Courtyard House: I'm surrounded by celestial beauties on either side.

The HR manager asked cautiously.

Factory Director Yang said with a stern face, "I'll give him an extra month's salary from my own wages. That's settled then."

"Manager Fang manages the kitchen very well; is it really because of a few workers' negligence?"

The HR manager couldn't help but press, "If a few random people can bring down a leader by causing trouble, who will dare to become a manager in the future?"

Factory Director Yang waved his hand impatiently: "Enough nonsense, get out!"

Hiding in the shadows, Factory Director Li narrowed his eyes and silently grinned, "Old Yang, Old Yang, this is the knife you handed me yourself..."

As evening fell, a cold wind rushed into Fang Chengxuan's room.

"There's a rumor going around the factory that you were fired because of the trouble caused by those dozen or so workers."

"Um."

Fang Chengxuan didn't even look up.

Leng Si scratched his head in frustration: "Workers have a secure job! Even when Sha Zhu was in labor camp, he didn't lose his job. What's wrong with Factory Director Yang?"

Fang Chengxuan sneered: "Your lifeline has been seized."

"A vital point?!"

Leng Si almost jumped up.

"Today I went for a walk near Director Yang's house and chatted with the neighborhood aunties for a while."

Fang Chengxuan said slowly, "The matter of He Yuzhu's transfer was due to the fact that Director Yang's wife had a relationship with the female relatives of the Ma family, and she heard it from her husband's pillow talk."

Later, after He Yuzhu caused Director Yang to be criticized, his wife dared not get involved anymore.

"Are those people still not giving up? Or is the courtyard house causing trouble again?"

Fang Chengxuan shook his head: "No one has visited Director Yang's house recently."

It's highly likely that Director Yang has some kind of leverage over someone else.

"You and Yuande still need to work at the factory, don't get involved in this mess."

He looked out the window and sighed, "The steel rolling mill is about to change—"

The following Saturday, Fang Chengxuan went to his boss's house to cook, as usual.

As soon as I returned to the courtyard house, I saw Rong Wenyao standing at the door.

"Hey, it's rare to see my brother-in-law visiting."

Fang Chengxuan smiled.

Rong Wenyao sized him up: "I heard your job fell through? You seem pretty happy about it?"

"Paid leave is considered a 'failure'?"

Fang Chengxuan raised an eyebrow.

Rong Wenyao laughed heartily: "Alright, looks like someone else is going to be in trouble."

Suddenly, he said seriously, "A steel rolling mill is not a long-term solution. Should I find you another place?"

"Besides starting your own business, what other job can you do without being controlled by others?" Fang Chengxuan looked at Rong Wenyao.

Rong Wenyao remained silent for a moment.

Fang Chengxuan took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Human hearts are unpredictable, and positions are limited."

To remain invincible, the only way is to improve one's own strength.

Rong Wenyao sighed: "Can't you learn to rely on your family?"

Fang Chengxuan was taken aback.

"You are also a member of the Rong family."

"If someone bullies you for no reason, how can we sit idly by?" Rong Wenyao said firmly.

Fang Chengxuan gently stroked the teacup with his fingertips, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

"I'm used to it." He smiled faintly.

"Then let's start changing now."

Regardless of why Director Yang fired you, your abilities are absolutely sufficient.

"The Rong family will seek justice for you." Rong Wenyao's gaze was sharp.

Fang Chengxuan laughed and said, "Alright, this time we'll rely on my brother-in-law."

However, the current situation is complex, so please proceed with caution.

Rong Wenyao suddenly ruffled his hair: "In a family, it shouldn't be just you making sacrifices."

"Since you're free for the time being, why don't we go and propose tomorrow?" Rong Wenyao made the decision directly.

Fang Chengxuan's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed with delight, "Yes, brother-in-law!"

After seeing Rong Wenyao off, Fang Chengxuan stood at the door, lost in thought.

This family affection warmed his heart.

"Brother Fang, what are you looking at?" Yang Yuande walked over with a thin man.

Who is this?

"My brother Guan Chi, nicknamed Skinny," Yang Yuande introduced.

Guan Chi greeted him respectfully, his eyes filled with admiration.

Fang Chengxuan instructed, "Keep an eye on Director Yang's whereabouts."

"It's all taken care of, you won't be shortchanged." He said, taking out fifty yuan.

Guan Chi repeatedly declined, but finally accepted it at Yang Yuande's prompting.

After Guan Chi left, Fang Chengxuan squinted at Yang Yuande: "Are you hiding something from me?"

Yang Yuande chuckled awkwardly, "My brothers also want to follow Brother Fang..."

"Do you know the primary condition for following me?" Fang Chengxuan asked with a half-smile.

Seeing Yang Yuande's blank expression, he turned and went back into the courtyard: "Think about it carefully."

