Chapter 526: Boat Ticket

"Wait."

Wei Qing waved his hand and said, "Let's not talk about the 'big brother' thing for a moment. Sister Wang didn't tell us that you were going to provide the capital."

At this, everyone in the room looked at Wang Xiaoqin, and both Wang Xiaoqin and Huang Gan only had a vague understanding of Li Xuewu's plan.

When Li Xuewu first proposed preparing the club, he only mentioned that he could provide a venue, but he didn't go into details.

In their view, the birth of a club was definitely not something that could happen overnight, nor was it something to be decided on a whim.

Li Xuewu's intention was the same; times change, and no one could guarantee what the future situation would be, nor could anyone guarantee how the club should be run.

After all, clubs have different natures.

Is it private, like the kind the Lou family used to have?

Or is it public?

For example, the kind established by large units following the Soviet model.

Li Xuewu put his hands down and, amidst everyone's gaze, took out a pack of cigarettes, tore it open, and tossed them to the few who smoked.

He could understand their current reaction. Although these people had just stepped onto the organizational ladder, they were all very young and had limitless futures.

And precisely because of this, everyone was proud.

You are this age, and I am this age; you are a deputy division-level, and I am a deputy division-level—why should you lead me?

The content Li Xuewu proposed caused them to have negative thoughts regarding money and material matters.

Although they didn't have money either, they wouldn't take advantage of Li Xuewu.

Another point was that they all understood: if you take something from someone, your hands become soft; if you eat someone's food, your mouth becomes short.

If Li Xuewu proposed providing so much support, would they have to lean more toward Li Xuewu's opinions organizationally?

If that were the case, wouldn't this club lose the meaning Li Xuewu initially stated?

Everyone was an adult; they wouldn't go block a startled horse just because of one word from Li Xuewu, nor would they leave in anger just because of one word from Li Xuewu.

"I'm still very glad I didn't see anyone smash a cup and walk out."

Li Xuewu cracked a joke first, then used his lighter to light his cigarette.

Hu Jinbu looked at Huang Gan, lit a cigarette as well, took a puff, and said, "Then explain your idea. I don't care about eating a free meal; I'm just afraid that if I eat too much, you'll get anxious."

"There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world."

Li Xuewu exhaled a puff of smoke and said very straightforwardly, "I don't have the ambition to 'build a thousand mansions to shelter all the scholars in the world,' nor do I have that kind of ambition. I just want to protect myself."

These words made the sensitive ones in the room narrow their eyes.

Wang Zheng was a bit dazed; she still didn't understand Li Xuewu's meaning, but seeing the atmosphere, she knew it wasn't a good time to ask.

Especially given her relationship with Huang Gan, as long as Huang Gan understood, that was enough.

Huang Gan tapped the table with his cigarette, lit it, frowned slightly, and said, "It's difficult."

"It's precisely because it's difficult that I came to find you all."

Li Xuewu didn't try to stress them out, but said calmly, "The support I mentioned is also within my capabilities—for example, a courtyard, a few friends."

Seeing Wang Xiaoqin and Zhou Zhengquan light their cigarettes, he continued to explain, "I won't keep pumping blood into the club's funds; instead, I'll use the club to generate its own blood."

"That might be a bit difficult."

Zhou Zhengquan thought for a moment and said, "If you plan to affiliate this club with the bureau, I can help you lobby for funds, but you know how much—our foundation is very thin."

"No, no, no."

Li Xuewu waved his hand and said, "I never thought about affiliation. This club must maintain a high degree of purity and independence."

It was precisely this characteristic proposed by Li Xuewu that could attract everyone.

No one was willing to be led in this kind of club, because if they wanted that, there were already clubs in their units; why look far away?

Li Xuewu's main focus was unity and privacy—a club where secrets could be discussed in private.

"The club will be prepared according to a collective ownership system."

Li Xuewu raised his hands, gesturing to the few in the room, and said, "You are the initial preparatory personnel I can think of who have the ability and are willing to serve everyone. Let's form a preparatory group first."

Taking a puff of his cigarette, Li Xuewu continued, "When it's officially established, we'll set up a standing council for the club and elect standing directors and a secretary-general."

