Chapter 1174: What happened to the promised falling out?

"Let us raise our oars~"

"The little boat pushes aside the waves~"

"The sea reflects the beautiful white pagoda, surrounded by green trees and red walls—"

"Hahaha—giggle—"

The lake isn't large, but there are a few wooden boats drifting on the surface; they are the cleaning crew's utility boats.

Li Xuewu certainly wouldn't be so aimless as to take his daughter out in one of these boats; he was just teaching her to sing during their morning stroll.

Little Li Shu, walking like a duckling, followed her father's lead, singing in her milky voice.

But as she sang, her attention would be drawn away by the wildflowers on the roadside, the toads in the lake, or the grasshoppers jumping about.

Whenever she turned back to see her father watching her, waiting with a smile for her to sing along, she would let out a happy laugh.

"That sounded terrible—"

"Thanks for the compliment," Li Xuewu said, not minding the old man's critique of his singing, and retorted immediately: "Your fishing technique is also quite mediocre."

The old man was already used to it; the fishing rod in his hand didn't even tremble. Clearly, his ability to cultivate inner peace had improved again.

Li Shu was also familiar with the old man now. She smiled and called out "Grandpa," then stood on tiptoe to peek into the fish basket. "Still empty—"

Croak—

"There are so many toads in this lake."

The old man glanced at Li Xuewu's expression, which was struggling to hold back laughter, and squeezed out this sentence. He had his pride, after all!

Li Xuewu hadn't expected his daughter's "lethality" to be so high. Didn't he see the fishing float trembling? The old man was just trying to save face.

"No wonder the old saying goes, choice is more important than effort—"

He crouched down, circled his daughter in front of him, wiped the sweat from her face with a handkerchief, and teased the old man: "If you had chosen to catch toads, you would have had a bountiful harvest long ago, wouldn't you?"

"Do toads even need catching?" The old man wasn't one to be outdone. He turned his head, glanced at Li Xuewu, and huffed: "There's one right in front of you."

"See that, Li Shu?" Li Xuewu said with a smile, educating her: "This is called pointing at the mulberry to curse the locust tree—being passive-aggressive."

"Teach your daughter something decent!"

The old man's defenses were broken. He could no longer maintain the detachment of the "solitary fisherman in a straw cape and hat, fishing alone in the cold river snow," and turned to glare at Li Xuewu.

"Grandpa—" Li Shu looked up and reminded him: "Toads, toads can't be eaten. Toads are good... they are good toads!"

Although she wasn't yet old enough for kindergarten, Gu Ning had already been teaching her Pinyin and numbers.

There were children's picture books and magazines, and Qin Jingru spent the day coaxing her to recognize various small animals and learn nursery rhymes.

Li Xuewu hadn't really thought about how successful his daughter would be when she grew up; as long as she didn't become a bandit, that was fine.

"Look at that, Li Shu is more learned than you!"

The old man only had glares for Li Xuewu; when facing Li Shu, the harsh winter turned into the warmth of spring.

He smiled and said to Li Shu: "The little one knows toads can't be eaten, right?"

"Right—" Li Shu was very satisfied with the adult's praise and affirmation. She puffed out her chest and chattered on about how toads eat bugs.

Li Xuewu didn't refute the old man; he just watched his daughter talk with a smile. He liked her brave expression and hoped even more that she would be optimistic and cheerful.

"I heard something happened at your factory?"

The old man waited until Li Shu finished speaking, watched her attention get drawn away by a grasshopper, and then looked up to ask Li Xuewu.

Afterward, without waiting for Li Xuewu to answer, he sighed: "The times are difficult; it's an eventful autumn."

"Since you're retired, just rest well."

Li Xuewu kept his eyes on his daughter, but retorted: "It's not like you're short of food or drink, why bother with so much idle business?"

"What? You're not reconciled?"

He took the ant from his daughter's hand, gave her a twig to play with, and continued to ask: "Or should I find you something to do?"

"You have such good intentions?"

The old man's gaze was also on Li Shu. A child's world is always so innocent and beautiful.

He sighed and said: "Forget it, just like you said, I'm not short of food or drink."

"I say the same, where would there be so many unfulfilled ambitions."

