Chapter 342 - 339: The Vacation Is Over

Chapter 342: Chapter 339: The Vacation Is Over

Li Xiu had been so busy lately that he was almost never home during the day. Zhou Lian knew what he was busy with, so to keep him from worrying or getting distracted, she promised not to be a picky eater. This made Professor Xiao, Professor Fan, and Sister Fang drop their jaws in laughter. It was rare for Zhou Lian, who was usually so fussy about her food, to show such determination!

Zhou Lian understood that while this Ping’an matter wasn’t dangerous, it was incredibly tedious. During this time, the number of letters traveling between the Capital City and the Northwest through special channels was astronomical. Devising an effective plan was no easy feat. Even though Li Xiu had lived a life before, much of his knowledge was theoretical. Putting it into practice was fraught with countless difficulties. She couldn’t help much, so the best she could do was reassure Li Xiu and not cause him any trouble.

The days passed with Li Xiu busy from dawn till dusk. Zhou Lian shuttled between several companies, squeezed in time to go shopping and have heart-to-hearts with Zhang Hongying, and even occasionally paid a visit to the Imperial Palace. A week in advance, Zhou Lian dispatched two cars, arranging for two people who had been to their hometown before to drive back.

Two days later, the two cars returned to the Capital City, bringing Mr. Zhou, Mrs. Zhou, Zhou Huaitai, Zhang Yizhen, and the three Li siblings—Li Guo, Li Cui, and Li He. That day, Wang Xiaojuan had also come over to the courtyard house early with her two children to wait. After all, among the arrivals were her own brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

In the afternoon, the two cars pulled into the courtyard. Not long after, Li Bao also drove home. The courtyard house was bustling with excitement, with adults and children alike overjoyed. Sister Fang showed off her skills, whipping up two tables full of dishes, and even added several extra dishes for the group of young men in the front yard.

Li Xiu didn’t get back until just before dinner. Zhou Lian had already explained to Mr. and Mrs. Zhou that Li Xiu would be very busy during this period and didn’t have time to go back and pick them up. After so many years, the elderly couple completely understood their son-in-law. They just smiled and didn’t think anything of it. Even if he wasn’t busy, it would have been fine if he didn’t go. Besides, he had already sent cars to pick them up.

Never mind the dozen or so young men in the front yard who were delighted to see the extra dishes from the inner courtyard. Inside, the adults sat at one table and the children at another. By the end, the tables were a happy mess of empty plates and cups. Li Guo, Zhou Huaitai, and Zhang Yizhen were leading Li Bao’s two children, plus Nuonuo and Yanyan, in a wild romp around the yard. Meanwhile, Professor Xiao, Zhou Lian, and Wang Xiaojuan led Li Cui and Li He to the study.

Sister Fang prepared tea and served some fruit before going to look after Mrs. Zhou. After all, she was getting on in years and had been in a car all day. Sister Fang and Mrs. Zhou had gotten along well over the years, and she was quite worried about her. After a quick word with Zhou Lian, she went to find Mrs. Zhou.

Zhou Lian and Professor Xiao proceeded to give Li Cui and Li He a lesson on life. Because the two girls were now attending a university near their big brother and sister-in-law, Zhou Lian was constantly worried they would be blinded by the bustling city and lose their way.

Professor Xiao, acting on a teacher’s instinct for their students and also out of consideration for her own Closed-door Disciple, spoke to the two sisters, Li Cui and Li He. In simple and clear terms, she explained that a young woman must be reserved and have self-respect, self-love, and self-esteem. She told them they needed to understand that only by being capable and well-mannered themselves, with the added support of their brother and sister-in-law, could they have any life they wanted. They must never lose their way!

Zhou Lian, on the other hand, was much more blunt. She declared that in this world, aside from one’s own father and brothers, there were no good men. Li Cui and Li He were both pretty and smart, students at a prestigious university, and on top of that, had Li Xiu and Li Bao as their older brothers. This would surely attract the covetous attention of some unwanted suitors.

Zhou Lian told the two sisters directly, ’A man’s mouth is a liar’s trap, so don’t believe a word that comes out of it. Love might be beautiful, but a man can be poison with a sweet coating. Don’t be so quick to take a bite. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a solid piece of candy. If you’re unlucky... heh, you might just get poison wrapped in a candy shell!’

It’s hard to say how much this overturned the two girls’ worldviews, but they knew their sister-in-law meant well. It wasn’t just that a good man like their eldest brother was hard to find; even a man like Brother Bao was a rare find. Moreover, they had grown up watching how their eldest brother doted on their sister-in-law. For the Li girls, whose standards had already been raised by their own brothers’ good looks, very few men could even pass the first hurdle of physical appearance, let alone be judged by the standard set by their eldest brother.

What the siblings had joked about when they were all together back in their hometown might just come true. But that was fine. Their youngest brother had said it: if they couldn’t find someone to marry, then they just wouldn’t. As if the brothers couldn’t even protect their own sisters!

Wang Xiaojuan, for her part, was staring at her sister-in-law, her eyes shining. ’When I first married Li Bao, my ears were filled with legendary tales about this sister-in-law. After all, my eldest brother-in-law is no ordinary man. To have him so utterly captivated, one can only imagine how clever she must be. In all my years in the Capital City, I’ve learned so much from her. Now that she’s giving a live lesson to my two sisters-in-law, I can definitely listen in!’

Professor Xiao watched as the topic went completely off the rails. Seeing the three young women staring at Zhou Lian with sparkling eyes, she couldn’t help but let out a long sigh. She rubbed her forehead in resignation, watching her Closed-door Disciple lead her two sisters-in-law and her brother-in-law’s wife astray.

Mr. Zhou and Professor Fan hadn’t seen each other in a long time either, and the two of them chatted animatedly about Nuonuo and Yanyan. Li Xiu watched with a small smile before calling Li Bao over to the study.

"Brother, is something wrong?" Li Bao asked curiously, seeing Li Xiu’s face turn serious the moment he entered the study.

Taking a sip of tea, Li Xiu looked at Li Bao seriously and said, "I’m going to be very busy for a while. Let Dongfang, Wei Guo, and Liu Qiang know. Your sister-in-law is also starting school in a couple of days, so neither of us will have much time. I’m leaving the company to you guys. Also, make sure the tax accounts are crystal clear. And I need you all to put in the extra work and thoroughly screen all company personnel again. If you find anyone problematic, fire them immediately!"

"Brother, what is this about?"

Glancing at the surprised Li Bao, Li Xiu said softly, "There are signs from above. They’re going to launch a nationwide ’strike hard’ campaign. You should know what that entails and what it represents."

"I understand, Brother. I’ll have a meeting with Dongfang and the others tomorrow and immediately start a screening across the entire group. Don’t worry, Brother. As for Sister-in-law’s company, I’ll discuss it with Professor Fan and their general manager!" Li Bao’s expression immediately turned grave upon hearing this, and he spoke with conviction. He understood what his brother had left unsaid.

Li Xiu glanced at Li Bao and said softly, "Clear your schedule the day before school starts. We’ll take He to register at her school together, and then we’ll take Cui to her school in the afternoon."

"Got it, Brother," Li Bao nodded in agreement. When Li Cui had first registered for school, his brother and sister-in-law had gone without him. This time, recalling what Li Xiu had just said, Li Bao suddenly understood. ’Brother is being proactive, preparing for a rainy day. He is fine—she’s at the same school as Li Guo, and Sister-in-law is a lecturer there. But Cui is all alone.’

"Brother, you’re worried about Cui?"