Chapter 1636: The Fire-Breathing Calabash Brother

"What did you say?"

Su Weide, who was in the middle of a conversation in Zhou Wanquan's office, turned his head abruptly to look at the duty officer who had come to report.

The duty officer was also in a difficult position; he looked at the two leaders with a bitter face, not knowing how to explain it.

"This Yu Zhe is..." Zhou Wanquan asked with a frown, "What is the situation?"

"The Secretary-General's former driver. He was originally in the motor pool and was specifically requested by the Secretary-General to follow him to Steel City."

The duty officer introduced Yu Zhe's background and connections, then cautiously probed, "Should we inform the Secretary-General?"

"Inform him of what?" Su Weide said with a cold face. He glanced at Zhou Wanquan before saying to the duty officer, "Call the Security Division to come over and drag him out. I want to see what he can do."

The duty officer heard him, but did not move his feet, because he had come to report this matter to Deputy Director Zhou, and he had to listen to what Deputy Director Zhou had to say.

Deputy Director Zhou was their direct supervisor; who was Deputy Director Su?

Su Weide also clearly realized this point. His expression changed slightly as he looked at Zhou Wanquan and said, "Some comrades are just like this: lenient with themselves but strict with others, acting one way to your face and another behind your back."

Zhou Wanquan glanced at him without taking the bait, instead asking the duty officer, "Did you commit any overstepping acts during the investigation process?"

"This—" The duty officer was vague, cautiously explaining, "Leader, you also know that we have a certain degree of autonomy when handling cases, but we all know that we absolutely must not go too far."

"Furthermore, Deputy Director Su was urging us urgently at the time, so we stayed up all night to conduct a surprise investigation. We didn't expect to be caught by him."

Only now did Su Weide's expression truly change. He frowned and looked at the duty officer, wanting to say something, but out of consideration that this was Zhou Wanquan's office and he was in front of the other party, it was not easy to speak up. He could only endure it for the time being.

Zhou Wanquan, however, glared at the duty officer and said, "Talk about your own affairs. What do you mean by 'autonomy'? Who gave you that authority?"

"Did I not emphasize this point during the work meeting?"

He tapped his finger on the desk and said sternly, "The first thing you have to face is our own comrades, not the Security Division handling a case. Do you understand?"

After these words were spoken, Su Weide's expression became even uglier. This was clearly a response to his earlier remark about letting the Security Division handle Yu Zhe.

Wasn't this a slap in his face—

This was a reminder for him to mind his place, not to overstep his bounds. The Discipline Inspection Commission was no longer under Su Weide's control; he shouldn't just say whatever he wanted.

Facing Deputy Director Zhou's criticism, the duty officer could only accept it. He was like a teapot boiling dumplings—he had a mouth but couldn't get them out.

Just think about it: the hardest job is being the one doing the work. If you're soft, the leaders say you lack subjective initiative; if you're hard, the leaders criticize you for not knowing how to handle the situation.

Now that something had gone wrong, it was all their fault. When there were achievements, the leaders didn't even need to say anything; they had to be the first to praise the leaders' wise guidance.

Otherwise, why would everyone want to be a leader?

"That's enough. Go and touch base with the Secretary-General."

"But—" Seeing Deputy Director Zhou make such arrangements, he panicked and said awkwardly, "Can the Secretary-General help?"

"You can't even handle this little thing?"

After sternly criticizing the duty officer, Zhou Wanquan still glared at him with dissatisfaction: "If I had known it would come to this, if you had communicated with the Secretary-General first, would this situation have occurred?"

"Do you not even understand the most basic work procedures?"

He glared at the duty officer and said, "No communication beforehand, and then coming to me to clean up your mess afterward. Is this how you do your work?"

Although he said this, he still picked up the phone and requested Li Li Xuewu's office.

The logic was simple: the Discipline Inspection Group had just become independent, and work had only just begun to unfold. He had to show a stern side, but he also couldn't just ignore it; otherwise, those below would not trust him or listen to him.

Furthermore, scolding his subordinates was also a response to Su Weide's earlier arrangements targeting Li Li Xuewu.

Just before the duty officer arrived, Su Weide had come to him and said he wanted to stop pursuing Yu Zhe's situation to show a united front.

He also said he wanted to maintain the group's external cooperation relations, etc. In short, he had suddenly pulled the ladder away, leaving him stranded on the roof.

