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

In the afternoon, the delegation entered the conference room of a steel plant. A red banner with white lettering hung straight on the wall at the front: "Metallurgical System Exchange and Inspection Symposium." Tea and bound development materials, still smelling of ink, were neatly arranged on the long table.

The symposium began on time. The director of a steel plant in Shanghai spoke first, his pace slow but clear, outlining the plant's development over the years. Subsequently, the heads of the technical and production departments added details, explaining the application of new technologies and practical experience in production management, each point presented concretely. The leaders of the rolling mills in the audience listened attentively, some taking notes, others raising their hands to ask questions; the atmosphere gradually warmed up.

Li Jing'an sat towards the back of the meeting room, holding documents in his hands, but his gaze kept drifting towards the sun outside the window. He paid no attention to what was being said on stage, his mind already preoccupied with planning for the evening.

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye. Director Yang, on behalf of the steel rolling mill, rose to express his gratitude. His words were sincere, thanking them for their warm hospitality and for sharing their experience so generously. His words were met with applause. The symposium concluded successfully in a harmonious atmosphere.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Deputy Factory Director Zhao was busy arranging the evening's reception. Seizing an opportunity, Li Jing'an quickly approached Factory Director Yang and whispered, "Director, I need to ask you something."

Factory Director Yang stopped and asked, "Jing'an, what's wrong?"

"I'm afraid I won't be able to attend the banquet tonight." Li Jing'an looked troubled, his tone revealing his deep reluctance. "Secretary Wang of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee arranged for Jialing to take me to his home for dinner a long time ago. It's a pre-arranged meeting, and I can't refuse."

Upon hearing this, Factory Director Yang immediately understood. He waved his hand and readily said, "Okay, I understand. Go ahead, I'll say hello to them."

A short while later, Deputy Factory Director Zhao rushed over, a regretful smile on his face: "Director Li, I was just thinking that I should have a couple of drinks with you alone tonight, but I didn't expect you to have something to do."

Li Jing'an sighed helplessly, his tone carrying a hint of reluctance: "Director Zhao, it's really unfortunate. Secretary Wang of the Municipal Party Committee called yesterday, inviting me to come over tonight. I tried to decline several times, but I couldn't refuse; I just couldn't refuse such a kind invitation."

"Oh? It's Secretary Wang!" Deputy Factory Director Zhao's expression turned serious, and his tone immediately became solemn. "That absolutely cannot be delayed! Shall I arrange a car to take you there right away?"

Li Jing'an quickly thanked him, but then frowned and sighed, "Actually, I was planning to go back to the guesthouse early this afternoon to buy some gifts. It would be impolite to come empty-handed. But there's too much time right now, and I definitely won't have time. I'll get scolded by my dad if I go back."

Deputy Factory Director Zhao patted him on the shoulder and comforted him with a smile: "Director Li, don't worry, it's not too late, it won't delay your business. Wait a moment, I'll make the arrangements."

Having said that, he turned and walked away quickly.

Sure enough, less than ten minutes later, a black Volga pulled up smoothly at the entrance. Deputy Factory Director Zhao got out of the car and opened the back door: "Director Li, the car is ready."

Upon closer inspection, Li Jing'an saw two bottles of Moutai, two cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes, and two boxes of exquisitely packaged Shanghai pastries neatly stacked on the back seat.

He feigned surprise, waving his hands repeatedly: "Director Zhao, what are you doing? Aren't you preventing me from making a mistake?"

"Director Li, please don't say that." Deputy Factory Director Zhao smiled and stuffed the things into his arms. "These things are in short supply on the market these days. You can't find them anywhere even if you want to. I just happened to have some in stock, so I brought them to you. Consider it a small gift for Secretary Wang. Please don't mind."

"This..." Li Jing'an pretended to refuse, and after a few back and forth, he finally "helplessly" accepted it, and said with a wry smile, "Director Zhao, you've made me feel so embarrassed, I really don't know what to say."

"We're all on the same side, no need to be so polite." Deputy Factory Director Zhao patted his arm, gesturing for him to get in the car.

Li Jing'an had just bent down to get into the car when he suddenly stopped, turned around and said, "Director Zhao, I almost forgot something. My girlfriend wants to borrow a camera so we can go shopping on Nanjing Road tomorrow and take some pictures. I told her I'd buy her one, but she won't."

"Hey, what's so difficult about that!" Deputy Factory Director Zhao readily agreed. "The factory happens to have an imported Leica camera. I'll have someone deliver it to the Municipal Party Committee Guesthouse first thing tomorrow morning."

"Thank you so much, Director Zhao." Li Jing'an said gratefully. "How can I possibly repay you?"

"Director Li, you're being too polite." Deputy Factory Director Zhao waved his hand, his tone sincere. "I wanted to invite you and Director Gao to dinner before the Mid-Autumn Festival when there was a meeting in Beijing, but something came up at the factory and we couldn't go. Now that you're in Shanghai, please give me a chance before you leave so we can have a good drink together."

"Definitely!" Li Jing'an nodded repeatedly. "I'll treat you then; I can't let you spend any more money."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Jing'an got into the car. The Volga slowly drove out of the steel plant and headed towards the municipal party committee guesthouse.

The car pulled into the guesthouse courtyard, and Li Jing'an got out, carrying his things, and hurried upstairs. In the suite, Wei Jialing had already tidied up. Seeing him enter with large bags, she greeted him curiously, "Jing'an, weren't you going to the factory for an inspection? Why did you buy so much stuff?"

"When you go to someone's house for a meal, can you go empty-handed?" Li Jing'an put his things on the sofa, then casually took out the two packs of Zhonghua cigarettes and left them aside for himself.

Wei Jialing smiled, but said nothing more. Li Jing'an went into the bedroom to change his clothes. Just as he was dressed, the phone on the bedside table rang.

Wei Jialing answered, "Okay...okay...right away."

A short while later, the two walked out of the guesthouse side by side and got into the black sedan waiting at the entrance. The car drove smoothly through the streets of Shanghai, passing through the bustling city center, and turned into the quiet and secluded compound of the municipal party committee's staff quarters. Nestled among the green trees, rows of small villas stood quietly.

The car stopped in front of a building. A young man came up and led them inside.

Two middle-aged men were sitting on the sofa in the living room.

Wei Jialing quickly stepped forward and greeted one of them with a smile, "Uncle Wang!"

"Jialing's here." The middle-aged man stood up with a smile, his eyes full of affection. "You must be exhausted from your journey?"

"Not tired at all." Wei Jialing turned to the side and pulled Li Jing'an over. "Uncle Wang, this is Li Jing'an."

Li Jing'an quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Uncle Wang, I'm sorry to have troubled you."

"Don't say that, we're all family." Secretary Wang patted his shoulder, looking him over gently. "I've heard Jialing's father mention you, and you are indeed a handsome man."

As he spoke, Secretary Wang turned to the man in his forties standing beside him and said, "Jing'an, Jialing, let me introduce you. This is my personal secretary. He's here to report on his work today, so he's staying for dinner. We're all family, so there's no need to be formal."

The man was dressed in a crisp black Zhongshan suit, wore black-rimmed glasses, and had a calm and reserved expression. He extended his hand, speaking in a gentle tone:

"Hello, I am Zhang Qiuqiao."