Chapter 499: Little Duck

"Good, let's eat."

Hearing Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi's words, Li Li Xuewu put down the work in his hands, replied with a sound, and then continued: "If you ask me, everything has two sides."

As Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi closed the door, Li Li Xuewu walked and said: "You see the meat-eaters now; there are those who come to beg at the door, and those who come to seek refuge voluntarily, hehe."

"Meat-eaters are not despicable."

Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi looked much older than Li Li Xuewu in his attire; seeing Li Li Xuewu's outfit today, he had already decided to go back and tell his wife that he should also get a similar set.

It wasn't to imitate Li Li Xuewu, nor to borrow power from a tiger, but for consistency.

Li Li Xuewu doesn't wear a uniform, so he wears it even less.

This makes it appear that everyone is "of one mind" when at the unit or going out to handle affairs, doesn't it?

But one has never seen a secretary dress more innovatively than the leader.

"Good summary, hehe."

Li Li Xuewu smiled and said a word to Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi, nodded to greet the colleagues from the office who made way and greeted him, and went downstairs together.

The deputy director of the Security Department was not seen as very annoying or terrifying in the eyes of the comrades, after all, he had grown up step by step.

Although the growth was a bit fast, it did not prevent everyone from chasing the capable and decisive figure ahead with eager eyes.

Generally speaking, a deputy director level position should be over thirty years old; not to say he's an old man, but there is no one of this age and bearing.

Who wouldn't want their leader to be charismatic? Li Li Xuewu is quite charismatic.

It's not that he looks very good or handsome; in fact, Li Li Xuewu is not handsome. If we talk about it, the scar on his face is ugly.

But when everyone looks at Li Li Xuewu, they ignore that scar; on the contrary, some people think the leader of the Security Department should be like this, a bit ruthless.

People who have had contact with Li Li Xuewu all know that this leader looks ruthless, but his heart is not ruthless.

He is extremely good to the people under him and has never lost his temper with the comrades of the Security Department.

Although Fu Bin and Dong Wenxue also never lost their temper with everyone, Li Li Xuewu presiding over the work seems more precious.

With a natural, gentle smile like the morning sun at eight or nine o'clock, he returned the greetings one by one, and Li Li Xuewu walked towards the road to the northwest.

Because everyone was going to the Dashitang in the northeast direction for a meal, only cadres above the deputy director level would go to the guesthouse.

Every day, more than twenty or thirty people walk this way, including the factory leaders.

Walking near the main office building, he happened to see Xia Xia Zhongquan and Kuang Kuang Yusheng coming; Li Li Xuewu smiled and stopped, making a gesture as if waiting for the two.

Both of these men are the heads of their departments and are all managed by Nie Nie Chenglin.

Last time they were tricked by Li Li Xuewu, so of course they wouldn't feel anything from Vice Factory Director Nie, after all, they are not children anymore.

But there are always idle rumors flowing out, making the two feel quite uncomfortable.

After all, such matters cannot be explained to Vice Factory Director Nie; if explained, the leader wouldn't listen and would even show an indifferent attitude, but inwardly would care even more.

Oh my, this feeling of discomfort.

Seeing this kid come again today, the two showed different reactions.

Kuang Kuang Yusheng had a rift with Li Li Xuewu; at this moment, he frowned slightly, his eyes very impatient.

And Xia Xia Zhongquan's character is more honest; at this moment, feeling uncomfortable inside, the smile on his face turned bitter.

Li Li Xuewu was like a young person with no sense of propriety; seeing the two coming over, he smiled and greeted them: "Are the two of you taking a walk or going to eat?"

While speaking, he looked at the two's hesitant steps and asked: "It's not because of what someone said last week, is it?"

After saying this sentence plainly, Li Li Xuewu waved his hand, pretending to look bitter, and said: "Then I'll go first."

Damn, what do we do!

The two had different expressions, but both muttered a curse in their hearts and raised this question simultaneously.

That matter last week can only be understood intuitively, not spoken out.

Now Li Li Xuewu has asked, what do we do?

If we ignore Li Li Xuewu, won't we become childish? We are all section-level cadres, playing mountain factions?

Do we not want comradeship anymore?

Do we not want unity anymore?

Both of their departments are eating Li Li Xuewu's "relief."

If we don't hold Li Li Xuewu back and put on a friendly appearance, won't it show that the two are cowardly?

