Chapter 563: Who Stole Whose Puppy

The morning in the middle of April in the Sihe Academy was a bit cold, but definitely not quiet.

Feeding chickens, teasing birds, yawning while washing up.

Going to work, going to school, holding an awl to sew shoe soles.

And holding rice bowls, hitting children, and cursing grandfathers; it was very lively.

Li Xuewu was still in that "black and white" outfit, carrying a handbag, appearing very steady.

Knowing that it was inconvenient for Li Xuewu to carry a gun in the summer, Yu Li found him another bag that could be carried in his hand.

It could hold documents and books, and it could also hold a handgun; it was very convenient.

This image of Li Xuewu was quite trendy, entering the ranks of old cadres forty years ahead of time.

"Yo~ very spirited~"

Ever since Third Uncle was able to go to work, his head didn't hurt, his legs and feet were nimble, and he had energy every morning to wipe his bicycle.

At this moment, seeing Li Xuewu come out of the Third Courtyard gate, he took the initiative to greet him.

"Hey, you look very spirited too."

Li Xuewu walked up to Third Uncle, looked into the room, and asked with a low smile, "I heard you're going to be a grandfather?"

"Hehe, the joy of adding a person to the family."

Yan Fugui said with a smile, considering it an acceptance of Li Xuewu's question.

Before Li Xuewu went on a business trip, Yan Jiecheng from the training ground had asked for leave to come back, so this happy event was confirmed.

Li Xuewu was also happy for Third Uncle and said, "You are still as spirited as a dragon and horse, and you're about to become a grandfather; you have good fortune."

"Hi, spirited as a dragon and horse~"

Yan Fugui knew his own family affairs, squinted his eyes, waved his hand, laughed at himself, and replied to Li Xuewu, "You're about to get married too; counting your sister-in-law's, your father is the one with good fortune."

Li Xuewu looked at Third Uncle and wondered why his mouth had become so sweet after suffering this illness? Could it be that the illness wasn't fully cured, or had it metastasized!

"Fine, then that counts as mutual joy."

Li Xuewu said with a smile, "You go ahead and get busy."

After greeting him, he went toward his own home. He knew that Third Uncle could say a few words when it didn't involve interests, but he couldn't say too much.

After the renovation, the house was much brighter. The morning sun was sufficient, shining into the room, making it red and bright.

Li Shu was the one who woke up early. There were old people in the family, and besides the youngest Li Xue who woke up early to study.

The older ones didn't have much sleep; they woke up around four or five o'clock in the morning.

Liu Yin got up to do housework and prepare breakfast, while Li Shun went for a stroll and took the milk for Li Shu by the way.

Grandma took care of this little demon who got up with her to wash up, and even tidied up the work in the room.

Grandma of the Li family had been exquisite all her life. Even though life wasn't rich, she treated washing up very seriously every morning.

No matter how many patches her clothes had, they had to be clean. She had no gold or silver on her head, but it had to be combed neatly.

Little Li Shu also learned from Grandma's appearance, holding a fine-toothed comb and rubbing it on her head.

Li Xuewu picked up his daughter to tease her as soon as he entered the room. Li Shu couldn't see her own head, but seeing Daddy come, she greeted him with the comb.

The "three-seven" hairstyle that Yu Li carefully combed when she left home turned directly into a "big wind blowing" hairstyle in the hands of Li *Tony* Shu.

"Hehe~"

Perhaps seeing that her craftsmanship wasn't great, Li Shu looked at Li Xuewu and smiled very happily.

Li Xuewu squinted his eyes and glared at his daughter with a dangerous look, but Li Shu wasn't afraid of him.

"Ya!"

Seeing his daughter learning his fierce face, looking arrogant, Li Xuewu only felt a headache.

If she was like this with him at home, what would happen when she grew up and went to school?

If the teacher called three times a day, would the schools in the capital be enough for his daughter to transfer?

"Should I go to Xiao Ning's house tonight?"

Liu Yin was cooking breakfast, standing in the living room with a fire poker, and said to her son, "Don't forget to bring the things you bought."

When he returned yesterday, he brought things for everyone in the family, and his mother asked if there was a share for the in-laws' side.

Only after hearing Li Xuewu say there was a share did she feel relieved.

Children are all debts; children who have married and started families are even more so.

Old parents even have to be cautious about taking advantage of their children, just like they were cautious about dividing gifts among children when they were young.

