Chapter 941: Green Youth, Do You Believe It?

“That’s right!”

Zheng Tong held a brick in his hands, glanced at the workers and cadres over there, and complained: “I specifically wore new clothes today! Damn, they’re all dirty!”

“Serves you right! For showing off!”

Yuan Jun whispered: “You’re just going to an event, and you’re acting like a rooster strutting around—drawing flies and butterflies, how wonderful.”

“Do you even have a conscience?!”

Zheng Tong slammed the brick hard onto the pile, turned back, and cursed at Yuan Jun: “What kind of relative is that? This is totally screwing us over!”

“Heh~ heh~ Isn’t that a bit late to say now?”

Yuan Jun drooped his eyelids and said: “Why didn’t you say anything during the movie this morning? Or at lunch?”

“Now you’re complaining about the hard work? You shouldn’t have been blabbing about learning from workers and peasants in the first place!”

He tapped Zheng Tong’s chest badge: “Are you still a loyal guard of the ***?!”

“Go screw yourself~”

Zheng Tong grumbled: “This is obviously a trap for us! I spent half a day at the construction site—what did I even gain?!”

“They need you too!”

Zhong Yuemin sat down exhausted, smiled up at the two bickering, and said: “You’re glorious, noble, and free from base pleasures!”

“I’d like to get rid of you two idiots!”

Zheng Tong pointed at the two of them, then swung his arm and walked back—after all, cameras were following; he couldn’t just walk off.

Zhong Yuemin watched his back, sneered, then turned to Yuan Jun: “Your cousin is totally unreliable—I’m going to settle accounts with him later.”

“Can you even find him?”

Yuan Jun rolled his eyes and extended his hand to pull him up.

Zhong Yuemin grabbed his hand, pushed hard, and stood up himself.

He was naturally optimistic, as if nothing ever weighed on him—even now, exhausted, he still wore a bright, youthful smile.

“So we’re just here to be your cousin’s dumb laborers?”

“Just tell me—didn’t they say there’d be none of this? But look, it’s all right here~”

Yuan Jun counted on his fingers: “Ah~ sightseeing, studying, exchanging—there it all is~”

“What do you mean ‘it’s all there’?”

Zhong Yuemin slapped the dust off his hands and protested: “Where’s the exchange? Where are the girls from the dance team?!”

“You’re just waiting for this, aren’t you?!”

Yuan Jun saw the glasses-wearing cadre aiming the camera at them, shoved Zhong Yuemin back, and whispered: “It’s only half past three—there’s still hours till quitting time. The dance team girls will come!”

“What? We still have to work how much longer?!”

Zhong Yuemin’s cry echoed the heart of every progressive youth on site—their strength was nearly spent.

Even if a spark of revolutionary fervor still lingered in their hearts, they had no energy left to pass it on to the steel mill’s youth.

The reception cadre watched the proud little chicks droop, their heads hanging like heavy sunflowers.

That description might sound too poetic—better to say they were worn out like third-rate brats!

He figured these progressive youths wouldn’t want to come to the steel mill again. He checked the time and waved to gather everyone.

Finally, after long silence, the construction site came alive again—these kids clustered like wilted eggplants, all listless and limp.

Sha Qizhi walked over, smiled, gave them a few encouraging words, and invited a worker representative to speak.

Of course, all the speeches were positive—but the youths had no spirit left; even their applause was sparse and half-hearted.

Finally, Sha Qizhi announced: the group would return to the Honor Hall for a half-hour rest—drink hot water, wash hands, tidy up.

At four o’clock sharp, they’d hold a revolutionary experience exchange seminar with the propaganda team’s dance squad.

Finally, hearing they’d get to sit with the dance team girls, the youths came alive again.

Of course, this was their last burst of energy—they rushed back to the Honor Hall to wash their faces, scrub their hands, and gulp down hot water.

By the time they’d cleaned up, the venue was fully set.

The horseshoe-shaped meeting room made them feel respected; when the dance team girls entered, the progressive youths clapped wildly.

