Chapter 336, Olive Branch (Part 4)

As dusk fell, the bustle of travelers at the airport remained high.

In the waiting area, two striking figures drew curious glances from passersby.

"Mohan, let go, I need to board the plane," Ye Jiuliang said with a smile in her eyes as she poked his arm.

Li Mochan’s gaze lingered on her, and he leaned down to give her lips a gentle peck, "Remember to call me."

After the words were out, he reluctantly released his grip.

Seeing the aggrieved expression on his face, Ye Jiuliang couldn’t help but want to laugh.

She pinched his cheek, "I’m off. I’ll tease you when I’m back, my lord."

Watching her silhouette disappear into the boarding gate, Li Mochan turned, his usual calm eyes beginning to storm.

Everything had to come to an end.

As soon as Ye Jiuliang was gone, Li Mochan caught a flight back to the capital that same night.

**

Li Mansion.

Fang Hui hurried downstairs upon learning that Li Shaohui had returned, only to find Weng Lan alone in the living room. She inquired casually.

"Sister-in-law, I heard big brother is back. Why isn’t he with you?"

"Shaohui was called to the study by Dad as soon as he arrived. He must be exhausted from his business trip; he looks quite haggard," Weng Lan said softly as she tidied his suit coat.

"You sound worried about big brother," Fang Hui teased with a coquettish laugh as she sat beside her.

"With your excellent soup-making skills, you should hurry and stew some tonic for big brother to replenish him."

Weng Lan’s cheeks flushed, "What nonsense you speak."

"I’m speaking the truth though, everyone knows big brother and you are very close," Fang Hui said sweetly, snuggling up to her.

Weng Lan smiled faintly, "Are you free right now? I was thinking of picking out a few outfits for Shaohui. Do you want to join me for a shopping trip?"

"No problem, I’m just idling at home anyway." A hint of jealousy flashed in Fang Hui’s eyes, but she maintained a smile on her face.

"Wait for me, I’ll change my clothes."

While the two sisters-in-law happily headed out, the atmosphere in the study was gloomy and tense.

Having finished reading the documents, the old master of the Li family slammed the folder on the desk, his face a stormy shade of gray.

"Tell me, what exactly is going on? It has only been a few days, so how come every enterprise has been suppressed, and even corporations that have worked with our Li Family for decades are terminating their contracts with us?"

Li Shaohui’s face across the desk wasn’t looking too good either. In the past few days, he had been so busy that dark circles had formed beneath his eyes.

After deep thought, he cautiously began, "Dad, this situation is strange; it feels like someone is deliberately targeting the Li Family. I’ve already sent people to investigate, but so far, there’s no news."

"Have you checked those who terminated the contracts?" the old master shot him a sharp look, "Any clues at all?"

One group severing ties might be a coincidence, but now numerous parties were rushing to terminate their contracts, even willing to incur losses to distance themselves from the Li Family—clearly, someone was manipulating events from the shadows.

"I have checked, but those individuals aren’t revealing who is behind this, keeping tight-lipped," Li Shaohui stated calmly.

If there had been any evidence, these past few days wouldn’t have been so chaotic for him.

The old master frowned deeply, his calloused hands stroking the armrest of the chair, "Have you offended anyone recently?"

"No, and even if I had, there’s no one in the capital with enough power to inflict such rapid and severe damage to the Li Family’s industries," Li Shaohui reasoned coolly.

"Dad, in fact, there’s someone I have always suspected, but..."

He stopped suddenly mid-sentence.

Without him saying it, the old master could guess his thoughts, "You suspect Mohan?"

Li Shaohui nodded, admitting, "Yes, I do suspect him."

"Impossible," the old master refuted immediately, "Mohan would not do such a thing."

Knowing the old master favored Li Mochan, Li Shaohui’s eyes darkened with a complicated mix of feelings at hearing his immediate defense for Mohan.

"Dad, I’m just being honest. You should know, behind Mohan, there’s the Jiang Family."

"Mohan has no reason to do this," the old master still refused to believe it.

"You say it’s Mohan’s doing, but what proof do you have?"

Li Shaohui’s expression was grave, "I don’t have proof yet, but I have a strong feeling that he is involved. If you don’t believe me, you can try to test Mohan yourself."

Facing his son’s resolute stance, a sliver of doubt bloomed in the old master’s heart.

"Dad, there’s no time to waste. If it is indeed Mohan, we must act now, or the Li Family will be finished," Li Shaohui said, intentionally emphasizing his point as he observed the changes in the old master’s expression.

After a moment of contemplation, the old master said, "I will decide what to do about this matter. You must handle those collaboration cases right away; pull our partners back in. And find out who is scheming against us as soon as possible."

"I understand," Li Shaohui stood and replied respectfully.

As he left the study, his expression suddenly turned sinister.

He knew it—protection for Li Mochan. Despite him contributing more to the family, why was his effort overlooked, and the best always reserved for Mochan?

If that’s how it was, then no one could blame him for his ruthlessness.

Everything of the Li Family belonged to him, to Li Shaohui.

**

Night fell, and the lights dazzled.

VI Club bustled with people, the hazy lights casting a dreamlike aura of inebriated revelry.

Inside the private room, the atmosphere was markedly tense.

"Mr. Li, no need to look like you want to devour me. In business, only written agreements count; verbal agreements are merely drunken jests," the man in the gray suit suddenly spoke up. He had a cigar in his mouth, smoke swirling around him, a mocking smile lurking in his eyes.

"Drunken jests?" Li Shaohui scoffed. "Lai Biao, when you pleaded for a partnership, why didn’t you say that then?"

"Times change, Mr. Li. Watch your tone—we’re all businessmen here, driven by profit," Lai Biao replied with a nonchalant smile.

"Tell me, who offered you the olive branch that made you decide to oppose the Li Family at all costs?" Li Shaohui shot a piercing glare at him, his voice demanding an answer.

"Bang—"

The sound of the door being kicked open startled everyone, except for Lai Biao, who remained calm, as if he had been expecting someone to arrive.