The young might not understand this feeling of parents, but Li Xuewu, who is already a husband and father, understands it, and understands even more how to cherish it.

He didn't feel his mother's nagging was annoying. How many more years could he hear this nagging?

When you grow up to ignore them, it will be impossible to hear their nagging again.

Grandma finished combing her hair, took Li Shu from Li Xuewu's hand, looked at her second grandson with a smile, and asked, "Do you want Grandma to help you comb your hair?"

"Hehe~"

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "No need, I'll just go to work with this hairstyle. If anyone asks, I'll say it was combed by my own daughter."

Liu Yin and Grandma pursed their lips and smiled, finding it funny to see Li Xuewu's proud look as a daughter slave.

In their eyes, the newly married Deputy Section Chief Li was still that naughty child.

When Li Xuewu was eating breakfast, the people in the inverted house all looked at Li Xuewu's hairstyle and snickered. It was Yu Li who heard Li Xuewu's introduction, couldn't help but laugh, and combed it back into a three-seven part.

At this time, the three-seven part was the standard for young cadres, while the big back was the configuration for higher-level cadres. Actually, most people of Li Xuewu's age had flat heads.

Because when you are in your twenties, you have just started working and have just escaped the category of "ordinary people," so combing a three-seven part is a bit overstepping.

Fortunately, Li Xuewu commutes by car, so no one gave him warning looks.

The Branch Bureau was as busy as Li Xuewu usually saw it.

Zheng Fuhua's office was the same. When Li Xuewu entered, he even saw someone reporting work.

However, because his rank wasn't low, the other party smiled at him without stopping.

This meant that his entry wouldn't affect the other party's report, which was also a kind of respect.

Li Xuewu could actually wait a while before coming, but he was quite special because he hadn't made an appointment with Zheng Fuhua for what time to report work.

If he really went back to wait, he would probably have to wait until noon.

There weren't many people in the Branch Bureau who could do this kind of cutting in line, and Li Xuewu was counted as one of them.

Sitting on the sofa waiting for that person to finish reporting, Li Xuewu took the initiative to stand up, shake hands with the other party, and chat for a few words.

He hadn't been in the Branch Bureau for a short time, and he knew everyone with a rank similar to his.

Seeing the other party off, Li Xuewu sat opposite Zheng Fuhua's desk.

Seeing Li Xuewu handing him a cigarette, Zheng Fuhua waved his hand, pointed to the ashtray, and said, "Too much."

Li Xuewu smiled, lit one for himself, and put the other cigarette back into the cigarette box.

"You should control your smoking; the ceiling of this office has been blackened by you."

"Stop talking nonsense."

Zheng Fuhua glanced at him and asked, "What about the Special Task Force? Why didn't they come back with you?"

"It will take some time."

Li Xuewu thanked the secretary who walked in to serve him tea and took the opportunity to light his cigarette.

"Xiang Yunian's steps are a bit too big. If I hadn't stopped him, I'm afraid he would have torn his pants."

"You stopped him?"

Zheng Fuhua was quite concerned about this remark from Li Xuewu and looked at him very scrutinizingly.

Li Xuewu understood what he meant, smiled helplessly, and explained, "We are in the same boat; we have to think this way in Steel City."

After explaining, he took a puff of the cigarette and continued, "The Investigation Department has its own work, and the direction is different. Xiang Yunian has no one to escort him, so I can only leave the Special Task Force there."

Zheng Fuhua squinted at Li Xuewu and said, "This meaning is a statement of position. People have already made phone calls to the top."

"So what?"

Li Xuewu said indifferently, "Are you still thinking about moving your position and being sent down to the grassroots to fight? There are so many places, you can't be sent to the Northeast, right?"

"Sent down my ass~"

Zheng Fuhua cursed. How old was he? If a young cadre went down, it was training; if he went down, it was exile.

"Asking you seriously, this pot can't be carried in vain, right? You didn't come back empty-handed, did you?"

"How could that be?"

Li Xuewu said with a smile, "I brought you Schisandra wine; it's downstairs."

Zheng Fuhua was about to curse when he saw Li Xuewu joking around. This brat could definitely understand his meaning.

Seeing Zheng Fuhua about to get angry, Li Xuewu hurriedly added an explanation, "Also, also!"

