Chapter 585: Gentle as Silk Around the Fingers

"If you eat from this bowl, you have to take orders."

Li Li Xuewu smiled helplessly and said to the old lady, "The rooms over there have all been tidied up for you. Since you don't want to go upstairs, I've arranged a room on the first floor for you. The quilts and blankets are all laid out."

"Old lady, I have to go to work tomorrow."

Gu Ning said softly, "I'm afraid the child won't be used to it for a while…"

"Just go over, go live there for a while."

Seeing the young couple talking, Liu Yin also smiled and urged, "Since both the grandson and granddaughter-in-law have said so, just go over."

"The young couple just got married, there are things they can and can't do — you're just the one to give them some guidance."

Han Han Xiumei said with a smile, "Before I always learned from my mother-in-law, but now my mother-in-law isn't available, so it's perfect to learn from grandma."

"Hahahaha~"

The old lady, coaxed by everyone, waved her hand and laughed, saying, "What's there to learn? New youth, how could you learn the old traditions? They're all good children."

Diliya glanced back toward the kang table, thinking that Shen Shen Guodong didn't have that kind of ability yet.

"Go, wherever he tells you to go, that's where you go."

"Forget it, there's a pile of things to do."

She just wanted to hear what the other person had to say, so she said it that bluntly.

But with Eighth Uncle, when he was little, the outsiders or neighbors always said the Li family had no soldier, but they were formidable.

Ji Wang Weidong hemmed and hawed, saying, "When I asked you to introduce her for me, I told you — the family really can't arrange a job for this little girl, so I asked if you could help out."

At home he was already a little tyrant, and after entering the forestry system, he was even more in his element.

Huo Huo Yongfang glanced at Ji Wang Weidong, who was drinking with Sha Zhu across the way, then glared at Diliya.

"Pour for Seventh Uncle and Eighth Uncle, that's enough — you all serve yourselves."

Su Su Ningxu squinted and asked, "Did you really ask for it? Or did he take a fancy to her?"

Those belong to one system, and they all live together, so management is easy.

Diliya straightened the boy up, patted the boy's little bottom as he froze for a moment, and laughed, "Finally here's someone he's afraid of."

"Back to Gangcheng?"

Coming to work in Jingcheng, heh, that's not turning over a new leaf, that's leaping through the dragon gate.

The seventh one is, the family is from the village, without connections like Yu Min's, they want to eat their fill.

"That really can't be said for certain."

Li Shun frowned slightly and glanced at Li Shu on the kang — that answer wasn't what he wanted to hear.

If Ji Wang Weidong's partner were still okay, but this is another one without a master, and why does that name sound so unfamiliar?

Don't look at him taking the official seal from the recycling station, he wouldn't dare just let people in on a whim.

Huo Huo Yongfang, threatened by her nephew, said indignantly, "Huadan… heh, I think you're an idiot!"

Ji Wang Weidong also caught the look in Su Ning's eyes, glanced toward the west room, saw his sister-in-law hadn't come over, and said in a low voice, "That's right, Eighth Uncle's gone, Li Shu's gone, Yu Li's gone, Lao Lao Biaozi and the others are gone — the retail counter is short on people~"

Wang Wang Yamei, however, shook her head and said, "I'm not going, guarding the home and the land, why suffer this hardship?"

Seeing Tell Baba wasn't eating well, Li Gan reached out and gave him a slap.

Now the couple clearly intend to take the child and leave, so how could they show off at this moment.

With a son like this, what more could a father ask.

"Wen San'er."

If you ask Diliya, since none of them are doing human work anyway, just stop being human about it — why make things hard on yourself?

The atmosphere at the floor table slowly recovered, but at the kang table, the men who had spent quite a few days with Li Shu each had their own worries about the impending parting.

Diliya sighed, then asked, "Besides the quota, are the extra medicinal materials also sold to the forestry station? Or does someone come up to collect them?"

But just when Seeing Seeing Gelin turned back to help, the little devil king looked again at the little yellow tin hand grenade in his hand, imitating driving — rolling around, where could it fall and still be fun?

"Eighth Uncle!"

Su Su Ningxu filled wine for Seventh Uncle and Eighth Uncle, and was about to pour for Great-Grandfather and Seventh Grandfather and the others, but was refused by Seventh Grandfather.

Ji Wang Weidong's mouth was open so wide he could eat a person — Diliya caught it in one glance.

The reckless streak on him has lessened, and he speaks more cautiously. When he sees something not so serious, he just presses his lips and huffs twice, and his eyes still glance at Shen Shen Guodong from time to time.

Those people were all caught by Zhang Zhang Wanhe and the others, and got even more attention than those running the gambling dens.

"Heh, really nothing else."

"Heh, do you know how far it is from Jingcheng?"

Xiao Tao is from Yu Min's village, also from a village in the Guandong hometown.

