Chapter 189: The Storm Approaches

The full name of the Factory Office is the Red Star Steel Mill Administrative Comprehensive Office, which is one department with two signs, sharing the same entity as the Steel Mill Director's Comprehensive Office.

The people are still the same, and the director is still the same director, but there is now an overlap in their business operations.

The Factory Office is the bearing department of the steel mill, handling tasks such as drafting documents, receiving guests, arranging meetings, receiving and distributing documents, material management, small fleet management, and other connecting work that links superior leaders with department heads, and superior organs with subordinate grassroots departments.

The office director is Xu Si, the one who came to Li Xuewu to ask for a favor; he is also a person who is adept at handling all kinds of people.

Although in the Factory Office only those at the deputy factory director level and above have full-time secretaries, every division chief also has a person in charge of connecting business; the factory office secretary who was just in Dong Wenxue's office is the secretary responsible for connecting with the Security Division.

Documents received by the Security Division should generally be signed by Fu Bin; this is called the primary signatory power, but for some reason, Fu Bin, who is now "enjoying his twilight years," has actually pushed the signatory power over to Dong Wenxue.

Regardless of whether Fu Bin's intention is good or malicious, such matters need to be treated with caution; if handled poorly, that pen could become the root cause of one's dismissal.

Therefore, when the factory office secretary brought the documents to Dong Wenxue, Dong Wenxue would frown; although he approved them, he merely drew a circle, wrote the word "Read" on the side, and added the note "Forward to Division Chief Fu Bin for review."

This situation forces the secretary to run back and forth for a single document.

If no one wants to take responsibility and no one wants to sign, how can the work of the secretary's office be done?

Knowing that the secretary is feeling somewhat aggrieved, Li Xuewu cannot lose his temper at the secretary like a teacher would; he can only persuade him with kind words to eliminate the secretary's misunderstanding and conflict regarding the teacher.

This secretary is also a sensible person; after stepping out, he said to Li Xuewu, who was shaking his hand: "It's not that I don't understand the situation, it's that Division Chief Fu said he is retiring..."

Li Xuewu patted the back of the secretary's hand with his left hand, raised his eyebrows, and said: "I understand. We are on the same front. I know that current leaders are not easy to serve. Your work is very hard, but it is also very important. You are the lubricant between all departments in the factory, the head steward. Our section and even the division communicate with the leadership under the coordination of the Factory Office. Thank you for your hard work, thank you for your hard work."

The secretary, looking as if he had been understood, whispered to Li Xuewu: "If only all leaders were as understanding of us as you, Li Ke. You must advance quickly so I can escape this sea of bitterness sooner."

This secretary no longer had the sorrowful look he had in Dong Wenxue's office; he even had the mood to joke with Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu replied with a smile: "You really know how to flatter me. Do you have time tonight? Shall we grab a drink?"

The secretary pushed up his glasses, waved his hand, and said: "Who doesn't know that you, Li Ke, have a massive capacity for alcohol? I still have to write a draft tonight. When I have time, I will treat you."

As he spoke, he waved at Li Xuewu and headed toward Fu Bin's office.

This little secretary has also started to learn the ways of old bureaucrats; acting aggrieved and putting on a crying face in Dong Wenxue's office was just an act.

The document was right there; whether it was signed or not had nothing to do with the secretary. He just wanted to clear himself of responsibility and not leave Dong Wenxue with any complaints.

Li Xuewu also saw the secretary's intent and was willing to accompany this still-somewhat-immature little fox in acting; after all, acting skills also need daily practice.

This is not an era where it's enough for those young idols of later generations to just say a few lines and have a good-looking face.

In the movie of life or the workplace, if you miss a line or ruin a scene, the director of fate will turn you from the male lead into a corpse lying on the ground.

Li Xuewu turned back to Dong Wenxue's office and saw the document he had placed on the table was still there; Dong Wenxue hadn't even touched it. Thinking that his teacher might have developed a "once bitten, twice shy" psychology, he couldn't help but chuckle.

Muttering about his teacher inwardly, he sat down opposite Dong Wenxue with a smile on his face.

"What's wrong? Did your wife scold you again? Why are you getting angry at the little secretary from the Factory Office?"

