Chapter 1019: The Person Was Gone in the Second Half of the Night

"Talks collapsed?"

Yu Li looked at Li Xuewu, whose expression changed in the flickering light in the dark night, and asked tentatively.

Li Xuewu turned his head to look at her and asked: "Is Xilin still waiting?"

"Yes, she is in the office."

Yu Li reached out to help him tighten the overcoat on his body and comforted him softly: "Don't be anxious about work, take it slow, you can do it."

"You always have confidence in me."

Li Xuewu smiled slightly and said: "Work is fine, the talk was actually very smooth; I was thinking about other things."

After saying this, he patted her arm, took her hand, and walked back together, sighing: "It's easy to share hardships, but hard to share wealth."

Yu Li squeezed Li Xuewu's big hand and didn't say anything, just walked with him.

She knew Li Xuewu's words weren't about her, but that didn't stop her from self-reflecting.

Regarding the matter of her younger brother and Su Qing, she had to admit that she had greed and selfishness.

Of course, this matter didn't cause any consequences, and Yu Zhe didn't come to the club again.

It's just that in Li Xuewu's heart, her status might be affected.

On the night of New Year's Eve, sharing her emotional experience with Yushui wasn't entirely to give the other party a reminder; there was also internal pressure, and she had to spit it out.

Honestly, which woman hopes to share a man with more women?

Especially when the women around the man are divided into several categories due to various situations.

Yu Li inevitably thought about whether she was the indispensable one for Li Xuewu.

At the same time, returning to herself, she was also thinking about whether her life was just like this.

If she found another suitable man to build a family, have children, could she still possess a complete life?

Without a doubt, Li Xuewu definitely wouldn't stop her, even less interfere with her, and would even send blessings.

Both were very clear that since the other party was not justified, and there was no paper guarantee, how could they talk about forever?

Maybe as time goes by, the stall gets bigger and bigger, more and more people join, and her role gets smaller and smaller.

Until he doesn't need her, the relationship between the two will stop there.

Yu Li couldn't imagine when that day would come, but she couldn't guarantee that this day would be forever and ever.

Being held by Li Xuewu, she only dared to walk at night; even if he was willing, she didn't dare to ask for it.

If she were Yushui, she would definitely fall in love with Li Xuewu regardless of everything; even if she lived in the shadows, she would be together.

Forget about public order and good customs, or being unconventional; a person only has a few decades in this life—who will remember you after it passes?

It's just that she didn't have this qualification and capital, so she could only try her best to do what he needed and be the person he needed.

Just like Xilin waiting in the office, looking at Li Xuewu is also unreachable.

However, the two talked just now; Xilin is more mature than her and sees things more openly; maybe she has plans to start a family this year.

Yu Li couldn't imagine how she made up her mind to walk out of this unrequited experience.

After New Year's Eve, she started to get busy with the club's work and had to find time to go home to see her parents.

When she had time, she had to help Shen Guodong with the station's work and the human relationships in the courtyard.

Although Seeing Sha Zhu isn't in the recycling station, his whole family eats from the recycling station, so this feeling can't be broken.

Diliya gave birth, Yu Li went to the hospital twice, and after returning home, she took eggs to see her once, just waiting for Seeing Sha Zhu to set up a banquet to be lively.

Shen Guodong and Chen Xiaoyan's matter is also fast; Chen Xiaoyan's age has always been stuck, maybe they get married first and then get the certificate—who knows how to say that.

However, there was one thing she heard that felt very disgusting in her heart.

"Have you returned to the courtyard recently?"

Yu Li turned her head to look at Li Xuewu and said: "Yan Jiefang moved into Comrade Ge Shuqin's room."

"Is that so~"

Li Xuewu seemed to be thinking about something and was interrupted by her sudden opening, only then asking in surprise.

Yes, how could this trivial matter surprise Li Xuewu?

Yu Li knew her vision was so short-sighted; besides the club, it was the Sihe Academy, and then it was the extension of the recycling station.

Maybe she felt her topic disturbed Li Xuewu's thinking, so she said embarrassedly: "Look at me, saying everything."

"Hehe, uncomfortable in your heart?"

Li Xuewu shook her hand and said: "If you find it hard to run back and forth, just live here."

