Chapter 1240: Head of the family

"Can you talk about the planning of this project?"

After listening to Li Xuewu's introduction about the smooth road, Bao Peigang also felt a bit itchy in his heart.

Having cooperated with the Red Star Factory on several projects, he doesn't know everything about the Red Star Factory, but it's about the same.

How much investment credit quota does the Dongcheng Credit Union have in a year, and most of it is invested in the Red Star Factory's projects.

Of course, he is not a fool, he still knows very clearly which project can be invested and which cannot.

The reason why he invested in the joint savings bank is that he took a fancy to the core purpose and role of the bank.

In the intermediate environment of banning the planned fund management of the ministry, breaking through the last wall between planned production and fund allocation, and at the same time connecting the Hong Kong investment bank to operate foreign exchange funds.

Relatively speaking, having nearly 100,000 employees and hundreds of thousands of potential joint savings customers doesn't seem very important.

Combined with the cash circulation speed of the Trade Management Center and the commercial community formed by the Red Star Factory in the Liangmahe Industrial Zone.

It can only be said that what outsiders see is a bank, and what he, as the manager of the credit union, sees is a faucet.

This is a switch that controls the economic development flow rate of the Red Star Factory; don't say investing a few million, even ten million he has to invest.

Now that he has invested in several projects of the Red Star Factory, it is equivalent to getting on the fast train of the Red Star Factory's groupization development.

The future is not clear, but within five years, investing in the Red Star Factory is absolutely the most colorful achievement of the credit union.

Isn't there a saying that choice is very important.

After having a cooperation foundation, the credit union has also become the preferred customer for the Red Star Factory's project financing.

And for the credit union, closing their eyes and following the Red Star Factory only has the difference between making a big profit and a small win, do you say he invests or not?

For a long time in the future, the Dongcheng Credit Union doesn't need to look for credit investment channels; following the Red Star Factory is a steady profit without loss.

Just now Li Xuewu introduced the design planning of the smooth road car, as well as the achievements and progress made so far.

How to say, he is a layman who doesn't understand car design; he heard it in a muddle when the Red Star Factory came to report the cooperation progress last time, and specifically made up lessons after going back.

Bao Peigang also summarized the rules later; this kind of professional business knowledge does not need to be deliberately explored and calculated.

You only need to judge which market the Red Star Factory's project is aimed at, whether it can be done, and how long it will take to be done.

And they only need to study whether the commodity has sales money scene in the domestic market or the foreign trade market.

Grasping these doorways, the rest is talking about money without hurting feelings.

Don't look at Li Xuewu's vague words, but Bao Peigang knows that he is here to talk about the project, and he is really not here to ask for money.

This kind of project Red Star Factory should not be short of financing channels now.

Because the net pulled up at the end of 1967 was enough to shock all banks and credit institutions with investment qualifications in Beijing and even the financial system.

25 million, 10 months, net profit of more than 30 million.

Li Xuewu only needs to shout on the newspaper on behalf of the Red Star Factory, saying that we have a project with a particularly good prospect and are preparing to do foreign trade exports, look at whether anyone is rushing to cooperate and invest.

Thinking this way, Li Xuewu can reveal the news to him in advance, still looking at the face of the two having a good private friendship.

Because they are familiar with each other, Bao Peigang didn't hide it, and asked whatever he thought of.

"You should be able to understand our factory's definition and planning in the automobile industry, especially the development of jeeps."

Li Xuewu hesitated for a moment, pretending to hesitate and said: "In other words, you should know who our opponent is."

"Er—" Bao Peigang was stunned, and then nodded with a smile and said: "Understand, slightly understand, slightly understand."

Actually, it's not slightly understand, it's too understand.

He knows very well that the Red Star Factory dreams of killing Beijing Auto and getting the procurement order belonging to 212.

"Our factory has conducted detailed investigation and research on the market influence and product positioning of the competing products, and reached a conclusion."

Li Xuewu said seriously: "That is, the competing product is too balanced and has no outstanding performance."

"Even if several deformation productions are made, it is the same, and the core system has not made changes."

"Mm, I understand—"

Bao Peigang listened to Li Xuewu telling him about the marketing strategy of the Red Star Factory against Beijing Auto 212, and rarely became serious.

He nodded in agreement and said: "The more balanced, the more mediocre."

"That's the truth!"

