Chapter 980: Happy New Year

The Yingcheng Shipyard can now consider upgrading.

Li Xuewu walked out with his hands in his coat pockets, saying this as he went.

After seeing them off at the station that night, he noticed light snow drifting down—quiet and serene.

Suddenly, a cigarette appeared before him; he looked up and saw Xu Siyear.

“What? Trying to bribe me?”

“Hehe~”

Xu Siyear chuckled, his face flushed, waving the cigarette and saying, “If you’re going to bribe, you should be kowtowing to Director Li.”

“I agree with that!”

Li Xuewu smiled at Li Huaide, took the cigarette Xu Siyear offered.

“Mm~ I’ll light it myself~”

He waved off the other’s offer to light it, instead igniting it with his own lighter.

Li Huaide pulled his wool coat tighter, glanced back at the two, muttering disdainfully: “Can’t you two just wait a bit?”

“Hehe, don’t get too proud, sir!”

Li Xuewu waved his cigarette and said, “I don’t believe I can’t corrupt you!”

“Hahahaha~”

Xu Siyear laughed and told Li Huaide, “This guy’s completely corrupt—he’s dead set on dragging you back into smoking.”

“When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it first torments his spirit, exhausts his body, starves him, impoverishes him, and frustrates his actions.”

“With you two?”

He pointed at the two of them and said, “By the time you’re old, you still won’t match me!”

“Old?!”

Xu Siyear sucked hard on his cigarette and grimaced: “Now, if I work past eight at night, my lower back always aches.”

“Sit less, walk more.”

Li Huaide stepped forward, snow crunching under his boots.

“You really must take care of your health—how else will you work for thirty years?”

“I hope so~”

Xu Siyear sighed and said, “Once this busy stretch is over and the shipyard’s on track…”

He gestured at Li Xuewu complaining, “With Deputy Director Li calling every ten days and sending reports every half-month, I’m like a donkey in a production team!”

“Be grateful~”

Li Huaide turned and looked at him, saying sympathetically, “I didn’t finish my monthly work plan—the Office already sent me a reminder.”

He glanced at Li Xuewu with resignation and asked Xu Siyear, “Guess who ordered it?”

“Hehe~ He’s a real scoundrel~”

Xu Siyear drew a puff of smoke and sighed: “If the group’s target timeline slips by even a day because of this shipyard, I can picture his face!”

“Mm~”

Li Xuewu lowered his eyelids, glanced at the two, and said to Xu Siyear, “Flattery’s fine, but don’t drag me into it.”

He stomped his foot, regretting: “Should’ve taken a car—damn it!”

“See that?!”

Li Huaide pointed at Li Xuewu and told those behind him: “That’s what real eloquence looks like—he’s said everything!”

“You lot!”

He stopped, pointing at Li Haiyang, Peng Xiao, Sha Qizhi, and others behind him: “Learn from this—you’ll need it someday.”

“Yes, Boss!”

Li Haiyang and the others, seeing their boss in good spirits, laughed and agreed cheerfully.

Li Xuewu barely glanced at them, scoffing: “You didn’t even shout in unison.”

“Hahahaha~”

After returning from the train station, the trade center’s dinner had broken up; those who drank too much were sent back to the guesthouse.

Li Huaide and the others had their limits—they wouldn’t get drunk, and waited for Li Xuewu.

Seeing their flushed faces, cozy inside, Li Xuewu couldn’t help feeling jealous.

He refused Li Haiyang’s offer of a car and insisted they walk home.

He specifically brought along Xu Siyear, who was on a business trip to Jinmen, saying tomorrow was New Year’s Day and they should celebrate together.

Of course, he meant the Gregorian New Year—most families didn’t care much; Li Xuewu just wanted an excuse to gather.

Xu Siyear still had some distance from Old Li, having served as factory office director for Yang Fengshan for so long.

Though he once served Li Huaide, their roles had always been different.

Li Huaide wasn’t petty—certainly no less so than Li Xuewu.

