Chapter 1483: Longevity

"Going to East Germany? Where is East Germany?"

Hearing her son mention his recent schedule, Liu Yin froze, "In the east?"

"In the west." Li Li Xuewu explained with a light smile, "It's the former German state, now split into two: East Germany and West Germany."

"Why go so far?"

Liu Yin put down the half-made dumplings, walked to the inner room door, and asked her son inside, "Taking a ship? Won't it take until the Year of the Monkey to get there?"

"Mom—what era is this!"

Li Xue laughed, raised her head, and explained to her mother, "Second Brother is flying there with other group leaders."

"A plane? How long will the flight take?"

Liu Yin grew anxious, rubbing the white flour in her hands as she looked at her son, "Won't there be any danger?"

Actually, she didn't care whether Germany was in the east or the west; she was worried about her son's safety on this trip.

Li Li Xuewu nodded with a smile, comforting his mother, "It's not just me; over sixty people from the entire industrial system are going."

The reason Old Li felt insecure this time, afraid of showing ignorance abroad, was precisely because there were so many people.

Think about it: a vice-general manager leads the delegation, and the lowest rank accompanying the group must be a deputy head of an enterprise, and a key deputy at that.

Li Huai De could only put Li Li Xuewu's name forward by citing his past work achievements and the influence of the industrial enterprise cluster he manages in Liaodong.

Quotas in the industrial system are limited; the quota for the First Machinery Ministry is even smaller, usually just one.

Why is Hongxing Steel Group so special?

There are many reasons. First, although Hongxing Steel Group's strength does not yet hold absolute advantage, the scale of industries involved is very considerable, with full development potential.

Second, even after cutting nearly 30,000 employees, the group's total workforce still counts as a super-large enterprise within the entire industrial system.

Finally, the group's foreign import-export and technical cooperation are highly representative; the superiors also hope this visit will achieve a series of tangible and substantial cooperations.

When selecting industrial representatives, the superiors first look at development potential, then production scale and business scope, and only lastly at the qualifications and capabilities of the person in charge.

If it were truly about qualifications and capabilities, Old Li might rank beyond the hundredth spot, but who else meets the prerequisite of understanding management and delivering results?

Hongxing Steel Group has its own industrial enterprise cluster, forming a closed management operation of the upstream and downstream industrial chains for heavy industry and mixed heavy-light industry.

Especially in typical heavy industry sectors such as automobiles, electronics, aircraft, ships, and steel, it has created excellent achievements.

In foreign cooperation and trade work, it established a joint savings bank, founded an international affairs department, and opened channels connecting to the international trade market.

This unique industrial advantage belongs to the top and special category within both the industry and the system.

With so many BUFFs stacked, who in the entire system could compete with Hongxing Steel Group?

Let alone Li Huai De bringing an extra deputy; even if he brought two, the superiors wouldn't say anything.

The actual goals and political significance of this trip to East Germany are extraordinary; if actual cooperation is achieved, it will have a decisive impact on opening the international market for the mainland.

Other enterprises have been disconnected from the international market for a long time; this time going out, they might not necessarily find opportunities for cooperation.

But Hongxing Steel Group is different; it already has a foundation in foreign trade. This time joining the delegation to discuss cooperation with policy backing, it is absolutely like a tiger adding wings.

If Hongxing Steel Group can truly facilitate cooperation with some heavy and light industrial enterprises in East Germany, the superiors can completely expand the operational policy conditions for Hongxing Steel Group, granting and relaxing constraints and restrictions.

Since Hongxing Steel Group has already been chosen as a pilot enterprise for the market economy, more development conditions should be given to promote further enterprise reform.

Li Huai De only understood the purpose and significance of this trip after hearing Director Du's explanation.

What business does Hongxing Steel Group have that can serve as capital for cooperative operation?

Or consider from another angle: what is there in East Germany worth Hongxing Steel Group learning from and cooperating with?

This question is not just homework left for Li Li Xuewu; the working group organizing and participating in this mission is also thinking and compiling data.

It seems Hongxing Steel Group's participation in this mission is led by General Manager Li Huai De, accompanied by Secretary-General Li Li Xuewu and relevant economic cadres, but actually?

