dognovel Chapter 1411 Oath
Chapter 1411 Oath
Chapter 1411 Oath
"These two dormitory buildings are right next to the workers' new village, and the stadium is across the street."
Wang Shengli stood on the side of the long table, explaining the engineering plan to the secretary-general beside him.
He pointed to the locations of Dormitory Area 4 and Female Workers' Dormitory Area 2, and then pointed to the stadium next to them, explaining, "According to the original plan, these buildings should be demolished by the end of the month, otherwise the construction schedule for this year will not be met."
Li Xuewu's gaze followed the movement of his fingers, his mind already imagining what a large cinema would look like in the future.
"The dormitory building is going to be demolished. How is the employee resettlement plan coming along?"
He turned to look at Wang Shengli and asked, "The stadium has already spoken with the guesthouse, right?"
"The employee resettlement plan is the work done by the personnel department and the logistics department. Our main role is to assist in the planning of the plan."
Wang Shengli thought for a moment and replied, "I heard from the personnel department that the steel rolling mill will be demolished by the end of the year, and the construction of the workers' dormitory in the new workers' village is progressing very quickly this year, so..."
"What about the stadium?" Li Xuewu nodded and asked, "Isn't the guesthouse planning some kind of project?"
"The stadium project at the guesthouse has been changed; they're going to build a new guesthouse building across the street."
Wang Shengli pointed to the location of the riverside garden and said, "This is the place."
"The current plan is to build a large cinema, stadium, and independent theater together to form a building complex."
His finger returned to its previous position and drew a circle, confirming, "Director Li's idea is to integrate this place with the Unity Lake of the auditorium and guesthouse, creating a garden-style cultural industry and entertainment park."
"Director Li's thinking is truly ahead of its time," Li Xuewu said with a smile, then asked, "How's the construction progress of the group's office building? Is it still on schedule?"
"Completing on time is definitely not a problem. The head office is also working hard to meet the deadline." Wang Shengli answered frankly, "At the current pace of the project, it shouldn't be a problem to make room for a renovation period. Of course, we'll still have to see the final result."
“We can do cultural and sports activities, I have no objection.”
Li Xuewu thought about it carefully and said, "However, you should be careful when planning and designing. Don't over-develop, but don't be too cautious either, or you won't have enough for later."
Looking at the planning map on the table, he said, "Try to do the calculations as well as possible; we need to look at least thirty years ahead."
"The building itself must be of a quality that exceeds thirty years, so now we just need to see how much it can last."
Wang Shengli thought for a moment, then nodded to the secretary-general and said, "I will report your opinion to the head office when I get back."
“Yes, it’s normal for the plan to be adjusted as long as the main plan remains unchanged.” Li Xuewu pointed to the planning map and said, “I’ve lost count of how many versions this is.”
"If we only count those submitted after the initial report, it's estimated to be over twenty versions." Wang Shengli smiled wryly as he put away the map and explained, "The French design team said that this project of our group is the most difficult project they have ever done."
"Hehe—" Li Xuewu chuckled and pointed to the desk, gesturing for him to come and sit down. "How's the construction of the French Cultural Friendship Hall going? Will it open this year?"
"That's exactly what I was going to tell you."
Wang Shengli finished tidying up the blueprints, walked over and said with a smile, "Don't be fooled by their constant nagging about how we're nitpicking and changing things over and over again. They're just like that themselves."
After taking a sip of the tea prepared by Zhang Enyuan, he continued, "In my opinion, the French Pavilion won't be finished even in another year. They are the ones who are really nitpicking."
"The lines can't be even slightly crooked, and they have to be drawn by hand; the colors also have to be perfectly consistent—tsk tsk—"
Wang Shengli shook his head and clicked his tongue, saying, "I would rather die than work with them. I find them too slow."
"Striving for perfection—"
Li Xuewu leaned back in his chair, picked up his teacup, and said, "The French highly value handcrafted products, believing that this is the standard for a true artisan."
"Hehe, just say you're poor."
Wang Shengli leaned forward and said with a smile, "I studied in France, how could I not know their history?"
"When it comes to striving for perfection and being a model of craftsmanship, who can compare to our ancestors? They are far superior."
