dognovel Chapter 1394 Thunder and Rain
Chapter 1394 Thunder and Rain
Chapter 1394 Thunder and Rain
"Outside the long pavilion, along the ancient road, the fragrant grass stretches to the horizon, the evening breeze brushes the willows and the sound of a flute fades away, the setting sun shines beyond the mountains."
On the platform in early spring, a group of young people dressed as junior high school students sang "Farewell" with tears in their eyes, sending off their former classmates, friends, brothers and sisters onto trains heading south and north.
The youthful singing filled every corner of the platform; their clear eyes held unwavering faith, yet their voices revealed a sense of confusion and longing for the future.
"At the ends of the earth, my close friends are scattered. A cup of wine is all that remains of our joy, tonight my dreams of parting are cold..."
Perhaps it was the farewell song that touched the hearts of the passengers, but a faint sadness filled the platform. They lowered their voices and even focused on listening to and watching the parting of youth.
Li Xuewu stood on the platform outside the train carriage for a long time. The station cadre who came to see him off introduced him softly: "This is not the last batch. There are passenger transport tasks every week. They come from all over the country, and they are all like this, half-grown boys..."
Banggeng stood on tiptoe, craning his neck to observe the commotion over there, but felt an indescribable sadness in his heart.
Go say goodbye to your mother.
Li Xuewu lowered his head, looked up at the big-faced cat looking up at him, and said, "She's still waiting for you."
Bang Geng opened his mouth, hoping to get the reason for his sadness from Uncle Wu, but it turned out to be so simple. It turned out that he was also sad at the time of parting.
Looking back, his mother was still standing at the door of the lounge, her eyes filled with reluctance and worry for him.
"Go on, from today onwards you are an adult, and you should solve problems like a man."
Li Xuewu patted him on the shoulder and said, "I'll stand here and wait for you. Time is running out."
Banggeng hesitated for a moment, then nodded and started walking towards his mother. As the station attendant blew his whistle, his pace quickened until he ran into his mother's arms.
"mom--"
"Stick-like stem—"
The tears that had been building up for so long finally fell. Qin Huairu thought she wouldn't cry anymore until Banggeng ran over and called her "Mom".
The mother and daughter hugged each other and wept bitterly, as if they wanted to cry out all the bitterness in their hearts and the resentment that had been suppressed in their hearts for the past year, so that they would leave no regrets at the time of parting.
The capital city is thousands of miles away from the steel city, and it takes at least a week for letters to travel back and forth; that is the longing of loved ones.
Qin Huairu couldn't imagine how Banggeng, who was still a child in her heart, would live alone.
She dared not think about the suffering and torment her son would endure; the thought of it made her unable to stop crying.
Taking advantage of the brief moment when the station leaders were exchanging pleasantries with Li Xuewu, Liu Guoyou took the initiative to step forward and chat for a few minutes.
He thanked Li Xuewu for his help as a parent and a neighbor in the compound, and asked him to take good care of Banggeng and to let him know if he had any difficulties.
Li Xuewu smiled and looked at him without saying anything, giving Bang Geng a chance. Qin Huairu had asked him for it long ago, which could be considered as fulfilling the fate between the two.
To be honest, Qin Huairu has never asked him for anything over the years. She has only ever had Banggeng. How could he possibly disappoint Qin Huairu?
Qin Huairu had already decided to send the child to Gangcheng, so Liu Guoyou's statement at this point was still a bit late.
He understood that Liu Guoyou, as a man, had to shoulder responsibilities and save face, but how could one sweep the world if one couldn't even sweep one's own house?
He can't even manage things at home, so how much can he achieve at work? Perhaps Qin Huairu saw this in him, fearing he would climb too high and move too fast.
"Leader Li, I wish you a safe journey."
When the station duty officer saw the signalman waving the flag, he smiled and shook hands with Li Xuewu to say goodbye.
Li Xuewu nodded gratefully and said, "We're all family, so please don't be so polite in the future."
He shook the other person's hand and emphasized, "When you go to Liaodong again, you must give me a chance to thank you."
"Okay, I'll definitely come and bother you then."
The duty officer readily agreed, let go of his hand, waved, and saw him onto the train.
