Chapter 961: It

What does that mean?

Cheng Kaiyuan stood in front of the office window, looking at the Security Building opposite.

The sentence Li Xuewu had said so casually at lunch was still lingering in his mind.

At the time, he didn't know why Li Xuewu asked that, so he naturally gave a vague answer.

The two of them basically didn't talk about serious work while eating, but he was certain Li Xuewu wouldn't just say something casually; there must be a problem.

So, where exactly was the problem?

"Xiao Zhang, come here."

"Yes, leader."

Cheng Kaiyuan's secretary first responded from outside the door, then walked quickly to the doorway, but his pace slowed down after entering the room, appearing more steady.

"Leader, you called for me?"

"Hmm, something has come up."

Cheng Kaiyuan sat back behind his desk, flipping through documents while asking, "Is the material I asked you to prepare this morning ready?"

"Still missing some data; the production section says they have to wait for the finance department to finish the inventory, otherwise the accounts won't balance."

The secretary removed the lid of the teacup on the desk, tested the water temperature with the back of his hand, picked up the cup, walked to the tea table, and replaced it with a fresh cup.

"I've already coordinated with the finance department; they say they have to wait until next Monday to get the results. It seems there's a problem with the budget."

"What problem?"

Cheng Kaiyuan's gaze lifted from the documents, looking at Secretary Xiao Zhang, and asked, "Wasn't it already submitted for audit?"

"Not exactly clear."

Xiao Zhang brewed the tea again, carried it over to the side of the desk, placed it on his left, and replied, "Because the finance department has to close the accounts at the end of the year, people from other departments can't get in, and the accountants are too busy to come out."

Saying this, as if explaining why he hadn't figured out the situation, he added, "Finance has pulled people from various departments to help; it's estimated they'll be busy until the end of the month."

"Is that so~"

Cheng Kaiyuan picked up the teacup, frowned, glanced at the secretary, and asked, "Have you figured out the situation with Deputy Director Shi of the committee office's injury?"

"This..."

The secretary hesitated for a moment, but seeing the leader's eyes narrow, he quickly replied, "It's circulating throughout the organization, and there are all sorts of versions, but I'm more inclined to think there's a problem."

"Speak."

Cheng Kaiyuan lowered his eyelids, blew on the tea leaves, and took a sip.

The secretary didn't dare to play mystery anymore; he walked to the side of the desk, bowed slightly, and reported softly, "The injury situation should be accurate—rib and cervical bone fractures—but the problem isn't there."

"Deputy Director Shi just fell; he didn't fall unconscious. He completed the surgical treatment that very day, and Director Li went to the hospital on the night of the 24th."

Xiao Zhang looked at the leader's expression and reminded him softly, "I mentioned this to you once before; it was Director Ding from the committee office who accompanied the leader."

"Hmm, I know."

Cheng Kaiyuan nodded, put down the teacup in his hand, looked down at the documents in his hand, but said, "Continue."

"Yes."

Xiao Zhang glanced at the documents in the leader's hand; they were the production and construction plans for next year that he had finished organizing and submitted to the leader two days ago.

"Last night, people from the Branch Bureau and the Discipline Inspection Commission first arrived at the Security Group, and then people from the Security Group brought Liu Lan to the Security Building."

"It's not clear what was said, only that Deputy Group Leader Yu from the Security Group accompanied a Discipline Inspection cadre to the hospital where Deputy Director Shi was."

"Not long after, Section Chief Sun from the Security Group found Director Li with a Discipline Inspection cadre, and that was when Director Li left with them."

"Oh, right."

The secretary emphasized, "Also leaving with Director Li was Zhou Miaomiao, the Deputy Leader of the Literary and Art Team and Head of the Dance Troupe."

"What does she have to do with it?"

Cheng Kaiyuan frowned, raised his head to sweep a glance at the secretary, and saw the meaningful look in the secretary's eyes.

He knew this relationship without the secretary saying it; anyone in the plant who could come into contact with Li Huai De, or who had contact with the Literary and Art Team, knew about the relationship between Zhou Miaomiao and Director Li.

What he wanted to know wasn't about Zhou Miaomiao having an affair with Li Huai De; he wanted to know what Liu Lan was involved in, and what reason had caused this series of people to be linked together.

Although Li Huai De had returned, the matter must have been smoothed over by him. He didn't have the regret of missing a chance to stir up trouble, but he had to figure out the context of the whole event.

