Chapter 68: Li Kai's True Strength

“I didn’t expect Young Master Hai to remember me!” Li Kai responded with a gentle smile.

“Hahaha, I invited you today just to finally meet you in person! To tell the truth, I used to ask Uncle Li to let you hang out with me, but he always refused! He said you were still too young, afraid I’d be a bad influence on you!” Young Master Hai laughed heartily.

“That was my father’s way of caring for me… not that he didn’t trust you, Young Master Hai. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here today, would I?” Li Kai replied with a smile.

“Hahaha, I could never blame Uncle Li! Please send him my regards when you go back, and tell him that when I have the time, I’ll certainly visit him myself!” Young Master Hai said sincerely.

Li Kai agreed with a smile, promising to relay the message.

This exchange left Young Master He somewhat unsettled. Based on what he knew of Young Master Hai, and of Li Kai, he couldn’t see why Young Master Hai would go out of his way to curry favor with Li Kai. Even if Li Kai’s father was the Director of the Construction Bureau, it didn’t make sense. Yet here was Young Master Hai, acting just so. It made Young Master He realize that perhaps Li Kai’s background wasn’t as simple as he’d thought.

Thinking of how he’d offended Li Kai earlier, Young Master He could only smile ruefully to himself. With his family stripping him of power, he had no choice but to force those thoughts aside.

Yes, he was no longer the Young Master He of old. Even with the family elder gone, the power behind the He family was still not to be underestimated. The trouble was that Young Master He could no longer fully represent the He family. The new Young Master He in Beijing, he was now the real heir. Realizing this filled him with bitterness.

“And this is?” Young Master Hai asked, looking at Li Yingying.

“Young Master Hai, this is my girlfriend, Li Yingying,” Li Kai introduced.

“Hello!” For Li Yingying, this was her first time in such circles. Even if she wasn’t pleased with Li Kai calling her his girlfriend so directly, she knew she had to give him face in front of others.

Li Yingying was a clever woman. When there were no outsiders, Li Kai always gave her plenty of face, and did so even among friends. So, as a gesture of reciprocity, she would do the same for him.

“Oh my, Li, so she’s your girlfriend! What a surprise! I wasn’t prepared at all! Akun, go to the study—the third drawer on the lower left. Bring me that box!” Young Master Hai feigned astonishment, his manner warm and generous.

“Yes, sir!” Akun hurried out.

“Young Master Hai, you’re too kind!” Li Kai said quickly.

“Li, we haven’t spent much time together, so you might not know my temperament! Let me do things my way, all right? Your girlfriend comes to my place, and as her elder brother, if I show nothing at all, how will I save face if word gets out?” Young Master Hai pretended annoyance.

Soon, Akun returned with an exquisitely wrapped box, handing it to Li Yingying. “Sister-in-law, I have nothing else to give—this is a piece of jade. If you don’t mind, please accept it as a welcome gift from your brother.”

Li Yingying glanced at Li Kai, clever as ever.

“Since it’s Young Master Hai’s kind gesture, just accept it,” Li Kai said softly.

Only then did Li Yingying accept the box.

Young Master Hai was delighted, and didn’t forget to greet Wang Xinyou as well. Then his smile faded as he looked at He Tian and Young Master He, frowning slightly.

“I’ve heard all about what happened. Old He, I have to say, no matter whether He Tian is a brother of mine or not, he’s a guest in my house. Your words were too much. And, He my friend, you should have told me sooner about your close ties, then there wouldn’t have been any misunderstanding, right?” Young Master Hai admonished both sides.

“Come now, let’s drink this cup and put the matter behind us. No one is to bring it up again!” Raising his glass, he looked at He Tian and Young Master He.

He Tian and Young Master He both raised their glasses. The three of them drank together.

Young Master Hai immediately changed the subject, as if a single word could settle the matter—there was no need to dwell on it further. With Young Master He present and tonight’s events as they were, He Tian knew there was no chance of digging out any secrets about Young Master Hai.

Seeing the time, he got up to take his leave. Young Master Hai personally walked them to the door, watching as their cars slowly pulled away. Only then did he return inside, settling on the couch across from Young Master He.

“Have a smoke,” Young Master Hai sighed, handing over a cigarette.

Young Master He took it, looking at him. “Young Master Hai, why did you signal me to let it go? Is it because of He Tian and Li Kai? What’s so special about Li Kai?”