Before Banggeng could say anything to his mother, the duty officer's whistle became increasingly urgent. Urged on by Liu Guoyou, he wiped away his tears and rushed quickly into the carriage.
Qin Huairu held her hands outstretched as if her son were still in her arms, but her eyes did not deceive her. Banggeng had already run onto the train and was standing at the carriage door, waving goodbye to Li Xuewu.
The train whistled softly as it slowly moved, then accelerated, until it disappeared into the distance.
"Huai Ru, let's go back."
Liu Guoyou helped Qin Huairu, who was still standing there, and gently advised her, "The child has grown up."
"Yes, the child has grown up—"
Qin Huairu managed a strained reply from her parched throat, but her gaze remained fixed on the direction the train had departed; that was her lifeline.
"Try to look on the bright side. Perhaps there is a better blue sky in Liaodong for him to spread his wings and achieve great success."
Liu Guoyou sighed softly and tried to comfort her. The couple hadn't rested well these past few days, and both of them had a heavy burden on their hearts, making it hard to breathe.
Qin Huairu walked back with his help, but she kept looking back every few steps, as if Banggeng could come back.
Liaodong... No matter how good the blue sky is in Liaodong, it's still not a perfect sky. Home is always the best place, but going out is always difficult.
If you can earn a living right at your doorstep, why bother venturing to Northeast China? It's actually quite easy to get there.
She couldn't hide her worries, and she never thought of concealing anything; she was completely open with Liu Guoyou.
It's already difficult enough for a couple who have married later in life and have families to support each other. To expect them to be completely open and honest with each other, and to live in perfect harmony, is nothing short of wishful thinking.
No matter how much bitterness she felt or how many tears she shed, she dared not and could not confide in Liu Guoyou.
In middle age, the most precious quality is forbearance, for oneself, for one's family, and for the future.
She couldn't blame Liu Guoyou, much less criticize his two daughters; she was just too greedy.
She couldn't blame her mother-in-law, nor could she be angry with her child; to this day, it's all her own fault.
On the contrary, she should be grateful to Li Xuewu. Without Li Xuewu, she would not know how to deal with the current family conflicts, let alone how to persuade Banggeng.
She has a strong heart, yet she also has two lines of tender tears. Her strength is for herself, and her tenderness is for her family.
Perhaps she owed too many people in her past life, and in this life she has to repay them by working like a slave. But how many lifetimes will it take to repay the debt she owes in this life?
Liaodong is not only the place where she owes people from her past life, but also the place where she owes people from this life; they are all people she cares about.
Fate is so unreasonable, it twisted her worries into two, making her suffer even more.
What will become of a century of longing? A single thought can lead to endless reincarnation.
-
"Ha—" Banggeng stepped off the train with his luggage on his back and exhaled a puff of white breath on the platform.
If I hadn't eaten breakfast in the carriage, it might have been even colder than it is now, even though the sun has already risen in the east.
He rubbed his hands together vigorously, scanned the area around the platform, and asked in surprise, "Is this Liaodong?"
"This is Steel City." Li Xuewu got off the train but didn't head towards the exit because Yu Zhe was already waiting for him.
In Beijing, he dared not be too high-profile, much less have a car come to pick him up at the station, after all, it was the capital.
But it's different in Steel City, where Hongxing Steel Group is a well-known name in the industry.
It wasn't that he was afraid of the cold, nor was it to show off. He had Yu Zhe drive the car to the platform to pick him up; it was to save as much time as possible because he had to go to work that day.
This reason might be interpreted as an excuse for laziness, but frankly, taking a few more steps or a few less steps doesn't mean much to ordinary people, but he understands the value of it more.
He knows when to do what and when he can be a little unrestrained, as long as he doesn't cause trouble for others, he doesn't shy away from enjoying these conveniences.
Bang Geng wanted to help him with his luggage, but Zhang Enyuan was more eager than him. He and Yu Zhe, who had jogged over, had already carried the leader's luggage to the trunk of the car.
Banggeng looked up at him and asked, "Aren't we going to Liaodong? Are we going to Steel City or Liaodong?"
