Chapter 1177: Time Waits for No One

Early morning, a touch of coolness, and a wisp of breeze swept away the lingering languor within the room.

The guesthouse used pure solid wood beds, so the heaviness carried a hint of simplicity and nature.

Li Xuewu's mind was clear; he had slept without dreams, and the quality of his sleep was absolutely superb.

He opened his eyes and glanced down. Damn, who specifically styled my ion-perm into a center part!

"You're going a bit too far, ow!"

Li Xuewu's mouth twitched as he looked at the "Technician No. 8" beside him, who was giggling, and reminded her: "I'm a decent person, you know."

"Who are you calling indecent?"

Yu Li snorted, her footwork impressive; in a minute, the center part had turned into something non-mainstream.

"Hahaha—"

After a night of exertion, the longing in her heart had been completely released, leaving her feeling quite carefree and at ease.

Just as he had said last night, she was only twenty, yet she was thinking about things for when she was sixty.

A child wasn't necessarily a bond; with Li Xuewu's temper, even a steel cable might not be enough to tie him down.

What Li Xuewu could give her was freedom and a sincere, honest care. If she insisted on using pressure to force him, then neither of them would be at ease.

"Let's take it one day at a time; I still have to go to work today—"

Looking at "No. 8," who was still pining away as the sun rose higher and higher, Li Xuewu threw off the quilt and headed to the bathroom.

Yu Li watched the man with his upright posture, broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs, and couldn't help but climb out of bed, following him on tiptoes.

Before long, the sound of brushing teeth came from the bathroom.

"BabyBus!"

I love my big toothbrush~

I love brushing my teeth the most!

Brush up, brush down, brush left, brush right, brush inside and out.

Don't swallow the water or the toothpaste, let's brush our teeth together, and make them shine white—

"Morning, Director Yu—"

Ou Xin greeted Yu Li as she came down from upstairs, particularly envious of the other woman's set of white teeth.

Yu Li nodded and asked casually, "Are you on duty today?"

"Yes, Director Yu," Ou Xin replied with a polite smile, organizing the files at the front desk. "Is there anything special you need to instruct?"

"Nothing much—"

Yu Li walked a few steps out, but suddenly stopped, turned around, and said to Ou Xin, "Several leaders stayed here last night; remember to remind the cafeteria to prepare breakfast."

"Alright, I understand."

Ou Xin nodded, responding while flipping through the front desk logbook.

When she saw the log registered by the shift supervisor, her gaze froze, and she suddenly looked up toward the entrance.

Yu Li's figure was stepping down the stairs, her posture swaying, her steps light, and her spirit vibrant.

Ou Xin only felt an itch in her back molars. No wonder she looked more amiable today than usual; it turned out someone had made a contribution.

On the log registered by the night shift supervisor, Li Xuewu's name was clearly written.

Ever since the guesthouse began operations, Ou Xin had been waiting for this name to appear, but the answer had been long in coming.

Today, its sudden appearance brought her not surprise, but shock.

"Hmph—"

She snorted softly, tidied up the mess at the front desk, gave a few instructions to the service staff coming out of the office, and headed out of the building.

"Hah—it really is more refreshing to exercise early in the morning!"

Huang Gan wiped the sweat from his face with a towel and complained to Li Xuewu, "Ever since I moved back home, it hasn't been convenient for me to come here anymore."

"Is your old man afraid you'll be messing around outside?"

Li Xuewu hadn't sweated much; he had gotten up early and played in the gym for a while before being dragged by Huang Gan to play tennis.

Not to mention, this thing was quite addictive, especially the continuous sweating, which was very satisfying.

He waved his hand, signaling the coach who was starting work to clean up the court, and walked back with Huang Gan, towels in hand.

"My mom and dad are very open-minded!"

Huang Gan snorted, then sighed and said, "As children, we have to show filial piety, right?"

"My big brother is away, and the house is empty," he explained. "During the day, it's just my mom at home, and if my dad gets busy, she's alone at night too."

"It's still better to have more children."

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "If they're truly filial, they'll know to go back and keep their parents company."

"Are you mocking me?"

Huang Gan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you sure this isn't my idea?"

"I guess you guessed right—"

Under Li Xuewu's confident gaze, he suddenly laughed, nodded helplessly, and said, "Su Youfang holds all the power; I have no choice but to obey."

