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

Li Jing'an walked over and opened the door. He saw Yan Bugui from the front yard and smiled, "Third Uncle, what brings you here? Come in and tell me."

Yan Bugui, dressed in a faded blue long gown and wearing black-rimmed reading glasses, followed Li Jing'an into the house with a shrewd smile on his face. His eyes darted around, taking in the furnishings, revealing a hint of calculation.

Li Jing'an pointed to the sofa by the table, but didn't pour water. He sat down in the main seat and got straight to the point: "Third Uncle, please sit down. What can I do for you?"

Yan Bugui had barely touched the sofa when he immediately spoke up: "Well, Jing'an, it's nothing serious, it's just that my Yan Jiecheng, he just graduated from high school, and he's been idling around at home all day, wandering around outside. It's not a good thing, and I'm worried about him."

"Third Uncle, this recruitment matter is not my responsibility," Li Jing'an immediately interrupted him, making it clear that he did not want to get involved.

"No, no, you misunderstood." Yan Bugui quickly waved his hand, his smile becoming even more solicitous. "This year's recruitment ended a long time ago, and it wasn't Jie Cheng's turn. It's still more than half a year before the next recruitment. I was thinking, in the meantime, could we find Jie Cheng a temporary job to earn some pocket money and learn a skill? It's better than him being idle at home."

Li Jing'an raised an eyebrow, feigning confusion: "Oh? So, what does Third Uncle want me to do?"

"Jing'an, you're a cadre at the steel rolling mill. Your words carry weight and you have a lot of influence there." Yan Bugui leaned forward, his eyes full of expectation. "I just want you to talk to the labor and personnel department at the steel rolling mill and get Jie Cheng a temporary worker position so he can start working at the factory."

"Uncle, this steel rolling mill doesn't hire temporary workers every day," Li Jing'an said, frowning as if in trouble, his tone tinged with helplessness. "I really don't know if the factory is hiring temporary workers right now. It's not something I can decide with just a few words."

"That's why I'm asking you to help me put in a good word with the factory!" Yan Bugui quickly replied, his tone urgent yet carrying a hint of a promise. "Don't worry, once Jiecheng goes to work and earns money, he definitely won't let you work for nothing; he'll thank you properly!"

Li Jing'an cursed inwardly, but his face remained impassive. Damn it, how dare you call me "Jing'an"? Always asking for help, but actually trying to get something for nothing, and even trying to exploit my favor. Does he really think I'm a fool? Fine, since you, you stinking intellectual, want to take advantage, then I'll show you just how high the price is for asking me for help!

Having made up his mind, Li Jing'an smiled broadly and slapped his thigh: "Alright! Third Uncle, since you think so highly of me, Li Jing'an, leave the matter of Jie Cheng to me! I'll go to the factory and ask around, and I guarantee I'll get you a temporary worker position."

"Oh! That's great! Jing'an, I knew you were a kind-hearted person the moment you moved in!" Yan Bugui beamed instantly, his mouth agape. He quickly stood up to thank him, "From now on, when Jiecheng starts working at the factory, I'll have to trouble you to look after him. If he misbehaves, don't hesitate to speak up or scold him!"

"Don't worry, Uncle. Since you've given the order, I definitely won't abandon him." Li Jing'an replied with a smile, his tone sincere. "Just go home and wait for news. In three days at most, I guarantee Jie Cheng will be able to get back to work at the factory."

"Alright, alright, then I'll be going now, I won't keep you any longer!" Yan Bugui smiled broadly, cupped his hands repeatedly, and left the courtyard with light steps.

Li Jing'an watched Yan Bugui leave with a smile. Dealing with you is just a matter of saying a few words. I hope you won't come begging to me with your tail between your legs!

Back in his house, Yan Bugui immediately called his son, Yan Jiecheng, to his side, a smug smile on his face. He raised his chin and said, "Jiecheng, your dad has found you a job. You can start working in a couple of days!"

Yan Jiecheng was sitting listlessly at the table when he heard this. He immediately looked up, his face full of surprise: "Really, Dad? I haven't heard anything about the neighborhood office hiring!"

"Yes, his dad. What happened?" The third aunt also quickly came over, her face full of doubt.

"Waiting for the neighborhood committee's recruitment notice? That'll be a million years before it's your turn!" Yan Bugui said smugly, his tone laced with boastfulness. "Do you think just anyone can get into a steel rolling mill?"

"A steel rolling mill?!" Yan Jiecheng's eyes lit up, then he frowned. "Dad, is it a permanent position?"

"It's a temporary job at the steel rolling mill!" Yan Bugui said smugly. "I talked to Li Jing'an, and he got you a spot without spending a penny, and you can even earn money! If you perform well at the factory, you might even be able to stay and become a permanent employee, so you won't have to wait for the neighborhood committee's recruitment anymore!"

