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

Lin Taotao perked up and handed the peeled apple to her father.

He then proceeded to recount, with a touch of pride, how Li Zhenhua had promoted safety reforms at the factory and thwarted conspiracies, highlighting the parts he could talk about, especially Li Zhenhua's composure and resourcefulness during the lubricant incident.

Lin's father listened, nodding occasionally.

He didn't comment, but a barely perceptible hint of approval flashed in his eyes.

He put down the newspaper, looked into his daughter's bright eyes, and said softly.

"Young people, it's good to be down-to-earth. However, when making friends, you should get to know them better, especially their character."

Lin Taotao sensed the softening in her father's tone and was secretly delighted. She quickly replied.

"Dad, I know. I think Li Zhenhua is a very upright person, not the kind of person who is pretentious."

Lin's father didn't say anything more, got up and went back to his study.

But Lin Taotao knew that Li Zhenhua seemed to have passed the initial test with her father. She was filled with anticipation.

A few days later, Lin's mother found Lin Taotao with a smile and said...

"Tao Tao, your dad said he's invited Li Zhenhua over for a casual meal this weekend."

Lin Taotao was stunned at first, then her heart raced.

This was by no means an ordinary "casual meal".

This is a more formal "interview" that the father is going to conduct himself!

She was both nervous and excited. She immediately found Li Zhenhua, conveyed the invitation, and hinted at the importance of this family dinner.

Li Zhenhua received the invitation, fully aware of its implications.

He calmly agreed, showing no sign of nervousness or flattery. He simply asked Lin Taotao about her parents' preferences and taboos, appearing serious and considerate.

Li Zhenhua had no reservations about dating Lin Taotao.

It was still more than ten years before Lin's father had the accident.

Given Lin's current power and influence, it's safe to say that his future holds limitless possibilities.

Weekend evening.

Li Zhenhua arrived at the Lin family's small building on time.

Today he wore a brand-new dark gray Zhongshan suit, which was both dignified and energetic. His hair was neatly combed, and he was carrying two perfectly appropriate gifts.

A bottle of Moutai liquor that Lin's father would occasionally enjoy a couple of sips of, and a silk scarf for Lin's mother—the price was reasonable, neither stingy nor overtly ingratiating.

When Lin's mother opened the door and saw the handsome, upright, and courteous Li Zhenhua, she had a very good first impression and welcomed him in with a smile.

Lin's father was sitting on the living room sofa reading documents. When he saw Li Zhenhua, he put down the documents, stood up, and scrutinized him with sharp eyes. His face was expressionless, and he simply nodded slightly.

"You're here, have a seat."

"Hello, Uncle and Aunt. Sorry to bother you."

Li Zhenhua greeted her respectfully and handed the gift to Lin's mother.

"It's just a small token of my appreciation."

Lin's mother accepted the gift politely, repeatedly saying it was too much trouble.

Mr. Lin simply said, "It's good that you're here. Don't bring anything," and gestured for Li Zhenhua to sit down.

The atmosphere in the living room was slightly serious.

Lin Taotao sat nervously to the side, secretly observing her father and Li Zhenhua.

Li Zhenhua, however, appeared quite composed, with his back straight, his hands naturally placed on his knees, and his gaze calmly meeting Lin's father's scrutiny.

Instead of exchanging pleasantries, Mr. Lin got straight to the point. His questions seemed casual, but they were actually interconnected and went straight to the heart of the matter.

"Comrade Zhenhua, how's it going working in the logistics department of the steel rolling mill? The country is currently advocating for increased production and cost-saving measures, so the pressure on your logistical support must be considerable, right?"

Lin's father picked up his teacup and blew away the foam.

Li Zhenhua remained seated and answered in a calm tone.

"Uncle, the pressure is real, but it's also a driving force. Logistics work may seem trivial, but it directly affects production efficiency and worker enthusiasm. On the one hand, we are now focusing on material management to eliminate waste and loopholes, such as recently streamlining the warehouse and transportation processes; on the other hand, we are also trying some small improvements, such as improving the canteen's meals and optimizing the distribution of labor protection supplies, so that our workers can devote themselves to production and construction with more peace of mind. We believe that ensuring the rear is also a contribution to increasing production and saving resources."

His answer was clear and logical, explaining the current state of the work, highlighting his own actions and ideas, and connecting them with national policies, demonstrating a broad perspective.

Lin's father nodded and continued to ask.

"I heard you came up with a safety production plan, which the department leaders highly praised. However, there must be considerable resistance to implementing something new like this, right? It's hard to change the habits of older workers, and some cadres may also have concerns."

This is a deeper issue, involving the practical difficulties in reform.

Li Zhenhua handled the situation calmly.