"Hehe, silly boy—" Li Xuewu chuckled and patted his big head, saying, "Steel City is Liaodong, and Liaodong is Steel City."
"Huh?" Banggeng stared blankly, completely bewildered, simply repeating what Uncle Wu had just said: "Steel City is Liaodong, and Liaodong is Steel City."
Yu Zhe smiled and glanced at him, took the luggage from his hands, and said confidently as he walked to the back of the car, "That's right, Steel City is Liaodong, and Liaodong is Steel City."
After putting away his luggage, Zhang Enyuan came over and opened the car door for Li Xuewu, his gaze falling on the chubby boy.
"This kid is really... quite robust."
When praising a child, you have to see their strengths. If they're not good-looking, say they have good temperament; if they don't seem very smart, say they're strong. You can't say anything that offends anyone, and you always say they're a good child.
The young man who was brought back from Beijing by the leader must be a close relative, if not a distant one. Ordinary people wouldn't be willing to help take care of someone else's child.
Moreover, Li Xuewu is too busy with his own work to have the time to raise other people's children.
Of course, it's still uncertain whether this child is "someone else's" or not; this workplace is never short of stories.
If you ask Zhang Enyuan whether he knows the child, of course he doesn't, but he does know the child's mother.
Qin Huairu, who among the cadres in the group doesn't know her? She's the director of the guesthouse.
How did Zhang Enyuan meet her?
It's very simple. He's going back to Beijing with his boss, but the boss is going home anyway. What will he do? He'll stay in a guesthouse, of course.
Previously, the branch factories under the Red Star Factory basically did not have independent financial management systems, and they stayed in guesthouses for free when they came to Beijing on business trips.
As long as he has a letter of introduction and proof of business trip, he can stay at the guesthouse for as long as he wants.
A key feature of the group's organizational restructuring is that first- and second-tier branches have gained independent financial management authority.
This time, Zhang Enyuan accompanied Li Xuewu back to Beijing. Due to work requirements, they stayed at a guesthouse, which cost money for both accommodation and transportation.
Upon completion of his mission, the guesthouse's finance manager provided him with a detailed expense list and proof of payment on the day he left.
He was going to take this document, stamped with the official seal, back to the metallurgical plant to have it reconciled with the finance department.
How did the group initially operate this system?
The system of receiving payment first, then verifying and refunding any overpayment or underpayment is still implemented by many companies in later generations.
However, Li Xuewu had discussed this reimbursement system with Li Huaide and Jing Yunong.
His suggestion was to apply first, then execute, and then cancel. All money and tickets used during the execution process should be paid in advance by the person executing the execution. If it is not possible to pay in advance, the person executing the execution should go to the finance department in advance to complete the loan procedures, and the main person in charge should sign the execution.
What's the difference between this and getting the money first and then verifying it?
Yes, the two systems are fundamentally different, which simply means that the responsible parties are different.
In the first system, the person in charge goes to the finance department to get money, and no matter what procedures are followed, they always want as much as possible.
Staying at home is always good, but going out is always difficult.
When a leader needs to go on a business trip, he can ask his secretary to get money from the finance department. All he has to do is write a note and he can take the money. How much he spends depends entirely on his mood, and even the receipts are made up later.
This is a blatant financial management loophole.
The second financial management system is designed to eliminate such erroneous ideas and loopholes arising from subjective intentions.
If you need to go on a business trip, you must first submit an application. Whoever signs the application will be held responsible by their supervisor.
Firstly, this step standardizes and reduces the procedures and costs of business trips as much as possible, placing responsibility on individuals.
When a leader assigns a task, the clerk takes the application to the leader for signature, and only with the application can they go out on fieldwork.
After receiving the application, there are two methods for reimbursement of fieldwork expenses: one is to pay in advance, and the other is to obtain a loan from the finance department.
Regardless of the method of write-off, the write-off process must be completed in the name of the individual executor.
In other words, whoever pays in advance is responsible for write-offs, thus placing the primary responsibility for write-offs on the individual and aligning with the application form.
Another aspect is assigning responsibility for financial loans to individuals. When lending money, one must carefully consider the amount; too little is inappropriate, and too much is risky, thus increasing the subjective awareness of risk-taking.
