Siheyuan diet for men and women

Chapter 1605 Complaint
Will Li Xuewu go to Beijing Chemical Industry?

Of course not. Although there would still be opportunities to grow if he jumped out at this point, the entire plan he had laid out would be ruined.

Don't be fooled by Bai Changmin's sweet talk; if you actually believe him, you'll be manipulated by the other party.

Did he agree to the vice president's request?
Haha—he's nobody.

If he doesn't give you the position of vice president, you can throw a tantrum and demand payment from him, right? He'll laugh at you to death.

There is only one way to earn respect: eliminate anyone who dares to look down on or offend you.

Do you know what image mainland China has on the international stage in this era?

A troublemaker, a brute, easily provoked.

We dare to retaliate with force against any offense, truly winning people over with virtue and making them realize our strength.

Don't be fooled by the impressions of the past; we have indeed shown a friendly side to some regions and countries, such as those in Africa and Albania.

But you should know that we've also "friendly" helped some countries relocate their capitals.

Hey, the capital city was perfectly fine, why stop using it now? And you even came up with the name New Delhi, are you guys being unfriendly?
The same principle applies to life. You can't expect everyone to respect your size unless you can actually punch them.

Bai Changmin was talking nonsense on the phone, which was also a way of putting pressure on him, but Li Xuewu didn't care.

We just completed the first round of negotiations with Liaodong Industry a few days ago, and the next step is to study the conditions offered by Beijing Chemical.

Liaodong Industry has already drawn a rough outline for this comprehensive project, which is also the general scope he proposed. This is only the first formal contact between the two parties.

So what exactly has been finalized?

Li Xuewu would never do a losing business. He can't just say that Liaodong Industry needs something and Beijing Chemical Industry has something, and then you two hit it off immediately.

Since Liaodong Industry wants Honggang Group to act as an intermediary, and Jingcheng Chemical wants Honggang Group to be the leader, then Honggang should have the final say on this matter.

If it were an ordinary person running a matchmaking project, they would have already brought the two parties together in this situation, and they wouldn't lose money no matter what.

But Li Xuewu was not the type to avoid easy opportunities. If he didn't encounter them, fine, but if he did, he could simply ignore them.

The pesticides and fertilizers needed by Liaodong industry are essential, as are the nylon, chemical fiber, and synthetic resin technologies that Beijing Chemical can provide.

The remaining items, such as plastics, paints, and flame-retardant materials, also needed to be included. Li Xuewu even added an even more important item: crude oil refining.

What does he want to do?
Using someone else's resources to generate income, it's an old trick.

In this world, what business doesn't rely on borrowing resources to generate profits?

KTVs make money using other people's wives; short videos make money using other people's talents; games make money using other people's time; Didi makes money using other people's cars; food delivery makes money using other people's kitchens; lotteries make money using other people's luck; and even, as everyone knows, banks make money using other people's money.

Even worse, some insurance companies profit from other people's lives.

If Beijing Chemical wants to establish itself in Liaodong, wouldn't Honggang Group be a perfect fit to complete the closed-loop production of raw materials and parts for light and heavy industries such as automobiles?
What is the purpose of crude oil refining?
It can be said that it was for the sake of United Energy, because Honggang Group owns its own gas stations, just like many other factories or units.

These days, most gas stations are not open to the public, and they do not have operating quotas or permits; they only supply internal vehicles and related vehicles.

Gasoline or diesel can only be purchased at gas stations other than those owned by the company, and fuel coupons are required.

Do you know why Steel Auto's automotive products are so slow to gain traction in the civilian market?
Even motorcycles, which consume the least fuel, face difficulties in obtaining fuel.

Employees of companies near United Energy gas stations are willing to buy motorcycles, while other employees who cannot afford gasoline are hesitant.

They could apply to their employer or look for other ways to solve the fuel shortage, but very few could actually do so.

The Comet motorcycle sold very well, partly because it consumed little fuel, and partly because purchasing power was concentrated among officials.

Whether they were cadres from Honggang Group or cadres from other units, they all had the ability and means to obtain gasoline for motorcycles.

So why do three-wheeled motorcycles sell so well?

Because in Beijing, those who buy three-wheeled motorcycles to engage in freight or other forms of transportation must be affiliated with a collective.

