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

Outside the gate of the Ministry of Metallurgy.

Factory Director Hu paced back and forth, occasionally glancing up at the intersection.

Finally, that familiar figure appeared—Li Jing'an was leisurely pushing his bicycle towards them. Director Hu quickly went to greet him, his face beaming with smiles: "Director Li, you've arrived!"

Li Jing'an parked his bicycle to the side and glanced at him: "Old Hu, how long have you been here?"

"Just arrived, just arrived." Director Hu waved his hand repeatedly. In fact, he had been waiting here since before nine o'clock, afraid of missing this rare opportunity.

Li Jing'an nodded and lowered his voice, saying, "When you meet Director Gao later, say what needs to be said, and don't mention a single word that shouldn't be said. Director Gao hates people beating around the bush, so just tell the truth and clearly report the actual situation at your mine."

"Yes, yes, I understand." Director Hu nodded vigorously, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

Li Jing'an glanced at his watch; it was almost ten o'clock. He then led Factory Director Hu through the main gate. The gatekeeper saw Li Jing'an and nodded with a smile: "Director Li, you're here again?"

"Yes, I'm bringing a comrade to report on work," Li Jing'an replied naturally, clearly a regular here.

Director Hu observed this and secretly admired Li Jing'an—he was indeed no ordinary man to be so familiar with Wei Du of the metallurgical department.

The two entered the office building and stopped outside Director Gao's office. Li Jing'an gently knocked on the door, and a steady voice came from inside, "Come in."

As they entered, Director Gao was working at his desk. He looked up when he saw them come in.

"Director Gao, this is Director Hu from a mine in Shandong. He's here specifically to report to you," Li Jing'an introduced respectfully.

Director Gao stood up and shook hands with Director Hu: "Director Hu, please sit down." His hand was thick and strong, and his tone was calm yet authoritative.

Li Jing'an tactfully said, "Then you two talk, I'll wait outside." After saying that, he withdrew and gently closed the door.

Half an hour later, the office door opened. Director Hu walked out, his face flushed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Director Gao saw him to the door and asked again, "Director Hu, your full name is Hu Wenshan, right? I've got it."

"Yes, yes, thank you, Director Gao!" Director Hu's voice trembled with excitement.

As the two walked out of the Ministry of Metallurgy, Director Hu grabbed Li Jing'an's hand, saying, "Director Li, thank you so much! If it weren't for your introduction, I wouldn't have even been able to meet Director Gao!"

Li Jing'an waved his hand: "We're all comrades, it's only right that we help each other."

Factory Director Hu looked around, then quickly pulled a kraft paper envelope from the inside pocket of his Zhongshan suit and stuffed it into Li Jing'an's hand: "It's a small token of my appreciation, a local specialty from my hometown. You must accept it!"

Li Jing'an's face darkened, and he quickly refused, saying, "Old Hu, what are you doing? Take it back!"

The two pushed and pulled the envelope back and forth several times, and somehow it ended up in Li Jing'an's hands.

The contents were a bit heavy and hard. Li Jing'an raised an eyebrow and tucked it into the inside pocket of his clothes.

Seeing this, Director Hu leaned closer and lowered his voice to ask, "Director Li, what do you think about Director Gao's side... should we also prepare some local specialties?"

"Nonsense!" Li Jing'an immediately interrupted him, saying seriously, "Is Director Gao that kind of person? Are you trying to harm me or him?"

Factory Director Hu smiled awkwardly, but felt a pang of regret in his heart—what a great opportunity! If he could get in touch with Director Gao, things would be much easier in the future.

Li Jing'an looked at his seemingly simple face, now etched with calculation, and inwardly shook his head. This old Hu, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, appeared honest and kind, but he had quite a few cunning thoughts. However, he was disappointed; Director Gao was indeed not that kind of person. Besides, although I, Li Jing'an, had accepted your "special gift," I would never give you the opportunity to further corrupt high-ranking officials.

"Let's go, I've booked a private room at the state-run restaurant. We can eat and chat!" Director Hu enthusiastically pulled Li Jing'an's arm. "I've also invited Director Wang from the steel rolling mill's production department to join us. You absolutely must come!"

Li Jing'an pretended to decline for a while, but in the end he went with her anyway.

As expected, Director Wang was sitting in the private room of the restaurant. But to Li Jing'an's surprise, there was an unfamiliar face sitting next to Director Wang—a man in his forties with a square face, who quickly stood up when he saw them come in.

"Director Li, let me introduce you. This is Director Chen from a steel rolling mill in Northeast China. He's an old friend of mine," Director Wang said with a smile. "He heard we were having a gathering today and insisted on coming to meet you."

Factory Director Chen stepped forward and firmly grasped Li Jing'an's hand: "Director Li, it's an honor to meet you! I am Chen Jianguo, and I work at a steel rolling mill in Northeast China. Please excuse my intrusion!"

Li Jing'an smiled politely, but he knew perfectly well that this was not presumptuous at all; it was clearly a visit aimed at Director Gao's relationship with him.

The four men sat down, and Director Hu personally poured wine for Li Jing'an: "Director Li, I really don't know how to thank you for today. Without your introduction, where would I have gotten the opportunity to report to Director Gao alone?"

"Old Hu," Li Jing'an raised his glass, "I'm helping you because I see you're dedicated to public service. If it were for personal gain, you wouldn't get through, not even with Director Gao, let alone me."

"Yes, yes, I understand." Director Hu nodded repeatedly. "Director Gao is a really good leader. He listened to my report very attentively today and asked in detail about the difficulties the mine is facing."

Li Jing'an took a sip of his wine and said meaningfully, "So, we cadres need to know what we should and shouldn't do."

Director Hu understood immediately and offered another toast. The two chatted back and forth, from national development to serving the people, their pleasantries impeccable. Director Chen, watching from the side, was stunned, but he noticed that Director Hu indeed hadn't brought anything—not even a briefcase.

"It seems that Director Li and Director Gao are truly upright people," Director Chen thought to himself.

After several rounds of drinks, it was already 3 PM. The four men, having thoroughly enjoyed themselves, said goodbye at the restaurant entrance.

On the way back to the First Guesthouse, Director Chen finally couldn't help but ask, "Old Hu, you really didn't give Director Gao anything?"

"I swear to God, I really didn't!" Director Hu said sincerely. "I just brought some local specialties from my hometown for Director Li, but he didn't want them at first."

Director Wang interjected, "Who in the entire metallurgical system doesn't know Director Gao's character? He's famously incorruptible."

Factory Director Chen's eyes darted around, and he didn't say anything more, but he had other plans in mind.