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

That silly Zhu, he just broke up with his girlfriend, and now he's already set his sights on someone else's blind date. He's quick-witted.

He didn't want to get involved, but Sha Zhu's next words made him change his mind.

"Director Li, everyone in the compound knows you have a sharp eye and a keen eye for people! I, Shazhu, am a rough man, not good with words, and I don't have any elders to help me. That old bastard Yi Zhonghai avoids me like the plague now... I just want to ask you, could you help me sound out Yan Laoxi and ask him what's going on with that girl? If... if it works out, I, Shazhu, will serve you like a slave for the rest of my life!"

As Sha Zhu spoke, he actually made a gesture of bowing.

Li Zhenhua reached out and offered a helping hand.

Yan Bugui was a shrewd strategist who wouldn't act until he saw a clear benefit.

If Sha Zhu goes to ask himself, he'll definitely get a cold shoulder.

But with him in charge, Yan Bugui would absolutely not dare to disrespect him.

This was nothing more than a simple act, yet it completely subdued Sha Zhu, this "general," and incidentally also served as a warning to Yan Bugui, making him understand who the real boss was in this courtyard.

Moreover, he also wanted to see what kind of girl could make Sha Zhu so distracted.

"Alright, Zhu Zi, stop with the formalities. Let's go, I'll go with you to talk to Teacher Yan."

As Li Zhenhua spoke, he stepped into the courtyard.

Sha Zhu was overjoyed and quickly followed, thanking him profusely.

"Thank you so much, Director Li! You're such a great benefactor!"

The atmosphere in Yan Bugui's house in the front yard was indeed somewhat delicate at this moment.

Yan Bugui sat at the octagonal table, wearing reading glasses and holding an abacus, but he was not interested in using it and his face was not very good.

The three women sighed and complained to each other. Yan Jiecheng sat silently to one side, looking sullen.

The girl who came today is named Yu Li. She was introduced by a distant cousin of Yan Bugui. She works as a temporary worker at the district cultural center. She is good-looking, tall, and has a graceful demeanor. Yan Bugui and his wife were very satisfied with her at first sight.

But when it comes to substantive issues, they get stuck.

Yu Li's family is of modest means, and she has younger siblings. She is not satisfied with Yan Jiecheng, who is still a temporary worker, and feels that he has no future. She reveals in her words that she wants to find a more "capable" partner.

Yan Bugui was a thrifty man who had hoped to find a daughter-in-law who could help his family. However, seeing Yu Li's attitude, his enthusiasm cooled considerably, and the two parted on bad terms.

Just as the three members of the Yan family were each lost in their own thoughts, a knock came at the door and Sha Zhu's distinctive loud voice.

"Uncle! Are you home? Factory Director Li is here to see you!"

Yan Bugui was taken aback. Li Zhenhua?

He's the deputy director of the factory now, a very busy man. Why would he come to my house at this hour?

He quickly got up and opened the door, his face instantly breaking into a warm smile.

"Oh! Director Li! What a rare guest! Please come in, please come in!"

Then he saw Sha Zhu behind Li Zhenhua, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he still politely invited him into the house.

Li Zhenhua walked into the room, glanced at the scene inside, and understood.

He smiled and said to Yan Bugui.

"Teacher Yan, sorry to bother you. I just got back and heard from Zhu Zi that you have a happy occasion today, so I came to come and see."

Yan Bugui's heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself that this silly Zhu really had a fast tongue, but he smiled on the surface.

"Oh dear, Director Li, you've been thinking of me. It's nothing special, just a relative introduced me to a girl, and I wanted Jie Cheng to meet her. Young people like us should make more friends."

He was vague and didn't want to talk about it further.

Li Zhenhua didn't point it out, and sat down at Yan Bugui's polite invitation, his gaze seemingly casually falling on Yan Jiecheng.

"Comrade Jie Cheng is here too. Have you been busy with work lately?"

Yan Jiecheng was somewhat intimidated by Li Zhenhua, so he quickly stood up to answer.

"It's...not bad, Director Li."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Zhenhua got down to business, his tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable weight.

"Teacher Yan, I heard from Zhu Zi that Yu Li, the woman who came for a blind date today, is quite a catch. You know Zhu Zi, he's honest and straightforward, but he's not good at talking, and he's not getting any younger, so he hasn't been able to find a suitable partner. He heard that Yu Li and Jie Cheng might not have reached an agreement, so he got the idea and insisted on dragging me here to ask about it. Do you think it would be convenient to tell Zhu Zi about Yu Li's contact information or the matchmaker? Let him try it himself, and whether it works out or not depends on fate."

Li Zhenhua's words were perfectly flawless.

