Zhang Youfu sitting at his desk, concentrating on looking at documents. The sunlight shone through the window into the office, but it could not dispel the solemnity in Liu Dazhi's heart.

"Chief, I have something to report to you."

Liu Dazhi straightened up and said solemnly. Zhang Youfu raised his head and looked at Liu Dazhi, his eyes revealing a question. Liu Dazhi then told him everything about Xiaodang stealing the waste cloth, including the nervous look on Xiaodang's face when he saw her at the door and the conversation after he took her to the guardhouse.

Zhang Youfu frowned and tapped the table with his fingers. "This matter cannot be taken lightly and must be dealt with seriously."

His voice was serious and firm. The atmosphere in the office instantly became more tense, as if even the air had solidified.

Liu Dazhi looked at the serious expression of Zhang Youfu, the security chief, and felt sorry for him. He adjusted his posture slightly and sincerely pleaded for Xiaodang.

“Chief, Xiao Dang did make a big mistake this time, but I beg you to listen to my detailed explanation.

Xiaodang had just gotten married, and the pressure of life may have made her lose her mind at that moment.

She usually works diligently in the factory and never slacks off. No matter how heavy the task is, she completes it seriously without complaint. She also gets along well with her colleagues, and everyone has a good impression of her. This time, she must have been overwhelmed by the situation at home and did such a foolish thing. And after I took her to the gate room, she immediately realized her mistake, her face was full of regret, and tears kept welling up in her eyes.

Chief, our factory has always advocated humane management. Can you give her a chance?

I believe she will reform herself in the future, work harder for the factory, and make up for this mistake with practical actions. She is still young, and her future cannot be ruined because of this mistake. If she is given a chance, she will definitely cherish it and become a model employee in the factory. "

Liu Dazhi's eyes were full of anticipation as he nervously waited for Zhang Youfu's response.

Zhang Youfu frowned slightly, tapped the table with his fingers, and fell into deep thought.

Liu Dazhi's heart was in his throat. He really hoped that the section chief would show leniency and give Xiaodang a chance to start over.

After all, everyone makes mistakes, but as long as we can correct them, we are still good comrades.

Zhang Youfu listened to Liu Dazhi's plea, shook his head slightly, and said seriously: "Dazhi, it's not that I am unreasonable. The factory has its own rules, and this kind of violation of the rules cannot be easily let off. If a precedent is set this time, how can we manage the factory in the future? Therefore, I cannot agree to your request. You lock Xiaodang up, and I will report to my superiors before taking further action."

Liu Dazhi's face was filled with disappointment, but he still wanted to fight for it again. "Chief, if Xiao Dang really knows that she is wrong, can't you give her another chance?"

  Zhang Youfu was firm, "No, we must follow the rules. Go and lock Xiaodang up immediately, and don't say anything more." Liu Dazhi had no choice but to turn around and execute the order. He came to the gate room and looked at Xiaodang's terrified and regretful eyes. He felt very sorry, but he had to follow the instructions of the section chief and lock Xiaodang in a small room. Xiaodang burst into tears.

"Brother Dazhi, I really know I was wrong. Please help me plead with the section chief again." Liu Dazhi sighed, "Xiaodang, I have tried my best. The section chief is very determined. You should reflect on yourself here first and wait for the decision of your superiors."

After saying that, Liu Dazhi closed the door, leaving Xiaodang crying alone in the room.

According to regulations, family members must be notified after someone is arrested, and this matter fell on Liu Dazhi again.

Liu Dazhi walked to the courtyard with heavy steps, stood at the door of the third uncle's house, sorted himself out, and then knocked on the door gently.

The door opened, and the third uncle saw Liu Dazhi and asked with a puzzled look on his face, "Who are you?" Liu Dazhi quickly introduced himself, "Third uncle, I am Liu Dazhi, the security officer of Xiaodang Factory. I came here today because I have something important to tell you and Third Aunt." When the third uncle heard this, his expression became serious, "Oh, come in and tell me."

Liu Dazhi walked into the house and the third aunt came to greet him. Liu Dazhi looked at the two elderly people and said reluctantly, "Third uncle, third aunt, I am sorry to tell you a bad news. Xiaodang was arrested in the factory."

When the uncle and aunt heard this, they were shocked and unbelievable. The uncle's eyes widened, "What? Xiaodang was arrested? How is this possible?" The aunt also said anxiously, "Dazhi, are you mistaken? Xiaodang has always been very well behaved, how could he be arrested?"

Liu Dazhi sighed and explained in detail: "Uncle and aunt, Xiaodang stole waste cloth from the factory and was discovered by our security department. She is now locked up and awaiting further action from the leadership."

