fictionpage Chapter 1566 Half a Catty vs. 82
Chapter 1566 Half a Catty vs. 82
Chapter 1566 Half a catty is eight taels
"Deputy Director Zhang."
"Deputy Director Zhang, Deputy Director Liu."
As the group entered the lounge, greetings began from those closest to the door.
"Comrade Wade, hello."
Zhang, the deputy director of the First Ministry of Machine Building in charge of organizational work, was standing in front and immediately recognized Su Weide, who was closest to him.
His outstretched hand was warmly received, and greetings and compliments rained down upon him.
Li Huaide stood aside, grinning like Doraemon. He then turned to Deputy Director Liu of the city and introduced him, saying, "Deputy Director Su is Deputy Director Zhang's old subordinate, and they're closer to each other than we are."
"Hahaha--"
"Read the words carefully," Deputy Director Zhang chuckled, shook Su Weide's hand, turned and pointed at him, raising an eyebrow as he said, "Li Huaide, don't be so harsh with your words!"
"Ha ha ha ha--"
Li Huaide wasn't afraid of him at all. He was now the director of the management committee and general manager of Honggang Group, and his rank was no lower than the other party's.
"I'm just envious!"
Everyone in the room knew that Li Huaide was a master of cursing, able to do so with a smile.
Li Xuewu turned to look at Dong Wenxue and Zhang Jingsong, winking at them, and they both laughed.
"No need to introduce Comrade Naofu."
Li Huaide bypassed Su Weide, pointed to Xue Zhifu, and introduced him to the two: "He is now the chief engineer of our group."
"You've grown so fast in the last two years!"
Deputy Director Zhang shook hands with him, and although his attitude was not as enthusiastic as Su Weide's, it still conveyed a sense of closeness.
"Learn more from the leaders." Xue Zhifu had previously worked in the supervisory system before being transferred to the industrial system. Deputy Director Zhang, who was in charge of organizational work, naturally knew him.
Years of experience in supervisory work have honed his integrity; one look at him and you know what kind of person he is.
His tone when speaking to Deputy Director Zhang was not at all humble; rather, it was as if he were an old friend.
"Hahaha—" This naturally made Deputy Director Zhang laugh and shake his hand, his eyes full of approval.
Deputy Director Zhang's main job is to manage cadres, and at the same time, he also trains them. In terms of cultivating cadres' comprehensive qualities, he has successfully trained a cadre with supervisory work ability into an industrial engineering management cadre, which is quite an achievement.
Therefore, in Deputy Director Zhang's gaze towards him, there was not only approval but also satisfaction and a touch of pride.
"Deputy Director Liu." As Li Huaide led Deputy Director Zhang to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with Gu Weijie, he also shook hands with Liu Xiangqian, his attitude becoming more polite.
"Comrade Naofu, we meet again."
Liu Xiangqian is the first deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Administration Commission. He previously presided over the group-based development of Hongxing Factory and the merger of 16 industrial enterprises, as well as resource integration projects in other automobile industries.
His impression and attitude towards the Red Star Factory were complex, as were the views of the cadres who had worked at the Red Star Factory throughout its history.
But that didn't stop him from coming here today to express his goodwill to these cadres who are now in the management of Honggang Group.
Cooperation benefits both sides, while conflict harms both.
Nobody's a fool. Although Honggang Group has been decentralized to local management, it still operates under the name of a market-oriented industrial enterprise pilot unit within the Ministry of Machinery Industry. They can't resort to force.
So when he shook hands with Suvid and Xue Zhifu, he said very little, but his attitude was very warm.
"Comrade Wenxue needs no introduction. Comrade Jingsong came two years ago, so Deputy Director Liu probably hasn't met him before."
Li Huaide introduced all the group's leadership team members to Deputy Director Zhang and Deputy Director Liu. The others "did not need to be introduced," but Gao Yaqin and Zhang Jingsong were given special introductions.
Actually, he did it on purpose. The two of them had worked at Honggang Group for more than two years, how could they not have had contact with the city?
In the past two years, he has rarely gone to the city for meetings; the supervisors go to the city to discuss any aspect of the work.
Given the rising momentum and development of Honggang Group, even if it's not sitting in the very front row, it's still a remarkable presence.
