Chapter 838

"Hello, veteran comrade."

Li Xuewu returned the salute, put his hand down, and shook hands with Wang Jianbo, asking with a smile: "How have your work and life been since you retired?"

"Thank you for your concern, Chief."

Wang Jianbo also replied with an excited smile: "Everything is good; we will work steadily and take root in the ocean."

"I hope you create excellent achievements in your work."

Li Xuewu patted the other party's arm with a smile and said: "I hope even more that your lives will get better and better, and be happier."

"Yes."

Wang Jianbo answered with a smile; he had seen Li Xuewu many times when he was in the 816th Regiment and knew very well who the person in front of him was.

On the eve of his retirement, he knew that this person had become the Deputy Regiment Commander of the Wei 3rd Regiment; he was the one he should call Chief.

And when the 816th Regiment was disbanded and over fifteen hundred people were laid off, Li Xuewu was responsible for solving the work and life problems of a large portion of them.

Wang Jianbo had also contacted his comrades-in-arms; the arrangements after they returned to their hometowns weren't very good, and some remembered what the Political Commissar said before they left the team, so they made an appointment to come to Steel City together.

With the first person coming, there was a second person arriving; as the first person's letters were sent out, more and more people came here.

And in terms of work arrangements, whether it was pier work or work on freight ships, they could all handle it very well.

Good discipline and obedience were still retained, and they had the perseverance and drive to learn, adapting especially quickly.

Wen San'er also welcomed the arrival of these people, not only reimbursing their train tickets when they came but also providing them with good living conditions.

He knew very well that Li Xuewu arranged for these people to come as a foundation and cornerstone for construction.

He used to worry that problems would occur on the ships, but he didn't have to worry after these people came.

Whoever rebelled, they wouldn't, and whoever rebelled, they would kill them.

These retired personnel had a greater influence than the Investigation Department, directly affecting the atmosphere and habits of the entire team.

Wen San'er also took this opportunity to fully exert their fine traditions, directly upgrading the fleet management from a loose organization to a semi-militarized degree.

In the process of internship and adaptation, Wen San'er promoted and appointed a large number of retired personnel to serve as grassroots managers, laying a solid safety foundation for the organizational structure.

When he guided Li Xuewu to see the fleet, the pier, and the work facilities, one could see the benefits and influence brought by this measure.

Equipment maintenance is more standardized, personnel management is stricter, work processes are simpler, and orders are issued more directly.

It seems that a thousand-ton cargo ship isn't that big; after all, the mainstream freight industry now talks about ten-thousand-ton giant ships.

However, the main body of the current domestic freight industry is still hundred-ton freight ships; thousand-ton cargo ships are actually very, very big ships.

Li Xuewu boarded the thousand-ton cargo ship docked at the pier, seeing for the first time the largest heavy asset in his hands.

Zhang Wanhe was responsible for being Li Xuewu's commentator, introducing the use and training situation of the ships, as well as the personnel configuration and the current management status.

After looking at the cargo ship, Li Xuewu only asked one question, which was whether the existing fleet could undertake the freight tasks given by the COSCO company at the Tianjin Port pier.

A cargo ship needs about twenty crew members; twenty-seven cargo ships need at least five hundred and forty people.

This is still the number of people needed when fully loaded; ships can operate continuously, but people cannot not rest.

Operating this fleet of twenty-seven cargo ships requires at least seven hundred and fifty crew members.

The types of occupations include the Captain, First Mate, Second Mate, Third Mate, Boatswain, Carpenter, Sailor, and Helmsman of the Deck Department.

The Chief Engineer, First Assistant Engineer, Second Assistant Engineer, Third Assistant Engineer, Electrician, Chief Mechanic, and Mechanic of the Engine Department.

The Purser, Chief Cook, Waiter, and Ship Doctor of the Affairs Department.

Of course, with an operating team of only twenty-something people, positions need to be overlapped and concurrently held.

(Only found the 1985 wage table, compare and understand)

And these seven hundred-plus people are only those on the ships; there are also quite a few people on the pier.

Don't look at this pier as just an inland river pier; in terms of numbers, the team here is built according to the scale of near-sea shipping.

