Chapter 561: Showdown

"What could happen?"

Qin Huairu smiled, went to the kitchen to get breakfast, and brought it to the table for Li Xuewu.

"You don't have enough to worry about? Wait until you get home and see your daughter; she's been waiting for you to come home in the courtyard every day~"

"Hehe, she was even making a fuss when I called my mom."

Mentioning his daughter, Li Xuewu showed a smile. When he called home from Steel City last Friday to report he was safe, Li Shu was babbling at him over the phone.

"Wait until she gets a bit older; you'll see how naughty she is."

Qin Huairu could see the temper of Li Xuewu's daughter clearly—she wasn't one to yield.

Don't look at how they were both brought up by Li's old lady; look at Li Xue, who had the demeanor of a big girl from a young age, and then look at Li Shu—she was a living, breathing little Li Xuewu.

"It's better for children to be a bit lively."

Li Xuewu lowered his head and took a sip of porridge, then instructed: "But keep an eye on Banggeng. There are a lot of idlers outside now; don't let him learn bad habits."

"Got it."

Qin Huairu watched Li Xuewu eat and went to get a portion for herself to eat with him.

Hearing Li Xuewu's instruction, she scolded him with a smile: "He didn't learn bad habits following you, so he won't learn them following anyone else."

"Haha~ That's true."

Li Xuewu looked at Qin Huairu and said: "But his mother learned bad habits following me."

"Go away~"

Qin Huairu looked around. It was early in the morning, and only the kitchen had people; the cafeteria was quiet.

But she was truly scared; Yu Haitang's incident was enough to make her feel anxious.

However, seeing Li Xuewu joking with her was heartwarming; it proved that Li Xuewu wasn't avoiding her.

Once she heard the news that Li Xuewu was getting married, she started counting the days. As the day slowly approached, it proved that the relationship between her and Li Xuewu was also being tested.

Although she thought very clearly, as a woman, how could she not think about this?

Seeing Qin Huairu's nervous yet coquettish look, Li Xuewu smiled and didn't joke anymore.

Qin Huairu looked at Li Xuewu while eating, and seeing Li Xuewu look over, she asked: "Did you go to Steel City to avoid the factory's affairs?"

"Why do you ask?"

Li Xuewu wasn't used to answering other people's questions and usually answered with a question.

This was a habitual defensive measure and also represented that Li Xuewu's caution had permeated his daily life.

"I heard it from those who came to eat."

Qin Huairu looked into Li Xuewu's eyes and said: "They all say you're a monkey if you get fur on you, and they say you went to Steel City to fish on purpose when you heard there was going to be a project meeting."

"They really can predict the future."

Li Xuewu nodded vaguely and admitted: "I did go fishing in Steel City, but I didn't catch anything."

Seeing Li Xuewu dodging the question, Qin Huairu knew he wouldn't talk about these things, wiped her eyes, and stopped asking.

As long as Li Xuewu knew, that was enough. If he left, people would gossip; if he came back, who knew how many people would gossip.

Li Xuewu naturally understood Qin Huairu's meaning, but it was useless to tell Qin Huairu these things.

He had to meet many people today and have talks; his return would indeed cause some people to gossip.

"You couldn't tell when you were here, but someone missed you when you left."

Qin Huairu looked toward the main office building and muttered: "You should disappear more often so they'll value you."

"Hehe, if you disappear often, no one will value you."

Li Xuewu smiled indifferently, picked up his bag, and said: "I brought some gifts for you from Steel City; they're in my office. Go get them yourself when you have time."

"You're not resting today?"

Qin Huairu saw Li Xuewu stand up and also stood up, saying: "Isn't it true that you can rest for a day after returning from a business trip?"

"Look at me—do I look like someone who can rest?"

Li Xuewu smiled indifferently, took the bag on the table, and said: "There's a pile of work in the morning, and I have to see the leaders in the morning, so I have to go back to the office and lie down for a while."