"Resistance certainly exists. Any change will touch upon existing habits and interests. Our approach is to first gain the support of key leaders, then let the facts speak for themselves, conduct pilot programs on a small scale, and gradually expand the program after seeing results. For veteran workers, we respect their experience and invite them to participate in the improvement process, transforming 'we want you to be safe' into 'you want to be safe yourself.' For comrades with concerns, we strengthen communication and explain the pros and cons. In general, we proceed step by step, persuade with reason, and guide with benefits."

He once again demonstrated his pragmatic work methods and communication skills, emphasizing methods and patience instead of complaining about difficulties.

The atmosphere in the living room gradually shifted from a serious examination to a more in-depth exchange after Li Zhenhua calmly answered several questions.

"Zhenhua."

Lin's father spoke slowly.

"You've clearly put a lot of thought into your work at the steel rolling mill, especially in the logistics department. However, the world of this factory is both vast and small. Have you thought about your future path? Do you plan to stay and work your way up in the steel rolling mill, or do you have other plans?"

Li Zhenhua knew that Lin's father was asking him about his life plans and aspirations.

He hesitated for a moment, then answered sincerely.

"Uncle, to be honest, I personally have great confidence in the path of revitalizing the nation through industry. The steel rolling mill is a very good platform, allowing me to get in touch with the most practical production and management issues. However, I believe that individual strength is ultimately limited. If I could learn and participate in formulating policies that are more conducive to industrial development and coordinating resources at a more macro level, such as within a system like the Ministry of Industry, I might be able to play a greater role. Therefore, if given the opportunity, I hope to work towards industrial management and strive to contribute to the country's industrial development in the future."

He didn't engage in empty talk, but rather expressed pragmatic ideas based on realistic observations.

"Ministry of Industry..."

Mr. Lin tapped the sofa armrest lightly with his fingers. His face was expressionless, but a knowing glint flashed in his eyes.

"Yes, the thinking is clear. The industrial system does need young cadres who understand both the realities at the grassroots level and have management acumen."

He paused, as if mentioning it casually.

"Speaking of which, your father, Li Yunlong, served under me for a while back then. He had the same drive, quick thinking, and daring to fight. It's been so many years since then."

A sudden thought struck Li Zhenhua!

Lin's father's words, seemingly a recollection of the past, actually contain a wealth of information!

Li Zhenhua reacted quickly, immediately responding with just the right amount of respect and understanding in his tone.

"So it turns out my uncle and my father have this connection! My father often talks about his experiences in the army, saying it's the most valuable asset of his life. But he's straightforward and not good at socializing. My uncle's reminder is that as a younger generation, we should indeed think more about our elders. I'll tell my father when I get back to tell him to contact you, my uncle, a senior officer, whenever he has time, catch up, and listen to your guidance."

Upon hearing this, Lin's father finally revealed a barely perceptible smile, nodded slightly, and said no more.

Just then, Lin's mother came over with a smile to greet her.

"Alright, alright, you two stop talking. The food is ready, it'll get cold if you don't eat soon."

As Lin's mother had predicted, dinner was a simple, home-cooked meal.

Four dishes and a soup, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, with a light and delicious flavor. Although there are no delicacies, it feels exceptionally warm and comforting.

During the meal, Lin's mother warmly served food to Li Zhenhua and asked him about everyday matters, creating a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.

Although Lin's father didn't talk much, he would occasionally chime in, and the previous oppressive feeling was gone.

Li Zhenhua behaved appropriately and handled situations with ease, neither overly reserved nor lacking in propriety.

After the meal, Li Zhenhua sat for a short while longer before getting up to take his leave.

Lin Taotao saw him out.

Stepping outside, the night air was cool.

Lin Taotao looked at Li Zhenhua, her eyes shining, and asked in a low voice.

"How did it go? My dad didn't give you any trouble, did he?"

Li Zhenhua smiled, took her hand, and gently squeezed it.

"Your aunt and uncle are very kind. Tao Tao, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?"

Lin Taotao blushed.

"Thank you for your trust."

Li Zhenhua spoke sincerely.

The two exchanged a few more words, then Li Zhenhua told her to go back and turned to disappear into the night.

When Lin Taotao returned to the house, her mother was clearing away the dishes. When she saw her come in, she asked in a low voice.

"Old Lin, what do you think of this kid?"

Lin's father stood by the window, looking in the direction Li Zhenhua had left. He remained silent for a moment, then turned around, his face showing a rare, relaxed expression, and said five simple but firm words.

"A very good young man."

Li Zhenhua did not return to the courtyard house, but instead had his driver take him directly to his father Li Yunlong's home.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, I heard my mother, Xiuqin's voice, which was slightly complaining yet also a little relieved, coming from inside the house.

