Chapter 1422: You are so hypocritical

Su Qing didn't wait for one day at the Metallurgical Plant guesthouse; she waited for three days.

After waiting for three consecutive days without receiving a reply from Li Xuewu, her patience and confidence vanished.

Her life these three days could be said to be very good—very good indeed. When it was mealtime, a waiter would knock on the door to remind her, and the bedding and quilts in the room were also very comfortable.

The bathroom had a full set of toiletries and sanitary supplies, and even pajamas had been prepared.

Don't look at her as a top student from Central Finance; when it came to seeing the world, she admitted she was a country bumpkin.

In her life, this was the first time she had seen a guesthouse with such service standards. In her cognition, a guesthouse shouldn't be like this.

The room was cleaned once a day, laundry was helped to be hung out to dry, and there was no need to pay for meals—one meat, one vegetable, one soup, and rice. She had never heard of a guesthouse having free shoe-shining service; this was truly unheard of.

But even with such an affluent life, she was thinking about her future. No matter how good the food was, she couldn't eat well, and no matter how good the room was, she couldn't sleep well.

On the first night, because of the travel fatigue and Li Xuewu's comfort, she had a good night's sleep.

But from the morning she got up, she sat and waited until evening without receiving a notice, and the second day was the same.

On the third day, she really couldn't sit still. If she kept waiting like this, what would come would be the assignment notice.

Just as she went downstairs to find Li Xuewu in the office area, she happened to run into the secretary named Zhang Enyuan, who was coming upstairs to find her.

"Student Su, are you going out?"

Zhang Enyuan looked up slightly and said: "The Secretary-General asked me to notify you to go over."

"Ah, okay, I can go now."

Su Qing's expression was clearly full of surprise. She also glanced at the secretary's expression a few times, trying to see what the result was, but she couldn't see anything.

Just like that, she followed Secretary Zhang down the stairs. When she went out, she saw that high-end sedan that had taken them to the guesthouse for dinner parked at the door.

"Get in the car. Don't keep the Secretary-General waiting."

Zhang Enyuan's gaze toward her was always distant, but his tone sounded very warm.

Just like that, he helped her open the rear car door and gestured for her to get in.

"Thank you—"

Su Qing, with the mood of facing judgment, got into the car nervously and sat in the back seat.

Secretary Zhang was still in the passenger seat. The two of them had no communication, and just like that, they arrived at the office area in a tense and oppressive atmosphere.

Getting out of the car and walking into the office building, the atmosphere here was like a wall. Su Qing couldn't feel their temperature at all. Watching those office staff who passed by greet Secretary Zhang, they also seemed to be wearing masks.

Masks, hypocritical smiles.

Secretary Zhang was the same, except his mask was more real and looked more genuine.

When Su Qing looked at others, their faces seemed to be covered with a layer of mist, blurry and unclear.

First floor, second floor, third floor—right at the east end of the third-floor corridor was Li Xuewu's office.

Secretary Zhang hadn't explained anything to her the whole time, hadn't introduced anything, and hadn't even said a single superfluous word.

Standing at the door of that office again, it was still Secretary Zhang who knocked on the door and brought her in.

"Secretary-General, Student Su Qing is here."

"Hmm, what time will the comrades from the Design Institute arrive?"

Li Xuewu looked at his watch, looked up at Zhang Enyuan, and asked: "Will they make it in the morning?"

"This isn't certain yet." Zhang Enyuan didn't pay attention to Su Qing, but walked to the side of the desk, bowed slightly, and reported softly: "If the train isn't delayed, they should arrive around 11:00 AM; otherwise, it will be postponed."

"Then let's wait until they arrive."

Li Xuewu put the document in his hand aside, tapped it, and gestured to Zhang Enyuan: "The results given by the Survey Institute aren't ideal; it can only be built to nine stories."

"Then the entire design plan needs to be overturned and redone?" Zhang Enyuan said with slight surprise: "The time wasted will be significant."

"Su Qing, come over and sit."

Li Xuewu pinched his brow, nodded to Zhang Enyuan, and said: "Current technology cannot cope with this situation. This isn't something that can be intervened in by human effort."