Qin Huairu wouldn't let Li Xuewu go out alone just because of a few bites of food.

She looked at Li Xuewu's collar; it wasn't that dirty, but after a night on the train, it didn't look great.

"Go upstairs and change your clothes, and it's best to wash up; you're covered in oil."

Li Xuewu looked down at himself and said: "Let's leave it for now. I didn't wear a shirt when I slept last night, so I'll change when I go home tonight."

After saying that, he greeted her and went out. Qin Huairu sent him all the way to the building entrance.

She knew Li Xuewu didn't change clothes here because he was afraid some people would notice and gossip even more.

Although she and Zhang Songying had handled the problems caused by Yu Haitang, the impact couldn't be eliminated overnight.

One could tell from Li Xuewu's behavior of trying not to stay at the guesthouse.

Li Xuewu didn't lie down for long after returning to the office. Han Jiankun helped him put his luggage in the office and went to rest.

Sha Qizhi knew Li Xuewu was coming back today, so he arrived at the factory early.

Knowing Li Xuewu was in the office, he didn't enter until before work started.

But when he entered the room, he found Li Xuewu already sitting behind his desk reading documents.

"Section Chief."

Sha Qizhi touched the teacup in front of Li Xuewu with his hand, and seeing it was warm, he didn't touch it again.

"I thought you were resting, so I didn't come in."

Li Xuewu nodded, his eyes on the document, and said: "I slept for a while, but it wasn't sound, so I got up."

Sha Qizhi just made small talk and started getting busy.

It wasn't about cleaning or anything, because this office was cleaned by people from the Service Section even when Li Xuewu wasn't there.

The secretary's work was documents—files and meeting minutes handed to Li Xuewu to read.

Especially the various application documents from the departments below; except for those that Yu Decai could sign on his behalf, the others had to wait for Li Xuewu to return.

Doing it now was better than piling it up and having no time to read it, causing delays.

During the time Li Xuewu was working, he received work reports from Yu Decai and others and reviewed and signed documents for the clerks in the office.

Then he communicated with the factory office to ask for the time and arrangements for reporting to the leaders.

Sha Qizhi, who had rested for a few days, got busy, wishing he could split himself into two.

Holding the document to reply to the factory office, Sha Qizhi stopped at the door of the comprehensive office.

He looked into the office and knew that since he had work in his hands, it must be a running-around job, so those old rascals all lowered their heads.

They were either writing or frowning and looking, even more serious and worried than the section chief.

"Zhou Yao."

Sha Qizhi didn't pay attention to these people; he knew they weren't afraid of him because he was only a chief staff member.

If he waited a few more years and got promoted to deputy section chief of the comprehensive office, no one would be like this anymore.

But that would have to wait until he was promoted in a few years. In the government, who cares about what happens in a few years?

Zhou Yao also raised her head from the pile of documents; she had work to do too.

However, Sha Qizhi was her senior and the section chief's secretary, so seeing Sha Qizhi beckon, she walked over.

Sha Qizhi took Zhou Yao out of the office and said with a smile: "Don't look at documents for too long; rest your eyes. Help me send a document to the factory office and go to Director Xu's place to get a schedule back."

"Okay."

Zhou Yao knew Sha Qizhi's saying "rest your eyes" was concern, and this running around was work, so she agreed readily.

She didn't notice the looks from those people in the office behind her and went straight downstairs.

Sha Qizhi didn't look into the comprehensive office again; those who degenerate will never make it to the big stage.

Main office building, third floor.

Zhou Yao had just arrived at the door of the factory office with Sha Qizhi's document when she heard them talking about what happened in the conference room yesterday.

She had heard about this too, but only a few words, and she didn't even hear clearly who it happened to.

A newcomer always needs a process of adaptation in the government, and those old comrades in the Security Section's comprehensive office all had their own chat partners.

And she still had to go through some tests to integrate, including others' and her own mental state.