Secondly, people always spend public money extravagantly, so they have to be very careful with borrowed money.
In these days, it's really difficult to get by without a letter of introduction, work permit, and field work certificate. People rely on the supply and marketing system for everything from food and clothing to housing and transportation, so the consumer voucher system is very comprehensive.
Unlike the complex and chaotic ticketing systems of later generations, you won't hear a phone call asking "Do you need an invoice?" these days.
To put it another way, what if you lose your money and receipts while on a business trip?
That's a real problem. Receipts can be replaced after verification by multiple parties, but if the money is lost, you have to replace it yourself.
Compared to the original system where responsibilities were often shirked and unclear, the second financial system has significant advantages.
Although many leaders had their doubts during the meeting, they couldn't go against their conscience and cast the wrong vote.
Does the second financial system have no loopholes?
What a joke! Any rules and systems set by humans are bound to have loopholes. No one can guarantee that. But a better management system reduces costs and lowers management risks, and that's what makes it excellent.
This was Zhang Enyuan's first time going out on fieldwork in all the years he had been working, and he found it both funny and absurd.
Compared to his current work environment, he can hardly imagine what kind of life he used to lead.
If you were to send him back to his old work rhythm and life now, he probably wouldn't be able to stand it and would go crazy on the very first day.
It was his first time going out on a field mission, and his first time traveling such a long distance. Everything was new and exciting for him, and he stumbled and fell at every turn.
Fortunately, this time he was traveling back to Beijing with his superiors and staying at the group's own guesthouse. Several mistakes and moments of panic occurred, but with the help of the staff at the guesthouse, they were quickly resolved. Otherwise, given his busy work schedule, this field mission would probably have been a complete mess.
On his first day at the guesthouse, he couldn't find the hot water valve in the bathroom and had no idea how to take a hot shower. Just then, he went out to ask and bumped into Qin Huairu, the guesthouse manager, who was patrolling the corridor. That was the first time the two met and got to know each other.
Upon hearing his self-introduction that he was Li Xuewu's secretary from the group, Director Qin's face became even more enthusiastic.
At the time, Zhang Enyuan did not understand what this enthusiasm represented and thought that he was benefiting from the leader's influence.
Today, on my way back to Gangcheng, I saw Director Qin again in the waiting hall of the train station.
Unlike when he was at work, Director Qin, who came to see him off, looked utterly heartbroken at their parting. What surprised him even more was that Director Qin had asked Li Xuewu to take care of his son when he sent him to Gangcheng. What kind of relationship did they have?
Given the familiarity between Director Qin's wife and Li Xuewu, it's not hard to guess that they must be close family friends.
Perhaps even "close family ties" is not enough to describe this kind of care; it must be a family friendship spanning generations.
From Beijing to Gangcheng, Li Xuewu was still busy all the way, but he also took good care of the child in his spare time.
Although it didn't come to the point of asking him for water or food, I still told him to go to the dining car to order food on time so that the child wouldn't go hungry.
What he saw and heard along the way, and Yu Zhe's attitude and behavior towards the child after he got off the train, made him even more convinced that the chubby boy must be Li Xuewu's nephew or close relative.
Li Xuewu got into the car, and without being told, Banggeng followed him into the back seat, his eyes full of curiosity.
Yu Zhe smiled and glanced at him, then got into the car with Zhang Enyuan. At the commander's signal, they drove off the platform, left the railway compound, and headed home.
Li Xuewu gave the order after getting in the car: go home first, then go to work. Yu Zhe naturally complied.
What is Banggeng curious about? Of course, it's this luxury car, but he's even more curious about Uncle Wu's current identity.
He only heard his mother and grandmother gossiping about Uncle Wu's work, but he didn't take it to heart.
Now that he's out out in the world, he's made up his mind to make something of himself, otherwise he won't go back.
What kind of life do you have to live to be considered a decent human being?
This question stumped Bang Geng, but after seeing this luxury car and riding in it with Uncle Wu, he secretly made it his life goal.
Dressed in fine clothes and riding a spirited horse, he returned home in glory.
Just imagine how glorious, honorable, and proud he would be if he could one day ride home in a luxury car like Uncle Wu.
