Chapter 1355: Dead End

"Under the bridge in front of the gate, a group of ducks swim by. Come quickly, come quickly, let's count them, two, four, six, seven, eight—"

Li Shu came down from the second floor step by step with a rhythmic gait, her mouth still singing the nursery rhyme her father had taught her.

"Quack quack, quack quack, there really are so many, can't count how many ducks there are, can't count how many ducks there are."

"Hahaha—"

The innocent laughter was crisp and pleasant, as lively as the snowflakes hitting the window lattice last night; it was the most beautiful melody in the human world.

Li Xuewu put down the newspaper in his hand, looked at his daughter who had run over, and asked with a smile, "Has your younger brother not woken up yet?"

"Younger brother is lazing in bed—"

Li Shu tattled on her brother, then hopped and skipped toward the washroom, where Er Ya was already standing at the door waiting for her.

It wasn't that Li Xuewu was particularly diligent; he was the laziest of all in the winter, but there had to be a time and place for everything.

If it were a day off, he could sleep until eight or nine o'clock, but on a workday, he would wake up before seven.

In the winter in the capital, it wouldn't be fully bright until after seven-thirty. When he went downstairs, it was still gray and a bit dark outside.

However, no matter how early he got up, he was never earlier than Er Ya.

This girl was hardworking and capable. Having been in the house for a few months, it was clear that she was also an expert at doing chores back home.

Saying this was actually quite pointless; among children from rural mountain areas, how many grew up pampered?

Tending the fire, boiling water, cooking, looking after the little children...

Li Xuewu's household had few people, but the chores upstairs and downstairs were not simple at all, and it had taken Er Ya a long time to adapt.

At the very beginning, she really felt very tired and worked very hard. She would always do one thing and forget another, and in the middle of the night, she would secretly blame herself and cry.

Fortunately, Brother Li and Sister Aunt Xiao Ning were good-tempered; they never scolded or reprimanded her, and when they had time, they would do the housework themselves.

Sister Aunt Xiao Ning was a bit different. Ever since Er Ya came to this house, the mistress in her impression was always a busy one.

Er Ya had never come into contact with the profession of a doctor. She would be 17 years old at the New Year, but she had never been to a hospital in her life.

She didn't even know which way the hospital gate faced. Just watching Sister Aunt Xiao Ning made her click her tongue—so being a doctor was this exhausting.

Not counting the morning, when she came home from work in the evening and tidied herself up, it was time for dinner. After dinner, she would sometimes coax the children, and sometimes she would go straight to the second floor and wouldn't come down again for the whole night—she had to study.

She didn't understand; since Sister Aunt Xiao Ning was already a doctor, why did she still have to study so hard?

Brother Li's time was more abundant. Unless there were social engagements or work, he would generally come home on time for dinner and take care of the children.

During this time in the morning, she had already become accustomed to Brother Li getting up early to go downstairs to exercise, or reading the newspaper and listening to the news broadcast.

Sometimes when the children got up late, Brother Li would also go upstairs to look after them, helping her share some of the pressure of the housework.

Come to think of it, doing housework was only busy for a little while. Now Er Ya finally understood what Qin Jingru meant by "easy."

When busy, she was truly busy, but there were times when it was truly easy. As long as Brother Li and Sister Aunt Xiao Ning were at work and Li Shu went to school, when she brought Li Ning home, there would be an hour or two of rest time.

Li Ning was actually easy to look after. At 22 months old, his speech was basically clear, communication was effortless, and he could play by himself.

This house had a gas stove and a firewood stove for cooking, and the cellar entrance was right under the stairs, so there was no need to go outside and suffer the cold.

Even for the most exhausting task of washing clothes, there was a washing machine to help.

Once accustomed to it, everything was the same.

"Quack quack, quack quack, there really are so many—"

With Er Ya's help, Li Shu, having finished washing, clapped her little hands and returned. The lyrics she was singing had become unrecognizable.

Originally, it should have been imitating the sound of ducks, but now it had become the sound of toads.

"Hehehe—"

Seeing her father glance at her, Li Shu also knew she had sung it wrong. With a giggle, she went to the dining room to wait for breakfast.

In fact, breakfast was already prepared. The meal for five people couldn't be simpler.

Li Xuewu and Gu Ning were not picky people; as long as it wasn't a special flavor, they could adapt to any home-cooked meal.