In other words, they can purchase oil coupons according to certain quotas and quantities based on the proof provided by the collective, thus completing the supply and sales loop.

Currently, among all gas stations in Beijing, only those gas stations belonging to Honggang Group, which have been transferred to the management of United Energy Petroleum Sales Branch, sell gasoline and diesel without quantity restrictions to any of the car models produced by Honggang Gas.

The oil sales branch is now facing a number of awkward situations.

Firstly, there are automobiles that are only supplied to steel and gasoline manufacturers. As sales increase, the number of oil sales outlets has not expanded rapidly, and a supply shortage has emerged.

The petroleum sales branch currently has only two sales regions: the Liaodong region and the Beijing region.

The Liaodong area has three gas stations: Gangcheng, Yingcheng, and Fengcheng. These are renovations and upgrades of gas stations that were originally owned by the factory.

There is only one gas station in the Beijing area that was approved during the construction of the industrial park, namely the Liangmahe Ecological Industrial Park Gas Station.

The four stations are located in different cities, and the gasoline and diesel supplies all come from the local petroleum supply and marketing companies, which are the predecessors of PetroChina.

Needless to say, Sinopec and PetroChina were originally one company, now called China National Petroleum Corporation. It's clear that the three oil giants share the same roots.

Although Mr. Z had already announced as early as 68 that we had shed the label of being an oil-poor country and that we were completely self-sufficient in oil.

However! Here we must add a "however": the current number of cars and other machinery owned in China has not yet reached its peak, oil production capacity is increasing, and the total industrial output is also growing.

Currently, United Energy's oil sales branch frequently faces situations where it exceeds its targets, often resulting in a lack of oil to sell.

Secondly, there is the issue of supply and demand. Due to the limitations of the joint supply and sales system, many joint units and even automobile manufacturers have sent letters to Honggang Group applying for their own automobiles or products to be eligible for sales through the United Energy system.

Gas stations have not increased; on the contrary, the number of cars using gasoline is increasing. This supply and demand relationship is seriously reversed, and the situation is quite awkward.

On the one hand, there was the restriction on oil supply by the oil supply and marketing company, and on the other hand, there was the ever-increasing demand for oil. During the planned economy era, Honggang Group could only submit an oil consumption plan once a year, and the inefficiency of such a plan was obvious at a glance.

Does the oil supply and marketing company really run out of oil?
Not entirely. The cadres of United Energy were constantly on the go, and every month they could always get some quotas deducted from the supply and marketing company.

In other words, there is still oil, but it cannot be distributed arbitrarily without quotas and plans, because reserves need to be maintained. Without a production plan, the chemical plant will not produce more.

Is it necessary to build an oil refinery in Liaodong?

This is equivalent to the power plant system that Bu Qingfang has been working on. Energy supply is the lubricant for industrial development, and it will always be needed.

Li Xuewu plans to build the oil refinery in Yingcheng Port Area. Although it is a bit far from the inland oil fields, it is close enough to the sea.

Don't think that owning a refinery is the same as having an unlimited energy supply; that's a big mistake.

Because crude oil production is also fixed, without quotas and plans, where would you get crude oil to be refined into gasoline and diesel?

However, no one can resist the temptation of owning a refinery, not even Li Xuewu.

Of course, some people might say that Honggang Group only has four gas stations and wants to set up a chemical plant. If you gave them four ships, wouldn't they be plundering the Atlantic Ocean?

Do you know what strategic investment is?
With industrial enterprises being decentralized to provinces and cities nationwide, it would be much easier to invest in and build a refining and chemical plant and expand energy-related businesses.

Especially in Liaodong, Honggang Group already has an industrial foundation and can even join forces with Beijing Chemical to develop another chemical industrial cluster.

If United Energy can also gain control of oil refining and sales, its expansion into the industrial power sector will undoubtedly represent a significant upgrade for Honggang Group's operations in Liaodong.

Because Liaodong's industry also lacks oil, adding a refining and chemical plant, and an experimental energy supply unit, is equivalent to increasing the speed and quality of transportation, and adding an engine to industry.

Li Xuewu was not joking when he said he wanted to manage Northeast Asia, but the prerequisite was to deeply root himself in the land of Northeast China.

Honggang Group established itself in the steel city because of its metallurgical plant foundation, coupled with favorable timing, location, and human resources. The steel city also hoped for investment from Hongxing Plant.

