Chapter 1225: The Fox of Red Star Factory

"Leaving so soon?"

Li Xuewu shook hands with Yang Jun and greeted him very politely: "Isn't it not over yet?"

"Are you not speaking in reverse?"

Yang Jun looked at him with amusement and asked in return: "You should be saying 'You're finally leaving!', right?"

"Hehe, how could that be?"

Li Xuewu chuckled, took out a cigarette case, offered him one, and said: "Regarding the working group, and regarding you, I am very welcoming."

"Hmm, I believe you when you say that!"

Yang Jun lit his own cigarette, pointed the match at Li Xuewu, and then shook it until it went out.

"Without the working group, without me as your partner, the play your factory is putting on wouldn't be performed well, would it?"

"Hahaha—"

Li Xuewu smiled and shook his head, saying: "It seems you have a deep misunderstanding of our factory's work."

"Hmm—" Yang Jun also shook his head, exhaled a puff of smoke, squinted his eyes slightly, and said: "No misunderstanding—"

"My only misunderstanding was underestimating the people of the world."

He pointed at Li Xuewu with the hand holding the cigarette, his gaze unable to hide an unusual sense of appreciation and respect.

Li Xuewu did not feel honored or happy about his "flattering words" and very calmly waved his hand to signal Peng Xiaoli to pour tea.

"At the very beginning, I thought I was at this level."

Yang Jun first used his hand to gesture the height in front of him, then pressed it down and said: "You all were at this level."

"Unexpectedly, the one at this level was me, and you all—"

He raised his hand above his head and said meaningfully: "Are already three zhang higher than me!"

"I naively thought it was the leadership setting the stage and us performing the play."

Yang Jun looked unconvinced, but then laughed and tapped the ash from his cigarette: "I didn't expect that the play was performed, but I was the clown."

"Tell me, who did this grand play make the star?"

"Hahaha—"

Li Xuewu laughed it off and said in a warm tone: "Life itself is a play; who isn't the protagonist?"

"Hmm? Hehehe—"

Yang Jun found his words amusing and couldn't help but laugh as well.

He gently rubbed his forehead with the fingers holding the cigarette and said with a bitter smile: "I talk to you about conflicts, and you talk to me about philosophy. It seems my understanding of myself and you is still not profound enough."

"I didn't expect that coming to Red Star Factory for research and work would leave you with so many bad impressions," Li Xuewu said in a humble tone, perfunctorily and politely: "The hospitality was inadequate, I am truly ashamed—"

"Hmm—" Yang Jun took a puff of his cigarette, waved his hand to exhale the smoke, and said: "My impression of Director Li remains the same as always."

He raised his eyebrows and said: "He is an excellent cadre who is modest, cautious, knows how to be inclusive, and is skilled at governing by doing nothing."

"Director Li is very knowledgeable about management, and I respect him very much."

Li Xuewu squinted his eyes, smiled, and added a sentence, then watched the other party pretend to be profound.

Look at how he says this; if Old Li heard that the working group's Yang Jun evaluated him like this, he would jump up and curse!

Who are you saying is full of dog shit (governing by doing nothing)!

Old Li would inevitably say: This is the wisdom of politics!

"Director Li has great wisdom—"

Yang Jun seemed to agree with Li Xuewu's point of view, nodded, and said: "Especially the point about daring to use young cadres."

"Regarding this point, Director Li made requirements at the meeting," Li Xuewu said with a smile: "To promote and implement the rejuvenation of cadres and the professionalization of business at Red Star Factory as soon as possible..."

"There's no need to talk about this," Yang Jun looked at Li Xuewu and said: "I'm talking about you, the young cadre."

"Your youth has not only not become a disadvantage, but has instead become an advantage, a hidden and sharp advantage!"

He emphasized this point and then said: "From the very beginning, you knew that we would focus our attention on you, right?"

"Or rather—"

Yang Jun hesitated for a moment, looked at him, and said: "You deliberately attracted our attention to yourself."

"Hahaha—"

Li Xuewu did not immediately deny it, but instead burst into laughter.

Afterwards, with the expression of 'that's just how it is' from Yang Jun, he shook his head slightly and said: "You overestimate me, and you also belittle yourself."

