Chapter 1267: Good Steel Must Be Used on the Knife Handle

"Does wearing it like this really look good?"

Yu Li looked at Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai with amusement; Luo Yun beside her was also in a sportswear style.

After all, club sportswear was only worn by members when exercising; no one wore it as daily attire.

Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai had become the forefront of fashion.

She had money, bought a car, and bought a watch.

No longer satisfied with clothing, food, and drink, she began to pay attention to dressing, and she wouldn't wear board-green.

Others thought this was fashion, but in her view, what everyone wore wasn't fashion.

"I just said that if you wear it, you'll definitely look younger," Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai teased with a grin: "I guarantee you'll turn back to eighteen."

"I think we'd better forget it—"

The small suit on Yu Li made her look more upright; although it made her look mature, her status at the club required maturity and steadiness.

"You guys play; the canteen is steaming buns tonight, eat here."

"Thank you, Sister Yu—"

Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai thanked her affectionately, took Luo Yun's hand, and walked toward the backyard, asking a patrol guard on the way.

Upon learning that Brother Wu was drinking tea in the backyard, she urged Luo Yun to hurry, lest he leave again before she could see him for two minutes.

"Hey! Didn't you say you were going to the Youth Society—"

Luo Yun reminded her with amusement: "They invited you to hold a symposium with everyone, and you're running off to curry favor."

"What do you mean curry favor—"

Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai said dissatisfiedly: "This is called asking for instructions and reporting; do you understand? Why are you in such a hurry for the symposium? Seeing Brother Wu is the priority."

"You really are something; people are waiting there."

Luo Yun gave Zuo Yan Jie a wink, but before she could speak, she was pulled by Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai toward the back.

In the pavilion, the expressions of the few people who stood up were somewhat strange.

Zhong Zhong Yuemin watched the goddess's back disappear around the corner and lowered his head somewhat dejectedly.

Li Li Yuanchao, who had also stood up, saw his thoughts, patted him on the shoulder to comfort him, and said: "Wait a little longer; maybe there's something urgent."

"Hmm, it's okay—"

Zhong Zhong Yuemin returned a smile to Li Li Yuanchao, but it was slightly bitter.

Li Li Yuanchao shook his head helplessly, glanced at the bustle recovering in the pavilion, pulled him aside, and asked: "You like her that much?"

Seeing Zhong Zhong Yuemin nod frankly, he pondered for a moment and reminded him: "Then you're in for some suffering; you should be able to tell that she has someone else in her heart."

"No... I just feel it's a bit of a pity."

Zhong Zhong Yuemin leaned against the vermilion pillar in the corridor, his voice full of sadness: "We were getting along fine before, but I don't know why, suddenly..."

"You can't figure out why she fell for someone else so quickly," Li Li Yuanchao took a cigarette from his pocket and handed it to him, lit his own, and continued: "She also doesn't understand why you take feelings so seriously."

"If you can't let go, you might as well face it bravely."

He took a puff of the cigarette and said bluntly: "But I have to remind you, the past is the past, and the present is the present."

Actually, what Li Li Yuanchao wanted to say was that Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai's reputation was out there now, both good and bad; it might have been pure love before, but now it was definitely a "licker" lacking love.

Of course, he couldn't say such words, but the meaning was the same.

"You should know what her present is like without me saying it."

Li Li Yuanchao stood beside Zhong Zhong Yuemin and said faintly: "How many nights can you stay at the International Hotel for five yuan a night?"

"How many home-cooked meals for three yuan can you eat?"

He sighed and said: "If you want to pursue her, you have to keep up with her pace, live her life, or at least let her see you."

"I know you're competing with Jia Zhangshi Li Haiyang, but look at Li Haiyang now."

Li Li Yuanchao raised his eyebrows and said: "He doesn't do anything else, just focuses on making money, and leads his little brothers to endure hardship."

"You, you're just too infatuated."

He patted Zhong Zhong Yuemin's arm and said: "Your team's sales performance last month was far behind Li Haiyang's."

"Time is already half over this month, and you're still not chasing? What are you waiting for—"

Li Li Yuanchao had actually learned to PUA, reminding him seriously: "Don't blame me for saying this as a buddy; the most worthless thing in this world is gentleness without achievement and sincerity while penniless."