She knew even fewer people in this office, but fortunately, there was a male classmate assigned here at the same time who greeted her.

"Zhou Yao, why are you here?"

"Ah, I'm here to send a document."

Zhou Yao saw her classmate and showed a smile. The bond between classmates was particularly strong at this time, and it would take a year or a year and a half for everyone to have new lives in their respective units before it faded.

The male classmate stood up with a smile and walked over to take the document, saying: "Is it from the Security Section?"

"Yes."

Zhou Yao looked at the factory office; it was about the same size as theirs, but there was more than one room.

There were three offices under the factory office, corresponding to different directions and work scopes.

The one Zhou Yao found was the wrong room, but the male classmate took her out and went to the second office.

In the corridor, the male classmate asked in a low voice: "Have you heard about yesterday's incident? The one in the conference room."

Zhou Yao nodded and replied softly: "I heard a little, but I only know the incident happened."

"You're too focused on work."

The male classmate smiled and explained: "Do you know? The one who scalded the leader and made a scene was Huang Shiwen."

"Ah?"

Now it was Zhou Yao's turn to be surprised, and she pressed: "Shiwen? Wasn't Shiwen in the Service..."

"That's how it is~"

The male classmate said with a slightly sarcastic or regretful tone: "Their leader took the initiative to steal this job, calling it service innovation. Hehe, now she's hit a wall."

After saying that, the male classmate took Zhou Yao into the second office and introduced the secretary responsible for the Security Section to Zhou Yao.

Zhou Yao looked at the generous male classmate and felt that male classmates grew and adapted faster in the government.

The once shy classmate was now gradually adapting to work and far surpassed her, who had good grades, in dealing with people.

This made her think of what Director Xu said when she first arrived—that work was a new beginning.

Especially watching her classmate talk about Huang Shiwen, the simplicity and greenness were slowly fading, and the feelings between them were slowly becoming complicated.

After handing over the document and coming out, Zhou Yao tidied her hair and walked toward Director Xu's office.

As the director of the factory office, Xu Sinian's office was open all year round.

Compared to other department heads, his position was more complex and special, and the problems and challenges he faced were even more varied.

An open door would undoubtedly have a positive impact on his work.

So seeing Zhou Yao appear at the door, Xu Sinian didn't wait for her to knock and beckoned her in with a smile.

"Director Xu, Director Yu asked me to come and get the schedule for our section chief."

"Good, good, sit."

Xu Sinian smiled and said: "Actually, it's just that your Li Chu wants to make an appointment with the leader to report, so he wants the leader's schedule."

While explaining, he had already taken a few sheets of copied paper and handed them to Zhou Yao.

At the same time, he asked: "How is work in the Security Section? Are you used to it?"

"Thank you, Director Xu, I'm doing fine."

Zhou Yao had a good first impression of Xu Sinian; he was always smiling, polite to everyone, and cared about young people.

Although he was the one who assigned her to the Security Section, and although it was the Security Section she didn't like at first, she was still very grateful for Director Xu's attitude toward young people.

Seeing Director Xu ask her to sit, she knew he had something to say, so she sat on the chair opposite his desk.

"Good."

These university students were received, trained, and assigned by Xu Sinian. The leaders cared very much about the growth of these university students, so he naturally attached great importance to this work.

This year was the year with the most university students assigned in all previous years, and it was a critical year for improving the reserve of young cadre talent. Xu Sinian didn't dare to be careless.

"You are the one with the best grades in this batch and the one with the most down-to-earth mind. Work hard, and you won't go wrong."

Xu Sinian encouraged her with a smile, very appreciative of Zhou Yao.

Zhou Yao knew this was the organization's concern, so she replied with a smile: "Listening to you, work is a new beginning, so I still need to learn and practice, and I hope you will criticize me more."

"Hahaha, I wouldn't dare criticize you. Your section chief is a protective one, hahaha."

