Translator:
Exodus Tales
Editor:
Exodus Tales
Li Dadong was hesitant. It wasn’t because of his academic problems. People who went to university knew that the personal time at the university was quite loose. Moreover, some subjects weren’t managed strictly. The lecturer wouldn’t take roll call. As long as the exam was passed, they would turn a blind eye to it. Therefore, working at Yang Ming’s company wouldn’t take up Li Dadong’s study time. For Li Dadong, this was also a great opportunity!
With the saturation of college graduates, finding a job had become a serious problem! With the popularization of university education, society wasn’t as welcoming toward the original high-level intellectuals of college students. There was almost no difference between college students looking for work and junior college students or even secondary school students who had never attended college.
A diploma didn’t represent anything. With a saturated job market, there weren’t many jobs available for graduates to go to work in, not to mention the numerous graduates from the past and unemployed youth.
Although Li Dadong hadn’t looked for a job, he heard it all day long. It was even reported on TV and newspapers frequently. He also understood the current situation.
Therefore, Yang Ming’s invitation made him tempted. Moreover, Li Dadong also understood that Yang Ming didn’t create the opportunity for him to pursue Lin Zhiyun but rather helped him face his relationship with Lin Zhiyun and the shadow of his feelings.
Brother, where are you?
Li Dadong hesitated for a long time and couldn’t make up his mind, so he decided to call his cousin to discuss it.
Nowadays, all the families basically only had one child, and the cousin was the closest brother and sister. Li Dadong had a good relationship with this cousin since he was a child. Usually, if he had any knots in his heart, he would look for his cousin to discuss it.
Big brother, it’s you. What’s the matter?
Li Dadong’s cousin picked up the phone and asked.
Brother, are you free? Big brother wants to discuss with you a little bit…
Li Dadong said.
Oh
? That works. You wait for me. I need to ask for a leave from my leader.
Li Dadong’s cousin said.
Then I’m waiting for you. Come to my house and drink two glasses with me!
Li Dadong said.
Do you have any food at home? Forget it. Your Dad – my uncle – will be scolding us again!
Li Dadong’s cousin said,
Let us go to the food stall behind the business street and let me treat you! Today, I just got my commission and we can celebrate.
That is fine. I will arrive in twenty minutes.
Li Dadong said.
I am similar as well. Let us just meet at Old Man Wang’s Barbecue Stall!
Li Dadong’s cousin said.
Hanging up the phone, Li Dadong’s cousin turned around and walked into the manager’s office next door.
Manager Liu, my older brother just called. He needs me for something. I will take an earlier leave today. Is that alright?
No problem. Go ahead if you have something!
Manager Liu nodded with a smile.
Thank you, Manager Liu!
Li Dadong’s cousin thanked Manager Liu before he turned around and left Manager Liu’s office.
Some people might have guessed it. Indeed, Li Dadong’s cousin was Li Dagang, a good buddy at Yang Ming’s High School. Manager Liu, recently also vaguely learned of Yang Ming’s background, so he took extra care of Li Dagang.
After Yang Ming bought the house, there were a lot of small things and procedures that he had no time to attend to, so he sent Bao Sanli to do it. Since Bao Sanli didn’t do well at the previous incident, he was worried that Yang Ming wouldn’t put him in his eyes. This time, when he noticed Yang Ming had things for him to do, he quickly worked on it.
Originally, Bao Sanli wouldn’t personally do these petty matters. He could just delegate to an underling, but because it was Yang Ming who was ordering it, Bao Sanli had to be cautious.
Manager Liu might not know certain people in Song Jiang but he couldn’t miss Bao Sanli! Bao Sanli personally came to manage the matter of the certificate of property ownership which made Manager Liu looking at him blankly! No wonder Yang Ming was a badss in the past as he sat there and said nothing. Even Miss Xu’s boyfriend was scared!
What is the use of having an underworld background? The biggest underworld head of Song Jiang is Yang Ming’s errand boy!
Manager Liu was full of cold sweat. Fortunately, he didn’t speak for Miss Xu the other day, otherwise, he would be finished.
When Li Dagang arrived at the food stall, Li Dadong just arrived as well. Li Dagang was familiar with this place. When he was at school, he was drinking here with Yang Ming and Xu Peng.
