Chapter 960: Muddying the Waters

"I..."

Before Yu Daru could finish his sentence, he was stopped by a gesture from Li Xuewu's raised hand.

"I don't trust you!"

Li Xuewu pointed a finger at Yu Daru and frowned. "So don't talk to me about connections or promises."

"Your leaders are all-powerful and can cover the sky with one hand, right? You've dragged me, the Branch Bureau, the Discipline Inspection Commission, and even the Third Garrison Regiment into this."

"Enjoy playing chess, do you?"

"Fine! Great! Continue!"

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and nodded. "Go back and tell your leaders that I'll play this game of chess with him!"

"Remember, as long as you dare to come to the Branch Bureau, and as long as he is still in the Confidentiality Department, this matter is not over."

"Li..."

"Tell him!"

Not waiting for Yu Daru to speak again, Li Xuewu stood up. As he walked out, he pointed at him and said, "For the next few years, we won't do anything else—we'll just beat you!"

Having said that, he didn't even look at Yu Daru's panicked expression; he took Peng Xiaoli and left the office.

"Damn it!"

Yu Daru's face turned livid as he slammed his hand on the desk, then turned his body to look out the window.

What it meant to have one's efforts come to nothing—he finally understood that now.

It was useless that the organization had agreed to transfer him to the Branch Bureau; he wouldn't dare go even if they let him.

At least the Confidentiality Department was his own turf; going to the Branch Bureau would truly make him a fish on the chopping block.

Retiring there was impossible; he would be constantly sabotaged, and it would likely become the graveyard of his career.

More importantly, because of this incident, the trade train project they had been running with the Steel Mill was finished.

It wouldn't have mattered if he had clashed with Li Xuewu, and it wouldn't have mattered if relations with the Branch Bureau had soured—those would just be personal conflicts between him, his leader, and them.

But now, the collective interests of their unit had been damaged. How would the people in their unit view them?

Especially with Li Xuewu acting ruthlessly—the Steel Mill, the Branch Bureau, the Discipline Inspection Commission, and the Garrison—all the connections Li Xuewu could mobilize would be watching them.

Two fists cannot fight four hands; a good tiger cannot withstand a pack of wolves. When the units eventually collided, someone would definitely have to be sacrificed.

Who would be sacrificed?

No need to think about it; their unit would certainly try to protect him and his leader for now, but what about afterwards?

So, Li Xuewu had already set the terms: he couldn't go to the Branch Bureau, and his leader had to get out, too.

What to do?

Yu Daru was now considering how to handle this matter, rather than doubting Li Xuewu's ability to make such threats.

Li Xuewu was a Deputy Director of the Security Department at the Steel Mill and a Deputy Regiment Commander of the Third Garrison Regiment; how could he possibly have such great power?

Of course, if you put it that way, he indeed didn't have that power.

However, one should not ignore Li Xuewu's influence in the Branch Bureau, the Discipline Inspection Commission, and even within the Ministry.

If Li Xuewu were acting crazy on his own to go against them, surely no one would help him.

But now, they were the ones at fault, having borrowed Li Xuewu's momentum only to screw over a whole group of people.

Li Xuewu needed to give others an explanation, and even more so, he needed to give himself one.

So there had to be a resolution to this; it would be everyone standing behind Li Xuewu, watching him take action.

Yu Daru rubbed his hands vigorously, his mind spinning rapidly, his mouth muttering something.

He was thinking, trying to find a way to solve this; there must be a way, there must be.

Whatever cause is planted, the corresponding fruit is reaped; the one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it.

Yu Daru stood up abruptly, grabbed his coat from the chair, and headed out; he had to report this matter to their leader.

The case was no longer important; whoever died had nothing to do with him, as long as he didn't die.

"Where is Director Li?"

"He's not here, he's not in."

Ao Yuhua was just about to enter the office with some documents when she saw Li Xuewu coming upstairs.

She greeted him, and upon hearing Li Xuewu ask about the leader, she took a deep breath, pursed her lips, shook her head, and said, "He arranged the work this morning and then went to the hospital to visit Deputy Director Shi."

"Oh?"

Li Xuewu feigned confusion and asked, "Deputy Director Shi hasn't returned yet? Wasn't it said there was nothing serious?"

"Three broken ribs, and a fractured right tibia."

