Chapter 1360: Standing tall and graceful

On Monday morning, Han Jiankun found an excuse to come to Li Xuewu's office to express his gratitude.

It was for the gifts Nie Xiaoguang sent to the hospital yesterday; looking at them, they were all practical, and he was very grateful in his heart.

"As long as they are useful, I didn't know what to buy, it was Xiao Guang who went to busy himself."

Li Xuewu told the truth, raised his hand to point to the chair opposite, and signaled him to sit down and talk.

"Still haven't asked you, is it a little boy, or a little girl?"

"It's a big girl, hehe—"

Han Jiankun rarely showed his true feelings in front of Li Xuewu, looking truly happy.

"Your old lady didn't get angry, right?" Li Xuewu teased him with a smile, "Maybe she was thinking about a big grandson."

"I cherish girls."

Han Jiankun didn't explain his mother's attitude, and at this moment, he said to himself: "Looking at Li Shu's cute appearance when she was young, I sincerely hoped to have a big girl, and this time it was as I wished."

"Hehehe—" Li Xuewu laughed and pointed at him, saying: "Wait until your daughter grows up, you'll have worries."

"Just look at Li Shu's naughty appearance now, you still hope for a girl, do you really think girls aren't naughty?"

"You're still talking about me—" Seeing Li Xuewu in a good mood, Han Jiankun also joked, "Who was it that treated their daughter like the apple of their eye?"

"Hahaha—" Li Xuewu was speechless by his retort and could only laugh.

"Girls and boys are the same." After the joke, Li Xuewu still persuaded him: "You are still young, you have to give birth."

"My mother also said so." Han Jiankun smiled and said: "She was afraid I wouldn't be happy, so she took the initiative to comfort me."

Li Xuewu understood these words; it turned out that the couple had long calculated it, just performing a play in front of their old lady.

It was nothing more than him pretending to be disappointed at the door of the delivery room to dispel his mother's nagging; what the couple said in private was unknown.

Although Qin Jingru and Han Jiankun were not his own relatives, let alone younger brothers or sisters, they had developed feelings after two years of getting along.

Knowing they were good, Li Xuewu felt relieved, chatted with him for a few more sentences with a smile, and it was Wang Lu who came in, and Han Jiankun went out.

"Leader, someone from the ministry came, saying they want to see you."

Wang Lu's gaze carried worry; she walked to his desk and reminded him softly: "It's the team leader of the last discipline inspection working group."

"Yang Jun? So it's him who came."

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows, and he was already thinking about it in his heart.

At this juncture, what did Yang Jun come down from above to do?

Was it a rescue soldier brought by Su Weide, or was he representing the above to emphasize unity and hit both sides with twenty boards?

Regardless, since they named him to see him, Li Xuewu couldn't not see him; he couldn't let people look down on him.

Standing up, wearing a thin jacket, he took Wang Lu and went out of the office door, heading straight for the direction of the reception room.

Yang Jun put on this air, but didn't take it big; wanting to talk, not going to the office, but coming to the reception room, was it selfless?

The attitude was there, but were the means there?

Last time he ate a muffled loss at Red Star Factory, I don't know if Team Leader Yang still remembers; did he come to find the field this time?

Li Xuewu was pondering while walking; he had long been mentally prepared for people coming down from above, just didn't expect it to be so early.

The Red Star Steel Group was developing so well, how many pairs of eyes above were staring at it; any slight disturbance would attract attention.

However, the adjustments and competition within the organizational ecology were all within a controllable range; the winner hadn't been decided yet, and the referee was already off the field?

He wasn't afraid of the referee favoring Su Weide; that was inevitable, but this was his home field, how could he be timid?

Besides, if it were someone else, he would have to deliberate; Yang Jun, well, an old friend.

"Team Leader Yang, welcome, welcome."

As soon as Li Xuewu entered the reception room, seeing Yang Jun stand up, he reached out his hand.

After all, they were comrades from the superior organ; whether they offended them or not, they had to get along on the surface.

Yang Jun put on airs, but didn't take it big; the handshake was very sincere, but his complexion wasn't very good.

