Chapter 501: Sleep Well

Li Li Xuewu and the others watched as Gu Gu Weijie pushed her tiles and declared a win, smiling; this Vice Secretary Gu seemed to truly love playing cards.

It appeared that winning the hand made her genuinely happy; her face was now all smiles, elegant yet cunning.

Xu Si turned his head in some astonishment to look at Li Li Xuewu, saw Li Li Xuewu wearing a mysterious smile, and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

He only thought this in his heart at that moment, but did not say it aloud.

Everyone wore this expression; if they really started whispering, how could the leader not see they were talking about her?

Li Huide, seeing Gu Gu Weijie win, was happier than if he had won himself; he chuckled while counting the small bills on the table before him, exclaiming that she had won big.

Li Li Xuewu had been speaking just now and hadn't noticed that Gu Gu Weijie had won every single hand, with a small stack of bills already piled before her.

"Hehe, Vice Secretary Gu has good luck."

Zhang Zhang Guoqi, sitting on the nearby sofa, praised her and added with a hint of meaning: "That's why they say you can't beat a beginner at cards, nor can you beat a change in the wind; Vice Secretary Gu has only recently taken office, and it's the beginning of this 'change in the wind,' so her luck is about to explode."

"Hehe, is there such a saying?"

While stacking tiles in her hand, Gu Gu Weijie glanced at Zhang Zhang Guoqi and asked, "If Director Zhang can calculate the wind or anything like that, you must tell me which side to sit on for good luck today."

"Does Old Zhang have such talent?"

Hearing this, Li Huide asked with a smile, though he didn't even look at Zhang Zhang Guoqi.

Zhang Zhang Guoqi waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "How could I have such ability? I dare not speak recklessly."

"Hehe~"

The Secretary, having stacked his tiles, watched Gu Gu Weijie roll the dice, then grabbed tiles in turn, chuckling lightly: "If you could really calculate, then calculate the situation for our Rolling Steel Factory this year for us, and calculate the fortune for everyone present here this year—whether work goes smoothly, whether families are harmonious, haha."

Having finished speaking, he found it amusing and laughed himself; others who heard this either chuckled lightly or thought of something, their smiles taking on a slightly bitter flavor.

Seeing that everyone around understood the Secretary's meaning, Zhang Zhang Guoqi, who had started the topic, dared not let the conversation wander further and quickly pulled it back to himself.

"If I could predict the future, I would first calculate for our factory whether there will be any more earthquakes, to avoid further losses."

He was steering the topic back to past events, and furthermore, he wanted to steer the topic toward Li Huide's merits.

One reason for today's gathering was to welcome Vice Factory Director Li.

"Where are there so many earthquakes!"

As soon as Zhang Zhang Guoqi finished speaking, Bi Bi Yuding, while playing cards, said with a laugh: "Even one was already pushing it; come again? The City of Four Gates has never experienced so many earthquakes."

"Hehehe"

Everyone took Zhang Zhang Guoqi's words as a joke, chuckled lightly a few times, and said nothing more.

No wonder Li Li Xuewu said today's gathering was a life-or-death match; those at the card table and those not, every word spoken could hang someone up for judgment of life or death.

Vice Secretary Gu's question was about how the current wind should blow.

Vice Factory Director Li, in turn, asked who should be the one to blow that wind.

The Secretary's words expressed his meaning: no matter who wants the wind or how it blows, the united situation of the Rolling Steel Factory must not fall, and it must not affect individual families.

Good heavens, even if Zhang Zhang Guoqi had several heads, he wouldn't dare stir up the wind here.

That is why he brought up earthquakes; on the surface, he was flattering, but in reality, he was asking the organization of the Rolling Steel Factory when the next earthquake would occur.

This question was directed at everyone present.

Because everyone in this room, one by one, could stir up wind and rain; to say they could cause a small earthquake was truly not a random statement.

Because once at the card table, one had the right to speak; Bi Bi Yuding had indeed spoken his true thoughts.

He was forty years old, had worked in the Dispatch Office for nearly half his life, and did not want to cause trouble anymore, nor did he want to suffer torment.

So he hoped the Rolling Steel Factory would have no earthquakes, and preferably no wind at all.

But if there were no wind, if everything were sunny and calm, why had everyone come here today?

Li Huide did not look at Bi Bi Yuding sitting opposite him; he took a sip of tea, kept his eyes fixed on the card table, yet said, "Speaking of earthquakes, I think Vice Director Li of the Security Department has the most to say on the matter."

"Hehehe"

Everyone shared a knowing smile; they all knew the leader had singled someone out, and now they watched how Li Li Xuewu would answer.