Li Xuewu pointed with his finger and said: "The competing product blindly pursues balance in data and wants to satisfy all environmental needs."

"This is impossible."

Without Li Xuewu asking, Bao Peigang knew how to answer.

He said very understandingly: "Even a layman like me knows that professional things should be handed over to professional people."

"Hoes can't turn the ground, roosters can't lay eggs."

"We are going to start from here."

Li Xuewu smiled slightly and said along with his words: "Can't confront the other party head-on, this is equal to resource waste."

"Mm, there is no mistake in this point."

Bao Peigang nodded in agreement and said: "The above will not allow two types of jeeps of the same type to appear in competition."

This is true, because domestic steel resources or automobile component production capacity do not allow competitive waste.

"So we must refine the market and segment products."

Li Xuewu summarized: "They do comprehensive types, we do professional types, and completely crush them in professional fields."

He pinched the approximate shape of the smooth road with the matchbox by his hand, used matches to point to several key positions of the matchbox for comparative interpretation, especially professionalism, the existence of beating 212.

"Why do military vehicles, this problem is actually a contradiction that cannot be bypassed from the beginning of the automobile industry."

Li Xuewu said very frankly: "The domestic civilian automobile market is not very good, want to develop and survive, designing and producing military automobiles is the only way, and it is also a foreign trade explosion."

"You should have heard that our factory's Hongxing Lingyang engineering jeep has received a large order abroad."

"Mm, heard from your Director Li."

Bao Peigang really wanted to say that he heard your Director Li blowing it.

Old Li is also, the dog's belly can't hold two taels of oil, and he has to blow it up and down if he has some achievements.

Of course, the Red Star Factory is about to be promoted, looking forward to groupization, there are those who work like them, and there must be Old Li who can talk about PPT (blowing).

"Southeast Asia and Africa, guests are coming to visit recently."

Li Xuewu nodded and said seriously: "People are now organizing learning with Yangcheng, and will arrive after the New Year."

"One of the key procurement targets of this part is the Hongxing Lingyang car, especially Africa, you know the reason."

"Mm, have some understanding—"

Bao Peigang lit a cigarette for himself, sucked it hard, a little panicked in his heart, feeling that the investment quota for this year is not enough.

Just looking at Li Xuewu mentioning the guest procurement, he knew that this kind of light military all-terrain transport vehicle would become a secret weapon.

Even Hongxing Lingyang can sell so well, not to mention the professional jeep designed for military use.

"Combat lightweight, team motorcycle, equipment professionalization," Li Xuewu pinched three fingers and said: "The 2,000-dollar metal-roof jeep is the first choice to achieve this goal."

"If the procurement volume is pulled up, removing the metal roof and unnecessary kits, we can press the price to 1,300 dollars, they buy one Russian Gas 69, enough to buy ten Antelopes, why do they grab the market with us?"

"If we can open the jeep market, we can open the motorcycle foreign trade market."

Li Xuewu used matchboxes, cigarette boxes, and ashtrays to do combat equipment matching attack and defense simulation.

Including light weapons, jeeps, and helicopters that the Red Star Factory can provide.

"This kind of equipment on that land in Africa is enough for them to use, I feel it is too advanced."

Li Xuewu explained with a smile: "Motorcycles, light jeeps, heavy jeeps, light armored patrol vehicles, helicopters."

"Our hardware weapon factory in Steel City has recently been in contact with the Light Weapon Institute, preparing to OEM light military weapons."

He counted on his fingers and introduced: "Such as light and heavy machine guns, automatic rifles and semi-automatic rifles, mortars, flamethrowers, etc., which is a supplement to the hardware industry."

"Be a weapon supplier?"

Bao Peigang frowned: "Doing this will add restrictive conditions to your factory's foreign trade business, right?"

"Light military weapon supplier."

Li Xuewu smiled and said: "Our factory only does trade docking, who knows it is produced by our factory?"

"These light weapons can't run when hung on people, so there must be a suitable means of transport, right?"

He chuckled and said: "The smooth road is an all-terrain squad transport vehicle specially designed by our factory for this."

"This thing has a simple structure, low cost, and extremely rich industrial output profit; our factory doesn't mind making light money."

"Mm, if you say so—"

Bao Peigang nodded and said: "Having such a military transport vehicle is really a must-win."

"Don't worry, just chatting casually."