"Secretary-General Li, this isn't our first time meeting, I won't beat around the bush with you, let's be frank."

Pulling Li Xuewu to sit on the sofa, Yang Jun said straight to the point: "The first person I want to see this time is you."

"This is my honor." Li Xuewu smiled slightly, waved his hand to signal Wang Lu that she could go out; the tea was ready-made.

"I really don't want to be annoying, but who told me to take on this errand." Yang Jun spread his hands and said: "Two died in succession in one case, the leader is very dissatisfied, and privately, he was furious."

"These words aren't from me," he widened his eyes and emphasized: "The leader said if the Red Star Group's discipline inspection has no one, then please ask the discipline inspection comrades from the ministry to meddle more, how can we wash our dirty linen in public."

He spoke to himself, Li Xuewu didn't answer, only listened seriously, and the expression on his face didn't change much.

Yang Jun was a bit dissatisfied with this reaction of his; he knew that being a referee was not easy, especially toward Li Xuewu, he was also in a dilemma.

However, they were all doing work, and there was no reason for anyone to beg anyone; he didn't want to balance the water, but he couldn't let the water spill.

"I personally don't hope for the problem to escalate, and the Group's discipline inspection doesn't have that many people to take care of everything; stability is the priority."

Yang Jun offered the price; the words stopped here for a moment, looking at Li Xuewu's reaction; if he wasn't satisfied, he had no way.

"This time it's me who came, next time who knows who will come; take my advice, harmony is precious."

He could see that Li Xuewu's delay in expressing his attitude was already an expression; it seemed he was dissatisfied.

If you are dissatisfied, you should set a price; I didn't ask for an exorbitant price, nor did I forbid you from bargaining.

"This case is a bit complicated."

Li Xuewu finally spoke, holding the teacup and saying with a worried tone: "The leaders have all heard about it; it seems the influence is really bad."

"The leaders don't hope for this influence to expand anymore."

Yang Jun frowned and reminded him: "No need for me to say uglier words; the leader's original words were 'stop playing tricks'."

Stop playing tricks?

Li Xuewu's eyebrows couldn't help but lift lightly, and he didn't drink the hot tea in his hand, putting it back on the coffee table.

"I don't know if you understand my current situation."

He didn't look at Yang Jun's expression either, and said straightly: "The Group's housekeeper, but can't manage any specific business."

"Back to this case." Yang Jun just wanted to open his mouth, but Li Xuewu raised his hand to interrupt him, "I'm not complaining to you."

"I handed over the business of the security department long ago, and my influence in discipline inspection is almost zero."

He tapped his finger on the sofa armrest and explained: "The only connection with this case is that trip I made to the freight station."

"But that time I went to the freight station was because the report letter and materials were delivered to Director Li, and it was Director Li who asked me to handle it."

Can this be believed?

Can this be believed?

Yang Jun didn't know whether to believe it or not; if he said he didn't believe it, Director Li was in the office, and he could go to verify it completely.

But if he said he believed it, based on the experience of eating a loss last time, he had to ponder even the punctuation marks of what Li Xuewu said.

"The tree wants to be quiet but the wind won't stop—" Li Xuewu sighed slightly, looked up at Yang Jun, "Thank you for caring about me so much; being arranged to be the first to see me shows you trust me."

I trust you???

Yang Jun had more than forty question marks in his heart, but he couldn't say it.

"Eating from the same pot; if the pot leaks, no one can eat."

He did not show an attitude of support or suspicion, completely ignoring Li Xuewu's point, but instead gave a serious warning.

Li Xuewu was unmoved, and the appearance of nodding in agreement looked as obedient as it could be.

But in Yang Jun's view, it wasn't clear whether the wind stopped or not, but this tree was a bit improper; it wanted to wave without wind.

If Li Xuewu really wanted to make trouble, he wouldn't give up easily, especially at this critical stage.

Back then, the appointment of the Secretary-General of the Red Star Steel Group caused a discussion above.

For no other reason, it was just that Li Xuewu was too young; even if those materials were placed in front of everyone, it was difficult to ignore this youth.