Brother, you’re fast!
Li Dagang’s company wasn’t close to here, so Li Dadong commented as such.
Wouldn’t I be fast if I came by taxi?
Li Dagang smiled.
What’s wrong? By your expression, you seem depressed. What’s the matter?
Let’s sit down and talk about it…
said Li Dadong undecidedly as he found an empty chair and sat on it.
Sure.
Li Dagang wasn’t in a hurry. After sitting down, he shouted to the waiter,
Waiter, give me thirty skewers of kebabs, ten beef kidney skewers, five lamb chops, two bottles of beer!
Alright!
The waiter took note of what Li Dagang wanted and went to work.
Spill it. What’s the matter?
said Li Dagang as he started preparing the garlic.
Brother, Lin Zhiyun, do you know her?
Li Dadong hesitated.
I know. Isn’t she your childhood sweetheart?
Li Dagang still knew about Li Dadong’s matters well.
Childhood sweetheart…
Li Dadong sighed.
She has a boyfriend now…
What?
Li Dagang was shocked.
What happened? It’s not you?
It would be great if it was me…
Li Dadong shook his head with a wry smile.
But, I thought through it, too. Lin Zhiyun had always regarded me as a big brother. She never had that feeling in the past! Love isn’t something that can be forced. She also has the right to pursue her own happiness…
Damn, if you managed to think through it, why are you still looking for me? Do you have nothing else to do?
Li Dagang was somewhat inexplicable. He naturally knew that love couldn’t be forced. Since big brother had come around to the idea, what the fart did he need to be worried about?
It isn’t about this… It is another thing…
Li Dadong paused and said,
Lin Zhiyun’s boyfriend wants to invite me to his company to help… Lin Zhiyun is also in the company…
So rich? He even has his own company?
Li Dagang was surprised.
But, I don’t quite understand what you said. Her boyfriend asked you to go to his company? Are you sure you’re not mistaken?
Of course not, or I can’t be bothered!
Li Dadong waved his hand.
I’m hesitating whether to go or not!
Wait… Why do I find it inexplicable? Does Lin Zhiyun’s boyfriend know you like Lin Zhiyun?
asked Li Dagang.
He knows…
Li Dadong nodded.
What!? What the hell is he thinking? Why am I dumbstruck?
Li Dagang patted his head and said.
Brother, in fact, the story is simple. Lin Zhiyun’s boyfriend knows that Zhiyun doesn’t like me and she had always taken me as her big brother. This time, he told me to go to the company to help me wake up, stop me from indulging in the shadow of a missed love and walk a path out by myself!
Li Dadong told Li Dagang what Yang Ming intended.
That is a gentleman! A pure one!
Li Dagang praised with sincerity as he slapped his thighs.
Why are you still hesitating? I think Lin Zhiyun’s boyfriend isn’t someone who is narrow-minded. Since you have such a good opportunity, what do you need to hesitate about?
But I’m afraid that I would be even more awkward after I go…
Li Dadong worried.
You just need to keep your integrity and then there will not be any awkwardness!
Li Dagang shook his head.
Big brother, if I were you, I would make this choice!
I got it… well, don’t mention this first. Let’s drink!
Li Dadong noticed the kebabs were served so he poured himself a beer and spoke.
Well, let us drink first.
Li Dagang also poured himself a cup and then chewed up the steaming lamb skewers.
A few glasses of beer went down to their stomachs. Li Dadong’s face showed a slight faintness. As a person, he wasn’t so upset. The two of them chatted with laughter about other incidents.
Old Man Wang, do you have an empty table?
When their chat came to a climax, a few macho men who seemed like punks came across and asked the boss of the barbecue stall, Old Man Wang.
I’m sorry. We are full. How about you guys come again next time?
Old Man Wang said apologetically.
Old Man Wang’s Barbecue Stall was old-fashioned. It was famous among the food stalls. There were many people who came here to eat. When it came to the time to eat, there were almost no seats.
That is really disappointing!
The leading macho man snorted as he turned and left.
One of his men glanced around, scanning the guests of the food stalls, and he walked straight to Li Dadong’s table…
You two are occupying such a large six-person table. Go sit with the people over there. My boss is going to eat here!
said the underling to Li Dadong and Li Dagang directly.
