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

Inside the steel rolling mill, Li Jing'an pedaled his bicycle, the chain making a rhythmic clicking sound. He was slightly hunched over, hurrying towards the guesthouse.

"Jing'an! Wait a minute—"

A shout came from behind. Li Jing'an gripped the brakes, put one foot on the ground, and turned around. Director Wang from the production department was chuckling as he caught up, stopping beside him before lowering his voice to say, "Jing'an, let me give you a heads-up. Director Li Huaide has been making a lot of moves these past few days, determined to get the position of deputy factory director."

Li Jing'an raised an eyebrow: "That doesn't make sense, does it? The deputy factory director position is already full, and besides, what does this have to do with me?"

"Hey, you don't understand," Director Wang leaned closer. "A vice minister in the Ministry of Metallurgy is about to be transferred, and our factory's vice director, who's from his faction, is leaving with him. I heard that the vacant vice minister position is going to be filled by Director Gao—tell me, does this have anything to do with you?"

Li Jing'an's eyes widened slightly. He really didn't know about this.

But he quickly regained his composure: "Even if it's true, what does it have to do with me? I'm perfectly content with my little corner of the guesthouse. Besides, Director Gao is an upright man; who in the entire metallurgical system doesn't respect him? His promotion to vice minister is well-deserved."

"Yes, yes, that's right." Director Wang nodded repeatedly. "I was just reminding you that you could also try to get the position of director of the logistics department—what a great opportunity."

Li Jing'an waved his hand dismissively: "I'm not going to be some kind of logistics department director. There are too many superiors over me, and I can't stand that kind of constraint."

Seeing his resolute attitude, Director Wang didn't try to persuade him further, and smiled as he suggested they meet again another day. Li Jing'an nodded, got on his bike, and continued on his way.

---

At noon, the phone rang suddenly in the guesthouse office.

Li Jing'an answered the phone, listened for a few moments, and then looked puzzled: "Director Lu of the First Guesthouse invited me to dinner? I don't know him at all, we have absolutely no connection..."

He held the microphone and thought for a long time before finally clicking his tongue and saying, "Fine, might as well eat it."

Li Jing'an left work early and rode his bicycle to the First Guesthouse.

Upon arrival, Director Lu was already waiting at the door. Seeing him, Director Li immediately hurried forward, his face beaming with smiles: "Thank you, Director Li, for gracing us with your presence!"

Li Jing'an parked his car, shook hands with the other person, and looked up at the building in front of him. It was a four-story Soviet-style building with gray and white walls, and an annex attached to it. It looked quite impressive. Compared to his own dilapidated guesthouse, it was like heaven and earth.

"Director Lu, please don't call me Director Li anymore, just call me Jing'an. You are my senior after all," Li Jing'an said with a smile.

"Alright, then I'll take the liberty of calling you Jing'an. Don't be shy, just call me Lao Lu." Director Lu smiled and stepped aside to lead the way.

Stepping into the lobby, the corridor was spacious and bright, with terrazzo flooring and promotional posters hanging on the walls. Li Jing'an inwardly admired it, but remained outwardly composed.

The two entered a small private room. The table was already laden with dishes: braised pork, steamed fish, roast chicken, four-happiness meatballs, and several delicate cold dishes. Looking at the table, Li Jing'an couldn't help but ask, "Brother Lu, why are there so many dishes? Are there other people here?"

"No, no, it's just the two of us brothers having a private talk," Director Lu said, as he skillfully opened a bottle of Moutai.

"There's no need for such extravagance, just keep it simple," Li Jing'an said politely.

"That won't do," Director Lu waved his hand. "This is our first time drinking together, our first time dealing with each other. How can we be negligent?"

The words had barely left his mouth when the door to the private room was pushed open. A waitress in her early thirties walked in; she was voluptuous, and Li Jing'an was even a little worried about the quality of the buttons on her chest: "Director, is there anything else we need? I'll have the kitchen prepare more."

Director Lu waved his hand: "No need, everyone's here. You can go out now, we'll call you if we need anything."

The waitress nodded to Li Jing'an and turned to leave. Li Jing'an's gaze lingered on her for a moment before returning to his own, and he smiled at Director Lu: "Brother Lu, just say what's on your mind, no need to go to such lengths."

"Brother, how can this be considered an expense?" Director Lu adopted a very humble attitude. "I've wanted to get to know you for a long time, but I've never had the chance. I'm shamelessly calling you today, so please don't take it to heart."

"Brother Lu, what are you saying?" Li Jing'an laughed. "You're older than me and higher in rank. Just let me know if you need anything, and I'll help if I can."

"Good buddy, let's have a drink first!"

Director Lu raised his glass and clinked it heavily with Li Jing'an's, then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. Li Jing'an smiled and drank along with him.

---

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Director Lu finally got down to business.

"Brother Jing'an, I'd like to ask you for a favor—to get to know Director Gao through you."

Li Jing'an's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm: "Brother Lu, you're too kind. Aren't all the meetings and dinners of the Ministry of Metallurgy arranged at the First Guesthouse? You're in a very advantageous position; why would you need to go through me?"

He secretly pondered to himself—Director Lu must have had powerful backers to get to this position. Logically, there's no need for him to fawn over Director Gao like this; there must be some other hidden reason.

"Brother, you don't know this," Director Lu sighed. "I've only met Director Gao a few times and exchanged greetings a few times; we're not exactly familiar. Now that Director Gao is about to be promoted to vice minister, I'd like to use your connections to get closer to him, which will make things easier for us in the future."

Li Jing'an did not agree immediately. He picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and glanced slightly at the rim of the glass.

Just then, Director Lu took out a small paper packet from under the table and gently pushed it in front of him: "Brother Jing'an, I can't let you help me for nothing, this is a small token of my appreciation."

Li Jing'an glanced at it, but didn't touch it, waving his hand directly: "Oh, no need to be so polite. It's just helping out, right? With our relationship, do we need to go through all this trouble?"

He didn't touch the paper package, leaving it on the corner of the table.

---

As the party ended, Li Jing'an got up and walked out. Director Lu quietly picked up the paper package and stuffed it into Li Jing'an's bag, which was hanging by the door.

Li Jing'an caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of his eye, but pretended not to see anything. He picked up his briefcase, turned and walked out: "Brother Lu, don't worry. When I have time, I'll ask Director Gao about his schedule and arrange for you two to meet."

"Thank you so much, Brother Jing'an! I'm counting on you for everything!" Director Lu followed behind, his voice filled with excitement.

"No problem, no problem."

Li Jing'an was walking down the corridor of the First Guesthouse when he ran into a group of room attendants who had just changed shifts. The young women walked by chatting and laughing; they were all good-looking and no more than thirty years old.

Li Jing'an felt a pang of unease.

He couldn't help but curse under his breath: "They're both guesthouses, but the difference is just too huge. Why? It's so unfair!"

---

Back in his office, Li Jing'an closed the door and immediately picked up the phone.

"Brother Li, this is Jing'an. I need to ask you something—who exactly is Director Lu of the First Guesthouse?" You still have to ask Li Huaide for information.

"Okay, okay, I got it. Thanks, Brother Li. Let's have dinner together sometime."

After hanging up the phone, he slowly narrowed his eyes.

So that's how it is—Director Lu was also one of the deputy ministers who was about to be transferred, and a former government employee who was retained after liberation.

Li Jing'an leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, a plan forming in his mind.

He glanced down at the briefcase on the table, reached out, opened it, and took out the paper package. He weighed it in his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips, and murmured softly, "Quite a lot."