Reaching this point wasn’t just luck; he truly had the potential for success.

Old Li wasn’t keen on appointing Xu Siyear as office director, but since Xu had delivered results at the branch plant, Li Huaide accepted him.

Public duty was public duty, private feelings were private—leaders couldn’t decide based on personal preference.

If they did, the steel rolling mill would’ve collapsed long ago.

The evidence showed his talent for cultivating talent was lacking.

Look at Shi Ruoweng, look at Jin Yaohui—both he’d promoted—but when tested, they were utterly inadequate.

Especially compared to the extraordinary Li Xuewu, they were even worse.

In an ordinary factory, without a prodigy like Li Xuewu, either Shi Ruoweng or Jin Yaohui could’ve been useful.

But now Old Li’s picky: Li Xuewu can offer multiple solutions to any problem, analyze pros and cons, and pick the best one.

Especially when planning work, Li Huaide could sense Li Xuewu’s ability to think ten steps ahead.

If you talk about scheming, Li Xuewu’s mind was among the top two in the steel mill—but he acted with absolute integrity.

Shi Ruoweng resented him, Jin Yaohui resented him—but face to face with Li Xuewu, they couldn’t last three moves.

If they still resent him, ask Zhang Guoqi—he’s sunk that low, complains about Li Huaide, but never says a word against Li Xuewu.

That’s charisma.

Whether others respected him didn’t matter; Li Huaide admired him, so he’d promote Li Xuewu.

He preferred Li Xuewu’s way of interacting—no pressure, no annoyance.

At work, no flattery, yet he dares to urge the office to send him reminders about work plans—how impressive is that?

In life, no generation gap: the one who convinced him to quit smoking is the same one who lured him back to it!

Never brings gifts, yet comes here to steal cigarettes—how unfair is that!

Ah! That’s his nature—and that’s exactly why he’s so likable; Li Huaide enjoys being around him.

Sometimes Li Huaide scolded himself for being a sucker—there’s nothing to be done about it.

“What’s Yingcheng thinking?”

Li Huaide kicked a stone at his feet, watching boats glide past on the Hai River, lights shimmering like stars across a silver river—poetic.

Xu Siyear dared not speak freely; though asked about Yingcheng, he had no right to advise Li Huaide, so he walked silently beside him.

“Raise it half a level—at least.”

Li Xuewu hesitated, frowned slightly; snowflakes hit his face, damp and cold, but invigorating.

“From now until the river thaws, then to laying the first ship’s keel—how long at minimum?”

“Yes, the schedule is tight.”

Xu Siyear answered proactively: “We’re studying options and aiming to start construction on the first ship as soon as possible.”

“Don’t rush!”

Li Huaide waved his hand sternly: “The first step is always the hardest—must be steady. Speed means nothing!”

He pointed at Li Xuewu, warning: “Don’t pressure him—Siyear’s more anxious than you are.”

“Mm, understood.”

Li Xuewu smoked, nodded, waved at Xu Siyear: “Since the Jili Star has settled in the shipyard and Andrew came knocking, don’t coddle him.”

“Is it engineering machinery… or technical manpower?”

Xu Siyear ventured: “I don’t trust Andrew—he’s probably got tricks up his sleeve.”

“Completely normal—he’s a veteran capitalist.”

Li Xuewu warned seriously: “Of course, maintain unity at first—but in construction, don’t hold back when you need to cut him down.”

He grinned wickedly: “If he dares to set up subcontracting in inland China, his guts and his money should be proportional.”

“Mind the limits.”

Li Huaide glanced at Li Xuewu and added specifically to Xu Siyear: “If Li Xuewu were in charge of the shipyard, I wouldn’t say a word.”

But I fear Xu Siyear won’t learn Li Xuewu’s knack—knowing when to act, when to hold back, when to advance, when to retreat.

If you truly cooperate by handing over your heart and your bottom line, you’ll just become a sucker.

Li Xuewu telling Xu Siyear to play dirty—Li Huaide understood. This was private advice, not public talk.