"If I were to say that if you have money in your pocket, girls are easy, you might not want to hear it," he tilted his shoulder and said: "You and Li Haiyang both want to hang yourselves on her tree, so I won't force you to open your eyes and see the flower-laden world."

"But there's one thing: you have to have money; don't become a beggar because of love."

When Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai pulled Luo Yun to the tea room, Li Li Xuewu was discussing matters.

The two nodded quietly to the guests and found seats to sit.

Luo Yun was more observant than Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai and took the initiative to carry the thermos to refill the water.

Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai knew the few people sitting in the room.

General Manager Dou of Dongfeng Construction, Zhou Zhou Miaomiao of Red Star Factory, and Shen Shen Guodong.

"Actually, making decisions is harder than doing things, right?"

Li Li Xuewu picked up his teacup, took a sip, looked at Dou Dou Yaozu opposite, and said: "This is also the reason why I advised you to introduce a standardized management mechanism."

"I really can't keep up with the development situation."

Dou Dou Yaozu nodded in agreement and said: "Not to mention now, even before, I never had the experience or opportunity to manage so many people."

"If you were ten years younger."

Li Li Xuewu said with a light smile: "There would still be time to learn and train."

"But now—" he shook his head slightly and said: "You can't use an elementary school education to debate with university-educated staff, or to make management decisions."

"What they learn and use, regarding construction, you might say there are tricks and experience, but doing management, making decisions."

He placed the teacup on the table and advised: "People have to be convinced."

"Yes, that's the hardest thing to do."

Dou Dou Yaozu sighed and said: "I originally wanted to complete the construction of the cooperation as soon as possible and then get the company on the right track, but I didn't expect..."

He paused before continuing: "I didn't expect that I myself would become an obstacle to the company's development, nor did I see the current situation clearly."

"Get organized, then set off again."

Li Li Xuewu tapped the table with his fingers and said: "I don't care who you use, but they must have ability, quality, and drive."

"Cooperation is to be had, but when to cooperate and to what extent depends on the specific situation."

He could be considered to have given Dou Dou Yaozu a reassurance: "Without a suitable mechanism and without a suitable system, you can't even do the docking; you still want to cooperate?"

"Foreign gimmicks aren't all advanced; you can learn, but you can't copy. I actually believe that the combination of tradition and modernity can have great development in your architectural research institute."

"I think so too."

Dou Dou Yaozu said with a smile: "I have been following the design and construction of the Liangma River Ecological Industrial Zone; the French set isn't fresh."

"In terms of aesthetics and structure, there are absolutely good things in the traditional architectural system that they can't imagine."

He said confidently: "My idea for the next step is to slowly complete the internal structure transformation and hand over the management and operation authority to professional people."

"As for myself, I'll still focus on the research institute; I still have confidence and experience in design and construction."

"I'll be relieved if you've thought it through."

Li Li Xuewu smiled slightly, looked at the few people sitting beside him, and reminded them not without meaning: "The old saying goes: greed arises from the heart, greed arises from the side of the gall; wealth and honor are sought in danger, but also lost in danger; one in ten is sought, nine in ten are lost."

"Understand, understand—"

Dou Dou Yaozu nodded clearly and said: "I've also thought about it for a long time, counted it over and over on my fingers, and in the end, I calculated a small account."

"No one is much smarter than anyone else."

Li Li Xuewu looked at him seriously and said: "I can tell you this today because I am standing in a higher position and seeing a further direction."

"You don't have to belittle yourself."

He pointed at the table and said: "We all crawled out of the mud; asking you to standardize management doesn't mean letting you go down all at once."

After sending off Dou Dou Yaozu and Zhou Zhou Miaomiao, Shen Shen Guodong asked in confusion: "Are you going to use him or not?"

"Use, and also not use."

Li Li Xuewu turned around, looked at his brother, and said: "I want to use the Dou Dou Yaozu of the past, not the dizzy Dou Dou Yaozu of the present."

"Is he trying to cooperate with the French?"

Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai asked curiously: "Why must he be so eager to seek this? Aren't his projects and engineering doing quite well?"

"Having stayed in the mud for too long, he always wants to climb higher, wants to look further, and wants even more to be treasured in a box."

Li Li Xuewu shook his head slightly and said: "But he doesn't know that he isn't ginseng; he's just a blade of grass that sprouted early."

"He can live in the mud, but he will die if he leaves the mud."

