Chapter 1350

"Where? Go to the freight station?"

Before Li Xuewu could speak, Shen Guodong looked at Qin Huairu with some surprise, "Going now?"

"Going to the freight station now..."

Even Yan Jiefang hesitated a bit, glanced at Li Xuewu, and didn't continue.

The reactions of the few people in the room were all seen by Qin Huairu, but she was helpless in her heart and couldn't say it out loud.

"You still remember what happened a few years ago."

She only looked at Li Xuewu and explained softly, "Although the road section didn't pursue it after returning, the future was also affected."

"Especially in the last two years, you know without me saying it, the situation is really not very good, and many of them are looking for a way out."

"This—" Shen Guodong pursed his lips and shook his head slightly, looking at her and saying, "Sister Qin, don't blame me for being meddlesome, but the freight station is a mess right now."

"That is indeed the case." Yan Jiefang also nodded in agreement on the side, "We can feel it when we take jobs."

"The work hasn't been affected much, right?"

Liu Guangfu smoked a cigarette, looked at Yan Jiefang, and asked, "I have a few friends who are also running transport, and they haven't dared to go these past few days."

"It's indeed a bit troublesome, but we're still okay."

Yan Jiefang cared very much about Li Xuewu's attitude. His expression was a bit vague, looking like he didn't dare to tell the truth.

Li Xuewu, however, hadn't spoken the whole time, just sitting there listening to them talk.

There weren't many people left in this courtyard. If they moved next month, this courtyard would look even more desolate.

Because Yan Jiefang took his younger brother and sister to run transport, he had spare money in his hands, the conflicts at home subsided, and he had confidence.

Liu Guangfu had his father's support, his eldest brother didn't come to the house to take advantage, his second brother had achieved success in Steel City, and he himself was capable. It couldn't be said that this courtyard had the best life, but it wasn't bad either.

Speaking of age, they were actually all young men. In just these three or four years, one by one, they had all become established.

As long as they had a proper business to support their families, they would be recognized by society and become the pillars of their families.

Shen Guodong wanted to maintain his influence on the street, so he naturally had to maintain the neighbors in the courtyard well.

So whenever there was something in the inverted house, as long as they set up a table to entertain, if they didn't count outsiders, they would call them over.

That's how friends are made; you call me to eat, I accept your favor, and if there's something, just call and I'll be there.

The second master in the backyard helped his youngest son get married, the family stabilized, and the whole family prepared to move upstairs.

So it was obvious that he no longer cared about things at home, and even things outside were left to Liu Guangfu to handle.

Today Li Xuewu was coming back to eat, and there were no outsiders, so Shen Guodong called them over early.

So the room looked messy at this moment, and except for the grandfather, they were all young people.

Where did the second master go?

Ever since Shen Guodong took over the street's large warehouse, the second master took the boys and moved over there.

Just like here, Shen Guodong also arranged for people to build a row of large tile-roofed houses, including a cafeteria, office, and several large kang beds, covering food, clothing, housing, and transportation.

Nothing was missing in that courtyard. There were four or five small factories, mostly arranged by Shen Guodong, and some given by the street.

Don't look at Shen Guodong as a down-and-out person before; now he has become the face of the street's small economy.

Who in the surrounding streets isn't jealous? When it comes to small economies and small factories, who doesn't know there's a capable person in Jiaodaokou?

Maybe some people would have whispered about Shen Guodong's identity before, but now no one is gossiping anymore.

This is a proper "one of our own."

Furthermore, with Godmother Wang Shuhua taking care of him, who on the street doesn't know his background?

If Shen Guodong were not doing his proper job and doing useless things, Wang Shuhua wouldn't have bothered with this idle business.

But in reality, with several small factories operating, plus the Dongfeng 31 Construction Cooperative contacted by Shen Guodong, the street would soon not be supporting any idle people.

How to put it?

In this day and age, who doesn't know that finding a job is difficult? And this job isn't something you can find just because you want to; you need an identity.

For those born and raised in the hutongs, where would there be so many opportunities? No connections, no relationships.

With more unemployed youth, there were more problems and troubles.

Wang Shuhua and the street were both very troubled, but with a small economy and small factories, they didn't have to worry.

