Chapter 1319: Is this reasonable?

The situation did not change suddenly; at the very least, every change had its omens.

From the middle of July, winds began to blow from above, continuing until the end of July.

And just as the Red Star Steel Group's Art Troupe was expanding its literary propaganda work team, a new situation emerged.

In the early hours of the 28th, *** met with the leaders of the "little brats" and lectured them very angrily.

The focus was that the little brats had become severely detached from the majority of workers, peasants, soldiers, and students.

The key was that the little brats were split into numerous factions, "proficient" in both literary and martial arts.

The result was a severe warning and the cessation of activities.

By the time Li Xuewu heard the news, it was already the 30th. He chatted a few words while dining at Li Huai De's restaurant, but his attitude did not place much importance on it.

Or rather, he had never placed importance on the hot-bloodedness and impulsiveness of these young people.

Those above would value them even less; any hot-bloodedness and impulsiveness would be utilized.

Now, the value of the little brats was being reassessed; they were no longer suited to the needs of the new era.

Therefore, Li Xuewu could already foresee that within a month or two, their organization as part of the "Great Learning" activities would inevitably face dissolution, completely exiting the center of the Great Learning activity stage.

And these people would soon face various kinds of liquidation and trials.

Even if they didn't have to endure imprisonment, once their hot blood cooled, where would they go in the future?

From that casual chat with Li Yuanchao, he learned some of the situation; the group of little brats had now split into several directions.

The first was being tempted by profit, like him, gathering a few brothers and friends to form management groups.

After the groups were brought out, the group members would form new groups, absorbing the once hot-blooded little brats layer by layer.

The second was being stubborn and unrepentant, insisting on hot-blooded impulsiveness.

This type of person was the group of fools slapped onto the beach by the current change in situation, or those who ended up in the slammer after liquidation.

The third, and also the most numerous, was dissolving on the spot.

They were followers without independent thought or values; they had followed along to join the fun before, and now that the fun had dissipated, their hearts had dissipated too.

But one could not say they gained nothing; the era gave them the opportunity to experience all this, learn all this, and indulge their youth.

From now on, there would be no more such recklessness and lawlessness.

So, if those above were dissatisfied with the little brats' actions in the Great Learning activities, scolding them for lacking consciousness and enthusiasm for "correction,"

was it enough to remove the little brats and replace them with the Worker Propaganda Team?

Standing from the perspective of history, Li Xuewu naturally knew that this was just a helpless adjustment of practice.

On the afternoon of the 30th, Li Xuewu went to the Art Troupe to convene an organizational work meeting. Art Troupe Head Jiang Peiqun, Deputy Heads Zhang Li and Wang Yajuan, and Political Commissar He Yu Shui attended the meeting.

At the meeting, Li Xuewu emphasized the work discipline of the Worker Propaganda Team, which was about to be formed with the Propaganda Team as the organizational framework.

He required them to fully understand and assist the unit in advancing and reforming the Great Learning activities after completing their entry.

Arranging for the factory to form a propaganda team to preside over and advance relevant reform work also made Li Xuewu feel terrified.

This was walking a tightrope; if one wasn't careful, these five hundred-plus people would become the abandoned children of the era and the sinners of history.

As the supervisor of this action and task, Li Xuewu could not watch these people take the wrong path.

Therefore, from the very beginning of the team's formation, he had to ensure the leaders had clear heads and could not act recklessly or foolishly.

According to the requirements of the documents issued from above, the team members selected by the Red Star Steel Group were all industrial workers.

Party members, educated, a combination of old, middle-aged, and young, with no factionalism.

Why was the requirement industrial workers? The reason was simple: this emphasized that the team members had good family backgrounds and were clean with no problems.

Regarding this point, the Group Management Committee had no intention of bargaining and strictly executed the instructions.

Li Xuewu disseminated the main spirit of the document at the office meeting and interpreted the relevant content and meaning of the document for the main leaders of the Art Troupe and the Propaganda Team.

Generally speaking, the text content of documents issued from above was highly summarized, refined, and concise, requiring subordinates to comprehend and implement them.

At the Group level, considering the complexity of this task, the Publishing House level was bypassed, and Secretary-General Li Xuewu took personal command.

