Chapter 90 Departure
Three days passed in a flash, and it was finally time to go to the countryside.

Although the weather in March is not as cold as before, the cold wind still makes people shiver.

Early in the morning, Li Shengli was wearing a thick cotton jacket, a scarf wrapped tightly around his neck, and thick cotton gloves on his hands. He rode his bicycle slowly towards the steel mill. In such a cold day, he dared not ride too fast. If he rode too fast, no matter how thick his clothes were, the cold wind would whiz into his clothes.

When we arrived at the steel mill, it was still early for work, but there were already three cars parked in front of the office building. There were people working busy at the trucks, and they had probably been working for a while.

Li Shengli approached and found that the drivers of the three cars were not there. He guessed that they had parked their cars here last night and had not come to work yet. Li Shengli stepped forward to lend a hand.

The truck on the left has some tools on it. Judging from the appearance of the tools, they should be those of the factory's mechanics. There is also a group of people in blue work clothes in front of the truck, who are carrying other maintenance tools and machines onto the truck.

The person who was directing them to lift the objects was Jiang Xinjian, the workshop director of the machine repair workshop. They were so busy that white steam started to come out of their heads.

On the truck on the right, a large group of people were moving large pots, soup buckets and other things onto the truck. It seemed that these were prepared for the chefs and logistics staff. Li Shengli took a look and recognized the person who was giving the orders. He was Chef Liu Hongliang from the canteen.

Master Liu has relatively much experience in the factory, so it is perfect for him to take charge when Director Xu is not around.

"Put it over here."

"Put them all in the middle, and have someone sit on the side to hold them, so they don't get damaged." Liu Hongliang was also busy at the side.

"Master Liu." Li Shengli walked over.

"Oh, Master Li is here." Liu Hongliang saw Li Shengli, nodded and greeted him with a smile.

"Master Liu, is there anything else to do?" Li Shengli asked, rubbing his gloved hands. It was not easy to just sit there and do nothing when everyone was busy. What would it look like for him to just sit there?

"What can it be? Those who came earlier have almost finished their work. Whoever comes earlier can help." Liu Hongliang waved his hand quickly, "I have almost finished my work. Other things like ingredients are still to come."

While we were talking, all the things were loaded into the car.

"These things are almost packed. Let's take a break and set off when the driver and leader arrive." Liu Hongliang said with a smile.

"Master, you are here too." Liu Xikui was busy and didn't notice it just now. Now he saw Li Shengli from the side of the car, and walked over breathlessly to greet him.

"Xikui, you came quite early." Li Shengli smiled and was quite satisfied with Liu Xikui's approach. He believed that an apprentice should act like an apprentice.

"It's my duty." Liu Xikui said with a smile.

I saw that all the things had been moved into the car and there was still some time before departure.

Liu Hongliang discussed with the director of the machine repair workshop and asked those who had not eaten yet to go to the cafeteria to eat.

"Xikui, have you had breakfast?" Li Shengli asked.

"No, I got up early in the morning and came to help." Liu Xikui said, wiping the sweat from his face.

"Then let's go to the third canteen and ask them to serve us." Li Shengli said with a sly smile on his face.

"Okay, Master, let's go." Liu Xikui agreed.

The two of them came to the third canteen, where not many people were eating. Li Shengli looked around and found a window with few people and lined up.

"Give me two steamed buns, a portion of shredded carrots, and a bowl of millet porridge." Li Shengli said to Yao Qin who was getting her meal at the window.

"Shengli, why are you here?" Yao Qin heard the voice and looked up at Li Shengli in surprise.

"Aren't we here for breakfast?" Li Shengli said with a laugh, "This is my first time getting food outside the window. It feels quite strange."

"Haha, that's right. How about you two come to the back kitchen to eat?" Yao Qin teased with a smile.

"No, no." Li Shengli quickly waved his hand and refused, "I want to feel the feeling of eating out, it's like eating in a restaurant."

The three of them chatted and laughed for a while, and then Li Shengli took his breakfast and started eating in the cafeteria.

After breakfast, Li Shengli asked the kitchen to cut a few slices of ginger for him. He wrapped the food in paper and went to the car with the others and waited for a while. Soon, other people also arrived one after another.

The dawn broke in the east in the early morning, and the sky was gradually dyed with a faint blush.

Not long after, people from the Propaganda Department arrived, as did the driver. Xu Damao came pushing a bicycle with his projection equipment on it, and there was another man holding a camera. He was wearing clothes with four pockets and looked like an official.

The people next to the car helped Xu Damao lift the projection equipment onto the truck, after all, they wanted to watch it too.

Just at this moment, He Fumin, who was in charge of production, came over with Xu Weimin, the canteen director.

"Section Chief He is here." Everyone who saw him stood up and greeted him.

"Director, why are you here so late?" Liu Hongliang joked with Xu Weimin with a smile.

"Good job, Liu Hongliang. You've been waiting for me here. I'm giving you a chance to show off." Xu Weimin also smiled and joked.

Everyone around was laughing.

Everybody was just having fun, but then the clerk with the camera clapped his hands, signaling everyone to be quiet because Section Chief He had something to say.

"Comrades, today we are going to the countryside. The factory leadership and the factory party committee attach great importance to it. You are also the best and brightest soldiers selected by the directors. Come together to complete this assistance operation." When Section Chief He said this, warm applause broke out.

Section Chief He pressed his hands down, signaling everyone not to applaud. When the applause gradually died down, Section Chief He continued, "Our assistance this time is mainly divided into three points. First, the comrades in the machine repair workshop will help repair the commune's farm tools. The director of the machine repair workshop, Jiang Xinjian, will be responsible for this. Second, the comrades in the canteen will ensure the food and drink of our factory employees and farmers. The canteen director Xu Weimin will be responsible for this. Third, the comrades in the publicity department will be responsible for the farmers' group photo and movie watching. The publicity department secretary Chen Song will be responsible for this."

At this point, several responsible persons looked at each other and nodded to each other as a greeting.

"Okay, that's enough talk. Everyone get in the car and get ready to go." Section Chief He did not intend to give a long speech as his fellow farmers were still waiting.

Everybody climbed onto the truck. Two truck drivers came to the front of the truck with cranks and started the truck with all their might. Li Shengli felt the effort just watching.

"Let's go!" After everyone got on the bus, Section Chief He shouted in high spirits.

With the rumbling sound of cars, three vehicles drove out of the steel mill one after another and headed out of the city.

(End of this chapter)