Chapter 1397: The Thirteenth Concubine

Don't look at Li Xuewu as someone with mediocre popularity; there were actually quite a few people who wanted to treat him to a meal upon his return this time.

No sooner had he rejected Gao Yaqin than he was chased down by Peng Xiaoli, who insisted on treating him to a meal, come what may.

"Why are you being so stubborn with me? Go do whatever you're supposed to do—" Li Xuewu scolded, feeling both annoyed and amused. "If you really have the heart for it, put in some effort and have a double blessing next year."

"I'll take your auspicious words to heart; I will definitely work hard," Peng Xiaoli said with a grin. "But I must treat you to this meal today."

Before Li Xuewu could scold him further, he had plenty to say, shaking his head and emphasizing: "It was a strict order from our leader at home; I must invite you to express our gratitude."

"Hehe—" Li Xuewu laughed and patted him on the shoulder, saying: "You kid are also henpecked."

Seeing that Peng Xiaoli took no shame in it but rather pride, he also said amusedly: "Alright, I really don't have time to accept your invitation this time I'm back, but I accept the sentiment."

Seeing him persist, Li Xuewu became a bit more serious and explained softly: "I have other arrangements for the evening. It's rare to be back, so I need to sit down with a few leaders."

"Hi—" Peng Xiaoli said with great annoyance upon hearing this: "I told her yesterday that I should come to invite you, but she insisted that since you had just arrived home, it wouldn't be convenient. This, this—"

"Alright, why are you being so fussy now?"

Li Xuewu feigned dissatisfaction and glared at him, saying: "You're married now, be a bit more steady. Keep your mind on proper matters. I wasn't joking when I said double blessing."

"Understood, Leader. I know this is your expectation and encouragement for me," Peng Xiaoli replied, his face becoming a bit more serious. "You just watch my actual actions."

"However..." He looked at Li Xuewu hesitantly and asked with difficulty: "When are you going back? If I can't catch you this time, then next time you come back, you must—"

"Alright, are you ever going to stop—" Li Xuewu laughed and patted his shoulder again, saying: "You're still young, settle down and start your career. Don't waste the good times; comrades must work hard."

"Hehe, don't say I don't know etiquette."

Seeing him say this, Peng Xiaoli agreed with a grin, though the look in his eyes as he watched him remained expectant.

This was the leader who changed his destiny; calling him a noble person wouldn't be an exaggeration, and calling him a teacher would be appropriate.

It wasn't that Yu Haitang had forced him to invite Li Xuewu to dinner; he himself was looking forward to it.

"Gu Cheng was talking about you yesterday, saying he didn't dare to invite you for fear of you scolding him."

Peng Xiaoli explained with a grin: "He asked me to come forward to invite you, and said he wanted to bring Qian Youqiong, and also call Wang Lu and Zhao Yajun to join in the fun."

"If he has that kind of awareness, he should put more energy into his work. Isn't it better to talk less nonsense?"

Li Xuewu glanced at him and reminded: "I don't care about the interactions between you young people, but it's fate that you're together. You mustn't bicker over trivial matters, otherwise I'll have to punish you."

"Don't worry, Leader, we are all our own people in this circle." Peng Xiaoli raised his eyebrows, grinning, and said pointedly: "We aren't children anymore; could we really make you worry over these things?"

Li Xuewu glanced at him sideways, not paying attention to the meaning of "our own people" in his words. This kid was sharp-minded and very cunning; ordinary people couldn't see through him.

Seeing that he was so perceptive, he didn't say anything more and nodded, heading toward Gu Weijie's office.

Among the clever ones in this group's organization, Peng Xiaoli counted as one, and Gu Cheng as another.

If these two rascals got together, there would surely be no good news; you wouldn't even need to interrogate them to determine crimes worthy of execution.

The reason Gu Cheng didn't dare to come see him was that this kid had acted on his own initiative before the New Year and set Su Weide up. The reason the investigation team from the Ministry could grasp Old Su's problems so quickly was precisely because of his "help."

It was just that in Li Xuewu's view, this kind of help was still a bit naive and unnecessary, so he didn't bother with him.

Listening to the meaning in Peng Xiaoli's words, this small circle had deliberately pulled Wang Lu and Zhao Yajun in.

