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

Compared to the blind dates arranged by his family, who were either timid and submissive or boastful and talkative, Li Zhenhua was indeed quite different.

His humble yet confident attitude, as well as the confidence and insight he revealed in his conversation, gave her a sense of novelty.

"It seems I can come to this steel rolling mill more often in the future."

Lou Xiao'e thought to herself, a small smile unconsciously curving her lips.

The night was as dark as ink, and the courtyard fell silent, broken only by the occasional bark of a dog and the chirping of an unknown insect.

Inside the Jia family's house in the middle courtyard, the kerosene lamp had long been extinguished, and the even breathing of the children could be heard in the darkness.

Banggeng, Xiaodang, and Huaihua were all huddled together on the kang (a heated brick bed), fast asleep.

Qin Huairu lay on her side, but her eyes were wide open, showing no signs of sleepiness.

After the day's busyness and calculations fade away, in the quiet of the night, the fear of the future surges into my heart like a tide.

That five hundred yuan in compensation seems like a lot, but if you just sit around and do nothing, how long can it last?

The three children are at the age when they are growing, and everything from eating and drinking to toileting, clothing and schooling costs money.

Although Jia Zhangshi was sent away, removing a huge mountain from her head, another mountain called "survival" pressed down even more heavily.

Substitute job?

That means it will be at least ten years before Bang Geng turns sixteen.

How did she, a widow, manage to raise three children alone for the past ten years?

Are they hoping for help from their neighbors?

Yi Zhonghai had his own plans. It was hard to say how long Sha Zhu's enthusiasm would last. His meager salary was enough to support himself and Yu Shui, but if he were to fill the bottomless pit of the Jia family, he probably wouldn't be able to manage.

Moreover, she knew what Sha Zhu was thinking. If she continued to accept his help, how would she deal with him if he made unreasonable demands in the future?

After much thought, the only person who could truly offer her a way out and provide her with a stable source of income was Li Zhenhua.

Thinking of Li Zhenhua, Qin Huairu's heart beat a little faster.

The calm and ruthless look in his eyes when he instructed her to bring down Jia Zhangshi that night, his irresistible dominance during their lovemaking afterwards, and the power he wielded as the deputy director of the logistics department all evoked a complex mix of emotions in her—fear and a morbid dependence.

She knew that in his eyes, she was probably just a useful plaything, a transaction between mutual consent.

But right now, she has no choice but to continue with this deal.

She needed a job, a job that would give her a steady monthly income and allow her to stand tall in the hospital.

She was willing to do even the dirtiest and most tiring jobs.

Thinking of this, Qin Huairu gently lifted the quilt and tiptoed to sit up.

She listened intently; in the next bed, the children's breathing remained steady.

She fumbled to put on the old cotton-padded jacket, which was patched in many places but had been washed clean, buttoned it up, and then tidied her hair.

Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the window paper, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

By the dim light, she glanced at the children's sleeping faces, a pang of guilt flashing through her mind, but it was quickly replaced by a stronger determination.

She would do anything for her child.

Like a nimble cat, she slipped silently off the kang (a heated brick bed), walked barefoot to the door, and gently pulled open the latch.

The wooden door made a very slight creaking sound, which was particularly clear in the quiet night.

She held her breath, waited a few seconds to make sure she hadn't disturbed anyone, then slipped out of the house and left the door slightly ajar behind her.

The early spring night breeze still carried a chill, blowing against her thin clothes and raising goosebumps.

She shrank back and hurried across the empty courtyard. The lights in Yi Zhonghai's house were already off, and faint snoring could be heard coming from Sha Zhu's room.

She didn't dare linger and went straight to the moon gate leading to the backyard.

The backyard was even quieter.

The windows of Li Zhenhua's small hut were completely dark; it was unclear whether he was asleep or hadn't returned.

Qin Huairu's heart was in her throat; she both hoped he wasn't asleep and was afraid of disturbing him and causing him displeasure.

She walked to the door, hesitated for a moment, and finally raised her hand and tapped it three times very lightly with her knuckles.

"Thump...thump...thump..."

The sound was so soft it was almost inaudible.

There was no immediate response from inside.

Qin Huairu's heart sank. Had he really fallen asleep?

Or... does he not want to see him again?

Just as she was feeling uneasy and preparing to knock again, a deep voice came from inside the house asking a question.

"Who?"

It's Li Zhenhua's voice!

He wasn't asleep!

Qin Huairu was overjoyed and quickly lowered her voice, answering with a slight tremor.

"It's...it's me, Qin Huairu...Director Li, please open the door, I need your help..."

