Chapter 247: Not Particular

Watching Li Xuewu handle everything with ease, chatting with her father-in-law and mother-in-law alike, Mu Hongyan couldn't help but ask Gu Ning and Han Yating, "How is he so good at talking? How does he know so much?"

Seeing Li Xuewu laughing and chatting with her parents, Gu Ning felt a twinge of envy; it seemed this man could find common ground with anyone.

Han Yating asked Gu Ning with a playful smile, "Well? Interested at all?"

This made Gu Ning blush, and she gave Han Yating's hand a reluctant tug, though she said nothing.

Mu Hongyan looked at her sister-in-law with amusement and said to Han Yating, "Sister Han, that depends on Li Xuewu's intentions. Last time at our place, he said he wasn't interested."

Han Yating held Gu Ning's hand and said, "Your brother Dong told me about the connection between you and Li Xuewu. I was quite surprised you had that history. We don't know what happened between you, but I know Li Xuewu is very suitable for you."

Gu Ning looked at Han Yating, who was speaking very earnestly, then glanced at Li Xuewu and lowered her head.

Han Yating observed Gu Ning's expression and continued, "Your brother Dong and I have both looked into Li Xuewu's character. Whether in his work or his family life, he is the best among the young men I've seen."

"Especially regarding the talent you value—anyone who can publish articles in Aunt Ding's newspaper and in the major steel industry papers definitely has talent."

Han Yating wasn't just singing his praises; she also offered a balanced view: "But everyone has flaws. Li Xuewu is straightforward, a bit mischievous in his speech, and has the impulsiveness of a young man. However, he is kind-hearted; you know he even adopted an orphan while on a business trip."

Gu Ning nodded to show she knew, as Li Xuewu had mentioned it when he visited last time.

Seeing that Han Yating's persuasion wasn't quite enough, Mu Hongyan added her own weight to the argument: "He's too straightforward. He's just a young man who isn't even married yet, yet he decides to bring a child home just like that. It's still a bit immature. Especially regarding you, Gu Ning—he let an ex-girlfriend hurt you and didn't even make a proper gesture, just sent a gun and ran off. This..."

Before her sister-in-law could finish, Gu Ning raised her head and said, "That's not it, he said..."

Looking up, she saw her Sister Han and sister-in-law smiling at her, and realizing she'd fallen into their trap again, she shyly pinched Mu Hongyan.

Mu Hongyan laughed and tugged at Gu Ning, saying, "Since you've taken a liking to him and Mom and Dad like him too, just date him for a while."

Han Yating knew about Li Xuewu's romantic life. Seeing Mu Hongyan bring up the ex-girlfriend, whether intentional or not, as Li Xuewu's mentor's wife, she had to smooth things over for him.

"I know a little about Li Xuewu's situation. He was just a mischievous boy running wild in the streets at the time, so it's normal to have some puppy love. That girl's situation was very special; Li Xuewu didn't do it on purpose."

Gu Ning nodded and said, "I know."

Han Yating said with a wry smile, "He was seeing a girl a while ago. He told me she was from the supply and marketing cooperative, and they were planning to get married, but her family got involved in a case, so Li Xuewu is single again now."

Gu Ning nodded and said, "I've met her. She's a very good person."

Han Yating, unaware that Gu Ning had met Li Xuewu's previous girlfriend, continued, "You've had setbacks in love, and his path has been one hurdle after another. You are both people who have been hurt."

"Don't let his cheerful exterior fool you; he actually cares deeply about relationships. He's currently nursing a broken heart, so he might not be able to express his feelings clearly to you, but I think you two are a perfect match. Just as Uncle Gu said, you can start as friends and try dating."

Gu Ning didn't express anything, just lowered her head and looked at her hands.

Mu Hongyan also felt a pang of sympathy for her sister-in-law; the pain of unrequited or lost love is a permanent scar for a girl.

"You say you can do anything for him... why can't you grab your own happiness? If you always wait, you'll miss your chance."

Han Yating held Gu Ning's hand and said, "Next Sunday, I'll call Li Xuewu, and you come to my house too. Let's all hang out at my place, okay?"

Gu Ning hesitated, but after looking up and meeting Han Yating's eyes, she nodded in agreement.

With the conversation here winding down, Li Xuewu had also finished his talk. Dong Wenxue looked at the wall clock, then at his son who was already dozing off, and asked Han Yating, "Little Shu, we should head back."

