I feel right at home in the world of the courtyard house.

The store's office was small, but it was clean and tidy. A wooden desk stood in the center, with folders, pens, and enamel teacups on it. A filing cabinet stood against the wall, and work regulations and a calendar were hung on the wall. As soon as the group sat down, Manager Zhao immediately picked up the thermos and poured hot tea for everyone. Steam rose and the aroma of tea filled the air.

"Jing'an," Manager Qian said with a smile, picking up his teacup. "I've assigned Comrade Li Hongying to level seven, with a monthly salary of 46 yuan. This is already the standard for senior employees. Any higher, I don't have the authority to do so, it's really difficult for me to process."

46 yuan! Upon hearing this, Li Hongying's eyes widened instantly, and her face immediately lit up with a smile, her heart overflowing with joy—this salary was more than what she earned at the gear factory!

"Yes, thank you so much, Lao Qian." Li Jing'an nodded in satisfaction; this treatment had indeed exceeded his expectations.

"What are you thanking me for! What kind of relationship do we have? It's just a matter of a word from you!" Manager Qian waved his hand generously, appearing exceptionally magnanimous.

Just then, there was a soft knock on the office door, the knocking was slow and deliberate.

"Come in," Manager Zhao called out.

As soon as the door opened, a young cadre in his twenties walked in, wearing a faded blue Zhongshan suit and black-rimmed glasses. He was none other than Liu, the cadre from the subdistrict office.

"Ah, Officer Liu, what brings you here?" Manager Zhao asked, getting up.

"I...I heard that the job opening at your grocery store has been submitted, so I came here specifically to inquire," said Officer Liu, adjusting his glasses with a sincere tone.

"Hmm, what's wrong?" Manager Zhao's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm.

"Here's the thing, there's a family in our area facing extreme hardship. The husband and wife are both unemployed, the husband is seriously ill, and they have two young children to support. They simply can't make ends meet." Officer Liu's tone was sincere. "Our subdistrict office held a meeting and discussed assigning this position to her, hoping to give their family a way to survive."

Manager Zhao's face instantly turned troubled. He stammered, unable to speak, and his eyes unconsciously glanced at Li Jing'an, caught in a dilemma.

Li Jing'an held his teacup, took a small sip, and heard the conversation outside perfectly clearly, yet his expression remained indifferent, as if the matter had nothing to do with him. This position was one he had secured through connections, so naturally it wasn't for anyone else. As for the plight of the impoverished family, he had no time to concern himself with it; the neighborhood committee would take care of that. He put down his teacup, looked at Manager Qian, and said calmly, "Old Qian, I have some things to attend to at the factory, so I'll take my leave now. I won't disturb you any longer."

"Are you leaving so soon? Have another cup of tea and rest your feet!" Manager Qian quickly stood up to persuade him to stay.

"No, I'm so busy all day long, I don't even have time to rest," Li Jing'an said, giving his sister a wink to signal her to prepare to leave.

Li Hongying also got up.

Just as he reached the door, Li Jing'an suddenly stopped, as if he had suddenly remembered something.

Manager Qian immediately stepped forward: "Jing'an, is there anything else you need?"

"I went to the department store a couple of days ago, hoping to buy two cases of Moutai for my father-in-law, but who knew that the liquor was so scarce. I went several times, but I couldn't buy a single bottle." Li Jing'an said casually, as if he were just mentioning it offhand. "Could you keep an eye out for me and see when your food supply system will receive the goods, and reserve two cases for me?"

Manager Qian's eyes lit up, and he immediately understood—Li Jing'an's father-in-law was Leader Wei from the Municipal Party Committee! He immediately patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry! Leader Wei loves Moutai. Entrusting this to me will definitely not delay your filial piety! I'll reserve some for you as soon as the goods arrive!"

"Alright, I'll leave this to you." Li Jing'an nodded slightly, his tone carrying a hint of satisfaction.

"Don't worry, don't worry, I'll definitely get it done!" Manager Qian nodded repeatedly.

Li Jing'an led Li Hongying out of the office, nodded to Manager Zhao who was still at odds with Cadre Liu, and then walked straight out of the grocery store.

"Jing'an," Li Hongying couldn't help but tug at her younger brother's arm as soon as they stepped out of the store, and asked in a low voice, "Shouldn't we treat them to a meal? At the very least, we should give them something to thank them, right? They've helped us so much."

Li Jing'an chuckled, his tone laced with disdain and certainty: "Sister, I'm not on the same level as them anymore. I used to have connections with Director Sun, the boss of his boss, and now I have Jialing's father. I don't need to send him anything. He's the one who's practically begging to curry favor with me. Besides, didn't I already give Lao Qian a chance to buy wine for Jialing's father? If he's sensible, he'll bring the wine to my courtyard in the next day or two."

Li Hongying looked puzzled: "Didn't they buy that wine for you? They did the legwork, didn't they?"

"Would he ask me for money? And would I give him money?" Li Jing'an said matter-of-factly.

Li Hongying nodded as if she understood, then muttered, "Jialing's dad is really picky; he only drinks Moutai. How much will you have to give him in the future?"

"What are you sending? Can't I drink it myself?" Li Jing'an glanced at her sideways.

"Huh? Didn't you say it was for Jialing's dad?" Li Hongying was completely dumbfounded.

Li Jing'an was too lazy to explain to her. Besides, it didn't matter if Wei Jialing's father drank it or I drank it; it was the same thing.

Just then, Li Jing'an inadvertently caught a glimpse of Officer Liu, who had just come out of the store, walking briskly towards a figure on the street corner. He subconsciously stopped and looked over, then froze instantly.