Chapter 1333: Bullshit

Jing Yunong couldn't persuade Li Xuewu. Before leaving Beijing, he couldn't leave a mess of rotten people and rotten things for Dong Wenxue.

Similarly, Dong Wenxue was also doing net-closing work in Steel City.

The two had long had a tacit understanding. They had decided on this cake of the Group's industry in Liaodong, and Old Li's ideas wouldn't work.

Kill the gods if they block, kill the Buddhas if they block.

He didn't deny that Jing Yunong's opinions and ideas had necessary truth, but what he and Dong Wenxue lacked most was time.

If it were in another period, Li Xuewu might choose to take a step back, walk slowly, and sooner or later he would be able to outlive these old things.

But it wouldn't work now, or it could be said that from the moment he planned for the position of Secretary-General, Li Huai De had already opened Pandora's box.

Now his and Dong Wenxue's situation was sailing against the current—if you don't advance, you retreat; surrounded by enemies, attacked from front and back.

What?

You say Li Xuewu has more than half of the support votes in the Management Committee?

Li Xuewu himself didn't even know about this.

In the past, those who firmly cast their votes for him at the leadership team meeting weren't for him as a person, but for his opinions.

Simply put, he had established a certain prestige in organizational and business work and had a keen perspective on ideology and development direction, which had gained everyone's recognition and trust.

But this didn't mean that the members of the leadership team would unconditionally support him personally; he was just a Secretary-General.

Ask anyone who could be ranked in the leadership team—which one hadn't experienced countless challenges and tempering? What virtue and ability did Li Xuewu have to dare to think about controlling them?

Ask Li Huai De if he dared to say that he was the only one who had the final say in the leadership team. If he really dared to say it, the leaders above would call him to drink tea and talk in minutes.

This was a collective enterprise; did they still want organizational order? Did they still want unity?

At the level of the Group, power and ideology ultimately served influence.

Even Li Huai De didn't dare to hope that his ideas could influence everyone; on some issues, he had to listen to the opinions of the leadership team members.

He could only establish his prestige and influence in the leadership team through intervention and adjustment of personnel and business.

For some decisions and opinions, he had the final say, and accordingly, he also needed to bear the main responsibility.

Truly listening to everyone's opinions, the meeting minutes would be marked as a collective decision, and even if the decision was wrong, it wouldn't have much impact.

But as long as he acted arbitrarily, the leadership team members would fiercely choose to "reserve opinions." Once a problem occurred in the decision, Li Huai De's responsibility would multiply, affecting the superiors' view of him.

Therefore, the working environment of the number one person was so complex, not to mention him, this Secretary-General.

As the last one ranked in the leadership team, Li Xuewu also didn't dare to say how much influence he had.

His ability was mainly manifested in his foresight on business and development, making other members not dare to easily oppose him.

They had encountered many such "face-slapping" experiences, and Li Xuewu had also deliberately dug holes to clean them up.

Therefore, as long as it was an opinion or suggestion seriously put forward by Li Xuewu, they would think carefully and choose to support it.

What if they didn't support it?

You don't even need to choose to reserve opinions; even if it's just abstention, if it happens many times and for a long time, your prestige in the leadership team and your influence in the Group will also decline.

Especially after Li Xuewu's opinions and views were confirmed time and time again, those who abstained would be labeled as arrogant.

However, the fact that Li Xuewu's opinions on development, business, personnel, etc., were valued by the leadership team didn't mean that his personal progress was supported by everyone.

Last time, from a group leader to a Secretary-General, it was such a good opportunity, and Li Huai De and Dong Wenxue were so supportive, but there was still a certain amount of resistance.

If it hadn't been for Jing Yunong standing up and clearly opposing it in time, playing a reverse support, who knew what would have happened.

This reverse card of Jing Yunong couldn't always be taken out and put on top. If it happened too many times, it wouldn't work, and everyone wasn't a fool.

Someone asked, Dong Wenxue struggled in Steel City for three years and set up the Group's industrial production base. His return to Beijing had become a foregone conclusion.

And the only one who had the ability and confidence to succeed Dong Wenxue, and who had made important contributions to Liaodong industrial work in the past, was Li Xuewu.