"Does he have no confidence in the current company, or no confidence in you?"

Shen Shen Guodong folded his arms and raised his eyebrows: "Based on the cooperative as a foundation, doing engineering by leaning on the Red Star Factory, the City Construction won't bother with him."

"Maybe his heart has grown, and his desires have grown; he's not satisfied with the Red Star Factory's projects and is afraid that one day there will be no work to do."

"He's afraid that the current prosperity will be extinguished."

Li Li Xuewu said bluntly: "Directing a major project of tens of thousands of people, the asset flow is a number he has never seen in his life."

"He wants to retain the glory of Dongfeng Construction for the time being, but is worried that the company is growing too fast for him to grasp, so he wants to play a three-legged tripod."

"Then he's quite cunning—"

Luo Yun looked outside the door and raised her eyebrows: "I see his honest and simple appearance; he doesn't look like a person with many crooked thoughts."

"Where did you see that he was honest?"

Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai said with a smile: "You didn't see him coming and going with Zhou Zhou Miaomiao; who knows what kind of relationship they have."

"I think, birds of a feather."

Luo Yun curled her lip: "Dou Dou Yaozu is thinking about beauty, Zhou Zhou Miaomiao is thinking about money; the two hit it off."

"It's not as simple as you think."

Shen Shen Guodong glanced at her and reminded her: "Dou Dou Yaozu wouldn't touch Zhou Zhou Miaomiao; he's still counting on climbing onto the big tree that is Director Li through Zhou Zhou Miaomiao."

"Dongfeng Construction has completely scaled up by relying on the Red Star Factory's Liangma River project, Steel City Industrial Zone, and construction projects in Fengcheng and Yingcheng."

He explained to the few: "He also has a certain amount of capital now; openly, it's to seek a future for those old brothers, but actually, it's to turn the current illusory and short-lived glory into long-term splendor."

"He's very afraid that Brother Wu won't tolerate him, so he's not only actively seeking cooperation with the Red Star Factory but also thinking about using the French merchants' east wind to create a three-legged tripod."

Shen Shen Guodong narrowed his eyes, quite having Li Li Xuewu's style, and said: "Once foreign merchants intervene, this cooperation will be regularized and brought into the open."

"As a mud-legged person with no status and no background, he can complete the wish of ascending to heaven in one step by taking advantage of this opportunity."

"Are you saying—"

Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai thought while pinching her chin: "Dongfeng Construction, the Red Star Factory, and that French merchant are going to build an architectural company together, and his strength will be fixed?"

"Then what is his status? He can't be a capitalist; isn't he afraid of being sent to the firing squad?"

"Didn't I just say it? He wants to seek welfare for a group of old brothers," Shen Shen Guodong sneered: "He's using this as a bargaining chip to exchange for benefits."

"He chose to curry favor with Li Li Huai De through Zhou Zhou Miaomiao; isn't that just to bypass Brother Wu and facilitate this matter as soon as possible?"

He hummed and said: "Maybe he hit a wall somewhere and came back to beg for mercy and apologize."

"If it were up to me, killing him wouldn't be too much."

"Who would do the work if they were all killed?"

Li Li Xuewu glanced at him and said: "Put any person in his position, and they would have this selfishness; don't demand too much of human nature."

"Filial piety is the first of a hundred virtues; judge by heart, not by trace; judge by trace, and there are no filial sons in poor families."

"Lust is the first of all evils; judge by trace, not by heart; judge by heart, and there are no perfect people in the world."

He looked at the few people in the room and said faintly: "Being too strict and handling things too hastily seems like we can't tolerate people."

"Since he has already softened, then slowly replace him; anyway, the negotiations for the tripartite cooperation will take some time."

Li Li Xuewu picked up his teacup, took a sip, looked at Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai, and asked: "Among your friends, are there any who can do things? Let Shen Guodong arrange it."

"Forget it, them?"

Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai curled her lip and said: "If you don't want that mess anymore, it might work; they are best at ruining things and causing trouble."

"If you really need people, you don't have to choose people from me; doesn't Steel City have plenty—"

"You're the only one who's smart, right."

Shen Shen Guodong teased her, stood up, and said: "Fine, I'll go arrange this; you guys keep chatting."

"Chat about what, they're waiting in front."

Luo Yun urged Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai and said: "Even if it's a mob, you have to admit that they were the ones who opened up the Beijing market."

