Beginning with the Ubume Bird Chapter 269

Chapter 269: Chapter 9 Abyss

The voice wasn't loud, nor was the emotion intense, resembling more of a soliloquy; yet it pierced the heart, striking the listener like a slap in the face.

As the meeting dispersed, Li Yan didn't stand up. Instead, he scowled fiercely, and those words had indeed come from his mouth.

Rong Jinfei's beady eyes darted around, but he did not speak up; he knew Li Yan.

Li Yan was young, but his reputation for being tough and defiant was well-known. His family had a strong backing; others might be unaware, but Rong Jinfei knew that Li Yan's grandfather once served as a guard commander for a high-ranking official, and later held local office, reaching as high as Deputy Director of the Public Security Department. One might not dare say it for larger areas, but within this small patch of land, no one dared to climb over the Li family's wall.

Moreover, Li Yan himself hadn't lived in the village for over ten years. Although he addressed others as uncles, if he decided to turn his back, he truly wouldn't consider any elder's feelings.

Director Bing was about to leave when Li Yan's remark left him unable to proceed or retreat; he immediately halted his steps, his face darkening as he confronted Li Yan, “You this young comrade, why do you speak like that, huh? Which unit are you from?”

“Uh, Director Bing, this is my cousin, a country fellow with not much education. Please don't take it to heart.”

Wang was sweating profusely as he tried to mediate.

When Li Yan said those words, he felt a moment of satisfaction, but as soon as Director Bing showed disapproval, his resentment toward Li Yan grew as he braced himself and approached him.

“If you don't have much education, you should learn. You can't just harbor grievances. If you can solve the problem of employment for the township, we'll come to your doorstep, invite you to speak on stage, and we'll learn from your experience, okay~?”

Director Bing elongated his tone.

Li Yan didn't give any reaction, nor did he feel like arguing. He acted as if Director Bing didn't exist, instead going over to Mr. Liu's seat to offer some low-voiced consolation.

Director Bing too was shrewd; glancing at Rong Jinfei scratching the back of his head and the “Director” who would not let go of his water glass, he put on a facade of congeniality and left shaking his head. Wang proffered platitudes, seemingly saying, “Don't stoop to his level,” while Director Bing sighed, “It's tough love…”

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As the group was about to exit the meeting room, Li Yan's phone buzzed twice, receiving a message.

“When you're coming back, tell me so I can warm up your meal. Also, someone was looking for you earlier. I told him you were at the factory, and he left in a hurry.”

As Li Yan was reading the message, somebody entered in a rush, addressing the Director responsible for factory reception, “Captain Hao has arrived, his car is right outside. The boss said he'll be back soon; you should greet him first.”

The Director was initially surprised, then eagerly nodded his agreement, “Yes, yes, right away.”

Rubbing his hands, he went to inform Director Bing, “Director Bing, about this…”

Displaying his good humor, Director Bing responded, “Work is important of course, I understand. Uh, just let me know once your boss, Mr. Duan, is back.”

While they were conversing, the villagers were also exiting the meeting room. Liu Xuewu, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, glanced at the smiling face of Director Bing and sneered before moving forward, bumping into Li Yan's back.

Li Yan, standing in the front holding a carrot, chewed vigorously. When his back was jostled by Liu Xuewu, he didn't notice, his gaze focusing intently on the factory entrance below.

At the entrance lay a boxy hardtop Dongfeng Mengshi, its upright windshield reflecting rows of white factory buildings, simple and rugged, vigorous and fierce.

Beside the vehicle stood five smartly-postured camouflaged soldiers, two in front and three behind.

The two soldiers in front included Captain Hao, the commander of the field battalion stationed in the vicinity of Gaoxiangpu. He was a man with sharply defined features, dark skin, and looked to be around thirty-five years old.

The other soldier was somewhat fairer, with smooth facial contours and bright eyes. He wasn't exactly handsome, but he had a very comforting presence.

One of the factory personnel was quick to approach them.

“Captain Hao, hello, hello, I'm from our Dujiangyan Company…”

Captain Hao extended his hand, cutting off the rest of the greeting, “I know you, Director Zhou from the Engine Business Department. Cut to the chase. I'm here because I've heard your company has had severe conflicts with the villagers of Gaoxiangpu during contract execution, and due to improper operations, even destroyed the ancestral graves of the villagers. Additionally, there are issues with the contract signed between your company and the Gaoxiangpu Village Committee, which might involve official corruption.”

The words struck the minister like a cold, hard object, leaving him temporarily stunned. “There might be some misunderstanding here, um, please come to my office first. Our boss will arrive shortly, or perhaps you can wait until then…”

“No problem. Additionally, this is Counselor Xu from the General Staff Department of the Army, who specially came for this matter. He represents the party of the first part in this contract. We're just here to supervise, and he will be in charge of the inquiries. Counselor Xu?”