Among these people, the only one who could truly cause an earthquake was Li Li Xuewu; this was a person who truly dared to come forward.

Furthermore, this person had also shown his face prominently when a real earthquake occurred; he had been featured as a Young Pioneer in the Steel News.

As for the factory's advanced individual this year, there was no need to ask; it would surely be him.

Moreover, the selection for this year's model worker might even aim for the national level.

This young man was extremely skilled at work; whatever task he handled, he would surely write it up as a report and get it published.

Those who were capable at actual work might not be convinced, but being able to write and get it published was something not just anyone could achieve.

"If you ask me, fainting doesn't count as dying; does hearing a dragon roar mean the New Year isn't coming?"

Li Li Xuewu stood up, took out a cigarette pack, and distributed cigarettes to everyone in the room; when he reached the card table and saw Gu Gu Weijie glaring at him, he smiled and pushed the window open again.

Everyone had drunk a bit too much wine today; why did everyone have such red faces?

Also, why were the male comrades sitting on the sofa not moving, all bent over like that? What was going on?

He was truly malicious, asking about the bad deeds he himself had done.

After the few people in the room lit their cigarettes, they heard Li Li Xuewu continue: "Existing technology makes it very difficult to detect when an earthquake will occur; so if everyone is just worrying about nothing, then we might as well not do anything."

While speaking, he walked over to Gu Gu Weijie's side, turned sideways toward Li Huide, and added: "If you ask me, maintain a good mindset, make preparations, strengthen training; if a disaster occurs, follow the evacuation team closely, and nine out of ten times you won't die."

"Hahaha!"

Li Huide laughed and pointed at Li Li Xuewu, saying, "Let you give a report on how to handle it, and you come out with a whole set of points!"

While scolding Li Li Xuewu with his words, his eyes were full of trust.

He had heard about the matter of Yang Yang Fengshan and had also heard from well-meaning people that Li Li Xuewu had talked with Yang Yang Fengshan and the comrades from the Confidentiality Department for a long time that night.

But he did not believe Li Li Xuewu would change his flag; seeing him today, the comrades were still comrades.

Yang Yang Yuansong, facing Li Li Xuewu, heard Li Li Xuewu's words, raised his head for a glance, then chuckled lightly: "Vice Director Li is quite skilled at handling safety; he is also quite skilled at carrying the big flag and leading the team."

"Ai!"

Li Li Xuewu smiled modestly, "This is what you, sir, asked of me, saying I'm a Youth Red Banner Pioneer. If I were to drop the ball, wouldn't you go cursing in the streets!"

"Hahahaha!"

Li Li Xuewu's words made Yang Yang Yuansong laugh, Li Huai De also laughed, and the others smiled with understanding.

Knowing this young man couldn't be made to sweat, Xu Sinian chuckled and took a sip of tea, the smoke from the cigarette in his mouth making the scene before him look quite illusory.

Seeing through the smoke, Deputy Secretary Gu snapped at Deputy Director Li standing beside her, "Can you go over there and shut up? You're delaying my card game."

"Okay, okay, okay."

Li Li Xuewu replied while smiling and pointing at the cards in Deputy Secretary Gu's hand, "You should play the two of circles."

"Get lost!"

"Hahaha!"

Seeing Li Li Xuewu deliberately causing trouble for the leaders, everyone laughed with a mix of envy and amusement.

He held a high position but was young, so naturally he could joke with the leaders; this kind of relationship made everyone incredibly envious.

If one had this age and such a mouth, how could one not advance?

The evening breeze rustled, blowing the cotton curtains by the window; inside, the smoke never ceased, and the sound of stacking the Great Wall of Mahjong tiles never stopped.

The three leaders sat as steady as Mount Tai, while the single vacant seat had already changed hands several times.

Bi Bi Yuding's excuse to leave the table was that he needed to use the restroom, letting Zhang Zhang Guoqi take his place.

Zhang Zhang Guoqi, seeing Bi Bi Yuding leave and never return, knew what was up; that old rascal had made a bathroom escape.

After all, his business had been discussed, so it wasn't quite appropriate to keep occupying the seat.

As if by tacit understanding, this chair seemed to produce a "Urine Man"; Zhang Zhang Guoqi, having finished discussing logistics matters, also expressed his stance to the leaders and said he needed to urinate.

Xu Sinian saw that he had to step in, so he voluntarily took the seat to replace Zhang Zhang Guoqi.

Li Li Xuewu sat on the sofa with his eyes half-closed, chatting idly with Yu Yu Daru, watching Xu Sinian skillfully navigating between everyone and pleasing all the leaders.