The investment in shipbuilding in the city is a real financial investment, and the same goes for the construction of port areas; the local government enjoys this kind of return.

The same applies to Fengcheng Machinery Factory. Honggang Group paid not only for the acquisition but also for valuable experience and technology.

Without investment, there is no return; without return, people won't let you take root and grow in this land.

Therefore, this time we can't rush things; we need to take it slow and steady. He wants to bring Jingcheng Chemical over steadily and use capital means to complete the acquisition required for the project.

Previously, these were all small-scale operations, but this time it involves large-scale capital operations, and the engineering and construction projects involved are not a small amount.

Honggang Group must participate throughout the entire process to ensure that it reaps full benefits from this project, both to enhance the reputation of Jingcheng Chemical Group and to support the practical benefits of Jingcheng Chemical's tertiary industry in Liaodong.

He not only wanted to show it to those within the group, but also to the leaders above him and the management of other sister units.

What are the methods of modern enterprise management and operation? What is the operation and layout of the capital market? What is enterprise grouping?

With just this one move, he solidified his foundation in corporate and industrial management within the group, silencing those who questioned him.

At the same time, he must let his superiors see his talent and give him more authority and trust so that he can move up to a more important position.

If other units see this, it's like a flower blooming outside the wall but fragrant inside, helping him stabilize the situation while also cultivating a persona of talent.

Today he dared to refuse Shen Fei, and the group's trust in him is about to collapse, but if he refuses the same cooperation tomorrow, he hopes everyone will shut up.
-
"Secretary-General Li, I hope I haven't disturbed you?"

"Not at all, it was just a bit of a surprise." Li Xuewu smiled and shook hands with Liu Gang, the person in charge of Changhe Machinery Factory, who had made a sudden visit.

Liu Gang explained with a smile, "I've finished my work in Fengcheng and was preparing to go back to the factory, but after thinking it over, I decided to come and visit you."

"Hehehe, welcome, welcome." Li Xuewu smiled politely, glanced at him, and asked, "Did you come from Deputy Director Lu's side?"

"Yes, he asked me to give this to you." Liu Gang loosened his grip on her hand and joked with a smile, "He said he wasn't trying to urge you to do anything."

"Hahaha—" Li Xuewu laughed and waved his hand, "Even if he urges me, it's no use. I'm a real slowpoke when it comes to getting things done."

"This is different from what I heard." Liu Gang was invited into the reception room by him and said with a smile, "Everyone says that you, Secretary-General Li, are decisive and efficient in your work."

"That depends on the time, right?"

After Li Xuewu sat down, he waited for Zhang Enyuan to set out the tea before turning to him and asking, "You didn't come here just to take a look, did you?"

He raised an eyebrow and said, "Why don't you tell me what you'd like to see, so I can arrange for someone to prepare?"

“Look at you—” Liu Gang looked up and said with a smile, “I told you you’re a straightforward person, and you’re very direct in your actions.”

"I've been very busy with work lately, and my time is too tight."

Li Xuewu didn't mince words and explained with a frank smile, "If you had given me advance notice, I could have had my secretary set aside time, but now..."

"Don't worry, I won't cause you any trouble."

Liu Gang was easy to talk to, waving his hand and saying, "I'm just itching to see Gangfei, especially your Lark and Jaguar."

He gave Li Xuewu a deep look before adopting a serious expression and said, "Deputy Director Lu told me about your opinions and suggestions."

"Oh—" Li Xuewu had already guessed why he had come back, and slowly nodded to explain, "It's just a little immature idea, please don't mind it."

"How could that be?" Liu Gang smiled and looked at him, saying, "Director Hu has already told me about your work and contributions at Honggang Group."

He also stated frankly, "Given that you single-handedly built Honggang Group's tertiary industries, especially Gangfei, it is only right that we respect your opinion."

"You're too kind," Li Xuewu said calmly, glancing at him before emphasizing, "What I told Deputy Director Lu was that it's best if opinions and suggestions are useful, but if they aren't, don't believe them; just consider them as nonsense."

"That's why I came." Liu Gang looked at him seriously and said, "You not only brought in the KH-4, but also the French Lark and Jaguar, right?"

“You must have some knowledge of helicopters to make those suggestions and comments.”

