Chapter 970: You Must Not Go Bad!

Aren't we staying here?

Mm, we’ll follow the leadership’s arrangements.

Peng Xiao forced Zhou Xiaobai and Luo Yun to get in first, then closed the car door, jumped into the front passenger seat, and signaled the driver to go.

Two Mudu-brand sedans slowly glided out of the Trade Management Center’s main gate, heading toward the river-crossing bridge.

Inside the car, Luo Yun glanced curiously back at the still brilliantly lit Trade Management Center building fading behind them, then leaned close to Zhou Xiaobai’s ear with a suppressed grin and whispered: “Do you think they’re going to sell us?”

Maybe. It’s possible.

Zhou Xiaobai remembered Li Xuewu’s teasing from yesterday and couldn’t resist teasing her back: “I’ll sell you first—to some landlord’s dumb son as a child bride.”

Sell you first!

Luo Yun punched Zhou Xiaobai’s arm—her reaction was strong, her voice louder than intended, drawing a glance from Peng Xiao in the rearview mirror.

At Zhou Xiaobai’s finger gesture warning her to be careful, Luo Yun quickly lowered her voice but still muttered stubbornly: “Sell you first! Sell you off as a servant to some wealthy household!”

At least that’s better than being a child bride!

Zhou Xiaobai grinned and tapped Luo Yun’s forehead: “From now on, I’ll call you Landlady.”

Pfft~

Luo Yun pouted and scolded: “I, the Landlady, will make sure you become the master’s concubine!”

Ah!

Zhou Xiaobai’s face flushed crimson. She lightly punched Luo Yun and whispered: “How can you say things like that?”

You started it!

…

The two girls in the backseat chattered and laughed, completely free of worry or trouble.

Peng Xiao listened, watched in the mirror, and couldn’t help recalling that afternoon’s sunset run—the youth he had lost.

He didn’t know where the two cars were headed, nor who these two girls were.

There were still many things about Li Xuewu he couldn’t possibly understand, not with his current status or relationship.

The two cars crossed the Haihe River Bridge one after the other, then turned right, heading back toward the residential area on the opposite shore of the Trade Management Center’s dock.

It was night, yet the river remained busy—tiny stars glimmered on the water, the work of icebreakers operating nonstop.

Cargo ships followed navigational lights to load, unload, and speed across the bridge.

The Haihe River in Jinmen froze for about three months each year.

To ensure smooth passage and shipping, the Jinmen Waterway Bureau was responsible for clearing and breaking ice along the entire river.

From inside the car, the Trade Management Center’s lights shimmered on the river’s surface, dazzling and enchanting.

The lead car slowed, then turned into a side street; the following car followed suit.

The road wasn’t far or deep—just narrow, forcing the cars to crawl.

At the mouth of an alley, both cars stopped, their headlights cutting through the night.

Peng Xiao jumped out first. Seeing Gu Haoyang’s signal, he opened the rear door and invited the two girls out.

Zhou Xiaobai looked around, bewildered by the quiet, dazzling surroundings.

Luo Yun nervously gripped her hand and asked Peng Xiao, who was carrying two suitcases from the trunk: “Where are we?”

I don’t know.

He answered briefly, then handed the suitcases to them: “I can only take you this far. After this, follow your leader’s instructions.”

Without waiting for their reaction, he got back into the car.

Only when the car doors slammed shut and the two vehicles drove off again did they snap back to reality.

Watching the cars drive away, they saw Li Xuewu’s tall figure walking with Director Li toward a villa beside the alley. Startled, they exchanged glances, each grabbed a suitcase, and hurried after them.

Come on, let’s go to your place.

The villa Li Huai had given Li Xuewu stood across a narrow alley from his own.

Now, seeing the villa on the left lit up, Li Huai insisted they go to the one on the right.

Showing up uninvited was rude—but Li Xuewu had come back with him; how could he turn him away outright?

