Chapter 201: Critically Ill

After the negotiation with Hu Wanlin fell through, Li Dong didn't take it too seriously. However, he did remind Zheng Long to continue keeping an eye on Wang Jia to prevent any retaliation from Hu Wanlin.

Although Zheng Long silently complained, he had no choice but to agree.

In fact, Zheng Long had hoped to get closer to Li Dong while Zhou Haidong was away. But now, with Wang Jia suddenly involved, Zheng Long felt quite helpless.

Li Dong wasn't particularly concerned about Zheng Long's feelings. Hu Wanlin was not a significant figure, so he quickly set aside the matter of Hu Wanlin.

---

**September 8th**

The twelve Copper Mountain stores finally began operations, bringing the total number of officially opened stores to twenty-five.

Li Dong did not attend the opening of Copper Mountain. Although he wasn't there in person, he kept a close eye on the situation.

On the opening day, Copper Mountain's performance was quite good. By 9:30 PM, the total revenue from the twelve stores had reached 11 million yuan.

While this result wasn't as spectacular as when the seven stores in Fucheng opened, it was still exceptional, and Li Dong was very satisfied.

Not long after the Copper Mountain stores opened, on September 10th, the five convenience stores in Pingchuan officially started operations.

Li Dong had originally intended these five convenience stores to compete with a few large supermarkets. Due to Zhang Qing's interference, the opening was delayed. Otherwise, these small convenience stores might have opened even before Copper Mountain.

Now that Zhang Qing was no longer causing trouble, the opening process went smoothly.

Though the opening was not grand and there were no decorations, the five convenience stores still brought Li Dong a pleasant surprise.

On the opening day, the revenue from the five convenience stores reached 800,000 yuan.

Although this was the total for five stores, the total investment in these stores probably didn't even match that of a single county-level store. To achieve 800,000 yuan in revenue was absolutely beyond Li Dong's expectations.

The provincial capital truly lived up to its name, with both consumption levels and foot traffic surpassing those of county towns.

Li Dong had higher expectations for the other stores being built in Pingchuan. Perhaps this plan for full coverage of Pingchuan stores would bring unexpected surprises.

Yao Hai District was not the city center, and its foot traffic was primarily composed of students. Other stores might even surpass the Longhua store.

While Li Dong was delighted with the thriving situation of the distant stores, he received a piece of bad news, though it was unclear if it was truly bad news.

On September 12th, Li Chengyuan called Li Dong.

On the phone, Li Chengyuan sounded a bit down and said, "Your uncle is critically ill. You should come back to see him."

Li Dong was surprised by the news. "Critically ill? What's wrong with him?"

Hearing that Li Chenghui was critically ill was unexpected, as in his previous life, his uncle had lived on with great vitality until Li Dong's rebirth.

Li Chengyuan sighed and said, "It's late-stage cancer. He probably doesn't have much time left."

This truly shocked Li Dong. Late-stage cancer—how could this be?

While sudden illnesses were possible, late-stage cancer was clearly not a recent diagnosis. History had apparently changed!

To be honest, Li Dong was more surprised than saddened. He didn't have much emotional attachment to this uncle. In his previous life, he had even resented him for many years. But now, hearing that Li Chenghui didn't have much time left, Li Dong felt a bit unsettled.

Despite his past grievances and hostility, Li Chenghui had not done anything truly heartless in this life. With his uncle's imminent demise, Li Dong's resentment quickly dissipated, leaving only a sigh at the unpredictability of life.

After all, Li Chenghui was his uncle, and with his father also feeling distressed, Li Dong did not hesitate and said, "I'll come back tomorrow."

"Hmm, be careful on the road."

Li Chengyuan was in a bad mood and hung up the phone without saying much.

---

The next day, Li Dong and Zhou Haidong hurried back to Dongping.

Li Chengyuan had not been setting up his stall these past few days. When Li Dong arrived, Li Chengyuan was sitting on the sofa, smoking.

Seeing Li Dong enter, Li Chengyuan forced a smile and said, "How was the trip? If you're tired, sit down and rest."

Li Dong replied, "It's fine."

Noticing the ashtray on the coffee table was full of cigarette butts, Li Dong advised, "Dad, cut down on smoking. It's not good for your health."

Li Chengyuan sighed and extinguished his cigarette.

He then lamented, "Dongzi, what's going on? Your uncle is only fifty this year…"

Li Dong didn't know what to say to comfort him. Seeing his father's troubled mood, he said, "Dad, I'll go with you to Qingyang this afternoon. Don't worry too much; maybe it will be cured."

Even though Li Chengyuan knew his son was trying to comfort him, he still held out a sliver of hope and asked, "Dongzi, do you think it could be treated if we go to a big hospital?"

Li Dong gave a wry smile. Late-stage cancer was hard to treat.

Seeing his father's hopeful expression, Li Dong could only say, "It depends on what Li Qing and the others say. Dad, don't worry too much."

"Can I not worry? He's my only brother, and he's still so young…"

As Li Chengyuan spoke, he felt more distressed. He knew his son didn't have a good relationship with Li Chenghui but said, "Dongzi, why don't you arrange for your uncle to go to a major hospital in the provincial capital?"

"This decision has to come from Li Qing and the others. They might not listen to me."

Li Dong wasn't shirking his responsibility; if Li Chenghui's side agreed, Li Dong could arrange it. However, he doubted the possibility, as Li Chenghui's children might even blame him for his efforts.

Li Dong was used to such situations. If his father hadn't mentioned it, he wouldn't have brought it up to avoid trouble.

Hearing Li Dong's response, Li Chengyuan sighed again.

He knew his son's words were reasonable; the decision wasn't his to make but depended on the eldest branch of the family.

Seeing his father still sighing, Li Dong quickly changed the subject. "Where's Mom?"

"Your mother is at the store, doing the accounts. She'll be back later. We'll go together in the afternoon."

Just then, Cao Fang walked in. Seeing Li Dong, she asked, "Dongzi, is that car downstairs yours?"

Li Dong nodded.

Cao Fang then said, "No wonder it looks familiar. But I saw someone in the car. Is it Old Zhou? Since you're home, why didn't you invite him up to rest?"

Since Cao Fang had been picked up a few times by Zhou Haidong in Pingchuan, she recognized him.

Li Chengyuan realized only then that his son hadn't come alone and chided, "Dongzi, how could you leave someone downstairs when you're home?"

"It's fine. He can rest in the car for a while."

"That won't do. It's almost mealtime. I'll go downstairs and call him up."

Li Dong quickly said, "It's really not necessary. I've told Old Zhou to find somewhere to eat. If you go down to call him, he might not be used to it."

Knowing Zhou Haidong's personality, Li Dong had chosen not to bring him upstairs.

Seeing Li Dong's insistence, Li Chengyuan and Cao Fang stopped pressing the issue.

With Li Chengyuan feeling down these days, Cao Fang hadn't bought any groceries. They had been eating noodles, so inviting someone for a meal felt awkward.

Cao Fang then busied herself preparing lunch, while Li Dong stayed in the living room, chatting with his father.

After lunch, the three of them packed a bunch of nutritional supplements and headed to Qingyang.