Chapter 650: Time Management Master?

After settling the recruitment issue with Wang Xiaoqin, Li Xuewu held another meeting with her in the conference room.

It was mainly about the subsequent political education work and the question of where these political and cultural instructors would go.

These female college students were borrowed by Li Xuewu from Wu Youqing; his calculation was that these college students wouldn't be able to graduate and would have to be stuck with him for more than two years because of employment problems.

Because he remembered that this batch of graduates and the next batch of graduates were stuck in school for two years before being assigned.

Moreover, the direction of assignment wasn't very good; basically, they weren't assigned to big cities, nor were they assigned to their home locations, but were all assigned to remote areas.

The reason, well, everyone understood; these people brought it on themselves.

Of course, not all college students had this problem; at least the female college students Li Xuewu saw in the conference room were all very good.

They worked seriously and responsibly, had patience, had confidence, and had the perseverance not to fear hardship.

The work down the mountain and up the mountain made Li Xuewu and Wang Xiaoqin very satisfied.

When talking about the subsequent work and plans, Li Xuewu thanked these supporting college students very sincerely and made a guarantee.

"You have made contributions to the construction and management of the Public Security Brigade; we will not forget those who have made contributions."

Li Xuewu nodded at Wang Xiaoqin and then looked at these female college students, saying, "We have seen your performance and contributions during this period; the improvement of the overall quality of the Public Security Brigade's team members cannot be separated from your help and support."

"Therefore, as you all know, our Public Security Brigade will face expansion and reform, and the rank has been raised to deputy division level; there are more challenges and work for us to complete in the future."

"And you."

Li Xuewu looked at everyone gently and said, "Here, I sincerely extend an invitation to everyone: as long as you want to continue to develop in the Public Security Brigade and officially wear this police uniform, I will handle the work with your school."

After this sentence was finished, some people present issued bursts of surprise and discussion.

And Wang Xiaoqin also opened her mouth at the right time to explain, "The future and development of the Public Security Brigade can be imagined, and your development here will also be realized along with the development of the Public Security Brigade."

"As for benefits, just as Director Li said, our office environment, location area, daily work, etc., all have advantages among the units assigned to graduates."

After this was said, these female college students from Huaqing naturally understood the meaning in Political Commissar Wang's words.

Graduation assignment itself carried uncertainty, and Huaqing graduates were assigned all over the country, and there were also assignments back to their hometowns.

It was based on the changes in the situation, with the requirements of factories and departments across the country, handing over quotas to schools, and then assigned by relevant personnel.

This uncertainty had both good and bad sides; no one dared to guarantee that what they were assigned would definitely be very good.

Being able to stay in Beijing and stay in the Public Security Brigade as a police officer might be the first important choice they had to make on their life path.

Li Xuewu and Wang Xiaoqin each talked about the future arrangements and benefits for these college students, letting them think for themselves.

Both had the intention to keep these college students in the team; this would not only immediately enrich the Public Security Brigade's political education system but also allow the overall quality of the organization to achieve a leap in improvement.

What Li Xuewu valued most was development potential; these college students were also much more powerful than high school and middle school students.

The future Public Security Brigade needed frontline personnel with superb skills and proper handling, and also needed administrative talents with proper deployment and excellent style.

Our organization had already summarized with blood and life lessons that a team without spirit and political ideology was a paper tiger.

Li Xuewu couldn't let the Public Security Brigade become an empty shell or a paper tiger, so when preparing this team, he began various means of netting talent.

Of course, when communicating with Wu Youqing about this matter, Li Xuewu also had a guarantee that he would absolutely not do anything that made things difficult for others, and it would be entirely voluntary.

It could be said that as long as they had a uniform dream, wearing a uniform without having to go on missions, just being an instructor in the brigade, and having the opportunity to enter the administrative system for management in the future—this brigade leader, who rarely contacted them, had opened a door to their future life today.

After the meeting, some bold girls chased after Li Xuewu, followed him back to the office, and asked about what kind of benefits and future they would have if they stayed here.

If they waited for school assignment, they wouldn't have this opportunity to ask; they would send you wherever they wanted.

Some units were deep in remote mountains; graduates went there and couldn't find a way back, inquired and went, couldn't find a way back again—there were plenty who tossed back and forth several times.

