Chapter 1539: Walking out openly and honestly

"Applying to medical school? Studying medicine?"

Li Xuewu's furrowed brows did not relax; instead, he added a touch of helplessness and amusement.

"With her personality, she wants to study medicine?"

"Look at what you're saying, what's wrong with her personality?"

Wu Shuping looked at him with a smile and said, "It's been over a year, aren't you going to allow people to improve?"

"You said it yourself, over a year."

Li Xuewu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "How much change can there really be?"

"That's not necessarily true—" Wu Shuping stood up to get hot water, saying as she did, "I've heard what you were like before you joined the army."

As she said this, she turned back to glance at Li Xuewu, her smile full of hidden meaning.

"Besides, you haven't even seen her yet."

She returned carrying the thermos, and after adding hot water to Li Xuewu's cup, she continued, "Isn't there a saying that goes well: a girl changes eighteen times by the time she grows up."

"If it's truly as you say, wouldn't that be even better?"

Li Xuewu did not dwell too much on this topic; he might not even see her this time he was back.

Over the past year, it wasn't that Zhou Xiaobai hadn't written to him, it was just that he hadn't replied.

It wasn't about sticking to a "three-no" principle, but rather giving an ignorant girl in her adolescence some time.

Perhaps in the past few years, even Zhou Xiaobai herself didn't know what she wanted.

Like other young people of this era, she just happened to have better family conditions and more life choices, but the era they lived in was equally complex.

They were confused yet confident, worshipful yet rebellious, longing to be recognized, yet recklessly recognizing others.

Young people's mistakes are always easily forgiven, let alone their choices in life.

Li Xuewu didn't think Zhou Xiaobai relying on him was a particularly correct choice, and he had never instilled such thoughts or influence in her.

Just as Wu Shuping said, in the year she spent in the military, she had truly grown up, developed, and matured; she knew how to make life choices cautiously.

So it was better not to reply to her letters; even if she returned to the capital to study, let them meet again by fate.

As for mentioning leveraging influence or owing debts, Li Xuewu didn't feel that Zhou Xiaobai owed him anything.

Shunfeng Trading in Tianjin had landed steadily, and Li Huai De had also been deeply strapped to this chariot that never stopped moving forward; his initial goal had already been achieved.

If one day he had to choose to end Old Li's usefulness, and Old Li struggled and fought, and his fate was not meant to end, then he would personally push this chariot into the abyss and invite Old Li to his death.

When the time came to trace the roots, he believed that when the investigation reached the name Zhou Xiaobai, it should stop.

And the records remaining at the Red Star Factory, along with all of Zhou Zechuan's investigations, would become Old Li's death warrant.

Li Xuewu dared not guarantee he could help Old Li avoid all calamities, but he tried his best to help the other party solve all practical difficulties when Old Li was needed.

Don't look at the fact that he might not be able to help Old Li solve all his troubles, but he guaranteed he could send Old Li on his way.

This was the confidence of setting the game.

He had raised Zhou Xiaobai for so many years, pouring in real gold and silver; even the life of a young lady of a great family would be nothing more than this. He believed Zhou Zhennan would not blame him.

This was Zhou Xiaobai's own choice, and also the capital for her to struggle through her adolescence. Without Li Xuewu, who would have the capital and the ability to give her this experience?

Therefore, up to now, he didn't mention leveraging influence or owing debts. Even if Zhou Xiaobai continued to collect a salary at Shunfeng Trading, he didn't feel it was a loss; instead, he felt it was very worthwhile.

How much money could a girl who had never seen the extravagant life of the capitalist world waste?

He was actually looking forward to the mature Zhou Xiaobai becoming a business partner.

If it could truly be as he wished, then he would be willing to continue investing; at that time, the investment would be in her as a person.

"Do you want to take a bath?" Wu Shuping heard the giggling from upstairs, put away the thermos, went upstairs first, and after saying a few words to Lu Jie, she came down to ask him.

Li Xuewu shook his head slightly and said, "I stayed at the shipyard guesthouse last night, the conditions were quite good."

"Taking a bath can relieve fatigue."

Wu Shuping did not follow his lead, but instead turned back to give an instruction to Sister Lu upstairs.

Coming back downstairs, she said helplessly: "It's hard to manage children when they get older; they're just like little monkeys."

"Did you expect him to be quiet and well-behaved?"