“Four months for construction—including the fiberglass plant, engines, generators—is still tight.”

Li Xuewu calculated aloud and suggested to Li Huaide: “We must resolve the shipyard’s rank issue before submitting the group application.”

Li Xuewu calculated silently and suggested to Li Huai: “We must resolve the shipyard’s rank issue before submitting the group application.”

What about the steel mill?

Li Huai de shifted his hat and said in a low voice, “Promoting two at once—our pressure is huge.”

“No matter how hard, we have to solve it, or it’ll be even harder later.”

Li Xuewu explained, “It’s not just about planning for the future—promotion is about securing the group’s structure.”

“Grouping…”

Xu Siyear hesitated and asked, “When should we start submitting the application?”

“Not before next May at the earliest.”

Li Huai de sighed and said, “An independently initiated, internally driven group project—aren’t we the first?”

“Pretty much.”

Li Xuewu lit a cigarette and explained, “There’s no precedent in North China. Mergers bring too many complications. Beijing Auto Plant still hasn’t untangled its mess—don’t repeat their mistakes.”

“Exactly!”

Li Huai de nodded firmly: “Our factory must pursue autonomous group development—we must prove our strength and deliver results.”

What is strength?

Strength means branch institutions are formidable, and the core institution is even more formidable.

Results mean having enough workers, sufficient scale, and strong economic power.

Why did Li Huai de say the group project application couldn’t start before May?

The reason is simple: many projects at the rolling mill won’t show results until after May.

Submitting an application is one thing; review and approval still take time.

If we start in May, getting confirmation by October or December would be good enough.

Do you think this is dividing up property? One shovels, the other picks, and it’s done?

Li Huai de insisted on autonomous group development because he didn’t want to lose control of Red Star Rolling Mill.

Once we take the merger route, all kinds of personnel ties will flood in—there’s no telling if the top boss will even be him anymore.

So either don’t do it, or do it ourselves—absolutely no letting others profit from our labor.

“Andrew’s timing for cooperation is excellent, clever—it perfectly complements Steel City’s electronics and electrical industry.”

Li Xuewu finished his cigarette, flicked the butt away, and said, “At least it saved us two million.”

“Hehe~”

Li Huai de gave a quiet laugh, then nodded thoughtfully, agreeing with the point.

Li Xuewu added: “For now, define the group based on thirteen branches: Yingcheng Shipbuilding, Gangcheng Metallurgy, New Rolling Mill Industry, Hardware Industry, Electronics and Electrical Industry, Automobile Manufacturing, Motorcycle Manufacturing, Military Industry, Beijing Tertiary Industry, Special Vehicle Manufacturing, Rolling Mill Industry, Research Institute, and Jinmen Trade Management Center.”

“Thirteen…!”

Xu Siyear looked at Li Xuewu in mild surprise and asked, “All of them need promotion applications?”

“Not realistic—apply for as many as we can.”

Li Xuewu rubbed his hands, shoved them into his coat pockets, and explained, “Applying for too many dilutes our efforts and loses meaning.”

“Yes, we must be cautious.”

Li Huai de hesitated, then said, “Beijing Rolling Mill’s rank doesn’t need applying—newly built rolling mill in Gangcheng should be managed and constructed at the division level for now.”

“Yes, I agree.”

Li Xuewu nodded: “Ensure Yingcheng Shipbuilding, Gangcheng Metallurgy, Automobile Manufacturing, and Electronics and Electrical Industry succeed in promotion.”

“Also…”

He continued: “If there’s a chance, fill in as many as possible from Hardware Industry, Tertiary Industry, and Jinmen Trade Management Center.”

“Too greedy~”

Li Huai de took off his hat, scratched his head, and said, “Our mill is already a bureau-level unit. Applying for four deputy bureau positions is already a stretch—if we get greedy, superiors will struggle too.”

“Then focus all efforts on these four.”

Li Xuewu nodded: “We must form a Group Preparation Working Group as soon as we return—this can’t wait.”

