MMB Chapter 1407 I Have No Friends
Chapter 1407 I Have No Friends
Chapter 1407 I Have No Friends
"Currently, the steel city industrial zone is still a large construction site."
Li Xuewu and Gao Yaqin, along with their group, stood on the street in front of the metallurgical plant, pointing around and making introductions.
He pointed to the leveled land in the southwest corner of the metallurgical plant and said, "According to the established plan, the Steel City Branch of the United Industrial Hospital will be located there."
"So big?" Gao Yaqin asked in surprise, looking at the large open space in the corner. "This is big enough to build two hospitals, right?"
"Hehe, that's enough to build two."
Li Xuewu smiled and glanced at Gao Yaqin, explaining, "Most of this vacant land is to be used for the construction of the Joint Hospital, while the other part is to be used to build the Steel City Industrial Zone Exhibition Hall."
"Another industrial exhibition hall."
Gao Yaqin made such a remark because Li Xuewu in Beijing had advocated for the establishment of an industrial exhibition hall.
This is no small project, nor can it be done by simply setting up a temporary shed; it is a permanent structure.
"Industrial development inevitably involves demonstrations whenever there are sales activities, especially for specialized equipment and facilities."
Li Xuewu nodded and explained, "The more professional the exhibition and sales, the more it reflects the company's core strength."
“The industrial exhibition hall in Beijing is very useful, that’s true,” Gao Yaqin nodded and said. “The one in Tianjin is even earlier, but it’s a little smaller, though its function is different.”
"The exhibition hall of the Tianjin United Trade Management Center was also proposed and built by the Secretary-General," Li Haiyang explained from the side. "At that time, we wanted to hold a year-round trade fair."
“We’re doing that now.” Gao Yaqin glanced at him and nodded, saying, “It’s mainly in coordination with the Trade Management Center. There are corresponding exhibitions and sales activities every quarter and every month, which really boosts sales figures.”
"A process of gradual accumulation, like water flowing slowly but surely."
Li Xuewu raised his hand to indicate the direction of the exhibition hall to be built and introduced: "This area will mainly display the main production equipment and products of the steel city industrial zone, serving as a permanent display area."
"Pre-job training can also be provided, right?"
Gao Yaqin stood on the curb and looked around for a while, then turned to Li Xuewu and said, "This location is excellent."
"To the left is the branch campus of the United Industrial Hospital, to the right is the main gate of the metallurgical plant, and further to the right is..."
Everyone followed her hand and looked eastward, where there was also an open space, but some construction debris was piled up there.
“That used to be a parking shed for a metallurgical plant. Now it’s being demolished and renovated to build an office building.”
Li Xuewu raised his hand and explained, "This area is located in the core of the Steel City Industrial Zone and will be used for the group's industrial management and other office functions in Liaodong in the future."
If he said that, Gao Yaqin would understand; otherwise, building a large building in such a prime location would always raise suspicions.
Although this is the final year of the first Three-Year Plan for the development of Hongxing Factory, the group's management has already begun to look ahead to and formulate the second Three-Year Plan.
To be more precise, the second Three-Year Plan has already gone through six drafts and will be finalized soon.
Given Li Xuewu's position and goals in Gangcheng, he must have been well-prepared when envisioning and formulating the group's three-year plan and objectives for the development of industrial enterprises in Liaodong.
What you can see now is the group's leading group and office stationed in the Liaodong industrial enterprises, but whether this group and office will stay or go in the next few years depends entirely on Li Xuewu's planning and efforts.
Alternatively, each industrial enterprise could connect with the group's various management offices to achieve vertical management.
Furthermore, the group and office were expanded into the Red Star Northeast Industrial Development Corporation, becoming the group's eighth deputy bureau-level corporation.
The first seven are already known to everyone: Hongxing Steel Group Sales Corporation, Hongxing United Savings Bank Headquarters, Hongxing United Energy Development Corporation, Hongxing United Construction Engineering Corporation, Education and Medical Administration Bureau, Hongxing Science and Technology Research Institute, and the recently established Hongxing United Logistics Development Corporation.