Therefore, simply being familiar with their faces is not enough to describe Liu Xiangqian's familiarity with the two, which was evident during their handshake and greetings.
After Kumamoto was given a brief introduction, it was Li Xuewu's turn to step forward and greet him.
He was the lowest-ranking and youngest, so naturally he was ranked last, but the attention and importance attached to him were by no means less.
"The most capable soldiers in the industrial system."
Deputy Director Zhang pointed at Li Xuewu with his finger, praising him with admiration and approval in his eyes: "I've heard his name more than once from the higher-ups."
These words were spoken to Li Xuewu, but they weren't just directed at him; you could tell from the expressions on the faces of the people around them.
“Mr. Z is very concerned about your development. He even asked about your work when we last met.” He shook Li Xuewu’s hand and said, “He said you are capable, have a long-term vision, have the vigor of a young cadre, and also have mature confidence and skills.”
"It's all for the organization's work and for serving the people." When Li Xuewu heard him mention Mr. Z, his expression became more serious, and he said, "He is the role model I should learn from."
"Yes, don't let down the organization that nurtured you, and don't let down the boss's expectations."
He never let go of Li Xuewu's hand, and said earnestly, "Work hard, young man."
"I certainly will, thank you, leader."
Li Xuewu nodded, his attitude very serious.
Deputy Director Zhang nodded, released his hand, patted his arm, and said to Liu Xiangqian beside him, "This is the most capable cadre I have ever met."
"Of course, I've already seen it."
Liu Xiangqian's attitude was not at all arrogant. He shook hands with Li Xuewu very sincerely and said with a smile, "Welcome back to the big family of the Beijing industrial system. You are a cadre trained by our Beijing organization, so don't mistake your family for your own."
"Hahaha—" Deputy Director Zhang laughed first upon hearing this, and his laughter was very hearty.
The gazes of everyone in the room toward Li Xuewu were filled with envy, jealousy, and, of course, hatred.
Hatred doesn't necessarily arise from conflict; it can also be caused by extreme envy.
Li Xuewu maintained a humble and orderly demeanor throughout, shaking hands with the two leaders and exchanging a few pleasantries before stepping aside.
He is the youngest and lowest-ranking manager in the Honggang Group's management team, and this is not yet his time to shine.
His youth was a major reason why everyone in the room envied him, but it was also true that he didn't yet have the self-awareness to reach the core position. How others saw him was not important; how he saw himself was the most important thing.
Are Deputy Director Zhang's praise and Deputy Director Liu's closeness important? They serve no purpose other than attracting attention and drawing criticism.
Of course, starting today, Deputy Director Zhang's words will also be known to everyone in the group, and the city's attention and focus on him will also become part of the influence.
But these effects are not so important to him at the moment, or to put it bluntly, they are not necessary.
Influence should be a gradual process, an accumulation of trust, and an improvement in ability.
As Lu Xun once said, taking too big a step can easily lead to trouble; it's better to take steady steps, one at a time.
Neither Deputy Director Zhang from the Ministry of Machinery Industry nor Deputy Director Liu from the city came today to meet and exchange pleasantries with the members of the Honggang Group Management Committee, nor to praise Li Xuewu. What is there for him to be proud of?
It was precisely this attitude of not being elated by external gains or saddened by personal losses that allowed Deputy Director Zhang and Liu Xiangqian to see him step aside, and their admiration deepened.
There are no scientific bases or indicators for evaluating how far an official can go, but we can make an estimate from their words and deeds.
Maturity and composure are precisely the qualities that a senior manager must possess, just like the one standing next to Li Huaide.
"Let me introduce you all. This is Comrade Zhou Wanquan, who has recently joined the leadership of our Honggang Group."
After making his introductions, Li Huaide returned to the center of the group in the lounge and gestured to the middle-aged cadre next to him to introduce him in a friendly manner: "I believe everyone is familiar with Comrade Wan Quan. He previously worked in Beijing Industry, so we're practically family."
"Hahaha--"
Letting him joke, and hearing Deputy Director Zhang's laughter, everyone in the room applauded with varying expressions.
"Please don't be so polite."
Liu Xiangqian understood the meaning behind his smile, deliberately reached out and patted his arm, jokingly saying, "Guests are always welcome."
