Chapter 358: Toad Eating Swan

Wen San'er heard Old Biaozi's teasing and laughed, saying, "Don't say that; my nephew has finally learned to speak like a human."

Old Biaozi was carrying a heavy load on his shoulder, so he wasn't in the mood to bicker with his third uncle and quickly stepped toward the basement.

Shen Guodong, who came up, laughed and said, "Why provoke him? Who knows how he'll act shamelessly at your house later."

"He wouldn't dare!"

Wen San'er helped Shen Guodong shoulder a bag and said, "He'll have a day when he's looking for a wife too."

Seeing Li Xuewu come up, Wen San'er said, "This car has finally been put to use; my heart ached just seeing it parked there."

Li Xuewu shouldered a gunny sack and said, "Hurry and think about how to sell the goods; you won't feel the ache once you've made money."

"Got it!"

With three people shouldering and Wen San'er helping, they unloaded the car in no time.

Old Biaozi drove the car out of the warehouse, then took Shen Guodong and Erhai to unload the scrap from the tricycle.

Only Li Xuewu and Wen San'er remained in the north warehouse; Li Xuewu was on the ground, and Wen San'er was in the basement.

"Why so much?"

Wen San'er had turned around for quite a while before coming up, holding a flashlight, its reflected light illuminating his surprised face.

Li Xuewu turned to glance at him, then turned back to continue looking outside.

"Met a conscientious seller, hehehe."

Seeing Li Xuewu joking, Wen San'er didn't dare to be careless.

"Could there be hidden risks?"

Wen San'er walked to Li Xuewu's side and said softly, "I've never dared to ask you about the source and channels before, but you must be very careful with this transportation."

"Mm, I know."

Li Xuewu nodded; he understood what Wen San'er meant.

It was nothing more than saying that if it was for safety, increasing costs for transportation was appropriate.

This transportation cost wasn't just the actual cost, but also safety guarantee expenses.

Li Xuewu stomped his feet without explaining too much on this matter.

Seeing Wen San'er frown, he asked, "Did you see the seafood?"

"I saw it."

Wen San'er nodded and asked, "Did you meet them during this training?"

"Mm, met a broker."

Li Xuewu briefly mentioned the situation in Jinmen but didn't mention Pei Jungang.

He didn't want his family to know too much, nor did he want this side to have contact with the channels.

He would need money in the future, and Li Xuewu didn't want to make money by using his identity.

Therefore, in terms of primitive accumulation, he chose stability above all else.

Wen San'er also knew Li Xuewu's personality; this kid was someone who meant what he said. Whatever he could tell you, he would tell you if you asked.

But if he didn't want to say it, even holding a knife to him wouldn't work.

So when Li Xuewu said that there could be long-term, stable seafood resources in the future, Wen San'er just reminded him to be careful and didn't say anything else.

Li Xuewu and Wen San'er stood at the north warehouse door, looking toward the courtyard, and lit cigarettes for each other.

Wen San'er's emotions stabilized, and he said with a smile, "Three thousand yuan to buy so much stuff—it's worth it."

"Mm."

Li Xuewu nodded without mentioning the machinery; it wasn't the time to bring those machines out yet.

Moreover, Li Xuewu didn't feel secure about those machines and didn't dare to risk his life with that bunch of bastards.

As for when he would feel secure—hehe, he would feel secure when those people were like Fu Haibo.

"The customers from the old pigeon market must have lost quite a bit during this period of supply shortage, right?"

Wen San'er was already used to Li Xuewu calling those people from the old pigeon market 'customers'.

So he quickly replied, "It's fine; isn't that how this business is? Who can guarantee they have everything? Who can guarantee they have whatever is wanted?"

Saying this, he glanced at Li Xuewu and said, "But this time, the goods are solid, and there are good things like seafood, so this business will be much easier to do."

"How long will it take to sell it all?"

Hearing Li Xuewu's question, Wen San'er thought for a moment and replied, "Probably two or three months; it's not certain, especially with the rice."

Not only was the Northeast short of rice, but everywhere in the country was short of it. This could be considered fine grain, the same as white flour.

Wen San'er thought for a moment and said, "I'll start tomorrow and go around to the homes of these customers."

Li Xuewu nodded and said, "Take it slow; be steady and be safe."

"Yes."

