I feel right at home in the world of the courtyard house.

Inside the steel rolling mill's office building, the morning's work pace was neither too fast nor too slow. Li Jing'an walked in carrying cardboard boxes, his leather shoes making a clear sound on the terrazzo floor, attracting the attention of passersby.

He first went to the quietest office on the east side of the third floor, the office of the factory's Party Secretary. He knocked and entered; the secretary was reading documents. Seeing it was him, the secretary took off his glasses, revealing a gentle smile: "Jing'an, what's up?"

"Secretary, did I disturb you?" Li Jing'an smiled and gently placed two boxes of mooncakes on the corner of his desk. "Yesterday, I went out on business and happened to run into some colleagues from the food factory. They insisted on giving me some of their factory's own mooncakes to try. I can't finish them all, so I'm giving you and your wife two boxes to try. They're nothing fancy, just a small token of my appreciation."

The Party Secretary glanced at the cardboard box with red patterns, a knowing look flashing across his eyes. His smile softened. "Oh, mooncakes from the First Food Factory? These are in high demand. You're always so polite. Sit down, have a seat?"

"No, no, you mustn't sit down. You're busy, I still need to go see Director Yang." Li Jing'an took his leave at the right time, his attitude respectful but not overly humble.

After leaving the Party Secretary's office, he went to Director Yang's office on the second floor. Director Yang, with a booming voice, was on the phone discussing production progress. Seeing him come in carrying a box, he quickly said a few words into the phone and hung up, then greeted him warmly, "Jing'an! Come, come, what good stuff are you carrying?"

Li Jing'an repeated what he had said to the Party Secretary with a smile, and put down the two boxes of mooncakes. Director Yang picked up one box, weighed it in his hand, and laughed heartily, "Good! This stuff is really good! My wife was just talking about it the other day, wondering if the supply and marketing cooperative would even be sending mooncakes this year. You've really satisfied her craving! You're really resourceful." He then asked Li Jing'an how he had gotten them.

"Hey, I had dinner with Director Sun from the Second Commerce Bureau last night, and there were some colleagues from the First Food Factory there too. That's why I had to bring some over to try today." Li Jing'an chatted for a few more minutes before leaving.

Next, like a precise gift-giving messenger, he knocked on the doors of the team leader, the heads of the personnel department, the finance department, and the security department. Oh, and the two deputy factory directors—though they had no real presence in the factory, the proper etiquette still had to be observed.

Everyone reacted differently to this unexpected gift, but the surprise and gratitude were universal.

Personnel Section Chief Zhang pulled him aside and whispered a few words about the recent internal news regarding the placement of factory workers' children; Finance Section Chief Chen smiled and said, "The approval process for the guesthouse's expenses in the second half of the year is going much smoother"; Security Section Chief Gou patted his chest and said, "Director Li, you can absolutely rest assured about the guesthouse's security." Li Jing'an maintained a polite smile throughout, handling the situation with ease, neither overly familiar nor distant, striking the perfect balance.

As he passed the publicity department office after delivering the package, he paused, and through the glass window, he saw Xu Damao chatting idly with someone inside. Xu Damao also spotted him immediately, his eyes lighting up as he practically jumped out: "Brother Li! What brings you here? Please come in, please come in!"

Li Jing'an smiled and went inside. There were other people in the propaganda department, all looking over curiously. Li Jing'an took a box of mooncakes from the box and handed it to Xu Damao: "Damao, this box is for you. And this other box," he took out another box, "is for your section chief. I won't go in specifically; could you pass it on for me?"

Xu Damao accepted the box with both hands, feeling its weight. Upon hearing that it was for the section chief, his face lit up with joy, and his voice trembled with excitement: "Oh! Brother Li! This... this is too much! I haven't even been to your house yet, and you've already given me this. You're so thoughtful! Thank you! Thank you so much!" He bowed slightly, showering the box with flattery.

"Brother Li, you're really something!" He gave a thumbs up. "You're so thoughtful and considerate of your subordinates! Don't worry, I'll deliver that box to the section chief right away, and I'll make sure it conveys your message! From now on, if you have any orders, I, Xu Damao, will never hesitate to give them to the propaganda department!"

