Chapter 314: You brat, don't go too far!!!

Upon reaching the alley entrance of the compound, Li Xuewu didn't let Yan Jiecheng make another turn. He jumped out of the car and said to Yan Jiecheng, "Take the car to the auto repair shop, have them fix it up, keep a good account, and I'll pay the repair bill later."

After saying this, he slammed the car door shut, waved his hand, and turned to walk toward the compound.

This GAZ-69 had really suffered a great deal along with Li Xuewu and the others; not to mention the mud and snow covering its entire body, it was truly layer upon layer.

Ma Saner had treated this car like a grandfather to show off, but he hadn't expected it to end up exhausted like a grandson in Li Xuewu's hands.

It was thanks to the engine being a product of the old Soviets that it was so sturdy and resilient; otherwise, it absolutely wouldn't have made it to the destination.

If he didn't send the car to the steel mill's auto repair shop, it really wouldn't be able to be serviced properly.

Tightening his leather jacket, Li Xuewu exhaled a puff of white mist and walked toward home.

The alleys of the capital were always so haughty; whether you came or not, it remained that same old bear-like state.

Looking at the accumulated snow on both sides of the road, this was the result of the sanitation workers not coming in and the neighbors not cleaning it up.

He didn't enter through the compound's main gate, but instead walked through the entrance of the recycling station.

Seeing Li Xuewu walk in, covered in dust, Chen Xiaoyan greeted him with a "Ya!" and said, "Brother Wu, you're back!"

Li Xuewu nodded at Chen Xiaoyan with a smile, then cupped his hands toward Old Man Ye in the shop and said, "Old Man Ye, you've worked hard, wishing you a prosperous New Year."

Old Man Ye looked at Li Xuewu's exhausted face, cupped his hands, and said, "Xuewu, Happy New Year. You've had a hard journey, hurry home and get some rest."

Hearing Li Xuewu's voice, Yu Li poked her head out from the middle partition door to look over, then turned back to Wen Saner in the recycling shop and said, "Third Uncle, Xuewu is back. You go ahead and attend to things, I'm going to tidy up the backyard."

Wen Saner also saw Li Xuewu from the doorway, exchanged a greeting, and said to Yu Li, "Go on then. He looks exhausted, and his clothes are filthy. Hurry and go about your business."

Li Xuewu asked as he walked toward the back, "Biaozi and the others didn't take the truck out, did they?"

Old Man Ye shook his head and said, "No, they went to Mentougou with your grandfather. They got a truckload of wood yesterday and went back again today."

Yu Li walked over and said to Li Xuewu, "Look at you, your eyelids are fighting each other from exhaustion, and you're still worrying about that. Hurry and go get some rest."

Li Xuewu smiled at Old Man Ye and the others, then stepped out the door.

Looking back to see Yu Li following him out, and seeing her hesitant expression, Li Xuewu smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm back, and I went to the steel mill."

"Who asked you!"

Yu Li glared at Li Xuewu with a smile and urged him to hurry back to the backyard.

Seeing that Li Xuewu's entire outfit needed washing, Yu Li went back to the room across the courtyard to get the large laundry basin, while Li Xuewu went into the front courtyard first.

Seeing her second son return, Liu Yin walked over nervously to check on him, then said with a look of relief, "Amitabha, thank heavens."

Li Xuewu smiled and made a funny face at Li Shu, who was holding onto the windowsill looking at him. The father and daughter had an interaction through the window glass of "you scare me, I scare you."

Li Shu recognized people now and knew she hadn't seen Li Xuewu for several days, so she appeared very affectionate, reaching out to grab at Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu knocked on the glass, smiled at Li Shu, who was grabbing at him, and the old lady supporting Li Shu, then said to Li Shu, "Look at how dirty Daddy is, I can't hold you. Wait until Daddy cleans himself up, okay?"

Seeing Li Xuewu return in one piece, the old lady also set her mind at ease. Supporting Li Shu's waist, she watched Li Shu's little legs kicking with effort toward Li Xuewu, and she smiled until two more wrinkles appeared at the corners of her eyes.

Liu Yin watched her son interacting with her granddaughter, and knowing her son was fine, her heart finally settled.

The sound of the door being smashed in by the Jing family's messenger the night before last had scared Liu Yin so much that she hadn't slept a full night for two days.

Early yesterday morning, Li Shun had gone to the neighborhood office half an hour earlier than usual to pick up Li Shu's milk, just so he could stop by the Jiaodaokou station to inquire about Li Xuewu.

