Chapter 1663: Punishment for Impulsiveness

The Spring Festival holiday ended, and Li Li Xuewu had just returned to Steel City when he received a notice from the General Manager's office.

"What does this mean?" He frowned slightly and looked at Zhang Enyuan, asking, "What does it mean that General Li Zong can't come?"

"It's... it's..." Zhang Enyuan explained hesitantly, "Director Liu said General Li Zong has important work that he can't get away from..."

"Work more important than coming to Fengcheng to attend the meeting?"

Li Li Xuewu curled his lips, looked at the phone, but still didn't pick it up, instead asking, "What else did Liu Bin say?"

"He said you can contact General Li Zong a bit later; the leader isn't here right now, he went to the Ministry."

Hmph—Li Li Xuewu let out a light snort from his nostrils and said, "I know, you go out first."

Zhang Enyuan turned and left carefully; he also felt that this notice revealed strangeness everywhere.

Leaders' itineraries were generally arranged a week in advance; Liu Bin wouldn't make such a low-level mistake.

And invited by Liaodong Industry, the group general manager attending the group club meeting held in Fengcheng was of great significance.

The Secretary-General had been coordinating this matter for a month in advance, and it was a trip to Fengcheng that was finalized half a month ago.

Now, with only two days left before the meeting started, the general manager suddenly said he wasn't coming.

No matter what others thought, Zhang Enyuan had to consider it from Li Li Xuewu's perspective; the Secretary-General's face couldn't be saved.

Unless General Li Zong really had a reason related to life that he couldn't get away from, otherwise he wouldn't be able to explain it to Deputy Director Lu of Liaodong.

On this day, the atmosphere on the third floor of the Metallurgical Plant's comprehensive office building was extremely oppressive; the office clerks even walked lightly, very afraid of disturbing this deep pool of water and ending up without a place to be buried.

And Li Li Xuewu's office was even more terrifyingly silent; unless absolutely necessary, today's reports and requests were all actively postponed, or they requested Office Director Zhang Jing to come forward to handle them.

The off-duty bell had rung three times, and even the duty cadres had returned from eating dinner in the canteen, but Li Li Xuewu still hadn't left the door.

Zhang Enyuan stood at the door and looked twice; seeing that the leader still hadn't stood up, he waited in his own office.

He knew that the Secretary-General was waiting for a call from the group headquarters; even General Li Zong had to give a reasonable answer.

This was his third year as Li Li Xuewu's secretary; he had a profound understanding of the Secretary-General's influence in the group management committee.

One wouldn't dare say that the Secretary-General's opinion would definitely be adopted by General Li Zong, but the respect General Li Zong had for the Secretary-General was known to everyone in the group.

Ring ring ring—

Under the silence, the sudden ringing of the telephone startled him; he just reached out his hand, then stopped abruptly.

This wasn't his phone; the off-duty bell had long rung, and it couldn't be a work phone; it could only be...

"Hmm, I am Li Li Xuewu."

The phone in the office was picked up; it was the call the Secretary-General had been waiting for, and it should be a call from the group headquarters.

Zhang Enyuan stood up, walked to the office door, saw the leader listening to the phone, and carried the thermos bottle over.

The office was very quiet; the Secretary-General listened most of the time, responding from time to time, so he could hear that the voice coming from the phone was indeed the voice of Group General Li Zong Li Huai De.

This phone call probably lasted less than ten minutes; from beginning to end, the Secretary-General didn't say much either.

"Hmm, I know."

Li Li Xuewu hung up the phone after finishing the last sentence, frowned and thought for a moment, raised his wrist to look at the time; it had been an hour since off-duty.

"Let's go, off duty."

He pushed the documents in front of him, stood up and said to Zhang Enyuan who was pouring hot water, "The family must be waiting anxiously."

"Secretary-General, the meeting the day after tomorrow..." Zhang Enyuan asked hesitantly, "Are you going alone?"

"Deputy Director Gu, General Manager Gao, and General Manager Cheng are coming."

Li Li Xuewu put on his overcoat and said faintly, "They are taking a plane directly to Fengcheng tomorrow afternoon."

"Oh, is there anything we need to prepare?"

Zhang Enyuan nimbly tidied up the documents on the desk and poured the leftover tea in the teacup.