This time, Li Huai De had gotten lucky, running into a case that Li Xuewu was currently supporting.

No need to think about it; Li Huai De must have received Li Xuewu's help; otherwise, the Discipline Inspection Commission wouldn't have let him go so easily after taking him away.

But what about next time?

It was impossible for Li Xuewu to save him every single time; as long as he dared to make mistakes, there would eventually be a day of exposure.

Cheng Kaiyuan knew very well that his wings had been clipped by Li Huai De and Li Xuewu, and he no longer had the ability to stir up trouble.

But that didn't mean he had no chance to turn the tide. Since he couldn't create difficulties for the enemy, he would just wait for the enemy to trip themselves up.

When that time came, he would only need to gently extend his foot, and the one to fall would definitely be Li Huai De, who was standing tall and attracting the wind.

"Help me check the case that Deputy Director Li is currently handling; start with the Dongcheng Credit Cooperative."

Cheng Kaiyuan pointed at Xiao Zhang and said, "Don't worry about that material; hand it over to someone else to do. Figure this out first."

"Yes, leader."

Xiao Zhang felt bitter inside, but his response was very quick, even asking proactively, "Do you need me to bring a camera?"

"No!"

Cheng Kaiyuan glanced at him and warned, "Don't do anything reckless. Just go under the pretext of business; if you inquire, you'll definitely find out."

"And!"

Just as Xiao Zhang agreed again and was about to turn and leave, Cheng Kaiyuan emphasized, "Be careful; people from the Confidentiality Department might be on the scene."

"I understand."

Xiao Zhang nodded earnestly and said, "Then leader, I'll go handle it now; I'll report back to you as soon as there's news."

"Hmm, go."

Cheng Kaiyuan lowered his head and said, "If it's late, you can go directly to my home, okay?"

"Understood."

Xiao Zhang was quite decisive; he nodded, took a few steps back, and turned to walk out the door.

His words were loyal, but he was drumming inside; he knew exactly how much he was worth.

Who was the leader asking him to check?

He said to inquire about the case, but who was involved in this case?

Not to mention the others, Director Li was definitely in it, plus Deputy Director Shi, Liu Lan, and that "dare-to-do-anything" Zhou Miaomiao.

Deputy Director Li was an expert in supporting case handling; if he showed even the slightest flaw, he would be caught.

He was already timid, and when he left, the leader even scared him with talk of the Confidentiality Department—could this be the start of another major incident?

With his small frame, he'd be finished if they dealt with him.

You see, he had proactively asked the leader if he needed to bring a camera—that was a reminder to the leader not to inquire about things blindly.

Now it was fine; the leader insisted on getting involved, and he might just get dragged in himself.

Just think about it: was Deputy Director Li the type to suffer a loss or let things slide?

You provoke him?

Isn't that asking for trouble!

"Whew~~"

Peng Xiaoli stood in the duty room at the main gate, saw that the car coming out of the office area was Deputy Director Cheng's, and whistled toward Gu Cheng, who was squatting outside the gate smoking.

Gu Cheng stood up with the cigarette in his mouth, leaned on the windowsill, raised his eyebrows, and said, "You'd better be right this time; don't do anything stupid again."

Peng Xiaoli held the window and guaranteed, "Don't worry, trust me, this time there's definitely no problem!"

After saying this, he looked back and urged Gu Cheng, "Hurry up, the car is coming out."

"Damn! You said there was no problem last time too!"

Gu Cheng cursed under his breath, put on a cotton mask, fastened a motorcycle helmet, and finally put on a pair of tank crew goggles—as flashy as could be.

Peng Xiaoli looked at him speechlessly and complained, "I told you to follow them, not to do reconnaissance in disguise; what the hell are you doing!"

"Bullshit! You try riding a motorcycle in this winter weather!"

Gu Cheng cursed, jumped on the motorcycle, kicked it to life, and rode off first.

Peng Xiaoli didn't have a choice seeing him act like this; this guy had started letting himself go since he was transferred to the small vehicle team, and he had even learned to ride a motorcycle.

This dog was completely abusing his power for personal gain, and he didn't even think about sharing such convenience with his brother!

It was a pity he had been thinking about him all along, and whenever the leader had arrangements, he remembered to find him to go out on field duty to stake out.

