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

Fang Chengxuan took the water bottle and thanked him: "The job has been resolved. I am now the manager of the fourth canteen of the steel rolling mill."

I've come today to ask you for a favor.

"You've become a manager?" Director Wang stared wide-eyed, taking a deep breath as he sized up Fang Chengxuan.

Fang Chengxuan smiled and said, "It's all thanks to Director Yang for giving me this opportunity."

You know, it's just me and Lianyun at home now. I'm worried about leaving her alone at home after I go to work.

I would like to ask for your help in finding a reliable nanny. She should be older, clean, and of good character.

"Find a nanny?" Director Wang's eyes lit up. He glanced at the middle-aged woman in the corner and asked eagerly, "How do you plan to hire one?"

"Room and board included, must be home all day, monthly salary fifteen yuan," Fang Chengxuan said, noticing Director Wang's reaction.

Director Wang immediately pointed to the woman and introduced her: "Her name is Ying, she is forty-five years old, hardworking and clean, and she is good at cooking and taking care of children."

She was a famine victim who married into this family, but they didn't get a marriage certificate.

Her husband was infertile, her adopted nephew was unfilial, and he kicked her out as soon as her husband left.

Fang Chengxuan looked him over: his sallow skin looked haggard, his clothes were old but clean, and the patches were sewn neatly.

Her nails were neatly trimmed, which showed she was a capable person.

"I trust the people recommended by Director Wang."

"If she's willing, she can come back with me today."

Just as Director Wang was about to get up, Fang Chengxuan added, "There's something I need to make clear—she can have contact with her adopted son, but she can't bring anyone to her door."

"That's natural." Director Wang nodded and went to communicate.

A short while later, **Ying suddenly knelt down with a thud: "Master, please buy me! I can do any kind of work!"

Fang Chengxuan quickly stepped forward to help him up: "This isn't common in modern society, please get up."

Director Wang frowned as well: "**Ying, who would dare hire you like this?"

The woman staggered to her feet, choking back tears, and said, "I just... don't want to be homeless anymore."

Fang Chengxuan said gently, "Aunt Chen, as long as you do a good job, this is a long-term job."

Seeing Ying wipe away her tears and go to wash her face, Fang Chengxuan turned to Director Wang: "Could you tell me about the situation with those suppliers?"

After Director Wang explained in detail, Fang Chengxuan took his leave, seemingly lost in thought.

Outside the door, Ying, carrying a snakeskin bag, called out timidly, "Young Master—"

"Just call me by my name!" Fang Chengxuan quickly stopped him. "Old ways of addressing people aren't acceptable now; it could cause trouble if someone hears it."

Back at the courtyard house, Fang Chengxuan took Ying directly to see the deaf old lady.

Inside the house, Lou Xiao'e was playing with Fang Lianyun.

"This is our new nanny, Aunt Chen." Fang Chengxuan pulled his sister over. "She'll be in charge of taking care of you from now on."

Aunt Chen, just call her Lianyun.

The little girl sweetly called out "Auntie," and Ying nervously replied, "Okay..."

Fang Chengxuan sighed and said, "Let's call her Lianyun."

Ying looked at Fang Lianyun, a gentle smile unconsciously appearing on her face, "Hello, Lianyun."

"Aunt Chen, these two are our neighbors in the courtyard. This is an elderly deaf woman, and this is Lou Xiao'e from the Intermediate People's Court. Please visit each other more often in the future," Fang Chengxuan introduced.

The deaf old lady and Lou Xiao'e smiled amicably at Ying, who nodded in response, albeit somewhat reservedly.

Fang Chengxuan gently rubbed Fang Lianyun's head, "Good girl, I'll take Aunt Chen to settle in first."

Fang Lianyun nodded obediently, secretly planning to ask her great-grandmother about the nanny.

Leading Ying to the main room, Fang Chengxuan took out his key and opened the door. "This is my room. I usually take care of it myself."

The side room next door is for you and Lianyun to stay in.

He handed over the key, pointed to the kitchen, and said, "This is the small kitchen; here's the key too."

I will prepare daily necessities; just let me know if you need anything.

Ying nodded repeatedly.

"The embroidery on your clothes is quite nice. Do you know how to make clothes?" Fang Chengxuan noticed her needlework.

"Yes, I can do needlework, cooking, laundry, growing vegetables, and raising chickens and ducks," Ying quickly replied.

Fang Chengxuan turned and went into the house, taking out two bolts of cloth and a quilt. "These cloths will be used to make two sets of clothes for you, Lianyun, and the old lady."

Here's your bedding; I'll also give you an advance on one month's wages.

Looking at the tidy side room, Ying's eyes reddened: "You are such a good person, I will definitely take good care of Lianyun."

"Apart from those two just now, we don't need to pay much attention to the others in the courtyard."

