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

It didn't take long.

Director Yang, Director Zhang, and a middle-aged man in uniform with a serious expression walked over together.

Li Jing'an immediately went up to him and shook hands warmly: "Director Yang, Director Zhang, thank you for waiting! May I introduce this comrade?"

Director Yang laughed heartily and patted the shoulder of the person next to him: "Jing'an, let me introduce you, this is Instructor Han from our station, one of our own!"

Li Jing'an quickly extended his hand: "Instructor Han, it's an honor to have you here today!"

Instructor Han smiled and shook hands, saying, "We've heard of Director Li for a long time! He's good friends with Director Meng and Director Sun, and we've wanted to get to know him for a long time!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the group walked into the small hot pot restaurant.

The private room wasn't large, but it was warm and clean. The copper pot was glowing red, and plates of mutton were served steaming hot.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Li Jing'an didn't mention Old Wu's grandson at all from beginning to end; he only talked about work, connections, the factory, and the branch office.

Halfway through the meal, he casually mentioned to Director Yang, "Old Yang, I have a small favor to ask of you. I'd like to invite the branch office leaders to dinner in a couple of days so we can get to know each other and things will be easier later. Could you perhaps help me make a connection?"

Director Yang and Instructor Han exchanged a glance and both smiled.

Director Yang patted his chest and said, "Jing'an, what are you saying! With your relationship with Director Meng and Director Sun of the Second Commercial Bureau, is there anyone in Beijing you can't get to come? Even the director of the West City Branch Bureau would come if you asked him!"

Li Jing'an smiled slightly and waved his hand: "Director, let's not invite him this time. We can arrange it next time."

Director Yang immediately understood: "That's easy! Just ask Deputy Director Yan, who's in charge of our station! He handles the specifics, and he's easy to talk to. I'll pass the word on for you; it'll be approved every time!"

Li Jing'an's eyes lit up, and he immediately picked up his glass: "Great! Then I'll trouble you, Director Yang! I'll call you as soon as I've set a time! This is a toast to you!"

"Dry!"

The group clinked their glasses, creating a lively atmosphere.

The meal took a full hour and a half.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Li Jing'an escorted Director Yang, Director Zhang, and Instructor Han to the restaurant entrance, shook hands with them, and watched them walk away before turning back to the street.

It's great to use other people's money and leverage your own connections.

Across the street at the entrance of the alley, Old Wu was still squatting there, his nose red from the cold, his whole body shivering, and his feet stamping the ground to keep warm.

Upon seeing Li Jing'an wave, he immediately sprang to his feet and jogged over, his voice trembling, "Director Li! How did it go? Did it work?"

Li Jing'an glanced at him indifferently: "Go pay the bill. After you're done, I'll tell you what happened."

Old Wu was filled with anxiety, and with a bitter face, he went into the store and paid for the meal with great reluctance.

When he came out again, his face was filled with "I have no will to live".

The cost of that one meal, plus the mutton hotpot he sent out, was enough to make him feel bad for days.

Seeing his expression, Li Jing'an didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "The matter is progressing well. Director Yang has agreed to help smooth things over."

Old Wu's eyes lit up instantly: "Really? That's great! Thank you, Director Li!"

"Don't get too excited yet," Li Jing'an said calmly. "If you want to get things done, you need to prepare things. Go back and prepare a generous gift, and I'll send it over for you."

Old Wu nodded hurriedly, "Of course, of course! Director Li, what do you want to send? I'll prepare it right away!"

Li Jing'an looked at him, each word spoken clearly and gently, yet like a knife piercing Old Wu's heart:

"Director Yang isn't interested in tobacco or alcohol, but he likes old objects and ancient calligraphy and paintings."

"Don't you have a painting by Bada Shanren at home? Bring it here."

Old Wu was jolted, his face turned deathly pale, his lips twitched violently, and his heart ached so much it felt like it was bleeding.

That was his family fortune, his life!

Li Jing'an seemed oblivious to his pain and added casually, "Prepare another little trinket for Instructor Han; it can't be too cheap."

Old Wu panicked immediately, his voice trembling with tears: "Director Li... why, why do we still need to give it to him..."

Li Jing'an's face darkened slightly, and his gaze turned cold: "Although Instructor Han doesn't directly manage things, he can make things happen, but he can also ruin them."

With just one sentence, Old Wu was rendered speechless.

His face turned pale and then red, and finally he deflated like a punctured balloon, his shoulders slumped, and he couldn't say a word.

I feel sorry for him, but my grandson is more important.

Seeing that he had tacitly agreed, Li Jing'an softened his tone and instructed before leaving, "Deliver the things to my courtyard tomorrow afternoon. Don't be late, and don't make any mistakes."

"...Sigh." Old Wu responded weakly.

Li Jing'an didn't look at him again, turned around, pushed his bicycle, jumped on, and disappeared into the winter twilight.

The cold wind whipped up the snowflakes on the ground. Old Wu stood alone on the street, clutching the bill in his hand, trembling with heartache, but he didn't dare to utter a single complaint.

Li Jing'an went back to his parents' house. He needed to make some arrangements. He couldn't go to get his deposit back tomorrow, since Old Wu wasn't a good person and was capable of raising prices at the last minute. He had to be on guard and told his parents to go get their deposit back in a couple of days.