With eight deputy bureau-level general companies, along with three division-level general companies—Hongxing Steel Group Food General Company, Hongxing Literature and Art Publishing House, and Labor and Safety Service General Company—and the Hongxing Property Management General Company, which is being discussed at the meeting, Hongxing Steel Group will form a management structure of eight major and four minor companies.
Its initial signs of strength have emerged, and its power has already been established.
Gao Yaqin looked at the large open space and nodded slightly. She could already imagine the grandeur and solemnity of the building.
The group still has many branches and offices in Liaodong, which are currently located in buildings near the thermal power plant. In fact, that area is not part of the Hongxing Steel City Industrial Zone; it was forcibly incorporated into the zone by the steel city.
That area was originally the factory area of a joint venture. Because it was a bit far from the city center, the business operations were adjusted, and the steel city was going to rezone the Hongxing Steel City Industrial Zone, so this area was also included, otherwise there would have been a gap.
This factory area was temporarily renovated into nine office buildings of varying sizes, housing the Steel City Branch of the Labor Company, the Steel City Branch of the Literature and Art Publishing House, the Steel City Branch of the Sales Corporation, the Automobile Sales Branch, the Steel City Branch of the United Logistics Company, the Steel City Branch of the United Energy Company, the Steel City Branch of the United Construction Company, and the Steel City Branch of the Scientific Research Institute.
Another office building is the headquarters for the construction of the Hongxing Steel City Industrial Zone. The steel rolling mill area has not yet been fully completed, so this building is also used as a temporary office for the steel rolling mill.
Li Xuewu accompanied Gao Yaqin as they walked around in this direction, pointing out the locations of the relevant units.
Gao Yaqin looked at the office buildings and then looked back at the plot of land where an office building was to be built.
She understood that Li Xuewu planned to cram all the group's branches into that building in the future.
Integrated management and unified office space have become the management model for the steel city industrial zone.
Standing at the gas station on the side of the soon-to-be-completed steel rolling mill, Gao Yaqin looked east and west and could confirm that the steel city industrial zone was divided in two by the road in front of her.
Divided into two parts from north to south, and further divided into four sections from east to west by three roads, the industrial zone connects with the main roads of the steel city, forming a complete industrial satellite city.
The fact that ten modern industrial parks can be brought together and managed in a systematic and integrated manner shows that Li Xuewu has an incredibly ambitious vision.
Such a heart is too big to be contained in a steel city.
-
Gao Yaqin and her delegation only stayed in the steel city for two days. During those two days, Li Xuewu accompanied them to visit and investigate several key industrial enterprises, especially those related to economic development.
Two days later, Li Xuewu and Gao Yaqin returned to Beijing in one car. Their purposes were twofold: first, to report to Li Huaide on the construction and development of the group's industrial enterprises in Liaodong; and second, to attend his brother-in-law's wedding.
The date was set by my mother-in-law, March 23rd, which happened to be a weekend, and my father-in-law also rushed back from Nanjing.
Throughout the journey, Li Xuewu continued to talk with Gao Yaqin about the group's industrial, economic, organizational, and cultural development in Liaodong. This was also part of his preparation for a conversation with Lao Li after returning to Beijing.
He divided the group's main work priorities in Liaodong into four areas: industry, economy, organization, and culture. These four important tasks are closely linked and mutually beneficial.
“You’re already busy enough with industrial development, so I understand you want to focus on consolidating the group’s organizational structure.” Gao Yaqin looked at Li Xuewu and asked, “Actively promoting economic development is helping me out, but what do you mean by cultural development?”
"A nation without culture cannot last long, and an enterprise without culture is nothing."
Li Xuewu wasn't just showing off his knowledge; he was speaking very seriously: "To complete organizational development, we need the support of cultural development. Similarly, to achieve long-term development in industrial and economic construction, we also need the support of cultural development."
"I'm wondering if Director Li can understand you when you talk to him about this, or if he can comprehend what you're saying."
Gao Yaqin's words were very blunt and hurtful. Even though Director Li wasn't there, Li Xuewu could feel the strong malice from her. Had Old Li offended her?
Yes, Gao Yaqin made a wasted trip to the steel city, arriving full of enthusiasm only to leave disappointed. How could she not blame Lao Li?
