Chapter 1645: Comrade Li Shu

"What did you say? Investigating me?"

Su Weide nearly dropped the phone in his hand and angrily demanded, "I sent you to Steel City to investigate me?"

Who knows who leaked the news on the other end of the line, but faced with his questioning, they certainly couldn't give a correct answer.

They went to investigate Dong Wenxue and Li Xuewu. They did investigate, and it wasn't that they had no results, but they had investigated too far.

Just think, they even dug up the messy business Dong Wenxue had years ago and forced the other party to admit it.

Can you, Deputy Director Su, say we aren't working hard?

You told us to investigate Li Xuewu; it's not that we didn't, but we truly couldn't find anything, and we almost got taught a lesson ourselves. Now, we can't investigate anymore.

If the joint investigation team at this time had been composed of the Group's Quality and Safety Department and the Inspection Group, there would still be room for recovery.

However, the current joint investigation team's level is too high and too complex; it was something you, Deputy Director Su, blew out of proportion in a fit of rage.

In the current investigation team, there is no one who is truly "one of our own" in the meaningful sense. If even a little something is uncovered, no one can cover it up.

Originally, when the Quality and Safety Department and the Inspection Group investigated Yu Zhe, Deputy Director Su specifically instructed them to stop the investigation.

Moreover, this kid Yu Zhe really didn't have anything uncovered on him, so that lead was left unsettled.

But, there are people who aren't willing to let it go.

In the investigation of the Metallurgical Plant, Jia Yun and Sun Ming refused to give in, insisting to the death that it was the channel introduced by Yu Zhe.

Not to mention how Sun Ming confessed, Jia Yun insisted that this was the channel and business of Group Secretary-General Li Xuewu.

If the two of them don't admit it, then this case cannot be closed. If the case isn't closed, the investigation team cannot be withdrawn.

Now it's a mess; people from above have come down, and one look shows there are suspicious points in this case. It must be investigated clearly.

Jia Yun and Sun Ming have been placed under strict control; ordinary investigators can't even see them. You tell me what he's supposed to do.

"Yu Zhe has no problems! Investigate what!"

Su Weide was driven mad. How was it that the plan started off so well, yet the execution became increasingly unsmooth?

Gu Cheng sat at the doorway listening and nearly laughed out loud. Is this Yu Zhe the Secretary-General's driver or a relative of Deputy Director Su? Is it worth defending him this much?

The person on the secret line on the other end of the phone was also scratching their head. You should know whether Yu Zhe has problems or not; it's not us who want to investigate now!

Just as Su Weide was resolutely defending Comrade Yu Zhe's innocence, this kid had already arrived in Steel City.

This time, the investigation team leader had a memory and remembered the lesson. They didn't try to get tough with him but instead invited him to cooperate with the investigation.

How did they invite him?

First, they filed a formal application, requested Zhou Wanquan's approval, then contacted the office, and the office then contacted the motorcade.

Motorcade Captain Han Jiankun first had a talk with Yu Zhe, requesting him to cooperate with the organization's investigation and immediately head north to Steel City, with his salary still being paid.

The procedure was handled quite cautiously and strictly; Yu Zhe didn't have the slightest room for refusal or resistance.

If he didn't go, that would be resisting the organization's investigation, so Yu Zhe had no choice and once again set foot on the land of Steel City.

The investigation team arranged for a car to pick him up directly from the train station and take him to the Tuanjie Hotel, without him seeing anyone in between.

Regarding this key figure who was "entering the palace for the second time," the main person in charge of the investigation team, Fang Yuan, along with the Steel City Inspection Group leader Liu Wei, personally took the field, preparing to chew through this tough bone.

The investigation team's cadre reminded her that this kid might not be a tough bone; he might be a piece of stinking dog shit.

"Hello, Comrade Yu Zhe, right?"

Fang Yuan walked into the conference room and smiled, actively extending her hand to Yu Zhe, who was sitting in his seat and had no intention of standing up.

As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face. Yu Zhe is a boor, not a lunatic; he wouldn't go so far as to snort coldly and turn his face away.

They are leaders, female comrades, who actively walked over to shake his hand. Could he still sit there and put on airs?

Besides, these two female comrades were both thirty-six or thirty-seven, with dignified and imposing appearances—exactly the type he liked!