He did not ignore the opinions and suggestions put forward by Li Xuewu because of his pride in the Z-6 helicopter that was about to go into production.

If it were someone else, he might have laughed it off, but with Lu Qiming and Hu Ke's endorsement, plus Gangfei's success, he dared not underestimate them.

So after much deliberation, he followed Lu Qiming's advice and went to Gangcheng to see Li Xuewu and get to the bottom of things.

"I wouldn't dare say that," Li Xuewu thought for a moment and replied very seriously, "because I'm not an engineering professional."

He stood up, walked to the display shelf in the reception room, took back several helicopter models, and placed them on the coffee table between the two of them.

Upon entering, Liu Gang noticed that one wall of the reception room was decorated with promotional paint, which was about the corporate culture of Honggang Group.

The other wall is a wooden shelf with many of these models on it, especially three helicopter models with very different designs.

"You should know this one, it's the KH-4 we're currently producing."

Li Xuewu pushed the model forward and explained, "After obtaining the license for the Bell 47, Kawasaki Heavy Industries lengthened the fuselage to 9.7 meters."

He gestured with his hands as he explained, "The rotor diameter has been increased to 10.7m, and the number of seats has increased to four."

"Especially the engine tuning and standard reset."

"It uses a piston engine, right?"

Liu Gang had certainly paid attention to this aircraft; Honggang Group is quite famous in the domestic aircraft manufacturing field.

However, this fame also presents an awkward situation, because the three models that SteelAir is currently producing or about to put into production have no connection with the mainland's helicopter industry.

It was neither a self-developed model nor a modified model, and it wasn't even imported through legitimate channels. Even the procurement by various units was somewhat clandestine.

The reason for supporting Ganzhou Aircraft Industry Group (Ganzhou Aircraft Industry Group) in developing helicopter production is to get rid of the instability of acquiring steel aircraft, and not to put all our eggs in one basket.

Liu Gang knew very well that Honggang Group had made a lot of money selling helicopters, and even its domestic sales performance was excellent. If the Lark and Jaguar went into production, even if it was out of face, various domestic units would take the initiative to place orders. Once a certain scale was reached, face and danger would no longer matter.

“Yes, it’s a piston engine.” Li Xuewu introduced it skillfully: “Top speed of 160km/h, range of 320km, and effective payload of 320kg.”

He picked up the model and gestured, saying, "In the past few years, Kawasaki Heavy Industries has been able to sell dozens of these aircraft a year. They have captured the entire market, from Ground Self-Defense Force reconnaissance and Maritime Self-Defense Force patrols to customers in Thailand and Australia. I'm so envious when I see the data."

Liu Gang looked at him with a strange expression, and reminded him with a smile: "But your Gangfei has already achieved mass production, and is even taking away their international market share."

"No, you're wrong." Li Xuewu put down the toy airplane in his hand and said calmly, "We're eating other people's leftovers."

“The international market for these small aircraft isn’t very broad; it’s mostly focused on the civilian market.” He explained to the other person, “Although we’ve kept our prices very low, we lack the necessary after-sales support, which is a significant issue.”

"Moreover, Japan's Mitsubishi has the HSS-2 Sea King, and Fuji has the OH-6D Little Flying Dragon. They are still the big brothers in the international aircraft market."

"You'll be able to have larks and jaguars soon, won't you?"

Liu Gang reached out and nudged the other two helicopter models, then looked up at Li Xuewu and said, "You guys are still the price-cutting bandits in the international aircraft market."

“Hehe—” Li Xuewu shook his head with a wry smile, picked up the Lark helicopter and emphasized, “Just like the KH-4, we don’t have authorization.”

"Authorization?" Liu Gang looked at him with some surprise and asked, "Does this require authorization?"

“Of course you don’t need it.” Li Xuewu took a deep breath, put down the model in his hand, leaned back on the sofa and said, “The Z-6 is a domestically developed aircraft. You can take it to the international market and advertise it generously.”

“So…” Liu Gang frowned and looked at him, asking, “These three models you produce aren’t exactly legitimate…”

“Yes, it’s not exactly legitimate.” Li Xuewu smiled and looked at him, saying, “You could even say it disrupts the market, and the original manufacturers don’t recognize it.”

"Then why should we sell you production lines and technology?"

Liu Gang looked at him with a puzzled expression and asked, "Aren't they afraid that you'll disrupt the market?"

