Chapter 496: Clearly Could Have Robbed

"Sorry, Aunt Tan."

Li Xuewu first apologized to Lou's mother, then said his goodbyes: "It's late, I'm heading back. You and Uncle should get some rest early too."

"Stay a little longer."

Lou's mother offered a polite remark. Seeing her daughter following him to the door, she knew the two were leaving together today.

"I can't, I have work tomorrow."

Li Xuewu took Lou Jie and said goodbye to the two, then stepped out the door.

Once the butler had seen them out, Lou's mother looked at Lou's father's expression and asked, "Did the talk go well?"

"Hmm."

Lou's father gave a slight response, paced over to the sofa, and sat down.

Watching her husband's expression, and recalling the laughter she could hear even while sitting in the living room downstairs, Lou's mother tentatively asked, "You don't object...?"

She meant that, seeing her daughter following the man, she wondered why her husband hadn't said anything.

"I object."

Lou's father looked up at his wife and asked, "But, is it any use?"

"I was just asking you."

Lou's mother didn't dare talk back to her husband. After walking to the sofa and sitting down, she looked at him and said, "Only the two of you were talking upstairs; we didn't know what was said, and I was worried you two would start arguing."

"Heh, he's a Deputy Division Chief; why would he bother with an old man like me?"

Lou's father leaned back on the sofa, lost in thought, his voice deepening: "When I was young, my father asked me what my ambitions were. I said I wanted to follow him into business and become the most formidable merchant."

As Lou's mother listened to her husband, she took the blanket from the sofa armrest and covered his legs with it.

Lou's father raised his hand, letting his wife tend to him, and continued: "I was young then; what did I know of ambition? I was just blindly trying to please my father."

"But later, when I saw my father staring blankly at the official headwear donated to the family, I realized that all pursuits are inferior, only scholarship is noble."

"Don't think so much; you've already done well enough."

Lou's mother patted her husband's hand gently. Seeing him staring blankly at the room where the ancestral tablets were kept, she persuaded him: "Father was proud of you."

"Sigh~~~"

Lou's father shook his head slightly and said, "Neither my second brother nor I satisfied Father. Where is the pride in that?"

As he spoke, he turned to look at his wife: "I've spent half a lifetime in the business world, never daring to look down on anyone, whether man or woman, old or young. I treated everyone with courtesy, all for fear of making a misjudgment one day."

Lou's mother knew what her husband was going to say. She turned her body, looking at her husband's bitter smile, not knowing how to persuade him.

"Heh, but even the most experienced hunter can still be fooled."

Lou Fu sighed, and his smile gradually became increasingly melancholy.

"A nineteen-year-old Section Chief, a twenty-year-old Deputy Division Chief—this isn't just 'the younger generation is formidable'; this is the surging tide of the new generation."

"Still competing with your own son-in-law~!"

Lou's mother signaled the butler to bring a cup of warm water. She took it and placed it by her husband's hand, emphasizing the point.

"Heh, son-in-law~~~"

Lou's father shook his head and said, "If I truly had such a son-in-law, everything would be perfect."

"Sir, Deputy Division Chief Li and the young lady have left by car."

The butler, Old Zhong, stood at the side of the sofa and replied, then added: "That piece of jade raw material... seems to still be upstairs. Deputy Division Chief Li didn't take it when he left."

"I know."

Lou's father nodded and said, "Put it away. Find Master Liu and have him look at it; have him carve something out of it. I'll have a use for it later."

"Yes."

The butler responded and then walked upstairs with light steps.

Lou's father glanced at the butler, then said to his wife: "See that? Someone so calculating—do I dare call him son-in-law?"

"Maybe you're overthinking it."

Lou's mother persuaded him: "I think the young man is quite good. He's polite to you, and after all, his conditions are better than Xiao'e's. You can't be too picky."

"That's true."

Lou's father nodded and said, "He stunned me right from the start. He dares to act and has courage. I have to admit I'm getting old."

As he spoke, he briefly recounted his conversation with Li Xuewu upstairs, then looked at his wife and asked, "Do you still think he's just a simple, excellent young man?"

"I don't care how capable he is; I only look at his character."

Lou's mother didn't understand her husband's point. She lowered her head and said, "Looking at Xiao'e's current situation, it seems she's determined to follow him. What do you think we should do?"

