dognovel Chapter 1494 Once a Year
Chapter 1494 Once a Year
Chapter 1494 Twice a Year
"Give me a copy of the environmental sanitation improvement plan for the Steel City Industrial Zone."
After the meeting, Zhang Jingsong and Li Xuewu left the meeting room together.
"Now Comrade Wenxue is in charge of business coordination, and the Liangmahe Industrial Zone has been handed over to me, which is giving me a real headache."
He lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, "Especially environmental sanitation."
"It's an eco-industrial zone, so it would be a huge joke if there were environmental and sanitation problems."
When he said this to Li Xuewu, he showed no pride or complaint, and appeared very frank and natural.
Dong Wenxue was removed from his position as director of the Liangmahe Industrial Zone Management Committee because he was involved in the safety production accident at the No. 4 furnace of Gangcheng Metallurgical Plant.
It was supposed to be business coordination, but in reality, it was handled with a cold shoulder under Li Huaide's protection.
Dong Wenxue is currently mainly responsible for the preparation and implementation of the group's trip to East Germany for inspection and communication. In fact, this has been separated from the group's internal work, which also makes it easier for the accident investigation team to handle the matter.
Why did Zhang Jingsong use the word "shuttle"? He is a meticulous person, so there must be a reason for his choice of words.
Dong Wenxue's current situation may seem bleak, but in reality, it's a case of minimizing a major issue and resolving a minor one.
At least Li Huaide didn't kick him when he was down, so his position won't be affected.
The current separation from the group's work provides the investigation team with the opportunity and space to differentiate responsibilities.
Zhang Jingsong was naturally aware that once the first investigation report was released, Dong Wenxue would most likely avoid the risks and continue to oversee the Liangmahe Industrial Zone.
Hongxing Steel Group has numerous subsidiaries, most of which are concentrated in three regional areas.
The Liangmahe Ecological Industrial Zone in Beijing, the Hongxing Industrial Zone in the steel city, and the Trade Management Center in Tianjin.
The Tianjin Trade Management Center mainly focuses on key businesses such as trade management, external services of the United Savings Bank, technology development and export, fund settlement center, and supply chain procurement.
Gao Yaqin, as the group's chief economist, is mainly responsible for work in this region.
Why the elegant zither?
It's very simple. She came with Zhang Jingsong, and it's only her second year. Her foundation isn't solid yet.
Old Li can rest assured that the Tianjin Trade Management Center is in her charge.
The key point is that Gao Yaqin was transferred from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, and had no connections in the industrial system. She was single-mindedly focused on her work.
Needless to say, the Hongxing Steel City Industrial Zone houses almost all of the group's heavy industrial enterprises and has even set up a leading group office across regions, which is tantamount to defining its sphere of influence.
Li Huaide could not say he completely trusted Li Xuewu, but he and Li Xuewu shared the same ideology and goals in their work.
Besides, Lao Li couldn't find anyone more trustworthy or capable than Li Xuewu.
Therefore, by supporting Li Xuewu's trip to Liaodong, Old Li made a move that seemed risky but was actually very safe.
Looking at the Liangmahe Ecological Industrial Zone in Beijing, this is a very complex area.
Not only because the group headquarters is located here, but also because the group's various subsidiaries, research, welfare, education, service and light industrial enterprises are also located in the industrial zone.
The group's leaders are mainly responsible for work concentrated here. What do you think this place is?
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was a fierce battle, an ambush from all sides, and a bloodbath. How could Old Li possibly entrust this crucial industrial zone to him?
It could only be Dong Wenxue. Even with the accident at No. 4 furnace and the instigation of certain people, Lao Li did not waver in his determination to use him.
Zhang Jingsong was well aware that because he was still relatively new to the workforce and had made a fundamental mistake last year, Lao Li had pulled him in to do short-term work.
If you're going to do short-term work, you have to be prepared for it. If you really try to start three big projects, you'll end up burning yourself before the first one even gets going.
He knew how to save trouble; instead of meddling in the Liangmahe Industrial Zone, he simply copied the existing practices.
Li Xuewu has made achievements in the Gangcheng Industrial Zone, so I should follow his example and learn from his advanced work experience. There's nothing wrong with doing that, right?