While saying this, he took the opportunity to ask Zhou Yao: "Is your Li Chu very fierce? People say they aren't used to working in the Security Section. Do you have any thoughts about changing to another department for your internship?"

"Thank you, Director Xu, I'm doing fine in the Security Section."

Zhou Yao's heart skipped a beat when she heard Xu Sinian ask this question.

Honestly, who would want to realize the value of their youth in a pile of documents? Who wouldn't want to be in the limelight?

But thinking of Director Yu and Section Chief Sha in the Security Section, including the scary section chief whom Section Chief Sha told her privately praised her, she felt she should work down-to-earth in the Security Section.

And after these days of training, she knew that the leaders' words weren't necessarily all true and needed careful discernment.

If there was really an intention to adjust her, he would have said it directly.

So, when Director Xu asked this question, Zhou Yao also gave a serious answer.

Seeing Zhou Yao's seriousness, Xu Sinian smiled more and nodded, saying: "Actually, assigning you to various units for internships doesn't mean you'll work in that unit in the future. You can still adjust when you are assigned a permanent position after graduation."

For some reason, Xu Sinian explained this in Zhou Yao's surprised gaze.

After explaining, he added: "I'm very pleased that you can remember what I said to you. I took a lot of pressure to assign the three most beautiful female university students of this batch to the Security Section."

"I know, Director Xu, you are doing it for our own good."

Zhou Yao couldn't guess Xu Sinian's purpose, but the rumor she heard at the beginning that Director Xu and Deputy Li Chu of the Security Section were good friends was impractical.

Even if the two had a good relationship, assigning beautiful female university students to the Security Section wasn't some private affair.

When they heard this news, they might have thought that Deputy Li Chu wasn't married and was interested in them.

This kind of thing wasn't big news in their ears; they often heard about junior sisters who had just started working marrying cadres.

But after going to the Security Section, others didn't know, but Zhou Yao knew that leader's personality—he didn't mean that at all.

This broke their wild imagination, and for a while, she couldn't figure out why Director Xu arranged it like that.

Answering Director Xu like this was also a technique of answering; although she didn't understand, she could say it like that.

Xu Sinian smiled when he heard this. Regardless of whether Zhou Yao understood or not, he said with a smile: "I did it for your own good. You'll understand after a long time."

"However, I want to say..."

After saying that, Xu Sinian emphasized: "What you can learn in the Security Section will definitely not be less than others. Whether you work in the office or on the front line, the Security Section is the most suitable unit for you."

Zhou Yao looked at Xu Sinian blankly. She could understand the general meaning of what Director Xu said, but specifically, she was really just crawling in the mountains of documents.

She also admitted that she had learned a lot, but it was far from the "most suitable" in Director Xu's words.

Xu Sinian also saw the question in Zhou Yao's eyes, pointed at her, and said: "You are in the comprehensive office, right? Do you know how rich your Director Yu's work experience is?"

Without waiting for Zhou Yao to answer, Xu Sinian continued: "And the Security Section—that is a proper section-level unit of the steel mill, managing all safety work, with management rights covering every corner of the steel mill. How could there be a lack of training?"

"Finally, let's talk about your leader."

Xu Sinian also cherished the cultivation and guidance of this batch of university students, so he took the opportunity to give a few pointers.

Speaking of the most individual department leader in the steel mill, his old friend, Xu Sinian actually had a lot to say, but there wasn't much he could say to this new girl.

"The head of your section is now the head of the largest branch of the steel mill, the Steel City Steel Mill, holding both the positions of secretary and factory director."

"The deputy section chief who is in charge of work in your section is now the youngest deputy section-level cadre in the steel mill, and also the deputy section chief of the East City Branch Bureau in charge of public security actions. He holds two heavy burdens, a rare powerful young and middle-aged leader, and is also recognized by the factory leaders as the leader of young cadres."