Back then, Xiao Tao helped Su Su Ningxu a lot during the investigation and Li Le Gong, so in this batch of arrests her name wasn't on the list.

But that good-for-nothing is still trying to hook up with people — he can't hold it in, just looking for balance after Diliya said it out loud.

This afternoon Bai Bai Xiyuan resumed business, everyone doing their own job, which also let Liu Yin see some of the tricks of the trade.

Su Ning — when Su Su Ningxu came back, he was working over at the retail counter, and watching Diliya walk into the yard without saying a word.

"Wang Wang Yajuan?"

"Yes, understood."

Ji Wang Weidong just imitated Diliya, squinting and glancing at his eighth uncle, then turned his head and looked pleadingly at Diliya.

The relationship with Seventh Uncle was only that when Seventh Uncle came back a few times as a child they got closer, and because their personalities were similar, the family always talked about it.

He Yushui was even more so — at dinner she only ate, watching the bowls and dishes in front of her, terribly quiet.

"Speak the truth."

Seventh Uncle has even more of a worldly, bandit-like air.

Of course, what surprised Liu Yin wasn't just that old man — this Bai Bai Xiyuan has surprised him plenty.

"When will Li Xuewu go to Yangcheng again?"

Because there were no meritorious achievements to show, and without Huo Huo Yongfang's protection, the job at the art troupe was also lost.

Su Ning looked somewhat constrainedly at Su Su Ningxu, not knowing whether the next one would be her.

Diliya smiled, not committing to anything; he was going, but he couldn't say so at the table right now.

"Chen Jicheng?"

Grandma and Seventh Uncle didn't know about Diliya's affairs, but Li Shun, with some dragging and pulling, had figured out a bit.

"I know."

Diliya called out and asked, "Eighth Uncle found a job for him in Chen Jicheng; is he going or not?"

Especially the big guy at the end of the table, hugging his rice bowl and gobbling down food with a 'ka-ka' sound.

There was only rainwater, yet people said that person's heart was hard and ruthless, an out-and-out bastard.

Because Liu Yin's family lived over there, there was nothing to do at night, and during the day, Su Ning managed everything.

Lao Lao Biaozi felt somewhat relaxed, as if undergoing an interview, his body stiff as he looked over there.

She had never seen that kind of vehicle before, so how could she know how to play with it?

Third Uncle turned his head, smiling at Su Su Ningxu, and said, "Now your father-in-law is in Yangcheng; it's more convenient now. Take little Ning and the child over to visit."

The old lady of the Li family might have provoked jealousy in her life, might have provoked hatred, but she had never provoked disgust.

Now Li Li Xuewen had to come to Bai Bai Xiyuan again to support electrical appliance repairs, because Huo Huo Yongfang had left and no one was busy with that part anymore.

Liu Yin glanced at that old man; Dai Dong wasn't this one, yet she hadn't expected it to be the nephew who had picked him up.

Huo Huo Yongfang clinked glasses with Diliya and took a large gulp.

Huo Huo Yongfang didn't know what was going on; he just wanted the two of them to help out, and he hadn't even expressed to Diliya that he had no selfish motives, so how had this stirred up a hornet's nest and turned into a major adjustment?

At this moment, Seventh Uncle, who had been silent all along, spoke up; he put down his wine cup, looked at Su Su Ningxu, and said, "You're not young anymore; you shouldn't be kept out. Let him go to Gangcheng."

Damn it, does this little guy even have the qualifications to be henpecked?

"No need; staying at the dock is quite good."

Over there, Diliya's arrangement was to send away everyone who was about to get drenched, leaving behind the old, weak, sick, and disabled—who cared about them?

If you dare have other ideas, heh heh, aren't there plenty of lonely spirits and wild ghosts outside the small mountain?

"Really, Gu Ning, I've already made an appointment with you; we agreed to see a movie on Sunday."

Diliya waved his hand, didn't ask him to stand, and instead turned his gaze to Su Su Ningxu across from him.

Others might not see anything in today's arrangements, but she knew.

On the day, before the wedding began, Huo Huo Yongfang and the others handed the gift money to Li Shun for safekeeping, while those gifts were moved to the rear courtyard.

Shen Shen Guodong looked at Li Shu with heartache, while Su Ning pressed her lips together and said nothing.

Su Su Ningxu rolled her eyes at Su Su Ningxu, glared threateningly with her eyeballs, and then turned her head again to look at Diliya with a giggle, saying, "Actually, it was your sister who told me."

A person lives this one life for precisely these things; let alone without family, even if one leaves their hometown, who is not a drifting fallen leaf?

"Thank you, Gu Ning!"

"Hehe, it looks pretty good too~"

There were also those saying that the Li family's Eighth had promise and that they could bask in his glory or something.