Li Xuewu looked at her with amusement, then thought for a moment and asked: "Do you have any plans to move back to the capital to live?"

"Move where? The Workers' New Village?"

Wu Shuping glanced at him, shook her head slightly, and replied: "Living here is quite good; I don't want to put him through the trouble of moving."

"Do you have any concerns?"

Li Xuewu crossed his right leg, leaned against the sofa, and sized up Wu Laoshi, saying: "Traveling back and forth between the capital and Tianjin is not convenient."

"What concerns could I possibly have—"

Wu Shuping stood by the sofa with her arms crossed and said: "Even if I go back to Huaqing University now, can they still hold my history against me?"

"Your sister-in-law advised me not to go back, saying that some people are unwilling to admit their mistakes, so it's better to avoid further complications."

"Listening to her is the right thing to do—"

Li Xuewu let out a long sigh, nodded slowly, and said: "Even with her background, her current situation at the school cannot be considered good."

"How could that be?" Wu Shuping lowered her arms, sat on the sofa, frowned, and asked: "She comes from a poor peasant background and has a perfect political record—"

"Who is going to reason with you?" Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and said: "The current situation is that the Workers' Propaganda Teams exist in name only, but their influence still remains."

He tapped his fingers on his knees and said: "There is still no conclusion on who will truly decide the school's work and life. When the time comes, it will inevitably be another chaotic mess, leaving nothing but a pile of feathers."

"But it shouldn't involve her, right?"

Wu Shuping did not believe that Zhao Yafang, with her temper and personality, would get involved with those people.

"How does that saying go?"

Li Xuewu smiled helplessly and said: "The trees want to be still, but the wind will not cease."

"If she hadn't taken maternity leave, the turmoil at the end of last year would have already affected her."

"Really... sigh—"

Wu Shuping opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, only a sigh escaped. Facing this kind of situation, what could she even say?

"When the news first came to go back and teach, they said they were preparing to resume classes, and everything was getting better."

Li Xuewu said in a calm tone: "My eldest brother happily returned to the school from the detention center to report for duty, but he waited three months and didn't see a single student show up for class."

He looked at Wu Shuping, raised his eyebrows, and said: "The waves affecting this era are far from as small as you imagine; the more it is like this now, the more true that is."

"Then why did you tell me to move back?"

Wu Shuping glanced at him and chided: "Do you think I don't have enough trouble already?"

"You have already burned your bridges, so what trouble could there be?" Li Xuewu chuckled as he looked at her and said: "Those who are truly determined to drive you to a dead end are ultimately those who covet you and are jealous of the benefits you occupy."

"Once you distance yourself from them, you naturally distance yourself from the risks, so you are very safe now."

He sighed again and said: "Unlike my sister-in-law and eldest brother, they are still in the vortex and cannot get out."

"Is that why Li Xuewen went to the research institute?"

Wu Shuping works at the group and naturally knows about Li Xuewen's situation; she also meets Zhao Yafang often.

Li Xuewu spread his hands and said: "Otherwise, what else would he do? Waste his time at the school?"

"My eldest brother is the type of person who is easygoing, and he is also the type who lacks great ambition, but he definitely cannot be described as a useless person."

"What else did Li Xuewen say—"

Wu Shuping also sighed with emotion: "Back in our group, your eldest brother was the most learned."

"I found him something to do."

Li Xuewu smiled slightly and explained: "The Physics Research Institute is in need of people. He has mastered enough theoretical knowledge; it's time for him to spend some time in the laboratory."

"Sir, the hot water is ready."

Sister Lu held Li Xin at the corner of the stairs to remind them, and Li Xin twisted his body, wanting to get down.

"Daddy—Daddy—"

He couldn't speak in full sentences yet, but he could speak coherently when saying "Daddy," "Mommy," and in daily conversations.

Li Xuewu stood up with a smile, walked upstairs, took his son Li Xin from Sister Lu's hands, and kissed him.

Li Xin hadn't seen him for a long time but was still close to him, hugging his neck and giggling non-stop.

"Thank you for your hard work, Sister Lu." Li Xuewu first thanked Sister Lu for her hard work before going up to the second floor.

Sister Lu had originally thought that since Wu Laoshi was returning to the capital for work, she would also have to take the child and follow her back to the capital.

