Chapter 1310: Hungry?

Li Xuewu is serious about making mineral water. He doesn't expect to make much money from it right now; he has other goals.

"Mineral water at 10 yuan a bottle, gold-label water at 100 yuan—do you think that's enough of a gimmick?"

Li Xuewu looked at Li Huai De, raised an eyebrow, and said, "If you don't think it's enough, I'll drag Empress Dowager Cixi into it."

"We'll just say that this spendthrift woman, just to have a sip of this water of ours, recklessly squandered the Beiyang naval budget and had this spring dug. How about that?"

"You really are something—"

Wu Shuping was amused by his words, laughing at his lack of seriousness.

"What a massive project, and you want to go digging up graves," she reminded him. "Besides, you're just making this up."

"The Beiyang naval budget was indeed squandered by Cixi, but it wasn't squandered on this."

"How do you know she didn't squander it on this?"

Li Xuewu leaned back in his chair and argued, "The Beiyang naval budget was huge. Do you only know she spent the money on the Summer Palace? Couldn't she have spared a little to dig this spring?"

"I'll add one more thing: not everyone is well-versed in history, whether domestic or foreign."

He turned his head to look at the blank-faced Old Li and said, "If someone really produces evidence showing exactly where every cent was spent, then we'll just spread a rumor that we remembered it wrong—that it must have been the Western Navy."

"Nonsense—" Wu Shuping retorted, "There was no Western Navy back then."

"Why not? There were the Beiyang, Dongyang, and Nanyang fleets; why couldn't there be a Western Navy?" Li Xuewu turned his head to look at her. "If it weren't for the preciousness of this spring water, could it have attracted the covetous eyes of the Westerners?"

"Westerners, just to have a sip of our water, sailed their ironclad warships to knock open our national gates. That's how the Eight-Nation Alliance ended up attacking Dagu Fort."

Hearing Li Xuewu's straight-faced nonsense, both Wu Shuping and Li Huai De fell silent, though their expressions turned serious.

Sometimes, a product's selling point doesn't rely entirely on quality or reputation; sometimes, it just needs a story.

A story that doesn't need to be too true—whether it's far-fetched or completely fabricated, as long as it sounds interesting.

If you want to be pedantic, how do you account for the "aristocrats of the water" like the old man and the princess? Are you sure that's a beautiful story?

"Have you been pondering this lately?"

Old Li looked at Li Xuewu with some suspicion and asked, "Is there some movement over in Hong Kong?"

"I've mentioned it to you before," Li Xuewu explained with a serious expression. "Since last year, Hong Kong's economy has been recovering."

"You shouldn't be unaware of what lies behind an economic order built on breaking the old and establishing the new."

He was certain Old Li didn't know, but he phrased it very eloquently: "The old order is being broken, and new economic forces are rising."

"In this process, the new forces lack identity and honor, so they seek to compensate through material mediums using money."

Li Xuewu tapped the sofa armrest and said, "At the end of the last century, roughly after 1860, America went through such a period where the ideas of 'new money' clashed with the rules of 'old money'."

"Mark Twain wrote a novel called *The Gilded Age*. I think Hong Kong is currently in such a time period."

"Economically?" Li Huai De frowned slightly and looked thoughtfully at Wu Shuping. "Wu Laoshi, you come from Nanyang; what do you think of Xuewu's viewpoint?"

Don't look at Wu Shuping's currently awkward situation—being Li Xuewu's mistress and having lost her professorship at Huaqing.

However, Li Huai De's respect for intellectuals was still carved into his bones, especially when facing a professor like her.

In their daily interactions, although they spoke somewhat casually due to their familiarity, he never showed a dismissive attitude.

He always addressed her as "Wu Laoshi," and his speech was filled with polite terms like "you" (honorific) and "please."

This was a sign of respect for Li Xuewu, and also a form of respect for Wu Shuping herself.

Wu Shuping had fully understood Li Huai De's character and thinking from Li Xuewu, so how could she not be cautious and guarded in every way?

Now that he asked, she hesitated for less than a second before nodding in agreement: "When I came to the mainland, Hong Kong's financial and economic situation had already shown problems, based on current data."