Li Xuewu put down the matchbox in his hand and ended the topic, "You know it, don't say it out."

"Our factory does business, you know, if there is no certainty, we won't take it out to show off, that is, you asked today."

He stood up and said: "Alright, that's it for today, I still have to go to the next house, wish you a happy New Year."

"Hey, can't go—"

Bao Peigang grabbed him and insisted: "It's meal time, if you leave, wouldn't you be slapping my face."

"Our canteen master is not as good as your factory's chef, but also has special skills, taste it today."

He pressed Li Xuewu not to be polite, and emphasized one after another: "Let's drink a little, chat more, you tell me more about this foreign trade business and import and export."

"Why only two million—"

On New Year's Eve, the Red Star Factory was decorated with lanterns and colored streamers, and the atmosphere was warm and orderly. The employees' faces were full of joy and smiles.

The canteen had long posted a notice that for New Year's Eve and the New Year, five fat pigs would be stewed each day, and the oil and water in the dishes would be high.

This made the employees who canceled the suspension of work and production and went to work as usual on New Year's Eve dissipate a lot of resentment in their hearts.

And the literary propaganda team announced that all literary performers would go to the workshop and shift to perform programs on New Year's Eve.

Shift handover and rest time were fully utilized, allowing employees to spend a festive New Year.

The factory supply and service department also announced that it would not close during the Spring Festival, and would operate as usual, treating the Spring Festival as a Monday.

Factory employees did not have a holiday, and factory leaders and organ cadres could not have a holiday, so they could only take turns off.

Sunday was moved to today, so no one should suffer.

Li Xuewu was unlucky; Su Wide had just come to the factory and could not grasp the overall situation of security work, so he could only be on duty during the Spring Festival.

Employees did not have a holiday, and security and fire protection could not have a holiday, and they were busier than usual.

Li Xuewu checked the work in the fire brigade, posted spring couplets with the firefighters, and then came to the organ for inspection.

He happened to meet Jing Yunong who was also on duty. Hearing that Li Xuewu had cheated two million from the credit union as a project special fund, she complained.

"Two million is not small, how much is enough?"

Li Xuewu said helplessly and amusedly: "Do you think this is the motorcycle industry and the sedan industry?"

Motorcycle prices are low, sales are wide, in order to form scale and productivity, investing five million, Dongcheng Credit Union does not lose.

Sedans are also cheap, and supply foreign trade markets, British technology introduction, have absolute profit guarantee, so investing another five million does not lose.

These two are long-term holding investment projects, not short, flat, and fast.

"The smooth road project, saying there is no stroke is impossible, but there is not much confidence."

Li Xuewu scratched his head and said: "Currently, it is a bit difficult to catch up with the data of 212, and it is not so easy to lead or even crush an era in the professional field."

"At least it will take two or three years to keep up."

He glanced at the office, seeing Li Xue was not there, so he was much more casual, and said softly: "These projects are patches."

"I know, you are pitting people."

Jing Yunong crossed her right leg, held her teacup and said: "From the beginning, I didn't believe you would let the credit union make money."

"What kind of talk is this, am I a bandit!"

Li Xuewu glanced at her dissatisfiedly and said: "This is called extending the investment return expectation, I am for their good."

"Mm, fool, keep fooling."

Jing Yunong shook her lower leg, pulled the corner of her mouth and said: "I believe you even if you can turn white into black."

"You look too highly of me—"

Li Xuewu only felt that the times had changed, and there was no trust between people?

"I dare to guarantee that the credit union's investment in the motorcycle industry will return to capital within three years, and the sedan industry investment will return to capital within five years; this is a fact that they also recognize in front of their eyes."

"And then?" Jing Yunong reminded amusedly and angrily: "How long will your aircraft project return to capital?"

"The prospect of the aircraft project is particularly good."

Li Xuewu didn't mention how long the aircraft project would return to capital, but emphasized the future development of this project.

"Mm, the motorcycle industry makes people make a big profit, the sedan industry makes people win a little, and then all bald to the aircraft industry."

Jing Yunong rolled her eyes at him and said: "In total, the investment of the three projects is calculated, and the capital is folded in?"

"Don't you plan to see Bao Peigang in the future?"

"Where is the talk, he still has to thank me."

Li Xuewu smiled and said: "Holding two or three million investment credit in hand, who is not sprinkled?"

