Chapter 1376: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

"Secretary-General, I've come prepared today." Yu Haitang held a notebook in her hands. The moment she sat down, she couldn't wait to state the purpose of her visit. "You can't refuse me again."

"Where does this come from—"

Li Xuewu looked up with a smile and asked back, feigning a joke: "Am I really that heartless?"

"I've lost count of how many times it's been. Anyway, you always have an excuse every single time."

Yu Haitang's words were exaggerated. At this moment, she added a request with a playful, coquettish smile: "You have to accept my interview for the 'Red Star Talk' program."

In fact, this talk show was originally created under the care and guidance of Li Xuewu.

At that time, Yu Haitang had just gained trust for supporting Director Li and participated in the construction and development work of the Red Star Broadcasting Station. This was the most outstanding program she had made since becoming the deputy station chief.

According to the opinions and suggestions Li Xuewu had given her back then, the subjects and targets of the interviews were not fixed. Sometimes they would interview group leaders, and sometimes they would interview workshop workers.

More often, they would interview people involved in current events or group employees who had achieved excellent results in various competitions and evaluations.

Besides that, they would also interview the heads of various departments regarding policy releases, key project construction, and major development achievements.

As a propaganda weapon for the group, it was placed under the unified management of the Literary Publishing House after the organizational reform of the enterprise, gaining greater space for cooperation.

After being upgraded to the United Broadcasting Station, it launched comprehensive cooperation with the United Industrial News. This not only expanded their mutual reach but also delved deeper into excavating and showcasing excellent grassroots deeds.

As the person in charge of the program, even though Yu Haitang had already assumed the position of station chief of the broadcasting station last year, she still worked on the front lines.

You could say she was reluctant to leave her post, but you must admit that the reason the Red Star Talk program had been so successful over the past two years was still due to her contributions.

From the very beginning of the program's creation, Yu Haitang had wanted to "interview" him, but she had been turned down by Li Xuewu every time, with all sorts of excuses.

Yu Haitang wanted to invite Li Xuewu to do the program, but it wasn't entirely to curry favor or please him. It was more because Li Xuewu, as a group leader, had participated in the process of many projects from initiation to operation.

If Red Star Talk wanted to understand a certain project deeply and specifically, or the situation of an event from its essence to its surface, choosing to interview Li Xuewu would definitely not disappoint the listeners.

Now, perhaps few people were qualified to hear Li Xuewu speak at meetings. Before Li Xuewu became Secretary-General, many people still had fresh memories of his professional ability and ideological interpretation.

No matter how complex the spirit of the superior's instructions was, or how sudden the political directives were, the Red Star Factory had remained as stable as Mount Tai during the execution process over the past few years. One must say that the Secretary-General was truly awesome.

Who familiar with agency work didn't know that 80% of the political ideological documents issued by the entire group to connect the preceding and the following came from the hands of the Secretary-General? It was hard to say that the remaining 20% didn't have the Secretary-General's guidance and influence.

Just look at Deputy Director Gu, who was in charge of the entire group's ideological work. She should have been the person with the most thorough grasp of superior policies and opinions. But in reality? After so many "experiments," basically everyone was convinced by the Secretary-General.

Don't look at how Director Li had been more critical of the Secretary-General's work recently; if you asked him to stop using the Secretary-General, he wouldn't have the courage.

Yu Haitang had long wanted to invite him to do a talk show episode on topics related to political ideology and the development of the era, but she had never had the opportunity.

After being rejected several times in a row, she had long lost confidence and hadn't sent an invitation to the Secretary-General for a long time. So why was she so confident this time, and why did she dare to be presumptuous in front of Li Xuewu?

The reason was simple: this visit was not her personal wish, but rather she had received instructions from the person in charge of the Literary Publishing House to conduct a pre-interview.

It was Director Ding Zigui. If it weren't for the leader's instructions, she wouldn't have had the confidence to come and hit a wall.

The more one couldn't get something, the more one wanted it.

Suddenly receiving the leader's instructions, Yu Haitang was overjoyed. She put in a lot of preparation work and thus came to interview him with hope.

Li Xuewu had originally called Ding Zigui to ask him to restrain himself and not promote him excessively. But after the phone call, he hadn't been able to persuade Ding Zigui; instead, he had been persuaded by the other party.