"That's not what I meant."

Yu Li often lives here now, but it's the New Year, so it's not good for her house to be empty.

Generally, whoever in the recycling station has time helps her fill a firewood to warm the kang, and if it's cold when she goes back, she just lights it again.

"It's already mid-February; in another month, it will be spring, what's inconvenient?"

Yu Li raised her head, looked at Li Xuewu, and smiled: "Just want to talk to you."

"Mm, me too."

Li Xuewu's mouth, coaxing women is something he can do with his mouth open; he can coax eight like Yu Li.

"When did the Yan family say they would set up the wedding banquet?"

"You just be mean~"

Yu Li scolded Li Xuewu with a smile, shook his hand, and said: "Are you really going if they set up a wedding banquet?"

"Don't say that!"

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and said: "Just based on my relationship with the Third Master, I have to go no matter what; even if I have to ask for leave, I have to go."

"Just be aimless!"

Yu Li rolled her eyes and said: "Their family has already split up."

"Split up again?"

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows; this is the how many-th time?

"You be bad!"

Yu Li knew he was going to mock her, raised her hand to hit him, and said: "They really split up, said they were going out to live alone."

"Actually, it's a good thing."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "Their family quarrels, and people in the courtyard follow along and get annoyed; it's better to split up early."

"I say so too; what's shameful or not shameful—living a good life is the real thing."

Yu Li agreed: "Really poor, can't afford clothes, can't afford food—even if you sing happy songs every day, what's the use."

"It's the front courtyard that can't see through, can't put down his teacher's face, and also circled his children in a cage."

"Mm, the metaphor is very vivid."

Li Xuewu recalled the night of New Year's Eve, shook his head slightly, and said: "Gave Yan Jiefang such a suffocating feeling, howling!"

"That's crying and howling~!"

Yu Li looked at him and said: "When a person is forced to a certain degree, they are not much better than a wild beast; how many are mentally insane."

"Otherwise, why would I say Comrade Ge Shuqin saved him; otherwise, a fire, sleeping on a hot kang at the gate, wouldn't he be crazy by the next morning."

"But he also asked for it himself!"

Yu Li looked at the small courtyard of the management office and let go of Li Xuewu's hand, saying: "If he had been as serious as he is now at the beginning, not playing bad with Banggeng, could he be like this today?"

"A person's life is destined by heaven."

After sighing this sentence, her mood also eased a lot; she pushed open the office door, greeted inside: "Xilin, the boss is here."

"Waited anxiously, right?"

Li Xuewu walked into the room with a smile, let Yu Li help take off his overcoat, washed his hands at the door, and then walked inside.

The office only had heating, and it was quite warm, much better than before.

Last year, the window fans here leaked wind, and there was only a fire stove in the room; no matter how much it burned, it was useless.

Xilin was wearing a purple embroidered vest, with white fur on the collar and cuffs, looking warm.

"Have entertainment?"

She brewed a cup of tea for Li Xuewu and said with a smile: "I have nothing to do; if today doesn't work, tomorrow is also fine."

"Forget it, in a hurry."

Li Xuewu looked at Yu Li and asked: "Did you buy the train ticket?"

"Yes, Guodong went to buy it, sleeper."

Yu Li nodded and explained, then touched the radiator, picked up the thermos, and gestured outside the door: "You guys talk, I'll go fetch hot water."

"Come back quickly, waiting for you."

Xilin greeted with a smile, and after she left, she looked at Li Xuewu sitting on the sofa.

She naturally knew that Yu Li was hiding out by fetching water to give them space to talk.

But what she wanted to talk about was just work, and there was nothing unspeakable.

"Is work very busy now? You look more tired than last time."

"It's okay, many things during the New Year."

Li Xuewu drank a sip of tea, put down the teacup, looked at Xilin, and explained: "Cheng Kaiyuan, the deputy director in charge of production in the factory, talked about some things."

"Heard of it, Yu Li found Section Chief Zhao to accompany his driver to eat."

Xilin nodded and said: "It was transferred last year, right? I heard Biao Ge mention it, and he also went to Steel City for research."

"Mm, not easy to get along with."

