MMB Chapter 1375 Having trouble sleeping and eating
Chapter 1375 Having trouble sleeping and eating
Chapter 1375 Having trouble sleeping and eating
"Hey, isn't this Li Jinhua!"
Wang Lu came out of the leader's office carrying documents and saw Li Xue coming over. She raised her eyebrows and made a joke.
Li Xue was furious. It was one thing for others to make a fuss, but for Wang Lu, her sister-in-law, to also joke about her was another one of them.
"You're itching for a beating, aren't you—"
She pretended to be annoyed and took a few quick steps, reaching out to pinch Wang Lu, while saying in a huff, "Let me loosen it for you."
"Hey! You've turned against the Heavenly Generals, haven't you!"
Wang Lu and Li Xue are about the same age; one is the younger sister-in-law, and the other is a young woman. When they start arguing, they don't care about anything else.
Snapped--
"Ouch—" Wang Lu scolded, annoyed and embarrassed, after Li Xue pinched her butt hard. "The title has already been announced. What's wrong with calling you Golden Flower? You should be happy—"
Li Xue ignored her, leaned out of the office to look around, and seeing no one was there, turned back and asked, "Where's the boss?"
"What, now that you're in charge, you don't even look at the bulletin board anymore?" Wang Lu shook her head playfully, scolding, "You used to be so enthusiastic every day when you were in the committee office... oh!"
Seeing that Li Xue was about to pinch her again, Wang Lu dodged back, amused and annoyed, and said, "So this is the only trick you know!"
"As long as it works, that's fine."
Li Xue raised her eyebrows smugly and teased her with a mischievous smile, "You know what, it's quite chubby."
"I'm going to die—" This time, Wang Lu's face turned genuinely red; she had never seen anyone so bold. She looked around the corridor to make sure no one was watching, then scolded, "What if someone hears us—"
"What are you afraid of? I don't believe that Brother Yajun will come looking for me to fight." Li Xue teased her deliberately, saying, "Come on, sister-in-law, let me pinch you again."
"Get out, get out, get out—"
Wang Lu felt that there was no more outgoing young person in her workplace than her, until she met Li Xue.
"You must have gone astray!"
She slapped away Li Xue's outstretched hand, stepped aside, and quickly explained, "Leaders from the department have come, and Li Xuewu accompanied Director Li to conduct research with them."
"Is a leader here? Or someone from the department?"
Li Xue was slightly taken aback, and looked at Wang Lu, asking, "Who's here? Director Du? Or Deputy Director Yang?"
"Deputy Director Yang," Wang Lu said, raising an eyebrow at her surprised expression, "What's wrong? Is something amiss?"
"What's wrong with the leader?!"
Li Xue glanced at her, walked closer, and explained softly, "I was worried that the case from a while ago might never be over."
“Impossible—” Wang Lu frowned slightly and said, “Hasn’t the announcement already been issued?”
"The announcement has been issued, but the investigation is not completely over. The group's supervisory team is still expanding its gains."
Li Xue raised her eyebrows and said meaningfully, "Who knows how long the investigation will take? What if..."
“No, no.” Wang Lu also looked surprised and shook her head repeatedly, saying, “Even if the regulators don’t back down, the higher-ups won’t let this matter escalate any further.”
"You forgot?" She reached out and gently tapped Li Xue's stomach with her finger, and said softly, "At first, the department talked to Director Li, and a few days ago Director Du talked to Li Xuewu again."
“If this case were to drag on indefinitely, the higher-ups wouldn’t have gone to such lengths, and they certainly wouldn’t have let Director Du get involved.”
Wang Lu's brows remained furrowed as she said, "However, the case is over, but what about Li Xuewu's trip to Liaodong..."
"Has there been no official follow-up yet?"
Li Xue raised an eyebrow and asked, "The management committee has already passed and formed a resolution, but the official document hasn't been issued yet?"
"How can we proceed? Director Li is holding us back."
Wang Lu explained with a hint of dissatisfaction, "We've been urging them to expedite this process from the initial drafting to the final approval."
She glanced in the direction of the office and explained softly, "The documents didn't cause any problems with Deputy Director Gu, but we haven't heard back from Director Li since they were sent there."
