Chapter 1644: A Turn for the Better

"Director Li—"

Fang Ai was really waiting for him outside the conference room door. Seeing him come out, she came over.

"Right, call your Director Hu."

Seeing it was her, Li Xuewu pointed back at Hu Ke who was walking behind him and said, "What I told you, you can solve it now."

"Hehehe—" Hu Ke waved his hand amusedly, "Isn't this deliberately digging a pit for me to jump into."

Fang Ai didn't know what was going on yet. Li Xuewu clearly told her to wait for him here, so why did it involve Hu Ke again?

"I didn't dig a pit for you to jump into."

Li Xuewu deliberately sized him up and said, "With your figure, how big a pit would I have to dig to fit you?"

"Hahahaha—"

The cadres who walked out of the conference room one after another laughed loudly. The relationship between cadres in this era was still very harmonious, and there weren't so many rules.

You should laugh when you should laugh; it's not lively if you don't talk or laugh.

"Now you know, Secretary-General Li is good at kicking the ball." Hu Ke didn't suffer any loss in words, pointed at Fang Ai, pulled Li Xuewu and walked aside, saying, "It's just a few words."

"Director Hu, you must help us."

Fang Ai wasn't sure what had happened. She came to find Li Xuewu under Hu Ke's guidance, and now she was kicked back to Hu Ke by Li Xuewu?

"Don't be anxious, listen to me finish."

Hu Ke organized his thoughts and looked at her calmly, "Just now at the meeting, Secretary-General Li gave us a lesson."

"Let's call it experience sharing—"

Li Xuewu corrected from the side, "I charge for giving lessons, unless you are really willing to pay."

"Hahaha—" Hu Ke nodded with a smile and said, "No problem. If you come to give a lecture again next time, we will definitely pay the tuition."

Li Xuewu didn't believe his nonsense at all, pointed at Fang Ai and said, "I have already told your Director Hu about your difficulties. Just listen to him."

"Hey! Director Li—" Fang Ai didn't intend to let him go just like that. She was very afraid that after he left, Hu Ke wouldn't be able to solve her problem, and she wouldn't be able to find him again.

So at this moment, seeing Li Xuewu about to leave, she blocked him sideways and looked at Hu Ke, urging him to speak quickly.

Hu Ke looked at her amusedly and explained frankly, "Liaodong Industry is preparing to focus on developing school-enterprise cooperation projects, increasing the enrollment and cultivation efforts of key disciplines related to key projects, and realizing high-standard academic transformation."

He pointed at Fang Ai and said, "Your pharmaceutical factory can apply for cooperation with the Medical University. They merged with the Northeast Pharmacy Institute, and their scientific research strength in this area is still very strong."

"Director Hu, I don't understand what you mean."

Fang Ai looked at him suspiciously and asked, "Cooperate with the Medical University? Produce what?"

"I'll tell you that later."

Hu Ke explained, "This is only one of today's plans. Deputy Director Lu still has to take it to the meeting for discussion."

"However, don't be anxious. We all have confidence in this plan. When the relevant cooperation system is issued, we will notify you uniformly."

He pointed at Li Xuewu who was about to leave and said, "If you have no bottom in your heart, you can go to the Red Steel Group Academy of Sciences to visit—"

"The Red Steel Group Academy of Sciences is a gathering place for scientific research talent that can be counted in Beijing and even the North China region. You really should go and see."

"Don't look at me, I naturally welcome it."

Li Xuewu raised his hand to signal, "However, you have to apply in advance. The Group's Foreign Affairs Office will formulate a special inspection plan according to your needs."

"Oh, by the way, a reminder."

He nodded and said, "The Red Steel Group has not borne any activity expenses for brother units to visit the factory since 1967."

"And if you want to enter the factory area or laboratory for internal visits, you have to pay a visit fee, because this requires special personnel to receive you."

Hearing him explain the rules in such detail, Fang Ai was a bit surprised.

Because visiting each other between brother units was the norm in this era, and she hadn't heard of having to pay a visit fee in addition to bringing your own dry food.

Are you still brother units!

"This is the real situation, it's the same for everyone."

Hu Ke was afraid she wouldn't understand, so he explained from the side, "Unless it's an activity initiated by the Red Steel Group, everything else is charged according to the rules."

