Chapter 1188: Disappointed Lou Yu

"What's going on?"

Zhang Songying heard the report from the front desk and hurried down from the office.

Seeing some people standing at the door of the lounge, she ran over.

A security guard and a waiter were listening to Li Xuewu's secretary, Peng Xiaoli, explaining something.

"Vice President Zhang—"

The security guard and waiter saw her first and were the first to greet her.

She nodded, but her gaze was on Peng Xiaoli and the lounge door that was left ajar.

"Did Deputy Director Li come?"

"Please wait a moment," Peng Xiaoli didn't answer her question directly, not out of arrogance, but to save time.

He knocked on the door lightly, paused for three seconds, then pushed the door open and reported softly: "Vice President Zhang of the International Hotel is here."

"Please ask her to come in—"

Li Xuewu's voice came from inside the room; under Peng Xiaoli's signal, Zhang Songying walked into the lounge.

There was no very complicated situation; only Li Xuewu and the president of the Saint-Aya Group, Chantal, were in the room.

Although President Chantal looked like she had just cried, her emotions had stabilized relatively.

"Leader, President Chantal—"

Zhang Songying's gaze swept over, determined the situation in the room, and took the initiative to greet the two.

When she came down, she had already understood some of the situation.

Coming in at this moment was also to guard against some situations.

For example, Chantal is a foreigner, and a beautiful foreign woman.

Crying and sobbing, it would be unclear if anything spread out.

"President Han is having a meeting upstairs; should I ask her to come down?"

"Is Comrade Gancheng here?"

Li Xuewu sat on the single sofa, with both arms on the armrests, his right leg crossed over his left, in a very relaxed state.

He looked at Zhang Songying, his eyes blinked slightly, and the signal in his gaze, combined with his question, was already expressed very clearly.

Zhang Songying naturally had this tacit understanding with him; from the moment she entered, she was waiting for Li Xuewu's arrangement.

Seeing him ask, she immediately answered: "Vice President Zhou returned to the foreign affairs building, saying there is work."

"He explained when he left that if there is anything, contact him again."

Her gaze slanted at Chantal and asked: "Leader, should I call Vice President Zhou and ask him to come back?"

"By the time he comes back, the day lily will be cold—"

Li Xuewu said with feigned dissatisfaction: "He usually hangs around here, hiding for leisure, but when he is needed, he is nowhere to be found."

"Really—"

He patted the sofa armrest not lightly or heavily, signaled to Chantal's direction, and introduced: "Ms. Chantal is very worried about the situation at the foreign affairs building."

"This..."

Zhang Songying was not sure if Chantal could speak Chinese, or whether she could understand.

Since Li Xuewu said these words, it had a defensive meaning, so she naturally had to know how to cooperate.

"I'll go call him now, but..."

Halfway through her sentence, she hesitated and reminded: "I heard that the impact is very wide; I'm not sure if the phone can get through."

"And, listening to the meaning of Vice President Zhou's words when he left, it seems their unit is also very passive, at this moment..."

Her words stopped as she spoke; some couldn't be said, some didn't dare to be said, and some were intentionally not said.

Only when she introduced some situations of the foreign affairs building, she clearly felt Chantal's emotional change.

Sure enough, this French lady can understand Chinese.

Even if she can't speak, or can't hear everything, combined with Zhang Songying's expression and emotions, she can understand some meanings.

"Sigh—"

Li Xuewu glanced at Zhang Songying, gave her an approving look, but sighed in his mouth: "How could things develop to this point?"

"Sigh! It's really inappropriate, too inappropriate—"

He said this in his mouth, and explained to Chantal in French the conversation between himself and the other person just now, and then continued: "It's just that some young people are hot-headed and lack the overall situation and foreign affairs concept."

"This is no longer as simple as a misunderstanding—"

Chantal choked up and said to Li Xuewu with a hoarse voice: "I express concern about the current foreign affairs environment in the interior."

"After this incident, we have to re-evaluate the business environment in the interior," she pursed her lips and said: "I lack the necessary cooperation confidence here."