Old Li's paranoia is so deep that others may not know, but how could he not know it within the company?
He's about to go on a business trip to East Germany, and he must be very worried about these good-for-nothings at home.
So before leaving, he wanted to catch one or two as a warning to others and kill them.
Anyone who dares to step forward at this time is a complete idiot; Old Su and his gang have already been dealt with quite a bit this year.
You see the impressive achievements and dazzling results at the group's year-end work summary meeting, but you don't see how many undercurrents were brewing within the group throughout the year.
Putting aside other things, just consider the organizational restructuring and personnel changes that the group has been pushing forward; how many units and departments have had their positions adjusted?
The reduction of staffing began at the group level. After the establishment of Xinjing No. 1 Factory and the transfer of cadres originally affiliated with Hongxing Factory, the group began to strictly require a system of one principal and two deputies.
Smaller organizations with fewer employees and less business volume may have only one director and one deputy director.
Don't say you're too busy with work. In this wave of change, if you're too busy, it means you're not capable enough, and you'll be replaced immediately.
If organizational changes begin at the group level, then the same applies to the head office and branch offices below.
In the second half of the year, taking advantage of the outstanding achievements in the organizational reform of the steel city, the group established an experience summary and working group, which directly carried out surgical interventions on other units and enterprises of the group.
After investigation and research, some redundant departments and personnel were precisely eliminated.
Li Huaide mentioned this point at the organizational work conference in the second half of the year: the principle of promoting and demoting officials.
Gu Weijie also adhered to this principle in the organizational work in the second half of the year. Many units and departments were reduced or merged by the group, and the reduction in staffing was very significant.
In the absence of available positions, government officials must either be reassigned to lower-level positions or transferred to other locations.
Groups that voluntarily apply for external transfers will be given the green light, and they will support any unit in Beijing's industrial sector, as long as a unit accepts them, they can go anywhere.
Li Huaide's decisive and efficient work style earned him no shortage of criticism.
However, he gained increasing importance in the eyes of the Ministry of Machine Building and his superiors, and Lao Li had become a star figure in the transformation of the industrial system.
The key point is that under his leadership, Hongxing Steel Group not only smoothly navigated the transition period, but also achieved remarkable results during this time.
The reduction in staffing and the relocation of management personnel to lower levels have resulted in a concentration of outstanding talent at the grassroots level.
By promoting younger graduates with university education to work and gain experience in the group company and its subsidiaries, the group's overall strength and work atmosphere have become more youthful.
Youth represents vitality, which is precisely the excellent quality and essence that Hongxing Steel Group needs in its entrepreneurial process.
Management cadres who are assigned to lower levels are better able to grasp the group's work requirements and organizational development needs, actively improve the organization's structure as required by higher authorities, and fully grasp ideological development work.
When management levels are more dynamic and grassroots staff are more stable, how can the group not achieve results?
If it were simply a matter of promotions and demotions, this year's group wouldn't be considered turbulent.
How many administrative staff and cadres does a group company with fewer than 7 employees have?
Over the course of a year, the entire department was thoroughly vetted, and the archives of the Supervision Department were almost insufficient. Zhou Zechuan, the head of the Supervision Department in charge of this work, was even promoted to deputy director of the metallurgical plant in charge of production for his "meritorious service." Isn't that exciting enough?
It's not obvious on others, but it's most noticeable on Gu Weijie, who looks almost ten years older; she even has gray hair.
This year is a major test for the group's cadres, and it is also a test for her, who is mainly responsible for organizational work and is also the chief examiner.
In the selection, appointment, transfer, and investigation of personnel, while other departments are reducing their staff, the Supervision Department has repeatedly borrowed young people with clean backgrounds from the grassroots to handle special cases.
Li Xuewu could feel this serious atmosphere even in the steel city; the group's organizational work was on the road to a phoenix-like rebirth.
No company or unit within the group is allowed to establish a management structure without authorization. Any necessary establishment must be reported to the group company and approved before management funds can be allocated after investigation and research.
Any organization that establishes its own management structure or illegally transfers or seconds grassroots personnel will have its principal leader dismissed; this has become a red line.