Wen San'er agreed, then looked at Li Xuewu's expression in the dim light and asked, "Those kids Biaozi took in..."

"I know."

Li Xuewu nodded, squinting, took a puff of his cigarette, and said, "Human hearts are separated by skin. This kind of thing should be done by ourselves. There are only two keys to the basement; you must be very careful about who comes in and goes out."

"I know, I know."

Wen San'er nodded and said, "I've thought about it; use this side for storage, and put some in the west warehouse each time. Take out in small amounts; don't make it conspicuous."

"Do as you see fit."

Li Xuewu meant the same thing, nodded, and said, "Slowly screen those kids. Educate those with good character, and get rid of the bad ones quickly."

Wen San'er nodded, "Understood."

Then he asked, "Then how should these kids be arranged?"

"Let them go collect scrap first."

Li Xuewu looked at the lights in the courtyard and said, "Let them go out and collect scrap on their own."

"You mean we only collect the scrap they have in their hands..."

"Mm."

Li Xuewu nodded and said, "These kids have nothing to do with us; we're just giving them a place to stay because they have nowhere to live."

"Usually, if you need them to work, tell them to work to pay for their lodging, and make them pay for their own food with grain coupons."

Saying this, he turned to stare at Wen San'er and said, "This isn't a welfare home, nor is it a nursing home. We don't raise idlers, we don't raise masters, and we won't raise ungrateful wolves. Tell Ye Ye Erye that if any scum appears among these kids, he can get out too!"

Wen San'er felt that in the dim warehouse, Li Xuewu's eyes were glowing—the kind of glow that wanted to eat people.

He knew why Li Xuewu said this to him instead of directly to Ye Ye Erye Ye.

He had failed to stop his nephew from being reckless, so he was responsible. Li Xuewu had originally said to let him watch the recycling station.

Now that there was a change, Li Xuewu naturally came to him.

And Li Xuewu's words weren't just for Ye Ye Erye Ye; the part about getting out if scum appeared was also for him to hear.

If something really happened, even if Li Xuewu didn't say it, would he, Wen San'er, still have the face to hang out with Li Xuewu?

"I understand."

Wen San'er gave Li Xuewu a very serious and formal answer and guarantee.

Li Xuewu squinted at Wen San'er, turned around, and opened the warehouse gate.

"It's easy to catch a cold when you come ashore from the mud. If they don't remember kindness, they'll bite people. You have to let them crawl out bit by bit; only by knowing the bitterness of the mud will they know the sweetness of the shore."

Wen San'er followed Li Xuewu out of the warehouse, turned back, closed the door, and locked it.

While locking it, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"I... I was also thinking of having a few laborers..."

Wen San'er caught up with Li Xuewu's pace, making a weak explanation.

Li Xuewu didn't look back, saying as he walked, "I know what you mean, but that's not how you pick up cheap labor."

Wen San'er laughed dryly, "They're all half-grown boys; they'll be useful in two years. Isn't that more practical than finding someone else?"

"Hehe, you think it's easy."

Li Xuewu chuckled, "It's precisely because they're half-grown boys that they're hard to manage. They're all kids with bitter lives who have suffered so much; who doesn't have a bit of resentment in their hearts?"

Saying this, he turned to look at Wen San'er and said, "Just you wait and see; it'll be more troublesome than teaching your own son!"

Wen San'er sighed and said, "I accept that. It's better than taking people in when I'm forty; at least now I still have the energy and patience."

Li Xuewu also knew the benefits of these kids. Don't look at the high risk now, don't look at how much they eat, but as long as they are educated well and brought up well for a few years...

Li Xuewu wouldn't dare say anything else, but if Old Biaozi went out and said he had the Thirteen Guardians, he really wouldn't be bragging.

But the premise was that Ye Ye Erye Ye had to be attentive, Wen San'er had to be concerned, and Old Biaozi had to be mindful.

Otherwise, Li Xuewu's intimidation alone wouldn't be enough to hold them down.

Criminals are executed publicly now, and you don't see crime decreasing.

Li Xuewu knew he existed as a deterrent force; with so much work, he couldn't watch these kids every day.

So since Ye Ye Erye Ye wanted them, Old Biaozi wanted to take them in, and Wen San'er wanted to manage them, Li Xuewu was also willing to take the risk.

