Chapter 531: Dig, Dig, Dig

Li Xuewu mostly doesn't concern himself with matters on the Bai Bai Xiyuan side. The business is managed by Wen Saner and Lao Biaozi, and the finances are handled by Lou Jie; under normal circumstances, there shouldn't be any risks.

Even if there were external risks, there is still the district and the neighborhood committee to intercept them. If there were any policy changes, his godmother would certainly tell him.

Furthermore, not just anyone can stick their nose into the endorsed Scrap Company and the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

Last time, the Industry and Commerce Department came and said that opening a shop in a storefront didn't comply with policy, so Lao Biaozi took the matter directly to Director Ma.

Director Ma didn't even make a phone call; he told Lao Biaozi to keep doing what he was doing, saying that the Industry and Commerce Department had no jurisdiction over Supply and Marketing system matters.

Isn't that badass?

It is just that badass.

It was still Lao Biaozi who didn't want to offend anyone, so he went through Li Xuewu's godmother to find the head of the Industry and Commerce Department, gave them two cartons of cigarettes, and provided an explanation, which finally settled the matter.

You ask if Director Ma's rank is high?

Actually, it's average; he just manages one main store and eight sub-stores in Jiaodaokou.

But he just doesn't give a damn about the people from the neighborhood and the district.

To put it plainly, the Supply and Marketing Cooperative is a direct vertical system and is not under local jurisdiction.

Director Ma was the first person Li Xuewu established a relationship with, but the maintenance has always been done by Lao Biaozi; this was decided long ago.

Although it's good to enjoy the shade under such a big tree, the Bai Bai Xiyuan's business dares not be too flashy.

Li Xuewu drew a box, limiting the scope to the Bai Bai Xiyuan, and let the few of them discuss how big of a business they could handle.

But as long as they step outside, they can only cooperate in the form of relationships and capital.

For example, the planting and animal husbandry industries on the mountain in Hongxing Village, or the papermaking industry at the First Prison, they can only provide money, not people.

This has resulted in the fact that although the Bai Bai Xiyuan's foundation is slowly thickening, everyone is still doing their old trade—collecting scrap.

Li Xuewu doesn't let them suffer in terms of what they wear or eat in the courtyard, but once they step out of this door, they must wear work uniforms; they cannot ruin the image of the Jiaodaokou Recycling Station!

Image represents an enterprise's culture and quality, and represents how far this enterprise can go.

The standard for the Recycling Station's work uniforms was set by Wen Saner:

The straw hat in summer absolutely must have frayed edges—the more tattered, the better; the undershirt on the upper body absolutely must have patches—the more, the better; the trousers on the lower body absolutely must have holes—exposing the buttocks is best; the cloth shoes on the feet absolutely must have holes—no fewer than two of the five toes must be exposed.

This wall of the Bai Bai Xiyuan is physical, and it is also illusory, but it just happens to circle the business in.

It causes Lao Biaozi and the others to only be able to dig, dig, dig inside this tiny Bai Bai Xiyuan, planting seeds of scrap collecting to earn a little pocket money.

Dig, dig, dig inside the big Bai Bai Xiyuan, planting seeds of a second-hand furniture store is the only way to get rich and start a family.

Dig, dig, dig inside the especially big Bai Bai Xiyuan, planting seeds of capital operation is the only way to keep up with Li Xuewu's spending.

Earning too little is indeed not enough for Li Xuewu to spend; he currently needs to prepare enough principal for Lou Jie when she leaves, and he also needs to bite off the most delicious morsel when the tide comes in.

"You don't need to worry about the paper for now; someone will contact you after the printing of the picture-story books and the production of the relevant illustrations are completed."

Li Xuewu instructed Lao Biaozi while walking back: "Those kids will be grown up by the end of the year; you scout two to bring along, see if there are any who are useful and have a ruthless streak to train."

"Wu Ge, just hand the matter to me to handle."

Lao Biaozi promised with a stern face: "Human life isn't worth much nowadays; as long as you tell me who to deal with, I'll definitely handle it cleanly for you."

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and looked at Lao Biaozi, asking: "Did you not understand what I said?"

After speaking, he raised his hand and hit Lao Biaozi's hat brim, lecturing: "Remember your identity; you are the leader of a scrap cooperative group, yet you're full of underworld talk."

Lao Biaozi also remembered the words Li Xuewu had said before, and said with a bit of a grimace: "I'm not at ease with others handling things."

"Can't have our own brothers stepping out for everything, can we?"

