Chapter 828: I'm the biggest coward

"I like it just looking at it!"

Li Xuewu's heart was churning; not knowing what Li Huai meant, he could only tell the truth.

Li Huai nodded and said, "You'll be coming to Jinmen for work often in the future; staying at the guesthouse all the time isn't a solution, right?"

"Yes, you've considered it thoroughly."

Li Xuewu couldn't figure out if Li Huai was buying it for himself or if he was asking him to buy it for him.

"Is that really what you think?"

Li Huai turned his head to look at Li Xuewu and suddenly asked with a smile, "Then are you interested in making a home in Jinmen?"

He was truly shocking; he turned his head again to look at this garden bungalow and said, "After all, you won't be coming to Jinmen few times in the future."

The female cadre who brought them in had long since left the courtyard, leaving the space for conversation to the two of them.

Li Xuewu looked up and observed this house, hesitated for a moment, and said to Li Huai with a smile, "What you say is naturally good."

After finishing, he looked at the garden in the courtyard with full envy and said, "If you intend to make a home here, then I'll listen to you; it's only good to be neighbors."

Courtesy demands reciprocity. Since he couldn't figure out what Li Huai wanted to do, it was better to retreat in order to advance.

Li Xuewu's brain was spinning rapidly, thinking about the meaning of Li Huai's words.

"Hehe, I have the same idea."

Li Huai smiled at Li Xuewu and gestured to the garden bungalow of the same specifications across the path, "I like this one, so I won't give it to you. I'll give you the one opposite; let's be neighbors."

"..."

Li Xuewu's brain was suddenly shocked; this old thing didn't play by the rules!

Do I really care about your house?!

Can't I afford it?!

What kind of neighbor!

You're so old, can't you tell the difference between polite words and real ones!

"Alright~"

Li Xuewu smiled slightly and said, "If someone else said they were giving it to me, I'd only take it as a joke; since you said you're giving it to me, I'll take it as real."

"Hehe, the real can't be fake, and the fake can't be real."

Li Huai patted Li Xuewu on the arm, and together they walked out of the courtyard, standing on the path between the two garden villas.

He looked up at the sky, the autumn sun was like fire, then he walked out with his hands behind his back, taking Li Xuewu with him, and sighed, "Life is truly about choices being greater than fate~"

"You can rest assured living in the house; it's fine if you want to bring your family, and it's fine if you have your own arrangements. In any case, it's better than staying at the guesthouse."

The garden bungalow faced the Haihe River and was only one kilometer away from the Jinmen office whose address had been determined. Just as Li Huai said, it would be very convenient to work here in the future.

Li Huai stood on the small pier of the garden bungalow residential area with Li Xuewu, looked at the rolling river water, and explained, "The house didn't cost any money; I exchanged two properties in the capital with Han Qingwei."

After finishing, he turned his head to look at Li Xuewu, his eyes fixed on his, and said, "They introduced to me that the original resident here was an engineer from Yongli Jiu, and the one you have was the director of the staff hospital."

Li Xuewu listened to Li Huai's narrative very calmly, with no change in expression on his face.

Facing Li Huai's sudden attack, he had already opened the conversation, and his attitude was very unpleasant.

If the other party couldn't explain this matter clearly, he would have the heart to throw Li Huai from the pier into the Haihe River.

Director Li, feeling guilty, committed suicide by jumping into the river.

Li Xuewu said he committed suicide; who would dare to say he didn't?

As for what he was guilty about, whoever takes his position will explain it.

Li Huai didn't mind the chill in Li Xuewu's eyes, raised his eyebrows, and said with a smile, "The engineer's family of three, two nannies, liked chrysanthemums; the whole house was full of chrysanthemums."

"Hehe~"

He turned around, supported himself on the railing with his hands, looked at the river water, and said, "During the difficult times, he disliked the food the nannies cooked, so the family of three often went to high-end restaurants to eat, spending thirty or forty yuan a meal."

"During work hours, he held high-end candy in his mouth, carried a semiconductor radio in his pocket, and when he didn't like listening to political reports, he would plug the 'semiconductor' earplugs into his ears to listen to operas."

"Do you think there's anything wrong with his life like that?"

