Chapter 61

Chapter Seventeen: No Visitors

"Secretary Wen, hello, didn't you go to the capital?" Li Yi asked in surprise.

"I did go to the capital, but I came back last night," Wen Yuxi smiled. "What brings you here so early in the morning?"

Li Yi glanced at Huang Shuqi, who nervously avoided his gaze. Li Yi sneered inwardly: "You, Secretary Huang, I thought you were close to me, but it turns out you're playing me behind my back!"

Li Yi couldn't think of anything he had done to wrong him. If Huang Shuqi knew that Secretary Wen had returned last night, why did he lie?

Li Yi remained calm and pretended not to know.

Huang Shuqi hurriedly pushed open the inner door and prepared tea for Wen Yuxi.

"Come in and sit down! Xiao Huang, make a cup of tea for Li Yi. Oh, right, I brought back a new type of tea from the capital. Get two cups ready," Wen Yuxi took out an elegant tin box and placed it on the large desk.

Li Yi glanced at it and recognized it as the special tribute Yuqian Longjing tea. He thought to himself that Wen Yuxi looked rosy and cheerful, and with such good tea, it seemed his trip to the capital had been very fruitful!

"Secretary Wen, this is genuine Yuqian Longjing, a tribute tea! I feel unworthy to receive it!" Li Yi said, feeling honored.

"This is a reward for you! The industrial information you provided last time was very beneficial. Also, during the dam breach in Sanjiang City, if it weren't for your foresight in alerting the military, the consequences would have been unimaginable!"

Wen Yuxi laughed heartily, in high spirits, but when he mentioned the "military," he suddenly remembered that this young man was no ordinary person. What was his relationship with the Li family in the capital?

Wen Yuxi's faction was neither an ally nor an opponent of the Li family. Therefore, his attitude towards Li Yi could only be neutral, with a bit of admiration. Being too close might lead to misunderstandings at higher levels about any connections or plots between the two families.

While making tea, Huang Shuqi paid close attention to their conversation, feeling both envy and jealousy, yet helpless.

In theory, as the first secretary of the provincial party committee, Huang Shuqi had no connection with Li Yi. However, a few days ago, he had overheard Wen Yuxi say, "If I could have Li Yi as my secretary, it would save me so much trouble!" Huang Shuqi felt as if his soul had been sucked out, and he lacked energy for several days.

Actually, Wen Yuxi had just been talking, but why did Huang Shuqi overthink it so much!

Li Yi was unaware of all this. When Huang Shuqi brought the tea, he said "thank you" and stood up to take it.

Wen Yuxi laughed, "Come and try this premium tea!"

Huang Shuqi's envy and jealousy reached a peak, and a bold idea came to mind. As Li Yi reached for the teacup, he deliberately shook his hand, spilling scalding hot water on Li Yi's hands. Li Yi quickly pulled back, shaking his hands and hissing in pain.

"What happened? Xiao Huang, how could you be so careless!" Wen Yuxi scolded.

Li Yi stared deeply at Huang Shuqi and said calmly, "It's fine, it was my own fault!"

Wen Yuxi glared at Huang Shuqi, "Go get some medicine!"

Huang Shuqi responded and went to get the medicine, but his hatred for Li Yi grew deeper. He thought, "You, Li Yi, young and cunning, covering for me when Secretary Wen clearly saw it was my fault. This makes you seem magnanimous and me careless. In Secretary Wen's eyes, our images are now one high and one low!"

This outcome was unexpected by Li Yi. As the saying goes, a gentleman's heart is broad, while a small person's heart is often troubled!

Li Yi's hands were not seriously injured. He wiped them with a paper towel and made himself another cup of tea.

"Hmm, you came to see me for something, right?" Wen Yuxi asked.

"Secretary Wen, please look at this," Li Yi presented his masterpiece to Wen Yuxi.

This was Li Yi's application for a comprehensive investigation into the safety hazards of the province's water conservancy projects. The report was divided into three parts: the first part explained the importance and special significance of water conservancy projects, especially major water conservancy projects, to the agricultural and industrial economic development of the province. The second part presented evidence and facts, listing the data and results from the previous water conservancy survey in a straightforward manner. The third part summarized and proposed suggestions, recommending a broader and deeper investigation to comprehensively inspect and address the safety hazards of the province's water conservancy projects, especially major projects, to ensure their safety and normal operation.

Wen Yuxi read it carefully. During this time, Huang Shuqi brought the medicine, and Li Yi took it with a smile but did not use it.

Huang Shuqi frowned, said nothing, and left, closing the door gently. As the door closed, his complex, resentful eyes flashed.

Wen Yuxi closed the file and smiled, "Come, have some tea, it's getting cold!"

Li Yi smiled, "After you."

Wen Yuxi picked up the cup, took a sip, and nodded slowly, "Not bad!"

Li Yi also took a sip, savoring it, and smiled, "The tea is light green and bright, with a sweet and refreshing taste, moistening the tongue and throat. The aroma of the tea penetrates the dantian. Good tea!"

Wen Yuxi put down the cup and smiled, "I'm saying your suggestion is good! I agree! Have you talked to Governor Tang or the vice governor in charge?"

"No, I came directly to you because I wanted you to be the team leader," Li Yi smiled lightly.

"Me as the team leader? Ha, you're really pulling the tiger's skin to make a big flag! You should talk to Vice Governor Lu Zhibang! This falls under his jurisdiction!" Wen Yuxi said, pushing the file over.

Li Yi studied Wen Yuxi, confirming he wasn't angry, and smiled, "I will definitely report, but the team leader must be you."

Wen Yuxi waved his hand, "I don't need to be the team leader. Old Gu from the Consultative Office is a big shot. You can ask him to be the team leader. Besides, I have two conditions: first, you must convince Vice Governor Lu to agree, and second, I will not be involved in the funding or specific matters. I only want to see the results!"

Li Yi thought about it and agreed, thinking, "Once I gather the team, if there's really something to deal with, you won't be able to avoid it!" Knowing Wen Yuxi was busy, he got up to leave.

As he passed through the outer room, Li Yi smiled at Huang Shuqi, "Thanks, Brother Huang, let's have tea another day." This was just a polite remark, but to Huang Shuqi, it sounded like a deliberate provocation: "Damn, you're intentionally making me feel I can't drink Secretary Wen's good tea?"

Li Yi went to the provincial government office building and directly found Vice Governor Lu Zhibang's office.

Lu Zhibang was the executive vice governor, and Li Yi had never met him. The door to the outer secretary's office was open, but Li Yi still knocked politely, "Hello, is Governor Lu in?"

The secretary asked, "Who are you?"

"I'm Li Yi from the Consultative Office, here to report to Governor Lu."

"Li Yi from the Consultative Office? I haven't heard of you! Isn't your director surnamed Gu?" The secretary was surprised, "Are you a text secretary? Go back and have your supervisor come!" The implication was clear: Vice Governor Lu was very busy and did not receive people of his level!