Li Xuewu smiled, looked at Xilin, and asked: "What about you? Have you encountered such leaders in Jicheng?"

"It's okay, they all give face to the second uncle."

Xilin covered her mouth and laughed, introducing: "The second uncle has a bad temper; once he even got angry, actually I didn't care too much."

"Mm, everyone in the family says my temper is like the second uncle's."

Li Xuewu folded his right leg and asked: "Did he tell you if there's a plan for progress this year?"

"No, the second uncle only finds us when handling things."

Xilin said: "Seems he started getting busy before the year, especially these few shipping orders, all handled by him."

"He called me."

Li Xuewu lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said: "Said the leader intends to transfer him to the office to hold a deputy position."

"The second uncle is also quite hard-working; the relationship in forestry is very complex."

Xilin sighed: "If he entered the office early, the future would be much easier."

"Mm, indeed."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "But it's not too late now, as long as he stabilizes."

"That depends on you."

Xilin smiled at Li Xuewu and said: "The more trade orders in Beijing, the more stable the second uncle will be."

"How is that possible~"

"How is that possible~"

After saying this, he flicked the ash and said: "Opening an office in Jicheng isn't to obtain resources, but to have output and input, you understand?"

"Yes, I understand."

Xilin nodded and said: "We ate up quite a few of the joint trade product lists last year, and this year we will mainly fight a positional war."

She said confidently: "As long as it's one year, I can eat up one-third of the Jicheng distribution market share, absolutely."

"Mm, I believe in your ability."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "But don't be anxious; slowness isn't scary, what's scary is falling down if you walk too fast."

"The framework of the Jicheng office is there; whenever it's needed, it's there."

He gestured to Xilin with the hand holding the cigarette and said: "You have no competitors, at least within three years."

"Three years, I can take half of the Jicheng market."

Xilin said cautiously: "Any more is impossible; I'm afraid I'll get beaten."

"Mm, I'm relieved that you can think this way."

Li Xuewu opened his hands and said to her: "When you monopolize the market, you must choose to spread out, introduce more participants, and then retreat behind the scenes."

"Sharing doesn't mean suffering a loss; on the contrary, it's a wisdom to maintain the life of an enterprise."

He took a puff of his cigarette and said: "The goal I set for you in Jicheng is that within three years, you must open up the market; it's impossible to have so many people there like today."

"One office, three managers, finding some people to do things is enough."

"I understand."

Xilin nodded and said: "If the market is opened, there's no need to come forward, just do distribution and accounts, like Guodong."

"Mm, that's what it means."

Li Xuewu shook his head slightly and said: "You are all elite soldiers; cultivation isn't easy, and you will continue to expand in the future."

He leaned forward, looked at Xilin, and said: "Three years later, you either go to Fengcheng or Bingcheng; you can choose then."

"The whole Northeast?"

Xilin was stunned, then looked at Li Xuewu and said: "Actually, Biao Ge is also doing Fengcheng business now, infiltrating from Steel City."

"Mm, three years, do as much as you can."

Li Xuewu looked at her and instructed: "You are the same; take Fengcheng as soon as possible, and you can also cultivate some agents in surrounding cities, but be cautious."

"Biao Ge isn't completely doing Fengcheng from Steel City, right?"

Xilin frowned and asked: "He also does other cities?"

"Of course, the heavy industry in the Northeast is connected; as long as there is a railway network, it can be done."

Li Xuewu confirmed: "The Rolling Mill will establish a comprehensive industrial zone integrating light industry and heavy industry in Steel City in the future."

"You also have some understanding of the existing scale and standards; in the future, heavy industry will be used as auxiliary industry, and light industry and small commodity industry will be developed as main industries."

He said to this point, pointed at Xilin and reminded: "This is still a secret; don't say it out, just know it yourself."

"Understood."

Xilin nodded, looked at Li Xuewu, and asked: "When are you going to Steel City?"

She asked this, then emphasized: "I mean going to Steel City to preside over work?"

"Can't be anxious."

Li Xuewu said bitterly: "I'm afraid it will be a year or two; it's very likely early next year, or late next year."

Li Xuewu smiled bitterly and said: "I'm afraid it won't be a year or two; it's very likely to be early next year, or the end of next year."

