Chapter 1569: Don't be happy too soon

Knock, knock—

The office door was knocked on. Li Xuewu looked up and saw Bu Qingfang standing there, waving with a smile: "Come in, a rare guest."

"Am I a rare guest—" Bu Qingfang walked into the office with a joke: "The guests from the Sanhe Stock Company and the Santaya Group are the rare guests."

"It seems you, President Bu, have a thorough grasp of our work."

Li Xuewu pointed to Zhang Enyuan, who had followed them in, to pour tea, while he stood up and invited Bu Qingfang to sit in the sofa area.

"Please don't misunderstand. If I didn't know this news, that would be a problem."

Bu Qingfang was so eloquent; she sat down with a chuckle and teased Li Xuewu: "I heard you refused a luxury car? How stupid."

"Hahaha—" Li Xuewu laughed out loud, pointed at her, and said: "You're not a good person either."

"I am a good person. If I weren't a good person, would I have rushed over to remind you?" Bu Qingfang nodded, thanked Zhang Enyuan for the tea he brought, and continued to tease Li Xuewu: "Regret it yet?"

"To be honest—" Li Xuewu leaned his arm on the sofa armrest, leaned slightly to the side, and nodded: "I haven't even seen what that car looks like. What is there to regret!"

"Besides, am I short of a car to use?"

He spread his hands and said with amusement: "Even if it were really given to me, where would I drive it?"

"You're just stubborn—"

Bu Qingfang raised her eyebrows and glanced outside the door: "Others know how to change cars to sit in, but you don't know how to use a new car?"

"They were eager to send it, and you don't have to owe anyone a favor. Are you too stupid?"

"Fine, fine, fine. You say I'm stupid, then I'm stupid." Li Xuewu nodded with a smile and said indifferently: "I'm the type of person who is most afraid of being indebted to others after eating their food or taking their things."

"Hey! You're afraid, but why aren't they afraid?" Bu Qingfang had been speaking with hidden meaning since she came in, but now she pointed it out: "Are you more upright and incorruptible than Deputy Director Su?"

"Ah—" Li Xuewu looked at her with feigned surprise, then raised an eyebrow and asked: "So it was given to Deputy Director Su?"

"Look, I said you'd regret it." Bu Qingfang picked up her teacup and said with a smile: "Now the whole group knows Deputy Director Su has changed to a new car."

"What was that car called again? Wait for me to think about it carefully."

As she spoke, she took a sip of hot tea, suddenly remembered something, slapped her thigh, put down the teacup, and looked at Li Xuewu earnestly: "Century, it's called the Toyota Century, a particularly bright name."

"The group is spreading it, saying the driver who sent the car introduced that the Japanese royal family uses this car for transportation."

She looked at Li Xuewu mysteriously and asked: "Guess how much that car is worth?"

"How much? It must be quite a lot." Li Xuewu said with a chuckle: "It's used by the royal family; it must be worth a fortune."

"I heard it too—over a hundred thousand." Bu Qingfang widened her eyes and emphasized to him: "One car, worth as much as a factory now."

"Hmm, it really is worth a fortune."

Li Xuewu nodded and sighed: "When we raised funds to build staff housing, we only managed to scrape together twelve thousand after a lot of effort, right?"

"The past is the past; now is now."

Bu Qingfang pointed at the sofa armrest and tilted her face: "Deputy Director Su said he doesn't manage business, so he has a clear conscience using this car. A straight body doesn't fear a crooked shadow."

"Oh—" Li Xuewu nodded understandingly and said with a smile: "Then that's really the case. If I had known, I wouldn't have declined. I would have directly asked Director Li to assign this car to Deputy Director Su."

"You—" Bu Qingfang looked at him with amusement: "I think you're just watching the fun and not afraid of trouble!"

She leaned over and explained softly: "Director Li is angry. He's been in a bad mood lately. General Lang is out of luck; he was scolded bloody a few days ago."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk—" Li Xuewu, with the mentality of listening to the Three Kingdoms without worrying about the ancients, just clicked his tongue when he heard Lang Zhennan was out of luck.

Bu Qingfang pursed her lips and smiled, glanced at him, and said: "I dare say, there won't be any peaceful days in the group from now on."

"Hey? President Bu." Li Xuewu shook his head, reached out and patted her arm lightly, and asked softly: "You're the one watching the fun and not afraid of trouble now, right?"

"None of your business! I love watching the fun!"

Bu Qingfang tilted her neck and laughed: "It's not easy to stay out of it; am I not allowed to watch the fun?"

"Then you really have a big addiction."

Li Xuewu picked up his teacup and took a sip: "Haven't you finished your own work yet, just waiting to watch the fun?"

"Work is never finished, but if you don't see the fun, it'll pass."

Bu Qingfang waved her hand with a smile: "You want to ask about the power plant project, right? Shenfei is still very capable."