A week’s worth of passion had been drained; only a final tenderness remained—and they poured it all into these girls.

Zhou Miaomiao, deputy team leader and event organizer, enthusiastically shared how the steel mill’s dance squad contributed to the great learning campaign.

Other dance team members recounted personal stories or shared their study reflections.

The girls spoke softly, gently, and the progressive youths unconsciously softened their own tones.

The young men stopped shouting; the atmosphere grew warmer, more harmonious.

Finally, Sha Qizhi summarized: today’s factory visit had fully met the highest directives on sightseeing, exchange, and learning.

The progressive youths and steel mill workers were closely united, friendly, and represented the finest of Beijing’s great learning campaign.

After studying under Li Xuewu for over half a year, Sha Qizhi had stepped out on his own and finally begun to shine.

Though this major reorganization didn’t directly involve him, it showed Li Xuewu’s care and support.

Take it step by step—walk the path before you well, and the road ahead will open clear.

After the seminar ended, Zhong Yuemin and the others joyfully took photos with the dance team members, then fetched their bicycles and rode out the factory gate—heart full of mixed feelings, they looked back to find the city lights just beginning to glow.

Today had been incredibly fulfilling; compared to the usual haze, it felt like they’d finally found a purpose in life.

No wonder the highest directives sent them to the factory for sightseeing, exchange, and learning—here was a precious channel for gaining life experience.

Zhong Yuemin leaned on his bicycle at the factory gate, gazing back at the armed guard, the glowing office building and workshops, the direction of today’s labor site—his thoughts swirled.

Zheng Tong kicked his bike and grinned: “Still thinking about those girls?”

“Don’t worry—she’s not your type!”

Yuan Jun propped his leg on the bike frame and laughed: “My cousin said these girls have high standards—they usually aim for factory cadres.”

“Aim for what? What kind of aim?”

Zhong Yuemin snapped out of it and insisted: “I’ve gained some life insights—I want to devote my limited energy to boundless service to the people!”

“What? You’ve gotten addicted to labor already?!”

Zheng Tong teased: “Don’t tell me you still don’t get it after today’s little show—this is clearly just fooling around with dumb kids!”

“Hey~ you can’t say that~”

Zhong Yuemin waved his hand: “I think they had good intentions—I’ve definitely sensed some truth.”

“Ohoho~ truth now?”

Zheng Tong was about to keep mocking when he noticed a few bicycles drifting toward the factory gate.

Zhong Yuemin, alerted by Yuan Jun, also noticed—he was about to grab his chain in defense, but when they drew closer, he saw they weren’t the morning troublemakers—they were friends.

“Oh hey~ what are you doing here?”

“I was about to ask you the same thing~”

Li Yuanchao stopped his bike in front of them, smiled, and greeted.

He gestured toward the factory gate behind them and asked: “I heard you went to experience the steel mill’s visit? They even feed you, and there are special activities?”

“How was it?”

Li Yuanchao raised his eyebrows: “We heard the news too late—we couldn’t even sign up. So we came to ask.”

“So you want to go in too?”

Only Zhong Yuemin knew Li Yuanchao; he asked a question, saw Li Yuanchao nod, and suddenly smiled.

“We three were just talking about how fun it was—we really want to experience it again.”

“Really?”

Li Yuanchao didn’t believe it, his eyes scanning Zhong Yuemin’s two companions.

Yuan Jun and Zheng Tong understood instantly—might as well go down together.

So when Li Yuanchao asked, they nodded like chickens pecking grain, repeating: “Really~ really~ really!”

With their support, Zhong Yuemin enthusiastically described how wonderful it was inside, how deeply educational.

And most importantly—he mentioned the dance team girls: young, beautiful, all single.

In short, his conclusion: the activity was genuinely effective, incredibly fulfilling, wonderfully beautiful—the progressive youths and workers had merged thoroughly!

Li Yuanchao looked at all three faces and began to believe; he nodded: “We’re progressive youths—we must actively unite with the worker brothers!”