He shook his head slightly and said, "Times have changed. Mechanized production processes are replacing traditional handicrafts. This is an inevitable trend. Using exemplary craftsmen to promote handicrafts—"
Seeing him purse his lips and shake his head, Li Xuewu smiled and said, "I don't understand the production process, but I do see some tricks from a marketing perspective."
"When traditional handicrafts dominate the market, high-precision, highly integrated handicrafts produced by machines become more valuable. In the context of widespread mechanized production, traditional handicrafts are squeezed out of the market, and no one is engaged in related businesses anymore. Instead, they are sought after again and become highly sought after."
"Your explanation is indeed very clear—"
Wang Shengli gave Li Xuewu a thumbs-up and nodded, saying, "In terms of modern architecture, are concrete houses really of lower quality than the old brick and wood houses? That's a joke."
"Any advancement in industrial technology represents progress in an era; what's the point of always looking back?"
He picked up a pencil and drew a simple diagram in his notebook to show Li Xuewu: "This is an exhibition hall called a cultural center. It's been two and a half years and it's still just a frame. They haven't even built the gate yet."
“We could just build an even bigger industrial exhibition hall and be done with it. If we wait for them to open for business, it’ll be ages before they do.”
"When you see someone virtuous, think of emulating them; when you see someone not virtuous, reflect on your own shortcomings."
Li Xuewu smiled and nodded, saying, "If others have any strengths, we should still humbly learn from them."
“That’s true—” Wang Shengli nodded and said seriously, “The French architectural design and construction team’s mastery of new machinery and processes is definitely ahead of ours.”
He said very honestly, "We can learn a lot from them, including the use of some construction tools and standard parts."
"A great nation with a thousand-year history and civilization must have something worth learning from, especially in architecture."
Li Xuewu nodded at him and said, "The reason why Director Li and I agreed to cooperate with Santay Group was that we wanted our construction company to have more contact with the world's construction industry, to look at the world, and to find a modern construction path that combines tradition and modernity with Chinese characteristics."
“Those of you who are in architecture, especially those who are in design, must learn aesthetics. A nation cannot be considered a complete civilization if it does not have its own aesthetics.”
He patted the notebook on the table and said, "What's the point of copying others' ideas? Civilized self-confidence is the highest pursuit of the architectural discipline. The group has provided you with the best canvas, and now we are waiting for you to show your talents."
"You always manage to elevate our seemingly ordinary work summaries to a level of culture and aesthetics," Wang Shengli said with a smile. "That's why we all agreed that this plan should be sent to you for your review, so that we can have a clear understanding of its contents."
"This flattery is a bit too deliberate, not as good as before." Li Xuewu stood up with a smile, pointed at him and said, "It's better to be lucky than early. Don't rush back tomorrow. The president of Santaya Group is going to Yingcheng to inspect the shipyard. She will stop by Gangcheng on her way, so you can meet her."
"I'm just a construction engineer, what would I need to see her for?" Wang Shengli stood up and said, "It's not about aesthetics or anything like that, is it? Does she need me to vet her?"
"Okay, now I know." Li Xuewu walked up to him, patted his arm, and said, "That's why Lang Zhennan said you're the most talkative person in their company."
"Hahaha--"
-
"I want this, Mommy, I want this—"
Tiger Girl, who is 21 months old, can already clearly express her needs and thoughts, but she is a little spoiled.
Perhaps it was influenced by her mother, or perhaps it was because her father wasn't around that she acted this way.
As the weather warmed up, Zhou Yamei took the initiative to arrange a car to pick up the mother and daughter, and everyone got together to have a meal of dumplings.
"Little sister, come here, I'll show you how to play."
Fu Zhidong acted like a good older brother, taking the initiative to find his old toys and share them with Hu Niu.
Tiger Girl is Li Qi's nickname, which she only uses among her family. When visiting other people's homes, she is called Li Qi.
Zhou Yamei and Mai Qinglan were very close friends; when their children got together to play, they would skip the formalities and simply call each other brother and sister.
