Chapter 262: Pure and Innocent

The three had just stepped out of the house when they noticed something was wrong; one of the tall fellows among that group of ruffians in the distance had run back to the vehicle, and that big flat-faced man had dragged a rope out of the water and hooked it onto the rear of the jeep.

"Damn! It's a fishing net! When was it set?"

No matter when it was set, now that we've spotted it, let's hurry and catch those people.

Over here, Li Li Xuewu gently pressed the accelerator, and the jeep slowly started moving, creeping forward.

As the jeep advanced, the rope was gradually pulled out of the water, while Wen San'er and Shen Shen Guodong, standing on sackcloth mats, grabbed the emerging fishing net and kept hauling it onto the mats.

With the power of the jeep combined with the strength of Wen San'er and his companion, hauling up this net full of fish was not difficult.

"Toot-toot-toot!" Those three security guards blew their whistles as they ran toward this side.

Since they were still far away, Li Li Xuewu and the others were not in a hurry, pulling up the fishing net in an orderly manner.

Although the area had already been swept once during the autumn harvest, after several months of growth, there were still many large fish here.

"Hey! It's coming up! It's coming up!"

"Damn, there really are quite a lot!"

"Where did these guys come from? Truly awesome."

Seeing the entire net landed on the sackcloth mats, bulging fully like a plastic bag filled with water.

Yang Erhai folded the two front corners of the sackcloth mat upward, directly enclosing the head of the net, so that the entire fishing net rested on the mat.

"Go, go, go!"

After folding the sackcloth mat, Yang Erhai jumped onto the vehicle, while Shen Shen Guodong and Wen San'er kept throwing fish out from the net, provoking a frantic scramble among the onlooking men.

The most exhausted was Lao Lao Biaozi, who dragged two bags of sawdust from the back seat and, holding the bag handles, ran in front of the jeep.

This was to increase the jeep's friction on the ice surface; additionally, Lao Lao Biaozi had mixed some soil into the sawdust.

"Hey! Thanks, guys!"

"Hahaha, I managed to grab a big one!"

As Wen San'er and Shen Shen Guodong threw fish, complete chaos erupted behind the jeep, with over forty people rolling around on the ice fighting over the fish.

Actually, there weren't that many; how much could two people throw while running?

But since the fish landing on the ice were still jumping and wriggling, they were not easy to grab.

"Stop!"

The management office personnel, clutching clubs, ran toward this side, shouting as they ran.

However, on this ice surface, not only did feet slip, but there were also numerous fishing holes.

The width wasn't large, but some spots weren't frozen solid; one step down and your eggs would surely get crushed.

Therefore, these people didn't dare run too fast; after all, the fish belonged to the public, but the eggs were their own.

Seeing the three loud shouters approaching, both those who had caught fish and those who hadn't all moved forward to meet them.

This was the code of the underworld: since Li Li Xuewu and his group had gained benefits to share with everyone, those who received the practical advantages had to exert their effort.

Since these were "found fish," these people were not afraid; furthermore, the law cannot punish the multitude, so as long as they ran forward to block them for a while, that would suffice.

That time was more than enough; Lao Lao Biaozi, having finished scattering the sawdust, waited aside, watched his Third Uncle and the other two jump onto the vehicle, then grabbed the door handle of the already accelerating jeep and leaped aboard himself.

"Hahaha!"

"This is much more thrilling than before!"

"Hahaha, Wu Ge really knows how to devise plans!"

Li Li Xuewu drove the jeep, gradually increasing speed, dragging the fishing net behind him as he drove north along the ice surface.

Because water continuously leaked from the net onto the sackcloth mats, this pouch of fish encountered little resistance on the ice.

They drove straight until reaching Yindian Bridge before stopping, because the bridge arch was too small; let alone a jeep, even people couldn't pass through, so they had to slowly drive the vehicle onto the shore.

By now, dusk had already fallen, and the security guards were long gone from the distance.

Could two legs on an ice surface possibly catch up with four wheels?

Besides, with nightfall imminent, would three men dare to chase five young fellows?

Hehe, it was merely done to put on a show for the nearby people.

When writing the report later, it would read: On such-and-such a date, someone stole a netful of fish, approximately 30 individuals; pursuit was unsuccessful; the fish thieves were numerous; the security guards strove valiantly to drive them off and successfully protected the fish pond.

Climbing up the slope beside the shore, they slammed on the brakes and stopped; several people nimbly jumped out of the vehicle, some holding the sacks open, some picking up fish, while the remaining one carried them to stack in the back seat.

The rear seat cushions had long been removed, and the canopy had been stowed at the back, making it perfect for loading the bags right now.