It was originally a process of smooth handover. Why did Li Huai De release the wind last year saying he supported Li Xuewu without anyone opposing, but this year, at the critical moment of succession, someone expressed different views?

Especially Li Huai De, whose supportive attitude toward Li Xuewu had also become vague, which further fueled the spread of those questioning opinions.

Overall, there were mainly two reasons.

First, time had changed. Times had changed, and it was very inappropriate to consider last year's situation this year.

Especially in the past few years, the wind direction had changed too fast; some things couldn't be said, and some things couldn't be done.

Last year, the Red Star Factory was formulating a groupization plan, and everyone was confused about industrial reform, personnel reform, and institutional reform.

And looking at it this year, the three major industrial pillars—Beijing Liangma River Ecological Industrial Zone, Yingcheng Ship Port Area, and Steel City Industrial Park—had already taken shape.

Regarding the Group's future development direction, everyone already had clear goals and ideas.

That was to say, from factory to company, the Group had developed, and reform and production had gotten on the right track.

Starting this year, the Red Star Steel Group had been shrinking investment, reducing project establishment, and compressing shares in exchange for operational development funds.

It wasn't difficult to see that the Group's development was turning from radical to stable—not to the point of being conservative, but it didn't need adventure to carry out capital expansion and primitive accumulation.

Even starting from Li Huai De, a group of leadership team members were saying that they should avoid adventurous investment behavior.

And what Li Xuewu advocated was precisely to seize the opportunities of the times and boldly develop technology and industry.

Actively promote various reforms of the Group, quickly complete the evolution of groupization, and consolidate development achievements.

In the eyes of some people, this thinking was radical, it was a gambler's mentality—having won so much, they still weren't willing to leave the table.

Of course, these people admitted that the Red Star Steel Group could have today, indeed, it was this radical development thinking that created it.

But they could still express cautious thinking about existing achievements, hoping to reduce the Group's development speed to ensure the correctness of the development direction.

These people weren't criticizing Li Xuewu, nor were they denying his actions, they were just influenced by this conservative thinking, producing doubts about his next work ideas and plans.

They doubted whether Li Xuewu's presiding over the Group's heavy industry cluster in Liaodong would continue this radical thinking.

The Group had laid out almost all heavy industry and light-heavy mixed industry in Liaodong, which was the Group's focus and core.

Someone suggested that Li Xuewu be arranged to serve as the factory director of the metallurgical factory, concurrently serving as the deputy leader of the Liaodong Industrial Management Group.

As for the leader, it could be completely served by Dong Wenxue for a period of time, or by relevant leadership team members concurrently.

This suggestion seemed to be for the Group's stability and for the future of Liaodong industry, but for Li Xuewu, it was unfair.

For Dong Wenxue, it was also unfair, and could even be said to be distrust.

Dong Wenxue had already made a report and explanation on the work of Liaodong industry at the meeting, and he had already completed his phased goals.

And Li Huai De had also had a clear talk with him before, saying that returning from Liaodong was to manage the Liangma River Ecological Industrial Zone.

Now he had to supervise Liaodong industry for a period of time, then who would manage the Liangma River Industrial Zone?

Was this invisibly dragging his hind legs?

With Li Xuewu's ability and level, was he short of this half step?

Li Xuewu was the Group's Secretary-General, a Group leader. Going down to be responsible for only one factory, and still a deputy leader?

Then where would his prestige for working in Liaodong come from, and who could listen to his command?

Therefore, regarding this opinion, Dong Wenxue was clearly opposed. Whoever felt that Li Xuewu's level and ability weren't enough, let them take the initiative to stand up and invite him to preside over the work in Liaodong.

The main reason Dong Wenxue got angry at the meeting was that he couldn't delay this half step anymore, as it would hinder Li Xuewu's development.

The two had become increasingly distant, absolutely not mentioning their former teacher-student relationship, just to eliminate bad influence.

Now someone pulled out qualifications and age to talk, and wanted to talk about development ideas and speed. Dong Wenxue had to speak.

At the meeting, he clarified one point: the Group's industrial development in Liaodong had absolutely not reached the point of lying on the credit book and eating old capital. The Group's industry in Liaodong must develop and grow at a faster speed.

When talking about the Group's development direction and thinking, he seriously criticized hedonism and negativism.