Eight-year-old Fu Zhidong can still play with Li Qi, but he also plays with her. The two are too far apart in age, and the toys that Fu Zhidong didn't play with before are now perfect for Hu Niu to play with.
What time does the boss get off work?
Seeing that her daughter had been coaxed away by Fu Zhidong, Mai Qinglan raised her wrist to check the time and asked, "Is there still time?"
"No rush. He needs to rest after work. We can't start preparing dinner as soon as he walks in."
Zhou Yamei explained with a smile, "Besides, he doesn't get off work on time. He's been quite busy lately and is often held up by things. He's often half an hour late coming home."
"Then let's hurry up and pack a few more."
Mai Qinglan witnessed Bang Geng's appetite at the Dongfeng Shipping Wharf canteen, and it was quite frightening to think about.
She also went back to Beijing with Li Wenbiao a few times, and had a meal with Qin Huairu and her son at the courtyard house. At that time, Bang Geng didn't eat as much as she used to, although he was very good at eating.
These days, the sorghum gluten is like a young calf, able to eat two large bowls of sorghum rice without feeling full at all.
If it's dumplings, even one tray might not be enough, so she made sure to make extra so that everyone could have a full meal.
Watching Banggeng busily cleaning the house, Mai Qinglan couldn't help but have wild thoughts. Could it be that Qin Huairu remarried and her new husband couldn't afford to support the child, so she sent him out to learn how to do things at such a young age?
Logically speaking, given Qin Huairu's personality, she would definitely be reluctant to part with the child, and it doesn't seem like the child was forced to run away from home.
Are there people who run away from home and get fatter and taller the more they eat?
"Do you think he's grown taller?"
Seeing that Mai Qinglan glanced at Jia Geng a few more times, Zhou Yamei said softly, "The clothes and shoes I bought for him are all too small."
"He looks like he's grown taller, probably because of the change in water and soil."
Mai Qinglan looked at Zhou Yamei with amusement and asked, "How's it feeling to raise another son? Isn't it tiring?"
“If I had adopted a son, I wouldn’t be this tired.” Zhou Yamei said with a helpless bitter smile, “Raising a son is the same no matter what, as long as he is fed and clothed, that’s fine.”
She glanced at the sticks outside the kitchen door and said, "They're training them like students, now that's what you call hard work. It's mentally exhausting."
"Hehe—" Mai Qinglan chuckled and raised an eyebrow at Zhou Yamei, saying, "He doesn't want to study at home. Qin Huairu chases him around with a broom handle and he still won't study. But you've become a good student?"
"You'll never be a good student, no matter where you go."
Zhou Yamei smiled and shook her head, saying, "However, this child is good because he is honest, hardworking, and diligent. Although he lacks talent in academic studies, he likes to read, which is very good. A person can lack academic qualifications, but he cannot lack culture."
As she said this, she gave Mai Qinglan a look. Mai Qinglan glanced at the living room out of the corner of her eye and saw Bang Geng working even harder, with a sense of pride in him.
Everyone knew he didn't like reading, but when he arrived in the steel city, he read Journey to the West three times—a full three times!
You could say, in this day and age, just grab any random person off the street and ask them how many times they've read Journey to the West!
He was willing to bet that he was better than the vast majority of people!
Actually, this house isn't very soundproof, especially since there's only one door separating the kitchen from the living room, and that door is still open right now.
He could hear Aunt Zhou and Aunt Biao talking in the living room clearly; a child this age is quite sensitive.
When Aunt Biao mentioned whether his living here would be a burden on Aunt Zhou, he was also worried.
Uncle Biao's wife has to be called Aunt Biao, that's what he calls her at home, and Uncle Biao hasn't said anything about it.
Aunt Zhou's words really hit the nail on the head. He didn't care at all about the comments about his lack of academic talent, because he simply didn't like studying.
When Aunt Zhou praised him for his love of reading, he felt a little embarrassed, after all, he had read Journey to the West three times.
Why read it three times?
Because he hadn't read it well the first and second times, his mind was a bit restless, and he missed a lot of content. But it wasn't until the third time that his mind finally calmed down.
