Chapter 244: The Moment to Test Love Has Arrived

"Hao Cuicui wants to make you and Qiangzi her godfathers? Then why didn't she mention it to me?"

After learning of Hao Jian's move, Li Ye was very puzzled. In his view, since Hao Jian had already let his daughter acknowledge Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng and Wang Jianqiang as godfathers, how could he have missed out on him, this "big thigh" to hold onto?

Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng handed Li Ye a cigarette, and while lighting it for him, said, "I originally thought it would be fine for the few of us to be godfathers to little Cuier together,

but when I mentioned it to Dayong, he felt it wasn't appropriate. You and he are both university students, so we decided to let it go."

Li Ye didn't let Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng light his cigarette, instead tucking the roll between his fingertips and spinning it around nimbly.

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

Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng explained to Li Ye, "We don't have many rules in Qingshui County and don't mind it, but in many other places, young people who aren't married yet shouldn't be godfathers or godmothers to children. The partner Dayong is currently seeing is in that situation."

Li Ye said with some amusement, "What partner of Dayong's? She hasn't even married into the family yet! Is she already managing Dayong's affairs?"

In some parts of the Central Plains, there indeed exists the situation Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng mentioned, perhaps due to superstition, or perhaps because it doesn't sound very auspicious.

For example, in the Shangqiu region of northern Henan, there is a custom of not being a godfather or godmother to others if one is not married.

But based on Li Ye's understanding of Li Dayong, he wouldn't care about these things at all! Since Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng and Wang Jianqiang agreed, he shouldn't have politely declined.

Then it must be a problem with that Lin Qiuyan.

Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng smiled meaningfully and said, "Surely one has to be a bit cautious about this! Coming from a prominent family, we can't cause trouble for Dayong."

Li Ye looked at Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng's expression and finally caught on to the meaning.

A prominent family? Lin Qiuyan's old man is just a factory director; what kind of prominent family is that?

This was a reminder for him to be considerate of Watching Wen Leyu's feelings!

Li Ye scoffed and said, "Brother Peng, tell Hao Jian to save a seat for me on the day of the godfather ceremony."

Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng was stunned, then said, "Xiao Ye, shouldn't you ask your mentor about this? Ask your family?"

"Brother Peng, your perspective is too narrow. Why do you think I need to care about other people's opinions? I am who I am, and I will never be controlled by others."

Li Ye glanced at Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng and said confidently, "And believe it or not, even if Watching Wen Leyu doesn't approve of me being a godfather to Cuicui, she would absolutely never stop me."

Hao Peng looked at Li Ye in surprise for a long time before laughing and saying, "Xiao Ye, you're right. Student Wen is excellent; you kid are truly blessed."

【I'm not some phoenix man, who are you saying is blessed? If I'm blessed, it's because I have the strength, alright?】

Li Ye sighed, not wanting to explain further to Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng.

Hao Jian and Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng had clearly already formed a biased conclusion about the relationship between him and Watching Wen Leyu—that if Student Wen has taken a fancy to you, Li Ye, your Li family should be burning high incense!

But the problem is, Li Ye was able to walk all the way to today without relying much on Teacher Ke's help.

He got into Jing University on his own, and the vast wealth was earned through his own advanced vision. He truly "started from a position of strength" and won the affection and approval of Watching Wen Leyu and Teacher Ke's family.

Or rather, Li Ye is the "optimal solution" for Watching Wen Leyu among their peers.

It would be a huge loss for her, Watching Wen Leyu, if she didn't marry him, Li Ye!

On the day Hao Cuicui acknowledged her godfathers, Watching Wen Leyu indeed came along with Li Ye, and even smilingly gave Hao Cuicui a few small gifts, leaving Hao Jian and Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng both delighted and ashamed.

Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng hadn't suggested Hao Jian take the initiative to acknowledge Li Ye as a godfather initially because he didn't want people to say he was currying favor, but if Li Ye could be willing on his own, then it would be good for everyone.

More importantly, Hao Jian is different from Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng, Wang Jianqiang, and Li Dayong.

