Chapter 1202

"At least five degrees colder."

Li Li Xuewu exhaled a breath, turned to look at Dong Wenxue, and signaled, "See that? No breath in Beijing."

"Grass—"

Dong Wenxue couldn't help but laugh when he heard him judge the temperature difference like that.

"Did you bring thick clothes?"

"Thick sweater, and a leather jacket."

Li Li Xuewu hugged his arms, breathed in the fresh air, and said, "I like winter the least; it's freezing."

"Don't worry, you'll grow to like winter."

Dong Wenxue patted his shoulder with a smile, looked up at the pitch-black night sky, and said, "In this land, the most worthy of being eulogized is winter."

"Eulogized? You mean howling?"

Li Li Xuewu twitched the corner of his mouth and said amusedly, "It's freezing—"

"Otherwise, could it be fighting? Heh—"

Dong Wenxue raised an eyebrow, looked at his student with a smile, and said, "You look much steadier this time."

"Got a little bit of a foundation, I guess—"

Li Li Xuewu let out a long breath, looked at the white mist that formed instantly before his eyes, and asked, "Am I being a bit too nitpicky?"

"Is it bad to have high standards for yourself?"

Dong Wenxue is trying to quit smoking, and while the two were talking at the entrance of the guesthouse, he was also enduring it.

Looking at the brightly lit construction site in the distance, he nodded and said, "Don't lower your guard; the struggle has just begun."

"You're making me so scared—"

Li Li Xuewu shook his shoulders, looked back at him amusedly, and asked, "Is there any definite word from the engineering side? How much longer can they work?"

"Engineering? Fast. This place isn't like Beijing," Dong Wenxue introduced, "If they say it's cooling down today, it will freeze tomorrow. If they say stop, they have to stop."

He pointed to the construction site in the distance and said, "See that? They are seriously rushing the schedule; they work one day at a time."

"It's not easy; I feel chilly just standing here."

Li Li Xuewu shook his shoulders and said, "Let's work on some benefits; give it to the construction team. I'll go apply for it later."

"Isn't the scale too big?"

Dong Wenxue glanced at him and reminded him, "There are over ten thousand people. Throwing tens of thousands of yuan won't even make a sound."

"Then throw something that makes a sound."

Li Li Xuewu stood at the entrance for a while, really unable to stand it anymore.

The temperature in Northeast China in mid-October at night is basically around 0 degrees.

If it happens to frost, it's even colder.

"When we left, the Red Star United Savings Bank building in the Ecological Industrial Zone was finished."

Li Li Xuewu introduced proactively, "In about half a month, the bank can move in and start working."

"So fast? Started construction in June?"

Dong Wenxue asked in surprise, "I remember it wasn't that long, right?"

"This is the power of technology."

Li Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow, raised his hand to signal the direction of the construction site, and said, "With the application of a large amount of construction machinery, manpower has been saved, and the construction period is shortening."

"How much can the overall period be shortened?" Dong Wenxue asked curiously, "It won't be finished within two years, right?"

"Stop messing around; it won't be finished in three years."

Li Li Xuewu glanced at him and emphasized, "There's a five-year planning period."

"Completing the main building within three years would be a miracle of high quality and high speed."

He counted on his fingers and introduced, "The school and bank are finished, the residential area project has started construction..."

Dong Wenxue listened to his introduction, pondering in his heart, calculating the task volume and workload.

Whose task volume and workload?

Of course, his own. In Steel City, he has at most a year and a half left.

He must have a clear idea of what to leave for Li Li Xuewu and how far to take things.

"The foreign trade side..."

"I'm still negotiating; don't worry."

Li Li Xuewu nodded, his expression slightly serious, and said, "After all, it's very difficult to choose. We have to give people time to weigh the pros and cons—"

"Time flows like this—"

Dong Wenxue knows his work ability very well, and even more so his rigor in doing things; he won't easily draw conclusions until the very last step.

Therefore, looking at his confident appearance, Dong Wenxue just asked one sentence and didn't go any deeper.

"The administrative side should still prioritize stability."

He said in a long, hesitant, and helpless tone, "If you don't endure small things, you will mess up big plans."

