Li Yu's forehead broke out in a fine sheen of sweat. He knew that no matter how he explained this, he wouldn't get past his father's scrutiny.
How could he possibly explain the tangled web of grudges and injustices to a father who had always trusted and taken pride in him? Li Lan stared at his son, waiting silently for him to speak.
Li Yu's mind raced as he hesitated. "Dad, about this matter..."
Mid-sentence, Li Lan's phone rang. He answered it. "Hello, Li Xuan." He glanced at Li Yu, gesturing for him to stay seated, then rose to take the call on the balcony.
Li Yu sprang to his feet, dashed out the door in two strides, and sped off in his car. One hand on the steering wheel, he pulled out his phone and dialed Jian Suilin.
"Hello, where are you right now?"
Jian Suilin's voice was remarkably calm. "I'm having dinner with friends. What's up?" Li Yu's tone was low and urgent. "I need to talk to you. Where are you?"
Jian Suilin snorted. Li Yu heard the sound of his chair scraping back as he stood, then the scene on the other end of the line changed.
as Jian Suilin moved to a quieter spot. He said, " "
. It wasn't just my imagination, right?"
Li Yu stared straight ahead, his gaze unwavering. "No."
Li Yu's palms broke out in a fine sweat, clammy and sticky against the steering wheel. He smoothly pulled over to the curb and stopped the car
, leaned back in his seat, and spoke slowly, "Even if this deal ends up losing money, it's our own fault. That money wasn't ours to begin with. I couldn't care less."
Jian Suilin laughed hollowly. "Li Yu, Li Yu. Look at you now. Is my brother really that great? Has he charmed you this much?"
Li Yu's voice cracked. "Don't mention him."
These words struck Li Yu right in the heart.
He recalled Jian Suiying's familiar "Little Zhu" that morning, his father's furrowed brow, and the cigarettes chain-smoked one after another. Slowly, his fists clenched.
Jian Suilin dropped the mocking tone and spoke seriously: "Li Yu, I know why you called me. Because you
brother, right?"
Li Yu replied flatly, "What do you know?"
"I only know my brother is the kind of man who holds grudges. In truth, Brother Li knew nothing about this matter. He's completely innocent,
but my brother won't see it that way. He'll assume Brother Li teamed up with us to humiliate him. Let me repeat: my brother
He was arrogant, domineering, and never backed down. If someone wronged him in the slightest, he'd repay them tenfold. Anyone who knew him
wouldn't be surprised he'd do something like this—Li Yu included. He slowly raised his hand to shield his eyes, feeling something inside him shatter.
even if you manage to contain him, his political career will be over."
Li Yu felt her throat go dry. Each swallow burned like fire in her throat, and her eyes stung so badly she could barely keep them open.
How could you possibly justify this to him? How could you possibly justify this to him? How could you possibly justify this to him?
Li Yu flung open the car door and hurled the phone away like a lit grenade.