"You're all family, I'm the guest now!"
Deputy Director Zhang smiled and nodded at him, then looked at Zhou Wanquan and said, "Welcome, Comrade Wanquan, to our industrial system. From now on, the city is like your home."
"Hahaha!" The two's "family reunion" kept the atmosphere in the lounge lively.
At Li Huaide's prompting, Zhou Wanquan shook hands and greeted the people around him in turn.
When he stood in front of Li Xuewu, before Li Xuewu could speak, he said, "Hello, from now on we are comrades."
Li Xuewu was slightly taken aback, then smiled and nodded, saying, "It was the same before."
"Hahaha—" This witty reply earned the admiration of the onlookers.
Li Xuewu never thought that he had offended him in any way, nor did he think that there was any grudge between the two of them.
To put it simply, after reviewing Zhou Wanquan's work resume, he learned that Zhou was not in charge of business operations at Beijing Industrial, but rather in organizational work, and had worked in the organizational system for many years.
It can be said that the two had no overlap in either business or social interactions.
Li Xuewu had never even met him before, only knowing that there was such a person in Beijing Industrial Park. What was the meaning of this attack?
Is he jealous of my youth too?
***
The group's cadre representatives meeting was held in the conference room on the tenth floor of the group's office building, and the meeting was chaired by Deputy Director Gu Weijie.
At the meeting, Deputy Director Zhang of the First Ministry of Machine Building conveyed the requirements and instructions from higher authorities regarding the "Draft Notice on Delegating Management of Enterprises Directly Under the Ministry of Industry and Transportation of the State Council to Local Governments" issued on March 5, and provided a detailed interpretation.
Subsequently, Liu Xiangqian, deputy director of the Municipal Management Committee, read out the decision on the appointment of cadres, which appointed Zhou Wanquan, deputy director of the Municipal Industry Bureau, as deputy director of Honggang Group.
On behalf of the Municipal Management Committee, the meeting also conveyed the organizational requirements to Honggang Group, emphasizing the importance of organizational structure in industrial management and requiring Honggang Group to actively carry out organizational restoration work and establish a corresponding core group.
The number of core team members was not mentioned, but it must be a small number; they are the core members who decide the group's work.
Li Xuewu had long expected this day to come, but he noticed that everyone else looked serious, some even with their brows furrowed.
Of course, people would frown. The organizational and management structure of Honggang Group had just been sorted out, and now there was another core group.
In other words, those who get in gain more influence, while those who don't lose influence. After all, those who get in are a minority, while the majority are definitely unhappy, so there are more unhappy people.
Under normal circumstances, the appointment decisions will only be announced at the meeting, without detailing the division of responsibilities.
Who decides on the division of labor?
In fact, before the organization makes an appointment, it usually seeks the opinion of the person in charge of the unit first, which means talking to Lao Li first.
Is Lao Li's opinion important?
It is important, but it is not the key factor in deciding on a superior's appointment; it is a factor to consider.
Under normal circumstances, Lao Li would not refuse the organization's decision, but would express his support.
In the ensuing conversation, the organization will also mention the background and purpose of the appointment, such as strengthening certain weaknesses of the unit or enhancing certain aspects of the team's development.
Generally speaking, leaders will not directly criticize or point out any loopholes or defects in the unit. After all, this is an industrial enterprise, and the same principle applies to all of them, big and small. They cannot be directly confronted.
As the person in charge of the unit, Lao Li was able to understand the opinions and requirements of his superiors from here.
After weighing the pros and cons, he either chose to obey the organization's decision and adjust his work assignment according to the instructions of his superiors.
Alternatively, one could explain the current division of labor and adjust it if the organization makes the necessary arrangements.
Once he has the organization's approval and recognition, he will work on the matter at the leadership meeting held after the cadre representative meeting.
Generally speaking, once the organization's intentions have been achieved and the unit leader has accepted the organization's arrangements, the division of labor is a suggestion rather than a resolution, so they will not act very forcefully.
It's a very simple principle: if someone can be in charge of a unit, it means that the team is led by him, and if problems arise, the team leader will be responsible.
So once the personnel are assigned, how and where they are used is entirely up to the squad leader, and if they are not used well, it is the squad's responsibility.
