Chapter 1618: Yu Zhe Arrives

Li Li Xuewu only took three days of leave; counting the time wasted on the road, he had just finished his leave for the month.

Li Shu, who was about to start school, clamored to come out and play with him, but was reminded by her mother that if she missed the start of school, she would have to continue attending kindergarten; the threat finally extinguished her desire to play.

On the very day he left the capital, Zhang Jinsong officially began his research on the ecological engineering construction work in his capacity as the Director of the Liangma River Ecological Industrial Zone Management Committee.

Han Han Jiankun followed his instructions and delivered the latest work briefing to the train station; Li Li Xuewu read this news while on the train.

Agricultural work was gradually recovering and turning around, and industrial production and construction work were also being readjusted toward a healthy track under economic pressure.

Relying on his work credentials, he obtained a soft-sleeper ticket and reorganized the context of industrial and agricultural production work for the first ten days of August from the newspaper provided in the carriage.

Without careful study and observation, it is impossible to see the precursors of industrial development under the "noisy" atmosphere, let alone accurately grasp the pulse of industrial enterprise development.

The first magnetic separation and filtration joint equipment; the first safety spark-type underground communication telephone for mines; the first super-heavy vertical lathe; the 110,000-volt aluminum wire plastic current transformer with world-advanced levels; and even the shipping pearl—the launch of the large aircraft project.

From these threads, you can clearly discover that the tide of the era does not shift according to individual will; it is still developing and progressing vigorously.

And from this tide of progress, you can also discover that the results appearing ten or twenty years later are inevitable—they are the surprises and shocks of peeking into unknown fields.

Li Li Xuewu certainly possesses the ability of a "prophet," but this ability to peek into the future is realized through technology; the prophet has provided testimony and judgment.

Therefore, a person who possesses this ability to peek into the future is called a trendsetter of the era.

Clang—

That is the only bad thing about soft-sleeper carriages; when passing through switches, the carriage door doesn't close tightly and will emit a collision sound from the sliding rail, especially with the production craftsmanship of this era.

The carriage attendant walked in carrying a thermos, politely greeted the two people in the carriage, and simultaneously refilled their teacups with hot water.

"Thank you, you've worked hard." The old comrade sitting opposite had no reaction, his attention remained on the newspaper, while Li Li Xuewu smiled and thanked the attendant for their hard work.

"You're welcome, leader, it's my duty."

For passengers who can appear in a soft-sleeper carriage, there is no such thing as judging by appearances here; even if they are not leaders of the railway or other transportation systems, the crew will not treat them differently.

When Li Li Xuewu boarded the train, he discovered that towels and slippers had already been placed at his seat, along with the newspaper he had just been reading.

And there were already passengers opposite, but they seemed unimpressed by his arrival.

Li Li Xuewu was not a meddlesome person; after a polite nod, he busied himself with organizing his luggage, drinking tea, reading the newspaper, and organizing his thoughts all at once.

When the attendant left, they asked softly if the carriage door should be closed tightly; Li Li Xuewu got up to close the door and thanked them again.

When he turned back, he noticed that the old comrade who hadn't spoken much was sizing him up, seemingly puzzled by his "politeness."

"Where is the young man from?"

The old comrade did not put down the newspaper in his hand, but merely used his right hand to pick up the teacup and take a sip, his posture quite steady and composed.

"From the capital." Li Li Xuewu smiled slightly, smoothed his trousers, sat on the bed, and glanced out the train window, thinking that with more than ten hours of travel ahead, his head felt heavy.

One always has this feeling on long-distance trains: sleepy but wanting to sleep, yet unable to fall asleep.

"On a business trip or visiting relatives?" The old comrade seemed to have his interest in reading the newspaper disturbed by the attendant's arrival, but he became more talkative, his gaze full of inquiry.

"Work." Li Li Xuewu turned his head to look at the other person and asked, "How about you? Where are you from?"

"Me? Hehe—" The old comrade seemed to have many answers to this question, finally replying with quite a bit of emotion: "Half a life drifting, home is everywhere; I suppose I'm from the capital."

"Then we count as fellow townsmen." Li Li Xuewu didn't care at all about the old comrade's air of seniority and picked up the newspaper to continue reading.

