Chapter 338: Don't Talk Nonsense!

"Oh?"

Yang Yuansong hadn't expected Li Xuewu to speak so clearly.

"Comrade Yang Zongfang's age is sufficient, his qualifications are sufficient, and he has a full understanding of the Steel Mill, which is conducive to carrying out work."

Li Xuewu looked at Yang Yuansong and said: "What's important is that I believe Comrade Yang Zongfang is a cadre who can be trusted."

"Hmm~"

Yang Yuansong fell into deep thought after hearing Li Xuewu's words, constantly weighing Li Xuewu's suggestion in his heart.

This was not a simple suggestion, because it was the position of Deputy Factory Director, and a relatively important one at that.

Secondly, there was Li Xuewu's last sentence, which was pointed; whose trusted cadre was Yang Zongfang?

It had to be said that Yang Yuansong still felt he had underestimated Li Xuewu.

Just after confirming a cadre for the Security Division, he now proposed a cadre for the discipline inspection department.

This wasn't just understanding politics, but...

This cadre adjustment would see many vacant positions, and coupled with the New Year's cadre adjustment period, the implications here were significant.

After the morning interviews, it was already time for lunch, but Yang Zongfang hadn't returned yet.

Knowing that there might be a lot of things to check, everyone didn't wait for him and went to the conference room to eat.

Li Xuewu went back to his room to take a nap after eating his fill; he didn't dare to go to Luo Jiaping's room.

After sleeping for over half an hour, he rushed to Yang Shuji's room to prepare for the meeting, only to see that Yang Zongfang had already returned and was reporting.

"Yo, you're back?"

Li Xuewu knocked on the door and saw Yang Zongfang sitting opposite the desk talking. Li Xuewu leaned on the door and said: "You guys talk, I'll go check the guards outside."

"Come, come, come."

Before Li Xuewu could retreat, Yang Shuji beckoned and said: "I was just about to look for you. Come and listen to Zongfang's report."

"Good."

Since Yang Shuji had spoken, Li Xuewu pushed open the door and entered the room.

Yang Zongfang continued his report after Li Xuewu sat down: "The hiding place for Yang Mingsu's money has been found. Speaking of which, it's quite bizarre."

After taking the cigarette Li Xuewu handed over, Yang Zongfang smiled and said: "Yang Mingsu loves fish, so he had some big fish frozen on the balcony at home."

Li Xuewu had also seen the fish frozen outside the balcony when he went to search that day, and there were quite a few of them.

But this wasn't anything strange; the Northeast didn't lack aquatic products, especially for someone at the level of Deputy Factory Director like Yang Mingsu.

Storing some fish at home wasn't a strange thing; ordinary families also had this habit.

Yang Zongfang lit his cigarette and laughed: "We went, used a knife to split the fish open, and good heavens, it was golden and glittering!"

"He used every means possible."

Yang Shuji pursed his lips and said with great disdain: "His decadent ideology is like those stinking fish; even if it's gold, it emits a foul odor."

At this moment, Li Xuewu really wanted to say: I don't mind.

But given Li Xuewu's reputation for integrity and public service, he was embarrassed to open his mouth to tear down Yang Shuji's stage.

Alas, burdened by reputation!

"Luo Cheng's situation is more complex. Not many valuables were found in Luo Jiaping's home. According to Luo Cheng, Luo Jiaping left for Beijing a few days ago with a lot of gold..."

"Hmm~"

Hearing this, Li Xuewu couldn't sit still again. Damn it, hiding from Beijing to Steel City, was it still impossible to escape?

Yang Shuji took in Li Xuewu's expression, knowing that this kid had high political sensitivity, but wasn't this being a bit too paranoid?

Seeing Yang Shuji looking at him, Li Xuewu smiled helplessly and said: "I suggest reporting this situation to Beijing."

As he spoke, Li Xuewu introduced Xiang Yunian, who was handling the case at the branch bureau, and Xiang Yunian's mission to Yang Yuansong.

Yang Shuji naturally knew Xiang Yunian and knew he was leading a team to investigate Fu Bin's case.

But there was a saying: don't air dirty laundry in public. Yang Yuansong still wanted to keep Luo Jiaping under the lid and handle it.

Li Xuewu also saw Yang Shuji's intention; if he had agreed, he wouldn't be frowning right now.

"Leader, since it's a tumor, it's useless to keep it. Instead, it will slow down the speed of the Steel Mill's order recovery, and it's not convenient for..."