But fortunately, the news from the night before last had been passed back, and Shen Fang from Jiaodaokou had gone to work early yesterday morning and told Li Shun the news that Li Xuewu was fine.

This finally allowed the anxious Li Shun and the later-informed Liu Yin to set their minds at ease.

They say that when a son travels a thousand miles, the mother worries; how could Liu Yin not worry?

But now, seeing that he was just a bit exhausted and had no other issues, except for the sleep in his eyes, she felt better.

Watching Yu Li enter the front courtyard carrying the laundry basin, Liu Yin knew she was prepared to help her son wash his clothes, so she said to Li Xuewu, "Hurry back and change your clothes, let your sister-in-law help you wash them. Look at how filthy you are."

Liu Yin didn't know what her son intended to do with so many people in the west courtyard, but seeing that her son had people to serve him, she felt reassured.

Li Xuewu looked back at Yu Li, waved at his daughter with a smile, said a word to Liu Yin, and headed to the backyard.

Back in the backyard, he let Yu Li help him strip off his clothes. Feeling the softness of the sofa, he immediately felt that no golden nest or silver nest was as good as his own dog kennel.

Sitting on the sofa watching Yu Li put hot water in the bathroom and then carry his clothes to the doorway to beat them, he thought about how to tell Yu Li about the Yan Jiecheng situation.

He hadn't opened his mouth even by the time Li Xuewu sat in the hot water of the bathtub.

In the living room, Yu Li took off her outer cotton-padded jacket, put on a sweater, rolled up her sleeves, and walked into the bathroom.

"Are you done soaking?"

The steam in the room was quite thick. Yu Li didn't even need to wait for Li Xuewu's answer after asking, because Li Xuewu's snoring had already started.

Seeing this bad man snoring loudly enough to shake the ears, Yu Li was so angry she really wanted to pinch him. How was she supposed to move him if he was asleep here?

She reached out to test the water temperature, took the loofah from the shelf, and started scrubbing Li Xuewu's body.

Seeing the water change color, she knew he hadn't had it easy these past few days; this trip hadn't been simple.

Yu Li only saw Li Xuewu's hardships; she never imagined that Yan Jiecheng had it even harder.

After scrubbing the front, she pushed Li Xuewu hard and said, "Turn over, let me scrub your back."

Li Xuewu opened his eyes to look, and seeing Yu Li leaning over looking at him, he finally remembered he was still in the bathtub. He obediently turned over and lay flat in the tub.

Yu Li wiped the sweat from her forehead and helped Li Xuewu scrub his back.

"Is it very dirty?"

"What do you think? I'm exhausted!"

"Hehe."

"You still have the heart to laugh. Are you a pig? Did you go rolling in the mud?"

"Pretty much."

Li Xuewu closed his eyes, enjoying the all-around service of Number 8.

"After leaving Jincheng, it happened to be my turn to drive. I drove for over seven hours straight. I was so exhausted I couldn't keep my eyes open. Just as I hit a big downhill, well, by the time I opened my eyes, we were stuck in a mud pit. The steering wheel almost killed me."

"Hahaha."

Li Xuewu's story was funny, and thinking of Li Xuewu's predicament, Yu Li couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"I was wondering why you had a bruise on your chest; I thought some woman had sucked it for you."

Li Xuewu tilted his head, glanced at Yu Li, then turned back and continued to enjoy himself with his eyes squinted.

Yu Li didn't hear Li Xuewu speak again until she finished scrubbing him.

She patted Li Xuewu and said, "Rinse yourself off, I'm going to get you a bath towel."

Li Xuewu rinsed his body in the water, shook his head, walked to the sink, and washed his hair and face thoroughly.

Yu Li stood by with the bath towel, waiting until Li Xuewu finished washing before helping him dry off.

Just as she was wiping his chest, Yu Li looked up and asked, "Are you angry? Why aren't you talking?"

Li Xuewu looked down at Yu Li and said, "No, just exhausted, I really want to sleep."

Yu Li looked at Li Xuewu's flushed face and knew he had to sleep; if he didn't, he'd definitely catch a cold.

She sped up her movements, pointed to the pajamas on the sofa, and said, "Change into these and hurry to sleep, I've already made the bed for you."

Li Xuewu nodded, yawned, and walked out.

Yu Li continued to tidy up the bathroom and wash Li Xuewu's clothes.

Li Xuewu slept until past four in the afternoon. When he opened his eyes, he saw a pair of big eyes looking right at him.

Light yellow hair, a small white face, a slightly upturned little nose, and those pouting little lips.

"Pa!"