After truly understanding the stories in the book, and listening to Aunt Zhou analyze the interpersonal relationships, principles of conduct, and ways of doing things in each story, combined with his experiences and observations from his travels, he realized how useful it was for him to understand a book.
After cleaning up the terrazzo floor tiles in the living room, the nooks and crannies of the furniture, and the gaps in the stair treads, he put the cleaning tools back in the bathroom. Listening to Aunt Zhou and Aunt Biao "whispering" in the kitchen about how much he loved reading and how clever he was, he went to the study on his own and found the book "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" that Aunt Zhou had given him to start reading the day before.
You know what, a big book that he wouldn't even glance at if you held a gun to his head before, he can now read with great interest just by hearing Aunt Zhou "quietly" praising him.
It must be said that Aunt Zhou never praised him to his face, let alone said that he was smart.
He's fourteen years old, of course he understands adults' thoughts. There are some truths that can't be said in front of children, so he just loves reading, he's just smart! That's right—
-
"Oh, reading the Romance of the Three Kingdoms—"
Li Xuewu called Banggeng three times from the living room to come eat dinner, but there was no response. He wondered if the boy had fallen asleep. He went into the study to check, only to find that the boy was engrossed in reading and hadn't heard him call.
This is truly something new. He's going to write it down in a letter and mail it to Qin Huairu, but even his mother probably wouldn't believe it.
Haha, Banggeng has been smart since he was little. He would be even smarter if he wasn't beaten.
If he were to write a letter to Qin Huairu telling her that his son had become so successful that he was engrossed in reading a large volume of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Qin Huairu would slap herself twice and quickly burn the letter.
Why? Because I'm afraid people will see.
Let alone the new neighbors upstairs and downstairs, how many of the old neighbors in the courtyard don't know Banggeng?
Who would believe he was engrossed in reading? They'd probably wonder if he was sick, delirious from a high fever.
But this child, whom all the neighbors, even his own mother and grandmother, didn't believe could study, is now working. This world is truly full of wonders.
Li Xuewu bent down to look at the book in his hand, reached out and rubbed his head, and asked, "What did you read?"
"Uncle Wu, you're back."
Bang Geng seemed to have just snapped out of his book, stared at him blankly for a moment, and then greeted him.
Li Xuewu smiled, tapped his book with his fingers, and asked again, "I'm asking you, what have you figured out from reading this? You're so focused, you didn't even hear me calling you for dinner."
"Huh? Have you eaten?" Banggeng immediately perked up. In this life, the only things he could not neglect were reading and eating!
"Hehe—" Li Xuewu reached out and pressed Big Face Cat's shoulder, insisting that he answer the question.
Big-faced Cat then realized that Uncle Wu was waiting for him to answer the question.
"Um... actually I don't really know either..." Banggeng lowered his head, blushing slightly, and said, "I just started reading it. Aunt Zhou told me about it, saying that you can see the essence of the martial arts world from this book."
"Oh? Then tell me, what is the essence of the martial arts world?" Li Xuewu smiled and put his arm around his shoulder, leading him out of the study as he asked, "You even understand this?"
“It was Aunt Zhou who said it—” Banggeng looked up at his godfather and replied, “Aunt Zhou said that the martial arts world is not about fighting and killing, but about human relationships and social customs.”
"Hmm—" Li Xuewu nodded knowingly, looked down at his godson and said, "Your Aunt Zhou is right, but your godfather still has to teach you something. This world is indeed not just about fighting and killing, but you have to learn how to fight and kill first before anyone will talk to you about human relationships and social etiquette. Do you understand?"
"Ah—I think I understand now."
Bang Geng's eyes brightened considerably, as if he had suddenly gained insight and understood many things he couldn't understand before.
Zhou Yamei stood at the kitchen doorway, looking at the father and son with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, and said, "Is this how you raise children?"
"Hey, don't belittle each other among scholars."
Li Xuewu smiled and pushed the stick into the kitchen to eat. He said to Zhou Yamei, "You teach theory, I teach practice. Theory is only effective when combined with practice."
After he entered the restaurant, he looked at Fu Zhidong and asked, "Son, do you think what your godfather said is right?"