She introduced to Li Xuewu: "The group's receiving team is at Tadong Airport. Shenfei said it won't be delayed; the project has already started."

"They have money now." Li Xuewu smiled, put down the teacup, and explained: "The group subsidized them 2.3 million; otherwise, how could they be so tough?"

"I heard it from the bank." Bu Qingfang also teased with a smile: "The project fund exclusive account is at the United Savings Bank, which counts as them depositing the money back."

"They took quite a bit." Li Xuewu explained: "They should have money; they're improving their lives."

"It's not easy for anyone at this time." Bu Qingfang seemed to think of something, sighed, and said: "I went to the mine for research, and some situations were shocking."

"Especially safety production operations."

She looked at Li Xuewu earnestly and said: "I came this time to seek your opinion."

"Hmm? So formal?" Li Xuewu looked at her, nodded, and said: "Tell me about it. What is it that makes you so troubled?"

"Safety, and improving the living conditions of employees." Bu Qingfang raised both hands, expressing powerlessly: "I know doing this is thankless, and might even delay the current development process."

"Oh, you know that and you're still asking me?"

Li Xuewu glanced at her, leaned back on the sofa, and said lightly: "Do you already have a plan in mind?"

"I can't say that." Bu Qingfang tucked her hair behind her ear and said frankly: "If you don't agree, then this matter will be put aside for now."

"Hehe, trying to make me the bad guy, right?"

Li Xuewu chuckled, raised his hand to brush the dust off his trousers, and said: "And then turn around and scold me for being callous?"

"Scolding me has nothing to do with you."

Bu Qingfang pursed her lips and looked at him solemnly: "You are the only one I can ask."

"Hmm, that really puts me in a difficult position."

Li Xuewu leaned his neck back, lay on the sofa backrest, closed his eyes slightly, and said: "This isn't a choice between fish and bear's paw."

"How about I accompany you to the mine to take a look?"

Bu Qingfang looked determined, looking at Li Xuewu expectantly: "We'll pick the closest one; it won't delay you much time."

"Now you know how to use 'you' (polite form)?" Li Xuewu straightened his neck, gave her an amused look, and said: "Being too polite isn't good either."

"I'm really at my wit's end; otherwise, I wouldn't have found you." Bu Qingfang sighed long and said: "To be honest, the group is all on one line. To say I have ideas about improving employee living conditions, I do have some."

She patted the back of her hand and said: "Just for this safety management item, I..."

"You mean..." Li Xuewu frowned slightly, looked at her, and asked: "Have you reported this situation to Deputy Director Su?"

Su Weide was in charge of safety and environmental protection work. If there were safety production problems at the mine, of course, she should report to him, not himself.

"Why do you think I'm so anxious?"

Bu Qingfang looked at him helplessly and said: "Deputy Director Su said that United Mining isn't solely owned by the group; it's in the category of tertiary industry. If we want to carry out safety production rectification, it should be discussed at a meeting."

"Hmm, discuss it then." Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and asked: "And then?"

"And then? There is no then."

Bu Qingfang spread her hands and said: "Deputy Director Su said we have to wait. He has too many situations like this in his hands, and he has to prioritize the more urgent ones."

"What do you call 'more urgent'?"

Li Xuewu's brow never relaxed as he looked at her and asked: "Have you reported this situation to Director Li?"

"I wouldn't dare—" Bu Qingfang sighed: "Who in the group dares to add trouble to Director Li now?"

"Are you afraid of troubling him, or are you afraid of troubling yourself?" Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes, glared at her with dissatisfaction, and then asked: "What do you intend to do?"

"I..." Bu Qingfang had just been embarrassed and lowered her head, but hearing him ask, she raised her head wanting to say something, but seeing his sharp gaze, she quickly changed her words.

"Secretary-General, I have one idea."

She gritted her teeth and said: "Safety production should be approached from two aspects: one is equipment, and the other is management."

"Now United Energy can get new equipment and is arranging for various mining companies to carry out renovations one after another, but management."

Speaking of this, she seemed unable to continue, looked at Li Xuewu, opened her mouth with difficulty, and finally turned it into a sigh.

"Ate gunpowder?" Li Xuewu looked at her and said: "Something up?"

"Something up." Wang Yajuan handed over a document and gestured: "Look at this."

"What is it?" Li Xuewu didn't take it, but tilted his head to look at it, and then laughed out loud.

"Where did the document come from?" He looked up at Wang Yajuan and asked: "From the group?"

"Issued by the publishing house. Didn't you receive it?"

Wang Yajuan looked at him suspiciously, opened the document, pointed at it, and gestured: "Haven't you heard about the TV station matter?"

"TV station, at this time?"

Li Xuewu didn't need to look at the content inside; he knew it just by looking at the header of the document, otherwise, why would he laugh?

"What are you laughing at?" Wang Yajuan looked at him, walked to the side of his desk, pointed at the document and said: "Don't you think this project won't work just because you're biased before looking at it?"

