Chapter 64

Chapter 20: Straddling Both Worlds

Li Yi did not rush to find Qiao Yijiang but carefully examined Lu Zhibang's approval. After a closer look, he indeed found a problem.

As the saying goes, if the name is not correct, the words will not be smooth, showing the importance of the name.

In the report, Li Yi had written the name as "Provincial Water Safety Research Group." After seeing it, Lu Zhibang crossed out the word "research" and changed it to "inspection."

Although only two characters were changed, the nature and function of the group had undergone a significant transformation!

The purpose of research is to systematically and objectively collect information and data for decision-making, and the research report can serve as an administrative basis.

Inspection, on the other hand, is merely to verify whether the functions of water conservancy projects meet the approved standards, which is just one part of the research work.

Lu Zhibang had a deep and well-thought-out plan!

This move achieved two goals at once: it maintained the face of the Consultative Office by not rejecting their proposal, while also not granting any power or making any promises, leaving room for maneuver.

Li Yi sneered, "Do they think we have nothing to do in the Consultative Office and are just giving us a chance to tour the province? Inspection? What good is an inspection? The hard work we put into the inspection report will probably not even be glanced at by Governor Lu! It seems he is just putting me off! Whatever, it's just a name, I have my own way! Hehe."

Deputy Director Qiao Yijiang of the General Office received Li Yi very politely, took the report, and told Li Yi that he would handle it as soon as possible.

Li Yi believed that with Lu Zhibang's approval, the staff of the General Office would not drag their feet too much.

Fang Fang was eager to return home and repeatedly urged Li Yi to go back to her hometown. Li Yi naturally agreed without hesitation.

These days, his work suddenly became much lighter. Li Yi would report to work every day, then head to Nanjing University, occasionally attending classes.

After class, he would stroll around with his hands in his pockets, looking rather nonchalant, and tease Guo Xiaoling.

After school, he and Guo Xiaoling would walk around the campus together.

The campus of Nanjing University was very beautiful. Walking around, listening to the sounds of the wind, rain, and reading, and looking at the red flowers, green leaves, and young girls, was quite an enjoyable experience. Occasionally holding hands and leaning on each other with Guo Xiaoling was also quite romantic.

Through the air disaster and the Malin Reservoir incident, Li Yi realized the importance of instant communication.

In his previous life, he was accustomed to the convenience of mobile phones. Suddenly, even making a phone call became so difficult, which made him feel quite frustrated. So, he decided to buy a large, brick-like mobile phone.

It was already Saturday, and Li Yi called Guo Xiaoling, drove the flashy BMW, and headed straight for the post and telecommunications office.

At this time, the postal and telecommunications services had not yet been separated, so all related business could be handled in one place.

Looking at the counter, the models were very limited. The large, brick-like mobile phone was priced at 15,000 yuan, and with various fees, it would cost over 20,000 yuan. Li Yi gritted his teeth and decided to buy it, but the clerk informed him, "We're out of stock. If you want one, you need to pay a 10,000 yuan deposit and come back in a month to pick it up."

Li Yi was stunned and pointed to the device on the counter, asking, "Isn't this for sale?" He couldn't believe that in this era, they would just display a model as a prop.

"This is for display purposes. Otherwise, how would you know what it looks like?" the clerk replied indifferently.

Li Yi was quite frustrated, thinking, "Fine, I'll pay the deposit! As long as there's stock in a month."

At that moment, a hoarse voice called out, "Li Yi! It's really you!"

It was Wang Yang!

Wang Yang walked over, draped his arm around Li Yi's shoulder, and grinned, "Out with a girl, huh?"

Li Yi actually didn't like people like Wang Yang, but in the Kangping incident, Wang Yang had mediated and put in a lot of effort. Otherwise, the matter might not have been resolved so quickly. He couldn't pretend not to know him and said, "Nonsense, this is my legitimate girlfriend!"

"OK! You're serious! What are you doing here?"

"I want to buy a mobile phone, but they say it will be a month before they have stock."

"Ha! Do you really believe them? You won't get it even if you wait! — They have stock, but they only sell to two types of people: leaders and those willing to pay extra."

"Oh?" Li Yi was somewhat surprised.

"Watch me. Luckily, my dad is a leader, so I count as one of those two types."

Wang Yang chuckled and pointed at Li Yi, saying to the clerk, "My brother, get a phone for him."

It was the same clerk as before, who smiled and said, "You should have said you were a friend of Master Wang earlier!" He then turned and went into the back room, quickly returning with a brand new phone and helping Li Yi complete the procedures.

Wang Yang said, "This thing isn't very useful. In remote areas, it's like a mute, and the call charges are very expensive. I'm here to pay the phone bill."

Li Yi said, "Thanks a lot! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gotten this thing today."

Wang Yang chuckled, "If you're free, why don't we get together? A bunch of brothers, have some drinks, and have a good time."

Li Yi quickly said, "Another day, I'm with my girlfriend."

Wang Yang wouldn't let go, "Why not bring her? The more friends, the better!"

This actually moved Li Yi. More friends mean more paths. Even something as simple as buying a phone was made possible by Wang Yang's help. He looked at Guo Xiaoling for her opinion.

Guo Xiaoling smiled and agreed, "I'll follow your lead."

Li Yi pushed Wang Yang away, "Let's go. Don't be so close, I don't want others to think I have a problem with my sexual orientation."

Wang Yang was drenched in sweat, punched Li Yi, and said to Guo Xiaoling with a grin, "Sister-in-law, you need to keep an eye on him. From what he just said, it's clear he has a roving eye. Otherwise, why would he care what others think?"

Guo Xiaoling replied, "I support Li Yi."

Wang Yang was quite frustrated, paid the phone bill, and snapped his fingers, "Let's go."

Two cars arrived at a high-rise building. Getting out of the car, Li Yi saw a sign that read "Xiangjiang Industries."

Li Yi asked, "What kind of company is this? Why are we having a gathering at someone else's company?"

Wang Yang laughed, "This company is very famous in Southern Province, straddling both the black and white worlds!"

Li Yi understood and was somewhat hesitant, saying, "I don't want to participate in this."

Wang Yang said, "What are you afraid of? I'm an official, and he's a criminal. Ha, with the strict crackdowns in recent years, they're also afraid. Now they've cleaned up and are doing legitimate business, no longer involved in those old activities. You know the famous Man Yuan in the city? It's a property of Xiangjiang Industries."

Li Yi nodded, now curious to see what kind of remarkable person the boss of Xiangjiang Industries was, capable of straddling both the black and white worlds.

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