Chapter 280: Smoke Bomb

As soon as Li Xuewu followed Ding Bianji into the room, he saw Counselor Gu sitting on the sofa looking over.

"Hello, Counselor Gu."

"Oh, don't be so restrained at home. Don't always be saluting and saluting."

Before Counselor Gu could greet him, Ding Bianji pulled Li Xuewu's hand down and had him sit.

Seeing his sister already sitting on the sofa looking at him nervously, Li Xuewu walked over and sat down beside her.

"Second Brother."

"Mm."

Li Xuewu responded and then turned to talk to Counselor Gu.

Perhaps because she saw her second brother, Li Xue wasn't as nervous as when she first entered the room.

She shifted slightly toward her second brother and began to examine the things that had dazzled her as soon as she entered the main gate.

There was a main gate with guards, villas with security, high walls and deep courtyards, orderly buildings and barracks, and various life service facilities.

After the jeep entered the small courtyard, it seemed even more elegant and serene. Villas were arranged neatly, the front of the doors were very clean, and the doors were all fully enclosed iron gates.

Being led into the house by this aunt who spoke very powerfully, and seeing the very serious man sitting on the sofa, made Li Xue feel both novel and nervous.

Now, examining the furnishings in the house, it was indeed very different from her own home. Just looking at the height of the rooms, they were much higher than her own.

"Come, eat some fruit."

The attendant brought up washed apples and pears, as well as a plate of dried fruits.

Li Xue saw Aunt Ding looking at her, so she said politely, "Thank you, Auntie."

Although she thanked her, Li Xue didn't move the fruit or dried fruit on the table.

Seeing Li Xue, who was a bit reserved, Ding Bianji smiled and said, "Don't be polite at Auntie's house. If you want to eat something, just take it yourself."

Li Xuewu was talking to Counselor Gu. Seeing Aunt Ding greeting his sister, he turned to Li Xue and said, "Is there anything you want to eat?"

Li Xue shook her head. Her mood hadn't calmed down yet, so she really didn't want to eat anything.

Besides, the fruit on the table was a bit rare, but her father bought some for the family from time to time.

As for the dried fruit, it went without saying; the ones her second brother brought back from the Northeast hadn't been finished yet, and they looked better than these.

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu saw his sister was a bit shy, so he explained to Aunt Ding, "My sister is actually quite cheerful, but maybe because of school, the environment is relatively closed, and she's a bit shy with strangers."

"It doesn't matter. It's just because of school."

Ding Bianji smiled and said, "When our Xiao Ning was in school, she was like this too. Let alone strangers, she rarely spoke even to people in her own family."

Gu Ning, who walked in, heard her mother talking about her, especially in front of Li Xuewu, and felt very embarrassed, poking her mother from behind the sofa.

Aunt Ding looked back at her daughter and said with a smile, "Of course, she got better after she started working. After coming into contact with more people, she became cheerful."

Gu Ning sat on the sofa next to her mother. Mu Hongyan didn't come over; she went to change her clothes as soon as she entered the house and then went into the kitchen.

Counselor Gu looked at his daughter and then at Li Xuewu, "If you meet people like the Wei family again, call me or call home. Don't go head-to-head with them."

Li Xuewu knew Counselor Gu was talking about him dealing with Wei Min and Wei Guo.

"Hehe, I can handle them."

Ding Bianji smiled and said, "I just like Xuewu's sense of responsibility."

After praising Li Xuewu, she added, "But I agree with your Uncle Gu. If there's something, you should tell your Uncle Gu. It's not worth it to go head-to-head with them."

"Thank you, Counselor Gu. Thank you, Auntie. I know."

Li Xuewu didn't say too much to them about this matter. They were just standing in different positions. Li Xuewu still liked to handle problems using methods within the rules.

Maybe because of his previous life, Li Xuewu didn't like this game rule of power talking, even if he could use it.

Seeing Li Xuewu agree, Aunt Ding said to Counselor Gu, "Xuewu opened the eyes of Old Zheng and the others today."

Laughing, Ding Bianji said quite proudly, "I saw Xuewu's car parked at the entrance of the Wangfujing Department Store today, but the license plate didn't match. I thought I saw it wrong, so I took two looks and we went to get a haircut."