Li Shu's wake-up service was just that direct. Seeing her father looking at her with sleepy eyes, one slap woke him right up.

This slap stunned Li Xuewu, but it made Li Shu giggle with laughter.

Li Xuewu, annoyed, grabbed the little one and pulled her into the quilt to tickle her.

"Dare to hit your father? Your little cotton-padded jacket is leaking air!"

"Giggle giggle~ Eeya! Giggle giggle~"

Li Shu was tickled by Li Xuewu until she was giggling with her little mouth wide open, and she used her hands to push him away, not letting Li Xuewu tickle her.

Li Xuewu picked up Li Shu and gave her two slaps on the bottom.

"Still dare to hit your father?"

"Ya!"

"Still dare to hit me?!"

Li Shu used her little hands to pinch Li Xuewu's nose, looking like she still wanted revenge.

The old lady was sitting at the end of the kang making a small cotton-padded jacket for Li Shu for the New Year. Holding the needle and thread, she said to Li Xuewu, "Our Li Shu is so sensible. She knows Daddy is sleeping, so she doesn't cry or make a fuss, just sits there and plays by herself."

As if she knew she was being praised, Li Shu pinched her own fingers and lay in Li Xuewu's arms, giggling at him.

Li Xuewu touched his forehead to Li Shu's little forehead, which made Li Shu reach out to grab Li Xuewu's face again.

This daughter of Li Xuewu's was fierce; when she got annoyed, she would scratch with her hands. Li Xuewu hurriedly dodged his daughter's fingernails.

He looked up at the wall clock, let Li Shu struggle out of his arms, and got off the kang.

"Did you sleep well?"

The old lady looked at her second grandson, who still had sleep in his eyes, and asked.

Li Xuewu rubbed his face, watched Li Shu crawl into his quilt, and said with a smile, "Not sleeping anymore, my head hurts if I sleep too much."

Li Shu imitated Li Xuewu, wanting to pull the quilt to lie on the kang and sleep, but Li Xuewu's quilt was too big to move. She tilted her little head and made "eeya eeya" sounds at Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu walked to the top of his daughter's head and said with a smile, "Call me Daddy, call me Daddy and I'll cover you with the quilt."

"Ya!"

Li Shu shouted anxiously with her little mouth open.

Seeing that his daughter's little teeth had grown out, Li Xuewu smiled and laid his daughter's little mattress on top of his own.

"Big daughter, please show mercy, your daddy only has this one mattress."

As he spoke to his daughter, he covered her with a corner of his cotton quilt.

Li Shu got the quilt, closed her eyes, and started to sleep.

"I've never seen such an easy child to coax."

The old lady picked at her hair with a needle and said to Li Xuewu, "She doesn't cry or make a fuss, wakes up and plays by herself, gets sleepy and finds a place to sleep herself, so well-behaved."

"Look at what you're saying."

Li Xuewu found clothes from the cloakroom and said, "Was I not well-behaved when I was little?"

"You?"

The old lady glanced at Li Xuewu and curled her lip, saying, "Who was it that stood on the edge of the kang and practiced backflips onto the floor, getting a bump on their head?"

"Hahaha."

Li Xuewu didn't take his grandmother's bait, smiled, and took his clothes to the living room to change.

He saw that his leather jacket and other clothes had all been hung in the living room by Yu Li, and even the clothes he had changed out of had been washed.

After getting dressed, changing his shoes, and washing his face, he told the old lady in the room that he was going out and stepped out the door.

At this moment, the sun still had a big red bottom hanging on the horizon, reluctant to set.

Tightening his woolen coat, Li Xuewu put on the cotton cap issued by the station and headed out.

Upon reaching the moon gate, he happened to run into the Ye Ye Erye, who was carrying a radio back home.

"Ye Ye Erye, adding another big item?"

"Where at!"

Seeing Li Xuewu take the initiative to greet him, Liu Haizhong forgot about the time Li Xuewu had scared him before.

Moreover, it was rumored in the factory that Li Xuewu was about to be promoted to Deputy Division Chief; this official was not someone the Ye Ye Erye considered himself able to provoke.

So, seeing Li Xuewu take the initiative to break the ice, the Ye Ye Erye "let bygones be bygones."

"It's just as the third one said, my old radio really wasn't worth repairing. It just so happened that a batch of good goods arrived in the west courtyard, so I added a bit and exchanged it for an 80% new one."

Li Xuewu looked carefully at the radio and smiled, "Hey, it really looks quite good."

"You bet!"

