Chapter 564: Loyal Liver and Righteous Gall

"Get lost, get lost."

Li Guangnian waved his hand and drove Li Xuewu away, saying, "I can't explain it to you, hurry up and stay far away from me."

Gu Ning and Zhou Wang Yamei looked at Li Xuewu, and seeing Li Xuewu really open the door to signal them to follow, they also carried the clothing packages and followed.

"Don't forget the clothes we ordered~"

After saying this, without waiting for the old man to react, he slammed the door shut.

After entering the courtyard, Li Xuewu took the package, led the two and the child straight out, without a trace of nostalgia for the bear-skin cloak the old man mentioned.

After Li Xuewu drove the car out of the alley, Zhou Wang Yamei sat in the back and asked with a smile, "Have you seen his clothes?"

"Mm, they're all outdated."

Li Xuewu turned to look at Gu Ning and said, "I guarantee you won't like wearing them."

"I didn't say I wanted them."

Gu Ning glared at Li Xuewu. He said that as if she wanted them.

"Yes, I was just saying."

Li Xuewu drove while saying with a smile, "That old man has a dragon robe to support his eyelids, but I can get everything else."

After saying this, seeing that Gu Ning didn't think he was bragging, he continued, "But that thing is unnecessary to wear in winter; not only will you sweat, but chickens will fly and dogs will jump when you enter the courtyard."

"Hahahaha~"

Zhou Wang Yamei, sitting in the back with the child, was amused by Li Xuewu's description.

Gu Ning just smiled with pursed lips; she wouldn't bother with this person. He had no seriousness when he didn't have serious business.

After sending Gu Ning and Zhou Wang Yamei mother and son home, and picking out the clothes for his wedding to pack, he went out.

Gu Ning sent Li Xuewu into the room, looking at the pile of clothes on the bed, especially Li Xuewu's, which were all to be hung in the cloakroom.

Because Li Xuewu would come to live together in half a month, and Li Xuewu didn't lack clothes to wear, the others weren't taken.

Gu Ning's face turned red like an apple looking at Li Xuewu's clothes on the bed.

But... but the cloakroom was full of her clothes. Now... if they were together... would they also be together in the future...

Time passed a bit quickly. Although Gu Ning wanted time to be slower, time waited for no one.

Li Xuewu also wanted time to be slower, but the amount of work wasn't proportional to time.

From the day he returned, he was busy. Besides his own duties at the Steel Rolling Factory, he had to communicate with Li Huai De and the Steel Refining Factory to confirm the project.

The Branch Bureau and the Investigation Department had been contacting and communicating with Xiang Yunian and Comrade Comrade Ji Weidong regarding the progress of the case.

The case had just begun, and it would take a while for it to end completely.

The Security Brigade was much simpler. Besides daily work, it was nothing more than checking posts with Shen Fang several times.

Only on Friday did he steal half a day of leisure, inviting Li Huai De, Zheng Fuhua, and leaders in charge of security from other brother units to attend the graduation ceremony of the Security Section's training class.

The ceremony was very lively, especially when the cavalry guard team, wearing the new training uniforms Li Xuewu designed for the Steel Rolling Factory, rode on tall horses and walked past these people.

The envy in these people's eyes was something Li Xuewu could feel. Li Huai De's look at Li Xuewu was also very satisfied.

This "pretending to be cool" was done very well!

Indeed, cavalry was slowly exiting the stage of history. Li Xuewu could bring cavalry out again and turn them into the factory guard team's mounts; he had to say Li Xuewu's tricks were quite fancy.

Why was cavalry powerful in ancient times? It was this kind of high-and-mighty momentum that suppressed you.

And what Li Xuewu wanted was this momentum, which could greatly deter petty thieves during patrols.

Don't look at how Li Xuewu had been dealing with external and internal affairs since entering the Security Section, but the hands reaching out would never be cut off.

The actual combat drill that followed tested one's vision; it didn't look very lively to laymen.

But in the eyes of these people who were more or less insiders, the batch of people newly trained by the Security Section could be said to be very rare elites.

Being able to train novices who hadn't been in contact with training into this, and only using them to strengthen the Steel Rolling Factory's security, this ability was enough. After all, these people weren't used for fighting wars.