"But it was a coincidence. As soon as we came out of the barbershop, we saw a person in a leather jacket standing by the car. I thought, it must be Xuewu."

Counselor Gu's expression seemed to be calm and waveless forever. Even though Ding Bianji spoke with great emotion, he just listened silently.

"Hehehehe."

At this time, Mu Hongyan wiped her hands and came out of the kitchen, taking over the conversation, "Mom was saying, how come Li Xuewu is hugging a big girl on the street? Hahahaha."

"Hahahaha."

Ding Bianji couldn't help but laugh either. She looked at Li Xue and said, "I saw a pretty big girl from far away. I thought, this won't do! How can I not go and watch the fun? Hahaha, I took Old Zheng and we went over."

Gu Ning secretly poked her mother, knowing that this was her mother rounding out the situation at the time.

The daughter knew that her mother's state of mind at the time wasn't so relaxed. It wasn't watching the fun at all; it was...

Speaking of which, Gu Ning didn't know what her mood was at the time.

Later, when she learned it was his own sister, a pleasant emotion surged in her heart.

Well, maybe she was afraid her mother would conflict with him... maybe...

Gu Ning was thinking about this, while Ding Bianji was still talking over there.

"When I got to the car, I asked Xuewu what was going on with the license plate, hey."

Ding Bianji said to Counselor Gu, "Do you know why your license plate was replaced by Xuewu?"

When Li Xuewu's car entered the compound, Counselor Gu didn't pay attention to the license plate of that car. Now he understood his wife's meaning.

"It's fine if you use it. I trust you."

Ding Bianji also chided, "Exactly. I said it at the time. Your Uncle Gu gave you the car, and if he gave it to you with the license plate, it means he meant for you to use it. But do you know what he said?"

"He said he wasn't a soldier, and the car wasn't a military vehicle, so using military plates wasn't appropriate, and he was afraid of causing you trouble."

Although Ding Bianji's words were all scolding Li Xuewu, they all sounded proud.

Counselor Gu looked at Li Xuewu and also revealed a faint smile, obviously satisfied with this future son-in-law he had chosen.

Li Xuewu saw Ding Bianji bring up this matter again, so he explained, "Last time I sent Dr. Gu back, the guards at the door saluted. I felt it wasn't appropriate. I use the car a lot, so I changed it to a normal license plate. That license plate is in the toolbox. I'll return it to you in a while."

Ding Bianji smiled and glanced at Li Xuewu, then said to Counselor Gu, "Old Zheng and the others were surprised when I went to find Xuewu at the beginning."

"After seeing me talk to Xuewu about the car, Old Zheng and the others didn't know where they got the news, but they knew what I said to Wei Luyun at the police station, so they asked about Xuewu's identity."

As she spoke, Ding Bianji walked to Li Xuewu's side, sat down, and held Li Xuewu's hand, saying, "They didn't say it, but I could see they were disgusted by Xuewu's appearance, hey."

Ding Bianji exaggeratedly imitated the appearance of Aunt Zheng and the others, "Is this the son-in-law Counselor Gu chose? Is it? Tsk tsk tsk."

Li Xuewu was also a bit embarrassed by Ding Bianji's appearance.

Ding Bianji pulled Li Xuewu's hand and said, "Don't look at them asking out of good intentions. Do I not know what they are thinking? Xuewu gave them a fright today."

Perhaps because she was in such a good mood today, Ding Bianji's mouth didn't stop, especially about Li Xuewu giving her face.

"Don't you know Old Zheng? Her son hit someone with a car the year before last, and he was using the license plate of Old Xing's car. It caused such a big mess. Today, look at what our Xuewu said; it beats their children by several streets."

Li Xuewu knew that Ding Bianji sat over specifically because she was afraid that she would say something about his appearance and make him overthink it.

"Aunt, I was just telling the truth. I didn't mean anything else."

"I know."

Ding Bianji patted Li Xuewu's arm and said, "I just wanted to annoy them on purpose. You don't know, they used to gossip about our Xiao Ning so much. Today, I just wanted to open their eyes."

Counselor Gu saw that his wife was truly happy, so he smiled and said to Li Xuewu, "Being cautious in words and deeds is a good thing. Keep the license plate; I don't need it."

