Chapter 244: The Moment to Test Love Has Arrived

"Hao Cuicui wants to recognize you and Qiangzi as her adoptive fathers? Then why didn't he mention it to me?"

After learning of Hao Jian's actions, Li Ye was deeply puzzled; in his view, if Hao Jian had already let his daughter recognize Jin Peng and Wang Qiangiang as adoptive fathers, how could he possibly overlook Li Ye himself—this "thigh"?

Jin Peng handed Li Ye a cigarette, lighting it for him as he said: "I originally thought all of us could be Xiao Cui's adoptive fathers together,

but when I mentioned it to Dayong, he thought it wasn't appropriate—you and he are both college students, so we decided to drop it."

Li Ye didn't let Jin Peng light his cigarette; instead, he held the cigarette between his fingertips, spinning it skillfully.

"Dayong thought it wasn't appropriate? Why?"

Jin Peng explained to Li Ye: "In Qingshui County, we have few customs and don't care much, but in many other places, unmarried young men can't serve as adoptive fathers to children—Dayong's current girlfriend is exactly such a case."

Li Ye chuckled: "What girlfriend? She hasn't even crossed the threshold yet! Already controlling Dayong's affairs?"

In some parts of Zhongguo, there really were such customs—perhaps due to superstition, perhaps because it just sounded bad.

For example, in Shangqiu of northern Henan, there was a tradition that unmarried people couldn't become adoptive parents.

But knowing Li Dayong as he did, Li Ye knew he wouldn't care about such things! If Jin Peng and Wang Qiangiang had agreed, he shouldn't have refused.

So it must be Lin Qiuyan's issue.

Jin Peng smiled meaningfully and said: "You definitely have to consider this—she's from a high-status family; we can't cause Dayong trouble."

Li Ye looked at Jin Peng's expression and finally understood.

High-status family? Lin Qiuyan's father was just a factory director—what high-status family?

This was a reminder to him: be mindful of Wen Leyu's feelings!

Li Ye snorted and said: "Pengge, tell Hao Jian—on the day of the adoption ceremony, leave me a seat."

Jin Peng froze, then said: "Xiao Ye, shouldn't you ask the Private Secretary? Or your family?"

"Pengge, your vision is too narrow. Why do you assume I need to care about others' opinions? I am who I am—I answer to no one."

Li Ye glanced at Jin Peng and said confidently: "Besides, do you believe that even if Wen Leyu doesn't approve of me being Cui Cui's adoptive father, she'll still stop me?"

Jin Peng stared at Li Ye for a long moment, then laughed: "You're right, Xiao Ye—Wen Xuetong is truly exceptional; you're a lucky fellow."

【I'm not some gold-digger—why are you saying who's lucky? It's because I have strength, damn it!】

Li Ye sighed, no longer wanting to explain to Jin Peng.

Hao Jian and Jin Peng clearly held a skewed belief about his relationship with Wen Leyu—Wen Xuetong chose Li Ye, so the Li family should be burning incense in gratitude!

But the truth was, Li Ye hadn't relied much on Professor Ke's favor to get where he was today.

He got into Beijing University on his own, earned his fortune through foresight—he truly earned Wen Leyu and Professor Ke's family's affection and approval from a position of strength.

Or rather, Li Ye was the optimal solution among his peers for Wen Leyu.

If Wen Leyu didn't marry Li Ye, she'd be the one suffering a massive loss!

On the day Hao Cuicui formally adopted her fathers, Wen Leyu came with Li Ye, smiling as she gave Hao Cuicui several small gifts, leaving Hao Jian and Jin Peng both delighted and ashamed.

Jin Peng had originally advised against Hao Jian proactively suggesting adoption by Li Ye, fearing accusations of flattery—but if Li Ye willingly agreed, then everyone benefited.

More importantly, Hao Jian was different from Jin Peng, Wang Qiangiang, and Li Dayong.

Li Ye's initial business team had five members; four were "brothers," tightly bound to Li Ye as his loyal troops.

Hao Jian, despite now running the largest operation, still felt like an outsider.

In the past, Hao Jian had considered himself irreplaceable—a top general under Li Ye.

But after the Guangjiao Society, he finally understood.

Good horses are common, but true judges of talent are rare; the world is full of capable people, yet only Li Ye could strategize from afar and win victories.

So this time, when he came to adopt, it wasn't just for his daughter—it was to declare his loyalty.

But this made Li Dayong, who came to sit at the table, feel embarrassed.

When Li Ye saw Li Dayong, he frowned.

This brother hadn't shown up for two meals in a row—he'd lost weight, his eyes red and bloodshot.

"You guys keep busy for a bit—I'm taking Dayong out to buy something."

Li Ye pulled Li Dayong outside and wandered aimlessly along the empty road.

Li Dayong had little presence in the startup team, but Li Ye never underestimated his old friend.

Back in school, when Li Ye was mocked, this bear had grabbed a chair leg and charged in without hesitation—true friendship was forged in raw sincerity.

They bought some snacks from a nearby grocery store and headed back.

"Dayong, are you dieting?"

"Dieting?" Li Dayong frowned. "Dieting for what?"

Li Ye pursed his lips. "You've lost weight. You look bad."

In 1983, "dieting" didn't exist as a concept; a chubby boy was a sign of family prosperity—more prized than owning a private car in later years.

Li Dayong's bear-like frame was his mother's proudest badge.