Ding Zigui being so proactive and positive might not be without the suspicion of taking sides and currying favor. But as long as one was in this game, no one could escape the rules of the game; everyone was choosing sides.

What Li Xuewu relied on was nothing more than a bit of work ability and existing work achievements. Naturally, he wouldn't be arrogant and see himself as omnipotent.

Therefore, regarding Ding Zigui's proactive show of favor at this time, he also chose to be "rarely confused" and selectively ignored the faces of these people in the agency from a while ago.

When his political status and position were precarious and uncertain, few people offered help in snowy weather. But he couldn't refuse adding flowers to the brocade either; otherwise, wouldn't he be actively making enemies?

Ding Zigui had spoken some roundabout things on the phone, just to persuade Li Xuewu to be a bit more high-profile.

Li Xuewu felt that what he said made some sense, so after thinking about it, he agreed.

However, he thought Ding Zigui would at most publish a few more articles about him in the United Industrial News. Who could have expected him to arrange for him to go on Red Star Talk?

Yu Haitang had come with full confidence, and Li Xuewu was also embarrassed to refuse her.

"Actually, I don't have much to talk about."

Li Xuewu smiled and didn't pay attention to the coquettishness and expectation in Yu Haitang's tone.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said: "I'm not in charge of specific business now. If you want to understand the situation of the agency, that's fine."

"Our interview isn't just limited to work; we can chat about you personally."

Yu Haitang saw that he didn't refuse immediately, so she knew Director Ding's arrangement had a chance. At this moment, she pressed her advantage and said, "We can start from when you were a soldier and share with our young audience some of the insights you've gained during your growth over these years."

"Of course, you can also talk about your current work or look forward to the future."

"Hehe—" Li Xuewu shook his head slightly while holding his teacup and said: "Then your program can be called 'Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow'."

"It doesn't matter what it's called; that's the meaning." Yu Haitang's eyes lit up when she heard this, and she said: "But your phrasing is truly wonderful—"

From her personality, it wasn't hard to see that she was a very strong-willed girl with a firm character. If she didn't have the quality of striving to be first everywhere, she wouldn't have achieved what she had today at such a young age.

But even the confident and strong-willed Yu Haitang had to admit that sometimes women just couldn't compare to men, and even less so to excellent men.

Just listen to Li Xuewu's casual remark; it was a mature opinion. Even the Red Star Talk program itself had been created under his guidance.

Sometimes it's rare to admit one's own shortcomings, and it's even rarer to admit someone else's excellence in the areas where one is lacking.

Yu Haitang was still filled with admiration for Li Xuewu in her heart, but she knew that perhaps she would never have that chance in this lifetime.

Knock, knock—

As they were chatting, a knock came from behind her.

Yu Haitang turned her head and saw that Wang Yajuan, the deputy head of the Art Troupe, was standing at the door.

The expression on her face didn't change, even though there was a bit more surprise in her eyes. Personnel changes in the group were significant now, but who among the old-timers at Red Star Factory hadn't heard the gossip about Wang Yajuan and Secretary-General Li Xuewu?

Wang Yajuan, like her, was also affiliated with the Literary Publishing House. It was just that the organizational nature of the Art Troupe was relatively special, and they had more contact with leaders in charge of propaganda in terms of business.

The two knew each other and had attended meetings together, but they had no friendship.

At this moment, seeing Li Xuewu also looking toward the door, she proactively ended this meeting.

"Secretary-General, please take a look at the questions I've prepared. I won't disturb your work anymore." Yu Haitang stood up and said with a smile: "Although I believe these questions won't stump you, I also know you are a person who pursues perfection."

She proactively reached out her hand: "I hope we have a pleasant cooperation and make the best episode."

"Then pleasant cooperation." Li Xuewu nodded, stood up, and shook hands with her.

"Thank you for the leader's support. I'll head back first." Yu Haitang turned around and waved, full of youthful vitality, and said: "See you Saturday."

Wang Yajuan stood sideways at the office door watching all this. It wasn't until Yu Haitang nodded and greeted her that she nodded back, but she didn't say anything.

After the other party left, she looked at Li Xuewu and said "Report."

"Come in, why so serious?"