Most of the leaders in the ministry hadn't seen Li Xuewu; how much content could they see from the materials?

Yang Jun had dealt with him, but he was hard to provoke; he had already given birth to twelve points of vigilance before coming.

Didn't expect that even after speaking so clearly, he still ate a soft and hard nail here at Li Xuewu's.

Not giving face like this, why didn't he get angry, let alone get furious, just because he was here to do things, not to pick things.

"I won't talk to you about the wind first; does this tree really want to be quiet?"

Yang Jun frowned and emphasized: "It doesn't matter if I can bring back a definite answer today; anyway, I don't covet this credit."

"Look at what you're saying, it's become my fault."

Li Xuewu's corners of his mouth lifted slightly, smiling on his face, but his tone was a bit more impatient, "Why don't you understand more?"

"Li Baihui died in discipline inspection, Zheng Xudong died outside the foreign guest's room in the International Hotel; I think this case is quite complicated."

Still the same sentence at the beginning, this case is complicated, the water is a bit deep.

Yang Jun naturally understood the depth of his words, and said straightly: "How complicated can it be? Do you want me to report to the leader and draw discipline inspection backbone forces from various units in the system to establish a special case group?"

This sounded really angry; he also hated Li Xuewu for not being open to persuasion, seeming to be in a posture of holding on to the end.

But the Red Star Steel Group was involved too widely, with too many eyes; if something really went wrong, it would be a joke.

In the past, many people didn't look favorably on the Red Star Factory, but now they all kept silent, afraid of attracting trouble.

Didn't expect trouble to come from the inside; those who wanted to beat one or two above naturally wouldn't be soft-handed.

It was just that Yang Jun had this confidence, but didn't dare to use it; for the complexity that Li Xuewu emphasized twice, he seemed to have realized a few points.

It couldn't be called a threat, it was a warning.

It wasn't quite a threat, but the warning was real.

"Deputy Director Gu is the leader in charge of discipline inspection, Deputy Director Su is the original leader in charge of discipline inspection."

He said faintly: "Especially Deputy Director Su, after all, he is an old discipline inspection person."

Are you teaching me how to do things?

Yang Jun had ten thousand words in his heart that he couldn't say; other words didn't need to be said anymore.

Naturally, he had to talk to Su Weide.

Yang Jun came with a mission; wanting to solve the case problem within a day was impossible.

The leader didn't give him the next work instruction either; he had to get the first-hand information first.

So, after the talk with Li Xuewu ended, he went to the security department first, and then to discipline inspection.

Manager Wang Xiaoqin of the Quality and Safety Department received him and arranged for comrades from the security department to report on the specific case.

The materials were already prepared; Zhou Yao was careful in doing things, but she was also busy at this moment.

The influence of Zheng Xudong's death was very bad; after receiving Liang Zuodong's transcript, the security department began a comprehensive investigation of Zheng Xudong.

No matter what mistakes Zheng Xudong made before, this didn't belong to the security department, they just wanted to find the whole process of Zheng Xudong's death.

When listening to the relevant reports, Yang Jun discovered a bit of suspicion; up to this point, the security department still hadn't determined whether Zheng Xudong committed suicide or was murdered.

What does this mean?

Business is business; Yang Jun wouldn't think from the perspective of handling the case; he would only use political thinking to treat this report.

Could it be that the root cause of the Red Star Steel Group's problem really wasn't on Li Xuewu's side, but someone was fueling the flames, not wanting to see the situation where Zheng Xudong committed suicide?

Actually, up to now, whether Zheng Xudong committed suicide or was murdered, the influence of the case had already expanded, and no one could suppress it.

Yang Jun only listened and didn't ask; he knew that even if he asked, he wouldn't be able to ask anything.

There were many people in the security department who were once Li Xuewu's subordinates; how many things were hidden here, he didn't have confidence.

However, in the report, Zhou Yao mentioned that the disciplinary problems of Zheng Xudong, Liang Zuodong, Li Baihui, and others had been handed over to the Group's discipline inspection.

Discipline inspection also entrusted the security department to assist in the investigation, searching for the account book that Liang Zuodong mentioned Zheng Xudong once used to threaten them.