Seeing Li Xuewu still wanting to decline, he waved his hand and said, "It's convenient sometimes. I don't think you will do anything that affects me. Just leave it at that."

Li Xuewu now felt like a duck being driven onto a shelf. He hadn't talked much with Gu Ning, but he got along very well with Aunt Ding.

Now he was pulled to the house by Aunt Ding and taken care of by Counselor Gu. Looking at the eyes of Mu Hongyan and the staff, he knew he might have been fixed.

Li Xue looked at the family's attitude and seemed to understand something. Her second brother often took girls out to play, but she had never seen him meet their parents. Now it seemed he had been taken a fancy to by the parents.

"Alright, listen to your Uncle Gu."

Ding Bianji said to Li Xuewu, and then said to Counselor Gu, "Xuewu's family produces talents."

As she spoke, she introduced to Counselor Gu, "Xuewu's sister, Li Xue, is first in her grade and will be taking the college entrance exam next year."

Li Xuewu was still quite proud of his sister's grades, so he smiled and explained, "My little sister told me last week that she wanted to go shopping, so I said I'd see her grades."

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu looked at his sister and said, "I originally thought if she got second place, I'd have something to say, like saying second place isn't good enough, and I'd save a sum of money. I didn't expect her to get first place in the grade. I had no choice but to take her out to spend money."

"Hahahaha."

Seeing Li Xuewu speak interestingly, everyone in the room laughed.

Li Xue didn't expect her second brother to have such thoughts, so she secretly pinched Li Xuewu in anger.

Li Xuewu was very happy to see his sister both having grades and being cheerful.

"I originally wanted to take my sister to get New Year goods, but it happened that I met Aunt Ding, and she said you were home, so I brought my sister to visit you."

"Hehehe."

Mu Hongyan sat beside her sister-in-law, looked at Li Xuewu, and said, "Isn't it because my mother-in-law dragged you here? If she didn't kidnap your sister, you wouldn't have come, right? Hahahaha."

"Don't make fun of Xuewu."

Ding Bianji also said with a smile to her eldest daughter-in-law, seemingly to relieve Li Xuewu, but actually teasing Li Xuewu.

Mu Hongyan understood her mother-in-law's thoughts and pretended to be dissatisfied as she complained with a smile, "Daughters are still closer. Daughters-in-law are just not as good as sons-in-law."

"Hahahaha."

Everyone in the room understood Mu Hongyan's meaning. This wasn't complaining about her mother-in-law; it was teasing the sister-in-law beside her and Li Xuewu opposite her.

Gu Ning blushed and pinched her sister-in-law, not letting her make fun of her anymore.

Mu Hongyan knew how to say, "Yo yo yo, you won't even let me say it now? Hahaha."

Ding Bianji looked at her daughter-in-law and daughter teasing each other with a smile and patted Li Xuewu's arm.

"Your sister-in-law has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. That mouth of hers is the best at talking, haha."

Ding Bianji also knew how to talk, having already let Li Xuewu call Mu Hongyan sister-in-law.

Li Xuewu was now pulled onto the boat by Ding Bianji and couldn't get off.

Counselor Gu watched his children joking and was happy. Even though he didn't often show it on his face, the smile he had now and the way he looked at Li Xuewu and Gu Ning from time to time showed it.

"Hahaha."

Mu Hongyan let her sister-in-law tease her, but turned to Li Xuewu and said, "Sister Han said last time that you are studying in an on-the-job university. Can you handle your work?"

This was something Ding Bianji didn't know. Seeing her daughter-in-law ask, she turned her gaze to Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu smiled and explained, "It was arranged by Teacher Han and Teacher Dong. I'm studying at the Iron and Steel School, which is considered an internal matter for us."

Ding Bianji nodded, "It's good to be able to go to university. Literature did the right thing."

Li Xuewu's culture had always been Ding Bianji's focus. Hearing that Li Xuewu was still continuing his studies today made her show even more support for Li Xuewu.

Counselor Gu appreciated Li Xuewu's transferred status, but he didn't exclude Li Xuewu from learning more cultural knowledge, so he nodded in agreement with his wife's words.

"My work is in the security section of the steel mill. The work isn't that busy, so I still have time to study."