This was a very independent setup, which existed during the Republic of China and also after the founding of the People's Republic.

For example, the one established in '55 that disappointed everyone the most later on.

"So, you mean this club belongs to the collective ownership system?"

Wang Xiaoqin also frowned slightly, took a puff of her cigarette, and asked, "Is it a non-profit social organization or a for-profit social organization?"

"The latter."

Li Xuewu said very firmly, "In the club's charter, I will propose that the club forever belongs to its members."

"Then what about the funds?"

Huang Gan looked at Li Xuewu and asked, "How do you plan to achieve profitability? And how will the profits be returned to the members?"

"This needs to be discussed slowly."

Li Xuewu took a puff of his cigarette, paced to the tea table, flicked the ash, and continued to explain, "In the charter regarding organizational structure, I suggest establishing a related operating company with the club as the legal entity."

"We have to establish a company too?"

Wei Qing didn't smoke; he looked at Li Xuewu with some worry, walked a few steps toward the window, and then said, "Won't that be too troublesome?"

"No, this is very necessary."

Before Li Xuewu could speak, Wang Xiaoqin spoke first.

"The most fundamental issue for the rigor and continuity of an organization is economics. Without financial support, you can't do anything you want to do."

After explaining to Wei Qing, Wang Xiaoqin tapped the table, gestured to the teacup, raised her eyebrows, and asked, "We can't just treat each other to dinner every time we gather, right?"

"Hahaha~"

Everyone laughed at such an intuitive analogy, but each person still had questions in their hearts.

But Li Xuewu had already said that it needed to be discussed slowly.

Everyone in the room today would be included in the preparatory group, so they would gain an advantage and enter the core layer when the club was formally established in the future.

This was Li Xuewu's brilliance: he didn't want to monopolize; he wanted a win-win situation.

"Don't think that just because I said 'company,' it has to be a large scale."

Li Xuewu took a puff of his cigarette and said with a smile, "It might just be a small restaurant or a small shop selling some trinkets."

"Understood."

Wang Zheng was quite sharp; she smiled at Li Xuewu and asked, "Is it so that for the sake of financial transparency, all economic sources, no matter how inconspicuous, must pass through the company into the club's operations?"

"Exactly."

Li Xuewu explained with a smile, "Of course, I can't manage the shop every day, and you can't take turns managing it either. We have to hire people to manage it."

They were all dragons and phoenixes among people; they understood as soon as Li Xuewu explained it.

With Li Xuewu explaining the organizational structure, everyone began to brainstorm, from the management team to perfecting finance, membership systems, and responsibilities and obligations—they discussed whatever came to mind.

This was an organization, a team; these were the things that had to be experienced at the beginning of its creation.

The results of everyone's discussion were recorded, which became the club's charter.

To put it small, it was a charter; to put it big, it could be called a party constitution—after all, that small organization on the Red Boat also developed and grew bit by bit.

But Li Xuewu didn't have this ambition; he didn't dare to play with this thing too big or too crooked.

No matter how this organization developed and built itself, Li Xuewu would use a tight hoop to lock it down.

The land, ownership, and management team—Li Xuewu had to control them all; this was the purpose of him providing the startup capital.

The large mansion would always be his; if the club was placed in the large mansion, the club would be locked up.

Li Xuewu had already thought about the management team, but it had to be done slowly; these classmates were all characters who ate soft but not hard.

The path had been drawn; let them discuss and try. If it didn't work, he would step in to solve it.

By that time, how things were arranged would be up to him.

"Alright, alright, everyone, everyone, listen to me for a second."

Wang Xiaoqin, who was temporarily chosen as the head of the preparatory group, clapped her hands and said, "Everyone isn't a guest with nothing to do; everyone has their own busy work. Everyone's tasks and research directions have been assigned. You should all go back and think about them carefully. You can contact and discuss with each other, and when we gather next time, we'll be ready."

During the discussion just now, the leadership structure of the preparatory group was established, with Wang Xiaoqin as the head and Huang Gan and Zhou Zhengquan as deputy heads.

