Chapter 304: Beast or Worse Than a Beast

But Yu Li looked at Yan Jiecheng's painful appearance and thought to herself, could she really force him to death?

Having such a thing placed here is still better than Qin Huairu's condition, right?

"Fine, get up; isn't it just your father's bicycle matter? I'll go talk for you."

Seeing Yu Li take the initiative to agree to this matter, Yan Jiecheng felt his wife was truly too good, too understanding.

But just as he wanted to stand up, he thought about how to open his mouth for this second matter.

The more understanding Yu Li was, the more Yan Jiecheng couldn't say the second thing.

If Yu Li made a scene with him, Yan Jiecheng would have a reason to say the house matter.

Now Yu Li had taken a step back, and Yan Jiecheng felt he was too pushy, too shameless.

Yu Li saw Yan Jiecheng reveal a momentary joy, but then squatted back down; one look and she knew there was a situation.

"Yan Jiecheng, did you promise your family something again?"

Yan Jiecheng saw Yu Li guessed it, didn't have the face to bury his head lower, squatting there shrinking his head and not speaking.

Yu Li said angrily, "Are you going to say it or not? If you don't say it, get out quickly; I won't manage the bicycle matter either, you go say it yourself."

As she spoke, Yu Li opened the door and said to Yan Jiecheng, "Go back to the inverted room and sleep; if you don't sleep, I still have to sleep!"

Seeing Yu Li truly get angry, Yan Jiecheng raised his head with a bitter face and said, "My father and mother..."

Just said a beginning, seeing Yu Li glaring at him, Yan Jiecheng lowered his head again, whispering in his mouth, "Jiefang wants to get married, saying there is no house..."

Yan Jiecheng just said this, and Yu Li got angry, pointing at Yan Jiecheng and cursing, "Yan Jiecheng! You are giving our house to your brother?"

"No, no."

Yan Jiecheng waved his hand busily and said, "My father and mother said just... said just... said just give Jiefang one room, wife, listen to my explanation."

Yan Jiecheng's words hadn't finished, and he saw Yu Li's tears flowing down her cheeks.

"Wife, listen to me, I am also unwilling, but he is ultimately my brother, and I am the eldest..."

"Yan Jiecheng, how did I tell you last time? How did you promise me?"

Looking at Yu Li crying and asking him, Yan Jiecheng lowered his head in embarrassment, unable to explain the reasons given by his parents, or rather, excuses were more appropriate.

It was truly that he promised Yu Li first, and now it was he himself who went back on his word.

"Are you going to say it or not? If you don't, I'll go talk to your father and mother, I want to see what face they have to grab my house!"

Seeing Yu Li push open the door curtain and want to go out, Yan Jiecheng took a step forward and hugged Yu Li's waist.

"Wife, listen to my explanation, understand me, I am the eldest, Jiefang says he wants to get married, what can I do!"

Yu Li was hugged by Yan Jiecheng, truly unable to break free, turned back and cursed at Yan Jiecheng, "You are a fart of an eldest! What did you say when the family was separated? Why weren't you the eldest when the house was divided then? Now you think you are the eldest."

Yan Jiecheng hugged Yu Li and didn't dare to let go, fearing Yu Li would go smash his own window, because his wife had this record.

Yu Li cursed loudly with tears, "Yan Jiecheng, that bear-looking Yan Jiefang wants to get married, marry his grandfather!"

"Understand, understand me, I am the eldest."

Yan Jiecheng hugged Yu Li tightly, his mouth was just this sentence instilled by his parents as the reason for dividing the house.

Yu Li grabbed Yan Jiecheng's hand and wanted to break free, cursing in her mouth, "You are a fart of an eldest, you have no ability, no silver, you are a fart of an eldest."

After saying this, Yu Li scratched Yan Jiecheng's hand hard, because Yu Li's nails were long, directly scratching blood out of Yan Jiecheng.

Even if his hand hurt, Yan Jiecheng didn't let go.

Now he also knew that if this wife of his let go, she would be gone.

"Yu Li, Yu Li, you say, you say what to do, you say."

Yan Jiecheng is this kind of character, a wall-grass, leaning wherever the wind is big.

Seeing his wife truly get angry, truly not letting go, Yan Jiecheng couldn't lose his wife.

Yu Li stopped crying now, said coldly, "Let go!"