No need to think; since they could bring in Wang Lu and Zhao Yajun, the next step would be Li Xue and other connections.

There were quite a few people in this group's organization who could be related to Li Xuewu; it wouldn't be strange if they really wanted to band together.

It was fine while he was in the capital; these people knew how to take care of each other without needing to gather, and no one could make things difficult for them.

But now that he had been sent to Liaodong, although the big tree hadn't fallen and it wasn't a case of "when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter," it was ultimately inconvenient.

Whether it was Gu Cheng or Peng Xiaoli, it must have been an idea the two rascals came up with to string these connections together, form a network, and then expand their operations.

They didn't need to do this when Li Xuewu was in the capital, and they wouldn't have dared to, fearing they would stimulate certain people's nerves. But now the situation was different; no one could say anything about them banding together for warmth—this was the game's rule.

Another important reason Peng Xiaoli and Gu Cheng decided to band together was Li Xuewu's unique style of conduct.

Looking at other leaders, they were always partial to their own secretaries and connections, commonly known as "protecting their own."

But that didn't hold true with Li Xuewu. He never raised sheep; he only led dogs, lions, tigers, and wolves to hunt.

Who wanted to be a lion, who wanted to be a tiger, who wanted to be a wolf, and who wanted to be a dog—they had their own accounts.

From the day they followed Li Xuewu, they knew that here, they had to be self-reliant; there was absolutely no opportunity or possibility to bully others by relying on his power. Only by being self-reliant could they gain his support and affirmation, and have the possibility of progress.

So in the eyes of outsiders, Li Xuewu was fair in his work, never partial to his subordinates, and had a reputation for justice.

But in the eyes of his subordinates, he was a guiding light, an object of worship, and a target to chase.

Just look at those he brought up; none of them were pushovers. Wang Lu, who was once jokingly called a "big silly girl," had become someone not to be trifled with in the group's organization.

Li Xuewu didn't oppose young people uniting, nor did he oppose them making friends, and he didn't avoid these networks.

It was just that how much trouble three bad-to-the-bone rascals could cause when gathered together—who could control that? If they really used his name to cause trouble, he would still have to come back to clean up the mess.

Therefore, it was very necessary to remind them: doing bad things was fine, but doing stupid things was not.

If Li Xuewu were to accept Peng Xiaoli's dinner invitation today, the group's organization, which was already in a state of panic, would surely be stirred up. How many pairs of eyes were watching him!

Now was not the time to manage the group; appropriately showing weakness would help him settle Liaodong as quickly as possible.

Liaodong was the key at his current stage.

"Leader, do you have time tonight?"

Zhou Miaomiao came up the stairs carrying a black briefcase, graceful and elegant. Seeing him passing by in the corridor, she took the initiative to greet him: "Zhou Tan and I would like to treat you to a simple meal?"

"I didn't even know I had become a popular person in the group. Why does everyone want to treat me to dinner when they see me?" Li Xuewu laughed, slowed his pace, and asked: "You had a few days off for the New Year, didn't you go out for a stroll?"

"Where would I go? I'm too lazy to move," Zhou Miaomiao sighed. "I actually envy you now."

She looked at Li Xuewu with bright eyes and said: "Is Northeast fun? Zhou Tan even told me that the group intends to build a sanatorium in Steel City, where you can ski and soak in hot springs in winter, and recuperate your body and mind in summer. Is it true or false?"

"If Zhou Tan has heard of it, then it must be true," Li Xuewu laughed, looked at her, and said: "There is such a plan, but it will have to be in the second half of the year or next year. The group's financial budget is tight this year."

"Which year is our group's budget not tight?"

Zhou Miaomiao covered her mouth and laughed. Her clean and neat lady's suit set her off like a blooming rose.

Li Xuewu also nodded in agreement and said: "Wait a bit longer. Perhaps next winter you can go to Steel City to ski."

"That would be great—" Zhou Miaomiao looked at him with charming eyes and asked: "Really no time? Just give us a chance."

"Why be so polite—"

Li Xuewu turned his head to look at her and said: "Is there something up? If there is, just say it directly."

"What could we have? It's just that it's not easy for you to come back once, so let's sit together."

Zhou Miaomiao had put on a bit of weight after the New Year; her smiling eyes looked like two silkworms, very alluring.