She paused for a second, thought about it, and said, "I think it is appropriate for him to use the 'Gilded Age' to describe Hong Kong's economic recovery period."

"The *nouveau riche* rely on breaking old rules to complete their primitive accumulation; they must inevitably continue to break through the shackles of 'old money' while setting up barriers behind them. This is the natural attribute of capital."

Wu Shuping explained seriously: "If we consider this situation within the entire market environment, regarding marketing, I think it is truly necessary to consider the trend caused by these capital *nouveaux riches*."

"Hmm—" Li Huai De listened very carefully, nodding from time to time. After Wu Shuping finished speaking, he responded by looking at Li Xuewu and asking, "What is your idea? In the food industry."

"Ng Fung Hong—we cannot let them lead us by the nose." Li Xuewu said with a look of complete seriousness: "In the past, we didn't dare to speak recklessly, but now I think we must make plans for the future."

"Are you thinking—" Li Huai De glanced at him sideways, his gaze sharpened, and he nodded slightly. "Taking precautions—you always have the preparation and mindset of being prepared for danger in times of peace. It should be considered this way."

Hearing this, Wu Shuping fell silent. This was a matter for the Red Star Group; she had no qualifications to participate.

Even if Li Huai De asked her, she could only provide explanations and introductions from a theoretical standpoint, without bringing in any subjective or personal opinions.

This was where her cleverness lay.

"Making mineral water is not the goal. Using the gimmick of mineral water to make beverages and alcohol is also not the goal."

Li Xuewu grabbed at the air with his palm and said, "The goal is to build a brand culture, to build a deeply rooted brand with unique influence."

"Even if the two sides part ways one day, we won't fear such a chain break. The brand is the credit guarantee that supports the product."

"Beverages, soda?" Li Huai De pondered carefully and said, "I've tasted the samples you had the lab send over. They're sweet, which I don't really like."

"But I know young people will definitely like them."

Old Li's attitude toward business was what Li Xuewu admired most: he would never pretend to understand what he didn't. He had suffered losses in that regard before.

"On the streets of Guangzhou, there's a type of drink called *Tang Shui* (sweet soup/dessert drink)." Li Huai De introduced: "I heard people mention it when I was young."

"Similar, but the flavor is more complex and unique." Li Xuewu emphasized: "Products sold by street vendors are mostly made on the spot or pre-made."

"On the sales end, the requirement for packaged food is to look at the shelf life. How to extend the validity of the product is a potential indicator that determines the product's value."

He crossed his hands in front of his lower abdomen and said, "I told the lab that any domestic beverage with a history can be excavated and experimented with."

"Find the secret to the flavor, solve the packaging problem, and then hand it over to the product department for marketing and market research, and then push it to the market."

"Won't it be a bit cluttered?"

Li Huai De frowned slightly and asked, "So many beverages concentrated under one brand, pushing them to the market one after another..."

"Product matrix, market segmentation."

Li Xuewu spread his hands and said, "We'll target the food market the same way we targeted the Beijing Jeep 212—catch them off guard."

Ruthless—

Old Li might not have experience with other things, but when it came to hitting the Beijing Jeep!

He had seen with his own eyes how Li Xuewu had grabbed the Beijing Jeep by its lifeline in less than two years, manipulating it however he pleased.

By now, the Beijing Jeep had become a "bird startled by the mere twang of a bow," abandoning its original sedan technology reserves that were under experimentation, and preparing to launch assembly line modifications.

Similarly, some non-essential automotive parts production lines were being phased out and sold off, just to shed the burden and start light.

Li Xuewu's layout in the automotive industry was truly too vicious; the big car manufacturers were all cursing this "open conspiracy."

The Red Star Steel Group had built an automotive parts supply chain warehouse on the edge of the Liangma River Ecological Industrial Zone.

Who it was targeting went without saying; it was easy to cause misunderstandings.

But in reality, the first to react was the Beijing Jeep, which was already contacting and approaching other enterprises or Beijing industries to sell its parts factories.

Why?

Once the Red Star Steel Group's automotive parts supply chain warehouse was operational, they would face an awkward situation.