The Red Star Steel Group hadn't completed the process of groupization, and someone wanted to enjoy it. This was resolutely not allowed.

As the person involved, Dong Wenxue's speech played a certain role, but the suppressed voice still existed.

Words didn't have to be said publicly, but thinking couldn't be changed for a while, and it might even intensify in suppression.

Time factors developed to now, so we have to mention the second point: the change of situation.

The situation had indeed changed. The interpretation and publicity of reform from above had made great adjustments.

Li Huai De was very sensitive to this aspect. Due to the stationing of the three representatives and the dispatch of the workers' propaganda team, he began to be vigilant.

What was he worried about?

Without the historical heavenly eyes, he was naturally worried that his reform path would be copied and repeated, and someone would end his management in advance.

After the second half of this year, this worry and concern of his became more and more serious, and the direct impact was changing orders and modifying policies.

The workers' propaganda team that was originally responsible for Li Xuewu was required to be handed over to Gu Weijie after the main framework was built.

This showed that Li Huai De's trust in Li Xuewu was decreasing, and he was even more directly vigilant toward Gu Weijie.

Was Li Xuewu disappointed in Li Huai De?

No, he had never hoped that Li Huai De would be a firm and upright person.

If Li Xuewu were to evaluate him, Li Huai De was an opportunist.

Think about it, if Li Xuewu's succession had problems, what kind of situation would it produce?

The Liaodong Industrial Management Group would have the risk of being dissolved, and the Group would directly implement control over various branch factories and companies.

That was to say, as a competent leader, the influence of some members in the leadership team on the lower levels would suddenly increase.

Furthermore, if the Liaodong Industrial Management Group wasn't dissolved, and Li Xuewu couldn't take the main position, then wouldn't the main position be vacant?

You say Dong Wenxue supervises, then what about Beijing?

Dong Wenxue couldn't take care of the head and the tail, and taking care of Steel City meant the interests in Beijing had to be let go.

But why? This was what Li Xuewu worked hard to set up for him. Didn't it equal being robbed by others?

If Li Xuewu were a deputy leader, just like what Dong Wenxue said, his influence and control ability in Liaodong industry would drop in a straight line.

His influence and control ability dropped, didn't it mean that the interests of other members in the leadership team increased?

Based on the above two points, it was very normal for the attitude of the Group's leadership team members toward Li Xuewu to change.

If you ask Li Xuewu what to do?

Jing Yunong had already felt the murderous aura from him, which showed that he really wanted to come hard.

Even if he didn't draw his sword in the end, the posture of drawing his sword and fighting must be real, and he must be able to draw his sword.

You ask who Li Xuewu is targeting?

He is not targeting someone, but the opinion in the Group, to reverse their lazy thinking and dispel their covetousness.

First of all, Old Li's reduced trust in him proved that the speed of his progress was accelerating.

It also showed that Old Li's personnel adjustment and policies in the past two years had achieved certain results, otherwise he couldn't have such confidence.

But overall, Old Li still supported him in going to Steel City to be responsible for industrial work, because he had to rely on him and Dong Wenxue to create support in business and organizational management.

But this didn't affect him doing balance.

The number of leadership team members in the past was small, and they could be distinguished and resolved through interest relationships, and everyone was full.

Now there were eleven normal positions in the leadership team, plus three representatives, employee representatives, etc., and there were too many people talking.

Li Huai De wanted to consolidate his own influence, and also coordinate and divide the influence of others to complete the balance of organizational ecology.

This was not wrong. Whoever was stronger would be weakened, and whoever was weaker would be supported. Yang Yuansong also played this way back then.

It was just that the situation was changing back then, and Yang Yuansong's brain couldn't keep up, so he played his own path in the Red Star Factory to death.

Li Huai De was different. The Group's development was already fast on the right track, and it was time to make balance adjustments.

Therefore, Li Xuewu showing a strong attitude and strongly taking over Dong Wenxue's shift would leave a bad impression on others.

This was what he needed—breaking Li Xuewu's harmonious image in the leadership team and completing relationship segmentation.

Li Xuewu taking over Liaodong industry had no impact on him, but it gave him a chance to weaken Li Xuewu's influence next.

