Chapter 272: New Year

Seeing Wang Jie's smug look, Li Dong couldn't help but laugh, "You're quite something. Did you gain any advantage yesterday?"

Wang Jie squinted and chuckled, "Not exactly an advantage, but it was definitely satisfying."

"Chen Yue?"

"Yeah."

"Can't you be a bit more magnanimous? You're a grown man, and you're bickering with a woman. Is that really necessary?"

Wang Jie snorted, "I didn't even provoke her. It's disgusting. We were supposed to have a class reunion, and that bastard showed up! If I had known he would be there, I definitely wouldn't have gone. Since he came, I'm not going to be magnanimous."

"Don't act all high and mighty. Last time, when Feng Jinsong and Yuan Xue went to the hotel, you didn't exactly give them a pleasant reception either."

Li Dong ignored him and, after chatting for a bit, asked, "You seem to be in a good mood. Does that mean the demolition project is off?"

At this, Wang Jie lowered his voice and said with a hint of gratitude, "Dongzi, I owe you for this. The demolition project is temporarily shelved. It won't start until mid-year at the earliest. I'll work for another six months, and hopefully, I can recover some of my costs."

Li Dong smiled, "This has nothing to do with me."

Wang Jie understood immediately, wearing a knowing look, and said with a grin, "Got it. It's not your problem."

As they were chatting, Li Dong noticed Wang Jie suddenly change his expression. He couldn't help but glance back.

Seeing this, Li Dong understood why Wang Jie's face had changed.

At the entrance, a man and a woman were lifting the curtain and preparing to enter.

Li Dong didn't know the man, but he was very familiar with the woman—it was Chen Yue, the person they had just been talking about.

Li Dong didn't expect Chen Yue to come to the internet café with her boyfriend, and of all places, it was Wang Jie's café. What a coincidence!

Chen Yue's face fell, and naturally, Wang Jie's face also turned sour.

Chen Yue hadn't planned to go online today, but her boyfriend was restless. They didn't have internet at home, and with no one to talk to at Chen Yue's parents' place, they decided to come out for a bit.

What surprised Chen Yue was that the man at the counter was Wang Jie.

If Chen Yue was surprised, her boyfriend was enraged.

Without rushing to leave, the young man pulled Chen Yue to the counter and glared at Wang Jie with a sneer, "Wang, what a coincidence we meet again!"

Wang Jie retorted, "Of course, it's a coincidence, but it's definitely a bad one. Some people are just shameless and have to look for trouble."

The young man scoffed, glanced around the internet café with disdain, and said, "Don't tell me this café is yours? Did you get kicked out of school and come back to be a net café manager?"

"Sorry, but the spot you're standing in is mine. This internet café doesn't welcome trash or dogs. Didn't you see the sign?"

"Is that why this place is so shabby? It's yours. I wouldn't even come if you paid me. It stinks and is disgusting!"

"If it disgusts you, then don't come. After showing off, head straight out. There's a public restroom downstairs; feel free to go and show off there. No one will stop you."

"..."

The two continued their verbal sparring, neither willing to back down.

Li Dong had no interest in involving himself in this feud between rivals and greeted Chen Yue, "When did you get back?"

"Day before yesterday. What about you?"

"Yesterday afternoon."

Li Dong glanced at the young man and asked with a smile, "Boyfriend?"

Chen Yue blushed slightly but nodded.

Li Dong found it strange. Chen Yue was only a sophomore this year. Bringing a boyfriend home for New Year's was quite bold.

But Li Dong didn't press the issue further. Some things were better left unsaid.

As they chatted, the young man's attention was drawn over.

He glanced at Li Dong and asked Chen Yue, "Your classmate?"

Chen Yue quickly introduced, "High school classmate, Li Dong."

Then she introduced Li Dong, "This is Wu Qiang."

Li Dong nodded, but Wu Qiang ignored him and looked at Wang Jie, snorting, "Let's go. Small places are always like this. In Beijing, this place wouldn't even be fit to be a garbage dump."

Chen Yue was somewhat displeased and tugged at him, then turned to Li Dong, "Li Dong, I'll leave now."

Before Li Dong could respond, Wu Qiang sneered, "It's obvious you're cut from the same cloth as that Wang. Keep your distance from me in the future."

Li Dong's expression darkened, and he said slowly, "Kid, go show off in Beijing. Do you think I can't make it so you can't leave Dongping?"

The room's atmosphere shifted as everyone's expressions changed.

Wang Jie quickly interjected, "Dongzi, don't get involved. If this bastard keeps talking nonsense, I'll make sure he regrets it!"

Chen Yue's smile faltered slightly, and she said dryly, "Li Dong, don't mind him. He just has a big mouth and doesn't mean any harm."

Chen Yue didn't know what Li Dong was currently doing. The key was that Li Dong had a notoriously bad temper.

Given that Dongping was Li Dong's territory, if Li Dong really decided to deal with Wu Qiang, Wu Qiang would have a hard time.