"Like this, you contact the construction company first, and the Survey Institute. When the comrades from the Design Institute arrive, let's have a meeting and discuss it together."

He nodded somewhat tiredly, gesturing for Zhang Enyuan to go handle this matter.

Zhang Enyuan received the order, packed up the report, smiled at Su Qing, and then went out of the office.

Neither warm nor cold, with appropriate reserve.

Not to mention the majesty and pressure she felt for the second time coming to Li Xuewu's office, which she had never seen before, just seeing and hearing these people around Li Xuewu made her feel that her coming to Steel City was a lesson.

"Waited anxiously, right?" Li Xuewu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked at Su Qing opposite him: "I heard you didn't rest well last night?"

Su Qing was slightly startled by these words, and then her expression became more panicked. She really didn't expect Li Xuewu to have such great ability that he could know whether she had rested well or not last night.

Was there anything he didn't know?

"You are so busy, yet you can still care about me. I'm truly grateful." She tried hard to calm her mindset and looked ahead: "I'm a bit anxious."

"Hmm, busy is indeed busy, as you just saw." Li Xuewu gestured to the documents on the side: "The group is going to build a guesthouse in the Liangma River Industrial Zone."

"The floor height given by the Design Institute is eleven stories, but the actual data given by the Survey Institute can only support a nine-story building."

He looked into Su Qing's eyes and said: "This is the result of working before investigating. It's twice the effort for half the result, laboring without gain."

Su Qing had high emotional intelligence and seemed to have understood the deep meaning in his words. At this moment, she lowered her head slightly, unable to hide the look of disappointment on her face.

"I've met with engineering experts a few times these past few days, but I still remember your matter."

Li Xuewu changed the subject, took a piece of paper from the drawer, handed it over, and said: "The unit might not be to your liking, but it's the best choice I can make for you."

"Li Ge—" Su Qing suddenly looked up in surprise. She didn't expect Li Xuewu to still be able to help her.

On the official document paper with the red header of the Red Star Steel Group, there was a letter of introduction written by hand.

The letter of introduction had her name and basic information, as well as the recommended unit and the recipient.

The signature at the end was precisely this Secretary-General of the Red Star Steel Group, a big figure she needed to look up to and who was unreachable in her life.

"Li Wenbiao mentioned you to me before he left, saying your situation was a bit difficult."

Li Xuewu said quite bluntly: "He asked me to take care of you when you were in trouble."

"I'm sorry—" Su Qing didn't dare to take the letter of introduction on the table, but lowered her head again.

"Li Wenbiao didn't run away, nor did he have an accident; he has work to do."

Li Xuewu looked at the girl opposite him with a faint expression: "He has his work, and you have your choices. You have every right to choose the life that belongs to you. In this regard, you haven't done anything wrong."

"So there's no need to say sorry."

He reached out and pushed the letter of introduction forward: "I've already instructed the driver. He will take you to the train station. Go back to the guesthouse and pack up in a while, and go back to Beijing today."

"Li Ge, I—"

Su Qing looked up with red eyes. Tears were welling up in her eyes, and her voice was trembling.

Li Xuewu nodded with understanding: "Work hard. Some things just have to be looked forward to."

"Hmm, thank you—"

Su Qing stood up and bowed deeply, saying with a choked voice: "No one is willing, and no one can help me. I thank you—"

Li Xuewu didn't say anything more, just looked at her. This was a strong girl.

Zhang Enyuan appeared at the door, looking over with an inquiring gaze, waiting for Li Xuewu's instructions.

"Li Ge, I'm going back. Goodbye."

Su Qing carefully put away the letter of introduction, bowed to Li Xuewu again, and then wiped her tears as she went out of the office and went downstairs with Zhang Enyuan.

Downstairs, the car that had just sent her here was still waiting there, and the driver was smoking in front of the car.

Completely different from the mood when she went upstairs, Su Qing, who had received the letter of introduction, suddenly seemed to see the sky, and the world in front of her had color.