"Profits," Li Xuewu replied simply. "Selling airplanes and production lines are both profitable, and they're certain we can't sell them normally."

"Without after-sales service and without original manufacturer certification, who would dare to buy it?"

"Huh?" Liu Gang looked at him in shock and asked, "Then wouldn't that mean we'd be stuck with this mess?"

"Hahaha—" Li Xuewu laughed out loud, covering half of his face as he said, "But we don't have any stock."

"..." Liu Gang was confused by him and looked at him blankly.

“There will always be someone who buys it.” Li Xuewu nodded slowly and explained meaningfully, “As long as the price is right, they don’t care about after-sales service.”

Liu Gang still didn't understand, but he knew that Li Xuewu wouldn't tell him if he asked any further, especially since their Z-6 helicopter was still in the research and development testing phase.

“Both the Lark and the Jaguar have turbine engines.” He asked about the purpose of his visit, saying, “May I go take a look?”

"Of course, I can even take you flying."

Li Xuewu patted his knees and said, "Let's go, it's this early in the morning, let's go to Gangfei for lunch."

Liu Gang was shocked by his words and couldn't tell whether he was bragging or joking.

It wasn't until he made a phone call and took her by car to Steelfly's aircraft test site that she realized he was serious.

"No—" Liu Gang looked at him somewhat vaguely and asked, "You really know how to operate a helicopter?"

“It’s very simple, just like riding a motorcycle.” Li Xuewu turned around and smiled, leading him toward the parked KH-4 helicopter.

There were already people waiting over there, seemingly unconcerned about the scene. Were they used to it?

Liu Gang really regretted it. He shouldn't have agreed to Li Xuewu's request so readily. What if he fell? That's how young people are; they're all talk and no action.

Ignoring his hesitation, Li Xuewu, with Wang Xiaonan's help, learned about the day's situation and put on sunglasses.

"You really want to fly it yourself?" Liu Gang was called over, his face pale, and he mumbled, "Actually, I just want to watch."

"It'll be more direct to fly it once." Li Xuewu wasn't going to let him off the hook, and jumped onto the plane first.

Liu Gang has a technical background, but he has never actually piloted a helicopter himself. Today was like a small knife piercing his backside—it opened his eyes.

He was practically pushed into the cabin by Wang Xiaonan, and then slammed into the cabin with a bang, along with Li Xuewu, who was skilled at operating the helicopter.

When Li Xuewu reminded him to put on his headphones and start the engine, he knew that it would be difficult to think about it any further, so he had no choice but to go along with it.

hum-
-
Having just attended the completion ceremony of the Steel City United Hospital building, Li Xuewu took a train back to Beijing to begin his month-long vacation.

At the same time, on a train from Beijing to Liaodong, a joint investigation team led by Meng Niansheng, the director of the First Inspection Division, was heading to the steel city metallurgical plant to begin its investigation of the No. 4 furnace workshop.

Li Xuewu had no intention of staying in the steel city to strategize, as if that would prove his innocence.

Actually, it doesn't matter. He just wanted to take a vacation, and going back now would actually give him the upper hand.

In fact, Li Haiyang did not recommend that he leave at this time, since Zhou Wanquan and Su Weide were not there, and they could completely keep Meng Niansheng in check.

Li Haiyang was certainly familiar with Meng Niansheng, as was Li Xuewu. Back when Li Xuewu was the head of the security department, Meng Niansheng had been Yang Zongfang's colleague.

Over the years, Yang Zongfang has changed careers and become the executive deputy director of the metallurgical plant, while Meng Niansheng continues to work hard in his position of discipline inspection and supervision.

The reason Li Haiyang said he could keep Meng Niansheng in check was because he had once served as the deputy secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, making him Meng Niansheng's superior.

Now that Zhou Wanquan has sent the other party to investigate Furnace No. 4, who would believe there's no reason behind it?

Therefore, Li Xuewu didn't want to put pressure on Meng Niansheng, nor did he want to make himself uncomfortable, so he let them investigate.

Su Weide wouldn't give up until he found out something, and Li Xuewu wanted him to find out, so he had to.

"Dad—" Li Shu was pleasantly surprised to find her father suddenly appearing at the front door. She thought it was just her imagination.

"Daddy!" She ran over happily and threw herself into her father's arms, her voice trembling with tears.