Although independent production of all vehicle parts guaranteed market security, the production costs remained high, completely unable to compete with Red Star Auto.

While they were producing parts at high costs here, the prices in the city's supply chain warehouse would directly leave them stunned.

Even if other enterprises had procurement plans and quotas, how many years could they hold out?

Clearly, the First Ministry of Machine-Building was attempting and promoting the reform and development of the automotive industry, and the Red Star Steel Group was favored.

If they didn't make changes, they would be the ones changed.

Parts factories would become increasingly obsolete unless they opened up cooperation channels with the Red Star Steel Group to supply the supply chain.

But for existing parts factories, production conditions and environments had to be updated to meet the procurement standards and needs of the supply chain; otherwise, they could just sit and wait for bankruptcy.

But where would the investment come from?

Updating equipment and processes costs money, right?

Training workers and technology costs money, right?

Even if they increased investment to boost production, news had leaked out that the Red Star Steel Group was experimenting with CNC machine tools and high-quality machine tools.

They had already started experimenting; the machine processing factory in Fengcheng had already completed its modifications and was just waiting for production.

And the parts processing factory being built in Steel City was also nearing completion. Once the CNC machine tools and high-quality machine tools were successfully tested, the parts industry cluster would quickly be launched and put into operation.

The Beijing Jeep couldn't even imagine how much money and how many years it would take to intercept and catch up with this monstrous industrial development speed.

Doing automotive parts supply chain without the support of such technology and production capacity, how could it threaten the Beijing Jeep?

The current Beijing Jeep was breaking out in a cold sweat.

Li Huai De understood the Beijing Jeep, so he understood Li Xuewu's layout.

"What is Li Huai De thinking?"

Wu Shuping had finished making the bed for Li Xuewu and looked at her son in the small crib before getting into bed.

Li Xuewu, standing by the window, withdrew his gaze, pulled the half-open curtains, and said, "He's shrewd; he won't make decisions easily, and will only express his stance after results are produced."

"Is he like that with you too?" Wu Shuping said amusedly, "You're his trusted aide."

"Wrong, I'm his trusted aide—and his greatest worry." Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows, smiled, and got into bed, saying, "A true trusted aide wouldn't be like me; he knows this better than anyone."

"I really don't understand you people." Wu Shuping shook her head slightly and sighed, "On the surface, you talk about everything, relying on and trusting each other, but behind the scenes—"

She glanced out the window and asked, "Zhou Miaomiao has left; who's coming to live over there?"

"Don't know, he has plenty of cousins." Li Xuewu curled his lip, looked at her, and raised his eyebrows, "Unlike me, I only have you as a cousin."

"Heh—hehe—" Hearing him say this, Wu Shuping couldn't help but laugh out loud. Mindful of her son, she nervously looked back, and seeing her son sleeping soundly, she turned back and asked, "You people and your cousins—isn't it tiring—"

"Not tiring, not tiring at all."

Li Xuewu pulled the quilt over his stomach, rested his head on the headboard, and said, "It's endless joy."

"Old Li is actually quite interesting; his hypocrisy is all on the surface, not fake at all."

"But sometimes he's terrifyingly shrewd, giving people a sense of sharpness, a 'great wisdom appearing as stupidity'."

He kneaded his fingers and said, "His best skill is probing the human heart; it's quite formidable. You should be able to feel it."

"You've been with him for so long, haven't you ever been seen through or schemed against by him?" Wu Shuping looked at him curiously. "Or are you two killing each other, evenly matched?"

"You're thinking too superficially, too formally." Li Xuewu shook his head slightly and said, "Water has no constant shape, people have no constant state."

"Are there few who are friends today and enemies tomorrow?"

He shifted his body, placed his hands behind his head, and said, "Of course, I'm being a bit absolute."

"However, my relationship with Old Li isn't quite friends, nor is it enemies. Calling it 'mutual utilization' isn't quite right either."

"You people are truly complicated."

Wu Shuping leaned against the pillow, sized him up, and said, "Can you keep going like this forever without being seen through?"

"Impossible, I'm not a professional spy," Li Xuewu looked at her amusedly. "Besides, there's no need."