Seeing his seventh brother ask him, Li Shun frowned and glanced at Diliya, wondering what trouble he was about to stir up again.

Those words were just to fool people like Big Brother, who hadn't been up the mountain and didn't understand the situation up there.

Whether she was frightened or moved by Su Su Ningxu, no one knew; anyway, she hadn't broken things off with Su Su Ningxu yet.

"That is truly hard work."

But there was always some distance between them.

Su Su Ningxu rubbed his chin and said, "You can't possibly stay in Gangcheng forever; when the child gets older, we'll let the mother and child return; the child still has to attend school."

But this proposal was directly rejected by Huo Huo Yongfang; Seventh Child was currently managing the supply of special materials.

Diliya shifted his gaze and looked at Lao Lao Biaozi at one end of the table.

It was also unfortunate; no money was earned, and the venue fell through.

"Who?"

"Over at Xiao Chun's side..."

As for the others, either they didn't understand, or they were directly involved.

Wang Wang Yamei wasn't angry either; she raised her eyebrows, took a sip of liquor, and smiled while using her eyes to gesture toward Seventh Child's side.

"It's about Su Su Ningxu's matter."

The Little Demon King had just been about to consecrate his new toy, hear its sound, and add a bit of battle damage from the years, when he heard that reminder.

In this era, giving gift money was one aspect, and presenting gifts was another.

Diliya nodded, then looked at Yu Li and said, "Accompany your sister to Chen Jicheng; the roe deer meat there is more fragrant. However, if any stupid roe deer dares to touch your sister, smash the bastard."

It wasn't until later, when I actually had interactions with Third Uncle after going south to join the army, that Third Uncle not only personally arranged my enlistment but also often took me home for meals.

"Tell Old Zhang; I need Xiao Chun. Have him come to Jingcheng."

"Eww~~~"

"Thank you, Gu Ning!"

Diliya accompanied Seventh Uncle and Eighth Uncle in drinking wine, while she stared with wide eyes, scanning the bowls and chopsticks on the table.

Han Han Xiumei wanted to help, but was blocked by Wu Ge, who also blocked Hong Min, who was making a move to reach out her hand.

"That would be such a waste of talent."

Yu Li listened to Diliya even more than Li Shu did; seeing that Diliya had spoken, she responded in a muffled voice.

Su Su Ningxu nodded and said, "This trip isn't for just a day or two; it might be a year or two before returning. Do you still want to go?"

At that moment, he even lifted his head to glance at Seeing Seeing Gelin, meaning, "Look how badly you're behaving."

"Who collected those medicinal herbs?"

But under that wine table, one could not tease Eighth Uncle like that; my father was still sitting beneath the table, and if he heard, he would likely beat me senseless.

That old fellow also knew where the news came from, telling Su Su Ningxu that the recent wind direction was correct and to be extra careful.

Seeing this, the old lady and the others also stopped what they were doing, each busy tidying up the items on the ground.

"Can't he just be more straightforward?"

Dilinya nodded and said, "He might also leave on Sunday, depending on Zhang Zhang Wanhe's schedule. What about him? Is he going with you all?"

Lao Lao Biaozi's excited voice trembled slightly; seeing Huo Huo Yongfang ask, he immediately answered.

Let alone you, in this row of backward-facing rooms, which man in this courtyard now dares to get near Su Su Ningxu?

"Su Ning."

Let alone fear, even if they are close relatives, what can they do?

What the hell Eighth Uncle! It's all fake!

If one's partner gets snatched away, how devastating that would be.

"Get out, get out, get out! Where is there any room for you to meddle?"

Dilinya asked with a lowered voice, laughing, her eyebrows and eyes full of teasing expression.

The north warehouse had become a carpenter's workshop again; when I went there, I happened to see that short fellow swinging a small log under the electric saw.

Huo Huo Yongfang waved his hand and said, "It's chaotic outside the city, and you aren't willing either; let's talk about the house matter when the children are about to start school, perhaps we can let you move back then."

Huo Huo Yongfang cast a disdainful glance at Wang Wang Yamei, who was indulging in romantic sentiments, his eyes filled with contempt.

Chen Jicheng? Steel City? Or perhaps an even more distant frontier?

My own nephew is fine, but that other nephew has grown accustomed to bickering with me and dares to say anything; if he happens to blurt out something, it would be a disaster.

Then there were the red enamel washbasins, spittoons, small tea mugs, small tea trays, and fruit platters.

This time, not only was Li Shu stunned, but most people in the east room were also stunned.

None of those three can leave; where would Su Su Ningxu send someone to replace Su Su Ningxu?

After speaking, he looked toward Su Su Ningxu and asked, "Regarding the matter on the boat, should I speak, or should he?"

This is an opportunity, an opportunity begged for by Grandfather; the other brothers don't know, but I am the eldest, how could I not understand?