Li Xuewu laughed and said: "It's a coincidence, I've already made an appointment. If you really have nothing, then wait until I come back next time, and call Zhou Tan, Xiaoli, and the others to gather."

"Alright, then I'll wait for your summons."

Zhou Miaomiao raised her hand to indicate the direction of Gao Yaqin's office and said: "I'm going to report work to Deputy Director Gao, so I won't disturb you. When you come back again, we'll gather."

"Go ahead, get busy."

Li Xuewu stood still, watched her leave with a smile, and then entered Xue Zhifu's office.

It looked like Old Xue was already waiting for him; knowing he had been running to various leaders' offices these past few days, he had been well-prepared.

Li Xuewu didn't stand on ceremony with him either, just knocked on the door as he entered, without even stopping his pace.

Xue Zhifu also stood up from behind his desk, greeting him while walking toward the sofa.

Secretary Liu Zhen followed him in from outside the door, greeted Li Xuewu very enthusiastically, and went to brew hot tea.

"No need to trouble yourself. Just came from Deputy Director Gu's place, already had a cup."

"Use the iron box; the Secretary-General has a picky mouth."

Xue Zhifu made a joke, turned his head to Li Xuewu, and said: "You've really been working hard these past few days. You've felt the pressure of working in Liaodong, right?"

"Everything is difficult at the start—"

Li Xuewu nodded, crossed his right leg, rested his right elbow on the sofa armrest, and looked at Xue Zhifu very relaxedly, replying: "And it happened to coincide with the New Year."

"Hmm, understood. What did Comrade Weijie say?"

Xue Zhifu watched the secretary set the tea down before saying to Li Xuewu: "Organizational work is the focus this year."

"Hmm, Deputy Director Gu emphasized it a lot."

Li Xuewu nodded, his expression serious, and said: "I had psychological preparations for this long ago, but after going back, I still need to sort things out. The industrial situation in Liaodong is complex."

"I can imagine—" Xue Zhifu sighed lightly and said: "To support this whole mess, it seems it really has to be you."

"I'm also gritting my teeth and holding on."

Li Xuewu laughed, glanced at the teacup on the coffee table, and then said to Xue Zhifu: "Zhang Enyuan sent you the research report I made, right? How do you find it?"

"Read it, been reading it for two days." Xue Zhifu nodded, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said: "I've been reading it when I get home from work these two days, pondering while reading."

"That's great. I was just wanting to hear your opinions and suggestions," Li Xuewu nodded slowly and said: "I want to open up the situation in Liaodong as soon as possible, but there are a thousand threads."

Speaking of this, he shook his head slightly and said: "The more complex the situation, the more cautious one needs to be. Pulling one hair affects the whole body, especially now that personnel reforms are being pushed forward."

"I'm also thinking about this problem," Xue Zhifu put down the teacup and said: "Thinking it over, I've come to the same conclusion as you. The situation is difficult; it's better to be still than to move."

"I didn't intend to stir up this water, much less fish in troubled waters," Li Xuewu emphasized with a more serious attitude: "These sludges have finally settled down. Since they already exist, there's a reason for it."

"It's necessary to clean the sludge regularly, but there's no need to hurt the bones and muscles," he looked at Xue Zhifu and said: "Conversely, isn't this sludge also a kind of nutrient?"

"You must master this degree well."

Xue Zhifu, who once served as the leader in charge of discipline and supervision, still cares about the group's discipline and supervision construction work to this day.

Especially with Li Xuewu serving as the head of Liaodong Industry, there is even more responsibility for discipline and supervision.

Originally, Xue Zhifu was the leader in charge of engineering construction, but after Li Xuewu entered the office, the first things he talked about were discipline and supervision work and organizational personnel construction work.

This is not strange, because Li Xuewu and Xue Zhifu were partners in discipline and supervision, and the two had a tacit understanding long ago.

This tacit understanding is to execute supervision and management from top to bottom, and to cultivate discipline and supervision forces within the group.

Li Xuewu doesn't trust Li Huai, and Xue Zhifu doesn't trust anyone, including Gu Weijie, who is now in charge of discipline and supervision work. Once a person has selfish motives, they will do things.

Differences in ideology will make the path that was never straight to begin with even more tortuous.