Hauling up the netful of fish took no time at all, because the fish had already frozen by now; instead, the two people picking up fish had their hands frozen nearly numb.

Although this net of fish looked abundant, after sorting out the various sizes, there were actually only five bags, all piled into the rear cargo compartment.

"Let's go, let's go!"

Lao Lao Biaozi stuffed the net and sackcloth mats into the passenger seat, then waved his hand at Li Li Xuewu.

Li Li Xuewu pressed the accelerator, drove up the slope, proceeded along Xiaoshibei Jinyu Hutong, took Yandai Xiejie, and drove straight back into the large courtyard.

Lao Lao Biaozi and the others would have to walk home on foot.

Fortunately, the distance wasn't far; since they were all young men, walking home took less than twenty minutes.

When Li Li Xuewu arrived home, the Bai Bai Xiyuan gate was already closed, but the recycling shop was still open; Chen Chen Xiaoyan had been standing by the window waiting for Li Li Xuewu and the others.

Seeing a car enter the Jinyu Hutong, she immediately ran to the rear courtyard to open the main gate.

Li Li Xuewu slightly reduced speed and drove the vehicle directly into Bai Bai Xiyuan.

Without turning off the engine, Li Li Xuewu jumped out of the car, grabbed a large sack, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and carried it into the western warehouse.

"Wu Ge, where are Biao Ge and the others?"

"They're walking behind; there's no room left in the vehicle."

"Oh, oh," Chen Chen Xiaoyan replied, closed the main gate, and came over to help Li Li Xuewu tidy up.

After repeating this process five times to transfer all the catch, they also threw in the fishing net, sackcloth mats, and other items.

"We need to boil a pot of water and scrub the vehicle with brushes; otherwise, the smell is too strong. When your Brother Biao and the others return, they'll need to wash it too."

Li Li Xuewu glanced at his tattered jacket, which was already reeking of fishy odor, and instructed Chen Xiaoyan to boil water and wash the vehicle.

"Okay, okay, okay! Brother Zhuzi and Sister Yu Li are cooking; I'll go shut up the shop with Grandpa first, then return to the room to boil it in the big wok."

Li Li Xuewu watched Chen Xiaoyan skip and jump toward the storefront, feeling that this child was quite adept at handling affairs.

"You're back? Aunt Li just came by asking about you, saying it's this late and she still hasn't seen you return."

Yu Li emerged carrying a wicker basket to fetch firewood; seeing Li Li Xuewu standing in the courtyard peeling off his jacket, she offered a greeting.

"Heh heh heh," Li Li Xuewu said with a mix of laughter and helplessness, "My mother has practically fixated on me; this little cold frightened her half to death."

Yu Li tossed aside the basket in her hand to help Li Li Xuewu untie the cord knotted at his back, smiling as she said, "Only someone as carefree as you would call that a little cold; you were delirious from fever! Must you actually burn yourself into pneumonia before it counts as a serious illness?"

Li Li Xuewu flicked a fish scale that had landed on the back of his hand, then asked in surprise, "How did you know I was delirious from fever? Did Brother Jiecheng tell you? Has he returned?"

Yu Li shot Li Li Xuewu a sidelong glance and said, "No; he stayed home last night and was so pained by the overtime pay he wouldn't come back to stay. It was Yu Yu Haitang who told me."

"Hmm?" Li Li Xuewu turned his head to look at Yu Li, unsure how she had obtained this information from Yu Yu Haitang.

"Yu Yu Haitang is my cousin; she came to see me this afternoon, and when your matter came up, I finally learned the detailed situation from yesterday."

"Heh heh heh, I didn't realize; you don't look alike at all."

Li Li Xuewu examined Yu Li's figure and face shape, then shook his head with a smile.

Flushed by Li Li Xuewu's gaze, Yu Li scolded angrily, "Go on! I'm speaking seriously to you."

"Mm-hmm, go ahead; I'm being very serious."

Li Li Xuewu pulled out his cigarette case, lit a cigarette for himself, and teased Yu Li with a mischievous grin.

Yu Li now dared not joke around with Li Li Xuewu; she didn't even dare pinch him, so she could only glare at this scoundrel and said, "Yu Haitang talked about nothing but you during her visit today; she even asked me about your situation."

Seeing Hearing Da Lao finish tidying up and approach, Li Li Xuewu smiled and said, "Grandpa, tonight we'll have fat fish with wine."

Hearing Da Lao saw that Li Li Xuewu's spirits were still good, so he smiled, yet he still wanted to walk over and examine him closely.

During breakfast that morning, Li Li Xuewu had been in a hurry and hadn't spoken many words to Hearing Da Lao, nor had Hearing Da Lao disturbed Li Li Xuewu; now he simply wished to see his grandson.