"There's also the subsidy for the Special Task Force; Xiang Yunian will also have a gesture."

Zheng Fuhua still looked at Li Xuewu very dissatisfied, pouted, and said, "Seven or eight cars, traveling over a thousand kilometers to execute a mission, just this little bit?"

"You should have led the team yourself."

Li Xuewu had just finished mocking when he saw Zheng Fuhua reaching for the ashtray. He hurriedly reached out and pressed the big boss's hand with a smile.

That was close; this was simply because Zheng Fuhua didn't have a good neighbor like Liu Guangtian, and the ashtray wasn't big.

"Hehe, I was just joking with you; don't grab it, it's all ash."

Li Xuewu explained with a smile, "I dare to bring back what Steel City has, but that would be making a mistake."

Zheng Fuhua loosened his hand, slightly raised his head, looked at Li Xuewu, and waited for him to give a reasonable explanation.

Li Xuewu adjusted the ashtray and chuckled, "Actually, you've already gotten the benefits, why bother with those little things? It's not worth it."

Zheng Fuhua raised his eyebrows and said, "Why don't you give me those little things, and I'll give you these benefits?"

"Stop messing around~"

Li Xuewu flicked the ash and said, "Putting these benefits in my hands is like using an anti-aircraft gun to hit a mosquito; it's a waste, too much of a waste."

Zheng Fuhua squinted at him and asked, "When will there be news?"

"I don't know."

Li Xuewu touched his face and explained seriously, "I really don't know. Xiang Yunian's side is easy to talk to, but Ji Weidong's side has to wait a bit."

"Don't wait until the day lily is cold."

Zheng Fuhua tapped the table, hummed, then leaned back in his chair, looked at the clear blue sky outside the window, and said, "Time waits for no one!"

In the Branch Bureau, he participated in a meeting with Zheng Fuhua and went to the Security Brigade to sit for most of the day.

There weren't many files piled up here; they were all for understanding purposes.

Because Shen Fang could still be trusted, plus Wang Xiaoqin, many tasks could be approved by the two of them.

Li Xuewu went to work, and Wang Xiaoqin took half a day off, saying her child was sick at home.

When it was past four o'clock in the afternoon, Li Xuewu told Shen Fang and went to the Steel Rolling Factory again.

When work got busy, it was endless; there was always someone coming to find him.

After getting off work and picking up the car to rush to Haiyuncang, the food and dishes were already on the table.

"Hurry up and wash your hands to eat; we're just waiting for you."

Seeing Li Xuewu enter the room, Zhou Wang Yamei stood at the restaurant door and urged.

Li Xuewu put the bag in his hand on the cabinet at the door, rubbed Fu Zhidong who ran over, and produced a tin frog exactly the same as Li Shu's from his hand.

"Wow! Toad!"

Fu Zhidong's surprise made Li Xuewu very satisfied, but whether the surprise was a bit ill-considered.

"Did your kindergarten teacher teach you to recognize toads?"

"No."

Fu Zhidong took the toy from Li Xuewu's hand, thanked him, and explained, "It was discovered in the courtyard; it seems to have crawled over from the water channel in the backyard."

Don't ask why it's called a villa area; this house of Li Xuewu's is surrounded by roads on three sides, separated from the road behind by a water channel, which is directly connected to the big lake in the park from the upstream river.

It's not obvious in winter, but you can feel it in summer; the flowing water channel is very cooling.

Li Xuewu pinched the not-at-all-cute Fu Zhidong and went to move some things from the car.

At this moment, Gu Ning came down from upstairs. Seeing Li Xuewu carrying many things, she walked over to help.

After being refused by Li Xuewu, she asked, "What are these?"

"Dry goods, there are mushrooms, and some dried fish."

Li Xuewu moved a bag of potatoes into the kitchen and explained, "Northeast potatoes are especially delicious."

Zhou Wang Yamei looked at the bag of potatoes on the ground in surprise and asked, "You carried them back from Steel City?"

"You think too highly of me."

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "Brought back by train; the driver sent them home."

Gu Ning thought that Li Xuewu was still thinking of this side from thousands of miles away, and couldn't help but curl her lips.

Thinking of the relationship between the two now, she felt a bit moved.

Li Xuewu washed his hands with the water from the vegetable sink in the kitchen and chatted with Zhou Wang Yamei for a few words.

"How is Steel City? Is it warm too?"