"Today's Red Star Factory has so many difficulties in its heart; opportunities are hard to come by, and timing is hard to come by."

"Do you think I'm targeting him?"

Li Li Xuewu looked back into his teacher's eyes and said, "I don't even have the action of pushing the boat with the current."

"He is now reaping what he sowed; there's no need for me to kick him. He's jumping into the abyss himself."

"At the position I'm in today, any action has traces to follow."

He paused here, turned to look at the direction of the courtyard, and only then spoke again after a long while, "I don't have to, and there's no need to get involved with him."

"As for the development of the Red Star Factory," Li Li Xuewu said firmly, "A bedbug is just a bedbug; it can't affect the overall situation."

"As long as the Red Star Factory is still managed by people, there will be a day when mistakes are made. This applies to everyone."

Li Li Xuewu's words made Dong Wenxue silent for a long time, and he couldn't help but sigh.

This student of his is too vengeful and calculates too much about some people and things.

It's fine for a short time, but over a long time, he will inevitably suffer.

Just looking at the current situation in Steel City, he can already predict that when the two hand over work in the future, it will inevitably cause a storm here.

The methods of the Deputy Director of the Red Star Factory are well known.

By then, I'm afraid there will be those with red eyes who want to shoot him in the back.

Of course, with Li Li Xuewu's combat effectiveness, having made such a great name for himself in Beijing, he already knows the outcome.

Just now, he was calculating what needs to be done in the last year and a half of his term in Steel City.

For his student, his end means his beginning.

And his end also means his own beginning.

The two alternate in rank and progress, and the project work they manage must also be handed over.

In the last year and a half, how many things does Li Li Xuewu need to do?

Too many. Compared to what he has to do now, it can only be more dangerous, more complex, and harder.

Besides giving Li Li Xuewu the most favorable support in Steel City, the only thing he can do for his student is to lay a good foundation, help him mount the horse, and let him display his grand plans.

"Here to find you?"

Seeing a Comet car enter the courtyard, not with the factory's license plate, Dong Wenxue asked him.

Li Li Xuewu nodded and explained, "Lao Biaozi, and Da Da Qiangzi who used to work here."

There are actually two types of Red Star Comet cars: one is a second-hand refurbished car, which is a Willys modification.

It really is a Willys modification, not the kind of bluffing like the J-10 modification.

The other is the fixed-model Comet car coming off the assembly line of the Red Star Automobile Manufacturing Plant now.

The car Old Lao Biaozi is driving is an old one; he helped get it last year, a Willys modification, dirt cheap.

There are similar configurations in the Jicheng Recycling Station and the Frontier Recycling Station; they can be used for business and hauling goods.

A few days ago, Tianjin also wanted a car. Li Li Xuewu coordinated a quota from the factory, and it was Yang Erhai who drove it back.

Currently, the recycling station system that Li Li Xuewu and the brothers have set up cannot be called wealthy.

But relatively speaking, it's already different from the past.

Just looking at Old Lao Biaozi and Da Da Qiangzi, both in neat fur-collared leather jackets, one can tell that collecting junk can also make money.

"Director Dong, hello—"

The two were very disciplined. After getting off the car and reaching the bottom of the steps, they greeted him first, then looked at Li Li Xuewu.

Dong Wenxue nodded with a smile, greeted them to come up the steps, shook hands, and without saying anything, went back upstairs.

"Wu Ge (Li Ge)—"

Two people, two ways of addressing him, each with different degrees of closeness.

Li Li Xuewu didn't care about these differences in address and looked at the two with a smile.

"Hehe—"

Old Lao Biaozi was a bit flustered by his gaze and couldn't hold his temper, grinning.

Da Da Qiangzi, however, has matured quite a bit. Looking at him now, he lacks the sharpness of the past, but his edge is restrained.

"There's an old saying," he narrowed his eyes slightly, looked at the two, and asked, "Which of you two swords is heavier?"

Da Da Qiangzi was stunned by his question, not knowing how to answer, so he just waited there without answering.

Old Lao Biaozi couldn't let Wu Ge's words fall to the ground, so he said embarrassedly, "I guess it's me—"

Li Li Xuewu's gaze moved from Da Da Qiangzi's face to his face, and he asked, "Tell me, why do you say that?"