Besides, Li’s main reason for coming to Jinmen was to see his secret mistress, his beloved beauty.

I heard she’s pregnant, right?

Li Huai asked knowingly, glanced at Gu Haoyang behind him, and said: “I brought some special nourishing gifts.”

Oh, you’re too kind!

Li Xuewu suddenly smiled, then glanced at Gu Haoyang, and at Zhou Xiaobai and Luo Yun, who looked dazed.

Even if you hadn’t brought anything, I wouldn’t have stopped you from coming to my home~

Please, come in.

Hahaha~

Li Huai laughed and stepped up the porch as Li Xuewu gestured.

The villa’s courtyard wasn’t small; the path to the entrance was paved with stone slabs and pebbles, naturally beautiful.

Perhaps hearing voices at the gate, the porch lights turned on first, then the front door opened, and a woman in her forties or fifties stepped out.

Mr. Li.

Who is this…?

Li Huai froze, then realized—the woman was addressing Li Xuewu, not him.

Li Xuewu casually explained: “Lu Jie, she’s a distant relative come to look after her.”

Then he introduced her to the woman: “This is Director Li, my superior.”

Director Li, hello.

Lu Jie responded with perfect poise, bowed slightly to the side, and invited everyone inside.

Li Huai studied her briefly, then nodded slowly before stepping into the foyer.

When you’re expecting, you must be careful—especially living this far out. You should have someone to care for you.

I’m too busy to think of such things.

Li Xuewu chuckled self-deprecatingly: “She found her own. I arranged for Sha Qi to bring her over.”

Oh~

Li Huai finally relaxed a little, understanding why the maid had called Li Xuewu “Mr. Li.”

Gu Haoyang, walking last, smiled and greeted Lu Jie, handing her the gifts.

Zhou Xiaobai and Luo Yun followed Li Xuewu, dazed, like lost children staring at the grand house, unsure what to do.

Inside the living room, warm air rushed over them—the heat from the fireplace instantly comforting after shedding their coats in the foyer.

You just finished eating?

Suddenly, Zhou Miaomiao stood up from the sofa facing away from the door, startling Zhou Xiaobai and Luo Yun.

Li Huai waved his hand without answering, instead turning directly to the pregnant woman who had risen.

Shuping, this is Director Li.

Li Xuewu smiled, handed his bag to Lu Jie, and introduced Wu Shuping: “Director Li, this is my wife, Wu Shuping.”

Director Li, hello.

Oh~ oh~ good! Nice to meet you!

Li Huai ignored the others’ surprise and warmly greeted Wu Shuping himself.

As he studied her demeanor, he teased Li Xuewu: “I’ve always wondered who this secret beauty is that Deputy Director Li treasures so much.”

Hahaha!

Li Huai looked at Li Xuewu standing behind Wu Shuping and laughed: “Now I see—she’s beautiful outside and wise within, elegant and refined.”

You flatter me. Since I got pregnant, I’ve even dared to look in the mirror. But this Ms. Zhou here is the true beauty!

Wu Shuping replied playfully, her hostess-like grace gesturing to everyone: “Don’t stand—please, sit down.”

Her warm, poised hospitality matched the tea Lu Jie served—gentle and comforting.

Yet no warmth in this room could melt the ice in Zhou Xiaobai’s heart.

She stood frozen like a corpse until Luo Yun pulled her down onto the sofa.

Her eyes locked on Li Xuewu and his happiness; the chatter around her sounded distant, as if from another world.

When I left earlier, I said, “Where’s he? I’ll have Haoyang go find him.”

Li Xuewu patted the back of Miaomiao’s sofa as he walked toward the armchair by the fireplace: “But Haoyang said you came back first.”

I hate these social events—they’re so noisy.

Miaomiao smiled and explained to Li Xuewu: “After dinner, I asked Brother Haoyang to drop me off here early.”