For example, if Zhou Wanquan, who was transferred from Beijing Industrial Group to Honggang Group, makes a major work error or violates fundamental principles within a year, then Li Huaide will also have to bear the responsibility.
The class monitor has the obligation to take responsibility and the right to supervise, and organizing personnel and adjusting the division of labor are the means he must use.
If you think about it carefully, which unit leader doesn't have the ability to organize personnel and adjust the division of labor? If they really don't, they will definitely have to step down, or be sidelined. That's for sure.
It is precisely based on this principle that the members of the leadership team must respect the opinions and rights of the team leader.
Therefore, after Liu Xiangqian read out the organizational appointment and introduced Zhou Wanquan's work experience to the cadre representatives, Li Huaide expressed his gratitude to the two leaders who brought the cadres and welcomed Zhou Wanquan's arrival in his subsequent speech.
Zhou Wanquan spoke after Li Huaide. The core of his speech was gratitude and honor. He thanked the organization for its trust and was honored to be a member of Honggang Group.
Of course, his speech was also a statement of commitment: he would definitely respect Li Huaide's leadership, unite with his colleagues, and work hard to live up to the organization's hopes and trust.
Therefore, after his speech, Li Huaide expressed his approval of this attitude in his subsequent concluding remarks, and elaborated on the development philosophy of Honggang Group. He also welcomed him again and made some hopes and requests.
This is absolutely not a trick, this is procedure.
The process is complete. Whoever makes a mistake will be punished. The main and secondary points must be clearly distinguished, and the big and small kings must be identified.
***
After the cadre representative meeting, the group's management, represented by Li Huaide, along with Zhou Wanquan, who had just joined the team, escorted the two leaders downstairs and out of the lobby.
In the past, if Li Huaide were still a factory manager of moderate size, he would have warmly invited the two leaders to stay for lunch.
But the cadre meeting ended before 10 o'clock, and besides, he's not the taxi driver he used to be anymore; he's learned to be reserved.
After making some polite remarks, and hearing that both leaders declined his invitation to stay for dinner, he took the opportunity to express his regret and his anticipation for the next meeting.
They're all high-ranking officials now; bringing up drinking, especially in this kind of work environment, seems a bit beneath them.
Even Lao Li rarely attends drinking parties these days, unless it's a high-end event or a get-together with his own family.
Although Li Xuewu never wrote the "Memorial on Dispatching the Troops" for him, he gave him advice and suggestions on many occasions in private.
Old Li is open to opinions, especially when those opinions or suggestions come from him.
Li Huaide doesn't believe in ghosts or gods; he only believes that Li Xuewu has worked at the Hongxing Factory for five years and has never made a mistake.
It's easy for someone to go a month without making a mistake, difficult to go a year without making a mistake, deserving praise for going three years without making a mistake, and definitely a god among men for going five years without making a mistake.
When Li Xuewu reminded him of the turbulent times and the need to be cautious in his words and actions, Lao Li began to distance himself from his circle of friends; when Li Xuewu reminded him to pay attention to unity and grassroots work, Lao Li started going to the workshops; when Li Xuewu reminded him of the tight finances and the importance of technology, Lao Li began to put away his pen.
It's not that he does whatever Li Xuewu tells him to do; he's not Li Xuewu's puppet, and Li Xuewu isn't his shadow strategist. But he definitely won't do anything Li Xuewu says he can't do. That's what trust and tacit understanding are.
Therefore, starting in the last two years, there have been very few sycophants and flatterers around Li Huaide. He is more clear-headed than anyone else and knows that he should keep a low profile at this time.
Unless it's someone who's come specifically to conduct research for the group, and is a senior leader, he won't personally greet them. He usually arranges for other members of the leadership team to come forward, and he'll only show his face at the very end.
Some say Li Huaide has become arrogant and no longer associates with his friends, while others say that Old Li has become complacent and arrogant.
Regardless of what others say, people will show more respect for his demeanor when they meet him.
What Li Huaide wanted was this respect, and he gradually understood Li Xuewu's amusing remark: being low-key is the coolest way to show off.
After seeing off the two leaders representing the Ministry of Machine Building and the city respectively, Li Huaide led his team back to the ninth floor.