Li Xuewu has been busy for the past two months and hasn't been home. Even when he temporarily returned to Beijing, he would come back in the middle of the night and leave early in the morning.

Li Shu was really worried and clung to her father's neck, refusing to let go.

Li Shun held a book in his hand, smiling as he looked at the father and daughter, as well as Li Ning, who was sitting next to him, eager to get up and run over.

"Hey! You're back from martial arts training—"

The neighbors in the courtyard came out and greeted him with a smile when they saw him carrying the child in.

Li Xuewu nodded in response, walked through the screen door at the entrance of the back room, then squatted down and looked at his father, asking, "Why are you sitting here?"

"I'll stay here this afternoon; it's cool."

Li Shunzao sized up his son, trying to suppress his smile, and asked casually, "Just got back? Are you home yet?"

"I came over as soon as I dropped off my luggage at home."

Li Xuewu, however, lacked the self-imposed authority of an old father. He smiled and looked at his daughter in his arms, as well as his son and nephew who were sitting upright on a small stool, and asked, "How's your studying? How's it going?"

“Not so good—” Li Tang sighed mischievously and explained, “Grandpa made us recite texts, but we couldn’t understand them.”

"Is that so—" Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and asked, "So what did you guys memorize?"

"Grandpa taught us to recite the rhyme." Li Ning recited it to his father with great enthusiasm: "Ephedra Decoction, Ephedra Decoction uses cinnamon twig, apricot kernel and licorice root; it is suitable for fever, chills, headache and neck pain, shortness of breath and no sweating."

"San'ao Decoction, San'ao Decoction uses ephedra, apricot kernel and licorice, its effect of clearing the lungs and relieving asthma is not low."

He recited two of them, then opened his mouth again, but suddenly stopped, and awkwardly explained in a low voice, "I didn't remember the rest."

"Hehehe—" Li Xuewu chuckled and patted his daughter's back, asking, "Li Shu, how many soup rhymes can you recite?"

"Hmm—" Li Shu just swayed her body and lay on his shoulder, acting like a brat. She didn't want to get up, and she didn't want her father to check her recitation.

Judging from her appearance, she wasn't much better than her brother.

Looking at Li Tang's worried face, he turned to his elderly father, unsure how to comfort him.

"Sigh—" Li Shun put down the book in his hand, sighed helplessly, and said, "I only memorized two paragraphs this afternoon."

Perhaps it's the sense of crisis of having no successor, or the helplessness of not being able to discipline his grandchildren harshly; in any case, this sigh is deafening.

Li Xuewu patted his daughter and comforted her father, saying, "Just hang in there, they're still young, they'll gradually learn to carry more."

He added unnecessarily, "When we were kids, we couldn't even memorize two passages a day."

"Are you still so proud?" Li Shun was reluctant to scold his grandson and granddaughter, but he was willing to scold his son. He glared at him and said, "It's all your fault."

"I—" Li Xuewu looked at his bright-eyed son and his shameless daughter with a wry smile. What did it have to do with him that the two children were learning slowly?

But the old father was unreasonable; he blamed the children for not doing well in their studies, believing that his return had disrupted their learning rhythm.

Well, thank goodness he's his own son, otherwise he'd be hung up as an apology. At this point, even a dog would be guilty of two crimes if it passed by with Li Shun's resentment.

"You're back from martial arts training?" Liu Yin heard the voice coming from the front yard, and only after stepping through the hanging flower gate did she see him. She asked in surprise, "You just came back from Liaodong?"

"Hehe, I came right after I got home."

Li Xuewu explained to his mother with a smile, "The train was delayed, otherwise it would have been earlier. Er Ya is the only one at home."

“I even suggested they come over for dinner.”

Liu Yin walked over, smiled, looked her son up and down, and said, "Are you hungry? There are steamed buns at home from lunch, why don't you have something to eat first?"

"I'm not hungry, let's eat together tonight."

Li Xuewu waved his hand, trying to let go of his daughter, but Li Shu still wouldn't let go, perhaps because she was embarrassed and crying.

"What are you doing?" Liu Yin asked with a smile, reaching out to tug at Li Shu's arm. "You miss your dad that much?"

"Hmm~" Li Shu pouted, burying her head deeply in her father's shoulder, not wanting to answer her grandmother's words.