Gu Haoyang stood by the sideboard, not moving toward the sofa.

Last time, over this house, Deputy Director Li had looked at him like he was already dead—he dared not mention the house again.

Today, everyone came here again. Though laughter filled the room, he felt a chill down his spine.

Did you eat? You came back so early.

Li Xuewu habitually reached into his pocket for a cigarette, but Wu Shuping stared at him with quiet reproach.

Heh, I came back because I’d eaten. I was bored alone at home, so I came over to bother you.

Miaomiao’s embarrassed expression as she withdrew the cigarette under the hostess’s gaze was almost comical.

Li Huai noticed their interaction, his eyes flickering, smiling like an old fox.

He now noticed the two girls sitting on the other sofa and pointed casually at them: “Your relatives?”

"Kid"

Li Xuewu glanced at the two of them, offering no further introduction, only saying casually, "They say they’ve never been to Jinmen and wanted to come out and take a look."

"What about Zhou Miaomiao? Has she been to Jinmen?"

He took a sip of hot tea, his gaze returning to Zhou Miaomiao, asking her about her impressions of Jinmen.

Wu Shuping politely nodded to Li Huai De , then pushed herself up from the armrest, walking toward Zhou Xiaobai and Luo Yun under Li Huai De ’s watchful eyes and waving them over.

Li Xuewu’s gaze followed the others to this side, seeing Zhou Xiaobai and Luo Yun’s cautious expressions, smiled, and said, "Call her sister-in-law."

Luo Yun raised an eyebrow at him, said nothing, and stood up, pulling Zhou Xiaobai’s hand.

At this moment, Zhou Xiaobai kept his head down, trying hard to conceal his disappointment and sorrow.

Wu Shuping, however, smiled and gestured toward the stairs, saying, "You’ve been walking all day—tired, right? I’ll take you to your room."

Without waiting for their reply, she went up the stairs first.

Zhou Xiaobai glanced toward the sofa, then let Luo Yun pull him up to the second floor.

"I’ve been here once, but last time I didn’t know your place was on this side."

Zhou Miaomiao gave a meaningful look toward the stairs, then smiled at Li Xuewu and said, "If I’d known, I’d have come to bother you long ago."

"Come visit often."

Li Xuewu smiled slightly and looked at Li Huai De , saying, "Jinmen is colder than Jingcheng; summer is still the best time to come."

"It’s all the same—I don’t really feel the difference."

Li Huai De sipped his tea and said to Zhou Miaomiao, "Wait here for Teacher Wu—we have business to discuss."

As he spoke, he stood up and gestured toward the study.

Those who knew knew this was Li Xuewu’s house; those who didn’t would think it was his.

Of course, this property was given to Li Xuewu by him; their relationship had grown very close now, so such formalities were unnecessary.

Work-related ties, of course, needed no explanation—but in private matters, Li Xuewu’s conduct had deeply pleased him.

He’d heard rumors before about Li Xuewu’s womanizing, but this was the first time he’d seen the man in person.

Especially regarding the child in the woman’s womb—he’d heard there was a peculiar story behind it.

Li Haiyang’s inquiries hadn’t yielded complete details, but the general outline was very clear.

This Teacher Wu was a physics professor at Huaqing, a colleague of Li Xuewu’s older brother.

Somehow, she’d met Li Xuewu and become pregnant.

Of course, Teacher Wu had a lover; whether he’d noticed anything or not, he’d never returned.

Then the Great Learning Movement erupted, and Teacher Wu suffered—Li Xuewu rescued her alone.

He didn’t know what had happened in between; neither did Li Haiyang. Just getting this much information was already lucky.

Everyone connected to this matter had either fled or died; Huaqing was in utter chaos.

No one knew when Li Xuewu had met Wu Shuping, nor whether the child was his.

Of course, none of that mattered now—Wu Shuping had taken refuge in Jinmen, living under Li Xuewu’s protection.

