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

The sun hung low in the sky as Li Jing'an, carrying a bulging coarse cloth bag, stepped steadily into the courtyard. The bag was heavy, filled with pork belly, fresh fish, and fresh green vegetables. The aroma of fresh meat could be smelled even through the cloth, making several residents in the courtyard, who were peeking out, drool with envy.

He had just reached the gate of his small courtyard when he saw Liu Haizhong already waiting at the base of the wall, rubbing his hands and standing on tiptoe, his neck stretched out like an old goose waiting to be fed. Seeing Li Jing'an return, the second uncle's eyes lit up instantly, his face plastered with a fawning and respectful smile, his back unconsciously bending slightly as he quickly stepped forward to greet him: "Jing'an, you're finally back! I've been waiting for you for almost half an hour!"

Li Jing'an glanced at him indifferently, put the cloth bag on the threshold, and ordered in a calm but unquestionable tone: "Second Uncle, thank you for making these two trips. First, go and call Sha Zhu over. I spoke to him at the canteen at noon and asked him to cook. Be quick and efficient. Also, have your second son go to the street police station and invite Chief Zhang over. Tell him I've prepared some wine for him to have dinner."

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't worry, don't worry, I've got it covered!" Uncle Er responded repeatedly, nodding his head like a chicken pecking at rice, his face beaming with joy. To him, being at Li Jing'an's beck and call was an immense honor, even more prestigious than being recognized as an outstanding employee in the courtyard.

He didn't dare to delay, so he turned around and ran to the backyard. He first shouted for Shazhu, then rushed home in a hurry. He grabbed his second son's arm and gave him a long lecture, telling him to make sure to respectfully invite Director Zhang over and not to be negligent in the slightest.

Before leaving, the second uncle thought he should at least show his appreciation. Ignoring his wife's objections, he grabbed an old hen from his own chicken coop, tied its legs with hemp rope, and happily carried it to Li Jing'an's yard. He put it down at the kitchen door, rubbed his hands together, and said with a smile, "Jing'an, add another dish, stewed chicken!" After saying that, he hurriedly went to watch his son do the work, afraid that something might go wrong.

Within half an hour, Li Jing'an's small room gradually became lively. Director Wang of the Production Department and Section Chief Zhang of the Personnel Department were the first to take their seats. Not long after, Chief Zhang of the Police Station also arrived, and he even specially brought along Director Wu of the Street Office. They were all prominent figures in the steel rolling mill and the neighborhood. Uncle Er stood respectfully to the side, serving tea and water, his back always bent, a cautious smile on his face, his eyes never leaving the leaders on the table, afraid of failing to serve them properly.

The group chatted about factory production and neighborhood affairs, and the atmosphere gradually warmed up. Dishes were served one after another, and Sha Zhu's cooking skills were indeed authentic. The fish was tender, and the meat and vegetables were fragrant, filling the room with an enticing aroma.

After a few rounds of drinks, Li Jing'an raised his glass and lightly clinked it against Director Wang's. With a helpless smile on his face, he lowered his voice and complained, "Director Wang, I have to tell you something. Those two friends of yours made me hide at home the other day. I didn't dare to go out. I had to avoid them for two whole days before I could finally have some peace and quiet. They just kept causing me trouble."

Upon hearing this, Director Wang slapped his thigh, a look of apology on his face. He quickly picked up his glass and stood up, saying, "Oh dear, this was my oversight! How could I have thought of them? It's caused you so much trouble; it's all my fault. I'll punish myself with a drink to atone for it!"

As he was about to tilt his head back and drink, Li Jing'an reached out and gently pressed his glass down, shaking his head with a smile: "One glass isn't enough. This matter almost made me miss work. It has to be at least three glasses to show your sincerity."

"Three cups it is! I'll take the punishment!" Director Wang laughed heartily, readily agreeing without the slightest refusal.

The second uncle, quick-witted and agile, immediately stepped forward with the wine pot, a fawning smile on his face. He carefully filled the wine cup, his movements slow and respectful, saying, "Director Wang, please enjoy. There's plenty of wine."

Director Wang didn't stand on ceremony and downed three glasses of baijiu in a row, his face flushed, which actually made the atmosphere more harmonious. The group exchanged smiles, and the small complaints from before vanished, replaced by a closer bond.