She could now see the expressions of the office staff whose faces were covered with a layer of mist when she came, and they weren't all hypocritical smiles.

Looking at Secretary Zhang's expression again, it wasn't wearing a high-level mask, but instead had a bit more sincerity. There was such a difference before and after, and the difference was so great—perhaps it wasn't that the other party was hypocritical, but that her own world wasn't sincere enough.

Looking at the driver standing in front of the car again, she found that the man's gaze was somewhat evasive, as if he was peeking at her but didn't want to be seen. This made her even more suspicious. After looking carefully, she felt she had seen the two of them somewhere before.

"Little Yu will send you back to the guesthouse. The Secretary-General has already prepared the train ticket back to Beijing for you."

Zhang Enyuan handed a train ticket to Su Qing very thoughtfully and said with a smile: "I have work, so I can't send you to the train station."

"Thank you, Secretary Zhang." Su Qing looked at the train ticket in her hand—it was actually a hard sleeper.

In this era, where would she have the qualifications to take a hard sleeper? When she came, she sat on a hard wooden bench the whole way.

Li Ge's arrangement was because he saw her disheveled state when she came the day before yesterday; it was a meticulous concern.

At this moment, her expression added a bit more guilt and self-blame, and her heart was filled with a bit more gratitude and being moved.

"Goodbye, Student Su Qing."

"Goodbye, Secretary Zhang."

Su Qing got into the car. Watching Secretary Zhang's figure recede and disappear outside the car window, she finally had time to sort out her emotions and look at that letter of introduction.

The content of the letter of introduction was actually quite personal, more like a recommendation letter. From the title in the first line, she could guess which unit Li Ge was recommending her to.

She certainly recognized the name Li Ge signed at the end, but she didn't recognize the name Xie Lan Zhi in the first line. However, she recognized the word "President" following this name.

The letter had already mentioned introducing her to apply for a position at the Red Star United Savings Bank. This was a surprise she hadn't even dared to think about before. As for what Li Ge said about it possibly not being to her liking, she only felt extremely satisfied.

"The guesthouse is here. You go up and pack your luggage; I'll wait for you here."

The car stopped, and the driver said without turning his head: "Please be quick; it's the morning train."

"Have we met somewhere before?"

Su Qing put away the letter of introduction. Just as she was about to get out of the car, she suddenly thought of something, widened her eyes, and looked back at the driver in front: "Are you Yu Zhe?"

The Red Star Steel Group was indeed going to build a guesthouse in the Liangma River Industrial Zone, but it wasn't the 11-story building previously announced, but changed to 9 stories.

This change couldn't dispel the attention and expectations previously aroused by the media. All parties in Beijing were still staring at whether the tallest building in the country could be approved.

Just as the Red Star Steel Group announced the location and plan for the Red Star Guesthouse, a piece of news exploded in the architectural and journalistic circles.

The Red Star Steel Group officially launched further cooperation discussions and negotiations with the Santa Ya Group under the framework agreement. No one knew the content and core of the negotiations, but both sides had already formed a designer team.

Furthermore, someone mentioned that the Red Star United Construction Engineering General Company Survey Institute was conducting site surveys near the Red Star International Hotel.

These two pieces of news happened one after another, and together, they pushed public opinion to the highest point. Even news like the Red Star Steel Group's upcoming construction of a high-standard guesthouse and modern cadre residential area in the Liangma River Ecological Industrial Zone was ignored by everyone.

"Li Huai, you can really hold it in!"

As soon as this news hit the papers, Director Du's call reached Li Huai's office.

"Last time I asked you, you told me there was no such thing. What's going on now?"

"Director Du, these are two different things."

Li Huai held the phone and smiled reservedly: "We are tearing down the old to build the new."

"Don't give me that nonsense." Director Du laughed and scolded on the phone: "Li Huai, just tell me the truth—whose idea was this tallest building in the country?"

"That depends on your attitude."

Li Huai could clearly hear that Director Du's tone was good, and his mood was also good, so he started joking.

He said with a chuckle: "If you think this idea is very good, then it's something our group's management committee thought of by pooling everyone's wisdom."