Before Li Li Xuewu even knew this news, Li Huai De had already authorized Chief Economist Gao Gao Yaqin, Chief Accountant Xiang Xiang Jingyu, and Chief Engineer Xue Xue Zhifu to jointly form a working group to prepare and plan.

Don't think Li Li Xuewu knows everything; he knows very little about East Germany at this time, only that East and West Germany reunited in 1990.

He remembered this while studying and researching the historical lessons of the North Mao dissolution and peaceful evolution.

Whose brain can remember all historical events? Even a top history student cannot memorize all disciplines such as society, economy, politics, medicine, and so on.

Not knowing does not mean unable to know; domestic closure is only relative. Even if Li Li Xuewu doesn't know, aren't there upper-level channels and foreign enterprise channels?

When Li Li Xuewu left the group, he had already spoken on the phone with Santa Ya Group, Sanhe Kabushiki Kaisha, and Catherine from Jili Xing Shipbuilding.

Very simply, he stated his purpose directly: he wanted all data on East Germany at this time.

Someone asked: Hongxing Steel Group already has contact with these three foreign enterprises that started cooperation long ago; why wait for him to return to make contact?

Very simply: the group had already sent a request letter to all relevant units regarding the relevant demands, but this letter was sent to the counterpart units, not the main responsible persons.

But Li Li Xuewu is different; he directly contacted the counterpart's president, supervisor, or general manager by phone.

Long ago, when Li Li Xuewu was responsible for foreign economic contacts, these three enterprises were his relationship contacts.

This time, the group also sent a message to the Hong Kong office, asking comrades from the International Affairs Department to collect information.

The information sent by the working group mainly targets East Germany's industrial development status, enterprise directory, and development scale; more importantly, product markets and technical advantages.

Besides asking these, what else did Li Li Xuewu ask?

He wanted to ask about East Germany's overall economic and social development status; knowing their products and technology is not everything; negotiations require combining actual conditions to make moves.

Today he naturally had no time to consider this; after discussing the working group's details in detail with Old Li and making phone calls to the related foreign enterprises, he went home.

The old lady is celebrating her sixtieth birthday; no matter how busy he is, he must go home to fulfill his filial duty; one only gets this once in a lifetime.

Besides, Third Uncle Li Tong happened to come to Jingcheng; he couldn't wait until evening to go home; that would be too inhumane.

If it were up to the old lady's wishes, she wouldn't celebrate not only her sixtieth birthday, but not even her sixty-sixth or eighty-eighth.

No birthday celebration, no gifts; the old lady is that absolute. She said celebrating a birthday is equivalent to shortening one's life; she wants to live a few more years to see her children and grandchildren grow up and become adults.

Li Shun is the head of the family; naturally, he must listen to his mother's opinion, but he must also consider the elderly.

The old lady has three sons; due to various reasons, they are truly scattered across Tiannanhaibei, and they might not even see each other once a year.

Even his own children and grandchildren—this must be said, it is thanks to the second son's capability that all brothers and sisters are gathered in Jingcheng; otherwise, he too would have to endure the sorrow of separation and longing for loved ones.

But the peculiar thing was that the second son, Li Li Xuewu, did not work in Jingcheng, returning only two or three times a month.

Which grandchild did the Old Lady care about the most?

It was not a matter of who lived far or near; those she could see often did not evoke such longing and concern, whereas the less she saw someone, and the harder they were to meet, the more she missed them.

Li Li Xuewu's third uncle, Li Tong, returned the least often, as his duties in the army left him no choice.

This year for Li Li Xuewu, the first half was busy with work and the second half exhausting; even when he returned, he could only sit with the Old Lady for a while, exchanging but a few words.

The Old Lady missed this second grandson; though she would not host a formal banquet or accept gifts, there was no harm in the family gathering together for some liveliness.

Li Shun had only discussed this with the Old Lady at the request of his sons.

Last year, for the sixtieth birthday of his father-in-law, Li Li Xuewu's maternal grandfather, the family had celebrated with similar festivity.

Since Hearing Da Lao had set the precedent, the Old Lady no longer insisted, merely emphasizing that no gifts from outsiders should be accepted.