Li Xuewu didn't explain to these people that a portion of these three hundred and fifty people were retired or transferred soldiers.

He was also bad; he went to great lengths to invite these people over, wasn't it just to advertise?

Advertising effects are for reference only; please refer to actual results.

After returning to the Steel Rolling Factory, Li Xuewu presided over the distribution meeting for these trainees, held a "product launch" for potential customers, invited everyone to a meal, reached several intentions, and then considered it finished.

Of course, he hadn't forgotten his own affairs during these days, including sending Wen Saner with his wife and children to the train, visiting his mother-in-law's house, his godmother's house, and his master's wife's house.

Turning around a big circle, eating a circle of meals, and sending a pile of gifts.

Just like a purchasing agent for Steel City specialties, every relative had a share, and even Ji Yuxiu had one, and even more.

Li Xuewu saw Ji Yuxiu happy, and he was also very happy. Once happy, he forgot to say that the biggest share was brought by Comrade Comrade Ji Weidong for Ji Yuxiu.

It didn't matter; they were both called Big Brother. Thanking whoever wasn't thanking? They were all good brothers; Li Xuewu did good deeds without leaving his name.

On Saturday, when he was about to get off work, Wang Xiaoqin found Li Xuewu and said the club encountered difficulties.

"This club can't do without a 'Stone Dare-to-Stand', but we have no way."

Wang Xiaoqin sat opposite Li Xuewu's desk and said helplessly, "Anyone who has anything to do with sports looks down on our grassroots team, saying it's nonsense. Huang Gan doesn't even look at those with lower ranks."

Li Xuewu raised his head and asked, "What about the Bureau?"

This matter wasn't decided by him, but discussed by everyone at the meeting he didn't attend last week.

At this time, clubs also had titles similar to "Honorary So-and-So," hoping to hang the unit name of the other party to show their orthodoxy.

Otherwise, why would those brats always want to get a character to hang as a consultant after a few months?

"It was originally our own business. Inviting family adults to be consultants would make people laugh."

Wang Xiaoqin rubbed her forehead and said with a bitter smile, "Huang Gan said if you don't care about this, he'll let his father and uncle hang as consultants. But he also said these two in their family don't understand sports at all."

"Hehe, what about Zhou Zhengquan and Wei Qing and the others?"

Li Xuewu chuckled, "After brainstorming, you didn't invite a 'Butcher Zhang'?"

Wang Xiaoqin looked at Li Xuewu and teased, "If you really want to eat this piece of pork, stop talking nonsense and think of a way quickly."

"Fine, I'll take a look."

Li Xuewu looked at his watch; it was already time to get off work. He stood up and asked, "How is the family matter?"

"Appendicitis, just raise it after cutting it off."

Wang Xiaoqin was also exhausted these past few days. The one who was sick was her youngest son, who was naughty. Even when his stomach hurt, he didn't delay being naughty. It was the teacher who discovered it, so nothing big happened.

"Just right, lying on the bed unable to move, properly correct the naughty habit."

Seeing Li Xuewu get up, Wang Xiaoqin also stood up and urged Li Xuewu, "You have to think about this matter; it's a matter of people's hearts and cohesion."

"Got it."

Li Xuewu nodded, smiled, and took Sha Qizhi to get off work.

Today he had an appointment with Sister Lou and Father Lou, thinking that being late was always bad, so he didn't delay after getting off work.

Plus, after he returned, the records of the club's second meeting Wang Xiaoqin gave him still needed to be studied with Father Lou.

Perhaps because he was used to managing security in his previous life, whenever he encountered professional problems, he always wanted to find professional people to ask for directions.

Today was the same. Rushing home to take a simple bath, changing clothes, he drove to the restaurant Father Lou set.

The restaurant wasn't too far from home. It was on Zizong Road, and he arrived in no time by car.

If it were Father Lou before, he would absolutely not come to this kind of ordinary restaurant.

It wasn't that he couldn't eat this kind of ordinary food, but he was afraid of trouble. If he met someone he knew, greeting and climbing relationships, he wouldn't be able to eat this meal.

It's different now; he hadn't appeared in the capital's newspapers for seven or eight years, and ordinary people had long forgotten this rich merchant who was once the most prominent in the capital.