He waved to his friends behind him: “Come on—let’s go sign up! Don’t wait till the slots are gone!”

“Exactly!”

Zhong Yuemin stood there, leaning on his bike, urging them on: “I want to go again too—but there’s only one chance!”

When Li Yuanchao and his group headed to the factory gate’s duty room to sign up, the three pushed their bikes and rode off.

They rode for five or six minutes, lips pressed tight, stifling laughter—then burst into wild giggles.

“So great!”

“So fulfilling!”

“Hahahaha!”

“Never coming back again!”

Youth is like this—reckless, radiant.

“Mm, I understand.”

Li Xuewu hung up the phone, took one last drag, and crushed the cigarette in the ashtray.

Yu Li fanned away the smoke, picked up her teacup, and poured water into the ashtray to douse the last ember.

Shen Guodong saw this, glanced at his own cigarette—still two puffs left—and hesitated, reluctant to let it go.

Normally, Xiao Yan controlled his spending, giving him only Qindian cigarettes at 0.9 yuan per pack; today, he finally got to smoke Huazi.

Li Xuewu ignored his pitiful demeanor, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and told Yu Li: “Go on.”

“That’s all I have to say.”

Yu Li flipped through her notebook, looked up helplessly, and asked: “Do I have to come at night to discuss work with you from now on?”

“Today I was genuinely held up.”

Li Xuewu put down his teacup and waved his hand in explanation: “When I got back from the factory, Huang Gan happened to be there—he insisted I go eat. Then after lunch, I visited several relatives. I just couldn’t manage it all.”

“Next time for sure!”

He lifted his eyes, earnestly promising: “I’ll definitely go to the club to handle these matters.”

“Wu Ge never brings work home.”

Shen Guodong took his last drag, crushed the cigarette butt in the ashtray, and muttered: “Me too.”

“So it’s my fault you can’t leave on time, huh~”

Yu Li rolled her eyes, glared at Shen Guodong, and said: “Is that really all the backbone you’ve got~?”

“Alright~ alright~ alright~”

Shen Guodong waved his hand, surrendering, and said nothing more.

Today, Yu Li had dragged him here against his will; otherwise, after dinner he’d have just sat around chatting in the back room with Xiao Yan, and they’d have gone home.

Because Li Xuewu had called and invited her over for dinner, meaning he wanted her to bring work.

After last time, when she’d been watched like a spy by Qin Jingru, she absolutely wouldn’t come alone again.

Yu Li gathered the documents on the table and explained to Li Xuewu: “Master Dou thought you were coming today—he waited for you a while, said it was about the project.”

“Mm, I’ll speak to him separately later.”

Li Xuewu crossed his legs, gestured to Yu Li, and said: “Leave me a copy of the documents—I’ll look at them when I have time.”

“Are you really not going to deal with Manager Lou?”

Yu Li paused, holding the documents, looked at Li Xuewu, and said: “Both of them are waiting for you at the club.”

“Waiting for me to do what?”

Li Xuewu said, surprised: “Didn’t the kid get delivered? Didn’t you pick him up?”

“It’ll take a bit longer.”

Yu Li looked at Li Xuewu and said: “Manager Lou insists on seeing you.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary~”

Li Xuewu instinctively leaned back, then uncrossed his legs and said: “I haven’t done anything, and I can’t interfere with Sister Lou in Hong Kong—what can I possibly do?”

“...You’re truly heartless~”

Yu Li stared at Li Xuewu, speechless, and said: “Lou Xiaoe is fighting for her life in Hong Kong—all for you, isn’t it?”

“Duuu~ When did this happen?!”

Li Xuewu made a stop gesture, squinting: “Who told you all of Hong Kong’s ventures are mine?”

“At least they’re connected to you!”

Yu Li shook her head slightly: “I’m not one to meddle, nor am I defending Lou Xiaoe—I’m saying this for your own good!”