On this point, both Li Li Xuewu and his father agreed with the Old Lady's opinion, concurring with the principle of not making a grand spectacle of a birthday celebration.

Harmony within the family brings prosperity to all endeavors; one must still focus on living one's own life well.

Although no gifts were to be accepted and only family invited to dine, one could not entirely prevent visits from relatives and old friends.

Having long anticipated the Old Lady's milestone birthday, Li Li Xuewu's godmother had brought gifts to visit her a few days prior.

Neither Li Shun nor his sons were home at the time; Liu Yin wished to refuse, yet how could she reject Wang Wang Shuhua's kind intentions?

The relationship between the two families was already close, especially since Li Li Xuewu's return, as he truly regarded his godmother as his own mother.

During festivals and holidays, Li Li Xuewu would visit their home; on ordinary days when work kept him from returning, Shen Shen Guodong would certainly go in his stead to pay respects.

Usually, they accepted whatever Wang Wang Shuhua brought when she visited, so how could they claim to refuse her gifts this time when she came to see the Old Lady?

Since Wang Wang Shuhua had come, Shen Shen Guodong, being at home, was inevitably bound to come and kowtow to the Old Lady.

This was no outsider; this was his god-grandmother.

He and Li Li Xuewu were sworn brothers, brothers who had kowtowed to each other; he called Li Shun and Liu Yin his god-father and god-mother, and while he usually addressed the Old Lady as "Old Lady," he also called her "Grandmother."

When Shen Shen Guodong came to kowtow, Fei Fei Shanying, a generation senior to him, also came to visit, carrying a child and bringing gifts.

There was no escaping it; Li Li Xuewu, along with Li Li Wenbiao, called Wen San'er "Uncle," and although they shared no blood relation, indeed having a connection so distant it seemed unrelated, the title had been given.

Nowadays, the few brothers surrounding Li Li Xuewu had all fought together to build their world; their bond was no different from that of biological brothers, so calling Wen San'er "Uncle" was genuinely affectionate.

Conversely, Wen San'er was also close to Li Shun and the Old Lady, just as Fei Fei Shanying was.

The gifts brought by these people could not be refused, given their ties of kinship and friendship, but what about neighbors?

Those could be refused, yet how could one refuse Seeing Sha Zhu and Yu Li when they came to visit the Old Lady?

Shen Shen Guodong and the others were sworn brothers with Li Li Xuewu, and Seeing Sha Zhu was no less close to Li Li Xuewu; upon meeting, they would surely drink together.

As for Yu Li, needless to say, the Old Lady had once protected her, and the two of them usually got along wonderfully.

Of course, these people did not bring gifts solely for Li Li Xuewu or the Li family; they sincerely came to visit the Old Lady.

Therefore, when Li Shun and Li Li Xuewu decided to organize a gathering for everyone to eat together, they sent notices to all of them.

It was not a formal banquet, but the spread was certainly impressive, and Seeing Sha Zhu, acting not as a guest but as the host, personally took charge of the cooking.

The event was held in the southern-facing room, specifically in the more spacious western chamber.

Nowadays, with the recycling station's storage operations transferred to the large warehouse, no tricycles were parked here anymore.

Business had not ceased entirely; it now dealt only with retail, meaning neighbors coming to sell their scrap.

Usually, the place served primarily as a workshop, where Hearing Da Lao engaged in woodworking.

The Ye Ye Erye returned less frequently now, and whenever he did, he was either reconciling accounts or organizing the antiques accumulated in the warehouse.

Although the frenzy of those few months years ago had never recurred, the Ye Ye Erye had never abandoned his collection of antiques.

Once a warehouse was filled, Li Li Xuewu would find time to quietly take the items away without a sound.

The Ye Ye Erye came to appraise and maintain these antiques, attaching appraisal labels before properly sealing them for storage.

Li Li Xuewu already possessed sufficient antique resources to establish a museum; knowing the Ye Ye Erye's fondness for these old objects, he had always provided him with unlimited funds.

The Ye Ye Erye had no children, so Li Li Xuewu did not fear him hiding anything for himself; even regarding the Thirteen Bodyguards, whom the Ye Ye Erye cherished, he would not use these items to invite trouble upon them.

