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

Qin Huairu had just finished inspecting the guest rooms on the third floor and was about to return to the front desk to organize the registration book when a middle-aged man in a dark blue Zhongshan suit, carrying a briefcase, strode towards her. He was polite and took the initiative to ask:

"Excuse me, comrade, are you the supervisor here?"

Qin Huairu stopped and put on a standard smile: "Yes, I am Qin Huairu, the head of the housekeeping department. Please feel free to tell me if you need anything."

"It's like this," the man said in a low voice, glancing around slightly embarrassed. "I'm going back to the factory tomorrow, and I wanted to go out today to buy some things to take back with me. But I'm from out of town and don't have any local coupons. I'd like to find someone to exchange them for some grain coupons, cloth coupons, and industrial coupons..."

This was her usual business, and also her first sale here. She remained calm and composed, reassuringly saying:

"I understand what you mean. You're from out of town, so it's not safe or secure for you to find someone outside to exchange tickets privately. If you need any tickets, just tell me, and I can ask my colleagues to help you find some. They're all insiders, so it's safe."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man's face immediately lit up with delight, and he nodded repeatedly, "That's wonderful! Thank you so much, comrade!"

"However, I need to make this clear to you first." Qin Huairu said seriously, making her point clear beforehand, "Using internal connections to help with the exchange will definitely result in a slight loss compared to exchanging privately outside. You won't gain an advantage in the ticket ratio, but it's absolutely safe and there won't be any problems."

"It's alright, it's alright!" The man waved his hand dismissively. "As long as it's safe and secure, and I don't suffer any losses, that's all that matters! When I'm traveling, I'm afraid of getting into trouble."

The two quickly settled the deal in a few words. The man quietly slipped the money into Qin Huairu's hand. Qin Huairu turned and went behind the service counter, took out various tickets and vouchers that she had prepared beforehand from the drawer, quickly counted them, and handed them over.

The man took the ticket, thanked him profusely, and returned to his room.

Qin Huairu stood there, gently squeezing the thick stack of banknotes in her hand, secretly thinking to herself: "He's definitely a leader in the factory; he's so generous. Even exchanging a few bills is so extravagant, more than an average person's monthly salary." She calmly put the money away.

Just then, the door to the director's office lounge was pushed open from the inside.

Li Jing'an walked out slowly, followed by a pretty young woman—Lu Ping, the former director's daughter.

Li Jing'an reached into his pocket, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled the smoke. He then naturally put his arm around Lu Ping's shoulder.

"Lu Ping, you're so sensible. Remember this: in the future, anyone who dares to mess with you or give you a hard time is messing with me, Li Jing'an. With me here, no one will dare to bully you."

Lu Ping didn't dare to dodge, but simply lowered her head and whispered, "Thank you, Director Li..."

"What are you thanking me for?" Li Jing'an looked at her with a hint of emotion in his voice. "You should go back to your office and focus on your work. Old Huang is really inconsiderate. Doesn't he realize that your father and I were very good friends back then? We were drinking and chatting together just a few days before his accident?"

At this point, Li Jing'an's tone turned serious: "From now on, if anyone in the office dares to spread rumors about you or gossip about your father, you can come and tell me directly, and I'll deal with them."

"Thank you, Director Li..." Lu Ping's voice was even lower.

"Don't call me Director Li, it's too formal." Li Jing'an smiled casually. "Just call me Brother Li, or Uncle Li if you prefer. Go on, get back to work, and don't overthink it."

After saying that, he lowered his head and gently kissed Lu Ping's cheek, then casually patted her bottom to signal her to leave.

Lu Ping blushed slightly, lowered her head, and walked quickly toward the office, not daring to look back.

Li Jing'an watched her retreating figure, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. He turned and walked to his desk, picking up the old-fashioned black dial phone.

"Please pick up Director Li."

The call connected quickly, and Li Huaide's familiar voice came from the other end. Li Jing'an immediately switched to a warm tone: "Brother Li, it's me, Jing'an. I have something I'd like to ask you for a favor."

"Oh? Jing'an, go ahead and say it."