"If you have a decision to postpone cooperation, or even cancel cooperation," Li Xuewu sighed and said: "I can only express regret for this."

"I personally express regret and apology for the predicament you and your family encountered today."

He nodded slowly, paused, and then continued: "Let's not discuss whether what happened outside is right or wrong for now."

"Let's just talk about the position between us."

Li Xuewu gestured himself and the other party and said: "Chinese people have a slang to describe the relationship between people, called 'Four Great Irons'."

"Studied together, carried guns together, shared loot together, did that together..."

"Did that together?"

Chantal, who was listening to him seriously, was stunned and asked: "What does 'did that together' mean?"

"..."

Zhang Songying pursed her lips tightly, not letting herself laugh out loud.

The slang the leader cited was really inappropriate for this kind of foreign affairs exchange occasion.

"It's just what you French people like to do most—"

Li Xuewu smiled meaningfully and continued: "I think there is also a good side to the occurrence of today's incident."

"For example, you and me..."

"Did that together?"

Chantal didn't fully understand the meaning of Li Xuewu's words, so she asked after hearing him say it.

"Cough cough—"

Zhang Songying really couldn't help it; she coughed twice to cover up her laughter.

Seeing Li Xuewu look over, she signaled to the door and said softly: "Then, leader, I'll go make a call and ask now."

"Hmm hmm—"

Li Xuewu nodded; he didn't need assistance anymore.

Relying on the judgment of the situation just now, he believed he could absolutely take down this French lady alone.

Waiting for Zhang Songying to go out, he corrected: "I just wanted to use the 'Four Great Irons' relationship to argue for the relationship between us."

"If we don't experience hardships together, how can we verify our friendship."

Speaking of this, he even raised his hand meaningfully and said apologetically: "Of course, I don't mean to map your husband, Mr. Adrian."

Good, this sentence made Chantal stunned; if it weren't for Li Xuewu's reminder, she might not have thought about it.

"Our Chinese understanding of friendship and feelings can be 'sharing weal and woe' and 'looking out for each other'."

Li Xuewu pointed at his palm and said: "Today, I am lucky to be able to protect your safety."

"I also cherish the hard-won friendship between us."

He said sincerely: "As a friend, I have the responsibility and obligation to protect you and your career's safety in the interior."

"This is the respect and attitude of me and my unit towards you and this friendship."

"I certainly believe you—"

Chantal wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with the handkerchief in her hand and sighed, easing the uneasy emotions in her heart.

Seeing the white broken flowers on the handkerchief, she remembered that it was what he handed to her when she came in just now.

Thinking of these, it is inevitable to recall being held in his arms by the other party just now, protecting her as she walked into the building.

In her memory and impression, Li Xuewu always has the demeanor of a mature man, and even more the gentlemanly character of protecting the weak.

With these memories and impressions, and then considering what he said just now, the thoughts generated by fear in her heart hesitated again.

Just as the other party said, the first time she encountered danger, he extended a helping hand to her without hesitation.

This is the manifestation of friendship and feelings.

If she stopped cooperating with the other party at this time, wouldn't that be returning kindness with ingratitude?

It is very clear that the problem of the foreign affairs building has nothing to do with Li Xuewu in front of her.

Moreover, she had preparations in this regard when she entered the interior for investment and cooperation.

When she returned to France to meet with those old antiques on the board of directors, she also used the courage and determination to take the lead to persuade them to attach importance to this cooperation.

There is no answer to the problems caused by the current chaos, but her safety should be guaranteed now.

"Li, just now at the gate," Chantal looked at Li Xuewu seriously and asked: "The question you asked me, is it for this reason?"

At the gate, Li Xuewu asked a question in the face of her request for help: what was the identity and purpose of her and the three cars coming in to take refuge?

Li Xuewu had already told her with a clear attitude that he would provide shelter and safety protection for her and the Saint-Aya Group.