As she spoke, she placed the organized documents on the coffee table and looked at Li Xuewu: “If you don’t go, Manager Lou won’t listen to my explanations, and Lou Xiaoe hasn’t sent a single explanatory telegram.”

“You can dodge the first, but not the fifteenth.”

Yu Li mimicked his usual gesture, spreading her hands: “They’re waiting at the club and won’t leave—you’ll have to go there eventually, won’t you?”

“Who did I ever offend?!”

Li Xuewu shrugged helplessly and gestured to Shen Guodong: “I never gave any order to separate families in Hong Kong, did I?”

He then turned to Yu Li: “And I never told Sister Lou to do anything, did I?”

“Hmm~”

Shen Guodong stole a glance at Li Xuewu, rubbed his nose, and stayed silent, lips pressed tight.

Yu Li, however, paused, looking at Li Xuewu: “That’s exactly Lou Xiaoe’s cleverness—she can’t wait for you to act first, can she?”

“If she did…”

She curled her lips, raised an eyebrow: “She’d end up utterly alone.”

“What do you mean?!”

“You suspect me!”

Li Xuewu widened his eyes at Yu Li, then turned to Shen Guodong: “Guodong, you know me—am I really that kind of person?!”

“Separating families? Devious and cruel? Is that really how you see me?!”

“Well… it’s not that bad…”

Shen Guodong, pressured by his questioning, looked helplessly at Li Xuewu, then explained to Yu Li: “I know Wu Ge—he wouldn’t hurt a child… right?”

“Get out~ get out~ get out~”

Li Xuewu, annoyed, grabbed the cigarette pack from the coffee table and threw it at Shen Guodong, laughing and scolding: “Is that really how you see me?!”

“Not exactly~”

Shen Guodong caught the “gift” of Huazi with ease, grinning: “To me, you’re forever righteous, forever correct.”

“Now you’re kissing up? Too late~”

Li Xuewu glanced at him, then told Yu Li: “Tell Mr. Lou next week—I’m not avoiding him, I’m genuinely busy. Ask him to be patient and take care of his health.”

“Also, about the child…”

He thought for a moment, pointed at Yu Li, and instructed: “Don’t keep him at the club—send him up the mountain. I hate childish babble.”

“I knew the problem would always come back to me.”

Yu Li said, dissatisfied: “Hard work is fine, but I can’t stand this crying, screaming, and threatening to hang myself.”

As she spoke, she gathered her briefcase and stood up, telling Li Xuewu: “He’s an old man—go see Lou Xiaoe more often.”

“Understood.”

Li Xuewu stood and saw them off: “If he really wants to hang himself, don’t stop him—it’s his fate.”

“You’re ruthless~”

Yu Li stared at Li Xuewu, speechless: “When you wash your hands of it all, Lou Xiaoe will hate me to death when she comes back!”

“No way—you’ve got the wrong idea of me.”

Li Xuewu smiled as he saw them out the entrance hall; Han Jiankun had already gone to fetch the car and was waiting at the gate.

“He’s acting up just to test whether I’ll keep pursuing this—do you really think he wants to die?”

Li Xuewu said with a sly expression: “If the money were in his son’s hands, maybe he’d still challenge me—but now, even death won’t let him rest!”

“That’s why they say you’re ruthless.”

Yu Li tightened her coat and said to Li Xuewu: “Veterans of the business world can’t match someone who manipulates hearts so skillfully.”

“Forget it—they’re all old rascals who’ve roamed the world.”

Li Xuewu patted Shen Guodong’s shoulder as they descended the steps: “The money still belongs to the Lous—what loss has he suffered? Those filial sons and obedient grandsons in Hong Kong?”

“Come on! Those useless drunkards—when it comes to people like him, his own son is worth less than a dog. If you want heartless, it’s the old capitalists who are truly cruel.”

“What do you mean?”

Yu Li stood by the car, looking at Li Xuewu: “Are you saying Lou Xiaoe’s move was all predicted by her father?”