When Li Xuewu entered the door, he asked the waiter, and was invited to the private room on the second floor.

Although the swallows in front of the Wang and Xie halls of the old days had flown into the homes of ordinary people, the necessary attention to detail still couldn't be lacking.

Furthermore, there were things to discuss today, and Li Xuewu's identity was ultimately not very convenient.

"I'm late."

After Li Xuewu entered the room, he greeted with a smile. Only Father Lou and Sister Lou were in the room, so it felt very relaxed.

"Not late, just right."

Father Lou signaled to the waiter. The waiter nodded and turned to arrange the serving of dishes.

"We just arrived too; a few friends came to the house, and we talked for a while."

While talking about idle topics, looking at Li Xuewu sitting on his other side, he also asked with a smile, "Been busy lately?"

"Yes."

Li Xuewu took the handkerchief Sister Lou handed over to wipe his hands, smiled and explained, "Accumulated some during the business trip, and there's a lot of work in the middle of the year."

"Steel City."

Hearing Li Xuewu mention the business trip, Father Lou thought of Steel City, nodded, and said, "That's a good place, rich in coal and iron resources, and the railway is also very convenient."

"Hehe, yes."

Li Xuewu chuckled and didn't chat much about this; it was originally work-related, and he didn't want to talk about it after work.

"How are Sister Lou's classes?"

Hearing Li Xuewu suddenly turn the topic to her, Sister Lou glared. She knew this person was laughing at her.

"Very good~"

"Hahahaha~"

Li Xuewu saw the cold dish on the table, invited Father Lou to use chopsticks first, and then said to Sister Lou, "When I was in junior high school, the teacher said that the learning of knowledge is like the grass in spring; you don't see it growing, but it grows every day. Take it slow, focus on accumulation."

"You only graduated from high school, and you're teaching me!"

Sister Lou didn't buy Li Xuewu's account. This bastard hadn't sent a message for so many days after returning.

In front of Father Lou, Li Xuewu didn't feel awkward and tasted the cold dish.

Hmm! Sour!

"The study of economics, focus on judgment and meeting, apply what you have learned; holding a book won't work."

Seeing Li Xuewu point out his daughter, Father Lou also took the opportunity to point out a few points.

After saying this, he added, "Your Uncle Zhou and the others are theoretical scholars. You must first learn the principles of economics from them, and then I will let you learn how to use them."

"Envious to death."

Li Xuewu sighed on the side, "If I want to learn, I have to go to school and compete for teaching resources with a room full of people, while you can ask for advice one-on-one. Envious~"

"If you want to learn, I'll teach you~"

Sister Lou looked at Li Xuewu teasing her again, raised her head, and provoked, "As long as you call me teacher."

"Hehehe, you'll regret it."

Li Xuewu chuckled, "All the teachers who have taught me wish they didn't have a student like me. At graduation, they begged me not to say I was their student, and almost wanted to swear brotherhood with me, just to erase this sinful master-disciple relationship."

"Pfft~"

Sister Lou was amused to laughter, glared at him, and scolded, "Everyone knows you're a bad guy."

"Come, eat."

Father Lou regretted sitting in the middle and eating with them; he felt he was a bit redundant.

Li Xuewu looked at Sister Lou and clinked glasses with his cheap father-in-law.

Because of Li Xuewu's initiative, the atmosphere of this meal was still very good. At least when the three of them came out of the restaurant, there were smiles on their faces.

Inviting Father Lou and Sister Lou to dinner today wasn't for reminiscing, but for another request.

Led by Li Xuewu, with the Lou family's Volga M24 following behind, they went to Dongsi Street one after the other.

Li Xuewu's big house was in the Sixth Alley of Dongsi Street, which was the location chosen for the club.

Inviting the Lou family father and daughter today was also for this club.

Closing the door to build a car won't work now. One thing shouldn't bother two masters; since the plan was provided for reference, give some opinions on the field inspection.

For convenience, Li Xuewu first called the gatekeeper, let Zhou Changli open the carriage gate, and then arranged the two cars into the courtyard.

"Yo~ this courtyard is really bright!"

Father Lou praised Li Xuewu after getting off the car. Being able to get such a courtyard in the East City to toss around, this cheap son-in-law was also quite capable.

