Chapter 227: We

Li Xuewu also gave a bitter smile. Why was everyone eyeing him? They all wanted to rely on him for a living. Was his food really that good?

Qin Huairu scooted closer to Li Xuewu and asked, "How did you agree to her?"

Li Xuewu looked at Qin Huairu, who was staring at him with wide eyes, and said, "Just like I said earlier: three meals a day, washing and cleaning, mending and sewing, tidying up the house, and helping out in the Bai Bai Xiyuan whenever there's work."

Seeing Li Xuewu brushing her off, Qin Huairu pouted coquettishly and pressed, "What about the wages? I don't believe Yu Li would do all that work just for three meals."

Seeing Qin Huairu so anxious she was about to pounce on him, Li Xuewu stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and smiled, "Meals included, plus 10 yuan a month."

Upon hearing such a high amount, Qin Huairu was so annoyed she gave Li Xuewu a thump, then took the opportunity to lean on the armrest of the sofa beside him. With a flirtatious look in her eyes, she said, "I've been doing work for you for so many days and you never mentioned paying me. If I'd known it paid this well, I would have brought it up sooner."

Li Xuewu pushed Qin Huairu away, wanting to remind her not to touch him, and shot her a stern look.

"Stop acting up. Can you really handle three meals a day? Aren't you going to work? You're exhausted after a full day at the factory; if you come back to wash clothes and tidy up the Bai Bai Xiyuan, can you even manage that?"

Seeing Li Xuewu push her away, Qin Huairu didn't just sit back; she took the opportunity to drape one of her legs across him and said, "I don't care. I was here first. She's just looking at me helping you out. Besides, three meals a day—is she really just aiming for the three meals? What if she's aiming for that 'one day' too?"

Li Xuewu pointed at the leg Qin Huairu had draped in front of him and glanced toward Bang Geng, who was sitting with his back to them watching TV, signaling Qin Huairu to mind her son's presence and watch her behavior.

But he hadn't expected this woman to become even more brazen; she stood up and sat directly on the armrest of the sofa, looking down at him stubbornly.

This was a nightmare. Why did he run into so many women today?

Everyone said Li Xuewu feared nothing, but he just couldn't handle women like this.

He raised his hand and gave a slap to the spot where Qin Huairu was sitting on the sofa armrest.

"Smack!"

"What's this about who came first? You think this is a vegetable market? She's just looking for work. You don't have time for the washing and cleaning anyway. She came asking for it, so if I don't give it to her, who should I give it to? Are you going to quit your job?"

Qin Huairu's eyes widened in shock, and with tears welling up, she pouted at Li Xuewu, "You don't know how Yan Jiecheng and the Security Team treated you? And you're still helping him? Besides, Yu Li isn't easy to fool. She's aiming for the scrap recycling shop and the second-hand store you're about to open. She's just scouting the territory."

Li Xuewu looked at Qin Huairu in his arms; she was actually quite sharp right now.

His hand "uncontrollably" rubbed the spot he had just slapped on the glaring Qin Huairu. He shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "It's not as complicated as you think. Even if she goes to those two stores, she'd just be a clerk. How much money could she possibly earn?"

Qin Huairu glared at Li Xuewu and said, "Of course you don't care about those pennies, but can we afford not to? Besides, that's at least considered one of the 'Eight Great Positions,' isn't it? Did Yu Li play any tricks on you?"

"What tricks?"

Li Xuewu thought about Yu Li just now. Right now, Li Xuewu was only wearing long johns, and with such a temptress sitting beside him, of course, he couldn't hide anything.

He looked at his "uncontrollable" right hand; it was quite resilient.

"Ahem." Li Xuewu coughed awkwardly, then straightened his face and said, "Don't talk nonsense."

Qin Huairu wore an 'I knew it' expression. She looked down and said, "If there were no tricks, why are you so agitated? I knew it. I said, after Yan Jiecheng did such a bastardly thing, how could you possibly let him off, let alone give Yu Li work?"

Li Xuewu glared at Qin Huairu and asked, "Am I really that much of a beast? The couple came together. I just saw that his attitude in apologizing was good, and Yu Li told me about their difficult situation."

"Don't you know me by now? I can't stand it when people cry to me. I just felt soft-hearted and pitied them. We're all neighbors in the same courtyard, so I'm just doing a good deed. The way you put it, I've become a local tyrant."

Qin Huairu glanced at Li Xuewu and hummed, "Don't I know what you're like?"

