Chapter 1369: Where are you going?

"What did Zhang Changming come for?"

Bu Qingfang watched the figure leave and turned to ask Li Xuewu, "Don't tell me he came to cause trouble."

"Heh, you guessed right." Li Xuewu laughed lightly, looked up at her, and said, "Not only did he come to cause trouble, he came to block my path."

"I don't believe that. You'd let him off?" Bu Qingfang laughed with a skeptical expression. "It seems Discipline Inspection couldn't do anything to him."

"Maybe there was an expert giving him advice." Li Xuewu organized the materials in front of him and asked, "Is the year-end summary report out?"

"Could that expert be you?"

Bu Qingfang laughed and handed the materials to him. Without waiting for Li Xuewu to offer, she sat down in the chair opposite him.

"I don't have that kind of skill."

Li Xuewu lowered his head to read the summary report, his mind on the year-end official business, and his tone became serious.

If he planned to go to Liaodong early next year, he needed to prepare for the work.

Don't suspect those you use, don't use those you suspect. Since he had chosen Bu Qingfang as Deputy Secretary-General, he had to hand over the work clearly.

It wouldn't go so far as to hand over all the power, but the business and administrative work had to be explained clearly, so that there wouldn't be any omissions when he was running back and forth.

Holding the position of Secretary-General while also serving as the leader of the Liaodong Industrial Management Group, he couldn't let go of either side, so he would have to run back and forth for the next two or three years.

In major matters, there are Dong Wenxue and other connections, so in work, one can only cooperate closely with Bu Qingfang.

Li Xuewu only hoped she would keep to her duties and work diligently, not showing any signs of aggressive ambition, otherwise he would never be soft-handed.

The more critical the time, the more serious and tense things had to be; how could he tolerate her being reckless?

Bu Qingfang wasn't a rookie who had just started working. There was no need to explain too clearly what Li Xuewu needed her to do in this position; those who understood, understood.

Only after the two had finished discussing the work did Li Xuewu bring up the matter of Zhang Changming sending someone to the Jinmen Club.

"What kind of thing is this—" Bu Qingfang laughed in amusement and annoyance. "Do they think we're a shelter? Sending anyone and everyone here."

"Listen to him bragging, saying the talent is extraordinary and very capable in local relations. Let's use him; if he doesn't work out, send him back." Li Xuewu said softly, "Since we already have a manager candidate, just arrange for him to be a deputy manager."

"Will Zhang Changming be happy with that?" Bu Qingfang raised an eyebrow. "He was aiming for General Manager."

"That's what he thinks, but I didn't promise him."

Li Xuewu said indifferently, "Without any merit, there's no reward. I'm just giving him a chance because the Jinmen area is complicated."

"Since you've said so, I'll arrange it later." Bu Qingfang didn't know much about the relationship between Li Xuewu and Zhang Changming, but she knew that the leaders of the two units had close dealings, and the cooperation between the units was also very close.

As for the gossip in the office, she had heard bits and pieces saying that Director Li and the Secretary-General were privately working with the leaders of Jinmen Aquatic Products on projects.

And in the whistleblower letters that had been spreading like wildfire in the office recently, there were exactly such contents, as if confirming these rumors.

It was just that there were some discrepancies; the whistleblower letters didn't have any mention of the Secretary-General, only evidence and testimony attacking Director Li.

Of course, there were too many twists and turns, and Discipline Inspection was still investigating; those who understood were keeping their mouths shut and waiting for news.

However, judging from Zhang Changming's act of "entering the hall and room" at the Secretary-General's side, their personal friendship was indeed unusual.

It was just unclear whether the contents listed in the whistleblower letters about the leaders of both sides using Shunfeng Trading for profit transfer were true.

In Bu Qingfang's view, the Secretary-General, who had extensive friendships and was generous with money, even if he hadn't obtained benefits from it, was probably not entirely uninvolved.

Outsiders watch the excitement, insiders watch the doorway.

How do you judge who has a good relationship with whom in the office?

Is the relationship very bad if they don't visit each other and don't talk when they meet?

Is the relationship very good if they go to the cafeteria together and often play mahjong?

Surface appearances don't show anything; you have to look at the essence.