Li Xuewu explained to Mu Hongyan, and then said, "You are much busier and harder working in the hospital than we are."

Although Ding Bianji was very satisfied with her daughter-in-law and daughter's work, she agreed with Li Xuewu's point that they were hard-working.

"I didn't want Xiao Ning to study medicine earlier. She insisted on studying it herself. She made a fuss twice, so I agreed to her."

Mu Hongyan smiled and said, "I'm used to it. It's just busy for a while. Usually, there's time to rest."

As she spoke, she pulled her sister-in-law's hand and said, "So if you have time, come and find Gu Ning to go out and play."

"Mm, exactly."

Ding Bianji gave her daughter-in-law a "like" look, then said to Gu Ning, "Give Xuewu your shift schedule later so it's convenient for him to find time to find you."

"Mom, our shifts change often. There's no fixed shift schedule."

Ding Bianji didn't care about her daughter's explanation, "Just give it to him. Your shift schedule will definitely be accurate from now on."

"Mom~"

"Hahaha."

Mu Hongyan smiled and pulled her sister-in-law's hand, "It's great not to have to work overtime. I envy you so much."

Counselor Gu looked at his daughter's expression and said to his wife, "You go and talk to Old Zhang yourself."

"Okay."

Ding Bianji nodded and said to Li Xuewu, "Your Uncle Gu has strong principles. He doesn't allow our family to set conditions for the organization, nor does he allow our family to add trouble to the organization."

Li Xuewu was embarrassed by Ding Bianji, "Dr. Gu is also busy. It's too much trouble."

"Busy with what? Will the hospital stop turning without her?"

Ding Bianji ignored her daughter's look and said to Li Xuewu, "Your Uncle Gu thinks highly of you. This matter doesn't count as violating work discipline. Although we have a comrade-in-arms relationship with Dean Zhang of the hospital, we still have to respect others."

As she spoke, Ding Bianji said to Gu Ning, "Go and get your shift schedule for Xuewu."

Gu Ning wanted to discuss it with her mother again, but saw her father looking at her with a smile.

"Okay."

Gu Ning agreed, stood up, and went to the study with a blush under her sister-in-law's smiling eyes.

Counselor Gu looked at Li Xuewu and said, "You are all young people with similar concepts and thoughts. You can start as friends, study together, and make progress together."

"Yes."

Li Xuewu agreed, then said to Aunt Ding, "Sorry to trouble you. I will find time to make an appointment with Dr. Gu."

"Mm-hmm."

Watching her daughter walk back, blushing as she handed a piece of paper to Li Xuewu.

Ding Bianji smiled and said, "You've known each other for so long, don't call her Dr. Gu anymore. Just call her Gu Ning."

Mu Hongyan also assisted from the side, "Exactly. If you don't call me sister-in-law when we meet in the future, I won't respond."

"Yes."

Li Xuewu nodded at Mu Hongyan with a smile.

Ding Bianji smiled and glanced at Counselor Gu, then said to Li Xuewu, "Don't be polite at home. Just call me Uncle Gu in private from now on."

Counselor Gu looked at Li Xuewu and said, "Mm, just call me that. You don't have to follow Literature. He calls me that because my old comrade-in-arms passed away early, and I watched him grow up. You don't have to."

Because of his previous military experience, Li Xuewu had always called Counselor Gu "Chief" or "Counselor Gu."

But now that Counselor Gu and Ding Bianji had specifically said so, he had no choice but to nod, "Uncle Gu."

Counselor Gu nodded with a smile and said nothing.

Ding Bianji smiled and said to Li Xuewu, "I still like the way you called me last time. It sounds intimate."

Li Xuewu had always kept Aunt Ding's care in his heart. Although Aunt Ding was also loving the house and its crow, her care for him was sincere, so Li Xuewu didn't feel embarrassed about how he addressed Aunt Ding.

Moreover, whether it was at the police station or at the entrance of the department store today, Aunt Ding's protection of him was also sincere.

"Mom."

"Hey."

Hearing Li Xuewu call her "Mom," Ding Bianji responded happily.

Then she happily held Li Xuewu's hand and said, "You don't have to wait until you're in private to call me that. You can call me that anytime. Unlike your Uncle Gu, our mother and son aren't afraid of what others say, hahaha."

