Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

When Sun Qiang saw the two of them come out, he immediately got out of the car and opened the back door.

"Director Li, Mrs. Director Li."

"Thank you for your help, Sun Qiang!" Li Feng smiled and nodded, helping Ding Qiunan into the car.

The car started smoothly in the night and headed towards Capital Medical University.

When this black car, so rare in those days, slowly pulled up in front of the girls' dormitory, it immediately caused quite a stir.

Life on a university campus in this era was rather monotonous. The sudden appearance of a fancy car parked downstairs in the dormitory was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples.

Curious heads peeked out from behind each window.

"Look, look! There's a car parked downstairs!"

"It's a Volga! Whose car is this?"

"It looks like they've come to pick someone up..."

Immediately afterwards, the car door opened, and Ding Qiunan stepped out of the car. Standing beside the car was a tall, composed young man.

The dormitory building erupted in discussion immediately.

"It's Ding Qiunan! Oh my god, that car is here to pick her up!"

"Didn't her boyfriend say he worked in a ceramics factory? How come he's driving a car?"

"I heard her boyfriend is really something, he's the deputy factory director at such a young age! It's normal for a deputy factory director to have a car!" A well-informed female classmate said in a low voice, with a boastful tone.

"Deputy factory director? Really? Ding Qiunan is so lucky!"

"Absolutely! She's beautiful, academically gifted, and her boyfriend is so capable. It's so enviable!"

Various whispers of envy, jealousy, and surprise could be faintly heard by Ding Qiunan even from a distance.

She wasn't one to like being in the spotlight, but with so many eyes on her and so many people talking about her, her pretty face immediately turned bright red, like a ripe apple, and she lowered her head somewhat embarrassed.

Li Feng didn't care about this; he was already used to being the center of attention.

He found Ding Qiunan's shy expression particularly adorable, so he smiled and asked, "What's wrong? Are you shy? Do you want me to take you upstairs?"

Upon hearing this, Ding Qiunan shook her head vigorously, like a rattle drum.

She thought about it and realized that if Li Feng sent her up again, the whole school would probably be talking about it tomorrow, and the gossip would definitely be even louder.

"No need, no need," she quickly waved her hand and whispered to Li Feng, "You should go back now. You've had a long day, so go home and rest early."

She paused, then added, "When I'm on vacation and have some free time, I'll come to the factory to see you."

"Okay." Li Feng nodded, indicating his understanding.

He took a small piece of paper out of his pocket and stuffed it into Ding Qiunan's hand. "This is the phone number for my factory manager's office. Write it down."

"If you're coming over during the holidays, just call me directly and I'll have Sun Qiang pick you up."

"From the factory director's office..." Ding Qiunan held the slip of paper with a string of numbers written on it, feeling a surge of sweetness and excitement. This string of numbers represented more than just a contact method; it was a symbol of Li Feng's current status and position.

"Yes, I've got it." She nodded vigorously and carefully put the note away.

"Then I'll be going. You can go upstairs." Li Feng looked at her gently.

"Okay, drive carefully on the road."

Ding Qiunan stood there, watching the black Volga sedan merge into the traffic until its taillights were out of sight. Then, blushing, she turned around and quickly walked into the dormitory building amidst the curious and envious gazes of her classmates.

Li Feng sat in the car on his way back to the dormitory at the ceramics branch factory, feeling exceptionally relaxed.

The cool evening breeze blew in through the cracks in the car window, carrying a hint of autumn freshness, which cleared his mind, which had been somewhat groggy from his busy schedule. Today, he met Ding Qiunan and shared the two great joys with her: the allocation of an apartment and the promotion. Seeing her heartfelt joy and pride, Li Feng felt full of energy.

Isn't all the struggle and effort just to give ourselves and the people we care about a better life?
The car journey was smooth, and it was almost 10 p.m. before we arrived back at the dormitory area of ​​the ceramics branch factory.

The car stopped in front of Li Feng's dormitory building.

"Factory manager, we've arrived." Sun Qiang turned off the engine and said, turning around.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work, Sun Qiang."

"It's getting late, you should go home and get some rest too." Li Feng got out of the car.

Sun Qiang also got out of the car. He stood up straight and said earnestly, "It's no trouble at all! Serving the leaders is my duty."

"Factory manager, if you need anything, please call me anytime. I'll be there whenever the leadership needs me!"

Sun Qiang's attitude was very proper.

He knew very well how rare and precious this honor and opportunity it was to be promoted from an ordinary driver to the factory manager's personal driver.

The excessively young factory manager in front of him was the "benefactor" he would have to serve and follow with all his might in the future.

Looking at his energetic appearance, Li Feng nodded in satisfaction and patted him on the shoulder: "Okay, I understand. Go back now."

"Yes! Factory manager, you should also get some rest!"

Sun Qiang saluted, then got back into the car, started the engine, and drove away.

Li Feng turned and walked into the dormitory building, returning to his luxurious single room.

The room was exactly the same as when I left that morning.

This place will soon become a thing of the past.

The thought of the spacious and bright two-bedroom apartment he was about to get, and the prospect of living with Ding Qiunan every day, filled Li Feng with excitement.

He took off his coat and went to the public restroom for a refreshing hot shower, washing away all his fatigue.

Back in his dorm, he didn't lie down immediately, but instead took out paper and pen from his desk drawer.

Although tomorrow is Saturday, a legally mandated day off, for him, the newly appointed acting factory director, there is no concept of rest at all.

There was still a lot of work waiting for him at the factory, but he had other more important things to do tomorrow.

However, Li Feng still thought about the decoration of his own home, so he planned out the decoration scheme for the new house on paper.

He had to think about everything in advance, from where to build a cabinet, where to rewire, and how to renovate the kitchen and bathroom to make them more convenient.

He wanted to decorate that home in a way that both he and Ding Qiunan would love the most.

As he recalled his discussion with Ding Qiunan at the dinner table earlier that day, he scribbled on a piece of paper, a smile unconsciously creeping onto his lips.

It was late at night, and all was quiet outside the window.

After Li Feng finished planning the general renovation scheme, he felt sleepy.

He stretched, carefully put away the drawings, and then lay down on the bed.

When I close my eyes, what comes to mind is Ding Qiunan's radiant smile.

With this sweet feeling in his heart, Li Feng fell into a deep sleep.

Tomorrow will be another day filled with hope and striving. (End of Chapter)