"Didn't you go and urge him?" Li Xue looked at her and asked, "Was it that your second brother didn't tell you to urge him, or...?"
"It seems the leader isn't in a hurry."
Wang Lu is quite cautious. Li Xue might call him "Second Brother" in private when she's in a hurry, but she always addresses him as "leader".
He raised his eyebrows and explained, "They didn't say we should urge them, nor did they say they would just abandon us."
"He seems very confident?" Li Xue chuckled and pursed her lips, saying, "That makes sense. If he's not in a hurry, someone else will be sooner or later."
“I thought so too, so I didn’t urge them, otherwise it would seem like something was wrong.” Wang Lu curled her lips and said with a hint of sarcasm, “Let it drag on, it won’t be past the New Year anyway.”
“After the New Year—” Li Xue glanced at her amusedly and said, “It would be great if it really were stretched out until after the New Year.”
"Hehehe—" Wang Lu laughed as if she had just thought of something. After glancing around to make sure no one was there, she leaned close to Li Xue's ear and whispered, "He's so boring."
"Hehe—" Li Xue also said softly, "If it weren't for my second brother... he'd have to figure out what happened himself."
"Alright, this is pointless." Wang Lu shook her head slightly, glanced at Li Xue, and asked, "What are your thoughts on your personal life? I heard Peng Xiaoli is arranging your wedding."
"No idea, really no idea."
Li Xue glared at her and said, "Don't talk about this anymore. What does someone else's marriage have to do with me?"
"I just wanted to ask your opinion."
Wang Lu reached out and put her arm around hers, saying softly, "How else could I tell this to anyone else?"
Of course, she can't tell anyone. If she were to say it out loud, everyone in the workplace would know about their relationship.
Those who don't know the situation might think Li Xue is trying to be a third party in a relationship, which would ruin her reputation and make it impossible to explain herself.
Wang Lu certainly wouldn't tarnish her reputation; it was just that she overheard people talking about several young people getting married at the end of the year, and that's when she remembered that one of them was related to Li Xue.
When Peng Xiaoli pursued Li Xue so relentlessly, waiting for half a year, everyone laughed at him for being a toad trying to eat swan meat, while simultaneously watching Li Xue's reaction. Actually, they were watching Li Xuewu's reaction.
If Li Xuewu really chooses Peng Xiaoli as his brother-in-law, then this guy is bound to rise to great heights in the future.
It was all just a dream; Li Xue's starting point was different from Peng Xiaoli's. Just as Li Xue said, the two were not suitable for each other.
What's wrong?
We're not from the same world at all.
Li Xue shook her arm and looked at her teasingly, asking, "Are you addicted to being a matchmaker? You've got your eye on me again?"
Don't be ungrateful for a kind heart—
Wang Lu rolled her eyes at her and said, "My second brother reminded me that I can't get involved in these things anymore. I'm just concerned about you."
"Didn't you see how he acted—"
She curled her lip and glanced in the direction of the food company, saying, "You'd think you'd found gold if you didn't know better."
"That's exactly what it means to find gold."
Li Xue hesitated for a moment, but still said frankly, "Director Yu is young and promising, and Supervisor Peng is in his prime. Aren't they a match made in heaven?"
"Are you sincere?" Wang Lu looked at her, pursed her lips, and didn't speak. Everything was understood without words.
Li Xue didn't answer her ambiguous question. Some people are destined to be incompatible, so what's there to regret if you miss out?
Someone once told her that in this day and age, a marriage without a proper political foundation is destined to be unhappy. She refused to believe it, insisting that if she were to find a partner, she would find someone with whom she shared a deep connection.
Even someone like my second brother.
-
"Deputy Director Yang, the newly built pharmaceutical and cosmetic processing workshop is just ahead."
Li Huaide smiled and raised his hand to introduce, "This is a new project that we initiated last year and are focusing on developing this year."
"Yes, I've already heard about it."
Yang Yusheng, deputy director of the First Ministry of Machine Building, glanced at Li Huaide and then looked at the processing workshop not far away.
His purpose in coming here was not only to conduct organizational and industrial research, but also to have other things to say to the cadres of Hongxing Steel Group.