Going there once could mean living in deep mountains for half a lifetime, and by the time they came out, their black hair would have turned white.

Life had many uncertainties, so one must cherish opportunities and make cautious choices.

Li Xuewu's time was also very tight; he communicated briefly with several active female college students who looked like they wanted to stay, and then took Sha Qizhi out the door.

As soon as he returned to the Steel Rolling Mill, Li Xuewu saw quite a few people in the lobby on the first floor of the Security Building, talking and laughing, very lively.

"Director."

"Good day, Director."

Seeing Li Xuewu enter, the crowd standing near the door greeted Li Xuewu one after another, and Li Xuewu also replied one by one.

Looking at the situation inside the lobby, Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and asked, "What is this for?"

"It's a fun competition organized by the Comprehensive Office."

Someone explained to Li Xuewu, "As long as you go on stage and accept challenges to questions related to the work of each department, you can win canned goods as a prize."

"Oh? Is that so~"

Li Xuewu was very interested and watched for a while. At this time, Yu Decai walked out from inside, leaned to Li Xuewu's side, and introduced with a smile, "It's an idea Little Zhou came up with to solve the canned goods problem you instructed."

"Hehe, quite an idea."

Li Xuewu stood there and watched for a while; he saw that the small stage was spliced together from four wooden boxes, very simple, but also practical.

Paired with the enthusiastic atmosphere at the scene, it was no worse than a formal stage.

From time to time, people went on stage to accept challenges, and the questioner was Jiang Zhiben, the section chief of the Confidentiality Section.

The questions asked were varied, and questions were asked according to the department the challenger belonged to.

There were those about the Security Department's comprehensive office system, the dual-plan system, the public security management regulations, etc.

These were regulations and ordinances that administrative officers and cadres needed to come into contact with in their daily work, and were content that must be familiarized with in work requirements.

Those who dared to challenge and could recite them proficiently could leave their names on the signature book and also receive a can of goods—first come, first served.

The signature book belonged to the Comprehensive Office, which was an evaluation by the Comprehensive Office for each department, and would be used as a standard for spot-checking the solidity of each department's work after the competition to report and commend.

Besides this kind of spiritual reward, there was also the practical canned goods reward; grasping both spiritual and material rewards, both were very hard.

So the persons in charge of each department brought their own people to participate in the competition; the atmosphere was good and very enthusiastic.

Li Xuewu nodded, and seeing that Yu Decai was also a questioner, he smiled and let him go back to continue participating in the activity, while he nodded at Zhou Yao, who was looking over, and took Sha Qizhi upstairs.

These canned goods were just a small work arrangement for Li Xuewu; handing them to Yu Decai, it didn't matter how he distributed them.

And if it was Yu Decai distributing them, then according to the head count of each section and department, distributing them equally in proportion, then the people below couldn't say anything.

All the pressure and difficulties would be pressed onto the persons in charge of each section and department; whoever got more or less would complain to the person in charge, and it had nothing to do with Yu Decai.

But Yu Decai just wanted to do this small work to the extreme, and even more to fully utilize the small things in work to motivate and test the comrades below, letting them try and fail, grow, accept lessons, and know how to summarize.

Yu Decai handed this work to Zhou Yao; it was clearly because Zhou Yao was about to graduate and leave. People outside naturally didn't know whether Zhou Yao would come back or not, so no matter how she distributed them, she wouldn't offend anyone.

But Zhou Yao didn't treat this work lightly just because she was about to leave; instead, she treated it seriously, thought and studied, and turned the troublesome work into a positive influence.

Administrative work and frontline work both had their multifaceted nature; they weren't all single-attribute routine tasks, and one had to fully consider the favorable situation of work and things, integrate cooperation, and realize a win-win situation.

The Comprehensive Office itself was the department where Zhou Yao worked, and the department's work included the task of assessing the office situation of other departments; this kind of combination of multiple natures and multiple angles could play to strengths and avoid weaknesses, and complement each other.

Canned goods as welfare distribution weren't enough for everyone to share, and they couldn't open the cans and distribute them again—that could only be distributed to a small portion of people.