"He will inevitably conduct side investigations and inquiries after he goes back regarding what I said today; that's already enough."

He gestured with his chin toward the direction of the next room and said, "He's not like this just with me, but maintains vigilance toward everyone."

"Everyone who has been in the workplace for a long time is like this. There's no one you can absolutely trust. Maintaining a skeptical attitude toward everything allows us to walk longer and more steadily."

"Although you're not a professional spy, you are a professional cadre." Wu Shuping smiled and pointed at him, saying, "I won't accept any rebuttal on this point."

"Hahaha—" Li Xuewu shook his head with a light laugh and said, "I wasn't planning to rebut you; it's a fact."

He looked at Wu Shuping and asked, "You've only been listening to my bluffs all night; I haven't even asked how you've been lately."

"Just the same, day after day." Wu Shuping let out a long sigh. "The child is gradually growing up. Every day I spend with him, the process of his growth is my happiness."

"If I really have to talk about myself," she thought for a moment, looked at Li Xuewu, and smiled slightly, "I actually quite like this life now. I definitely won't be able to be a teacher in the future."

"It's all my fault; I'm the one who delayed your bright future." Li Xuewu smiled and took all the blame upon himself. "The 'pride of heaven' (top students) would never imagine what they've lost."

"If only that were true."

Wu Shuping rested her head on her hands and said, "I hope the efforts of my past self were a beam of light shining into the students' hearts. Even as years change and time passes, it can still warm their hearts."

"I don't know if they were warmed, but I am warmed right now." Li Xuewu said with a smile, "Although I haven't attended your classes and don't know much about your past, looking at you now, you must be a good teacher."

"Thank you, your evaluation is precious to me."

She held Li Xuewu's hand, squeezed it, and said, "I can think this way entirely because of you."

"You are the beam of light shining into my heart. When I needed help the most, it was you who reached out a helping hand to me."

"Is it necessary to be this sentimental?"

Li Xuewu pulled her hand and said, "We're an old married couple; it makes me feel quite uncomfortable."

"Heh—" Wu Shuping laughed, shook off his hand, and lay back on the bed. "You're the midday sun; it's a bit blinding."

"At least it's not the sunset." Li Xuewu let out a long sigh, as if releasing his worries. "It proves I still have some heat."

"You and your virtue—" Wu Shuping glanced at him with a smile and said, "Have you made progress with Zhou Xiaobai?"

"Hmm? What progress?" Li Xuewu was stunned by her question. "Spreading rumors won't do; I'm your lover."

"Forget it, you wouldn't even lie to yourself, would you?" Wu Shuping sized him up with a strange look and said, "Last time she came back, she told me some strange things, acting all sneaky."

"I saw the secret joy and smile of a kitten that had eaten a fish on her face. And you're telling me you haven't made progress?"

"Hmm—I can only tell you that the kitten didn't eat the fish; it might have just smelled the fishy scent."

The description in Li Xuewu's words was fierce and vicious; one blow almost left Wu Shuping stunned.

Fishy scent? What kind of metaphor is that?

"You don't need to look at me with that gaze; I'm not afraid of her status, nor am I worried about the trouble caused after breaking the bottom line."

Li Xuewu shifted his body, found a comfortable position, and continued: "She's just a child who hasn't grown up, always liking to do things that seem mature but are actually immature."

"Heh—" Wu Shuping said with a light laugh, "The 'child who hasn't grown up' in your mouth, in my view, isn't small at all."

"Hmm? What isn't small?" Li Xuewu grabbed the point and swept a glance at her amusedly. "It's not even as big as yours."

"Want to compare with me?" If Wu Shuping hadn't been thinking about her son, she would have laughed out loud. "Why don't you let her give birth to one for you?"

"I guarantee, after she gives birth, it will still be this big."

"I refuse," Li Xuewu shook his head. "Who knows if what you're saying is true or false? If it's not that big, can I make her take it back?"

"No, you're thinking wrong," Wu Shuping raised her eyebrows. "If it doesn't work this time, then give birth to another one. You have to try more for this kind of thing."

"I already told you not to come pick me up; I've already arranged it with the club, they'll arrange a car."

