Chapter 327

Li Xuewu failed to wake up naturally; if he had relied on waking up naturally, he would have slept until dark.

"Ya! Ya!"

As soon as Li Xuewu opened his eyes, he saw his daughter leaning against his side, her little hand pinching his nose, her small face looking very serious as she said something to him.

Li Xuewu opened his mouth and took Li Shu's little hand into it, teasing her until she stretched out her little leg and kicked Li Xuewu in the face, then clumsily ran back into the old lady's arms.

Li Xuewu rubbed his eyes and looked at the wall clock; it was already three o'clock. Seeing Gu Ning sitting on the kang looking at him, he asked with a smile, "Didn't sleep for a while?"

Gu Ning pointed to the pillow on the kang and said, "I slept, it was the pillow Grandma gave me."

The old lady had been sitting at the head of the kang, smiling as she said, "Get up, take Xiao Ning back, otherwise it will be cold once the sun goes down."

"Mm-hmm."

Li Xuewu agreed, got off the kang to wash his face in the bathroom, and then took Gu Ning, who had finished dressing, out of the room.

Walking to the middle courtyard, they saw Seeing Sha Zhu pushing a bicycle out with Qin Jingru.

"Yo! Are you two heading back already?"

Seeing Seeing Sha Zhu greet them, Gu Ning responded with a smile.

Earlier, at the room facing south, Li Xuewu had introduced Seeing Sha Zhu to her.

Li Xuewu said with a smile, "Yeah, taking her home. Are you two heading out as well?"

Seeing Sha Zhu said happily, "Miss Jingru hasn't been to the temple fair yet, so I'm taking her for a stroll."

"A great place, very lively!"

Li Xuewu nodded and smiled, "If you come back a bit later, you'll be able to see the lanterns; they're quite beautiful."

Seeing Sha Zhu replied with a smile, "That's exactly what I was thinking. Look, we've even got our big cotton-padded jackets on, hehe."

As he spoke, he glanced at Qin Jingru, but at this moment, Qin Jingru's eyes were fixed on Gu Ning, and she didn't notice Seeing Sha Zhu's expression at all.

When she was staying at her sister's house, she heard people in the courtyard say that Li Xuewu had brought his girlfriend back, and those who loved excitement all went to take a look.

Qin Jingru had also followed Jia Zhangshi to stand in the veranda and watch.

At the time, she only felt that the woman was very tall and dressed very well.

Now, as Qin Jingru looked her over carefully at close range, she had to admit that Li Xuewu's girlfriend was indeed beautiful—more... more beautiful than herself.

"Alright, you two go have fun, we're heading home first."

Li Xuewu greeted Seeing Sha Zhu, then took the lead and walked out of the third gate, taking Gu Ning into his own home.

After saying goodbye to Li Shun, Liu Yin, and the others, Li Xuewu carried Gu Ning's bag, took Gu Ning, and drove the jeep that Xu Ning had returned to the Gu family's house.

Hosting so many guests today wasn't just about eating and drinking; like Duan Youting, many people came because they had things they wanted to say to Li Xuewu in private.

This could be seen from the fact that Li Xuewu had to chat for a while every time he saw someone out.

He talked to Duan Youting about the case, discussed Li Xuecai's situation with Ji Wang Weidong... with Li Congyun... with Xu Ning... with Han Yating and the others...

It was clear that Ji Wang Weidong was quite fond of Li Xuecai.

Especially given Li Xuecai's profession; he didn't have so many devious schemes.

Ji Wang Weidong knew what his sister was like—she was still a child who hadn't grown up. If she were to find someone like Li Xuewu...

Ji Wang Weidong thought of the person he had sent to the execution ground... he would never agree to it, even if he were beaten to death.

On the way to take Gu Ning home, Li Xuewu chatted with Gu Ning about the situation of the people at home.

Gu Ning listened silently to what Li Xuewu was rambling about; as for the matters at home, it could be considered a rehearsal.

Just as they were about to arrive home, Gu Ning turned her head to look at Li Xuewu and said, "When we were leaving."

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

Gu Ning said, "That person's girlfriend kept staring at me."

Li Xuewu turned his head to look at Gu Ning and said, "If someone is beautiful, aren't people allowed to look?"

Seeing Li Xuewu joking with her for the first time, Gu Ning also pursed her lips and smiled.

"There were many people looking at you today; perhaps she was just curious about you."

Li Xuewu explained and then turned his head back.

Gu Ning kept watching Li Xuewu's expression and then said, "I actually feel that she was more curious about you."