This year, Director Li is going all out, acting like a tyrant, giving no one a chance to breathe.
Zhang Jingsong wouldn't give him a chance to establish his authority, and as soon as the meeting ended, he actively tried to "get closer" to Secretary-General Li Xuewu.
It's funny, really. A member of the management committee and deputy director actually trying to curry favor with the secretary-general. Who would believe that?
But that's the truth; the pragmatic qualities that Li Xuewu represents are exactly the kind of protective shield he wants.
Li Xuewu saw through his little scheme and said with a smile, "I'll call and ask for it later."
"We'll be neighbors from now on."
Zhang Jingsong pointed to the office in front and said with a smile, "You come to visit often."
"Hehe—" Li Xuewu waved his hand with a smile and walked into his office.
That's right. The group headquarters officially moved into the Gemini office building. After the Beijing Red Star Steel Rolling Mill completely stopped production and entered the demolition and relocation phase, and after other units and departments completed their relocation, the group's leaders moved into the new offices.
Li Xuewu's office at the group headquarters is very close to the general manager's office, separated only by a general office. Zhang Jingsong's office is right next door; that's why they call each other neighbors.
The new office still has a lingering smell from the renovation. Even though it's been several months since the renovation was completed, you can still faintly smell it, probably because it hasn't been used.
"Secretary-General, here are the documents you requested."
Liu Huadong, a staff member of the First Secretariat, knocked on his door and placed a document on his desk. Fan Hua, the director of the Foreign Affairs Office, also came in.
"Secretary-General, the meeting this afternoon."
Unlike the rigid and cautious Liu Huadong, Fan Hua was much more relaxed and spoke in a more natural tone when reporting to Li Xuewu.
"This trip back to Beijing is short, so I didn't let Zhang Enyuan come along."
Li Xuewu nodded to Liu Huadong, indicating that he had received the materials and could go back.
What he said next was to Fan Hua, the two of whom were old colleagues and both came from the security department.
This was Liu Huadong's first time meeting the Secretary-General up close. He had just been wondering if his performance was up to par, but now he felt somewhat disappointed.
After saying goodbye to the secretary-general, he reluctantly left the office.
The opportunity we just earned has been wasted. Who would have thought that the secretary didn't bring his secretary back simply because he hadn't been back for long?
This confirms the rumors that the Secretary-General is very respectful and caring towards his staff.
But this was an opportunity he had worked so hard to get!
The Secretary-General has a heavy workload this time, with important meetings scheduled for this morning and afternoon alone.
In this situation, the group leader should bring their own secretary to provide services.
But what?
Since no one saw Zhang Enyuan come back, it's inevitable that some people would have ulterior motives.
If I could really gain the Secretary-General's favor, wouldn't that be a chance to rise to the top in one step?
Fan Hua could tell that what the leader had just said wasn't actually directed at her.
However, Liu Huadong was so absorbed in his disappointment that he probably didn't notice.
"You're working too hard."
Without Li Xuewu's permission, she took the initiative to tidy up the documents on the table.
Although Li Xuewu did not work at the group, documents were still being delivered to his office.
For more urgent matters, Executive Deputy Secretary-General Chen Shuzhi will report by telephone as appropriate or handle them according to the Secretary-General's authorization.
The remaining work was sent by the confidential secretary to Gangcheng and handed over to Li Xuewu for processing.
Li Xuewu's secretary, Zhang Enyuan, was selected from the Steel City Metallurgical Plant and had only been to Beijing a few times.
Li Xuewu wasn't even present during the group's overall relocation, let alone Zhang Enyuan.
There is a secretary's office here, but this is the first time Li Xuewu has come to his own office.
I don't know who arranged it, but it's very similar to the layout and furnishings of his office when he worked in the security department.
A large desk with a side cabinet, neatly arranged with newspapers and timely documents; an even larger conference table placed to the side, piled high with neatly arranged work documents; a square table facing the wall where a regional map hangs, while the rest of the space is occupied by solid wood cabinets.
The office also has a reception area, with a single sofa and a three-seater sofa placed against the wall to save space as much as possible.
