Chapter 1630: Not a cent earned, yet still lost quite a bit

"Old Lady, Old Lady?"

Gu Ning called out softly, then stood up to check on the Old Lady's condition.

"Xiao Ning..." The Old Lady's voice was somewhat weak, yet she was still able to recognize her granddaughter-in-law at the very first moment.

Feeling the warmth in her hands, she turned her head to take a look, only then realizing that her hands were being held by them, one on each side.

"Old Lady." Li Xuewu pursed his lips, trying his best to smile as he comforted her: "It's alright now, it's alright."

As he spoke these comforting words, his own eyes grew moist, but he still struggled to restrain himself, not letting himself cry out.

The Old Lady understood his intentions; she squeezed his hand, placed it on the bed, patted it, and asked: "Your Third Uncle... has he been settled well?"

"Well, everything is well." Li Xuewu nodded vigorously and said: "It was all arranged by my own hand, please rest assured."

"Mm..." Only then did the Old Lady let out a long sigh of relief, slowly closing her eyes, saying nothing more.

After checking the Old Lady's condition, Gu Ning turned and went out to call her father-in-law, Li Shun. Before long, Li Shun and Li Xuecai walked in quickly.

"Old Lady, it's my dad and Xuecai."

Li Xuewu leaned into the Old Lady's ear and whispered a reminder, lest her emotions fluctuate again.

The Old Lady kept her eyes closed, merely nodding gently, allowing her eldest son to place his fingers on her wrist to take her pulse.

"Old Lady, are you hungry?"

Li Xuecai stood behind his second brother and asked softly: "Shall I have Yuxiu bring you some rice porridge, how about that?"

Feeling her eldest son's hand leave her wrist, the Old Lady finally opened her eyes. Seeing her filial children and grandchildren before the window, her gaze was filled with kindness.

"Are the children all well?" Her voice was dry and hoarse, yet she still concerned herself with her great-grandchildren: "They weren't frightened, were they?"

"They're doing just fine, you don't need to worry."

Li Xuecai replied: "They are all waiting at home. If you have the energy, I'll bring them all over to fuss over you."

"Mm..." Hearing her grandson's words, the Old Lady finally felt at ease. She turned her head to look at her eldest son, whose eyes were full of worry and exhaustion, and nodded, saying: "Don't worry about me anymore, I won't be dying..."

"Old Lady—" Li Xuewu gripped the Old Lady's hand, unable to hold back his tears, and whispered to comfort her: "We are hoping for you to live to a hundred."

"Good, live to a hundred." The Old Lady nodded slowly, pulled her hand away to stroke her second grandson's hair, and said gently: "I still have to watch Li Shu and the others grow up, start families, and have children of their own."

"Mm, the children need you too."

Li Xuewu pursed his lips and said: "Get better quickly, when I came, Li Shu even said she wanted to recite ancient poems for you."

"Good—" The Old Lady patted his hand and said: "You all go, go get some rest, I want to talk with your dad for a while."

She waved her hand gently and said: "Go, go."

Li Xuewu gripped her hand again, nodded, and said: "Set your mind at ease, if there is anything you need, just say it, and I will take care of it for you."

"Go, go." The Old Lady merely nodded, but her mouth urged them to go out and rest; in the end, she couldn't bear to see her children and grandchildren suffer alongside her.

Once Li Xuewu and the others left the ward, only Li Shun remained, feeding her water with a spoon. Only then did the mother and son begin to talk about the aftermath.

Outside the ward door, Li Xuehan stood dejectedly against the wall, his eyes fixed on the ward; he had just heard the commotion and had forcibly restrained himself from following them in.

He was afraid, afraid that if the Old Lady saw him, her emotions would become agitated and something might go wrong. If that happened, his coming to Jingcheng would truly have been a mistake.

Li Xuewu merely glanced at him, sighed helplessly, walked over to pat him on the shoulder, and pulled him to sit on the bench across the corridor.

"Second Brother—" Li Xuehan asked with a hoarse voice: "Grandma, she..."

"She's fine now, her body is weak and can't handle much tossing." Li Xuewu nodded, placed his hand on his knee, and said: "Wait until she's a bit better."

"I know." Li Xuehan wiped away his tears, crying as he said: "I was wrong, Second Brother, I shouldn't have come to Jingcheng."