"Hmm, I know."

Yang Yuansong nodded, knowing that what Li Xuewu said made sense, picked up the phone and said: "I'll communicate with Comrade Fengshan. If we're going to hand it over, let's do it quickly."

Li Xuewu and Yang Zongfang saw Yang Yuansong about to make a call, so they both stood up, greeted him, and left the room.

"How was the morning?"

As soon as they left the room, Yang Zongfang asked Li Xuewu about the morning interviews.

"Quite good."

Li Xuewu nodded to Yang Zongfang with a smile and said: "Yang Shuji even said it would be best for the general factory to send a powerful cadre over."

"Oh?"

Yang Zongfang smiled and glanced at Li Xuewu, saying: "Did he point the finger at you?"

"How is that possible?"

Li Xuewu walked to the stairwell and stood still, leaning on the stair railing, and said: "What the Steel Mill needs now isn't someone like me, and the conditions aren't suitable either."

"Hmm, hmm, hmm."

Yang Zongfang also knew that what Li Xuewu said was right; it was just a casual guess just now.

But he knew that if Li Xuewu weren't limited by age, he would definitely be the one shouldering the heavy responsibility this time.

"I hope the general factory sends someone who is both powerful and understands management."

"They will."

Li Xuewu glanced at Yang Zongfang and said: "I believe in the vision and determination of the Rolling Mill's leadership."

"Hehehe."

The two stood by the railing, smoking and chatting.

In the afternoon, a doctor from the Steel Mill came over to conduct an examination on Luo Jiaping, who "never felt sleepy."

The result was that his condition was good, his spirit was slightly excited, and his language was incoherent.

From the doctor's expression after coming out, Li Xuewu knew that this "incoherent language" probably had to do with him.

Examining Luo Jiaping was to assess his health status, because since he was controlled last Saturday, he hadn't slept for three days.

People at this time were in a very critical state, with their mental state swaying between virtual and reality.

Actually, this detention method was very special and generally shouldn't be used.

If a person stays up all night without sleeping, it might not be fatal.

But usually, they would become irritable or slow to react the next day.

They would also be very prone to fatigue or become extremely excited due to adrenaline.

If they don't sleep for two days, the situation will worsen.

They will find it difficult to concentrate, be easily distracted, and have increased errors.

If they don't sleep for three days, they will have hallucinations and be unable to think correctly.

People with long-term insomnia may become detached from reality.

This was also why Luo Jiaping could persist in ignoring Yang Shuji's interrogation on the first day, but started showing aggression toward Li Xuewu on the second day.

And Li Xuewu had already discovered his situation at the time, so he had been challenging Luo Jiaping's nerves and provoking him verbally, hoping he would exhaust his mental energy as quickly as possible.

It was just that Li Xuewu didn't expect his provocation to be so effective and his subordinates to execute it so well.

Coming to see the icicles on the eaves this morning, there were many fewer.

The doctor's examination was enough to show that Luo Jiaping had reached the timing for questioning; any later and there would be problems.

Yang Mingsu also enjoyed this treatment, but it was only his second day, so it wasn't time yet.

The Rolling Mill discipline inspection sent a total of four people, plus the Steel Mill's discipline inspection cadres, forming four interrogation teams.

These four groups of discipline inspection cadres would conduct non-stop interrogations of Luo Jiaping over the next 24 hours.

Li Xuewu watched Yang Shuji take people into the interrogation room, while Yang Zongfang returned to the bedroom to catch up on sleep.

The corridor suddenly became quiet.

Li Xuewu went downstairs, walked around the guard post, and then went to the office downstairs to borrow a phone to call back to Beijing.

"Teacher."

No wonder everyone in the Steel Mill was panic-stricken; the operator was already used to seeing people making calls to Beijing.

And Beijing wasn't calm either; there was a sense of a storm coming in the Rolling Mill.

"Factory Director, I'm here to report work to you."

Yang Fengshan looked at the Logistics Division Chief Zhang Guoqi standing at the door.

"Yo, Old Zhang, come, come, come."

Actually, Yang Fengshan had already guessed Zhang Guoqi's intention eight or nine times out of ten.

"Factory Director, hehe."

Zhang Guoqi offered Yang Fengshan a cigarette and said with a smile: "It's the beginning of the year, and our Logistics wants to report to the leadership on the main work to be done this year. Mainly, I want you to help me check it."

"Hahahaha."

