Chapter 135 Dedication to the Country

After everyone left, Li Jianguo shook Jiang Min's hand: "I'll be away for two or three days tomorrow to take care of some things. Come back as soon as possible."

Jiang Min didn't press further, but simply looked up at him and asked, "Is there any danger?"

"No," Li Jianguo answered crisply.

"Then remember to rest and don't overwork yourself."

The two parted ways at the entrance of the cafeteria. Jiang Min took a few steps and turned back. Li Jianguo was still standing there, waving to her.

On the way back to the factory, Factory Director Yang glanced at him and said, "You're quite the lucky guy. Minmin is a good girl. If you do anything to betray her, I, as her uncle, won't stand for it."

Li Jianguo retorted irritably, "Then should I turn around and go back?"

Factory Director Yang glared at him.

"Don't you know who I am?" Li Jianguo sighed. "Besides, where am I supposed to find someone better than Minmin?"

"What, you want to change it if you already have it?" Factory Director Yang's eyes were sharp.

Li Jianguo quickly shut up, inwardly cursing himself for his loose tongue. Making such a joke these days was truly inappropriate.

The car quickly arrived at the police station, where Deputy Director Zhang was already waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing Li Jianguo, he immediately greeted him with a broad smile: "Director Li, long time no see, you look a bit thinner."

"Deputy Director Zhang, thank you for your hard work. This matter is all thanks to you."

The two exchanged pleasantries, and Director Yang, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but interject, "Alright, alright, let's get down to business."

Entering the temporary office, Deputy Director Zhang got straight to the point: "Here's the plan: you'll continue with your regular get off work schedule, everything as before. Once they start watching you, just take Yu Li for a stroll around naturally."

Li Jianguo nodded: "Let's push it forward as soon as possible, I really can't get away from the projects I'm currently working on."

"No problem." Deputy Director Zhang then instructed someone to bring Yu Li over.

After a few days apart, Yu Li looked slightly haggard, but her cheeks seemed fuller—it seemed she hadn't suffered any grievances at the institute.

"Comrade Yu Li, as long as you cooperate actively this time, we can handle your mother's case leniently." Deputy Director Zhang's tone was gentle, but still carried a businesslike tone.

Yu Li nodded repeatedly: "I'll do anything you ask! My mom was just confused for a moment, she's not a bad person..."

As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly.

Deputy Director Zhang offered a few more words of comfort, then gestured for Li Jianguo to speak with her alone for a while.

Only the two of them remained in the room. Yu Li looked up at Li Jianguo, her gaze filled with an indescribable eagerness, and unconsciously took half a step forward.

Li Jianguo took a step back, pulled up a chair, and sat down: "Sit down. Cooperate well in this mission, and they won't treat you unfairly."

"I know..." Yu Li twisted her fingers together, "I'm really happy to be with Director Li."

Li Jianguo didn't reply, but turned to look out the window.

About twenty minutes later, the two came out of the room. Deputy Director Zhang instructed, "Take her for a walk in the alleys these next few days, or she can come to your room for a visit. Act like you're just starting out dating, don't be too awkward."

Li Jianguo gave a vague reply, secretly praying that he wouldn't run into anyone he knew.

On the way home, Li Jianguo suddenly turned the steering wheel and headed towards the department store. Yu Li was taken aback: "Director Li, where are we going?"

"I'll buy you something. It wouldn't be appropriate to just take you home, to avoid gossip," Li Jianguo said as he parked the car.

Yu Li felt a little depressed, but she didn't say anything.

The department store was bustling with people. Li Jianguo led her to several counters, where they bought face cream, lipstick, and a few pieces of fabric—a whole bunch of miscellaneous items. Yu Li followed behind, secretly wondering if these things were gifts for her.

Just then, Li Jianguo suddenly felt a gaze fixed on him. He looked up and saw that Jiang's mother was staring at him motionless by the counter in the distance.

His gaze was so sharp it was like a hook, as if it could pierce through a crowd of people.

Li Jianguo's heart sank, but he dared not step forward to explain. He could only pretend not to see her, pull Yu Li around, and quickly leave.

