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

Xu Damao slowly pushed his old-fashioned bicycle into the courtyard, looking spirited and exuding a triumphant air.

In the morning, he familiarized himself with the environment of each department and the division of labor at the guesthouse. In the afternoon, he visited the liaison offices of the factory and the Ministry of Metallurgy, greeting relevant personnel and getting acquainted with them. He was busy all day, but he didn't feel tired at all. Now he was dealing with leading cadres of completely different status and level, and even he himself felt that his whole demeanor had been elevated.

"Da Mao, you're finally back! I've been waiting for you since I got off work, why are you so late?"

Hearing the noise at the courtyard gate, Uncle Yan Bugui immediately rushed out of the house and blocked Xu Damao's way, his face full of anxiety.

Xu Damao glanced at him indifferently, his tone unconsciously carrying a hint of condescension: "Oh, Uncle San. You grassroots workers have no idea how hard it is for us liaison officers. We can't leave work on time like you. It's only right that we're busy."

Yan Bugui quickly put on a smile and nodded repeatedly, "Thank you for your hard work, thank you so much... Da Mao, did you ask Director Li Jing'an about the matter I told you this morning?"

Xu Damao's face instantly darkened, his expression filled with impatience: "I told you clearly this morning, Third Uncle, you have to ask him yourself. Besides, we leaders handle important matters; why waste our time on such trivial things?"

"Your leader?" Yan Bugui was stunned for a moment, clearly not understanding the meaning of his words, and didn't come back to his senses for a while.

"What I mean is, Director Li has a lot of valuable time and is very busy. I can't let your personal matters interfere with the guesthouse's business." Xu Damao quickly changed his words, not wanting to get entangled with him any further. "Anyway, I already gave you a good idea this morning. You can handle it yourself. Don't come to me about this again. I can't help you with this."

After saying that, he ignored Yan Bugui and pushed his bicycle toward the Central Court, his pace quickening.

Yan Bugui was furious at Xu Damao's arrogant and pretentious attitude. After Xu Damao walked away, he couldn't help but spit on the ground: "Pah, what are you pretending to be! You've only worked at the guesthouse for one day, and you really think you're a cadre? What kind of behavior is that! You're not even fully grown yet, and you're already putting on airs. You're just a petty person who has gotten ahead."

He muttered a few curses under his breath, but having no other choice, he could only turn around and go back into the house, still frowning with worry about his son Yan Jiecheng.

In the courtyard, Qin Huairu was washing dishes by the sink when she saw Xu Damao walk in. She smiled and said, "Damao, I heard you went to work at the guesthouse today? You're quick, you even got there before me."

"Hehe, Sister Qin, yes, I just reported for duty today." Xu Damao could ignore Yan Bugui, but he dared not neglect Qin Huairu. He knew in his heart that Qin Huairu was also relying on Li Jing'an, so it would never hurt to be careful.

"Great, you've finally made it through." Qin Huairu wiped the water off her hands and said with a smile, "I'll be transferred to the guesthouse in a couple of days too. You'll have to look after me then. We're from the same compound, so we can look out for each other."

"Don't mention it, I don't need to protect you." Xu Damao quickly smiled ingratiatingly. "I'd like you to take care of me at work in the future. Your relationship with Director Li is much closer than mine."

As the two were talking, Sha Zhu came out of the house. Upon hearing their conversation, he immediately raised his voice and mocked, "Hey, Xu Damao, what are you doing? I heard you've stopped showing movies and are now working at a guesthouse serving people? Is this a case of abandoning the darkness for the light, or finding a better branch to climb?"

Xu Damao's face darkened, and he retorted irritably, "What's it to you? Mind your own business! What I do is none of your concern!"

"Hey, I'm just showing you concern as your older brother, why are you biting the hand that feeds you? You don't appreciate my kindness!" Sha Zhu said with a grin, his tone full of sarcasm.

"Get lost, I don't want to talk to you." Xu Damao glanced at him sideways, his tone full of arrogance. "Let me tell you, in two years I'll be a proper cadre, so you'd better recognize the situation and watch your mouth. Otherwise, I can make sure you're in big trouble at the factory."

"Oh, a cadre? You think you're worthy?" Sha Zhu sneered, immediately rolled up his sleeves and leaned forward, looking unconvinced. "Even if God was blind and made you a cadre, what can you do about it? Come on, you little brat, try it and see what you can do to me."

Xu Damao knew that Sha Zhu was reckless and that he would definitely be at a disadvantage if a fight broke out. He quickly pushed his bicycle towards the backyard, still grumbling, "Rude! My status is different now. I won't stoop to your level. We'll see what happens!"

