The biting wind whipped by like a blade, but Xu Shu pulled his cotton coat tight and stepped firmly into the gates of the Rolling Mill.
Inside the plant, machines roared and thick smoke billowed from the chimneys, bringing a touch of warmth to this frozen, snow-covered day. He headed straight for the three-story office building, its red brick structure standing out sharply against the backdrop of white snow.
Entering the building, Xu Shu spotted a worker passing by and hurried over to ask politely, "Comrade, could you tell me where the Procurement Section office is?"
The worker pointed a hand, "Third floor, the third door on the right."
Xu Shu thanked him and made his way up the stairs.
Upstairs, Chen Jun was in high spirits. His last two procurement trips to Xu Village had been incredibly bountiful, nearly completing his quota for the entire year. Such an achievement made him feel lighthearted and at ease. Outside, it was freezing, but the Rolling Mill was toasty, and he felt even better knowing he had an appointment with Xu Shu, having arrived at the office early to wait for him.
Xu Shu found the door marked "Procurement Section." It was shut tight, with sounds of laughter and chatter drifting from within. He knocked a few times, and a moment later, the door creaked open.
Chen Jun recognized Xu Shu instantly. He hurriedly stood up from his desk, strode to the door, grabbed Xu Shu’s arm with enthusiasm, ushered him inside, and pulled the door shut behind them.
As he led Xu Shu toward the center of the office, Chen Jun said with a smile, "Young Xu! I’ve been looking forward to your arrival! This office is usually a lively place, but today, because of you, we have all the more reason to celebrate."
Xu Shu looked around curiously and replied with a smile, "Brother Chen, now that I’m here, I’m actually a bit nervous. I’m afraid I don't know much and will end up causing trouble for everyone."
Chen Jun patted Xu Shu on the shoulder and laughed heartily. "Don't overthink it! With the skills you have—that hunting of yours is so impressive—you’ll pick up the work here in no time."
Chen Jun brought Xu Shu to the center of the room, cleared his throat, and introduced him to the others. "Everyone, this is the Xu Shu I’ve been telling you about. His hunting skills are truly something else. Just like his name, he’s both scholarly and martial!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Liu Jianjun walked over quickly. His leg injury had recovered well after some time spent recuperating. With an earnest look, he said, "Brother Chen, now that Young Xu is here, could you let me be the one to guide him? He is my life-saver, after all!"
Chen Jun readily agreed. "No problem! Young Xu, are you willing?"
Xu Shu nodded with a smile. "I wouldn’t have it any other way."
The others in the office had been curious about the Xu Shu that Chen Jun kept talking about, all wanting to see what this talented person looked like. But seeing how young Xu Shu was, they grew skeptical of Chen Jun's claims. Several of them huddled together, whispering among themselves.
Chen Jun noticed this but didn't rush to defend his claim. He simply said, "Alright, I know you think I'm boasting because Young Xu is young. I won't explain it further; it would just be a waste of breath. I'm going to take him to finish his enrollment now. When we get back, he’ll show you a trick or two, and then you’ll see whether I was lying."
With that, Chen Jun took Xu Shu out the door. They went to the Personnel Section, where Chen Jun chatted warmly with the ladies in charge. Xu Shu was tall and handsome, already 1.7 meters tall at sixteen. He had a way with words, calling everyone "Auntie" or "Sister," which warmed their hearts. The women grew very fond of him; had he not been so young, they would have loved to recruit him as a son-in-law.
The paperwork went smoothly. Afterward, Chen Jun led Xu Shu to the Housing Administration Section. Since Xu Shu had no place to live in Sijiu City, the plant had to allocate him a room. Fortunately, Li Huaide had already put in a word, so the staff didn't delay, and a place was soon arranged for him: a back room in the rear courtyard of the Red Star Courtyard in Nanluoguxiang. Xu Shu took the housing slip and the key, tucking them away carefully.
Next, they headed to the warehouse. Xu Shu needed to collect his work uniform, shoes, enamel cup, and the right to use a bicycle. Thanks to the care of Chen Jun and Wang Tianfu, the bicycle allocated to him was almost like new, its gleaming frame standing out in the warehouse. However, Xu Shu had never ridden a bicycle before and showed a hint of hesitation. After a moment's thought, he decided to leave it there for now and found a lock to secure it.
With the allocation slip and his other items, he and Chen Jun returned to the office. Chen Jun had already prepared a desk for Xu Shu, its brand-new surface glowing softly in the daylight. As soon as Xu Shu stepped into the office, he placed his belongings gently on the desk. Before he could catch his breath, the enthusiastic Chen Jun grabbed him, eager to have him compete with the others.
Xu Shu generally disliked conflict, but he knew well that as a newcomer, showing his strength was the only way to establish a foothold in this new place. Otherwise, he would likely face endless trouble. With that thought, he didn't hesitate anymore. He straightened his back and strode to the center of the office.
