Chapter 323: It

At four in the afternoon, Li Ye didn't return home until after his aunt's family had left, dragging his feet lazily.

He wasn't afraid of Grandpa Li Zhongfa—he held the card of his nurse grandmother, and Grandpa couldn't really beat him to a pulp.

But if his aunt Li Mingyue pulled a real move, like that bitch Guo Qi's stepmother did—suddenly kneeling down to beg Li Ye—now that would be something incredibly dramatic, ruthless, and intense!

As soon as Li Ye stepped through the door, his little sister Li Ying slipped him a warning: "Brother, Auntie waited for you all afternoon, but Grandpa chased her away. Grandpa, Grandma, and Dad are holding a meeting to criticize Sister."

"."

Li Ye smiled, ruffled Li Ying's mink hat, and walked toward the main house with his hands behind his back.

Inside, he saw his sister Li Yue standing with her back to the door, surrounded in a triangular formation by Grandpa, Grandma, and his father—a classic "Three-Tribunal Interrogation."

When Li Yue noticed Li Ye enter, she glanced at him—ashamed, annoyed, yet pitiful.

Who could possibly understand the troubles of a twenty-four-year-old unmarried woman?

"Li Ye, you've arrived just in time," his father Li Kaijian said. "We've got the full picture. Your brother-sister duo's guts are impressive—hiding something this big from the family?"

Li Ye blinked, amused. "Wait, what's this got to do with me? How was I supposed to know?"

Grandma Wu Juying cut in directly: "Your sister confessed—the Yang family boy was seeing her, but you threatened and obstructed him. True or not?"

"No such thing. I support limited romantic freedom."

Li Ye denied it firmly.

The three elders exchanged glances. Li Zhongfa asked: "Explain to me—what do you mean by 'limited romantic freedom'?"

Li Ye replied frankly: "It means both parties have a baseline of equality, their overall conditions are roughly matched, and they stand a high chance of a happy, fulfilling life together."

"Oh my, you're just a kid—you know nothing about happiness and fulfillment!"

Grandma Wu Juying scolded Li Ye playfully, though mostly teasing.

Grandpa Li Zhongfa looked thoughtful, but Li Kaijian asked: "Xiao Ye, you know that Yang boy well—do you think your sister's a good match for him?"

Li Ye answered immediately: "Why wouldn't she be? If they weren't suited, I'd have broken them up long ago."

Li Yue slapped Li Ye lightly, scolding: "Who do you think you are, meddling in my affairs?"

"Pfft~"

Li Ye stretched his wrist, clearly dismissive.

If I, the mighty reincarnated Emperor, had wanted to stop them, they'd never have gotten together—I'd have shipped her straight to Hong Kong. What's your Sun Wukong gonna do then? Go fetch the true scriptures from the West?

But Li Yue's slap was light, and though she feigned anger, her beautiful face now carried a faint, hidden glow.

Li Ye sensed it—that was the color of confidence.

His sister Li Yue had always worried about his opinion.

Now that she heard Li Ye supported her relationship with Yang Yumin—and even vaguely praised her as "a good match"—she was delighted.

But Li Ye wasn't flattering her.

Beauty, as a natural gift, can't determine everything—but it certainly adds value.

This wasn't yet the era decades later where diplomas ruled everything; with high looks alone, junior high could pair with senior high, senior high with university—commonplace.

Besides, Li Yue wasn't some empty-headed doll or a fool. With Li Ye advising her, she'd never become one.

"Sister, I don't oppose you dating Yang Yumin, but I have a few conditions."

"Go ahead."

Li Yue adjusted her small stool, facing Li Ye seriously, ready to listen.

In the past half-year in Jingcheng, she'd realized how different Li Ye was—though he scolded her harshly, she never dared underestimate her brother.

Li Ye said: "If you have the energy this year, enroll in night school. If not, read professional books, absorb new knowledge."

"And don't think his higher education makes you inferior—you're not far behind Yang Yumin. You must project a strong presence."

Li Yue asked immediately: "What's a 'strong presence'?"

Li Ye thought a moment: "Hard to explain exactly, but look at Grandpa—he's neither subservient nor arrogant. No matter how high-ranking the official, he doesn't bow; no matter how poor the farmer, he doesn't put on airs."

"I get it," Li Yue smiled. "That's just aura, right? What's this 'presence' nonsense?"

"Not quite," Li Ye corrected. "Aura can be real or fake—some fake it convincingly."

"True aura doesn't come from 'self-confidence'—it comes from real strength. Confidence without substance is hollow and laughable."

Seeing Li Yue still confused, Li Ye added: "Just listen to me. First, improve your professional skills. Don't get arrogant just because you know Jin Peng—don't look down on anyone."

"You must steadily learn how a company operates, then gradually climb into management."

"If you grow complacent and stop progressing, you'll eventually have nothing in common with Yang Yumin—and lose your confidence."

Li Yue thought a moment, then nodded: "I've been reviewing my studies—I planned to enroll in night school anyway."

"A few months ago, that Wen family girl mentioned she could get me transferred in—but I'd rather take the exam myself. Don't want people saying I got in through back doors."

"Also, you said 'lose confidence'—"

Li Yue chuckled: "Honestly, I think Yang Yumin's the one lacking confidence. Why don't you go cheer him up?"

"."