If that day ever comes, he vows to laugh out loud for ten minutes in front of his house, to show his mother what real success looks like.
Li Xuewu had no idea what the kid was thinking, and took a nap on his way home.
When they arrived at the villa's gate, Bang Geng woke them up, and the cool air that rushed in when Zhang Enyuan got out of the car instantly sobered them up.
"Why did you bring so much luggage?"
Knowing that Li Xuewu was coming back today, Zhou Yamei deliberately stayed a little later, just in case he was flustered.
As a result, they couldn't avoid the chaos; Yu Zhe and Zhang Enyuan carried the entire trunk full of stuff into the house.
Banggeng stared blankly at the house, then secretly glanced at the woman wearing gold-rimmed glasses.
Where did Uncle Wu send me? Did he sell me off...? If I were sold to such a beautiful woman, ugh... should I be willing or not?
"This must be Qin Huairu's son, right?"
Zhang Enyuan and Yu Zhe carried things into the house, while Zhou Yamei and Li Xuewu walked behind. Zhou Yamei glanced back at the chubby boy walking silently behind them and raised an eyebrow to ask a question.
Banggeng belatedly looked up, his eyes wide with surprise, and asked, "You know my mom!"
"Heh—" Zhou Yamei chuckled, glanced at the chubby boy who looked silly, and turned to Li Xuewu, saying, "If you bring him to Steel City, Qin Huairu will cry her eyes out. How could she bear to let him go?"
“Even if she cries herself to death, it’s not my fault.” Li Xuewu stepped into the entryway, changed into slippers, and said, “If she hadn’t begged me while crying, would I have brought him out?”
As he said this, he took off his coat and said to Zhe, "You help your sister Zhou get ready first. Wait for me when you're done. I need to take a shower and change my clothes. I can't stand the smell of sweat on me."
After instructing Yu Zhe, he turned to Zhang Enyuan and asked, "Would you like to take a shower and change your clothes? I'll use the upstairs bathroom, and you can use the downstairs one. Don't be shy or formal."
"If you're going to get tired, you'll be tired too and won't be able to rest."
He looked at the other person, nodded, and said, "I'm on vacation and going home to rest, but you're on a business trip and can't rest. I'm sorry."
“Boss, please don’t say that—” Zhang Enyuan’s heart was filled with emotion, and he waved his hands repeatedly, saying, “Serving you is my job, so don’t say it’s hard work.”
He gestured towards the door and said, "My clothes and luggage are still in the car. I'll take you to the factory later and then go to the bathhouse for a good bath and a good scrub."
"No need to trouble yourself now. You go about your business. Yu Zhe and I will wait for you in the car as soon as we're done."
Zhang Enyuan said with a smile, "If you don't have anything to do in the morning, I can take a nap in the bathhouse to relax."
"Hehe, then let's arrange it that way."
Li Xuewu smiled at him, turned around and went up the stairs. He said to Banggeng, who was about to follow, "Listen to your Aunt Zhou's arrangements and instructions. If you don't listen, tie her up and sell her to the Russians."
"Ah!—" Bang Geng exclaimed in surprise. Being in an unfamiliar environment for the first time, he was genuinely startled by Uncle Wu's words.
"Heh heh—you actually believe him!"
Zhou Yamei looked him up and down with amusement, then pointed to his cotton-padded coat and said, "Aren't you hot? Take it off."
"Huh? --" Bang Geng seemed to have lost his ability to speak, only able to say "ah, ah".
His ears were ringing, he was completely bewildered, and the last thing he heard was this pretty aunt telling him to take off his clothes.
That won't do—
"Why are you blushing?" Zhou Yamei couldn't help but ask, seeing his reaction. This child was just too amusing.
The more the pretty aunt with the gold-rimmed glasses teased him, the hotter Bang Geng felt his face become, as if he were being roasted in a furnace.
He didn't know why, but he didn't dare to listen to the aunt's words, let alone look up at her.
Oh right, what did Uncle Wu tell me to call her? Aunt Zhou? Or Aunt Zou?
Yu Zhe and Zhang Enyuan quickly packed up the things they brought back. After all, this wasn't their home, so all they had to do was arrange the boxes neatly.