Li Xuewu looked at Bang Geng, then at the window with only thin white curtains drawn, and whispered to Qin Huairu, "That sneak attack on me the other day—that was you, right?"

Qin Huairu clenched her right hand and said, "Don't you already know?"

Li Xuewu said irritably, "I know nothing. I was exhausted and confused; I didn't even open my eyes."

Qin Huairu pouted, "If it weren't for me, you would have frozen to death in the bathtub. Who sleeps in a bathtub? You weren't even afraid of choking. I nearly died of exhaustion carrying you onto the kang."

Li Xuewu retorted stubbornly, "What do you know? I was training my body to adapt to the extreme cold, preparing for winter swimming."

Qin Huairu hummed, "Winter swimming? Is that done in a bathtub? When I came in, the water was ice cold. A little later and you would have frozen to death inside."

Li Xuewu couldn't win against Qin Huairu, so he could only say, "I forgot to lock the door. I really didn't know who came in."

Qin Huairu glared at Li Xuewu, "Bullshit. When you were letting the water out, you were still... By the time I walked over, you definitely saw it was me. If you hadn't seen me, could you have...?"

Li Xuewu looked at Bang Geng, who was staring intently at the TV, turned his head to Qin Huairu, and said, "That was just a natural reflex."

Qin Huairu applied a little pressure with her right hand and pouted, "Why are you so stubborn? I don't believe that someone like you, who has been on the battlefield, could be caught by me. If it weren't for me, I reckon you would have strangled me directly."

Li Xuewu shivered; this woman was too good at using tactics.

"Fine, even if I knew it was you, you shouldn't have taken advantage of someone in a vulnerable state."

Qin Huairu frowned and asked, "How did I take advantage of you?"

Li Xuewu raised his eyelids and said, "You don't know what you did yourself?"

Qin Huairu blushed slightly, glared at Li Xuewu, and said, "I don't know. I forgot."

Li Xuewu squinted, looking disbelieving, and asked, "Are you pulling my leg? It's excusable if I was asleep, but it's only been a few days and you've already forgotten?"

Qin Huairu couldn't quite handle Li Xuewu's verbal attack either. She blinked and said, "I really forgot. I just remember doing the work."

Li Xuewu nodded and said with a straight face, "Then I really thank you."

Qin Huairu was so annoyed she pulled her right hand back and slapped Li Xuewu. Li Xuewu's fate was released; he picked up the "drum" in his arms that could make a sound, stood up, and was about to walk into the inner room.

This terrified Qin Huairu. She hurriedly made faces at Li Xuewu, nearly biting him.

Li Xuewu was just trying to scare Qin Huairu. He walked two steps, then retreated, placed the "drum" on the long sofa, and gave it a tap.

Qin Huairu was so annoyed she patted Li Xuewu and said, "Just keep messing around."

As she spoke, seeing Li Xuewu bend over and sit back on the sofa, she blushed and asked, "What about me?"

Perhaps it was because Li Xuewu had made a bit of noise when he put Qin Huairu on the sofa, but Bang Geng suddenly turned his head to look over.

"Wu Shu, the movie is over. Are there any other movies?"

Although he found it strange that his mother was sitting on the long sofa with a flushed face and that Wu Shu was sitting on the single sofa bent over, rummaging through the dried fruit basket, Bang Geng didn't pay much attention and just asked about the movie he wanted to watch.

Li Xuewu looked at his watch and said, "I don't know the schedule for this thing either. It's my first time watching too. Just watch whatever is on."

Bang Geng looked helplessly at the geography documentary on TV. Although it wasn't as good as a movie, he could still watch it with interest.

Seeing her son turn around and Li Xuewu not saying a word, Qin Huairu asked again, "I'm asking you, what about me?"

Li Xuewu thought for a moment and said, "Don't even think about the recycling station for now. First, your schedule doesn't fit, and your physical condition can't keep up. Second, don't let your imagination run wild. The house isn't even finished yet, so where would there be a clerk position? Didn't you see the old man who came to the inverted house? That's the foreman I hired, specifically in charge of receiving goods."

Qin Huairu said stubbornly, "But there's still the selling of goods."

Li Xuewu sneered, "What's the matter? You're dreaming of being a clerk and insist on having it?"

Qin Huairu glared at Li Xuewu, "It's not for me, it's for my cousin."

Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why is there a cousin again? That silly girl who went on a blind date with Sha Zhu?"