If two leaders don't strike hard or play dirty tricks even when they have fierce friction in business or opinions, and even have a bit of mutual respect, their relationship is definitely not bad.

Gamblers bet on when the Secretary-General would have his dreams shattered in Liaodong, and when he would leave the position of Secretary-General, with various reasons depending on Director Li's preferences and attitudes.

Some were adamant, talking about how Director Li and the Secretary-General were like fire and water, with no room for reconciliation.

Nonsense. For such remarks, Bu Qingfang was too lazy to even explain, let alone tell Li Xuewu, for fear of making the Secretary-General laugh.

There might be differences of opinion between the top leader and the Secretary-General, but it would always be a conflict between two individuals and would not produce more complex results.

If it really caused the situation everyone was talking about, the one losing face wouldn't be Li Xuewu, but Li Huade.

Although the contents related to the whistleblower letters were spreading fiercely, there was no final investigation result, and everything was just speculation.

And just at this time, someone from Jinmen Aquatic Products came to accept questioning. That Deputy General Manager Zhang actually still had the mind to talk about continuing cooperation.

Think about it, even Deputy General Manager Zhang wasn't afraid, so what was the Secretary-General afraid of? In the end, it would probably only be Director Li losing face and being scolded by the leaders, with nothing else.

As for the contents involved in the whistleblower letters, so many days had passed; even a fool would have cleaned up the loose ends, so what could they still investigate?

So no one could think that this matter was done by the Secretary-General; it was completely impossible. How could Li Xuewu take on work that would implicate himself?

Bu Qingfang was a crystal-clear person. While talking and laughing here, it wasn't hard for her to guess the purpose of Zhang Changming's trip.

"Since he wants to send someone, the opportunities for cooperation in the future will inevitably increase." She asked half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Could it be that Jinmen Aquatic Products wants to get involved in the business of the Yingcheng Port?"

"Ah? Did I really guess right?"

She was just probing, but she didn't expect Li Xuewu's face to show a bit of seriousness, which made her exclaim in surprise. Then she widened her eyes and asked, "What are they thinking?"

"I wanted to ask him that too."

Li Xuewu snorted and said, "It can't be ocean shipping; it should be cooperation in cold-fresh aquatic product transportation. He didn't say, and I didn't ask."

"Looking like a playboy, he actually has some real skills." Bu Qingfang raised an eyebrow and reminded him, "You haven't even arrived in Yingcheng to take office, and he's already running over to pay his respects."

"What Buddha or not? If people hear this gossip, I'll come looking for you!"

Li Xuewu glared at her in amusement, then waved his hand and chased her away. "Go do your work."

"Paying respects to Buddha can be considered sincere." Before Bu Qingfang left, she didn't forget to say half-jokingly and half-seriously, "I'm just afraid of those who embrace the Buddha's feet at the last minute."

"You remember me now?" Su Weide glared at Liang Zuodong with annoyance. "Where's that spirit you had when you were acting wild with me?"

He was annoyed, but he had vented it, and he couldn't drive Liang Zuodong, who was in the same boat, away.

Others didn't know about his dirty methods, but Liang Zuodong, as the executor, knew them clearly. If he really spilled the beans, he would be held accountable too.

It was precisely because of his misconduct and lack of integrity, and because he had a selfish motive, that he had been cautious with Liang Zuodong. Now, seeing Liang Zuodong take the initiative to visit, he just vented his anger by scolding him.

Fortunately, Liang Zuodong was used to being cautious in front of him, and they were partners in crime, so he just looked embarrassed and listened to the scolding.

"Manager Liang, my temple is small. It's understandable if you want to change to another one."

Su Weide almost pointed at his nose and cursed him for being unfilial, but as a leader, he couldn't curse too colorfully, or he'd lose his dignity.

But these words were enough to be heart-piercing.

"You want a future, but you don't use me as a stepping stone. If you sell me out, will you get any good? Will they treat you as one of their own?"

"Deputy Director Su, at this point, what's the use of saying these things?"

Liang Zuodong didn't know what kind of psychology he was in. Since leaving the Security Office, he had been cautious, handed over all his business, and was just waiting to die.

Sure enough, a few days later, Discipline Inspection contacted him one after another to understand the situation, and it eventually turned into summoning him for talks, each time more serious than the last.

