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

In the corridor of the steel rolling mill's office building, Section Chief Zhang was angrily questioning the person in charge of the factory office. His face was flushed red, and the veins on his neck were bulging and conspicuous. If it weren't for Engineer Wang holding his arm tightly from behind, he would have rushed up and attacked long ago. His eyes were bloodshot, and his fierce gaze seemed to want to devour the other person alive.

The commotion was so loud that people in every office couldn't sit still any longer. They opened their doors, craning their necks, holding enamel mugs and newspapers, all standing at the door to watch the excitement. The corridor was filled with whispers.

"What are you all doing here? Get back to your posts!"

A dignified voice came from the other side of the corridor, carrying a sense of oppression. Everyone turned to look and saw Li Huaide walking quickly towards them with a frown, his leather shoes making a steady and powerful sound on the ground.

Upon seeing that it was Deputy Factory Director Li, the onlookers immediately shrank back, closed their doors, and obediently returned to their offices. The once noisy corridor instantly fell silent, leaving only the head of the factory office, the furious Section Chief Zhang, and Engineer Wang, who was holding him tightly.

Li Huaide walked up to the group, his gaze sweeping over them, his brows furrowing deeply, and his tone was cold: "What exactly happened? Which workshop and department are you from? Making a scene in the office building corridor, don't you know any manners?"

Upon seeing Li Huaide, Section Chief Zhang grasped at a lifeline, his voice trembling with tears: "Director Li! You have to do me justice! I've worked here my whole life, diligently since I was an apprentice. I finally got to be allocated housing, but they pulled strings and took my spot!"

He was emotional, his voice trembled, and his eyes were red.

Li Huaide frowned slightly, his gaze shifting to the factory office manager, his tone becoming increasingly stern: "I've repeatedly emphasized that housing allocation must be fair and just, ensuring the employees' satisfaction. How could something like this still happen?"

The factory office manager, looking aggrieved, spread his hands and argued, "Director Li, this really isn't our fault! We ranked employees solely based on their points, from highest to lowest. Even though his score was just one point less than the last person, I couldn't just take someone else's spot away for him!"

"You're talking nonsense!" Section Chief Zhang suddenly struggled forward, pointing his finger at the factory office manager's nose, his voice hoarse and angry. "I've already checked the scores, I was clearly last! Zhou Yufei suddenly appeared out of nowhere and surpassed me, do you dare say there's nothing fishy going on here?"

Li Huaide frowned, raised his hand to stop Section Chief Zhang, and looked at the person in charge of the factory office with a scrutinizing gaze.

The person in charge sighed and patiently explained, "Comrade Zhang, you can't take the draft score sheet as the final result. The factory's scoring is based on a comprehensive consideration, including seniority, job contributions, family hardship, and personal honors. What you've seen is only the preliminary list from the factory headquarters, and it doesn't include the staff from the guesthouse yet. That's the real misunderstanding. Our work is absolutely fair and transparent."

"I don't believe your story!" Section Chief Zhang persisted, his emotions escalating. "Why did she get a higher score than me? Don't think I don't know, her husband used to work in the technical department, he broke the law and was sentenced, and he was fired from the factory long ago! With a family member like her having such a problematic past, why should she be ahead of me? Nobody believes there wasn't some behind-the-scenes manipulation!"

His chest heaved violently, like an enraged bull, and Wang Gong tried desperately to pull him back, but to no avail.

Upon hearing this, Li Huaide's expression finally changed, shifting from calm to serious. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke, "Oh, I remember now, you're Section Chief Zhang of the finishing rolling section in the hot rolling workshop, right?"

Section Chief Zhang was startled, not expecting Deputy Factory Director Li to recognize him. Hope instantly ignited in his eyes, and he quickly nodded, "It's me! Factory Director Li, it's me!"

Li Huaide chuckled, stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said in a gentle tone, "I know you. You are a veteran worker and backbone of the factory. You have worked your way up from the grassroots to the section chief. You have excellent skills and are the backbone of the factory. The factory has always valued talents like you."

Section Chief Zhang nodded repeatedly, his eyes reddening. He was about to express his gratitude when Li Huaide changed the subject.

"But there's something you don't know: even if you're on the housing allocation list, you still won't get a house."

"Huh?" Section Chief Zhang was completely dumbfounded, his mouth agape, looking utterly bewildered.

The people around looked at each other, completely baffled.

Looking at his dazed expression, Li Huaide smiled gently: "You are an outstanding backbone of the factory, and the factory has long planned to entrust you with important responsibilities. We have built a new third-line factory in the southwest, and we need talents like you to support its construction. Your name is already on the list of those supporting the third-line construction. Since everyone will be transferred to other places, this house will naturally not be allocated to you."

Section Chief Zhang froze, his voice trembling: "Factory Director... no one notified me that I was going to the third-tier city, and no one asked for my opinion..."

Li Huaide withdrew his hand, put it behind his back, and his face darkened slightly: "Supporting the Third Front construction is an honorable task, a contribution to the country. Are you really unwilling? As a veteran advanced worker in the factory, shouldn't your awareness be so low?"