This case is really troublesome.

Up to here, Yang Jun understood what Li Xuewu meant by the complexity of mentioning this case twice.

The complexity wasn't in Zheng Xudong's association with Mercedes, but in the line that was pulled down, and the end hadn't been seen yet.

When checking Li Baihui, Li Baihui committed suicide; when checking Zheng Xudong, Zheng Xudong committed suicide; then who is standing at the end?

Whether it was Li Baihui or Zheng Xudong, they were actually not guilty of death, so why did they have to be so cheap with life.

Yang Jun went to the security department with several questions in his heart, and then listened to the report of Zhou Zechuan, the person in charge of discipline inspection.

The relationship with Zhou Zechuan naturally didn't need to be said; this time it was him who came down, and the leader didn't mean to protect the other party.

Saying friendship would be deliberate, and Zhou Zechuan wasn't a muddled egg either; this time he was afraid he had fallen into someone else's trap.

"It's all my fault for being greedy and advancing." Zhou Zechuan's attitude was good; having obtained a private opportunity, he admitted his mistake again.

"Up to now, there's no place to buy regret medicine."

Yang Jun looked at Zhou Zechuan helplessly, feeling angry in his heart, but still had to do work.

"There's no retreat, and it's absolutely impossible to want to pick yourself out; do you have any ideas?"

"Ideas?" Zhou Zechuan was stunned for a moment, "Leader, what do you mean..."

"Is my meaning important?"

Seeing that he still didn't open his mind, Yang Jun glared at him fiercely.

There was no one around at this moment; he raised his hand and pointed vaguely, frowning and reminding him: "Do you think I came to save you?"

Zhou Zechuan's face turned pale for a moment, his gaze looking at him with some astonishment, his heart was very empty.

"Do you have any idea who dug this pit?"

Yang Jun's voice gradually had a bit of impatience and resentment, "Not even knowing who wants to calculate you, how do you do things?"

"Isn't it that..." Zhou Zechuan just wanted to say that person's name, but asked even more surprisingly: "Could it be that it's not him?"

"How would I know?" Yang Jun pursed his lips, "How big this pit is, I jumped down and didn't even have a neck!"

He looked at the surroundings angrily and said fiercely: "I talked to him, hard and soft means were all used, but he didn't reveal the truth, this matter is really a bit ambiguous."

"If it's not him, who else could it be?"

Zhou Zechuan said confidently: "Since the beginning of the year, he was transferred out of the security group, and he was prepared."

"I heard the most in Red Star Factory is that he does things rigorously, walks one step and sees ten steps, and is the best at calculating."

He said this, and his heart was also cold, and his tone revealed a bit of cowardice and discouragement.

"Until the middle of the year, Director Li vaguely adjusted the direction of personnel reform, as if he wanted to take a ruthless hand against him."

"This is muddled." Yang Jun frowned: "Why did I hear that they are cooperating tacitly, and the top and bottom are combined."

"Fart, how would you know how hypocritical he is."

Zhou Zechuan was also full of anger from being calculated; having been bullied so hard, seeing "relatives," he naturally had to say it.

"Even if Li Huai De calculates him again, the work on the surface is seamless; even I have to admire him."

Saying this seemed to increase others' ambition and destroy one's own prestige, but the fact was so; he couldn't speak against his conscience.

"In July, I vaguely felt something was wrong."

Zhou Zechuan said with a serious face: "The wind of the May 7th Cadre School blew down, and the group's personnel reform had new tricks, but I didn't see him have any action."

"Whether it's personnel work or business work, it seems like he doesn't touch anything, and even actively recommended a deputy secretary group."

He said these words, and his heart was also confused, looking at Yang Jun and saying: "At first I thought he wanted to retreat to advance, testing the attitudes of other leaders, but there was no follow-up for a long time."

"Until he went to the freight station, this wind blew more and more wrongly, until the fire was big and burned to my own head."

"You are looking for trouble, burning yourself." Yang Jun's mouth twitched, "What kind of person he is, haven't you seen me eat that loss?"

"Do you think I'm not as good as him, or are you stronger than me?"