This Zhang Guoqi was a figure in the Rolling Mill, worthy of being called a representative of the fence-sitters.

He sat very steadily in the important position of the Logistics Division, and was also at ease when handling and coordinating leadership relationships.

But sitting steadily didn't necessarily mean it was a good thing.

From Yang Fengshan's standpoint, he naturally wanted to unite comrades, and stability was above all else.

And from Li Huai De's standpoint, he naturally wanted to have a say and leadership in the departments he was in charge of.

If the top leader of the Logistics Division was obedient and a smart person who wouldn't make the Factory Director feel disgusted, that would naturally be good.

This resulted in Zhang Guoqi staying in the Logistics position for eight years.

Although he had now become the top leader of the Logistics Division, the world was so big, and he still wanted to go out and see.

The top leader of a branch factory was department level, and the top leader of a department in the general factory was also department level; the level was the same, and the salary was the same.

Why were there still people wanting to seek external appointments?

The old saying goes: better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of an ox.

Men want to hold power and want to achieve something.

But in the general factory, there were mothers-in-law above, and more than one, which made the head of a department have many constraints, and even if results were achieved, it was the credit of the superior leaders.

Yang Fengshan narrowed his eyes and listened to Zhang Guoqi's report on logistics management work, already certain of Zhang Guoqi's purpose.

It wasn't just Dou Changfang who saw the special management system that the Steel Mill was about to implement; all the mid-level management cadres in the general factory also saw it.

Zhang Guoqi's next step was the position of Deputy Factory Director, but the current deputy factory directors were all in their prime.

By the time this session rose or retired, Zhang Guoqi would also be at the age, and if he had no achievements in his hands by then, he basically wouldn't be able to go up.

Most importantly, a Factory Director must not only understand management but also understand production; how could he understand production matters in the Logistics position, and how could he achieve results?

Now Zhang Guoqi was forty; if he went out for five years, achieved results, and was transferred back, it would be a different scene.

External transfer and transfer back, as long as it wasn't a mistake, would definitely be a promotion.

"I recognize your ability, and you are also an old comrade here. You have been conscientious in the Logistics position and have achieved your own results."

Yang Fengshan watched Zhang Guoqi finish speaking and stubbed the cigarette in his hand in the ashtray.

While commenting on Zhang Guoqi's work ability, he said: "You also know the situation of our factory. Just now, Secretary Yuansong also called me."

"Yes."

Hearing Yang Fengshan mention the unit's situation, his expression became formal, knowing this was serious business.

"I also know Luo Jiaping, but I never expected him to do such evil things. I firmly support..."

After expressing his deep hatred for Luo Jiaping's behavior, Zhang Guoqi also expressed his worry about the stability and order of the Steel Mill.

"Factory Director, solving the chaos in the branch factory quickly is imperative. There needs to be a cadre who is familiar with management and has been tested for many years to stabilize the overall situation."

"Hmm, hmm, we are also considering candidates."

Yang Fengshan narrowed his eyes and made a thoughtful appearance, looking very embarrassed.

"Our factory has more than a dozen department-level departments; we must consider both actual work ability and personal opinions."

"I think dedication cannot just be spoken of in words!"

Hearing Yang Fengshan say this, Zhang Guoqi showed rare positivity and said: "As an advanced enterprise, our Rolling Mill's leading cadres should have more advanced nature."

As he spoke, he said very excitedly: "Sacrificing the small family for the big family, selfless dedication, is not just slogans and posters hanging on the wall. We department cadres should practice dedication with our own actions."

"Hmm."

Yang Fengshan nodded and said: "If everyone could think like you, it would be great. We have already misjudged one cadre, and the Steel Mill cannot afford a second Luo Jiaping. We cannot be anything but cautious."

"Yes, I especially understand your difficulties. No one wants such a person to appear in the unit."

Yang Fengshan looked at the echoing Zhang Guoqi and asked: "Today, Secretary Yuansong discussed with me the list of cadres to be transferred to support first. Since you happen to be here, I want to hear your opinions."

As he spoke, he took out the notebook he had just recorded on the table.

"There is Yang Zongfang, section chief of the First Discipline Inspection Section, who is currently executing discipline inspection work at the steel plant, the former security cadre and current guesthouse manager Xu Ning, and Sun Jia, a principal staff member of the office."

"This is..."

Thinking of the roots of these people, Zhang Guoqi knew that the feast of section-level cadres in the Steel Mill had begun.