"Thinking is all good things, but it must be done."

Li Xuewu didn't close the door on it, but still smiled and gave her confidence, saying: "You just do your work; if you need anything, just ask."

"This is really a good thing."

Xilin smiled happily and said: "Two years later, when you preside over the Rolling Mill's work, the promotion intensity of the Northeast station can be strengthened too much."

"One office, one station."

Li Xuewu looked at her and said: "Wherever the Rolling Mill opens an office, the recycling station will be opened; do a good job of undertaking and distribution, and you will never suffer a loss."

"Don't nail your eyes to the Northeast; look further."

Li Xuewu looked at her and said: "Three years, if you finish the workload ahead of schedule, I will transfer you to Hong Kong to work for a period of time."

"Hong Kong?"

Xilin was surprised: "To replace the third uncle and come back?"

"Not necessarily; you going has nothing to do with whether he comes back or not."

Li Xuewu explained: "Sending you to Hong Kong is to broaden your horizons, learn the management mode there, and see fresh things."

"Of course, this is just my assumption; it depends on the specific work arrangement then."

"I'm a bit excited."

Xilin smiled and said: "Growing up, from the Northwest to the North, and then to the Northeast, going to Hong Kong is going to the Southeast; too able to toss."

"How big the heart is, the world is that big."

Li Xuewu looked at her with a smile and said: "Maybe one day you will go to the United States, to the UK, to all parts of the world to broaden your horizons and learn."

"Forget it, stop fooling me."

Xilin smiled and covered her mouth, saying: "After you said that, grass grew in my heart."

Her eyebrows were full of affection, and she looked at Li Xuewu and said: "Originally, I had the intention to marry Ge Lin this year; after listening to you, I'm going to think crookedly."

"Good guy! You really want to eat Ge Lin?!"

Li Xuewu asked with amusement: "How old is Ge Lin this year? Is he eighteen yet?"

"Go to hell~!"

Xilin glared at Li Xuewu and said: "I'm not that old either; what do you mean by eating!"

"Besides, you won't marry me!"

She said with a blocked mouth: "I asked Ge Lin; he doesn't mind me and is willing to be with me."

"I'll forget it; definitely not a good person."

Li Xuewu shook his head, looked at Xilin, and said: "The child is almost born, I don't dare to mess around anymore."

Knowing Xilin's intention, he refused in a joking tone: "I haven't thought about wanting you, but I have to make you a concubine; it's too unfair to you."

"You are a good girl, worthy of a happy and perfect family."

"Stop talking, I'm going to cry."

Xilin covered her eyes, tears were about to fall, but her face was full of happy smiles.

Being able to hear him take the initiative to say this, even if she hadn't liked him in vain.

Whether he was coaxing her or lying to her, she was willing to believe it was true.

Li Xuewu had never coaxed or deceived her on these matters; bringing her back from the border, even if he sold her, what could she do.

Besides, for someone like her with an unclean body, what value is there for Li Xuewu to coax and deceive?

So she knew that when she confessed, Li Xuewu also confessed his care for her.

That's enough!

"Yo, what's this?"

Yu Li had been fetching hot water for more than ten minutes; when she entered the room with the thermos, she saw Xilin crying and laughing.

Seeing Yu Li enter, Xilin wiped her tears and said: "Nothing, he wants me to be his concubine."

"Ah?"

Yu Li was startled, then looked at the bitter smile on Li Xuewu's face and the joy in Xilin's corners of the mouth, knowing it was a joke.

"That's really good; you can be considered to have achieved your wish. Did I come back too early?"

She made a gesture to pick up the thermos and said: "Or should I go fetch another pot of hot water?"

"Oh~"

Xilin was shyly teased by her and scolded: "I was just playing around."

"I thought it was true!"

Yu Li smiled and filled her and Li Xuewu's teacups with hot water, saying: "If it were true, you would have ascended to heaven in one step."

"His heaven is too high; it's too tiring to climb, forget it."

Xilin sorted out her emotions and said with a smile: "I still like Ge Lin's simplicity; what he says is what it is."

"Sinful."

Li Xuewu joked: "He's still a child!"

"Go to hell, we become men after sixteen over there."