Judging from their interaction just now, there was genuine emotion between them; Li Huai De didn’t believe Li Xuewu would randomly drag a woman off the street to perform this for him.

Even if he could perform it, who would let their pregnant wife play house with him?

A day or two might be forgivable, but months have passed, and no one has come to "visit."

He no longer avoids mentioning Zhou Miaomiao in front of Li Xuewu, and Li Xuewu doesn’t hide anything from him—they’ve laid their cards on the table, building mutual trust.

In the study, Li Huai De didn’t sit behind the desk; he sat in the wicker chair by the window.

Li Xuewu entered with their teacups and asked softly, "Want a stronger tea?"

"No need~"

Li Huai De opened his eyes, waved his hand, and said, "I haven’t drunk much—just feeling a bit low on energy."

"After all, I’m not young anymore—not like you kids."

"You should exercise more."

Li Xuewu set down the teacup and sat in the wicker chair, leaving the door open, saying with concern, "A slow jog every morning for an hour is good for your heart and lungs—and your prostate too."

"Hehe~"

Li Huai De lifted his teacup and pointed at Li Xuewu, smiling, "You always hit the nail on the head."

"Ahh~"

After the joke, he sighed lightly and shook his head. "Time doesn’t spare anyone—I already feel my stamina isn’t what it used to be."

"Medication helps, but you still need exercise."

Li Xuewu sipped his tea and urged, "Take care of your health—it’s the foundation of revolution."

"Mm, that makes sense."

Li Huai De turned to look at Li Xuewu and said, "As long as the green hills remain, you won’t lack firewood."

"Hehe~"

Li Xuewu looked up at him, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "You don’t approve of my approach?"

"Hah, you’re overthinking it."

Li Huai De sized up Li Xuewu, then laughed, "Even if they’re more arrogant, do you think they can scare me?"

"I was thinking of you~"

He nodded with a helpless smile. "Full of pride, never leaving yourself room to retreat."

"At the steel mill, you preached courage and strategy; at the branch and garrison, you preached openness and righteousness."

"But—"

Li Huai De turned to look at Li Xuewu and asked, "If they know you this well, do you think they’ll play surface games with you?"

"Either don’t act at all—give yourself time to ease off, step back and the world opens wide."

"Or act—go all the way, don’t bother with benevolence or morality, don’t talk about fairness or reason."

Li Huai De tapped the coffee table between them, his voice dark and cruel: "Kill him first, then talk to him—everything becomes your word."

"I didn’t think it through."

Li Xuewu nodded gravely. "I mistook false affection for real feeling—and left loose ends."

"Just take it as a lesson."

Li Huai De waved his hand dismissively. "Who hasn’t been young? You’ve done better than most."

He nodded, then looked at the bookshelf and said, "Our joint trade project isn’t new—have you ever seen them step forward to say two words?"

"Today you don’t give them meat, tomorrow they come to bite you. This poison was planted long ago—by you yourself."

Li Huai De tapped the armrest of the wicker chair, his tone soft yet edged with cruelty: "You should’ve starved him from the start—never let him get full. Don’t you know how to train a dog?"

"Alright, however you handle this, I support you."

Li Huai De turned and comforted him, "Don’t worry about the factory—nothing will stir up trouble there."

"As for outside…"

He paused, lifted the teacup lid, and tapped Li Xuewu. "Don’t drive them to total annihilation. Leaving a few small fry won’t hurt—it avoids the rabbit dying and the fox grieving, and keeps the higher-ups from turning against you."

With that, he released his grip, letting the teacup lid fall with a clink.

"Tell me about the shipyard—what’s your plan?"

"Mainly considering future product layout and market competitiveness."

Li Xuewu crossed his left leg, turned slightly, and reported to Li Huai De : "Any enterprise entering market competition faces the problem of choosing its customer base."

"That is—whose hands will our products reach? Who will use them? And who will buy again?"

