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

A group of young waiters walked ahead, discussing as they went.

"Ugh, I'm exhausted! I'm finally back!"

"It's so lively!"

"Oh dear, it's just a bit far away, I couldn't see the people on the platform clearly."

They chattered and chattered as they walked from outside into the guesthouse.

Following behind the group was Director Li Jing'an, who stood with his hands behind his back and didn't say a word.

At the entrance of the guesthouse, Lao Huang, Zhou Yufei, Xu Damao, Song Yun, and other members of the management team, who had been waiting for a long time, quickly stepped forward to greet them.

Old Huang hurried up: "Chief, you've worked hard!"

Zhou Yufei chimed in, "Yeah, Brother Li, you should go take a rest."

Li Jing'an waved his hand with a smile: "Hey, what's so hard about this? It's all a political task. Being able to participate in this May Day mass parade with millions of people is an honor! What's so hard about it?" After saying that, he turned his head and waved to the group of beautiful women, "You can go now."

Li Jing'an turned around and said to everyone, "Come on, let's go to my office. This isn't over yet. Tomorrow, our steel rolling mill is one of the sites the Albanian delegation is visiting. Although they didn't say they'd come to our guesthouse, we can't let our guard down. We still need to make some preparations, just in case they change the location at the last minute. Come on, let's go to my office and make some more arrangements." After saying that, he beckoned everyone to his office, and a group of people surrounded him.

Inside the office, Li Jing'an first took out cigarettes and distributed them to everyone. He lit one and sat down in the chair behind his desk. Some people sat, some stood, waiting for his instructions.

Li Jing'an flicked his cigarette ash and asked, "Old Huang, how's the guesthouse being cleaned today?"

Deputy Director Huang quickly stood up and replied, "Director, we've cleared all the weeds from the courtyard today, painted slogans on the exterior walls, and repaired any damaged areas. The guesthouse itself has also been tidied up. Don't worry, it definitely won't let us down."

Li Jing'an nodded, then looked at Song Yun.

Seeing that he was staring at her without speaking, Song Yun quickly reported, "Brother Li, our housekeeping department has changed all the bed sheets and duvet covers on the first and second floors today. The rooms have also been cleaned. No guests will be staying on those two floors today."

Li Jing'an nodded and instructed, "Remember, after the tour, don't forget to put all these new things away. Don't get them dirty; we'll need them next time."

Song Yun quickly nodded: "Understood."

Afterwards, Li Jing'an listened to reports from the restaurant and logistics departments, and nodded in approval.

"Oh, right," Li Jing'an stubbed out his cigarette, "we still need to send people to the factory gate to welcome them tomorrow. We should send those young women who went on the parade today. Also, tomorrow, all departments should be careful. People in your departments with a bad image should stay out of the public eye and avoid people. Don't let them affect the image of our institute."

He turned to the head chef: "Head chef, remember to make an extra braised pork belly tomorrow. When serving rice, have someone skilled at it pour just one layer over it. Tell the diners to temporarily suspend meal service tomorrow until further notice. Check the tour group's itinerary. If they change their plans and come here—remember, don't eat the meat first. Always eat the vegetables underneath first, and then eat the meat on top last. If anyone asks, tell them to figure it out themselves."

Old Huang chimed in, "Just say this is our work meal; we eat like this every day."

Li Jing'an nodded: "That's right. Also, those who are bad at speaking or not good-looking are not allowed to eat in the cafeteria tomorrow at noon. They should go to the kitchen to get their food, and then find a secluded place to eat so as not to affect the foreign guests' appetite."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"We need to mop the floor again tomorrow morning, and wipe down any areas that need wiping. No one should walk through the main lobby tomorrow; everyone should use the side entrance. We'll also tell the guests staying there to cooperate."

Old Huang nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay, I understand."

"By the way, if the visiting group comes tomorrow, answer whatever they ask, and keep that in mind. Let's set a standard—if they come tomorrow and ask you questions, don't forget the organization's nurturing and the Party's kindness. Then you can pass that message on to the staff below. When you speak, be emotional. If you can shed tears, we'll award you an advanced worker award in the institute. If you can faint, I'll apply for an advanced worker award for you in our factory. Understand? Go back and pass it on to the staff below."

Everyone nodded seriously.

"Also, tomorrow's work clothes must be clean and tidy; no patched clothes are allowed. We must present our best side to our Albanian revolutionary comrades and not embarrass China."

The crowd responded and gradually dispersed.

The office fell silent. Just as Li Jing'an was about to catch his breath, the phone on his desk rang.

He picked up the receiver: "Feed?"

"Oh, Brother Li, what's up?" He listened for a few moments, then laughed. "Okay, okay, we still have to rehearse, right? Alright, I understand. Of course, they'll definitely recruit all the young and pretty waitresses from our guesthouse, haha, that's for sure. Alright, alright, good, first row, right? The factory is using our guesthouse as their flagship, good, good. Okay, no problem, I'll take them to the factory gate first thing tomorrow morning, don't worry, it won't be a problem. Okay, that's settled then. We'll talk more when we meet tomorrow, alright."

After hanging up the phone, Li Jing'an leaned back in his chair, the smile slowly fading from his face.

He lit a cigarette, took a couple of puffs, and thought to himself: "This Albania, they're here to beg again. How can these beggars be so brazen?"

The factory also received a production order to produce a batch of steel to aid Albania, thus compressing and postponing its original production tasks. Otherwise, why would they have arranged for a visit to the steel rolling mill? There's a reason for that.