Dong Wenxue shot Li Xuewu a glare and said: "Don't tell me you can't see it. Are you still playing games with me?"

Li Xuewu chuckled and asked seriously: "What does Division Chief Fu mean? 'Releasing military power with a cup of wine'? Or 'Hunting at the deer park'? Or 'Settling the five roads'?"

Dong Wenxue laughed silently at Li Xuewu's words and said: "It's not as damaging as you say. It's nothing more than the old tricks of the bureaucracy. By the way, there is still no progress on that matter; the mouse hasn't come out of its hole."

Li Xuewu nodded; he was mentally prepared for this result. He placed the materials he brought in front of Dong Wenxue. Seeing his teacher frown and not look at them, Li Xuewu chuckled and said: "No 'tracking induction' here; this is the interrogation record."

Dong Wenxue glared at Li Xuewu before opening the record to read.

Seeing his teacher reading, Li Xuewu began to explain: "Regarding the case in the cafeteria that day, seven people were caught. It seems it wasn't an accidental event; the mouse came out of another hole and performed a 'luring the tiger away from the mountain' act for me."

Dong Wenxue asked while reading: "The leadership was dining in the restaurant behind the cafeteria that day. Initially, the leaders were dissatisfied with the chaos in the cafeteria, but after seeing your actions there, although they didn't say anything, they all praised the Security Division afterward."

Li Xuewu didn't care about these superficial things; the words of those people, the bad ones were useful, the good ones were useless.

Li Xuewu pointed to the interrogation record and said: "This person was released to divert my attention. If the workers' emotions had really been stirred up by them that day and a mass incident had occurred, then whether it was me who brought the meat back or me who was responsible for security, I would have been punished."

Li Xuewu pointed to the end of the corridor and whispered: "I don't even know if someone is killing me, the chicken, to show that Old Li over there."

Dong Wenxue sneered, closed the interrogation record, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and said: "Don't make wild guesses about things without evidence."

Dong Wenxue thought for a while, sat up straight, tapped the interrogation record, and said ruthlessly: "I gave them a chance ten years ago, and they still dare to come out and operate. They are truly courting death. Since they don't want to live, then handle them to death. Also, take this opportunity to test how deep the water in the steel mill is."

Dong Wenxue's temper today was indeed fiery; perhaps it was the anger provoked by the person next door, or perhaps it was the conspiracy his student encountered that made Dong Wenxue feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.

Although he said earlier that one shouldn't talk nonsense without evidence, he immediately assigned his student the task of testing the depth of the water.

Even a clay figure has three parts of temper. Although the prospects for the Security Division are very clear now—Deputy Factory Director Li supports it, Fu Bin is retiring, and Dong Wenxue is in his prime—one can't prevent the arrival of annoying parachuted officials.

Of course, the most unwelcome thing is someone who is about to retire leaving a mess for their successor.

Li Xuewu tapped the interrogation record Dong Wenxue handed back and said: "No matter how deep the water is, I will test the bottom for you, and by the way, I'll catch two disobedient turtles for you to stew in soup." As he spoke, he stood up and walked out.

Dong Wenxue also stood up and joked with Li Xuewu: "Forget about the turtles; they're too old. Just crush them at the bottom of the water."

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows at his teacher and smiled: "Then I'll get two mermaids. Would you like to be like Old Li and give them some 'education'?"

"Get lost. Next time you come to our house, see if your teacher's wife doesn't use a stick to beat you."

"Hahahaha~"

Walking to the door, Dong Wenxue said to Li Xuewu seriously: "I am now facing an opportunity to advance further, and you are also about to encounter the greatest opportunity of your life. This time, it depends on whether we, teacher and student, can seize the opportunity and borrow the east wind."

Li Xuewu knew his teacher had a foundation, so he nodded and replied: "Then this time I will forge ahead. You will cover for me, right?"

Walking to the door and opening it, Dong Wenxue patted Li Xuewu on the shoulder and said: "You just focus on doing your job; I will go borrow the east wind."

Having received his teacher's promise, Li Xuewu carried the investigation report back to the auxiliary building.

As soon as he reached the second floor, he saw Liu Fusheng and others surrounding Xu Ning.

"What's wrong?"