Most importantly, today this man represented not the Factory Director, but the Administrative Office.

That phrasing is a bit too general; let's put it another way.

Xu Sinian is the Director of the Factory Office, and he manages the department responsible for communication up and down the factory.

All coordination between departments and between factory leaders and department leaders is done by him.

One could say his hands hold the most powerful people in the Rolling Mill Factory's Administrative Office, while everyone else merely cooperates with their work.

This results in his expressed meanings, or the words he speaks, being effective with those below, while the leaders above must also listen.

Saying the Office Director wouldn't swap even for a Deputy Factory Director might be an exaggeration, but his actual power is truly far more formidable than that of an ordinary Deputy Factory Director.

Especially with Xu Sinian as a person; the more important his position, the more humble he becomes; he looks like an old nice guy, but in reality, he is untouchable.

At this moment, Li Li Xuewu was also watching his performance with half-closed eyes, trying to hear something from the words of the three leaders.

The Secretary's status is transcendent; the attitude always emphasized is unity, nothing must be chaotic.

With the Secretary's backing, Gu Gu Weijie acted with even more freedom; their Mo He Qi passed very quickly, and now it seems they cooperate with perfect understanding.

The Secretary also needs someone to speak on behalf of the Party Committee; Gu Gu Weijie gave the Secretary a guarantee through her actual actions.

What the Secretary cannot yet gauge is Li Huai De; he is a difficult character.

The two have an old relationship; they knew each other from early on. Seeing that he was anxious now, the Secretary personally came to hold the fort today.

Li Li Xuewu sat with his legs crossed, eyes half-closed as if about to fall asleep. Seeing Xu Sinian lose a few hands, he asked, "Director Xu, you're not going to take a pee too, are you?"

That question was precise; just as Xu Sinian expressed his opinion, the leaders' reply was hesitating, and it looked like the conversation might stall.

"Hey, I drank too much pee, so the alcohol is particularly strong."

Xu Sinian deliberately threw in a joke, glancing at Li Li Xuewu while doing so, his eyes full of gratitude.

"Hehehe."

Li Huai De looked at Xu Sinian and smiled, "Director Xu has good luck, steady card style, and can sit still."

"Ah, I can't go on either."

Xu Sinian waved his hand and said, "They aren't peeing much; they're just too sleepy. I'm the same right now."

He waved his hand, signaling Li Li Xuewu to come take over. After Gu Gu Weijie won another hand, he stood up and said to the three leaders, "It's almost eleven; I really can't hold on, my head is spinning."

"Is there any good in mixing this alcohol?"

Gu Gu Weijie glared angrily at Li Li Xuewu who had just arrived and said to Li Huai De and Yang Yang Yuansong at the table, "This kid is too wicked; he's definitely planning to win money by wearing us down with a relay battle."

"Hey, what an injustice!"

Taking Xu Sinian's seat, he said to Xu Sinian who was getting up to leave, "Do you want me to have the driver take you?"

"No need."

Xu Sinian knew Li Li Xuewu had guessed he was going home, so he simply waved to everyone in the room and left with a smile.

Li Li Xuewu turned around and explained to the three leaders, "He says he's having a spat with his wife, but I think it's just an excuse; he's too slippery."

Although he appeared to be criticizing Xu Sinian, he was actually helping him.

If he were truly wicked, he wouldn't have helped Xu Sinian out just now; instead, he gave him a way out.

The three leaders were obviously dissatisfied with what Xu Sinian said today; he should always be in a service role, not one for speaking.

Coming here to speak now means the work wasn't done well.

Li Li Xuewu actually hoped Xu Sinian would stay in this position a bit longer; with such a person around, it's better than having a dog come up here.

Although he serves the factory leaders, he indeed does the job quite well.

Saying he is of one heart with Yang Yang Fengshan isn't necessarily true; if they were truly of one heart, he would have been replaced long ago.

Could the factory still allow such a person to exist?

He is just like plasticine; whichever side needs stretching, he stretches that way. For this job, even if Li Li Xuewu were offered three wives as a bonus, he wouldn't do it.

It's so exhausting!

"I'm young, I'll speak first."

Li Li Xuewu chuckled: "This seat tonight is the end of the line—I won't be the first to speak and then get off the table."

"Are you bullying us for being old?"

Yang Yang Yuansong hadn't expected Li Li Xuewu to speak up right away; he glanced at Li Li Xuewu with a smiling gaze.

Li Li Xuewu, unconcerned, said: "Ah, Yang Shuji, the world is yours now, but it'll be ours eventually. Likewise, this money is yours now, but it'll be mine eventually, hahaha!"