At first, it was Su Weide who had confidently sought cooperation with him, and he had gone with the flow. Seeing Su Weide so proactive, he had let him direct the Discipline Inspection Group.

Who knew what madness Su Weide was suffering from, suddenly calling a halt to the investigation, stopping at Sun Ming, and wanting to end this case as soon as possible.

Tell me, would Zhou Wanquan be willing?

Absolutely not. Whatever accidents Su Weide might have were none of his business; he had to stand firm in the Red Steel Group and exert important influence.

So this time, Old Su wanted to retreat, but he wouldn't allow it. Even if he had to kick Old Su into a pit, they had to charge forward.

"Hello, Secretary-General? This is Zhou Wanquan."

Zhou Wanquan connected the call and said with a chuckle, "It's really not easy for you to come back this time. I've been wanting to sit down with you for a long time, hahaha."

"How about... just today?"

He made an appointment with Li Li Xuewu to have a drink that evening over the phone. After settling it, he explained, "The Discipline Inspection Group is newly established, and many tasks have not been smoothed out yet. It's inevitable that problems like this will arise. I have already criticized them."

Not knowing what Li Li Xuewu said on the other end, Zhou Wanquan listened for a long while, very seriously, and then said, "That is a must. I have also emphasized this many times at meetings: we must handle cases according to law, regulations, and procedures."

"It's just that this time, the comrades were influenced by their emotions. The fault lies with me; I put too much pressure on them."

Zhou Wanquan softened his tone on the phone and said very politely, "It is normal for Comrade Yu Zhe to be dissatisfied now. My opinion is that we should apologize where an apology is due and rectify where rectification is needed. If he has any other demands, I will handle them."

He said with a smile, "Even if I have to go over and apologize to him personally, it's fine. After all, it was a loophole in our Discipline Inspection work that caused him to be wronged."

"Mm, mm, okay, then that's it."

Zhou Wanquan received a satisfactory answer and said with a chuckle, "You don't need to bring wine tonight. I have some Zhuyeqing that a friend gave me, haha!"

After a long exchange of pleasantries, he hung up the phone while Su Weide's expression grew increasingly gloomy across from him.

However, he did not look at Su Weide, but instead put away his smile and looked at the duty officer, asking, "You went to investigate at Yu Zhe's wife's workplace and their village? What did you all say? How did you ask?"

"We..." The duty officer faltered. This investigation was part of the procedure and was normal. Even if there were inappropriate words asked, it wasn't him.

He was a duty officer and basically wouldn't go down to do investigations; those were all done by the section officers. But he couldn't avoid taking responsibility.

"Nonsense—!"

Zhou Wanquan slapped the table and shouted angrily, "Who allowed you to do that? Who gave you the guts to pass judgment on people verbally?"

"What's the situation?" Su Weide was also startled and asked suspiciously.

"Hmph—" Zhou Wanquan glared at the duty officer before looking at Su Weide to explain, "Yu Zhe said that our Discipline Inspection comrades went to his home and village, and to his wife's workplace, saying he had committed a mistake and would be expelled, or even sentenced."

The more he spoke, the angrier he became. He pointed his finger at the duty officer and said, "You go apologize to Yu Zhe right now. Go personally to Yu Zhe's wife's workplace, go to Yu Zhe's home and village, and explain it house by house! Go—!"

"You bear the mistakes you made yourselves. I feel ashamed just saying it out loud. How are you leading your team!"

Zhou Wanquan cursed angrily, "Now people are pointing at my nose and cursing, saying I don't manage them strictly, saying we are bandits and bullies!"

"I'll give you three days to eliminate the influence; otherwise, you don't need to come to work."

"Yes!" The duty officer's face became even more bitter. He turned and left the office, wishing he could slap himself twice.

This job was impossible to do. Bearing the pressure from above, fawning over those below, and having to take the blame for everything—how the hell was he supposed to do this?

But he had to do it, because there was still an ancestor lying in the detention room!

Calling Yu Zhe a living ancestor was no exaggeration.

"I'm not eating—starve me to death, see if I care!"

Yu Zhe was quite stubborn, completely different from when he first came in and ate and drank as he pleased. He looked indignant, determined to go on a hunger strike until death.

He didn't even look at the meat and vegetables sent by the officer, preferring to endure his stomach growling rather than eat this food.

"None of you think you can run!"

He sat on the bed like a living grandfather, pointing his finger at the people outside the detention room and saying, "I remember who all of you are. If I don't peel your skin off, my name isn't Yu! I'll take your surname!"