They just never suspended his position, let alone detained him, as if they wanted him to make amends for his crimes. Suddenly, he came to Deputy Director Su's office.

Su Weide was suspicious at first, but Liang Zuodong spoke honestly, spilling everything he knew.

Su Weide couldn't prevent it even if he wanted to now; he had to finish this stage before he could kick Liang Zuodong off the boat.

"Hmm—" It was what it was. Just as Liang Zuodong said, at this point, both of them had to keep their tails between their legs; what was the use of saying these things?

Su Weide snorted, turned his head to look out the window for a long time, and left the other party hanging for a long time. It wasn't until the noon bell rang that he turned back and asked Liang Zuodong, "What's going on with the whistleblower letters?"

"I really don't know. Even stupidity doesn't go that far."

Liang Zuodong lit a cigarette for himself, not caring anymore if it was disrespectful in front of the leader.

"The materials were sent by Dou Yaozu, and he was the one who spent money to find someone. Who knew the contents of the whistleblower letters would change?"

"If that's not stupid, what is?" Su Weide tapped the table. Although he knew he couldn't be angry with him, he was still furious. "You actually handed such a critical matter to a country bumpkin, and he's even Li Xuewu's connection."

"Deputy Director Su, you've heard it too. The Construction General Company changed its Deputy General Manager, and Dou Yaozu resigned and went home. He couldn't have been the one causing trouble."

Liang Zuodong took a hard drag on his cigarette, narrowing his eyes, which were dry from staying up late. "Anyway, I can't think of a reason why he would do that."

"I don't need to tell you; you know that Dongfeng Construction is called a small collective joint venture, but it's actually his business. To ruin it like this, how could he be willing?"

"I almost forgot if you didn't mention it." Su Weide suddenly raised his eyebrows and looked at him. "What's the background of that Wu Shuping?"

"What background? I can find out, but I'm not afraid of people investigating." Liang Zuodong laughed bitterly. "Can you believe the background relationships I can find out?"

"Don't try to fool me, I know everything!"

Su Weide slapped the table and frowned. "That Wu Shuping often appeared by Zhou Xiaobai's side. Everyone says she's the actual controller of Shunfeng Trading."

"Deputy Director Su, what are you trying to say?"

Liang Zuodong spread his hands and said frankly, "As for Zhou Xiaobai's background, even if Zhou Zechuan didn't say it, just looking at his timid appearance, don't you know?"

"Stop investigating. If we keep investigating, it won't just be a matter of mutual destruction. By then, both you and I will be ants under the wrath of thunder."

"Look at your pathetic appearance—" Su Weide glanced at him with disdain, but he was surprised in his heart, though he didn't show it on his face. He had thought of this long ago.

What kind of background did Zhou Xiaobai have? Zhou Zechuan dared to investigate the relationship between Li Huade and Jinmen Aquatic Products, but when it came to her, he acted as if he had forgotten about it.

Liang Zuodong didn't react to his disdain; he was like a dead pig not afraid of boiling water. Was there any point in one brother calling the other a coward?

"I can let go of the Zhou Xiaobai matter, but there are people who won't let it go." Su Weide frowned. "Can't you see it?"

"How can I not see it? The snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman gains." Liang Zuodong exhaled smoke. "It's precisely at the critical moment of the snipe and clam fight that the fisherman won't allow us to take a step back. These whistleblower letters were sent by the fisherman."

"Heh heh—" Su Weide was also a bit annoyed, frowning as he looked out the window. "He entered the game too early; no one will get a good result."

Liang Zuodong didn't make a sound, just took big puffs of his cigarette. He understood the sarcasm in Su Weide's words, which was about the situation of the whistleblower letters.

After so many days without results, that was already the result.

Regarding the Shunfeng Trading issue, the working group went to Jinmen for investigation. Whether it was the Trade Management Center or Shunfeng Trading, the accounts and business dealings were flawless.

Although the relevant business involved the Red Star Steel Group and the Jinmen Aquatic Products Company, no violations were found during the audit process.

The related profit transfer and the employment of relatives were not found to be in violation of business dealings, and the employment of relatives did not fall under the jurisdiction of the Red Star Steel Group, nor was it under the management of the First Ministry of Machine Building, so it was left unsettled.