“It seems—” Fu Zhidong hesitated for a moment, glancing at his mother before decisively looking at his godfather and saying, “Yes!”
"Hehehe—" Mai Qinglan couldn't help but laugh when she saw him teasing the children.
Zhou Yamei was helpless against his sophistry, so she could only glare at him and go get the cold dishes that had been prepared in advance.
There aren't many good dishes in Northeast China at this time of year; it's a lean season, so seaweed strips are a rare and delicious cold dish on the dinner table.
Dumplings filled with cabbage and pork, and cold seaweed salad. Li Xuewu doesn't drink alcohol at home, and today was a family dinner, so they only ate dumplings and didn't drink alcohol. The atmosphere wasn't lively, but it was warm enough.
Zhou Yamei works at the dock during the day, and Mai Qinglan also goes to help out from time to time after Hu Niu gets a little older.
In fact, there was no position for Mai Qinglan at Dongfeng Shipping, and Zhou Yamei never paid her a salary; it was just that Mai Qinglan was aware of this.
Although she didn't receive a salary, Li Wenbiao's benefits were more than enough to support her and Hu Niu.
With Li Xuewu in Gangcheng, how could he possibly mistreat the mother and child? Even her mother doesn't come to Gangcheng, leaving her to raise the child alone.
It wasn't that grandmothers these days are heartless, but rather that Mai Qinglan's father wasn't in good health and needed someone to take care of him.
Although the club provides three meals a day and Mai Xiaotian can eat in the restaurant, it's not as convenient as having someone take care of him.
Her mother returned to Beijing to take care of her father, mainly to keep an eye on him so he wouldn't overwork. Ever since the club's opera troupe started performing with the Red Star Steel Group's cultural troupe, her father seemed much younger and had regained his motivation to work.
In particular, the skills of the two girls, Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao, have become increasingly mature, and they have gradually shown their talent in the arts.
The two girls originally wanted to become her father's apprentices and learn his craft, but her father was unwilling to do so.
Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao were introduced by Mai Xiaotian to become disciples of the most prestigious master in the Peking Opera industry. Although this master-disciple relationship lasted only a short time, and the master never actually taught these two disciples.
However, the master's own daughter took over the teaching duties, passing on the most precious skills of the sect to the two of them.
The skills of this sect are kept secret and not passed down to anyone other than a direct disciple. The other party was grateful for the influence of the two people behind her, for solving a major problem during her father's final days.
Faced with these difficulties and problems, what is there that cannot be repaid with family-inherited skills, especially since he was the last disciple personally recognized by his father before his death, and the formal procedures were followed?
It's funny, Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao are not very old, but they have quite a seniority in this industry.
Especially since she belongs to a prestigious sect with many fellow disciples, and looks like a junior sister but is actually a grandmaster uncle, it's quite amusing.
Furthermore, with the support of benefactors, the fact that the two were able to perform on stage during this period was a great honor for their family.
The fact that the two women, already skilled in martial arts, were accepted by their peers and sect is thanks to their unethical master. Some can testify that the two women were deceived and abandoned by their master, which does not count as betraying the sect, much less breaking faith.
Their character and virtue have been recognized and admired in the last year or two, and they are calling each other "Grandmaster Uncle" willingly.
why?
Who knows how difficult it is to perform opera these days?
Since Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao, under the guidance and help of Mai Xiaotian, performed on the stage of Hongxing Steel Group, they have caused a certain impact within a small circle.
The main reason is that both of them have a very good foundation, and with the guidance and support of famous teachers, they can sing well and make a name for themselves even when performing specific plays.
In those days, there were only a few left who could perform on stage. They sang revolutionary operas with the Red Star Steel Group Art Troupe and were not afraid of people causing trouble. That's how they really built up their reputation.
Despite gaining fame, he did not forget his roots. After consulting with Li Xuewu, he also consulted with the art troupe and eventually brought the younger generation within his school, who were no longer able to rise to prominence, onto the stage.
The older generation is too famous for them to mentor, and they dare not mentor them. But if these younger generations of their mentors do not get stage performance experience and training for a long time, their lives will be ruined.