Looking at Xu Damao's extremely obsequious manner, Li Jing'an found it somewhat amusing, but on the surface he simply nodded lightly: "Alright, you go ahead and do your work." He thought to himself, although this guy is a scoundrel, even scoundrels have their uses, especially in the propaganda field. Sometimes, being well-informed can lead to doing some crooked things. Keeping this lead around won't hurt.

Finally, carrying the noticeably lighter suitcase, he arrived at the office of Li Huaide, the logistics director. Li Huaide was making tea when he saw him enter, especially with the suitcase in his hands. His face showed genuine surprise: "Jing'an? What... what's going on this time?" The two were close, so they spoke more casually.

Li Jing'an placed the box on the coffee table, took out the last two boxes of mooncakes, and laughed, "What else could it be but mooncakes? I went to dinner with Director Sun yesterday, and there were people from the First Food Factory at the table. They were incredibly hospitable and insisted on giving us some. They brought them to the factory this morning. I'm all alone, how could I possibly eat so many? I gave some to the Party Secretary and the Factory Director, and I also brought you two boxes to try."

He specifically mentioned "two boxes each for the Party Secretary and the Factory Director," and emphasized, "I'll also give you two boxes." These seemingly casual words took on a different meaning for Li Huaide. This indicated that in Li Jing'an's mind, Li Huaide received the same "two boxes" treatment as the Party Secretary and the Factory Director, clearly showing a closer relationship than those section chiefs, and even receiving an extra box compared to the deputy factory director.

Li Huaide's face immediately broke into a smile, a genuine expression of delight. He picked up the mooncake box, examined it, and clicked his tongue twice: "From the First Food Factory? This is good stuff! Jing'an, you really have connections and influence! I'll remember this favor, brother!" He pulled Li Jing'an down to sit, personally poured him a cup of tea, "We must have a private room in the canteen for lunch. I'll arrange some good dishes, and we'll have a good drink together, brother. No refusing!"

"Alright, that's what I've been waiting for, Brother Li." Li Jing'an readily agreed.

It was nearly noon when Li Jing'an emerged from the office building. He could sense that this "mooncake trip" had significantly impacted his career. Previously, people only knew he had connections within the Ministry of Metallurgy and was a parachuted-in cadre. Today's event, however, silently declared his relationship with the Second Commercial Bureau and, more specifically, the First Food Factory—powerful material supply units. In the context of the planned economy, this background was incredibly valuable.

Back at the guesthouse, he tossed the empty cardboard box into the corner and prepared to go up to the third floor. As he passed the reception desk, he said to Wang Caixia, who was knitting, "Caixia, come to my office for a moment."

Wang Caixia understood immediately, put down her work, and followed him to the office.

Li Jing'an closed the door, took out a box of mooncakes and a loaf of bread wrapped in oil paper from the cabinet, and handed them to her: "These are for you. Keep the bread for yourself, don't tell anyone."

Wang Caixia's eyes lit up instantly, as if they had reflected stars. She took the things, hugged them tightly to her chest, a blush rising to her cheeks. Her voice was soft and gentle, filled with gratitude and a touch of coquettishness: "Thank you, Brother Li... you always think of me." The way she called him "Brother Li" was especially melodious.

Li Jing'an sat back in his office chair, lit a cigarette, and looked through the thin smoke at Wang Caixia, whose voluptuous figure was undeniable despite her simple work clothes. A smile played on his lips as he reached out and touched her smooth cheek: "Just saying thank you with words?"

Wang Caixia's face flushed even more. She glanced at him with watery eyes, said nothing, but turned and gently locked the office door from the inside. Then she came back, obediently squatted in front of Li Jing'an's chair, looked up at him with questioning and ingratiating eyes.

Li Jing'an leaned back comfortably in his chair, took a deep drag of his cigarette, and stroked her hair with his other hand, the gesture conveying a sense of superior control. He asked softly, "Have you thought about it?"

