As Mi Qianhu approached the gate of the Chang'an Automobile Factory, the guards from the Security Department immediately fixed their eyes on him.
Professional eyes.
They scanned him from head to toe in a heartbeat.
Tattered clothes. Dust-caked hems. Cracked shoes. Shoulders slightly hunched from long travel.
Conclusion reached.
Just a poor commoner.
Their expressions softened at once. Moments earlier they had treated Zhu Yujian like a suspicious wanderer. Now their tone shifted completely.
One of them waved him over. "Hey, brother. What brings you to the Chang'an Automobile Factory?"
Mi Qianhu stepped forward, hands trembling just enough to sell the role. He produced the recruitment notice he had picked up.
"I found this by the roadside," he said humbly. "Are you hiring?"
The guard grinned. "Of course we are. Oh?"
His eyes flicked to the paper, then back to Mi Qianhu.
"You can read, brother? No one explained this notice to you, and you understood it yourself?"
Mi Qianhu's heart exploded inside his chest.
Finished.
Exposed before even drawing a blade.
To die at the gate without accomplishing anything. What a joke that would be.
Carelessness in small details often led to catastrophic failure.
Sweat streamed down his face. The dagger hidden in his sleeve slid smoothly into his palm. If he had to kill his way in, then so be it.
But the guard only laughed.
"Reading is a good thing! Why would a literate man like you come for heavy labor? You're lucky. Our Deputy Director is personally handling interviews in the Human Resources Department today. Tell him you can read. He might move you into a better position."
Mi Qianhu blinked.
"…What?"
He had lived.
The dagger slipped quietly back into his sleeve.
Behind him, his subordinates approached one by one. Each answered questions. Each passed inspection. None were exposed.
They entered together, yet carefully avoided looking at one another.
Strangers.
Utter strangers.
They followed the security staff toward Human Resources.
As they walked, Mi Qianhu caught sight of the man in the conical hat.
The Hat-wearing Man.
He moved freely.
No guard shadowed him. No questions were asked. He entered a massive building as though he belonged there.
From inside came strange mechanical sounds.
Whoosh.
Rumble.
Metal grinding against metal.
Mi Qianhu narrowed his eyes.
No hurry.
Once I am inside, I will have time.
Zhu Yujian may already be hiding somewhere within these walls.
Patience.
A hunter who rushes misses the tiger.
—
They arrived at Human Resources.
Deputy Director Bin Sheng happened to be present that day, inspecting recruitment personally.
Within the Chang'an Automobile Factory, Bin Sheng was practically a legend.
He had started as nothing.
Just a common laborer.
Within days, through absurd learning speed and terrifying diligence, he had become a skilled technician. After that, promotions came like spring bamboo shoots after rain.
Now he stood as Deputy Director.
He had married Yanzi. The factory had rewarded the young couple with a spacious new house. Dual income. Stable future. Bright prospects.
A model success story.
Yet even as Deputy Director, Bin Sheng remained disciplined as a veteran soldier. He worked alongside laborers, took no shortcuts, complained about nothing.
Even today, on what should have been his rest day, he stood inside Human Resources reviewing new recruits.
A guard called out, "Director Bin! The man applying today is impressive. He can read!"
Bin Sheng's eyes sharpened instantly.
"Literate?"
That was valuable.
A literate worker could become a technician. A technician could become a pillar.
His gaze fell upon Mi Qianhu.
Mi Qianhu felt the weight of it.
Exposure meant death.
He inhaled slowly and began his prepared lie.
"This humble one is from Northern Zhili. Last year the Manchu invaded. War ravaged our lands. I fled west to survive."
Bin Sheng's eyes flickered.
Interesting.
When I infiltrated this very factory long ago, I claimed to be from the Northeast, fleeing Manchu devastation. Now this man claims Northern Zhili.
Coincidence?
Perhaps.
Or perhaps not.
"Brother," Bin Sheng said evenly, "you can read and write?"
Mi Qianhu had no retreat left.
"I know a few characters."
"Excellent."
Bin Sheng nodded slowly.
"It would be wasteful to assign you to heavy manual labor. I believe you're better suited to an internal role."
Internal.
Mi Qianhu nearly smiled.
The deeper inside, the better.
The closer to secrets.
The closer to the Hat-wearing Man.
The closer to finding Zhu Yujian.
"An internal position would be most fortunate," he replied with humility. "This humble one will work diligently."
Bin Sheng paused.
"Tell you what. I need someone to help manage documents. Assist me with overseeing critical factory information."
Mi Qianhu feigned hesitation. "What kind of documents?"
Bin Sheng's tone lowered.
"Blueprints for heavy armored vehicles."
Mi Qianhu felt nothing. He had no idea what that meant.
"And the personal records of every individual in the factory."
That struck like thunder.
Personal records.
If Zhu Yujian was here, his name would be inside.
Mi Qianhu bowed deeply. "This humble one will devote himself fully."
Bin Sheng smiled warmly.
"Good. It's settled."
Then, without another word, he turned and left Human Resources.
The staff continued interviews as if nothing unusual had occurred.
Mi Qianhu remained where he was, believing fortune had embraced him.
—
Bin Sheng did not go far.
He walked swiftly, then turned sharply into the Security Department.
Inside, the Head of Security was dramatically recounting a tale of reinforcing Hanzhong.
"At that critical moment," he declared loudly, "the bandit's arrow was 0.01 centimeters from my throat, but—"
Bin Sheng entered.
His expression was grim.
"Security Department. We have a situation."
The room froze.
The Head of Security sprang up. "Director Bin! What happened? Workers fighting again?"
Bin Sheng shook his head.
"If my judgment is correct, spies have infiltrated the factory."
The word struck like a hammer.
Spies.
The previously laughing guards turned cold instantly. The air thickened.
The Head of Security lowered his voice. "Details."
Bin Sheng spoke calmly.
"The group currently interviewing in Human Resources. Every one of them is a spy."
He continued, "I have secured their leader. I will bring him to my office and keep him under observation. His subordinates are pretending not to know him. They intend to disperse into different workshops and steal critical information from our Chang'an Automobile Factory."
His tone carried absolute certainty.
"There is no doubt."
The Head of Security slammed his fist onto the table.
"How audacious!"
His eyes blazed.
"I'll take men immediately. We'll arrest them all and send them straight to Huanglong Mountain Labor Reform Camp!"
The room vibrated with murderous enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, in Human Resources, Mi Qianhu still believed fate was smiling upon him.