"First of all, I haven't seen this project."

Li Xuewu reached out and pointed at the document, raising an eyebrow: "In other words, the project wasn't even approved by me."

"Secondly, I don't have work experience in propaganda work, nor do I understand television and broadcasting work. You know more about this than I do."

He leaned back in his chair, spread his hands, and said: "Finally, I have nothing to do with this project, right?"

"Then what are you laughing at?" Wang Yajuan cared very much about his attitude because she knew Li Xuewu's judgment was very accurate.

"I'm laughing because broadcasting work hasn't even been done well, and now we're starting a TV project?"

He pointed at the document and asked: "Our group wants to do a TV project. Has anyone investigated the television coverage rate of the group's staff families?"

"You always like to beat around the bush when you talk."

Wang Yajuan glanced at him and said: "You could just say you don't think highly of this project."

"Then tell me, who is hosting this project." Li Xuewu sat up straight, flipped through the documents on the desk, and said: "Enterprise Propaganda Department?"

"It's a project application proposed by the Literary and Art Publishing House, managed and supervised by the Enterprise Propaganda Department."

Wang Yajuan introduced: "I heard this project is supported by Deputy Director Gu, and it's a policy from above."

"Hmm, I see."

Li Xuewu pointed at the beginning of the document. This type of project often has guidance opinions from above or policy needs.

"It was in January and February of this year that the Central Broadcasting and the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building and other units jointly held a national television professional conference." Wang Yajuan explained: "The conference decided to concentrate domestic technical forces to develop color television, while also developing black and white television."

She was talking about the policy statement of the document. Li Xuewu pointed at the content behind and said: "This is to develop the electronics industry, so why bring up a TV station?"

"If you have a TV but don't develop a TV station, are you going to watch snow?" Wang Yajuan said with amusement and anger: "The higher-ups have already approved the construction of TV stations in several provinces and regions in the border areas."

She introduced: "I heard that the higher-ups also encourage key industrial enterprises to build their own television systems, just like the Beijing Hotel."

"Hmm, hmm, I know everything."

Li Xuewu naturally knew about the Beijing Hotel's television system; that was built in 1964, but the Beijing Hotel was special.

"It looks like this year's television battle is going to be launched nationwide?" He finished reading the document, then turned to look at Wang Yajuan and asked: "This is the group's project; why are you so excited?"

"Why can't I be excited?"

Wang Yajuan stiffened her neck and said: "Our profession should be more comprehensive in expression, not just sound."

"Let's do the broadcasting work well first."

Li Xuewu closed the document and said: "In January last year, the Ministry of Finance and the Central Broadcasting jointly issued a notice, which you should have studied."

"It's the 'Notice on the Expenditure Issues of Rural Broadcasting Network Funds'; I remember seeing it in the newspaper."

He picked up his teacup and took a sip: "The 'Notice' stipulates that the daily business expenses of county and city broadcasting stations are included in the national budget, and the daily business expenses of commune broadcasting stations are included in the local budget. This decision has a profound impact on wired broadcasting."

"And in the second half of last year, when formulating the national economic plan, the higher-ups investigated broadcasting work."

Li Xuewu put down the teacup and introduced: "In the economic plan issued at the beginning of this year, running newspapers and broadcasting well was listed as the first item. Do you know what this implies?"

"At present, broadcasting and newspapers are the focus of propaganda work; television is a development prospect and can be advocated."

"But it didn't say it wasn't allowed—"

Wang Yajuan frowned and said: "I read this notice last year; it said television construction should also be valued."

"Look, the policy document cited in the project proposal is also marked. This year's TV stations are to increase from 25 to 70, and even the qualifications have been approved."

"Hmm, hmm, I see."

Li Xuewu reached out and pressed the document she opened, looking at her and saying: "The higher-ups said that the TV signal of the Beijing TV Station at the center must basically cover all provincial capitals, autonomous region capitals, and large cities in the country."

"That's it." Wang Yajuan argued: "Our group is in Beijing. How rare is this east wind?"

"Hmm, hmm, that's right, it's very rare."

Li Xuewu looked at her anxious appearance with amusement and asked: "But why would the Beijing Station want to play with you?"

This question stumped Wang Yajuan, and she didn't know how to refute him.

Li Xuewu knew her meaning and her thoughts; it was nothing more than fancying the more direct communication attributes of television.

Who doesn't like watching TV? Even the family of the little monster he left in the Sihe Academy loved it so much they couldn't bear to watch it often.

However, there were relatively few TV stations at this time, and the time for broadcasting programs was also very short; you had to pinch the time to wait and watch.

The one most often watched at home was the Beijing Station, but the Beijing Station at this time wasn't the Beijing Station of later generations; it was the predecessor of CCTV.