Han Yating checked the time and stood up, saying, "Oh, it's almost nine o'clock. We really should go."

Although Aunt Ding wanted Li Xuewu to stay a while longer, seeing the child was already sleepy, she didn't insist and took Han Yating to dress little Mengyuan.

Gu Haitao led Dong Wenxue and Li Xuewu, who had already put on his coat, out into the courtyard. Pointing to a vehicle being pushed out by security personnel, he said, "Since I've accepted your spoils of war, I'll return the favor with a spoil of my own."

He led Li Xuewu to the vehicle and watched as the security personnel helped hook it to the back of the 212 Jeep.

"Chief, isn't this... a gentleman shouldn't take what others love?"

Li Xuewu originally wanted to say the vehicle was too valuable and refuse, but seeing Gu Haitao turn to look at him, he changed his approach.

Gu Haitao waved his hand and said, "I captured this in '51. Keeping it until now is just for memory. The main parts are still good; if you take it back and repair it, it should be usable."

Li Xuewu looked at Dong Wenxue standing behind, but his teacher just smiled at them and didn't walk over or express an opinion.

Seeing Gu Haitao's firm attitude, Li Xuewu could only give a formal salute and say, "Thank you, Chief."

Gu Haitao returned the salute and shook Li Xuewu's hand.

"Come visit when you have time. Even if I'm not here, your Aunt Ding will be. I've already spoken to the guards at the gate; just show them your ID when you come next time."

Li Xuewu smiled and replied, "Then I'll have to trouble you often in the future."

Aunt Ding and the others, who were seeing Han Yating out, saw Li Xuewu and Gu Haitao shaking hands and said with a smile, "Your Uncle Gu likes you very much, so don't be formal. No need to wait for Wenxue; just come by yourself when you're free."

"Yes, Aunt Ding." Seeing the orderly and the attendant helping Han Yating and the child into the car, Li Xuewu said goodbye to the Gu family along with Dong Wenxue and drove off.

Although there was a vehicle towed behind, driving it was similar to towing a camper in later years; one just had to be careful.

Only when the Gu family was no longer visible in the rearview mirror did Li Xuewu slowly increase his speed. Once past the gate, he brought the speed up to a normal level.

Because Dong Wenxue had drunk a bit too much and the heater was on in the car, he was sleepy and didn't talk.

Han Yating, however, talked to Li Xuewu about his studies. Although Li Xuewu hadn't reported for duty, she insisted his coursework must not fall behind.

Upon arriving at Dong Wenxue's home, Li Xuewu carried little Mengyuan into the bedroom and placed him on the bed, then came out to bid farewell to his teacher and his wife.

It was too late, so Li Xuewu didn't sit down again; he said his goodbyes and drove home.

When he arrived home, the Bai Bai Xiyuan gate was already locked. He got out of the car and thought about going around to the Sihe Academy, but the main gate was locked too.

Damn, this "locking the stable door after the horse has bolted" was done a bit too timely.

Li Xuewu pushed the gate, but it didn't budge. Before he could turn to go under the window of the side room to call for Lao Biaozi and the others, the gate was opened.

"Li Ke?"

The moon was quite bright tonight. Li Xuewu used the moonlight to look and saw it was Liu Guangtian.

"Are you heading out, or are you on duty here?"

Either it was a coincidence, or he was on duty; otherwise, the door wouldn't have opened so quickly.

"Hehe, I knew you were coming back today, and I was afraid you wouldn't be able to get in if the gate was locked, so I've been waiting here. The gatehouse hasn't been cleared out yet, so I can't be on duty there yet."

Li Xuewu followed the chattering Liu Guangtian into the courtyard and went around to the screen door to open the Bai Bai Xiyuan gate.

Walking under the window of the side room, he used the light from the window to look back. Liu Guangtian was shivering like a grandson, neck hunched and hands tucked into his sleeves, trembling.

"Go into the side room and call Lao Biaozi and Shen Guodong to come out and help. You know them, right?"

"Yes, I know them."

Liu Guangtian nodded and went into the side room. Li Xuewu went to the Bai Bai Xiyuan, pulled open the gate, walked to the car, and drove it into the North Warehouse of the Bai Bai Xiyuan.

Just as he parked the car, he saw everyone from the side room coming out, including Seeing Sha Zhu and Yu Li.

"What's this for? What time is it, and you're still not sleeping?"

Seeing the vehicle Li Xuewu had driven was towing another, Erhai asked in surprise, "Wu Ge, did your car have a baby?"