"If your son comes to [the police station] again, just let me know," Fang Chengxuan instructed.

"I'll cook for the three of you when it's mealtime, and make extra for the grandparents and grandchildren in the backyard."

"My family doesn't eat leftovers, so there's no need to save them," he added.

After giving his instructions, Fang Chengxuan went to the old lady's room, holding a small yellow dog in his arms.

"Puppy!" Fang Lianyun cheered and ran over.

"I promised you." Fang Chengxuan handed the puppy to her. "Take good care of it."

"I will take care of the puppy just like my brother took care of me!" the little girl solemnly promised.

Fang Chengxuan bid farewell to the old lady: "Aunt Chen will be coming over later, please give her some advice."

I have to go now because I have work to do.

"Goodbye, big brother!" Fang Lianyun waved her little hand.

Stepping out of the courtyard, Fang Chengxuan began to deal with the procurement issues of the steel rolling mill.

After spending the whole day visiting suppliers, all I got were excuses and excuses.

"Do you really think we can't do without them?" He shook his head with a sneer.

As the sun set, Fang Chengxuan returned to the kitchen of the steel rolling mill.

"Manager Fang," everyone greeted him.

After finishing dinner, Liu Lan quietly leaned over and asked, "Do you need any help with the supplies?"

Fang Chengxuan took a sip of tea: "There is a purchasing position available, with a monthly salary of thirty-five yuan."

Liu Lan's eyes lit up: "Can I do it?"

"I'm here for you." Fang Chengxuan smiled meaningfully, "But remember to watch your mouth."

As he was leaving get off work, Wang Xingfa approached him: "Manager, should we report the supply issue to the factory manager?"

Fang Chengxuan had a faint smile on his lips as his gaze lightly fell on Wang Xingfa: "The factory director has entrusted this matter to me, so you don't need to worry about it."

Wang Xingfa's smile froze instantly, and he said dryly, "Of course, Manager Fang is highly regarded by the factory director... I'll head back now." As he turned, a sinister glint flashed in his eyes, and he gritted his teeth, staring at Fang Chengxuan's departing figure: "That brat dares to ride roughshod over me? Let's see how he gets out of this!"

Fang Chengxuan suddenly stopped and turned around, and Wang Xingfa hurriedly put on a simple and honest smile.

Their eyes met, and a chill flashed in Fang Chengxuan's eyes. He turned and continued walking.

At the entrance of the steel rolling mill, Xu Damao was pushing his bicycle and whispering with Qin Huairu.

Seeing Fang Chengxuan pass by, Qin Huairu's eyes flashed with resentment, while Xu Damao turned his face away and pretended not to see him.

"Want a letter of forgiveness? You know what I want." Xu Damao's ambiguous voice drifted on the wind.

Qin Huairu gritted her teeth: "As long as you're willing to write..."

Fang Chengxuan shook his head and sneered, striding back to the courtyard house, only to find his windows shattered and the floor filthy.

Aunt Chen knelt down with a thud: "It's all my fault for not watching the house properly..."

"This kind of thing doesn't work in the new society." Fang Chengxuan frowned and helped her up. "It's good that you and Lianyun are alright." When he learned that it was the deaf old lady who asked him to keep the scene intact, a cold glint flashed in his eyes: "I'm going out for a bit."

As they passed the Intermediate People's Court, Banggeng spat at him: "Serves you right! Who told you to put us in jail!"

"You did this?" Fang Chengxuan raised an eyebrow.

"It's me! What can you do to me?" Bang Geng shouted, hands on his hips. Suddenly, he noticed the bankbook lying on the ground, stuffed it into his pocket, and ran away.

A moment later, the police officers caught Jia Zhangshi red-handed at the Jia family home—she was fiddling with her bankbook, planning to withdraw money.

With a snap, the silver needle cracked, and Banggeng burst into tears on the spot.

"Comrade Fang, is this bankbook yours?"

"It belonged to my great-grandfather, Fang Kangbo."

Watching the grandmother and grandson being taken away, Fang Chengxuan smoothed out the wrinkles in the bankbook and turned to Chen Da Niang, instructing, "Find a carpenter to repair the windows." He touched his empty purse—all the income from selling fish last time had been used up—but the coldness in his eyes only intensified.

(Inside the police station, a police officer taps on his notebook: "Ms. Jia, how long has it been since your last theft? Are you trying to set a record for a second offense?")

"You're finally back. Let her rest for a bit; she's already been washed eight times."

The deaf old lady sat under the eaves with Fang Lianyun in her arms, and called out when she saw Fang Chengxuan.

Fang Chengxuan shook his head slightly, "Aunt Chen, it's clean enough. You should rest and boil some hot water to wash yourself too."

Ying then stopped what she was doing.