There was no regulation stating that the relatives of the leaders of Jinmen Aquatic Products and the Red Star Steel Group could not work in third-party units, let alone any regulation restricting such third parties from having business dealings with relevant units. So the investigation team had actually returned.

Regarding the issue of Dongfeng 3-1 Construction participating in the joint venture of the United Construction Engineering General Company, it was still being investigated, but Dongfeng 3-1 Construction had already changed its General Manager.

The former General Manager, Dou Yaozu, had already explained all the circumstances when he resigned, which was nothing more than human relations between colleagues.

Someone reflected through the whistleblower letters that the real estate and assets of Zhou Miaomiao and others were mostly gifts from Dou Yaozu, because of her improper relationship with Li Huade.

Regarding the relevant whistleblower content, Zhou Miaomiao's husband, Zhou Tan, seriously criticized and refuted this point of view. In his reply to Discipline Inspection, he clearly stated that he had deep feelings for his wife, Zhou Miaomiao, and she would absolutely not do such things.

Because of work, he had frequent dealings with Director Li, and was framed by villains who spread gossip about his wife. This whistleblower letter was purely nonsense.

Regarding Zhou Miaomiao's real estate and assets, Zhou Tan also gave a detailed list and explanation in his letter, saying they were gifts from his parents when he and Zhou Miaomiao got married, as well as savings they had accumulated over many years of work.

Bullshit! Many people in the office sneered at this letter, and their eyes were full of disdain when they looked at Zhou Tan.

But it was in black and white, and Zhou Tan stood up to express his trust in Zhou Miaomiao, so the investigation into her couldn't continue.

The content of the whistleblower letter reporting Han Lu, the theater manager of the Literary Performance Management Office of the Group's Literary Publishing House, although her husband, Nie Xiaoguang, didn't write a letter to defend her as grandiosely as Zhou Tan, he also spoke well of Han Lu during the Discipline Inspection inquiry.

Han Lu had a miscarriage and was on vacation, and she even refused the Discipline Inspection investigation on the grounds of physical discomfort, making it look like she had been wronged.

Everyone in the office was watching their jokes, but after the jokes, they felt bored.

Only Yu Haitang, the director of the radio station, felt ashamed and annoyed; she was the only one of the three reported who was still single, and no one stood up to defend her.

However, with the situations of Zhou Miaomiao and Han Lu, Discipline Inspection didn't hold onto her, and the relevant investigation was quickly ended.

The big things were all over, and small things like the Hong Kong training class were even easier to explain. Li Huade's secretary only gave one sentence: the list for the training class wasn't drafted by Director Li, nor was it approved by Director Li.

Discipline Inspection had indeed checked, and the only signatures on the training class list were those of Jing Yu Gong, the leader in charge, and Gu Weijie, the leader in charge.

A training class organized by the Personnel Department didn't need the signature of the Group's top leader; this explanation was impeccable.

By now, all the contents of the whistleblower letters had been explained, but the rhythm of the investigation into the case had been disrupted.

It was originally an opening of the Six Great Sects besieging Bright Peak, but Su Weide pulled a trick to fish in troubled waters. And the result?

He didn't catch any fish, but caught his own toes. Not only did he get a nose full of ash, but the Six Great Sects were led by the nose by the whistleblower letters to watch a show. Their hearts were scattered; who still wanted to besiege Bright Peak?

By now, Su Weide and Liang Zuodong sat together and sighed, and although they didn't say it, they had already accepted a fact in their hearts.

Li Huade had passed this hurdle; no major mistakes were found, and there wouldn't even be any minor punishments. Although there would be reprimands, the higher-ups wouldn't allow him to make trouble and target him again.

As for Li Xuewu, he had become a climate without anyone noticing; he was the one who fished in troubled waters in this chaotic situation.

This Liaodong industry had finally been obtained by him.

Although it hadn't been discussed at the meeting, and although there was no official document, the situation was already like this; who could still act against heaven?

Yang Jun had long been impatient with the internal strife in the Group. If they continued to make trouble, it would be a loss of face for the leaders. By then, he wouldn't have a good time either.

What could Su Weide say? He advised himself to keep the green hills and not worry about firewood.