She hadn't expected that Wu Shuping had no intention of arranging for the child to go to the capital, which meant she still had to work in Tianjin.

She was used to it, though; in this day and age, isn't having a job like this better than queuing up at the neighborhood office?

Many housewives have no work; they either wait for odd jobs from small neighborhood factories or wait for sewing cooperatives to start production.

Everyone talks about a new life and a new era, but in Sister Lu's view, nothing is as solid and real as earning money.

She had been a servant for the Lou family for half her life and had no other skills, only the ability to take care of daily life.

You talk about turning over and becoming the masters, but aren't there still waiters in the city? Aren't they doing the same kind of work?

She wasn't ignorant; this kind of work still existed, it was just that ordinary people didn't get to see it.

So even if it was far from home, she was still willing to take care of the child for Wu Shuping.

Li Xuewu had come less often this past year, and the number of times the two of them met could be counted on one hand. She had thought they had some conflict and broken up, and she was very worried that Wu Laoshi would be kicked out of the house, which would have made it really hard for her to choose.

It wouldn't have been good to abandon the mother and son, but she couldn't work for free either. Today, she finally set that worry aside.

Wu Laoshi had already gained a firm foothold in the capital, and even her personality had quietly changed.

Especially after meeting that person who, in her eyes, didn't seem like a lover, Wu Laoshi had truly changed.

Looking at Wu Laoshi's attitude toward Mr. Li today, it was more like a couple who had lived together for a long time. The relationship between these few people was truly... complicated.

"Tell Daddy, did you miss Daddy?"

"Missed—"

"Then is Daddy good?"

"Good—"

"You don't need coaxing to go to sleep?"

Li Xuewu entered the master bedroom in his pajamas and asked Li Xin when he saw Wu Shuping leaning against the bed reading a book.

Wu Shuping looked up from the book at him, smiled slightly, and said: "He doesn't look for me now; he looks for Sister Lu, and when it's time, he obediently goes to sleep."

"It seems I really need to give Sister Lu a red envelope."

Li Xuewu walked to the bedside with a smile, sat down, wiped the soles of his feet with a foot-wiping rag, and then got into bed.

"Let's talk about it at the New Year; I've been thinking about it."

Wu Shuping sat up straight, gathered her hair, and said: "Giving too much or too little is not good."

"You decide, I'll provide the money."

Li Xuewu leaned against the headboard. The room was very warm, and he didn't cover himself with a quilt, just chatting with his feet propped up.

Wu Shuping turned her head to size him up and asked with amusement: "Do you feel a great sense of accomplishment?"

"How do you say that?" Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and said: "Isn't it a sense of participation?"

"Pfft—" Wu Shuping pursed her lips, turned away, and said: "Li Xin really missed you; he was babbling about wanting Daddy before he went to sleep."

"It's a pity that this trip of mine is for official business; I had no time or opportunity to buy him a gift."

Li Xuewu chose a book from the headboard, opened it, and said: "The little guy is three years old; what does he like?"

"I don't know, he's not close to me anymore."

Wu Shuping gathered her hair, leaned back against the headboard, and said with a hint of jealousy.

Li Xuewu said with amusement: "I still suggest you take the child back to the capital to live and spend more time with him."

"Who doesn't want to live with their own child?" Wu Shuping rolled her eyes at him, then was silent for a moment, her voice sounding a bit dejected: "He is close to you, but he doesn't even care for his own biological father."

Li Xuewu heard the subtext in her words, turned his head to look at her, and asked: "Did you get a letter from the frontier?"

"No, he wouldn't write a letter."

Wu Shuping lowered her eyes, her leg in light purple silk pajama pants supporting her body, and said faintly: "He doesn't even feel that Li Xin is his child."

"I didn't say I wanted to send him so far away." Li Xuewu placed his hand on the page of the book and looked at her, saying: "Why must you be like this?"

"No matter what you think, sending him to the frontier is my best choice."

Wu Shuping raised her head to look at him and said: "I cannot watch him die, but I also cannot forgive his stubbornness and his choices."

"Have you thought about Li Xin?"

Li Xuewu tilted his head, looked at her, and reminded her: "What will Li Xin do when he grows up and wants a father?"

"Isn't Li Xin's father you?"

Wu Shuping looked at him calmly and said: "From the moment he made his choice, perhaps he had already abandoned Li Xin."

"It's not like I didn't give him a chance."