Li Xuewu crouched beside his daughter, his eyes gentle, but his words were like knives: "Even if you drank ice for ten years, your stomach would have gone cold and died long ago."

"Hard to cool the hot blood. A thousand-year dark room, pfft—"

He curled his lip and said with no lack of sarcasm: "The era has passed; nowadays, we don't care about 'a single lamp illuminating the darkness'."

"Yes, yes, yes, we are all old antiques, long overdue to be swept into the dustbin of history and sent to the crematorium in the eastern suburbs."

The old man's last bit of spirit was extinguished by Li Xuewu's "pissing" on it; now, all that remained was smoking complaints.

He turned around, held his fishing rod, whether out of spite or helplessness, and continued to cultivate his character with a face full of melancholy, pretending to be dead.

Right and wrong, success and failure, all turn to emptiness; the green mountains remain, how many times has the sunset been red.

Approaching the end of July, things were becoming more numerous, and work was getting busier.

The Red Star Factory had seen many big moves recently; from top to bottom, inside and out, the whole factory was a scene of busyness, with everyone running off their feet.

Li Xuewu cooperated with Gu Weijie to lift the red veil of the administrative reform, pushed the shy personnel reform onto the bridal bed, and muttered about having a son soon and smooth sailing.

What is personnel reform?

It's just a math problem; it's very simple, just addition and subtraction.

With the adjustment of industrial production order, various production units were being merged and controlled toward specialized factories, and personnel work was also being adjusted in an orderly manner.

Some unnecessary positions were to be streamlined, some unqualified personnel were to be transferred, and some new positions were to be added and laid out.

Production, logistics, personnel, finance... and so on, just like puzzle pieces forming the booming Red Star Factory.

The "bucket theory" actually doesn't need summarizing; how many people working in administration don't understand it?

When it comes down to it, it's that individual work can't keep up with the overall progress, the supervising leaders lack management, project advancement is slow—there are too many factors.

At this time, someone is needed to coordinate, allocate resources from the center, and guide and stimulate various departments to develop in synergy, moving in lockstep.

Generally speaking, the executive vice president or executive vice director would cooperate with the management committee director to execute this work.

The Red Star Factory didn't have an "executive vice" position, and Old Li didn't have the will or preparation for it, so Li Xuewu was promoted to do this work.

"Low position, heavy power"—that describes the current Li Xuewu.

Li Huai was narrow-minded and reluctant to part with the development dividends of the early reform period; centralization represented rapid decision-making and implementation.

Although it violated the fundamental principles of the organization, in the context of high-speed economic and production work, this situation had already been covered up.

The higher-ups also lacked the necessary energy and influence to intervene in the development and actions of the Red Star Factory.

This created the current organizational ecology of the Red Star Factory.

Fewer leaders mean fewer things to do, and work is easier to get done.

Especially after the administrative personnel reform, a large group of "old" people who had lost their enthusiasm for work and life ideals went down, and a large group of passionate young people came up.

The grassroots filled the basic positions, the administration replenished fresh blood, and there was a new atmosphere in management and execution.

It was very obvious that there were more young people coming in and out of the administrative building, and the tone of speeches at meetings was higher.

Even Li Huai was saying that watching the young people work made him feel several years younger.

That's true; if he were watching young dance actresses work... he'd feel even younger!

There had long been rumors in the administration that the one in the design department who was with Zhou Miaomiao didn't mind sharing a wife at all.

At least with the administrative personnel reform, that person was even promoted to deputy section chief. Can you say whether they lost or gained?

If you were to ask whether Zhou Miaomiao lost or gained, that would be even harder to say.

A brand-new little motorcycle, an imported watch, a bag on her back, a boyfriend she was talking marriage with, a booming performing arts career, and a "Number One Big Brother" who frequently treated her—would you say she lost or gained?

Never mind whether Zhou Miaomiao lost or gained; recently, everyone had been asking whether Zhou Xiaoling lost or gained.

"You're coming to ask me about renovation matters too?"

Li Xuewu raised his eyes to scan the heads of the propaganda section and the engineering section, and asked with great impatience: "Is this your first day on the job?"

"That... leader, the situation is like this," the head of the first propaganda section bowed slightly to indicate the document on the table and explained: "After all, we are in the city, right? We still feel we should listen to your opinion."