Li Ye was taken aback. For months, Yang Yumin had been avoiding him—he hadn't noticed any unusual emotions from him.

But that made sense. Yang Yumin hadn't matured yet, and in terms of family upbringing, Li Yue actually had the edge—Grandpa Li Zhongfa's subtle influence had taken root.

That's precisely why Li Ye had given Li Yue those two requirements.

Li Yue's original education couldn't match Yang Yumin's—but that didn't mean her demeanor would be inferior.

Those marriages ruined by "cultural differences" weren't broken by diploma levels.

They collapsed because of differing environments, different social circles—leading to mismatched horizons, presence, and life skills.

Li Ye had plenty of businesses—he could carve out one slice, train Li Yue into a sharp, capable manager—and still outclass some "Director Yang"?

Plus, after half a year of observation, Li Yue was clearly moldable—she truly wanted to work hard, traveling with Tian Hongshan and others to develop urban-rural markets, covering countless places around Jingcheng.

But Yang Yumin's lack of confidence toward Li Yue was a problem.

Li Ye thought, then said seriously to Li Yue: "Easy fix. When you go home, start spending his money."

"Don't waste it—but make him understand: he's not a kept man. After a few years, he'll stop being so sensitive."

Ugh, finished worrying about my sister, now I've got to worry about that guy—what a headache!

By now, the family's decision-makers had all accepted Li Yue's relationship. Li Kaijian had gradually returned to a normal father's mindset.

"Xiao Ye, make sure you look after your sister in Jingcheng. Don't let anyone bully her."

A father's concern for his daughter—wasn't it simply that she not be emotionally mistreated?

No sooner had Li Kaijian finished than everyone saw a chilling aura of murder flash across Li Ye's handsome face.

"Don't worry. If he dares to hurt my sister, I'll strangle him dead—simple, clean, done."

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Li Ye, Li Yue, and Li Zhongfa drove the Volga to pick up Li Dayong, then headed to Jin Peng's house.

Today was the day Pei Wencong was expected to arrive—he'd fly from Hong Kong to Shanghai, then transfer to Dongshan Airport.

One Volga wouldn't be enough—they needed Jin Peng's Crown.

It had been arranged in advance: Pei Wencong's arrival should be low-key, so Jin Peng didn't need to meet him at the airport—just clean the car and keep it ready.

But when they arrived at Jin Peng's gate, Li Ye and the others were stunned by the scene before them.

At least a hundred people crowded inside and outside Jin Peng's house—motorcycles lined up from his gate all the way onto the road.

In 1984, when motor vehicles were rare, this wasn't normal.

Li Dayong asked Li Ye in confusion: "Brother, is there a celebration at Jin Peng's today? Why so many people?"

Li Ye smirked: "Your grandpa's a big shot in the power system—during the New Year, don't people usually come to pay respects?"

"Pay respects? You mean all these people are here to visit Jin Peng?"

Li Dayong was shocked, emphasizing "visit"—visiting relatives during New Year was nothing like being visited yourself.

Li Ye nodded toward a thin man greeting guests at the gate: "See that guy handing out cigarettes?

His name is Xiao Qiu—one of Jin Peng's first clothing wholesalers. Now he's deputy manager here in Dongshan. That 212 Jeep is his."

"Everyone else here is from the distribution channels. If Jin Peng's factory is the tree's roots and trunk, they're the branches and leaves."

"Whoa~! Jin Peng's got this many people under him?"

Li Dayong stared at the bustling crowd, full of admiration and longing.

Li Yue couldn't drive her car inside, so she honked outside. Jin Peng quickly drove over the freshly washed Crown.

"Xiao Ye, I'm swamped today—tell Old Pei I'm sorry I couldn't greet him properly!"

Li Ye nodded before speaking, but Grandpa Li Zhongfa sternly told Jin Peng: "Xiao Peng, you're showing off too much today—acting like a county-level big shot. Don't you know big trees attract wind?"

Jin Peng sighed: "Master, I didn't know they'd all come today. I was just about to take them out for dinner in the province."

Li Zhongfa's face stayed cold: "The bigger your operation, the humbler you must be. Small fish and shrimp don't care about you—but if you're a big, thrashing fish… tomorrow, go straight back to Jingcheng."

"Ah, ah, I get it, Master. By the way, today all the distribution staff from Dongshan and two neighboring provinces are here—should I introduce Xiao Yue to them? Let her meet them?"

Li Zhongfa asked: "Why would Xiao Yue need to meet them?"

Jin Peng glanced at Li Ye and smiled: "Master, it was Xiao Ye's idea—every position must have a backup. Xiao Yue's actually quite talented…"

Li Zhongfa looked at Li Ye. Li Ye smiled: "No need, Peng Ge. My sister's still green. We'll talk about it later."

"."

The Crown and Volga drove out of Qingshui County. Li Yue eagerly drove the Crown; Li Ye and Li Dayong rode in the Volga.

After holding back for a while, Li Dayong asked Li Ye: "Brother, are you even wary of Jin Peng?"

"Do you think that's wariness?" Li Ye glanced at Li Dayong. "A company can't depend on one person.

Everyone must be responsible, prepared, ready to step up at any time—including you, Dayong. Don't tell me you think hooking up with Xiao Hui means you can just lie back, earn money, and coast through life?"

Li Dayong flushed and stammered: "Brother, what are you talking about? I've been working hard!"

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(End of chapter)