"A virtuous wife at home prevents trouble."

Li Xuewu glanced at him and reminded him, "Your wife is a good one; you should cherish your blessings."

"Who said I didn't cherish them?"

Huang Gan lifted his chin and emphasized, "This is only because I dragged you out for a drink; I wouldn't agree to it for just anyone."

"Su Youfang said I should learn from you," he drawled, "Stay inside and don't step out—"

"Now, except for night shifts, I go straight home to eat and coax the kids as soon as the time comes."

He nudged Li Xuewu with his arm and asked with a smile, "How do you manage to keep it up?"

"Does this need keeping up?"

Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and looked at him, saying, "Isn't this just normal married life? I'm a decent person, you know."

"Forget it, don't I know you?"

Huang Gan looked disbelieving, curling his lip. "The better you perform, the more you're hiding ulterior motives."

He teased Li Xuewu with a wicked grin, saying, "Don't perform too excessively; you have to leave some room for us brothers to play too."

"Alright then—"

Li Xuewu agreed readily, "Tonight, let's stay here again. My treat, we'll continue, and nobody goes home."

"You're challenging me!"

Huang Gan tilted his head, sizing Li Xuewu up, and asked, "For real?"

"Hehe—"

Li Xuewu chuckled and stepped onto the stairs. Pei Pei, in a blue work skirt, was standing to the side waiting for them.

"Yo, Xiao Pei, you aren't waiting for me, are you?"

He asked this, but his gaze drifted toward Huang Gan behind him, who was looking quite awkward.

Pei Pei was naturally cold and aloof, carrying an aura of "strangers keep away," but in reality, she was a very sensitive girl.

Aside from having a bit of a temper when talking to Huang Gan, she was very close and polite to Li Xuewu.

For no other reason than that Li Xuewu was willing to look after them, allowing them to work at the club.

When they first got together, it wasn't just because they were classmates and friends; it was also because they were lost in life and seeking warmth from each other.

Compared to other classmates and peers in the compound, only at this moment could they truly realize what the club had brought them.

"I'd like to say I was waiting for you," Pei Pei glanced at the corner of her eye, gestured toward the bar, and said softly, "But I'm afraid of retaliation."

"Who's so bold!"

Huang Gan took her cue and walked inside, shouting noisily, "Let me see..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Pei Pei poked him, forcing him to swallow his words.

"Breakfast has been taken upstairs for you."

Pei Pei pushed Huang Gan, saying as she walked, "Hurry up and shower and change; aren't you going to work?"

"I, I can do it myself—"

Huang Gan had just wanted to escape the awkward situation, not expecting that he still couldn't escape Pei Pei's grasp.

Seeing his good brother's "watching the show" expression, he gritted his back molars and hardened his heart, thinking, "If we're going down, we're going down together."

He smiled and reminded Ou Xin at the bar, "Director Li was looking for you yesterday, saying that, um..."

"I'm going to die of frustration!"

Before Huang Gan could finish half a sentence, Pei Pei covered his mouth and pushed him up the stairs, giving him another poke in the back.

"Can't you keep your mouth shut?"

Pei Pei's voice could still be heard from the corner of the stairs, sounding very impatient.

Ou Xin was just about to greet Li Xuewu when she heard Huang Gan shout, "Once the window paper is poked through, I'm just, um..."

"Leave it there, I was just thinking of going to the cafeteria to eat."

Li Xuewu walked into the guest room first, picked up the washed and dried clothes from the hanger, and went into the bathroom.

Ou Xin followed in with a large bowl of noodles and two side dishes of pickles, her gaze sweeping the room like a searchlight.

Hmm, the quilt on the bed was messy, there was half a cup of water in the glass, two pairs of slippers had been used, and on the bed was... did someone wet the bed?

Ou Xin's face flushed red instantly, then turned pale, just like the pickled radish strips in her hand.

Listening to the movement in the bathroom, although she was still a young woman with some common sense, this was the first time she had seen such a scene.

With a feeling of awkwardness and anxiety in her heart, she used her fingertips to pinch a corner of the quilt, covering the traces of the "bed-wetting."

Only when it was no longer visible did she finally let out a sigh of relief.

As if in retaliation, she kicked the slippers on the floor, but then felt it wasn't right and reached out to straighten them.

This conflicting state of mind left her standing in the room feeling an awkwardness of not knowing where to step.

"Why are you standing? Sit."