She avoided Li Xuewu's gaze and said faintly: "When he was standing here, even if he hated me, he could have at least asked about the child."

Perhaps because she had touched on a painful subject, tears couldn't stop falling; it was that kind of desperate, heartbreaking pain.

She wiped away her tears, calmed down for a while, and then continued in a hoarse voice: "He didn't even have the heart to ask a single question or take a single look at the child. Can I still expect him to listen to any of my explanations?"

"It's not like I haven't thought about it. If he really misunderstood, and it was explained clearly, I would be willing to wander the ends of the earth with him, or even..."

When she said this, she raised her head to look at Li Xuewu, felt that she was ridiculous, shook her head slightly, and asked: "You won't hate me, will you?"

"Are you telling the truth?" Li Xuewu saw that she hadn't explained, so he pursed his lips and said regretfully: "It's the truth, of course I won't hate you."

He knew what Wu Shuping hadn't said: that she was willing to betray him to save her lover.

This was human nature, after all; what did he have to hate? He understood the principle of having no regrets after making a move.

It was rare for Wu Shuping to speak her true feelings at this time; it was as if she had seen through the past and let go of the future, drawing a line from today on.

"Am I very stupid?"

The two were silent for a long time. Wu Shuping moved her body slightly, leaned into his arms, and murmured: "At a time like this, I should be coaxing you; why add to your worries?"

"Are you afraid that I will let you down, or let Li Xin down?" Li Xuewu seemed to see through her heart, put his arm around her shoulder, and said: "There's no need for that."

"I know you are broad-minded in your actions and even more broad-minded in your character, and you won't hold it against a little woman like me."

Wu Shuping raised her head, found a more comfortable position to lie down, and said: "Life is a long journey; even the closest people have the possibility of parting ways. It's just that we chose two different paths."

"He will hate you." Li Xuewu lowered his head, looked at her lying in his arms, and reminded her: "Have you never thought that one day he will wake up to the truth, return to you, and ask for a chance to make amends? You didn't even leave this chance for yourself."

Yes, he wasn't wrong; Wu Shuping hadn't left herself a chance to forgive the other party.

"Him hating me is better than him hating you."

Wu Shuping shook her head slightly and said: "On the day I sent him away, I told him: don't regret it."

"Was that for him? Or to remind yourself?"

Li Xuewu sized up her profile. The gentleness of a southern woman had dissipated in this turmoil. He didn't know when she had changed to short hair, but she looked more heroic now, possessing the aura of a strong woman.

Perhaps only here did she have the chance to lean on someone, take a break, and speak the words she had kept bottled up for so long.

"It was for him, and also for myself."

Wu Shuping twisted her body, lay down a bit more, looked into his eyes, and said: "Do you still trust me?"

"Just like before?" Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow with a smile and asked: "Just like before tonight?"

"I have no other choice."

Wu Shuping reached out and touched his stubble, saying: "This is the only thing I can do for Li Xin."

"What if I say there's no need for that?"

Li Xuewu looked at her and said: "Your lives should be worry-free now, and you don't have to worry about school, right?"

"What else can I do for you?"

Wu Shuping said this and did this; what did she want?

There were no complex thoughts; it was nothing more than wanting to give Li Xin an identity and a home in the true sense of the word.

And Li Xuewu threw out a multiple-choice question, just like how he had reduced the number of times he met her over the past year and come to Tianjin even less.

Now he was asking Wu Shuping what other pursuits she had based on her existing material life, or rather, that she didn't need to take any further steps; he would consider whatever he could give, so how would she make her choice?

Wu Shuping pinched his chin, smiled brilliantly, sat up, and kissed him.

"Everything else is done for myself."

She looked into Li Xuewu's eyes; she had never looked at him from such a close distance, their eyes communicating.

There was no shyness, no stiffness, and certainly no intensity of a long-awaited reunion; there was only what was natural.

She had also made her choice, hadn't she?

"Zhou Wang Yamei said she would come to the capital to settle down."

At the breakfast table in the morning, Wu Shuping had changed into a lady's administrative suit, and her white shirt was very eye-catching.

She took a bite of porridge, looked at Li Xuewu opposite her, and asked: "Where will Yu Li go? Jicheng?"

"Why are you concerned about her again?"

Li Xuewu ate a meat bun, looked at her, and asked: "Did Yu Li ask you to ask?"

