dognovel Chapter 1541 Dinner Eats Early
Chapter 1541 Dinner Eats Early
Chapter 1541 Dinner Eats Early
"I've bought the groceries."
Ran Qiuye opened the door, sniffed, glanced at the kitchen, and said, "So spicy?"
"It's just for the flavor." Li Xuewu glanced back at her and said with a smile, "If you think it's too spicy, I'll put in less chili oil, but the taste won't be as good."
"No, do as you say."
Ran Qiuye closed the door behind her, changed into slippers, and headed to the kitchen, asking, "Has the meat been cut?"
"Not bad, right? You have some skill."
Li Xuewu held up the plate beside him to show her, raised his eyebrows and boasted, "I'm not familiar with the master chef."
Seeing him showing off, Ran Qiuye smiled and pursed her lips, saying, "You even tied your apron crookedly, and you call yourself a master chef?"
"It's because your apron is too small."
When Li Xuewu saw that she was going to help him adjust his apron, he stood up straight and let her arm wrap around him.
"The kitchen is so clean, do you never cook?"
"When you're alone, you can't just eat anywhere."
Ran Qiuye said to him over his shoulder, "Make some rice porridge for breakfast, and also a steamed bun and some pickled vegetables that my mom makes. Just make sure it's warm for your stomach."
After helping Li Xuewu re-tie his apron, she took the freshly bought vegetables out of the wicker basket.
"I'll eat lunch at the school cafeteria."
He turned to look at Li Xuewu and said, "Eat if you're hungry at night, don't eat if you're not hungry. It's easy to fool you."
"The old lady came back to see you?"
Li Xuewu did not persuade her to cook for herself, because it is indeed difficult to cook for one person, and even he himself would have messed it up.
Living alone is lonely enough; if you cook and eat alone, how lonely would that be?
"Yes, I've come back twice." Ran Qiuye stood by the cupboard washing vegetables under the tap and replied, "But most of the time I go up the mountain to see them."
"How are your parents' health?"
Li Xuewu collected the fried chili oil in a bowl, and then used the hot pan to simmer the butter and peanut oil he had brought over a low flame, while preparing scallions, ginger, and garlic.
Watching his somewhat clumsy movements, Ran Qiuye couldn't help but smile happily.
It's not happiness to have him cook for you personally; happiness is when the two of you share a meal.
Even if he cooks the worst food tonight, she'll still eat her fill.
"Everything is fine. I said it was cold, but they said it was comfortable. Even if it's cold, staying in the mountains is comfortable."
Ran Qiuye smiled at him, then lowered her head to wash the vegetables again; she had spent quite a bit of money today.
"Didn't I bring you any vegetables?" Li Xuewu turned to look at her and said with a smile, "Perhaps life in the mountains is really more comfortable than in the city?"
"Hehehe—I've heard about it."
Ran Qiuye knew what he was talking about, and chuckled as she looked up and said, "My mom said that every family in the village has built greenhouses. Not only do they build them at home, but the whole village does too. They can't compare to the scale of the vegetable greenhouses in the reclamation area, but they still make a lot of money."
She gestured to the vegetables in her hand and said, "I spent almost one yuan and fifty cents on this little bit of vegetables. They say that eating vegetables is free, both in winter and summer."
“Hongxing Village has become quite wealthy in recent years.”
Li Xuewu nodded and said with emotion, "It really proves the saying, 'The bolder the people, the greater the harvest.' Who could have imagined how poor the mountains used to be?"
“My mom told me that the poorest family of six only had one pair of pants, and whoever went out wore it.”
Ran Qiuye shook her head slightly and echoed, "This is something I never dared to imagine before, I never thought it would happen..."
"This is only what we've seen; what about what we haven't seen?"
Li Xuewu put the prepared scallions, ginger, and garlic into the pot and stir-fried them over high heat. The aroma burst forth, filling the entire kitchen with the smell of cooking.
Ran Qiuye couldn't stand it anymore, so she squeezed against him and opened the kitchen window. The cold air came in, taking away the rich aroma, leaving who knows who outside the window got to enjoy it.