Without looking at her husband's eyes, she continued: "I actually hope he's after the money. If we use money to provide for a filial and sensible child, then there wouldn't be so many issues."

"Nonsense!"

Lou's father tilted his head, no longer looking at his wife, and said disdainfully: "A person like that won't be manipulated by your money at all. Didn't you understand what I said? He doesn't want our money; he wants our people."

He said this with some agitation, tapping the sofa armrest: "Look at his courage, look at his methods. He made me willingly climb into that cage and made me act as his shopkeeper."

"Calm down, it's not that bad."

Seeing her husband's agitated state, Lou's mother quickly picked up the teacup and brought it to his hand, persuading him: "After all, Xiao'e is the one who has to come forward. The initiative is still in your hands."

"But the power of life and death is in his hands!"

Lou's father took the teacup and drank a mouthful. When Li Xuewu was here, he was calm and composed, but now that Li Xuewu was gone, his temper flared.

In business, who is willing to hand their own neck to someone else to choke?

According to Li Xuewu's intentions, sales in the mainland would be handled by Li Xuewu, while sales and security in Hong Kong would be managed by Li Xuewu's people. Furthermore, he was restricted from leaving the country, which left him with strength but no authority, and his daughter with authority but no strength.

Although the shares were equal, in actual control, the key parts were being choked. This business was truly something.

"If you ask me, regardless of life, death, or money, you still need to be sincere."

Lou's mother shifted her body to the long sofa, sat next to her husband, and while massaging his body, said: "Even if you can keep all this family wealth, when our time comes, can we take it with us?"

"That's what they say, but aren't you heartbroken?"

Lou's father looked at his wife and asked with a frown.

"Xiao'e is my daughter. Even though there's no name or status, he has to treat me like a mother."

Lou's mother said indifferently: "I don't believe that when our time comes, he'll just watch you and me suffer and do nothing."

As she spoke, she shook off her husband's arm and began massaging from the elbow, aiming to relax his cardiovascular system.

"You're heartbroken over this money, but when the time comes, who knows whose money it will be? I don't see things as clearly as you do, but I'm not confused."

Lou's father listened to his wife's words and stopped speaking, pondering Li Xuewu's attitude and plan in his heart, hesitating whether to follow the path Li Xuewu had prepared.

"From an emotional standpoint, he is considerate of Xiao'e. Otherwise, if he wanted to deal with you, wouldn't he have the means?"

Lou's mother knew her husband had great abilities, but now he was a dragon stranded in the shallows, forced to bow his head to a junior, which was painful for him.

But she could only persuade her husband, because Li Xuewu had already done what he needed to do; the necessary communication had been made very clear. It was nothing more than a matter of face.

Her husband treated him as an outsider on the surface, but in his heart, he demanded the selfless dedication of an insider.

But the other party wasn't a fool either; he made it clear: public is public, private is private.

In public affairs, they would cooperate; in private affairs, he would give his daughter power and money—neither was ambiguous.

The young man truly had courage; no wonder her daughter followed him so wholeheartedly.

"Let's talk seriously. Whoever you do business with, ah, do they all have to depend on you?"

Lou's mother looked at her husband and said: "Does he use his resources for you just because of your daughter? Aren't you afraid he's digging a pit to bury you?"

"Saying these things~"

Lou's father shook his head and said: "You didn't understand my point. Now we have to gamble with the family foundation and our lives, gambling on his grasp of relationships, gambling on his grasp of the plan, and he won't even let..."

"How could I not understand?"

Lou's mother stopped her movements and said: "Do you think you can call the shots once you get to Hong Kong?"

Lou's father frowned upon hearing this, his eyes fixed on his wife like nails.

Lou's mother lowered her head and said: "It's been almost twenty years. If things weren't going well, he might acknowledge you as his father. If things go well, the family wealth will have been earned by him, and you at your age..."

"Bastard!"

Lou's father slapped the sofa armrest, sweeping the cup off it, which shattered on the floor with a "pop."

The butler, Old Zhong, heard the commotion downstairs but didn't dare to clean it up.

The two people on the sofa, locked in a stalemate, didn't bother with the tea and porcelain shards on the floor either.

"You might think I have the heart of a petty person."