This is the new office building, and this is his office. Otherwise, there really wouldn't be enough room for so much stuff. Fan Hua felt tired just organizing it.
"No, I need to call someone over."
Without waiting for Li Xuewu's consent, and disregarding her own work, she turned and left.
Li Xuewu looked at the piles of documents in the room and scratched his head with a wry smile.
Many of the documents here were moved from his office as the secretary-general of the steel rolling mill.
He has taken the important documents with him, but the surviving documents and work tracking files are still there.
"Come on, whoever we catch, they're ours."
Fan Hua's voice came from the doorway, followed by Wang Lu's joke.
"You're making it sound like I'm unwilling to help the secretary-general with his work."
The two entered the office. Wang Lu looked at Li Xuewu and emphasized with a smile, "Boss, I volunteered to come and help."
"Hehe, okay, got it."
Li Xuewu smiled and waved to the two of them, saying, "No need to tidy up too much. I can find someone to tidy up when I get back."
"It's not that complicated. Everything is already organized and categorized."
Fan Hua explained softly to Wang Lu, "I don't trust anyone else, but these documents..."
“I know.” Wang Lu nodded knowingly. “I even organized some of these documents myself, so it wasn’t too difficult to put them away.”
"General Manager Zhang needs the project plan for the environmental sanitation improvement project of the metallurgical plant."
Looking at the documents in his hand, Li Xuewu said, "Does anyone have time to ask me for them and send them to General Manager Zhang?"
"Alright, you don't need to worry about it."
Wang Lu was still as straightforward as when she was his secretary, and readily agreed, "I'll take care of it."
"I've been very busy lately, so please take care of yourself while the Secretary-General is in Beijing these next few days."
Fan Hua whispered a few words of instruction and took the documents in his hand to the filing cabinet to sort them.
She knew about the kinship between Wang Lu and Li Xuewu, and didn't expect anyone to gossip about it; on the contrary, it was inconvenient for her.
She used to work in the same department as the secretary-general, as did her husband, Ren An.
She's being too proactive right now, which makes it easy for people to gossip, especially given her current position in the Foreign Affairs Office, the most complex department.
"Secretary-General, the meeting this afternoon."
Fan Hua finished tidying up the documents in his hand. Seeing that the leader was still looking at the documents, he took the initiative to walk over and gently reminded him, "Don't forget that you have to speak."
“Yes, I know.” Li Xuewu simply nodded and said, “The manuscript is ready.”
In the afternoon, Li Xuewu will deliver a work report to the group's employee representative assembly on behalf of the management committee. The report is already prepared, so impromptu remarks and improvisation are not allowed.
Although he was in charge of writing the report, not a single word was allowed to be changed.
It's normal to make mistakes in a speech, but the documents issued must be versions that have been discussed, studied, and approved by the management committee.
"Then don't forget to come down for dinner."
Fan Hua gestured to Wang Lu, then tapped his watch to remind Li Xuewu.
"I have something to do, so I'll leave Wang Lu here to tidy up. I'll come over this afternoon."
"Okay, go ahead and do your thing. You can come back and tidy up when you have time later."
Li Xuewu looked up at her and said, "The office key is in the duty room."
"Yeah, I'll try my best."
Fan Hua didn't waste any time; she tried her best to organize it while Li Xuewu was there.
Although Li Xuewu trusted her enough, she tried not to come here when the leader was not around.
If you say the keys to the leader's office are strictly controlled, then where do the documents on the desk come from?
It's very simple. There's only one key to the duty room; the other two are held by the leader and the secretary, Zhang Enyuan. This is in accordance with the regulations governing the organization.
Every time documents need to be delivered here, the duty room must be opened; that's the procedure.
Since the beginning of this year, the group's management system has become increasingly strict, with many details being scrutinized very closely, especially in the confidential department, where everyone is on edge.
The group also experienced several leaks of confidential information, which angered the leadership.
The most serious incident even involved the supervising leader. Others may not remember it, but Fan Hua, the director of the Foreign Affairs Office, certainly does, because it involved the newly appointed vice president of Santayana Group.