Li Xuewu picked up his teacup from the desk, walked over, and waved for her to come in.

Wang Yajuan saw him go to the tea cabinet to refill the hot water, pursed her lips, and stepped into the office.

"Why? Do you have something for me?"

Li Xuewu turned his back to her, changed the tea leaves in the cup, and picked up the thermos to brew hot tea again.

Remembering there was still someone in the office, he turned his head back to look at her and asked: "Do you want tea?"

"No need, I'm not thirsty."

Wang Yajuan's voice was inexplicably a bit dry. Although she tried hard to keep her tone calm, she couldn't hide her disappointment and anxiety.

"What's wrong? Are you in a difficult situation?"

Li Xuewu walked back with the teacup, looked her up and down, and asked this.

Wang Yajuan had kept her head down since entering the door, and it wasn't until this moment that she looked up and replied: "I'm getting married, and I've come to give you an invitation."

"Is that so? How sudden."

Li Xuewu's expression paused slightly. He nodded, looked at the red invitation she took out of her bag, and asked: "Why haven't I heard you were seeing someone?"

Wang Yajuan tried hard to muster the courage to look at his face, and at this moment, she still couldn't bear to look away.

It was just that the surprise in his tone finally caused some ripples in her heart, but she couldn't hear any regret in his words; it was ultimately her regret.

Li Xuewu put down the teacup in his hand and stood by the desk to examine the invitation carefully.

It was bright red, carefully cut and folded from thick, bright red paper into a double-opening style, with a graceful "Double Happiness" character written on it in black brush ink.

"It's the end of the year, huh. People have been coming to give me invitations from time to time these days."

Li Xuewu's tone showed no fluctuation, but he couldn't hide a trace of emotion.

He said ambiguously: "The most recent one should be Peng Xiaoli. And Yu Haitang who just went out. Both of them said they are getting married at the end of next month."

"My parents are urging me."

I don't know when Wang Yajuan lowered her head again, as if she was trying hard to suppress something, and said with a trembling voice: "We met through matchmaking, organized by the labor union."

Li Xuewu turned his head to look at her, didn't say anything, and didn't know what to say.

"He works at the United Savings Bank now and is a college student who joined the factory in '66." Wang Yajuan continued to explain: "My parents are very satisfied with him, and I've also met his parents..."

Perhaps her heart was too agitated, and her emotions were a bit unstable. Wang Yajuan could only muster the strength to say this much; she couldn't say anything further.

Li Xuewu was silent for a long time before he spoke: "Although I don't have the qualification, I still want to ask you one thing: are you sincere?"

"What is sincere?"

Wang Yajuan seemed to be stimulated, suddenly raised her head to look into his eyes, and asked back: "Then are you sincere?"

How could Li Xuewu answer this question? He didn't want to delay her prime years, nor did he want her to squander herself casually.

But as he had just said, he had no qualification to ask questions; it seemed that besides saying congratulations, there was nothing else he could do.

However, could she have come to deliver the invitation in person because she really wanted to hear a word of congratulations from his mouth?

Once having seen the vast sea, it is difficult to be moved by other waters;

Except for the clouds over Mount Wu, no other clouds are worth looking at.

Although they hadn't spent much time together over the past few years, Li Xuewu knew her feelings.

Even Wang Yamei was already married; one could imagine the pressure on her as the older sister.

But it was precisely because he knew her feelings that Li Xuewu paid even more attention to his relationship with her.

Burdened by him, she must have regretted it very much those years, regretted taking a fancy to him. But Li Xuewu didn't regret it, because he knew she was a good girl.

He could easily handle any extraordinary relationship, but for her, he was a bit reluctant.

Li Xuewu was not a reckless person. Knowing clearly that he couldn't give her any promises, what qualification did he have to let her continue waiting for him?

Even the longest wait would eventually have a day when dreams shattered. Li Xuewu would rather she be happy.

"My day is also at the end of the month."

Failing to get the answer she wanted from Li Xuewu, Wang Yajuan lowered her head, sniffed, and said softly: "At the end of this month."

"Of course I hope you can be happy."

Li Xuewu reached out and pushed aside the somewhat glaring bright red invitation in front of him, walked back behind the desk, and sat down.