Li Xuewu pointed at Lao Biaozi and said: "You must pay attention to cultivating a tiered team; whether an organization has deep reserve strength represents its combat effectiveness."

Lao Biaozi really didn't understand what Wu Ge meant, but since he had been instructed, he had to nod and agree.

Li Xuewu glared at Lao Biaozi and didn't scold him further; this brother had little education, so he was fine with the matters right in front of him, but he was lacking when it came to playing mind games.

Seeing that the car was loaded and everyone was packing up to head back to the courtyard, Li Xuewu also followed them back.

Passing by the entrance of the inverted-seat room, he was glared at by Xilin; this woman was quite vengeful.

When entering the front courtyard, he discovered that his sister-in-law had returned and was sitting in the courtyard talking with the old lady.

"Did you get the leave approved?"

"Yes, Dad handled it."

Because they were in the courtyard, the sister-in-law didn't say much, just mentioned it briefly.

Li Xuewu nodded, took his daughter who was running towards him, and hugged and kissed her twice.

Li Shu is currently learning to walk; because the bones in her legs have hardened, she is no longer satisfied with holding onto the wall or the windowsill on the kang to learn to walk.

She can walk without anyone holding her, and sometimes when she's in a hurry, she can even do a thrilling and exciting speed walk.

Li Xuewu looked at the blood scab on his daughter's nose; no need to ask, it must be from falling while learning to run before she had learned to walk.

However, children are tough; a bump or a bruise is no big deal, and with the old lady looking after her at home, she won't suffer.

"This girl is growing up really sturdy."

There are many people getting off work in the courtyard at this time, and whoever passes by Li Xuewu praises Li Shu.

Actually, Li Xuewu would rather people praise his daughter for being pretty, but people at this time are still a bit sensitive about foreign faces.

Even Xilin and Diliya are treated with special ways of interaction by the neighbors in the courtyard from time to time.

However, they are all neighbors, so Li Xuewu didn't pay much attention to it; his daughter is indeed more prominent in terms of physique than appearance.

She is fat and big, and there are even fat marks on her wrists.

"Baba."

Li Shu stared with big eyes and reached out her little hands to pat Li Xuewu's face; well, his daughter's greeting is also special—call twice, give two slaps.

Deputy Director Li is majestic outside, but at home, he is destined to be slapped, and he can't even hit back.

"You'd better walk yourself."

Li Xuewu squatted down and put his daughter on the ground, letting her lean on him and babble.

Because the old lady and the sister-in-law were both sitting on small stools, Li Xuewu also squatted down to talk.

"If you want to go back to the village, just tell Lao Biaozi."

"We'll talk about it then."

Zhao Yafang understood what Li Xuewu meant, but she was recuperating at home, and she was afraid of being jolted if she ran to the countryside, and she was also afraid of being tired at her parents' home.

When does a girl who returns to her parents' home ever have a moment of leisure? It's a different story from later generations.

"Your eldest brother said he'll tidy up the house over at the school in a few days and then come home to live."

"That's all fine."

Li Xuewu dodged Li Shu's little hands and replied to his sister-in-law: "He's alone, and he's the type who reads books without leaving the room, so it doesn't matter if he stays at school if he has things to do."

"You've been worried about him."

Zhao Yafang currently has a very good impression of her second brother-in-law; not only does he take care of the family, but he also gave her family a helping hand.

Just her eldest brother Zhao Yajun has benefited greatly from Li Xuewu, not to mention that she and Li Xuewen have always been on Li Xuewu's mind.

"We're all one family."

Li Xuewu responded casually, not taking his sister-in-law's thanks.

Once you enter the Li family's door, you are a member of the Li family.

"Yo, Deputy Director Li, off work?"

"Hey, Third Uncle, are you back in business after regrouping?"

The one who came in from the hanging flower gate was none other than Third Uncle, pushing his seven-hand joint-venture bicycle.

"Back in business, back in business."

Yan Fugui was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, standing by the path in the courtyard, smiling at Li Xuewu and saying: "I opened for business yesterday, and today counts as the official start of classes."

"That's truly something to be happy and proud of."

Li Xuewu squatted on the ground, holding his daughter and smiling: "Is your health all right now?"

"Hi, it's just like that."

Yan Fugui nodded and said: "My whole family is counting on my meager salary to live; if I don't go to work, the job will be gone."

"Hard work, hard work."

Li Xuewu smiled and replied, thinking that since he had said so much, this person should be moving on.

But Yan Fugui didn't; he stood on the path and looked into the Li family's room, then asked Li Xuewu: "Is your dad back?"

"Not yet."