Look at that! Two of them came together!

"Hello, hello, I am Yu Zhe."

"Don't be formal, sit, sit—"

Fang Yuan smiled and shook his hand, politely introducing herself: "My name is Fang Yuan, and I am from the First Ministry of Machine-Building Inspection Group."

She let go of Yu Zhe's hand and gestured for Liu Wei beside her to introduce herself: "This is Steel City Inspection Group Director Liu Wei."

"Liu Wei, we have probably met before."

Liu Wei was even better at making small talk than Fang Yuan. She smiled and shook hands with Yu Zhe, saying, "I am very familiar with Secretary-General Li."

"Hey! It's me who has met you!"

Yu Zhe was acting like an adult now, speaking human language, unlike when he first came in and acted like a donkey.

Fang Yuan and Liu Wei walked to the opposite side and sat down, exchanging a glance; both were somewhat surprised.

This young man isn't quite good, is he? His manners are polite, his speech is courteous, and he's been smiling ever since they entered the room. He doesn't seem to be the heartless person they described at all.

Little did they know, just while shaking hands, Yu Zhe had already scanned them from head to toe, and had even left behind big data of fantasies in his brain.

"Comrade Yu Zhe, thank you very much for being able to cooperate with our work."

Seeing that he was polite and courteous and spoke gently, Fang Yuan looked at him and first said politely, "You've had a hard journey from thousands of miles away."

"Not hard, not hard—"

Yu Zhe smiled and looked them over. Their temperaments were vastly different, each with their own merits; they were much more "high-class" than Zhang Meili.

"Being able to contribute a portion of strength to the organization is a responsibility and obligation I should fulfill; I am not tired at all."

He said with a very upright attitude: "Even if you asked me to go to Hainan Island right now to cooperate with your work, I would be willing."

"Hehehe—" Liu Wei smiled and glanced at Fang Yuan before saying, "Then we are very grateful to you—"

"Don't be formal at all—"

Yu Zhe got excited, waved his big hand, and said with his head held high: "When I came, our Captain Han exhorted me, saying I must cooperate with the organization's investigation work and must perform actively."

"Look, I said they misunderstood." Fang Yuan smiled and said to Liu Wei, "Comrade Yu Zhe is so upright."

"I think so too—" Liu Wei said in coordination, "Rumors and gossip are not to be believed."

"Oh my, I've finally found the organization."

Yu Zhe shamelessly stood up, reached across the conference table, and actively took their hands to shake them again.

"You two don't know what I encountered a while ago; that guy wronged me so much—"

Fang Yuan didn't feel anything yet, just thinking this kid was too good at blathering. Liu Wei, however, understood some of the situation.

Having just had her hand touched by this kid again, she felt an itch in her teeth. To dare to take advantage of even her—he was truly bold and reckless!

"Is that so—" Fang Yuan showed a surprised expression in coordination and asked, "Did something happen?"

Yu Zhe was a show-off; he could talk for a long stretch even without someone to feed him lines. Now that he had two sisters to feed him lines, he could talk for a whole day.

"I really have to tell you two about this; that guy..."

The investigation team members listening in the next room heard Yu Zhe's jabbering in their headphones and all twitched their mouths in unison.

Is this a damn interrogation, or is it a storytelling session?

It should have been the two investigation team leaders questioning Yu Zhe, but now it had turned into Yu Zhe's talk show.

The voices of Fang Yuan and Liu Wei couldn't be heard in the headphones, only Yu Zhe's own, and he was speaking with such high spirits.

During this time, Fang Yuan and Liu Wei didn't fail to try to take over the rhythm of the conversation, but they were all rolled over by him.

There was truly no other way. Liu Wei stood up, took a thermos, and actively refilled the hot water in his teacup, which finally made him stop.

"Drink tea, speak slowly if you have something to say, no rush."

Liu Wei smiled and said, "We will verify the situation you mentioned, and we will notify you if there are new situations and progress."

"Actually, we want to know what you came to Steel City for last time." Fang Yuan hurriedly took over the conversation and asked, "And what you did in Steel City."

"This isn't investigating me—"

Very afraid that Yu Zhe would have resistance, she added, "These contents are related to a case we are currently investigating. If you don't mind, just tell us about it."