There was silence in the room for a few seconds, then rustling sounds were heard, followed by footsteps.

The latch was gently pulled open, and the wooden door opened a crack, revealing Li Zhenhua's figure behind it.

He was wearing his nightgown with a jacket casually draped over it, his face showing a hint of annoyance at being disturbed, but his eyes were sharp, clearly indicating that he was very awake.

"What's wrong so late?"

His voice carried a hint of languor, yet it left no room for argument.

Qin Huairu quickly squeezed in, closed the door behind her, and leaned against the door, her chest rising and falling slightly.

The room was much warmer than the room, filled with a faint smell of tobacco and a masculine scent.

"Director Li... I... I really have no other choice..."

Before Qin Huairu could speak, tears streamed down her face. This time, it wasn't all acting; it was more a reflection of her fear and helplessness about the future.

"That five hundred yuan seems like a lot, but there are three mouths to feed at home, and Banggeng still needs to go to school... We can't just sit around and eat our savings; it won't last more than a few years... I... I want to beg you, could you... could you find me a job at the factory? Any job is fine! Cleaning, washing clothes, working in the canteen... I can do all of that! I don't need a permanent job, temporary work is fine too, as long as I can earn some money to support my child..."

She cried as she recounted her story, while observing Li Zhenhua's expression.

Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating her tear-streaked face and the slight rise and fall of her chest from her rapid breathing. Even her old cotton-padded coat couldn't conceal her mature feminine charm.

Li Zhenhua leaned against the table, watching her with a leisurely air.

He certainly understood Qin Huairu's purpose in coming.

He knew the Jia family's situation well; it was inevitable that this woman, having nowhere else to turn, would come to him as a lifeline.

He hesitated, not answering immediately.

This woman understands the principle of "sustainable development" and is not satisfied with one-time food supplies or small favors.

Seeing that Li Zhenhua remained silent, Qin Huairu felt even more panicked. She took a small step forward, looked up at him with teary eyes, and spoke in a voice that carried a desperate allure.

"Director Li... as long as you're willing to help me... I... I'll do whatever you say from now on... I'll be there whenever you call... I guarantee you'll be satisfied..."

As she spoke, her hand trembled as she reached for the buttons on her cotton-padded coat.

Li Zhenhua grabbed her wrist; it was ice-cold to the touch.

A playful smile appeared on his lips.

"Sister Qin, what are you doing? Let's talk business, don't do this."

Qin Huairu's hand froze in mid-air, a hint of embarrassment flashing across her face.

Li Zhenhua's reaction surprised her. Did he lose interest in her?

Li Zhenhua released his grip and said calmly.

"It's not impossible for you to find a job. The factory does have some temporary positions, such as cleaners, temporary workers in the loading and unloading team, or people washing vegetables and dishes in the canteen."

Qin Huairu's eyes lit up, and she quickly said.

"I can do anything! I can wash vegetables and dishes!"

"but,"

Li Zhenhua then changed the subject.

"These jobs are not only tiring, but the pay is also low, only ten or twenty yuan a month, and it depends on whether there are any vacancies. Moreover, temporary workers are unstable; they can fire you whenever they want."

Qin Huairu's eyes dimmed instantly.

A few dozen or twenty yuan can supplement household income, but it's not much and the income is unstable.

Seeing her disappointed expression, Li Zhenhua changed the subject again.

"Of course, there are better positions. For example, the logistics department's warehouse needs a custodian to register incoming goods and distribute labor protection supplies. The work is relatively easy, it's indoors, and you're dealing with factory workers, so it's more respectable. Although it's a temporary job, if you do well, it's not impossible to become a collectively owned worker. The salary is at least a bit higher than washing vegetables or dishes."

Warehouse keeper?

Indoor work? Contact with employees? And there's still a chance of getting a permanent position?

Qin Huairu's heart instantly perked up again; this was simply the job she had always dreamed of!

Her voice trembled with excitement.

"Director Li! You...you're telling the truth? I...can I do this? Although I'm not very literate, I can still manage to keep accounts!"

Li Zhenhua smiled.

"It doesn't matter if you can read or not, you can learn. The key is to be careful, keep your hands and feet clean, and keep your mouth shut. There are quite a few people watching this job."

"I'll definitely do a good job! I promise I'll be careful, my hands and feet will be absolutely clean, and I'll keep my mouth shut!"

Qin Huairu couldn't wait to express her opinion, as if she had already secured the position.

"Um."

Li Zhenhua nodded noncommittally.

"This position is indeed vacant right now. The previous custodian is getting old and has to go back to his hometown to take care of his children. However..."

