Chapter 1189: White-Haired Sending Off Black-Haired

"Mom, I'm begging you—"

In Banggeng's voice there was three parts pleading, three parts willfulness, and ninety-four points worth of exam results.

In Qin Qin Huairu's hand was nothing but a feather duster, held upside down.

Needless to say, every child in the Four-Nine City had psychological scars from this thing.

When you found your mother holding it like that, you just ran, like a wild dog off its leash.

"You can't treat me like this—"

There was not a shred of sorrow in Banggeng's heart; he was just dry-wailing with his throat, his words of surrender lacking far too much emotion.

Instead, he spoke with self-righteous confidence: "You know my academic results!"

"Why did you suddenly get some kind of whim to have expectations of me!"

"Ah, so I'm just supposed to give up on you?"

Qin Qin Huairu swung the feather duster to strike him, but her son held both her hands; she dodged her body but failed to land a hit.

"Resigning yourself to depravity, learning nothing and mastering no skill, are you trying to anger me to death, you—"

"Aiyo, aiyo—"

Grandma Jia, who had followed them out, wanted to persuade but dared not, wanted to go back but could not bear to let her eldest grandson take a beating.

Ever since Qin Qin Huairu became a cadre, her status in the family had clearly declined.

It had declined even more sharply after Banggeng started raising chickens to earn money.

Therefore, she dared not snatch the feather duster from Qin Qin Huairu's hand, nor did she dare to pull Banggeng away.

She could only stand aside and boost the momentum with phrases like "Aiyo, aiyo," "Just look at you," and "Please don't."

If not for his mother watching, Banggeng really would have told his grandmother: If you weren't here, my mother would have stopped hitting me long ago.

It's precisely because of your remark after remark that she vents all her anger on me—

Banggeng thought this, of course not daring to say it aloud at this moment, otherwise his mother, having lost face, would beat him even harder.

Grandma felt that since his mother became a cadre she had become stricter; his own feeling was even more profound.

Because in the past, when he caused trouble, Grandma would hold him back; now he didn't even dare to run, for doing so would result in an even more severe beating.

So when Li Li Xuewu entered the courtyard, he saw Big-Faced Cat sticking his butt out, shuffling backward with his mother as if they were partnering to dance the yangge.

They were almost at the floral-pendant gate; had they shuffled all the way here from the middle courtyard?

"What's going on here?"

Yu Li, passing by from the outer courtyard on her way to the east courtyard, stood outside the floral-pendant gate and called out with a smile: "Are mother and son practicing wrestling?"

"Aiyo! The savior has arrived—"

Banggeng let go of his mother's hands, hopped aside, and hid behind Wu Shu, chirping rapidly: "Wu Shu, emergency rescue in the jianghu!"

"Well now, I've never seen a jianghu hero who's afraid of a feather duster—"

Li Li Xuewu, amused, plucked the Big-Faced Cat out from behind him; seeing Qin Qin Huairu still about to strike, he nodded and said: "That's enough, he's such a big boy now, still hitting him!"

"If I don't hit him, will he ever learn?"

Qin Qin Huairu glared at her son with the frustration of iron that won't turn into steel, scolding: "I slaved away to put him through school, and he comes back with only ninety-four points!"

"Hey! Qin Yan Jie, you're getting proud!"

Li Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows, feigning amusement as he said: "Back when I was in school, I never even said I scored ninety-four points!"

He lowered his head, looked at Banggeng, and asked: "Not bad, kid, been studying in secret, have you? Which subject is this score for?"

"Uh—Wu Shu—"

Banggeng looked awkwardly at his mother's anger-flushed face and tried to hide behind him again.

But after Wu Shu flicked his forehead, and seeing his mother say nothing, only glaring at him, he realized he wouldn't be beaten.

So at this moment he stammered: "It's not for any one subject... it's... it's the total score..."

"What thing? A total score of ninety-four?"

Hearing this score, Li Li Xuewu also paused for a moment; sizing up the Big-Faced Cat standing beside him with his head down, he asked: "Did you skip taking exams for several subjects?"

"Wu Shu—"

The Big-Faced Cat lifted his head speechlessly, looked at him, and complained: "I asked you to save my life, not to dig my grave..."

"Then I really can't save you—"

Li Li Xuewu twitched the corner of his mouth, pushed the Big-Faced Cat forward, and said to Qin Qin Huairu: "A feather duster isn't satisfying enough; tie him to a pillar leg and whip him with a belt, it won't cause injury but hurts like hell..."

"Ah—"

Banggeng was so frightened his face turned deathly pale; looking at his mother with eyes full of pleading, he finally knew fear.

There was no hope left; the only person in this courtyard who could save him was Wu Shu.

Now even Wu Shu had been shocked by his exam results; who else could he count on?