Peng Xiaoli reached out to warm his hands on the radiator, hiding his body while watching Deputy Director Cheng's car drive out the main gate.

Car glass in this era didn't have anti-peeping protection film; he saw at a glance that there was no one in the back seat, only Zhang Shicheng sitting in the passenger seat.

Peng Xiaoli was very familiar with him; Zhang Shicheng had come three or four years earlier than him and counted as a senior in the office.

This year, Deputy Director Cheng was transferred over and chose him as a secretary, even showing off to them for a few days.

But this guy had no friends; he was a low-key person before, and his presence was average now. Among this batch of leader secretaries, he counted as a small fry.

Don't look at Peng Xiaoli coming late; he played dirty, and he always had a few fox friends and dog buddies around him. Gu Cheng was considered a rare, decent person among them.

His family didn't lack him to earn money to support the household, so he just spent it with his brothers.

Of course, the circle in the plant office was just that small, and they were basically all at the same level, so they invited each other to eat and drink; there was no saying who had more or less.

When it was mentioned at the dinner table, everyone shouted "Don't forget each other when you get rich," but what happened?

The dogs got rich and forgot them completely.

As long as you were chosen as a secretary or transferred out, basically there was no chance to gather together again.

Let alone mutual support; it wasn't as if going out of the plant office meant stepping into the sky as a leader. They were all in the same boat; who was supporting whom?

Peng Xiaoli wasn't an honest person before, and he didn't suffer losses in the office; he just happened to be in cahoots with Gu Cheng, specializing in cleaning up the old comrades.

This time, he had practiced what it meant to "get rich together, don't forget each other, good brothers for a lifetime."

Good brothers have to mess things up for a lifetime!

It was too damn cold today, and driving the leader's car was too flashy, so he could only send Gu Cheng.

What?

Envy? Jealousy?

How could that be? They were brothers!

When there's something to do, of course, the brother goes; otherwise, what are brothers for?

To help take care of your wife and children!

"Secretary Peng, have a smoke."

"Section Chief Ren, have mine."

Peng Xiaoli turned around, saw that it was Security Section Chief Ren An who had entered the room, and accepted the cigarette politely.

"Hey, whose is the same."

Ren An smiled and snatched the chance to help Peng Xiaoli light the cigarette.

Peng Xiaoli glanced at him and asked with a smile, "Any happy events? I saw your wife asking for leave a few days ago."

"Hehehe~"

Ren An chuckled a few times and said, "Just found out; I haven't prepared anything yet."

"Prepare for what?"

Peng Xiaoli took a puff of the cigarette, smiled, and arched his hands, saying, "Just wait to hold your son; congratulations in advance!"

"Son or daughter is the same; thanks, brother."

Ren An was quite honest, smiled, and returned Peng Xiaoli's congratulations, saying, "I'll invite you to drink the wedding wine when the baby is a month old."

"Definitely, definitely."

Peng Xiaoli used the hand holding the cigarette to lightly touch Ren An's arm and asked with a raised eyebrow, "Don't forget to invite the leader."

"That..."

Ren An said with some embarrassment, "How could I be so embarrassed to trouble the leader with such a small matter..."

"Wrong, isn't it?"

Peng Xiaoli took a puff of the cigarette, looked at him, and said, "In our Security Department, whose family has something happen that the leader ignores?"

"It doesn't matter; be bolder."

He said to Ren An with a smile, "If you don't take the initiative to say it, the leader will think you're stingy. This is a happy event; what are you afraid of?"

After saying this, he didn't wait for Ren An to say anything else, greeted him, and went out.

Ren An stood in the duty room, watching Peng Xiaoli's figure disappear at the intersection, and then clamped the cigarette and sat on the chair to take a puff.

A security guard on duty came in to greet him and asked about Secretary Peng; he just responded vaguely, his mind still pondering his own affairs.

Actually, when he got married, Fan Hua wanted him to send an invitation to Li Xuewu, but he was a bit embarrassed.

Li Xuewu was the actual top leader of the Security Department, while he was only a section chief; how could he have the qualifications to invite the leader to drink wedding wine?

In the end, he was forced by Fan Hua and had no choice; he had to muster the courage to pick a time when Li Xuewu wasn't there to send the invitation to the office.

At that time, Li Xuewu's secretary was still Sha Qizhi, who just smiled and accepted the invitation for the leader.