Qin Huairu had just entered the courtyard after get off work when she heard that Li Jing'an had a distinguished guest. Without saying a word, she rolled up her sleeves and went into the kitchen to help.

She came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of freshly stir-fried vegetables, walked to Li Jing'an's side, leaned slightly forward, and said in a low, cautious voice, "Brother Jing'an, at the door... Xu Damao is here, carrying a net bag, saying he's looking for you."

Li Jing'an was talking to Director Wang when he heard this, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and a hint of impatience flashed in his eyes.

He turned to look at his second uncle standing beside him and said in a calm tone, "Second uncle, go to the door and tell Xu Damao that the steel mill leaders are all inside today, discussing important matters of production and construction. It's not convenient for them to receive guests. Tell them to come back tomorrow if they have something to discuss."

"Alright!" The second uncle's eyes lit up. He stepped out of the house, straightened his back, cleared his throat, put on a serious and solemn look, and strode towards the courtyard gate.

As soon as they arrived at the door, they saw Xu Damao carrying a net bag filled with snacks, cigarettes, and alcohol, arguing with Shazhu. Both of them had their faces flushed red and neither was giving in.

When Xu Damao saw his second uncle come out, he immediately calmed down, put on a smile, and was about to speak when his second uncle beat him to it, coughing twice with a stern face and adopting the air of an official: "Damao, you've come at the wrong time! Director Wang and Section Chief Zhang are having a meeting inside, discussing important matters concerning the production and construction of the steel rolling mill. It's very confidential, so it's not convenient for them to see anyone today. If you have something to do, come another day!"

After saying that, he turned to Sha Zhu and said, "Sha Zhu, is my chicken stew ready? If it is, I'll take it in on my way; the leaders are waiting!"

Sha Zhu glanced sideways at Xu Damao, a mocking smile playing on his lips, his tone sarcastic: "It's been stewing for ages, the aroma's wafting for blocks! Some people, trying to curry favor with Li Jing'an, haven't even gotten close before they tripped over their own feet!"

These words struck a nerve with Xu Damao. He turned pale with anger, pointed at Shazhu, and couldn't speak for a long time. His chest heaved violently, like a rooster whose neck had been stepped on. Shazhu ignored him, turned around and went into the east room kitchen. He brought out a steaming pot of stewed chicken soup, shoved it into Second Uncle's hands, and hummed a little tune as he went back to the kitchen.

Uncle Er, carrying a bowl of fragrant chicken soup, glanced smugly at Xu Damao, who was fuming with anger, and went back into the house with his head held high, not giving Xu Damao a second glance.

Somehow, the conversation in the room turned to this year's cadre deployment to the countryside. Zhang, the head of the personnel department, picked up his teacup, took a sip, frowned slightly, and sighed, "Sigh, we haven't even gathered enough slots for this year's rural deployments yet. It's really difficult."

Director Wu of the subdistrict also nodded, looking helpless: "Our subdistrict is the same. We've mobilized them several times, but no one is willing to go. They all hide. This task is weighing on me so much that I can't sleep well."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing'an put down his teacup and feigned confusion, asking, "Hasn't the situation improved this year? Why are we still sending cadres to the countryside this year?"

Section Chief Zhang put down his teacup and patiently explained, "This is a policy set at the beginning of the year that must be implemented. I heard it might be canceled next year, so this is the last batch. To put it bluntly, it means going to the counties and rural areas around Beijing, retaining our cadre status, and going to the countryside to support agriculture. Most of us will be doing farm work, and a few with good writing skills can become clerks or accountants. But we'll be issued food rations according to rural standards. Who would want to give up their city food rations and go to the countryside to eat cornbread? That's why we just can't seem to fill all the quotas."

As Li Jing'an listened, his fingers tapped lightly on the table, his eyes darting around imperceptibly, a glint of shrewdness flashing in them.

After a satisfying meal and with all matters settled, the leaders rose to take their leave. Li Jing'an and his second uncle escorted them to the courtyard gate, politely seeing them off with impeccable manners.

Production Director Wang quietly pulled Li Jing'an aside, lowered his voice, glanced at the obsequious old man behind him, and asked suspiciously, "Jing'an, what's going on with this Liu Haizhong? He's been running around like a whirlwind all day."