He carried the briefcase in his hand and asked for instructions, "Do you want to arrange a few cars to go over, to facilitate travel?"

"Machinery plant... forget it, you arrange it."

Li Li Xuewu waved his hand and signaled, "Go put on your overcoat; we'll talk on the way. Your wife must be waiting anxiously."

"She knows I'm working overtime."

Zhang Enyuan smiled, walked out quickly, returned to his office to get his overcoat, and explained while talking, "I told her long ago that she doesn't need to wait for me after mealtime."

"Going to the capital for so long, didn't ask if you were carefree or not?" Li Li Xuewu walked in front and teased him on purpose.

Zhang Enyuan smiled honestly and said, "I'm not Yu Zhe; what does she have to worry about."

"Hehe—" Li Li Xuewu still remembered that he had been frightened by Yu Zhe; thinking about it, he felt it was interesting.

"Speaking of Yu Zhe, I saw him when I returned to the capital this time." Zhang Enyuan took the initiative to bring up the topic and introduced, "It was in the second-floor canteen; he looked quite disciplined."

"Hmm, I heard it too," Li Li Xuewu glanced at him and joked, "They say someone is disciplining him."

"Hahahaha—" Zhang Enyuan laughed very happily, shook his head and said, "He should have been disciplined by someone."

This was referring to the half a month Li Li Xuewu returned to the capital to attend the meeting last month, not during the New Year period.

Li Li Xuewu returning to the capital for the New Year belonged to vacation and didn't go to the group to sit in the office, only attending two office meetings.

He was quite caring toward Zhang Enyuan and didn't let him be tossed around even during the New Year, which could be considered giving him a New Year holiday.

From the third day to the seventh day of the New Year, the two of them didn't rest for a few days in total this year.

However, after returning, speaking of it, he wasn't idle, and Zhang Enyuan wasn't idle either.

"My father-in-law, that person, likes face." Zhang Enyuan chatted from the topic of Yu Zhe to himself while going downstairs.

"He didn't look down on me much before; every year when I returned to her house for the New Year, I would eat a belly full of anger."

"Have you been high-spirited these few years?"

Li Li Xuewu glanced at him and asked amusingly, "It wouldn't be to that extent, right?"

"You don't know, sigh—"

Speaking of the experience of the New Year, Zhang Enyuan also sighed and felt a thousand emotions.

"My wife has three sisters and five brothers; every year on the third day of the New Year, we eat lunch at my father-in-law's house."

He explained, "If it were before, if I arrived a little late, there wouldn't be a place for me at the dinner table."

"But these few years it's different; there's no meal without me. This is my father-in-law's own words."

"Hahahaha—"

Li Li Xuewu felt it was amusing, pointed at him and said, "Don't disappoint your father-in-law's expectation and respect for you."

"He thinks I have great prestige now, returning home with a small car to send me, more awesome than their workshop director."

Zhang Enyuan shook his head and said, "To tell you the truth, these two years following you, I didn't feel prestige; more of it was learning."

The two arrived downstairs in the lobby; his tone was sincere, making Li Li Xuewu feel somewhat embarrassed.

"Learning is mutual."

Li Li Xuewu looked at him and pushed open the lobby door first, then walked out, emphasizing, "If it weren't for your help, I couldn't work so easily, right?"

"How could that be, it's you giving me the opportunity."

Zhang Enyuan replied modestly, "Director Zhang told me that the group is getting bigger and bigger, and young talents are like crucian carp crossing the river."

He opened the car door for Li Li Xuewu and joked, "This old and stupid catfish of mine can walk to today, it's really lucky."

"Too modest, not very good."

Li Li Xuewu looked at him and shook his head first, then got into the car.

And Zhang Enyuan closed the car door, walked around to the passenger side and got into the car, only then explaining, "I'm speaking from the heart."

"Hmm, I can understand your mood."

Li Li Xuewu nodded, looked at Qi Yan starting the car, and only then said, "You have indeed progressed very quickly these two years."

Speaking of this, he looked at Zhang Enyuan's profile as he turned his head, illuminated by the street lamp, thought for a moment and asked, "Do you have the idea of being sent down for tempering?"

"No, really no." Zhang Enyuan explained anxiously, "It was just words leading to words..."

"It doesn't matter." Li Li Xuewu waved his hand and said, "It's time to consider your next step arrangement."