"Does she need to entrust me to ask?"

Wu Shuping wiped the little mouth of her son, taught him how to use a spoon, and explained: "It was something that came up while chatting with Zhou Wang Yamei."

"It's not decided yet, maybe."

Li Xuewu did not give an accurate answer, eating his bun while drinking rice porridge.

Zhang Enyuan appeared somewhat silent; he got up early in the morning to help Sister Lu and even tidied up the hygiene in the room.

At this moment, he didn't listen to their conversation, nor did he try to guess their relationship.

Wu Shuping, however, felt that Li Xuewu wasn't telling the truth, or perhaps it shouldn't be said at this time?

"Daddy, Daddy—"

Li Xin held the bun skin in his little hand and wanted to pass it to Li Xuewu to eat, appearing very proactive.

Li Xuewu took it with a smile and praised him, which made him very excited.

Wu Shuping glanced at him with some jealousy and continued: "Whether it's decided before the New Year or after, you have to give people time to prepare. Who doesn't have a pile of things on their hands? It takes time to hand things over."

"Hmm, I know."

Li Xuewu just responded with a sound and didn't follow up, which made Wu Shuping feel somewhat helpless.

This change had nothing to do with her, because her taking over Dongfeng Construction meant she had stepped onto the stage of United Construction, right under Li Huai De's nose, and there would be no more opportunities for easy changes.

In other words, in the past, it was Li Xuewu and Li Huai De behind the scenes, and she and Zhou Miaomiao were the ones clashing.

Now it had become her stepping to the front to clash directly with Li Huai De, playing this drama out to the end.

It was just that the trust bureau of Old Li had almost gone bankrupt at the beginning, and Zhou Miaomiao never went to live in that house again.

Li Xuewu looked through the window and asked her: "Who is living next door?"

"No one, I think. It's been a long time."

Wu Shuping also took a look, then looked at Sister Lu and said: "The house has always been tidied by Sister Lu."

"Yes, it seems to be vacant."

Sister Lu nodded slightly and explained: "I go over to tidy it up once a month. It's also when Wu Laoshi is at home that I go; otherwise, I don't have the time."

Li Xuewu was just inquiring and had no intention of digging deeper; after hearing her finish, he changed the subject and talked about other things.

Breakfast was very good; Sister Lu had steamed buns fresh that morning, and the filling was very generous.

Zhang Enyuan packed his luggage, carried it out to wait for the car at the entrance, while he put on his overcoat with Wu Shuping's help, letting her help him tidy up.

"I'm also going back to the capital tonight, a little later than you. If there's a meeting, wait for me."

"I will stay in the capital for a few days."

Li Xuewu looked at her and said: "If you have time, you can organize the materials for Dongfeng Construction, and I'll ask you for them then."

Wu Shuping was somewhat surprised by his words and raised her head to ask him, but he had already gone out.

"Wu Laoshi, it's cold outside."

Sister Lu saw that she wanted to go out to see him off and hurriedly reminded her, signaling that the wind was blowing outside.

Even in good weather, the winter in Tianjin is over ten degrees below zero. Wouldn't she catch a cold if she went out in a shirt like this?

Wu Shuping turned back, wanting to put on her overcoat, but thought better of it and gave up, because she heard the sound of a car.

"Daddy, Daddy..."

Li Xin had wanted to cry just a moment ago, but Daddy said he had to work, and Mommy was still at home to keep him company.

Seeing Daddy leave, he looked at his mother with a aggrieved expression.

"Daddy has to work—"

Wu Shuping crouched down, picked up her son, and said with a smile: "You're growing so fast; Mommy is almost unable to hold you anymore."

"When will Daddy come back?"

Li Xin lay on his mother's shoulder and looked outside the door; it was so hard for him to see Daddy once.

"You want Daddy?" Wu Shuping turned her head to size up her son and asked with a smile: "Shall we go to the capital to find Daddy?"

She kissed her son's little face and said: "We'll go and give him a surprise!"

"Surprise!" Li Xin understood his mother's words and excitedly repeated the phrase.

Sister Lu asked with some surprise from the side: "Are you going back to the capital today?"

"You haven't been home for a long time either; just take this opportunity to go home and have a look."