Yan Jiecheng shook his head and said, "No, I'm afraid you'll make a scene."

Yu Li closed the door she was holding with a "clatter" and said, "Now you can let go, right? I won't make a scene."

Yan Jiecheng listened to Yu Li's cold voice and was also scared, slowly letting go of his hand, seeing Yu Li didn't have the intention to leave, then turned and leaned against the door, facing Yu Li.

Yu Li looked at Yan Jiecheng coldly and asked, "I ask you, what did your father and mother tell you?"

Yan Jiecheng saw Yu Li ask, no longer had the courage to look at Yu Li, lowered his head and hesitated before saying, "My father and mother said divide Jiefang one room..."

"Hehe."

Yu Li sneered, "Still okay, still know to leave me one room; your father and mother are still considered human."

Seeing Yu Li speak harshly, Yan Jiecheng said with a bitter face, "My father and mother said... they will pay half the money for building the house."

"I lack that half of their money! If I can't afford to build a house, I won't build it! Can't live, occupying the son's house, taking advantage without enough!"

Seeing Yu Li get angry again, Yan Jiecheng persuaded, "Don't get angry, don't be angry, talk slowly, I'm discussing with you."

"Good, discussing, right?"

Yu Li asked through gritted teeth, "Yan Jiecheng, you say, who manages this family?"

Yan Jiecheng said with a bitter face, "You, you manage this family."

"That's good."

Yu Li nodded and asked again, "Have I ever been unfilial to your father and mother?"

Yan Jiecheng shook his head and said, "No."

Actually, Yan Jiecheng didn't dare to judge whether Yu Li was filial or not; this wasn't a multiple-choice question, this was a life-threatening question.

Yu Li nodded and asked again, "Have I ever done anything to be sorry to you?"

This open-book question he answered faster, because he was very sure Yu Li definitely hadn't done anything to be sorry to him.

Yu Li worked in the courtyard, didn't even go out the door, where could she be sorry to him?

Yan Jiecheng did not believe the things his parents said about Yu Li, because Li Xuewu was almost never home; he had been running around with Li Xuewu frequently lately, so he knew just how busy Li Xuewu was.

Besides, there were so many people in this courtyard; if his wife truly had something with Li Xuewu, wouldn't it have spread long ago given his popularity in the courtyard?

Yan Jiecheng had a mysterious confidence in his popularity in the courtyard.

Yu Li nodded and said, "Since I haven't done anything to be sorry to you, haven't done anything to be sorry to your father and mother, and you also said I manage this family, then what does what you are doing now count as? You say it yourself."

"Last time I told you, if you truly want to go home and be filial to your father and mother, we will divorce, you go back to your home, I can still walk a step, let's not delay each other, how did you promise me?"

Yan Jiecheng lowered his head and didn't speak, letting Yu Li curse him.

Yu Li pointed at Yan Jiecheng and said, "Now I want a word from you, do you still want to live a good life?"

"Want, I want!"

Yan Jiecheng saw Yu Li start to issue an ultimatum, answered busily, very afraid that if he answered late, Yu Li would say something ruthless.

"Good, then let's make it clear!"

Yu Li looked at Yan Jiecheng and said, "You don't need to manage this matter, go on a business trip with Li Xuewu as you should."

"But..."

"But what?"

Yu Li asked with wide eyes, "Is my word not good?"

Yan Jiecheng said in a dilemma, "I already promised, but how should I refuse?"

Yu Li glanced at Yan Jiecheng and said, "You don't need to refuse, just leave it like that; you are on a business trip, they won't be able to find you."

"But later, I can't always be on a business trip."

Yu Li looked at Yan Jiecheng and said, "Then go on duty, don't come back, don't show your face; such a big Rolling Mill, your father goes to find you, can't you hide?"

Hearing Yu Li say this, Yan Jiecheng's eyes lit up.

This move is good; isn't this just the "pretend not to see, pretend not to hear" he often uses?

But then he thought, something is wrong.

Does Yu Li have any ideas by saying this?

Definitely!

This woman has learned to be bad, knowing how to fool him.

Ah, letting him not go home, and not see his parents.

What is this for?

Actually, Yan Jiecheng had seen it long ago.

This woman is trying to shirk helping his father get the bicycle!

Definitely!

Yan Jiecheng, who felt he had seen through Yu Li's thoughts, turned his brain and thought about how to force Yu Li to help his father.