Lou's mother looked at Lou's father calmly and said: "But think about it, when we were at home, did I ever fight with them over anything?"

As she spoke, she turned her body away: "This vast family wealth is all your Lou family's; what does it have to do with me? Even if it's given to Xiao'e, how much can I eat? Won't I just be dying with you anyway?"

"I'm at this age too, and I'm not afraid of anything. If you're reluctant, just tell Li Xuewu directly: give up the wealth and have him send you out."

"You!"

Lou's father pointed at his wife, who was sitting beside him with her back turned, wanting to say something, but he gritted his teeth and couldn't say a word.

"Sigh! ~~~"

All words turned into a long sigh. Then he patted his wife's arm and said: "It was my obsession."

"You ask me if I'm heartbroken, what can I say?"

Lou's mother, with her back to her husband, lowered her head and said: "You intend to take this money to Hong Kong for Hongjiang and the others. Should I force you to follow Li Xuewu?"

"Sigh~~ I know, I know."

Lou's father patted his wife's arm again, saying words of comfort.

Apologizing was impossible; he was the head of the household, after all.

In the past, when he had wives and concubines at home, he would never have coaxed anyone with soft words.

But who told them they were both at this age? How many more years could they live?

He understood his wife's meaning: who was more important, the son or the daughter?

To go to Hong Kong, he had to give the money to Li Xuewu, letting him handle his identity and procedures.

Once he returned, that money wouldn't be his anymore; it would have to be given to his daughter in Hong Kong.

Although Li Xuewu had said how much he would contribute and how much Li Xuewu would contribute, and that he would give his daughter management shares.

But the money had already entered someone else's hands, and the company required his daughter to come forward. How could he still have the face to talk about splitting it with his son?

Moreover, he no longer had wives and concubines. According to the mainland's requirements, he only had one wife, Xiao'e's mother.

Going to Hong Kong would be acknowledging relatives, but there would be no relatives left.

Because he had to return to do public work, how could he be allowed to have a complicated family situation?

This money, whether public or private, was all the same now.

"Forget it~ Forget it~"

Lou's father sighed and said to his wife: "Since he is generous, I cannot be stingy."

As he spoke, he nudged his wife and said: "Give the family accounts to Xiao'e."

Lou's mother turned around, looking at her husband in surprise, not knowing what this meant.

"Tell her, the Lou family must change its surname; it won't be 'Capitalist' anymore, it must be 'Socialist'."

Lou's father waved his hand, leaned on his wife to stand up slowly, and said: "So it's better not to have these shares. Just give them all to her, give them to her."

"Really?"

Lou's mother held her husband's arm and asked in disbelief: "That is...!"

"What is it?"

Lou's father pointed to the top of his head and said: "It is, and it isn't. If I don't give it to him, it won't work. Rather than being reluctant and making things difficult for him, and making things difficult for you, it's better to be generous."

As he spoke, he waved his hand and then said toward the direction of the stairs: "Old Zhong, what do you think?"

At this moment, the butler, Old Zhong, hurried down from upstairs, stood before the two, holding the stone, and said: "Sir is right. I see Deputy Division Chief Li has the talent of fine jade."

Lou's father looked at the butler, raised his eyebrows, and said: "This jade isn't for you; why are you speaking well of him?"

"Don't tease me, sir."

Old Zhong held the jade forward and smiled: "Actually, you had already made your plan. Giving up this money is also a gain. From now on, you can sleep soundly. Maybe the young lady will really fight for a mountain of gold."

"Mountain of gold, heh, sleep soundly."

Lou's father, supported by his wife, looked at the stone in Old Zhong's hand, pointed at it disdainfully, and muttered: "Clearly could have robbed me, yet insisted on giving me a stone, heh."

After saying these angry words, he ignored Old Zhong's smiling face and walked upstairs.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Lou's mother looked at the stubborn figure on the stairs and smiled at Old Zhong, thanking him for his hard work.

Old Zhong bowed slightly and said: "Madam, you've worked hard. You understand the master's temper best. As for the young lady, I'm afraid you'll need to give her more instructions."

"I know."

Lou's mother nodded knowingly and said: "With two daughters, he doesn't even mention the eldest. If all the family property is given to her, and she isn't filial, he'll be angry."

"Ahem!"