"Do you need my help?" She looked at Li Xuewu's stiff movements with some suspicion. It didn't matter if it was done poorly, as long as it didn't cause any problems—
"Don't worry, I just transferred back to the security department. If I had been assigned to the canteen, I would have been a top chef by now."
What wouldn't Li Xuewu dare to boast about in front of Ran Qiuye? Even if she laughed at him, it was only because of her.
Ran Qiuye pursed her lips, suppressing a smile as she listened to his boasting. When he turned around, she put on an expression that said, "I believe you," giving him plenty of emotional value.
"Let me tell you, you've seen this recipe, but if it were before, I would have killed you to silence you."
Li Xuewu scooped another spoonful of fermented soybean paste into the pot, and cooked it together with the freshly fried chili oil.
He made it sound mysterious, but actually the hot pot broth wasn't authentic at all; it was all made with substitute ingredients.
Can Pixian Doubanjiang (Pixian chili bean paste) and Northeast soybean paste be the same thing? Chili oil and dry-fried chili oil don't taste the same either, but he managed to fool the uninformed Ran Qiuye.
"You really think I've never eaten Sichuan hot pot before?!"
Ran Qiuye chuckled and gently punched his back, saying, "The last time I met Master He, he treated me to Sichuan hot pot."
"Master He? He Yuzhu?"
Li Xuewu asked with a smile, "Why did he suddenly decide to invite you to dinner? And it was hot pot, no less?"
"What, is that not allowed?" Ran Qiuye raised an eyebrow, amused, and said, "I can't eat hot pot?"
"I'm asking why I invited you."
Li Xuewu used a slotted spoon to scoop out the scallion segments and said with a smile, "I know my neighbors well. They don't come here unless they need something. Would they give me a meal for nothing?"
"So you're saying we have no friendship anymore?"
Ran Qiuye explained with a smile, "Back then, I asked him to help with the wedding arrangements for my teacher's son."
“Yes, I remember him telling me that.”
Li Xuewu threw all the spices he could think of, such as star anise, bay leaves, cinnamon, and cardamom, into the pot, pretending to know what he was talking about, since he figured he wouldn't end up with a pot of poison anyway.
"Actually, he's a good person, just a bit too easygoing. He's definitely a friend you can make."
Ran Qiuye placed the washed vegetables on the table and turned around to say, "He came to me to ask for my help in getting He Zhuang into a daycare center."
"He Zhuang? Going to daycare?"
Li Xuewu turned to her in surprise and asked, "Why? Is there something wrong with Diliya?"
These days, getting into a daycare center isn't difficult. Normal infants aged 56 days to three and a half years old are eligible, as long as the mother works at her workplace, the daycare center at her workplace will accept and care for her as usual.
Children aged three and a half to six and a half years old need to attend kindergarten for preschool education.
Li Xuewu was surprised because Diliya was not a factory worker, so how could He Yuzhu afford to provide childcare services?
The employee benefits and welfare of that era are unimaginable in later generations; they can't even be mentioned, because the more young people who know about them, the more resentful they will feel.
Why has the birth rate declined year after year in later generations? It's already very difficult for young couples to work hard in the city. Once the woman becomes pregnant and gives birth, she has to face the choice of stopping work.
Those within the system still have livelihood security, but who will take care of the child after maternity leave becomes a major problem.
Although most families are cared for and raised by both sets of parents, family conflicts are commonplace.
If both sets of parents are physically unable to work or have other difficulties, then the young couple will be in a real predicament.
Think about it, men work hard to earn money to support their families, but people's energy is limited, so they will inevitably neglect to care for and look after their wives and children.
What about the woman? She worries and works hard for the children and family, and her resentment accumulates, which she can only vent to her partner.
Over time, cracks will appear in the relationship between the two, which may lead to postpartum depression.
Actually, no one is wrong; they are both doing it for the family. It's just that the man's achievements through hard work are visible, such as getting a promotion and a raise.
The woman's hard work is reflected in the child's healthy growth, which is easily overlooked.
Despite decades of advocating for gender equality, China has suffered a major setback on the issue of childbirth.
So how did this problem get solved decades ago when there were tens of millions of collective economy workers?
In short, workers are the leading class in socialist China, representing advanced productive forces and relations of production.
The factory belongs to the collective, and also to the workers; therefore, it is essential to create working conditions for the workers.