Then, conversely, Li Xuewu must hold a dialectical attitude towards the three Mercedes-Benz cars with foreign affairs license plates and the people in the cars.

"I can use practical actions to prove the attitude of me and my unit towards friendship and business partners."

Li Xuewu looked at her and said seriously: "But I and my unit must also carry out business under the leadership of the organization and within the policy and framework of foreign affairs service."

He pointed at Chantal very bluntly and said: "You and I are friends, and the Saint-Aya and Red Star factory are partners."

"However—"

Li Xuewu shook his head slightly and said: "Those three cars, and the people in the cars, if they want to come in, that is business and work."

"I cherish the cooperation between us very much," he emphasized again: "And I hope you don't give up eating because of choking."

"I believe the organization will have an explanation for this matter, and there will also be a clear attitude towards foreign affairs work."

He said frankly: "After this matter passes, maybe the foreign affairs environment will get better..."

Chantal understood all these words he said.

The emotional fluctuations in her heart had calmed down, and her powerful thinking ability gradually took over her brain.

It's just that saying anything now, using this incident to seek anything, has already lost the opportunity.

It must be said that Li Xuewu sitting here accompanying her and comforting her had already made her forget to seek anything with an intense attitude.

Moreover, his stable attitude and reasonable analysis also gave her a more comprehensive cognition of this matter.

Why did her husband leave decisively?

I'm afraid her wise and calm husband's thinking was consistent with the young man in front of her.

Or it can be said that both men possess absolute insight and vision.

It is no problem for the International Hotel to accept these reporters and ordinary foreign affairs personnel, and it will not cause too many misunderstandings.

But his car, and the fact that both husband and wife entered the International Hotel, could already represent some attitudes.

Li Xuewu had a polite and necessary reminder when facing this kind of choice.

Once the three cars entered this door, Li Xuewu would definitely do his best to protect them.

But at the same time, the nature of her being here also changed.

When Li Xuewu faced her, she was no longer the president of the Saint-Aya Group, a business partner of the Red Star factory, but the wife of the French foreign affairs counselor.

By that time, it would be easy for her husband to come in, but it would be difficult to go out again.

The Red Star factory and the International Hotel would not forcibly do anything to them, but the French foreign affairs building would absolutely have a different attitude.

The problem would follow and become complicated and escalated, and what the International Hotel provided would not be ordinary protection, but shelter.

These are two concepts, completely different.

Therefore, Chantal did not regret losing an opportunity to blackmail the Red Star factory after realizing it.

On the contrary, she was very glad that she didn't do so.

Because Li Xuewu also gave up an opportunity to pit her husband and wife and blackmail the foreign affairs building.

Whether the weight is equivalent, she doesn't need to guess and judge.

Just as Li Xuewu said, she should consider the feelings and friendship between the two sides more.

"Sorry, I came a little late."

Zhou Gancheng hurried in from the outside, looking at the two people eating in the lounge with some embarrassment.

Li Xuewu didn't blame him too much; he nodded to Peng Xiaoli standing at the door, signaling the other party to come in and sit.

Zhou Gancheng looked at Chantal's expression and chose to sit opposite Li Xuewu.

"Haven't eaten yet?"

Li Xuewu wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin, smiled slightly, and looked at Zhou Gancheng: "Ordered a lunch for you."

He didn't use a waiter; he picked up the red wine on the table and poured half a glass into the wine glass opposite.

"I know you're busy, but things have come to this; even if the sky falls, you have to eat a full meal, right?"

After pouring, he turned his wrist slightly and adjusted the angle of the wine bottle on the table.

This was seen by Chantal, and her gaze towards Li Xuewu was full of exploration and surprise.

It is said that this man has never been abroad and is a native of Beijing.

Then how did he possess such good psychological quality and social skills?

It can't be that he was specially cultivated by this ancient country, right?

Even if it were, it wouldn't be used in a factory, used on her.

"French food, or is it more authentic with foreign wine."

Li Xuewu raised his hand, signaled Zhou Gancheng to help himself, and said: "The dishes may not be very authentic because of the materials and the cook, but this wine is absolutely authentic."

