Chapter 791: Which Mr. Li, Exactly?

"Alright, alright, hurry up! Open the gate within fifteen minutes, don't miss the auspicious time."

"Got it! If the gate isn't open in fifteen minutes, I'll just climb right in."

Li Li Dayong's several relatives and cousins rolled up their sleeves, ready to show off, and rushed en masse toward the main gate, making Senior Qian Senior Qian Qingfeng shake his head behind them.

Although Li Kaijian forbade them from causing a ruckus, these kids couldn't help being rowdy and showing off.

After all, they'd long heard Hong Kong girls were fair and soft-skinned; today they absolutely had to seize the chance—maybe they'd even land a rich wife like Li Li Dayong did.

But when he looked at Yu Watching Jin Peng, Ma Qianshan, Wang Wang Jianqiang—these young men who'd left Qingshui County to make their way in the world—Senior Qian Senior Qian Qingfeng felt the local youth were nowhere near their level.

These young men were all carefully nurtured by the Li and Senior Qian families—not laborers, but cadres!

Just think: what were Watching Jin Peng and Qianshan like back then? And what are they like now?

They have vision, understand the bigger picture, know when to advance and when to retreat—they're barely twenty, yet already exude the bearing of seasoned generals.

"Sigh~"

Li Kaijian heard Senior Qian Senior Qian Qingfeng sigh and asked curiously, "What's wrong, brother? It's a happy day—why sigh?"

Senior Qian Senior Qian Qingfeng whispered, "Kaijian, do you think we should let our younger generation hone themselves in their units, or should we let them dive into business on their own?"

"."

Li Kaijian's eyes flickered—he instantly guessed what Senior Qian Senior Qian Qingfeng meant.

Senior Qian Senior Qian Qingfeng's whole family was in the power system, a Brahmin class in Qingshui County, always looking down on private entrepreneurs—but now he was thinking of sending his own nephews out into the world.

But shouldn't you ask your sister Senior Qian Meng Qingli about this? Li Ye is practically half-owner of Changbei Machinery Company; if his mother gives the word, wouldn't your Senior Qian family's kids get placed easily?

So Li Kaijian laughed it off: "Heh, who can say for sure? Each path has its own advantages! Isn't Li Ye just following his assignment, biding his time in the unit?"

"."

Senior Qian Senior Qian Qingfeng couldn't help rolling his eyes.

Can you not show off like that? I know damn well Li Ye got lucky marrying a Wen family daughter.

Is Li Ye really "biding his time"? In less than a year he's been promoted two ranks straight to the Zhengke level—if he keeps going, he'll be a Chuji official before thirty. You're telling me that's "biding his time"?

【No good. I need to have a serious talk with my sister when I get back. Better late than never—if we wait any longer, we'll fall too far behind.】

"Aaaah~"

After the wedding party stuffed red envelopes into the gatekeepers' hands, a sudden shout rang out—and the gate finally opened.

But once inside, they saw the girls who'd just demanded red envelopes quickly retreating toward the second gate, their fluttering skirts tantalizingly visible.

A group of hot-blooded youths immediately lunged after them, but were blocked by several middle-aged men and women.

The impatient young men were about to shove past the obstruction and rush toward the second gate, when Secretary Min Lei swiftly stepped forward and blocked them.

"Don't cause trouble—be civilized!"

Then Min Lei turned around with a bright smile and greeted them: "General Old Liao, General Huo, Manager Guo—I didn't arrange things properly. Wedding customs in Beijing differ from Hong Kong's; please forgive me."

The General Old Liao and General Huo before her were Amin and Aqiang—back when Pei Pei Wencong was still broke, they'd been his founding subordinates, far above Chen Chen Fusheng in rank; to Min Lei, they were absolutely "golden opportunities" to curry favor.

But just as Min Lei expected praise for her actions, Amin frowned and pushed her aside, then smiled and said, "Mr. Li, today we follow local customs—let's have a little fun, but the door-opening red envelopes can't be skipped."

Min Lei turned back in shock, staring at Li Li Dayong behind her.

She'd thought Li Li Dayong was just a lucky son-in-law—but now something felt off.