It wasn't until Li Xuewu got close that he saw Xu Ning's arm was in a sling, and his face was snow-white.

"What happened?" Li Xuewu asked urgently upon seeing Xu Ning's miserable state.

Xu Ning blinked at Li Xuewu and said: "I fell off my bike on the way home from work last night."

Li Xuewu's eyes narrowed instantly, but with so many people around, it wasn't easy to ask anything. He pointed to the office and said: "Come with me."

The two walked toward the office, with Liu Fusheng and others helping Xu Ning straighten his clothes.

After entering the office, he saw Han Yating had followed them in. Li Xuewu ignored her and asked Xu Ning with a serious expression: "Did this happen this morning?"

Xu Ning nodded and said: "I was going home this morning. When I reached the alley, I was blocked by three people. This arm was broken by those people with clubs. I just came back from the hospital."

Seeing Xu Ning was in genuine, severe pain, Li Xuewu walked over, helped him sit in a chair, and said: "Why didn't you call here?"

Xu Ning shook his head and said: "The entrance to my alley is remote. Those three people were all wearing masks and ordinary clothes. They hit me and ran. By the time I climbed up to call, I couldn't catch them."

Li Xuewu thought of the earlier chaos in the cafeteria, and then of Xu Ning being beaten today; it was as if a large net was closing in on him. It seems he really has provoked a formidable character.

Li Xuewu knew that Xu Ning had followed his instructions to hand in his gun after work, which is why he had no power to fight back.

Security section personnel do not take guns home after work; this might be the reason Han Yating didn't have an incident.

"Go to the gun vault, get a gun, and go home to rest. Come back to work after your injury heals. Follow the special action procedures for carrying a gun," Li Xuewu said, looking at Xu Ning, whose face was frighteningly pale.

Xu Ning himself looked young and was considered the "pretty boy" of the Public Security Section. After moving to the Security Section, he had grown a beard specifically to maintain his dignity, but looking at him now, his face was like a woman who had applied pearl powder, and he was constantly breaking out in cold sweat.

Xu Ning gritted his teeth, the veins on his snow-white forehead bulging, and said to Li Xuewu: "Li Kezhang, I want to stay. I want to personally participate in this case, drag the people out, and take revenge."

Seeing Xu Ning was emotionally agitated, Li Xuewu glared at him, wanting to scold him, but seeing the cold sweat all over his head, he held back, softened his tone, tapped the table in front of Xu Ning, and said: "Do you think this is a gang fight? This is handling a case. Where does this 'revenge' come from?"

Seeing Xu Ning looking at him firmly, he said: "Remember, this is a battle, a battle of life and death."

Xu Ning nodded: "Yes, I accept the criticism, but I still want to stay."

Seeing Han Yating, who was standing to the side, also intending to persuade him, Li Xuewu waved his hand to stop her and said: "Since you don't want to give up halfway, then do coordination work in the factory. Be ready at all times and wait for my news."

Xu Ning knew he couldn't participate in frontline combat now; what Li Xuewu promised was the best treatment he could get.

"Yes, guarantee to complete the mission."

Li Xuewu waved his hand at Xu Ning, who stood up to salute him, and said: "Go get your gun. Starting today, live in the steel mill, focus on training, and wait for my news."

Xu Ning saluted again and turned to leave.

Seeing Xu Ning leave, Han Yating asked Li Xuewu: "Li Kezhang, do you want me to..."

Li Xuewu looked at Han Yating and said: "Don't fall for the enemy's tricks. This is a dirty trick the enemy is using to disrupt us. We cannot lose our footing. You don't need to worry about me; I never leave my gun. I'm not afraid of ten or eight of them."

Looking at Han Yating, he added: "I'm actually worried about you. How about this: except for when you're on duty, just live in the factory. First, it's safe; second, it's convenient to assemble if there's a situation."

Han Yating patted the large Type 54 on her waist and said: "Li Kezhang, don't worry. Although I'm not as good as you with a gun, I'm not the weak woman you imagine. I'm actually hoping for a chance to perform a meritorious service."

Seeing Han Yating's bloodlust ignited because the usually slick Xu Ning was hurt, and feeling a sense of shared fate, she had the determination to fight to the end.

Chinese daughters have great aspirations; they don't love red makeup, they love martial gear.