"Hi, just picked up a leak."

Li Xuewu beckoned to Zhou Changli who was standing at the main gate looking over cautiously, and introduced to Sister Lou and the others, "I don't come here often, just left a little brother here to help watch."

Zhou Changli walked over uncomfortably. Hearing Li Xuewu say that, he suddenly straightened his body.

Look, Li Erbala even treats me as a brother!

He was vague just now not because he was afraid of Li Xuewu, but because he was afraid of the car Li Xuewu brought in.

The Volga was only ridden by big cadres at this time, especially this vertical striped air intake grille and streamlined car design, which made him feel that the people who got off this car weren't simple.

Indeed not simple. Li Xuewu knew the Lou family had this car, but didn't expect Father Lou would really let the driver drive it over.

Perhaps his psychological burden was released, and he re-examined himself correctly, so he restored his life to normal.

But this car was just for show; if he wanted to get gasoline, it would be troublesome, so it wasn't used often.

After a simple introduction, Li Xuewu led the Lou family father and daughter to turn around the house.

From the original appearance to the current design, and the effect he wanted to achieve, including subsequent use, he told Father Lou one by one.

His work was still too much, and he hoped Father Lou, a professional, could share more for him regarding the club's affairs.

Of course, it was only to seek his opinions and suggestions, and he wouldn't rely on him for everything.

Sister Lou followed the two and looked around, occasionally asking a question.

Zhou Changli didn't know what kind of people Li Xuewu brought, so he didn't dare to ask or inquire, only speaking when Li Xuewu asked about the situation here.

"I plan to use this courtyard as a comprehensive area integrating leisure, dining, and art display."

Li Xuewu led Father Lou to the courtyard in front of the parking position and introduced, "The inverted house can be opened up to make a large dining area, and the side rooms and main rooms on both sides can be made into private rooms."

As they walked and talked, Li Xuewu's introduction gradually mixed with the intermittent singing of opera.

It was already dark, and the courtyard was being renovated; some lights were on, and some weren't.

Plus, there was a small cool breeze, and Sister Lou had goosebumps all over.

"That... who."

Sister Lou forgot Zhou Changli's name for a moment, her teeth chattered, and she waved to call this gatekeeper over and asked, "Have you heard any strange sounds while living here?"

"No~"

Zhou Changli looked at this woman in surprise, not knowing what she was talking about.

He had lived here for more than a month and had never heard any strange sounds.

It wasn't that he was brave and not afraid of this messy stuff, but that he was a young man with strong fire, and he only lived in the gatehouse, so he didn't notice these at all.

But when the woman Li Xuewu brought asked, Zhou Changli looked at the surrounding environment and felt a bit stunned.

Damn, this woman wouldn't be scaring him on purpose, right?

Idle and bored?

But looking at her complexion, she seemed even more scared than him, which made his nerves tense up.

"After all areas of this house are built, they will be placed with cultural and artistic exhibits, which can be used for appreciation or communication."

Li Xuewu stood at the gate of this courtyard, pointed to the flower hall not far away, and introduced, "This flower hall will also be reused, whether as an open-air stage or a chess club, use it as the situation requires."

Walking to the courtyard gate, the sound of opera in Sister Lou's ears became clearer. Seeing that Li Xuewu and her father didn't notice, she felt even more terrified.

Deep house, big courtyard, abandoned for a long time, old things from the previous dynasty, lonely night... these elements gathered together...

Ghost stories wouldn't dare to be this real!!!

Think about it, having a few opera-singing ghosts in the home of a high official from the previous dynasty isn't out of place at all!!!

Isn't it!

Father Lou was still standing under the light at the courtyard gate looking around, but Li Xuewu discovered Sister Lou's pale complexion.

Looking at Zhou Changli who was looking around suspiciously behind Sister Lou, Li Xuewu's eyelids couldn't help but jump.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Shh~!"

Seeing Li Xuewu ask her, Sister Lou made a gesture to be quiet, then tilted her head to listen, her eyes a bit straight, and asked softly, "Did you hear any sound?"

Li Xuewu twitched his mouth in surprise, raised his eyebrows, and said, "What?"

"That is!..."