However, after arriving at Hongxing Steel Group, he found that the team members were in good condition and there were no intense conflicts or confrontations, which put his mind at ease.
Looking at the industrial development and economic construction of Hongxing Steel Group, even though the projects and situations seen in this survey are only the tip of the iceberg of the group's development, it is enough to show the potential and role of Hongxing Steel Group in the industrial system.
"Hello, Deputy Director Yang, I am Zhang Songying, Deputy General Manager of Hongxing Baicaotang United Pharmaceutical Corporation."
As the group of leaders disembarked from the Hongyun No. 1, the cadres who were standing in the open space in front of the factory workshop stepped forward to greet them.
The leader was a woman in a smart work uniform with a striking appearance. As she stepped forward, she introduced herself, then shook the leader's hand with a smile and said, "Welcome to the food and drug processing plant to guide our work."
“These are young key personnel that our group has been focusing on cultivating.” Li Huaide stood aside and introduced with a smile: “He used to be the deputy general manager of the International Hotel. Later, he was sent to Hong Kong and Europe for training and learning. After he came back, he was put to use.”
"Hongxing Steel Group has a very strong reserve force."
Yang Yusheng, naturally, couldn't be too serious with female comrades. He smiled and nodded, praising Li Huaide, "In the training and appointment of young cadres, your group is at the forefront of the entire industrial system."
"We are being extremely cautious, after all, the pace of development in the past two years has been too big and too fast." Li Huaide said, whether he was bragging or being modest, "I'm always unsure, but with such a rapid pace of development, we have to face a shortage of cadres."
"Therefore, starting in 67, our group increased its efforts in training young cadres, giving them ample space and platforms to develop their talents and allowing them to boldly hone their skills."
Li Huaide waved his hand lightly and said with high spirits, "The group is not afraid of them making mistakes. As long as they learn something and can apply it, that is a gain for the group."
"This courage and wisdom are worth summarizing."
Everyone carries a sedan chair, but Yang Yusheng's success today is not solely due to his hard work.
It's understandable that Li Huaide wanted to take credit for his achievements in industrial and economic development, and to talk about his organizational and personnel work. After all, organizational and personnel work is the domain of the top leader, and he was the head of organizational work in the ministry.
So when he heard Li Huaide's "self-praise," he smiled and turned to the accompanying officials, saying something.
When someone of Yang Yusheng's rank comes down to conduct research, the ministry will definitely arrange for a skilled writer to accompany him. This is partly to provide support and partly to collect information for the research report.
When leaders conduct research, it's never a free trip; they always have to publicize it in the internal newspaper and write some superficial articles.
If they can offer something substantial, that would be even better. For example, if the leader asks, they wouldn't mind helping the business leaders of their subordinate companies to promote Faro and give them some publicity as well.
When you come down to conduct research with your superiors, well-off companies not only host banquets but also serve fine wines.
Everyone in the ministry knows that Hongxing Steel Group is the most dynamic and promising enterprise in the system.
When you come here for research, you can not only eat well, but also drink well. Hongxing Steel Group has its own winery, and its production quality is directly comparable to Moutai. Who wouldn't love that?
Another point is that the Foreign Affairs Office of Hongxing Steel Group is very efficient; every staff member who accompanies a leader on a research trip, regardless of rank, receives a small gift. It might be a gift box of nail clippers, or a notebook bearing the Hongxing Steel Group logo.
Some people say that Hongxing Steel Group is really dishonest, using nail clippers and notebooks to test its cadres?
Hey! In this day and age, never underestimate these inconspicuous little gadgets, because you won't find them anywhere else.
Hongxing Factory has its own tertiary industry, producing a wide variety of small commodities, making it very convenient for gift making.
But if you were to give them something even more expensive, let alone the fact that Li Xuewu, as a leader, wouldn't be willing to indulge them, even if you did give it to them, they probably wouldn't dare to accept it.
The period when people truly indulged in unrestrained feasting and drinking was during the years when economic development was emphasized, and the national economy was in chaos.
Although the current situation is quite serious, the governance is really good. Anyone who dares to provoke others could be executed if caught, since it's still the government that's in charge.