That's why infants as young as 56 days old can be enrolled in childcare programs. Moreover, the childcare facilities in these childcare centers are even better, with dedicated medical and care staff, as well as special nutritional food supplies. These are the future successors of socialism, so who would dare to neglect or mistreat them?
Following Li Xuewu's instructions, Ran Qiuye added a few pieces of rock sugar to the pot of butter he had prepared.
Putting everything else aside, the cost of just this pot of broth alone is enough to buy a hot pot meal at Langtaosha.
But who can blame him but Li Xuewu? He can cook for himself, so what's there to complain about?
“I don’t know, I just heard him say that his wife has to go to work and doesn’t have time to take care of the children.”
"Could she be pregnant again?"
Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and said, "I remember that He Zhuang in their family was born in February 1967."
"Yes, that's about right. He told me he's three years old and will stay in daycare for half a year, then go to kindergarten in the fall."
Ran Qiuye nodded and said, "I spoke to Principal Wang of the kindergarten on his behalf. Principal Wang's point was that older children are easier to manage, but since it didn't comply with regulations, they charged a little more for childcare."
"Principal Wang?" Li Xuewu frowned slightly and asked, "Isn't preschool education the responsibility of Lao Liu?"
"Teacher Liu retired before the Lunar New Year."
Ran Qiuye explained, "Deputy Director Wang from the office took over his job and is now in charge of preschool education."
"Deputy Director Wang." Li Xuewu thought for a moment, then raised his eyebrows and asked, "Is it Wang Hanlu?"
"Oh, you know her?" Ran Qiuye was quite surprised and looked at him, asking, "Did you meet her when you came for the checkup?"
"You forgot? Didn't she and her husband teach middle school in the Red Star Commune for more than a year?"
Li Xuewu explained, "I know her husband's grandfather, which is why we arranged it together with your parents."
"Oh—I think I remember now."
Ran Qiuye nodded and said, "No wonder she was able to come to the United School; it turns out it was you who arranged it."
"What's her boyfriend's name again?"
Li Xuewu straightened up, raised his head slightly, thought for a moment, and then turned his head and said, "It seems to be called Zhao Zhiqiang."
"You have a really good memory—"
Ran Qiuye smiled and said, "He teaches math, and he works in our middle school."
"His grandfather was named Zhao Youkuan, and he was quite skilled and capable in the mounting and authentication of calligraphy and paintings."
Li Xuewu didn't mention that Zhao Youkuan had helped him sort through the junk and calligraphy and paintings that Master Ye had collected for him, and that most of them had been maintained and preserved.
It was a favor they owed each other, and the other party was very good at interpersonal relationships, so Wang Hanlu and Zhao Zhiqiang received his help at work. However, Wang Hanlu had some of her own ideas.
Li Xuewu already knew about his affair with Jing Rong, but he couldn't bring it up or talk about it.
In fact, Wang Hanlu was also afraid, or rather, she was provoked and wanted to climb higher and to a safer place, not wanting to suffer the same hardships as before.
She had considered relying on Li Xuewu's influence to save herself, but she was also afraid that one day Li Xuewu would be in dire straits himself.
It's better to rely on yourself than on others.
Among the various teaching departments of the school, preschool education holds a relatively high status, which shows that Jingrong also takes care of her.
Li Xuewu didn't tell Ran Qiuye about this, and even if she knew, she wouldn't gossip about it.
"Are you sure this pot won't cause poisoning?"
Ran Qiuye looked at the clay stove on the dining table with suspicion and reminded her, "Incomplete charcoal burning can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which is very harmful to the nervous system."
"Given how drafty your room is, do you really need to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning?"
Li Xuewu chuckled as he straightened the hot pot and added the hot pot broth that had been simmering for half an hour, along with hot water.
"We only need one spoonful. I'll pack the rest in a lunchbox for you. Once it solidifies, you can take it out whenever you want."
"Oh, it's not a one-time meal?"
Ran Qiuye glanced at the kitchen windowsill, then turned back and laughed, "I thought we'd already eaten."
"No need for so much, this is spicy enough." Li Xuewu put the sliced meat and vegetable pieces into the hot pot, and the bubbling pot calmed down a lot, giving him time to prepare the sesame sauce.
