Siheyuan: I will never tolerate gambling and drugs!

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

For the past five days, Xu Lin's life has been divided into two distinct halves.

Half of it belonged to the steel rolling mill, to the office of the newly appointed deputy director, and to the mountains of technical documents and personnel files. The other half belonged to Qin Huairu and the two women of the Tan family in the courtyard, as well as Liu Lan, who was taking a break from her busy schedule.

Saturday was a beautiful sunny day.

The autumn sun, no longer as scorching as in the height of summer, spreads its golden light across every corner of the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, casting a warm glow on the dusty factory buildings and towering chimneys.

The factory was filled with an irrepressible sense of joy.

The workers gathered in twos and threes, cigarettes dangling from their mouths, no longer talking about last night's output or the canteen's dishes, but about Deputy Factory Director Xu, who had stirred up trouble just a few days after taking office.

Tomorrow, he's getting married. This news ignited everyone's enthusiasm far more than any commendation ceremony for outstanding production workers. Xu Lin was currently sitting in his new office.

An office that is completely out of place for someone of her status.

According to factory rules, the deputy factory director's office should have been located on the second floor of the office building, right next to Yang Anguo's spacious and bright office. The mahogany floor, the sofa for guests, and the entire wall of bookshelves were symbols of status and manifestations of power.

But he didn't go.

He simply asked the security personnel to clear out the warehouse next to the infirmary, which was used to store expired medicines and miscellaneous items. The space was small, even somewhat cramped.

But everything Xu Lin wanted was here.

The walls had been freshly painted white, and the smell of lime water had not completely dissipated, mixed with the faint smell of disinfectant wafting from the infirmary, creating a reassuring scent. The cement floor had been repeatedly mopped with water and was so clean that it reflected one's image. The furniture was so simple that it was shabby.

An old lacquered desk salvaged from the logistics warehouse, its lacquer peeling off to reveal the original color of the wood, two ordinary wooden chairs with backrests, and an old sofa.

Xu Lin's only request was to nail a large enough bookcase to the wall and hang the sun photo that every office must have on the wall directly opposite his desk.

This is naturally a minor issue.

The security personnel handled it perfectly.

Now, Xu Lin sits behind this old table, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the surface, feeling the warmth of the sunlight streaming in through the window.

He didn't go up to the second floor, certainly not out of any lofty ideals. Power is a good thing, but close-quarters power struggles are a murky mess. Yang Anguo, Li Huaide, those seasoned veterans in the factory—their intricate network of relationships was something a newcomer like him couldn't possibly unravel in a few days. Staying next to Yang Anguo was like sleeping next to a tiger; every move he made would be magnified and over-interpreted.

But it's different here.

This is the infirmary, his foundation, and the origin of his reputation as "Miracle Doctor Xu".

Staying here means staying here to protect the hearts and minds of all the workers in the factory.

People's hearts are far more valuable than a luxurious office.

The office door was gently pushed open without a knock; the footsteps were as light as a cat landing.

Ding Qiunan walked in carrying an enamel teacup.

Today she was wearing a faded nurse's uniform, her hair styled into two neat braids that hung down her chest. At sixteen or seventeen years old, her face still had a touch of baby fat, and her eyes were clear and bright, without a trace of impurity.

"Brother Xu, the water is ready for you."

She carefully placed the teacup with the words "Gifted to the most beloved person" printed on it on Xu Lin's table, afraid of splashing a single drop of water. "Brother Xu, you're such a good deputy factory director, you probably can't find another leader in the whole factory who's always guarding the medicine box." Ding Qiunan's voice was clear and sweet, with the unique sweetness of a young girl. Her eyes were full of undisguised admiration as she looked at Xu Lin.

In her view, Xu Lin's decision to forgo a spacious and bright office and instead choose such a small storage room demonstrates his high level of ideological awareness and his unwavering revolutionary spirit.

Xu Lin picked up the teacup, finding it warm to the touch. He blew away the floating tea leaves, took a sip, and a surge of scalding warmth slid down his throat into his stomach, dispelling the last trace of morning chill.

He put down his teacup and picked up several invitations that had already been written on the table.

The red cardboard and the pre-printed gold "囍" character were the best kind he had specially bought from the supply and marketing cooperative yesterday.

"I call this remembering my roots."