Hongxing Steel Group knows how to handle things; the gifts they give are just small items with the group's gift label printed on them. Even if someone takes it seriously, they can't really say anything impressive about them.
You can't say they made a mistake just because they accepted a nail clipper, that would be incredibly insensitive.
Having gained both face and substance, they would write diligently unless the team leader gave specific instructions.
Scholars have always been like this. Of course, there are exemplary figures like Wen Tianxiang in this group, but you have to admit that most of them are muddle-headed advocates of the mainstream and the correct, because they know whose livelihood they are living off.
This wasn't the first time Zhang Songying had hosted a leader of this caliber; high-ranking officials frequently dined at the International Hotel.
However, things are different back then compared to now. Back then, leaders were mostly in a relaxed state and didn't concern themselves with business or work. Now, as a production manager, she's being investigated and inspected by her superiors, so naturally, she has to be extremely attentive.
Furthermore, this was the first time she had met Li Xuewu in a formal setting since transferring to United Pharmaceuticals. It was Li Xuewu who recommended and arranged for her to come to the pharmaceutical headquarters; if she messed things up, it would be tantamount to slapping Li Xuewu in the face, and she didn't want to embarrass him.
Therefore, the reception team that Yang Yusheng saw at this time was different from the previous ones in terms of both overall quality and spirit.
From Zhang Songying, the vice president of the pharmaceutical company, to the workshop leaders, everyone was wearing clean and tidy workshop work clothes.
The cadres at Hongxing Steel Group had long since achieved the freedom of working day and night. Zhang Songying and her management team, however, did the opposite, displaying professionalism when welcoming them to the production workshop for inspection.
"This way, please." After guiding the leaders into the workshop to put on their white sanitary work clothes, Zhang Songying raised her hand to indicate the direction of the workshop's production entrance and said, "Now I will introduce the basic information about the pharmaceutical and cosmetic projects to everyone."
While it cannot be said that the inspection team was particularly standardized, the fact that Yang Yusheng, an outsider to the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry, could listen with great interest to the entire process suggests that the inspection script and procedures were in line with the wishes of the ministry leaders.
"The pharmaceutical and cosmetic production workshops are located in the food company." Yang Yusheng glanced back at Li Huaide, then stood in front of the assembly line and asked Zhang Songying, "And the organizational structure belongs to Hongxing Baicaotang United Pharmaceutical Corporation, right?"
“That’s right, boss.” Zhang Songying nodded to confirm the boss’s question before explaining, “Hongxing Baicaotang United Pharmaceutical Corporation is a second-level branch of the group’s sales company, and its management and production are divided into zones.”
She raised her hands and gestured as she explained, "In accordance with the Group's development plan for light and heavy industries as well as tertiary industries, pharmaceutical and cosmetic production can be integrated with food processing plants for management purposes, thereby saving on production and management costs."
"Hmm, so that means the production plants under the Food and Drug Corporation have taken over the production work of the Pharmaceutical Corporation, right?" Yang Yusheng nodded knowingly, and after asking a question, he said to Li Huaide, "Is this to facilitate later structural adjustments and production resource integration?"
“There are other reasons as well.” Li Huaide glanced back at Li Xuewu before continuing, “The Food and Drug Corporation owns three food and drug processing plants, and the shareholding structure of each plant is different.”
He paused for a moment, then continued, "The pharmaceutical company focuses on the operation and development of several traditional Chinese medicine brands, such as Baicaotang, while also deeply cultivating the foreign trade of cosmeceuticals."
After explaining the business nature and development direction of the two companies, Li Huaide concluded: "In the future, the group may integrate the production, sales and management authority of food, medicine and cosmetics, but not in the short term. It depends on the specific industrial and economic development situation."
"Looking at the market, right?" Yang Yusheng sensed the caution hidden in his words and nodded, saying, "You're right to be cautious. Better safe than sorry."
“We are also tentatively moving forward in this regard.” Li Huaide pointed to Zhang Songying and said, “After investigating the operations of other European cosmeceutical companies, Comrade Zhang Songying conducted an analysis based on the domestic cosmeceutical market and the cosmeceutical market in the port city.”