"Hahahaha."

Li Xuewu looked at the laughing group, feeling both amused and helpless.

"Help me unhook the car."

Lao Biaozi, Shen Guodong, and the others all reached out and easily lifted the Willys down.

This car wasn't heavy to begin with; every part was essential, and it was a "convertible," so six or seven people could lift it without much effort.

Li Xuewu bent down under the radiator to open the valve for the 212. Using this car in winter was very troublesome; unlike later years with antifreeze, it used tap water for cooling.

When not in use at night, the water had to be drained from the radiator, or it would be ruined.

At the Gu family's, the security guards would start the engine every hour to warm it up.

Although Li Xuewu had driven the Jeep into the insulated North Warehouse, there was no stove burning, and the temperature was below zero. If he didn't take precautions, it wouldn't start tomorrow morning.

Walking back with the group from the side room, Shen Guodong asked, "Wu Ge, why did you bring back another car?"

Li Xuewu didn't explain too clearly, saying instead, "A chief gave it to me. It might have some issues. I'll take it to the factory's repair shop to have a look later."

Yu Li looked at Li Xuewu's back with an envious expression, thinking that a real man should be like this.

Liu Guangtian had the same look. This kid had been following Li Xuewu, and seeing everyone heading back, he followed Li Xuewu into the side room.

Li Xuewu let them go into the room first while he went to the kitchen to wash his face. Since he had been drinking, his face was oily, and he needed to freshen up.

The others went inside, but Yu Li was busy running back and forth, bringing hot water, handing over soap, and holding a towel to serve him.

Those who knew would know she was Yan Jiecheng's wife; those who didn't might think she was Li Xuewu's wife.

Even Yan Jiecheng had never enjoyed such treatment.

Li Xuewu took the opportunity while wiping his face to ask Yu Li in a low voice, "What's wrong? Why are there so many people here tonight?"

Yu Li looked at Li Xuewu with watery eyes and said, "They're all waiting for you to make the call."

Li Xuewu let Yu Li take the towel to wipe the back of his neck and ears.

Yu Li wasn't short, but compared to Li Xuewu, she wasn't tall, so there was inevitably some physical contact while she wiped him.

Feeling the deep concern from Sister-in-law Yu Li, Li Xuewu felt a slight stir, showing a bit of respect.

"Is there some major decision that requires me?"

Li Xuewu was intentionally changing the subject and diverting attention, because Sister-in-law Yu Li had already felt the threat while wiping him.

To avoid any accidental discharge, Li Xuewu quickly dropped a sentence and turned to walk into the West Room.

Yu Li stood in the kitchen, looking at Li Xuewu's slightly flustered back, and inexplicably wanted to laugh. He was a notorious playboy, with one woman in the back courtyard and another outside, yet he acted like an inexperienced young man.

Entering the West Room, he saw his older brother sitting at the desk with Wen Saner, taking apart the radio. No wonder he hadn't seen Wen Saner go out earlier; he was here for a make-up lesson.

"How is it? Can you graduate yet?"

Li Xuewen looked at Li Xuewu and said quite seriously, "It's fine. Repairing these is no problem."

Wen Saner also felt a sense of accomplishment, looking at Li Xuewu and laughing, "Tomorrow, try your hand at your little monster and see if you can learn to repair TVs."

Li Xuewu laughed, "Third Uncle, you'd better stop. My grandmother treats that little thing like a treasure, watching operas on it every single day. Don't cause trouble."

Seeing that there was no mattress on the kang, it seemed these people had been waiting here all along.

"What's the important matter that brought everyone together tonight? Who's going first?"

Big Brother Xuewen saw that Wen Saner had learned, so he ended today's lesson and said to Li Xuewu, "I'll go first. Just two sentences, then I'm heading back. I have class tomorrow."

"The school's appointment order has come down, and the housing has been assigned. Your sister-in-law went to logistics this afternoon to pick up the keys. We went to take a look after work; it's all cleaned up. We'll buy some old furniture and slowly fix it up."

Li Xuewu nodded, "When you have time, take Grandfather to drive the horse cart. Go to the consignment shop we went to last time, find that young man, Xiao Wei. Tell him I sent you, and pick out some sturdy and useful things."

The first sentence was to his brother, and the rest was to his grandfather, instructing them to go to the consignment shop he had visited twice.

Li Xuewen stood up with a smile, "Our place isn't big; we don't need that much or that good furniture."