"I hear you have a Northeast accent." The old comrade had more to talk about, put down the newspaper in his hand, looked at Li Li Xuewu, and asked, "How many years have you been working in the Northeast?"

"Just over a year and a half." Li Li Xuewu raised his head slightly to respond, his gaze falling back on the newspaper; he wanted to see if there was any more news about the large aircraft project.

Actually, it was a delusion; being able to have simple publicity at the beginning of the project meant the content was truly limited, and even based on the situation he understood, the current domestic research environment for large aircraft was truly difficult. Even if the whole country exerted its strength, how much could be gained when the industrial foundation was not yet fully mature?

However, having something is better than having nothing; how can one know the gap without trying?

Li Li Xuewu had the intention to covet large aircraft, but this kind of crown-level project was not something a deformed aircraft manufacturing plant like Steel Flight could master.

Even if he could operate capital again, and even if the Red Steel Group brand was firm, he could not mobilize hundreds of millions in funds for investment in this era.

Anyone familiar with the development of the domestic aviation industry knows that the large aircraft project launched now is the former regret, the "Yun-10."

Speaking of this project, it was truly a gift from heaven; under the condition of technical blockade without any data, a Boeing 707 was delivered to the doorstep.

Relying on this salvaged aircraft, the process from nothing to something was completed in ten years.

What does a 100-ton class large jet passenger aircraft mean?

For today, when foreign passenger aircraft need to be leased for overseas inspections, this is the backbone of the national aviation industry.

It's a pity; just as Li Li Xuewu worried, ten years later, lacking necessary core technologies, it was still impossible to achieve mass production of the Yun-10.

Hundreds of millions in research funds went down the drain; in those years of exchanging market for technology, we participated in the MD-90 project and acted as an OEM for McDonnell Douglas, but only gained about 10% participation.

Core technologies and engineering were out of the question; the market did not exchange for technology, especially after acquiring McDonnell Douglas in 1997, the cooperation on this project was stopped.

Therefore, we delayed the large aircraft project for a full 20 years; in these twenty years, we built more than 180 airports, but there were no passenger aircraft produced by ourselves on the runways.

Where did the problem lie?

It was still a weak industrial foundation, especially the power system; the country did not yet have mature and reliable engines, which was the key to the problem.

Secondly, there were challenges in many aspects such as materials, craftsmanship, and supporting airborne systems.

Red Steel Group had its first airport and had long since scheduled the large aircraft project into its future development plan; the Santa Ya Group promised to contact the international market to purchase second-hand cargo aircraft.

Li Li Xuewu didn't even dare to hope for turbofan transport aircraft; even if it were piston-type transport aircraft, as long as the market could be opened and this game of chess could be activated, it would be a good start.

Just like not being optimistic about the Zhi-6, Li Li Xuewu knew very well what the ending of the Yun-10, codenamed Project 708, would be; he might not have the ability to make this project thrive, but he could certainly stir things up.

One must know that the Boeing 707 model first flew in 1954; even if this model were used as a template for research, in what year would the actual first flight be?

Even if the Yun-10 achieved its first flight, the first flight would be equivalent to being outdated.

Therefore, the passenger aircraft project of over a hundred tons was hard to handle; could a cargo aircraft of several dozen tons be handled?

If the jet power core couldn't be handled now, could the turbofan type be handled first?

Speaking of turbofan engines, they still had the full set of production technology and data brought back from East Germany in their hands.

Shen Fei passively gave up the cooperation on this project due to interference from certain factors, but that didn't mean he couldn't find a cooperation partner in the country.

He was pondering seriously, even taking out a fountain pen to scribble in a notebook, all of which was seen by the old comrade opposite, whose gaze became even more profound.

"Are you doing secretarial work?" Seeing Li Li Xuewu drinking tea, he then opened his mouth to ask: "What unit are you in? The benefits are so good."

"Hmm, hmm?" Li Li Xuewu was still thinking about the aircraft, and when he heard the question, he was slightly stunned, casually raising his eyebrows to ask: "Benefits? What benefits?"

"Just this." The old comrade pointed at the small table with his finger, sizing up the exquisite white shirt he was wearing, and said: "Aren't you serving a leader?"

