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

Xu Damao was dressed exceptionally smartly today, his Zhongshan suit was neat and clean, and his hair was slicked back with wood shavings and combed until it was shiny and smooth, with each strand lying flat and obedient. He pushed his old bicycle slowly toward the front yard, his smugness impossible to hide.

Just as they rounded the moon gate, Uncle Yan Bugui, the third uncle, was squatting in the corner picking chives. He glanced up and his eyes widened immediately:

"Hey! Da Mao! What kind of occasion is this? Dressed up like a newlywed groom, all done up?"

Xu Damao raised his chin slightly, trying to keep a straight face, but the smile lines still managed to squeeze out from the corners of his eyes:

"Hehe, Uncle San, it's nothing. Brother An insisted on having me help out at the First Guesthouse, and I can't dress too sloppily and embarrass him, can I?"

"Really?" Yan Bugui dropped the leeks in his hand with a "thud," jumped up, and asked, "You changed jobs? You're not showing movies anymore?"

Showing movies was a lucrative job for Xu Damao—he traveled from village to village, earning extra money and even picking up some local specialties. Who in the neighborhood wasn't envious?

Xu Damao sighed, putting on an appearance of being a loyal and righteous person:

"Hey, Brother Jing'an said he just took office and doesn't have any of his own people at the guesthouse, so it's hard to get things done. He insisted that I go and help him. You know me, I'm all about loyalty. How could I refuse a friend's request? Showing movies may have its perks, but brotherhood is more important, right?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui's eyes lit up instantly, and he quickly took two steps forward, his face beaming with smiles.

"Da Mao, I've known for a long time—you're a promising young man! Um... I need your help, please?"

"Hey! Uncle, what are you saying! What do you mean by helping or not? Just ask if you need anything!" Xu Damao waved his hand, very generously.

Yan Bugui's smile immediately vanished, replaced by a bitter expression, and he lowered his voice:

"Look at your brother Jiecheng, his personnel file is still stuck at the factory, and it's still not resolved. He can't get a job, he can't find a wife, and he's stuck at home all day, eating and sleeping. If this continues, he'll be ruined. You and Li Jing'an are together every day now, could you help me sound out when things will finally be resolved?"

Xu Damao's smile froze, as if someone had grabbed his neck.

He knew perfectly well that Yan Jiecheng's file was clearly a result of Li Jing'an deliberately suppressing and targeting Yan Bugui; anyone who got involved would be doomed. Even if he had the guts of a bear and the courage of a leopard, he wouldn't dare to provoke such misfortune.

He took half a step back and waved his hands repeatedly:

"Oh? Uncle, I can't help you with this! You'll have to ask Director Li about Jie Cheng yourself—we all live in the same compound, what kind of talk would it be if I relayed his message to you? It's inappropriate, really inappropriate!"

After saying that, he pushed the cart and tried to go around it.

Yan Bugui panicked and strode forward, blocking his path. His face was a mixture of pleading and bitterness.

"Da Mao, I'm truly at my wit's end! I've gone to see him several times, but he won't budge. Jie Cheng is practically a cripple now! Please help me, just ask him for me, okay?"

Xu Damao was getting a headache from his persistent pestering. He looked around and then lowered his voice to point out a way:

"Uncle, let me be frank with you—if you want to resolve this, you have no other way but to spend money. And not just a small amount, but a huge amount! Only if you're willing to give up your possessions and gifts will things have any chance of success."

After saying that, he grabbed Yan Bugui, pushed the cart a few steps, and slipped away as if his feet were greased.

Yan Bugui stood there, watching his departing figure, then squatted back in the corner with a worried look on his face, sighing and lamenting, even forgetting to pick up the chives on the ground.

Just as I was sighing, my second uncle, Liu Haizhong, came out of the courtyard, carrying a lunchbox, ready to go to work. Seeing his appearance, I casually asked:

"Old Yan, what are you sighing about here? Who's upset you this time?"

Yan Bugui raised his head, his face full of bitterness:

"Old Liu, I just asked Da Mao to ask Li Jing'an about turning it into a file. But he's unwilling to help."

Liu Haizhong scoffed, his face full of disdain:

"Hey, what's the point of talking to him? He's just a projectionist, what can he say? You might as well talk to me!"

Yan Bugui's eyes suddenly lit up, like a drowning man grabbing a straw, and he jumped to his feet:

"Oh? Old Liu! Would you be willing to help me find out?"

Liu Haizhong's expression froze, and he quickly changed his words:

"Uh... what I mean is, it's the same whether you go to him or me—it won't work! You might as well just go to Li Jing'an yourself and talk to him face to face."

The flame that Yan Bugui had just lit went out with a "poof," and he deflated like a punctured balloon, muttering dejectedly:

"It's different... He works at the guesthouse now, and he's with Li Jing'an every day, so he'll definitely be easier to talk to..."

"What did you say?" Liu Haizhong interrupted him abruptly, his voice suddenly rising. "Da Mao went to work at the guesthouse? Who told you that?"

"It was him, just now." Yan Bugui looked puzzled. "What, you didn't know?"

Liu Haizhong stood there, his face turning pale and then red, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions, as if he had just overturned a spice shop.

Xu Damao—he was actually transferred directly to the First Guesthouse by Li Jing'an?

He was filled with jealousy and hatred, but he couldn't say a word. He ignored Yan Bugui and walked away quickly with a gloomy face.

