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

Li Jing'an returned to the steel mill's guesthouse. As soon as he entered the lobby, Qin Huairu, who was on duty, greeted him. She could tell at a glance that he had been drinking.

"Brother Li, how much did you drink?" Qin Huairu asked softly, her voice filled with concern.

Li Jing'an waved his hand: "It's nothing, this little bit of wine is nothing." This little bit of wine was really no problem for Li Jing'an now.

"Where are they?" Li Jing'an asked, puzzled, seeing only Qin Huairu in the duty room.

"Squad Leader Wang took them to collect the bed sheets and blankets that were drying in the backyard," Qin Huairu replied.

"I'll go upstairs and pour you a cup of tea to sober you up," Qin Huairu said, half-helping and half-supporting Li Jing'an as she led him up the stairs.

As they went upstairs, Li Jing'an's hand wandered restlessly over her buttocks. Qin Huairu blushed, and feeling guilty, she quickly looked around and quickened her pace.

Upon reaching the office on the third floor, Qin Huairu made Li Jing'an a strong cup of tea. Li Jing'an leaned back on the sofa, pulled her close, and his hands began to wander. Qin Huairu stiffened, letting him do as he pleased, until Li Jing'an released his hands, satisfied.

"Alright, you can go now." Li Jing'an took a sip of tea. "After dinner tonight, come to my place and tidy up the house."

Qin Huairu nodded, straightened her disheveled clothes and hair, and quietly slipped out.

---

Dinner time in the courtyard was long over. Inside Li Jing'an's room, Qin Huairu sat in his lap, both of them disheveled. Li Jing'an's hand slipped inside her clothes, his breathing growing heavier.

"Knock knock knock!"

The sudden knocking startled them both. Li Jing'an abruptly withdrew his hand, and Qin Huairu hurriedly stood up from his lap, frantically straightening her clothes.

"Who is it? It's so late." Li Jing'an frowned and gestured for Qin Huairu to go and check.

He stood at the doorway, watching Qin Huairu open the courtyard gate. Standing outside was none other than Director Chen, with whom he had lunch that afternoon, carrying a bag in his hand.

Li Jing'an was taken aback for a moment, then put on a smiling face: "Old Chen? How did you find your way here? Come in quickly!"

When Director Chen entered, he saw Qin Huairu standing to the side. Not knowing how to address her, he could only nod in acknowledgment.

Li Jing'an said to Qin Huairu, "You go back first, there's nothing for you to do here."

Qin Huairu responded and hurriedly left with her head down.

"Sit down, sit down." Li Jing'an poured a glass of water for Factory Director Chen. "How did you find me?"

Factory Director Chen smiled sheepishly: "I asked Director Wang for the address. Director Li, I'm really sorry to bother you so late."

"It's nothing, go ahead, what is it?" Li Jing'an leaned back in his chair, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the pocket.

Factory Director Chen rubbed his hands together. "Director Li, to be honest, I've come today to ask for your help. Our factory's equipment is severely outdated, and production efficiency is low... I'd also like to report this to Director Gao privately. Could you perhaps help introduce me?"

Li Jing'an picked up his teacup and slowly blew away the foam. "Old Chen helped Old Hu today because he truly has no selfish motives and is selfless. Even so, Director Gao criticized me, saying I was just making connections for people. This matter... is difficult."

Factory Director Chen grew anxious and leaned forward: "Director Li, I'm doing this on official business, please help me!"

Li Jing'an sighed, glancing again at the net bag: "Sigh, you seem like an honest person... Fine, I'll risk it and help you one more time. But let me make this clear: if Director Gao refuses to see you, don't blame me."

"No, no! Thank you so much!" Factory Director Chen stood up excitedly.

"Then go back and wait for my call. I'll let you know when I've made contact." Li Jing'an also stood up, ready to see the guest out.

Factory Director Chen picked up the bag and placed it on the table: "It's just a small token of my appreciation, a specialty from Northeast China. Please don't find it offensive."

Li Jing'an feigned reluctance: "What is this for? Take it back! I'm not that kind of person!"

"It's just some local specialties, the same as what Lao Hu gave me," Factory Director Chen said as he walked out. "You must accept them, otherwise I'll feel bad!"

Li Jing'an saw him to the door and watched as Director Chen walked away before returning inside.

He picked up the bag and weighed it in his hand; it was quite heavy. He opened it and saw two jars of bright yellow peaches inside. He shook the bag again—that was it! Just those two jars.

Li Jing'an paused for a few seconds, then suddenly burst out laughing, only to have it turn into a wry smile. Was this old Chen genuinely clueless, or was he pretending? He thought he could get things done with just two cans of food?

An inexplicable anger welled up inside her. Just then, the door opened softly again—Qin Huairu, having seen the guests leave, had returned and was preparing to tidy up the house.

Li Jing'an watched her walk in with a gloomy face, then beckoned her over: "Come here."

Qin Huairu noticed his expression was off and her heart skipped a beat. She cautiously walked up to him.

Li Jing'an suddenly reached out and grabbed her by the back of the neck. Qin Huairu trembled with fear but dared not struggle.

"I'm very angry right now."

He pressed his hand down in the same direction.

---

When Qin Huairu returned to the Jia family home, the three children were still awake. Banggeng was doing his homework at the table, while Xiaodang was playing with his younger sister, Huaihua. When their mother came in with two cans of food, the three children's eyes widened in surprise.

"Mom! Is that canned food?" Banggeng was the first to jump up.

Xiao Dang chimed in, "Canned yellow peaches! I've seen them at the supply and marketing cooperative!"

Even the locust tree, which is just over a year old, is clapping its little hands.

Qin Huairu held up the can of food: "Don't fight over it, there's enough for everyone."

She found a bottle opener and painstakingly opened it. With a "pop," a sweet aroma instantly filled the entire room. The three children gathered around, their eyes fixed on it.

Qin Huairu brought four bowls and divided some among the three children, with Huaihua receiving the smallest portion—she was only one year old and couldn't eat much. She then picked up one of the bowls and gave it to her mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi.

"Mom, please try some."

Madam Jia waved her hands repeatedly: "Give it to the child, why would I, at my age, eat this?"

"Please try it," Qin Huairu said, pushing the bowl towards her.

Jia Zhangshi then scooped up a piece with a spoon, put it in her mouth, and chewed slowly, squinting her eyes: "So sweet...so delicious..."

She ate a few bites and then poured the rest into the bowl of corn stalks: "Grandma doesn't like sweets, so eat more corn stalks so you can grow tall."

The three children ate in small bites, reluctant to finish it all at once. Bang Geng even saved two pieces, saying they would eat them tomorrow.

"Mom, when do we open the other bottle?" Xiao Dang asked eagerly.

"We'll save it for Mid-Autumn Festival," Qin Huairu said. "Then our whole family will eat it together."

Qin Huairu picked up the canned food jar and drank the remaining syrup in one gulp. The cloyingly sweet juice slid down her throat, and she couldn't help but sigh.

so sweet.