Li Xuewu had finished changing his clothes and came out of the bathroom, only to see Ou Xin still standing there.

He asked with a smile: "The guesthouse doesn't require you to clean up, does it?"

"There is specialized cleaning staff."

Ou Xin answered in a somewhat low tone, her eyes unable to help but glance toward the direction of the bed.

When you check out of the room in a while, let's see how you lose face.

But as soon as she thought of someone criticizing Li Xuewu, she felt a bit reluctant in her heart.

"The noodles have gone mushy, haven't they? Do you want me to help you change to a new bowl?"

Ou Xin watched Li Xuewu lift the noodles with his chopsticks and said somewhat awkwardly: "I didn't expect you to come back so late."

"It's fine, it's quite delicious. Want some?"

Li Xuewu smiled and gestured with the chopsticks in his hand, making Ou Xin feel even more embarrassed.

"I've already eaten; we arrived early."

Ou Xin pushed the dish of pickled vegetables in front of Li Xuewu and gestured to him: "This is what we pickled ourselves; try it and see if it's good."

"How is the food at your workplace?"

Li Xuewu could see her different intentions and, fearing she would be embarrassed, took the initiative to pick a topic and asked: "Did you manage to catch this?"

"This is the breakfast provided by the canteen for outsiders."

Ou Xin observed his eating manner and introduced it while saying: "We can eat this once a week; it counts as improving our diet."

"Then I'll have to have a word with Director Yu."

Li Xuewu said while eating: "I need to add some nutrition for you all; don't go getting thin from hunger."

Hearing Li Xuewu mention Director Yu, Ou Xin couldn't help but twitch her chin, wanting to ask something.

But reason made her hold back; if she asked this, there would be no possibility left for her and Li Xuewu.

"Are you going to work today?"

Ou Xin didn't pick up his thread of conversation but stood to the side and inquired: "Are you coming back here tonight?"

"It wasn't Huang Gan who sent you to ask, was it?"

Li Xuewu tilted his head to look at her, and seeing her stunned expression, he suddenly started to laugh.

"It's okay, I'm just teasing you."

He picked up a mouthful of noodles and explained with a smile: "He complained to me this morning that his family is strict and asked me to take him out to play."

"And then?"

Ou Xin didn't care whether Huang Gan came or not; she only cared whether Li Xuewu was coming.

"I told him, continue tonight."

Li Xuewu ate very quickly; while he was speaking, the noodles were already in his stomach, and even the pickled vegetables were eaten clean.

"He, he has the heart of a thief but not the guts, and he keeps thinking about it; if I don't teach him a lesson, he won't know how to learn his lesson."

Standing up to go to the bathroom to wash his hands and face again, Li Xuewu still urged: "Don't you dare let it slip for me!"

"Oh, I know—"

Hearing what Li Xuewu meant, the little flame in Ou Xin's heart extinguished once again.

Her tone was somewhat disappointed, and as she cleared the bowls and chopsticks from the table, her face was full of defeat.

"I won't say thank you to you then."

Li Xuewu came out of the bathroom, smiled, pointed at the bowls and chopsticks in her hand, and said politely.

He bypassed her to take the car keys from the table, and before leaving, he specifically gestured toward the direction of the bed, reminding her: "I drank water on the bed this morning, and the cup spilled; please help me say sorry to the cleaning comrade."

"Oh, oh, okay—"

Ou Xin's mood suddenly improved; so it was just that the water cup spilled, I knew it!

And that pair of slippers, they must have been changed when taking a bath; there was no one here at all.

She chased out of the room and didn't forget to remind Li Xuewu to be careful on the road.

Pei Pei turned the corner from the corridor, looked at the beaming Ou Xin, and asked with amusement and surprise: "What's up? Did you eat something good?"

"Go to hell—"

Ou Xin couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth; all the mysteries were solved, and her mood was now very beautiful.

Pei Pei, however, curled her lip, rolled her eyes, and muttered: "Has the heart for it but not the guts, yeah—"

"Let you talk! Let you talk!"

Ou Xin blushed and chased after her, determined to strangle this gossiping crow.

Huang Gan came out of the room, looked at the two of them playing, and couldn't help but mutter: "Beauty's grace is the hardest to bear—"

When walking down the stairs, he greeted Pei Pei: "No need to clean the room; I'm still staying in this room tonight."