"I am just a small deputy division-level cadre."

He spread his hands and said helplessly and amusingly: "How could I be like what you said, performing plays and calculating things."

"I don't even understand what you are talking about."

"Hmm, anyway, the research work is over, it doesn't matter anymore—" Yang Jun saw that he couldn't get anything out of him, shook his head with a smile, pressed out the cigarette butt in his hand, and said: "But fortunately, I'm not the only one who fell into the pit, and I'm not the protagonist either."

"Thinking this way makes me feel much more comfortable."

"Although I didn't understand your words, I am truly sorry."

Li Xuewu maintained his polite attitude, smiled, and said: "The time spent with you was very pleasant, and I learned a lot of things. On behalf of myself, I welcome you to come to Red Star Factory again."

"Hehe, good, that's it."

Yang Jun was about to leave and wanted to take a parting shot, but didn't expect to poke a cotton ball.

He was angry but powerless, unable to exert any strength.

What could he do?

"Then we shall meet again."

He stood up very freely and shook hands with Li Xuewu.

But the moment he let go, he unexpectedly said in a very low voice: "I have remembered this grudge, we will settle it next time."

"I heard he went to see you specifically when he left?"

Li Huai De held his teacup, looked at Li Xuewu with a smile, and asked as if concerned: "What? He didn't make things difficult for you, did he?"

"Hehe, no, just empty threats."

Li Xuewu smiled faintly, took a sip of hot tea, and said: "I can tell he is very unwilling."

"Hmm, if he were satisfied, Red Star Factory would be in trouble."

Li Huai De turned his face, looked out the window, and said: "The dust has settled, the flags are furled, the guests have all left, this play..."

"The guests are gone, but the ghosts and gods are still here."

Li Xuewu moved his eyebrows, put down his teacup, and said: "How this play should be performed, it must still be performed. What do you think?"

"Sigh—" Li Huai De crossed his arms, looked out the window, and let out a long sigh.

He said with great helplessness: "I don't want to listen to this 'Breaking the Secret Stream' anymore, but what can be done—"

Talking about loyalty and righteousness, and that unity is strength, in the end, isn't it still brothers killing each other and turning into enemies.

"Investigate it, investigate until the truth is revealed."

The two remained silent for a long while, and then he said faintly: "I really hope he is innocent, and also give the organization an explanation."

"It's just going to make things difficult for you—"

Li Xuewu lowered his eyes and said helplessly: "Director Du must have an opinion about you, right?"

Li Huai De turned his head with a slightly stiff neck, looked at Li Xuewu, and a slight smile appeared on his face.

"Hasn't he always had an opinion?"

"Heh—"

Li Xuewu let out a chuckle through his nostrils, nodded slightly, and expressed his agreement with his words.

"I can tell that Team Leader Yang has a deep misunderstanding of you."

"Hmm—"

Li Huai De nodded slowly, did not answer, but waited for Li Xuewu's follow-up.

"He thinks you had a premeditated plan and borrowed the working group to set up a siege."

Li Xuewu picked up the thermos on the table and refilled the hot water in both their teacups.

"The targets of the siege include but are not limited to his working group."

"Hehe—"

Li Huai De chuckled, tapped the desk, and asked: "In psychology, what is this mentality called again?"

"Paranoid delusion," Li Xuewu put down the thermos and said with a smile: "It can also be called paranoid mental disorder."

"Right, paranoid delusion!"

Li Huai De picked up his teacup, his face showing amusement, and said: "He's mentally ill now, right? He needs treatment—"

"The point is not his 'illness', but the crazy talk after he became 'ill'."

Li Xuewu shook his head slightly and said: "Originally there was nothing, why stir up dust? I heard his words, and I am also very helpless."

"Don't overthink it, this is human nature!"

Li Huai De put down his teacup, tapped the desk, and said seriously: "You are a researcher in psychology, you should understand this."

"Red Star Factory cooperates with Wufengxing, does the higher-up not know anything about it?"

His gaze was slightly sharp as he said: "Even if they don't know what Red Star Factory is going to do, don't they know what Wufengxing is going to do?"

"I say he has paranoid delusion, he is not wronged at all."