This time, they didn't topple Li Huade and Li Xuewu, but instead let them benefit from the disaster. He was very unwilling in his heart. But things had reached this point, and Yang Jun wouldn't dig out his dirty deeds to talk about them anymore; this matter was basically over.

Li Huade received a reprimand, but the abscesses that had accumulated earlier were all picked. Li Xuewu lost soldiers and generals, but he gained real benefits.

Just waiting for the Secretary-General to arrive in Liaodong would be when he could show his skills.

Envy. Su Weide was so sour that his teeth fell out when he thought of such glory at a young age, but he could only watch.

There was no way around it. Li Xuewu going to Liaodong meant Liaodong would return a Dong Wenxue, who was also not easy to deal with. There would definitely be no lack of excitement in the Group in the future.

After work on Saturday, Li Xuewu didn't rush home, but first came to the Sihe Academy, as his parents were returning to Beijing today.

As soon as he entered the Chuihua Gate, he heard people talking in the room. Because of the cold weather, the window glass was covered with a layer of plastic sheeting, making it hard to see how many people were there.

Speaking of which, the use of plastic sheeting had only started this year. The First Ministry of Machine Building introduced plastic production technology from Germany the year before last, and it was only seen as a commodity this year.

Being able to promote it to ordinary people's homes meant that plastic production in the North China region had already reached a certain scale.

When Li Xuewu entered the room, everyone wasn't talking about the newly installed windproof plastic sheeting, but what his parents had seen and heard on their trip to Jicheng.

"Second brother, you're just off work."

Li Xue followed her third brother's lead and greeted her second brother, but didn't expect to be teased by him: "Li Ke is off work earlier than me."

Everyone in the room found this funny, which dispelled the dull atmosphere just now.

"Teasing your sister—"

Liu Yin seemed to have been telling the old lady about Jicheng, and there were still tears in the corners of her eyes, which she now wiped away.

Li Xuewu didn't mean to stop his mother from talking about these things, and after sitting down, he took the initiative to ask about the trip to Jicheng.

"Your second uncle and second aunt were thinking of you." Liu Yin looked at her son with gratification. "Your second uncle said you are the most responsible and promising one in our family."

"My second uncle only says it with his mouth." Li Xuewu joked. "He didn't do anything practical, just fooling around with his eldest nephew."

"Heh heh heh—" Taking advantage of Li Xuewu's joke, and also fearing the old lady would be sad, everyone in the room laughed.

"How is there nothing practical?" Liu Yin glanced at her son in amusement and pointed to the cloth bag on the cabinet. "That's what your second uncle and second aunt prepared for you. Take it home later."

"Could it be Ganoderma or ginseng?" Li Xuewu felt a bit curious, but he didn't stand up to check immediately, instead leaning toward his grandmother and asking with a smile, "Regret it now? I told you to go, but you wouldn't."

"Regret what? It's enough to know they're doing well." Since her illness the year before last, the old lady had become more open-minded and was more relaxed about her children and grandchildren. When Li Xuewu asked, she signaled her daughter-in-law and said, "Tossing back and forth for thousands of miles in just a week, my old bones would have been rattled to pieces."

"Staying for a winter would be good, it's not like there's no place to stay." Li Xuewu said with a smile, "And it would give my second uncle and second aunt a chance to show their filial piety."

"You little ungrateful thing—"

The old lady was amused by him and threatened him with the pipe in her hand. "Tired of your grandmother, trying to chase me away, right?"

"Hahaha—"

Watching his second brother deliberately acting silly to make the old lady laugh, Li Xue felt a bit uncomfortable in her heart. It wasn't that she couldn't stand seeing her second brother like this, but she had grown up by the old lady's side, and when things happened, she wasn't as clever as her second brother, nor was she willing to entertain her elders.

Hearing her mother mention the situation of her eldest sister, Li Juan, just now, the old lady didn't show it on her face, but she must have been sad in her heart.

She was surprised to hear about the trouble her eldest sister and brother-in-law had caused at her second brother's house, and she frowned in surprise, but she forgot to pay attention to the old lady.

By the time she noticed, she didn't dare interrupt her mother, and she didn't know how to comfort her grandmother.

Recently, everyone in the office had been talking about her second brother's glory. The more suspicious they were, the more clearly they could see her second brother's current situation.