This risk was still controllable for Li Xuewu; compared to future gains, this bit of risk was worth it in Li Xuewu's eyes.

It was just a bit troublesome—you have to use both kindness and severity.

Looking at his watch, it was already past five; winter nights really got dark early.

Li Xuewu said to Wen San'er, "You go back to the room first; I'm going out for a trip, I have something to do."

Wen San'er didn't ask what, but turned and entered the west warehouse, bringing out a green oil drum.

"Biaozi just said the car doesn't have enough gas."

Saying this, he opened the fuel filler at the rear of the driver's side and poured gas into the car with the iron drum.

"Where did you get the gas?"

Li Xuewu looked at the style of the iron drum; it didn't seem to be the one that came with the car.

"Biaozi got some from the supply and marketing cooperative, and just a few days ago when the waste company came to load scrap, I got some more from them."

"You must be careful; gasoline is a dangerous item. It catches fire at a spark; you can't store it like this in the future."

"Yes, I'll put it against the wall later."

Once Wen San'er finished adding gas, Li Xuewu started the car and drove out the west courtyard gate.

The road was crowded at this time, but fortunately, the headlights were bright. Seeing the car come out, everyone dodged.

Those who recognized it pointed at this battle-damaged GAZ-69 and said something.

Li Xuewu was cautious in the alley, but once he reached the main road, he stepped on the gas and accelerated.

The car looked battle-damaged on the outside, but it was new on the inside—Ma San'er's original treasure.

The military hospital wasn't far from Nanluoguxiang; roaring with the gas, it only took five or six minutes.

Once he parked the car in the courtyard, Li Xuewu didn't turn off the engine, slammed the car door, and said to the parking lot attendant who walked over, "Picking someone up upstairs, I'll be down in a moment."

Seeing Li Xuewu walking upstairs in a dusty uniform, the attendant really didn't dare to stop him, thinking he really had something urgent.

Once Li Xuewu reached the second floor, he didn't care about the looks others gave him; he had shouldered several bags of corn, so how could he not have dust on him?

Arriving at the surgery office, Li Xuewu knocked on the door.

"Who are you looking for?"

Once a doctor in a white coat opened the door, Li Xuewu greeted with a smile, "Hello, I'm looking for Gu Ning."

The female doctor sized Li Xuewu up and asked, "Is there something?"

Looking at Li Xuewu covered in dust, his uniform wrinkled beyond recognition from shouldering bags.

Doctors have occupational diseases; even if they don't, they pretend to have cleanliness issues, which made the female doctor suspicious of Li Xuewu's purpose.

Before Li Xuewu could speak, he heard Gu Ning inside say, "Sister Lan, he's looking for me."

The female doctor glanced back at Gu Ning, who was walking out, gave an answer, and began to size Li Xuewu up again.

Li Xuewu didn't care about this impolite gaze; it was really a waste of time, and he didn't have time to change clothes.

Seeing Li Xuewu standing at the door, Gu Ning was surprised and said, "It really is you."

Li Xuewu asked, "Are you off work? I'm here to pick you up."

Gu Ning saw the dust on Li Xuewu and asked, "Did you just get back?"

"No, I got home at noon."

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "I was doing work at home and got covered in it. By the time I checked the watch, it was already time."

Knowing this was because he was anxious to pick her up, Gu Ning also smiled and said, "It's not far; you've been tired for half a month, why not rest at home?"

Li Xuewu didn't answer Gu Ning's question but turned his hand, which had been behind his back, around.

"This... what is this?"

Gu Ning was stunned by Li Xuewu's gift.

It was a square glass tank the size of a small shoe box, completely sealed, with three-fifths of it filled with water.

At the very bottom of the glass tank was fine white sand, and on top were several oddly shaped coral stones stuck together.

Around the coral stones were colorful marine life, and several small coral trees, which were imitations Li Xuewu had made by painting and gluing tree branches.

Scattered on the sand were small marine creatures like shells, starfish, and small abalones.

Of course, these were real, but they were just shells.

This was because Li Xuewu had called the Gu family and learned that Gu Ning had visited his parents on the Lantern Festival, so he thought of giving Gu Ning a gift to express his gratitude.

Huang Gan suggested Li Xuewu buy a watch made in Jinmen.

Wang Zheng said it was too expensive and they weren't married yet, so it wasn't appropriate; a silk scarf would be fine.