Whether it's the recycling station or the transport team, young men are the best labor force. As long as they are willing to lower their pride, they don't have to worry about earning a decent living.

Young men have a way out, but what about the young women?

They do; the sewing cooperative is doing well. The business Shen Guodong found is enough for them to do endlessly.

Even housewives on the street without much education can come to work at the sewing cooperative.

For those who are truly capable, a family of grandmothers and mothers bringing a few daughters, saving up two sewing machines, can work 24 hours a day without stopping.

Shen Guodong said at the staff meeting that as long as the sewing machine turns, money comes in; if the sewing machine stops, it counts as money.

"Hehe, looks like you're even busier than me."

Li Xuewu chuckled and picked up his teacup to tease him, which actually made Zuo Jie feel a bit embarrassed.

"How could I compare to you?"

He gave a sheepish smile, took the teacup, and said, "I'm too embarrassed to say I'm just blindly busy, but after a year, I haven't made much progress."

"Do you want me to praise you? Or—" Li Xuewu looked him over with amusement and asked, "Don't tell me you're trying to play me. Tell me, what do you consider progress?"

"Hehe—" Zuo Jie smiled embarrassedly and said, "That's not what I meant. It's just that my parents..."

He raised his hand to touch his neck, glanced at Li Xuewu, and said softly, "My mother isn't very satisfied with my aimlessness, but my father is alright; he quite supports my current work."

"Mm, your mother wants you to find a 'proper' job?"

Li Xuewu took a sip from his teacup and said with great understanding, "Afraid you'll go astray and waste your youth, right?"

"My mother is just that kind of personality."

Zuo Jie also learned to pick up his teacup and said, "My father told me that when he was young, he was also very lost."

"And the only path to walk out of the confusion of youth is to find something you like to do, work hard for it, and persist."

"Mm, I can tell, your father supports you very much." Li Xuewu nodded with a smile, put down his teacup, and said, "Do you have any ideas yet?"

"Not yet, but I'm thinking about it."

Zuo Jie took a sip of tea, felt it was a bit hot, put down the cup, licked his lips, and said, "Once I've thought it through, I'll definitely tell you."

"Good, I also support young people starting their own businesses." Li Xuewu nodded, looked at him, and said, "However, in the process of thinking, you still need to do your current work well; don't give up eating for fear of choking."

"I understand, the things in my hands now are also very important."

Zuo Jie understood his words and made a very earnest promise. Just then, movement came from the parking lot outside the window. He glanced at Li Xuewu and stood up to go out and greet them.

Young people always learn things quickly, especially after experiencing lessons or being misled by successful people.

As the Antelope car just came to a steady stop, a middle-aged man with ordinary features and a dark complexion jumped out from the back seat.

Not knowing what he said to the driver, he saw Zuo Jie coming out of the flower hall, and a smile appeared on his face again.

"Xiao Jie, haven't seen you in a while."

"Hello, President Dou, had some things at home."

Zuo Jie walked a few quick steps and took the initiative to reach out his hand, shaking hands with Dou Yaozu.

If an old carpenter could achieve such success by following the right person, how could he, Zuo Jie, being young, lack ambition?

The previous two years shouldn't be called wasted time; they should be called learning and training. Even a fledgling bird has trials before spreading its wings to fly.

"I heard, your father and mother have returned, right?"

Dou Yaozu let go of his hand, raised his hand to signal them to walk together, and said with concern, "In the past two years, Dongfeng Construction has received quite a bit of care from your father. I've really wanted to pay a visit to thank him, but haven't had the chance."

"You're too polite." Zuo Jie understood the politeness in the other party's words and said with a smile, "My father went to visit a friend today. Once he returns, I'll discuss it with him and then contact you."

"Good, definitely." Dou Yaozu turned his head very formally to look at him, pointed his finger vaguely, and said, "You must give me this opportunity."

"I believe my father also hopes to see you." Zuo Jie invited him to walk first, then walked side by side, saying politely, "In these few years, the placement of retired and transferred personnel will still rely heavily on you."

"Look at you, aren't you just mocking me."

Dou Yaozu laughed, raised his hand to gently press Zuo Jie's arm, and said sincerely, "It was the engineering troops that supported us."