“That’s why she didn’t send a single explanatory telegram, right?”

Now, hearing Li Xuewu’s words, everything clicked for Yu Li.

She looked at Li Xuewu and shook her head slightly: “Lou Xiaoe is even smarter than I thought.”

Indeed—before even going to Hong Kong, she’d already learned from Li Xuewu what her father had done.

What did that mean?

If Li Xuewu wanted, he could manipulate her father, her brother, her entire family—life and death, all in his hands.

To live, he decides. To die, he decides.

So instead, Lou Xiaoe chose to cut off her own arm—taking the initiative to declare her stance.

She didn’t beg Li Xuewu for forgiveness, nor did she admit fault—she tried to make up for every mistake her father had made.

Especially toward her own kin: those Li Xuewu didn’t care about, she kept; those who posed a real threat, she eliminated herself.

Even when reporting the situation to Li Xuewu, she sent not a single letter to her father—seemingly heartless, yet leaving every door slightly ajar.

Most crucially, she kept only one half-sister by her side, yet sent back the Lou family’s only bloodline to the mainland.

She was brilliant—always was, and now she’d absorbed Li Xuewu’s cunning, patience, and ruthlessness.

Of course, Lou Xiaoe would never dare betray Li Xuewu—Yu Li knew better than anyone how this man controlled hearts.

He knew exactly what Lou Yu had done in Hong Kong, yet let it unfold.

Only after confirming Lou Xiaoe understood did he pretend ignorance.

Just like he’d said in the parlor—he did nothing, made no mistakes, remained perfectly innocent from start to finish.

A man who protected Lou Xiaoe’s dignity, cared for her family, and gave her a platform to realize her ambitions—who could possibly bear to betray him?

Before even considering betrayal, one would have to wonder: how did Li Xuewu find out about her father’s deeds?

Yu Li wasn’t afraid, nor was she condemning—she was thinking: how did Li Xuewu manage such kindness? Is it good? Or is it too good to be true? And the more she thought, the more she dared not think.

Li Xuewu wants to say he doesn’t know—he’s innocent, a pure, naive youth. Do you believe him?

On Monday morning, following Li Haiyang’s reminder, Li Xuewu immediately listened carefully to the radio broadcast.

On December 15, today, the authorities issued the “Guidelines on Launching Large-Scale Learning Campaigns in Rural Areas” (Draft), aiming to extend the learning campaign to the countryside.

The "Guidelines" stipulate: incorporate the four rectification campaigns into the Great Learning initiative.

Special emphasis is placed on the fact that the organizational body responsible for leading Great Learning in rural areas is the Advanced Rural Youth Great Learning Committee, elected by the Advanced Rural Assembly…

…

Li Xuewu’s focus settled on this sentence: “During the Great Learning campaign, establish and develop small fry with advanced rural youth as their backbone.”

“Rural Great Learning campaigns must also adopt the forms of mass speaking, mass writing, mass learning, and mass discussion.”

“Idle time during production can be used for exchange and study, and groups of progressive youth can be organized to visit and exchange in the countryside.”

Hearing this, he understood exactly what the higher-ups intended.

The Great Learning campaign in the city has already achieved certain results; now it must not only be extended to industrial and transportation enterprises but also expanded into the countryside.

This is about replicating the successful experience of Great Learning in rural areas and further broadening the scope of its transformative reach.

There’s no need to conduct field research on this year’s grain output—the feedback from Northeast China suggests the United Trade grain products section may fall short of expectations.

Yin Mancang from Hongxing Village came to see him privately when he came down the mountain; if he hadn’t taken decisive action and buried a few, his village wouldn’t have had any peace.

But how many villages are there like Hongxing Village—long isolated in deep mountains, rarely able to leave?

And how many have numerous dispatched units from nearby organizations offering assistance?

Those who truly cause trouble are mostly those dissatisfied with life; Hongxing Village made plenty of money this year, and even if Yin Mancang didn’t say it, those causing trouble wouldn’t fare well.