"Heavy, I'm really heavy," Old Lao Biaozi grinned and said embarrassedly, "But I've only gained less than ten catties. Can you even tell?"

"Pfft—cough, cough—"

Da Da Qiangzi thought he could say something philosophical, but he didn't expect him to be talking nonsense.

He almost choked on his breath and coughed out tears.

"You're both people with daughters now—"

Li Li Xuewu twitched the corner of his mouth, glanced at the big brother, and said, "Is this how you're going to teach your daughter in the future?"

"Hi, don't make it hard for me. I don't understand what you're saying—"

Old Lao Biaozi embarrassedly took off his hat, rubbed the inside, and laughed, "Of course the child can't learn from me. Mai Qinglan and I have already discussed it; she'll teach the child."

"Hmm, you're quite good at being a hands-off manager."

Li Li Xuewu glanced at him with some dissatisfaction, signaled to the gate behind him, and led the two inside.

Da Da Qiangzi felt his arm being pulled and looked at Lao Biaozi beside him, not realizing what he meant.

Old Lao Biaozi waited until Wu Ge had walked a bit further and whispered, "Cover for me in a bit!"

"I'll cover for you—"

Da Da Qiangzi was about to retort, but was pushed forward by him, and could only swallow the words he had just spoken.

It's really hard to deal with people. This is your own brother, and even you are afraid of him. Do you think I'm not?

"Second Brother?"

Li Xue finished washing up and was coming out to get hot water. Seeing her second brother coming up, she asked, "You didn't go out?"

"Go where?"

Li Li Xuewu wouldn't be trapped by her; this little girl has learned to dig holes when she speaks.

He glanced at the thermos in her hand and asked, "For Deputy Director Jing?"

"Hmm, do you need one in your room?"

Li Xue took a look at her second brother, her eyes like a detective, and even her words carried a probe.

"Yes, let me use this pot first. Help me brew two cups of tea and bring them over. Use good tea leaves."

Li Li Xuewu instructed her while walking towards his room.

Li Xue was slightly stunned, wondering why he wanted two cups of tea. Who are they for?

Before she could figure it out, she saw two people sneaking up the stairs.

"Brother Biao!?"

"Yo, Li Xue—"

Old Lao Biaozi heard Wu Ge talking to someone when he came upstairs, but he didn't expect it to be Li Xue.

The corridor of the guesthouse echoes, and there might be slight differences in hearing voices; he really didn't recognize her.

"Long time no see. You didn't come last time, and I was talking about you with Wu Ge."

"Following the leader, it's not convenient to slack off."

Li Xue explained with a smile and asked, "Did you receive the congratulations I asked my second brother to bring for the child?"

"Don't mention it. Wait until Tiger Girl is a little older."

Old Lao Biaozi said with a smile, "When the time comes, I'll let her thank her little aunt."

"Good, I'll wait for that day!"

Li Xue saw that he was still with someone, so she didn't say any more idle words.

She signaled to the thermos in her hand and greeted them with a smile, "My second brother is waiting for you. You go ahead, and I'll come to brew tea for you in a bit."

"Don't bother, Li Xue—"

Old Lao Biaozi waved at Li Xue, "We're not thirsty; we'll go back after sitting for a while."

"It's okay, chat for a while—"

Li Xue said politely with a smile, "My second brother has no work tonight. If you want to go, I'll come in a bit."

"This is..."

Da Da Qiangzi looked at Li Xue and felt she looked familiar, but he didn't remember seeing this girl.

Old Lao Biaozi patted his arm, continued walking, and introduced, "Wu Ge's own sister."

"She used to be very shy and was originally aiming to take the college entrance exam, but who would have thought—"

He shook his head and sighed, "No way. After graduating from high school, Wu Ge arranged for her to enter the Red Star Factory."

"I haven't seen her for a long time either."

Saying this, he looked back and clicked his tongue, "It really is the big factory and administrative office that trains people!"

"It's only been a year or so, and she's been trained to be so articulate."

Retracting his gaze and continuing to walk, he sighed incessantly, "If this were on the side of the road, I wouldn't dare to recognize her even if I were beaten to death. The whole person has changed."