But damn, the leader is right behind us; if we ignore Li Li Xuewu now, how will the leader see it? If we engage with Li Li Xuewu, how will the leader see it?

Well, this is like beating a wolf with a hazel stick, afraid on both ends, which won't do.

"Director Li, you're just making trouble!"

"Exactly, what's wrong, do you think we are old and our legs are slow?"

The two acted as if they had a very good relationship with Li Li Xuewu, smiled, hurried two steps to catch up with Li Li Xuewu, and complained a couple of times in their mouths.

Li Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and said: "Whoa~ I thought the two leaders had some concerns, but this is just annoying."

"Nonsense!"

Kuang Kuang Yusheng disdainfully pouted and said: "Is it you, Deputy Director Li, who has something unspeakable, or is it old Kuang who has something unspeakable?"

While speaking, he raised his hand to signal the three to walk together, and while walking, he said: "Don't listen to the people in the organs spreading rumors; the organs of the Rolling Steel Factory are just too idle."

"Hehe, I agree with that."

Xia Xia Zhongquan, walking on the side, nodded and said: "Look at today, oh my, what a mess, where does this even belong?"

While speaking, he looked at Li Li Xuewu, winked at Kuang Kuang Yusheng in the middle, and said: "Is there anyone in the Rolling Steel Factory more upright than Deputy Director Li? Just one case, all messy."

Li Li Xuewu was walking on the other side of Kuang Kuang Yusheng; hearing the two's words at this moment, he said with emotion: "The overall quality of the masses is low; saying idle words is nothing, but as you two said, even the organs are like this, tsk tsk tsk!"

While speaking, he made a few clicking sounds with his tongue, shook his head slightly, and sighed.

"Upright or not, we are just doing this job; how could we be biased against anyone?"

After Li Li Xuewu finished speaking, he turned his head to look at the two and asked: "You two don't think I, Li Li Xuewu, did it to curry favor with the leader and intentionally gave the factory director's brother-in-law a backdoor, do you?"

Made! The two cursed Li Li Xuewu in their hearts; did the leader walking behind them not know, that he had to ask so loudly!

Now seeing Li Li Xuewu, it was as if he feared others wouldn't know what the three were talking about; he was just short of shouting with a loudspeaker.

How could the two answer?

Whether they answered or not, the leader would know the two were discussing this with Li Li Xuewu; how would the leader think?

Never mind that the factory director was far away and couldn't hear; this rolling steel factory, this agency, was simply teeming with people spreading gossip and filing reports.

That little Wang Ba was truly bad, bad to the core.

If one spoke, one shouldn't pay attention to him; at that time, one should have turned back, agreed to skip this meal, and not walked with him.

Because walking along would just dig a pit for you.

One of the two had a violent temper, the other a gentle one, but they were neither fools.

Having worked in leadership positions for so many years, what pits hadn't they seen? They just hadn't seen one pit dug at every step.

"Heh, of course not."

"Heh, of course not."

The two were quite in sync; after Li Li Xuewu finished asking, they quickly denied it, their expressions and attitudes as serious as could be.

Their voices were as certain and resolute as they were sincere; both indicated they absolutely would not believe Li Li Xuewu had favored the factory director.

But only after the two finished speaking did they realize; damn it, they had fallen into the pit again.

If they said that, wouldn't it mean Li Li Xuewu was deliberately covering something up, saying it on purpose for everyone to hear?

Then how would everyone think?

Li Li Xuewu's clothes were very white, as pure as he was; his pants were very black, and his leather boots were also black, just like the faces of the two beside him.

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "Understanding is a blessing; what our factory needs is development, not endless internal strife; this agency, heh, is truly out of shape."

After Li Li Xuewu finished speaking, no one took up the next line; Kuang Kuang Yusheng and the other walked beside him saying nothing, humming and hawing in their mouths, as if agreeing, or just making random sounds.

The two had decided: from now on, they would keep an eye out; if Li Li Xuewu came to eat, they would let Li Li Xuewu go first and absolutely would not meet again.

Today, today there was no choice; the two deployed the "Silence is Gold" technique; you talk your talk, we won't make a sound, okay?

This conversation couldn't be continued; the more they talked, the more pits there were, and the deeper they got; if they kept going, they wouldn't even have the mood to eat lunch.