"He didn't complete the industrial support target this year, and he will have to move his butt and leave next year; look at how stable he is sitting now."

"Mm, very stable, going to sit for a lifetime."

Jing Yunong asked with a smile: "Then what is going on with this smooth road project, conscience discovered?"

"In your place, I became conscience-less?"

Li Xuewu glanced at her and said with a double meaning: "Cooperation, there must be you coming and me going, there is entry and exit."

Jing Yunong heard that he had words in his words, rolled her eyes, pulled the corner of her mouth, and didn't answer.

She knew that if she answered this sentence, there would be many sentences, and in the end, she would be unreasonable, and let the other party take advantage.

"Two million is enough to support until the smooth road is put into production, and there is no need to build a new production line, just share a set with Hongxing Lingyang."

Li Xuewu tapped his knee and said: "Even if the aircraft project profit is far away, it can see some dawn from the smooth road, Bao Peigang won't do anything to me."

"Are you staring at a sheep to pull wool?"

Jing Yunong put down the teacup, glanced at him and said: "This is not conducive to the diversity of funds and the development of the project."

"I know, this is not talking about it—"

Li Xuewu moved his body closer to her position and said softly: "City Industrial and Commercial Bank intends to have our foreign trade..."

"Don't mess around, pit them?"

"Happy New Year, Deputy Director Su."

Li Xuewu came out of Jing Yunong's office, didn't care about Li Xue's strange and suspicious eyes, and greeted Su Wide who was passing by.

Su Wide also nodded with a smile and replied: "Happy New Year, Comrade Xuewu."

"I saw you at the gate when I came."

He waited for Li Xuewu for a step, then walked downstairs together, saying as he walked: "How is the situation, quite good, right?"

"Mm, mainly maintaining stability."

After Li Xuewu responded, he took the initiative to report: "Each department of the Security Group has arranged help and squatting."

"Mainly dealing with special situations such as fire protection, public security, security, and confidentiality during the Spring Festival."

"Mm, you are an old security guard, I am relieved."

Su Wide nodded and said: "I am still familiarizing myself with the business, and it may be late to go down and turn around."

"You have worked hard during this time, maintain it, and communicate more if there is any situation."

"You are too polite, I should do it."

Li Xuewu faced Su Wide's beating, smiled slightly, and said: "I am in the unit for these two days of the Spring Festival, if you have anything, call me, don't be polite."

Su Wide didn't treat him as a subordinate, and he didn't treat Su Wide as a leader.

One poor and sour, one poor and horizontal, two dick people are considered to have hit a pile.

During the time of going downstairs, Su Wide asked about the situation learned in the past few days, as well as the key difficulty nodes of various tasks.

Li Xuewu didn't make things difficult for him, except for being unyielding and not giving an inch in attitude, he was really frank and open in work.

He wanted to know what, Li Xuewu introduced what, without any concealment and hiding.

This is also the first round of short-soldier intersection between the two, each with victory and defeat, generally speaking, it is still in the testing stage.

Su Wide looked at Li Xuewu with the mentality of "there are always tricky people who want to harm me," and Li Xuewu also returned with the attitude of "cheap people are hypocritical," summarizing that neither of them is a good cake.

"Is there a construction plan for the large department of the Security Group after promotion?" Down to the lobby on the first floor, Su Wide said: "If it is convenient, take it to me to see, I haven't had time to participate in the planning."

"No problem, it was set at the beginning of last year, if you have any opinions or suggestions, tell me, I will submit the modification application."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "Let Gu Cheng come to me in a while, find Peng Xiaoli to ask for it, it is in the file room."

"Or adjust from the organ file room, there are also corresponding re-edition records here, specifically for viewing."

"Okay, you have worked hard—"

Su Wide nodded with a smile and asked casually: "If you make opinion modifications, it won't be troublesome, right?"

"Not troublesome," Li Xuewu also smiled and replied without care: "Just report to Beijing Industry and the First Machine Ministry to re-examine the groupization plan, it is estimated that it will be reviewed in about a year."

"...... Hehe, okay, that's it."

The smile on Su Wide's face was a bit stiff, but he still restrained it very well.

But after shaking hands and saying goodbye to Li Xuewu, the smile disappeared instantly at the moment of turning around, which was seen by Gu Cheng who followed behind.