The number of people in the account book has already exceeded one thousand two hundred; it can make money, but it can also lose money.

Just for wages in one month, this side has to eat up fifty thousand yuan, not counting diesel money.

The profits generated by Steel City trade, Jicheng trade, joint trade, and inland river shipping itself are all thrown into pier construction and personnel training, and the capital side has to stick its old capital from time to time.

Li Xuewu is now so poor that he relies on flipping vegetables to support the fleet; you say, is it miserable?

He is now anxious to determine the state of the fleet; Ji Weidong will be back next month, and the fleet will go south; it will be a big trouble if the team cannot be pulled out by then.

Fortunately, Zhang Wanhe gave a clear guarantee that all ships can now successfully complete near-sea shipping tasks.

This has been fully verified; they are now also undertaking shipping tasks from inland rivers to near seas.

They have run many times from Yingcheng to Bincheng and Qindao, and the farthest was the capital, transporting steel from the Steel Mill.

There will be more such freight tasks in the future, especially after the Yingcheng Shipyard starts construction; ship transport is a very good supplementary means for the Steel Mill to go to Yingcheng.

Li Xuewu expressed his approval of his answer; if the team hadn't been trained after several months, he would have had the heart to kill Zhang Wanhe.

The personnel structure of the fleet is relatively complex now, and they are still in the process of integration and running-in after these few months.

A large portion of the captain team are locals from Steel City; they were originally driving ships for the Guandong, and they were also accepted when the ships were accepted.

At the same time, he increased reinforcements and support for the Steel Plant's Security Division, unconditionally supported his work, and quickly cleared out the remnants of the old forces.

Regarding pioneering, technological innovation, creating a grand situation, or revitalizing the nation—how could he dare to talk about contributions or credit in front of Li Xuewu?

The Steel Plant's transformation was Li Xuewu's suggestion, the plan was Li Xuewu's guidance, and the technology was Li Xuewu's support.

Even the newly built factory was sent over by the Security Division, not to mention that when the project was first approved, it was Li Xuewu who led the people to do it.

Yes, Dong Wenxue is the Party Secretary and Factory Director of the Steel Plant, but everyone knows who drew the grand blueprint for the Steel Plant.

And everyone knows who planned and helped support it to get to where it is today.

When it comes to credit, who dares to argue with the person in front of them?

"So, you want to be the Factory Director?"

Seeing him silent, Li Xuewu took a drag of his cigarette and continued: "You think he is not qualified for his position, and you should bravely take on the heavy responsibility?"

He just looked at Yang Zongfang sitting opposite him, his eyes full of questioning.

"You tell me you're devoted to the public, devoted to the organization; I don't think so."

Li Xuewu shook his head slightly, raised his hand to point at Yang Zongfang and said: "Is that being devoted to the public? You're just coveting his position!"

"You want to advance, that's a good thing, but you must also act according to your ability."

Li Xuewu looked at the other party and asked bluntly: "I'll ask you one more time, think about it carefully yourself—are you qualified!"

"Let alone whether you have achievements or your seniority, I'm talking about your work attitude."

Li Xuewu raised his hand and tapped the table lightly, saying: "Do you think the Steel Rolling Mill Party Committee would let a cadre who engages in infighting take the top spot?"

"A joke!"

"I'll tell you clearly, even if he doesn't hold this position as Factory Director, you won't get it either!"

"And every single member of your Steel Plant leadership team will have to move!"

"I said this, do you believe it?!"

Li Xuewu pointed at Yang Zongfang and asked this; the other party was speechless, sitting there with a frown, unable to say a word.

"Still want to be Factory Director, bullshit!"

Li Xuewu dissatisfiedly pressed the cigarette butt in his hand into the ashtray.

"What are you trying to do? Who is behind you directing you to do this, and what is your purpose?"

"Dare to say it!"

"I think you're blinded by greed! Too clever for your own good!"

"What is the current situation? Now is a great time for people to be stable, for the whole factory to engage in production and seek development."

"What are you jumping out for?!"

"Are you dissatisfied with the Steel Rolling Mill or dissatisfied with Director Li?"

"Or are you and the people behind you going to go against the 20,000 employees of the whole factory!"