"The main thing is that the style is hard to control," the head of the engineering business section hesitated and echoed: "We did consult the literary propaganda team regarding stage application, these are all fine..."

"Too many ideas—" Li Xuewu understood what the two meant. He tapped his fountain pen and didn't make things difficult for them anymore. "For literary propaganda, the focus should still be on propaganda."

As he spoke, he made comments on the document. "In appearance, it must conform to the characteristics of the era, but it must also leave room for development."

"The era is developing, society is progressing; we now emphasize inner beauty."

Li Xuewu raised his head, looked at the two, and said: "Therefore, in engineering design, we must serve art well, so that art can serve propaganda and serve the masses."

Looking at the document he pushed over, the two looked at each other, and the head of the first propaganda section took it.

The text was very concise, not quite the same as what the leader had just said, yet it seemed there was no difference.

However, both were old administrative hands; they understood after just one glance, nodded with a smile, and left after expressing their thanks.

"Too many issues—"

Li Xuewu picked up his teacup and took a sip, his gaze scanning toward Cen Fuyao, who was sitting opposite him.

Cen Fuyao was the director of the Steel City United Industrial Management Office, at the same level as the Beijing Third Industry Management Office and the Tianjin Trade Management Center.

These were the "three carriages" of the Red Star Factory's Economic and Trade Leading Group; he, Zhuang Cangshu, and Wang Yuzheng were the three "coachmen" of the leading group.

Li Xuewu was the deputy leader of the leading group in charge of organizational coordination. This time, returning to Beijing, Cen Fuyao had come specifically to report on his work and also to listen to the instructions of Deputy Leader Li.

"Grassroots work is not easy to do."

Cen Fuyao smiled, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. He appeared to be pleading for the two, but in reality, there was more to his words.

"Doing it well is an obligation, doing it poorly is a responsibility; every leader has a different idea. How to do it, what to do—there are so many constraints."

"It seems you think there are too many leaders?"

Li Xuewu laughed freely and said: "Fine, I'll talk to the factory later; you won't need to return to Beijing to report on your work."

"I don't care about others," Cen Fuyao laughed and joked: "I must come to report on my work."

He put down the teacup in his hand and said half-seriously: "In terms of grasping the pulse of industrial development, no one in the entire Red Star Factory can compare to you."

"I'm not flattering you to your face, and you don't need me to flatter you."

Cen Fuyao opened his notebook with a smile and said: "If the Steel City industry hadn't had your participation in planning and design, it wouldn't have today's glory and achievements."

"This counts as flattery—"

Li Xuewu pointed at him, put down his teacup, and said: "It's not that I don't like hearing flattery; I want to hear the truth."

He sat up straight, looked at the report in front of him, and asked: "When can the 'Antelope' achieve mass production? Is there a plan?"

"At the latest by October. The trial production status is good, and the comrades at the Vehicle Engineering Research Institute are making final additions and adjustments."

Seeing Li Xuewu talking seriously, Cen Fuyao's expression became earnest. He reported: "According to the production feedback from the motorcycle production line, Comrade Wang Gang's opinion is to stabilize it a bit more."

"I'm not urging you; the opinions of engineers must be fully considered," Li Xuewu glanced at him and pointed out: "Mass production is not the goal; planned and programmed production is the core objective."

He tapped the document in his hand and said: "You can see that in the second half of the year, the factory will tilt toward the automotive industry in terms of policy and action. This is your opportunity; you must grasp it."

"I understand what you mean," Cen Fuyao replied earnestly: "On the basis of following scientific development and technology-first, we will fully coordinate production capacity and cooperate with the factory to do a good job in regulation..."

"The sales department is organizing professional talent training classes, focusing on cultivating trade and sales management talent."

Li Xuewu's fountain pen tapped the table as he looked at him and said: "Don't wait for the factory to feed you; be self-reliant, comrade."

"Bus factory, sedan factory, engineering vehicle factory—so many projects are being launched in the automotive industry alone this year. How many hands do you have?"

Cen Fuyao's forehead broke into a sweat; he hadn't expected Li Xuewu to be so well-informed, or perhaps someone had come here to complain.

"Do you know that the factory administration is undergoing personnel reform?"