"Hehe—"

Zuo Jie didn't stand on ceremony anymore. The two walked to the steps of the flower hall, and he raised his hand to signal toward the entrance, "The leader is inside."

"Good, good, let's talk again later." After Dou Yaozu nodded to him, he took the initiative to go up the steps, entered the door of the flower hall in three steps, and laughter and greetings followed immediately.

Zuo Jie saw all this worldly wisdom in his eyes. He used to look down on this old carpenter, but later he realized he had misjudged him.

There are always stories in plays about heroes rising from humble beginnings. In Dou Yaozu, he had seen another kind of worldliness.

Simple on the outside, shrewd on the inside.

A carpenter doesn't draw blueprints when doing craft work; he doesn't know how to draw, and he doesn't draw, because the blueprints are all in his heart.

If you savor it, mature craftsmen are always meticulous, patient, and don't fight for short-term gains.

They know what they are doing and are confident.

"Why don't you go in and listen?"

Zhou Xiaobai saw Zuo Jie come to the warm shed, curled her lip toward the direction of the flower hall, and said, "It's not like it's a secret."

"It's none of my business, why listen to that."

Zuo Jie found a chair and sat down, stretched his legs, looked at Zhou Xiaobai, and asked, "Why haven't you returned to Tianjin?"

"Got a bit lazy, don't want to go back."

Zhou Xiaobai's answer was just that frank, and the temperament she displayed was also lazy, unable to lift her spirits.

Luo Yun sat on the side and gave Zuo Jie a wink, telling him not to ask such sensitive topics again.

Zuo Jie understood, nodded with a smile, and said, "I also have times when I'm lazy. After staying at home for so many days, I just don't want to go out."

"Pfft—" Zhou Xiaobai curled her lip, pulled her best friend's right hand, looked at him, and asked, "When are you going to take Luo Yun home to meet your parents? Don't tell me you want to eat and run without taking responsibility?"

"You're going to die—" Luo Yun's face turned beet red from her righteous indignation. She slapped her hand and whispered, "There are guests in the flower hall!"

"Heehee—" Zhou Xiaobai smiled embarrassedly, "I forgot about that."

She hadn't forgotten about that at all; she had clearly projected her own inner monologue onto Luo Yun.

Luo Yun glared at her and warned in a low voice, "If you dare to tease me again, I'll have Aunt Fang properly sort you out."

"Yeah!" Zhou Xiaobai raised an eyebrow, turned her head to look at Zuo Jie, and asked, "When do you plan to get married and have children?"

"Zhou Xiaobai! I'll fight you!"

Luo Yun's face turned completely red. She cursed Zhou Xiaobai for not acting like a human, being so bold and presumptuous!

At this time, purity was most valued between men and women. Having facts before marriage wasn't something to be laughed at?

Laughed at for what?

Laughed at for being shameless and trampling on oneself like this.

Of course, if you say young men and women all restrain themselves and keep their purity, that's also impossible.

But this kind of thing is like some jobs: you can do it, but you can't talk about it.

The two girls started laughing and playing again, making Zuo Jie dumbfounded; the scale was truly beyond his imagination.

Who said women wouldn't talk about that kind of topic? Don't be narrow-minded and think they only talk about clothes and cosmetics when sitting together.

Size, time, technique—if you're not careful, these spendthrift women won't treat your privacy as privacy at all.

Maybe at some gathering, her best friend will look at you with a kind of perspective-like certification and suspicion.

"Youth is really good—"

Dou Yaozu looked at the laughter and play outside the window, turned his head, and sighed to Li Xuewu, "I can't even envy it."

"You're not at that age yet."

Li Xuewu looked him over and asked, "Work isn't that busy now, didn't you think about having some fun?"

"Don't tease me, I'm at this age."

Dou Yaozu waved his hand with a smile and said, "My children are all grown up, and in a few years, I'll be holding grandchildren. How dare I mess around."

"But I've been too busy these past two years. Once I'm idle, I really have a feeling of being in another world."

He put down the teacup in his hand, looked at Li Xuewu, and said, "Sometimes I really want to hand over all the work in my hands, carry my toolbox again, and go make cabinets and furniture for people."

"Still thinking about your adzes, chisels, axes, and saws?"

