Chapter 897: Li Yi’s Suspicions!

In Jiang Longcheng’s study, the conversation continued.

After the silence, Jiang Longcheng asked again, “Brother-in-law, is there still any hope for that guy Yang Hua?”

Li Yi shook his head and said, “It’s a long shot! And even if there’s a chance to turn things around, I wouldn’t recommend you get involved in this.”

Yang Hua’s transgressions fall into two main categories. First is his chaotic personal life.

Decades from now, this wouldn’t be a big deal—just look at Principal Wang, who makes the trending list every few days for switching girlfriends.

But most people view such matters with a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment. At worst, they might call Principal Wang a reckless playboy or a cad, but they wouldn’t consider him a criminal.

But things are different these days. Poor personal conduct is considered a violation of the law, and Yang Hua’s biggest problem is—coercion.

Even decades from now, this would be unforgivable. You can be accused of rape even if you’re engaged and have slept together—let alone in this era of simple, wholesome values, where coercion is a truly grave sin.

Moreover, Yang Hua didn’t just coerce one person. Faced with the raging public outcry, who could save him?

The Yang family couldn’t do it, and Jiang Longcheng and Ye Jianhua certainly couldn’t either. If they tried to save him and failed, they might even be seen as accomplices—and that would be a real mess.

Of course, if this had happened before the incident, Li Yi wouldn’t have minded helping him—he would have seen it as helping those young girls he’d forced himself upon.

But now, with less than a year left before the truth came out—and given that, according to official reports from his previous life, Yang Hua’s misdeeds had been going on for years—it was clearly too late!

So Li Yi really didn’t want to get involved in this, nor did he want Jiang Longcheng and Ye Jianhua to recklessly play the hero.

However, upon hearing Li Yi’s words, Jiang Longcheng and Ye Jianhua looked somewhat distressed.

After all, they were childhood friends who’d grown up together. Watching him walk step by step toward the gallows, their feelings were easy to imagine…

After a long moment, Jiang Longcheng finally spoke up: “Brother-in-law, since you know the Yang family’s background, you must also realize that if we save Yang Hua, it would bring significant benefits to our family!”

Li Yi shook his head and said, “Third Brother, I know you feel sorry for him and want to help, but helping someone comes with the condition that it won’t bring trouble down on us. Unfortunately, his situation is a death trap—it’s not something we can get involved in!”

Jiang Longcheng looked at Li Yi and asked, “Brother-in-law, what kind of heinous crime did that bastard commit that even the old Yang family can’t protect him?”

“Lust is a double-edged sword,” Li Yi said coolly.

“Because of a woman?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Upon receiving Li Yi’s affirmative answer, Jiang Longcheng instinctively glanced at Ye Jianhua—Li Yi had said the same thing about him before.

But back then, his brother-in-law had only said that Jianhua was headed for prison—he hadn’t mentioned a threat to his life. Clearly, whatever Yang Hua had done was far more serious than Jianhua’s offense.

After a moment’s thought, Jiang Longcheng spoke again: “By the way, brother-in-law, you looked a bit off during the banquet just now. Did something happen?”

Li Yi sighed and said, “The new son-in-law at Old Liang’s house isn’t right.”

Jiang Longcheng’s heart skipped a beat. He swallowed hard and asked, “Are you saying that girl Qiu Yue’s boyfriend is in for trouble too?”

“Yes. He has the mark of a short life, and just like Yang Hua, his brow is dark, and a deathly aura surrounds him!” Li Yi said.

“This… Brother-in-law, please don’t scare us. Why is it that everyone we’ve run into today is like this?” Jiang Longcheng said, his expression filled with horror.

Li Yi shook his head and said, “I don’t want to say this either, but that’s the reality!”

At that moment, Ye Jianhua chimed in, “Brother-in-law, even though Qiu Yue is older than us by seniority, we grew up together. We all treat her like our own sister. If possible, please try to help her fiancé!”

Jiang Longcheng agreed, “Right. Qiu Yue’s fiancé just graduated from military academy. He’s an upright guy and treats Qiu Yue well. If we can help, let’s do it!”

Li Yi nodded and said, “That’s not a problem, but I’ll have to go back and think about exactly how we can help!”

“Alright, just let us know if there’s anything we can do to help!” Jiang Longcheng said.

“Alright…”

Just then, a rapid ring of a telephone came from the living room outside.