“Absolutely—do it quickly.”

Li Huai de turned to look at Xu Siyear and warned: “Find a way to stabilize Andrew, keep building influence—but mind the timing, don’t burn yourself.”

“Understood!”

Xu Siyear replied seriously: “I’ll keep a close eye on the shipyard and coordinate quickly with the factory to complete the promotion work.”

“Mm, I trust your work.”

Li Huai de said this word of trust again—it was familiar to Li Haiyang, and he’d said it most often to Deputy Director Li.

“Once the branch is established, quickly organize a management team—don’t wait until the last minute.”

“I’ll discuss this next with Deputy Secretary Gu.”

Li Xuewu reminded him: “You must also focus on uniting upward. When the pool grows larger, fish won’t stop stirring—just gradually sort them out.”

“Easy to say!”

Li Huai de sighed, then helplessly nodded: “Let’s wait a bit—wait until the plan is out.”

He glanced at Li Xuewu, exhausted: “I’m just too tired of dealing with them.”

“Who else is the family head?”

Li Xuewu smiled and flattered him, adjusting the shield again—he couldn’t let it fall.

The three, with their secretaries, walked slowly through the snow back from the Trade Management Center, crossed the Haihe Bridge, and returned to the villa.

It was past nine—Li Huai de didn’t dare knock on the door again.

He only stood at the gate, said a few more words, then returned to the small courtyard.

Xu Siyear and Sha Qizhi had planned to return to the Trade Management Center to rest, but Li Xuewu called them back and invited them inside.

He hadn’t expected Li Xuewu to bring him out just to host him at home.

He’d thought it was just to create a chance to report to Li Huai de—now, stepping inside, he felt genuinely moved.

The living room was lively: Zhou Xiaobai and Luo Yun chattered excitedly, sharing their experiences from Yingcheng with Wu Shuping.

No one knew how they’d spent the night, but the three had grown harmonious.

No awkwardness or distance from the first night—perhaps they’d realized Li Xuewu’s relationship with Wu Shuping was more friendship than romance.

Zhou Xiaobai stood up as they entered, greeting them warmly, and joked about the gift he’d prepared for Wu Shuping’s child.

Wu Shuping smiled and invited them to sit, while Lu Jie served tea.

Xu Siyear didn’t know the situation here; Sha Qizhi knew something—but not much.

When Wu Shuping first came here, he and Han Jiankun had come to see her off.

He’d suspected her identity then—and even more, the Deputy Director’s motive for sending her here.

Only when he saw the Director appear next door did he understand everything.

Especially when the dance troupe’s Zhou Miaomiao came along and also lived there.

Li Xuewu introduced Xu Siyear to Wu Shuping; when introducing Wu Shuping, he only said she was his friend.

Xu Siyear looked at the woman, the pregnant woman, the one acting like the mistress—his heart was already drumming.

Li Huai de lived next door in Jinmen; Li Xuewu kept a pregnant woman here—this was interesting.

But if you thought Xu Siyear believed this woman had any romantic connection with Li Xuewu, he didn’t believe it.

He didn’t even believe Li Xuewu’s “friend” claim.

Why?

Because everything Li Xuewu says—every word, even punctuation—is a lie.

Do you believe him?

Look at the three department cadres he played with in Yingcheng—their desperate, broken state.

Yesterday at the shipyard dock, when those men stepped off the yacht, Xu Siyear saw at a glance their mental state was off.

Then he saw Li Xuewu’s barely concealed smirk—he knew those three had fallen for the boy’s trickery.

He knew this trick well—too well—because he’d been fooled by it himself.

No wonder he smirked—especially that foreign affairs cadre, still sporting a lump on his head, working hard for Li Xuewu.

So—do you believe Li Xuewu?

In Xu Siyear’s view, when Li Xuewu speaks, if you cover your ears and guess blindfolded, you’ve got a fifty percent chance of being right.