Li Xuewu also glanced into the room; actually, he didn't know if his father was back or not.

But as long as this old miser Yan asked, it definitely wasn't anything good; refuse when you should refuse, and you won't go wrong.

Yan Fugui didn't mind Li Xuewu's attitude, nodded to the old lady, and then said to Li Xuewu: "I have something to ask your dad; I'll come back when he's back."

After speaking, he pushed the repaired bicycle to his door, set the kickstand, and went into the house.

"What's he doing, being so mysterious?"

Zhao Yafang actually looked down on the people across the street a bit; it wasn't about the level of education, but that family across the street was very particular.

Especially the previous antagonistic emotions; the two families actually had no interaction.

"Hi, let your dad talk to him."

The old lady said to Zhao Yafang while clapping her hands at Li Shu: "Come, come to Grandma's side, let your dad go home and change his clothes."

Li Shu could understand what the old lady said; she grinned with a little drool at the corners of her mouth, held onto her dad, and looked at the distance to Grandma's side.

After estimating, she let go of her hands, swayed her body, and ran towards the old lady.

This child has a quick temper; she believes that if she can crawl, she can walk, if she can walk, she can run, and if she can run, she can fly.

And so, she aimed and started to speed up; she hadn't taken two steps when her eyes had calculated, but her feet didn't keep up, and she was about to fly.

Fortunately, Li Xuewu had been watching his daughter exert herself for that distance to the old lady and had long been prepared.

He grabbed her by the back of her scarf just as she was about to fall flat on her face.

Li Shu thought she was really going to fall, but she didn't expect to fly directly.

However, she was then spanked a few times by her dad.

"Fall, fall again and your face will be ruined."

Li Xuewu wrinkled his nose and scared his daughter: "When you grow up, your face will be full of scars; where will you find a husband? Do you really think it's easy for your dad to find a partner based on talent like this?"

Li Shu was held by her dad and sent into Grandma's arms; she wasn't scared, but instead giggled.

"Hahaha."

Zhao Yafang and the old lady also laughed when they heard Li Xuewu's words.

However, Zhao Yafang stopped laughing halfway; Li Xuewu felt a murderous aura behind him, and when he turned his head, he saw his father squinting at him.

"Dad, you're off work."

Li Xuewu greeted him and hurried towards the backyard, really afraid of being called home by his father for a lecture if he walked too slowly.

Li Shun dotes on Li Shu very much now and doesn't tolerate anyone saying anything about her.

The neighbors are fine; Li Shun is cultured, so at most, he just holds the child and walks away.

But if it happens to be Li Xuewu saying it, then it's not a good look.

Li Shu is also really clingy to her grandpa; seeing her grandpa back, she first raised her little hands and then did a speed run.

Li Shun caught his eldest granddaughter and gave her another look; no matter how Li Shu pulled his beard or patted his face, he was all smiles.

When Li Xuewu came back, the workers in the middle courtyard were leaving one after another; by the time he entered, there was no one left.

Sha Zhu was still there, standing at the entrance of First Uncle's house talking to Qin Huairu and the others.

Seeing Li Xuewu enter, he even waved and greeted him.

"You're back early this time."

Li Xuewu smiled and pointed at Sha Zhu, then looked at Qin Huairu and asked: "Shift change?"

"Shift swap."

Qin Huairu smiled and replied: "Sha Zhu said he's going to treat guests since the house is built."

Sha Zhu took over: "Hi, I'm building a house here, and First Uncle and Qin's family are both affected, so it's only right to treat them."

While talking, he also explained to Li Xuewu: "I went to the Big Leader's house with the Factory Director at noon today, and I came back after finishing the work; I didn't go to the factory."

Li Xuewu looked at Sha Zhu's construction site; the beams and pillars of his house were ready-made, so it wasn't slow to build.

"Rebuilding as it was?"

"How could that be?"

Sha Zhu looked at Li Xuewu with a grin: "You gave me the advice, how could I not listen?"

"Hehe, convinced Yushui?"

What Li Xuewu had told Sha Zhu before was for him to divide the main room into three, give one to Yushui, and move the kitchen and dining room to Yushui's room.

Sha Zhu grinned and blinked: "Diliya went to talk to her."

"Hey, you're really a man."

Qin Huairu smiled and glanced at Sha Zhu, then pointed to the corner where the two houses were adjacent and asked: "How are you planning to tidy that up?"

"Build a shed, it'll be good for firewood and such."

Sha Zhu knew what Qin Huairu meant, pulled her aside and said: "Can't let you suffer; both our families will use it together."

"That's more like it."