"It has nothing to do with you." Li Xuewu sighed again, looked up at him, and asked: "Did you talk it over with your mother?"

"Mm—" Li Xuehan kept wiping his tears, but couldn't wipe them clean. He sobbed and said: "I don't want to see her again, never."

Li Xuewu looked at him and said: "You are a grown man now, not a child anymore, you should understand a few things."

"I arranged for you to come to Jingcheng, not to sever the relationship between mother and son, nor for you to use such methods to take revenge on your mother."

He said in a deep voice: "When I left Yangcheng, I told you that anyone, including myself, can hate your mother."

"But you cannot, because she is your mother."

Li Xuewu paused, then added: "If you had handled this matter properly in Yangcheng, I don't think your mother would have come to Jingcheng to cause such a scene."

"Mm, it's all my fault—" Li Xuehan suppressed his sobs, nodded, and said: "I shouldn't have done that."

"You must learn to grow up." Li Xuewu patted his knee again and reminded him: "You must learn to use an adult's way of thinking and methods to handle people and things, do you understand?"

"Mm, Second Brother, I understand."

That was how he responded, but even his speech carried a childish tone; how could he easily understand Li Xuewu's meaning and reminder?

Yet growth is a process, and Li Xuewu believed that after today's events, this young brother would eventually have a day when he grew up.

"Second Brother, you and Second Sister-in-law go back first."

Seeing that they had finished talking, Li Xuecai spoke up: "Yuxiu is bringing food over. I'll watch over the Old Lady tonight, and tomorrow morning I'll have Dad relieve me."

"How can one person do it? You've been tired all day too." Li Xuewu frowned slightly: "I'll come over tonight, and tomorrow during the day, I'll have your Second Sister-in-law come..."

"Don't, there's no need for so many people."

Li Xuecai waved his hand and persuaded him: "It's more convenient for Dad and me to be here. After all, this is a work unit, and besides, Mom and Yuxiu will be here during the day."

He looked at his Second Sister-in-law and said: "You all should go about your business; just come by to check on her when you have time. I've already asked for extended leave from my leaders."

"Don't delay your work, just do whatever is convenient." Seeing his Second Brother about to speak again, Li Xuecai quickly reminded him: "Eldest Brother's shift is convenient too."

"Then I'll come over again tomorrow afternoon."

Li Xuewu thought for a moment; he couldn't delay his classes at the academy tomorrow, but he could make time in the afternoon.

"No need, really no need, listen to me." Li Xuecai persuaded: "With so many people here, the Old Lady won't be able to rest well."

He whispered: "With you here, our leaders are nervous; they don't know if it's better to come and check or not."

Only then did Li Xuewu realize that the Group and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital had a cooperative relationship, and many doctors rotated at the Joint Hospital.

Because of his and his father's opinions back then, the Red Star Factory had reached a cooperation agreement with the TCM Hospital, establishing a support hospital in the mountains.

And it was precisely this hospital in the great mountains that had well-preserved the vitality of the TCM Hospital, and had also developed Chinese herbal medicine planting projects, TCM prescription conversion projects, and so on.

Now, the cooperation between the two units in medical cosmetics was becoming deeper, and with the development of the Red Steel Group, this dependency was also changing.

This was specifically reflected in the establishment and operation of the Joint Hospital, which had completely broken the medical environment of Jingcheng, causing the city's medical resources to shift.

The best medical equipment, the most excellent medical staff, and the most sound medical system had become the first choice for city residents seeking medical treatment.

If the Joint Hospital had no way to treat a condition, then there was no point in seeking treatment elsewhere; it could basically be said that it was incurable.

Influenced by the Joint Hospital, the TCM Hospital had also gained more advanced medical equipment resources and training education resources.

Relying on this growing tree, the leaders of the TCM Hospital could not remain calm. Facing him, they didn't know if it was right to be overly respectful or deliberately reserved, which was why they hadn't shown their faces for so long, fearing that the scene would become awkward.

"Then I'll come over tomorrow night."

Li Xuewu stood up and said to his Third Brother: "If anything happens, just call me, and I will rush back as soon as possible."

"Second Brother." Li Xuecai reminded him again: "I called Li Xue, she might be on her way back now, I can't reach her."