"Then, then what about my father's side? If they go to build the house..."

Yan Jiecheng also started playing strategies with Yu Li using his own "smart" brain.

This move is called retreating to advance.

First say a damn difficult thing, let Yu Li not agree, then say a small thing, then Yu Li will agree.

Yu Li sneered, "Can they build it? If they want to build, let them build; anyway, the house deed is written in my name; by then we will save the trouble of building it ourselves."

This sentence made Yan Jiecheng dumbfounded.

The superiority of playing tricks just now was gone.

I'm playing retreating to advance with you, and you are playing pulling the firewood from under the cauldron with me?

At this time, house deeds were all written in the name of the head of the household, rarely written in the woman's name.

But there was no regulation saying the house deed couldn't be written in the woman's name, so this house was truly Yu Li's.

"I'll just see how they build this house."

Yan Jiecheng hesitated and wanted to ask why the house wasn't in his name, but he didn't dare to ask even if he had two guts at this time.

"Then the car matter..."

Yan Jiecheng was still thinking about his father's bicycle.

Yu Li glanced at Yan Jiecheng and said, "You don't need to manage this matter, I'll handle it for you; in the future, don't worry about things at home, work steadily, don't come back unless called."

Yan Jiecheng didn't know what Yu Li meant; was it don't come back until the house is built, or forever like this in the future.

But this didn't matter to Yan Jiecheng; it was good to hand over these annoying things to Yu Li, and it was good to hide and enjoy the quiet.

As for Yu Li saying don't come back unless called, Yan Jiecheng didn't care even more.

Originally he didn't want to return to this home that had things every time he returned; how good and comfortable it was in the Rolling Mill.

No noise from family, no harassment from Yu Li, playing poker with the car team, chatting with the security team, every day was so fulfilling.

Only a fool would want to return to this home!

After Yu Li finished speaking, Yan Jiecheng nodded in agreement with a happy face, "Good, I definitely won't come back without your call."

Yu Li looked at Yan Jiecheng deeply, then said, "Go back to the inverted room to sleep, have to go out tomorrow."

Yan Jiecheng saw Yu Li's tone was flat, thought Yu Li was no longer angry, and wanted to hug Yu Li with a smile.

But just as he wanted to walk forward, he was pushed by Yu Li.

"The inverted room closes the door early, hurry up."

Only until this time did Yan Jiecheng realize why Yu Li let him go.

Yan Jiecheng couldn't believe that Yu Li chose to let things rest in such an angry situation today.

Now he understood, Yu Li had died of heart for him; without expectations, naturally there was no anger, so she chose to handle this matter calmly.

Yan Jiecheng looked at Yu Li's eyes, unable to see any emotion at all.

But the matter had reached this step, it couldn't be said who was right or wrong, and Yan Jiecheng didn't know why it had reached this step.

Now Yu Li agreed to help his father handle the bicycle matter, and also helped him handle the difficult problem he couldn't solve with a negotiating tone.

The key is Yu Li didn't say anything about divorce again, and allowed him to stay in the Rolling Mill without coming back in the future.

Aren't these all things he dreamed of, so what else is there to be unhappy about?

But Yan Jiecheng just couldn't be happy.

Walking out the door like a walking corpse, walking toward the front courtyard.

In front of his own door, the house door he used to enter and exit at will was closed, and the proud laughter of his father came from the lit window.

Yan Jiecheng suddenly had a feeling of having nowhere to settle down amidst the thousands of lights.

Entering the inverted room, lying on the kang, Yan Jiecheng thought and thought, and let out a long breath.

Actually, walking to now with Yu Li, there was more quarreling than intimacy, and he hadn't been home for a long time, so the distance between the two was getting further and further.

It wasn't to say the distance in space, but the distance between heart and heart.

What accelerated the separation of the two was also that proud laughter behind the window.

Only until now did Yan Jiecheng understand what he was living for.

Actually, the current situation was more in line with Yan Jiecheng's pursuit, so after understanding, he let out a long breath.

Yan Jiecheng had understood and seen through it, but Jia Zhangshi hadn't understood.

"Tsk tsk tsk, look at you."

Jia Zhangshi sat in front of the small window pointing outside and said to Qin Huairu, "Look, what are this couple quarreling about? Crying and shouting, and now they have calmed down so quickly, I didn't understand at all."