"Hahaha."

Li Xuewu said with a smile, "If she were curious about me, she would be looking at me. Why would she look at you?"

As he spoke, he turned his head to look at Gu Ning's certain expression and asked suspiciously, "Really?"

Gu Ning didn't speak, but nodded.

"Hmm~"

Li Xuewu thought for a moment and said, "That girl is a relative of the Jia family who lives in the middle courtyard. She was introduced to that Seeing Sha Zhu I told you about. Counting today, I've only seen her two or three times, and we haven't said a single word to each other."

Gu Ning watched Li Xuewu explaining the relationship, smiled first, then turned her head and said, "Why are you explaining? I didn't say anything about you."

"Hahaha."

Li Xuewu said with a smile, "This is what they call 'even if you jump into the Yellow River, you can't wash yourself clean'."

As he spoke, he smiled and turned his head to ask Gu Ning, "Do you get jealous too?"

"Cough, no."

Gu Ning looked out the car window and replied to Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu was actually quite happy to see Gu Ning's unnaturalness at this moment.

Jealousy is a good thing; at least it means she isn't emotionally indifferent.

He didn't have any special hobbies; no matter how beautiful an ice-cold beauty is, she's still cold when you hold her. It's better for a beauty to have a little warmth.

Li Xuewu had originally predicted that the bureau wouldn't notify him until they officially started work on the third day of the Lunar New Year, but as soon as he got home after dropping off Gu Ning, he saw the bureau's messenger waiting for him at home.

"Division Chief Li, Director Zheng has notified that there will be an official meeting at five o'clock this evening."

Li Xuewu was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "Understood."

After sending the messenger away, Li Xuewu sat in the room and thought for a while, then put on his clothes, drove the car, and went out.

There was no movement at the branch bureau building, with only a few offices having their lights on.

However, the lights in the bungalow meeting room in the courtyard were brightly lit, and people were entering and leaving the meeting room from time to time.

Li Xuewu looked at the garage in the courtyard; the few cars parked there were not from the branch bureau.

It seemed that these people hadn't even celebrated the New Year and had been working here the whole time.

He took out a cigarette, lit one for himself, and just as he put away his lighter, he heard a greeting from behind: "You're here?"

Li Xuewu turned his head and saw it was Zheng Fuhua. He hurriedly took the cigarette from his mouth, saluted, and said, "Director Zheng, good evening."

Zheng Fuhua looked at Li Xuewu, then waved his hand to signal Li Xuewu to finish his salute, and said, "It seems you've had a very good New Year; you've even gained weight."

"Hahaha."

Li Xuewu laughed dryly and said, "Director Zheng, if you have something to say, just say it. Stop teasing me. It hasn't even been three days; how could I have gained weight?"

"Don't pant if someone says you're fat!"

Zheng Fuhua looked at Li Xuewu and said, "Some people have been eating and drinking so well here that they've become round. If you don't gain weight after going home, it wouldn't make sense."

"Who? Who is so careless? They can even become round from working?"

Li Xuewu of course knew who Zheng Fuhua was talking about, but he still deliberately widened his eyes and performed here.

It's just that Zheng Fuhua didn't want to watch this kind of careless performance by Li Xuewu. He curled his lips in disdain and said, "Shen Fang said he misses you very much."

"Hahahaha."

Li Xuewu laughed and said, "Who's to say he doesn't? Old Duan and I are kindred spirits. We met this morning, and he said he missed me."

Seeing Li Xuewu playing dumb here, Zheng Fuhua sneered twice and said, "Fine, I'll count this as you being tight-lipped. I won't ask anymore."

He took two steps forward, then turned around and said to Li Xuewu, "Let's go, meeting time."

"Aye!"

Li Xuewu agreed and followed Zheng Fuhua into the small meeting room.

This was next to the meeting room where Li Xuewu had his examination. It was much smaller than that one and could only accommodate a dozen people for a meeting.

After entering the room, following Zheng Fuhua's guidance, Li Xuewu sat in the middle position.

Li Xuewu placed his notebook on the table and watched the people coming in one after another; most of them were strangers.

This wasn't just because Li Xuewu didn't recognize the people from the Discipline Inspection Commission he had guessed; he hadn't even recognized everyone from the branch bureau.

Since he was transferred to the branch bureau, he hadn't seen many people here in total.

After most people had arrived, Zheng Fuhua presided over the meeting. He didn't introduce the attendees and directly reported the case situation.