Da Da Qiangzi didn't speak. This is not within his scope of cognition, and even less within the scope of life he can come into contact with.

The environment and people he has come into contact with since he was a child never involved reading and taking college entrance exams.

All the men, women, and children in the village only thought about one thing: being able to eat their fill and not going hungry.

The biggest wish is to get the food they want to eat and eat their fill, even if they only live for one day, they would be content.

Because he couldn't take the college entrance exam, he was arranged by his own brother to enter a large factory's administrative unit after graduating from high school to be a secretary for a leader—what kind of incomprehensible speech is this?

Could it be... that this is a loss?

Having been struggling in society for many years, he naturally knows very well that the height he can reach in this life might not even reach the starting point of some people.

Da Da Qiangzi also has younger brothers and sisters. He wouldn't dare to say that his younger brothers and sisters graduated from elementary school and were arranged for any decent work—does farming count?

He kept his mouth shut. Ever since he was taught a lesson by Li Li Xuewu last time, he would never speak nonsense in this life.

But who could know what he was thinking in his heart?

"The matter was handled by Zhou Zhou Changli, and he is still in Fengcheng now."

Old Lao Biaozi sat on the sofa and reported his work to Li Li Xuewu seriously.

Li Xue carried the tea leaves and hot water pot in, nodded to the two with a smile, and didn't disturb them.

Old Lao Biaozi was naturally sensible. The report didn't stop, but the key terms were used as references or were vague.

Anyway, Li Li Xuewu could understand these, so he didn't interrupt him, just drank his tea slowly while holding his teacup.

Li Xue very skillfully brewed a cup of tea for each of them, and then helped her second brother refill the hot water.

Without waiting for her second brother to signal, she left quietly again.

"The channels that should be paved have been opened, and I have already agreed with Zhou Zhou Changli," Old Lao Biaozi whispered, "After this project is done, let him stay on the boat for two years."

"Stay on the boat for what?"

Li Li Xuewu glanced at him and said, "The war hasn't even started yet, and you're thinking about running away?"

"Tell him, after taking the Fengcheng project, he will be the person in charge of the Fengcheng Recycling Station in the future."

"You are the same—"

After finishing with Zhou Zhou Changli, Li Li Xuewu turned to look at Da Da Qiangzi, who hadn't said much since entering the room.

"Do you have any understanding of the project Xilin is doing?"

"Yes, but I don't understand much."

Da Da Qiangzi put down the teacup in his hand, sat up straight, and replied in a steady tone, "I am mainly responsible for the maintenance and development of the Jicheng market."

"Then go back and understand it well."

Li Li Xuewu took a sip of hot tea and said seemingly casually, "Train for a thousand days, use for a moment."

"You are all capable and have lofty ambitions. You can't let yourselves be left behind, right?"

"I wouldn't dare. I listen to your arrangements."

Da Da Qiangzi's answer was neither humble nor arrogant, and he didn't feel panicked or anxious because of the sharpness in the words.

At this moment, he only responded to Li Li Xuewu's words without explanation or pretense.

"What's wrong with having ambition? Who doesn't have ambition?"

Li Li Xuewu put down the teacup in his hand, crossed his right leg, leaned against the sofa, and looked at him, saying, "A man can have nothing, but he cannot have no ambition."

"Otherwise, what else can he be called a man?"

He folded his hands on his thighs and said with a relaxed attitude, "Putting you in key positions is to train you and temper you."

"Why do you have to do this? Naturally, it's to use you, let you display your aspirations, and realize your ambitions."

Da Da Qiangzi looked at Li Li Xuewu very seriously, listening carefully, and thinking carefully.

Compared to Da Chun, he didn't have a wiser brain, otherwise he wouldn't have been used as a thug by Zhang Zhang Wanhe.

After the last incident, he learned to think, learned to adapt, and slowly learned to learn.

The most capable and also the most insidious and cunning person he has ever encountered and seen is Li Li Xuewu.

Therefore, every time he sees him, he observes his words and deeds carefully, and after going back, he has to carefully review, recall, and learn in his heart.

At this moment, his attitude was much more serious than Old Lao Biaozi's, and Li Li Xuewu nodded in approval.