Li Xuewu put down his fountain pen, glanced at him, and said as if implying something: "I don't believe you haven't heard the news."

"Yes, I've heard people mention it..." Cen Fuyao looked up at Li Xuewu and asked hesitantly: "What do you mean?"

"Haven't you thought about why the factory is doing this?"

Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and chuckled: "Are you playing dumb while knowing the truth?"

"Don't play little tricks; these methods are too low-end, too unpresentable."

He called the secretary in the office to refill the tea for Cen Fuyao opposite him, and reminded him: "Your horizons must be broader, and your gaze must be long-term."

"The management office is just a product of temporary compromise; the ultimate goal is to promote the establishment of specialized factories."

He tapped the document at his hand and said: "I won't read this report; I believe the leaders wouldn't want to read it either."

He pushed the document back and continued: "The automotive industry needs to develop, and the electronics industry and hardware industry are also developing."

"The electronics industry report submitted by Director Dong in June this year was very forward-looking. I believe you've seen it too."

He looked at Cen Fuyao, whose expression was somewhat stiff, and said: "The Electromechanical Company is a big project; Deputy Director Jing and Director Dong both intend to promote this matter."

"Merging several television factories and radio factories, then acquiring several radio factories, and introducing more advanced electronic technology..."

Li Xuewu spoke of the main contents of the report submitted by Dong Wenxue, while Cen Fuyao's face turned from blue to white.

"... the goal is to form a larger electronics industry production line. You wouldn't think this is a small project, would you?"

"Of course... of course not, but..." Cen Fuyao hesitated and asked: "The electronics factory is already producing washing machines, refrigerators, fans..."

"It's not enough. Do you understand what I mean?"

Li Xuewu's tone became serious. His gaze swept sharply over Cen Fuyao as he asked: "How many families in China haven't used flashlights and electric fans yet?"

"Have you considered the advantages of electronic OEM and electronic product exports?"

Watching Cen Fuyao frown and think, he paused and reminded him: "Don't calculate the little things in the bowl; it's too petty."

"If you can let go, then let go. If you don't give opportunities to the people below, where will the opportunities come from for you above?"

"Yes, I understand," Cen Fuyao took a deep breath and looked hesitantly at Li Xuewu: "Director Dong's side..."

"Doing work relies on a sense of public duty. What are you playing at?"

Li Xuewu frowned, glared at him, tapped the table, and reprimanded: "You even dare to butt heads with Deputy Director Jing? Can't the Red Star Factory hold you anymore?"

"Don't talk to me about those irrelevant things. After you go back, hurry up and rectify. What should be promoted, promote; what should be demoted, demote."

"Understood, leader," Cen Fuyao indicated the report on the table: "After I go back, I'll prepare another one..."

"Handle the matter well first—"

Li Xuewu looked at him with an unkind expression, his mouth moved, and then he softened his tone: "Don't be ungrateful."

"Deputy Director Jing is in charge of finance, sales, and scheduling, and is also the deputy leader of the Economic and Management Group. Can't you distinguish between the big and small kings?"

What was said before was public business, and conversation naturally requires harmony and unity. What is being said now is about feelings. Li Xuewu's scolding didn't contain dirty words, but it was enough to make Cen Fuyao terrified.

"Understood. After I go back, I'll make adjustments to the division of labor, apply to the factory for support from grassroots cadres, and do a good job in talent cultivation..."

"Go, go," Li Xuewu picked up his teacup and nodded. His gaze looked out the window. Before the other party left, he reminded him: "Don't forget to go to Deputy Director Gu and Deputy Director Jing to ask for instructions."

"Thank you, Deputy Director Li—"

This sentence from Cen Fuyao was a sincere expression of thanks. There are very few words that can be heard from Li Xuewu here; ordinary people don't even have the qualifications to be reminded and reprimanded by Li Xuewu.

"Leader? Are you busy?"

Seeing that Peng Xiaoli in the secretary's office wasn't there, Zhou Yao took the initiative to come to Li Xuewu's side.

She greeted him with a smile, and seeing the leader nod, she walked in: "I heard them all say you were scolding someone."

"Then you still dare to come?"

Li Xuewu smiled, moved the document in his hand aside, and let the other party place the document she handed over in front of him.

