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

That look in his eyes was complex, with a hint of gratitude, but more so a scrutiny, an unspeakable distance, and even... a trace of barely perceptible jealousy and loneliness.

He raised his glass and gestured to Li Zhenhua, his voice hoarse.

"Thank you... Director Li."

The tone was polite but distant.

Li Zhenhua keenly caught this fleeting emotion and respectfully raised his glass.

"Uncle Ding, you flatter me. This is what I should do. You and my father are sworn brothers, so you are like an elder to me."

Ding Wei didn't say anything more, tilted his head back and drank the wine in one gulp, then focused his attention on the wine glass again, as if the contents of the glass were his most reliable companion.

After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation naturally turned to the current political situation and matters at the factory.

With a hint of boasting, Li Yunlong recounted how Li Zhenhua brought down Li Huaide, how he stabilized logistics, and even how he "obtained" a large amount of grain to solve the difficulties.

Kong Jie chimed in, praising Li Zhenhua for his courage and resourcefulness.

As Ding Wei listened, his brows furrowed even more deeply.

He suddenly put down his glass, and, slightly drunk, said in a muffled voice.

"Things are different now than they were back then. Back then, we valued real fighting, unity between officers and soldiers, and sharing weal and woe. Now... well, there are more ways to be an officer these days."

His words didn't have a specific target, but the sarcastic tone instantly chilled the lively banquet.

Li Yunlong's face stiffened, showing some dissatisfaction.

"Old Ding, what are you saying! Zhenhua earned his reputation through genuine skill!"

Li Zhenhua smiled, interrupted his father, and calmly spoke to Ding Wei.

"Uncle Ding's criticism is correct. Times are changing, and working methods must also change. But some fundamental things will not change, such as the heart to solve the practical difficulties of the factory workers. My dad often tells me that when you led the army, you were the most considerate of the soldiers. Now that I am in charge of logistics, I learned it from you. First of all, we must make sure the workers are well-fed before we can do a good job in production."

Li Zhenhua's words not only gave Ding Wei a way out, but also cleverly linked his "achievements" with the values ​​that Ding Wei endorsed, leaving no room for error.

Ding Wei paused for a moment, gave Li Zhenhua a deep look, and didn't refute him anymore. He just poured himself another glass of wine and murmured to himself.

"Eat your fill... Yes, eating your fill is the most important thing..."

His tone carried a hint of desolation after experiencing hardships.

The welcoming banquet ended in a subtle atmosphere that was outwardly lively but inwardly filled with hidden thoughts.

Ding Wei was so drunk he was unconscious and had to be helped to rest. Li Yunlong watched his old comrade's retreating figure, sighed heavily, and said to Li Zhenhua.

"Zhenhua, don't take it to heart. Your Uncle Ding... he's suffering a lot."

Li Zhenhua nodded.

"Dad, I understand. Uncle Ding needs time to adjust."

Ding Wei's return was like a stone thrown into a calm (or at least superficially calm) lake, creating ripples that extended far beyond the Li family's banquet.

The waters of Beijing have never been shallow.

Some people who had old grudges against Li Yunlong and Ding Wei, or who were critical of Ding Wei back then, began to feel uneasy.

Ding Wei's "medical retirement" and return to the city clearly had Lin Jingyue's involvement behind it. This was seen as a signal that the alliance between the Lin and Li families was being further consolidated, and it also made some forces that were already dissatisfied with Li Zhenhua's meteoric rise feel a sense of crisis.

More importantly, Ding Wei himself is a huge uncertainty factor.

Beneath his taciturn exterior lay years of suppressed grievances, injustices, and confusion. He felt out of place in this rapidly changing world and instinctively harbored suspicion and even hostility towards young cadres like Li Zhenhua who rose to power through "connections" and "methods."

This kind of emotion is easily exploited.

Sure enough, a few days later, someone began to secretly contact Ding Wei.

First, a few former subordinates, under the guise of visiting their old leader, brought some news from outside, expressing their complaints about the current situation and their dissatisfaction with certain "privileges".

Although Ding Wei mostly just listened, the occasional flashes of agreement in his eyes showed that the scales in his heart were tipping.

Then, some more covert tests began.

Someone indirectly conveyed a message to Ding Wei, implying that there was "something else going on" about his problems back then, that someone had "made a fuss" about them, and urged him "not to let it go like this" and that he should "report the situation to higher authorities."

These words, like the hiss of a venomous snake, silently eroded Ding Wei's already turbulent heart.