Gu Gu Weijie, hearing Li Li Xuewu's words, glanced at Yang Shuji across the table but said: "Young man, you're in good health—you're unbeatable."

"Hahaha"

Li Li Huai De chuckled: "He's all talk and no skill—his mahjong is terrible."

"Then you're absolutely right."

Li Li Xuewu grinned: "Look at the place they picked—Confucius moving house, nothing but losses. I call it placing oneself in mortal peril to then be reborn—I've stirred up the water first."

"You say you've got a whole set of tricks, and you really go for it."

Li Li Huai De chuckled, not looking at either secretary, and played his card, saying to Li Li Xuewu: "But you've got to pick a direction before stirring things up—this play is chaotic, you probably can't even find the path to win."

"That depends on how big a win you want."

Li Li Xuewu drew a tile, raised an eyebrow, saw no matching tile beneath, and discarded a settled tile from his hand.

This was an acknowledgment: he wouldn't win, but he wouldn't give Gu Gu Weijie the tile she needed.

"You're really cruel!"

Gu Gu Weijie watched Li Li Xuewu draw the tile he needed, but held it tightly in his hand and refused to play it.

"If everyone played like this, wouldn't we all start fighting?"

"Fight who?"

Li Li Xuewu smiled and asked: "Is there still Wang Fa? You want this East wind—I won't give it to you, and you'll hit me?"

"Go, go, go—who wants the East wind?"

Gu Gu Weijie pouted: "I want to win big."

"Nonsense!"

Li Li Xuewu placed the East wind tile in front of him, clearly indicating he'd never play it.

"I won't play this tile—see how you win big."

Li Li Huai De, watching Li Li Xuewu bicker with Gu Gu Weijie, glanced at Yang Shuji and smiled. Both were Level 40; Gu Gu Weijie was Level 30; Li Li Xuewu was Level 20.

They couldn't really argue anymore, but watching the show was still fine.

Yang Yang Yuansong also smiled and shook his head, silently marveling that even he couldn't deny aging.

Look at the new generation now, look at our own—what chance do we have left if we don't make way for them?

After finishing with Gu Gu Weijie, Li Li Xuewu returned to answering Li Li Huai De's earlier question.

"If I wanted a big win today, I'd lock onto Yang Shuji and trap Vice Secretary Gu. If I wanted a small win, I'd be ready to win in just three or four rounds."

"You're full of it—still talking about 'ready to win'?"

Gu Gu Weijie, dissatisfied, discarded his pair of East winds and shot Li Li Xuewu a reproachful look.

After another round, Li Li Xuewu finally discarded his East wind tile, making Gu Gu Weijie glare furiously.

Yu Yu Daru, seeing the room had emptied, sat down in Zhang Zhang Guoqi's former seat, right beside Li Li Huai De.

Watching Li Li Xuewu casually chat with the leaders, hinting at deeper meanings, he was deeply impressed.

He was merely average in technical ability, but excelled in handling affairs within the unit—that's why the leaders kept him.

Now it seemed this steel mill was a higher tier than his own unit.

If all young cadres were like Li Li Xuewu, he might as well retire early.

They claimed they'd fight to the death, but in truth, they didn't play long.

Later, the leaders each went to the restroom; the atmosphere grew chaotic, and everyone lost interest in playing.

Yang Yang Yuansong and Gu Gu Weijie left together; the group sat on the sofa and had a serious chat, said everything that needed saying, then returned to their rooms.

Only Li Li Xuewu stayed behind with Yu Yu Daru, using the cleanup as an excuse.

Li Li Xuewu first explained Yu Yu Daru's situation, then turned to Li Li Huai De and laid out his thoughts.

Li Li Huai De was easygoing; he narrowed his eyes and immediately understood why Li Li Xuewu had brought Yu Yu Daru to him.

He kept nodding and agreeing, but uttered not a single real word.

He mostly urged Li Li Xuewu and Yu Yu Daru to talk slowly, and first complete the basic groundwork.

Yu Yu Daru wanted to say more, but Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi entered to report that the guesthouse staff had prepared his room.

The meaning was clear, but he'd at least gotten a word today, so he politely thanked Li Li Huai De and left.

Only Li Li Xuewu and Li Li Huai De remained seated on the sofa, drinking tea.

The night at the end of March wasn't cold, but the wind still blew chilly.

Li Li Xuewu wore only a short-sleeved shirt; especially at night, his body heat was fading, so he felt cold.

He wanted to get to the point quickly, so Li Li Huai De could rest early.

"Leader, this trip must've been tough."