Looking at the young university student, Xu Sinian thought of himself. If he had someone to point him in the right direction when he was young, would this road have been easier?

"So don't worry about having few training opportunities, few growth opportunities, and few promotion opportunities."

"And Deputy Li Chu himself is a model for the growth and progress of young cadres, and has promoted the growth and progress of many young cadres."

Zhou Yao understood a little about the significance of Director Xu talking to her, nodded seriously, and agreed.

When sending her out, Zhou Yao also heard Director Xu say: "The road is walked by yourself; only you know if it's suitable. Some comrades might be regretting it now."

Zhou Yao didn't pick up this topic. She already knew that Director Xu was talking about her classmate, Huang Shiwen.

As for Huang Shiwen's encounter, she had already heard clearly from that male classmate.

Now gossip was spreading in the government, and no one sympathized with her, and no one pitied her as a newcomer.

Because after she took the position of section chief, she started not respecting old comrades, and even became bossy after her management work was praised by the leaders.

It was said that this problem was also caused by old comrades, but no one in the office helped Huang Shiwen say anything good.

Zhou Yao was really incredulous. When she was in school, Huang Shiwen was careless, but she never disrespected her seniors.

This... this, how did everyone change?

In fact, she didn't notice that she was also changing; it was just that the time was still short.

Leaving Director Xu, Zhou Yao had just gone downstairs when she saw people from the Service Section organizing cleaning again.

But the person in charge was no longer Huang Shiwen. Zhou Yao looked at that person, and that person looked at her.

Zhou Yao could see the meaning of scrutiny, disdain, and contempt in that person's eyes.

Not knowing how she had offended her, Zhou Yao frowned slightly and went down the stairs.

It was also a coincidence that she met Fu Linfang, who had been transferred to the Service Section with Huang Shiwen, just as she stepped out of the main office building door.

At the beginning, Fu Linfang had come to find her, thinking about coming to the Service Section together, but she refused.

Although she refused, they were both from the same school, so they still greeted each other when they met.

But seeing Fu Linfang this time, Zhou Yao could clearly see indifference on Fu Linfang's face.

"Linfang."

Zhou Yao called out to Fu Linfang, who was nodding and about to pass by, and asked with concern: "What's wrong with you?"

Fu Linfang looked at Zhou Yao with a complicated expression and said: "Nothing, what are you here for?"

"Here to send a document and get the leader's schedule."

Zhou Yao explained, then asked: "Do you know about Shiwen? What exactly happened?"

"I don't know."

Fu Linfang gave a very stiff answer. Seeing Zhou Yao's bewildered look at her answer, she realized that Zhou Yao wasn't doing it on purpose.

"Come with me."

Fu Linfang took Zhou Yao's hand, and the two walked to the side of the building entrance.

It wasn't until they walked to the flower bed that Fu Linfang stopped, but she didn't let go of Zhou Yao's hand.

Only her voice was a bit dry as she said: "I'm sorry, recently... recently a lot of things have happened."

"What exactly happened?"

Zhou Yao was also very worried about her two partners; although they left the Security Section, they hadn't betrayed her.

"Shiwen..."

Fu Linfang sighed helplessly and said: "Shiwen was removed from her position as section chief. Now..."

"How... how could this happen? Wasn't she doing well?"

Zhou Yao was really surprised, but she had already heard rumors from others, and she was very worried about her little partner's encounter.

"Just because the water spilled?"

"This isn't making a mountain out of a molehill."

Fu Linfang looked into Zhou Yao's eyes and said: "First, she scalded the big leader who was having a meeting. Second, she made a scene in the meeting hall. Third..."

Speaking of this, Fu Linfang paused before continuing: "She said someone was trying to harm her, and she said it in front of all the leaders."

"This..."

Zhou Yao also understood what Fu Linfang meant. If she had just scalded the leader while pouring water, as a female comrade, she would have apologized at most.

But crying in the meeting hall was a sign of immaturity, and making the Service Section's family scandal public might be the biggest reason she was removed from her position.