"Have you ever thought about whether doing this will affect the overall situation, affect the development of the Steel Plant, and affect the interests of all employees and the gains and losses of the organization?"

"You are confused."

Li Xuewu pointed at Yang Zongfang and scolded: "The one who put you in this position is not any one person; it is the will and trust of the Steel Rolling Mill's overall leadership team."

"Think carefully about what you just said to me—are you a cadre of the Steel Rolling Mill?!"

"Is this how a cadre who cares about the organization and the employees does things?"

"Absurd!"

Li Xuewu's criticism was sharp, piercing Yang Zongfang's heart; sitting there, he finally felt like he was on pins and needles.

These words stripped away his disguise and self-deception, exposing his inner calculations and plans, leaving him speechless.

"Don't play tricks on the organization."

Li Xuewu exhaled from his nostrils, his attitude softened, and he tapped the table, saying to Yang Zongfang: "You think we are all villains, and only you are a gentleman?"

"You think we are sitting in positions without doing work, and only you are brave enough to take responsibility?"

"Don't we know he has problems? Don't we know how to handle it?"

"Do we need you to remind us again and again?!"

"Do you understand what the overall situation is?"

Li Xuewu frowned and looked at him, saying: "The overall situation is that you can't let one rat turd ruin a whole pot of soup!"

"I'll ask you again."

Li Xuewu asked Yang Zongfang in a stern tone: "Do you have solid evidence for pursuing this matter?"

"When did you know about this problem, and why didn't you report it then, but instead reported it at this time and in this situation?"

"Ask yourself, do you dare to tell the organization that you are devoted to the public without any selfishness?"

"You don't dare!"

Li Xuewu stared at him and said: "I don't even dare to say I'm devoted to the public in handling this matter, so on what grounds do you dare?"

"Do you know what I was thinking when Secretary Xue asked for my opinion?"

"I was sweating, feeling like I was standing on the edge of an abyss."

"What was I afraid of?"

"Was I afraid of losing face because my teacher made a mistake? Was I afraid of losing face if he stepped down?"

"None of that; I was afraid that the current great situation would be destroyed!"

"Don't you know what I have sacrificed for the Steel Plant's today?"

"Don't you know how much effort I have put into stabilizing the situation in the Steel Rolling Mill?"

"Who gave you the guts to smash this plate? Do you know what kind of behavior this is?"

Li Xuewu straightened his body, looked at Yang Zongfang, and said: "His problems must be addressed, and your problems must also be discussed."

"As a member of the leadership team, you didn't investigate or speak up when you first discovered the problem; whatever you say now is wrong."

"If you have other thoughts, we'll calculate that separately, but I'll say it again: if you don't want to work, get out."

"You can say I'm biased, say I have selfish motives, all of that is fine."

Li Xuewu tapped the table and said: "I'm asking you now, do you have any objections to the organization's handling?"

"No."

Yang Zongfang moved the corners of his mouth and said: "I have no objections."

"That's good."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "On behalf of the organization, I criticize your actions and require you to correct your attitude and work seriously, do you understand?"

"I understand."

"Secretary."

Sha Qizhi knocked on the conference room door and reminded the leader standing by the window: "Comrade Wang Shumin has arrived."

"Hmm."

Li Xuewu turned around and looked at the door; the waitress he had seen last time was standing next to Sha Qizhi.

"Come, come in and sit."

"Please come in."

Sha Qizhi raised his hand to signal Wang Shumin to go over and sit, then, at the leader's signal, went to the tea cabinet, poured a cup of hot water, and brought it to her.

After the secretary closed the door and left, Li Xuewu sized up the female comrade sitting opposite him.

Her long hair had been changed to a short, ear-length cut, the liveliness in her eyebrows had been replaced by a lowered head, and the vividness and cleverness on her face had turned into steadiness and anxiety.

"I called you here today to represent the organization in understanding some situations with you."

Li Xuewu opened the notebook in front of him, took out a dozen letters from it, and placed them in front of him.

"The Factory Discipline Inspection Division received your letter. Secretary Xue attaches great importance to it. Knowing I was coming to Steel City on business, he specifically instructed me to talk to you."