And for those who didn't get them, the portion that didn't get them would all gossip, complaining that her distribution was unfair and her way of doing things was unreasonable.

Now, combining the work that everyone was annoyed by and feared with welfare distribution, stimulating with reported commendations and material rewards, then the people in each section wouldn't focus on the canned goods.

The attribute of the canned goods had changed; they had changed from welfare items to prizes.

You got them because your business was solid in your work, and you usually studied and improved yourself more.

You didn't get them, which meant you didn't dare to go on stage to accept the challenge, and furthermore, it was possible that your business foundation wasn't solid, and you didn't have confidence.

Regardless of whether you were an old comrade or a young comrade, everyone was equal in the assessment competition, treated fairly, and the possibility of "I'm old, so I want more" was eliminated.

At the same time, the nature of the assessment had changed, from passive to active, realizing a win-win situation.

This matter was also thought through by Zhou Yao, combining her understanding of work, personnel environment, etc., for more than two months.

First, she reported to Yu Decai, seeking his consent and support, then went to find young colleagues to help organize assessment questions, and then issued notices to various departments of the organization.

She received the task in the morning, and Zhou Yao organized it in the afternoon, and even set the time for two hours before getting off work.

Everyone knew this time point in their hearts; the things and work that should be done would basically be finished, and the energy of a day was basically used up, just waiting to get off work and go home.

Organizing activities at this time point not only didn't delay everyone's work but also completed the department's assessment work; how could Yu Decai not support it?

So he personally contacted the persons in charge of other departments, and everyone gathered in the lobby on the first floor in the afternoon at four o'clock to start this fun Q&A activity.

In the activity, people from various departments gathered together, talking and laughing, watching those who went on stage answer correctly or incorrectly, and would all comment with laughter, increasing the basis for cooperation in future work.

The communication between people from various departments also allowed everyone to have a basis for cooperation in future work.

At the same time, these people all saw the other side of their respective leaders, such as Li Kezhang Jiang, who didn't like to smile, but was smiling constantly in this activity.

Director Yu, who was good at talking, was also spitting lotus flowers, asking questions that were so tricky and interesting.

Li Kezhang Han, who had a strong physique, ran off-topic while asking, asking about fire safety knowledge.

The influence caused by the small activity was multifaceted, profound, and also fun.

It also allowed Zhou Yao to quickly integrate into the big collective of the Security Department; no one dared to look down on her ability anymore, and more were looking forward to her return after graduation.

Upstairs, Li Xuewu sat in the office and handled the documents produced today.

First go to the Steel Rolling Mill in the morning to work, handle the documents and affairs produced yesterday, and then go to the Public Security Brigade to sit in the office and handle decisive work.

Have meetings in the afternoon if there are meetings; if there are no meetings, return to the Steel Rolling Mill and handle the work and problems produced during his absence.

Such time allocation was very reasonable, and according to the nature and needs of the two jobs, the optimal time utilization effect was achieved.

So, was Li Xuewu a time management master?

"Hello?"

While busy, the phone on the desk rang; after answering, it was Huang Gan calling.

There was no serious business; they chatted about idle topics and talked about their respective family trifles.

Perhaps it was because of family troubles, Huang Gan said a bit too much, and also asked about Li Xuewu's eldest brother, when he would go to the First Detention Center to "go to work."

Li Xuewu was also helpless; with just these two or three damaging friends, calling to chat about family matters—no need to ask, he knew something had happened.

"My eldest brother will wait; he has a steady personality, doesn't like to talk much, and should be fine. When there's a situation, he'll go."

"That's good. Speaking of your eldest brother, I did hear one thing."

Huang Gan said on the phone, "It's the child of my eldest brother's family, studying at the Huaqing Affiliated Middle School. Their classmates organized some Red something organization, making a lot of trouble in the school. You have students and teachers in your family, so be careful."

Hearing Huang Gan's words, Li Xuewu's brain buzzed; he knew this organization too well. The farce of the next two years wasn't just what these hot-headed children made?

He didn't hear Huang Gan's subsequent words clearly, and he didn't even know how the call ended; when he reacted, the phone had already been hung up, and the fountain pen in his hand had dripped ink.

"Director?"

Sha Qizhi walked in and, seeing the director staring at the phone, couldn't help but remind him.