"Oh, you mean—" Li Li Xuewu seemed to understand the inquiry and puzzlement in his gaze, smiled, nodded, and said: "That's right, our leader is quite good to me."

"Hehe—" The old comrade laughed softly, glanced at him, with an expression on his face that said he had long since seen through him.

"Looking at your face, are you 25?"

He turned sideways, picked up the newspaper in his hand, his gaze wandering between the newspaper and Li Li Xuewu; under his condescending momentum, his tone was much more relaxed.

"No, just 23." Li Li Xuewu smiled, looked at the other person, and asked: "How about you? Forty?"

"Ha—" The old comrade was amused by his words, glanced at him, and said: "Fine, just for this spirit of yours, you deserve to be appreciated by a leader."

He picked up his teacup and said: "Look at these white hairs of mine, could I still be forty?"

"At most, I'm fifty."

Li Li Xuewu didn't care about his tone, but chatted idly while reading the newspaper; teasing children and teasing old men were the same, both kinds of people were naive.

"That's more like it." The old comrade said indifferently: "Fifty-two, otherwise why would I say I've wasted half a life."

"You don't look like it." Li Li Xuewu smiled and flattered him, saying: "Looking at your bearing, you look like a leader, a big leader."

"Hahaha—" The old comrade laughed very happily, his eyes squinting, and after restraining himself slightly, he shook his head and emphasized: "If I were a big leader, could I still be taking the train alone?"

He raised his chin and signaled: "Wouldn't there be a secretary accompanying me? Young man, your eyes have deceived you."

"Then at most, my experience is insufficient."

Li Li Xuewu didn't argue, also shook his head and said: "Anyway, looking at you, you're not an ordinary person; don't tease me."

"Hahaha—"

Having an old comrade to tease and chat with, this journey wasn't considered boring; the two never talked deeply, and even less did they chat about current events in the newspaper, as that was taboo.

Until the train arrived at Steel City Station, secretary Zhang Enyuan came on board to help him carry his luggage; hearing the title of "leader" from his mouth, the old comrade looked at him leaving in astonishment, and later saw him get into a high-end sedan parked on the platform from the train window, only then realizing he had been played.

"There is definite news from Steel Auto; the passenger car production line will definitely achieve formal production in September."

When the car left the train station, Zhang Enyuan began to report; although he had only been away for four days, the work was like crops growing wildly in the fields.

It's just that he didn't have the joy of a bumper harvest.

"Factory Director Fang from the Fengcheng Ninth Pharmaceutical Factory called to find you; I scheduled a call for next week. If you need it, it can be arranged in advance."

"Did she call herself, or through the machinery factory?"

Li Li Xuewu flipped through the briefing provided by the Liaodong Industrial Leading Group Office and asked casually.

Zhang Enyuan just paused and gave the answer: "The other party called personally; the office knew you weren't there, so they notified me."

"Hmm, no need to arrange it for now." Li Li Xuewu opened the car window; the coolness of the night made him feel much more relaxed. He turned off the reading light, pinched the bridge of his nose, and instructed: "Wait for Factory Director Xiao's call; no need to contact the Ninth Pharmaceutical directly."

"Then I'll make a note of it." After Zhang Enyuan responded, he continued to report on other situations.

Li Li Xuewu looked out the car window; at this time, Steel City was gradually falling asleep, with few vehicles on the road, mostly trucks or groups of bicycles.

If it were winter, workers getting off the night shift would choose to find a break room or duty room in the factory to sleep, but this was midsummer.

In an era without beer and barbecue, the night shift meant going home early, so as not to keep the wife waiting too anxiously.

Yu Li stood by the window for a long time, turning her head from time to time to look at the clock on the wall; she was sure the time on her hand matched the one on the wall.

Train delays were common, but knowing Li Li Xuewu was coming back today, she couldn't help but worry, even though she knew he had the ability to handle any changes.

The night on Guanshan Road only had tranquility and darkness, but under the moonlight, the street and the trees on both sides of the road could be clearly seen.

A cool breeze blew, and the leaves made a rustling sound, setting off the concert in the pond to be even more mysterious and charming.

The car's headlights were like a sharp sword, splitting the darkness along the road until it slowly stopped in front of the villa door; there were a few barks from dogs from time to time, reminding the person getting off the car to be quiet.