Li Huai De leaned back in his chair and said: "Without figuring out the situation, he wants to make a big fuss. Who is the layout planner?"

"We have had a plan for this move for a long time. If the financial deficit isn't cleared until the last moment, who dares to say we can't fill this hole?"

He tapped the desk, his tone becoming more serious: "I think there are people who can't stand Red Star Factory doing well—"

"He also said you set up the Ministry, hehe—"

Li Xuewu picked up his teacup, shook his head slightly, blew the tea leaves, took a sip, and then continued: "Two moves, inside and outside."

"Let him say whatever he wants!"

Li Huai De crossed his arms and said disdainfully: "The mouth is on his body, can I sew it shut?"

"But there is one point you must pay attention to!"

He pointed at Li Xuewu and said seriously: "Investigate, it must be based on solid evidence, ironclad proof, don't be soft-hearted."

"Hmm, if it doesn't involve confidentiality work—"

Li Xuewu hesitated for a moment and said: "I really want to maintain a situation of unity and stability; development is hard-won."

"Don't think so much—"

Li Huai De waved his hand and said: "Scraping the bone to remove the poison, without harming the foundation. If the source is not clear, how can there be a trend of development!"

"I have also heard some specific situations."

He looked at Li Xuewu and asked: "It involves a young man from the Commission Office, right? Called Hu something Qiu?"

"Hmm, the situation is very complicated."

Li Xuewu frowned slightly, looked at him, and said: "The person has been found, but it's not one, but two."

"Two? Two what?"

Li Huai De didn't react for a moment, and then his eyes widened, and he asked in disbelief: "There's a child? Whose?"

"The principal is 25 million, including the delayed payment of goods, as well as the mortgage on the Oriental Era Bank account."

At the financial office meeting, the factory financial department director Fu Yutang reported: "The day after receiving the notice, which was the 28th, we had already calculated it clearly and submitted the financial reply."

"How was the payment method for the goods determined?"

Li Xuewu tapped the table and asked: "Did Wufengxing have any emphasis or requirements?"

"It was mentioned in the consultation letter," Fu Yutang looked at Deputy Director Jing and replied: "According to the other party's financial situation, it is naturally more convenient to transfer money at the Oriental Era Bank in Hong Kong."

"If we want to go through internal transfer, they might have to delay for a few days. Wufengxing's exchange account is in Yangcheng."

"My opinion is to hang it in Hong Kong."

After Li Xuewu finished listening, he looked at Li Huai De and suggested: "The United Savings Bank is also actively promoting bilateral business exchange clearing services. If we can..."

"I disagree—"

In the surprised and unsurprised eyes of everyone, Jing Yunong interrupted Li Xuewu's speech.

She said seriously: "The finance department has already prepared for balancing the accounts. If the funds are hung in Hong Kong, how will this year's financial settlement and next year's budget be done?"

"My opinion is to return the money where it was borrowed, use internal transfer for the payment of goods, and return the loan to the mortgage account."

"And the profit..."

Watching the two leaders arguing, Fu Yutang hesitated and reminded: "There is also this profit dividend of 31.75 million yuan."

Terrible, it's them two again!

Fu Yutang shouted wildly in his heart, I'm dead, I'm dead!

Last time the two leaders "made a move", he happened to run into it.

This time there was a disagreement at the office meeting, and he was the one caught in the middle. Why am I so unlucky!

"The United Savings Bank has a plan to achieve inter-business exchange clearing capabilities in the first half of next year."

United Savings Bank President Xie Lan Zhi took the initiative to report: "Temporarily storing funds in Hong Kong and completing the clearing through internal calculation channels is expected to achieve a growth space of about 5%."

"How much is 5%?"

Xue Zhifu didn't quite understand, didn't have a calculation method on hand, and turned to ask Fu Yutang.

Fu Yutang's business level is okay, and these data are all in his mind.

As soon as Deputy Director Xue asked, he quickly scanned the tense meeting venue and replied in a voice that was neither high nor low: "Less than 2.84 million."

"Hmm—that's a lot—"

Xue Zhifu did not directly express his opinion, but this question already explained his attitude.

And then, with Jing Yunong's slightly frowning expression, he looked at Li Huai De and said: "Two joint schools have come out."