"The Yingcheng Shipyard emerged to resolve excess steel production capacity and advances in special steel R&D at the smelter."

"Fishing boats and cargo ships—one small and numerous, one large and few—both lack core market competitiveness."

Li Xuewu explained seriously to Li Huai De : "I can sell my goods to you now, relying on the planned economy to solve sales—but I can’t solve the profit-R&D cycle."

"So the shipyard must find another path, right?"

Li Huai De nodded, lips pressed tight. "Can’t take domestic orders—must find markets abroad."

"Right. Our factory has no R&D foundation, no talent, no technical reserves."

Li Xuewu told him: "Even if someone orders our fishing boats or cargo ships now, what about five years from now? Ten years?"

"After achieving corporate groupization, you’re left with a pile of bankrupt ruins—life becomes even harder."

"This situation cannot happen!"

Li Huai De leaned back in the wicker chair, frowning, and said to Li Xuewu: "I understand your thinking—is this preemptive caution?"

"Not quite…"

Li Xuewu paused, looked into Li Huai De ’s eyes, and said: "You know well—planned economy alone can’t hold up now; it easily goes off track."

"Mm~"

Li Huai De ’s frown deepened; his fingers kept tapping the wicker armrest as he thought and asked: "Are you suggesting the wind might shift?"

"Uncertain—but we must guard against the opening of market-oriented operations."

Li Xuewu lightly tapped the solid wood coffee table, whispering: "Allowing people to engage in agriculture and sideline production, and to run small and medium factories producing goods they need and exchange with the state… isn’t that already opening a crack?"

"Oh…"

Li Huai De pursed his lips, hesitated, then said: "It’s because the top and the organization are in such dire straits—they’re forced to do this."

"I’d rather say: times change, adapt to the tide."

Li Xuewu lowered his voice: "Think about it—if the demand from below weren’t overwhelming, or if current social productivity truly met the people’s needs, how could we be here today…"

"I know, I know."

Li Huai de nodded slightly and said, “We must guard against such sudden shifts, just as we have today’s reforms.”

“I think so. We can take it slowly.”

Li Xuewu explained calmly, “The fact that foreign merchants are permitted to purchase goods inland proves the attitude is clear and open.”

“But…”

Li Huai de hesitated and asked, “How do we gauge the proper limits?”

“We must resolutely defend and actively create!”

Li Xuewu looked at Li Huai de with serious intent and explained, “Our factory must always consider issues from the perspective of all workers, building on your management philosophy to lead the creation of a new-era model of enterprise management.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Li Huai de’s mind spun rapidly, striving to keep pace with Li Xuewu’s thinking, as he remarked aloud, “So… externally, we play one game; internally, another…?”

“It sounds harsh, but your understanding is correct.”

Li Xuewu commented, “Selling goods abroad earns foreign exchange and boosts the economy—does selling craftsmanship not count?”

“We must firmly hold to one red line and two basic points, resolutely making foreign trade success and foreign exchange leadership our core goals.”

“Internally, we must fully mobilize workers to actively participate in daily management and labor. The factory belongs to everyone—it’s also everyone’s home.”

“Mm, that makes sense.”

Li Huai de shifted his gaze several times, then asked Li Xuewu, “In your view, where will Yingcheng Shipyard’s breakthrough lie?”

“Rooted in fundamentals, looking toward the future.”

Li Xuewu’s eyes brightened as he explained, “Our current capacity to build cargo and fishing vessels will cultivate a large pool of technical talent, while our yacht manufacturing capability will continuously supply advanced technology and design concepts.”

“With talent and technology, plus advanced design, what do you think Yingcheng Shipyard could become?”

“...I dare not imagine.”

Li Huai de shook his head slightly and said, “Just this one area—light vessel manufacturing—could put us far ahead of all northern shipyards.”

“That’s competitiveness.”