The Ye Ye Erye pointed to the radio in his hand and said to Li Xuewu, "That childhood friend of yours is really something."

As he spoke, he bumped Li Xuewu and gave a thumbs up, saying, "See that? Not only did he pick out the newest shell for me, but the parts inside are all top-notch. It only cost me 60 yuan."

Li Xuewu twitched his mouth, thinking to himself: How does this Wen Saner manage to catch whoever he can? Killing strangers is one thing, but killing acquaintances so ruthlessly? The key is that this Ye Ye Erye seems quite willing.

"Ye Ye Erye, we're all neighbors. If you have any use for them, just say the word."

"Old San and the others are great."

The Ye Ye Erye was clearly very satisfied with the radio; even such a difficult person was being sweet-talked by Wen Saner.

Li Xuewu pointed to the radio in the Ye Ye Erye's hand and asked, "Since you've changed to this, why didn't you think about getting a bicycle? Wouldn't it be easier for you to commute?"

The Ye Ye Erye looked at the radio in his hand, looking very troubled.

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "Even someone as stingy as the Third Master knows that buying a bicycle makes commuting easier. Besides, let me tell you, bicycles are getting more and more expensive. You can ask around yourself; the bicycles in the west courtyard are both suitable and don't require coupons. Why not take this opportunity to get one?"

The Ye Ye Erye frowned and said, "That's true. Yan Fugui bought another one from the west courtyard, even more broken than the last one, but the price was higher than the last one."

As he spoke, Liu Haizhong whispered to Li Xuewu, "For the past two days, Yan Fugui has been telling everyone he sees that Old San and the others are heartless, hehe."

Li Xuewu smiled indifferently and said, "Wen Saner's heart has always been in the right place; the neighbors all know this. Some people have crooked hearts, so they see others as crooked."

As he spoke, Li Xuewu pointed to the radio in the Ye Ye Erye's hand and said, "What do you think?"

The Ye Ye Erye smiled and said, "That's right. Why is it suitable when others buy it, but expensive when he buys it? Hehe. He can't even tolerate his own daughter-in-law, who else can he count on?"

Li Xuewu looked at the Ye Ye Erye with a smile and said, "Go let Wen Saner help you pick one out, just say I sent you, and have him pick a good one for you."

"Then I'll really go buy one."

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "Mentioning me will definitely work."

With Wen Saner's habit of plucking feathers from a passing goose, the Ye Ye Erye would definitely not get a bargain.

As for the Ye Ye Erye mentioning Li Xuewu... hehehe, it was hard to say if Wen Saner would believe the Ye Ye Erye, but he would definitely not believe that Li Xuewu would say anything about lowering the price.

Wen Saner knew that with Li Xuewu, there was only price hiking and freebies, but the freebies were definitely more heartless than his price hikes.

Wen Saner's business philosophy was: You might feel you got a great bargain and feel a bit guilty, but I will definitely not lose money and might even tearfully earn double from you.

Bidding farewell to the beaming Ye Ye Erye, Li Xuewu entered the middle courtyard and went to check on Sha Zhu's door first.

Seeing that Sha Zhu hadn't returned yet, he headed back out.

Liu Yin was collecting clothes on the clothesline at the entrance. Seeing Li Xuewu come out, she asked, "Why didn't you sleep a little longer?"

"Mom, I've slept enough, I can't sleep even if I lie down."

He helped his mother collect the clothes, carried them into the inner room, and hung them on the clothesline inside.

In the northern winter, drying washed clothes mostly involves two steps: the first step is to wring out the washed clothes and hang them outside to stretch them out.

The second step is to bring the clothes that have been hanging outside for two days and frozen stiff back inside, hang them in the room to thaw and soften for a night, and then the clothes will be dry.

Very few families were as wealthy as Li Xuewu's, where they kept the fire going in the morning and added fuel before dark.

As for why clothes hung in the freezing cold outside would dry, that's junior high school physics knowledge.

Watching his mother fiddle with the clothes, Li Xuewu sat on the edge of the kang and asked, "Did my big brother and the third one go out to deliver New Year's gifts?"

Liu Yin turned the clothesline, hanging the clothes section by section.

"They came back once at noon. This afternoon, your big brother and sister-in-law went to Principal Li's house, and the third one went to your father's hospital director's house. The third one even went to check on you when he heard you were back, but seeing you sleeping soundly, he didn't disturb you."

"Hehe, this silly boy is quite capable, able to handle things on his own now."

"It's been a bit bumpy too."

Liu Yin's eyes were filled with smiles; it was rare for her son to have time to chat with her.