"Here's the thing, I'd like to borrow a large truck from the factory for a short trip," Li Jing'an said calmly. "Not for hauling goods, but for transporting people."

Li Huaide, on the other end, was taken aback for a moment: "Transporting people? Can't we use a car? It's more comfortable and presentable."

"No need, no need, one truck is enough." Li Jing'an explained with a smile, "They are all relatives from the countryside, a whole family of more than ten people, why would they need a small car? Besides, I have cars at my guesthouse. If we really sent them out, several wouldn't be enough, and it would also delay the factory's normal work. One truck can bring them all here, which is convenient and saves trouble."

"Sure, it's no big deal." Li Huaide readily agreed. "I'll make the arrangements right now. We can leave this afternoon and make a round trip in no time."

"Then I'll trouble you, Brother Li." Li Jing'an said sincerely, "Once this matter is finished, I'll invite you to the guesthouse when you have time, so you can taste the chef's skills and give me some pointers and suggestions."

"Haha, no problem, see you later!"

"See you later, Brother Li."

Li Jing'an hung up the phone, leaned against the table, and smiled easily.

Yesterday, he called Huairou to inform his uncle's family that they were coming to the city today, to have a meal and stay overnight at the guesthouse, and that he would send them back the next day. With the car loan settled, the last weight was lifted from his heart.

Before we knew it, it was noon.

In a small private room in the guesthouse restaurant, Li Jing'an and Zhou Yufei sat facing each other, eating a simple working meal. There were four dishes, two meat and two vegetable.

Zhou Yufei is now in full charge of the catering department.

The two ate a few bites in silence, then Li Jing'an suddenly spoke up, asking casually, "Yufei, have the kitchen arranged everything for the two family dinner tables tonight?"

Zhou Yufei immediately put down her chopsticks and nodded seriously: "Don't worry, Brother Li, I've already spoken with the head chef. The dishes, portions, and timing are all arranged perfectly, so it definitely won't delay your business."

"Okay, then I'm relieved." Li Jing'an nodded in satisfaction and continued eating.

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Clang, clang—"

"Come in."

The door was pushed open, and Xu Damao cautiously peeked in. Upon seeing Li Jing'an, he immediately greeted him with a broad smile: "Brother Li."

"Da Mao, have you eaten?" Li Jing'an asked, looking up.

"I've already finished eating, Brother Li." Xu Damao strode in, his posture respectful. "Here's the thing, Brother Li, the venue for tomorrow's Ministry of Metallurgical meeting has been fully arranged. I'd like to invite you to come and inspect it this afternoon and help me find any omissions or deficiencies. That way, I'll feel more at ease."

Li Jing'an nodded slightly.

This was the first ministerial-level meeting he had hosted since taking office, and it was of paramount importance, as it concerned his reputation within the metallurgical system and the steel mill. There could be no room for carelessness.

"Okay, I'll go check it out after I finish eating."

"Alright! Please enjoy your meal. I'll go back and wait for you!" Xu Damao quickly replied, respectfully withdrew, and gently closed the door behind him.

A waiter brought in a small bowl of soup.

"Brother Li, this is a pigeon soup that I specially asked the kitchen to make for you. Please try it." Zhou Yufei stood up and was about to serve Li Jing'an a bowl.

Unexpectedly, the waiter spilled some soup when he put it in the bowl, which splashed onto Li Jing'an's pants.

"You..." Before Li Jing'an could finish his curse, Zhou Yufei interrupted him.

"Are you even capable of doing this job? You're such a pig-brain, I don't know what you're thinking all day. I think you should quit and go clean the toilets." Zhou Yufei's hand was almost pointing at the waiter's face.

"I'm so sorry, Director, I'm so sorry," the waiter kept apologizing.

"Alright, Yufei, it's just a few drops, it's fine." Li Jing'an checked his pants and found no marks.

"Get out of here. I'll settle the score with you later." Zhou Yufei glared at her fiercely.

Li Jing'an slowly finished the last few bites of his meal, wiped his mouth, and got up to walk towards the conference hall in the annex building.