---

The No. 1 Guesthouse of the Steel Rolling Mill, Director's Office.

"Knock knock knock—" A soft knocking sound rang out.

"Come in." Li Jing'an sat behind his desk, not even looking up, his tone calm.

The door opened, and Yang Chunjuan walked in, bowing slightly.

"Chief, the guardhouse called and said there's a comrade named Xu Damao outside who wants to come and report for duty."

Li Jing'an raised his head, a smile appearing on his face:

"Oh, it's him. Have the security guard let him in and take him to complete the onboarding procedures. Once that's done, bring him to see me."

"Yes, Director." Yang Chunjuan quietly withdrew.

About the time it takes to finish a class, the office door was pushed open again.

Before the person even entered, a fawning voice arrived first:

"Brother Li!"

Xu Damao strode in with a big smile on his face, exuding an air of triumph—his back was straighter than usual, his steps were bigger than usual, and even his old leather shoes were polished to a shine.

Li Jing'an pointed to the sofa opposite him:

"Da Mao is here, please have a seat."

He then gestured to Yang Chunjuan at the door, "Pour the tea."

Yang Chunjuan quickly served two cups of hot tea, gently set them down, and quietly withdrew.

Li Jing'an tossed a cigarette across the desk, sending it flying steadily toward Xu Damao.

"Thank you, brother!" Xu Damao quickly reached out to take it, but didn't light it right away. Instead, he looked at Li Jing'an with a fawning expression. Seeing that Li Jing'an also took out a match, he immediately rushed forward, took out a match, struck his name with a "snap," and respectfully handed it over.

Li Jing'an took a deep breath and nodded slightly, appreciating his thoughtfulness.

After Xu Damao sat back down on the sofa, he slowly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity:

"Da Mao, you'll have a lot of responsibilities here with me from now on. You need to be mentally prepared."

Xu Damao immediately sat up straight, puffing out his chest:

"Brother! Just give the order! I, Xu Damao, will go through fire and water for you without hesitation!"

Li Jing'an smiled, exhaled a puff of smoke, and his tone turned serious:

"I transferred you from the propaganda department because I had high hopes for you. You don't know, the former director of the First Guesthouse got into trouble and was taken away, and several department managers were implicated as well. Now this place is a mess, full of outsiders, and I don't have a single confidant I can trust. I transferred you here at this time—you understand what I mean, right?"

Xu Damao's face flushed red instantly, and he trembled with excitement, suddenly standing up:

"Brother Li! Thank you! Thank you for giving me this opportunity! I won't say anything else, just watch my future performance! I will never let you down!"

"Hehe, sit down, sit down." Li Jing'an waved his hand with a smile, and after he calmed down, he continued, "You'll help out in the office first, mainly responsible for liaison and coordination—running around to the factory and the Ministry of Metallurgy, delivering documents, relaying messages, and arranging meetings. If the institute has receptions or meetings, you'll also help me keep an eye on the order, setup, and logistics in the meeting hall. You'll have to handle a whole bunch of things. You can't complain about the trouble or be afraid of getting tired."

Xu Damao patted his chest loudly:

"Brother Li, what you're saying! You're giving me too much credit, and I understand perfectly well! I'm willing to do anything, no matter how tiring it is!"

"Okay, I knew I hadn't misjudged you." Li Jing'an tapped him with the hand holding the cigarette, and added, "Also, if I ever have a drinking party or social event that I need someone to accompany me, you'll have to go—help me fend off the drinks and keep things under control."

"No problem!" Xu Damao straightened his back excitedly and said, "Don't worry, I have no objection to drinking! Just watch!"

"Okay. Go to the office first to familiarize yourself with the environment, then go to the meeting room and reception room to get to know the place."

"Okay, Brother Li! You're busy, I'll head out now!"

Xu Damao quickly got up, but was stopped by Li Jing'an just as he was about to take a step.

"Wait a minute, Damao."

Xu Damao immediately stopped: "Brother, is there anything else you need?"

Li Jing'an looked him up and down, then slowly spoke:

"Find some time and get yourself a decent set of clothes. You're wearing a Zhongshan suit now, but the material is too ordinary and doesn't match your future work. Your status is different now; you'll be dealing with cadres in the factory and departments—you need to get a better set of clothes and dress more presentably."

He paused, his tone brimming with seduction:

"Although you're still a worker now, you're doing the work of a department manager. In another year or two, I'll transfer you to a cadre position, and no one will have a say in it. Remember, your attire must not disgrace the First Guesthouse."

"Yes, yes, yes!" Xu Damao nodded repeatedly, his head spinning as if he'd drunk two ounces of alcohol. "I'll get it done right after get off work! I'll get it done right away!"

At that moment, he subconsciously touched his clothes and realized that Li Jing'an was absolutely right.

His life changed completely.

From now on, he no longer needs to haggle with those country bumpkins over every penny, or scheme and waste his breath over a few local specialties. He needs to deal with officials and leaders, to get into the system, to pursue his career, and to become someone of high standing.

Xu Damao left, feeling overjoyed and slightly dizzy.

After the door closed, Li Jing'an leaned back in his large office chair.

Xu Damao is a useful person—much more useful than Chen Qing.

Putting everything else aside, his identity alone is enough to secure his position—Xu Damao is the son-in-law of a capitalist. In this era, he carries a "stain" at his very core, with no powerful backers and no way out. In the future, he will have no choice but to rely solely on himself.

People like this are the most reliable to use.