Li Huai turned his head and asked Li Xuewu, and without waiting for his answer, he turned his head again.

It seemed he hadn't expected to get an answer from Li Xuewu.

He nodded slightly and said, "Standing here today, between the two of us, I think there's nothing wrong."

"He has the ability to enjoy this life; he can do whatever he wants. What does it have to do with anyone else?"

"But! He was wrong!"

Li Huai said earnestly, "He separated himself from the team, betrayed the organization, valued technology too much, and valued knowledge too much."

"You can understand what I mean, right?"

"Yes."

Li Xuewu nodded, "If a dike is higher than the bank, the waves will surely destroy it."

"Hehe~"

Li Huai laughed, turned his head to look at Li Xuewu, and said, "You talk too viciously."

After finishing, he nodded again and said, "But the fact is just like that; he was destroyed by the waves, betrayed the organization, was arrogant and conceited, and attempted to challenge the entire social order by himself."

"I don't think you object to me using the term social order, right?"

"No, it's very accurate."

Li Xuewu nodded, stood with him by the railing of the pier, and said, "The organization is greater than everything; order is greater than everything."

"You are a smart person."

Li Huai patted Li Xuewu on the arm, and his hand rested on Li Xuewu's arm.

"The Yangtze River waves push the waves ahead; each generation has its own pursuits and dreams."

"You are very different."

Li Huai looked at Li Xuewu and said, "You have thoughts, goals, and wisdom; you will walk further and more steadily than our generation."

"The future is yours!"

Li Xuewu didn't go to see what his house looked like, but walked back with Li Huai and got into the car.

Li Haiyang would help tidy up the two properties and then hand them over to them.

Li Huai had given him the bottom line; the house wasn't collected from Han Qingwei's hands either; it had already changed hands countless times.

The Management Committee, after all, plays this game—exchanging what one has for what one lacks; you give me one, and I give you one.

In this way, you have property in Jinmen, and I have property in the capital.

And with the number of times it changed hands, this property became safe.

Li Xuewu really didn't realize when Li Huai had gotten in touch with Han Qingwei, or when he had handled this matter.

It could only be said that Li Huai was indeed stronger than him in certain aspects.

You have to admit it.

At least he hadn't thought that Li Huai would use this move to deal with him.

Corruption?

Of course not; this wasn't simply using money to bind him or assimilate him.

A house—in this era, if you say it's valuable, it's valuable; if you say it's not, it's not.

If you have a Warring States bronze sword and ask in a live broadcast room, which idiot would dare to value it for you!

Only what can be circulated has value; what cannot be bought or sold between individuals counts for nothing.

But in Jinmen, those who could live in garden bungalows were either marshals or high officials in the past; now, they can only be high-ranking cadres.

Just think about it: a small western-style building with a large courtyard, where you can park in the yard, with a garden, right by the Haihe River, with a pier in the park, in the proper city center.

With such a valuable location, Li Huai giving it to Li Xuewu—is it really just to drag him into the water?

It's not!

Someone wants to give you a house—that's a gift in the legal sense; who wouldn't want to pick up a cheap bargain!

Saying Li Huai is bribing Li Xuewu—someone has to believe it; who is the leader anyway?

Li Huai's real killer move is that sentence: "... it's fine if you want to bring your family, and it's fine if you have your own arrangements..."

Would Li Xuewu bring his family to live in Jinmen?

This is impossible. Li Huai knows his family situation; his wife wouldn't leave the nice little villa in front of her unit to come to Jinmen to blow in the sea breeze?

Li Xuewu is a separate household, his family members are simple, and his wife isn't coming over—he's living in a western-style house here by himself?

Even if he comes here on a business trip, an empty house that no one lives in is not as convenient as staying at the guesthouse.

Hey!

The key point is here!

Li Huai means that Li Xuewu should live here when he's on a business trip!

It's very likely that the two of them will go on business trips together in the future; by then, it will be time for Li Xuewu to hand in his exam paper.

I have someone to take care of me in this house; shouldn't your house also be a home!

Li Xuewu's family members are simple, but are Li Huai's family members complicated?

A joke!

No one would really think he would arrange for his own children and wife to live here, right?!

It's a business trip, not a vacation!

