Li Huan’s mind whirred, processing every possibility. This sudden visit to his company, could it be a military collaboration requiring his involvement? After all, other S-ranks, to varying degrees, maintained side businesses. Yet, the S-rank of their Yan’an City seemed singularly devoted to dungeon exploration, only recently quieting down. Xiao Ming had mentioned that she had taken up a position at the academy.
Such an unannounced visit, spearheaded by Fire Finch, compelled him to consider the military’s potential involvement.
Fire Finch, understanding Li Huan’s apprehension, playfully interjected, “Uncle Li, don’t overthink it. She’s here to see you on a personal matter.”
Being in a high position had its drawbacks; the more one pondered, the more prone one became to constant suspicion.
‘Indeed!’
Upon learning that Aya Tone was not sent by the military, Li Huan first breathed a sigh of relief, then felt a pang of regret. If they could partner with the nation, their standing in Yan’an City, and even nationwide, would be significantly elevated.
“Then, General Aya, may I inquire if there is an urgent matter you wish to entrust to me?”
Even with his daughter’s connection to her, Li Huan dared not truly treat the Aya Tone before him as a junior. Unsure of her full title, he resorted to her rank.
“Uncle, please don’t call me that; just ‘Aya’ is fine.” Aya Tone’s brow twitched at the address. Being called ‘General’ felt far too grand for her. She quickly steered the conversation to the purpose of their visit.
“We’re here to tell you that Li Jia might not be able to return for a while.”
“What?!” Li Huan’s eyes widened instantly, oblivious to the tea spilling onto his hand. ‘Oh no, oh no. Could it be that my daughter’s secret has been exposed!?’
Li Huan frowned. He had heard that Li Jia had been holed up in her room recently, tinkering with something unknown. The maid who cleaned her room had even mentioned discovering ropes and other ‘restraint tools.’ ‘Could it truly be? Has my daughter been arrested for kidnapping!?’
“General Aya, I beg you, in your magnanimity, please spare my little girl this one time.”
“Hey, hey, hey, no, Uncle, don’t do that!”
Seeing Li Huan rise and prepare to kneel, Aya Tone was utterly bewildered. She quickly sprang forward, seizing Li Huan’s arm. ‘I didn’t say anything wrong, did I? Why is he suddenly trying to kneel?’
“Uncle, rest assured, Li Jia is my friend; there’s no need for such a gesture.”
Li Huan, pulled up before he could kneel, looked increasingly anxious. “Then…”
Fire Finch, seeing the situation escalating, interrupted their conversation. “Uncle Li~ Jia’er is fine. She simply successfully advanced to S-rank and can’t control it yet, understand?”
‘Hmm!?’ Aya Tone turned, blinking. ‘Is that something you can just say?’
Fire Finch subtly gave a thumbs-up, signaling, “Of course you can.”
“So that’s what it is.” Li Huan let out a shallow breath of relief. It was good that his daughter was safe.
“Nevertheless… you deserve this kneel from me.” Li Huan, ignoring Aya Tone’s protests, stubbornly bent his knees once more.
“Uncle! We’re family! Don’t do this!”
Sensing the situation was amiss, Aya Tone flashed behind Fire Finch, eyeing the ‘creepy uncle’ warily. ‘What era is this? Kneeling at the drop of a hat? The Qing Dynasty is long gone!’
Seeing that Aya Tone was absolutely unwilling to accept, Li Huan reluctantly gave up. However, his address to Aya Tone now carried a deeper reverence.
“Do you still remember what happened in Finch God Village? You saved my son. This immense kindness—if there is any way I can be of service, please do not hesitate to command me.”
“Ah?” Aya Tone tilted her head. ‘You still remember something from so long ago?’ She did not voice this thought.
“Xiao Ming is my younger brother, so naturally, I wouldn’t leave him unattended. If you wish to repay me, how about telling me some stories about the two siblings?”
“This…” Li Huan’s brow furrowed. Was such a simple request a sign of looking down on him?
As if discerning Li Huan’s thoughts, Aya Tone pressed on, “I truly want to know!”
Meeting her sincere eyes, Li Huan relented. With a reminiscent glint in his eyes, he recounted amusing anecdotes from the siblings’ childhood. Fire Finch listened with delight. ‘So, little Jia’er has such embarrassing history! Must remember, must remember. For future teasing.’
By the end, Li Huan grew increasingly animated, raising his teacup and downing it in one gulp. His bold gesture was inspiring. For years, he hadn’t understood why he had toiled so desperately to build this commercial empire, only for his two children to constantly run off into dungeons. Neither of them had any intention of inheriting his mantle. Logically, both he and their mother were business talents, so how had they produced these two? ‘Alas… When I’m gone, who knows which lucky soul will inherit my company?’
Li Huan could only pin his hopes on his grandchildren’s generation now. Speaking of grandchildren! He felt a surge of anger again. His daughter spent all day giggling at her phone, while his son had trained himself silly with martial arts. Not a single romantic partner in sight. In short, both siblings were bachelors.
Still, that young man he met at the clan meeting last time seemed quite close to his daughter. However… rather than waiting for them, he might as well make an effort himself while he was still young.
Regarding his assets, a subtle glint flashed in Li Huan’s eyes. “General Aya, I intend to give you five percent of Li Group’s shares as a token of my gratitude. What do you think? Please don’t rush to refuse; my son’s life is something these five percent of shares cannot possibly compare to. Rather, I feel I’m the one benefiting.”
Shares? Aya Tone instinctively glanced at Fire Finch. She didn’t understand such things; she was just a wage earner and had never encountered such a high-level term.
“It’s fine, just accept them.” Fire Finch nodded.
“Then… thank you, Uncle.” A gift from an elder must not be refused. To decline further would be her fault.
“That’s more like it. Come, have some tea.” Li Huan happily refilled their cups. Aya Tone’s acceptance of his shares meant that this S-rank was now associated with the Li Group. Any rivals contemplating action against the group would now have to carefully consider the implications.
“Uh, let me be clear, I won’t be managing the company.”
“No problem. You don’t need to do anything. Your monthly dividends and year-end bonuses will all be deposited directly into your account.”
Aya Tone: “…”
She was speechless. What else was there to say? No work, just passive income. Aside from a slight twinge of conscience, it was pure, unadulterated free money. And free money always tasted sweet.
With their business concluded, Aya Tone didn’t linger. She pulled Fire Finch along and headed out.
Li Huan: “Leaving so soon? Won’t you stay for another cup of tea?”
“Thank you, Uncle, perhaps next time.”
Closing the door behind her, Aya Tone finally let out a breath. Li Huan’s enthusiasm had made her quite uncomfortable. The constant use of ‘you’ as an honorific was almost unbearable. She much preferred the distant yet dignified Chairman Li she had seen at the clan meeting. It felt a little disillusioning.
“…”