He and Peng Xiaoli looked at each other, and both saw helplessness and bitterness in each other's eyes.

The leader's intersection was sudden and unexpected, it was really a soldier meeting, fist to meat.

Just listen to what Section Chief Li said, this is not a fist chiseling Su Wide's liver, what else can you let him say?

But it also blames Su Wide, deserves to be beaten, really idle and painful, testing Li Xuewu is testing like this.

He wants to see the construction plan of the large department and small section of the Security Group related to the groupization process, which is understandable, this is his right and obligation.

However, Li Xuewu felt his different thoughts in his tone, so he dug a pit at the right time.

Gu Cheng often mixed in Peng Xiaoli's office and knew a little about these, but he never expected Su Wide to really jump.

Just think, what kind of person is Li Xuewu?

If you are willing to die, he is willing to bury.

Su Wide tested Li Xuewu's bottom line again and again, which also made Li Xuewu annoyed.

Can you not dig a pit after listening to his tone, seeing Su Wide jump in, this foot stepped on, almost suffocating Su Wide.

Ask you for opinions and suggestions, and you dare to modify?

This is a plan made by Li Xuewu, which was reported to the groupization organ organizational structure review group at that time for re-examination and review.

More than 30 cadres and experts in the review group, as well as senior human resources and organizational personnel, are not as

This is, damn it, the contingency plan Li Xuewu made, which was reported to the then-group organizational structure review committee for re-examination and approval.

Are the more than thirty cadres and experts on the review committee, along with the senior human resources and organizational personnel, not as good as one Su Weide?

Oh, now you say modify it and it gets modified; then do Li Xuewu and Dong Wenxue still need their face?

Just arrived, damn it, and already wanting to flip the predecessor's table and change the predecessor's work—this, damn it, isn't testing the waters, it's a slap in the face and a provocation.

Li Xuewu's punch landed hard: changing the plan is fine, then resubmit it to the Beijing Industry and First Ministry of Machine Building for review.

During the review period, the group process will naturally have to be recalculated, which means a delay of a year or half a year.

If Su Weide really does this, Li Huai De would dare to grab a club and chase him down to beat him; it would be a miracle if he didn't beat him to death.

When the gods fight, the little ghosts suffer.

The two leaders are at loggerheads, but it's miserable for this pair of brothers-in-misfortune, Peng Xiaoli and Gu Cheng.

"Happy New Year, Comrade Ma Jun!"

"Happy New Year, Comrade Li Xuewu!"

"Hahaha—"

At the club, the atmosphere was truly at its peak, even though the sky hadn't gone completely dark yet.

Li Xuewu clearly remembered the face of every classmate when the club was founded; the number was exactly sixty people, no more, no less.

But counting those developed this year, there weren't even sixty people gathered in the dining hall.

Where did the time go?

Where did the people go?

Some people were transferred out, such as Secretary-General Zhou Zhengquan, who was transferred to a certain city; when he left, he vowed that if he didn't make it big, he wouldn't come back.

His situation was special; if he didn't make it big, he couldn't come back anyway.

After that backstabbing of his father-in-law, if he doesn't come back as the city's top leader, how can he appease his father-in-law's anger?

Besides, this old brother had a rebellious streak long ago; calling that backstab a matter of going with the flow is less accurate than saying it was premeditated.

Let's not talk about Zhou Zhengquan's character for now, but just speaking of this ruthlessness, he was truly influenced by Li Xuewu.

There were many others who were also influenced by Li Xuewu, such as Wang Zheng, Huang Gan, and Wang Xiaoqin.

There were also ten or twenty people who didn't have much contact with him but still had the bond of classmates, who had left, or hadn't left but could never come back or couldn't make it.

The reason the data is so vague is that some people have no news at all, and even their families have disappeared, making it impossible to determine their status.

Yu Li discovered this point when she was coordinating assistance information with Wang Zheng, and she even specifically asked Li Xuewu where everyone had gone.

What could Li Xuewu say?

He couldn't answer, and even if he knew, he wouldn't dare to answer.

Everyone gathered together, looking left and right; old friends had received their respective transfer orders, and the twenty-plus people only managed to scrape together four tables, and that's counting the comrades from the management office.

If one were to say it's a new atmosphere for the New Year and one should be in a good mood, today's wine was drunk with increasing sorrow, and the atmosphere began to slide after three cups.