Ao Yuhua watched Li Xuewu's performance, thinking to herself that men were truly ruthless—still this man was the most ruthless; he either sent people to the grave or to the hospital.

"Oh my, that's so serious~"

Li Xuewu pursed his lips and sighed, "Deputy Director Shi has worked hard. Injured in the line of duty—no wonder the leader went to visit him personally. It's only right, only right!"

"Heh, you were right there at the scene, weren't you?"

Ao Yuhua chuckled and said, "Deputy Director Shi even mentioned you, Deputy Director Li, saying it was you who arranged for people to 'send' him to the hospital."

"Hey, we're all colleagues. Deputy Director Shi is really something, bringing up such a small matter."

Li Xuewu acted as if he didn't hear the subtext in Ao Yuhua's words and said politely, "Unity and friendship, helping each other out~"

After saying this, he smiled and pointed toward Shi Ruoweng's office, whispering, "He's the leader's confidant, after all; we have to butter him up."

"Heh~"

Ao Yuhua chuckled, watching Li Xuewu walk toward the third-floor corridor after greeting her, her eyes playful.

It used to be accurate to say Deputy Director Shi was Director Li's confidant, but now... a confidant who had become a major threat, perhaps!?

You should never trust so-called confidentiality in an office, and even less should you believe that little secrets between colleagues will remain secrets forever.

Last night's events had been brewing all night, and by the morning, everyone who needed to know, knew.

Who was involved, what the relationships were, and what special stories were behind it.

There was no need for meticulous investigation like in a case; give those gossiping women a cup of tea, and they could mentally construct a heart-wrenching story about an affair all on their own.

Who was Ao Yuhua? She was the Deputy Director in charge of operations for the Management Committee, the head housekeeper of the entire organization; how could she not know about the little thing between Li Xuewu and Deputy Director Shi?

She had previously thought that Deputy Director Shi was courting death by provoking Li Xuewu, wondering when he would trip up.

She hadn't expected the trip-up to come so quickly; in the blink of an eye, Deputy Director Shi had fallen.

She didn't even know when Li Xuewu had dug the pit; inexplicably, Director Li had fallen in right along with him.

Last night, after Director Li got off work here, he was supposed to go straight to the International Hotel to attend a reception banquet.

Before leaving work, he had even thrown a fit upon confirming that Deputy Director Li couldn't attend.

Who could have imagined that the Dongcheng Discipline Inspection Commission and the Branch Bureau would show up, not only arresting Liu Lan but also taking Director Li away?

Fortunately, this happened right at the end of the workday; if it had happened in broad daylight, the Steel Mill would have exploded.

Last night's reception banquet was hosted by Deputy Director Gu and Deputy Director Jing.

Seeing Director Li come to work this morning, the speculation in the organization about him being investigated by the Discipline Inspection Commission finally dissipated.

And Li Huai De, knowing the danger of rumors, had arranged for the Management Committee to issue a decision on the handling of Liu Lan, the director of the small canteen, first thing in the morning.

According to his explanation, because Liu Lan was involved in a major criminal case and was under investigation, it was proposed to revoke her management position.

His being taken away for investigation last night was also explained as the case being major, requiring the unit's top leader to assist in the investigation.

The fact that he could return in one piece, with no wind blowing from above, proved that he was fine.

Many people didn't believe this explanation.

But it didn't matter; as long as it was explainable, that was enough. That's how the organization worked.

When Li Xuewu asked Ao Yuhua if the leader was in, he actually knew very well that the Volga M24 wasn't there, so how could the person be?

Director Li was now the top leader of the Steel Mill, the big boss in charge of the overall situation; once he had this car, he hadn't sat in any other, wanting to take it even to the bathroom.

He had come here mainly to find Jing Yunong to discuss the budget for the Workers' New Village and several other projects.

Jing Yunong's office looked even smaller than Li Xuewu's; it was in the old office building.

Seeing her second brother come over, Li Xue shrugged, pursed her lips, and went to brew a cup of good tea.

Jing Yunong glanced at her and teased, "Now I see who is truly close and who is fake; you only pick my good tea leaves, don't you~"

"Leader, my second brother has high standards."

Li Xue smiled and explained, "If I dared not brew him good tea, he'd be lecturing me later."

"Ahem~"

Li Xuewu coughed deliberately, picked up the teacup, and reminded her, "We're at work; use titles."

