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

After seeing Luo Tianyou off, Li Jing'an returned to his office and sat down to ponder. He had only thought of the school for children of employees on a whim—wasn't there Li Xin there? Since he was free anyway, he might as well squeeze Luo Tianyou in as well, killing two birds with one stone.

"Knock knock knock—"

"Come in."

The door opened, and Li Xin walked in, standing respectfully in front of the desk. Li Jing'an looked her up and down, a playful smile appearing on his lips: "Oh, not bad, you look quite recovered lately, and you've become even more beautiful."

Li Xin kept her head down and didn't say a word.

"How about that? I didn't break my promise, did I? As long as you listen to me, I guarantee you can work at school with peace of mind." Li Jing'an leaned back in his chair.

"Thank you, Director Li... Thank you, Director Li..." Li Xin stood there, her hands unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, somewhat at a loss.

Li Jing'an suddenly chuckled, his gaze becoming meaningful: "How are you going to thank me?"

He gestured towards the door with his lip: "Go, lock the door."

Li Xin obediently turned around and locked the door. Li Jing'an waved to her from behind his desk. Without hesitation, Li Xin went straight behind the desk and squatted down.

Li Jing'an, with his eyes closed, stroked Li Xin's hair with one hand, speaking in a casual tone: "Li Xin, you've had a tough time lately. Your brother Li feels sorry for you too. You know, it's really not easy for a woman like you. I've found you a companion—an engineer from the former Metallurgical Bureau named Luo Tianyou. His family is from Southeast Asia, and he studied in the United States. His education level is much higher than yours. When you leave later, take him to the school and take good care of him, understand?"

Li Xin raised her head and swallowed hard: "...I know, Director Li."

Li Jing'an opened his eyes, glanced at her, and then pressed her down again: "It's not just about words, I want to see actions. And—let me tell you, things aren't that simple. You need to take care of him not only at work, but also in his personal life. Always think of him, and then I'll play matchmaker and put you two together."

Li Xin suddenly paused for a moment.

Li Jing'an immediately noticed and frowned: "What? You're unwilling? Or are you still thinking about Xie Hui?"

Li Xin trembled, and seeing Li Jing'an's suddenly darkening face, she hurriedly protested, "No... I didn't... Director Li, I... could I... perhaps want to live alone from now on?"

"No way." Li Jing'an's tone was decisive. "How can a woman manage without a man? I can't take care of you every day. What's wrong with Engineer Luo? He's just a few years older than you, but that's not a problem, is it? Older people know how to care for others, just like me, haha."

"He's divorced, just like you—but he was the one who was divorced, while you chose to divorce. Just tell him that you also have a bad family background and were abandoned because of this movement, and that way you'll have something in common. I'm telling you, this is a good thing; you'll thank me later."

Li Jing'an patted Li Xin's face. "Don't think I'm joking with you. I won't hurt you. I might even need your help in the future—don't say you don't know me then, hehehe..."

He looked down at Li Xin, who was still busy, and suddenly felt uneasy, so he added, "Alright, go wait by the window. Get into position and wait for me."

Li Xin stood up and walked towards the window. Li Jing'an bent down, opened the bottom drawer of his desk, took out a camera, and wiped the lens. He wanted to have some evidence, so he wouldn't be at a disadvantage later.

"Come on, Li Xin, take off your clothes, all of them. Move a stool, climb onto the windowsill, squat down, and strike a pose for me to see."

Li Xin, with her back to Li Jing'an, removed her clothes one by one. When she turned around and saw the camera in Li Jing'an's hand, her expression changed drastically. But after thinking it over, she ultimately dared not resist. Under Li Jing'an's piercing gaze, she slowly stood on the chair and then climbed onto the windowsill. At this time, the office building windows all had a small platform, so it wasn't a problem for one person to stand there.

"Hehe, good! That's it! Yes, squat down, spread your legs—yes, yes, that's it!" Li Jing'an raised his camera, directing and praising, "Look at this light, shining from all directions, like a Bodhisattva in a temple, radiating light from head to toe! It's so beautiful!"

"Click, click, click—" The sound of camera shutters rang out one after another.

"Lift your head up! That's great!"

Li Jing'an moved closer and closer, the camera almost touching Li Xin: "Come on, lean over the windowsill and look outside—yes! Is anyone outside?"

"……have."

"Okay! Press your upper body against the window, let everyone see! Show them off! Hahaha!"

A sharp "snap" rang out—Li Xin's expression changed, and she clenched her teeth tightly. Then, another "snap" followed.

Li Jing'an suddenly stepped forward and pressed himself against her back.

Li Xin frowned.

A voice came close to her ear: "How is it? Clear, right?"

Meanwhile, in the workshop, Li Chao stood at his workstation, slowly processing a part. His movements were sluggish and clumsy; his mind was completely elsewhere. He was preoccupied with his future.

He can't work in this workshop forever, can he? This so-called "amateur propaganda team leader" is just a figurehead, what kind of cadre is he? He doesn't even dare to see his former classmates now—back in school, he was a powerful and influential rebel leader, so glorious! But now? For Wang Manqi, he voluntarily gave up his job at the district revolutionary committee and came to the steel rolling mill, but he didn't get the job and instead got forced to work in the workshop.

It's so frustrating.

He couldn't go on like this. He had to prove himself and turn things around. He had made up his mind—before leaving get off work, he would go and beg Li Jing'an to transfer him back.

He knew, of course, that doing this was risky; he might be labeled as having "unwavering revolutionary will." But he couldn't care less. Since entering the workshop, he hadn't even stepped into the office building again; everything related to propaganda was no longer his concern. He could no longer see a future.

But a sliver of hope remained in his heart—when he last met Li Jing'an, he found him to be quite approachable, not the kind of person who was difficult to talk to. Maybe… it could work out?

At that moment, Li Jing'an was standing by the window in his office, smoking and catching his breath after his "exercise." Looking down, he saw Li Xin leading Luo Tianyou, one after the other, walking towards the campus.

Li Jing'an narrowed his eyes, and a slow smile appeared on his lips.

If Li Xin can be used to tie Luo Tianyou down, then he will have overseas connections in the future.