"Mom!"

Qin Huairu said helplessly, "Why are you listening to people quarreling."

Jia Zhangshi didn't pay attention to Qin Huairu's persuasion.

She only had this little hobby; she was particular because her daughter-in-law had become a cadre, so she couldn't lose face, and gossiping with the old women in the courtyard didn't fit her status anymore.

So Jia Zhangshi now endured not gossiping with those old ladies in the street about this and that.

The only thing she could do now was watch the fun; whoever quarreled in the family, whoever moved their hands, she could watch with relish for half a day.

And Third Master's family contributed the most happiness to Jia Zhangshi.

Several big plays a day, not repeating.

Isn't it, just finished watching a small play of "Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law," not satisfied, still climbing on the window glass looking out.

"Hey, look, that little fox next door went to the backyard."

"Mom, how many times have I told you, don't talk like that, how bad it is if people hear it."

"What if they hear it? She isn't afraid of doing it, still afraid of people saying it?"

After saying this, Jia Zhangshi saw Qin Huairu's face was bad, only then remembered that her daughter-in-law was also a famous actor in this play, and suddenly grinned awkwardly.

"You are different from her."

"What's different?"

Qin Huairu put down the clothes that were obviously men's clothes she was folding, and said indifferently, "Both are widows, nothing different."

"Tsk tsk tsk."

Jia Zhangshi clicked her tongue at her daughter-in-law's words, thinking: Not caring, right? Speaking more poisonous than anyone else right now.

Qin Huairu saw the three children were all asleep, so she asked her mother-in-law, "She runs like this every day, does no one really know?"

"Forget it!"

Jia Zhangshi curled her lips and said, "There are a few who don't know? Those who don't know are also those who don't care about this, and don't want to know."

As she spoke, Jia Zhangshi pointed outside and said, "Which one in this courtyard is not a given? Their own men don't let them sleep when they return, busy all day, and their faces are still pink; if it's not having a man, what is it?"

"Then what about me?"

Qin Huairu asked indifferently, "What do people in the courtyard say about me?"

Jia Zhangshi looked at Qin Huairu, not knowing what madness she was having, why she kept pulling this onto herself?

Could it be that she was angry with her?

Jia Zhangshi guessed in her heart, but said with her mouth, "They dare?! Whoever dares to talk about you, I'll tear their mouth."

"Pfft."

Qin Huairu couldn't help but laugh upon hearing her mother-in-law's words.

Seeing Qin Huairu laugh, Jia Zhangshi muttered in her heart: Now this woman is truly hard to fool, have to coax her.

Thinking of the question Qin Huairu asked just now, Jia Zhangshi almost said her inner thoughts.

Who do you think you are? Can you turn invisible? It's just that no one talks about a little widow.

But now the whole family relies on Qin Huairu to live, and Jia Zhangshi has also learned to flatter.

It's all for eating, saying two kind words, not cold.

Since it has reached this point, Jia Zhangshi looked at Qin Huairu and asked, "You say this Yu Li, how is she so bold, her father-in-law and mother-in-law are both living in the courtyard."

Qin Huairu put away the sewing machine, took off her sleeves, and said while walking out, "If it's not blatant, Third Aunt won't say anything?"

"Also true."

Jia Zhangshi nodded and clicked her tongue, "Truly haven't seen such a mother-in-law who isn't a human, scolding her own daughter-in-law in front of outsiders."

Qin Huairu curled her lips and didn't answer; now the mother-in-law is quiet, she doesn't want to make trouble.

Did her mother-in-law scold her less before?

Today's mother-in-law's words reminded Qin Huairu; this backyard cannot be gone to in the future; regardless of whether there is a car crash or not, she still has a son.

Qin Huairu is not Yu Li, she has scruples.

Raising her eyes to look at the backyard, she had already made a decision in her heart.

The one who made the decision was not only Qin Huairu, but also Yu Li who was standing at the moon gate watching Wen San'er walk far away.

Turning back, Yu Li walked toward the backyard with firm steps.

Li Xuewu was reading a book in the room at this moment, because there was a final exam at the Iron and Steel Institute tomorrow.

This was requested by Teacher Han, and also agreed to by Li Xuewu himself.

No matter what the future will be, since Teacher Han and the teacher helped him realize his university dream, then he will carry this task to the end.