The funds for Red Star Factory to build a joint school are about 1.2 million, and his comparison is about the same.

"Accounts are not calculated like this," Jing Yunong said: "This year's funding gap is still on the books, next year's budget..."

"Next year's budget is done in advance."

Li Xuewu interrupted: "Just use the budget allocated by the higher-ups, only do the first quarter, and self-raise the rest."

According to the office meeting discipline and unspoken rules, when leaders are speaking, those below cannot interrupt at will.

But Jing Yunong just interrupted his speech, and Li Xuewu seemed to be deliberately retaliating this time, also interrupting her.

The two went back and forth, and the atmosphere in the meeting room became even more tense.

The secretaries doing service and recording work at the door were silent, not daring to make a sound, fearing that the fire at the city gate would affect the fish in the moat.

It was said long ago that these two made a move, and seeing it today, swords drawn and bows bent, looking like they could start a fight at any time, it was terrifying.

"Who taught you to do the budget like this?"

Jing Yunong faced Li Xuewu directly and said: "This year's budget deficit hasn't been filled yet, and you want to continue to pull hunger next year?"

"Do you think our finance department's accounts are filled by hand, and can be filled with whatever you want?"

"Hey, Comrade Xuewu didn't mean that."

Xue Zhifu looked at Li Huai De and Gu Weijie, and seeing that neither of them intended to smooth things over, he hurriedly stood up and said a sentence.

Li Huai De maintained his status and couldn't speak until it was time to make a decision. What's the situation with Gu Weijie?

She is the deputy director in charge of organizational work. Although it is a business work meeting, does the team still want unity?

"This work of financial settlement and budgeting is very difficult; anyone can see that the Finance Department has been working very hard lately."

He looked at Fu Yutang beside him and said, "I heard you haven't rested for half a month straight, and you've been busy the whole time, right?"

Fu Yutang glanced at his supervising leader, then looked at the Tiger of the Security Department, and finally lowered his head and gave a soft 'mm'.

This sound was barely louder than a mosquito, which shows just how cautious and timid his attitude was.

He couldn't help but think to himself: If you want to mediate and ease tensions, can't you just speak for yourself? Don't drag me into it!

Whether our Finance Department is working hard or not... we could choose not to work so hard...

"Let's show some mutual understanding; the work still needs to be done, after all—"

Xue Zhifu crossed his palms and said, "The financial budget for the last three years is definitely insufficient, mainly reflected in the Liangma River Industrial Zone and the production and technical transformation projects."

"This is the reality of the situation. Comrade Yu Nong is a clever woman who cannot cook without rice; we understand this very well."

When he said this, he glanced at Li Huai De, and seeing the other party nod slowly, he immediately continued: "Comrade Xuewu is approaching this from the perspective of business operations. He thinks that since it's impossible to make a budget, why not set aside the budget constraints and do the budgeting upfront, right?"

"Business operations cannot be restricted by financial conditions."

Li Xuewu took over the conversation and said, "If this fifty-plus million goes for a spin in Hong Kong, returns to the country in the form of mechanical equipment and actual production technology, and is then cashed out through the United Savings Bank..."

"By the time you transfer it back, the treasury will have starved to death!"

Jing Yunong widened her eyes and said, "Finance cannot restrict business operations, but business operations cannot ignore finance either. That's the logic, right?"

"Our Finance Department will not restrict any business operations, but it must be based on the correct scope of financial management."

She looked at Li Huai De and said, "Using the payment for goods to fill the financial deficit, making next year's budget, the mortgage funds in Hong Kong..."

"And there's the profit, right?"

Li Huai De suddenly spoke up and asked Fu Yutang, saying, "With over thirty million in profit, let's make it into a special budget fund."

Fu Yutang raised his head and glanced at his supervising leader, thinking to himself: What's wrong with everyone today? Why is everyone asking me?

"Let me say this, and you all think about whether it's feasible."

Li Huai De tapped the pencil in his hand and said, "Whether it's the twenty-five million in principal or the thirty-plus million in profit, since we can make money, we cannot lose this opportunity."

"The ten-plus million in payment for goods cannot be short; this is a matter of financial principle."

