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

"Alright, let's not dwell on the past."

"Fang Chengxuan, I'll take you to the deputy factory director's office." Factory Director Li smiled nonchalantly, glanced at Yang Jianguo's gloomy face, and said gently to Fang Chengxuan.

When good things happen, people are in high spirits, and now he is truly Director Li.

Fang Chengxuan ignored Yang Jianguo and nodded slightly: "Mm."

Factory Director Li smiled faintly and instructed, "Yang Jianguo is currently an apprentice in the workshop. Take him to see the workshop director and arrange his work."

After saying that, he walked side by side with Fang Chengxuan and laughed, "You never intended to be the deputy factory director, it seems your family still doesn't want you to suffer a loss!"

Thinking of Rong Xinrui, Fang Chengxuan's eyes softened, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly: "Mm."

"I know you don't want to get involved. Don't worry, I'll arrange for someone to assist you with the duties of the deputy factory director. You just need to understand them," Factory Director Li said in a kind tone.

Watching the two figures leave, Yang Jianguo vaguely understood that Fang Chengxuan originally only wanted to stay in the kitchen.

But just because he doesn't care doesn't mean his family doesn't care.

Since the higher-ups could exert pressure to expel Fang Chengxuan, the Rong family could naturally push him to a higher position as well.

Thinking of this, Yang Jianguo was filled with remorse: "How could I have forgotten that the leader had backed him up before? Did I think I was powerless just because the Rong family had lost power?"

After saying goodbye to Director Li, Fang Chengxuan sat in the deputy director's office, listened to the handover procedures, and gained a general understanding of the factory's operations.

At that moment, Liu Lan sneakily peeked in.

"What is it?" Fang Chengxuan asked in a flat tone.

Liu Lan smiled ingratiatingly and said, "I heard that Manager Fang has been promoted to deputy factory director, so I came to congratulate him."

"Is that so?" Fang Chengxuan asked indifferently.

Liu Lan rubbed her hands together: "Director Fang, what will happen to the kitchen manager position now that you're gone? And what about the purchasing? You were the one who arranged everything before; I can't handle it!"

Fang Chengxuan leaned back in his chair and tapped the table lightly with his fingertips: "Leave the kitchen to Leng Si."

"Leng Si?" Liu Lan frowned. "He's only been in the kitchen for a short time, and he can't cook. How can you manage him?"

"He doesn't need to know how to cook, he just needs to be able to keep you guys in check."

"Leng Si is my man. You're occupying the purchasing position without doing any work. Others might have complaints, but Leng Si won't," Fang Chengxuan said calmly.

Liu Lan's eyes darted around, and she nodded repeatedly: "That makes sense!"

"I know what you're thinking. Neither you nor your brother are fit for this position, nor can you manage the kitchen," Fang Chengxuan reprimanded.

Liu Lan chuckled awkwardly, about to say something, when HR manager Xu Chang knocked on the door: "Director Fang."

Fang Chengxuan nodded in acknowledgment and said to Liu Lan, "Let's go back to the kitchen. Leng Si will be back in a few days."

As Liu Lan left, she couldn't help but glance at Xu Chang one more time.

"Sit down." Fang Chengxuan gestured with his hand.

Xu Chang sat down with a smile: "Congratulations, Factory Director Fang!"

"It's not really a matter of congratulations. I just benefited from the influence of the Yue family and got a good deal this time," Fang Chengxuan said with a calm smile.

I know why you've come.

Xu Pei is good; it's a waste to keep him in the kitchen. I plan to make him my assistant and train him well.

Xu Chang's eyes lit up, his face beaming with joy: "That's wonderful! It's his good fortune to be able to learn skills from Director Fang!"

"I don't like socializing. You have a lot of connections in the factory. It will be good for you to interact with the leaders more," Fang Chengxuan said meaningfully.

Xu Chang looked puzzled: "What does Director Fang mean?"

There are no permanent friends, nor permanent enemies.

"I have a good relationship with Director Li now, but who can say for sure what will happen in the future? You and Xu Pei have already been labeled by me, and Director Li knows that." Fang Chengxuan said calmly.

He didn't want to cause trouble, but he had to be wary of Director Li.

If Yang Jianguo hadn't made this move, a balance between the two sides would have been best.

He never intended to stay at the steel rolling mill for long.

Xu Chang remained silent for a moment.

Fang Chengxuan dropped a bombshell: "I won't be in this deputy factory director position for long. Xu Pei was groomed to be a deputy factory director."

Xu Chang's pupils contracted, he took a deep breath, and immediately stated, "I understand."

"Yes, Xu Pei is still young and needs to be tempered."