Li Xuewen was very happy to have his own home. Although he said he didn't care, he had already discussed with Zhao Yafang how to fix it up properly.

It wasn't very big—two rooms, a living room, and a kitchen, but no bathroom; the bathroom was shared. Still, it was considered a very impressive residence. At this time, most were tube-style apartments, and few were as generous as Huaqing to provide two rooms.

"Alright, I've done what I promised, and you've done what you promised. We're square."

Seeing his younger brother's amusing tone, Li Xuewen smiled at him and said, "Alright, you guys chat. I'm heading back."

As he spoke, he stood up, put on his coat, and walked out, bumping into Yu Li, who had just returned from pouring out the wash water.

"Heading back, Big Brother?"

Li Xuewen saw Yu Li greeting him and didn't know what his brother had recruited the couple from across the street for.

He had heard the couple across the street arguing about splitting the family this afternoon, but Li Xuewen never liked to interfere in his brother's affairs.

Yes, he just didn't like to interfere. Whoever asked, he would say he didn't like to interfere—it was definitely not because he didn't dare.

"Yeah, I have class tomorrow, need to go back and sleep. You guys chat." As he spoke, he dodged and went out the door.

Although Li Shun had mentioned the matter across the street during dinner, Li Xuewen had no intention of getting involved in the affairs between his brother and the eldest son across the street.

As soon as Yu Li entered the room, she saw Seeing Sha Zhu talking to Li Xuewu about the banquet Li Xuewu was hosting next weekend, discussing whether the items Li Xuewu brought back were enough and what else needed to be bought.

"Xuewu, you said you'd find someone else. Is it reliable? Don't let it turn out to be just me alone; that really won't work."

Li Xuewu handed out cigarettes to everyone in the room. Seeing Yan Jiecheng acting a bit ingratiating when he took the cigarette, Li Xuewu smiled at him.

"I really didn't have time today. I'll find time in the next few days to check, and I'll give you an answer then."

Seeing Sha Zhu nodded while lying on the kang, "Alright, don't forget, hey."

After speaking, he seemed to remember something and asked Li Xuewu again, "You changed the address, and isn't the guesthouse under renovation? Can it be finished by Sunday?"

Li Xuewu blew a smoke ring and thought for a moment, "It should be."

Seeing Sha Zhu nodded and didn't say anything more, continuing to lie on the kang, warming his waist.

Li Xuewu turned his head to look at Wen Saner, meaning to ask if he had anything, but Wen Saner shook his head with a smile, indicating he was fine.

Lao Biaozi thought for a moment and said, "Wu Ge, Dazhuang's younger sister came to see me today."

Li Xuewu frowned and asked, "What's wrong? Is there trouble at home?"

Lao Biaozi shook his head, "That's not it. The child wants to find a job with me, saying she sees her mother working hard and wants to earn money to support the family."

Li Xuewu thought for a moment and asked, "Chen Xiaoyan is sixteen? Why isn't she in school?"

"Hey, she actually stopped going the year you left. She's been taking care of the family at home. She's not really school material, and Dazhuang mentioned his sister's situation, thinking she'd just stay home for a few years and then get married."

Li Xuewu nodded, "Let Chen Xiaoyan come to the recycling station to work first. Isn't the storefront there about to open? Let her help out."

Regarding Dazhuang's sister, Li Xuewu had nothing else to say; he had to arrange it.

Don't look at Lao Biaozi's size; in fact, Li Xuewu's "right-hand man" back then was Dazhuang, who was a real fighter.

But the best fighter was the first to go—isn't there an old saying that the best swimmers are the ones who drown?

Wen Saner and the others had no objections to the arrangement for Chen Xiaoyan. Bringing it up tonight meant they were already prepared, just waiting for Li Xuewu's approval.

The discussion among these people about the side room shocked Yu Li. The position she had been eyeing suddenly had a "paratrooper" coming in, and from the sound of it, it was Li Xuewu's "little sister."

Yu Li instantly felt a sense of crisis, feeling her "empire" was unstable and her position was not secure.

Seeing that Lao Biaozi had nothing else to say, Li Xuewu looked at Yan Jiecheng and asked, "Has the matter at home been resolved?"

Yan Jiecheng didn't expect Li Xuewu to suddenly ask him. He was startled, and the cigarette in his hand almost fell onto his leg. He stood up awkwardly, picked up the cigarette from the floor, and said with a dry laugh, "Resolved."

