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

But to everyone's surprise, his background was so solid!

Li Yunlong's son!

This is no ordinary child of a cadre!

In this rapidly changing world, these former capitalists, though seemingly glamorous, are actually walking on thin ice.

Policy can change in an instant; today you can still drive in and out of the factory area, but tomorrow you might be knocked down.

Lou Bancheng appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was filled with anxiety as he constantly searched for a stable backer for his family.

Arranged marriage is undoubtedly a shortcut.

The candidates he had previously selected were either spoiled brats with privileged backgrounds or young cadres who seemed to have bright futures but lacked a solid foundation. In the face of real storms, they would probably be unreliable.

But Li Yunlong's son is different!

The military system is relatively independent and holds a detached position.

If the Lou family could form a marriage alliance with the Li family, it would be like having the strongest safety net in place!

Even if the situation changes in the future, out of respect for his "living Yama" in-laws, who would dare to easily touch Lou Bancheng?

More importantly, based on my observations at the factory today, my daughter Xiao'e seems to have a rather good impression of Li Zhenhua.

This is a golden opportunity!

"master,"

Old Zhou carefully observed Lou Bancheng's expression and tentatively asked.

"Do you think... we should arrange for Miss to have more contact with Deputy Director Li?"

Lou Bancheng did not answer immediately. He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the deep night.

After a long while, he turned around, a resolute look on his face.

"Contact is natural. However, it shouldn't be too deliberate."

Lou Bancheng said in a deep voice.

"A young man like Li Zhenhua is capable, arrogant, and comes from such a family background. Ordinary flattery methods would probably offend him. Xiao'e is also proud; pushing her too hard would be counterproductive."

He walked back to his desk and tapped on the surface.

"Here's what you'll do: tomorrow, prepare a few decent gifts. They don't need to be too expensive, but they should be elegant. Take them to his office under the guise of thanking him for 'taking care' of Xiao'e at the factory today. Be respectful, but not too obsequious. Also, observe his reaction."

"Yes, sir."

Old Zhou bowed in response.

"in addition,"

Lou Bancheng pondered for a moment.

"I'll find an opportunity to talk to Xiao'e. This child should start thinking about her future marriage."

The next morning, the sun shone brightly.

After getting up, Lou Xiao'e seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood, humming a popular song as she carefully selected the clothes she would wear when going out.

She chose a pale yellow wool sweater paired with a dark blue woolen long skirt, which made her look both lively and dignified.

While eating breakfast, Lou Bancheng looked at his daughter's radiant appearance and understood what was going on.

He put down his chopsticks and asked casually.

"Xiao'e, how was your trip to the steel mill yesterday?"

Lou Xiao'e was sipping her milk when she heard this. She looked up, her face flushed, and her eyes flickered.

"It's...it's alright. The factory is quite big, and the machines are noisy."

"Oh?"

Lou Bancheng smiled.

"You seemed to get along quite well with that Deputy Director Li later on?"

Lou Xiao'e's face turned even redder, and she gave her father a reproachful look.

"Dad! What are you saying! We just chatted for a bit. He... he's quite an interesting person, not like the kind of cadre I imagined."

"How are they different?"

Lou Bancheng asked with great interest.

"Um……"

Lou Xiao'e tilted her head and thought for a moment.

"Unlike some people, who either speak with a stern face and in official jargon or fawn over us, he speaks very frankly and is very knowledgeable. He seems very composed and has a strong sense of self-respect."

She paused, then lowered her voice.

"Besides, he doesn't seem to care much about our family's... background."

The last sentence struck a chord with Lou Bancheng.

He became increasingly convinced that his judgment was correct.

Li Zhenhua's attitude precisely demonstrates his confidence and independence, which makes him exactly the ideal son-in-law candidate for Lou Bancheng!

"Hmm, from what you're saying, this young man is indeed quite good."

Lou Bancheng nodded, his tone becoming serious.

"Xiao'e, you're all grown up now. There are some things Dad wants to talk to you about."

Lou Xiao'e put down her cup, looked at her father, and seemed to have a premonition of something.

"You know our family's situation."

Lou Bancheng sighed, a hint of worry showing on his face.

"It looks glamorous, but in the end, it's just a floating duckweed, without roots. With the current situation, your father is also uneasy. I've always wanted to find you a reliable home, not to curry favor with anyone, but because I hope that no matter what happens in the future, someone can protect you and keep you safe and sound."