This was heart-piercing; Zhou Zechuan didn't dare to answer, his mouth kept apologizing, but Yang Jun didn't want to listen to his hindsight.

"You are the one who stood in line early." Yang Jun pointed to his chest, "What does this have to do with you? Even if they finish fighting, can your hat be thicker?"

He narrowed his eyes and said: "To put it bluntly, no matter how people calculate, they are 'their own people' in the end; you are the outsiders."

Zhou Zechuan now understood why the infighting between Li Huai De and Li Xuewu was never put on the table.

The reason was pointed out by Yang Jun in one word.

No matter how they compete, the original members of the Red Star Factory team have tacit understanding, at least there is tacit understanding now.

The smart ones like Gao Yaqin hid far away from this dispute, actively expressed their stance, and worked actively; who could earn her?

Even without this cleverness, Li Kezhang Jinsong, who was proud, as long as there were no other thoughts, he wouldn't provoke right and wrong.

Only Su Weide was a pure big fool; I don't know who was supporting him, actually treating the group of people in Red Star Factory as chickens.

In this world, only he is smart; the members of the team who managed the Red Star Factory into a group enterprise couldn't compare to him.

Following such a person to do things and wanting to get how much benefit after success, then is Zhou Zechuan a more stupid existence than Su Weide?

How to do things is your own choice, I can't make a decision for you. Yang Jun finally spread his hands, "If you really don't have this ability, then just rot; at worst, go back and continue to grind your qualifications."

"Leader, I'm not going back."

Zhou Zechuan's face turned red and white, white and red, and finally couldn't bear the efforts of these years.

Don't look at Yang Jun saying it easily, what "at worst go back and grind qualifications," at his age, even if he can go back, can he come down?

If he really can't come down, then he can't go up.

Grinding qualifications is nothing more than waiting for half a level when retiring; he is only thirty-something, does he have to sit in the class for twenty years?

This isn't grinding qualifications, this is life.

So as soon as Yang Jun's words came out, he knew this was the final ultimatum to him: do it, or get out.

"Even if I die here, I have to stand straight."

He had also worked for many years and had his own pride, "I must investigate this case to the end and make it an iron case."

"How to investigate? Investigate with your mouth?"

Yang Jun's words were really damaging, but his attitude had eased.

"How do you deal with Su Weide?" He pursed his lips and asked: "Are you just leaving the Tianjin case like this?"

"If I don't leave it, what else can I do?" Zhou Zechuan smiled bitterly, "Whoever investigates this case will die; if Su Weide wants to investigate, let him investigate it himself."

"I'm afraid the tree wants to be quiet but the wind won't stop."

Yang Jun listened to his words, but couldn't help thinking of Li Xuewu's reaction; was the Tianjin case really a handle exposed inadvertently?

Not necessarily.

As long as Li Xuewu is involved, he doesn't think it's too much no matter how much he thinks.

Zhou Zechuan also introduced Su Weide's calculation to him just now, but in his view, it didn't seem like it could end here.

Investigating Tianjin looks like Su Weide grabbed some small tail and wants to investigate to the end, lifting the lid of the Red Star Factory.

But in reality?

This tail is very likely deliberately exposed by others; Su Weide and Zhou Zechuan chased after it, and what they saw was a behemoth.

But is this behemoth the most dangerous existence?

You say you don't investigate, so you don't investigate; if you don't investigate, where do people have an excuse to bite you back?

So up to now, Zhou Zechuan giving up the Tianjin case is not a wise move; there will definitely be repetitions here.

It was just that Yang Jun had no way to force him to continue investigating; supporting another line felt very difficult, and he still had the ability to fight on two lines?

This loss Zhou Zechuan must eat; Yang Jun thought of this, looked at him deeply, and didn't give a reminder.

Just consider it a lesson learned.

"Since you decided to stay, then put down your burden and do things well."

Yang Jun looked at him and said: "Don't think about support; when support is really needed, I will help you apply for it."

"Thank you, Leader." Zhou Zechuan was a bit excited, and kept thanking him.

With the leader's support, he wouldn't be without a retreat in the end.

