Chapter 40: But I had no heart to appreciate the scenery.

On the other side, Li Jichuan also didn't sleep all night.

Worried.

After arriving in southern Yunnan, he went deep into the 10,000-mu rose manor he was cooperating with the Li family, only to find that the management team there was just a makeshift operation.

The Li family initially made their fortune with "rose hydrosol".

Back then, information wasn't readily available. Li Peirong, carrying a few jars of "rose hydrosol" that he had developed himself, went to Yuncheng alone, and then step by step, built the Li family's empire.

After decades of ups and downs, although the Li family has achieved remarkable success in many fields, the cosmetics industry has always been the foundation and cornerstone of the Li family's reputation.

Therefore, after Li Jichuan's parents passed away, the related businesses were managed by "family members" Li Shuwen.

Li Jichuan slammed the report down, then burst into laughter in anger—

His aunt is really something else!

At this moment, the first rays of dawn painted a golden outline on his profile.

Li Jichuan had a hooked nose, high brow bones, and deep-set features, naturally exuding an imposing and domineering air.

It's probably because his mother came from an ethnic minority in southern Yunnan.

His parents met in southern Yunnan. At that time, Li's father had just taken over the manor and chemical plant there, while Li's mother was a college student majoring in chemical engineering who had come to intern.

Through their joint efforts, the effects of "rose hydrosol" have been continuously improved, making it a model of domestic products.

Li's mother also pioneered the Li family's skincare and body care product line based on the concept of "all-natural," which helped the group quickly monopolize the market and become a "stabilizing force" in the industry.

Later, because of Li Jichuan's arrival, Li's parents decided to return to Yuncheng to give him a comfortable life and the warmth and companionship of family.

It can be said that Li Jichuan's parents met here and devoted the most of their youth and energy to this place.

Therefore, even though shutting down this product line entirely would be the best option for the group's development, Li Jichuan couldn't bring himself to make that decision.

Moreover, this territory has always been managed by Li Shuwen, and we are currently in a critical period. Every move Li Jichuan makes may be over-interpreted and distorted into something else.

He was unwilling, and could not, to act rashly...

However, this does not mean that he should just let things slide and give up the investigation in a muddled way.

Li Jichuan slammed the documents in his hand onto the desk, and the factory manager sitting opposite him immediately shrugged.

The person in charge is almost two cycles older than him and nearing retirement, so he has a kind of "dead pig doesn't care about boiling water" attitude.

"I asked you to submit a report, and you gave me this handwritten data. What do you mean by that?"

Li Jichuan raised his chin slightly, sat on one leg in the wheelchair, and exuded a terrifying aura.

The other person coughed a few times guiltily, then put on that cheeky grin again.

“We’re a small place, we can’t compare to big cities like Yuncheng. Besides, the tradition of handwritten data was passed down from Old Manager Li…”

Li Jichuan chuckled, "Oh, then what about the data you report to the group every year? Even if it's handwritten, the data on the reports doesn't match the data in the group's archives at all."

The person in charge rubbed his head and said nonchalantly, "We don't know. The group asked for data, and we gave it to them. As for the final outcome, we don't know."

Li Jichuan swallowed hard.

The other party is clearly just passing the buck. If we really trace it back layer by layer, Li Jichuan will have no choice but to find Li Shuwen.

Li Shuwen is not only his aunt, but also a pillar of the group.

Li Jichuan's power does not allow him to take such a risk.

Li Jichuan rubbed his temples. "What about the workers' representatives? I requested a meeting with them a few days ago when I first arrived here. Why haven't we received a response yet?"

The person in charge shrugged.

"I don't know. Who knows where he went to have fun after taking the compensation?"

The other person smiled at him and said, "Young people are just hot-tempered. When things don't go their way, they get angry and join other workers in a strike to protest. But after a couple of days, when their anger subsides, they feel embarrassed and go back to doing what they were doing."

Li Jichuan deciphered the unspoken meaning in the other party's words; they were telling him that things had been settled and they wanted to kick him out.

Giving up easily is never something he would do.

"Uncle, you were looking for me?"

The office door was suddenly pushed open, and someone rushed into the room in a flustered manner, reeking of smoke.

Li Jichuan looked over with disgust, but for some reason, he felt that the face was somewhat familiar.

It seems like I've seen it somewhere before.

Especially that scar on my forehead...

The next second, he saw him. The other person was obviously stunned for a moment, then naturally put the baseball cap on his head and lowered his eyes.

"Manager Qiu, have people from the group arrived?"

The person in charge stammered, "Um, um, this is Li Jichuan, President Li..."

"Oh, hello."

The other party bowed to Li Jichuan, then gave a few perfunctory words and hurriedly left.

The person in charge unscrewed the water cup and drank two mouthfuls of tea.

“Uh, this is from our factory, an apprentice…it’s me, a relative of mine,” he explained.

Li Jichuan seemed to be deep in thought, and suddenly raised one eyebrow.

"You're not a local, are you?"

...

Li Jichuan spent most of the day at the factory, carefully inspecting all the extraction equipment and production lines.

But more and more doubts arose in my mind.