Zhou Xiaobai looked helplessly at Zhang Haiyang, who was waving at her like a fool at the train station exit.

The fool's smile was very bright.

"I really want to repay your help; a little bit of trivial hard work, I'm truly ashamed."

Seeing his goddess return, Zhang Haiyang was very excited. His words were all muddled; he almost couldn't find north.

Zhou Xiaobai sized him up and asked, "Did Zhong Yuemin come out with you?"

"Uh—yeah, we came together." Zhang Haiyang hesitated for a moment. Hearing her mention Zhong Yuemin, he awkwardly changed the subject: "I'll help you with your luggage. How many days are you staying this time?"

"It's not heavy, I can do it myself..." Before Zhou Xiaobai could finish her sentence, the fool had snatched her luggage away.

That's right, she was sure her word choice was appropriate; Zhang Haiyang had come up without allowing any argument and snatched her luggage away in one go.

This is the train station, for heaven's sake!

Zhou Xiaobai really wanted to shout out loud. Doesn't the guy think about what would happen if someone took him for a thief?

She couldn't guarantee she would admit they knew each other immediately; this kid was a bit reckless.

Zhang Haiyang wasn't stupid, nor was he reckless; he was just overwhelmed by love and wanted to be proactive.

Young people these days are always a bit impulsive, or should we say hot-blooded, or... pure?

Anyway, in Zhang Haiyang's understanding, he came to pick up the goddess for Zhou Xiaobai's own good.

He trotted all the way, carrying the luggage to the 212 car, and put it away, as if afraid Zhou Xiaobai would run away temporarily.

"Did you steal your dad's car to pick me up?"

Zhou Xiaobai walked closer and only discovered after stepping down the stairs that the car the kid drove belonged to his father's unit.

"It's my dad's car, but don't worry, I've already talked to him," Zhang Haiyang said with certainty: "I won't mess up your business. As soon as I said I was coming to pick you up, my dad agreed."

"Damn it! —You really said that?"

Zhou Xiaobai gritted her teeth. She was most afraid of this guy dragging relationship matters into the parents' territory.

She looked at him, panting with rage. "I actually wish you had stolen your dad's car to pick me up now."

"I was acting according to your instructions." Seeing the goddess was angry, Zhang Haiyang felt a bit aggrieved. "You said I couldn't steal my parents' car to use, and I haven't made that mistake again even once."

"Fine, you're an obedient good boy, happy now?" Zhou Xiaobai couldn't be bothered to argue with him, jumped into the back seat, and said, "Hurry up and take me to the International Hotel."

"Going straight to the hotel?" Seeing the goddess didn't sit in the passenger seat, Zhang Haiyang felt a bit regretful. After getting in the car, he turned back and asked: "Are you hungry? How about I treat you to a meal?"

"I was almost starved to death, but now I'm full from being angered by you."

Zhou Xiaobai said unpleasantly: "Alright, hurry up. I'm covered in sweat from being squeezed on the train; I want to wash up."

"Why didn't you take a sleeper? Next time you come back, call me, and I'll get you a sleeper ticket."

Zhang Haiyang said with a smile: "I guarantee you'll arrive in Beijing comfortably."

"Are you showing off?" Zhou Xiaobai's expression changed. "It's only two hours, for heaven's sake. If I take a sleeper, what will the conductor think of me?"

"Are you going to drive or not? If you're not going, I'll call a taxi and go back myself; I don't need you to take me."

"Going, going, going right now."

Seeing the goddess was losing her temper, Zhang Haiyang quickly started the car.

"Look at you, getting impatient again."

He skillfully maneuvered the car out, nagging: "I'm just afraid you're tired from the trip."

"Thanks for your concern, I don't need it." Zhou Xiaobai crossed her arms and looked out the window. "And stop mentioning me to your family."

"Especially things that haven't happened yet; stop talking about them. It makes both of us awkward," she reminded him, pursing her lips: "Especially with my mom."

"Auntie Fang is quite nice." Zhang Haiyang looked at Zhou Xiaobai in the back seat through the rearview mirror and probed: "Last time she saw me, she even asked what I was doing now."