Looking at the few people on the table, he knew who they represented.

Yang Fengshan looked at Zhang Guoqi and asked: "Of course, it's not just these three people; the first batch of cadres selected to be sent over is still under consideration."

"I want to ask if your Logistics Division has any outstanding cadres at the section level or deputy department level who are competent for the work of the Steel Mill."

"This..."

Yang Fengshan's question made Zhang Guoqi hesitate.

It wasn't that Logistics didn't have capable people, nor was it that Zhang Guoqi wasn't willing to promote his subordinates.

It was his own thoughts; he wanted to be the top leader of the Steel Mill.

But this transfer didn't allow for both a department chief and a deputy department chief to be transferred together; that would look too ugly.

Most importantly, the factory leadership wouldn't allow it either.

You can't tear down the east wall to patch the west wall, having cadres for the branch factory while the framework of the department here collapses.

Now that Yang Fengshan asked if he could produce section-level or deputy department-level cadres, did that mean he was no longer in the assessment sequence for the top leader of the Steel Mill?

"This, Factory Director, you have also seen the work of our Logistics Division; there is a lot of it, and the heads of each section are accustomed to logistics work. For a moment..."

"Hmm, hmm, I know."

Yang Fengshan nodded, closed the notebook in his hand, and picked up the teacup to take a sip.

"Then... Factory Director, I'll go back first. You're busy."

"Good, pay more attention to the coordination of each department and do a good job in logistics support."

"Yes."

As he spoke, Zhang Guoqi took his notebook and walked out of the Factory Director's office.

When he saw the Factory Director close the notebook, he knew it was time to send the guest away.

Zhang Guoqi wasn't a young man who had just started working; naturally, he wouldn't lose his composure just because he didn't get what he wanted to hear.

But after walking out of the office, he still felt somewhat anxious about gains and losses.

Even Xu Sinian, who came over to greet him, was dealt with with a smile.

Xu Sinian had good eyes; he watched Zhang Guoqi go downstairs and walked into the Factory Director's office.

Seeing the Factory Director writing something on the desk, he took the water cup from the table and refilled it with hot water.

He walked to Yang Fengshan's side with the teacup, placed it by the Factory Director's hand, and said as if casually: "Wang Jingzhang went to Deputy Factory Director Li's office to report work."

Wang Jingzhang was the Service Division Chief whom Li Xuewu always called Fatty Wang.

"Hmm."

Yang Fengshan didn't even lift his head, but his hand paused, then continued writing.

Seeing the Factory Director's action, Xu Sinian said softly: "It was also when Sun Jia went to deliver materials that he met him. He did mention the Steel Mill; since he was going to be transferred to the Steel Mill, he listened for a bit."

This time, Yang Fengshan didn't even have an "Hmm," and the pen tip didn't stop.

"The organs have been quite active these two days, and the club has been quite lively in the evening. Deputy Factory Director Nie has been there twice, hehe."

Determining that Yang Fengshan had heard him, Xu Sinian didn't say anything more, tidied up the already approved documents on the desk, and went out.

And after Xu Sinian left, Yang Fengshan put down the fountain pen in his hand, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes to start thinking.

Rolling Mill Guesthouse.

Xu Ning had just returned from the office building when he was intercepted by Zhang Songying from the Service Division at the door.

"Director, try this candy. It's said to be imported from Asia."

As if not on purpose, Zhang Songying met Xu Ning at the door and handed Xu Ning a spherical candy wrapped in candy paper.

Xu Ning looked at the candy ball in his hand with a smile and then said: "Stop stretching it out; if you want to ask something, just ask."

"Hehe, what would I ask? I just want you to try the candy."

Seeing Zhang Songying not asking, Xu Ning shook the candy ball in his hand and said: "Then I don't dare to eat it, afraid there's a cannonball inside the candy wrapper."

"Oh my, Director, you're really annoying!"

Zhang Songying said coquettishly: "I kindly invited you to eat candy, and you say that to me."

"Hehehe, you want to ask what I went to do, right?"

Xu Ning smiled and said: "If you want to ask, just ask. Using means to deal with children on me."

"Hehe, then what did you go do, Director?"

Zhang Songying wasn't embarrassed after her intentions were exposed by Xu Ning, and jokingly asked the question in her heart.

Just now she had seen the cadres from the Personnel Division come over to conduct a democratic assessment and also sought Xu Ning for an interview.

"You already know, why ask me?"

