Su Wenshan nodded and opened the lunchbox. Inside were stir-fried water spinach and braised pork with potatoes; the other box was filled with rice.
Even Captain Wei couldn't help licking his lips when he saw the dishes.
"Director Su, your family eats quite well. This smells much better than the braised pork in the canteen!"
Su Yun replied,
"My mom said Dad might have to stay on duty tonight, so she wanted him to eat well and not wear himself out."
Simple and honest, Su Wenshan didn't catch the implication in Captain Wei's words. He truly thought Wei had already eaten and didn't insist further.
After finishing his meal, Su Wenshan washed the lunchbox and immediately urged Su Yun to go home.
Su Yun couldn't stay any longer, so she left reluctantly, looking back every few steps.
---
Night fell quickly. The workers who had been working overtime at the steel factory all went home, leaving the surroundings dark and quiet.
By nine o'clock, everything outside was silent—there wasn't a single person in sight. The members of the security department guarding the warehouse began whispering among themselves:
"I told you that girl wasn't reliable. It's already this late—who would come steal steel?"
"At this hour, I'd usually be at home with my wife and kids. Instead, we're here feeding mosquitoes in the middle of the night. What a waste of time!"
"Where's the captain?"
"He's in the office with Director Su."
"They sure know how to take it easy!"
"Enough talking. It's still early. Keep watch. If something really happens, you'll be the ones in trouble!"
After that reminder, no one dared to complain further.
---
Two more hours passed. Just when everyone was so tired they were about to give up, movement finally came from outside the warehouse—
The sound of the door opening rang out. Everyone instantly became alert, all eyes fixed on the entrance.
The next moment, the door opened, and a group of more than a dozen men filed in.
The middle-aged man leading them glanced at the piles of steel stacked like mountains and smiled.
"Brothers, carry all of this away and we'll be rich. Get to work!"
At his command, the group rushed forward, lifting the steel and carrying it away.
Just as they were busy working, a group of police officers suddenly rushed in, pointing guns at them and shouting loudly,
"Don't move! Squat down with your heads in your hands!"
The security personnel who had been waiting inside also charged out, holding iron rods and surrounding the group from behind.
Trapped in the middle with no chance of escape, the thieves had no choice but to surrender. None of them dared to resist the police.
Soon, the middle-aged leader was handcuffed by Zhou Ziyang. With a wave of his hand, he had all of them taken to the police station.
---
By the time the steel factory workers and their families heard about the incident, it was already the next morning.
Chen Xiue hurried to the police station with Su Yun. The place was packed with factory workers and their families. After struggling to squeeze inside, they finally saw Su Wenshan and Captain Wei standing in front of the officers, receiving praise.
The members of the security department stood tall and proud, full of energy. Each of them declared,
"We are members of the steel factory's security department. It is our duty to protect the factory's property. This is what we are supposed to do!"
In comparison, Su Wenshan appeared rather stiff and awkward, not knowing what to say.
When Zhou Ziyang saw Su Yun, he immediately came over and shook her hand.
"Comrade Su Yun, thanks to your information, we were able to capture the thieves in time. You deserve the most credit and the highest praise!"
Hearing this, Chen Xiue frowned and was about to question Su Yun.
But Su Yun quickly spoke first,
"I only passed along some information. Being able to catch the thieves was mainly due to the capable security department of our steel factory and the dedication of the police officers. My role was insignificant."
Her modesty made Zhou Ziyang think even more highly of her.
Even Director Sun came over and shook her hand.
"Comrade, I didn't expect this matter to go so smoothly. We will remember your contribution and reward you accordingly in the future…"
"Director Sun!"
At that moment, the factory director of the steel plant squeezed in enthusiastically, followed by two deputy directors—one of whom was Jiang Guangzong's father, Deputy Director Jiang.
The directors greeted Director Sun warmly and expressed their gratitude.
Deputy Director Jiang spoke most sincerely:
"As expected, the people's police serve the people! If not for your timely action, Director Sun, the losses to our steel factory would have been unimaginable. Our factory will definitely present you with a commendation banner, with drums and gongs, so that everyone knows you are a great leader who serves both the country and the people—a true pillar of hope!"
Though his words were clearly flattering, they sounded remarkably pleasant.
Director Sun couldn't help but smile.
---
Meanwhile, when Su Wenshan saw Chen Xiue and Su Yun, he rushed over as if he had been released from a burden.
Chen Xiue immediately scolded him,
"So you and your daughter both knew about this in advance and kept it from me, didn't you?"
Su Wenshan: "…"
He cast a pleading look at Su Yun.
Kindly, Su Yun said to Chen Xiue,
"Mom, don't blame Dad. He just didn't want you to worry, so he kept it from you. He didn't mean any harm."
Chen Xiue snorted at Su Wenshan.
"I'll settle this with you when we get home!"
Su Wenshan looked at Su Yun in disbelief, his eyes filled with silent accusation.
---
Before long, reporters carrying cameras also pushed their way in, snapping photos of the police and factory leaders.
They asked excitedly,
"Everyone, who first discovered this theft case?"
Director Sun straightened his uniform and was about to speak, but Deputy Director Jiang stepped in first.
"This is entirely due to Director Sun's efforts. He is a great leader of the people, an exemplary cadre of the Party, and a role model for us all…"
Director Sun frowned slightly and glanced at Su Yun, who blinked at him pleadingly, silently asking him not to reveal her involvement.
With no choice, Director Sun went along with the interview and did not mention Su Yun's contribution.
---
The steel theft case became widely known within half a day, and everyone was talking about it.
Because of his role in assisting the capture of the thieves, Su Wenshan was given a day off from work. However, that only meant he had to endure Chen Xiue's lecture at home, which lasted for most of the day before she finally let him go.
Full of resentment, Su Wenshan decided that when Su Yun returned, he would repeat every word Chen Xiue had said to him!
---
At the recycling station, Su Yun was studying with Gu Hai.
After finishing a test paper, Gu Hai said,
"Comrade Xiao Su, were you involved in what happened at the steel factory?"
"You heard about it?" Su Yun asked.
Gu Hai nodded honestly.
"A friend told me that the people who tried to steal from the steel factory last night were desperate criminals from the capital. Luckily, you reported it to the police. Otherwise, the factory's security department alone wouldn't have been able to handle them."
"On my way here, I ran into Uncle Sun. He said that once the case is concluded, the police will definitely commend you. I asked him to keep your identity confidential. No one can know that you reported this—otherwise, it could lead to serious trouble later!"