"This also has to do with the endless stream of visits to the Red Steel Group every year. If they really received everyone who came, they would have been eaten bankrupt sooner or later."

"So that's how it is—"

Fang Ai's face was still hard to hide her surprise, but she had already understood the reason for this set of rules and said with a smile, "I really heard it for the first time."

"Very normal, the more formal, the more convenient."

Li Xuewu nodded, not intending to force it, and said casually, "Any unit or individual can call or write to the Group's Foreign Affairs Office. If you don't know the specific contact information, you can ask your Director Hu."

Don't blame this title for being messy. The executive organization of each unit is the management committee, that is, the director of the management committee is in charge, so calling him director is fine.

Fang Ai also called him director; she was deliberately flattering him. After all, Li Xuewu was the first person in charge of the Red Steel Group in Liaodong, so calling him that sounded good.

However, Li Xuewu didn't recognize this title. She called him that, and anyway, he didn't respond.

"As long as you apply through regular channels, the Group's Foreign Affairs Office will formulate a special inspection plan according to your needs."

Li Xuewu explained one more sentence, "There will be special personnel to accompany and introduce you, so you don't have to worry about not understanding and having nowhere to ask, and you won't run extra detours."

"Very good, not much money."

Hu Ke nodded and dismissed her, "You'll know when you go. It's definitely worth the trip and you can learn a lot."

He emphasized, "If it's not convenient for you to go, you can also wait a bit, wait until our policy comes down, and then organize everyone to go visit and learn together."

"Then I'd better apply in advance and go by myself." Fang Ai said with a smile, "I won't add trouble to you."

"Thank you, Director Li. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you again in the future. Don't be annoyed with me."

"Won't be, won't be—"

Li Xuewu nodded with a smile and said, "Welcome to come to the Red Steel Group to play often. If there is a chance, see you in Beijing."

He just said it casually. If it weren't for Hu Ke tipping him off, could she have caught his shadow?

Besides, Hu Ke didn't dare to tip him off every time. If he did it again, he wouldn't come. One must have a sense of propriety in doing things.

"Shrewd enough, right?" Hu Ke watched her leave and then asked Li Xuewu with a smile, "Very afraid of falling behind if she follows everyone else."

"Isn't this your precious treasure?"

Li Xuewu's words were so damaging. He just said he wouldn't dig a pit for Hu Ke, and now he was setting a trap.

Hu Ke said with a smile, "I said she is a leader among female cadres in the Liaodong industrial system, but I never said anything about a precious treasure."

Li Xuewu didn't go back to Steel City that day because there was a supplementary meeting in the afternoon that tied his hands and feet.

When he wanted to leave in the evening, he was dragged by Hu Ke to meet the leaders of the Fengcheng Chemical Institute with Yuan Beichen, and they had a meal and drank some wine together.

"Old Xu, when is your institute scheduled to relocate?"

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, everyone at the table was familiar with each other, so Hu Ke brought the topic to Xu Fenglin, the dean of the Chemical Institute.

"Moving next month." Xu Fenglin smiled bitterly and said, "Actually, many teachers and staff have already moved over now."

Yuan Beichen glanced at the other party, then looked at Li Xuewu, picked up his chopsticks, and didn't speak. Li Xuewu also knew this situation.

The big relocation of key national universities in 1970. Not many people in later generations might know about this. Let's give an example: where should the University of Science and Technology of China be located?

Many high school seniors in later generations would ignore this key information when filling out their volunteer forms, thinking it was in Beijing, but it was actually in Hefei, Anhui Province.

But in this era, the University of Science and Technology of China was originally in Beijing. Subject to unified planning and arrangements, it needed to transfer to industrial bases or remote areas.

Many of these institutions were agriculture, forestry, geology, mining, oil, water, electricity, and other engineering colleges, and many were key national universities at this time.

As an important industrial city in the Northeast, Fengcheng's universities also became targets for adjustment. The Fengcheng Chemical Institute was one of them.

"Actually, it's a good thing, right?"

Hu Ke took the initiative to pour him a glass of wine and said, "Going to Fucheng can also integrate the Fucheng Institute of Technology and the Fucheng Petroleum School. It can be considered strengthening the team."