The normalized supervision and management proposed by Li Xuewu, as well as the theory of cultivation and reverse cultivation, still seem a bit risky in his view, but Li Xuewu knows Liaodong better in Liaodong.

Just like what Li Xuewu introduced just now, some turbidity has settled down, and it looks relatively clear from above, so there is no need to stir up the water for the sake of integrity.

Li Xuewu nodded lightly and said: "Still need you to help me check the gate more. After all, you see deeper and further in the group."

"Too far, limited eyesight."

Xue Zhifu shook his head slightly, not knowing if it was a refusal or humble politeness, and changed the subject.

"Are you applying for this year's construction projects?"

He opened the file at hand and said: "I can still help you ponder supplementary construction for existing projects."

Pointing his finger at the several opinions Li Xuewu put forward, he thought for a long time before saying: "The group's finances are tight."

"Did the higher-ups withdraw funds again?"

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and asked: "I saw in the newspaper that both internal and external debts have been cleared. Our group has also contributed a share, right?"

"It's unavoidable. The most difficult ones aren't us who spend money, but you who make money, and comrades like Yunong who manage money. Everyone's days are not easy."

"If the days are not easy this year, then next year will be even harder," Li Xuewu smiled bitterly: "No way, you still have to deliberate on some projects. If they can be done, do them."

"Hahaha—" Xue Zhifu laughed at him: "Really didn't expect you to have a day of running projects."

"Just as you said, everyone's days are not easy. One must carry the top and start the bottom."

Li Xuewu finished discussing work with Xue Zhifu, stood up, and said: "As a leader, how can one not please subordinates? Don't you think?"

"Hehe—" Xue Zhifu laughed lightly, stood up to see him out. The conversation between the two was much more relaxed than when he was with Gu Weijie, and there was no such awkward atmosphere.

Speaking of which, he had also spent three or four years with Gu Weijie. The two didn't have private dealings, but they still had a personal friendship.

Han Shu also had dealings with her. During the New Year, he also arranged for Shen Guodong to send New Year gifts, and she accepted them all.

But in the workplace, where is there any emotion to speak of?

It was just peace on the surface, plus the dust had settled; otherwise, Gu Weijie would still stab him in the back.

After Dong Wenxue came back, he didn't give her a good look either, and topped her several times at the management committee, not speaking of past feelings.

This time when the two met, Gu Weijie's attitude toward him was obviously a bit subtle. The vigilance and complexity in her eyes couldn't be hidden, and he saw it too.

The atmosphere was slightly stagnant, especially Li Xuewu's official attitude, which made her frown and want to speak several times.

Actually, Li Xuewu is not a person who likes to hold grudges. Go to the west of the city in the middle of the night to inquire; when has he ever taken revenge? He is a proper gentleman.

Gu Weijie's vigilance is too meaningless. If he wanted to take revenge, he would have done it long ago; why bother watching Dong Wenxue throw a tantrum at her at the management committee.

Being in the game, one still has to get by on the surface.

Li Xuewu took the initiative to report the research results to her and asked for instructions and explanations on some important work ideas. This itself is an attitude; let her think about the rest herself.

What Gu Weijie thinks is not important; what is important is what the others who are watching the fun think.

Li Xuewu coming back and "conspiring" with Li Huai for a long time is already feared by the team members.

If his conflict with Gu Weijie deepens, someone will definitely lean toward Gu Weijie, or be directly pulled over.

All opposition is built on contradiction.

As long as Li Xuewu takes the initiative to make enemies, the enemies will be endless, and sooner or later he will stumble in Liaodong.

And Li Xuewu's actions upon returning to the capital this time have precisely made these people re-recognize his maturity and perseverance.

Using political thinking to solve comrade relationships and handle work contradictions is the manifestation of maturity.

Li Xuewu's combination of punches can be said to be sophisticated, leaving these idlers speechless.

Even Gu Weijie was calculated by him, using this open and aboveboard manner to put her on a pedestal.

This is precisely the main reason why Xue Zhifu, seeing Li Xuewu knock on the door and walk into the office, had to stand up and take the initiative to greet him while holding his nose. Speaking of which, he is the lonely one now.

"Where are you coming from? Drinking tea?"