And Li Xuewu reacted, said "Oh," and then hung up the phone in his hand and went to clean up the fountain pen in his hand.

Looking at the director's slightly flustered movements, Sha Qizhi stepped forward, took Li Xuewu's fountain pen, and took the manuscript to handle it.

Returning, he saw the director sitting at his office seat, looking at the distance outside the window with a serious expression.

Sha Qizhi didn't know who the director had received a call from, nor did he know what shocking news the phone call had brought, making the director, who was known for his composure, react so strongly.

Although in the following time, the director still handled the documents on the table, he no longer had the ease and leisure of the past.

It wasn't until getting off work that Director Yu came to the office to report on the afternoon's activity situation, which brought a trace of activity to the office.

"Such activities can be held more often; they have both work and fun, suitable for comrades to relax, and can also be considered teaching through entertainment."

"Yes, that's what I mean too."

Yu Decai seemed to see Li Xuewu's lack of interest; he didn't know what had happened, but still reported his opinions and suggestions.

"Office business assessment is a long-term, periodic work; if it can be carried out in various forms, it is also helpful to improve everyone's enthusiasm for learning."

After finishing, he also introduced, "The development of today's activity will definitely lead to a wave of enthusiasm for learning business documents and specifications, which is also a kind of drive and inspiration for other personnel in our department."

"Mm, summarize this matter."

Li Xuewu stood up, signaled to Sha Qizhi that he could prepare to get off work, and while walking out with Yu Decai, said, "You can apply for activity prizes and rewards, or we can buy them ourselves; the scope can also be expanded, and it is also feasible to go deep into the frontline teams."

"Understood, I'll go back and prepare a plan and proposal."

Yu Decai entered the corridor with Li Xuewu and said with a smile, "I also planted a willow unintentionally; I didn't expect Comrade Little Zhou to have such a good idea. This college student is really capable."

"Hehe~"

Li Xuewu smiled and nodded, expressing agreement. When he walked to Yu Decai's door, Sha Qizhi had tidied up Li Xuewu's office, took his bag, and chased after him.

"Regardless of the foundation, it still needs cultivation and training; your responsibility is heavy and the road is long."

"I understand, Director."

Yu Decai smiled and responded to this responsibility with Li Xuewu, and then watched Li Xuewu go downstairs.

If the work was done well and there were achievements, naturally it could be reported to the leaders; Zhou Yao did well, which meant his leadership was good.

Everyone lifts a flower sedan chair; if it wasn't done well, it would be another kind of talk.

At least for Zhou Yao now, it was still a good thing; she had already heard many praises in the office, and ending today's work also drew a perfect period for her two-plus months of internship.

When Li Xuewu arrived home, the old lady was playing with Li Shu in the courtyard; the flowers in the small garden on the east side had bloomed, and Li Shu seemed like a pig that had broken into the garden, rushing around and becoming a flower-trampling thief.

She was completely unaware that Gu Ning was standing on the balcony, squinting her eyes and looking at her, the lightning in her gaze almost intimidating Li Xuewu, who had just entered the door.

"Ba-ba~"

Li Shu saw Ba-ba enter the courtyard, shook the flower in her small hand, and ran clumsily toward Ba-ba, wanting a hug.

Li Xuewu knew his daughter couldn't run far, so he walked a few steps and caught his daughter who was about to fall.

He picked up his daughter and kissed her, then pointed to the balcony, signaling his daughter to look at the lightning.

Li Shu followed Ba-ba's gaze and looked over; her small body stiffened, and then she twisted her body to avoid her mother's gaze.

"What are you doing?"

Li Shu saw her daughter look at him, and placed the flower in her small hand directly on his head, meaning this flower wasn't picked by her, but damaged by Ba-ba.

"Why are you so bad? Doing bad things and pushing them all onto Ba-ba; are you seeing that Ba-ba is easy to bully!"

"Yo~!"

Li Shu didn't take his bait; her small finger pointed to the goldfish pond in the foyer, signaling Ba-ba to take her to see the little fish.

In terms of changing the topic and talking about other things, Li Shu had truly inherited Li Xuewu's true teachings; the main thing was having a thick skin.

