Chapter 241: Lou Xiaoe's Intentions

"Huaide, Ping'an said that Xiao Ze and the others getting their housing allocation is all thanks to your help. My second brother didn't bring anything good, just some game and mushrooms from the Back Mountain in our village."

"That's right, Huaide."

"Second Brother, why are you saying all this? Xiao Ze and the others are my nephews; how could I, as their uncle, not help them? Besides, you two often took me along to play when I was a child."

"Second Brother, I'll accept it this time, but just come over next time. And you, Ping'an, what a small matter to make such a fuss about with Second Brother and the others."

Although Li Huaide's tone was one of reproach, the smile at the corners of his eyes betrayed his true feelings.

Li Huaide had indeed helped out of consideration for them being from the same village, but he valued Zhang Ping'an even more. He was naturally happy that Li Huaijin and Li Huaiyu had come to thank him; after all, no one wants to help an ingrate.

"Li Ge, this is my fault for not thinking it through," Zhang Ping'an said, giving his mouth a playful pat, which immediately made Xu Lijuan, who was standing to the side, laugh.

"Ahem, Li Ge, originally my eldest sister, second sister, Xiao Ze, and Xiao Cheng wanted to come too, but I was afraid it would have a bad impact, so I didn't let them come."

"Hey, what's the problem with that? Next time there's a chance, have them all come over as guests."

Zhang Ping'an chatted with Li Huaide for a few more moments before taking his two brothers-in-law home.

"This kid."

"Li, Ping'an does things in a way that makes people feel at ease. Those two second brothers of yours from back home also know how to be grateful."

"That's right."

After leaving Li Huaide's house, the eldest brother-in-law and second brother-in-law both felt a sense of relief. Although Xu Lijuan hadn't said much the whole time, the pressure she exerted on them had been too strong.

"Ping'an, what does Huaide's wife do? Why do I feel like she's not an ordinary person?"

"Hmm, I think she's a housewife?"

Zhang Ping'an was also taken aback by the question; he really didn't know what kind of work Xu Lijuan did. The "not ordinary" that the eldest brother-in-law mentioned was likely because they were not in the same social class.

"Ah?"

"However, Li Ge's father-in-law is no simple man." Zhang Ping'an didn't continue, but his brothers-in-law should have understood.

"Oh, oh, that's no wonder then."

Early the next morning, the families of the eldest and second sisters finished their meal and headed back early, as they still had work points to earn during the day.

Ever since Zhang Ping'an became Factory Director, he had almost no time to wander around. He spent his whole day in the office processing various documents for the Pig Farm, which made him miss the days in the Procurement Section when he could slip away at any time.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Come in."

"Factory Director, why have you come?" Zhang Ping'an was buried in his documents, but when he looked up, he saw Li Huaide walking over with a stack of files.

"Haha, nothing, just came to see if you were slacking off."

"Factory Director, my head is spinning from these documents; how would I have time to slack off?"

"Hahaha, you don't know how lucky you are. There are so many people who want to approve documents but don't have the chance."

"Who do you think is more worth cultivating, Nie Hansheng or Yang Zhiqiang?" Li Huaide changed the subject and asked. Nie Hansheng and Yang Zhiqiang were the two Deputy Factory Directors of the Pig Farm.

"I think it's Nie Hansheng. He is suited for maintaining the status quo. Yang Zhiqiang's work style is too aggressive. Our Pig Farm was established primarily to supply the Rolling Mill, and we don't need to expand into outside markets."

Of course, Zhang Ping'an didn't choose Nie Hansheng just because of this; it was also because Factory Director Nie stood behind him, while Yang Zhiqiang was the younger brother of Yang Zhiguo.

"Currently, the annual output is stable at around four thousand head, which is completely sufficient to supply the entire Rolling Mill. Reaching five thousand head this year shouldn't be a problem, and maintaining this figure in the future would be very good."

"Hmm, what you say makes sense. In the future, you can hand these documents over to Nie Hansheng to handle. I believe he will be very happy to do so. Hahaha, keep up the good work."