He told the person in charge that even if it was handwritten, he would take all the reports and handwritten notes with him.

After a moment's hesitation, the other party agreed.

The collected data had to be hauled away in a small cart, and just a glance at it made Li Jichuan's temples throb.

He coughed heavily twice, his head becoming increasingly dizzy.

It seems Su Pu was right; feeling hot and cold all over is a sign of an impending cold and fever.

Li Jichuan smiled weakly. Fortunately, he was in a wheelchair and didn't need to use his mental strength to walk, which was enough for him to get into the car.

But the scene before me is becoming increasingly blurry and unreal...

He seems to be hallucinating...

Directly in front of him, at the factory exit, a few meters away from his car, stood a boy.

She was thin and small, with delicate features, like the first magnolia in bloom in spring in my childhood home.

“Su Pu…”

Li Jichuan muttered to himself, then realized he was probably going crazy.

Do you really miss him that much?

However, if it's just a fantasy, it's too real and too much in line with his wishes.

He saw the "Su Pu" in his illusion slowly walking towards him, a warm smile on her lips that calmed his mind.

Li Jichuan straightened his back, forcing himself to maintain his public image.

But "Su Pu" appeared right before his eyes in a very real way.

Li Jichuan felt a warmth on the back of his hand; this sensation seemed to be not from his imagination.

"Su Pu?"

He called out tentatively.

Su Pu squatted down, smiled, and hugged him.

Then she held up her phone and showed him the text she had already typed.

Surprise!

...

Even after entering the hotel room, Li Jichuan still couldn't believe that Su Pu had actually come to his side!

However, without the servants to take care of him, Li Jichuan's life living alone was rather "rough"—

In the living room of the suite, coffee cups were piled on the coffee table and desk, along with various documents that were half-opened.

The situation was even worse in the bedroom; the documents seemed to be some kind of virus, spreading everywhere—on the floor, the desktop, the sofa, and the bed…

Su Pu circled around briefly, then looked at Li Jichuan with suspicion.

Where do you sleep every day?

Or perhaps you haven't had a proper night's sleep?

Li Jichuan, who had lived a life of integrity for 27 years, experienced his first major crisis.

Faced with this situation, he really had no way to argue.

Who would have thought that his wife's check-up would lead him straight to his hotel room!

Just as they were at an impasse, their door suddenly opened, and Anderson walked in carrying a laptop.

"Lee, the game demo is out, come take a look!"

Before Anderson could even cross the porch, he was blocked by the little mute boy.

Su Pu spread her arms, blocking his path, while glaring at him angrily.

That look seemed to be a question:

Is it because you made my husband sick from overwork?

Anderson is innocent!

She immediately raised her hands in surrender, while giving Li Jichuan a gloating look that seemed to say, "You'll have to suffer this yourself."

But, until the little mute girl forced him outside the door, he watched helplessly as the door closed and locked right before his eyes...

Anderson hissed, pondering Li Jichuan's expression from just now...

He didn't seem to be in any real "disaster".

On the contrary, he seemed to be enjoying it.

"..."

Anderson paused for two seconds, stunned, before cursing angrily.

That dog Li Jichuan, he called him here specifically just to show off his love, right?!

They're both crazy! Neither of them is normal!

...

After driving Anderson away, Su Pu made his retreat, pushed Li Jichuan into the bathroom, and set an alarm clock for half an hour right in front of him.

It means I'll give you half an hour to take a shower, and I'll come in to pick you up when the alarm goes off.

When Li Jichuan finished tidying up and came out, the suite had already been cleaned up by Su Pu.

All the documents were neatly stacked on the desk, categorized by type, while a bowl of steaming porridge sat on the dining table.

Li Jichuan ate the porridge and two steamed dumplings, then obediently accepted the medicine from Su Pu.

Throughout the entire process, Li Jichuan felt very at ease, and everything proceeded smoothly.

Su Pu gave him the most comforting care, helped him get rid of all his troubles, and brought him a long-awaited night where he didn't have to think about anything.

After taking their medicine, they lay down on the bed together. Li Jichuan wanted to look at his phone, but Su Pu took it from him and put it on her bedside table to charge.

"Su Pu, are you that fierce?"

Li Jichuan put on a frightened expression.

"You came all this way just to see me take my medicine?"

Su Pu thought for a moment and reached for his phone, but Li Jichuan stopped him and pushed his own palm out.

“I can read it if it’s written on it.”

Su Pu smiled and drew a checkmark in his palm.

certainly!

As the medicine took effect, Li Jichuan closed his eyes drowsily.

"I didn't expect you to come..."

Su Pu arrogantly raised her chin.

Actually, he never imagined he would be so brave, so reckless...

It was Li Jichuan who gave him courage.

Lost in thought, Su Pu, who hadn't slept all night, finally fell into a deep sleep.

Li Jichuan, however, was still awake.

Looking at Su Pu, who was breathing heavily, I couldn't help but smile.

You're so silly, you believe everything I say.

How could I not know he would come?

Otherwise, how could Anderson have appeared so precisely in the hotel lobby and led people to the factory?

He missed her so much that he couldn't wait a moment longer.

We can't wait even a moment longer.