Courtyard House: I, the eldest son of the Jia family, have returned from the battlefield.

This decisiveness earned Ma Weidong even more admiration.

He paused, his expression turning slightly somber: "Furthermore, Comrade Lin Zhendong of your security department bears leadership responsibility for the enemy spy case in the factory."

The General Administration decided to let him retire early so that he could focus on recovering from his injury.

The appointment and dismissal documents... should have been delivered to your department by now.

Jia Dongming's eyes flickered slightly.

He had already heard rumors from Lin Zhendong, but to actually hear "take responsibility" was a completely different matter.

Those two words still felt like a stone was stuck in my chest.

Lin Zhendong was transferred back to civilian work to recuperate after being seriously injured. The reason he was assigned to the steel rolling mill was to allow him to rest and recuperate. Now that something has happened, he is being asked to take the blame. This is not a reasonable explanation.

With this thought in mind, Jia Dongming went directly to Deputy Factory Director Ma: "Factory Director Ma, the original intention of transferring Comrade Lin Zhendong to the steel rolling mill was to allow him to rest and recuperate."

Now the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television is asking him to take on leadership responsibilities. Isn't that... a bit unreasonable?

After hearing his words, Deputy Factory Director Ma's face darkened: "Comrade Jia Dongming! The General Administration arranged for Comrade Lin Zhendong to go to the steel rolling mill to take care of his health, but it was by no means to make him abandon the security department."

The organization hasn't punished him yet; they've only let him retire early, which is already a lenient treatment.

"Do you know what the Ministry of Industry did with the key personnel at the steel rolling mill? Except for the secretary who reached retirement age and was demoted, the rest were all transferred to the Northwest to support construction."

When Jia Dongming returned to the steel rolling mill from the General Administration, it was already past 10 a.m.

Seeing the group of people talking in the conference room, he quickly pushed open the door and went in, giving Lin Zhendong an apologetic smile: "Director Lin, I'm so sorry! The meeting at the General Administration just ended. I originally wanted to rush back to attend your farewell party, but I was kept behind by the leaders to discuss some matters, which is why I was delayed."

Everyone in the small conference room sensed something unusual in Jia Dongming's words.

Lin Zhendong smiled and looked him over: "Comrade Dongming, judging from your tone, it seems you're about to get another promotion, aren't you?"

Seeing everyone staring at him curiously, Jia Dongming quickly waved his hand and said, "My rank hasn't changed. I'm just being transferred to the Criminal Investigation Brigade of the Dongcheng Branch as a deputy captain."

He paused, then raised his voice and said, "In addition, because our security department has performed outstandingly during this period, the General Administration has decided to award it a collective third-class merit, and the comrades from Mingtian's propaganda department will come to the factory to commend it."

"Section Chief, is that true? Our section really received a collective third-class merit award?"

In those years when honor was more precious than anything else, Guo Jianguo's face lit up immediately upon hearing the news, and he hurriedly confirmed it with Jia Dongming.

Seeing the excited expressions on everyone's faces, Jia Dongming nodded affirmatively: "It's absolutely true, the Mingtian Medal will be delivered soon."

After saying that, he turned to Zhang Guoping: "Guoping, go back and inform all the comrades in the department to wear uniforms and be in high spirits to welcome the commendation from the General Administration."

Zhang Guoping replied loudly, "Don't worry, Section Chief, I guarantee I'll complete the task!"

Remembering the things he had instructed him to do before the meeting, Jia Dongming smiled and asked him, "By the way, has everything been taken care of, the thing I asked you to arrange before I left?"

Zhang Guoping immediately understood: "Everything is ready. After the farewell party here, we'll go straight to the cafeteria."

Jia Dongming nodded, then turned to the middle-level cadres present and said loudly, "Comrades, Director Lin transferred from the military to civilian work and has been working in our security department all these years."

Although Director Lin had been in poor health, he remained diligent and conscientious in his work, devoting considerable effort to the development of the Security Department.

"Now, considering Director Lin's health condition, the organization believes that he is no longer suitable to stay in his front-line position and has decided to let him retire early and go home to recuperate."

Now, let's give Director Lin a warm round of applause!

After saying that, Jia Dongming took the lead in clapping, and a round of applause immediately followed in the conference room.

Listening to Jia Dongming's words and looking at the applauding crowd, Lin Zhendong felt no joy, only a heavy sense of sorrow.