It wasn't that they didn't choose Li Xuewu; this idea was proposed by Li Xuewu, so Li Xuewu should have been the head.

But Li Xuewu refused, the reason being that he was busy—he really was too busy to handle it.

These people were all invited by him; even if this group wasn't led by him, it wouldn't go off track.

After all, this preparatory group was only temporary; whoever had time would do the work.

Everyone looked at the time and knew it was lunchtime. It wasn't that they couldn't afford a meal together, but that most people had social engagements on Sunday noon.

Even if they didn't have social engagements, they had to go to their in-laws' or parents' homes for a reunion.

They had been talking together all morning, and everyone was satisfied. Even those who weren't had made appointments to meet again.

Everyone said their goodbyes and left; one could tell from their smiling faces that everyone was very satisfied with today's discussion.

Zhou Zhengquan, who left last, shook hands with Li Xuewu and wanted to invite him to dinner, but Li Xuewu pointed to the room where Lou's father was, saying an elder was waiting.

Zhou Zhengquan knew about this, as Li Xuewu had already mentioned it, so he left with a smile.

Huang Gan didn't make an appointment with Li Xuewu; he winked at him and left under Wang Zheng's suspicious gaze.

Li Xuewu didn't need to worry about the tea money for this room; it was already agreed that Huang Gan would pay.

He stepped out of the room and walked to the room where Lou's father was, knocking on the door.

A few seconds later, the door was opened. Lou's father stood inside, nodded at Li Xuewu, and walked inside.

Li Xuewu followed him in and closed the door behind him.

"Finished talking?"

"Hehe, sorry to keep you waiting."

Li Xuewu sat down opposite Lou's father with a smile, and Lou's father also looked at Li Xuewu with a smile.

"I heard Watching Lou Xiaoe mention the day before yesterday that you're getting married?"

"Yes."

Li Xuewu nodded calmly and said with a smile, "I'll send you an invitation when the time comes."

"Then I'll definitely be there."

What kind of person is best at adapting to the environment?

The answer is a businessman; the more powerful the businessman, the better they can adapt to the environment.

In their eyes, there is no bad environment, only an incompetent self.

That day, Lou Watching Lou Xiaoe went home and cried, but she didn't get any comforting words from her father.

Because enough dissuasive words had been said, and comforting words seemed meaningless.

He liked to look toward money, and he would also look forward.

Lou's father liked Li Xuewu's calmness and believed that Li Xuewu would be responsible, even if this kid didn't call him father-in-law.

"I was just talking about you with a few old friends earlier."

Lou's father smiled and gestured for Li Xuewu to try the pastries, while he picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Li Xuewu looked at the osmanthus cakes in the plate, which weren't particularly exquisite, but just smiled and didn't reach out.

He didn't have the habit of eating random things outside; even if he had no choice, he would just find a random restaurant and never go to the same one again.

Don't say he's timid, and don't laugh at him for being too cowardly—try killing over two hundred people in five months and see if anyone wants to take revenge on you.

"Is that so? You wouldn't be praising my handsomeness and wanting to capture me as a son-in-law, would you?"

"Hehe."

Lou's father didn't expect Li Xuewu to be so thick-skinned.

He chuckled and said, "I told them you're my son-in-law."

"Oh?"

Li Xuewu's mouth curled up slightly; he didn't care about Lou's father's words.

He didn't believe the person sitting opposite him was a naive child, nor did he believe Lou's father was taking revenge on him.

From beginning to end, Li Xuewu had never trusted Lou's father, because he was a successor to socialism, while the person sitting opposite him was a big capitalist recognized by this era.

"Hehe, they are all lifelong close friends."

Seeing Li Xuewu so calm, Lou's father explained, then smiled reservedly and said, "It made them envious for a long time; this is your face."

"A nobody, where would I have any face?"

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "If my efforts can make you feel satisfied, that is my honor."

"Wait and see."

Lou's father nodded with a smile and explained, "They asked about you after I greeted them earlier, and I told them your identity; they were very surprised."

"Surprised by my identity?"

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and asked, "Or surprised by my relationship with you?"