"Leader, I—" Zhang Enyuan still wanted to explain, but facing the leader's gaze, he stopped.

"Do you have any ideas yourself?"

Li Li Xuewu looked at him and asked, "Do you want to go to the business port, or the logistics port, or the organization port."

"I really haven't considered this matter carefully."

Zhang Enyuan had a bitter face and explained, "It's just that there were rumors about me in the government office recently, so I couldn't hold back..."

"It's very normal; you aren't working for the first day, job transfer is the topic that can most easily cause discussion."

Li Li Xuewu didn't care, said faintly, "You have been in this position for more than two years, it's hard to avoid attracting speculation."

"It was my negligence on this problem."

He looked out the car window and thought for a moment, then looked toward the passenger side and asked, "Do you want to stay in Steel City, or can you accept being in a different place?"

"Steel City is best." Zhang Enyuan didn't expect that today's topic would actually push his being sent down.

It had to be said that the leader was enlightened and magnanimous; otherwise, his little thoughts being seen through would inevitably lead to a reprimand.

There are not many leaders who can actively arrange a way out for their secretaries; leaders who can truly consider for their secretaries are even fewer.

Think about it, if Gu Cheng didn't have Li Li Xuewu's care, he might be eating sand in the frontier office now.

Even if Su Weide still had a bit of conscience, this disturbance would also bring a certain impact to Gu Cheng.

But from the current point of view, Gu Cheng took office smoothly without any twists and turns, except for being asked to cooperate with the investigation.

It had long spread in the government office that Gu Cheng had been squatting in the latrine without defecating for these two years, basically excluded from the scope of suspicion.

This could also be considered a kind of good fortune for a secretary, similar to his luck, all considered to have walked dog-shit luck.

"Hmm, you have a family, and the children are still young."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "I'll give you a week to think about where you want to go; tell me after returning from Fengcheng."

"Also," he paused and emphasized, "Help me see if there is a good seedling suitable to replace you."

"This—" Zhang Enyuan hesitated for a moment, asked hesitantly, "Do you want a young person or..."

"It doesn't matter if they are younger." Li Li Xuewu said, and didn't say much more on this topic.

The car left the industrial zone, the street lamps became fewer, the car compartment fell into dimness, and also fell into silence.

Zhang Enyuan, however, had already thought that today was different from the past; when the Secretary-General came to Steel City, he didn't understand the situation here and needed a steady and experienced secretary.

And now the Secretary-General's working time in Steel City was less than a year, so naturally, he wouldn't use an older secretary.

This also provided a possibility for the new secretary, which was the opportunity to follow the Secretary-General back to the capital to work.

If it were someone like him with a family, who would be willing to leave their family and home to go to the capital thousands of miles away to work.

Even if the person himself agreed, the leader wouldn't agree; this violated organizational principles, and it couldn't be explained emotionally.

Unless it was goods like Yu Zhe.

In Zhang Enyuan's heart, whenever the word "unreliable" was mentioned, there was no one who surpassed Yu Zhe.

He sat in the passenger seat thinking about where he would go, while also thinking about where to find a good seedling for the leader.

Unlike choosing a driver, when a leader chooses a secretary, they often make long-term considerations.

One cannot say forming a clique, but in the process of serving the leader, the secretary inevitably learns with the mentality of a student.

In this process, looking at the secretary from the leader's perspective is also a student's mentality.

So rather than saying choosing a secretary, it's better to say choosing a student.

Of course, students aren't necessarily good students, and teachers aren't necessarily good teachers; it depends on individual fortune.

Qi Yan was a muffled gourd, wouldn't open his mouth easily; he fell silent, but also ignored the leader's silence in the back seat.

Li Li Xuewu's silence was thinking about Old Li's phone call; today's depression really couldn't be blamed on Old Li.

On the phone, Old Li was also very aggrieved; someone actually passed a word to him through a connection, warning him to be quiet.

This was the original words Old Li said to him on the phone, and that tone was full of grief and unwillingness.

Actually, Li Li Xuewu could feel this mood; think about what rank Old Li was, and he was actually warned.

What does quiet mean?

Old Li could of course understand, and Li Li Xuewu could also understand.

Blame it on Old Li being too active recently, and the means being too direct; he really didn't treat the comrades in the team as people.