Of course, we didn't go to the main conference room where the meeting had just ended, but instead went to the group's management committee's private conference room.
This is the largest conference room on the ninth floor. Originally, there were only eleven chairs next to the oval conference table, but now there is one more. The nameplate for this chair reads "Zhou Wanquan". Every member of the leadership team who walks in will glance at it.
Li Xuewu's position has changed; he's now at the end of the list. That's normal, though. He used to sit next to Lao Li and was even more arrogant than Lao Li when assigning tasks.
Since the beginning of last year, his seat has been moved to the back because he didn't return to many meetings, and by the time he did, the situation had changed.
"We originally intended to invite the two leaders to dinner, but we have many meetings and other matters to attend to today."
After Li Huaide sat down, he did not rush to start the meeting agenda. Instead, he glanced at Zhou Wanquan, who was sitting to Gu Weijie's left, and then explained, "At noon, Comrade Weijie will lead a team, and General Manager Gao and the Secretary-General will go to Jinling to preside over the establishment ceremony of the regional company of the Sales Headquarters."
"Comrade Wenxue needs to coordinate the resettlement of the East German technical team after they arrive; Comrade Kaiyuan needs to go down to conduct research. Everyone is very busy."
He placed his hands on the conference table in front of him, his fingers interlaced, and glanced at everyone in the conference room. He said, "They didn't want to stay, and I didn't sincerely want to stay either."
He smiled as he said this, and everyone else smiled too.
"It's all for the sake of organizational work, so these empty leadership positions are understandable."
He smiled and looked around, then said, "Today we have a new member in our team, so I would like to suggest once again that everyone welcome Comrade Wan Quan."
"Thank you, thank you comrades."
Just as everyone was applauding him, Zhou Wanquan humbly stood up, bowed slightly, and clapped to express his gratitude.
Li Huaide raised his hand gently at the opportune moment, gesturing for him not to stand on ceremony and to sit down and talk.
After Zhou Wanquan sat down and the applause stopped, he nodded slightly and said, "In accordance with the organization's suggestions and requirements, and in light of Comrade Wanquan's work experience, and also in order to strengthen the group's organizational supervision work, the higher authorities arranged for him to work in the group."
As he finished speaking, the expressions of everyone in the meeting room remained almost unchanged, but Li Xuewu, who had been staring at Su Weide, noticed that his fingers had stopped moving.
Looking in Gu Weijie's direction, the pen on her notebook had been screwed on at some point, indicating that the news was not unexpected.
“Previously, the supervisory work of our group was handled by Comrade Zhifu.” Li Huaide first glanced at Xue Zhifu, then raised his hand to indicate to Gu Weijie, “Later, Comrade Weijie took over for a period of time.”
He seemed to remember something, or perhaps he saw Li Xuewu, so he raised his hand to indicate to Li Xuewu that he had introduced him, saying, "Oh, by the way, the Secretary-General has also been in charge of oversight work."
"I'm working as an assistant to Deputy Director Xue."
Li Xuewu smiled slightly and emphasized, "It's mainly to cooperate with the inspection work."
"We're all comrades, there's no need to be modest." Li Huaide smiled and introduced Zhou Wanquan, "Comrade Xuewu has a very solid theoretical foundation."
"He presided over the revision of the Group's Headquarters Work Management Regulations, Group's Organization and Cadre Management Regulations, and Work Safety Management Regulations, among others."
He tapped his desk and said confidently, "I'm sure you'll all have common ground in organizational management."
"I am really looking forward to having an in-depth conversation with the Secretary-General."
Zhou Wanquan smiled at Li Xuewu, his eyes full of effeminate charm, while Li Xuewu felt a sudden tightness in his buttocks, and his smile became somewhat fake.
"I don't see anyone having any objections."
After laying the groundwork, Li Huaide glanced at everyone and said with a serious expression, "Then Comrade Wan Quan will be in charge of the group's organizational discipline and supervision work."
He nodded slowly and emphasized, "Since the launch of the intensive study campaign, the group's supervisory work has been improving."
"I believe that with Comrade Wan Quan, who has worked in the organization system for many years, presiding over the supervisory work, our group's organizational discipline and atmosphere will definitely be improved and progressed."