The young ones did not like such things either; they failed to recognize the value of jade and emeralds, while gold and silver were too conspicuous.

Li Li Xuewu was generous, allowing the Ye Ye Erye to select whatever he liked to keep as a gift from him.

The Ye Ye Erye did not care much; he had long seen through such matters, knowing that although these objects were keepsakes, one brings nothing at birth and takes nothing at death; even if he kept them, he would merely hold and play with them in his hands, never hiding them away to feed the rats.

Since the large warehouse was activated, Li Li Xuewu could clearly feel that the recycling station had become quiet upon his return.

Gone were the laughter and clamor of the young men, and gone was the bustle of morning departures and evening returns; even the southern-facing room stood empty, with only Hearing Da Lao residing there.

Sometimes, when someone could not find lodging elsewhere, they would come here to make do for a night, a thing Seeing Sha Zhu frequently did.

Having drunk too much and fearing a scolding at home, he would use the excuse of chatting with Hearing Da Lao to spend the night there.

Diliya knew his character well and did not mind as long as he did not sleep outside.

Seeing Sha Zhu indeed kept a set of bedding in the southern-facing room, usually folded atop the cabinet.

Li Li Xuewu also knew that Hearing Da Lao had felt lonely these past two years, no longer as happy as in previous years when the house was crowded and lively.

Yet there was no help for it; he had told Hearing Da Lao that he would support him in his old age, whether by having him live in their home or by taking him to Gangcheng.

Knowing Hearing Da Lao's temperament, living at his son-in-law's home was already exceedingly difficult; if Li Li Xuewu were still as penniless and devoid of everything as he was upon his return years ago, Hearing Da Lao would have accepted it.

As his own daughter's son, and having no descendants of his own, was he not obliged to look after the child?

But Li Li Xuewu had given him no such opportunity; now that life was improving day by day, he instead did not wish to live with Li Li Xuewu.

Was it not much more relaxing to stay with his own daughter than to live in the home of a grandchild's generation?

Furthermore, Li Li Xuewu was not a single man; how could the living habits of a wife and children be the same?

He was simply earning a livelihood, picking up his tools once again to study furniture.

Nowadays, the designs for the furniture factory that Shen Shen Guodong and Huang Gan were operating were all provided by Hearing Da Lao; they were both beautiful and practical.

Accustomed to usual quietude, he found the sudden liveliness somewhat overwhelming; looking at the room full of children, Hearing Da Lao's eyes could hardly take it all in.

The elders were talking and chatting in the west room, while the children had been arranged to stay in the east room.

The Li family children included Li Shu, Li Tang, Li Ning, and Li Ai Yue, with Li Ai Yue still in swaddling clothes.

There were also Zhang Zhang Xinmin, He Zhuang, and Wen Yuan.

Zhang Zhang Xinmin was the oldest, three years senior even to Li Shu, a proper big brother indeed.

Yet, being of elementary school age, he was precisely at that mischievous stage, especially since he had been spoiled by Wen San'er.

Fortunately, Wen San'er was away from home year-round; otherwise, this boy would have turned the world upside down.

His mother disciplined him strictly; if he disobeyed, she would patiently lecture him, but if he refused to study, she truly beat him.

Li Li Xuewu had witnessed it once and dared not intervene at all; Fei Fei Shanying possessed a naturally strong-willed temperament, and when she lost her temper, she was terrifyingly severe.

With no outsiders present today, the entire family, old and young, had joined in; even the great doctor, Li Xuecai, had lent a hand.

Li Li Xuewen, as the eldest brother, had not been spared leisure either; he was watching over his little daughter while keeping an eye on the other children.

Could you imagine how he, wearing those large-framed glasses, managed to watch the children?

Zhao Zhao Yafang, uneasy, would occasionally emerge from the kitchen to check on him, greatly fearing he might lose track of the child.

Li Li Xuewu and the others sat in the west room conversing; he was the only unique one in the household, for even Gu Ning was learning to make dumplings beside her mother-in-law.

Originally, Liu Yin had not wanted Zhao Zhao Yafang to help, given that she had just completed her confinement and should not expose herself to cold or exertion.

