Chapter 1064: Bored to Death

Communication with the city fell into a stalemate under Li Li Huai De's instruction, and all channels were isolated.

The city also seemed to understand the Steel Rolling Mill's attitude and confidence, and didn't arrange for anyone else to come to the factory to coordinate or communicate.

A lake of water seemed to have returned to its former calm after splashing ripples, but the calmer it was, the more violent the storm would be.

Everyone watching this confrontation behaved very cautiously, and even if they were probing the situation, they were all inviting people to dinner in private.

The leaders of the Steel Rolling Mill seemed to be planning something, preparing something, each one appearing mysterious and staying behind closed doors.

Except for the Tianjin trip that had been finalized last month, no other travel itineraries were arranged.

April 3rd, Thursday. Li Li Xuewu came out of the conference room and was just about to walk downstairs when he was stopped by Xue Xue Zhifu.

"Deputy Director Li, wait a moment."

Xue Xue Zhifu waved to him, said a few words to the secretary beside him, and then walked over, patted his arm, and signaled: "Talk about something."

The two walked a few steps into his office before saying: "Just now, Comrade Zhennan called and said there were engineering problems that needed to be reported."

He waved his hand, signaled Li Li Xuewu to sit on the sofa first, and personally made hot tea.

"You know about the tea leaves I have here. It's a matter of reciprocity, purely a face-saving project."

Holding two cups of tea, one was placed in front of Li Li Xuewu, and one was placed to the side.

He turned around, took the teacup on the desk, and added hot water, saying: "Actually, I told my classmate that he doesn't have to think of me every year."

"But the kindness was hard to refuse, so he mailed it."

Xue Xue Zhifu held the teacup and sat on the sofa, shaking his head and smiling bitterly: "Sometimes I'm also confused. I don't know what to give in return?"

"If it's expensive, it's not appropriate; if it's cheap, it hurts feelings. It can't be cliché, it must highlight elegance and intention, and it must have local characteristics."

He spread his hands and looked at Li Li Xuewu, asking: "You say, what local specialties does our capital have?"

"That's plenty. The most famous local specialty, let me think."

Li Li Xuewu crossed his legs, pretended to think, shook his head, and then, under the expression of Xue Xue Zhifu who was holding his teacup and laughing dumbly, pointed his finger and said: "Got it, cadres! The capital has many cadres!"

"You don't have to think about what to send your friend."

He waved his hand and said: "Just look at where the cadres in our capital are rich, send him ten or twenty, and don't look for them back."

"Pfft—hahahaha!"

Xue Xue Zhifu was also amused by Li Li Xuewu, and the teacup he was holding almost spilled.

He couldn't drink it anymore, so he put down the teacup, pointed at Li Li Xuewu, and said: "You, you always say something shocking, always able to point out the problem in one sentence!"

"You're joking. How could I understand what you said? Are we chatting about local specialties?"

Li Li Xuewu smiled, blinked, and said: "I do have some childhood friends who are doing this. If you are really in a difficult position, I'll introduce you."

He moved the teacup in front of him and said: "I can't get anything too tacky, but there's absolutely no problem with something with local characteristics of the capital."

"Look, I said that talking to you about this matter is absolutely no problem, you'd have an idea!"

Glancing at the shadow flickering at the door, he very cleverly tied a knot in this topic.

Knock knock—

Lang Zhennan, who was in charge of engineering business in the logistics group, knocked on the door and entered. He nodded and greeted with a smile: "Deputy Director Xue, Deputy Director Li."

"Oh, Zhennan, come, I was just about to talk about your matter." Xue Xue Zhifu waved his hand, signaled the position of the teacup, and said: "Engineering problems, right?"

"Yes, it was just organized at the meeting this morning, and I want to report to you."

Lang Zhennan sat in the position, nodded to Li Li Xuewu, and reported to Xue Xue Zhifu: "On the 31st, we received a notice from the factory office. All investment and construction projects in the capital area under the Engineering Management Command Center have been suspended."

"As of today, it has been the fourth day. The direct economic loss caused by the suspension is as high as 170,000."

He handed a document report to Xue Xue Zhifu and said: "According to the command center's estimate, for every day the suspension exceeds, the losses of each part will grow exponentially."

"Leader, the engineering side doesn't quite understand the current situation of the project and the communication between the factory and the city, so..."