Li Xuewu understood everyone's mood very well, so he said all the auspicious New Year greetings he could; today he tried his best not to talk about work, but to talk about family, children, and the new activities added to the club for the New Year.

The Red Star Factory distributed gifts to its partners, but the club did even better than the Red Star Factory, and Yu Li was also more thoughtful than Fan Hua had imagined.

She not only mailed New Year gifts to various offices and branches but also mailed gifts to members far away in all parts of the motherland.

Bright red scarves, New Year couplets, and full sets of new-style member equipment—one set for everyone she could contact.

And today in the dining hall, everyone was also in new clothes and new appearances, only by the end, they were all snotty and tearful.

It's 1968, it's the New Year!

Everyone patted each other on the shoulders, congratulating, cheering, and rejoicing, rejoicing that they could still come to participate in the New Year gathering.

The number of people was getting smaller year by year; from the beginning of 1967 to the end of the year, the members coming to the club to participate in exercise and training were dwindling.

During this period, Li Xuewu, Wang Xiaoqin, and others were also very cautious, not daring to develop new members if they didn't understand the situation.

They only pulled in friends from work and particularly familiar relatives and friends, which counted as a new force.

Of course, the standards set were also very high; whatever rank they held, they could only pull in people of that same rank.

Wang Xiaoqin's son, Zhang Shuangqing, was running wild in the courtyard with a group of half-grown boys, occasionally lighting a few firecrackers that went off with a bang.

The banquet ended before eight o'clock in the evening; when Wang Xiaoqin and the others came out of the dining hall with flushed faces and smelling of alcohol, they were startled by the mischief of a few children.

"Hahaha—Mom—"

Zhang Shuangqing had just been laughing triumphantly, but when he saw his mother coming over, he was so scared he ran away in a flash.

Wang Xiaoqin stood at the dining hall entrance and scolded her son a couple of times; seeing Li Xuewu come out from the backyard, she asked, "I didn't see you for half the drinking session; where did you go? Do you still need to hide from the wine?"

"Why would I hide from the wine? I went to check on the service staff who were staying behind," Li Xuewu said with a smile. "Most of them left tonight, so I had to give them a few reminders."

"You're never done being busy—"

Wang Xiaoqin glanced at Yu Li, who was following a few steps behind, and rolled her eyes so hard they almost turned white.

"We're leaving now; you go be busy, you've worked hard for a year."

She didn't know who she was saying this to; when Li Xuewu wanted to help her, she waved her hand to refuse, and she climbed into the car swaying.

Zhao Lao Si had finished eating long ago and was in the parking lot confirming one by one that the leaders who came to participate in the activities today had all been sent off.

Some leaders brought their family members, so he was afraid of missing anyone.

It's the New Year, and he didn't want to lose any children; for example, with Wang Xiaoqin, it was Yu Li who found the child and put him in the car.

"I drank a bit too much today, I won't say more, let's chat later."

Huang Gan's brain was clear, but his mouth couldn't keep up with the rhythm; he babbled a lot, and one couldn't make out a word.

Wang Zheng also had a flushed face and pushed her brother hard into the car; the two lived in the same courtyard, so it was on the way back.

Many people didn't bring drivers today, and there was no such thing as drunk driving in this era, but the club still thoughtfully prepared cars.

There were drivers on duty sending them back car by car, and the cars they brought were left at the club.

Whether the annual membership fee was worth it or not was reflected at this moment, with both eating and taking things.

"Aren't you going back? Spend the New Year here with me."

A satisfied Yu Li also had a flushed face; clearly, she hadn't been drinking, but she was full of energy, and at this moment, she looked radiant.

"Aren't you going back with me?"

Li Xuewu got into the car and looked at Yu Li, who was still standing by the car, and asked, "Not going back to the courtyard for the New Year?"

"Not going back, I've already finished my New Year."

Yu Li smiled and gestured toward the direction of the dining hall, saying, "There aren't enough hands today, I wouldn't be at ease if I left them."

"Fine, whatever you wish—"

Li Xuewu nodded, gave a reminder to be safe, and then pulled the car door shut.

Seeing that Zhao Lao Si had already opened the gate, he drove the command vehicle out; when he passed him, he tossed a pack of cigarettes to him.

Zhao Lao Si happily saluted, and only after seeing the car leave did he close the gate.