Seeing the two not speak, Li Li Xuewu also smiled lightly and stopped talking; the three walked to the guesthouse like this.

Whether walking in front or behind, everyone's ears were perked up.

Speaking and not speaking both represented an attitude; now, looking at the road to the guesthouse, everyone appeared harmonious.

But in their hearts, they might be plotting and muttering who knows what; only Xia Xia Zhongquan and the other were bitterly complaining in their hearts.

The scenery in this rolling steel factory was actually quite well done; at this time, everyone treated the factory like their own home; whether the trees lining both sides of the road or the flowers and plants planted between the trees, the greening work at this time was very good.

But the factory's greening was ultimately a unified plan, all the same; everyone was this way, so no one paid much attention.

Once they entered the main gate of the guesthouse, everyone noticed something different.

Along both sides of the gate were low walls built of stones about calf-high; beside the walls, the Chinese roses bloomed in red, pink, and yellow, competing for beauty and brilliance.

Inside was freshly turned soil, looking like it was about to be planted with a lawn; the large trees at the base of the walls had all been pruned, just like a person getting a haircut, looking much more pleasing to the eye.

Originally, the road here was paved with bricks and stones; adding the lakeside scenery and arranging it with flowers and greenery, the guesthouse looked even more comfortable.

"There are talented people in the guesthouse."

Kuang Kuang Yusheng, hands behind his back, looked at the surrounding scenery and couldn't help but praise.

Xia Xia Zhongquan, walking beside him, corrected: "Eh~~~ it's that there are talented people under Director Li's command."

"The two of you can't bully people."

Li Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and said, "I am the one who visits this guesthouse the least; when did it become under my command?"

Although this person was unyielding on certain matters, he still needed to save face; he couldn't let people spread idle gossip.

Xia Xia Zhongquan and the other both turned up their noses in unison, faces full of disdain.

Li Li Xuewu saw it but pretended not to; anyway, anything that shouldn't be admitted simply could not be admitted.

"Yo, are the three leaders here together?"

Zhang Zhang Songying, standing at the door, saw them enter the courtyard and showed a smiling face; as the few approached, she even descended the steps to welcome them and took the initiative to greet them.

Xia Xia Zhongquan raised his eyebrows at Kuang Kuang Yusheng, and Kuang Kuang Yusheng also turned up his nose and squinted his eyes.

He still said it wasn't his subordinate; yet this woman never came down to welcome them even though the two of them came to eat every day.

She would merely stand at the door smiling and greeting; if she met leaders talking, she would just stand aside smiling.

Today, the two of them actually enjoyed the treatment reserved only for leaders, so they couldn't help but turn up their noses.

Li Li Xuewu didn't care much about the two's attitude; he nodded to Zhang Zhang Songying, pointed at the two beside him, and said in a cheerful voice, "Director Kuang and Director Xia have a very close relationship with me; you must do a good job serving them."

Who the hell is close with you!

Hearing Li Li Xuewu's words, the two's faces changed in unison; did this count as a frame-up?

Zhang Zhang Songying was also someone with a dagger in her eyes; she saw at a glance what Li Li Xuewu meant and said with a smile, "Look at what you say; who doesn't know the three of you have a good relationship? We remember it."

Hearing this woman's words, Kuang Kuang Yusheng and the other unconsciously quickened their pace, rushing ahead toward the dining hall.

One person digging a pit was one thing; but this was a group effort!

Watching the two nod and enter first, Li Li Xuewu turned up his nose and winked at Zhang Zhang Songying.

Zhang Zhang Songying returned a smile as if to say "I understand" and led Li Li Xuewu to Xiaoshitang.

The morning meeting proceeded without incident, and the noon meal was also calm and peaceful.

In the past, when these section-level cadres met, they would always chat a bit; the conversation at the table would never stop.

But today was different; today everyone seemed hungry, eating only; those who did converse spoke in hushed tones, and for a time, the dining hall was much quieter.

Guests staying upstairs who were dining late glanced over at the state of these people.

Li Li Xuewu felt someone behind him eyeing him, but he ignored it, ate as he normally would, wiped his mouth after finishing, set down his bowl and chopsticks, offered a polite word, and went out.

Everyone secretly glanced at the dashing figure; in the Rolling Steel Factory, nothing happens in isolation.

Once something occurs, it inevitably involves a large crowd; who wouldn't want to predict it in advance?