How could Zhao Zhao Yafang agree to act the part of a pampered eldest daughter-in-law on such a day? She insisted on helping.

Ji Ji Yuxiu and Gu Ning attended to her, preventing her from doing strenuous work; the scene of the three sisters-in-law vying to work nearly made Li Tong green with envy.

"If only Li Xuehan could find such a good wife someday."

"Hehe, Third Uncle, why the rush?"

Li Li Xuewu smiled, picked up the teapot to refill his cup with hot water, and said, "It will likely happen within these few years."

He could see his third uncle's face looking aged, confirming that the hardships mentioned in the letter were no falsehood.

Compared to when he saw him during a business trip to Yangcheng that year, he looked at least ten years older; barely in his early forties, he already had white hair. He had said things would be easy once these few years passed, but he never specified exactly how many years "these few years" entailed.

If he continued to endure like this, he might well be worn away entirely.

Li Li Xuewu did not know how to persuade him; he wanted to leverage his father-in-law's connections to assist him but feared his uncle would oppose it.

This was different from the previous time he offered help; his third uncle was a proud man who, unable to help his nephew, would certainly not accept borrowing glory from his nephew.

However, during this return to their hometown to visit his old mother, it was evident that his third uncle was very happy.

Li Li Xuewu urged him to drink his tea and teased, "Perhaps next year you will become a grandfather."

"Hmm, I truly fear he lacks that capability."

Li Tong snorted twice, speaking with a mix of amusement and helplessness: "In June, an auntie in the compound introduced a match to him, the daughter of the Logistics Director, but he rejected her for being too fat."

"Is being a bit fat bad?" Liu Yin said with a smile. "Who wouldn't want to betroth a plump, prosperous-looking Miss?"

"Who knows what he is thinking."

Li Tong spoke discontentedly: "I asked him if he had a partner, and he said no; yet when introduced to someone, he picks and chooses. He will only know urgency when he becomes a true bachelor."

"That cannot be; Li Xuehan is handsome, resembling his mother," Liu Yin praised with a smile. "Among those brothers, Li Xuehan possesses the most striking appearance, having the delicate refinement of a southerner."

"He is a bit too delicate; his mother has spoiled him," Li Tong continued to speak discontentedly. "I suggested arranging for him to join the army, but Hong Min insisted on waiting another two years."

"Is Li Xuehan eighteen this year?"

Liu Yin thought for a moment and asked, "Has he graduated from high school?"

"He graduated long ago," Li Tong said, taking a sip of hot tea, setting down his cup, and continuing, "He has been idling at home for over half a year; I wanted to send him to the countryside, but his mother absolutely refused."

"So, he is still idling at home."

"He must find some occupation; he is eighteen."

As the eldest uncle, Li Shun naturally had the authority to speak on his nephew's affairs; at this moment, he frowned and said, "If we do not arrange something soon, it will be too late."

"This time when I return, I must send him to join the army, no matter what," Li Tong said as if having made up his mind, his gaze once again falling upon his nephew, Li Li Xuewu.

Back then, his nephew was even two years younger than his own son is now, yet he had dared to tell him he wanted to go to the front lines.

At that time, he had worried all night before finally deciding, on behalf of his eldest brother and sister-in-law, to send his nephew forth to forge his future.

Upon learning that his nephew had been wounded, he had nearly fainted; at that moment, his only thought was how his nephew was faring, and how he could explain it to his eldest brother and sister-in-law should anything serious have happened.

Although Li Li Xuewu was not his eldest brother's only son, after raising a child so long, who could bear to see their own son harmed?

Sending the child to him back then had been for the sake of discipline, and he had also heard about the trouble his nephew had caused at home.

Just by looking at his nephew now, he believed one saying: no matter how bad a child is, send them to the army, and after being tempered in that great furnace, they will return as a good child.

However, speaking of which, Li Li Xuehan was ultimately different from his second brother; Li Li Xuewu was born with a fiery spirit.

If a boy lacks even a shred of ruthlessness, how can he survive in an environment governed by the law of the jungle?

Li Li Xuehan had simply lived too comfortably, and Hong Min had spoiled him too much, causing him to lose that fierce courage.

He favored formidable boys, preferably soldiers like Li Li Xuewu, who had fought their way out of the hutongs.