Wang Caixia responded with a muffled whimper, pressing her face closer to Li Jing'an's. Li Jing'an closed his eyes, a look of enjoyment on his face, his fingers gently combing through her hair. Only faint sounds and the lingering smell of cigarette smoke remained in the office.

Around noon, the phone rang. It was Li Huaide calling to urge him to go to the private room in the cafeteria. Li Jing'an straightened his clothes, thought for a moment, took out two more boxes of mooncakes from the cabinet, and went out the door.

He didn't go through the main entrance of the canteen, but instead entered through the back kitchen, a place he knew well. Inside, steam rose and noise filled the air. The cook was He Yuzhu, whom everyone in the factory called "Silly Zhu." Silly Zhu was wielding a large iron ladle, cursing and directing his apprentices as they chopped vegetables. He turned and saw Li Jing'an, paused for a moment, then his face broke into a smile: "Hey! Li Jing'an! What are you doing here? All smoky! The foreman instructed me to personally prepare the dishes for the private rooms; I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

Li Jing'an walked over with a smile and handed over a box of mooncakes: "Zhuzi, you've worked hard. Here, take this home and have some."

When Sha Zhu saw the mooncake box, he wiped his hands vigorously on his apron, but didn't take it. He waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "This is too much! Brother Jing'an, this is too valuable! In this day and age, even if you have money and tickets, you might not be able to get your hands on this! You should keep it for someone more important. I'm just a roughneck, I can't accept this!" Sha Zhu's way of addressing people had changed.

"Take it!" Li Jing'an shoved it into his arms without further ado. "Someone gave it to me; I have more. Are you refusing it because you're worried about having guests over and needing to cook?"

"How could I!" Sha Zhu quickly hugged the mooncake box tightly, his face beaming with joy. "You think highly of me, that's my skill! If you need anything in the future, just let me know! Well... then I'll shamelessly accept it, thank you, Brother Jing'an!"

"There's another box," Li Jing'an handed over another box. "This is for your cafeteria director. There are too many people in the private rooms, so I won't go to him specifically. Please pass it on for me and tell him it's just a small token of my appreciation."

"Alright! Don't worry, it'll be delivered right away!" Sha Zhu patted his chest and assured him.

The lunch, held in a private room, was a pleasant affair for both host and guests. Li Huaide invited several middle-level managers with whom he had a good relationship to join him. The two boxes of mooncakes that Li Jing'an brought became the topic of conversation, with everyone complimenting him on his "connections" and "loyalty." Li Jing'an responded with a smile, drinking just the right amount of wine.

After the meal, Li Jing'an was about to leave when the cafeteria director quietly pulled him aside. The director, carrying something wrapped in thick lotus leaves, handed it to him without a word, whispering, "Director Li, this is a small token of my appreciation. It's homemade braised beef, as requested by Director Li. Please take it home and eat it. Also, thank you so much for the mooncakes; you still remembered us."

Li Jing'an declined a couple of times, but then accepted it. He took the heavy, fragrant bag of braised beef back to the reception area.

In the afternoon, during the shift change for the waiters, Li Jing'an saw Qin Huairu carrying a lunchbox as she entered the guesthouse from the window. He then went outside and called out to Qin Huairu down the stairs to come up.

When Qin Huairu arrived at the office on the third floor, Li Jing'an gave her a box of mooncakes and two loaves of bread. Qin Huairu's eyes immediately lit up. "Brother Li, this...this is too precious..." she murmured, her fingers stroking the oil paper package, feeling the softness of the bread.

"Take it, try it when you get home," Li Jing'an said calmly.

Qin Huairu not only served him at the factory, but also went to his courtyard after get off work to do chores and help him relax. Giving him an extra loaf of bread was only fair.

Qin Huairu left with profuse thanks, carefully hiding the items in her cloth bag.

Seeing that it was almost time, Li Jing'an put the remaining bread and mooncakes back into the light yellow cardboard box, tied it securely to the back of his bicycle with rope, and left work early. He rode his bike, with braised beef still hanging from the handlebars. After leaving the steel mill gate, he turned and headed towards his parents' home in the western part of the city.