"I believe in your ability, but I don't trust the enemy's bottom line. These people are already like trapped beasts fighting. Even a dog will jump over a wall when desperate. Danger could arrive at any time, so it's better to stay on duty at the steel mill."

Seeing that the Li Kezhang was doing this for her own good, Han Yating stopped showing off and asked: "Since Hu Zhengquan has noticed, should we still follow him today?"

Li Xuewu pondered for a moment and said: "Follow. Since he wants to play, then play with him. I'd like to see what tricks he can come up with."

Seeing Li Xuewu's firm tone, Han Yating asked: "Li Kezhang, why do I feel like our factory..."

Li Xuewu pointed to the door and whispered: "Walls have ears."

Han Yating's face stiffened, and she looked at Li Xuewu in disbelief.

Li Xuewu had already reported the situation to Dong Wenxue, and he believed the east wind would arrive soon.

"You don't need to worry about these things. Just do what I told you to do. Also, keep an eye on your own stall; don't put the cart before the horse."

Han Yating replied somewhat distractedly: "Yes, Li Kezhang, I understand."

She is a young woman in her twenties who has only been working for a few years. It's normal to be hit hard when encountering such things; this can also be considered a growth experience, so Li Xuewu didn't try to persuade her further.

Seeing Han Yating go out, he tidied up and prepared to go home after the morning shift.

Thinking about it while going downstairs, he turned to the gun vault on the first floor.

During the last personnel expansion, a newcomer joined the gun vault—a former firefighter from the Fire Section who couldn't stay on duty due to an injury. The Personnel Division took care of him and assigned him to the gun vault for duty.

Now, to get a gun, Old Zhou and the newcomer Yuan Ruichen must unlock it simultaneously.

When Li Xuewu walked into the gun vault, he saw both Old Zhou and the newcomer Yuan Ruichen were there. Whether it was because Old Zhou didn't like to talk or because the newcomer Yuan Ruichen was also a silent type like Old Zhou, the two were sitting face-to-face without any communication at all.

Seeing Li Xuewu enter, both stood up. Militia administrator Zhang Li stood up and greeted Li Xuewu: "Hello, Li Kezhang."

Seeing Yuan Ruichen standing silently to the side and Old Zhou having no intention of introducing him, Zhang Li spoke up: "Li Kezhang, this is Comrade Yuan Ruichen, who just joined our office. You haven't met him yet, right?"

Li Xuewu nodded at Yuan Ruichen and said: "The Personnel Division told me about Comrade Ruichen's situation. Thank you for your hard work. I wish you continued dedication to our steel mill and new achievements in our section."

Yuan Ruichen was used to the training of the fire brigade. Now that he had been transferred to the office to sit at a desk, he was quite unaccustomed to it, especially since the two people in this office didn't like to talk, which made him feel even more reserved.

Now that his Li Kezhang had taken the initiative to greet him, Yuan Ruichen shook Li Xuewu's hand excitedly and said: "Thank you, Li Ke. I guarantee to complete the mission."

Li Xuewu looked at this honest man, thinking that this was also a person with disciplined style. Li Xuewu had some ideas about the position of gun vault keeper, otherwise, he wouldn't have added another person to this post.

"Work hard. This is the most serious and responsible position in our Security Section, and even the Security Division. I'm leaving it to you."

Yuan Ruichen saluted Li Xuewu: "Guarantee to complete the mission."

Old Zhou's expression didn't change at all upon hearing Li Xuewu's words; he just stood to the side.

After encouraging Yuan Ruichen, Li Xuewu said to Old Zhou: "Help me get a Type 56, with 100 rounds of ammunition. For the purpose, just write that I took it. Keep it confidential. For the duration, write 'indefinite.' That's it."

Old Zhou looked at Li Xuewu after hearing this, with no intention of speaking. Li Xuewu is the supervisor of the gun vault keeper and the head of the powerful department of the Security Division. He has the right to collect firearms. As for the purpose and duration, even if Li Xuewu were making up a lie, Old Zhou would have to believe it.

After making the entry in the registration book and Li Xuewu signing, Old Zhou looked at Yuan Ruichen.

