Siheyuan (courtyard house): My father, Li Yunlong!

Every word he uttered was forceful, directly characterizing the incident as a leader sexually harassing a female employee.

With both witnesses and physical evidence, they occupy the absolute moral and legal high ground.

Upon hearing this, Li Huaide, who was lying on the ground, was both anxious and angry, and almost fainted. He struggled to get up and try to explain himself.

"Li Zhenhua! You're slandering me! I... I was just... just concerned about the employees... ouch..."

The excruciating pain in his abdomen made his words fragmented and unconvincing.

Qin Huairu immediately chimed in, her voice trembling with tears, displaying superb acting skills.

"Section Chief Wang, esteemed leaders, I saw it all clearly! Director Li was pinning Liu Lan down, tearing off her clothes, and even... he was going to hug and grope her! Liu Lan was terrified and cried! If I had arrived even a moment later, the consequences would have been unimaginable!"

As she spoke, she shielded the still-shaken Liu Lan behind her.

Liu Lan lowered her head at the opportune moment, her shoulders trembling slightly; her silent sobs were more lethal than any words.

When Chief Wang of the Security Department arrived, he looked at the chaotic scene before him, especially at Li Huaide lying on the ground in a mess, as well as the indignant Li Zhenhua and the "victim" Liu Lan, and felt extremely distressed.

In this case, both the witnesses and the evidence seem extremely unfavorable to Li Huaide, especially with Li Zhenhua personally taking the lead and adopting such a tough attitude. He dared not think too much about what this meant.

"Well... Deputy Director Li, what do you think... should we ask Director Li to go to the infirmary first? And then we can..."

Section Chief Wang attempted to ease the tension and take control of the situation.

"Why go to the infirmary!"

Li Zhenhua interrupted him without any politeness, his tone resolute.

"Take them under control immediately! Report this to Director Yang and the higher-level disciplinary inspection department! This matter must be thoroughly investigated and dealt with without leniency! Otherwise, how can we explain this to all the factory workers? How can we uphold the seriousness of factory rules and regulations?"

His gaze, sharp as a sword, swept over everyone present, finally settling on Li Huaide, whose face was ashen.

The air inside the small canteen seemed to freeze.

Li Huaide knew that this time, he was probably doomed.

Li Zhenhua is using this as an excuse to ruin him!

His own drunken outbursts and intentions became the most fatal leverage in the hands of his opponents.

The controversy surrounding the small canteen was like a bucket of cold water poured into a boiling oil pan, instantly causing an uproar at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

Li Huaide, drunk and disorderly, attempted to molest female employee Liu Lan. He was stopped on the spot and severely beaten by Deputy Director Li Zhenhua. In an era of limited information, this explosive news spread at an astonishing speed to every corner of the factory area.

That evening, Li Huaide, who had been kicked quite hard by Li Zhenhua, was immediately taken into custody by the security personnel and temporarily detained in the factory's security isolation room.

He initially tried to argue that it was a "misunderstanding," that he was "too drunk to stand properly," and that Li Zhenhua was "taking the opportunity to retaliate."

However, Qin Huairu was not the only eyewitness at the scene. Several factory office staff and security personnel who arrived later also witnessed Li Huaide's disheveled clothes, Liu Lan crying in fear, and the scene being in complete disarray.

Qin Huairu, as the first eyewitness, spoke with conviction and vivid description; while the victim Liu Lan, although incoherent due to extreme fright, had a tearful and terrified appearance that was more powerful than any accusation.

More importantly, with Deputy Director Li Zhenhua stepping forward and righteously and sternly defining the situation on the spot, Li Huaide's chances of turning the tables were almost completely blocked.

Factory Director Yang was awakened from his sleep by an urgent phone call. Upon hearing the news, he was filled with shock and anger.

What's shocking is that Li Huaide was so reckless as to cause such a scandal after hosting an important guest.

What's infuriating is that if this matter is not handled properly, it will not only affect the reputation of the factory's leadership team, but may also affect the pork quota that was just agreed upon with Director Wang of the meat processing plant.

He rushed to the factory that night, first calming down the agitated Liu Lan and having comrades from the Women's Federation accompany and take care of her. Then he personally questioned witnesses such as Qin Huairu, and finally met Li Huaide, who looked ashen and smelled of alcohol, in the security office.

"Li Huaide! What... what am I supposed to say about you!"

Factory Director Yang pointed at Li Huaide, his hands trembling with anger.

"You're a veteran! A division-level cadre! How could you do such a... such a despicable thing! Do you have any sense of decency? Do you have any awareness as a cadre?!"