In terms of understanding the spirit of the instructions, the Art Troupe level could not fully interpret them; their angle and position determined this.

Therefore, Li Xuewu's visit this time appeared very necessary.

In his speech, he emphasized that the superiors required the Worker Propaganda Team to focus on political leadership in schools and not get bogged down in administrative affairs.

Some leaders expressed doubts about the wages and personnel relations for this action, and the selected team members were also worried that they would be "written off."

The Red Star Steel Group was becoming increasingly prosperous, and the economic situation was improving daily; who would be willing to abandon their current welfare benefits to do odd jobs for others?

Regarding this point, Li Xuewu also provided a detailed interpretation: the team members' wages and personnel relations would remain unchanged and they would stay in their original units.

The superiors decided this, likely having anticipated that the units and individuals below would have opinions and emotions.

After emphasizing the relevant work nature and situation, Li Xuewu continued to arrange the work procedures for after the Propaganda Team moved in.

First, it was to hold ideological study training classes to help the opposing sides achieve a "Great Alliance."

Second, dismantle military fortifications and confiscate weapons.

Then, the Propaganda Team was to follow the spirit of the superiors' instructions and policy requirements to lead the development of "Great Criticism," clean up and rectify the team, establish and adjust the Management Committee, rectify the organization, and other "correction" work.

Specifically, Li Xuewu emphasized an important part of the work in his dissemination, namely that the superiors required the Propaganda Team to participate in the work of the school's Party Branch and Management Committee, lead educational reform, and even participate in lesson preparation and teaching.

Looking at this action through the essence of history and the era, Li Xuewu was very clear that after the Propaganda Team moved into the school, the rapid decline of the unstable factors—the little brats' organization—would be helpful for resolving factional conflicts and ending the chaotic situation and other difficult problems.

But in essence, one still had to consider that the policy this time, which the Propaganda Team was executing, was still a "left-leaning" political policy and line.

Frankly speaking, Li Xuewu did not hold high expectations for this action; he sought no merit, only to avoid mistakes.

Just thinking about it, one knew that these propaganda team members knew nothing about educational work or the business work of the units they were moving into; wasn't this forcing a duck onto a perch?

When selecting team members, Li Xuewu had already tried his best to emphasize considering educated production workers more.

With the existing quality of workers at the Red Star Steel Group, Li Xuewu didn't even dare to say that everyone was a junior high graduate or above, let alone the propaganda teams of other factories.

These people generally had low cultural levels, and after moving in, they would inevitably encounter an inability to integrate into and lead school work.

They would inevitably become a level of power detached from the reality of the unit, and would fall into the quagmire of original contradictions, becoming components and sources of new conflict, causing the chaos to continue in different forms.

Then why did Li Xuewu emphasize this so much at the meeting today?

One must know that the content and requirements a leader speaks of at a meeting are not necessarily what you hear; one must use dialectical thinking to understand them.

What if you can't understand?

It doesn't matter; the leader won't blame or look down on your comprehension ability, as long as you take the initiative to find him, or he finds you, and you ask clearly and boldly.

The requirements at the meeting were strict, and the execution was resolute, but in private, some things had to be discussed differently.

"Secretary-General, is the main office location for this Propaganda Team at the Art Troupe, or the Committee Office?"

As Jiang Peiqun and the others were seeing Li Xuewu out, they asked softly, "If it's at the Art Troupe, will it affect communication?"

"I also want to put the Propaganda Team's office at the Committee Office." Li Xuewu spread his hands and looked at him, saying, "But you have to know, there is no extra office space in the main office building."

"Of course, I also understand the situation you just mentioned."

Stepping down the stairs, the scorching sun was now decadent and slanting west, and the breeze blowing on his face was much cooler.

Li Xuewu looked at Nie Xiaoguang, who was waiting by the car, thought for a moment, and said, "A management structure of five hundred people, and multi-faceted work requirements; if the place is too big, it's a waste, and if it's too small, it's not enough."

"How about—" Deputy Head Zhang Li suggested, "The small conference room on the second floor of the guesthouse has been idle recently; can we requisition it temporarily?"

"Actually, what I thought of was the current office address of the Santa Ya Group's technical and engineering team." She twitched the corner of her mouth slightly and said, "I heard their work is about to end and they are about to withdraw."