And once Li Xuewu didn't connect, he wouldn't be soft-hearted, and would use the hands of others to suppress Li Xuewu.

Anyway, by then, Li Xuewu would hate others, and he could turn back to be a good person and continue to win over and use Li Xuewu.

As the number one person, he had the advantage of a referee. As long as he relaxed his support for Li Xuewu, he would win no matter what.

Secondly, Gu Weijie's attitude was very vague.

If you want to talk about the connection between her and Dong Wenxue and Li Xuewu, it was mentioned in the previous article that it wasn't a piece of iron.

Li Xuewu and Dong Wenxue completing the exchange and handover was their own business. Once a mistake appeared, it couldn't be blamed on Gu Weijie for picking up a bargain, right?

She had operated in the Red Star Factory for three years, usually not showing mountains or water, but once she showed her claws, she could also bite off a large piece of meat.

Xue Zhifu had always been valued by the leaders above because of his uprightness and ability to handle complex problems.

Li Xuewu was certain that once Gu Weijie progressed to become Secretary, the candidate for Deputy Secretary of the organization would definitely be Xue Zhifu.

There was no good personal relationship between the two, and the working relationship was very harmonious, but it was only a working relationship.

As long as you are doing management and being a leader, there is no one who doesn't cultivate their own confidants. This sentence is the same for everyone.

Once a crisis appeared, Gu Weijie could take action against them, not to mention Xue Zhifu.

It could be said that the reason for the two to take action wasn't to divide their meat, but to compete for resources with others.

This couldn't be blamed for their cold-blooded disregard.

If you judge that Gu Weijie and Xue Zhifu would take action at the critical point of the problem, then you don't need to consider Su Weide, Zhang Jinsong, and Cheng Kaiyuan.

Cheng Kaiyuan's strength had actually always been very strong, and he had suffered Li Huai De's poison many times, but Li Huai De couldn't bear to let him die.

Now he was even more supported to balance the forces of Dong Wenxue and Li Xuewu, especially since he walked together with Xue Zhifu.

You say Zhang Jinsong came for a few months and had no foundation? That sentence wasn't accurate. The main leaders had actions, could the lower levels not follow and fight a smooth battle?

Furthermore, Zhang Jinsong's relationship with other members wasn't very close, and he had no common language with Li Xuewu.

He was very arrogant, worked very hard on his own one-third of an acre, and made achievements.

As for Su Weide, Li Xuewu didn't need to worry about him.

This wasn't because Su Weide was very weak, or that he had no interest in weakening his influence.

It was because this old silver coin was interested in him and Li Huai De and others. Without Li Huai De proactively handing him opportunities, he was secretly doing things.

Others might express doubts about his progress on the surface, but Li Xuewu didn't doubt at all that this old boy would use shady tricks behind his back.

Finally, Gao Yaqin, who was actively recruited by Li Xuewu to the Red Star Factory, was also the only member in the leadership team who had a head-on collision with him.

But precisely because of this, after Gao Yaqin came to the Red Star Steel Group, under his support, she was responsible for economic work, and her support and negation were not enough to cause any impact.

He only had two cards in his hand now: Dong Wenxue and Jing Yunong. Old Li's card could only be counted as a smooth wind card.

Therefore, he had no choice. He must make Li Huai De re-value and trust his opinions, not give Gu Weijie and Xue Zhifu a chance to be forced to take action, and even more firmly beat down the active offensive hearts of Su Weide, Cheng Kaiyuan, and Zhang Jinsong, and get Gao Yaqin's smooth wind vote.

Someone asked if you ignored two people?

That's right, Union Chairman Xiong Bencheng, three representatives Wang Xiaoqin.

There was a reason why Li Xuewu didn't value these two people. Xiong Bencheng had been lying in the hospital for more than a year, and his influence was almost exhausted.

He didn't have the ability to initiate a challenge and question to Li Xuewu. Being able to walk out of the hospital to attend the meeting depended on Li Huai De's attitude.

Li Huai De needed this vote, so his illness was cured. Li Huai De felt that the proposal had confidence, hey, he fell ill again.

Li Xuewu didn't need Wang Xiaoqin to cast this vote in the first place because she was a three-representative.