Li Xuewu said with a smile, "This is a kind of nostalgia. If I really let you return to your past life, you'd be disappointed again."

"Sigh, people are always greedy—"

Dou Yaozu naturally understood the warning in his words. He let out a long sigh, looked out the window, and said, "Can't go back, can't go back."

Li Xuewu lowered his eyes, slowly drank the warm tea in his cup, and listened to Dou Yaozu's sigh, but his heart was as firm as a rock.

Some words are fine just to listen to. If a billionaire tells you he likes eating farm food and misses that bite of corn cake, do you really think he wants to live your current life and suffer your current hardships?

Stop it, that's just affectation.

"The renovation has been arranged. You don't need to worry about this. If you have any requirements, feel free to mention them to Zuo Jie."

Li Xuewu sat cross-legged on the kang and started drinking small cups of winter wine with his cheap father-in-law.

Lou Yu glanced at Zuo Jie sitting by the kang, nodded with a smile, raised his wine glass, and said politely, "Thank you for your hard work."

"You're too polite, it's what I should do."

This was the first time Zuo Jie had been brought here by Brother Li to eat, and he appeared very cautious.

He hung around the club all day and was very familiar with this courtyard. He wasn't a stranger to the old couple who often came to live here either.

But they had never had the chance to sit together and eat; this old couple also never went to the restaurant to eat.

He could see them strolling in the courtyard and taking care of their grandson, but rarely saw them interacting with people in the club.

He knew this old man was named Lou Yu, the father of the former person in charge of the club, and also the club's financier.

He didn't know anything more specific; after all, it was Brother Li's connection, and he wasn't in a position to ask.

Everything here was handled and communicated by Sister Yu. His level in the club wasn't low, but he didn't have this qualification yet.

In the flower hall, before Dou Yaozu left, he was called in by Brother Li and given instructions about the renovation.

It was three apartment buildings in the Liangma River Ecological Industrial Zone. Dongfeng Third Construction would be responsible for the renovation, and Li Xuewu wanted him to be responsible for the coordination and handling of all subsequent issues.

Zuo Jie agreed without hesitation; this was Brother Li's private matter.

His work in the club looked proper, but it was actually a learning process, relying on the Youth Association to train his management ability.

This year, Shen Guodong took him to do some things, which counted as an internship and also earned him some spending money.

Including the establishment of a distribution network in Beijing by Tianjin Shunfeng Trading, he had also contributed a lot under Shen Guodong's command.

With Shen Guodong's bright personality, he naturally wouldn't treat him poorly, but it still depended on his own ability.

Don't look at Li Yuanchao, Jia Zhangshi Haiyang, Zhong Yuemin, and others buying cars to show off one after another; with Zuo Jie's savings, he could also afford one.

Especially with the welfare of holding car purchase quotas, if he really wanted to buy a car, he would have bought one long ago.

Even if the money in his hands wasn't enough, if he said a word to Li Xuewu, he wouldn't be riding a bicycle now.

Luo Yun was a bit puzzled at first as to why he wanted to be so low-key.

Zuo Jie's answer was very simple: he didn't have the ability to control these external objects yet, and having more would just be trouble.

Therefore, he rode his bicycle with great confidence; compared to Li Yuanchao and the others, he didn't feel inferior at all.

Especially here with Li Xuewu, who could have more face than him?

Why didn't Li Xuewu hand this private matter to others, or just let Dou Yaozu be directly responsible?

To put it bluntly, Brother Li did things flawlessly and didn't give anyone a chance to be arrogant.

Look at Dou Yaozu, who achieved today's success by following Brother Li, but here, he was still the person who did the work.

At the dinner table in the small courtyard, the food was cooked by Aunt Tan herself, and the taste really opened his eyes.

Brother Li talked with Mr. Lou, and he listened silently. He didn't expect them to talk about the house renovation.

No need to guess, Mr. Lou must have one of those three properties, otherwise, how could he be so polite to the other party.

"Xiao Ting's academic performance has improved again." After thanking Zuo Jie, Lou Ting looked at Li Xuewu again, "The teaching quality of the United School is indeed much better than on the mountain."