The elders of their sect were all convinced by their abilities and instructed the younger generation to be respectful and diligent in learning how to conduct themselves and act, never daring to cause trouble for the two of them.
So Li Xuewu didn't go to see their backstage area; if he had, he definitely would have burst out laughing.
When the two young girls went on stage, a group of their disciples and grand-disciples bowed and presented them to them on both sides. When they came off stage, a group of filial sons and grandsons served them tea and water. They truly lived up to their reputation as senior figures at such a young age.
Mai Xiaotian shared the same mindset as those older generation performers: he felt that although he was no longer a great person, he still wanted to leave something behind for Peking Opera. He felt that as long as he could contribute something, he would have no regrets even if he died.
If you ask them if they have any ulterior motives, or if they are truly only so obedient for the sake of Peking Opera, are they really?
Of course not. Everyone has to have a purpose in doing anything, otherwise who would do things voluntarily?
Mai Xiaotian and others helped Tong Huimei and her partner rise through the ranks because they valued their strong backgrounds and the fact that they were capable of surviving in this era. They were promising talents who were worth promoting and could be made famous.
What do you watch when you see a play? The actors.
In the past, opera troupes would always put up a sign to announce what they would be performing and which actor would be on stage.
You disagree? Well, that's just how it is. The times didn't give them a chance to perform, and their disciples and grand-disciples also lost the desire to perform. They could only watch others perform popular operas with envy.
Now the opportunity is right in front of them. Two young men have suddenly joined their sect, which is like a gift from heaven.
There's always a way out!
The senior members of the sect were practically bowing and burning incense at the ancestral tablet. The master who took Tong Huimei and her companion in as disciples ultimately earned a reputation for being foolish for a lifetime but wise for a time.
Now, the two of them have taken on the heavy responsibility of bringing their sect back into the martial arts world and making a name for themselves. The senior members are eager to pass on their life's skills to them so that they can dominate the battlefield.
Times make heroes. This is not a good time for the opera world, but it has not cut off the livelihood of opera performers.
When everyone else is struggling, their success creates a stark contrast.
It doesn't take twenty or thirty years, ten years is enough. For Peking Opera, ten years is a major milestone.
Give Tong Huimei and her partner ten years, and they will eventually become famous actresses. With their strong support, they may even have the opportunity to become masters.
As the tide rises and falls, talented individuals from their faction rise to prominence, a phenomenon known as "when one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven."
Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao have truly earned the title of masters, which gives them enough influence in the Peking Opera world. It is only natural for them to mentor younger generations of their school. With these two in the school, it is no wonder that they have been revived and are blessed with extraordinary advantages.
Mai Qinglan learned about these things from her mother and father, and it was impossible for her not to feel envious.
Who are the financial backers behind Tong Huimei and Jin Jiaojiao? Others may not know, but how could she not know?
Li Wenbiao had already made it clear to her that these two people actually lived right across from her school.
It was quite a coincidence, really. After those two moved out, Li Wenbiao cleaned up the courtyard so he could keep watch over her.
The tragic backgrounds of these two individuals, and their near-death experiences in that courtyard, made Mai Qinglan, who had lived there for a while, unable to resist looking up at the roof beams every time she went to the kitchen.
The clearly visible bullet holes in the roof beams constantly reminded her of the saying, "Those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortune!"
Tong Huimei's experience with Li Wenbiao did indeed inspire her. It was Li Wenbiao who saw through her nihilistic thoughts and used this to encourage her.
She admired their achievements, but wasn't jealous. Mai Qinglan had once dreamed of joining a professional performing arts troupe, hoping to become a star through her parents' natural talent and her own hard work. Unfortunately, fate didn't give her that opportunity.
Li Wenbiao had also asked her if she was still willing to perform opera. If she was, he would ask Brother Wu for help.
Mai Qinglan's answer was that she was doing very well.
Yes, she still harbors the dream of performing on stage, but in the face of reality, she prefers this simple and fulfilling life.
Even if she gets on stage, so what? Even if she's incredibly famous, so what? How many famous actors have she seen who were once incredibly famous but have now fallen from grace?
I'm not singing anymore; I decided to stop a long time ago.