Xu Ning smiled, peeled off the candy wrapper, put the candy ball into his mouth, glanced at Zhang Songying with a smile, and walked toward the office.

Zhang Songying knew the definite answer, and her heart began to feel nervous, even more nervous than when she went to Steel City to take office.

Seeing Xu Ning enter the office, Qin Huairu also walked over from the front desk and pulled Zhang Songying to the canteen opposite.

It wasn't mealtime yet, so there was no one in the canteen.

"What did the Director say?"

Qin Huairu pulled Zhang Songying to sit at a table in the corner and asked nervously.

"It's what he said last time; he might be transferred."

"It really is!"

Qin Huairu clenched her hands nervously, her eyes looking at the tabletop in a daze.

When the cadres from the Personnel Division came over to conduct a democratic assessment for Xu Ning in the morning, Qin Huairu had already guessed that this might be the case.

Now that she had received the definite news, she was even more worried about the subsequent personnel changes in the guesthouse.

"Don't worry, he's so tough, what do you have to worry about!"

Hearing Zhang Songying's words, Qin Huairu glared and scolded: "Don't talk nonsense!"

Zhang Songying smiled and said: "Fine, fine, I mean I'll help you, what's there to worry about."

"Do you think the two of us can hold it down?"

Qin Huairu still had no bottom in her heart regarding the subsequent work of the guesthouse; after all, it had only been over a month, and the personnel relationships had just been smoothed out.

Now that there was a change, it was indeed a challenge for her who hadn't prepared yet.

Although Li Xuewu hadn't told her about the arrangements here, he had emphasized several times to speed up her learning and organize the guesthouse work; wasn't that just to take over Xu Ning's shift?

A few days ago, Zhang Songying suddenly found Qin Huairu and said very boldly about the upcoming personnel changes, and also said she would support her.

Qin Huairu had already started preparing, including training people transferred from the Service Division and weeding out a few who were too calculating.

Even with her primary school education, she had started borrowing books from the reading room to begin learning management knowledge.

But Qin Huairu didn't expect Xu Ning to transfer so quickly.

Thinking of Li Xuewu in Steel City, Qin Huairu felt uneasy.

Just as Qin Huairu was thinking about things, Zhang Songying, sitting opposite, grabbed Qin Huairu's hand and said: "We were good friends when we were in the workshop; now that we are in the guesthouse, we should be even more united."

"How to unite? Just the two of us..."

Zhang Songying held Qin Huairu's hand and said: "This adjustment, you take over as Director, I take over as Guest Room Chief; this way the biggest department is in our hands, no matter how it's adjusted, it won't go astray."

"This..."

Qin Huairu looked into Zhang Songying's eyes and said: "I don't have the final say either. Besides, this Director and Li Kezhang position isn't something we can have just because we want it."

Zhang Songying said firmly: "We can't decide the Director and Li Kezhang, so we find people who can decide."

"You mean..."

Zhang Songying leaned over, pulled Qin Huairu close to her ear, and started whispering.

And Qin Huairu's expression slowly became surprised as Zhang Songying spoke.

Then she blushed and said: "How can this be?"

"Why not?"

Zhang Songying looked into Qin Huairu's eyes and said: "You don't think I..."

"No, no, no."

Qin Huairu waved her hand and said: "I have no right to talk about you. I mean, will this..."

"I can only do this."

Zhang Songying held Qin Huairu's hand and said: "We are good friends, good sisters; isn't it natural to support each other? You help me, I help you."

Qin Huairu was shocked by Zhang Songying's idea, weighing it repeatedly in her heart, and hadn't decided what to do until she got off work.

Just as she arrived at the courtyard gate, she saw Seeing Sha Zhu standing in the outer courtyard looking toward the gate.

Qin Huairu glanced at Seeing Sha Zhu, ignored Seeing Sha Zhu's greeting, pushed her bike, and walked toward the second gate.

"Oh, Qin Jie!"

Seeing Sha Zhu took two quick steps to intercept Qin Huairu, apologizing incessantly.

"Dear sister, please forgive me. It's my fault; I shouldn't have lost my temper with you."

"You still have faults? I wouldn't dare!"

Qin Huairu glared at Seeing Sha Zhu, shook off

Qin Huairu was no match for Sha Zhu's strength; after her bicycle was snatched away, she was pushed by Sha Zhu all the way to the gatehouse at the entrance.

"What are you doing! Are you acting like a hooligan!"