A child who can't make sesame paste isn't a good child.
You can only stir in one direction, adding water while stirring. You can't add too much or too little water.
Li Xuewu is quick and strong. The sesame paste is very thick and tiring for the wrist. Ran Qiuye felt it was hard just watching him work. She grimaced when she saw him add chili oil.
"You're really not afraid of spicy food!"
"There's not enough Sichuan peppercorn." Li Xuewu had already tasted the broth; it wasn't numbing, just spicy.
"If it's not numbing or spicy, this hot pot is inedible. Clear broth hot pot is even more troublesome."
Li Xuewu prepared the dipping sauce, divided it into two bowls, and carried them to the dining table.
Ran Qiuye's house in the Workers' New Village is not small. Li Xuewu bought her the largest one because he thought her parents would also come back to live there.
And you know what? If they hadn't bought the biggest one, they wouldn't know where to put all those books covering their walls.
It's alright now. When the house was being renovated, Li Xuewu arranged for someone to prepare a study for her. Now that it's been tidied up, it feels more like a place to live.
"I even considered papering the windows, but something always came up, so I eventually gave up."
Ran Qiuye picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of the cabbage. It was so hot that she stuck out her tongue and exclaimed, "It's so spicy!"
"Drink some water, don't rush to eat."
Li Xuewu handed her the hot water he had prepared beforehand, as hot water was more effective at relieving the spiciness than cold water.
"Why is it so spicy?!"
Ran Qiuye, who doesn't eat spicy food very well, really felt the intense malice coming from the hot pot, and tears even came down her face.
"It might taste spicy at first, but once you take a couple more bites, you won't be able to stop eating it."
Li Xuewu smiled and placed the vegetables and meat on a plate, making it easier for her to eat if they cooled down a bit.
Actually, he doesn't eat hot pot often, as it's not very good for the throat and stomach, but he always feels something's missing if he doesn't eat hot pot on a cold day.
"I'm sweating."
Ran Qiuye touched her forehead, her eyes brimming with tears, and said, "This is the first time I've ever eaten something this spicy."
"How about rinsing it with hot water before eating?" Li Xuewu chuckled and taught her another trick, but the flavor would be gone.
Ran Qiuye shook her head slightly, picked up a slice of meat with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, dipped it in sesame sauce and ate it. This time she didn't complain about the spiciness, but her nostrils flared more frequently.
"If you two want to come back, then come back."
Li Xuewu said while eating, "It's nothing. The environment at the joint school is relatively closed off."
"I've given up, I don't want to try to persuade you anymore."
Ran Qiuye stood up, went to the bathroom to wash a towel, and then wiped her face to relieve the heat from the spiciness.
"Actually, it's quite nice to be in the mountains. You don't have to deal with interpersonal relationships, which suits their personality perfectly."
She sat down next to Li Xuewu again and said, "Actually, they were like this when they were abroad. They didn't go out much and just stayed at home reading books."
“I do envy that kind of spiritual state,” Li Xuewu said, looking at her. “Living in an ivory tower, without having to worry or exert yourself, how wonderful.”
"You? You couldn't live that kind of life."
Ran Qiuye shook her head slightly and said, "You are born to do great things; books cannot confine your heart."
"Really? You understand me so well."
Li Xuewu smiled, took a bite of food, and said, "I'll tell you something you won't believe: I've become a teacher too."
"Hmm, hmm?" Ran Qiuye, having taken a bite of wide rice noodles, looked up at him blankly and asked, "Being...being a teacher? Your current job...wait a minute! Has your position in the group changed?"
“It’s not a position within the group.” Li Xuewu put some meat on her plate and explained, “It’s from my previous job at the garrison. I originally wanted to resign, but they wouldn’t let me go, so they arranged for me to become a teacher at the Political Science and Law College.”
"Ah, I see—"
Ran Qiuye looked at him curiously and asked, "What did they ask you to teach? Management?"
"Hehe, psychology." Li Xuewu glanced at her and said with a light laugh, "Criminal psychology."
"Oh, it's the book you wrote."
Ran Qiuye glanced at the study. She had all the books he had written and had read them more than once during the nights she thought about him.
"Yes, it's that book," Li Xuewu explained. "There might be other work arrangements as well."