"I'm not leaving—I'm not going out—"

No matter who came to persuade him, even familiar colleagues, or even when Han Han Jiankun came, it was no use.

"Captain Han, don't worry about it. This matter has nothing to do with you—"

Seeing Han Han Jiankun come, Yu Zhe shook his head like a ball and said, "I don't believe there is no justice in this world. If Zhou Wanquan and Su Weide don't apologize to me and restore my reputation, it's not over! Apologize! Apologize over the broadcast!"

Han Han Jiankun also had a headache looking at him. This kid was like this in the motor pool on weekdays, always acting sloppy.

But you couldn't pick out any faults in him. His temper was foul, and his mouth was blunt, but he was loyal and generous.

If anyone in the family had trouble, he was a warm-hearted person. Even when watching the fun, he wouldn't forget to lend a hand. Even sitting together on weekdays, he was the one who smoked the most of his cigarettes.

Tell me, could a person like this have enemies in the workplace?

You've driven for leaders; you should judge people by their character, not just their status. Since he has neither ambition nor a wandering eye, what is there to hate about him?

If you offended him, you had to risk offending the leader. Why bother?

So when Yu Zhe was taken away, few people watched the fun, and no one even talked about his past absurd deeds in the motor pool.

Even if Yu Zhe had an accident, it didn't affect the relationship with the leaders. Who wanted to be the bad guy at this time?

So when the Discipline Inspection Commission went to investigate Yu Zhe, it was normal for them to hit a wall. No one would say Yu Zhe's life was messy or that he wasn't serious about his work.

Their motor pool was all the same. If they really spoke against Yu Zhe, could they escape if things were rectified?

"That's enough. You want the leader to apologize to you?"

Han Han Jiankun glared at him, but just after saying one sentence, he saw Yu Zhe actually lying on the bed, and he was also angered into laughter.

"This... Captain Han." The officer said with a bitter smile, "It's better to persuade him to eat first. It's been a day. If he really starves himself, we'll have even less to say."

"If he doesn't eat, let him starve—" Han Han Jiankun said angrily, "Does he think he's in the right? Could he be like this if he had followed the rules on weekdays?"

"Yu Zhe, I'm telling you, don't push your luck. Didn't the person in charge of the case apologize to you?"

"Not—enough—" Yu Zhe hugged his arms and turned to face the wall, muttering, "He's not qualified. Let Zhou Wanquan and Su Weide come."

"Don't push your luck—" Han Han Jiankun said with a serious tone, "Now that people are giving you a way out, you should quit while you're ahead."

He glanced at the Discipline Inspection officer and said, "The person in charge went to your wife's workplace, to your home, and to your village to explain. Isn't that enough?"

"That's what they should have done—"

Yu Zhe hummed and said, "Who told them to wrong a good person without distinguishing right from wrong? My fragile heart has suffered serious trauma!"

"Oh my—" Han Han Jiankun said angrily, "Fragile heart. You say it, and I feel disgusted just hearing it."

"I'm saying, they apologized, and they restored your reputation. One person does one person's work. Whoever wronged you apologizes to you. You can't drag the leaders into this."

"How can I not drag them in!" Yu Zhe tilted his head and shouted, "It was Su Weide, that son of a bitch. Did I cause him trouble for no reason? Did I fuck his ancestors or dig up his ancestral grave? Why treat me like this?"

"Yu Zhe—" Han Han Jiankun frowned and warned, "That's enough. Stop talking nonsense. Get up quickly and come back with me."

"I'm telling you, the Discipline Inspection Commission has already lifted the investigation against you. If you don't go back to work, it counts as absenteeism."

"Then how do you calculate my losses for these days?"

Yu Zhe flipped over and stood in the detention room, shouting, "I didn't eat well or drink well. Captain Han, look, I've starved thin!"

"Tsk—" The Discipline Inspection officer really couldn't bear to look. Meeting such a rogue was really their bad luck for eight lifetimes.

He was a master who couldn't be beaten, couldn't be scolded, and was soft and hard to handle.

"I think you've gotten fatter, haven't you?"

Han Han Jiankun looked him up and down and said, "Don't you mind the smell here? Hurry up and hand over the key. Go home early. I'll give you a day off to nurse your injured, fragile heart."

"Then I can't go back by myself—"

Yu Zhe knew that Han Han Jiankun coming meant Li Li Xuewu had already agreed to let him out; otherwise, Han Han Jiankun wouldn't have come.