Even if she has a good relationship with her boss, when something really happens, she will still be held responsible, even if her boss doesn't say anything. At the very least, she will feel guilty about it.
After Fan Hua left, Wang Lu spoke up, "Her current nickname is Little Spinning Top."
Li Xuewu raised his eyelids slightly, looked at the documents in his hand, and said, "And you? The matchmaker?"
"That was just an amateur skill—"
Wang Lu said reproachfully, "This counts as doing a good deed, so you can't be too harsh on me."
"You just love watching the excitement."
Li Xuewu's words revealed the true nature of her "doing good deeds," which made Wang Lu laugh.
"Even if there's no excitement, we'll create some to watch." She explained with a smile, "You don't know, watching how awkward people are when they're dating is quite interesting."
This is just like binge-watching TV shows in real life!
There were no TV dramas in this era, but that didn't stop women from being curious about love.
She was willing to spend her time just to join in the fun.
"Where's Ya Jun? Didn't he say anything about you?"
While turning the page, Li Xuewu looked up at her and said, "You're always busy with other people's business, and you've neglected your own, haven't you?"
"Please don't rush me—"
Wang Lu sighed and said, "Now his parents are pressuring me, and my parents are pressuring me too. They wish I were pregnant right now so they could have a grandson."
"You don't want children?"
Li Xuewu hadn't expected her to be so rebellious. He looked her up and down and asked, "Still haven't had enough fun?"
“No way—” Wang Lu took a breath and said, “I just feel that it’s not the right time, that I work with him.”
“He was just promoted to deputy battalion commander last month, and now he’s so busy he doesn’t even have time to go home.”
She wasn't complaining, but rather explaining the couple's current situation: "It's difficult for me to even see him."
"Where did they go? The security brigade?"
Li Xuewu really didn't care about the current security system, partly because he was afraid Old Li would overthink things.
After his reconstruction and Wang Xiaoqin's management, the group's security system, while not necessarily deeply rooted, has certainly had a far-reaching impact.
He tries his best not to pay attention to personnel issues, which is also a gentleman's agreement with Lao Li.
In reality, there was no agreement, but the two reached a tacit compromise.
As he extricates himself from the security system and moves to a higher position, he naturally has to relinquish his past influence.
However, such influence is not something that can be easily given up, and it constantly reminds people and relationships, including Li Xuewu's.
Take Zhao Yajun for example. Even he himself couldn't escape Li Xuewu's influence, so how could he talk about completely extricating himself?
“I asked him to go to the inspection team, but he insisted on staying in the security team, and he wouldn’t listen to my advice.”
This time, Wang Lu complained, and she only said it in front of Li Xuewu.
"The work of the inspection team is relatively easy, mainly management and supervision, without having to keep an eye on training and mission execution every day."
She was tidying up the files on her desk when she said, "You have no idea how hard he works. He didn't even tell me when he fractured his arm. It was my older sister who found out and gave him a good scolding."
What could Li Xuewu say while listening to her complaints? As the second brother, he might be able to say something, but he was also a leader. With his subordinates working hard, could he say anything negative?
However, all he had to do was listen, which was a comfort to Wang Lu.
She had nowhere else to talk to, so she finally spoke out today, and before she knew it, it was noon.
Seeing Li Xuewu get up and tap his watch to indicate that it was time for her to eat, Wang Lu felt a little embarrassed.
"Second brother, when are you leaving?"
She explained, "Yajun and I are coming to your house for a visit."
"Go if you want, why wait for me at home?" Li Xuewu smiled and waved, gesturing for her to come along. "I'm leaving the day after tomorrow."
How long will it take?
Wang Lu put down the documents in her hand, followed him out of the office, and closed the door behind her.
The new office is definitely different; the furniture is much more high-end, all imported.
"Uncertain, it depends on the specific itinerary."
Li Xuewu casually explained, "President Dong has already made preliminary contacts and preparations."
"I heard about it. Is it a negotiation?"
Wang Lu asked curiously, "Did you go straight to negotiations when you got there?"
"It can't be that fast—"
Li Xuewu looked at her with amusement and said, "There still needs to be a field investigation process, but the team leader won't stay that long."
"However, the two sides have already made contact, and many tasks will be easier to carry out once they arrive."