"As long as he is willing to learn." Li Xuewu looked at the little boy sitting on the stool on the floor with a smile, "Looks like he has adapted to life in Beijing. It will be more convenient to move to a new home and go to school before the New Year."

"Thank you for your concern." Lou Yu clinked glasses with Li Xuewu, signaled to Zuo Jie, and then took a sip.

Eldest son and eldest grandson—if there were no accidents, this was the only remaining seedling of the Lou family.

As for the other children, Lou Yu didn't dare to think; his heart ached when he thought about it.

The second son of the eldest branch and the eldest daughter-in-law eloped. If they really had children later, he wouldn't recognize them; it would be shameful to recognize them.

Besides, the Lou family in Hong Kong had already scattered; the eldest son and the eldest son of the second branch were nowhere to be found, let alone the other children.

It was Lou Xiaoe who left a way out when doing things, leaving the eldest daughter of the second branch, Lou Xiaohan, by her side to serve as a legal advisor.

As for the eldest daughter of the eldest branch, better not mention her.

In these two years, he had gradually figured it out. Things had come to this, and he couldn't blame Li Xuewu, because Li Xuewu was also in the mainland.

Even less could he blame his daughter Lou Xiaoe; it was his own obsession that didn't treat everyone equally, which led to today's situation.

In Lou Xiaoe's reply, between the lines, there was resentment toward him. He accepted all of this and was convinced.

Being able to send the eldest son and eldest grandson to his side was already the greatest tolerance for him as a father.

There are no fathers and sons in the marketplace, and no favors among noble people.

He didn't care much about things on the mountain anymore and put all his heart into the education of his eldest grandson.

Lou Yu knew very well that there were too many rich people in this world, but few could truly keep their family wealth.

But knowledge learned in the brain is something no one can snatch away.

If a vast family fortune can't raise filial children and virtuous grandchildren, then it's better to give up the fortune and exchange it for a good child.

Tan Yali came in from the outer room, carrying a bowl of hot soup, and enthusiastically greeted them to drink less and eat more.

Zuo Jie sat by the kang and busily reached out to help.

"Sit and eat your food, I'll do it myself."

Tan Yali looked at him with a smile, nodded, and said, "I've relied on your help many times before, and I'm troubling you again this time."

"Aunt Tan, you're too polite—"

Zuo Jie looked at Li Xuewu with a smile and said flatteringly, "Eating a meal of yours, no matter how much I help, it's worth it."

"Then eat more." Tan Yali looked on with a smile, helped them serve the dishes, and looked very virtuous.

Although she was a concubine, having lived in luxury for many years and then experiencing family changes, the temperament on her had long become restrained and sharp-less.

What Zuo Jie could feel, besides kindness and gentleness, was only a sincere love for traditional women.

If Luo Yun also had this steadiness and gentleness, how good that would be.

"The renovation will be fast, a month or so is no problem."

Li Xuewu looked at his mother-in-law and reminded her, "You can prepare what needs to be packed, and list what needs to be purchased."

He signaled to Zuo Jie sitting opposite and said, "I've already told him about the furniture and utensils. When the time comes, let him help move them."

"If there's anything else to add, leave it to him to purchase as well. You don't need to worry about the rest."

The furniture and utensils mentioned here refer to those that were handed over to him for safekeeping when the Lou family moved away, so they were naturally easy to use.

"Good, good, we don't have any special needs."

Tan Yali took the wine pot on the table to pour wine for her son-in-law, but there wasn't too much politeness in her words.

She only had two daughters. The eldest daughter was confined by her husband's status and it wasn't convenient for them to interact, so they hadn't spoken for many years.

The younger daughter had a rough fate, but she had found such a good man, yet she still couldn't escape her old path of being a concubine for someone.

Speaking of which, Tan Yali didn't care about her daughter's status as a concubine; she only looked at whether her son-in-law cherished her daughter.

A huge wealth empire was handed over to her daughter, and he completely trusted her daughter to display her ambitions and talents in Hong Kong. What else could she ask her son-in-law to express?

Regarding Li Xuewu, she was satisfied no matter how she looked at him, especially his care for her and the old couple.

Even because of her lover's muddled behavior, her son-in-law didn't have a word of blame and cared for them even more than before.