"Who told you that?" Li Xuewu glanced at her, shook his head slightly, and said, "The Construction Engineering Corporation has established a Project Management Department and a Design and Planning Department, both of which involve the participation of these two teams."

"Let's just settle on the second floor of the guesthouse for now."

He explained to Zhang Li, and unable to think of a suitable location, he could only nod and respond, "Coordinate with the guesthouse; relevant expenses will be listed and accounted for separately, and finally allocated uniformly."

"Secretary-General, I have a question." He Yu Shui looked at him, hesitated for a long while, and then asked, "The meaning from above is to let the Propaganda Team preside over ideological and political education and management work."

"But why are you again—" She paused, "I mean, if we execute according to the existing line of thinking, will there be contradictions?"

Jiang Peiqun and Zhang Li looked at her one after another, and then their expressions moved slightly, and they looked at Li Xuewu again.

Only Wang Yajuan had been very calm, or rather, indifferent.

This action and task did not involve her, so she had remained silent at the meeting and just now.

Jiang Peiqun and Zhang Li were different; Jiang Peiqun was the Art Troupe Head and also the nominal person in charge of this task.

Zhang Li was the person in charge of the Art Troupe's administrative work, and work such as finance and personnel needed to be coordinated and managed.

So the two of them asked more questions, and they were also very concerned about the question He Yu Shui raised.

Li Xuewu knew they would ask this question sooner or later; the reason they didn't ask at the meeting was that they knew it was hard for him to answer.

Now standing in front of the building door, with only the few of them present, some things could be said openly.

Li Xuewu pondered for a moment, nodded, and said, "To clarify the line of thinking for this work and task, you must first think about the purpose of the Group delegating you to participate in this action."

"Purpose?" He Yu Shui was stunned, frowned, and replied, "Isn't it to follow the requirements of the superiors, to help..."

Her words stopped here; she also understood that the purpose Li Xuewu spoke of was definitely not the content emphasized at the meeting.

Then what was it?

"Set aside the document requirements from above for now." Li Xuewu pointed at the few of them and said, "Remember, no matter where you are or what task you are executing, you are all people of the Red Star Steel Group."

"Starting from this point, whatever you do, you must fully guarantee the interests of the Group; only in this way are you protecting yourselves."

Looking at Li Xuewu's serious and earnest expression, the four of them straightened their bodies one after another, listening carefully to his speech.

What is called "giving instructions in person"—this was it.

"To put it shallowly and crudely, you are just being conscripted from above to help do odd jobs, and you will return sooner or later."

Li Xuewu's voice was very low, emphasizing, "You have all seen it; this time the odd job not only has no remuneration, but we have to bring our own wages and food expenses. Comrades, is this reasonable?"

"Hiss—this—"

"Hmm?"

Jiang Peiqun was a bit confused; he wanted to explain, but facing Li Xuewu's suspicious "Hmm?", his inner words were stifled back.

It was his first time listening to the Secretary-General's instructions in private.

But this first time left him with a sufficiently deep impression: the Secretary-General is a master who cannot suffer a loss!

Regarding this point, as a former subordinate, Zhang Li naturally understood, and ex-girlfriend Wang Yajuan expressed that she understood very well.

He Yu Shui, who wanted to become Li Xuewu's next ex-girlfriend, expressed that this bastard had been like this since he was a child.

So after the surprise, Jiang Peiqun found that he was a bit discordant standing here; the other three, why are you so calm?

Extremely calm; regarding the Secretary-General speaking like this, the three of them did not show a hint of surprise.

Jiang Peiqun: So, standing here today, I'm the only outsider?

"It's unreasonable, so what to do if it's unreasonable?" Li Xuewu pointed at the ground with his finger, his attitude firm, "Since the employer doesn't intend to pay for the odd job, then one can only be more careful."

"When working, think more about the Group's difficulties and the Group's needs; whatever you can scrape back, scrape back." He said very straightforwardly, "Doing work, it's not shameful."

This time Jiang Peiqun did not express his opinion first, but looked at the other three; seeing them listening seriously, he held back.

"Think about it, what difficulties does the Group have? This time going to various universities to participate in management work, what can you do for the Group? This is what you should be thinking about currently."