When Li Huaide looked over, Zhou Wanquan nodded but did not make any further statement.
“In that case, Comrade Weijie will now be in charge of the inspection work. You will go down and make a proper handover.” Li Huaide deflected the issue with ease and made the direct arrangements: “Personnel will be drawn from the organization, personnel, and office departments to supplement the inspection department, and at the same time, the inspection brigade will be formally transferred to the inspection department for management.”
"The Inspection Team is here with me now."
Before Li Huaide could speak, it was already a fait accompli. Su Weide was unwilling to be cut off like this, so he took the initiative to look at Zhou Wanquan and said, "Let's do a handover now."
"Thank you for your support, Deputy Director Su." Zhou Wanquan nodded politely, but there was no hint of warmth in his expression.
Suweid chuckled twice, but the sound was like he had eaten shit.
Zhang Jingsong turned to look at Li Xuewu, blinked almost imperceptibly, and then turned back to look ahead.
"With Comrade Wan Quan joining us, our work has become a bit easier."
Gu Weijie also knew that she couldn't fight city hall, and now Lao Li was using them as an example.
Having understood Zhou Wanquan's division of labor, she passively agreed, "Once I return from Jinling, we'll do the handover, okay?"
"Okay, thank you for your support, Deputy Director Gu."
Zhou Wanquan didn't stand on ceremony, and didn't even say anything like "there's no rush." Just like he did with Su Weide, he simply thanked him.
Li Xuewu's eyes darted around. His position allowed him to clearly see everyone's attitude, like a high-definition scan from a camera.
Gu Weijie's responsibilities within the group are very important, including the Organization Department, which comprises the Organization Department, the Supervision Department, and the Comprehensive Cadre Department, as well as the Publicity Department, which is responsible for the group's publicity work.
Li Huaide hasn't said that Zhou Wanquan will be in charge of organizational work. He has simply separated the Supervision Department and transferred personnel to strengthen the team. What does this mean?
It's very simple. Just think about the spirit of organizational work that Liu Xiangqian conveyed at the cadre representative meeting, and you'll know that the higher authorities have begun to attach importance to discipline and supervision work again.
Therefore, although there is no explicit proposal to reinstate the position of full-time deputy secretary of the supervisory commission, the relevant organizational structure and preparatory work need to be laid out.
There must have been a conversation between the higher-ups and Li Huaide, otherwise they wouldn't have made this arrangement.
It was precisely because he had considered this point that no one raised any objections when he announced the division of labor at the meeting.
The other members of the leadership team were in charge of one or two departments, but Zhou Wanquan was in charge of one office.
Of course, Li Huaide had already given the conditions: personnel would be drawn from other departments, meaning it was not limited to just one department.
Supervision Division One, Supervision Division Two, etc.
Once the supervisory team is rebuilt, the company's supervisory department will also be established.
So there's an old saying, "If you hear the wind, you believe it's raining." You can tell what kind of rain it is just by listening to the wind.
"Secretary-General, please take this opportunity to help."
Seeing that Su Weide and Gu Weijie had no objections, Li Huaide turned to Zhou Wanquan and said, "You two should talk to Comrade Xuewu when he returns. He's in charge of the work at the headquarters."
After seeing Zhou Wanquan nod, he then instructed Li Xuewu, "Have the General Management Department come up with a plan for the relevant organizational restructuring and personnel arrangements."
"Okay, Director Li." Li Xuewu nodded and replied, "I'll make arrangements later."
He accepted Li Huaide's arrangement and then looked at Zhou Wanquan and said, "I will not be home for the next two days. I will ask Deputy Secretary-General Chen Shuzhi to contact you first. You can tell him what you need."
"There are no special requirements, it would be best if we could get started as soon as possible."
Zhou Wanquan smiled and waved his hand before Li Xuewu could speak, saying, "But there's no rush. I still want to wait for you to come back so we can sit down and have a good chat."
"It seems you two appreciate each other." Li Huaide tapped his notebook, smiled at the two of them, and said, "Wait until the Secretary-General returns, then you two can have a good chat."
After saying this, he ignored the laughter of the crowd, tapped the table and said, "In accordance with the relevant requirements of the higher authorities, the group needs to establish a core leadership team."