"You want to ask for the exact resumption time, right?" Xue Xue Zhifu flipped through the report in his hand and handed it to Li Li Xuewu opposite, saying: "What I can tell you is that I don't know either, I'm also waiting."

He looked at Lang Zhennan and signaled to Li Li Xuewu's direction: "It depends on how the comrades in charge of this business handle the problem safely and as quickly as possible, or even once and for all."

"Then..."

Lang Zhennan knew the leader's meaning, looked tentatively at Li Li Xuewu, and asked: "Can Deputy Director Li reveal a specific time point here? It's also convenient for us to arrange the subsequent engineering."

"Mm—engineering plan, right."

Li Li Xuewu scratched the scar on his face, carefully looked at the document in his hand. It was listed very thoroughly; it seemed Lang Zhennan had done his homework.

He put the document on his right hand, frowned slightly, thought for a while, and said: "It's really hard to give you an answer for the exact time, but you have to be mentally prepared for a long-term suspension."

"Listen to me—"

Just as Lang Zhennan, whose face changed drastically after hearing his words, was about to speak, he interrupted again: "Letting you be prepared doesn't necessarily mean it will stop for that long."

Li Li Xuewu pointed to his head and reminded him: "Think carefully, the root of the problem is not the project and the river-filling and land-creation matter itself."

"I don't quite understand why engineering construction should be used as a bargaining chip for gambling or negotiation?"

Lang Zhennan frowned and said: "Labor, materials, machinery, etc., on the construction site, every extra day of delay is a time cost."

"Listen to me, I know all this."

Li Li Xuewu raised his hand and pressed it, saying: "It is precisely because the gambling and fighting have reached the most critical stage that your engineering will be affected."

"Deputy Director Xue should be clear that Director Li doesn't want this either. He is more anxious than anyone, wanting the workers' new village and headquarters building to be completed tomorrow."

"However, is this possible?"

Li Li Xuewu shook his head slightly and said: "Some people won't give us this time, and even less will give us this space."

He pointed to the report and said: "What they are pinching is the time we take to step out, wanting to pinch our lifeline."

"The loss of 170,000 is very serious, enough for joint trade to work hard for a long time. Believe me."

Li Li Xuewu looked at him and said: "I, Deputy Director Xue, and Director Li are all very heartbroken."

"Yes—"

Xue Xue Zhifu shook his head slightly and sighed: "This is all our hard-earned money. Worked hard for a whole year, finally saved some money, thinking about fixing up the house and marrying a wife, but what happened?"

He spread his hands and said: "People say this house can be built, but the wife is his!"

"So, at this time, don't care about 170,000 or 710,000."

Li Li Xuewu looked at Lang Zhennan seriously and said: "Even if it's 7.1 million, we have to fight this battle. We can't lose, and we can't afford to lose."

"Appease more, coordinate below."

Xue Xue Zhifu faced Lang Zhennan's economic loss report very calmly and frankly.

It can be said that this report came out late and was meaningless, because Li Li Huai De didn't want to look at it at all and had to give orders.

But words can be spoken in different ways. This report actually came early and should have been taken out during negotiations.

Why did Li Li Xuewu keep that report under his hand? He was thinking, 170,000 in three days, how much is it in thirty days?

The Steel Rolling Mill has many projects and heavy tasks today, but the key construction projects are all in Steel City, so they aren't afraid of dragging it out.

Even if it's the workers' new village project, this is also a three-year big project. What if the construction period is one month late? At worst, they will upgrade one year late and achieve group status one year late.

This egg is afraid that even if it's broken, they have to knock the city's hard bones, and kill the evil ways and evil winds.

Don't say Old Li is going to get angry; even Li Li Xuewu has had enough of this anger.

In the early stage, several working groups came down and made the university study activity a mess.

Later, they engaged in some bankrupt factory mergers and reorganizations, wanting to drive the backward from the progress of the Steel Rolling Mill, which was truly uncomfortable.

Now, the Steel Rolling Mill's development plan cannot be synchronized with the city's expectations, so they came to pull and drag, not knowing who taught them that.

Lang Zhennan looked at Li Li Xuewu, who was full of seriousness, and Xue Xue Zhifu, who was frowning slightly, with some surprise, and asked: "Is there a possibility of peace talks?"

Li Li Xuewu looked at Xue Xue Zhifu opposite, and seeing him looking at himself, he gave a cold laugh and said: "War can be started by the other side, but we can't get used to them calling for the end. This matter is not over yet."