Qin Huairu was so annoyed she thumped Li Xuewu, "Why is your mouth so mean? My cousin isn't silly; she's very sharp."

"It's just that her family begged me, saying they also wanted to marry Jingru into the city, so I arranged for her to go on a blind date with Sha Zhu. But as soon as that girl heard Xu Damao's instigation, she ran back home."

"And now, she regrets it. But Sha Zhu has already taken a fancy to Bang Geng's homeroom teacher, Teacher Ran, so that opportunity is gone."

"Now that Sha Zhu's affair has fallen through, I was thinking of bringing her into the city, keeping her close to home, and letting her spend more time with Sha Zhu."

Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Really? I asked Sha Zhu about it tonight, and he said you were angry and wouldn't introduce her to him anymore."

Qin Huairu glared at Li Xuewu and said, "You men just don't know how to cherish things that are too easy to get. I'm just playing hard to get."

Li Xuewu smiled and nodded, "Sha Zhu has some personality. Finding a partner is a problem. Either find someone very sharp, like you, or find someone very silly, like your cousin."

Qin Huairu was so annoyed she punched Li Xuewu again, "You just love to belittle people."

Li Xuewu caught Qin Huairu's fist and squeezed it, "Talk to Sha Zhu properly. He's considered to be working with us now, so we have to help him. Also, talk to your cousin—if she gets married, she gets a job; if she doesn't get married, no job."

Qin Huairu pulled her hand out of Li Xuewu's and patted him, "Whose side are you on anyway?"

Li Xuewu said amusingly, "I'm on your side, obviously. Otherwise, why would I give Sha Zhu's wife a job?"

Qin Huairu was rendered speechless by Li Xuewu's sophistry. She scratched Li Xuewu's palm and said, "Your enclosure in Fangshan is so big, why don't you think about raising rabbits? It counts as meat. I have a few in the enclosure in front of my door. Do you want me to catch two for you?"

Li Xuewu let go of Qin Huairu's hand and said, "Big white rabbits are fine."

Qin Huairu pouted angrily, "I'm talking to you seriously."

Li Xuewu turned to Bang Geng and asked, "Manager Jia, can our project raise rabbits?"

Upon hearing Li Xuewu call him Manager Jia, Bang Geng turned around happily, but tilted his big head and thought for a moment, "It's possible, but we'd have to build an enclosure first. And we can't use our family's rabbits. My grandma said those rabbits are all from the same mother; it's a mess, and they breed slowly."

Li Xuewu laughed "haha" and looked at Qin Huairu, "Your son knows so much."

Qin Huairu also felt her mother-in-law was unreliable. Why did she teach Bang Geng such things?

Li Xuewu leaned his head against the sofa back and said to Qin Huairu, "Did you hear that? Our 'Chickens and Rabbits in the Same Cage' project manager said it's possible to raise them, but we can't use yours."

Qin Huairu looked at Li Xuewu, torn between laughter and tears, "Why is it 'Chickens and Rabbits in the Same Cage'? And 'Manager'—you really can talk nonsense."

Li Xuewu smiled at Bang Geng, then said to Qin Huairu, "This project of ours is a serious one. The prospects are broad, the investment is low, the returns are high, and it's effective quickly. It's a rare golden industry. Do you want to invest a share?"

Seeing Li Xuewu talking nonsense, Qin Huairu said, "You wouldn't let me invest anyway, and you'd complain that my investment isn't good."

Li Xuewu waved his hand at Bang Geng, who was watching him, and said, "This isn't a serious investor. We can't cooperate with people like this who just want to take advantage. Remember that?"

Bang Geng nodded very seriously, "Remembered."

Qin Huairu was so annoyed she wanted to stand up and discipline Bang Geng, but Li Xuewu pulled her back down.

"What are you doing? Can't talk business so you want to resort to force?"

Bang Geng laughed on the side, "Exactly, exactly."

Qin Huairu patted Li Xuewu and said, "Just keep talking nonsense."

Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow at Bang Geng and asked, "If we get a bunch of rabbits, can you feed them all?"

Bang Geng thought for a moment and nodded, "My grandma said, herding one sheep is herding, and herding a flock is also herding."

Li Xuewu nodded, "Your grandma is still cultured, like a big encyclopedia. When you go home, tell your grandma to teach you something good. Don't always teach you how chickens lay eggs or how rabbits inbreed. It's too early."

Qin Huairu glared at Li Xuewu, "You should teach my son something good. Why do you always teach him to raise chickens and do business? My son is going to college to be a scientist and build rockets."

