Courtyard House: The Long-Lost Eldest Son Returns with Military Merit

Have you considered taking this opportunity to make some moves? Such an opportunity is truly rare; if you miss it, it will likely be extremely difficult to secure a permanent position in the future.

Li Huaide was also aware of what Director Zhang had said.

However, his father-in-law had already made it clear that even if Yang Weimin really fell from power, he, with his relatively short experience, would have no chance of taking over the main leadership position at the steel rolling mill.

Thinking of this, Li Huaide said to Director Zhang with a hint of regret, "Xiao Zhang! What is meant to be yours will eventually be yours, and what is not meant to be yours, no matter how hard you try, will ultimately be in vain."

"Director Li! Xiao Lin said you were looking for me?"

As soon as Li Huaide finished speaking, a slightly overweight comrade hurriedly walked into the office and asked in a respectful tone.

Upon seeing the canteen director arrive, Li Huaide turned to Director Zhang and instructed him: "Xiao Zhang! Yang Weimin's problem will surely attract the attention of the ministry. The investigation team sent this time will probably not handle it simply."

To avoid them finding fault with you, you must meticulously carry out the tasks I just assigned.

Upon hearing this, Director Zhang immediately nodded and replied, "Factory Director! I understand. I'll go to the sanitation department right away to arrange cleaning work throughout the factory."

Li Huaide expressed satisfaction with Director Zhang's response, and then explained the situation to the canteen manager: "Xiao Ma! Due to the impact of the Yang Weimin incident, the ministry will send an investigation team to our factory today."

Once you get back, immediately organize the cafeteria staff to thoroughly clean the area, especially every corner and hidden area. Make sure to clean everything completely, leaving no blind spots.

Director Ma nodded quickly after hearing the instructions, then, remembering the arrangements for the reception, respectfully asked, "Factory Manager! Will the investigation team stay at the factory for a meal? If lunch needs to be arranged, what standard should it be prepared according to?"

Li Huaide thought for a moment, then instructed, "Xiao Ma! Have the canteen prepare for the reception. We'll decide on the specific standards when the investigation team arrives."

Director Ma immediately agreed, saying earnestly, "Factory Director! Don't worry, I'll go back and make the arrangements right away. There will be absolutely no mistakes in this matter."

"Ring ring! Ring ring! Ring ring!"

Around 8:40 a.m., the phone rang in Li Huaide's office.

He answered the phone and politely inquired, "Hello! This is Li Huaide. May I ask who this is?"

"Huai De! It's your father! This morning, the ministry held an emergency meeting regarding Yang Weimin's case. General Kou was very angry at the meeting and demanded that relevant departments immediately form a joint investigation team to enter Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill and conduct a thorough investigation into the Yang Weimin incident."

A serious voice came from the other end of the phone.

After hearing this, Li Huaide asked with a question in his mind, "Dad! Will the investigation team only investigate Yang Weimin, or will they investigate the entire management of our factory?"

Vice President Jiang naturally understood Li Huaide's implied meaning and replied solemnly, "The problems in your factory have put the department in a very passive position."

Based on my understanding of General Manager Kou, there's a high probability of significant changes in your factory's management this time. You should prepare yourself mentally in advance.

Hearing this, Li Huaide felt a pang of anxiety and asked uneasily, "Dad! According to you, is it possible that I might also be transferred away from the steel rolling mill?"

After a moment's thought, Vice President Jiang explained to Li Huaide based on the meeting's content: "Huaide! Considering that you were recently promoted to deputy factory director, the department will not transfer you to a different position for the time being, but a demerit is inevitable."

In addition, the other leaders of the steel rolling mill will be transferred out of Beijing to work in the Northwest, while Zhang Handong will be demoted and forced into early retirement.

Upon learning of the management's decision, Li Huaide immediately understood that it must have been his father-in-law who intervened on his behalf, which is why he only received a demerit.

He quickly said gratefully, "Dad! Thank you for pleading for me, otherwise I'm afraid I would have been transferred as well."

Vice President Jiang softened his tone and said to Li Huaide, "Huaide! You were only promoted to deputy factory director last year, and you cooperated with Jia Dongming in handling the previous enemy agent case. Therefore, the ministry has decided to give you a disciplinary action that will not be recorded in your personnel file."