He pointed to the production line and explained, "The cosmetics and pharmaceutical markets in Hong Kong are very active. Although the mainland's cosmeceutical market is somewhat lacking, it has great potential."
"We are confident that we can create a path of value-added business with traditional Chinese medicine as the core in the relevant fields."
"Yes, you need to be careful, but you also need to have the courage." Yang Yusheng looked at the busy figures on the production line in the workshop with a very serious expression and said, "Every era needs the courage to brave the wind and waves, and I believe you also have the confidence to develop steadily and calmly. The ministry and I are at ease about that."
Thank you for your recognition and support.
Li Huaide said with a smile, "This year, the group will continue to adopt a steady and pragmatic approach, combining offense and defense as its main business strategy."
“When business development is slow, we need to use policies to stimulate and support it; when business development is rapid, we need to use policies to regulate and cool it down.” Yang Yusheng pointed at Li Huaide and said, “Your group has been expanding rapidly in the past two years, spreading from traditional steel companies to other industrial sectors. To be honest, the ministry was also worried about you.”
"At the pre-New Year meeting, the ministry was still discussing this year's industrial development and economic construction. Some people suggested that your group was developing too fast and might crash, so we had to put on the brakes."
He said with a smile, "Now I can rest assured. Director Du said back then that your group has many capable people who have long been aware of this problem and have been consciously slowing down the construction speed of new projects since last year."
"The main pressures are economic and management." After being reprimanded, Li Huaide has learned to be humble and cautious, and he rarely boasts anymore. Even if he wanted to, he would have to do it in a roundabout way.
He stated very frankly, "Our proactive slowdown in new project construction, the accumulation and return of funds, is mainly to consolidate our foundation and accelerate the construction and use of key projects."
"Secondly, there's the market feedback you just mentioned." Li Huaide thought for a moment about the words Li Xuewu had told him before continuing, "Currently, several key tertiary industry products are still in the market cultivation stage and are not yet mature."
"It's already very good—"
Yang Yusheng was quite satisfied to hear Li Huaide speak so humbly and offer such insightful theories on economic development.
Even if these theories and experiences were not summarized by Li Huaide, it is enough to show that Hongxing Steel Group still has combat effectiveness and the team is still very united.
He observed the shampoo production process on the assembly line with his hands behind his back, and said seemingly unintentionally, "Compared to other companies in the system, your group has really grasped the essence of unity and worked together as one. It's not surprising that you have achieved such results."
Li Huaide raised an eyebrow, having already grasped the deeper meaning behind the leader's words. He couldn't help but look back at the group's leadership team members who were accompanying him on the research trip, still pondering those words in his mind.
That afternoon, Deputy Director Yang Yusheng chaired an industrial research symposium in the group's conference room.
First, he listened to reports from several leaders in charge of industrial and economic work within the group. In his subsequent speech, he fully affirmed the development achievements and work philosophy of Hongxing Steel Group, while also emphasizing the importance of unity.
In his speech, he pointed out that after the issuance of the new guiding documents for industrial and economic development, all units and enterprises in the industrial system actively responded to the call... He asked the Group's Management Committee to give full play to the spirit of unity, cooperation, pioneering and innovation in enterprise development.
At the end of the symposium, Deputy Director Yang Yusheng also emphasized the importance of organizational development and put forward the hope and call to cherish the opportunity and unite and forge ahead.
Li Huaide, Director of the Group's Management Committee, made a statement.
Following the research visit, the Industrial Daily published an article highly praising Hongxing Steel Group's transformation over the past three years, detailing the group's outstanding achievements in ideology, production, technology, and management, and offering commendation and recognition.
Subsequently, Li Xuewu, a leader of the group, wrote an article in the group's affiliated United Industrial News, detailing the development of Hongxing Steel Group over the past three years, and expressed on behalf of the group that it would actively respond to the call of higher authorities, seize opportunities for reform, promote production, and build a steel economy.
From then on, all units and departments throughout the group began to study the two articles and research and discuss the development ideas for work in the new era.
Meanwhile, those with ulterior motives disappeared without a trace, no longer daring to make any comments about the group's development direction, let alone discuss the division of labor and responsibilities of the group's leadership team.