He thought for a moment and said to Wang Lu, "If you are interested in trade, you should find time to learn a foreign language. This is very important."
"Is it too late for me to start learning now?" Wang Lu said hesitantly. "I only know a little Russian, which I learned when I was in school."
"Russian is also acceptable, but you must be fluent in both speaking and writing; that's a hard requirement."
Li Xuewu explained with a smile: "Let's not talk about the past. Now, the Foreign Trade Office established by the Sales Headquarters uses this as the standard for selecting people. If you want to go there, you have to study hard and practice diligently."
"Then let's forget about it—"
Wang Lu shook her head hesitantly and said, "Working in the office is actually quite good, at least the work isn't so tiring."
"You have to take care of either work or family," Li Xuewu advised her. "If you want Ya Jun to have a successful career, you have to sacrifice your own ambition."
"If you have ambitions in your career, then you need Ya Jun's support."
He looked at Wang Lu and reminded her, "If you both want to develop and progress in your careers, then you have to sacrifice the development of your child."
"Unless someone in your family helps you take care of the children, the situation is much more difficult than you think."
"Yes, I've thought of that."
Wang Lu sighed and said, "Even if we don't want it this year, we have to have it next year. Otherwise, his parents won't say anything, but my parents will punish me too."
"Hehe—" Li Xuewu chuckled as he got off the elevator and said to her, "Why don't you go to the labor union, train for two years, and then consider career development?"
It's called training and development, but in reality it's just going to have babies—that's a privilege reserved for those with connections.
What else can we do?
They just have to force it. It's not uncommon for women to work in the office while heavily pregnant, only getting maternity leave when they're close to their due date.
You also have to go back to work within six months of giving birth, as feeding the baby is a hassle.
Even if it's so troublesome, can they just say they won't have children? They can't even get past their own conscience.
There are a few tough women like Zhou Miaomiao who have been married for over two years but still haven't had children.
Her husband, Zhou Tan, also adopted a laissez-faire attitude, showing no regard for the pressure from both sets of parents. The two were truly a perfect couple, renowned in the organization as the envy of everyone.
However, Wang Lu wouldn't dare to follow their example. She might envy them, but if she really dared to do it, Zhao Yajun would indulge her, while her parents wouldn't.
Once a woman is married, she is no longer considered a child, and it's impossible for her to be favored anymore.
Goods are considered valuable when they are in the hands of the seller, but not when they are in the hands of the buyer. Orders that do not support 7-day no-reason returns are not eligible for returns.
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"Strengthen the guidance of the core values of the Four Modernizations, improve the organizational structure and service structure of industry, and implement the industrial modernization strategy..."
"Through comprehensive reform and organizational ecosystem building, we will promote the coordinated development of production and reform efforts to achieve the company's overall development... Let's unite our efforts and strive to build a prosperous...!"
Li Xuewu's speech at the conference received unanimous approval and applause from the audience.
His speech was practical, easy to understand, and penetrating, resonating with the voices of the employees, which naturally won the recognition and applause of the employee representatives.
After the meeting, Li Xuewu left with the members of the management committee through the passage behind the main stage, while the employee representatives left from both sides of the venue.
Zhang Songying actually wanted to meet with Li Xuewu to talk, but she couldn't find him.
She only met him briefly before the meeting started, and they didn't even exchange more than a few words.
"Do you have anything else to do today?"
Qin Huairu wasn't far from her seat, and she came over now.
Both were employee representatives, and even their clothing was somewhat similar.
It's actually quite normal. The group's employees basically all wear the same clothes now, the only difference being the way the clothes are shown at the collar and cuffs.
Both of them are now quite wealthy, so they naturally treat themselves with a bit of ruthlessness.
Zhang Songying is two years younger than Qin Huairu, but she is also thirty years old. When they stand together, they are the most attractive to middle-aged men.
What does it mean to say "a woman past her prime, yet still charming"? She's not old yet, so naturally she has plenty of charm.
"Nothing's wrong, come on, let's go to your place."
Zhang Songying glanced back in the direction the leaders had left, then took Qin Huairu's arm.
