Courtyard House: I fish in the heavens, a professional bird abuser.

His voice wasn't loud, carrying a composure born of long-standing superiority, but his surprise and admiration were genuine.

The gaze behind the gold-rimmed glasses was sharp, yet at this moment it held undisguised amazement.

He looked repeatedly at the young man in front of him, who was wearing faded blue overalls but had a straight and upright posture.

He Yuanchao could feel the heavy scrutiny in the other person's eyes, as if trying to see through his skin and into the depths of his soul.

He calmly returned the handshake, neither humble nor arrogant:

"Director Lou, you flatter me. I don't deserve the title of 'Master.' I just tinker around with things in my spare time and practice for fun. I'm glad I can help the factory."

"Well deserved! Absolutely deserved!"

Lou Zhenhua released his hand and warmly gestured for He Yuanchao to sit down.

I walked around the large desk and returned to the main seat.

His fingers tapped the table unconsciously, making a soft, rhythmic sound that revealed his inner turmoil.

"These characters are clearly defined, their strength penetrating the paper; slender yet elegant, their sharpness restrained yet possessing a unique vigor, deeply capturing the essence of the 'Slender Gold' style!"

Lou Zhenhua pointed to the calligraphy on the table, his tone confident, like that of an expert: "When I was young, I also loved to dabble in calligraphy and have seen the works of many famous calligraphers."

Comrade Yuanchao, your calligraphy is not something that can be achieved overnight, much less something that can be reached by "playing around"!

To be honest, he doesn't seem like a...

"Yes, even a fitter wielding a hammer in a workshop could write that."

He carefully considered his words, but the meaning was clear.

He Yuanchao understood perfectly; this deputy factory director had a sharp eye.

He smiled slightly and said frankly:

"Director Lou has a keen eye. My father studied in a private school for a few years in his early years and also loved calligraphy."

When I was a child, my family was poor and couldn't afford paper and pens, so I used twigs to trace the characters my father had left behind in the sand.

Later, I took over a job at the factory and started earning a salary. Occasionally, I could buy the cheapest paper and ink and practice by the light of an oil lamp when I got home at night.

It's purely out of interest, and also... to toughen up my patience.

He explained it in a half-truthful way.

"Practicing calligraphy on sand? Copying model texts by oil lamp?"

Lou Zhenhua was moved, and the admiration in his eyes deepened.

He was born into a wealthy family, and from a young age, he received the finest writing materials and was constantly taught by renowned teachers.

Knowing full well that talent is certainly important in calligraphy,

But the resilience to temper one's will amidst poverty and hardship is the true foundation of great talent!

"Rare indeed! Extremely rare!"

Lou Zhenhua sighed repeatedly.

"It is truly admirable that they can maintain this mindset and pursuit despite the heavy workload in the workshop!"

Comrade Yuanchao, your parents... must have been exceptionally good people to have raised a son like you.

He then steered the conversation toward He Yuanchao's family background, which was exactly what he was most eager to know.

A hint of sadness flashed across He Yuanchao's face at just the right moment, and his voice lowered slightly: "Thank you, Director Lou."

My father and mother... are both gone.

I'm an orphan, raised on the kindness of many families. Later, the neighborhood committee arranged for me to take over my uncle's job at the factory.

His tone was calm, but a deep-seated sense of loneliness naturally emerged.

"orphan?"

Lou Zhenhua was startled, and a complex emotion welled up within him.

Clean!

It's so clean!

Orphaned, with impeccable revolutionary credentials, a pure working-class background, without any burdens or complicated social relationships!

This background is simply the perfect talisman!

The vague thought in his mind instantly became incredibly clear and intense.

"Alas, Comrade Yuanchao, please accept my condolences."

Lou Zhenhua sighed, his tone filled with genuine concern.

"Life is tough. However, your perseverance in adversity, your remarkable skills, and your exceptional handwriting indicate a limitless future!"

He changed the subject, asking seemingly casually:

"By the way, Comrade Yuanchao, you're not getting any younger. Have you settled your personal life yet? Are you married?"

coming!

A slight alarm bell rang in He Yuanchao's heart, but his face remained calm, displaying just the right amount of youthful shyness:

"Not yet, Director Lou. My conditions..."

"I'm only responsible for myself, so I haven't thought about those things yet. I'm focused on honing my skills and doing my job well."

He downplayed his reasons for not looking for a partner, attributing it to his ambition and poor financial situation.

"Haven't you considered it?"

Lou Zhenhua's eyes lit up, as if he had discovered a rare treasure. His smile became even gentler, filled with the concern of an elder.

"Comrade Yuanchao, you're wrong about that!"

Settling down and starting a career should come first! With such great qualities, you're a level 5 fitter at such a young age, and you're a key technical backbone that the factory is focusing on developing!