Xilin emphasized, as if proving herself for eating tender grass.

Yu Li sat beside Li Xuewu, pushed him, and said: "Say something good; this is a happy event."

"Of course, of course it's a happy event."

Li Xuewu confirmed: "I am the first to agree with her choosing Ge Lin; good thing, happy thing."

He thought for a while and said to Xilin: "Your household registration is still with Pazile; later I'll ask Guodong to get you a house, set up a separate household, and it will be convenient to register for marriage then."

"Too far, end of the year."

Xilin said: "I haven't asked if Ge Lin's age is allowed to register; if it doesn't work, I have to wait a bit."

"Wait for what? This is the best time."

Yu Li gave an idea on the side: "Like Guodong and the others, get married first, then get the certificate; it doesn't delay living."

"Besides, if you are anxious to have children, coordinate with the street office and it will pass."

Yu Li offered an idea from the side, saying: "Just like Guodong and the others, get married first, then get the certificate; it won't delay living your lives."

"Besides, if you are in a hurry to have children, just coordinate with the neighborhood committee and it will be fine."

She looked at Li Xuewu and signaled: "As long as Director Wang isn't chasing after this matter, no one else will randomly interfere."

"Hmm, that's possible, I think that's possible."

Li Xuewu nodded slowly and said: "The third uncle already has a child, and Biaozhi's wife says she has one too; our next generation can all be born around the same time, that's a good thing."

He signaled to Yu Li and said: "Later on, when there are more children, we'll run our own kindergarten, with the conditions fully provided, right?"

"You really dare to think!"

A happy smile also appeared on Xilin's face, and she said: "If I really give birth to that many, I don't know if I'll still be able to work."

"What are you saying, giving birth to children is naturally the priority."

Li Xuewu said earnestly: "As long as you are willing to give birth, ten or eight of them, we can all afford to raise them."

"Ew~ giving birth to piglets~"

Xilin smiled and chided him, then said: "I'll go back and discuss it with Gelin; we won't hold a ceremony, as long as everyone knows, that's enough."

"That's all fine, my intentions have been conveyed anyway."

Li Xuewu signaled Yu Li to take the documents on the table, which were related to the work in Jicheng.

"After you arrive in Steel City tomorrow, first coordinate with Biaozhi to get an understanding."

Taking the documents from Yu Li's hand, he flipped them open to find the Jicheng section, and then, together with Yu Li, discussed with Xilin the business summary of last year and the work plan for this year.

Both Yu Li and Xilin were holding notebooks to record; when there were matters requiring discussion, the two would also put down their paper and pens to communicate with Li Xuewu.

It was mainly Xilin reporting and asking for instructions from Li Xuewu; the communication with Yu Li had already been completed this morning.

The office set up in the club last year only assisted Li Xuewu in completing business management work.

Starting this year, Office Director Yu Li had basically met with the heads of each branch station, establishing a premise for cooperation.

In the work plan, Yu Li was to continue the work plan from Li Xuewu's side, execute it according to the list, and make feedback adjustments.

Yu Li would not make subjective business decisions in her work, but she would allocate business to each branch station and collect feedback according to the opinions and plans provided by Li Xuewu.

The office's functions were strengthened, connections across various regions were tighter, and Li Xuewu's work became easier.

After sending Xilin off to rest, Yu Li returned and found Li Xuewu still in the office.

"Still not going home?"

She looked at the time on the wall; it was past nine o'clock, and she knew Li Xuewu did not spend the night out.

Li Xuewu put down the teacup in his hand, stood up, and said: "Let's go, I'm going now; I was distracted by something on my mind."

"I'm not letting you go!"

Yu Li pouted and wrapped her arms around his neck, chiding: "You only know how to flirt with me!"

"I've been wronged to death~"

Li Xuewu said amusedly: "I really was delayed by thinking about things; is it still in time for me to leave now?"

"You can leave, but I have to permit it."

Yu Li coquettishly pushed him onto the sofa and complained: "How long has it been since you wanted..."

How long?

Li Xuewu didn't remember; probably a little over an hour.

It was mainly because he had to go home tonight; if he didn't go home, Han Jiankun couldn't go back, and if Han Jiankun couldn't go back, Qin Jingru couldn't go back.