She didn't understand business matters and couldn't explain them clearly; she only looked at family affairs and people's hearts.

This son-in-law was good in every way; if he could be willing to give her daughter a hope and reliance, that would be even better.

"Outside the Chunqiu Pavilion, the wind and rain are violent, where can the sad voice break the loneliness.

Through the curtain, I only see a bridal sedan chair, must be the newlyweds crossing the magpie bridge~"

On the stage, Tong Huimei played the character Xue Xiangling in the play. Her movements and singing had already transcended the traces of performance.

Of course, don't expect Li Xuewu, sitting in the audience, to hear what was good or bad; even the character Xue Xiangling was told to him by Tan Yali.

However, good things can withstand the test of time. No matter how the years pass, they will only hide their edge, but will not fade.

Li Xuewu knew about the cultural renaissance decades later, and many literary works were on the verge of being lost.

But were there few cultures that had disappeared in Chinese history?

This nation has the genes and soil to nurture excellent culture, and the literature and art lost in history will one day reappear.

Later generations say crosstalk is finished, Beijing opera is finished, but there are always artists inheriting it, relying on this to eat.

Art will not perish, as long as there are people who know how to appreciate it.

Don't compare an individual like Li Xuewu to this era; he hadn't reached the age of liking Beijing opera yet.

Influenced by movies and more forms of literary performance, young people have less and less patience to savor these old things.

This situation didn't start from later generations; young people of any era chase fashion.

You think Beijing opera hasn't had changes, innovation, or fashion since its creation?

Hey, that's because you haven't eaten or seen it.

This was the second big play organized and performed by Mai Xiaotian after he became the person in charge of the club's Beijing opera troupe.

At the Red Star Theater, he led the club's opera troupe to cooperate with the Art Troupe to perform a Beijing opera reflecting industrial development.

The script was brought out by the Red Star Factory Art Troupe. He cooperated in researching and finalizing the singing style, and the performance was highly recognized.

Because traditional plays were not allowed to be performed on the stage outside now, but he couldn't bear to let these old things be lost, so he thought about preserving these things in written form.

At the same time, he also unselfishly taught all the techniques and collections he had mastered to Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao.

"I don't have the chance to take apprentices anymore."

Chatting privately with Li Xuewu, Mai Xiaotian said with regret, "Now no one is willing to learn opera anymore."

"Even Qinglan doesn't plan to engage in related work, and doesn't want Xiao Hu Niu to learn opera. This opera is considered finished."

"It won't be, there is still hope."

Li Xuewu didn't say too much, but couldn't help but comfort him. These words sounded really heartbreaking.

Mai Xiaotian looked longingly at the performance of his two registered apprentices on the stage, shook his head slightly, and said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to wait for that day. It still depends on them, look at them."

"All I can do is try to leave them more."

Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao were indeed very talented. Their master had chosen them very carefully before buying them back.

There is a saying that is very correct: effort is really worthless in front of talent.

Learning opera is like this: no matter how many times you practice, it's not as good as someone's natural good voice. Opening your mouth makes you look inferior, and your confidence collapses.

Regarding the good voices of Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao, Li Xuewu really knew, because he had felt it at close range.

However, he also had things he was sorry for in the Pear Garden, because his rough brushing of the python robe almost ruined Mai Xiaotian's hope.

Hmm, can't brush teeth like that next time.

The stage only sang a fragment. If they really sang the whole book, let alone the club's opera troupe not having enough people, even the two people on the stage couldn't withstand this kind of big work.

Today, the club's people were all there, and it happened to be Mai Xiaotian testing the effect of the play he arranged, so everyone had a chance to watch.

When the play ended, Li Xuewu, sitting in the audience, could clearly see the sweat beads on the noses of Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao.

Don't think that singing opera is just standing on the stage yapping and not costing much physical strength. Go to KTV and howl two songs and try.

The singing style is all based on the dantian qi. If one doesn't go up, to put it early, the audience below will throw teacups and shoes.

Didn't you hear what the little black fatty said? When he was young, he wasn't liked, and there were people throwing bricks below.

To put it wildly, one show could cover three rooms in the North.

Of course, these are all jokes. Throwing bricks isn't the case, but throwing teacups, fruit plates, and shoes is really true.

