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

As dusk settled in the courtyard, Qin Huairu leaned against the doorframe of the central courtyard, gazing longingly towards the hanging flower gate. Sha Zhu had told her at noon that there would be special meals prepared for her, but she had been waiting since she got off work and hadn't seen a single person.

As dusk settled, clothes were brought in from the yards, lights came on one by one, and the aroma of food wafted from the windows.

Qin Huairu's heart sank as well. Bang Geng was still at home waiting for dinner, but how could she sit still?

Just as Yi Zhonghai picked up his rice bowl, Qin Huairu pushed the door open and came in, her face full of anxiety. After hearing her words, he put down his chopsticks, looked at the pitch-black sky outside the window, and sighed, "Something's not right. Even if Zhuzi is late, he shouldn't be out of the house by this late."

He put on his coat, told his wife to pour Qin Huairu a cup of hot water to warm her hands, and then strode out of the courtyard gate.

When Yi Zhonghai arrived at the steel rolling mill and found the security department, he learned that Sha Zhu was indeed locked up inside. The guard on duty was a stranger, who waved his hand through the window: "Locked up. Everyone's off duty. No one can see him. We'll talk about it when we come to work tomorrow."

Yi Zhonghai was so anxious he stamped his feet and shouted twice through the window. Sha Zhu heard the commotion and came over, looking completely nonchalant through the iron bars: "Uncle, don't worry! I'm fine! I brought food back from the canteen; the factory leaders tacitly approved it, it's nothing! They'll definitely let me out first thing tomorrow morning!"

Yi Zhonghai frowned, wanting to ask more, but Sha Zhu stubbornly shouted that this was Xie Hui's retaliation, deliberately messing with him today because he was beaten yesterday.

Seeing Sha Zhu's reckless behavior, Yi Zhonghai was very worried. However, the security department refused to let him see anyone, so he could only repeatedly tell Sha Zhu to behave and not to talk nonsense before sighing and walking back.

Back at the courtyard house, Yi Zhonghai told Qin Huairu everything that had happened. The two stood in the courtyard discussing it for a long time, but they couldn't come up with a solution, so they could only go home, hoping that things would turn around the next day.

The next morning, the atmosphere in the interrogation room of the steel rolling mill's security department was tense.

Sha Zhu was brought in, sat down in a chair, crossed his legs, and didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, looking more like he was just visiting than being interrogated.

Sitting opposite was Xie Hui from the Supervision Office, and next to him was Section Chief Gou from the Security Section. In the very center of the table, the lunchbox from yesterday was prominently displayed, its lid half-open, revealing a layer of white oil still clinging to the braised pork inside.

Looking at Sha Zhu's expression, Xie Hui remained calm and asked, "Master He, tell me, where did all this food come from?"

Sha Zhu curled his lip: "Where else could it have come from? I took it from the cafeteria, of course."

Did you pay for it when you took it?

Sha Zhu's eyes darted around, and he deliberately raised his voice: "When have I, Sha Zhu, ever spent money taking things from the cafeteria?"

Xie Hui's face darkened: "Master He, do you know that what you're doing is stealing public property?"

"Theft?" Sha Zhu laughed, his face full of disdain. "I didn't know this was called theft! Besides, whether it's theft or not isn't for you, Xie Hui, to decide! If you're so capable, bring the factory manager here, and we'll talk about it face to face!"

Xie Hui was slightly taken aback and subconsciously turned to glance at Section Chief Gou. Section Chief Gou was leisurely sipping his tea, his gaze drifting out the window, seemingly indifferent. Xie Hui knew what was going on, but still politely said, "Section Chief Gou, could you please arrange for someone to inform the factory manager of the situation here?"

Section Chief Gou reluctantly grunted in agreement and waved to the officer next to him to relay the message.

A short while later, it wasn't the factory manager who arrived, but his secretary. Upon entering, the secretary politely said that the manager was busy and he wasn't aware of the matter at the moment, and that it should be handled according to regulations.

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu jumped up, pointed at the secretary's nose, and shouted, "Isn't this like beating the cook after you've had your fill, or discarding the donkey after it has served its purpose?!"