"Both."

Lou's father said with emotion, "In today's situation, people with my status are all like frightened birds, extremely anxious."

After the emotion, Lou's father continued, "I have a lifelong friend, surnamed Ma, who saw my calmness and guessed that it was you providing me with a safety net, so we talked a bit more."

Li Xuewu understood Lou's father's meaning; this was an explanation, and also an attempt to probe his reality.

Lou's father had already sent his daughter out, so there must be a guarantee; these people naturally also wanted to send their daughters.

This daughter could be real, or she could be gold.

After all, Li Xuewu was only one person; he couldn't have too many "good sisters."

Li Xuewu nodded understandingly and said, "I didn't expect you to have so many friends, and such powerful ones at that."

"Just people drifting in the tide."

Having received Li Xuewu's guarantee, Lou's father had returned to his normal mode of thinking, thinking of his old friends and himself, feeling quite emotional.

"It has been like this throughout all dynasties; people with our status are inevitably the ones who bear the most force."

These words were perfectly correct. Wealth accumulates like sand into a tower; merchants earn wealth, so they inevitably become targets of attack.

"Wealth without benevolence" is a very realistic term.

If you are wealthy, you must be benevolent; if you are not, it is a mistake—this is class, this is social law.

Li Xuewu didn't take the initiative to say anything. His planning was still being implemented bit by bit, and he didn't want to collect "boat tickets" so early.

The waves weren't big enough yet; even if he collected boat tickets, it would only be a pittance, which was meaningless.

There's a little story: when a flood comes, one person takes a pancake and climbs a tree, another person takes gold and climbs a tree—who can survive to the end?

Take it slowly; there's still time.

Lou's father also saw Li Xuewu's meaning and didn't continue the topic.

The room was quiet for a while, both of them pondering the words just spoken.

Perhaps the atmosphere was a bit cold, so Li Xuewu said, "Uncle Lou, there's something I'd like to ask your advice on."

"Speak freely."

Lou's father put down his teacup and looked at Li Xuewu opposite him.

"I didn't just come here today to attend a class reunion."

Li Xuewu deliberated and continued, "I want to take the lead in establishing a club, temporarily recruiting within the scope of the classmates I had during the system training class in Jinmen."

"Oh."

Lou's father nodded; his expression wasn't too surprised. He could huddle together for warmth with old friends, so why couldn't Li Xuewu huddle together for warmth with his classmates?

After thinking for a while, Lou's father asked, "Are these people the same as you?"

"Yes."

Li Xuewu knew what Lou's father was asking, so he explained the identities and backgrounds of these people.

Of course, it was only the ones he was familiar with; there were probably even more powerful people in the class.

Perhaps they wanted to keep a low profile.

"This is truly extraordinary."

Lou's father's hand tapped on the table rhythmically, thinking for a while before asking, "How do you want to organize it?"

His face was calm, but his heart was already surging with waves.

Without anything else, dozens of deputy division-level officials linked together not only represented that this club would become the most powerful organization in the powerful departments of the East City, but also represented that these people would become an undeniable collective in their future careers.

Although in the room on the other side, from Li Xuewu to Wang Zheng, everyone was talking about exercise and study, everyone knew what was really going on in their hearts.

Lou's father understood, and he was even more shocked.

He finally understood why Li Xuewu was so certain at his house that he could arrange everything for him.

Not counting anything else, just this revealed part might only be the tip of the iceberg of Li Xuewu's sphere of influence.

Not quite right, but close enough.

Li Xuewu's own capacity was only so big, and the wind and clouds he stirred up were only so small; he knew best how much wind and rain he could block.

He told Lou's father one by one the results of the discussion he had with the others on the other side, and his own vision for this club.

For Li Xuewu's unconditional trust, Lou's father could only think with all his heart.

After Li Xuewu finished speaking, Lou's father thought for a full ten minutes.

This great businessman who had stirred up winds and clouds in chaotic times and created hundreds of millions in wealth thought a lot for Li Xuewu, and for himself.

"I can't give you any useful advice yet."

Lou's father said to Li Xuewu after thinking; he had to be cautious.