"They can't wait—"

Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai pursed her lips and said: "Oh, fine, I haven't even chatted with my brother yet."

It was just a coincidence that Zuo Yan Jie brought Ji Ji Yuxiu into the courtyard.

Ji Ji Yuxiu didn't come here often, but she had played here with Li Xuecai before and liked the equipment and facilities here, but she was busy with work and had no time.

"Second Brother—"

Seeing Li Li Xuewu, Ji Ji Yuxiu greeted him crisply and also looked at the few people in the room.

Some she knew, some she didn't.

Li Li Xuewu introduced them, then asked: "Did you come by yourself?"

"Came with Xuecai; he went to play billiards."

Ji Ji Yuxiu sat at the table following Li Li Xuewu's gesture, raised her eyes to look at Luo Yun and Zuo Yan Jie, said two sentences, and then pulled Zhou Zhou Xiao Bai out.

"Drove here, right?"

Li Li Xuewu didn't pay attention to Ji Ji Yuxiu's cautious gaze and poured her a cup of tea with the teapot.

"I wanted to talk to him last time, but then I thought I'd better forget it."

"He just likes to play—"

Ji Ji Yuxiu naturally protected her partner and explained actively when she saw Second Brother was going to mention him driving: "I begged him to come with me this time."

"Did you really need to beg him?"

Li Li Xuewu said with amusement: "My own younger brother, don't I understand him?"

"Fine, as long as he doesn't cause trouble, if he likes it, he likes it."

He nodded and said: "Tell Xuecai that when he starts work, that car will be his, but keep a low profile and don't be too flashy."

"I won't tell him—"

Ji Ji Yuxiu smiled while holding the teacup: "If he knew, he'd definitely grow into the car and wouldn't want to get out for a moment."

"Hahahaha—"

Li Li Xuewu said with a light smile: "He, he was raised by the family, has no heart, and has no big ambitions."

"Dad wants him to inherit the mantle and carry it forward, but he's good; he really just inherited the mantle and that's it."

"Tell Dad later, he still needs to keep a close eye on him."

Ji Ji Yuxiu was on the same side as Second Brother, both hoping for Li Xuecai's good.

"He himself said he has no ambition, like a donkey that only knows to run when whipped a few times, hahahaha—"

"Fine, he has self-knowledge."

Li Li Xuewu also laughed and said: "This point is very rare."

"Better than me," Zuo Yan Jie refilled the teapot with hot water, sat aside, and took over the conversation with a smile: "I can't even see myself clearly."

"You're being humble, President Zuo."

Ji Ji Yuxiu knew him; they had quite a lot of contact. Zuo Yan Jie not only worked at the Youth Society but also helped Shen Shen Guodong and managed trade.

Li Li Xuewu abused his power to arrange for his younger brother and sister to join the club, but didn't give them any membership, just letting them come to make more friends.

Li Xuecai only recently figured out the way here and fell in love with billiards.

Li Xue never came, unless she came with her Second Brother.

Ji Ji Yuxiu didn't come here to practice physical fitness, but to practice shooting; that's how she met Zuo Yan Jie.

"Second Brother, I came to find you because I have something."

There was no one else in the room, and Zuo Yan Jie was worth trusting, so Ji Ji Yuxiu stopped the pleasantries and talked about serious business.

Li Li Xuewu also knew that she had left Li Xuecai and come to find him alone because she had something, so he nodded to signal her to speak directly.

"Deputy Section Chief Jia Zhangshi, who is in charge of public security, talked to me yesterday," Ji Ji Yuxiu explained: "He said that my public security work and comprehensive safety environment governance work during my time at the Jiaodaokou Police Station were done quite well, ranking at the top."

"On one hand, he recommended me to receive the Outstanding Cadre and Public Security Model award last year in the capacity of a police station chief."

"On the other hand, he recommended me to join the branch bureau's public security environment rectification project team," she said somewhat confusedly: "Deputy Section Chief Jia Zhangshi said it was an exceptional appointment, the organization's trust in me, and further cultivation..."

"I just don't quite understand."

After reporting the basic situation, Ji Ji Yuxiu frowned and said: "I've only been in the position of Deputy Director of the Comprehensive Office for a little over a year; how could..."