He became increasingly agitated, and decided to throw caution to the wind, shouting, "You leaders eat the workers' flesh and drink their blood every day! I didn't ask for overtime pay! I work hard cooking for everyone, what's wrong with taking some leftovers? Isn't this how it's always been? Everyone knows that! Why are you arresting me?!"

The more he said, the more outrageous it became. The secretary's face turned pale and then red. He quickly pulled Xie Hui outside the door and whispered, "Director Xie, please stop asking questions. This matter is too complicated. The factory leaders need to discuss it collectively. Please stop asking questions for now."

Xie Hui thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay, I also want to see what the factory leaders' final attitude will be."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Noon, in the office on the third floor of the guesthouse.

Li Jing'an put down the phone. There was still two hundred yuan on the table. He looked at Zhou Yufei standing to the side and said, "Alright, I've spoken to the person in charge of the department store. Your relative's position can be adjusted this afternoon."

Zhou Yufei's eyes lit up, and she quickly bowed to thank him, "Thank you, Brother Li!"

Li Jing'an smiled and tapped the table lightly with his fingers: "Words of thanks aren't enough. From now on, we'll have to see how you perform."

Zhou Yufei blushed slightly and pursed her lips: "I understand, Brother Li."

"I'm inviting the department store manager to dinner in a couple of days. You'll come with me; after all, I'm doing you a favor."

Zhou Yufei nodded quickly: "I'll listen to Brother Li, whenever you say."

She had only been gone a short while when there was a soft knock on the door. Li Jing'an looked up and saw Qin Huairu enter. He was somewhat surprised: "You're supposed to be on the afternoon shift today, why did you come over at noon?"

Qin Huairu's face was full of anxiety, and her voice trembled: "Brother Jing'an, Sha Zhu has been arrested by the factory. An old man asked me to come here... to ask you to help me find out what's going on."

Li Jing'an raised an eyebrow: "Why didn't Yi Zhonghai come himself? Why did he make you come all this way?"

Qin Huairu lowered her head and explained softly, "The old man said that you are my direct supervisor, and we are closer, so it's more appropriate for you to ask him..."

Li Jing'an gave a soft hum, his expression unchanged: "Alright, I understand. I'll ask around for you when I have time. You can go now."

Qin Huairu felt as if she had been granted a pardon, thanked him repeatedly, and hurriedly left.

As soon as she stepped out of the guesthouse, she saw Yi Zhonghai pacing anxiously back and forth at the entrance. Upon seeing her, he quickly approached her: "How did it go? Did Li Jing'an agree to help inquire?"

Qin Huairu nodded: "I agreed, and said I'll ask when I have time."

Yi Zhonghai breathed a sigh of relief, but his brows remained furrowed. Qin Huairu was somewhat puzzled: "Uncle, we can ask the security department ourselves, why bother Li Jing'an?"

Yi Zhonghai sighed deeply: "Do you think I didn't go? I went early this morning, but nobody paid any attention to me. I went again before lunch just now, and the security guards said that Sha Zhu is in serious trouble and can't see anyone."

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu's heart sank, and she could no longer speak. She could only place all her hopes on Li Jing'an.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

On the other side, Zhou Yufei returned to the switchboard room, and as soon as she entered, she was pulled to a corner by Sister Wang who was waiting on the side.

Sister Wang asked anxiously, "How did it go? Did it work?"

Suppressing her excitement, Zhou Yufei nodded vigorously: "It's done. I've already made the arrangements. Your relative can be transferred this afternoon."

Sister Wang beamed with joy, tightly grasped Zhou Yufei's hand, and thanked her repeatedly. Suddenly remembering something, she quickly pulled out two large bills from her pocket and stuffed them into Zhou Yufei's hand.

Zhou Yufei quickly declined, "Sister Wang, this won't do, I can't take your money!"

"Take it, take it!" Sister Wang insisted on stuffing it into her hand. "This is a small token of my appreciation. You've helped me so much, you have to accept it!"

After a few tugs of apprehension, Zhou Yufei finally couldn't refuse and blushed as she accepted the money. She carefully stuffed it into the inside pocket of her cotton coat, and as she touched it, she felt a bulging wavy wad of cash inside. A smile she couldn't hide crept onto her face. She gently patted her coat to make sure the money was secure before returning to her post, satisfied.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.