"Hmph~ It's work."

Li Li Huai De waved his hand, leaned back on the sofa, and looked at the young man seated on the single chair; he smiled and said: "You've worked hard too."

"It's all my duty."

Li Li Xuewu nodded with a smile, then asked: "They said a leader came..."

"Mm, it was Vice Secretary Yuan from the ministry."

Li Li Huai De's expression grew complex; he sipped tea before explaining: "In light of the steel mill's actual operational needs and the improvement of workers' living standards, the ministry has allocated a sum of startup funding as supplementary budget, to be used by the factory for exploring joint enterprise construction and improving workers' housing conditions."

"So that's how it is."

Li Li Xuewu nodded in understanding and said, "This wind is really blowing hard."

"Hehe."

Li Li Huai De shook his head slightly and said, "I knew about this a week ago."

Speaking thus, without even looking at the slightly surprised expression in Li Li Xuewu's eyes, he stated plainly, "Whatever the factory plans to do, how could we not report it to the authorities above? These are all normal procedures; whoever has the capability should push hard, after all, it's all for the sake of work."

"That's true."

Li Li Xuewu nodded in verbal agreement and said, "I also hope everything goes well; at the very least, the living environment for the workers urgently needs solving, and the factory's development desperately requires construction and expansion."

"I've heard about everything you've done."

Li Li Huai De nodded at Li Li Xuewu and said, "I seriously inquired about the automobile project; it indeed has potential for development, including the textiles and so on you are currently preparing. I must say, you have both ideas and capability."

"Hey, just as you said, it's all for the sake of work."

Li Li Xuewu had no intention of bragging in front of Li Li Huai De; he nodded and, looking at Li Li Huai De, asked, "Are you coming back this time to take a breather? After all, you were too exhausted recently."

"Mm, take a breather."

Li Li Huai De narrowed his eyes, looked at Li Li Xuewu, and said, "It's like playing mahjong; fortune turns like the wind and water. When you're tired, you must slow down and rest a bit, don't you agree?"

"Hehehe, of course."

Li Li Xuewu smiled lightly and said, "If you like, I won't clear this table away."

"Leave it here."

Li Li Huai De nodded with a smile, simultaneously stood up, patted the shoulder of Li Li Xuewu, who had also risen, and said, "Haste makes waste; you understand this principle, so I won't elaborate. What I want to say is that a wise person knows how to borrow strength to move forward."

"You are right."

Li Li Xuewu smiled and responded with a phrase, then walked out the door and said to Li Li Huai De, "Leader, please rest; I'm heading down."

As he spoke, he waved to Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi, who was standing at the doorway, and they prepared to go downstairs together.

But after walking just a few steps, Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi whispered something to Li Li Xuewu; Li Li Xuewu's steps paused slightly, and then he led Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi downstairs.

The guesthouse had changed greatly; many rooms had been repurposed.

Initially, following Li Li Xuewu's suggestion, the two rooms at the entrance of the small conference room had been converted into a tea preparation room and a tea hall.

It was located not far from the staircase.

When Li Li Xuewu went downstairs, he saw Qin Qin Huairu on patrol in the lobby; without speaking, he took Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi to the tea hall.

"Deputy Secretary Gu, you haven't rested yet at this late hour?"

What Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi had told Li Li Xuewu upstairs was that Gu Yu Jie was waiting for him in the tea hall downstairs.

Li Li Xuewu was not particularly surprised; tonight, everyone had things they wanted to discuss. Since Gu Yu Jie hadn't been alone with Li Li Xuewu upstairs, it was inevitable that some things needed to be said.

This location was quite good; with individual small tea seats and no one around at midnight, it was perfect for conversation.

Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi merely followed to the doorway, then stood by the doorframe and started smoking.

It was very late; without smoking, one simply wouldn't have the energy.

Today upstairs, his brain was nearly overwhelmed; pretending to be a little transparent figure, he listened and learned.

It was a rare learning opportunity Li Li Xuewu had found for him; how could he not seize it?

At this moment, taking advantage of the leader going to talk, he stood at the door pondering things over.

As soon as Li Li Xuewu entered the tea hall, he softly greeted Gu Yu Jie, who was sitting by the tea table drinking tea with an elegant demeanor.

This woman was truly changeable; upstairs she had appeared petty and calculating, but now she seemed dignified and refined.

"There are some things I want to discuss; I can't sleep."

"Hehe, I'd be happy to keep you company."

Li Li Xuewu looked at the teacup prepared before him, gently rotated the cup, and had no further interest in drinking.

He had already drunk enough tea upstairs; if he drank any more tonight, he truly wouldn't be able to sleep.