Thousands of miles away, the medicine has been bought, and he told you clearly that his wife's health isn't good, so who do you think he would arrange to serve him here?

Li Xuewu doesn't know, but he is very clear about Li Huai's meaning.

There is no need for an interest connection between the two; just as he said, he is optimistic about Li Xuewu's future.

And he dares to say this, which shows that he is also very confident in his own future.

Confident enough that he won't block Li Xuewu's path, and will continue to promote and help him.

Between people, if you don't connect with interests, how can you gain trust?

The four great iron-clad relationships in life: having been classmates, having carried guns together, having drifted together, and having shared loot together.

Being classmates is impossible; there's a twenty-year age gap. Carrying guns is even more impossible; Li Xuewu can, but he can't carry them anymore.

Li Huai can only work hard on the remaining two. He neither wants to alienate Li Xuewu nor dares to directly grant trust.

Therefore, first share the loot, then...

The words Li Huai said to him while standing by the Haihe River were already very straightforward.

If you don't take it, how can I take it? If I don't take it, how can Commissioner Geng take it? If Commissioner Geng doesn't take it, how can you and I advance~

The Zhang Guoqi incident was a significant blow to Li Huai and also created a trust crisis regarding the people around him.

Other people don't count for now; he must first handle Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu expressed his attitude toward work with tea, and expressed his private feelings with white wine.

Then he would express his attitude toward public affairs with a house, and express his private connection with the people in the house.

When going to the border, he was carefree in the caravan, but Li Xuewu didn't do that.

Whether it's self-discipline or a love stronger than gold, you have to give him an answer now.

When the house is tidied up, he will see Li Xuewu's people.

If you can't drift together, you have to hand over this bottom line.

It can be said that in order to gain trust, he didn't hesitate to destroy the superior-subordinate relationship between them.

If Li Xuewu qualifies, he will safely hand the rear to Li Xuewu, and there will be no more suspicion between the two.

Progress together, improve together!

Neither is afraid of the other turning against them; he doesn't want to end up Li Kezhang Guoqi.

Li Xuewu sat in the car, talking and laughing as usual, but in his heart, he was already considering how to make Li Huai "lose his head" and "spill his blood" to "contribute" in the future.

His value is still there; he can't let him go without squeezing out the last bit of value.

Still want to sing and dance?

Still want to keep playing music and dancing?!

Just wait; let you know what it means to be devoted to the end.

The car took them to Heping Road, the most prosperous street in Jinmen; the remaining time was truly for relaxation.

Li Xuewu didn't choose to turn against him right then, and Li Huai didn't think he would have any malice in the future.

Even if he did, he had the confidence to control the situation.

Therefore, the result of the tug-of-war from the moment they left the capital until now was that the ball was back at Li Xuewu's feet.

There were clearly more pedestrians on Heping Road than on Yingcheng Road; the two weren't even in the same league.

Li Huai talked and laughed with Li Xuewu, acting as if nothing had happened, taking Li Haiyang and driver Xiao Zhou to watch the lively scene in Jinmen.

Li Xuewu also seemed to have forgotten those tests and unpleasantness just now, and relaxed as he strolled the streets.

Entertainment was very scarce at this time; everything was geared toward living.

In later generations, several grown men strolling the streets together would definitely be suspicious.

But it's different now; buying things for family and choosing gifts for friends has become the fun of business trips.

Lao Meihua, a century-old shop in Jinmen specializing in cloth shoes for women.

Earlier, people mostly made their own shoes; buying shoes to wear was too luxurious.

Of course, as long as there was a need, there were businessmen.

The century-old brand Neiliansheng in the capital started by making official boots; the name was well-chosen, mainly serving Qing dynasty officials coming to the capital to take office or waiting for appointment.

Those who could afford shoes, especially private women's shoes, were only after the fall of the Qing dynasty.

So, saying Lao Meihua is a century-old brand is only about fifty years.

Li Huai was interested in strolling here because he wanted to show the image of a good family man; if he went back and gathered with everyone while carrying two pieces of floral cloth, people would talk behind his back about him keeping a mistress.

Reputation lies in management; what you see is what he wants you to see.

Li Xuewu learned this, so he followed him in and picked carefully.

The shop was busy during the day, and the salesperson with sleeves didn't stop talking, chirping away.

