Chapter 322: A Man Is Forever a Boy

"Xiao Yue, if I remember correctly, you only graduated from high school—how do you have the nerve to look down on a junior college student?"

"I always thought you were a smart and well-behaved child—whose bad habits did you pick up to become so vain?"

Li Ye's aunt-by-marriage, Cui Zhizhi, finally lost his patience and scolded Li Yue indirectly.

His wife, Li Mingyue, chimed in: "Exactly! Xiao Yue, do you know how hard it is to get into junior college? Aiguo is third in the entire school."

As Li Mingyue mentioned Cui Aiguo, she noticed everyone's expressions darken.

She quickly corrected herself, turning to Wu Juying: "Mom, don't think just because Xiao Ye got into Beijing University's undergraduate program that a bachelor's degree is like jujubes on a tree—you just hit the branch and they all fall into your basket."

"Xiao Ye scored first in the entire province! Are we not satisfied with having a child who ranked first in the province? Do we need a son-in-law who also ranked first?"

Though Wu Juying and Li Zhongfa were still angry at Li Mingyue, after hearing this, their glares at Li Yue grew even colder.

But Li Yue replied: "I never said it had to be first. Second in the province would do."

"."

Yang Yumin was the second-place scorer in Shanxi Province in 1980.

Li Yue's remark ignited the household's fury—Li Zhongfa raised his hand to slam the table.

Though Li Kaibian was also displeased with his eldest daughter's arrogance, seeing his parents about to lash out at his daughter, he couldn't stand by.

"It's a holiday today! Let's drop this topic. Xiao Yue makes her own decisions—let's eat. Afterward, I still have to inspect safety at the factory!"

"Come on, come on—Xiao Juan, Xiao Ying, eat up. Afterward, your brother and sister will take you sightseeing in the provincial capital. One press of the gas pedal and you're there."

Cui Zhizhi and Li Mingyue looked embarrassed.

What's this? It's the second day of the New Year, and the son-in-law comes over and they don't even serve alcohol? Just serve food outright?

What safety inspection does a workshop director even need to do? Does he really think he's such a big shot?

And having a car—so what? You think that makes you special?

Li Mingyue scowled: "I'm not saying this to you, Lao Er, but are you used to ignoring everything? Xiao Yue is already twenty-four—look around, which girl this age still doesn't have a boyfriend? I'm embarrassed just saying it."

"Auntie, you're married out—you don't have to feel embarrassed for my dad."

Li Yue, ignoring her grandparents' hostile glares, said coldly: "But I'm curious—why didn't you first introduce such a good junior college student to the Liang family's daughter? Why think of me?"

"."

Li Mingyue nearly choked on Li Yue's words.

Two years ago, on the second day of the New Year, Li Mingyue had "kindly" arranged a match for Li Ye—the girl was dark and ugly, making Wu Juying serve nothing but vegetarian dishes that day, saying, "Eat it or get out."

So when Li Yue brought up the old incident, it sounded as if Li Mingyue was trying to set her up again—with ill intent.

Li Mingyue's face turned black. She snapped: "Lao Er, I'm doing you a favor by arranging this match, and you treat it like donkey liver? Do you really think being good-looking is enough to eat?"

"You're better-looking than my Zhizhi, but Zhizhi got promoted three times in ten years—how many years have you stayed stuck?"

"Marriage is about ability, background, and future prospects. Do you think a junior college student is like you, judging only by looks? They care about inner qualities. If it weren't for Zhizhi singing your praises nonstop, they wouldn't even consider you!"

Li Mingyue finally exploded, dumping all her pent-up anger in a loud rush—but because her words sounded reasonable, Li Kaibian and Li Ye couldn't immediately retort.

Meanwhile, Cui Zhizhi beamed, feeling vindicated.

Though his face was unattractive, he'd climbed three ranks in ten years at the township government—he was undoubtedly a middle-aged talent with hidden brilliance.

"Auntie, what you said is wrong."

Li Ye finally stepped in. If the whole family let Li Mingyue walk all over them today, he'd lose face as the Transmigrator Emperor.

"Where did I go wrong? Xiao Ye, tell me exactly where I'm wrong!"

Li Mingyue was nearly out of control. She'd never been one to take insults, and today she'd come humbly—only to be repeatedly rebuffed. How could she bear it?

I've lowered myself so much already—do you expect me to kneel and beg?

Li Ye said calmly: "First, the first promotion your husband got was thanks to Grandpa's help—he'd never have risen without it. Don't take all the credit."

Cui Zhizhi: "."

Li Mingyue: "."

Aunt and uncle were embarrassed.

【Kids are kids—why say things so bluntly? If anyone hears, how bad would it look?】

"Second, looks still matter a lot—after all, who wants their son or grandson to be ugly?"

Li Ye had originally wanted to say, "A man is forever a boy,"

since at least ninety-five percent of male friends, before forty, still prefer beautiful faces above all else.

Inner qualities, inner beauty—all of it turns to dust before fair skin, pretty features, and long legs.

But saying it so bluntly would be disrespectful to women, so Li Ye gently repeated a point he'd made earlier—the genetic link between beauty and ugliness.

After saying these two sentences, Li Ye could hear Aunt and Uncle gasping for breath—they looked like their lungs were about to burst.

