After Old Chen left, only Old Master Jiang, Jiang Shiying, and Li Yi remained in the living room.
Li Yi immediately asked, “Dad, when did you get back?”
“I got back at noon. I had a meeting this afternoon and just walked in a little while ago!” Jiang Shiying replied.
“You didn’t even give me a heads-up that you were coming back. I could’ve gone to the airport to pick you up!” Li Yi said.
“Haha, I’m not some old man in my seventies or eighties—I don’t need anyone to pick me up!”
Then, changing the subject, Jiang Shiying said with a serious expression, “Xiao Yi, you handled this matter a bit recklessly!”
“Rash?”
Jiang Shiying nodded. “Yes. Public opinion is a double-edged sword. Handled well, it’s invincible, but if mishandled, it could very well backfire on you.”
“Most importantly, by making such a big deal out of exposing these thug gangs’ misdeeds across major state-run media outlets, your intentions were good, but you’ve also put the top leaders in a tough spot. They might not say anything now, but they’ll definitely be keeping tabs on you!”
“Dad, it can’t be that bad, can it?”
“Why not? If you can uncover these issues, do you really think the top leaders can’t? Do you actually believe that State Security and the Internal Security Forces are just for show?”
Jiang Shiying continued, “The reason they haven’t taken action yet is precisely because they recognize the far-reaching implications of this matter. As you said, once a special campaign to crack down on public security crimes is launched, the scope will be vast—it could even affect millions of people. No one in power would make such a decision lightly.”
“Now that you’ve lifted the lid on this, you’re forcing the leaders to make a decision. If you were in their shoes, how would you feel?”
Li Yi frowned but said nothing. In truth, he had already considered everything his father-in-law had mentioned.
He’d simply assumed that even if he stayed out of it, the crackdown would happen anyway—perhaps just a few months later. He figured giving it a slight nudge wouldn’t cause too much trouble.
But now that he thought about it, perhaps he had oversimplified the matter.
In his previous life, the reason the higher-ups had actually launched the “crackdown” was because a series of heinous criminal cases—such as the “Two Wang Case,” the “Hongqigou Farm Case,” and the “Nanyang Case”—had served as catalysts, ultimately leading them to make the decision to crack down.
But right now, none of those major cases have occurred. The only reason this issue is getting so much attention is entirely because he’s been fanning the flames behind the scenes.
Just as my father-in-law said, my behavior is indeed putting the bigwigs in power on the hot seat—in ancient times, that would have been tantamount to a coup!
Who knows, he might really end up facing the music later…
Just as Li Yi was deep in thought, Old Master Jiang beside him suddenly cleared his throat and said, “All right, stop scaring the kid!”
“Father, how am I scaring him…?”
Before he could finish, the old man said calmly, “Although what Little Yi did was indeed a bit reckless, I think he did the right thing!”
“Father, you think Little Yi did the right thing?” Jiang Shiying asked, looking utterly incredulous.
“Hmm. Setting aside everything else you’ve mentioned, if you and Xiao Yi were in each other’s shoes, what would you do?”
The old man continued, “Besides, this country was built by millions of revolutionary comrades who gave their lives and shed their blood. It’s not a breeding ground for certain people to commit crimes and enjoy privileges. Regardless of Xiao Yi’s original intentions, as long as it benefits the country, what he did was the right thing!”
Jiang Shiying paused briefly, then said, “I’m worried someone might settle scores with him later…”
“What reckoning? Xiao Yi owes no one anything. On what grounds would anyone settle scores with him later? Besides, I, Crazy Jiang, may be old, but I’m not dead. As long as I’m here, who dares lay a finger on my grandson-in-law?” Old Man Jiang declared with authority.
Li Yi felt a surge of emotion and replied, “Grandfather, Father, rest assured. Even if I weren’t pushing for this crackdown from behind the scenes, the higher-ups would be determined to carry it out anyway.”
“Based on what State Security currently knows, the public security situation across the country is extremely dire. Those criminal gangs are like festering sores and malignant tumors. If left unchecked, they will inevitably lead to unimaginable disasters. Right now, I’m simply lancing these sores early. Even if the bigwigs up top aren’t happy about it, they won’t pin the blame on me!”