Stepping out of the guesthouse lobby, he saw Qin Qin Huairu standing at the door waiting.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Seeing the head of the Finance Department following Li Li Xuewu out, Qin Qin Huairu nodded and smiled.

The head of the Finance Department saw the two, nodded and smiled in return, then headed for the door.

After they passed, Qin Qin Huairu said to Li Li Xuewu, "How should we prepare for tonight? I don't know how many people there will be."

"Prepare portions for eight people."

Li Li Xuewu said without hesitation, "One table can seat that many."

He didn't know how Li Huai De had prepared; if there were too few, it would be troublesome, but there couldn't possibly be more than eight people.

Still, he figured the number wouldn't be that high, because this was a gathering of connections; if there were more, wouldn't it become a large gang?

Qin Qin Huairu said hesitantly, "Today's meeting..."

"What about the meeting?"

Li Li Xuewu frowned and asked; he had given clear instructions earlier that Qin Qin Huairu was not to pry for information while working here.

"No."

Qin Qin Huairu looked at Li Li Xuewu and said, "The Factory Office said to prepare rooms, but just now they notified us not to prepare them. Is something changed?"

"Nothing has changed."

Li Li Xuewu knew what was going on inside, but he still replied to Qin Qin Huairu; seeing that more people were finishing their meals, he waved his hand and said, "Just do your own job."

After speaking, he added a question, "Have you prepared what was asked of you?"

"Prepared."

Qin Qin Huairu replied, "I had my family bring them over."

Li Li Xuewu made an "Mm" sound, then said, "Later I'll have Lao Lao Biaozi get you a set; bring them over and put them upstairs."

Seeing Li Li Xuewu about to leave, Qin Qin Huairu asked, "Are they for the leaders' rooms?"

Li Li Xuewu turned back to look and said, "Does that need asking?"

"Understood."

Qin Qin Huairu also knew Li Li Xuewu was in a bad mood, so seeing him speak sharply, she simply agreed and said nothing more.

Li Li Xuewu lit a cigarette as he walked and returned to his office alone.

All the way, he mentally calculated the situation at the Rolling Steel Factory and the expressions of everyone at today's meal.

Though they were all wooden fish drifting on the great sea—old rogues wandering the Jianghu—Li Li Xuewu could still discern something.

He didn't know the situation in that small restaurant, but he could roughly gauge the diners in the Xiaoshitang.

Once inside his office, he tossed the cigarette butt into the ashtray, went to the inner room, pulled out a quilt, took off his shoes, lay on the bed, and began to snore.

That was just how he was: he thought hard about whatever was on his mind, and once he figured it out, he stopped worrying; he could still fall asleep when it was time to sleep.

Knowing Li Li Xuewu was taking a noon nap, Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi left Li Li Xuewu's office door open so that anyone coming would hear the leader's snoring and wouldn't knock.

He was in his own office preparing the documents Li Li Xuewu needed to review; Li Li Xuewu had handled the urgent matters in the morning, so he had to do the follow-up work and organize the other documents.

Secretaries had plenty to keep them busy; they weren't like Li Li Xuewu, who still had time for a noon nap.

Taking a noon nap was Li Li Xuewu's exclusive privilege; other leaders might also take a short rest at this hour, but few slept as soundly as Li Li Xuewu did.

They didn't sleep soundly to maintain appearances; Li Li Xuewu didn't care about such empty formalities; only by sleeping well could he work well.

He thought about many things each day; if he lacked sleep, he easily became irritable; Zhou Wang Yamei had also instructed Li Li Xuewu to rest more and not overwork.

Li Li Xuewu was, in a sense, strictly following medical advice.

He slept for a full hour before Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi came to wake him, because there was still a meeting at the sub-bureau.

Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi also figured that, judging by how the head slept, he could sleep until nightfall.

The snoring was too loud, and he looked too soundly asleep.

Li Li Xuewu rubbed his face, listened to Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi's report, washed his face, then led Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi downstairs with a bag in hand.

After the meeting at the sub-bureau this afternoon, he still had to visit the Public Security Brigade; tonight they needed to prepare for spot checks.

But today he couldn't go due to other matters; still, work couldn't be delayed.

Downstairs, Han Han Jiankun was already waiting; after Li Li Xuewu got into the car, the vehicle, under the watchful eyes of those with ulterior motives, left the factory area and headed for the main gate.