Li Xuewu glanced upstairs, and seeing Gu Ning had returned to the room, he smiled and took his daughter into the house.

And the flower on his head was still placed there by his daughter; it couldn't be taken down, and every time it fell, she would command him to put it back.

Li Shu's body seemed to have inexhaustible vitality, and her curiosity about new things was always so sufficient.

Although the little goldfish had been home for several days, Li Shu still loved them the most, because she hadn't touched them yet.

Being held by Ba-ba and squatting in front of the faucet, her small hand supported the faucet, looking down at the swimming fish in the water spray, her big eyes full of curiosity.

The old lady smiled, took Li Xuewu's bag, and sent it to the cabinet, asking if he was tired.

Li Xuewu smiled and shook his head, simply talking about the fun things in the unit; he reported good news but not bad news to his family.

The old lady was old and didn't manage family affairs, so why let her worry?

Speaking of worry and concern, the old lady looked at her grandson busy every day, and after such a long time, she hadn't seen him rest well, so how could she not feel heartache?

Seeing Li Shu looking seriously, the old lady pushed her grandson, signaled for her to watch, and let him go upstairs to take a shower.

Li Xuewu smiled and patted his daughter's butt, and Li Shu was concentrating on watching the fish and didn't bother with him.

After going to the second floor, seeing Gu Ning was organizing the bookshelf, he asked, "She ruined the garden, why didn't you tell her?"

"She's still young."

Gu Ning didn't turn around either, classifying the books on the bookshelf and finding positions for them one by one.

Li Xuewu walked into the study, hugged his wife from behind, and rested his chin on Gu Ning's shoulder.

Gu Ning's body stiffened; she endured the discomfort and didn't break free from Li Xuewu, but turned her head slightly, feeling Li Xuewu's temperature, and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Li Xuewu didn't speak, just shook his head slightly, but his hand holding Gu Ning didn't let go.

The couple stood in the study like this, enjoying this quietness.

After a while, Li Xuewu raised his head, put his arm around Gu Ning, turned around, looked down at Gu Ning slightly, and said, "Sister-in-law left?"

"Mm, it was arranged by eldest brother."

Gu Ning nodded, her expression also somewhat lonely; she leaned close to Li Xuewu and put her head on Li Xuewu's chest.

Mu Hongyan was reluctant to part with her, and she was also somewhat reluctant to part with Mu Hongyan.

They say the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother; Mu Hongyan's care and concern for her were really like a mother's.

Moreover, the two were in the same unit, and even in the same section; this kind of morning-and-evening-together relationship, the sister-in-law's departure, really made her somewhat reluctant to part.

Li Xuewu hugged Gu Ning gently; at this time, there was no need for deep comfort, just hold her.

With the flow of the sunset, the light in the study dimmed; Li Xuewu patted Gu Ning's shoulder gently and said in her ear, "Tomorrow I will go with you to send Mom off; be strong then, don't let Mom be sad."

"Mm."

Gu Ning nodded obediently in Li Xuewu's arms; having lost her sister-in-law and mother, Li Xuewu was her only reliance in Beijing.

Mu Hongyan was picked up by the plane arranged by Gu An; they had a flight mission and happened to pass by here, so there was a convenient condition.

Then there was the fact that Mu Hongyan hadn't had children for a long time and was anxious; even if the situation didn't change, or Ding Fengxia didn't leave, she wanted to go to Gu An's side.

Now it could be considered as having her wish fulfilled; Ding Fengxia also supported her decision, which was different from her and Gu Haitao.

Young people still had to live together; it was necessary for the couple's relationship.

Li Xuewu didn't have time today and couldn't get away; it was Gu Ning who went to send her off, but tomorrow when the mother-in-law left, he had to squeeze out time no matter what.

Compared to Mu Hongyan, the mother-in-law left by taking a normal passenger plane, arranged by the courtyard service office; the plane ticket was taken by Little Hu from the service office when they went that day.

Compared to the airport arranged by Gu An, the mother-in-law's airport was much easier to enter and could be sent to the boarding gate.

After discussing with Gu Ning and comforting her, he let Gu Ning find clothes for him and went to take a shower.

When he came out again, the lights on the second floor had been turned on, and Gu Ning was still busy in the study.