The stairs weren't far, and Lou's father, going upstairs, naturally heard his wife's words. Perhaps feeling embarrassed, he coughed twice on purpose as a reminder.

Old Zhong naturally understood the master's meaning and smiled, taking a step back. Lou's mother smiled, nodded, and followed him upstairs.

Some say that in the world, there are infinite painters, but it is rare to find one who paints until their hair turns white. It is the same for couples; who can say clearly if their other half will live with them until old age?

Lou Jie had a deeper feeling about this.

Following her parents' orders and the matchmaker's words, her marriage ended after only a few years.

She sought benevolence and obtained it, having the feelings she had now.

But whether this relationship was right or wrong, she was still measuring it with her own footsteps.

Regarding Li Xuewu, she dared not say she was in a passionate love like a young girl, and even less dared to say it was like the talented scholars and beautiful ladies in novels. She just needed a pillar of support.

At that time, at this time, and in the future.

Her family was destined not to give her much independent confidence; after all, she was a relatively traditional young lady of a prominent family.

So, for Li Xuewu's strong and decisive personality, she felt a greater sense of security.

Therefore, she supported Li Xuewu in every decision he made, the kind of support that was regardless of personal safety.

To others, this woman must be sick.

But Lou Xiao'e didn't care much. Life was her own; did she have to live according to others' expressions and views?

She hadn't lived that kind of life before; she had long since had enough of it.

Now she just wanted to live according to her own heart, especially when looking at the man driving, she had to live well.

"What are you looking at me for?"

Li Xuewu noticed Lou Jie looking at him, took a glance, and asked with a smile.

"Looking at how good-looking you are!"

Lou Jie naturally couldn't tell this bad guy her inner thoughts, so she blew a kiss with a smile.

"Thanks, but I know that."

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows shamelessly and replied, then asked: "Why don't you ask me what I talked about with your father upstairs?"

"I won't ask!"

Lou Jie shook her head with a smile and said: "I only value the result. I saw you laughing upstairs, and you were both relaxed after coming downstairs, so I know the result is good. I'm very happy in my heart."

"Hahaha!"

Li Xuewu laughed and said: "I'm afraid he might sell you!"

"Nonsense!"

Lou Jie asked coquettishly: "Will my father sell me, or will you sell me?"

"The two of us are teaming up to sell you!"

Li Xuewu said with a wicked smile: "And we'll even make you count the money for us."

"Go to hell!"

Lou Jie hit Li Xuewu on the shoulder, then looked at the road ahead. Seeing they were almost home, she asked: "Do you need to send the car back?"

"Hmm, there can't be any car movement here. Be careful of those idle old ladies with bound feet."

Li Xuewu looked at Lou Jie and said: "Thirty minutes at most. Wait for me at home."

"Okay."

Lou Jie knew who Li Xuewu was talking about. Seeing Li Xuewu acting funny, she followed his wishes and got out of the car by the roadside.

There was still activity here, but it was all in the second half of the night. Li Xuewu had never come out to see it; it was nothing more than those regular customers of the pigeon market.

Wen San'er hadn't returned since leaving this place—not counting daytime returns, because you couldn't see the "Ghost Market" during the day.

Li Xuewu watched Lou Jie enter the courtyard before driving the car home.

The family knew that if Li Xuewu drove out, he would definitely drive back. Even if he didn't stay the night, he wouldn't leave the car outside.

When entering the West Courtyard gate, he didn't even need to honk; someone came to open the gate as soon as the car entered the alley.

When Li Xuewu drove the car in, he saw that it was Old Biaozi who had opened the gate.

"Why didn't you sleep early today?"

Li Xuewu parked the car, pushed his bicycle out, and asked Old Biaozi, who was waiting by the gate.

This kid loved sleeping the most; usually, he wouldn't wait for those people in the East Room to finish reading before snoring in the West Room.

"Just finished drinking; Master Dou just left."

Old Biaozi hiccuped and said with a smile: "Brother Zhuer drank too much again."

"Heh, he has a huge capacity."

Li Xuewu laughed as he stepped out the door and said to Old Biaozi, who was closing the gate: "Drink some porridge, or your stomach will hurt tomorrow morning."

"Don't worry, I've already peed it all out."