He couldn't be like Su Weide, being a big fool.

Su Weide's office.

Zhou Zechuan didn't want to be a big fool, but some people didn't think they were stupid, and even felt a bit wronged.

Yang Jun was the last to talk to him; although he took the initiative to come to his office, he had no bottom in his heart all day.

Liang Zuodong came back from the security department and didn't

"Since you've decided to stay, then put down your burdens and do your work well."

Yang Jun looked at him and said, "Don't even think about support; when you truly need support, I will help you apply for it."

"Thank you, Leader." Zhou Zechuan was somewhat agitated, thanking him incessantly.

With the leader's support, he wouldn't end up with absolutely no way out.

He certainly couldn't be a big fool like Su Weide.

Su Weide's office.

Zhou Zechuan didn't want to be a big fool, but some people didn't think they were foolish at all, even feeling somewhat wronged.

Yang Jun was the last one he talked to; although he had come to his office voluntarily, he had felt uneasy all day long.

Liang Zuodong had returned from the Security Division but hadn't come to his room to explain anything; the two acted as if they had never known each other.

Rumors of the two having a falling out had been circulating in the agency for days, with some even saying Liang Zuodong had beaten him, which was why he ended up in the Security Division.

There were all sorts of stories, each more bizarre than the last.

Su Weide was anxious inside, but it didn't show on his face as he chatted idly with Yang Jun with a smile.

How could he not be anxious? The more these rumors spread, the weaker his influence became, and the prestige he had worked so hard to build was dissipating quite a bit.

"Did you come over from Deputy Director Cheng's side?"

"Hmm." Yang Jun flicked the ash from his cigarette, took another puff, and then said, "Some matters still need to be understood from the parties involved."

"That is the right thing to do, getting to the root of the matter." That was what Su Weide said, but what he was thinking inside, no one knew.

Su Weide knew roughly where Yang Jun had been all day, who he had met, and what they had discussed.

In the end, coming to talk to him was nothing more than placing the root of the problem on him.

He couldn't accept this conclusion; otherwise, even if he wasn't defeated, he would be.

Now he still had support from above and the situation to rely on; even if his methods were a bit extreme, they wouldn't cause any trouble.

Therefore, he just hummed and hawed in response to whatever Yang Jun said, without giving a single straight answer.

Yang Jun was also getting a bit impatient; there had been enough buck-passing today, and it was only because they were former colleagues that he wanted to speak privately.

But seeing Su Weide's attitude of guarding against him, he felt a bitter taste in his mouth; how pointless.

What conclusion could be spoken to his face? He was just too lazy to even ask now.

Seeing that he didn't want to talk, Su Weide was actually a bit surprised, looking at him with suspicion in his eyes, his mind turning over several possibilities.

Could it be that he was coming for him?

Could it be that those above were dissatisfied with his work progress, or had opinions about his current work situation?

"Are you leaving already?"

Su Weide's surprise at seeing him prepare to stand up wasn't feigned; the two hadn't even said anything yet.

Yang Jun glanced at him, nodded, and said, "The leader is waiting for me to report back; the sooner I return, the better."

Saying this, he had already stubbed out his cigarette, picked up his briefcase, stood up, and walked out.

Su Weide's heart really hung in the balance; he wanted to keep him, but had no reason to, and if he really let him leave like this, he probably wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.

"I'll see you downstairs." He said with a smile, "Look at you, it's not easy for you to come here once, and you won't even give me the face to stay for dinner before going back?"

"No need, what's one less meal going to do?"

Yang Jun's answer seemed to have a deeper meaning; whether it was a reminder or indifference, it sounded uncomfortable to Su Weide's ears.

The two went downstairs humming and hawing, and Yang Jun was quite decisive, leaving without greeting anyone.

Su Weide saw him off and stood at the entrance with a frosty face; he could talk to others like this, so why did he leave in such a hurry when it came to him?

He didn't leave, and Yang Jun's car was fast; after reporting to the leaders at the ministry, he returned to Red Star Steel Group the next day.