The eldest son was learned and had good conditions, the second son could handle things and had ideas and a high rank, and now the third son was also starting to stand on his own.

All three sons were better than their father, how could Liu Yin not be happy?

What made Liu Yin most comfortable was that the three sons didn't have the troublesome matters of the families in the compound. If they really ran into a family like the one across the street, losing ten years of life would be a light consequence.

Although the three sons each had their own shortcomings, as long as the brothers didn't grow distant, this family wouldn't fall apart.

The family fears the brothers growing distant; once they do, and they encounter a sharp-tongued, mean-spirited daughter-in-law, then the family is finished.

"I went to Ji Yuxiu's house yesterday, and I was tricked by Yuxiu's brother. They said I was taken care of by Yuxiu and rested there for an afternoon. Last night, I saw his eyes were still red."

"Hahaha."

Li Xuewu laughed like a fox. He could imagine the depressed expression on Ji Weidong's face when he saw his sister taking care of Li Xuecai, whom he had gotten drunk—a case of "trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice, and losing good wine while also losing his sister."

"After the New Year, I'll go meet Xuecai's brother-in-law and get back at him for this."

"Go!"

Liu Yin knew Li Xuewu could drink and knew he was teasing her, but she still said, "Can Xuecai count on you for his whole life?"

As she spoke, Liu Yin sighed and said, "I was just telling your father earlier, what should Xuecai do in the future? I didn't expect you to have already found him a house."

Li Xuewu saw his mother getting sentimental again and comforted her with a smile, "Isn't that just how brothers are? Otherwise, what does 'born of the same mother' mean?"

Liu Yin looked at her second son with a smile and said, "When are you going to bring Gu Ning back for me to see? Is her name Gu Ning?"

Li Xuewu saw that his mother was really good at changing the subject, so he hurriedly stood up and said, "Speaking of that, I have to go out, I'm in a rush to go to my teacher's house."

Seeing Li Xuewu about to leave, Liu Yin said anxiously, "I'm asking you a question!"

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "I have to go to her house in a while, her family's New Year's gifts haven't been delivered yet."

Watching Li Xuewu walk out the door, Liu Yin's face broke into an even wider smile, and she said with a laugh, "This child, who does he take after with so many tricks?"

The eldest son was married, the youngest son's situation seemed settled, and this second son was also about to settle down.

Standing in the sunset, Liu Yin watched her second son's tall and handsome figure and felt that time passed so quickly.

Entering the room across the courtyard, she saw Yu Li braising pig offal. Now that she didn't need Sha Zhu's help, she could handle it alone.

Seeing Li Xuewu enter the room, Yu Li asked with a smile, "Awake?"

Li Xuewu also replied with a smile, "It was so comfortable."

"Hehe."

Yu Li glared at Li Xuewu and said, "Why are you dressed so formally? Where are you going?"

Li Xuewu laughed "Hehe" and said, "Going on a blind date."

"Get lost!"

Yu Li knew there wasn't a word of truth in Li Xuewu's mouth; saying he was full of nonsense was an understatement—he was full of planes and tanks.

Wiping her hands, she followed Li Xuewu into the east room and asked, "What are you looking for? I'll help you find it."

Li Xuewu found a few bags and said, "Looking for two furs."

Yu Li moved the bedding placed on top of the trunk and said, "Biaozi and the others sold quite a few last time. They're in this trunk. I don't know how many are left."

Li Xuewu opened the trunk to look. It was true; last time it looked like there was more than half a bag, but now it didn't look like much.

He picked out a silver-gray fox fur and a cyan wolf fur, stretched them out, looked at Yu Li standing to the side, and then stretched out another wolf fur.

He had Yu Li pack the fox fur and wolf fur and, pointing to the extra wolf fur, said, "Didn't you say your father's health is bad every winter? Make a vest and send it back to your father."

"No need, Biaozi and the others are selling these furs very well."

Yu Li didn't dare to take any more of Li Xuewu's things; during this period, Li Xuewu had bought her quite a few things.

Even the bicycle he gave her, she hadn't accepted, all because she didn't want Li Xuewu to think she was with him for these things.

Li Xuewu flicked Yu Li on the forehead and said, "Are you pretending with me?"

Yu Li was so angry she slapped Li Xuewu and immediately wanted to explain, "It's..."

Before Yu Li could finish, Li Xuewu carried the bag and said, "I have to go see my teacher, and my leader. I won't be back for dinner tonight."

Watching Li Xuewu walk out, Yu Li hurriedly closed the trunk, put Yan Jiecheng's bedding back on top, and chased Li Xuewu out the door.