Sister Lou's teeth were chattering now, wanting to say it but not daring to, afraid that Li Xuewu could hear this kind of sound, and afraid that Li Xuewu couldn't hear it.

If she said it, and Li Xuewu couldn't hear it...

"Is there anyone learning opera in your courtyard?"

Father Lou was very calm, turned his head to look at Li Xuewu, and then looked at the courtyard they were in.

"Dad! You can hear it!!!?"

Sister Lou jumped to Li Xuewu's side in surprise, tightly grabbing Li Xuewu's arm.

Looking at his daughter looking at him in horror, Father Lou couldn't help but laugh and said, "I'm not old enough to be deaf and blind; why wouldn't I hear it?"

Sister Lou was full of question marks, looking at Li Xuewu in disbelief.

Li Xuewu looked down at Sister Lou who was like a sloth and smiled, "Of course."

After answering Sister Lou's look, he turned to explain to Father Lou, "It's my two little friends, from the Pear Garden, staying here for a while. I'm thinking of arranging for them to stay here as performers in the future."

"???"

Sister Lou just wanted to curse now. After Li Xuewu's explanation, when she listened to the sound again, it was indeed coming from this courtyard.

Looking at the sneaky gatekeeper young man again, Sister Lou gritted her teeth and asked, "Didn't you just say you didn't hear any strange sounds?!"

"I didn't hear any strange sounds."

Zhou Changli looked at the big house in the dark night and replied, "I've lived here for so long and never heard any."

Sister Lou clenched her fists, looked at Zhou Changli, and asked, "Then listen, what is this?"

Zhou Changli listened along with Sister Lou's signal and said in surprise, "What's strange about this sound? Isn't it Tong and the others practicing~"

Sister Lou: (Gritting teeth)

Li Xuewu looked at Sister Lou's changing complexion amusedly and pulled her into the courtyard.

Father Lou obviously saw his daughter's fear, smiled, and patted the arm of Zhou Changli who followed and was stunned.

After a few people entered the courtyard, the sound of opera stopped.

Because Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao had already seen people coming in, they stood in the light of the courtyard and looked over here.

Li Xuewu just wanted to prove the source of the sound to Sister Lou. Seeing that Sister Lou was already relieved, he didn't enter the courtyard to disturb them.

He waved to the two, considering it a greeting, and led the crowd out of the courtyard.

When they went to the car, Sister Lou deliberately fell behind with Li Xuewu, pinched Li Xuewu hard, and asked in a low voice, "Were you doing it on purpose?"

"How could that be?"

Li Xuewu said with a bitter smile, "I have nothing better to do than use this to scare you?"

"Then what's going on with these two?"

Sister Lou wasn't worried about whether there were ghosts anymore; now she was thinking about the two weak-looking girls in the courtyard.

It wasn't malnutrition; it was just that the Qingyi role needed to maintain a figure, and both were young, so they looked thin.

If you want to say weak, Li Xuewu estimated that Sister Lou imagined it based on the environment at the time.

The two girls were also startled by the few people who suddenly entered, so they seemed a bit flustered.

"Forget it, what qualifications do I have to ask you this?"

Sister Lou gave up the question before Li Xuewu could give an answer, which made Li Xuewu smell the vinegar in the air.

Li Xuewu naturally wouldn't give an explanation at this time; even if he did, Sister Lou wouldn't believe it.

Plus, it was getting late, and the father and daughter had to go home, so Li Xuewu sent them to the car.

"I'll come to see when I have time."

Father Lou sat in the car and said to Li Xuewu outside the window, "As for the problem you mentioned today, I'll take you to visit the Industry and Commerce Club tomorrow; perhaps you'll get some inspiration."

"Then you'll have to work hard."

Li Xuewu responded with a smile, "I'll wait for your call tomorrow."

Father Lou waved at Li Xuewu, signaled the driver, and the car slid out of the big house.

Zhou Changli tilted his head to look at the car driving out, then looked at Li Xuewu. He still hadn't figured out who was in the car.

He had heard of Li Xuewu's marriage, but he knew for sure this absolutely wasn't Li Xuewu's object.

Don't look at her young face, but her actual age was definitely older than Li Xuewu's.

Furthermore, since he could see she was a woman, she definitely wasn't Li Xuewu's object.