Actually, what Li Xuewu is studying is not steelmaking or machinery, but the Iron and Steel Institute's Political Relations Institute.

In this era where politics is in command, all schools have such disciplines open.

What Li Xuewu wants to take is the content of Marxism-Leninism.

Actually, this is not a difficult point for Li Xuewu; in his previous life, these big volumes were must-read publications for survival in government offices.

Some time ago, when shopping with Gu Ning, Li Xuewu also selected books in this area, all for the sake of having a beginning and an end.

Just finished reading for a while, when he heard footsteps outside the window.

Because it was right at the root of the window, Li Xuewu knew this person must be coming for him.

Sitting crookedly in the chair, eyes looking at the entrance, seeing which good neighbor is online today.

Sure enough, seeing Yu Li enter wearing slippers, Li Xuewu knew Technician No. 8 was online.

"What's wrong?"

Technician No. 8 wouldn't come at this time in the past; it was a bit late.

"Nothing."

Yu Li skillfully took off the cotton-padded jacket outside and hung it on the coat rack, and found tea leaves, picked up a teacup, and brewed a cup of tea for Li Xuewu.

Watching Yu Li, who was wearing a bright red sweater and bulging with a figure, place the teacup on the desk, Li Xuewu moved the book back a bit.

After putting down the teacup, Yu Li turned back, wearing slippers, and stretched her hands behind her head to untie her hair.

At this time, looking from behind, Yu Li's waist was barely a handful, showing Li Xuewu a face.

This woman has learned to seduce people.

Is Li Xuewu's will something a woman can influence?

The current Li Xuewu is focused on learning, only wanting to review the textbooks on the desk.

Yu Li untied her long hair, shook her head, and her long hair swayed like waves.

Putting the hair tie on the cabinet, Yu Li walked into the kitchen to put hot water.

Li Xuewu watched Yu Li look more like the owner here than himself, and it could be said that her entire temperament had integrated into this house, not as cautious as the first few times she came.

"Click."

Li Xuewu lit a cigarette to calm his heart; he is reading a book now, learning, building the future of the motherland.

If he gave up because of a woman, wouldn't that be a beast?

But watching Yu Li close the water valve, crossing her hands and grabbing the two sides of the bright red sweater and lifting it up as she walked into the bathroom.

Li Xuewu puffed on the cigarette and asked himself: Letting a woman loosen her clothes in front of him at this time and turning a blind eye, wouldn't that be a bit worse than a beast?

How can this be?

How can he let others say he is worse than a beast!

Li Xuewu closed the book and placed it in the desk.

Knowledge, it's right here, when can't he learn it?

Yu Li looked at Li Xuewu walking in but didn't have the shyness of the past, appearing very natural.

Sitting in the water, watching Technician No. 8 sitting opposite stretch her feet over, Li Xuewu raised his head and hissed.

"Still have to go on a business trip tomorrow."

Yu Li didn't answer Li Xuewu's words, only busy with her own work.

It was Li Xuewu who saw Yu Li's abnormality, but didn't ask, only lying on the towel with his eyes closed and not speaking anymore.

The hot water surged like waves out of the bathtub, and retreated like the tide.

But the wave just went back, and the new wave surged over, hitting the cylinder wall and making a "slap" sound.

The waves continued until the water temperature turned cold, only then did the wind and waves calm down.

After resting for a while, Yu Li stood up and walked out, helped Li Xuewu wipe his body dry, and washed the clothes of both.

Li Xuewu changed into pajamas and returned to the inner room.

The temperature at night these few days was very low, already reaching minus thirty-something degrees.

Today was the same, Li Xuewu didn't have a thermometer to measure, but estimated it must be thirty-five or thirty-six degrees.

The sky outside started to drift with snowflakes again, but the room was warm as spring, especially this warm fire kang.

Lying on the kang thinking about the upcoming Northeast trip, Li Xuewu lit another cigarette for himself.

"Smoke less, heard Old Man Zuo died from smoking."

Li Xuewu was stunned for a moment, thought for a while, only then understood, Yu Li was talking about the Zuo family living in the courtyard next door.

"Who did you hear that from? That old man has been dead for eight hundred years, and you even know this?"

"Second Aunt and the others were on duty at the gatehouse today; I went to see the house and heard them chatting."

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "Didn't hear it all, right?"

As he spoke, he let Yu Li cover him with the quilt, and the two lay on the kang like a couple.