Su Weide walked over, shook hands with him, greeted him to sit on the sofa, and gestured toward the tea cabinet: "I asked Gu Cheng to go out to handle things. Don't be polite about what tea you want to drink."

"Don't be polite either, I'm already full."

Li Xuewu smiled and waved his hand, sat down on the sofa, and explained: "Drank too much."

"Hehe, coming from Comrade Weijie's place?"

Su Weide laughed, sat on the single sofa, looked at Li Xuewu and said: "She is very concerned about Liaodong."

See that? Digging a hole in less than three sentences. This person is already beyond saving.

"The situation in Liaodong industry is complex," Li Xuewu nodded and said faintly: "Not only does Deputy Director Gu need to care more about Liaodong, but you also need to care more about Liaodong."

"Hahaha—" Su Weide laughed lightly, his eyes carrying a different kind of deep meaning, looking at the research report at hand and saying: "The Secretary-General's work ability is also second to none in the group. With you in Liaodong, everyone is at ease."

"Ease is trust in me; concern is love for me—" Li Xuewu laughed, looked at him and asked: "You wouldn't have opinions about me, or about Liaodong and certain cadres in Liaodong, right? You can say it directly. If I'm wrong, I'll change; if the cadres in Liaodong are wrong, I'll make them change."

Not returning a favor is impolite. Su Weide dared to dig a hole, and Li Xuewu dared to bury him alive. He still had that much skill.

How could Su Weide dare to take Li Xuewu's words? Anything he said would be wrong. He didn't dare to say directly that he had opinions about Li Xuewu, much less say he had opinions about Liaodong or the cadres in Liaodong industry. This hole was simply too big.

Li Xuewu is not a thing!

"Hahaha—" He laughed dryly, his eyes lowered looking at the research report in his hand and said: "I heard some voices a few days ago, but I didn't believe them."

Su Weide flicked the report in his hand and said: "Just based on this research report, those things don't need to be investigated to know they are groundless. It's obvious someone is afraid—"

"Is that so?" Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows slightly, the look in his eyes full of surprise. "It seems I really picked up something by returning to the capital this time; otherwise, I wouldn't even know someone in Liaodong had opinions about me."

"Working, it's very normal."

Su Weide didn't explain who had reported to him, much less say the specific problems reported; he just laughed and talked nonsense.

"If such a big stone as you is thrown down and there's really no sound at all, then we should be the ones who can't sleep."

"Absolutely not. If it's because I went down to work that all the leaders lose sleep, then that really is my sin."

Li Xuewu smiled lightly, raised his hand slightly to indicate the research report in his hand and said: "I've been non-stop for this month in Liaodong. Please criticize and correct me more."

"Very good, what's there to correct."

Su Weide put the report in his hand aside, looked at Li Xuewu and said: "If you want to ask for my opinion, I can chat with you. If you want to say correct, is that you having opinions about me?"

"Hahaha—" The two old foxes laughed together. This laughter reached the corridor, and those who heard it felt it was very strange.

The secretary is actually chatting happily with Deputy Director Su, their laughter shaking the shed. Isn't that strange enough? It's comparable to Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio.

By the time Li Xuewu arrived at Jing Yunong's office, even Jing Yunong was surprised by this matter.

"When did you have a friendship with him?"

"Look at what you're saying—" Li Xuewu twitched the corner of his mouth and said: "Who doesn't know my popularity in the group is good? What's strange about chatting happily with Deputy Director Su?"

"I thought that after you went to Liaodong and the responsibility on your shoulders became heavier, you wouldn't be able to speak so black and white, talking nonsense," Jing Yunong drooped her eyelids and said: "Didn't expect you to still have that flavor, not changed at all."

"Can you not say that—"

Li Xuewu leaned forward, looked at the pretty face of Deputy Director Jing, who was a bit flustered close at hand, and said: "How ambiguous. If someone heard it, how bad it would be; they'd think we had some unspeakable secret."

Jing Yunong wanted to kill someone now, the target being the bastard in front of her. How could he talk like that!

What unspeakable secret!

Seeing Deputy Director Jing gnashing her teeth, Li Xuewu leaned back tactically, took the initiative to open the distance, and said seriously: "I still want to seek your opinions and suggestions."