Rice porridge, flower rolls, and small pickled vegetables.

Sometimes the rice porridge would be changed to cabbage soup or radish soup, the flower rolls to steamed buns or stuffed buns, and the types of small pickled vegetables would be rotated.

Li Shu and Li Ning could both eat normally, but Li Xuewu doted on his daughter and son, so milk and eggs were never in short supply since they were small.

Li Shu grew up drinking milk and looked chubby and fair-skinned. Li Ning had been breastfed since he was small, and milk was mostly used as a supplement during the day.

Children with sufficient nutrition looked different; whether in height or reaction, they were much smarter than average children.

Li Tang was a month older than Li Ning. Influenced by the experience of raising Li Shu when she was small, the eldest sister-in-law, Zhao Yafang, was also willing to spend.

The eggs were supplied by the few hens Li Xuewu had kept, and the milk was ordered by the sister-in-law herself from the neighborhood, so Li Tang didn't miss out either.

With the three Li children setting the standard, the children in the courtyard had a comparison, and no one wanted to suffer a loss.

Before Wen Saner left, he had left more than a thousand yuan for Fei Shanying, and with the care of Shen Guodong and Li Xuewu, Wen Yuan was also eating eggs and milk.

As for He Zhuang in Xu Damao's house, that was even more of a "child born in old age"; Xu Damao treated his son like the apple of his eye.

Not to mention that both husband and wife earned money, he would earn extra on the side from time to time, and there was also the First Master helping out. Even if there were no money, he wouldn't let He Zhuang watch other children eat; just based on his temper, you can imagine.

The only one of the new generation in this courtyard who suffered a loss was Yan Fang of the Yan family, who had been sickly since childhood and whose family had suffered consecutive changes.

It must be said that Yan Fang had a good mother who didn't abandon her, and even a better stepfather who didn't dislike her.

Even during the time he took her to collect scrap, the lame Yan Jiefang never said he had shortchanged the child; it was also from that time on that Yan Fang started eating well.

Of course, there was also Li Xuewu's help, which allowed Ge Shuchin to work at the factory, providing a guarantee for their life.

Now the situation was naturally different. The Yan family first lost the eldest brother, then lost the old man, and the brothers and sisters had become united.

Just the tricycle had already been replaced once, while others were still hesitating whether to take out a loan to buy a vehicle to run the freight station business.

Others might not know, but Shen Guodong was in charge of this aspect of the business, and he knew very well how much Yan Jiefang's tricycle had earned.

You only think they are hardworking, but you haven't thought about why the three siblings were willing to suffer.

It took less than three months to earn back the capital for the first vehicle, and after changing to the second vehicle, it started making a profit in just two months.

Rushing into the winter month, while others' vehicles struggled to pull goods, their heavy-duty tricycle not only pulled more than others but also ran faster.

Influenced by them, many young people decided to pool together to run vehicles, and even replaced their own tricycles with heavy-duty ones.

In this day and age, as long as you find the right path and are willing to work hard, you can support your family with your own hands.

When the weather was good, the children in the courtyard played together. In the past, Yan Fang's expression was dull and her eyes were lifeless, but there had been improvement recently.

Yan Jiefang was truly generous. She wasn't his own daughter, but he treated Yan Fang no worse than his own.

How does that old saying go?

A fool watches the neighbor during the New Year; he raised the child the same way.

How the Li family living across the door raised their children, he raised his the same way. Even if he couldn't do it, he was determined to try.

Ge Shuchin saw all this effort of his. At the beginning, when the mother-in-law nagged about these things, she didn't say anything.

Yan Jiefang had been desperate to marry her, and she also wanted to see Yan Jiefang's heart.

It was only later, when raising the vehicle made money, that Yan Jiefang was still willing to spend effort and treat Yan Fang sincerely, and only then did she speak up.

Ge Shuchin told Yan Jiefang that every family had its own situation, and their family didn't need to compare with anyone, as long as they were fair to the child.

But Yan Jiefang was unwilling to wrong Yan Fang, or to put it bluntly, he was unwilling to wrong Ge Shuchin, and even more unwilling to wrong himself.

Come to think of it, Yan Fang wasn't brought back from outside by Ge Shuchin. Although he had friction with his own eldest brother, they were still own brothers.

Naturally, the past couldn't be mentioned again, but toward his own niece—now called daughter—he would never feel guilty.

