Chapter 262: Sweetness

At dinner, Xiao Gu Li Mingxiang and her family also came over.

There was dog meat on the table—two large steaming pots—so everyone ate heartily.

After eating, Wu Juying took the women to another room, leaving only the men in the main hall.

Li Ye understood this was probably about San Shui.

Sure enough, Li Zhongfa looked at Li Ye and said: "Old Hu told me today what you did. What were you thinking?"

Li Ye was about to speak when his father Li Kaichian cut in: "When Xiao Ye came back by car, he saw us being schemed against and couldn't swallow his anger—but we never even touched that motorcycle."

Although Li Zhongfa had already heard it from driver Old Hu, he listened patiently as Li Kaichian repeated it again.

Then, after a moment's thought, he said gravely: "If that's the case, we still can't get any leverage on San Shui. This won't be easy."

Xiao Gu's husband Zhao Yuanchao nodded: "It's not easy. San Shui learned a lot from Jin Peng; the motorcycles he smuggled in are all sold through the provincial capital."

Even the people in our county who buy motorcycles pick them up in the provincial capital—we can't catch them red-handed."

Li Ye was stunned. At first, when Li Zhongfa asked him, he thought it was about chasing San Shui into the ditch that morning and that they were going to cover for him. He never imagined they were plotting to take down San Shui outright.

Just popping three tires with no evidence? Hard to pull off.

Li Ye thought it over and decided to reveal a little of the truth.

"Grandpa, I just wanted San Shui to lie in the hospital for a few months, stay within Qingshui County, and wait for the storm you mentioned."

"The storm I mentioned was just a guess—I'm not certain. Don't listen to your father—"

Li Zhongfa suddenly fell silent, lifting his head to stare at Li Ye with sharp eyes.

"Xiao Ye, did you hear something in Beijing?"

After Li Zhongfa spoke, Li Kaichian and Zhao Yuanchao both turned their gazes toward Li Ye.

The duck knows the spring river's warmth first—every policy in Great Flower Country originates in Beijing. Given Ke Laoshi's connections, it's entirely possible Li Ye heard whispers beyond ordinary people's reach.

Li Ye didn't answer directly, only said calmly: "I heard rumors, but I can't confirm them."

Li Kaichian glared: "What's with all the hesitation? These are your elders—why are you hiding things?"

Li Ye was speechless. Even the most skilled fortune-teller doesn't speak outright—it shortens your life!

Li Zhongfa snapped at Li Kaichian: "Sit down. Don't treat Li Ye like a child—he knows better than you what to say and what not to."

Li Kaichian choked back his anger. He felt entitled to scold Li Ye—but Li Zhongfa could scold him too.

So Li Kaichian and Zhao Yuanchao could only gaze at Li Ye with wounded looks, deploying the pressure of familial affection.

Li Ye thought again, then said: "I can't confirm it, but I estimate the storm will come—soon, in one or two months; if not, then three or four."

"."

Li Kaichian and Zhao Yuanchao exchanged glances, both stunned.

Zhao Yuanchao couldn't help asking: "Xiao Ye, is that timeline accurate?"

He was chief of the North City Police Station—this matter affected him most. If he had exclusive intelligence, he could do far more.

"Enough questions."

Li Zhongfa sternly silenced his son and son-in-law, then turned directly to Zhao Yuanchao: "Tomorrow, gather records—anyone who's plagued the village but you can't touch, document them now. Whether you seize the chance depends on you."

Zhao Yuanchao quickly replied: "Understood, Father. I'll start tomorrow. What about San Shui?"

"Don't worry about San Shui for now. Follow Xiao Ye's path—he has a record, he won't escape."

Li Zhongfa turned to Li Kaichian: "Tomorrow, ask relatives and your fellow disciples—anyone causing trouble lately? If so, pay compensation immediately, go to jail if needed—no Jiaoxing."

Li Kaichian hurried to say: "None, Father. Since last year I've warned them—if anyone ruins Xiao Ye's future, don't blame me—"

"."

Watching the three adults speak and arrange matters one after another, Li Ye deeply felt Grandpa Li Zhongfa's authority—once he gave an order, whether workshop director or police chief, no one dared disobey.

Finally, Li Zhongfa looked at Li Ye and asked: "How many days will you stay in Qingshui? If there's nothing else, go back to Beijing."

Li Ye said: "I won't stay long. After Er Gou's wedding the day after tomorrow, I'll leave."

Li Zhongfa thought a moment: "That Chen kid from North City? How close are you? Don't rush to befriend everyone—there are plenty trying to cling to you now. Keep your eyes open."

Li Ye replied: "I know, Grandpa. Er Gou has improved—he's a manager in Pengcheng's Seventh Factory. Besides, he has a grudge against San Shui. I'm worried Jin Peng can't hold the line."

Li Ye returned to Qingshui specifically for Er Gou's wedding.

Over the past year, Er Gou had grown considerably—he was practically "upper management" at Pengcheng's Seventh Factory. How could Li Ye, his big "boss," not show up for such a major event?

Moreover, back in Yangcheng, Li Ye and Hao Jian had arranged for Er Gou to record San Shui. San Shui hated him deeply—Li Ye's return was truly to lend support.

"Pfft~," Xiao Gu's husband Zhao Yuanchao chuckled, "Jin Peng isn't soft. Is there anything in Qingshui County he can't control?"

