Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

Just as her hand grasped the cold doorknob, about to open it a crack, a very soft, almost unconscious sigh seemed to come from behind her, accompanied by a few blurry yet unusually clear words:

"...What a pity."

These three words, like three cold needles, precisely pierced Ding Qiunan's nerves, which were already stretched to their limit.

"What a pity?"

What do you mean? Is it a pity that my family background ruined my future? Or is it a pity about me as a person...?

Ding Qiunan felt a sudden dizziness, and with her last bit of strength, she staggered back to her temporary dormitory, almost leaning against the wall.

The moment the door closed, all her strength crumbled instantly. Her back pressed tightly against the cold door, and her body slid uncontrollably downwards.

The phrase "what a pity" echoed wildly in her mind, giving rise to countless worst-case scenarios:

Being sent back to the machine repair shop and becoming a negative example? Leaving a stain on your file, with no hope of ever getting ahead? Or even... worse? Even in the best-case scenario, you would probably have to publicly "sever ties" with your family and then be "demoted" from a technical position to do manual labor in the workshop.

Either way, it means that everything she has worked so hard for, and the wages that her family relies on for survival, will vanish into thin air.

Her father was unemployed, her mother was frail, and the entire burden of the family rested on her single salary.

"Dismissal" means the complete cessation of economic support; "drawing a clear line" is an emotional and moral torture.

Either way, it was an ending she could not bear and absolutely did not want to see.

Just then, my mother's face, filled with expectation yet tinged with endless anxiety, appeared before my eyes, and those words of advice I had heard countless times echoed once more:

"Qiu Nan, this family is counting on you... You must strive for progress and earn the organization's trust..."

These words, which had previously weighed heavily on her, now felt like the final straw, crushing all her hesitation and pride. For the sake of her family, she couldn't just give up like this.

A desperate courage, mixed with despair and a sliver of hope, rose within her.

When people are in a state of extreme panic, they often see the first person who holds their fate in their hands as their only lifeline.

Despite her fear and humiliation, Ding Qiunan had only one thought in her mind at that moment:

She decided to go see Director Liu one more time. Even if it was just to sound him out, even if it came at a price... Driven by immense fear and family responsibility, this young woman, fresh out of school and inexperienced in the ways of the world, made a decision that could change her life forever.

It was nearly dusk outside the window, and the office building had become unusually quiet, with only the faint sound of the closing bell in the distance.

Ding Qiunan lingered in the empty corridor for a long time before finally mustering her courage and standing once again in front of the dark wooden door to the deputy director's office. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"Please come in."

Liu Jianguo's calm and unwavering voice came from inside.

Ding Qiunan pushed open the door and saw Liu Jianguo sitting behind his desk, seemingly having just finished reviewing documents and tidying up his desk.

He looked up and saw it was Ding Qiunan, a perfectly timed, slightly questioning expression appearing on his face:

"Comrade Ding Qiunan, haven't you gone back yet? Is there anything else you need to add?"

His gaze, though seemingly casual, accurately captured Ding Qiunan's embarrassed expression—a look of wanting to say something but holding back, her hands nervously twisting in front of her.

He didn't urge him, but waited patiently.

Silence hung in the air for a few seconds.

Ding Qiunan felt her throat tighten. She avoided Liu Jianguo's scrutinizing gaze, stared at the ground, and forced out a barely audible voice through her teeth:

"Director Liu... I... I just wanted to ask... about my personal file... is there anything... unclear?"

She spoke these words haltingly, each one filled with fear and a last shred of hope.

Liu Jianguo leaned back in his chair, placed his hands on the table, and spoke in a calm tone as if he were discussing an ordinary report:

"Your resume is clear, concise, and without any issues."

He paused deliberately, as if carefully choosing his words, before continuing in a more formal, businesslike tone:

"However, regarding the historical background of your father, Comrade Ding Zhiyuan, in accordance with organizational principles and internal review procedures, it may be necessary to send a letter to the organization department of the machine repair shop for further verification and clarification."

This is also a responsible attitude towards the political life of comrades. I will forward this suggestion according to procedure.

His words were impeccable, entirely from the organization's perspective, yet he downplayed the most terrible consequences.

"Review?" "Feedback to the repair shop"

These words struck Ding Qiunan's heart like a heavy hammer.

Her carefully maintained composure and dignity crumbled instantly, and her face turned deathly pale.

She knew all too well that her father's history was like a thin layer of paper; if no one dared to pry it open, perhaps she could get away with it.

However, once the deputy director of the steel rolling mill's security department formally "recommends a review," the machine repair shop will definitely treat it as a political task and will find the answer to every question.

At that time, not only her father, but also herself... She dared not think any further.

The instinct to survive overcame everything!

Ding Qiunan glanced frantically at the empty office, as if grasping at a last straw. She took a small step forward, her voice extremely low, trembling with obvious pleading, almost incoherent:

"Director Liu... I beg you... please have mercy... could you... please let me off this time? I... I promise..."

In that era, the word "accommodation" carried immense risks and unspoken costs. By uttering it, she was essentially abandoning all dignity and defenses.

Liu Jianguo stared at her silently for a few seconds, his gaze deep and cold, as if he knew everything.

He neither rebuked harshly nor offered insincere comfort, but instead asked in a calm that bordered on cruel:

"Make an exception?"

He repeated the word softly, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger:

"Comrade Ding Qiunan, tell me, how can we make an exception? The rules are in black and white, and your father's history is an objective fact. Why should I take this political risk for you?"

He paused, his voice lowered, yet even more menacing:

"It's already an exception in my eyes that you were able to come here for further studies."

Looking into Ding Qiunan's utterly desperate eyes, he spoke as if bestowing a favor:

"Okay, I can hold off on the process for a day and not report it immediately. You have one day to go back and think it over carefully, to see if there's any... truly 'acceptable' reason. That's all I can do."

These words completely blocked any possible escape routes and presented her with the cruelest choice.

Ding Qiuna returned to the cold, temporary dormitory, dejected, and slumped onto the edge of the bed.

Despair overwhelmed her like a tidal wave.

She racked her brains: Should she give money or gifts? Her monthly salary was barely enough to make ends meet, where would she get spare money? Should she use connections? She had no relatives or friends in the steel mill, and the only "big shot" she could talk to was Liu Jianguo, who had just rejected her.