"I hope you didn't talk nonsense." Zhou Xiaobai looked at him coldly. "You should know what can be said and what cannot."

"Hey, I know. I just said I was doing some work serving the people with friends. You don't trust me?"

He knew the result of this probe was poor, so he quickly stopped the topic and said: "Auntie Fang shouldn't know about our business."

"My business, your business—you don't need to worry about it, and you don't need to worry about whether my mom knows. It has nothing to do with you."

Zhou Xiaobai emphasized: "Watch that mouth of yours, otherwise, the one who will cause you trouble won't be me."

Under the supply chain pyramid structure, who knows how many interests are involved? Who would dare to tear it down?

Facing Zhou Xiaobai's cold stares one after another, Zhang Haiyang felt some awkwardness and unease, but more of a sense of loss.

He wanted to have more contact with the goddess, spend more time together, and wanted to confirm the relationship between them through various channels.

But every time he failed, and he didn't know where the reason lay.

Of course he knew where the reason lay; he just didn't dare to think too deeply about it.

Every time he thought of his goddess acting like a little fan girl beside that person, his heart would ache.

What he didn't dare to think about wasn't just Zhou Xiaobai's infatuation, but also... of course he understood that bit about men and women.

Zhang Haiyang wasn't sure if Zhou Xiaobai was with Li Xuewu. He reminded himself that as long as he didn't think about it, such a thing wouldn't happen.

After all, Xiaobai is a good girl.

At the International Hotel, as soon as the good girl Zhou Xiaobai got out of the car, a waiter came over to help with the luggage; Zhang Haiyang didn't even get a chance.

He looked up at the International Hotel building, catching a glimpse of the splendor in the lobby, and still felt some inferiority.

Being able to treat this place as home made Zhou Xiaobai's economic strength make him want to retreat.

He dug into his pockets—would those few coins satisfy the goddess's spendthrift ways?

Staying here could make him go bankrupt; how could he bear the thought of eating here?

"Xiaobai—" Thinking of the girl about to leave him, looking at Zhou Xiaobai's back, Zhang Haiyang took a deep breath and said: "Let's go dancing in a while; a friend of mine has set up a gathering, and many classmates are playing there."

"If you're going to wash up, I'll wait for you downstairs, and we'll go together."

"Zhang Haiyang, thank you."

Zhou Xiaobai looked back at him, saw the persistence in his eyes, turned back, and walked down the steps to stand before him.

"Thanks for thinking of picking me up. If you have anything to say, just say it directly," she said frankly: "I don't have time to go dancing, I have no interest in such activities, and I don't want you to beat around the bush with me."

"Xiaobai, I—" Zhang Haiyang was suddenly pushed into a corner by Zhou Xiaobai and said awkwardly: "I just wanted to take you out to play..."

Seeing Zhou Xiaobai's gaze becoming increasingly sharp, he knew that if he didn't speak his heart now, he wouldn't have another chance.

Saying it out loud would leave a tiny bit of hope; not saying it would leave none at all.

This was what Li Yuanchao had told him.

So, clutching the sweat in his palms, he avoided Zhou Xiaobai's gaze and said: "I like you, I want to be in a relationship with you."

After he finished this sentence, his head was already lowered, and he stood there so nervously his body was swaying.

But he didn't see Zhou Xiaobai curl her lip, her eyes almost rolling back.

What kind of confession is this?

Not to mention the issue of whether it's tacky or not, just coming up and saying he likes her—doesn't he even ask what the girl likes?

Don't blame her for pestering Li Xuewu. Although Li Xuewu didn't let her succeed, she could get emotional value from him.

Surprises, achievements, confidence—almost everything except the physiological could satisfy her spiritual needs.

Conversely, looking at Zhang Haiyang, standing there like a fool saying he likes her—what could Zhou Xiaobai see?

A sincere heart? Pure honesty?

Stop it. If it were two years ago, she might have believed it, but after witnessing so much intrigue and ulterior motives following Li Xuewu, her eyes only held that bit of clarity belonging to Li Xuewu.

She firmly believed Li Xuewu wouldn't harm her because there was no need, and it didn't make logical sense, but she couldn't guarantee that for others.