Li Li Xuewu coming?

Don't joke. If Li Li Xuewu came, Yu Zhe would be scared to the point of peeing his pants.

So he was putting on a show right now. He still needed face, right? He, Yu Zhe, was a person of some standing.

He dared to swear to heaven that he would absolutely never touch the red line. He would only touch the yellow line; the yellow line was his bottom line.

"What do you want to do?" Han Han Jiankun glared and said, "Isn't it enough that I send you back?"

"I don't need you to send me." Yu Zhe looked at the officer standing at the door and said, "They invited me here, so they have to send me back the same way!"

"Fine, no problem." As soon as the officer heard that this ancestor agreed to come out, he quickly waved his hand and agreed, "I'll drive you back."

"That won't do—" Yu Zhe pointed his finger at the few people at the door and said, "You were the ones who invited me here that day."

He put his hands on his hips and hummed, "I came here, so I have to go back the same way. Do you understand?"

"Fine, no problem." The officer still agreed. As long as Yu Zhe agreed to come out, even if the few of them had to carry him back, it would be fine.

Yu Zhe glanced at Han Han Jiankun before taking the key out of his crotch and handing it over.

Han Han Jiankun curled his lips in disgust and cursed, "Don't you mind the discomfort? Why stuff it there?"

"I was afraid they would steal it while I was sleeping!"

Yu Zhe raised his neck and looked at the officers who opened the door, saying righteously, "Today, I'm giving our captain face by letting you few off!"

"Remember this from now on. If you dare to provoke me again, I'll definitely peel your skin off!"

These people hated Yu Zhe to death, but there was nothing they could do. A rogue was a rogue.

You say Yu Zhe offended them, so they won't be able to advance in the future?

Heh, don't joke. With Yu Zhe's attitude, could he even advance?

If Yu Zhe really had the ambition to advance, it wouldn't be scary. What's scary is that Yu Zhe has no ambition and just wants to muddle along in this position.

As long as it's a normal person, who would lower themselves to the level of stinky dog shit?

Hey! Today they had truly gained insight; they had kicked stinky dog shit! Disgusting as hell.

When Yu Zhe came out of the detention room, he didn't forget to grab the lunch box he hadn't even looked at earlier.

"Anyway, I can't come for nothing—"

Seeing Han Han Jiankun glare at him, he didn't mind the embarrassment. He carried the lunch box and walked out, humming as he said, "I'll let the people outside see what kind of food I ate inside!"

"There haven't been many people who could walk out of the Discipline Inspection Commission unscathed, right? I've topped them all. I must be arrogant for once!"

Han Han Jiankun walked behind him, sucking his teeth. He really didn't know whether to pity Su Weide or laugh at him.

Just like that, under the "send-off" of three officers and the gaze of everyone in the Discipline Inspection Group, Yu Zhe walked out of the case-handling area holding the lunch box like Li Jing holding his pagoda.

The eyes of these Discipline Inspection officers held no mockery, only pure resentment.

Yu Zhe still had something to say. He really wasn't afraid of these people. He raised his chin and babbled, "Hey, look closely. I'm Yu Zhe from the motor pool. You might even have me driving for you when you go on missions in the future—"

He really dared to say it. His gaze swept over those people as he challenged them, "Let's wait and see. I admit I fell into your hands, but wait until you fall into mine one day!"

"Hurry up and go. What's with all the nonsense."

Han Han Jiankun kicked his butt and urged, "If you don't mind the embarrassment, just stand here and make a spectacle of yourself."

"What am I embarrassed about? Whoever is embarrassed knows it!"

Yu Zhe shook his head and walked toward the elevator, babbling, "I, Yu Zhe, can walk out of the Discipline Inspection Commission with my head held high. It's them who should be embarrassed!"

These words really hit the nail on the head. No wonder those people's eyes were unkind.

But who could guarantee that they wouldn't have this bastard driving for them when they went on missions in the future? If he really drove them into a ditch on purpose...

They would have absolutely no way to deal with it.

And they could basically be sure that if they really fell into this bastard's hands, he would really dare to drive into a ditch. Anyway, they wouldn't dare to sit in his car.

Furthermore, offending Yu Zhe was equivalent to offending the entire motor pool. Just look at the posture Han Han Jiankun took to pick him up.

This is called: better to offend a gentleman than a villain.

Undoubtedly, Yu Zhe was a villain—a villain of a small character.