What could Li Li Xuewu say facing his complaints? He had long reminded Old Li not to be too arrogant, but he didn't listen.

Things like "take advantage of the victory to pursue the enemy" must be possessed with absolute crushing strength; when the Su Weide case hadn't settled, opening champagne to mock everyone, isn't this destroying one's own Great Wall.

What should Old Li do most now?

It is to unite the power of the team, strive to do a good job in the management of the Red Steel Group, and strive for greater achievements.

Whether Old Li progresses or not doesn't depend on the competition within the group's organizational ecology, but on the group's overall achievements.

On the contrary, only positions like Su Weide and Zhou Wanquan will be valued for insurance within the organizational ecology.

It was Old Li who put the cart before the horse, mistaking means for strategy; today's stick really wasn't unjust.

How did Old Li do when facing pressure?

It had to be said that he made a bad move again; Li Li Xuewu felt a headache listening to it on the phone.

Liu Bin reminded him to contact later when notifying, which was saying Li Li Huai De really went to the Ministry.

Old Li really went, went to the First Ministry of Machine Building to see Director Du, but Director Du told him to calm down and handle this matter properly.

Old Li didn't understand the meaning in Director Du's words at all, just complaining and emphasizing.

He emphasized his work achievements, complained about the unfairness of this treatment, and even threatened to do this and that.

Could Director Du listen to this? He scolded him back in two sentences.

He was still on the road, and the phone call from the city summoning him came.

This had to be said that since the Red Steel Group was managed by the capital for more than a year, it was the first time the city used the order of summoning to see him.

After Old Li arrived in the city, he discovered that it wasn't just him who was summoned by the group, but also Zhou Wanquan.

He didn't say how the city talked to them on the phone, but Old Li's words were full of grievances and helplessness.

The result Li Li Xuewu got was that from the 4th furnace all the way to the Yingcheng ship and warship case, all were responsible by Zhou Wanquan.

Li Li Huai De couldn't "properly" handle this matter, so the city didn't get used to him either, directly pointing at Zhou Wanquan.

Thinking back now, it should be Director Du who was annoyed by Old Li's ignorance, acquiescing to the city's further actions.

Step by step, it was difficult to turn over now; Old Li called so long after off-duty, not without regret.

But what could regret do? If he had listened to Li Li Xuewu earlier, or contacted Steel City at the first time of the incident, could there be such a punishment for impulsiveness today?

What Li Li Xuewu wanted to think about now was, Zhou Wanquan took over the joint investigation team, and the case that was already in trouble had no space to stir up waves, perhaps it should end here.

Otherwise? Did they really dare to continue investigating?

Sure enough, on the day Li Li Xuewu prepared to set off for Fengcheng, the joint investigation team suddenly changed generals.

Fang Yuan was recalled, and a new person in charge would take over with her, which was within Li Li Xuewu's prediction.

"Did you talk to Director Li on the phone?"

Gao Gao Yaqin didn't hide it anymore; the first sentence she asked when they met made Li Li Xuewu not know how to answer.

Cheng Kaiyuan patted his arm, didn't say anything, everything was in it.

What else to say, if you don't kill the snake, you will suffer from it.

Look at what Old Li had done recently; he didn't hurry to clean up Su Weide's tail, completely locking Zhou Wanquan, but actually aimed at them to open fire.

Using Li Li Xuewu's words from before, it was floating.

During this period of time, although the team didn't discuss it openly, everyone had a big opinion about Li Li Huai De privately.

So much so that the city made the decision so decisively, wasn't it because of the attitude of the team members.

Think about it, if the Red Steel Group team members were of one heart, wouldn't the Ministry and the city consider it when making decisions?

They should at least think about what consequences would appear once it caused the overall resistance of the group team, right?

But now, Old Li suffered, and everyone was just short of applauding, preferring to watch Zhou Wanquan take off on the spot.

Everyone didn't say it, but they were clear in their hearts; Li Li Xuewu dug such a big pit, wasn't it to help Old Li.

Old Li was good, he flew away!

So many cases, such big fruits, watching Zhou Wanquan take them away, you say should it or shouldn't it?!

"How is the meeting preparation?"

Gu Gu Weijie was now transcendent, seemingly really not caring about Old Li's shabby things anymore.

After the New Year, her days in the group also entered the countdown; perhaps the above was also considering her destination.