Back then, his superiors were considerate of his health and didn't let him continue working on the front lines. Instead, they specially arranged for him to work in the security department of the steel rolling mill, a relatively leisurely position.

However, he was so focused on recuperating that he neglected his work in the department, which gave the enemy in the shadows an opportunity to take advantage of him.

How long has Jia Dongming been in the Security Section? He has not only brought many practical benefits to the section, but also cracked a case involving enemy agents targeting the factory area in just a few days, earning the entire Security Section a collective third-class merit.

Compared to Jia Dongming, Lin Zhendong felt that he had been extremely negligent during his years in office.

A strong sense of guilt welled up from the bottom of his heart—he had ultimately betrayed the organization's trust.

Applause echoed among the middle-level cadres, but Lin Zhendong knew very well that the applause was not directed at him, but at the newly awarded third-class merit medal.

As soon as Jia Dongming finished speaking, Lin Zhendong felt his face burning.

He took half a step forward and lowered his voice: "Section Chief Jia, I feel really ashamed of your praise just now."

"The organization was considerate of me and specially arranged for me to come to the steel rolling mill."

"He's supposed to be the head of security. Even if his health isn't up to the task of fieldwork, shouldn't he at least be diligent in organizing documents in the office? But I..."

He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing, "I was so focused on taking care of this useless body that I neglected my duties, which allowed the rats in the shadows to take advantage of the situation and almost caused a major disaster."

Today, in front of all my comrades, I must admit my mistake—I have let down the organization and everyone else.

Jia Dongming quickly waved his hand, his tone earnest: "Director Lin, you're being too kind."

The original purpose of transferring you here was to allow you to rest and recuperate.

What does that enemy spy case have to do with you? This morning I went to a meeting at the General Administration and specifically reported your retirement arrangements to Vice General Ma.

Vice President Ma repeatedly emphasized that your early retirement was purely for health reasons and had absolutely nothing to do with the case; please don't take it to heart.

Lin Zhendong was certainly aware of the key points involved.

Looking at Jia Dongming's words of defense, he felt a warmth in his heart and patted the other's shoulder: "From now on, I'll entrust the security department to you."

"You have the ability; you'll definitely lead your comrades to even greater heights."

"Don't worry."

Jia Dongming straightened his back and glanced at everyone present. "I will do my best to guard the gate of the steel rolling mill."

Zhang Guoping, who was sitting in the corner, glanced at his watch, leaned closer, and whispered, "Section Chief, it's getting late. Shouldn't we head to the canteen?"

As the sun began to set in the afternoon, Jia Dongming suddenly remembered that he was still short of materials for the home repairs.

He rushed to the fleet, got a permit for a truck, and drove out of the factory gate with a turn of the steering wheel.

In a secluded spot in the countryside, he parked the car, moved the prepared heating stove and several bags of cement into the truck bed, and then turned around and drove towards Luogu Lane.

The sound of clattering and knocking came from the courtyard.

Jia Dongming stepped into the old house in the courtyard, took out a pack of Peony cigarettes from his pocket, and handed them to the workers one by one.

Finally, he stopped in front of Master Lei, who was leading the way: "Now that Dongxi has been brought back, I'll have to trouble you to find a few people to carry it."

Master Lei took the cigarette, sniffed it first, then chuckled and tucked it behind his ear, calling into the inner room, "Dazhu, Erzhu! Stop fiddling with the tenons, help the Dong family move the materials from the cart outside into the yard!"

Two young apprentices stepped forward in response.

In less than fifteen minutes, the corner of the yard was piled high with materials.

Master Lei circled the cast iron heating stove twice and clicked his tongue, saying, "The Dong family has a good eye for choosing this stove."

"With the water pipes connected, cooking and getting hot water will be convenient in winter, although it will consume more coal."

Jia Dongming was taken aback upon hearing this: "You've seen something like this before?"

"Why haven't I seen it before?"

Master Lei smiled, his eye wrinkles deepening. "These were the same kind of machines installed in the Western-style buildings in Dongjiaomin Lane back in the day, but yours is more exquisite and much smaller."

Jia Dongming suddenly realized—the winter fruits given by the system were all fruits that grew along the tendrils of time, and were not some earth-shattering thing.

His gaze shifted to the pile of bluish-gray cement: "Master Lei, do you think this is enough? If not, I'll get more."