Zhang Haiyang says he likes her now; if she really asked him what aspect he liked, he definitely wouldn't be able to say.

Don't pull that "love is blind and complex" nonsense. "Like" can only be real or fake.

Real has color and profit; fake has influence and status. Love comes too suddenly; there's always one that fits you.

"I have never thought about this."

Zhou Xiaobai looked at him for a good while before saying: "You know, Haiyang, I treat you as a friend."

"We're all buddies. You saying this really caught me off guard."

She wore a look of trusting him, patted Zhang Haiyang's arm, and said: "You should think about it carefully; did you get something wrong? I don't have any plans to develop a relationship for the time being."

Seeing Zhang Haiyang about to speak, Zhou Xiaobai emphasized again: "I'm not lying to you when I say career comes first, but I really don't have plans to be in a relationship. You know I'm single now, right?"

"Hmm, I know—" Of course Zhang Haiyang knew the goddess was single. "I just like you, that's why—"

"You must be confused; go back and think about it." Zhou Xiaobai waved her hand and said: "I have things to do, I won't accompany you."

"Oh, about the dancing, don't participate."

Before going up the steps, she thoughtfully pointed at him and reminded him: "It's an extraordinary period now; decadent music is not allowed. Don't find trouble for yourself, and don't find trouble for everyone else."

"I know—" Listening to the goddess's warm words, Zhang Haiyang nodded seriously and shouted at her back: "I'll think about it carefully when I go back."

Zhou Xiaobai didn't stop her pace, pointed at him, and walked into the lobby of the International Hotel.

Of course he believed the goddess's words; Xiaobai is pure, she wouldn't tell lies, and there's no need to tell lies.

Inside the Red Star International Hotel, whose consumption standards made Zhang Haiyang want to retreat, Li Xuewu was meeting with the Japanese representatives.

Gukura Heiji brought Mikami Yua to see Li Xuewu, and the two sides communicated and confirmed the implementation work of the previous negotiation content.

To be precise, it was Li Xuewu urging the completion of the signing on behalf of the Red Star Factory for the Sanhe Stock Company.

The terrifying little devil was somewhat resistant and troubled by this cooperation agreement, so he had been slow to push forward the progress of the project's implementation.

Playing the rogue was naturally impossible; a piece of paper didn't have much binding force, but the trade relationship between the two sides did.

Li Xuewu didn't even need to say anything too harsh; as long as he showed a little concern for the cooperation and dissatisfaction with the progress, the other side could feel the attitude and significance.

"Mr. Li, please have some tea."

Mikami Yua knelt beside the tea table, helped Li Xuewu pour hot tea, and then politely made a gesture of courtesy.

Li Xuewu nodded slightly, thanked her, and looked at Gukura Heiji. "Is Mr. Nakamura not at the office?"

"It's like this, Mr. Li."

Gukura Heiji was also a slippery character. At this moment, he answered respectfully: "The three presidents are all busy with things; I will convey the purpose and situation of your interview to them. You can rest assured about that."

"No, I'm not doubting you, Mr. Gukura." Li Xuewu sized him up, turned his head to look at Mikami Yua, and asked: "Is your work in the mainland going smoothly, Miss Mikami?"

"Thank you for your concern, I'm doing very well." Mikami Yua smiled shallowly, sat respectfully beside him, and bowed slightly: "I like the life and work environment here very much; it makes me feel very relaxed and happy."

"I believe our cooperation will be the same." Li Xuewu turned his head to look at Gukura Heiji again and asked: "You're right, Mr. Gukura."

"Uh—it's like this," Gukura Heiji nodded. "We share a common goal, which is to happily carry out cooperation and trade relations."

"Hmm, happiness is very important."

Li Xuewu looked at Mikami Yua again and said: "If you encounter any difficulties in your life in the mainland, please don't be polite."

"I still have some ability here; I will definitely help you actively."

"Tha—thank you, Mr. Li. I'm very sure."

Mikami Yua glanced at her superior, Gukura. Seeing the sweat on his forehead, her heart tightened.

She bowed politely and said: "Our president also often mentions your generous help; I will keep your kindness in mind."

"Hmm, definitely don't be polite."