The wind had been blowing for so long without being decided, which also had a relationship with the current situation of the Red Steel Group.

Compared to her personal transfer, the stability of the group was more important; the organization must be considering it comprehensively.

Think about it, three people in the group team were involved in this in the past half year; would transferring her without completely eliminating the influence cause bad changes?

Everything had to be considered from the group's organizational ecology; temporarily not moving her wasn't not moving her, but needing to find a suitable time to move her.

Gu Gu Weijie naturally also saw through this truth, so she showed a high-style side in work, while also grasping organizational management tightly.

If problems appeared in the work she was responsible for at this juncture, then the result of her transfer would change.

"I arranged for a special person to coordinate and communicate with Liaodong; I talked to Hu Ke on the phone the day before yesterday."

Li Li Xuewu explained softly, "Fortunately, they can understand; Deputy Director Lu attaches great importance to this project."

Actually, from Old Li coming, passively changing to the three of them coming, one could also see the Red Steel Group's importance.

Up to now, there were few projects the Red Steel Group participated in where four group leaders participated at the same time.

Unless it was talked about in the Red Steel Group, otherwise where would there be such an opportunity.

"Try to handle this crisis well; we all believe in your foundation in Liaodong."

Gu Gu Weijie almost said it openly, looked at him and said, "We discussed it when we came; we listen to your arrangement."

"Then I wouldn't dare," Li Li Xuewu smiled and said, "We are our own people; only by working together can we succeed."

Do you really think she is being polite?

She really thought so; Li Li Xuewu didn't dare to believe her.

"It doesn't matter, you are more familiar with this place."

Cheng Kaiyuan's eyeballs turned, smiled and said, "We fully support you."

"Actually, Deputy Director Lu has long wanted to see you."

Li Li Xuewu saw that he dared to go down to the field, turned his head and stared at him and said, "Especially in the area of industrial empowerment, you have to say more."

"Actually, Deputy Director Lu has wanted to see you for a long time."

Actually, thinking about it, everyone knew that Li Li Xuewu letting Old Li come wasn't just to stand on the stage; the protagonist was of course him.

This kind of words shouldn't have been said; if said, it wouldn't be interesting, and the taste would change.

Everyone defaulted to what was said; are you willing or unwilling? Could Li Li Xuewu enter this pit?

He was more refined than a monkey if he touched hair; this wasn't pulling a calf.

The Zhao Hongtu bus set off from the Machinery Plant Unity Hotel and went straight to the Liaodong Government House; the meeting was today.

Unlike previous receptions, this time Liaodong Industry didn't prepare a banquet, because there were a bit too many people coming.

Not only were there industrial enterprises in the province, but there were also brother units from other provinces coming to learn from experience.

What Li Li Xuewu discussed with Hu Ke was that the club should be mainly industrial enterprises, but the reply received yesterday was that the scope should be expanded to industry and commerce.

How should one put it? Industry is industry, commerce is commerce; what industry and commerce cover is not just industry and commerce.

This isn't a tongue twister; it's the organizational definition of the concept of industry and commerce, which has this complexity.

If divided by economic categories, industry and commerce include mining, manufacturing, electricity, heat, gas, and water production and supply, supply and marketing, transportation, warehousing and postal services, accommodation and catering.

"Just waiting for you, welcome, welcome!"

Hu Ke was wearing a dark blue Zhongshan suit today, looking quite spirited, and there was no concern in his politeness about Li Li Huai De not coming.

And Li Li Xuewu and the others looked at the scale of the scene, as well as the importance Liaodong attached to it, and knew that Old Li didn't come, perhaps it was the third wrong decision he made in these few days.

"Still have to say sorry." Gu Gu Weijie shook hands with Hu Ke very sincerely and explained, "Director Li couldn't come."

"We can understand; who doesn't have urgent matters at home."

Hu Ke nodded, said seriously, "Deputy Director Lu also said that although he felt quite regretful that he couldn't meet General Li Zong this time, they are old friends."

He smiled when he reached here and said, "And I also said that being able to invite the four leaders of the Red Steel Group to come and guide today can definitely promote the better development of this project."

"You are really too polite—"

Gu Gu Weijie smiled, shook his hand, looked at Li Li Xuewu, and only then said, "We are also here to learn."

"Look, it's not that I'm polite."