He drawled out his words, his gaze sweeping over Qin Huairu, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Qin Huairu immediately understood that there is no such thing as a free lunch.

She took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind, and took the initiative to lean forward, put her arms around Li Zhenhua's waist, and pressed her face against his strong chest, her voice soft and sweet.

"Zhenhua... I know the rules... Tonight... let me thank you properly..."

Li Zhenhua felt the softness and slight trembling of the woman's body in his arms, and the faint scent of soap mixed with a hint of milk lingered around his nose. A sense of satisfaction from being in control of everything welled up within him.

He lowered his head and looked at Qin Huairu's upturned face. Her eyes, which had once been filled with pleading and tears, now still carried a hint of timidity, but deep within them was a resigned determination and a desire to please.

Without another word, he lifted Qin Huairu up in his arms and carried her to the bed in the inner room.

(Detailed description omitted here)

The clouds dispersed and the rain stopped, leaving an ambiguous atmosphere in the dilapidated little house. As usual, Qin Huairu lazily curled up beside Li Zhenhua, her fingers unconsciously playing with the buttons on his pajamas.

After the physical exhaustion and brief sense of satisfaction, the anxiety of reality resurfaces.

"Zhenhua..."

She called softly, her voice hoarse with the aftermath.

"When will we hear anything about the job?"

Li Zhenhua closed his eyes, his large hand stroking her smooth back, and said casually.

"What's the rush? There are vacancies, but the paperwork still needs to be done. I'll talk to Old Wang, who's in charge of the warehouse, in a couple of days. You can go and learn from him and familiarize yourself with the process. Once the old warehouse keeper has officially completed the paperwork, you can take over."

Hearing this, Qin Huairu finally felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders.

She propped herself up, kissed Li Zhenhua on the cheek, and said sincerely.

"Thank you, Zhenhua... thank you so much... having a job makes me feel much more at ease."

Li Zhenhua opened his eyes, looked at the blush on her face caused by excitement, and warned her.

"Don't get too excited yet. The warehouse keeper job looks simple, but there's a lot to it. The inbound and outbound records need to be accurate, and the inventory needs to match. There are many people in the factory, and different departments come to collect things—some good-tempered, some bad-tempered. You need to be tactful and avoid offending anyone. Most importantly, you must be honest and upright! You can't touch a single penny that you shouldn't take! If I find out you're up to no good, forget about your job, you'll be in big trouble!"

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over her head, calming Qin Huairu's feverish mind. She quickly nodded and assured him.

"I understand! Zhenhua, don't worry, I would never dare to do anything reckless! I will definitely work honestly and not cause you any trouble!"

"Um."

Li Zhenhua closed his eyes again.

The two lay down for a while longer, and when they estimated that it was about time, Qin Huairu got up and dressed.

Just as she had come, she slipped silently out of Li Zhenhua's small house, disappearing into the darkness of the backyard, and returned to the cold Jia family home.

Above, the children were still fast asleep, completely unaware of their mother's nighttime adventure. Qin Huairu lay down, tightly hugging her son, feeling his warm body, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

A path to survival, filled with humiliation yet one that one had no choice but to take, quietly began in the darkness of night.

Meanwhile, in the magnificent Western-style building in the west of the city, the lights in Lou Bancheng's study were on late into the night.

Lou Bancheng leaned back on the large leather sofa, toying with a pair of smooth walnuts in his hands, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were thinking about something important.

Sitting opposite him was his trusted steward, Lao Zhou.

"Sir, we've found out."

Old Zhou reported in a low voice, his tone carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible tremor.

"That Deputy Director Li Zhenhua certainly has an impressive background. His father is Commander Li Yunlong!"

"Li Yunlong?"

Lou Bancheng paused for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Is it... Li Yunlong, the one who fights like a madman, nicknamed 'Living Yama'?"

"Exactly!"

Old Zhou nodded affirmatively.

"Although Li Yunlong is now mainly in the military region and doesn't directly participate in local affairs, he holds a high rank and his influence is not to be underestimated. Moreover, his personality... well, he's quite upright, and he has a wide network of connections in the military. This Li Zhenhua is his only son. I heard that he also served in the army before, and he was very skilled. Later, he transferred to a steel rolling mill, and because of his meritorious service, he was promoted very quickly."

Lou Bancheng took a deep drag on his cigar and slowly exhaled a smoke ring.

He originally thought that Li Zhenhua was an extraordinary young man, who was neither humble nor arrogant in front of his daughter, and was much better than that slick-haired Xu Damao. He thought he might be a promising talent.