"Ah, you mean last time—" Yu Zhe's little loudspeaker suddenly ran out of power. Taking advantage of holding the teacup, he explained, "I just came back to stroll around after the holiday and see friends."

"Which friends did you see?"

Fang Yuan looked at him and pressed, "These are very important to us, and they can also help prove your innocence, right?"

"No one can insult my innocence."

Yu Zhe said amusingly, "And I don't need to prove my innocence. I was just bored at home and came back to take a look."

He lifted his chin and explained, "I worked here for more than a year and made a few good friends."

"If there are names that are inconvenient to say, you don't have to say them." Liu Wei looked at him meaningfully at this time and said, "Of course, even if you say them, we will help you keep them confidential."

"What's there to keep confidential about this—"

Yu Zhe was indeed hooked as the two had expected. He explained indifferently, "I hadn't been here for a week before I saw my sister and brother-in-law, and my good buddy Sun Ming."

"Wait—" Liu Wei narrowed her eyes slightly, looked at him, and asked, "Who are the sister and brother-in-law you mentioned?"

She raised her eyebrows and said, "According to the situation we learned, it seems your sister has separated from your brother-in-law."

"That is my biological sister—" Yu Zhe circled around like walking a dog and nodded, "I am talking about my god-sister Zhang Meili, who took great care of me while I worked in Steel City."

This sentence directly left Liu Wei speechless. She never expected that Yu Zhe had dug a hole for her here.

"You say Zhang Meili is your sister."

Fang Yuan took the baton and continued to ask, "How come the situation we heard is that you have an improper relationship between man and woman?"

"Slander! Rumors! Nonsense!"

Yu Zhe emphasized with a face full of righteousness, "We are a proper friendship, a pure relationship between comrades."

"You two just said it, it's all those guys who can't eat grapes and say they are sour who framed me and slandered me."

He tilted his head and said, "You also know, I drive for the leader; this is a position that attracts attention."

"They can't stand to see me doing well!"

"So, those rumors are all groundless?" Liu Wei asked, "Why are they so widespread?"

"Does this need to be said? They are jealous!"

Yu Zhe gestured to himself and said, "I won't hide it from you two, I have a bit of family wealth, and there are many people chasing me."

"They wanted to introduce me to a partner, but I wouldn't do it!"

He dodged his body and explained, "They don't know, I have a childhood sweetheart at home, who is my current spouse. Could I do a Chen Shimei behind her back!"

"Even if they introduced me to the leader's daughter, I wouldn't want her. This is also the reason why I gave up my career and chose to go home."

He acted as if he were truly that great, held his neck high, and said, "Perhaps you two have already learned, I am married, just this May. Could I make this up—"

"You also have to understand me. If this kind of gossip spreads, how can I face my big sister and big brother-in-law!"

Yu Zhe said with great annoyance, "This matter must be investigated clearly; who exactly is spreading rumors to slander me."

"Must return my innocence. My big sister and big brother-in-law are such good people. My big brother-in-law often makes delicious food for me. Could I treat him unfairly—"

"Alright, we will investigate it clearly."

Fang Yuan exchanged a glance with Liu Wei, knowing that they couldn't get any evidence or trick any words out of him.

At first, they didn't feel it, but after coming into contact, they realized this kid wasn't honest at all; he was full of nonsense.

Originally, they planned to pick out the Zhang Meili lead to grab Yu Zhe's tail, but now it seemed impossible.

The Zhang Meili lead couldn't be asked about anymore. If they kept asking, the joint investigation team would have to sweep the toilet and wipe his ass; it was too degrading.

"Then let's talk about your good buddy Sun Ming."

Fang Yuan looked at him and asked, "You should know he committed a mistake, right? He is currently here accepting investigation."

"Know, know, the investigation team even went to my house to mess with me, how could I not know—"

Yu Zhe nodded and said, "I had expected it long ago. At the beginning, he said he wanted to take me to do business, but I didn't pay him any mind."

"Sigh—it's also my fault—"

Speaking of this, he sighed for no reason and said, "If I had persuaded him when he said he wanted to go to sea, there wouldn't be today's result."

"You mean—" Fang Yuan and Liu Wei suddenly perked up, looked at him, and asked, "It was Sun Ming who wanted to drag you to do business?"

