Chapter 373: Soft Rice Isn

Li Kaibian and Li Zhongfa arrived in Jingcheng the following Sunday after receiving Li Ye's message.

Although it was agreed that this was merely a meeting between the families, with the marriage still uncertain, the entire Li family had come—everyone showed up—to show how seriously they took Li Yue's wedding.

His two younger sisters, Li Juan and Li Ying, also came during summer vacation; these two girls, who had never left Qingshui County, were fascinated and excited by everything in Jingcheng.

Yet despite their curiosity, they didn't immediately ask their older siblings to take them out sightseeing—they started working right away.

"Brother, your place is a bit dirty—we'll clean it up. Is there anything we shouldn't touch?"

"Brother, I'll take apart and wash your quilts while it's summer, so they'll be warm and cozy for autumn."

The two sisters rolled up their sleeves and got to cleaning, making it look to outsiders as if Li Ye's apartment was piled high with trash and paper scraps, unfit to step in.

Han Chunmei, of course, couldn't stand idle either; under her grandmother Wu Juying's direction, she began buying whatever was missing in preparation for the groom's family's arrival.

"Later, have Xiao Ye take you to buy tea. Do you have money on you? Is it enough?"

"I've got money, Ma, plenty—more than enough."

Han Chunmei carried two hundred yuan—more than enough for her to buy anything she needed.

But soon Han Chunmei reported back to Wu Juying.

"Ma, we don't need to buy tea—the cabinet's already full: Yunwu green tea, West Lake Longjing, Guizhou Maojian, and even something called Dahongpao."

"Oh? What about fruit, snacks, candy, cigarettes?"

"There aren't many cigarettes—just one pack of good ones. Everything else is fully stocked!"

Wu Juying nodded approvingly: "Looks like Xiao Ye thought ahead of us—he knew this was his sister's big matter and prepared everything in advance."

Han Chunmei quickly nodded in agreement: "Xiao Ye really is a good kid—smart and thoughtful. He'll surely amount to something."

"Mm, we should praise him. Kids grow up—they need to be treated like adults."

Hearing Han Chunmei's words, Wu Juying felt even more satisfied with her grandson.

But soon Li Kaibian, who was sweeping the courtyard, uncovered a large pile of empty cans.

Pengcheng Hongniu had been constantly advertised on TV, so Wu Juying recognized them.

So many empty cans—how much money had been spent?

A bottle of beer cost three jiao; one can of Pengcheng Hongniu was worth half a dozen beers.

Wu Juying called Li Ye over and asked casually: "Are these things your sister bought to entertain guests?"

Li Ye was straightforward: "I didn't buy them specially—there's always plenty at home. If you need anything else, just say so—I'll go buy it right away."

Wu Juying froze for several seconds, her expression shifting from sunny to stormy, then bursting into rage.

"I thought you were preparing these for your sister's wedding! So these are just your personal snacks? You drink these sodas and drinks by the case?

I thought you were struggling to study in Jingcheng, but you're living better than a landlord—now that you've got a few bucks, you've forgotten who you are!"

Li Ye quickly protested: "Grandma, you're wrong—I use these for guests too. Xiao Yu often comes over to see my sister. How much do I actually eat or drink? Besides, in this heat, watermelons and bananas aren't expensive! Eating more fruit is good for your skin!"

These fruits, snacks, and drinks were just snacks for evening TV sessions with Wen Leyu, Li Yue, Fu Yiruo, and others—Li Ye was far from the main consumer.

"I'm letting you beautify yourself? You think your face isn't pale enough? Why don't you go act in movies?"

Wu Juying kicked Li Ye several times in anger—though, predictably, she missed because she couldn't bring herself to hurt him—but her fury was plain to see.

Having managed the household for years, she roughly estimated Li Ye's monthly allowance exceeded one hundred yuan.

One hundred yuan! Who else's child lived like this?

"Xiao Yue, come here!"

Li Yue, who had already sneaked to the door, couldn't escape her grandmother's sharp eyes.

"You silly girl, showing off—why didn't you just tell me the truth?"

Li Yue shot Li Ye a furious glare before reluctantly walking over to her grandmother to endure yet another lecture—she couldn't even count how many times.

But this time, Wu Juying was deadly serious.

She pulled up a chair and sat down, making Li Yue stand before her.

"Xiao Yue, you're grown now, and I don't have many years left. But before you marry, I must speak to you plainly."

"I know you've made some money with Xiao Ye, but remember—Xiao Ye's money is his. If he gives it to you, you still must know your limits."

"Also, once you're in your husband's home, you must change this wasteful habit. Are those shoes new?"

"I just saw your bed—there are four or five pairs of sandals underneath. If you keep spending like this after marriage, who will support you?"

Li Yue whispered in defense: "Grandma, he earns plenty too—he started work with over fifty yuan. My salary's even higher. Who could possibly not afford me?"

"Does his fifty yuan all go to you?" Wu Juying snapped. "A man's salary must support a whole family. Don't treat his money as yours, and don't treat your money as entirely your own."

"Even if you earn more than him, don't flaunt it. Don't think spending money on your husband makes him overjoyed—you must consult him, protect his dignity, and never let him feel humiliated in front of others."

Li Ye stood to the side, listening to his grandmother's lecture, finding it both absurd and deeply moving.

If these words were spoken decades later, they'd be laughed at—any little fairy would flip the table on the spot.

What, my money is his now?

