Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

"Um... comrade, is there anything I can help you with?"

Hao Pingchuan looked Zhou Feng up and down, adopting a businesslike demeanor.

Having been a guerrilla veteran, he could easily conceal his true intentions.

"It's...it's nothing serious!"

Zhou Feng rubbed his hands awkwardly and draped his coat over the chair next to him.

"I've come to return your clothes. My colleagues in the office just told me. Thank you for your help, Section Chief Hao!"

After saying that, seeing Hao Pingchuan nod, he turned and walked out, his back view looking somewhat hurried.

Zhou Feng's reaction, however, made Hao Pingchuan frown.

For some reason, he felt as if Zhou Feng recognized him, but in his memory, he had never had any interaction with Zhou Feng!

Therefore, it would be somewhat inappropriate to approach Zhou Feng rashly and express one's goodwill at this moment.

Therefore, Hao Pingchuan could only cough twice, pretend to be engrossed in organizing documents, and directly signal Zhou Feng to leave.

Moreover, although his primary task in taking this position was for Zhou Feng, the purchasing department also kept him quite busy.

After all, he couldn't let Zhou Feng's problems disrupt the logistics of the entire Third Steel Rolling Mill; he also had to ensure that the resources within the mill wouldn't be affected.

It must be said that Hao Pingchuan is truly capable; at least, streamlining the affairs of the purchasing department is no challenge for him at all.

Zhou Feng hadn't been sitting at his workstation for long when it was time to leave. He was the first person to stand up and walk out!

Having connections in the central government made it easy to become an official. Working in the 1960s was much more comfortable than being a corporate slave in later generations!

Even after leaving the factory, Zhou Feng finally realized what was going on.

There's still a problem with my self-positioning!

If you consider the purchasing department of this steel rolling mill as a company, how could someone who can easily obtain large quantities of materials from outside be a lowly servant?

You should either be treated like a top salesperson or be a direct client!

Besides, with Brother Li protecting him, why should he need to follow any rules?

As long as he can provide the steel rolling mill with enough materials, who cares about anything else?

As soon as Zhou Feng stepped into the front yard of the courtyard house, he saw Bai Ling in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, busy cooking.

He leaned against the door frame, looking at the scene, and a feeling of warmth inexplicably arose in his heart.

It's as if this is how the young couple lives: he goes out to work, and his wife stays at home doing laundry, cooking, and taking care of the kids.

Okay, I'm overthinking it.

The relationship hasn't even progressed yet, and you're already fantasizing about having a child!

"What are you standing there for, standing at the door? Come in!"

Bai Ling turned her head and spotted Zhou Feng, giving him a disapproving glare.

That damn man came back but didn't help; he just stood there watching the show!

To be honest, Bai Ling's cooking skills are only average, nothing compared to a professional chef like Sha Zhu.

But she was undeniably good-looking, and the atmosphere of the two of them sitting across from each other while eating made Zhou Feng feel that the food was even more delicious than in restaurants in later generations!

For us ordinary people, what we really want when we eat is to feel comfortable!

The two sat down facing each other. Zhou Feng ate a couple of mouthfuls of rice and suddenly spoke up: "Did you know that we got a new head of the purchasing department at our steel rolling mill today?"

Bai Ling listened to what he said, but her hands were not affected at all. She picked up a piece of meat for herself, chewed it slowly, and then calmly looked up at him.

"What does your steel rolling mill's purchasing department have to do with me? How would I know about this kind of thing?"

Stared at like that, Zhou Feng chuckled awkwardly, somewhat at a loss for words: "I thought he looked like he'd been in the military or maybe he used to be Uncle Hat, so I was just wondering about it!"

"If you know someone, then I'll have another powerful backer at the steel rolling mill!"

"What do you mean by 'having connections' or 'having powerful backers'!"

Bai Ling put her chopsticks down on the rim of her bowl, her face darkening. "You went to the steel mill to serve your comrades, not to lord it over them!"

Sometimes, Zhou Feng's way of speaking really made Bai Ling feel awkward, and even somewhat uncomfortable.

He often acts from the perspective of his own interests or self-interest, which sounds extremely selfish!

This is also one of the reasons why the organization has never dared to confront Zhou Feng and make things clear. This guy has absolutely no passion or drive that a young person his age should have!

"Comrade Zhou Feng, do you think it's possible that even if I really know the person you're talking about, I wouldn't go and speak to him on your behalf or ask him to be your backer?"

Bai Ling's smile looked very mechanical; Zhou Feng couldn't sense any joy in it at all. Instead, he felt a chill run down his spine.

"No, why are you giving me that forced smile? It's creepy!"

Zhou Feng swallowed hard and rubbed his arms vigorously.

"What I mean is, I'll go check it out tomorrow. If I really know him, I'm willing to introduce you, but I absolutely won't let him do anything against the rules for you, understand?"

"OK! OK! OK!"

Zhou Feng waved his hand dismissively, his doubts lessening slightly.

But I was still puzzled. Could it be that Hao Pingchuan really wasn't planted by Bai Ling and her group?

Then I'd better stay away from him. These uncles in hats are disguised and on missions, and they must be dealing with some really vicious people. I can't afford to mess with him, with his small arms and legs.

I was originally thinking of getting closer to Hao Pingchuan and finding out some information about Bai Ling, but now it seems best to stay out of it!

By a twist of fate, Bai Ling's few words inexplicably made it "a little bit" more difficult for Hao Pingchuan to get close to Zhou Feng.