"You're a good older brother, you have good judgment. You're willing to lend him a hand, and your lives will only get better and better." Fang Chengxuan smiled faintly.

After Xu Chang left satisfied, Xu Pei also came to the office.

Fang Chengxuan directly had Director Li's people show him around and familiarize him with the work.

As the workers at the steel rolling mill were leaving get off work in the evening, they were all talking about it.

"Have you heard? Fang Chengxuan has become the deputy factory director, and Director Yang has been demoted to the workshop!"

Xu Damao, pushing his bicycle, heard the discussion and muttered a curse under his breath: "They're blind to have let Fang Chengxuan become the deputy factory director!"

Yi Zhonghai's face darkened, and he sighed inwardly, "With Fang Chengxuan becoming the factory director, Qin Huairu's chances of getting into the factory are completely over."

Liu Haizhong was filled with regret: "If I had known his career was going to be so successful, I should have sucked up to him! We live in the same compound, and I'm the second eldest son; he should have at least given me a position!"

Yang Yuande grinned: "As expected of my Brother Fang!"

……

Fang Chengxuan was unaware that the people in the courtyard were still watching him as he rode his bicycle back to the Xuanfang Road courtyard.

As soon as I entered, I heard a young man shouting at the top of his lungs, "Fang Chengxuan, were you fired from the steel rolling mill?"

The neighbors all peeked out: "What? They say Fang Chengxuan got fired again?"

Some people even came out to inquire about the gossip.

The loud-voiced young man persisted: "I heard there was a big incident in the kitchen you're in charge of?"

"How do you know about the steel rolling mill? Has anyone else in the compound heard about it?"

Fang Chengxuan looked up at his gossiping neighbors, his gaze questioning.

Everyone shook their heads, looking bewildered: "How would we know anything about what's going on in your factory?"

Fang Chengxuan smiled slightly at the unfriendly young man: "You're right. How could the people in the compound know anything about the steel rolling mill?"

The young man was speechless for a moment, and stammered, "I...I heard it from someone."

"Who told you that? This matter has been reported to the police, and the police are investigating."

"Since you know the inside story, I will pass this clue on to the investigating officers tomorrow." Fang Chengxuan's tone was calm, but every word was piercing.

The onlookers gasped. The young man's face turned pale, and he hurriedly protested, "What does it have to do with me! I was just asking casually!"

"Don't worry, the police officer was just asking casually," Fang Chengxuan replied verbatim.

Cold sweat beaded on the young man's forehead: "Anyway, it has nothing to do with me!" He then turned and walked away.

Fang Chengxuan pushed his bicycle back to the Rong family home, and behind him, whispers arose:

"This son-in-law of the Rong family is no ordinary person."

"That's why people say the Rong family has a keen eye; they don't discriminate based on family background, they only choose talented people."

"If our family were in trouble, I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to handle it..."

After several exchanges in the courtyard on Xuanfang Road, everyone began to look at this young man with new respect.

"Fang Chengxuan!"

Luo Ziping heard it clearly from the second floor and punched the wall.

At this moment, his subordinate rushed over in a panic: "Brother Luo, the people we arranged... only said they didn't like Fang Chengxuan."

To make matters worse, he unexpectedly became the deputy factory director!

"Useless!" Luo Ziping roared and kicked, forgetting that his leg injury hadn't healed. He fell backward and hit the back of his head hard on the ground.

As Fang Chengxuan pushed the cart out the door, he saw a crowd of people carrying Luo Ziping to the hospital.

He sighed softly, "Isn't it better to live a peaceful and uneventful life?"

Outside the compound gate, Guan Chi and Director Yang's nephew were waiting under the shade of a tree.

"Brother Fang!" the two said in unison, one cheerful and the other guilty.

Guan Chi eagerly took the bicycle: "My brothers asked me to inquire if I could arrange a job for you?"

Factory Director Yang's nephew rubbed his hands together: "My uncle..."

"Are you worried about your uncle, or about your job?" Fang Chengxuan asked bluntly. "Don't worry, once it's arranged, I won't go back on my word."

As for Factory Director Yang...

The young man immediately tensed up.

"It was my oversight." Fang Chengxuan shook his head. "Since becoming the kitchen manager, I have never given Director Yang a gift."

How much are those homemade sauces worth? I thought that would be enough to ease his burden...

But they forgot the power of pillow talk.

Factory Director Yang's nephew lowered his head in shame.

My aunt always complained that Fang Chengxuan didn't know any manners, and over time, even my uncle started to complain...

"Go back." Fang Chengxuan waved his hand. "As long as you do your job properly, I won't make things difficult for you."

Fang Chengxuan spoke calmly.

Director Yang's nephew hesitated to speak, and in the end could only leave dejectedly.