Judging from the situation introduced by Zheng Fuhua, although the lower end of Zhao Wenhua's line, including the cases committed by Zhao Linglong, Fu Bin, and others, didn't involve too much.

But the cases and related personnel involved by Zhao Wenhua and Fu Bin upward were not few, nor were they small.

Zheng Fuhua didn't say how big they were; he just first made arrangements for the work Li Xuewu was about to do.

"Comrade Xuewu, please cooperate here, provide evidence and support for our comrades in the Discipline Inspection Commission, and at the same time, do a good job in continuing the investigation work."

Li Xuewu nodded and said, "I will definitely cooperate well with the work here. Regarding the continued investigation, I would like to ask if our investigation direction needs to be adjusted?"

Zheng Fuhua lowered his head and whispered a few words to a middle-aged man with gray hair sitting beside him.

Then he raised his head and said to Li Xuewu, "You don't need to continue the investigation into Zhao Wenhua and Zhao Linglong. The remaining personnel can continue to carry out investigation work."

After finishing, he emphasized, "Coordinate with the rolling mill side, keep up with the progress of the case, and arrest Fu Bin as soon as possible. Although according to the existing evidence, he is not the main person involved in the case, other situations may arise."

"Yes!"

Li Xuewu nodded and stopped talking. Zheng Fuhua continued to make arrangements for the next step of work for others.

After coming out of the meeting room, the gray-haired middle-aged man who had whispered to Zheng Fuhua walked over, shook hands with Li Xuewu, and said, "My name is Xiang Yunian, from the Discipline Inspection Commission."

"Hello, I am Li Xuewu, from the Security Division."

"I've heard of you for a long time. Director Zheng highly praises your ability to handle cases and has recommended you to me many times."

When Li Xuewu heard this, his eyes twitched. Good heavens, this New Year of his really wasn't easy; he almost spent it here.

Xiang Yunian continued, "I hope our cooperation this time will be smooth."

"Of course."

Li Xuewu smiled, shook hands with Xiang Yunian who had reached out, and then agreed to officially start the docking tomorrow morning.

Li Xuewu stood in the courtyard and thought for a while, then used the phone in the guard duty room to call Beixinqiao.

Fortunately, Duan Youting was on duty at night.

On the phone, Li Xuewu instructed Duan Youting that starting tomorrow, Duan Youting would be responsible for docking the previous interrogation records and investigation results with the Discipline Inspection Commission side.

Duan Youting knew that Li Xuewu was going to run away again, so he asked with a bitter smile, "What should I do?"

"Just do what you should do!"

Knowing that Duan Youting was timid, Li Xuewu exhorted again, "I might set off for the Northeast tomorrow. You do a good job of cooperating here; our investigation still needs to continue."

Duan Youting thought for a moment and asked, "Basically everything that should be confessed has been confessed. Are we just doing the finishing touches on the investigation?"

"Mm."

Li Xuewu looked at the guard smoking outside the door and said, "Verify the problems confessed during the big examination that day one by one, then connect the problems of these people, connect with Zhu Laoba and others, and then connect with Fu Zhanghua."

"What about Fu Haibo's line?"

"I'll go investigate that side. You just need to connect the problems he confessed with Fu Zhanghua, and finally summarize them to Fu Bin."

Li Xuewu held the phone and said, "Remember, we only handle up to Fu Bin. Hand over everything remaining or exceeding that to the Discipline Inspection Commission. Remember, the person in charge here is named Xiang Yunian."

After getting Duan Youting's reply, Li Xuewu hung up the phone.

He walked out of the duty room, greeted the guard with a smile, then went to the garage to get the car, and drove out of the branch bureau courtyard.

Li Xuewu was afraid that the people from the Discipline Inspection Commission would disrupt his arrangements if they got involved, so he handed over the docking work to Duan Youting and went to deal with the problems of the rolling mill and the branch factory himself.

Another thing was the problem Fu Haibo confessed. He didn't know if Fu Haibo had told the people from the Discipline Inspection Commission in these past few days.

Li Xuewu was afraid that a long delay would mean many hitches, so he decided to set off as soon as possible.

He drove straight home, put the car in the garage, and then took the car keys and entered the room facing south.

"Finished eating?"

"Hey, what time is it, and you're still not eating? We've left food for you."

Seeing Sha Zhu greeted Li Xuewu as he entered the room, while Yu Li set out the leftovers from the evening on the kitchen table for Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu hung his clothes in the inner room, and while walking to the kitchen to wash his hands, he asked Seeing Sha Zhu, "How was the fun today?"