Old Biaozi waved his hand. Seeing Li Xuewu get on his bike and leave, he then closed the gate.

The road wasn't far; it was less than ten o'clock when he reached Lou Jie's house.

"It seems to be getting foggy."

Lou Jie habitually tended to Li Xuewu, washing his face and feet, and busied herself washing Li Xuewu's socks.

"You're telling me."

Li Xuewu got on the kang, lay on the pillow, and replied: "I couldn't see anything as soon as I reached the edge of the lake. I don't know why it's so thick."

"It's nice in the summer."

Lou Jie washed her hands, entered the room, and said to Li Xuewu: "It's definitely cool here in the summer."

"Heh, I don't know about that. Old Biaozi used to sleep here often back then. I didn't come; I found Wen San'er filthy."

Li Xuewu laughed as he told Lou Jie about their childhood.

Lou Jie turned off the light with a smile and lay into the quilt.

"Still calling others filthy. Look at yourself: clothes come to your hands, food comes to your mouth, with eight hundred people following you to serve you."

"You're really good at mocking people."

Li Xuewu turned around, looked at Lou Jie, and said: "So I was a filthy kid before? Did you see me back then?"

"That's hard to say."

Lou Jie lay on the kang, looking at the ceiling, and said: "I was very mischievous when I was young. I had an old nanny from the countryside following me. I also wandered the streets; maybe I saw you."

"Forget it!"

Li Xuewu sneered: "I never went to your neighborhood when I was a kid."

Lou Jie thought of her childhood because of Li Xuewu's topic, and at this moment, she said with emotion: "You say a person's life is only a few decades; these circumstances are truly ever-changing."

"What's wrong? Want to write a poem?"

Li Xuewu looked at Lou Jie's melancholy expression and asked with a smile: "Then do I need to get you some wine to help the mood?"

"Go to hell! Nothing good to say!"

Lou Jie poked Li Xuewu and then scolded: "You're never serious!"

"Then I'll tell you something serious."

Li Xuewu shifted his body, moved closer to Lou Jie, and seeing her look over, asked seriously: "If your father and I really sold you, would you hate me?"

"What?"

Lou Jie looked at Li Xuewu in a daze and asked: "What do you mean?"

"Today, at your house, I talked to your father about this matter."

Li Xuewu lay back down next to Lou Jie, looking at the ceiling, and explained: "The plan is that when the time is right, your father will take your family to Hong Kong."

"I'm not going!"

Hearing Li Xuewu say this, Lou Jie excitedly propped herself up, looked at Li Xuewu, and said seriously: "I said it before, I'm not going."

"Listen to me finish."

Li Xuewu comforted her and continued: "After your father and mother finish their identity procedures in Hong Kong, they will return to the mainland and take up posts in public units."

"What about me?"

Lou Jie looked at Li Xuewu. He had just said the whole family was going to Hong Kong, which must include her.

"You have to stay in Hong Kong."

"I said I..."

Lou Jie didn't wait for Li Xuewu to finish before she refused. She sat up, looked at Li Xuewu, and tears started falling.

"Are you driving me away?"

"Isn't that what I'm telling you right now?"

Li Xuewu wiped Lou Jie's tears with his large hand and explained: "This money of ours can't breed here; it's better to send it to Hong Kong to breed more."

As he spoke, he poked Lou Jie's belly and said: "You also have to go to Hong Kong to breed."

"Go to hell!"

Lou Jie pushed Li Xuewu's hand away and said: "Are you going with me or what? Who am I supposed to breed with!"

"Heh, that's what I'm telling you."

Li Xuewu poked Lou Jie's palm and said: "You must go out. Only then can your father and mother continue to stay in the mainland, live well, and have the opportunity to live a better life in the future."

"I don't believe it!"

Lou Jie looked at Li Xuewu and asked: "Are you getting married? Are you trying to kick me out?"

"Nonsense!"

Li Xuewu shook his head and said: "Getting married? How old am I? It's still early. We're talking about your father and mother's business."

Seeing Li Xuewu's expression, Lou Jie didn't believe a word. The more serious this person was, the less reliable his words were.

It seemed there really was a situation; otherwise, why would there be movement when there was no movement in her belly?

"Your family has so many properties in Beijing; you can't just leave them all behind."