The third uncle and aunt looked at each other, still unable to accept this fact.

The third uncle frowned and said, "How could Xiaodang do such a stupid thing? What should we do?"

The third auntie paced back and forth anxiously, "This won't do, Dazhi, you must help Xiaodang."

Liu Dazhi shook his head helplessly. "Uncles and aunts, I also want to help Xiaodang, but the factory has regulations that this kind of thing must be dealt with seriously. I'm here to tell you so that you can have some peace of mind."

The three uncles and aunts fell into deep worry and anxiety, not knowing what to do.

As soon as Yan Jiefang returned home, he saw the third uncle and the third aunt looking anxious. Before he could ask, the third uncle said anxiously: "Jiefang, something happened! Xiaodang was arrested by the factory." Yan Jiefang was incredulous when he heard it, "What? Xiaodang was arrested? How is this possible?" The third aunt also echoed: "Yes, Jiefang, Dazhi just said it, we didn't dare to believe it, but it's true."

Yan Jiefang frowned, "This is impossible. Xiaodang has always been very honest. How could he be caught?" The third uncle said anxiously, "We don't know the specific situation. Dazhi said that Xiaodang was caught stealing waste cloth from the factory. Jiefang, go to the textile factory and find out what's going on."

Yan Jiefang's heart tightened, and he realized the seriousness of the matter. He nodded quickly and said, "Okay, I'll go to the textile factory now." After that, he turned around and walked out the door in a hurry.

Yan Jiefang rushed to the security department of the textile factory in a hurry. He stood at the door, tried to calm himself down, and then knocked on the door gently.

"Come in." A steady voice came from inside. Yan Jiefang pushed open the door and saw the security chief Zhang Youfu sitting behind his desk. He quickly said, "Hello, Chief. I am Yan Jiefang, Xiaodang's husband. I heard that Xiaodang was arrested, and I want to learn about the situation."

Zhang Youfu raised his head, looked at Yan Jiefang, and said seriously: "You are Xiaodang's relative. That's right, Xiaodang stole waste cloth from the factory and was caught by us on the spot."

Yan Jiefang was shocked. "Chief, this is impossible. Xiaodang has always been a very honest person. How could he steal waste cloth?"

Zhang Youfu looked at Yan Jiefang, shook his head slightly, then turned around and took out Xiaodang's backpack from the cabinet. "Look, this is Xiaodang's backpack, and it contains the scraps of cloth she stole."

Yan Jiefang looked at the familiar backpack, and a complex emotion surged in his heart.

He slowly took the backpack, opened it and saw that it was indeed filled with some scraps of cloth.

His hands were trembling slightly and there was a painful expression on his face.

"Do you believe it now?" Zhang Youfu's voice sounded in his ears.

Yan Jiefang was silent for a moment, then raised his head and said, "Chief, I know Xiaodang did something wrong. But she must have had her own reasons. Can you please give her a lighter punishment?"

Zhang Youfu sighed, “We will handle it according to the factory’s regulations, but we will also consider the specific circumstances.

You go back first and wait for our results."

Yan Jiefang nodded helplessly, took Xiaodang's backpack, and left the Security Department with a heavy heart.

Yan Jiefang returned home with a heavy heart, holding Xiaodang's backpack tightly in his hand. As soon as he entered the house, he saw Yan Jiecheng pacing back and forth in the main room, his face full of anxiety.

When Yan Jiecheng saw Yan Jiefang, he immediately came forward and asked anxiously, "Jiefang, why hasn't Xiaodang come back yet? Didn't he get off work? It's been so long, why is there no movement at all?"

Yan Jiefang looked at Yan Jiecheng's anxious expression, and suddenly a trace of doubt arose in his heart.

He frowned, his eyes locked on Yan Jiecheng, and asked, "Brother, why are you so concerned about Xiaodang not coming back? Do you know something?"

At this time, the light in the room was a little dim and the atmosphere became tense.

When Yan Jiecheng heard this, his eyes were evasive for a moment, and he quickly said, "Jiefang, what are you talking about? I'm just worried. Xiaodang usually gets off work on time, what happened today? I'm just asking casually."

The more Yan Jiefang thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong. He stared at Yan Jiecheng closely, and his tone became serious: "Brother, tell me honestly, did Xiaodang's arrest have anything to do with you? Don't try to hide it from me."

Yan Jiecheng's face changed, and he quickly waved his hands and said, "Jiefang, don't talk nonsense. What does Xiaodang's arrest have to do with me? I know nothing."

His voice was hoarse and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. (End of this chapter)