Maybe he should just kneel right here; among sons and daughters of the jianghu, once you kneel, no one can hit you again.

"Who asked for your advice—"

Yu Li could not bear to watch any longer; she walked over, shoved Li Li Xuewu, and pulled the Big-Faced Cat to his feet.

"Look how angry you've made your mother; if she weren't hoping you'd amount to something, would she discipline you like this?"

"I also want to do well, but..."

Banggeng wanted to offer an explanation; he secretly glanced at his mother's cold face and swallowed the words back down.

Forget it; a true man can bend and stretch.

He was currently at the age of being thick-skinned; the beating he received yesterday would be forgotten today, the kind that gets thicker-skinned the more he's hit.

How could a half-grown boy not have a rebellious mindset? It's just that in these years, parents basically didn't manage their children, and those raised freely didn't react so strongly.

"With results like this, and next semester he'll be in junior high, how is he supposed to study?"

Qin Qin Huairu was furious; pointing at Banggeng, she scolded, "Even if you can't get into high school, you should at least be able to get into a factory!"

"That's enough, Qin Yan Jie; it's late at night."

Yu Li shared a special bond with Qin Qin Huairu, having eaten porridge and chicken together; how could she let this mother and son remain locked in a standoff upon encountering them?

She actively put her arm around Banggeng and led him outward, saying to Qin Qin Huairu, "I was just looking for you about something; come, sit in my room for a while."

Qin Qin Huairu stood there watching the grievance-filled Banggeng, knowing full well that making a scene in the courtyard late at night would only invite ridicule.

If she hadn't been truly anxious and driven to anger, how would she have been willing to strike her child in public view?

Just as Li Li Xuewu had said, he was already a half-grown boy, reaching the age where saving face mattered.

But she was already busy, and her mother-in-law lacked any worldly knowledge; if she truly let this child drift along, he wouldn't even finish junior middle school, and how could she then face Jia Jia Dongxu?

Even when this child grew up and suffered hardships, he would still blame his mother for not managing him properly back then.

Yes, Banggeng had encountered good times; the Red Star Factory ran schools from elementary college to junior college, and anyone who could pass the exams could attend.

But the problem was, one still needed a passable score; scoring ninety-four points across four subjects was utterly shameful to speak of.

"Go on, let mother and son have a good talk—"

Li Li Xuewu nodded; seeing that Yu Li had already led Banggeng past the floral-pendant gate while Qin Qin Huairu still stood there fuming.

He actively offered her a way out, saying, "It's no big deal; managing a child isn't something that takes effect in a single day."

"Have more patience; at this stage, half-grown boys are precisely at the age of excessive self-esteem."

"Go on, Qin Huairu; I'm going home to check on those two children."

Only at this moment did Jia Jia Zhangshi dare to speak up and advise; she pushed Qin Qin Huairu gently, then sighed and walked toward home.

Qin Qin Huairu exhaled a long breath, glanced at Li Li Xuewu, and asked, "Are you done with your affairs? Leaving on Monday?"

"Don't worry about me; attend to your own business."

Li Li Xuewu smiled, pointed at the feather duster in her hand, and said, "Don't use that thing anymore; you might really break something."

"It's enough to make one die of anger—"

"Second Brother, there's an urgent matter; I need to find you."

Li Li Xuewu had eaten dinner together with Lou Yu at the club.

Yu Li was also there; the two had returned together after dinner.

Passing through the front courtyard, he greeted the family; seeing that Gu Ning was playing happily with the children inside the room, he returned to the rear courtyard and began reading.

His third brother, Li Xuecai, hurried past beneath the window and, upon entering the room, uttered just this sentence.

He pointed to a chair by the wall, saying, "Sit down and talk."

Li Xuecai knew his second brother's temper and habits very well; though his heart was anxious at this moment, he obediently sat down.

Ever since Second Brother had returned, his entire person had changed greatly.

He was no longer the brutish and domineering figure of before; he had become mature and steady, diligent and eager to learn.

Especially after becoming a cadre, his conduct had grown even more calm and dignified, adhering to the principle of not rushing when encountering matters, remaining composed and self-possessed.

Li Li Xuewu picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea for his younger brother, handed it to him, and indicated, "Xiaoxue just brewed this and brought it over."

"Second Brother—"

Li Xuecai was just about to speak when he saw Second Brother signaling him to drink tea; only then did he forcibly suppress the panic in his heart and take a sip of the hot tea.

"You are still young; I am not urging you to practice the art of cultivating qi, but after all, you are studying traditional Chinese medicine."

Li Li Xuewu spoke in a very gentle tone: "You are still in the learning stage; what will you do if you join the workforce later?"

"Will you still be so rash and clumsy?"