Only this time, he didn't travel light, but brought seven or eight comrades from the ministry's Discipline Inspection Commission to assist and supervise the group's discipline inspection office in handling the case.

Su Weide was shocked all at once.

"I won't emphasize discipline; the fact that you all could participate in this training is enough to show your excellence in all aspects."

Although the team leader's expression was very serious, his tone was very easygoing; for the past six months, he had actually shown this face.

Perhaps he was tired, or perhaps he was home, but he didn't want to continue being the villain, nor did he want to annoy these future elites of the group.

If they weren't the elites, what were they?

Going to Hong Kong for six months of training, out of the group's nearly ninety thousand people, only these fifty-some were selected; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them one in ten thousand.

The reason he had kept a straight face and acted serious for over half a year was that he bore a heavy responsibility to bring these fifty-some people out and back in one piece; losing one would be a major event, and gaining one would be a disaster.

Fortunately, he finally fulfilled his mission.

On the train, he conducted the final mobilization, and only stopped when he saw the train was about to enter the station.

The group's deputy secretary-general represented the group's management committee to meet them in Tianjin; the carriage was a high-end special train for the group, and it was very comfortable to stay in.

Perhaps due to the feeling of being near home, everyone spoke less and less along the way, until they saw the team waiting to welcome them through the train window.

Being out of touch for over half a year was hard for anyone to bear, let alone their families.

However, the group had work discipline, and family members were not allowed to meet the train.

The trainees who went to Hong Kong for training were met by the group, and they took a bus back to their units to wait for further arrangements.

Standing in front of the bus was a welcome ceremony organized by the propaganda department; there weren't many people, but it was very lively.

All trainees received a bouquet of fresh flowers, which were very fresh in the dead of winter in this era.

Everyone took two buses from the train station and headed toward the factory area, with their luggage handled by the Security Division.

This was a necessary step; although they must have been inspected when passing through customs, they still had to go through it again upon returning to the unit.

Only when they arrived home would this training trip be considered over.

Li Xuewu saw his sister in the small conference hall; counting the leaders attending the welcome ceremony, there was no room for seventy-some people.

Red Star Factory had a five-pointed star-shaped building, which had the largest indoor venue that could accommodate 2,000 people, as well as a small venue that could accommodate 100 people.

Li Xuewu attended this welcome ceremony as a group leader, and Li Huai De, Gu Weijie, and Jing Yunong gave speeches respectively.

"Second Brother—"

After the meeting ended, Li Xue waited for him at the exit from the side, somewhat agitated.

Li Xuewu just smiled; there were too many people looking over, so it wasn't convenient for the siblings to talk.

Li Xue also knew this; she had just been unable to help herself from coming over, and seeing her second brother nod in acknowledgment, she stopped and didn't follow.

She was already special enough in the training team, so there was no need for others to gossip.

After attending the welcome ceremony, the trainees collected their luggage and boarded the Hongxing Lingyang cars according to their name tags.

This was a special arrangement by the Personnel Division, with all fifty-some trainees being sent home in style, one person per car.

Although some of the trainees had a rank high enough to use a car, being sent back by the Personnel Division was also an honor.

Fifty-some Antelopes waiting there were truly shocking enough.

The trainees smiled with pride, moving their luggage onto the cars with the help of the drivers.

On this trip to Hong Kong, they not only gained knowledge and ability but also brought back a pile of Hong Kong specialties.

In particular, the team leader emphasized before leaving that they should carefully distinguish what specialties they bought and not bring back things made in the mainland.

This was no joke; many products produced by Red Star Steel Group were in Hong Kong and could be seen in supermarkets.

One person per car was not only an honor but also convenient, because they really had too much luggage.

To take care of them, the group specially approved this time that there would be no limit on luggage; as long as they could carry it back, they could do as they pleased.

Because it was a group-nature operation, they took a special channel when passing through customs, which saved a lot of taxes and fees.

However, they didn't have much money while training in Hong Kong, so most of what they bought back were cheap specialties.

Li Xue only had one luggage bag, the least among them, because her luggage had been shipped through other channels.

If she really had to carry it back herself, ten hands wouldn't be enough.