But if you watch him lie with your eyes open, you’ll fall into the pit—100% certainty you’ll be wildly wrong.

What?

You don’t believe it?

Yeah, lots of people said that before.

Li Xuewu says the pregnant woman is a friend—he doesn’t believe it. She acts like the mistress—he doesn’t believe it.

As long as he believes nothing, Li Xuewu can’t fool him.

In the living room, they didn’t talk long. After warming up from the cold, they followed Lu Jie’s arrangement and went to rest.

Rooms were limited: Sha Qizhi shared one with Peng Xiaoli; Zhou Xiaobai and Luo Yun slept in the same bed.

Li Xuewu should’ve had his own room, but now he gave it up—he couldn’t make him sleep on the sofa.

Under Zhou Xiaobai’s gaze and Xu Siyear’s teasing smirk, Li Xuewu grimaced as he helped Wu Shuping into the room.

“Can you predict the exact day?”

Li Xuewu asked, watching Wu Shuping struggle to shift onto the bed.

Wu Shuping laughed: “Even gods can’t say for sure.”

“Where’s your husband?”

She smiled and asked, “Do you know when your lover will give birth?”

“She won’t let me ask.”

Li Xuewu shrugged helplessly and said, “Everything about pregnancy is her decision—I can only watch.”

“Why?”

Wu Shuping looked at Li Xuewu with mild confusion and smiled, “What’s there between husband and wife that can’t be spoken of?”

“Maybe it’s just our personalities.”

Li Xuewu shrugged and said, “She prefers to share joy and warmth with me.”

Wu Shuping nodded and said, “So you love her, and she loves you.”

“Hehe, that one can’t be said either.”

Li Xuewu smiled, took off his suit, and pointed to his shirt, asking, “Is this okay to wear?”

“Lu Jie prepared pajamas and a quilt for you—they’ll be brought up soon.”

Wu Shuping stroked her belly and smiled, “I told my child that the only person Mom can trust right now is Uncle.”

“Say sorry in advance.”

Li Xuewu sat on the edge of the bed and took off his pants, joking, “You’ll have to keep calling me Dad for a few years yet.”

“Hehe~”

Wu Shuping smiled, looked down at her belly, and murmured, “I wonder what his future will be like.”

“He’ll definitely be a good child.”

Li Xuewu nodded firmly, “At least I, as his father, will give him an excellent and happy childhood.”

“As for the other father—”

He turned and smiled at Wu Shuping, “He can become someone the child admires.”

“Mr. Li.”

A voice came from the door—Lu Jie. Li Xuewu got up and opened it.

Lu Jie nodded, carrying a quilt and a set of pajamas.

“The quilt is the one I brought when I arrived; the pajamas were made a few days ago—try them on.”

“Thank you, Lu Jie. You’ve worked hard.”

Li Xuewu thanked her with a smile, glanced outside the door, and whispered, “I’m truly grateful you came all this way to help me.”

“You’re too kind.”

Lu Jie, well-mannered as ever, made the bed for Li Xuewu, tucked the quilt around Wu Shuping, then nodded and left.

After Li Xuewu turned off the light and got into bed, Wu Shuping asked again, “She’s your…?”

“Who? Lu Jie?”

Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow, glanced at Wu Shuping, paused, then nodded, “We’re very close—but not in that way.”

The bedside lamp on the other side was still on; Li Xuewu could see her questioning gaze—he knew she wasn’t reassured.

“You know, after the Liberation, servants, maids, and nannies weren’t allowed.”

Li Xuewu shifted position, propped his head on the pillow, and explained, “Lu Jie used to be a nanny for a wealthy family. Though they arranged her resettlement properly, they still keep in touch.”

“I understand.”

Wu Shuping nodded and said, “You’re connected to the master of that wealthy family, aren’t you?”

Hearing Li Xuewu’s explanation, she finally felt the heavy stone in her heart lift.

“No wonder Lu Jie handles things so skillfully—whether housework or needlework, she has deep expertise.”