Yu Li looked at Li Xuewu, who was sitting on the kang exuding a masculine aura, and then at the timid and terrified Yan Jiecheng, feeling full of resentment.

"I was just about to tell you. My father-in-law and mother-in-law kicked us out, saying that the house was purchased by my father-in-law."

Li Xuewu didn't want to interfere in the Third Master's family affairs, so he didn't ask about the process, just asked, "And then?"

Yu Li said unnaturally, "We've basically left with nothing. We don't have a house, and we don't have to pay back my father-in-law's money, but we have nowhere to live starting tomorrow."

Li Xuewu felt a headache coming on looking at Yu Li. What did this woman mean? Saying this in front of Yan Jiecheng—was she asking him to solve the housing problem?

Wasn't this saying... in front of Yan Jiecheng?

"Sister-in-law, this... what do you mean? It's fine, just say it directly. If I can do it, I definitely will."

Yu Li looked at Li Xuewu with watery eyes and said, "Jiecheng has a dormitory at the factory, which is easy to handle, but I have nowhere to stay. I wanted to ask if we could temporarily set up a bed in the East Room to get through this period."

Hearing Yu Li's words, not only did Li Xuewu frown, but Grandfather also frowned.

Seeing Li Xuewu's expression, Yu Li's heart went cold. In the end, she was an "outsider."

Li Xuewu looked at Yan Jiecheng, who was keeping his head down, and said, "Have you really split from the Third Master?"

Seeing Li Xuewu ask, Yan Jiecheng nodded, "We're going to handle the household separation procedures tomorrow."

Li Xuewu frowned and looked at Yu Li, "Sister-in-law, it's not appropriate for you to live in the East Room."

This one sentence made Yu Li's tears fall. She had a premonition that Li Xuewu wouldn't agree, but hearing him say it still made her cry sadly. Her crying was full of helplessness.

Li Xuewu frowned and said, "It's not that I'm stingy, but this room is full of grown men, and you're a female comrade. It's not good for your reputation; this is a matter of principle."

Yu Li also knew that Li Xuewu was telling the truth and was thinking of her, so even though she was crying, she nodded.

"Secondly, that room is temporarily used as a warehouse. Not to mention the dust, you wouldn't be able to stand it just because there's no stove."

Seeing that Li Xuewu was telling the truth, Yu Li wiped her tears and said, "I understand. I'll think of another way."

Li Xuewu looked at Yan Jiecheng, who was keeping his head down and not speaking, and then said to Yu Li, "What other way can you think of? If you could think of one, you wouldn't have asked me about living in the East Room."

After scolding Yu Li, Li Xuewu didn't look at the crying Sister-in-law Yu Li, but turned to look at Seeing Sha Zhu lying on the kang.

"Is Yushui's room vacant?"

Li Xuewu didn't stand on ceremony with Seeing Sha Zhu; they all lived in the same courtyard, were eating from the same pot, and it was this late, so Li Xuewu spoke directly.

Seeing Sha Zhu nodded, "She said she'd handle things before the New Year and has been busy preparing the wedding house items recently. She hasn't come back, so you can use it."

See? Seeing Sha Zhu said "you can use it," not "let them use it."

From this, one could hear Seeing Sha Zhu's attitude toward Yan Jiecheng, because no matter what, Yan Jiecheng was the Third Master's son.

Seeing Sha Zhu had a "grudge of stealing a wife" with the Third Master.

Furthermore, Yan Jiecheng's popularity in this courtyard wasn't great either.

When Yu Li heard Li Xuewu's question, she had already looked up. Seeing Seeing Sha Zhu agree, she was moved to tears of joy.

"Thank you, Brother Zhuzi. If Yushui comes back, I'll go live at my mother's house."

Seeing Sha Zhu waved his hand, "Since Xuewu said so, then stay with peace of mind. We'll see when you find a house. If Yushui comes back, let her stay in my room, and I'll come stay here."

Yan Jiecheng looked at Seeing Sha Zhu with gratitude, but he couldn't quite bring himself to say words of thanks, because he usually looked down on Seeing Sha Zhu and would call him "Seeing Sha Zhu" to his face.

Why didn't Seeing Sha Zhu offer to lend the house when he heard about the couple's situation this afternoon? Because there was no friendship; he only had that much of a relationship with the couple.