The office building was lively today; whether big or small, office doors opened and closed constantly, with not a moment of rest.

In Xiang Xiang Jingyu Nong's office, a cadre was reporting on work, and several clerks waited at the door for signatures.

Good heavens, truly, once power is in hand, the doorstep is full of dogs.

Already in charge of finance and personnel, managing the largest number of people and the most departments in the Service Department, and now also overseeing the huge joint enterprise project, those with designs had already come to burn incense and pay respects.

It wasn't for any other reason; mainly, these tertiary industries were still public property. Those promoted slowly in the factory organs, or those with nowhere to be promoted, all wanted to take a turn in the newly established enterprise.

Just take a turn, then return, and wouldn't that solve the treatment issue?

Everyone thought this way, but there were only so many positions; they couldn't possibly introduce competitive hiring, or it would become a joke.

Those who didn't know might think the leaders lacked control.

Xiang Xiang Jingyu Nong looked at Wang Wang Jingzhang before her; she knew this person fairly well. Before she took her post, this cadre had already been somewhat active.

Now, hearing Wang Wang Jingzhang report on the work goal of building service quality, Xiang Xiang Jingyu Nong also knew what he meant.

Wang Wang Jingzhang was an old hand in the factory; not that he was old in age, but that he had held his position in the Service Department for a long time.

Everyone knows that Director Wang at the Service Office is set to hold his post until it wears through; no leader has ever wanted to replace him, precisely because his service work is done so well.

The reason, of course, also lies with himself.

Every time leadership changes, he becomes anxious about gains and losses; if the new leader wants to replace subordinates, he fears losing his position and also fears being moved to an unsatisfactory post.

So, time and again, he has delayed matters.

In the end, no leader in charge of such a department would replace him anymore; he had become too deeply rooted.

Previously, under Li Huai De, it was even more so; Deputy Factory Director Li was a steady man who least wanted to see trouble.

Today, he came to make a statement, wanting to achieve results in the Service Office.

The Service Office, after all, is part of the joint enterprise right beside the factory; surely they expect the Service Office to do the work.

He did not beg to become a factory director; he simply felt that if his performance improved, perhaps he could be transferred over to serve as a deputy factory director.

Once the deputy factory director's benefits were secured, he could return to become the Rolling Steel Factory's deputy factory director.

This matter need not be stated explicitly; a louse on a Monk's head is plainly visible.

Xiang Xiang Jingyu looked at the report submitted by the Service Office, calculating costs and effects in her mind, while also assessing whether Wang Wang Jingzhang was a useful person.

After all, he had been Li Huai De's man; seeing his current demeanor, she felt somewhat uncertain.

It was precisely because she had previously been under Li Huai De's management that Wang Wang Jingzhang was now in a panic.

Here was a major director, eagerly running over here to proactively report on his work, talking for over half an hour, ignoring even the secretary standing at the door who tried to remind him.

"I understand."

Xiang Xiang Jingyu possessed considerable authority; with a warm expression, she spoke words of support, emphasized a few points regarding influence and budget constraints, and then saw Wang Wang Jingzhang out the door.

If she had not proactively raised that she had matters to attend to, Wang Wang Jingzhang might have talked with her until nightfall.

The people at the door could be annoying, but she could not be; she was the director of one department. One must buy the horse bone for a thousand gold; she was not the type to become arrogant when in power.

The waters in this Rolling Steel Factory are far too deep; being cautious is never wrong.

After seeing Wang Wang Jingzhang off, she invited the clerks waiting at the door to come in to report and sign.

Today, the clerks all felt that Deputy Factory Director Xiang was much more approachable than before, and her attitude was better.

This act of winning hearts was executed quite perfectly.

The clerks were all seasoned veterans; how could they not understand these things? Each thought to themselves, yet on their faces, they all maintained a cautious and careful appearance.

Because when a leader displays such open-mindedness, everyone should be cautious and careful.

And when everyone is cautious and careful, the leader will become even more open-minded.

It is done both for oneself and for others; it is utterly exhausting.

Xiang Xiang Jingyu's secretary quietly whispered something in her ear; subsequently, the pen in Xiang Xiang Jingyu's hand paused for a moment, then she continued working as if she had not heard half of it.

The secretary was also a shrewd person; seeing the leader give no indication, she stepped back and went about her own business.