"Why is he a temporary worker...?" Yan Jiecheng immediately deflated, his face full of disappointment, his tone filled with reluctance.

"What's wrong with being a temporary worker?" Yan Bugui's face immediately darkened, his tone stern. "This is a steel rolling mill! Countless people would kill to get in! We let you work here without paying a cent, and you're still not satisfied? Work hard, and there will be plenty of opportunities to become a permanent employee!"

"Dad, you really didn't spend any money?" The third aunt still couldn't believe it and asked in a low voice.

"Of course! Why would I need to spend money if I were to handle this?" Yan Bugui patted his chest, his face full of pride. He then looked at Yan Jiecheng, his tone leaving no room for argument, "To Jiecheng, from now on, all the wages you earn at the factory will have to be handed over to your family, and I will manage them!"

"Huh? Dad, you have to leave me some pocket money, right?" Yan Jiecheng immediately became anxious, his face full of reluctance.

"What are you leaving me!" Yan Bugui glared at him. "I promised that once you earned some money, I'd send Li Jing'an something to express my gratitude!" Seeing Yan Jiecheng's reluctance, and fearing he wouldn't go to work, he relented. "Alright, alright, if you can earn more than ten yuan a month, I'll leave you two yuan for pocket money. That's quite a lot, enough for you to spend!"

Yan Jiecheng, his face full of dissatisfaction, muttered complaints under his breath and walked out of the house in a huff.

The third aunt watched her son's retreating figure, then looked at Yan Bugui and whispered, "Dad, are we really going to send something to Li Jing'an? What should we send?"

"What gift? It's just a casual remark!" Yan Bugui curled his lip, his tone laced with calculation. "Who is Li Jing'an? A cadre at the steel mill. Does he need something like this from us? He can't possibly come to our house asking for it, can he? Let's just forget about it and never mention it again!"

The Jia family of the Intermediate People's Court.

Qin Huairu returned from the steel mill, shrouded in twilight. As soon as she opened the door, her three children chattered and surrounded her. The younger one tugged at her clothes, while the older one looked up at her and called out, "Mom!"

"Hey, stop crowding around your mother!" Jia Zhangshi stood up from the chair beside the bed. "Your mother has worked all day and is exhausted. Let her wash her face and rest for a while!"

Hearing this, the children reluctantly let go and obediently stepped aside. Qin Huairu smiled, picked up the enamel basin on the table, poured in warm water to wash her face, and the coarse towel wiped her cheeks, easing some of her fatigue.

"Huai Ru, have you eaten at the factory?" Jia Zhangshi asked, coming closer.

"I ate some cornbread and pickled vegetables from the factory canteen, that filled my stomach," Qin Huairu replied casually after wiping her face and draping the towel over the rope.

After she moved over a small stool and sat down, and had just picked up her water glass to take a sip, Jia Zhangshi leaned over again and lowered her voice: "Huai Ru, I have something to tell you."

Qin Huairu looked up at her mother-in-law, put down her water glass, and asked, "Mom, what's wrong?"

"It's not our business, it's Old Wu's family from the front yard." Jia Zhangshi glanced towards the door, afraid of being overheard. "They specifically came to see me this afternoon, saying that four relatives are coming tomorrow, and their tiny place is simply not enough to accommodate them. They'd like to ask you for a favor, to see if they could let their relatives stay at your factory's guesthouse for a couple of days?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and then nodded: "That can be done. But let me make it clear from the start, we can't give them a discount on accommodation. This guesthouse isn't something I can decide on; we have to follow the rules."

"Of course, we'll take whatever amount is due!" Madam Jia nodded quickly, then pressed on, "Then tell me a number, and I'll go tell Old Wu's family right away, so they'll know what to expect."

"Then let's calculate it as six cents per person per day." Qin Huairu said crisply, and explained in particular, "The employees of our factory stay for four cents, but if you want to reserve a room, you have to add two cents. This is the rule of the guesthouse. We have to make it clear to them. It's not that we are deliberately asking for more. We are not taking advantage of them in the slightest."

"That's right, that's right, I understand!" Madam Jia smiled, her face crinkling with wrinkles. "I'll definitely explain the rules to them clearly. They're begging us for help; they're too grateful to complain. They still owe us a favor!"

"Okay, then you go and talk to them." Qin Huairu nodded. "If they agree, have their relative come to the steel mill's guesthouse to find me tomorrow afternoon, and I'll register and make arrangements for them."

"Yes, I'll go right away!" Madam Jia readily agreed, turned around and walked out, her steps showing a certain nimbleness.