It would be quite embarrassing to really make the young couple sleep apart; he couldn't bring himself to do that.

Today was Saturday, there was a social engagement, and he had taken the opportunity to finish talking things over with Xilin.

She had been back for almost a week; if they didn't meet again, they would really have to talk at the train station.

Xilin was traveling back from the capital, stopping first at Steel City to get familiar with the people at the Steel City recycling station.

During this period, Biaozhi was returning to the capital, so there had to be a reliable person to control the situation.

Compared to Jicheng, Steel City was more important; if it weren't for the holidays, Li Xuewu wouldn't have allowed him to return to the capital.

This year, the Steel Rolling Mill was going to lay out operations in Steel City, and the recycling station was also setting up there.

Joint trade in other places was just a port, but Steel City would be a distribution center in the future.

Hardware, electronics, furniture, timber, food, etc., would all be allocated and spread from Steel City to the entire Northeast.

In fact, according to the Steel Rolling Mill's layout arrangements, the main trade management agency should be placed in Jinmen.

But Li Xuewu considered that Jinmen's location was relatively special and far from the main production site of Steel City, so it was fine for trade account management.

If one really wanted to do business management, it wouldn't be as powerful as the Steel Rolling Mill's methods, and there would be the danger of being unable to reach far enough.

On Sunday, Li Xuewu did not go to see Xilin off, but entrusted Yu Li and Han Jiankun to do so.

He was busy at the club all morning; his sister-in-law Zhao Yafang couldn't stay idle, and she hadn't neglected his accounts even while she was in confinement.

In the afternoon, he rushed to the First Detention Center and met with the accountants there.

During the holidays, Yu Li had paid New Year's greetings and delivered New Year gifts to these old accountants on his behalf.

Seeing him this time, they also thanked him politely one after another.

Li Xuewu didn't pay much attention to this; the year had passed, and the human favor was considered over.

Coming over this time was to ask if the other party had any opinions or suggestions, and also to ask if there were any difficulties at home.

Li Xuewu had tried his best to help these people maintain their positions during last year's turmoil, and this year was considered a preliminary step to be prepared.

When he came out of the finance office, he also chatted with his older brother, telling him to go home more often when he had time to see his family and children.

Li Xuewen loved the First Detention Center very much, and he had only stayed home for a period of time when his wife was giving birth.

Including the New Year, it was considered a short vacation.

But after the New Year passed, Li Shun and Li Xuecai returned to the mountains, and there was nothing left to do at home, so he came back to work.

It was mainly because Huang Gan was urging him, and he also liked the atmosphere here.

You don't say, the students at Huaqing had plenty of drive to learn, but the "students" here were no less willing to learn.

"You transferred here?"

He suddenly noticed Liu Guangfu walking by; this was a group that had just walked out of the electronics factory.

Seeing Li Xuewu inquiring, the guard ordered Liu Guangfu to step out of line.

Li Xuewu also came here often and was familiar with all the guards.

Seeing the other party do this, he didn't stop them and beckoned to Liu Guangfu.

"Li... Director Li."

Liu Guangfu had really wanted to pretend he didn't see him just now, but having been named by Li Xuewu and called out by the guard, he could only trot up to Li Xuewu.

"Joined the electronics factory team?"

Li Xuewu looked him up and down and asked: "Is it strenuous?"

"It... it was older brother Xuewen who helped."

Liu Guangfu was probably truly afraid of seeing Li Xuewu; at this moment, his face turned bright red, and his speech was stuttering.

Li Xuewu turned his head to look at his older brother, not expecting him to have this leisure and kindness.

Li Xuewen nodded slightly, indicating that it was his idea, but he still looked at Liu Guangfu and explained: "We were short of hands, and it just happened to coincide."

Li Xuewu didn't believe it at all; this electronics factory was the most comfortable position in the entire First Detention Center, just sitting down, warm in winter and cool in summer, who wouldn't want that?

In fact, Liu Guangfu didn't believe it either; there were so many reformed prisoners in the detention center, why was there a vacancy here just after Li Xuewen saw him, and why did it have to be him?

Knowing that a neighbor from the same courtyard was taking care of him, he felt grateful in his heart, so when Li Xuewu asked, he told him.