Qin Huairu looked at Sha Zhu with cold eyes, and her tone became even less polite.

Sha Zhu let go of Qin Huairu but closed the door behind him, complaining, "Do you think I'd dare to act like a hooligan with you? Besides, look at where we are—would I dare!"

As he spoke, he pressed his palms together and said to Qin Huairu: "I just wanted to apologize to you; you've been ignoring me all this time."

Qin Huairu carried her bag and sat on the kang, looking at Sha Zhu as she said: "How would I dare let you apologize? You're so impressive; we all have to scramble to curry favor with you!"

"I already said I was wrong!"

Sha Zhu said with a cheeky grin: "I shouldn't have lumped you in with that Qin Laoliu. We've been neighbors for so many years, how could you possibly try to set me up? Right?"

Qin Huairu also knew that Sha Zhu didn't have bad intentions; it was just his foul temper.

"Do you understand now? Not suspecting me of colluding with my sister to swindle you anymore? Not blaming me for meddling in other people's business?"

"Hey, how could that be!"

Sha Zhu sat down on the kang with a laugh and said to Qin Huairu: "I have always trusted you, Sister Qin. Look at what you're saying."

"I shouldn't have bothered with you two!"

Qin Huairu looked at Sha Zhu and said: "Neither of you is easy to worry about. Look at the mess you've made—one is fickle, the other is crooked. How could this ever work out?"

Zhou Ya Mei hugged her legs, her chin resting on her knees, looking toward the fireplace and saying: "Fu Haibo was also like this when he went on a blind date with me years ago; he was very arrogant."

Sha Zhu said: "I shouldn't have done that."

"How is it going?"

Qin Huairu looked at Sha Zhu and said: "I don't have the leisure to chat idly with you here; I have things to do at home. As for Qin Jingru, I can't persuade her anymore. She doesn't reply to letters either. Now it's up to you."

Sha Zhu nodded and said: "I'll be honest with you too. My conditions really don't shortchange her, but the conditions she's demanding don't look like she's sincere about living a life with me at all."

"I can't speak to that. After all, she's my sister. If you two suddenly get along one day, you'll blame me for stirring up trouble again. So, decide for yourself."

Qin Huairu made it clear: it's up to him whether it's good or bad, and he shouldn't blame her if something happens later.

"Yes, yes, yes."

Sha Zhu nodded and said: "Then let's call it off. Let your sister find someone who meets those conditions she's asking for."

Seeing Sha Zhu's expression, Qin Huairu knew he felt uncomfortable.

Sha Zhu took this blind date very seriously; otherwise, he wouldn't have asked for Li Xuewu's opinion.

Furthermore, Sha Zhu had genuinely taken a liking to Qin Jingru's situation and had intended to date her properly.

But fate plays tricks on people. Qin Huairu also knew it was her sister who lacked sincerity, so she didn't blame Sha Zhu for this.

"My sister is stubborn. She can't see your good points; there will come a day when she regrets it."

Qin Huairu stood up and said: "Alright then, go do what you need to do. I'm going home; there are three children waiting for me."

"Sister Qin, you aren't angry with me anymore, right?"

Sha Zhu had made his decision, and having let go of his mental burden, he felt much more relaxed.

Qin Huairu smiled as she opened the door and said: "Change that foul temper of yours in the future. Don't get aggressive with everyone, or you'll suffer a big loss sooner or later."

"Yes, yes, yes, I know."

Sha Zhu smiled as he saw Qin Huairu off, pushing her bike into the second courtyard. Watching her back, he felt that ever since Qin Huairu became a cadre, her walking posture had changed, and she looked much more radiant and well-nourished.

Just as Sha Zhu was watching, the voice of the Second Master suddenly came from behind him.

"Sha Zhu, what are you looking at? You couldn't afford the sister, so you're thinking of marrying the older sister?"

Sha Zhu turned his head, saw it was the Second Master, frowned, and cursed with a cold face: "Get lost! You have no dignity for your age!"

Glaring at the Second Master, Sha Zhu turned and headed toward the inverted house.

The Second Master watched Sha Zhu's back, pointed his finger, and said: "Kid, you just wait. See how I deal with you later!"

"What's wrong, Dad? Who are you dealing with?"

Liu Guangtian walked in from the main gate with his hands tucked in his sleeves, seeing his father standing at the second gate exerting himself.

The Second Master turned his head, saw it was his second son, and said with a sour face: "Go home."

As he spoke, he walked toward the inside of the second gate with his hands behind his back.