"Diamond-flavored champagne?"

Zhou Gancheng looked at the wine bottle suspiciously; the bottle was a foreign wine bottle, but why was there no label?

"You say this foreign wine is authentic?"

He picked up the wine glass and smelled it, raised his eyebrows and said: "Although I have few opportunities to go abroad, don't lie to your own people."

"How could it not be authentic!"

Li Xuewu feigned dissatisfaction and emphasized: "This is brewed by our own winery; how could it not be authentic?"

"Pfft—"

Even Chantal, who should be full of worry, couldn't help but laugh out loud.

She drank for a long time without feeling anything wrong; at this moment, she realized that there was no label on the wine bottle.

Zhou Gancheng almost sprayed the champagne in his mouth and hurriedly covered it with his hand.

"Brewed by your own factory?"

"Why? Not good to drink?"

Li Xuewu looked him up and down and asked: "You haven't drunk champagne, have you?"

"Don't mock people—"

Zhou Gancheng picked up the wine glass again and tasted it, then opened his frowned brows and asked in surprise: "Is it really brewed by your factory?"

"Have you heard of the technology of Lai Mao?"

Li Xuewu chuckled and asked: "You say, if we put on the label of a foreign winery, can we pass it off as genuine?"

"You... are you joking?"

Zhou Gancheng didn't say anything, but Chantal was stunned and looked at Li Xuewu suspiciously.

Li Xuewu leaned back on the chair, spread his hands, and said: "Don't look at me like that; this is not something very shameful."

"Hmm, it can absolutely rival the taste of some wineries—"

Zhou Gancheng tasted it carefully and nodded: "The taste is very mellow and has an endless aftertaste."

"What do you think?"

Li Xuewu looked at Chantal with a smile and asked: "We drank it just now; I see you don't dislike it."

"No, I think the taste is very good."

Chantal looked into Li Xuewu's eyes and said: "I am very interested in what you just said."

"Labeling production? Heh—"

Li Xuewu knew that the other party was a crocodile, and the female crocodile was even more ferocious.

As long as business is discussed, the other party stares at it like a giant crocodile smelling meat and won't let go.

Even if this kind of business is not suitable for her, it doesn't prevent her from being interested.

Actually, doing business is the same as doing academics; everything is the same.

You must be passionate and focused at all times to do it well and do it for a long time.

What is "talking about business in business"? It is to always maintain a professional mind to consider problems and maintain a professional degree of the brain.

"You might feel that labeling and imitation are inappropriate," Li Xuewu said with a smile: "Then how about this, let's acquire a winery in France."

"It doesn't matter how down-and-out it is, even if the grapevines in the winery are all dead and the winemaking equipment is destroyed; as long as it exists in reality and possesses a winemaking license."

He looked at Chantal and asked: "Will you visit a winery in person for a bottle of wine?"

"Even if you go, it doesn't matter; we can say these wines are aged, the taste of history."

"You really are a... business genius!"

Chantal stared straight into Li Xuewu's eyes and said: "No one will visit a winery in person for a bottle of wine, unless he is a madman or has other purposes."

"As long as you don't plan to sell this bottle of wine at a sky-high price."

"How much do you think the taste of this bottle of wine is worth?"

Li Xuewu amusedly turned the wine bottle on the table and looked at Chantal playfully: "We possess excellent grape planting areas in the Frontier and advanced winemaking technology in Beijing."

"We can brew a million bottles of this kind of sparkling wine a year."

"You really are market butchers—"

Chantal shook her head slightly and sighed: "Any commodity, as long as you participate in production, will make that commodity become cheap."

"Therefore, we will not easily destroy the market."

Li Xuewu sat up straight, looked at Chantal seriously, and said: "It should be placed in the window, not in the cheap area."

"If it can sell for 10 dollars, we absolutely don't hope it becomes a cheap item worth less than one dollar."

"You have this strength—"

Chantal's words were affirmation on the surface, but actually suspicion, and also a kind of probing.