There are many good places in Liaodong, and there are many cities with weak industry. Why must the Fengcheng Chemical Institute move to Fucheng?

Because Fucheng is an important petroleum industrial base. Locals all know about the Fucheng Petroleum Plant No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, etc.

In fact, such an arrangement in the thinking and policy of this era is also correct, moving chemical colleges to Fucheng to facilitate the development of teaching modes such as "half-work, half-study" and "learning-work labor" combined with production reality.

But it seems Dean Xu is somewhat unwilling.

No one would be willing if this happened to them. Why not keep the good resources of Fengcheng and go to a prefecture-level city for development?

Even if an individual moves once, how much property is lost? Not to mention a key institution, the loss is much more.

"Sigh—" What else could Dean Xu say? The leader personally poured the wine, so even if he had more unwillingness, he had to hold it in his heart.

He nodded and drank the wine in the cup in one breath.

Li Xuewu tasted the pickled cabbage, refreshing and crisp. Even though there weren't many pieces of meat, it was fragrant to eat.

"You can set up a branch school in Yingcheng—"

He watched the fun and didn't think it was a big deal, raised his eyebrows, and gave a chaotic idea, "Close to the seaside, guarding the port, development will definitely not be bad."

"Are you paying for it?" Hu Ke said unhappily, "If you pay for it, I'll let them move directly to Yingcheng."

"If I pay for it, your Chemical Institute will have to belong to Red Steel."

Li Xuewu was really not afraid, asked with a smile, "Is it okay? If it is, I will contact the Group to transfer money now and move you directly to Beijing."

"Listen to his nonsense—" Hu Ke didn't dare to give Xu Fenglin a chance to speak. What if he really agreed?

Don't look at the arrangements outside, but Liaodong cannot be without its own chemical colleges. In the morning, he emphasized the high-standard project of academic transformation at the meeting, and in the evening, he sold the school. Where can he find academic transformation?

In fact, he also had other thoughts, otherwise he wouldn't have dragged Li Xuewu and Yuan Beichen to dinner together. This was coming to seek help.

Only Yuan Beichen was timid, had no confidence, and didn't dare to take the conversation.

Look at Li Xuewu's style; he hits back so bluntly that he can scare Hu Nao into not daring to reach out to him. He's afraid Li Xuewu might even take away his begging bowl.

Don't believe it, this bad boy Li Xuewu really can do this kind of thing.

Think about the big loss suffered by the Bingcheng Aircraft Manufacturing Plant, and then think about how the Red Steel Group's Steel Flying came about. This bad boy has a criminal record.

You don't say, Li Xuewu stirred it up like this, and Xu Fenglin was really moved. Even if he couldn't go to Beijing, going to Yingcheng was fine.

Yingcheng wasn't that great before. Guarding the port couldn't even compare to half the size of Bincheng. It was a relatively backward city.

But the current Yingcheng has changed guns for cannons and is different from the past. The Red Steel Group has been building on a large scale in Yingcheng these years, which can be considered to have fattened some enterprises.

And with the Yingcheng Port belonging to the Red Steel Group entering the countdown to operation, the fact that Yingcheng is about to welcome great development is already a nail in the board.

Who made the Red Steel Group willing to spend money to build a large port area with international standards in Yingcheng? In the future, the Bohai Bay will have a foothold for Yingcheng.

There is another reason for his heartbeat, and that is the Red Steel Group is going to build an oil refinery in Yingcheng, as well as an ore dressing center.

Beijing Chemical will also build a chemical industrial park in Yingcheng. If they really build a school in Yingcheng for development, it is definitely a case of leaning against a big tree to enjoy the cool.

He wanted to ask about the conditions, but Hu Ke stopped him.

"They don't just have a research institute."

Hu Ke reminded him, "Their United Vocational Technical College also has a chemical major. The comprehensive evaluation of teaching ability is not worse than yours."

"It's easy to say going to Yingcheng, but going to Beijing, are you waiting to be merged?"

He deliberately scared Xu Fenglin, "By then, the undergraduate college will become a vocational college. You, the dean, might not be able to be the main one, and you'll have to be demoted."