During a casual chat after dinner, Brother Wu asked her what she had been up to lately, and she replied that she was getting ready to go back to work.
“Actually, Gangcheng is fine too.” Zhou Yamei touched the back of her neck and looked at Mai Qinglan, saying, “When the child is a little older and Biaozi comes back, you can go back to Beijing.”
What she meant by those words was to comfort Mai Qinglan and remind her that living alone in Beijing was not as comfortable as it was in the steel city.
With her care and Li Xuewu's protection in the steel city, who could possibly harm them, mother and daughter?
Furthermore, with Li Xuewu in Gangcheng, they have no worries about their lives, which can be considered as giving Li Wenbiao, who is far away in Gangcheng, peace of mind.
"Yeah, that's what I thought too."
Holding a teacup, Mai Qinglan watched Hu Niu playing around the sofa with Fu Zhidong and said with a smile, "It depends on how the school arranges things. We'll ask Brother Wu for help again."
"Don't worry about the metallurgical plant. Just listen to the news from the school."
Li Xuewu was reading today's newspaper when he looked up at her and said, "Just have your sister-in-law keep an eye on things for you."
"Yes, I've already spoken to my sister-in-law." Mai Qinglan nodded and said to Li Xuewu with a smile, "Biaozi agreed too."
"Go to the radio station first and start as a broadcaster/host."
Li Xuewu nodded and said, "The Red Star Literature and Art Publishing House, in conjunction with the radio station, will establish a branch station in Liaodong."
He folded the newspaper in his hand and put it aside, explaining, "The director of the Liaodong Station of the United Broadcasting Station was originally the deputy head of the Third Propaganda Section and the deputy head of the Cultural Troupe. I'll introduce you to him when I have time. I'm just letting you know in advance."
“Okay, I’ll follow your arrangements.” Mai Qinglan nodded and said, “The child will need to be sent to a daycare center then.”
“The factory provides this service. You can drop your child off in the morning, pick them up at noon, and drop them off again in the afternoon. You can leave work together in the evening,” Li Xuewu explained to her. “That’s how the factory’s employees’ children are raised. This kind of benefit is available.”
Mai Qinglan was about to take the child back when Zhou Yamei stopped her, forbidding her from taking the child home at night.
It wasn't really a nighttime journey; drivers were readily available. However, Zhou Yamei didn't want her to travel at night, so she stayed.
The villa had enough rooms, so Zhou Yamei arranged for the mother and daughter to rest in the guest room.
After settling everyone in, she returned to the master bedroom and said to Li Xuewu, who was lying on the bed reading, "Actually, it would be more appropriate to arrange for Qinglan to work at Dongfeng Shipping. She is willing to do so herself."
"Yes, I know." Li Xuewu turned a page. It was a new, thick theoretical book that most people couldn't understand, but he could read it and even enjoyed it.
"You know you still want her to go to the metallurgical plant."
Zhou Yamei sat down in front of the dressing table, let her hair down, picked up a horn comb and started combing it, saying, "What are you thinking?"
“What I think is not important; what matters is what Biaozi thinks.” Li Xuewu’s eyes remained fixed on his book as he stated frankly, “We should listen to Biaozi’s opinion on how to arrange things.”
"Did Li Wenbiao tell you this?"
Zhou Yamei turned to look at him in surprise and asked, "When? Before he left?"
"Well, Biaozi doesn't want her to get involved in this business, saying that it will cause arguments and conflicts."
Li Xuewu turned over, picked up the book, leaned against the headboard, and said calmly, "I respect his opinion."
"Are you also afraid they'll get into a fight?"
Zhou Yamei understood the meaning behind his words in an instant, and her combing of her hair slowed down considerably.
"However, she does seem to have a rather stubborn personality, so it would be a problem if we worked in the same company..."
“Biaozi is quite stubborn too, these two don’t fit together.” Li Xuewu glanced back at her and said, “If she had your personality, Biaozi wouldn’t have told me.”
"Actually, I don't care where she goes. Even if she goes to Dongfeng Shipping, would I hold it against her?"