By now, the surrounding desks had been moved aside by the others, clearing a space of four or five square meters. Xu Shu’s first challenger was a burly man, nearly 1.8 meters tall with a broad, tiger-like build. Just looking at his stance was enough to tell he wasn't a man to be trifled with. Though Xu Shu was tall for his age, he looked like a scrawny little chick compared to the man.
The man walked over with steady, powerful steps and spoke in a booming voice, "Kid, my name is Zhang Hu. I returned from the service in '53. We aren't here to bully anyone, but if you can withstand three of my moves, I'll count it as your win." His words carried the bravado and confidence of a veteran of the field.
Xu Shu’s gaze was firm; he showed no sign of backing down and replied resoundingly, "Brother Zhang, I advise you not to underestimate me. You’d better use all your strength; otherwise, you might not even last a single move under me."
These words were like a stone thrown into a calm pool, instantly creating a thousand ripples. The people around them stared in astonishment. Except for Chen Jun, who knew Xu Shu’s abilities, everyone else secretly hoped Zhang Hu would teach this arrogant kid a lesson. Zhang Hu was thoroughly angered by Xu Shu’s seemingly insolent words, a flash of annoyance crossing his face. He decided not to hold back and was determined to teach the boy a hard lesson.
As Chen Jun shouted a crisp "Start!", Zhang Hu moved like a rabbit, launching his attack. He raised his sandbag-sized fists and let out a low roar, charging toward Xu Shu like an enraged bull, his punches whistling through the air.
Xu Shu, however, stood as steady as Mount Tai, unmoving. Just as the fist, moving like lightning, reached within twenty centimeters of his face, he moved with ghost-like agility. He dodged, his hands shooting out like pliers to firmly grip Zhang Hu’s arm. Then, putting force into his waist, he turned and executed a clean, textbook shoulder throw.
With a "whoosh," Zhang Hu’s massive frame was sent flying like a kite with a snapped string, slamming into the ground with a heavy thud that sounded like thunder. Everyone present stood frozen in shock, their mouths agape. Even Chen Jun, who had already seen Xu Shu’s skills, couldn't help but look at him with new eyes, his gaze full of wonder and admiration.
As for Zhang Hu, who lay on the floor, the sudden turn of events left him dizzy and completely bewildered. He couldn't fathom how the seemingly slender Xu Shu had managed to execute a clean shoulder throw on a man of his size—six feet tall and over 170 pounds.
While Zhang Hu was still dazed, a hand reached out in front of him. He looked up to meet Xu Shu’s eyes, which were filled with genuine warmth and goodwill. He hesitated for a moment, then reached out to take it, standing up steadily with Xu Shu’s help.
"Young man, not bad, you're quite something! Looks like I’ve got myself a worthy sparring partner from now on," Zhang Hu said, rubbing his aching shoulder with a sincere, admiring tone.
Xu Shu curled the corners of his mouth into a confident smile. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
With Zhang Hu having conceded, the others lost their nerve to challenge him. After the match, Chen Jun led Xu Shu straight to the office of Wang Tianfu, the section chief.
Hearing footsteps, Wang Tianfu looked up and saw a tall, handsome, and imposing young man standing before him. Xu Shu stood straight, his eyes bright and resolute, exuding a unique charm. Wang Tianfu couldn't help but feel a surge of secret admiration, his favor instantly won. Furthermore, having just heard about Xu Shu’s incredible performance in the sparring match, he realized this wasn't just a "pretty face" but someone with genuine ability, which only improved his impression.
"Young Xu, it’s already Friday. Since you just arrived in Sijiu City, I’m sure you have plenty to take care of. Why don't you officially start on Monday? Use these next few days to get your housing sorted out. Since Team Leader Chen is free, let him take you around," Wang Tianfu said, his tone gentle and kind.
Xu Shu bowed slightly and replied respectfully, "Understood. Thank you, Section Chief Wang, and thank you, Brother Chen."
Afterward, as sunlight bathed the streets, Chen Jun rode his old bicycle with Xu Shu seated steadily on the back, his luggage tied beside him. The two moved leisurely toward the Red Star Courtyard, the breeze in their faces.
The streets were bustling with pedestrians. Most were dressed in simple blue or gray uniforms; though the styles were plain, they were kept clean. From time to time, the bells of bicycles rang out, the riders often looking hurried, their faces full of the energy required to pursue a new life.
Colorful propaganda posters were pasted on notice boards along the roadside. They depicted energetic workers clutching tools, their eyes fixed firmly on the horizon, and farmers celebrating a harvest, surrounded by stacks of golden grain with radiant smiles on their faces. The slogan "Exert your utmost efforts, aim for the top, and build socialism with greater, faster, better, and more economical results" was particularly eye-catching, the yellow characters on a red background shimmering in the sunlight.
Xu Shu examined everything around him while keeping close to Chen Jun, his eyes filled with wonder and amazement. He had lived in a remote village all his life, where most houses were built of stone and mud with thatched roofs. The bustling streets, the rows of shops, and the ancient-style courtyards he saw now left him truly awestruck.