Meanwhile, the workshop foreman nervously approached HR manager Xu Chang: "I transferred him to a different position as you suggested, but now Fang Chengxuan has been fired. Will I...?"

Xu Chang reassured him, "A job transfer is normal, what are you afraid of? If we really have to investigate, it's those few bastards who have a problem."

"Director Yang has probably made a mistake with this move." Xu Chang recalled the clues he had seen outside the director's office.

Meanwhile, there was much discussion within the steel rolling mill.

Seeing that the worker had been successfully transferred to another position, the workers couldn't help but have their own ideas.

The steel rolling mill's leadership was whispering amongst themselves: "The workshop and the canteen have absolutely nothing to do with each other, yet Director Yang fired Fang Chengxuan."

"If anyone dislikes us in the future and causes trouble, will Director Yang kick us out too?"

The group looked at each other in silence, their expressions grim.

Factory Director Yang was relieved that Fang Chengxuan had voluntarily resigned and paid no attention to the gossip.

Fang Chengxuan, living in the courtyard, was completely unaware of this. He was preoccupied with the marriage proposal tomorrow—he could get the marriage certificate and bring his wife home the day after tomorrow, and he was overjoyed.

"Aunt Chen, I'm going to propose marriage tomorrow, and we'll get our marriage certificate and have the wedding banquet the day after. Could you help me prepare some things so we can set up a few tables in the courtyard?"

Fang Chengxuan made the arrangements in a great hurry.

"I don't have any elders to help me, so please be my elder and help me with the arrangements."

Please feel free to add anything you need; I don't know much about these things.

Ying smiled and nodded: "You've thought of everything."

Nowadays, there aren't so many formalities for getting married; you can get your marriage certificate the day after the proposal.

If the bride's family is well-off, they will provide a dowry, and the wedding will be simple.

It's good to hold it in the courtyard; everyone should know you've started a family.

"But you're the groom, you can't cook for yourself."

Can we really count on those people in the courtyard?

She was a little worried that the people from the courtyard house would either not come or cause trouble.

Fang Chengxuan waved his hand: "It's alright, I'll transfer one person from each of the four canteens in the steel rolling mill to help."

Qin Jingru and Lin Qinqin can lend a hand, and with Director Wang joining us, we'll have enough manpower.

"People in the courtyard can come or not, it's better for them to stay or leave. I'm even worried they'll cause trouble if they do come!"

"We still need to borrow a car..."

Fang Chengxuan was making plans.

The Rong family's car wasn't suitable, we couldn't get too close to Director Li, and the steel mill's suppliers weren't convenient either... Just as we were worrying about this, a figure wandered into the backyard.

Guo Xiangming grinned as soon as he entered: "Fang Chengxuan, I heard you got fired from the steel mill? Tsk tsk, I thought you were so capable! You dare to marry Rong Xinrui without a job? Can you even afford to support her?"

His face had an expression that suggested he was enjoying the spectacle.

Fang Chengxuan's eyes lit up—wasn't this a car delivered right to his doorstep?

"I'm going to propose marriage tomorrow. Could you do me a favor and get me a truck and a military green SUV, along with a set of three turns and a TV to make a good impression?"

Guo Xiangming's eyes widened: "Are you crazy? I came here specifically to make fun of you, and you're ordering me around?"

After sitting down angrily, he said, "The car is not a problem."

"But you don't have a job, so where do you get the confidence to get married? Aren't you ashamed?"

"If you lose a job, you can just find another one."

Fang Chengxuan glanced at him sideways, "I haven't done anything wrong, why should I avoid Xinrui? Whether I can support a wife or not is my business, why are you worrying about it?"

Guo Xiangming was speechless after being rebuffed, and stubbornly shouted, "Are you going to lend me the car or not?"

"Bring your car over first thing tomorrow morning, and come with me to propose marriage."

Fang Chengxuan gave the direct instructions.

"Hey! They really don't act like they're part of the group!"

Guo Xiangming rolled his eyes. "Fine, ask my brother to get two from the army."

But how did you fall? That's not like you. Did someone catch you doing something wrong?

"Someone is just targeting me."

Fang Chengxuan did not want to talk about it further.

Guo Xiangming stood up, patted his pants, and said, "I'll bring my buddies to back you up tomorrow. I promise no one in the compound will look down on you!"

He walked briskly as he left, muttering, "Who said I'm your brother?"

But the corners of his mouth were turned up really high.

Fang Chengxuan watched him leave, then suddenly caught sight of Guan Chi waving at the alley entrance.

The two walked to a secluded spot, and Guan Chi whispered, "Brother Fang, Factory Director Yang has been threatened by a woman who said she'd sue him for indecent assault."

Guan Chi reported in detail: "When I was staking out outside the steel rolling mill, I saw Director Yang follow a woman named Wang Xingyi into the hotel."