"Understood, Plant Director Li."

Li Xue feigned anger, pouted, ignored him, stood up, greeted Jing Yunong with a smile, and went out.

Li Xuewu looked toward the door speechlessly, then took a sip of hot tea and complained to Jing Yunong, "The older she gets, the more annoying she is~"

"I actually envy the good relationship between you siblings~"

Jing Yunong held her teacup in her hand and said with a smile, "She's a big girl now; you have to praise her."

"I'm afraid she's going to fly off the handle."

Li Xuewu put down his cup, opened the document in front of him, and said, "A few days ago, she even told my mom she wanted to move out, complaining that home wasn't convenient. Hmph~"

"A grown daughter can't be kept at home~"

Jing Yunong took a sip of tea, sized up Li Xuewu, and asked softly, "Last night's matter...?"

"Nothing."

Li Xuewu looked up at her, shook his head slightly, and said, "Only Liu Lan was involved, but it doesn't count as anything."

"That's good."

The worry in Jing Yunong's eyes dissipated; she let out a long breath, pursed her lips, and said, "It's been so hard to have a few days of peace, sigh~"

Perhaps associating it with the political shifts above, combined with the rumors circulating this morning, she was also afraid that something might really be wrong.

The Steel Mill was currently at a crossroads of reform; no one wanted this train to head into a fire pit.

Therefore, the view that Li Huai De could not have anything happen to him was shared by all the leaders of the Steel Mill, which was equivalent to endorsing Li Huai De.

Li Huai De also knew this; otherwise, did you think he would dare to go out and fool around every few days?

"Did the reception banquet go smoothly last night?"

Li Xuewu sat up straight and asked, looking at her, "Any new gains?"

"Not many; they are still just at the intention stage."

Jing Yunong shook her head slightly and said, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has temporarily arranged for intensive study; the earliest they can participate in foreign affairs activities is in a week."

"No other way."

Li Xuewu frowned slightly and said, "Fortunately, they agreed to let us host them personally. As long as it's at the International Hotel, everything is negotiable."

"The Foreign Affairs Office has done a lot of work."

Jing Yunong held her teacup and said earnestly, "Especially Comrade Qizhi, who coordinated several departments. The relationships were handled very harmoniously, and the foreign businessmen's reactions were also very enthusiastic."

"Hmm, still lacking in experience; this is a good opportunity now."

Li Xuewu nodded, flipped through the documents in his hand, and asked, "Is the budget for the Workers' New Village project over the limit?"

"Not just the Workers' New Village."

Jing Yunong introduced seriously, "The higher-ups are cutting budgets very strictly this year, especially for new construction projects."

"Expected that long ago."

Li Xuewu rubbed his fingers and said, "Coordinated with Director Li; next year, apart from integrating the vehicle manufacturing plant project, no new projects will be started."

"That will reduce my pressure a bit."

Jing Yunong shrugged and pointed to the document at Li Xuewu's hand, asking, "What's your opinion?"

She narrowed her eyes slightly and said, "I only have this much budget in my hand. After deducting office costs and production costs, there isn't much left for other projects."

"Especially the Workers' New Village project; against the backdrop of the plant's continuous expansion in recruitment, it's becoming a bit stretched."

"I understand."

Li Xuewu nodded and asked, "How is the profitability of the third-tier industries?"

"There is some, but not much."

Jing Yunong shook her head slightly, pulled a report out of the folder at her side, handed it to Li Xuewu, and explained, "The fourth-quarter profit is less than 30,000 yuan."

"Of course, this is because the third-tier industries experienced debugging, test runs, and adjustments after going into production, which affected production."

"The first quarter is expected to realize a profit of 40,000 yuan, but it's far from enough for the costs of new construction and production; it's a drop in the bucket."

"Hmm, hmm, the third-tier industries cannot be the main direction for raising construction funds; the pressure is too great."

Li Xuewu frowned, calculating with a pencil in his hand, and asked, "The hardware industry has already realized foreign trade and started supplying orders."

"Still not enough."

Jing Yunong shook her head slightly, moved forward, pointed to the budget report, and said, "The gap is very large; existing funds and budgets cannot plug it."

"Then complete it in stages and phases."

Li Xuewu rubbed his eyebrows with his finger and said, "The trade train won't stop next year, and trade orders won't stop."