Li Xuewu's car turned inward, and he saw it clearly.

He might have already guessed where he was going, but even if he were beaten to death, he wouldn't dare to gossip about it.

When he turned back, Yu Li had already gone toward the dining hall, and he didn't know if she had seen it or not.

Li Xuewu, however, didn't avoid her; what was there to guard against Yu Li about such things? She could know even without guessing.

Back then, Tong Huimei and the other girl had come to the club even earlier than her; did one need to ask what the situation was with two big girls appearing here?

However, Li Xuewu didn't have that much energy for continuous combat; when he was drinking in the evening, he thought of the two of them, so he came over.

The meat dishes packed from the kitchen were still hot, just like they had just come out of the pot; he parked the car steadily, carried them, and jumped into the courtyard.

It had been a long time since he climbed a wall, and his skills were rusty.

By the time Tong Huimei saw him, he had already stepped onto the stairs.

"Ah—"

Jin Jiaojiao discovered her sister's gaze, and when she looked at the entrance, she was almost startled.

"Why did you come?"

"Just to see you two!"

Li Xuewu smiled and placed the food box he was carrying on the square table, gesturing to the two of them, saying, "It just came out of the pot, so I brought it; it's still hot."

Thanks to him having "a few tricks" up his sleeve, otherwise, no matter how fresh the food was, it would have been cold by the time he carried it here.

Tong Huimei and the other girl were more pleasantly surprised to see him than to see the meat dishes in the food box, and both of them were chirping non-stop.

One served tea, one poured water, one asked about his health, one asked about his well-being, and they didn't even care about the dumplings on the table.

"Hurry up, the dough will get hard in a while."

Li Xuewu smiled and tapped the square table, asking, "What kind of filling? You two can even wrap dumplings?"

"Look at what you're saying; we couldn't before, but haven't we learned now—"

Jin Jiaojiao smiled and pouted her little mouth, standing by the table skillfully pinching the dumplings, saying, "You came from the club, right?"

"Then you must not know that the dumplings you ate tonight were wrapped with our help."

"Is that so?" Li Xuewu said with a chuckle, "I was just saying that tonight's dumplings were exceptionally delicious!"

"Hahaha—"

The two were amused by Li Xuewu's deliberate praise and laughed straight away; clearly, they were extremely happy, and the atmosphere of self-pity from just a moment ago was swept away.

"There were few people in the dining hall today, so the master chef called us to help, saying we should eat together to save the trouble of wrapping them when we got back."

Tong Huimei rolled the dumpling skins very skillfully; compared to the situation where they were almost starved to death before, it was much better, he didn't know how much.

And this year, she also looked much more mature than when she first met Li Xuewu, and even her figure had become much fuller.

One reason was that she had grown up, and the other was that the food was good; even with diligent practice, it was hard to hide her increasingly plump face.

Li Xuewu always thought that an oval face looked better than a pointed face.

"The master chef in the canteen saw that we didn't want to stay, so he gave us the dumpling dough and filling, telling us to come back and wrap them ourselves."

Tong Huimei pointed to the filling basin and said, "It's the same filling as the dumplings you ate tonight."

"Beef and green onion, with some pork mixed in; it's especially fragrant."

Li Xuewu nodded and commented, "I only ate a few; I couldn't compete with them."

"Then let's wrap them quickly, so you can eat some more."

Seeing him say this, Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao sped up their movements, wanting to keep him for the New Year's Eve dinner.

Li Xuewu knew their intentions; after going to the entrance to wash his hands, he also started helping to wrap them.

Men and women working together, the work isn't tiring; asking about the stage and situation of their performances at the Red Star Theater, and chatting about their New Year wishes and moods, this basin of dumpling filling was soon wrapped.

The iron pot was set on the stove, the hot water was boiling, and Jin Jiaojiao chirped and bustled as she dropped the dumplings in; Tong Huimei had already prepared the soy sauce and vinegar, all prepared for Li Xuewu.

She didn't know if he ate garlic, so she specially took a few cloves.

Opera singers don't eat garlic, vinegar, or salty food because they are afraid of hurting their throats, so these were truly prepared for him.

Because he urged them, the two of them only dipped a little bit of soy sauce, both smiling and saying it was delicious.

Li Xuewu ate very slowly, so he didn't eat many throughout the meal, which made the two sisters feel embarrassed.