Xu Lin's voice was flat, revealing no emotion, and his gaze fell on Ding Qiunan's clear eyes.

"Although your medical skills have improved rapidly, you are still young and lack experience. When you encounter some difficult cases, you still need someone to be there to watch over you to prevent any mistakes. Human life is a matter of life and death, and you can't joke about it."

These words are half true and half false.

Ding Qiunan is indeed a promising talent. She learned acupressure and massage very quickly, and given time, she will become a good doctor who can work independently.

But more importantly, it's about keeping her under my watchful eye.

Cui Dake was indeed resolved, but behind Nan Yi's seemingly refined glasses lay a few inexplicable desires.

This little white bud is too easy to attract bees and butterflies.

Xu Lin continued to spout high-sounding reasons.

"Besides, sitting here, I'm close to my coworkers. If anyone has a bruise or feels unwell, they can just come over. It's convenient. As a leader, you can't be detached from the masses; it makes me feel at ease."

Ding Qiunan nodded repeatedly, her eyes shining even brighter.

She felt that every word Xu Ge said was full of wisdom and shone with the brilliance of thought.

Xu Lin looked at her like this and shook his head inwardly.

They're still too naive.

This girl is like a blank sheet of paper—clean, pure, but also fragile. In this age where human relationships are as treacherous as ghosts, she is too easily tainted or torn apart.

He stood up, patted off the non-existent creases on his Zhongshan suit, and carefully put the invitations into his pocket.

"Alright, keep an eye on the infirmary for now. Write down anything that can't be resolved and I'll deal with it when I get back. I'm going to deliver these last few invitations."

Xu Lin went to the factory director's office first.

The office door was ajar, and hushed conversations could be heard inside.

Xu Lin knocked on the door before gently pushing it open.

With a soft creak, the eyes of the two people in the room turned to look at him simultaneously. Yang Anguo was sitting behind his desk, frowning as he listened to something, while standing opposite him was Li Huaide, the director of the logistics department.

Li Huaide's perpetually smiling face instantly became even more enthusiastic, his eyes narrowing into slits, with only a fleeting glint of shrewdness visible upon close inspection. His appearance was notorious throughout the factory.

"Oh, Deputy Factory Director Xu, what a distinguished guest! I was just thinking of coming to see you."

Before Yang Anguo could speak, Li Huaide rushed forward, deftly pulled a brand-new pack of "Da Zhonghua" cigarettes from his jacket pocket, took one out, and shoved it into Xu Lin's hand without a word. His enthusiasm was as if he had seen a long-lost brother.

Xu Lin took it casually, holding it between his fingers, but showed no intention of lighting it; he simply smiled.

"Director Li is here too, that's perfect, saves me from making another trip." His gaze passed over Li Huaide and landed on Yang Anguo, his tone revealing the straightforwardness unique to young people.

"I'm getting married tomorrow. I'll be having a small banquet at home. I hope you two former leaders will do me the honor of attending." As he finished speaking, he took out two invitations from his pocket. The red cardboard and the golden "囍" (double happiness) character shone brightly in the dim office light.

"You rascal!" Yang Anguo's smile was genuine, carrying the satisfaction of an elder looking at a younger generation. He stood up, took the invitation, and patted it in his hand. "I was wondering why you hadn't made a move! Don't worry, I'll be there on time tomorrow, and we absolutely have to have a couple of drinks!"

Li Huaide hurriedly took his own invitation and echoed, "Absolutely! I'll attend Deputy Factory Director Xu's wedding even if it's raining knives!" He carefully put the invitation into his inner pocket and patted his chest to guarantee it.

"Let's see if there's anything missing for the wedding banquet tomorrow. Just let me know, and I guarantee I'll take care of it perfectly! I do have some connections that can help with that." Xu Lin smiled and nodded, thanking Li Huaide. Li Huaide's methods were indeed much better than Yang Anguo's. His polite words on the surface were impeccable, no wonder he was able to get away unscathed in the end.

Then, as if remembering something, he solemnly took out another invitation from his inside pocket.

"Director Yang, there's another matter I need to trouble you with."

Xu Lin's tone became more serious.

"Could you please pass this invitation on to Minister Gao in the ministry? Given my status, it might not be appropriate for me to go directly there." For a moment, the air in the office seemed to freeze.