"See how you can tell her, don't rush back, don't delay her work, there's nothing wrong with the Old Lady here."

"Mm, I'll see if I can reach her." Li Xuewu nodded, signaled to Gu Ning and Li Xuehan, and then walked outside.

Li Xuehan sat there thinking for a moment, and under his Third Brother's urging, he stood up and followed, looking back with every step.

Downstairs, Han Jiankun hadn't left; he had been waiting there the whole time. In the afternoon, he had even run upstairs several times and bought quite a lot of fruit.

The washbasin and quilt in the ward were also delivered by him in his car. At this moment, he was standing by the car smoking, and only threw away the cigarette butt when he saw him coming.

"Why haven't you gone back yet?" Li Xuewu reached out and patted his arm, saying: "Thank you for your hard work today."

"You don't need to be so polite." Han Jiankun nodded and asked softly: "Is the Old Lady alright now?"

"Mm, she's awake and talking with my dad." Li Xuewu signaled for Gu Ning and Li Xuehan to get in the car, and then said to Han Jiankun: "First take us to the Third Guard Regiment, then take us back to the compound to pick up the children."

"Who's watching here tonight?" Han Jiankun asked an extra question. Seeing him look over, he explained while opening the car door: "I told Jingru, let her come over to take care of the Old Lady; she's at home stewing chicken soup right now."

"Oh my, Lidong is only so young, how can she leave him? Don't let her go through the trouble, Xuecai and his wife are watching."

Li Xuewu patted his arm and said: "Wait until tomorrow during the day, if she has time, let her come over to check, that's enough, no need."

"Our Old Lady can take care of the children, don't be so polite." Han Jiankun looked at him and said: "Jingru and I have received much care from you, we can't help much, let us contribute some effort."

"You're overthinking it, I've received your intentions."

Li Xuewu smiled and said: "Let's go to the Third Guard Regiment first, to send Xuehan back to his unit."

Han Jiankun said nothing more, but in his heart, he had already made up his mind. He knew that at this time, everyone in the Li family was at work; where would there be any idle people?

Li Shun and Li Xuecai were both working at the hospital, but they were men; how could it be convenient for them to take care of the Old Lady?

Li Xuewu's sister-in-law and younger brother's wife, including Gu Ning and Li Xue, three granddaughters-in-law and one biological granddaughter, all four were working, and all in important positions. How much leave could they take by rotating?

Looking at it this way, only Li Xuewu's mother was left, and she still had to help take care of the eldest family's Li Yue. It truly lived up to the saying: "Old ones above, young ones below."

It wasn't that the whole family couldn't take care of one Old Lady, but that one more person like Qin Jingru meant one more bit of strength and convenience.

Still the same saying: if you don't help at a time like this, when will you help?

He had taken time in the afternoon to go home and tell Qin Jingru, and even their own Old Lady felt that this was how things should be done. Qin Jingru had even killed the chicken they were raising at home.

Han Lidong was two years old, and their Old Lady, in order for them to continue having children, had long been coaxing the child to sleep with her.

And Qin Jingru was determined to go out to work. Although Han Jiankun took care of the family and didn't mess around, and handed over his salary for her to manage,

she still felt insecure without her own money in her pocket, especially after having the experience of earning and spending her own money. She felt even more that she needed a job, even if it was just being a nanny for someone else.

Last time, the two of them had gone to Li Xuewu's house to ask, and Li Xuewu had long ago agreed to let her take care of the house at Liangma River.

Now that the Li family's Old Lady was sick, she happened to be free. Could she just stand on the sidelines and watch the fun?

Li Xuewu had the car take Li Xuehan to the gate of the Third Guard Regiment, but he didn't get out; he had already given instructions on the way.

Qi Yaowu was very respectful; not only did he handle this matter personally, but he also kept Li Xuehan by his side as a communications soldier.

Don't look at it as if he had no connection with the Third Guard Regiment now; in fact, Wang Xiaoqin often called him, and that included several main leaders of the Third Guard Regiment.

On the phone, Wang Xiaoqin had said that the higher-ups already had the intention to promote Qi Yaowu, and Qi Yaowu's move was also intended to groom Li Xuehan.

