Starting from 1950

Chapter 85 Undercurrents

Su Yang left the factory director's office and went straight back to the security department's duty room, where he found a bed and lay down.

Seeing his worried expression, Yu Feng asked him what had happened, but he wouldn't say.

Su Yang definitely couldn't tell Wu Xinxue about this; the "handsome man scheme" was just a joke.

The organization does not encourage this, and Natalia is more than twice the age of Su Yang.

The real idea is to let Su Yang use his appearance and age to sound out the situation.

To be honest, the so-called "grudge" between Natalia and himself was really far-fetched, and since it involved official business, even if there was a grudge, Su Yang would hold his nose and go along with it!

Because he had something on his mind, Su Yang didn't stay in the duty room for long. He lay down for an hour or so before getting up and leaving.

Building relationships with women boils down to a few tricks: saying nice things, inviting them to dinner, having fun together, and giving them gifts.

He felt he couldn't bring himself to say nice things to Natalia, and their relationship clearly wasn't that close.

That leaves only sending gifts.

After leaving the flour mill and heading east, Su Yang arrived at Zhongshan Road in Heping District.

This area is considered the main shopping and entertainment destination for the people of Shenzhou, with state-run Xinhua Bookstore, watch and eyeglasses shops, tea shops, silk shops, department stores, Northeast Restaurant, Naniwa Pavilion, and Jiefang Cinema, among others.

And here is Qiulin Company, which is currently under the jurisdiction of the eldest brother.

Qiulin Company has a large number of imported goods, such as chocolate, candy, canned goods, printed fabrics, perfumes, cosmetics, and woolen fabrics.

Only the first floor is open to the general public, and it sells domestically produced, in-demand goods. Su Yang and Wu Xinxue have been here a few times.

The second floor was reserved for foreign guests and those with letters of introduction. Fortunately, Zhou Zheng had given Su Yang a letter of introduction when he gave him the money.

He slowly went upstairs to the second floor, intending to buy a rare item as a gift for Natalia.

Just as Su Yang was racking his brains over what gift to buy for Natalia to get closer to her, in the basement of a secluded courtyard in Tiexi District, two men were quietly planning something.

"Target: Swallow." Identity confirmed: the only daughter of Ivan Vasilyevich Sokolov, Deputy Director of the Main Directorate of Grain and Oil Processing Machinery under the Ministry of Food Industry in the North.

A middle-aged man in a gray cotton robe and felt hat spoke in a low voice, his Mandarin tinged with a southern accent, "Her activities at the Limin Flour Factory are becoming increasingly in-depth, and her involvement is extremely high. Once she facilitates the introduction of equipment and standardized production, 'Defend the Country Noodles' will be quickly deployed to the front lines, greatly boosting the morale of the Communist forces and significantly enhancing logistical resilience."

Opposite him was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man who would be easily lost in a crowd. If the people from Limin Flour Factory were here, they would definitely recognize him.

It was none other than Xu Erma, a porter who had been working at the Limin Flour Factory since its inception.

At this moment, Xu Erma's face was no longer the naive and honest one he had at the flour factory; instead, his expression was cold and his eyes were like knives: "Grey Rat, I understand. I will find an opportunity to eliminate him."

"It can't just be a simple cleanup," the middle-aged man in the gray robe emphasized, tapping his finger on the rough wooden table. "We need to create an accident, an accident that will enrage the North, seriously question the Communists' ability to protect them, and even directly lead to the breakdown of cooperation. The location must be in a busy city! It must cause a huge uproar!"

As he spoke, a crazed glint appeared in his eyes.

"Please rest assured, superiors. I have figured out Yanzi's daily routine these past few days, and I have also discovered a subordinate in the flour factory. If necessary, I can push him out." Xu Erma's lips curled up, with a smile that would make ordinary people shudder.

After Hongqi entered the city, he remained in hiding, though he attempted to launch an operation several times.