“You have the ability and enough experience, I believe you are fully capable of handling this task.”
Ran Qiuye said with a smile, "At first I thought you were going to come to the United School to be a teacher."
"Heh, are you afraid I'll actually go and become a teacher?"
Li Xuewu looked at her and joked, "How about I go work at your middle school and teach Chinese?"
"No, you're not qualified."
Ran Qiuye smiled, took a bite of food, and said while exhaling hot air, "Have you ever heard of specialization?"
"You're actually looking down on me—"
Li Xuewu said with a laugh, "My articles have been published in newspapers, how can I not be qualified to teach Chinese?"
"Writing articles and teaching are two different things."
Ran Qiuye explained to him very seriously: "Writing well does not mean high teaching quality. There are many Chinese teachers who cannot write well, but there are very few writers who are also Chinese teachers. I'm not talking about you."
"Hehe—" Li Xuewu shook his head and smiled wryly. Who was he talking about if not himself? Who wasn't a writer?
"You're not angry, are you?" Ran Qiuye looked him over carefully and said, "I was just saying. Besides, the group still needs you to steer the ship, so why would we need you to teach at a middle school? It would be such a waste."
"Teacher Ran, you've changed—"
Li Xuewu looked at her and shook his head slightly, sighing, "Not only have you become much more tactful in your dealings with people, but you've even become so eloquent. You don't actually want to be the principal, do you?"
"Hahaha—" Ran Qiuye was always happy when she was with him, and there was never a shortage of laughter.
"I never want to improve in my life."
After laughing, she looked at Li Xuewu calmly and said, "Being able to contribute my own strength in my current position means that my life has not been in vain."
"The middle school administrators are going to be in trouble."
Li Xuewu said with a laugh, "We can't promote them without you doing it, can we? If you don't move, they can't move either."
"That's ridiculous!"
Ran Qiuye objected first, retorting, "Just because I don't want to improve doesn't mean others aren't allowed to improve either."
"Hmm—that's the general rule."
Li Xuewu nodded and said, "Unless you expand the middle school division to the point where it becomes a conglomerate."
"What kind of logic is that? How can a school grow so big?"
Ran Qiuye sighed and said, "How about I quit being the principal? I'm perfectly content with teaching."
"What? Don't you want to contribute to education anymore?" Li Xuewu reached out and teased her, lifting her chin and saying, "Have some ambition, okay?"
"You want me to be like you?" Ran Qiuye looked up at him and said, "Working non-stop?"
"If you say that, I'll cry."
Li Xuewu chuckled and took her hand, saying, "I don't want you to be like anyone else. I just hope you live happily, with ideals and goals."
"Thank you." Ran Qiuye shook his hand gratefully and looked at him affectionately.
The hotpot meal lasted a long time, and the two talked about many topics, even Qin Huairu.
Ran Qiuye said that she ran into Qin Huairu on the street when she went downstairs, and Qin Huairu even asked her about marriage.
Li Xuewu lay on the bed with his arm around her shoulder and said with a smile, "She even wanted to introduce you to someone."
“She’s supposed to be in logistics, two years younger than me, and also a cadre.” Ran Qiuye turned over and nestled against his chest, feeling safer that way.
"She can't even manage her own family affairs, yet she has the leisure to act as a matchmaker," Li Xuewu said with his eyes closed. "Do you two see each other often?"
"Very rarely, maybe once every two or three months."
Ran Qiuye raised her head, found a more comfortable position, and said, "Although we live in a large compound, it's still not easy to see acquaintances."
In three years, Honggang Group built more than 100 buildings on this land, and thousands of employees moved in. The original neighborhood relations in the tenement courtyard were long gone and rebuilt. If you lived far away, you might not see each other for a long time unless you worked in the same company.
When are you coming back from Steel City?
After a long silence, Ran Qiuye grasped his hand and asked, "I mean, I mean, I want to be transferred back to my job."
"Well, there's no such plan yet."
Li Xuewu seemed to be falling asleep, and hummed, "What's wrong? Missing me?"
"I think about you every day." Lying in the same bed, what couldn't she say?
She leaned back a little, trying to get closer to his body, even though they were already pressed together.