"Borrowing force to strike force—"

Zuo Yan Jie was truly worthy of being raised in a big courtyard; even if his father's rank wasn't high, he could understand some things just by hearing them.

Ji Ji Yuxiu also had such a family environment, but her parents protected her too well, and when she was older, she couldn't even see her parents.

So sometimes, when she couldn't grasp things at work, even if it was night, she had to find Li Li Xuewu to ask.

Ji Wang Weidong entrusted his sister to Li Li Xuewu when he left, and Li Li Xuewu also treated her as his own sister.

She was his own sister, and also his sister-in-law; there was no reason to pit her.

So Ji Ji Yuxiu trusted him the most.

"Either someone wants to occupy your position, or someone wants you to help occupy a position; it's just this kind of thing."

Zuo Yan Jie didn't see Li Li Xuewu speak, so he boldly said it directly.

"Maybe your Deputy Section Chief Jia Zhangshi is forced to, or maybe he is bold and reckless, playing a game of burning the boats."

He explained: "He wants to arrange a position, and someone wants to compete with him; now the result is that it doesn't look good to compete, so they moved you, this big Buddha."

"Does this count as doing me a favor?"

Ji Ji Yuxiu had grown up after the tempering of the Jiaodaokou Police Station; she didn't say anything humble or ignorant, speaking very directly.

"I haven't heard that Deputy Section Chief Jia Zhangshi wants to arrange for anyone?"

"Maybe you don't know."

Zuo Yan Jie smiled and said: "Actually, it doesn't count as doing you a favor; knowing you'll make progress sooner or later, they can't move you, so they can only push you forward."

"If it's not for this reason, then your Deputy Section Chief Jia Zhangshi wants to move you to ruin someone else's business and occupy someone else's position."

He raised his eyebrows and said: "Either way, once you enter the project team, the special project team, etc., even if you don't do anything, you have to give an account."

"Then wouldn't I be offending people for no reason—"

Ji Ji Yuxiu didn't want to be this villain; she was already treated specially in the agency, and if she did this again, she would be scolded behind her back.

"It's not as serious as he said."

Li Li Xuewu saw Ji Ji Yuxiu looking at him and said: "Just do whatever the leader arranges; the more you worry, the less people will like you."

"It's not like you're stealing or doing something shady; there's no need to feel guilty or blame yourself; just do what you have to do," he instructed, and then asked: "How is the public security situation in Dongcheng recently? Why did your leaders think of starting a project team?"

"It's because it's not very good that they started it."

Ji Ji Yuxiu sighed and said: "I think to myself, maybe it's because there were some achievements at Jiaodaokou that made the leaders remember me."

"Remembering is also remembering in vain."

Li Li Xuewu said with amusement: "From now on, I won't be able to help you directly; I don't dare to move even a single soldier."

"Hee hee—"

Ji Ji Yuxiu understood the meaning of Second Brother's words; saying this was just a joke.

Actually, Second Brother had long introduced her to Political Commissar Wang Wang Xiaoqin. Most people couldn't contact the Third Guard Regiment, but she could.

Not to mention the Third Guard Regiment, she could even contact the security forces of the Red Star Factory and other joint units.

Otherwise, do you think she could mix so smoothly in the branch bureau?

Staying in the Comprehensive Office for a year and a half was to buffer her experience in grassroots work and accumulate a certain amount of agency work experience.

For Ji Ji Yuxiu's situation, leaders watched carefully, not letting her progress too fast, but absolutely not too slow, within the most comfortable range.

"If you have any needs, I can also contribute some strength here."

Zuo Yan Jie said with a smile: "To establish a project team, I'm afraid it has something to do with the conflict between Jia Zhangshi Wang Jianguo and those old soldiers?"

Seeing Ji Ji Yuxiu look over, he pursed his lips and said: "You also know that the Youth Society has some people who are close to the old soldiers' circle. I also learned about some situations from the side."

"Fine, President Zuo, you're more decent than Zhao Lao Si at the door."

Ji Ji Yuxiu deliberately used the tone of the underworld to laugh and said: "Dealing with him is too exhausting; he always wants not to offend anyone; is there such a thing?"

"He has many concerns because he is in the circle."

Zuo Yan Jie didn't tear down Zhao Lao Si's stage; both were people from the club, and the more united they were in front of Li Li Xuewu, the better.

"I have no concerns; I retired from the circle long ago. I'll just chat with you about the news I heard; no one can say anything about me."