"Hehehe—" Li Xuewu looked at the nervous Hu Ke amusedly, raised his eyebrows, and said to Xu Fenglin, "It's okay. If you are afraid of demotion, then move to Yingcheng. If you really belong to our Red Steel Group, I will approve 2 million for you a year."

"You are doing this on purpose—" Hu Ke looked at him speechlessly and asked, "In the future, we will have to beg you to carry out cooperation!"

"Hahahaha—" Li Xuewu pointed at him with a smile and said, "Why is your heart so crooked!"

"Why don't you say your heart has many eyes!"

Hu Ke smiled and poured him a glass of wine, saying, "If you really have the heart to help, don't talk about 2 million, just give 200,000 or 300,000 a year."

"Can do—" Li Xuewu didn't even hesitate, and said generously, "As long as the graduates of the Chemical Institute are picked by us first every year, these conditions are easy to talk about."

"Forget it, forget it—drink your wine!"

Hu Ke didn't dare to talk about business with him anymore. If he continued to talk, even Xu Fenglin would have to sell himself.

Having money is amazing!

"I invited Deputy Director Yuan over today because I wanted to communicate first to see if there is a more convenient possibility for school-enterprise cooperation."

He adjusted his goal to Yuan Beichen, who made this brother not speak all the time, looking like he was easy to bully.

"This project is of course possible."

Yuan Beichen spoke very cautiously, hesitated, and said, "Secretary-General Li also introduced it in the morning. We have had mature cooperation with Beijing Chemical for a long time."

"If we can cooperate with Fengcheng Chemical, it will also be a driving force for our industries in Steel City and Yingcheng."

He paused here, looked at Hu Ke, and asked, "However, you also mentioned just now that the Chemical Institute still needs to relocate. This cooperation..."

"It's okay, relocation doesn't delay cooperation."

Hu Ke bumped Xu Fenglin, who was still thinking about the 2 million a year, with his elbow and said, "Right, Old Xu."

"Ah? Ah, oh, oh, yes."

Xu Fenglin nodded and said, "Our relocation work is still going very fast, this..."

Hu Ke saw that he was not in a state, but there was no way. Looking at the culprit sitting aside stealing laughter, he turned his head and asked, "Are you interested?"

"Yes—"

Anyway, he promised everything Hu Ke said tonight. Let's see how ruthless he is when he cuts a knife at everything he sees.

"Even if you are, I won't let you play—"

Hu Ke knew he didn't have good intentions, turned his head to Xu Fenglin and exhorted, "Fucheng is not very far from Yingcheng. You can completely break through regional barriers and complete the docking of scientific research and production."

Listen carefully to his words and his choice of words. In fact, many of them were learned from Li Xuewu. Using these terms makes it very precise.

Why is Li Xuewu's speech attractive? There are many terms they have never heard of.

"It's okay, even if there is no opportunity for direct cooperation, indirect cooperation can also be carried out." Li Xuewu raised his chin and said to Xu Fenglin, "Welcome to visit and exchange at the Red Steel Group. Our Vocational Technical College's chemistry department still has many excellent professors and students."

It's more than excellent; it's a habitat for great talents. In this era, special groups can only find a foothold in the Red Steel Group.

He said this modestly, but also showed his attitude to Hu Ke: no one covets their Chemical Institute.

Of course, if Xu Fenglin really had the intention to surrender to the Red Steel Group, he would also be willing to accept it. Opportunities to strengthen disciplines like this are rare.

The purpose of this meal tonight was this. When Hu Ke sent them out, he also emphasized two points about the structure and channels of cooperation.

Liaodong Industry is still relatively responsible, especially with Hu Ke in charge. They have indeed done a lot of practical things over the years and have won people's hearts.

Don't look at Li Xuewu playing bad on the side, but realistically, being able to get the counterpart support of Beijing Chemical can be considered to have solved the urgent need for insufficient funds after the Chemical Institute's relocation.

Although they still have to cultivate talent and provide scientific research strength for Beijing Chemical's industry in Liaodong, those are things for the future. Let's take care of the survival problem in front of us first.

After sending Yuan Beichen away, Hu Ke sighed and said, "It's not easy. Living a poor life for a long time, I don't dare to be extravagant and wasteful."