He sized up his younger brother and said, "Hospitals have all kinds of people; aside from the fact that this easily leads to disputes, with such impetuosity, even leaders will not trust you."

"I understand, Second Brother—"

After swallowing a mouthful of hot tea and receiving a few more exhortations from Second Brother, Li Xuecai exhaled a long breath; the agitation in his heart subsided somewhat.

He responded sincerely, paused for a moment, and then explained, "I arrived home this afternoon; Father sent me back."

"Mm—"

Li Li Xuewu nodded, indicating for him to continue speaking.

After getting off work, Li Li Xuewu had gone home to pick up his mother and the others, detoured to the club, dropped him off, and then Han Han Jiankun had brought them over.

He had not known that Li Xuecai had returned home; he had only spoken briefly outside the family window earlier, and no one in the family had mentioned it.

In the previous two months, Jingcheng had been unsettled; Li Xuecai had nearly fallen into a trap upon returning, so he had told his younger brother to go up the mountain to seek quiet and to come down less often when there was no need.

However, he had never intended to restrict his younger brother from descending the mountain; the restless minds of the young cannot be restrained.

Li Xuecai was still sensible and obedient; for the past month and more, he had remained on the mountain.

"Father received news, saying..."

Li Xuecai explained with a somewhat ugly expression on his face: "He said that Zhao Xia has died and told me to come back to help out."

"Who? Zhao Xia?"

Li Li Xuewu frowned and confirmed: "Is he that classmate of yours?"

"Yes, it's him; he fell from a building and died from the fall..."

Li Xuecai's mind, which had just settled, became disordered again, especially when recounting the unnatural death of a classmate.

"Wasn't he in the hospital?"

Li Li Xuewu asked with a frown: "Last time you told me that one of his arms and one of his legs were broken; did he jump from the hospital?"

"No, it was at home—"

Li Xuecai explained with a trembling voice: "I went to his home this afternoon to help out; I only overheard a bit of it."

"It seems he was involved in something unsavory; just in these past two days, some unit came to investigate him."

"That can't be right?"

Li Li Xuewu naturally knew what had happened these past two days, yet he asked skeptically, "He's already like this—"

As he spoke, he gestured to his arms and legs, asking, "How can he possibly participate in this? Is it a case of disabled body but unyielding will?"

"I heard he went there leaning on a crutch—"

Li Xucai explained with an expression of sheer absurdity on his face, saying with a bitter smile, "His mother is nearly crying herself to death."

"This is truly—"

Li Li Xuewu knew just how fierce the turmoil in the city had become, but he hadn't expected someone of Zhao Xia's stature to get involved.

Wasn't this some damn black humor?

When they went to the club that evening, Zhao Zhao Lao Si and Zuo Yan Jie, while seeing them off, mentioned that many people had been injured this time.

The veterans were causing a ruckus, and the street thugs took the opportunity to stir up trouble, making for quite a spectacle.

Zhang Wang Jianguo from Xinjiekou, whom he knew well, had been injured, and quite severely at that.

Zhong Zhong Yuemin, who often waited outside the club for Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai, was also injured; it was said he was stabbed with a fork while trying to save Zhang Li Haiyang.

All this was recounted by Li Li Yuanchao upon his return, since he had gone out with Zuo Yan Jie's "tour group" and thus dodged this calamity.

The members of the Youth Assembly, hearing about the chaos in the city, were all deeply grateful for Zuo Yan Jie's care.

Had they truly been in the city, they would surely have been swept up and suffered disaster along with the rest.

The crucial point was that those who instigated the trouble would not meet a good end, as the relevant authorities had already begun their investigation.

Li Li Xuewu had only heard the general outline and paid no particular attention to these details, after all, it had nothing to do with him.

He just hadn't expected that Zhao Xia, who was practically a disabled person, would actually lose his life in this affair.

"I only heard this from others' gossip," Li Xucai said in a sullen voice, "It seems he was afraid this matter would implicate his father, so that's why he..."

"That's exactly why I say you are inexperienced in the world, acting on impulse driven solely by a surge of hot blood."

Li Li Xuewu also let out a long sigh, saying, "They were all children raised with great hardship by their parents, gone in an instant."

"You say his mother is now crying herself to death; where is the joy for his father in having luckily escaped disaster?"

"He looks much older," Li Xucai said hesitantly, "When I went there, his father was shedding tears as he patted my shoulder."

"Seeing you just reminded him of Zhao Xia, didn't it?"

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "You're boys of roughly the same age and classmates; if Zhao Xia had possessed even a third of your caution, he wouldn't have ended up in this situation today."

"This matter was never something they should have been involved in; it was certainly not an act of chivalry and justice for the sake of the country and its people."

He lifted his teacup and took a sip, saying, "I have never opposed university students having hot blood and passion."