Furthermore, Ge Shuchin had carried his luggage roll home from the gatehouse back then, and he always remembered that figure in the night.

So toward Yan Fang, it was the same as toward Ge Shuchin; he felt sorry for himself if he shortchanged her even a little, and sorry for this relationship.

The standard for raising children in this courtyard was frightening. Neighbors in the surrounding alleys who knew about it couldn't help but click their tongues secretly.

However, looking at these children in the courtyard, they were much more precocious and clever than children of similar age in the alleys.

Li Ning started babbling at a year and a half, and his walking was even more wobbly; he could even trot without a problem, not to mention his eldest sister, Li Shu.

The "Big Demon King" wasn't called that for nothing. Except for Huaihua of the Jia family, she was the oldest. Huaihua was already in elementary school, so naturally, they wouldn't play together.

Whenever Li Shu went to her grandmother's house, she could rule the roost in the courtyard; she was the big sister.

"Li Shu's father, hello."

Li Xuewu was sending his daughter to school as usual. Because it was snowing lightly, he was worried and personally sent Li Shu to the school gate.

Just after completing the "hostage" handover, Li Shu's kindergarten teacher called out to him and greeted him very enthusiastically.

"Hello, Teacher Hu."

Although Li Xuewu was a bit surprised, he still responded with a smile; after all, his daughter was in their hands, so he had to be polite.

Li Shu widened her big eyes and looked at the teacher, then at her father, not knowing why the teacher had suddenly stopped her father.

Could it be that she was going to tattle on her?

That was very possible. How naughty she was in kindergarten—others might not know, but didn't she know it herself?

It was just that before this nervousness could be expressed, she heard Teacher Hu ask enthusiastically, "We heard Li Shu sing a song. Is it called 'Counting Ducks'?"

Teacher Hu looked at Li Shu, and after confirming, she asked Li Xuewu, "I heard her say that this nursery rhyme was taught to her by you, right?"

"Uh—" Li Xuewu was also stunned for a moment and asked, "Is—is it? Is there a problem?"

At this moment, Li Xuewu's nerves tightened, his brain spun rapidly, and he went over the lyrics of "Counting Ducks."

Not for anything else, this period was truly sensitive, and content related to art could potentially be over-interpreted.

If the lyrics of "Counting Ducks" were interpreted as having some ideological or political problem, that would be troublesome.

Fortunately, his brain turned fast; there was no anti-revolutionary sentiment in these ducks.

"It's like this, Li Shu's father."

Teacher Hu was very polite, looking at him with great anticipation and asking, "May I ask the origin of this song?"

"Li Shu has sung it a few times in kindergarten, and the children all like it very much, but I looked through several nursery rhyme music books and didn't find this song."

She looked at Li Xuewu with burning eyes and asked, "May I ask, was this nursery rhyme created by you, or did you learn it from somewhere?"

"This song—" Did Li Xuewu want to say that this song hadn't been created yet?

It was just that looking at the teacher's expression, it seemed he had done something extraordinary, leaking a heavenly secret.

He had truly forgotten; he had forgotten which year this nursery rhyme in his memory was created. It couldn't be from the very "later generations."

"Maybe—it should be—"

Li Xuewu wasn't sure either, so his answer was very vague.

This made Teacher Hu confused as well.

"Li Shu's father?" She widened her eyes in doubt and asked, "Was this nursery rhyme created by you?"

"Um, yes—yes."

Seeing the teacher's expression becoming increasingly strange, Li Xuewu could only bite the bullet and agree.

Afterward, he didn't wait for Teacher Hu to react and gestured toward the direction of the car, saying, "If you have nothing else, I have to go to work."

"Hey, Li Shu's father."

Teacher Hu was agile; she blocked him in a few steps from the gate, looked up into his eyes, and asked, "May I ask you a few questions?"

"Don't worry, it won't take up much of your time."

She seemed very eager, but her tone still carried a sense of negotiation, because behind her was that car that the teachers often discussed.

You ask why Li Shu was naughty and mischievous in kindergarten but was never called in by her parents? Because Li Shu's parents were a bit special.

Li Xuewu came to send his daughter to school almost every morning. Sometimes when he was on a business trip, Gu Ning would send her. The teachers all knew Gu Ning.

They were all in the same unit, so it was naturally not difficult to obtain the work situation of Dr. Gu's husband, which was Li Shu's father, from the department.