Li Xuewu was able to get the little monster because of an advantage and coincidence. How many families in the Four Nine Cities could afford a TV?

That's right, the Red Steel Group gave back to the staff to a great extent during the development process and gave support in terms of welfare and treatment.

Some staff members even took out their savings to buy a Jiayue TV from the group's supply department, treating it like a treasure.

At this time, the production capacity of the Beijing Television Factory was quite good, but it still couldn't meet the national people's demand for televisions.

And the televisions produced at this time were all black and white. Even the Red Steel Group's Steel City Electronics Factory's color television production line hadn't been assembled yet.

Even if the color television production line was assembled, the products weren't something that most ordinary people in the country could accept.

Price was a chasm.

Of course, the development of TV stations would also be very fast in the next few years; he knew this without Wang Yajuan saying it.

There were only 25 TV stations in the whole country now. By 1976, there should be more than 30, and there should be more than 100 relay stations, not counting the small TV relay stations.

Li Xuewu attached great importance to the development of Steel City Electronics, especially the television production and research and development business.

He knew that two years later, the country would approve the import of color televisions, which would be another blow to the domestic television industry. Laying out in advance was naturally more steady.

Then why did he remind Wang Yajuan that she should pay more attention to broadcasting work?

The reason was simple: the penetration rate of television needed to be improved, while the development of broadcasting was faster, and there was still a long time before it would be eliminated.

If broadcasting work was done well, then carrying out television work later would also be useful; it was nothing more than having a picture or not having a picture.

In recent years, the whole country had been laying out broadcasting networks. The newspaper said that the goal of achieving national coverage within three years would be realized.

This goal was a bit too big, but Li Xuewu estimated that covering 90% of the regions wouldn't be difficult to achieve.

As long as you came from that era, who didn't remember the broadcasting loudspeakers in the village brigades and small teams?

"Don't worry about this project for now."

Li Xuewu pointed at the document and said: "Wait and see. If it really succeeds, it won't be too late for you to apply to transfer over."

He glanced at the somewhat depressed Wang Yajuan and said: "With ability and strength, are you afraid there won't be a place if you go late?"

"That's not what I meant—"

Wang Yajuan thought for a moment and said: "I just think television must be easier to express than broadcasting."

"And our group has its own television factory, and the propaganda coverage is also staff, so it should be easier to do."

"Hmm, that's not wrong either."

Li Xuewu nodded in recognition and said: "But it won't be done in three to five years, especially for industrial enterprises."

"Don't believe it just because the higher-ups say they support industrial enterprises doing this."

He tapped the document with the pencil in his hand and emphasized: "Our control over broadcasting and television undertakings is very strict, and the access review and inspection are also the strictest."