Counselor Gu saw his wife triumphantly signaling to him after being called "Mom" by Li Xuewu, and also laughed out loud, "Hehehe."

The reactions of the others to Li Xuewu calling her "Mom" were different.

Mu Hongyan felt that Li Xuewu was a straightforward and atmospheric person who knew how to be grateful, and was also a young man with a clear mind.

She didn't feel that Li Xuewu had any intention of clinging to power and wealth. She hadn't been in contact with Li Xuewu for just one day.

One could see Li Xuewu's character from how he got along with doctors and nurses in the hospital.

Li Xue felt that her brain wasn't enough. They had agreed to call her Auntie, so how did he start calling her Mom?

In the past, no matter how thick-skinned her brother was, he wouldn't dare to go home with those girls to see their parents, let alone call their parents "Mom."

Watching her brother and that Aunt Ding getting along so well, she was also shocked by her brother's "straightforwardness" and opened her mouth slightly.

The service and security personnel working in the Gu family didn't have much of a reaction, but inwardly they all knew that this young man would have to be treated specially from now on.

Counselor Gu's son-in-law, how could they not pay attention to their attitude?

The one with the biggest reaction was Gu Ning. Looking at the intimate appearance of Li Xuewu and her mother, she felt that she might have been adopted.

How could this person be so open? As soon as her mother said it, he called her Mom. How was she supposed to...

Seeing Li Xue's surprised expression, Mu Hongyan found it interesting and asked Li Xue, "What is your brother like at home?"

"Hm?"

Li Xue was surprised by her brother's "straightforwardness" and didn't expect this person called sister-in-law to suddenly ask her a question.

And such an "important" question.

Was there anything about her in this?

Seeing Li Xue's little expression, everyone laughed "hehe."

Li Xuewu winked at his sister and said, "It's okay, just tell the truth. You don't have to exaggerate."

"Hahahaha."

"Uh..."

Looking at her second brother chatting and laughing with everyone, Li Xue said hesitantly, "My second brother is also this straightforward at home..."

Li Xuewu saw that his sister seemed to be thinking about how to say it, and said with a bitter smile, "Is it that difficult to evaluate me?"

"No."

Li Xue looked up at Li Xuewu and then said, "My second brother knows a lot, is very good at talking, has many friends, um..."

Seeing everyone's smiling expressions, Li Xue hesitated and said, "It's just that he's a bit lazy."

"Hahahaha."

Seeing Li Xue's serious expression, everyone laughed again.

Li Xuewu looked at his sister and smiled, "You don't have to be so comprehensive. You could have left out the last sentence."

Li Xue also knew that her second brother was teasing her, so she said very seriously, "Okay."

Then she said to everyone, "My second brother is very diligent..."

"Hahahaha."

Li Xue felt that coming out with her second brother today seemed very magical. She talked about interpersonal relationships, went shopping, bought dolls, and got leather shoes bought by her second brother.

Now she met Aunt Ding's family and came to visit this mysterious compound she had seen before but never entered.

Although some people here looked very serious, they were still very kind when getting along.

Watching her second brother chat with everyone for a while, and then, under the reminder of the service staff, they went to the dining room for dinner.

Li Xue was a bit curious about such a big house and also curious about a family with service staff.

Although everyone here was very kind, Li Xue was still a bit nervous and followed closely in her second brother's footsteps.

It wasn't until they were at the table that she saw only one table set in the dining room, which was different from the way guests were entertained at her home.

Li Xue hesitated about how to eat.

Ding Bianji saw the meaning behind Li Xue's hesitant expression and greeted Li Xue to sit with her.

Li Xue looked at her second brother. Seeing him nod, she walked to Aunt Ding's side and sat down.

"This is a family banquet, so don't be polite here with your brother. We won't split tables today; we are all family."

Ding Bianji explained to Li Xue, and then let her daughter-in-law sit at one end of the table, which pushed Gu Ning to Li Xuewu's side again.

Gu Ning looked at the only position at the edge of the table and felt helpless about her own mother's arrangement.

It was like this last time, and it was like this again this time.

Seeing wine on the table, Li Xuewu took the initiative to pour a glass for Counselor Gu, but didn't pour any for himself.