Li Xuewu didn't listen to either; instead, he asked his homeroom teacher, Liu Zheng, for the fish tank on his desk.

But Liu Zheng said it belonged to another teacher at the school and offered to bring him one from outside.

Li Xuewu specifically asked Liu Zheng for another piece of glass of the same material and glass glue, which made Liu Zheng scold him for not attending to his proper duties.

In the following days, Li Xuewu began to pay attention to the remains of marine creatures on the beach during his morning runs.

He collected those with good shapes and even asked Pei Jungang, who was on duty at the pier, for some small marine creatures.

Pei Jungang thought Li Xuewu was doing something big and searched for all the small ones he could find.

Li Xuewu didn't use many, because too many would make it look messy.

After carefully arranging the scenery inside, even Wang Zheng was envious and clamored for Huang Gan to help her make one.

Huang Gan wouldn't do it; how could he bring such a heavy thing back?

He understood very well that as long as he made one, his sister definitely wouldn't hold it herself and would designate him to hold it.

Would he do something that was asking for trouble?

So when Wang Zheng cried and begged for one, Huang Gan only said he was clumsy and couldn't do it.

Besides, if he made one for his sister, the one at home would flip out if she saw it.

Experienced Huang Gan knew at a glance that Li Xuewu's creative idea was too lethal for women.

So in the end, Wang Zheng only found some good-looking things and prepared to make one herself when she returned to Beijing.

When Li Xuewu was about to seal the top after filling it with seawater, he felt something was still missing, and finally saw the flashlight Huang Gan brought on the table.

Huang Gan came out of the restroom and saw the only household appliance he brought being dismantled by Li Xuewu, who was using a soldering iron to weld a light bulb.

"You can't sacrifice my light just to please your girlfriend!"

The result was that the sea view tank with 'Huang Gan's Light' on the top cover was even more beautiful, and Wang Zheng next door was crying with envy.

This thing was indeed lethal to women. Although it was a bit crude, it was indeed a rare item at this time.

It wasn't that these things were rare, but that the creativity of such a gift was rare.

It was already dark, and the lights in the hospital corridor weren't very bright.

The fish tank Li Xuewu held in his hands emitted dazzling, colorful light, illuminating the deep-sea imitation scenery inside, making it look vivid.

Especially with the seawater swaying naturally with Li Xuewu's breathing, it made Gu Ning feel as if she were there in person.

"Wow!"

"Is this something from the sea?"

"What's that!"

Because they were curious about who was looking for Gu Ning, the doctors in the office looked out through the open door.

Seeing the sea view tank in Li Xuewu's hands, they were all surprised.

Why else would it be so lethal? Not only the female doctors behind Gu Ning, but also the passing patients and their families looked over.

Li Xuewu looked at the surprised Gu Ning and smiled, "Because I was training by the sea, I thought of your hard and monotonous work, so I specially made a desktop ornament for you by hand. It's a bit crude, I hope you like it."

"Tha... thank you."

Gu Ning blankly took the magical gift Li Xuewu handed her, the corners of her mouth curling up uncontrollably.

Looking at Li Xuewu's smile, Gu Ning blushed and said, "Wait for me for a moment; I'll go change my clothes and get off work."

"Good."

Li Xuewu nodded and said, "I'll wait for you downstairs; no rush."

Saying this, he turned and walked downstairs.

And Gu Ning watched Li Xuewu's back as he went downstairs before turning to enter the office.

"Wow! Let me see!"

"Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

The female doctors in the office were going crazy; when the two were flirting at the door, everyone was waiting to see this gift.

Now that Gu Ning had entered the door, everyone crowded around.

Before Gu Ning's sea view tank was even warm, it was snatched away by her colleagues.

"Look, look, what's this?"

"A starfish, didn't you see it looks like a five-pointed star~"

Everyone discussed the things inside in a hubbub.

And Gu Ning blushed and brushed the hair by her ear; the exposed ear was already red.

A female doctor turned to look at Gu Ning and asked, "Dr. Gu, is that comrade your boyfriend?"

Hearing this question, everyone turned to look at Gu Ning.

"Mm."

Gu Ning blushed and nodded gently.

Although they had already guessed the answer, the colleagues still let out exclamations.

Everyone had vaguely guessed Gu Ning's identity; the last time Gu Ning was injured, everyone saw Gu Ning's unusual status from the hospital's reaction.