This statement was powerful enough to restore the seriousness of the meeting.
"The organization appointed me as the head of the core leadership group."
He didn't mince words, but spoke frankly and directly: "Comrade Weijie and Comrade Wanquan serve as core members of the leadership group."
You don't even need to look; someone sitting at the conference table is bound to be unhappy, and it won't be just one person.
So he didn't bother with pretense. After explaining his superior's requirements, he stood up and said, "Alright, that's enough for the meeting. Everyone, go back to your work."
As he got up to leave, his secretary Liu Bin came over and took away his notebook and thermos. There was still someone sitting by the oval conference table with a gloomy expression.
Perhaps they themselves see it as serious, but once they see it, they all feel that it is dissent.
***
"Why did you have to do this?"
Zhang Jingsong walked out of the conference room with Li Xuewu, not caring whether anyone would hear them, and muttered this complaint.
It's not really a complaint; he certainly has the right and the right to comment on this change.
Li Xuewu's attitude was much calmer than his, and he explained calmly, "Perhaps it's to strengthen leadership, since it's now under local management."
"I mean, how these people do things."
He shook his head slightly, glanced at Li Xuewu, and said, "You're like someone whose backside is on fire, doing everything without ever thinking about what's going on down there."
"Hehe, you still have such fantasies?" Li Xuewu chuckled and tugged at the corner of his mouth, gesturing towards the office of the General Management Department and saying, "I'll go and hand over my work first, then we'll get together when I get back."
"No rush, you go about your business."
Zhang Jingsong raised his wrist to look at his watch and asked, "Do you still have time for lunch?"
“Yes, definitely.” Li Xuewu stood at the door of Chen Shuzhi’s office and smiled meaningfully, saying to him, “I really can’t eat the food on the plane.”
"Me too, I'm off. Have a safe trip." Zhang Jingsong nodded knowingly, smiled, and turned to leave.
Are you afraid of being overheard?
Those secretaries in the corridor—some things they say are deliberately meant for them to hear, while others are coded so that no one but each other can understand them.
-
"You bring your child with you on business trips?"
When Li Xuewu picked up Li Shu and Li Ning from the car, Gao Yaqin looked at him in surprise, and then took the initiative to help carry Li Ning.
Li Xuewu picked up Li Shu and explained, "I'm taking them to see Grandma and Grandpa. The old folks miss their child terribly; they only see her once a year."
"Your father-in-law and mother-in-law are in Nanjing?"
Gao Yaqin seemed to have been unaware of this information, but she did know who Li Xuewu's father-in-law was.
It's rare to find a cadre with such an upright character as Gao Cheng. Who wouldn't know that others know who his father is? Even someone like Xu Sanduo knows, but he still doesn't.
"Why did you bring a child along?"
Gu Weijie's car arrived later, and after she got out of the car, she found Li Xuewu and Gao Yaqin standing at the gangway, each holding a child.
"The Secretary-General's daughter and son."
Gao Yaqin smiled and teased Li Ning in her arms, saying, "This little guy has such a sweet tongue."
The reason I say this is because when she picked up Li Ning, Li Ning, just like his older sister used to do, called her "Auntie" and said thank you.
“I’ll do it, Secretary General.”
Zhou Xiaoling took Li Shu from Li Xuewu's arms and put her on the plane first. Another flight attendant went to pick up Li Ning, but Gao Yaqin refused.
"It's not heavy, it looks really fun."
Gao Yaqin carried Li Ning onto the plane, while the secretaries and flight attendants carried the luggage up. Li Xuewu and Gu Weijie were the last to arrive.
"I didn't see you in the cafeteria at noon, did you go home to pick up your child?"
Gu Weijie glanced at him and asked, "Do you have time to take them with you?"
“The child’s maternal grandparents live in Nanjing.”
Li Xuewu explained again, "The elderly missed the children and asked me to take them there. The children also missed their maternal grandparents."
"They look so well-behaved and sensible." Gu Weijie nodded and said, "You and your husband are both well-educated, so you must have some experience in raising children."
“She works harder, I don’t have that much time.” Li Xuewu smiled and said modestly, “I can only lead by example and hope that they will choose the good and follow it, and strive to do the bad.”
"Is your spouse still working at the main hospital?"