Wu Shuping looked at her and said with a smile: "In the future, we can be in Tianjin if we want to be in Tianjin, and we can go to the capital if we want to go to the capital; we can live wherever we want."

It was obvious that Sister Lu's eyes brightened. She understood in her heart that they must have talked about something last night, and that was how Wu Laoshi got the arrangement to take the child home.

But even if they went back to the capital, where would they live? She heard Wu Laoshi say she was temporarily living in her unit...

"When we go back this time, I'll take the child to live there first; you help me tidy up the house in the city."

Wu Shuping coaxed her son while giving instructions to Sister Lu: "The location is in the East City, a courtyard house. I don't know anyone, so if you have someone suitable, help me find someone to tidy up the hygiene."

"Has it been a long time since anyone lived there?"

Sister Lu was somewhat surprised and suddenly realized that Wu Laoshi must have made arrangements to be able to take the child back to the capital to live; so it turned out she had been given a courtyard house.

Thinking about it this way, she felt an indescribable envy. No matter how beautiful one is or how high one's knowledge is, who can compare to Wu Laoshi's good fortune?

Li Xin was raised by her, so she basically knew the situation in this family.

She felt an indescribable envy, but was also happy for Wu Laoshi and herself.

Wu Laoshi finally had a stable home, and she also had a long-term stable job.

From the current situation, could she work until Li Xin goes to school? Perhaps even longer.

Li Xin would be able to go to elementary school; Wu Laoshi would only be busier than she was now, and there were very few people she could trust.

So hearing Wu Laoshi say she wanted to tidy up the courtyard in the capital, her face also wore a happy smile.

"It should have been a long time since anyone lived there."

Wu Shuping coaxed her son to the ground to play, put on her coat, and introduced: "The house should have been tidied up the year before last or the year before that, and no one has lived there since. There is furniture, but daily necessities need to be purchased again; you'll have to put in more effort."

"Then shall we stay for a few more days?"

Sister Lu discussed: "I'll go back and take a look at the courtyard. Even if it's just tidying up the hygiene and purchasing items, there has to be a plan, right? I still have to help you take care of Li Xin; when the time comes, I might really have to find someone to help."

"Just find someone to tidy up the hygiene."

Wu Shuping had changed into her outdoor clothes and explained: "Give me the list of repairs or items to be added, and I will arrange for people to take care of it."

She had worked in the capital for a year, and her relationship with Shen Guodong was okay; finding him to help was more appropriate than finding anyone else.

Don't look at how Li Xuewu gave her a courtyard house to live in when she returned to the capital; in her view, this was her home.

What was hard to let go of was not just a few years of life, but a node that anchored the past.

Wu Shuping wasn't sure if she would regret today's choice in the future, but the room she had for choice was truly not much.

Her relationship with Li Xuewu was easier and more direct than anyone else's, and the foundation of trust was very high.

Even the child's surname was Li, and she had no relatives in the country, and she had troubles on her back; the only person she could count on and rely on was Li Xuewu. What else could Li Xuewu doubt about her?

With the helplessness of having a child, perhaps even Zhou Wang Yamei couldn't compare to her conditions.

Did Zhou Wang Yamei have a house in the capital?

Yes, in the Workers' New Village, bought by Li Xuewu, but it wasn't a private courtyard in the city.

She wasn't comparing anything, but she understood a fact in her heart: some things must be responded to.

If you get more than others, you have to pay more; otherwise, what you get will eventually be lost.

Sister Lu didn't know her arrangements, but she could understand her situation and was very actively making preparations.

Li Xin also got the surprise of going to the capital to find Daddy; at this moment, he was obediently rummaging through his clothes, preparing for the upcoming trip.

Wu Shuping changed into her high heels, gave instructions to Sister Lu, and went out.

She still had work to be busy with today; on one hand, it was handling the work of Shunfeng Trading, and on the other, it was contacting Yang Zhao of the Tianjin Station.

Li Xuewu transferred her to the capital to take over the Dongfeng 31 Construction Company and also serve as the vice president of the Red Star United Construction Engineering Corporation, but he didn't let her hand over Shunfeng Trading, the work she had always been responsible for.

After Zhou Xiaobai left, during the period when the Trade Management Center suspended their distribution and procurement authority, she handled the work of the past period and had sufficient preparations to deal with the storm that might come at any time.

It was a pity that Li Xuewu and her preparations were not used; the other party retreated in advance, and even if they took the initiative to release bait, the other party didn't fall for it again.