In addition, Lao Li is ignorant of business and even less of economics, so he must have embarrassed himself in front of her.
That's how capable people are, and even more so with capable women; they all look down on the weak.
"Director Li is very farsighted and has a strong sense of justice." Li Xuewu picked up his teacup, smiled, and said, "It's admirable that he can listen to opinions."
“Oh—” Gao Yaqin looked at him meaningfully and said, “So your evaluation standard for Director Li is just obedience, right?”
“Yes, yes, with your communication skills, it’s easy for Director Li to trust you.” She looked at Li Xuewu, raised an eyebrow, and said with a smile, “I have never doubted that.”
"What kind of talk is that? Do you think Director Li will listen to me?"
Li Xuewu put down his teacup and said with a smile, "If you ask me, we'd call this 'like-mindedness,' but what do you call it?"
"So you think I can't say anything nice?" Gao Yaqin glared at him and said with a sneer, "You have to listen to me. Don't beat around the bush with Director Li. I'm not saying you should just tell him what you want to do directly, he might not understand."
"Furthermore, if he pretends to know what he doesn't, you'll be the one in trouble later. Think about it."
She picked up her teacup, took a sip, looked up at the window, and said, "Once you cross the Shanhaiguan Pass, it's a whole new world."
Li Xuewu followed her gaze and looked outside. Indeed, it was clear from the window that the plants and trees inside the pass were much more vibrant than those inside.
Wild grasses have sprouted early along the railway, and tree branches are turning green; spring has arrived.
It was already March, spring had arrived. After passing through the checkpoint, Li Xuewu could clearly feel the temperature in the carriage rise, making it warmer than in the steel city.
“I won’t talk about cultural development, because I don’t understand your thinking, and you are obviously more professional than me.” Gao Yaqin turned to Li Xuewu and said, “I admit that I am not as good as you in this respect.”
“I would like to talk about economic development.” She spread her hands and said, “I already know what you said at the Liaodong Industrial Management Group meeting from others.”
"Hmm, and then?" Li Xuewu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked up at her.
Li Xuewu never made any requests to keep his speeches at meetings confidential, nor was there anything he couldn't share with others.
Faced with Li Xuewu's composure, Gao Yaqin paused, carefully observing his expression, before continuing, "Are you serious about developing the group's sales network to cover the entire Northeast region?"
"What are you suspecting?" Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and asked in return, "Are you suspecting me of bragging while drunk, or of trying to achieve results at the expense of the company?"
"Can't I doubt everything?"
Gao Yaqin tilted her head and looked at Li Xuewu. Obviously, that wasn't what she thought, but it was close enough.
Li Xuewu nodded knowingly, put down his teacup, and explained, "Actually, I think there's nothing wrong with bragging, as long as you have the ability to make those bragging claims a reality."
"So, you think you can actually pull off this?"
Gao Yaqin smiled, raised her hand to signal Li Xuewu, and said, "Please begin your performance. I want to see how you perform bragging."
"My performances are not free," Li Xuewu said with a smile. "Would you like to pay first before you listen?"
"You're asking for money before you've even started performing?" Gao Yaqin said, leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed. "How about we play a bit first and then we talk?"
"I'll draw two lines for you and you'll understand everything."
Li Xuewu opened his notebook and first wrote the names of several major cities on the page according to their geographical locations. Then he started drawing from Yingcheng and went up to Bingcheng.
Along the way, we will pass through two major cities, Fengcheng and Jicheng.
That wasn't all. He then drew diagonally downwards from Fengcheng all the way to Tianjin, and the two lines formed a tower shape.
Finally, Li Xuewu picked up his pen and drew a line eastward from Jicheng, a stroke that left Gao Yaqin speechless.
After a long while, Gao Yaqin finally let out a breath, placed her finger on the midpoint between Tianjin and Yingcheng, which is the location of the Bohai Bay, and asked, "Don't you need to connect here?"
“I don’t think it’s necessary.” Li Xuewu put away his pen and said confidently, “Within three years, Yingcheng Port will be operational, within five years it will be developed, and within ten years, Yingcheng Port will become a competitor of Jingu Port.”