Just like her evaluation of domestic production capacity just now, market butchers.

Any technology being broken through is a disaster for foreign producers.

How many wineries does France have? The soil and water of each winery, as well as the climate and geographical location, limit the production of foreign wine.

But here, the land is vast and the resources are abundant; there are too many areas suitable for planting grapes.

Even French grape varieties can find suitable latitudes and climate areas here.

Moreover, Chantal dare not imagine what kind of impact it would have on the market when an ancient winery with a long history sprays excellent-tasting foreign wine to the whole world with a long history.

Authentic labeling sales, just like what Li Xuewu said just now, no one will look for grapevines for a bottle of wine.

France has many wineries on the verge of bankruptcy; their past glory will be packaged as labels on wine bottles by evil business geniuses.

From then on, it will continue to be dilapidated and lonely, but its reputation will resound throughout the world.

The wine produced every year will exceed the production of all wineries in France.

Use the reputation of ancient wineries to maintain prices, and use new production areas and new technologies to increase production capacity.

Old bottles filled with new wine; do you dare to say that this kind of business behavior is not terrifying?

Also, do you really think Li Xuewu is talking about the wine business?

This is clearly threatening and intimidating Chantal.

If you dare to withdraw from the cooperation in the interior, we dare to label "Champagne" and sell it to the whole world.

"Sorry, Mr. Adrian is still busy."

French foreign affairs building economic commissioner Amandine walked to Chantal, and after looking at Li Xuewu and others, explained softly: "He arranged for me to pick you up."

"Thank you for your hospitality—"

Chantal nodded and didn't make things difficult for her husband's mistress.

There is an old Chinese saying: "Family ugliness should not be spread."

Although France doesn't say it like this, it has this truth.

She smiled at Li Xuewu and said: "Today is the day I gained the most since coming to China; thank you."

"You're welcome; this is friendship, isn't it?"

Li Xuewu nodded with a smile and said: "The gate of the International Hotel is always open to friends."

"I also represent the Red Star factory in welcoming your arrival and look forward to our next meeting."

"I believe the next time won't be too far away."

Chantal got into the car very gracefully and didn't make a scene because of her husband's abandonment and heartlessness.

Nor did she express indignation because the other party arranged for Amandine to pick her up.

She is now the president of the Saint-Aya Group, not the wife of the French foreign affairs counselor.

Having just finished lunch, her spirit was very good; except for her eyes being a little red, her emotions were very stable.

Zhou Gancheng's arrival didn't bring more news to the two.

Although Li Xuewu sat in the lounge accompanying Chantal, news from the outside world would be reported to him continuously.

This is the basis of his confidence and the greatest confidence to stabilize Chantal.

What Zhou Gancheng knew, Li Xuewu also knew, so what he said didn't cause excessive surprise to the two at the table.

Until he said that someone from the French foreign affairs building would come to pick her up, her face changed.

At that time, Li Xuewu didn't speak; the ambiguity between the two during the chaos in the morning had long been restrained in his heart.

That wasn't worth mentioning, and it wasn't worth reminiscing or thinking about at this time.

She is still her, and he is still him.

Therefore, when the French foreign affairs building car came, she said goodbye to Li Xuewu very happily.

Watching the car leave, Zhou Gancheng, who was standing on the side, looked at Li Xuewu and asked: "What you just said, is it true?"

"What's true?"

Li Xuewu looked back at him, looking very confused.

Zhou Gancheng was anxious and reminded him: "Champagne, that bottle of wine, can your factory really produce a million bottles a year?"

"Of course, it's only a million bottles; what's there to be surprised about." 【1

Li Xuewu turned around, signaled for them to walk back together, and said, "We will dominate the global foreign liquor market, ensuring that good vintage foreign liquor never runs out, but we still have to wait a few years..."

"Why?"

Zhou Gancheng was getting anxious. He looked at Li Xuewu and said, "Haven't you already brewed champagne?"

"Let me tell you, that bottle of wine!"