Similarly bustling was the office of Deputy Factory Director Deng Deng Zhiwang, where Secretary Zhang was nervously arranging for cadres to come and report on their work.

Although he kept a stiff, cautious, and calm expression on his face, inside he was overjoyed.

This is what is meant by "when one man attains the Dao, his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven"; when the leader has power and influence, we secretaries have face.

It is also convenient to get things done; otherwise, why follow the leader from one unit to another in such a rush?

Long ago, there was an old saying: "One travels a thousand li to become an official only for wealth"; of course, that is not said nowadays.

Nowadays, everyone is a public servant.

But public servants must eat too; they need firewood, rice, oil, and salt.

Just now, the deputy section chief from the Sales Office's Business Section gave him a few oil coupons, so he arranged an earlier position for him.

Because that deputy section chief knew he liked motorcycles; although the unit's could be ridden, one had to fuel them oneself.

Gas stations nowadays do not serve the public; you cannot just come and fill up because you have a car; oil coupons are required.

The impact of such things is huge; those who know, know.

Secretary Zhang naturally saw the Security Department's command vehicle leave, but he just shrugged and didn't care.

He did not dare to provoke Li Li Xuewu; even if the leader had attained the Dao, he still did not dare.

But this did not stop him from cheering himself up in his heart; given the current development, Deputy Factory Director Deng was destined to take power, and his future arrangements would definitely be much better.

So he did not envy Li Li Xuewu's youth and high position; who would be who in ten years was yet to be seen.

Entering the room, he poured tea for the several cadres from the Engineering Department who were reporting work, received a few words of sincere thanks, and then left the room.

In the corridor, he happened to meet Xu Si Nian, the director of the Factory Office, leading newly arrived university students to transfer units.

"Hello, Director Xu."

"Ah, hello, Xiao Zhang."

Xu Si Nian still wore his usual smiling expression; he nodded, glanced toward Deng Deng Zhiwang's office, said "Hard work" with a smile, and then headed downstairs.

Both of them had offices on the same floor; they saw each other every day.

He did not dare to underestimate Xu Si Nian; there are no honest men among Factory Office directors; everyone knows this.

He did not underestimate Xu Si Nian, but Xu Si Nian did not think much of him.

Although Xu Si Nian responded to him with a smile, Xu Si Nian was a notorious smiling fox; he smiled cheerfully at everyone.

If you treat him as a kind-hearted person, he will surely sell you out.

At this moment, the group of university students following him downstairs cautiously clutched their notebooks, trying hard to imitate the manner of the factory's secretaries, following behind the director like ducklings just out of the shell.

Xu Si Nian had plenty of patience; starting from the third floor, he went area by area, explaining the harmony and friendship within the Rolling Steel Factory's administrative offices to these newly assigned rookies.

Seeing the director's kind expression and observing everyone greeting each other politely, these little ducklings naively believed that the Rolling Steel Factory's big family was friendly, that comrades were united, and that leaders cared for their subordinates...

Little did they know how terrifying the reality of the workplace they were about to face truly was.

Only those who, after being beaten repeatedly by reality, still maintain a positive and upward attitude will go far and rise high.

After touring the main office building, "Mother Duck" Xu Si Nian led the little ducklings to tour several other office buildings.

When they arrived at the Security Department, he was still smiling, praising the department, and asking if anyone wanted to be assigned to work there.

"I've made it clear, so don't blame me later."

Xu Sinian smiled and said to these college students: "The Security Department is a department-level unit of our factory. The current top leader is a high-ranking official and factory director of the Gangcheng Branch Factory. Currently, Deputy Director Li Li Xuewu is presiding over the work."

These students didn't quite understand the meaning behind this; they stared with wide eyes at Director Xu, wondering what he meant by saying that.

Xu Sinian knew some understood and some didn't, but at this moment, acting like a respected elder, he explained: "Other departments all have two leaders, but the Security Department has only one, so naturally, the work is more convenient."

These students had been placed directly in the factory office and various department offices for training, as per the factory director's request.

They called it training, but it was actually protection; everyone understood the reasoning behind this.

Only after these students became familiar with the office environment within the agency and the work atmosphere of the Rolling Steel Factory would they be sent down to the grassroots level for training and cultivation.

Of course, those who were outstanding or favored by the leaders would generally be kept to work in the offices.

