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

Li Huaide frowned.

"Most of them? That means there are still some that don't meet the standards?"

"Yes."

Li Zhenhua took over the conversation and took out several photocopies of documents from his briefcase. These were the original warehouse receipts, and he deliberately placed the photocopy of the duplicate with Qin Huairu's notes on it on top.

"Director Li, please take a look. This is the warehouse receipt signed by Comrade Qin Huairu, the warehouse keeper at the time. Please pay attention to the remarks here."

Li Huaide looked down and his face changed instantly when he saw the small print that read, "Some oil drums have abnormal serial numbers and questionable appearance. They have been stacked separately and are pending further investigation!"

He never expected that the seemingly weak Qin Huairu would have such a trick up her sleeve!

Li Zhenhua didn't give Li Huaide time to react and continued speaking.

"According to Comrade Qin's records and our on-site verification, five of the fifty barrels of oil that were put into storage at that time were indeed abnormal. The serial numbers of these oil barrels did not match the delivery slips, and there were also slight differences in their appearance. Comrade Qin had already discovered the problems during the acceptance process and marked and recorded them, thus fulfilling her responsibilities as a warehouse keeper. At that time, due to the lack of testing methods, she could not determine the quality of the oil on the spot, but her caution and responsibility provided crucial clues for our subsequent investigation."

Li Huaide's forehead began to sweat as he argued.

"This...this only means she discovered something amiss, but where exactly is the problem? Was it the supplier using inferior materials, or was there a problem with the transportation process?"

He tried to muddy the waters.

"Good question."

Li Zhenhua sneered and took out another document.

"We traced the entire process of this batch of oil from its departure to its return. The departure records from the superior unit show that the quantity and quality of the oil were fully up to standard. Therefore, the problem can only lie in the transportation process."

He looked sharply at Li Huaide.

"Our investigation revealed that Cui Dake's team, responsible for this transport, deviated from the planned route without prior notice and lingered near a private waste oil recycling point for an extended period. We have reason to suspect that it was there that the five barrels of qualified specialty lubricating oil were switched with substandard oil!"

"This...this is impossible! Cui Dake, he..."

Li Huaide instinctively wanted to defend Cui Dake.

Just then, an officer from the security department stepped forward and said seriously.

"Director Li Huaide, we have just taken Cui Dake into custody. During the initial interrogation, he confessed to using his transportation connections to collude with outsiders to switch some supplies for profit. He stated..."

The clerk paused and glanced at Li Huaide.

He said he did this to create the illusion of mismanagement for certain leaders, but declined to provide further details.

These words were like a thunderclap in Li Huaide's head!

Although Cui Dake did not directly implicate him, the statement that he "created management chaos for certain leaders" undoubtedly pointed the finger at Li Huaide!

Even without concrete evidence, this suspicion is enough to make him lose face and be unable to hold his head up in front of Director Yang and other factory leaders!

Li Zhenhua summarized at the opportune moment.

"Factory Director, Director Li, the matter is now clear. This is a typical case of internal collusion with external parties, embezzlement, and an attempt to frame others. Warehouse keeper Qin Huairu demonstrated a high degree of responsibility and vigilance in this incident. It was her meticulousness and adherence to principles that prevented this batch of substandard oil from being used, protecting the factory's critical equipment and making a great contribution! As for Cui Dake from the Transportation Department, he betrayed the organization's trust and acted egregiously, and must be dealt with severely! At the same time, this also exposes loopholes in our Logistics Department's management of material transportation, which requires deep reflection and strengthened supervision."

Li Zhenhua's words were reasonable, well-founded, and included both rewards and punishments. They not only completely cleared Qin Huairu of suspicion regarding warehouse management, but also pointed the finger at the transportation link and the areas under Li Huaide's supervision. Finally, they escalated the issue to the management level, demonstrating a grand vision and complete lack of selfishness.

Li Huaide's face turned deathly pale, and he was speechless.

His carefully designed trap not only failed to harm Li Zhenhua in the slightest, but instead backfired and killed him!

Cui Dake was arrested, and the responsibility for the mismanagement of the transportation department fell on his shoulders, while Li Zhenhua and Qin Huairu, whom he promoted, became heroes!

He wished he could disappear into a crack in the ground.

After hearing the report, Director Yang's face turned ashen. He glared at Li Huaide and then spoke to Li Zhenhua.

"Comrade Zhenhua, you handled this very well! Swiftly, decisively, and fairly! This matter will be handled according to your advice. Cui Dake should be severely punished and handed over to the judicial authorities! The logistics department's transportation management must be rectified immediately! As for Comrade Qin Huairu, she should be commended and rewarded!"