"Xuewu, you should have a glass too."

Ding Bianji saw that Li Xuewu didn't pour himself any wine, so she said.

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "I have to drive later, so I won't drink."

"Didn't you have no problem last time?"

Ding Bianji smiled and said, "You drank quite a bit last time. Today is a happy day, so keep your Uncle Gu company for a glass. Your Uncle Gu only has this one glass of wine."

Counselor Gu saw Li Xuewu hesitate and also said, "Have a glass. You're young, and it's cold outside. Sit for a while longer in the afternoon and drive slowly on the way back."

Seeing Counselor Gu speak, Li Xuewu poured himself a glass.

The other ladies were poured fruit wine by the service staff, and Li Xue also had a glass of grape fruit wine in front of her.

As they talked, everyone picked up their chopsticks and started eating.

Because they met Li Xuewu suddenly today, Ding Bianji didn't have any special preparations.

But the family didn't lack supplies, and meat and eggs were sufficient, so they made six dishes today to entertain Li Xuewu and his sister.

Li Xue's proper eating manner made the Gu family understand the Li family's upbringing.

To say that Li Xuewu was a section-level cadre at a young age, had a part-time job at the police station, and had front-line experience.

This dining etiquette of having seen the world, picking up food, and toasting were not surprising.

But everyone knew that the Li family's family situation wasn't particularly wealthy. However, looking at Li Xue's way of eating, there was no such restraint of being small-minded.

Whether it was picking up food or drinking with everyone, although there was still a little bit of childishness, this demeanor was already considered excellent among children of the same age.

Ding Bianji's understanding of Li Xuewu and the Li family was all obtained from the daily conversations between Dong Literature and Li Xuewu.

Today, she understood Li Xuewu's family upbringing and family style from the side.

This wasn't generalizing, but one could indeed see a person's upbringing and quality from their behavior, which didn't have much to do with academic qualifications and cultural level.

In later generations, the famous scene of village banquets, where the dishes weren't even placed steadily before they were snatched away by chopsticks, and some anxious ones even used their hands to grab them.

Even crazier, some people brought plastic bags to eat at the banquet, and as soon as it came up, they snatched it away and poured it into their own bags.

Is this going to a banquet or going to rob?

Just look at what kind of people are sitting at this table.

Then look at the migrant workers in the small snack shop who know how to toast each other and push the dishes in front of them to the middle when eating.

This is the manifestation of upbringing and personal quality.

Li Xuewu and Counselor Gu drank a glass and put down their glasses, not adding any more wine.

Because they were drinking, the progress of their meal was slow.

But both were from the military, and although their eating speed wasn't as anxious and rapid as in the company, they finished the meal together with the ladies.

Bringing Li Xue, whose face was slightly red from drinking a glass of fruit wine, back to the living room.

They drank tea and chatted for a while.

Because Counselor Gu looked a bit sleepy and everyone's energy was lower, Li Xuewu proposed to leave.

Ding Bianji still wanted to keep Li Xuewu for a while longer, but Li Xuewu smiled and explained that the days were short now and he had things to do in the afternoon.

Seeing that Li Xuewu didn't seem to be pretending, she sent Li Xuewu out.

Li Xue sat in the passenger seat again with her second brother, waving at Aunt Ding, her sister-in-law, and that "partner" of her second brother who sent them out.

Only then did they leave the villa inside the high walls.

After Li Xuewu communicated with the guards at the door, the jeep drove out of the compound, and Li Xue turned her head to examine Li Xuewu.

"What are you looking at me for?"

Li Xuewu felt his sister's probing gaze and asked with a smile, "Do I have flowers on my face?"

"No, but you're about to smile like a flower."

"Hehehe."

Because Li Xuewu had a glass of wine, his body was warm now, and he didn't feel the afternoon air was cold.

Seeing his second brother just smile, he focused on driving.

Li Xue felt that if she didn't ask her doubts, it would be like a kitten scratching her heart.

"Second Brother."

"Mm."

"Is that Gu Ning your partner?"

Li Xuewu knew his sister would definitely ask, so he didn't turn his head to look at his sister.

"Do you think so?"

"How would I know?"

Li Xue didn't expect her second brother to ask this, so she replied, "I'm asking you, but..."

