Era: A college student came to the courtyard house

Cao Zhengyan, who was quite impressed with Fang Yuan, got up again and refilled Fang Yuan's teacup with water.

"Please sit down, please sit down."

Holding back Fang Yuan, who was trying to grab the kettle, Cao Zhengyan said to himself, "Good lad, your sister wasn't comfortable with you. She wanted you to work at the steel mill for a few years before I transferred you to live with her. Now it seems you're planning to make the factory your home?"

Compared to the reporter being assaulted, Cao Zhengyan was more concerned about Fang Yuan, and quickly steered the conversation back to him.

"Brother-in-law, we can't let Secretary Lin hear this."

"Look at you." Cao Zhengyan took out a cigarette case from his desk drawer, lit one, and took a puff. "Since Xiang Hua has already moved you here, it seems we have to repay this favor. It's a debt from June, so we have to pay it back quickly."

Even Cao Zhengyan, who usually values ​​manners, couldn't help but swear at this moment.

Seeing Fang Yuan staring at the cigarette in his hand, Cao Zhengyan couldn't help but ask, "Want one?"

Looking at the Peony cigarettes that cost 45 cents a box, Fang Yuan couldn't help but think to himself, "The newspaper's treatment is really different; even the middle-level managers smoke such good cigarettes."

These days, apart from cigarettes that cost only a few cents a pack, all other cigarettes of a certain quality required ration coupons. They were divided into five grades: A, B, C, D, and E. The Peony cigarettes in Cao Zhengyan's possession were grade A cigarettes, which couldn't be bought just with money. Generally, only high-ranking officials had a quota of supplies available to them.

Fang Yuan didn't stand on ceremony. He took the cigarette from Cao Zhengyan's hand, picked up the matchbox on the table, and lit it with a hiss.

"Hey, I don't object to you smoking, but you better put the matches on the table properly."

"Sorry, it's a habit, I'm used to it." Fang Yuan awkwardly pulled a matchbox out of his pocket and said, "Brother-in-law, it's settled then. I'll wait for your news here."

Looking at Fang Yuan puffing away in front of him, Cao Zhengyan said irritably, "Don't be too happy yet, kid. I only agreed to help you convey the message from Hongxing Steel Plant. As for whether President Wu will have time to see you, that's still unknown."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yuan exclaimed "Ah!"

He slumped back in his chair, a look of disappointment creeping onto his face.

Looking at Fang Yuan, who hadn't shown any fear in front of him, Cao Zhengyan couldn't help but tease him:

"What? Not satisfied?"

"Brother-in-law, this is my first time doing a business trip, and I might not even get to see him. It's like sitting on eggshells."

Seeing Fang Yuan's attitude, Cao Zhengyan stopped trying to discourage him and said calmly, "Actually, Fang, you do have a way out right now."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yuan sat up straight again and asked in bewilderment, "What connections do I have? Besides you, I really can't think of anyone else who can help."

Cao Zhengyan, like a cunning old fox, smiled slightly and said, "You underestimate yourself. Let me ask you, where are you a student?"

"Steel Academy"

"Oh right, you don't know our club president's name yet, do you? Let me tell you, his name is Wu Jinxi."

Fang Yuan was still completely confused.

Cao Zhengyan continued to explain, "When you were in school, didn't you save a female classmate who had fallen into the water?"

After being reminded, Fang Yuan recalled that last summer, their college organized a trip to Beihai Park for students. One of the female students accidentally fell into the water while on a boat. Fang Yuan was the closest to her at the time, so he jumped in to save her.

Afterwards, Fang Yuan received high praise from the school, and it was after that incident that Fang Yuan successfully entered the school.

"Wu Xiuli?" Fang Yuan asked uncertainly, "Brother-in-law, you're not going to tell me they're father and daughter, are you?"

"Yes, it's father and daughter."

Fang Yuan, upon receiving a positive answer, did not show the overjoyed expression that Cao Zhengyan had expected.

At that moment, his mind was racing.

He suddenly felt like he was a puppet on a string. Could it be that Lin Xianghua and his brother-in-law had planned this step by step in advance?

Fang Yuan shook his head. No matter what, as long as the outcome was good, that was all that mattered. He regained his composure and said, "In that case, brother-in-law, could you help me make an appointment with President Wu?"

"They wanted to come and thank you in person, but you refused to see them no matter what."

Fang Yuan said with a hint of helplessness, "That's because I was young back then and only focused on studying hard. Now that I'm no longer working at the school, the situation is naturally different."

Cao Zhengyan solemnly said, "Brother-in-law won't lie to you. The person who helped me arrange this job was our president. When he saw your photo, he agreed without saying a word, and he even wanted to find an opportunity to thank you in person."

At this moment, Fang Yuan vigorously stubbed out his cigarette a few times in the ashtray. Suddenly, with a hint of lingering fear, he asked, "Brother-in-law, does this mean Secretary Lin also knows about my connection?"

Cao Zhengyan, contrary to his usual self, smiled and said, "Guess for yourself."

After saying that, he placed his hand on the telephone on the table and asked Fang Yuan again before dialing, "Have you decided?"

Fang Yuan replied without hesitation, "It's decided."

As Cao Zhengyan dialed the number, the call was quickly connected. Cao Zhengyan recounted the situation, then said "hmm" a few times before hanging up.

"Let's go. Our president said he has to go to the city's propaganda department for a meeting soon. He told us to wait at his house first, and that he'll have dinner with you there."

Fang Yuan hadn't expected it to be so formal, but then he remembered that the important business hadn't been taken care of yet, so he asked, "What about Secretary Lin?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhengyan immediately advised, "Xiao Fang, remember, this meal is not official business. When you get to President Wu's house, as long as he doesn't bring it up, don't bring up the incident of your steel mill beating people."

Cao Zhengyan spoke in a very serious tone, and then added with concern, "You absolutely mustn't do anything reckless then."

Knowing that Cao Zhengyan meant well, Fang Yuan quickly said that he understood.

Just as Cao Zhengyan finished packing his things and was preparing to leave with Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan suddenly called out again, "Brother-in-law~"

Cao Zhengyan was suddenly jolted awake. Hearing Fang Yuan call him "brother-in-law," he suddenly felt for a moment that the Fang Yuan who used to be quiet wasn't so bad after all.

"Speak quickly, we need to get going right away, I still need to help prepare the meal."

Fang Yuan decided to compromise and pleaded, "Could we go and grab the camera and film we used this morning?"

Cao Zhengyan patted the briefcase in his hand and said, "I already took it, you don't need to worry about it."

Seeing this, Fang Yuan finally felt relieved, and could be considered to have gained something.

As they reached the newspaper office entrance, Fang Yuan took out another cigarette and offered one to Grandpa Wu, saying with a grin, "Grandpa, don't stop me next time you come."

Grandpa Wu didn't stand on ceremony, took the cigarette and waved him away, saying, "Go away, get out of here, go do your own thing."