"Actually, Beijing Chemical has money, but they can't take it out."

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and explained for Beijing Chemical, "Beijing Industry will withhold all profits. How much can really be in the budget?"

"They are profit giants and also budget giants. If they really move to your Liaodong, you definitely won't be able to afford them."

This was a reminder to Hu Ke: don't be greedy. Industrial transfer is already the limit, so don't be insatiable.

Jing Yunong only stayed in Fengcheng for one night. Li Xuewu stayed for the second night, and she had already returned. By the time Li Xuewu returned to Steel City, Wang Yajuan had also left.

"Did you ask what her situation is?"

Yu Li tidied up his luggage and reminded, "Don't take it lightly. Her mind is very heavy."

"Hmm, I know what's going on."

Li Xuewu made a cup of tea for himself and explained indifferently, "The object she was engaged to before found her and wanted to get back together."

"There's such a thing?" Yu Li looked at him in surprise and asked, "Then what is her intention?"

"What do you think?" Li Xuewu smiled and said, "If she had this intention, she wouldn't have stayed here for so many days."

"That's true—" Yu Li thought for a while and said, "If she doesn't want to, she can just explain the situation to the other party clearly. Can he force a sale?"

"If the feelings between men and women were really that simple." Li Xuewu sat on the sofa with a teacup, "It's that person chasing her and not letting go. Maybe he has an unsettled heart."

"So what if the heart is unsettled—"

Yu Li walked over, looked at him, and asked, "Can he still bully her?"

"Who can bully her? No one bullies her. It's her own overthinking." Li Xuewu waved his hand, "Don't worry about it. I've already called Wu Shuping."

"You use people conveniently—"

Yu Li pursed her lips and muttered, then went to wash clothes. She washed Li Xuewu's clothes by hand.

It's also because the quality of clothing materials in this era is average. If you really throw them into the washing machine, they will be washed out after a few times.

"Did you go see Fei Shanying and her children?"

Li Xuewu asked while reading the newspaper and drinking hot tea, "Are the children growing well?"

"Very well, chubby."

Yu Li said from the bathroom with envy, "When I hold her, she's not afraid of strangers at all and even smiles at me."

"Tell Wen Saner another day to bring the children to Steel City and lend them to us to play for a few days."

Li Xuewu said with a smile, "I like children at this stage. Once they can run and jump, it's annoying instead."

"You think having children is for playing—"

Yu Li scolded unhappily, "If he heard you, it would be strange if he brought them. You haven't seen how much he treasures his daughter."

"It's all the same, a daughter slave—"

Li Xuewu said with a smile, "When Li Shu was just brought back, I didn't know how to be a father, but I wanted to see her every day after work."

"You are a typical daughter slave."

Yu Li glanced at him from the bathroom door and said, "You wish you could save the best in the world for your daughter."

"Actually, compared to her, Li Ning is more sensible." Li Xuewu thought of the children at home and said, "Li Shu is more naughty."

"She's been naughty since she was small—" Yu Li said, "At that time, there were many people in the courtyard. Whoever caught her would tease her. How could she not be naughty."

"Especially Old Biaozi, he's the one who loves teasing children."

Speaking of this, she suddenly remembered something, looked at Li Xuewu from the door, and asked, "Is Biaozi not coming back this year?"

"I asked him to come back, but he won't."

Li Xuewu curled his lips and said, "Help me keep it in mind. At the latest next June, let Shen Guodong go to Hong Kong to replace him."

"Are you willing?" Yu Li reminded him, "If Guodong goes to Hong Kong, his foundation in Beijing will be lost."

"Another thing, Xiao Yan and the others still want children. What will the young couple do if you do this?"

"Then what can I do? You go?"

Li Xuewu glanced at her and said, "I wouldn't be at ease if someone else went."

"You might as well just say let me go—" Yu Li rolled her eyes at him and turned back to wash clothes.

"If you don't go, you don't go. I'll think about it again."

Li Xuewu put down the newspaper in his hand, rubbed his forehead, and said, "If I had a solid person in my hand, I definitely wouldn't tire you out."

"You just think I'm easy to bully."

Yu Li muttered, "Anyway, I'm a lonely ghost. You want to throw me wherever you want."