Li Xuehan had no plans for his future, and Li Xuewu didn't want to restrict him; he was too young, and there were plenty of opportunities.

When he truly needed to help him, he wouldn't just watch and do nothing.

Still the same saying: people ultimately need to rely on themselves to grow up. As his cousin, he would definitely help if he could.

Even if it was for the sake of his Third Uncle, even if it was for the sake of his younger brother's helpless life, he dared to hit Li Xuehan in front of Hong Min, so he had the confidence and strength to protect and groom him.

Conversely, regarding Hong Min, his father Li Shun had warned him in the afternoon not to cause trouble, and even more so, not to seek malicious revenge.

It wasn't just for the sake of his Third Uncle, but also for Li Xuehan.

After all, they were biological mother and son; such revenge would inevitably twist Li Xuehan's personality, and revenge was not the fundamental way to solve problems.

Li Shun emphasized with a very firm tone that the Li family would never oppose Hong Min remarrying, but from now on, she wouldn't need to worry about Li Xuehan.

He was so angry, yet he tried hard to suppress his sons. He was so annoyed, yet he only said one sentence: "He who commits many injustices is doomed to destruction."

The Old Lady's experience during these few days in the hospital truly confirmed that old saying: "When poor in a busy city, no one asks; when rich in deep mountains, distant relatives appear."

Li Xuewu only missed one afternoon on the day he returned to Jingcheng, went to teach students as usual the next day, and went to work at his unit in the afternoon to handle his duties.

He only came to accompany the Old Lady in the evening and never revealed to anyone that his grandmother was hospitalized.

However, the condolences sent by the Group to the TCM Hospital were countless, and they all arranged for people to send them over. Fearing that they would disturb the Old Lady's rest, they all very thoughtfully did not go personally.

Perhaps knowing that Li Xuewu wouldn't receive them, they very precisely sent the condolence gifts to Li Shun's or Li Xuecai's office.

The two of them were at work, and patients seeing this posture didn't know if the two were refusing to accept gifts and refusing to see patients.

Anything that could be seen on the market in terms of nutritional supplements and fruit was there, and anything that couldn't be seen on the market could also be seen there.

There was truly no other way. Li Shun took the opportunity when his son came over to tell him the situation, urging him to stop it quickly; if this continued, the two of them could open a supply and marketing cooperative.

Li Xuewu understood the situation, and only then did he discuss with his father and the others to see that the Old Lady's energy and physical condition had improved, and quickly brought her home.

His house in the back courtyard had already been tidied up. Now that the courtyard was quiet, it was just right for the Old Lady to recuperate; the conditions were much better than in the hospital.

Besides, there were three doctors in the family, so the Old Lady wouldn't be in any danger, and it could be considered avoiding these polite gift-givers.

This matter couldn't be blocked, and couldn't be stopped, and he didn't even know who to block.

Looking at that half-room of nutritional supplements and fruit, he didn't know who to thank. He hadn't expected that he would encounter such a situation.

Although it wasn't much money individually, it wasn't appropriate when added together.

In this era, the organization wouldn't be overly calculating about this kind of social etiquette, but for him personally, it couldn't be considered a good thing.

Facing his father's blame, he also had words he couldn't speak. Was he the kind of person who would say, "I don't know who sent it, but I know who didn't"?

The matter of sending condolence gifts continued to be a hassle for two days after the Old Lady went home, until they couldn't be sent in anymore.

Godmother Wang Shuhua had long ago gone to the hospital to visit the Old Lady. When she came to visit again after she was discharged and home, she left the eggs she brought, but left with double the fruit and pastries.

It was the same for everyone who came, including old neighbors and those who had moved away but heard the news and came back to visit. Anyone who sent a single portion would leave with a double portion.

Fruit or pastries, it didn't matter; they had received so many baskets of eggs they didn't know how many. If they really kept them, they would be eating them until who knows when.

Besides, these things couldn't be kept. It was autumn, but the weather wasn't that cold, and even if it were cold, they couldn't be kept, or they would be resented.

There was no need to add trouble to the Old Lady because of these little things, and even less need to bring disaster to the family because of the Old Lady's matter.