He had thought Secretary Sha was just being polite for the leader; he didn't expect the leader wouldn't come to his wedding, but Secretary Sha brought the gift money.

Not much—one yuan.

Of course, this "not much" refers to the fact that it wasn't the most in the wedding gift money of this era.

There were also rumors of people receiving five yuan in gift money when they got married.

But this situation was absolutely rare; at least he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, and there wasn't five yuan in his wedding account—the three-yuan ones were just from very close relatives.

One yuan in gift money couldn't attract attention at this time, but it depended on how you looked at it.

Just like what Secretary Peng just said, whose family in the Security Department has something happen that the leader pretends not to see?

The person might not come, but the gift will definitely arrive. How many people are there in the Security Department?

Just because of this point, Li Xuewu's words in the Security Department are always effective—not because he is running a dictatorship, but because everyone is convinced by him.

Sun Jian also came to the Security Department with the mentality of being a nail, but ask him now if he still dares to think that way.

Just pick one from the Security Department and ask why they are convinced by Li Xuewu.

Nothing else—convincing people with virtue.

Everyone knows this point. What is spread outside about the "Tiger of the Security Department," saying how fierce and ruthless Li Xuewu is.

Anyway, the people in the Security Department have never seen the leader being fierce or ruthless to them.

If you say he is ruthless to others, what does that have to do with them? If the people in the Security Department aren't ruthless, what are they called?

Should they be called the Nanny Department?

Ren An is now thinking more about what Fan Hua has talked to him about at home, teaching him how to make progress.

Sometimes he is also complaining about his wife's strong desire to make progress, thinking about advancement all the time.

Can't she be ordinary? Can't she just do things down-to-earth for a lifetime and wait for a step-by-step promotion?

Fan Hua once told him that life's opportunities are hard to seek, and good leaders are even harder to seek.

A young leader like Li Xuewu is actually a great opportunity for people like him who pursue down-to-earth work and hard effort.

You don't need to give gifts, you don't need to curry favor; as long as you maintain a good relationship at work and in private, you can't help but make progress.

Birds follow the phoenix to fly far, people accompany the virtuous and their character becomes high.

Seeing Peng Xiaoli today, Ren An suddenly had some insights. Actually, getting along with leaders doesn't necessarily require a begging attitude; that's just tying yourself up.

The most brilliant way to get along is to learn—learn the leader's conduct, learn the leader's way of handling things, and learn the leader's excellent qualities.

Birds of a feather flock together; people are divided into groups. People with the same ideals and beliefs don't need to actively curry favor; they will definitely come together.

Those who like to sing go to sing together, those who like to dance go to dance together, and those who like to read discuss knowledge together.

Even those leaders who like negative entertainment, don't they have a few people accompanying them to play cards, accompanying them... that, right?

What was Peng Xiaoli before? A little punk famous in the plant office. Every time a new leader came, he would have a dream of flying into the sky.

The result was often arrogance and conceit, his dreams shattered all over the floor, and finally he almost degenerated and couldn't get up.

Failure always needs reasons and excuses to consume inferiority, right? The more times you fail, the more excuses you have.

Speaking of which, Li Xuewu counts as Peng Xiaoli's benefactor. The first contact gave him an unforgettable lesson.

It let him know that section-level cadres are not to be trifled with, and section-level cadres in the Security Department are even less to be trifled with.

Later, Peng Xiaoli could be chosen as Li Xuewu's secretary, which had Sha Qizhi's discerning eye and Sun Jian's help behind the scenes.

But no matter what, looking at Peng Xiaoli now, he walks with his chest out and head high, full of confidence, doing things with ease, and no longer has the image of a little punk from before.

If you want to talk about currying favor, or being a secretary for a leader, Ren An admits he is not as capable or persevering as Peng Xiaoli; at least Li Xuewu didn't choose him as a secretary.

So young people like Peng Xiaoli know how to seize opportunities and learn from the virtuous; what is he being pretentious about?

"Hiss~"

Ren An felt a pain in his hand and reflexively threw away the cigarette butt in his hand; it turned out he had been thinking too deeply just now and had even forgotten he had a cigarette in his hand.

He waved his hand to signal to the duty guard looking over from outside the door that he was fine, then stood up and went out, asking the duty guard, "When Secretary Peng was here just now, which car went out?"

"No, no, I really have something here."