What is the "Carriage Driver" plan?

This is the part Li Xuewu is most concerned about regarding his brother's work in Steel City.

The "Maritime Carriage Driver," the maritime carriage camp city shipyard project has already been established, and it is expected that there will be results next year.

How can it work with just a carriage? There must be a carriage driver to drive it.

The news relayed by Yu Li, taking advantage of the Red Star Factory's acquisition of the Fengcheng No. 1 Machinery Factory, Lao Biaozi has managed to open up connections in Fengcheng.

In this day and age, there is no shortage of speculators doing black market business anywhere, and on this black land, there is even less of a shortage of ruthless people Li Kezhang Wanhe.

This is not self-denigration; the Northeast has geographical and historical reasons, and too many ruthless characters were born between the White Mountains and Black Waters.

Of course, one wouldn't dare say it before, even someone like Li Xuewu would have to stay inside if he went.

With no money and no path, you just rely on a mouth to bluff? Wouldn't you be beaten to death?

It's different now; Lao Biaozi has the connection of the Red Star Factory, and the banknotes in his hand are thrown around, making these people's eyes go blurry.

Being able to do black market business so well, so big, and still be able to wash it clean, has been rare throughout history.

Where have these people ever seen a real customer doing business with real gold and silver? As soon as they met, they felt the brother was an open-minded person.

Can he not be open-minded? Money in one hand, goods in the other, honest and fair, generous, and with ruthless people in his hands.

It is rumored on the road that the customer from inside the pass has already gained a foothold in Steel City and now wants to do business in the Three Northeast Provinces.

What business?

In this day and age, who dares to say they are doing business for themselves? Isn't that looking for trouble?

Even this one is under the banner of some cooperative; although they see he has documents in his hand, they are not stupid.

Can decent people find them?

Can decent people find them to receive and sell goods?

Knowing the matter clearly, not saying it out loud is equivalent to not knowing; those who don't know are not guilty.

As the saying goes, once an expert makes a move, you know if there is anything there.

Lao Biaozi made it clear as soon as he came up: any specialty of the Northeast can be collected, but it must be collected in batches.

This courage is truly great; if they could ship in batches, they wouldn't need to do black market business; they would have already started it.

At first, there were people who suspected that this kid was here to fish.

But the situation and the market conditions all matched; two large trucks were parked on the side of the road, you load the truck, he counts the money, not ambiguous at all.

Once there is a first one to join, there is a second and a third.

If they could really ship in batches, where would they still be willing to take the risk of doing black market business?

Drilling into villages and digging into hamlets, a "28-inch" bicycle can carry a pig out, two people kill it and throw it on the truck, and nothing else needs to be managed.

This business is getting more and more fragrant, and more and more people are coming up.

Those with quick wits have already joined in, inquired about the foundation, and climbed up the friendship.

Actually, it's bullshit friendship; what they say doesn't match what they pull with Lao Biaozi at all.

But it doesn't matter; the road in Steel City can be walked, and the road in Fengcheng can be walked the same way.

With the guys from Steel City bringing the message, this Fengcheng is naturally accessible everywhere.

Within a month, someone from Fengcheng came to pay respects to the pier, four boxes of gifts, tied with red ropes, as particular as one could be.

Lao Biaozi was very polite, said a word of "harmony brings wealth," which made the visitor feel much more at ease, the smile on his face increased, and the words in his mouth softened.

There are rules on the road; there is no need to fight to the death. For the sake of those four boxes of gifts, both sides were very restrained.

Especially when Lao Biaozi proposed a suggestion for cooperation, these people wished they could pull him to worship as brothers.

Looking at the furnishings in the room, looking at the list in their hands, these people also know that local specialties are not worth money; electric fans and radios are even more valuable!

Where did this "Fourth Master Huang" pop out from? The cardboard boxes in the warehouse are all solid goods, making these people's eyes red all of a sudden.

Of course, it's not that there were no people with crooked thoughts, it's just that this warehouse is in the courtyard of the Fengcheng No. 1 Machinery Factory.

Not to mention anything else, you first have to pass the security section's hurdle.

Harmony brings wealth; the first is that harmony is precious; just being angry cannot generate wealth.

Therefore, since then, the brother has withdrawn from the Fengcheng black market, yielding to the virtuous, but he has also obtained what he wanted.

