Chapter 33: Why Haven't You Left Yet?

Li Mantang’s expression shifted, and he whispered to Li Qi, "The people from the mine must be here. Wang Cheng stopped by earlier to ask when you’d be back, and I told him soon. He specifically asked that you wait at home."

Li Qi nodded. It seemed the mine took his rescue of dozens of workers very seriously.

Li Manjiang’s family, however, looked utterly bewildered. People from the mine? Looking for Li Qi?

Their confusion did not last long. The gate to Li Qi’s home was pushed open, and Wang Cheng’s voice rang out: "Li Qi, come quickly! Our mine manager is here to present you with a certificate of merit."

Li Qi took Li Mantang by the hand and stepped outside, followed by Li Manjiang’s family. Old Man Li Miao paused for a moment to glance at Li Qi’s Third-Class Hero Medal, stroking it gently with his hand before heading out as well.

A large Jiefang truck had pulled into the alleyway in front of Li Qi’s house. In the open truck bed, a large drum had been set up; one person was beating it while another blew a trumpet. It was a festive scene.

Curious neighbors, startled by the commotion, rushed over to watch. As soon as Li Qi appeared, the drumming stopped. A female comrade from the truck stepped down first and draped a bright red sash over Li Qi.

Deputy Mine Manager Lin Zhiqiang followed, holding a framed certificate and a thick envelope, which he placed in Li Qi’s hands. "After careful deliberation by the mine’s leadership and approval from the Municipal Mining Bureau, the Central Mine has decided to award you the Citywide Outstanding Contribution Award. Furthermore, the mine’s executive committee has decided to grant you a cash reward of ten thousand yuan! Additionally, the mine manager has granted special approval for you to join the Safety Division of Shaft No. 5 as a deputy section chief. From now on, Wang Cheng will be one of your subordinates!"

As his voice faded, the neighbors erupted in an uproar. A ten-thousand-yuan reward from the mine? Li Qi was going to be an official at the mine? Wasn't this kid just a drifter with no prospects? How did he suddenly become so accomplished?

Li Qi blinked. The reward from the Central Mine was at least two levels higher than he had anticipated. Something felt off.

In truth, the key factor was Lin Zhiqiang’s influence. The mine had originally intended to award three thousand yuan and a position as a safety inspector. However, Lin Zhiqiang, an old comrade-in-arms of the mine manager, had visited the manager’s home and spoken candidly: "This incident was something no one could have foreseen, yet he calculated it and warned us. If twenty-some workers had truly been buried in that shaft, not only would I, the deputy manager in charge of safety, have been fired, but you, the manager, would certainly have lost your position too. Therefore, I believe we should make the reward as high as possible. After all, it’s not coming out of your own pocket. Small private mines are getting more rampant; if he ever tips us off again and saves a few more lives, he’s worth any amount of money or status we grant him!"

The manager was swayed by these words, which led to today’s event.

Li Qi hurriedly shook hands with Lin Zhiqiang to express his gratitude, then turned abruptly, clutching the certificate to his chest, and faced Wang Yue. "You mentioned earlier, aunt, that a deputy section-level position at the mine was the peak of my life? I’m sorry, but your so-called peak seems to be nothing more than my starting point. Furthermore..."

Li Qi turned away with a look of disdain, ignoring the old harridan, and said to Lin Zhiqiang, "I’ll accept the certificate and the money, but I’ll pass on the position. I really don’t want to work at the mine. However, if I ever learn of anything related to the mine in the future, I’ll be sure to come to you first!"

Li Qi said this with great seriousness, and Lin Zhiqiang was delighted. The whole grand display and the generous rewards were meant for nothing more than this single promise. Regardless of how Li Qi knew what he knew, as long as he was willing to tell him, he was his savior.

Having achieved his goal, Lin Zhiqiang displayed the decisiveness of the working class and turned to lead his team back to the mine. Li Mantang tried to insist they stay for a meal at a nearby restaurant, but Lin Zhiqiang firmly declined. "Work at the mine is busy, but next time, we’ll arrange a banquet at the administration canteen and invite you properly."

Wang Cheng gave Li Qi a wink, his expression filled with resentment. He didn't understand why Li Qi would refuse a position at the mine—that was a deputy section chief role! Although he felt a bit awkward about becoming Li Qi’s subordinate, he would have been genuinely happy for him had he accepted. He decided that if today was too busy, he would come back another time to persuade him.

As the mining crew drove off, the neighbors swarmed into the courtyard, surrounding Li Mantang and Li Qi. They touched the certificate in Li Qi’s hands, consumed with envy.

"Oh my, Brother Li, your third son has truly made something of himself this time."

"Indeed, the police station gave him an award, and the mine gave him one too—what a remarkable man."

"Did you hear? The mine wanted to make him a section chief!"

"A section chief must earn over a hundred yuan a month. My goodness, and the boy is only eighteen."

"Old Li is going to live a life of luxury from now on."

Auntie Wu leaned close to Old Man Li and whispered secretively, "Old Li, don't go climbing over the Widow Liu’s wall anymore. I have a cousin in Dahuanhu Village whose husband was crushed by a rock in the mountains last year. She’s very capable; shall I put in a good word for you?"

Another old woman, her face caked with makeup, also squeezed in. "Brother Li, is your third son seeing anyone? Shall I introduce you to a few girls? I know all the good daughters for ten miles around; I’ll definitely find you a well-matched daughter-in-law."

The courtyard was in chaos. Li Manjiang’s family retreated back into the house, looking at one another in dismay.

Wang Yue’s face burned. Just a moment ago, she had smugly declared that a deputy section-level position was the height of Li Qi’s life, only for the mine to immediately offer him an actual deputy section-level role. And the kicker was that Li Qi had refused it! This proved that Li Qi didn't value that position at all. And the reward—ten thousand yuan? Since when were Outstanding Contribution Awards so lucrative? The highest municipal reward for an individual was usually at most two hundred yuan. The mine was truly wealthy...

Li Qi and his father chatted with the neighbors in the yard, seemingly forgetting about their four guests. It was only when Li Li could no longer stand it that she let them back into the house and poured each of them a bowl of water. But that was all. She was being polite, but she certainly wasn't going to give them a friendly look. They had actually wanted to take the third brother’s kidney—that was a man’s lifeline. If a man lost a kidney, how could he hold his head up in front of women? No amount of money could make up for that. On this point, Li Li was not confused.

Finally, the onlookers dispersed. Several women wanted to introduce partners to Li Qi, and several others wanted to introduce themselves to Li Mantang. Li Mantang had been single for three years; he had never experienced such treatment. In the chaos, he didn't even know who had pinched his backside, leaving his heart fluttering. Perhaps he really didn't need to visit Widow Liu anymore... That woman was of loose morals, after all, opening her door to anyone, and he had only gone there because he had no other options. The third son was better; the eldest son was said to be "accomplished," but that was just talk—he had never brought any real benefits to the family.

The two men didn't notice that at the end of the street, Xu Tiesheng, the head of the police station, was accompanying a dignified-looking man and a well-dressed older woman, watching them from afar. The three had arrived a while ago and witnessed the ceremony for Li Qi. The older woman wore a kind smile and nodded repeatedly.

When the father and son returned to the house and saw the four people still sitting there, Li Qi was stunned. "Why haven't you left yet?"