"But it must be directed to the right places; for a true hero, the concept of 'greatness' is paramount, yet you completely fail to understand what constitutes great righteousness."

Watching his younger brother sit there, with bewilderment and sorrow in his eyes, he too sighed.

Although the boy was not from his own family, nor was he his own brother.

Moreover, that fellow Zhao Xia had previously tried to trick and swindle Li Xucai, attempting to drag his younger brother into the mire.

Yet, after all, he was the first victim Li Li Xuewu had heard of in this incident, and furthermore, the child of his father's colleague.

There was no deep sorrow, only a sense of sighing regret.

Fortunately, Li Xucai was sensible, and he himself was a "clear-headed person"; otherwise, in this era, how much suffering and hardship would the Li family have endured?

If the Li family fared thus, what of others?

Early Sunday morning, Li Li Xuewu took his younger brother Xucai, arriving at the Jingcheng Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Family Compound around four-thirty.

Though called a Family Compound, it was effectively a Cadre Compound; ordinary hospital staff simply could not reside there.

The last time Li Li Xuewu had visited was a long while ago, when he came to call on Liu Liu Zhixin, the director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, for the sake of his father's and his third brother Xucai's futures.

Of course, his father's direct supervisor, who was also Zhao Xia's father, Zhao Zhao Yufeng, had been the object of that visit as well.

Precisely because of that prior interaction, Lao Lao Biaozi, who was then in charge of the recycling station operations and knew how to handle affairs, managed to establish cooperation between the parties.

The clinic located at the Red Star Factory was constructed with support from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.

Furthermore, the Chinese Herbal Medicine Planting Research Base, established through multi-party cooperation, was also situated in Red Star Village.

In the mountains, including the current reclamation area of the Third Guard Regiment, projects researching Chinese herbal medicine cultivation were underway.

The Third Guard Regiment had earned money growing grain and vegetables over the past two years, and had also planted the seeds for Chinese herbal medicine cultivation in advance.

With the foundation of greenhouse sheds, and given that the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital had indeed recruited some researchers specializing in traditional Chinese herbal medicine.

It had been over two years; Li Xucai had mentioned upon his last return that varieties of Chinese herbal medicine proven adaptable to the growing environment would be formally expanded next year.

Five entities—the Recycling Station, the Red Star Factory, Red Star Village, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, and the Third Guard Regiment—would all benefit from this project.

Of course, having contributed so much to this project, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital had also effectively protected its good comrades within the hospital.

It was the hospital with the most complete personnel structure and the most intact management structure among all existing medical units in Jingcheng.

Medical forces could be withdrawn from the mountains at any time, and these medical forces could also be evacuated and protected at any moment.

Thus, through multi-party cooperation, all parties benefited.

Zhao Zhao Yufeng had his own private motives; regarding this project, when Li Li Xuewu first proposed it, he had already contemplated the future.

The planting, research and development, pharmaceutical production, and sales of traditional Chinese medicine were all the most stringent components within the system.

If a complete system for planting, producing, and selling traditional Chinese medicine were truly established, the scale of the Jingcheng Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital would become immense.

Infinitely expanded, so large that even he himself could not swallow it whole.

Therefore, when Li Li Xuewu proposed arranging for his father and younger brother to go up the mountain to participate in this project, Zhao Zhao Yufeng decisively inserted his own son, Zhao Xia, into it as well.

Regardless of whether Zhao Xia possessed the capability or the sense of responsibility, he only hoped his son could gain some training and experience through this project.

Before graduation, and before classes resumed at the university, to possess such an excellent opportunity for training, with guidance and instruction from so many professors and expert-level doctors, was truly a rare privilege.

If even someone as cunning as Li Li Xuewu desired this, how could Zhao Zhao Yufeng fail to see its value?

In the past, Zhao Zhao Yufeng had truly not held Li Shun in high regard.

To praise him, one might say he was diligent and conscientious, willing to bear the burden of hard work, and honest to a fault; but to state it more plainly, he was taciturn and lacked social grace or interpersonal connections.

He just hadn't expected that Li Shun, a man like an outsider, would actually father three sons, each and every one of them highly capable.

This forced him, as the Deputy Director, to take Li Shun seriously.

Similarly, regarding his impressions of the two brothers, Li Li Xuewu and Li Xuecai, Li Li Xuewu left a deeper impression, after all, he was a very capable cadre.

The key point was that Li Li Xuewu wielded considerable influence within the industrial sector and even enjoyed a certain reputation in the city.

As for Li Xuecai, he felt his own son, Zhao Xia, was more capable and had more potential than the Li family's third son.

The Li family's third son was somewhat like Li Shun, whereas his son Zhao Xia was eloquent, clever, and sharp; inevitably, he was material for a future director.