If Li Xuewu took one wrong step, the consequence might be a reduction in Li Xuewu's ability.

If it was reduced to the point where he couldn't take care of him, that would be a disaster for him.

Therefore, he wasn't helping Li Xuewu now, but helping himself.

This wasn't a coincidence; both of them knew there would be such a day when they were discussing on the second floor of the Lou house.

Lou's father had long been prepared for the day he would have to work like an ox or a horse for Li Xuewu, but he didn't expect it to come so quickly.

What kind of "taking care of him," what kind of "cultivating Lou Watching Lou Xiaoe," what kind of "protecting his property"—in essence, it was all Li Xuewu using him, using his property to create wealth.

And that wasn't all; his daughter had to be his mistress, and he himself had to be his strategist.

Lou's father had long understood Li Xuewu's wolfish ambition; what kind of people hadn't he seen?

Any child of the era who climbed up from the bottom would accumulate wealth using this method.

There were too many examples, just divided into voluntary and passive ones.

He originally didn't want to; he was so old, he still wanted his face.

But who told the situation to evolve to this point? Passive had to become active.

Of course, why he could talk to Li Xuewu so calmly today was because he had shared his situation with several families related to his life, and he didn't expect these families to want to work for Li Xuewu.

If one thought about it this way, he still had a lot of face, which was why he told Li Xuewu, "This is your face."

Someone might ask: this is a big businessman, and if these families are lifelong friends with the Lou family, they are also wealthy—how could they trust a small shrimp like Li Xuewu, and how could they think of taking the same boat as Lou's father?

This had to be said to be the place Li Xuewu made Lou's father appreciate and trust the most, and also the place that made these families admire and yearn for him in their hearts.

Li Xuewu's plan with Lou's father was complete, purposeful, and had comprehensive emergency plans.

Furthermore, Li Xuewu didn't want to take a single cent in this plan; helping Lou's father was also out of family affection, and he didn't think about bringing them on the boat.

Helping Lou Watching Lou Xiaoe was also out of emotional reasons; Lou Watching Lou Xiaoe was operating Li Xuewu's own money, and Lou's father was equivalent to hitching a ride.

And what were these families thinking?

It wasn't that there weren't people with higher levels than Li Xuewu to provide a safety net—they were just picking and choosing.

But was there anyone more trustworthy than Li Xuewu?

No. If they had a deputy division-level son-in-law with such power, they wouldn't be discussing it with Lou's father.

And there was no generational relationship to serve as a safety net.

Could they spend money?

Yes, donate it all; their lives might be saved, but what would be the point?

Now there was a boat; as long as they worked hard, they would be like Lou's father—staying in the country to hide from the wind and rain, protecting their roots, and handing over their liquid assets to the Lou family's daughter, who was Li Xuewu's spokesperson, to operate.

Then, as boat passengers, their liquid assets wouldn't be by their sides, so their lives would naturally be saved.

And the money wasn't given to Li Xuewu, just in the hands of the Lou family; trusting lifelong friends was more stable than trusting others.

Furthermore, in the plan, Lou's father wouldn't go out; like them, he would stay in the country, so they wouldn't be afraid of any problems with the Lou family daughter who went out.

Did this count as gambling?

Yes, a high-stakes gamble, a high-stakes gamble of lowering their heads and begging others.

But they had to gamble; either get off the table or bet everything.

As for whether problems would arise in the Lou family's operation of funds, that wasn't in their consideration.

Even if there was no support from Li Xuewu outside, that was their home field.

These families were all businessmen; their profession was making money.

Outside, the Lou family daughter was Li Xuewu's spokesperson, and also their spokesperson.

Even if she were a silly girl, with these old guys behind her planning and strategizing, it would just be a difference in earning more or less.

The prospects were good, but the most difficult thing now was the boat ticket.

The boat of this special son-in-law of the Lou family couldn't show its size, nor its depth, only a shadow.

But since someone already held a boat ticket, they just had to wait and see.

If the waves were big, spend a lot of money to buy a boat ticket.

If the waves were small, spend a little money to smash some spray.