"I heard you might be transferred?"
Speaking of this, Ran Qiuye turned around, leaned against him, and tilted her head back to ask, "Is it true?"
"It's fake. I have never received any relevant notices, let alone been interviewed by the organization."
Li Xuewu said calmly, "With my current rank, I'm not qualified for a transfer to another company."
"And what about taking it a step further?" Ran Qiuye asked curiously, "Are you going to make progress this year?"
“Not necessarily, the time was too short.” Li Xuewu opened his eyes and looked at her, explaining, “You’ve heard about the production accident at the No. 4 furnace in the steel city, right?”
"Oh, I was worried about you."
Ran Qiuye propped herself up, ignoring the expanse of white skin that was exposed, and looked at him, asking, "Will this involve you?"
"It's inevitable." Li Xuewu hugged her. The room was warm, but the windows were drafty, so the temperature was neither too hot nor too cold.
“That project was overseen by Deputy Director Dong during his time in Gangcheng, so I have to handle it properly.”
He rubbed his forehead and said, "Now several forces are trying to make a fuss about this, it's causing quite a stir."
"I'm worried about you—" Ran Qiuye reached out and hugged him, saying, "Will you be alright?"
"It wouldn't be good if things got out of hand." Li Xuewu looked at her and said, "We need to give an explanation, don't we?"
"So those people have an excuse to stop you?"
Ran Qiuye hasn't been the principal for nothing these past few years; she just doesn't want to worry about these kinds of things, it's not like she lacks the ability.
"Hmm, maybe." Li Xuewu let out a sigh of relief, but he didn't show any regret or disappointment.
Ran Qiuye knew that he was meticulous and reliable, and she also knew that her worries were unnecessary.
"I'll be waiting for you in the capital."
She pressed her face against his chest, feeling the surging power within him, a feeling filled with pride.
"Don't worry about me, this is the result I wanted too." Li Xuewu smiled and stroked her hair, explaining, "If a person's life is too smooth, they won't last long. They have to go through some hardships to show their extraordinary talents."
"Yes, you are the smartest person."
Ran Qiuye firmly believed this; she always thought Li Xuewu was the smartest person she had ever met.
She and her parents were able to survive in this era without Li Xuewu's intervention.
Having experienced much hardship, she knows what sweetness and happiness are.
Even if she can't be with him often, she won't marry someone she considers suitable.
She had never thought about this in her life. As long as she could think of him and he could think of her, that was enough.
-
"Is there something wrong with you?"
Jing Yunong was almost driven to a nervous breakdown by him; his knocking on the door early in the morning nearly scared her to death.
Is your spouse home?
Li Xuewu was quite adept at creating a scene, and asked with a smile, "Did I come at a bad time?"
"Should I call him and ask him to come back?"
Jing Yunong is also a ruthless person; she dares to say anything, even to her lover.
Li Xuewu dared not take anything too risky. After entering the room, he skillfully changed into slippers and said, "Let's get some breakfast. I'm hungry; I haven't had breakfast yet."
"No—" Jing Yunong snorted in dissatisfaction, and said, "Did you eat dinner yesterday?"
Li Xuewu glanced into the restaurant and saw four dishes and a soup, all untouched.
"You—you're not going to wait for me all night, are you?"
Jing Yunong didn't want to pay attention to him, much less answer his humiliating question; he just squinted at him.
"Hehe, Old Li is asking me to play mahjong."
Li Xuewu made up an excuse and explained, "I said I had something to do at home, but he insisted on making me play a few rounds, and we played for most of the night."
Jing Yunong remained silent, even leaning against the restaurant entrance with his arms crossed, simply watching him.
The food was all prepared, but the person didn't show up. How could she not call to look for them?
Of course, she wouldn't go directly to Li Xuewu, but rather to someone who might hinder him.
I called the duty room and asked around. Guess what Old Li did last night? Does she even know?
If she can't even find out this little bit of information, then all the personnel work she's done over the past year has been for nothing.
Li Xuewu never thought he could fool her, so he didn't continue to lie to her.
No amount of empty talk is as real or reliable as concrete actions.
Uh—don't get me wrong, he just took off the apron hanging on the wall to heat up last night's food.
What is the moment that men look forward to the most again?