Monday, January 20, 1969.
The Management Committee of Hongxing Steel Group officially issued an appointment notice, announcing that Comrade Li Xuewu, a leader of the group, will serve as the head of the Liaodong Industrial Management Group and concurrently as the director and plant manager of the Gangcheng Metallurgical Plant Management Committee.
Comrade Dong Wenxue, former head of the Liaodong Industrial Management Group, director of the Steel City Metallurgical Plant Management Committee, and plant manager, has returned to Beijing and will be assigned to another post.
Reports indicate that the group's management committee has held a meeting to discuss and decide that Dong Wenxue, the deputy director who returns to Beijing, will be in charge of technology development and the construction and management of the Liangmahe Ecological Industrial Zone.
Regardless of how the situation changes, it is a foregone conclusion that Deputy Director Dong will return to Beijing. The era of Li Xuewu, the group leader, taking charge of the Liaodong Industrial Group has officially begun. The rest is up to time.
Along with the announcement, news also came that Li Xuewu will preside over this year's year-end work conference and deliver a work report.
what does this mean?
Ordinary employees of the group may not feel any impact, nor are they fully aware of the essence and root cause.
But for some people, only four words come to mind: the dust has settled.
That's right, that's all they could think of.
Li Xuewu's path to the steel city has been cleared, and his influence in Beijing is now deeply entrenched.
During the recent extraordinary period for the group, Deputy Director Dong acted decisively and swiftly to eliminate potential risks.
Now both sides are just waiting for the group to make further preparations and arrangements for the handover of work, while organizing and backing up their current work to facilitate the subsequent work of the group's handover team.
In fact, the handover of their work mainly took place in the steel city, while Li Xuewu did not resign from his position at the group level.
Some tasks and responsibilities have been delegated to Bu Qingfang for assistance in execution and decision-making.
However, the power over the pen was not handed over, and Li Xuewu needed to return to Beijing every month to attend meetings and handle important tasks assigned to him by his superiors.
Bu Qingfang had previously stated that important work would be communicated via telephone, telecommunications, and other means.
If a signature is required, it will be done by mail or through a confidential secretary.
The two already had a good working relationship, so there was no need to worry about their cooperation. Now everything was ready except for the final push.
-
You seem to have gained weight—
Han Shu carefully examined Gu Ning, then raised an eyebrow slightly, leaned closer, and whispered, "Are you pregnant?"
"No—" Gu Ning lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly, raised her hand to touch her face, and explained softly, "I don't know what's wrong, but it seems like I can eat and sleep well again."
"Don't take this lightly," Han Shu reminded him earnestly. "Your job is very special; if you're not careful, you'll regret it."
"Yes, I know." Gu Ning nodded and explained, "I had my period a few days ago, so it shouldn't be."
"You're a doctor yourself, do you need someone else to remind you of this?" Han Shu stared into her eyes and said, "Besides, this isn't your first pregnancy, it won't hurt to be careful."
"Okay, I understand." Gu Ning put her hand down and then unconsciously placed it on her stomach again, as if there was something inside.
Li Xuewu came down from the second floor, followed by three little ones, each looking like a small ball.
Besides Li Shu and Li Ning, walking at the very back was his junior apprentice, Dong Mengyuan.
A few years ago, this kid didn't seem too fat, but in the last two years, he looks like he's been inflated, turning into a big ball of flesh.
As a first-grader, he was already unfamiliar with the learning environment, and due to his physical condition, he was seen as a fat pig by his classmates, which made him somewhat introverted and self-conscious.
In fact, in this era, obesity is a kind of longing and envy, because only children from well-off families can eat their way to fatness. If you can't even fill your stomach, who dares to say that you can eat your way to fatness?
But at any point, envy and jealousy can develop into hatred, which is especially evident among children.
Those from poor families, seeing how fat he is, will naturally gossip, saying he looks like a pig.
Li Xuewu does indeed like chubby children, but being chubby at this age doesn't mean they'll be chubby when they grow up.
To put it bluntly, Dong Mengyuan's weight gain is all Han Shu's fault. Dong Wenxue is not at home, and she is busy with work, so she doesn't dare to let her son run around outside. She always keeps him at home reading and studying.