Li Ye's initial commercial team consists of five people, four of whom are "brothers," the "subordinate troops" firmly gathered around Li Ye.

And Hao Jian, despite running the biggest operation now, is still vaguely an "outsider."

In the past, Hao Jian thought highly of himself, thinking he was an irreplaceable "great general" under Li Ye.

But after one Canton Fair, Hao Jian understood completely.

Thousand-mile horses are common, but Bole is not. There are plenty of capable people in the world, but only Li Ye can "devise strategies within a tent and decide victory a thousand miles away."

So this time, he came to acknowledge the god-kin not just for his daughter, but also to express his own heart.

It's just that this made Li Dayong, who came to attend the banquet, feel a bit awkward.

When Li Ye saw Li Dayong, he also frowned.

This brother hadn't come to the last two gatherings, had lost a whole circle of weight, and his eyes were red and full of bloodshot veins.

"You guys go ahead and get busy for a while; I'm going out to buy some things with Dayong!"

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

Li Dayong doesn't have much presence in their initial commercial team, but Li Ye certainly didn't look down on this close friend he grew up with.

Back in school, when Li Ye was being looked down upon, this bear of a guy didn't say a word before grabbing a stool leg and charging in. A lifetime of friendship was set in those most genuine moments.

They went to a nearby grocery store to buy some snacks before walking back.

"Dayong, are you losing weight recently?"

"Losing weight?" Li Dayong asked confusedly, "Losing what weight?"

Li Ye pursed his lips and said, "You've lost weight recently; it doesn't look good."

In '83, there was no concept of losing weight. If a family had a chubby boy, it was an important standard for superior family living quality, more serious than the comparisons made over private cars in later generations.

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

Li Dayong was stunned for a moment, then looked down and said, "I've been wanting to take the TOEFL recently, and staying up late has made my eyes red, but I haven't lost that many pounds."

"Taking the TOEFL?" Li Ye asked in surprise, "Dayong, do you want to study abroad?"

"Mm~"

Li Dayong nodded and answered dully, his mood clearly having dropped.

Li Ye guessed and asked, "Did you fail the test?"

Li Dayong nodded again, not even answering.

Li Ye asked again, "Did that Lin Qiuyan pass?"

Li Dayong lowered his head even further.

Although he sensed Li Dayong's despondency, Li Ye still asked, "Where is Lin Qiuyan going to study abroad? When does she leave?"

Li Dayong sighed long and hard and said, "She's going to the Lighthouse Country, leaving this summer."

【The moment to test love has arrived.】

Li Ye finally found the "root cause" of Li Dayong's illness.

Not every first love is beautiful, but every first love is passionate and heartfelt. Once lost, it's inevitable to feel a heart-wrenching pain for a period of time.

For Li Dayong, who had been single for twenty years, suddenly coming into contact with a girl and suddenly touching "love," it was perfectly normal for his IQ to plummet.

Li Ye patted Li Dayong on the shoulder and encouraged him, "Believe me, Dayong, studying abroad is nothing extraordinary. Your brilliant life has only just begun."

Li Dayong shook his head and asked desolately, "Brother, can money really buy love?"

"How do you know it can't?"

Li Ye felt it was inappropriate after blurting it out, because this sentence didn't apply to him. At the very least, Watching Wen Leyu's love couldn't be bought with money.

Li Dayong laughed twice and said, "I've tried. I bought her the best clothes and the best shoes, but she said I was too materialistic and lacked a soul..."

"I told her I had hundreds of thousands in family assets, but she mocked me for being too vulgar, not putting my energy into studying and struggling..."

"A few days ago, she passed the TOEFL, but I didn't. She said I lacked ambition and was addicted to the affluent living environment my family created for me."

Li Ye said directly, "Lin Qiuyan doesn't believe you have hundreds of thousands, right?"

Li Dayong was stunned for a moment and remained silent, clearly having been hit on the mark by Li Ye.

Li Ye couldn't help but say, "Dayong! You said too much, so much that they didn't dare to believe it. Didn't you just become a big liar?"

In '83, for a student in his early twenties to possess hundreds of thousands of yuan—it would be strange if a girl with Lin Qiuyan's perspective believed it.