Qin Huairu came over to ask Sha Zhu how it was being built; it was her mother-in-law who told her to ask.

She actually managed the family less, but there were some things her mother-in-law wanted her to take the lead on.

However, she hadn't just known Sha Zhu for a day or two, and with Li Xuewu here, some things were said with a laugh.

First Aunt stood at the door looking at Sha Zhu's construction site with a smile; to put it plainly, the two of them also had to rely on Sha Zhu more.

The word "old-age care" is a difficult problem that First Uncle and First Aunt cannot avoid.

Just like the old deaf lady in the backyard, there must always be someone who can serve food and drink.

Now that Sha Zhu is building a house and getting married, he has a certain foundation, and they are also at ease.

Why Diliya could talk to Yushui about these things also had First Aunt's help and matchmaking.

Sooner or later, they will be one family; being able to get along well with Diliya is a step that both First Aunt and Yushui must take.

Li Xuewu didn't chat with them much; the inverted-seat room had food ready, and he had to hurry to take a bath and change his clothes.

At this time, it's not hot, and it's not cold, but after a day of work, one still sweats.

Plus, he wears leather shoes, and when he gets home, he always likes to change into comfortable coarse cloth clothes and step into cloth shoes.

Yu Li calls this practice of Li Xuewu's "recalling bitterness and thinking of sweetness."

"Do I have to change into cloth shoes for work?"

When he walked out of the bathroom, he happened to see Yu Li helping him find clothes in the inner room, so he asked casually.

Yu Li took the short jacket and handed it to Li Xuewu, took Li Xuewu's belt and holster, and brought them into the inner room.

"Wear them for a few more days."

Yu Li stood by the cabinet and replied: "I see people wearing leather sandals."

"Hehe, the kind that wears socks?"

In this era, and even in the nineties of later generations, a special trend was popular, which was socks with sandals.

Wearing sandals is meant to be cool, so why wear a pair of socks, mostly light-colored ones?

Li Xuewu couldn't quite understand this trend.

"Why? You don't like it?"

Yu Li didn't know why this person was so particular; he was hard to serve if you said he was hard to serve, and easy to serve if you said he was easy to serve.

Li Xuewu isn't picky about food, and he's picky about clothes if you say he's picky—he just doesn't like some styles that everyone is used to; if you say he's not picky, he's not—he's fine wearing coarse cloth jackets at home.

"Didn't say sandals."

Li Xuewu waved his hand; because the white curtains were drawn, he threw his bath towel and walked towards the kang to change clothes.

"I'm just not used to socks with sandals."

Yu Li looked at Li Xuewu swinging his weapon to show off to her and couldn't help but glare at him, hung up the bath towel, and replied: "Then buy the ones with mesh; they're cool too."

"Doesn't matter, you decide."

Li Xuewu responded while putting on his clothes; now he didn't know what he should wear every day, as he was used to Yu Li preparing everything.

Whether it was cloudy or rainy, or warm and windy, Yu Li would prepare everything for Li Xuewu according to the temperature and the places he was going that day.

Of course, Yu Li sometimes couldn't keep up, because Li Xuewu would bring back a new set of clothes every time he didn't come home at night.

She couldn't be sure who made the clothes in the wardrobe now; this bad guy was never short of women to make him clothes.

"What did Third Uncle want with my dad?"

Yu Li had been at home, and Li Xuewu was used to asking Yu Li about things in the courtyard; seeing that Third Uncle was a bit strange today, he asked.

Yu Li hesitated for a moment and replied: "Maybe she's pregnant."

"What the hell? Who? Third Aunt?"

Li Xuewu was indeed shocked by this news; three questions in a row also made Yu Li laugh.

"Get lost, who guesses like that~"

Yu Li scolded Li Xuewu, and then didn't wait for Li Xuewu to change his clothes before returning to the front courtyard first.

After Li Xuewu finished asking, he understood what was going on; he raised his eyebrows, made a phone call in the room, and then went to eat.

After the meal, Liu Yin took a few people to continue making quilts; Li Xuewu chatted with Grandma and mentioned burning paper for grave sweeping.

Because Saturday is Qingming Festival, no one rushes to sweep the graves on the day; it's all done in advance.

Li Xuewu had to remember this; not only did Grandma have to go back to her hometown, but he also had to go burn paper for the ancestral graves.

After saying a word to his mother, he went back to the courtyard to read.

The next day, after breakfast.

Li Xuewu had arranged it with the factory when he got off work yesterday; after the command car picked him up, it went to pick up Dong Wenxue.