But then Min Lei realized something else: this Vice General Old Liao seemed to be speaking to another Mr. Li.

Indeed, Li Ye smiled and waved at Old Liao Min, saying, "Don't worry—our mainland youths just like to joke around; they're actually very civilized and sincere. I guarantee they won't disturb your ladies."

"Hehehe, indeed. I've always had great affection for mainland youths—smart, handsome, tall, kind, cultured..."

Amin smiled as she chatted with Li Ye, lightly flattering him.

Tall, handsome, cultured—wasn't that exactly Li Ye?

Min Lei's head was spinning. She was sharp at reading people—otherwise she wouldn't have made it as a secretary.

Now, watching how Old Liao Min treated Li Ye—it wasn't just familiarity. It felt like respect.

Come on! The No. 2 executive of the Pei Group respecting a mid-level cadre from a mainland state enterprise?

【Li Ye—what's his real background?】

The second gate opened quickly too. The girls inside didn't linger; Li Li Dayong's red envelopes were generous, and everything proceeded smoothly.

Only when Li Li Dayong offered tea to his in-laws did the festive mood slightly dim.

Two chairs and two cups of tea sat in the main hall—but only Pei Pei Wencong's mother sat there alone.

Pei Pei Wencong and Pei Pei Wenhui had lost their father young; now that their daughter was marrying, an empty chair stood in his place.

"When you go to your in-laws' home, remember to obey them, serve them with devotion, and cherish your husband..."

Pei Pei Wenhui's mother fastened earrings onto her daughter's ears, tears welling as she gave her final advice. Wedding a daughter was different from taking a daughter-in-law—and Pei Wenhui was marrying far away. Even this strong woman, who'd raised two children alone, couldn't hold back her tears.

The atmosphere grew heavy. Finally, Li Ye assured his friend: Li Li Dayong would treat Pei Wenhui well for life, never let her suffer a single hardship—and only then did Pei's mother wipe her tears and smile.

Pei Pei Wencong smiled too: "We certainly trust that Li Dayong will treat Liu Xiaohui well. I just worry Liu Xiaohui's temper might bully Li Dayong... But since Mr. Li gives us his word, we're even more reassured."

"."

Min Lei, who'd been watching quietly from behind, was utterly baffled.

Li Li Dayong was 1.9 meters tall; Pei Wenhui was 1.6. Who'd bully whom aside—why did the Pei family seem to treat Li Ye's promise with such astonishing trust?

【I must talk to Li Ye properly later.】

Min Lei quickly decided: she had to get closer to Li Ye.

But unfortunately, as the wedding party headed back, Aqiang, Amin, and Pei Pei Wencong all "coincidentally" boarded Li Ye's car—there was no seat left for Min Lei.

In a flash, Min Lei realized: on the way here, she'd missed something vital.

In the car, Li Ye smiled and asked Pei Pei Wencong, "Old Pei, you went all the way to bring your sister to Beijing—don't you feel a little bitter?"

"How could I feel bitter?" Pei Pei Wencong replied without hesitation. "Liu Xiaohui and Li Dayong are truly meant for each other. As her brother, I wouldn't hesitate to send her to the ends of the earth."

Li Ye smiled. "Good to hear you see it that way."

Pei Pei Wencong nodded vigorously: "I do, I do. By the way, Minister X will be attending the banquet."

Li Ye smiled but said nothing.

These days, Pei Pei Wencong wasn't just wealthy—he'd broadened his horizons.

Even though mainland aviation was still underdeveloped, with Li Ye and Pei Pei Wencong's resources, chartering a plane to hold the wedding in Hong Kong and arrive in Beijing was perfectly feasible.

Yet Pei Pei Wencong still chose to hold the wedding grandly in Beijing, not Hong Kong.

Was it because his status in Hong Kong was too low, and marrying off his sister would be embarrassing?

Of course not. This was Li Ye's choice—and a statement.

Indeed, as a well-known patriotic businessman who heavily invested in the mainland, Pei Pei Wencong's daughter's wedding drew official delegations from mainland foreign affairs departments to offer congratulations.

In today's world, how much nerve would you need to pull that off?

(End of Chapter)