But in the 1980s, it was entirely different.

In his past life during the 1990s, Li Ye had actually seen this situation.

Some private entrepreneurs grew rich, yet neighbors would say: "Don't be fooled by their good life—they're eating off their wife's money. That man's got no talent."

And that man, when socializing, truly felt inferior.

This attitude faded only by the 2000s, and by the 2010s, the phrase "Sister, I don't want to work anymore" became popular, and "soft rice" was finally accepted.

Otherwise, look at 1980s romances—every male lead pursued by a wealthy woman was a poor but proud, upright man.

If you ate soft rice, you were always the villain.

So men in the 1980s were happy—they earned women's respect in every way.

But that happiness had one flaw: eating soft rice made you despised.

And Grandma Wu Juying, speaking as someone who'd lived through it, was warning Li Yue not to dominate Yang Yumin in the future—she must learn to "show weakness."

Li Yue was scolded for a full five minutes before it ended.

"Xiao Yue, this is my last warning. Soon you'll have to listen to your mother-in-law. How your life turns out depends entirely on you."

As Wu Juying finished, her stern expression cracked—two tears rolled down her cheeks.

You could beat your own child at home, but if they suffered in another family, that was real pain.

Li Yue's eyes turned red too, but she said seriously: "Grandma, I know all this. I've been learning."

"You've learned it?" Wu Juying blinked. "Who did you learn from?"

Li Yue stayed silent but glanced at Li Ye.

Li Ye instantly understood—his sister Li Yue had been learning from Wen Leyu.

Wasn't Wen Leyu the girl who always "showed weakness" in front of Li Ye? When with Li Ye, she never made him feel pressure.

Li Ye once thought it was just his protagonist aura—but now, looking at Li Yue's eyes… which girl was truly naive?

"Beep beep beep."

A car horn sounded outside, startling everyone in the courtyard.

Wu Juying hurriedly said: "Wipe your tears quickly—don't let the Yang family see you crying."

Li Yue shook her head: "Grandma, it's not Yang Yumin's car—this is Da Yong's. His horn sounds different."

After summer vacation, Li Dayong had been busy at Changbei Machinery Factory and was now in Jingcheng.

"Da Yong? He has a car now?"

Everyone rushed outside to see what kind of car had a "different horn."

Li Yue had a sudden idea and said casually: "It's not Da Yong's car—it's Pei Wenhui's. She went back to Hong Kong for summer and left the car with Da Yong."

The law doesn't punish the crowd—what do these old-fashioned folks know?

After witnessing the BMW 3 Series's elegance, everyone turned to Li Dayong with "soft rice man" glances.

Li Zhongfa liked Li Dayong and whispered: "Da Yong, you should drive that car less often."

Li Dayong didn't understand: "Master, can you explain more clearly?"

Li Zhongfa sighed: "Pei Wenhui isn't your wife yet! Why are you parading around in her car?"

Li Dayong's face twisted into a look of helpless despair.

He was driving Pei Wenhui's little BMW—but in Hong Kong, she drove a Ferrari!

The money for that Ferrari? Li Ye had charged it all to Li Dayong's name.

The only one who knew the truth, Li Ye, quickly pulled his best friend into the courtyard and quietly comforted him.

"Brother, this is unjust blame—don't take it to heart. People in Qingshui County say I'm climbing onto Wen Leyu's ladder. What did I say? With our wealth, we don't need to explain."

"Ah, Brother—if it weren't for you as an example, I'd have fought dozens of fights this year."

Li Dayong rolled his neck. "You don't know what people say when they see me with Xiao Hui. I almost tore their mouths off a few times—if Xiao Hui hadn't held me back."

"Mm, the more they talk, the more jealous they are. Just ignore them."

"Alright, I'll listen to you, Brother," Li Dayong nodded. "I came today because I heard Master and the others arrived, so I came to visit. But I also have something else—I need your advice."

Li Ye said: "Say whatever you want."

Li Dayong didn't speak right away—he checked his watch, then turned on the TV.

A few minutes later, an advertisement appeared.

"Changbei Industrial Sewing Machines—International Quality, Excellent Value, Provincial and Ministry-Level Recommended."

After watching the ad, Li Ye frowned: "Who made this ad? It's terrible. Didn't you ask Ah Qiang to connect you with professional film crew?"

"Brother, this isn't our ad—it was made by Factory Director Wang. He didn't even consult us—he just aired it on TV."

Li Ye frowned: "Did he say why?"

Li Dayong said: "The Hong Kong manager asked. Director Wang said letting Tian Hongshan handle all sales isn't right—it cuts into factory profits. So he decided to sell directly."

Li Ye smiled and shook his head: "That's not in line with the rules!"

Originally, when partnering with Changbei Machinery Factory to produce sewing machines, it was agreed that the Hong Kong side would handle sales, but later, because the commission for sales staff was too high, Factory Director Wang's side objected, so Tian Hongshan established a new company to take over all of Changbei Machinery Factory's production capacity.

But now it seems they're not happy about it.

Li Dayong nodded and said: "Our products are selling too well—what should we do about our next-generation product?"

"Huh? Has the second-generation product prototype been successfully developed?"

Li Ye looked at Li Dayong and smiled: "Dayong, you're here to bring me good news, aren't you?"

Li Dayong grinned sheepishly and scratched his head: "Bro, us brothers aren't the type to live off women's money!"

(End of chapter)