Li Xuewu explained properly: "Your father is also reluctant to leave his homeland and can't bear to part with the ancestral foundation, so he had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure."

"I can't bear to part with you either, but your father is so old. When he tells me this, what can I say?"

Looking at Lou Jie's expression, Li Xuewu sighed: "You think Hong Kong is a good place? With your family's situation, wouldn't your father lose ten years of his life if he went there? This is also why I want him to go through regular channels."

"So, only I am going, right?"

Lou Jie's face was very pale. She looked at Li Xuewu, wiped the tears from her face herself, and looked resentful.

"Sigh~~~"

Li Xuewu sighed and said helplessly: "Your father decided this. Can I tell him not to let you go and send the old couple to Hong Kong to risk their lives?"

As he spoke, he sat up, hugged Lou Jie, and said: "I thought about it again and again, and finally came up with a win-win solution."

"What solution?"

Lou Jie looked at Li Xuewu, her eyes full of pleading, pleading for Li Xuewu to say a solution where she didn't have to go.

"I'll provide the people, the money, and the connections."

Li Xuewu looked at Lou Jie seriously and said: "I'll help you gain a firm foothold in Hong Kong as quickly as possible, and then return with a Hong Kong identity."

"Isn't that still letting me go?"

Lou Jie poked Li Xuewu and said: "This isn't my father's idea; it's your idea, right?"

"Heaven and earth are my witness!"

Li Xuewu looked at Lou Jie seriously and said: "If you don't believe me, go home and ask your father. I really think so, and I'm prepared to do so."

As he spoke, he poked Lou Jie's hand and said: "All my money is yours. You take it all; I won't keep a single cent. You can believe me now, right?"

Lou Jie looked at Li Xuewu with teary eyes, thought for a long time, and then asked: "Can I not go?"

"Yes."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "Still the same words: whatever your father wants, I'll get it for him. I only ask that he doesn't move around recklessly, doesn't talk recklessly, and does as I say. I can definitely keep the old couple safe."

Lou Jie shook her head slightly and said: "You clearly know my father can't do that."

"Sigh! ~~~"

Li Xuewu sighed and said: "Although I didn't call him 'Dad,' can I stand up to him? How can I not look after you?"

Lou Jie looked at Li Xuewu's troubled appearance, touched Li Xuewu's face, and then leaned against him.

"How many years?"

"What?"

Lou Jie's words were very light and weak; Li Xuewu didn't hear clearly what she had just said.

"I said, how many years do I have to go for?"

Lou Jie repeated, although her voice was clearer, it still lacked strength.

"Just two or three years."

Li Xuewu patted Lou Jie's shoulder and said: "Trust me, you're just going to work, not to prison. If you want to come back, you can just come back, right?"

Lou Jie lay in Li Xuewu's arms and remained silent. Three years, maybe three years and another three years, and another three years.

If she wanted to come back, she could come back, but her identity would have changed when she returned. How could it be like it was now?

Besides, with the relationship between the two, who could say clearly what would happen in three years?

"I really don't want to go."

Lou Jie stretched out her arms to hug Li Xuewu's neck and murmured: "I don't want to go."

"I know."

Li Xuewu also hugged Lou Jie and said: "I know, I know."

Lou Jie tore at Li Xuewu's clothes vigorously, and Li Xuewu also responded enthusiastically to Lou Jie.

Under the dim desk lamp, the range of the light was very small, and one could only see the torn clothes and the intertwined shadows.

In the early morning, when Li Xuewu opened his eyes, it was already bright outside the window.

Looking at Lou Jie lying beside him, Li Xuewu didn't feel surprised.

He gently pulled his arm away, propped himself up to get out of bed and put on his clothes, but was startled by Lou Jie turning over.

"You're awake!"

Li Xuewu looked at Lou Jie, who was staring at him, and asked with a sheepish smile.

Lou Jie didn't answer, just glanced at him, and then lay flat.

"Go home and eat; it's not like there's no one to cook for you."

"Heh."

Li Xuewu could only answer with a "heh." This was clearly a life-threatening topic; no matter how he answered, it would be wrong.

Lou Jie was in a bad mood now, so it was best not to provoke her.

"Did you arrange everything a long time ago?"

Clearly, Lou Jie didn't intend to let this bad guy off.

"What?"