"Don't look at the fact that localities can get the approval power for TV stations; this is different from industrial enterprises." 【161】 "Then forget it, a wasted excitement." 【162】 Wang Yajuan picked up the document and looked at him, saying somewhat depressed: "Originally, I was thinking about how to combine literary and art performances with television programs." 【163】 "Hmm, hmm." Li Xuewu encouraged with a smile: "The idea is good, but you can't take too big a step." 【164】 "You're talking about me; this project isn't even mine." Wang Yajuan looked at him and asked: "Do you think Deputy Director Gu can apply for it?" 【165】 "What? The TV station qualification?" 【166】 Li Xuewu was just about to continue writing, but hearing her say this, he looked up and pursed his lips, thought for a moment, and then raised an eyebrow: "Wait and see. Wouldn't it be better if the application was approved?" 【167】 "Since you said so, then it definitely won't be approved—" Wang Yajuan sighed, like a deflated ball, and turned to walk out. 【168】 Since there was no hope for this project, she also lost interest in continuing to talk nonsense. 【169】 She would rather believe Li Xuewu, who was outside the situation, than believe that Deputy Director Gu, who was in charge of propaganda work, could succeed. 【170】 Li Xuewu also felt it was funny. 【171】 "When are you going back to Beijing?" 【172】 When Yu Li walked into the room with a basin of foot-washing water, she saw him leaning against the head of the bed reading a book and asked casually. 【173】 "Next Wednesday, going to Jin Ling." 【174】 Li Xuewu saw her moving his feet, so he got up and let her gesture, soaking his feet in the hot water. 【175】 This foot-soaking thing only started after she came to the Steel City. Even at home, he rarely soaked his feet. 【176】 The only one who could be so meticulous in caring for his body was Yu Li. 【177】 She went to work in the city every day, and sometimes went to the wharf side. No matter how hard it was, she never forgot this. 【178】 Sometimes Li Xuewu didn't want to soak, but she would coax him. 【179】 Hmm, just like coaxing a child, which made Li Xuewu cry and laugh, and he could only follow her. 【180】 Yu Li just had this patience. What he liked to eat, she didn't need to ask; she remembered it from how much was used in the meals. 【181】 After just one month, he had already drunk chicken soup twice, and even Banggeng got a bargain. 【182】 Li Xuewu could clearly feel that the kid had gained weight. It had only been a month, and the big-faced cat had wasted his weight loss. 【183】 He was the same. When he got up in the morning and looked in the mirror, he could clearly feel the meat on his cheeks. 【184】 Actually, serving people was more tiring than going to work. Li Xuewu had never served anyone himself, but feeling Yu Li's care made him feel tired for her. 【185】 "Next time I take a bath, I'll stand in the water basin, so you won't have to be troubled again." 【186】 "Can that be the same?" 【187】 Yu Li rolled her eyes at him, reached into the water basin to help him rub his feet, kneading and pressing. 【188】 "Foot soaking must be done separately in a basin. Besides, I put Chinese medicine in here; can it be the same as taking a bath?" 【189】 "You know more about health than I do." 【190】 Li Xuewu smiled, leaned his hands on the edge of the bed, looked at her and said: "If I had known, I should have let you come last year, so I could enjoy the blessings earlier." 【191】 "Afraid I wouldn't be tired, right?" 【192】 Yu Li looked at him with a smile, her eyes filled with affection: "Big men can't even take care of themselves." 【193】 "It's not that I can't take care of myself; it's just pure laziness." 【194】 Li Xuewu sat up straight and leaned back, his hands behind him, complaining in a relaxed posture: "It's all Banggeng's fault; I used to be very diligent." 【195】 Slap— 【196】 Yu Li patted his lower leg with amusement and scolded: "Do you think it's the first day I've known you?" 【197】 "You're just lazy, and you still blame the child." 【198】 "He can't be considered a child anymore." Li Xuewu chuckled: "He has a partner, so what kind of child is that? Last time I advised Qin Huairu to prepare early, don't wait until the grandson is home to know how to make a quilt." 【199】 "You even scared her; she's almost possessed." Yu Li said unhappily: "When I came, she specifically came to talk to me and asked me to take care of Banggeng." 【200】 "This child, the older he gets, the less he lets people worry." 【201】 "Boys are all like this; it's their nature." 【202】 Li Xuewu didn't feel this posture was comfortable enough, so he simply lay on the bed and let her wash his feet. 【203】 "Yu Zhe is the same; you still talk about others." 【204】 "Yu Zhe is also spoiled by you—" 【205】 Yu Li, as a sister, was also ruthless, directly saying: "Do you really think he's a child?" 【206】 Li Xuewu didn't have much intersection with Yu Zhe before he came to the Steel City, mostly seeing him once at the factory or the club. 【207】 In the factory, Yu Zhe didn't dare to greet him, and in the club, he hid even further away. 【208】 It was only after arranging for Yu Zhe to drive for him that they met often. 【209】 The two came to the Steel City. Yu Li didn't know what state her brother was in when he was with him in Beijing, only knowing that he lived in the dormitory and his work was extremely light. 【210】 It wasn't until she also came to the Steel City that she knew how Li Xuewu took care of Yu Zhe. 【211】 Not to mention alcohol, because he was a driver, Yu Zhe didn't drink, but he often smoked Li Xuewu's cigarettes. 【212】 Li Xuewu didn't smoke, but there were cigarettes in his office and car, and in the trunk too. 【213】 Things like local specialties, gifts from business dealings, were mostly divided between Zhang Enyuan and Yu Zhe. 【214】 It was just short of giving pocket money. 【215】 But taking care of him like this, what was the difference from giving pocket money? 【216】 In Yu Li's view, Li Xuewu had to take half the responsibility for Yu Zhe messing around with those women. 【217】 Who told Yu Zhe to be so generous? 【218】 The leader's driver, brightly dressed, generous, young and strong, with a flowery mouth—which woman wouldn't like such a young man? 【219】 "Don't give him anything from now on!" Seeing he didn't agree, Yu Li emphasized with a scold: "Did you hear me?" 【220】 "Sigh, he serves me; how can I not take care of him?" Li Xuewu sat up and looked at her helplessly: "Give it to the secretary but not to him?" 【221】 "Don't give it to him; he doesn't need anything." 【222】 Yu Li, as a sister, was also ruthless, saying bluntly: "He gives away everything you give him." 【223】 "It's fine if he gives it to the right place; it's just nonsense." 【224】 She glanced at Li Xuewu and asked: "You know he's involved with those women, right?" 【225】 "Which women?" Li Xuewu

"She passed thirty jin a long time ago. Thirty jin, indeed." Mai Qinglan brought the dishes out from the kitchen and said with a smile: "My mom weighed her on the scale the other day; thirty-two jin."

"Whoa—" Li Xuewu looked at the little chubby girl in his arms in surprise and said: "She's about as heavy as your little brother."

He pointed at Tiger Girl's little belly and asked: "What good things has she been eating?"

"Want—" Li Qi giggled and reached for the food on the table, a little glutton.