"Every month's profit from all third-tier production projects, apart from being supplied to the residential area construction, will all be supplemented into the production construction budget fund pool."

"What? Any problems?"

Seeing Jing Yunong frown, Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and looked at her.

"Hmm, regarding the capital budget, we still have to listen to Director Li's opinions and arrangements."

Jing Yunong said with some difficulty, "Matching the profits of the third-tier industries and trade projects with next year's budget, and having to cut up construction, investment, management, and other funds on a monthly basis—the difficulty is not small."

"I'll coordinate with Director Li."

Li Xuewu knew Jing Yunong's concerns and took the initiative to take on this difficult problem.

"Next year is a year of development, and also a difficult year. The welfare and treatment of plant workers cannot be reduced, and the speed of production and construction cannot be lowered; only we in the organization and the leading cadres can take the lead in tightening our belts to get by."

"I agree with this point, but..."

Jing Yunong looked at Li Xuewu worriedly and said, "The reputation has been built; things like the merger of the vehicle manufacturing plant will be inevitable in the future."

"Then we have to block it."

Li Xuewu thought for a moment and said, "This matter really needs to be discussed with Director Li—either take out a loan or establish a plant-owned financial institution to expand financing channels."

"Loans, not very realistic."

Jing Yunong shook her head slightly and said, "A small amount is useless, and a large amount is hard to approve, unless the higher-ups nod."

"That's why we need to find Director Li."

Li Xuewu explained, "Regarding production and construction issues, Director Li has long had instructions: everything must prioritize the overall situation of the goal of building a high-standard group enterprise."

"What are your thoughts on a plant-owned financial institution?"

Jing Yunong knew that Li Xuewu was Li Huai De's brain trust; his words were more effective than anyone else's.

Since he had already said he would coordinate with Director Li on this matter, it proved that there was room for discussion.

And regarding a plant-owned financial institution, she was not an outsider; she had had plenty of contact with this type of work while at the Ministry.

She had some ideas about setting up a plant savings office, but due to the Steel Mill's actual conditions and financial relationships, she had never brought it up.

Now that Li Xuewu had brought it up, their opinions coincided.

"First is the mass base; the Steel Mill's existing workforce has already exceeded 20,000, and by next year, this number will exceed 30,000."

Li Xuewu pointed to the document on the coffee table and said, "Our plant possesses huge potential savings energy and foundation. Just on wages alone, we can activate over 1 million yuan in funds every month."

"Second is financial account management."

He pointed to the financial report Jing Yunong had given him and said, "The control of profit funds from production projects must be put on the agenda—separate the accounts and the cash flow."

"Furthermore, joint enterprise cooperative operations; our plant possesses multiple joint enterprise business relationships, and they must also need stable and reliable savings financial services."

"Finally, there is the financial exchange business for foreign trade."

Li Xuewu picked up his teacup and said, "Based on this part of the business, we can conduct loans and financing; I am more inclined toward financing."

"So you don't favor loans?"

Jing Yunong frowned, looked at Li Xuewu who was drinking tea, and said, "Do you have any thoughts on the direction of financing?"

"Hmm, since we want to solve the problem, naturally we take whatever path we can."

Li Xuewu put down his teacup, paused, and said, "These projects are run independently by the third-tier industries, and the profits are left behind, but the higher-ups won't allocate construction budgets either."

"What we can do now is obtain investment and construction funds through multiple channels; if we can get a loan, then get a loan—get as much as we can."

"And regarding financing, I am more inclined to take a portion of the project's earnings and connect with banks and credit cooperatives."

"Not very easy."

Jing Yunong shook her head slightly and said, "The higher-ups actually started placing large-scale restrictions on the use of enterprise funds starting this year."

"If it weren't for the intensive study activities interfering with the implementation of this plan, perhaps our plant would have to accept auditing and inspection now."

"Then let's take advantage of this wind before it passes and drill through the loopholes."

Li Xuewu smiled, used his teacup to make a toast, and said, "I believe you can succeed."

Jing Yunong looked at him speechlessly; it was a long while before she said, "Were you waiting to calculate me into coming here?"

"Where does that come from?"

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows, put down his teacup, and said, "We are class comrades; it's pure and united."

"..."

Jing Yunong's mouth twitched; whether it was pure or not was one thing, but saying it was united was a bit excessive—who was united with you?