The future is bright! How can you belittle yourself? I think you're just setting your sights too high! Isn't that right?

He leaned forward slightly, his tone gentle and persuasive: "There are plenty of good girls out there! The key is to find someone who shares your values ​​and can understand and support you."

Look at you, skilled in technology and cultured—a young person like you is hard to find even with a lantern! We can't afford to waste any more time!"

He Yuanchao's mind raced.

Lou Zhenhua's attitude was overly enthusiastic; it was far more than just a superior's concern for a subordinate.

Considering his status and his unmarried daughter, Lou Xiao'e,

And considering his attempt to marry his daughter to Xu Damao in the original story... the answer is obvious!

"Director Lou, you flatter me."

He Yuanchao gave a slightly helpless smile.

"It's mainly because the right time just hasn't come yet. I'm fine now, with no worries, and I can focus all my energy on my work."

He steered the conversation back to work, adopting an attitude of "prioritizing his career."

"Excellent! What a wonderful statement about being carefree and prioritizing one's career!"

Lou Zhenhua was not disappointed at all; on the contrary, he appreciated it even more and slammed his hand on the table.

"With this kind of ambition and focus, what great things can't a young person achieve? Comrade Yuanchao, I have high hopes for you! I have great hopes for you!"

He stood up, walked to He Yuanchao's side, patted him heavily on the shoulder, his gaze intense.

"Work hard! If you have any technical ideas, or encounter any difficulties in your work or life, feel free to come to me anytime!"

The factory needs young people like you who are truly talented, hardworking, and reliable to take on important responsibilities!

This is already a fairly clear offer of support and a promise!

"Thank you for your trust and encouragement, Director Lou! I will definitely work even harder to live up to your expectations!"

He Yuanchao also stood up and made a solemn statement.

"Okay! Go ahead! I'll leave the bulletin board to you. Secretary Zhang will cooperate with you."

Lou Zhenhua nodded in satisfaction, personally escorted He Yuanchao to the door, and watched his tall figure disappear at the end of the corridor.

As soon as the office door closed, Lou Zhenhua's smile vanished, replaced by a deep and thoughtful expression.

He quickly returned to his desk and took out a worn-out document from the deepest part of the drawer.

The document prominently displayed an internal notice regarding "Ideological Reform and Resettlement of Former Employees and Their Families of Joint Public-Private Enterprises."

The words convey a sense of impending doom and impending storm.

He rubbed his temples wearily, his gaze falling on an exquisite silver photo frame on the corner of the table.

In the photo, a young girl in a Western-style dress, with a bright smile and clear eyes that also held a hint of stubbornness, was none other than his beloved daughter, Lou Xiao'e.

"Xiao'e..."

Lou Zhenhua muttered to himself, his eyes filled with an intense, unyielding worry and struggle.

Xu Damao? That glib, opportunistic projectionist?

His mother was indeed a servant in the Lou family; her background was clear and her social standing was clean.

Marrying their daughter to Xu Damao was the "best solution" he and his wife had come up with after repeated deliberation and painful compromise.

—Using the "red" of a working-class family to cover up the indelible "capitalist" taint on her daughter.

To find her a relatively safe haven in the coming storm.

But his daughter's fierce opposition and the pain in her eyes... each time felt like a knife stabbing into his heart.

Xiao'e had received a modern education and longed for free love, looking down on Xu Damao's scheming and opportunistic nature.

He understood, but what did personal preferences matter in the face of cruel reality?

In order for his daughter to live a safe life, he, as a father, was willing to bear his daughter's resentment!

However, He Yuanchao's appearance was like a ray of light piercing through the gloom!

Young! With impeccable revolutionary credentials!

Key technical personnel! A bright future awaits!

Most importantly, he possesses a calm, reserved, and humble demeanor, as well as an astonishingly beautiful handwriting that is powerful enough to penetrate the paper!

Your handwriting reflects your personality!

Lou Zhenhua firmly believed this.

To be able to write such characters with such integrity and inner strength, one's character and vision are far beyond those of people like Xu Damao!

This is the person who can truly protect Xiao'e, and perhaps even... leave a glimmer of hope for the Lou family in the midst of the storm!

Once this idea takes root, it spreads like wildfire and can never be extinguished!

Compared to Xu Damao's seemingly secure but actually unpredictable "political marriage,"

He Yuanchao, this "potential stock," is undoubtedly more valuable, and it also gives Lou Zhenhua a sense of inexplicable peace of mind.

"Knock knock knock!"

A soft, rhythmic knock on the door interrupted Lou Zhenhua's thoughts.

"Please come in."

The door was pushed open, and a young woman wearing a light blue "blouse" dress walked in.