Captain Hao called out softly, and the young man beside him finally came to his senses.

“Ah, Director Zhou, hello.”

“Good, good, let's discuss any matter upstairs.”

Once Director Zhou had entered the factory with several soldiers, he encountered Director Bing and others, as well as Mr. Liu and some villagers. Everyone else seemed unphased, but Director Bing's eyes lit up upon seeing Counselor Xu.

“Xu…uh,” he hesitated, feeling the setting inappropriate, and swallowed back the word 'officer.'

Counselor Xu's ears twitched, and he turned his head abruptly, but seeing Director Bing's face, he appeared completely bewildered.

Director Bing didn't pay attention to this and coughed before approaching.

Seeing this, the “minister” hurriedly introduced, “Oh, this is Counselor Xu, and this is Deputy Director Bing from the city office. Uh, do you know each other?”

“Oh, we've met before at a friend's birthday. Counselor Xu, do you remember me?”

Director Bing's face bloomed into a smile, eyes filled with hopeful anticipation.

“Hmm…”

Counselor Xu thought for a moment, then nodded with a smile: “I have an impression. Director Bing, you were working in the tax department at that time, weren't you?”

“Right! Right!”

Director Bing clapped his hands, his face reddening with excitement: “Look at how many years have passed; it's rare for you to still remember… ”

“Director Bing,” Counselor Xu gently interrupted him: “I'm here on an urgent matter today. How about we catch up another time, is that alright?”

“Of course, of course, let's have a good chat when there's time.”

Director Bing extended his hand.

Counselor Xu smiled and shook hands with Director Bing, their palms touching only briefly.

Meanwhile, Director Zhou gestured for them to go in a certain direction, but he was ignored as Counselor Xu headed straight towards Mr. Liu and his group, coming to a stop in front of Li Yan while Director Bing and Director Zhou watched in surprise.

“May I ask, are you Teacher Li?”

Director Bing's smile froze, and his ears promptly turned red. His reaction was faster than most as he glanced at Counselor Xu and then at the expressionless Li Yan, bowing his head and walking straight out. Seeing this, the others hurriedly followed, and before long, they skulked away in their cars.

But with their departure, it was only then that the village committee members and Director Zhou realized something was amiss, but they couldn't leave. Looking constipated, they could only stand there.

Li Yan looked the young man over and was also a bit surprised, saying, “Well, my surname is Li, but I don't recall ever having been anyone's teacher.”

“I graduated from the Guangzhou Naval Command College. We were organized to go to the Foshan Hongsheng Ancestor Hall for practical combat lessons, and you taught us for three days. Additionally, I took the role of a disciple under Master Zheng Shengyi, who is the third in lineage under Master Guan Yantao. By that account, I should address you as 'Uncle Master.'

With that explanation, Li Yan began to remember.

“Oh, oh,” he nodded continuously, his gaze softening a bit as he looked at Counselor Xu: “Uncle Master is unnecessary; when I visited Master Guan, I didn't even present a cup of tea in respect. Do you know Lei Jing, Lei Hongsheng's granddaughter? She calls me 'Brother Teacher,' and if you don't mind, you can call me that too.”

“Alright, Brother Teacher Li,” Counselor Xu went along with the flow. “To be honest, I just came from your home. I was taking advantage of official business to visit you. I didn't expect to hear that you were here, so I thought I'd just head straight here.”

“Your Mandarin is much better than before.”

Li Yan narrowed his eyes, feeling uneasy in his heart.

Back when he was at the Hongsheng Ancestral Hall, he indeed hosted such a group of young people with profound backgrounds. They weren't exactly spoiled, but prideful they certainly were, and once they arrived at the martial arts school, they tangled with the girls learning boxing every day. Changing several boxing masters didn't help, and it wasn't until they came under Li Yan's wing that they calmed down.

The past is the past, and Li Yan believed that if he came across these fearless young bucks again, having them nod and exchange a few polite words was already him giving face. After all, he had only taught them for a few days, and the experience had been anything but pleasant…

As for Guan Yantao, he indeed provided a connection, but it was hardly enough to account for Counselor Xu's attitude.

Li Yan muttered to himself. Aloud, he said, “Well then, let's do this: I won't delay your work. Once you finish your tasks, come back to visit, and I'll prepare some good drinks for you.”

“All right, it's settled then.”

Counselor Xu's eyes were gentle as he nodded lightly.

“Is the matter settled?”

“How could it not be? Didn't you see the military sent someone?”

“Eh, Counselor Xu said they'll rebuild the cemetery. That piece of land will be fenced off and left untouched. The factory pays the fine, the village committee hands it over to the disciplinary inspection, and the army doesn't interfere anymore.”