"The basis for peace talks is equality and mutual trust. As long as the other side doesn't show an accurate attitude,"

He shook his head slightly and said: "The Red Star Group really might fall into other provinces."

After saying this, Li Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows, turned his head to look at Lang Zhennan, and asked with a smile: "I heard your hometown is in Shaanxi?"

Seeing Lang Zhennan frown at him, Li Li Xuewu raised his head slightly and said: "Have you considered returning to work in your hometown? It's much closer to home."

He waved his hand and joked to Xue Xue Zhifu: "Last night, the person who invited Wei Zaike to dinner was the deputy director of the Shaanxi resident office in the capital, who introduced him in detail to the good Jiangnan of northern Shaanxi, where the mountain flowers are red and bright."

"Hehe—they picked it up!"

Xue Xue Zhifu smiled, picked up his teacup, and took a sip of hot tea, saying: "If I really go to Shaanxi, I don't care. I just happen to see the spirit and style of the thirteen-dynasty ancient capital."

"Deputy Team Leader Lang doesn't seem to want to return to his hometown?"

Li Li Xuewu looked at the other side and teased: "Is the water in your hometown no longer beautiful, or are the people no longer beautiful?"

Lang Zhennan took a deep breath, shook his head slightly, and said: "Ashamed to see the elders, how dare I return home."

He was also anxious and angry, picked up his teacup, and took a big gulp, saying: "My dad even told me, plant the land for a few more years, and when I can't walk anymore, come to the capital to rely on you."

"Good fellow! Didn't wait for my dad to come, changed to me relying on my dad!"

"Hahaha—!"

"What's the meaning? Is this coming to find me?"

Li Li Xuewu returned to the security building. Just as he went up to the third floor, he saw some people standing at the door of his office.

He walked closer and asked Peng Peng Xiaoli, who came up to meet him, curiously: "Which unit?"

"You must be Director Li! We are fellow townsmen!"

Before Peng Peng Xiaoli could introduce him, a thin and tall man with a somewhat weak face but a rough tone walked over and shook his hand very enthusiastically.

"Oh, didn't know Director Li was a Northeasterner before, now that I know, it's really a pity!"

"Fellow townsmen? From the Northeast?" Li Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows in surprise, looked at the few people with amusement, and asked: "Where from the Northeast?"

"We are from Fengcheng, entrusted by Deputy Director Lu in charge of industry to visit you."

The person who came knew the time well, let go of his hand, and introduced himself: "My surname is Hu, Deputy Director of the Liaoning resident office in the capital. A rash visit, hope you don't mind."

"Mm—those who come are guests, no problem."

Li Li Xuewu grinned and smiled, sized up the few people, and said: "Before, I was the one climbing relationships with others, meeting and calling them fellow townsmen. This is the first time I've been called a fellow townsman by someone else!"

His words carried a teasing meaning, and also pointed out the other party's little thoughts.

He might not know where he was born, but could his mother and father not know?

The old lady was the one born in the Northeast. By Li Shun's generation, none of them were born in the Northeast.

If you insist on saying Li Li Xuewu is a Northeasterner, it might be that the Northeast dialect in his mouth is heavy.

After all, these were all taught by the old lady. Among the Li children, Li Li Xuewu's accent was the heaviest.

Li Li Xuewen is a teacher and has to speak standard Mandarin. Li Xuecai is young and hasn't been affected much.

It was Li Li Xuewu who was naughty and liked to speak this way, and today he let the Northeasterners find his door to ask for money. Let you speak, pay back the money!

"Let's go, fellow townsmen, go inside and talk."

Li Li Xuewu didn't care too much about the other party climbing relationships; it was human nature. He invited them to sit down with a smile.

This group had four people, men and women, and they were carrying things in their hands, really like visiting relatives.

Being able to find his office directly and even finding out he was a Northeastern mixed-race meant the other party had some ways, but these ways weren't many.

"Everyone, don't be polite. You treat me as a fellow townsman, and I'll treat you as fellow townsmen."

Li Li Xuewu greeted them to sit on the sofa with a smile, and let Peng Peng Xiaoli go make tea.

Away from home, don't hit a smiling face.

What's more, people came for official business. He was like this before too. Mutual understanding, don't make things difficult.