She knew her grandmother was teasing her, and she was genuinely embarrassed.

"Hehehe—" Li Xuewu explained with a laugh, "He came back and hugged me and cried, as if my dad had taught him a harsh lesson."

"—!" Li Shun was thinking about whether to change his teaching method when he heard his son complaining, and his eyes widened immediately.

"I've always said your dad is too impatient!"

Liu Yin naturally chimed in, "Children are at a mischievous age, they won't be restrained by you."

Li Shun didn't want to argue with his wife, so he just glared at his son for meddling and daring to complain about him.

“It’s no wonder my dad was anxious,” Li Xuewu said, feigning frustration. “Only the third brother has learned the family’s traditional skills; my eldest brother and I are too clumsy.”

"What did you say again?" Liu Yin glared at Li Shun and said, "Our son finally comes home, and he's been going on and on—"

"..." Li Shun's nostrils flared instantly, and he squinted at his son: You little brat, are you asking for a beating?

"Alright, go pick up Gu Ning. She can come over for dinner tonight."

Liu Yin said a few words to Li Shun, then reached out and tugged at Li Shu's arm, saying, "Come on, let's go cook with Grandma. How about we help Grandma start the fire?"

“My mom will be off work soon.” Li Shuzhen was always stirring things up. She let go of her father’s neck, picked at her fingers, and muttered with her head down, “I want to go with Dad to pick up Mom from get off work.”

"Then you won't help Grandma with the fire?" Liu Yin teased her deliberately, saying, "Your grandpa still wants to teach you to recite."

"I miss my mom—" Li Shu kept her head down, but gold nuggets started falling from her eyes, sounding so aggrieved.

"Go away, go away," Liu Yin said with amusement. "It's like we haven't seen each other for ages."

"Dad, I want to go too!" Li Ning couldn't help but jump up from the small stool and said excitedly, "I miss Mom too."

"I miss my second aunt too—"

Li Tang was even more enthusiastic than Li Ning. When he heard that his eldest sister didn't have to memorize her lessons and could ride in the car with his second uncle, he jumped up as well.

"Hehehe—" Li Xuewu chuckled dryly, looking at his father who was blowing his beard and glaring at him, and reminded the three little ones, "We need to get Grandpa's permission first."

"Grandpa—" Taking advantage of being young, Li Ning was the first to rush over and coax her grandfather, saying, "Good grandpa, I miss my mom."

Li Shun gritted his teeth, really wanting to beat his son out with sticks; he had to come and cause trouble while he was supposed to be teaching.

"Grandpa, I miss my second aunt."

Li Xuewu wasn't the only one causing trouble; there was also the self-righteous Li Tang, who was really going all out, clinging to his grandfather's arm and shaking it back and forth.

Li Shu was much more formidable. She stood up from her father's arms and just kept crying, saying, "If you don't let me go, I'll just keep crying."

"Go away, go away, go away, sigh—"

Li Shun propped himself up on his knees, sighed helplessly, and without even glancing at his grinning son, turned and headed towards the west courtyard.

"Yay! Hahaha—"

Li Ning and Li Tang were overjoyed, and even Li Shu stopped crying. She wiped the tears from her face with her little hands and then held her father's hand.

My little darling has grown up. She's not as silly and naughty as she was when she was little anymore. She knows how to coax people, how to pester them, and even how to use her charm and tears.

There's only one girl in the family who knows how to be affectionate; who could resist that?

When Li Yue grows up, Li Shu's level of attention may decrease, but she is still the eldest legitimate daughter of the third generation in the family.

The term "eldest daughter of the principal wife" has been overused and has become somewhat worthless, just like the term "Miss".

But when applied to Li Xue or Li Shu, this word still holds considerable value.

Needless to say, Li Shun's salary was excellent. If it weren't for the fact that the timing wasn't right, Li Xue could have lived the life of a pampered young lady.

Those were years of extreme hunger, and Li Shun was the only one in the family earning money, along with the elderly, the young, and three half-grown boys.

In recent years, as his children have grown up, gotten married, and had children of their own, Li Shun's salary has finally shown its power.

Goodness, that's over seventy yuan.

Don't assume that purchasing power has declined in this era just because Li Xuewu's salary is high. It's because he made great contributions and was promoted quickly.

The real benchmark should be the neighbors in the courtyard; even Li Xuewen's family cannot be compared in ordinary terms.