Thinking of his father-in-law's rival, Li Huaide asked, "Dad! Yang Weimin and Zhou Xu were promoted by Vice President You. How will the higher-ups deal with them?"

When Vice President Jiang mentioned this old rival, his tone was somewhat wistful: "Huai De! Lao You was indeed implicated by Yang Weimin this time."

Regarding Yang Weimin's case, General Kou has clearly instructed that it be thoroughly investigated, and that no one involved should be tolerated.

Upon hearing this, Li Huaide couldn't help but show a delighted expression, and congratulated Vice President Jiang, saying, "Dad! Then I congratulate you, you've finally eliminated one competitor."

While Li Huaide was on the phone with Vice President Jiang, two jeeps drove into the steel rolling mill one after another after passing through security checks.

"Section Chief, the Ministry of Industry's investigation team has arrived and requested that we hand over Yang Weimin."

At around 10 a.m., Guo Jianguo arrived at Jia Dongming's office, knocked on the door, and reported his purpose.

Upon hearing the news, Jia Dongming recalled Ma Weidong's instructions from the previous night and replied with a smile, "Jianguo, Deputy Director Ma of the General Administration gave us instructions yesterday to hand Yang Weimin over to the investigation team."

Now that they have arrived, you may proceed with the handover.

Guo Jianguo accepted the order and replied solemnly, "Section Chief, I will go and hand over the reins to the investigation team right away."

"Ring ring! Ring ring! Ring ring!"

Around 4 p.m., Jia Dongming was reading a newspaper in his office when the phone on his desk suddenly rang.

Jia Dongming put down his newspaper, picked up the phone, and greeted, "Hello, this is Jia Dongming. May I ask who you are?"

"Section Chief Jia, this is Li Huaide! I really have to thank you this time for letting me escape this disaster by chance, otherwise I would probably have been transferred to the far northwest to starve."

Li Huaide's cheerful voice came through the receiver.

Puzzled, Jia Dongming asked, "Director Li, what do you mean by that? What do you mean by being transferred to the far northwest to suffer in the wind? What exactly happened?"

Upon hearing the question, Li Huaide, recalling the information the head of the investigation team had just given him, readily explained, "Section Chief Jia, the investigation team just spoke with me."

Because I cooperated with your operation during the arrest of enemy agents, the department has decided to issue me a warning, which will not be recorded in my personnel file.

"The other four deputy factory directors were all demoted and transferred to the Northwest to support construction, while Secretary Zhang was demoted and retired early."

The entire management of the steel rolling mill, except for me, was severely implicated by Yang Weimin.

Jia Dongming did not expect the Ministry of Industry to punish the management of the steel rolling mill so severely.

As for Li Huaide's gratitude, he had doubts, after all, Li Huaide's father-in-law was the vice president of the Ministry of Industry.

But polite words still had to be exchanged, so Jia Dongming smiled and congratulated him, saying, "Director Li, as the old saying goes, those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortune. I wish you a bright future and continuous promotions."

Upon hearing this, Li Huaide smiled broadly. Remembering the reason for the call, he quickly invited, "Section Chief Jia, the investigation team has completed its mission after a day of visits and investigations and is about to leave."

To express our gratitude, I hosted a dinner for the investigation team on behalf of the factory leadership that evening.

But right now I'm the only one left in the entire factory, so I'd like to ask you to keep me company."

Jia Dongming readily agreed, "Alright, since Director Li thinks so highly of me, I'll accompany you to entertain the leaders of the investigation team tonight."

Li Huaide invited Jia Dongming to accompany him, not only because he had no other choice, but also because he valued Jia's drinking capacity.

Seeing that Jia Dongming agreed, he said with delight, "Okay, Section Chief Jia, then let's meet in the private room of the small canteen at five o'clock sharp."

Jia Dongming replied generously, "Don't worry, Director Li, I'll make sure you entertain the investigation team leaders tonight, so they can eat and drink to their heart's content."

Around 4 p.m., Jia Dongming rode his bicycle to the logistics warehouse office.

As he arrived at the office door, a middle-aged woman greeted him warmly, "Section Chief Jia, you're here to see Huai Ru again?"

Jia Dongming recognized the other person and replied with a smile, "Sister Wang, the factory is hosting a dinner party tonight. I came to tell Huai Ru that she doesn't need to prepare dinner for me."