"Hearing your sentence, my heart is finally settled, haha."

Deputy Director Hu looked at Li Li Xuewu with a smile and said: "I was a bit nervous when I first came, after all, we haven't met, a rash visit, ah? Haha."

"Overthinking. You said I'm a Northeasterner. Actually, it's also right. Half of my heart is in the Northeast."

Li Li Xuewu drank a cup of tea with a smile and explained: "My second uncle works in the Jicheng Forestry Bureau, and several branch factories of our factory are in Liaoning. Whether officially or privately, saying I'm a Northeasterner is not wrong."

"Oh my, you are still the most open-minded."

Deputy Director Hu praised with a smile and said: "Just now you mentioned several branch factories of the Red Star Factory."

He raised his hand to signal the two people beside him and introduced: "This is Director Gao Zhou Dahai of Steel City Industry, and this is Director Zhao Ershan of Yingcheng Industry."

"Oh my, these are the parents' officials!"

Li Li Xuewu stood up with a smile, shook hands with the two again, and nodded: "I've been to Yingcheng and Steel City many times. It's a pity I haven't been in contact with local business."

"You are too polite. Not meeting before means our fate hasn't arrived yet."

Gao Zhou Dahai of Steel City said with a smile: "Now that we've met, it means the fate has arrived."

"We came here this time specifically to thank the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill for the contribution it has made to Liaoning, to Steel City and Yingcheng, and to more cities."

Deputy Director Hu said sincerely: "With the Steel Rolling Mill as the core, the hardware, metallurgy, electronics, and other industrial zones built by your factory have truly brought new opportunities for development to Steel City."

"It is like this, Director Hu is right."

Gao Zhou Dahai took over the conversation and said: "The small hardware industry founded by the Red Star Factory has brought new ideas for heavy industrial development to local enterprises. This point is beyond doubt. Our enterprises have to learn from the Red Star Factory."

"Especially the project of the new Steel Rolling Mill."

He looked at Deputy Director Hu and said to Li Li Xuewu: "Hearing this news, the leaders in the city were very happy."

"Deputy Director Lu knew I was coming to visit you and specifically exhorted me to thank the comrades of the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill for their support and trust."

"Regarding this matter, actually, no need to be polite."

Li Li Xuewu raised his hand to signal and said: "We are considered a two-way rush. Steel City has a good business environment and superior resource advantages, so our choice is also directional."

"Another point, the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill has the purpose of taking root in Steel City when investing in the Steel City project, aiming to take root in the Northeast, stand in Steel City, and build an integrated production base."

He gestured between himself and the other party and said: "The relationship between us is one of cooperation and mutual benefit. While the Steel Rolling Mill creates benefits for itself and the organization, it also has to bring benefits to the local area. This is inevitable."

"Oh my, hearing you say this, my heart is bright—"

Gao Zhou Dahai said with a smile: "I often talk to Director Dong of the Steel Rolling Mill. I have talked to him about Steel City's opinion and attitude regarding the Red Star Factory landing."

"Regarding this point, our city leaders' opinions and attitudes are consistent, which is to fully support the industrial landing of the Red Star Factory and fully safeguard the interests of the Red Star Factory in the process of construction and production in Steel City."

He looked at Deputy Director Hu and said: "This matter was also clearly requested by Deputy Director Lu."

"It is indeed like this. There was a discussion at the meeting, and the opinions were very consistent, helping the Steel Rolling Mill land."

Deputy Director Hu nodded with a smile and said: "Including the matter of the Steel Rolling Mill suddenly talking about acquiring the shipyard in Yingcheng last year, Deputy Director Lu had instructions."

He signaled to Zhao Ershan, who was in charge of industry in Yingcheng, and said: "At that time, the leader's words were that no matter how you stew the meat, it's still meat in the pot, right?"

"Yes, Deputy Director Hu. The leader's meaning is that since Yingcheng's steps were slow, it's better to hand it over to the Steel Rolling Mill to walk faster."

Zhao Ershan introduced with a smile: "Originally, our city leaders still had concerns, afraid of the loss of assets of the Yingcheng Shipyard, afraid of employment tension, etc. It was still Deputy Director Lu who did the work."

"At that time, I remember Deputy Director Lu said that selling the shipyard cheaply, but the shipyard still belongs to Yingcheng. If you don't sell the shipyard, Yingcheng will have to wait many years to have a shipyard."