The two responded to Sister Zhou in perfect unison and went to wait in the car together.
Zhou Yamei first unpacked and tidied up the luggage that Li Xuewu had brought back, and then looked at the special products from Beijing.
After a long while of not hearing any movement from inside, she realized that there was someone standing at the door.
Are you planning to stand there all day?
She looked up at the child and said with a smile, "Don't worry, your Uncle Wu won't sell you."
"He wouldn't..." Bang Geng had been secretly glancing at her for a while, and also took the opportunity to observe the house.
How strange. This woman knows his mother and lives with Uncle Wu. Who is she?
Zhou Yamei heard his mutterings and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "You mean I'm going to sell you?"
I didn't say that—
As they talked more, Banggeng gradually adapted to the environment. Although he still didn't dare to look directly at the beautiful Aunt Zhou, he boldly began to observe the furnishings of the house.
"Don't worry, I'm a good person."
Zhou Yamei, both amused and exasperated, tried to prove her point by looking at Bang Geng and explaining, "We've met before, don't you remember? I've been to your compound."
"When? I don't remember." Banggeng then frowned and stared into Aunt Zhou's eyes, saying, "I have a very good memory, you can't fool me."
"Why would I lie to you?" Zhou Yamei continued tidying up the pile of things in the house, explaining, "I went to your compound when your Uncle Wu got married the year before last."
"Huh—?" Bang Geng responded first, then asked in confusion, "Were you there back then?"
“What kind of talk is that—” Zhou Yamei said, both amused and annoyed. “It’s only been a few years. Even without you, I would still be here.”
"Ah, no, I mean—" Bang Geng realized he had misspoke and wanted to explain, but then felt it was unnecessary, so he forced a smile and asked, "I don't remember you."
"Back then you were so mischievous, you'd climb walls instead of walking on the ground, how could you possibly remember me?"
Zhou Yamei smiled and looked at him, saying, "Do you still remember Fu Zhidong, who played with you that day?"
“Fu…Fu Zhidong…” Bang Geng opened his mouth and thought for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up and he said, “Is he the kid who’s a bit tongue-tied and doesn’t know how to swear?”
"..." Zhou Yamei looked at the chubby boy speechlessly. She never thought that not being able to swear would become her son's shortcoming and label.
Seeing her expression, Bang Geng seemed to remember something and lowered his head somewhat embarrassedly, saying, "I really don't remember you being there back then..."
“I am Fu Zhidong’s mother.”
Zhou Yamei had considered that children this age would be difficult to get along with, and communication would be the first hurdle.
When Li Xuewu came, he mentioned to her that he would bring back a boy after the New Year to be her follower.
It's both frustrating and funny. This isn't the old society anymore, so why would she need a half-grown boy to be her follower?
In the old society, wealthy and powerful families would keep several young boys to do things like washing clothes, pushing carts, emptying chamber pots, and in emergencies, they would also have to entertain the young master and use him as a stool for his grandfather.
It's been so many years since liberation, how could she dare to use such a lackey? Wouldn't that just invite trouble?
She understood what Li Xuewu meant. He had a burden he couldn't avoid and was going to pass it on to her, which was also an opportunity to cultivate his own people and lay the groundwork for her to take over the company in the future.
Li Xuewu is a man whose thoughts are hard to fathom. He does things in a bizarre and outlandish way, but he always manages to hit the nail on the head, leaving you no choice but to admire him.
So this child was brought into the house not to be a follower, but to be an apprentice.
As for whether he is her apprentice or Li Xuewu's apprentice, that depends on how Li Xuewu plans to use the child.
If you're talking about appearances, then he's Li Xuewu's apprentice; if you're talking about substance, then he's her apprentice.
Judging from Li Xuewu's instructions when he went upstairs, this apprentice was clearly hers. She had to teach him whether she wanted to or not, and she had to use him whether she wanted to or not. This was a seed planted by Li Xuewu for the future.
As for who to nail, that depends on who is dishonest and causes trouble; that nail could kill.
Thinking about all this, Zhou Yamei felt rather bored. She put down what she was holding and said to the chubby boy, "Did your Uncle Wu tell you anything on the way here?"