"I have no suggestions, much less dare to give you opinions," Jing Yunong put the research report in her hand aside and said faintly: "You still have things to be busy with, right?"

"What things? None—"

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and said: "How about we eat together tonight? I'll treat, how about that?"

He didn't care at all about Aunt Jing's eyes that were about to spit fire, and said with a laugh: "How about eating at Qinyuanchun?"

"Oh, I forgot, you like to eat seafood."

Li Xuewu seemed to have just remembered, nodded and said: "Then it's settled, I'll treat tonight..."

"Thanks, no need," Jing Yunong narrowed her eyes slightly and said: "We haven't reached that level of friendship."

She pushed the file in front of her and said: "I don't want people to misunderstand anything, and then say some ugly words. You don't care, but I can't stand it."

"Tsk tsk—" Li Xuewu shook his head slightly and said: "You should think like this: if your feet are straight, you don't fear your shoes are crooked."

"Are you leaving or not?" Jing Yunong was anxious, glared at him and asked: "If you don't leave, I'm leaving—"

Who said whose feet are not straight, who said whose shoes are crooked!

Feng Xiaoli, Deputy Chief of the Personnel Division, walked to the door and just raised her hand to knock, wanting to ask for instructions and report work, but hearing Deputy Director Jing's slightly angry tone in the office, she withdrew her hand.

Not only did she withdraw her hand, she quickly glanced at the scene in the office and shrank back.

It was said to be late, but it was fast. Li Xuewu didn't know, only Jing Yunong saw a flash of a figure at the door.

Good fellow, the Secretary-General and Deputy Director Jing are arguing in the office. This matter will spread throughout the whole organization immediately.

Is that an angry tone?

Yes, she is ashamed into anger, wishing she could tear this bastard's... clothes, and then...

"Are you doing this on purpose?"

Deputy Director Jing raised her hand to pinch the gold-rimmed glasses leg and lifted it, looking at the bastard opposite and saying: "Go do what you're supposed to do. I won't keep you here."

"You're not being interesting—"

Li Xuewu naturally received Deputy Director Jing's eye signal. His tone changed, and he topped her with a very strong sentence. Seeing her frown, he prepared to stand up and end the show.

But when he stood up, he whispered something in front of her, making Deputy Director Jing's face turn red.

This bastard... really...

Jing Yunong grabbed the file at hand to hit him, but he dodged it flexibly, sweeping empty.

Seeing him laugh triumphantly, she was angry, shy, and anxious, wishing she could chase him out and beat him up to vent her hatred.

Li Xuewu walked to the office door and just saw Feng Xiaoli walking from not far away, as if she hadn't been at the door just now.

"Hello, Secretary-General—" Feng Xiaoli greeted very politely, really looking like she had just arrived.

Li Xuewu tried his best to pull out a few smiles, nodded and said: "Hello."

This "hello" was said very reluctantly, as if he were angry and trying hard to restrain his temper.

By the time Feng Xiaoli watched the Secretary-General leave and knocked on Deputy Director Jing's door again, she keenly discovered that the leader was also angry. Didn't she see the leader's face was red with anger?

This... this is really...

Feng Xiaoli had also heard that the relationship between the Secretary-General and Deputy Director Jing was very bad, even having arguments and conflicts, but these were just things she heard. She didn't expect to "see with her own eyes" today.

That's right, it was seeing with her own eyes.

She saw the Secretary-General and Deputy Director Jing sitting opposite each other, Deputy Director Jing's words were harsh, and the Secretary-General's tone was sharp.

She saw the Secretary-General trying hard to restrain his temper, Deputy Director Jing's face was red with anger, and the files at hand were messy.

These were all things she heard with her own ears and saw with her own eyes. Could this evidence not be true?

Someone used to suspect that the Secretary-General and Deputy Director Jing were acting, saying that Deputy Director Jing was the first to speak for the Secretary-General at the management committee, but hearing is false, seeing is believing.

Those guesses and suspicions were nonsense. Deputy Director Jing hates the Secretary-General, and the Secretary-General hates Deputy Director Jing!

This news really couldn't be truer!

Alright, from today on, the conflict between Deputy Director Jing and the Secretary-General has escalated into mutual hatred.

Feng Xiaoli believes that only women understand women. She understands Deputy Director Jing; what flashes in those eyes is hatred!