Yuan Ruichen, seeing both of them looking at him, remembered he had a key in his hand. He hurriedly stepped forward, took out the key, and unlocked one half of the lock, while Old Zhou took a key from his waist and unlocked the other half.

No one else is allowed to enter the gun vault. Li Xuewu hadn't entered since the handover, and he didn't want to.

Old Zhou and the other man went in, took the gun and ammunition, and placed them on the desk. Li Xuewu counted the stripper clips one by one—exactly 10—and carefully inspected the gun before signing the numbers and his name in the last column of the requisition form.

"That's it. I'll tell you the purpose of the ammunition later if I use it."

Li Xuewu gave a brief instruction to Old Zhou and the other man, put the gun into a canvas bag he had prepared earlier, carried it in his hand, and walked out.

Don't look at Li Xuewu bragging to Han Yating in the office as if he could conquer the world with a Type 54; in fact, he is the most cautious.

Simply put, if those people were to jump over the wall in desperation, any kind of weapon could appear. Not to mention the various messy handguns left over from the Republican era—"one gun, two horses, three flower mouths, four snakes, five dogs, Zhang Zui Deng"—or more concealed specialized weapons, even Type 11 light machine guns, standard rifles, and hand grenades could be used.

As for mortars, Li Xuewu isn't afraid of them; they are too bulky and inconvenient to use in street fighting and pursuit battles. But hand grenades and light machine guns are things Li Xuewu has to guard against.

New soldiers fear artillery; old soldiers fear machine guns.

Artillery either misses you or you don't feel it, but machine guns and hand grenades can sometimes torture you to death without killing you.

Li Xuewu collected a Type 56, so at least he wasn't afraid of ordinary combat forces. Setting off firecrackers in the city would soon attract a large force.

As soon as the bell for the end of the shift rang, Li Xuewu ate at the cafeteria and headed home, tossing the gun into his finger space on the way.

It just so happened he had time today, so he went to browse the second-hand market to see if he could buy furniture.

When he rode home, he happened to catch Wen Saner coming home for dinner. Because of the distance, these people basically ate lunch separately. After eating and resting for a while, they would go out again. Sometimes if they were close, they might go back and forth several times; if they were far, they would come back once at noon.

Li Xuewu told Wen Saner about wanting to buy furniture and asked if there was anything suitable in the market.

Wen Saner frowned and said: "Why are you thinking of buying at the second-hand market? You need large furniture. Everything in the market is sold and taken away immediately. How could they be selling so many large pieces of furniture?"

Li Xuewu slapped his forehead and said: "I'm confused, I've been too busy lately. Then where should I buy it?"

Wen Saner looked at Li Xuewu and said: "The consignment store, of course. The goods there are large pieces, and you can find good things. All the valuable second-hand goods in the Four Nine City that people want to sell go there. The second-hand market is for daily small gadgets and things used on the fly, similar to a 'junk market.' I don't know what you were thinking."

Li Xuewu rubbed his face. He really had been too busy, with his mind set on going to the second-hand market to find old furniture.

Li Xuewu said to Wen Saner: "Then go out a little less this afternoon and accompany me there."

Wen Saner looked at Li Xuewu, unable to laugh or cry, and said: "Why don't you sleep in the room first? Why are you taking me? Shouldn't you take your grandfather?"

Li Xuewu asked somewhat puzzled: "What's wrong?"

Wen Saner pointed to Da Lao and said: "You're buying old furniture, not tickets. Why are you taking me? Shouldn't you take your grandfather?"

Li Xuewu was also amused by his own thinking. Recently, his mind had been on the case, and his normal life had been affected. He turned to Da Lao and said: "Then let Third Uncle watch the house, Da Lao, you come with me."

Da Lao saw that Li Xuewu still had plenty of energy, so he nodded in agreement, but he wouldn't let Li Xuewu drive the cart, instead driving the horse cart himself with Li Xuewu out of the West Courtyard.

The consignment store is also a branch of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, right next to it, but not in the same courtyard.

Li Xuewu took Da Lao, tied the horse cart at the entrance, and entered the gate of the consignment store.

This store is not small, and the goods don't all look very old. There are many counters, and there are no broken furniture items; everything is worth some silver.

Goods consigned here require a deduction of consignment fees. If the selling price of the goods doesn't cover the consignment fee, it would be a joke. So, what is consigned in the store now has some value, and more often, very high value.