Zhou Yao stood by Li Xuewu's side, bowed slightly, and explained: "The branch bureau has results. I'm taking a risk to report to you."

"Hmm, this can be considered getting what they deserve."

Li Xuewu looked at the handling results on the circular and asked: "Why did it come down so quickly?"

"Special matters handled specially; the impact is very large."

Zhou Yao explained softly: "The branch bureau has long intended to suppress the momentum that has recently risen, but there has never been a suitable opportunity."

"Then are we considered unlucky?" Li Xuewu raised his head and glanced at her: "I even feel it's a grievance."

"The branch bureau's meaning is to borrow the influence of this matter to expand the results and continuously promote the work of maintaining social stability."

Zhou Yao introduced: "Recently, the branch bureau should be issuing a document urging various factory units to organize special rectification work for public security."

"The breakthrough point is here." Li Xuewu tapped the document. It contained understanding and deployment regarding this rectification work. He was very supportive of Zhou Yao doing the work.

"Combining previous public security management work and experience, according to your opinion, we explored and discussed it, and still feel that it is better to take multiple measures simultaneously."

Zhou Yao leaned forward to indicate the specific implementation methods and reported: "Strengthen ideological education and public security propaganda; cooperate with the personnel department to do a good job in system norms and management; coordinate the labor union to launch friendship activities; and finally, severely crack down on and clear out unstable factors."

"Hmm, very good, the goal is clear, and it has specific action guidance," Li Xuewu flipped through the document in his hand and nodded: "But pay attention to the methods, and pay attention to the priorities."

He used a pencil to make comments on key positions, especially regarding the last point, which related to the work and lives of too many people.

"Communicate and learn more with other departments, especially the labor union. Only by trying to get their support and understanding can your work be carried out smoothly."

Li Xuewu had never underestimated the power of the labor union, especially at this time.

At the end of the document, he used a fountain pen to make comments, requiring serious handling of recent public security cases and the investigation and pursuit of relevant responsible persons.

"You give this action a code name," Zhou Yao suggested with a smile: "I heard that whenever you organized actions before, you would use an appropriate code name. I'm also learning."

"Alright, no problem. Let me think about it."

Li Xuewu raised his head, looked at the office door, and seeing Li Xue come in, he smiled and said: "Let's call it 'Thunderclap'."

"Your leader didn't give you a holiday?"

Looking at the quiet and composed young woman sitting across from him, Li Xuewu waited for a long while in the quiet office before he finally spoke and asked a question.

After reading the document in his hand, he stood up and went to the tea cabinet to pick up a thermos to refill his water.

Peng Xiaoli went to the Red Star Training Ground on his behalf—one to watch, two to ask, three to check.

A secretary, after all; Li Xuewu wouldn't give him too much power, but he wouldn't limit his growth either, giving him opportunities to train.

Li Xue was the same. Although Jing Yunong would train her, she wouldn't give her too much power either.

"It seems you didn't follow the right leader."

Seeing the sister not speaking, Li Xuewu smiled and teased her: "Why, do you want to change leaders?"

"Your second brother here, I'm currently in the Management Committee Office, and I'm considered to have a little bit of convenience."

"Alright, why don't I be your secretary? I'll definitely do better than Peng Xiaoli."

Li Xue rolled her eyes, rested her chin on her hand, and looked at her second brother: "Does that mean I can have a holiday every day?"

"That wouldn't be you being my secretary; it would be me being your secretary!"

Li Xuewu walked to the desk, flicked her forehead, and asked with a smile: "Why don't you come home? Don't you know Mom misses you?"

"Mom doesn't want me anymore," Li Xue curled her lip: "Now in her eyes, there's only the eldest grandson and the second grandson."

"Oh, right, and the eldest granddaughter!" As if she had just remembered, she glared at her second brother: "After Li Shu came along, Mom hasn't cared about me as much. It's all your fault—"

"You can even blame me for this?"

Li Xuewu picked up his teacup and took a sip of hot tea, saying with a smile: "You're now a little swallow with hardened wings. After flying out of the nest, you don't miss home, you don't miss Dad and Mom."

"I do miss them, you give my mom back to me... ah—"

Before she finished speaking, she received another flick on the forehead from her second brother.