Not doing terminals, not doing retail, this is the rule Li Xuewu set for them at the beginning.

This time it was entirely for fishing; otherwise, do you think Lao Biaozi would leave the business in Steel City to come here to toss black goods?

He doesn't look down on this bit of profit, and he is even less willing to take this risk.

Even the fishing is legally staged; the two large trucks were transferred from the No. 1 Machinery Factory, and the proof in his pocket was issued by the large canteen.

If he really encounters an inspection, he will absolutely not put himself inside; it's not worth it.

Channels, channels, channels, important things said three times; the brother came to Fengcheng for the sake of the channels!

He doesn't care who sells their lives for him, as long as he can sell the other party's life.

So there are no more jokes about two large trucks collecting local specialties; there are only dealers who take the initiative to deliver goods to the door, and acquisition stations that operate legally.

The few dealers selected can obtain the distribution rights for various materials from Lao Biaozi.

He doesn't care how they disperse the goods, and he doesn't care where they disperse them to.

His goal is very simple: to fatten these people's courage and expand their appetites, the bigger the better.

Once the timing is ripe, it will be his turn to bring people to harvest the wheat.

The routine is very simple; he has the list and the situation, and contacting the local competent department will catch them one by one.

Catching these people until they are desperate and have nowhere to hide, that's when the timely rain, the brother, will make a shining appearance.

He has already thought of the lines: as long as I have a mouthful of porridge, I will not let you brothers starve to death.

What? You want to make money?

That is of course; everyone is used to being carefree, who would be willing to drink porridge with you!

We have to eat well and drink big!

The brother, who is heroic and righteous, is also mixed in the road. Since the brothers have spoken, he naturally cannot refuse.

He wants to point out a bright path for everyone, and the end of the bright path is the stars and the sea.

What? You don't have a boat?

Look, this is when you see the importance of brothers!

You don't have one, but I do!

I have a way to get a boat, I ship the goods, I collect the goods, you only need to drive the boat over and drive it back; a path to wealth on the sea, everyone can be the richest man!

Everyone is a brother; I know how much you earned from me, the boat will definitely be sold to everyone at a suitable price, we are all brothers!

The distribution network in Fengcheng was plowed once; those who should be caught were caught, those who should run ran, and the entry of the Jiaodaokou Recycling Station was a matter of course.

The market is still that market, it's just more orderly and more convenient.

Of course, it's the Jiaodaokou Recycling Station that is more convenient.

(Look, I didn't even write the full name of the recycling station; who dares to say I'm padding? Touch your conscience, won't it hurt?)

"Have you heard?"

Peng Xiaoli took the opportunity of fetching materials to whisper a reminder to Li Xue: "Deputy Director Shi is coming back."

"Who? Which Shi..."

Li Xue hadn't reacted yet, and until Peng Xiaoli gestured toward the direction of the Management Committee Office, she raised her eyebrows and asked: "Didn't they say... how do you know?"

"It doesn't count as gossip; it's basically already decided."

Peng Xiaoli curled his lips and explained softly: "I heard it was arranged by Director Li himself; as for the name—"

He paused, then snorted: "It's not important, right?"

"Excellent work, advanced thinking... Director Li has ten thousand reasons to want to transfer him back."

"Why?"

Li Xue looked at Peng Xiaoli who was leaning over, her eyes swept lightly, and she took half a step back without leaving a trace.

There's no one here, no need to lean together to talk; just speak a little quieter.

After the interrogation and reminder from her second brother, Li Xue also knew to pay attention to the distance between her and Peng Xiaoli.

One is not wanting to make him misunderstand, and the second is not wanting others to misunderstand.

If Peng Xiaoli misunderstands, he will be sad; if others misunderstand, they will gossip.

She is only seventeen years old this year; just as her second brother said, there is no need to be in such a hurry to find a partner.

Her family hasn't restricted her, let alone mentioned any conditions for finding a partner, and has already given her a lot of freedom.

It's just that the requirement her second brother mentioned, no matter how she thinks about it, she feels it's not right.

Someone who can stand straight in front of her second brother and talk... Peng Xiaoli definitely cannot stand straight.

If Peng Xiaoli cannot stand straight, how many can stand straight in front of her second brother?

Sometimes, when one's own brother is too excellent, the sister also worries when looking for a partner.

