Chapter 28: Apprenticeship

Watching Dong Wenxue smile reservedly, older sister Xie joked again: "Your education also needs to be strengthened. Director Dong's older sister Han is a director at the Capital Steel School. You must seize the opportunity to communicate more. Strive to get a university diploma too. Our Director Dong is an expert at *** talents!"

Dong Wenxue finally couldn't hold back his laughter.

"You, you, you really don't spare anyone with your mouth. Our Han Laoshi is asking why you don't go find her. Let's see how you get cleaned up next time you meet her."

Older sister Xie said with a smile: "Han Laoshi won't lower herself to my level; she always lets me off. It's just that the wind and moon you talk about together are things I, a commoner, can't understand, so I don't go. How is Xuewu's writing? He can go to Han Laoshi's house to learn. Han Laoshi is also a famous talented woman."

Li Xuewu was quick-witted and had a flash of inspiration, answering: "That sounds great. I was a cultural vanguard when I was in the military, and my articles were published in the military newspaper several times, but my writing style is poor, and I can never grasp the point of emotional expression."

Dong Wenxue held a cigarette in his left hand and waved his right hand, saying: "Tell me briefly."

Li Xuewu focused on several literary understandings and questions he didn't understand to communicate with Dong Wenxue.

Facing Li Xuewu's questions, Dong Wenxue explained them easily; after all, he was a writer who had written many manuscripts.

The two had quite an exchange, and older sister Xie didn't disturb them, listening silently on the side.

Seeing Li Xuewu's knowledge was extraordinary and the words he spoke were very connotative, with many terms he was hearing for the first time, the two became more and more enthusiastic. He became interested in Li Xuewu, wrote down his address, and asked him to sit at his house this Sunday.

Li Xuewu said gratefully: "Then I'll be disturbing you. It's not easy to meet two famous teachers. I must seize the opportunity. If I can be taught by Teacher Dong and Han Laoshi together, my literary quality will be like attending university!"

Dong Wenxue laughed loudly: "You've caught a conscript, but you have to pass your Han Laoshi's test first."

In this era, the cultural level of factory workers was generally low. Many loved literature, but few could truly write articles with cultural quality. Dong Wenxue rarely met colleagues with cultural quality in the factory, so he liked Li Xuewu very much.

Older sister Xie said with a smile: "I sent you a new soldier today, but I didn't expect to send you a student. Xuewu, you must call Director Dong 'Teacher' from now on."

Li Xuewu, who had just entered the job, knew that every leader's closeness to subordinates had a threshold. Dong Wenxue had high cultural quality, looked under 30 with a gentle and elegant appearance, but was the Deputy Director of the Security Department. He must have a deep background.

The more children from such families, the more they pay attention to their own circles, and they don't pull just anyone to their side.

Being valued and pulled by him meant he had to pay back, and what could pay him back might be his ability and future.

Li Xuewu cherished this opportunity very much; this would be the first human connection to take root in the Rolling Mill.

Don't be afraid of being used, be afraid of not being valuable.

Of course, if you aren't excellent enough, human connections aren't valuable either. They aren't pursued, but attracted.

Only equivalent exchange can lead to reasonable help.

Although this sounds cold, it is a fact.

As for the threshold of people like Dong Wenxue, if the ability is enough, it's a door; if the ability is not enough, it's a threshold. Some people have ups and downs all their lives, mostly because their ability is insufficient.

Seeing Dong Wenxue looking at him with a smile without speaking, it was clear he was waiting for him to express his stance.

Li Xuewu followed the snake up the stick, stood up, and called out: "Teacher, I'll have to trouble you for your guidance in the future."

Dong Wenxue laughed and waved for him to sit down.

"Pay attention to the influence in the unit. Don't call me Teacher in front of outsiders; call me by my position. Call me Teacher in private. You must go this weekend and let your Han Laoshi see you too."

Li Xuewu was naturally willing and said to older sister Xie: "Thank you, older sister, for introducing me to a famous teacher."

Older sister Xie patted Li Xuewu on the shoulder: "It's because you are promising and were valued by Director Dong. Don't thank me. You are a famous teacher producing high disciples. It seems our factory's cultural cause is about to welcome a new peak."

Dong Wenxue laughed loudly, pointed at older sister Xie, and said: "Your older sister Xie is our factory's know-it-all. You must build a good relationship with her. Her house isn't far from ours; they are all in the same neighborhood."

Saying this, he said to older sister Xie: "Let's get together this weekend. I haven't sat down with Old Ren for a long time. Our old Han is going to grab you as a conscript."

Older sister Xie said: "I don't have time usually, but it seems to be an apprenticeship banquet this weekend, so I'll take my whole family to join the fun."

Li Xuewu said with a smile: "The apprenticeship banquet should be prepared by me. I'll arrive early on Sunday. I'll prepare the food and materials, let's eat something fresh."

Older sister Xie said: "Then I'll look forward to it!"

Dong Wenxue watched the two talk and laugh, and said to Li Xuewu: "You're at work. Do you have any difficulties at home?"

Older sister Xie also said: "If you have any difficulties, just say it. We aren't outsiders. I originally wanted to ask, but now that Director Dong is your teacher, this matter should be solved by him for you."

Li Xuewu smiled embarrassedly: "Teacher, our family lives in a large courtyard in the staff residential area near Nanluoguxiang. Most of the people in the courtyard are factory employees."

Dong Wenxue said: "I know that side. Our factory has negotiated with the neighborhood. Every year, we recruit workers from the neighborhood, and the neighborhood arranges housing for factory employees."

Li Xuewu said: "Yes, our family has nine people: my grandmother, my grandfather, my parents, my older brother and sister-in-law, my younger brother and sister. The whole family is squeezed into a wing room in the front courtyard. It's really too crowded. Can our factory assign me a house to live in? I need to establish a separate household, otherwise, I'll have to sleep on the eight-immortal table every day."

Dong Wenxue nodded slowly and said: "This matter must be solved. Xuewu has made contributions. Now he is a Security Officer in a cadre position, and his living conditions are poor. It should be solved with priority." =====