"What kind of talk is this—" Li Xuewu curled his lips and said, "When have I ever thrown you out."

He picked up his teacup and took a sip, thinking about the arrangement just now, and said, "If it really doesn't work, I have to let Mai Qinglan and her child go to Hong Kong. Living apart for so long will definitely cause trouble."

Li Xuewu could accept Old Biaozi having colorful flags fluttering outside, but he wouldn't allow the red flag at home to fall.

Husband and wife are still best as the original pair. If it really reaches that point, he, the big brother, would feel bad.

This Old Biaozi is really something. It would be fine if he were really living a life of debauchery in Hong Kong, but he does the hardest work and is unwilling to let go, even if he let Wen Saner go be carefree for a few more years.

But this is just thinking about it. Wen Saner's case over there hasn't been cleared yet. If he goes over, he will be caught by them.

In fact, Li Xuewu wanted Erhai to go. He is 20 years old and has worked in Hong Kong, so he has this strength.

He really didn't take the enterprises in Hong Kong too seriously. With Lou Xiaoe and Ji Weidong taking care of them, these people are just brushing experience. Learning and feeling capital operation is the purpose.

Hong Kong is good this and good that. Even Dong Wenxue and Gao Yaqin often go there. Why has he never taken the initiative to go?

Doesn't he know life there is good?

But sometimes, this kind of experience often becomes a stumbling block at critical moments.

These few years are the critical rising period of his career. He must not do things that destroy his own Great Wall. If he should be conservative, he must be a bit conservative.

Yu Li hung up the clothes, walked into the living room, and said, "Go take a bath, wait a while and the water will be cold."

Only then did Li Xuewu put down the newspaper and teacup and got up to take a bath.

There were only the two of them at home, so life was much more convenient. If Banggeng were here, he would have to be careful about everything.

Even if that kid had long since started eating meat, adults have to have some face, otherwise, what's the difference from a monkey.

After turning off the lights, the two lay on the bed. Li Xuewu saw she didn't speak, patted her arm with his hand, and asked, "Do you really want a child?"

"What do you think?" Yu Li pouted and said, "How old am I? If I don't have one now, I will lose the opportunity forever."

"How old are you?" Li Xuewu said amusedly, "You're two months younger than me. Am I old?"

"Don't change the subject—" Yu Li turned to look at him and asked, "Are you really that heartless? Not giving to anyone?"

"If you want it, I'll give it. Just be willing to spend energy raising it." Li Xuewu reminded her without objection, "Don't look at other people's children being good and think they are treasures. Small has small goodness, big has big trouble. By then you'll know it's annoying."

"Then I'm willing—"

Yu Li leaned over and said proudly, "I can definitely raise the child very well and will never add burden to you."

"What kind of talk is this?" Li Xuewu glanced at her and said, "Have I ever said children are a burden?"

"You were just saying it."

Yu Li smiled and said, "If you are really willing to give, even if it means letting me go to Hong Kong, I am willing."

"Stop talking nonsense. When have I ever made things difficult for you."

Li Xuewu didn't trust others, but he trusted Yu Li. It had been so many years. If she had other thoughts, she would have had them long ago.

He was actually looking at the fact that the old lady was seriously ill this time, and Yu Li served her hard, and looking at her being alone and pitiful every time she held someone else's child and wouldn't let go, his heart had to soften.

If it were really up to his earlier determination, he must give to Lou Jie, but others would forget it.

There had been no news from Hong Kong for so long. Lou Jie didn't give him a letter, and he didn't dare to ask. It would be troublesome if a big guy suddenly came and called him dad.

Yu Li was a person of action. Seeing he agreed, she excitedly drilled into his quilt and said with a smile, "You are not allowed to go back on your word."

"When have I ever lied to you?"

Li Xuewu glanced at her and said, "If you are willing, the child will be surnamed Li."

"You're beautiful—" Yu Li kissed him and said, "If it's a daughter, I'll follow you. If it's a son, he must follow my surname. That's my son."

"Heh—" Li Xuewu knew her thoughts. She was afraid he wouldn't tolerate it, or Gu Ning wouldn't tolerate it.

Gu Ning wouldn't care about this. If she really cared, she would have mentioned it to him long ago. She wasn't the type to hide things.