Sister Wang informed, "Section Chief Jia, Huai Ru went to the warehouse to do inventory; she probably won't be back until after get off work."

Jia Dongming then instructed, "Sister Wang, please tell Huairu when she returns."

Sister Wang readily assured, "Don't worry, Section Chief Jia, I'll definitely tell Huai Ru when she gets back."

Jia Dongming thanked her and took out his bicycle keys, handing them to her: "Sister Wang, thank you."

Here are the car keys. Please give them to Huairu and ask her to ride them home for me.

Around 8 p.m., a jeep stopped at the entrance of Luogu Lane.

Seeing Jia Dongming get out of the car, Li Huaide, who was sitting in the passenger seat, opened the door and asked, "Section Chief Jia, are you alright? Should I have Xiao Lin take you home?"

Because there were two female colleagues in the investigation team, they didn't drink much during the meal. Jia Dongming didn't refuse, and he was already five or six points drunk when the meal ended.

Li Huaide offered to arrange for someone to take Jia Dongming home, but Jia Dongming smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Director Li, you know my alcohol tolerance, there's no need to trouble someone to take me home."

It's getting late, you should all get some rest.

Upon hearing this, Li Huaide remembered that Jia Dongming could indeed hold his liquor, so he smiled and replied, "Alright, Section Chief Jia, then take care on your journey. Goodbye."

Jia Dongming walked unsteadily to the courtyard gate and found that the gate was not closed as usual tonight.

Slightly drunk, he didn't think much of it and staggered into the courtyard.

As soon as he entered the front yard, Qin Huairu, who had been waiting there, rushed over, took his arm, and asked with concern, "Uncle, why did you drink so much?"

Jia Dongming waved his hand and replied vaguely, "Not much, about six taels."

Qin Huairu turned around and closed the courtyard gate first, then came back to help Jia Dongming, put one of his arms on her shoulder, and helped him walk towards the inner courtyard.

Jia Dongming staggered, saying, "Huai Ru, I'm fine, I can walk by myself."

Qin Huairu didn't let go, and helped him all the way back to his room and settled him on the bed.

She knelt down to take off his shoes, turned around and went out, quickly bringing back a basin of hot water from the kitchen.

Back at the bedside, Qin Huairu deftly helped Jia Dongming take off his outer clothes, wiped his body with a hot towel, and then covered him with a blanket.

She stood by the bed, looking at Jia Dongming who was already asleep. Remembering what her mother had said, she reached out and gently touched his cheek, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

After a while, she withdrew her hand, picked up the basin of water, and quickly walked outside.

As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Jia Zhangshi standing in the courtyard with a sullen face.

Qin Huairu was startled and exclaimed in surprise. She dropped the basin in her hand, and the hot water splashed onto her trouser legs.

Madam Jia looked at her coldly and said in a stiff tone, "Huai Ru, I've been a widow myself, and I know how hard it is to live like this."

"If you want to follow Dongming, I won't stop you, but you can only be his subordinate."

A look of panic flashed across Qin Huairu's face, and she hurriedly denied it: "Mom, I was just wiping Uncle's body, it's not what you think."

Madam Jia's eyes flashed with a sharp light as she warned, "Do you really think I can't see it? Ever since Dongming's blind date was arranged, you've been acting strangely."

"Let me tell you, Dongming is now a cadre, the most promising person in the Jia family."

You're from the countryside, and you're Dongxu's wife; you're not good enough for him at all.

Give up those inappropriate thoughts as soon as possible.

Qin Huairu, realizing her secret had been exposed, and seeing Jia Zhangshi's stern gaze, nervously explained, "Mom, I'm just grateful to my uncle for helping the three of us. I really didn't have any other thoughts."

Madam Jia Zhang didn't believe it at all, and said coldly, "You know whether it's true or not."

Dongming is the most successful member of the Jia family in several generations, and we must not let him get into any trouble.

If you're willing to be a concubine, I won't object; but if you have other ideas, don't blame me for being impolite.

Qin Huairu did indeed develop feelings for Jia Dongming under her mother's encouragement. However, when Jia Zhangshi pointed it out, she realized that if she were to follow Jia Dongming, it would definitely affect his future.

She was a smart woman. Considering the changes in the Jia family over the past week, she quickly made a decision and immediately assured them, "Mom, don't worry, I will never have any improper thoughts about Uncle."

If you disobey, may you be struck by lightning.