"You Li Huai, you're burying landmines here with me—" Director Du laughed twice, then asked seriously: "Are you really going to build a big building?"

"You've already helped me blow the cow up to the sky; even if I don't want to build it, I have to." Li Huai said quite aggrievedly on the phone: "If this big building can't be built, wouldn't it be a slap in the face to you, Director Du?"

"Get lost. Is my face that valuable?" Director Du laughed and scolded: "You Li Huai are really something now, daring to invest 10 million."

"Hey, this was also just a coincidence."

Li Huai said with feigned helplessness: "It was the Santa Ya Group that came knocking, giving technology and loans. We couldn't just watch the opportunity right in front of us and let it slip away, right?"

"Actually, we didn't have this plan, let alone this preparation. It was purely an opportunity."

"So you're still a bit reluctant?"

Director Du said meaningfully: "I say Li Huai, if you are in a difficult position, why not give this opportunity to other brother units."

"Okay! No problem—"

Li Huai agreed with his neck held high and said quite simply: "I'll listen to you."

"You've known me, Old Li, for so many years. When have I not been dedicated to the public, open and aboveboard? What's yours or mine—it's all the organization's."

He said very actively: "Just tell me who to give this project to. I'll instruct the project team now, and we can handle the handover procedures this afternoon."

"Wow, this is really the first time I've known you, Li Huai, could be so generous."

Director Du laughed softly: "Do you have confidence that this project won't run away, or did you get the diamond drill and aren't afraid of not having the porcelain work?"

"Look at what you're saying—"

Li Huai understood the meaning in Director Du's words in an instant and said with a chuckle: "When have I, Old Li, ever lacked a diamond drill."

"Another thing, this project found us itself. I didn't force the other party."

He said quite proudly: "Perhaps it's because the other party values our group's development potential and strength. Who knows?"

"Okay, as long as you can blow it, it's fine."

Director Du said as if joking with someone, then turned back to instruct Li Huai on the phone: "I didn't help you blow this cow, but this cow is already flying all over the sky."

"You Li Huai are also a person who wants face. Don't smash the sign of the first tallest building in your hands."

He emphasized with a very serious tone: "Second, whether it's commercial cooperation or trade exchanges, I heard the other party is a beautiful female president."

"You Li Huai must tighten your nerves. You must not make mistakes in key positions."

"Don't worry about that. My character, Li Huai, is obvious to all and has a good reputation."

Li Huai guaranteed to Director Du on the phone shamelessly: "Regarding any project of the group, from funds to management, it's all handled by professional project teams. Our management committee won't give random orders."

"As for the identity and beauty of the other party you just mentioned, we have also made preparations for this."

He specifically explained: "All foreign reception work of the group is arranged by the Foreign Affairs Office. Even I, the director of the management committee, have to listen to their arrangements."

"Good, I'm still very reassured by your work." Director Du said with a serious tone: "Your group's development today didn't come easily. I hope you, the squad leader, will lead the soldiers well and do good things."

"Yes, please rest assured, Director Du."

Li Huai responded loudly: "I will definitely lead the soldiers well, do good things, and not live up to the organization's expectations!"

That's what he said, but after hanging up the phone, he immediately called Steel City.

This project was ultimately negotiated by Li Xuewu with the Santa Ya Group. If there was anything critical, he still had to confirm it from Li Xuewu.

He and Li Xuewu had a very clear division of responsibilities in business management: Li Xuewu was responsible for grasping the details, he was responsible for blowing the cow, and professional matters were left to professional people.

Since he took the position of director of the management committee, it wasn't that he hadn't thought about "self-reliance and arduous struggle." He wanted to cultivate more young people, reduce dependence on Li Xuewu, and even decide projects himself.

However, it was fine to fail once or twice, but he had failed several projects in a row. Especially those people he trusted just couldn't be helped up, which also made him disappointed in his future control of business management rights.

How could he not be disappointed? He had picked and chosen in the group for three or four years, and hadn't seen a young person with Li Xuewu's talent worth his promotion and cultivation.