Li Xuewu was busy looking for his socks; he didn't know where they had rolled to last night.

"Don't play dumb!"

Lou Jie threw the socks from under the mattress at Li Xuewu and pursued him angrily: "Did you arrange for me to go to Hong Kong a long time ago?!"

"Nonsense!"

Li Xuewu spread his hands with the socks and said: "When I was with you, I didn't have the ability to think about Hong Kong."

"Then when did you think about it?"

Lou Jie sat up, glared at Li Xuewu, and scolded: "And you say you didn't!"

"Hey! I'm so wronged!"

Li Xuewu sat on the edge of the kang putting on his socks and said with a bitter smile: "You'll know when you go home and ask your father today. I'm wronged, I'm really wronged."

"I'll beat you to death!"

Lou Jie was so angry she punched Li Xuewu and said: "My father doesn't have as many crooked ideas as you!"

As she spoke, she also got off the kang, snorted, and went to get wash water for Li Xuewu.

It was fine if she didn't cook breakfast for him, but if she let him go out without even washing his face, that would really be wrong.

Li Xuewu looked at Lou Jie, who had left the room, and gave a bitter smile, knowing this hurdle wouldn't be easy to pass.

While tending to Li Xuewu washing his face, Lou Jie asked again: "When do you plan to dump me?"

"What?"

Li Xuewu finished washing his face, took the towel from Lou Jie's hand, and said with dissatisfaction: "What are you saying? Is there anyone who gives so much money and arranges so many people when dumping someone?"

"I'm not listening, I'm not listening."

Lou Jie snatched the towel, wiped Li Xuewu's face, and pursued: "Tell me, exactly when?"

"It's still early."

Li Xuewu smiled: "At the very least, I have to wait for the wind to die down a bit; the wind is too strong to sail the boat."

"Hmph!"

Lou Jie had fallen into the pigsty today; all she could do was snort.

Li Xuewu also knew Lou Jie was venting her dissatisfaction, so he said with a smile: "I promise, I will definitely go see you, and I also promise, you can come back to see me."

"Go to hell, I won't see you."

Lou Jie said angrily: "Once I go outside, I'll take your money and run away, go live in the flower-laden world, and never come back."

"How can that be?"

Li Xuewu smiled and said: "If you ignore me, I'll be crying to death in Beijing."

"I don't believe a word you say!"

Lou Jie scolded while tidying Li Xuewu's clothes: "I'm afraid that as soon as I leave, another one will move into this room."

Speaking of this, Lou Jie suddenly changed her expression, pinched Li Xuewu's belly, glared at him, and asked: "Tell me, is there really someone waiting to move in?"

"Where are you getting all this from!"

Li Xuewu gave a bitter smile: "I'm a decent person, a decent cadre. I say what I mean, and I don't have all those messy things."

"Hmm~~~"

Lou Jie wrinkled her nose and scolded: "Do you believe what you're saying yourself?"

"I believe it, I believe it myself."

Li Xuewu said very seriously: "Look, I believe it, why don't you believe it too?"

"Go to hell!"

Lou Jie saw that the clothes were tidied up, slapped Li Xuewu on the belly, and said angrily: "Hurry up and leave, I don't want to see you."

"Heh, okay."

Li Xuewu walked out the door with a smile. Lou Jie stood angrily in the room, and as soon as she heard the door close, she chased after him.

But as soon as she opened the door, she suddenly bumped into Li Xuewu's arms.

"Wuwuwu~"

Lou Jie hugged Li Xuewu and started crying, hitting Li Xuewu while crying.

Li Xuewu hugged Lou Jie and went back into the room, persuading her with a smile: "Hehehe, nothing has happened yet; it's just talk. Maybe you won't have to go, or maybe you won't be able to go for ten or eight years."

"Get lost!"

Seeing this bad guy teasing her again, Lou Jie angrily slapped him again.

Li Xuewu caught her hand with a smile and comforted her: "I'm not lying to you. Maybe it really will take a long time to settle down; I still have a lot of things to prepare here."

"Wuwu, really?"

Lou Jie stopped crying and looked at Li Xuewu pitifully.

"Of course."

Li Xuewu smiled: "Do you think you can just leave like that? If you go, will they accept you? How will you carry out your work? There are so many things; it can't be finished in a short while."