College students were valuable at this time; the factory leaders cherished them, fearing that sending them directly to the front lines would be too much for these students to handle, causing them to have emotional outbursts.

That's why the old workers looked down on them; the treatment was simply different.

"Director Xu."

Yu Yu Decai had heard the voices in the corridor from inside the office. At first, he didn't care, but upon hearing Director Xu's voice now, he came out to greet him.

"Director Yu, you're here."

Xu Sinian smiled and introduced everyone: "This is Director Yu of the Comprehensive Office of the Security Department."

Amidst the greetings from the group of college students, seeing Yu Yu Decai's confused expression, Xu Sinian smiled and introduced them: "These are the newly assigned college students from the factory. The factory director said to arrange them in the factory office and various department offices."

While speaking, he glanced toward Li Li Xuewu's office and asked, "Is Deputy Director Li here? If he is, it would be good for everyone to meet him."

Without waiting for Yu Yu Decai to answer, he explained to the group of college students: "Our Deputy Director Li is also a college student, he's just currently studying."

He was used to playing with shock; one sentence made everyone's eyes widen.

These people were college students themselves; how could it be that they became clerks immediately upon graduation, while someone who hadn't even graduated yet was already a Deputy Director?

Yu Yu Decai looked at Xu Sinian, wondering what this person was up to; how could he not know if Deputy Director Li was here or not?

What a question! If the Director were here, would you dare to come?

"Deputy Director Li went to the branch bureau for a meeting."

Yu Yu Decai replied, then glanced at these youthful faces, frowning only in his mind.

"Oh, oh, I forgot to mention."

Xu Sinian smiled and explained: "Deputy Director Li not only presides over the factory's security work but is also the Deputy Director of the DC District Public Security Bureau, managing public security work as well."

These students were now completely stunned; had the world changed during their years of studying, with degrees and positions assigned in reverse?

Was it that the higher the degree, the lower the position, and the lower the degree, the higher the position?

Of course, they weren't fools; they naturally knew this was impossible. The answer lay in Director Xu's mouth.

Xu Sinian was also an old riddle-master, a person who killed but didn't bury; at this moment, he stopped the topic and said no more.

"Our Director Yu is skilled in office work. Those assigned here should learn more from Director Yu."

Xu Sinian gave everyone an instruction, then smiled at Yu Yu Decai: "Since Deputy Director Li is not here, I won't disturb you. I'll take them to tour the workshops. When they are assigned over, please take care of their training."

"Yes."

Yu Yu Decai didn't know what was going on, but he agreed anyway.

Xu Sinian was a department-level cadre, while he was section-level; the gap between them was like a chasm, so where would he dare to be vague?

After seeing these people downstairs, Yu Yu Decai hesitated for a moment and did not call Li Li Xuewu.

Because he knew Li Li Xuewu was definitely in a meeting at this time, and a call wouldn't reach him.

Besides, Li Li Xuewu would be back in the afternoon anyway; it would be the same to talk then.

The reason he frowned was entirely because Xu Sinian was so vigorously recommending the Security Department; he wondered if it was the same in other departments.

Yu Yu Decai stood by the window, hiding from below, and only after seeing these people go to the building next door did he send his subordinates to inquire about the situation.

Xu Sinian said he was skilled in office work, which was not wrong; at the Steel Smelting Factory, he also played the role of the chief steward.

It was only because of the earthquake at the Steel Smelting Factory that he was implicated; otherwise, he would never have been transferred back to the factory on equal terms.

Under Li Li Xuewu, he hadn't suffered any grievances; this might have been due to Dong Wenxue's help, but he also remembered Li Li Xuewu's kindness.

He had always served in Gangcheng; they had a master-disciple relationship. If Li Li Xuewu had punished him, would it not be called a master and disciple turning against each other?

Yu Yu Decai did not have that confidence.

When Xu Sinian was taking people to tour the Security Department, Li Li Xuewu was indeed in a meeting, a bureau office meeting.

In the past, the branch bureau also held meetings in the morning; sometimes Li Li Xuewu made it, and sometimes he didn't.

When he first arrived, his responsibilities were vague; now they were concrete, so if he could attend a meeting, he had to treat it seriously.

Of course, today's meeting was an office meeting, so naturally, it wouldn't directly mention their department, nor would it be that detailed; all that would be saved for the department-level office meeting.

And today's schedule was that after the general meeting, the small department-level meeting would begin.