It was just that he was worried and exhausted at work, and when he returned home, he had to serve the elders and take care of them, his younger siblings. Thinking of this, she felt ashamed.

Everyone said how accomplished Li Xue was, becoming a Deputy Li Kezhang of the Finance Section at such a young age, truly having a bright future.

With her steady personality since childhood, she naturally wouldn't forget who she was just because of a compliment.

But what if she heard ten, a hundred, a thousand?

Li Xue knew she wouldn't get carried away, but after hearing so many compliments in front of others, she felt a bit proud behind their backs.

It wasn't until she saw her second brother so willing to put down his status, forget his identity, and act only as a filial son, without the majesty of his office, that she suddenly woke up.

Her second brother had principles in his conduct; work was work, life was life, and the two were never mixed. She really hoped she could do the same.

She was lost in thought, not noticing that the atmosphere in the room had become heavier.

"Your eldest sister just cried, what else could your second uncle and second aunt say." Liu Yin sighed helplessly. "Hating that iron won't turn into steel."

"You are also married and have children. When you have children in the future, you'll know how painful it is for parents when their children don't stand on their own."

"The ones at home all seem fine." Li Xuewu advised his mother, "In the future, you should also be a bit stricter and educate the children well."

"You only know how to order your mother around—"

Liu Yin, who was about to shed tears, was amused by her son again. Unable to help herself, she punched her son on the shoulder, but she couldn't bear to use any force.

"Li Tang and Li Ning can't tell yet, but Li Shu is a little rascal."

Thinking of her niece Li Juan, Liu Yin counted the children in the family and nodded, following her son's words. "They all seem fine, we must educate them more in the future."

"It seems free love isn't always good." Everyone was sighing when Li Xue suddenly said this.

Li Xuewu looked at her in amusement and asked, "Why? Want the family to arrange a blind date for you?"

"Why are you talking about me again?"

Li Xue glared at her second brother and explained, "I mean, second brother and second sister-in-law were a blind date, third brother and third sister-in-law were introduced by you, and they are all good."

"And there are eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law." Li Xuewu deliberately pointed to the eldest brother and sister-in-law sitting on the stools. "Do you mean they aren't good?"

"Second brother—" Li Xue was annoyed. "Why are you always digging holes for me?"

"Hahaha—"

Seeing everyone laugh, Li Xuewu laughed at Li Xue too, then turned to his mother and said, "Eldest sister isn't bad-hearted, she was just confused for a moment."

"Your second aunt said she has no heart, and even less of a mind of her own." Liu Yin lost the smile on her face and also felt a bit less sad, speaking frankly. "The eldest girl is honest but lacks sharpness, and it's easy for her to develop a stubborn temperament."

"Even seeing Shen Jianbing like that, she still couldn't bear to divorce him."

"Did second uncle and second aunt force them?"

Li Xuewu asked in surprise, "Didn't they talk to the in-laws? How big of a deal is this, why divorce?"

"It's not just this little thing about coming to Beijing."

Liu Yin sighed. "The couple has been married for a year and a half, doing nothing. Your brother-in-law lost his job, and the in-laws stopped caring about him a long time ago."

"Your eldest sister was crying and didn't want to divorce, and she even fainted once. When she went to the hospital for a check-up, she was pregnant. What could your second uncle and second aunt do?"

Liu Yin looked at the old lady. She had already said this once, but she was still afraid that she would be sad and unable to accept it.

If her son hadn't taken the initiative to ask, she wouldn't have been so detailed.

It couldn't be hidden anyway; the old lady had long noticed something wrong when Li Juan came to Beijing, but she had kept it in her heart.

This time, when the couple returned, the old lady didn't hold back anymore and asked.

"Every family has its own difficult scriptures to recite."

Eldest sister-in-law Zhao Yafang sighed. "When eldest sister came that year, I didn't see her like this; they had only been married for a year."

"Your second uncle is also helpless. The in-laws don't care about their son-in-law, but he has to care about his daughter. He can't let the child be born without a father."

Liu Yin looked at the children sitting or standing in the room and felt gratified; at least none of them had turned out confused.

The son-in-law was arranged in forestry, and the daughter was left in the car section. The couple took care of one each, and they had to raise their daughter and son-in-law well.

"Old, old, and still have to bear this debt of children." Liu Yin looked at the children in the room and felt gratified; at least none of them had turned out confused.