I followed them secretly and heard them arguing inside.

Wang Xingyi's parents were both employees of a steel rolling mill. She had an older brother named Wang Xingfa, who also originally worked at the steel rolling mill, but was later sent to a labor camp for drugging the kitchen staff in charge of Fang's job.

Guan Chi was indeed good at gathering information. He continued, "There's another situation: after Director Yang left, Wang Xingyi and her boyfriend Wu Haoguang were having an affair at a hotel."

Wu Haoguang's parents worked at the grain station. Relying on their family's wealth, they indulged in extramarital affairs and always used money to settle any trouble that came their way.

Most importantly, Wang Xingyi is pregnant with Wu Haoguang's child.

Fang Chengxuan looked at Guan Chi with admiration: "I didn't expect you to be so capable."

I heard you want to follow **?

Guan Chi immediately nodded: "Brother Fang, Yang Yuande and I are just street thugs because we have no skills."

Who doesn't want a peaceful life? You're capable; we want to work for you.

"You can come with me," Fang Chengxuan said, raising an eyebrow. "But I may seem gentle on the surface, but I actually have quite a temper."

Do you understand what rules I need to follow?

Guan Chi cleverly replied, "Don't worry, Brother Fang, we are absolutely loyal. Whatever you say goes."

Remember what you said.

Go back and wait for instructions. Remember two things: first, never betray me; second, you must behave properly in front of me.

"Understood?" Fang Chengxuan said sternly.

Guan Chi repeatedly agreed.

Fang Chengxuan then instructed, "Do me another favor... After it's done, I'll arrange a job for you."

Guan Chi was overjoyed: "Thank you, Brother Fang! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"

He immediately found Director Yang's nephew and relayed a message: "Brother Fang asked me to tell you that although Director Yang treated him this way, he still remembers the kindness he showed when he got him into the steel rolling mill."

Director Yang's nephew understood: "I understand. I'll bring my uncle to visit another day." After saying that, he asked for leave and went to the steel rolling mill's residential compound.

As soon as he entered, he asked eagerly, "Uncle, I heard you fired Fang Chengxuan?"

Factory Director Yang responded with a somber expression.

After sending his aunt away, the nephew pressed, "Manager Fang is a reliable person, unless... has someone caught you doing something wrong?"

Factory Director Yang stood up guiltily: "Don't get involved in this matter."

"If you don't do something about it, you'll lose your job as factory manager!" the nephew exclaimed anxiously. "Why exactly was Manager Fang fired?"

Factory Director Yang spoke with difficulty: "Wang Xingfa's father plotted to get me drunk...and defiled his daughter, using this to blackmail me into firing Fang Chengxuan."

The nephew gasped, "Uncle, you're foolish! They'll only get more out of it once they taste the benefits."

Manager Fang left right after the factory incident; what will people think?

At this moment, a factory leader rushed over: "Director Yang, your dismissal of Manager Fang has caused a huge uproar! If this isn't rectified, Deputy Director Li will seize the opportunity to take over!"

The nephew immediately smoothed things over: "It's a misunderstanding! Manager Fang is on leave to prepare for her wedding." After seeing the visitor off, he said seriously, "Uncle, do you still think Manager Fang can be fired?"

Factory Director Yang complained, "The higher-ups specifically called to praise Fang Chengxuan, implying that we can't touch him."

They keep talking about gratitude, but behind your back they're resorting to underhanded tactics!

Factory Director Yang's face was filled with resentment; he was clearly seething with anger. He gritted his teeth and said, "Who knows if he'd already conspired with that Li guy, just waiting to drag me down with him?!"

How could he possibly lay bare those shady things?

When Director Yang's nephew saw that his eyes were red with anger, he felt a pang of anxiety: "Uncle, Manager Fang isn't that kind of person."

"If what you say is true, they could have directly reported you for favoritism when you arranged for us to work at the steel rolling mill."

"Why go through all this trouble and assign us to the supplier's side? That way, even if people gossip, it won't affect you."

The young man said calmly, "Besides, if Fang Chengxuan really teamed up with Factory Director Li to deal with you, would he have specifically asked me to remind him?"

"You may not know this, but our boss said that as long as Manager Fang agrees, we can hire him as a manager at any time with a higher salary."

"And—" he lowered his voice, "you haven't noticed, have you? Manager Fang's girlfriend is Rong Xinrui from the Xuanfang Road compound."

Seeing that Director Yang's expression changed slightly, his nephew pressed on, "If I were the director, I would definitely give special attention to cultivating a subordinate like this who is capable and doesn't cause trouble."

"Manager Fang can even stay in the kitchen, which clearly shows he has no ambition."

Don't make a mistake and push talented people to the enemy's side!

Factory Director Yang rubbed his hands impatiently: "What about Wang Xingyi's matter? If this gets out, she'll at least get a labor camp sentence!"