Li Xuewu twitched the corner of his mouth slightly and said, "As for the work required in the document, do it well and be serious and responsible."

The four of them looked at each other and couldn't help but press their lips. The Secretary-General had said both the good and the bad words; what else could they say?

As for what difficulties the Group had and what should be scraped back, this question was not very difficult for them.

Why else would they say that if a train runs fast, it all depends on the head?

Thanks to the Secretary-General for explaining the key and core of doing the work this time, otherwise they would really be busy for nothing.

Just think about it, working like this in a university is going to offend people; when the action ends, they return empty-handed, how will the Group look at them?

Even if you return from a business trip, you can't bring nothing back for your family; think carefully, is this the logic?

The four of them stood at the door and watched the Secretary-General's car leave, then looked at each other and nodded in their hearts in unison.

It still has to be the Secretary-General; he has so many tricks! He's so young and yet so calculating.

"What is this?" Zhou Xiaobai looked at Zhong Yuemin, who was holding a box, with some surprise, "A gift for me?"

"Of course, otherwise why would I run here in the heat?" Zhong Yuemin indicated quite proudly, "Why not open it and see?"

"It's not a holiday or a festival—" Zhou Xiaobai looked at the box in his hand suspiciously, "Why give me a gift?"

"It's not a holiday, nor a festival."

Zhong Yuemin stuffed the box in his hand into Zhou Xiaobai's hand without explanation.

But he didn't notice that just now, when he grabbed Zhou Xiaobai's hand to hold the box, the other party had dodged him.

That's right, Zhou Xiaobai was now very concerned about this kind of physical contact, especially in the middle of summer, when everyone was dressed very coolly.

It wouldn't be a big deal if he touched her, but if Wu Ge knew or saw it, that wouldn't be good.

Zhong Yuemin didn't notice Zhou Xiaobai dodging him, but he did see the displeasure on her face.

Afraid she would be annoyed, he quickly explained, "It's almost your birthday, so I thought about giving you a gift that suits your heart."

"Why bother with this? It's going to cost you again." Zhou Xiaobai said indifferently, "I don't know that you don't earn money easily."

She just didn't say that she lacked nothing; with the few coins he earned, what valuable things could he buy for her?

Of course, Zhou Xiaobai wasn't someone who looked down on the poor and valued the rich, only looking at the value when receiving gifts; she just didn't want to complicate this relationship.

Even if there were valuable gifts, she wouldn't accept them; Wu Ge gave her a prosperous life, what couldn't she buy if she wanted it?

And she didn't want to accept cheap gifts even more; she was most afraid of these things that were "light in gift but heavy in affection," where it was hard to estimate the value when wanting to return the favor.

So seeing Zhong Yuemin wanting to give her a gift, Zhou Xiaobai had a headache, holding the box in her hand while pondering how to refuse in a moment.

Should she say she wasn't having a birthday this year?

Or say her parents wouldn't let her accept gifts?

She was really about to be driven crazy; one Zhang Haiyang, one Zhong Yuemin, these two bastards seemed to be taking her as a bet.

To gain her favor, they were giving her gifts in turns as if competing, wanting to win her heart.

She was gradually realizing that something was wrong; these two were competing to see who could finally win the beauty.

In other words, her feelings were not important; the process of the two young men fighting was the most important. Could she not be angry?

Last time she refused Zhang Haiyang's station pickup, and refused Zhong Yuemin's confession on the boat.

But look at these two, do they look like they have any memory?

They hadn't listened to a word of her refusal, and had started playing "nesting dolls" with her again.

"High heels? At this time?"

Zhou Xiaobai thought this, opened the box, and found a pair of white high heels inside.

She had wanted to open the box and find a suitable reason to refuse, even if it was using the gift being too valuable as an excuse.

But when she saw these white high heels, she still felt that Zhong Yuemin might have a problem.

At this period, even she, who pursued fashion, only wore a mix-and-match style, and had to be careful that the clothing style and color were not too prominent.

Furthermore, how big were her feet? How did Zhong Yuemin know? There was no need to cater to her preferences to this extent.

Even if you sent a pair of white canvas shoes, that would be the meaning; what kind of ghost were white high heels? Who would dare to wear them out?