"Twenty years?" Gao Yaqin asked, amused by his exaggerated boasting, "How did you predict that?"
"Want to hear this part?" Li Xuewu smiled and said, "You'll have to pay; this is paid content."
“Playing hard to get—” Gao Yaqin pushed his notebook away, not intending to ask any more questions. Even though she had many guesses in her mind, she didn’t want to ask any further; there was no need.
Li Xuewu is calculating this because he can work at Hongxing Steel Group for another ten years. What's the use of her calculating this? Who knows where she'll be in ten years? Eight years, five years, it's hard to say.
The train, carrying Gao Yaqin's boundless imagination about the line that stretched out from Jicheng, sped towards the capital.
The train arrived on time that night.
-
"Oh dear, oh dear—"
Hearing the sound of a car outside the yard, Li Shu ran downstairs in her pajamas, muttering incoherently.
Er Ya had just finished getting ready and was about to go back to her room to sleep when she found that this little devil had run downstairs again.
"This is the third time today."
She looked at Li Shu and reminded her, "Your father won't be back until very late. He already said you don't need to wait for him."
"My dad's back!" Li Shu insisted stubbornly for the third time, "I saw him through the window!"
"You said the same thing the first two times."
Er Ya was helpless. Didn't this child know the story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"? The third time didn't work.
"Go back to sleep, sweetie. Your dad will be here for you when you wake up tomorrow morning."
"My dad isn't the ceiling, so how come he appears in front of me as soon as I wake up?"
Li Shu's stubbornness exceeded Er Ya's expectations. She insisted on standing in the foyer, looking out the door, waiting for her father to open the door and come back.
“It must have been a passing car, just like the one just now.” Er Ya squatted down beside her helplessly and coaxed her, “You were mistaken just now.”
“That was just now—” Li Shu twisted her body, not wanting her second aunt to pull her, her eyes still fixed on the doorway.
"What's wrong with her?" Zhao Yaping came out of the room and asked the two of them, "Isn't Li Shu going to rest?"
"My dad's back." Li Shu stared at the door without turning her head, as if she had some obsession.
At this moment, Li Ning's little head also appeared at the top of the stairs. He wasn't as stubborn as his sister, but he also sat on the stairs, propped his chin up, looked down, and yawned.
His older sister was pulling him away from sleep, saying they should wait for their father to come home so they could sleep together, which is why he's been holding on until now.
It wasn't that he necessarily wanted to wait for his father to come back, but rather that he was afraid of his older sister. This family was large and powerful, and his older sister, Li Shu, was the most powerful and influential. He couldn't afford to offend her.
"Look, you've woken up your little brother..."
Er Ya exchanged a wry smile with Zhao Yaping, then continued to patiently persuade Li Shu, but before she could finish her sentence, she heard a commotion at the front door.
The two were startled, but Li Shu jumped up and down happily, shouting, "My dad's back! My dad's back!"
Even if Er Ya wanted to sleep, she couldn't. She quickly went to the door, took off her coat, put it on, and opened the door.
There was indeed light shining through the iron gate; it must have been car headlights. This time, Li Shu was right.
She didn't have time to tell Zhao Yaping to keep an eye on Li Shu and Li Ning, and hurriedly went to the gate alone.
Without even needing to confirm, she could already hear that the person talking to the driver outside the door was Li Xuewu.
"Brother Li, you're back—"
Er Ya opened the gate and saw that it was indeed him standing in front of the car lights, though the car lights were a bit dazzling.
"You're still awake?" Li Xuewu greeted him with a smile. "I was just saying I'd jump over the wall to get in, but Master Wang wouldn't let me."
He raised his hand to signal to the driver beside him, who was the driver on duty for the car service that came to pick him up at the station today.
"Alright, boss, let me help you move your things inside first, so you can get some rest."
Driver Wang was very enthusiastic. Seeing that the leader's housekeeper had already opened the gate, he was spared the trouble of jumping over the wall to enter the yard.
"Thank you so much, you've worked hard."
Li Xuewu was about to start working as well, but Er Ya beat him to it. She was very strong and could carry a box the same size as the driver, Wang.