Both husband and wife are university teachers, highly educated individuals, and receive high salaries and benefits.

Looking at the third couple, one is an attending physician and the other is a branch bureau cadre, so their salaries and living standards are naturally very good.

In other words, Zhao Yafang came from the countryside and lacked the romance of city life; most of her money went to expenses and savings.

Look at Ji Yuxiu and her husband, they spend money so freely.

Whenever there's a new movie, the couple always makes sure to go see it; whenever there's a good restaurant, the couple always makes sure to go there.

Even when it comes to clothing and appearance, if it weren't for their professions, they would definitely be willing to spend money.

Even so, the couple has elderly parents to take care of them, and the house was prepared long ago, so they have almost no pressure and can buy whatever they want.

It was arranged long ago that Li Xuecai would separate his family after getting married, and like Li Xuewu, Li Shun gave him a sum of money.

Li Xuecai and Ji Yuxiu didn't want it, but they were scolded by Liu Yin when they returned it, so they kept it.

However, they have no financial pressure and are young and cheerful, so their wages are enough to make their lives carefree and happy.

Liu Yin couldn't say anything even though she disapproved. Ji Yuxiu was definitely different from Zhao Yafang, as she came from a high-G family and had grown up in different environments.

Sometimes when Ji Yuxiu bought new clothes, Liu Yin would also encourage Zhao Yafang to buy some, to pick out the best ones, and she would pay for them.

The results of it?
Zhao Yafang was different; she didn't take Ji Yuxiu's new clothes seriously at all. As for the concept of money, she had long been immune to it, having managed Li Xuewu's accounts.

It's fair to say that even Gu Ning didn't know how much money Li Xuewu could earn in a year at the recycling station, but Zhao Yafang did.

Speaking of which, isn't it a bit awkward for a brother-in-law to give money to his sister-in-law?

Li Xuewu did offer it, but Zhao Yafang refused. It wasn't that she pretended not to want it; she genuinely didn't want it. Her answer was that she didn't know where to put it.

The couple didn't know where to hide their wages, so they deposited them all in the bank. They considered the large sum of money Li Xuewu gave them as a burden.

Li Xuewen and his wife had discussed this matter before. Li Xuewen knew that his younger brother had given money, but fearing that his wife might have some concerns, he asked her about it.

Zhao Yafang put it bluntly: given the state of her second brother, and considering his character and attitude towards his family, what's the point of them taking the money?
His younger brother's marriage was arranged by his second brother-in-law, and his younger sister's marriage was also arranged by his second brother-in-law; she even moved into his house.

She told Li Xuewen that even if the two of them were to run out of money one day, would Li Xuewu just stand by and do nothing?
It seems like they're supporting the elderly, but in reality, Li Xuewu is the one paying for it, and all the household supplies are provided by Shen Guodong.

If she didn't take that money, managing the accounts for her brother-in-law would be like family; but if she took that money, she would become a colleague working for her brother-in-law.

Therefore, this money should not be taken, even if it is offered to you.

The smartest and most tacitly understanding members of the family were Li Xuewu and her. The uncle and aunt only mentioned money once and never asked about it again.

Zhao Yafang was not short of money. Li Xuecai drove a car to and from get off work, but after only three days, his father-in-law dragged him home by the ear and forbade him from showing off anymore.

Why do I need a car when I can get to my workplace just by farting?
That car was only kept at home for when we went on long trips; it was mostly used by Shen Guodong and his colleagues at the recycling station.

Li Xuewen and her commute is quite long, and even if you bought them a motorcycle, they wouldn't want it because they think it's too dangerous.

I don't need the money anymore. I ride a bicycle to and from get off work, and take the bus on rainy or stormy days. It's safe and convenient.

What does "eldest daughter of the principal wife" mean?

At home, her word carries weight; in her husband's family, Zhao Yafang is the head of the household and the most powerful daughter-in-law.

Li Xuesuan has a wealthy father, a capable brother, and a job.

Li Shu, who lived almost the life of a pampered young lady, with countless toys, excellent upbringing, and parents of high social standing, could be considered one of them.

A basket of oranges on a heated brick bed in Northeast China, wearing yoga pants, too lazy to get out of bed, only knowing how to order her parents and grandparents around, what kind of eldest daughter is she?