"Are you confused!"

Luo Yun angrily pushed Zuo Jie and asked with wide eyes, "Compared to being a soldier, is working here that important?"

"Do you know how much effort my father spent to arrange for us to be together? You said you wouldn't go, so you wouldn't go? Have you ever thought about how I feel!"

Luo Yun's temper was fiery, and her accusations were like a string of firecrackers, not giving him a chance to speak.

Zuo Jie's face was gloomy, letting Luo Yun push him and question him, causing the waiters passing by the club to look over.

"Say something! Are you mute!"

Luo Yun was about to cry from anger, but looking at his appearance, she felt a surge of emotion and wanted to slap him twice.

"Li Ge arranged for me to go to the construction company." Zuo Jie's tone was difficult. "I don't want to rely on your father's arrangements..."

"You're telling me this now?" Luo Yun was angered into laughter, pointing at him and cursing, "You're a hero, don't regret it!"

"Luo Yun—" Zuo Jie grabbed her, his plea mixed with firmness. "Can you think for me?"

"Think for you? What else do you want me to do?" Luo Yun wiped her unstoppable tears and said bitterly, "Do you know how I begged my father?"

"I know I made it difficult for you, that's why I didn't want it to be like this."

Zuo Jie frowned and explained, "If I really wanted to take this path, my parents would have arranged it when they came back. Isn't life good now?"

"Are you listening to me!"

Luo Yun wiped her unstoppable tears and said bitterly, "The situation changes every day. After these few years, do you dare to show your face?"

"We've been doing things with them for so long, don't you know what they're doing? If it's really exposed, won't we be the ones taking the fall!"

"Li Ge arranged it for us!" Zuo Jie also had some persistence, wanting to persuade her, "I've entered the construction company and have a formal unit. It'll be convenient to do things in the future. In a year or two, we can buy a house and get married..."

"Go marry them—"

Luo Yun didn't want to listen to his explanation anymore and ran toward the gate, pushing Zuo Jie's hand away. This wasn't the result she wanted when she came today.

Zuo Jie stood in place, watching her figure leave, his throat dry and his heart sour and difficult to endure.

Zhao Lao Liu came out of the gatehouse, looked outside the gate, and called him to chase, but Zuo Jie seemed not to hear, muttering, "Chase what?"

After the 25th, they were like springs that had been suddenly tightened, running around in a daze, having to find a receiving unit if they didn't want to go to the countryside.

They were afraid that units like the club wouldn't be recognized. If Yu Li hadn't stood up to appease them, the waiters and coaches would have all run away.

Luo Yun came to find Zuo Jie on her own, persuading him to be a soldier together. Her father had found a way through connections and could put him in this year's quota.

Zuo Jie agreed vaguely, because he didn't want to borrow his father-in-law's light, especially since they weren't married yet. If he really left, not to mention being reluctant to leave his current career, he wouldn't be able to stand straight in Luo Yun's family in the future.

He was still young and didn't want to eat this soft rice.

Besides, Li Ge arranged for him to go to the Construction General Company to work and help Sister Wu with management; how could he be a deserter at this time?

Before, he and Luo Yun weren't registered in the club; one followed Shen Guodong to learn management, and the other followed Yu Li to learn personnel.

But he didn't know what Luo Yun was thinking. At this crossroads of life, she suddenly became fearful, afraid that the career they were doing now wouldn't stand the test and turmoil one day.

She believed her parents' words and took the path that normal people should take—the path that young people today yearned for most—to be a soldier.

Zuo Jie didn't want to say she was confused, but the fact was, if he really wanted to wear that green uniform, why would he need to beg his father-in-law?

Wasn't Li Ge the Deputy Regiment Commander of the Wei Third Regiment? Arranging him would be easy.

Luo Yun left, and his heart was very painful. He regretted not holding her back. But he knew that if he had followed Luo Yun, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

What was his original status?

A follower behind the Wei brothers. It was Li Ge who hadn't abandoned him, teaching him bit by bit to grow to where he was now.

To be honest, his parents admitted that his journey was all thanks to Li Ge's support, and the work he gave him was very tempering.

If you talk about a proper job, at his age, he wouldn't have earned this salary in any other profession, nor would he have this accumulation in his pocket.