Watching the two of them carry their boxes into the yard, Li Xuewu could only smile wryly and pick up the smallest box to carry inside.
He didn't bring any luggage when he came back. Why would he need luggage if he was staying at home? It's not like he didn't have any clothes to wear.
Besides some seasonal specialties from the steel city, what I brought back were toys and snacks for the children.
He has more than one child; he has two in his family, a nephew, and a godson, making more than four.
"Daddy—Daddy—"
Li Shu seemed to have not seen her father for a long time, and kept trying to jump out of the door to hug him.
However, the little rascal wasn't entirely sincere, or perhaps he was distracted by the boxes in the hands of Driver Wang and Er Ya. When he said "Dad" later, he sounded a bit absent-minded, and his tone even dropped a little.
It really is winter. Even the best cotton-padded jacket will let in the wind. I don't blame the jacket, I blame the freezing cold and the wind.
"Still not asleep at this hour? Didn't your mother scold you?" Li Xuewu walked into the hallway with a smile and said to the driver, Wang, who was about to leave after putting down his suitcase, "Thank you for your hard work. The last item in the trunk is for you. Take it home and let the kids have a taste."
"How can this be!" Driver Wang was surprised by his supervisor's arrangement and waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "How could I accept your things?"
He was arranged by the General Management Office to pick up the leader at the station alone, in accordance with the leader's requirement to travel light and keep things simple.
Li Xuewu called ahead and requested that the General Management Department not make a big fuss and that only one driver be required.
Team leader Han Jiankun explained to him that he had helped move the luggage since he picked up Li Xuewu.
He was the one who carried it, so he knew what Li Xuewu had brought back, including some candy and dried fruit.
After Li Xuewu got out of the car, he asked him to carry the suitcase. He stood in the trunk for a while, tidying it up. Li Xuewu thought something had spilled and was too embarrassed to go over, but then...
Driver Wang was deeply moved. Li Xuewu had always been known for his magnanimity at work, and today he had finally met him.
He is the company's on-duty driver, and going out on missions at night is a normal job for him. It is heartwarming to be remembered by his superiors.
Furthermore, the candies and dried fruits looked quite valuable; they were gifts Li Xuewu bought for his children.
He hadn't noticed before that Li Xuewu was sitting in the passenger seat and talking to him about his children, including his own four-year-old daughter.
That's Li Xuewu's generosity.
"It's so late, let's not stand on ceremony." Li Xuewu smiled and shook hands with him, saying, "It's too late today, I'll invite you to my home another time."
"Thank you, thank you Li Xuewu, you're too kind."
Driver Wang let Er Ya see him to the door, and every now and then he would turn back to express his gratitude to Li Xuewu.
His gratitude wasn't just due to the bag of candy, but also to the attention to detail in Li Xuewu's actions.
There were only the two of them in the car. Li Xuewu should have been sitting in the back, but he took the initiative to sit in the front passenger seat.
Even though he had already thanked him and his child was still begging for a hug, he still stood at the door watching him leave.
Frankly speaking, although Li Xuewu is young, in his opinion, this is exactly the kind of person who should be the leader of the group!
"I want this—"
"Then I'll take this one—"
"This one is for Li Tang!"
The siblings knelt on the carpet in front of the sofa, occasionally rummaging through the box that Li Xuewu had brought back for gifts.
Each time they found something, the siblings would divide it into two piles according to their needs or preferences. Of course, they didn't forget about their uncle's son, Li Tang, who was both the younger and older brother.
The siblings had already spent enough time with their father, so when he went upstairs to take a bath, they started playing around downstairs.
Er Ya yawned, then covered her mouth, sniffed, and turned to Zhao Yaping, saying, "Go to sleep first, I'll stay with them, they should be going to sleep soon too."
"They're like this now?"
Zhao Yaping looked at the two siblings speechlessly, then turned to Er Ya and asked, "How did you know they were getting sleepy?"
"Then what should we do? You stay with them? I'm going to sleep first?" Er Ya chuckled and tightened her clothes, saying, "If you're not afraid of them yelling, then try putting these things away."
"don't want--"
Li Ning learned to speak early on, but besides the words "dad" and "mom," the first words he learned were "no" and "no."