She had a slender figure, fair skin, and her jet-black hair was tied into a neat ponytail, revealing a graceful, swan-like neck.

It was Lou Xiao'e.

Compared to the photos, she lacked some of her carefree radiance; a faint, lingering melancholy hung between her brows.

Those once clear and bright eyes now appear somewhat dim and tired.

But that innate refinement and elegance,

She still felt out of place in the simple office.

Like an orchid quietly blooming in the cracks of a gray brick wall.

"dad."

Lou Xiao'e's voice carried a barely perceptible hoarseness and weakness.

She gently closed the door behind her, walked to the desk, and glanced at her father's furrowed brows and the glaring document on the table. Her heart sank, and her face paled even more.

Is what's meant to happen inevitable? Xu Damao's obsequious and greasy face resurfaced in her mind, making her stomach churn.

For her parents, for this family in turmoil, is she really going to sacrifice her life's happiness and give herself to that kind of man?

"Xiao'e is here, please have a seat."

Lou Zhenhua felt a pang of heartache looking at his daughter's haggard appearance, but he tried to keep his tone calm.

Lou Xiao'e did not sit down; her slender fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

She took a deep breath, as if summoning all her courage, her voice carrying a desperate calm:

"Dad, Mom told me...about the Xu family...I..."

She managed to utter those words with difficulty, "I... I agree."

After saying those words, it was as if all her strength had been drained away.

Her eyes instantly reddened, and a layer of tears quickly welled up.

But she bit her lower lip hard, stubbornly refusing to let the tears fall.

That feigned strength is more heartbreaking than tears.

The air in the office seemed to freeze, so heavy it was suffocating.

Looking at his daughter's dejected yet forcedly obedient appearance, Lou Zhenhua felt as if his heart was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, the pain almost suffocating him.

This is Lou Zhenhua's daughter! To protect her parents, she willingly threw herself into the fire!

"No, Xiao'e."

Lou Zhenhua's voice was unusually hoarse, yet it carried an unprecedented firmness and a hint of... barely suppressed excitement.

"You don't need to agree to the Xu family's demands."

"What?"

Lou Xiao'e suddenly raised her head, and tears finally welled up in her eyes, sliding down her pale cheeks.

She thought she had misheard and looked at her father in disbelief.

"Dad... what... what did you say?"

"I'm telling you, you don't need to marry Xu Damao!"

Lou Zhenhua stood up, walked around the table, and went to his daughter, pressing his hands firmly on her thin shoulders.

He repeated each word clearly and distinctly.

"Dad has come to a realization. We can't ruin your life's happiness for our sake! Xu Damao doesn't deserve it!"

The immense shock left Lou Xiao'e momentarily stunned; a mixture of overwhelming joy and disbelief caused her body to tremble slightly.

"Really? Dad! You're not lying to me?"

She clung tightly to her father's arm as if grasping at a lifeline.

"Silly child, why would Dad lie to you!"

Seeing the renewed light in his daughter's eyes, Lou Zhenhua felt a mix of sorrow and relief. He pulled his daughter down to sit, his tone becoming solemn and full of hope.

"Dad found someone at the factory today! A... truly outstanding young man! I think he's the one you should entrust your life to!"

"Who?"

Lou Xiao'e's heart skipped a beat, followed by a surge of deep suspicion and vigilance.

Would her father, having just gotten rid of Xu Damao, arrange another "politically correct" partner for her? Perhaps the son of a factory cadre?

Or is it some model worker with impeccable political credentials?

"His name is He Yuanchao!"

Lou Zhenhua's voice carried the excitement of discovering a hidden gem. "He's a worker in our factory's fitter workshop! He's only twenty-three years old this year, and he's already a level five fitter! He's the youngest technical backbone in the factory! He has a bright future ahead of him!"

"A worker? A fitter?"

Lou Xiao'e was stunned.

This answer was completely unexpected.

The "ideal candidate" she imagined was completely different from the oil-smeared, loud-voiced workers in the workshop.

"Yes! That's him!"

Lou Zhenhua seemed oblivious to his daughter's astonishment, growing more and more agitated as he spoke, "Xiao'e, don't underestimate him just because he's a worker. This man... he's extraordinary! Extremely extraordinary!"

He pointed to the calligraphy on the table, "Look at this calligraphy! It was written by him!"

Lou Xiao'e's gaze followed her father's finger and landed on the ink-stained banner that read "Grasp Revolution, Promote Production".

She caught her breath after just one glance!

The six large characters in the slender gold script are sharp and angular, as if carved by a knife and axe.

Yet, at the turning point, it reveals an indescribable tenacity and composure!

The strokes of the brush seem to contain an indomitable will and a vibrant life force!

These characters... were actually written by a fitter?

How is this possible?!