Li Xuewu only felt relieved when he saw the Old Lady could get out of bed on her own. Before returning to Steel City, he held her hand and coaxed her: "Get better quickly, it would be best if you could fly over walls, otherwise the house will soon be unable to hold you."

The Old Lady just smiled and tapped him lightly with her pipe, her eyes filled with kindness.

This social etiquette, which was a heavy burden for the family, was, in the Old Lady's eyes, a test of her children's and grandchildren's character and rigorous family style.

The deceased are gone, and the sorrow is hard to conceal.

But the living must still live for the sake of the living. She also knew that if she didn't get better, her children and grandchildren would be driven to their wits' end by her.

During those few days in the hospital, her granddaughter, who was on a business trip, ran back, and Qin Jingru, who had a two-year-old child at home, stayed by her bedside the whole time.

Even Yu Li, who was working in Steel City, ran back upon hearing the news and took turns with Qin Jingru, truly letting her experience the taste of excessive care.

Even her daughter-in-law Liu Yin couldn't get a hand in, let alone her granddaughter and granddaughter-in-law. When people get old, they don't live for themselves, but for their children and grandchildren. One can only think openly; those who are content are always happy, and those who cherish blessings have no worries.

"You guys are truly ruthless—"

Bai Changmin chuckled, covering his face as he asked: "Who the hell thought of such a ruthless idea? It wasn't you, was it?"

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and asked in return: "In your eyes, President Bai, am I just such a sinister villain? Then we've been associating for nothing."

"Don't ever overestimate your image—" Bai Changmin still couldn't hide his smile, picked up his teacup and said: "Jingcheng Automobile has reason to speak."

"That is an unprovoked accusation."

Li Xuewu emphasized with a resounding voice: "The manufacturing process for the 212 Jeep has long been an open secret, it has nothing to do with us."

"Hey—!" Bai Changmin pointed at him with his finger and said: "I just admire the spirit of your Group company, being shameless yet still able to speak such grand principles."

He turned to remind Liu Yongtao: "Did you see that? Learn from it, this is the way the Group company does things, we have to do the same in the future."

"Hehehe—" Liu Yongtao didn't dare to joke with Li Xuewu, just held his teacup and chuckled.

Li Xuewu glanced at Bai Changmin, leaned back very loosely in his office chair, and said: "Hey, that's not right, who told you that the 212 manufacturing process was leaked by us?"

"Does this need someone else to tell me?" Bai Changmin blew the tea leaves in his cup and said amusedly: "Jingcheng Automobile has already gone to the higher-ups to complain, saying you don't follow the rules."

"Damn—" Li Xuewu slapped his thigh and said: "It must be that bastard Wang from Jiqi, Wang Mr., who did it."

He said hatefully: "He doesn't want to bear the pressure from Jingcheng Automobile alone, he wants to drag everyone into the water, how hateful!"

"Didn't your research institute take their money?"

Bai Changmin asked amusedly: "Taking people's money to eliminate disasters for them, yet after taking the money, you still want them to help you keep secrets? What kind of joke is that."

"He's just unwilling to give up—" Li Xuewu curled his lips and said: "He called me before, trying to get the manufacturing process for free through side-handed tactics, I didn't pay him any mind, that's why he spent money to buy it from the research institute."

He felt a bit regretful, bared his teeth and said: "If I had known, I wouldn't have sold it to them. Last time in East Germany, I felt he was a two-faced bastard."

"Hehehe—" Bai Changmin and Liu Yongtao looked at each other, finding Li Xuewu's shameless appearance quite funny.

"How many companies are you selling this blueprint to?" Bai Changmin teased: "This 'one girl marrying many families' has become a joke in the system."

"This damn thing isn't our own daughter—" Li Xuewu glanced at him and said: "We picked it up casually, why would we care about this?"

"Marry as many families as you can, until no one cares about it anymore."

He nodded and said: "At that time, we will print dozens of copies of this process data and give a set to every province for free, free of charge."

"Ruthless enough, I admire you, I admire you."

Bai Changmin had finally witnessed the posture of someone being invincible because they were shameless, and had also learned the ruthlessness of business warfare.

He and Liu Yongtao came to see Li Xuewu for the upcoming negotiations with Liaodong Industry.

Very cleverly, both sides tacitly chose Steel City as the location for the negotiations, the Red Steel Group Steel City Industrial Park, rather than the location Li Xuewu suggested, Fengcheng.