Seeing Sha Zhu lay on the kang in the inner room and said happily, "Quite good. I completely followed your requirements. I bought some things for myself and didn't spend a single cent on her. I listened to you and made her crave them."

Li Xuewu picked up a steamed bun with a smile, picked up some Chinese cabbage from the bowl, and took a bite.

Just as he was eating, Qin Huairu pushed the door open and walked in.

Before Li Xuewu could greet her, Qin Huairu glared at Li Xuewu and said, "What have you taught Seeing Sha Zhu? You've even made my sister cry."

Li Xuewu's hand holding the steamed bun paused, then he asked with a smile, "What did I teach him? Brother Zhu!"

After speaking, he shouted for Seeing Sha Zhu.

Seeing Sha Zhu jumped off the kang, walked out, and greeted Qin Huairu, "Qin Jie, weren't you two fine when you came back?"

Qin Huairu glared at Seeing Sha Zhu, then asked, "What's going on with you? My sister said you took her out to play, but you only cared about buying things for yourself and didn't give her anything."

Seeing Sha Zhu looked at Li Xuewu and said, "That's how it is."

After saying this, he said to Qin Huairu, "Didn't I tell you this morning that my trick is foolproof?"

Qin Huairu looked at Seeing Sha Zhu angrily, "It's one thing not to give her the things you use, but you two went out and didn't even give her anything to eat?"

"Pfft~"

The steamed bun Li Xuewu had in his mouth flew straight out.

"What the heck?"

Li Xuewu looked at Seeing Sha Zhu and asked, "You didn't even give her anything to eat?"

Seeing Sha Zhu felt aggrieved at this moment, "Isn't that what you said? Don't spend a single cent on her, and you also told me to make her crave them."

"Hmm?"

How could Li Xuewu not remember saying that?

Then he remembered something and said to Seeing Sha Zhu, "When I said make her crave them, I meant for you to take her to lively places, places that don't exist in the countryside, and use those things that don't exist to make her crave them. I didn't mean for you to use food to make her crave them!"

Looking at Li Xuewu's explanation and the stunned Seeing Sha Zhu, Qin Huairu curled her lips and said, "Seeing Sha Zhu, you succeeded. Jingru was so hungry she cried, saying she had never seen anyone so stingy. In the countryside, when you're dating, you might even give a piece of candy."

"Holy crap!"

Seeing Sha Zhu looked at Li Xuewu with a blank stare and said, "Yesterday you said all those things, and I only remembered a few key points."

"Hahahaha."

Looking at Yu Li covering her mouth and laughing, and everyone in the room, Li Xuewu said with a wry smile, "You can't just remember them all in a row like that."

"Hurry up!"

Qin Huairu said to Seeing Sha Zhu, "What food did you buy? Hurry up and take it home to coax her, just say you bought it for her and were thinking of giving it to her tomorrow."

"Aye, aye."

Seeing Sha Zhu looked at Qin Huairu, paused, and followed Qin Huairu out of the room.

Li Xuewu looked at the steamed bun in his hand, thinking it was fortunate he hadn't eaten it, otherwise he would have choked to death.

Yu Li chided Li Xuewu, "Do you think your tricks work on everyone? You've messed it up, haven't you?"

"You can't blame me for that!"

Li Xuewu ate a piece of cabbage and said, "This belongs to the type of person who is a born bachelor, a bachelor by their own efforts."

Yu Li smiled and sat opposite Li Xuewu, saying, "I saw your girlfriend."

"Mm-hmm."

Li Xuewu agreed and asked with a smile, "Is she pretty?"

"Do you think I'm stupid?"

Yu Li glared at Li Xuewu, then said softly, "Are you planning to get married?"

Li Xuewu shook his head and said, "It's not decided yet. Why?"

Looking at Yu Li's expression, Li Xuewu smiled, "Are you worried for me?"

"Mm, I'm worried for you."

Yu Li rolled her eyes at Li Xuewu, then said, "She is pretty, and the key is that she has temperament."

Li Xuewu put down his chopsticks, broke the steamed bun with his hands, and while eating, said, "Temperament isn't something you're born with; it has to do with your living environment."

As he spoke, he pointed at Yu Li and asked, "Don't you feel any changes in yourself compared to before?"

Yu Li thought for a moment and said, "I suppose so. At the very least, I'm independent, I have my own money, and I dare to do things I want to do."

"Isn't that temperament?"

Li Xuewu picked up his chopsticks to continue eating the vegetables, and then continued, "You'll have even more temperament when you have a lot, a lot of money."

"Hahahaha."