Li Jing'an smiled, his tone casual yet weighty: "Second Uncle is an active member of our compound, eager to contribute to the factory, but he hasn't had a suitable position. He's a hardworking and reliable person, but he's not very educated. If it's convenient for you, could you arrange a team leader position for him in the workshop, so he can have a place to demonstrate his abilities and better cooperate with the factory's work?"

Director Wang paused for a moment, then raised an eyebrow and asked, "Just a team leader?"

Li Jing'an shook his head slightly, his tone firm: "With his level of ability, it's good enough if he can be a good team leader. He can't handle anything more. You can arrange things as you see fit."

"Okay, I understand." Director Wang patted Li Jing'an on the shoulder, nodded with a smile, and said, "I'll go to the factory tomorrow to make the arrangements and make sure it's done."

After seeing off all the leaders, only Li Jing'an and his second uncle remained at the courtyard gate. The second uncle, who had been listening intently, was extremely anxious. Seeing the leaders leave, he immediately approached, his face full of anticipation and nervousness, his voice trembling slightly: "Jing'an, just now... what did Director Wang say to you? Was it... was it about me?"

Seeing his impatient look, Li Jing'an smiled faintly and said slowly, "Second Uncle, don't worry. Director Wang said that you performed well today and are very motivated. He will arrange for you to be promoted to team leader tomorrow."

"Really?!" The second uncle's eyes widened instantly, his whole body trembling with excitement. He grabbed Li Jing'an's arm, almost bursting into tears. "Jing'an! Thank you! Thank you so much! I, Liu Haizhong, will never forget your great kindness in my life! From now on, if you say go east, I will never go west. I will do whatever you tell me to do, I will follow your orders completely!"

Li Jing'an gently withdrew his hand, waved it, and said in a more serious tone, "There's no need for that. I promoted you not so you could be my lackey, but so that you could work hard and cooperate with the factory to complete production tasks. Remember, even if you become an official, you can't be detached from the masses. A tall building starts from the ground up. Your career has just begun, so don't get carried away. Doing things diligently is more important than anything else."

"Yes, yes, yes! I remember! I remember it well!" The second uncle bowed his back, nodding repeatedly, his face full of awe and gratitude. He wished he could kowtow to Li Jing'an on the spot to show his loyalty, and stood aside as obediently as a junior.

Li Jing'an ignored him and turned back into the house. As soon as he entered, he saw Qin Huairu bending over, sweeping up cigarette butts on the floor. Her plain clothes hugged her well-proportioned figure, and the curves she outlined as she bent over were particularly eye-catching.

He cleared his throat and broke the silence, "Huai Ru, have you cleared away all the leftover food on the table?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu straightened up, turned around, and replied softly with a gentle smile on her face, "It's all packed. I've packed up everything I could take and sent it home."

As soon as she finished speaking, she bent down to continue sweeping the floor. That eye-catching curve once again caught Li Jing'an's eye, making the heat in his heart even more intense. His gaze was fixed on her and did not move away for a long time.

Half an hour later.

Li Jing'an carried Qin Huairu out of the house and stood directly in the middle of the courtyard.

Qin Huairu panicked, her face turning bright red. She clung tightly to Li Jing'an's neck, both shocked and frightened. She was afraid that people passing by in the courtyard would hear her, and even more afraid that the Jia family next door would hear the slightest noise. She could only bite her lower lip tightly, her voice barely audible, pleading as if she were crying, and she didn't dare to even breathe.

Seeing her flustered and afraid to make a sound, Li Jing'an's interest was piqued even more. He deliberately carried her a few steps closer to the courtyard gate. Just then, the cheerful laughter of Bang Geng and Xiao Dang drifted over from inside the Jia family's house. The two siblings were holding bowls and shouting that the food was delicious and they were very satisfied. Every word they said clearly reached their ears.

Qin Huairu froze in fright, swallowing back even her faint pleas. She stood frozen in his arms, not daring to breathe or utter a sound, burying her face in his neck and tightly gripping Li Jing'an's neck with her arms, her knuckles turning white from the force. She was as tense as a string that might snap at any moment, filled with fear and helplessness at being caught.

The rhythmic sound of a wok being tossed around came from the courtyard.