"Then what about the child?"

Lou Jie looked at Li Xuewu and pursued: "Do we really have to give birth in Hong Kong?"

"Did I say no?"

Li Xuewu poked Lou Jie's belly and said: "But the seed has been sown; can you blame me if it doesn't sprout?"

"Get lost!"

This time Lou Jie was really angry and punched Li Xuewu hard.

Li Xuewu laughed and fled in defeat, pushing his bike out the door.

After being teased by Li Xuewu for a while, Lou Jie no longer had the strength to cry. She sat in the room, thought for a while, packed her things, and prepared to go home.

She understood that this plan absolutely couldn't be decided by Li Xuewu alone.

Just as Li Xuewu said, Li Xuewu invested money in this matter, and her family also invested money. Without her father's permission, could her mother have taken out the money?

Furthermore, her father suddenly agreed to the two's relationship. If she didn't believe this matter had a connection, she wouldn't believe it no matter what.

She used to have the spoiled temper of a young lady, but she wasn't stupid, and she wasn't a housewife who didn't understand anything.

It was just that her family's living conditions were good in the past, so she didn't have to think about how to make money; she just had to know how to spend it.

Children of wealthy families, as long as they don't think about starting a business, won't ruin the family. Eating well, wearing well, using good things, living well—how much money could that cost?

The money spent couldn't keep up with the money generated.

To put it bluntly, which family is ruined by children's living expenses? Unless it's gambling or smoking, eating and drinking will never ruin a family.

What's more, her father split the family in two. Now the assets in Beijing were all hers; her sister didn't have a share. She couldn't spend it all in several lifetimes; who would think about making money?

It's not like that now. Li Xuewu, this bad guy, talks nicely, but she had to ask clearly what the actual situation was.

Isn't this what Li Xuewu told her on the way back? If he and her biological father were going to sell her!

"Chief."

Sha Qizhi arrived at the same time every day. Seeing Li Xuewu drinking tea in the inverted room, he entered the room and picked up Li Xuewu's bag, standing to one side.

"Hmm, time's up, let's go."

Li Xuewu put down his teacup, checked the time on his hand, stood up, and instructed Old Biaozi: "Don't forget what I told you. Go handle it early; there's a lot to be busy with."

"Got it, I'm familiar with it!"

Old Biaozi knew Li Xuewu was talking about the house. This was buying them a house; how could he not be meticulous?

He agreed, saw Li Xuewu out, and asked about his third uncle's situation.

Li Xuewu smiled and said: "Third uncle is busy and won't be back for a while. It's a good opportunity for you to train."

"Got it, I'll listen to you."

Old Biaozi said with a smile: "If I really train well, don't let my third uncle come back; let him stay in the Steel City!"

"Hahaha, then third aunt will beat you!"

Li Xuewu patted Old Biaozi's shoulder and said seriously: "It's hard for you to bear all the family affairs alone. Third uncle's trip won't be in vain. I wouldn't let him come back unless he's stuffed full."

"Heh, I know."

Old Biaozi naturally knew. Last time his third uncle went to the Steel City, it was worth more than what they could earn in several lifetimes. If he went again, wouldn't it be boundless wealth?

"When Brother Da Chun came to deliver the account book, he said that Shopkeeper Zhang wanted to hand over the business in Jicheng to the two of them, saying that once they earned thirty thousand yuan, they would retire."

"Did they come the day I didn't return?"

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows. Zhang Wanhe had arrangements when he left; he didn't expect them to really send it.

"Yes, I sent it to the accounting room."

Old Biaozi said: "You weren't home, so I didn't have time to tell you."

"Heh, thirty thousand yuan is not enough!"

Li Xuewu walked out the gate, stood by the car, and said to Old Biaozi: "Three hundred thousand, three million, thirty million, three hundred million. Three hundred million, and you won't have to worry for a lifetime."

"Heh, that would choke him to death!"

Old Biaozi stood by the car and saw Li Xuewu off with a smile. He also wanted to take this moment to say something private to Li Xuewu, but Li Xuewu always had people around him when he returned.

Li Xuewu smiled. After getting in the car, he said to Old Biaozi: "Tell him, tell him I said it: I wish him smooth business and ten thousand-fold profits." ===== CHAPTER 497 =====