"You clearly knew that the higher-ups wouldn't allocate budgets for third-tier industry projects, yet you still placed the projects in the third-tier category for declaration. If that wasn't intentional, what was it?"

"And!"

Jing Yunong looked at him sideways and said, "You know how much money is in the plant's account; throwing so many projects into operation all at once in the second half of the year was just waiting for this wind, right?"

She shook her head slightly as if she couldn't understand Li Xuewu, and said, "Do you have the divine foresight of Zhuge Kongming, or is your courage just that big, playing a blind cat bumping into a dead mouse with me?"

"What do you think?"

Li Xuewu shifted his position, sat in the position closest to her, leaned in, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Do you believe I am Zhuge reborn, or..."

"..."

Jing Yunong looked at the bad guy who had leaned in front of her, feeling the masculine aura rushing toward her, her right eyelid twitching slightly.

The office door was still half-open; if anyone passed by in the corridor, they could clearly see what the two of them were doing.

"I believe you are just a bold, lawless bastard—mm..."

"How are you adapting to the new position?"

Li Xue smiled and greeted Peng Xiaoli, watched him standing by the window smoking, and waved her hand to fan away the smoke in front of her.

Peng Xiaoli looked back at her, extinguished the cigarette butt on the windowsill, and replied, "You aren't here to fish for information from me, are you?"

"Heh~ you think too highly of yourself."

Li Xue chuckled, placed the document in her hand on the windowsill, stood beside him, looked at the Steel Mill outside the window, and said, "Or do you look down on my second brother?"

"Look at you~!"

Peng Xiaoli smiled, lifted his chin, stretched his shoulders, and said, "And you say you aren't; you're already starting to poke at me."

"Such character~"

Li Xue pursed her lips and glanced at him, then hugged her arms and leaned on the documents, looking out the window and saying, "You just wanted to be a secretary, and now your wish has been fulfilled. So, are you still not satisfied?"

"Don't dig any more pits for me; I've spent this whole time watching people jump into pits."

Peng Xiaoli said with a bitter smile, "I've watched others jump into pits I might not encounter in a whole lifetime."

"I've matured~"

He looked at Li Xue with feigned maturity and said, "Can you see a bit of the vicissitudes of life on my face?"

"Hmm, there really is!"

After Li Xue sized him up carefully for a few moments, she pursed her lips, nodded, and said, "Look, your crow's feet are already showing."

"..."

The expression on Peng Xiaoli's face froze instantly, and then he said speechlessly, "It's the temperament that's matured, not my face."

"It's all the same."

Li Xue smiled secretly, looked out the window, and said, "I'll have to call you Old Peng from now on."

"You might as well call me Uncle."

Peng Xiaoli rubbed his face helplessly and said, "I used to envy the glamour of a leader's secretary, but I didn't know that behind the glamour is the vicissitudes of life."

"Yo~ so many reflections~"

Li Xue glanced at him and said, "Is working with Deputy Director Li that hard?"

"How could it be? It's not that Deputy Director Li has high requirements; it's mainly that my ability isn't enough."

Peng Xiaoli emphasized this specifically before continuing, "Actually, the work in our office is relatively simple, but who told Deputy Director Li to have so many burdens?"

"Still complaining~"

Li Xue pointed at him deliberately and teased, "Comrade Peng Xiaoli, that's a sign of immaturity; you need to do some deep self-reflection!"

"Hmm, I'll reflect, I'll reflect deeply."

Peng Xiaoli cooperated with Li Xue's joke amusingly, pointed toward Deputy Director Jing's office, and asked, "How about you?"

"The same as always~"

Li Xue looked back at Deputy Director Jing's office and said, "Deputy Director Jing isn't much more relaxed than my second brother; the work pressure is also very high."

"Too understandable; it's all like this."

Peng Xiaoli nodded earnestly and said, "The security group now has one chief and two deputies, but Director Dong is in Steel City, and Deputy Director Li has to coordinate the work of the committee office; the pressure is really not light."

"Fortunately, Deputy Group Leader Yu has returned; the security group has become as orderly as before, busy but not chaotic."

"Hey!"

Li Xue pointed at Peng Xiaoli with her finger, then gestured toward the office and asked, "Is my second brother strict with you? Are you afraid of him?"