Hu Ke smiled and raised his hand to signal, invited the few people upstairs, while he pulled Li Li Xuewu and walked together.

"I can't help you; Deputy Director Lu specifically instructed that a report on your topic must be added to the meeting agenda."

He reminded Li Li Xuewu, "Don't take it lightly; we called all the seed players in the whole province. If you make the old brother unable to get off the stage, I will have to make a self-criticism when I go back today."

"Hahahaha—" Li Li Xuewu smiled and patted his arm, "If I speak poorly, you can't make me make a self-criticism!"

Gao Gao Yaqin turned her head and glanced at the two; the envy in her eyes was unspeakable. Li Li Xuewu had been in Liaodong for two years, and this foundation was really solid.

Before the New Year, Li Li Xuewu transferred a batch of experts from the Research Institute to Liaodong to conduct research, and also went to the other two provinces in the Northeast.

This move almost indicated that he was going to establish a Northeast branch company.

Someone had said this idea long ago; the Secretary-General's work in Liaodong was summarizing and improving.

If Li Li Xuewu just left like this, the industry in Liaodong would be a plate of loose sand, difficult to form cohesion.

But once a Northeast branch company was established, the situation would be different; at the very least, Li Li Xuewu's right to speak in Liaodong would be stronger this year.

However, she could also see that Li Li Xuewu really had the strength and confidence to establish a branch company; just look at his relationships in Liaodong, as well as Liaodong's support for him in this joint investigation team.

Whether it was the First Ministry of Machine Building or the capital's industry, there would no longer be anyone in the group level who would oppose his opinion.

On the morning of the 7th, Li Li Xuewu gave a lecture on "Prospects and Preparation for Groupization of New Era Enterprises" at the

"Hahaha—" Li Li Xuewu laughed, patted his arm, and said, "If I don't speak well, you can't make me write a self-criticism!"

Gao Gao Yaqin turned back to look at the two of them; the envy in her eyes was indescribable. Li Li Xuewu had been in Liaodong for two years, and this foundation was truly solid.

Before the New Year, Li Li Xuewu had transferred a group of experts from the research institute to Liaodong to conduct research, and they had also gone to two other provinces in the Northeast.

This move had almost indicated that he was going to establish a Northeast branch company in Liaodong.

This idea had been mentioned long ago; the Secretary-General's work in Liaodong was to summarize and improve.

If Li Li Xuewu just left like this, the group's industry in Liaodong would be scattered sand again, making it difficult to form cohesion.

But once the Northeast branch company was established, the situation would be different; at the very least, Li Li Xuewu's right to speak this year would be stronger.

However, she could also see that Li Li Xuewu truly had the strength and confidence to establish a branch company, just looking at his connections in Liaodong and the support he received from the joint investigation team in Liaodong this time.

Whether it was the First Ministry of Machine-Building or Beijing industry, there would no longer be anyone at the group level who would oppose his opinions.

On the morning of the 7th, Li Li Xuewu gave a speech at the Liaodong Grand Auditorium titled "Prospects and Preparations for the Groupization of New Era Enterprises."

Even Cheng Kaiyuan, who was sitting in the audience, had to be convinced; compared to when he came to Liaodong three years ago, Li Li Xuewu had improved again.

"When will the Secretary-General be back?"

Fang Yuan had arrived in Steel City; she needed to hand over her work to Liu Wei. The superiors were urging her urgently, and she no longer had time to wait for the new person in charge to come down to take over the work.

According to Deputy Director Zhou's requirements, she would transfer the work in her hands to Comrade Liu Wei.

As soon as she started work in the morning, she first came to the Metallurgical Plant's comprehensive office building and found Office Director Zhang Jing to ask about Li Li Xuewu's return date.

Zhang Jing had been in contact with Fengcheng all along, and he also understood Fang Yuan's situation very well, so he spoke the truth.

He first looked at his watch, then explained: "The leader booked the train for this morning, but it's hard to say when he will arrive in Steel City. You also know that train times aren't that accurate."

"Hmm, I'm going back tomorrow."

Fang Yuan nodded and said, "I just wanted to see Secretary-Li Zong before I left."

"I can understand your feelings." Zhang Jing also nodded to show he understood and explained: "I have already reported your request to the Secretary-General, and he said he would try his best to rush back."

"Thank you, then I'll come back later."