Li Xuewu looked at Bang Geng's fat face and said to Qin Huairu, "With Bang Geng's grades, building rockets might be a bit of a stretch. I'm afraid he'd end up launching them like a firecracker. Selling tea eggs is fine. Maybe one day selling tea eggs will be more profitable than building rockets."

Qin Huairu wore an expression that said, 'You're just making fun of us,' and said, "How is that possible?"

Li Xuewu didn't argue and said, "We'll talk about the rabbits later. Tomorrow, I'll have my grandfather build an enclosure first. If you don't build the enclosure well, these things can dig their way out of the ground. As for the breeding rabbits, I'll find a way."

Qin Huairu just brought it up because it crossed her mind; she didn't really care. Now, she was lingering without leaving, just waiting for Li Xuewu's word.

Li Xuewu shook his long johns and said, "I just remembered, I was meaning to tell you: use the leftover cotton cloth to help me make two sets of pajamas. Just this kind of loose style, with wide-leg trousers."

Qin Huairu looked at Li Xuewu, "You're quite particular. You don't need to explain; don't I know what pajamas are? There were some for sale before the joint operation. I've seen them."

Li Xuewu nodded, "I don't know what fabric to use. If the leftover fabric isn't suitable, we'll go buy some. I'll provide the coupons. It's too hot in this room; wearing too much makes it easy to get heat rash."

Seeing Bang Geng go back to watching TV, he whispered to Qin Huairu, "You should make a set for yourself too. If you want to buy anything else, buy it yourself and come to me for the coupons."

Qin Huairu gave Li Xuewu a light nudge, checked that her son wasn't paying attention, and whispered, "We'll talk when I come over tonight."

Li Xuewu nodded and stopped talking about this, instead saying, "Your family's situation still depends on you. Wait for my news recently."

Qin Huairu asked in surprise, "Really? Is it a job transfer? To the Security Section?"

Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and said, "What's the point of the Security Section? I'll arrange for you to clean the toilets."

"You're just mean!"

Qin Huairu was so annoyed she pinched Li Xuewu. She knew this person wouldn't give a straight answer until the very last moment, so she stopped asking.

She looked at the wall clock; it was already 8:30. The lights in the old lady's room were already out, and she was asleep.

Qin Huairu stood up and said to Bang Geng, "Let's go, son. We're going home. Stop watching."

Actually, there were no more programs at this time, but Bang Geng was still watching with great interest. Seeing his mother speak and knowing the time, he stood up, let his mother help him put on his clothes, and put on his hat.

Qin Huairu put on her clothes, exchanged a look with Li Xuewu, and took Bang Geng out.

Li Xuewu closed the door, then drew the curtains on all the windows, banked the heating stove and fireplace with coal balls, sealed the fire door, and only then went to the inner room to spread the quilt and prepare for bed.

Qin Huairu led Bang Geng home and happened to run into the Second Aunt returning from the middle courtyard at the moon gate. Qin Huairu said, "You were out, Second Aunt?"

The Second Aunt looked at the direction Qin Huairu came from, rolled her eyes, and said, "Ah, just went to the toilet. And you are?"

Qin Huairu was quite good at making things up. She rubbed Bang Geng's head and said, "Bang Geng said Li Xuewu's house has a TV and wanted to see what it looked like, so I took him to see it."

The Second Aunt didn't quite believe it and said gossiping, "Is that so? This Li Xuewu really knows how to get his hands on fresh things. Bang Geng, what does a TV look like?"

As soon as Qin Huairu heard this, she knew the Second Aunt was gossiping about her, wanting to get a different answer from her son.

Bang Geng puffed out his fat cheeks and said excitedly, "A little box with glass, there are people inside, and it was playing a movie, 'Summer Story'."

The Second Aunt didn't expect that this mother and son really went to watch TV. Just now, passing by, she saw Li Xuewu's house had the white gauze curtains drawn, and the people inside were blurry and couldn't be seen, but from the sound, she knew it was Qin Huairu, so she wanted to listen in. She didn't expect she had guessed wrong.

"Oh, oh, so it's true. Playing a summer movie in the middle of winter, hehe." She said a couple of words, then tucked her hands into her sleeves and walked home.

Qin Huairu curled her lips, glanced at the Second Aunt's back, hugged her son, and returned to her own home.

Just as she entered the room, she saw her mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi, coming out of the inner room. Seeing both mother and son, she asked, "Why were you gone for so long?"