Huo Huo Yongfang explained, "Li Li Xuewu's shop is still operating, including goods like medicinal herbs, grain, and dried foods; it supports the people down the mountain and maintains many valuable connections; wouldn't letting go of it be too wasteful?"

Su Su Ningxu was furious; how could one hit one's father?

Dilinya nodded and agreed, "Let Wen San'er come to work and learn from his sister Xilin."

Dilinya smiled like a little fox and clinked glasses with my Seventh Uncle.

Li Shu faced an unknown future, Shen Shen Guodong faced separation from companions, while Su Ning projected his own feelings onto others, feeling a different kind of sorrow.

In the backward-facing rooms, we are forever children, merely guests lodging here; only when we are needed do we become human.

As for Grandfather and Tell Baba, don't even think about it; they simply ignore them and throw them out with a crash.

That little rascal went click-clack-click straight for those small toys.

"I don't believe it, hehe~"

"Wasn't what you brought on the train last time enough?"

While speaking, he took the wine pot; he knew Dilinya had something to say and did not want to trouble the host.

"What are you doing? Can't you speak properly?"

Su Su Ningxu watched Huo Huo Yongfang muttering repetitive nonsense under his breath, clearly feeling uneasy in his heart because he had done something wrong.

These words made Su Su Ningxu hesitate; his eyes glanced at Seventh Grandfather, then at the dozen or so younger brothers.

"Hehehe~"

Even if there was news, it was only between parents and the old lady; there was no contact with children like me.

One meal from Yu Li could equal a whole day's worth of meals for Su Ning.

Seeing that no one supported him, and that Great-Grandmother and Grandmother were ignoring him too, Li Gan looked again at the yellow tinplate bus toy in his hand and could only squat down, pressing it against the kang to roll it back and forth for fun.

Dilinya lowered her head and said while eating, "We can bring my younger brother, plus two more hands."

Only then would this uncle and nephew pair become truly close.

Ji Wang Weidong wore an expression saying, "You still don't know him?" and said with a bitter face, "Really not; my Eighth Uncle just spouts nonsense randomly; he is my classmate."

"Let's talk about it later."

"Hehe, then you must work harder."

"Have Eighth Aunt and the others been settled properly?"

Seeing Seeing Gelin picked up a few items, hugged Li Gan, and got off the kang; once his small cloth shoes were removed, he was finally set free to play.

Dilinya smiled lightly and proactively clinked glasses with Huo Huo Yongfang again.

"Did you say you would introduce someone for him?"

"No throwing toys, okay~"

In the small hills, shout once, hehe.

Perhaps it was cultivated in the forestry sector; the forestry environment at that time was very complex and even more arduous.

If it were truly unconditional trust, would there be any need to separate me from my nephew?

I remember clearly that this Wang Wang Yajuan was one, but there were so many Wen San'ers; the one who plays behind his younger brother's butt every day, if not this one, then who is it?

In this big family of the recycling station, who knows Dilinya best? It is me.

Dilinya did not mind our kind of self-adjustment; as long as the root was cut off, no one could escape.

Those capable of doing this fall into only two extremes.

The seventh child now looks like he's out collecting scrap on his eight-wheeler, but that's really all there is to his day.

That wasn't chatting first; rather, it was organizing the gifts received yesterday.

Diliya smiled and replied, "You've made some friends in Steel City who are also from Chen Jicheng, with their hometowns down in the mountains; since your jurisdiction is far from there, they thought to ask you to pass along a message when convenient."

Su Ning took the very first bite, got up from the table, walked over, and extended a hand, saying, "Here you go; he's eating."

"Gu Ning, stop messing around."

Su Su Ningxu nodded, indicating he understood.

Once part of the amateur group, now in the professional ranks, carrying a rifle brought a profound silence.

Because those people lacked critical clues beneath them, every investigation hit the mark.

Put simply, they were "forest folk" outside the great agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery sectors—cutting trees, felling timber, planting trees, and guarding forests.

Su Su Ningxu had been watching over there the whole time; hearing Grandfather speak and seeing Gu Ning look over, he stood up.

Liu Yin looked at her nephew with teasing eyes but said nothing, merely nodding and saying, "Call me if anything comes up."

One manages the shore, the other manages the water; that much was settled through discussion.

That joke failed to make Li Shu laugh; feeling Shen Shen Guodong take her hand, she looked at Diliya and hesitantly nodded.

Huo Huo Yongfang, however, furrowed her brows, glanced at Seventh Master, and only then turned her gaze to Lao Lao Biaozi.

While speaking, she also glanced at Little Yan on the kang table, clearly reluctant to endure a long-distance relationship.

Yet amidst that liveliness lingered threads of sorrowful parting.

Because his study record was bad, his family class status bad, yet born into four generations of poor peasants, and endowed with a bad appearance and a bad voice, he was recruited into Steel City's art troupe.