"You still think you're a child!"

Li Xuewu glanced at his sister and reminded her: "Seventeen years old, a big girl. In another year or two, you should be looking for a husband."

"Eww—" Li Xue curled her lip, glared at her second brother: "You called me here just for this, right?"

"What matter?"

Li Xuewu asked, pretending not to know: "Why are you looking at me like that? I just missed you."

"Do you guess I believe your ghost stories?" Li Xue tilted her head and stared into her second brother's eyes: "Do you know that every time you talk nonsense, you look very serious?"

"Is that so? I didn't even notice!"

Li Xuewu leaned his head forward, looked at his face in the glass on the desk, and said with a wink: "No?"

"You're annoying—" Li Xue was angry and patted her second brother's head, huffing: "You're just teasing me on purpose!"

"Hiss—" Li Xuewu pretended to be in pain, covered his head and said: "You hit the nail on the head!"

"Ha! My heart has more eyes than yours!"

Li Xue didn't believe she had hurt him, hugged her arms and huffed: "If you want to say whether my leader gave me a holiday, you'd be the first to know, right?"

"What do you mean?" Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and looked at his sister: "You've confused me with your questions."

"I think you're playing dumb while knowing the truth!"

Li Xue pouted and asked: "The whole factory says you and my leader have fallen out and become enemies. Looking at it, it doesn't seem like that at all?"

"Hey! Don't say things that affect unity!"

Li Xuewu waved his hand and emphasized: "Deputy Director Jing and I just have differences of opinion in work. How could it reach the point of being described as enemies?"

"Then what word should be used to describe it?"

Li Xue curled her lip and asked: "How about 'openly repair the plank road, secretly cross the Chencang'?"

"Hiss! Are you talking to me like this?"

Li Xuewu pretended to be unhappy and said: "In the unit, you have to have the appearance of a big girl. Do you think you're playing house?"

"Then please treat me as a big girl too, and stop caring about my emotional problems, okay?"

Li Xue only dared to be perfunctory with her second brother. She wouldn't dare to just walk away.

Never mind in the unit; even at home with her parents doting on her, she wouldn't dare to have an attitude with her second brother.

Of course, she was pushed to the limit by her second brother just now, otherwise she wouldn't have used her little secret to defend and counterattack.

"I haven't even asked who told you that Cen Fuyao was playing little tricks in Steel City, can't you spare me?"

After Li Xue finished this sentence, she regretted it a little, but still stubbornly turned her head and looked out the window: "The factory knows his intentions, but the factory doesn't know about the little tricks in Steel City..."

She had a lot to say in her heart, but she didn't want to say it before she had figured it out.

For example, the leader was in high spirits after returning, for example, the irritable temper suddenly became gentle, for example... Second brother taking charge in the unit?

How did he know she hadn't gone home? He wasn't home when she went either.

When did the security group leader's turn to take charge fall on him? It just happened to coincide with Deputy Director Jing's return.

If there was work to discuss, she wouldn't have suspected anything. Deputy Director Jing had learned some situations in Steel City, so it was necessary to talk about them.

It's just that what was being spread in the factory these past few days didn't match what she understood!

What happened to the promised falling out?

"Whose little tricks does the factory not know about?"

Li Xuewu didn't scold his sister again, but explained calmly: "What he can know is only what the factory is willing to let him know. Cleverness is mistaken for cleverness."

"The food hadn't even been served yet, and he wanted to take a bite first. If it weren't for Director Dong's sake..."

"So, you all intend to let him take over the flashlight industry?" Li Xue looked at her second brother and asked: "Then who will go to the automotive industry? That is a..."

"It wouldn't be you, would it? No!"

The little girl had been following Jing Yunong in the administration for more than half a year and finally had professional quality, and also learned to think about problems with administrative thinking.

She sized up her second brother, who was calm and relaxed, thought for a long while, and then widened her eyes and blurted out: "It's Director Ding! He has to make room for you!"

"No wonder..." Li Xue figured it out all at once and muttered to herself: "Deputy Leader Xiao went to Fengcheng to preside over the restructuring of the First Machinery Factory... Director Dong..."

"So, can you tell me now what's going on with you and Peng Xiaoli?"