Li Huaide was now completely sober, filled only with endless regret and fear.

He knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down his face.

"Factory Manager, I was wrong! I drank too much, I was confused for a moment! I'm not human! I... I've let down the organization that nurtured me, I've let you down... Please, for all these years, even if I haven't made any great achievements, I've still worked hard, please give me another chance..."

"Chance?"

Factory Director Yang closed his eyes in anguish and took a deep breath.

"Now you realize you were wrong? Too late! Caught red-handed, in full view of everyone! How can I give you a chance? How can I explain this to all the factory workers? How can I explain this to our superiors?"

Director Yang knew exactly what was going on.

This matter cannot be covered up at all.

Li Zhenhua exposed the matter on the spot. With so many eyes watching, they had to act swiftly and decisively, otherwise the consequences would be dire.

Moreover, Li Huaide was never one of his men and was prone to underhanded tactics, especially compared to the young and promising Li Zhenhua, in which he was far inferior.

This incident may also be an opportunity to adjust the leadership of the logistics department and promote more capable people.

Of course, he would never say these words aloud.

The next morning, Director Yang immediately convened an emergency factory committee meeting to report on the preliminary investigation results of the Li Huaide incident.

At the meeting, Li Zhenhua, as the person involved and the one who stopped the incident, gave a detailed account of what happened. He was calm and objective, without exaggerating or venting his personal emotions. He simply emphasized the seriousness of the incident and its damage to the factory's discipline and order.

This composed demeanor won the favor and sympathy of most of the factory leaders present.

After intense discussion, a resolution was finally reached.

Given that Comrade Li Huaide behaved inappropriately while intoxicated, causing extremely negative consequences and seriously violating factory regulations, he is hereby immediately suspended from all duties and placed under investigation by the organization. At the same time, this matter will be promptly reported to the higher-level industrial bureau.

The decision from higher authorities came down faster and was more severe than I had imagined.

On the one hand, the evidence is conclusive and the impact is too bad.

On the other hand, Li Zhenhua may also have exerted pressure through his connections.

Ultimately, Li Huaide was dismissed from his public office, stripped of all his responsibilities, and left the steel rolling mill in disgrace.

It is said that he later lived a very impoverished life, but that is another story and will not be discussed here.

With Li Huaide's downfall, the position of logistics director became vacant.

Who would take over became the focus of attention in the factory.

In terms of seniority, the Logistics Department also has two senior deputy directors.

However, in terms of ability, contributions, and the courage and principles demonstrated in this incident, Li Zhenhua is undoubtedly the most popular candidate.

He saved state assets in the lubricating oil incident, made significant achievements in safety production management, and his efforts in solving employee difficulties, such as helping Qin Huairu and Liu Lan, were also evident to all. More importantly, he had a strong background and was resourceful, even bringing down a veteran like Li Huaide, which shows his considerable influence.

Factory Director Yang, seizing the opportunity, strongly recommended Li Zhenhua at the committee meeting.

Most of the other factory leaders tacitly understood the situation and no one raised any objections.

Therefore, the appointment document was quickly issued: Comrade Li Zhenhua was appointed as the Director of the Logistics Department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill (at the level of a full-fledged department head).

At just over twenty years old, Li Zhenhua became the youngest department-level official in the history of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, marking a crucial leap in his career.

Upon taking office, Li Zhenhua did not rush to establish his authority by making a series of bold moves. Instead, he first tackled the mess left by Li Huaide and stabilized the situation in the logistics department.

He knew that the most important thing at this moment was to appease the people and consolidate his power.

His first personnel arrangement was unexpected, yet perfectly logical.

Liu Lan, a female canteen worker, was promoted to canteen director, a promotion made exceptional of the usual procedures.

At his first departmental meeting after assuming the position of Director of Logistics, Li Zhenhua proposed this motion.

His reasons were both sound and plausible.

"Comrade Liu Lan was a victim in this incident, but she also demonstrated a strong will. The organization cares about the affected employees, not only by solving their living difficulties but also by providing support and encouragement in their work. The canteen work is related to the meals of all the factory's employees, and its importance is self-evident. The former canteen director, Zhao, bears responsibility for negligence in the Li Huaide incident and has mediocre management skills; it is recommended that he be reassigned. Comrade Liu Lan has worked in the canteen for a long time, is familiar with the business, and is an upright person. Appointing her as the canteen director will help stabilize the canteen team, improve the canteen's appearance, and also reflect the organization's trust in and cultivation of grassroots employees."

These words were perfectly worded, demonstrating concern for the victims, emphasizing the importance of the work, and also conveniently dealing with the unruly Fatty Zhao.

