Li Jiayi’s home was located in what was considered a fairly high end residential compound in Yanjing. Her father was also a reasonably successful district level official.
To secure a district official position in Yanjing actually required considerable capability.
However, Li Jiayi’s father was clearly dissatisfied with this status and had always been looking for an opportunity to climb another rung on the ladder.
Therefore, regarding his daughter, he had always strongly supported her in becoming a socialite in Yanjing.
After all, through Li Jiayi’s connections, there was a possibility of climbing higher socially. Consequently, he had always held high hopes for his daughter.
Upon entering, Li Yingying was quite warm, but Li Jiayi’s father, wearing a pair of glasses, sat beside the television clutching a teacup, his manner slightly cold.
In the past, he would not have acted this way. After all, Shen Yuelan was known as a business empress and possessed considerable influence.
But now?
In fact, he had argued with Li Yingying that very morning. Her suggestion was for Luo Chen and Li Jiayi to grow closer, and if the young people felt a mutual attraction, they should be encouraged to match.
However, Li Jiayi’s father clearly disagreed. Shen Yuelan was now penniless and her relationship with the Shen family had long been strained. Getting close to her would only risk offending the Li family.
Moreover, why try to pair them up at a time like this?
The meal was already prepared. Li Jiayi’s father, also surnamed Li, was called Li Dongliang.
At this moment, Li Dongliang spoke.
“Xiao Chen, I heard you have been in Tongzhou county all these years. However, I believe that place still produces quite a few talented individuals. Which university did you graduate from?”
“Just a rather ordinary university,” Luo Chen nodded.
Clearly, this answer dissatisfied Li Dongliang somewhat.
If it was only an average university and he lacked even a decent academic qualification, his future prospects were worrying.
“By the way, Xiao Chen, what about your job?” Li Dongliang asked again.
“A job? I have changed it several times.” Luo Chen was not exaggerating. Having worked as both a teacher and an instructor, he had indeed switched roles frequently.
This made Li Dongliang frown once more. He had wanted to test whether Luo Chen had any experience in business or similar fields, but received such an answer instead.
“I have had enough. You all take your time.” Li Dongliang lifted his teacup, spoke, and then walked towards the study.
“Oh, Jiayi, come here for a moment. I have a few words for you,” Li Dongliang suddenly said.
Although Li Yingying felt this was impolite, she did not say much.
Li Jiayi followed Li Dongliang into the study with some confusion.
After closing the study door, Li Dongliang settled into a rattan wooden chair and then spoke.
“Jiayi, from now on, keep a proper distance from that child of your Aunt Yuelan.”
“You heard him just now. Whether it is his academic background or his current abilities, he will not achieve much in the future,” Li Dongliang instructed.
“Father, I understand. But what about my mother’s side?” Li Jiayi naturally understood Li Dongliang’s meaning.
“Your mother’s side?”
“I will speak to your mother about it myself. A person like him could never become a son in law of our Li family,” Li Dongliang said arrogantly.
“Alright, remember what your father said. Go back to eat.”
“So you are not eating, Father?” Li Jiayi asked.
“Me?”
“With my status, dine with that group of people?” Li Dongliang gave a cold laugh.
“Your father has not fallen to that level yet,” Li Dongliang said, shaking his head, his tone full of pride.
Just as Li Jiayi stepped out, a knock sounded at the door.
Li Jiayi went to open the door and happened to see a young man standing outside.
Although the young man’s appearance was quite ordinary, he was covered in designer brands, dressed extremely meticulously, and radiated a strong aristocratic aura.
“Jiayi, I heard our Aunt Yuelan has been discharged from the hospital. I came to visit,” Shen Junkai said.
“Is that Xiaokai?” Shen Yuelan suddenly turned around.
“It is me,” Shen Junkai replied, walking in without waiting for an invitation.
He was the second son of Shen Yuelan’s fifth brother, the fifth branch of the Shen family. His intelligence was exceptionally high, and even while studying at Oxford University, he had been considered a minor prodigy.
Furthermore, his skill in Go was particularly remarkable. It was said he ranked among the top five in international competitions, holding a professional ninth dan rank.
Many people reportedly called him the young divine calculator.
It was said he had been specially recruited into a multinational corporation to participate in research on a scientific engineering project. He held a postdoctoral position and was also a senior executive at the company, with annual dividends reaching the level of seventy or eighty million.
After brief polite introductions, Shen Juntao spoke.
“Brother Xiao Chen, if you ever face any difficulties, just tell me. I have quite a few connections in this circle in Yanjing.”
Although he said this, Shen Juntao had actually come to set a trap for Luo Chen that day.
In his eyes, a young man from a county town could be completely outplayed with just a few simple tricks.
Luo Chen nodded. Shen Juntao insisted on adding Luo Chen on WeChat. Out of respect for Shen Yuelan, Luo Chen agreed.
Throughout the entire exchange, Shen Juntao maintained a smiling face, clearly a man skilled at calculation and scheming.
However, in his eyes, Luo Chen was precisely the kind of particularly dull person, appearing quite honest and simple.
After finishing the meal and exchanging a few more casual words, Li Jiayi actually asked Luo Chen to step out onto the balcony for a conversation.
Shen Yuelan clearly misinterpreted the situation and felt somewhat pleased.
“You had better be careful around Shen Juntao,” Li Jiayi warned.
“Why?”
“Do not let his constant smile fool you. He is a genuine smiling tiger, a hypocrite, the sort who would destroy others without a second thought,” Li Jiayi explained.
“Do you know what he has done?” Li Jiayi continued.
“Previously, a classmate of his offended him. He tricked that person into going to Africa and sold him. Yet, from start to finish, that classmate kept thanking him.”
“Even after being sold to Africa, that classmate still regarded him as a saviour.”
“In terms of playing dirty tricks, even someone like my father, who has struggled in the political sphere for decades, has to admit defeat to him. If he had not poisoned someone with a slow acting toxin back when he was studying, causing a massive scandal that barred him from politics, he would probably hold at least a deputy departmental level position by now.”
Li Jiayi’s assessment of Shen Juntao was clearly extremely high.
“His visit to you today is definitely not just a casual check in. He must have a specific purpose.”
“Luo Chen, take my advice. You should go back to where you came from!”
“Do you know? Those third generation members of the Shen family will absolutely not let you stay in Yanjing. I must warn you one last time. Some of them are not ordinary people. Not the kind of ordinary people we know. Their circle extends internationally, with connections abroad as well.” After saying this, Li Jiayi
looked at Luo Chen.
She was waiting for Luo Chen to give her an answer.
After all, Shen Juntao’s appearance today proved that the Shen family’s third generation group had already prepared to make a move against Luo Chen. Any single one of them could cause Luo Chen to suffer, or even lose his life. It would be even worse facing a whole group.