Since they wanted to take the boat, Lou's father wanted to pack Li Xuewu's boat tightly, preferably with a few more people to share the anxiety.

After parting with Li Xuewu, Lou's father took a car home.

His wife, Tan Yali, and daughter, Lou Watching Lou Xiaoe, were already waiting for him to eat.

"Why so late?"

Lou's mother took her husband's hat and coat and said with some complaint, "The food is about to get cold."

Lou's father looked at his daughter and replied, "Met Li Xuewu, talked for a while."

"Such a coincidence?"

Lou's mother looked at her husband and then looked at her daughter.

Lou Watching Lou Xiaoe was also surprised that her father had met Li Xuewu; she stared with wide eyes.

Lou's father didn't say anything more; he washed his hands and sat at the dining table.

Seeing her father's slightly frowning appearance, Lou Watching Lou Xiaoe didn't dare to ask, fearing her father would be angry with Li Xuewu.

But thinking of that bad guy, she hated that her father wouldn't teach him a lesson.

Although she knew she wouldn't end up with Li Xuewu, she was still unwilling and reluctant.

Her mother had persuaded her these past few days, and she had slowly figured it out.

Just deal with it; what else could she do?

The Lou family's upbringing was very strict; talking wasn't allowed at the dining table. Although Lou Watching Lou Xiaoe's eyes were spinning, she could only eat in silence.

After lunch, seeing her father go upstairs, Lou Watching Lou Xiaoe couldn't help but look at her mother.

She wanted to know what her father had talked about with Li Xuewu, but she didn't dare to ask.

Lou's mother naturally saw her daughter's meaning, sighed, brewed a pot of tea, and brought it upstairs.

"Not going to rest for a while? You've been walking all morning."

As soon as she entered the room, she saw her husband lowering his head and writing something. Lou's mother put the teapot on the desk, pulled the curtains of the study wider, and couldn't help but persuade him.

Lou's father shook his head and didn't speak, his pen not stopping.

After he stopped working, her husband had no complicated official business, so he wrote less with a fountain pen.

Today he said he met an old friend, and he met Li Xuewu, so he started lowering his head and writing as soon as he returned—she couldn't help but pay attention.

She walked to her husband's side, helped him knead his shoulders, and asked softly, "What did you talk about with Li Xuewu?"

"Hmm."

Lou's father responded and simply said a few words.

He didn't mention the club; there was no need for women to know about that.

Hearing that her husband and Li Xuewu talked about marriage, Lou's mother also sighed, "You men are truly heartless; being a man is like this, and being a father is also like this."

Lou's mother wasn't angry at Li Xuewu, but at her husband's stance.

This was groundless, after all, Lou Watching Lou Xiaoe was his daughter.

Lou's father didn't pay attention to his wife; he knew there was no better way to handle this matter.

Since ancient times, the status of merchants has been low; it's very normal for a merchant's daughter to be a concubine to an official.

If it weren't for the new era, the status of merchants would still be like this.

Lou's father also felt sorry for his daughter, but the knot had already been tied.

Since it couldn't be untied, it was better to think about how to write the plan for Li Xuewu's club.

That's right, Li Xuewu cheated on the "homework" Wang Xiaoqin assigned him; not only did he cheat, he also found someone to "write it for him."

He was really good at playing; he was used to being a leader and handing over work to the most professional people—this was the most appropriate way.

There was no one around him who had more leisure and money than Lou's father to plan this; he was idle at home anyway, so it was just right to help him "write his homework."

"Sister, busy?"

As soon as Yu Li turned around, she heard someone greeting her. She looked and saw Yu Haitang standing at the door.

"Why are you here?"

"Why, can't I come?"

Yu Haitang was wearing a beautiful dress, tied in twin tails, with high white socks and black leather shoes on her feet.

Good heavens, Yu Li saw her cousin's outfit and frowned professionally.

She had a bad feeling swirling in her mind, certain that this sister wasn't here for her today.

"The door is open, how could I not let you in?"

Yu Li's tone wasn't very enthusiastic, because Yu Haitang had come several times in the past few days; sometimes looking for her, sometimes looking for Yushui.

