Chapter 268 Give Me a Reason

ing with wide eyes.This high-ranking official never would have imagined that someone could be so domineering as to dare strike him!Inconceivable!"You... How can you do this!" Liu Shanlin covered his f...Chapter 268: Give Me a Reason

The development of the economy and financial growth depend on investment. Due to its remote location, most investments in the northwest are chemical factories, with a majority being Japanese-funded ones. Although these chemical factories have adverse effects on the environment in varying degrees, they bring substantial fiscal revenue to the governments of the three provinces in Northwest China, so people turn a blind eye to them and ignore serious environmental issues. Of course, such practices are common across the country; many polluting chemical plants would dig deep wells and discharge wastewater into underground water sources hundreds or thousands of meters below ground, which is simply outrageous and shortsighted.

This is also one reason why many local governments do not openly release water quality monitoring results, as it could cause significant panic.

However, this time, when Mr. Li saw the embassy staff being loaded onto ambulances one after another, he was truly angry.

Furiously enraged!

The fiscal revenue that is unknown where it goes—compared to the dignity of the People's Republic of China, which is more important

Li Yeping is an old man who has lived through turbulent times. The People's Republic of China isn't as old as he is; he was one of the youngest founding heroes and also the most impulsive.

However, with the passage of time, he is no longer that rash young man who dared to ambush the Japanese with just a few dozen people and ten or so "Hanyang-made" rifles. Time may change a person's appearance but cannot erase their character.

The things deeply rooted in one’s soul can never be erased.

Yes, that was an imprint—imprints from those red years they experienced.

In Li Yeping's bones, he would always remain as passionate and fiery as ever before.

Hearing this news, Li Tianshu in Northwest China frowned slightly but then relaxed his brows.

"Shut down operations when needed, according to Grandpa’s meaning, any factory that fails to meet emission standards should be shut down." Li Tianshu clenched his fist: "For Grandpa to get so furious must mean the Japanese have indeed done something outrageous."

"However, Young Master, not only would shutting down so many companies cause significant losses, but we also cannot accommodate such a large number of idle workers."

Li Tianshu glanced sideways at his secretary and said: "Grandpa wants to shut down Japanese-funded enterprises instead of state-owned ones. Simply convert the Japanese investments into state-owned assets. Northwest China has accumulated quite a bit of money over the years, it's time for us to spend some of it now. Otherwise, when will this hunched back straighten up"

...

"Grandpa, how did you come here" Li Xiaoxiao looked at the old man beside her with a stern expression and didn't dare to speak randomly.

"Isn’t it because of your stinky self" said Li Yeping. "Otherwise, would I come to this desolate place to suffer like this"

Li Xiaoxiao felt warm inside; he knew that Grandpa was worried about him. Otherwise, with his advanced age and frail body, there's no way he could endure the bumps of an airplane.

Lǐ Xiǎoxiǎo cleverly shifted the topic: "Indeed, these little Japs are just too outrageous! That Kawasaki Hidetakā, I really want to shoot him dead!"

Lǐ Yèpíng glanced at his fearless grandson but didn’t say anything.

"But Grandpa, speaking of it, your order to shut down the Japanese chemical enterprises in Northwest China was impressive. You just said when and where to close them down. Grandpa, you don’t know how commanding you looked." Lǐ Xiǎoxiǎo started fawning over him.

"Enough, that doesn't work on me," Lǐ Yèpíng’s mind was still filled with the scenes of Chinese embassy staff being assaulted, and his face wasn’t very pleasant to see.

“Thank you for coming to our aid at a critical moment,” Hè Yán approached with Shàng Chén and said gratefully.

"Alright, no need for formalities, Hè Family kid. I feel very reassured about Xiǎoxiǎo being under your care. This young man is sometimes too impulsive; you should teach him a thing or two. He needs to be taught the hard way."

“Grandpa, am I really that bad” Lǐ Xiǎoxiǎo was clearly not happy about it.

"It's not that you're bad, but rather mischievously naughty," the old man said.

“Hmph, let’s not talk about this. Grandpa, how do you plan to deal with the situation” Lǐ Xiǎoxiǎo switched back to addressing him formally, clearly unhappy once again with his grandfather.

"Have my secretary send the news and photos home for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to handle," said Lǐ Yèpíng indifferently.

“That bunch of weaklings, what can they do Just issue a stern condemnation” Lǐ Xiǎoxiǎo scoffed sarcastically.

"This incident will be blown up into something huge. The government isn’t as weak and ineffective as it appears on the surface; they will strive for maximum national interests." After a brief pause, Lǐ Yèpíng said, "Boy, let’s head back home."

Lǐ Xiǎoxiǎo hesitated to glance at Hè Yán and then looked back at his grandfather without saying anything.

"We’ll go together," said Hè Yán.

“But what about Brother Zhēng” asked Lǐ Xiǎoxiǎo.