Li Xue tugged at the military overcoat on her body, thought for a while, and said, "Seeing her blushing and secretly looking at you, it's different from your previous partners."

"Is that so? Was she secretly looking at me?" Li Xuewu asked amusingly.

"Mm."

Li Xue replied affirmatively, "I saw it, but..."

Not knowing what she was hesitating about, after thinking for a long time, Li Xue said, "I don't think it looks like it."

"Hehehehehe."

Li Xue's answer brought a chuckle from her second brother.

"Tell me, what are you laughing at?"

Li Xuewu held the steering wheel and said, "Since you all think it doesn't look like it, then it isn't."

"Liar!"

Li Xue looked at Li Xuewu with disdain and then said, "If you aren't partners, why are you two so awkward?"

"If you aren't partners, could you take me to eat at someone's house?"

"If you aren't partners, could you agree to make an appointment with her?"

"If you aren't partners, could you call her mother Mom?"

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu turned to look at his sister's unconvinced face and said, "I didn't expect you to know so much."

A bit dizzy from being circled by her second brother, Li Xue couldn't tell which sentence her second brother said was true.

"Squeak~"

Li Xuewu parked the car at the entrance of the trust store on the street corner and asked Li Xue, "Are you waiting for me in the car or coming in with me?"

Li Xue's alcohol was kicking in, and the jeep was shaking a bit, making her dizzy, so she waved her hand to indicate she wanted to stay in the car.

Li Xuewu smiled, took off his gloves, threw them on the seat, looked at his sister, and entered the trust store.

Xiao Wei was as idle as ever, wandering around the counter, when he saw Li Xuewu enter from outside.

"Yo! Li Ge, I've been waiting for you all morning. Didn't you say you were coming in the morning?"

"Hi."

Li Xuewu took the cigarette handed over by Xiao Wei and used his lighter to help them both light their cigarettes.

After taking a puff each, he explained, "I met an acquaintance on the road and couldn't avoid it. I only came after eating."

After a simple explanation, Li Xuewu asked, "Did you find the things I asked you to look for?"

Xiao Wei had become familiar with Li Xuewu. He had received Li Xuewu's request a few days ago and had prepared it for him long ago.

"You can rest assured when I handle things."

As he spoke, Xiao Wei entered the inner room under the frowning expression of the old master.

Before long, he came out with a long bag.

"Li Ge, take a look and see if it catches your eye."

Li Xuewu looked at the old master over there. It was obvious that Xiao Wei had annoyed the master by entering the warehouse with a cigarette in his mouth.

But it wasn't the past anymore. There were no seniors or juniors in the store; everyone from eighteen to fifty-eight was a comrade.

If you dared to call him "Grandpa," he would definitely get angry with you.

"Don't call me that, don't call me that. You'll make me not progress."

So Xiao Wei didn't care at all about the old gentleman's frown.

Li Xuewu nodded at the old gentleman with a smile, and only then did he pick up the object Xiao Wei placed on the counter to examine it.

"Look, this pot is white copper, this stem is purple bamboo, this mouthpiece is agate."

Xiao Wei pointed to the pipe in Li Xuewu's hand and introduced, "Do you know why a good pipe is white copper instead of brass?"

Li Xuewu looked at Xiao Wei with a smile and said, "My grandmother is over sixty this year."

"Hm?"

Xiao Wei looked at Li Xuewu in confusion, not knowing what his grandmother had to do with the pipe when they were talking about it.

Then he heard Li Xuewu say, "My grandma started smoking dry tobacco when she was fourteen. You're asking me about pipes?"

"Hahahaha."

Only then did Xiao Wei understand what Li Xuewu meant.

"So you're buying it for the elderly at home. I thought you weren't satisfied with smoking Da Qianmen."

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "I have a pistol on my right waist at work, and if I put a pipe on my left waist, wouldn't that be a laughingstock?"

"Hahahaha."

Xiao Wei was also amused by Li Xuewu's words and took a long time to recover.

He was too familiar with this image; wasn't that what the old soldiers were like when he was a child?

"How much is it?"

Seeing Li Xuewu ask, Xiao Wei held up a finger, "It's ten yuan."

Li Xuewu tapped the pipe and asked, "Is the white copper valuable or the agate valuable?"