"If you want to talk about the Xizhimen incident, I already know," Ji Ji Yuxiu took over the conversation: "The project team is chasing him to investigate."

"It's not the Xizhimen incident, it's later," Zuo Yan Jie introduced: "You investigating him is also because of those things that have been making a fuss recently."

"After the attack at Xizhimen, Jia Zhangshi Wang Jianguo organized several counterattacks."

"The tactic was to block the intersections of Fuxingmen and Fuchengmen, which are the only ways for old soldiers from various courtyards in the western suburbs to enter the city, with small squads," Zuo Yan Jie used his finger to point at the tea water and drew a simple map on the table to explain: "When they encountered small groups of old soldiers entering or leaving the city, they would rush out from the roadside with sudden movements, pounce on them and beat them, then leave after beating them."

"Investigating him isn't just about fighting." 【12

March 17th, Monday.

Li Li Xuewu had just finished his work at the main office building and come out when he saw Wang Wang Xiaoqin's car enter the courtyard.

Her car was very easy to recognize because the Red Star Factory had only purchased one 212.

Before the Red Star Hongxing Lingyang went into mass production, the maintenance version of the Hongxing Lingyang had already entered the factory's official vehicle procurement sequence, gradually phasing out the original GAZ vehicles.

In the new vehicle procurement plan, except for the factory leaders' cars, everything else was the factory's own product.

Hongxing Lingyang, Hongyun, Comet, and so on.

If Li Li Xuewu's 212 hadn't undergone special modifications, it would have long since been replaced by an Hongxing Lingyang.

And Wang Wang Xiaoqin's car was not only a 212, but the license plate was also very special; it wasn't a local license plate, so one could recognize it at a glance.

"I was just saying, when are you coming to work?"

Li Li Xuewu stood at the entrance waiting for her, and seeing her get out of the car, he smiled and said: "I'm busy at both ends, and I'm almost unable to keep up."

"It's right that you're unable to keep up—"

Wang Wang Xiaoqin, dressed in a clean and neat green military uniform, walked over and joked: "I was just waiting for you to finish all the work before I came to take over."

"Then you'll have a long wait," Li Li Xuewu said helplessly: "But I can't afford to wait!"

"If you don't come soon, I'll have to go to the Third Guard Regiment in an eight-bearer sedan chair to invite you."

"So, I came early then?"

Wang Wang Xiaoqin raised an eyebrow, stopped in her tracks, and said: "You should have said so earlier; if you had, I would have been waiting at the Third Guard Regiment for you to come and pick me up in an eight-bearer sedan chair."

"I would have liked to, but I'm afraid your brother-in-law wouldn't agree!"

Li Li Xuewu accompanied her into the lobby, gestured upstairs, and said: "Even the red wedding attire and the phoenix coronet have been prepared for you; we're just waiting for your 'three fires'."

"I didn't come here to cook for you—"

Wang Wang Xiaoqin pointed at him and said: "Don't give me an image that everyone fears; I'm here to be a 'good old person'."

"That goes without saying—" Li Li Xuewu stood in the lobby without moving and praised her: "At first glance, you look kind and benevolent; you must be a 'good old person'."

"Hey—you're actually teasing me!"

Wang Wang Xiaoqin had already reached the stairs but didn't see Li Li Xuewu coming up, and she laughed: "Are you coming? What's the matter, is this considered the handover?"

"Of course it won't be that rushed."

Li Li Xuewu gestured to the opposite side and said: "I have a meeting over there, so I have to go now."

"Regarding the work handover, the leaders are easy to talk to; it depends on your arrangement. If you say it's fine, then there's no problem with us handing over right now."

"You wish—" Wang Wang Xiaoqin scolded playfully: "Dumping such a big mess on me directly, I don't even know who is who."

"Alright, go do your work."

She waved her hand and said: "Starting today, I won't do anything else; I'll focus on reading materials and doing research."

"Oh, by the way—" Just as she was about to turn and go upstairs, she seemed to remember something, called out to Li Li Xuewu, and asked: "What about your secretary? Give me a straight answer on whether you're leaving him or not!"

"The leaders gave you time, so I have to give him time too."

Li Li Xuewu knew how to talk, pointed upstairs, and said: "You need time to read materials and do research, and I'm giving him time to get used to working with you."