Gu Ning couldn't bear the gazes of everyone and said softly, "I'm off work, I'm going to change clothes."

Saying this, she stole a glance at the gift on her desk and turned to leave the office.

Even in the corridor, Gu Ning felt the heating in the hospital was too strong; her face felt hot and burning.

After returning from the changing room, just as she was about to push the door open to call her sister-in-law, she heard someone in the office talking about her.

"Whose young master is this? He really knows how to please women!"

"What do you mean? He's just an ordinary person."

"How is that possible? Gu Ning is..."

"How is it impossible?"

This person was questioned and said in a strange tone, "Haven't you heard that old saying? Good men don't have good wives, and lazy men marry beautiful ones. Look at what he's wearing; what a pathetic person."

"Seems like it really is."

Someone added, "He seemed to have come before; it seems he's some kind of security guard at the steel mill."

"Hehehehe, looking at that build, it's very likely he's from the steel mill."

"It's a pity for Dr. Gu, with such good conditions, to marry a small security guard."

Just as Gu Ning stood at the door with an ugly expression, Mu Hongyan walked over and asked her sister-in-law, "Why are you standing here instead of getting off work?"

The people in the room were chatting happily and obviously didn't notice the movement in the corridor.

She heard someone inside say, "Who says it isn't! A toad eating swan, I've really seen it all today."

"Sigh, that's her fate. She can't talk to anyone; what man would want to marry a gourd with its mouth sawed off?"

Mu Hongyan originally felt worried seeing her sister-in-law's expression, but hearing that they were discussing Gu Ning, she wanted to go in and start a street fight.

But Gu Ning held her sister-in-law back, shook her head, and said, "Don't, it's not worth it."

Saying this, she pulled Mu Hongyan a few steps to the side and said, "Li Xuewu came to pick us up. I'm waiting for you here; let's change clothes and go home."

"Li Xuewu is here?"

Mu Hongyan raised her eyebrows. She was wondering why these people were talking about Gu Ning for no reason; so it was because they saw Li Xuewu.

Gu Ning nodded and said, "Hurry up; I'll wait for you at the stairwell."

Saying this, she had already walked toward the stairwell, still carrying the leather bag Li Xuewu had given her.

Mu Hongyan looked at her sister-in-law's back; she was also annoyed by these old crows in the office.

But they were all in the same department, and Gu Ning's decision was right; otherwise, it would be awkward for everyone.

Mu Hongyan pushed the door open and asked with a smile, "What are you talking about? So lively."

The group of people surrounding Gu Ning's desk in the office stopped talking when they saw Mu Hongyan enter.

Someone quick-witted smiled and pointed at the sea view tank on Gu Ning's desk, saying, "Your sister-in-law is in love, and her boyfriend sent a gift."

"Oh?"

Mu Hongyan crouched down to look at the glass tank on the desk and smiled, "It's quite interesting."

"Isn't it?"

Someone asked with a smile, "Hey, Dr. Mu, what does your sister-in-law's boyfriend do?"

Mu Hongyan shook her head with a smile and said, "I don't know; she hasn't told me yet. Did you see him? What does he look like?"

The few female doctors looked at each other, all feeling it was impossible.

Sister Lan, who opened the door, said, "He's the one who came before; he has a scar on his face. It seems he's a security guard at the steel mill."

"Is that so?"

Mu Hongyan nodded and said, "I really don't know. When I get home, I'll ask her. Why didn't she tell me when she started dating? The family is worried."

Saying this, she tidied up her things, looking like she was in a hurry to chase after her sister-in-law, and said goodbye to them before leaving.

Seeing Mu Hongyan leave in a rush, the people in the room looked at each other, and someone asked, "Can't be, right?"

"Of course. You didn't see how shrewd she is; how could she say her sister-in-law is bad?"

"Exactly, she just doesn't want to say it, afraid of losing face."

"..."

Mu Hongyan stood at the door and listened for a few sentences, sneering in her heart—there will be a day when you'll be shocked.

Saying this, she went toward the changing room, seeing Gu Ning looking toward her, looking like she had been waiting anxiously.

After changing clothes and following Gu Ning downstairs, she saw Li Xuewu standing by the car smoking.

Mu Hongyan walked over with a smile and looked at Li Xuewu's car, saying, "Aren't you in training? Why does it look like you went to fight a war?"