He pointed toward Jing Yunong, and then the direction of the pencil shifted, pointing at the bank president, Xie Lan Zhi.

"Your United Savings Bank should provide this portion of the money to plug the deficit in the payment for goods, which is that ten-plus million."

Having said this, Li Huai De's pencil pointed at Fu Yutang again, saying, "With the payment for goods filled and the mortgage funds proven by the Oriental Times Bank account, the financial deficit can be balanced, right?"

"... That is correct, Leader."

Fu Yutang nodded and said, "Previously, the funds in the Oriental Times Bank mortgage account were also recorded as overseas deposits, because this portion of the funds serves as a guarantee for compensation trade."

"That's good, let's do it that way."

Li Huai De's pencil tapped on the table, and after clarifying the instructions, he pointed at United Savings Bank president Xie Lan Zhi again.

"The factory is going to be upgraded in the first half of this year. Taking advantage of this momentum, you must complete the communication work for the settlement business as soon as possible."

He said with a serious attitude, "If you have any difficulties, tell Comrade Yu Nong, or you can come directly to me."

"If it gets stuck with someone, let's think of a solution together, okay?"

"Yes, Leader, I guarantee the mission will be completed."

Xie Lan Zhi nodded and agreed quite readily.

Li Huai De nodded with satisfaction and said, "You can just make the ten-plus million in payment for goods into a loan with a term of one year."

"Is one year enough time for the business operations to transfer back this ten-plus million?"

This time he looked at Li Xuewu, and the pencil in his hand also turned in a different direction, waiting for Li Xuewu's answer.

Why ask Li Xuewu about business operations instead of Deputy Director Cheng Kaiyuan?

Because Deputy Director Cheng did not attend today's meeting.

Almost all the leaders of the Management Committee attended, even Deputy Director Gu, who is in charge of organizational work, attended.

The wind direction in the agency has quietly changed; some people are in poor health and have already caught a cold.

It is not "out of bounds" for Li Xuewu to answer this question; after all, he holds positions in multiple office groups.

"The specific amount for the payment for goods is over eighteen million."

He looked at Xie Lan Zhi and said, "Use the cash flow from the automobile trade as a supplementary repayment agreement, combined with the profits and interest generated during the technical transfer back to complete the final repayment of this portion."

"Hehehe—"

Everyone understood the potential meaning in his words and couldn't help but let out a light laugh.

And Jing Yunong said with a mocking tone, "If I had known Deputy Director Li was so good at calculating, I should have invited you to serve as the Finance Department Chief during the mid-year cadre assessment."

Fu Yutang: "..."

What about me! What am I?

Should I not have come today? Why can't you all speak without bringing me into it!

"It's not easy to achieve eighteen million in profit and interest, even with the supplement of the automobile trade cash flow."

Xie Lan Zhi replied from a relatively objective perspective: "This will infinitely lengthen the loan term, which is not worth the loss."

"But this flow of funds can bring broader value," Li Xuewu reported to Li Huai De: "The Trade Management Center also needs a budget supplement this year."

"Let that side wait for now; talk about this."

Li Huai De tapped his pencil and said, "The cash flow at the United Savings Bank is not abundant either; let's plug the hole first before talking about anything else."

"Okay, I will contact the Trade Management Center and Hong Kong to prepare for the procurement of mechanical equipment and technology."

Li Xuewu nodded in agreement: "Once the internal settlement channel is opened, we will begin the capital repatriation operation."

"Mm, and the profit portion."

Li Huai De pointed at him and emphasized: "Although this part is not urgent, it must be completed within two years."

"Thirty-one million seven hundred and fifty thousand, right?"

He looked toward Jing Yunong again and said: "Finance can make this portion of the profit into a special budget supplement fund for the Liangma River Industrial Zone and for technology and equipment upgrades."

"The accounts are balanced, the budget supplement is there, so it's easier to handle the budget allocated by the superiors, right Comrade Yu Nong?"

"I have no objections—"

Jing Yunong's brows relaxed. She glanced at Li Xuewu opposite her and said indifferently: "If everyone thought like you, our financial work would be easy to do."

"Hey, it's all just doing the work—"

Li Huai De sighed with feigned helplessness.

