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

Li Jing'an frowned, scrutinizing Li Chao standing in front of him, his fingertips tapping unconsciously on the desk.

"What, you've only been promoting this in the workshop for a short time, and you're already giving up?"

"No, no, that's not what I meant, Director Li!" Li Chao quickly waved his hand, forcing a smile. "It's because I want to contribute more to our factory! I hope to be transferred to a place where I can better develop myself. I'm not afraid of hardship or fatigue; I just want to contribute more to our factory!"

He spoke with righteous indignation, and his chest puffed out as he did so.

Looking at the impassioned young man before him, Li Jing'an couldn't help but scoff inwardly: "Damn, this kid's got a way with words. Looks like he's not just some random rebel leader at school; he's got a whole repertoire of things to say, and it all sounds pretty high-sounding."

"Comrade Li Chao, don't you understand yet what's most important in our factory right now? It's your job! Because our workers need revolutionary ideology, they need someone to guide them in spontaneous revolution. Propagating the revolution is our most important work right now! Tell me, what could be more important than this?" Li Jing'an, getting emotional, stood up, walked around the table, and patted Li Chao's shoulder firmly. "We put you in the workshop because we value your abilities! Just stay there and do your best; the factory won't forget your contributions!"

His tone was initially reproachful, then turned to heartfelt sincerity, his words filled with "I have high hopes for you."

Looking at Li Jing'an's serious expression, Li Chao felt increasingly disgusted. This guy talks a good game, but it's all just platitudes and empty talk. Does he really think I'm a student? Does he think I'm easy to fool? He took a deep breath, forcing down his anger:

"Director Li, well... this amateur dance team I'm in charge of is actually run by Wang Manqi alone! My presence there would only hinder her performance." He paused, secretly glancing at Li Jing'an's expression, and continued, "I don't want to hold Manqi back. Going elsewhere would allow her to contribute more to our factory. I hope the leadership can support me!"

"Oh? You mean Comrade Manqi?" Li Jing'an narrowed his eyes upon hearing the name "Wang Manqi," subconsciously stroking the stubble on his chin, a meaningful smile appearing on his face. "Really? Is Comrade Manqi really that capable?"

"Capable! Capable! Very capable!" Li Chao nodded repeatedly, his expression sincere.

Li Jing'an stared at him, slowly uttering a few words: "What you say doesn't matter. It's not like you can just say you're capable and then expect to get things done. I need to investigate personally before I can know." He waved his hand, as if shooing away a fly, "Alright, you can go back now and wait for our notification."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In the steel rolling mill workshop, Wang Manqi was rushing to produce parts at her workstation. Her movements were mechanical and numb, her eyes blankly staring at the rapidly spinning machine in front of her. It was almost time to leave work, but she felt time was passing incredibly slowly, like an eternity. She was not only physically exhausted, but also mentally drained, as if all her strength had been drained away.

During her school days, she was always bombarded with propaganda, which instilled in her a deep-seated impression: how wonderful factory workers were, how powerful their work was, and how interesting their lives were. But now she felt it was all bullshit! Those who thought factory work was good were basically just slacking off. She didn't see anything good about it! Looking around the workshop, apart from the younger workers who were somewhat better, seven or eight out of ten of the older workers were just coasting along, wasting time. Where had that worker's spirit gone? She smiled bitterly to herself, but dared not stop working.

"Manqi! Wang Manqi! Come here, someone's looking for you outside!" The workshop's revolutionary committee director stood at the gate and shouted twice.

Wang Manqi jolted awake as if from a dream, abruptly raising her head. She paused for a couple of seconds before reacting, putting down the parts she was holding, wiping the sweat from her brow, and quickly walking out of the workshop. She was about to ask the foreman who had called her when the foreman simply gestured with his lip in a certain direction outside, said nothing, and left.

She looked in that direction and immediately saw a black sedan parked quietly there. The back window slowly rolled down, revealing Li Jing'an's face, who was waving at her.

Wang Manqi's heart skipped a beat, somewhat surprised, but she didn't dare to be negligent. She subconsciously ran over, leaned close to the car window, bowed slightly, and respectfully called out, "Director Li."

Li Jing'an smiled and nodded, his gaze lingering for a moment on Wang Manqi's sweat-dampened temples and her cheeks flushed from work: "Comrade Wang Manqi, it's like this, Comrade Li Chao came to my office today and said a lot... well, mainly praising your performance in the amateur propaganda team, saying you did a good job."

Upon hearing that it was Li Chao who spoke, Wang Manqi immediately became alert. "Impossible! Li Chao and I have fallen out, what good things would he say about me? There's definitely something fishy going on!" She suppressed her unease and forced a smile as she listened.

"Comrade Li Chao said that you have done a good job in this amateur propaganda team and he hopes that you will continue to lead the team in the future. As for himself, he wants to be transferred back to the political work group."

"Well, I thought I'd like to test you out a bit, and also ask for your opinion."

Wang Manqi's expression changed instantly, and she immediately understood. That Li Chao, he was planning to run away! Leaving me here to suffer alone! Her lips trembled with anger. If Li Chao left, she would be the only cadre in the propaganda team, and she would have to settle here permanently. His intentions were despicable!

"Director Li, I can't do it! I can't lead them!" Wang Manqi hurriedly shook her head, her tone urgent. "With Captain Li here, the propaganda team has a backbone. We can't do without him, no one else can!"

"Really? That's what you think?" Li Jing'an sighed, feigning distress. "Well, I think Captain Li is right. After all, having the two of you here is a bit of a waste of talent."

Wang Manqi bit her lip, a fierce internal struggle raging within her. Ultimately, the desire to escape this awful place overwhelmed her reason. She made up her mind, her voice trembling slightly: "Then...Director Li, could you transfer me back? I'm not really of much use here! I see our dance troupe's performances are already on track, and I want to contribute my share!"

"Huh? You want to transfer back too?" Li Jing'an looked at her with feigned surprise, then clicked his tongue and said with difficulty, "Comrade Wang Manqi, it's not that I don't want to help you, you don't know the situation! The dance troupe is pretty much in sync now, everyone has their own role, if you suddenly go back, there won't be many positions for you!"

Wang Manqi's heart sank little by little, feeling icy cold, as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.

"But..." Li Jing'an changed the subject.

Wang Manqi's heart leaped again, as if she had grasped the last straw, and hope rekindled in her eyes.

"If you just want to transfer back to the dance troupe, there probably aren't many positions available," Li Jing'an said slowly, his gaze casually sweeping over Wang Manqi's heaving chest. "But I know of one position. I wonder if you'd be willing to take it?"

"Please tell me!" Wang Manqi asked hopefully.

"Well, my former secretary, Xiaolin, has always done a great job, and I was planning to promote her and transfer her to another position. I haven't had a good candidate for her replacement. But seeing you today, I suddenly felt... you should be able to handle it!" Li Jing'an said with a smile.

"I...can I do it? I'm just a dance student, I don't know anything..." Wang Manqi was surprised, delighted, and a little uneasy, and her voice lowered.

"Haha, don't be afraid!" Li Jing'an laughed and waved his hand. "It's nothing difficult! It's just sending and receiving documents and answering phone calls. It's very easy. It just depends on whether you're willing to do it."

"Of course, there are other requirements..." Li Jing'an's voice suddenly lowered and became ambiguous. He beckoned Wang Manqi to come closer.