Especially the audience in Tianjin earlier, that path was really wild. He might not sing professionally, but his ears were very professional.

But these audiences liked to join in the fun. After one show, it was silent, just waiting to hear you make a mistake.

Don't let them catch a chance, otherwise they could hiss you to death.

A Beijing opera master folded in Tianjin. The first time he didn't sing up, and later he reorganized and didn't sing up again.

Just these two times, the master never dared to sing opera in Tianjin again. This is the appreciation ability and deterrent power of drama audiences.

Are Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao singing well? Well, indeed very well. Their foundation was laid well when they were young, and their opportunities were good when they grew up.

If they really had been following their master to learn all the time, the two might not necessarily be as good as they are now.

Why?

Because the master's skills were limited. To say very strong, strong also has a high and low. Can high be higher than the several masters of the two now?

Besides, they had many fellow sisters in the same sect. If there hadn't been that turmoil, how many learning opportunities could they have gotten?

Now it's different. When that master left, he took the two as apprentices, so both the name and status were there.

Plus, the two have forces to guarantee, and have Mai Xiaotian's support. They have visited and asked for advice from the masters who retired in Beijing.

Let's put it this way, gathering the strengths of all schools is a bit mysterious, but to say that learning art is profound, this is no problem.

The school has the master's recordings, the guidance of later generations, and the inheritance and guidance of senior brothers and sisters.

Other schools also have the idea of attaching themselves to preserve themselves, so they are very polite to these two people.

Tong Huimei is older, understands more, and is also cautious.

She knows very well that she and Jiaojiao can be taught by so many masters, all because of Li Xuewu's face.

Precisely because of Li Xuewu's protection, they were able to learn skills.

But she was also afraid that the identities of the two would bring him trouble, so every time she learned, she would confirm it with Mai Xiaotian.

Mai Xiaotian understood her thoughts. At that time, he didn't give a definite answer. Today, seeing Li Xuewu, he took the initiative to mention it.

Li Xuewu understood, nodded, and said with a smile, "Don't worry about these, tell them to just learn."

"That couldn't be better."

Mai Xiaotian also let out a sigh of relief, looked at him with expectant eyes, and asked tentatively, "Is it..."

Before his words were finished, Li Xuewu had already shaken his head slightly.

It's not that the tight hoop on everyone's head has loosened, it's that he is backing Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao, and the situation hasn't changed.

Mai Xiaotian had a moment of distraction. That look of loss and disappointment made people's hearts ache.

After a long while, he let out a long sigh, nodded, and said, "Alright, alright, in short, there is still hope."

Li Xuewu understood Mai Xiaotian's personality very well. This is also a cautious person, just without a good background.

Look at some so-called "masters" now, aren't they also singing "A Million Heroic Troops Crossing the Yangtze River" openly?

Old Biaozi's father-in-law can be said to be one of his own. Seeing Mai Qinglan is also determined to live with the big brother.

Li Xuewu won't pit him, and he won't pit Li Xuewu, so there is no risk.

Those people take the initiative to curry favor with them, wanting to please Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao to gain a sense of security.

Li Xuewu doesn't have much ability in literature and art, but in work, he still has a certain ability to distinguish right from wrong.

He doesn't dare to touch water that is too deep, but if it's a circle that Tong Huimei can touch, he still has the ability to protect her and have a good popularity.

This circle is no different in essence from the entertainment industry of later generations, and it also depends on certain levels.

Let's put it this way: there were no poor people who watched Beijing opera before.

You say your family eats meat twice a week, which is more awesome than the neighbors, but you don't necessarily walk into the theater to listen to opera.

This is not something that is appreciated by both refined and popular tastes. Many plays need to be chewed and tasted to listen to, not all of them are the red-faced kind.

He knows history. If Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao want to gain a foothold in this circle and have a place, they must have responsibility and a certain influence.

No need to say more. As long as they can protect a few peers and retain a few points of face, it is also a huge status.

Don't look at them being young now. Ten or twenty years later, their skills will be mature, combined with their influence and the changes of the times, it is really not difficult to get the title of master.

Master Tong Huimei ran down from the stage like a bird returning to the forest, wanting to be close to him, but was a bit embarrassed.