"Anyway, don't go looking for Shiwen now."

Fu Linfang instructed: "She's on leave now and won't see anyone, and... and now the comrades in the Service Section are all talking about her."

After saying this, Fu Linfang added in a low voice: "They're also talking about me, saying things about us intern university students."

Fu Linfang's words made Zhou Yao think of the look from the person in charge of hygiene in the Service Section she had just seen on the stairs, and she finally understood that she had been caught in the crossfire.

Now the people in the Service Section felt that these university students were immature and untrustworthy. What about later? Would there be more people who didn't trust them?

Looking at Fu Linfang's expression now, she must have encountered such criticism in the Service Section, which was why she had that attitude when she met her just now.

Thinking back to what Director Xu said to her, Zhou Yao felt that working in the government wasn't such a simple thing.

Fu Linfang looked at the bewildered Zhou Yao, squeezed her hand, and said: "Go do your work. Although those people in the Security Section are also jealous and resistant to us, at least they won't harm you openly."

"How could it be like this?"

Zhou Yao only had this sentence in her mouth; Huang Shiwen's encounter really caught her off guard.

She had heard about the dirty things in the government, but she hadn't seen them; she only occasionally heard those old comrades talking about her work this and that.

But no one in the Security Section had used such tricks to harm her, which might be the benefit of the Security Section that Director Xu mentioned.

"Alright, go get busy; I still have work to do."

Fu Linfang let go of Zhou Yao's hand and instructed her before walking back.

Her suffering wasn't just the impact brought by Huang Shiwen; she had also encountered such dirty tricks herself.

It was just that her heart was firmer; she could only bite her teeth and swallow the stones she encountered.

This was the road she wanted to walk, so even if the road was full of thorns, she had to walk it with a hard head.

Saying she regretted it—didn't she know regret? At the beginning, no one told them that the current internship position wouldn't necessarily be fixed later.

The leaders of the Service Section didn't say that their current positions wouldn't necessarily be fixed later either.

Section-level cadre—not a cadre, and the position wasn't fixed, because there was no concept of a "section" in the official cadre level.

People were coming and going in the office courtyard, some going out on field missions, some coming in to report.

Only Zhou Yao, who was walking toward the Security Building, and Fu Linfang, who was walking toward the main office building, were back-to-back, separating toward their respective goals, looking so distinct in the courtyard.

It seemed as if the direction of this choice was the direction of their respective lives, and even more so, a node on the road of growth.

"Leader."

Li Xuewu knocked on the door of Li Huai De's office with a smile and generously placed the things in his hands by the tea cabinet at the door.

"Hehe, what kind of trick is this!"

Li Huai De saw Li Xuewu enter and smiled, but didn't get up to welcome him, and seeing the things in Li Xuewu's hands, he didn't explicitly refuse.

This was the normal performance. If Li Huai De really got up to welcome him, Li Xuewu would really have to activate his backup plan.

"Steel City local specialties."

Li Xuewu didn't wait for Li Huai De to ask, walked to the opposite side of the desk, sat down, and was about to take out a cigarette.

And when Li Huai De saw Li Xuewu's action, he threw the Huazi on the desk over.

"Stop talking nonsense; if people see it, they'll think we have something going on."

Li Xuewu saw the Huazi—could he still smoke his own Daqian Sect?

He picked up two cigarettes from the desk, offered one to Li Huai De, and lit it with the lighter in his hand.

"It's as if no one would talk if I didn't send them."

After lighting it for Li Huai De, Li Xuewu lit his own, sat down, and said to Li Huai De with a smile: "People say you're surnamed Li, and I'm surnamed Li, so you're my uncle and older brother."

"Stop taking advantage of me."

Li Huai De took a drag of his cigarette and was also amused by Li Xuewu's words.

He was over forty, and Li Xuewu was only twenty. Thinking of being brothers with him—wasn't that just taking advantage of him?