When the carpenter came to repair the windows, Fang Chengxuan threw away everything that needed to be thrown away, washed his hands, and went to the kitchen to cook.

When the food was served, he turned on the light in front of the door and brought out soft drinks for everyone.

"It's a benefit provided by the factory; one bottle per person."

Fang Chengxuan smiled, pried open the bottle cap, and handed one to Ying, making her feel uneasy again.

While they were eating, Qin Huairu, with red eyes, walked over aggressively with an old man named Yi Zhongtian, He Yuzhu, and Xu Damao beside her.

"Aunt Chen, why don't you take Lianyun outside for a walk to help her digest her food?"

Fang Chengxuan caught sight of the newcomer and turned to speak to Aunt Chen.

Aunt Chen replied, "Okay."

At this moment, the deaf old lady yawned, stood up and said, "Oh, I'm tired, you young people chat."

After everyone left, Fang Chengxuan looked at the group of people who had come with ill intentions, rested his right hand on the table, propped his chin up, and asked with a half-smile, "Uncle, Qin Huairu, He Yuzhu, Xu Damao, what are you trying to do with this attitude?"

"Fang Chengxuan, on what grounds are you framing someone?"

An elderly man named Yi Zhonghai, with a stern face, questioned him sharply.

Fang Chengxuan chuckled, "Old man, you need evidence to back up your words. How did I frame anyone?"

Yi Zhonghai frowned. "Bang Geng said that he found the passbook."

Fang Chengxuan scoffed, "Who would just leave a 500-yuan savings account lying around for someone to pick up? That's quite an interesting thing to say."

He stared at Yi Zhonghai with disdain in his eyes.

"Sir, even the law enforcement officers haven't convicted me, so what right do you have to convict me? If you keep spouting this nonsense, I'll sue you for defamation."

Fang Chengxuan's sharp gaze forced Yi Zhonghai to swallow hard, unable to look him in the eye.

As the eldest son of a resident of a courtyard house, Yi Zhonghai was always respected, but he repeatedly ran into obstacles with Fang Chengxuan.

This person is like a sharp knife; you'll get cut if you get too close.

"Fang Chengxuan, we're all from the same department, why make things so tense?"

Yi Zhonghai softened his tone, attempting to smooth things over.

Fang Chengxuan sneered: "You should say that to those troublemakers! If someone hadn't smashed my window and stolen my bankbook, would I have let them in for no reason?"

Yi Zhonghai gritted his teeth, "Bang Geng is still a child, why are you arguing with him?"

Fang Chengxuan almost burst out laughing. "According to your logic, I'd have Lianyun stab you. She's just a child anyway, so your death would be pointless?"

Yi Zhonghai was speechless.

"A mistake is a mistake, and children must learn to bear the consequences."

Fang Chengxuan spoke calmly, glancing at Qin Huairu, whose face was full of resentment, He Yuzhu, who was indignant, and Xu Damao, who was watching the show.

"If I am truly guilty, you are welcome to report me."

"Apart from that, we have nothing more to say. Don't bother me again; it wouldn't be good to scare Lianyun."

After saying that, he got up to clear the dishes, gathered the leftovers, and waved to Zou Chang'an, who was hiding in the distance.

"Chang'an, if you don't mind, you can take these dishes back with you."

Zou Chang'an's eyes lit up, but he shook his head and said, "Thank you, Brother Fang. Grandma and I have already eaten."

"If you don't want it, I'll just throw it away."

Fang Chengxuan said calmly.

Zou Chang'an hesitated for a moment, then timidly accepted the gift: "Then... thank you, Brother Fang."

Fang Chengxuan washed the dishes and moved the table by himself, completely ignoring the menacing eyes of the others nearby.

Seeing that Fang Chengxuan was unmoved by her words, Qin Huairu burst into tears and looked pitifully at He Yuzhu.

She didn't speak, but pleaded silently.

She knew that Yi Zhonghai was unreliable, and Xu Damao was even less so; she could only rely on He Yuzhu.

"Silly Zhu, what should I do? Why is my life so miserable, a widow like me..."

Qin Huairu's body went limp, and she collapsed into He Yuzhu's arms.

He Yuzhu quickly helped her up, saying with concern, "Don't be afraid, I'm here!"

He turned and glared at Fang Chengxuan, shouting, "Fang Chengxuan, what exactly do you want in order to let Jia Zhangshi and Banggeng go?"

Fang Chengxuan raised an eyebrow. "He Yuzhu, are you threatening me?"

"So what if I threaten you? Let me tell you, if you don't release them, you'll regret it!"

He Yuzhu waved his fist, looking fierce.

Fang Chengxuan laughed. "Tell me, if I go to the law enforcement office now and report you for threatening me, won't you just get out and then go back in?"