Zhou Wang Yamei put the stir-fried dishes on the dining table and looked at Li Xuewu who came out of the kitchen and asked.

Li Xuewu nodded and said, "About the same, everyone wears short sleeves during the day, but it's freezing cold at night."

"Just like that, you have to add clothes at night."

Zhou Wang Yamei was obviously very yearning for life in Steel City, muttering about the living habits of Steel City while busy with kitchen work.

Li Xuewu watched Gu Ning bring Fu Zhidong in, patted the back of the chair, and Fu Zhidong jumped over and was held onto the chair.

Gu Ning sat next to Li Xuewu and asked, "Was the business trip smooth?"

Li Xuewu looked at the somewhat restrained Gu Ning and smiled, "Very smooth."

Gu Ning felt that there was something grabbing her when she saw Li Xuewu's eyes, so she lowered her head and went to touch the chopsticks.

This change of identity was a bit difficult; she hadn't been with Li Xuewu for long, and now they were legal husband and wife.

Plus, with the wedding approaching, every appearance of Li Xuewu before her eyes made her very at a loss.

She wanted to show the things a wife should do and the reactions she should have, but it seemed a bit difficult.

She studied medicine for four years, but she had only been a wife for the first week.

Li Xuewu understood her very well. He first took the chopsticks on the table and handed them to her, making Gu Ning's ears turn pink.

Fu Zhidong didn't notice the actions of his uncle and Aunt Xiao Ning, and was still fiddling with his toad, until Zhou Wang Yamei walked over and took his toy away.

"What did Mom say when eating?"

"Can't play with toys."

Fu Zhidong pursed his little mouth and repeated it, obediently taking his chopsticks and starting to eat.

Li Xuewu didn't eat here often, but he liked the atmosphere here; it had the taste of home.

"Zhidong, did you miss home?"

While eating, Li Xuewu took the initiative to ask Fu Zhidong this question for which Zhou Wang Yamei already had an answer in her heart.

Fu Zhidong's answer was very alternative: "Home? Aren't I already home~"

"Hehe, the home in Steel City."

Li Xuewu looked at Zhou Wang Yamei with a smile and explained, "The home with courtyards in the front and back, and a gray roof."

Fu Zhidong tilted his head and said, "But, didn't Mom say we aren't going back for now?"

Waiting for Fu Zhidong to look at her, Zhou Wang Yamei twitched her lips, looked at Li Xuewu, and asked, "The case... is the case over?"

Li Xuewu didn't answer directly, but smiled, then said, "I still suggest Zhidong go to school in the capital; the conditions will be better."

Zhou Wang Yamei lowered her head and looked at her confused son, "Better to go back to Steel City; we're used to living there, and it's easier for me to find a job."

Before coming out, Zhou Wang Yamei had asked the deputy director next door to find a job. Although it was temporary, there was a salary.

Li Xuewu didn't want to force others, and it wasn't convenient to say more at the dinner table, so he shut his mouth.

Gu Ning looked at Zhou Wang Yamei and said, "I'll help you ask about work at our hospital; the capital's conditions are always better than Steel City's."

"He's still young."

Zhou Wang Yamei smiled, looked at Gu Ning, and said, "We've already troubled you for a long time, and I'm already very embarrassed. Besides, his grandma and grandpa are still in Steel City."

This was actually Zhou Wang Yamei's true thoughts; it wasn't just politeness. Coming to the capital from Steel City was to avoid disaster.

Gu Ning's tolerance, shelter, and care moved Zhou Wang Yamei very much, including Li Xuewu, who even helped the child find a kindergarten to attend.

The two were about to get married; it was a bit awkward for her to stay here. Just as the case ended, she was thinking of going home.

That house was already a very good home. Although Steel City's conditions couldn't compare to the capital, it was ultimately the root.

Seeing that she couldn't be persuaded, Gu Ning said, "Then wait until the child finishes the semester before going back."

Zhou Wang Yamei was in a dilemma and wanted to refuse again, but Li Xuewu said, "Just after the wedding."

While talking, he looked at Zhou Wang Yamei and asked with a smile, "It's not a few days difference; you can't not attend the wedding, right?"

Zhou Wang Yamei looked at Li Xuewu, then at Gu Ning, nodded with a smile, and said, "Okay."

Li Xuewu said with regret, "If you leave, the two of us might starve, hehehe."