Yu Li laughed at what Li Xuewu said, covered her mouth, and said, "That's not temperament; that's annoying."

Li Xuewu didn't want to talk to Yu Li about the future; it was too fantastical.

Yu Li looked at Li Xuewu and asked, "Are you sure about building the house? It'll be spring after the New Year."

"Are you afraid I'm not sure?"

Li Xuewu glanced at Yu Li with a smile.

Yu Li was straightforward, "I'm afraid you'll be too busy and forget."

Li Xuewu shook his head and said, "It's already decided. Construction will start as soon as the soil thaws. Just wait for the news."

Seeing Li Xuewu finish his meal, Yu Li took the bowls and chopsticks to clean up.

Li Xuewu entered the inner room, drank a cup of hot water with everyone in the room facing south, and then went to the backyard.

Everyone has to return to work tomorrow, so they were all preparing to rest early tonight.

Passing by the middle courtyard, he happened to see Qin Jingru and Seeing Sha Zhu coming out of Yushui's room.

Their reactions were different when they saw Li Xuewu.

Qin Jingru glanced at Li Xuewu, didn't speak, and turned into the Jia family's house with a long face.

Seeing Sha Zhu greeted Li Xuewu happily and even smiled and talked about going to work tomorrow.

Li Xuewu smiled and didn't care about Qin Jingru's attitude, then went to the backyard.

Just as he was about to wash his feet after arriving in the backyard, he saw Qin Huairu push the door open and enter.

"Didn't you say you wouldn't come to the backyard anymore?"

"Go to yours!"

Qin Huairu gave Li Xuewu a flirtatious look, walked over, tested the water temperature, and said, "Why are you back so early?"

"Did you see me leave?"

"Mm."

Qin Huairu sat on the edge of the sofa and chided, "Don't give that Seeing Sha Zhu any more ideas next time. With his brain, it's best to keep things straightforward."

Li Xuewu leaned back on the sofa and asked with a smile, "Isn't this straightforward enough? Where is it bent? If I taught Banggeng, he could bring two girls home for you."

"Wu Shu, is what you said true?"

Just as Li Xuewu finished speaking, Banggeng lifted the curtain of Li Xuewu's house and pushed the door open to enter.

"Why are you here?"

Qin Huairu was startled to see her son looking at Li Xuewu with hope, then reacted to what her son had just asked.

"Why are you asking about this as a child?"

Li Xuewu was also stunned by the suddenly appearing Banggeng, then smiled, "Do you even know what I'm talking about to say it's true?"

Banggeng ignored his mother and walked curiously to Li Xuewu's side, saying, "It's the trick for dating, right?"

"Hahahaha."

"Banggeng!"

Qin Huairu was now sure that her son was asking about dating, and she was so angry she wanted to stand up and pinch Banggeng.

Li Xuewu smiled, patted Banggeng on the shoulder, and asked, "How did you know you wanted to learn the trick for dating from me?"

"Right, who told you all this?"

Qin Huairu asked Banggeng angrily, while also scolding, "Who is so wicked to tell a child these things?"

Banggeng looked at his mother and said, "Isn't that what you told Uncle Sha!"

This made Qin Huairu pause, then she asked, "When did I say that?"

Banggeng said unconvinced, "Isn't that what Uncle Sha was whispering to you this morning!"

Qin Huairu suddenly remembered what Seeing Sha Zhu had told her this morning, and her face turned red instantly.

Li Xuewu looked at Qin Huairu with a smile and said, "So Qin Jie, you knew about this a long time ago, and yet you still blamed me?"

Qin Huairu also knew she had been exposed, gave Li Xuewu an embarrassed look, and then glared at Banggeng.

Li Xuewu looked at Banggeng, who was staring back at his mother unconvinced, and asked, "Do you know what dating is?"

"Do you think I'm a child?"

Banggeng looked at Li Xuewu and said bluntly, "It's just finding a woman!"

"Banggeng!"

"Hahahaha."

Li Xuewu smiled and continued to ask, "Who taught you that dating is finding a woman?"

"My grandma!"

Qin Huairu said helplessly to Banggeng, "Don't listen to your grandma. You can't date yet."

"Why not?"

Banggeng asked unconvinced, "Uncle Sha and Wu Shu can both have girlfriends, why can't I!"

It turned out that Banggeng was so anxious to find a girlfriend because he was stimulated by Seeing Sha Zhu and Li Xuewu.

The topic discussed most in the Jia family these days was Qin Jingru and Seeing Sha Zhu dating, followed by Li Xuewu bringing his girlfriend home, which caused a stir in the courtyard.