Fearless of heaven or earth, never falling behind when ordered to charge forward; only thus can one win battles.

Though Li Tong spoke of sending his son to join the army upon his return, his heart was also subtly filled with worry.

If the material is not right, no good blade can be forged.

Forcing a child to join the army might only lead to trouble in the end, ruining his entire life.

What is meant by the debt of children? This is it.

Seeing the look in his third uncle's eyes, Li Li Xuewu knew what he was thinking and quickly changed the subject.

He did not want his third uncle to remain immersed in such sorrow; today was the old lady's birthday, and if tears were shed, the atmosphere they had worked so hard to create would be ruined.

"Has it been decided? When are you leaving?"

Li Shun also perceived his son's intent to change the subject and proactively asked about his itinerary.

Li Li Xuewu followed his father's lead and explained, "It has not been decided yet; we must wait for notification from above."

"I didn't return to prepare for going abroad, but because the group has a work meeting here."

He briefly introduced the work in Steel City and the matters currently being handled to the few people sitting on the kang.

The men chatted idly following his topic, mainly discussing their respective jobs.

"You really have it easy—"

Hearing about the situations of his elder brother's several children, Li Tong sighed with emotion: "Those years of hard work were not in vain."

"Your elder brother had it harder back then than you do now."

Liu Yin used past events to advise him, saying, "Just think, the economy was unstable back then; the whole family's food and drink depended on your elder brother."

【187】 "All four children were in school; growing boys eat a father to death, and he still had to subsidize our family."

"All four children are in school; a growing boy eats his father to death, and they still need to subsidize our family."

Everything she said was the truth, and also words from the heart; her willingness to serve Li Shun was genuine.

On what grounds?

Just on the fact that during those bitterest years, Li Shun could break off a portion of the family's grain ration to give to her family.

At that time, Li Li Xuewu's maternal grandmother was still alive, though her health was poor and she frequently needed medicine.

The Li family were physicians, so a lot of medicine costs could be saved, but Li Li Xuewu's maternal grandfather working would cause delays.

What is called going to work?

Not going to work and taking frequent leave, where would there be so much wages? If wages couldn't be issued, wouldn't they starve?

Liu Yin had actually discussed with Li Shun long ago about bringing her parents here to recuperate, and Li Shun had agreed.

It was their family's old lady who disagreed, saying that even if she died, she must die at home.

Whether this saying exists in later generations is unknown, but at this time, once the elderly reached a certain age, they stopped visiting others.

If you speak of relatives' children getting married in the family, the elderly would not go if they could help it; even if personally invited, they would not go.

They feared this risk and did not want to go and become disliked.

Do you think there are some who are just unlucky?

If they truly died at someone else's home, how would that be calculated? A great happy event ruined by you lying on the ground; would life still be livable?

The elderly at this time all had this awareness, knowing their health was poor, so they would not easily leave home.

There were also those shameless ones who wanted to go everywhere, especially to see their own grandsons, granddaughters, or maternal grandsons and granddaughters, resulting in affecting the great happy event of someone's wedding.

Yes, they are one's own junior generation, so nothing much can be said, yet it is also a major event of a lifetime.

Li Li Xuewu's maternal grandmother would not come; no matter how Li Shun and Liu Yin invited her, she would not come, and in the end, she truly died at home.

Moved by her mother's stubbornness and grieving that when one wishes to care for one's parents, they are no longer there, Liu Yin made a fierce decision, thus bringing her father from the countryside to their home.

Once Hearing Da Lao came to the home, Li Shun then stopped the subsidies to that side; otherwise, not a single year would pass without them.

You all say Li Shun's wages are not small; right at the beginning when he contributed medicine and prescriptions, he could earn over fifty yuan, which later slowly rose to the current over seventy yuan.

Some people cannot understand why Li Shun earning so many wages is still not enough, and the family life is so tight.

Living expenses cannot withstand calculation; once calculated, everything requires money.

Liu Yin had also lived through the bitter days with him, sharing weal and woe, so she naturally understood deeply.

While wrapping dumplings, she spoke of past life and the difficulties once encountered.