"Big, Niuniu wants to eat egg!"

Seeing that her uncle wouldn't give her any, she struggled to stand up, pointing her little finger at the scrambled eggs on the table and shouting: "Egg, egg!"

"Good, eat egg." Li Xuewu followed instructions, picked up a small piece of egg with his chopsticks, and sent it into her mouth. Seeing her eating happily, he asked: "Is it eating eggs that made her so fat?"

"Giggle, giggle—" She couldn't resist his teasing, laughed, struggled down from him, and scrambled on her little legs into her grandfather's arms.

Mai Xiaotian treated her like an ancestor. Seeing his granddaughter come over, he hurriedly hugged her and coaxed her in his arms.

"Grandpa!" Li Qi was two and a half; she had no problem speaking, just didn't have the patience for long sentences.

At this moment, her big eyes were fixed on the food on the table, almost drooling.

"She eats more in one meal than I do."

Bringing the last dish up, Mai Qinglan pointed at her daughter's little hand and introduced to Li Xuewu: "She can eat a bowl and a half of rice in the morning, and her little mouth doesn't stop all morning."

"Children are just like that; they're growing." Mai Xiaotian didn't want his daughter to talk about the child, so he protected Li Qi, turned her in another direction, and used chopsticks to pick up eggs for her to eat.

Li Xuewu raised his chin, gestured toward Mai Xiaotian, and asked Mai Qinglan: "The teacher must be watching her; they look so close."

"She's almost spoiled by my dad—"

Mai Qinglan glared at her daughter with dissatisfaction, turned back to gesture to Li Xuewu: "Brother, don't be a stranger; pick up your chopsticks."

"No rush, wait until Auntie is done."

Li Xuewu gestured toward the kitchen direction, where Mai Qinglan's mother, Hu Huilan, was tidying up.

"Mom, hurry up and eat—" Mai Qinglan didn't want Li Xuewu to wait too long, so she turned to call her mother.

"Coming, coming." Hu Huilan wiped her hands and entered the room, greeting Li Xuewu with a smile: "Eat, eat, don't wait for me."

"Auntie, don't be a stranger with me."

Li Xuewu had already emphasized this when he entered the room; they weren't outsiders. They could call him Xuewu or Little Li, but Hu Huilan couldn't bring herself to do it.

So at this moment, when the few of them were talking, both Mai Xiaotian and Hu Huilan omitted addressing him.

"Give the child to me; you guys eat first."

Hu Huilan took the child from Mai Xiaotian's hands and sat beside him while holding her.

Li Qi wasn't picky; she was fine with whoever fed her.

"Let her eat by herself; you guys eat too." Mai Qinglan wanted her daughter to eat by herself, but neither of the old ones was willing: "She can't eat well by herself; she drops it everywhere."

Hu Huilan didn't respond, continuing to feed the child, while Mai Xiaotian urged Li Xuewu to drink.

"Do you drink a bit usually too?"

Li Xuewu took a sip first, using the same amount as him, put down the wine glass, and asked with a smile.

Mai Xiaotian nodded and said with a smile: "When you come over, I can drink a bit more."

"Health is important; drink less alcohol."

Li Xuewu knew his health wasn't good, so he urged him at this moment, then turned to ask Mai Qinglan: "Have the things from Beijing been moved over?"

"No, they're still over there."

Mai Qinglan ate her rice and explained: "Everything here is newly purchased. It's such a long way; how could we move it?"

"No way, we two old ones can't carry anything on our shoulders or lift anything with our hands." Hu Huilan said helplessly: "This money can't be saved."

"Heh, sooner or later we'll have to go back."

Li Xuewu looked at little Tiger Girl and smiled, teasing her: "You're a Beijinger; you'll have to go back to Beijing for school later, right?"

"Yes—" Li Qi was at the age of learning to speak; she responded to whatever he said, but she didn't necessarily understand what she was responding to.

"I'm also thinking, if I can send her to kindergarten next year, I'll let my parents go back to Beijing." Mai Qinglan looked at him and asked: "Brother, is it convenient now?"

"What's inconvenient about it? What does it have to do with the child?" Li Xuewu ate his rice and said: "If Master and Auntie want to go back, just call Guodong and arrange it."

"Better not; this place is quite good." Hu Huilan waved her hand and said: "Can the child be okay without seeing her mom for a long time?"

She glared at her daughter and denied: "We two have nothing to do; staying anywhere is the same. Staying here, we can still cook a hot meal for you."

"Eating at the canteen is no problem." Mai Qinglan smiled and said: "It's not that I can't cook; I'm just afraid I'll miss the child."

"You won't be able to stand it after a long time."

Li Xuewu drank with Mai Xiaotian and said: "It's fine for men to be busy with work, but at night, you'll miss them."

"What if I miss them?" Mai Qinglan asked with a smile: "You're still okay; you can go back twice a month. If I send her back, I'll only see her once every half year."