If it were said that good generals were hard to find, it would be understandable. But after several years of personnel and organizational reforms, there should have been a few good seeds, right?

No use, not a single one could fight.

It wasn't that Old Li was picky; he really only compared these young people in his hands to half of Li Xuewu.

Just half of Li Xuewu—these young people didn't even pass. Look at those articles they wrote—oh my!

Someone in the group discussed privately that the quality of his speeches fluctuated wildly; usually, they were like plain water, and only at key meetings were they unique.

Isn't that nonsense? Only at important meetings were his speech drafts prepared by Li Xuewu.

Usually? Usually, they were prepared by the office, of course. Li Xuewu was the Secretary-General, not his secretary.

"I tell you, I've already blown the cow, and I've also stood firm with Director Du."

Li Huai said to Li Xuewu on the phone: "How much confidence do you have in this project?"

"Before you called, I only had 30% confidence. After all, it's a big project that doesn't exist in the country."

Li Xuewu was also good at chatting. Hearing the rapid breathing of Old Li on the other end, he changed the subject and said with a chuckle: "But hearing that Director Du took the initiative to care about our project, then I have at least 70% confidence now."

"Why only 70%—"

Li Huai still felt dissatisfied and asked on the phone: "What else are you worried about?"

"Also, this Director Du took the initiative to care about us, and that's only worth 40% confidence?"

"That's for sure." Li Xuewu said affirmatively: "Director Du being able to take the initiative to care about us shows that those above have already paid attention to this news."

"Whether we can build the tallest building in the country on the original site of the International Hotel doesn't depend on geology and funds, nor on design and engineering, but on those above."

He reminded Old Li very cautiously: "If those above don't allow such a tall building to be built, then we can only build the tallest building in Beijing."

"So that's what you were worried about."

Old Li suddenly realized: "No wonder you didn't let the propaganda department exert force before, but instead let the news spread. It was out of consideration for this aspect."

"It's better to be cautious." Li Xuewu thought for a moment and responded: "After all, it's a domestic-foreign cooperation project, which is equivalent to a signboard for the group."

"Hmm, what you said makes sense."

Li Huai nodded thoughtfully and said: "Then in the next negotiation stage, you are also going to borrow this invisible pressure from those above?"

"You're right." Li Xuewu smiled and said: "I won't participate in this negotiation. Let's talk slowly, watch the reaction from above, and let the Santa Ya Group see the reaction from above. It will be easier to talk."

"Hmm, you are professional in this aspect."

Li Huai said this with conviction. When it came to foreign cooperation and negotiation, Li Xuewu had never lost, just like he was never cow-blowing at the dinner table.

"But you still have to keep an eye on the procedures and progress." He emphasized: "Deputy Director Gao has just taken over economic work, after all, and she isn't familiar with many businesses."

This was a bit heart-piercing. Piercing whose heart? Of course, Gao Yaqin's.

It was already May, and Gao Yaqin had been in the group for a year, yet he still said she wasn't familiar with business work.

Just let Li Xuewu work more and worry more; why pull each other down?

Old Li is getting worse and worse! No wonder his name is Li Huai (Bad) De.

*Dong dong—*

The office door was knocked. Li Xuewu looked up and saw Wang Yajuan standing at the door.

"Come in." He raised his eyebrows and said to Wang Yajuan, who walked in: "I thought you were going to hide for three years and never come to see me again."

"I haven't done anything guilty, why should I hide from you?" Wang Yajuan handed over a document: "I want to ask for leave to return to Beijing."

"What for? Had enough of Steel City?"

Li Xuewu smiled, took the document, and said: "If you want to ask for leave, just tell the supervisor. Why ask me?"

"Our supervisor is in Beijing now. I'd like to ask him for leave, actually."

Wang Yajuan tilted her head and looked at him: "But I'm afraid the Discipline Inspection Commission won't let me see him."

This made sense. The Propaganda Section belonged to the Organizational Work Management Office and was previously supervised by Deputy Factory Director Yin Zhongyao. Now, the new member of the leadership team hadn't arrived yet.

"You should have come earlier; I could have nagged Director Li. This Deputy Factory Director position can't be left vacant forever."