If you go along with his wishes, he'll nod and agree to whatever you ask him, but that doesn't mean he'll actually do it.
If things don't go his way, he'll just say no, no, very clearly.
In this respect, she is not as good as her older sister. When Li Shu was little, after learning to call her father and mother, the first word she learned was "da" (打), and sometimes she would add "ya" (呀).
Hearing his aunt and second aunt grumbling at them, Li Ning turned around and firmly rejected their suggestion.
Zhao Yaping glanced at the time on the wall, yawned, and winked at the two of them, asking, "Aren't you planning to go upstairs to see Dad? He rarely comes back."
“It’s okay, it’s okay—” Li Shu was rummaging through the box, waving her hand without looking up, and said, “I can see Dad tomorrow morning, so I don’t need to go now.”
"You don't need to go now." Li Ning was very obedient. Afraid that the two of them hadn't heard her, she repeated this sentence, and then went to pick out toys with her sister.
Zhao Yaping found it amusing to look at Er Ya's speechless expression; these two little ones always managed to create some kind of fun.
"So what do we do? Who goes to sleep first?"
Er Ya looked at Zhao Yaping and asked, "If this continues, they might not sleep at all all night."
"Can you sleep?" Zhao Yaping glanced upstairs with amusement, winked at Er Ya, and said, "If you can sleep, go to sleep first. I'll wait here for a while."
"You really are—" Er Ya grinned, looking at her and said softly, "How come you know everything?"
“You don’t understand—” Zhao Yaping glared at her amusedly and said, “At least in our family, which has many people, we sleep on separate kang beds. In your family, we all have large kang beds. You’re telling me you don’t understand this?”
"Go away—" Er Ya glared at her and said, "How can a young lady like you say such things—aren't you ashamed—"
"Hey! You're shameful now!"
Zhao Yaping rolled her eyes and said with a smile, "Who told you to act so serious with me just now? You understood as soon as I told you."
"You're hopeless, you're hopeless." Er Ya stood up to pour herself a glass of water, muttering, "Really—"
It was unclear whether the last sentence was referring to Zhao Yaping or the upstairs neighbor, and she couldn't help but glance upstairs again.
upstairs……
"Who cleaned up over there?"
Li Xuewu changed into his pajamas, sat on the bed, turned to look at Gu Ning, and asked, "Did Guodong bring people to help?"
“Xiao Yan went with people, but Guo Dong said it wasn’t convenient for him to go.” Gu Ning got up and put on her clothes, her body still limp. She turned around and glared at Li Xuewu, saying, “You’re just being ridiculous.”
“That’s going too far, Comrade Gu Ning.” Li Xuewu stood up and emphasized righteously, “If you continue like this, I’ll have to call in the family discipline.”
"I can't be bothered with you—" Gu Ning stood up, holding onto the edge of the bed, but then had to sit down again.
"Alright, I'll go down and coax them up."
Seeing Gu Ning glaring at him again, Li Xuewu could only smile and apologize. He walked over and coaxed his wife to lie down again before leaving the room.
As soon as you reach the stairwell, you can hear the two siblings still chattering away, showing no signs of sleepiness.
Dad brought back so many toys this time, and lots and lots of delicious food too.
"Who's still awake in the middle of the night?"
Li Xuewu quietly walked up behind his son, picked up the little glutton, and gave him a big kiss in his arms.
"Dad—" The boy straightened up to get down, afraid that his sister would take all the good things away.
"Alright, let's divide it tomorrow," Li Xuewu advised his daughter and son, adding, "Didn't you see that your aunt and second aunt are both sleepy?"
"Then let Auntie and Second Auntie go to sleep first. We don't need them to stay with us." Li Shu said casually while she was still fiddling with those things.
Li Xuewu looked at the two who were so sleepy they were practically slumping over, and waved his hand, signaling them to go and rest.
The two felt as if they had been granted a pardon. After exchanging a glance, they didn't care about being embarrassed anymore, lowered their heads, got up, and went to their room.
Li Xuewu sat on the sofa, pointed to the toys and snacks on the floor, and said, "Your sister will decide to divide these into five portions, and each of you will take one portion."