Seeing Seeing Sha Zhu whispering with his aunt, and seeing Li Xuewu making everyone envious with his girlfriend.

This made Banggeng extremely jealous.

Banggeng now also wanted to find a girlfriend to whisper with, and also wanted to make everyone envious.

"You can't, so you can't. Why so many whys!"

Qin Huairu walked over, pinched Banggeng's face, and said, "You're only this young, and you want to date? Aren't you ashamed?"

Banggeng looked at Li Xuewu, then pointed at Li Xuewu and asked his mother, "Why isn't Wu Shu ashamed?"

"Hahahaha."

Li Xuewu laughed so hard that the water in the basin at his feet splashed out.

"You're still laughing, my son has been spoiled by you!"

Li Xuewu smiled, touched the head of the big fat face, and said, "Tell your mother again, let your mother hear who taught you all these things."

"Don't say it!"

Qin Huairu glared at Banggeng and said, "Your Uncle Sha is twenty-nine, and your Wu Shu is twenty. Only adults can date."

"You're lying!"

Banggeng pointed at Qin Huairu and said unconvinced, "My grandma said that my Wu Shu has been dating since he was a child!"

"Crap!"

Li Xuewu almost overturned the foot-washing basin at his feet when he heard this.

Why are there always wicked people slandering me!

"Banggeng, come here. What's the situation? Someone is slandering me, and you didn't even help me fight back?"

"Go!"

Qin Huairu hugged Banggeng and said to Li Xuewu with a smile, "Don't teach Banggeng to say bad things."

Li Xuewu looked at Qin Huairu speechlessly and said, "You don't care that your mother-in-law teaches Banggeng to say bad things, huh?"

"What my mother-in-law said is the truth!"

As she spoke, she raised her head and looked at Li Xuewu's joke with a smile.

Banggeng raised his head, looked at his mother, and said, "Since Wu Shu has indeed been dating since he was a child, then it's no problem for me to date too..."

Before Banggeng could finish, his mouth was covered by Qin Huairu's hand.

"Didn't I tell you, you have to be an adult to date."

Banggeng broke free from Qin Huairu, glared at her, and said, "You're lying to me. You just said Wu Shu has been dating since he was a child."

After saying this, he pushed the door open and ran out.

"Hahahaha."

Seeing Qin Huairu deflated, Li Xuewu leaned back on the sofa and laughed out loud.

"It's all because of you!"

Qin Huairu pinched Li Xuewu angrily, then walked to the bathroom, took the rag for wiping feet, and wiped Li Xuewu's feet.

Li Xuewu waved his hand to refuse Qin Huairu's help in kneading his feet, stood up, and asked, "I see the two of them have made up?"

Qin Huairu carried the foot-washing water and walked toward the bathroom.

"Mm, Seeing Sha Zhu brought the food over, and I coaxed her for a while."

Li Xuewu returned to the inner room to change into pajamas and said with a smile, "She looks like a smart girl, why does she look like she'll follow anyone for a piece of candy?"

Qin Huairu poured out the foot-washing water and washed her hands in the bathroom.

"Otherwise, why would they say country girls are ignorant? They can cry for two bites of food, and they can laugh for two bites of food. Sigh~"

"Hahahaha."

Li Xuewu changed into pajamas, stood by the door frame of the inner room, leaned against it, and asked, "Why are you sighing?"

"I feel it's a loss!"

Qin Huairu took the mop and wiped the water on the floor, saying in a low voice, "Jingru's appearance is quite presentable in our village."

Li Xuewu crossed his arms and asked, "Do you feel Seeing Sha Zhu isn't good enough for her?"

Qin Huairu raised her head and glanced at Li Xuewu, then continued her work, saying, "There's an eleven-year age gap."

She thought for a moment, took the mop to the bathroom to rinse it, and started mopping from the kitchen.

"If it weren't for Seeing Sha Zhu's conditions and becoming a city person, my sister would never give herself to Seeing Sha Zhu no matter what."

Li Xuewu walked back to the desk in the inner room, sat down, fiddled with the lighter in his hand, and said, "This is a helpless choice caused by unequal resources. You should talk to your sister; otherwise, there will always be such a hurdle in her heart, and this life won't last long."

Qin Huairu stood in the living room with the mop and looked at Li Xuewu, saying, "Do you think I don't know? But that girl has a strong mind. I don't know if she'll listen to me."

"Hahaha."