Jiang's mother was furious. That brat clearly saw her, yet he pretended not to recognize her! She barely managed to hold back her outburst on the spot, but as soon as she got home, she exploded.

"That Li Jianguo, I always thought he was a good son-in-law! He actually paraded around the department store with a woman, and ran away as soon as he saw me! He wants to marry my daughter? No way!"

Secretary Jiang was sprayed with spittle all over his face, but he was a little uneasy. He remembered that Director Yang had mentioned mysteriously a couple of days ago that there might be some important action coming up, and told him not to ask any questions.

"Don't worry, Lao Yang told me before that he might have a special mission."

"A special mission? I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be fake?" Jiang's mother simply did not believe it.

The couple argued back and forth, and in the end, neither of them spoke to the other.

The next morning, Li Jianguo drove straight to the steel rolling mill. Director Yang had just entered his office when Li Jianguo followed him in with a sullen face.

"Is Deputy Director Zhang coming today?" Li Jianguo asked directly.

"Come on, what's wrong?" Director Yang's heart tightened.

"I ran into Minmin's mother at the department store yesterday," Li Jianguo said, rubbing his temples. "This is a big problem."

Factory Director Yang laughed after hearing this: "Don't panic, I'll explain. I spoke with Secretary Jiang beforehand, they should know what's going on."

"Then hurry up and go," Li Jianguo urged.

Director Yang put down the documents in his hand and immediately drove to the Women's Federation. Jiang's mother was busy in her office. When she saw him arrive, she came out in a bad mood.

"Director Yang, are you here to give me an explanation?"

Factory Director Yang forced a smile: "Sister-in-law, it's really not what you think. We're just setting a trap. That woman's family is involved in a spy case, and we need Director Li to put on a show. It's all just an act, nothing more!"

After hearing this, Jiang's mother's anger subsided by half, but her face remained tense: "Aren't you afraid of ruining his reputation with this kind of plan? What will outsiders think of him afterward?"

"Yes, yes, but it's unavoidable," Factory Director Yang explained humbly. "Besides, if that funding comes in, how much new equipment can the factory add? And we won't have to ask for favors to get those resources that Director Li has been fighting for anymore."

After a moment of silence, Jiang's mother waved her hand and said, "Alright, alright, I don't understand any of this stuff. Since it's true, let it go. Go back and tell him not to overwork himself and to take care of his health."

She turned to leave, then turned back and added, "I made a few jars of food. Take them to him. Come over for dinner sometime."

Li Jianguo's office.

There was a pile of envelopes on the table. He was holding the top one, unopened, just holding it there—the edges were all creased from being squeezed.

The questions his subordinates asked were actually easy to answer. For the technical matters, a quick glance was enough to tell him what information to provide. He got up, pulled out a few booklets from the back cabinet, set them aside, and prepared to have them delivered.

Continue opening the remaining letters.

This letter is from a university.

"An invitation to give a lecture..." he muttered, holding up the letter and looking at it again in the light from the window.

He had actually thought about giving lectures. He could go to schools, pick out a few promising students, and nurture them—the team always needs new members, and young people are quick-witted and useful. But where did he find the time for that? Besides, what would he even teach? He hadn't figured it out himself.

"never mind."

He put the letter down, grabbed a piece of paper, and quickly wrote a few lines: "I politely decline. I'll contact you again when I have time."

After writing it, I placed it on my left side.

Next letter.

He picked it up, glanced at the address in the bottom corner of the envelope, and then paused.

From the Northwest?

He brought the letter closer, squinting—it wasn't an ordinary address. He recognized the code name. A secret base, involved in weapons development.

When he opened the letter, he tore it a little crookedly.

The message was short. The other party said they hoped he would join the project to "contribute to the country." They mentioned they were very interested in what he had been working on recently. The last sentence was: "Those with ambition should join us in this great undertaking."

Li Jianguo placed the letter on the table and tapped it twice with his fingers. Once, twice.

He picked up the pen, then put it down. Then he picked it up again.