At this time, being conservative about that aspect was a universal understanding. Of course, the kind that wasn't conservative was really not conservative.

"What are you looking at?"

Li Xuewu turned around and saw Zhou Changli staring at the gate with a thief's eyes, asked, and then raised his chin to signal the direction of the gatehouse, asking, "What's going on with the few over there?"

Originally, Li Xuewu heard movement in the gatehouse when he called the gate, and saw several boys his age peeking at him when Zhou Changli opened the door

"That... those are all my brothers."

Zhou Changli also hadn't expected Li Xuewu, who hadn't come for many days, to suddenly show up, and he had brought people with him too.

It wasn't that he was afraid of anything; he was just bored, and several of his brothers were street hoodlums, so he had summoned them over.

"I guarantee, they absolutely haven't taken a single needle or thread from here!"

Seeing Li Xuewu sizing him up, Zhou Changli was afraid Li Xuewu would misunderstand, so he hurriedly gave Li Xuewu his assurance.

"Heh."

Li Xuewu chuckled, looked at Zhou Changli, and said, "How much could a single needle or thread be worth?"

Zhou Changli was also left feeling awkward by Li Xuewu's words, not knowing how to explain it to him.

He was currently spending Li Xuewu's money, yet he had summoned his own friends; although nothing had gone wrong, he still felt somewhat unconfident facing Li Xuewu's questioning.

"Alright, your guarantee is enough."

Li Xuewu stood in the courtyard and looked toward the gatehouse; the silhouettes of several people could still be seen through the glass window there, clearly having a meal together.

"However, if something goes wrong, I'll use you to plug the hole."

"No problem."

Zhou Changli was a hot-blooded fellow who had grown up listening to plays about loyalty and righteousness, so naturally, he liked to play the hero.

Li Xuewu ignored him, drooped his eyelids, and asked, "Do you still have money?"

"Yes, yes, there's still quite a bit left."

Zhou Changli rubbed his pants somewhat awkwardly; he had run away from home to live on the streets at thirteen, and he hadn't even felt this awkward with his own father.

The key was that he didn't want this money, but for some reason, he just didn't dare to refuse.

Once the first cent was spent, whether the rest was spent or not no longer had any meaning.

"That..."

Seeing Li Xuewu about to get into the car and leave, Zhou Changli remembered Tong Huimei's request from when he came out of the courtyard earlier and hurriedly spoke up: "Director Li, Miss Tong is looking for you."

"Looking for me?"

Li Xuewu rested his hand on the car, glanced suspiciously at the courtyard gate over there, and after seeing a silhouette flash by at the gate, he asked, "Then why didn't she come to find me just now?"

"How would I know that~"

Zhou Changli spread his hands and said, "Except for when eating, I don't talk to them much, and I don't see them at all usually."

Li Xuewu tilted his head, looked at this kid, didn't say anything more to him, and walked straight toward the courtyard.

Zhou Changli pursed his lips as he watched Li Xuewu's back, trotted to the entrance to close the large iron gate, and only then returned to the gatehouse.

He was certain in his heart that Li Xuewu might not be able to leave today, so he took it upon himself to close the gate first and returned to the gatehouse to keep watch.

Zhao Lao Si and the others waiting for him in the gatehouse were also surprised and asked, "What's the situation?"

"Shh~"

Zhou Changli waved his hand at them and said, "Go eat your food, mind your own business. Have you forgotten what I told you?"

Zhao Lao Si shrank his neck, remembering that when they arrived, Zhou Changli had said that whatever they saw, heard, or even smelled in this courtyard, they must pretend they didn't know and forget it all.

Thinking of the large car that had just entered, they also understood that someone living in such a large mansion was not someone to be trifled with.

Even their leader, Xiao Hun Dan, could only act as a gatekeeper, so what else was there to say?

Seeing his boss secretly looking at the courtyard over there, Zhao Lao Si curiously leaned over and asked, "Brother Zhou, how much does this big shot pay you a month to keep the gate?"

Zhou Changli was staring over there, and hearing his brother's question, he replied offhandedly, "Gatekeeping, not much, about fifty-something yuan, with room and board provided."