Li Xuewu stared intently at Li Huai de and said, “When evaluating group development, we must also consider whether a company can drive progress and growth in other enterprises.”

“I’ve studied the groupization process of Beijing Auto Factory—they pursued constant mergers, but the drawbacks are too numerous, not worth the cost.”

“Mm, indeed.”

Li Huai de recalled Li Xuewu’s report on groupization: high-quality products, advanced technology, strict management. His strategy for the shipyard was now clear.

He nodded slowly and asked Li Xuewu, “Do you think the future belongs to small boats?”

“Absolutely not!”

Li Xuewu smiled, picked up the thermos, and refilled his cup with hot water. “I’d prefer our shipyard leap straight to building ten-thousand-ton vessels.”

“But…”

As Li Huai de froze in thought, Li Xuewu smiled again and added, “Small vessels always possess capabilities large ships cannot match.”

“Take a ten-thousand-ton vessel—could it deliver goods into Beijing?”

“Or a patrol boat—would a modified fishing boat suit better, or our new fast patrol craft?”

Li Xuewu set down the thermos and told Li Huai de, “I won’t claim whether the future belongs to large or small ships—I’m certain it belongs to fast ships.”

“Mm, that makes sense.”

Li Huai de tapped the arm of his rattan chair. “You’re solving the sales problem through speed!”

“We must hold at least one advantage!”

Li Xuewu smiled. “Like our cars—if yours has better quality, I’ll add more features; if yours carries more, I’ll be cheaper.”

“Mm-hmm. Your thinking is right.”

Li Huai de nodded slowly. “Fiberglass vessels have disadvantages. Yingcheng Shipyard is just starting—it has weaknesses too.”

“But if we survive this early phase and suddenly produce fast ships, then…”

He gazed thoughtfully at the wall decoration, murmuring, “What could fast ships even do?”

“When’s your due date?”

Zhou Miaomiao stared curiously at Wu Shuping’s belly, then asked with unusual tone, “Isn’t pregnancy exhausting?”

“It is a bit.”

Wu Shuping smiled, studying the girl before her. “Luckily, I’ll give birth next month—then it’ll just be tiredness.”

“Huh?”

Zhou Miaomiao stared, astonished. “Then… is childbirth very painful?”

“Maybe~”

Wu Shuping lowered her head, stroking her belly. “I hope he leaves all the pain to me, so he can live a life free of suffering.”

“No wonder books say maternal love is great~”

Zhou Miaomiao sighed. “Being a mother is truly hard.”

As she spoke, her gaze toward Wu Shuping carried a quiet empathy, a sense of shared sorrow.

Even if childbirth’s pain were bearable, bearing a child without name or status—wasn’t that another kind of torment for a woman?

She dared not try it. She lacked the boldness to have a child with Li Huai de.

Unless he divorced and married her.

Her pity for Wu Shuping was also pity for herself. Li Xuewu kept Wu Shuping hidden here—wasn’t Li Huai de keeping her in the same way next door?

Watching Wu Shuping’s eyes glow with maternal warmth, thinking how Li Xuewu came to Beijing only once a month—what of the future?

“Of all parental love, none is truer—tears and blood merge into children’s flesh.”

“Exhausting every ounce of strength for their child—how pitiful, the heart of every parent!”

Zhou Miaomiao glanced at Wu Shuping, silently thinking her foolish, yet soothing her all the same—as if relieved she herself was still clear-headed.

Li Huai de and Li Xuewu stepped out of the study just as she spoke. Li Huai de frowned. “What nonsense!”

Seeing Zhou Miaomiao and Wu Shuping turn to him, he tapped his girlfriend’s shoulder. “Wu Teacher is a physics professor at Huaqing University. You’re showing off your ignorance before a master.”

“Huh?”

Zhou Miaomiao froze at Li Huai de’s words, then turned back, disbelieving, to look at Wu Shuping.

Though she had the soft grace of a southern woman, there was no trace of scholarly air on her face.