The fastest-growing and largest group enterprise in the East City District—looking at the imported high-end sedan he used, one knew his rank wasn't low.

Kindergarten teachers in this day and age were all very capable; they rarely fawned over the parents of children. Instead, the parents of these children had to be polite to them.

However, this sedan was, after all, very intimidating. Teacher Hu didn't dare to offend him, and even less willing to offend Dr. Gu.

Li Xuewu also didn't expect this Teacher Hu to be so stubborn and so active and positive. He felt a bit guilty and didn't know how to respond.

"Just a few questions, very quickly."

Teacher Hu stood in front of him relentlessly. Seeing that he had also stopped, she asked seriously, "When you created this nursery rhyme, was it only half? Is there another half for the chorus?"

"Also, also, can I have the sheet music for this nursery rhyme from you?"

She said very politely, "The children really like it very much. We guarantee that it will only be used for teaching..."

"No, no, wait—"

Li Xuewu had no bottom in his heart. He raised his hand to interrupt Teacher Hu's words and said embarrassedly, "This was just me teaching the child randomly; there is no sheet music."

"No sheet music?" Teacher Hu was stunned.

"Um, no sheet music." Li Xuewu also laughed; this answer was truly quite "off-key."

"Then—" Teacher Hu looked him over seriously and asked suspiciously, "Was your creation of this nursery rhyme for—"

She suspected that Li Shu's father was pretending, but she had no evidence.

Just teaching the child randomly, and no sheet music—if there was no sheet music, how was the melody sung? Li Shu had been singing it for several days, and it wasn't just random singing at all.

"Just to tease the child, she's a bit naughty." Li Xuewu also said very sincerely, "I also never thought this song would—um."

He didn't finish the second half of his sentence; otherwise, he would truly be showing off.

"Sorry, Li Shu has caused you trouble."

After Li Xuewu apologized, he gestured toward his daughter standing at the school gate, prepared to dismiss the teacher just like that, and then get in the car and leave.

Not to mention that Teacher Hu didn't want to let him leave, even Li Shu standing at the school gate wasn't willing either.

What do you mean I caused the teacher trouble? It was clearly you who caused the teacher trouble, okay!

"Li Shu's father—"

Seeing that Li Shu's father insisted on leaving, as if he were in a hurry to go to work, Teacher Hu couldn't block him anymore, but she followed him to the side of the car.

"Li Shu's father." She asked, "Can I do a home visit for Li Shu today?"

"Uh—is that necessary?"

Li Xuewu smiled, looked at the stubborn Teacher Hu, sat in the back seat, nodded, and said, "Then you are welcome to come to our house as a guest."

"It's a deal then—"

Teacher Hu achieved her wish and didn't make things difficult for him anymore. She stood by the side of the road, smiled and waved, and went back to the school gate.

Nie Xiaoguang looked back at the teacher and asked Li Xuewu, "Brother Li, she isn't looking for trouble for you, is she?"

"No, not necessarily, maybe she is..."

Li Xuewu knew that Nie Xiaoguang had misunderstood, but his answer had a different meaning, which made Nie Xiaoguang, who was driving, confused.

Is it or isn't it?

Bang—

Zheng Xudong almost smashed the phone on his desk. If it weren't for the concern that there were still people outside the office, he would have jumped up and cursed loudly.

It was just that he hadn't restrained himself much now. He was panting like an ox, which showed he was truly furious, and there were bloodshot eyes in his eyeballs.

"President Zheng..."

"Get out—"

The secretary heard the commotion and asked in a faint voice at the door, but received a blunt response from Zheng Xudong.

That secretary was like a mouse, coming quietly and leaving quietly.

Why was Zheng Xudong angry?

That phone call just now was made to a group leader with whom he had a very good relationship, but the group leader's response was lukewarm, which sounded fatal.

"Damn it, when you need me, you're all smiles, when you dislike me, you're all nagging—"

Zheng Xudong finally couldn't help it. He stood behind his desk with his hands on his hips and cursed, and his complaints gradually became venomous.

He was very influential in the food company, and even Comrade Cen Fuyao couldn't do anything to him. He not only had technology but also management talent.

Last year, when he reported his work to Deputy Director Cheng, he was highly regarded by the other party. The two were in a supervisory relationship, so they naturally got along well.

But listen to what Deputy Director Cheng said on the phone just now; he actually coldly advised him to take the initiative to explain his problems to the Discipline Inspection Commission.