"Do you want to go back to Beijing to work?"

Li Xuewu glanced at her and said: "If you really want to go back, I'll help you arrange it."

"Not going back; staying in the Steel City." Mai Qinglan ate a bite of food and said: "He'll have to come back sooner or later."

Hearing her daughter say this, the two old ones fell silent, which put pressure on Li Xuewu.

"Any news this month?" Li Xuewu glanced at her and asked: "The news I received is quite good."

"I even asked him if he wanted to come back for a visit, and he said he had to see the situation." He knew Mai Qinglan had a competitive spirit, so he explained: "When the time comes, you two can discuss it."

"Hmm, thank you, Brother." Mai Qinglan didn't dare to throw a tantrum in front of him, just responded simply.

Li Xuewu came to visit today because he hadn't come during the New Year; if he didn't come again, the first month would be over.

He brought gifts for the children and the elderly, and Mai Qinglan also knew in advance that he was coming, so she specially prepared lunch.

On weekends, Li Xuewu basically had to work in the Steel City, especially after the start of the year. He not only had to watch over the work of Liaodong Industrial but also had to take care of the group's work.

Li Huai De only gave him three years, but only promised that the first year would be entirely focused on Liaodong. Now it was the second year; he had to take care of both.

"Going back to Beijing is good too; you won't be so idle." Li Xuewu teased Mai Xiaotian with a smile: "The club's art troupe misses you."

"Heh—an old vegetable, what's there to miss?" Mai Xiaotian smiled and said: "I've let it go; that is to say, I've let it go. I don't miss it anymore."

He shook his head and pointed at Li Qi: "Now I only miss her."

"Grandpa—" Li Qi grabbed his arm, still wanting him to hold her.

With two old ones around, Mai Qinglan could have the time and energy to complete her work.

After the meal, Li Xuewu chatted with the two old ones. When he went out, Mai Qinglan saw him off.

"Brother, when can he come back?"

"I'll try my best to contact him." Li Xuewu nodded and looked at her: "You should know that I haven't just told him once to come back and see the family."

"Does he have someone else outside?"

Mai Qinglan frowned: "Now he doesn't even want to come home, doesn't even want to see his daughter."

"Don't let your imagination run wild. Even if he has someone else, if he doesn't tell you, how would you know?"

Li Xuewu teased her with a smile: "Be steady, put your heart in your stomach. With me here, he can't run away."

"He has many tricks up his sleeve."

Mai Qinglan lowered her head, her expression a bit dejected: "I was annoyed when he was at home, but I haven't been able to see him for a long time and..."

"I understand; I can understand your mood." Li Xuewu reached out and patted her arm lightly: "Work hard, live well, relax."

"Brother, I've caused you trouble." Mai Qinglan let out a long breath, looked up at him and said: "And I've bothered you to make a trip. I know you're busy with work; I'm really sorry."

"Don't say such things; we're our own people." Li Xuewu glared at her with feigned dissatisfaction: "Biaozi is my brother; isn't it right for me to come and see his parents?"

Brothers would worship each other's parents as godparents, but they wouldn't worship each other's fathers-in-law, so Li Xuewu didn't have that much etiquette.

The reason he came here, besides visiting during the New Year, was also because of what Yu Li mentioned—Mai Qinglan's parents were having wild thoughts because Li Wenbiao hadn't been home for a long time.

It was precisely because the two old ones were anxious that Mai Qinglan, who hadn't cared whether Li Wenbiao came back or not, also began to feel anxious.

Li Xuewu didn't want his big brother's family to break apart, but Old Biaozi had been busy since taking over the real estate business.

With the foundation laid by Wen San'er, plus Lou Xiaoe's support, he was doing even better over there than Wen San.

Actually, Li Xuewu's advice to Mai Qinglan to relax wasn't insincere. At least when he saw the other party that time before the New Year, he heard Lou Xiaoe say he was working very seriously.

Wen San'er was unreliable; that was his own style of doing things. Li Wenbiao wouldn't indulge in debauchery to maintain his image.

He was more low-key than Wen San'er and more ruthless in doing things; otherwise, how would he have the ability to rectify discipline?

Seven more people went up the mountain in Jicheng last year, which showed that there were more things happening over there, and also that some people were gone.

In the past few years, ashes had been sent back one after another. Similarly, the little mountain village was visibly becoming wealthy, and some families even built brick houses.

In the mountains, being able to build brick houses showed that the money brought back was quite a lot.

There were also those who squandered it, earning money in Hong Kong and spending it in Hong Kong, not bringing a penny home.

Old Biaozi raised the ruthless people on the mountain like poisonous insects, and Wen San'er was also raising insects in Yingcheng, and could even connect to Fengcheng and Bingcheng.

Recently, I don't know how they got in touch, saying that there were foreign ships on the sea that could do trade directly, and they left contact channels.

