Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

On Monday morning, Lou Xiao'e got up early and dressed herself carefully. She chose a well-fitting blue Lenin suit (the most formal and appropriate attire for female cadres at the time), and styled her hair into two jet-black braids that hung down her shoulders, making her look both dignified and youthful. She declined her family's suggestion to send her by car and took the bus herself, arriving on time at the magnificent gate of the Red Star United Industrial Corporation in the suburbs of Beijing.

The towering gates, the armed guards standing at attention, the roar of machinery emanating from the factory grounds, and the workers rushing about, yet all brimming with energy—all of this filled Lou Xiao'e, who had long lived a secluded life, with an unprecedented sense of awe and vitality. This was the front line of industrial construction in the new China! It was a completely different world from the quiet, even somewhat somber, Lou Mansion and courtyard she knew.

After announcing her name at the gate and having her letter of introduction (personally signed by Wang Huanbo) verified, a young clerk politely led her to the head office's technology center building. This newly built building was one of the core buildings in the factory area; it was clean, bright, and full of modern style.

Outside a spacious but simply furnished office on the top floor, Lou Xiao'e nervously straightened her clothes and gently knocked on the door.

"Please come in," a deep male voice said.

Lou Xiao'e pushed open the door and entered, only to see Wang Huanbo sitting behind a huge desk, hunched over a thick stack of blueprints. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting his focused profile. Hearing the sound, he looked up, saw Lou Xiao'e, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.

"Comrade Lou Xiao'e, you've arrived. Right on time." Wang Huanbo put down his pen, stood up, and pointed to the sofa next to him. "Please sit down."

"Director Wang... Hello, Director Wang." Lou Xiao'e sat down somewhat awkwardly, her hands unconsciously twisting together.

"Don't be so formal here, just call me Engineer Wang or Comrade Huanbo." Wang Huanbo's tone was calm, trying to ease her tension. "I've already arranged your work. Comrade Zheng Yunfeng is my assistant to the deputy factory director, mainly responsible for external coordination and administrative affairs. You will be my technical secretary, mainly assisting me in handling technical documents, meeting minutes, data organization, and some scheduling. The work may be quite tedious and require exposure to a lot of technical terms, so it might be a bit challenging at first. Don't worry, you'll learn slowly."

As he spoke, he pressed the doorbell on the table. Soon, a man in his thirties, wearing glasses and looking shrewd and capable, walked in.

"Assistant Zheng, this is Comrade Lou Xiao'e, the new technical secretary. Please show her around the office, introduce her to the work processes, and hand over the documents that need to be processed soon."

"Yes, Engineer Wang," Zheng Yunfeng replied respectfully, then turned to Lou Xiao'e with a professional smile. "Comrade Lou Xiao'e, welcome. Please come with me."

For the next half day, Zheng Yunfeng showed Lou Xiao'e around the various departments and archives of the technology center, explaining in detail the responsibilities and precautions of a secretary. Lou Xiao'e listened attentively, taking careful notes. She noticed that the work pace was fast, everyone was in a hurry, but the atmosphere was positive and uplifting. Discussions revolved around drawings, data, processes, and tackling challenging problems, filled with a pragmatic and creative passion.

At noon, Zheng Yunfeng took her to the cadre canteen. The canteen was spacious and bright, and the food standards were significantly higher than those in the ordinary workers' canteen. While queuing for food, Lou Xiao'e could feel some curious and scrutinizing glances from those around her. After all, it was hard not to attract attention when the chief engineer had personally arranged for such a young and beautiful secretary to come. But most of these glances were just out of curiosity and not malicious.

In the afternoon, Lou Xiao'e began her real work. Zheng Yunfeng handed her a stack of technical reports that needed to be categorized and filed. These reports covered mechanical drawings, material properties, engine parameters, and other topics, which were like gibberish to her, a high school student. But she didn't get discouraged. Instead, she calmed down and, while consulting dictionaries and professional books, humbly sought advice from Zheng Yunfeng and other senior technicians. Her diligence and intelligence quickly won Zheng Yunfeng's favor.

Before leaving get off work, Wang Huanbo made a special trip to take a look.

"How was it? Did you get used to it on the first day?" he asked.

"It's...it's alright, Engineer Wang. It's just that there are many professional things I don't understand, and I have a lot to learn," Lou Xiao'e answered honestly.

"It's normal to ask questions if you don't understand," Wang Huanbo nodded. "That's how technical work is; it's never-ending. You have a basic education, so if you study hard, you'll get the hang of it quickly. If you encounter any difficulties, you can directly contact Assistant Zheng, or come to me."

"Yes! Thank you, Engineer Wang! I will do my best!" Lou Xiao'e nodded vigorously, feeling a warm glow in her heart.

As the get off work bell rang, Lou Xiao'e followed the flow of people out of the factory gate. The setting sun cast its golden rays upon her; though physically tired, her heart was filled with a long-lost sense of fulfillment and hope. This day, she had encountered a completely new world and experienced the dignity and value of labor. More importantly, she had closely observed Wang Huanbo's work ethic—his passion for technology, his meticulousness, and his gentle demeanor towards his subordinates—all of which deepened her admiration and respect for this young man.

Back at the Lou Mansion, his parents had been waiting for a long time and were eager to ask about his experience on the first day.

"Dad, Mom, the Red Star Factory...it's so great!" Lou Xiao'e's face beamed as she enthusiastically told her parents about her day's experiences, especially Wang Huanbo's encouragement and help.

Lou Zhenhua and Lou Tanshi exchanged a glance, both seeing relief and even deeper expectation in each other's eyes. Their daughter's entry into the Hongxing Factory, and working alongside Wang Huanbo, was a first step that had gone even more smoothly than anticipated!

Meanwhile, in the Hongxing Factory's technical center building, Wang Huanbo stood by the window, watching Lou Xiao'e's departing figure, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. Bringing Lou Xiao'e in was partly out of consideration for Lou Zhenhua's personal feelings, but also because he genuinely needed a meticulous person to handle the increasingly heavy paperwork. His first impression of Lou Xiao'e was good; quiet, diligent, and not spoiled—a promising talent. As for Lou Zhenhua's deeper intentions… Wang Huanbo smiled. At this stage, work was the priority. As for matters of the heart, let nature take its course. After all, he still had a heavy burden on his shoulders. But undeniably, the presence of an attractive and hardworking young woman in the office added a touch of brightness to the otherwise serious technical work.