"It's such a rush for just one trip, it's such a hassle."

Han Shu pointed to the bags and parcels prepared for Dong Wenxue for Li Xuewu, and Sha Qizhi and Han Jiankun carried them and sent them to the car.

"No choice, you also know the situation over at the Steel Mill."

Dong Wenxue was also a bit regretful holding his son, and said to Han Shu with guilt: "I originally planned to stay for a few more days, but Deputy Factory Director Li..."

"Forget it."

Han Shu is a very independent woman; one can see her personality from the fact that she didn't move with Dong Wenxue.

Of course, she wouldn't say anything about romantic feelings in front of the students; she took her son and said a few words to Dong Wenxue about taking care of his health.

Dong Wenxue looked at his son and his wife, and followed Li Xuewu into the command car.

Li Xuewu didn't see anything on the teacher's wife's face, and he didn't intend to intervene, nor did he want to help Dong Wenxue do anything.

The two chatted about family matters on the road, and Dong Wenxue also knew that Li Xuewu had been taking care of things here.

However, Li Xuewu came rarely, and every time he came, he was with Gu Ning.

Although there was a master-student relationship, the age difference was too small, and Dong Wenxue wasn't at home, so it wasn't easy for him to run over here.

Of course, except when coming with Gu Ning.

"Have you been in touch with your father-in-law?"

Dong Wenxue looked at Li Xuewu and said with a smile: "I even mentioned you when I called the old leader last time."

"No, no chance."

Li Xuewu said with a smile: "Gu Ning went home to make a call when we were discussing marriage, but I wasn't there."

"Sigh~ time really flies."

Dong Wenxue looked out the window and sighed: "In the blink of an eye, it's going to be summer; I still remember when you first came to report, hehe."

While talking, he looked at Li Xuewu again and said: "This matchmaker of mine can be considered to have achieved a positive result; it wasn't in vain that you called me teacher."

"You've been worried."

Li Xuewu indeed received a lot of help from Dong Wenxue in terms of relationships; if it weren't for Dong Wenxue actively helping him matchmake, he wouldn't have been able to be with Gu Ning.

"What are you saying?"

Dong Wenxue smiled, and then said very relaxedly: "No matter when, men will eventually occupy the dominant position in society; excellent qualities will naturally lead to good marriages."

"I'll just take you as Mother Wang."

Li Xuewu responded with a smile, and then actively cut to the main topic.

"Deputy Factory Director Li didn't make things difficult for you, did he?"

"Hehe, helpless."

Dong Wenxue patted Li Xuewu, and the two fell silent.

Arriving at the Steel Mill, Li Xuewu presided, and Dong Wenxue spoke, holding a meeting for the heads of the Security Department at the section level and above.

This was Dong Wenxue's first appearance in the Security Department since he was entrusted with the task of going to Steel City.

When he left last time, the Security Department hadn't cleared the influence of Fu Bin, and the situation was unstable.

Looking at it again this time, the Security Department had already taken on a new look; the people might still be the same, but the mental outlook was incomparable to the past.

After the meeting, Dong Wenxue patted Li Xuewu's shoulder with great satisfaction; being able to manage the Security Department so unitedly, he asked himself that even if he were to sit in this position, he wouldn't necessarily do better than Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu invited Dong Wenxue back to the office, and then signaled Sha Qizhi to close the door.

Sha Qizhi received Li Xuewu's instructions, and after making tea, left the office; only Li Xuewu and Dong Wenxue were in the office.

No one knew what the two talked about; during this period, Sha Qizhi kept guard in the corridor, and everyone who came to report and ask for instructions was blocked.

And those probing eyes were always there; after all, the number one person of the branch factory and the nominal number one person of the Security Department returning would inevitably arouse suspicion in some people.

And when Dong Wenxue came out of Li Xuewu's office, it just happened to make these people feel shocked.

Without the relaxation after the meeting, and without the warmth between master and student, Dong Wenxue frowned deeply, letting Li Xuewu accompany him downstairs.

Just like yesterday, the command car led the way, and three cars sent Dong Wenxue to the platform of the dispatch workshop.

On the platform, Li Xuewu and his teacher took a photo together, which was taken by Han Yating.

"Go back, work hard, I'll handle everything."

Dong Wenxue's brow still had unresolved gloom, but with parting imminent, he still didn't want his student to bear so much pressure.

Li Xuewu held Dong Wenxue's hand and said: "It brooks no delay, like standing on the edge of an abyss; please take care, I will arrange for someone to take care of the teacher's wife."

"I'm at ease with you handling things; we'll talk again when you go to Steel City."