Immediately afterward, Zhang Xinyao called out toward the study: “Brother Longcheng, the phone—it’s for you!”

Jiang Longcheng immediately replied and hurried out, leaving Li Yi and Ye Jianhua in the study chatting idly…

A few minutes later, Jiang Longcheng returned to the study!

As soon as he walked in, Ye Jianhua asked with a smile, “Who was that? So urgent?”

“Yang Hua!”

Then Jiang Longcheng glanced at Li Yi and said, “He said since he’s finally back for a visit, he wants to take me out for drinks tonight—and he asked me to invite the two of you along too!”

After he finished speaking, both of their gazes fixed on Li Yi.

“I’ll pass. I need to go pick up Xiaoxue from the old family home in a bit, and there’s also the matter of Wang Anguo’s cross-regional transfer—I need to run it by Grandpa or my dad!” Li Yi said.

Jiang Longcheng nodded and said, “Since you’ve got important business to attend to, go ahead and take care of it!”

“Uh-huh…”

Just then, Ye Jianhua spoke up, “By the way, Xiao Yi, should we give Yang Hua a heads-up?”

“Sure, but I’d advise you to keep it brief. Don’t get your hopes up too high. After all, the Buddha saves those with karmic ties, and medicine can’t cure the dead. A child who’s destined to die will have purple lips!” Li Yi said.

“Alright, we’ll keep that in mind!” Ye Jianhua said.

Li Yi added, “Going out for drinks or a meal is fine, but remember not to get mixed up with that bunch of spoiled brats. If something really goes wrong, neither the Jiang family nor the Ye family will be able to save you!”

“Got it…”

………..

By the time they left Jiang Longcheng’s house, it was nearly five o’clock.

Thinking that matters with his mother-in-law should be settled by now, Li Yi had Zhang Ziqiang drive them to the Jiang family’s ancestral home.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, Li Yi heard the sound of Jiang Xue chatting with his mother-in-law coming from the west wing—and even Jiang Xue’s cheerful laughter.

It was clear she was in a great mood!

The door was open, so Li Yi strolled in casually.

Upon seeing Li Yi, Ye Lingyun smiled slightly, waved him over, and said, “Little Yi, come on in!”

Jiang Xue also said happily, “Did you come to pick me up?”

“Yeah, I just left Third Brother’s place. Since it’s not far from the old family home, I thought I’d stop by to see if you’d returned yet!” Li Yi said with a smile.

“This afternoon, Mother took me to meet several aunts from the Wang, Luo, and Deng families, as well as their daughters and daughters-in-law. I just got back,” Jiang Xue explained.

Hearing this, Li Yi’s expression froze for a moment. It had been nearly two years since his wife had been reunited with her ancestral family, yet his mother-in-law had never once taken her to meet the women of those prominent families in the capital.

Part of the reason was certainly that his mother-in-law wasn’t in the best of health and didn’t have the energy for it.

But more importantly, he didn’t want Jiang Xue to mingle with those aristocratic ladies and heiresses too soon. After all, Li Yi knew all too well what those women were like—how they looked down on the lowly and fawned over the high-born, how they schemed against one another, and how they constantly competed with each other…

Although that might be a bit of an exaggeration, it’s pretty much the case.

Jiang Xue had grown up in the countryside with limited exposure and no experience navigating such social circles; being naturally innocent, she was bound to be looked down upon—or even bullied.

So, when Xiaoxue had just been reunited with her family, Li Yi firmly refused when his eldest and second aunts, along with his second sister-in-law Yang Rong, wanted to take her out into society.

This is also why the major families in Beijing haven’t really gotten to know the couple over the past two years…

But he never expected that today, his mother-in-law would actually take Jiang Xue out herself.

This couldn’t help but make Li Yi wonder if the Jiang family was intentionally pushing him and Jiang Xue into the spotlight.

If that were the case, then he’d have to rethink his plans!

“Hey… what are you spacing out about?”

“Just thinking about a few things!”

Li Yi then changed the subject, looking at Ye Lingyun and asking, “Mom, what made you decide to take Xiao Xue out today?”

Seeing the confusion and subtle scrutiny in Li Yi’s eyes, Ye Lingyun knew her son-in-law had grown suspicious, so she immediately decided to tell him the truth.

But just then, a series of heavy footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the door, and moments later, Jiang Shiying walked in…

……….