She said these things not to pour out bitterness, nor to claim her own hardship, but to advise Li Tong, and also to speak to the sons and daughters.

It cannot be said that Li Li Xuewen and the other brothers do not remember childhood matters; it is that life is better now, and they must not forget the bitterness suffered in the past.

The several men in the room all listened, and the old lady occasionally added a few words; comparing with the good life of now, the atmosphere did not feel depressed.

Recalling bitterness to reflect on sweetness, Liu Yin used her own past personal experiences to give the whole family a political lesson.

"Why hasn't Yu Shui returned yet?"

Seeing that the dumplings were all wrapped and Seeing Sha Zhu had already lifted the pot and heated the oil to prepare for stir-frying, Liu Yin only then realized that not only had He Yu Shui not returned, but Yu Li had not returned either.

She understood why Yu Li had not returned, but what was the situation with He Yu Shui?

Originally, they intended to call Wang Wang Yamei, but after her belly grew large, Wang Wang Yamei had rested.

Perhaps having truly decided that the youngest daughter would care for them in old age, Wang Wang Yamei's parents were also genuinely concerned about Pazole and the child in their daughter's belly.

Wang Wang Yamei working here was something they accepted earlier, but after the marriage, they wanted her to truly rest.

Pazole did not care; now his wages were not small, and adding Wang Wang Yamei's parents' income, it was absolutely enough for the whole family's living.

It was just that Wang Wang Yamei would not do it; working at the recycling station was not entirely for the wages, but also for a life of her own.

She was still young and originally did not want to live a life of staying home to care for children, unable to be like Fei Fei Shanying in previous years.

So she had also agreed with her family that the child could be born, but it must not delay her going to work.

It was only when she reached seven months, her belly being truly too large, that Shen Shen Guodong chased her back home.

Wang Wang Yamei was now extremely formidable at home; no one could control her, though she truly listened to Shen Shen Guodong's words.

Actually, back when they played together, she truly was not afraid of Shen Shen Guodong; she was not even afraid of Li Li Wenbiao.

Just think, she even dared to lie by the door crack and peek inside while her sister and Li Li Xuewu were doing that in the room; this little girl's courage was not only great, but her personality was also sufficiently bold and straightforward.

She could listen to Shen Shen Guodong's words of concern for her, and she also knew that if Shen Shen Guodong could not control her, he would definitely find Li Li Xuewu to lecture her, so she avoided this trouble.

Were Li Li Xuewu's words just that effective?

Until now, she still regarded Li Li Xuewu as her elder sister's husband; others might not know, but she knew where her sister was.

Although her sister went to Steel City one step ahead of Li Li Xuewu, if one said that without Li Li Xuewu's arrangements, her sister had any great capability within the Red Star Iron and Steel Group, she would not believe it.

As for whether her sister and Li Li Xuewu currently have that kind of relationship, she did not know, nor had she inquired.

Even if there is none now, can the past be denied?

Therefore, her working here was completely with a clear conscience, truly treating this place as her own family's business with dedication.

It was just that she could not come today; her father and her mother would absolutely not let her, at this time, go out visiting.

As for Yu Li, that went without saying; when she went out this morning, she saw Yu Li and asked her to come home for dinner this afternoon, but Yu Li said she had work to busy herself with and could not return.

Liu Yin knew clearly whether she truly couldn't return or was just pretending; this was one of the few "unofficial daughters-in-law" she actually accepted.

She knew all too well what kind of character her second son was; from Lou Watching Lou Xiaoe in the past, to Qin Qin Huairu later, plus Yu Li, there was no one in this courtyard he couldn't reach.

Don't even ask whether it was the other party taking initiative or him being willing; she would just say that flies don't bite eggs without cracks.

There should be no news of Lou Watching Lou Xiaoe; anyway, no one has mentioned her again for so many years.

Qin Qin Huairu got married and moved out last year; she believed Li Li Xuewu would not do such a guilty deed.

The only one left was Yu Li, who had not sought a partner for so many years and had always done her utmost for the family.

Speaking of Yu Li, Liu Yin truly had much to say; it was not that no one had tried to introduce matches to her.

Yu Li was guarding that large house in the East Courtyard; in these times, it was rare for a divorced woman to have a house.