"Yes, Factory Manager!"

Li Zhenhua stood at attention and answered.

After the turmoil, the logistics department carried out a round of minor personnel adjustments.

Cui Dake should be dismissed from the factory and dealt with according to the law.

The transportation department underwent a reorganization, and Li Huaide's cronies were transferred from several key positions.

Taking advantage of the situation, Li Zhenhua installed several relatively neutral or pro-his-own people, further consolidating his control over the logistics department, especially warehouse management.

Li Huaide suffered a huge loss in silence, his prestige plummeted, and he was no longer able to confront Li Zhenhua head-on in the short term.

A few days later, one evening, Li Zhenhua called Qin Huairu to his office.

The last rays of the setting sun shone through the window and fell upon the two of them.

"Sister Qin, you did a great job this time."

Li Zhenhua looked at the woman in front of him, who was haggard but had a firm look in her eyes, and spoke with a rare gentleness and approval in his tone.

"If it weren't for your meticulous attention to detail, discovering the problem and reporting it in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable. The factory will commend you for this, and you might even receive a bonus."

Qin Huairu felt a warmth in her heart and quickly waved her hand.

"Director Li, please don't say that. This is what I should do. If you hadn't taught me how to do it, I would have panicked long ago."

Li Zhenhua smiled, took a small envelope from the drawer, and pushed it in front of Qin Huairu.

"These are a few industrial vouchers and cloth coupons awarded by the factory. There aren't many, but you can take them and buy the children some new clothes or some food."

Qin Huairu looked at the envelope, her nose tingled, and tears almost fell.

These tickets were a godsend for her.

"Director Li, this...this is too valuable, I..."

"Take it, you deserve it."

Li Zhenhua's tone left no room for refusal.

"Work hard in the warehouse from now on. If you encounter any difficulties, come to me anytime. Remember, as long as you serve loyally, I will not treat you unfairly."

"Thank you! Thank you, Director Li!"

Qin Huairu took the envelope and clutched it tightly in her hand, as if she were grasping at the hope for the future.

She knew that this incident had brought her and Li Zhenhua closer, beyond just a cold transaction; it had added a layer of trust and reliance.

Although the road ahead remains difficult, at least she has temporarily found a faint but solid support in this huge factory and complex courtyard.

Several days after the lubricating oil controversy at the steel rolling mill subsided, on a Friday afternoon, Li Zhenhua was reviewing newly drafted warehouse management rules in his office when the internal phone on his desk rang.

"Hello, this is Li Zhenhua from the Logistics Department."

"Zhenhua, it's me, Yang Jianguo."

The sound of Director Yang's gentle yet authoritative voice came through the receiver.

"Factory manager, what are your instructions?"

Li Zhenhua said casually.

"It's not really an instruction. It's like this: Director Lou, you should have seen Mr. Lou Zhenhua at the factory gate last time. He called me today specifically to express his high praise for the safety production plan you proposed at the last factory meeting, as well as your ability to quickly and properly handle the lubricating oil incident recently."

Factory Director Yang's tone carried a hint of barely perceptible satisfaction; his subordinates' competence brought him pride.

"Factory manager, you flatter me. It's all part of my job, and I can't do without your guidance and support."

Li Zhenhua answered modestly, but in his mind he was quickly calculating Lou Bancheng's intentions.

"Hehe, young man, not arrogant or impatient, very good."

Factory Director Yang smiled and continued.

"Director Lou is a man who values ​​talent and is very concerned about the development of our factory. Through me, he would like to formally invite you to his home for a casual dinner tomorrow evening. Firstly, to thank you for your 'generous help' to Comrade Xiao'e at the Moscow Restaurant last time—that's his exact words—and secondly, to exchange ideas on factory management with you, a young and promising deputy director. Is that convenient for you?"

Li Zhenhua understood instantly.

Lou Bancheng used Director Yang's words to formalize and semi-publicize a private meeting, which not only raised the level of the banquet but also avoided the abruptness and sensitivity that a direct invitation might have brought.

At the same time, by mentioning "helping out of a sense of justice," he not only expressed his gratitude but also downplayed the previous conflict by characterizing it as "helping Lou Xiao'e," thus downplaying other factors that might have been involved (such as the presence of Lin Taotao), which was quite shrewd.

"Factory Director, Director Lou is too kind. It was just a coincidence; any comrade with a sense of justice would have stepped in. Exchanging management experience is even more unacceptable; I should learn more from a senior like Director Lou."

Li Zhenhua used cautious language.

"Oh, no need to be so modest. Director Lou genuinely wants to have a chat with you. He's very interested in some of your new management ideas. Why don't you go on behalf of our factory? It's a way of responding to the shareholders' support."