Li Xuewu didn't have a dragon chair under his butt, so there wouldn't be any routine of fighting for the dragon chair. What does it matter if there's one more or one less?

Last month, the old lady was seriously ill, and Yu Li went back to serve her. Gu Ning saw her and didn't react, because Yu Li knew propriety.

Another thing, rather than saying she believed in Yu Li's propriety, it's better to say she believed in Li Xuewu's shrewdness.

Who can take advantage of him? Even for things like men and women, how many does he really have heart for?

Not to mention anything else, just talking on the bed, Gu Ning asks him what he says, who can do it?

Even Yu Li doesn'

Yu Li thinks a lot; she can't make Gu Ning feel uncomfortable after giving birth to a son. Following her surname wouldn't mean Li Xuewu's care would be any less.

If she gives birth to a daughter, there's no threat, and the Li family wouldn't care about her existence. Living her life while looking after her daughter would be quite practical.

It's just that she isn't allowed to choose; otherwise, Yu Li would definitely choose a daughter. Is a son born really one's own?

She is someone who acts like a daughter; when can she stop worrying about her parents? Looking at her younger brother, Yu Zhe, he is just a good-for-nothing.

And don't talk about having sons to provide for one's old age; how many people are truly filial?

People are all the same; after living together for a long time, they will inevitably find each other eyesores. This is true even for husbands and wives, let alone children.

On December 6th, Li Xuewu flew back to the capital on the Red Star No. 1 to attend the General Staff Representative Assembly.

This was also arranged by Li Huai De; he had to attend the relevant meetings, otherwise, he would have waited until the formal meeting was convened in the middle of the month to return.

At that time, he would return to the group headquarters with the heads of the Liaodong industrial enterprises to report on their work and attend the representative assembly.

Li Huai De had him return early for one purpose: the settling of accounts with Su Weide and Zhou Wanquan.

"I know you don't care about these things."

Li Huai De had called him to his office to talk, fearing that Li Xuewu would go straight home after getting off the plane, so he specifically arranged for Liu Bin to pick him up at the airport.

"That's not true; who could not care?"

Li Xuewu looked at the teacup in his hand and said, "I'm not a saint either. If people wrong me, should I be happy about it?"

He shook his head, blew the steam off the tea in the cup, and said, "I don't have that kind of enlightenment; I just don't want to talk about it."

"I know, you've reached a high level of cultivation."

Li Huai De nodded slowly and said, "These years in Liaodong haven't been in vain; they have indeed polished your temperament to be more rounded."

"Was I showing my sharp edges too much before?"

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "How come I haven't felt that I've changed at all?"

"That is the limitation of human beings."

Li Huai De also smiled, picked up his teacup, and said, "One can only see the shortcomings of others, but not one's own."

"If you put it that way, your enlightenment is higher than mine."

Li Xuewu said with a chuckle, "I'm still learning how to see the strengths of others."

"Alright, stop being humble—"

Li Huai De smiled and glanced at him, took a sip of hot tea, and then put down the cup, saying, "I know you have grievances in your heart."

This time, Li Xuewu did not interrupt but listened to him earnestly.

"You and Comrade Dong Wenxue are the same; you are both people who are willing to do practical work and are capable of doing practical work. I am clear about this point."

He nodded slowly and said, "Within the group, the two of you can be called the pillars of our operations."

"You'd better be careful with the praise; being praised like this makes me feel a bit uneasy." Li Xuewu adjusted his sitting posture and said with a smile, "Don't follow it up with a twist and suddenly drop me to the ground."

"Hahaha—" Li Huai De chuckled for a while, waved his hand, and said, "Good is good; there's no doubt about that."

"The leadership talked to me a few days ago."

Speaking of this, his expression gradually became serious, and he nodded slowly, saying, "They also mentioned the matter concerning you and Comrade Dong Wenxue."

"Does the joint investigation team have a conclusion?"

Li Xuewu said indifferently, "It's about time there was a conclusion. It's been dragged out for two years; I'm not carrying this burden anymore."

Li Huai De knew what he meant by saying this; he looked at him, nodded, and said, "I can understand your feelings, but it's a pity for Comrade Dong Wenxue."