Bang Geng took off his hat and cotton jacket, but their house wasn't as warm as Li Xuewu's, so he put the cotton jacket back on and said, "Went to watch a movie."

Jia Zhangshi glanced at Qin Huairu, helped Bang Geng spread the bed, and asked while spreading it, "Can you watch movies at home? This Li Erbala really knows how to make a fuss."

Bang Geng said impatiently, "I said don't call him Li Erbala. Wu Shu has a TV at home, and it was playing a movie. Oh, you wouldn't understand even if I told you."

Seeing Qin Huairu go outside to get coal balls, Jia Zhangshi took the opportunity to ask, "Did you and your mother stay together at Li Xuewu's house?"

Bang Geng took off his shoes and crawled into the quilt, saying, "Yeah, we were all sitting in the living room."

Jia Zhangshi nodded and asked again, "Then what did your mother say to Li Er... Li Xuewu?"

Bang Geng looked at his grandma, seemingly knowing why she was asking, and looked at her angrily, "Talked about my mother's work, my aunt's work, and my aunt's marriage."

Jia Zhangshi nodded. This was serious business and had to be discussed. But her own affairs weren't even settled yet; why talk about that girl's affairs?

"Talked about my 'Chickens and Rabbits in the Same Cage' project, talked about rockets, talked about tea eggs."

Jia Zhangshi's eyes widened when she heard this, "What is all this? What rabbits and chickens? Don't tell me your mother promised our family's rabbits to Li Xuewu. Why did it get dragged into rockets and tea eggs? What is all this nonsense?"

Seeing his grandma actually belittling his "broad-prospect" "Chickens and Rabbits in the Same Cage" project, Bang Geng, as the project manager, couldn't tolerate it.

"Also talked about you scolding Wu Shu, and told you to stop meddling in other people's business."

"Bang Geng, how are you talking to your grandma?" Qin Huairu walked into the door and heard Bang Geng's last sentence, unable to help but reprimand him.

"Wait a minute, Qin Huairu, let Bang Geng speak!" Interrupting Qin Huairu, Jia Zhangshi seemed to have grabbed onto some logic.

She glared angrily at Qin Huairu, then asked Bang Geng, "Bang Geng, you tell me, did your mother tell that Li Erbala that I scolded him? And told me to stop meddling in other people's business? What business am I not allowed to meddle in?"

"Mom! ~" Qin Huairu couldn't help but call out.

Jia Zhangshi waved her hand, "Qin Huairu, shut up. I'm talking to my grandson. You wait until I'm done asking. I must get to the bottom of this today."

Qin Huairu looked at her mother-in-law, who had secretly asked Bang Geng about her time at Li Xuewu's house while she wasn't home, and felt a headache.

Bang Geng looked at his grandma and pulled the quilt, "I was the one who said you scolded people, and I was the one who said to stop meddling in other people's business."

Jia Zhangshi had thought Qin Huairu had a change of heart and was preparing to unite with Li Xuewu to deal with her and kick her out.

She was preparing to make a scene after confirming the news from her grandson, but she never expected that just as she had her emotions ready, she was given two slaps in the face by her precious grandson, Bang Geng.

"You little white-eyed wolf! What benefits did Li Erbala give you that you're helping him like this, and you dare say I'm meddling in other people's business?"

Don't look at how loudly Jia Zhangshi was shouting; she couldn't bear to hit her precious grandson with even a finger. She was just making a scene to save face because she had already said the words.

Bang Geng covered his face with the quilt and said muffledly, "I already said don't scold Wu Shu, but you insisted on scolding him. If you scold him again, I'll go tell Wu Shu. And don't talk about my 'Chickens and Rabbits in the Same Cage' project; I'm the manager. When the time comes, don't think about eating my eggs or chicken."

After saying this, Bang Geng paused and shouted, "And rabbit meat!"

Seeing her mother-in-law's farce was over, ending in a slap to the face, and fearing tonight's affairs would be delayed, Qin Huairu provided a way out.

"Mom, don't be angry with him. I'll discipline him." As she spoke, she picked up the small wooden stick by the door.

Jia Zhangshi hurriedly stopped her, patted Bang Geng's bedside, and said, "You eat, eat, eat, eggs and chicken indeed. Following that Li Xuewu, you won't even get to eat a chicken feather, let alone rabbits. Don't give him our family's!"

Seeing her mother-in-law stop her, Qin Huairu didn't really hit him and went into the room. The way out had been provided; whether she took it or not was her own business.

