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

Outside the guesthouse, the streets were pitch black, with only a few houses occasionally emitting faint lights. All was silent.

"Hey, comrade, don't barge in! Let's talk this out, we'll find the person for you..."

"Get out of the way!"

"Stop! What are you doing here?" A commotion suddenly broke out outside the door, followed by Old Hu's stern voice.

"What do you think I'm doing here? I heard you brought one of our young ladies from the hall, is that right?"

"You're being ridiculous! Who do you think you are, daring to question me? I'll give you a chance—disappear now!"

"Pah! You old Hu, who do you think you are? How dare you talk to me like that?" A woman's voice retorted without backing down, her tone full of disdain.

"Bang!"

With a loud bang, the door to the private room was kicked open from the outside.

Li Jing'an had actually heard the commotion outside long ago. He was currently facing away from the door, slowly adjusting his belt. He turned around, his face ashen.

At the entrance, the female section chief stood panting, with Lao Hu and two waiters being shoved beside her. Inside the private room, Xiao Juan, her face flushed, was frantically wiping her mouth with a tissue.

Seeing this, Li Jing'an's anger was instantly ignited.

He pointed at Old Hu and the two waiters outside the door and shouted sternly, "All of you, let her go! I want to see what she's up to!"

Old Hu and the others quickly let go. The female section chief, who had been so aggressive just moments before, instantly deflated upon seeing this scene and glancing at Li Jing'an sitting inside, stammering and unable to speak. After all, what qualifications or right did a deputy section chief have to question the Minister of Metallurgy?

Seeing the situation, Lao Hu quickly told the waiters to push everyone out.

"This is outrageous!" Li Jing'an's expression grew increasingly serious, his gaze sharp as a knife. "You, a mere section chief, don't know your place and come here to cause trouble! Is it because I've been lenient with you usually that you've gotten the wrong idea and dare to take advantage of me?"

"No... Minister, I just heard that Lao Hu brought some young ladies from our department here, so I..." The female section chief tried to explain.

"What?!" Li Jing'an interrupted coldly. "Whoever he brought is here to report to me! Why are you meddling in my business? What's our relationship? You're even trying to control me!"

He paused, his tone becoming even harsher: "It's Lao Hu's prerogative to bring whomever he wants to report. What, do you think you're from the Discipline Inspection Commission? You think so negatively of people? I can overlook your words. But Comrade Xiao Juan just graduated. What you're saying is defaming her! How is she supposed to stand up for herself in the Metallurgical Bureau? What is this if not spreading rumors?"

"No, Minister, I..."

"What do you mean, 'what are you talking about'?" Li Jing'an interrupted mercilessly. "You're a lesbian, and a married one at that, coming here to cause trouble, and even targeting me. Aren't you just making people think we have some kind of improper relationship? Do you know how much damage you've done to me?"

Li Jing'an turned to look at Lao Hu and said coldly, "Lao Hu, these are people from your Metallurgical Bureau. You must give me an explanation!"

Li Jing'an cursed inwardly at this stupid woman who couldn't even stop another woman.

Old Hu immediately glanced at the female section chief, who was frozen in place, and said in a sinister tone, "Yes, yes, Minister, I will conduct an investigation immediately tomorrow and will definitely give you a satisfactory explanation!"

The female section chief tried to play the victim, pleading, "Minister, I..."

"What do you mean, 'what are you saying'?" Li Jing'an interrupted, frowning. "Apologize to Comrade Xiao Juan right now!"

The female section chief looked at Xiao Juan, who sat silently in the private room with her head down, and felt extremely aggrieved. Since she had gotten close to Li Jing'an, when had she ever suffered such humiliation? She didn't even care about the director and deputy director of the Metallurgical Bureau, but today she had to bow down to this inexperienced young girl.

She was unwilling to give up, but after glancing at Li Jing'an's ashen face, she muttered a few words to herself and finally squeezed out a very soft "I'm sorry."

"Speak louder! What are you muttering about? Who can hear you?" Li Jing'an shouted sternly.

"I'm sorry!" The female section chief finally lost all her arrogance and bowed deeply, as if she were bowing.

"Get out! Await your punishment tomorrow!" Li Jing'an shouted angrily, pointing to the door.

The female section chief left, looking dejected. Old Hu quickly went into the private room and closed the door behind him.

"I'm sorry, Minister, I didn't expect this to happen either," Lao Hu quickly apologized.

"Hmph, tell me, what would happen if this got out? Rumors would spread like wildfire, and I'd be in a real mess."

"Minister, please rest assured, the people at the guesthouse are all our own, and they will absolutely not let this get out. Don't worry, I will deal with her actions tomorrow and give you a proper explanation!"

"What explanation do you expect? You need to give Comrade Xiaojuan an explanation!" Li Jing'an's tone softened slightly, but remained stern. "Xiaojuan is a recent graduate; how can she endure such injustice? Her section chief position—remove him immediately! I think it's because she's held a minor official position that she's developed such a big temper. People like this are of no benefit to the country or the people. From now on, the selection of officials must be strictly controlled to prevent such people from rising again!"

"Yes, yes, Minister, suspend her from her duties immediately tomorrow and proceed with the formalities to remove her from office!"

Seeing his statement, Li Jing'an nodded in satisfaction. He then looked at Xiao Juan, who had been keeping her head down and remaining silent, and his tone instantly became affectionate: "Comrade Xiao Juan has been wronged. Look at her, she didn't make a fuss, isn't her manners a hundred times better than that woman's? We must focus on cultivating cadres like her in the future."

"Yes, yes, the minister is right. I will immediately list her as a reserve cadre and train her. As soon as the time comes, I will give her more responsibilities."

"Okay, you know that's fine. Do what you think is best."

After Li Jing'an finished speaking, he looked at Xiao Juan again with pity on his face and his tone was so gentle it seemed to melt your heart: "Xiao Juan, you must be terrified, right? Come on, come on, the environment here isn't good either. Come to my room, calm down, and we'll have a good talk to help you calm down."