As for Li Xuecai, at best, he merely possessed good medical skills.

This stereotype and way of thinking persisted until the middle of this year; he still held this view.

Even when his son Zhao Xia secretly slipped back down from the mountain and, upon being discovered, adamantly refused to go back up, he still considered his son clever.

In times like these, indeed, those who can do are inferior to those who can speak, and those who can speak are inferior to those who can pretend.

Zhao Xia had spent the most time by his side and received the most education from him, thus acquiring a certain air of competence.

Whenever he explained principles, he was perfectly logical, and his analysis of the situation showed some personal insight.

Zhao Zhao Yufeng doted on this son, so when Zhao Xia was unwilling to go up the mountain to suffer hardships, he simply thought to keep his son by his side to learn from him.

Who could have expected that, while staying in the city, Zhao Xia learned no skills but instead covered himself in injuries.

With arms and legs broken, his mother was so frightened she dared not let go of him again.

After more than two months of round-the-clock watching and care, there was finally hope for recovery.

From the moment he could descend to the ground leaning on a crutch to walking swiftly with that same crutch, it gave the couple a sense of relief.

But swift he was indeed; in an instant, he flew from the hospital bed straight to the mortuary slab.

This time, looking at their son lying there with his limbs twisted from the fall, there was no possibility of him ever standing again; the husband and wife were overcome with unbearable grief.

After all, his death was not particularly honorable, so currently, Zhao Xia's second uncle and eldest brother were presiding over the funeral affairs.

The whole family discussed it, deciding not to let Zhao Xia suffer any more because of this matter and to bury him as soon as possible so he could rest in peace.

Thus, the incident happened the night before, the body lay in state for one day the next day, and on the morning of the third day, he was sent for cremation.

Li Shun heard the news on the second day and sent Li Xuecai back; the two brothers arrived on the morning of the third day to attend the funeral procession.

After all, they were neither close relatives nor intimate friends, so while Li Xuecai had come to pay respects on the second day, Li Li Xuewu had not come that evening.

Attending the funeral procession on the third day appeared both polite and dignified.

Entering the courtyard between the two buildings, they saw a mourning shed erected in the yard; inside the shed, incense smoke swirled, appearing particularly eerie in this summer morning.

Li Li Xuewu, bringing his younger brother, first signed his father's name and his own on the white-silk condolence register, then stood before the mourning shed and bowed slightly.

Zhao Xia's second uncle and eldest brother, prompted by the "funeral handlers" to return the courtesy, having never met these two brothers, truly did not recognize them.

The "funeral handlers" did not recognize the two brothers either, but upon seeing their names in the register, they clarified their identities and introduced them to the pair.

Knowing they were connected through their father and were the younger brother's classmates, the two men, faces full of sorrow, returned the bow and offered cigarettes.

Li Li Xuewu gently raised his hand to decline, uttering a single phrase: "Please restrain your grief."

When a funeral is held in this courtyard, whether among passersby or residents upstairs, someone inevitably mutters that it is self-inflicted.

But once one has arrived here, one must say, "Please restrain your grief."

Li Li Xuewu actually did not need to come; he had no entanglement with Zhao Zhao Yufeng, nor any friendship.

It was just that his father was not home, and given his eldest brother's temperament, asking him to attend a wedding might work, but for a funeral, he would hide far away.

Therefore, only he could bring his younger brother over, lest Li Xuecai do something ignorant or fail to do something required.

It was also a kind of custom; unmarried young men in the family were not considered adults.

Even less could they represent the family in managing affairs and social obligations outside.

If not representing his father and merely acting as a classmate, Li Xuecai actually had no need to come either.

Zhao Xia's death had nothing to do with Li Li Xuewu; he had no need to bow and pay respects here.

But just as stated earlier, he now represented his father, represented the Li family, and as the elder brother, he had to look after his younger sibling.

Especially at a time like this, whether at the factory or the recycling station, now that Xuecai had come, he could not pretend not to know.

When a person dies, it is paramount; one bows and expresses mourning.

"Deputy Director Li—"

Just as Li Li Xuewu declined the two men's offered cigarettes, Zhao Zhao Yufeng, having heard the news, walked out from the mourning shed.

Obviously, from the other's stumbling footsteps and sorrowful expression, one could see that Zhao Zhao Yufeng had not had an easy time these past two days.

"Old Uncle, please restrain your grief; take care of your health."

Li Li Xuewu stepped forward two paces, caught the pair of hands extended toward him, and gripped them tightly.

He consoled softly: "Zhao Xia was too honest; I saw him once a few months ago, never expecting..."

"Wuwu—"

For white-haired parents to send off black-haired children; this feeling is far more painful than the reverse.