Bang Geng was still unconvinced under the quilt, "I'm willing to not eat it, you don't need to worry. If you don't give me rabbits, we don't care anyway."

Jia Zhangshi was so angry at her grandson that she was gasping, but there was nothing she could do. She couldn't bear to hit him, and she couldn't bear to scold him. Previously, she could have vented on her daughter-in-law, but now she was in the wrong, so how could she vent? She could only swallow it back into her stomach.

Qin Huairu took off her clothes and didn't wait for her mother-in-law; she got on the kang first, lifted the quilt, and lay down.

Seeing Qin Huairu lie down so quickly without paying her any mind, Jia Zhangshi asked awkwardly, "Why are you sleeping so early?"

Qin Huairu said with her eyes closed, "I have to go to the Bai Bai Xiyuan to fill the stove in the middle of the night. There are four sites now; by the time I'm done, it'll be late. How can I sleep? I have to go to work after breakfast. Mom, you should sleep early too."

Seeing that her daughter-in-law made sense and knowing she couldn't delay her sleep, Jia Zhangshi said, "Why should I sleep early? Bang Geng's shoe soles aren't even finished yet."

She only heard Qin Huairu say with her back turned, "You should sleep early. You'll be coming with me to tidy up the stove in a while."

Jia Zhangshi was not willing to get up in the middle of the night in the cold, so she said impatiently, "Why would you need me? Don't you go every time? It's not far, all in the same courtyard."

Qin Huairu said, "You should come with me. You don't need to do any work; you can just monitor me, so you don't have to guess blindly when you can't see. If Bang Geng doesn't go with me at night, who are you going to ask?"

Only then did Jia Zhangshi understand Qin Huairu's meaning. Her face instantly became awkward, and she stammered, "I was just asking around. I don't distrust you; I was just asking."

Qin Huairu said calmly, "If you're afraid I'm with Li Xuewu, I won't ask him for work, so you don't have to worry."

Jia Zhangshi climbed onto the kang and said, "Are you crazy? If you don't ask him for work, are you waiting to starve to death? Don't you know how good their food is? What did I say? I was just asking."

Seeing Qin Huairu open her eyes and glare at her, Jia Zhangshi was also in the wrong, so she said, "Fine, fine, fine, I won't ask, I won't ask, okay? I was just worried about you."

Qin Huairu looked at her mother-in-law and said, "Did I stop you from asking? If you asked me, would I not tell you? What's the meaning of asking Bang Geng? Isn't that just distrusting me?"

Jia Zhangshi had no choice but to nod, "I won't ask, I won't ask. Fine, I was just worried about you."

Qin Huairu glared and said, "Worried about what? Worried he'd take advantage of me?"

Jia Zhangshi sighed, "You know our family's situation..."

Seeing her mother-in-law was about to tell her the story of how she had painstakingly raised this family alone, she interrupted, "I know, but I have three children here, and you have one old person. What should I do? Can I compare with you?"

Seeing her mother-in-law was stumped by her, she continued, "I'm not worried about him taking advantage of me now; I'm worried he won't take advantage of me."

Jia Zhangshi felt her lungs ache from Qin Huairu's words, and her head ache too.

Qin Huairu turned over and closed her eyes, "You don't think I can play the 'empty-handed white wolf' trick like I did with Sha Zhu, do you? Li Xuewu isn't Sha Zhu. You know this yourself."

Jia Zhangshi explained in a low voice, "I didn't say Li Xuewu was Sha Zhu, and I didn't say I wouldn't let you... sigh, I just feel empty inside."

Qin Huairu said muffledly, "I can't worry about you feeling empty. If I worried about you, our mother and children would be empty in the stomach."

Jia Zhangshi nodded, "Yes, yes, yes, I know, I know your bitterness."

Qin Huairu said muffledly, "Yu Li and her husband went to see him today and already got the job at the Bai Bai Xiyuan scrap recycling station. First, it's cooking and washing clothes, meals included, and 10 yuan a month."

As soon as Jia Zhangshi heard about money, she immediately said, "How can this be? If we're talking about first come, first served, you should be the one getting this money. We've been back and forth, and we haven't even gotten 10 yuan a month. Why did he promise her?"

Qin Huairu turned over and looked at her mother-in-law, "What do you think?"

Jia Zhangshi instantly understood Qin Huairu's meaning and frowned, "How can this person be so promiscuous?"