“No—” Banggeng shook his head and said, “He just told me to follow your orders and arrangements…”
"Okay, then it's settled." Zhou Yamei's expression became more serious as she nodded and arranged, "From now on, you'll live at home. You'll stay in the guest room on the first floor. Bring your luggage over."
She waved, signaling Banggeng to follow with his luggage. She walked to the guest room door, opened it, and gestured inside, saying, "Wash your own clothes, make your own bed, tidy up your own room, and pay attention to personal hygiene."
Before Banggeng could answer, she earnestly instructed him, "Don't go upstairs without permission. When I need you, you'll come with me on errands. When I don't need you, you'll stay home and help with housework. You should finish reading one book every week."
"Ah! Reading a book!—"
Banggeng's eyes were filled with surprise and absurdity. Ignoring Aunt Zhou's seriousness, he bluntly said, "I came to Liaodong to hang out with the underworld so I wouldn't have to go to school—"
"Who told you you came to Liaodong to hang out with gangsters?"
Zhou Yamei frowned and said, "There's no society for you to associate with in Liaodong, and I'm not a thug or a bad element."
She widened her eyes and emphasized, "I've already told you who I am, you should be able to trust me now."
"Let me make this clear to you now: your Uncle Wu brought you to Steel City to train you to become a useful person, not to be your henchman. And there's nothing like what you're thinking here."
Seeing Bang Geng's blank expression, Zhou Yamei softened her tone and said, "I won't make things difficult for you. If you can accept what I'm saying, then stay. If you can't, when your Uncle Wu comes down later, you can tell him to take you home."
"Go home? I'm not going home—"
Banggeng took a step back and said nervously, "I have no home anymore, I would rather die than go back!"
Seeing Aunt Zhou's stern face, he quickly explained, "I'm learning from you how to do things, I do housework for you, but could I... could I... not read books and study..."
He asked the following question very tactfully, but the difficulty and pleading in his tone were very obvious.
Zhou Yamei, however, remained serious and said, "No, you have to learn how to do things and how to be a person, you have to help with housework, and you also have to study. You can't neglect any of them."
She looked Banggeng up and down and said, "If you can't accept it, go and talk to your Uncle Wu yourself."
After saying that, Zhou Yamei ignored him and turned to go upstairs. By this time, Li Xuewu should have finished showering, and she still needed to help him find clothes.
Banggeng stood alone at the door of the room, looking at the neat and clean environment inside, then at the exquisite furnishings in the living room, and finally at himself returning to Beijing, his face full of worry.
He hesitated, pondered, and tried to think of a way to plead with Uncle Wu after he came down, while trying his best not to read or study.
Unfortunately, by the time Li Xuewu had changed his clothes and came downstairs looking refreshed, Bang Geng couldn't think of a suitable reason to use as an excuse.
Helpless, Aunt Zhou came down with Uncle Wu, and since he couldn't lie, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and tell the truth.
Li Xuewu glanced at Zhou Yamei with some surprise, then looked at Big Face Cat and said, "Reading and studying is good. I also read and study every day after get off work."
“Perfect, now the two of us are together.”
He smiled and said, "From now on, when I read, you can read with me. Interests are cultivated, and so is reading. You'll get used to it gradually."
"But what if you don't read books?"
Banggeng said aggrievedly, "You're so busy every day, and Aunt Zhou said... Aunt Zhou said we should read one book a week..."
"You read books even when I'm not reading—"
Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and threatened him, "I'm just teasing you. You'd better know when to stop. If you don't listen, I might really sell you out."
He had to go to work and didn't have time to argue with this kid. He gave Zhou Yamei a look and went out.
Zhou Yamei came down the stairs and looked at Banggeng standing in the entrance hall, saying, "Did you hear that?"
She sized up the chubby boy and said, "Your Uncle Wu said that if you don't study, you won't even know if he sells you off."
"What don't I know?"
Banggeng sighed, his shoulders slumped, and said weakly, "I know this kind of thing without even studying it. Now I've been sold off."
-
"Boss, you're back."
Liao Jinhui tried to put on a humble smile as he walked into the office and greeted Li Xuewu behind the desk.
Li Xuewu looked up at him, nodded and said, "Come on, I have something to tell you."