Is this something a person would say?

Zheng Xudong's performance at this moment could be described by an idiom: panic-stricken and unable to spend the day in peace.

He was truly panic-stricken at first, because the Discipline Inspection Commission was clearly aiming at him. Comrade Cen Fuyao had long found him an eyesore and had tried to get rid of him several times but hadn't succeeded.

This time, he finally caught the opportunity. Not only did he take the initiative to submit his problems, but he also said some things about his performance in the leadership team.

There was no way; Comrade Cen Fuyao was the team leader, but he had the right to evaluate him.

Now he was like a wall about to collapse, and everyone wanted to step on him.

But the Discipline Inspection Commission was not a good person. After entering the Food General Company, they didn't take action against him directly, but instead called in audit and finance to check the accounts.

Was there any need to ask? They must be trying to make his case solid.

From the time the Discipline Inspection Commission entered the Food General Company, it had been almost a month. For this whole month, he had been worried every day that he would be taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission while in the team.

Going to work was a torment, and getting off work was also a torment.

For this month or so, he was restless at work and couldn't sleep at night, like a prisoner waiting for a death sentence all day long.

Every day that passed was a torment.

By now, Zheng Xudong clearly understood Zhou Zechuan's calculation; this was to trap him to death.

With the lesson of Li Baihui, the Discipline Inspection Commission had become ruthless. They didn't give him any chance to commit suicide, peeling the cocoon layer by layer, trying to force him to stand up and surrender voluntarily.

But how could he stand up? With that series of relationships behind him, sitting here waiting for death, standing up was also death.

But the problem now was, even if he wanted to die, the Discipline Inspection Commission wouldn't allow him to die in the interrogation room.

He didn't want to die, and he dared not die.

As if trying to grab the last straw, Zheng Xudong stood in front of his desk, hesitated again and again, but still picked up the phone.

This telephone was as heavy as a thousand catties. Unless it was a last resort, he really didn't want to make this call.

Once this call was made, it meant he was going to force the palace and have a showdown.

Beep—

"Um, who is this?"

The signal was connected quickly, and a warm greeting came from the phone.

"Deputy Director Su, it's me, I am..."

"Why are you calling me at this time?"

Before Zheng Xudong could finish his sentence, the tone on the other end of the phone flashed from warm to impatient, and even with a bit of fear and weariness.

"Deputy Director Su, I really can't hold on..."

"Alright, alright, I have a meeting to attend here."

Still not waiting for Zheng Xudong to finish speaking, Deputy Director Su on the other end of the phone replied to him with a "We'll talk when we meet later."

Listening to the sound of the phone hanging up, Zheng Xudong's heart felt completely cold.

We'll talk when we meet later?

Can I still turn back?

I have time, do you?

Do we still have a chance to meet?

Meet? Meet a hammer!

Zheng Xudong still held the phone in his hand, reluctant to put it down, but listening to the loss of sound on the phone, his heart jumped wildly.

No need to think about it; Deputy Director Su was even more ruthless than Deputy Director Cheng. He didn't show any mercy at all, and was even too lazy to say words to persuade him.

What did you say when you needed me?

Now you're pretending to be clean, right—

Zheng Xudong slowly put down the phone, but it wasn't his own initiative; his arm had lost its strength and hung down naturally.

At this moment, his hands and feet were cold, and his face was ashen. He knew he had been completely abandoned and had become a discarded pawn in this game of chess.

Perhaps, from the day the Discipline Inspection Commission entered the Food General Company, he should have expected it. Even Deputy Director Su couldn't stop Zhou Zechuan; he had long been abandoned.

"Hello? Help me connect to Deputy Director Su's office."

He was unwilling to give up. With wide eyes, the cigarette butt in his hand had long been thrown away. He redialed the phone, determined to make things clear with Su Weide.

This was his last straw, the person who had promised him that he would definitely protect him.

Now the other party said they were busy; they couldn't be busier than saving a life.

"Um, who is this?"

"Deputy Director Su, listen to me..."

"President Zheng, right? This is Gu Cheng."

Although the phone was connected, it wasn't Su Weide's voice. Zheng Xudong was in a hurry just now and didn't hear the voice on the phone clearly.

At this moment, the response coming from the other end of the phone was actually the answer of Deputy Director Su's secretary, Gu Cheng.