Since Li Huaide said it this way, the implication was very clear: it was a hint that he would be officially promoted by the end of the year at the latest. From then on, when people called him Director Zhang, it would be well-deserved, and at that time, this Pig Farm would also be handed over to Nie Hansheng.

After figuring this out, Zhang Ping'an took a stack of documents to find Nie Hansheng; he could finally be relieved of this burden.

"Factory Director Zhang, don't worry, I will organize these documents well."

"Hmm, I trust you, Comrade Hansheng."

Meanwhile, Yang Zhiqiang, just a wall away, naturally heard the commotion and sighed helplessly in his heart.

Li Huaide and his brother Yang Zhiguo were natural rivals, so his relationship with Zhang Ping'an could only remain superficial; it was impossible to have a deep friendship.

Zhang Ping'an choosing Nie Hansheng was also within reason. If it were him, he would have made the same choice; there was nothing wrong with that.

And now that his brother Yang Zhiguo had no advantage left, he could only slowly endure it at the Pig Farm. He already regretted coming to the Pig Farm to "gild" his resume; although he had managed to get a little gold, he had also gotten himself trapped.

Zhang Ping'an hummed a little tune as he returned to his office and brewed a cup of tea. Without the constraints of the documents, he could focus on reading the basic knowledge of antiques given to him by Guan Daye.

Just as Zhang Ping'an was immersed in the ocean of knowledge, the office door was knocked on again.

"Come in." Zhang Ping'an shoved the book into his drawer.

"Xiao'e? Why are you here?"

"Brother-in-law, I came with my father. He's holding a big meeting at the Rolling Mill, listening to some quarterly summary report, so I snuck out, hee hee."

"You, just play here." Zhang Ping'an brewed her a cup of tea.

"Brother-in-law."

"Hmm?"

"What do you think about men having three wives and four concubines?"

"Oh, are you talking about your father? How should I put it? Your father is indeed very capable; it was normal to marry several wives in the past, but unfortunately, our country now has a monogamy system."

Zhang Ping'an didn't think much of it, assuming Lou Xiaoe was just feeling indignant for her mother, but Lou Xiaoe heard that Zhang Ping'an was not repulsed by the matter and felt secretly happy.

"Brother-in-law, I like you. I can be your concubine."

"Pfft, cough, cough..." Zhang Ping'an, who was drinking tea, was shocked by Lou Xiaoe's words and nearly choked to death on the tea.

"Xiao'e, you..."

"Are you okay?"

Zhang Ping'an had always looked at her as a child. Although she was eighteen now, heaven is his witness, Zhang Ping'an really didn't have any thoughts in that regard.

"Brother-in-law, I'm serious."

Although Lou Xiaoe's face was as red as a monkey's bottom, since she had already said it, she couldn't afford to be shy.

"Xiao'e, did your father force you to get married? Is that why you're talking nonsense?"

"Brother-in-law, look, you don't even oppose having three wives and four concubines, and I am willing to be a concubine for you, so let's..."

Lou Xiaoe was someone who dared to love and hate; since the words were already spoken, she naturally wanted to make everything clear at once.

"Don't, don't, Xiao'e, you are still young, you have seen too few people, and I have always treated you like a younger sister," Zhang Ping'an did not expect Lou Xiaoe to be so bold as to run directly to his office to confess her feelings to him.

"Brother-in-law, you say I'm still young, then let's try it, once we've tried, I won't be a child anymore," Lou Xiaoe said, shyly twisting her fingers.

"..."

"Ahem, Xiao'e, look, let's not even mention the large age gap between us, the state policy doesn't allow it either. How about this, you go back first, and wait for me to discuss it with your sister Xiao Ling."

Zhang Ping'an had a massive headache, but he still decided to stabilize her first to avoid any more shocking remarks popping out, and since they were currently in the office, it would be over if someone with ulterior motives heard them.

"Oh, alright, brother-in-law, then I'll wait for your news."

In Lou Xiaoe's view, Wang Xiaoling was the same as her, and they were good sisters; there was no need to let the benefits flow into someone else's field.

"..."