He looked at the documents at hand and said: "However, marriage is a major life event. I still hope you can consider it carefully before making a decision. Only sincerity can lead to true happiness."

"Where is there any sincerity in this world?"

Wang Yajuan pursed her lips, let out a long sigh, and said: "It's just struggling to live."

Li Xuewu looked up at her. She was still as stubborn as when she had proactively proposed breaking up, but at this very moment, it was so forced.

"Li Ge, I'm getting married."

Zhou Changli had once been a big tough guy in the Four Nine City, and even today, he still had some status.

It was just that today was truly different from the past; even if he had status, he wasn't willing to be overly ostentatious.

He smiled and showed Li Xuewu his marriage certificate, as if he had a witness.

Li Xuewu looked at him with quite some surprise and asked: "You've really decided?"

"Hey, it's not bad that someone wants me."

This kid actually had a sense of responsibility; he didn't speak ill of the other party, only saying he wasn't good enough.

At this moment, he took back the marriage certificate from Li Xuewu's hand, lowered his head, pursed his lips, and said in a low voice: "Actually, she's quite good."

"Who was it that disliked her at the beginning?" Li Xuewu looked at him with amusement and said: "I don't need your thanks here, but you should thank Old Four properly."

"He just wants to watch me make a fool of myself."

Zhou Changli raised his eyebrows in dissatisfaction, turned his head to the side, and said: "Hmm, I'll thank him properly when I go back."

Li Xuewu was on his way to the club to get materials; today wasn't a weekend.

Seeing Zhou Changli was also a coincidence. After sizing this kid up, he realized Zhou Changli had another purpose for returning to the capital this time—to get married smoothly?

"Since you've decided, live a good life with Er Ya." Li Xuewu patted his arm, took fifty yuan out of his pocket, handed it to him, and said: "Take it, to keep your waist pressed."

"No need, no need, Li Ge." Seeing him give money, Zhou Changli waved his hands in refusal: "I have money in my pocket, and besides, we aren't holding a banquet."

"Whether you hold a banquet or not, there has to be the custom of pressing the waist. Take it if I give it to you."

Li Xuewu stuffed the money into his jacket pocket, sized him up with a smile, and said: "A man is only truly mature when he starts a family and takes on the responsibility of supporting it."

"Hehe, my dad says the same about me."

Zhou Changli smiled embarrassedly, looked at him, and said: "Thanks, Li Ge."

"What are you thanking me for?" Li Xuewu nodded and asked with a smile: "Have you been to your in-laws'?"

"Yeah, she went home." Zhou Changli explained: "We got the certificate today."

"Alright, it's messy, so it's not convenient to hold a banquet." Li Xuewu comforted him: "If you want to have a lively time, go to Steel City and hold a few tables."

"I understand, it's not very convenient."

Zhou Changli said very seriously: "These days, all I hear are the sounds of parting cries. If I were to get married ostentatiously, it would inevitably invite resentment."

It wasn't hateful for him to come back to recruit troops, but how many neighbors were willing to go to Steel City?

In this era, the word "official" was regarded as more important than heaven. If it wasn't an official job, even if you gave it to a dog, the dog wouldn't do it.

Only those kids who grew up wild in the alleys and mixed in the underworld dared to give it a try.

Even if these people made money and went back, they weren't looked up to by their neighbors.

It was true that they were looked down upon, but they also couldn't stand him being too arrogant and successful. One report could inevitably lead to a whole bunch of trouble.

So when Li Xuewu heard him say he wasn't holding a banquet, he knew Zhou Changli's thoughts.

He had truly been tempered; mature and steady, he could stand on his own.

"Hmm, how did things go these past few days since you came back? Is it going smoothly?" Li Xuewu looked at him and reminded: "If it's not convenient, don't force it. Go back to Steel City as soon as possible; there's plenty to be busy with there."

"It's okay, actually it's quite smooth."

Zhou Changli explained: "These days, people from the neighborhood office keep going to people's homes to promote and urge them. Many people have given up the idea of staying and have come to find me."

"It's already this time, and they still want to play hardball?" Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and asked: "How many people have you recruited? Has the neighborhood office had any reaction?"

"Not yet for the time being. I've been picking inconspicuous people to arrange for them to go to Steel City."