"Was the train delayed?" Yu Li had long since pushed open the door and waited in the courtyard; seeing him get off the car, she asked.

Li Li Xuewu took the luggage handed over by Qi Yan, nodded, and explained: "It stopped for a while at Shanhai Pass; I don't know what the situation was."

"I thought so—" Yu Li greeted Qi Yan with a smile, and after he and Zhang Enyuan got in the car and left, she entered the entryway with Li Li Xuewu.

"Hungry? I'll go heat up some food for you."

Just as Li Li Xuewu was changing his shoes, she took the luggage and put it aside, going to the kitchen first, where dinner had long been prepared.

"Not very hungry, I ate a little on the train." Li Li Xuewu unbuckled his watch and placed it on the cabinet, walked to the bathroom to take a look; the bathwater had long been prepared.

"Eat a little anyway, so you don't get hungry in the middle of the night." Yu Li used kindling to start the stove, turned her head to look at him, and asked: "Shower first or eat first? Shower first."

"Hmm, shower first." Li Li Xuewu enjoyed Yu Li's attentiveness; on the clothes rack, there had long been underwear and pajamas prepared for him.

Yu Li took advantage of the time he was showering to prepare dinner, and then went to the door to tidy up the luggage he brought back, as well as the clothes he had changed out of.

"Why haven't I seen any movement from Banggeng?"

Seeing her come in, Li Li Xuewu asked while showering: "Asleep so early?"

"No, went to the processing plant." Yu Li very nimbly soaked the shirt in warm water; the water in Steel City was hard, and she was used to using boiled water to wash clothes.

"Why did you think of going to the processing plant?"

Li Li Xuewu took the towel she handed over to dry his body, raised his eyebrows, and asked: "You let him go?"

"He couldn't sit still himself." Yu Li handed him his underwear and explained casually: "Said it was boring at the pier, wanted to go to the processing plant to gain some experience."

"Always has his own reasons, right?"

Li Li Xuewu changed into his pajamas and said amusingly: "The kid is just like that, always full of energy, always likes challenges."

"About to be unable to contain him." Yu Li also shook her head with emotion and said: "If you let Qin Qin Huairu take him back now, let alone Banggeng, even Qin Qin Huairu wouldn't do it."

"Age is a bit small, but after seeing more things in society, he will have his own understanding and thoughts. Very normal."

Li Li Xuewu walked into the dining room, picked up his rice bowl to taste the stew, turned his head to look at her, and asked: "Do you know about Wen San'er wanting to order a ship?"

"Know, he called me the day you left." Yu Li explained: "He told me he went to Jinmen, and knowing you were going back to the capital, he didn't call to contact you again."

"It was very sudden." Li Li Xuewu said indifferently: "Said it was Ji Wang Weidong's idea, to engage in some shipping operation circle in Hong Kong."

"I heard it was quite complicated." Yu Li washed his shirt and other clothes, walked into the dining room, and explained: "I was just waiting for you to come back to ask about this."

"Don't worry about them." Li Li Xuewu ate a bite of the vegetable with sauce and said: "This batch of ships counts as being held on behalf of others; Shunfeng Ocean will pay the deposit."

"Is he saying we are paying in advance?"

Yu Li stood by the dining table serving him dinner, and at the same time reminded him: "Wen San'er also asked me how much capital we can mobilize now."

"Shen Shen Guodong will arrange this matter." Li Li Xuewu looked at her and said: "The advance payment will still come from the funds of the United Savings Bank; it won't be delayed for too long."

"Another thing, I didn't let him place the order all at once; let's do it one by one."

He was eating and explained his attitude toward this batch of orders to Yu Li, and Yu Li also understood his thoughts.

At night, mosquitoes were unstoppable, especially when eating with the lights on; soon there was the sound of mosquitoes flying in the kitchen.

Li Li Xuewu ate quickly; he didn't want to feed the mosquitoes, and it was just to pad his stomach; eating too much at night was hard to digest.

Yu Li very carefully nailed window screens to all the windows, but the window screens of this era were still somewhat insufficient in their effect of preventing mosquitoes.