Saying this, she teased him, “So—is it the master or the mistress you’re connected to?”

“Hehe~”

Li Xuewu laughed, covering his face, and protested, “Of course it’s the master! What do you take me for?”

“I don’t believe you.”

Wu Shuping shook her head slightly and smiled, “My intuition tells me you’re lying.”

“Oh!”

Li Xuewu turned his head in surprise and asked, “Have you studied psychology?”

“Broadly learned, dabbled a bit.”

Wu Shuping patted the quilt between them and urged, “Tell me about the mistress—your relationship must be special, right?”

“Are all women this obsessed with gossip?”

Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow slightly and said seriously, “This time you’re wrong—I’m good friends with the master’s daughter.”

“And!”

Just as Wu Shuping was about to object, he added meaningfully, “You have some connection to her too.”

“Me?”

Now it was Wu Shuping’s turn to be surprised. She studied Li Xuewu and asked, “Connected to me?”

“Yes, because she’s in Gangcheng.”

Li Xuewu didn’t tease her—he gave the answer directly, or she’d never sleep tonight.

He knew how terrifying a woman’s curiosity could be.

Wu Shuping widened her eyes, pointed to the door, and asked in astonishment, “Is Lu Jie… Miss Lou’s…?”

“Nanny. Just a maid.”

Li Xuewu nodded firmly, “If I didn’t know she was safe, would I put her beside you?”

“I see.”

Wu Shuping let out a long breath and nodded, “You’re indeed cautious enough.”

She laughed at her own absurdity, shook her head, and said, “What is this? Exchanging hostages?”

“Huh? Haha~”

Li Xuewu paused, then understood her joke, covered his face, and said, “If Mr. Lai knew I was lying here right now, he’d kill me.”

“I don’t think so.”

Wu Shuping disagreed, “Every letter Jia Sheng writes mentions his gratitude to you—and how much he trusts you…”

“Don’t ever say that again.”

Li Xuewu waved his hand, “I take care of you, you help me, he works for the company—all part of our duties. Don’t thank me.”

Emphasizing this, he pointed at her and himself, “We can be friends, but don’t keep saying ‘thank you’—it puts pressure on me.”

“You’re a good person.”

Wu Shuping looked at Li Xuewu with emotion, “I never worried about how you’d sleep here, nor did I ever discuss such a ridiculous idea with Jia Sheng.”

She said seriously, “The moment you pulled me out of that office, I knew someone so kind couldn’t do anything hateful.”

“That’s not certain.”

Li Xuewu pulled the quilt tighter and said, “You see me as gentle and refined, a gentleman—but I’m actually a complete scoundrel.”

“Hahaha~”

Wu Shuping burst into giggles, teasing, “You’ve got it backward!”

Laughing like this, she pointed toward the door and asked, “May I ask—what’s your relationship with that girl named Xiao Bai?”

“What?”

Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and asked, “You mean, are you asking if we’re… intimate?”

“Mmm~”

Wu Shuping raised her eyebrows half-seriously, “I saw her come out of your room this morning, didn’t I?”

“So that’s why I’m a scoundrel!”

Li Xuewu grinned, squinting, “Now you’re afraid?”

“Hehe~ Afraid of what?”

She laughed, “Afraid of a young man who spent the night holding a girl but did nothing?”

Wu Shuping pursed her lips, looked at Li Xuewu, sighed, and shook her head slightly, “Your personality is already dangerous to women—if you show kindness and thoughtfulness too, you’ll make them fall for you.”

“Especially young girls.”

She tapped him, warning, “To you, it might be a game—but to her, it could be her whole life.”

“You mean…”

Li Xuewu pointed to the door, looking skeptically at Wu Shuping, “You can tell whether I’ve taken advantage of her?”

“What else?”

Wu Shuping shifted, lay down, closed her eyes, and said, “I just told you—I’m broadly learned, dabbled a bit.”

“...”

Li Xuewu studied her skeptically—was she truly perceptive, or just pretending?

“Happy New Year!”