Li Huai De was originally vigilant about the three representatives coming to the Group to work, which was precisely because Wang Xiaoqin didn't care much about things that he allowed the Group to carry out a series of cooperation with the Health Third Regiment.

Wang Xiaoqin herself definitely supported him, but Li Xuewu had to consider her working environment in the Group next.

Similarly, he had to consider the future cooperation between the Health Third Regiment and the Group.

Therefore, she had the ability to express opinions, and even directly confront Li Huai De, but this trump card couldn't be used like this.

To fight a battle, but couldn't smash the plate, and even more couldn't not consider the future working environment and the unity on the surface of the leadership team.

Li Xuewu told Jing Yunong in the cabin that he wanted to beat some people until they hurt, beat some people until they woke up, and beat some people until they were afraid.

As for how to fight, he had a count in his heart. To deal with these old foxes, he couldn't directly use open plots and secret plots, as people would know at a glance.

What else could Jing Yunong say about his analysis? She could only give him some support and comfort after a sigh.

When a man encounters difficulties and enemies, he always needs the support of a woman. She understood this too well.

Although he was young and promising, in the prime of his life, he was ultimately a man in his early twenties, facing those old sticks who were much older than him. The pressure didn't need to be said, and she knew it.

What?

You ask how she comforted Li Xuewu?

The cabin door was closed, who knew?

"What's so fun about this broken place."

Zhou Xiaobai didn't care whether Li Huai De and others were there or not, looked at the seaside bath with a critical eye, shook her head slightly, full of disdain.

Su Weide looked at her curiously, then looked at Li Xuewu. That meant where did this young lady come from?

They were all old foxes, and their eyes were like searchlights.

They might not know Zhou Xiaobai's situation, but listening to this tone, and then looking at the girl's temperament and clothing, they knew she wasn't an ordinary person.

Nonsense, could an ordinary person wear an imported watch, wear imported clothes, and use rare cosmetics on her face?

In this year, the categories of cosmetics were really scarce. As long as there was a little color on a woman's face, one could know what was used.

Look at Zhou Xiaobai again—clearly knowing she was wearing makeup, but just couldn't see what was used, only seeing the red lips.

Yes, there was no universal market for lipstick yet, and the common people called it "red lips."

It was a bit chilly in Jinmen in October. Zhou Xiaobai wore a white short-sleeved shirt on her upper body, a leather jacket outside, and tighter pants that were rarer on her lower body. I really didn't see what material it was.

Anyway, Su Weide felt that this girl was very special, and also knew she was brought by Li Xuewu, so there was an intention to explore in his eyes when looking at him.

Li Xuewu didn't pay attention to Zhou Xiaobai. Since that day, this little girl always wanted to show a mature appearance in front of him.

Even her style of dressing and grooming had changed, very afraid that others wouldn't know she had a man.

Speaking of which, since that time at the club, this was the first time Li Xuewu had seen her.

But it was this meeting that made Li Xuewu feel a headache.

He had only failed twice with women—once with Qin Huairu, and once with Zhou Xiaobai.

And with Zhou Xiaobai, although he had been prepared early, he still couldn't resist the persistence of young people.

You ask if Li Xuewu had the ability and consciousness to refuse her at that time? The answer was yes.

Li Xuewu never used drunkenness to cover up his impulses, because he couldn't raise his gun in a drunken state.

He was only in a state of "can or cannot" at the time. Taking a step back preserved himself, but also hurt her heart.

Zhou Xiaobai had been raised by him until now, and he estimated that even she realized she couldn't go back to her previous state of life.

Just look at what she was wearing and using—they were all brought from Hong Kong, and the style of the clothes on her body was different from the mainland.

She was also careful, removing all the clothing labels. She really liked wearing jeans, and also chose a black one.

Li Xuewu hadn't talked to her about the relationship between the two, thinking in his heart that let it be, and let her make her own choice.

It was very scummy, right? But he was scummy with principles, at least giving Zhou Xiaobai sufficient life and spiritual value.

Just looking at her current mental state, Li Xuewu could also think that she had considered it clearly.

Calling it love was too heavy; it could be called better than friendship.

She also knew that a person like Li Xuewu might have love in life, but wouldn't necessarily give it to her.

Instead of struggling with these and torturing herself, it was better to spend money well and live freely.