"It's impossible to say specifically," Peng Xiaoli hadn't noticed Li Xue's strange thoughts yet and emphasized on his own: "It can only be understood, not expressed; if it's said out loud, it won't be effective."

"Pfft—"

Li Xue hugged the documents, glanced at him, and reminded him: "Spreading gossip randomly, be careful of being criticized by the leadership!"

"I count this as information exchange; you don't need to thank me."

Peng Xiaoli teased with a smile, scanned the office, and taking advantage of the fact that there was no one there, asked somewhat cautiously: "Are you free tonight?"

Without waiting for Li Xue to answer, he stammered and said: "A friend gave me two movie tickets; if you are free..."

"If I'm free, I'm free; what's playing?"

Li Xue glanced at him and asked: "You have such a generous friend?"

"Hehe, he has something to do temporarily—"

Peng Xiaoli made up a reason, took out two movie tickets, and said: "《Plain Guerrillas》, now there are only these kinds of films, and it's just been re-released."

"Not interesting, I've seen it three times."

Li Xue smiled slightly and said: "You should ask other colleagues, or call Gu Cheng."

She gestured to the young man who had just entered the door and said: "Wouldn't it be just right for you two to go see it?"

After speaking, she hugged her documents, greeted Gu Cheng, and went out.

Gu Cheng watched Li Xue's back disappear, then turned around and looked at his good buddy meaningfully.

"Didn't expect it, didn't expect it, you, Peng Xiaoli, actually have this little thought!"

He scanned the movie tickets in the other party's hand and said with amusement: "I said why you were desperately queuing up to buy movie tickets; it turns out it was..."

"I just wanted to see it myself, so what?"

Peng Xiaoli put away his disappointed mood, stuffed the movie tickets into his pocket, and tidied up the documents on the table, ignoring the gossiping Gu Cheng.

Gu Cheng observed him and asked: "Really moved your heart?"

"It's not that I'm talking about you, you are really ruthless," he sat on the chair, crossed his legs, and shook his head slightly: "You don't open your mouth until you're ready, but once you do, you bite right into the meat!"

"I've warned you; she is not someone you can easily touch; this is a red line, comrade."

"Go do what you need to do—"

Peng Xiaoli was annoyed in his heart, picked up the documents, and walked out, saying impatiently: "Keep your mouth tight; be careful I'll kill you to silence you!"

"You should at least leave the movie tickets!"

Gu Cheng knocked on the table and shouted indignantly: "You deserve it..."

Once he thought of his good buddy's current state of mind, he was already a "three-fatty," so he shouldn't be hit with another stick.

It's just that when he thought of Peng Xiaoli's thoughts, he also shook his head.

As the saying goes, the falling flowers have intentions, but the flowing water has no feelings.

From his perspective, the bystander sees clearly, and he can see even more that Li Xue is not suitable for Peng Xiaoli.

Peng Xiaoli is too oily; having stayed in the government office for so many years, he has long lost the vigor and spirit of a young man.

He himself certainly doesn't know, and doesn't know the reason for his failure; it absolutely has nothing to do with the movie.

It's that Li Xue has her own goals and also the pride of a young girl; a person like Peng Xiaoli has already had his horizons and future set.

A young girl who is determined to take the college entrance exam, and whose family is either high-ranking officials or college students, can she "willingly degenerate"?

Of course, it's not to say that being with Peng Xiaoli is degeneration, but on a spiritual level.

Two people being together should be mutually supportive and positive; otherwise, they will break up sooner or later.

Peng Xiaoli is in the game and hasn't thought it through yet, whether he is climbing a high branch or truly likes Li Xue.

The key to the problem is not with Li Xuewu, but that Li Xue herself wouldn't choose him.

Therefore, the movie is innocent; if you don't want to watch it, you can give it to me!

A good brother can accompany you!

"The pace of personnel reform in the government office can be a little faster, Deputy Director Gu."

Li Huai De named Gu Weijie at the factory office meeting on Monday; the pencil in his hand tapped the documents at his side and he said: "A little faster."

"Director Li, the Organization Section is already pushing this work forward," Gu Weijie frowned slightly and emphasized: "If we rashly increase the pressure, I'm afraid..."

"I fully understand everyone's difficulties; haste makes waste, after all."

Li Huai De nodded, but still said: "Time waits for no one, comrades."

His gaze swept from Gu Weijie to all members of the team, including Dong Wenxue who had returned for the meeting.