Li Xuewu walked around the first-floor counters. There weren't many people in the room, so the store staff didn't look impatient like those in the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

Most of those standing behind the counters were older, and they wouldn't say those sharp, mean words.

The salesperson saw Li Xuewu browsing with his hands behind his back and didn't say anything.

There were many good things, but not many that were useful: watches, radios, glasses, jade, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, silk and satin.

Before long, Li Xuewu found what he had his eye on. Why else would they say this store is all-encompassing? The children's toys Liu Yin asked Li Xuewu to buy a few days ago were here, and they were high-end goods.

"Show me this rattle," Li Xuewu said, pointing to a yellow rattle placed on an antique box on the counter.

The salesperson behind the counter opened the cabinet door, took out the rattle, and handed it to Li Xuewu.

"The handle of the rattle is nanmu wood, the drum wall is oak, the skin is snakeskin, and the two drum hammers are jade. It's considered a high-end toy for children."

Li Xuewu took it, shook it left and right in his hand, and the two jade drum hammers hit the drum surface, making a crisp "dong dong dong" sound that was pleasant to the ear.

"Not bad, how much?"

The salesperson smiled and pointed to the original position of the rattle.

Li Xuewu looked, and good heavens, this thing was 8 yuan.

"What? Was this played with by Puyi when he was a child?"

The salesperson was amused by Li Xuewu and pointed to the box where the rattle was placed: "If it were really played with by Puyi, I wouldn't dare sell it. There are other things in this box."

As he spoke, the salesperson took out the box and opened it on the counter.

"See? Sandalwood material. In the old days, wealthy families used it to store toys for their children. Everything in this box is only 8 yuan. It's a good deal. Would you like to take a look?"

Li Xuewu then carefully examined the box and looked at the items inside: "celluloid" roly-poly toys he had seen before, as well as wooden animal puppets—monkeys, camels, and little black and white spotted pigs—all very cute and lifelike.

The salesperson took out the roly-poly and puppets and placed them in front of Li Xuewu, then took out a set of wooden dolls on a wooden tray from the bottom of the box, which looked like a set.

"See this? This is Mongolian chess. The form, moves, and rules are close to international chess, but it has its differences."

Seeing Li Xuewu pick up a chess piece and examine it, the salesperson introduced: "The chessboard of Mongolian chess is exquisitely crafted, and the different pieces have various forms, full of the atmosphere and characteristics of grassland nomadic life."

"Seeing you buy this, it's also for a child. It's just the thing to coax a child." As he spoke, he took out a little person dressed as a martial arts actor hanging on a small horizontal bar from the box and placed it in front of Li Xuewu.

"Take a look at this too. This is a flipping robot. This little person is dressed as a martial arts clown. After winding it up, music plays, and amidst the music, the doll flips in the air. It is said—I also heard it from someone—that in the early years, Westerners presented 18 such dolls to the Qing Emperor Qianlong, which could perform the entire 'Romance of the West Chamber'."

Li Xuewu pointed to this "martial arts clown" and said: "Can this also perform plays?"

The salesperson smiled and shook his head: "Of course not. Still, if it could, it wouldn't be sold here."

Li Xuewu looked at the box, and there was another item inside, which looked like a music box in a very simple and antique style.

"Take that out and let me see," Li Xuewu said to the salesperson, pointing to the music box.

The salesperson took out the music box, wound it up gently, and as the crisp music played, butterfly hammers struck bell bowls in ensemble, and the dolls on both sides danced to the music.

"This is the most valuable thing in this box. Otherwise, how could I ask for 8 yuan?"

Li Xuewu looked at the music box that was still playing and dancing and asked Da Lao: "Grandfather, are these okay?"

Da Lao tapped the box, looked carefully inside and out, picked up the wooden toys, and said: "They should be children's toys from earlier."

Hearing Da Lao finish, Li Xuewu put 8 yuan on the counter, collected the receipt, put the music box and other items that had stopped playing into the box, held it in his arms, thanked the salesperson, and continued browsing.

Da Lao saw Li Xuewu wandering toward the counter for valuable items and, fearing he would spend money recklessly, poked him from behind.