Zhou Changli thought for a moment and replied: "You might not know, but the neighborhood office is a mess right now."

"There are really too many people who need to be arranged to leave, and too few who don't want to leave." He explained softly: "Perhaps the neighborhood office doesn't care where these people go, as long as they aren't hanging around at home."

"Still, be careful. There are many people now, so it's inconspicuous. If someone really notices, you'll have trouble recruiting people so recklessly."

Li Xuewu frowned slightly and reminded: "See how many more you can recruit, contact them as soon as possible. If they can go, let them go; if they can't, forget it. Quit while you're ahead."

"Then..." Zhou Changli hesitated for a moment and asked softly: "Should I let Old Six help with the contact, and I'll go back first?"

"Forget it, it's enough if there are enough people."

Li Xuewu shook his head slightly, denying his opinion: "I don't trust Old Six's way of doing things."

"You arrange the people you've recruited this time first. Believe me, if you can digest these people, there will be people begging you to introduce jobs to them later."

"That's true, who would have trouble with money?" Zhou Changli nodded in realization and soon made a decision: "Then I'll leave on Monday. When are you going to Liaodong? Is there any news?"

"How could it be that fast?" Li Xuewu smiled and looked at him: "But it'll be within these few days; it won't drag on until after the New Year."

"If you can go to Steel City, Sister Zhou will be relieved. When I left, she even urged me to go back as soon as possible, fearing that after Brother Biao leaves, she won't be able to handle the work."

Zhou Changli smiled and introduced: "When I left, Brother Biao was already handing over work with Sister Zhou, saying they would leave before the end of the month."

"There's a problem in Hong Kong,"

Li Xuewu didn't hide anything from this kid and said very frankly: "It's a last resort. Someone has to do the work."

"I've heard some of the situation."

Zhou Changli frowned slightly and looked at him: "If there's any place you need me, don't hesitate. It's no problem for me to lead the horse and hold the stirrup for Brother Biao."

"Then he'd be too extravagant." Li Xuewu smiled and patted his shoulder. He didn't respond to his self-recommendation immediately but joked: "I'm afraid he'll burn with anxiety."

"Hehe—" Zhou Changli chuckled and said: "I actually want to follow Brother Biao out to see the world and see what it's like outside."

"Hmm, I know." Li Xuewu nodded and said to him: "Don't worry. Do the things in front of you well. Hong Kong isn't far from Steel City. Sooner or later, there will be a day when you are needed."

"I'll say this first: when you are truly needed, you can't drop the chain."

"Brother Wu, don't worry. I don't need to pat my chest and guarantee it to you; that would be too hypocritical."

Zhou Changli said seriously: "If there's truly a day you need me, just watch my actions."

"Study hard and exercise more."

Li Xuewu raised his hand and patted his shoulder: "Since you're already married, have a child quickly, so you'll have the motivation to strive."

"So that's it..." Zhou Changli smiled with amusement and surprise: "The 'exercise more' you mentioned really means exercising the body. I'll definitely work hard!"

"Did you find out?"

Zhong Yuemin looked at Yuan Jun with some expectation. Seeing the other party hesitate without answering, he frowned and asked: "Is she not at home?"

"She should be at home, but I don't think she can be asked out." Yuan Jun frowned slightly and explained: "She is also on the list for enlistment."

"Together with Zhang Haiyang?"

Zhong Yuemin had a moment of disappointment. The furrowed brow didn't dissipate but became even deeper.

"Not sure, I can only find out this much." Yuan Jun looked at Zhong Yuemin with some disappointment, turned his head away, and replied: "I can't possibly keep an eye on him all day long."

Zhong Yuemin was filled with disappointment and anxiety at this moment, not noticing his brother's gaze at all. At this moment, he was only concerned with gains and losses.

Zheng Tong glanced at Zhong Yuemin and pulled Yuan Jun's arm, not wanting him to develop a rift.

The few of them could be considered childhood friends. For the two-plus years they had been without parents to discipline them, they had all mixed together, and their feelings were very deep.

He also knew why Yuan Jun was angry; it was nothing more than dissatisfaction that Zhong Yuemin was single-mindedly pursuing Zhou Xiaobai, even neglecting the interaction between brothers.

