Chapter 100: The Challenges of Security Work

“Hello, please cooperate with the security check.”

With a sharp snap, Shi Tiexin stood at attention, saluting crisply with a commanding presence. After the person undergoing inspection passed through the security gate, he signaled with fingers together for him to step onto the inspection platform. Donning pristine white gloves, he held a handheld scanner in his right hand and began to methodically scan from the collar and shoulders downward, gently sweeping over all the usual hiding spots for contraband, careful not to offend but thorough enough to miss nothing.

Tall and imposing, Shi Tiexin worked with meticulous precision. His serious and focused expression, along with his straight posture, left no room for criticism—both his demeanor and method were flawless.

The man standing on the platform under inspection stared coldly at Shi Tiexin from start to finish, only breaking his gaze when Shi Tiexin pulled a lighter from his pocket.

“Sorry, lighters are prohibited items. Please secure it properly and come back for the check,” Shi Tiexin said politely but firmly.

“Step aside!” the man snapped impatiently, waving his hand as if to force his way through. “Can’t I just light a cigarette?”

But Shi Tiexin stood his ground, crossing his arms to block the man’s path, restrained yet unwavering. “Sir, you cannot bring prohibited items into the factory area. You may leave your lighter with me and retrieve it on your way out. Besides, there is a designated smoking area within the factory equipped with electronic lighters; you do not need to carry your own.”

The man’s face darkened. “Kid, you dare stop me? Do you know who I am? Believe me, I can have you kicked out right now!”

“You may have the authority to deal with me, but I must clarify: it’s not personal, it’s the security rules that forbid your entry,” Shi Tiexin said without yielding an inch, solid as a rock. “It is my duty, and I will not back down.”

The man fell silent, staring at Shi Tiexin for a long moment before snorting heavily and turning away.

Once the man left the factory gate, Shi Tiexin returned to his post, his expression unchanged—a model of stoic professionalism, as if saying, “I am a security guard, and I am proud.”

Across from the guard post, the camera lens seemed to adjust slightly, then fell silent again.

Did Shi Tiexin really not know who that man was? Sorry to disappoint, he did. The man who just passed the security check was Zhong Qinghuan, the head of the Security Department at the meat processing plant.

Zhong Qinghuan really had the power to make Shi Tiexin leave. All security personnel sent by An’an Security were under his command—from Old Wei to Shi Tiexin himself. When he said someone had to go, it was done with a single word.

When Old Wei mentioned “getting caught inside the plant,” he was referring to this Security Chief. In fact, if someone with connections was hired as security, Old Wei would repeatedly warn them not to give this Chief any cause for complaint. Zhong Qinghuan had already caused many guards to be fired.

But for Shi Tiexin, Old Wei had only once casually mentioned Zhong’s identity during a meal, seemingly out of kindness. He said, “Be honest when you see him; this Chief isn’t easy to deal with,” subtly implying that Zhong Qinghuan wielded immense authority over the guards.

Yet the most important detail Old Wei never mentioned was this: Zhong Qinghuan loved to fish for mistakes from new recruits.

He liked to deliberately carry prohibited items to see if the new guard could detect them. If not, the guard was fired. If detected, Zhong would try to force his way through to see how the newcomer handled it. If the guard didn’t stop him, he’d be fired. If he did but argued or lost his temper, still fired.

Traps lay everywhere—pitfalls at every turn—and Old Wei was just waiting to see the joke unfold. If Shi Tiexin “obediently” let him pass, it would be a perfect trap.

But fortunately, Shi Tiexin had already heard the stories about Zhong Qinghuan. Over two years ago, when he worked as a laborer in the powder mixing workshop, Zhong was a deputy head of security. Through casual talks with coworkers, Shi Tiexin had learned about Zhong’s penchant for tormenting new guards.

Back then, feeling the harshness of the lower rungs of society, he saw many deliberately seeking trouble to knock others down. Two years later, those gossip stories became his compass for navigating the situation.

Life is truly full of coincidences.

After Zhong Qinghuan left, Shi Tiexin breathed a slight sigh of relief—the first hurdle had been cleared. Both Old Wei and Zhong were troublemakers who enjoyed picking faults. Here, not a moment could be slackened; one had to perform perfectly without flaw to earn the daily seven-point wage.

Shi Tiexin had been working here for three days.

During these three days, he was meticulous. Not only did he complete his own duties, but he also voluntarily helped his young colleague Xiao Li cover extra shifts. Of course, it wasn’t out of charity. Without helping Xiao Li for two additional hours, he wouldn’t have learned the standard security inspection procedures.

Working here, under this camera’s watchful eye, meant following prescribed actions and scripted language. For those at the very bottom, even the smallest deviation was forbidden. Any slip could mean wage deductions or dismissal.

In three days, Shi Tiexin realized this job was no easy task. There was nowhere to sit; from start to finish, he had to stand. Moreover, the posture was strictly regulated. Standing for eight hours in that stance was physically exhausting beyond measure.

The factory had heavy foot traffic, especially during shift changes when crowds surged through the gates.

These workers faced harsh conditions and enormous life pressures. Any frustration often boiled over in curses. Many refused to comply with security checks, glaring and snapping at guards. Shi Tiexin was often shouted at.

In response, he stuck strictly to the prescribed actions and phrases. Someday, when he no longer worked here, he might forget these stupid scripted moves entirely. But for now, he had to obey and endure.

Thankfully, he had made it through the toughest first three days. Passing the Zhong Qinghuan test was a minor victory; afterward was the relentless daily grind.

Yet not everything went smoothly.

Right now, the biggest annoyance loomed before Shi Tiexin.

“Time for the shift change,” Xiao Li said, arriving ten minutes late as usual, grinning. “Come on, you go eat!”

Shi Tiexin nodded, methodically filling out the handover record, hanging the logbook by the post, then exited the second factory building.

As soon as he stepped outside, the air instantly felt fresher. He took a deep breath. The simulated sunrise was rising. After a night shift and with his stomach growling, Shi Tiexin headed toward the canteen without hesitation.