Li Xuewu then remembered he was here to buy furniture.

He stepped forward, leading Da Lao toward the furniture area.

Li Xuewu looked carefully in the furniture area. The paper lists hanging up wrote the specific information of the furniture—not just the price, but also the material and approximate age, so he wasn't afraid of buying blindly.

But after walking around, Li Xuewu was slightly disappointed. This furniture was truly old furniture, and it was too old. Da Lao also shook his head at Li Xuewu.

But Wen Saner also said when the two were leaving that this is a consignment store, so the condition must vary, depending on the buyer's requirements for practicality and financial ability.

But the furniture displayed here wasn't much, and most of it was very dilapidated. Although Da Lao said there was no lack of sandalwood and Huang Huali wood, they were preserved very poorly, all broken and worn out, not worth repairing even if he took them back for Da Lao.

Not to mention how many of these things are in stock now—they will definitely be valuable in later generations—but since he has the money and energy, why not buy something good?

Li Xuewu looked left and right, but never found anything to his liking.

Just then, seeing Li Xuewu and the other man shaking their heads, a salesperson walked over, as if coming over to browse casually.

Li Xuewu understood what he meant and said to the salesperson with a smile: "Comrade, come here, I want to ask you about something."

The male salesperson was about the same age as Li Xuewu, with a young face, but his eyes were darting around. Hearing someone calling, he looked up.

Li Xuewu took out a pack of unopened Da Qianmen cigarettes he usually smoked, tore it open, took out one, gestured to him, and then placed the whole pack on a dining table beside him.

The salesperson's eyes lit up, and he immediately walked over knowingly, took the cigarette Li Xuewu handed him, glanced at the whole pack, and said with a smile: "Comrade, tell me what you need."

Li Xuewu put the box in Da Lao's hands, took out an already opened pack to light one for himself, and then asked: "Comrade, how should I address you?"

The young man cleverly put the cigarette into his pocket and said vaguely: "My surname is Wei, just call me Little Wei."

"I just moved out to live on my own and want to buy some furniture and daily necessities. I see you have a fairly large consignment store here, don't you have any decent furniture?"

"Who says we don't? Of course we have good ones."

Little Wei lit one for himself, looked around, lowered his voice, and said: "Brother, how could good things be put outside? What if they get bumped or scratched? You understand, right? The real good things are..."

After finishing, he stared at Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu's heart moved, and he immediately understood the twists and turns involved.

This kid has quite a few tricks up his sleeve, and his appetite isn't small either.

In this day and age, materials are scarce. As an important circulation channel for second-hand goods, the consignment store must have many good items in short supply.

But since they are in short supply, they certainly don't need to be displayed for sale. Isn't it better to keep them in hand to trade for favors?

Li Xuewu smiled: "Can you take me to see them first?"

"This..."

Li Xuewu raised his hand and made a "V" gesture.

Little Wei's eyes darted around, he looked at the counter next to him, and said: "Brother, it's only because it's you. Sigh, let's go out and wait for a while."

Li Xuewu smiled knowingly.

Little Wei took Li Xuewu and the other man out through the back door, walked around a bend, and arrived at a warehouse area.

The small door of the warehouse area was half open, and an old man in his 50s was drinking tea and smoking.

Little Wei coughed at the old man and said: "Grandpa, a friend wants to pick out a few pieces of furniture, please open the door."

Li Xuewu was also very sensible, took out an unopened pack of Da Qianmen, and placed it next to the old man's cigarette box.

The old man didn't size Li Xuewu up, just opened the small door with his head down, let Li Xuewu and Da Lao in, while Little Wei stood at the door waiting, unwilling to go in, complaining about the dust.

Li Xuewu and the other man followed the old man into the warehouse, and they were truly eye-opened!

Compared to this place, the furniture displayed outside was simply junk!

Sandalwood, wenge wood, Huang Huali... they were actually preserved quite well, with almost no large wear or scratches, and the wood shone with oil under the lights.

Li Xuewu was overjoyed. Fortunately, he thought to ask Wen Saner where to buy furniture today, otherwise, he would have missed these good things!

Hehe, no rush. Since this place has been spotted by him, it will be his sooner or later.

In this warehouse, besides a large amount of Chinese-style furniture that clearly had age, there were quite a few high-quality Western-style pieces.