"Director Gu, can you please ask the leader to answer the phone?"

Zheng Xudong didn't react for a moment. Although he was anxious, he remained as polite as usual, which had become a habit.

Gu Cheng wasn't a director, but he had to be called that. Who would be so blind as to call him Little Gu?

But even if he called him Director Gu, Gu Cheng didn't bring him any good news.

"President Zheng, our leader has gone out."

Gu Cheng's answer was very polite, without any emotion or purpose, just like when he called Deputy Director Su in the past.

But Zheng Xudong was completely messed up at this time. He didn't dare to think whether Su Weide was sitting behind his desk at this moment, while his secretary Gu Cheng was standing opposite him, dealing with him.

Go to the group office area to find Su Weide in person?

That would be tearing off the mask, and it would only accelerate the Discipline Inspection Commission's investigation into him, and he might even be taken away by the Security Department.

He didn't dare to take risks. Even when he came to work, he was extremely careful, very afraid of being plotted against.

He didn't know when the phone by his ear was hung up again. Zheng Xudong only felt as if his whole body was frozen.

These damn—

Zheng Xudong numbly pulled open the second drawer on his right. That was the cabinet he usually locked. At this moment, an account book was lying inside.

That account book seemed to be cursed. He stared at it for a long time before stiffly picking it up with his arm, but the arm he had just raised hesitated again, wanting to put the account book back.

Um, he couldn't bear it. He couldn't bear the position he had spent more than ten years to reach, and even less could he bear his current life.

Zheng Xudong knew very well that even if he handed over this account book and dragged those people into the water, he wouldn't be able to escape.

This wasn't a game of turning the tide, but a game of losing everything.

He had the heart to listen to persuasion and confess voluntarily, but he was truly afraid of the consequences after confessing, so after thinking again and again, he still put down the account book and picked up the phone.

"Hello, help me connect to the Comprehensive Management Department."

The phone wasn't made to the Secretary-General, but to the Deputy Manager of the Comprehensive Management Department, Liang Zuodong. This wasn't his straw, but a complaint call.

Liang Zuodong, who received Zheng Xudong's call, was also a bit overwhelmed, and his head was buzzing.

"President Zheng? At this time—"

He hesitated for a moment, but still frowned and said, "You shouldn't make this call at this time. You know those people will..."

Will what? Which people?

Zheng Xudong knew that the Security Department's Confidentiality Section had a working group that would irregularly monitor some suspicious phone calls.

This call of his would definitely be recorded by the telephone transfer office, and it was so frequent that it would inevitably arouse suspicion.

But he just couldn't help it. He couldn't help but say in a trembling voice on the phone, "I want to see the Secretary-General."

Liang Zuodong on the other end of the phone was silent for a long time and asked, "Are you serious?"

It was no wonder Liang Zuodong asked this and was so suspicious. If Zheng Xudong really wanted to find the Secretary-General, why did he have to call him at this time?

So this call wasn't polite, and it wasn't following procedure; Zheng Xudong just simply wanted to threaten him and tell him that he was at a dead end now.

Of course, Liang Zuodong knew very well that Zheng Xudong dared to make this call because he must have had a falling out with someone and dragged him out to act as a guarantor.

So the phone was silent for a long time again, before Zheng Xudong said bitterly, "None of you will help me, so I can only take this path."

"Who won't help you?"

Liang Zuodong's liver trembled, but he didn't dare to easily answer his words. He asked bluffingly on the phone, "Deputy Director Cheng has been quite caring toward you."

"Deputy Director Cheng?" Zheng Xudong gave a miserable laugh and said, "Deputy Director Cheng is a good person; how could he care for a bad person like me?"

"Deputy Director Su..."

"Deputy Director Su has long regarded me as a bad person, right?"

Before Liang Zuodong could finish speaking, Zheng Xudong's voice became more resentful, but it was suppressed, accompanied by a strange laugh.

Liang Zuodong became more and more terrified as he listened. He hesitated and said, "Deputy Director Su is not that kind of person; you must have misunderstood."

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone. If it weren't for the heavy breathing, he would have thought the other party had hung up.

"You also know that it's very sensitive at this time. He doesn't dare to answer your call. Perhaps the leader is already thinking of a way for you."

Liang Zuodong softened his voice. He wanted to stabilize the other party, so he persuaded patiently, "You're not in any trouble now..."

"If I die, no one will have it easy."

