Li Yan spent an entire day preparing for his trip to Beihai Country. In fact, he didn't prepare much on the work front, leaving specific matters to Wen Qianyi to handle. At the moment, there was no time for him to cram. His preparations were merely to appease the subordinates!

The Planning Department staff didn't have much confidence in Li Yan's abilities, thinking his sudden appointment was due to connections. They refrained from expressing it openly out of respect for the current director. But now, he hadn't been in the position for long and was already going with the Business Department to open up Beihai Country, leaving everyone a bit shocked. The importance of overseas markets for Paradise Group, both now and in the future, goes without saying, but everyone is also well aware of the difficulties in tapping into them.

Ordinarily, this wouldn't involve the Planning Department. Now, with Li Yan representing them, maybe it's because of his past connections in the Business Department, or perhaps due to the president's emphasis. The people below didn't know much about the situation, nor did anyone call him a male escort. On the contrary, they took pride in him, thinking that while this supervisor might not look competent, he might actually be quite good.

Having appeased the subordinates, Li Yan reached out to Yu Xiaodi and Huang Ying to talk about the trip. The trip was expected to last just a few days, not a year and a half. Naturally, no one was unwilling to part, and everyone was happy for him.

He hadn't been very involved with the Planning Department's work in the first place, but he did make a special trip to the security team to remind Yang Dalong to be extra careful recently. Yang Dalong had watched Li Yan chase that car away yesterday. Seeing Li Yan's reluctance to speak further, he didn't press, but earnestly agreed.

By evening, Li Yan was still busy. He had planned to treat Wen Qianyi to a big meal, but Zhang Yurong informed him they'd be heading home tonight, so he accompanied her back to Zhang Tianyi's house.

Zhang Tianyi's health was showing signs of improvement. For this son-in-law, who took just over six months to fully integrate into the company, train in several departmental foundations, and now was capable of taking on the role of Planning Department Supervisor—being even invited by overseas clients by name—he was quite pleased.

"See? I wasn't wrong about him, was I? Li Yan is a talent, a good seedling!" Zhang Tianyi proudly declared, his old heart filled with comfort.

Zhang Yurong didn't know what to say, so she just kept smiling. By her standards, Li Yan was still far off! But given his starting point, it wasn't bad at all.

Just then, Li Yan suddenly said seriously, "Dad, you're wrong about that!"

Everyone was shocked by this remark and looked at him. Zhang Yurong was particularly agitated, thinking, 'Dad just praised you a bit, and now you're getting all cocky! How cocky can you get...' Unable to hold back, she reached over and gave Li Yan's waist a hard pinch!

"Ouch…" Li Yan cried out, then with a face full of 'injustice' said, "Then I won't say anymore…"

Zhang Tianyi calmly smiled and said, "Yurong, being in a high position, you mustn't be unable to hear unpleasant things. If Li Yan merely said flattering words to please me, he'd be a mediocre person. I'm glad he can speak his mind without concern! Go on…"

Yang Yun also laughed and said, "Yes, Yurong, don't bully Little Li. Your dad's an old stubborn guy, out of touch with the times. Let the young ones speak their minds!"

Zhang Yurong was speechless, 'Me, bully him? He's the one who's always bullying me! This guy acts as innocent as a little lamb, fooling you all! Heaven, reveal his true colors!'

Li Yan, now smiling cheerfully, said, "Dad, Mom, there's no such thing; how could Rong'Er bear to bully me? Whether it's hitting or scolding, it's all out of love, and she's just keeping me in line."

Sitting beside him, Zhang Yurong first thought he was acting the good guy again, saying nice things; secondly, she was utterly shocked by his use of 'Rong'Er,' 'how could bear,' and 'hitting or scolding is love,' as if struck by three bolts of lightning, leaving her feeling numb and cold.

He then smiled at her, and in a way only she could see, winked at her, making her wish she could punch his annoying nose flat and swell up his infuriating eyes! It really was infuriating…

"Dad, then I'll say it directly. You're indeed wrong!" Li Yan said earnestly.

"Then tell me, where am I wrong?" Zhang Tianyi asked calmly.

Having become accustomed to leadership, even the most open-minded person would feel displeased by being told outright that they're wrong. Hence, in ancient times, wise rulers were often in harmony with virtuous ministers. Simply having talent without understanding the art of advising and straightforwardly criticizing the emperor would also provoke an enlightened ruler to do something foolish.

At this moment, however, Li Yan seemed oblivious to this principle, speaking his "mind" like a reckless young man: "Actually, I'm not a good seedling, let alone a talent. The little progress I've made is entirely due to your great arrangements and more so due to Rong'Er's thoughtful help and guidance, allowing me to learn. Your true insight was letting Rong'Er take over the company, appointing the virtuous, cultivating newcomers, eliminating the old, and keeping the company vibrant!"