Li Dayong paused, then lowered his head. "I've been studying for TOEFL, pulling all-nighters—my eyes are red, but I haven't lost much weight."

"TOEFL?" Li Ye exclaimed. "Dayong, you're thinking of studying abroad?"

"Mm~"

Li Dayong nodded, his voice flat, his mood clearly sinking.

Li Ye guessed: "You didn't pass?"

Li Dayong nodded again, not even answering.

Li Ye pressed: "Did Lin Qiuyan pass?"

Li Dayong's head dropped even lower.

Though sensing Li Dayong's sorrow, Li Ye asked: "Where is Lin Qiuyan going to study? When is she leaving?"

Li Dayong sighed deeply. "She's going to the Lighthouse Nation. This summer."

【The moment to test love has arrived.】

Li Ye finally found Li Dayong's "illness."

Not every first love is beautiful, but every first love is intense, heartfelt—and once lost, it leaves aching pain.

Li Dayong, who had been single for twenty years, suddenly encountering a girl and touching "love," had seen his IQ plummet—completely normal.

Li Ye patted Li Dayong's shoulder. "Believe me, Dayong—studying abroad isn't that impressive. Your real life has only just begun."

Li Dayong shook his head, despondent: "Brother, can money really buy love?"

"How do you know it can't?"

Li Ye blurted it out, then realized it was inappropriate—his own relationship with Wen Leyu certainly wasn't bought with money.

Li Dayong chuckled bitterly. "I tried. I bought her the best clothes, the best shoes—she said I was materialistic, soulless."

"I told her I had hundreds of thousands saved—she mocked me as vulgar, said I didn't focus on studying or striving."

"She passed TOEFL recently, but I didn't—she said I'm lazy, content with the comfortable life my family gave me."

Li Ye cut straight: "Does Lin Qiuyan not believe you have hundreds of thousands?"

Li Dayong froze, silent—Li Ye had hit the mark.

Li Ye couldn't help saying: "Dayong, you told her too much—so much she couldn't believe it. Now you're just a liar."

In 1983, a twenty-something student possessing hundreds of thousands? Of course Lin Qiuyan wouldn't believe it.

Li Dayong: "."

Li Ye sighed. "Dayong, what do you think true love is?"

Li Dayong thought for several seconds, then recited like a tape recorder: "Love is the noblest, purest emotion in the world—it's like dawn light, illuminating our souls."

"Enough, enough—you've been brainwashed."

Li Ye cut him off. "Love isn't that complicated—it's two people who like each other.

Love is when you want to be with me, and I want to be with you.

Love is feeling happy and joyful together, feeling comfortable and delighted—missing each other painfully when apart."

"."

"So, Dayong," Li Ye looked into his eyes, "is Lin Qiuyan genuinely happy being with you? When you're with her, do you feel light, joyful, truly happy?"

Li Dayong: "."

Li Ye asked again: "Do you think Lin Qiuyan will feel pain when she leaves you?"

Li Dayong stared blankly for a long time, then said weakly: "I suppose so—we promised to write letters. I'll study hard this year and try to go to the Lighthouse Nation next year."

Li Ye had to admire the purity of 1980s love.

Seeing Li Dayong's state, he understood why he refused to be Hao Cuicui's adoptive father.

Right now, he dared not defy Lin Qiuyan—he feared even a tiny "mistake" might end this first love.

But how could he know that everyone makes mistakes in life?

If Lin Qiuyan wanted to find fault, even the color of his underwear would be unforgivable.

Li Ye put his arm around Li Dayong's shoulder as they walked. "Dayong, give each other a year.

As long as you and Lin Qiuyan keep writing letters for a year, whether or not you pass TOEFL, I'll get you to the Lighthouse Nation—I'll make sure you two end up together."

Li Dayong jerked away from Li Ye's arm, stunned: "Brother, you have connections to get me to the Lighthouse Nation?"

Li Ye didn't promise. "If you believe me, wait a year."

Li Dayong was doubtful—was Li Ye comforting him, or did he truly have a way to secure him a study-abroad spot? After all, overseas slots were fiercely contested—unless he used Professor Ke's connections.

But knowing Li Ye, he wouldn't take that backdoor route.

Yet considering Li Ye's achievements over the past year—it didn't seem impossible.

Originally, Li Dayong was struggling to pass the entrance exam for a vocational or junior college, but Li Ye said, "As long as you study with me, everyone can get into university."

Then, the eight of them all got into university—universities in Jingcheng.

At first, Li Ye contributed his own bicycle to the group, and in just two years, he built up a personal fortune of hundreds of thousands.

Since that three-day high fever, this "older brother," who was only a few months older than him, seemed as if Lao Huai had visited him in a dream—now capable of anything.

"Brother, I believe in you. If she changes her heart within a year, I'll be blind."

"Good—that's my true brother."

Li Ye wasn't just offering empty comfort to Li Dayong.

A few days ago, Luo Runbo called Li Ye and told him his profits from Hengsheng Futures had nearly reached eight digits, and he asked Li Ye whether to adjust the financial leverage.

Luo Runbo was both excited and anxious; having worked in the field for years, he'd seen too many who failed to quit while ahead and ended up with nothing. His warning to Li Ye was simply professional integrity.

Now, they were still one or two hundred points away from the 700-point target; by then, Li Ye's profits might multiply five, six, seven, or even eightfold.

At that point, getting Li Dayong to Dengta wouldn't be easy—it would be effortless.

Still, Li Ye felt his good intentions might not even be needed.

(End of chapter)