Yang Anguo's smile vanished almost imperceptibly for a moment. He looked at the gold-embossed invitation, his eyes becoming deep.

Minister Gao.

That's a leader from a ministry in charge of industrial production.

Xu Lin, that kid, managed to pull the strings so smoothly, without making a sound. After all, the two of them had only met a few times, twice, and both times it happened in front of him. Could he really have some other background?

The glint in Li Huaide's narrowed eyes was almost impossible to suppress.

The way he looked at Xu Lin had completely changed.

This is no longer just a simple technical talent; he is an ambitious political player.

"OK."

Yang Anguo pondered for a moment before solemnly accepting the substantial invitation.

"I'll take care of this for you. You've done a good job. Whether Minister Gao comes or not is another matter, but you have to show your sincerity." He smiled again, but there was a hint of inquiry in that smile.

"Thank you, Factory Director Yang."

Having achieved his goal, Xu Lin did not linger any longer. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he took his leave.

"Then I won't disturb the two leaders' work discussion any longer. I'll go deliver it to other departments."

He nodded to the two of them, turned around and left the office, the office door closing gently behind him.

The atmosphere inside the room could never return to what it had been before.

Li Huaide's smile turned playful. He slowly struck a match and lit the cigarette in his mouth with a "sizzle".

A bluish-white mist rose and swirled, blurring the expression on his face.

"Director Yang, what do you think of Brother Xu...?"

He took a deep breath, turned to look at Yang Anguo, and said in a tone that was hard to define, "So young, yet so meticulous in your work. You are truly a force to be reckoned with."

Yang Anguo's hand, holding the enamel teacup, hovered in mid-air, his knuckles slightly white from the force. He didn't speak, but just stared at the table with a calm gaze.

Seeing this, Li Huaide sighed again, as if talking to himself, yet also as if speaking to Yang Anguo, "With Minister Gao and such a high-ranking leader, his future prospects are...tsk tsk..."

He shook his head, and those two "tsk tsk" sounds were particularly jarring in the quiet office. "Unlimited potential."

Yang Anguo slammed his teacup down on the table with a dull thud. Every word Li Huaide had spoken felt like a tiny needle, piercing the most sensitive spot in his heart. Yang Anguo wasn't surprised that Li Huaide knew Xu Lin had met a high-ranking official, because he knew Xu Lin's father-in-law held a high position.

Everyone knows that Xu Lin has a pure and upright family background, is a martyr's family member, and his background is as clean as a blank sheet of paper. Now, he is the youngest deputy director in the history of the steel rolling mill, and it will be difficult for anyone to surpass him in the future. His prestige among the workers is growing day by day.

If he could be placed on the Ministry's radar and gain Minister Gao's favor...

Who will be in charge of this steel rolling mill in the future? Will he be able to hold onto his position as factory director?

"Our factory has never had such a young deputy factory director in all these years." Li Huaide exhaled a smoke ring and continued to stir things up at a leisurely pace. "From now on, we old guys will probably have to make way for the young people." He looked at Yang Anguo with a faint smile on his lips.

"Don't you agree?" These words sounded like praise and admiration, but every word carried a heavy weight on Yang Anguo's heart.

Yang Anguo finally raised his head, his eyes no longer showing the gentleness they had before, and he replied indifferently.

"It's a good thing that young people are capable; the factory needs fresh blood." This was a standard official statement, devoid of any emotion. Li Huaide, seeing that he had the upper hand, immediately chuckled.

"That's right, that's right, Director Yang, you are truly magnanimous and farsighted." He stubbed out his cigarette and carefully put the remaining half back into the cigarette case.

He knew he had achieved his goal; once the seed of doubt was planted, it would inevitably take root and sprout sooner or later. Now that Yang Anguo had become suspicious, the situation was completely muddied, and his own calculations began to run wild.

Since Yang Anguo is wary of Xu Lin, can't Li Huaide, the hardworking and meritorious logistics director, also glean something from this mess? If Xu Lin can sit in that deputy factory director position, why can't Li Huaide? At the very least, having multiple deputy factory directors is quite normal; these days, which large factory doesn't have one director and three deputy directors?

Xu Lin didn't bother to ponder the subtle scheming between Yang Anguo and Li Huaide in the office.

Without stopping, he first went to the personnel department.

Li Xiaoli, the director of the personnel department, was buried in a pile of files when she saw Xu Lin enter. She immediately stood up, her face beaming with a professional smile, and jokingly said...