"Find a chance to tell her not to worry about me; I already have someone."

After saying this, Li Li Xuewu chuckled "heh heh heh" and gave Yu Li two mischievous grins before walking over to meet Hearing Da Lao.

"Your father returned saying your health is poor; why are you still messing around with water? What harm would come from eating a bit less?"

Listening to Hearing Da Lao's nagging, Li Li Xuewu smiled, lit a cigarette for him, and said, "No, I only went to drive the vehicle; I didn't touch the water, and I was dressed warmly."

Yu Li's heart fluttered like a startled deer from Li Li Xuewu's earlier words and mischievous grin; inwardly she cursed this rascal as no good person.

Yet this very rascal, who behaved so improperly before her, was the World-Demon King whom others feared like a tiger.

Now he was revealing his upright, optimistic, and kind side to her.

Wasn't this just luring her to leap into his fiery pit? How annoying!

No wonder the Third Aunt detested Li Li Xuewu; Yu Li was not the first woman bewildered and captivated by this simultaneously righteous and sinister Li Li Xuewu.

Not to mention how many older sisters, younger sisters, or even young sisters-in-law Li Li Xuewu had in South Luogu Lane; Yu Li wouldn't even rank near the front.

She picked up the basket from the ground, filled it with a load of firewood, and as Chen Xiaoyan ran over to help, the two of them carried it back to the backward-facing room.

Barely after exchanging a few words with Hearing Da Lao, Wen San'er and the others returned; upon entering the courtyard and seeing Li Li Xuewu had already finished cleaning up, they complained about why he hadn't waited for them.

Li Li Xuewu smiled, pointed at the Jeep, and said, "I've saved the vehicle-washing job for you; wait a moment, scrub the vehicle once with brushes, rinse it with hot water, wipe it dry, and drive it into the garage."

"Heh heh heh," Seeing Lao Lao Biaozi chuckled as he sidled up to Li Li Xuewu and said, "Brother Wu, when you're not using the vehicle, can we use it?"

Li Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and asked, "You can use it; do you know how to drive?"

Seeing Lao Lao Biaozi's big pancake-like face trembled as he said, "Yan Brother Jiecheng has already promised to teach us to drive; once we learn, going to Red Star Village will save effort, and trips to the countryside will be much easier too."

Smoking, Li Li Xuewu said, "What about fuel? Are you going to boil water for it?"

"Huh?"

Seeing Lao Lao Biaozi was stumped by Li Li Xuewu's question; only then did he remember this was an automobile that burned oil, and without fuel, let alone Red Star Village, they couldn't even exit the courtyard gate.

The fuel currently in the vehicle was what Li Li Xuewu had added at the Rolling Steel Plant, drawn from the Security Section's quota.

"Gas stations now require fuel coupons; without coupons, you can't refuel. Moreover, these stations mostly belong to their own factories; few are open to the general public."

"Then what do we do? I haven't seen any gas stations nearby; surely we can't really boil water for fuel?"

Seeing Lao Lao Biaozi was truly dumbfounded; this iron horse without oil was worse than the big green horse watching from the courtyard.

Li Li Xuewu blinked and asked, "Doesn't the Scrap Company have a fuel station?"

Seeing Lao Lao Biaozi nodded and said, "Do you mean finding them to exchange for fuel coupons?"

Li Li Xuewu chuckled and said, "Don't be stingy; just trade scrap for fuel coupons. Once you have fuel, one trip to Red Star Village will earn it back."

Wen San'er took the cigarette case from Li Li Xuewu's pocket, lit a cigarette for himself, and glancing at the lighter inside the case, said, "Since this vehicle burns oil, we must use it carefully from now on; don't drive it without necessity."

"Look at how stingy you are!"

Seeing Lao Lao Biaozi snatched the lighter and cigarette case from his third uncle's hand, lit a cigarette for himself, then tossed them back to Li Li Xuewu, saying, "Tonight let's divide the fish; Brother Wu, take some to the Rolling Steel Plant to add a dish."

Leading the group back, Li Li Xuewu walked and smiled, "I'll have Yan Brother Jiecheng come pick you up; every single one of you must go."

"We probably shouldn't go," Wen San'er said, stepping into the room first without turning around, expressing his reluctance to Li Li Xuewu.

Knowing the purpose of Li Li Xuewu's hospitality this time, Wen San'er considered what status they held; since they weren't from the same table, they shouldn't force their way onto the banquet.

"Go! Everyone must go, including the sisters-in-law and Chen Xiaoyan. We are the hosts; if we don't go, what kind of meal would it be?"

Li Li Xuewu flicked his cigarette butt outside the door, entered the room, and said to Yu Li and Chen Xiaoyan, "Don't cook tomorrow evening; close the shop at five o'clock. I'll have people from the factory come pick you up."