At this moment, he also didn't dare to look Li Xuewu in the eyes, looking down at his toes, completely lacking the arrogance and restlessness he had in the courtyard.

The guard leading the team had left, but the guard responsible for custody was still watching from not far away.

"How many years were you sentenced to?"

Li Xuewu looked at the well-behaved Liu Guangfu and asked.

Some time ago, when Huang Gan and Ma Jun and the others were chatting, although the Judicial Court was very passive, they were still trying to do their work.

Some business was moved to the detention center, and some was moved to the branch bureau.

It was mainly to deal with the cleanup work of reformed prisoners who had been in custody since May of last year; the Judicial Court's interpretation had already been issued to the grassroots level, just to solve the problem quickly.

It's funny to say, Huang Gan of the First Detention Center actually had the power of sentencing one day; where can you go to reason about that?

Of course, the power he possessed was limited to small cases; special cases and major cases were still handled by the Judicial Court.

As it happened, Liu Guangfu's case could be big or small, depending entirely on which angle one investigated him from.

However, Huang Gan was also human; it was impossible to divert so much energy in the detention center to investigate the mistakes of those who hadn't been sentenced.

It could only be interrogation, combined with his performance in the previous period, as well as the evaluation from the neighborhood committee.

Is this taste and method familiar?

I believe many people know that during this stage, many cases were handled this way.

Don't say that everything depends on fate; it was fate that Liu Guangfu tripped up in Li Xuewu's hands one after another, and it was also fate that he worked hard and performed well after coming here.

Regarding his evaluation, because the neighborhood committee went to the courtyard to investigate, everyone was hindered by the neighborly relationship, and plus he really hadn't caused any major disaster, so no one said anything unpleasant.

Combined with his daily evaluation and labor achievements in the detention center, he was sentenced to a year and a half.

Immediate release was of course impossible; just based on Huang Gan's personality, do you think he could easily let people go?

The reason Liu Guangfu could be sentenced so lightly was mainly because of the good evaluations from the neighborhood committee and his labor, and his active confession of problems and active recognition of mistakes during interrogation.

When introducing his sentence to Li Xuewu, Liu Guangfu was also very calm and held hope for his life after getting out.

In fact, Huang Gan was willing to see such reformed prisoners; even if he liked profit, he didn't hope that the people here would just be waiting to die and come back in again after getting out.

"Getting out in the second half of this year?"

Li Xuewu took a cigarette out of his pocket and handed it to him, remembering that this kid smoked.

Liu Guangfu looked at the cigarette in his hand, nodded, then looked at the guard; seeing the other party turn away and not look at him, he took it cautiously.

Li Xuewu didn't light it for him, but stuffed the remaining half-box in his hand into his jacket pocket.

"Your father can also restore his worker status in the second half of this year, and your mother's health has improved a lot; I saw her buying vegetables on the street."

Looking at Liu Guangfu, he introduced: "Your second brother was transferred to Steel City to support production and construction, and your older brother has been coming back diligently recently and knows how to be filial."

"Hmm, I know."

Liu Guangfu lowered his head, tears dripping onto his feet, and muttered: "My dad came to see me."

"That's a good thing."

Li Xuewu looked him up and down and said: "You didn't learn well at home, but there's always a place to teach you to learn well."

"If you learn well here, you can be good when you go home, you know?"

"I know."

Liu Guangfu slowly raised his head, wiped away his tears, and said: "Older brother Xuewen told me that repairing radios earns more than working."

"Haha, you didn't come here for nothing."

Li Xuewu smiled, glanced at his older brother, patted his arm, and said: "If you really take a year and a half to master this craft, you can eat for a lifetime."

"Speaking of which, a blessing in disguise, right?"

He said this as if Liu Guangfu being sent in had nothing to do with him.

However, based on his words, Liu Guangfu also agreed; when his dad came to see him, he also said that several of the people he used to play around with were gone.

He didn't know where they died, and what was even more miserable was dying at their own doorstep, or having them carried home directly without telling you anything.

He himself was also scared, knowing that the people he followed back then were no good.

Seriously, having stayed here for more than half a year, he had hated, resented, and thought things through.