Deputy Director Hu looked at the few people and said: "Look at the shipyard now. Last time I went to look around, it was a earth-shaking change."

"I heard that the production project was introduced from Italy, and production equipment and shipbuilding technology were introduced from many parties abroad. Is that so?"

He asked Li Li Xuewu, and seeing Li Li Xuewu nod, he continued: "Director Zhou of Yingcheng told me that the shipyard recruited three thousand people locally, solving a big difficulty in their personnel employment."

"What is this? This is sincerity."

Deputy Director Hu said seriously: "We came to visit you today to send this sentence of thanks to the Steel Rolling Mill on behalf of Yingcheng and Steel City."

"You are too polite. It was originally a project of cooperation and mutual benefit. Having a good influence on us and the local area is our common goal."

Li Li Xuewu raised his hand to signal out the window and said: "You just mentioned the recruitment quota of three thousand people. I know about this because I coordinated and approved this matter."

In the eyes of the few people who were slightly surprised but immediately happy, Li Li Xuewu continued: "The Steel Rolling Mill has experienced changes and development since last year."

"It has given new requirements and ideas in the management and welfare treatment of workers, and also put forward goals that meet the new era in production and operation."

"New era, new period, industrial production is becoming more and more perfect, gradually producing dependence, cooperation, and influence on local humanities, economy, medical care, etc."

"These are all very normal, and also inevitable. It is the process of integration of enterprise and local development."

Li Li Xuewu looked at the few people and said: "Last year, the three-year plan and five-year plan revised by Director Li Li Huai De redefined the harmonious coexistence relationship between production and ecology."

Hu Ke and the others felt slightly surprised and confused, not knowing what kind of relationship Li Li Xuewu proposed between production and ecology.

Li Li Xuewu took the initiative to popularize for the other party the Steel Rolling Mill's concept of harmonious coexistence between production as the main body, people and factories, and the natural ecological system.

The proposal of this concept directly raised today's conversation to a new height.

After all, Hu Ke and the others had heard of people in enterprises who were good at bragging, but the one they met today could be considered to have blown the bragging into a new pattern.

You guys brag that your factory's ideological education is well done, they brag that their factory's production management is well grasped, and there are those who brag that their factory's product quality is good.

Hey! But have you heard of a factory proposing to build an industrial zone concept of people-oriented, technological innovation, and integrated production under the premise of protecting the natural environment?

Today they have opened their eyes!

Ideological education is grasped every year, no new ideas; production management is duty, no meaning; product quality is responsibility, must be managed; but ecological harmony has really never been proposed by anyone. This brag is big!

Li Li Xuewu asked Peng Peng Xiaoli to find the planning map of the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill about building an ecological industrial zone in Liangma River from the cabinet.

When the map was unfolded and marked on the display board, and Li Li Xuewu sat on the sofa and gestured to introduce it to the few people, these people were already stunned.

This is not as simple as the kind of factory and dormitory or residential area built together in their minds, building a few parks in the factory area, and building a few parks and supporting facilities in the workers' residential area.

A simple thermal water circulation system shocked them beyond measure.

The Steel Rolling Mill has rich thermal resources, but they are basically wasted in the cooling pond.

But in the design of the new industrial zone, although the Steel Rolling Mill is no longer in the plan, the joint tertiary industry and industry still have thermal needs.

Therefore, while satisfying industrial production, the thermal system runs through the heating needs of all buildings in the zone, and can also guarantee the heating and insulation of the factory area's ecological green plants.

Self-melting snow on main roads in winter, winter greenhouse experiments, indoor four-season gardens, hot water bathing, creation of landmark landscapes, etc.

This set of thermal water circulation system completely abandoned the traditional cooling pond, but chose to combine it scientifically and reasonably with the Liangma River.

Just looking at the map and listening to Li Li Xuewu talk so meticulously, the four people were also dizzy and their eyes were shining.

Dizzy not because they couldn't understand, but because they heard too much, thought too much, and couldn't hold it at all.

Eyes shining because they saw the huge investment of the Steel Rolling Mill from this engineering plan.

If, Hu Ke swallowed his saliva, thinking excitedly in his heart, if they could fight for the Red Star Factory to Fengcheng, would this investment land in Fengcheng?

Not to mention the production return of the enterprise, just talking about the three-year and five-year investment return, how much opportunity would this bring to Fengcheng's labor market.