No one was closer to Li Xuewu's core plan than she was; she understood his thoughts: Old Li could not be allowed to fall in advance, but Old Li could not be allowed to be well now.

So these two years, and the next few years, would inevitably be full of setbacks for Li Huai De's career, but he would always be able to turn danger into safety.

During the period when Li Xuewu was not in the capital, she would be the one to execute this plan, keeping an eye on Old Li at all times.

So when Li Xuewu went to the Steel City, everyone was guessing which backhand he had left behind.

At first, they guessed his driver, Nie Xiaoguang, but Nie Xiaoguang was a coward who gained nothing and lost everything.

After this kid married Han Lu, he kept a low profile and made no more moves. Many people were praising Han Lu's skills, saying she had ground the iron pestle into a needle.

Some guessed it was his secretary, Peng Xiaoli, but Peng Xiaoli didn't make any big moves in the Food Factory's Production Section either, and the news of her marriage to Yu Haitang, the person in charge of the radio station, seemed to make her a discarded pawn as well.

Guessing it was Li Xue was even more impossible; no matter how ruthless Li Xuewu was, he wouldn't use his own sister as a pawn.

So every move Li Xuewu made in the group would be carefully interpreted by people regarding his layout.

It was just that no one could have imagined that the pawn he had laid out was actually a female comrade in the United Construction Corporation who represented Dongfeng Construction as vice president.

The United Construction Corporation also had its office in the capital, and she also had an office in the Construction Engineering Command Center in the Group Headquarters building. However, very few people knew her background. Li Huai De was the only person who knew her identity, but Old Li had never suspected her purpose in the group.

Li Huai De didn't say anything, so no one knew.

So no one could figure out all the moves Wu Shuping made against Old Li; Old Li himself couldn't figure it out, let alone anyone else.

A scholar dies for his confidant; Wu Shuping's efforts had been rewarded, so she had to work even harder.

And Li Xuewu?

On the morning of the 19th, Li Xuewu arrived in the capital by train and didn't go to his unit because it was the weekend.

Today was his real day off. After sending Zhang Enyuan to the guesthouse, he went home.

"Sister Aunt Xiao Ning took the children to the mall." Er Ya opened the gate and introduced happily when she saw him return: "Aunt Liu came, and so did the sister-in-law; they went together."

"Are you the only one at home?"

Li Xuewu carried his luggage into the courtyard, saw that the snow had already been cleared, and asked with a smile: "Tidying up the room?"

"I'm tidying up while I have time."

Er Ya smiled and replied: "Do you have clothes to wash? I just happened to have saved enough for one load."

"Yes, I'll give them to you in a moment."

Li Xuewu changed into his slippers, hung his overcoat on the coat rack, and went up to the second floor.

She was indeed tidying up the room; all the doors were open, and the bed sheets and quilt covers on the bed were half-changed.

"I'll be done tidying up in a moment."

Er Ya, who followed him up, explained in a somewhat flustered manner: "Wait for me a moment."

"No need to rush, tidy up slowly."

Li Xuewu went to the changing room to change out of the set he was wearing and gave her the clothes he had changed out of from his luggage as well.

"Did they say they would be back for lunch?"

"They didn't say; they might be eating at the courtyard, or maybe they'll eat outside."

Er Ya introduced with a smile: "Last time they ate outside; Aunt Liu treated."

"Then why didn't you go with them?"

Li Xuewu teased her: "Even Yaping went; don't you feel aggrieved being at home alone?"

"I really can't get used to eating outside."

Er Ya carried a large bag of bed sheets, quilt covers, and his clothes out of the master bedroom and complained: "I just feel that the food at home is good and I can eat my fill."

It wasn't that she couldn't eat her fill with food outside, but she wasn't used to eating at restaurants and never dared to use her chopsticks.

"I'm going out for a trip; when they come back, just tell them I'll be eating at home tonight."

Li Xuewu had changed into outdoor clothes and didn't take the bag he had brought back, just put on his overcoat and went out.

Er Ya saw him to the garage and reminded him: "I don't know how to tidy up the car; it's been kept here and no one has touched it."

"It's not some delicate thing."

Li Xuewu knew what she was worried about, shook his head slightly, got into the car, and said: "Alright, go do your work. I'll eat outside at noon too, to save you the trouble."