People, once they have something, fear comparison—they think back to when they had nothing, now they have something, others have nothing, and their hearts find clarity.

Cause trouble, cause trouble, but when you’re desperate, there’ll be no fruit to eat.

Not even fruit—no coarse grains at all, and when you’re starving, how can you still cause trouble?

Li Huai couldn’t possibly have known this news in advance; only someone like Li Huai, with access to inside information, would know.

Asking Li Haiyang to call Li Xuewu was meant to remind him to pay attention to policy and current affairs.

Especially broadcasts with guiding opinions carry great timeliness.

Under the current circumstances, not even a single word—or half a word, or a single character—can be spoken wrongly.

Do you think Li Huai has fully seized control of the steel mill, that he’s now invincible like Qin Shi Huang sweeping the Six Kingdoms?

Wrong—terribly wrong!

When you succeed, you see only smiling faces and friends; only when you fail do you see clearly who holds the dagger behind your back and who hides the poisoned arrow in their sleeve.

Li Huai himself has grown increasingly cautious and affable; those around him must be the same.

Lose anyone, but never lose Li Xuewu—otherwise, who will shoulder the heavy burdens for him?

Monday’s office meeting was supposed to be chaired by Old Li, but he had Li Xuewu take the stage instead.

To say he’s slacking off would be unjust—he simply wanted to observe the attitudes and performances of those in the meeting room during work.

If he chaired the meeting himself, he’d inevitably give opinions or focus solely on the person reporting.

But a bystander sees clearly—he wanted to observe more people, those he usually overlooked.

In plain terms, he didn’t trust these plant leaders and mid-level cadres—he was playing the old silver coin game.

“Please have the Special Task Force on the Acquisition Case report on their work status.”

“Understood, Deputy Director Li.”

Ao Yuhua heard Li Xuewu call her name according to procedure; she responded immediately, then nodded to Xia Zhongquan beside her.

The two had been temporarily assigned to the Special Task Force on the automobile manufacturing plant acquisition case—Ao Yuhua in charge of coordination, Xia Zhongquan in charge of technology.

Ao Yuhua reported: “The task force has already assembled preliminary investigation teams from various departments, and will soon establish an audit group and a technical control group, with investigations scheduled to begin this Wednesday.”

“Let me emphasize several requirements.”

Li Xuewu said: “This acquisition case has a broad scope and high public attention; it would be best to coordinate with third-party audit and oversight departments to intervene.”

“Especially regarding the specific conditions of technical workers—investigations into health, political reliability, and technical skills must be thoroughly understood.”

“In personnel matters, greater emphasis must be placed on humane management—create registration cards for technical talent; those unsuitable for current production needs can be enrolled in short-term training classes.”

“Director Li.”

Li Xuewu turned to Li Huai and said: “There are differences in safety, systems, and welfare benefits—winning hearts is a crucial issue.”

“Hmm, acceptable.”

Li Huai looked around the room and nodded: “Third-party voices are always fairer and more convincing than ours.”

He glanced at Li Xuewu and added: “But be careful not to overvalue the assets.”

“Understood, Director Li.”

Li Xuewu turned to Xia Zhongquan and Ao Yuhua and asked: “Director Xia, Director Ao—could you coordinate with Tsinghua University to lend us their audit and technical expertise?”

“No problem.”

Ao Yuhua exchanged a glance with Xia Zhongquan and nodded: “We’ll handle it right away.”

“Good. Any other issues?”

Seeing Ao Yuhua and Xia Zhongquan shake their heads, Li Xuewu raised his hand and called Yu Decai’s name: “Please have the Security Group report on the review of cases from early this month.”

“Understood, Deputy Director Li.”

Yu Decai, following procedure, opened his pre-prepared documents and began his report.

From Ao Yuhua onward, the phrase “Understood, Deputy Director Li” was spoken so naturally, so firmly.

Even though Li Xuewu wasn’t yet the official Deputy Director, today, at this meeting table, who dared challenge his authority?