Zhao Zhao Yufeng, hunched-backed and supported by his eldest son, spoke with a sobbing tone: "It was my neglect in discipline; it was my failure as a father—"

"Dad, Dad, please don't be like this."

His eldest son held him, watching as he was about to collapse onto the ground, while people from beside the mourning shed also came over to support him.

In Zhao Zhao Yufeng's view, Li Li Xuewu's arrival was not merely a matter of Li Shun's face, but also gave him immense face.

Nowadays, among the units in the city, how many did not know the Red Star Factory, and how many did not know Li Li Xuewu within the Red Star Factory?

Even if he himself had died, Li Li Xuewu might not necessarily have come, let alone for his son, and especially under these circumstances of death.

Those who came these past few days were mostly relatives and intimate friends; many connections had hidden away, deeply afraid of getting entangled in karma.

Therefore, Li Li Xuewu's ability to come was exceptionally difficult.

He had not closed his eyes for three days; upon hearing that Li Li Xuewu had arrived, no matter what, he had to come out and return the courtesy.

This has led to the current turmoil.

Zhao Zhao Yufeng held Li Li Xuewu's hand, tears streaming down his face, muttering incoherently while casting repeated glances at Li Xuecai.

He regretted it deeply; had he known today would come, he would have chained his son to the mountain with iron links.

Seeing the third son of the Li family act with propriety and a steady temperament made him blame himself all the more, and the more he thought about it, the more his heart ached.

"Go, see if there is anything to be done."

Li Li Xuewu nudged his younger brother, instructing him in front of the Zhao family to go inside the mourning hall to help.

At this point, everything that needed preparing was already prepared, so there was no real need for Li Xuecai to help with anything.

But by saying this, Li Li Xuewu was treating the Zhao family not as ordinary acquaintances, but as close family friends.

At such a time, Li Li Xuewu's words were like sending charcoal in snowy weather to them, making everyone feel much comforted.

Li Li Xuewu led Zhao Zhao Yufeng to sit on a stool brought by the helpers and softly offered a few words of consolation.

Zhao Xia's older brother stood to one side, recounting the events of the past two days.

He must have heard the title used when his father came out, realizing that the young man before him was no ordinary person.

Unlike Zhao Xia, his older brother possessed a simple and honest nature, showing great respect and courtesy toward Li Li Xuewu.

Especially after hearing Li Li Xuewu's instructions, he treated Li Li Xuewu entirely as one of their own.

Mentioning that his mother had cried until she fainted twice in the mourning hall, he too began to shed tears freely.

What could Li Li Xuewu advise? It was always the same few phrases repeated over and over, and at this moment, the Zhao family could not absorb any other words of comfort.

They had arrived here at four-thirty, the spirit tablet was raised at five, and Li Li Xuewu and his brother only escorted them to the main gate.

Waiting until all the Zhao family members had boarded the vehicles and departed for the crematorium, with only the helpers remaining in the courtyard, he and his brother then left just like everyone else.

A young life, a scene of sighs and regrets.

On Sunday Li Li Xuewu was still in Jingcheng, but by Monday evening he had already arrived in Gangcheng.

It was still that old train station; not a single thing had changed.

Only the propaganda slogans on the walls had been replaced several times, their thick layers of paste reflecting an eerie white under the night lights.

"The Northeast is certainly cooler than Jingcheng, huh!"

Xiang Xiang Jingyu wore a women's administrative suit, white blouse and black trousers, paired with high-heeled sandals, making her appear more charming than the female comrades traveling with her.

At thirty-four, with a ten-year-old child, her figure had not changed in the least; standing there, she was no worse than a young Miss, surpassing them even more in temperament.

Li Li Xuewu glanced at his watch and replied with a smile: "We are almost into September; even in Jingcheng, how many more days of heat can there be?"

"Deputy Director Jing, Deputy Director Li—"

On the platform, Yang Yang Zongfang, Deputy Director of the Gangcheng Steel Plant, and Cen Cen Fuyao, Deputy Director of the Steel Plant and Head of the Joint Industrial Management Bureau, seeing them disembark, hurried forward a few steps to greet them.

"You could have just sent a vehicle; there was no need to trouble yourselves to come to the station."

One does not strike a smiling face; Xiang Xiang Jingyu shook hands with the two men and responded to their greetings with a smile.

"Director Dong is currently in Fengcheng and cannot return yet," Yang Yang Zongfang said, nodding to Li Li Xuewu with a smile, before explaining to Xiang Xiang Jingyu: "He has entrusted us to handle the reception for you and Deputy Director Li properly."

"Why be so polite among our own people?"

Xiang Xiang Jingyu criticized them lightly with a smile, and at their gesture, she led the research team toward the vehicles while asking: "Comrade Wenxue is going to attend the Provincial Industrial Conference, correct?"