Wang Shumin sat opposite, keeping her head down, not daring to look at Li Xuewu, let alone the letters on the table.

Seeing her like this, Li Xuewu nodded slowly and said: "Don't have pressure, and don't have psychological burdens; it's just to understand."

"Secretary Li, I..."

Wang Shumin looked up at Li Xuewu and said: "I was wrong. Can I stop reporting?"

"I'll take back these letters. I don't want to..."

"Listen to me."

Li Xuewu raised his hand to press down, signaling her not to be agitated.

"You have the right to protect your own interests, and even more so the right to write to us when you are treated unfairly."

"This is a very normal organizational procedure."

Li Xuewu pointed to the letters in front of him and said: "As long as we receive a letter, we will investigate and collect evidence according to the procedure, and conduct an organizational talk."

"This includes you, the person involved, and everyone else. We won't target anyone, nor will we suppress anyone; we only speak based on facts."

Wang Shumin pursed her lips and lowered her head again. She didn't dare to face Li Xuewu, let alone face the words he was saying.

Li Xuewu seriously looked at the points summarized in his notebook from her report letters.

"First, I want to confirm with you whether the content of your report letter is true."

"This is a key point."

"Secondly, I want to know if Comrade Dong Wenxue used his position to help you obtain private benefits."

"Furthermore, I want to know if you have a private relationship with Comrade Dong Wenxue besides a working relationship."

"Finally, were you directed by others to report Comrade Dong Wenxue, and then denied this behavior after reporting?"

"No!"

Seeing Li Xuewu ask this, Wang Shumin looked up at Li Xuewu and said: "No one directed me. It was me. I used the opportunity of serving to try to threaten him."

"Hmm, continue."

Li Xuewu nodded, not caring that she started answering from the last point, and picked up his fountain pen to record in his notebook.

Wang Shumin looked at Li Xuewu, and seeing he was serious, she slowly lowered her head again.

"I didn't mean for it to be like this."

Her voice was tearful as she said: "I don't know what happened to me. When people gave me money, I thought it was good, and I thought it was simple for him to help handle things."

"Did you take the money?"

"No."

Wang Shumin shook her head and said: "He said this kind of thing couldn't be done, and didn't let me take the money, so I returned it all."

"I felt very wronged at the time. What was I doing all this for? No face, and no actual..."

As she spoke, she looked up at Li Xuewu and said: "You don't need to write it down. I admit that I used his status as a waiter to take money before, but I don't admit that I had a relationship with him."

Li Xuewu looked at her, screwed the cap on his fountain pen, indicating he wouldn't write it down.

"If you want to pursue my reporting behavior, I admit it all."

Wang Shumin wiped her tears and said: "It was all my own fault, asking for trouble."

"I need to explain this to you."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "Secretary Xue cares about your problem because this matter involves Comrade Dong Wenxue."

"And I, as the Deputy Secretary of Discipline Inspection, coming to talk to you also represents the importance attached to you."

"As for the report letter,"

Li Xuewu pointed to the letters in front of him and said: "This is just a form of supervision. As long as you are not using these to obtain private benefits and cause bad influence, it doesn't involve any punishment or handling."

"So I told you just now, don't have any pressure or burden. I'm here today just to hear you talk about the specific situation."

"Okay."

Wang Shumin nodded and said: "I guarantee he hasn't done anything for me, and I haven't obtained any private benefits from his help."

Li Xuewu nodded, indicating he understood the result of this problem, and asked her to continue.

"Also, no one directed me. It was a moment of impulse. After I woke up, I wanted to take back these report letters, but I didn't know how to take them back."

Wang Shumin wiped her tears and said: "I admit my admiration and feelings for him, but I know now that this is wrong."

"I am willing to take responsibility and correct my mistakes; I don't want to cause him trouble and pressure."

"And even more so..."

She thought for a moment before continuing: "I don't want to be used by others to complicate this matter."

"Someone did come to find me, but I didn't agree."

Wang Shumin looked at Li Xuewu and explained: "The relationship between us is personal; it has nothing to do with work. I don't want to harm him, really."

"Hmm, I know."