Hearing this, Gu Ning also smiled embarrassedly. Her cooking skills weren't terrible; she simply didn't have any.

When she was young, her mother cooked; when she was older, she ate in the cafeteria; and when she was even older, there was a chef at home.

She never had the opportunity to display her skills, so Li Xuewu might be joking when he said they would starve, but she knew that if Li Xuewu couldn't cook, they might starve.

Zhou Wang Yamei helped her son pick up food and smiled, "If you want to eat the dishes I cook, you have to come to Steel City. Zhidong and I are always welcome."

"Welcome, welcome."

Fu Zhidong didn't know what the adults were talking about. Hearing his mother say his name, he raised his head from the rice bowl and added a sentence.

The three people at the table all laughed.

After dinner, seeing that it was still early, Li Xuewu took the three of them to Li Guangnian's house.

Perhaps because he discovered Gu Ning's gaze last time, this time when they entered the door, although it was dark, Li Xuewu could still see the storage shed covered up through the light shining from the room.

"Why are you here at this time?"

Li Guangnian looked at Li Xuewu visiting at night with his family in tow and couldn't help but frown.

Was this brat doing it on purpose?

When setting the time, he was playing tricks with him; he didn't come during the day to pick up the clothes, but came at night.

"Aren't you also not resting yet?"

Li Xuewu looked at the time; it was only a little past seven. While taking Gu Ning, Zhou Wang Yamei, and the others into the courtyard, he explained, "I have to work during the day; where would I have time to come to your place?"

"Grandpa, hello."

Zhou Wang Yamei held Fu Zhidong's hand. Entering the door and seeing that the tailor Li Xuewu mentioned was an old man, she pulled her son's hand and signaled.

Fu Zhidong greeted very politely, making Li Guangnian's face, which was fighting with Li Xuewu like a rooster, stiffen suddenly.

He liked quietness, and he was the only one in the family, used to being isolated all his life, not associating with neighbors.

So there were no children playing in his courtyard, and no one greeted him as Grandpa.

Looking at Fu Zhidong's innocent little face, Li Guangnian tried hard to change several times before he finally smiled and nodded, considering it a response to this greeting that was very strange to him.

Fu Zhidong was a bit afraid of this old man. Although he had seen magic tricks with his mother, compared to this grandpa, those magic tricks were still a bit superficial.

Zhou Wang Yamei pinched her son's little hand and, together with Gu Ning, greeted Li Guangnian with a smile.

Li Guangnian was equally polite in returning the greeting, especially to Zhou Wang Yamei, whom he took an extra look at.

Could this be the brat's mistress?

And there's a child?

But thinking that it wasn't the previous dynasty anymore, such relationships were rare, he muttered a few words in his heart and led the crowd into the room.

The living room was still the same as last time, and Li Guangnian didn't say to serve tea, but led them into the living room and went into the inner room.

Li Xuewu didn't care if it was his own home, very familiarly searched for tea leaves from the tea cabinet and brewed four cups of tea.

He still knew it wasn't his own home, and knew to bring a cup for the host, very particular.

When Li Guangnian returned with a large package, what he saw was Li Xuewu sitting generously by the Eight Immortals table drinking tea.

The girl introduced as Li Xuewu's object last time and the woman he mistook for a mistress were sitting on the circular chairs on one side.

The child was standing beside the woman, holding a green tin toad in his hand.

The night light was a bit dazzling; Li Guangnian squinted to see clearly that it wasn't a real toad, and then entered the living room.

He was afraid of this kind of cold-skinned thing and hid far away when he saw it.

"This is the clothes you ordered last time; take a look."

He put the package on a workbench placed against the wall, opened the knot tied on top, spread out the wrapping cloth, and signaled Li Xuewu and the others to look.

Li Xuewu didn't move. Under Li Xuewu's signal, Gu Ning pulled Zhou Wang Yamei over and looked at them one by one.

Gu Ning didn't understand tailor skills, but Zhou Wang Yamei did.

Looking at the fabric of the clothes, then looking at the stitching of the lines and the scale of the tailoring, she knew this tailor was indeed an old craftsman.

Li Xuewu held the prepared tea with both hands and handed it to Li Guangnian who walked over, saying he had worked hard.

Li Guangnian shook the sleeves on his wrists, bent down slightly, and took it with both hands.