"Deputy Factory Director Xu, what brings you here?"

"Director Li is busy," Xu Lin said with a grin, handing over an invitation.

"I'm getting married tomorrow, please come!"

Li Xiaoli accepted the invitation with both hands. Seeing the red background and gold lettering, her smile became even more genuine. "I'll definitely be there! Congratulations in advance to Deputy Factory Director Xu!" Xu Lin, like Li Xiaoli, exchanged a few pleasantries before getting up to leave.

The finance department followed the same procedure: a few polite words, invitations sent out, and things were done efficiently. Only after completing all this did Xu Lin turn and walk towards the other end of the factory; one last invitation was to be delivered to the canteen manager.

Before you even get close, a wave of heat, a mixture of the sweet scent of cabbage, the smoky aroma of coal fire, and the steam from cooked food, hits you. At the kitchen door, several kitchen helpers are laboriously carrying baskets of cabbage inside, cabbage leaves falling all over the floor.

Meng Qingshan, the canteen director, was standing at the entrance with his hands on his hips, giving instructions in a loud voice.

"Hurry up! Pay attention to hygiene!" Meng Qingshan had sharp eyes and immediately spotted Xu Lin walking over. He quickly strode over to greet him.

"Director Xu, what brings you here? If you need anything, just let me know and I'll come right over!"

Looking at the upright and righteous middle-aged man before him, Xu Lin joked with ease. The canteen was the most lucrative place in the entire factory, but Meng Qingshan, despite holding that position, remained impeccably clean, never taking advantage of the company in the slightest. He was also incredibly shrewd and diplomatic; truly a talented individual.

This kind of person is worth getting to know better.

"Director Meng, you're too kind."

Xu Lin smiled, waved his hand, and took out an invitation from his pocket, handing it over. "I'm having a wedding tomorrow, with a few tables at home. I'd like to invite you to come and have a drink. You'd be honored to come."

"Oh my! This is wonderful news!" Meng Qingshan was flattered as he accepted the invitation, holding it carefully with a genuine smile on his face. "I'll definitely go, I'll definitely go! I absolutely have to go!"

After hearing Meng Qingshan agree, Xu Lin added, "Director Meng, there's something else I need your help with."

"Look at you saying that again," Meng Qingshan thumped his chest loudly, "Director Xu, what's this about asking for favors? Just ask! As long as I, Old Meng, can do it!"

Xu Lin smiled, "Tomorrow is a big wedding banquet at home, and we're a bit short-handed. I was thinking, could we borrow two of our chefs from the cafeteria to help with the cooking? What do you think..."

"What kind of nonsense is this!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Qingshan immediately turned around and shouted at the top of his lungs at the bustling scene in the kitchen.

"Idiot Zhu! Nan Yi! Get over here, both of you!"

A moment later, two young men in white overalls and white hats ran out of the steamy kitchen. Yu Zhu still had that carefree, nonchalant attitude. The other, Nan Yi, looked refined and handsome. Xu Lin was meeting Nan Yi for the first time, as he hadn't eaten in the cafeteria much since Ding Qiu Nan arrived at the infirmary.

Upon seeing that it was Xu Lin, Sha Zhu immediately chuckled, revealing a set of white teeth.

"Brother Xu, no, Director Xu, do you have any work to do?"

Xu Lin nodded, his gaze sweeping over the two of them.

"I'm getting married tomorrow, and my family is holding a banquet. I'd like to invite you two to help with the cooking. Don't worry, you'll be paid the market rate, and there will be plenty of cigarettes and alcohol."

As soon as he finished speaking, Sha Zhu slapped his thigh loudly.

"Look at what you're saying! Director Xu, your wedding is a great joy! We're even from the same compound. If I were to take your money, wouldn't I be a bastard? You could have just mentioned it in the compound. There's no need for you to make a special trip." He thumped his chest loudly.

"Don't worry! Tomorrow, Nan Yi and I will make sure this job is done perfectly for you! We'll let all the guests have a good look and see what real Tan Family Cuisine is all about!"

Nan Yi, standing next to him, also expressed his earnestness and politeness, "Director Xu, please rest assured, we will definitely handle it well."