Liu Guangtian stood in the outer courtyard and muttered softly: "Did he eat gunpowder or something?"

Although he muttered, he still chased after him and asked: "Hey, Dad, what did the director want with you today?"

"You saw it?"

"Heh heh heh."

Liu Guangtian followed Liu Haizhong and said with a smile: "We were smoking by the boiler room coal cinder pile, and I saw the director looking for you to go out."

"Heh heh, your eyes are quite sharp!"

The Second Master hummed twice and then said: "Work hard in the future, stop slacking off, and especially keep your distance from those hooligans."

Liu Guangtian looked at his father with a blank stare. This living father of his was acting a bit strange today; usually, he didn't care about him at all.

"Dad, what happened?"

Seeing Liu Guangtian chasing him with questions, Liu Haizhong looked at his son triumphantly and said: "Do you know that something happened at the steel plant?"

"I know! Didn't Li Xuewu go on a business trip specifically for the steel plant?"

Seeing Liu Guangtian mention Li Xuewu, Liu Haizhong's brow furrowed again. He was feeling triumphant right now and didn't want to hear Li Xuewu's name.

Liu Guangtian saw his father's expression and knew he had said the wrong thing, so he quickly tried to remedy it: "Is there any inside information?"

"Hmph hmph~"

Liu Haizhong walked with his hands behind his back and said: "The director said that the Personnel Department is currently evaluating cadres at the section level and above."

"What does that have to do with you?"

"How could it not have anything to do with me?"

Liu Haizhong turned sideways, pointed at his son, and said: "I told you to pay more attention to politics, but you just won't listen. Now you don't even understand what people are saying."

"Dad, it's enough that we have you as the head of the family to understand it."

Liu Guangtian smiled and flattered his father; he knew his dad loved that.

He said he understood politics, but he actually knew his dad was just guessing based on what he heard on the radio or what others in the factory said.

His dad had a low level of education; he didn't know a damn thing about politics.

"Hmph hmph."

Liu Haizhong held his head high, clearly very pleased with his son's flattery.

"Do you know what democratic evaluation is?"

"I know, I know."

"I am the worker with the highest technical level in the workshop; my opinion is very important in the democratic evaluation."

Liu Guangtian was just about to continue asking when he saw the First Master coming out of the room, so he smiled, nodded, and greeted him: "First Master!"

"Hey, are you two off work?"

Liu Haizhong asked with a triumphant look: "Hey, Old Yi, did your director look for you?"

The First Master nodded and said: "Not just me, he looked for quite a few people."

"Heh heh, how do you plan to say it?"

The First Master glanced at Liu Haizhong and then said: "Just tell the truth!"

"Heh!"

Liu Haizhong had the expression of someone who had gained an advantage but didn't want to share the price.

Qin Huairu, who was tidying up cabbage at the entrance, heard their conversation and remembered what Li Xuewu had said to her earlier.

In the eyes of a prostitute, there is no woman in this world who isn't for sale.

For a rumor about a woman who isn't for sale, the upper limit of what they can understand is: is it because the price couldn't be agreed upon?

This is the upper limit of what they can understand about "not for sale."

The First Master didn't want to bother with him, nodded, and headed out of the courtyard.

Liu Haizhong turned his head to look at the First Master's back, curled his lip, and then spat when he saw Qin Huairu walking toward the room.

Watching his father's behavior, Liu Guangtian also knew his father had gained some benefit.

"Hey, Dad, what did your director promise you?"

Liu Haizhong pulled his son toward the back, whispering as they walked: "If he gets promoted, he'll make me the section chief of our workshop."

"Ah!"

"Ah what! Keep your voice down!"

Liu Haizhong pulled his son home, avoiding the gazes of the residents in the back courtyard.

"Is it true, Dad?"

Liu Haizhong returned home, gave Liu Guangtian a nudge, and instructed: "You are not allowed to tell anyone! Do you hear me?"

"I know, I know!"

Liu Guangtian was overjoyed; he never expected his father to have a day where he would become an official.

This section chief was actually at the same level as a section head, but the levels in the workshop were different from those in the administrative offices.

A workshop director manages a large workshop, while a section chief manages a production line, with three team leaders under him, and small team leaders under the team leaders.

The section chief position promised to Liu Haizhong by the workshop director actually carried significant power; if he did well, he could aim for the workshop director position.

The workshop director is a deputy section-level or section-level position; he could transition from a production post to a management post.