"Yes, didn't he confess this to you?"

Yu Zhe raised his head, looked at the two, and said, "I came to Steel City to play, called him to eat together, and he told me at the dinner table."

"What did he say?" Liu Wei narrowed her eyes and asked, "Said he wanted you to follow him and work together?"

"Yes, he said he had a way."

Yu Zhe nodded and explained, "He also said that making money from the sea is more satisfying than making money on the road, and he also said he had connections in the capital."

"What connections?!" Fang Yuan and Liu Wei, who were sitting opposite, sat up straight in unison, looked at him, and asked, "Who did you see with him when you returned to the capital?"

"We returned to the capital together, but we parted ways after leaving the train station. He said he was going to see an important person."

Yu Zhe explained, "I didn't want to follow him and work. What he said sounded mysterious to me, like thousands or tens of thousands a day."

"That's not right—" Liu Wei frowned and asked, "Didn't you even take him to Yingcheng for a field inspection?"

"Me? Take him? Who said that?"

Yu Zhe was stunned for a moment, then emphasized with a face full of grievance, "Clearly, it was him taking me to see his boat!"

He spread his hands and said, "How did it become me taking him to see the boat? I don't have a damn boat; I only have a bicycle."

"Tell us more details about this."

Fang Yuan and the other became more confused the more they listened. They looked at him and asked, "Introduce the situation of you going to Yingcheng and returning to the capital, and tell us what kind of business he was doing."

"It was just in Steel City. We were chatting nonsense at the dinner table, and he brought up making money, saying he had a way to go to sea."

Yu Zhe explained it like this, "He asked me if I would do it, and also said we could partner up and split one and a half shares with me."

"Actually, I also knew why he sought me out; it was nothing more than looking at the face that I had driven for our leader."

He said very frankly, "What kind of face does a small driver like me have that is worth him splitting benefits with me for no reason? You say, right?"

"Mm, tell your part." Fang Yuan and Liu Wei looked at him, nodded, and asked, "And then?"

"I knew at the time that he wanted to use me to contact our leader, and I firmly disagreed."

Yu Zhe said righteously, "I said I didn't have that brain, nor that ability. I was returning to the capital to get married, working in the Group, and staying at home was quite good."

"He insisted and insisted, and had to take me to Yingcheng to play. He didn't say it was to see a boat, just said to go stroll around."

He spread his hands and said, "I truly didn't know he had a boat. When I really saw it, I was also startled."

"I won't hide it from you two, my courage is very small. I truly can't do this kind of thing; it could scare me to death!"

Fang Yuan and Liu Wei exchanged a glance, not quite believing his explanation, because this was completely different from the situation Sun Ming confessed.

"You didn't say these things before."

Fang Yuan patted the case file and said, "When the investigation team asked you, why didn't you confess these contents?"

"Why should I?!" Yu Zhe stared and said, "They took me away in a daze and still wanted me to help them handle the case? Don't even think about it—"

He lifted his chin and said, "It's just you two. If they had been as polite, I would have said it, but they got tough with me. They can keep dreaming—"

The two opposite couldn't help but twitch their mouths upon hearing this. What kind of thing is this kid?!

How was this kind of boor recruited?

Secretary-General Li also has bad eyes; he actually chose him to be a driver. The Red Steel Group really has no one left.

"In Yingcheng, he wanted to take me on the boat, saying to go to the opposite side to take a look, and wanted to take me to the sea to see the sunrise. I said I wouldn't go. I've been seasick since I was a child, and you want me to go to the big sea to see the sunrise?"

He curled his lips and said, "I don't even watch the sunrise on land; I'd be crazy to go to the sea to suffer that kind of torture?"

"He didn't dare to do anything to me either. We strolled around Yingcheng and came back."

"And then?" Fang Yuan asked, "You just returned to the capital? Why? Is there any reason?"

"No reason, my leave expired."

Yu Zhe explained like a silly roe deer, "He said that was perfect; he wanted to go see the channel merchant and insisted on going with me."

"Actually, I also knew he wasn't dead set on giving up."

He said righteously, "Our leader is the number one person in the Red Steel Group in Liaodong, holding so many resources. If he really hooked up with him, how much would he earn? That's why he wouldn't let me go."