“Old He, you really need to rein in that temper. Don’t you know? Li Kai’s eldest uncle is about to be transferred—to a neighboring province as the top official. His third uncle is about to take the second-in-command position in the northern military district. I’ve heard his father is also about to move, joining the Tianhai city’s standing committee. The Li family is on the rise! Compared to Li Kai, where do you stand now? Sure, maybe Li Kai wouldn’t dare do anything to you, but could you do anything to him? You ought to know you don’t have as many resources as before. All you have left is the He family name.” Young Master Hai spoke bluntly, revealing Li Kai’s background.

“Li Kai’s father is from the old Li family? No wonder!” Young Master He took a deep breath, his tone heavy.

“You didn’t even know that?” Young Master Hai shook his head in surprise.

“But enough about that. What about He Tian?” Young Master He’s tone darkened. “Young Master Hai, I was utterly humiliated today. No matter what, you can’t stop me.”

“I absolutely must stop you,” Young Master Hai said seriously.

“Who is he to you?” Young Master He’s tone was annoyed.

“He doesn’t have much of a background, but he’s the driver I’ve been looking for, to compete in the end-of-year race. Old He, that’s all I’ll say—you should understand.”

“I understand. Don’t worry, Young Master Hai. I won’t prevent him from driving,” Young Master He replied coldly.

Young Master Hai felt a wave of distaste. What Young Master He said was completely at odds with the point he was making. He studied him for a moment, then simply nodded, noncommittal.

Young Master He had no idea that in this instant, Young Master Hai had already given up on winning him over.

“No wonder the He family’s spokesperson has been replaced,” Young Master Hai sighed inwardly. The He family, once so illustrious—especially when the old patriarch was alive—had fallen because Young Master He never learned to make use of his resources.

—

After He Tian and Li Kai’s cars had left the seaside villa district far behind, they gradually slowed to a stop.

The windows of both cars lowered, and Wang Xinyou and Li Yingying leaned out.

“Yingying, follow my car! I’ve moved—come see my new place. You should get familiar with it!” Wang Xinyou said with a smile.

“You’ve moved? Why so suddenly? Where to?” Li Yingying asked in surprise.

“Longhai Gardens! Come on, keep up!” Without waiting for a reply, Wang Xinyou rolled up her window.

Lan Ji started the car toward Longhai Gardens.

“Where is Longhai Gardens?” Li Yingying asked Li Kai as she rolled up her window.

“The most exclusive villa district in Tianhai,” Li Kai answered, starting the car and following. He knew Li Yingying would definitely keep up.

“The most exclusive…? I’d like to see just how high-end it is,” Li Yingying murmured.

Li Kai smiled quietly, though his mind was preoccupied. Young Master Hai’s words would surely make Li Yingying and He Tian curious—a round of questioning was inevitable.

Li Yingying opened the box Young Master Hai had given her, discovering a round piece of jade inside, clear and luminous. She took to it immediately.

“Young Master Hai must be someone important, to give me such a gift. Tell me—who are you, really?” Li Yingying asked, holding the jade and looking at Li Kai.

“Is that so important? Who I am doesn’t matter—what matters is that I belong to you,” Li Kai replied with a gentle laugh.

“Hmph… We’ll see about that. Keeping things from me—aren’t you going to tell me now?” Li Yingying said with a playful scoff.

“At your command…” Li Kai said. “My father has two brothers; he’s the second. My eldest uncle is about to be transferred from central government to a top provincial post, my third uncle is taking the number two spot in the military region, and my father is also moving up, joining the Tianhai city standing committee. Do you understand now? Before, I was doing all right, but after all these changes, it’s a completely different story. Young Master Hai’s warmth is all because of this.”

“He’s quite practical, isn’t he?” Li Yingying frowned.

“Well, how should I put it… Young Master Hai has strong backing. Even with our family’s changes, we’re still a bit short. He has no real reason to win me over—he just wants to maintain a connection, that’s all,” Li Kai replied with a chuckle.

“You seem so clear-headed… What does your family hope you’ll do in the future?” Li Yingying asked.

“Go into politics. If I do, will you still feel the same about me?” Li Kai’s tone held a trace of uncertainty.

“Do you want to?” Li Yingying didn’t answer directly but asked another question.

“I do,” Li Kai replied. “Our family can’t afford to stagnate. I have no choice.”

“Then I’ll support you. But you know, if you ever cheat on me, I’ll make sure you regret it,” Li Yingying said, clenching her small fist.

“I never will!” Li Kai said, his face lighting up with a smile.

“Hmph, you wouldn’t dare…” Li Yingying said with a laugh. Then, her tone grew worried. “You don’t think your family will look down on me, do you?”

“Of course not! Don’t overthink it,” Li Kai assured her.

“It had better be that way,” Li Yingying muttered.

Li Kai laughed, though his heart felt heavy. How would he explain all this to his family? Approval wouldn’t come easily—he knew that all too well.