"Leader, the people from the Joint Savings Bank have arrived." Zhang Enyuan came in to report: "I have already arranged an office, and they are preparing to work."

"Mm, I know." Li Xuewu looked at him, nodded, and instructed: "Ask if the industrial leaders from Steel City and Yingcheng have arrived."

"I asked, I called Deputy Director Wang." Zhang Enyuan reported softly: "She said she would wait for Deputy Director Lu and the others to come over before coming together, including Deputy Director Ge from Yingcheng."

"Mm, then I know." Li Xuewu waved his hand, signaling that he could go out.

"The battle formation is big enough—" Bai Changmin heard it. At this moment, he held his teacup and looked at Li Xuewu, asking: "Who should we mainly talk to?"

"Of course, it's the provincial level." Li Xuewu glanced at him and emphasized: "Don't mess up the order, the signing must also be with Liaodong Industry, do you know?"

"However, you don't need to worry about this."

He waved his hand and said: "Anything involving contracts and signing, the Joint Savings Bank will do the final review and guidance."

"The cooperation framework between your two sides is also the responsibility of the Joint Savings Bank to build and communicate. Anything can be coordinated and resolved by the three parties."

"Then what about the acquisition?" Bai Changmin was actually very nervous and excited, his legs were even trembling a bit. This was the first shot fired by Jingcheng Chemical towards groupization, so how could he not be excited or nervous?

He shook his head, spread his left hand, and asked: "Who are we merging Liaodong's chemical enterprises into? We must be given time to investigate, right?"

"If you believe me, don't be calculating about this matter."

Li Xuewu looked at him very seriously and reminded him: "You are the second enterprise to achieve groupization by relying on the tertiary industry of the Red Steel Group in Liaodong."

"You should know without me telling you that there is no telling how many Liaodong enterprises with the strength and qualifications for groupization are watching you."

He tilted his head and emphasized: "If you can walk this path, it proves that they can walk it too. Do you know what I mean?"

"They are using us to test the waters?" Liu Yongtao frowned: "They also want to achieve groupization?"

"Of course—" Li Xuewu glanced at him, his face serious as he spoke: "The Red Steel Group has already set an example for all industrial enterprises. Next, it depends on whether you can use these three axes."

"Who doesn't want to integrate industrial resources, who doesn't want to improve productivity, who doesn't want to create more production value?"

He tapped his finger on the armrest and said: "They are using you as an experiment, so the resources given to you must be sufficient."

"As for whether the conditions are good or not, you can strive for them, but don't be too calculating about this matter, because they also hope you can succeed."

"Mm—" Bai Changmin was very willing to listen to Li Xuewu's suggestions at this time. After all, he knew that the groupization of the Red Star Factory was planned by Li Xuewu himself, and he had absolute persuasiveness in this matter.

"How is the capital ratio calculated?" Bai Changmin thought for a moment and said: "Director Zhang has been concerned about this matter. He can come over at any time. As long as this matter can be finalized, he is needed to make the final decision."

"Then you must think it through." Li Xuewu reminded him: "This relates to whether you can continue to exert force in the negotiations without worries."

He nodded slowly and said: "I'll make it clear to you: I and the Red Steel Group will not intervene in these negotiations. The Joint Savings Bank has an extremely professional team, you must believe in them."

"There is technical support from Hongcheng, right?" Liu Yongtao asked: "I heard there will be intervention from other banks."

"Don't worry about this, anyway, they are professionals." Li Xuewu glanced at him and emphasized: "I guarantee you, no matter where the funds come from, the Joint Savings Bank will be responsible for raising them."

"In other words, for a long time in the future, you will face financial reviews and audits, as well as strategy reporting and research, all of which will be their responsibility."

Li Xuewu raised his palm and signaled: "You can call them the capital side, or you can pretend they don't exist. They are the ones who provide money to support you in doing things, provide you with money to earn, and then they take the dividends."

"Only when there is a problem with your project will they appear as representatives of the capital side to carry out positive intervention."

He shrugged his shoulders and emphasized: "Of course, I, like you, including them, don't hope for this situation to occur."

"I understand." Bai Changmin nodded slowly and said: "We have already studied the relevant procedures and conditions in a meeting."