Seeing this, Guan Chi straightened up and said with an awkward smile, "Brother Fang, I was just asking about work casually, please don't take it to heart."

"Oh? Did you all plan this to test me?" Fang Chengxuan raised an eyebrow with a half-smile.

Guan Chi hurriedly waved his hand: "How could that be! I mainly came to congratulate you on your promotion and also to see if there's anything I can do to help."

Seeing Fang Chengxuan's inscrutable expression, Guan Chi broke out in a cold sweat and forced himself to say, "Director Yang probably won't let this go easily. Should we...?"

"Stop with your old tricks." Fang Chengxuan gave him a cold look.

Guan Chi immediately fell silent, trembling with fear: "I was just saying it offhand..."

Fang Chengxuan glanced behind him out of the corner of his eye and whispered, "Things have been tense lately; someone's keeping an eye on me."

Tell your people to behave themselves and not get themselves into trouble.

Guan Chi followed the gaze and spotted a furtive figure at the alley entrance. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes: "Brother Fang, should we..."

"Don't cause trouble." Fang Chengxuan hopped on his bicycle. "Tell them I remember this kindness."

But what if someone loses their temper...?

After watching Fang Chengxuan leave, Guan Chi turned and walked into the shadows, a cold smile playing on his lips: "Trying to play the stalking game with me? Just you wait!"

Inside the courtyard house, Yang Yuande was greeting everyone: "Brother Fang, come quick! We've prepared some fine wine to celebrate your victory!"

"I heard you've become the deputy factory director? What happened?" Zhang Yangde asked curiously as he approached.

Fang Chengxuan briefly explained how Factory Director Yang had fallen from power, then turned to Leng Si and said, "How about I give you the position of kitchen manager?"

"I'll do whatever you say." Leng Si scratched his head. "But I'm rather introverted, so I'd rather manage the kitchen."

Fang Chengxuan then looked at Lin Feng: "Would you like to learn cooking?"

"I can't do this!" Lin Feng waved his hands repeatedly, "I've recently found some connections..."

"Nonsense!" Fang Chengxuan's face darkened. "Don't you know what the situation is like now? If you really can't stand being idle, go and deliver a letter for me."

After several rounds of drinks, Fang Chengxuan got up to take his leave.

As Leng Si saw him off, he whispered, "Luo Ziping is in the hospital again."

These are the people who have recently been in contact with him.

Fang Chengxuan accepted the list and instructed, "Keep an eye on it."

This mad dog will definitely bite someone before it dies; be careful.

Leng Si responded, "Understood."

Just as Fang Chengxuan was about to say goodbye to Leng Si, he suddenly saw a figure standing in the shadows at the alley entrance.

Eyes facing each other.

"Looking for me?"

He raised an eyebrow and asked, then turned to Leng Si and waved, "You go first."

After Leng Si left, the man stepped forward and whispered, "My brother died in the hospital."

Fang Chengxuan's eyes suddenly turned cold: "So?"

"I want to pay with my life."

A murderous intent surged in the man's eyes.

Fang Chengxuan said indifferently, "If you want to find Luo Ziping, just wait and see, he will suffer the consequences."

If you demand my life—I cannot comply.

"I am also a victim in this whole affair."

The man stared intently at him: "I don't want your life, I just want Luo Ziping dead!"

"I've been keeping watch on them for days and I've discovered that they're all carrying guns."

The man lowered his voice, "Since they've got their eye on you, they'll definitely get their hands on a gun."

Give me a hand, and I won't implicate you.

Fang Chengxuan chuckled: "Why should I trust you?"

"This matter has nothing to do with me. Giving you a gun is like inviting trouble."

The risks far outweigh the benefits, so why should I help you?

The man's lips tightened: "Kill Luo Ziping, and you'll be rid of any future trouble!"

"If you follow my lead, you can still eliminate future troubles."

Fang Chengxuan turned to leave.

The man asked urgently, "What will it take for me to help? Money?"

"Is he genuinely unable to understand, or does he have ulterior motives?"

Fang Chengxuan glanced at him coldly, "If you keep pestering me, I'll start to suspect that you're being manipulated by Luo Ziping and are preparing to risk your life for a scheme?"

Seeing the man's eyes flicker, he sneered, "Luo Ziping only relies on ruthlessness, but I'm different."

"If you dare to be coerced into attacking me, I guarantee that your weaknesses will suffer a worse fate than if they fell into Luo Ziping's hands."

The man watched his departing figure, and an accomplice emerged from the shadows: "Did it work?"

"He won't fall for it."

The man's face darkened. "Keep an eye on him for a few more days, so that everyone around will recognize me."