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

"The factory is organizing another exchange and study trip to the south. Anyone who wants to go can go, but I'm not going," an old worker complained, picking at the food in his bowl. "They're all remote mountain villages and small factories. What's there to learn from them? It's just torture."

"Exactly, don't specifically name me." The worker next to him chimed in, looking disgusted. "Taking such a long ride on that old green train, you'll be so crammed you'll be exhausted, and you'll be bedridden for three days when you get back."

"That's right. Last time I went to that third-line factory in western Henan, the train rattled all the way, and my feet were all swollen. I lost several pounds when I came back." Another worker shook his head and sighed, "Whoever wants to do this kind of hard work can take it."

The canteen was filled with chatter, mostly excuses and resistance; no one saw the study tour as a positive experience. Everyone was convinced it was just another thankless and arduous journey, and they wanted to avoid it as much as possible.

Amidst the complaints, Li Jing'an, carrying a lunchbox and steamed buns, found a seat by the window. He ate slowly and deliberately, but his ears were not idle; he listened carefully to every word the others said.

Not long after, Old Chen, the head of the finance department, came over with a lunchbox and a smile, and sat down directly opposite Li Jing'an.

"Jing'an, are you eating?" Old Chen put down his lunchbox, lowered his voice, and said mysteriously, "I'm asking you, did you sign up for the factory's trip to the south?"

Li Jing'an looked up, picked up a piece of meat, and said indifferently, "No, why would I report that? I just manage the guesthouse. I don't know anything about production or technology. What could I learn from going on a research trip? I'm not going to join that crowd."

Old Chen chuckled, nudged him with his elbow, and lowered his voice even further: "You're still out of the loop. Let me tell you, this isn't a trip to a third-tier factory, it's Shanghai! The Bund, a big city, the food and lodging are top-notch. It's called an inspection tour, but it's really just a government-funded trip. Countless people would kill to go!"

"Shanghai?" Li Jing'an's chopsticks paused abruptly, his eyes lighting up instantly. His calm expression vanished, replaced by surprise. "Not to some remote, third-tier factory in the mountains?"

"Absolutely true!" Old Chen patted his chest to assure him. "The destination is Shanghai. The news hasn't spread yet, so you'd better hurry and register, or all the spots will be gone!"

Li Jing'an smiled at Old Chen: "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Chen. I'll take care of it after I finish eating."

"Hurry up, don't delay!" Old Chen instructed, then lowered his head and started eating.

Li Jing'an lost his appetite and hastily stuffed the steamed bun into his mouth. He packed up his lunchbox and quickly left the canteen. Back in his office on the third floor of the guesthouse, he went to his desk, picked up the phone, and dialed the factory office.

The call connected: "This is Li Jing'an from the guesthouse. I'd like to ask why our guesthouse wasn't included in the list of participants for this Shanghai inspection tour? Our guesthouse is responsible for the reception and logistical support of all the factory's employees. We also need to learn and exchange ideas to improve our service level. Why can't we participate?"

"I don't want one spot, I want two. I'm the person in charge of the guesthouse, so I have to go. The other spot is for our guesthouse's key staff to go out and learn together. It's settled then. Please add me to the list as soon as possible, and I'll complete the formalities later."

Li Jing'an gave a satisfied hum and hung up the phone.

After hanging up the phone, Li Jing'an leaned back in his chair, a smug smile playing on his lips. He had two spots; one for himself, and he already had someone in mind for the other.

A soft knock sounded on the door.

"Director Li, you wanted to see me?" Jiang Yuebai pushed the door open and came in. Ever since she joined the company, whenever Li Jing'an called her, she knew it was no good news.

Li Jing'an looked up, his gaze fixed on her, filled with undisguised desire. He patted his thigh and said in a flippant yet forceful tone, "Come here, sit here."

Jiang Yuebai trembled, biting her lip, extremely unwilling, yet daring not to disobey. She slowly walked to the door, locked it shut with her hand, and then moved step by step to Li Jing'an's side, stiffly sitting on his lap.

Li Jing'an immediately reached out and put his arm around her waist, while his other hand brazenly slipped inside her clothes. His fingertips were icy cold, making Jiang Yuebai tremble all over.

"Hehe," Li Jing'an lowered his head and chuckled softly in her ear, "How many times have I told you, when we're alone, call me 'brother,' don't keep calling me 'Leader Li.' It's been days already, why are you still so reserved?"

Jiang Yuebai gritted her teeth and remained silent.

Li Jing'an didn't care about her resistance; instead, he became even more smug and said softly, "I have good news for you. The factory is organizing a study tour to Shanghai, and I've signed you up too. There are two spots available, so we'll go together. Once we're in the south, no one will be watching us, so we can have a good chat, hehe."

Jiang Yuebai froze, then pleaded, "Director Li, I... I can't go? I have two children at home, and my husband is in poor health and needs constant care."

"Hmm?" Li Jing'an's face darkened, his grip tightened, and his tone turned cold. "Call me brother."

Forced into a corner, Jiang Yuebai's voice was barely audible: "Brother Li... I really can't go, please."

"No way." Li Jing'an refused outright, his tone domineering. "Your family can't do without you, and I can't do without you either. You know what? The way you suppress yourself and dare not make a sound every time is really addictive to me. The more I see it, the more I like it."

He deliberately straightened his back: "Look, just thinking about going to Shanghai with you makes my body feel so good... Come on, let's not waste time..."

Just as he was about to take action, the phone on his desk suddenly rang shrilly.

"Damn it! This is the worst time!" Li Jing'an's face darkened, and he cursed as he released the phone, feeling extremely annoyed. He glared fiercely at Jiang Yuebai before reluctantly picking up the phone.

"Feed?"

"Director Li, this is the guardhouse. Comrade Wei Jialing has arrived and has already entered the gate."

Li Jing'an's expression changed instantly, all his emotions vanishing. This was something he had instructed the gatekeeper beforehand: as soon as Wei Jialing arrived, he should call him immediately.

He immediately straightened his clothes and said in a deep voice into the phone, "Understood."

After hanging up the phone, he pushed Jiang Yuebai off his lap and said coldly, "Get out first, we'll talk later."

Jiang Yuebai felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She quickly straightened her clothes, lowered her head, and fled the office in a disheveled state.

Li Jing'an took a deep breath, quickly tidied his hair and collar, sat down at his desk, picked up a pen, and pretended to work.