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

Early the next morning.

Li Jing'an went straight to the Ministry of Metallurgy.

In Director Gao's office, Director Gao smiled when he saw him arrive: "Hey, it's been a long time since you've been here. What, now that you have a father-in-law who's a municipal leader, you've forgotten all about me?"

"Hey, boss, I could forget anyone but you!" Li Jing'an grinned and leaned closer. "I was just afraid of disturbing your work."

"So what brings you here today?"

Li Jing'an put away his smile, walked to the desk, took the paper package out of his briefcase, and gently placed it in front of Director Gao: "Sir, please take a look at this."

Director Gao, puzzled, picked it up and weighed it in his hand: "Wow, it's quite heavy."

He unwrapped the paper package and looked inside—several gleaming gold bars were neatly stacked inside.

Director Gao's brows furrowed immediately. He looked up at Li Jing'an: "Jing'an, what's going on?"

"It's like this, sir," Li Jing'an lowered his voice, "These days everyone's been saying you're about to be promoted to vice minister, right? Yesterday, Director Lu from the First Guesthouse called me over for dinner, and before I left, he handed me this package, saying he wanted me to give it to you, hoping to get in touch with you."

"Is that so?" Director Gao stared at him. "Then, Jing'an, what do you mean?"

"Hey, didn't I honestly bring the things to you?" Li Jing'an said calmly. "Do whatever you want with it."

Director Gao frowned even more deeply and said in a deep voice, "Jing'an, you know my temper. If this involves you, you'd better return the things immediately."

"Hey, boss, what can I do for you?" Li Jing'an waved his hand. "I just can't stand his way of doing things, so I brought it to you directly."

He paused, then leaned forward again: "As far as I know, this guy is a remnant of the Kuomintang from before the founding of the People's Republic. He's still not behaving himself in the new society, always up to these kinds of tricks. You should do what you need to do, you must get rid of this kind of person from our ranks. If this kind of person stays in the ranks for too long, who knows how many of our cadres he can corrupt."

He pointed to the bag of gold bars on the table, his voice turning serious: "Sir, this stuff is far more powerful than guns and cannons."

Director Gao smiled and nodded, "Alright, kid, I knew I hadn't misjudged you."

He moved the things closer to himself: "Keep them here. I'll deal with this when I have time."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing'an smiled, then leaned closer to the desk and asked with a grin, "Boss, is what they're saying true or not?"

"What?"

"Vice Minister!" Li Jing'an lowered his voice, his eyes shining. "Everyone's saying you're going to be promoted to Vice Minister, is it true? When?"

"Get out of here." Director Gao waved his hand dismissively. "Whether I get promoted or not, and when I get promoted, is the organization's business. You're asking me? How am I supposed to know? Besides, what does my promotion have to do with you? Why are you so concerned?"

"How could I not care?" Li Jing'an's smile widened. "After you get promoted, won't you mention me? I was your soldier!"

"Get out! Get out!" Director Gao feigned disgust, repeatedly shooing people away. "Is there anything else? If not, get out of here!"

Li Jing'an made a few more witty remarks with a grin, and seeing that Director Gao really wanted to kick him out, he picked up his empty briefcase and walked out with a smile.

---

These days, news from the Ministry of Metallurgy is spreading like wildfire.

Director Gao was officially promoted to Vice Minister. On the same day the news was announced, Director Lu of the First Guesthouse was taken away for investigation by relevant departments. His shady intentions, along with the bag of gold bars, became irrefutable evidence.

The steel rolling mill was also settled. Li Huaide was promoted to deputy director, and Li Jing'an was transferred to the position of director of the First Guesthouse.

Not long after the news was announced, someone knocked on Li Jing'an's office door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and a middle-aged man in his forties stood in the doorway, his hair neatly combed and a perfectly measured smile on his face. Qin Huairu followed behind him.

"Hello, Director Li. I am Huang Changzheng, the deputy director of the First Guesthouse. You can just call me Lao Huang."

Li Jing'an glanced at him, then nodded to Qin Huairu: "Pour a glass of water."

"Yes," Qin Huairu replied and left.

"Old Huang, have a seat." Li Jing'an pointed to the sofa, walked around from behind his desk, took out a cigarette, and offered it to him.

Huang Changzheng took it with both hands, leaned forward slightly, and sat down on the edge of the sofa, half of his buttocks.

"What brings you here?" Li Jing'an sat down opposite him and lit a cigarette for himself.

"Director Li, it's like this." Huang Changzheng held a cigarette in his hand without lighting it. "I came here as soon as I received the news, and I wanted to report to you on the situation at the guesthouse."

Li Jing'an took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. "Old Huang, I haven't handed over my work yet. Strictly speaking, I'm not the director of the First Guesthouse yet."

"Director Li, what you say is true." Huang Changzheng leaned forward. "Right now, the guesthouse is leaderless, and I'm not sure what to do. I need to consult with the leadership first to see how to proceed with the next steps."

Li Jing'an looked at him, didn't reply, and flicked his cigarette ash.

Huang Changzheng wasn't in a hurry; he just waited, a smile always on his face.

"Hehe." Li Jing'an finally spoke, "Old Huang, just keep doing what you did before. After I take office, I'll first understand the specific situation before discussing the next steps."

"Yes, yes, Director Li is right." Huang Changzheng nodded repeatedly. "Then I'll go back and stabilize the situation until you arrive."

Li Jing'an took a drag of his cigarette and asked casually, "Old Huang, are you the only deputy director of your guesthouse?"

Huang Changzheng paused for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile: "There were originally two. The other one, along with that Lu fellow, was also taken away."

Li Jing'an nodded and didn't ask any more questions. He stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and stood up.

"Okay, I understand. Let's leave it at that for now, and we can talk in more detail after I take office. Alright? I won't keep you any longer."

As he spoke, he walked around the coffee table, gesturing to see the guest off.

Huang Changzheng immediately stood up, his cigarette still unlit, and casually put it in his pocket: "Please wait, please wait. Director Li, you're busy, I'll go back first."

Li Jing'an saw him to the door, and Huang Changzheng turned around and nodded again before turning and leaving.