"Precisely because I knew it was like this, I dragged him along, refusing to agree to death. After returning, we didn't contact each other."

"After parting at the train station, you didn't meet again?" Fang Yuan asked, "He didn't contact you again?"

"If you don't believe me, you can check my communication records. The post office can definitely check it, or you can go to our Group's communication office to check the phone call records. I'm not afraid of being checked."

Yu Zhe shrugged his shoulders indifferently and said, "It's not that I'm bragging or praising myself. Although I don't understand personnel matters, I know what's good and what's bad, and I know what things shouldn't be done."

"And our leader treats me well and has always taken care of me. I can't pit him, not even to death."

He proudly raised his eyebrows and said, "Many people don't understand why our leader chose me to be his driver. Actually, the reason is very simple: I will absolutely not cause him trouble."

Hearing him give this reason, Fang Yuan and Liu Wei thought about it, and it was truly possible. Yu Zhe really hadn't caused Li Xuewu any trouble.

"Can you tell us where the money you spent during your time in Steel City came from?" Fang Yuan smiled and looked at him, saying, "We checked, and it was truly not a small amount, several hundred yuan."

"Of course, we aren't intentionally investigating you; we are investigating Sun Ming, because he was with you at the time."

"I can understand this." Yu Zhe was truly sensible, nodded, and said, "The money was given to me by my dad."

"Given by your father?" Fang Yuan looked at him suspiciously and asked, "What did he give you money for?"

"Hehe—look at how you asked that."

Yu Zhe looked at her amusingly and said, "To spend, what else, keep it under the quilt to let it have babies?"

"Be serious—" Liu Wei glared at him with feigned dissatisfaction, but then reminded him with a close tone, "Director Fang is asking you a question, not joking with you."

"If we were talking as old friends in private, joking with each other would be fine, but not now—"

"Ahem, sorry, I didn't hold it back."

Yu Zhe looked at Fang Yuan embarrassedly and said, "Sorry, I'll speak seriously. That money was truly given to me by my dad."

He twitched his mouth and said, "He said I was married and needed to have some money to press my waist; a man without money in his pocket doesn't have a stiff waist."

"You squandered the money your dad saved for a lifetime in one week?" Fang Yuan looked at him somewhat disbelievingly and asked, "Does your dad know about this?"

"Of course he can't know!"

Yu Zhe stared and said, "You guys better not go ask my dad. The money was given to me; I can spend it however I want."

"Besides, I spent the money, and my waist is indeed stiff. Didn't his goal also get achieved?"

Fang Yuan and Liu Wei were speechless. This is a piece of rolling-knife meat; it can't be cut, it can't be pierced, and there's truly nothing to be done about him.

"Do you have anything else you want to say?"

She was helpless anyway and didn't want to ask anymore, so she prepared to end today's conversation.

"There is a situation I don't know if I should tell or not." Yu Zhe was playing tricks again, hesitated, looked at the two, and just as they looked over, he said, "Forget it, I won't say it."

"Say it, what situation?"

Fang Yuan and Liu Wei didn't know what medicine he was selling in his gourd. If there was truly an important lead, they couldn't afford not to know.

"I'm afraid of being retaliated against."

Yu Zhe looked at them cautiously and said, "I heard you were arranged by Deputy Director Su to carry out the investigation work?"

Hm?

Fang Yuan and Liu Wei narrowed their eyes, exchanged a glance, and then looked at the opposite side. What does this kid mean by saying this?

"No, I am from the First Ministry of Machine-Building." Fang Yuan gestured to her side and said, "Director Liu is from Steel City and has no direct connection with Deputy Director Su of your Group."

"Oh—" Yu Zhe looked at the two and was still hesitant.

"If you have something to say, just say it directly. Our work procedures are confidential; whoever dares to leak it will have to accept punishment."

Liu Wei tapped the pencil in her hand and said, "Do you have doubts about Deputy Director Su, or do you have doubts about the two of us?"

"That's not it; I still trust you two quite a bit." Yu Zhe said with hidden meaning, "I haven't told anyone this news, and I don't know if it's true or false."

"It doesn't matter, tell us, and we will investigate."

Fang Yuan nodded and said, "Even if the news is false, it doesn't matter; we won't blame you."