Most of the people picking shoes at the counter were female comrades, though there were also male comrades, but not many.

Li Huai's group was a bit eye-catching when they entered; four people of different ages, but with a unified style of dress—one look and you could tell they were cadres. The salespeople couldn't help but glance over.

Li Huai's face was naturally kind, especially when he smiled, giving people a feeling of a spring breeze.

Li Xuewu was tall and fierce, especially with the pistol at his waist; no matter how he smiled, he couldn't hide his fierce look.

A leader bringing a driver and a secretary to shop, with security in tow—could they be some big cadres!

That was why the tea shop manager had proactively invited them to drink tea last night—he was afraid of this.

The salesperson gave a wink to the inside, telling the person on the side to hurry up and notify the manager.

Their shop was going to be reformed, the shop name had been changed, and they said it would be called Changhong later. Could these people entering the shop be here to inspect the site?

Li Huai didn't mind the salesperson's gaze; he chose the shoe style, asked for the size, and paid for it, which left the salesperson stunned.

Li Xuewu followed suit, picking two pairs for the old lady and two pairs for his mother.

Cloth shoes are good for the feet, especially the styles with pointed toes; they are extremely comfortable for daily wear.

He just didn't know the shoe sizes of the several mothers-in-law and godmothers, otherwise, he would have expressed his filial piety.

He knew Gu Ning's shoe size, so he chose suitable styles and bought several embroidered shoes in different quantities.

When he saw the floral cloth shoes for children, Li Xuewu couldn't move his feet; he very seriously chose several pairs of different sizes, thinking about making up for his daughter's reluctance to let him go when he left.

Li Haiyang followed Li Huai, and Xiao Zhou followed Li Xuewu. When he paid, Xiao Zhou was already holding the large bag of shoes.

Li Huai looked at the pair in Li Haiyang's hand, then looked at the large bag in Xiao Zhou's hand, and really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Damn! Do you have to be this competitive even when putting on an act!

Li Xuewu glanced at the shoe shop cadre who was greeting them with a smile, gestured to Li Huai, and explained jokingly, "There are many women in the family, and my daughter loves beauty the most."

This sounded fine, but it also sounded like a response.

And the shoe shop cadre coming over to greet them made him unable to think about this, so he could only say that Li Xuewu had grasped the timing just right.

Facing the shoe shop cadre's pleasantries and probing, Li Huai was truly a bit confused. When they finally came out, the other party even saw them to the door, letting the group experience the enthusiasm of the Jinmen people.

There were both new and old brands on this street—fashionable, conservative, open, and traditional—harmonious yet restless.

Li Xuewu estimated that the next time he came to Jinmen, he wouldn't be able to feel this atmosphere. The capital had been stirred up enough, and other places should be taking the baton.

While Li Huai was picking out hats at Shengxifu, Li Xuewu pulled Li Haiyang to stand at the door and smoke a cigarette.

"What exactly is going on with those two properties?"

Time was tight, and Li Xuewu didn't have the time to joke with him, so he asked straight to the point.

He wasn't afraid of Li Haiyang going to report to Li Huai; he wanted to know the bottom line inside.

Li Haiyang knew that getting involved in the relationship between leaders would cause big trouble, especially when they were at the bungalow, where Li Xuewu's gaze was terrifyingly fierce.

He was truly afraid that Li Xuewu would throw the leader into the river; by then, would he have seen it, or not seen it?

He had hesitated when he received Li Huai's request yesterday afternoon, and he also knew this was digging a pit for Li Xuewu.

But there was no way; the leader was in a bad mood, and what he said to him wasn't a discussion.

His father had some ability, but he was still far from Li Huai, and not even as good as Li Xuewu, so how could he control him?

When he left the capital, he forgot the leader's smoking cessation medicine; it was hard enough to make up for it here, and he was worried the leader would settle the score later.

He was also forced into a corner, bracing himself to do this.

And from the bungalow to here, he had been avoiding Li Xuewu, following behind the leader, but he didn't expect to still be caught by Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu asked like this; did he dare say he didn't know?

So, Li Haiyang was also very straightforward: if you ask me, I'll say it, and when Li Huai asks, I'll say it too.