Li Zhenhua quickly caught wind of these developments through his information network.

He reminded his father, Li Yunlong, to pay close attention to Uncle Ding's thoughts and to be mindful of the people he interacted with.

Although Li Yunlong was easygoing, he realized the seriousness of the problem and strengthened his care for Ding Wei. However, when Ding Wei got stubborn, he sometimes wouldn't even listen to Li Yunlong.

An undercurrent began to quietly gather around Ding Wei, the returnee.

He is like a dry piece of firewood; with just a spark, he could ignite an unpredictable fire.

Where this fire will ultimately spread—whether to the hidden rivals, the rising star Li Zhenhua, or the seemingly stable alliance—remains to be seen.

In late spring, Beihai Park is adorned with weeping willows and rippling blue waters.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the White Pagoda in a magnificent golden light, while the laughter and chatter of tourists boating on the lake created a captivating scene in this tranquil royal garden.

Li Zhenhua and Lin Taotao walked side by side on the stone path by the lake.

Today, Li Zhenhua, unusually, took off his usual dark Zhongshan suit and put on a light gray woolen Zhongshan suit of excellent quality, which made him look even more upright and dignified.

Lin Taotao wore a well-fitting light blue Lenin suit that accentuated her slender figure. Her short, ear-length hair gave her a neat and tidy look, exuding both a heroic air and a touch of girlish charm.

Her face was flushed, her eyes were bright, and she would steal glances at Li Zhenhua beside her from time to time, with an uncontrollable smile on her lips.

Neither of them spoke, enjoying this rare moment of peace and warmth.

Only the sound of footsteps and the rustling of willow leaves in the wind kept me company.

In stark contrast to the cutthroat competition in the factory, the tedious and chaotic atmosphere of the courtyard, and the oppressive and secretive hutong, Li Zhenhua felt a long-lost sense of relaxation and peace as he stood amidst the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains, with his soulmate by his side.

His deep-seated schemes and meticulous plans seemed to have been somewhat washed away by the warm sunset and clear lake water.

"What brings you here today? I heard your factory is having some trouble with raw material supplies lately?"

Lin Taotao broke the silence first, her voice clear and filled with concern.

As a police officer, she was well-informed. Although she didn't know the specific details of Bai Manli's pressure, she could sense that Li Zhenhua was under increasing pressure recently.

Li Zhenhua smiled slightly, his tone relaxed.

"It was a minor hiccup, but it's been resolved. We can't be immersed in those tasks every day; we need to take a break. Besides..."

He paused, turned his head, and his gaze gently fell on Lin Taotao's face.

"It's been so long since we've had a proper time alone together."

Lin Taotao felt a little embarrassed by his gaze, so she lowered her head and gently kicked at the pebbles on the roadside with her toes.

"Yes, you've been very busy lately, Deputy Factory Director Li."

Her tone carried a hint of coquettishness.

Li Zhenhua's heart stirred, and he naturally reached out and gently grasped Lin Taotao's hand.

Lin Taotao's hand trembled slightly, but she did not pull away, letting his warm palm envelop her, her cheeks turning even redder.

The air between the two seemed to become sweet and cloying.

They walked to a quiet bench by the lake and sat down.

Before me lay a vast lake, with the white pagoda reflected in the water in the distance, shimmering in the sunlight. Several water birds swam leisurely by, creating ripples in their wake.

"Peach,"

Li Zhenhua looked at the lake, his voice low and clear.

"We've known each other for over a year now, haven't we?"

"Yes, one year and three months."

Lin Taotao blurted it out almost without thinking, then paused for a moment, pursing her lips shyly.

Li Zhenhua's smile deepened, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

He turned his head and stared intently at Lin Taotao. His gaze was no longer as deep and unfathomable as usual, but was filled with sincerity and fervent emotion.

Time flies.

Li Zhenhua remarked with emotion.

"So much has happened in the past year or so. Things at the factory, things in the yard, and... things between us."

He gripped Lin Taotao's hand tightly.

"Tao Tao, I know that I might not be as simple as I seem on the surface. Some people in the factory say I'm ruthless, some people in the yard are afraid of me, and there might even be some things you don't know."

His words were meaningful, both a form of frankness and a test.

He knew Lin Taotao's upbringing and keen insight. Even if he hid his relationship with the Lou family and Lingjing Hutong deeply, he might not be able to completely hide it from the Lin family, especially Lin Jingyue's eyes.