"It's respect! It's admiration! It's awe!"

Peng Xiaoli tried hard to correct Li Xue's misunderstanding and misinterpretation of him. "I've learned a lot from following Deputy Director Li; how could it be fear?"

"Eww~~~"

Li Xue looked at him with disgust and pouted, "Not only are you hypocritical, you're also glib; I really can't stand you~"

After saying this, she shook her head with emotion, picked up the documents on the windowsill, and was about to leave.

Peng Xiaoli stopped her and said, "Let's chat for a while longer~"

"You don't really think you're the busiest secretary in the whole plant, do you?"

Li Xue sized him up and asked, "Didn't you say you were busy? Why are you still standing here selling daze?"

"Hey~ I have a home but can't go back right now."

Peng Xiaoli pointed downstairs and said, "There's a bastard who is... hey! He's gone!"

After saying this, he tidied up the documents on the windowsill, greeted Li Xue, and hurried downstairs.

Li Xue pouted at him, rolled her eyes speechlessly, hugged the documents, and turned back to the office.

Upon entering, he saw his second brother with his legs crossed, holding a teacup and still discussing work; it sounded like the matter of the secret trade train at the Confidentiality Department.

"It's winter now, so refrigerated freight is manageable, but what about when spring comes?"

Jing Yunong looked at Li Xuewu, pursed her slightly swollen lips, and said: "Whether you are targeting the Confidentiality Department or have some other layout, the steel mill is currently facing economic difficulties, and you cannot make matters worse."

"Hmm, I will resolve this matter."

Li Xuewu thought for a moment and asked: "How about coordinating another refrigerated train?"

"Good, I agree."

Jing Yunong nodded quite decisively and said: "You find a way for the manufacturing costs; the finance department cannot scrape together a single cent anymore."

Saying this, she stood up, walked back behind her desk, sat down, rummaged through a pile of documents, showed one to Li Xuewu, and said: "The overall budget plan for the factory has already been audited. If you can conjure up the money, I agree to whatever you spend it on."

Li Xue watched Deputy Director Jing arguing with her second brother about financial work; she didn't dare to interrupt, only refilled Deputy Director Jing's tea.

Listening to the two of them talk, it was like a married couple: the man wanting to buy something new, the woman saying there was no money at home, and if you can conjure up the money, buy whatever you want.

And the second brother's reply was the same as most men facing a house-managing wife: "The one thing you finance people say the most is that there isn't a single cent in the account, right?"

Li Xuewu stood up, tidied the documents on the coffee table, smiled, waved at Deputy Director Jing, and said: "I'm going to conjure up some money for you."

Jing Yunong glanced at him with a face full of annoyance, twisted her lips, and lowered her head to look at the documents.

Li Xue watched her second brother leave, feeling somewhat at a loss; she secretly peeked at Deputy Director Jing's expression—how were they talking just fine, and then suddenly she got angry?

Of course, she knew her second brother and Deputy Director Jing didn't have a good relationship, but it had been such a long time, and it wasn't as if they didn't have contact at work, so why were they still like this?

Just a moment ago, when her second brother arrived, he was still joking with the leader, and in the blink of an eye, they fell out over money; this...

Who knows how painful it is to be caught between a leader and one's own brother? Does anyone in the family understand this?

"Leader, please have some tea."

Li Xue carefully brought the teacup to Jing Yunong's hand and reminded her softly.

Jing Yunong first let out an "Hmm," and after a while, noticing Li Xue was still standing by the desk, she finally raised her head to look at her and asked: "What's wrong?"

"That..."

Li Xue looked at the leader's slightly swollen lips, thinking to herself that her second brother was really something; look at how he angered the leader, she even bit her own lips to vent her frustration.

"Please have some tea; would you like me to change it for a fresh cup?"

"Would you like to eat some candy..."

"Heh~ what are you doing?"

Jing Yunong looked at Li Xue, who was trying to coax her, with some amusement and asked: "Is there something on your mind?"

"No... nothing at all."

Li Xue looked at Deputy Director Jing hesitantly, and seeing the other person staring at her, she hesitated for a moment before asking: "Is my second brother..."

"Is what?"

Jing Yunong looked at her and said: "If you don't say it, I'm going to work."

"It's just that he's a bit overbearing and self-righteous, right~"

Li Xue said with some difficulty: "He has been like this since he was a child, always liking to control others, but he doesn't have bad intentions toward work or people, that..."