Li Xuewu praised her and Jin Jiaojiao with a smile, making them almost red-eyed.

Mai Xiaotian drove them to remove their makeup with a smile. This makeup is still very unfriendly to the skin. He has seen too much of the love between children.

To say Li Xuewu's relationship with the two, Tan Yali didn't care, and Mai Xiaotian wouldn't care even more.

Speaking of which, they are all "remnants" of feudal society. In the era they lived in, there were plenty of things more exaggerated than this.

Seeing too many problems, small problems are no longer problems.

Li Xuewu stayed in the club until after two in the afternoon, and then went to Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao's home for more than two hours.

Rushing to eat in the courtyard before dark, Seeing Sha Zhu had already arranged everything, just waiting for him to enter the courtyard to start the pot and burn the oil.

"I'm not talking nonsense, these are all true things."

There are fewer people at the recycling station now, and the east room is too spacious, so everyone squeezed into the kang in the west room to eat.

Winter is too cold, sitting on the kang to eat feels warm, especially with a little wine, it's even more beautiful.

When there are fewer people, the food is easy to make.

Seeing Sha Zhu's craftsmanship is impeccable. Now Qin Huairu has started three restaurants, and he is responsible for one of them.

Buying a tricycle and saying he wanted to do outside fishing, but as a result, he couldn't be busy at all now. Every day after work, he had to go to Langtaosha to work overtime.

He arranged two of his apprentices to go over, and Ma Hua was one of them. Now he manages things at Langtaosha.

He found a few Sichuan cuisine masters, and Seeing Sha Zhu was the only one in charge of the back kitchen, having a feeling of holding great power.

Shen Guodong teased him, saying he looked more like a cadre.

"Hey—serving dishes—"

The kitchen was bustling, and everyone who came in had to praise Seeing Sha Zhu, and he worked even harder.

In the west room, Yan Jiefang sat on the edge of the kang holding his legs and telling everyone about the Beijing freight station, which was more interesting than telling stories.

Whichever unit had a change would become a topic of conversation on the dinner tables of workers or surrounding ordinary people.

After Li Xuewu entered, he didn't call for a stop, but waved his hand to signal Yan Jiefang to continue. He also wanted to hear this story.

Seeing Li Xuewu enter, Yan Jiefang didn't dare to deliberately sell the secret anymore, and the authenticity of his speech rose in a straight line.

He didn't dare to tell hearsay anymore, only picking what he knew and saw to talk about to relieve boredom.

"Yo, Sister Qin, you came just in time."

Seeing Sha Zhu's greeting came from the kitchen. Li Xuewu, sitting in front of the kang cabinet, turned his head and saw Qin Huairu walking in.

Inside the cyan cotton-padded jacket was a bright red sweater, black pants matched with black leather shoes, and the whole person looked capable and spirited.

"Finally have 'roots' and 'bottom'." Seeing Sha Zhu didn't even care about the pot to make a joke, "Sister Qin, your state looks different from before you were married."

"Go away, dog mouth can't spit out ivory—"

Qin Huairu had been a widow for many years, and she had long been immune to this kind of joke, and could even laugh and scold back.

Raising her hand to pat Seeing Sha Zhu, she scared the other party into hiding back, and everyone laughed again.

"When did you come? I didn't see you when I passed by just now." Qin Huairu smiled and nodded to greet the people in the room, but what she wanted to see was Li Xuewu on the kang.

Li Xuewu also looked her over following Seeing Sha Zhu's words. This temperament really looked different.

Could it be a psychological effect, a change in cognition?

If this woman was a green tea flower about to wither before meeting him, and was saved by his few splashes of urine, then now she is a big peony blooming again, spirited, brilliant, and plump.

"Just took off my shoes and got on the kang, and you came."

Li Xuewu was also good at making trouble, especially good at double entendres. How could this sound awkward in the ears?

Qin Huairu didn't care, patted his shoulder lightly, and sat on the edge of the kang next to him.

"Bang Geng shouted at me, saying your car entered the courtyard, so I came over to see. I didn't expect it to really be you."

She didn't stand on ceremony, chatted with everyone for a few sentences, and then frankly said to Li Xuewu: "Our family wants to go to the freight station. The station side has already been discussed. Can you help?"