Once summer entered, she habitually turned off the lights on the second floor, trying her best not to let mosquitoes fly in, and also often used insect repellent and local methods to repel mosquitoes.

Do you know what the most effective one is?

Insecticide from pesticides is soaked in cotton, stewed in a jar and lit, all doors and windows are closed for half an hour, and everything that can move in the room can be eliminated.

Of course, during this half hour, people have to go outside to feed the mosquitoes, otherwise they can only perish with the mosquitoes, which is really not worth it.

Midsummer also has late cool breezes, as gentle as Yu Li's hands; lying on the bed, he talked about some things in the capital, and Yu Li responded from time to time, and was silent from time to time.

Until he mentioned the illness of the eldest aunt, Yu Li then asked: "So serious? Reached the point of preparing for the funeral?"

"Oil exhausted and lamp dried up, I guess." Li Li Xuewu lay on the bed, letting Yu Li work, explaining intermittently: "Said the body had been deficient for a long time."

"I seem to have heard a bit." Yu Li frowned and said: "Said that early nutrition couldn't keep up, tired out several children, and left the root of the illness."

"Who knows." Li Li Xuewu hummed and said: "I took five yuan and gave it to He He Yu Shui, letting her buy some things to send over."

"Who is taking care of her?" Yu Li asked: "Doesn't He Yu Shui have to go to work?"

"Qin Qin Huairu goes over sometimes, but it's also limited." Li Li Xuewu explained: "He Yu Shui said she went a few times, but the eldest uncle wouldn't let her."

"Both their families should go." Yu Li curled her lips and said: "If it weren't for the support of the eldest uncle and eldest aunt, with Sha Zhu's character, he would have pitted He Yu Shui long ago."

"How evil that era was; He Yu Shui doesn't look bad, and many people are thinking about her."

She pinched Li Li Xuewu's shoulder and said: "Sha Zhu is also heartless; when I married over, I heard that someone was always wandering at the gate at night."

"How come I don't know?" Li Li Xuewu turned his head and asked: "There's such a thing?"

"You weren't home when I married over."

Yu Li reached out and patted his shoulder, signaling him to lie down properly, increased her strength slightly, and explained: "I also heard it when the eldest uncle held a meeting; he drove them away several times."

"Don't know, really haven't heard of it."

Li Li Xuewu moved his body; Yu Li sitting on his back wasn't much of a burden; he reached out to grab a cup and took a sip of warm water.

"Even if I knew, I might not necessarily notice."

"Did you ever fancy He Yu Shui back then?"

Yu Li waited for him to drink water and lie down again before continuing to ask: "You two aren't many years apart, right?"

"No, absolutely no concept of this."

Li Li Xuewu smiled and said: "She is the same age as my eldest brother; the eldest aunt had this intention, but was rejected by my grandmother, saying it wasn't suitable."

"Why?" Yu Li asked amusingly: "Just because she has no mother?"

"That's not it." Li Li Xuewu hummed and explained: "She not only has no mother, but also no father; her temper and character are somewhat unsuitable."

Hearing him speak euphemistically, Yu Li raised her eyebrows and said meaningfully: "That's true; eldest brother Li Xuewen was already a university student back then."

"Has nothing to do with this." Li Li Xuewu reached back and pinched her foot, amusingly: "You have quite a concept of matching social status."

"You don't?" Yu Li pouted and patted his back, reminding him not to move around, while emphasizing: "I think the old lady in your family has this concept."

"That's normal." Li Li Xuewu smiled and said: "My grandmother has always insisted on my grandfather's thoughts; old concepts."

"Then why didn't she think of introducing her to you?"

Yu Li raised her eyebrows and said: "Given the conditions at the time, you two would also be suitable, right?"

"How would it be suitable." Li Li Xuewu said amusingly: "You didn't know how arrogant her temper was when you married in; how could she look down on me back then."

"What was wrong with back then?" Yu Li emphasized: "Given your family's conditions, and your education, were you afraid of not having a job?"

"My reputation wasn't very good back then."

Li Li Xuewu shook his head and said: "I was dating Wang Wang Yajuan back then; her father was narrow-minded and always came to find my father to complain about me, saying I often went to her house to do that."

"Do what?" Yu Li couldn't help but giggle, patted him, and asked: "And you often went?"