Yu Li lay on her side, her right hand cushioned under her head, her left hand resting on Li Xuewu's chest.

"I didn't go in, just passed by and heard them chatting about how the old people around here died."

Li Xuewu extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray by the kang and explained with a smile, "Old Man Zuo didn't die from smoking this, but from smoking opium, that is, Fushou Paste."

"Still smoke less, which one in the courtyard who smokes this doesn't cough."

The cigarette boxes at this time didn't have the "smoking is harmful to health" slogan; it wasn't until after 2005 in later generations that this slogan appeared on cigarette boxes.

And people's attitude toward tobacco was also a consumer product, like fruit.

There were also people like Yu Li who might hold an opposing attitude toward tobacco because they heard some things.

Listening to Yu Li's nagging, Li Xuewu nodded with a smile and said, "Good, smoke less in the future, try to quit smoking."

Seeing Li Xuewu "obedient," Yu Li felt even more comfortable lying here.

"I want a child."

Li Xuewu's hand

"I want to have a child."

Li Xuewu's hand, which was moving the ashtray, paused. What did this mean?

Weren't they just talking about smoking? How did it suddenly jump to this?

The two of them had never discussed this topic before; they had previously shared a tacit understanding about it.

Could it be that Yu Li was preparing to end this relationship with him?

Then again, he and Yan Jiecheng were no longer young; it was indeed time to have children.

Given their current relationship, it would be hard to say whose child it would be when the time came.

Li Xuewu could help others water their flowers, but he didn't want to raise flowers himself; he was too busy.

"That's a good thing. You two have been married for over half a year now; it's time to have a child."

Seeing Li Xuewu say this, Yu Li pinched him, glared at him, and said, "Are you doing this on purpose?"

Li Xuewu looked down at the coquettish Yu Li and asked, "Doing what on purpose?"

Yu Li blinked her eyes and teased, "Who am I supposed to have it with?"

Li Xuewu finally understood what Yu Li meant. He frowned and said, "Are you serious?"

Yu Li lay flat, stretched out her left hand to rest on the shoulder of Li Xuewu, who was propping himself up to look at her, and reached her right hand down, saying, "I have to have something to look forward to."

Li Xuewu was pulled in and pressed down on top of her, but looking into Yu Li's eyes, he still asked, "Suddenly popping out with this—what triggered you?"

Yu Li took a breath and recounted what had just happened.

Li Xuewu frowned and said, "Is that even a thing?"

Yu Li's fingers pinched Li Xuewu's shoulder, and with slightly moist eyes, she said, "To you, this really isn't a thing, because your heart holds a vast ocean."

Hearing Yu Li say this, Li Xuewu was both annoyed and amused.

This woman really needed to be disciplined; was she mocking him for being a "sea king"?

Yu Li slapped Li Xuewu, but then continued to explain, "No matter how big the wind and waves are, you can handle them, but we women only have a tiny puddle in our hearts; even the slightest ripple is more than we can bear."

Li Xuewu watched Yu Li shed tears, then leaned over, hugged the "No. 8 technician," and rolled over.

It was better for tears to flow out; if they flowed into the heart, she would start saying such bitter and sentimental things again.

Seeing Li Xuewu grab her feet, Yu Li angrily slapped him. Couldn't this villain see that she was sad?

"What does this have to do with a child?"

Yu Li was prompted by Li Xuewu's waist; she glared at him, but still cooperated.

"Since I can't count on that one, I have to find one I can count on."

"Pfft~"

Li Xuewu chuckled lightly: "Are you sure you can count on it just by giving birth to one? Not to mention giving birth to another Yan Jiecheng, if you give birth to those three wolves next door, you'll be even more miserable."

Yu Li was quite calculating; she looked into Li Xuewu's eyes and said, "As long as I can count on the child's father, that's enough."

Li Xuewu was so angered by Yu Li's words that he added two centimeters.

"Are you trying to kill me~"

Yu Li felt Li Xuewu's sudden surprise attack and scolded him coquettishly.

Li Xuewu rubbed the "No. 8 technician's" feet and negotiated, "Stop tormenting the child; aren't you just looking for something to look forward to?"

As he spoke, Li Xuewu sat up, took a bite, and amidst Yu Li's gasp, said, "How about I give you a bicycle?"