Li Ye judged the moment right and said to Grandpa Li Zhongfa: "Grandpa, I remember we had half a bottle of Erguotou left—where did it go? I can't find it anywhere. Don't let the rats drink it—if they get drunk and die, it'll be a mess."

Li Mingyue rolled her eyes. What's going on today? Who's the rat that got drunk?

But Li Zhongfa knew his grandson wouldn't call him out for no reason—he waved his hand and followed Li Ye out of the main room.

In his own room, Li Ye didn't bother hiding: "After my sister went to Beijing, she probably started dating a friend from Beijing University—he graduates this summer."

Li Zhongfa was startled: "Dating? You mean a boyfriend? Xiao Yue really has a boyfriend from Beijing University?"

Li Ye nodded silently—Grandpa, you're sharp. Finally guessed right.

Li Zhongfa immediately grew serious: "Xiao Ye, tell me clearly—what's going on? Don't joke about this."

Li Ye sighed: "Then ask my sister yourself! She's hiding things from me—I'm just guessing."

"Sit down, sit down."

Li Zhongfa pulled Li Ye into a chair: "Tell me everything you know—say as much as you can."

"He's from the class of '80. I've known him for nearly two years. He brought his mother and sister to Beijing—he's a filial son. His mother seems to like my sister and says she won't be a burden, but our family's situation—how could we even talk about burdening him?"

Li Ye described Yang Yumin's situation, then added: "One more thing—based on multiple sources, he'll almost certainly be assigned to the Central Selection Department after graduation. That department's history goes back to 1924."

"Don't waste my time with this nonsense—do you think I need you to teach me?"

"."

Li Zhongfa waved his hand, cutting off Li Ye's explanation.

He was a soldier from 1939—he knew all the hidden currents inside.

Li Ye was furious at Yang Yumin's attempt to become his brother-in-law, but Li Zhongfa's thinking ran on a completely different track.

On a small scale, it meant lifelong security. On a large scale—it was a future powerhouse.

"Xiao Ye, I don't understand young people's affairs. But why would he be interested in your sister?"

"."

Li Ye found Li Zhongfa's concern laughable.

Finally, he asked mysteriously: "Grandpa, were you ever young?"

Li Zhongfa: "."

Li Ye nodded toward the main room: "Grandma may be old now, but I know she was beautiful when she was young. The nurse, Grandma Gao, was beautiful too. When you were young—what were you thinking about?"

Li Ye despised men who said one thing but thought another. All these men here claim looks don't matter—look at Grandma Wu Juying, look at stepmother Han Chunmei, think of Nurse Grandma Gao, even Aunt Li Mingyue herself—clear, undeniable proof!

Who doesn't want a beautiful wife? Why pretend to be so aloof?

Damn, so hypocritical.

"I'll fuck your little bastard~"

"Clatter~ Clatter~"

"."

Everyone in the main room heard the noise. They watched the nearly sixty-year-old Li Zhongfa chase Li Ye out the door like a tiger chasing a rabbit—every jaw dropped in shock.

Li Juan and Li Ying were terrified: "What did Brother say?! How did he make Grandpa this angry? You ran the wrong way—you should've run behind Grandma and begged her to save you!"

Meanwhile, Aunt Li Mingyue and Uncle Cui Zhizhi beamed with delight.

"A hothead is still a hothead—so immature, so unsteady."

Minutes later, Li Zhongfa returned, breathing heavily, and walked silently into the main room.

Aunt Li Mingyue quickly brought him a cup of tea.

"Dad, drink some water to calm down. Xiao Ye's a good kid—he's just young and foolish."

Li Mingyue wasn't stupid—she knew now she must praise Li Ye, not insult him.

But Li Zhongfa shoved the tea away and sat upright: "Speak up—what's your real reason for coming today?"

Li Mingyue froze, her heart full of bitterness: "Dad, it's the second day of the New Year—we haven't visited in a year. Are you kicking us out now?"

"Did I kick you out?" Li Zhongfa glared sharply: "Don't play dumb. I've known your tricks since you were a child. No good deed comes without ulterior motives—do you think I'm blind?"

"."

After half a minute, Li Mingyue forced a smile: "Dad, the county's joint venture is a huge project—who you assign doesn't matter, right?"

"Next year you retire, but you can't let others take over the empire you built. Myself and Zhizhi are family—can't you move us? If Zhizhi comes to the county, I can't stay in Binhe Township anymore."

"Don't say another word—it's impossible," Li Zhongfa refused flatly. "All management candidates are strictly screened. I don't have that kind of authority."

Li Mingyue finally burst into tears.

"Dad, don't you care about family ties at all?"

"How don't I care?" Li Zhongfa said coldly. "Daughter, I haven't even told Xiao Ye about what Aiguo did yet—that's the biggest favor I've ever done you."

Li Mingyue's tears kept falling: "Dad, even if he's talented, he's still a junior!"

"Hah~"

Li Zhongfa couldn't help laughing.

His eldest daughter still didn't understand who really held power here—how could he let someone this clueless into the joint venture factory?

Would she, after entering the joint-venture factory, be content to remain a frontline worker?

She would certainly aim for a managerial position.

What kind of joke is this?

If Li Zhongfa agrees to Li Mingyue, do you believe Hong Kong will pull its investment tomorrow?

(End of Chapter)