"Hmm, indeed often went." Li Li Xuewu also said with a smile: "And was chased twice by her father, but her mother didn't oppose us being together."

"Why?" Yu Li asked curiously: "Just because you look good?"

"Maybe, anyway, didn't oppose."

Li Li Xuewu recalled the past while explaining: "I didn't know the depth back then, and Wang Wang Yajuan was also willing to go all out; you understand, right?"

"What do you think?" Yu Li supported herself on his back and exerted force; her buttocks slid from his waist to his thighs; with silk pajamas underneath, the movement was incomparably smooth.

"Hehehe—" Li Li Xuewu chuckled and explained: "I often bought candy for Wang Wang Yamei, letting her help us keep watch."

"I've heard Wang Wang Yamei mention this."

Yu Li chuckled and said: "She said you promised ten times but only fulfilled three or five."

"Where was the money back then; I was chasing coal trucks with Lao Lao Biaozi and the others just to trade for a full meal; buying candy was a last resort."

Li Li Xuewu smiled and said with emotion: "Her mother met us a few times and just smiled, pretending not to see; her father wouldn't, ignited at the touch."

"And now?" Yu Li asked meaningfully: "What's her attitude when seeing you again? Still chasing you to beat you?"

"Hehe—" Li Li Xuewu chuckled and said: "The last time we met was when Wang Wang Yamei gave birth to a child; she was quite embarrassed and difficult when she saw me."

"Why? Just because of you and Wang Wang Yajuan?"

Yu Li leaned down and lay on his back, leaned close, and asked: "Has she been waiting for you until now? Can be considered to have achieved her wish?"

"Do you believe it?" Li Li Xuewu said indifferently: "I don't believe it anyway."

"How come?" Yu Li moved her body down, signaled him to change sides, and after he lay down, she sat on top and asked: "Did she date someone else later?"

"Don't know, haven't asked." Li Li Xuewu put his hands behind his head, squinted his eyes slightly, and said: "The first time I saw her after coming back was in the neighborhood courtyard."

"The time Wang Wang Yamei made a mistake?" Yu Li raised her eyebrows; seeing him slightly stunned, she said amusingly: "Don't know? She told me everything."

"I hope she hasn't told everyone." Li Li Xuewu was also quite helpless; Wang Wang Yamei really had the temper and character of a child, not a bit of sophistication.

Of course, thinking about it, one knows that those who can be bought with candy wouldn't have any schemes.

"When did you two get good again?" Yu Li was especially curious about him today, as if these were catalysts in the summer heat, still complaining it wasn't hot enough in the room?

"After you came back?" Her gaze was full of gossip, saying: "Heard you two almost caused a life?"

"Otherwise, could I have been driven to the south by my father?"

Li Li Xuewu sighed long and said: "Actually, sometimes thinking about it, it's me who let her down; I really had no concept of love back then, let alone responsibility."

"And now? Want to make up for it?" Yu Li's hands didn't stop, asking: "Have the ability to take responsibility, and still have love?"

"Bullshit love—" Li Li Xuewu chuckled and patted her thigh, saying: "She just couldn't let go of that relationship, and had a bit more unwillingness."

"You really are a—" Yu Li didn't know how to describe him; she didn't know the word "scumbag."

Li Li Xuewu didn't care, saying indifferently: "If you ask me what love is now, I wouldn't know how to describe and explain it."

"Feelings, don't you have feelings for me?" Yu Li's hands paused, looked into his eyes, and asked: "Otherwise, what are we two?"

"Considered like-minded? Like-minded?"

Li Li Xuewu tilted his head, sized her up, and said: "Or considered fate destined?"

"What fate? Evil fate—"

Yu Li angrily hammered his chest, her hands continued, her expression somewhat indifferent, saying: "Men really aren't good things."

"Well said, I fully agree with this point of view." Li Li Xuewu nodded slowly and agreed: "You can realize this point, showing you've matured."

"I was just naive and muddled to get on your pirate ship—"

Yu Li pouted somewhat aggrievedly, her hands added a bit more wildness and joy, complaining: "A pirate ship sailing toward an unknown direction."

"Just because of this?" Li Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and asked: "So you started asking about He Yu Shui?"

