Chapter 34: Why Are You Here?

The Third Uncle, Li Miao, wore a bitter smile. He wanted to leave, but since Li Manjiang had driven him here directly from the village, he was now stranded without even enough money for a bus fare. He wanted nothing more to do with this wretched business; Li Manjiang had deceived him deeply. A distinguished youth of the city and a third-class hero of the Public Security Bureau—how could he possibly dare to provoke such a man? If he were truly branded a foreign agent, how would his children ever survive in the village?

Wang Yue stood up, took a deep breath, and re-evaluated Li Qi. Had she spoken a little too loudly just now?

"Li Qi..."

Before she could continue, Li Qi walked right past her, carefully put away his certificate of outstanding contribution, removed his sash, and set that aside as well. Only then did he turn back.

"Do you still have business here?"

Wang Yue’s momentum was completely shattered. She had originally thought that the money—a figure that would be astronomical to Li Qi’s family—and the conditions offered were ones he could not possibly refuse. Now, it all felt like a joke. Yet, she dared not offer more. It was not that she didn't have it, but if word got out, how would she explain it? By what right did she possess so much wealth? In reality, coming up with thirty thousand yuan had already been a risk for them.

However, she absolutely could not give up on this matter. She finally set aside all her airs, completely changing her attitude, and spoke in a tone so gentle it bordered on pleading: "Li Qi, perhaps there were some misunderstandings between us in the past. If our family showed the wrong attitude, please don't take it to heart. I am not speaking to you now as a cadre from the city's Organization Department or as your elder. I am speaking simply as a mother. My son is lying in the hospital, and his condition worsens by the day. He needs a healthy, matching kidney to continue his life. He is still young, just turned twenty this year. His life has only just begun, and there are countless beautiful experiences waiting for him. In this world, your kidney is the most suitable for him. So, Li Qi, please reconsider. Perhaps you can find a job on your own merits, and perhaps thirty thousand yuan isn't that much to you. But Manjiang and I work in the city. We have connections and influence. As long as you are willing to save my son, we can be your backing. In Taihe City, at least, no matter where you go or what you do, everything will go smoothly for you."

Li Qi laughed, a genuine laugh from the heart.

"I used to chat with friends and joke that if I had a rich and powerful father, I’d like to be adopted by one just to see what kind of lifestyle those 'second-generation' elites enjoy. Who would have thought I’d actually run into such an opportunity today? Unfortunately, I’m a selfish person; I don’t want to trade my kidney for a father. You may leave."

***

Wang Yue wore a look of bewilderment. "Li Qi, what exactly are you thinking? You know the positions Manjiang and I hold. Why don't you understand? With the two of us supporting you, you will go far in Taihe City, reaching heights others wouldn't even dare to dream of. Why are you so stubborn!"

Wang Yue felt like she was going insane. She could not fathom why, after lowering her attitude so much and saying everything she could, Li Qi still refused. A faint sadness welled up in her heart. She likely realized the truth: Li Qi’s background was too humble and his education too limited, making him fundamentally unable to comprehend what the upper echelons of the world were truly like. He simply could not grasp what the promise she made meant for his life.

*If all else fails, should I take him out to see?* Let him witness for himself the extravagant world woven by money and power. Perhaps then he would truly understand what he was refusing. *There is no time to lose; this needs to be done quickly.*

Just as Wang Yue was secretly making plans, a knock came at the door. "Is Li Qi home?"

Was that not Xu Tiesheng’s voice? Li Qi quickly went to open the courtyard gate and saw Xu Tiesheng standing with two other people. The smile on Xu Tiesheng’s face was almost enough to melt him.

Just moments ago, Political Commissar Zhou Guodong had suddenly arrived at the police station with Auntie Qiu, heading straight for his office to see Li Qi. Both Zhou Guodong and Auntie Qiu had seen the banner Li Qi had sent over. And Auntie Qiu had a smile on her face! This made Xu Tiesheng’s heart bloom with joy. No one knew better than him how important it was to leave a good impression on Auntie Qiu. He had quickly reported to her all the details of how Li Qi had been beaten by the Gao family and the subsequent mediation.

Zhou Guodong nodded. "Resolving village disputes through mediation is excellent. Our efforts should be used more to combat real criminals and maintain the safety of the citizens."

Political Commissar Zhou’s affirmation of Li Qi’s actions put Xu Tiesheng completely at ease.

Li Qi, facing the three people at his door, felt a bit nervous. He recognized Qiu Shuyun, and he immediately guessed the identity of the other person. This was a top leader from the Municipal Bureau—had he really come to his home?

Xu Tiesheng introduced them immediately. "This is Auntie Qiu, whom you have met, and this is Political Commissar Zhou from our Municipal Bureau. They came specially to see you today."

Qiu Shuyun looked at Li Qi, smiled slightly, and reached out to shake his hand. This young man had left a deep impression on her. When he fought two armed thugs on the ice, swinging a bicycle for so long and coming out unscathed—his physical condition was exceptional.

Zhou Guodong also reached out to shake Li Qi’s hand. "You saved my mother and my brother's child. You are a great benefactor to the Zhou family."

Li Qi quickly shook his head. "In that situation, anyone would have acted. Besides, I didn't do much, and I even let Auntie get hurt. Please, come in and sit. Auntie, how is your injury? Are you doing alright?"

He naturally reached out to support Auntie Qiu’s arm. Zhou Guodong was alarmed and about to intervene, only to find that his mother did not resist at all. Being supported by Li Qi, she actually revealed a kind smile. "Child, you are very thoughtful. This old woman is fine. Back when we were fighting the invaders, I was stabbed and shot through, and I just rubbed some dirt on it and kept on fighting."

Zhou Guodong’s jaw nearly dropped. Since his father’s passing, his mother’s personality had changed drastically; she was unwilling to get close to others and rarely spoke of those years. At most, she might mention a word or two when coaxing his brother’s son, Zhou Shaoyun, but never in depth. Why was she speaking so freely in front of Li Qi?

Li Qi, however, was filled with awe. "You fought the invaders? I admire those who fought the invaders the most. It’s a pity I was born too late, otherwise, I would have fought alongside you."

Qiu Shuyun chuckled and patted Li Qi’s hand. "If you had been under my command, you would have been a fine soldier!"

The two entered the house. Qiu Shuyun glanced at the kitchen and exclaimed in wonder, "So clean. It’s rare to see a bungalow kept so tidy."

Li Qi quickly gave credit to his sister. "My eldest sister tidied it up. She is a very upright and capable person."

Qiu Shuyun nodded repeatedly. "Very good."

Li Qi walked into the inner room with Qiu Shuyun, the two of them laughing and talking. Zhou Guodong followed behind his mother, with Xu Tiesheng half a step behind, carrying two net bags. The bags contained two bottles of high-end liquor and some fruit—rare items for this era, neither looking too frugal nor overly ostentatious.

Inside the room, Li Manjiang and Wang Yue saw the elderly woman Li Qi was supporting and jumped up in shock. Both were visibly flustered. "Elder Qiu, why is it you... how did you come here?"