Chapter 516: Why Does Everyone Want to Be My Father-in-Law?

"Oh, forget it, Director Sun, Li Ye and my family have some complicated history—let bygones be bygones, don't ruin our drinking."

"Come on, let me toast Director Sun—thank you for taking the time to come today. I'll drink first."

Hearing Director Sun was going to stand up for them, Lu Lu Ruichang and Gao Zhanming both stood up to stop him, and Gao Zhanming even downed his drink first.

Sure, Gao Zhanming was surely angry that Li Xia Yue had insulted Gao Gao Xiaoyan, but his own daughter had safely given birth and now had this outcome thanks to Li Ye's efforts.

If Li Ye hadn't called Lu Lu Jingyao over during the Spring Festival to discuss things, not only would Gao Gao Xiaoyan never have gotten abroad, but even whether the Lu family acknowledged this grandson was up in the air—what a mess!

Seeing Lu Lu Ruichang and Gao Zhanming's expressions, Director Sun sipped his wine and said coolly, "Don't overthink it—I've known Director Li Li Zhongfa for years."

"I've heard about the feud between your families. Kids are foolish and cause trouble, but have their elders ever stirred up anything?"

"As the saying goes, it's better to resolve grudges than to deepen them. I meant to reason with Li Ye, mediate things—everyone made mistakes, so let's call it even. But since you're unwilling, forget it."

Li Ye asked, puzzled: "Sis, what do you mean by 'backing'?"

Director Sun thought he could control Li Ye, and Lu Lu Ruichang and Gao Zhanming also thought nothing of it—but they all lacked vision.

Lu Zixue suddenly had an idea and turned his steps toward a restaurant server.

Lu Lu Jingyao hurried to stop her brother, but Lu Zixue had already left; then Lu Lu Jingyao looked around and noticed her father and the Gao family members were clearly tempted.

At this moment, Lu Zixue's mind was full of Director Sun's words—"everyone made mistakes"—how could he care about anything else?

Didn't you Li Ye make any mistakes? You promised you'd marry my sister as soon as you got into college—why did you back out later? You shameless bastard, how dare you accuse me of being shameless?

Seeing Li Ye still didn't get it, his sister Li Xia Yue explained the county's situation to him.

Li Ye shook his head and laughed it off.

Li Xia Yue slapped Li Ye on the forehead—just hard enough, just like when they were kids.

Tan Qin always gave Li Ye a sense of being looked down upon—it made him uncomfortable.

Li Xia Yue smiled: "My husband's just a worker in Beijing, but if he were in Qingshui County—"

He was afraid.

Li Xia Yue sneered: "He's delusional—thinks since Grandpa retired, he's just as good? His vision is stuck in this tiny county—no real future."

If I kowtow to him, you won't be implicated, is that it?

But Li Xia Yue grabbed him and pulled him back.

"What father-in-law? How many father-in-laws do I even have?"

If Director Sun could step in to mediate, it might be a decent solution.

Li Xia Yue had spent years in Qingshui, then gone to Beijing and seen a higher world—after that, some things became clear.

"Yes, tell him to go to that private room, hurry up."

I've been spending all day with Xiao Yu, learning how to do wall-hugs and fall in love together!

"Alright, I know you don't like putting on airs, but don't take yourself too lightly—county affairs look complicated, but they're actually simple."

"You're always with Xiao Yu—what have you even learned? You haven't picked up even a fraction of Xiao Yu's skills."

Li Ye felt wronged—Wen Wen Leyu never taught him any of that "status difference" nonsense! They just doted on each other, basking in love's sweetness—how could he bother learning anything else?

Li Ye stood up to go meet Director Sun in the private room.

"I'll go call him over."

Lu Zixue dropped his words and left; the confused restaurant server had no choice but to go call Li Ye.

"Go tell Li Ye—the county's Director Sun wants him."

Li Xia Yue chuckled: "Now I know why she dared to talk back to me today! She was putting on a show for that backer!"

Li Ye didn't know any Director Sun—but Li Xia Yue did.

"Zixue, don't go!"

The Li Ye who once obeyed his little brother-in-law without question had now become the Li Ye whose single glass of wine could make the elders of the Gao and Lu families gasp for air.

County towns in inland China are classic elite micro-societies.

Li Ye smacked his lips and said: "Sis, you're a person of status now—have some perspective. Don't talk so sharply. What do you mean 'clinging to'? That phrasing sounds ambiguous."

"Who's the one without brains?"

"How about I start speaking in circles from now on? Don't worry—I didn't learn much during my years at the Grain Bureau, just how to speak flowery nonsense."

Lu Zixue stormed out of the private room, hurrying to call Li Ye—but when he actually saw Li Ye, he unconsciously slowed his pace.

"Director Sun of the county wants Li Ye?"

But Li Xia Yue added mischievously: "Oh, by the way—that Director Sun almost became your father-in-law!"

Li Ye swallowed hard and begged: "No, sis, when you talk to your little brother, don't overthink—just say it straight, that's the most real."

The Lu family and Gao family members looked at each other, all at a loss.

But before Lu Lu Jingyao could respond, Lu Zixue stood up and strode out.

After hearing Li Xia Yue's "joke," Li Ye felt he'd gained new insight.

Only Lu Lu Jingyao strongly resisted—she knew perfectly well that this so-called mediation meant she'd have to kowtow and apologize, worse than even a willing apology.

Li Xia Yue smiled faintly but spoke with contempt: "It's Director Sun, in charge of investment recruitment in the county."

"When Lu Lu Jingyao came back this time, she brought in foreign investment for the county—helped him meet this year's recruitment target. Then they hit it off and clung together, right?"

Li Ye nodded and asked: "Sis, in that web you described, is the guy Lu Zixue mentioned near the center or near the edge?"

Li Ye's "wound theory" earlier was really brutal—does this mean he'll be scolded every time they meet now?

Li Xia Yue was furious, frustrated with Li Ye, and her hand itched again.

But when Wen Wen Leyu interacted with others, she did have a subtle standard—giving Li Ye the impression she was "highly capable," at least far superior to Tan Qin.

It hurt Li Ye, but didn't damage his head—she was practiced at it!

Fine, today my big sister is on a rampage—can't provoke her, better run.

"Can't you mind your status? Are you now someone anyone can summon at will? Put it bluntly—are you now someone anyone can just meet?"

"You think I'm too harsh to Lu Lu Jingyao?"

Li Xia Yue narrowed her eyes and sneered at Li Ye: "Do I need to be smooth-talking when I speak to you, Li Ye?"

A county has hundreds of thousands of people, but only a hundred or so actually run things—maybe two hundred at most.

Director Sun was just promoted—he's now one of the top figures in Qingshui County, while Li Li Zhongfa is retired—so isn't it reasonable to call Li Ye over and give him a scolding?"

Li Ye got angry—why was everyone trying to pick a fight with him?

Li Xia Yue smiled: "Remember that New Year's Day two years ago, when our aunt tried to set you up with a girl? That was Director Sun's daughter."

(End of Chapter)