Seeing her not speaking, Li Li Xuewu smiled and said: "I didn't provoke her, and she doesn't have the capital to bet on tomorrow with me."

"And I did?" Yu Li squinted her eyes and looked at him, saying: "I found that you even calculate your own people, not taking a bit of loss."

"I just don't want to be contaminated by karma—"

Her performance was over, it was Li Li Xuewu's turn to act; women are emotional, it must be some emotion that triggered her sensitive nerves.

The fastest way to reduce this sensitivity is to plant the chicken and get high.

"Leader, Yu Zhe has arrived."

Zhang Enyuan walked in and reported: "Should I let him in now, or..."

"Hmm, let him come over." Li Li Xuewu was looking at documents, said without raising his head: "Pour him a glass of water."

"Okay, leader." Zhang Enyuan turned and left, soon bringing Yu Zhe in; this kid looked even more dashing than when he left before.

"Leader." Seeing Li Li Xuewu raise his head to size him up, Yu Zhe grinned somewhat embarrassedly, saying: "You called for me."

"Hmm, sit." Li Li Xuewu raised his chin, signaling the chair opposite.

Yu Zhe glanced at Zhang Enyuan who went to pour water, hesitated, moved to sit in front of the desk, and asked somewhat nervously: "Is there something you called me for?"

"Hmm, you drink water first." Li Li Xuewu nodded, tightened his fountain pen, put it down, leaned on the chair, sized him up, and asked: "Is work still adaptable? How is it going?"

"Quite good, thank you for your concern."

Yu Zhe took the teacup, smiled, and said: "No hard work, still quite a lot of free time."

"Hmm, how is home?" Li Li Xuewu observed him with a faint smile, while asking about his recent situation.

Yu Zhe knew what he meant, and also knew what kind of temper his sister had, explaining somewhat embarrassedly: "Quite good, really quite good, we two..."

"Heh—" Li Li Xuewu chuckled lightly: "Back then, your sister almost held a knife to your throat to force you; you're being a bit ungrateful."

Yu Zhe was still the same Yu Zhe; he hadn't forgotten his eldest sister just because he had a wife.

However, in front of Li Li Xuewu, he always maintained a humble and cautious attitude, not daring to reveal even a hint of rebelliousness.

Li Li Xuewu let out a long breath, and only after Zhang Enyuan left did he ask: "Are you still in contact with that Sun Ming?"

"Who? Sun Ming?" Yu Zhe was slightly stunned, then reacted immediately and asked suspiciously: "Why did you think to ask about him?"

"Hmm, I have some business." Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, weighing his words: "You tell me first whether you two are still in contact."

"As for contact..." Yu Zhe stole a glance at him and hesitated as he explained: "I've called him twice, and he's called me twice. Other than that, there's nothing else, and we haven't met in person."

"Oh—" Li Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at him, seemingly knowing why he was in contact with Sun Ming, so he didn't pay much mind to it.

"If I ask you to contact him now, can you reach him?"

"I... suppose so." Yu Zhe was a bit vague, but seeing Li Li Xuewu across from him frown, he explained with a bitter face: "He hangs around this area; as long as you want to find him, you'll definitely be able to."

"Hmm, that's fine. I'm giving you a task."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said: "Didn't he ask you before if you wanted to get into a project to make some money?"

"Yeah—" Yu Zhe nodded and said: "But I don't want to get into his kind of stuff. Didn't you say he's a bit crooked?"

"Now you want to." Li Li Xuewu said indifferently: "Contact him and just say you got a good project from me that's guaranteed to make money."

"Huh? What!" Yu Zhe was dumbfounded. He had never thought this "brother-in-law" would be so bold; he could be this direct about making extra money.

"What 'what'?" Li Li Xuewu glanced at him and asked: "Are you afraid?"

"No—" Yu Zhe looked at him and asked softly: "With your position... is this necessary?"

"Just do what I tell you to do."

Li Li Xuewu frowned slightly as he looked at him and said: "You must keep this matter confidential. Don't tell anyone. Once the matter is done, return to the capital. If anyone asks you, just say you don't know."

"That..." Yu Zhe asked with some trepidation: "Is there any danger in this?"

He chuckled dryly and reminded Li Li Xuewu: "You also know that I... I just got married..."