"The 'Carriage Driver Plan' relates to whether you can more fully master the resources here in the future."

Li Li Xuewu rubbed his fingers lightly, looked at the two, and said, "Don't be afraid of spending money, don't be afraid of trouble."

"If this money can be spent, it can be earned back. After going back, think more about how to spend money, spend it in the right place, right, Lao Biaozi?"

"Hehe, I'll think about it carefully!"

Old Lao Biaozi, who was named, nodded with a dry smile and agreed, "I will definitely think about it carefully. This money must be spent on the cutting edge."

"Hmm, there's no girl named 'Cutting Edge' in the city, right?"

Li Li Xuewu glanced at the big brother; he had already made the warning clear, and there was no need to go too deep between brothers.

He turned his gaze to Da Da Qiangzi and asked, "How is the business in Jicheng? Are there any difficulties?"

"After all, it's my hometown, so I can still handle the business."

Da Da Qiangzi thought carefully and continued to report, "Do what you know, don't do what you don't. Our business is still mainly based on steady progress."

"Grain, skins, medicinal materials, dry goods, etc."

He counted on his fingers and said, "In addition to our own recycling station products, the main business indicators are from the office. This aspect is relatively mature..."

Speaking of this, he paused before saying, "It's also a bit passive. After all, they aren't our own products..."

"Relationships, right?"

Li Li Xuewu glanced at him, nodded, and asked, "Is the relationship with the Jicheng Office not harmonious?"

"It's not that it's not harmonious," Da Da Qiangzi looked at him, his tone a bit vague, "They seem to have their own ideas, and on our side..."

"What does Xilin say?"

Li Li Xuewu didn't wait for him to finish and looked at Old Lao Biaozi.

Xilin is doing well, but mostly relies on Old Lao Biaozi's help.

Steel City has Dong Wenxue, so development is relatively fast and stable.

Some resources were passed to Xilin, which allowed the Jicheng Recycling Station to stabilize and develop rapidly.

Therefore, if there is something in Jicheng, they will generally communicate with Steel City first, and if they can solve it themselves, they won't bother Beijing.

If Old Lao Biaozi can't solve it, then it must be reported to Beijing, but the processing time will be longer.

And the methods are inevitably direct, as the whip is long but cannot reach.

"Xilin is afraid of adding trouble to you."

Old Lao Biaozi hesitated and reported, "I have found some connections here, and Second Uncle is also asking..."

"Asking what? How long has this been going on?"

Li Li Xuewu frowned and asked, "Can't you determine whether you can negotiate or whether you can handle the relationship well?"

"This... it's hard to handle," Old Lao Biaozi saw Wu Ge frowning, so he confessed, "That Director Wang doesn't look easy to get along with. Xilin sent things twice, and they were all returned. His brother-in-law has been there a few times."

"He came, looked, and left."

Da Da Qiangzi introduced, "Xilin received him. According to his own introduction, he said it was a joint-stock company."

"How come I don't know about this?"

Li Li Xuewu looked at the time on his hand and picked up the phone on the small table to call Tianjin.

"Did you not react, or did Yu Li miss it?"

"This... the reaction was there, but it wasn't marked as important," Old Lao Biaozi explained, "We are still in contact here to see what the other party means."

"I think that kid is coming with ill intent."

Da Da Qiangzi had some opinions, but here in Li Li Xuewu's room, he didn't dare to speak nonsense.

Old Lao Biaozi glanced at him and frowned slightly, "What do you know about ill intent? If you want to handle relationships well locally, you can't exert force from top to bottom every time."

He looked back at Li Li Xuewu and suggested, "How about I go there, check his path, and see what he means."

Li Li Xuewu didn't respond to him, just waited for the phone to connect, and signaled Da Da Qiangzi to talk about the business situation.

Da Da Qiangzi didn't hesitate and said everything from beginning to end, covering the business before October.

Seeing that the phone hadn't connected yet, he talked about the work plan and project preparation situation after October, that is, until the end of the lunar year.

Halfway through, Li Li Xuewu's phone connected. He told the duty room and transferred it to the dormitory of Zhuang Zhuang Cangshu, Director of the Tianjin Trade Management Center.

"Hmm, this is Li Li Xuewu."