"Ah?" Both Yu Li and Chen Xiaoyan exclaimed in surprise.

Wen San'er also hadn't expected Li Li Xuewu to be willing to take them all out.

"We deal in scrap, but we aren't scrap ourselves; we don't steal or rob, we eat by our labor's strength—why should we be considered inferior?"

Li Li Xuewu washed his hands with the hot water Yu Li had prepared, then waved his hand and told the group, "Make sure to scrub the vehicle clean; this is the face of our recovery station."

"Heh heh heh," Yang Yang Erhai, hearing that Li Li Xuewu was willing to take several people to dine, said excitedly, "I think the Scrap Company's big trucks are quite nice; they carry so much. When will we be able to have trucks like that?"

Li Li Xuewu wiped his hands clean and smiled at Yang Yang Erhai, saying, "Don't worry; there will be bread, there will be milk, and there will be everything."

"Hahaha!" Wen Xiao Laosan did not believe his recycling station would ever have a truck; they could barely afford to maintain their current jeep, let alone dream of a truck.

"Watching movies doesn't count; Lenin was just fooling the common people. You should work hard too and help us buy a big truck."

Li Li Xuewu said to Yu Li, "Call me when it's time to eat; I'm going to the backyard first to take a look."

Then, smiling at Wen Xiao Laosan, he said, "Let's make a bet: if I help us buy a truck within a year, will you cover the fuel costs?"

Wen Xiao Laosan curled his lip, turned around, and went to fetch water; he would never bet with Li Li Xuewu, as gambling was what he hated most in his life.

"Hahahaha!"

"Hurry up and go; Aunt Li just came by. She heard your vehicle moving, saw you talking in the courtyard, and didn't disturb you."

Yu Li pushed Li Li Xuewu out the door, effectively rescuing Wen Xiao Laosan from his predicament.

As Li Li Xuewu emerged from the side house, he happened to see his eldest brother and sister-in-law pushing their bicycle back.

"Why are you back at this hour?"

The sky was already pitch black; usually, the eldest brother and his wife stayed at the school, yet they had rushed back in the dark.

"Isn't tomorrow Sunday? If we come back tonight, we won't have to wake up early tomorrow."

As the eldest brother pushed the bike through the second gate, Zhao Zhao Yafang smiled at Li Li Xuewu and said, "From now on, if we have no business on Saturdays, we'll come back in the evening and leave on Monday; that way, we can stay home for two nights."

"Hehehe, Sister-in-law, cover for me later when we get inside; Mother might scold me."

Li Li Xuewu helped his eldest brother lift the rear seat of the bicycle, then stepped aside to let Zhao Zhao Yafang go first.

After passing through the second gate, Zhao Zhao Yafang waited for Li Li Xuewu to enter, then smiled and asked, "What's wrong? Do you have something to tell Sister-in-law?"

"I just went to the lake and got some fish."

Zhao Zhao Yafang laughed and said, "What's the big deal about getting fish? You're not a child anymore..."

Li Li Xuewu looked at his mother, who was waiting at the doorway, with a face full of bitter smiles.

Seeing Li Li Xuewu's eyes go straight, Zhao Zhao Yafang immediately understood what was happening.

"But, Mother manages you for your own good; telling me about it won't help."

While speaking, Zhao Zhao Yafang pretended to turn around casually, then acted as if she were startled, exclaiming, "Oh, Mother, why are you standing outside? I was just talking about Li Xuewu here."

Li Li Xuewen turned back and looked pityingly at these two cunning individuals, intending to express some sympathy.

But the moment Zhao Zhao Yafang cast a pleading glance his way, he quickly lifted the door curtain and slipped inside.

Husband and wife are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, each flies away alone.

"Mother," Li Li Xuewu stepped over the threshold and called out.

Liu Yin, holding a fire poker, glanced at Li Li Xuewu, then said to Zhao Zhao Yafang, "You've been tired all day; it's late at night, and you've ridden all the way—hurry inside, wash your hands, and warm up."

"Yes, thank you, Mother; I'll go right now."

After agreeing, Zhao Zhao Yafang hurried into the room, seemingly forgetting that Li Li Xuewu was still standing behind her.

Once Zhao Zhao Yafang entered the room, Liu Yin's eyebrows shot straight up; she glared at Li Li Xuewu, looking as though she were about to strike him with the fire poker.

"What are these two doing here?"

Third Master, carrying a bag, walked through the second gate; seeing Li Li Xuewu standing in front and Li Shun's wife holding a fire poker at the doorway, fuming with anger.

My Bingshan Beauty Wife

"Hey, it's been so many years since I've seen a scene like this; today there's going to be a good show again."

