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

After an unknown amount of time, a portly middle-aged man came running in, panting and sweating profusely. He grabbed a policeman and asked, "Comrade, where is your station leader? Where is his office?"

The police officer gave him directions. He quickly calmed his breathing, straightened his collar, wiped the sweat from his forehead, walked briskly to the office door, took a deep breath, and knocked.

"Come in," came Director Wang's voice from inside.

Director Zhao pushed open the door and immediately saw a young man sitting on the sofa, squinting at him with a half-smile playing on his lips. Director Wang was sitting next to him, talking to him.

"Oh, hello, hello." Director Zhao quickly greeted him, "I am the director of the Housing Management Bureau, my surname is Zhao."

His gaze fell on Li Jing'an, and he asked cautiously and respectfully, "You... are you Comrade Li Jing'an?" As he spoke, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the fine sweat that kept appearing on his forehead.

Li Jing'an didn't get up, but just looked at him calmly and slowly said, "So you're Lu Jiashen's backer? I thought you were some central leader, that makes that kid so arrogant."

Director Zhao's sweat poured down his temples. He waved his hands repeatedly, his voice trembling with panic: "No, no, no! Comrade Li, I really don't know what anyone did in my name to offend you. You have to believe me, I definitely didn't know anything!"

He was so anxious that he almost knelt down before Li Jing'an, and his voice was trembling with tears.

"You think you can just say no and that's it?" Li Jing'an sneered. "I think it's better to ask that guy surnamed Lu."

After saying that, he winked at Chief Wang. Chief Wang understood and immediately called to the police officers outside the door: "Go and bring the eldest son of the Lu family over."

Li Jing'an chuckled as he looked at Director Zhao, who was anxiously explaining to him. "Alright, we'll talk about it later. Have a seat."

Director Zhao felt as if he had been granted a pardon and thanked him repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, thank you, Comrade Li." Then he carefully sat down on the other side of the sofa, only daring to touch half of his buttocks, keeping his back straight and not daring to breathe.

A short while later, the eldest son of the Lu family was brought in, limping. His face was covered in bruises, and his eyes were swollen. When he saw Director Zhao on the sofa, tears welled up in his eyes.

"uncle--"

Upon hearing the word "uncle," Director Zhao jumped up from the sofa, rushed over, and slapped him hard across the face—"Smack!"

"Uncle what?! You're fucking trying to screw me over!" Director Zhao trembled with rage, pointing his finger at the eldest son of the Lu family, gasping for breath, "What exactly have you done? Using my name—you, you—"

He was absolutely furious. When he heard the name "Li Jing'an" on the phone just now, his vision blurred and he almost fainted. He never expected that this nephew-in-law surnamed Lu could cause him such a huge mess.

"Alright, alright," Li Jing'an waved his hand impatiently, "If you want to hit someone, go home and do it. We haven't finished explaining things yet."

Director Zhao quickly withdrew his hand, turned around, and plastered a fawning smile on his face: "Please, please tell me, what are your orders?"

"Actually, I came to the police station today for nothing else," Li Jing'an flicked his cigarette ash, "it's just because I hit him—he was spewing nonsense."

"Hey! You did a good job!" Director Zhao slapped his thigh, his expression exaggerated. "You did a good job! If you're not satisfied, I'll beat him up again!" He then rolled up his sleeves.

"Alright, alright," Li Jing'an frowned, "We haven't even gotten to the important stuff yet, and you keep interrupting me."

His voice suddenly turned cold: "As for why I hit him, it all started with his underhanded dealings and encroachment on other people's property. He swapped his house with his neighbor's and even registered it with the housing management office. I want to hear your explanation?"

Director Zhao's gaze pierced through him like a nail: "I never expected you to do something like this."

The color drained completely from the face of the eldest son of the Lu family.

"Alright." Li Jing'an stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. "How your department handles this matter—whether you fire him or send him to the disciplinary committee—is your business. I just want to resolve the Lin family issue right now."

"Please tell me, please tell me!" Director Zhao nodded vigorously. "Tell me your requests, and I'll do it right away!"

"What do you mean I have any demands?" Li Jing'an glanced at him coldly. "This is the Lin family's business. I just couldn't stand by and watch, I saw injustice and decided to help."

He paused, then said, "How about this, let's go to the Lin family and discuss it together."

Then he turned to Director Wang and said, "Director Wang, could you please use your office for a moment longer and call the Lin sisters outside for me?"

"Oh, look at what you're saying!" Director Wang said with a big smile. "You can use it whenever you want, for as long as you wish."

Li Jing'an glanced at Director Zhao's obsequious smile, hummed in agreement, and nodded: "Alright then. After all, this matter has nothing to do with the police station. Let's talk outside."

He stood up, then suddenly seemed to remember something, turned to look at Chief Wang, and said with a half-smile, "Chief Wang, what do you think about my assault..."

"Oh my!" Director Wang slapped his thigh, his face full of "You're being too polite." "Look at what you're saying! What beating? Who was beaten? Who got beaten?" As he spoke, he deliberately glanced at the eldest son of the Lu family next to him.

The eldest son of the Lu family felt three gazes simultaneously falling on him—from Director Wang, Director Zhao, and Li Jing'an—and frantically shook his head: "No, you didn't hit me! You didn't, you didn't!"

Li Jing'an chuckled and said nothing more.

When the group walked out of the police station, the crowd outside had not yet dispersed. As soon as they saw Li Jing'an come out, the crowd erupted into a noisy discussion.

Li Jing'an stood on the steps with a resolute expression, his gaze slowly sweeping over the onlookers. He deliberately waited for more than twenty seconds before raising his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

He glanced at Director Zhao and Chief Wang. They immediately understood his meaning.

Director Zhao stepped forward first, his voice booming: "Fellow villagers! I am the director of the Housing Management Bureau. Our bureau takes this matter very seriously and will handle it rigorously, conducting a thorough self-examination and rectification. We will not let anyone who violates regulations or discipline escape justice! We will inform the public of the results as soon as possible, so please rest assured!"

Director Wang continued, "Regarding the fight, although there was a reason for it, we understand, but the station does not encourage people to resolve problems in this way. We have also criticized and educated Comrade Li, and he has reflected deeply on his actions. I hope this matter ends here. If you encounter any problems in the future, please come to the police station to find us—please believe that we always stand on the side of the people."

After they finished speaking, the crowd erupted in cheers. Li Jing'an didn't speak, but simply waved to the crowd and then beckoned the Lin sisters over.

He said to the two sisters, "Here's the thing, we're planning to find a place to solve your housing problem. Xiaolin, you have younger siblings at home, they're still young, and the family can't be without someone, so you should go back. Lin Wan can come with you, she's an adult now."

Xiao Lin glanced at her younger sister, Lin Wan, and nodded without saying anything more. Lin Wan immediately replied, "Okay, I'll go."

Li Jing'an smiled gently and gestured for Lin Wan to get into the car with him.

The car drove on and eventually pulled into the guesthouse. The reason it was chosen was entirely due to Li Jing's recommendation. He said it was a quiet place, convenient for discussing matters and resolving issues.

Lin Wan sat in the car and stole a glance at Li Jing'an—this man was as fierce as a tiger when he was beating people, but now he was quietly leaning back in his seat, his profile outlined by the light and shadow from the window, revealing cold, hard lines. She lowered her head, her heart inexplicably skipping a few beats.