Two sedans and one bus constituted a reception arrangement very much in the style of the Red Star Factory.

Xiang Xiang Jingyu beckoned Li Li Xuewu to board the lead vehicle, slightly disrupting the Steel Plant's arrangement.

"I will go to the vehicle in the back—"

Yang Yang Zongfang took the initiative to signal Cen Cen Fuyao, indicating that he should accompany the leadership in the front passenger seat.

Sitting in the back seat to report to the leadership was where the honor lay, but what could one do when the leadership had called for Deputy Director Li to join their vehicle?

Now the secretary had to move to the back, while Cen Cen Fuyao took the front passenger seat to accompany and report.

There were still many people on the platform at this time, so the vehicles should not remain stationary for long.

Thus, everyone boarded quickly and departed rapidly under the direction of the railway duty officer.

"Director Dong will rush back tomorrow morning; it is for the Provincial Industrial Conference."

After the car started moving, Cen Cen Fuyao turned around to report: "He should be able to make it in time to have breakfast with you."

"There is no need to be in such a hurry; I am just coming to take a look."

With a harmonious smile on her lips, Xiang Xiang Jingyu said: "Please inform Comrade Wenxue; making it in time for lunch will suffice."

"Hahaha, very well," Cen Cen Fuyao, seeing the leadership's favorable attitude, accompanied her with a smile and replied: "I will certainly convey your instructions."

Listening to Cen Cen Fuyao's introduction, the three vehicles drove from the Gangcheng train station all the way back to the Steel Plant.

The Gangcheng train station had not changed much, but the Gangcheng Steel Plant had changed greatly, far too greatly.

The original perimeter walls had become inner walls, and the surrounding land had basically been absorbed by the Steel Plant.

Because the construction of industrial projects was not yet complete, with some projects still in the planning stage.

Therefore, the walls here had not yet begun to be built, but from the range of the lighting used for night construction, one could see just how large this place was.

Xiang Xiang Jingyu had passed through here hastily some days ago and had not had time to examine it carefully.

With Cen Cen Fuyao's introduction and explanation, the two of them gained some understanding of the current progress of engineering construction and the situation of industrial production.

"Did Director Cen come to Gangcheng last year, or the year before?"

As the car entered the factory grounds and Cen Cen Fuyao's introduction came to a pause, Xiang Xiang Jingyu suddenly asked this question.

Tightening the string in his brain, Cen Cen Fuyao pondered the purpose behind the leadership's question while answering: "I arrived in Gangcheng in March last year, Leadership."

He introduced with a smile: "Deputy Director Yang came the year before last; he was here more than half a year earlier than me."

"Oh, is that so—"

Xiang Xiang Jingyu nodded thoughtfully, then turned to ask Li Li Xuewu: "It was the case you handled, correct?"

Hearing the leadership's words take such a sudden turn, Cen Cen Fuyao's heart nearly jumped into his throat.

What does this mean?

Don't think everything is fine just because the leader came off the train with a good attitude and spoke very gently.

Even though they said to ask Director Dong not to rush back, he didn't believe such politeness.

If Xiang Xiang Jingyu had come to Steel City alone, he would have felt there was no problem.

But since Li Li Xuewu followed along, do you think anywhere the Tiger of the Security Division goes could end well?

Last time he came to Steel City, he caught two people together; when he went to Camp City, he took out several more.

You can say Li Li Xuewu is the Deputy Director of the Management Committee Office, or that he is the First Deputy Leader of the Security Group, or even that he is the Deputy Political Commissar and Deputy Regimental Commander of the Third Guard Regiment.

But down at the grassroots level, none of Li Li Xuewu's several identities will be placed first; it is his identity as the head of Discipline Inspection that is truly terrifying.

His current identity is too complex; you simply cannot figure out what he has come to do.

Handling business or coordinating matters is nothing much, but if he has truly come to enforce organizational discipline, then it's over.

Therefore, when Xiang Xiang Jingyu asked this question, Cen Cen Fuyao's palms began to sweat.

"Hehe, how long ago was that matter? Do you still remember?"

Li Li Xuewu chuckled lightly to brush it off, gesturing toward the front passenger seat as he said, "Even Director Cen might not remember."

"Hehe—"

Sweat instantly poured down Cen Cen Fuyao's head; now he understood why that bastard Yang Yang Zongfang hadn't fought him for the front passenger seat.

Originally, he thought Yang Yang Zongfang's relationship with Li Li Xuewu had soured due to past events, so he was unwilling to move forward.

He hadn't expected this male and female pair to be so difficult to host.

Just listen to what they are saying.

Xiang Xiang Jingyu brought up past matters to make a point, and you retorted with a denial, but why drag me into it!

I am as clear as water and as bright as a mirror; I am a good person!