"Hahahaha."

Li Xuewu patted the dust off his body and said, "Sorry to make you laugh, Sister-in-law. I'm really sorry; I was doing work at home and forgot the time. By the time I remembered, it was already time for you to get off work."

Mu Hongyan covered her mouth and laughed, "Don't pat it anymore, it's just more dust; wash it when you get home."

Li Xuewu opened the rear car door and asked the two, "Where are the bikes? I specially drove this car to load the bikes."

Mu Hongyan and Gu Ning went to the parking lot to get their bikes with a smile. In the interval, Mu Hongyan said to Gu Ning, "That glass tank is really beautiful; ask him if he can make another one for me?"

Gu Ning heard her sister-in-law's words, blinked, and said, "He made it by hand in Jinmen."

"I know."

Mu Hongyan said with a smile, "I don't know it was handmade? Happiness is happiness; why emphasize it? Afraid I don't know?"

"No, it's not..."

Gu Ning felt the heating in the hospital courtyard... the weather was hot, and her face felt hot.

"He said he was training by the sea, and everything was picked up; the water inside is seawater."

After saying this, she pushed the bike toward Li Xuewu, not daring to look at her sister-in-law, and added another sentence: "He specially brought it back..."

Mu Hongyan had already seen her sister-in-law's 'stinginess'; she was thinking about the uniqueness of her gift.

So she deliberately teased Gu Ning, saying, "I don't need seawater; tap water is fine too."

"Then... then..."

Gu Ning didn't know how to refuse her sister-in-law, and just happened to look up and see her sister-in-law's smile, knowing she was teasing her again.

So she said shyly, "Then you ask him."

Saying this, she had already handed the bike to Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu took the bike and lifted it onto the rear compartment.

When he came down to take Mu Hongyan's bike, he saw Mu Hongyan smiling and signaling toward Gu Ning, then asked, "Do you still have the materials for the glass tank you made for Aunt Xiao Ning? Can you make one for me too?"

Li Xuewu also saw Gu Ning peeking at him, so he smiled and said, "No, everything was specially picked for Gu Ning, and the rest was thrown away."

"Oh, what a pity!"

Mu Hongyan had already seen Gu Ning kicking the ice on the ground with her toes in joy.

These were feet that had nowhere to rest because of joy.

Once Li Xuewu put the bike in the compartment and closed the rear door, Gu Ning didn't wait and got into the passenger seat first, sitting next to Li Xuewu.

Her little face deliberately put on a natural expression, as if it were a coincidence that she sat next to Li Xuewu, not on purpose.

And Mu Hongyan's eyes were squinting with laughter, and her mouth could hardly stop curling.

Li Xuewu started the engine and drove toward Andingmen.

On the way, Li Xuewu asked Gu Ning, who was sitting next to him, "Do you have time tomorrow?"

Gu Ning leaned back in the seat, looked at Li Xuewu beside her, and asked, "What's wrong?"

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "Nothing, my brother and sister-in-law are coming back tomorrow, and my younger brother is also bringing his girlfriend back. You wouldn't want me to be at home alone, would you?"

Hearing Li Xuewu say this, Gu Ning's face turned red again; she couldn't handle Li Xuewu now.

Now, seeing Li Xuewu made her heart beat wildly, and her face felt hot.

Gu Ning felt that the heating in the car was too strong.

This wronged Wen San'er. When Old Biaozi knew Li Xuewu's official car had heating, he wanted to modify it too.

But Wen San'er knew it was fuel-consuming and wouldn't let him install it no matter what.

Old Biaozi asked how to drive in winter without heating?

Wen San'er was very direct, telling Old Biaozi he could rely on his 'righteous spirit'.

At this moment, Gu Ning only felt she was about to be steamed into a red shrimp by the 'righteous spirit'.

Covering her face with her cool hands to cool down, she gave a soft answer.

"Mm."

Li Xuewu's hearing was very good; he was waiting for this sound from Gu Ning.

"Then I'll go see my godmother and Teacher Dong tomorrow morning, and then I'll come pick you up."

"Good."

Hearing her sister-in-law's 'good' which sounded a bit spoiled, Mu Hongyan felt her worldview was about to change.

Can an iron tree bloom? Can an iceberg melt?