"Why are there five portions?!"
Li Shu had already learned math in kindergarten, but now, counting on her fingers, she felt like she had missed out on a lot.
Li Xuewu tapped her little hand and said, "Divide these into five portions. One portion for you, one portion for your brother, how many portions are left?"
"There are five portions in total, one for me and one for my brother..."
Li Shu stretched out her five hands, and following her father's instructions, she bent two of them back. After confirming that there were still so many left, she looked up and said, "Three portions, there are three portions left, Dad."
"Shouldn't we give one to Li Tang's younger brother?"
Li Xuewu pointed to her remaining three fingers and asked, "How many portions are left after removing this one?"
"Two portions, there are two portions left!"
Li Shu looked at her fingers, then looked up at her father and said, "If we gave it to Li Tang, who else should we give it to?"
"Give a copy to Li Xin from Aunt Wu's family. Do you remember Li Xin?" Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and asked his daughter, "Do you remember Aunt Wu?"
“I remember you took me to her house before the Chinese New Year.”
Li Shu frowned slightly, struggled to break off another finger, and looked anxiously at her father, asking, "What about the last one?"
“This one—” Li Xuewu said with a smile, looking at his daughter, “You have to share this one with your friends.”
"Friends?" Li Shu stared blankly for a moment, then nodded decisively and said with a sigh of relief, "Dad, I don't have any friends, so give me this one."
"Wait a minute—" Li Xuewu chuckled and took his daughter's little hand, asking, "Don't you have any friends at kindergarten? Who will you play with, my friends?"
"Oh—" Li Shuru seemed to wake up from a dream, but she emphasized very seriously, "They are children, not the friends you are talking about, so I don't need to give them these."
"Li Shu, sharing brings happiness."
Li Xuewu looked at his daughter helplessly and said, "When you share happiness with other children, you reap double the happiness. The process of sharing is also a joy."
"Who said that? I'm not happy."
Li Shu looked at the toys and candy in the box, then looked up and said, "I wouldn't be happy if I shared them with them."
“You haven’t even shared it yet, how would you know if you’re unhappy?” Li Xuewu patiently taught his daughter, “Trust your father this time. If you’re really unhappy after sharing these things, then your father will bring you even more delicious food next time he comes back.”
"How about I share my joy with the kids next time you bring back even more delicious food?"
Li Shu stood there looking at her father, her eyes full of innocence, and said, "Dad, will you trust me this once?"
"You'd better stop calling me Dad for now, okay? I'll call you Dad instead."
Li Xuewu was almost outsmarted by his daughter. How did this girl develop such reverse thinking?
He's always been honest and upright in his work and life, so why is his daughter so cunning?
"Li Shu, Li Ning, go upstairs to sleep."
Li Xuewu heard it; from the stairwell came Gu Ning's greeting, barely suppressing her laughter—a contemptuous and mocking expression of his authority as a father.
He realized that Li Shu had learned all her cunning from her mother. Look how cunning Gu Ning is!
-
"Wishing you a long and happy marriage."
After the woman, who should be called "aunt," entered the courtyard, she greeted Gu Yan, who was there to welcome the guests, with a congratulatory remark.
Gu Yan, on the other hand, abandoned his usual nonchalant and roguish manner and responded respectfully and politely.
Li Xuewu, the brother-in-law, was also arranged by his mother-in-law to stand at the door and act as the head of the household.
According to old customs, the brother-in-law is indeed considered the head of the family.
Think about it, when a brother-in-law visits his sister's house, he is considered half a grade lower, while when a son-in-law visits his father-in-law's house, he is considered a distinguished guest and half a grade higher. With one being higher and the other lower, there is a grade difference. Isn't the brother-in-law essentially the brother-in-law's father-in-law?
Gu An, the eldest brother, was on a mission and didn't come back. The three of them were supposed to take the train back to Beijing together the day before yesterday, but only Mu Hongyan and the child arrived in Beijing. There was really nothing that could be done in this situation. If Gu An wasn't the supervisor, it wouldn't matter, and he could ask for leave. But as the person in charge, he couldn't be absent no matter what.