Watching Li Xuewu and Jing Yunong intensify their conflict, he was happy inside, but he couldn't laugh out loud.

"I want to say one more thing here."

His gaze swept over the committee members, and he said: "The excellent situation of the Red Star Factory did not come easily; this is the result of unity and hard work. Everyone should cherish it as we go along."

"Yes, unity is strength, after all."

Li Xuewu smiled slightly, stood up, took the initiative to reach out his hand toward the opposite side, and said: "Many thanks to Deputy Director Jing for your appreciation. I will need to learn more about financial knowledge from you in the future. Please take care of and cultivate me."

"How dare I? Deputy Director Li is a business elite; it would be such a waste of talent to study finance—"

Jing Yunong stood up, looked him over, curled her lip, turned around, and left, humming: "Just don't let me hold you back."

"..."

Fu Yutang looked at Deputy Director Li, who was holding his empty hand there, and felt so embarrassed that his toes could have dug out a two-mile-long trench.

He didn't dare to look much, packed up his notebook and materials, and hurriedly followed Deputy Director Jing away.

Xie Lan Zhi, however, gave Li Xuewu a meaningful look and left only after packing up in a leisurely manner.

She didn't care about the sharp words and tension that had just occurred in the conference room.

Sometimes eyes can be deceiving; what you see isn't necessarily the truth, especially when it comes to the Fox of the Red Star Factory.

Look at Director Li's helpless bitter smile and the meaningful looks of the other leaders; who would believe there's nothing fishy about today's affair?

"The working group withdrew so readily?"

At noon, Xie Lan Zhi and Li Xuewu met in the small canteen, tacitly agreeing not to go upstairs.

The two sat at a table in the corner, as if they had work to discuss.

But in reality?

It was just that Xie Lan Zhi was more fond of gossip. She now works in the bank building that was just built on the edge of the Liangma River.

If she hadn't come back for the meeting, she wouldn't have had the chance to hear the gossip here.

By the time the rumors spread from the agency to their side, they were already severely distorted.

Li Xuewu stirred the potatoes in his lunch box and nodded: "Mm, they ran faster than rabbits."

"Hehehe—" Xie Lan Zhi covered her mouth with the hand holding her chopsticks and laughed, saying: "The olfactory sensitivity of those people is not something an average person can compare to."

"Just a little bit, just a little bit."

Li Xuewu shook his head regretfully and said: "Just a little bit more and we would have had them pinned down."

"It's not easy to come all this way; if you don't bring something back, how could you be embarrassed?"

"You mean 'take it away with you', right?"

Xie Lan Zhi glanced at him and said while eating: "Didn't get anything, and still have to carry a big black pot away?"

"No wonder you said they ran faster than rabbits—"

"When they left, that guy named Yang Jun said some harsh words to me," Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and said: "He said he's holding a grudge."

"Mm, holding a grudge against whom? You?"

Xie Lan Zhi found it funny: "Isn't it said that you two have a pretty good relationship? You even played tennis together."

"What? The beauty offensive didn't work?"

"Whoa, your eyes and ears are quite sharp—"

Li Xuewu teased her, then shook his head slightly to explain: "He suspects that Director Li is the one messing with them, and I'm just an accomplice."

"Traitors are the most hateful, right? Hahaha!"

Xie Lan Zhi laughed very happily and teased Li Xuewu: "But he didn't hate the wrong person; you are the bad guy."

"I'm not a bad guy—"

Li Xuewu chuckled and said: "He thinks Director Li has long been plotting against Deputy Director Cheng, and just wanted to frame him."

"Frame him? For whom?"

Xie Lan Zhi naturally knew who the mastermind was, and asked with a smile: "For the working group?"

"Mm, they suspect this is internal strife, belonging to a state of disharmony within the leadership team."

Li Xuewu nodded and explained: "The purpose is to prevent the higher-ups from excessively adjusting the Red Star Factory Management Committee team."

"At the same time, it expresses a relatively tough attitude toward the reinforcement of the team," he added: "The words Deputy Director Du spoke when he came to the factory last week included this meaning; he was dissatisfied."

"But, Director Li doesn't have that intention, right?"

Xie Lan Zhi raised an eyebrow and said: "Even if he did, he wouldn't express it too intensely or obviously, right?"