Li Xuewu held the phone, looked at the time on his hand, and said, "It's almost time to get off work. After I finish here, I have to go home to see my wife and children. I haven't been home for two days, and my wife has a big belly."

"Hmm, hmm, you eat, you eat."

Li Xuewu waved at Peng Xiaoli, handed him the document he had just signed, pointed to the leader's name he wanted to transfer it to, and went to talk on the phone again.

The call was from Xiang Yunnian, saying that the leaders of the Discipline Inspection Commission and the Branch Bureau had just finished a meeting, a rare opportunity, and they wanted to gather in the canteen tonight.

Li Xuewu knew very well the purpose of this dinner and even more clearly the motivation for Xiang Yunnian to make this call.

He didn't want to participate in it at all, and he had already stated beforehand that he had no requirements. The case was almost over; what was the point of going over at this time?

So, facing Xiang Yunnian's desperate invitation, he directly brought out his wife and children.

"Good, good, that's it, I'll invite you later."

Listening to the slightly apologetic and guilty tone of Xiang Yunnian on the phone, Li Xuewu smiled politely without caring and hung up the phone.

Xiang Yunnian felt quite sorry for Li Xuewu, even though this case was one where Li Xuewu had taken the initiative to help him and the Confidentiality Department connect the lines, he had truly gained benefits.

This time, Zhang Shuqin's case was counted on the Discipline Inspection Commission. Today, the leaders of the Branch Bureau and the Discipline Inspection Commission had unified their stance at the meeting, and the subsequent publicity work would also be led by the Discipline Inspection Commission.

And he, as the actual person in charge of this case, had truly picked up a big bargain.

He wasn't stupid; after that hurdle of Du Xiaoyan was pried open by Li Xuewu, he knew the mystery behind this case.

So he went directly to Li Xuewu to express his attitude.

Why else would one say that Li Xuewu is a bit damaging, but he can be trusted and is even more worth making friends with?

That bastard Ji Weidong was rampant in the Investigation Department and almost offended everyone, but look at how he could get along well with Li Xuewu.

Xiang Yunnian also knew his own personality very well; saying he was cautious was an exaggeration. Colleagues behind his back said he was heartless, ruthless, and a person not worth making friends with.

But among the few friends he considered himself to have, Li Xuewu was a person who could be absolutely trusted.

Distance tests a horse's strength, and time reveals a person's heart.

From this case, one could see Li Xuewu's conduct—calm and measured, with feelings and righteousness.

He represented the Discipline Inspection Commission in eating the big head of this case, while the Branch Bureau side kept its face and substance under Li Xuewu's mediation.

The Confidentiality Department suddenly had no news. Xiang Yunnian had talked to the leader privately about this matter; the leader's attitude was very special, patting him on the shoulder but saying nothing.

It was just that he organized this dinner tonight, and the leader specifically instructed him that he must invite Li Xuewu.

It might be because of his understanding of Li Xuewu's conduct, or perhaps he respected Li Xuewu's choice more; the leader didn't give a death order.

However, from the fact that his invitation to Li Xuewu was politely declined, one could tell that this friend was worth him saying the word "open and aboveboard."

What was given was given; if he said he didn't want it, he definitely wouldn't want it.

Now it was Xiang Yunnian's turn to be troubled: how should he send over the share that Li Xuewu deserved?

Li Xuewu didn't care what he sent, and even less did he care whether the dinner organized by the leaders of the Discipline Inspection Commission and the Branch Bureau invited him or not.

What did he care about?

Maybe it was an attitude, or perhaps it was sincerity, or it could be said to be friendship.

Does someone with Li Xuewu's character have friends?

Ding-a-ling~ Ding-a-ling~

Not long after Xiang Yunnian's phone was hung up, the phone on the desk started jumping again.

Peng Xiaoli, who had just returned from delivering the documents, answered the phone under Li Xuewu's signal.

After speaking for two sentences, he covered the receiver and prompted the leader: "Prison Warden Huang from the First Prison."

Li Xuewu took a breath, looked at the time on his hand, and asked impatiently: "It's me, what are you doing?"

"There are a few friends today..."

Just as Huang Gan finished saying he wanted to invite him to dinner, Li Xuewu didn't wait for him to finish and directly interrupted: "No time, that's it."

After saying this, he didn't wait for the other party to say anything else and hung up the phone with a "clatter."

He finished signing the documents in his hand, and the phone rang again.