Once outside, seeing people in the courtyard, Yu Li didn't dare to bring up the matter again. Seeing Li Xuewu heading to the garage, she could only turn back to help Li Xuewu boil hot water.

Li Xuewu put the furs in the rear cabin of the car, went to the warehouse to get two jin of pork, two jin of yellow goat meat, two large carp, and then poured out three portions of dried fruits from his fingertips and placed them in the back of the car.

After tidying up, he saw Yu Li coming out with a bucket of water. Li Xuewu hurriedly walked a few steps to take it from her.

"I'll handle it, no rush."

Yu Li said with a smile, "Go early, come back early, it's too cold today."

Li Xuewu opened the front hood to add hot water and had to carry another bucket to fill it up.

The car had been cleaned very well by Old Biaozi and the others. Li Xuewu handed the bucket to Yu Li, started the engine, and let Yu Li open the main gate to drive out of the west courtyard.

Li Xuewu's first stop wasn't Dong Wenxue's house, but Lou Xiaoe's house.

Although they had said last time to wait until Sister Lou returned after the New Year to meet, since they already knew each other, it really wouldn't be right not to visit during the New Year.

Although the Lou family had handed over all their assets and moved into a smaller house, this small house was only small compared to the large detached villa they lived in before. They were still living in a detached house, just a smaller one, which didn't stand out in this villa area.

Rich people, no matter how low-key they are, wouldn't choose to live in a compound; it's the same logic as rich people saying 120,000 can't do anything.

At this moment, the sun on the horizon had completely set. Li Xuewu found his way according to the location Sister Lou had mentioned earlier.

Seeing that the villas here all had lights on, they must be residents with quite good conditions. He wondered if Wen Saner had ever been here.

Parking the car in a spot with lights on, Li Xuewu didn't turn off the engine. It wasn't that he was afraid of Father and Mother Lou coming out to chase him away, but rather that Li Xuewu didn't intend to go in and sit.

Carrying the bag with the furs in his hand, along with two jin of pork, two jin of dried fruits, and a large carp, he pressed the doorbell with his finger.

Standing at the main gate, Li Xuewu didn't feel any nervousness; having lived two lives, this wasn't his first or second time in such a situation.

The person who opened the door was a middle-aged woman with a long face, who was quite surprised to see Li Xuewu.

Before the woman could ask, Li Xuewu greeted her with a smile, "Is this Auntie Tan?"

Seeing the woman nod, Li Xuewu said with a smile, "Auntie, Happy New Year. I'm Li Xuewu. Since it's almost New Year, I've come to deliver some New Year's gifts."

Looking at the enthusiastic Li Xuewu, Mother Lou widened her eyes, not knowing what to say.

This... this... how did he just show up at the door?

Mother Lou gave an awkward smile and said, "It's so late, and you ran over here. Why didn't you say something?"

Although she was saying this, her hand had already opened the door.

Li Xuewu carried the things and walked inside, saying, "I returned from a business trip in the Northeast at ten this morning. I was gone for four days, and when I got home, I was so exhausted I couldn't hold on, so I slept until now. Otherwise, I should have come earlier."

"Ah!"

Walking into the foyer, she saw the red bloodshot eyes of Li Xuewu in the light, and she knew that what Li Xuewu said was not a lie.

She opened the room door and said to Li Xuewu, "Why run around when you're so tired? Why not rest at home? Even young people can't handle such exhaustion."

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu smiled as he walked into the room and said to Mother Lou, "Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, so I thought I'd deliver the New Year's goods tonight."

Looking at the sunny and straightforward big boy, Mother Lou couldn't help but have a smile on her face.

They say a mother-in-law looks at a son-in-law and likes him more the more she looks. This social bandit Li Xuewu had this ability; meeting him would absolutely not make you dislike him.

Mother Lou walked a few quick steps into the room and shouted upstairs, "Xiao E, Xuewu is here."

After calling her daughter, Mother Lou walked to the study on the first floor, opened the door, and said inside, "Old Lou, that child Xuewu is here."

Father Lou frowned, but still put down the book in his hand and walked out.

The upbringing and demeanor he had cultivated since childhood didn't allow him to lose etiquette to a guest who had entered his door, even if it was Li Xuewu.

Looking at Li Xuewu standing at the doorway, Father Lou said with great cultivation, "Xuewu is here. No need for so much courtesy."

Mother Lou nudged Father Lou with her hand and said, "The child just returned from a business trip in the Northeast."