“Heh~”

“You didn't see Duan Wu's face, purple like a donkey's balls.”

The night was dark and deep, several trucks lined up side by side, horns blaring as they shuttled through the woods. Li Yan sat in one of the vehicles, bouncing along the rough country road, his body swaying up and down.

“Dayan! Don't say anything more. If it weren't for you, I truly don't know how we would have resolved this. You are our families' benefactor,”

Mr. Liu's eyes rimmed red, and the villagers who were just laughing and joking moments ago fell silent.

“Uncle, if you really want to thank me, just go home, eat well, drink well, and relax. Also, one more thing, don't blame your nephew. What he managed to do was already not easy. Don't hold a grudge against him for how things turned out. Anyway, the army has also taken care of it. Life will go back to normal from now on, alright?”

Li Yan smiled as he advised, watching as Mr. Liu nodded repeatedly. Then, he said again, “Alright, Uncle, and you other elders, I'm nearly home, please drop me off here. You go on ahead.”

From the neighboring car, Liu Xuewu peeked out, “Brother, shall I walk you back home?”

“No, no, no, I'd rather stroll back on my own. It feels better. You hurry and take your mother home, that's what really matters.”

Li Yan exchanged a few hurried pleasantries with them, and only after seeing off the trucks did he walk alone on the forest's edge and take out his phone. It was already 11:30 at night. After the phone rang for a while, Chen Kun finally picked up.

“Hello?”

“I'm telling you, Kun, did our old man get a promotion?”

“Get out of here, stop spouting nonsense. What's up?”

“It's just… your moves are really swift. I only called you a few hours ago, and you solved everything with divine intervention?”

Nighttime was filled with the sizzling of summer cicadas. Phosphorescence and fireflies twinkled in and out of view, and the foxtail grass was rampant, filling the air with the sweet scent of peach trees.

“It's done? Impossible. I just found out that this matter is being overseen by the General Staff Department. I'm still trying to get ahold of someone's phone number.”

A chill sank into Li Yan's heart, but he didn't show it: “Heh, that's mysterious. Well, the matter is resolved now. Sorry to trouble you for nothing.”

“Oh, it's no big deal. It's all good if the matter is settled, isn't it?”

“Yep, I owe you a drink sometime, for your trouble.”

“Haha, sure.”

After hanging up the phone, Li Yan pondered alone for a while. Suddenly, the lights from a vehicle flashed by his hand, and a rugged SUV charged towards him, its fierce engine and the cloud of dust it kicked up were unsettling even as it stopped next to Li Yan.

“Big Brother, need a lift?”

Counselor Xu, holding the steering wheel, turned with a smile to look at the man beside the car, his throat suddenly feeling cold.

Li Yan, clutching his phone with a twisted face, his eyes like bright stars, peered through the dust and pinned Counselor Xu with a scorching gaze, sharp as a blade.

The more placid a person appears on the surface, the more defiant they are at heart. Counselor Xu was no exception.

Born into a good family, a 23-year-old war zone counselor, a major. With a future bright and promising, he was a true rarity.

If one day, the organization gives you a task, requiring you to humble yourself and ask someone for a favor, even if you don't voice your discomfort, your heart will feel it to some degree.

This bit of discomfort, once it meets the fear and suspicion of others, sparks conflict, and the outcome is quickly apparent…

Gulp~

Counselor Xu swallowed saliva.

Li Yan blinked and coughed twice, “Sure, thanks for the ride.”

Counselor Xu opened the car door for Li Yan, who sat in the back as the soldiers in the car looked at him with somewhat weird expressions.

Li Yan didn't mind; he smiled amiably and looked forward, “Counselor Xu, I'm a straightforward person. If you have something to say, just say it. If this isn't the right place, we can step outside to take a leak and talk.”

Sitting in the passenger's seat, Captain Hao tried not to laugh and managed to hold it in. Glancing at Counselor Xu beside him, he was taken aback.

The counselor had looked okay just a moment ago, but for some reason, his face was now pale as death. He fumbled with the keys a few times before starting the car.

It took a while for him to shake off that piercing gaze from his mind.

“There's nothing inappropriate.”

He licked his lips, his tone still as mild as ever, but with something extra in it now.

“Mainly, someone wants you to pay a visit, worried it might be abrupt. Knowing that you and I have a bit of a connection, they sent me to invite you.”

Li Yan straightened up, “The person you mentioned, do they have any message for me?”

“He said, 'I'll take what's mine…'”

“…” Li Yan clenched his fists, “Where to?”

“Xiyuan.”

Through the wilderness, under the large moon, the furious Dongfeng Warrior SUV sped away…

Chapter end