The food's in the pot, and you're in bed, right?
Judging from Deputy Director Jing's attitude, if this meal isn't enjoyed properly, it could lead to further trouble.
"Wow, it looks and smells delicious!"
Li Xuewu flattered him, saying, "I never expected you to have this skill; it's a real surprise."
"Steel City, what are your plans?"
Jing Yunong didn't want to find out where he went last night. He wasn't her man. He just stood her up, not ran away from the wedding. A mature woman wouldn't do childish things.
So getting angry is useless; it's better to talk about something practical. She really wanted to know Li Xuewu's next plan.
"To grow bigger and stronger, and create brilliance."
Li Xuewu's stir-frying skills are average, but his hot dish skills are definitely not a problem.
The cold dishes are quickly stir-fried in the pan, then poured back onto the plate. In no time, the meal is ready.
Eat dinner in the morning. People who ate dinner last night can also eat in the morning. Eat slowly and don't rush.
"And then?" Seeing that he had placed a bowl of rice in front of her, Jing Yunong did not touch her chopsticks. Now she was more curious about what kind of tricks he was up to in Steel City.
"Why drag the No. 4 furnace issue out of control?"
"This eggplant tastes delicious!"
Li Xuewu shoveled rice into his mouth, pointed at the plate of eggplant, and commented, "It tastes even better than my mom's."
"Why don't you call me Mom, and I'll cook for you every day?" Jing Yunong said angrily, narrowing his eyes.
"Hmm? You like playing this?" Li Xuewu was so wicked, letting her take advantage of him. He raised an eyebrow and said, "Then let's try switching roles later."
"Can't you be a little more serious?"
Jing Yunong was truly exasperated. How could this bastard be so cheeky, like a stubborn mule?
Haven't you heard this saying before?
Li Xuewu looked at her and said, "The more you know, the more dangerous it is. I'm doing this for your own good."
"I knew holding it in for too long would lead to nothing good."
Jing Yunong glared at him resentfully, picked up his chopsticks, and said, "You wouldn't go after Dong Wenxue, would you?"
"Am I really that untrustworthy in your heart?" Li Xuewu took a bite of braised pork knuckle and said, "Or have I done something to offend you?"
"You've wronged me in so many ways—"
Jing Yunong rolled his eyes at him, picked up a piece of egg with his chopsticks, and said, "Where did you go last night?"
"Didn't I tell you? We're playing mahjong. Old Li organized the game." Li Xuewu used the same excuse as always.
Jing Yunong smirked and looked at him teasingly, saying, "Oh, playing mahjong? Who's playing?"
"What's wrong? You still don't trust me."
Li Xuewu may have been talking nonsense, but he didn't miss any of the meat and dishes on the table. Deputy Director Jing had prepared all his favorite foods. When did she find out his tastes?
"It's not that I don't trust you, it's that I'm worried about you." Jing Yunong said with a meaningful smile, "Director Li invited Zhou Miaomiao to play mahjong last night, is that also related to you?"
"Huh? —" Li Xuewu suddenly looked up at her and asked, "Really? Are you kidding me?"
"Hehe—" Jing Yunong chuckled, revealing a confident expression. He lowered his head, picked up some food with his chopsticks, and said, "Why don't you call and ask Zhou Miaomiao if she's up yet? You two are close, aren't you?"
Li Xuewu stared at her for a few seconds, then smiled and said, "Then let's forget it. My relationship with her isn't as good as you say. I'm not going to be the bad guy."
"Besides, I'll be unhappy if someone calls to ask if you're up yet."
“Ha—” Jing Yunong ignored his rambling and returned to the topic of the steel city.
"If you don't tell the truth, don't come looking for me if problems arise later. I won't be responsible for anything that's been done to me."
"What do you want to know?" Li Xuewu put down his chopsticks after finishing his meal and said, "There's nothing wrong with Furnace No. 4. What's there to be suspicious about?"
"What I think is not important; what matters is what others think." Jing Yunong ate slowly and methodically, with a certain charm. She looked up at Li Xuewu and said calmly, "You always want to get rich quick."
With a slightly reproachful tone, she said, "You overlooked it last time, and you're trying to get everything at once this time?"