"Come, Peng Xiaoli, are you by yourself?"

Gu Cheng opened the door, and Peng Peng Xiaoli was holding the beer he had bought.

Both of their families lived in the Workers' New Village, not far apart. They used to gather often, but now that Master Qian Youqiong was pregnant, gatherings were mostly at Gu Cheng's house.

Master Qian Youqiong's family had money, and Gu Cheng's family wasn't poor either. The young couple were both in government agencies, so they weren't short of money.

At first, when Peng Peng Xiaoli and Yu Yu Haitang bought a house, the young couple wasn't in a hurry because both families had houses.

Master Qian Youqiong's father even found them a small courtyard in the city, but half a year later, they were busy selling houses in the Workers' New Village.

First, Master Qian Youqiong was pregnant, and commuting wasn't very convenient. Second, the hospitals in the city weren't as good as the Joint Hospital here; giving birth here was more convenient.

The third was the living environment. When the Workers' New Village was first divided, the greening wasn't very good, but in the past few years, various projects had been completed one after another, which had revitalized the entire plan.

The current Workers' New Village was definitely the number one residential area in the city. Anyone with connections wanted to get a house here.

It was just that the Red Steel Group's qualification review was strict; not everyone could buy commercial housing here. Scarcity makes things valuable.

The house Gu Cheng and Master Qian Youqiong bought was much larger than Peng Peng Xiaoli's, at least twice the size.

"She has to wait a while before she gets off work."

Peng Peng Xiaoli knew Gu Cheng was asking about Yu Yu Haitang. He rubbed his hands and explained, "She said she still had some work to finish."

"Could it be that Deputy Director Su and Deputy Director Zhou are really going to apologize to Yu Zhe over the broadcast?" Gu Cheng winked and said, "If that's the case, there's going to be a good show."

"Hehehe—" Peng Peng Xiaoli knew he was close to the water and got the moon first, eating melons with great enthusiasm, but still said with a smile, "Yu Zhe is out."

"What? Out?" Obviously, Gu Cheng didn't know about this. He raised his eyebrows and asked, "When did he come out? How did he come out?"

"He came out by himself—" Peng Peng Xiaoli said amusedly, "Could it be that he was carried out?"

"Didn't he say he was going to die inside?"

Gu Cheng was really addicted to watching the fun and didn't mind if things were too big. For the sake of the fun, he even risked Yu Zhe.

"Could he really die inside—"

Peng Peng Xiaoli took off his coat and smiled at Master Qian Youqiong, who was coming out with her big belly, before continuing, "Captain Han went to pick him up."

"Oh—I see—"

Gu Cheng nodded knowingly and said, "So when Old Su went to find Old Zhou, they discussed calling the Secretary-General, right?"

"Otherwise, it wouldn't have been Captain Han who went to pick him up. That's what it means, right?"

"I don't know about that. I just heard what they said."

Peng Peng Xiaoli rolled up his sleeves and walked into the kitchen, saying, "Weren't you in the office? Didn't you hear what they said?"

"How could I hear? He guarded against me like a thief." Gu Cheng laughed heartlessly, thinking it was more and more amusing.

"Hey, what do you think Old Su will do in the end?"

He stood at the kitchen door with his arms crossed, watching Peng Peng Xiaoli busy, and teased, "How does that saying go?"

"He really didn't expect that after investigating, he would investigate himself, right?"

"You're just watching the fun—"

Master Qian Youqiong poked Gu Cheng with a feather duster and gestured to the kitchen, saying, "Hurry up and help."

"I was just about to get started."

Gu Cheng and Peng Peng Xiaoli were close brothers. Their relationship was very good, and they were very casual with each other, so Peng Peng Xiaoli didn't mind.

Whoever went to whose house, it was all the same.

There was a knock at the door. Master Qian Youqiong went to open it, and immediately Yu Yu Haitang's voice came.

"Oh my, it's too cold today—"

"Did you ride your bike back?"

Gu Cheng poked his head out of the kitchen and said gloatingly, "I knew as soon as I went downstairs that riding a bike today would freeze you to death."

"Go away—" Master Qian Youqiong glared at him and went to pull Yu Yu Haitang's hand, but was dodged by the other party.

"Don't, my hands are ice cold." Yu Yu Haitang rubbed her face and said, "I don't want to give you a chill."

Saying this, she leaned her ear against Master Qian Youqiong's belly and said, "Let me listen quickly, is there any movement?"

