Siheyuan: I just came across and wanted to chase me away

Deputy Factory Director Li raised his glass, a warm smile on his face: "Alright, let's drink first! I invited you all here today to take this opportunity to warm up to you all. There's nothing else important, so relax."

As he spoke, he raised his glass first, clinking it with the other workshop directors present. With a crisp "clink," he tilted his head back and downed it in one gulp. Seeing this, everyone else followed suit, and soon the atmosphere around the table was lively with clinking glasses. However, everyone knew perfectly well what Deputy Factory Director Li was really up to—with the factory director's position still undecided, his invitation to drink was hardly just a casual "warming up." Yet, he deliberately avoided mentioning any talk of siding with or choosing sides, as if it were truly just a simple banquet. No one dared to bring it up directly, so they could only drink along, each with their own agenda.

Xu Damao bustled about, refilling wine for one person and pouring tea for another, his eyes constantly glancing towards the head of the table, his ears perked up, trying to hear if there were any whispers. But after a few rounds of drinks, the conversation at the table consisted entirely of idle chatter about the workshop—whose apprentice had made the fastest progress recently, which machine needed maintenance, even the fact that cabbage at the market had gone up by two cents—all trivial matters, without touching on the important topic of the "factory manager's position."

Xu Damao sighed inwardly, knowing he wouldn't hear any secrets, so he simply put aside his thoughts, raised his glass, and toasted everyone in turn, his words as sweet as honey: "Director Wang, you must drink more. Your skills are the backbone of the factory, and Deputy Director Li relies on you the most!" "Director Zhang, let me toast you. I still remember the favor you did for me by fixing that projector last time!"

At the other end of the table, Deputy Factory Director Li smiled, but his heart sank. These men were his trusted confidants, whom he had personally promoted. They used to confide in him wholeheartedly, but today they were all pretending not to understand. Whenever the topic of "who to support" or "what to do next" came up, they avoided it. He was furious—this was not a good sign. If morale was low, the team would be difficult to lead.

Meanwhile, Gu Nan's home was filled with warmth. Gu Nan looked at Ran Qiuye, who was breastfeeding her child, and said softly, "Qiuye, it's not good to stay cooped up at home all the time. We're free this weekend, so why don't we go out for a walk as a family? Let's go boating in the park, or go to the countryside to enjoy the autumn scenery and let the child get some fresh air."

Ran Qiuye's eyes lit up, and a genuine smile spread across her face. She nodded, "Great! It's definitely time to get out and about." She looked down at the sleeping child in her arms and sighed softly, "Speaking of which, I really miss the days when I was a teacher, spending every day with my students, all so lively and fun. Now I'm at home all day with my child, and sometimes I wonder if I could adapt to that pace if I went back to work, if I could even keep it up."

Gu Nan sensed the loneliness in her voice. Since having the child, Ran Qiuye had devoted almost all her energy to the home, taking care of the child and doing housework during the day, only having a moment of peace when he came home in the evening, and barely anyone to talk to. Especially after the turmoil at the factory a while ago, she had been worried and scared for a long time, and it was inevitable that she would feel suffocated.

He walked over and gently rubbed her shoulder: "If you want to go to work, wait until the child is a little older, and I'll ask someone to inquire about school openings for you. But for now, just rest well. We'll go to the park this weekend. I remember you used to love looking at the lotus flowers in the lake. Although the blooming season is over, the autumn scenery has a different kind of charm."

Ran Qiuye leaned on his shoulder, feeling a warm glow in her heart, as if the gloom of the past few days had dissipated considerably.

Gu Nan sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), looking at Ran Qiuye's slightly tired profile as she soothed the child. He reached out and brushed the stray hairs from her forehead. "Qiuye, there was a lot going on at the factory the other day, and I'm sorry you had to work so hard. That matter is over now, don't take it to heart, it will get better slowly. In a while, when I'm not so busy, I'll spend more time at home with you and the child."

He knew how hard it was to take care of a child alone—changing diapers, feeding, and putting the baby to sleep; by the end of the day, his back was aching. But in the current situation, hiring a nanny was not only expensive, but it also made him vulnerable to criticism about his "lifestyle." Those sharp-eyed people in the neighborhood were probably waiting to find fault with him.

Ran Qiuye turned her head, a gentle smile on her face, the weariness in her eyes fading slightly: "I'm doing much better now. Shiwan is becoming more and more well-behaved, and she doesn't make much noise at night anymore. You just focus on your work, I'll take care of things at home."

Gu Nan smiled and gently touched his daughter's soft little hand with his fingertips: "Did anything happen in the yard today?"

Ran Qiuye had nothing to hide and said with a smile, "There is indeed some news—He Yuzhu's wife, Lu Jia, is pregnant. She just came to our house for a while and said that this is her first pregnancy, and she is not sure about it. Her relationship with the Jia family is also strained. She wanted to ask me about the precautions to take when I was pregnant with Shiwan. It seems that the courtyard will be welcoming a new baby, which is a happy event."

Gu Nan nodded, his fingertips paused for a moment, and he looked up at Ran Qiuye: "How did you end up talking to her?" He had always harbored some doubts about Lu Jia, feeling that although the woman looked gentle, there was something inexplicable hidden in her eyes.

Ran Qiuye knew that Gu Nan and He Yuzhu didn't get along, so she explained softly, "She came to me on her own initiative, saying that my place was the quietest in the courtyard and she wanted to chat for a bit. I thought... I don't have anyone in the courtyard with whom I can confide, so I talked to her for a bit longer."

Gu Nan sighed, softening his tone: "It's not that I don't want you to make friends, it's just that this courtyard is too complicated. There are all sorts of people here, and you can't see into someone's heart. Who knows what they're thinking? You're kind-hearted, so don't easily believe what others say."

Ran Qiuye nodded: "I understand, don't worry, I know what I'm doing." As she spoke, she got up to check on the child. Little Shiwan smacked her lips in her swaddling clothes and was fast asleep.

Gu Nan watched her retreating figure, knowing full well that Ran Qiuye was still too trusting. He turned to look at Heizi, the large, jet-black dog lying in the corner—a dog he had brought back from the countryside recently. It looked ordinary, but was actually very intelligent.

"Xiao Hei," Gu Nan lowered his voice, "keep a close eye on Lu Jia. If she dares to do anything funny at our doorstep, or if she has any ill intentions towards Qiu Ye and the child, don't be polite, just bite her. I'll take responsibility if anything happens."

Blackie wagged its tail and let out a low whimper, as if in agreement. Although it was a demon beast in human form, it was usually too lazy to show off its abilities. Now that it had been assigned the task of "biting people," it felt a little beneath itself, but considering how well Gu Nan treated it, it obediently nodded and quietly moved behind the door, hiding in the shadows.