Director Yang set the tone.

"Yes, Factory Manager, I understand. Thank you for your trust, Factory Manager and Director Lou. I will definitely keep the appointment on time."

Li Zhenhua knew that this was no longer just a personal invitation, but also had a work-related aspect to it.

"Okay, tomorrow at six o'clock, I'll have my driver, Xiao Zhang, take you to the Lou Mansion address. Relax, just have a normal conversation."

Factory Director Yang gave a few more instructions and then hung up the phone.

Li Zhenhua put down the phone and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

Lou Bancheng's actions were faster and more formal than he had anticipated.

It seems that this former "Lou Bancheng" is quite anxious in the new era, eager to find and invest in future "potential stocks".

As for herself, because of her family background, abilities, and performance in recent events, she had undoubtedly come into his sights, especially since she might also have Lou Xiao'e's personal favor.

This is both an opportunity and a test.

The opportunity lies in the fact that if one can maintain a good relationship with the Lou family, one may gain convenience or even assistance in certain aspects.

The challenge lies in the fact that the Lou family has a sensitive background, and getting too close could backfire; one must be careful to maintain a proper balance.

The following evening, Li Zhenhua changed into a well-fitting dark gray Zhongshan suit, neither impolite nor overly ostentatious, and rode in Director Yang's car to Lou's mansion, located in a quiet area in the west of the city.

This is a two-story building that blends Chinese and Western styles, with an independent courtyard, high walls, and shady trees. Even in Beijing in the late 1950s, its former grandeur was still evident.

The driver rang the doorbell, and a neatly dressed, respectful middle-aged servant opened the door and led Li Zhenhua inside.

The living room is spacious and bright, with elegant decorations, featuring both Ming and Qing style hardwood furniture and Western-style sofas and chandeliers. Some calligraphy and paintings hang on the walls, showing the owner's refined taste.

Lou Bancheng was already standing in the center of the living room, waiting. Today he was wearing a dark red Chinese-style silk jacket, which made him look energetic.

"Comrade Zhenhua, welcome, welcome! Your presence is an honor to my humble abode!"

Lou Bancheng greeted him warmly and extended his hand.

"Director Lou, you're too kind. It's my honor to be invited."

Li Zhenhua shook hands with him, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.

"Hey, calling me Director sounds too formal. I'm a few years older than you, so if you don't mind, just call me Uncle Lou."

Lou Bancheng smiled broadly and took Li Zhenhua's hand as they sat down on the sofa.

"Well... Uncle Lou, then I'll gladly accept your offer."

Li Zhenhua readily accepted good advice.

At this moment, Lou Xiao'e gracefully descended the stairs. She had clearly dressed up carefully, wearing an exquisitely tailored lotus-root-colored cheongsam that accentuated her slender figure. Her hair was styled up, revealing her smooth neck, and she wore light makeup, making her even more radiant and beautiful than usual.

"Comrade Zhenhua, you've arrived."

Lou Xiao'e's voice was clear and melodious, tinged with joy. Her gaze fell on Li Zhenhua, her admiration undisguised.

"Hello, Comrade Xiao'e."

Li Zhenhua stood up and nodded politely in greeting.

"Xiao'e, go and urge your mother to check how the meal preparation is going."

Lou Bancheng gave the instructions, his tone revealing his affection for his daughter.

Lou Xiao'e responded, smiled sweetly at Li Zhenhua, and then turned and walked towards the restaurant.

A short while later, Lou's mother also came out.

She was a middle-aged woman with an elegant demeanor, wearing a dark cheongsam and a pearl necklace. Her smile was gentle, but her eyes held a scrutinizing quality.

"Comrade Zhenhua, this is my wife."

Lou Bancheng explained.

"Hello, Auntie, sorry to bother you."

Li Zhenhua stood up again to greet him.

"Deputy Director Li, you're too kind. Please have a seat. Xiao'e has been praising you a lot since she came back, saying you're courageous, insightful, and promising at such a young age. I'm so glad to finally meet you today; you truly are a man of exceptional talent."

Lou's mother responded with a smile, her words thoughtful, expressing both goodwill and pointing out her daughter's attitude.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the maid came over to inform us that dinner was ready.

The four moved to the restaurant. The restaurant was even more impressive, with a long Western-style dining table covered with a clean white tablecloth and set with exquisite silver cutlery and crystal glasses, clearly indicating a very formal Western meal.

During the meal, Lou Bancheng did not rush to get to the main topic, but instead chatted about Beijing's local customs and anecdotes from the old capital, displaying his profound knowledge and witty conversation.