Sometimes there was even less than what was collected outside.

"I'll go!"

But that single glance inadvertently caught several other eyes flashing toward his side; he quickly turned his head and whispered a couple of sentences to Sha Zhu.

Anyway, Diliya had grown up hearing tales of Third Uncle's glorious deeds, yet she rarely saw Third Uncle return.

"Xiao Chun and the others have arrived; how will you arrange things?"

Su Su Ningxu looked at the smiling Diliya and felt nothing but cold wind rising from the soles of his feet.

In the front courtyard, the room where Diliya stayed now had half its space piled with various large red gift packages.

Su Su Ningxu greatly trusted Ji Wang Weidong's intelligence; it wasn't much to begin with, and once love-struck, wouldn't it plummet straight down?

"Not much different from Steel City."

Su Su Ningxu now managed the recycling station's intake and bookkeeping, oversaw the warehouse and cargo sorting, had learned half of Brother Ke's repair skills from Su Su Ningxu, and was also following Elder Brother to study advanced repair techniques.

Handling special supplies for several dozen households was hard work even for one and a half grown men, but there was no other way.

Seeing Li Li Xuewu feign childishness and beg the old lady, everyone couldn't help but laugh.

Although it was an old husband with a young wife, could Shen Shen Guodong's temper really curb Sha Zhu's stubbornness?

His family wasn't from the city, but that didn't matter; he wanted to seize this opportunity to turn his fortunes around.

"Ya!"

Su Ning, however, paid him no mind; seeing the man extend his hands, she had no choice but to reach out for a hug.

"I know."

People like Li Li Xuewu, old folks eking out a living deep in Shenshan, were everywhere.

Yet this stirred the expression between Li Gan's brows, and he began playing by himself.

Speaking of closeness, both uncles were generally equal, but ultimately Third Uncle paid slightly more attention to her, and their topics of conversation were more aligned.

That brat had ability; while many gifts from others were a good thing, too many of these strange items became a burden.

After all, even the most mischievous child eventually settles down and establishes a family; Seventh Uncle was long past being the child who gave Grandfather headaches.

Diliya shooed him away and continued accompanying the elders in drinking with Huo Huo Yongfang.

"Go on~ Don't mess around!"

Li Gan behaved obediently in Seeing Gelin's arms but was extremely mischievous with Diliya.

"Understood."

Su Ning stared wide-eyed at Seeing Gelin; Seeing Gelin wasn't fierce toward her, simply gazing at her.

Of course not necessarily, because he had just thought that with Li Shu gone, things might quiet down over there, only for another one to arrive.

Because he had learned to drive, he also had to moonlight as a driver, occasionally delivering this and that.

"Third Uncle, don't think I don't know about those things of yours! Be careful, or I'll tell Third Aunt!"

Diliya did not continue discussing personnel transfers; instead, she looked at Su Su Ningxu across from her and instructed, "Once you arrive in Steel City, have Xiao Da Qiang take Li Shu and the others to Chen Jicheng for the handover; only after the handover is complete should you let Xiao Chun and the others come."

Su Su Ningxu raised his eyebrows, looked at the several ecstatic young men, chuckled lightly, and said, "What the hell are you laughing about? Sit down and eat."

If the happiness of children and grandchildren is a blessing, then not being disliked in old age is also a blessing.

Anyway, it was all just a big pile of old enamelware.

Little Peach could be considered the only one... or at least the lucky one, having met Huo Huo Yongfang right at the start of her career.

Moreover, the class backgrounds of those people were nothing to speak of; bandits like Li Li Xuewu constituted the vast majority.

"K... know."

However, thinking of this, Huo Huo Yongfang still looked at Su Su Ningxu and suggested, "Now that I'm back, I plan to discuss this with you: taking a few people along."

Seeing that Diliya did not wish to speak of it, Huo Huo Yongfang did not press the matter further.

Although Seventh Uncle Liu Yin was only a section-level cadre in Forestry, his words carried more weight than those of a full division-level official.

Diliya chuckled and said, "I have a very traditional, yet highly sought-after, urgent need for talent."

Perhaps the nephew had acquainted himself with some bandits!

Yes, forestry staff do receive wages because they do not engage in production but only perform forestry-related work, with salaries paid by the Forestry Department.

Looking at Diluya's trusting gaze, Ji Wang Weidong swore solemnly, "You really are thinking of our recycling station; he will definitely need people, and you've already sought help from your side."

Do you know? That was meant for you to play with; Tell Baba, you don't have just one precious son.

Shen Shen Guodong glanced several times at his elder sister-in-law, wanting to speak but stopping each time, unsure how to begin.

"..."

Why did Diluya always carry weapons whenever going to Steel City to escort personnel? If robbed on the highway at that time, it would truly become news.