There was no help for it; that sister-in-law in Hong Kong was just too enthusiastic.

"Xiaoxue! You're back!"

Xiaoyan, who was busy in the sales department, was the first to discover her because the car parked at the entrance looked a bit familiar.

Hongxing Lingyang cars were quite common in various units in Beijing now, and they were the ones running on the road.

"Sister Yan." Li Xue wore a light blue woolen coat and black leather shoes, looking graceful and elegant.

"Oh my, I was just looking—"

Xiaoyan came out of the sales department and looked at her with surprise, saying, "You've changed so much, I didn't dare recognize you on the street!"

"What changes could there be?" Li Xue said with a smile, "It's just that it was summer when I left, and now it's winter."

"It's different, you've changed, so much."

Xiaoyan shook her head, and seeing Wang Yamei follow her out, she asked her, "Li Xue, can you recognize her?"

"Why wouldn't I recognize her?" Wang Yamei looked at Li Xue, whose hair was coiled up, and said with a smile, "You've become fairer and prettier."

"You're making me blush." Li Xue picked up her luggage and walked into the courtyard, "I'm going home first, let's chat tonight."

"Go home quickly, your mother has missed you so much." Xiaoyan urged, "She's been talking about you every day these past few days, hoping for you to come home."

Li Xue was also hoping and thinking; after entering the courtyard, her steps couldn't help but quicken, wishing she could see her mother immediately.

Liu Yin had long heard the movement of the car, but didn't pay attention, as there were many cars in this alley now.

There was no work to do in the winter, so she was mending socks with a needle and thread; although she was thinking about her daughter coming back today, there was no specific time.

It was just that cars had passed by that morning, and she had gone out several times, but it wasn't her, so she was too lazy to think about it anymore.

Just as she stopped thinking about it, the sound of the door opening came from the entrance; she looked up and saw a young woman walk in.

How could a mother not recognize her daughter? But the daughter before her eyes didn't seem like hers anymore; she had changed too much from when she left.

It wasn't that her clothes had changed, but her entire temperament had changed; she was more mature and prettier.

"Mom—"

"Xiaoxue—"

The moment mother and daughter looked at each other, time seemed to stand still for more than ten seconds before they were called back by the sound.

Li Xue couldn't hold back anymore, dropped her luggage, and hugged her mother with tears in her eyes.

Actually, she wanted to throw herself into her mother's arms, but unknowingly, she had become an adult, and her mother had become shorter.

There were only two households in the front courtyard, and the Yan family across the way had moved, so it was very quiet today.

But Li Xue's return was like throwing a pebble into a calm lake, and the neighbors still living in the courtyard all came out.

They were too embarrassed to come into the room to see, so many young children were lying on the windowsills, looking through the glass for something fresh.

Li Xue was originally from the courtyard, but she had been gone for half a year, and to the distant Hong Kong, so how could they not be curious?

Curious about Li Xue's changes, curious about what she brought back for her family; people's thoughts in this era were just that simple.

The bag Li Xue brought back only had the clothes she needed to wear, and she didn't take anything else out; she was talking about the bitterness of parting and family affection with the old lady who returned from the backyard after hearing the news, and with her mother.

There were only a few people in the family; during the day, Zhao Yafang and Li Xuewen were both at work, and Ji Yuxiu and Li Xuecai also had to work.

The old lady stroked her granddaughter's hand, and there were tears in her eyes too.

Li Xue grew up by her side, so how could she not miss her?

Li Tang didn't recognize his little aunt, staring with wide eyes, looking curiously and wondering where this relative came from.

Liu Yin tapped her grandson's forehead and taught him with a smile to call her little aunt.

"Pig... little pig."

Well, he called her, but his tongue was a bit off.

Li Xue smiled, grabbed him, held him in her arms, kissed him, and teased him to call her again, insisting he get it right.

Li Tang had never suffered this kind of torture, struggling the whole time.

The few people in the family talked and teased the child, and time unknowingly turned dark.

When Li Shu held her younger brother's hand and entered the door with her parents, she saw the person standing in the room, her eyes widened, and she turned to run.

"You stand right there—"

(End of chapter)