And during their conversation, Wu Shuping never mentioned books or learning—Zhou Miaomiao had been the one rambling about recent readings…

So embarrassing!

It wasn’t just embarrassment—she felt resentment, even refused to accept this reality.

Ever since hearing Li Xuewu had a mistress here, she’d longed to come see.

The moment she saw Wu Shuping, she felt superior—her looks and figure crushed the other woman’s.

Li Xuewu had ignored her advances, yet chose this plain-looking woman, even had her child—what poor taste.

Even if she was kind, demure, and bore his child—she was still kept outside.

They say: marry for virtue, take a concubine for beauty. Since Li Xuewu already had a wife, his next woman should be stunning.

Yet…

He picked a university professor?!

What the hell!

Has being a mistress become this competitive now?!

She stared blankly at Wu Shuping, wondering if her own patchy junior high education qualified her to bear a child.

Li Xuewu really was… incomprehensible. Even his mistress had to be highly educated. No wonder he ignored her.

Li Huai de smiled apologetically at Wu Shuping—he deeply respected cultured people, especially young, educated ones like her.

Li Xuewu escorted him and the still-dazed Zhou Miaomiao out. As he turned to close the door, his eyes narrowed slightly.

Wu Shuping stood by the sofa, hand on her waist, studying Li Xuewu with unusual expression. When he drew near, she spoke: “He investigated me.”

“Inevitable.”

Li Xuewu stood behind the sofa, hands resting on its back, speaking calmly: “From the start, I knew he’d make these moves.”

“Will it cause problems?”

Wu Shuping glanced toward the first-floor maid’s room—her worry included the sudden arrival of that woman.

Li Xuewu shook his head slightly. “Don’t worry. She’s not one of ours—but she’s not an outsider either.”

“I understand.”

Wu Shuping frowned slightly and asked, “Then what now?”

“Continue.”

Li Xuewu tapped the sofa back, straightened up, and said, “Zhou Miaomiao returned early on Li Huai de’s orders. Everything since has been his probe.”

“But don’t worry. Live as you always do—real becomes false, false becomes real.”

As he spoke, Li Xuewu circled the sofa, stepped before Wu Shuping, and gently took her arm, guiding her toward the stairs. “I’ll take you upstairs.”

“Alright.”

Wu Shuping glanced out the window, letting Li Xuewu support her up to the second floor. As they passed the guest room, footsteps could still be heard.

“They’re…”

“A smokescreen—to confuse and distract.”

Li Xuewu ignored the guest room’s noise, escorting Wu Shuping into the master bedroom, then drew the curtains himself.

He turned off the main lights, leaving only the bedside lamp on for her.

“Rest early. I leave for Yingcheng tomorrow morning. Sleep well—no need to rise to see me off.”

"Good."

Wu Shuping nodded on her bed and said softly, "I’ll treat that Zhou Miaomiao to lunch."

"Whatever, invite her if it’s convenient."

Li Xuewu unbuttoned his shirt, stood at the door, and said, "Don’t take her too seriously—she’s smarter than you think."

With that, he smiled slightly, wished Wu Shuping good night, and stepped out.

Of course I’m leaving—this isn’t some undercover operation where we have to share a bed.

No one’s monitoring him—that would be suicide for the other side.

Besides, it’s about mutual trust; Li Huai wants attitude, not facts.

"Hmph~"

As Li Xuewu stepped out, he saw Luo Yun leaning against the doorframe in her pajamas, arms crossed, humming: "I knew I didn’t misjudge you!"

"You need me now?"

Li Xuewu smirked, glanced at her, and said, "Stand up straight—who taught you to lean on doorframes like that? What kind of girl are you?"

"Hmph! You’re one to talk!"

Luo Yun grabbed Li Xuewu’s arm and yanked him into the guest room, scolding, "Explain yourself—she’s cried twice already!"

"What?"