Li Dayong: "..."

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

Li Dayong pondered for a few seconds and said like a broken record, "Love is the most noble and pure emotion in the world. It is like the light at dawn, illuminating our souls..."

"Get, get, get, you've been brainwashed."

Li Ye couldn't listen anymore, interrupted Li Dayong, and said, "Love isn't that complicated. It's just two people—I like you, you like me.

Love is just two people—you are willing to be with me, and I am willing to be with you.

Love is just me feeling happy and joyful when I'm with you, and you feeling comfortable and happy when you're with me. After leaving each other, we will miss each other and feel very painful."

"..."

"Then Dayong, tell me now," Li Ye looked into Li Dayong's eyes and asked, "Is Lin Qiuyan actively liking being with you? When you are with Lin Qiuyan, do you feel relaxed, happy, and feel happiness from the bottom of your heart?"

Li Dayong: "..."

Li Ye asked again, "Dayong, do you think Lin Qiuyan will feel painful after leaving you?"

Li Dayong was stunned for a long time before saying without much confidence, "She probably will! We agreed that we would write letters to each other when the time comes. I'll review well for a year and strive to go to the Lighthouse next year too."

Li Ye had to admire the love of the eighties; it was so persistent and singular.

Seeing Li Dayong's appearance, Li Ye also understood why he wasn't willing to be a godfather to Hao Cuicui.

At this very moment, he perhaps didn't dare to defy Lin Qiuyan. He was afraid that if he just made a tiny "mistake," he might break this first love.

Look at him, where would he know that in a person's life, who doesn't make mistakes?

If Lin Qiuyan wanted to pick his faults, even the wrong color of his underwear would be an unforgivable sin.

Li Ye put his arm around Li Dayong's shoulder and said while walking, "Dayong, give each other a year.

As long as you and Lin Qiuyan can keep writing letters for a year, regardless of whether you can pass the TOEFL, Brother will help you go to the Lighthouse and let you two lovers finally get married."

Li Dayong suddenly broke free from Li Ye's arm, looked at Li Ye in shock, and said, "Brother, do you have a way to let me go to the Lighthouse?"

Li Ye didn't make a guarantee, but said ambiguously, "If you believe me, just wait a year."

Li Dayong was half-believing and half-doubting, unable to determine if Li Ye was comforting him or if he really had the certainty to get him to the Lighthouse to study abroad. After all, there were countless people fighting for a quota to go abroad now, unless he used the connections on Teacher Ke's side.

But based on Li Dayong's understanding of Li Ye, he shouldn't use such backdoors.

But thinking about Li Ye's "battle record" over the past year, it didn't seem impossible.

Back then, Li Dayong was still working hard to get into a vocational school, but Li Ye said, "As long as you learn from me, everyone can get into an undergraduate program."

Then, the eight-person small group all got into undergraduate programs, and they were undergraduate programs in the capital.

Back then, Li Ye "joined the partnership" with his own bicycle, and in just two years, he let himself possess hundreds of thousands in assets.

Ever since that three-day high fever that year, this "big brother" who was only a few months older than him seemed to have really been entrusted by the Old Huaiye in a dream, becoming omnipotent.

"Brother, I believe you. Within a year, if she changes her heart, then I'm blind."

"Good, this is my good brother."

Li Ye really wasn't just comforting Li Dayong.

A few days ago, Luo Runbo had just called Li Ye, telling Li Ye that his earnings in Hang Seng futures were already approaching eight figures, and asked Li Ye whether to adjust the financial leverage.

Luo Runbo was both excited and worried, because he had been in the industry for many years and had seen too many situations where people didn't stop while ahead and ended up with nothing. Reminding Li Ye now was also a professional ethic of a trader.

And now, there were still one or two hundred points away from the expected target of seven hundred points. It is estimated that by then, Li Ye's profit amount would increase by five, six, seven, or eight times.

By that time, wouldn't it be easy to get Li Dayong to the Lighthouse?

It's just that Li Ye felt his good intentions might not be needed.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 245 =====