He was a very old-fashioned craftsman. The big storms and waves were all things of the past, but he just lived out of tune with this new society.

Seeing a young man like Li Xuewu who still carried some old-fashioned rules, he felt comfortable from the bottom of his heart, but his throat was a bit bitter.

Holding the teacup, he used the lid to cover and push aside the tea leaves, and drank a sip slowly.

The fragrance of the tea leaves moistened his parched throat, pressing his bitterness into his stomach, turning it into a wisp of melancholy.

Listening to the endless praise from the two women, Li Guangnian didn't say anything, still with that expression.

He had heard enough scolding words in his life, and enough praise words. From peddlers to emperors and empresses, he had seen too many people.

The realm of not being happy with things and not being sad for oneself might still be very far away, but his state of mind was very peaceful.

Li Xuewu didn't consider himself a big shot either; it was nothing more than the power of the era that allowed him, a fighter in the waves, to be lucky enough to see some history.

Fu Zhidong stood against Li Xuewu's leg, looking at Li Guangnian timidly.

Li Guangnian looked at the child, wanting to express some kindness, but gave up because he wasn't used to it.

The relationship with Li Xuewu naturally didn't need to be mentioned; they were strangers, but it could be considered a fate.

While the women were looking at the clothes, Li Xuewu introduced Li Guangnian to Fu Zhidong with a smile, and also told Li Guangnian the reason why he came to pick up the clothes at this time.

Li Guangnian didn't think Li Xuewu was slow either.

It was just that he didn't expect Li Xuewu to have gone to the Northeast during these ten-plus days.

"Steel City~"

Li Guangnian squinted his eyes and recalled, as if time had returned to that turbulent, old-and-new-replacing, hero-producing era.

Maybe people were getting old, or maybe there were too many people and things in his memory.

After Li Xuewu finished speaking, Li Guangnian was silent for a long time before he said, "Is the Big White Building still there?"

"Yes."

Li Xuewu nodded very affirmatively and explained, "It's now the office building for the Steel Company's agency."

"Mm."

Li Guangnian nodded and said, "It used to be called the Showa Steel Works Office, and also the Headquarters Office. It was square and quite big."

"It's still like that now."

Li Xuewu taught Fu Zhidong to wind up the tin frog and introduced, "I heard there were guards at the door before; now there aren't, only security at the main gate."

"There were indeed, holding military swords, hehe."

Hearing Li Xuewu talk about the past, Li Guangnian also smiled, his eyes very drifting, obviously still in the world of memory.

After another long silence, Li Guangnian asked again, "What about the Dragon Palace Hot Spring? Is it still there?"

"Yes, but it's not called that name anymore."

Li Xuewu didn't go to this one when he soaked that day, but when soaking in the hot spring, Dong Wenxue and the others also mentioned the one Li Guangnian asked about.

"Duicui Pavilion, the little devils built a Dragon Palace Hot Spring for Pu Yi, now it's not allowed to be called that."

"Right, right."

Li Guangnian nodded and said, "The Dragon Spring Villa built by Marshal Zhang is that one, and there is a Grandma Temple next to it."

"Hehehe, your memory is really good."

Li Xuewu praised with a light smile. He had to say, it was a bit sad when people got old; the more distant things were, the more they remembered, and the more recent things were, the more they would forget.

What they forgot was life, but what they remembered was the unforgettable youth.

"Sigh~~~"

Li Guangnian woke up from his memories in a trance, looked at the familiar yet strange home under the yellow light, as if it were a lifetime away.

After a long sigh, the unspeakable bitterness surged into his heart, and the taste was really hard to put into words.

Perhaps discovering the old tailor's emotions, the voices of Gu Ning and Zhou Wang Yamei discussing also became much smaller, and Fu Zhidong, holding his toad, didn't put it on the Eight Immortals table to play anymore.

After seeing everyone's reaction to this long sigh, Li Guangnian couldn't help but smile bitterly, waved his hand, and said, "People are old, useless, a piece of waste wood."

"With your health regimen, I'm afraid you'll have to say this sentence for another twenty years."

Li Xuewu took the thermos on the table and refilled the hot water in everyone's teacups, asking with a tone that was both comforting and teasing, "Your conditions don't look bad to me; didn't you think about finding a pleasing old companion?"