Two months ago, he proposed adding ingredients to the fried noodles that Limin Noodle Factory sent to the front lines.

However, his report to his superiors was rejected. The superiors' opinion was that poisoning a few soldiers was not a big deal.

However, the batch of fried noodles was destroyed before it reached the front line. He was glad that he hadn't taken action, otherwise it would have been a futile effort and increased the risk of exposure.

As soon as Natalia and Victor arrived at the flour mill, Xu Erma reported the situation to his superiors.

His original intention was to assassinate Victor, since the other party was a pilot, and if he died in the flour mill, it would definitely cause a diplomatic incident.

But to everyone's surprise, Victor left the very next day.

Fortunately, just when you think you've reached a dead end, a new path opens up before you.

After investigation, the higher-ups discovered that Natalia was actually the daughter of a high-ranking official in the north!

"It's better to do this sooner rather than later. Make a plan and contact me directly if you need support. You must act within three days. But remember, it must be absolutely clean. Once it's done, leave immediately without leaving any trace."

The middle-aged man pondered for a moment, then said expressionlessly, "Let's call this plan 'Winter'!"

"Yes! Operation Winter, prepare immediately."

The "Defend the Country Noodles" workshop at Limin Flour Factory is still bustling with activity.

Steam billowed from the steamer, and the drying room was scorching hot. The workers, dressed in thin clothes, had their backs soaked with sweat, but they were all full of energy.

Zhang Zhenguo, accompanied by two security officers, was on a routine patrol when they reached the drying room area. He lingered a little longer beside Wang Cui, whispering a few words, which caused Wang Cui to give him a slightly flushed glare.

Natalia, dressed in a well-fitting dark blue jumpsuit, her striking brown hair pulled back in her hat, and glasses perched on her nose, was carefully recording changes in temperature and humidity in her notebook.

Su Yang was holding an enamel mug, leaning against the workshop door.

Zhou Zheng's special task for him forced him to frequently loiter around the workshop.

Fortunately, as the factory's pest control officer, he doesn't seem out of place anywhere.

He looked at Natalia's serious profile and thought to himself: This woman is meticulous when she works, but she's too cold, like a frozen patch of earth in the wilderness.

He touched a hard wooden box in his pocket; it was the perfume he had picked out after spending an afternoon browsing Qiulin Company the day before yesterday.

I've been thinking about giving it to Natalia for the past two days, but I haven't been able to find the opportunity.

"Comrade Na, you're off this afternoon. What are your plans?"

He Dazhuang, dressed in blue overalls, wearing a white work hat and thick gloves, carefully shoveled coal a few times with his head down, then suddenly looked up and started talking to Natalia.

Natalia paused for a moment, glancing at the short but sturdy boy.

Perhaps out of politeness, or perhaps because he was young, she unusually replied, "I'm going to Tiexi Square to buy some daily necessities."

"Oh, I really envy your high salary. You can buy whatever you want." He Dazhuang didn't actually know how much Natalia earned, but he was just making conversation to flatter her.

Natalia frowned.

She didn't bother to say much more to He Dazhuang, only saying, "If you work hard, your salary will definitely keep increasing in the future."

After saying that, she turned and left.

Thank you for your kind words.

He Dazhuang smiled and lowered his head to continue shoveling coal.

No one noticed that beneath his lowered eyelids, the gaze that flashed was more intense than the firelight.

Su Yang, standing at the door, couldn't help but purse his lips when he saw He Dazhuang talking to Natalia.

He Dazhuang was transferred to the "Defend the Country Noodles" workshop a few days ago.

At that time, the workshop production process was basically finalized, and it was necessary to add furnace operators. He Dazhuang applied to be transferred in.

He was a strong and healthy young man who took the initiative to ask for advancement, so the workshop leaders had no reason to refuse.

He had been working diligently in the workshop these past few days, and Wang Cui, seeing this, assumed that he had improved after a year of training and praised him with satisfaction.