Li Xuewu didn't care at all about his sister's speculation about these personnel relationships; he only cared about whether a pig had entered his family's vegetable garden.

"What's going on?" Li Xue didn't expect her second brother to keep harping on this question.

She was very calm and answered very frankly: "Nothing is going on between us."

"I received his care when I first started working. It's a relatively ordinary colleague relationship. You could say there's a bit of friendship."

"That's strange," Li Xuewu sized up his sister, and seeing she didn't seem to be lying, he said: "The day you came back..."

"Can't I make a friend?"

Li Xue explained somewhat helplessly: "We really have nothing. He just asked me about work."

"Hahaha—" Li Xuewu chuckled and took a sip of hot tea: "It seems the falling flowers have intentions, but the flowing water has no heart."

"Let's not hide things between us siblings. I don't believe you can't see that he has intentions toward you."

Putting down the teacup, Li Xuewu said calmly: "I don't oppose you making friends, and I don't oppose you dating, but as your second brother, I have an obligation to give advice."

"If you trust me, feel free to share emotional matters with me. I'll help you keep an eye on things."

He spread his hands very frankly and said: "If you don't trust me, I won't forcibly interfere, but don't come crying to me later."

"Regardless of what you think in your heart, Peng Xiaoli is not suitable for you. I'm not saying his character is bad."

Li Xuewu waved his hand and said very straightforwardly: "I don't care whether you look for a partner based on social status. I don't care how much power or money he has; I don't care about that."

"I'll only tell you one thing: the partner you look for must be able to stand straight and talk to me in front of me, otherwise you won't be happy for a lifetime. Do you understand?"

Li Xue looked at her second brother somewhat confusedly, thinking about his words. It seemed she understood, and it seemed she didn't.

She didn't dwell on Peng Xiaoli, just standing straight and talking...

"You love introducing partners to others so much. Later, when I want to date, I'll just find you—"

Li Xue was cared for by her second brother, and she was already moved, but she still wouldn't admit defeat: "Even the eldest sister-in-law said you found a partner who knows how to stoke the fire for Zhao Yajun..."

"Are you looking for a beating—" Li Xuewu didn't have a good temper and scared his sister, then explained with a laugh and a cry: "This girl almost ruined my 100% success rate in matchmaking."

On the last day of July, after nearly a month of training and study, the delegation to Japan finally set off.

When the final small list was announced, some were excited and some were worried.

Those who were excited naturally had the opportunity to go abroad with the delegation to study, and would definitely be reused upon their return.

Those who were worried naturally had gone through a month of closed-door study but still missed this opportunity.

They were all outstanding young people, and they were all potential stocks in relevant technical fields.

Li Xuewu accompanied Li Huai to personally send the delegation to the plane, and finally emphasized safety matters to the leader of the delegation.

Also departing with the delegation were two cadres from the security department, one of whom was Zhao Yajun.

Zhao Yajun was also promising; his training and study performance were excellent. Before going abroad, he also reported his emotional situation to the organization and made a filing registration.

One was a rising star carrying a heavy responsibility and serving as a security task with the delegation, and the other was a relative who had once made a joke.

The matter of Zhao Yajun and Wang Lu being together soon spread in the circle of young people in the factory.

The factory administration isn't big, but there are so many young people. Any news could spread during lunch.

Zhao Yajun could be selected as a security cadre with the delegation; anyone with a discerning eye knew what was going on.

And his choice of Wang Lu made many people's jaws drop.

A girl who dared to date a foreigner—has she finally sent her partner abroad?

So Wang Lu was determined to get a taste of the foreign flavor!

However, they dared to talk nonsense like this before, but the moment Zhao Yajun reported it to the organization, this talk could only be whispered privately.

If you talk nonsense in public, the security section won't look for you, but the confidential section will also look for you for a talk.

Wang Lu, this somewhat honest girl, after returning to work in the security group, no one dared to criticize her anymore.

Nonsense, she has a factory leader uncle, and now she has a factory leader second brother. Who dares to provoke her? (Believe it or not, they'll burn your house down!)

At noon, the administrative staff always arrived at the canteen earlier than the workshop staff, and the administrative staff could also gossip more than the workshop staff.