Tens of millions of investment smashed down, continuous construction for three years, perfection for five years, at least there can be a total investment of 50 million, and this doesn't include the production investment in Steel City and Yingcheng.

"Deputy Director Li, this... such a big project, isn't the Steel Rolling Mill's capital pressure big?"

"Of course it's big, it completely exceeds our ability range, and it shouldn't even be planned like this."

Li Li Xuewu smiled helplessly while holding the fountain pen in his hand, and after drinking a cup of tea, he looked at the surprised gazes of the few people and explained: "Daring to think like this, daring to build like this, it's completely because the Steel Rolling Mill walked on dog shit luck."

"We, in foreign trade, don't know how we opened the market, not only small hardware, electronics, and ships."

Li Li Xuewu had a Versailles expression: "Now even military industry and the automotive industry have started to receive large orders."

"The Steel Rolling Mill expects to achieve a profit income of 80 million yuan in the next three years. If we don't spend the money on the knife handle... knife edge, it's a loss."

Zhao Ershan and Gao Zhou Dahai looked at Deputy Director Hu in a daze, wanting to ask if this is true?

Hu Ke lived in the capital for a long time and

Are military industry and car exports that profitable?

No, wait, no matter what you export, it's damn profitable!

No wonder the Rolling Mill is so damn impressive; they were actually starting some ecological industrial zone when people hadn't even filled their bellies. Turns out they've damn well struck it rich.

Isn't this just pure "full and bored" behavior!

Zhao Ershan looked at Li Li Xuewu's eloquent manner and glanced at Gao Zhou Dahai with a bit of envy.

Brother, he's too damn good at bragging!

Seeing him look over, Gao Zhou Dahai also nodded subconsciously, agreeing with his point of view.

Indeed, but I also want to show off like that!

Both of them understood in their hearts that if the Rolling Mill dared to shout about an income of 80 million over three years, it proved that the income over three years would be more than 80 million.

It is very likely that 80 million is the construction cost for the ecological industrial zone, the new Rolling Mill, and other production industrial zones.

In other words, within the next five years, the Rolling Mill intends to invest 80 million to build an integrated, unified industrial aircraft carrier.

This 80 million isn't all spent on buildings, machinery, equipment, etc.; it also includes the organization and training of technology and personnel, or soft investments in other projects.

But regardless, once the figure of 80 million was dropped, the four people in the office all felt a bit dizzy.

This is damn cold, hard cash; who wouldn't want it? If they really hooked the Red Star Factory into Liaoning Province, regardless of which city it settled in, it would all be meat in the bowl.

As long as it comes to Liaoning Province, Liaoning will have a massive project investment of 80 million over the next five years.

And the person who brings this project back would become a great contributor to Liaoning Province; their progress and development would be like being tied to a skyrocket and lit to shoot into the heavens.

Therefore, Peng Peng Xiaoli was even a little scared.

Watching the eagerness in the eyes of the others, as if they were about to melt Li Li Xuewu and snatch him away, he was truly afraid that the Rolling Mill would lose its Deputy Director of the Commission Office.

The Rolling Mill cannot be without Deputy Director Li, just as the West cannot be without Jerusalem.

"I heard some folks from your hometown came to see you?"

Near the end of the workday, Li Li Xuewu was returning from his rounds at the fire and security posts when he happened to run into Bu Bu Qingfang and Wang Wang Yajuan, who greeted him and started talking.

"You really are in propaganda; you know everything. You must have a background in intelligence, right?"

Li Li Xuewu smiled and greeted her, then nodded at Wang Wang Yajuan.

Bu Bu Qingfang smiled and chided, "You have the nerve to talk about me? Tell me about you, how did you fool those folks from your hometown?"

"That's truly a grievance; I never speak falsely, and I never lie to deceive people."

Li Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who told you all this? I'll go find them. Isn't this slandering someone? It's affecting my reputation."

"Hehe—you really start panting when someone calls you fat."

Bu Bu Qingfang laughed, "Wasn't it you who told them about the 3,000-mu ecological industrial zone and the 80 million total investment over five years!"

"And you said something about how the site selection is currently having issues and the factory is seeking practical and stable development space."

She pointed at Li Li Xuewu and laughed, "Just tell me, that noon when we were eating, you said Old Wei and Old Kuang were fooling people into giving them benefits; what about you?"