"Maybe, who can say for sure."

Li Xuewu had an attitude of 'a dead pig isn't afraid of boiling water'; as long as I don't admit it, you won't be able to get anything out of me.

"Deputy Director Du's meaning is like this, and the meaning Yang Jun wants to express by taking the working group back should also be like this."

He raised his head, looked at Xie Lan Zhi, and said: "Director Li wants to further grasp the right to speak in the Management Committee team."

"Oh, Deputy Director Cheng is going to have an accident..."

Xie Lan Zhi narrowed her eyes slightly and thought: "Then Director Li will have to carry this pot; the higher-ups will definitely think he did it."

"And the situation that is presented is also like this, because he was transferred from the Machinery Factory and the situation happened here."

She opened her eyes wide and said: "Since the person arranged by the higher-ups has had an accident, Director Li has more reasons to recommend from within, right?"

"And—"

Xie Lan Zhi observed Li Xuewu's expression, thought for a moment, and said: "The reason Director Li insists on investigating must be that Deputy Director Cheng has problems, but it's not fatal, right?"

"So, you are not advocating for an investigation... No!"

She thought for a moment and denied it: "From your position, if you don't advocate for an investigation, it would look wrong!"

"Only by insisting on an investigation under helpless circumstances can you make Director Li believe... and then withstand the pressure from above... in that case..."

Through Li Xuewu's answer, she figured everything out.

"I have another question—"

Xie Lan Zhi leaned forward, stared into Li Xuewu's eyes, and asked in a low voice: "The relationship between you and Deputy Director Jing..."

"Sigh, this one is real—"

Li Xuewu sighed helplessly and said: "We two don't get along; she is too greedy."

"How so? I don't think so?"

Xie Lan Zhi was still suspicious, because her relationship with Li Xuewu was naturally close, so she could speak directly.

However, having known him for more than two years, she only dared to believe half of what Li Xuewu said, or even less.

Because this kid even tricks his own people.

"What do you think is going on with the Trade Management Center and the United Savings Bank?"

Li Xuewu glanced at her, then shook his head and said: "She hasn't let go of the three-industry industrial sector; she's still secretly competing."

"With Deputy Director Cheng? Or you?"

Xie Lan Zhi raised an eyebrow and said: "Then this time Deputy Director Cheng... Deputy Director Jing... beating a dog in the water?"

"Hehe—wait and see."

Li Xuewu picked up his soup bowl, took a sip, and said: "It's very likely that this dog will drown even without her beating it."

"He... is his situation that serious?"

Xie Lan Zhi looked at Li Xuewu in surprise and said: "I thought you two were acting; it turns out it really is..."

"The scale cannot be tilted," Li Xuewu finished eating, put down his chopsticks, and said: "Otherwise, the weights will have to be readjusted."

"What if the weights aren't suitable when the time comes?"

He said with a very calm attitude: "Do you think Deputy Director Jing would be willing to be a weight on the scale?"

"Good evening, Deputy Director Li—"

Seeing Li Xuewu enter the lobby with his secretary, Xiao Jin took the initiative to walk out from behind the bar to greet him.

Li Xuewu smiled slightly and replied: "Night shift?"

"Yes, I'm on the night shift today."

Xiao Jin smiled and introduced: "The leader on duty is Deputy Director Yang; he is in the kitchen. Should I go call him?"

"No need, I'll go to the second floor to take a look."

Li Xuewu pointed upstairs as he walked and instructed: "I might stay here tonight; help Xiao Li prepare a room."

"Okay, Leader, Secretary Peng."

Xiao Jin responded quite readily, called out to Peng Xiaoli at the same time, and quickly went to the bar to get the key and handed it to him.

"Secretary Peng, wait a moment," she called out to Peng Xiaoli, glanced around, and reminded him in a low voice: "Deputy Director Jing is waiting for the financial settlement data from the Finance Department, and she will also be staying here tonight."

"Got it, thank you."

Peng Xiaoli knew what Xiao Jin meant. It had spread throughout the agency today that the two leaders had argued in the conference room.

If Director Li hadn't mediated in the middle, the conflict might have intensified.