It not only made it clear that it was Sha Zhu's intention, but also used his own status to exert pressure, and gave Yan Bugui a way out, implying that Yu Li and Yan Jiecheng had not gotten together.

Yan Bugui was a very shrewd man, and he immediately understood the implied meaning.

Li Zhenhua spoke up personally, so he couldn't refuse, nor dared to refuse, this was a favor he couldn't refuse.

Moreover, Yu Li really didn't like her son. Doing a favor would please Li Zhenhua and disgust the arrogant Yu Li (he thought Yu Li was blind). Why not?

Yan Bugui's smile widened even more.

"Oh, so that's what happened! Zhu Zi is a good comrade! As for Yu Li, she's a good catch, but... it's just that she might not be quite right for us. I have her contact information, and the matchmaker is a cousin of mine. I'll write it down for you now! Zhu Zi, seize this opportunity!"

As he spoke, he took out a pen and paper and quickly wrote down Yu Li's address (Cultural Center) and the introducer's information.

Sha Zhu watched with delight, took the note as if it were a treasure, and thanked him repeatedly.

"Thank you, Uncle! Thank you, Factory Director Li!"

Li Zhenhua nodded slightly, satisfied with Yan Bugui's tact. After chatting for a few more minutes, he got up to take his leave.

Yan Bugui personally escorted him to the door, his attitude respectful.

Leaving the Yan family, Sha Zhu was so excited he didn't know what to do, and thanked Li Zhenhua profusely.

Li Zhenhua patted him on the shoulder, his tone calm yet profound.

"Zhu Zi, I've given you this opportunity. How you perform from here on out is up to you. Comrade Yu Li works at the cultural center, so she's probably quite knowledgeable. You need to be careful and not act rashly. If you need to buy clothes or spend money, and you're short on cash, you can go to the canteen's finance department to get an advance on your salary. Just say I agree."

Sha Zhu was so moved he almost cried. Li Zhenhua had not only provided him with a clear path forward, but had also considered his future concerns.

"Director Li, don't worry! I will definitely perform well and won't let you down!"

Watching Sha Zhu's joyful departure, Li Zhenhua's lips curled into a faint smile.

This small favor was insignificant to him, but it made Sha Zhu completely devoted to him.

Occasionally getting involved in these trivial matters in the courtyard is like making a random move on a chessboard; it might play an unexpected role someday.

He turned and walked towards the backyard, putting the incident behind him. More important strategies awaited his command.

Li Zhenhua's authority at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill reached unprecedented heights as he was promoted to deputy director and put in charge of logistics.

The logistics department, this enormous machine, now operates with every gear turning precisely in accordance with his will.

Liu Lan, the canteen director, is no longer the timid and bullied "doormat".

With Li Zhenhua's promotion and support, she managed the canteen in an orderly manner, kept clear accounts, and maintained a relatively high standard of food quality despite the scarcity of resources, winning unanimous praise from her colleagues.

Her gratitude and loyalty to Li Zhenhua were ingrained in her very being, making her one of Li Zhenhua's most loyal confidantes in the logistics system.

She knew perfectly well who had given her everything she had, and any challenge to Li Zhenhua's authority would be seen as a threat to her own position, thus unleashing astonishing energy to defend it.

The canteen was not only a place to satisfy the employees' appetites, but also an important outpost for Li Zhenhua to gain support among the masses and monitor the situation within the factory.

Another capable leader, Qin Huairu, managed the factory's guesthouse with great success.

The position of guesthouse director may seem insignificant, but it is actually a hub for information gathering.

Inspections by superiors and subordinates, exchanges with sister units, receptions for important clients—all sorts of people come and go here, and the information they inadvertently reveal is often invaluable.

Qin Huairu was already very perceptive and good at reading people's expressions. Under Li Zhenhua's guidance, she brought out this talent to its fullest potential.

She meticulously wove an information network, filtering and organizing information on which leaders had what preferences, which units encountered what difficulties, and which rumors were worth noting, and reporting it to Li Zhenhua regularly.

The guesthouse not only became Li Zhenhua's ears and eyes, but also a secret platform for him to build connections and exchange benefits in secret.

Qin Huairu's dependence on Li Zhenhua deepened. She knew that without this man's protection, everything she had would vanish. Therefore, she acted more cautiously and diligently, firmly binding her interests with Li Zhenhua's.

However, the deputy director's office at the steel rolling mill and the courtyard house in Nanluoguxiang were only the visible parts of Li Zhenhua's power empire.

What truly allowed him to shed all pretenses and enjoy ultimate control and secret pleasure was that quiet courtyard at No. 7, Jia, Lingjing Hutong.

Time flows slowly and viscously here, as if isolated from the noisy world outside the walls.