"When they fool people, at most they get a meal; when you fool people, they won't be able to afford a meal for the rest of their lives!"

"Where is this coming from—!"

Li Li Xuewu protested, "When did I fool them into not being able to afford a meal? You tell me, is the factory planning real? Is the undecided site selection real? Is the 80 million real?"

"Hey, hey, what's this about 80 million?"

Bu Bu Qingfang pointed at him and asked, "How come I haven't heard about our factory investing 80 million?"

"Your intelligence work isn't very accurate."

Li Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and said, "When did I say we were investing 80 million? I said we were projecting a profit of 80 million; it's a projection of 80 million."

"Whoa—good fellow!"

Bu Bu Qingfang looked at him in surprise, "You really won't stop until you've fooled people into a pit."

"If you ask me, you aren't afraid of Old Wei and the others accepting invitations, nor are you afraid of them causing trouble; you're afraid they won't make the scene chaotic enough!"

Wei Zaike and the others wouldn't dare shout that figure out, no matter how many dishes they ate or how much they drank.

If they really shouted that out at the dinner table, they'd be torn to shreds by the other side.

They'd be held hostage, and no matter what, they'd have to invite the Rolling Mill back.

This is something only Li Li Xuewu dares to brag and stir up. He doesn't even need to publicize or notify anyone; his conversation today with the comrades from Liaoning Province and the content of the talk will definitely be leaked by Wei Zaike and the others.

This is damn explosive news. The lake surface is too calm; last time Zhao Fuchun came, he threw a small pebble in, but this time Li Li Xuewu is going to throw a deep-water bomb, inevitably stirring up the water.

"Fine, the theme of tonight's dinner will definitely be the 80 million. Just you wait and see!"

Bu Bu Qingfang teased him, "Does Director Li know about this? If not, go report it quickly, don't say the wrong thing."

"Director Li is brilliant; how could he not know this?"

Li Li Xuewu rolled his eyes, looked at her and Wang Wang Yajuan, who was standing to the side pursing her lips in a giggle, and asked, "What are you two up to? Is someone treating you to dinner?"

"Are you treating?"

Bu Bu Qingfang joked, "If you treat us, we'll go eat; otherwise, no one is treating."

"That's because your standards are too high, and others don't dare to invite you." Li Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and said, "I'd like to invite you, but who told me to have the heart but not the time? Busy with work during the day, busy with family at night."

"Ya~ ya~ ya—" Bu Bu Qingfang pursed her lips and said to him, "It's different now that you have a son; you know to go home early after work!"

She gestured to Wang Wang Yajuan, who was looking down, and said, "Isn't that right? We're discussing the May Day Labor Day art performance, so I called Wang Wang Yajuan over to discuss it."

"Oh, another show to watch, that's good."

Li Li Xuewu smiled, nodded, and said, "The factory hasn't organized an art performance in a while. Make it lively and cheerful."

"Your requirements are high enough—!"

Bu Bu Qingfang said to him, "How about this, give us a suggestion, otherwise we won't let you go."

"So you two are grabbing able-bodied men downstairs, huh—" Li Li Xuewu smiled, looked around, and asked, "Have you asked everyone?"

"It's useless to ask them; we came specifically to ask you."

Bu Bu Qingfang was quite eloquent, blocking his retreat, "Who doesn't know that you, Deputy Director Li, love the arts and are the biggest supporter of the factory's cultural construction?"

"Are you sure you're talking about Deputy Director Li?"

Li Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and smirked, "Why do I feel like you should be talking about Director Li?"

"Haha—!"

As if thinking of something, Bu Bu Qingfang chided him with a pat, her gaze glancing upstairs, seemingly carrying some deep meaning.

As long as you don't do these things, if you do, you'll get caught; sooner or later, the truth will come out.

Unless you have a thick skin and aren't afraid of being exposed, or if the relationship carries a glaring political necessity.

Wang Wang Yajuan seemed to understand something too; she looked up at him, looking both chided and shy.

No matter how much this person's ability progresses, his temperament remains that bad self; as long as he wants to say something, he always has a way to be in the right.

Li Li Xuewu hadn't chatted with Bu Bu Qingfang and the others for long before Li Xue called him away. It wasn't a private matter; Jing Jing Yunong was looking for him.

Li Xue seemed a bit dissatisfied that her second brother was standing downstairs chatting and laughing with that Wang Wang Yajuan.

