Chapter 113

Li Xuewu had Han Yating lead Hu Guimin in writing a supplementary statement to clarify her relationship with Xiao Laosan, and then write a letter of guarantee.

In the presence of Master Xiao and Section Chief Guan, he asked for Hu Guimin's opinion, checked their marriage certificate, had Xiao Yuan write a confession, and only then did he lead them out.

Upon seeing Hu Guimin, Xiao Laosan still wanted to act up, but was dragged to the stairwell by Father Xiao and given a beating; only then did he say to Hu Guimin with a firm expression: "Sister, from now on, I will support you openly and honestly."

Li Xuewu couldn't be bothered to watch this spineless wretch make a scene here, so he brought the four of them to the stairwell and said: "In consideration of your father's contributions and Section Chief Guan's suggestion, I can give you a chance to turn over a new leaf here. Even after leaving the factory, you must conduct yourself properly."

He then pointed at Hu Guimin and said to the Xiao father and son: "I won't say much else; your father will naturally keep you in check. However, I must state this clearly regarding Hu Guimin: she is a person from the Steel Rolling Mill. If she is wronged, you will still end up inside."

He then said to Hu Guimin: "Since you came today, you have shown your attitude. Let's not mention the past; live your life well, show filial piety to your parents-in-law, support each other as husband and wife, and give birth to a big, healthy boy next year."

He shook hands with Section Chief Guan from the workshop and Master Xiao, looked at the sheepishly mumbling Xiao Yuan, also extended his hand to shake his, and then sent them off.

Just as he wanted to sit down and have a drink of water, Xu Fu came looking for him alone.

This old gentleman didn't look to be in very good health, so Li Xuewu didn't dare to push him away firmly and could only receive him with a bitter smile.

Li Xuewu led him into the room that used to belong to Wang Jindong; it was a small room, and since he hadn't officially started his post yet, he hadn't moved in to work.

He offered Xu Fu a seat and poured him a cup of water.

"Uncle, I already made things very clear to you yesterday, so please don't make things difficult for me."

Li Xuewu originally wanted to be polite for a moment and then send Xu Fu away.

Who knew that Xu Fu wouldn't take the hint, but instead placed an IOU, a signed house transaction application, and a property deed on Li Xuewu's desk.

He then placed a box next to it, the same as the box that held the jewelry, gold, and silver at the Li residence last night, without even looking at Li Xuewu, whose expression was growing colder.

"I know you don't have a house to live in; the inverted-seat room is not fit for people. This is the house I gave Damao, the one in your back courtyard. I'm giving it to you. You take this 100-yuan IOU and just say I can't pay back the money, and mortgage the house to you."

Li Xuewu interrupted: "I have a house; what do I need your house for?"

Xu Fu didn't listen to Li Xuewu's words and continued: "Yesterday, the Xiao family's child was also taken away together. I just saw him come out. No matter what method he used, I will use the same. I feel that what I can give is no less than what their family gave. Also, take this box of things; I just want to leave a descendant for the Xu family."

Li Xuewu lit a cigarette and looked at Xu Fu through the smoke. He had gone back to check what the Xiao family gave: 2,000 yuan, which counted as a huge sum.

But it was just so-so; money nowadays without corresponding ration coupons didn't have much use.

Now that Xu Fu was saying this, it seemed someone knowledgeable had taught him, or else this old gentleman was clear-minded and had used other interests to find someone who understood the situation to help him pass the message.

Actually, Xu Damao was scared out of hiding; he was scaring himself. There was no one involved in the incident the night before last. The only ones who used force were the three people he confessed to, and Xiao Laosan specifically targeted one person.

Although Xu Damao played around a lot, it was all consensual.

This kid just threw money at the problem. During the interrogation, his words revealed a sense of arrogance, and he was full of contempt for the other three who used force.

The women questioned inside and outside the factory all said they weren't lacking in firm stance, but that this grandson gave too much.

Want money? What's money for? I'll give you ten jin of white flour directly.

No?

A decent person? Then twenty jin.

Want to watch a movie in the village? As long as that little widow agrees, I'll add a screening.

Want to eat meat? As long as you agree, mutton hot pot!

He later used this trick on Qin Jingru.

Li Xuewu looked at the interrogation records and was moved by this kid's "money power." He was willing to pay, had a smooth tongue, and knew how to please people. Testing a poor widow with these things—who could withstand it?

Li Xuewu nodded and said to Xu Fu: "If you want to use this trick, it will take some effort. Xiao Laosan is single. I can't tell you the details of the relationship between the two of them, but now the two of them have directly gotten married."

Li Xuewu didn't even look at the things on the table, stuffed them all into the large drawer under the desk, and stuffed the box into the desk cabinet door; in reality, he threw them into his fingertip space.

"The reverse can also be implemented. If you can prove that Xu Damao currently has no marital relationship with Watching Lou Xiaoe—that is, possessing a divorce certificate from three days ago—then the accusations in the courtyard will not hold. I will help you remove his reports in the courtyard, and I will treat what he said as a report."

Documents in this era were all handwritten, so there's no need to mention how much room there was for maneuver. In later generations, there were countless people who changed their ages for school entrance, and that was even with networked systems.

Seeing Xu Fu was a bit excited, Li Xuewu leaned back in his chair and said: "But the problems he confessed to are too many; he still has to go inside on this side."

Xu Fu's expression froze instantly, and he opened his mouth to say: "Section Chief Li, didn't you just..." As he spoke, he pointed to the drawer and cabinet door where Li Xuewu had just put the things.

"Sword Comes"

Li Xuewu waved his hand to signal for him to let himself speak, and said: "Listen to me finish. Xu Damao confessed that he has seven or eight lovers outside. I won't mention the widows; this is easy to solve. We can handle it low-key. You handle those in the village; if you don't go to the village, maybe there will be no problem."

Seeing Xu Fu's expression loosen, he said again: "The most troublesome thing is that there is a 'half-hidden door' (prostitute) near the lake. Xu Damao went there often and even took Guo Dapiezi with him. Now this side has been verified. If that Yang Hua is really a 'half-hidden door,' Xu Damao and the others cannot escape responsibility. To put it bluntly, it's like a thread strung together."

Xu Fu asked anxiously: "Then what should we do? Give that bitch money?"

Li Xuewu shook his head and said: "Money can sometimes buy a life, but sometimes others don't want to sell. That Yang Hua is willing to take money to cover for you now, but Guo Dapiezi isn't willing. If he says the few of them had that kind of relationship, Xu Damao will definitely go inside."

Xu Fu couldn't sit still; he stood up and jumped on his feet.

"Xuewu, stop beating around the bush. Just tell your old uncle, what exactly should I do?"

Li Xuewu waved his hand to signal Xu Fu to sit down and talk slowly, pushed the water cup forward, and then said slowly: "As long as you prove Yang Hua is not a 'half-hidden door' and has a husband, the two of them holding a marriage certificate is better than one person talking nonsense."

Xu Fu was stunned for a moment and asked in disbelief: "You mean... that thousand-man-ridden...?"

Li Xuewu picked up the teacup, blew the tea leaves in the cup, took a sip of tea, and then said: "I didn't say anything. I'm just providing you with a line of thought because you've had it so hard. Anyway, Xu Damao confessed Yang Hua, and Guo Dapiezi also confessed Yang Hua and Xu Damao. Now if you want to save Xu Damao, you have to save Yang Hua."