“Happy New Year! Let’s progress together!”

“Happy New Year! May your work go smoothly!”

…

Just after seven in the morning, footsteps echoed in the hallway—someone had risen early.

After tossing and turning all night, Li Xuewu still felt a bit drained.

Don’t misunderstand—it’s Wu Shuping causing trouble; he’s just affected by it.

Pregnant women are like this—frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom; that’s why being a mother is so hard.

If a person is unfilial, they cannot be called human.

Ten months of pregnancy, from the moment life begins in the mother’s womb, that’s when attachment forms.

You can’t jump while walking, can’t shout when speaking, can’t cry when wronged, can’t laugh when happy—it’s just that difficult.

The bigger the belly grows, the heavier the burden on the body, especially in daily life.

Li Xuewu sleeps deeply, but in a new environment, especially with someone lying beside him, his nerves never relaxed.

Every time Wu Shuping got up at night, he’d wake, watching her struggle, having to help her in and out of bed.

In the morning, Wu Shuping was still asleep, but Li Xuewu had already dressed and gone downstairs.

Downstairs, everyone was exchanging New Year greetings.

In this era, no one said “Congratulations on your wealth” or “Good fortune and luck”—most just wished “Happy New Year,” adding appropriate blessings for their status.

But the theme had to be tight: previously, they’d mention the “Three Red Banners,” but now those were dropped; instead, they spoke of Great Learning.

Yet in this villa, among their own, there was no suspicion, so their well-wishes were more sincere.

Peng Xiao gave Zhou Xiaobai and the other two good wishes, saying “May you excel in your studies,” making them laugh so hard they couldn’t straighten up.

Actually, after saying it, Peng Xiao himself laughed awkwardly—he’d forgotten that Zhou Xiaobai and the other two had dropped out of school.

On the kitchen table sat covered steamers and large bowls of dumpling filling; Lu Jie was wrapping dumplings.

Zhou Xiaobai and the others were also helping; when they saw Li Xuewu come downstairs, they all wished him a Happy New Year.

Li Xuewu smiled and replied to each one in turn, then walked over and asked, “What’s the filling?”

Zhou Xiaobai pouted, still resenting Li Xuewu for not sleeping in their room last night, making Luo Yun across from her twitch his lips.

She knew Zhou Xiaobai too well—she didn’t need to speak to know what she was thinking.

Last night she’d already punished her—for getting close to Li Xuewu, she’d thrown herself into it!

If anyone found out she’d spent the night with Li Xuewu, how could she ever face people again?

Zhou Xiaobai was different—she was crazy, willingly breaking the rules, refusing to believe Li Xuewu would eat her.

Or rather, she wished he would eat her.

Li Huaide brought Zhou Miaomiao and Li Haiyang in early too.

Last night they’d agreed to eat dumplings together this morning; Zhou Miaomiao walked in, rolled up her sleeves, and went to the kitchen to help.

Li Xuewu invited Li Huaide and Xu Si to the living room for tea.

Last night’s snow had fallen all night; outside, everything was now draped in white, glittering with snow.

Everyone says a timely snow foretells a bountiful year—who doesn’t hope this year will be good?

But recent events in the Magic City had intensified; news from the Capital wasn’t promising.

Li Huaide knew well: the Great Learning campaign had entered its next phase.

As for worry, it wasn’t that urgent—the steel mill’s reform process had always been ahead.

The changes now appearing? The steel mill had already passed through this stage—the Management Committee had already formed; who’s ahead now?

The group sitting in the living room wasn’t discussing the Magic City—it was the Capital, the Capital where the steel mill was located.

After returning last night, Li Huaide had thought half the night, carefully reviewing everything that had happened.

He was certain: the problems the steel mill faced had a hidden conspiracy behind them.

Li Xuewu’s warning made him wary of someone using the steel mill as a probe to test the higher-ups’ stance—this was very likely true.

So early this morning, he voiced his concerns to Li Xuewu.