Yu Decai reported the review results concerning Chu Yougong, Chen Shuyi, and others—including political investigations, work evaluations, integrity probes, and more.

Since the Security Group’s establishment, this concentration of power had truly manifested in this investigation.

This was still Li Xuewu holding back—he hadn’t fully unleashed the investigation team’s full capability; otherwise, it would have been a brocade-clad hell.

With all investigative, review, and arrest powers concentrated in one unit, who in the steel mill could restrain the Security Group?

Li Huai knew: only the Security Group itself could restrain the Security Group.

Therefore, Li Xuewu could not easily leave this position—so long as he was here, the steel mill was safe.

Why were the decisions on Chu Yougong and others brought to the meeting? Because no matter how severe the punishment, the Security Department could never produce a result satisfying Li Huai’s resentment.

Yu Decai was extremely astute; after consulting Li Xuewu, he knew exactly what to do.

He clearly stated what had been uncovered during the meeting—but said nothing about how to punish them.

Li Huai didn’t need him to suggest, nor did he need Li Xuewu to ask—he first delivered a speech on unity, then simply waved his hand and dispatched these disloyal individuals to labor assignments.

Shipyard, construction sites, mountain reclamation zones—there were plenty of places to assign them.

No wonder Yu Li said Li Xuewu never played the villain—even the punishment decisions, he refused to touch the karmic burden.

Today they may have done wrong, and yes, they had their own problems—but what about tomorrow?

“Please have the Logistics Department report on their work.”

Li Xuewu waited until Yu Decai had finished responding to Li Huai’s arrangement, then called the next speaker.

Deng Chongqing, deputy head of the Logistics Group responsible for logistics, glanced at Li Xuewu, thought for a moment, then spoke: “Understood, Deputy Director Li.”

If he didn’t say it, he felt the rhythm was off—even his prepared report wouldn’t come out right.

Shi Ruoweng sat behind Li Huai, watching this scene with dark, deep eyes.

He finally understood the vast difference between one Deputy Director and another in the Management Office.

Listening to Deng Chongqing’s report on plant sanitation, medical services, movies, bathing facilities, dormitories, schools, and especially the preparation and renovation of the Six Nations Hotel.

Li Xuewu tapped his pen and said to Deng Chongqing: “Director Li cares most about two issues for plant workers: good work, and good living conditions.”

As he spoke, Li Huai, sitting beside him, couldn’t help but nod.

Yes, that was exactly it—he had just realized he thought exactly this way!

“Let me state three requirements.”

Li Xuewu looked at him and said: “First, improve canteen service quality, optimize food supply conditions, and gradually raise the nutritional level of plant workers.”

“Second, increase medical investment; take advantage of the current reshuffling of medical resources to fully absorb outstanding medical talent and prepare for building a comprehensive hospital.”

As he mentioned this point, Li Xuewu glanced at Li Huai and explained: “Securing a strong medical position not only serves the factory but also enables R&D of medicines and medical equipment, extending into diversified operations.”

After receiving Li Huai’s nod, he continued: “Third, increase educational investment; thoroughly study and discuss the advantages of school-enterprise cooperation, expanding discussion space for research, education, and the Three Learnings.”

“This is essential.”

After hearing him out, Li Huai added emphasis on the safety and living guarantees for plant staff and students, stressing the importance of workers’ livelihood security.

He had now tasted the sweetness of leadership—these operational issues were too much to handle alone; he could fully delegate them to Li Xuewu.

All he needed to do was understand Li Xuewu’s approach and add a few remarks.

Just outline the essentials—no need to micromanage; it’s exhausting.

The Propaganda Department’s main reports covered the formation and integration of the Cultural Propaganda Team, the construction of the radio station, and key efforts in plant-wide fire safety and security propaganda, as well as political and cultural learning campaigns.

In particular, Yu Haitang had been brought to the meeting by Bu Qingfang and even given the chance to report directly to Li Xuewu and Li Huai.