Li Li Xuewu turned to look at Third Master, who was eager to watch the drama, and said, "Third Master, have you found your bicycle yet?"

"Uh..."

Third Master rubbed his chest, feeling a bit of heartache; all his earlier schadenfreude had vanished into thin air.

"Well, your Third Aunt is waiting for me to eat; you two carry on, hehe." Third Master dropped this remark and headed home.

He was very afraid Li Li Xuewu might say something even more cutting than that.

"Hurry up and come inside; do you intend to stand there forever?"

Liu Yin shot Li Li Xuewu a glare and called for him to come home.

Smiling, Li Li Xuewu walked toward the house, saying, "I truly wish I could stand there for eternity, because then every time I came home, I would see you waiting for me."

Liu Yin swung the fire poker as if she were really going to hit him, but when it landed on Li Li Xuewu's buttocks, there was no force behind it at all.

"So all your skills are in your mouth, are they? Hurry inside; Xiao Laosan has brewed some medicine for you, and it will get cold if you wait any longer."

"Yes, thank you, Mother."

Li Li Xuewu quickly lifted the door curtain and entered the room; while verbally thanking Liu Yin, he shot a glare at Li Xuecai, who was carrying the medicine to the table, saying, "If the medicine is ready, why didn't you call me? You even made Mother make two trips."

"Just drink your medicine," Liu Yin glared at Li Li Xuewu once more before going to cook.

She looked as though she wanted to scold him thoroughly, but saying just a few words to frighten him was enough.

Because Liu Yin also knew her son had grown up, become wild, and was essentially beyond control; she could only take care of him one day at a time.

While drinking his medicine, Li Li Xuewu asked, "Why haven't you gone to play with Ji Ji Yuxiu recently? Are your studies that busy? Emotional life is also very important."

Li Xuecai's face instantly turned red; he secretly glanced at his father and mother, then whispered to Li Li Xuewu, "I had no classes the day before yesterday, so I went to find her; I only stayed a little while, and she was busy too."

"Idiot, she's busy during the day, but is she busy at night too? Ask her to watch a movie; let me tell you..."

"Cough, cough," Li Shun coughed twice and glared at Li Li Xuewu.

Li Li Xuewu, however, paid it no mind and said, "Father, how old is Xiao Laosan now? You don't really intend to wait until he graduates before finding him a partner, do you?"

"Just manage yourself properly," Liu Yin glared at Li Li Xuewu and said.

Li Li Xuewu downed the bowl of medicine in one gulp, placed the bowl on the table, stood up, looked at Li Shun and Liu Yin, then nudged Li Xuecai, whose face was still red, whispering, "That girl loves good food; take her to eat somewhere nice. Kao Rou Ji is good, or Longfu Temple's Zaowen also works. Last time I passed by there, I saw it was packed with people, let me tell you, you..."

Seeing Li Li Xuewu teaching Xiao Laosan how to trick girls again, Liu Yin pursed her lips and moved to pinch him.

Li Li Xuewu quickly jumped aside and said to Li Xuecai, "Be careful; just don't cause a fatality, ouch!"

Pinching Li Li Xuewu did not relieve Liu Yin's anger; upon hearing Li Li Xuewu mention "causing a fatality," she angrily went to fetch the fire poker she had thrown down earlier.

Li Li Xuewu, pinched hard, dashed out immediately, only stopping once he reached the middle courtyard.

"Why are you running like a startled hare, let..."

Li Li Xuewu raised a hand, cried "Ai!", and stuffed the rest of Qin Qin Huairu's sentence back into her mouth.

"My mother is chasing me from behind."

Only then did Qin Qin Huairu understand why Li Li Xuewu had cut her off; suppressing a laugh, she glanced at him with amusement.

"Are your wits as full of holes as a honeycomb? How can you be so sharp?"

Glancing back toward the front courtyard to confirm his mother wasn't pursuing, Li Li Xuewu replied, "If my wits are a honeycomb, then yours must be a sieve."

"Go on, why are you so glib?"

Qin Qin Huairu gave Li Li Xuewu a light slap, then scanned their surroundings; seeing no one, she lowered her voice to ask, "What's this about the denunciation letter? How...?"

The unspoken end of that question was, "How did my name end up on it?"

Li Li Xuewu, of course, knew the denunciation letter included Qin Qin Huairu's name; among the "women" implicated alongside him was indeed Qin Qin Huairu.

Not only Qin Qin Huairu, but every woman connected to Li Li Xuewu was listed.

"It's nothing; the innocent have nothing to fear. Our relationship is a perfectly proper, above-board neighborly one; we've no reason to fear their accusations."

