Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

Seeing Ding Qiunan's adorable, dumbfounded expression with her mouth slightly agape, Li Feng felt extremely smug. He deliberately asked, "What? Are you surprised? Don't you believe your boyfriend has this ability?"

"Yes!" Ding Qiunan nodded vigorously without hesitation, then realized it wasn't right and quickly shook her head, then nodded again, she was getting herself a little confused.

She composed herself, organized her thoughts, and then looked up at Li Feng with stars in her eyes, asking, "It's not that I don't believe in your abilities, it's just... this is too fast."

"Li Feng, how did you get promoted to factory director so quickly? What about your factory's Director Zhu?"

"Director Zhu has been promoted and transferred to a more important position in the ministry," Li Feng explained simply, then smiled and said to Ding Qiunan, "As for me, it's all because of the leadership's high regard and trust in me, entrusting me with such a heavy responsibility."

"Otherwise, I definitely wouldn't be able to get this position on my own."

Although he was just being polite, it was the truth.

Without the strong support of Deputy Director Zheng and Minister Jiang, it would have been a pipe dream for a 22-year-old to become a deputy director-level factory director.

Ding Qiunan couldn't help but chuckle as she listened to Li Feng's somewhat official-sounding words.

The initial shock gradually subsided, replaced by a sense of pride and honor.

She reached out and gently tapped Li Feng's chest with her finger, her eyes sparkling with a hint of coquettishness as she softly said, "You're bragging! What leader values ​​you?"

When Ding Qiunan got to this point, she gently continued to Li Feng, "Isn't this all because you have your own abilities?"

Although she said that, she knew better than anyone else that Li Feng's success was by no means accidental.

She quickly accepted the astonishing fact that Li Feng had become the factory director.

Because she had witnessed Li Feng's growth and transformation firsthand.

Her thoughts seemed to drift back to a few years ago, when she met Li Feng. At that time, Li Feng was a potter in the pottery workshop, and then a painter.

Before long, he distinguished himself in the factory with his superb skills and innovative spirit.

Then he became a cadre, entered the technical department, became the deputy director, and then the director...

She still remembered how Li Feng spent day and night in the workshop for that painting project, getting himself covered in paint and having bloodshot eyes.

She also remembered how many nights Li Feng spent drawing and organizing materials to ensure the smooth launch of the first phase of the project. His focus and dedication made her feel both sorry for him and admire him.

From an ordinary painter to a cadre, to a deputy director, then to a director, deputy factory director, and finally to today's acting factory director... Ding Qiunan accompanied him every step of the way, witnessing him transform from a rough gem into the dazzling figure he is today.

In her eyes, Li Feng had always been the most outstanding and dazzling man.

His achievements today are well-deserved and the result of years of hard work and dedication.

Thinking of this, Ding Qiunan's eyes softened. She tiptoed and kissed Li Feng on the cheek, saying softly, "Congratulations, Director Li."

The address "Director Li" carried a hint of teasing, but was filled with affection and admiration.

Li Feng's heart was instantly filled with tenderness. He smiled and playfully pinched Ding Qiunan's nose: "Just a simple 'congratulations'? That's not enough." "Come on! Today, I, the newly appointed factory director Li, will treat our future factory director's wife to a nice meal to celebrate!"

"Ugh, who's the factory manager's wife now?" Ding Qiunan blushed and scolded, but her steps were light as she followed Li Feng.

As the sun set, the two figures nestled close together, filled with boundless anticipation for the future.

Instead of taking Ding Qiunan to any particularly luxurious places, Li Feng chose a well-regarded state-run restaurant.

At this time, the restaurant was bustling with activity, filled with the lively atmosphere of everyday life.

The two found a seat by the window and Li Feng skillfully ordered several dishes that Ding Qiunan liked, as well as a bottle of orange soda.

The food arrived quickly: braised fish, stir-fried green beans, shredded pork with eggs and wood ear mushrooms, and a steaming bowl of tomato and egg soup. They were all home-style dishes, but the chef's skill was exceptional; the aroma was irresistible and made one's mouth water.

"Eat up, you're celebrating two happy events today, you need to nourish yourself properly." Li Feng picked up a large piece of fish belly meat, carefully removed the fish bones, and put it into Ding Qiunan's bowl.

"You eat too, you've lost weight lately," Ding Qiunan said, picking up a piece of shredded pork with eggs and vegetables for Li Feng.

At that moment, Li Feng felt completely relaxed.

Indeed, he has been very tired lately.

From the completion of the second phase of the project to the planning of the third phase, and then to the research and development and debugging of the fully automated computer control system, he had to do almost everything himself.

Then came the transfer of Director Wu Qing and his own hasty appointment. The factory was filled with all sorts of things, big and small, personnel changes, and work handovers, leaving him with almost no time to breathe.

Today is Friday, otherwise he would definitely still be in the office working on a pile of documents.

But now, looking at Ding Qiunan's gentle, smiling face across from him, listening to the noisy yet vibrant sounds around him, and eating the steaming hot food in his bowl, Li Feng felt that all the hard work and pressure he had endured before were worth it.

“Once the house is renovated, we’ll go buy furniture.” Li Feng took a sip of soda and said with a smile, “We’ll buy a big sofa, the soft kind, and a big wardrobe so you can put your pretty clothes in it.”

"Hmm!" Ding Qiunan ate her meal in small bites, her eyes sparkling as she listened: "What color should we paint the walls? How about off-white? It looks clean and cozy."

"I'll do whatever you say. Paint it whatever color you like."

"What about the curtains? I'd like to choose ones with small floral patterns, in a country style."

"Okay, I'll buy the small floral print one."

The two chatted enthusiastically about every detail of their soon-to-be-owned little home, as if they could already see what their happy future life would look like.

The two of them enjoyed the meal immensely, feeling exceptionally relaxed and content. All their worries and stress melted away in that moment, replaced by the delicious food and their loved one's laughter, leaving only pure happiness and anticipation for the future.

After dinner, it was completely dark.

Li Feng led Ding Qiunan out of the restaurant, where Sun Qiang had already parked the black factory manager's car on the side of the road. (End of Chapter)