Li Xuewu nodded. The questions he asked were very logical, but Wang Shumin's answers were somewhat agitated and chaotic.

But this was just brought about by her emotional fluctuations, which didn't hinder Li Xuewu from determining her thoughts and state.

"Regarding the personal relationship between you and Comrade Dong Wenxue, do you have anything else to say?"

"No more."

Wang Shumin shook her lowered head and said in a hoarse voice: "It's all in the past. I don't want to talk about it anymore, and I don't want this matter to affect me or him anymore."

"Okay, I know."

Li Xuewu closed the notebook in front of him and said: "Let's end today's talk here. If the organization has other questions, we'll find you to understand them then."

Watching Wang Shumin look up, Li Xuewu sighed and said: "Being able to let go is the best relief, and it is also the most difficult great wisdom in life."

Wang Shumin looked at Li Xuewu and thanked him: "Thank you, I've caused you trouble."

"It's not trouble; it's work."

Li Xuewu pointed to the letters in front of him and said: "If you have any opinions or suggestions, you can write to us. We will definitely investigate and handle them according to work procedures."

"The result might be different from your expectations, but we will firmly defend and maintain your right to speak."

"Thank you."

Wang Shumin pointed to the letters on the table and asked: "Can I take them back?"

"Yes."

Li Xuewu nodded and pushed the letters in front of him to her.

Wang Shumin took a deep breath, then picked up the letters on the table, stood up, bowed to Li Xuewu, and turned to leave.

Li Xuewu watched her back and didn't say anything more.

The situation will foster a person's ambition, and so will power.

When a person suddenly obtains resources that transcend their original life or that they cannot control themselves, they will become extreme and confused.

If this kind of resource is mixed with the relationship between men and women, it is a disaster.

It is for both, including those involved.

Li Xuewu is not a saint or a gentleman, nor is he a Liu Xiahui; he absolutely wouldn't dare to say that he can cut off his feelings, be unaffected by any selfish desires, and be fair in everything he does.

He is a person, a living person, with seven emotions and six desires, eating grains, not an office machine.

Li Xuewu can only say that in the process of doing things, he can fully consider the overall impact, have a calm mind, and wise thinking.

As for what he did and how far he took things, he is sure that his choices are correct and he has no regrets.

In a lifetime, where is there time to think and judge right from wrong in everything, and where is there absolute fairness and justice?

You can only require yourself not to let down your heart and your past.

Therefore, living is very difficult.

Perhaps the afternoon talk was a bit heavy.

Or perhaps the arrival of Li Huai De and Li Xuewu brought pressure to the Steel Plant's leadership team.

At the evening welcome banquet, everyone was relatively restrained, and the number of times glasses were raised could be counted on one hand.

It wasn't until Li Huai De finally joked to Li Xuewu, "I told you organizational talks are best left for the last day," that smiles appeared on everyone's faces.

Li Xuewu didn't talk much at the banquet table; accompanying the leader out, he didn't need to show off.

As for the leadership team members toasting him, he didn't refuse anyone, draining every cup.

It wasn't a big deal to begin with; the winds and clouds of the Steel Rolling Mill had dispersed, and he knew exactly what the anxiety in these people's hearts was about.

No need.

He didn't need to keep a straight face and use his identity as Discipline Inspection to scare people.

These people didn't need to worry that the two were here to pick faults; if they really wanted to move the Steel Plant's leadership team, they wouldn't have come directly.

But pressure still had to be applied; Li Huai De said this deliberately to express dissatisfaction with the performance of the Steel Plant's leadership team during this stage.

I don't care which side you stood on before, but now you all have to work hard on production.

I don't want to force you to take a stand, but you must have a solid attitude toward doing things.

If you don't do things and still look for trouble, then don't blame him for being ruthless.

The current production environment is very difficult, technological change and development are stagnant, and the Steel Rolling Mill needs opportunities and improvement; Li Huai De is more anxious than anyone.

Whether the Steel Rolling Mill can make progress this year and whether he can make progress depends entirely on the Steel Plant producing results.

Just as Li Xuewu said, if the Steel Rolling Mill develops stably and the Steel Plant strides forward, he would really dare to ask for a group company from above.