Speaking thus, Li Li Xuewu continued walking away.

Qin Qin Huairu glared at him in frustration; how could this man be so tone-deaf? At such a critical juncture, why was he still talking nonsense, one foot in the sky and the other on the ground?

"Are you really that confident?"

Seeing Qin Qin Huairu standing there questioning him, Li Li Xuewu turned back and said, "Do you think I'm involved with Zhang Zhang Songying and the others too? Only a fool would believe that."

This left Qin Qin Huairu speechless, unable to fathom the logic of this scoundrel.

Li Li Xuewu whispered, "Hurry up, good neighbor, and scrub my back; I sweated profusely yesterday, then spent this morning working by the lake."

"You're nothing but a living bandit! Just moments ago you were claiming everything was proper and above-board."

Li Li Xuewu paid no heed; passing through the moon gate, he opened his door, entered, and began filling the bathtub with hot water.

Although she called him a living bandit, she still followed Li Li Xuewu inside to scrub his back and wash his clothes, finally letting out a high-pitched cry: "Ah, my living ancestor~"

Li Li Xuewu chuckled and said to Qin Qin Huairu, "So your family's ancestor is a bandit, is he?"

"Get lost, you wicked scoundrel! I'll never scrub your back again."

Qin Qin Huairu shooed Li Li Xuewu out, tidied herself up, then returned to the living room to take his changed clothes to the bathroom for washing.

"Aren't you afraid someone will investigate you? People from the factory came to talk to us today."

Sitting casually on the sofa, Li Li Xuewu remarked indifferently, "Then there's plenty to discuss; there are over twenty of them, so it will take some time."

Qin Qin Huairu said angrily, "How can you be so wicked? Those women have husbands; how dare you write such things?"

"Hey, I wouldn't dare write about women without husbands; the innocent have nothing to fear."

Qin Qin Huairu could do nothing with this rogue; she stretched out the shirt, hung it on a hanger, and placed it in the bathroom.

"If you keep playing with fire like this, don't expect to find a girlfriend in our factory; your reputation will stink up the entire street."

Li Li Xuewu raised his eyes to look at Qin Qin Huairu, then said, "A person's reputation has never truly been divided into fragrant or foul."

"If you are beneficial to them, even your foulness smells sweet; if you hinder them, even your fragrance will be deemed foul—they'll make it stink even if it doesn't."

"Heh heh heh." Li Li Xuewu stood up, went into the inner room to dress, then emerged saying, "Rather than letting others tarnish my reputation, I'd rather blacken it myself; that way, at least, I feel more at ease."

Qin Qin Huairu stepped before Li Li Xuewu, looked up, and asked, "Is it really this difficult this time? Must you resort to such a dangerous move?"

Squinting, Li Li Xuewu said, "Fighting alone, I had no choice but to adopt this inferior strategy."

Qin Qin Huairu, worried, grasped Li Li Xuewu's hand and said, "Although I don't understand what you're doing, I will definitely help with whatever you ask; you are not fighting alone."

"Heh heh heh." Li Li Xuewu withdrew his hand and stroked Qin Yan Jie's smooth face, saying, "This isn't like last time; this time I'm engaging in a struggle you can neither see nor touch."

Sitting down on the sofa, Li Li Xuewu continued, "You're not inside the situation; you can't see clearly nor exert influence, so you'd best focus on your studies, strive to soon shoulder the responsibilities of the guesthouse, and allow me to recall my top general."

"You... you really plan it that way?"

Qin Qin Huairu felt her heart pounding; the temptation of power and the superiority of rank caused her adrenaline to surge rapidly.

"Planning is one thing, but it depends on actual circumstances; if you can't handle it, I'll still have to transfer someone else when I need Xu Ning. However, this opportunity comes only once; it depends on your own efforts."

Qin Qin Huairu walked to the inner part of the sofa and sat down; calming herself, she said, "I lack management experience, but I have confidence; it's just a matter of handling those same old tasks with precision and care."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "You understand thoroughly; I look forward to the day you achieve that."

Gazing intently at Li Li Xuewu, Qin Qin Huairu said, "I don't understand theories or such, but I will do exactly as you say; if I follow your instructions, there certainly won't be any problems."

"Li Xuewu? Time to eat."

Just as they were speaking, Yu Li, wearing an apron, pushed open the door and entered the foyer.

Seeing Li Li Xuewu and Qin Qin Huairu sitting on the sofa discussing matters, she apologized, "I'm sorry; I didn't realize you two, Qin Yan Jie, were in the middle of a discussion."

"Oh, it's work-related; Qin Yan Jie had some guesthouse matters to ask Li Li Xuewu about."