Just imagine, if this child doesn't run and jump, and eats well, wouldn't he become a chubby ball?
"Mom, I'm hungry—"
Sure enough, before Dong Mengyuan even came down the stairs, she started saying she was hungry.
Li Xuewu chuckled and flicked him on the forehead, saying, "Didn't you just eat half a box of cookies upstairs?"
"Cookies are snacks—"
Dong Mengyuan was a little afraid of this senior, so she went around him and ran towards the sofa.
When I was a child, I felt very close to my senior classmate. However, after his father went to work in another city, my senior classmate visited our home less often.
Even when they come, they only deliver some supplies and rarely come inside; they always seem to be in a hurry.
He was young and didn't understand why his senior was always so busy, even when he came over after get off work he wouldn't go inside.
Having less contact with my senior, I could better sense the changes in his demeanor, which made me feel intimidated.
Li Xuewu also sensed his junior brother's estrangement, but what could he do? The kid was just being immature.
In terms of address, he called Dong Wenxue "teacher," and he also called Han Shu "teacher" or "teacher's wife."
But neither Dong Wenxue nor Han Shu were much older than him, especially considering their relationship with Gu Ning.
Dong Wenxue was raised by Gu Haitao, and Gu Ning always called him "Big Brother," so she naturally called Han Shu "Sister-in-law."
Even after Li Xuewu and Gu Ning got married, they still treated each other as their own. There was no need to avoid anything when visiting the teacher's house, but since she was someone he could call sister-in-law, how could he possibly break that taboo?
Dong Wenxue rarely comes home, leaving Han Shu alone, and he's quite young. It's fine for him to visit with Gu Ning, but if he's left alone, he'll simply be "busy."
Han Shu understood the same reasoning, so he didn't blame Li Xuewu for his estrangement. Instead, he took the opportunity to visit Li Xuewu.
Sometimes the mother and daughter would come by bus, and sometimes Li Xuewu would arrange a car to pick them up.
Han Shu always treated Li Xuewu and Gu Ning with concern, especially since Gu Ning's parents were not in the capital.
Li Xuewu's concern for her and her son was naturally a form of reciprocation; otherwise, it wouldn't be possible to say that the two families got along so well.
“Snacks don’t count as meals, right?” Han Shu chuckled and patted the back of her son’s head as he jumped up to her, saying, “Dinner will be ready soon, hang in there a little longer.”
"Dinner will be ready soon, in a minute."
Li Xuewu also found it amusing. He glanced into the restaurant and saw Er Ya still busy in the kitchen.
Over the course of half a year, this girl had become familiar with every corner of the house, and her cooking skills had become increasingly proficient.
It's just ordinary home-cooked food. If you want something special, you have to go to a restaurant or eat there.
Li Xuewu didn't want to bother that, and he especially didn't want to eat restaurant stir-fries; he always felt that they lacked soul.
Actually, it's because I've eaten out so much that my taste buds have been tamed, and I always crave home-cooked meals to feel the warmth of home.
"Didn't my older brother come back for the New Year?"
Gu Ning glanced at Dong Mengyuan, who was lying on the sofa whispering to Li Shu, then turned to Han Shu and asked, "You didn't go either?"
"They'll be back soon, why bother making a fuss?"
Han Shu picked up the teacup on the coffee table, took a sip, and said, "Xiao Yuan is in first grade now, which is more convenient than kindergarten."
“Yeah, it’s quite far.” Gu Ning also picked up her teacup. The thought that her older brother Wenxue was back but Li Xuewu was leaving made her feel a little empty. Even the tea in her mouth didn’t taste good anymore; instead, it tasted slightly bitter.
Han Shu could understand Gu Ning's helplessness and distress. He put down his teacup, gently took her hand, and said, "You also need to learn how to manage a household. You can't always rely on him, can you?"
Gu Ning looked up at Li Xuewu, who was coaxing Li Ning to build with blocks, just like a little child.
What is there to say?
He's all I see, he's all I think about, he's the one I can't bear to part with.
Gu Ning never shied away from her dependence on Li Xuewu, and she didn't care at all even when her family brought it up. In her heart, it was the truth, and Li Xuewu was worthy of her trust and reliance.