Relying on her current standard of living, this point was still achieved.

Of course, Li Xuewu wasn't a show-off, bringing her along to be conspicuous when acting with so many leaders.

She didn't come alone. Er Hai and Wu Shuping also came to inspect the service environment here.

And Zhou Xiaobai, as the general manager of Shunfeng Trading, naturally followed the Group's leaders to act together.

The reason why only Su Weide felt very surprised by her existence was because everyone else knew Zhou Xiaobai.

Shunfeng Trading's General Manager Zhou, right? The energy was very great.

These people knew more or less about the situation of this joint-venture enterprise, but no one said it out.

Think about it, being able to do the Group's supply chain business, covering the three-industry product supply of many units in Beijing.

At the same time, this joint-venture enterprise was also doing the distribution business of Jinmen aquatic products and Jinmen local three-industry products.

Without certain ability, without a deep background, could one do such a big stall and not have an accident?

Don't consider whether there was an accident or not first. Just looking at the attitude of some leaders of the Group, they knew it, but they pretended not to know.

Su Weide also seemed to feel that something was wrong. This girl was so arrogant, why did everyone have no reaction?

Especially Li Huai De, listening to the work report of the seaside bath manager, turned his head and asked Zhou Xiaobai two questions.

He listened carefully to the answer of this General Manager Zhou, and it was really the situation in Beidaihe.

Hiss—

Su Weide was also pitted by Big Li and Little Li to the point of having experience. His eyes narrowed, he played dead directly, and there was no surprised expression.

Damn, he just said that if something is abnormal, it must be a demon.

Where was there a serious joint-venture enterprise that would use a girl to be the general manager? This relationship household shouldn't be too obvious, right?

Even Li Huai De took the initiative to greet people. How deep was this background?

"The beach is average—"

Li Xuewu squatted on the side of the corridor bridge and looked down, raised his head and asked the manager standing on the side: "Can't it be refined and processed?"

"Yes, we are also thinking of ways." The manager responded very frankly: "Foreign countries already have beach processing machinery, but the procurement cost is a bit high. Jilixing Shipbuilding said they would rent one from outside to use, and they can come forward on their behalf."

"Go to Hong Kong to dig it." Gu Weijie half-squatted beside Li Xuewu and looked at the beach under her feet along his gaze.

"I know that natural beaches abroad also need professional equipment maintenance. This thickness is definitely not okay."

She pointed to the shells exposed in the beach and said: "This thing can not only scratch people, but also cause damage to life-saving equipment."

"Shells, stones, seaweed." Li Xuewu nodded in agreement: "To make a beach, you must guard against these."

He stood up, looked at the several swimming pools near the seaside of the resort, and asked: "Can we only introduce seawater to make internal swimming pools for the time being?"

"That's the case, Secretary-General." The manager also had management experience and nodded in response: "There are many seaside baths in Jinmen. We still have certain experience in this aspect."

"Mm, internal baths must be done, and beach baths must also be done."

Li Huai De stood on the corridor bridge and looked at the sea, carrying his hands and saying: "The beach environment here is indeed not as good as Beidaihe's. It's a pity that we have no foundation in Beidaihe."

"Even if we have it, we won't go." Jing Yunong stood on the side with her arms folded, her tone a bit cold: "We can't hide fast enough."

Everyone was reminded by her words, looked at each other, and moved their eyes away in unison. Similarly, they ended this topic.

The seaside bath done by the Group in Jinmen was supported by the Jinmen Aquatic Products General Corporation. This was originally the land of others.

Originally, Zhang Changming said that it could be lent to the Red Star Steel Group, not to mention money or not.

Of course, this was someone's good intention, to save money for the Red Star Steel Group.

But Li Xuewu told Li Huai De that this favor couldn't be taken. If it took a long time, it wouldn't be paid back, and it would be troublesome if something happened later.

Li Huai De also meant this. Since he wanted to do an external reception office, he had to be willing to spend this capital.

Therefore, this piece was originally the asset

According to Zhang Changming, this villa area was originally a resort, and the beach was ready-made; the condition here was even better when they took it over, but it had been ruined by over a decade of neglect and lack of maintenance.

It was indeed ruined; before 1949, many foreigners lived in Jinmen, and their obsession with the sea and the beach was unimaginable.