Not only did she have her own house, but she also had a job, earned a good amount every month, and dressed in a youthful manner.

Yu Li was indeed young, even younger than Li Li Xuewu; although she used to call her "Sister-in-law," it was actually Yan Brother Jiecheng who was older.

During the time Li Shu was recuperating at home, Yu Li treated Li Shu like the apple of her eye, making clothes and shoes for her personally throughout all four seasons.

It was only now that Li Shu had grown up that Yu Li, fearing Gu Ning would be unhappy, dared not get too close anymore.

She was afraid the child would remember her kindness and speak of it, thus offending Gu Ning and affecting the child.

Li Li Xuewu, being careless, might not notice this, but how could the Old Lady and Liu Yin fail to notice?

Although they couldn't call her back for dinner today, Liu Yin still kept her in her heart.

One could not speak with a guilty conscience; she recognized only three daughters-in-law, yet Yu Li was the only special one.

Having not moved out for so many years, Yu Li was also a pitiable person, relying on Li Li Xuewu's past life as her hope; how could she simply ignore her?

These were all love debts owed by Li Li Xuewu; what could she, as his mother, say?

He Yu Shui was different; her dislike for He Yu Shui had nothing to do with He Yu Shui's personality or conduct, but was simply a dislike for having a child raised without parents as a daughter-in-law.

This point was not about discriminating against anyone, nor was it cruelty; rather, it was the mindset of the older generation, whose ideas for choosing a daughter-in-law were always aimed at perfection.

From a scientific perspective, children lacking parental love and companionship may lack a sense of security and could exhibit extreme or stubborn behavior in life.

In family life, especially when there are many family members, a paranoid and stubborn personality often carries the danger of splitting hairs, leading to discordant conflicts.

If you were to ask how He Yu Shui is as a person, Liu Yin would certainly be willing to introduce her to others, but for Li Li Xuewu, she would rather not.

She hadn't even wanted her for Li Li Xuewen back then.

With Li Li Xuewu's donkey-like temper, finding a girl with He Yu Shui's stubborn personality would make life unbearable.

The fact that she did not ask about Yu Li but only about He Yu Shui was precisely a sign that she bore no psychological burden.

She knew her son was busy with work now and had little interaction with He Yu Shui; even if there were any, they would avoid each other.

Liu Yin did not want her son to harm another young Miss again, stirring up trouble and wronging Gu Ning.

"She can't make it back; don't wait for her."

He He Yuzhu explained while tossing vegetables into the wok to stir-fry: "She has work today and said she couldn't return."

"Then save some dumplings for her."

Liu Yin instructed: "Anyway, the weather has cooled now; cooking them a bit later won't spoil them."

"No need, don't bother with her; it's uncertain whether she'll return or not."

He He Yuzhu smiled and turned to say: "Her house in the Workers' New Village has finished renovation, and she has already moved there."

"Is that so? No wonder I haven't seen her much lately." Liu Yin asked: "She's not coming back to live here?"

"She will come back, just less frequently."

Seeing Sha Zhu busied himself while explaining: "There is a shuttle bus from the Workers' New Village to her workplace; she said commuting is more convenient."

"Furthermore, it is more convenient for her to rest at her workplace."

Seeing Sha Zhu quickly finished stir-frying a dish; Ji Ji Yuxiu, who was boiling dumplings, turned to take it, but Gu Ning had already reached out to carry the dish to the table.

Having many daughters-in-law has this advantage: there are many hands to work, so there is never enough work to go around.

Of course, one cannot have too many daughters-in-law; if ten or eight gathered together, they would surely start fighting.

"Yu Shui has become accomplished and independent."

Liu Yin praised with a smile: "Now that her job is stable, you can also rest assured."

"Ai—Auntie, she is my own sister."

Seeing Sha Zhu sighed with emotion: "Even for a lifetime, I will have to worry about her, think of her, and cannot let go."

"Indeed, they are brother and sister."

Watching Li Xue busy helping, Liu Yin said with a smile: "Even these brothers still worry about her."

"Li Xue is excellent." Seeing Sha Zhu turned to look at Li Xue and said: "When a family has a daughter, a hundred families seek her."