Zhuang Zhuang Cangshu's voice came from the phone. Li Li Xuewu responded and reported his name.

As soon as he heard it was him, the voice on the other end became respectful and serious.

He is on a business trip to Steel City, which can be seen in the factory work briefing, and Zhuang Zhuang Cangshu must know.

A call from Steel City at this time, he couldn't help but be serious.

"Leader, this is Zhuang Zhuang Cangshu. May I ask you..."

"The Jicheng Office Director's surname is Wang, right?"

Li Li Xuewu didn't wait for him to finish and asked a question, then said, "Introduce his situation to me."

Zhuang Zhuang Cangshu on the other end of the phone felt a thump in his heart, and his brain buzzed.

He counted the eighteen office directors in the country one by one, and he knew each one clearly.

Why?

Because these offices are managed by the Trade Management Center, and he is the person in charge.

And Li Li Xuewu is his direct leader.

Although the division of labor for the Trade Management Center has been clearly assigned to Deputy Director Jing in factory work.

But ask Zhuang Zhuang Cangshu if he dares not to answer Li Li Xuewu's call.

At this time, Deputy Director Li called his dormitory from Steel City to ask about the situation of the Jicheng Office Director. Do you think it's normal?

It couldn't be that Director Wang's work is outstanding, and the leader is calling late at night to praise him, right?

Zhuang Zhuang Cangshu's heart turned a thousand times, but there was no ambiguity in his mouth, and he spoke clearly on the phone.

Of course, it was impossible to say bluntly who he was related to; just talking about personnel recommendations and arrangements would make it clear.

This is a long-distance call; you don't know if anyone is listening, so official business must be handled officially.

Li Li Xuewu listened to him finish and said, "Reconsider it. The comrades below have quite a lot of opinions."

Just this one sentence, and he didn't say anything more.

Da Da Qiangzi looked at Li Li Xuewu, who hung up the phone, very casually and calmly.

The Director Wang who had given him and Xilin a headache for more than two months is finished just like that?

Old Lao Biaozi didn't think like him, but looked at Wu Ge with worry and asked, "Is it a bit..."

"In the early stages of the office's establishment, if problems are exposed, it means there is no more suitable solution."

Li Li Xuewu said lightly, "Still have to consider time costs; there's no need to waste energy on him."

"The problem has been solved for you, but the office cannot have no director. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Understood. After going back, I will definitely report your meaning to Station Chief Xilin."

Da Da Qiangzi sat up straight, and his attitude didn't dare to be the slightest bit sloppy.

Compared to the methods of the underworld, Li Li Xuewu's understatement made him respect him even more.

If you can't solve the problem, solve the person who caused the problem.

Especially the time cost Li Li Xuewu mentioned, he quickly understood the meaning of this term.

Just like people who do business must pay attention to M2 values.

If you haven't been involved in related work or business, who would hear the term M2 and think about what it represents?

Li Li Xuewu nodded, and he was relatively satisfied with Da Da Qiangzi's work performance and mentality over the past year.

"I heard you're seeing someone?"

"Uh—yes, we met at the market."

Hearing Li Li Xuewu ask about his personal problems, and knowing it so well, Da Da Qiangzi felt his heart thumping.

Seeing his appearance, Li Li Xuewu smiled and asked while holding his teacup, "Still hating me, right?"

"Hating me for making you lose that nurse? Was she your first love?"

"Ah? No... what, what first love—"

Da Da Qiangzi was so asked by him that he didn't know how to speak, and explained stutteringly, "I don't have any first love. I just go for whoever I like."

"Also, that nurse..."

He hesitated for a while before saying, "I think it's not very suitable, and there's no need to continue."

Initially, Li Li Xuewu promised him that once the situation in Jicheng stabilized, he would help transfer his nurse girlfriend to Jicheng.

Now the situation in Jicheng has long stabilized, but Da Da Qiangzi has lost his original sweetheart.

Li Li Xuewu felt a bit sorry; after all, first love is the sweetest and most heartfelt.

"I heard this one is quite good?"

He looked at Da Da Qiangzi and asked, "Does she know your situation? Do you have plans to get married?"

"That... I..."