"Peng Peng Xiaoli is upstairs; during this period, he will assist you in becoming familiar with and mastering the work."

"As for whether he stays with you or not, it depends on whether you can keep him."

"Heh—everyone in your Security Division is a precious treasure—"

Wang Wang Xiaoqin rolled her eyes and said while going upstairs: "Asking for a secretary is so dawdling; are you giving birth to a child?"

In the corridor, the Security Group cadres passing through the lobby heard the conversation between the two leaders and looked over one after another.

Especially the last sentence from the Deputy Group Leader Wang, who didn't come often but was set to take over, really shattered everyone's stereotypes.

A female cadre having such a straightforward and rugged side is truly worthy of someone from the Garrison; it matches the nature of the Security Group's work very well.

If Zhou Yao were here, she would definitely try hard to learn from the new leader.

"Eleven floors is not high, but it's not low either."

Li Li Xuewu rested his hands on the conference table, looked at the flat design drawing, and said: "With the twin tower design structure, counting the podium, this indoor floor area should be sufficient."

He moved the design drawings of the United Industrial Building next to it aside with his hand; today's focus was still the office building, so there was no need to consider others for the time being; he had to satisfy Director Li first.

"Including the underground structure, it should be fourteen floors."

The main design team for the twin tower office building had a complex composition; initially, the Red Star Factory's Engineering Division organized some experts, and some engineers from construction units participated.

Later, professors from the Architecture Department of Huaqing University and other universities joined, along with historical architecture professionals from the Dongfeng Architectural Research Institute.

Later still, there was the gratuitous aid provided by the Santa Ya Group, including new engineering machinery and equipment, as well as a professional designer team assembled from Europe.

The original design drawings for the Liangma River Ecological Industrial Zone had long been changed beyond recognition, but the requirements Li Li Xuewu mentioned at the beginning were all laid out there without being moved.

Some of the requirements and ideas he proposed, as well as those generated by later development needs, were also added.

Especially the designer team brought by the Santa Ya Group provided more feedback and solutions to related problems in interior design and architectural design.

Li Li Xuewu was not a professional architectural engineer and hadn't systematically studied design; he was just bold and dared to speak and ask.

Francois from Italy, Isabelle and Gretchen from France, all three, like those professors and engineers, gathered around the conference table, expounding on design concepts and needs while debating.

The foundation of the twin towers had already been laid; as long as the final part of the exterior design was finalized, the construction plan could be made into its final version.

It's rare to hear of a project where the foundation is already laid but the design drawings haven't been finalized, right?

No choice, who told the Liangma River Industrial Zone to constantly have new designers, new design thoughts, and new concepts joining in.

The main structure remained unchanged, while new things were constantly filled in, or things were deleted.

Li Li Xuewu listened to the bilingual arguments accompanied by translation in his ears, his gaze following his fingers as he slid them, asking them related questions one by one.

When the meeting first started, Li Li Huai De followed along for a while, but the more he watched, the more confused he became, so he simply went to do other things.

He didn't give up on the work, but trusted that Li Li Xuewu wouldn't let these loud-mouthed people hand him a pile of dog shit.

Li Li Huai De might doubt his own aesthetics, but he would never doubt Li Li Xuewu's aesthetics; this kid never associated with ugly women.

That was just Old Li's inner thoughts; if Li Li Xuewu knew, he would definitely scold him—who said aesthetics were used like that?

"I don't need to emphasize architectural safety; you should have considered it long ago."

Li Li Xuewu pressed his palm on the drawing and said to the surrounding designer team: "I'll just ask one question: can this building accommodate three thousand people working?"

"Absolutely no problem—"

Francois answered very seriously: "In the case of not pursuing height, the initial design plan made the building body very large."

"There is enough land area here, and a three-story underground structure has been excavated and built; in my opinion, building seven or eight more floors would be no problem."

"It's enough for now—"

Li Li Xuewu tapped the drawing and said: "This building is only for headquarters office use; other businesses can be distributed to other buildings."

"For example, this one—"

He reached out and pulled back the United Industrial Building, which was also eleven floors above ground, that he had just pushed away, "It can serve very well as a supplement."

"It's just a bit wasteful."

Gretchen shrugged her shoulders, looked at Li Li Xuewu, and said: "In a city like Beijing where every inch of land is worth an inch of gold, future development will definitely be fast."