Another thing was that Yan Jiecheng was a real piece of work—even though he was younger than Seeing Sha Zhu, he would call him "Seeing Sha Zhu" just like everyone else.

Look at Li Xuewu—he always called him "Brother Zhuzi."

"Then that's settled. Tomorrow, Sister-in-law Yu Li, buy some vegetables and treat Brother Zhuzi to a meal. In the evening, let our brothers help out, move your things to the East Room, and you can go live in Yushui's room."

"Good, good, good, thank you, Brother Zhuzi."

Seeing Sha Zhu waved his hand, "Don't be polite. We're all in the same courtyard, and you're Li Xuewu's person, so I have to give this face."

Li Xuewu's mouth twitched. Seeing Sha Zhu, you damn fool, you're slandering me! When was Sister-in-law Yu Li my person?!

Looking at Yan Jiecheng, fortunately, Yan Jiecheng usually spoke like that too. He was now looking at Li Xuewu and the others happily; clearly, having a place to settle down solved an urgent need.

Yu Li blushed at Seeing Sha Zhu's words and met Li Xuewu's eyes as they drifted over.

"Alright, Jiecheng's matter is resolved. Guangtian, what's your matter?"

Liu Guangtian had just been watching the fun. Seeing Li Xuewu giving orders and solving problems like a big shot, he felt it was both impressive and domineering.

"I... I don't have anything."

Seeing that Liu Guangtian didn't want to say it in front of so many people, Li Xuewu said, "Alright, if there's nothing else, let's rest early. Everyone has to work tomorrow."

Li Xuewu stood up and walked out. Seeing Sha Zhu and the Yan Jiecheng couple followed, and Liu Guangtian followed as well, making "hey, hey" sounds.

Liu Guangtian had intended to be reserved, but he didn't expect Li Xuewu to be so decisive—saying rest meant rest.

Now it was too late to say anything; the show was over.

Walking to the front courtyard, Yu Li said to Yan Jiecheng, "You go back first. I have something to talk to Xuewu about."

Yan Jiecheng knew his wife was going to talk to Li Xuewu about the house in the East Courtyard. This was a secret and couldn't be said in front of outsiders; if it leaked, others would rush to occupy it.

Actually, no one occupied it. Later, when the Third Master grew old, the place where he collected and stored scrap was the East Courtyard, and no one occupied it even then.

Yan Jiecheng gave Yu Li a look, "Go ahead, take your time."

Yu Li didn't dare look at Yan Jiecheng's look and followed Li Xuewu into the inner courtyard.

Seeing Sha Zhu went straight home when he reached the middle courtyard. Seeing Yu Li and Liu Guangtian following Li Xuewu, he didn't think much of it, assuming it was just about work.

When Li Xuewu opened the door to enter, he saw Yu Li following him and Liu Guangtian not heading home, also following behind.

"What, something else?"

Yu Li didn't answer, looked at Liu Guangtian, and said, "How about Brother Guangtian goes first? I'll wait here."

Liu Guangtian remembered Yu Li's favor and quickly deferred, "Sister-in-law, you go first. I'll wait here."

Seeing Li Xuewu had already taken off his coat and entered the room, Yu Li said to Liu Guangtian, "Alright, you wait here for a while."

After speaking, she closed the door, changed her shoes, and entered the room.

At this moment, Li Xuewu went to the bedroom, took off his clothes, put on pajamas, walked to the living room, and invited Yu Li to sit down, while he checked the fireplace.

Clearly, Grandfather had added coal balls, seeing he hadn't returned yet.

"What's wrong? Say it." Knowing that Yu Li following him must have something she couldn't let outsiders know, he sat on the sofa and said to Yu Li.

Yu Li sat at the end of the long sofa near Li Xuewu and said to him, controlling her volume, "We want to build a house."

Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow, "That's a good thing. Why so mysterious?"

"It's the place to build the house."

As Yu Li spoke, her hand had already grabbed Li Xuewu's hand.

"I've chosen a place, but my financial resources are limited, and I can't use that much, but..."

Li Xuewu was grabbed by Sister-in-law Yu Li. He wanted to pull away, but she held on even tighter.

"Tell me where you've chosen."

Yu Li leaned close to Li Xuewu and whispered, "The East Courtyard."

Li Xuewu frowned and looked at Yu Li, "Don't you know what that place was used for?"

Li Xuewu certainly knew about the East Courtyard, just as he knew about the Bai Bai Xiyuan.