Seeing Li Xuewu's words were a bit frivolous, Zhou Wang Yamei and Gu Ning didn't dare to speak, really afraid the old tailor would get angry and scold Li Xuewu.

But the old tailor seemed used to Li Xuewu's disrespect, raised his eyelids, and said, "Why find an old companion?"

While speaking, he pointed at Li Xuewu and scolded, "Living alone is so good, quiet. Only young people like you don't find it annoying, and even found two, hey~"

"Hahahaha~~~"

Seeing the astonishment of Gu Ning and Zhou Wang Yamei, Li Xuewu laughed heartily, making Fu Zhidong by his leg look stunned.

Li Guangnian seemed to be influenced by Li Xuewu's unbridled behavior, and the expression on his face softened a lot.

Seeing Li Xuewu didn't refute his words, the old tailor just assumed the woman brought along was Li Xuewu's woman, and the child was Li Xuewu's child.

"How about it? Does it look suitable?"

This question was asked to Gu Ning at the workbench. Seeing that the two had already looked at all the clothes, including Li Xuewu's, he asked.

Gu Ning was naturally satisfied. Although she didn't try them on, the style was exactly what she and Li Xuewu decided on that day.

Regardless of the style, stitching, tailoring, or workmanship, they were much better than those in the store.

After nodding to indicate satisfaction, Gu Ning pulled Zhou Wang Yamei and walked back to the circular chairs.

Li Xuewu looked at Zhou Wang Yamei and asked Li Guangnian, "Is the fabric enough?"

"There is still some left."

Look at this awareness; Li Guangnian understood what Li Xuewu meant.

Seeing Li Guangnian understood, Li Xuewu didn't hide anything, and didn't feel embarrassed at all.

"Then I'll trouble you again."

After Li Xuewu finished being polite, he signaled to Li Guangnian with his teacup.

Li Guangnian didn't feel very surprised, just nodded, drank a sip of tea, and got up to get the ruler in the room.

Gu Ning and Zhou Wang Yamei heard the conversation between the two and looked at Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu opened his mouth to Gu Ning, "Sister Zhou has been at home for quite a while, and we've received quite a bit of care from Sister Zhou, so let's give Sister Zhou and Zhidong a few sets of clothes."

Hearing Li Xuewu discuss this with her, Gu Ning felt a surge in her heart.

In the past, things between the two were decided by Li Xuewu. This was the first time Li Xuewu took the initiative to discuss things with her.

And this matter concerned Zhou Wang Yamei who lived at home.

After the last disturbance, Gu Ning could clearly feel Li Xuewu's care and attention to her.

The feeling in her heart was beyond mention. She hurriedly turned to look at Zhou Wang Yamei, "Sister Zhou."

"I have clothes, they're all..."

Zhou Wang Yamei was also surprised by Li Xuewu's decision. These clothes were valuable things.

She knew the reason why she and her child came to the capital. Although she did most of the housework living with Gu Ning.

But there was no reason to want the clothes Li Xuewu gave.

Not to mention that these clothes were the fabric and tailor for Li Xuewu's wedding clothes.

"Just accept it."

Li Xuewu didn't wait for Zhou Wang Yamei to be polite, smiled, and settled the matter. Then he lowered his head to look at Fu Zhidong and asked, "Uncle will give you a few new clothes, okay?"

Fu Zhidong looked at his mother. Gifts from others were usually decided by his mother.

Who doesn't love new clothes? But you can't like them; if people give them, you have to take them.

"Xuewu..."

Zhou Wang Yamei wanted to say more, but saw the old tailor had already walked out.

Li Xuewu beckoned to Fu Zhidong, then held him and placed him on the chair.

The child wasn't tall, nor short, but he was at the age of growing. Fu Zhidong's clothes were just enough to wear.

Hearing that he was going to have clothes made for him, although he looked at his mother, he was still yearning in his heart.

After Li Xuewu held him and the tailor grandpa started measuring his size, his little face was already filled with smiles.

Gu Ning pulled Zhou Wang Yamei's hand and persuaded her in a low voice. Zhou Wang Yamei didn't say anything more.

When the mother and son were in Steel City, they were supported by Li Xuewu. After coming to the capital, it was even more so. They relied on Li Xuewu for food, clothing, housing, and transportation; they got used to it even if they weren't used to it.

After Fu Zhidong's size was measured, with Gu Ning's help, Zhou Wang Yamei's size was measured.