She wouldn't bluntly remind him about being a married man or paying attention to his influence; she knew that if her second brother didn't care, no one could talk him out of it.

But still, she truly felt sorry for her second sister-in-law, who had just given birth; if she knew her second brother was flirting outside, how uncomfortable would she be?

So she invited him to the main office building, and when she didn't see him, her mouth pouted.

Li Li Xuewu noticed it, especially the way she had greeted Bu Bu Qingfang and Wang Wang Yajuan, which clearly carried some opinions.

However, he was doing it on purpose, letting her puff her face up like a bun while pretending not to see.

This made Li Xue so angry that she bumped into him with her shoulder while walking up the stairs. Li Li Xuewu shook her off and waited a step down, watching her bump into the wall.

The siblings were like children, playing a dangerous game on the stairs.

Those who were going downstairs on business and saw this scene pursed their lips in a giggle; it was truly rare to see the usually serious Li Xue acting so shamelessly.

As for Li Li Xuewu, they were already familiar with him; his personality had a strong gentleness and a domineering kindness.

At least toward the staff in the office, he had never lost his temper, let alone given them a cold face.

Li Xue was a bit embarrassed to be seen playing around, glared at her second brother, and walked quickly up the stairs.

On the third floor, the two arrived one after the other at Jing Jing Yunong's office.

"I have a job here that needs someone, and I saw you from the window, so I let Li Xue go down to call you."

Jing Jing Yunong explained with a smile, gesturing for him to sit down and talk.

Li Li Xuewu replied amusingly, "So I guess I exposed my target while downstairs?"

"Then remember not to hang around downstairs next time."

Jing Jing Yunong pursed her lips and smiled, "I'm really too busy to handle it; there's a social engagement tonight, and I need you to go in my place at the International Hotel."

"Whoa! Which province is it from, that they're coming to you?"

Li Li Xuewu asked in surprise, "What level is it? Don't tell me it's something I can't handle; don't joke with me."

"Where is your mind? It's not that kind of thing."

Jing Jing Yunong explained seriously, "The French merchant Chantal hasn't left Beijing; she says she's in contact and communication with their foreign affairs office."

"We don't care about the content regarding foreign affairs, nor do we need to ask, but she took the initiative to reach out first."

Jing Jing Yunong looked at Li Li Xuewu and said, "You should still have an impression of her. I'm not sure what she's contacting us for, so you go and probe the situation."

"Am I the monkey king or the demon king?"

Li Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and asked, "You at least have to tell me what her situation is and what kind of situation you want to know, right?"

"Otherwise, how can I carry out the work after I go?"

He spread his hands and said, "I can't just eat, chat, and talk nonsense, right?"

"If I knew her situation, why would I need you to do it? I could figure it out sitting right here!"

Jing Jing Yunong glanced at him and reminded, "Just eat, and be sure to pay attention to foreign affairs etiquette; don't fail to catch the fox and end up with a stench on yourself."

"Then I won't go; I'm afraid of the stench."

Li Li Xuewu shook his head and refused, "That woman named Chantal seems to be only twenty-six or twenty-seven."

"To be able to manage an international trade company at such a young age and be in contact with their foreign affairs department, one look tells you she's no pushover."

"Is there anyone you, Li Li Xuewu, are afraid of?"

Jing Jing Yunong raised her eyebrows and looked at him, asking, "No way, is this the Li Li Xuewu I know? Scared by a foreign woman?"

"That's not an ordinary foreign woman!"

Li Li Xuewu emphasized, "In my understanding, there are two types of foreign women: French women, and other foreign women."

"What do you mean?"

Jing Jing Yunong was confused by what he said; what kind of one type and another type?

Li Li Xuewu rolled his eyes, tapped his finger on the desk, and whispered, "I suspect she's going to have ulterior motives toward me!"

"Get out of here—!"

Jing Jing Yunong was so angry; she had thought Li Li Xuewu was going to say something mysterious.

"If you're going to put it that way, there are two types of Li Li Xuewu I know."

She mimicked Li Li Xuewu's tone and said, "One is the Li Li Xuewu who talks nonsense but is real during work hours, and the other is the Li Li Xuewu who is only real at talking nonsense after work hours."

Li Xue secretly glanced at her watch; wasn't that right? She had been wondering why her second brother was speaking so casually; it turned out it was after work.