Gu Yu Jie, however, seemed to have no such worries; she took a sip of tea and asked Li Li Xuewu, "Do you still have any ideas?"

"Hehe, which aspect are you referring to?"

Li Li Xuewu was certainly skilled with words; at this moment, his eyes darted straight around, causing Gu Yu Jie opposite him to frown deeply.

"It's the middle of the night; surely you don't want to waste too much time, do you?"

Gu Yu Jie rubbed her eyes and said, "Don't tell me you've been scared out of your wits and are ready to beat a retreat."

"Does today look like a situation of beating a retreat?"

Li Li Xuewu smiled and added, "Besides, even if one doesn't beat the drum, does that mean one doesn't make progress?"

"You certainly dare to speak."

Gu Yu Jie sized Li Li Xuewu up and asked, "He is doing this for progress; what are you doing it for?"

"Me?"

Li Li Xuewu countered with a question, then smiled and said, "I am happy to watch everyone make progress; after all, it's easy to enjoy the shade under a big tree."

"Your words do not match your heart."

Gu Yu Jie lowered her brows and eyes while drinking tea, saying softly, "Hypocritical."

She really did not want to look at that face opposite her, which was both righteous and sinister; it was too annoying, yet it made people feel...

Li Li Xuewu paid no attention to Deputy Secretary Gu's evaluation of him; instead, he went further and said, "I'll say it again: just because the dragon roars, does that mean it's not New Year?"

Seeing the expression on Gu Yu Jie's face, Li Li Xuewu shook his head slightly with a look of disdain.

Gu Yu Jie also paid no heed to this brat's attitude and said in a low voice, "You still think there's a turning point in this matter?"

"It's hard to say."

Li Li Xuewu pursed his lips and said, "This matter is done by people; as long as it involves humans, there is randomness. Who can accurately predict what the situation will be next month, or the month after?"

"You certainly see things thoroughly."

Gu Gu Weijie squinted at Li Li Xuewu and asked, "Are you preparing for 'a great wind rises, clouds fly high'?"

"Don't mock me."

Li Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and said, "You've asked enough questions tonight; let me ask you one: you're not planning to run off, are you?"

"Do you want me to leave?"

Gu Gu Weijie had an unusually large number of questions today, most of them directed at Li Li Xuewu.

Li Li Xuewu clasped his hands and shook them, signaling surrender.

"If you ask me, there's nothing that can't be said and no work that can't be done; let him do his, and you do yours—I don't believe anyone can block you from doing your job."

After Li Li Xuewu finished speaking, seeing Gu Gu Weijie lost in thought, he emphasized, "Life is bound to have its ups and downs; even if it's down, down, down, down, down... there must be a moment when the drop isn't so severe. I think what the leader said makes sense: take a breather, it'll be fine!"

"Heh heh."

Gu Gu Weijie chuckled lightly at Li Li Xuewu's deliberate Sichuan dialect, then said, "It seems he was prepared; otherwise, you wouldn't have come down so quickly."

Standing up, she said to Li Li Xuewu, "Keep up the good work; the world truly belongs to you now."

"Thank you, Leader."

Li Li Xuewu crooked his mouth, teasing Gu Gu Weijie once more as a farewell.

He didn't rush out immediately but sat by the tea table for a while before finally leaving the room.

"Go rest; there's nothing else to do."

Saying this to Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi, he himself went upstairs to the familiar room.

A familiar room, a familiar person.

Whether surveillance cameras had truly been installed was uncertain, but just as Li Li Xuewu finished bathing, Qin Qin Huairu entered the room.

"Working until the middle of the night, really?"

Li Li Xuewu, naked and wiping himself with a towel, was met by Qin Qin Huairu, who took the towel and began drying him off.

"Only busy for the first half of the night; where would there be that much work?"

Qin Qin Huairu explained while continuing her task.

After finishing drying Li Li Xuewu, she took the shirt he had removed to the bathroom to wash, then hung it by the room's window.

Leaving the window slightly ajar would ensure it dried completely overnight.

Li Li Xuewu lay on the bed, dozing, waiting until Qin Qin Huairu finished tidying up before opening his eyes.

Qin Qin Huairu, using Li Li Xuewu's towel to dry herself, asked, "Why did so many leaders come today?"

"Just idle chatter."

Li Li Xuewu replied casually, then shifted his body further inward.

"And they talked so late."

Qin Qin Huairu muttered, genuinely puzzled that Gu Gu Weijie had summoned Li Li Xuewu to the tea hall as late as eleven o'clock.

"Mm."