Anyway, offending either one wasn't easy, so it was better to offend both, which might actually mean offending neither.

"The leader gave instructions yesterday, asking me to go handle things with Liu Lin and receive two properties."

The cigarette in Li Haiyang's hand was trembling, but his tone was still very firm.

"I don't know what they're for either; I do whatever the leader tells me to do."

"Stop talking nonsense."

Li Xuewu looked at him with hanging eyes and said, "I'm asking you what's going on with those two properties?"

"I don't know."

Li Haiyang spread his hands and said, "What the leader told you is what I know; I don't know anything else."

"There are some rumors about the original owners, which I heard from the big sister in the housing management office."

"Really?"

Li Xuewu flicked the ash from the cigarette in his hand, narrowed his eyes, and looked at Li Haiyang, judging the truth of his words.

Li Haiyang had the look of "you are the knife and I am the fish," ready to be dealt with, and said while smoking hard, "What good would knowing too much do me?"

"The hospital director whose house you're living in was transferred away to support the border in Ganning, and his family members were also assigned according to policy."

Li Haiyang saw Li Xuewu's terrifying gaze and began to spill everything he knew.

"That big sister said he had two wives, and their food and clothing were consistently luxurious; everything they used at home was negotiated-price goods."

"A meal of meat cost over a hundred; he bought two hundred worth of peanuts at eight yuan a jin at once, and twenty jin of crabs at four yuan a jin..."

Li Haiyang looked at Li Xuewu, terrified by his gaze, and asked hesitantly, "Is this what you want to hear?"

Li Xuewu exhaled a puff of smoke, looked at him, and asked, "You were the one who told the leader about the hospital director having two wives, right?"

"No, no!"

Li Haiyang hurriedly denied, "I only heard about this later."

He knew perfectly well what kind of pit Li Huai had dug for Li Xuewu; he himself had fallen into it too.

This matter would definitely be known by heaven, by earth, by Li Huai, by Li Xuewu, and by him.

Why did he know too? He wanted to ask Li Huai that!

This wasn't tying him up! Calculating to give Li Xuewu a house—what did he get out of it?!

By the time the two of them fought, he would be the one left holding the bag.

He felt aggrieved and stifled after handling this matter.

But that's the job of a secretary; you don't do it?

They'll handle you when you go back, and even your father will be handled together!

Facing Li Xuewu's questioning, Li Haiyang was also aggrieved; who did he offend!

Li Xuewu glared at him, looked at Li Huai who was still picking hats in the shop, put his arm around his shoulder, and walked to the side of the road.

"Tell me about the two wives."

"What?"

Facing Li Xuewu, Li Haiyang was truly terrified; hearing him pursue this, he really didn't react.

Li Xuewu patted his shoulder and said, "What what! I'm helping you correct your ideological errors and examine your ideological awareness."

As he spoke, he winked at him and said, "I'm afraid you'll want to marry two wives too!"

"Stop it, Deputy Secretary Li."

Li Haiyang laughed dryly, twitched the corner of his mouth, and said, "I haven't eaten enough to have such thoughts; these are all problems left over from the old society. Doing this now is a mistake."

He dared to say it, with a serious expression, "Besides, I wouldn't dare to want such wives even if I met them."

"You don't know, the two wives of that director kept pets; one kept a monkey, and one kept a dog."

"The one who kept the monkey sewed clothes and pillows for the monkey, fed the monkey bananas, biscuits, dates, meat, etc., every day, and personally bathed and groomed the monkey, even sleeping with the monkey at night and teaching it to speak and perform..."

"The one who kept the dog fed the dog fine grains, pork liver, eggs, milk, and even took the dog to a barbershop to get its hair cut."

"How much is my monthly salary? I don't eat as well as the monkey and the dog, and I'm supposed to keep two wives?! Let me feed myself first!"

"You certainly know how to weigh things!"

Li Xuewu glanced at him, flicked away the cigarette butt in his hand, and said, "But let me give you a warning: don't talk nonsense to the leader, about two wives or anything like that; if things go wrong, he'll deal with you."

"I know~"

Li Haiyang glanced at the shop and explained to Li Xuewu, "I really didn't know the leader meant that; please don't blame me."

"Heh~"

Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes and said, "Easy to say~ we're all comrades; there's nothing that can't be said."