"Then I can rest assured." Yu Zhe thought for a moment and explained, "I don't know if Sun Ming said it, but he has another friend here in the Red Steel Industrial Park who is from the Group."

"Hm?" Fang Yuan frowned and asked, "Who? What do they do? Which department?"

"I don't know that. I just know they are an administrator serving those East German experts, the kind who can make a phone call to the Group leaders."

"You don't even know the name?"

Fang Yuan frowned and asked, "Then how do you know the relationship between him and Sun Ming?"

"Sun Ming said it. He was bragging to me at the dinner table, saying something about how someone came to ask for a helicopter, but the Secretary-General wouldn't give it, and the matter got stuck. It hadn't been negotiated for almost a month, and it was his friend who directly called the Group leaders to solve it."

"Can you be more specific?"

Fang Yuan frowned and asked, "Which Group leader did they call? He said how it was solved?"

"He didn't say which leader, just said they were very capable, the kind who could make the Secretary-General take a step back."

Yu Zhe spread his hands and said, "At that time, I had already returned to the capital. I don't understand this matter, and I don't know if he was bragging."

"But later I learned that the Secretary-General did indeed take a step back and handed over the plane, but he also broke up with Shenfei."

He shrugged his shoulders and said, "He said his friend was omnipotent, and the channel for him to make money was also introduced to him by the other party."

"It shouldn't be difficult for you to find him, right?"

Yu Zhe raised his eyebrows and said, "There are only so many life administrators for East German experts. Just check who has direct contact with the Group leaders, and you'll know."

He looked very experienced and said, "If this matter were left to the Security Department, it could be cleared up in minutes."

Are you teaching us how to do our jobs?!

Fang Yuan and Liu Wei looked at him somewhat speechlessly, not knowing what they should ask him next.

"And if you want to check Sun Ming's channel, it's also simple. If you find that administrator, you can find that Group leader."

"Check that Group leader's social circle, and you can find the suspicious points that overlap with Sun Ming. There shouldn't be such a coincidence in the world, that they coincidentally appeared in the same place at the same time, right?"

"Alright, let's stop here for today."

Liu Wei nodded, stood up, smiled, and said to Yu Zhe, "You stay for a few more days. If we have any situation, we will verify it with you. The expenses at the guesthouse will be put on our account."

"How can I be so embarrassed—"

Seeing that they had no intention of shaking hands, Yu Zhe actively extended his hand and said with a smile, "I have a place to stay myself."

"Where are you going to stay?"

Fang Yuan and Liu Wei were helpless. Although they weren't willing in their hearts, they still had their hands touched by this kid.

"My big sister's house—" Yu Zhe said as a matter of course, "If I come to Steel City and don't stay at her house, if they find out, they won't blame me to death."

"..." Liu Wei had seen shameless people in her life, but she had never seen anyone as shameless as Yu Zhe.

She really thought others were idle and had nothing to do but slander him. She had worked in this system for many years; what kind of people hadn't she seen?

If this kid Yu Zhe said he didn't have that kind of thing, she wouldn't believe it even if she were beaten to death.

But then again, what else can you say about him?

"Better not. Just stay here. It's convenient for us to find you to verify the situation."

Fang Yuan smiled and said, "Besides, you came to handle affairs for the public, why are you still carrying this favor? Don't you need money for food and drink?"

"Hey—we are all good friends!"

Yu Zhe waved his hand and said, "Since you've said so, then forget it. I'll treat them to dinner tonight."

"Rest assured, I'll spend my own money."

Seeing the two standing there looking at him, he waved his hand very generously and said, "I won't spend public money."

Was that what they wanted to say?

"Leader, they are currently investigating me!"

Zhang Mingyuan was completely panicked and actually took the initiative to call Deputy Director Su's office.

His first sentence left Su Weide stunned. Why the hell are you stealing my lines!

"Who is investigating you?" Su Weide frowned and asked, "What do you have that's worth investigating?"

"I don't know. They are checking communication and call records and have found all the technical expert administrators for talks."

Zhang Mingyuan explained in a panic, "They asked about the ten helicopters from Steel Flight, and also asked if there was any direct contact with the Group leaders."

"What direct relationship do these two things have?"

Su Weide couldn't understand, but he scolded lightly, "What are you panicking about? You haven't done anything harmful to heaven and reason."