Dong Wenxue looked at the station staff waving the small flag, let go of Li Xuewu's hand, patted his student's shoulder, and got into the car.

This commuter train was hung behind the freight train; the freight train was loaded with important parts supplied to the 17th Factory, and the train would first go to the 17th Factory and then return to Steel City.

If the situation weren't severe, Dong Wenxue would have been able to stay at home for a few more days on this business trip.

But due to external and internal pressure, even he, far away in Steel City, had to be prepared at all times.

In February, there were discordant voices in the literary and art circles, and by mid-March, it started to make a scene.

Li Xuewu and Dong Wenxue estimated that there would definitely be a strong wind blowing down this month.

Although they couldn't say when the wind would be strongest, the situation was clearly wrong, and Li Huade was stirring again; the two master and student were really building a house on the edge of a cliff against a strong wind.

Because communication by phone wasn't convenient, he got the progress of Ji Weidong's group in Steel City from Dong Wenxue yesterday, made a phone call at night, and today entrusted Dong Wenxue to bring them news again.

Even without this Li Huade incident, Li Xuewu would still have to go to Steel City, because the fruit on the tree was about to ripen.

Don't know if they were pushed too hard, but this smuggling group with Guandong as the connecting axis suddenly started to wrap things up.

Several important personnel monitored by Ji Weidong were either killed or transferred.

The white ones could still be watched, but some black ones went directly to the ship to run away; because he was afraid of affecting Xiang Yunnian's work, Ji Weidong had been very passive recently.

However, according to Li Xuewu's guess, this might be a diversionary tactic by Guandong, or the group represented by Guandong.

The message Li Xuewu brought to Ji Weidong was to catch the big ones and let go of the small ones.

Those who ran away were just frightened birds, unable to take away money; the more it was this time, the more those people dared not hand over their life's savings to their subordinates.

A dog jumps over a wall when anxious, and a rabbit bites when anxious; now it's basically investigated, just waiting for Xiang Yunnian to fire the starting gun.

However, the work of the Discipline Inspection Commission pays attention to procedures; Li Xuewu and Ji Weidong had agreed that they also needed the Discipline Inspection Commission to endorse them, so this procedure must be there.

If something happens in the future, Xiang Yunnian will be kicked out to take the blame; at this time, Xiang Yunnian must be allowed to complete the procedure.

Sending Dong Wenxue away, Li Xuewu temporarily put down the worry in his heart and continued his work.

"Prepare, we're going to Steel City next Wednesday night."

Li Xuewu instructed Sha Qizhi after getting into the car, and then added: "Report to the factory next Tuesday."

"Understood."

Sha Qizhi nodded and agreed; he knew the leader was trying to avoid the wind, and even the report was meant to catch the factory off guard.

No one would have thought that Li Xuewu would follow right after Dong Wenxue left.

Especially on the days when Li Xuewu was about to get married; he should be preparing for the wedding at home this month, how could he go to Steel City?

After lunch, Li Xuewu walked around the guesthouse with Yu Decai, and let Qin Huairu and Zhang Songying introduce the design here.

"How is it? Is this place suitable or not?"

Li Xuewu asked Yu Decai with a smile; the flowers and trees in front of him and the Tuanjie Lake formed a rare spring scenery.

"Of course."

Yu Decai said with a smile: "Just as you said, I've already applied for activities with the Labor Union and the Party Committee."

Zhang Songying followed behind, and hearing the conversation between the two, asked with a smile: "Are the two leaders arranging activities at our guesthouse?"

"It was proposed by Deputy Director Li."

Yu Decai explained with a smile: "Considering the ratio of young men and women in our department and their marital status, the leader wants to hold a social gathering here and invite a few units with more eligible young women to participate."

"Whoa, putting on such a big scene."

Qin Huairu looked at Li Xuewu with a smile, and then said: "This must be invited by the organization and the Labor Union to participate, haha."

"Hehe, procedure, you know."

Yu Decai responded with a smile; this was a task arranged for him by Li Xuewu, and it was also an opportunity for the young comrades of the Security Department to unite, so he had no reason not to be active.

"Then our guesthouse can also participate."

Zhang Songying said with a smile: "If we're talking about many unmarried female comrades, our guesthouse counts too."

"Hehe."

Yu Decai didn't respond, but looked at Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu stood by the lake looking at the scenery, turned to look at Zhang Songying and smiled: "You're a married woman, what are you so active for?"

After speaking, he looked at Qin Huairu again and said: "Director Qin can participate."