Fang Yuan thanked Zhang Jing, then came to the joint investigation team's work base; things here had long since changed.

Although only two months had passed, because of one accident after another, the joint investigation team had changed a group of people.

Comrades who were still sticking to their posts recognized her and took the initiative to greet her, but there was already a sense of alienation in their politeness.

Everyone knew about her ending this mission, and they all felt sorry for her.

However, they could not refute or oppose the organization's requirements and could only watch her come to hand over her work in silence.

Liu Wei was already waiting for her in the office; when the two met, it was not hypocritical pleasantries, but silent speechlessness.

Fang Yuan looked at Liu Wei; she could not voice accusations of betrayal, only that the demands and starting points represented by each were different, so she could not blame the other's backstabbing.

After a long while, Liu Wei took the initiative to speak and asked, "Did you come yesterday?"

"Hmm, I arrived in the evening." Fang Yuan smiled faintly, looked at her, nodded, and said, "It was too late, so I didn't feel right calling you."

"Actually, I'm just working overtime here."

Liu Wei spread her hands, and the smile on her face had a bit more bitterness; she spread her hands and explained: "My daughter says I don't want her anymore, I haven't been home for months."

"My husband said the same thing."

Fang Yuan raised her hand to tidy the hair by her ear; speaking of this topic, the awkwardness between the two seemed to have lessened a lot.

"How is the progress in Beijing?"

Liu Wei took the initiative to enter the topic and asked, "Is there any further evidence?"

"No." Fang Yuan shook her head, lowered her head slightly, and explained: "A week ago, I lost control of the investigation team."

She raised her head, looked at the shock in Liu Wei's eyes, and said with a wry smile: "Honestly, I don't even know what to hand over to you."

"How could it be like this?" Liu Wei frowned and asked, "Did something happen?"

"It's all in the past—" Fang Yuan sighed long, smiled, and said: "My mission is complete, and it will be hard work for you next."

Obviously, she did not want to talk about her experiences in Beijing, just like the cracks of betrayal that appeared in their tacit cooperation at the beginning.

Liu Wei could see that she did not trust herself; at the very least, there was already a rift between the two.

Even this kind of calmness now was more like mutual understanding and letting go.

She chose to let go, and Fang Yuan chose to understand; both were women, both were colleagues, why make things difficult for each other?

"You came this time..." Liu Wei looked at her and asked, "Is there anything else you need my help with?"

"Nothing, it's fine."

Fang Yuan pretended to be relaxed and explained: "For me, this case is already over."

"And I should also consider my family."

She looked at Liu Wei, shook her head slightly, and said: "After all, work is not everything in my life. You can understand me, right?"

"Hmm, of course I can understand you."

Liu Wei sighed, suddenly feeling that the mountain of documents piled on the desk had lost its meaning.

"I didn't expect that you would be transferred back."

"This is nothing, it's very normal."

Fang Yuan seemed to have seen through it and said calmly: "The leader called me and said that there is still work to be done after going back, and it will not affect my next step of work."

"That's good then..." Liu Wei thought for a moment and still asked directly: "Your efforts in this case..."

"Actually, it's nothing, right?"

Fang Yuan pursed her lips and said: "The leader told me that we would discuss rewards after the case is over, hehe—"

Speaking of this, she smiled, shook her head slightly, and said: "I have already thought about it these past few days; there is no need to dwell on this."

This also depends on how one thinks; in Liu Wei's view, Fang Yuan would not let go so easily.

The logic is very simple: what kind of credit is it to control the joint investigation team until the case is closed? What kind of credit is it to give up halfway?

This is not allocated by time period; the rule is that the survivor is the king.

Why is she still insisting and biting hard without letting go even though the case has reached a stalemate?

Clearly knowing that it cannot be investigated further, she just cannot make a move to retreat.

She is also waiting, waiting for the notice from above, telling them how to close the case.

As long as she holds on until the moment the case is closed, she can enjoy the final credit calculation, and it is enjoying the treatment of a team leader.

If it were Fang Yuan, falling short of success, the promise given by her unit leader has no weight or meaning.

Even if she gets an internal commendation, what is the use? After working hard for several months, just thinking about it makes it feel not worth it.

"Actually, I have also learned a lot during this time."

Fang Yuan seemed to see through her thoughts, smiled, and said: "Especially with you, and with Secretary-Li Zong."

