Chapter 148: Questioning Ya Li

"Go report your Godfather that you're safe," I said.

Sun Dajun took out his phone, contacted Niu Ju, and reported his safety to him.

Niu Ju arranged over the phone for Sun Dajun to ride over and find him, having something to discuss.

Sun Dajun wanted to take Ya Li away,

I said to Sun Dajun, "Ya Li just came from the south with you, exhausted; let her rest in the company's guest room, and you can meet your Godfather alone."

Ya Li also said, "Sun Dajun, I'm too tired. My headache is severe; you go by yourself."

Sun Dajun could only part from Ya Li reluctantly.

From Sun Dajun's gaze at Ya Li, I could clearly see Sun Dajun's affection for Ya Li.

After Sun Dajun left,

Ya Li also stood up,

"Chairman, it's getting late, I want to go back to rest, you should also rest early."

I looked at Ya Li, my voice deepening,

and sternly said, "Ya Li, sit down, I have something to ask you."

Ya Li looked at me with terrified eyes,

softly said, "Chairman, what is it."

I then took out a cigarette,

lit it, took a drag,

and said, "Ya Li, you are hiding something from me."

After speaking, I stared at Ya Li.

Ya Li's eyes were a bit frantic,

"No, Chairman. I have been truthful with you."

"Ya Li, stop pretending, you think I can't see it?" I continued staring at Ya Li.

After a while, Ya Li slowly said, "Chairman, originally I intended to tell you after some time, but since you saw through it,

then I'll say it: Sun Dajun and I are in love."

Sun Dajun likes me, and I like him.

We are sincere.

"You and Sun Dajun are in love, how should I put it? He is unmarried, you are not married; as long as you are sincere, that's enough, I can only support. Ya Li, you are much older than Sun Dajun; in my eyes, Sun Dajun is still just a child.

As his father, I hope my child can find an ideal partner.

Since he can like you, that's fine; I hope you can bridge the age gap and love each other long-term, that counts as true love."

After hearing my words, Ya Li lowered her head,

"I know, the age gap between Sun Dajun and me—at first I kept rejecting Sun Dajun, but his pursuit was too intense.

I couldn't control my feelings, so I accepted him.

Especially, he went to the south specifically to pick me up for my safety, which moved me greatly.

Chairman, you just said you support us, and I want to tell you thank you for your support.

The love between Sun Dajun and I spans an age gap; I don't know how long this love can last,

and I also know the outcome may not be ideal,

but I like Sun Dajun, I like his straightforwardness.

This liking comes from my heart.

So Chairman, Sun Dajun and I can love each day as it comes.

Everything I say is from the heart,

I also don't wish to marry and have children with him; as long as I'm with him and there's passion, that's enough.

When this passion fades, he and I will part ways," Ya Li said with sincere expression.

After hearing Ya Li's view on love, I found it somewhat unacceptable.

Since the two don't consider longevity or marriage, why do they stay together—just to live for that fleeting passion?

This must be what they call love.

It seems, emotionally, I am truly old.

It truly matches that saying: not caring about eternity, only caring about having once.

I looked at Ya Li and said, "Ya Li, regarding the feelings between you and Sun Dajun, as I said earlier, whatever outcome you two have, I support it.

This situation, I won't ask further. Sun Dajun is grown; whichever girlfriend he has is his freedom.

I will no longer intervene in this matter.

Ya Li, what I want to say is, you still have other things hidden from me.

After I finished speaking, I continued staring at Ya Li's eyes.

Ya Li dodged my gaze,

her evasive glance confirmed my judgment was correct.

Ya Li said nothing.

I continued, "Ya Li, I hope you can sincerely disclose everything you know. I don't want anyone to deliberately hide anything from me."

"Ya Li, it's best if you tell me directly; if I have to investigate and find out, I'm afraid we can't continue chatting like this."

"You know my way of handling things."

Ya Li then slowly lifted her head,

gazing at me.

Ya Li's eyes suddenly flashed with tears,

"Chairman, what do you mean by that?"

I said: "It means nothing; if we can be friends, we continue to associate; if we cannot be friends, then we are enemies, and toward enemies we must not be polite."

"Our Group Company has come to such a perilous situation; I have no way to retreat."

"Chairman, Zhang Zong of the Southern Group has contacted you. Right? What did he say to you?" Ya Li asked anxiously.

"He didn't say anything to me, just said he agreed to our property sale. Moreover, he said someone reported to him that our group wants to sell off all projects,"

"It's not just one housing project. Who in between is deliberately causing conflict between us and the Southern Group? This must be thoroughly investigated." I said, looking at Ya Li.

"This is slander; I told Zhang Zong that Da Heng Group, due to cash flow, wants to advance the sale of one building."

"He never said to sell off all properties. This Zhang Zong is deliberately pushing all the blame onto me. Chairman, please believe me." Ya Li said angrily.

"Of course I believe you; if I didn't, how would I have let the big army bring you here? But trust is mutual—I cannot just believe you unilaterally,"

"you should also believe me."

"Tell me what you know; otherwise I won't believe you."

"The conflict between us and the Southern Group is yours to bear."

"Moreover, if you keep silent, you might not see the big army today, and I will send you to the South."

"I'll take you to see Zhang Zong directly for a confrontation. Hmph, Ya Li, Zhang Zong's tactics are much harsher than mine." I said, taking a puff of a cigarette.

Upon hearing that I would send her back to the South,

Ya Li became even more panicked,

tears like broken beads rolled down,

"Chairman, please, don't send me back to the South. Please. I was wrong, please."

Ya Li cried weakly,

"In terms of feelings, I am no longer a young man in his twenties; I used to soften at the sight of a woman crying, but now seeing Ya Li cry makes me irritable."

I loudly said to Ya Li: "Don't cry, Ya Li, tell me everything you know. Begging me won't help; this society is like that—no need to talk about feelings."

"Between us, it's no longer the past; we are no longer those simple people."

"Both of us have become complicated in society."

"Ya Li, in the face of wealth, feelings are sometimes just a fart; you should understand this."

After I finished speaking, Ya Li nodded,

she herself took a tissue from the table and wiped her tears.

Then she softly said: "Chairman, I understand what you mean. People, when they grow up, lose a bit of meaning. The past was better. Back when we worked in the demolition department, you were really good to me. Do you remember, a dog bit me,"

you stepped in and kicked the dog to death.

Moreover, for me to dare to challenge that hooligan,

you even came to my house to see me.

Chairman, you were truly good to me.

Chairman, I truly wish to return to the past, talking happily with you."

"Ya Li, don't bring up the past again. Just tell me what you're hiding." I shouted angrily.