Li Haiyang was afraid of him like this; he threw away the cigarette butt in his hand and said, "How about... I help you hang the house somewhere else later?"

"We'll see~"

Li Xuewu saw Li Huai coming out, patted Li Haiyang on the shoulder, and went to meet him.

"Didn't find a suitable one?"

"Found one, it's custom-made."

Li Huai looked at Li Xuewu and his companion with a smile and asked, "What were you talking about, chatting for so long?"

"About the house."

Li Xuewu was straightforward and didn't make things difficult for Li Haiyang.

"Asking about the situation of the original owners; I'm afraid there's something wrong with the house, and I'd be scared living there."

"You're afraid of that?"

Li Huai didn't mind Li Xuewu asking Li Haiyang about this, and teased him by pointing at the pistol at Li Xuewu's waist.

Seeing Li Haiyang's relieved look, he knew Li Xuewu was telling the truth.

Li Xuewu followed along while walking and said, "You know me; I'm the biggest coward, otherwise why would I carry a gun on a business trip."

"You tell me, how many dangers have I encountered since I came back."

At this time, it would be best to have a song: The night is dark and the road is slippery, this society is complex; if you climb high, villains will come to find trouble~

Li Xuewu was too aggrieved; who did he offend? One after another, they were thinking about murdering him and calculating against him.

It could only be said that he wasn't strong enough yet; every time, he "luckily" dodged the cold arrows in the dark.

And then pulled out his gun and shot back...

Li Huai walked on the street, listening to Li Xuewu's complaints, and couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

His mood at this moment was exactly the same as Li Haiyang's.

The dangers you mentioned... were actually you yourself!

In our eyes, you are the danger!

"Ahem~ it's noon, what shall we eat?"

Li Huai forcefully changed the topic, his eyes beginning to search the restaurants on both sides of the street.

He felt that Li Xuewu was using double entendres and pointing at the mulberry to curse the locust tree.

"That, didn't we say we were going to eat roast duck yesterday?"

He was afraid Li Xuewu would act up again, so he nodded and greeted the group, "Let's go, let's go, I'll treat you to roast duck and see how it differs from Bianyifang's."

Li Haiyang watched the leader take the lead in walking toward the car; he also looked at Li Xuewu awkwardly and hurriedly followed.

Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes and looked at Li Huai's back; did he think a meal of duck could dismiss him?

Eating roast duck—how should I put it? Li Xuewu didn't feel there was any difference in taste; as long as it was made with care, it was probably all the same.

Some old diners have picky palates and say Bianyifang's is delicious; others love Quanjude, while in Jinmen, everyone says Zhengyangchun's is good.

Li Huai commented that the duck skin here was crispy and the meat tender, fatty but not greasy, and the special sauce paired with cucumber made it more delicious the more you ate.

Li Xuewu didn't taste it, but the duck oil bun was full of soup in one bite, and it was true that it left a lingering fragrance after chewing.

Even though Li Huai said he was treating, Li Xuewu was the one who settled the bill when it came time to pay.

The reason was also well-found: yesterday's dumplings were treated by Director Li, so today's duck was on him.

Regardless of what happens in the future, don't be stingy when you're away from home.

After eating lunch, the group strolled around to digest.

Seeing someone selling musical instruments, Li Xuewu bought an accordion for Gu Ning. He didn't have enough industrial coupons, so he took a few more from Li Huai.

While saying he would pay him back after getting his salary next month, Li Huai smiled and said it wasn't necessary.

The two had exchanges, which dissipated the "grudges" of the morning.

It was interesting when they gathered at the guesthouse; it was like a house raid.

When they came, everyone had one small piece of luggage, but it was different when they returned.

Good heavens, Xiao Wang, who was borrowed from the office to the project team, bought rattan wooden boxes from Feng Huang—I don't know why they were so good—two large boxes.

That wasn't all; those two rattan wooden boxes were stuffed with all kinds of things.

Big Sister Zhou, borrowed from the finance department, insisted that the old vinegar from Jinmen's Tianli Sauce Garden was delicious, so she bought a whole box.

Old Sun from the engineering department was the same as Big Sister Zhou; the box at his feet was full of sauce products from Tianbaolou and Yuchuanju, all kinds.