Because Mu Hongyan left, many professional books were given to Gu Ning; today Gu Ning moved them back and was preparing to organize them on the bookshelf.

Otherwise, who knew when Li Shu would come in, and it would be another disaster.

Li Xuewu was wearing home clothes, knocked on the moon gate, signaled to Gu Ning, and said, "I'll organize with you later; let's go downstairs to eat."

"Good."

Gu Ning put down the book in her hand, took another look at the bookshelf, raised her hand to tidy the hair by her ear, and followed Li Xuewu downstairs.

A few days ago, Li Xuewu suggested Gu Ning send the mother-in-law to Yangcheng, and by the way, see the father-in-law and relax her mood.

But it was denied by the mother-in-law, telling Gu Ning to take good care of Li Xuewu at home, take good care of the children, and quickly give Li Shu a younger brother or sister.

Gu Ning was also very shy about this topic, knowing her mother didn't want her to endure the hardships of the journey and affect the days of her new marriage, and her heart was even more grateful to her mother and missed her mother.

The reason Ding Fengxia was at ease going to Yangcheng had the changes in the situation, Gu Haitao's health, and the Li family's care for her daughter.

Before, looking at her daughter, she was worried that her hair would turn white, fearing she wouldn't find a suitable family.

Meeting Li Xuewu was a fate, and having in-laws like the Li family was even more of a fate.

Gu Ning also talked about life here and life in the Sihe Academy when she returned home; Ding Fengxia couldn't help but think about it—it was Li Xuewu who cherished her, and the in-laws who liked her.

So this time when something happened, she was also at ease handing her daughter to Li Xuewu and the Li family.

Today Gu Ning sent her sister-in-law off with her mother, and at her mother's request, went to the Li family to visit—it was considered seeing each other before leaving.

One was an intellectual, a newspaper editor, and a high-ranking cadre's wife; the other was a housewife and a doctor's wife.

The two were in-laws, their personalities were both capable and kind, and they got along very harmoniously.

Gu Ning also didn't know why, but her mother and mother-in-law had many things to say when sitting together, and when they reached a point of empathy, they could both shed tears.

Especially when the mother-in-law knew her mother was going to Yangcheng, she shed tears of reluctance and comforted her, promising to take good care of her; her mother was also tearful, holding the mother-in-law's hand and saying intimate words.

This kind of emotion was the first time Gu Ning had seen it, and it was also what she felt most deeply today.

After going downstairs with Li Xuewu, her eyes looking at the old lady were filled with warmth and closeness.

The old lady also knew that Gu Ning's mother and sister-in-law were leaving, so today Gu Ning didn't go to work and instructed Qin Jingru to arrange meals according to Gu Ning's taste.

At this time, Gu Ning walked to Li Shu's side, looked at her daughter squatting there and muttering while staring at the little fish, and there was a smile on her face.

The old lady saw her intentionally teasing Li Shu, so she smiled and followed her grandson's beckoning, and went to the dining room.

Li Shu knew the stinky Ba-ba had let go of her and went upstairs, and even more knew that the Tai-tai had changed to stand by her side and watch her.

But she didn't know the Tai-tai had changed to Ma-ma again; at this time, seeing the big-eyed goldfish swim in front of her and spit bubbles, she was surprised for a moment, then turned around with a smile, wanting to share the surprise she just encountered with Ma-ma.

But this surprise brought by the goldfish wasn't shared, but she was given a fright by Ma-ma.

"Oh!"

Perhaps this fright came too suddenly, Li Shu couldn't stand steadily, and her eyes were about to fall forward—she would definitely fall into the goldfish pond.

But just as she was about to sway, she was caught by Gu Ning.

Looking at the little person in her arms staring at her with big eyes, Gu Ning also pursed her lips and smiled.

Li Shu saw Ma-ma smile and knew the garden matter had cleared up.

Since it had cleared up, then she, Li Shu, must be fine again.

"Yo!"

The brilliance in Li Shu's big eyes flowed; she struggled to stand on the goldfish pond platform from Gu Ning's arms, her small finger pointing at the pond, and she babbled to Ma-ma about the surprise she just encountered.