He said very seriously, "Whether it's the taste or the alcohol content, it's absolutely authentic, not a bit inferior to imported liquor!"

"Heh—heheheh—"

Li Xuewu looked at his serious expression and really couldn't help but chuckle.

This actually left Zhou Gancheng bewildered. He looked at Li Xuewu and asked, "What are you laughing at? I'm talking to you about serious business."

"How could it not be authentic? It must be authentic!"

Li Xuewu laughed as he walked, "That was imported foreign liquor; it's just that the label was torn off."

"What—"

Zhou Gancheng was so shocked by this sudden turn of events that he nearly threw his back out.

He never expected that Li Xuewu would pull a stunt like this.

"The Red Star Factory does have its own distillery, but it is currently focusing on the baijiu sector, which is Red Star Moutai."

Li Xuewu walked into the lounge and explained, "We will produce foreign liquor in the future, but not now."

"Just like I said before, we have to buy vineyards, import grapevines, and then plant and cultivate them..."

He spread his hands and said, "Don't even think about it within five or six years; it would be good if we could achieve premium brewing within ten years."

"Of course, if you're talking about that kind of trashy foreign liquor, we still have the absolute capability."

"... You damn well even deceive your own people!"

Zhou Gancheng looked at Li Xuewu, who was sitting on the sofa, with the expression of someone whose feelings had been betrayed.

"Is what you're saying now true?"

"What's true or false?"

Li Xuewu looked at him amusedly and said, "We are only responsible for production; Wufengxing and other distributors will be responsible for sales."

"The Red Star Moutai trademark is in our hands. That kind of imitation trashy liquor doesn't have a trademark at all; whichever brand sells well, we just use that brand."

"..."

Zhou Gancheng didn't speak for a long time after hearing him say this. In the end, he couldn't help but ask, "Can you even do that?"

"We are also doing it out of helplessness."

Li Xuewu shrugged his shoulders and said, "Wufengxing made us do it; after all, they hold our export channels."

"Mm-hmm, I understand—"

Zhou Gancheng nodded habitually, his mind occupied with this behavior of being forced to cooperate in production.

But after thinking for a while, seeing Li Xuewu finish tidying up and stand up to leave, he realized something was wrong.

He stood up and asked, "This idea was yours, right?"

"Hey! Don't wrong a good person!"

Li Xuewu stood at the door, pointed at him with a straight face, and emphasized, "You don't go to the capital to ask around; I, Li Xuewu, am the most upright person. How could I possibly come up with an idea like this?"

"I believe you—"

Seeing the other party leave, Zhou Gancheng curled his lip, thinking to himself that he had almost fallen for that kid's trick again.

It really is damn hard to guard against; deceiving foreigners is one thing, but deceiving his own people as well? Is there a single word he says that's true?

"I heard you watched a good show?"

On Saturday after work, Li Xuewu had just stepped out of the Security Building when he saw Bu Qingfang walk over.

"Are you waiting specifically for me?"

Li Xuewu looked her over with a smile and joked, "What's up? Want to ask me out?"

"Sure, I have no problem with that."

Bu Qingfang didn't care about the people leaving work around them and laughed, "Finding a young man; anyway, I won't be at a loss."

"Be careful your old Zheng beats you—"

Gou Zirong, who was passing by, joked, which made everyone laugh even louder.

"Fine, if I have an argument when I get home, I'll know it was you who snitched—"

Bu Qingfang came from a propaganda background; when it came to verbal sparring, could she be afraid of Gou Zirong, who worked in sales?

It was lively after work. As she spoke, she signaled for Li Xuewu to stand to one side.

"What's up? You have something to ask me?"

Li Xuewu asked with a smile, "It wouldn't just be to ask about yesterday's excitement, would it?"

He waved his hand and said, "I'm not like what people say; I just happened to run into it by chance, I don't know anything."

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

Bu Qingfang curled her lip, then said seriously, "You weren't there yesterday, but this office courtyard was quite lively."