Li Li Xuewu, whether he heard clearly or not, merely mumbled a vague response.

Qin Qin Huairu, however, was quite proactive, lifting the blanket...

It was the middle of the night; perhaps due to the window being left slightly open, the room felt somewhat cool.

The two lay wrapped in the blanket, the bedside lamp still on, while Qin Qin Huairu's gaze appeared somewhat hazy.

"Is something going to happen?"

She was worried about something, unable to understand the cryptic words and actions of these leaders.

The only person she could ask was Li Li Xuewu, yet he rarely discussed such matters with her.

"Nothing will happen."

Li Li Xuewu lay on the pillow; having bathed a second time, he found it difficult to sleep.

"Just do as I said: focus on your own work, don't spread idle gossip, and nothing will go wrong."

"So something is still going to happen?"

Qin Qin Huairu propped herself up to look at Li Li Xuewu; seeing he didn't wish to speak, she explained, "I'm worried about the family."

"Overthinking things."

Li Li Xuewu pinched Qin Qin Huairu's chin and said, "I truly haven't heard of any trouble targeting the elderly or children."

Qin Qin Huairu looked at Li Li Xuewu, allowing him to pinch her chin, and murmured indistinctly, "It's about Qin Jingru..."

Clearly feeling Li Li Xuewu's hand pause slightly on her chin, Qin Qin Huairu explained, "She really wants to hatch chicks to sell for money; she's truly determined not to come home."

"Let her make her fuss."

Li Li Xuewu said impatiently, "I said it long ago: once she's tired of making a fuss, she'll stop."

"I know; you just can't stand her stubborn streak."

Qin Qin Huairu said to Li Li Xuewu, "But that's just her temperament; at her age, how much can I, as her older sister, really control?"

Speaking, she stroked Li Li Xuewu's chest and said in a lowered voice, "There are more and more disreputable young people on the streets; I've seen them in broad daylight chasing girls on bicycles and pressing up against them. I'm truly afraid she'll cause some kind of scandal again."

"What kind of scandal?"

Li Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes and said, "With one leg crippled?"

"But there might be a good day eventually."

Qin Qin Huairu tentatively asked in a negotiating tone, "If it really comes to it, could we..."

"Arrange something for her?"

Li Li Xuewu closed his eyes completely and said, "I've already stated it: her nature needs grinding down. If you're willing, play 'taming the hawk' with your sister; I have no interest in babysitting."

Adding meaningfully, "She won't be wandering around the city for much longer anyway."

"Sigh! ~"

Qin Qin Huairu glanced at Li Li Xuewu and lightly pinched this hard-hearted rogue.

Even after begging him so much, he still stubbornly refused to yield, determined to force her detestable younger sister into marrying into the family.

She was no pushover either; it was simply that having such a person in the house was like living with a ticking time bomb.

Perhaps seeing the trouble that had erupted in the rear courtyard, and with no one around the compound these past few days, her sister had actually thought of using the communal vegetable cellar to raise chickens.

That vegetable cellar was shared by the entire compound, used to store winter cabbages, potatoes, and radishes.

Of course, the few households like Li Li Xuewu's family, who had cellars inside their own rooms, did not need to use it.

But most families had to rely on it; if she went ahead and filled a whole cellar with the stench of chicken droppings, wouldn't it turn the entire compound upside down?

She had finally managed to shout her down, but it had left her fuming with anger.

Now that she had finally caught sight of Li Li Xuewu, she brought up the matter again, yet he still hadn't given his approval.

Li Li Xuewu patted Qin Qin Huairu's cheek and said, "Relax; we're only at the beginning. You'll have plenty to worry about later."

"Aren't you just vicious!"

Qin Qin Huairu scolded him lightly and tapped Li Li Xuewu, yet she allowed this rogue to knead and pinch her face.

"You're just waiting to see me make a fool of myself, aren't you?"

"Nonsense!"

Li Li Xuewu found it strange; this woman had already borne three children, so how could her skin still be so fine?

Plump and rosy, she was truly a calamitous beauty.

He was no stranger to such matters, yet this woman possessed a unique charm all her own.

"When have I ever made you a laughingstock?"

Li Li Xuewu patted Qin Qin Huairu's cheek and said, "It's fine, ah; just sleep well. What is meant to happen cannot be stopped, and worrying about what isn't meant to happen is superfluous."

"All you know how to do is talk!"

Qin Qin Huairu pushed at Li Li Xuewu and pleaded, "Once her temper is smoothed out, you must arrange something for her."

Speaking thus, fearing Li Li Xuewu might get annoyed, she added, "I'm not asking for anything great; even wiping tables or sweeping floors would do."