It wasn't as troublesome as last time. Following the style of Gu Ning's clothes, Zhou Wang Yamei chose a skirt and a set of shirt and pants.

After she finished choosing, Li Xuewu, with Gu Ning's help, chose a few more pieces, and only stopped after Zhou Wang Yamei's obstruction.

After the style was set, it should have been time for polite words and leaving. Li Xuewu was about to get up, but Li Guangnian suddenly asked, "Do you remember the fur clothes I hung out to dry last time?"

"Why? Were they confiscated again?"

How could Li Xuewu not remember those clothes? He didn't know the time of those fur clothes, but seeing the fur shining, he knew they were good things.

The ones confiscated last time were also these, a whole large bundle.

Li Guangnian didn't answer Li Xuewu's question, but raised his head, paused, and asked, "Do you want them?"

"Want what?"

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows. He wasn't a big fool. Having experienced the "Four Great Lies," how could he fall for life's traps?

Seeking sons with heavy gold, transferring shops, high-price recycling, and now another "fur giveaway"?

Li Guangnian pursed his lips, raised his head, squinted, and looked at Li Xuewu for a long time.

Look, this person is quite smart; why did he get stuck here?

"Want what, clothes."

Li Guangnian emphasized, "Fur cloaks, bear skin, genuine Soviet goods, materials from outside the pass. Just the work took me more than three months."

"There are also fox furs, vests, scarves..."

"Aren't you living anymore?"

Hearing this old tailor pushing his treasures as if he were possessed, Li Xuewu twitched his mouth.

"Sigh~~~"

This old man sighed again, "You can't bring it when you're born, and you can't take it when you die. I always want to take it away, but I know in my heart that if it's burned, it's burned; you can't take it away."

"Not necessarily."

Li Xuewu persuaded very seriously, "You write your name on the clothes first, or write your birth date. If you're really afraid of losing them, write 'whoever steals them is a puppy'."

"..."

What Li Guangnian was worried about was that he wouldn't get them burned before he died, and no one would burn them for him after he died.

Now that Li Xuewu said this, he felt even more that his idea was nonsense.

"Pfft~"

Gu Ning and Zhou Wang Yamei sat on the side, hearing Li Xuewu's words like coaxing a child, and were amused to laughter.

It wasn't that they couldn't help laughing; it was really that Li Xuewu's appearance of talking nonsense seriously was really funny.

Li Xuewu glared at the two and threatened, "Don't laugh, don't laugh, we're talking about serious things here."

He wouldn't have said it if he hadn't, but once he said it seriously, the two on the side couldn't help it even more.

Li Guangnian also laughed bitterly, pointed at Li Xuewu, and shook his head helplessly.

It was originally a very sad thing, but after being messed up by Li Xuewu, the rhythm was all wrong.

"Fine, if you don't want them, get lost; don't make fun of me!"

"Want them, why wouldn't I want them?"

Li Xuewu turned to look at Li Guangnian and asked, "How much do you want?"

"What? You want to sell me a few pieces!"

Hearing this, Li Guangnian almost choked, and the last bit of sadness was asked away by Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu smiled and tapped the table, explaining, "I'm asking how much you want; why did it become selling to you? If you collect skins, I can sell them to you; I don't have finished clothes."

Li Guangnian just assumed Li Xuewu was joking with him. A cadre, it's possible to get fabric, but selling his own skins, well.

"No money..."

"Fine, wife, it's getting late, let's head home."

Hearing Li Guangnian say that, Li Xuewu got up and greeted Gu Ning to withdraw.

He knew since he was a child that he couldn't take things from other people's homes randomly, and even less could he take things given by others for free. He had enough of this kind of loss once.

Li Xuewu firmly believed that pies wouldn't fall from the sky; bird poop was more likely.

"Hey! You brat!"

Li Guangnian saw Li Xuewu get up and leave, and didn't know what to do sitting there.

It was Gu Ning and Zhou Wang Yamei who reacted slowly, which gave him the opportunity to talk to Li Xuewu.

"I'm a person with one foot in the grave; are you still afraid I'll eat you!"

"That's not necessarily true."

Li Xuewu pouted and shook his head, "Haven't you heard the saying 'old people are refined, horses are slippery'? You've lived so long, it's not an exaggeration to call you an old goblin."

"You're the old goblin!" ===== CHAPTER 564 =====