Qin Huairu said muffledly, "Is this your first day knowing him? I'm afraid he won't be promiscuous now."

Jia Zhangshi was also scratching her head, "That was a couple who went to the backyard together. I saw it clearly. How could that be?"

Qin Huairu rolled her eyes at her mother-in-law, "What do you really take Li Xuewu for? This matter was definitely decided by Yu Li behind Yan Jiecheng's back with Li Xuewu. Otherwise, could Li Xuewu have given her such a good job?"

Jia Zhangshi was also feeling a bit pained about the 10 yuan a month and said hatefully, "Look at her, she has the face of a vixen. She really can do such a thing."

Seeing her mother-in-law didn't understand, Qin Huairu said, "You really didn't guess wrong. This Yu Li isn't aiming for those 10 yuan; she's aiming for the acquisition station and the second-hand store that are about to open."

Jia Zhangshi understood after hearing Qin Huairu's explanation and said angrily, "Hey, I was wondering what was going on. So this couple got so much. This, this has all been taken by them. What are you going to do?"

Qin Huairu closed her eyes and thought for a moment, "I definitely can't get this clerk job because I have to go to work. That's why I thought of Jingru. If she can enter the city and marry Sha Zhu, Li Xuewu promised to give the clerk position to Jingru. I was thinking, since I can't get it anyway, why not let Jingru enter the city? That way, we can look out for each other."

Jia Zhangshi nodded, "That makes sense. 'Fertilizer water doesn't flow into outsiders' fields.' But Jingru's matter is solved, what about your matter?"

Qin Huairu said with her eyes closed, "Think about it. If Jingru's big matter can be solved just like that, how good will mine be? Looking at his meaning, he's going to adjust my job."

Jia Zhangshi said happily, "That's great. How can a woman get promoted in the workshop? It's better to be in an administrative office. Is it a transfer to an administrative office?"

Qin Huairu shook her head, "Didn't say."

This made Jia Zhangshi a bit anxious, "Jingru's matter could be settled, why didn't he say anything about yours?"

Qin Huairu said muffledly, "You don't understand. Cadres are all like this. Things aren't said until the very last moment. The Bai Bai Xiyuan is his own property, so he has the final say, which is why he said it in advance. Mine has to be operated within the Rolling Mill."

Jia Zhangshi thought for a moment and nodded, "That makes sense. He's right to be careful. There are many people who are jealous now. But isn't he a section chief? Does he have that much ability?"

Qin Huairu turned over and said, "Didn't I tell you? His section chief position is more effective than a division chief's. The office director treats him like a brother. The director of their Security Division is his teacher."

"The Personnel Division also has people. Otherwise, how did Yan Jiecheng get into the Security Team? And his sister-in-law's younger brother, those people from the village—even dogs can be arranged to eat public grain."

This was the first time Jia Zhangshi knew of Li Xuewu's energy. She couldn't help but open her mouth, "Then the Rolling Mill is like his own family's."

Qin Huairu looked at her mother-in-law, "Don't go around saying this. You'll lose your head. Li Xuewu doesn't talk much in the courtyard, but he's very good at making friends in the factory. He can make connections everywhere, and everyone gives him face."

"Now it's even more incredible, and he's also the deputy director of our local police station. Don't provoke him. If he really shoots you, I won't even have a place to reason."

Jia Zhangshi looked at Qin Huairu with wide eyes and asked, "Then what position can he arrange for you? We won't have to worry about food and drink in the future, right?"

Qin Huairu looked at her mother-in-law and said, "Whatever he arranges, I'll do. Don't go around talking nonsense. And I asked him what to do if there's no grain at home. He didn't give me grain, and he didn't give me money. You tell me if we still have to worry about food and drink."

Jia Zhangshi closed her eyes and said, "Thank heaven and earth, finally don't have to worry about starving to death."

Qin Huairu looked at her mother-in-law's praying appearance and said amusingly, "Now you don't worry about him taking advantage of me, right?"

Jia Zhangshi shook her head, "Don't worry, don't worry."

After thinking about it, she still felt it wasn't right and asked Qin Huairu, "He didn't get your advantage, so why would he think of arranging it for you? You didn't promise him anything, did you?"

Qin Huairu rolled her eyes, "Promise what? What do I have? What is his status? I wouldn't even dare to think about that. I couldn't even get through the door."

Jia Zhangshi still didn't believe it. With her experience as someone who had been through it, she always felt that since Qin Huairu had gotten such a good benefit, she should have paid more.