"Also, since they are checking such calls, you still dare to call me?"

"It's not that, Leader." Zhang Mingyuan hesitated and said, "I'm afraid you won't be prepared."

"What do I need to prepare for?" Su Weide frowned and was about to reprimand him, but after thinking about it, he said, "You didn't act on your own and do something you shouldn't have, did you?"

"No, Leader..." Zhang Mingyuan on the other end of the phone suddenly hesitated.

"Tell me clearly!" Su Weide asked seriously, "What exactly did you do?!"

"That... didn't you ask me to provide internal news to the investigation team..."

Zhang Mingyuan hesitated and explained, "I heard that the head of the Art Troupe has an improper relationship with Li Xuewu..."

"What did you say!" Su Weide's eyebrows were about to stand up, and he scolded, "Is this something that can be said on the phone!"

"Also! You heard, who did you hear it from?"

He was truly angry and scolded, "When did I ever ask you to make up lies? You dare to spread such rumors; who gave you the guts!"

Su Weide didn't dare to let him continue. It was an open secret among the management that the Group's office phones were monitored by the Confidentiality Section. He hurriedly hung up the phone, very afraid of being implicated.

He had just learned from Steel City that the joint investigation team was going to turn around and investigate him; he didn't expect it to be traced from Zhang Mingyuan's lead.

He didn't feel that Zhang Mingyuan had any problems. All along, this chess piece had been used to probe for news. It had been used once, which was to make things convenient for the investigation team.

Su Weide never expected that this kid would be so bold as to dare to directly retaliate against Li Xuewu.

Does he really think he doesn't know what kind of relationship Wang Yajuan of the Art Troupe has with Zhang Mingyuan? Daring to pull this on him!

But even so, what could be investigated from Zhang Mingyuan's side?

It was nothing more than him letting Zhang Mingyuan collect things about Steel Flight. He didn't believe the investigation team dared to investigate those helicopters.

Another thing, those planes went through normal procedures, and he didn't directly participate. What is he afraid of?

If there's any trouble, it's the attitude toward Li Xuewu. He'll have to think of a way to explain that clearly when the time comes; otherwise, he'll truly become a conspirator.

"Gu Cheng—"

He thought for a moment, called his secretary in, and instructed, "The Secretary-General is back, right? Is he still in the office?"

"He is back, but he left again."

Gu Cheng reported, "I heard there was something at home, so he went back temporarily. He won't be in to work until tomorrow afternoon."

"Oh, do you know what happened?"

Su Weide thought for a moment and asked, "Is the old lady at his house okay, or is it something about the children?"

"I truly don't know about this." Gu Cheng smiled and replied, "After all, I am not his secretary."

"Hehe—" Su Weide chuckled, looked him over, nodded, and said, "Alright, go do your work."

He didn't know if Gu Cheng was Li Xuewu's secretary, but he knew this kid was definitely not honest.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was "in Cao camp but his heart was in Han."

But the time had come. He had tolerated him for three years; just find any place to send him down, and it would count as giving face to his father-in-law.

This is called "if you can't afford to offend, you can afford to hide."

"I didn't want to sing, but the teacher insisted I sing."

Li Shu held her father's big hand, walking on the road, acting reserved yet very proudly: "She said I sing well."

"Is that so?" Li Xuewu smiled and asked, "How did she discover you sing well?"

"I just hummed a couple of lines casually."

Li Shu shook her head and explained, "Oh my, I really didn't want to go on stage; after all, I have to focus on my studies."

"Hey, I don't agree with you saying that."

Li Xuewu emphasized with feigned seriousness, "Develop in both culture and sports. Studies are important, but artistic cultivation and physical exercise are also important."

He looked at his daughter and said, "Does the construction of the motherland only need culture? Do artistic and sports development not matter?"

"Art and literature are important, but—" Li Shu said somewhat embarrassedly, "If I have to rehearse programs every day for the New Year's literary gala, what should I do if it delays my studies?"

"Comrade Li Shu, things are accomplished by human effort."

Li Xuewu pointed at his daughter and emphasized, "As long as you want to, as long as you dare to, nothing can stump you."

"You have to balance the time for rehearsing programs and studying, and do every single thing with more focus."