Even Wang Jie, who was generally mild-mannered, had once gone so far as to break Wu Qiang's legs. Li Dong was definitely more capable.

Wu Qiang's face was unpleasant, but he knew it was not the time to be tough. In his view, people from small towns were uncivilized and quick to violence, so it was best not to provoke them.

Without saying another word to Li Dong, Wu Qiang dragged Chen Yue out.

Once they had left, Li Dong shook his head, "With such a person, Wang Jie, you really are spineless. How did you let them steal your corner?"

Wang Jie retorted, "It's in the past. Why bring it up? Are you trying to provoke me?"

"Not interested." Li Dong was not concerned about Wu Qiang. He changed the subject, "I came to talk to you about something serious."

"What's up?"

"You won't be able to keep this café open for long. Have you thought about what you'll do next?"

Although the demolition had been delayed due to Feng Bin's arrest, it would happen eventually.

When the demolition started, Wang Jie would be out of work.

Wang Jie thought for a moment and said, "I was thinking that by the time the demolition happens, I'll have some money saved up. The café is quite profitable, so I plan to open a new one in a different location."

Li Dong tapped the table lightly, considering, "Have you thought about trying something new?"

Wang Jie looked at him with curiosity, "Just say what you want. No need to beat around the bush."

Li Dong smiled and got straight to the point, "I'm planning to set up an e-commerce website for B2C after the New Year. Are you interested?"

Wang Jie's eyes lit up, but then he looked dejected and said, "Forget it. I haven't even finished college, and I won't be able to do anything useful there. Don't bother. I can still make a living in Dongping. If things get really tough, I'll come to you."

Li Dong didn't push the issue.

He wanted Wang Jie to help monitor the e-commerce department, given his familiarity with the internet. 

However, if Wang Jie wasn't interested, Li Dong wouldn't force him. Talent can be nurtured or hired as needed.

After discussing these matters, Wang Jie went back to work, and Li Dong didn't want to disturb him further. He sat for a while and then left.

---

December 29, Lunar New Year's Eve.

Li Dong was woken up early in the morning by noise. Although it wasn't yet evening, the sounds of firecrackers were already sporadically heard in Dongping County.

Li Dong got up early, but others were already up even earlier.

Lin Meng and Cao Yu were in the kitchen helping Cao Fang wash vegetables and prepare meals. Cao Feng and Li Lan were helping Li Chengyuan move chairs and paste Spring Festival couplets.

Li Dong yawned and asked his dad at the door, "Dad, is there anything I need to do?"

"Actually, there is. Get up, have breakfast, and then go outside to buy some paper money. I forgot to get it earlier."

Li Dong agreed and went outside after freshening up.

At noon, the whole family had a modest meal together.

In the afternoon, Mom was still busy cooking. Li Dong peeked into the kitchen but was quickly pushed out. This year's New Year's feast was quite lavish. Li Dong glanced around and saw that there were over twenty dishes.

In the living room, Li Chengyuan, Cao Feng, and Li Lan were watching TV. There wasn't much to do in the afternoon except wait for dinner.

Li Dong watched TV for a while. After four o'clock, he became restless.

His phone buzzed with calls, and he ended up answering seven or eight calls.

At first, he listened patiently,

 but then lost patience and sent a group text with New Year's greetings to the company's leadership. The phone calls finally decreased.

---

The 2005 New Year's Eve dinner was the most crowded the Li family had ever had.

Usually, it was just the three of them for New Year's, but this year, Cao Feng's siblings, Lin Meng, and Li Lan were also there.

With so many people, the festive atmosphere was lively. Everyone happily gave toasts, clinking glasses and exchanging well-wishes.

Even Li Lan held a small cup and toasted everyone, showing a much happier smile than usual.

Outside, the sounds of firecrackers filled the air. After dinner, Li Dong went downstairs with Li Lan and the others to set off fireworks.

Then he checked the time and called Qin Yuhan.

On the phone, Qin Yuhan sounded happy but it was quite noisy. Li Dong learned that not only Qin Hai's family but also many relatives were visiting this New Year's.

Qin Hai and Yang Yun had brought the elderly patriarch from the countryside to Pingchuan this year. With their successful careers, they had bought a house and car in Pingchuan. The entire Qin family came together to celebrate.

After chatting with Qin Yuhan for a while, Li Dong called Qin Hai and Yang Yun to wish them a happy New Year before hanging up.

Li Dong made several more calls and received quite a few. It took him over an hour to wrap everything up.

At eleven o'clock, he called Yuan Xue in the US.

Yuan Xue's side was quieter, but she said that New Year's Eve in the US was lively as well.

However, she didn't like the commotion and chose to stay in. Although there were many Chinese people abroad now and various events during New Year's Eve, the celebrations were more intense in Chinatown than in the homeland.

After chatting for a while, the New Year's bells rang.

With the "Happy New Year" greetings, 2006 officially began.

Looking out at the brightly lit night and the dazzling fireworks, Li Dong couldn't help but reflect on how quickly time flies.

This was the second New Year since his rebirth, and everything was different from before.