"It just kicked me—"

Master Qian Youqiong supported her belly and said with a smile, "It's not honest at all."

"It looks like a little boy." Yu Yu Haitang took off her scarf and coat, looked at the kitchen, and then said, "What are we eating tonight?"

"Four dishes and one soup, a state banquet."

Gu Cheng joked with a smile, "Whatever your husband makes, we'll eat. Anyway, Xiaoqiong and I aren't picky."

"Look at how lazy you are—" Yu Yu Haitang smoothed her hair by her ear and said, "You don't look like someone who can cook."

She rubbed her hands, then touched Master Qian Youqiong's belly through her clothes and said, "Did you starve the baby?"

"I don't know if the baby was starved, but the baby's mother definitely wasn't." Gu Cheng found some dried fruit from the drawer and placed it on the coffee table, saying, "Don't be polite. Northeast specialties."

"Yo—" Yu Yu Haitang raised her eyebrows with a smile and said, "Secretary Gu has connections in the Northeast now."

"Look at that!" Gu Cheng said with a smile, "Brought back by the Secretary-General, one portion for each."

"What? None for our family?"

Yu Yu Haitang ate the dried fruit, looked toward the kitchen, and asked deliberately, "Then I'll have to ask the Secretary-General when I see him tomorrow."

"Who said there wasn't?" Gu Cheng pointed to the dried fruit in the box and said, "Isn't that what you're eating?"

"Hmm?" Yu Yu Haitang's hand paused, and she looked at him suspiciously, "Ours, how come it's here with you?"

"Yeah, Secretary Zhang gave it to me. I said our families live close, so I helped you bring it back." Gu Cheng said with a chuckle, "Don't be polite."

"Do I need your help—"

Yu Yu Haitang saw that a lot had already been eaten in the box and said angrily, "You ate ours, what about yours?"

"We'll save ours for later."

Gu Cheng was doing it on purpose, deliberately teasing Yu Yu Haitang, and said with a smile, "Eat yours first."

"How come you have so many schemes!"

Yu Yu Haitang knew he was joking, rolled her eyes, and shouted toward the kitchen, "Peng Xiaoli, Gu Cheng embezzled our dried fruit!"

"Got it. I'll report him to the Discipline Inspection Commission tomorrow." Peng Peng Xiaoli was even better at it. The sentence he returned from the kitchen almost made Master Qian Youqiong have a premature birth from laughing.

"Hey, speaking of the Discipline Inspection Commission, do you have any latest news?" Gu Cheng asked gossiping, "The leader didn't go to apologize over the broadcast?"

"Forget it—" Yu Yu Haitang curled her lips and said, "He was just saying that. Asking a sky-high price and bargaining on the ground."

She ate the dried fruit and said, "Isn't it said he's already been sent home? Director Song from the Discipline Inspection Commission went personally to apologize and restore his reputation."

"Pfft—he doesn't have a fart's worth of reputation."

Peng Peng Xiaoli came out of the kitchen wearing an apron, his hands still wet, and said amusedly, "He did plenty of messy things in Steel City. It's just because of the Secretary-General's face that no one bothers with him."

"The matter is weird enough—"

Gu Cheng crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows, saying, "I was startled when I heard the news. I didn't expect it to turn around. Heh! They couldn't continue the investigation."

"If you ask me—" Peng Peng Xiaoli twitched his lips and said, "The tricks inside are big. This matter won't end so easily."

"Isn't it said Deputy Director Zhou invited the Secretary-General for a drink?"

Yu Yu Haitang heard more news after returning from work and said, "Is this matter over just like that?"

"Over? How is that possible—"

Gu Cheng said amusedly, "If Old Zhou wants it, the Secretary-General won't agree. If Old Su wants it, Old Zhou won't agree."

He raised his chin and gestured to Yu Yu Haitang, saying, "That little brother of yours is definitely doing it on purpose. Maybe—"

"Maybe what?" Yu Yu Haitang glanced at him.

Yu Zhe was indeed her younger brother, but not her biological one. She had more contact with Yu Li. Yu Zhe had been annoying since he was a child, and she couldn't be bothered to deal with him.

"I don't dare say that." Gu Cheng turned and went to the kitchen, and his voice came immediately: "Let's wait and see. There will be a good show."

"Mysterious—" Master Qian Youqiong curled her lips and looked at Yu Yu Haitang, asking, "What kind of relatives are you? With that Yu Zhe."