Bu Qingfang was a shrewd woman—she knew perfectly well how much Yu Haitang had helped the leadership with her actions early this month, and how much favor she now enjoyed.

Why bring forward stubborn, uncooperative people to annoy the leadership when she could showcase the ones the leadership favored?

Yu Haitang spoke clearly and gracefully, reporting her work and the progress of the new interview project she had prepared.

The program she named “Hongxing Interview” had been personally approved by Li Huai; Yu Haitang bravely requested during the meeting that Li Xuewu be the first interviewee.

Li Xuewu glanced at her and teased: “You’re such a clever person—how come you’re so bad at handling things?”

He pointed to Li Huai beside him and said: “If you want your program to open with a bang, you must choose the person with the greatest influence, the strongest representation, the one who best embodies our steel mill’s advanced forces!”

“Yes!”

Yu Haitang seemed genuinely excited, her face flushed, voice trembling: “I wanted to ask Director Li—but I was afraid of disturbing the leadership, so I didn’t dare~”

“Hahaha~”

Since Yu Haitang’s position and rank were low, her behavior didn’t stand out—it instead enlivened the otherwise solemn meeting atmosphere.

Li Huai also smiled and nodded at Yu Haitang, feigning reprimand: “Look at you—you didn’t even notice when Deputy Director Li just criticized you. How can you speak like that? You’ll offend people.”

“Hahaha~”

He nodded again and chuckled: “I’ve covered for you this time. Next time you invite Deputy Director Li, be sincere!”

“Yes! Thank you, leader!”

Yu Haitang stood up excitedly, saluted Li Huai, then smiled and saluted Li Xuewu: “Next time, I hope Deputy Director Li will support our work!”

“Hahaha~”

Seeing Yu Haitang climb the ladder, inviting Li Huai—the big Buddha—and dragging Li Xuewu into it, everyone in the hall laughed.

Li Huai pointed at her and told Li Xuewu about the model female workers in the factory, naming Wang Yajuan and Yu Haitang: “These are our propaganda front’s women’s army!”

Yu Haitang was truly sharp—after hearing Director Li’s praise, she volunteered: “You’re our overall commander!”

This praise would surely bring another burst of hearty laughter from Li Huai.

Ordinary cadres dared not praise him—doing so would offend him, because they had no standing.

Only praise from grassroots cadres and factory workers truly pleased him.

Have you ever seen Li Xuewu praise Li Huai?

Of course not—he doesn’t praise him at all; instead, he teases him with cigarettes, snatching the leader’s smokes. That’s another way of getting along.

Yu Haitang had come at the right time: she’d just been promoted beyond rank to deputy director of the radio station, overseeing broadcasting, with her own interview program—she was now the golden child of the propaganda department.

The chaotic upheaval at the beginning of the month had altered many people’s life trajectories.

Yu Haitang had changed, and so had Yuan Hua, who guarded his love.

Though she hadn’t advanced as dramatically as Yu Haitang, she’d been influenced by her aunt and had drawn closer to Yu Haitang.

Now Yuan Hua worked as a broadcaster while assisting Yu Haitang, helping organize her interview program.

After that incident, Yu Haitang never said they were dating, and Yuan Hua never pressed the issue—just as Yu Haitang never denied the rumors, they both tacitly accepted it.

They never said they were together, nor that they weren’t—things were complicated, but that was the state they were in.

After finishing the propaganda work report, Li Xuewu called on the engineering department.

Lang Zhenan, as the head, nodded and spoke—naturally opening with: “Yes, Deputy Director Li.”

In his speech, he delivered to the audience an exhilarating yet unbelievable piece of news.

After research and deliberation, the factory management committee approved the engineering department’s proposal to establish a new worker housing complex for the steel rolling mill.

This was something Li Xuewu and Li Huai had discussed repeatedly, even forming a specialized team of technical and financial personnel to conduct a feasibility study.

Lang Zhenan’s formal report marked not only the completion of this task but also the dawn of a new era for the steel rolling mill.