Da Da Qiangzi seemed to be a mute, stuttering every word Li Li Xuewu asked.

Old Lao Biaozi was secretly happy on the side. After watching the joke for a while, he helped him explain, "It's not suitable to register now; wait a few more years."

"Goodness, you've eaten tender grass!"

Li Li Xuewu looked at the embarrassed Da Da Qiangzi and laughed, giving him a thumbs up.

"Okay, you're stronger than all of us. As long as she's from a decent family and can live a life, that's fine."

"Her... her parents are gone..."

Da Da Qiangzi took a gulp of tea and explained with his head lowered, "She's living with a younger brother."

"I heard she graduated from high school," Old Lao Biaozi explained on the side, "Her parents died of illness, leaving the two sisters behind."

"Oh, a difficult family—"

Li Li Xuewu nodded knowingly, the smile on his face faded, and he looked at Da Da Qiangzi and asked, "Are you doing charity, or are you seeing a partner? You have to distinguish it clearly."

"This is not a joke; it directly affects your life in the future."

"That's right, I told him the same thing!"

Old Lao Biaozi added on the side, "This guy is very decisive in doing things, but he's like a novice when it comes to seeing a partner."

"If you really like her, just say you like her and just be with her."

He pointed at Da Da Qiangzi and said, "If you pity her and have that kind heart, don't give her the wrong signal of 'giving herself to you'. Isn't this making it hard for her?"

"Think about it yourself. It's fine now, but what about later?"

"Do you want her to like you, or to be grateful to you?"

Old Lao Biaozi said very seriously, "In terms of love, I'm your ancestor's generation. Let me teach you: marital affection must never have gratitude."

"Stop talking nonsense with me—"

Da Da Qiangzi glared at him and said, "You know a fart about love!"

Don't say it; Da Da Qiangzi, who knows Old Lao Biaozi very well, is the most qualified to question his loyalty to his view of love.

Just after arriving in Steel City, this guy took him to support poor women. Where is the ancestor of love?

Old Lao Biaozi disagreed with his point of view; this was an insult and attack on his love.

"I don't know love? When I was in love, you were still flirting with the little widow!"

Forget it, the two are half a catty to eight taels. A crow standing on a pig, don't call each other black.

The two who know each other well, if they start arguing, they could talk until the second half of the night.

Old Lao Biaozi had something serious, raised an eyebrow and said, "My wife at home, a proper college student. I was already thinking about her when her family hadn't fallen yet."

"She went to college, and I waited at the gate of their college every day just to see her, just to marry her as my wife."

He said frankly, "Later, when her family fell, of course I had to reach out and help."

"We are all brothers, let's speak openly. Do you think our family's lady could have taken a fancy to me?"

"Of course not. I look like a pig. Could a beautiful girl take a fancy to me?"

Old Lao Biaozi's words were a bit tooth-aching, but the words were rough and the meaning wasn't. He said, "I like her, it's like Pigsy taking a fancy to the Moon Goddess. Do you think she knows?"

"When her family fell, no one helped her. It was me, begging my brother, to fish her, to fish her whole family out. What am I after?"

"Don't tell me about righteousness. There are many places in Si Jiu Cheng that need righteousness. Why was it me!"

He looked at Da Da Qiangzi seriously and said, "Your sister-in-law told me, 'nothing to repay, so I give myself to you'. Of course I'm willing. It's been half a year, and I've been holding back to marry her."

"But there's one thing: the moment we kowtowed, I told her not to be grateful for my life-saving grace anymore, because she is my wife now."

Old Lao Biaozi spread his hands and said, "I definitely didn't do charity. I just took a fancy to her."

"Whether you say she's unlucky or I'm lucky, I just like her, so what?"

"You, you look mature, but you're actually very simple," he pointed at Da Da Qiangzi and said, "You even ask people why they came out to do this."

"What else could it be for? It can't be a hobby, serving the people, right?"

Da Da Qiangzi's face turned red, he glared at him and said, "I said I wouldn't go, but you insisted on taking me!"

"Fine, you already have three-tenths of my skill in being shameless—"

Old Lao Biaozi pointed at him and said, "Think about what I said carefully after you go back. Send a letter when you get married!"

"Consider it early and give people an explanation."