Back then, when his godmother wanted to give him the East Courtyard, he wouldn't have taken it even for 2 yuan, let alone 200.

"I know. That's why I came to you to find a way."

Li Xuewu frowned and rubbed Sister-in-law Yu Li's fingers, "Tell me your thoughts."

Yu Li placed her other hand on top, "Isn't it just the old animal pen? Isn't it just where the toilet used to be? Can't we just turn the whole East Courtyard over and renovate it? Move the dirty stuff out, and the soil left over from building your house in the Bai Bai Xiyuan can just be used to fill it in."

Li Xuewu laughed, "You really dare to think. Do you know how big the East Courtyard is? Even if you have the money to renovate, can you get the property rights for the East Courtyard?"

Yu Li pulled Li Xuewu's hand directly to a familiar position, "That's why I came to you."

Li Xuewu's right hand was acting up again. Damn it.

"How do you want me to help you?"

Yu Li said very resolutely, "The East Courtyard is too big; we don't need that much. Just give us space for two rooms. Consider the money a loan from you; I'll definitely pay it back. The remaining two rooms can be given to Xuecai."

Hearing Yu Li mention Li Xuecai, Li Xuewu finally understood what this shrewd sister-in-law was thinking.

Wasn't this just the "borrowing a chicken to lay eggs" trick he often played?

"Sister-in-law, you're not being very particular. I go to the neighborhood office to ask for the place, I pay to build the house for you, and in the end, you get two rooms, my brother gets two rooms, and I get nothing?"

Yu Li straightened her body and said coquettishly, "Am I not being particular, Sister-in-law?"

Li Xuewu shook his head, "Not particular."

"How about this?"

"Sister-in-law, if you do this, I won't dare let Brother Jiecheng drive for me anymore. Damn, he'll want to die with me."

"Do you really think he's a fool?"

"Hiss~ you two really say everything."

"What's the big deal? The land is still that land. It's all the same no matter which ox plows it."

As expected of a sister-in-law from the suburbs, this explanation was very reasonable. Li Xuewu was impressed.

"Sister-in-law, one or two rooms isn't worth it."

"Anyway, I'm in with you. I don't want to live a bitter life anymore, and I don't want to have to look at my father-in-law and mother-in-law's faces just to bring something to my parents' home."

If it weren't for Li Xuewu, Yu Li would have been willing to struggle and suffer with Yan Jiecheng.

But after "meeting Yang Guo ruins a lifetime," she had seen Li Xuewu's grand style, his financial resources, and the life he lived.

How could Yu Li still be willing to struggle hard for half a lifetime to reach the life others had long ago? Now she wanted to take a shortcut.

Li Xuewu tried hard to control his right hand, "You can struggle slowly with Brother Jiecheng."

"We could struggle for thirty years and still not catch up to what you help me with in one year. I don't care. Whatever Qin Huairu can do, I can do too."

"Sister-in-law, why are you bringing up Sister Qin for no reason?"

Li Xuewu was defeated. Damn, what kind of nose is this?

"I don't care. Anyway, you understand in your heart."

Yu Li wanted to pull Li Xuewu onto the long sofa she was sitting on, but she couldn't move him at all. So, since the mountain wouldn't come to her, she went to the mountain, clumsily making her moves.

"Sister-in-law, what are you doing? I'm just a small section chief at the steel mill; how could I get you a house? Calm down, hiss~~~"

"Don't try to fool me. It's already like this, so I'm going all out."

"Sister-in-law, not to mention that Liu Guangtian is waiting outside the door, Brother Jiecheng is waiting for you in the front courtyard."

Yu Li had only learned these methods from the dirty jokes the old women in the alley told; she had never used them before, so it was inevitably a bit awkward. By now, she was already sweating from the effort.

Of course, it also had to do with the heat in the room. Didn't you see Liu Guangtian, who was standing guard outside, stomping his feet?

The Second Master's wife went out to the toilet and saw her own son standing at Li Xuewu's door, tucking his hands into his sleeves and stomping his feet. She asked, "Why aren't you going home? What are you doing here?"

Liu Guangtian said impatiently, "You go about your business. I'll be back in a while."

The Second Master's wife was anxious, but seeing her son, she didn't interfere.

Yu Li took the opportunity to wipe her sweat with a paper from under the coffee table and said to Li Xuewu, "Liu Guangtian dreams of standing guard for you; he won't come in. As for Yan Jiecheng..."