Take the supply chain for example. Zhong Yuemin had led them to work hard for more than a year, but in order to compete with Zhang Haiyang, he had stupidly taken the money from their hands to buy a car.

Red Star Hongxing Lingyang car, the cheapest one was five or six thousand. They hadn't made much sales performance, and he had almost taken all the money they had earned.

If brothers were together, one could take money lightly, but it was everyone's hard work after all.

If Zhong Yuemin had truly used the money himself, or if everyone had consumed it eating and drinking together, that would be fine. But he had dumped it all on the car just for Zhou Xiaobai.

Now it was fine; he hadn't chased Zhou Xiaobai, but the notice for going to the countryside had arrived in his hands.

All three were the same. A few days ago, they had asked the staff at the neighborhood office, and today it was delivered to their homes.

Not go? How could they have the qualification to choose?

Living expenses were all in the hands of the Management Committee. If they played hardball, wouldn't they starve to death?

Besides, even if they didn't think for themselves, they had to think for their own fathers and mothers.

They were already reflecting inside; if they caused trouble outside, wouldn't they be adding chaos to their parents? Even if they couldn't help, they couldn't bear to harm their parents; after all, they weren't children anymore.

So they had to go to the countryside, and the car they had pooled money to buy had to be dealt with.

Recently, Zhong Yuemin had only been busy with two things: one was finding out who was willing to take his car, and the other was keeping an eye on where Zhou Xiaobai had gone.

Selling the car couldn't be rushed. Even if time was tight, it had to be stretched; otherwise, they would lose a fortune.

But no matter how much they stretched it, people knew their situation. This car ultimately couldn't be sold for a high price, and they were bound to lose a large sum.

This matter couldn't be blamed on Zhong Yuemin; who told them to be brothers?

However, keeping an eye on Zhou Xiaobai made Yuan Jun very unhappy.

If it works, it works; if it doesn't, it doesn't. Why be so sticky and mother-in-law-like?

Zhong Yuemin wanting to find Zhou Xiaobai to date wasn't pure in purpose. If it were love at first sight, it might be understandable, but later, both knew each other's situation.

Yuan Jun had heard Zhong Yuemin say that chasing Zhou Xiaobai wasn't the goal; getting Zhou Xiaobai was his future.

As for what his future was...

He had even said such shameless words. He went to help keep an eye on people, and he felt empty inside.

So Yuan Jun was also very angry. This time Zhong Yuemin asked him to keep an eye on Zhang Haiyang to see if he had succeeded, and he was truly going crazy.

"It seems this car of ours must be sold as soon as possible." Zhong Yuemin thought for a long time before saying this.

Zheng Tong looked at him and asked: "Didn't you say to wait a bit longer?"

Yuan Jun stood to the side. He was annoyed with Zhong Yuemin in his heart, and what he had just said sounded harsh.

What do you mean "this car of ours"?

You said it was a loan when buying the car, and you treated it as your own car when using it.

Now that it's going to lose money, it becomes "our car." Are you asking the brothers to bear the loss for you?

Actually, it wasn't that Yuan Jun was deliberately picking on him, nor was it resentment leading to a break in friendship.

It was just that he felt Zhong Yuemin didn't value them. At least after Zhou Xiaobai appeared, the brothers' position in his heart had moved to the back row.

Even if this car sold for a high price, Zhong Yuemin had no money to pay them back.

Dividing the money from selling the car, the loss he had to bear himself wasn't enough.

Yuan Jun didn't care whether this money could be recovered; he only cared about this matter.

Zhong Yuemin finally discovered that Yuan Jun was angry, but he was helpless. He thought Yuan Jun was narrow-minded and felt sorry that he couldn't pay back the money.

"People are panicked recently. Quite a few bought cars last year. Selling cars all at once at this time will inevitably cause price fluctuations."

He proactively analyzed: "Another thing, this car of ours is a first-generation Hongxing Lingyang. I heard the second generation is about to be listed, so this car will be worth even less."

Saying this, he reached out and stroked the car body with heartache: "I'm truly reluctant. We could still use it to do some business. It's a pity; everything is beyond one's control."

"But don't worry, no matter how much money it is, I owe it to you."

Zhong Yuemin finally said these words: "No matter how much the car sells for, I'll give it to you first..."

