Chapter 2862

A few minutes later, Zhou Li's counselor came in, a short-haired girl in her twenties, tall and slender, wearing a long dress and glasses, very pretty.

"Principal!" The counselor knocked and entered the office, first greeting Yu Mingshi, then nodding at Liu Zhicheng: "Teacher Liu."

Yu Mingshi said with a smile: "Xiao Wang, I called you here to learn about Zhou Li's situation."

Wang Miao had been waiting for news outside Zhou Li's dormitory. After Yang Xiaojuan returned, she came to the Academic Affairs Office to report, but was then detained by Liu Zhicheng. Because Liu Zhicheng guessed the principal might want to ask him about Zhou Li, he kept Wang Miao there.

Wang Miao asked: "Which aspect?"

Yu Mingshi said: "Studies, family, all-around."

Wang Miao glanced at the documents on the desk: "Zhou Li's family is simple—parents, two older brothers, one older sister, all farmers at home.

Because Zhou Li got into Sun Yat-sen University, her family was worried, so her eldest brother and sister-in-law came to Yangcheng to work, mainly to earn money for her tuition, and also to take care of her..."

Wang Miao spoke for over ten minutes: "Zhou Li studies very hard, and she gets along well with her classmates..."

Yu Mingshi listened silently, nodding occasionally. After Wang Miao finished, he sounded a bit disappointed: "Just that? Nothing else?"

Wang Miao thought for a moment, hesitating slightly: "Also, there's the matter about her grandfather's generation."

"Oh?" Yu Mingshi perked up: "Tell me in detail."

Wang Miao organized her words: "Last year, Zhou Li was in a car accident. Zhou Andong took her to the hospital, not only paying her emergency fees but also donating blood.

After she pulled through and woke up, I went to the hospital to visit her. Then we started talking about Zhou Andong, since he's from Northeast China, and Zhou Li said her grandfather was also from Northeast China, fleeing to Sichuan during the war..."

Hearing this, Yu Mingshi's heart stirred, and he urgently asked: "You mean Zhou Andong and Zhou Li have the same blood type?"

"Yes!" Wang Miao nodded: "Zhou Li's blood type is very rare. The hospital blood bank had none at the time. If Zhou Andong didn't share her blood type, she might not have survived that accident."

Yu Mingshi's heart pounded heavily—Zhou Andong and Zhou Li shared the same surname, the same blood type, and Zhou Li's grandfather was also from Northeast China, fleeing to Sichuan during the war. Could such a coincidence really exist in this world?

Yu Mingshi's mind raced rapidly, and as Wang Miao spoke, she too realized something, her face suddenly changing, her heart pounding: "Principal, could Zhou Andong and Zhou Li be long-lost relatives?"

Liu Zhicheng stared wide-eyed, then realized too: "No... no way."

Yu Mingshi took a deep breath, didn't answer Liu Zhicheng, but his face gradually showed a smile: "This is just our speculation for now—don't spread it."

Liu Zhicheng and Wang Miao said in unison: "We understand."

"Hmm!" Yu Mingshi nodded, then asked: "Has Zhou Li joined the Party?"

Wang Miao shook her head: "No!"

"Then!" Yu Mingshi said: "Tomorrow, have her write a Party application and submit it to me—I'll sponsor her membership."

The recommender and introducer for Party membership differ: the recommender can be a member of the public or a Party member, while the introducer must be two formal Party members from the Party branch. But with Yu Mingshi here, finding another introducer is just a matter of saying a word.

Wang Miao's eyes narrowed: "Tomorrow I'll talk to her."

Yu Mingshi pondered: "Also, ask her if she's interested in joining the Student Union. If she agrees, let her first serve as vice-chair."

Wang Miao's heart fluttered, her voice slightly drifting: "Okay, I'll ask for her opinion."

"Then it's settled." Yu Mingshi waved his hand: "You may go back."

Liu Zhicheng and Wang Miao left with different thoughts, while Yu Mingshi's smile in the office grew more evident—he had made up his mind about Zhou Andong's favor.

…………

On Nanlu Road in Yuexiu, it was still that small club, the second-floor entertainment area, a group of people standing or sitting. Some smoked, some held glasses of red wine, some boredly flipped through magazines.

Everyone involved in the Health Pharmaceuticals case was present, none missing. Besides, there were a few men and women, including two girls: one was Liu Anrong, the other her close friend, that fashionable woman named Huang Liyao. Her presence in such a setting, in this circle, naturally meant her status was not simple.

Liu Anrong remained seated at the piano, not speaking, but looking around with interest, finally fixing her gaze on Wu Hui's face: "Young Master Wu, Zhou Andong has come to Yangcheng, and he arranged people to meet Shen Wenli, the conversation made public and transparent—clearly a provocation against you. Don't you have anything to say?"

"Zhou Andong may be formidable in Jingcheng and Sanbei Province, but Yangcheng is our turf." Zhang Haizi, son of Zhang Dingzhou, political commissar of the Municipal Bureau, fiercely puffed on a cigarette, speaking arrogantly: "Here, he's a dragon coiled, a tiger crouched. If he dares to stand up, we don't mind breaking his legs and sending him a wheelchair."

"Since Zhou Andong dares to stir up trouble in Yangcheng, he must have confidence." Zhang Yifei held his red wine glass, swirling it lightly, speaking casually: "Besides, Zhou Andong's methods are dirty—I needn't say more. You can check his rise; that guy's every step is paved with blood."

As he spoke, Zhang Yifei raised his glass and took a light sip: "So we can't wait. Wait and wait, we might end up passive, finally outmaneuvered by Zhou Andong and suffer a great loss."

Gao Jiang pinched a cigar between his fingers, his originally pale face, under the fluorescent light, appearing even paler, bloodless, giving off a gloomy, chilling feeling.

"I think what Yifei said makes sense." Gao Jiang took a puff of his cigar, the smoke swirling in his mouth before exhaling: "As the saying goes, strike first to gain the upper hand. After all, we don't know what cards Zhou Andong holds, so we can't wait."

Wu Hui pondered: "Then everyone, tell me—how do we strike first?"

"I have an idea." Zhang Yifei tilted his head back and drained his wine glass in one gulp: "The urban complex project by Yushi Real Estate has already started—we can make a move there."

Liu Anrong gave Zhang Yifei a deep look: "The urban complex is a key project for both the city and the province. If you dare to play with this, no one can protect you."