"Serves them right! Those kids from the Wang and Gao families are always lawless, and they've finally met their match! They dared to lay a hand on Zhenhua, don't they know their own limitations? Now they're all in jail! Let's see how arrogant their parents will be then!"

Li Zhenhua understood; it seemed the aftermath of the Moscow restaurant incident had already spread.

He pushed open the door and went in, only to see his father, Li Yunlong, sitting on the sofa, reading an internal reference document, his brows furrowed as usual, but his expression calm.

Meanwhile, her mother, Xiuqin, knitted a sweater and muttered to herself.

"Dad, Mom, I'm home."

Li Zhenhua greeted him.

"Hey, Zhenhua's back!"

Xiuqin immediately put down her sweater and came to greet her with concern.

"Have you got a meal yet?"

"I've already eaten at Lin Taotao's house, it was quite good."

Then, he walked to the sofa opposite his father, sat down, looked at Li Yunlong calmly, and got straight to the point.

"Dad, Mom, I have something to tell you. I'm dating Uncle Lin's daughter, Lin Taotao."

The room fell silent for a moment after he said that.

Xiuqin was taken aback at first, then her face lit up with great joy.

"Really? Oh my! This is fantastic news! I've met that girl; she's pretty, straightforward, and a police officer—what a wonderful young lady! Zhenhua, you've finally seen the light!"

She was overjoyed, as if she could already see her grandchildren.

Li Yunlong's reaction was much calmer. He stared at his son for a few seconds, his eyes sharp, as if trying to see through all the meaning behind his words.

Then, he spoke slowly, his voice low.

"Chief Lin's daughter? Are you sure? This isn't just a passing fancy?"

"Sure."

Li Zhenhua met his father's gaze without flinching.

"We've known each other for a while now, and we both feel we're a good match. Today I went to the Lin family home, and Uncle Lin and Aunt Lin approved of me very much."

Li Yunlong grunted in response, picked up the newspaper again, but his gaze didn't fall on it; instead, he seemed lost in thought.

After a while, he spoke again.

"Chief Lin is a man of strong principles and high standards. The fact that he approves of you means you're not bad, kid, and you haven't let me down."

These seemingly simple words actually contain the father's affirmation of his son's abilities.

Li Zhenhua pressed his advantage and continued.

"Dad, Uncle Lin mentioned today that you served under him in the army back then, praising you for your drive and quick thinking. He also said that you should contact him more often to catch up."

Li Yunlong paused in his flipping through the newspaper, looked up, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

Although he was a rough and uncultured man, he had been in officialdom for many years and immediately understood the deeper meaning in his son's words and Lin Jingyue's implication.

This has now come down to the choice of faction.

He, Li Yunlong, came from the Second Field Army.

However, the Second Field Army is not doing well now, and is even being suppressed to some extent.

He remained silent for a moment, his face expressionless, and finally said something indifferently.

"Alright, I got it. If you're dating, just be serious and don't do all that fluff. The Lin family has high standards, you should know that."

After saying that, he ignored him and continued reading his newspaper. But Li Zhenhua, who knew his father well, knew that his father had tacitly approved of the matter and would keep the "more contact" in mind.

Xiuqin didn't care about any of that and was still immersed in joy. She had already started rambling on about how to entertain her future daughter-in-law next time, and whether she should prepare some kind of gift...

Seeing his parents' different reactions, Li Zhenhua felt at ease.

The relationship with the Lin family has been initially established, and the matter has been formally addressed with my father.

The night was deep, the darkness as black as ink spilled over the sky above Beijing.

Deep within the military compound, in the study on the second floor of a detached building, heavy curtains were drawn tightly, blocking out all light and sound from the outside world.

Inside, only a dim yellow desk lamp was lit, its light confined to a small space by the heavy mahogany desk, casting flickering shadows on the faces of the people sitting around it, creating an atmosphere so oppressive it was almost suffocating.

Commander Wang Dashan stood with his back to the desk, facing the huge military map hanging on the wall, like a frozen statue.

He has broad shoulders, and even in casual clothes, you can feel the ruggedness of someone from a military background.

But at this moment, this ruggedness was shrouded in an indescribable gloom. He clutched a newly delivered official document bearing the bright red seal of the court tightly in his hand, his knuckles white from excessive force, and the veins on the back of his hand bulging like coiled dragons.

That document was a judgment from the Beijing Intermediate People's Court.

The cold, clear inscription reads: "Defendants Wang Haitao, Gao Peng, and others are guilty of affray, provoking trouble, and illegally carrying controlled weapons. They were also convicted of violently assaulting police officers who were lawfully performing their duties. Due to the egregious nature of the offenses, they are sentenced to five years imprisonment each and sent to a remote labor reform farm in Northwest China for labor reform."