Combined with last night’s discussion on groupization, plus the upcoming merger of the automobile factory and meetings with the business travel group,

He feared these events, if manipulated from behind, might drag the steel mill into the storm’s center.

Even though Li Huaide spoke vaguely enough, those listening still broke into cold sweats.

Li Xuewu clearly knew the future trajectory; after analyzing advantages, disadvantages, and context, he gave Li Huaide three suggestions:

Argue firmly, defend and counterattack, strike in the chaos!

Especially regarding internal security and stability at the steel mill, Li Xuewu’s stance was especially firm.

Any organization or activity built through other means or channels, with clear violations aimed at disrupting the steel mill’s normal production and life, would be treated as anti-reform elements.

When the dumplings came out, everyone at the table quieted down, speaking only of a new year, new atmosphere, new hopes.

More people meant a livelier meal, and they ate many dumplings—so many had been wrapped for over half an hour, all neatly finished.

Everyone packed their luggage, preparing to leave; the New Year’s reunion was already ending, carrying a touch of sadness.

But immersed in officialdom, men had long hardened their hearts.

They couldn’t bear the sight of women tearfully parting, nor did they wish to join in such sorrow.

So the men dressed quickly and headed for the cars.

At the gate, Li Huaide pulled Li Xuewu aside, mentioning Cheng Kaiyuan might be involved in this incident.

Li Xuewu agreed—otherwise, how could the other side know so much about the factory’s foreign projects?

Knowing the general situation might be possible, but knowing the details so precisely, and even preparing ahead in Yingcheng? That was absurd.

These details weren’t classified per se, but without someone accessing them, ordinary people couldn’t see them.

Li Huaide’s point: this wasn’t over—today, back in the Capital, they’d begin investigating.

Li Xuewu nodded in agreement, saying nothing about how he’d provoked this trouble, nor about the trap he’d set with Zhou Gancheng and others.

As they spoke, Zhou Xiaobai called out loudly, urging them over for a photo.

The two girls treasured this trip to Jinmen; the camera Li Xuewu gave them was always in use.

Now that they were parting, they wanted a group photo in front of the house.

Li Xuewu and Li Huaide exchanged glances, both half-amused, half-exasperated.

In the end, even Li Huaide couldn’t refuse the girls’ request—he was pulled into the center of the line.

Wu Shuping, bundled in thick clothes, stood beside Li Xuewu; seeing Zhou Xiaobai’s pleading eyes, she stepped aside to let her take her place.

Zhou Xiaobai got a glare from Luo Yun, but grinned and stepped beside Li Xuewu.

Peng Xiao took the group photo, and when handing the camera back to Zhou Xiaobai, he specifically warned: this photo must not leave this circle.

Zhou Xiaobai solemnly promised, then received the now-empty film roll.

This photo marked the end of their strange journey.

Who’d have thought? They’d planned a trip to Jinmen, yet ended up in Yingcheng by accident.

These four days and three nights had been long, full, and strangely meaningful.

As they waved goodbye to Wu Shuping and Lu Jie, Zhou Xiaobai burst into tears.

She didn’t know why she cried—she had no real connection to this house or these people; brief companionship, no matter how pleasant, couldn’t create deep bonds.

Yet she felt longing, felt nostalgia—perhaps she was mourning her lost youth.

On January 1, the People’s Daily and Red Flag Magazine published an editorial, approved by higher authorities, titled “Carry the Great Learning Campaign Through to the End.”

It declared, “1967 will be the year of nationwide active reform,” calling upon…

Holding the newspaper, Li Xuewu frowned, flipping it again and again, reading it over and over, feeling an overwhelming heaviness.

Li Huaide’s expression was the same; if not for Li Xuewu constantly steering him off course, upon seeing this news, he might have burst out laughing.

But now, a clearer understanding emerged: the factory and its workers, development and thought, management and progress—real, grounded reflection.

Both men fell silent, folding their newspapers, gazing out the window—at a boundless white expanse.

“The wind has risen~”