Lou Xiao'e, the former capitalist's daughter, gradually resigned herself to her identity as a "concubine" after experiencing initial fear, struggle, and humiliation.

Her father's admonitions, the fate of her family, and Li Zhenhua's unfathomable methods and the occasional coldness that could bring her family to ruin all acted like invisible shackles, locking her firmly in this exquisite cage.

She learned how to carefully serve Li Zhenhua, to understand his thoughts, and to manage the trivial matters in the hospital.

Her attire was no longer flamboyant; she mostly wore simple and well-fitting cheongsams or casual clothes. The arrogance between her brows was replaced by a submissive and slightly melancholic gentleness, which gave her a unique charm.

Xiaoju and Xiaomei, two maids who were bought or assigned to the household, regarded Li Zhenhua as their absolute master.

Xiaoju was calm and composed, managing the daily life and expenses of the courtyard in an orderly manner.

Xiao Mei is clever and attentive in taking care of his daily needs. A delicate balance is maintained between them and Lou Xiao'e.

She obeyed Lou Xiao'e's arrangements, yet she knew perfectly well who the real master was. She served Li Zhenhua with utmost care and devotion, occasionally displaying a girlish shyness and admiration as she secretly vied for his favor.

Li Zhenhua was pleased with this atmosphere and guided and controlled it appropriately.

Every night, after finishing his business at the factory and outside, Li Zhenhua would quietly come to Lingjing Hutong.

Pushing open that mottled vermilion door, one enters a hidden world under his absolute control.

Lou Xiao'e would lead Xiaoju and Xiaomei to greet him at the screen wall, softly saying, "Master is back." Then she would take his coat and briefcase.

Dinner was always prepared with care. Although it was not as luxurious as the Lou Mansion in the past, the ingredients were exquisite, the cooking was meticulous, and it was mostly to Li Zhenhua's preferred taste.

During meals, Lou Xiao'e would serve the dishes, while Xiao Ju and Xiao Mei would stand quietly by her side.

Sometimes Li Zhenhua would ask Lou Xiao'e what books she read, or listen to Xiao Mei sing a little tune in the soft Wu dialect, creating a quiet yet ambiguous atmosphere.

The study is where Li Zhenhua handles his "private" affairs.

Some meetings that are inconvenient to take place in the factory or courtyard are occasionally arranged here.

Lou Bancheng would come regularly to report on the operation of overseas channels, and his attitude became increasingly humble.

Through the "white glove" channel firmly controlled by Li Zhenhua, he cleverly "laundered" and transferred the materials that Li Zhenhua redeemed from the "system," accumulating an astonishing amount of hidden wealth for Li Zhenhua. At the same time, he also handled some of Li Zhenhua's more shady dealings, such as using overseas connections to collect specific information or dealing with certain people who should not appear in public.

Lou Bancheng knew that the fate of his father, daughter, and family was completely tied to Li Zhenhua, so he could only work harder in order to gain more room to survive.

Li Zhenhua would also read internal documents or overseas newspapers obtained through special channels here, and think about longer-term plans.

Lou Xiao'e was sometimes asked to sit by and add fragrance to the room. She was well-educated and could provide some simple translation or copying work, but she never dared to ask a question.

Li Zhenhua enjoys the feeling of having both knowledge and beauty under his control.

In the stillness of the night, within the brocade tent, the act of lovemaking presents a different kind of splendor.

Lou Xiao'e's emotional journey has been complex and secretive, from her initial rigid resistance to her later submissive acceptance, and now to her occasional emotional responses while half-heartedly resisting.

Li Zhenhua, in this complete conquest and possession, vented the pressure of strategizing during the day and gained a distorted sense of satisfaction.

Xiaoju and Xiaomei were occasionally allowed to serve him at the bedside, or to wipe Li Zhenhua's body with warm water afterward. Their cheeks were flushed and their hearts were racing, but they dared not be negligent in the slightest.

This courtyard in Lingjing Hutong is a projection of Li Zhenhua's power and desires; it is his meticulously crafted "gentle haven" and "secret fortress."

Here, he was not only a high-ranking deputy factory director, but also a "master" who controlled everything and had the power of life and death.

Lou Xiao'e's obedience, Xiao Ju and Xiao Mei's reverence, and Lou Bancheng's loyalty all filled him with confidence in his own power.

However, he always maintained a clear mind.

He knew that all of this was built on the edge of a cliff.

His marriage to Lin Taotao must proceed steadily, for it is the cornerstone of his bright future.

Everything in Lingjing Hutong must be kept absolutely secret; once it is leaked, there will be no hope of redemption.

at the same time.

the other side.

The Bai family of Sijiu City.

The unpleasant banquet at Hongbinlou was like a poisonous thorn, deeply embedded in Bai Manli's heart.