"Oh—"

Li Xuewu smiled knowingly, "So you're reminding me because you're watching this excitement?"

"Be careful, everyone is waiting to watch the show."

Bu Qingfang glanced in the direction of the main office building, lowered her voice significantly, and reminded him, "Old Ding's attitude is very ambiguous."

"Is that so—"

Li Xuewu's face still maintained the same smile, but his gaze became much sharper.

He nodded and said, "It doesn't matter. If people want to climb a ladder to get onto the roof, you can't stop them without becoming enemies."

"Whether they make a scene or jump around, let them be. It wouldn't be lively if they didn't make a scene or jump around—"

"Fine, it seems you have a plan in mind."

Bu Qingfang nodded and said, "It was Deputy Director Gu who asked me to come and ask you; she is still very concerned about you."

"You also know, at this time."

"Mm, I understand the leader's intentions."

Li Xuewu nodded knowingly and said, "Tell the leader, let things be as they are; I will handle this matter properly."

"That's fine then; I know how you work," Bu Qingfang pursed her lips and said, "If you don't pull up the weeds by the roots, they will grow again with the spring breeze."

"It won't come to that; I have a plan in mind."

Li Xuewu really laughed this time. He looked at Bu Qingfang and said, "There's no need to be suspicious of everyone; do you really think they are important figures?"

"That's not what the leader is worried about."

Bu Qingfang's expression became a bit more serious as she looked at him and said, "There is wind coming from above; they are going to adjust and strengthen the leadership team of the Red Star Factory."

"Who is coming, we don't know; who will be transferred away, it's not certain. Now is still a very sensitive period..."

She frowned slightly and reminded him, "One hair pulled affects the whole body; if you are not patient in small matters, you will mess up the big plan."

"How to move, when to move, and how much to move—the leader asks you to be cautious. She will fully cooperate with you on her end."

"I understand; thank you for the leader's trust."

Li Xuewu nodded slowly and said, "The wind from above is not urgent for now. It's the end of August; October should be about right."

"The promotion is already a done deal. It's impossible by the end of the year; it should be the beginning of the year, so..."

He glanced around and said, "Whether to move or not is not up to me, but up to the situation and the other party."

"We could move today, but if the situation changes tomorrow, it might not be appropriate to move, so let's wait a bit longer."

"That's what the leader meant; as long as you understand."

Bu Qingfang smiled slightly and asked, "Is there anything you need my help with? Just say the word if there is."

"Don't worry—"

Li Xuewu said with a smile, "I have approved the expansion plan for the propaganda team, and I have already visited several theaters in the city."

"I won't worry about the rest; you are responsible for taking over."

"Fine, no problem—"

Bu Qingfang said decisively, "It is because you are responsible for the organization and coordination work that the Management Committee has achieved today's results."

"Stop praising me like that; what if I get arrogant?"

Li Xuewu signaled toward the car and said as he walked, "I talked with Gou Zirong today and handed over the liaison work with the Supply and Marketing Company to him."

"At the same time, all the follow-up work for the distribution outlets has been transferred to the Sales Department."

"No wonder—"

Bu Qingfang curled her lip, looked toward the entrance, and said, "I was wondering why he, who is usually quite sharp, was joking with me today; it turns out he's been influenced by you."

"You've got such a way with words; I can't keep up."

Li Xuewu stood by the car and said to her with a smile, "Yesterday's security control lasted most of the day, and the attention of the entire factory was drawn to our security team."

"You know me; I hate being in the spotlight the most, but I had no choice."

His expression became a bit more serious as he said, "So, stop while you're ahead; being low-key never hurts."

"If I had been able to keep a clear head like you when I was young—"

Bu Qingfang looked at Li Xuewu with envy and said, "With this sense of proportion and this scale, you've really got it handled."

"Off work now, Big Sister—"

Li Xuewu smiled and signaled to the car waiting for her, saying, "If you keep praising me, I'm really going to misunderstand that you've taken a fancy to me."