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and said, "If she's capable, let her find one herself, find one who is young and rich, good-looking, and willing to spend money on her."

He threw the lighter on the table and took off the holster on his chest and placed it on the desk.

"Heart higher than the sky, life thinner than paper."

Qin Huairu carried the mop to the inner room, mopping while saying, "Which woman doesn't want to find a desirable husband? She's not wrong in her thinking. I also thought this way when I married into the city."

"I haven't seen Jia Dongxu's photo. Was he good-looking?"

Qin Huairu glared at Li Xuewu, "Are you looking for trouble?"

As she spoke, the work in her hands stopped. She stood there, thought for a moment, and said, "He was quite good-looking. I could have found someone with better conditions at the time, but I just took a fancy to his appearance. I thought as long as he was a city person, it would be better than the countryside, right?"

Li Xuewu looked at Qin Huairu without speaking. This woman was a ruthless character. She could survive until now with three children and a mother-in-law after her husband died; if she weren't ruthless, she would have starved to death long ago.

Qin Huairu continued mopping out, saying, "Who would have thought, hehe, he was a person without good fortune, and I am also a person without good fortune."

After mopping the living room floor, she put the mop back in the bathroom, walked to the desk in the inner room, and said to Li Xuewu, "Jingru seems to have taken a fancy to you."

"What?"

Li Xuewu's hand wiping the gun paused. He pointed to the M1911 in his hand and said, "This is not the time to joke."

Qin Huairu chided, "Who's joking with you? She's been beating around the bush asking about you since she met you the day before yesterday."

Li Xuewu checked the parts of the gun and assembled them again.

"Then what do you mean? Are you planning to have her serve you as a concubine?"

Watching Li Xuewu load the gun with bullets, Qin Huairu chided, "You wish! Can you handle it?"

"Click!"

Li Xuewu pulled the holster, listened to the sound inside, and then said with a smile, "If she brings this up to you again, tell your sister exactly what you just said."

Qin Huairu was stunned for a moment, then reacted to what Li Xuewu meant. She hit Li Xuewu with a smile and said, "I hate you!"

"Hehe."

Carrying the gun, he walked to the edge of the kang, placed the gun by the pillow, and said to Qin Huairu with a smile, "The gun is loaded with bullets. If you don't come now, don't come in the middle of the night."

"Go to yours!"

Qin Huairu glared at Li Xuewu, then chided, "Wait until your girlfriend marries in and cleans you up!"

Li Xuewu didn't care and got on the kang, diving straight into the quilt.

Seeing this bad person acting shamelessly, Qin Huairu could only hum and turn to leave the room.

Qin Huairu came to the backyard today specifically to see what Li Xuewu's attitude was, so that there wouldn't be any accidents of sisterly affection.

Now seeing that Li Xuewu completely looked down on her sister, Qin Huairu was relieved. Now she had a basis for persuading her sister when she went back.

Otherwise, with Li Xuewu's character, who could withstand the person he wanted?

The morning of the third day of the Lunar New Year is different from the first and second days. You can even feel it from the smell in the air.

Li Xuewu got up in the morning and packed his clothes, but didn't carry them, preparing to report to the rolling mill first.

After eating breakfast, he strolled out of the hutong before Old Biaozi and the others took down the door panels of the recycling shop.

The temperature wasn't low today, and the sun coming out this morning felt warm on his body. Li Xuewu prepared to walk to the rolling mill.

Anyway, it wasn't far, just right for thinking about things on the way.

As for why he didn't drive, it was because the rolling mill had another car—the one driven back from the Northeast.

Another reason was that Li Shun criticized Li Xuewu, saying that his legs were lazy now, and he wanted to drive even to go to the toilet; it was too dazzling.

Wen San'er had already done the accounts, and the car currently being maintained belonged to the recycling station's assets.

Li Xuewu was walking with big strides on the road with a cigarette in his mouth when suddenly a bell sound came from behind, and then he saw Qin Huairu riding a bicycle and stopping in front of him.

"Need a ride?"

"Hahaha, can you carry me?"

"Just get on."

Li Xuewu pointed to the front and said, "You start riding first."

Qin Huairu of course knew what Li Xuewu wanted to do, and said with a smile, "Be gentle!"

As she spoke, she had already kicked twice with her right foot, swung her leg from behind onto the bike, and pedaled hard.

Li Xuewu held the cigarette butt in his mouth, stretched his legs, accelerated, and jumped straight onto the back seat of the bicycle.

Li Xuewu's sudden attack startled Qin Huairu, and the handlebars wobbled several times before stabilizing.