Li Li Xuewu listened to the conversation between the two with a smile. These two bastards are really bastards enough.

He looked at Da Da Qiangzi and asked, "Did your brother write to you?"

"No, is there something?"

Da Da Qiangzi looked at Li Li Xuewu, knowing that the words just now were all nonsense, and thought the matter was finished.

His younger brother Zhou Yaoqiang went to Beijing with Da Chun's younger brother, and their household registration was moved away.

This counts as his stance, and the stance of those on the mountain, and it's also a kind of reward.

People on the mountain are not only selling goods, but also selling their lives.

"Maybe the letter is slow. I'll tell you, so you can be prepared in advance."

Li Li Xuewu nodded, looked at Da Da Qiangzi, and said, "Yaoqiang is doing well in his work in Beijing. I have some connections here, so I got him a quota."

"Li Ge, quota... I don't understand what you mean," Da Da Qiangzi looked at him with a blank expression and asked, "What is he going to do, or..."

"Stupid, joining the army—"

Old Lao Biaozi reminded him, "What else could a quota be? Is it for giving birth to a child?"

"Ah! Ah—"

Da Da Qiangzi was stunned in surprise. He wanted to stand up, but his legs wouldn't listen to him.

He smacked his lips, his eyes full of disbelief, listening to Old Lao Biaozi's words, staring at Li Li Xuewu's eyes, wanting to confirm if what Lao Biaozi said was true.

Li Li Xuewu didn't deny it, took a sip of warm tea, and explained, "I asked Yaoqiang, he personally likes joining the army. The letter should be asking for your opinion."

"Li Ge..."

Da Da Qiangzi didn't stand up, but knelt on the ground with a "thump," looking at Li Li Xuewu with gratitude, unable to speak.

Li Li Xuewu frowned slightly and said, "What is this for? Stand up!"

Old Lao Biaozi said very understandingly, "If you're excited, be excited. There's no need to be this excited—"

He helped Da Da Qiangzi sit on the sofa, patted his shoulder, and said, "It's just joining the army, not becoming a crown prince. Are you excited to this extent?"

"Wuwu——"

Da Da Qiangzi was really competitive, and Old Lao Biaozi was really good at comforting people. He started crying.

Li Li Xuewu held his teacup, amused and helpless. Looking at Old Lao Biaozi's funny expression, he waved his hand, signaled to the washbasin and towel at the door, and said, "Wipe his face."

"I have to serve you!"

Old Lao Biaozi said indignantly, "I haven't even served my wife at home. This is really a sin—"

Muttering like this, he still went to the door, soaked the towel in hot water, and handed it to Da Da Qiangzi.

Da Da Qiangzi took the towel and covered his face, couldn't help crying for a little while longer, and then controlled his emotions.

"I'm sorry, Li Ge—"

He wiped his eyes and said choked with sobs, "Our family never dreamed of joining the army in eight lifetimes."

"Don't say that," Old Lao Biaozi stood on the side and patted his shoulder, comforting him, "Didn't you tell me your grandfather carried a gun for Little Shuai—"

"When did I say that!"

Da Da Qiangzi glared, and emphasized seriously, "Our family has been poor peasants for eight generations, with red roots and red seedlings!"

"Grass—"

Old Lao Biaozi looked at him as if he didn't recognize him, looked at him for a long time before saying, "So your family's eight generations of ancestors were flexible in employment, saying red when red, saying yellow when yellow!"

"Get out of here—"

Da Da Qiangzi twitched his mouth, reminding him not to ruin his family's good deeds; this was in front of Li Li Xuewu.

If he knew their family's history and composition, and didn't give this quota anymore, what would happen?

The whole family and the whole clan are waiting for his younger brother to make contributions and bleach the whole family.

At any time, one person joins the army, and the whole family is glorious.

What is glory?

Glory is having light, being bright!

No one understands how rare this opportunity is better than Da Da Qiangzi.

Why he cried, the emotion behind the excitement is endless pressure and endurance.

Li Li Xuewu giving his younger brother the opportunity for glory is giving him and his family the opportunity for glory.

At this moment, he has no opinions about Li Li Xuewu, only feeling that he followed the right person in this life!