"We've all been through it. He gave you such a good promise. Tell Mom the truth, what did he ask from you?"

Qin Huairu glared, "Really nothing. What does our family have to promise others? I said I'd give him two rabbits, and he didn't even want them. Bang Geng was listening in the room."

Jia Zhangshi shook her head, "Huairu, you're not doing well. We've all been through it. You don't need to hide it from Mom. You don't trust Mom. You're hurting Mom's heart."

Qin Huairu looked at her mother-in-law's eyes. No matter how she explained, she wouldn't believe her and even said things that hurt their relationship.

She couldn't help but think of the principle Li Xuewu had whispered to her.

In the eyes of a prostitute, there is no woman in this world who isn't for sale. The upper limit of their understanding of a rumor that a woman isn't for sale is: is it because the price couldn't be agreed upon?

Qin Huairu had said Li Xuewu's words were mean at the time, but she didn't expect that while the words were rough, the principle was sound. It really made sense.

Seeing her mother-in-law insisting on looking at her, Qin Huairu had to shamefully surrender and asked, "What did you pay when you raised the family before?"

Seeing the atmosphere had reached this point and there were no outsiders in the room, Jia Zhangshi said directly, "That... he said if he wants me to go, I have to go."

Qin Huairu found it amusing in her heart, but it didn't show on her face. She nodded, "About that."

Jia Zhangshi finally breathed a sigh of relief, as if her injured feelings had been comforted, "That's right. If you don't pay, how can you get a return?"

"Go, go."

Qin Huairu felt the quilt that hadn't been warmed up yet after just lying down and glared at her mother-in-law.

Jia Zhangshi looked at Qin Huairu's gaze and curled her lips indifferently, "Go, I'm not worried. He's not the same as Sha Zhu."

Qin Huairu knew her mother-in-law's meaning. It was nothing more than that she might marry Sha Zhu, and he might abandon her and the children, but it was different with Li Xuewu.

With Li Xuewu's status and age, plus Li Xuewu's strength, she couldn't marry Li Xuewu, so her mother-in-law had no worries.

Seeing her mother-in-law had spoken, Qin Huairu got up uncomfortably to put on her clothes. When she put on her shoes and cotton jacket and was ready to walk out, she heard her mother-in-law say, "Keep your eyes open. How many good years can a woman have?"

Qin Huairu didn't say anything, left the inner room, and walked toward the door. Just as she opened the door, she heard Bang Geng, who was sleeping in the main room, ask in a daze, "Mom, where are you going?"

"Going to fill the stove. Sleep." Qin Huairu paused with her hand on the door and replied.

Bang Geng also responded in a daze and lay down to continue sleeping.

When Qin Huairu came out, every family in the courtyard had turned off their lights. The courtyard was quiet, and only a few dog barks could be heard in the distance.

Logically, in such a quiet environment, she should have been able to hear many sounds, but Qin Huairu's heart was thumping. The sound of her heartbeat had drowned out all the sounds in her ears.

Thinking about things in her heart, she unknowingly opened Li Xuewu's door and skillfully changed into slippers.

When she entered the room, the living room lights were already off, and only the bedroom had a faint light.

Qin Huairu walked into the bedroom wearing slippers and looked. She saw Li Xuewu was still wearing that outfit and hadn't gotten into the quilt yet; he was leaning on the pillow at the head of the kang, dozing off.

Qin Huairu took off her cotton jacket, hung it on the coat rack, walked to the edge of the kang, and helped Li Xuewu take off his socks.

Perhaps because her hands were a bit cold from coming in from outside, Li Xuewu was startled by the touch. He opened his eyes, saw it was Qin Huairu, looked at his watch, and yawned.

"Slept all afternoon, didn't expect to still be sleepy. Don't know why I can't get enough sleep."

Seeing Li Xuewu didn't have any special reaction, Qin Huairu's hanging heart dropped slightly, and her stiff body slowly relaxed.

"You just slept too much and are a bit groggy."

As she spoke, she opened the bag Li Xuewu had brought back today, took out the change of clothes inside, and prepared to take them out to wash.

Li Xuewu rubbed his face, "Put them over there. I'll wash them when I have time. You go take a bath."

Good brothers~

Re-uploaded a revised version of a chapter,

Don't know if the previous version can be unlocked,

The driving speed of the unedited version was too fast,

Revised it several times and it still didn't pass,

Can only start a new chapter,

Sorry, sorry! ===== CHAPTER 228 =====