Gu Ning also listened very patiently, and when the old lady called for dinner in the living room, she carried her to the living room.

When arriving at the living room, Li Shu saw her father's bad smile and knew it was Dad who caused the trouble, grabbed a chopstick on the table, and was about to take action.

But under her father's eye signal, she turned her head and looked at Ma-ma beside her, obediently placed the chopstick by Ma-ma's bowl, and her small hand grabbed another one and placed it over later.

"Look at this cleverness; what will it be like when she grows up!"

The old lady tapped Li Shu's forehead lightly and said with a smile, "You really need someone you fear, otherwise you'll be tearing down the house."

Li Xuewu waved his hand, signaling Qin Jingru, who had finished her work, to sit down and eat, and at the same time instructed her, "It's getting hot; mop the floor more to cool down, and sprinkle some insect medicine in the courtyard and under the wall to prevent them from flying around, but pay attention to safety."

"It's fine, no need for medicine."

Qin Jingru signaled to Li Shu and said, "The child can walk, and I can't watch her; I'll go home and get a few chickens back, and there won't be any bugs."

Gu Ning suddenly raised her head and glanced at Li Xuewu, then pursed her lips and smiled, lowering her head again.

When living in the Sihe Academy, because the rooster's crowing was too noisy in the morning, Li Xuewu wanted to stew the big rooster.

And the hen was also troublesome; the smell of the chicken coop wasn't good, and they had to be let out in the morning and driven back to the roost in the evening—it was too troublesome.

Especially around the house; if they were let out to raise, they would poop wherever they went, which was too dirty and hard to clean.

However, for safety, raising chickens was stronger than sprinkling medicine; the current insect medicine and rat poison were powerful and could kill people.

Bugs were indeed annoying, but there was a child at home, so Qin Jingru saying this was also appropriate.

Perhaps seeing Li Xuewu frown, Qin Jingru also instantly thought of something, swallowed the steamed bun in her mouth, and added, "I will put a fence on the garden, and trim the chickens' wings; they won't fly around." 【650-

Bugs are certainly annoying, but there are children at home, so it's only right for Qin Jingru to say that.

Perhaps seeing Li Xuewu frown, Qin Jingru instantly thought of something, swallowed the steamed bun in her mouth, and added, "I will put a fence around the garden, and I'll also clip the chickens' wings so they won't fly around randomly."

The chickens Qin Jingru said she wanted to keep were the ones she gave to Banggeng; they were now the size of an adult's palm, the most lively and active time.

Because they had wings, chickens could fly—not high, but they still had the ability to cross a fence.

If you want these chickens to eat small bugs and not defecate everywhere, the only way is to build a fence and regularly trim the feathers on their wings.

Hearing this, the old lady nodded and said, "I even saw centipedes in the small garden in the East Seeing Seeing He Yuan this afternoon; it gave Li Shu a fright. Keeping two chickens is fine, and they'll be laying eggs by next year."

Since the old lady had spoken, Li Xuewu could only nod in agreement.

"Tell me how much the fence costs, and I'll find someone to build the chicken coop later."

"No need, do I need to find someone to build a fence and a chicken coop? I can do it all~"

Qin Jingru bit her steamed bun and explained, "There are many trees by the lake on the west side, and I haven't seen anyone pruning them. I can go home, find a sickle, and get this work done."

"The branches at this time have resilience; they can even survive if you stick them in the ground, and they look green and beautiful."

Actually, it was just weaving a fence. If this were in the countryside, would this even be called work?

Whether it looks good or not, as long as it's usable, that's fine.

But Qin Jingru knew that the hostess of this courtyard was an educated person, the kind of city person who liked things to look nice.

Last time, she had listened to Li Xuewu and dug up the flowers, and she hadn't had a chance to make amends yet. This time, by taking the opportunity to build a fence, she deliberately brought up the attribute of "looking good."

Looking good also takes more effort—sticking the branches diagonally into the soil and then weaving them together—it serves both practical and aesthetic purposes, which could be considered an apology to Gu Ning.

Gu Ning didn't speak, just lowered her head to feed Li Shu. Qin Jingru felt a bit insecure and looked at Li Xuewu again.

Li Xuewu nodded and said, "Do as you say. I'll be your helper when you build the chicken coop."