Li Xuewu said while looking at her leave application, and asked: "What are you going back for?"

"Personal matter, personal leave, seven days."

Wang Yajuan curled her lips, turned her head to look out the window, and explained with just those three words.

Li Xuewu picked up his fountain pen with amusement, wrote "Approved" on the application, pushed it back, and said: "Okay, seven days is seven days. You don't even have to come back."

"Are you hoping I won't come back?"

Wang Yajuan picked up the leave application on the table and looked at it. She still couldn't help but appreciate his calligraphy.

This person had this talent back in high school, but he never used it seriously.

Any calligraphy competition organized by the school, he was too lazy to participate. Even if she forced or coaxed him, it wouldn't work.

He had only one reason: if he participated, he would definitely win, and he couldn't stand being like a fool on the podium with a big red flower, being watched by classmates.

After he had been a soldier for so many years, she almost didn't recognize his handwriting anymore. It was only in the past few years that they had been working together that she had become familiar with it again.

"I'm hoping you work well and live well." Li Xuewu picked up the document on the table and babbled: "If you like Beijing, go back. If you like Steel City, come back. It's that simple."

Wang Yajuan's lips moved. It was hard to hear him say anything else, but she was still somewhat unwilling.

"It's Yamei who is pregnant, my mom asked me to go back." She explained after all.

"Is that so? That's a good thing." Li Xuewu looked up and asked: "Just found out?"

"Why are you so surprised and happy?" Wang Yamei glared at him sensitively: "Why are you asking so clearly?"

"Am I a bad guy in your mind?" Li Xuewu looked at her with amusement and helplessness: "Even caring about Wang Yamei, you have to be nervous?"

"Who's nervous—" Wang Yajuan looked at him and said: "You know very well what kind of image you have in my mind; I really don't need to introduce it."

"Okay, okay, okay, whatever you say." Li Xuewu smiled, took ten yuan from his pocket, pushed it over, and said: "For Wang Yamei."

"For her? Why?" Wang Yajuan frowned and looked at the ten yuan on the table.

"Why so many whys?"

Li Xuewu looked at her and said: "I won't buy her anything from Steel City from thousands of miles away. Give her the money to buy some nutritional supplements to nourish her body and have a good baby."

"What are you suspecting?"

He raised his eyebrows with amusement: "What other purpose could I have for giving her money?"

"You know what purpose you have."

Although Wang Yajuan said so, she still accepted the ten yuan Li Xuewu handed over.

A ten-yuan bill—this was rare in this era, and it was very respectable to take it out.

Why did she care? Because in this era, ordinary people didn't give such large bills for gifts.

Even if it was to nourish her own sister's body, there was no need for him to give such a large bill.

"Hmm, hmm, just believe that we are innocent. Pazile is still my brother."

Li Xuewu smiled and said: "Yamei just regrets not being my sister-in-law. I like this younger sister very much, so don't let your imagination run wild."

"Who's letting their imagination run wild—"

Wang Yajuan just retorted, but then reacted and stared: "Who regrets not being your... You're the one letting your imagination run wild."

False words weren't hard to say, but only facts were hard to speak. She couldn't say that sentence.

Li Xuewu waved his hand: "Okay, I'll count it as my imagination running wild. Go early and come back early. Don't forget to bring my best wishes and wish her a good baby."

Wang Yajuan stood there and looked at him for a long time before she wiped her eyes and said "You are so hypocritical," then turned and walked out of his office.

Li Xuewu looked at her angry back with a mix of annoyance and amusement, helpless: "I'm hypocritical?"

It was forgivable not to be able to attend the school report performance, but it would be a bit unreasonable if he missed the June 1st Children's Day too.

If Li Shu, the young lady, was unhappy, she wouldn't even answer the phone, and wouldn't talk to her father even if she cried.

So no matter how busy Li Xuewu was with work, he had to move his return to Beijing to around Children's Day.

He had a vacation to return to Beijing to visit relatives every month; this was a right granted by the group company.

Furthermore, he had to return to Beijing every month to attend important leadership team meetings; this was also an opportunity to return to Beijing.