"Hahaha—"

Friday's security control drill effectively let all the factory workers understand the true strength of the security team.

Silent as cicadas in winter, not a word spoken.

Whether in the offices or the workshops, under the control, no one dared to step out of line; this is deterrence.

No matter how good your political literacy, how clever your intelligence, or how good your eloquence, at this moment, only silence remained.

The deterrence of this kind of control was too terrifying and too oppressive.

This time, everyone clearly felt the pressure and clearly recognized Li Xuewu's power.

The image of the "Tiger of the Security Department" from the past resurfaced in some people's minds, and it made the newer workers feel chilled just by hearing a few rumors.

For a time, the security status of the entire factory reached its optimal standard.

This was what Li Xuewu wanted to see most, and also what he wanted to see least.

He wanted to see the Red Star Factory's security in good condition, but he didn't want the security to improve because of this kind of pressure.

But just as he said to Bu Qingfang, he ran into it, and there was no other way.

He is the person in charge of the security team, so he must have this sense of duty and responsibility.

Although the security team didn't punish anyone or threaten anyone.

But this kind of pressure had already taken root in people's hearts.

As the person in charge of the security team, Li Xuewu had to bear the fearful eyes and strange looks of the factory workers.

This was the result of having Old Li sit in charge while he ran off to the city.

If he had really shown a stern face in the factory, acting like a tyrant, he would never be able to escape this circle in his life.

Even if he wasn't wrong, he had to pay some price for this incident.

Perhaps this is what many people hoped to see; there is no doubt about that.

Compared to the pressure the factory workers felt from the Security Department, some people were even more sensitive.

Li Xuewu's work ability, which far exceeded ordinary people, had long brought them immense pressure.

At this time, if Li Xuewu loosened his grip, they could also catch their breath.

Therefore, there was no "when the wall falls, everyone pushes"; he hadn't fallen, and no one dared to push him.

It was his timely retreat and foresight.

Sometimes taking a step back really is a vast expanse of sky.

Of course, taking a step back is to expose the pit that was dug; otherwise, how would people jump in, and how would he bury them?

There is never a shortage of impatient ghosts in this world; Li Xuewu wields his little shovel diligently, and burying people is his specialty.

"You wouldn't be here to pick me up, would you?"

Yu Li looked at Li Xuewu, who had walked into the courtyard, and asked with a smile, "I suddenly find it a bit hard to believe?"

"Happiness came too suddenly, right?"

Li Xuewu smiled, nodded, and said, "Then I'll pretend I'm not here to pick you up."

He signaled toward the courtyard and asked, "Has Mr. Lou returned from his meeting?"

"Hmph—"

Yu Li gave a light hmph and said, "Sure enough, you're not here to pick me up."

"Look at that, I have no words—"

Li Xuewu spread his hands and said, "You don't believe anything I say; what else can I say?"

"Your words, whether heard straight or backward, taken apart or crushed—" Yu Li pouted and said, "They all sound fake."

She let out a long breath, looked at Li Xuewu, who was full of smiles under the lights, and couldn't help but laugh as well.

She punched Li Xuewu twice, which finally relieved her frustration.

She signaled toward the small courtyard of the Management Office and said, "I arranged for the driver and Su Qing to accompany him personally; they have already returned."

"Oh? How is his state?"

Li Xuewu said with a playful expression, "Is he ecstatic, overjoyed, or in high spirits?"

"He is an old man, after all—"

Yu Li patted him and advised, "This kind of thing is hard for anyone to bear."

"If you were him, in this environment and this situation, it would also be difficult."

"Mm, you are quite understanding of him."

Li Xuewu looked at her with a smile, nodded, and said, "I'll go see him. He's at that age; if something were to happen to him, it wouldn't be easy to explain to Big Sister Lou."

"So you do know—"

Yu Li chided him and then explained, "He's been sullen since he got back, silently packing his things; he's going back to the mountains tomorrow."

"Sigh—"

Li Xuewu sighed and said, "If it were truly safe, why would there be a need to hold this meeting?"