"Neither."

Xiao Wei denied Li Xuewu's question with a smile and shook the long bag containing the pipe.

A palm-sized bag fell from Xiao Wei's hand.

It was dark and didn't look like anything valuable.

"If you dare to fool me, I'll go and pull out your car's valve core right now."

"Hahaha, don't tease me, Brother. You're a section chief, do you need to deal with me like that?"

Apparently, Xiao Wei also knew Li Xuewu's identity from somewhere, and now he pointed it out through a joke.

Wasn't he building a relationship with Li Xuewu like this so he could use him in the future?

Xiao Wei joked with Li Xuewu and then placed the small bag in his hand before Li Xuewu's eyes.

"Li Ge, take a close look at what material this is made of."

Seeing Xiao Wei say this, the tobacco pouch before his eyes must not be cheap.

Not to mention whether he could help Xiao Wei with anything, if he fooled him, he was still more than capable of dealing with him.

"This is..."

Li Xuewu lowered his head and looked carefully. It looked like silk, but dark.

But silk wouldn't be in this state; it would either be torn or wouldn't be this dirty.

He poked it lightly with his finger, wanting to see what kind of thing it was.

This action amused Xiao Wei and the old master in the distance.

"Li Ge, there are no landmines inside. Use some strength; it won't explode."

"Hahaha."

Li Xuewu also chuckled softly and then asked Xiao Wei, "It's gold thread, right?"

"Li Ge, your eye for things is really good."

Xiao Wei buttered Li Xuewu up and explained, "Not entirely gold thread. These patterns, the edging, and these designs are all embroidered with gold thread. The bottom is silk and leather."

As he explained, Xiao Wei helped Li Xuewu open the tobacco pouch and let him look inside.

It was indeed leather inside and silk outside.

"Now you know why it's worth ten yuan."

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu took out the money and placed it on the counter.

"Okay, you're generous."

"That's for sure. Since you opened your mouth, how could I not find you a good one?"

Li Xuewu put the pipe back into the leather pouch and Xiao Wei pointed to the tobacco pouch and said, "If you want to see the original appearance of this thing, you can brush it slowly with toothpaste powder, but be careful. This thing is fine for daily use, but if you wash it with chemicals, you might ruin it."

"Got it, thank you."

"You're welcome. If you have anything, just say the word."

Li Xuewu greeted Xiao Wei and left the store carrying the bag with the pipe.

Li Xuewu couldn't stay in this trust store for long; he felt like he wanted everything he saw inside.

Li Xue saw her second brother come out carrying a long bag and asked, "What did you buy?"

Li Xuewu handed the bag to Li Xue, jumped into the car, and started the engine to drive toward the street with the temple fair.

Li Xue took the bag handed over by Li Xuewu, opened it, and saw it was a pipe.

"Ah! Hahahaha."

Li Xue laughed non-stop holding the pipe in her hand.

After Li Xuewu started the car, she asked with a smile, "Did Grandma ask you to buy it?"

"No way."

Li Xuewu laughed while driving, "This is called 'the father pays the son's debt.' The trouble caused by that little brat, isn't it me, the father, cleaning up the mess?"

Li Xue examined the pipe in her hand and said, "You should buy it for Grandma. Who told your daughter to throw Grandma's pipe like a hand grenade? Hahaha."

Li Xuewu was also helpless about Li Shu's confusing behavior. He didn't know why his eldest daughter wanted to throw everything she got onto the ground to hear a sound.

That big carp at home had already been severely damaged. It used to be able to wag its tail left and right, but now it could only wag its tail to one side. It was hilarious to see it jumping on the kang.

The old lady was also helpless about Li Shu throwing her pipe.

If you want to say hit her, she's just a child who just learned to walk. But if you want to say don't hit her, this little thing has caught onto this pipe.

The more you don't let her throw it, the more curious she gets. She waits until you're busy to pick up the pipe, runs two steps to gain momentum, and then throws it hard on the ground.

The old lady's pipe has a wooden stem, but what stem can withstand such throwing?

Now when the old lady smokes, the pipe bowl smokes, and the mouthpiece smokes.

Hey! Even the pipe stem smokes.

The old lady is like smoking a smoke bomb.