But these were all excuses; she knew who her sister was looking for.

Sometimes she was really tired; she didn't know if she and Qin Huairu had committed some sin in their past lives.

Both had a troublesome sister, and both had a troublesome sister who liked Li Xuewu.

Qin Huairu's sister had already been living in her house for a long time, and she was afraid her own sister had the same plan for the future.

"Look at you, I came here specifically to congratulate you."

Speaking enthusiastically, Yu Haitang took out a vase from behind her back.

"Congratulations on your housewarming~~~"

"Thank you~"

Yu Li clearly knew what her sister wanted, but she couldn't drive her out now since she was here to congratulate her, so she just smiled slightly and took the vase.

It had to be said that since this sister was spoiled by her parents, she spent money very lavishly after starting work.

"You're welcome~"

It was noon, and there was no one in the shop. Xiao Yan from next door went to eat, leaving only Yu Li.

Yu Haitang turned around, walked to the counter, and asked her cousin who was wiping the furniture, "Is there only you here at noon?"

Yu Li nodded and said, "Isn't that so? If someone comes in a while, I won't have time to entertain you."

"Hehe, there's no one here right now."

Yu Haitang smiled indifferently; she knew her cousin didn't want her to come, but she insisted on coming.

"Does this shop belong to Li Xuewu?"

"Who did you hear that from?"

Yu Li's hand wiping the furniture paused. She turned her head to look at her sister and said, "Don't spread rumors about things that don't exist; the collective license is hanging on the wall."

Yu Haitang had checked just now, and the license indeed didn't have Li Xuewu's name, but she just felt that Li Xuewu had influence here.

She had seen Li Xuewu driving that jeep; at this time, having a bicycle at home was considered great, so what did having a car count as?

Yu Haitang didn't ask again, fearing her cousin would get angry. She turned around and asked again, "Did he say when he's getting married?"

There, Yu Li was now certain: Yu Haitang was here for Li Xuewu.

"Don't know, why are you asking about this?"

"To attend the wedding."

Yu Haitang looked generous and said with a smile, "We're all colleagues in the factory; isn't it proper to attend the wedding?"

Yu Li looked at her sister, not knowing whose wedding this was, or if she wanted to turn this wedding into her own.

"Then you just wait for the news."

Yu Li was in charge of this shop, and Lao Biaozi had already promised her 5% of the profits as a bonus, not counting her salary.

Although it wasn't much, it added up to quite a bit; after all, it was very difficult for women to find work at this time.

So as long as she was free, she would definitely wipe the furniture from inside to outside.

Yu Haitang watched her cousin busy working, not knowing if she was avoiding her.

She curled her lips and said, "Did he say which day he's getting married in the courtyard? Where is he getting married?"

"You're worrying too much."

Yu Li said to her sister, then went to the water pool in the backyard to rinse the rag, too lazy to bother with her anymore.

Yu Haitang also knew her cousin didn't like her, but she still said, "Sister, I haven't been to your new house yet; wait until you're busy, take me to see it."

"Yo, that'll have to wait."

Yu Li said perfunctorily while working, "We have to wait a while for the shift change for lunch; it's almost time for people to come, why don't you come back next week."

Yu Haitang understood the meaning, but she wasn't here for her cousin, so she didn't care.

She stood on tiptoe and looked at the backyard, saying, "Alright then, sister, you go ahead and work, I'm going to the backyard to find Yushui."

"Hey~!"

Seeing Yu Haitang about to leave, Yu Li hurriedly called her back.

Both of Seeing Sha Zhu's rooms were torn down; where could she find Yushui? Yushui was in her room.

If it were in the past, she would definitely go to her place.

No choice, one brush can't write two "Yu" characters; if she didn't let her go, she didn't know what kind of gossip Yu Haitang's mother would spread when she got home.

"Yushui's house is being repaired."

Yu Li pointed to her own house impatiently and said, "Yushui is in my room, go find her."

"Got it~"

Yu Haitang smiled, hugged the vase, and said while walking out, "I'll send this gift to your house."

Yu Li watched her sister's back, feeling helpless and annoyed—was that person really that good? Why did everyone miss him!