"Ya! Can't you say something before getting on? I wasn't prepared at all!"

"Hahaha."

Li Xuewu took the cigarette butt from his mouth, flicked it, and laughed, "Didn't I tell you to start riding first?"

Qin Huairu knew she couldn't argue with Li Xuewu, so she could only pedal the bike hard.

"It's different having this bike; it saves more than forty minutes of walking compared to before."

"No need to thank me."

"You wish!"

Li Xuewu held the cigarette butt upside down in his hand, afraid that the wind would finish the cigarette before he could.

Qin Huairu didn't pedal fast, after all, Li Xuewu's weight was here, but it wasn't slow either, and they arrived just in time for work.

"How's my sister's cycling skill?"

Qin Huairu got off the bike and asked Li Xuewu, who had jumped off before her.

"Hehe, quite good."

Li Xuewu curled his lips and suggested, "Don't do this next time, it's not very safe."

"What's wrong?"

Li Xuewu pointed to his shoes and said, "If I hadn't reacted quickly, I would have been swept off by your leg."

Qin Huairu looked at the dust on Li Xuewu's shoes, glared at Li Xuewu, and said, "Next time I won't let you sit on my bike, I'll just let you walk."

"Mm-hmm."

Li Xuewu nodded and said, "I'll listen to you, I'll just walk."

"Go to yours!"

Qin Huairu pushed the bike into the courtyard first.

Li Xuewu chatted with the guards at the entrance for a while, then went to the office building.

First, he returned to the Security Division office to check the official business on the desk.

Because they were all from the few days before and after the New Year, Li Xuewu looked at them, picked out the expired ones and put them in the waste paper pile, and approved the backlog of documents.

Seeing that the door to Li Xuewu's office was unlocked, Han Yating knocked on the door and walked in.

"Division Chief, you're at work!"

Li Xuewu raised his head, glanced, and continued to approve the documents in his hand, saying, "It's the third day of the Lunar New Year, what else would I do if I'm not at work?"

"Is that case closed?"

Han Yating was the planner and participant of this case, so she expressed disbelief at such a fast progress.

Li Xuewu shook his head, then asked, "Has Division Chief Fu come to work?"

"I saw him go upstairs. Are you looking for him?"

"Nothing."

Li Xuewu shook his head again and said, "Process these approved ones."

As he spoke, he looked at his watch, took the documents he had prepared, and said while walking out, "I'm going to the main building. You handle things for now."

"Okay."

Han Yating had just finished replying when she saw Li Xuewu had already walked out of the office.

Today is the third day of the Lunar New Year, the first day of resuming work, so the leaders also came very early.

Li Xuewu first knocked on the door of Li Huai De's office.

At this moment, Li Huai De had also just finished processing the first pile of documents this year. Seeing Li Xuewu enter, he said with a smile, "Reluctant to come back to work?"

"Hahaha, leader, you're joking with me. I'm a cadre of the rolling mill. If I don't come back to work, where can I go?"

Li Xuewu walked into the office and then closed the door.

Seeing Li Xuewu close the door, Li Huai De knew there was something important to report to him.

"Still playing dumb with me. I was the one who approved your personnel file for the branch bureau."

He said to Li Xuewu with a smile, then asked with a smile, "Why? Is being the deputy division chief of the branch bureau uncomfortable?"

Li Xuewu knew that Li Huai De was implying something else, but this old fox was speaking in circles, and Li Xuewu wasn't afraid of him.

"Sigh, it's still the family that feels sorry for me. If you ask me, being the deputy division chief of the branch bureau isn't as comfortable as being the deputy division chief of our factory. Why don't you promote me another level?"

Seeing Li Xuewu being shameless, Li Huai De smiled helplessly, "If I could promote you, I would promote you to division chief. It's just that I don't have that authority."

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu said with a bad smile, "It's still comfortable to hear our own leaders speak."

He handed the documents in his hand to Li Huai De and said with a smile, "You take a look at this first. Maybe my deputy division chief position can be solved."

"Oh?"

Li Huai De narrowed his eyes and glanced at Li Xuewu, then took the document Li Xuewu handed over.

Actually, taking a subordinate's document at this time carries a high risk, especially when Li Xuewu stated his demands through a joke.

He waved his hand to tell Li Xuewu to sit down, and Li Huai De opened the document Li Xuewu sent over.

The smiling expression originally on his face disappeared when he saw the title, replaced by an extremely solemn expression.

After reading the document in his hand, he raised his head and asked Li Xuewu solemnly, "Is this true?"