"Have you seen him?" Liu Wei asked, "He hasn't returned from Fengcheng yet, right?"

"Hmm, they said he would rush back today."

Fang Yuan pursed her lips, with a gratified look on her face, and said: "I really want to see him once; I don't know when we will meet again."

"He is indeed worthy of respect."

Liu Wei thought for a moment and still agreed with Fang Yuan's view, even though both knew the other's role in this case.

To put it bluntly, if it weren't for Li Li Xuewu's layout, they wouldn't have created so many cases.

And there wouldn't have been so many gains.

Thinking about so much at the beginning, they didn't think about what Li Li Xuewu's layout meant for them.

To put it bluntly, there was never any malice toward them in Li Li Xuewu's plan; they could feel this point.

"That's why I said I wanted to see him once before I left."

Li Li Xuewu arrived in Steel City that afternoon; he first saw Wang Lu, and only then did he see Fang Yuan in the office.

"Is the handover going smoothly?"

He did not exchange pleasantries, nor did he show concern or comfort, because everyone was an adult, not a child.

Who hasn't experienced this kind of work change? Looking at it, they are all in their thirties and almost forty; if they couldn't even adjust this little emotion, they really shouldn't do it.

"It's okay, Liu Wei and I are familiar with each other."

Fang Yuan looked at him and asked: "I heard you are very busy; did I disturb your itinerary and work?"

"Hmm, our group has a project in Fengcheng, and three comrades from the group's leadership team came."

Li Li Xuewu explained casually, nodded, and asked: "Are you going back tomorrow?"

"Hmm, I booked the ticket, and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to see you in time."

Fang Yuan smiled and explained: "When I met Liu Wei this morning, I mentioned that if I didn't see you, I might not see you for a long time."

"I don't want to see you for a short time."

Li Li Xuewu joked: "If I see you, it's either that something happened to me, or something happened to the Honggang Group."

He shook his head and said: "Neither of these counts as a good thing for me."

"Hahaha—" Fang Yuan chuckled, tidied the hair by her ear, and said: "It's not that serious."

"It's better to be cautious."

Li Li Xuewu picked up his teacup and asked with a smile: "Who did you hand over the work in Beijing to?"

"I didn't hand it over to anyone; according to Deputy Director Zhou's requirements, I was supposed to hand over the work to Liu Wei."

Fang Yuan explained very straightforwardly: "But you might not know that a week ago, I lost control of the investigation team."

She looked into Li Li Xuewu's eyes and said very seriously: "Up to now, I don't even know what to hand over."

"I don't have the latest situation of the case in my hands, nor can I see the investigation materials; what am I handing over?"

"Hmm, I see." Li Li Xuewu nodded and said: "How are you considering this matter?"

"It's over." Fang Yuan suddenly softened the urgent tone she had just now, sighed, and said: "At least for me, it's like this; I have already tried my best."

"Hmm, I know." Li Li Xuewu nodded again and said: "Don't think too much; you didn't do anything wrong in this matter."

"I just don't understand." Fang Yuan frowned slightly, looked at him, and asked: "Why is it like this?"

She spoke very calmly when communicating with Liu Wei, and also showed an attitude of letting go.

Even in Beijing, after Zhou Wanquan talked to her, she didn't show anything and carried out the handover very easily.

Only here at Li Li Xuewu's, after seeing Li Li Xuewu, did she ask the doubts in her heart.

She didn't dare to ask others, nor did she want to ask others; she was afraid that others wouldn't tell the truth, and also afraid that others wouldn't know.

But she was certain that Li Li Xuewu, who was familiar with everything and arranged everything, must know the reason behind this.

"Actually, you already knew the answer long ago."

Li Li Xuewu nodded, looked at her, and said: "Just when you asked this question, the answer was already in your question."

Fang Yuan was stunned, and then she fell silent.

Li Li Xuewu also sighed and said helplessly: "A leader of mine once told me that if you want to handle work problems well, you must learn to use political thinking to solve problems."

"Today, I don't know how to persuade you or comfort you, so I'll just give you this sentence."

He tapped the table with his fingers and said slowly: "Perhaps time will give you the answer you want, and it won't be long."

Fang Yuan raised her head in surprise and looked at him.

Does this sentence have any deep meaning?