Watching the two of them answering each other, Mu Hongyan just wanted to let Li Xuewu stop the car; she wanted to sit in the back.

Sitting with a bike was more comfortable than sitting with a couple!

Fortunately, the distance wasn't far. When they entered the courtyard gate, the security guard at the gate was so surprised to see Li Xuewu drive in a 'fire-line assault chariot' that he forgot to return Li Xuewu's greeting.

This didn't look like picking up a girl from the 7th courtyard; it looked like he had snatched a girl from the 7th courtyard.

Once they reached the Gu family's gate, Li Xuewu helped them unload the bikes and didn't enter the house, told them he'd come tomorrow, and turned the car around to drive back.

Gu Ning watched Li Xuewu's headlights disappear before turning around and following her sister-in-law into the gate.

Ding Fengxia, who was in the house, saw them return so early and asked, "Off work early?"

"What do you mean?"

Mu Hongyan looked at Gu Ning with a smile and joked, "I borrowed someone's light today and enjoyed a home-escort service."

Gu Ning saw her sister-in-law teasing her again, changed her shoes, carried the bag in her hand, greeted her mother, and went upstairs.

"Who is it?"

Seeing her mother-in-law ask, Mu Hongyan smiled and said, "Aunt Xiao Ning's boyfriend!"

Ding Fengxia then reacted and asked with a smile, "Li Xuewu is back? That's right, training ends today. Did he go pick you up? Why didn't he come in?"

Mu Hongyan walked into the living room, sat on the sofa with her mother-in-law, and replied, "He said he arrived home at noon today and was doing work at home this afternoon, covered in dust, so he was embarrassed to come in."

"What's the matter with that, this kid!"

Ding Fengxia scolded him, then asked, "He must be exhausted, right?"

"Mm."

Knowing her mother-in-law cared about Li Xuewu, even if Li Xuewu wasn't tired, she had to say he was tired.

"Maybe he wanted to go back and rest early."

Replying to her mother-in-law, she added, "They aren't married yet; how could he not care about your impression of him? Covered in dust, how could he be embarrassed to see his mother-in-law? It's too impolite."

"This kid!"

Ding Fengxia nodded and smiled, "He's just too honest."

Mu Hongyan smiled and said, "Don't worry, he said he'd take Aunt Xiao Ning to their house tomorrow; you'll see your son-in-law tomorrow."

"Look at you, are you jealous of your sister?"

Ding Fengxia watched Mu Hongyan tease her in a strange, mocking tone, so she also smiled and made a witty remark.

Then she asked, "Why did you think of taking Aunt Xiao Ning to their house?"

"Maybe he wants to get closer. Which parents-in-law wouldn't like someone like Aunt Xiao Ning?"

Praising her sister-in-law, she continued, "Mom, you weren't in the car; you didn't hear how Li Xuewu talked to Aunt Xiao Ning. I felt goosebumps just listening to it."

"Hahahaha."

Seeing her daughter-in-law praising her daughter, Ding Fengxia was naturally happy, but at this moment, she became gossipy again.

"What did he say?"

Mu Hongyan looked at Gu Ning coming down from upstairs and imitated their tone, saying, "Do you have time tomorrow~"

"What's wrong? ~"

"Nothing~ My brother and sister-in-law are coming back tomorrow~ My younger brother is also bringing his girlfriend back~ You wouldn't want me to be at home alone, would you~"

"Good~"

These were indeed the words Li Xuewu and Gu Ning said, but after Mu Hongyan imitated them, the ambiguous atmosphere seemed to escalate, sweet enough to give people goosebumps.

"Sister-in-law~"

Gu Ning, standing on the stairs, heard Mu Hongyan say this, blushed, and ran over to cover her sister-in-law's mouth.

"Don't say it anymore~"

Mu Hongyan said with a smile, "You guys said it like that, why can't I imitate it?"

"Hahahaha."

Ding Fengxia was already laughing on the side, watching her daughter and daughter-in-law playing and laughing, laughing even more happily.

"Just don't say it~"

Gu Ning blushed and blocked Mu Hongyan's mouth, playing and laughing with the struggling Mu Hongyan.

"Mom, you haven't seen the gift Li Xuewu gave Gu Ning; it's really novel!"

"Is that so!"