He thought for a moment and said: "Director Zhang has granted me the full authority to handle this matter. I will invite him to sign and go through the procedures when necessary."

"That couldn't be better—"

Li Xuewu smiled and said: "I'll give you another suggestion. Since Deputy Director Lu is here, you shouldn't be holding back, right?"

He pointed outside the door and said: "Meet once first. You don't have to talk about the key points, but you must know who your future in-laws are, right?"

"I understand." Bai Changmin glanced at Liu Yongtao, who nodded tacitly, put down his teacup, and went out to make a phone call.

"Tell me the truth, what is the success rate?" Bai Changmin took advantage of the fact that there were only the two of them in the room, leaned closer, and asked softly: "How many chances of success?"

"Want to hear the truth?" Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows amusedly, looked at him and said: "When the Red Star Factory wanted to engage in groupization, I told Director Li that I had a 100% chance of success. Do you believe this?"

Bai Changmin glanced at him and said nothing, but he didn't believe it.

"Hehehe—" Li Xuewu chuckled again and said: "Actually, Director Li didn't believe it at the time either, he just had no way out."

Speaking of this, Li Xuewu put away the smile on his face, looked into Bai Changmin's eyes and asked: "Do you have any way out now?"

Bai Changmin's face stiffened, then he let out a long sigh and said helplessly: "This is truly a road of no return."

"Relax, your foundation is much thicker than ours was at the time." Li Xuewu comforted him: "Besides, you are the biological son, the eldest son."

"Hehehe—" Bai Changmin smiled bitterly: "Director Zhang was criticized. The higher-ups said that he would bear all the responsibility."

"Very normal, our Director Li is the same."

Li Xuewu smiled and said indifferently: "He is often called over by Director Du to be scolded. Now he doesn't even care."

"Scolded today, and tomorrow when we make achievements somewhere, Director Du still has to call him and scold him with a smile, telling him not to get cocky."

"To be honest, I really envy you."

Bai Changmin curled his lips and smiled bitterly: "My pressure is really high now, my hair is falling out in handfuls, maybe one day I'll be bald."

"Hey, I can't help you with this."

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows amusedly and said: "You should know that before groupization, Director Li's hair was black and thick. Now there are only two strands left, and he even let his secretary pull them out, saying they looked like crickets."

"Hahahaha—" Bai Changmin couldn't hold it in, but after laughing, he stopped, because he thought of himself.

While they were talking, Liu Yongtao returned and reported: "Director Zhang will take your Group's Red Star No. 1 and rush over, he will arrive tonight."

"Look, the timing is just right."

Li Xuewu clapped his hands with a smile and said: "I said let's go to Fengcheng to talk, and at that time, all the food, accommodation, and travel expenses would be paid by Liaodong Industry."

"Now it's good, you all gathered here at my place, I can only do my duty as a host."

"I heard your Group has a sanatorium on the mountain?" Bai Changmin shook his head, throwing the worry about his hair out of his mind for the time being.

He lifted his chin towards Liu Yongtao and said with a smile: "You don't know, there are hot springs on this mountain. Soaking in hot springs in autumn is really comfortable."

"Alright, I guess you know how to pick a place."

Li Xuewu instructed Zhang Jing, who had just entered: "Make arrangements. Director Zhang of Jingcheng Chemical will arrive at the airport tonight. You are responsible for picking him up."

"Also, notify the sanatorium that several leaders will be eating and resting there tonight."

After finishing his instructions, he turned back to look at Bai Changmin and the other two, saying with a smile: "I've lost everything this time, didn't earn a cent and still lost quite a bit."

"Hahahaha—"

Lu Qiming was even more decisive than Li Xuewu had imagined. At Li Xuewu's invitation, he met with Zhang Zhanshan of Jingcheng Chemical at the Red Steel Group Sanatorium.

Actually, their ranks were about the same, it's just that Zhang Zhanshan was in an enterprise, and the two sides were not in the same system.

However, this also proved from the side the ambition Zhang Zhanshan showed when facing groupization after taking charge of Jingcheng Chemical.

Look at Li Huai De; he used to be a good-for-nothing who only knew how to treat people to meals. Now, even when he sees the other party, he has to call him President Li.