Now you ask me this; how am I supposed to answer?

If I say I don't remember, ah, wouldn't that be lying with my eyes wide open? Who in the entire Red Star Factory doesn't remember this case?

If I say I do remember, are you deliberately coming to warn me?

Could it be that you've discovered something about me?

Cen Cen Fuyao forced out a smile uglier than crying, turned his head, and said, "How could I possibly forget? This is a historical lesson that all staff and workers of the Steel Plant must firmly keep in mind."

"Sound the alarm bell constantly—"

When the sedan arrived at the entrance of the guesthouse, Xiang Xiang Jingyu spoke these words and, with the secretary's assistance, stepped out through the opened car door.

Cen Cen Fuyao looked anxiously at Li Li Xuewu, wanting to glean some useful information, but was instead patted on the shoulder by Li Li Xuewu's hand reaching from behind.

No, big brother, are you here to deal with me?

Indeed, if they were here to deal with him, it seems such a lineup would be required... I was just scaring myself...

With a somewhat stiff expression, he got out of the car and trailed obediently behind Li Li Xuewu, his mouth entirely lacking the sharpness it had just moments before.

"Knowing the train would arrive at this hour, we didn't prepare an overly lavish dinner."

Yang Yang Zongfang got out of the rear car, hurried forward a few steps to Xiang Xiang Jingyu's side, and reported, "Just a simple late-night snack to prevent hunger during the night."

"Since preparations have already been made, let us not waste the comrades' kindness."

Xiang Xiang Jingyu smiled, said a word to Li Li Xuewu, and then headed toward the guesthouse lobby.

Yang Yang Zongfang glanced at Li Li Xuewu and hurriedly followed after.

Li Li Xuewu, however, stood at the bottom of the steps, gave a few instructions to the research team, and watched as they carried their luggage, asking the guesthouse service staff to help store it temporarily.

"Leader, judging by Deputy Director Xiang's demeanor, does this mean..."

Cen Cen Fuyao followed behind Li Li Xuewu as they walked inside, asking in a low voice, "Is he unhappy about the matter last time?"

"Don't let your imagination run wild—"

Li Li Xuewu walked into the lobby and naturally headed toward the dining hall, comforting him as he spoke: "It's just a normal research inspection."

He had been to this place many times and knew it better than anyone.

Under the guidance of the attendants, the research team stored their luggage in the rest area and then walked together toward the dining hall.

Unlike the trips to Camp City and Tianmen, this time Xiang Xiang Jingyu had brought only seven or eight people, traveling light with a simple entourage.

Precisely because there were so few people, they did not arrange separate tables; everyone sat together at one large table.

You might hear Yang Yang Zongfang say they prepared simply, but once the dishes were on the table, you knew this was absolutely damn well not simple.

Ten people and eight dishes, with rice and steamed buns prepared as staples; for a meal at nine o'clock, can you call this simple?

Xiang Xiang Jingyu didn't say much, even drinking the cup of wine that Yang Yang Zongfang poured for her.

As the team leader, she was the first to raise her glass, offering a toast to everyone.

On the dining tables of Steel City, there were no Sichuan-style thumb-tip small money cups; basically, they all used one-liang and two-liang cups.

The one-liang cups were rarely seen, after all, constantly refilling wine was too troublesome.

With the two-liang cups, three rounds were finished in less than five minutes; Xiang Xiang Jingyu truly possessed the straightforward vigor of a heroine among women.

Once the polite small talk ended, she stopped drinking, and the others stopped as well.

Thus, the meal was eaten very quickly; the two from Steel City felt uneasy in their hearts, constantly observing expressions and colors.

Yet Xiang Xiang Jingyu ate with ease, and Li Li Xuewu ate casually, which made them even more baffled.

Steel City's current setup was huge: hardware, automobiles, armaments, chemicals, metallurgy, electronics, aircraft...

They simply could not gauge what these two had come to do; this research inspection had given no clear indication of their stance.

Compared to Li Li Xuewu's visits to Tianmen and Camp City, where Zhuang Zhuang Cangshu and Xu Si had prepared in advance, the current leadership of Steel City was truly in a difficult spot.

Work was not entirely absent from the conversation during the banquet; Li Li Xuewu asked the two of them what the most difficult aspect of Steel City's industry currently was.

The answer given by both was consistent: energy.

To be specific, it is electricity; several industries in Steel City cannot function without it, making them major power consumers.

Having received this answer, Li Li Xuewu asked no further questions; they ate their meal, were escorted upstairs, and exchanged no more words with them.

However, unable to sleep that night, Deputy Director Jing came to chat with Li Li Xuewu again.

Truly, it was purely a chat while sitting on chairs, at the desk, and in the restroom.

It was genuinely that simple—you believe me, right?