"Uh—" Zhong Yuemin also seemed to have discovered that something was wrong, glanced at the high heels in the shoe box, smiled awkwardly, and said, "I just knew you liked fashion, so—"

"Yuemin, I know your heart."

Zhou Xiaobai closed the box, stopped looking at the high heels, and said in a peaceful tone, "You also know this is inappropriate."

"First, you must know that I never wear high heels; second, I can't wear something so fashionable out."

She handed the box back and said with a smile, "My parents aren't home, so birthdays and such are just muddled through; there's no need to be too deliberate."

Looking at Zhong Yuemin's awkward expression, she still couldn't bear it, nodded, and said, "We'll see when the time comes; if it happens to fall on that day, I'll call Li Yuanchao and Zuo Jie and the others, and we'll have a meal together."

"Okay, no problem." Zhong Yuemin also knew he had been abrupt this time, indicated the shoe box in his hand, and said, "I'll change it to a different birthday gift later; I'm sorry about this one."

"Hey, we're all buddies, no need to be so polite." Zhou Xiaobai smiled indifferently, patted his arm, and said, "You go play, I have things to do."

"That—" Zhong Yuemin wanted to say more, but saw Zhou Xiaobai had already run to the parking lot, where a Volga M24 was slowly pulling up.

Unsurprisingly, he watched with his own eyes as Li Xuewu got out of the car, and Zhou Xiaobai, who had just been calling him "buddy," rushed over and hooked her arm around the other party's, acting intimate, as if she were acting spoiled.

His heart instantly went cold; before, separated by that gate, he couldn't see what was happening here, so he hadn't felt this cold.

Now, because of the supply chain, many members of the Youth Association were busy with this business, and everyone was gathering at the club to trade.

Although the team Zhong Yuemin had pulled together wasn't big, it was very early, and he had Li Yuanchao's support, so his seniority was sufficient.

This year's May 4th Youth Day, he and Zhang Haiyang both became members of the Youth Association, so they were qualified to come here to play.

Billiards, tennis, shooting range—these were all things he had heard of but never played, and there was even professional fitness equipment in the training hall.

However, he didn't care about any of this, nor was he curious; he just wanted this opportunity to get in touch with Zhou Xiaobai.

But the result?

Just as he saw, seeing is not as good as not seeing.

Recently, his good brother Yuan Jun had stopped persuading him, and was working hard on business with Zheng Tong.

They also needed money; the fathers and mothers of several people were basically in the same situation, and the food subsidies given by the courtyard were simply not enough to eat.

If you put it that way, he and Yuan Jun and the others really had to thank Zhou Xiaobai, thank Li Xuewu, whom Zhou Xiaobai was holding onto.

Because without the Beijing distribution business of the supply chain, these half-grown boys who were growing their bodies would really be going hungry.

But why couldn't he feel grateful?

"Do you have to accept gifts for your birthday?"

Li Xuewu patted Zhou Xiaobai's head amusedly, withdrew his arm with the force, and said, "How come I don't see you giving me gifts on my birthday?"

"That can't be blamed on me; who told you not to tell me." Zhou Xiaobai acted shamelessly behind him and said, "Why don't you tell me now? I'll celebrate your birthday every year from now on."

"Better forget it, I don't have birthdays." Li Xuewu tapped her forehead amusedly, pushed her away as she leaned in again, and said, "It's hot as hell."

"Hee hee—" Zhou Xiaobai chuckled and asked behind him, "How come you have time to come over today?"

"In any case, it's not because I missed you, hehe." Li Xuewu pointed to the front and asked, "I'm going to work, are you coming too?"

"Going, why wouldn't I?" Zhou Xiaobai swayed her body and said, "I just like watching you work."

"If conditions didn't forbid it, I'd even be your secretary."

"You're thinking too much; my secretary is at least a deputy section-level." Li Xuewu glanced at her sideways and said, "But it's not too late for you to work hard now; do you want to come work at our Group?"

"Not going, don't dare to go." Zhou Xiaobai laughed, "I'm already afraid of you scolding me; if I went to work at your Group, wouldn't I be scolded by you every day?"

"So promising—"

Li Xuewu teased her and arrived at Yu Li's office all the way.

This was where Yu Li worked daily, and it was also where he came to look at materials and reports basically every week.