This time Li Xuewu didn't use Peng Xiaoli; he answered it himself.

"It's me, don't shoot!"

It was still Huang Gan!

It was just that this time Huang Gan spoke faster, letting him say a few more words.

The meaning was that his father helped him introduce a few connections, all from the same system.

Tonight, he called a few comrades he was familiar with at the club, wanting to pull Li Xuewu to have a meal together, counting as making a friend.

This was another guy who felt he owed Li Xuewu a human favor and wanted to share the resources his family gave him with Li Xuewu.

But Li Xuewu didn't appreciate it at all, just listened to him rambling on for a long time, and directly put the phone aside without listening.

After reading the documents in his hand, he picked up the phone and listened to Huang Gan still talking, directly interrupting: "Hmm, hmm, I know, I'll invite you later when you make an appointment with Uncle. No time today, that's it."

Clatter~

After saying this, he hung up Huang Gan's phone ruthlessly again.

Huang Gan on the other end of the phone was stunned, looking at the phone in his hand in disbelief.

What surprised him wasn't that Li Xuewu hung up on him for the second time, but what this kid just replied to him?!

Just now on the phone, did he say he wanted to invite Li Xuewu to go dancing together, and introduce a few pretty girls to him?

And he had to bring his father along for this kind of thing?

Huang Gan had the heart to call back and ask him what exactly he was thinking.

But then he thought, forget it; he couldn't get him out today, and he was more afraid of the woman at the switchboard cursing at him.

Actually, he didn't know that even if he called back, he wouldn't be able to reach Li Xuewu, because the bell for getting off work had rung.

He signaled Peng Xiaoli to tidy up the documents, changed his clothes, put on leather shoes, picked up the leather bag on the table, and left work directly.

Working overtime for one minute is a waste of sixty seconds.

The work that should be handled had already been handled, and those that hadn't been handled couldn't be finished even if he stayed up all night until tomorrow morning.

So life can have overtime, but it cannot have overtime work.

Peng Xiaoli followed Li Xuewu downstairs, glanced at the direction of the small vehicle team's duty room, and reminded him softly before getting in the car: "Leader, Gu Cheng hasn't returned."

After saying this, he looked at the leader's expression and asked softly: "Do you want me to wait for him here?"

"Is it convenient to go home tonight?"

Li Xuewu opened the car door and said, "That matter isn't urgent; you handle it."

"I'm fine, I can deal with it anywhere for a night."

Peng Xiaoli handed the bag in his hand to Li Xuewu, then closed the passenger door and said, "If Gu Cheng returns tonight, I'll wait for you at the club tomorrow morning."

"Good."

Li Xuewu patted his arm and said, "Pay attention to safety; still the same sentence, don't be urgent, take it slow."

After saying this, he got in the car, nodded at Peng Xiaoli, and signaled Han Jiankun to drive.

The command vehicle slowly drove out of the plant area with the flow of people, and only after getting on the street did it speed up.

Small snowflakes began to drift in the sky, and the car radio's Red Star Traffic Broadcasting Station prompted that there would be heavy snow in Beijing tonight.

"Hit! Hit you!"

As soon as Li Xuewu entered the house, he saw his daughter holding the bamboo pole Qin Jingru used to pick the curtains, gesturing wildly toward the stairwell.

Qin Jingru, who had just gone out to open the main gate for the two of them, saw Li Xuewu looking at Li Shu and explained with a smile: "A mouse ran out from somewhere this afternoon. I was shouting to hit it, and she learned it somehow."

Qin Jingru explained while walking to Li Shu's side to take the bamboo pole from her hand, which caused Li Shu's dissatisfaction, humming and refusing to let go.

Only when she saw her father changing his slippers and looking at her did she loosen her little hand and pretend to be a good child.

"Raise a cat."

Li Xuewu placed his bag on the cabinet in the foyer, took off his coat and jacket, and hung them on the coat rack.

He tidied his shirt and sweater, walked behind Li Shu who was about to slip away, scooped her up, and held her high, making his daughter giggle.

Gu Ning lay on the sofa, the firewood in the fireplace behind her crackling.

He straightened his shirt and sweater, walked behind Li Shu who was about to slip away, scooped her up, and lifted her high, making his daughter giggle.

Gu Ning lay on the sofa, the wood in the fireplace behind her crackling.

She looked at the father and daughter laughing and playing lazily for a while before saying: "There's a child in the house; how can you keep one?"

