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

Li Zhenhua looked at the humble and aged Lou Bancheng in front of him, picked up his teacup, but did not drink it.

"Is everything arranged in Hong Kong?"

His voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet private room.

Lou Bancheng nodded immediately, lowering his voice:

"It's all arranged, absolutely reliable. Someone will meet you when the ship arrives at the dock, and accommodations have been prepared. It's very quiet, and no one will bother you."

"Um."

Li Zhenhua put down his teacup, took out another, smaller brown paper bag from his pocket, and pushed it in front of Lou Bancheng.

"This is for you."

Lou Bancheng paused for a moment, then didn't immediately take it.

"Director Li, this..."

"Take it."

Li Zhenhua's tone left no room for argument.

"Once you get there, use an alias and keep a low profile. Remember, from this day forward, everything in Beijing will have nothing to do with you. No matter who asks, just say you were ordinary immigrants who went there a few years ago, understand?"

Lou Bancheng's hand trembled slightly as he picked up the paper bag.

"Understood, completely understood. I will never forget Director Li's kindness, and I will never dare to forget it."

Lou Bancheng carefully tucked the paper bag into his arms and bowed his head deeply.

"Someone will take Xiao'e to the station early tomorrow morning. Don't show your face. Go directly to Tianjin and leave from there."

Li Zhenhua stood up.

"After tonight, we don't need to see each other again."

"Yes, yes."

Lou Bancheng also quickly stood up, bowing deeply.

"Director Li...please take care of yourself as well."

Li Zhenhua did not respond further, turned and left the private room, his figure quickly disappearing into the deep night outside.

A few days later, the steel rolling mill held a simple yet grand farewell party for Li Zhenhua.

Director Yang delivered a passionate speech, praising Li Zhenhua as a promising young man and a good cadre in need, and wishing him continued success in his new position.

Sha Zhu and the canteen staff prepared several tables of delicious dishes, and Liu Lan also said a lot of polite things.

Yi Zhonghai sat in the corner, his face calm, revealing nothing about his expression.

Inside the courtyard house, Yan Bugui was calculating, wondering whether he should feel regret or relief at losing Li Zhenhua, his "elderly neighbor."

Qin Huairu felt a little lost, but seeing her family's life getting better and better, she could only suppress those vague feelings.

Bai Manli ultimately did not appear; it is unknown whether she gave up or had new plans.

The day before the farewell party, Ding Wei was picked up in a jeep, supposedly to attend a "symposium for veteran comrades," and never returned.

The morning after the farewell party, Li Zhenhua, carrying only a few pieces of luggage, accompanied by the Lin family's driver and secretary, headed to the train station to board a train bound for Northeast China.

There weren't many people seeing him off on the platform, but their presence was significant.

Lin Jingyue did not come in person, but sent his most capable secretary.

Li Yunlong did arrive, patting his son's shoulder forcefully, his eyes slightly red, his voice still very loud:

"Go and do a good job! Make me proud! If you encounter any difficulties, write home!"

"Dad, don't worry, I will."

Looking at his father, Li Zhenhua felt a mix of emotions welling up inside him.

This rugged, soldier father may never fully understand him, but his unwavering support is a crucial source of strength for him to move forward.

With a long whistle, the train slowly started moving.

Sitting in his soft sleeper compartment, Li Zhenhua watched the rapidly receding cityscape of Beijing outside the window. Instead of feeling much sorrow at parting, he felt a sense of clarity and determination.

The trivialities of the courtyard houses, the personnel disputes in the steel mill, and the hidden stories of Lingjing Hutong will all be left behind as the railway tracks extend.

His destination was Anshan Iron and Steel Group, a broader world, and a heavier responsibility.

One month later, Ansteel.

Li Zhenhua quickly stabilized the situation with his amazing adaptability and iron-fisted methods.

He went deep into the workshops, living and working alongside the workers and technicians; he vigorously rectified management order and eliminated long-standing malpractices; he actively introduced Soviet experts and promoted technological transformation.

In a short period of time, production order was restored, and various indicators steadily improved, winning unanimous recognition from all levels.

Just as he was fully immersed in his new job, an encrypted telegram from Guangzhou was delivered to his desk through special channels.

The telegram was very short:

"The goods have arrived safely in Hong Kong, everything went smoothly, and the buyer is satisfied. The old shopkeeper said that there is great potential in the Southeast Asian business, and he hopes that you can take some time to discuss development together."

After reading it, Li Zhenhua expressionlessly brought the telegram close to the lit cigarette in the ashtray.

Flames leaped up, quickly engulfing the paper and turning it to ashes.

He walked to the window and looked at the blast furnaces standing tall and the thick smoke billowing from the factory area.

This is a bustling construction front, the backbone of industry.

Here, he found a greater sense of accomplishment than when he was scheming in a traditional courtyard house or controlling a secluded little courtyard.

The hustle and bustle of Hong Kong, the business of Southeast Asia, and the gentle charm of Lingjing Hutong...

Those have all become a blurred background.

Perhaps at some point in the future, those hidden plans and escape routes will become important again, but at least for now, his stage is here.

Sunlight streamed through the glass, illuminating his resolute profile.

In the distance, the steelmaking workshop is radiating the most intense light of this era.