"When will the results come out?"

Li Xuewu frowned slightly and asked, "I don't think blaming an individual for responsibilities caused by collective decisions can solve any problems. This is also unfair to the comrades involved."

"Hmm, that's right, of course I think so too." Li Huai De nodded and said, "I have reported the situation regarding Comrade Dong Wenxue to the leadership."

He pressed his hand down, looked at Li Xuewu, and said, "The joint investigation team found some information about him. I have read it; it is true, and he has admitted it himself."

"What information?" Li Xuewu asked with a frown, "How come I don't know about it?"

"You hadn't even gone to the Steel City at that time, so how would you know?"

Li Huai De shook his head and said, "Someone used his name to collect some things; it was done by people around him."

"Is this very serious?"

Li Xuewu knew what was going on; the matter of that female attendant from back then had been dug up.

He knew that no matter how deeply such things were hidden or how well they were handled, there would always be a day when they were dug up.

"He said he never received these things. I trust him, and the comrades on the investigation team trust him too."

Li Huai De said with some helplessness, "But received is received. Even if he didn't commit the mistake himself, it was still a failure of strict supervision, and he must bear some responsibility."

"Was it tied to the No. 4 furnace project?"

Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Does the timeline match up? I don't believe he would be so foolish as to make a mistake in such a matter."

"I don't believe it either, but no one can explain it clearly."

Li Huai De sighed and said, "Small matters accumulating into major accidents—this is the result of not paying attention to details in daily life."

He looked at Li Xuewu and said, "If he had learned your rigorous work style in daily life, would there be such a situation today?"

"To assign responsibility this way is inevitably a bit far-fetched, or one might say, if you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext."

Li Xuewu's attitude was quite direct; it was obvious he was defending Dong Wenxue, without hiding anything at all.

Li Huai De also understood his attitude; how could he not have the same mindset? Dong Wenxue could not be abandoned.

"The leadership has already understood the relevant situation and has also talked to him; the problem is not major."

He looked at Li Xuewu and said, "He is still young and has plenty of time and opportunities to adjust."

"Can this sentence be applied to me as well?"

Li Xuewu smiled and asked, "How did the investigation team define my issues?"

"Don't consider problems with emotions."

Li Huai De glanced at him and then said, "You really wronged them; after they came back, everything they said about you was good."

"There's such a thing?"

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows in surprise and said with amusement, "I must assure you that I absolutely did not give them any benefits; you must believe me."

"Hahaha—" Li Huai De picked up his teacup with amusement, took a sip, and said, "No one would play tricks on such matters; the investigation results this time must be convincing."

He said indifferently, "The specific results will come out after the New Year. The leadership is still fully considering the actual situation of our group, giving everyone time to adjust and relax."

"The solar calendar New Year? Or the lunar New Year?"

Li Xuewu frowned slightly and asked, "If it's the lunar New Year, it will be after February. Announcing the results in three months?"

"Are you in a hurry?" Li Huai De glanced at him and said, "The issues concerning you and Comrade Dong Wenxue have been investigated, but there are others whose issues haven't been finished yet. What are you in a hurry for?"

"Other people's issues?" Li Xuewu played dumb, raised his eyebrows, and asked, "Whose issues are still involved in this?"

He seemed to have remembered something and asked tentatively, "It wouldn't be that they are going to delve into the issues of other cadres at the metallurgical plant, would it?"

"What are you thinking—" Li Huai De said indifferently, "For those few in your plant, do you still need a joint investigation team? Isn't that like using a cannon to kill a mosquito!"

"If Comrade Zhang Haiyang heard you say this, he would be heartbroken." Li Xuewu smiled and said, "Having served under you for so many years, in the end, he's just a mosquito?"

"Hahaha—" Li Huai De pointed at him with amusement and said, "If you don't pass on these words, he definitely won't hear them."

"Then I cannot live up to your good intentions—" Li Xuewu also emphasized with a smile, "I must convey your spirit of instruction to the comrades."

"Suit yourself; I'll say the same thing even if they come."

Li Huai De joked a bit, then took a deep breath and said indifferently, "Just watch; those who commit many injustices are doomed to self-destruction. The thunder he summoned himself will have to strike his own forehead."