"Whoa~"

Zhao Lao Si exclaimed, "They pay this much just for gatekeeping? Can you help me ask if he still needs a gatekeeper!"

"Get lost! Who the hell is a gatekeeper!"

Zhou Changli was startled by his brother, then reacted and cursed in a low voice, "I'm not a gatekeeper, I'm just here to help out."

"Didn't you just..."

Zhao Lao Si was also confused by Zhou Changli; why was this guy so jumpy, as if he'd stepped on his tail?

Zhou Changli pressed down on Zhao Lao Si's flat face and pushed him back, cursing repeatedly, "Get lost, get lost~"

Actually, the words he had just blurted out were meant for his family; his father always complained that he wouldn't find a proper job, and this was the perfect opportunity to brag to his family.

The commotion in the gatehouse added a touch of liveliness to this long-silent mansion, but the courtyard Li Xuewu walked into, though inhabited, still felt somewhat cold.

Perhaps they had been disturbed by the commotion, or perhaps they were waiting for Li Xuewu's arrival; the sounds of practice had ceased, leaving only a silhouette waiting under the moon.

"You... you've come."

"Heh, didn't you call me here?"

Li Xuewu looked at this young woman with amusement; why was she acting out a scene from *Liaozhai* for him?

In the middle of the night, in an antique mansion, standing in the courtyard waiting for him—what was she trying to do?

Tong Huimei lowered her head and remained silent for a while upon hearing Li Xuewu's words; the courage she had finally mustered was drained away by Li Xuewu's single sentence.

Li Xuewu looked at the young woman, walked into the courtyard, and wandered around; one of the side rooms was already full.

Tong Huimei followed behind Li Xuewu and explained, "That day, that day the workers sent them over, saying that that mansion was also being renovated."

"Mm."

Li Xuewu nodded; he knew about this, as the keys had been handed over to Master Dou, who was in charge of tidying everything up.

"Are the tools in here complete?"

Li Xuewu turned his head to look at Tong Huimei, wanting to ask if her master had actually swindled him back then.

Tong Huimei glanced at Li Xuewu, clearly understanding his meaning; she didn't explain anything, but simply held a key in her hand and tried to hand it to Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and didn't take it.

Seeing Tong Huimei's stubborn expression again, he said with amusement, "Do you think I'm trying to start an opera troupe?"

He gestured at the courtyard and continued, "Like the officials of old, keeping a family troupe?"

Tong Huimei certainly wouldn't think that, but she also couldn't understand why Li Xuewu wanted these treasures of their trade—which were just trash to outsiders.

Li Xuewu was definitely an outsider; she was certain of that, which made it even more confusing.

Li Xuewu stood in the courtyard, looked down at Tong Huimei, and said, "To me, these things are symbols, texts and history with concrete manifestations, which can be used for decoration and to express the artistic conception I want."

Tong Huimei understood; she had heard about the purpose of this courtyard, and Li Xuewu had brought people to see it several times, always talking about this.

Including the courtyard they were currently living in, it would be a place for dining in the future.

She didn't understand what Li Xuewu's status really was; Zhou Changli at the gatehouse had said he was a Deputy Division Chief, but she didn't think a Deputy Division Chief had such great capability.

And she didn't think Li Xuewu, with such great boldness and financial resources, was just a Deputy Division Chief.

A club—she had heard of them, though she had never been to one; a place for eating, drinking, and having fun. This man seemed to be building exactly that kind of place.

Thinking back to the wealthy establishments her master used to talk about, weren't they packaged the same way?

It was nothing more than putting on a veneer of art and culture.

"So, we are too."

Tong Huimei raised her head, tears streaming down, and said softly in a choked voice, "We are also decorations you bought, right?"

Li Xuewu felt it was absurd to watch this young girl shedding tears.

She was foolish when she should be smart, and muddled when she should be clear; he didn't know what had gone wrong in her head this time, but she had started crying again.

"You said that wrong. Do you want to think about it and say it again?"

Li Xuewu said, amidst Tong Huimei's confused and expectant gaze, "You weren't bought by me; you were picked up by me."

"Uh~? Wuwuwu~"

Tong Huimei only hated that she had ears; it was already the human world's April, so how could there be such a cold-hearted person?