Qin Huairu followed her gaze and asked with amusement, "Didn't you see them?"
"Who?" Zhang Songying hadn't noticed, but when she saw her mischievous smile, she realized who it was, secretly pinched her, and scolded, "You dare to say anything."
The two walked out of the venue together and whispered to each other.
"You've finally got a good life, and now you're turning around and laughing at me." She pinched Qin Huairu's arm and asked with a smile, "You've forgotten how thirsty you used to be, haven't you?"
"Ah—" Qin Huairu looked around nervously, then glared at her and scolded, "You're the one who dares to say anything—"
"What are you afraid of? No one will listen even if you shout."
Zhang Songying said with a smile, "Why don't you try shouting it out?"
"You've gone astray too—"
Qin Huairu tapped her forehead and said with a smile, "Aren't you upset now?"
"What's there to be upset about? That's just life—"
Zhang Songying sighed, looked down at the fallen leaves by the roadside, and asked, "I was just wondering, how are you now?"
She looked up at Qin Huairu and said, "We're not working together anymore, so even seeing each other is a luxury."
"That's for sure." Qin Huairu nodded, and said with the same sigh, "You're such a busy person now, it's really hard to see you."
"Are you making fun of me again?"
Zhang Songying swayed her body, causing Qin Huairu to also lean to the side.
She retorted, "The food company's business is mostly located outside the city, and with the factories being built all over the place this year, do you think I can just sit in an office all day?"
"I'm actually envious of you—"
Zhang Songying looked Qin Huairu up and down and said, "You look so much more beautiful than before. A woman needs the nourishment of love to truly live like a human being."
"screw you--"
Qin Huairu rolled her eyes at her, knowing that there was something bad in her words.
Don't you know what I look like now?
She sighed and said, "The old ones are always causing me trouble, and the young ones are always making me worry. And I'm still so pretty!"
"If you ask me, you brought this on yourself." Zhang Songying tilted her head and said, "What did I tell you back then? You just wouldn't listen and insisted on diving headfirst into the grave of love. Now look what happened, you regret it, don't you?"
"I don't regret it, but I'm a bit annoyed. The trivialities of life are too annoying."
Qin Huairu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "You envy me, but I envy you."
As she said this, she looked at Zhang Songying and asked, "I heard you bought a house in Riverside Garden?"
"If I say this is a reward for a year of hard work, will you think I'm being sentimental?"
Zhang Songying looked at her and shook her head helplessly, saying, "I used to always feel like I didn't have enough money, and the two of us would always argue about trivial things."
"Now it's all good, I have enough money, and I don't have anyone to argue with anymore."
"There's still no news from him?"
Qin Huairu asked in surprise, "Has no one on your in-laws' side thought of looking for them?"
"Look for? Where are we supposed to look?"
Zhang Songying said with a mix of amusement and helplessness, "He was so poor back then that he tried to find treasure like others, always heading into the mountains. Maybe he got carried away by wolves."
"That sounds scary, is it true?"
Qin Huairu asked in confusion, "Didn't you say before that he went to learn how to do business with someone?"
"I don't know. The messages coming back are all over the place, and I don't know if they're true or false."
Zhang Songying shook her head and said, "I can't even find anyone to get a divorce now, and I don't even know if this person is alive or has been dead for a long time."
“It’s not that their family doesn’t care about him, it’s just that they’ve been tormented by him for a long time.”
She explained, "He's never had a moment's rest in his life. He acts on a whim, doing whatever comes to mind without even thinking it through."
“But I’ve come to terms with it. If he’s really dead, then I’ll treat him as if he’s alive. There has to be something to look forward to. If he’s still alive, then I’ll treat him as if he’s dead. This family will be the same whether he’s here or not.”
"You've finally figured things out."
Qin Huairu said with amusement, "You've even started spouting philosophical principles, one after another."
"They were all forced into it by life."
Zhang Songying released her arm, put her hands in the pockets of her wool coat, looked at her, and said, "Although the house in Riverside Garden is a bit expensive, I don't have many expenses, so it's worth it."
"You know I'm a big spender. I never think about the future. I'll have nowhere to retire when I'm old. This is a way to give myself a way out."
