It's 5:30 in the evening.
The daylight of this era seems to last longer than it would decades later, remaining bright.
Funing County Hotel, [Qiangguo] Private Room.
Li Yuanyuan changed her clothes.
A pure white, fitted turtleneck sweater, matching white cropped trousers, and a pair of comfortable sneakers.
This outfit sheds her sharp, business-like demeanor, adding a touch of untainted purity.
Her jet-black wavy hair was casually tied back, her eyebrows were arched, and beneath her long eyelashes, her large, watery eyes still held a captivating allure that could make any man's heart race.
Her red lips were like fire, and her smile was captivating.
Sitting opposite her, Li Yuanchao appeared relaxed, but the fingers holding the teacup were slightly tense, with distinct knuckles.
He wasn't nervous; he was suppressing it.
He was suppressing an intense possessiveness that he hadn't felt in twenty-eight years, a possessiveness that was almost bursting out of his body.
He thought he had seen too many so-called socialites, but in front of this educated youth sent to the countryside in a small county, his self-control, which he was so proud of, was teetering on the brink of collapse.
"Mr. Li, are you in Funing County to visit relatives or to do business?" Li Yuanyuan's voice carried a hint of the soft Wu dialect.
"Do some small business."
Li Yuanchao smiled, his gaze falling on her face, and explained, "Funing has just been promoted to a prefecture-level city, so I think there should be quite a few opportunities here."
Li Yuanyuan nodded seriously: "Mr. Li has a keen eye, I agree with him."
She changed the subject, a sly glint in her eyes.
"However, judging from Mr. Li's demeanor, he doesn't seem like someone who only does 'small business'."
"Besides, it seems unnecessary to take over an entire clothing store for a small business, right?"
Meeting her all-knowing gaze, Li Yuanchao calmly put down his teacup.
"Miss Li has a keen eye."
"To be honest, I came here to stay with an elder, and doing business is just a side thing."
Should we seek refuge with our elders?
Li Yuanyuan's mind raced. On the fourth floor of the municipal building, in the office area of the core leaders of the municipal party committee.
His elders must hold incredibly high positions.
"Is Miss Li from Shanghai?" Li Yuanchao changed the subject.
Li Yuanyuan shrugged her shoulders and smiled:
"I was born in Shanghai and grew up in Beijing. Later, some things happened in my family, my parents were taken away, and that's when I came to Funing. Strictly speaking, I can only say that my ancestral home is Shanghai."
She spoke of her background in a nonchalant manner.
"If I may ask, are your parents now...?"
Li Yuanchao's questions were direct and frank, without the slightest hint of lewdness in prying into privacy, but rather carried a sense of confidence that he could be of help.
Li Yuanyuan gave him a deep look, countless thoughts flashing through her mind.
After a moment, she gave a bitter smile: "I don't know where they are, or even... whether they are still alive."
"I'm sorry," Li Yuanchao said with genuine apology.
"I'm used to it."
Just then, the waiter began serving the dishes.
"Mr. Li, would you like a drink?"
"It will be all right."
"Then let's have some."
Li Yuanyuan raised her glass: "Mr. Li, I wish you great success in Funing."
"I also wish Miss Li great fortune." Li Yuanchao clinked glasses with her and drank it all in one gulp.
After a few drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly harmonious.
"Miss Li, I heard you're just helping someone manage a clothing store?" Li Yuanchao's gaze was intense.
"With your abilities, why not start your own business? If you lack capital, I can support you."
This is no longer a hint, but a blatant declaration.
Li Yuanyuan raised her red lips slightly, looked at the man in front of her, and smiled:
“Mr. Li, I am, after all, a girl. These days, people say that women can hold up half the sky, but it’s really tiring to actually do it.”
"I have some ambitions, but my greater wish is to be a good wife and mother."
"Moreover, my current boss is a very nice person."
She emphasized her words: "He never checks the accounts, never asks me where the money is spent, and gives me complete trust."
"Is that so?" Li Yuanchao's eyes narrowed slightly, then he asked:
"Miss Li, what was the purpose of your visit to the municipal building during the day? If you don't mind, you can tell me, and perhaps I can help."
This is him revealing his network of connections.
Li Yuanyuan chuckled inwardly; beauty is sometimes a sure-fire way to succeed.
"Where is Mr. Li from?"
"Beijing."
The puzzle in Li Yuanyuan's mind instantly became complete. She leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice: "Mr. Li, do you know about the smelter?"
"You mean, Zhengtai Smelting Plant?" Li Yuanchao asked without hesitation.
One sentence, like a thunderclap.
Li Yuanyuan only knew that a smelting plant was coming, but she couldn't even find out its name. The other party, however, casually mentioned the full name.
She was absolutely certain that the man in front of her was the influential figure in the smelting plant project!
“Mr. Li, I went to see Vice Mayor Ma to secure the outsourcing project for the smelter.” Li Yuanyuan chose to be frank.
A hint of surprise flashed in Li Yuanchao's eyes: "I didn't expect Miss Li to know about construction. Factory construction? Equipment transportation? Or labor dispatch?"
Li Yuanyuan's heart suddenly raced. She stared intently at Li Yuanchao and asked, word by word, "Mr. Li, can you make these decisions?"
Li Yuanchao leaned back in his chair, a confident smile playing on his lips.
"We cannot have complete control."
"But my suggestion carries a lot of weight."
He stared at her, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"As long as Miss Li speaks up now, I will do my best to secure any project for you."
"really?"
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