"Heh—" Li Li Xuewu sneered as he looked at him and said: "Now you know you just got married? It's fine. If you're gone, there will still be a pension; she won't starve to death."

"I..." Yu Zhe wanted to say something, but he saw the determination on the other side and knew Li Li Xuewu was teasing him on purpose.

"Listen carefully." Li Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes slightly and instructed him: "I'll give you a connection in the capital. You contact Sun Ming and have him be responsible for shipping and receiving goods from the Steel City side. He can only be given a quarter of the profit."

"That..." Yu Zhe hesitated and reminded him: "That's too little; he might not do it. You also know he's doing okay right now."

"Doing okay?" Li Li Xuewu smiled faintly and said: "You tell him that a quarter of a month's profit is about twenty or thirty thousand. See if he's willing or not."

"Huh?!" Yu Zhe was stunned. He looked at him blankly, his mouth hanging open.

After a long while, he finally reacted, leaned forward, and said with a dry laugh: "That... Leader, he can do this kind of thing, and I can too. How about you..."

"What do you want to do?" Li Li Xuewu's narrowed eyes lifted, and he glanced at him: "Do you want money or your life? Do you really want to earn a pension for your wife?"

"..." Yu Zhe was completely confused; he had been led astray by him.

Li Li Xuewu tapped the tabletop with his finger and instructed him softly: "You are just a go-between for this project. Go see him, take him to the capital to meet that person, and then don't have any more contact with anyone in this project."

"What do you mean...?" Yu Zhe wasn't stupid; he really wanted to know what was wrong.

"If he gives you a kickback, just take it. If he doesn't, don't be annoyed."

Li Li Xuewu didn't answer his question but continued to emphasize: "Just say that my connection will provide the ships and only needs reliable manpower."

"What about the specifics?" Yu Zhe raised an eyebrow and asked: "How should I explain it?"

"Just say it's importing goods from Japan and exporting goods to Japan." Li Li Xuewu let out a long breath and said: "It's just the stuff from the electronics factory, plus some other things."

He tapped the tabletop with his finger and said: "Just be vague about it. Don't be too detailed. It's enough if you can persuade him to go to the capital with you to meet that person."

"And then?" Yu Zhe asked: "I don't have to worry about anything else?"

"Right, you don't have to worry about anything else."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said with slightly narrowed eyes: "Go to the processing plant and find Lao Si. He will give you a sum of money to operate in Steel City."

As he said this, he looked Yu Zhe up and down and said: "Dress decently. You need to have that air of someone who, although they've left me, is still doing things for me."

"Oh—" Yu Zhe nodded blankly and said: "I understand. When one person attains the Dao, even their pets ascend to heaven."

"..." Li Li Xuewu was speechless. He looked at him for a long while before sighing: "That phrase shouldn't be used on yourself; it's not a good saying."

"Hehehe—" Yu Zhe smiled and said: "As long as the meaning is right."

"Also, don't go see your sister."

Li Li Xuewu pointed at him and said: "Your sister won't agree to you doing this. Don't make her worry."

"I got it." Yu Zhe nodded with a smile, stood up, and said: "Then I'll go find that brat Sun Ming now."

"Don't rush. It'll be fine if you get it done within two or three days."

Li Li Xuewu shook his head slightly and instructed him: "Didn't you call him just to ask about Zhang Meili? Go see Zhang Meili now, and then have a meal together tonight."

"Huh?" Yu Zhe was stunned and asked: "Can I go?"

"Of course—" Li Li Xuewu smiled and said: "That way Sun Ming will trust you even more."

"Remember, be generous with your spending."

He raised his eyebrows and said: "Spending money on women will directly stimulate the other party's nerves and increase his trust in you."

"Oh—" Yu Zhe seemed to have realized something again, nodded very seriously, stood up straight, and said: "I guarantee I will complete the mission."

Li Li Xuewu gave him money to go have fun, and he only needed to say a few words and coax the person to the capital. This mission was too simple.

Simple to the point that the whole process only required putting in a little more effort with Zhang Meili.

Li Li Xuewu watched him leave, smiled faintly, looked out the window, and said: "Investigate, go ahead and investigate. What's it like to investigate yourself?"