He exhorted his daughter, "When studying, be single-minded and work hard; when rehearsing, be down-to-earth and put in the effort."

"You can't be half-hearted, doing a little of this and a little of that; in the end, you won't do either well."

Li Xuewu took his daughter across the road, walking toward home, and continued to say, "And don't be proud."

"The teacher chose you because she trusts you. Since you chose responsibility and accountability, you have to work hard to do it well."

He patted his daughter's shoulder and said, "Little comrade, the capable do more work. Who told you to be more outstanding? Outstanding people must be more advanced and must shoulder more responsibilities."

"Oh, I know—"

Li Shu nodded understandingly, sighed, and said, "It's all because I'm too outstanding; they can't do without me."

"Heh—" Li Xuewu chuckled and rubbed his daughter's little head. Why is she so proud?

Li Shu, however, had grown up and knew to pay attention to her image. She didn't like him messing up her hair and dodged away with a smile.

The father and daughter scattered laughter all over the road on the way home, and it could be seen how happy Li Shu was that her father came to pick her up from school.

Li Ning didn't have this treatment. When his father got home, he had already returned from kindergarten; his second aunt picked him up.

However, having arrived home early, he had already gotten his hands on the toys and tasty treats his father brought back.

Just seeing his older sister enter the door, he immediately fawned over her and ingratiated himself, saying, "Sister, sister, Dad bought this for you."

"Since Dad bought it for me, why is it in your hands?" Li Shu glanced at her younger brother and said, "Li Ning, you're getting more and more presumptuous now."

"I was just helping you take a look."

Li Ning frantically searched for various excuses to explain why he had opened his sister's gift ahead of time.

Li Shu wouldn't listen to him; she took off her schoolbag at the doorway, changed into her slippers, and then, while taking off her outer coat, casually gave her younger brother a slap—neither light nor heavy—as a lesson.

Li Ning didn't dare to cry after being hit, nor did he dare to get angry; he could only purse his little lips and follow her into the living room.

Li Xuewu saw all of this, but he didn't intervene; in this family, there has to be an older one and a younger one.

Otherwise?

Otherwise, they could fight eight times a day, and the noise would be annoying enough to drive anyone crazy.

The sister and brother were fiddling with snacks and toys in the living room, Er Ya was preparing dinner in the kitchen, and Zhao Yaping was tidying up the house.

Gu Ning had already returned; she had arrived home when he went to pick up their daughter, and she was currently upstairs washing up and changing clothes.

Li Xuewu brewed himself a cup of tea, turned on the radio in the corner, tuned it to the news channel, walked back to the sofa, and sat down, letting the children chat idly beside him.

Gu Ning only came downstairs after hearing Er Ya's reminder that dinner was ready. Seeing him still coaxing the children to play, she asked, "Did you go to see the old lady this afternoon?"

"Yes, I sat there for a while."

Li Xuewu nodded and said, "The old lady might not make it; it's a matter of these next couple of days. I've asked Xuecai to bring the old lady over tomorrow to stay for a few days."

"Let the eldest sister-in-law and the children come over too." Gu Ning thought for a moment and said, "Even if Li Xue comes, there's a place for her to stay. The courtyard is cramped, and it's too noisy to rest well."

"Hmm, I didn't see her today; I'll ask tomorrow."

Li Xuewu reached out and tapped on the toys, reminding Li Shu and Li Ning, "Mom is down; it's time to eat."

"Okay—" the two children replied in unison, and they really did put down their toys and get up to head to the dining room.

Li Xuewu also stood up and said to Gu Ning, "I have a class tomorrow morning and a meeting in the afternoon. If there's something going on over there in the evening, I won't be coming back, and you shouldn't go over there either, lest you get frightened."

"Hmm, I know." Gu Ning entered the dining room with him and said, "Gu Yan came back a few days ago and said that many soldiers over there have been demobilized this year and can't find work; he wanted to ask you for help."

"Tell him to call me, or have someone bring the introduction letter and files directly to the Group's Personnel Department, and I'll arrange it."

Li Xuewu agreed very readily, without asking how many people his brother-in-law had on hand, nor why he was doing this.

Being able to find him for help meant that he had already given it some consideration.

Besides, could Li Xuewu let Gu Ning ask in vain?