Before Huo Huo Yongfang could speak, the eight people whose names Diluya had called all stood up, rising to thank Su Ningxu.

The most numerous items were thermos bottles, always in pairs; inside were red hollow iron mesh, iron sheets, and iron handles, while outside was the inner liner.

"Thank you, Seventh Uncle."

Just live in great harmony, but damn it, we cannot sleep on the same kang bed.

"Hehe, it doesn't matter."

Diluya raised an eyebrow and glanced casually at Huo Huo Yongfang.

But what is the same is that we are all outside the mountains, and our homes are also outside the mountains.

"Hehe, did a fire start in the front courtyard?"

"Mm-hmm, is that so?"

Even Huo Huo Yongfang himself cared; now speaking of it, he only feared his mouth wasn't tight enough. Actually, I just raised Da Tao; others can only envy, so what else is there to say?

"That's good."

Now Wu Ge is also worried; these things are good to give to people, but if everyone uses them, how many mouths does one person have, how many bodies?

And I, I have only just come of age.

Su Ning looked at his nephew; he was the one who believed that little monkey's nonsense.

After dinner, the men cleared the mess from the table, while the women continued sitting around the table drinking tea.

"Nothing happened."

Huo Huo Yongfang looked at his young nephew with a half-smile and said confidently, "Could it be that you have taken a fancy to this white swan?"

Did Li Shun think the same?

After giving instructions, he squinted and said, "Ask Little Ruozi if he has any younger brothers or sisters; I'll guarantee them a job and even a spouse."

Since it was not good to just stand there awkwardly, Wu Ge urged the old lady to accompany them and take everyone to the front courtyard with Su Ning.

Su Ningxu shook his head and said, "Li Li Xuewu has been adapting Little Ruozi and the others to managing the fleet these past few days; I don't know where he found an old boatman who said he wants to make a few trips to test the waters."

However, at this time it is most likely that there are younger brothers or sisters; moreover, once he tells Li Li Xuewu, I fear Li Li Xuewu would be the first to send his own son over.

Diluya emphasized, "Little Ruo sometimes finds it inconvenient; inevitably, if we can't find someone, we just call out."

Let alone someone like me who came later; even a biological nephew who grew up together with Diluya, what could he do?

How many bowls is this now?

Diluya drooped his eyelids and said, "Just say it was you who said it."

At this moment, Ji Wang Weidong's tone was incomparably hesitant; swearing oaths, he said, "I absolutely have not even a tiny bit of interest in that little girl."

But Huo Huo Yongfang gave him no time to hesitate, turning immediately to speak to Su Ningxu about something else.

Watching his nephew decide so many matters with a wave of his hand, determining the fates of so many people, Liu Yin and Li Tong exchanged glances, both seeing relief and envy in each other's eyes.

Xilin wanted to go over and take them several times but hesitated because Su Ning was there, feeling too embarrassed to approach.

None were collected from outside; all were gathered from the homes of old customers.

I heard that Diluya now has influence in the borderlands...

We farm, we hunt, but mostly we gather medicinal herbs and specialty products from within Lin Zi.

Therefore, when Diluya went to visit Seventh Uncle, he felt neither timidity nor estrangement.

Diluya's offer to arrange housing for him was also out of fear he might encounter trouble; this Third Uncle is truly a romantic soul.

"Are you leaving on Monday?"

Those old customers from before are now all managed by Seventh Child; the monthly revenue is enough to support everyone in the side-facing rooms and still leave quite a surplus.

A friend? And a verbal message too~

Forestry cadres must always carry guns when on duty, long ones and short ones, all exceptionally fierce.

"No, absolutely not!"

"There is a chance; you must go."

Diluya reached out and pushed that little fellow, acting like a shameless clinger, pressing right up against him.

There were also those who sent calligraphy and paintings, those who sent cultural artifacts, and those who sent toys for Zhou Dahai.

And those people's lands lie deep within Shenshan; they do not produce grain and are not counted as arable land, so in the end they were classified under forestry management.

It was actually Su Ningxu who, seeing that Third Uncle and Gu Ning had finished talking, said somewhat embarrassedly, "Gu Ning, let's discuss something."

Ji Wang Weidong reacted as if his cat's tail had been stepped on; he stared wide-eyed at Huo Huo Yongfang, then quickly shifted his gaze to Diluya.

If I don't grab hold of this, I might accidentally step on your tail somewhere you don't know about, which would be even more painful.

Diluya nodded in confirmation, saying, "Water travel and land travel are two different things; if we don't sail the ships, how will we know the depths? What will we do when we have cargo in the future?"

How could they not be unfamiliar? Eldest Brother Li Li Xuewen had not spoken a word until now, but at this moment he could not help but put down his chopsticks and look at his seventh brother.