Li Ye smiled: "Weddings are happy occasions. If San Shui ruins Er Gou's wedding, the whole village will be scandalized."

"He won't," Zhao Yuanchao said. "Er Gou's turned over a new leaf—he's worth more than gold now. I'll come to the wedding myself."

"Alright, that's meaningful."

Li Ye smiled, finding it interesting.

Er Gou used to be a poor street thug; now he's a success story—truly inspiring.

The next afternoon, Li Ye took out his wedding clothes and asked his sister Li Yue to iron them.

Summer clothes were simple: one pair of pants, one shirt, and a pair of shoes.

But Li Yue said: "Let your sister do it—I'm busy now."

Li Ye looked at Li Yue, wondering if she was blaming him for favoring his step-sisters.

He'd treated both step-sisters well these past two days—but he hadn't neglected his real sister either. Among the gifts he brought back, hers were the most numerous.

After being stared at for a long while, Li Yue finally blurted: "Xiao Ye, even Er Gou's a manager now, and Han Chunlan rides a motorcycle. Am I so useless you don't even notice me?"

Li Ye finally understood—Li Yue was tired of her dead-end salary at the office.

Li Ye smiled: "Sis, you need to talk to Grandpa. I wouldn't dare arrange anything without him."

Li Yue held a "golden bowl" in the Grain Bureau—countless people envied her. To quit required Grandpa Li Zhongfa's approval.

Li Yue puffed out her cheeks, gritted her teeth: "Isn't that just one word from you? Brothers stick together—I'm no worse than any man."

Li Ye thought carefully: "Sis, I won't stop you from quitting—but what you do afterward isn't up to you. It's my call."

Li Yue beamed, nodding eagerly: "Fine! You always ran things at home anyway—I'll follow your lead."

Li Ye, fearing future resentment, added: "Sis, don't think coming with me means you'll be a boss."

"You must start from the bottom. I'll give you money if you're short—but your salary won't be higher than anyone else's."

"Who are you looking down on? If I can't outperform others, I won't take a salary."

Li Yue glared: "I'm not begging for food—I'll earn my keep by ability. Didn't Grandpa put me in the bureau starting from the bottom?"

Li Yue was a high school graduate. Though she failed the college entrance exam two years ago, her grades were far better than Li Ye's at the start—her ambition was high.

"Alright, alright. I'll tell Grandpa tonight. Just iron my clothes first—they're all wrinkled."

"Hmph~"

Li Yue shot Li Ye a glare, then happily began ironing his clothes.

She'd never left Qingshui County in her life. Now she could go to Beijing, even Yangcheng and Hong Kong—she was overjoyed.

Li Ye slipped out quietly to find Grandpa Li Zhongfa.

Seeing Li Ye's expression, Li Zhongfa smiled: "Your sister came to you?"

Li Ye nodded, smiling: "She wants to travel with me. What do you think?"

Li Zhongfa said cheerfully: "What can I say? Let her go! If her heart's restless, can I tie her to the house?"

Li Ye probed: "Does she have a boyfriend? Should I bring him too?"

Grandma Wu Juying snapped: "No one! She's met several, but none suited her. She can't stand gossip. Let her go see the world—she thinks every mountain looks higher than the last."

Fine—as long as you agree.

It's not that she sees higher mountains—it's that she's already standing on one.

"Beep-beep-beep!"

After dinner, a horn sounded outside.

Li Ye and the two sisters stepped out and saw Hao Jian—and a brand-new Crown sedan.

Li Juan and Li Ying stared wide-eyed at the glossy black car, wanting to touch it but afraid to.

Li Ye didn't ask how Hao Jian got the car—he just reached for the keys and opened the door.

"Go get your sister. I'm taking you all for a drive."

The two girls stared at the leather seats, shrinking back.

"We… don't need to ride, Brother. We won't sit."

"Enough nonsense. Go get your sister. Get in!"

When Li Yue came out, Li Ye herded all three sisters into the car, stepped on the gas, and drove out of the county, heading south for half an hour until they reached the edge of the provincial capital.

The three sisters felt the speed, watched the provincial capital appear in an instant, and were deeply awed.

Li Ye tapped the steering wheel and murmured: "Do you see now? The world outside is vast. To leave, you need either excellent grades, good luck, or real ability."

Li Juan pressed her face to the window, babbling: "Oh oh, I'll study hard, Brother—I promise!"

Younger sister Li Ying nodded constantly, her eyes greedily drinking in the "glory" of the provincial capital, lost in thought.

Older sister Li Yue remained calm, examining several cassette tapes.

She felt she was decent at studying, decent at skills, and crucially—lucky to have a powerful younger brother. She had all three.

Li Ye took one cassette, slipped it into the player.

"Tomorrow, go to your father. Have him help you get a driver's license—it'll be useful in Beijing."

Li Yue exclaimed in surprise, "What? Me learn to drive? I can even drive a car?"

Li Ye said, "You absolutely can. I'm giving you two months—come to Jingcheng in autumn, I'll be waiting."

"Sweet, sweet, your smile is sweet, like flowers blooming in the spring breeze, blooming in the spring breeze."

Deng Lijun's "Sweet" began to play; the three girls in the car gazed out the window at the swiftly passing sunset, their minds wandering, their hearts lost somewhere in the sweetness.

(End of Chapter)