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

Team Leader Gou waved his hand, and several young men rushed forward, pinning the two men firmly to the sofa, binding their hands behind their backs, and pulling their hair down hard, causing the two men to gasp in pain.

"Huh? What are you doing? I'm the director of the Revolutionary Committee at the train station!" Director Han exclaimed in shock.

"Misunderstanding! Misunderstanding!" Wang Manqi's father shouted anxiously.

"No misunderstanding! Bringing two cartons of cigarettes—are you trying to disrespect me or insult me? Who do you two think you are? Especially the one surnamed Han, what the hell is your rank? Daring to sit here in my office with your legs crossed and smoke? What a waste of my time!" Li Jing'an sneered and ordered, "Team Leader Gou, lock them up. We'll hold a general meeting to criticize them first thing tomorrow morning!"

"Yes!" Team Leader Gou turned to leave.

"Wait a minute," Li Jing'an said suddenly, glancing at the pocket on the coffee table, "Take these cigarettes with you. There's a big meeting tomorrow; give each person a pack around their neck!"

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.

Inside the workshop, Wang Manqi was working with her head down when she was suddenly called out by Li Chao from the Human Resources and Social Security Group. Confused, she followed them outside, followed by two young men wearing red armbands—clearly from the Human Resources and Social Security Group.

Wang Manqi stood there, completely unaware of what had happened.

Li Chao squinted and asked, "Wang Manqi, your father is the director of the operations department at the East Suburb Railway Station, right?"

"Yes..." Wang Manqi didn't know what had happened, so she could only lower her head and answer honestly.

"Hmph, then that's it." Li Chao sneered and continued to press, "Did you feel wronged these past few days in the workshop, doing training, writing self-criticisms, and being lectured by the employees? Did you feel wronged, so you sent your father to the steel rolling mill to plead with Director Li?"

"No! How could that be? I didn't know..." Wang Manqi was completely bewildered; she genuinely had no idea her father had come to the steel mill. Then, realizing what had happened, she anxiously asked, "What happened to my dad?"

"Your dad's doing great! He dares to try and pull strings with Director Li, he's got some nerve! Everyone knows Director Li has an iron will! You think you can corrupt him with underhanded tactics? You've really miscalculated!"

"No, I really don't know..." Wang Manqi didn't know what to do either, so she could only explain in a low voice.

Seeing her panicked expression, Li Chao said with amusement, "Director Li said that if you really didn't know, he wouldn't implicate you. But—you have to prove it to all the workers in our factory. Tomorrow, our factory will hold a general meeting to criticize your father and those who came with him. Director Li instructed that you be the first to speak. As long as you can distance yourself from your father tomorrow, this matter will have nothing to do with you. Do you understand? This is Director Li's way of protecting you."

In an instant, all color drained from Wang Manqi's face. Her father was being held at the steel mill because of this, and their family was finished. Those power-hungry rebels at the train station would never let this opportunity to torment them pass; they would definitely use it as a pretext to continue their attacks. The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Seeing this, Li Chao continued to embellish the story, saying, "Director Li also said that after the factory-wide meeting tomorrow, the security team will have them paraded through the streets with loudspeakers, warning everyone in Beijing that we must fight against these unhealthy tendencies to the end! Then they'll be taken to the train station for another denunciation meeting!"

……

In the office, Li Jing'an looked at Wang Manqi, who stood dejectedly in front of his desk, and said bluntly, "Why are you here again? Is it because of your father? Let me tell you, you don't need to bring it up. I despise favoritism and networking in people's lives. I'm straightforward and honest in my work; otherwise, I wouldn't be in this position. If you have something to say, say it; if not, get out of here and don't waste my time."

Seeing Wang Manqi remain silent, Li Jing'an frowned, his tone anything but polite.

Wang Manqi finally made a move. She raised her red and swollen eyes, looked at Li Jing'an who was half-reclining in the chair, and said in a trembling voice, "Director Li, I...I want to beg you."

"Hey, I already said I hate this whole favor-based system, didn't you hear me?" Li Jing'an leaned back in his chair, his tone icy. "This is a crucial period for a comprehensive revolution in society, and your family is still going against the grain. If I give you that opportunity, what kind of person would I be? Wouldn't I be just like those disgraced leaders? What would become of our revolutionary work then?"

"Director Li, I beg you..." Wang Manqi's tears streamed down her face as she gripped her trouser leg tightly with both hands, pleading in a low voice.

"You want to beg me? If word gets out, who am I supposed to beg?" Li Jing'an scoffed.

"Director Li, please... I'll do anything you ask..."

"Finally, you're saying something useful." Li Jing'an sat up straight, looked her up and down a few times, and snorted coldly. "What do I need you to do? Huh? I have plenty of men under me. One more or one less won't make a difference."

With a thud, Wang Manqi finally broke down and knelt on the ground: "Director Li, please, please have mercy! I'll do anything you ask, just let my father go!"

"What are you doing? You're begging me now, isn't it too late?" A hint of mockery flashed in Li Jing'an's eyes. "I took the initiative to approach you a while ago, and you didn't appreciate it. I gave you a chance to become 'one of my', but you didn't cherish it. Now, sorry, there's no more room for you."

Wang Manqi's heart sank to the bottom, and despair overwhelmed her.

"But if you can't be a human, you can be my dog! Hahahaha!" Li Jing'an suddenly burst into laughter, leaning over the desk and staring expectantly at Wang Manqi kneeling on the floor. "I have one more spot left, and I'm looking for a dog. Why don't you give it a try? If you agree, just bark twice. As long as you make me happy, anything is negotiable."

The office was deathly silent, with only the ticking of the grandfather clock on the wall.

Wang Manqi, kneeling on the ground, trembled violently. The atmosphere was frozen solid.

"Woof...woof."