Chapter 294: One Hundred Percent Profit? I

In 1983, National Day meant no more to Li Ye than it had in 1982.

Every unit hung banners reading "Celebrate National Day," some even hung lanterns or posted slogans—red and green, lively and festive.

Li Ye wasn't interested in slogans, only in the National Day parade, but last year he could only watch from afar, and this year he still could only watch from afar.

Even if his grandfather Li Zhong came, he wouldn't be able to squeeze into the frontmost area of the square.

"Can you see it? I can't."

Wen Leyu stood beside Li Ye, tiptoeing desperately to peer into the distance, her eyes filled with the same curiosity and longing.

Wen Leyu wasn't some giddy girl obsessed with novelty—this showed just how much the National Day parade meant to people at the time.

Seeing several parents nearby carrying their children on their shoulders, Li Ye tugged at Wen Leyu's sleeve; the little girl obediently leaned her head close, the surrounding noise too loud to hear anything unless she pressed close.

Li Ye whispered: "If you ride on my shoulders, you'll see."

Wen Leyu slowly turned her face, squinting at Li Ye with a half-smile.

【Girl, don't get the wrong idea!】

Wen Leyu pouted: "You're a grown man—letting a woman ride on you? Aren't you ashamed?"

Li Ye couldn't help swallowing hard and said: "Anyone else riding me? No way. But you? I'd be happy to."

Wen Leyu frowned sharply: "Get lost. I'd be the one embarrassed if I rode you!"

In the future, girls riding on their boyfriends' shoulders was no big deal—they'd laugh and flash peace signs—but back then, a girl riding a boy's shoulders drew more attention than a monkey show.

"And if you ever treat me like a kid again, I'll bite you."

Wen Leyu glared at Li Ye with a threatening look and gave his shin a light kick—like a big cat annoyed by petting, kicking to show displeasure.

Li Ye often ruffled Wen Leyu's hair, and she'd protested many times already—not to treat her like a child—now he wanted to hoist her onto his shoulders again?

Sigh, girls in 1983 didn't understand anything.

After tiptoeing for ages and still seeing nothing, Wen Leyu finally said: "Can't see anything. Let's go. There are candy apples over there—I'll treat you."

Li Ye followed slowly, watching Wen Leyu pull out her wallet and walk confidently toward the candy apple vendor, unable to suppress the smile on his face.

Though she forbade Li Ye from treating her like a child, her light, joyful steps were no different from those of the carefree girls he remembered from his dreams.

Wen Leyu bought two candy apples, holding one in each hand, comparing them, then decisively handed the smaller one to Li Ye.

"This one's bigger—here, eat it."

Li Ye didn't correct her, took it, and bit into it.

The hawthorn candy apples in October were fresh—tart and sweet, exactly like the flavor he'd dreamed of.

In the afternoon, Li Ye and Wen Leyu carried meat and vegetables, strolling home like a young married couple to Zaojunmiao.

It wasn't that they couldn't afford to eat out—mainly, Li Ye had been busy dining with teammates and Li Huai and others for days, hadn't fed Wen Leyu in a while, feared she'd lose weight if he didn't.

They'd just finished a warm dinner when car sounds came from outside; Jin Peng and Pei Wencong entered the courtyard carrying bags of vegetables.

Wen Leyu had already eaten her fill and was ready to return to school, so Li Ye had Jin Peng drive her back.

Pei Wencong went straight into the kitchen and began cooking with nimble hands.

Li Ye smiled and asked: "What? Don't the Cantonese restaurants in Beijing suit your taste, Boss Pei? You're cooking yourself?"

Pei Wencong shook his head: "I haven't had a proper meal in days—almost three meals of alcohol a day. Didn't eat lunch, barely escaped being cornered by people from the film studio tonight, and only made it here thanks to Jin Peng. Gotta fill my belly first."

"Alright, I'll help you."

They worked together efficiently and prepared several decent Cantonese dishes.

"Your cooking's good, Old Pei!"

"When I was little, my mom worked as a helper for family-run stalls—I was her assistant. Later, they got rich, but my mom and I lost our jobs."

"Heh, Old Pei, you've got a story."

"Story?" Pei Wencong sighed. "If I succeed, my hardships become a good story. If I fail, it's not a story—it's a joke."

The food was served; Li Ye ate a little with Pei Wencong, but halfway through, Pei Wencong put down his bowl, lifted his head, eyes blazing.

"Mr. Li, today—I really want to drink some wine."

「」

"Why?"

Li Ye smiled, picked up the Maotai he'd prepared earlier, and poured Pei Wencong a glass.

"Because in my life—"

Pei Wencong paused a long while, then downed the glass in one gulp and said with relief: "Because in my life, I've never been respected like this today—or rather—"

After struggling for a moment, he said: "Until today, I finally understood what it feels like to be respected."

Li Ye poured him another glass and asked: "Tell me more."

Pei Wencong drank it down again: "Today, I went with officials to attend the National Day parade. We passed through multiple checkpoints—every time we were checked, the crowds nearby, the crowds far away, looked at me with warmth and envy."

"And I'm certain they envied me not because I was rich—I didn't wear a sign saying 'I'm a billionaire.'"

"And every officer who checked me saluted me afterward. I've seen police salute in Hong Kong—but it was nothing like this."

"And when I stood on that platform, I looked out and saw a sea of people stretching beyond sight."

"A senior official beside me chatted with me for a while—guess his rank?"

I'd guess your sister—you're showing off nonstop? Think you're special?

But Pei Wencong clearly didn't notice, excitedly continuing: "He was about the same rank as the Governor of Hong Kong—overseeing millions. And when people around learned I was from Hong Kong, they instantly became gentler—I could feel their warmth toward me."

"I paid so much tax to the British Hong Kong government, but never felt this closeness."

Li Ye poured Pei Wencong another glass and asked: "Do you know why they felt close to you?"

Pei Wencong blinked, puzzled: "Why?"

Li Ye held up one finger: "First, they recognize you as one of us. Don't you dare mention your British Hong Kong passport—they'll show you what 'patriotic justice' means."

Li Ye held up two fingers: "Second, you came too early."

Pei Wencong frowned: "Too early? What does that mean?"

Li Ye said: "I won't explain in detail—you'll understand later. But I'll tell you: those who come early eat meat; those who come late are lucky to lick the broth."

Pei Wencong stared at Li Ye, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

A poor boy who got into the University of Hong Kong must have high intelligence, and after years of struggling in Hong Kong, how could he not understand Li Ye's meaning?

"Mr. Li, how big is this meat?"

"You're greedy," Li Ye smiled. "I don't know how big the meat is—but do you think, given Hong Kong's current class barriers, you can catch up to Li Ka-shing with just sharp vision and superb business skills?"

Pei Wencong:

Catch up to Li Ka-shing?

Pei Wencong had never dared dream of such a thing, not even in his dreams.

Just over a year ago, his dream was to own a real "ocean-view office."

How many ocean-view offices did Li Ka-shing have?

Pei Wencong swallowed hard and asked: "Then what's the key?"

Li Ye said calmly: "The tide. Unification—that's the tide."

Pei Wencong hesitated only a second before asking: "How much money do I need to eat meat?"

Li Ye nearly laughed in his face—did he think the British Empire was selling noble titles? Did he even know what "vision" meant?

But Li Ye still answered: "One, earn two. The more, the better."

"One hundred percent profit?"

"More than that."

"I'm in."