Mu Hongyan dodged Gu Ning with a smile, sat next to her mother-in-law, leaned on Ding Fengxia's shoulder, and said with a smile, "A sealed glass tank this big."

Watching her sister-in-law gesture exaggeratedly, Gu Ning pouted helplessly, "It's not that big!"

"A glass tank?"

"Yes, it imitates the scenery of the sea, with sea sand, shells, starfish, coral stones, and coral trees. It's so beautiful."

Ding Fengxia was also surprised and asked with a smile, "Is it that beautiful?"

"Isn't it!"

Mu Hongyan said with a smile, "It's said that it's filled with seawater, specially brought back by Li Xuewu from Jinmen, and a small light is installed on top, making it look so beautiful inside."

"Is that so!"

Ding Fengxia's previous surprise was just teasing her daughter, but now hearing her daughter-in-law's description, she was really curious.

"Why didn't you bring it back?"

Mu Hongyan said with a smile, "That was specially made for Aunt Xiao Ning, saying it's to keep Aunt Xiao Ning from being bored at work, as a desktop ornament."

"Sister-in-law~"

Hearing her sister-in-law emphasize the word 'specially', Gu Ning pouted, "It's not!"

Ding Fengxia and Mu Hongyan were deliberately teasing Gu Ning and didn't listen to what Gu Ning was saying.

"Then ask Li Xuewu to make one for Mom tomorrow, and Mom will put it in the office to make those colleagues envious."

Before Gu Ning could answer, Mu Hongyan pouted her lips, acting aggrieved, and said, "Oh, that was specially picked for Aunt Xiao Ning, saying the rest was thrown away. Oh, I'm envious."

"Hahaha."

Looking at Gu Ning's blushing little face, Ding Fengxia also said with emotion, "Envious, but you can't be envious. It seems the mother-in-law is still not as important as the boyfriend."

"Mom~"

Gu Ning was teased by the two of them until she wanted to run upstairs again.

As the three were laughing and playing, the phone on the small table rang.

Mu Hongyan was sitting close, so she reached out and answered the phone.

"Hello, hello."

"Ah, it's Dad."

Mu Hongyan, who was on the phone, glanced at her mother-in-law and replied, "Yes, Mom is here."

"Good."

"Mom, Dad wants you to answer the phone."

After replying, she handed the phone to her mother-in-law.

Thinking something had happened, Ding Fengxia walked to the sofa by the small table, sat down, and took the phone from her daughter-in-law.

"Hello."

"Oh, Aunt Xiao Ning and Hongyan were sent back by Xuewu when they got off work tonight."

"No, he didn't come in, said he was doing work at home, covered in dust, so he didn't come in."

"I didn't see it, what's wrong?"

Listening to the content of the phone call between her father and mother, Mu Hongyan and Gu Ning's expressions became nervous.

They didn't know what had happened, why her father, who was in Yangcheng, had suddenly called back to specifically ask about Li Xuewu.

"Is that so?"

"Ah?"

"Is that so, oh."

A surprised smile suddenly appeared on Ding Fengxia's face, but she still said with dissatisfaction, "He called during his training, on the Lantern Festival, and I told him to be careful and study hard. I didn't expect he wouldn't even let people rest during his training."

"Hahahaha."

Seeing her mother suddenly laugh, Gu Ning, who had been clutching her hands, suddenly let go, her face full of surprise.

Mu Hongyan looked at her mother-in-law, who was chatting and laughing, and asked Gu Ning, "What did Li Xuewu do again? Worthy of Dad calling from so far away."

Gu Ning shook her head blankly and said, "I don't know."

"He didn't tell you?"

Mu Hongyan stared and said, "Be stricter after you get married; this kid's mouth is too tight."

Gu Ning blinked, and before she could speak, Ding Fengxia had already hung up the phone.

"Hahahaha."

Seeing her mother-in-law laughing even after hanging up, Mu Hongyan couldn't help but ask curiously, "Mom, did you pick up gold? Why are you laughing like this?"

Ding Fengxia walked over with a smile, took Gu Ning's hand, and said, "Isn't it picking up gold? And I picked it up for my daughter myself."

Mu Hongyan teased with a smile, "Mom, you can't be this biased. The son-in-law is better than the daughter-in-law."

"Hahahaha."

Ding Fengxia said with a smile, "You can't be envious of this."

Wait for another chapter in a while. ===== CHAPTER 359 =====