Doctors always see the dangerous side of things and always prioritize prevention.

Actually, Li Xuewu wanted to say that they also kept cats in the Sihe Academy, and you didn't have to worry about feeding them anything; they would catch mice to eat themselves.

But considering Li Shu had reached the age of being naughty and Gu Ning was about to give birth, keeping a cat really wasn't a good choice.

Cats are kept to catch mice, so they must be active in the house, and the germs carried by mice could very likely be transmitted to the child.

Not to mention whether Li Shu would play with the cat and get bitten or scratched; it really wasn't worth it.

It wasn't that Li Xuewu was raising his child delicately; there were indeed a few cats in the Sihe Academy.

Whoever's kang was warm, that big yellow cat would go to sleep at their place; a total scumbag.

In the past, who would care whether a cat carried germs? I'm afraid they would have starved to death before getting sick from a cat.

These children were also tough; they didn't care if they were scratched by a cat, and they already had antibodies from their living environment.

Ultimately, he had to consider Gu Ning's feelings; cats were out, but rat poison was okay, provided he ensured Li Shu couldn't get it or touch it.

Mouse traps were the same; this little girl was curious about everything, which was very dangerous.

Han Jiankun had just taken off his clothes when he was ordered by Qin Jingru to set these things up, specifically emphasizing not to let Li Shu see them, and even more so not to let Li Shu touch them.

Li Xuewu heard her arrangements, his face looking a bit awkward; he held Li Shu and sat beside Gu Ning, glancing at her apologetically.

He had really been too busy recently and had neglected his care for the family.

Gu Ning understood his look and rarely took the initiative to reach out and hold his large hand.

Li Xuewu smiled, held Li Shu, pointed at Gu Ning's belly, and asked: "Daughter, do you think it's a little brother or a little sister?"

Li Shu first looked at Mommy's belly, then at Daddy, and then said seriously: "Cat~ Catty!"

"..."

"Pfft~"

Gu Ning really couldn't help it; seeing Li Xuewu's speechless expression made her laugh out loud.

Li Xuewu also felt that his daughter's childhood was missing something—it was missing a good spanking from her father!

"Daddy is asking you again, do you want a little brother or a little sister?"

"Yi Yi?"

Li Shu looked at Daddy in confusion, not knowing what he was saying.

Li Xuewu, however, teased his daughter tirelessly: "Brother, sister."

"Bro~"

"Right, brother, sister."

"Sis~"

"Brother, sister."

"Bro~sis."

"..."

Li Xuewu looked at his daughter speechlessly and said with a wry smile: "You can't have a brother-in-law yet!"

"Ya! ~"

Li Shu, tortured by Daddy, lost her patience and pushed with her little hands, not wanting to talk anymore.

Annoying! I'm not playing anymore!

Li Xuewu coaxed his daughter, picked up the scattered toy figures from the floor, placed them on the sofa armrest by gender, and asked his daughter: "Which one?"

Li Shu first looked at him, then pointed her little finger at the doll wearing a small skirt.

"Ah, it's a little sis..."

Li Xuewu smiled and handed it to her, just about to ask if she liked little sisters, when he saw Li Shu happily raise her hand and skillfully throw the doll in her hand to the other side of the sofa like a grenade.

"Ya! Giggle giggle~"

Li Shu didn't care about the frozen smile on her old father's face; she looked at her masterpiece, clapped her hands, and giggled.

Gu Ning saw Li Xuewu looking at her and shrugged helplessly; the meaning was that you brought this on yourself—the family was having a harmonious time, and you insisted on playing this game.

Li Xuewu was stimulated by her secret laughter; refusing to believe it, he took an apple from the fruit plate, pointed at it, and said: "Brother."

He took a pear, pointed at it for his daughter, and said: "Sister."

Finally, he asked his daughter: "Do you like brother or sister?"

Li Shu folded her little hands, looked at Daddy in confusion, then widened her eyes in realization, nodded seriously, and said: "Good eat! Both good eat~"

"Heh~ Hahaha~"

Gu Ning couldn't hold it in anymore; she covered her mouth and lowered her head to laugh. She really didn't dare to look at Li Xuewu's current expression, afraid she would laugh too loudly and affect the child in her belly.

Li Shu looked at Mommy laughing, looking a bit dazed, not knowing what had happened.