By then, the road ahead of him would be wide and straight.

It's not just him; the cadres of the Steel Rolling Mill will all benefit.

Just look at where the leaders of the 17th Factory were promoted to and what heavy burdens they carry to know how much Li Huai De craves development.

Within the Steel Rolling Mill, one can obtain a controlling power situation through means, planning, and the Management Committee.

But externally, if he wants to make progress and show results, he must have something to show.

You can't just say you can fight, grab, and struggle; that won't work.

The words Li Xuewu said to Yang Zongfang were not to fool him; they were absolutely true.

No matter how the organization organizes activities, it will never let someone who only knows how to struggle be the top leader.

This is a rule and an iron law.

There are no fools among the members of the Steel Plant's leadership team who can sit in these positions.

But the things they are doing are confused; Li Huai De's trip is to make them see the situation clearly, stand in the right position, and not provoke him to take action.

Did they really think he brought Li Xuewu, the Deputy Secretary of Discipline Inspection, Secretary of the Security Division, and Deputy Division Chief, because he liked Li Xuewu's eloquence and chatting?

He was telling these people: if you are not convinced, I will let Li Xuewu beat you!

The Steel Plant leadership team ate this meal like chewing wax, difficult to swallow.

But facing Li Huai De's words, they had to put on a scene of unity and prosperity.

After the meal, these people sent Li Huai De and Li Xuewu upstairs and then dispersed.

Li Huai De's attitude toward Dong Wenxue was still okay; he said a few casual words and cared about Han Shu's situation.

Between the lines, he reminded Dong Wenxue that work is important, but taking care of the family is equally important.

Dong Wenxue listened to Li Huai De's advice to go home and visit often, his mouth feeling inexplicably bitter.

He never thought that because of his own desires, things would become so embarrassing, making him so faceless in front of leaders and students.

When they reached the third floor, Li Xuewu accompanied Dong Wenxue to send Li Huai De into his room, then followed the other party into his room.

A waitress with an oval face walked in nimbly to pour tea for the two, and then ironed hot towels for them separately before leaving.

Dong Wenxue saw the look in Li Xuewu's eyes as he looked at the waitress and introduced with a bitter smile: "A relative from my hometown."

"No wonder."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "It's quite good. Your wife comes less often, the children are grown, and you need someone to take care of you here, so you do need to find a suitable person."

"Sigh~"

Dong Wenxue sighed deeply and said: "I've let Xiao Shu down, let the children down, and even more so, I've caused you trouble."

Perhaps he had drunk a lot of wine tonight, or perhaps it was because he finally had someone he could confide in during this period, Dong Wenxue said a lot.

Li Xuewu sat on the sofa and listened silently; what the teacher needed now was not life guidance, let alone pity and comfort.

He just needed someone who could open his heart and say what was on his mind.

Li Xuewu knew that he could be trusted by his teacher, and he was also the only one who wouldn't mock him or use him for this point.

Dong Wenxue reflected on his actions while confiding and expressed regret.

Li Xuewu didn't care about this; if he really had this determination and perseverance, why bother bringing a relative from his hometown to put on display for people to see.

If this matter were Li Xuewu's, he would uprightly say he did what he did, and kill or cut him as they pleased.

First, clarify the determination that the red flag at home will not fall, regardless of how many colored flags there are outside.

Second, clarify the perseverance to accomplish things; either you lock me at home and don't let me out, or don't interfere with what I do.

Third, have the courage to admit that this behavior is shameful, wrong, and of low taste.

However, admitting mistakes, recognizing mistakes, and correcting mistakes is not a requirement to never make this mistake again.

At worst, change it again if something happens later; change after committing, commit after changing, tempered a thousand times.

You indulge your unspeakable selfish desires while regretting your actions; that's a bit meaningless.

No wonder Li Yunlong always said intellectuals are pretentious; it really is that kind of logic.

The waitress who said she was a relative from the hometown entered twice during their conversation, and like the first time, she didn't knock.

She didn't say a word, kept a straight face, and was more serious than a Bodhisattva in a temple, which Li Xuewu found unbearable.