"Yuemin, is there any point in saying this?" Zheng Tong was also a bit annoyed and looked at him: "Who asked you for car money!"

Yuan Jun also turned his head and stared at him, his eyes full of disappointed anger.

"This money should have been returned to you; it was my greed." Zhong Yuemin looked up at the azure sky, shook his head slightly, and said: "Human greed knows no bounds; this is retribution—"

"Zhou Xiaobai left yesterday."

Yuan Jun suddenly said: "I don't know which unit she went to, but she definitely left."

"How do you know?" Zhong Yuemin looked at him suddenly, his eyes full of suspicion.

Yuan Jun suddenly felt that brotherhood meant nothing, turned his head away, and said: "My dad has already found a connection for me. The train is tomorrow."

After saying this, he didn't pay attention to the surprised gazes of the others and stepped toward the distance.

Zhong Yuemin ultimately didn't put down his pride to chase his brother, his heart filled with whether Zhou Xiaobai would be very sad at this very moment.

After all, the supply chain had been built so large, and it had collapsed in an instant; she must be heartbroken.

The situation was about the same as he had expected. Shunfeng Trading was placed on the table, and Zhou Lang Zhennan naturally wouldn't allow his daughter to continue working.

However, he didn't vent his anger on Li Xuewu, but making this decision also represented his dissatisfaction—dissatisfaction that Li Xuewu hadn't protected Zhou Xiaobai well.

If he knew Li Xuewu had done it on purpose...

Li Xuewu knew Zhou Xiaobai was leaving. She was full of expectation, wanting him to go to the train station to see her off, but where would Li Xuewu have the guts?

What if Zhou Lang Zhennan and his wife suddenly decided to see her off? How would he greet them then?

However, the day before parting, Li Xuewu still had a meal with her at the club and went to the guesthouse to see her off... Three hours, finally calming Zhou Xiaobai's tears and reluctance.

Zhou Xiaobai naturally couldn't bear to part with Li Xuewu, and even less so with life in the capital.

If it had gone according to the original plan, she could have completely used her position at Jinmen Trading to block the arrangement of going to the countryside. But who told the world that things were unpredictable? Jinmen Trading had already stopped operating.

Yang Zhao remained in Jinmen, but Wu Laoshi had already come to the capital, which she knew.

Li Xuewu comforted her, saying that her pocket money wouldn't be cut off in the future and would be sent to her every month.

Zhou Xiaobai was indeed reluctant to part with this pocket money, but what she was even more reluctant to part with was this entanglement.

Being able to work at Jinmen Trading meant having a connection to his career and a link.

Living a comfortable life with his money, wasn't it just to show her infinite youth and vitality when they were together to make him happy?

The purpose of two people being together was for happiness. If it wasn't for happiness, was it for marriage? Where would she dare to think about that?

If it were a comfortable life earned through work, Zhou Xiaobai could still rely on him with confidence.

But now that he wanted to give her pocket money and continue to support her, she ultimately couldn't get past the hurdle in her heart.

However, Zhou Xiaobai didn't refuse his kindness; she had already decided in her heart not to spend that money. When they calmed down in the future and he forgot about her that day, she would just return the money to him.

This was her little trick. If Li Xuewu really forgot her, then returning the money to him, would it be able to move him again?

Zhou Xiaobai ultimately couldn't let go, preferring to follow her father's wishes and arrangements to join the army rather than cause him trouble and invite her father's anger.

If two hearts are joined for a long time, why do they need to be together day and night? If she really missed him, she would just ask for leave and come back. Since she knew the taste of meat, how could she bear to let go?

Zhong Yuemin and Zhang Haiyang's guesses and worries weren't wrong; Zhou Xiaobai was indeed very sad. However, she didn't shed any tears on the day she got on the train.

Having been "kicked" hard the night before, the reluctance in her heart had dissipated quite a bit. But her longing for her parents wasn't that much.

Her parents were both in the army, and the family rarely had times of reunion. Now that she was joining the army, maybe they would see each other more often in the future.

It was just a hurried parting. The train station sent away a large group of young people every day, and she had become one of them.

Over these years, she had ultimately grown up, matured, and seen too much of the flower-laden world.