"This year, the Red Star Factory has launched several major projects one after another, and the projects established last year have been put into operation one after another."

Li Huai De pressed his hands together on the documents and said very seriously: "Not only do the comrades at the grassroots level have pressure, but even I have felt this pressure tangibly."

"Everyone has also read the work reports submitted by the various departments organized by the Management Committee."

He gestured toward Li Xuewu's side and continued: "It is foreseeable that the personnel situation of the Red Star Factory in the second half of this year will be even more severe and will need to withstand the test even more."

"More young cadres are emerging, and more opportunities are being presented before their eyes."

His voice suddenly became serious, he loosened his right hand, clenched his fist, and said: "And the shortage of grassroots backbone is an indisputable fact; young people do not yet have enough experience and knowledge to take on heavy responsibilities."

"We must make the water alive, select the cadres needed at the grassroots level from the government office, send them down, and let them exercise and grow."

Li Huai De slowed his speaking speed, and his attitude was much more harmonious; he said: "Promote more young cadres, let them temper their temperaments in the government office, learn and grow..."

"Did you see it?"

Jing Yunong put down the coffee in her hand, glanced at Li Xuewu across the desk, and reminded him: "The visitor is not kind."

"Hehe—"

Li Xuewu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said faintly: "You are the visitor."

"I..."

Jing Yunong had a breath stuck in her throat, and she immediately felt that the coffee in her mouth was no longer fragrant.

Hmm, the coffee he gave wasn't good at all; if it weren't for the fear of it expiring, I wouldn't even bother drinking it, hmph—

"The news of Shi Ruoweng being transferred back... you couldn't possibly not know, right?"

Jing Yunong looked at the calm Li Xuewu and was very angry at his posturing.

She raised her eyebrows and asked: "Why do you think he was transferred back?"

"It's definitely not to serve the people."

Li Xuewu put down the teacup in his hand, raised his eyes to look at the person opposite him, her eyebrows were coquettish, her eyes were like cold stars; is she angry?

"Director Li has long had the intention to rectify personnel work; you are not unaware, why bother asking me."

He ultimately didn't have the heart of stone to pretend he couldn't see the resentment opposite him.

"I have already communicated with you about the adjustment of division of labor on the phone, and I have also explained it to you after you returned."

"I don't believe it," Jing Yunong narrowed her eyes slightly, looked at him, and said: "I don't believe you just gave in like this."

"You haven't been working for just one day; do you believe this promise?"

"I believe it; why wouldn't I?"

Li Xuewu lowered his eyes and said: "I don't have any schemes; I just do whatever the leadership tells me to do; I can't possibly contradict the leadership, right?"

"You know me; whether at the grassroots level or in the government office, when have I ever contradicted the leadership?"

"Do you believe what you said yourself?"

Jing Yunong looked at him with speechless eyes, thinking to herself that he must be insane; are you even deceiving your own people?

How many leaders have fallen into your hands? Don't you have any self-awareness in your heart?

Do I need to remind you how you got the name "Tiger of the Security Section"?

"Whether you believe it or not, I believe it anyway."

Li Xuewu smiled, reached out to pick up her cup, took a small sip, smacked his lips, shook his head, and said: "You have to add some sugar; how can this original flavor not be hard to drink?"

"Adding some sugar will do?"

Jing Yunong stared into his eyes, the corners of her mouth twitched slightly, and she said: "But what is bitter is bitter; how do you expect me to swallow it?"

Can drink milk, but can't swallow coffee?

That's not necessarily a problem with the coffee; it's possible that too much milk was drunk.

"They all say you have rich experience; it seems you haven't gotten used to this kind of thing yet," Li Xuewu turned the cup handle, pushed it over gently, and said with a smile: "It's a new thing, after all; there must be a process of adaptation."

"Once you get used to drinking it, perhaps you will be able to taste the sweetness in it; even without adding sugar, it leaves an endless aftertaste."

"Hmph—"

Jing Yunong turned her face away, looked out the window, and the arms she was holding squeezed out a trench.

She thought for a good while, then looked back at the bastard who forced her to drink milk and coffee.

"How much certainty do you have?"

"How am I supposed to answer this?"

Li Xuewu spread his hands with a bitter smile and asked back: "If I say ten percent, do you believe it?"

"If you say it, I will believe it."

Jing Yunong raised her neck like a white swan, looked at him, and said: "It just depends on whether you dare to say it."