That the group could organize a site in such a short time where they could accept leadership visits shows that the basic infrastructure here was still acceptable; it was just old and needed replacement.

The beach used to be better than it is now, but after a long time without maintenance, the accumulation of gravel and shells ruined it again.

The group came from the seaside to a relatively large courtyard, where the manager introduced that this place would be used as a high-end restaurant.

"When it comes to eating seafood, I still prefer the original, authentic taste."

Li Huai De smiled and waved his hand, signaling everyone to take their seats at the large round table, and even greeted Zhou Xiaobai.

Coincidentally, Zhou Xiaobai hadn't intended to leave anyway; having finally seen Li Xuewu, how could she possibly leave early?

As for the leaders of the Red Star Steel Group, she wasn't even afraid of Li Huai De, so why would she be afraid of the others?

"Some people say the most authentic way to eat seafood is to boil it directly in seawater, though I don't know the source of this theory."

Li Huai De naturally sat in the main seat, smiling as he looked at everyone and said: "In the past, if you wanted to eat seafood, you had to rely on connections."

"Anyway, I haven't had a decent seafood feast in the capital many times." He rested his arms on the dining table, pressed his hands together, and said: "Not until we started cooperating with the Jinmen Aquatic Products Corporation."

He raised his hand to point at the cold platter the waiter had just brought to the table, nodded, and said: "These are visible changes and progress that can be enjoyed."

"I used to eat my fill every time I came to Jinmen." Gu Weijie smiled and took over the conversation: "When this Jinmen seafood reaches the capital, it always feels a bit less fresh."

"I have that feeling too."

Jing Yunong nodded and echoed: "Unless it's winter, there's really no seafood worth eating."

"Is today's meal considered 'recalling the bitterness of the past to appreciate the sweetness of the present'?"

Xue Zhifu used a bit of dry humor to liven up the atmosphere, and everyone present had a smile on their face.

In the capital, no matter how they compete within the group, since they are out for fun, they should naturally be a bit happier.

Preparations had been made here long ago; as soon as they sat at the table, all kinds of seafood feasts were brought up by the waiters.

Don't listen to Li Huai De's nonsense; the manager can guarantee that the water they use in the kitchen to boil seafood is definitely proper tap water.

As for boiling seafood in seawater, even he had never heard of it.

Eating seafood must be accompanied by drinking alcohol, otherwise, the seafood is eaten in vain.

Zhou Xiaobai looked at the intense atmosphere at the table and gave Li Xuewu a very surprised look; she seemed to have heard Wu Laoshi say that the leadership team of the Red Star Steel Group wasn't as harmonious as it appeared.

What's going on? Are the ones Li Huai De brought this time all good little boys and girls?

Li Xuewu felt her gaze and asked in a low voice: "Don't you, as the general manager, manage Wu Laoshi and Yang Zhao?"

"Hehe—" Zhou Xiaobai curled her lips, rolled her eyes at him, and said: "Let's be reasonable, who manages whom at our Shunfeng?"

That makes a lot of sense.

Internal business is handled by Wu Shuping, Jinmen business is handled by Yang Zhao, and only the capital's supply chain was created by Zhou Xiaobai.

But she only held the title; in reality, it was Erhai and Shen Guodong pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Zhou Xiaobai has truly figured out how to live her life; she doesn't feel a bit of heartache when spending money.

Why? Because she is the business license of Shunfeng Trading.

"Doesn't your unit have yachts here?"

She couldn't sit still, and hearing everyone at the table laughing and saying insincere things was getting annoying.

She asked Li Xuewu in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft: "Why didn't I see them just now? Could they have been blown away by a strong wind?"

"Ahem—"

Li Huai De didn't know if a peppercorn was stuck in his throat or if he was choked by the words of this unlucky child.

How big of a storm would it take to blow away the group's ships? Even the wind blown by Zhou Zhennan wouldn't do it.

"Comrade Xiaobai, what's this? Does Shunfeng Trading want to operate the club's yacht pier?"

Jing Yunong ate the shrimp in her hand and asked with a peculiar tone: "I would be very happy to see the group's assets generate a circulating economy. If you Shunfeng Trading want to operate it, I will definitely support it."