Master Lei squatted down, grabbed a handful of cement mortar, and his eyes lit up: "If the Dong family still has connections, they might as well haul some more."

While I was at it, I paved the ground in the yard with cement and rebuilt the drainage ditch.

From now on, during the rainy season, there will be no more muddy floors or puddles in the yard.

Jia Dongming's heart skipped a beat: "According to your plan, how much more do you need?"

"We'll need to add at least more..."

Master Lei paused before he could finish speaking.

He heard Jia Dongming use the word "ton".

Judging by the number, he couldn't help but take a second look at the Dong family member in front of him—this person's background was probably not simple.

Master Lei quickly calculated for a moment before looking up at Jia Dongming and saying, "Dongjia, I've made a rough estimate. If we can prepare more cement, it would be best to transport three tons; if things are really tight, one and a half tons would be just about enough."

As the two were discussing the amount of cement, Qin Huairu came over carrying a teapot and several bowls.

She laid out the bowls on the stone table one by one, poured tea into them, and gently greeted, "Uncle, Master Lei, please take a break and have some tea to soothe your throats."

Jia Dongming turned to look at her and saw that her complexion was much better than before, so he asked with a hint of interest, "Huairu, are you feeling any better?"

Qin Huairu's ears burned as the events of last night suddenly came to mind.

She lowered her eyes, her voice softening slightly: "Thank you for your concern, Uncle. I'm much better now."

In the afternoon, Jia Dongming made another trip and brought back all the cement needed for the house repairs to the courtyard house before driving back to the steel rolling mill.

As the sun began to set and it was nearly five o'clock, Jia Dongming rode his bicycle into the alley.

Yan Bugui, who was guarding the gate, spotted him immediately and greeted him with a smile: "Section Chief Jia, are you off work?"

As Jia Dongming pushed his cart through the gate, he saw Yan Bugui watering his small vegetable patch with a watering can. He smiled and said, "Uncle, the weather is getting cooler. Vegetables are different from flowers. If you water them like this every day, the roots will probably rot."

Yan Bugui was taken aback, water still dripping from the spout of the teapot in his hand: "Section Chief Jia, is there some special technique involved in making this dish?"

"There's a lot more to it than meets the eye."

Jia Dongming laughed and said, "But I'm also an outsider, so I can't really explain it in detail."

Yan Bugui seemed to suddenly remember something, took two steps closer and lowered his voice: "By the way, Section Chief Jia, my wife told me that you brought back a lot of cement this afternoon?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming immediately understood—this old man always liked to take advantage of small things, and he was probably eyeing these cements.

He still had a smile on his face, but his tone was nonchalant: "Of course, you can't do without this when you're repairing your house."

I had to beg my old comrade-in-arms several times before I could barely scrape together this little bit.

Yan Bugui hurriedly waved his hand: "Section Chief Jia, please don't misunderstand. It's like this—those few steps at the entrance of our compound are really inconvenient; we have to carry our bicycles in and out every day."

Since your house is currently under renovation, could you please have the contractor build a concrete ramp along the steps? It would make it easier for you to get in and out later, wouldn't it?

Jia Dongming originally thought he wanted to ask for cement, but he didn't expect him to bring this up.

It was indeed troublesome for him to carry the car in and out every day, so he readily agreed: "Okay! I'll talk to Master Lei later and ask him to build a ramp at the entrance when he has time. It doesn't need to be too wide, just enough to push the car over."

Yan Bugui had this idea all along, but he hadn't dared to speak up because of Jia Dongming's status.

Seeing that he readily agreed, she repeatedly thanked him, "Section Chief Jia, then I thank you on behalf of everyone in the compound!"

"Uncle! You're back!"

Before Yan Bugui could finish speaking, Bang Geng rushed in from outside the door like a gust of wind, his head covered in sweat.

He spotted Jia Dongming standing in the front yard and immediately grinned and shouted.

Jia Dongming looked at the boy's flushed face: "Where have you been running off to? You're all sweaty."

"We're playing cops and robbers in the alley!"

Bang Geng's eyes lit up. "If I were a cop, I could catch several in one go!"

Jia Dongming smiled and gently pushed the bicycle toward him: "Come on, help your uncle push the bike, let's go home for dinner."

Bang Geng happily accepted it, and pushed the bicycle, which was not much shorter than him, wobbling as he walked towards the central courtyard.