With her hands wrapped around the back of Li Xuewu's head, Yu Li said coquettishly, "I don't want it. What kind of person do you take me for?"

This woman was getting hard to fool. Li Xuewu raised his hand and gave her Corgi-like backside a slap.

"Are you stupid? You don't even want a bicycle!"

Yu Li let out an "Ah!" when hit, and then used a depth that could swallow two fingers to give Li Xuewu a suffocating pressure.

"I don't even go out the door, what do I need a bicycle for? Can I count on it to talk to me, or can I count on it to do chores?"

Li Xuewu left his tooth marks, raised his head, and bluffed at Yu Li: "That's enough. I can hear your heart pounding; if you keep pretending, I won't give it to you anymore."

"Smack!"

Yu Li angrily slapped Li Xuewu's back and said coquettishly, "You only know how to bully me."

Li Xuewu picked up "No. 8" and placed her on the kang, turning her over gently with his hand.

"Mm~ hmph~"

Feeling the weight on her body, Yu Li's breathing became somewhat uneven.

"You... are you... really... that unwilling to have... a child?"

Li Xuewu said with a tone of certainty, "I want one."

He replied to Yu Li, then added, "But it can't be done like this; it's unfair to the child, and unfair to you."

Li Xuewu always made so much sense when he spoke, always considering problems from the other person's perspective.

This was exactly what made Yu Li obsessed with Li Xuewu—he could always make his unwillingness sound so righteous.

Seeing that "No. 8" beneath him was no longer talking about the matter of "human lives," Li Xuewu breathed a sigh of relief; he had finally fooled this woman.

The cold wind wrapped in snowflakes hit the window lattice, making a "pat-pat" sound, which perfectly matched the sounds inside the room.

Li Xuewu stood up and walked to the desk to take a sip of tea, but because it had already gone cold, he spat the tea out of his mouth.

At this time, one must not drink cold tea; drink it once, and you lose a centimeter.

He poured himself hot water again, sipped it as he walked back to the edge of the kang, and looking at the water-drenched Yu Li, he took a sip of hot water and passed it to this fish that lacked water.

"Mm~"

Yu Li opened her eyes, looked at Li Xuewu, and said, "Have you packed your luggage for tomorrow?"

"Pack what? I'm not even stopping over; I'll just get the business done and come right back."

Yu Li sat up and moved off the kang, but her legs were trembling, and she had to hold onto the edge of the kang to stand steady.

"It's for several days; are you just going to wear one set of clothes? You have to change your underwear at least."

As she spoke, she wrapped herself in a bath towel and walked toward the bathroom.

Li Xuewu, meanwhile, got back on the kang and leaned against the fire wall, drinking hot water.

Yu Li washed up simply, looked at the tooth marks on her body, walked back, and glared at Li Xuewu.

But seeing this villain just squinting and dozing off there, she felt a pang of heartache and went back to the bathroom to get hot water, wiped Li Xuewu's body clean with a wet towel, and pulled the quilt over him.

"Rest up; I'll just hold on for a few days."

"It's fine, I can get it packed in a second."

Yu Li swatted away the large hand that was about to cause trouble and walked to the walk-in closet to find a cloth bag.

She found three pairs of underwear in the drawer and put them in the bag, along with three pairs of socks and a set of shirts.

"Change your underwear every day. If you can wash your socks yourself, do it; if you can't, bring them back and I'll wash them for you. Same goes for the shirts."

Yu Li also stuffed a roll of toilet paper into the cloth bag.

Women were always so meticulous, able to think of things men couldn't.

Just as she was nagging, she heard Li Xuewu's snoring. She turned back to look at the man on the kang, and Yu Li placed the cloth bag on the desk with light steps.

She had noticed the bloodshot eyes in Li Xuewu earlier; he said he hadn't slept well last night.

Seeing Li Xuewu so full of vigor, Yu Li had thought this villain was lying again; she hadn't expected him to fall asleep so quickly.

She flipped the wet mattress over and spread it at the end of the kang, then took off her shoes, got on the kang, and took a mattress from the kang cabinet to spread over the quilt.

She couldn't move Li Xuewu, but if she let him sleep like that all night, his neck would be ruined.

"Xuewu, Xuewu."

Yu Li pulled back the quilt and gently pushed Li Xuewu.

"Mm."

Li Xuewu answered, but didn't wake up.

"Come sleep over here; you'll get a stiff neck like this."