"No need, there are waste bricks from building the garage; I'll just mix some mud and build it up. You go do your work."

After Qin Jingru finished speaking, she drank her porridge noisily while eating the steamed bun in her hand.

Li Xuewu looked at the old lady, and both of them had smiles on their faces.

This girl, who was like a little rabbit, also had her capable side; no one should look down on anyone else—everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.

It was during this dinner time that the few of them chatted and decided on the "big events" of the household.

In reality, there were no big events in this household; these daily trivialities were the big events.

After dinner, Li Xuewu held Li Shu and went upstairs with Gu Ning to work on those books in the study, while the old lady and Qin Jingru cleaned the kitchen and did the chores at this time.

Taking advantage of the time when Li Shu wasn't fussing, the two of them could even take a bath and wash some clothes.

Li Shu's fussing also depended on the time; she was particularly excited and well-behaved when she was with her Dad and Mom.

Being placed on the large desk by her Dad, she was given crayons and white paper, and she babbled while drawing "world-famous paintings."

Dad helped Mom organize the books, occasionally doing some little things behind her back, but Mom dodged them all.

The three of them were busy with their own things, yet they were paying attention to each other, laughing and playing—a harmonious scene.

By the time they finished tidying the bookshelf, it was already nine o'clock. Gu Ning pulled Li Xuewu along to write a letter to her father in Yangcheng.

This letter was to be brought over by her mother, who was leaving tomorrow, so they could write more and longer.

At this time, letters were the most convenient way for people far away to communicate with each other; some things had to be said slowly, such as family affection.

Although phone calls were direct, some emotions were inconvenient to express over the phone.

Especially with Gu Ning's introverted personality, every time she talked to her father on the phone, it felt like reporting work; she wanted to end it as soon as possible, and there was nothing to say.

But in the letter, there was the daughter's longing and reliance on her father far away—the paper was short, but the feelings were long.

Li Xuewu also wrote his first letter to his father-in-law, just like Gu Ning. In the letter, besides greetings and concern for his father-in-law's health, he also reported on his own work and living situation.

The text in the letter was concise, yet the language was refined. In the report on work and life, he gave an invisible reminder to his father-in-law about the situation in the capital and the content he had guessed.

What kind of person was Gu Haitao? He was someone who had been seriously tested. With this level of writing, he could see his son-in-law's meaning at a glance.

Li Xuewu wasn't afraid of the letter being leaked; after all, it was a family letter, and it was being brought by his mother-in-law. Even if it were leaked, it was just his and Gu Ning's personal situation.

How they interpreted it was their business, and what did it have to do with the relationship between father-in-law and son-in-law?

After the letter was written, Li Shu also let out a small yawn. Seeing her Dad and Mom seal the written paper into an envelope, she also took her own "masterpiece" and wanted to compare it to the envelope.

In the end, Li Xuewu couldn't handle her fussing, so he had to follow her wishes and put her drawing in with their letter; only then did she stop fussing.

But when Li Xuewu held her and was about to walk downstairs, he was bitten by her.

"What are you doing?"

"Ah~"

Li Shu twisted her body, and her little finger pointed at the entrance of the master bedroom; the meaning was very clear—she wanted to sleep there tonight.

Li Xuewu stared at his daughter, explaining the principle that children were grown up and couldn't sleep with their Dad and Mom anymore.

But Li Shu didn't listen. Seeing him talking nonsense to her, her little hand reached toward the master bedroom entrance, and her little body kept pushing.

Seeing her Mom come out of the master bedroom entrance to look at her, Li Shu stretched both little hands toward her Mom, grabbing and grabbing, signaling her Mom to come save her quickly.

Gu Ning walked over, took Li Shu from Li Xuewu's arms, and said, "If she wants to sleep here, let her. Do you think she can understand what you're saying?"

After finishing, she carried Li Shu toward the master bedroom, while telling Li Xuewu to go downstairs to tell the old lady and bring Li Shu's little mattress up.

Li Xuewu curled his lip. Seeing his daughter's happy expression, how could he not know what she meant?

This daughter is really hard to raise now that she's grown up; you can't let her know that people can still live upstairs, otherwise, how will there be a little brother and a little sister?