Seeing Yu Li enter, Qin Qin Huairu offered this explanation, then stood up and said, "Very well, I won't delay you any longer; let's go eat quickly."

Li Li Xuewu stood up, put on his leather jacket, and escorted Qin Qin Huairu out of the room, while Yu Li turned back to close the door.

"Bang Geng's holiday is coming up soon, isn't it?"

Leading the two silent women outward, Li Li Xuewu walked while searching for conversation.

Qin Qin Huairu smiled and said, "What, not satisfied with using my son usually, are you planning to make heavy use of him during the holidays?"

"Heh heh heh." Entering the middle courtyard, Li Li Xuewu waved at Bang Geng, who was standing inside the room looking out.

Grandma Jia was also peering out the window; seeing Li Li Xuewu beckoning to her grandson, she too threw on some clothes and came outside.

She had to keep a close watch; the elder one was already beyond control, so if he got lost, so be it, but if the younger one slipped away and forgot his father, even crying wouldn't help find him.

"Uncle Wu!"

Bang Geng, wearing a padded jacket with his head bare, ran out.

Smiling, Li Li Xuewu said, "Go put on your hat and mittens, then come eat with me; after eating, you'll come work with me."

"Hey!"

Bang Geng answered with a shout and ran back, not even acknowledging his grandmother standing at the door; he ducked around her and entered the house.

"What, you really plan to use my son? You'd better pay him wages."

Li Li Xuewu smiled and said, "This is giving him a chance to train; not charging you is already generous. Go ask around outside—has anyone ever trained under me, Li Li Xuewu, for free?"

"Get lost! If Bang Geng gets worn out, you'll see what's coming to you."

Li Li Xuewu chuckled without stopping, following Yu Li toward the rear-facing room. Bang Geng had grabbed a cotton hat but hadn't even had time to put on his mittens before rushing out.

Jia Jia Zhangshi shouted after Bang Geng, "Put your mittens on, or you'll freeze!"

"Got it."

Bang Geng shouted back without turning his head, yet still ran bare-handed toward the rear-facing room.

"He's never been this eager doing chores for his own family; one wave from someone else and he's off with them."

Jia Jia Zhangshi muttered under her breath, seemingly talking about Bang Geng, yet perhaps not.

Qin Qin Huairu assumed her mother-in-law was indeed speaking about Bang Geng and said as she walked inside, "He's old enough to know better; he won't get lost."

Seeing Qin Qin Huairu enter the room, Jia Jia Zhangshi followed her inside; though still muttering under her breath, she dared not speak those words aloud to Qin Qin Huairu.

After all, Qin Qin Huairu was now a cadre; her status had changed, so some things simply had to be endured.

"What did you go to the rear courtyard to discuss, taking so long?" Jia Jia Zhangshi asked, watching Qin Qin Huairu busy herself inside the room.

Qin Qin Huairu had grown bolder now, no longer blindly yielding as before: "What do you think?"

Jia Jia Zhangshi rolled her eyes at her daughter-in-law's retort: "What do I think? What can I say? Your legs are your own; if you're willing, what is there for me to say?"

Sitting at the table and watching Qin Qin Huairu serve porridge to the two children, she remarked critically, "That Li Li Xuewu already has one woman; isn't that enough? Now he's found another who already has a husband?"

"Mom!" Qin Qin Huairu glared and signaled toward Xiao Dang and Little Little Huaihua.

Jia Jia Zhangshi nodded resignedly: "Fine, fine, I won't say another word; as long as you don't feel you're losing out, that's all that matters."

Qin Qin Huairu served porridge for her mother-in-law and herself, then said, "What loss? I went to speak with him about matters concerning the guesthouse."

Jia Jia Zhangshi wore an expression of utter disbelief: "Do you think I've been sitting at home ignorant of which department controls the Rolling Steel Mill? I can believe Li Li Xuewu commands the Security Section, but what work does your guesthouse have to report to him? I doubt what you reported was really about work."

Qin Qin Huairu placed dishes before Xiao Dang and Little Little Huaihua, saying, "If you understand so well, why don't you go become the factory director yourself?"

After snapping at her mother-in-law, she explained, "The directors of the guesthouse are all his soldiers; they all must report to him. What's so special about that?"

"Ah?" Jia Jia Zhangshi exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't your guesthouse equal in rank to them? How can it be... Is Li Li Xuewu this domineering at the Rolling Steel Mill?"

"What nonsense are you spouting? Just now you claimed to understand, yet you don't even know the guesthouse ranks half a level below the Security Section. You don't understand these internal matters, but don't go spreading rumors outside. Don't talk about 'domineering' or you'll invite trouble."

"Mm-hmm, I understand; hasn't it always been this way since ancient times?"