Li Huai smiled and asked him if there were no Liubiju in the capital, coming all the way to Jinmen to carry sauce products.

He said what he said, but he didn't mean to reprimand or belittle him, and he even waved for Li Haiyang to hold a large roll of New Year pictures.

"Everyone has worked hard; the work has been completed very well and very smoothly, and the achievements are obvious to all!"

Li Huai waved his hand with a smile, politely appeased the applause of everyone, and said, "The New Year pictures of Yangliuqing in Jinmen are unique; the foundation is from Rongbaozhai and Deyugong Painting Shop."

"To commemorate this Jinmen trip, I specifically instructed the office to prepare a set of New Year pictures for everyone in the project team, and I hope everyone likes them!"

"Good!"

"Thank you, leader!"

"Hahaha~"

Things obtained for free—as long as it wasn't dog shit—everyone had no reason to refuse or be picky.

Everyone scrambled to look at the New Year pictures at Li Haiyang's side. Although the leader said that for the convenience of transportation, the New Year pictures would be distributed after returning to the factory, everyone couldn't help but like them.

"How many things did you buy?"

Li Huai dismissed the crowd and looked at the two large bags at Li Xuewu's feet.

"I just said Xiao Wang had a lot of things, but look at you, you have even more than Xiao Wang!"

"Nothing much~"

Li Xuewu explained with a smile, "Just the few pairs of shoes I bought with you, an accordion, and the rest are snacks I bought for my daughter."

As he spoke, he gestured to the large bag at his feet, "Dried fruits from Bengdou Zhang, twists from Guifaxiang, fried cakes from Erduoyan, honey offerings from Guoren Zhang, sugar from Pitang Zhang, pastries from Xiangdezhai and Guishunzhai, old ham from Tonglihao..."

Although Li Shu was sometimes very naughty and annoying, as long as he was out, the one he thought of was still his daughter.

There were many women in the family; one was wearing, one was eating—buying things everyone could accept made everyone happy, right?

Four brothers and sisters—how could he leave any family out when buying things~

Actually, it looked like a lot, but it wasn't very heavy; it was just that the accordion was heavy, so he let Xiao Zhou help carry it.

The wine bought in Jingu last night was arranged by Li Haiyang; the number of items was too large, so it could only be brought back by car.

Like refugees, the group rushed to the Jinmen Railway Station, and with the help of drivers like Xiao Zhou, they finally settled everyone down before the train started.

Li Xuewu and Li Huai were still in the soft sleeper when they returned, and they were still talking about work.

Li Haiyang was very sensible; he sat on the side with a notebook, just recording and not speaking.

He also understood clearly that for people like Li Xuewu and Li Huai, there was no clear psychological bottom line; it was nothing more than testing each other.

In the end, it had to end in a compromise, and those caught in the middle would become cannon fodder.

Of course, this was also his practice—learning from mistakes and improving through learning.

This contest and competition between Li Huai and Li Xuewu also gave him a very good internship experience.

Especially watching them enter the state so quickly and get busy with official business, he knew he really had to continue practicing.

Regarding the question Li Xuewu asked him about wanting to go to Jinmen, to be honest, he was tempted and wanted to come out to exercise.

Anyone who has done secretarial work knows that this is a job of serving people; you can learn a lot, but it is truly hard work.

Who doesn't want to manage people? Who doesn't want to be served, flattered, and complimented?

But looking at Li Xuewu's cultivation today, as well as the competition between him and Li Huai, he knew he was still far off.

If he had encountered this, he would have been played to death by these two grandsons.

Maybe he would have been sold and still had to help them count the money!

Wait until his own scheming is as much as these two people in front of him before leaving the novice village.

The world is dangerous, and his father can't take care of him much; if he really wants to come down to exercise, it should be in the general factory, where he can at least save some face.

Jinmen?

Heh~ he would be swallowed alive~

And don't say he's timid, or that he has fear, or lacks drive.

For a novice on the road, stability overrides everything; walk the path steadily, and there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.

Those who are too jumpy during the novice period, even if you jump very high, you won't go far in the future.

And young people often fall at the starting stage after participating in work, or even fall down and give up on themselves.