"He should be fine. This is just the beginning of things," replied the old man.

Lǐ Xiǎoxiǎo, upon hearing this, sneakily approached Lǐ Yèpíng and said, “So Grandpa, what exactly do you plan to do with the Japs”

"Wait for the outcome. If Japan doesn’t give me a satisfactory result, then this won't be over yet." Lǐ Yèpíng pointed at the ground of the embassy: "I'll wait right here."

Meanwhile, a storm aimed directly at Japan was quietly brewing around the Chinese Embassy.

…………

A man stood in the corner of a street not far from the embassy, watching everything and several times wanting to rush out but stopping himself.

Only when he saw Li Ye Ping get out of his car did he finally relax his tightly clenched fists.

But after seeing Kawasaki Hideo's car leave the embassy, he quickly turned around and left.

Wang Zheng was driving; Li Ming Hao said somewhat reluctantly, "Are we just going to leave like this"

"What else can we do"

"Or should we try another counterattack" Li Ming Hao suggested.

Suddenly, Wang Zheng's phone started vibrating.

Wang Zheng took out his phone and tossed it to Li Ming Hao. "Check who sent the message."

A strange expression appeared on Li Ming Hao's face: "Are you sure Do you really want me to read it aloud"

"Don't be so hesitant," Wang Zheng said.

“There are two messages.”

Li Ming Hao cleared his throat and read, "The first one is from Lin Xijue. He says he’s following a Japanese National Security Council operative and plans to raid their headquarters. Chinese embassy staff were beaten up, and Li Ye Ping appeared."

"Looks like we have no choice but to counterattack," Wang Zheng said with a smile. "Grandpa Li actually came out to protect his grandson. That’s beyond my expectations; it seems he cares about Xiao Li more than he lets on."

“Of course, which grandpa doesn’t love their grandchild” Li Ming Hao asked: "Our old man treats you like a beloved grandson too."

Thinking of Wang Fang He, a smile flickered across Wang Zheng’s mouth. The old man was strict but truly unforgettable.

"What does the second message say"

"Are you sure you want me to read it out loud" Li Ming Hao asked again with an amused expression.

“Read it then,” Wang Zheng said, also curious. He had nothing to hide from a brother who had saved his life before.

"I'm in Japan, and I'll be heading back home in three days. Missing you," Li Minghao recited tenderly.

Wang Zheng suddenly braked hard, almost causing Li Minghao to crash into the front windshield!

"Is it Zhang Mingqi" Wang Zheng snatched the phone and looked at the message, feeling an indescribable warmth in his heart.

However, right then and there, Wang Zheng recalled that he had received a text from Zhang Mingqi on the morning after he and Song Ziyè had their off-road car adventure. She had mentioned going to Europe for business travel and would be passing through Japan.

Wang Zheng slapped his head; amidst all the commotion, he had completely forgotten about it.

But right then, Wang Zheng made up his mind: even if Zhang Mingqi is in Japan, he wouldn't go see her. Such a meeting would only bring unnecessary danger to her. He hoped that no one had noticed their relationship; otherwise, it could be a major隱患 (hidden risk).

"Captain, you've got quite the charm," Li Minghao chuckled. "I'm still single as ever."

Wang Zheng replied somewhat irritably. He wasn't in the mood for jokes with Li Minghao right now; his heart was fully focused on Zhang Mingqi after learning she had arrived in Japan.

"Return to China immediately! Not a minute should be wasted!" After pondering for a moment, Wang Zheng sent this message, with the exclamation mark emphasizing his urgency.

With all that chaos happening in Japan now, Zhang Mingqi couldn't stay long. Only when she left could he truly relax; otherwise, people like the Su family would certainly exploit their relationship to cause trouble.

"Give me a reason for you to return immediately. I just got off the plane and there's a ten-year contract waiting for my signature here." A minute later, the reply came through. Wang Zheng imagined Zhang Mingqi’s slightly playful expression but had no idea that she was currently in Japan and that he was sending her anxious messages right then.

"Women are really troublesome," Wang Zheng said somewhat helplessly.

“If she wants a reason, give her one,” Li Minghao turned to look out the window. Wang Zheng’s current appearance was quite amusing; perhaps that's just how love is.

Wang Zheng stared at his phone screen for five minutes before typing: "Because I miss you too."

But after waiting half an hour, he still didn't receive a text back!

"What’s going on Did something happen" Li Minghao was about to suggest that Wang Zheng call her; the risks of revealing his location were secondary.

Holding onto the phone with sweating palms, right as Wang Zheng was about to dial, Zhang Mingqi's message arrived:

"I've just bought a ticket and will be boarding soon, heading back to China."n passenger’s chest while the other wildly honked the horn."Fuck, drive faster! I’m in a hurry to get laid!" This fellow seemed impatient. Seeing that King Zheng was driving slowly, he floored it and...