Li Xuewu told him to hold back a bit and not become a typical example.

After that incident, Wen San'er's style of doing things became much more steady. His wife and children followed him to Liaodong. If something really happened, the whole family would be OUT.

Li Xuewu had naturally advised him not to keep his family by his side, but Wen San'er really wanted to listen to him, but Fei Shanying wouldn't agree.

Now Fei Shanying was pregnant again, determined to give birth to another one for Wen San'er.

Wen San'er scratched his head every time he saw him. How would he count after this one was born? Did he still want to go up?

The eldest son, Zhang Xinmin, was not his biological son, but he raised him. He just wanted another Wen Yuan. Now he was three years old.

He was also in the wrong, knowing Fei Shanying was taking revenge on him for what he did in Hong Kong.

"If I really have ten or eight, I'll lose my old life—"

Wen San'er waited at home, and when he saw him come back, he talked about this again.

Yu Li glanced at him with amusement and said: "You're still not willing. Third Aunt is risking her life to carry on the family line for you."

"Our family doesn't have a throne to inherit; why have so many children?" Wen San'er's thinking could be considered alternative in this era. Who didn't want many sons in this era?

If a family really had ten sons, as long as they were raised, no one would dare to bully that family, whether in the city or in the countryside.

Think about it, a family of ten strong laborers.

Of course, the father would be worried to death. Just how much money would it take to marry wives and build houses?

Wen San'er could calculate clearly. At first, he thought Zhang Xinmin wasn't his biological son, but he raised him, and having another Wen Yuan was enough.

As a result, Fei Shanying was angry about what he did in Hong Kong, and regardless of him recuperating at home, she just got pregnant like that.

"She's about to give birth, right?" Li Xuewu scratched his face and asked: "Is it this month?"

"Um, it's these few days."

Wen San'er smiled bitterly: "That's why I don't dare go to Yingcheng; I have to guard her."

"I said I was going to Yingcheng, and she followed me. What can I do?"

Wen San'er's main place of work was in Yingcheng. Previously, Fei Shanying had followed him there, with her big belly.

Zhang Xinmin was entrusted to Mai Qinglan to take care of, living over here, and Wen Yuan followed along.

After recuperating at home for more than half a year, Li Xuewu re-enabled him, and he prepared a house in the Steel City.

Not for anything else, but because Li Xuewu was here, he felt safe.

"That's good. Isn't it a happy event to add people?"

Li Xuewu looked at him with a smile and said: "Adding people is a happy event; the full-month wine must be held well."

"I'll invite you to drink when the time comes." Wen San'er nodded and gestured to Yu Li: "You go to my house more often. Your aunt misses you, and there's no one to talk to."

"Just Biaozi's wife goes, but I'm embarrassed to trouble her too much, after all, she still has work."

"Fine, I'll go often." Yu Li responded with a smile: "You have to prepare good food."

"No problem, definitely."

Wen San'er responded very readily, turned to look at Li Xuewu and reported: "The situation this year is much better than last year."

"Has it formed a scale?" Li Xuewu took a sip from his teacup and asked: "The channels for Japan and South Korea have been opened, right?"

"Sanhe was making trouble; otherwise, it could have been even earlier." Wen San'er explained: "It was also because the shipments were too fierce. I heard that Japan doesn't really want this kind of television anymore; they want color ones."

"Color televisions will have to wait a bit."

Li Xuewu put down the teacup and explained: "The production line is being assembled, and the bidding process for related parts is almost done, but we still have to wait."

"Entrust the parts to the supply chain then."

Wen San'er knew the Red Steel Group's production model, nodded and said: "That won't take too long; it's almost there, right?"

"Without core parts, it's all for nothing."

Li Xuewu twitched the corner of his mouth and said: "The circuit boards and chips I asked you to import before—the technology for that is still being negotiated."

"How long have you been negotiating?" Wen San'er asked curiously: "Didn't you buy this when you went to East Germany a while ago?"

"Bought it, bought the chip technology."

Li Xuewu wouldn't tell him how he "bought" it, just explained messily: "It's still in research and development."

"I don't understand this." Wen San'er shook his head and said: "I can barely tinker with repairs, but if it's manufacturing, I have no way at all."

"Even if there are color televisions, they won't be able to ship for a while. Sanhe is watching very closely."

Li Xuewu leaned back on the sofa and warned him: "Don't just stare at televisions; change to something fresh."

He raised his chin and said: "Go back and contact Teacher Wu. The Red Steel Group is preparing to launch a clothing production project. See if there's any potential."

"Export clothing?" Wen San'er looked at him blankly and asked: "Is there profit in shipping with speedboats?"

"That depends on production costs." Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and said: "The profit of clothing is even higher than bullets."

"Prepare more; the Northeast Asia region is about to change." ===== CHAPTER 1570 =====

"Hehe, as long as you're happy."