He dared to say he could buy a house and get married, which proved he had this ability and responsibility; it was just that Luo Yun didn't understand.

Don't even think about it; those who mixed with Zhou Xiaobai were all doing well, driving jeeps. Could he be any worse?

It was just that after being with Li Ge for a long time, he had learned to be low-key and steady, not showing off his wealth, which he hadn't expected would be seen as having no ability by Luo Yun.

At this moment, he was lost and really wanted to find someone who understood to ask how to save his love.

"Which of you isn't leaving?"

Yu Li looked at Ou Xin and the others with amusement, searching for materials in her desk while saying, "Several people have come to me to resign these days."

"I'll make it clear to you all."

She deliberately scared them. "You must be cautious in your choices in life. If you choose to stay here, don't regret it later and blame me for ruining your lives."

"Yu Jie, are you trying to chase us away?"

Ou Xin laughed and scolded, "When did we offend you before?"

"No one is chasing you away. If you want to stay and work, just do it well." Yu Li's eyes revealed gratification. She put down her work and asked the girls to sit on the sofa.

"The leader said, no one will be blamed if they leave, and no one will be chased away if they want to stay. I won't say you'll be rich, but at least you'll have a future."

"Su Yu doesn't need a future from you anymore."

Ou Xin jokingly pointed at Su Yu, who was sitting in the chair, and explained to Yu Li, "Her partner is coming to pick her up, saying they're going to the frontier together."

"Get lost—" Su Yu glared at her, scolding, but didn't explain much, as if it had been arranged.

Yu Li looked at her with a smile and asked, "It's Xiao Jianjun, right? That kid is really clever. He didn't come back in vain last time, getting a great beauty."

"Hee hee—" Ou Xin wasn't afraid when Su Yu glared at her, sitting beside Yu Li and raising her eyebrows. "They said they're going to get married when they return to the frontier."

"Oh—" Everyone in the room started joking, making Su Yu blush.

"Li Bai originally wanted to stay, but his family didn't want him to. Brother Huang helped arrange it, going to the Judicial Institute."

Ou Xin introduced them one by one. "Tian Tian's family found connections to fill this year's enlistment quota. Li Ge helped get it to the Wei Third Regiment, reporting at the end of the month."

"What about Pei Pei? Where are you going?" Yu Li looked at Pei Pei, who was sitting quietly, and asked with a smile. "Does your family have arrangements, or do you want to stay?"

"I want to go to the frontier with Su Yu."

Pei Pei said indifferently, "I heard from Xiao Jianjun that the grasslands there are very big, the sky is very blue, and there are snow-capped mountains in the distance."

She was always cold, and even when talking about beautiful scenery, she carried a bit of chill. Everyone in the room knew her situation, so they fell silent.

Yu Li naturally knew her thoughts, walked over, held her hand, and advised, "Su Yu has a partner there, so she's willing to eat sand. What are you going there for?"

"I'm going there... because..." Pei Pei lowered her head and muttered, "I don't have a partner there."

The atmosphere in the room was silent for a while, and it was Ou Xin who felt embarrassed and opened her mouth to change the subject; after all, she was the one who had started it.

They were little sisters who had been together day and night for three or four years, and now they were going their separate ways, which was truly hard to bear.

They had just been talking happily, but in reality, there was a bit of youthful nostalgia.

Only Pei Pei, who said she wanted to bury her love in the farthest place, so she wouldn't feel the bone-deep pain when she thought of it later.

"What about you? Are you leaving too?"

Yu Li looked at Ou Xin. Her thoughts had long since stopped being hidden; it was just that the bad guy didn't want to delay her and pretended not to see.

Ou Xin pursed her lips with a smile and nodded seriously. "Everyone else is leaving, and you'll scold people if I leave, so I have to stay."

Ou Xin, Pei Pei, Tian Tian, Su Yu, Li Bai—the five golden flowers who came to the club together, only Ou Xin had the deepest obsession.

"Saying it so sweetly, is it because no one wants you?"

Yu Li teased her and got up to find snacks for them, which was also a chance for the little sisters to gather for the last time.

The office door suddenly opened, and Huang Gan appeared at the door, staring at Pei Pei with a frown. "Where are you going?"