Chapter 36 of 100

Chapter 36: The Heaven-Defying Hand

14 min read3,470 words

Ding Jinjin shook hands with Wen Yuxi. A group of people crowded in the hallway, talking to each other.

The students, not knowing what had happened, gathered around to watch but were driven away by the teachers.

Ding Jinjin said, "Secretary Wen, you don't know. I received a call from above, asking me to find someone named Li Yi. It was said to be an emergency, and they told me to bring the phone and deliver it to Li Yi within half an hour. I was in the middle of a meeting with officers of regimental level and above! The meeting had just started, but when I heard it was an emergency, I immediately adjourned the meeting and came here. Secretary Wen, why are you here? I remember clearly that your son is studying in the capital, and your daughter is still in high school."

Wen Yuxi smiled and said, "What a coincidence, I'm also looking for Li Yi. But he's not in the classroom! We're looking for him too!"

Everyone present was thinking. This Li Yi, who had never been famous, had always been low-key during his years at university. Who would have thought he had such a significant background!

Wen Yuxi was surprised that Li Yi had a military background! Whose descendant could he be? No wonder he was so young and accomplished; he must be from a prominent family, where no son of a general is a dog!

Among the group, Xu Shaonong's expression was the most vivid. Oh no, this is trouble! It turns out that the first call to find Li Yi was the biggest deal!

Wasn't that Li Yi's uncle?

An urgent military situation?

Did he, Xu Shaonong, delay it?

Xu Shaonong took a deep breath, and his legs started to tremble.

Ding Jinjin and Wen Yuxi both looked at the school leaders, their meaning clear: "Where is he?"

Xu Shaonong shouted hoarsely, "Find him! Find him now!" The school leaders scattered to look for Li Yi.

After more than ten minutes, the head of the security office, whistling a tune, came out of the restroom and walked toward the office building.

He ran into Xu Shaonong, who grabbed him and asked, "Where's Li Yi?"

"Li Yi? He's in the office, writing a self-criticism!"

Xu Shaonong slapped him and said, "You idiot, who told you to make him write a self-criticism?"

The head of the security office said委屈地, "Principal Xu, didn't you say to criticize and educate him properly?"

Xu Shaonong didn't say more and quickly ran to Wen Yuxi and the others, shouting as if to claim credit, "Secretary Wen, Commander Ding, we found Li Yi! We found him!"

Ding Jinjin was more anxious, as almost an hour had passed! He asked urgently, "Where is he?"

Xu Shaonong said, "In the security office, I'll take you there."

Leading the group to the security office, the head of the security office was startled by the scene.

Ding Jinjin saw the door was locked and his face darkened. "What's going on? What crime did Li Yi commit that you locked him up?"

Xu Shaonong wished he could kick the head of the security office to death. "Open the door quickly."

The head of the security office said, "Yes, yes," and took out the key to open the door. Everyone rushed in.

Upon entering, everyone was stunned. They saw Li Yi lying on the ground, motionless!

Xu Shaonong was terrified. "Is he okay?"

The head of the security office stammered, "He was fine when I left!"

"Slap!" A loud slap landed on the head of the security office's face.

Ding Jinjin said, "I warn you, if anything happens to Li Yi, you'll be in big trouble!"

The head of the security office, without any temper, said tremblingly, "Yes, yes!"

Guo Xiaoling, worried about Li Yi, had also come along. She pushed her way in, her face pale with fear, and ignoring the crowd, she rushed to Li Yi, hugging him and shouting, "Li Yi, Li Yi!"

Li Yi stretched and sat up, rubbing his sleepy eyes and said unhappily, "I just fell asleep! What are you shouting for?" Suddenly, he stopped, got up, and looked at the room full of people, confused. "What's going on? Secretary Wen, why are you here?"

The head of the security office stepped forward and said, "Li Yi, I'm sorry, I..."

"Oh, I haven't finished the self-criticism yet. I don't know why I fell asleep. Um, a fine of 500 yuan, right? I'll pay!" He reached for his money.

Xu Shaonong quickly said, "No need!"

Li Yi said seriously, "Damage to public property should be compensated!"

Ding Jinjin said, "Stop the nonsense! I have an urgent military matter!"

His shout was effective; everyone fell silent and stepped back.

Li Yi asked, "Who are you?"

Ding Jinjin handed a mobile phone to Li Yi and said, "Don't ask who I am, call Minister Li quickly. Dial this number: 900****. Damn, I don't know if an hour has passed yet!"

Li Yi was stunned for a moment, then understood. The Minister Li Ding Jinjin mentioned might be his uncle. He didn't hesitate, took the phone, and dialed. The 900 number was from the early mobile phone era, a G**900 analog mobile phone.

The phone rang a few times and was answered.

"Yi'er?"

"Uncle, it's me."

"Why did it take you so long to call? When I called your school, that Principal Xu said there was no one named Li Yi. What's going on?"

"Just a misunderstanding! It's fine now. There was an issue earlier. How's the situation?" Li Yi tried to remain calm despite his inner turmoil.

"Yi'er, you must tell me, how did you find out about this?"

"I can't explain it in a few words."

"You must explain!" Li Zhengyu's tone was firm, not allowing Li Yi to refuse.

"…Do I really need a reason?… I have a friend named Chu Lianxin. If nothing goes wrong, she will be traveling with her parents on today's H308 flight."

"Chu Lianxin? Is she your girlfriend?"

"No, she doesn't know me."

"What kind of relationship is this?"

"Even though she doesn't know me, I know she has a heart more precious than gold. In short, believe me, Uncle, this flight cannot take off! Absolutely not."

"…I told the old man about this, and he immediately said: simple, issue a military order to the Ministry of Defense to delay the flight for air traffic control and conduct a full inspection."

"What's the result? Did the plane not take off?" Li Yi was surprised by the trust his unseen grandfather had in him. He was worried about the outcome, and his breathing quickened.

"Strangely, the old man just believed you! But he was right! The old man has never lost in his life, Yi'er, the plane was stopped!"

"Really? Stopped? No explosion?" Li Yi let out a long breath, the heavy stone in his heart finally lifted. He felt a strange fondness for the Li family patriarch who could defy the heavens. He could imagine that he was a true leader, decisive and resolute!

---