The Wang Family Living Room!
The conversation continued!
Seeing Wang Anmin’s furrowed brow and worried expression, Li Yi knew exactly what was troubling him.
Thinking about his upcoming duties, he immediately said, “Secretary Wang, are you worried about those companies?”
“Yes. With the Lunar New Year fast approaching, several companies can’t even pay their employees’ wages. The situation is quite serious!” Wang Anmin said.
“Actually, there’s no need to worry. Everything will work out in the end!” Li Yi said calmly.
Wang Anmin smiled and said, “It’s not that simple. Besides, I’m in this position to do my duty. If the county’s enterprises are in trouble, how could I just turn a blind eye?”
However, Li Yi just smiled and said, “Actually, there’s really no need for you to worry!”
“?”
“I see that Secretary Wang’s brow is slightly flushed and radiant, and his aura is as majestic as a rainbow. This is a sure sign of a promotion,” Li Yi said.
“A promotion?”
“Yes. Judging by your facial features, you do indeed have the face of someone who will be aided by a benefactor and is about to be promoted. So don’t worry too much about the county’s affairs—they’ll soon have nothing to do with you!”
The reason Li Yi brought this up with Wang Anmin was precisely to stop him from worrying about the county’s enterprises.
As for whether Wang Anmin would actually be promoted, that was hardly the issue.
Barring any surprises, he would be promoted to a position in the city government in the near future.
And luck played a significant role in Wang Anmin’s promotion.
Wang Anmin was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, “In that case, I’ll take you at your word. I hope your good wishes will help me advance even further!”
That said, Wang Anmin didn’t take it seriously; he just assumed Li Yi was buttering him up.
Although he’d heard from his younger brother about Li Yi’s uncanny ability to make accurate predictions, he knew his own situation all too well.
For one thing, he was relatively inexperienced, having served as the top official in Qingshan County for less than four years. Even if there were a chance for promotion, he would have to serve at least one full term before it could happen.
More importantly, he lacked connections and resources—and in the political arena, those mattered far more than personal ability.
In Wang Anmin’s view, given his limited resources, his career was essentially at a dead end.
A promotion in the short term? That was simply impossible.
However, being a man of high emotional intelligence, he did not reveal his true thoughts.
But Li Yi knew his man well; with just a single glance, he could tell that Secretary Wang didn’t quite believe it.
Therefore, he didn’t pursue the topic further, instead turning to chat with Liang Yuke and Li Gang.
However, unlike Wang Anmin’s reaction, Wang Anguo, Li Gang, Duan Yinzhong, and the others took Li Yi’s words at face value.
Although they didn’t know who exactly would be helping Wang An Guo or what position he was set to rise to,
But they trusted Li Yi; they knew he wouldn’t make such a claim lightly, and once he did, it was bound to come true!
For a moment, the looks they cast at Wang Anmin were filled with envy!
After all, Wang Anmin was already the top official in Qing Shan County; another promotion would mean moving up to the municipal level!
Moreover, he was only 40 years old; if he could take another step up, his future prospects would be even brighter.
But they were all smart people, so they didn’t dwell on the topic and instead turned to other matters.
Soon, the meal prepared by An Hong was ready.
Then, everyone moved to the heated bed in the inner room to eat!
It was clear that Wang Anguo and An Hong had gone to great lengths to host Li Yi and Tang Xue—the spread was truly lavish.
In addition to braised pork and chicken stewed with potatoes, there was even a large pot of clear-simmered lamb, and the main dish was freshly made dumplings.
A meal this lavish would normally require at least a day’s preparation in advance—especially the dumplings—so it was impossible for them to have prepared it so quickly.
Touched by the couple’s warmth, Li Yi and Tang Xue were delighted, and the meal was, of course, a great success for everyone!
The only slight disappointment was that, halfway through the meal, Wang Anmin was suddenly called away by his secretary.
But since he wasn’t the main guest of honor today, it wasn’t a big deal!
…….
After the meal, Li Yi returned the car keys to Wang Anguo and asked Li Gang to give him a ride.
Li Gang then drove Li Yi and his wife to the county hospital.
Upon learning that Yang Wenguang and his wife were at the hospital and needed to return to the sugar factory, Liang Yukui also drove over—after all, it was on his way.
At the county hospital, Li Yi’s brother-in-law had already completed the discharge procedures.
As soon as the car arrived, everyone pitched in to help get my eldest sister’s family into the car, and then they returned to the sugar factory.
Back at the sugar factory, Li Yi dropped off his sister’s husband, picked up his mother, Zhang Yuehong, and then set off for Nianzishan Village.
With the jeep as their ride, the journey was both fast and smooth.
In less than fifteen minutes, the car came to a smooth stop right in front of the gate of the Li family’s old residence!
Inside the house, Li Na was washing pots!
Hearing the sound of the car engine, she knew Li Yi and her older sister had returned, so she immediately dropped the pot brush and ran out.
Sure enough, as soon as she ran out, she saw her younger brother Li Yi getting out of the car and moving the wooden gate aside.
Immediately afterward, the jeep drove straight into the courtyard.
Once the vehicle came to a stop, Captain Li from the county office immediately got out and opened the back door.
Her older sister and Tang Xue got out one after another, and last to step out was her mother, holding a small bundle in her arms—clearly her little nephew!
Li Na immediately stepped forward to support her older sister, and the group hurried inside—the wind was strong outside, and the older sister and the baby were struggling to breathe.
Li Yi, meanwhile, first helped Tang Xue into the house, then, with Li Gang’s assistance, carried his older sister’s belongings from the car into the house.
Once everything was settled, Li Yi wanted to invite Li Gang inside to sit for a while.
But Li Gang, considering that his older sister had just given birth and it wouldn’t be appropriate, declined.
But just as he started the car to leave, he couldn’t help but ask Li Yi, “Um… is Brother Anmin really going to get promoted?”
Li Yi smiled and said, “He doesn’t seem to care much himself, but you’re the one getting all worked up!”
“That’s because he doesn’t believe it!”
“So you believe it?”
“I do. I believe whatever you say. Don’t forget, you saved my life!” Li Gang said.
“Alright, hurry back home!”
“But what about Brother Anmin…”
“It’ll only be a matter of a few days. Drive carefully on your way back!”
With that, Li Yi said no more and went straight back inside.
Li Gang stood there for a moment, then started the car and sped away from the Li family’s old mansion.
Inside the house, listening to the sound of the Jeep fading into the distance, Li Yi couldn’t help but shake his head.
“That kid’s really in deep now. Once the news of Wang Anmin’s promotion comes through in a couple of days, he’ll trust me even more.”
At this thought, a pang of guilt welled up in Li Yi’s heart.
What a fine young man—and yet I’ve brainwashed him into this state. What a terrible thing to do!
Fortunately, he had no malicious intent; otherwise, that kid’s kidneys would have been sliced out sooner or later.
What Li Yi didn’t know, however, was that Wang Anmin’s response was far quicker than he’d imagined—Li Gang had received the news before he’d even returned.