"Okay, please go ahead, boss."
This was the first time Liao Jinhui had received a mission from Li Xuewu, and his heart was pounding with anxiety.
He couldn't discern the good or bad in Li Xuewu's tone, nor did he know Li Xuewu's plans.
It's all my fault for taking that wrong step back then. If I hadn't arranged for that old bastard Zhang Enyuan to help me, I wouldn't be in this situation today, all alone!
With Li Xuewu treating him this way, who in the metallurgical plant would continue to give him face?
Of course, the people in the office will still respect him, but their fear of him is gone, and they are all waiting for him to be laid off.
The feeling of being killed by a dull knife is too unbearable. If Li Xuewu endures another two months, his superiors won't need to use him as a scapegoat anymore; his own spirit will break down.
Let whoever wants the office director position take it; he really can't take this kind of torture.
He didn't know whether today's order was a thunderbolt or a blessing. He dared not accept the thunderbolt, nor did he hope for the blessing. He only begged Li Xuewu to show mercy and give him a way out.
Li Xuewu could see the unease in his heart at a glance, but he didn't pay much attention to it. He casually instructed, "The research report on the group's various enterprises in Liaodong Industrial has been approved by the leaders. You take the lead in organizing a plan as soon as possible."
"Yes, huh? Me...me?"
Liao Jinhui was extremely surprised and stared blankly at Li Xuewu, asking, "Leader, what about the research..."
"What? Do you not want to do it, or are you unable to do it?"
Li Xuewu frowned and said, "If you don't want to do it, just say so. If you can't do it, I'll arrange someone else."
"No, no, it's not—" Liao Jinhui was so excited that he stammered. He felt his heels and the back of his head trembling with surprise and excitement.
The leader doesn't dislike me!
Think about it, even though you weren't involved in the formation of the research report, the leaders didn't use anyone else either.
Think about it: to synthesize the research report and the opinions of the group's leaders into an implementation plan—that must have been a tremendous achievement and honor. This was Li Xuewu's implementation plan for the Liaodong Industrial Leading Group; to put it bluntly, it was the guiding principle for how to conduct work over the next three years.
As the person in charge, he was the one who summarized and put the implementation plan into writing. His influence and will are bound to be evident in the details. Even if the plan is based on the leader's thinking and judgment, he can still demonstrate his presence.
Li Xuewu's furrowed brows did not unfurrow; instead, he sized up his office director.
Old Li only replied at the last minute, and he gave full affirmation and support in the report.
Li Xuewu couldn't say exactly what Lao Li's attitude was; he only knew that once the arrow was released, there was no turning back.
Should we use Liao Jinhui?
No, he never said he wanted to leave him idle. He's the office director; he can't just take a salary and not do any work.
Liao Jinhui is not only the director of the unit's office, but also a key link in conveying his management will and an important channel for subordinates to report important information to him.
The reason Li Xuewu entrusted him with such an important task was to test the reaction below.
In fact, he had already written the implementation plan long ago, and it was ready even before he came to Liaodong.
With thorough research and investigation, the resulting research report is merely a formality to initiate the process.
The implementation plan had already been slightly adjusted and modified based on this actual situation and the opinions and attitudes of the group's leadership team.
If we wait until the research report is released, then consult with the group leaders for their opinions, revise it, and finally combine the relevant opinions to form a decision document, by then it will be too late.
He wanted to reorganize the group's industrial management order in Liaodong, clarify the management direction here in the shortest possible time, and determine the coordination relationship between various enterprises.
He had an implementation plan in hand, but he wanted Liao Jinhui to take the lead in making another plan. He just wanted to see who would get restless, who would rush in, and who would surface.
Fishing is all about surprise; you try to fool me, I try to fool you, and we see who can outsmart whom.
He said the plan wouldn't be ready in three to five days, but he assured Bu Qingfang that the support he had brought from the group would definitely arrive.
He may not be able to finalize the plan within half a month, but he will definitely be able to finalize the preparations for the early stages of the plan's implementation.
He wouldn't pull out his cleaver until the people from Liaodong Industry were fighting over the bone in Liao Jinhui's hands...
(End of this chapter)