Chapter 287: Mind Your Own Business First
Jiang Longcheng hurried to the factory gate and immediately spotted Li Yi talking with Old Qiao.
“Why did you come here today without giving me a heads-up?”
Li Yi smiled and said, “You didn’t come to my place, and I don’t have a phone there—how was I supposed to tell you?”
“That’s true!”
Then Jiang Longcheng added, “This isn’t the place to talk. Let’s go inside.”
“Alright!”
Then Li Yi turned to Old Qiao, who was still in shock, and said, “Comrade Old Qiao, thank you!”
“Uh… You’re welcome!”
Once inside the factory grounds, Jiang Longcheng asked as they walked, “By the way, Brother Li Yi, did you come here today for a specific reason?”
“Yeah, I’d like to borrow the phone in your office,” Li Yi said.
“Use the phone?”
“Yeah, I need to call home about something. You’re my only hope!”
“Haha, I thought it was something serious. Come on, let’s go to my office!”
The two then went together to Jiang Longcheng’s office.
But as soon as they walked in, Jiang Longcheng noticed that several heads of the Sales Department were still there—even Secretary Wang was present.
“Wang, pour some water for Brother Li Yi!”
Then, Jiang Longcheng turned to the middle-aged men standing nearby and said, “You lot, head back to the office first. Get to work figuring this out. If you can’t resolve the issue, you’ll all be facing disciplinary action!”
The men breathed a sigh of relief, each gave a brief reply, and then turned to leave.
Li Yi didn’t hesitate. He immediately walked over to the phone and dialed the number!
After a series of “beeps,” Li Gang’s voice came through the receiver: “Who is this?”
“It’s me, Li Yi!”
Hearing Li Yi identify himself, Li Gang on the other end laughed and said, “You’ve been gone for so many days—what made you think to call me now?”
“Heh, besides you, I don’t have anyone else to call!”
“You’re such a guy—you always have to be so blunt. Just spit it out—what’s up?”
Li Gang clearly knew that Li Yi hadn’t called all the way from Beijing just to chat; there must be a reason.
“I need you to do me a favor, and I’ve got a question for you too!” Li Yi said.
“What is it?”
“Go to my house and tell my third older sister to get in touch with my second older sister and Liu San. Tell them both to come to Beijing to help me!”
“Sure!”
“What I want to ask you about is Li Yeqiao. How are things on his end now? Has the matter been resolved?” Li Yi said again.
“It’s basically settled!”
“What do you mean ‘basically resolved’? Be more specific!”
“The verdict’s been handed down. He wasn’t implicated, but he was dismissed for dereliction of duty!”
Li Gang continued, “The credit union demoted him to a branch in a rural township, but Old Li wasn’t having it, so he handed in his resignation. However, the credit union wouldn’t let him go, so Old Li ended up butting heads with them!”
“They can’t just refuse to let him go on a whim. Tell Old Li for me that if he’s willing, he can come over with my second sister and the others this time!” Li Yi said.
“Alright!”
“Then write down my address. I’m currently living at No. 6 Courtyard in Beiguan Village, Beijing. I also run a restaurant called Grassland Beef and Lamb on the main street of Beiguan Village. You’ll find my place as soon as you get here!”
“Got it!”
“Alright, I’m counting on you for this!”
As Li Yi was about to hang up, Li Gang suddenly said, “Oh, right—there’s something I forgot to tell you!”
“What is it?”
“A friend of yours came to find you from Qin Province. He happened to run into me, so I brought him to your place!” Li Gang said.
Hearing the words “Qin Province,” Li Yi immediately thought of Long Zhanjun and asked, “What’s his name?”
“Long Zhanjun!”
“Hahaha, so he’s finally here. In that case, you don’t need to notify my second sister. Just have Long Zhanjun bring Liu San over!” Li Yi said.
“Got it!”
After exchanging a few more words, Li Yi hung up the phone.
Seeing that Li Yi had finally finished speaking, Jiang Longcheng immediately said with a smile, “From what you’re saying, you want to have someone come up from your hometown to help you out?”
“Yeah, business at the shop is pretty busy. My few guys just can’t handle it all on their own!”
Li Yi continued, “Also, I have some things to take care of back home in a few days, so I’ll have a couple of guys come over to help watch the shop for a while!”
“You’re going back to your hometown?”
“Yeah!”
“When are you leaving? That kid Jianhua still wants you to help him out!” Jiang Longcheng said.
“Watch what?”
“Haha, that guy’s been nearly driven to despair these past few days. His family’s arranged a marriage for him, and he doesn’t know what to do!” Jiang Longcheng said.
Li Yi hadn’t expected this to happen so soon. He replied immediately, “It won’t do any good to ask me. He’s got to figure this out on his own!”
Jiang Longcheng looked at Li Yi, then said seriously, “Brother Li Yi, Jianhua… is there really a chance he could end up in jail?”
“It’s not a possibility—if he doesn’t rein in his temper, he’ll definitely end up in jail. Not even the Ye family can protect him!” Li Yi said with absolute certainty.
He wasn’t worried that Jiang Longcheng might doubt him; in Jiang’s eyes, he was just a charlatan anyway.
“Yeah, I get it. I’ll try to talk some sense into him!” Jiang Longcheng said.
“Don’t worry about him for now. You should focus on yourself first!”
“Me?”
“Yeah, your forehead is looking ashen and gloomy right now—that’s not a good sign,” Li Yi said.
“What do you mean?”
“The ‘Heavenly Palace’ refers to the forehead—the area between the hairline and the brow ridge—which governs the ‘Minister of Works,’ ‘Central Righteousness,’ and the ‘Sun and Moon Corners.’ For those in power and high positions, the Heavenly Palace is slightly raised, with smooth, rounded bone structure. Viewed from the side, it appears full and plump, like a slice of pork liver hanging on the forehead.”
Li Yi continued, “If this area is dull and gray, those in high office will face legal troubles. For ordinary people, it portends the ruin of their family business, financial losses, and a decline in family fortune. In other words, you’re in for some bad luck!”
“I…”
Jiang Longcheng was somewhat dazed. Had the spirit of misfortune possessed him? He had just survived a life-or-death ordeal, and now, after only a few days, was he about to face more misfortune?
If anyone else had said this, he certainly wouldn’t have believed it.
But since it was Li Yi speaking, that was a different matter entirely.
After a brief silence, Jiang Longcheng asked in a grave tone, “Brother Li Yi, can you tell where the trouble lies? Is there a way to avert it?”
Li Yi thought for a moment and said, “Judging by your facial features, it seems you’re facing setbacks in your career. You might want to look for the cause in that area!”
Jiang Longcheng immediately replied, “My career?”
“Yes. Your current livelihood is this rundown factory. Something bad must be happening there, and it will eventually affect you!” Li Yi said.
Jiang Longcheng thought it over carefully. The situation at the factory had indeed been grim lately. If those backlogged goods couldn’t be sold, it was entirely possible that he would be implicated.
With that in mind, he nodded immediately. “Alright, I get it!”
Li Yi nodded without saying much more. Glancing at his watch, he saw it was nearly 11:30. He figured the restaurant would be getting busy soon.
He then said a quick goodbye to Jiang Longcheng and left his office!