Zheng Xudong finally lost confidence in him as well. The words spoken on the phone were so resolute that people couldn't help but frown when they heard them.

Liang Zuodong didn't dare to guess whether the other party was being serious or bluffing, but he couldn't give up this call at this time.

"If you jump in, I won't be able to live either."

He said urgently to the other end of the phone, "You can't go see him."

"Then who should I see?" Zheng Xudong asked back angrily, "Tell me, who should I go see? Su Weide?"

"Calm down a little..."

"See who? Tell me—"

Zheng Xudong didn't listen to him at all now. His voice became more torn and hoarse, "See who? Ah? See Mercedes?"

"Shut up! You dare—"

Liang Zuodong finally got angry, but he had to suppress his fire and try to calm down, reminding, "Don't do anything stupid. If you go see him, then there will be no room for recovery in this matter."

"Hehe—" Zheng Xudong just gave a cold laugh.

Liang Zuodong really wanted to curse, "Laugh at your mother."

But he didn't have a chance anymore. The phone on the other end had been hung up, and it seemed that some kind of decision had been made.

Liang Zuodong was also anxious. While tidying up the desk to prepare to find the other party, he dialed the phone back.

The phone rang a few times, but no one answered.

There was no other way; he dialed the office of the Food General Company again. This time the phone was connected quickly.

However, the office secretary who answered the phone replied to him that Deputy General Manager Zheng had just left, saying he was going to see a client and wouldn't be back at noon.

"What?"

Now it was Liang Zuodong's turn to feel cold hands and feet. He didn't expect Su Weide to be able to abandon Zheng Xudong so thoroughly, nor did he expect Zheng Xudong to be so arrogant.

He couldn't wait any longer. Liang Zuodong put on his coat, picked up the handbag on the table, and hurried out the door.

Coincidentally, Bai Changshan was just about to come in, and the two almost collided.

"Oh, Old Bai, sorry, sorry, I have an emergency, leaving first."

Liang Zuodong couldn't care about being polite to Bai Changshan anymore. After saying a few polite words continuously, he had already left the office.

Bai Changshan stood at the door indifferently, watching Liang Zuodong's figure disappear, and then revealed a cold laugh.

"Deputy Director Su—"

Liang Zuodong hurried to Su Weide's office. Coincidentally, someone was reporting work here.

He couldn't wait, and greeted with an urgent tone.

The person reporting looked at Deputy Director Su with some surprise. Seeing the leader frown and nod slightly, he packed up the materials in his hand and went out.

It was just that when he went out, he also looked at the hurried Deputy Manager Liang with some strangeness. So urgent, going to a funeral?

"Panicking, what does it look like?"

Su Weide waited for the person to leave, then frowned and reprimanded him lightly, throwing the fountain pen in his hand, and said, "What's wrong?"

"Deputy Director Su, Zheng Xudong wants to surrender!"

Liang Zuodong couldn't care about Deputy Director Su's impatience anymore. He leaned close to the desk and reminded him urgently.

"Surrender? Zheng Xudong?" Su Weide frowned, "Does he have the courage?"

"Oh, my Deputy Director Su—"

Liang Zuodong was also anxious. He slapped the table and said with a crying voice, "Even a rabbit will bite when it's in a hurry, not to mention a person!"

Seeing his state, Su Weide also took it seriously. He frowned and pointed at the telephone on the table, saying, "He just called me, but I didn't pay attention to him."

"So he made the call to me."

Liang Zuodong watched the leader's indifferent appearance and stomped his feet in anxiety.

He didn't care whether he would lose his dignity in front of the leader anymore, and explained the content of the phone call just now urgently.

And the more Su Weide listened, the more he frowned. Until he heard the part where Zheng Xudong was going to find Mercedes, his expression became serious instantly.

"Does he have the guts? Why don't I believe it."

"Why doesn't he? He's at a dead end!"

Liang Zuodong saw that he wouldn't listen to reason, so he explained patiently, "The Discipline Inspection Commission entered the Food General Company with multiple departments, but they haven't taken any ruthless action."

"It's very obvious that the Discipline Inspection Commission and the Security Department have worn the same pair of pants. They are surrounding Zheng Xudong without annihilating him, isn't it to force Zheng Xudong to turn against them!"

"Are you suspecting Zhou Zechuan?"