"Get lost~"

"Hahaha~"

Qin Huairu glared at Li Xuewu, causing everyone to laugh.

Zhang Songying also looked at Li Xuewu with spring in her eyes; this bad guy really dares to say anything.

The water in Tuanjie Lake is not as much as the spring waves in her eyes when she looks at Li Xuewu; clearly, he said she was a married woman, yet he treated her that way in the room.

She has already gotten what she should get from following Li Xuewu; actually, even if she didn't take the initiative, Li Xuewu wouldn't have removed her from her position.

But every time she sees Li Xuewu, she can't help it; she can't help but want to get close to him.

Although this man is very dangerous.

Sometimes people are so strange and contradictory; clearly knowing it's inappropriate, they insist on trying.

After Li Xuewu finished looking at the venue by Tuanjie Lake, he was "encountered" by Yu Haitang.

Yu Decai naturally knew Yu Haitang; it wasn't that they both had the surname Yu, but that this girl from the broadcasting station had been attacking quite fiercely recently.

He is an old hand, so how could he not see the girl's intentions?

However, he also understood: a graceful lady is a good match for a gentleman, and this humble gentleman is also a good match for a lady.

So, seeing the broadcaster walking this way, he greeted Li Xuewu and slipped away.

Qin Huairu pulled Zhang Songying and didn't let her get in the way; she couldn't say for sure what Yu Li's sister meant.

It's possible Yu Li arranged it.

Actually, Qin Huairu thinking this way was entirely out of a guilty conscience; she thought that since she had introduced Zhang Songying to Li Xuewu and Yu Li found out, Yu Li had turned around and done the same to her.

Li Xuewu also had a headache meeting Yu Haitang, but this wasn't the office, so he couldn't hide.

Besides, the more you hide, the more it seems there's a problem, so when Yu Haitang came over to greet him, he responded generously.

"Are you also here to see the scenery?"

Yu Haitang's words gave Li Xuewu a sense of something out of nothing, crossing the sea under camouflage, imagining things out of thin air, fabricating things out of thin air...

It was as if she often came here to stroll, and instead, it was Li Xuewu who came here to encounter her.

However, Li Xuewu didn't dislike women with schemes; this is a survival rule, and you can't demand that all women be like fools.

"Yes and no."

Li Xuewu said with a smile: "The guesthouse is close to you, so you're more convenient than me."

Yu Haitang looked Li Xuewu up and down with a smile: white short-sleeved shirt, a badge and a Party badge pinned to his chest, black belt, black trousers, plus black leather shoes.

This outfit gave Li Xuewu a serious yet young style.

"I come often."

Yu Haitang covered the sunlight with her hand, wearing a floral plaid dress; her tall figure set off the dress extremely well.

Seeing that there was no one around, Yu Haitang became generous when talking to Li Xuewu.

Although there must be someone watching from the guesthouse or the broadcasting station building in the distance, Yu Haitang didn't care.

"Coming here can change your mind, and writing things is smoother."

Yu Haitang turned half a circle by the flower bed by the lake, went around to the other side of Li Xuewu, and asked: "Is there any secret to your good writing?"

"What secret could there be?"

Li Xuewu looked at Yu Haitang; this girl was setting an ambush for him here.

"Eat more vegetables, sleep more, gossip less, read more newspapers."

"Hehe, you're really funny."

Yu Haitang covered her mouth and laughed, and the other hand was about to reach out to touch Li Xuewu's arm.

How could Li Xuewu let her touch him? He turned around without a trace, as if looking at the scenery, and as if looking at the person.

"Alright, I have to go back."

Li Xuewu looked down at his watch and said to Yu Haitang: "I have to rest for a while at noon; there's still work at the Security Brigade in the afternoon."

"Hey~ Deputy Director Li!"

Yu Haitang had finally caught this opportunity, so how could she let Li Xuewu slip away just like that?

She shouted, followed Li Xuewu with hurried steps, and circled in front of him.

"Deputy Director Li, are you hiding from me?"

"Hehe, what are you saying?"

Li Xuewu looked at Yu Haitang with a smile, not knowing what this girl wanted to do; was she going to force it?

"I think so."

Yu Haitang stood in front of Li Xuewu and slightly puffed out her chest; the dress that looked loose just now became tight, and the curves outlined were very tempting.

"A big director who can lead the Security Department to protect the whole factory, how could he be afraid of a little girl like me?"

Li Xuewu looked at the two headlights shining on him without any avoidance; they were really dazzling.

"Looks like you have something to say."

Li Xuewu stood still and said with a smile: "Alright, I'll spare my rest time today to hear what the comrade from the broadcasting station has to say to me."