"Mm."

Li Xuewu answered, waited a while to recover, then opened his eyes to look at Yu Li, and moved into the prepared quilt.

Yu Li had intended to leave after covering Li Xuewu with the quilt, but before she knew it, she was hugged by Li Xuewu and rolled into the bedding as soon as she leaned over.

"Sleep here. Don't say anything about counting on this or that in the future."

Watching Li Xuewu close his eyes, his voice somewhat lazy and tired, Yu Li stroked Li Xuewu's brow with her hand and said, "Okay, I won't say it anymore."

She truly felt heartache for this man; whatever he said was fine, whatever he did was good.

"Mm."

Li Xuewu answered, and then the snoring started again.

In the morning, Li Xuewu was woken up by Yu Li. Seeing Yu Li already dressed and standing on the floor, he rubbed his eyes and asked, "What time is it?"

Yu Li took the freshly washed underwear and placed it by Li Xuewu's pillow, saying, "Hurry, don't you have an exam today?"

"Mm."

Li Xuewu answered, lay on the pillow for a while to recover, and didn't get up to put on his clothes until Yu Li urged him a second time.

Yu Li served Li Xuewu by helping him put on his shirt and sweater, and while helping him buckle his holster, she said, "It's cold in the Northeast. I had Yan Jiecheng bring two hot water bottles; one was borrowed from the First Elder's house, remember to return it when you get back."

Li Xuewu looked at Yu Li, who was busy running back and forth, and said with a smile, "I'm going on a mission, not to the imperial examinations in the capital. Is all this necessary?"

She helped Li Xuewu put the gun from the desk into the holster and fastened the button.

"It is necessary. You'll know how good I am when you get cold."

"Hehe."

Li Xuewu looked at Yu Li and said, "I know, I know. Old Biaozi and the others should be bringing the cars back today. Pick one out for yourself; the money is in the drawer, just take it."

"I don't want it anymore, I really don't need it."

Although they had already agreed on it last night, Yu Li didn't want it anymore; the person was right in front of her, what use was that dead object?

Li Xuewu looked at Yu Li's serious expression and said with a smile, "As you wish. If you don't want a car, just buy whatever you like; if the money in the drawer runs out, I'll refill it."

"Do I need you to support me!"

Yu Li pinched Li Xuewu coquettishly and said, "I have money, I don't need yours."

"Mm-hmm."

Li Xuewu answered, tossed the keys to Yu Li, and said, "It's busy around the holidays, everyone in the family is occupied, you keep the keys."

Yu Li looked at the keys in her hand; these were the keys to every door in Li Xuewu's house, including the locked cabinet under the desk.

"Got it."

She tucked the keys into her pocket, helped Li Xuewu put on his leather jacket, and said, "Go eat breakfast, he's already warmed up the car."

Li Xuewu answered and walked out.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw the courtyard covered in silver; the ground and the eaves were all white with snow.

There was an exceptional amount of snow this year, and it wasn't light either; it looked like it would be a good year.

But as soon as he thought of the things that were going to happen this year, Li Xuewu couldn't help but sigh.

He entered the south-facing room and saw that everyone was already up. Perhaps because it was a bit early, everyone's spirits were a bit low; only the grandfather and the second master, who didn't sleep much, were doing alright.

"It's almost the New Year; don't send the cars out before the holiday."

Seeing Old Biaozi and the others looking at him, Li Xuewu instructed, "There's a lot to do today. Help the Third Uncle move the things back; do the accounting where it's needed, and put things into storage where it's needed. A lot of these things need to be handled and tidied up before they can be put on the shelves."

"Brother Wu, this won't take many days; we can get it tidied up today."

Shen Guodong said, then asked Old Biaozi, "When is the Third Uncle coming over?"

Old Biaozi nodded and said, "Agreed with him last night; we'll meet directly at the neighborhood office and try to get it all done today."

Li Xuewu waved his hand and said, "It's not just that. Take advantage of the heavy snow these next few days to go out of the city with the grandfather; bring saws and axes, pick out some dead trees and bring them back. Burning coal all the time isn't appropriate; the smoke is too thick."

Seeing Li Xuewu say this, everyone nodded.

In truth, everyone knew that Li Xuewu was just worried about them; whenever Li Xuewu wasn't home, he always felt uneasy.

There should be another chapter today; I'll try my best.