"If you believe it when I say it, then I say ten percent."

Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes, then the corners of his mouth curled up and he said: "I'll tell you later, this is a hundr..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he was blocked by the sharp gaze coming through the gold-rimmed glasses opposite him.

"Fifty-fifty," Li Xuewu's gaze shifted to the green plant at the corner of the table; he vaguely remembered that it was moved here by Li Xue.

He let out a long breath and said frankly: "Man proposes, God disposes; I am a man, not a god."

"You really made me experience the taste of having bitterness but being unable to swallow."

Jing Yunong picked up the cup, didn't care about the place he had just drunk from, took a sip, spat it out, and said: "Then let's wait and see."

In mid-August, the Tianjin Branch of the Red Star United Savings Bank was established.

The office building was right next to the Tianjin Trade Management Center; they were one family, and the branch didn't even set up a canteen.

General Manager Zhang of Tianjin Aquatic Products had a lot of face; he said he would help at the beginning, and it really was handled.

Several properties near the Trade Management Center were pocketed by the Red Star Factory with a large hand under his mediation.

There is no plan for renovation for the time being; it is only used as an expansion for trade offices.

Li Xuewu specifically made a phone call to express his gratitude; Zhang Changmin was very polite, and there was no intention of asking for favors in his words.

This is not a private matter; Li Xuewu was also doing things for the Red Star Factory. Even if he used his private relationship, it was the Red Star Factory that owed him.

When the time comes, it will inevitably have to be repaid to Tianjin Aquatic Products by the Red Star Factory; the benefits of the favor will also fall on him.

Moreover, the two sides still have entanglements in the seafood supply chain from Tianjin to Beijing; there is no need to dwell on these issues.

So the relationship between the two has become better and better in private, and Zhou Xiaobai even brought him the specialties he gave from Tianjin.

On the phone, Zhang Changmin seemed casual, but actually deliberately mentioned wanting to find an opportunity to introduce the leaders of Tianjin to the Red Star Factory; after all, it's a local relationship.

He is certainly not doing a good deed, nor does he want to arrange a meeting between the leaders of both sides, but rather Tianjin has the intention to contact the Red Star Factory.

In the past, they were a small household; Old Li still had a bit of face in Beijing, but in the Tianjin area, how could he have any friends?

But it's different now; the poor in the busy city have no one to ask, while the rich in the deep mountains have distant relatives.

The scale of the Red Star Factory is getting larger and larger, and the news is frequently reported; the Trade Management Center is right under their noses, how can they turn a blind eye?

Another point, the trade volume of the Red Star Factory at the Tianjin Port wharf may not rank on the overall list, but one must also look at what these goods are, where they come from, and where they are sold.

What the Red Star Factory exports are not industrial raw materials, but industrial finished products; what it purchases are mostly technology and equipment urgently needed in the country.

Especially with the Hong Kong Oriental Era Bank operating, foreign exchange turning into technology and equipment imports has made the Red Star Factory firmly occupy the upper hand in domestic cooperation.

The Automotive Supply Chain Conference held last month, the cooperation intentions negotiated during the period are being implemented one by one.

More machinery processing plants and car companies have poured into the Red Star Factory's big plate.

The technology and equipment pursued by the factories were changed to them through internal trade channels, and turned into funds, flowing into the account of the Red Star Factory at the United Savings Bank.

Back and forth, exports and imports, the Red Star Factory has achieved more than just a win-win.

The core engine is the Trade Management Center located in Tianjin.

Li Xuewu is not afraid of people thinking about it; no one thinking about it means you have no future, and someone thinking about it means you have potential.

Zhang Changmin was speaking vaguely, and Li Xuewu was also answering vaguely; this matter still has to be listened to by Old Li.

Old Li is now in close contact with the above, feeling proud and satisfied.

Internally, he is carrying out personnel reforms with great vigor, and externally, he is closely contacting to ensure the smooth progress of the Red Star Factory's promotion and group-oriented actions, quite with a feeling of "time waits for no one, die tomorrow."

Li Xuewu did not cause trouble for Old Li, nor did he jump out to make trouble as some expected.

Not only that, he also appeased Jing Yunong and ensured the smooth handover of the tertiary industry.

Everything is developing in a good direction, at least that's what Li Huai De thinks.

Li Xuewu will absolutely not pit him!