Li Xuewu also laughed "hehehe," without any embarrassment at being seen through, but rather with a sense of closeness.

Sometimes a joke is a joke, but sometimes a joke is not a joke.

Li Huai De didn't believe Li Xuewu had nothing to do and came to him to tease him, and he didn't dare to underestimate Li Xuewu as a twenty-year-old young man.

Li Xuewu took a drag of his cigarette and then explained the things at the door.

"That bag of mushrooms and other dried goods is prepared for your wife; they say it's good for women's health."

Li Xuewu didn't explain well, but said with a smile: "But these are all local legends; if they don't work, don't blame me."

The things weren't considered valuable, but at this time, bringing gifts itself was a form, and a cautious one at that.

Saying they weren't valuable, but dried goods were very expensive to buy in the store, and basically couldn't be bought.

And the wine was even more so; Li Xuewu brought medicinal wine, so the value had to be calculated separately.

Besides, "sending a goose feather from a thousand miles away—the gift is light, but the affection is heavy."

Li Xuewu coming to him in the afternoon meant that Li Xuewu had already finished talking to the factory director and secretary, and the meaning represented was different.

Furthermore, bringing them in in front of the people in the office, the meaning represented was even more different.

Especially in the situation Li Huai De was currently in at the steel mill, Li Xuewu's behavior could be considered a form of stance.

When Li Xuewu suddenly went to Steel City, he had already guessed Li Xuewu's purpose.

For Li Xuewu's avoidance, although he didn't say it, he still had emotions in his heart.

But Li Xuewu's sudden stance made him regret and surprised at the turn of his previous suspicion and emotions.

This highlighted Li Xuewu's importance in his heart and made him more convinced that Li Xuewu was a person worth trusting.

And a person worth trusting as one of his own.

It had to be said that Li Xuewu's move was truly wonderful—a step of advancing by retreating, avoiding the real and attacking the empty, making many people reflect on Li Xuewu's work performance in the steel mill, and making many people clearly realize Li Xuewu's importance in the steel mill.

Li Xuewu wanted this effect. As for how Li Huai De would let others think he had taken a stance, he wouldn't let others think he had taken a stance.

It was nothing more than the things in his hands. Li Xuewu didn't want others to see, so others wouldn't see.

As for how Li Huai De took them out of the office, that was none of his business.

But he knew Li Huai De definitely wouldn't say he sent them, because Li Xuewu was certain that Li Xuewu bringing these things in had already been seen by others, so why would he do something unnecessary?

Just like Li Xuewu's understatement when introducing these things, the more so, the more it represented that these things couldn't be revealed.

Li Huai De didn't care about the bite of food Li Xuewu brought; he was satisfied with Li Xuewu's attitude.

As for whether the mushrooms and dried goods were delicious, whether the wine was good, or whether it had medicinal effects, it didn't hinder his satisfaction with Li Xuewu's current behavior.

"You didn't go to Steel City in vain; you even thought about bringing me things."

Satisfaction was satisfaction, but Li Xuewu's previous avoidance behavior also needed to be knocked, so Li Huai De's words also had meaning.

But Li Xuewu didn't care. Getting along with leaders was a process of pulling, just like courting—he was very familiar with this skill.

"Heh, if I tell the truth, don't blame me."

Li Xuewu blinked and said: "If it weren't for Dong Shuji saying to bring you medicinal wine, I wouldn't have thought about bringing you dried goods, hahaha~"

"Well, it turns out I was being sentimental."

Li Huai De didn't believe that the medicinal wine was brought by Li Xuewu at Dong Shuji's request. If Dong Shuji had this heart, why didn't he see it when he came back at the beginning of the month?

Even if it was Dong Shuji's gift, it was Li Xuewu's idea, because after getting along for so long, he knew Li Xuewu's mind was very active.

If it weren't for this, he wouldn't have gotten along so well with Li Xuewu.