"Mm-hmm, I know."

Li Li Xuewu looked at the expression on this woman's face, especially as she straightened her body, then rolled over and pinned her down again.

Qin Qin Huairu missed him too, so naturally, she let him have his way.

With things becoming increasingly inconvenient in the compound, Qin Qin Huairu had not stayed overnight in his room again.

She had originally thought that once things were arranged at the guesthouse, she could see him more often, but this rogue rarely stayed the night there anymore.

Furthermore, there was Zhang Zhang Songying here; last time, it was she who had voluntarily stepped aside.

Zhang Zhang Songying was good-looking, had a great figure, and was both articulate and playful; how could Qin Qin Huairu not know what men liked?

Now that Li Li Xuewu was rising higher and higher, although she had also reached the deputy section level, she felt as though she were looking at a mirage, unsteady and insecure.

Her entire being relied on this rogue; she served him with extreme caution, deeply afraid he would become dissatisfied or grow disgusted with her.

Everyone in the compound said she was glorious, and in truth, she did enjoy this glory.

But behind that glory lay so much effort, so much sweat, and so much exertion.

Li Li Xuewu's large frame was truly somewhat heavy, and his strength was immense; whenever he caught hold of her, he would vigorously work her over.

No wonder Zhang Zhang Songying liked him; both of them were tall, so they were well-matched and the work didn't feel tiring.

Her height was not short either, but standing before Li Li Xuewu, she simply didn't measure up.

Seeing this rogue lift her into his arms, she scolded him and struck him lightly, only for him to deliberately bump against her, leaving her unable to raise her hand again.

As night fell, a gentle breeze blowing through the window caused the white shirt hanging there to sway slightly.

The dim light cast shadows on the wall that rose and fell in tandem, as if they could not rest for even a moment.

It was not until the latter half of the night that the storm subsided and the shadows on the wall ceased their swaying; a few soft panting sounds echoed in the room, after which Qin Qin Huairu was seen dressing, opening the door, and leaving.

When Li Li Xuewu woke up in the morning, breakfast time had already passed.

However, since they were at the factory, sleeping a little longer wouldn't make him late, so he slept on until half past seven.

After washing his face and going downstairs, he found Zhang Zhang Songying had already prepared breakfast for him, so he ate steamed buns and rice porridge in the Xiaoshitang.

Zhang Zhang Songying knew Li Li Xuewu was supposed to stay overnight here last night and had intended to stay and keep him company.

But ever since that time she and Qin Qin Huairu were together in that room, she really dared not act recklessly again.

So she simply followed the shift schedule, exchanged a few jokes with Qin Qin Huairu, and went home.

Feeling as though a kitten were scratching at her heart, she had arrived early today; seeing Qin Qin Huairu asleep in the office, she immediately understood what had happened.

She had gone to the cafeteria to prepare breakfast, one portion for Qin Qin Huairu and one for Li Li Xuewu.

Qin Qin Huairu's portion would wait until she woke up to eat, but Li Li Xuewu's portion absolutely had to be eaten before eight o'clock.

Li Li Xuewu glanced at Zhang Zhang Songying and asked with a smile, "Have you eaten?"

"I have."

Seeing that there weren't many people in the Xiaoshitang at this hour, Zhang Zhang Songying chatted a bit more with Li Li Xuewu.

Li Li Xuewu nodded and asked, "Did you see any of those leaders from upstairs come down?"

"Mm, they all left after eating breakfast."

Although Zhang Zhang Songying had arrived when Qin Qin Huairu was already asleep, they still coordinated their work with perfect tacit understanding, arranging breakfast for the leaders who had stayed overnight.

Li Li Xuewu nodded, quickly finished off his breakfast, stood up to bid farewell to Zhang Zhang Songying, and headed to the office.

Sha Sha Qizhi had risen earlier than him and had already gone to work.

Since there were no leaders to receive today, he could spend more time preparing in the office.

When Li Li Xuewu entered the office, Sha Sha Qizhi was still smiling and remarking that if all the leaders lived and worked at the guesthouse, efficiency would increase dramatically.

While speaking, he meaningfully gestured toward the main office building and said, "Deputy Secretary Gu called this morning to say there will be a Party Committee meeting this forenoon, and he wants you to attend."

"What does this have to do with the Security Division?"

Li Li Xuewu said impatiently, "We had a meeting yesterday; are we having another one today?"

After a moment's thought, he said, "In that case, have Director Yu go in my place. Let's review the Security Division's work, then head straight to the Public Order Battalion to rotate through the posts; I won't feel at ease unless I inspect every single one."