"You little brat! Don't go! Don't run away if you dare!" Sha Zhu shouted from behind, his face full of disdain.

"Shazhu, calm down." Qin Huairu quickly reached out and grabbed him, gently advising, "Let me tell you, Xu Damao might actually become a cadre in the future. You should control your temper and be more polite to him. It won't do you any harm. Don't regret it later when you suffer a loss."

"I'm being polite to him? Grandma!" Sha Zhu said with a disdainful look, full of indignation. "Even if he managed to get a position by flattering others, what can he do to me? Who really respects him? That's all he's capable of, so I'm not afraid of him."

Xu Damao strode into the backyard and pushed open the door to enter the house.

Lou Xiao'e was sitting at the table eating noodles when she looked up at him and casually asked, "Why are you only coming back now? Did you eat out?"

"You didn't even wait for me, you just ate first." Xu Damao muttered with a hint of dissatisfaction.

"I thought you were going to be drinking and socializing with your boss again, but who knew you'd come back so late. There's still some left in the pot, go get yourself a bowl." Lou Xiao'e lowered her head and continued eating.

Xu Damao nodded, got up and went to the kitchen to get a bowl. He filled a bowl with noodles, sat down at the table, and said while eating, "E'zi, I have something to discuss with you, something serious."

Lou Xiao'e raised her eyes, looking helpless: "What is it now? Let me tell you first, I have nothing left for you to give as gifts. We've already given you almost everything we can afford."

"Hey, what are you thinking? It's not about that." Xu Damao quickly waved his hand, his face showing an expectant look. "My current job involves contacting and communicating with leaders from ministries and factory offices every day. I'm always in respectable settings. Look at what I'm wearing—the material is ordinary, and the style is old-fashioned. It looks really out of place standing next to them; it makes me look shabby. Today, Director Li specifically reminded me to get a high-quality Zhongshan suit so that it's convenient for work-related social events. I can't let the guesthouse down."

"Why don't you just go and buy it? It's not like we're short of money; we can just spend the money to buy a new outfit."

"If I could buy them, would I need to consult you?" Xu Damao explained with a bitter face, "Those high-end fabrics require special tickets, and even if you have money, there's nowhere to buy them. I can only trouble you to go back to your parents' home and see if you can find a way to get some tickets from Dad. He has many connections and should be able to help."

Before Lou Xiao'e could refuse, he quickly added, "You have to support me! Director Li has already promised me that as long as I work hard, he'll get my cadre status sorted out in less than two years and I'll be promoted directly to a cadre position. This is a major event in my life; whether I can turn my life around depends on this, so I can't be careless."

Lou Xiao'e knew this was a rare opportunity for Xu Damao; if he missed it, he might never have another chance like it. She hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement without saying anything more, preparing to take some time to go back to her parents' home to ask her father.

Inside a suite at the guesthouse.

Wei Jialing came out of the bathroom after showering, wearing loose clothes, her hair still wet, and her skin glistening with moisture. Seeing Li Jing'an sitting on the sofa in the outer living room, she walked over and plopped down in his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and saying coquettishly, "I told you to shower with me, but you wouldn't. Why aren't you changing into your pajamas? How long are you planning to sit here?"

"I still have to go down and check on the night shift staff. I just took over, and I'm worried about a lot of things. I can't sleep without seeing it for myself." Li Jing'an gently patted her back, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"Ah, why are you going out? No, I'm all washed up, you can't leave." Wei Jialing kept whining in his arms, refusing to let go.

"Jialing, I've just arrived at the guesthouse, and there's so much to do. A lot of things haven't been sorted out yet, and everyone's settled in," Li Jing'an coaxed gently. "Once I've arranged everything in a couple of days and everyone's familiar with each other, I'll definitely spend time with you. I won't go anywhere else; I'll just stay with you, okay?"

Wei Jialing snuggled in his arms for a long time, and then acted coquettishly and stubbornly for a while before reluctantly letting go and allowing him to leave.

"You go to sleep first, don't wait for me. I need to inspect all the departments, including guest rooms, logistics, security, and the front desk. It will take quite a while, and I won't feel at ease until I see it for myself." Li Jing'an gently ruffled her hair.

Wei Jialing nodded and did not continue to obstruct her.

Li Jing'an then got up, gently closed the door, and went out.

After leaving the house, I went upstairs.

Ding ding ding...

"Yufei, it's me, open the door."