As she spoke, Yu Li looked at her hand and said, "He doesn't have the ability to plow the land himself; we can't just let the land go to waste, can we? I'm borrowing an ox."

As she spoke, because she was sweating too much, Yu Li had already put her clothes aside. Li Xuewu couldn't help but sigh that choosing this sofa was the right decision.

The wood was sturdy, the cushioning was just right, and it had strong elasticity when pressed.

Yu Li hadn't expected that the ox she chose would have such a high cost, such great endurance, and such effective plowing results.

"Go to the inner room..."

"Don't mess around, we're talking about work."

The Second Master's wife returned from outside and saw her son still standing at Li Xuewu's door. She said unhappily, "Even if you're angry with your father, you don't have to stand outside instead of going into the room, right?"

Liu Guangtian also wanted to go home and find a warm place to sleep, but thinking of what Yu Li said this morning and looking at his own home, he persisted in his idea.

"Mom, you go back first. I have something to do here."

The Second Master's wife saw her son standing in front of Li Xuewu's door, so he must have something to do with Li Xuewu. But if he had something to do, why didn't he go in and talk? What was the point of waiting outside?

"Are you looking for Li Xuewu? He won't let you in?"

The Second Master's wife hit Liu Guangtian, feeling he wasn't living up to expectations, "Why are you so stubborn? Your father has already arranged a job for you, so just do it well. Why are you so obsessed with following Li Xuewu?"

"Mom, you don't understand. What kind of future can I have in the workshop? I'll end up just like Dad, not even making a sound in the workshop. I don't want to live like that for the rest of my life."

"Fine, fine, fine, I don't understand. If you don't mind the cold, just stand here."

As she spoke, the Second Master's wife returned to her room. Liu Guangtian saw his mother return and felt the cold wind outside was quite strong, so he started stomping his feet.

He did hear movement in the room, but the sound was muffled. It might have been Yu Li whispering something to Li Xuewu.

This was to be expected; he couldn't say what he wanted to say loudly in front of others anyway.

But before Liu Guangtian could listen carefully to what was being said in the room, his father came out from across the street.

The Second Master was wearing a cotton-padded jacket, rubbing his hands, and walked over with an unkind expression. He looked at Liu Guangtian, whose eyes were darting around, and asked, "Are you going back or not?"

The Second Master had already laid down, but after what the Second Master's wife said when she returned, he was so angry he got back up.

It wasn't that the Second Master cared about his son; he just couldn't afford to lose face.

His son not sleeping in the middle of the night to stand guard for Li Xuewu—if people in the courtyard saw this, how would he be able to stay in the courtyard in the future?

"I'm just asking you, are you really determined to be his dog?"

Liu Guangtian didn't want to hear this. This "dog" talk was something his father had brought up, and now he felt uncomfortable hearing it himself.

"How can you talk like that? I just want to find Li Ke to share my thoughts and report on my ideological state. Why does it sound so unpleasant coming from you?"

The Second Master said angrily, "Oh, so this is how you report? He's sitting inside, and you're standing outside?"

"There has to be a first come, first served, right?" Liu Guangtian said, tucking his hands into his sleeves and sticking out his neck.

When the Second Master heard this, he realized someone else was reporting inside?

"Who is it? You wouldn't be standing guard for Qin Huairu, would you? Kid, you've really made something of yourself."

The father and son didn't dare speak loudly, and even their angry words were kept at a low volume.

"Why are you so filthy? That's Yu Li. She came first."

The Second Master thought the Yan Jiecheng couple had come together again, so he didn't think much more, but stared at Liu Guangtian, "Are you also going to learn from that couple and play at splitting the family?"

Liu Guangtian didn't dare bring this up. He hadn't even married a wife yet; if he brought up splitting the family, he'd end up a bachelor.

"What are you talking about? That's not the same thing. How would I know what they're talking about? I'm here to talk about changing jobs."

The Second Master narrowed his eyes and said, "I'm telling you, only being a worker is the most reliable job. If you go to the Security Section, not to mention the danger, just because of something, your position might be gone. Do you know that?"

Good brothers~

I've already received many monthly ticket notifications~

Please continue to support "Wu Wen Nong Mo"~

We agreed on a limit for this week,

As long as the monthly tickets reach 4,000,

I will explode with 30,000 words!

As long as the monthly tickets reach 6,000,

I will explode with 50,000 words!

The results will be out on Sunday, and the explosion will start next Monday!

I will never break my word! ===== CHAPTER 248 =====