"Urban architectural design, while taking practicality into account, should emphasize adapting to the future and making the best design and usage plan for the plot."

"This is an ecological industrial zone."

Li Li Xuewu glanced at her, seemingly emphasizing the ecology, but he didn't want to say more reasons.

Along the branches of the Liangma River, a long line of buildings appeared very scattered, looking out of place with the industrial zone, commercial zone, and residential zone across the main road.

It looked more like several buildings rising from the large grassland, including the United Industrial Building, Industrial Exhibition Hall, Library (Workers' Club), Twin Office Building, Literary Publishing House Building, Red Star Hotel, Riverside Residential Area, and the Institute's circular office building.

On the drawing, these buildings were generally in a straight line, surrounded by green grass and vegetation, looking more like a garden.

Even the previous stereotype of office areas—there were no walls.

Perhaps the factory workers would walk and walk and arrive at the park, and the office area, activity area, and important buildings would be in the park.

Of course, the riverside residential area designed and planned for cadres at the deputy division level and above was also here, which was a kind of status segregation.

This wasn't about being special; if this wasn't done, then the residential area wouldn't be able to achieve fair distribution and sale for the workers.

In Gretchen's view, these requirements of Li Li Xuewu were more like displaying the Red Star Factory's office institutions on the side of the main road.

She didn't quite understand this design thinking, but all the Chinese designers and professors present understood it.

Good steel should be used on the knife handle, not the knife tassel.

What? The knife edge?

Nonsense, if the knife handle isn't good, it's useless even if the knife edge is good!

"Eight elevators, three large conference rooms."

Isabelle introduced: "Each floor has one medium and three small conference rooms; there are two restrooms on the left and right, totaling four."

She was introducing and explaining to Li Li Xuewu as an interior designer; she spoke slowly but very specifically, mentioning all the key points Li Li Xuewu had just focused on.

What did Li Li Xuewu ask?

Office needs: besides working at their desks, workers go to meetings or use the restroom.

"There must be a rest area, a reception area, a tea area..." Li Li Xuewu's fingers emphasized the options Isabelle gave: "They can be set up in the corridor or indoors."

"No chandeliers, no wall lamps, no redundant artistic lighting," he said somewhat pickily: "It must reflect a serious and rigorous work style, while also emphasizing a lively and earnest work atmosphere; you understand, right?"

I don't understand!!!

Isabelle twitched the corners of her mouth, nodded, and said: "No problem."

She knew this was the client; it was always: don't tell me what you want, I only say what I want.

"Decorative paintings can be there, but not too many; our publicity department will choose the style; you guys communicate on this later."

Li Li Xuewu tapped the document with his finger and said: "All door and window glass must be of one specification to facilitate later maintenance and upkeep."

"Wiring must have reserved outlets to facilitate more choices in the future," he said whatever came to mind, making final emphasis on the already designed drawings: "Don't save on materials for floor tiles; use the best."

"Don't paint the wall wainscoting; use wall tiles. We've spent so much money, are we short of this little bit?"

He looked up at the chief designer and continued to emphasize: "Besides the main structure, you must think about whether there will be new needs ten or twenty years later."

He picked and chose a lot, especially the private work the French designers had filled in, some of which were removed by Li Li Xuewu.

The art was there, but the seriousness was gone.

The final discussion was about the ninth floor, which was the office floor for group leaders.

Down to every office, every reception room, every conference room... even the positions of doors and windows, the positions of restrooms, and the solid wood materials to be used, he made rigorous requirements.

All the furniture in the group office building was newly designed by the design team and handed over to the Chadian Furniture Factory for production and processing.

The design plan contained many of Li Li Xuewu's novel thoughts and ideas, which would definitely not be outdated for fifty years.

This was also the reason why those designers were seriously thinking when he put forward his opinions; sometimes he was really right.

When discussing the ninth-floor office area, Li Li Xuewu specifically called Dou Dou Yaozu over, and he even brought an entire team.

What kind of team?

In the eyes of foreign designers, this was a group of old men, or rather, immortals.

Because the tools held by these people with the bearing of immortals were not rulers, but compasses.

The Chinese designers all shut their mouths, only watching and not speaking.

What to say?

It's better to believe in this stuff than not.

Besides, who could guarantee that the leaders didn't believe in it?

(End of chapter)