Having not touched a new toy for such a long time, Su Ning's little teeth were showing from sheer joy.

"Alright, since I'm handling this, we must be open and bright about it."

Only Liu Yin and Li Tong watched the lively scene while guessing in their hearts at the meaning behind their nephew's words.

"It's not wasteful."

Looking again at the textiles, there were large red wool blankets, thin blankets, scarves, Mao Jin...

Isn't this just pouring poison between newcomers!

Seventh Uncle explained a sentence, then added, "That also has no quota; later, they will calculate a small amount outside our wages for us."

I know that to find a partner, one must handle matters, and those matters require Gu Ning's approval before they can be processed.

"Do you know where Steel City is?"

Diliya raised an eyebrow and said, "There are no trains there; we won't need to take a donkey cart."

Those two sentences were nothing more than an attempt to shift the target slightly.

"Then why are you acting like a bad person?"

It wasn't fear of anything else; that row of single men in the side houses wasn't afraid, only those street loafers on the main street were feared.

Diliya smiled and said, "You also know there is nothing between you and me; we are just friends."

"You say it."

"Sit."

Diliya shook her chin, squinted her eyes to think for a moment, then turned to look at Wang Wang Yamei.

If one has never been robbed, or even seen a robbery, one cannot be considered a driver engaged in transportation.

Diliya was simply exercising my management abilities, ordering me around until I was nearly running until I smoked.

"Hahaha~"

Not only were wages paid, but housing was also arranged for free, along with coal and other daily necessities, just like for the factory workers in the city.

Even if that little rascal truly had younger brothers and sisters, would he let us take that path?

Perhaps having experienced the torment of Ran Ran Qiuye and Qin Qin Jingru, and then endured Qin Qin Huairu's dragging, he felt more insight upon meeting Su Su Ningxu.

Now that Su Su Ningxu had gone to Steel City, Ji Wang Weidong was not only managing the deliveries but also handling matters with the supply and marketing cooperative, while being busy with work at the paper mill and the printing factory.

It was not only the animals in the forest; there were people as well.

That rascal knew few people, Diliya knew many, from all walks of life and various social strata, so the gifts sent were of all kinds, strange and bizarre.

Looking at his conduct and style, he seemed very upright and possessed quite an air of culture.

Diliya arched her eyebrows, looked at Su Su Ningxu, and thought, "How has this kid gotten involved with Wen San'er again?"

Huo Huo Yongfang looked at me, raised an eyebrow, nodded, and then looked at Diliya.

Li Gan was not worried in the least; he kicked his legs wanting to get on the ground, so Seeing Gelin put her down.

Huo Huo Yongfang smiled helplessly; this Diliya was thoroughly vicious.

The textile factory was not located in some deep mountain old forest; when the wind blew, who knew where the rain would fall.

It was just that the others did not have such good luck.

Seeing Gelin picked up Li Gan and went to the west room; on this side of the west room, there was only one table, occupied by the old lady, Han Han Xiumei, Hong Min, and the others, along with a few young ladies.

Huo Huo Yongfang nodded and said softly, "Without our own people on hand, I am not at ease."

Now it is no longer possible; this man says it cannot be broken, meaning it absolutely cannot be broken.

Hehe~

Meanwhile, Su Su Ningxu, sitting opposite, began to silently mourn for those people like Su Su Ningxu.

I am not afraid of Diliya knowing, because although this kid Diliya sometimes jokes, his mouth is very tight.

Do not let her catch you; if she catches you, she will definitely make a scene out of it.

Eighth Uncle laughed and said, "Why wait until that time? If you want to go, just take the child with you; I will host you. The changes in Yangcheng over the past two years since you returned are enormous."

Diliya smiled and said, "My mother-in-law said that after my elder brother-in-law gets married, I will leave with my father-in-law for Yangcheng; by then, I might need to catch a convenient ride to visit you."

"She is my classmate, studying right here at the Drama Academy in our sub-district."

It is likely that the balance will fall into negative numbers.

In the past, it was still fine; Diliya was not married, so helping to look after the child was no issue.

During the meal, Seeing Sha Zhu took the opportunity while Diliya was chatting with his Seventh Uncle and Eighth Uncle to ask about matters at the factory.

How could one hit Father in front of so many people!

Diliya put down her wine cup and asked, "Do you need me to arrange housing for you? You might be stationed in Steel City permanently in the future."

Why was everyone sent straight off to Chen Jicheng?

Huo Huo Yongfang's eyes were full of profound meaning; she smiled meaningfully, nodded, and asked, "Someone like you, yet looking for a student from the Drama Academy—are you looking for Lady Wang from 'Visiting Relatives,' or Jin Song from 'The Happy Union'?"

"Collect what? Everything will be handed over to the Forestry Station when the time comes; it counts as work points."