“Let’s hope so!”
Jiang Shiying then changed the subject and added, “But you’re a lucky one. If this had happened before, the higher-ups might’ve actually stepped in to teach you a lesson for your reckless behavior. But now? It’s highly unlikely they’ll do that!”
“Why?” Li Yi asked curiously.
“Do you know who I came back with today?”
“How would I know? But anyone you’d mention so solemnly must be one of the top bigwigs in the province!” Li Yi replied.
“Well, I returned with Governor Huang. His main purpose in coming back to Beijing this time was to report to higher-ups on several major government projects in Guangdong Province, including the Yangpeng Expressway, the Yangcheng Starry Hotel, Starry Tower, and the Pengcheng Starry Mall!”
Jiang Shiying continued, “These projects were all finalized recently through negotiations between the provincial government, the Pengcheng municipal government, and Hong Kong Island Star Glory Investment Company. The total investment exceeds 10 billion U.S. dollars—nearly 30 billion RMB—setting a new record for foreign investment attraction!”
“Everyone knows the relationship between Starry Company, Starry Group, and you. Setting aside the over a billion US dollars in foreign exchange you just secured for the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, this massive 10-billion-dollar investment alone is enough to make the higher-ups turn a blind eye to this matter. However…”
“But what?”
“But some things can be forgiven once or twice, but not repeatedly. In the future, you must always think more carefully about the consequences of your actions!” Jiang Shiying said.
“Got it, Dad. I’ll be more careful next time!” Li Yi said.
Hearing this, Jiang Shiying gave a wry smile and said, “You little rascal—you’re actually hoping there’ll be a next time!”
Li Yi scratched his head awkwardly and said, “I’ll be more careful from now on and try not to cause you and Grandpa any more worry!”
Jiang Shiying looked at Li Yi and said, “Actually, if you want to take down the Liu family, there’s no need to go through all this trouble. Don’t forget what your father does for a living.”
“If you really want to wipe out the Liu family, I can help you investigate them. With all the dirt on those guys, they wouldn’t stand a chance.”
Before Li Yi could say a word, Old Master Jiang chimed in with a laugh, “This kid treats our old Jiang family like outsiders. Even when this old man offered to help him, he turned me down!”
Li Yi hurriedly replied, “Grandpa, that’s not what I meant. If the Liu family had provoked me personally from the start, I would have begged you and Dad to step in and help me get justice.”
“But the problem is, Liu Dongping was initially picking on my friend. I can’t drag the Jiang family into this just to help my friend get justice. As a man, if you want to step up and take the lead, you have to be mentally prepared to take responsibility—not treat the Jiang family like outsiders!”
“All right, no need to explain. I know you’re a proud young man who doesn’t want people talking behind your back.”
Then the old man changed the subject and added, “But remember, we’re family. If anything ever happens, don’t keep it to yourself.”
Jiang Shiying chimed in, “Xiao Yi, remember what your grandfather said. You’re a son-in-law of the Jiang family. Sometimes, even if you want to avoid any appearance of impropriety, others will still force you to be tied to the Jiang family.”
“In that case, there’s no shame in occasionally drawing on the influence of the Jiang and Ye families!”
“Father, I understand. If we can’t take down that scum from the Liu family this time, please step in, Father and Grandfather!” Li Yi said.
“Rest assured. Things have come to this point; a special operation is inevitable. The higher-ups certainly won’t let the Liu family, the ringleaders, off the hook. The Liu family is finished!” Jiang Shiying said with absolute certainty.
“Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading back now!”
Li Yi was still thinking about his “fight” with his wife. Having been interrupted midway through, he was feeling a bit riled up and just wanted to get back home early to “have some fun.”
“Alright, I’m free tomorrow night. Bring Xue’er, Yunrui, and Yunjin over to the old family home for dinner!” Jiang Shiying said.
Knowing his father-in-law missed the two little ones at home, Li Yi agreed immediately before leaving the Jiang family’s old mansion…
………..