Seeing him bring Zhou Xiaobai in, Yu Li stood up with a smile and asked, "How come you brought a secretary?"

"I'm not his secretary; he even dislikes me." Zhou Xiaobai giggled, "Besides, he can't afford a secretary like me."

"Isn't that right?" She looked at Li Xuewu with a proud expression.

Li Xuewu couldn't be bothered to deal with her, walked behind the desk and sat down, and asked, "Is there any situation?"

Some leaders like to ask, "Nothing wrong, right?"

Li Xuewu was not that kind of person; if he really asked that, whether from his own heart or his subordinates' hearts, they would expect "nothing wrong."

They were undertaking a cause; if there was really nothing to do, wouldn't the cause be ruined?

If you asked that, the subordinate would definitely hear that you didn't like having things happen, so his answer would also tend toward "nothing."

After a long time, even if he had something, he wouldn't dare tell you; in the end, when the matter became big, it would be too late to say anything.

Therefore, the details reflect a leader's management attitude.

You all, having become leaders, can refer to this opinion.

Li Xuewu was not someone who liked to look for trouble, but he was someone who could listen to trouble.

No matter what it was, as long as one dared to say it, it was fine.

Yu Li understood him; the key work points of every week would be marked, and every time he came, he could see key information.

Li Xuewu served as Secretary-General at the Red Star Steel Group, and Yu Li served as his Secretary-General at the recycling station.

Neither of the two Secretary-Generals had it easy.

"Has Zhou Ziqiang arrived in Beijing?"

After Li Xuewu sat down, he asked while looking at the materials in his hand, "Who went to pick him up?"

"He arrived; Lao Si arranged for someone to pick him up at the station." Yu Li replied softly, "He's resting at the guesthouse in the backyard right now."

Seeing Li Xuewu's expression, she then asked, "It's almost lunchtime; should I send someone over to ask if he's up?"

The way she said it, even if the other party was resting, they would wake up.

That was the meaning; Zhou Ziqiang was just tired from the train ride and had nowhere else to go, so he could only rest at the guesthouse.

Li Xuewu's time was precious, and the other party had come specifically to see him; once he had time, wouldn't he have to arrange it tightly?

"Go ask; if he's awake, have him come sit here."

Still looking at the materials in his hand, he said to Yu Li without raising his head, "I'm not eating here at noon; I have a pile of things at home."

"Still worrying about the nanny?" Yu Li said helplessly, "Even if you don't use me, you don't use Ou Xin and the others either."

"Don't add to the chaos—" Li Xuewu said amusedly, "It's fine to be a waitress at the guesthouse, but if you really go to my house to be a nanny, I can't afford to enjoy it."

Yu Li had suggested it long ago; seeing him worry about the nanny, she had volunteered to share his worries.

Li Xuewu trusted her, but was afraid his family would overthink it.

It wasn't Gu Ning; it was his mother.

His mother knew about his affair with Qin Huairu, let alone Yu Li.

It didn't matter what happened outside; although Yu Li didn't grow up in the courtyard, she was a sensible girl who had married in.

As for what kind of person he is, can Liu Yin, who lives right across the hall, not be clear about it? Her belly is just like Qin Huairu's, without a single sign of movement, so she just pretends not to know.

But if he really were to arrange for someone to go to his home, Liu Yin, who doesn't want to give Gu Ning even a bit of grievance, would certainly not be willing.

So Yu Li is feeling sorry for him and doing it for his own good, but he dares not accept this proactive affection.

Yu Li wasn't resentful or angry when she was rejected by him; seeing that he had been thinking about this matter, she suggested letting Ou Xin and the others help.

Li Xuewu was even less willing to do that.

He doesn't have any intentions toward Ou Xin, but Ou Xin has intentions toward him.

If you place a bone in front of a dog, which dog could withstand such a test?

Besides, Ou Xin and the others are all young ladies; they can't be said to have been pampered at home, but their housework skills are just average.

Yes, they have worked as waitresses here, but can the waitresses here be the same thing as a nanny at home?

What Qin Jingru can do, Ou Xin and the others might not necessarily be able to do; don't look at Yu Li saying Ou Xin can teach children to play the piano.

Even if Ou Xin could play a nuclear bomb, it wouldn't work.