Similar to the meeting environment at the Rolling Steel Factory, this place was like throwing a smoke bomb.

They were all heavy smokers; once a meeting started, it lasted over two hours. Asking them not to smoke while working was harder than not letting them eat.

Gao Zhen also knew these people's habits; those who had cigarettes didn't mind, and when it was time to discuss work, they discussed work; when it was someone else's turn to speak, he lit his cigarette too.

Fortunately, there were few female comrades in the industrial safety system, and they all sat by the windows, so the impact wasn't great.

Sitting opposite Li Li Xuewu was Wang Wang Xiaoqin; she also held a cigarette in her hand and smoked, not smoking less than anyone else.

Li Li Xuewu actually understood this; the harm of secondhand smoke was truly great. If the environment couldn't be changed, then just smoke the first-hand stuff; at least it would feel more balanced psychologically.

The windows of the conference room had been opened long ago; from outside the building, the large conference room looked like it was on fire, billowing smoke.

To put it mystically, but the feeling Li Li Xuewu had sitting by the conference table was exactly that; he almost wanted to grab a fire extinguisher and spray these people.

Although he also smoked, he had never smoked with such intensity; it felt like it was choking his throat.

Zheng Zheng Fuhua, sitting in front, was reading from a script while drinking water, obviously choked enough as well.

At this point, the arrangement focused on public order duties, mentioning the Public Order Detachment; the proposed patrol plan submitted by the detachment was approved, and support was expressed for coordination between each police station, security unit, and the Public Order Detachment.

It was also emphasized that all departments and units, when cooperating with the Public Order Detachment, must proactively assume their assigned responsibilities, ensuring the detachment remains mobile and not hindered by one or two cases.

In other words, the Public Order Detachment avoids handling cases whenever possible, focusing primarily on maintaining stability.

Lai Lai Shanchuan sat three people away from Li Li Xuewu; all three were deputy directors of the bureau. While listening to Zheng Zheng Fuhua's briefing, he glanced at Li Li Xuewu several times.

The previous incident quickly died down, whether in the bureau or at the Jiaodao Kou station.

Everyone in the bureau knew something had happened, yet no one truly knew exactly what had occurred.

Suddenly, a young girl became the station chief of Jiaodao Kou.

This girl was rumored to have powerful connections, but at this point, many had connections—such an arrangement was uncommon.

Li Li Xuewu did not see Ji Ji Yuxiu today; she might be busy at the station.

This morning, she handed over duties to the new station chief who had arrived only two days ago. Li Li Xuewu specifically called Shen Fang and told him to go to the station.

Shen Fang hung up the phone and cursed under his breath: it was his fault that had ruined Li Li Xuewu's plans, yet now it felt like he was ruining his own.

This was just asking for trouble himself.

Forget it—now that Ji Ji Yuxiu is station chief, he'll be seeing her often. Li Li Xuewu has already told Ji Ji Yuxiu to call him Master.

Hmph, let Li Li Xuewu step in? What kind of situation would that require?

Normally, it should be him handling it—that's why Shen Fang now regretted it.

Li Li Xuewu understood Shen Fang's meaning; there was a joking tone, but it also carried the idea of keeping benefits within the family.

Ji Ji Yuxiu was assigned to work under him when he was deputy station chief, and she had worked under his supervision for over a year.

If you called her one of his own, you could barely call her that.

In plain terms, he complained—but who knew what he really thought? Everyone knew Li Li Xuewu was overloaded; promoting Ji Ji Yuxiu through Li Li Xuewu clearly showed he couldn't control her, so wasn't that his help?

This kind of help was hardly different from ruling from behind the curtain.

Li Li Xuewu also understood his mindset: no harm done—one, Ji Ji Yuxiu could advance; two, the Public Order Detachment was stationed at Jiaodao Kou.

You can't have a base without your own people. With Ji Ji Yuxiu planted there, outsiders won't get in.

As for Beixinqiao, Old Chief Duan appears mild-mannered, but he's actually a ruthless character—just held back by lack of education, stuck there all this time.

"Alright, if no one has anything else to say, the meeting is adjourned. Go back and study how to improve the next steps."

Gao Zhen spoke, intending to crush his cigarette butt into the ashtray.

But the ashtray before him was like a cactus—already packed full of cigarette butts.

Helplessly, he jammed it into a gap, finally ending today's meeting.