Even if he didn't learn the craft of repairing electrical appliances, he wouldn't starve to death relying on his sewing machine skills.

Not to mention that people like him couldn't find work; even those who were clean and innocent weren't just squatting at home, right?

So when Li Xuewu told him the truth, he listened and understood, and could also comprehend it.

"Alright, reform well."

Li Xuewu glanced at him and said: "In the future, you might be the one with the most prospects in that courtyard."

"Thank you, Director Li."

Liu Guangfu wiped his tears again, signaled after pinching the cigarette in his hand, and trotted off to find the guard.

February 16th, Monday.

After the New Year, the weather was getting warmer day by day.

The snow on the side of the road had completely melted; although the snow water froze at night, it would probably only be a matter of ten days or so.

This ice melted during the day and froze at night, becoming less and less.

When it disappeared completely, some small grasses would sprout buds.

Compared to the north, spring in the capital came earlier, and one could even see fruit trees in full bloom by the end of March.

However, one still had to be careful in late February; the power of the cold spring shouldn't be underestimated, and a slight lack of attention would lead to a bad cold.

Although a cold wasn't considered a major illness in this era, it could be fatal.

No reason to talk about?

But the fact was just like that, especially those who developed pneumonia, nephritis, or cholecystitis, and even people would inexplicably be gone.

In the morning, he attended a meeting, which was a special personnel work meeting presided over by Gu Weijie; Jing Yunong, who had been coordinated and contacted earlier, also attended.

The two should have already talked; at the meeting, both sides communicated and followed up quickly, and a series of problems in the personnel department were resolved and handled.

Li Xuewu mainly attended in the capacity of Deputy Director of the Commission Office, and after the meeting, he forwarded the content discussed at the office meeting to other factory leaders for review.

Reporting was mainly done to Li Huai De, especially regarding the discussion results made at the meeting, and he also had to provide certain assessments and judgments.

Li Huai De didn't need to attend the meeting; he could understand everything just by listening to the gist of Li Xuewu's content, saving time and effort.

Looking at the way old Li was slacking off and avoiding work now, Li Xuewu really wanted to find someone as capable as himself.

Just as he came out of Li Huai De's office, he saw Ao Yuhua, Deputy Director of the Commission Office, walking this way in a hurry.

"Deputy Director Ao, this is...?"

"Something came up."

Ao Yuhua glanced at the direction Li Xuewu came from, pulled him toward the window, and asked in a low voice: "Just reporting work to the leader?"

"Yes, about the office meeting."

Li Xuewu looked at her; seeing this nervous appearance, he didn't ask further.

He didn't need to ask; Ao Yuhua didn't intend to hide it from him: "Zhang Guoqi is dead."

"Who? Old Zhang?"

Li Xuewu's brows furrowed instantly; how old was this old guy, just over forty, right?

Ao Yuhua also knew this matter was troublesome and asked Li Xuewu in a low voice: "How should the Commission Office handle this?"

Her gaze signaled toward Li Huai De's office direction, and she said: "I'm not quite sure about the leader's intentions."

"Hmm~"

Li Xuewu shook his head slightly and said: "The leader won't have other intentions, but you have to show some intention."

He blinked and reminded: "Just tell the leader about this matter; don't ask for instructions, it's not very good."

"I was saying the same thing about this problem."

Ao Yuhua was the deputy director in charge of factory affairs, so she had to handle this matter.

Zhang Guoqi had already been fired; speaking of which, whether he lived or died had nothing to do with the Steel Rolling Mill.

But the problem was that although he had been fired, some problems were still hanging on the factory's side.

He died at this time; who would take over those accounts then?

Li Xuewu's reminder was very timely and necessary; if Ao Yuhua really dared to ask for instructions, she would definitely bump into a wall.

Li Huai De was wary that Zhang Guoqi would spit out accusations while also worried that he wouldn't be able to hold up and would shake out the matter of those "collectibles."

In fact, Zhang Guoqi not dying and just holding on was the best state.

Old Li was even willing to support him for the rest of his life; it wasn't that such situations didn't exist.

"The family said it very clearly: he wore too little when he went out, had a fever when he came back, had chills in the first half of the night, and was gone in the second half."

"That's really fast!"