Damn it, their ages were about the same, but their ranks were vastly different. If Jingcheng Chemical didn't achieve groupization for a day, he would have to lower his head in front of Li Huai De. He couldn't tolerate that.

Therefore, facing Lu Qiming's decisiveness, he also showed deep sincerity. Before the negotiation procedures even began, the two sides had already reached a certain tacit understanding, or rather, a consensus.

Li Xuewu truly hadn't thought about brokering the two sides at the dinner table, or even having any plan to advance the negotiations, but it went so smoothly.

He also thought about it: both sides actually didn't have full confidence, so they had a full need for each other's resources.

Furthermore, with the Red Steel Group standing in the middle as support, they had made rapid progress in the link of trust.

Even if Li Xuewu sat there without saying any topic related to the negotiations, as long as he sat there, he could represent the Red Steel Group.

This wasn't something that could be counted just because someone said he could represent them, but because of the courage, ability, and influence he had shown in the past.

And the two great leaders at the wine table hit it off immediately, and the others understood, knowing what the leaders' intentions were.

This also played a certain role in promoting the subsequent negotiations, at least laying a solid foundation.

Lu Qiming didn't rest at the sanatorium that night, but took a car back to Steel City. However, quite a few accompanying personnel chose to stay there.

It wasn't that they were greedy for the enjoyment here, but rather the final probing by both sides before the negotiation procedures began, and getting to know the subsequent cooperation partners.

Zhang Zhanshan didn't stay either, but returned to Jingcheng overnight. Once the focus of Jingcheng Chemical tilted towards Liaodong, he would have to face the pressure of balancing left and right.

But before leaving, he had a deep talk with Li Xuewu with only the two of them present, involving all the worries about Jingcheng Chemical's groupization.

Li Xuewu had reservations with Bai Changmin, but in his conversation with Zhang Zhanshan, he gave clear preparations and steps.

Otherwise, Zhang Zhanshan wouldn't have left so at ease, and wouldn't even have spent the night in Steel City; his train ticket had been bought in advance.

Why didn't he take a plane?

Because in this era, many airports and flights didn't have the conditions for night flights. The Tadong Airport that the Red Steel Group had just acquired had a night flight system renovation project.

And even if they had the conditions for night flights, many flights would avoid flying if they could, because the probability of accidents during night flights would greatly increase.

There were reasons for the quality of the aircraft, as well as factors such as flight personnel and ground infrastructure. Steel City's small airport was even worse.

Steel City Airport was a military airport. If it weren't for the fact that passengers who could travel by plane in this era were "trustworthy," Red Star No. 1 wouldn't have been able to land here.

Precisely because of this, when Li Xuewu returned home, he found Zhou Xiaoling lying on the sofa reading a book.

"How did you get in?" Li Xuewu turned his head in surprise to look at the door lock; he didn't remember giving Zhou Xiaoling a door key.

Yu Li hadn't returned from Jingcheng yet; she was worried about the Old Lady and also took this opportunity to go home to see her parents.

So there should have been no one there. When he entered the courtyard and saw the light on, he thought a thief had broken in.

Zhou Xiaoling stood up from the sofa. Seeing him put away his pistol, she smiled heartlessly and explained: "That kid Banggeng sent me over."

"Mm?" Li Xuewu looked at her unexpectedly and asked: "How do you two still have contact?"

Banggeng had moved out for quite a long time, but the key was still in his hands, and Li Xuewu would also let Banggeng handle things if he had something to do.

It was autumn, and the winter vegetables and firewood that needed to be stored at home were all arranged by Banggeng; he could be considered useful.

"We've always been in contact."

Zhou Xiaoling smiled, walked over, and hugged his shoulders, saying: "He even often asks me for gifts from the airplane."

"You guys are really something, I thought a thief had broken in." Li Xuewu patted her butt amusedly, walked into the living room, and took off his coat.

Zhou Xiaoling reached out to take it, chuckled, and explained: "I knew you had to receive the leaders of Jingcheng Chemical, so I waited for you at home."

"I've already turned on the heating, and there's hot water." She helped him take off his clothes with a sweet smile and said sweetly: "I made dinner myself, I've been waiting for you, I want to take a bath with you." ===== CHAPTER 1631 =====