"Mother, fry me a few eggs tonight!"

Liu Haizhong planned to calculate how to complete the task assigned by the director today, to win over more people to help their director get a high evaluation score.

Li Xuewu found a seat downstairs, read for a while, and wrote for a spell on the psychology manuscript he was organizing.

Feeling the light around him dim, Li Xuewu looked up, glanced out the window, and checked his watch.

"Time really flies."

Li Xuewu put away the documents and books on the table, pushed the door open to look, and saw that the lobby lights were already on.

Seeing Li Xuewu come out, the guesthouse attendant walked over and said: "Li Kezhang Li, dinner is served upstairs."

"Alright, alright, thank you."

After exchanging greetings, Li Xuewu walked up the stairs, preparing to eat.

"Hey, this field assignment of yours is quite comfortable!"

Yang Zongfang walked over, swinging his arms, and said with a smile: "Where did you go to hide and find peace?"

"Hi, this is just a case of 'the capable do more work'."

Li Xuewu smiled and let Yang Zongfang enter the room first, then asked: "Yang Shuji hasn't come out yet?"

"It's agreed, we'll eat first."

Yang Zongfang took his lunchbox to serve himself food, grabbed a steamed bun, and walked toward the table.

"We'll go replace the Secretary after we finish eating."

It really was an intention to interrogate continuously without stopping. Li Xuewu also took a steamed bun and some food to the table to eat.

The food in Steel City was indeed more oily than in Beijing; there had been meat in the dishes every day for the past few days.

Although not much, it could be considered quite affluent.

There was no such treatment at the steel mill; don't look at Sha Zhu making meat dishes from time to time—that wasn't for the workers to eat.

"Hey, the Secretary said this afternoon that Xiao Changqing and Yu Decai will be released from investigation tomorrow."

"Finished investigating?"

Li Xuewu hadn't expected Yang Shuji's decision-making speed to be so fast; he was completely aiming for a quick resolution.

"Mm."

Yang Zongfang bit into his steamed bun and said: "Everything that needed to be confessed has been confessed. They'll go home first and wait for the next step of handling."

As he spoke, he looked at Li Xuewu and asked: "Did Yang Shuji ask you for people? Xiao Changqing definitely can't do the job anymore. Who are you sending?"

"I don't know."

Li Xuewu shook his head and said: "This is organizational work; how could they tell me, and it's even less likely they'd ask for my opinion."

"Really?"

Yang Zongfang still didn't quite trust Li Xuewu's words.

"Really."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "They might ask for Division Chief Dong's opinion."

"Oh, right!"

Yang Zongfang pinched his steamed bun and said: "Division Chief Dong is coming back to take over the Security Division, right? What day is he back?"

Li Xuewu smiled and shook his head, saying: "End of the month, maybe? I don't know either. I haven't been in touch with him for a long time. Closed training, can't reach him."

Yang Zongfang nodded and said: "Indeed, their training class is managed quite strictly; after all, it's training for division-level cadres."

As he spoke, he teased with a smile: "When will we get some training too? Hahaha."

Li Xuewu glanced at Yang Zongfang with a smile and said: "I believe you'll have that opportunity; after all, your age and experience are both there."

"Not necessarily!"

Yang Zongfang shook his head and said: "Our discipline inspection cadres have the hardest time; the room for advancement is narrow."

"Where there's a will, there's a way!"

Li Xuewu didn't intend to talk more about this with Yang Zongfang, because he was a member of the working group and there was a suspicion of impropriety.

"What time do you take over the shift?"

Seeing Li Xuewu ask, Yang Zongfang replied: "It's our group after we finish eating. Why?"

Li Xuewu laughed: "That's a pity. I was thinking of asking you to go dancing at that workers' club."

"Hey, you still dare to go!"

Yang Zongfang shook his head and said: "I don't have your luck; I can only watch you go and feel the passion of the 'Bulaji' (Russian-style dress)."

"Hahaha."

Li Xuewu left the guesthouse after dinner, looking very much like a hooligan from later generations, solving all three meals a day at the workplace.

He got in the car, started the engine, and drove toward Guancun Street.

Arriving at the entrance of Villa 17, Li Xuewu parked the car, took out the door key that Zhou Ya Mei had hung on his keychain, and opened the main gate.

The villa's living room lights were on, so Li Xuewu pushed the door open and walked in.

Just as he entered the entryway, Li Xuewu's eyes suddenly lit up...