A glance around, and he saw three or four sets of genuine leather sofas. Li Xuewu picked out a Chinese-style sofa that wasn't too flashy and tested it. They were all fine; the sofas were genuine leather, the springs were still good, and Da Lao looked at the wood and saw they were all high-quality materials.

Da Lao saw Li Xuewu wanted to buy them and asked: "Planning to buy this sofa?"

Li Xuewu nodded: "The style looks good, and the leather is not bad."

The old man standing on the side didn't speak.

Da Lao looked under the sofa and said: "This set is okay, the wood is good wood."

Li Xuewu took a ruler and measured it. It was fine—a three-seater, two single-seaters, and a tea table.

After choosing the sofa, Da Lao saw Li Xuewu was still browsing and asked: "What else do you want to buy?"

Li Xuewu looked at the furniture around and said: "A set of eight-immortal tables, a set of large wardrobes, a desk and chair, a cabinet, and if there's a kang table, buy one of those too."

Da Lao listened to Li Xuewu's requirements and walked to that row of furniture to pick and choose.

"This set of eight-immortal tables is okay, the tabletop is a whole piece of Huang Huali."

"Measure this set of large wardrobes and see if the size is suitable."

"This set of desk and chairs is Ming Dynasty style, sandalwood."

"This kang table is also sandalwood."

"These two armchairs are also not bad."

Da Lao was like he had entered a supermarket, pointing out what Li Xuewu needed and what he hadn't proposed, drawing a line with his hand on the dusty furniture he selected.

Finally, they decided to buy a set of Chinese-style genuine leather sofas, a set of eight-immortal tables and chairs, a set of large wardrobes, a set of desk and chairs, a kang table, two armchairs with a square table, and a set of tea cabinets.

After picking them out, Little Wei led Li Xuewu around to the front gate and pulled the horse cart to the warehouse area.

Little Wei let Li Xuewu move the furniture himself while he went to issue the tickets.

By the time Li Xuewu and Da Lao finished loading the furniture, Little Wei had returned with the tickets.

After the final calculation, even though Li Xuewu was wealthy and generous, he was slightly taken aback.

The prices of these good things that the consignment store had been hiding were indeed extraordinary.

A set of Huang Huali eight-immortal tables was 15 yuan, a set of wenge wood desk and chairs was 13 yuan, and a set of tea cabinets was 5 yuan.

The three-piece set of tea table and armchairs was also Huang Huali—the tea table was 3 yuan, the chairs were 4 yuan, totaling 11 yuan.

The most expensive one, the 2.5-meter-high Huang Huali square case cabinet, because it used the heaviest material and was made of large opposing boards, was 25 yuan.

All in all, it totaled 92 yuan!

If he had found a carpenter to remake them using ordinary miscellaneous wood, it would have cost 50 yuan.

However, spending this money, Li Xuewu definitely wouldn't lose out. These pieces of furniture were not only made of precious materials but also had significant age.

Although Li Xuewu couldn't tell the specific era style, he estimated they must be from before the Republic of China, especially the study set and the armchair set—simple, beautiful, and finely crafted—very likely passed down from the Ming Dynasty.

It's just that even items from the Tang and Song Dynasties aren't worth much now, let alone these old pieces of furniture, which couldn't even squeeze into an antique store and could only be sold as second-hand goods.

After paying, Little Wei asked Li Xuewu in a low voice: "Do you want other clocks, radios, etc.?"

Li Xuewu heard this and realized he had caught a toad and wanted to squeeze out powder.

He rolled his eyes and said to Little Wei: "Lead the way, let me see first."

Little Wei let the gatekeeper grandpa help watch the cart, the grandpa closed the main gate, leaving the small door, and waved at the few people.

Li Xuewu and Da Lao followed Little Wei through the back door into the main hall, didn't stop, and went up to the second floor.

The second floor was very quiet, with no customers and no one behind the counters.

Little Wei pointed to a refrigerator and asked Li Xuewu if he wanted it.

Hehe:

Wrote until 2 AM last night,

Woke up this morning with no energy,

Dragged it out until now to update~

Shamelessly asking for monthly tickets and recommendation tickets~

Hoping the masters will reward~