She also felt her second brother was somewhat disrespectful to the leader and was afraid Deputy Director Jing would have opinions about him.

Being worried about her second brother on one hand and dealing with Deputy Director Jing's pressure on the other made her so cautious that she didn't know how to choose her words.

Jing Yunong nodded thoughtfully after hearing her words and said: "Indeed, quite overbearing."

After finishing, she pursed her lips and said: "How do you think I should deal with him so he learns to respect leaders and unite comrades?"

"Ah? No..."

Seeing her say this, Li Xue felt as if she had been counterproductive; how did it get to the point of disciplining her second brother again!

"Hahaha~"

Seeing Li Xue's nervous appearance after being teased, Jing Yunong laughed, then lifted the lid of the teacup and said: "I'm teasing you."

"I..."

Li Xue was truly speechless; is this how leaders joke? It wasn't funny at all!

"Deputy Director Cheng."

In the small canteen, Li Xuewu carried his lunchbox to eat lunch.

He saw Cheng Kaiyuan at the food serving window and greeted him with a smile.

Cheng Kaiyuan turned his head to look at him, smiled slightly, nodded, and said: "What have you been busy with these days? Why haven't I seen you come to the canteen to eat?"

"Hi~ I've been tossed around terribly."

Li Xuewu shook his head helplessly and said with a bitter smile: "I encountered a bizarre case and was called over by the branch bureau to provide interrogation support."

"Is that so~"

Cheng Kaiyuan seemed to be hearing about this for the first time; he raised his eyebrows slightly, looked at Li Xuewu, and said: "The capable do more work. I've read that 'Criminal Psychology' of yours; it has a lot of depth."

"You flatter me; it's just a few small insights."

Li Xuewu said with a smile: "At that time, I happened to run into many cases, and a friend of mine is a psychologist; I discussed the topic of criminal psychology with her, which is why I had the idea to put pen to paper."

"That's very rare."

Cheng Kaiyuan didn't rush to leave after getting his food; he stood to the side waiting for Li Xuewu and commented: "Cadres who can put things into practice and also put them down on paper are rare these days."

"I am young and have more opportunities to receive organizational education."

He let Seeing Sha Zhu help him with his lunchbox, held it, gestured toward the upstairs, invited the other person to go first, and replied: "But in terms of practical experience, I still need to learn more from veteran comrades."

"Too humble."

Cheng Kaiyuan held his lunchbox in one hand, patted Li Xuewu's arm with the other, and gestured for them to walk together.

"In my view, if you can do it, you can do it; if you can't, you can't. Capable people should be placed in key positions to play their proper roles."

"Yes."

Li Xuewu walked alongside him, his peripheral vision sweeping across the first-floor lobby; he didn't know how many gazes were fixed on him.

Cheng Kaiyuan seemed not to notice; as he climbed the stairs, he said: "When the Office was promoting the new office system, Old Ding mentioned you to me, saying you gave requirements to the subordinates that they must produce work reports and news drafts every week. I think this is very good."

"Even good wine fears a deep alley~"

He turned his head to look at Li Xuewu, nodded, and said: "I think when we do work, we must have the confidence of 'Wang Po selling melons,' right?"

"Yes, it mainly serves the purpose of supervision and competition."

Li Xuewu saw they had reached the upstairs and couldn't shake him off, so he could only find an empty compartment and sit with him.

"I have a daughter who is quite naughty. When she gets too naughty, I've also thought about whether I should give her a slap."

The two sat down, spread out their lunchboxes, and Li Xuewu took the initiative to take the teacup and teapot from the table to pour a cup of hot tea for Cheng Kaiyuan.

"I've been very naughty since I was a child, and my father followed the theory of 'stick education,' so I've had some thoughts on this."

"Tell me about it."

Cheng Kaiyuan smiled as he took the teacup, picked up his chopsticks but didn't rush to start eating, waiting for Li Xuewu's follow-up.

Li Xuewu nodded, looked at him, and said: "That psychologist friend of mine told me that good children are praised."

"Oh?"

Cheng Kaiyuan glanced at Li Xuewu, nodded slowly, and said thoughtfully: "Praised."

"Yes, she calls it positive reinforcement."