Now the office management is strict, and there are few opportunities to gossip. They just rely on the time of this lunch to chat.

And when Wang Lu appeared in the canteen, many eyes flew to her.

In fact, the relatives of the members of this delegation to Japan are all under the "protection" of the confidential section.

It's just that others don't have such attractive stories as Wang Lu, so whether it's jealousy or envy, the rumors are always unstoppable.

Fortunately, she has a big heart. She hasn't taken this matter to heart yet, eating and drinking as usual.

"What are you looking at?" Xiaoxiao poked Zhou Xiaoling's arm and reminded her: "Can you stop staring like that?"

"I just want to see, see what's different about her."

Zhou Xiaoling said in a very flat voice: "Do you really think I regret it, regret it too late?"

She withdrew her gaze from Wang Lu and said to Xiaoxiao: "Do you believe that even if I had agreed to Zhao Yajun's pursuit back then, I wouldn't be the Wang Lu of today?"

"What do you mean?" Xiaoxiao frowned: "Wasn't he the one pursuing you?"

"So what?" Zhou Xiaoling was eating and said vaguely: "Do you think I could enter his family's door?"

"You mean..." Xiaoxiao seemed to understand the meaning of Zhou Xiaoling's words and was surprised: "He didn't agree?"

"Then why... the two of you...?"

"I did want to," Zhou Xiaoling rolled her eyes at her, bit the steamed bun slowly, and explained: "Of course he wouldn't be willing for Zhao Yajun to date me, but it also has nothing to do with him."

"Then why..."

The fire of gossip in Xiaoxiao's eyes was burning fiercely, and she asked in a low voice: "You pursue him, he doesn't want you, and he doesn't allow you to agree to Zhao Yajun's pursuit. What kind of logic is this?"

"Where did your thoughts go—" Zhou Xiaoling tapped Xiaoxiao's forehead very freely and corrected: "He didn't forbid me; he just let me retreat in the face of difficulties."

"I didn't like Zhao Yajun in the first place; he looks like a piece of wood—"

"Eww—" Xiaoxiao curled her lip, covered her mouth and whispered: "You like someone like Zhou Tan, and you're willing to let Zhou Miaomiao wear a hat for him... you wouldn't want to be like this too!"

"Get lost—"

Zhou Xiaoling glared at her and explained: "Wang Lu has a good uncle, do I have one?"

"I don't regret this matter at all, because I didn't have this opportunity at all. These are two different things!"

"So you're dead set on that one?"

Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow, and the bottom of her eyes carried a smile as she reminded: "I heard his sister is back. Didn't you think about making an appointment to see a good sister?"

"Hmph—"

Zhou Xiaoling bit the steamed bun hard and said angrily: "The strategy of saving the country by a curve failed. His sister is not a bit less scheming than him. Their family has too many schemes."

"Sigh—can only plan slowly and wait for another opportunity."

"I do have a suggestion, you consider whether it works."

Xiaoxiao leaned over and whispered: "You've heard that the factory acquired five theaters, right?"

Waiting for Zhou Xiaoling to nod, she continued: "I heard that our troupe still needs to expand. When the time comes, it will be inevitable to divide into groups..."

She poked Zhou Xiaoling's meat bun and reminded: "If you want to get close to someone, you have to make achievements, let someone promote you, and then you have the opportunity to 'repay' someone, right?"

"Make achievements?" Zhou Xiaoling looked at Xiaoxiao, patted away her playful fingers, and asked seriously: "How to do it?"

"Even if it's divided into groups, the dance team is still led by Zhou Miaomiao. If achievements are made, it's still hers?"

Zhou Xiaoling isn't stupid. She has suffered losses for so many years. Can she not know what kind of virtue these little bitches in the troupe have?

If they suffer losses, they all hide; if there is meat to eat, they all surround it.

"You're stupid—"

Xiaoxiao blinked her eyes and reminded: "Do you want to stay in the dance team for a lifetime?"

"If it's divided into groups, of course, you have to fight for the captain of the performance team!"

She said very seriously: "You go tell the instructor, and then go find Li Xue."

"Chasing her second brother is not allowed, but sisterly love is okay, right? She works in the Red Star Factory, so doesn't she need human relationships?" ===== CHAPTER 1175 =====