Yu Li went out for a short while; Li Xuewu was engrossed in his documents, while Zhou Xiaobai sat opposite him, bored, propping up her chin and watching him.

It wasn't until Zhou Ziqiang followed Yu Li into the office that she stood up at Yu Li's signal and went to sit on the sofa side.

"Proprietor—" Zhou Ziqiang felt a bit restrained coming here, and seeing Li Xuewu behind the desk made him even more ill at ease.

He had also heard that this man had advanced again.

He didn't quite understand what kind of position Secretary-General was, but he knew Li Xuewu was now a leader of the Red Star Factory.

How impressive is the Red Star Factory? Even Jicheng has opened a branch.

This address of "Proprietor" was called out very nervously; he was afraid Li Xuewu would be annoyed by his lack of propriety, and also afraid of calling him something else wrong.

"Sit down, don't be formal." Li Xuewu hadn't heard such an address for a long time either; he smiled and pointed to the opposite side.

"Hey, thank you, Proprietor." After sitting on half of the chair, he thanked Yu Li for the hot tea she served him.

"Is everything at home quite good?" Li Xuewu was still looking at the documents and asked casually: "I heard your wife is pregnant?"

"Uh—" How was he supposed to respond to that question?

Zhou Ziqiang awkwardly put down the teacup in his hand and said politely: "It's just a small matter, I've troubled you to keep it in mind."

"Hehe—" Li Xuewu raised his head and glanced at him; he could see what this kid was thinking at a glance.

He was afraid of him, afraid that he knew everything about Jicheng, and afraid that he would use his wife and children to make an issue.

Coming from a small place, it's inevitable to feel timid when arriving here; Zhou Ziqiang, who hadn't been to the capital many times in his life, was especially so.

He told Da Chun that he was just a wild boar from the mountains, unable to eat fine bran; no matter how he stayed in the capital, he felt awkward, and he would be fine once he returned to Jicheng.

A golden nest or a silver nest is not as good as one's own old nest; this saying is not wrong at all.

Da Qiangzi is a famous existence in Jicheng; he used to rely on ruthlessness, now he relies on stability, a top-tier social figure.

When he was making a living following Zhang Wanhe, who in the station area didn't know his great name?

Now it's even more incredible; he has connections in every unit in Jicheng, a standard template for a local tycoon.

But when he arrived in the capital, in front of Li Xuewu, he didn't dare to sit fully on the chair, only resting on half of it.

He accepted the tea but didn't dare to drink it, only daring to place it in front of his eyes and look at it.

Why look at the teacup? Because he didn't dare to look directly at Li Xuewu.

You say this is a bit mysterious; Li Xuewu isn't some big shot, and any display of dominance is just nonsense, so why was Da Qiangzi so afraid?

Readers who have met big shots should have this feeling, especially the face-to-face kind.

In later generations, one would say society is clear and gives everyone confidence; in this era, Da Qiangzi walked out of the mountains, what kind of experience could he have?

Looking at the office furnishings, looking at Li Xuewu's attire and demeanor, he dared to say there wasn't anyone in Jicheng with such presence.

"How is work?" Li Xuewu could see he was very nervous, so he didn't bring up anything else, quickly leading him to his comfort zone.

Out of confidence in his own work, Zhou Ziqiang finally perked up and reported the work in Jicheng to Li Xuewu.

Xi Lin had gotten the hang of things, and the local forces in Jicheng had basically been leveled by her.

This wasn't very surprising, because with the help Li Xuewu provided, plus the willingness to spend money, what barrier couldn't be broken?

The situation is the situation, but all units and departments have to operate, right?

No matter how boisterous the little brats are, can they handle the relevant affairs?

At first, Xi Lin relied heavily on Zhou Ziqiang, but later, after Li Xuewu made that trip and thoroughly subdued Da Qiangzi, Xi Lin wasn't as confident in using him.

Now Zhou Ziqiang is responsible for Jicheng's market operations, which is the distribution side; the docking with forestry, finance, and other work are all handled by Xi Lin herself or the Thirteen Guardians.

It seems like the business has expanded, with one person responsible for one area, but in reality, Zhou Ziqiang's business management scope is shrinking.

He could also feel this, but he didn't show anything.