"Hahaha~"

The two laughed for a while. Li Xuewu flicked the ash of his cigarette and told Li Huai De about his itinerary in Steel City in a relaxed tone.

Including the affairs of the branch bureau, although it was mentioned in passing, it also let Li Huai De know that he was indeed busy.

Then there was the research, because he was indeed preparing research materials, and what he said about the situation of the Steel City branch was very clear.

You can be lazy, but you must understand your work and not delay it.

Li Xuewu was such a person; although he played in Steel City, his work wasn't lost.

In terms of security work, he did report the specific situation to Li Huai De in detail.

After reporting the development ideas discussed and studied with Dong Shuji to Li Huai De, the tone of both had naturally become serious.

The Steel City branch was a place where every factory leader hoped to exert influence.

But now, only Li Huai De and the secretary had this ability, and only Yang Fengshan could do it.

This was why the scene of Li Huai De fighting alone appeared, because his power was too great.

Don't forget there was also the frontier office that constantly restricted the steel mill's funding problems.

That was established by Li Huai De. Although it was desperate for money, this path could not be easily abandoned in terms of political significance and actual interest significance.

Everyone wasn't a fool; they all knew that as long as the frontier office worked normally, it would be a source of funding for the steel mill.

"I don't oppose this form of exploration of reform and development."

Li Huai De's cigarette had been extinguished, and neither of them was smoking anymore, but talking about this problem.

"But the current tolerance of policies doesn't allow us to take big steps. You should know this."

Li Xuewu nodded, his face full of seriousness. Now he was representing Dong Shuji and himself to have a showdown with Li Huai De.

Li Huai De knew the significance of Li Xuewu's trip before Li Xuewu set off for Steel City—that was to determine the support and scope of Dong Shuji for him.

Now that the support and scope were determined, it was time to talk about conditions.

Li Xuewu's words were very clear now: if you want everyone to develop well and make progress, you have to achieve actual work results.

Since the steel mill is fighting fiercely, let's find another way.

The joint enterprise we created was snatched by you, so we'll throw it to you; we want to manufacture special commodities in the Steel City branch.

You can restrict us in the steel mill, but in the Steel City Steel Mill, Dong Shuji is the one who has the final say now.

This was also Li Xuewu and Dong Shuji's response to Li Huai De's slow progress on projects like the joint enterprise against Yang Fengshan and others.

It was impossible for Li Xuewu to clearly support Li Huai De and enter the field; he could only achieve this support through the results of the project.

This was Li Xuewu and Dong Shuji's showdown with Li Huai De—if they could talk, they would talk; if not, they would change someone to talk to.

Li Huai De naturally had to think carefully. The establishment and implementation of such projects required his support and help.

The results were also closely related to him, but the feedback effect of such projects had a very long time-effectiveness.

In other words, this was distant water that couldn't quench near thirst. Li Huai De wanted the problem solved this month, or better yet, in these two months.

Anxious was anxious, but he was still very satisfied with the efforts made by Li Xuewu and Dong Shuji.

Sun Tzu's Art of War says: "Use the orthodox to engage, use the unorthodox to win."

There are unique moves to win, but there must also be the ability and guarantee to attack head-on.

Now it seemed that he could only let this master and apprentice be the positive characters.

The reaction of this master and apprentice also made Li Huai De alert to the energy of the two being together.

But it was fine for now; one was in Steel City, one was in the capital, and both were restricted within the Security Section, and they were also curbing this influence themselves.

"I hope to build high walls and store grain widely, hehe."

Now it seems that we can only let this master and apprentice be the positive characters.

The reaction of Dong Wenxue and his apprentice also made Li Huai De start to be wary of the energy they have when they are together.

But it's fine for now; one is in Steel City, the other is in the capital, and both are restricted within the Security Division. They themselves are also curbing this influence.

"I actually hope to build high walls and store grain widely, heh heh."