"Sigh, who could have imagined—"
Hearing her say that, Li Xuewu wanted to stand up and find some wine. He hadn't expected Cheng Kaiyuan to dodge last time; he was ready to be stabbed in the heart by a cold arrow.
"Food is best eaten in season and at the right time. If you eat dinner cold in the morning, it won't taste the same no matter how you reheat it, don't you think?"
Jing Yunong only ate half full, afraid that Li Xuewu's efforts would upset her stomach.
That bastard never knows how to be gentle with women. He's got a lot of tricks up his sleeve, but he's just too strong.
If we let him continue with his charade, then we won't be able to do anything else today; I won't recover even if I lie in bed all day.
"When do you think is the best time to integrate the industrial resources of Liaodong?"
Li Xuewu crossed his hands on his chin, looked at her, and asked, "It's definitely not going to work this year."
"I knew you had this in mind."
Jing Yunong narrowed his eyes and looked at him, saying, "You want me to step forward and cut off Old Li's escape route? Do you expect me to scheme against Dong Wenxue and ruin his future?"
Seeing the fierce glint in Li Xuewu's eyes, she helplessly warned, "He'll fight you to the death."
"Hehe—" Li Xuewu neither confirmed nor denied her guess, but simply chuckled and said lightly, "I was just asking."
"If you really want to do that, then you can do whatever you want after I leave."
Jing Yunong knew that his decision would not be easily changed, because the fact that he was able to open up to him today meant that the plan had long been set in stone.
This bastard always thinks ten steps ahead before taking one. The fact that she can see this step today means he has already planned ten steps ahead. How can she change it?
"Who said you were leaving?" Li Xuewu said with a smile. "Everyone says I'm the one leaving."
"Nonsense—do you believe that?" Jing Yunong curled his lip, stood up and said, "Don't make things difficult for you. I'll leave. Consider it an obligation I owe you."
"I never said you owed me anything."
Li Xuewu stood up and followed her, not stopping even as she walked towards the restroom.
"Do you have any plans in mind? Why don't you tell me and I'll give you some advice?"
Never doubt me, ever.
Jing Yunong turned around, reached out and tapped his chest, emphasizing, "Otherwise you'll regret it."
"Is that so—" Li Xuewu didn't go into the bathroom, but stood at the door and said, "When do you think is the best time to resolve the No. 4 furnace incident?"
"There's no need to ask me. I have no opinion or plans." Jing Yunong calmly unbuttoned his pajamas and walked into the bathroom, not indicating that he should close the door and get out.
"I don't think there's a big problem with delaying it; there might even be some unexpected gains."
Li Xuewu stood with his arms crossed at the bathroom door, admiring Deputy Director Jing's efforts to maintain his posture.
To be honest, it's really rare for a woman in her thirties to still have this kind of appearance these days.
It wasn't that he was being overly competitive; Qin Huairu had changed so much in the past few years, even though they were both in their thirties.
Of course, it's also because he hasn't been in contact with Qin Huairu for over a year, so his perspective has changed.
He generally doesn't touch food that's already owned, but he'd rather have a bite of wild food like Jing Yunong's.
"Anyway, I've already advised you. Do whatever you want. I'll say it again."
Emerging from the bathroom, Jing Yunong paid no heed to the admiring gaze. Though inwardly delighted, he calmly said, "If you want to sweep through the enemy forces before leaving Steel City, you must be prepared for a backlash that could undo all your previous efforts."
“I can’t have worked for nothing for the past three years,” Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and said, “When I was about to go to Steel City, they treated me like a thief.”
“You’re a thief—” Jing Yunong said, holding a bath towel in one hand and pointing at Li Xuewu’s forehead with the other, “You’re a big-eared thief who only steals from homes!”
Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes and looked at her, his smile gradually turning wicked. He said, "Actually, you don't need to provoke me. You should know my strength."
“Then you’d better have the mind to control your power.” Jing Yunong could obviously hear the double meaning in his words, and he didn’t hide the whiteness that was showing. He pushed him aside and walked towards the bedroom, saying, “I don’t like the feeling of being schemed against.”
"But why do I feel like you're addicted?"
Li Xuewu glanced at the time on his hand, walked towards the bedroom and said, "Why don't we discuss this? You go first?"