Teacher Han is still too ruthless; this time she cut off the teacher's evil thoughts from the root. It would be a waste of talent not to take out a Buddhist scripture to contemplate life.

But thinking about it, Teacher Han hadn't given him a chance; it was he himself who was useless.

Now don't blame others for being ruthless; if you want to continue living, you have to keep yourself pure.

This also gave Li Xuewu a reminder and set an example: a rabbit doesn't eat the grass by its nest; if it does, it doesn't pick grass that has an owner.

The waitress brought Dong Wenxue another hot towel, and he wiped his tears, having sorted out his emotions.

"Talking to you, my heart feels much lighter."

Dong Wenxue covered his face with the hot towel to soothe his emotional wounds.

Perhaps Teacher Han's hurt to him was great, or perhaps Wang Shumin's turning against him was a greater hurt.

He was still too concerned about his own face; otherwise, he wouldn't have shed tears in front of Li Xuewu.

He thought it was a story of a beautiful woman loving a talented man, hence the story of reading at night with a beautiful woman.

But who would have thought that people only loved the halo on him; a talented man without wealth is also without feelings.

Li Xuewu couldn't do anything about a teacher who still believed in love like this.

He couldn't say "I believe in your mother's love for selling fried dough twists!" to him, right?!

"Are you going back to Beijing?"

Li Xuewu sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, his tone very peaceful, without any color.

This was the first time he spoke after the pleasantries when he entered the room: "There is a trade project in Tianjin, and Director Li said he would let me be responsible."

"I'm not going, I'm not going anywhere."

Dong Wenxue slowly sat up straight, took the white towel off his face, and said with a gradually firm tone: "I have already given up once; do I have to give up again?"

Li Xuewu nodded, indicating he understood.

Not bad; he still knew his surname and what he wanted.

He knew even better that his talent was worthless in front of his career, and where people's respect for him came from.

"I also don't suggest you leave now."

Li Xuewu's voice paused, and he continued: "People say to get up from where you fell, not to mention you haven't been beaten down yet."

"I have this responsibility and obligation."

Dong Wenxue nodded, indicating he understood the meaning of Li Xuewu's words.

"Regarding family, regarding work, regarding the people who care about me, I have the responsibility and obligation to do well in Steel City."

"Don't work too hard either."

Li Xuewu nodded slowly; the other party was a senior, a teacher, and many things were inconvenient for him to say more.

"Knowing I was coming to Steel City on business, my wife asked me to give you a few words before I left: pay attention to the cooling weather, add clothes, say the weather in the Northeast changes quickly, and don't neglect your health."

Li Xuewu sized up Dong Wenxue and said: "I have already talked to Yang Zongfang; there will be no changes for the time being. If he dares to stir up trouble again, I'll deal with him first."

"The Steel City's career is related to the transformation and upgrading of the Steel Rolling Mill in the next two years; this is the most important and also the key work that Director Li is concerned about."

"As long as you control the direction and master the situation, no one can move the current pattern."

"You don't have to have a burden; just do what you should do. The Steel Plant will definitely have great development, and no one can erase the contributions you have made in development."

Li Xuewu's words were domineering, direct, and powerful, making the waitress who came in to pour tea look sideways.

She didn't know who this young man was, but the fierce aura on him and his domineering tone made her clearly know that this person was not to be trifled with.

Especially in the attitude of talking to Dong Wenxue, it seemed like a teacher-student relationship, but it was also treated equally, which was very complicated.

Not only did the waitress feel the complex changes in Li Xuewu's emotions, but Dong Wenxue himself also knew that the feelings between teacher and student were no longer the same as before.

Li Xuewu was still very concerned and respectful to him, but the look in his eyes when he looked at him inevitably mixed in other things, complicating it.

Dong Wenxue felt somewhat inferior when facing Li Xuewu; Li Xuewu helplessly accommodated his inferiority, and thus the trust between them was also weakening.

This is inevitable; Li Xuewu can only do so much.

Watching the waitress make the bed for him, Li Xuewu said a few final casual words, telling him to return to Beijing more often and let his wife come to Steel City more often, then got up and left.

After sending Li Xuewu downstairs, Dong Wenxue returned, looking at the wine and tea leaves Li Xuewu brought him, feeling very uncomfortable in his heart.