He had thought Li Yan was genuinely going to criticize him, but it turned out he took a circuitous route to praise his daughter instead, raising and lowering, making Zhang Tianyi very happy. "Hahaha… It's fine; I'm old. Whether I have foresight or not doesn't matter. Seeing you as husband and wife united in spirit allows me peace even in death!"

Zhang Yurong initially felt resentful, but hearing this made her a bit embarrassed and ashamed. The truth is, the one who genuinely helped and guided Li Yan was Wen Qianyi, not her. She silently lamented, 'This guy just loves to play around; why can't you just speak properly instead of causing a commotion?'

However, seeing her father happy, she also admitted that Li Yan was better at creating a lively atmosphere than she was. But his last sentence left her worried, so she quickly said, "Dad—what are you talking about? You'll live a long life. The company still needs you to design grand plans and lay out global strategies."

Yang Yun knew her husband was merely happy and had no problem with his mindset. Not wanting to continue this topic, she quickly intervened to change the subject.

"Actually, I don't think there's a need to push Little Li so hard; Yurong is already very capable. As long as you two love and respect each other like guests, no need to differentiate yourselves." She was different, not being overly concerned with company matters. In her view, it was enough for one of the couple to be very capable, as Li Yan's primary role was to be good to their daughter. A complementary family is more harmonious.

Li Yan was immensely grateful, thinking, 'You're just like a real mom!' Truly understanding me… Unfortunately, he also knew that Zhang Tianyi and Zhang Yurong wouldn't give up on reforming him and would still strive to create opportunities for him to climb the corporate ladder.

Zhang Yurong gazed at Li Yan with a sigh; respecting each other is easy, but loving each other...

...

"Let's head back early today; I need to pack some things." Checking the time, Li Yan suggested taking their leave.

"Very well," Yang Yun instantly said, "Yurong, go back and help Little Li pack, and drive him to the airport in the morning. Come with me, I have something to let you take back."

Zhang Yurong didn't know what her mom wanted to give, presumably road snacks for Li Yan. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly; this guy really knew how to win people over, having her parents see him so fondly…

After the mother and daughter left, only the two men remained. Zhang Tianyi had Li Yan get closer. Then, lowering his voice, he said, "Kid, remember, stay firm!"

"Yes, yes." Li Yan quickly picked up his tea and took a sip, trying to appear a bit embarrassed, as if he were very honest and innocent. Truthfully, he was indeed somewhat embarrassed.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Tianyi was not done. Continuing, he sighed, "Honestly, I'm just afraid you'll disgrace the men of Yun Country!"

"Puh—" Li Yan spat out all his tea; this father-in-law, what kind of thinking was that! Talk about being open-minded!

Seeing Li Yan's awkwardness, Zhang Tianyi laughed, as if saying, 'In front of me, you still have much to learn!' "Li Yan, do you know a bit of simple Liguo language?"

"Mm, a little," Li Yan replied casually.

"If you embarrass yourself, speak Liguo and pretend to be from Liguo?" Li Yan followed along with his words.

Zhang Tianyi smiled enigmatically.

Li Yan was speechless.

Cunning… No wonder they say there's no business without deceit! I thought my father-in-law was a Confucian businessman; turns out, he's a crafty one!

However, he still righteously refused, "I wouldn't do that."

Zhang Tianyi looked at him for a while, then gave a thumbs up, saying, "Good job. Actually, what I said earlier was just to test your character. It seems in some respects, you're commendable, but in other respects…"

Li Yan started sweating, trying hastily to cover, "Uh... I didn't say anything."

Zhang Tianyi asked, half-smiling, "Really?"

Li Yan inwardly cursed the old man for his cunning, first setting a trap for him as a man, then oppressing him in his capacity as a father-in-law. He immediately, once again, portrayed himself with righteous firmness, "Our family's Yurong is a peerless beauty; by comparison, others are just ordinary. How could they possibly tempt me?"

As he spoke, Yang Yun and Zhang Yurong had already emerged, catching the last part of their conversation. It became clear to them that the father-in-law was advising his son-in-law not to fool around outside, and Li Yan's statement also left them quite satisfied.

In truth, Li Yan would tell a bit of a white lie for people he cared about, like to reassure Zhang Tianyi into getting treatment when they got married; but he never claimed to be some paragon of virtue!

Thus, though his words sounded resolute, they were actually riddled with loopholes. (To be continued, for more information, please log in to www.qidian.com, more chapters available, support the author, support legitimate reading!)

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