In the first few months of working in Steel City, he had to straighten out his work, so he returned less. But now that his work was gradually on the right track, he could finally relax a little.

So when he saw his daughter and son running over happily, he secretly decided in his heart that he would go home often in the future.

Work would never be finished, but children would grow up in the blink of an eye. There would be no more opportunities to make up for their longing for their father and his companionship during their childhood.

"Daddy—"

Li Shu was very good at acting. She let her father pick her and her younger brother up, wrapped her arms around her father's neck, and gave him a MUA on his face.

Li Ning learned everything from his sister, especially learning to be obedient. At this moment, he also gave a MUA on the other side.

Li Xuewu was full of joy, holding his son in one hand and his daughter in the other, and walked into the house with a smile.

Er Ya stood at the door, wiping her apron and explaining with a smile: "They ran out as soon as they heard the car."

"Did they hear Daddy was back?"

Li Xuewu looked at his daughter with a smile and asked: "How did you know?"

"My brother and I were watching you from the second floor." Li Shu explained with a smile: "Mom said you were coming back today."

"Then are you happy that Daddy is back?" Li Xuewu asked his son with a smile.

Li Ning nodded very seriously and said: "I'm even happier than my sister."

"Little sycophant—" Li Shu pouted and scraped her finger on her face, mocking her brother for being shameful.

Li Ning was unmoved; he compared himself to his sister in everything anyway. His sister was the ruler for his actions.

Er Ya was afraid he would be tired and wanted to take one, but neither of the two siblings was willing to come down from him.

"It's okay, I'm not tired."

Li Xuewu carried the two siblings into the foyer and said: "My daughter and son aren't heavy at all."

"Hee hee—" Li Shu giggled and said: "Second Aunt can't even hold my brother anymore."

"I don't need Second Aunt to hold me—" Li Ning's mouth didn't let up, "Only my sister lets Second Aunt hold her."

"My sister also cried shamefully!"

He looked at his father and complained: "Second Aunt coaxed her, and then she wanted to be held."

"Is that so—" Li Xuewu looked at his daughter again and asked: "Why did you cry?"

"I didn't—" Li Shu looked at her brother stubbornly and said: "I didn't cry!"

"Okay, okay, you didn't cry, Daddy is about to cry." Li Xuewu tried hard to tilt his head; his ears really couldn't stand his daughter's loud voice.

But it was useless no matter which side he tilted to, because there was his son's loud voice on the other side.

Longing for children when away from home, headache when returning home.

Er Ya had long known they would be like this, so seeing Li Xuewu's bitter smile, she also covered her mouth and giggled.

"Secretary-General, you're back."

Walking into the living room, he found that Li Shu's tutor, Xiao Xiao, was also there, as well as Zhao Yaping, who had just finished school.

"Second Brother..."

Zhao Yaping had seen him fewer times in the past two years and wasn't as lively as when she was a child. This "Second Brother" was called somewhat nervously.

Li Xuewu smiled, nodded in response to their greetings, and gestured behind him. Han Jiankun carried a box in; it was something he had brought back from Steel City.

Knowing Li Xuewu was returning to Beijing today, Han Jiankun made special arrangements and went to the station to pick him up personally.

Li Xuewu was a person of great principle; he didn't take a penny of public money, nor did he fill a penny of public money.

But he wouldn't act high and mighty about the treatment he should enjoy. Doing so would only increase the jokes and make people dislike him.

He handled things according to normal rules. The red line was the red line; inside the red line wasn't a violation, and outside the red line was strictly prohibited.

He was the red line now, and every word and action was a benchmark. Being too high and mighty would only get him scolded.

It was good to be regular and orderly like this. He could clearly enjoy the standard of using a car, so he definitely wouldn't ride a bicycle back, and he wouldn't use Shen Guodong to pick him up.

He could return to Beijing without a secretary, but his itinerary had to be transparent to the group, because he was selfless and open-minded. This was called walking straight and walking upright.

"Since Xiao Xiao is here, wait a moment, Jiankun, you all divide it up, just leave me some."