The waitress finished tidying up the bed, walked over, and asked softly: "Second Uncle, what should I do with these things?"

"Put them away."

Dong Wenxue sat on the sofa somewhat powerlessly, waved his hand, and said: "He is different; you just keep the things he sends."

"I understand."

The waitress's words were very cautious; before she came out, the family had exhorted her, and her Second Aunt had also told her to talk less and do more.

Since Second Uncle said she could keep them, then she would keep them.

It's just that she was also very strange; he usually wouldn't even accept a cigarette from people, so why did Second Uncle treat this young man differently?

What exactly is "different"?

"Why are you here so late?"

Zhou Ya Mei heard the sound of a car at the door, so she got up to check. Seeing that it was that person who had come, she hurried downstairs.

The car that sent Li Xuewu had already left. He walked in as if he were returning to his own home, opened the gate, and walked inside.

Seeing the woman in pajamas welcoming him out, Li Xuewu smiled slightly and said: "It's cool at night, hurry inside; you'll get sick if you catch a cold."

Zhou Ya Mei pursed her lips and sized him up well before entering the house first.

But before Li Xuewu could close the door behind him, she threw herself into Li Xuewu's arms.

"Why did you only come now~"

This doesn't mean the same thing as the sentence she just asked?

Li Xuewu didn't have time to think; he bent down slightly, held her, and walked toward the living room.

"Are the children asleep?"

"What do you think?"

Zhou Ya Mei said slightly angrily: "What time is it~ I waited for you on the left and you didn't come, waited for you on the right and you didn't..."

Li Xuewu put her on the sofa and said with a smile: "I'm here."

Perhaps because they hadn't seen each other for several months, Li Xuewu felt that Zhou Ya Mei was a bit different.

It might also be because she couldn't bear the pain of lovesickness, Zhou Ya Mei felt that Li Xuewu was also a bit different.

They couldn't say exactly where they were different; it could only be a feeling.

The villa's living room wasn't lit. The white gauze curtains, already drawn before going to sleep at night, swayed with the white moonlight, spilling onto the living room floor, casting several patches of light and shadow.

Some clothes were messily thrown on the floor; obviously, the owner of the clothes was in a hurry and didn't have time to tidy them up.

The brass pendulum of the chiming clock on the wall swayed rhythmically, making a clicking sound.

When the clock's hands pointed to the hour, a ding-dong sound rang out, exceptionally crisp in the silent night.

When the minute hand turned two circles and the ding-dong sound rang twice, the table lamp on the small coffee table in the living room finally lit up.

"You go first; I'll get your clothes."

Zhou Ya Mei bent down to tidy up the clothes on the floor, urging Li Xuewu to take a bath while going upstairs to get his clothes.

By the time the two came out of the bathroom, the minute hand had already walked another circle.

Zhou Ya Mei poured a cup of warm water, drank it herself first, then poured a cup for Li Xuewu and brought it over.

"I thought you weren't coming. Zhidong was crying and wouldn't sleep, wanting to wait for you, so I forced him to sleep."

"Talked to the teacher for a while."

Li Xuewu wiped his hair with a dry towel, took the warm water, and drank it in one gulp.

Zhou Ya Mei took the teacup he handed over, put it away, and took the dry towel from his hand to wipe his hair.

"How many days can you stay?"

"I don't know."

Li Xuewu leaned on the sofa, looked up at Zhou Ya Mei, and asked: "Why? Something up?"

"Nothing~"

Zhou Ya Mei's gaze looked at Li Xuewu's hair, wiping it carefully, her mouth saying insincere words.

"Three or four days, I still have to go to Jicheng."

Li Xuewu closed his eyes, enjoying her rare tenderness.

Hearing Li Xuewu say only three or four days, Zhou Ya Mei's mouth moved, and the movement of her hands couldn't help but stop.

Reacting again, she wiped quickly and hurriedly to cover up her inner self.

Li Xuewu looked at her and said helplessly: "This is a head, not an iron pot; no need to wipe it hard."

"Heh~"

Hearing his words, Zhou Ya Mei knew she had used too much force and couldn't help but laugh.