Gu Weijie knew him quite well, and because of her relationship with Han Shu, she was also very familiar with Li Xuewu's father-in-law's family.
It was wise of them not to mention the other party at this moment, and they only talked about Gu Ning.
"Well, luckily it's right at my doorstep."
Li Xuewu asked her to go through the cabin door first before following her inside, saying, "Taking care of a child is hard work."
He said this while looking at the two children who were laughing and playing happily in the cabin.
Perhaps because of the presence of Li Shu and Li Ning, coupled with Gao Yaqin's proactive care, the cabin maintained a cheerful atmosphere throughout.
Li Xuewu didn't have to lift a finger. Li Ning sat next to Gao Yaqin, while Li Shu sat on the other side of her younger brother, displaying the demeanor of an elder sister.
Gu Weijie, on the other hand, took the initiative to sit opposite Li Xuewu. After the plane took off, she looked at the flight attendant who was giving snacks to Li Shu and Li Ning, and turned to him and said, "It's good to be young."
"You're not old at all," Li Xuewu teased her with a smile, "How about having another one?"
“I’m not trying to scare you, but family planning is being promoted now.” He raised his eyebrows, as if he had a point, and said, “From now on, you won’t be allowed to have children.”
"Whom would I have a child with? You?"
Gu Weijie was quite relaxed in this situation. There were only a few of them on the plane, and the secretary, who was sitting in the back, pursed her lips and chuckled as she listened.
Actually, putting aside the competition in terms of work and ideology, the relationships among the people in the same team are quite good.
They speak quite rudely in private, and sometimes their jokes are so risqué that even their secretaries blush.
Of course, they will definitely maintain the proper attitude and professionalism at work. Perhaps it is precisely because of the pressure at work that they can relax more when joking around in private.
Li Xuewu is still young and has the energy to make friends, but by the time people like Gu Weijie reach that stage, it's actually very difficult to make friends anymore.
Even Li Xuewu hasn't made any new friends in the last two years; he's truly all alone.
Work keeps you busy, so busy that in the end you lose your friends and only have rivals left.
Sometimes rivals can also be friends. When the day comes of retirement, as long as there is no deep-seated hatred, you can still tease each other when you meet.
These days, these jokes are more like a rehearsal for a reunion after retirement; nobody cares.
"Have a child with me?" Li Xuewu chuckled, gesturing to Li Shu, who was chattering away with Gao Yaqin about kindergarten kids, and Li Ning, who was constantly trying to seize the floor, and said, "Don't you think I'm under enough pressure?"
"You only have a few." Gu Weijie turned to look at the children and said with a pout, "Wei Zaike's family has seven or six, I think?"
“How can I compare to him?” Li Xuewu said with a laugh, “Back then he was working in the countryside. What else could he do after lights out at night if he didn’t have children?”
“You’re different; you’re young and knowledgeable.” He was also very direct, asking Gu Weijie bluntly, “Haven’t you thought about finding someone else?”
"Introduce me to someone, please." Gu Weijie was open to all comers, and teased him, "People say you're better at being a matchmaker than a secretary-general."
“If that’s how you put it, I’ll take it as the truth.” Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and said, “Why don’t you tell me first what kind of conditions you’re looking for?”
"Just find someone like you."
Gu Weijie narrowed her eyes slightly and said, "I quite like you, just don't grow a mouth."
"Hahaha—" Gao Yaqin, sitting on the other side, was laughing so hard she could barely stand it. She looked at the two of them and teased, "You two are evenly matched, so neither of you should worry about the other's life or death."
Li Shu looked curiously at her father, then at the old lady sitting opposite him, lost in thought. No one knew what she was thinking.
Li Ning, however, didn't care who his father wanted to have another child with. He couldn't finish all the snacks the pretty waitress brought him; he was already trying his best.
The plane landed at Jinling Airport, where cars were already waiting on the tarmac.
It wasn't just the people from the Jinling area company; there were also young people dressed in light green, standing there with a middle-aged woman, eagerly waiting.
"Grandma! Grandma!" Li Shu hadn't even come down the gangway yet when she started calling out.
Li Ning, who was following behind her, didn't seem to recognize which one was her grandmother, but she also called out, "Grandma, I missed you—"