The Gu family's courtyard was cleaned up again; Gu Ning gave them the key, and Shen Guodong and Xiao Yan made the arrangements.
Actually, if the Gu family were to have a happy occasion, the management office would definitely provide manpower and resources to make arrangements, but Ding Fengxia is cautious by nature.
Even Gu Haitao agreed with her decision; it would be more appropriate to let her son-in-law handle this matter.
Xiao Yan and several other women were driven over by Shen Guodong, and it took them two whole days to get everything ready.
Shen Guodong was very efficient. He cleaned upstairs and downstairs, restarted the stove, and even hung up the wedding decorations. He was just waiting for the Gu family to come back to celebrate the wedding.
Ding Fengxia returned home early and found everything prepared when she got there.
The confetti for the wedding was nothing; the in-laws also provided ample quilts and all other wedding necessities.
The in-laws mentioned here are not Zhou Yao's parents, but Li Xuewu's parents. After she returned, she stayed at her daughter's house.
She was staying at her daughter's house, but for three or four days in a row she stayed at the Li family's place, which was a courtyard house. She thanked them very much.
There's no need for thanks between in-laws, but how could she not be touched by such thoughtful in-laws? In particular, the warmth of the Li family made her feel the comfort of relatives after returning to Beijing and being surrounded by the familiar cold.
On this auspicious day and time, for this joyous and auspicious occasion, please keep a low profile and avoid extravagance, as requested by Gu Haitao.
Even so, the proper reception for the wedding to the groom should still be there.
Gu Yan, dressed in a clean and neat green suit, stood beside Li Xuewu. He had shed the impetuousness and arrogance of youth and was very mature, responding politely to the guests who came to offer their congratulations.
Today is a very happy day for him.
"Sigh—it's not worth all the trouble."
Now that no one was around, Gu Yan turned to look at his brother-in-law, who had been standing with him at the door, and said, "I told you we should just have a family meal together, but you had to make such a fuss."
"That's too formal of you," Li Xuewu said, looking at his brother-in-law. "Ah, I'm so busy that I can't even come back for my brother-in-law's wedding. What a high-ranking official you are."
"Hehe, in my heart, brother-in-law, you're the best."
Gu Yan chuckled and flattered, "Among all the people I know, none can compare to you, really—"
"Hey, are you trying to drug me again?"
Li Xuewu smiled and nudged him, saying, "Tell me, what kind of mischief are you up to now? Are you short of money?"
"Look, I was just expressing my respect for you, and you've misunderstood again." Gu Yan smiled and tilted his head. Seeing his mother come out of the house, he whispered to his brother-in-law, "Please don't tell my mother about me borrowing money from you."
"Don't worry." Li Xuewu gave his brother-in-law a look that said, "You trust me," and then looked at his mother-in-law and said, "Mom, what brings you here? Is everything alright inside?"
"You're still talking? Almost everyone's here. What are you all standing here like idiots for? Come inside and eat."
It was truly a low-key affair, a true family banquet. Gu Haitao showed no intention of holding a wedding banquet for his son at a restaurant or anywhere else. He didn't even bother the management office with the chef; it was his son-in-law who arranged for him to help. This banquet reflected his thoughtfulness in every aspect.
This wedding had to happen, but it couldn't be too low-key, otherwise people would have something to say about it. But it also couldn't be too extravagant, so we decided to hold it at home, with a few big tables set up so everyone could have a good time.
The courtyard gate was wide open. Gu Yan had picked up the bride from the Zhou family on his bicycle. There was no extravagance or waste. Anyone in the courtyard who wanted to inquire knew everything. There was no secret.
Gu Haitao only planned to stay in Beijing for three days. After his son and daughter-in-law returned to their parents' home, he and Ding Fengxia would return to Nanjing.
Li Xuewu could only stay for less than three days, and there was no need for him to help much here. The children in the yard were making a ruckus, and when they heard that there was good food, they all crowded together to squeeze into the house.
There was no child older than Dong Mengyuan, and no child younger than Li Ning. These days, people of a certain status rarely bring children to banquets; this is not a traditional courtyard house.
"The auspicious time has arrived, let the feast begin!"
(End of this chapter)