Lou Xiao'e remained silent and did not speak.

Lou Bancheng continued.

"The people I introduced to you before were either people you didn't like, or people your father thought were mediocre. But this Li Zhenhua... after observing him, I think he's someone I can entrust with my life. He's capable, responsible, and comes from a good family. Most importantly,"

He looked at his daughter, his gaze filled with love and encouragement.

"You seem to have a good impression of him too?"

Lou Xiao'e's face turned as red as a ripe apple. She lowered her head, fiddling with the hem of her skirt, her voice barely audible.

"Dad...don't make wild guesses...we've only met twice..."

"Hehe, having a good impression isn't a bad thing."

Lou Bancheng laughed.

"Between men and women, it's all about fate. If you feel it's a good match, why be restrained? Nowadays, free love is encouraged, and there's nothing wrong with girls taking the initiative. Happiness is something you have to fight for."

"initiative?"

Lou Xiao'e raised her head, a hint of surprise and shyness flashing in her eyes.

"Dad, you mean...you want me...I should go find him?"

"Why not?"

Lou Bancheng encouraged him.

"You're young, you have common topics. You can find an excuse, like... being interested in the union activities or logistical support at the steel rolling mill, and ask him some questions. Get to know him better. Dad doesn't want you to do anything specific, he just thinks this is an opportunity, and it would be a shame to miss it."

Lou Bancheng's words were like a seed that landed on Lou Xiao'e's already somewhat rippled heart.

She received a Western education from a young age, which made her more daring and rebellious than girls her age.

Her father's open-mindedness and support dispelled her last concerns.

Yes, Li Zhenhua is indeed very special. Being with him is different from any other man I've ever met before.

Since you have feelings for each other, why not take the initiative?

A mixture of shyness, excitement, and anticipation welled up inside her.

"I...I understand, Dad."

Lou Xiao'e responded softly, but couldn't help but smile slightly.

After breakfast, Lou Bancheng went out.

Lou Xiao'e returned to her room, sat in front of her dressing table, and looked at her reflection in the mirror, her face as beautiful as a peach blossom. Her heart was pounding.

She took out her rouge and face powder and carefully dressed herself up, putting in more effort than usual.

After getting dressed, she looked at her bright eyes and white teeth, radiant and beautiful self in the mirror, took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind.

She made an excuse to her mother that she was going to the bookstore to buy some books, and then asked the driver to prepare the car.

The car didn't head towards the bookstore, but instead drove straight to the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

Upon arriving at the factory gate, Lou Xiao'e asked the driver to wait by the roadside and got out of the car.

She didn't ask her father to inform her beforehand; she wanted to give Li Zhenhua a "surprise," or rather, she wanted to see how Li Zhenhua would treat her in a "chance encounter."

She walked to the guardhouse, gave a polite smile, and said to the guard on duty.

"Hello, sir. I'm looking for Li Zhenhua, the deputy director of the logistics department. Could you tell me how to get to his office?"

The gatekeeper, seeing that she was a young lady with an extraordinary demeanor and fashionable clothes, did not dare to neglect her and carefully inquired about her name and purpose of visit.

Lou Xiao'e only said it was a private matter.

After registering me, the security guard pointed me in the direction of the logistics department office building.

Lou Xiao'e thanked them and walked briskly into the factory area.

Following the security guard's directions, she quickly found the logistics department's office building. It was a slightly old two-story building.

She straightened her clothes and hair, took a deep breath, and went inside.

The hallway was dimly lit and filled with the smell of paper and ink. She found the office with the "Deputy Director" sign; the door was ajar. She hesitated for a moment, then gently knocked.

"Please come in."

Li Zhenhua's familiar and steady voice came from inside.

Lou Xiao'e pushed open the door and saw Li Zhenhua sitting behind his desk, looking down at a document. Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting soft shadows on his angular profile.

He wore a white polyester shirt today, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his strong forearms, making him look capable and focused.

Hearing the door open, Li Zhenhua looked up. When he saw Lou Xiao'e standing in the doorway, smiling broadly, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Comrade Lou Xiao'e?"

Li Zhenhua put down the documents, stood up, and showed a perfectly measured mix of doubt and politeness on his face.

"What brings you here? Please come in."

Lou Xiao'e walked into the office and looked around at the simple, even somewhat shabby, office, which seemed a little out of place for Li Zhenhua's status, but it was tidy and organized.

"Director Li, did I disturb your work?"