Li Xuewu placed the things in his hand on the coffee table in the living room and waved his hand to thank Mother Lou, who was about to make tea.

"Uncle Lou, Happy New Year. I've really been busy lately, I should have come to see you earlier."

"Mm-hmm."

Before Father Lou could say anything else, Sister Lou stood on the second-floor staircase looking down and said in surprise, "Xuewu!"

Li Xuewu looked up at Sister Lou, who was wearing pajamas; she had even gained some weight in the few days she had been home.

"Hehe."

Seeing Li Xuewu standing downstairs smiling foolishly, Lou Xiaoe also revealed a smile, and then ran down with a "deng deng deng" sound.

"Why did you come?"

Sister Lou's first sentence upon landing was to ask why Li Xuewu had come so suddenly, both pleasantly surprised and astonished.

Li Xuewu smiled and looked at Sister Lou, saying, "Came to see Uncle and Auntie."

Mother Lou said with a smile, "Sit down, dinner is about to be served, just eat here."

Although Father Lou didn't say he agreed, he didn't say he disagreed either, and moved to the side.

Li Xuewu turned to Father and Mother Lou and said, "Thank you, Auntie. I really want to taste your cooking; Sister Lou has praised you to me, but today it's really not convenient. I was handling this case before going to the Northeast, and I have to continue handling it tomorrow. I have to take this time to visit my teacher's and leader's houses."

"Oh my, eat dinner before you go."

Mother Lou walked over and was about to insist, but Li Xuewu shook his head with a smile and wished Father and Mother Lou a Happy New Year, "Wishing Uncle and Auntie a Happy New Year, good health."

Father Lou nodded, wanting to say something reservedly, but looking at his daughter's gaze toward Li Xuewu, he could only swallow the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

"Thank you for the New Year's gifts, pay attention to safety on the road."

Hearing this, Li Xuewu nodded to Father and Mother Lou, and then let Sister Lou, who had put on a coat, see him out.

Walking to the door, Sister Lou said moved, "Thank you."

Li Xuewu pulled Sister Lou's hand and said, "Why be so polite with me? Help me explain to Uncle and Auntie. I have to go to my teacher's place. He's in training, and this case of mine is of great importance. Help me apologize to the two elders."

Sister Lou tightened Li Xuewu's coat and said, "Don't worry, they are happy you came. They know you're busy, go ahead. I'll be home after the fifth day of the New Year."

Li Xuewu touched Sister Lou's forehead and said, "Then I'm leaving, you hurry back inside too."

As he spoke, he turned and got into the car, waved at Sister Lou, and drove toward Dong Wenxue's house.

Father Lou stood in the living room looking at his daughter at the doorway, sighed, frowned, and said to Mother Lou, "Why did you let him in?"

Mother Lou said unhappily, "The child was carrying things, his eyes were full of bloodshot veins, and he was smiling and wishing you a Happy New Year. Why shouldn't I let him in?"

As she spoke, Mother Lou also glared at Father Lou and said, "You're scolding me. Just now, Li Xuewu came in, why didn't you say anything to chase him away? You just make me play the heartless villain."

"Sigh..."

Father Lou sighed, shook his head, sat on the sofa, and said, "He is a character, but definitely not a good match."

"Do you think our daughter looks like she's going to marry him and live a life?"

Father Lou frowned and didn't speak. Every time they discussed this, Mother Lou would cry. Father Lou didn't want to get angry and cause trouble during the New Year.

"After the New Year, ask Xiao E what she thinks, I'll talk to him."

Mother Lou glanced outside the door, sat on the sofa next to her, and said, "I think he's quite good. I don't see any of the calculating or worldly sophistication you're talking about."

"Look, he must have known you cough in the winter, so he brought you furs to keep warm. This fox fur is really quite good."

Father Lou stared wide-eyed at this. If this wasn't calculating, what was? His own wife had already defected to the other side.

Hearing the sound of the door at the entrance, Mother Lou paused and said, "Except for being really young, I don't see any ruthlessness, cruelty, or arrogance. The scars on his face were also left from performing meritorious service."

Knowing her daughter didn't want to hear her words, and now seeing Li Xuewu, her wife had also changed her attitude toward Li Xuewu. Two against one, Father Lou had nothing left to say.

Lou Xiaoe heard her parents' conversation, but this conversation had been said countless times already. She really didn't want to participate anymore and just wanted to go upstairs.

But Father Lou looked up at this moment and said to his daughter, "After the New Year, when you have time, arrange... arrange to meet him."