Yu Haitang was brave, staring straight into Li Xuewu's eyes and saying: "Talk about personal feelings."

"Oh? You've heard about it too?"

Li Xuewu asked with deliberate surprise, then looked slightly dissatisfied, but smiled helplessly: "This Director Yu, can't keep any secrets; really incompetent."

Yu Haitang thought Li Xuewu was talking about his upcoming marriage, which made her even more anxious.

Coming here to block Li Xuewu today was because the opportunity was rare; Li Xuewu was rarely alone.

Another reason was that she had heard in the courtyard that Li Xuewu's wedding day was only a month away.

She had also asked about Li Xuewu's partner—a doctor; although her family conditions were good, she was a bit dull.

This was news she heard from the gatekeeper in the courtyard; she didn't know how accurate it was, but at least she knew she had an advantage.

"Deputy Director Li, what do you think of me?"

Yu Haitang's personality is very lively and straightforward; although her face was a bit red, she still took the initiative to ask Li Xuewu: "Do you think I'm suitable for..."

She was really embarrassed to say the rest; after all, it's rare for a woman to take the initiative to confess to a man, not to mention that she was facing Li Xuewu.

"I have no opinion."

Li Xuewu said with a smile: "I also told Director Yu when discussing this matter that we shouldn't make it public for now and should listen to the opinions of the Party Committee and the competent departments."

Yu Haitang nodded; she understood that marriage must listen to the organization's opinion, and Li Xuewu was right.

Seeing Yu Haitang nod, Li Xuewu continued: "But now the news can't be hidden, and everyone's enthusiasm is very high, so naturally I won't stop it."

"?"

At this point, Yu Haitang was a bit confused; what "everyone"? Could it be that like her, there are many people pursuing Li Xuewu?

And what does "won't stop it" mean?

Yu Haitang's eyes widened; this... this person wouldn't be thinking...

Li Xuewu said to Yu Haitang with a smile: "I understand your mood."

Yu Haitang thought: No, you probably don't understand...

"Young men and women, restless youth."

Li Xuewu said in a very easygoing tone: "It needs to be guided correctly; that is revolutionary love, that is correct personal feelings."

Yu Haitang looked at Li Xuewu blankly, hesitated for a moment, and asked: "Deputy Director Li, what are you talking about...?"

"Social gathering, you know."

Li Xuewu nodded and said affirmatively: "I understand that you like the young men in our Security Department; I understand that you're shy and embarrassed to say it, so go sign up with Director Yu, just say I approved it."

After speaking, he didn't wait for Yu Haitang to say anything else, walked out while pointing at his watch: "Really have to go back, there's work, goodbye Comrade Yu Haitang."

Yu Haitang: "..."

The wind by the lake blew the willow branches and also messed up Yu Haitang's hair.

The lake rippled, and the ripples messed up not only the surface of the lake but also Yu Haitang's heart.

What the hell is this!

She came to confess, so how did she inexplicably become begging Li Xuewu to participate in some social gathering?

Looking at Li Xuewu's back, this smart girl understood that this person had rejected her, but chose a tactful way.

Sighing with some failure, Yu Haitang returned to the broadcasting station.

Just as she went upstairs, she heard a sarcastic voice from the corner: "Sigh, the fallen flowers have intentions, but the flowing water is heartless; I didn't expect the factory flower to have a time when she's rejected~"

"Get lost~"

Yu Haitang rolled her eyes; when she went down just now, she saw Yuan Hua watching behind her, and the scene of the confession just now must have been seen by him from this window.

"What's so good about him, isn't it just a high rank~"

Yuan Hua was a bit unconvinced, leaned against the door of the duty room and looked at Yu Haitang: "I think you're not suitable for him."

"Are you the Old Man under the Moon?"

There were only the two of them on the third floor of the broadcasting station, so Yu Haitang didn't care about her tone, turned around and looked at Yuan Hua: "I admit I was rejected, but I like him even more because he has a manly charm; even rejecting me was so warm."

Yuan Hua raised his eyebrows, curled his lips, and shook his head slightly: "Forget it, based on his status, I guess he not only rejected you himself but also helped other men reject you."

... Social gathering... Blind date... Security Department... Sign up...

Yu Haitang: "..."

Yuan Hua looked at the dumbfounded Yu Haitang; it was clear he had guessed right, so he continued to curl his lips: "Not only did he not eat, but he also flipped the table."

"..."

Yu Haitang: "Get lost! Don't force me to slap you!" ===== CHAPTER 532 =====