Grace Collins was already regretting getting Edward Harris involved, but fortunately David Carter's gaze didn’t linger on Edward Harris for long. Hearing what David Carter said, she quickly shook her head, “Edward Harris has high standards. There’s a technician at the factory who wants to date Edward Harris, but Edward Harris has never agreed. Philip Warren and John Foster probably don’t stand a chance.”

“High standards? In this textile factory, what kind of person does she expect to find?” David Carter said casually.

“So you mean people can only look for someone within the factory?” Grace Collins was a bit upset now, and David Carter’s words touched a sore spot for her. She had always wanted to get out of this remote mountain area by taking the college entrance exam, but after repeated failures, she ended up back at the factory. This had become a permanent pain in Grace Collins’s heart.

“That’s not what I meant, but the reality is just like that. The circle in the factory is pretty closed off, there’s basically no contact with the outside world, and it’s not close to the county town either. If you find a partner, after getting married you’d end up living apart, wouldn’t you?” David Carter said carelessly, “Unless she can find someone who can help her get transferred out.”

“Yeah, but what if Edward Harris really can find someone to help her get transferred out?” Grace Collins said sullenly.

“This factory has nothing to do with the local authorities. For her, as a teacher, to transfer to a local school would be very troublesome, not easy at all.” David Carter had been working for almost a year now, and as a detective he’d met all kinds of people, so he had some experience. He knew very well how difficult personnel transfers were for ordinary people. Even within his own public security system, getting a transfer was as hard as climbing to the sky.

Seeing Grace Collins pouting and not speaking, David Carter quickly changed the subject, “Alright, alright, why are we worrying about other people’s business? Grace Collins, how’s it going in the personnel department? All the factory’s personnel transfers have to go through your office, right?”

“Hmph, it’s just relatively easy work. Do you think we have any say in personnel transfers? There’s the section chief, the deputy section chief, and above them the deputy party secretary in charge of personnel. I just do odd jobs.”

Chapter Twelve: A Great Dream

The two were chatting and laughing when David Carter saw Edward Harris walking over with John Foster, Philip Warren, and the young man who had looked pale with fright earlier.

“Brother Carter, you probably don’t remember me, do you? I was a year below you.”

He was wearing a very trendy T-shirt. It looked like James Goodman, as the deputy factory director in charge of logistics and infrastructure, really had a cushy job. On his feet were AAA leather shoes, and on the chest of his T-shirt was a sunflower logo, apparently from the French brand Montagut. He was just a bit thin, like a bamboo pole with a shirt hanging on it.

“Peter Goodman, right? I kind of remember. I haven’t been back to the factory in a long time, so I don’t recognize a lot of people anymore.” If it hadn’t been for Philip Warren’s introduction earlier, David Carter definitely wouldn’t have remembered this person. But now that his father was a deputy factory director, David Carter felt there was no need to offend him.

The young man was clearly very happy that David Carter remembered him. He hurriedly offered a pack of long Red Tower Mountain cigarettes, “Brother Carter, you still remember me? Just now, it was all thanks to you, Brother Carter.”

“Oh, come on, we’re all from the factory. How could we let outsiders cause trouble here?” David Carter waved his hand to indicate he didn’t smoke, but just then there was a commotion at the entrance of the dance hall, and several burly figures suddenly rushed in.

Everyone tensed up, but on closer look, they saw the leader was Daniel Carter, carrying a thick steel pipe, charging forward aggressively. “Bro, I heard someone from Jiangmiao Street came looking for trouble with you?”

David Carter’s face immediately darkened. “Get out of here! With me here, do you think it’s your place? What are you trying to do, coming in like this? Trying to cause trouble for me?”

Only then did Daniel Carter remember his big brother’s identity—he was from the criminal police team, who would dare act up? Coming in with sticks and pipes was just making things difficult for his brother.

Daniel Carter awkwardly started to lead his buddies away, but Peter Goodman had already come up, scattering Red Tower Mountain cigarettes like raindrops. “Brother Carter, Second Brother Carter was just trying to help you, after all.”

Paul Mason also walked over. “David, Daniel meant well.”

David Carter’s expression finally softened a bit. “Help? As long as he doesn’t make things worse for me, that’s enough. This is the Communist Party’s world—waving knives and sticks around is just asking to end up in jail.”

Lighting a cigarette and taking a satisfying drag, David Carter thought the taste of Red Tower Mountain was indeed far better than the likes of Jiaxiu or Huangguoshu. Daniel Carter knew he really shouldn’t stay here any longer, so he quickly greeted everyone and slipped out.

“David, only you can keep Daniel in line now. Even your dad can’t really control him anymore.” Paul Mason saw how Daniel Carter acted like a docile kitten in front of David Carter, not daring to say a word, and couldn’t help but sigh, “You really need to keep a close eye on Daniel. This past year, with nothing to do, he’s been leading a bunch of factory kids all over the place, even hanging out with those guys from Jiangmiao Street.”

David Carter nodded. “Thanks, Brother Paul. Now that I’m back, I’ll have time. With me here, would he dare?!”

“Sigh, the factory isn’t hiring. If only Daniel could get a job here, maybe things would settle down.” Paul Mason shook his head. “David, why don’t you get him into your precinct’s security team?”

“He’s never even served in the army, I’m afraid that won’t work.” The factory only had a few army recruitment slots each year, and competition was fierce. Without strong connections, there was no way in. After all, coming back to the factory meant you could get a permanent job.