"Your circumstances are much better than mine."
Qin Huairu said with a hint of envy, "I still have three children to raise, and I still have to work hard."
"Hasn't the 'stick horn' become independent?"
Zhang Songying looked at her with amusement and said, "You're such a heartless mother, letting him go out to make a living when he's only fourteen or fifteen?"
Did I chase him away?
Qin Huairu said, exasperated, "He almost made me die of anger. I've never seen such a stubborn child."
Being a mother is not easy.
Zhang Songying nudged her with her shoulder and asked softly, "Are you still in contact with him?"
"Who? Go to hell—"
Qin Huairu wasn't pretending to be stupid; she realized what was going on in an instant, and her anger was genuine.
"That's utter nonsense, I'm already married."
"Reformed? I don't believe it."
Zhang Songying said with a laugh, "Your family lives in Gangcheng. You've stayed there every time you've been there. Haven't you ever been tempted?"
"Don't talk nonsense—"
Qin Huairu glanced at her and emphasized, "I told Lao Liu before I went to Gangcheng to see the kids. My husband is very petty."
"Tch—" Zhang Songying curled her lips upon hearing her say that, and said, "Do you think he's honest? What doesn't he know?"
"He pursued you back then just to find a way out. Was he really that naive?"
She said with a hint of disdain, "It's only because of you. Anyone else would have turned on you long ago."
"He's not a bad person."
Thinking of Liu Guoyou's kindness, Qin Huairu still defended him, saying, "He's been very good to me and the child."
Why don't you just say you have the ability?
Zhang Songying glanced at her and said, "Even if he feels uncomfortable, he won't say it. That kind of person is the most dangerous."
“I haven’t done anything wrong, so why should I be afraid of him?” Qin Huairu emphasized earnestly, “The past is the past. I can’t let anyone down or hurt anyone.”
"You're criticizing me, but what about yourself?" She gestured to Zhang Songying and asked, "You were looking at him so longingly just now, haven't you seen him? Didn't he go to the steel city—"
"Yes, I've met them, twice a year."
Zhang Songying took her arm again, smiled bitterly, and said softly, "Let it go. That's how feelings are; you can't force them."
“I have good intentions, and he has good loyalty. That’s enough. It’s not appropriate to force them together any further. It’s not good for him.”
She seemed to have figured it out, and looked at Qin Huairu calmly, saying, "I'm content with the years I've spent with him."
"You've been causing quite a stir these past few years, haven't you?"
Qin Huairu glanced at her and said with a smile, "You should be content."
"So you're still not satisfied?"
Zhang Songying teased her, amused, "Even if he doesn't stay in a guesthouse anymore, you still can't find a place to meet him?"
Do you take me for someone else?
Qin Huairu gave her a disapproving look and said, "The children are all grown up now. You have to save face for yourself so that it won't be embarrassing later."
"And another thing, he's become indifferent."
At this point, Qin Huairu lowered her head and said, "Just like you said, when fate comes, it comes to an end. Let's not cause trouble for each other."
"Yeah, that's what you said."
Zhang Songying nodded understandingly and said, "It's not easy for couples to get married later in life. Now that you've found your home, cherish it."
"The child's problems are being dealt with gradually. I've met Banggeng in the steel city; he's quite a handful."
"Don't mention him, just thinking about him makes me angry."
Qin Huairu covered her forehead and said, "I've started dating someone who's three years older than me."
"Hehe, I've heard about it."
Zhang Songying whispered, "Your son is really smart; he's found himself a mother."
"Go ahead and laugh—"
Qin Huairu glanced at her and said, "I asked his second uncle to help him raise chickens, but he didn't want to come back. He just likes to wander around Steel City."
"Isn't he there?"
Zhang Songying nudged her with her shoulder, and the two walked into the guesthouse together. She said, "Even if there are no feelings left now, he is a sentimental person and will take care of Bang Geng no matter what."
"He's sentimental, but can I rely on him forever?" Qin Huairu smiled and led Zhang Songying into the courtyard. What's past is past.
But Zhang Songying didn't quite believe it. If Qin Huairu really went there, why should she let her son stay in Gangcheng?