"From the same great-grandfather." Yu Yu Haitang explained and added, "I didn't even know he could pull off something like this."

"He has a good sister—"

Peng Peng Xiaoli grabbed a handful of dried fruit, looked at Yu Yu Haitang, and asked, "Why haven't I heard you contact your sister recently? And I haven't seen you visit."

"Visit where? Steel City?" She glanced at him and said lightly, "Stop saying that in the future. What good sister, bad sister."

Peng Peng Xiaoli was scolded, and he knew he had said the wrong thing. He turned to the kitchen awkwardly, and was teased by Gu Cheng again.

"The thing I told you to watch, did you watch it?"

He ignored Gu Cheng's teasing and reminded him softly, "Don't be vague, be serious."

"Mm, I know—" Gu Cheng responded while cutting vegetables, "I report on time."

"Do you think the impact of this matter is big?"

After he finished speaking, he looked at Peng Peng Xiaoli and asked, "Will it affect the current cooperation? If it gets messed up, wouldn't it ruin a business?"

"Business is business, as long as there is profit to be made." Peng Peng Xiaoli looked at him and said, "Wasn't that matter the year before last small? They still cooperated the same way."

"It's just that this time it's a bit special. Old Su is going to fall, so it will definitely involve a bunch of people."

He thought for a while and said, "You should also know that it's not like no one has lost their head and leaned over in the past two years. There are also people who followed and got rich."

"But anyone with a discerning eye knows that Old Su is just a grasshopper after autumn; he won't last long. Either he leaves, or he falls."

Peng Peng Xiaoli explained while starting the pan and heating the oil, "Just this thing in your hand, when the time comes, it will be a bunch of people following and suffering."

Sizzle—

The green vegetables went into the pan, and a burst of fragrance rose in the kitchen.

"How is the old lady?"

Li Li Xuewu didn't get home until after ten o'clock. It was almost eleven when he arrived, but Gu Ning was still waiting for him to return.

After washing up and getting into bed, his voice carried exhaustion.

"Nothing much. I went there the day before yesterday."

Gu Ning put down the book in her hand, glanced at him, and then turned off the bedside lamp.

"Sigh—" Li Li Xuewu sighed and said, "They say that in old age, one should enjoy the blessings of children and grandchildren. The feeling of a white-haired person sending off a black-haired person is not easy to bear."

"Didn't you say you could come back at night?" Gu Ning answered his call and knew he had a social engagement tonight and would be back late.

"I was thinking of coming back early."

Li Li Xuewu got up and drank some hot water, explaining, "That Deputy Director Zhou who came from the city called. I couldn't refuse."

He turned to face Gu Ning and said, "This is the first private contact. If I had refused, there would be no talking next time."

"Making it so complicated." Gu Ning also said quite helplessly, "Is this the career you wanted?"

"The career I want is one that follows my heart, but to achieve this goal, there must be an unpleasant process."

Li Li Xuewu pinched his nose and said, "The weather has changed. You and the children must be careful. A cold is very serious."

"Mm, Li Shu and Li Ning are fine."

Gu Ning looked at him and asked, "Do you have enough cotton clothes? Do you want me to buy you two more sets?"

"Enough, I don't wear much."

Li Li Xuewu hugged his arms, his voice sounding a bit stuffy as he said, "I get in the car as soon as I leave the building, and I enter the door as soon as I get out of the car. It's not that cold."

"Mm, just don't catch a chill." Gu Ning reached out and smoothed her hair, saying, "Mom called and said the eldest sister-in-law and the children have all gone to Jin Ling."

"What a toss—" Li Li Xuewu also felt for his eldest brother-in-law's family. He turned over and said, "Tossed from Beijing to Xijing, and then from Xijing to Jin Ling. The eldest sister-in-law's work is all fragmented."

The medical profession is quite special. Even in situations like Gu Ning and Mu Mu Hongyan's, they are recognized by the hospital.

Just think about it: is it more valued to work in one unit for a long time and have access to more resources, or is it more valued to move around and change units frequently?

Of course, it's working in one unit for a long time like Gu Ning, with a stable family, being more valued, and being able to enjoy more training resources.

Mu Mu Hongyan won't stay in Jin Ling for long either. Li Li Xuewu calculated that his father-in-law wouldn't be able to retire for long.

At the latest, I'll have to return to work by the second half of next year. Claiming poor health won't work; how many old comrades currently in their posts have returned to work despite their illnesses?