She hadn't had time to say goodbye to Wu Laoshi, nor had she had time to greet her friends at the club, and she had even neglected her best friend, Luo Yun.

As for those people in the supply chain, she had never thought of seeing them from beginning to end.

Since Shunfeng Trading was already in the past, let these people go far away with the wind.

The only thing she couldn't let go of, she had also made a decision in her heart: she only hoped that her sweetheart would have everything go as he wished. When she returned to the capital, even if things were different, he could still be waiting for her there.

January 11th, Saturday.

Near the end of work, Wang Lu sent the organized manuscripts to Li Xuewu's desk.

"Isn't it too simple?"

She looked at the Secretary-General sideways and reminded him softly: "I also listen to that Red Star Talk program. People being interviewed can't wait to talk at length and keep talking without stopping. Your manuscript..."

"It's just an outline; there's no certainty in an interview." Li Xuewu looked at the manuscript in his hand and said without raising his head: "Maybe it'll go off-track."

"That can't be; Yu Haitang is still somewhat capable." Wang Lu said with a smile: "You should be careful; this is a live broadcast."

"Hehe, afraid I'll drop the chain?" Li Xuewu said with a light smile: "Then why didn't you remind me earlier? I wouldn't have taken this job."

"If my advice to you were useful."

Wang Lu rolled her eyes and said with a smile: "Besides, if I had advised you not to participate in this program, Yu Haitang would have become my enemy. She has been looking forward to you going there."

"Why? Do you know each other too?"

Li Xuewu only then heard the tone in Wang Lu's words, as if she were very familiar with Yu Haitang.

"What kind of tone is that?" Wang Lu said with amusement and helplessness: "It's as if it's very strange for me to know her. Are you blaming me?"

"I'm not overthinking it. I was just asking casually." Li Xuewu shook his head with amusement and said: "I didn't expect your social ability to be so good. If I had known, I would have arranged for you to go to the Foreign Affairs Office."

"Wasted talent, right? Hahaha—"

Wang Lu was always very lively. She laughed for a while before saying: "I am your secretary. Who in this agency doesn't know me?"

"Conversely, for those who know me, as long as I've interacted with them, how could I not know them?"

"Then work a few hours late and accompany me to the broadcasting station?"

Li Xuewu put down the manuscript in his hand, looked at her with a smile, and said: "With you, an acquaintance, she won't make things difficult for me."

"Are you lacking someone to do the chores?"

Wang Lu rolled her eyes at him and said: "With you like this, who would dare to make things difficult for you?"

"Go tell Yajun."

Li Xuewu smiled and didn't mind her teasing: "If he can get off work on time, come over together. I'll treat you two to a meal later."

"Then I want to eat at Yujia'ao—"

Once food was mentioned, Wang Lu seemed to have opened up, pointing out dishes with her fingers.

Li Xuewu tapped the table with his fountain pen and reminded her: "It'll be past eight o'clock after the interview ends. Are you sure you can still eat seafood?"

"Ah? Then what should we do?"

Wang Lu only then reacted and asked with disappointment: "Then we can only go eat at Qinyuan Chun?"

"You're really like someone who catches a toad and insists on squeezing out flour." Li Xuewu picked up his teacup and said: "Qinyuan Chun is too far and troublesome. Let's stay nearby; let's go to the guesthouse to eat grilled fish."

"You don't even eat grilled fish—"

Wang Lu smiled, leaned toward the desk, and said softly: "The leaders of the First Ministry of Machine-Building talked to Director Li. Is it about you?"

Seeing Li Xuewu raise his eyebrows slightly to look at her, Wang Lu stood up, pursed her lips, and smiled: "I guessed it myself; no one spread rumors. Is it good news?"

"So just because it's good news, I have to treat you to something good?" Li Xuewu didn't explain Wang Lu's question but smiled and pointed at her: "If you have the ability to book a table at nine o'clock, then I'll follow your lead, and we'll go into the city to eat."

"Pfft—" Wang Lu curled her lips: "You aren't sincere at all!"

PS: Don't blame me. My house is being renovated recently, and my head is full of trouble; I don't know where to start. It's a bare-bones house, and I'm pondering how to design it; it's worrying.

I will definitely make up for the missing chapters; I won't forget.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1377 =====