Lou Xiaoe was surprised by her father's attitude, but still hesitated and said, "He's been quite busy lately, it seems like there's a big case at the steel mill."

Hearing "steel mill," Father Lou's brow furrowed. He wanted to say something, but looking at his wife's expression and then at his daughter's expression...

You brat, don't go too far!!!

"Then wait until he has time, arrange a meeting."

Lou Xiaoe looked at her mother, then said in a light tone, "Understood."

After saying this, she pursed her lips and went upstairs.

At this moment, there were basically no cars on the city roads, mostly pedestrians and bicycles.

After driving for more than ten minutes, he arrived at Dong Wenxue's house. Li Xuewu turned off the engine and carried two jin of dried fruits, pushing the door open to enter the courtyard.

Auntie Han had already heard Li Xuewu's car from the window and was already waiting in the foyer.

"Why come at this hour? Are you cold?"

Li Xuewu took off his hat, closed the door, and said to Auntie Han, "Auntie, Happy New Year. It's still a bit cold. Once the sun sets, the temperature drops sharply."

Helping Li Xuewu take off his outer coat, Auntie Han said, "Your younger brother came the day before yesterday and already delivered the New Year's gifts, why bring more things?"

Han Shu and Dong Wenxue were children of cadre families and were quite resistant to this whole gift-giving routine.

One could tell from how quiet Dong Wenxue's house was what kind of personality the two had, but they had accepted the New Year's gifts sent by Li Xuewu's brother very politely and even brought back gifts for Li Xuecai.

They wouldn't accept gifts from others, but as a disciple of the two, Li Xuewu's gift had to be accepted.

Because this student wasn't a student in the modern sense, but a disciple in the traditional sense.

"I knew Mengyuan liked dried fruits, so I brought some more."

Li Xuewu looked at the living room and, seeing Dong Wenxue wasn't there, asked, "Where's Teacher? Still at the training school?"

"No, he's resting today, he's been writing his thesis in the study all day."

Perhaps hearing Li Xuewu's voice, Dong Wenxue walked out of the study.

"When did you get back?"

"Teacher, Happy New Year."

Li Xuewu bowed formally and wished him well.

Seeing his student observing the old etiquette and greeting him, Dong Wenxue also bowed slightly in return.

"Xuewu, Happy New Year."

Han Shu found this pair of master and disciple interesting. She held her son who had run out and gestured toward the dried fruits Li Xuewu had brought.

Li Xuewu waited for his teacher to walk out and replied seriously, "I arrived at the branch bureau at nine this morning."

Seeing Li Xuewu hesitant to speak, Dong Wenxue patted Li Xuewu on the shoulder, signaling him to follow him into the study.

Dong Wenxue's study was very simple, with a large desk in the middle, which should have been for the convenience of two people.

Li Xuewu sat opposite the desk and lit a cigarette for his teacher and himself.

Just as he sat down, Auntie Han brought in hot water.

"What do you want to eat tonight?"

Li Xuewu smiled and said politely, "Auntie, I missed your cooking while on the business trip, but it's not possible today. I have to go to Gu Can's house in a while."

"I see."

Auntie Han said with a smile, "You must be missing your mother-in-law's cooking, you only say what I like to hear."

Seeing that the master and disciple had things to talk about, Auntie Han opened the door and, before leaving, said to Li Xuewu, "I read your test paper, it was barely above average."

Li Xuewu smiled and replied, "I'm satisfied just to get an 'average' from you, Teacher Han."

Auntie Han smiled, signaled for Li Xuewu and the others to continue, and closed the door as she left.

Before Dong Wenxue could ask, Li Xuewu reported his plans before departure and his trip to the Northeast to Dong Wenxue.

Dong Wenxue smoked, thinking about Li Xuewu's words.

"How did you handle the one who's gone?"

Li Xuewu flicked the ash from his cigarette into the ashtray in front of him and said with a stern face, "I put the main credit for Fu Haibo's arrest on him."

Dong Wenxue nodded and then said, "This step was dangerous."

Li Xuewu frowned and said, "I didn't expect Fu Haibo to counterattack so fiercely. I thought I would be the one in trouble, so I deliberately sent people away and was prepared to get injured."

Dong Wenxue shook his head and said, "The situation is very clear now. Don't use such dangerous moves in the future. Personal safety must always be the top priority."

Li Xuewu nodded and said, "Understood, Teacher."

"How many cadres do you think will collapse at the branch factory?"

I can see everyone's comments after a while, so please don't worry, the book's performance is very good.

PS: The readers this time are really talented. ===== CHAPTER 315 =====