"Thank you, Deputy Director Jing, we are considering that too." Zhou Xiaobai had also learned to be naughty; she leaned her head over to look at the shrimp in Jing Yunong's hand and exclaimed: "You peel shrimp really well."

Li Xuewu clearly felt the atmosphere at the dining table freeze, as if it had been iced over.

Jing Yunong's hand movements also paused, then she nodded under everyone's teasing gazes, looked at the young girl beside her, and asked: "Envious? You should have said so earlier; I can teach you."

Pfft—

The atmosphere at the table changed again; everyone stopped eating and watched the fun with smiles on their faces.

Zhou Xiaobai hadn't expected that this old ginger, Deputy Director Jing, would be so spicy; she had only made a sarcastic remark, and it had invited a counterattack.

"Forget about peeling shrimp, I don't really like eating shrimp either." She used her chopsticks to point at the turtle egg beside the sea turtle on the large platter and said: "You'd better teach me how to peel an egg instead."

"Hahaha—" Everyone could no longer hold it in and burst into laughter.

What's the point of watching men argue or fight? If you want something interesting, it has to be watching women argue and bicker.

The men at the table watched with great interest, unable to stop laughing.

This Jing Yunong also has the face of Judge Bao in the group, and few people are willing to provoke her on a daily basis.

Who would have thought there would be an unexpected harvest today?

She truly has a deep family background and a sharp tongue; she doesn't give Jing Yunong any face at all, truly daring to talk back.

Jing Yunong glanced at Li Xuewu, implying: "Are you going to manage her? If you don't, I'm going to play dirty."

"Does it take someone to teach you how to peel an egg? If you can't learn, can't you at least watch—"

Li Xuewu had to intervene; he changed the subject and teased her by pointing at the plate of turtle eggs.

Just as everyone was laughing, some people couldn't laugh anymore; Xue Zhifu and Su Weide had just "peeled" an egg from the plate.

"Hahaha—"

Accompanied by the expressions of the two who couldn't laugh, the laughter of the others became even louder.

Li Huai De also looked at Zhou Xiaobai, nodded, and said with a smile: "Handing the club's supply chain to your company to operate doesn't mean you should only learn how to 'peel eggs'."

Although everyone was still laughing, their ears were all pricked up.

Look at that, what is Old Li saying?

Who proposed handing the club's supply chain to Zhou Xiaobai's company to operate? How did he make this decision?

Old Li, however, didn't even look at their eyes; does he need to discuss his own family's business with them?

In the past, he might have looked down on the wages and dividends of Shunfeng Trading, but things are different now.

Shunfeng Trading's business has grown, and its volume has increased; one can tell from Zhou Xiaobai's consumption level that they are making money.

The attitude of Old Li and the others has also shifted from their original lack of importance to now actively offering help.

It was just a small club supply chain, and everyone hadn't paid much attention to it; they were just surprised by Li Huai De's care for Zhou Xiaobai.

This care was expressed very casually at the dining table, but it still attracted the attention of those with ulterior motives.

Su Weide stared at Zhou Xiaobai a few times, guessing in his heart that Old Li must have an unspeakable relationship with this Shunfeng Trading.

He secretly decided that after he went back, he must thoroughly investigate this Zhou Xiaobai to see who exactly she is.

Why didn't he ask Zhou Xiaobai about her background on the spot?

Do you think he's stupid? With Li Xuewu's care and Li Huai De's care, doesn't that explain the problem?

He has connections at the top, but he hasn't reached the point of using them casually; he should investigate first before doing anything.

What he doesn't know is that some things are fine if you don't investigate them, but investigating them will cause trouble, and some things will cause trouble for whoever investigates them.

Knowing clearly that nothing good comes from getting involved with Li Xuewu, he still dares to actively get close; if he doesn't get into trouble, who will?

"Director Li, don't worry, even if I learn how to 'peel eggs', I won't neglect my proper work."

Zhou Xiaobai smiled, peeled a turtle egg from the plate, and made a gesture to put it into Jing Yunong's bowl.

But seeing the look in Deputy Director Jing's eyes that she couldn't afford to lose and was about to get angry, she could only mutter "forget it if you don't want it" and tossed it into her own bowl.

(End of chapter)