For one, he was sure he had no ulterior motives, didn't want to torment himself anymore, and didn't want to torment others either.

Secondly, Li Xuewu treated him well; no matter how Xi Lin used him, he had to try his best to maintain things for Li Xuewu's sake.

Xi Lin is not a heartless or unreasonable person; there was no negative belittling or bullying in her use of him.

It's normal business management; how much salary and benefits he should get, he gets; what does he have to be aggrieved about?

Now he has more than enough to support his young wife and brother-in-law, and he is usually imposing, eating and drinking well; what else is there to be dissatisfied with?

This trip to the capital wasn't his own idea; it was Xi Lin who specifically arranged for him to come and report on his work.

Last year, Li Xuewu arranged for his younger brother to join the army; he has always kept this favor in his heart.

Xi Lin also advised him that if he wanted to express gratitude, it would be better to take this opportunity to go to the capital and properly report on his work and life.

What kind of people are they?

They look glorious now, but in reality, they are all "bottom-tier" people making a living following Li Xuewu.

Why say that? Just look at their origins; if it weren't for Li Xuewu giving them opportunities and shelter, they would have been gone long ago in this world.

Therefore, reporting work to Li Xuewu is necessary, and reporting on life is also appropriate.

Li Xuewu wouldn't be jealous that they are living well; what is there to hide?

Just like the matter of his young wife being pregnant, if he really let Li Xuewu ask about it proactively, he would be the one feeling uncomfortable.

Xi Lin had already told him this, but he still couldn't let go of his pride, hesitating and not saying it out loud.

In the end, it was Li Xuewu who expressed concern and asked, and he really felt quite uncomfortable.

"How are Xi Lin and Seeing Gelin's lives?"

Li Xuewu finished talking about official business, heard his report, and asked with a smile.

Zhou Ziqiang twitched the corner of his mouth and said with a smile: "I think they are quite a good match, it's just that Seeing Gelin is a bit... hard to say."

If you want to talk about who in Jicheng truly makes Zhou Ziqiang feel cold with fear, it is definitely this man who is only 18 years old this year.

He didn't mean to say Xi Lin is an old cow eating tender grass; in reality, he meant that Seeing Gelin is usually quiet and hard to read.

Li Xuewu misunderstood and looked at him meaningfully; the meaning in that gaze made Da Qiangzi's face turn red all of a sudden.

"I... I didn't mean that."

He is in his twenties this year, but the wife he married is a young wife; if it weren't for her parents both passing away and leaving behind a little brother, how would she have married him?

Speaking of an old cow eating tender grass, he is the one.

Li Xuewu didn't tease him anymore; after reading the materials in his hand, he said: "I am very satisfied with your work in Jicheng, but there is one point: the development toward Bingcheng is a bit lagging."

He tapped the document in his hand and said: "You know about Biaozi's work in Steel City, right? He has basically taken over the distribution point in Fengcheng, and the next step is to plant the flag there; what about you guys?"

"Yes, I admit Jicheng's foundation isn't as good as Steel City's, but it's not that far behind, is it?"

Li Xuewu looked at him and asked: "Isn't your great name, Da Qiangzi, much bigger than Biaozi's reputation in Steel City?"

"I am truly ashamed, sorry, Proprietor."

Da Qiangzi lowered his head in shame, giving no excuses and no objective conditions, letting Li Xuewu lecture him.

Li Xuewu didn't really lecture him about this matter, just mentioned one thing: "Is Da Chun's younger brother, Hu Haiyang, doing well in Steel City?"

"Mm-hmm, doing great. When I came, I went to see them." Da Qiangzi raised his head, looked at him, and said: "Da Yong is also doing quite well in Steel City, telling me he learned a lot of real stuff under Biao-ge."

"Hehe—" Li Xuewu chuckled: "I really can't imagine what real stuff he could learn from Biaozi."

"Alright, as long as they are doing well."

He sized up Da Qiangzi and said unintentionally: "It also saves Wanhe-dage and Da Chun from always worrying about home."

PS: Should have finished writing this earlier; the table and chairs in the hotel room were uncomfortable to sit in, and I was exhausted. There was no air conditioning in the public area upstairs, and I spent some time arguing with the hotel, which wasted time. Sorry.

(End of chapter)