Looking at Daddy's wry expression, he even used his thick-tongued pronunciation to emphasize "good eat" (delicious) and "both good eat" (both are delicious).

At the dinner table, Gu Ning still didn't dare to look at Li Xuewu; as soon as she looked at him, she couldn't help but laugh.

The more she laughed, the more Li Xuewu felt like a failure, and the expression on his face made Gu Ning want to laugh even more.

Qin Jingru saw their interaction and couldn't help but purse her lips; she stole a glance at Han Jiankun and explained: "Li Shu learned to talk quite early, but she hasn't fully understood adult words yet."

"It's still the influence of the environment."

Li Xuewu habitually reflected on himself and said: "There are only so many people in our family, and we don't see other children on weekdays, so of course she can't understand little brother and little sister."

After finishing, he gestured toward Han Jiankun and said to Li Shu: "You say 'Uncle,' she will definitely know."

Li Shu really gave her father face; hearing Daddy say "Uncle," she pointed her little finger at Han Jiankun and shouted with a giggle: "Pig! Piggy!"

"..."

Han Jiankun looked at Li Shu speechlessly while holding his rice bowl; he hadn't said anything or done anything!

It can truly be said that disaster came from the sky while sitting at home; how wronged!

"Hahaha~"

Qin Jingru laughed and said to Han Jiankun: "Children can't pronounce words clearly; you teach her to call 'Uncle' or 'Aunt,' and she calls them all 'Dudu'."

"Piggy~"

Li Shu held a small spoon, seeing the adults laughing because of her speech, and now she started laughing and shouting again like a crazy person.

Actually, Li Shu's pronunciation was "Dudu," but since the child's mouth was also laughing, what came out was the impolite "Piggy."

Han Jiankun shook his head with a smile and said: "If she calls me Piggy, then Piggy it is; at least she doesn't have to throw me like a grenade."

"Hahaha~"

Han Jiankun, who didn't usually joke, making a joke out of the blue had an even more obvious effect.

Gu Ning had already covered her mouth and turned away; she was afraid the rice in her mouth would spray out.

Li Shu was even grabbing her small spoon, laughing while tapping the small dining table; she didn't know what the adults were laughing at, but she just followed along.

Participation is what matters!

After dinner, Han Jiankun went to the courtyard to chop wood for the fireplace.

Shen Guodong had brought a truckload of dry wood logs from the mountain, all cut by a chainsaw.

Coal can be used for cooking and heating boilers, but it's not convenient to use coal for a fireplace for fear of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The houses here are quite airtight; if carbon monoxide were really produced, it definitely wouldn't dissipate.

There is a phrase in the West: "Each for all, and all for each."

Li Xuewu didn't know the origin, but he understood it thoroughly.

Precisely because he thinks more and does more for others, others also think of him and help him.

Not to mention work relationships, just in life, the few families he cares about are also silently caring about him.

How many people know he has a fireplace at home and needs dry wood?

Even if they knew, how many could help him prepare it in advance?

Sometimes friends or relatives don't need to say anything; as long as they do it, both sides can feel that care and love.

Qin Jingru cleaned up the kitchen, walked out, teased Li Shu, and then said to Li Xuewu: "Brother Li, Sister Ning's due date is getting closer; we need to make preparations."

"Hmm, hmm?"

Li Xuewu was coaxing Li Shu and didn't pay attention when she spoke at first, but then he reacted, looked at her in confusion, and then looked at Gu Ning.

Gu Ning raised her gaze from the book in her hand and also looked at Qin Jingru in confusion.

"In our hometown, it's simple for women to give birth; the family prepares a pair of scissors and boils a pot of water, that's it. But Sister Ning has the conditions here, so we still need to prepare."

Qin Jingru saw they were both stunned and knew they hadn't prepared anything.

"It's cold. Although the hospital is close, we still have to consider how to get there; either leave someone at home or leave someone at the hospital."

"Also, the clothes, sanitary supplies, documents, and procedures needed when Sister Ning gives birth, as well as the baby's swaddling clothes, milk powder, baby bottles..."

"Wait!"

Li Xuewu suddenly realized that Gu Ning would actually give birth very soon; ten months of pregnancy doesn't necessarily mean you have to wait until ten months to give birth.

Counting the days on his fingers, it's actually been seven months already; it's time to make preparations.

"I'll go get a pen and notebook; let's hold a family meeting!"