Li Xuewu explained to him: "I've seen her educate her own children; she never denies and then criticizes, but rather affirms first and then guides and encourages."

"Northeasterners, you know, a mother's catchphrase is always 'I think you look like such-and-such'~"

"For example, when taking a child to the street, if the child sees someone else eating an apple and wants one, the average parent would say 'I think you look like an apple' or just say 'I have no money'."

"She isn't like that; she would say 'The clothes you are wearing today are very beautiful and clean; if you eat an apple, it's easy to get your clothes dirty, and then everyone won't say you are beautiful anymore'."

Li Xuewu looked at Cheng Kaiyuan, nodded, and said: "When I led teams in the military, I emphasized strict obedience, but that doesn't work at home, and it's the same in the factory."

"Strict management will inevitably lead to emotional and psychological resistance, unless there is strict discipline and norms, and unified living and action times, so rigid systems are not suitable for the daily management of enterprises."

"My interaction with my daughter made me think about whether I should also give my subordinates some tolerance and encouragement."

"Hmm, that makes sense."

Cheng Kaiyuan nodded, gestured for Li Xuewu to start eating, and said while eating: "My experience is somewhat similar to yours; I also transferred to a machinery factory. At that time, I didn't think as much as you do and took many detours."

"Maybe it's because I'm a person who listens to advice."

Li Xuewu looked at him with a smile and said pointedly: "Listening to advice means eating your fill, haha~"

"That makes sense, hehe."

Cheng Kaiyuan also laughed, nodded as he looked at Li Xuewu, and said: "If I had your state of mind back then, I wouldn't have always ended up with a bloody head."

"There are also bad aspects."

Li Xuewu took a bite of rice, raised his head to look at him, and said: "Without practice, there is no right to speak."

"That is also true~"

Cheng Kaiyuan nodded understandingly and said: "But you are still young and have plenty of time to think and research. This point is very precious; you don't necessarily have to experience it personally to learn advanced experience."

"By the way, you just mentioned that case; it was the branch bureau that coordinated your support. I actually approve of you having more contact with resources in this area."

He looked at Li Xuewu very seriously and said: "Your starting point is already very high. Slowly, you will discover that sometimes your work is not entirely in the office, and even more often, it is outside."

"Indeed~"

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "Just like Director Li; he has been very busy recently, and some work can only be done by him running around."

"Hmm, I hadn't noticed until you said it."

Cheng Kaiyuan raised his head and asked: "What is Director Li busy with recently? I often don't see him."

"I don't know."

Li Xuewu shrugged his shoulders and said: "I was looking for him this morning, and Director Yuhua said he went to visit Deputy Director Shi."

"Oh, is that so."

Cheng Kaiyuan looked at Li Xuewu, nodded, and asked with a smile: "How did Comrade Shi Ruoweng get injured? I still haven't heard the specifics."

"I don't know."

Li Xuewu took two bites of rice, shook his head slightly, and said: "That day we were participating in an activity, and when I turned around, he was lying on the ground. At first, I didn't pay too much attention."

"I heard it's quite serious."

Cheng Kaiyuan didn't know if he really didn't know or was pretending not to know; he said while eating: "No wonder Director Li went to visit. Let's find a time to organize it later, and we'll go over to take a look too. After all, it's an injury in the line of duty."

"Good, it's the right thing to do."

Li Xuewu glanced at him, sneering in his heart, but agreed readily on the surface: "I'll wait for your news anytime."

Cheng Kaiyuan was deliberately using Shi Ruoweng as a shell to knock; what he wanted was nothing more than to see Li Huaid's joke, or even to probe Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu didn't mind going to the hospital with him to watch the fun; he just didn't know if Shi Ruoweng would be waiting for him in the hospital when he wanted to go.

Li Huaid definitely didn't go to the hospital this morning; the matter of making Shi Ruoweng shut up should have been handled last night.

And going out this morning, Li Huaid was nine times out of ten aiming for the vacancy blown open by that case.

Now that Cheng Kaiyuan was deliberately trying to get close to him, if he said there was no other purpose, he wouldn't believe it even if he were beaten to death.

Li Xuewu rolled his eyes and asked intentionally or unintentionally: "Do you have any connections at the Dongcheng Credit Cooperative?"

Before Cheng Kaiyuan could answer, he continued: "The case has been going on for so long, and I haven't seen their leaders yet."