For example, the college students recruited by the Rolling Mill this year are a vivid picture of workplace ecology.

"Oh! You're back."

Li Xuewu had just gone upstairs carrying his handbag when he saw Sun Jian coming over from the corridor to greet him.

Without waiting for Li Xuewu to speak, he walked two steps quickly, reached Li Xuewu, and whispered, "Secretary Xue just called, asking when you would be back."

"Is that so~"

Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did he say what it was about?"

"Not really."

Sun Jian took the bag from Li Xuewu's hand and replied while walking, "He only said that if you came back early today, you should go to the Discipline Inspection side."

Li Xuewu's eyes narrowed. After entering his office, he waved at Sha Qizhi, signaling him to get busy with his own work.

"Is there any movement on the Discipline Inspection side?"

"No specific notification."

Sun Jian didn't mind Sha Qizhi being in the room, walked to Li Xuewu's desk, and reported in a low voice, "From what I heard, they haven't confessed; they're still holding out."

"Heh~"

Li Xuewu sneered, didn't mind, flipped through the documents on the desk, and took the work briefing handed over by Sha Qizhi.

Sun Jian stood on the side, not knowing what the leader meant, but thought there should be an opinion.

"Do you want me to call Secretary Xue back?"

"No need, I'll go over in a while."

Li Xuewu signed the attendance sheet handed over by Sha Qizhi, noting the time he arrived at the factory.

"Later, you coordinate with Li Haiyang and the project team; this trip to Jinmen was very smooth, but some plans need to be changed."

Li Xuewu took the tea handed over by Sha Qizhi, took a sip, pointed at Sun Jian, and said, "The project team has the specifics; go get them."

"Alright."

Sun Jian nodded, agreed, and looked at Li Xuewu, asking if there were any other instructions.

Li Xuewu waved his hand, signaling him to get busy; it was Saturday, and anything could be put off until Monday; there was no need to make things so tense.

Taking a large gulp of tea, Li Xuewu finally quenched his thirst, put down the teacup, and pointed, signaling Sha Qizhi to pour another cup.

While pouring hot water, Sha Qizhi said with a smile, "Director Sun speaks very interestingly; it's perfect for intelligence work."

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows, glanced at him, and knew he was complaining.

However, he didn't pay him any mind, took the work briefing to read—it was mainly the work situation of the department during his three-day absence, as well as the documents transferred to him.

He picked out a few urgent ones for Sha Qizhi to sign, took his notebook, stood up, gestured toward the door, and said, "I'm going to Secretary Xue's."

There is never a peaceful and stable time in the office; there will always be undercurrents. As a leader, don't get involved in them; it's easy to lose your status.

Arriving at the Party Committee building, just as he entered, Li Xuewu saw a familiar face.

"Good day, Deputy Secretary Li."

"Hmm, good day."

Li Xuewu nodded in response, looked at Huang Shiwen, and asked, "Have you recovered?"

"Yes, thank you for your concern; I've caused you trouble~"

Huang Shiwen looked even more steady than before; perhaps having experienced more, she had also grown more.

Li Xuewu nodded, gestured to the building, and asked, "Transferred to the Party Committee?"

"No, here to deliver materials."

Huang Shiwen brushed the hair by her ear a bit unnaturally, gestured toward the main office building, and said, "Leader, you're busy; I'm going back."

Li Xuewu glanced at her departing back, narrowed his eyes, and went upstairs.

The door to Xue Zhifu's office was half-open. Seeing Li Xuewu knock, Xue Zhifu, who was sitting on the sofa, stood up.

"I hadn't hung up the phone for long before I saw you all back."

Xue Zhifu greeted Li Xuewu and said, "Come in and sit; tell me how the Jinmen trip went."

"No surprises, everything went smoothly."

Li Xuewu said half-seriously and half-jokingly, then raised the tea canister in his hand and said, "This is a bribe for you."

Seeing him about to speak, Li Xuewu added, "If you don't accept it, it's your loss; I don't send gifts twice, I'm stingy."

"I wouldn't dare accept others', but I'm not afraid of yours."

Xue Zhifu was straightforward this time, took the tea canister with a smile, looked at it, and asked, "It wasn't cheap, right! Don't tell me you don't know the price!"