Speaking of which, whether he was good or not, she knew it herself.

Yushui was reading a novel in her room. Hearing the door open, she turned her head and saw Yu Haitang entering with a vase.

"Ya, you can actually find this place~"

Yushui had said a few things to Yu Haitang a few days ago, and they had a falling out and separated.

But after all, they were good classmates; they couldn't just argue when they met.

Yu Haitang raised her eyebrows and said with a smile, "I'm not here to find you, and this isn't your house either."

Yushui curled her lips and smiled, "Yes, it's not my house, but it's not yours either."

"Hmph~"

The two of them argued a few times, which counted as even. Yushui got up to pour her water, and Yu Haitang walked around the room.

"My sister is really capable; she actually built a big house."

Her mind was really sharp; she tried to pry information from Yu Li at the storefront, and then tried to pry information from Yushui here.

But Yushui wasn't a pushover; she didn't pay attention to her at all, poured the water, and went back to reading.

Yu Haitang felt bored, sat down at the desk, and looked at the book in Yushui's hand.

"Ask you something?"

"Sure."

Before Yu Haitang could finish, Yushui looked up and said, "Except for Li Xuewu."

"Look at you, I can only ask about Li Xuewu~"

Yu Haitang complained, then leaned over the desk toward Yushui and asked, "What does his partner do?"

"Who?"

Yushui knew this girl wouldn't give up, so she pretended to be confused.

"It's him, of course."

Yu Haitang knew Yushui wouldn't let her ask about Li Xuewu, so she didn't say it.

The two of them were deadlocked for a while, and finally, Yushui gave up.

"I'm telling you, Yu Haitang, can't you hang yourself on another tree~"

Yushui said helplessly, "There can't be only one man in the steel factory; what's so good about him?"

"There are many men in the steel factory."

Yu Haitang blinked and said firmly, "But I've only discovered this one excellent man."

"Excellent~~ Hehe."

Yushui curled her lips, somewhat mockingly, but didn't want to talk about this topic with Yu Haitang anymore.

"You don't want to know what Li Xuewu's partner is like?"

Yushui decided to show her cards to this girl and hit her directly so she would know when to retreat.

"Military hospital surgeon, child of a high-ranking official, university graduate, taller than me, and a hundred times more beautiful than me. Do you think you still have a chance?"

"That's not necessarily true."

Yu Haitang shook her head slightly and said, "There are many styles of women; how can a man know which style he likes without trying?"

Hearing Yu Haitang's rebellious words, Yushui just felt speechless.

Yu Haitang's mind turned, and she said with a smile, "But that's true too. Tell me her name and which hospital she's in; I want to see how beautiful she is."

"You're not planning to do something else, are you?"

Yushui stared at Yu Haitang and said, "I advise you not to do that; Li Xuewu is a scary person when he's bad."

"Oh, it won't come to that."

Yu Haitang smiled and said, "I feel inferior after hearing you describe her so well, but I'd be unwilling to lose without seeing her."

"Oh, oh, I'm afraid of you!"

"Hehehehe~"

Gu Ning, who didn't know she was about to be "stolen," was standing at the entrance of her unit, struggling.

She was off today, but the leader had made an appointment to talk to her about her marriage application this afternoon.

It wasn't about the length of time or the wrong time, but she was still a bit hesitant.

However, since she had already walked here, she had no intention of going back, so she went straight upstairs to the conference room where they had made the appointment.

The process wasn't agonizing or cumbersome; the two leaders, who knew Gu Ning's identity and personality well, didn't make things difficult for her.

They just asked a few simple questions and signed the application.

They signed it in front of Gu Ning, just to let her go get the certificate earlier.

Gu Ning left the conference room with the application amidst the leaders' blessings.

Standing at the hospital entrance again, Gu Ning's mood was different.

One step had already been taken, and there was no possibility of turning back.

Walking home, just past the intersection at her door, she saw a familiar jeep parked at the entrance.

It was really a case of "speak of the devil"; she had just been thinking about this person in her heart, and this person appeared. ===== CHAPTER 527 =====