The middle-level managers present looked at each other, but none of them dared to offend the new director at this critical juncture.

Moreover, Liu Lan is now a "hero" and a "model," so promoting her is politically correct.

Thus, the appointment was approved smoothly.

When Liu Lan heard the news, she could hardly believe her ears.

From an ordinary female worker who was bullied and nearly humiliated, she suddenly became the canteen director in charge of feeding tens of thousands of people. This was an earth-shattering change.

She knew in her heart that all of this was thanks to Li Zhenhua.

Gratitude, awe, and a vow of loyalty surged within her.

She secretly vowed to manage the canteen well and never let down Director Li's kindness in recognizing her talent.

Li Zhenhua's promotion of Liu Lan was a brilliant move.

On the one hand, he placed this "one of his own" who possessed key evidence of Li Huaide's scandal in an important position, making it easier to control and use him; on the other hand, he also demonstrated to the entire factory his attitude of fair rewards and punishments and caring for employees, winning the favor of many grassroots employees.

Immediately afterwards, Li Zhenhua began his second important personnel arrangement, this time targeting the courtyard houses.

He proposed that Qin Huairu serve as the director of the factory's guesthouse.

Although the factory guesthouse was not large, it was in a key location, responsible for receiving leaders from higher-level units and guests from other units. It was a place where information gathered and connections were easily established.

The original director was one of Li Huaide's men, so naturally he was replaced after Li Huaide's downfall.

This position requires someone who is quick-witted, perceptive, and absolutely reliable.

When reporting to Director Yang privately, Li Zhenhua gave a very convincing explanation.

"Director Yang, you are also aware of Comrade Qin Huairu's situation. She is the family member of a deceased worker, and being from a rural area, it's not easy for her to gain a foothold in the factory. She is a steady person, and she performed diligently during her time working in the warehouse, especially in the lubricating oil incident where she upheld principles, demonstrating her sense of responsibility. The work at the guesthouse requires patience and meticulousness, so letting her gain experience there will not only alleviate her family's practical difficulties and show the organization's care, but also make the best use of her talents. After all, women have a natural advantage in reception work."

Factory Director Yang had a good impression of Qin Huairu, and since Li Zhenhua was a new official and needed support, he nodded in agreement.

Thus, with a single transfer order, Qin Huairu transformed from a warehouse keeper into the director of the factory's guesthouse.

Although not a high-ranking official, he was still a junior leader who could handle things independently, and his work environment, social status, and even hidden income were incomparable to those of the past.

When Qin Huairu received the appointment document from Li Zhenhua, her feelings were complex and hard to describe.

There was joy, excitement, and a deep sense of attachment.

She understood that everything she had depended on Li Zhenhua. Looking into Li Zhenhua's deep, calm eyes, she whispered.

"Zhenhua... Director, thank you. I... I know what to do."

Li Zhenhua nodded slightly.

"Work hard. The guesthouse is the face of the factory, and also... its ears and eyes. Report any suspicious activity immediately."

Qin Huairu understood immediately.

This means that she not only has to manage the guesthouse well, but also has to become an important node in Li Zhenhua's information network within the factory.

Thus, in a short period of time after taking office, Li Zhenhua quickly took control of the core departments of the logistics department through a series of precise personnel arrangements.

Liu Lan took charge of the canteen and won over the employees' stomachs.

Qin Huairu took control of the guesthouse, thus controlling its "window" and information channels to the outside world.

In addition to the warehouses and transportation departments he already operated, the entire logistics department was now a monolithic entity.

His prestige reached a new height in the steel rolling mill.

All of this made Yi Zhonghai, who lived in the backyard of the courtyard house, feel a chilling cold and a deep despair.

He clearly saw that Li Zhenhua's rise was unstoppable, and his own influence in the hospital had vanished.

A deep-seated fear of being left without a home for his old age burned in his heart day and night.

He had to find a way, he had to grab onto something...

And Sha-zhu, the "retirement candidate" he had been trying to control, seemed to be his last hope.

Li Zhenhua was thriving at the factory, rising through the ranks, while Sha Zhu in the courtyard remained a bachelor.

Although he spoke toughly, saying things like "one person is full and the whole family isn't hungry," he couldn't help but feel anxious as he got older day by day.

Especially his lingering feelings for Qin Huairu seemed to have become even more distant after experiencing the shadow of Li Zhenhua, this "big Buddha," and the Li Huaide incident.

Qin Huairu is now the director of the guesthouse. Although she is not a high-ranking leader, she is still a cadre. The gap between her and him, the cook, seems to have widened even further.