Lou Xiao'e said with a smile, her voice clear and melodious.

"I just happened to be passing by and remembered you mentioned yesterday that you're in charge of logistics. I suddenly became quite interested in that area, so I thought I'd take the liberty of coming over to ask you a few questions. I wonder if it's a convenient time for you?"

She found what she thought was a decent excuse, her face showing a hint of playfulness and anticipation.

Li Zhenhua was an extremely intelligent man; how could he not see through Lou Xiao'e's little scheme?

The excuses like "just passing by" and "interested" are clearly just that—excuses.

It seems this capitalist's daughter has taken an interest in me.

He quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

The Lou family's background is sensitive, but their wealth and connections are real.

Lou Xiao'e herself is beautiful and well-mannered, and doesn't seem as shrewd and calculating as her father.

It doesn't seem like there's any harm in getting in touch; it might even bring some convenience in certain aspects.

Of course, one must be careful not to get too deeply involved.

Thinking of this, Li Zhenhua's smile became more sincere, and he pointed to the chair next to him.

"Comrade Lou, you're too kind. I don't deserve your guidance. Please sit down and let's talk. What would you like to know?"

Seeing that Li Zhenhua was friendly and did not intend to keep her at arm's length, Lou Xiao'e was secretly pleased and sat down.

The two then began to talk about what seemed like a serious conversation, using "logistical support" as a pretext.

Lou Xiao'e actually knew nothing about this, and her questions were all over the place, but Li Zhenhua patiently answered them, occasionally digressing to tell interesting stories from the factory, which made Lou Xiao'e laugh out loud.

Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the two of them in its warmth, and the atmosphere in the office unconsciously became harmonious and subtle.

Lou Xiao'e's eyes grew brighter as she watched Li Zhenhua speak eloquently.

Li Zhenhua also saw a charm in this young lady who took the initiative to come to his door that was completely different from that of Qin Huairu, Lin Taotao and others.

Lou Xiao'e's sudden visit did not cause much of a stir in Li Zhenhua's mind.

For him, this was more like an inevitable plot development.

He handled the situation calmly, engaging in a seemingly casual conversation with the capitalist's daughter in the office about "logistics," but in reality, it was more like a mutual probing.

Li Zhenhua was well aware of Lou Xiao'e's deliberate approach and the purpose behind it, but he did not reject it.

In this era, the wealth and potential connections represented by the Lou family, as well as the novelty and refined taste displayed by Lou Xiao'e herself, all warranted his time to cultivate a relationship with them.

During the conversation, Lou Xiao'e mentioned it seemingly unintentionally.

"Comrade Zhenhua, I heard you're quite knowledgeable about food? I know a good Russian restaurant called 'Moscow Restaurant,' the food is very authentic. I wonder if you'd be interested in going there after get off work? It would also be a way to thank you for patiently answering so many of my questions today."

"Old Mo?"

Li Zhenhua raised an eyebrow slightly.

He knew this place naturally. It was a top-notch Western restaurant built in the 1950s, known as the "crown of Western food in Beijing". It was a place that only high-ranking officials, overseas Chinese and wealthy people like the Lou family could frequent. It was expensive and had a special atmosphere.

Lou Xiao'e's choice of this location not only reflects her social standing but also subtly implies a desire to show off and connect with others.

He hesitated for a moment, then readily agreed.

"Great! I've heard that Lao Mo's borscht and braised beef in a pot are amazing, but I've never had a chance to try them. Today, thanks to Comrade Lou, I can finally go and see for myself."

Seeing that Li Zhenhua agreed so readily, Lou Xiao'e was secretly delighted, and her smile widened.

"It's a deal then! I'll wait for you at the factory gate after get off work?"

"No need to bother, just tell me the address, I'll be there on time."

Li Zhenhua didn't want the steel mill's gatekeeper and the workers going to and from get off work to see Lou Bancheng's rich daughter picking him up in her car; that would be too conspicuous.

After agreeing on the time and place, Lou Xiao'e left satisfied.

Li Zhenhua continued to handle his work. He was calm about the dinner party that evening, treating it as a window into another aspect of this era and a casual move to maintain his relationship with the Lou family.

After get off work, Li Zhenhua changed out of his work clothes and put on a well-fitting dark Zhongshan suit. Although not flashy, his upright posture and calm demeanor still made him stand out in the crowd.

He walked leisurely to the Moscow restaurant, following the address.