He needs to know Lin Taotao's attitude.

Lin Taotao raised her head and met his gaze, her eyes clear and firm.

"Zhenhua, I don't care what others say. I know what kind of person you are. You helped Sister Qin and Liu Lan out of their predicament, you solved so many practical problems for the workers in the factory, you are respectful and filial to my father and mother, and you've been good to me... That's enough. As for the rest..."

She paused, her voice soft yet firm.

"Everyone has their own way of doing things, especially in your current position. I believe you have your reasons, and I believe in your bottom line."

These words were like a spring breeze, instantly dispelling the last trace of gloom and worries in Li Zhenhua's heart.

Lin Taotao's trust and understanding are more precious than anything else. She is not an innocent girl who doesn't know the ways of the world; she saw his complexity, but chose to believe in his inherent "goodness."

This kind of feeling, based on understanding and trust, is far more solid than mere attraction.

"Peach..."

Li Zhenhua's voice was a little hoarse. He took a deep breath and decided to stop beating around the bush.

"Thank you, Tao Tao. Thank you for trusting me so much."

He paused for a moment, as if gathering his strength, and then spoke clearly and solemnly, word by word.

"So, are you willing to believe in me for the rest of your life? Are you willing... to marry me?"

Despite having a premonition, Lin Taotao was still stunned when those words actually came from Li Zhenhua's mouth.

Her heart felt like it had been hit by something, and then it started pounding wildly.

Blood rushed to his cheeks, his ears were ringing, and all the sounds around him seemed to disappear, leaving only Li Zhenhua's deep and magnetic voice echoing.

Looking at the handsome and composed man before her, she recalled the first time she met him in her father's study, his dignified yet humble demeanor; she remembered how he repeatedly created miracles, solving problems that even her father praised; she remembered his meticulous care for her in private, yet he always maintained respect and restraint...

Tears welled up in her eyes without warning.

"I……"

Lin Taotao opened her mouth, but found that her throat was choked and she could not say a complete sentence.

She just nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her cheeks and dripping onto their clasped hands, warm and wet.

When Li Zhenhua saw her nod and shed tears, the huge weight that had been hanging over his heart finally lifted, replaced by immense joy and excitement.

He reached out his other hand and gently wiped away the tears on her face, his movements as tender as if he were handling a rare treasure.

"Don't cry, Tao Tao."

His voice was so gentle it could melt your heart.

"I will be good to you, I will be good to you for the rest of my life. I will make you the happiest bride in Beijing."

Lin Taotao stopped crying and started laughing, scolding him with a sob in her voice.

"Who wants to be the happiest bride... as long as you have me in your heart."

Even so, the happiness and sweetness in her eyes were impossible to hide.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two people, intertwining them as if they could never be separated.

The lake shimmered with golden light, like fireworks celebrating them.

Li Zhenhua gently pulled Lin Taotao into his arms. Lin Taotao obediently leaned on his shoulder, feeling his strong and powerful heartbeat, her heart filled with boundless anticipation and a sense of security for the future.

After cuddling for a long time, Li Zhenhua spoke.

"Tao Tao, since you've agreed, I'm thinking...tomorrow, just tomorrow, I'll bring my parents to your house to formally propose marriage. What do you think?"

Lin Taotao lifted her head from his embrace, somewhat surprised.

"Tomorrow? So soon? Shouldn't we prepare some more?"

Li Zhenhua smiled.

"What else do we need to prepare? Your parents have already given their tacit approval. We're in love, so let's get our relationship official as soon as possible to avoid all the gossip and rumors, or..."

A barely perceptible glint of cold light flashed in his eyes as he thought of potential troubles like Bai Manli.

"This will prevent unrelated people from having any inappropriate thoughts. The sooner it's settled, the more at ease everyone will be. Rest assured, the Li family will not skimp on the proper etiquette, and we will never wrong you."

Lin Taotao thought about it and realized that her father's appreciation for Li Zhenhua was obvious, and her mother had long regarded him as her future son-in-law.

Getting engaged sooner is indeed a natural progression.

She nodded.

"Okay, I'll tell my parents when I get home tonight. They'll definitely be happy."

"Um."

Li Zhenhua hugged her tightly, satisfied.

"Then I'll go with my parents tomorrow morning."

As the sun gradually sank behind the western mountains, a magnificent sunset glow remained on the horizon.

Li Zhenhua and Lin Taotao walked hand in hand back the way they came. Their moods were as bright and hopeful as the sunset.