Chapter 417: Chen Chuying!

After leaving home, Li Yi headed straight for the southern slope outside the village, where the construction site for the central school was located.

Originally, the village had planned to have Huang Lixing tear down the old village school and simply build a new one on the same site.

But they hadn’t anticipated that the wealthy and influential Mr. Huang would want to build a massive central school. The three dilapidated rooms of the old village school simply didn’t have enough space—it was nowhere near sufficient.

After some discussion, the village decided to set aside a large plot of land from the relatively barren southern part of the village for the school.

And so, the site for the new school was set on the southern slope!

With a jeep to get him there, it took Li Yi only a few minutes to reach the construction site.

As soon as he arrived, Li Yi saw that quite a few buildings had already been erected on the site—all brick-and-tile structures, forming four or five rows.

However, Li Yi had previously reviewed the design plans for this central school and knew that Old Huang intended to build a teaching building here; clearly, these brick-and-tile structures were meant as temporary housing for the project staff.

To be honest, if Old Huang hadn’t insisted on building the central school here, Li Yi would have thought these few rows of brick-and-tile houses would have been sufficient.

After all, these spacious, well-lit brick-and-tile houses would be more than enough for the dozens of children in the village!

In addition, Li Yi noticed that mule-drawn carts were constantly coming and going on the construction site, loaded with either bricks and stones or cement and rebar—it looked incredibly busy.

Among the people driving the carts, Li Yi spotted quite a few familiar faces, including Dongzi’s father, Liu Darei, and the production team leader, Zhang Tongfu.

There were also some unfamiliar faces, likely people from other villages.

At the same time, Li Yi noticed a sedan parked next to a row of brick-and-tile houses up ahead.

It wasn’t until Li Yi got closer that he realized the car was none other than a Hu Cheng SH760 sedan.

Li Yi was quite familiar with this model. Although its performance was average, it was one of the few domestic brands currently capable of producing family sedans, and it was also the designated vehicle for municipal-level officials and for hosting foreign guests.

It was indeed rare to see such a car in the remote village of Nianzishan; after all, with its exorbitant price tag, even high-ranking county officials couldn’t afford it.

But considering Huang Lixing’s billion-dollar fortune, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if his brother-in-law drove a Mercedes-Benz, let alone a car like this.

After getting out of the car, Li Yi headed toward the house!

At that moment, several people inside the house had heard the car’s engine and were just about to go out to investigate when they ran into Li Yi as he pushed the door open.

Upon recognizing Li Yi, Li Shankui and the village Party branch secretary, Feng Kai, were taken aback for a moment before approaching him.

“Dad, Uncle Feng, Uncle Zhang—you’re all here!” Li Yi greeted them.

A barely perceptible flicker of excitement passed through Li Shankui’s eyes, and he asked, “When did you get back?”

“I just got back. My older sister told me you were over at the construction site, so I came right over!” Li Yi replied.

“Why didn’t you give us a call before coming back?”

“Every time I call, I have to bother Team Leader Li. I didn’t want to bother him unless it was something really important!” Li Yi explained.

“I suppose you’re right…”

Just then, a young man in his late twenties walked over and asked with a slightly odd accent, “Who are you…?”

At a single glance, Li Yi was certain this must be Huang Lixing’s brother-in-law.

Don’t ask why, but only people from Hong Kong speak Mandarin with such a thick, lisping accent.

What’s more, the young man was wearing a suit—a rare sight around here—his leather shoes were polished to a mirror-like shine, and his hair was styled in the side-parted look currently all the rage in Hong Kong.

Based on these details alone, his identity was practically screaming out.

Without hesitation, Li Yi extended his hand and said in Cantonese, “Hello, I’m Li Yi!”

Upon hearing Li Yi’s name, the young man paused for a moment, then exclaimed excitedly, “So you’re the Master Li my sister mentioned! My apologies for the misunderstanding. My name is Chen Chuying!”