When they saw Li Xuewu out, they even mentioned that they should have brought back more dough and filling if they had known.

The daily necessities here were mostly arranged by Shen Guodong to be sent over, and the two only bought some seasonal vegetables.

So when Li Xuewu came, he didn't transport them to the kitchen truckload by truckload anymore, and they didn't eat much either.

It was just those canned goods, produced by the Red Star Factory itself, which Shen Guodong had also sent over here.

When they parted at the entrance, the two were reluctant to let him go but very sensibly wished him a Happy New Year and said auspicious words.

Li Xuewu also returned the auspicious words he had specially thought of, and only then did he get in the car and leave.

He couldn't take care of those far away, but he could take care of those nearby who were lonely and helpless; even if time was tight, he had to look after them a bit more and be considerate of their moods.

When he returned to the Sihe Academy, it was already almost nine o'clock.

It had been agreed long ago that the New Year's Eve dinner would be eaten late, trying to save energy for staying up until the New Year.

By the time he got home, the dumplings hadn't even been wrapped yet; the whole family, except for those coaxing and holding the children, had gathered at two tables.

The table on the kang was Li Shun and Liu Yin accompanying the old lady and the grandfather playing mahjong.

Zhao Yafang, Gu Ning, Ji Yuxiu, and Li Xue were playing mahjong at the square table set up in the room.

Li Xuewen and Li Xuewen became nannies coaxing and holding the children; the three children had truly worn the brothers out.

"Daddy—"

Li Shu was sweating from making a scene in the room; seeing her father enter, she shouted loudly and ran over with a pitter-patter.

Seeing him, Li Ning also made a couple of sounds and wanted to crawl toward him from the kang.

"Watch out, don't fall to the ground!"

Li Shun turned his head and looked at him, giving a special reminder; his eyes were full of his eldest grandson, except for the playing cards.

"Why not play a pair of Kings?"

Li Xuewu glanced at the cards in his father's hand and deliberately caused trouble, saying, "Oh, playing a pair of Queens is fine too—"

"Tsk—" Li Shun was so angry he slammed his cards down and glared at him when he turned his head. But it made everyone in the room burst into laughter.

Teasing children isn't funny, but pulling the tiger's whiskers is funny.

The head of the family, how majestic, yet he was deliberately pitted by his son; you tell me if he's angry or not.

The old lady and Liu Yin laughed the loudest, only feeling that after all these years, this year was the happiest.

The project on the mountain was progressing smoothly, and Li Shun didn't need to keep an eye on it all year round.

Although he still had to work on the mountain, he had his own time and could often come home to take a look.

There was news about the work of the eldest son and his wife; although it hadn't fully recovered yet, it had solved her heart's ailment.

The most important thing was having two grandsons, one for the eldest and one for the second.

Especially in the second son's family, a son and a daughter had already made a "good" character.

The second son Xuewu's career was progressing, his daughter-in-law was gentle and sensible, and the family was harmonious; they were the pair they were most at ease with.

Then there was the third son, Xuewen, who had reported back to school and gone to the hospital for an internship, maturing quite a bit.

The third son's partner's work was going smoothly, and their relationship was stable, which saved them a lot of worry.

Finally, there was the youngest, Li Xue, who had made significant progress and changes compared to last year, especially maturing a lot in personality.

It's the New Year, the whole family is gathered in joy, spending the Spring Festival together.

Although the old lady and the grandfather were a year older, they were in good health, with children and grandchildren all around, full of joy.

She and Li Shun were also a year older, but the family was happy, the children were filial, and they were living in harmony.

The children were a year older, mature and steady, successful in their studies, progressing in their careers, and the family was harmonious.

The granddaughters and grandsons were a year older, babbling, full of joy; they were the hope of the family's prosperity, the hope of the whole family.

"Last round, after playing, get off the table and wrap dumplings!"

PS: Li family ages

Liu family grandfather 60 years old, Li family old lady 59 years old.

Li Shun 44 years old, Liu Yin 43 years old.

Li Xuewen 25 years old, Zhao Yafang 25 years old.

Li Xuewu 22 years old, Gu Ning 25 years old.

Li Xuewen 20 years old, Ji Yuxiu 21 years old.

Li Xue 18 years old, Li Shu 3 years old.

Li Tang 1 year old, Li Ning 1 year old.

(End of chapter)