Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

At 1:30 in the afternoon, all preparations for the party were completed. Xu Damao also came to the preparation room for the performers at the steel rolling mill. He also signed up for a program, an erhu solo of "Erquan Yingyue". However, he could not play the erhu at all. He just exchanged for an advanced erhu skill.

At 1:45 pm, leaders from the Ministry of Metallurgy, the Art Troupe and the Steel Mill began to enter the venue. After the leaders were seated, the leader of the Ministry of Metallurgy gave a speech, focusing on praising the achievements of the Steel Mill this year and the significance of this party for the military and civilians to have fun together. Then the leaders of the Art Troupe and the Steel Mill gave speeches one after another.

At 2:15 pm, Zhao Lijun, the beauty of the steel mill's publicity department, came on stage to announce the official start of the party. There was another host from the art troupe at the party, which was specially requested by the art troupe, apparently to compete with the steel mill.

The first to appear was the chorus "We Workers Have Power" from the steel rolling mill, which received warm applause from everyone.

The second program was a collective dance performance by the art troupe. The young and beautiful figures danced gracefully on the makeshift stage, making countless male comrades' eyes almost pop out. Naturally, it also won unanimous praise from everyone.

Next, the steel rolling mill and the art troupe performed alternately, including solo, chorus, opera and dance, which were so dazzling that the applause was louder and louder.

When the performance was about to end, it was finally Xu Damao's turn to play the erhu. Xu Damao changed into a brand new Zhongshan suit, holding an erhu in his hand and sitting on a stool prepared in advance.

Xu Damao got ready and gently pulled the bow with his right hand, causing the strings to vibrate continuously. At the same time, a weeping and complaining erhu sound rang out, which was Abing's "Erquan Yingyue". The erhu sound was sometimes low and sometimes high, tightly pulling the audience's heartstrings.

After the song, Xu Damao stood up and bowed to the audience. There was silence for a while, but then there was applause like a landslide and tsunami. Some people even shouted for another one.

In the end, it took the two hosts coming on stage together to calm everyone's emotions. After all, both hosts were beauties. One was the recognized beauty in the steel rolling mill, and the other was also a top-notch figure in the art troupe which was full of beauties.

The next five programs went smoothly, and it was evening, and the whole party ended smoothly. The leaders organized an on-site vote and selected the five most popular programs. The art troupe won the first, third and fifth place, and the first place was the group dance of the art troupe. Xu Damao's erhu solo won the second place, and the fourth place was the chorus of the steel mill workers.

Next, leaders at all levels came on stage to present awards to the winners. Xu Damao's second place award was a certificate in the style of an award certificate and a bicycle ticket. Xu Damao planned to put this certificate together with the last certificate for arresting an enemy spy in his office to show off.

Then the people dispersed. Although it was a little dark, the safety department and the inspection team were there to maintain order, so nothing happened. The leaders of the Ministry of Metallurgy went back directly, but the leaders of the art troupe and the female soldiers stayed. There was still some meat left in the canteen at noon, and Director Yang planned to treat them well, so that he could continue to ask them to help with the next event.

Xu Damao went back to the office first, intending to put his things down and go home with everyone, but he was stopped by someone as soon as he left the office. Xu Damao turned around and saw that the person was Li Huaide.

"What's the matter, Director Li?"

"Da Mao, please stay for a moment. The leader of the art troupe specifically asked you to come and accompany them. It seems that he wants to talk to you about something else, but he didn't say what it is." Li Huaide said with some confusion.

Xu Damao had an idea. He thought that the art troupe might have wanted him because of the songs he had released. "Well, work is more important. I'll go with you to take a look."

The two men walked side by side towards a cafeteria, cigarettes in their mouths.

"Da Mao, I know your abilities, and you have made many contributions, but you only received some material rewards and no promotion. You should know the reason even if I don't tell you. But you can no longer hold two positions concurrently after the new year. Some people are jealous. After all, I asked you to go to the Inspection Department just to deal with it temporarily. You also know the current situation in our factory, and my life is not easy either. I can only fight for two positions for you. You can choose one of them. Tell me what you think and we will discuss it together." Li Huaide said with rare sincerity.

After all, Director Yang was promoted and had more power in his hands. His life was indeed not easy. In order to win people's hearts, he came personally to comfort Xu Damao, a capable general.

"I can go anywhere. After all, there is no distinction between high and low in revolutionary work. I will go wherever you need me!" Xu Damao said indifferently. After all, the Propaganda Department and the Inspection Team are not lucrative departments. Relatively speaking, the work of the Inspection Team is easier, and the Propaganda Department is more familiar with itself and can be regarded as its home turf.

Li Huaide patted Xu Damao's shoulder with some emotion. It was rare that Xu Damao still supported him so firmly. You know, many people in his department were fence-sitters and turned to Director Yang when they saw that the wind was not blowing in their favor.

"Then Damao, you should stay in the Propaganda Department. After all, you are more familiar with the work there. But, Damao, don't worry. Our factory is expanding this time. I will use my connections to do my best to push you to the position of section chief." Li Huaide said gritting his teeth.

Xu Damao looked at Li Huaide's expression and seemed to understand something. No wonder Section Chief Yang had been avoiding him recently. It seemed that he had climbed up the ladder. Xu Damao nodded firmly, "Okay, then I will stay in the Propaganda Department and defend our position."

As they talked, they came to the private room of the cafeteria. Director Yang sat in the main seat, surrounded by the leaders of the steel rolling mill and the cultural troupe.

"Director Yang, I have brought Comrade Damao here."

"Old Li is back? Come and sit down. Damao, just sit over there. The leaders of the art troupe have something to discuss with you!" Yang Wenjing said in confusion.

Xu Damao didn't hesitate and sat down next to the people in the art troupe. Unexpectedly, a leader of the art troupe wearing glasses took the initiative to extend his hand and said with a smile: "Hello, Comrade Xu Damao, I am Sun Hongjun, the deputy director of the art troupe, and I am glad to meet you."

Xu Damao also stretched out his hand and shook hands with him. After all, he still had to give face to the leader.

"The reason we came here this time is, first, to attend the party, and second, we heard that the master who wrote those songs is at the steel mill, so we came here specially to visit him," said Sun Hongjun.

"We are all comrades, so what's the point of visiting? Just tell me if you have something to say." Xu Damao said cheerfully. He specially wrote several military songs and mailed them to the troops.

"Okay, Comrade Damao is really straightforward. I'm going to have a few drinks with you later." Sun Hongjun said affectionately.