Su Weide heard this and his immediate reaction was to wave his hand and insist, "Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

He patted the table and emphasized confidently, "Zhou Zechuan cannot wear the same pair of pants as the Security Department. I still have confidence in this."

"He is being hypocritical—"

Seeing that Liang Zuodong was about to get anxious, Su Weide explained patiently, "Zhou Zechuan told me himself that he wants to compromise with the Security Department on the surface; otherwise, they won't have the opportunity to continue investigating Zhou Xiaobai's case."

"Zhou Zechuan told you?"

Liang Zuodong was looking at Su Weide like he was looking at a fool, his eyes full of absurdity.

Who gave him the courage to make him so confident that he felt he had grasped Zhou Zechuan?

Liang Zuodong really couldn't understand Su Weide. This old guy was sometimes deep and calculating, as clever as a demon, but sometimes he was like a fool.

Could it be that he was possessed by an immortal?

In October 1967, the Red Star Factory obtained the oxygen top-blown technology.

In April 1968, it obtained the blast furnace heavy oil injection technology.

In June, it obtained the blast furnace high-temperature and high-pressure technology.

In October, it obtained the steelmaking deoxidation technology and continuous casting technology.

In December, it obtained the strip rolling technology...

With ships of light and heavy industrial products going to sea, items of technology were also transported in through the Santa Ya Group.

The metallurgical technology of the Red Star Steel Group finally ushered in the final key. Dong Wenxue reported this situation excitedly on the phone.

However, the regret in his tone couldn't be hidden. Although some key technologies had been obtained, it would still take a certain amount of time to fully understand them and integrate these technologies into the existing metallurgical industrial system.

At least in his term, he wouldn't be able to wait for this day. Even with more craftsmen and more technicians, it was impossible to complete the layout and configuration of these technologies within a month or two.

On the phone, Dong Wenxue excitedly told him that he would leave this work for him to take over and be responsible for.

Li Xuewu also had many feelings after listening to this. This achievement and glory were hard-won. How much blood and sweat money had the Red Star Steel Group used to exchange for this opportunity?

Don't think that just by "stealing" these advanced foreign technologies back, everything would be fine and invincible. These were just key technologies.

To understand and master them all required time, and the metallurgical industry of the Red Star Steel Group just happened to need time.

The neighboring country had already mastered these technologies ten years ago. To get the first move in this round of industrial competition, one had to chase with all one's might.

Dong Wenxue had completed his responsibility for the metallurgical industry and paved the way for Li Xuewu to show his talents in Steel City.

The United Energy Development General Company mastered the development of mineral resources, and the metallurgical industry had to transform these mineral resources into industrial raw materials.

All downstream industries of the Red Star Steel Group were built around the metallurgical industry as a foundation. Therefore, when Li Xuewu went to Steel City, what he must master was the metallurgical industry, which was also Dong Wenxue's current job position.

Putting down the phone, Li Xuewu looked at the darkened sky outside the window. Under Wang Lu's urging, he picked up the briefcase he had packed long ago and left the office.

Wang Lu didn't want to delay her own time to get off work, so she urged Li Xuewu to leave work and go home as soon as he was done, so she wouldn't have to worry.

Li Xuewu also felt it was funny. This secretary was muddled, yet she still had the energy to manage his affairs.

Going downstairs, Nie Xiaoguang was already standing at the front of the car waiting for him.

Um, if you look at it from a parallel angle, Nie Xiaoguang's posture of leaning against the front of the car was particularly handsome. It would be even better if he were waiting for his beloved girl.

It was a pity that there was no beloved one, but there was a girl.

"Hello, Secretary-General." Xiao Xiao greeted with a smile.

"It's so cold, why didn't you wait for me in the car?"

Li Xuewu nodded, gestured toward the car, and told her to get in quickly.

Xiao Xiao glanced at Nie Xiaoguang and tried her best not to say it out loud. After all, he was the leader's driver, and making a scene would ultimately be bad.

However, she didn't give the other party a good look either, and sat directly in the back seat following Li Xuewu's gesture.

In the past, she would take the initiative to sit in the passenger seat to show respect for the leader.

Li Xuewu seemed to see something. Before getting in the car, he glanced at Nie Xiaoguang again. This kid looked as if he had done something wrong and didn't dare to look at him.

Forget it, no need to guess; it must be another failed attempt at flirting.

Xiao Guang's luck had been bad recently. Which one was this?

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1356 =====