He put Li Shu and Li Ning on the sofa and said to the few people standing in the living room: "These are a few specialties from Steel City. Everyone take some back to taste."

"How embarrassing."

Xiao Xiao stood by the sofa and said cautiously: "I already took your specialties once last time."

"You took them last time, so don't be polite this time. Everyone gets a share." Li Xuewu smiled, reached out and touched his daughter's little head, and asked: "Has Li Shu been good? Have you been studying hard?"

"Yes—I've been very good!"

Li Shu stood on the sofa, still feeling she was too short, stood on tiptoe, and said loudly: "The teacher even praised me—"

"Is that so? The teacher praised you?"

Li Xuewu expressed surprise and joy at the right time, and then looked at Xiao Xiao with feigned suspicion.

Xiao Xiao naturally understood what the Secretary-General meant. In Li Shu's nervous and expectant gaze, she smiled and nodded: "Li Shu has been very good, and she has been studying very hard."

Seeing Teacher Xiao Xiao say this, Li Shu finally felt relieved, looking at her father with a "See?" expression, waiting for her father to praise her a few more times.

Li Xuewu naturally didn't skimp on praise for his daughter's growth. He wouldn't use a lecturing tone to dampen his daughter's spirits; suppressive education had no benefits.

"Secretary-General, then I won't be polite."

Han Jiankun moved all the things into the house, opened the box with a smile, and said: "Jingru likes to eat the fruit you bring back from Steel City, saying it doesn't taste the same as the ones in Beijing, so I'll pack some of this to take back."

"Take more, and take more of those mushrooms too."

Li Xuewu waved his hand: "I heard your sister Ning say so when I came back last time. Since she likes to eat them, I bought more this time, especially for you to bring."

"Then thank you very much—"

Han Jiankun changed his position and became much more cheerful after having a daughter; his words also increased.

At this moment, he used the box Er Ya gave him to pack some mushrooms and fruit, and then picked some grapes at Li Xuewu's gesture, and that was it.

Li Xuewu asked him to send them home first and bring Qin Jingru and the child back for dinner, but Han Jiankun explained that the mother and child had returned to the countryside and he would pick them up tomorrow.

After Qin Jingru had a child, she ultimately reconciled with her father and reconciled with her original family.

There is no such proposition as "original family" in this world; this is a postmodern pseudo-proposition.

According to traditional concepts, children not recognizing their parents and actively distancing themselves from relationships—where does this concept come from?

There is a saying: "A child doesn't dislike the mother's ugliness, and a dog doesn't dislike the family's poverty." What kind of ghost is "original family"?

Han Jiankun's initiative also gave Xiao Xiao some courage. With his help, she also divided some specialties.

Even so, she still felt a bit embarrassed. She had already taken the salary given by the Secretary-General, and every time the Secretary-General came back, he divided things among them.

She worked as a tutor in the Secretary-General's house. It was called tutoring, but it was actually a fuse arranged by the Secretary-General in the house, worrying that something would happen when he wasn't home and there would be no emergency response.

Having her come to the house often could, on one hand, teach Li Shu correct literary and cultural knowledge, and on the other hand, prevent those with ulterior motives from peeking.

There wasn't just one fuse in this house, which showed the degree of the Secretary-General's concern for his family.

Dinner was naturally very lively. Han Jiankun stayed for dinner at Li Xuewu's request.

Li Xuewu meant that it was late, so he asked him to send Xiao Xiao home to save her from being unsafe on the road.

The two little ones got the delicious food their father brought back, as well as a box full of fun things, and there were so many people eating together at home. The laughter naturally covered the noise of the insects outside the window.

Gu Ning looked at them laughing, and the smile on her face increased a bit, and she even talked about family matters with Li Xuewu.

This was a change Li Xuewu only discovered this year. He didn't emphasize it deliberately, but he was willing to cultivate this change in Gu Ning, even if it was nagging.

Children would eventually grow up, and old couples were the eternal companionship and concern. ===== CHAPTER 1423 =====

Children will eventually grow up; an old married couple is the only eternal companionship and concern.