Having dismissed her mother-in-law, Qin Qin Huairu ate while pondering the implications of her words, recalling just now the tone and manner in which Yu Li had called Li Li Xuewu to eat.

The mere act of entering without knocking spoke volumes; wasn't that exactly like her own behavior?

When... when did this happen?

Or rather, when did she manage to slip through the cracks?

The more Qin Qin Huairu thought about it, the more uneasy she felt; recalling Yu Li's changing expression upon entering the room and seeing her, she suddenly found the porridge in her mouth tasteless.

This Yu Li had long known about her situation, while she herself remained unaware, chattering away, explaining and covering up to her.

Usually so proper and timid, how had Yu Li gained Li Li Xuewu's favor and secured such a position?

In just a few days, she even dared to leave Yan Brother Jiecheng with nothing but the clothes on her back; what powerful backing must she have to act so boldly?

Only now did Qin Qin Huairu realize why Sha Zhu had lent his house to Yu Li, someone with whom he shared only superficial acquaintance, or perhaps none at all.

It turned out Li Li Xuewu had been pulling the strings behind the scenes.

No, this little vixen must not be allowed to succeed.

Having figured it out, Qin Qin Huairu quickened her pace of eating; once she had finished serving the two children, she told her mother-in-law, "I'm going to check on Bang Geng."

With that, she left the room, leaving Jia Jia Zhangshi rolling her eyes inside.

"Hmph, checking on Bang Geng? Who knows which 'stick' she's really going to see."

Qin Qin Huairu arrived at the rear-facing room to find it empty, so she followed the sounds until she reached Bai Bai Xiyuan.

At this moment, the western warehouse was bustling with activity.

"Take these ten to the Rolling Steel Mill tomorrow."

"Chen Chen Xiaoyan, take these two home."

"Thanks, Brother Biao."

When Qin Qin Huairu entered, she found Seeing Lao Lao Biaozi distributing fish.

Actually, Qianhai offered only two types of fish, making the distribution simple enough.

"Mom, I helped Wu Shu with his work, and he gave me a fish!"

Seeing Qin Qin Huairu enter, Bang Geng excitedly lifted the flower carp weighing nearly ten jin in his hand and shouted toward her.

"What work did you do?" After saying this, Qin Qin Huairu turned to look at Seeing Lao Lao Biaozi and Li Li Xuewu, adding, "Bang Geng doesn't understand propriety; did he ask for fish?"

Seeing Lao Lao Biaozi smiled and said, "No, I gave it to him. He helped me pick up small fish earlier; quite diligent, though a bit lacking in strength."

"Hahaha!"

Seeing everyone laugh, Bang Geng joined in, never letting go of the fish in his hand.

Seeing the cleanup finished, Li Li Xuewu led the group back.

Since Li Li Xuewu had already bathed at home, when Seeing Lao Lao Biaozi suggested several of them go to the bathhouse across the way, neither Li Li Xuewu nor Seeing Sha Zhu went.

Upon returning to the rear-facing room, only Qin Qin Huairu and her son, Seeing Sha Zhu and Yu Li, and Li Li Xuewu remained.

Seeing Sha Zhu entered the room, picked up his belongings, and went home to sleep.

Noticing Yu Li frowning as she smelled herself, Li Li Xuewu said, "Go wash in my room at the rear courtyard; the water is still hot. Qin Yan Jie and I will stay here; once you're done, I'll head back."

Yu Li glanced awkwardly at Qin Qin Huairu, then nodded: "Then thank you."

Li Li Xuewu lay back on the kang and said, "Why so polite?"

Watching the two perform before her, Qin Qin Huairu felt as though cats were clawing at her heart.

Once Yu Li had left, Qin Qin Huairu told Bang Geng, "Take the fish home; you're covered in a fishy stench. Go have your grandmother boil water so you can wash it off."

"Yeah, got it, Mom."

Knowing his mother still had to stay here to testify for Wu Shu, and finding the fish too heavy to carry anyway, Bang Geng agreed and headed home.

Watching her son shuffle homeward with his fingers hooked in the fish gills, Qin Qin Huairu turned and entered the inner room, standing by the kang to look at Li Li Xuewu.

Seeing Qin Qin Huairu standing by the kang, glaring at him with an expression of angry reproach, Li Li Xuewu wondered what madness had seized this woman.

"Don't tell me you found the backyard unsatisfying and want to continue our old romance here?"

"Get lost! Who's continuing any old romance with you?"

After chiding Li Li Xuewu, Qin Qin Huairu asked, "What's going on with Yu Li?"

With a look of genuine bewilderment, Li Li Xuewu asked, "What about Yu Li?"

"Acting, just acting—hey, hey, keep pretending with me, why don't you!"