Hearing what the two said, Xu Lin nodded in satisfaction, feeling relieved. He smiled, patted Sha Zhu on the shoulder, thanked Meng Qingshan, and then turned to leave.

As evening fell, the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the entire courtyard in a warm golden light.

Xu Lin pushed open the door to his home, and the scene before him made him pause.

The house, both inside and out, has completely changed.

Bright red paper-cut "double happiness" characters were pasted on the windows and door frames, and brand-new red quilts were neatly folded on the bed, filling the whole room with a warm and festive atmosphere.

Qin Huairu and Tan Liya were busy inside when they heard the door open. Qin Huairu immediately turned around and quickly went to greet them.

"You're back? You must be exhausted?"

She naturally took the briefcase from Xu Lin's hand, her eyes sparkling with tenderness.

Xu Lin took the opportunity to put his arm around her soft waist, and the pleasant scent of soap pods wafted around his nose, making most of the day's fatigue disappear.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear with a smile, "Not tired. You're getting married tomorrow, are you nervous?"

Qin Huairu's cheeks flushed instantly, and she lowered her head in embarrassment, letting out a soft "hmm" before looking at him.

Seeing this, Tan Liya, who was standing next to her, couldn't help but tease her.

"She's been restless since the afternoon. She's tried on her clothes for tomorrow several times, and now she's worried about which one to wear."

"Oh, right, Xu Lin, come and take a look. These are the clothes I went to buy with Huai Ru today." Tan Liya pointed to two pieces of clothing on the bed.

One is a bright red cloth dress with a cinched waist, which looks elegant and festive.

Xu Lin nodded. "This is good. It will be perfect for welcoming guests tomorrow."

"And this one too." A hint of mockery flashed in Tan Liya's eyes as she pulled out a neatly folded cheongsam from under her red dress.

It was a deep purple velvet cheongsam embroidered with subtle floral patterns. Xu Lin picked it up, shook it, and his eyes widened.

The slit in this cheongsam is much higher than usual, almost reaching the waistline.

Qin Huairu's face instantly turned red to the roots of her neck, and she reached out to snatch it, "This...this one doesn't count, that's what Sister Tan insisted on buying."

Tan Liya covered her mouth and chuckled, "I picked this out especially. Huai Ru's figure looks absolutely stunning in this. Xu Lin, this is a 'surprise' I prepared for you."

Xu Lin stroked the smooth fabric, feeling incredibly grateful to Tan Liya for her divine intervention. "Sister Tan, you really understand me," Xu Lin chuckled mischievously. Seeing this, Tan Liya tactfully stood up. "Alright, I won't be a third wheel here. You two should get some rest. You'll be busy tomorrow. I won't go to the basement today either. You two should discuss tomorrow's plans carefully, since it's not appropriate for me to step in and help."

Xu Lin immediately got up and escorted Tan Liya to the door. He then groped her for a while before letting her leave. Once inside, only Xu Lin and Qin Huairu remained.

Xu Lin held up the cheongsam, gesturing to Qin Huairu, "Huairu, want to try it on?"

"No, this is too... too much." Qin Huairu bit her lip, her voice so soft it was like a mosquito's buzz.

Xu Lin leaned close to her ear and whispered, "You'll have to see it sooner or later anyway, so why not let me see it for myself first?"

Qin Huairu felt a tickle on her neck from his warm breath, and her body went weak. She looked up at the doors and windows to make sure they were all closed tightly before shyly taking the clothes from him.

"Then...you turn around first, and you're not allowed to peek."

Xu Lin obediently turned around, listening to the rustling sounds of changing clothes behind him, his mind filled with all sorts of chaotic images from the system.

"Are you done yet?"

"alright……"

Xu Lin turned around, his breath suddenly caught in his throat.

Qin Huairu was already voluptuous, and the cheongsam seemed to have grown onto her body, perfectly outlining her graceful curves. Especially the high slit, which, with her restless movements, revealed large glimpses of her snow-white skin.

She stood there, twisting the hem of her clothes with both hands, her eyes lowered, exuding a captivating blend of innocence and allure.

Xu Lin's Adam's apple bobbed, and he took a few steps forward, picking the person up in his arms.

"Sir...this is for tomorrow night..."

"I can't wait any longer, I'll have Sister Tan buy a new one tomorrow..."

The red candles flickered, and a gentle breeze blew outside, hiding the springtime atmosphere of the room into the night.