Han Shu reminded her to be strong and to take care of the household, but the thought of taking over the family from Li Xuewu made her feel lost and powerless.
Li Xuewu didn't bring up the topic of transferring her to the steel city; instead, he talked a lot about work arrangements.
He still needs to perform his duties, so he has to come back several times a month, truly running back and forth between the two places.
The two younger children in the family can't go to the steel city to study and live with him, and the elderly would also worry about it.
Furthermore, he might return to the capital in three years, which would require another trip.
Gu Ning is a key talent being groomed for the hospital and is poised to become a pillar of the hospital in the future; her career prospects are already clearly bright.
Li Xuewu would strongly disagree with giving up his career because of him.
This home was built by the two of us together; neither of us is more important than the other, and we are equals.
Gu Ning wants to have his own career, and he also wants to build a happy family for his children.
These words were originally spoken between husband and wife during their nighttime conversation, so naturally they could not be told to Han Shu.
She felt happy about her sister-in-law's reminder and felt that she should do something for him.
"Why don't you switch to an education position and go to medical school?"
Han Shu crossed his right leg and looked at her, saying, "Retiring from the front line not only allows me to spend more time with my children, but also helps me take care of my family."
“There’s no need for her to worry about it.” Li Xuewu handed his son a building block, looked up and smiled at Han Shu, saying, “I still hope she can do what she likes to do.”
"Just keep spoiling her—"
Han Shu could naturally hear Li Xuewu's protectiveness and care for Gu Ning. While feeling warm and envious, she also reminded him, "Xiao Ning is a mother now, do you still treat her like a little girl?"
“In my eyes, still.” Li Xuewu smiled and looked at Gu Ning, suddenly uttering a slightly cheesy love confession.
Not to mention Han Shu's wide-eyed surprise, even Gu Ning, who was used to his ramblings during their late-night conversations, couldn't stand it.
"I'll go check if the food is ready."
Seeing Gu Ning blush to the roots of her ears and get up to head to the restaurant, Han Shu glanced at Li Xuewu with amusement.
Li Xuewu didn't think anything of it. Although such words sounded a bit cheesy, they weren't said in front of outsiders.
Seemingly having discovered something, Dong Mengyuan looked at her senior brother with a strange expression. When he looked over, she scratched her chubby cheek with her finger and muttered "shame on you."
How's it going at school?
Li Xuewu stood up from the small stool, walked over to the sofa and sat down, looking at Han Shu and asking, "Are you tired?"
Han Shu will be thirty-six years old by the Chinese New Year. He was promoted to a leadership position in the college at the end of last year, which means he has taken on a management role.
Otherwise, she could suggest that Gu Ning take this path. Compared to frontline positions, both teaching and management positions are good for personal development.
However, Gu Ning's temperament and personality are really not suitable for this kind of job that involves a lot of dealing with people.
Gu Ning doesn't dislike communicating and interacting with patients, and she speaks fluently without hesitation, except when it comes to scheming and intrigue.
She is a simple-minded person, but not a fool. She can still leave some room for maneuver when communicating with patients, so as not to put herself in an awkward situation, and she is even more so with her colleagues.
If you really asked her to be as decisive and efficient as Han Shu, I believe even if you gave her another ten years, she still wouldn't be able to do it, because she just doesn't like it.
"What job isn't tiring? No job is easy." Han Shu smoothed the hair behind his head and looked at him, asking, "Have you sorted out all the work at your unit?"
"Pretty much, actually we started preparing a while ago." Li Xuewu nodded, picked up Gu Ning's cup of tea and took a sip, saying, "It'll be a bit more work for the teacher when he gets back."
"It's good enough that he came back at all." Han Shu said with a forced smile, "If it weren't for you, he wouldn't have been willing to come back."
That's true. Dong Wenxue has poured his heart and soul into the development of Liaodong's industry to this point, so how could he possibly let others reap the benefits?
Only Li Xuewu could give him the confidence to pass on these achievements to his students. It was also due to the circumstances that he had to return to Beijing to balance his influence; otherwise, Old Li would be restless and unable to sleep or eat in peace.
(End of this chapter)