Chen Chuying had heard his sister and brother-in-law speak of this Master Li many times, saying he possessed profound martial arts skills and an uncanny ability to predict the future. Had he not intervened to save them six months ago, he and his sister would have perished at the hands of Ah Long and that venomous woman.

After learning the details of the incident, Chen Chuying felt deep respect for this Master Li, whom he had never met before.

“Welcome to our village of Nianzi Mountain, Mr. Chen. On behalf of the local children, I thank you—and I also thank Old Huang and your older sister!” Li Yi said.

“Master Li, you’re too kind. Just call me Chu!”

“Alright…”

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the group entered the house!

Once inside, Li Yi realized that the room was, in fact, a project command center.

The large outer room was filled with desks, where several people in work uniforms were busy at their tasks, their desks covered with various blueprints.

Further inside was a reception room furnished with chairs and a coffee table—clearly a space for receiving guests.

In addition, there was a door to the left of the reception area, though it was currently closed; it was likely a private rest area.

Although the entire room was slightly cluttered, it was clear that real work was being done here.

Moreover, judging by the professionalism of these people, they were no amateur operation, which also demonstrated the high priority Huang Lixing and his wife placed on this school.

After everyone had taken their seats, Chen Chuying poured water for Li Yi and said, “Uncle Li told me that Master Li has been in Beijing all this time. When did you return?”

“I just got back. I heard Mr. Chen was visiting the village, so I came over. I hope I’m not disturbing you,” Li Yi said with a smile.

“No… not at all…”

Chen Chuying’s demeanor was very respectful!

Before coming here, Huang Lixing had worried that his brother-in-law might offend Li Yi with his loose tongue, so he specifically warned him to keep a low profile once he arrived in Nianzishan Village and not to bring his Hong Kong ways here.

At the same time, Huang Lixing had shared with Chen Chuying quite a few secrets he’d uncovered, which gave Chen Chuying a deeper understanding of Li Yi’s affairs—and naturally made his attitude all the more respectful.

Then Li Yi asked again, “What have you been up to lately, Old Huang?”

Chen Chuying paused briefly before replying, “I’m not at liberty to discuss the specifics. You’d better ask my brother-in-law yourself!”

Li Yi clearly sensed something was amiss in Chen Chuying’s words. It was obvious that Old Huang had been engaged in some covert activities lately. Considering his background, Li Yi couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

Immediately, Li Yi asked again, “Has your brother-in-law been in Hong Kong or on the mainland lately?”

“On the mainland! Since last year, my brother-in-law has spent most of his time back in our hometown in Guangdong Province with my sister and Amin, only returning to Hong Kong occasionally!”

Chen Chuying continued, “Originally, my brother-in-law and my sister planned to come over personally to oversee the project, but Amin suddenly caught a cold, so they sent me ahead to lay the groundwork. They’ll be coming over in a little while!”

“Hmm, a child’s health comes first!”

“Master Li, my brother-in-law asked me to bring you a letter when I came this time. I already gave it to Uncle Li a few days ago—please be sure to read it!”

“Alright!”

Li Yi then added, “Actually, I have a phone installed at my shop in Beijing; it’s just that Old Huang doesn’t know my number. I’ll give you the number in a moment—if you and Old Huang need anything, you can always give me a call!”

With that, Li Yi took out the paper and pen he carried with him, wrote down the shop’s phone number, and handed it to Chen Chuying.

Taking the slip of paper from Li Yi with both hands, Chen Chuying respectfully folded it in half and placed it in his jacket pocket.

Then, he said solemnly, “I’ll send the number to my brother-in-law tomorrow!”

“Great!”

Li Yi then asked Chen Chuying a few more questions about the construction project. Chen Chuying, of course, answered every question thoroughly and with a very pleasant attitude.

Upon learning that the school was expected to be completed by fall, Li Yi felt reassured.

Thinking he had matters to attend to at home, he promptly took his leave and left the construction site with his father.