"It's settled, go over after work."

Li Xuewu came out of Deputy Director Zhang's office, turned his head and smiled, exhorting: "I'll go over early to wait for you."

Zhang Jinsong just nodded with a smile, watched Li Xuewu go down the stairs, and then returned to the office.

Those who were already concerned about this side had already heard. It looked like the Secretary-General had an appointment with Deputy Director Zhang tonight.

Strange indeed—

Many people were muttering in their hearts: Haven't heard that the Secretary-General has a friendship with Deputy Director Zhang!

Just kidding, who does Deputy Director Zhang have a friendship with? It's always been official business, not speaking of any private feelings at all.

Especially after the secretary's accident, this leader is even more serious. Let alone treating him to a meal, even if you send him a toothpick, you'll be treated with a cold face. He's already obsessed.

Even Director Li dares to accept gifts, but Deputy Director Zhang, who is not the leader in charge of discipline and supervision, is the most upright.

The key is that this upright Deputy Director Zhang was also implicated because of the secretary's mistake.

This world is really magical enough.

Even more magical is that Deputy Director Zhang actually has a friend in the group, and that friend is the Secretary-General.

It's not that the Secretary-General can't become Deputy Director Zhang's friend, but the personalities of these two... really can't be kneaded together. How smooth the Secretary-General is.

Even stranger things can find clues. Someone mentioned that management committee meeting that was crucial to the Secretary-General at the beginning; Deputy Director Zhang cast a vote in favor.

Looking at it this way, Deputy Director Zhang had a private friendship or a tacit understanding in work with the Secretary-General long ago.

However, some people refuted that Deputy Director Zhang was deliberately competing with Deputy Director Su because of that case.

There were even voices saying that Deputy Director Zhang had to stand up to support the Secretary-General because he listened to Director Li's opinion.

Opinions varied. The organization was extremely chaotic because the Secretary-General returned. Everyone was guessing which other leader would be at this dinner tonight besides these two leaders.

How could they guess who Li Xuewu wanted to invite.

"Treat him to dinner here?"

Yu Li looked at Li Xuewu in surprise and asked: "Didn't you talk very unpleasantly here last time? Arranging it here again, will he feel uncomfortable?"

"It depends on the person. Times change, those things have passed. What does he have to be uncomfortable about?"

Li Xuewu looked at the file in his hand and said: "Alright, just arrange it like that. You welcome him tonight."

"Me? Alright, understood." Yu Li was surprised again. This was the first time Li Xuewu had asked her to come forward to receive someone.

Also in the office at this time were Wu Shuping, Zuo Jie, Shen Guodong, and Wen San'er, who was recuperating.

After Yu Li responded, she went out to arrange the dinner for the evening. The others in the room were still waiting for Li Xuewu to speak.

"How is Zuo Jie doing over there?"

Li Xuewu raised his head, looked at Wu Shuping, and asked: "Is it convenient? If not, pull him back."

"What's inconvenient? I'm the same."

Wu Shuping said indifferently: "The staff in the joint venture are very complex themselves, and one more doesn't make a difference."

"I'm also learning to do things following Wu Laoshi," Zuo Jie smiled, looked at Li Xuewu and said: "I'm not responsible for any work, mainly still learning."

"Haven't you learned enough?"

Li Xuewu laughed lightly, looked at him and said: "Alright, excessive modesty is pride."

After speaking, he looked at Wu Shuping and emphasized: "No need to be cautious and careful. Director Li asked about you today."

"I've seen him; he called me."

Wu Shuping reported: "It was before the New Year. He called me to his office, asked about my work, and also cared about my life, as well as the issue of raising the children."

"Oh—" Li Xuewu nodded knowingly, smiled and said: "He's quite righteous."

"If you want to say that—" Wu Shuping twitched the corner of her mouth, her eyes swept over Shen Guodong and Wen San, and said: "I really have nothing to say."

"Hehehe—" Shen Guodong was the first to be unable to hold back his laughter. Seeing Brother Wu look over, he said embarrassedly: "This Director Li loves to care about people the most."

This wasn't Shen Guodong teasing or arranging Li Huai; it was just that Director Li was acting a bit too much.