Li Xuewu smiled slightly, looked at her, and emphasized it again before saying to Gukura Heiji: "I fully understand the busy work of the three presidents of your company; everyone is the same."

"I came here this time just to communicate the relationship between the two sides; please don't misunderstand."

After Gukura Heiji bowed and responded with increasing respect, Li Xuewu continued: "I believe your company can also understand us; on the basis of happiness, continue to deepen cooperation."

"I think this is also the demand of all of us, right?"

Li Xuewu nodded, stood up, and said: "Then that's it for today; please convey my greetings to the three presidents."

"Next time they come to Beijing, I will invite them to taste the delicious food of Beijing. They are welcome to visit the Red Star Factory."

"Thank you, Mr. Li. I will definitely convey your words."

Gukura Heiji and Mikami Yua bowed together and said: "Please take your time, thank you for your visit today, you've worked hard."

Hard work wasn't really the word; Li Xuewu worked hard every day.

Coming down from upstairs, he happened to see Zhou Xiaobai entering from the entrance with a pout, looking like a victim.

"Wu Ge? Why are you here?"

Zhou Xiaobai's expression did a 180-degree turn; her pout retracted, and she was all smiles.

When she saw the two Japanese devils sending Wu Ge off, her smile faded a bit.

"I just came back from Tianjin, and I was just about to ask you out for a meal." She made up: "Why? Do you have time?"

"No time, busy."

Li Xuewu's answer was concise and refined enough. When they met, he pointed at her skirt and reminded her: "Make it longer."

"Got it—" Zhou Xiaobai looked disappointed; she didn't expect his focus to be there.

But thinking of Wu Ge's concern, her smile became much brighter. Is he afraid I'll be taken advantage of?

Only let him see it?

What a man with a heavy sense of control; I like it!

"Tomorrow? Do you have time?"

Zhou Xiaobai, like the fly that had just been chased away, persistently pursued: "I'll book French food?"

"No time, have to look after the child."

Li Xuewu turned his head to shake hands with Gukura and the other, signaling them not to continue sending him off.

He took the time to answer Zhou Xiaobai's question and left the hotel lobby under He Yu Shui's escort.

"Deputy General Manager Zhang has left; is the factory not arranging anyone to take over the post?"

Down the steps, He Yu Shui looked at him and asked: "Are there other arrangements?"

"No, waiting for the notice from the Organization Department. Anyway, I don't have any here." Li Xuewu glanced at her and asked: "What's wrong? Want to move too?"

"Don't want to move, too lazy to move."

Yushui curled her lip, looked back at the scene behind her, and looked at him: "I can still keep an eye on you here so you don't make mistakes."

"Mind your own business—" Li Xuewu said lightly, and then watching Nie Xiaoguang drive the car over, he said: "Study more, exercise more, summarize more, think more. Don't just slack off and waste time day after day."

"I—" He Yu Shui gritted her teeth and watched him get into the car. She really wanted to chase after him, pull him down, and ask him properly how she was slacking off and wasting time.

"You don't need to worry about my business either. If you're not the head of my household, don't manage my person."

"You and your virtue—" Li Xuewu glanced at her, pulled the car door shut, rolled down the window, and said to her: "Don't take what I said lightly. 'One regrets having too little knowledge when the time comes to use it'."

"You really are nagging—"

He Yu Shui's heart skipped a beat. She thought Li Xuewu was going to arrange for her to do something; otherwise, he wouldn't have warned her like that.

But out of habit, she retorted, and after his car left, she stood there frowning and thinking.

Zhang Songying had been transferred from here to go abroad for inspection and study, to be used in the pharmaceutical cosmetics branch of the Pharmaceutical General Company.

She firmly believed she didn't have the experience and talent in this area, nor was she material for pharmaceutical management.

Li Xuewu couldn't possibly put her together with Zhang Songying.

And Han Yating's child was still young, and she was facing the overall upgrade of the group, so she wouldn't move for the time being.

If the one moving was herself, it must be something he needed to control, or a layout relationship.

There weren't many people he could trust, and He Yu Shui was confident she was one of them.

So, where was she going?

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1311 =====