He turned a page of the book in his hand and continued reading as he said, "Arranging for her to go to the metallurgical plant is actually more troublesome than arranging for her to go to Dongfeng Shipyard. I just don't want Biaozi to worry about it."
"Well, what you said makes sense."
Zhou Yamei nodded, her combing movements returning to normal. "I even asked her what she meant this afternoon."
"What did she say?" Li Xuewu asked casually. "She said she wanted to go to Dongfeng Shipping?"
"No, she must have been mentally prepared." Zhou Yamei combed her hair, tiptoed onto the bed, kicked off her slippers, reached for the book in Li Xuewu's hand, and said, "You can tell from what she said today that she must have asked Biaozi."
"Yes, I know." Seeing that she had taken the book away and closed it, Li Xuewu didn't insist that she read it again. That was his habit when reading: he didn't force himself, he didn't pretend, he would read as much as he could, and the important thing was to remember what he read, so that he wouldn't read it for nothing.
"What do you think about me going back to Beijing for work?"
"Huh? What's wrong with you?"
Li Xuewu had closed his eyes, ready to enjoy himself, but when he suddenly heard her say this, he abruptly opened his eyes and looked at her in confusion.
Zhou Yamei propped her neck up with one arm, leaned to the side next to him, placed her palm on his stomach, and said in a low voice, "I just want to go to work in Beijing."
"Look into my eyes when you speak."
Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and said, "What in the capital is so captivating that you're making such a move?"
"Stop talking nonsense—"
Zhou Yamei nudged him, glanced at him briefly, and then explained calmly, "I just didn't want to cause you any trouble."
"What trouble have you gotten yourself into? I didn't know anything about it." Li Xuewu sized her up and asked, "Is someone watching you?"
"Don't you know someone's watching me?"
Zhou Yamei glared at him playfully and said, "I know those two people Han Zhan arranged. Why don't you ask him?"
"Don't let your imagination run wild and throw yourself into a panic." Li Xuewu turned his head and looked at the ceiling, saying, "Things are far from that point, and it's not the situation you're thinking of."
"I don't want anything. With you here, I don't need to think about anything." Zhou Yamei's hand circled on Li Xuewu's stomach as she murmured, "I just want you to let go and do whatever you want."
"I'm quite relaxed now." Li Xuewu turned to look at him and said, "Do you have any other ideas?"
"What do you think?" Zhou Yamei looked at him and said, "You've been living here for almost two months now, haven't you made any other preparations?"
"What preparations? Nothing, let's stay here for three years first and then we'll talk."
Li Xuewu shook his head and said, "Unless you don't want to, then I'll find another place."
"Are you forcing me?" Zhou Yamei patted him lightly and said, "I don't care. At the latest, I'll transfer him to your group's school as soon as Zhidong has a holiday in June."
"And then what? You'll come back after I return to Beijing?" Li Xuewu turned to look at her and asked, "Is it meaningful for you to keep going back and forth with the child like this?"
“I don’t intend to mess with the child, you’re the one who’s going to mess with me.” Zhou Yamei looked him straight in the eye and said, “I don’t know what you’re going to do, and I don’t care. I’m your child, and I’ll see what you do. But I can’t play games with you with the child. That’s not fair to Zhidong.”
“We’ll send our child to study in Beijing, to the best school, to the house you bought for us.”
Zhou Yamei softened her tone slightly and said with her head bowed, "I come back once or twice a month to handle work. You can do whatever you want here."
"Aren't you afraid I'll tear your house down?"
Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and said, "You're playing guerrilla warfare with me. When I'm in Beijing, you insist on staying in Steel City. When I come to Steel City, you want to run back to Beijing. That's pretty impressive."
"Don't talk about me like that. Do you think I would willingly leave my hometown?" Zhou Yamei pushed him away, gently leaned against him, and said calmly, "You are ultimately not mine."
Yes, he wasn't her person, and she couldn't keep his heart. His body was in the steel city, but his heart was in the capital.
Why go through all that trouble? By sending herself and her child to the capital, she saved face for Gu Ning and fulfilled her vow.
How can we express our deepest affection? We have two bracelets wrapped around our wrists, originally tokens of our love, now used to keep our promise.
(End of this chapter)