"I know." Er Ya watched his car leave and only returned to the house after closing the garage door.

Everyone in this family, except for the two children, was a busy person, and even she had a pile of things to do.

Li Xuewu was busy outside all year round and came home once or twice a month. Gu Ning was busy at her unit during the day and had to study when she came back at night, and Zhao Yaping was the same.

Er Ya shouldered the service and logistics work of this family; fortunately, she had already been trained.

Qin Jingru had taught her that when she was home alone, she should keep things simple; noodles with canned food were the best.

The food and drink in this family were not ordinary. In the autumn, she went to a photo studio to take a photo of herself and mailed it home. Her mother wrote back saying she had gained weight, which made her happy, and hoped she would work hard.

Everything in the capital was good, except for the lack of family.

"This singing isn't good; do it again from the beginning. Comrades in the band, keep the rhythm down."

Jin Jiaojiao was very capable in conducting the rehearsal scene, and she was also wearing her costume.

From her tone, one could see that she had a certain amount of prestige here, which came from her confidence in her technique.

Tong Huimei had already put on her makeup and, according to what she said, led the team to rehearse again.

As the singing turned melodious and she looked back with a smile, she saw that person standing in the dim light.

The singing stopped abruptly, causing everyone on stage to be in a daze. What was happening again?

Jin Jiaojiao just wanted to frown, but saw Tong Huimei looking fixedly offstage. Following her gaze, she saw the person they had been thinking about day and night had suddenly appeared.

"Let's take a break."

She turned her head to look at Tong Huimei and took the initiative to remind her; the scene couldn't be left without an explanation.

But she didn't expect Tong Huimei to react and say: "No need, let's do it again; one take."

Jin Jiaojiao glanced at her, organized it again according to her wishes, and the sound of gongs and drums started...

"Sister didn't mean it."

As if very afraid that Li Xuewu would be angry, after the program rehearsal ended, everyone returned to the backstage to remove their makeup.

Jin Jiaojiao tidied up simply and chased after him. Seeing that he was still there, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Xuewu shook his head with amusement when he saw her anxious look of explanation and said: "It's fine, the play is more important than anything."

"You are more important than the play—" Jin Jiaojiao smiled and patted his arm, saying: "As long as you aren't angry, Sister will be done soon; it'll be very quick."

"No rush, I came today just to treat you to a meal." Li Xuewu explained with a smile: "What do you want to eat at noon? Tell me."

"Eat roast duck? I've been thinking about this for a long time."

Jin Jiaojiao said with a smile: "Ever since we started performing at the theater, we could only think about it, but didn't have the time to go eat."

"Is it that hard?" Li Xuewu nodded with a smile and said: "Then let's eat roast duck at noon."

"I've really been craving this; it's been such a long time." Jin Jiaojiao had been very serious on stage just a moment ago, but in front of him, she returned to her previous delicate appearance.

Li Xuewu sized up her changes; it had been a long time since they met, but there was a bit more heroism on her face.

"Why? Are you in charge now?"

"It's not me, it's Sister—" Jin Jiaojiao said helplessly: "The teacher said to let her be the troupe leader, but she insisted on pushing it onto me, making me suffer this exhaustion."

"It seems you've really become stars."

Li Xuewu said in a tone of gratification: "It really hasn't been easy."

"If it weren't for you, there wouldn't be any stars."

Jin Jiaojiao knew how to talk, smiled, and said: "Maybe our sisters would have long since become lonely ghosts, and no one would have known even if we rotted away."

Li Xuewu glanced at her helplessly and said: "Why bring up the past?"

"How could I forget?" Jin Jiaojiao said faintly: "Even if Sister forgot and doesn't want to mention the past anymore, I can't forget."

She pouted and said: "Who was it that left our sisters there, not knowing if we would live or die? I will remember this for a lifetime."

"They are gone, but I firmly believe that they will come back sooner or later."

She raised her head to look at Li Xuewu and said: "Or maybe one day we can walk out openly and honestly."

"Hmm, you have ambition."

Li Xuewu nodded, pointed to the people backstage, and asked: "Were these all recruited later?"

"No, they came to our door themselves."

Jin Jiaojiao introduced with a smile: "They are all children from big families, and many have the foundation to become stars."

"You know the situation; they have no plays to perform, and only we have an opening here..."