Diliya looked at me with a wicked smile; she did not know when it started, but Seeing Sha Zhu was no longer foolish.

Su Su Ningxu raised an eyebrow, smiled, and asked, "Collecting scrap?"

"Let the eldest go."

Diliya looked at Su Su Ningxu's pretended shy expression and felt somewhat disdainful; this cowardly thing bore the face of Xiong Xiazi yet was pretending to be a little white rabbit.

In the past, he was not foolish, just stubborn, merely a little obstinate.

However, Xi Lin had not finished tidying up; there were too many matters these past two days.

Wang Wang Yamei sat to the side, twisted her mouth, and said, "I don't believe cats don't eat fish, or dogs don't eat..."

What the hell is this about passing along messages; in the future, I fear that the families of all these people will be within Su Su Ningxu's surveillance range.

This was not complaining of bitterness; this was stating an attitude.

"Fine, as long as you can handle it, just don't come looking for me again if things flare up."

Thinking that Li Gan and Li Tong would depart tomorrow, tonight the side houses were unusually lively.

On the contrary, his son's performance made him breathe a sigh of relief; it is better that he left, better that he left.

Diliya picked up a peanut, turned, and looked toward the kang.

After speaking, seeing Li Li Xuewu looking at her expectantly, she could only nod and smile, saying, "Go, go, is that acceptable? That child~"

This time, Seeing Lao Lao Biaozi stabilized himself, stood up, walked to the wall, pointed at the map hanging beside the bookshelf, and said, "It is there! Over eighteen hundred li away."

Diliya took a large gulp of wine at the head of the table, paid no attention to the commotion over there, and only spoke once the sounds under the table had quieted down: "Lao Lao Biaozi, Meng Meng Yongxiang, Xi Xi Yongzhong—you are all old enough. Go with him to learn the trade, and elsewhere I will send more people to join him on the boat."

If this were later, what the Lady or Grandmother said would only buy eight seconds, giving you just enough time for a quick rush and to grab a toy.

In this household, Diliya has the final say; having me speak instead clearly means she intends to separate me from Li Li Xuewu.

Over these past two days, Liu Yin had also wandered all over the house outside, taking stock of the changes in their hometown.

Li Shu stared at Su Su Ningxu in dumbfounded silence for a moment before finally parting her lips slightly to ask, "Is it far?"

Thinking that his wife and child should not stay in Steel City for too long, he decided to send them back early to settle down.

Ji Wang Weidong issued a threat, then turned to explain to Diliya, "It's not a clown role; it's a dan role, a huadan! It looks absolutely wonderful."

"Alright, alright, hurry up and scram to the side!"

The next time Diliya went, she heard Xu Ning mention that incident; everyone treated it as a joke, and no one paid it any mind.

Seeing her nephew ask about that matter again, Liu Yin glanced at her younger brother, assuming he wanted to acquire some medicinal herbs.

Lao Lao Biaozi looked boldly at Su Su Ningxu and said, "You go, if you want to go."

Even though there was no food, no drink, no shelter, and no books to read, we are all grown men now; could we possibly stay there for the rest of our lives?

Before entering the room, Seeing Seeing Gelin merely scratched his head, while the Old Lady and the others watched with expressions of helpless amusement.

Having said that, he quickly added, "I know; when I ask you, I am essentially asking myself. Perhaps it is simply inconvenient to say, but they haven't used this matter to threaten you either."

Hey! Even hundred-refined steel fears the softness that wraps around the finger!

It's just that keeping this big fellow isn't a loss; he really does work with proper form.

These are the big shots; one absolutely dare not carelessly cast them aside. Moreover, these wealthy families are connected one to another, with introductions coming through close relatives, so this line of development is progressing quite well now.

Where else do you have to go?

What a rascal; one person did the work of three, so saving the food of two people was worth it.

"Let me try."

Huo Huo Yongfang took another sip of wine and said with some resentment, "That old fellow has his mind entirely on the boat, leaving all matters on the shore to you."

Su Su Ningxu had specifically asked his Seventh Uncle about the mountainous area where Li Li Xuewu and the others were located; actually, it wasn't that far away.

"Aren't you afraid he'll fight you to the death?"

"Just look at how little ambition you have!"

Su Ning wasn't in charge of managing those people; if he weren't a bit domineering, how could he keep them in line?

Seeing Seeing Gelin merely gave her a smile, without even adding a single word of praise.

Since picking up Li Shu, Gu Ning had been holding her continuously; even during meals, he only switched holding duties with Diliya, essentially entering the state of a father in advance.

The final chapter of Volume Two, "Ba Shi Er Zhang," has been updated; the content concerns the bridal chamber, so scroll back to find it. Additionally, please help by casting your monthly votes; Lao Wu has already released extra chapters for five consecutive days, so with strong support from monthly votes, the extra chapters will not stop.