Even if he really is ill and his health is truly poor, he has been recuperating for so many years. How could they still give him time to recuperate?

With that seniority, that rank, and that physical condition, if they don't use him, who else can they use who is in even worse health?

What is his father-in-law's most precious asset?

It's not the honors he once received, nor the relationship with his former comrades-in-arms, but his age and health.

He hasn't been ill or had any disasters all these years, and he hasn't been overworked at the academy. After recuperating for a full four or five years, he is still a young and strong faction when he comes out again.

When the time comes, it's impossible for him to stay in Jin Ling. The eldest brother-in-law will also return to the front line. What will the eldest sister-in-law, Mu Mu Hongyan, do?

"The eldest sister-in-law said she wants to come back." Gu Ning also couldn't help but sigh, "She said the children are older, and she doesn't want to be tossed around like this anymore."

"That's fine." Li Li Xuewu said, "Once the situation stabilizes, if she wants to come back, I'll arrange for someone to clean up the house."

If Mu Mu Hongyan returns to Beijing, it's impossible for her to stay here for a short time; she must return to that small building.

Don't look at how Gu Yan and Zhou Yao are; they are the younger ones and can buy a house outside to live their lives. Mu Mu Hongyan is the eldest daughter-in-law.

Unless Gu Gu Haitao and Ding Ding Fengxia are no longer around, that building should be returned to the organization. Otherwise, no one will go to reclaim the house at this time.

Mu Mu Hongyan lives there with justification and peace of mind. Her returning to live there means the Gu family is returning to Beijing to stand on their own.

"We'll see. It's impossible to come back in winter." Gu Ning turned on her side, her arm resting by his side, and said, "The eldest sister-in-law can't bear to leave the children."

"Who could bear it? I miss the two little ones at home if I don't see them for a month, let alone not seeing them for a long time."

Li Li Xuewu stretched out his arm and pulled her into his arms, saying, "Wait a little longer. I'll be back in Beijing next year, at the latest by the end of next year."

"Mm—" Gu Ning's hand wrapped around his neck. It was impossible to say she didn't miss him. Supporting a family alone had too many hardships that were hard to express.

This is even saying she didn't have to do housework, didn't have to worry about the children's studies, and if it weren't for the old lady's matter, she wouldn't even have to worry about things at home.

On weekdays, it was Liu Yin, the mother-in-law, who took the initiative to come and see her, caring for her, worrying about her, and there were no conflicts at home.

"Let's have children next year." Gu Ning mentioned this to Li Li Xuewu for the first time. She shrank her body and said, "Maybe it won't be so busy next year."

"Don't have any pressure. It's fine either way." Li Li Xuewu patted her back and said, "With Li Shu and Li Ning, it's lively enough."

"Mm—" Gu Ning knew he liked children, and his parents also hoped for many descendants. In these years of married life, she had learned to understand this word.

Just because of her parents-in-law's understanding and care for her, and because of Li Li Xuewu's care and love, she couldn't always live in her own world.

On November 18th, Li Li Xuewu, in his capacity as Secretary-General of the Management Committee and leader of the Group (Liaodong) Industrial Leadership Group, attended the Staff Representative Congress and made a work report to the Management Committee on behalf of Liaodong Industry.

On the same day, Su Weide, without Li Li Huai De's consent, made an investigation statement on the No. 4 furnace case to the Management Committee.

In his statement, he arbitrarily judged that the then-director of the Metallurgical Plant, Dong Wenxue, had lacked supervision and used the wrong people during the design and construction of the No. 4 furnace, and did not rule out collusion for profit, requesting the Management Committee to seriously deal with Dong Wenxue.

At the same time, in his statement, he also criticized the leader of the Group (Liaodong) Industrial Leadership Group, Li Li Xuewu, judging that Li Li Xuewu had interfered with the investigation team's evidence collection during the group's investigation and had covered up Dong Wenxue's violations, requesting the Management Committee to seriously punish Li Li Xuewu and revoke his relevant positions.

Right at the Management Committee meeting, Li Li Huai De rejected Su Weide's statement on the spot, demanding that he must provide solid evidence; otherwise, it was slander and would affect the unity of the leadership team.

Su Weide was not alone. Immediately, Zhou Wanquan suggested in his speech that this case be escalated and handed over to higher authorities for review.

When Li Li Huai De heard this, he almost turned into a Calabash Brother, the one whose eyes could breathe fire. ===== CHAPTER 1637 =====