The more personnel reforms are pushed forward, the greater the difficulty, the higher the rank of the cadres involved, and the more difficult the network of relationships.

At this time, Li Huai was also anxious, and when he implemented soft policies for some cadres, he didn't grasp it well.

In Shen Guodong's words, there were already rumors in the group that Director Li had changed his taste.

What kind of talk is this? Director Li likes beauty, and can also like homosexuality? The more it spreads, the more mysterious it gets.

"It's a good thing—" Li Xuewu teased Wu Shuping, but got a big eye-roll from Wu Laoshi.

"I can't let go of the business at the Beijing Recycling Station. Can the supply chain work be handed over to Zuo Jie to do?"

Shen Guodong took the initiative to ask for instructions: "I see he's been trained enough; he should come out and be polished."

Zuo Jie didn't speak, just straightened his back, looking eager to try, really having the intention of coming out to do things.

In the past few years, Zuo Jie mainly managed the Youth Society, and at the same time was learning from Shen Guodong.

Although he was also responsible for the construction of the Beijing supply chain system, he had never really carried it.

Now that Shen Guodong took the initiative to recommend him, it also proved that he had this intention and also had the ideological preparation.

Li Xuewu looked at him seriously for a long time before nodding and saying: "Can do, you look at it and handle it."

After speaking, he looked at Shen Guodong and instructed: "As agreed before, Pei Pei still needs to be used."

"Yes, Pei Pei is already doing things."

Shen Guodong looked at Zuo Jie and smiled. Seeing the kid blushing with excitement, he teased him: "You say it yourself, who will be the director, and who will be the deputy director between you and Pei Pei."

"Ah? I say it?" Zuo Jie knew Brother Shen intended to recommend him to come out to do things, but didn't expect this.

Looking at his stunned expression, Wen San'er and Shen Guodong both laughed.

Zuo Jie also knew he was being teased, but had to take it seriously. What if Brother Li took it very seriously?

He hesitated for a moment before saying: "I'll come... I want to be the director, let Pei Pei help me."

"Alright, still have some confidence."

Wen San'er nodded and evaluated: "To do things, you can't be afraid of doing wrong things. You must have the determination to move forward and the confidence to succeed."

"If you can't even do this kind of multiple-choice question, then you really don't need to do a career."

"Did you hear that?" Shen Guodong looked at him and smiled: "Third Uncle is teaching you how to do things."

"Hey—are you damaging me?"

Wen San'er glared at Shen Guodong amusedly and said: "I'm... folding sand and sinking into the sand is not news. You don't need to remind me of my regrets again and again."

"Then do you regret it?" Shen Guodong asked jokingly: "How come I didn't see it?"

"Regret? What's the use of regret."

Wen San'er expressed his expression seriously: "From the moment I went out, I never regretted it, much less regretted doing those things."

"How is Third Uncle's body?"

Seeing Shen Guodong take the initiative to give Wen San'er a chance, Li Xuewu pulled the topic to him.

Wen San'er wanted to pat his chest to prove he was fine, but was afraid of tearing his wound, so he could only put his hand down awkwardly and sigh: "I'm afraid I still need to recuperate."

"Then recuperate before talking—"

Li Xuewu looked at Wen San'er, whose eyes were a bit lonely, and said faintly: "When the wound is healed, come to Steel City."

"Go to Steel City? I'm still going?"

Wen San'er raised his head in surprise and asked: "Aren't you in Steel City?"

"Come to Steel City, move Dongfeng Shipping away."

Li Xuewu let out a long breath and said: "It's a bit conspicuous in Steel City. Better to separate them, put them in Yingcheng and Jinmen. Don't put eggs in the same basket."

"Then—" Wen San'er asked hesitantly: "Are Erhai and I responsible?"

"No, Erhai only is responsible for the trade work in Jinmen. He must not have any involvement in this matter."

Li Xuewu looked at Wen San'er firmly and said: "You are responsible for Dongfeng Shipping. Wait for the news from Biaozhi in Hong Kong."

"I..." Wen San'er was stunned, staring blankly at Li Xuewu. He had never thought he would have the opportunity to make amends and re-contact Hong Kong.

But would Li Xuewu promise him to return to Hong Kong?

Hong Kong still had his thirteenth concubine. ===== CHAPTER 1398 =====