Li Xuewu looked at her with amusement and said softly, "If you feel stifled in this courtyard, go out for a walk. I didn't lock you in, so is it really necessary to be like this?"

He didn't know what kind of rules these two had set for themselves, never stepping out of the gate, as if they really thought he would misunderstand them.

Anyone who didn't know better would think he had deceived them, and that he would lock the door and abandon them the moment they stepped out.

"No... I don't want to go out."

After crying for a while, Tong Huimei sat on a stool in the courtyard, wiped her tears with a handkerchief, and said softly, "Zhou... he said the streets aren't safe."

"Then let him follow you."

Li Xuewu walked to her side, reached out to lift her chin, looked at the pitiful beauty, and said with amusement, "It's not like there are tigers running all over the streets."

"Pfft~"

She had already been shy from Li Xuewu gently pinching her chin, and now, seeing Li Xuewu deliberately teasing her, Tong Huimei turned her face away, not daring to look at him.

Li Xuewu looked toward the main room and asked in a low voice, "And the other one?"

Hearing Li Xuewu's question, Tong Huimei's face turned red instantly, as did her ears.

Her answer to Li Xuewu was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows in slight surprise upon hearing it, finding their little tricks childishly amusing.

Tong Huimei was one thing, but the other...

"How could you have such thoughts? Amitabha~"

"Then why did you keep us?"

Tong Huimei didn't care about blushing anymore; she raised her head, and the weak, soft tone she used asked a firm and persistent question.

Li Xuewu looked down at the beauty in green under the lamp and asked, "Are you living in a dream and haven't woken up? Do you still think you're singing *The Red Lantern*?"

"No, if I am in a dream, then I must be awake; if I am awake, then I would rather be in a dream."

Tong Huimei stared at Li Xuewu, her gaze burning, as if it could melt a heart as firm as iron.

The teardrops on her eyelashes shone with a crystal-clear light under the lamp's illumination.

Her simple gaze revealed a persistent heart; the inner tension made her nostrils flare somewhat quickly, but she still tried hard to remain calm, waiting for Li Xuewu's decision.

The cold moonlight gradually became warm, then was covered by passing dark clouds; Zhou Changli sat by the window, frowning, still staring at the courtyard over there.

Behind him, Zhao Lao Si and the others were already playing poker, and the lively noise didn't affect his focus at all.

Only after a few screams did Zhou Changli turn his head to reprimand them, warning them to keep it down.

Zhao Lao Si and the others didn't know what he was looking at; throwing down the poker cards in his hand, Zhao Lao Si glanced at the moon outside and leaned over to ask, "Brother Zhou, what are you looking at? Should I go over and take a look for you?"

"Get lost!"

Zhou Changli reached out and pushed that flat face with the big mouth to the side, cursing, "Play if you want to play, if you don't want to play, go to sleep, don't bother me~"

Just as he finished speaking, before Zhao Lao Si could say anything, Zhou Changli suddenly discovered a silhouette walking from the courtyard over there; he hurriedly stood up, bumping into Zhao Lao Si, who couldn't dodge in time.

Zhao Lao Si hadn't even reacted yet when his leader over there had already rushed out the door like a rabbit, running toward the silhouette in the dark night.

Actually, he also wanted to go over and hear what that person had said to Brother Zhou, and he also wanted to see who that person really was.

But it was dark, and Brother Zhou wouldn't let them go over there.

"Haven't finished eating yet?"

Li Xuewu glanced at the lit gatehouse and asked Zhou Changli, who had run over.

Zhou Changli replied nimbly, "Finished, they're playing poker, can't sleep at night..."

Li Xuewu signaled for him to open the main gate, but Zhou Changli asked, "Are you leaving?"

"Nonsense."

Li Xuewu jumped into the car, sized up Zhou Changli, and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Nothing! I don't mean anything!"

Zhou Changli didn't dare to mean anything and hurriedly ran over to open the gate.

His movements were so nimble that it made Zhao Lao Si and the others watching from the gatehouse feel a pang of heartache.

There's a new feature, the error correction one; if there are typos or words, you can help me locate them and mark the correct ones. I can correct them once I see them. Thanks for the help and support from all you good brothers~ (Also want to thank Brother Xiao Dixuan for the tip~)