Xiao Jin's intention was to remind him to be careful and not let the two leaders bump into each other and start arguing again.

He also didn't expect that such a small matter would turn into this when it spread down, even making Xiao Jin nervous.

By the time Peng Xiaoli got the key and climbed the stairs to catch up with Li Xuewu, Li Xuewu had already reached the second floor.

"Good evening, Leader—"

The three rooms at the end of the second-floor corridor had already been monitored, and security personnel were on duty in the corridor.

The Discipline Inspection, Confidentiality, and Security sections formed an investigation team to conduct isolated examination and investigation work regarding the cases of Wang Zijian, Zhang Shicheng, and Hu Yanqiu.

When Li Xuewu came over, Zhou Yao had just come out of a room.

"How is the situation?"

Responding to the security personnel's greeting, Li Xuewu looked at Zhou Yao and asked: "Has Hu Yanqiu confessed?"

"No, she has great concerns—"

Zhou Yao frowned and explained: "She still has her child with her, so we can't carry out normal investigation work; after all..."

She hesitated for a moment and said embarrassedly: "I took the liberty of asking you to come over; I'm sorry, Leader."

"We're all family; why talk like that?"

Li Xuewu glanced at her, pointed to the door, and asked: "Is it convenient for me to go in now?"

"Mm, yes," Zhou Yao stood at the door and introduced: "I just talked to her and told her you were coming."

"Then let's talk; don't waste everyone's time."

Li Xuewu took a breath, and after Zhou Yao opened the door, he stepped into the room.

"Leader—"

They were all members of the security team, and they all used the same title when seeing Li Xuewu.

There used to be people who called him Team Leader or Section Chief, but now that's rare.

Li Xuewu waved his hand, signaling them to sit down, but his gaze was fixed on the woman who stood up by the bed.

And the baby sleeping beside her.

"Li... Deputy Director Li..."

After not seeing her for a few months, Hu Yanqiu had completely changed; she looked fatter, but one could tell at a glance that it was edema.

Giving birth to a child causes hormonal imbalances, which can lead to certain physical conditions.

Li Xuewu nodded and didn't start asking questions right away; instead, he looked her over for a good while before waving his hand to signal her to sit down.

There was an interrogation chair in the room, but he didn't let Hu Yanqiu sit in it; she posed no threat now.

Moreover, the baby wrapped in the swaddling clothes was too small; it didn't even look like it was a full month old.

After signaling her, Li Xuewu sat down himself.

And everyone, including Hu Yanqiu and the other comrades from the security team, sat down only after he had sat down.

"How many days has it been? Has it been a month?"

Li Xuewu looked at the baby and asked Hu Yanqiu: "Did it catch a cold on the way back? Is it hungry?"

"Woo—woo—"

I don't know which of Li Xuewu's words touched Hu Yanqiu's nerves, but as soon as he finished speaking, crying sounds rang out.

Some were suppressed, some were fearful, and some were... sorrowful.

"You should know that crying too much during pregnancy is bad for your health, so control your emotions."

Li Xuewu saw Zhou Yao hand her a towel, so he nodded and said: "I came over just to understand the situation; you don't need to be afraid."

"We all know each other, and we basically understand your situation."

He sat up straight and said to Hu Yanqiu, who was trying to control her emotions: "Deputy Director Ao wanted to come but couldn't."

"She asked me to bring you a message, saying that no matter what, you must take care of yourself and pay attention to your health."

"I'm sorry—sob sob—"

I don't know who this 'I'm sorry' was meant for; Li Xuewu didn't respond.

Being young and not cherishing oneself—is the whirlpool of the agency something a young girl who just started working can get involved in?

The key is, no matter how you mess around, you shouldn't mess around to the point of creating a "human life".

Look at the child wrapped in the small quilt; tell me how this child should be handled.

"This case is the responsibility of Deputy Director Gu," he said to Hu Yanqiu: "By rights, I should recuse myself."

"But Comrade Zhou Yao hoped I would come over and talk to you, and Deputy Director Gu thinks so too. What do you think?"

"Comrade Hu Yanqiu, stop crying."

Zhou Yao reminded her with a serious and helpless expression: "Talking to Deputy Director Li should be your best choice."