As Li Xuewu was pulled in, he saw Zhou Xiaobai sitting by the bed, covering her face and avoiding him.

"She cried."

Luo Yun gave Li Xuewu an exasperated look, then poked Zhou Xiaobai, pouted, and climbed onto the bed.

Li Xuewu chuckled at the girl’s precociousness, walked to the bed, pulled out a rattan chair, and sat sideways, glancing at Zhou Xiaobai’s lowered head.

"What’s wrong? You cried over this?"

He pulled a few tissues from the bedside table and handed them over. "Missing home? Or did my image as your noble, upright, radiant hero collapse?"

"Do I need to say it?"

Luo Yun rolled on the bed, pouted, and said, "You have no idea how high she thinks of you—I even get flustered just mentioning you."

She poked Zhou Xiaobai, who twisted away, and teased, "Come on, explain—just who is that sister-in-law? Is that kid yours?"

"Hehe~"

Li Xuewu lifted Zhou Xiaobai’s chin with his finger and smiled at the tear-streaked girl. "You cry just because I said ‘lover’?"

Zhou Xiaobai bit her lip, tears streaming down, gazing at him with grievance, too afraid to move her chin.

"Hahahaha~"

Li Xuewu found her expression amusing and teased, "Who said if I call someone my lover, the kid must be mine?"

"Huh...?"

Zhou Xiaobai looked up at him, her eyes now filled with pity.

"What are you thinking?"

Li Xuewu flicked her forehead, then ruffled her hair. "Foolish child—I say ‘lover’ and you believe it? If I really had a lover outside, do you think I’d let you see her?"

"Ah?"

Zhou Xiaobai stared at him blankly, mouth slightly open—her mind was overloaded; the tears had flooded her thoughts.

"Idiot!"

Luo Yun jumped off the bed, unfazed by her loose pajamas revealing too much, and wrapped her arms around Zhou Xiaobai. "I told you not to trust Li Ge—yet you believed him!"

"Hey! Hey! What are you saying!"

Li Xuewu feigned another flick to her forehead, warning, "Talk properly—don’t make me hit you!"

"Hmph~"

Luo Yun, now familiar with him, pouted, then suddenly grinned, leapt off the bed, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders and neck from behind, whispering into his ear: "I knew my hero wouldn’t turn bad!"

"Oh my!"

Li Xuewu reached back and caught her, complaining, "Do I need your admiration?!"

"I don’t care!"

Luo Yun clung tighter to his neck, pouting. "You’re my hero—you’re not allowed to turn bad!"

"Then..."

Zhou Xiaobai watched Luo Yun and Li Xuewu playfully wrestle, feeling a pang of envy—she now realized she’d misunderstood.

Perhaps Li Xuewu had another plan, or was doing something that required those words.

Ever since Luo Yun mentioned he’d come out of the master bedroom, she’d sensed things weren’t as she imagined.

She’d already blamed herself for overthinking and misjudging him—he was a gentleman, never once taking initiative with her.

"Then... what’s the relationship between you and that sister-in-law?"

"Hehe, just friends."

Li Xuewu watched her muster the courage to ask, turned away from Luo Yun, and spun her onto the bed.

Ignoring Luo Yun’s shriek, he patted Zhou Xiaobai’s head. "But for now, we have to pretend we’re lovers—do you understand?"

"Mm!"

Zhou Xiaobai tilted her head up, letting Li Xuewu stroke her hair like a cat.

But after confirming it once, she still felt uneasy, opened her eyes, and asked, "Then... where will you sleep tonight?"

"Oh~"

Li Xuewu smiled at her. "I was so busy arranging rooms for you two, I forgot to arrange one for myself."

"So~~"

He leaned close to Zhou Xiaobai’s face, grinning. "How about I share your room? Let’s kick Luo Yun out!"

Zhou Xiaobai blushed deeply. "Th-this isn’t very proper~"