That year the flowers bloomed 1981

Chapter 1499 Unintentional intervention
"Grandma, did Meiwen say what time she's coming? I happen to have a guest to entertain tonight."

"She didn't say what time, she just said you have to be home. Your wife is away on a business trip today. Among your peers, you're the only one who's presentable. You figure it out yourself!"

"I'll be home by five."

Without hesitation, Li Ye put the matter of entertaining Director Tan out of his mind.

Back when I was a beast of burden, whenever work and personal matters conflicted, I would mindlessly prioritize work, as if neglecting work for personal matters was some heinous crime.

However, after countless times of "sacrificing himself for the company," Li Ye finally realized that the "selflessness" that the boss praised to the skies was often just forcing you to feel sorry for yourself. The company's affairs were far from being "indispensable" because of you.

As for the second half of the saying "putting public interests before private ones and national interests before family," it has nothing to do with cattle and horses. If you want to forget your family affairs for the sake of national affairs, then you can do so when you reach a point where you can influence national affairs.

So Li Ye turned around and called Ma Zhaoxian: "Uncle Ma, I've thought about it. I think it's best if I don't show up to entertain Director Tan tonight. We're from the same hometown, and there are some things that would be difficult to discuss if I'm there."

After a moment's thought, Ma Zhaoxian agreed, saying, "That's right. They're the ones begging us, not the other way around. It's better for you not to show your face for now."

The matter was settled happily. Li Ye, having lived a second life, naturally wanted to leave a dazzling mark on this era, but he also wanted to gain more freedom in his "private affairs."

Li Ye left work half an hour early and went straight to the courtyard where his grandfather lived.

Grandma adored her two great-grandchildren and couldn't bear to part with her husband, so ever since Qingshuihe Food Company built its production base in the north of Beijing, Grandpa Li Zhongfa had been residing in Beijing.
I spend half the week living at the factory and the other half coming back here to "reunite" with my grandmother.

My dear husband, we can't let two people who have been together for decades be lonely and cold just because of two little rascals, can we?

When Li Ye arrived at his grandfather's yard, Li Zhongfa had already returned and was helping his grandmother in the kitchen.

Li Ye felt gratified.

Although Li Zhongfa was a veteran Party member in the new society, he was an old-fashioned man. He wouldn't normally say he wouldn't pick up a fallen oil bottle, but for decades he would never cook at home. However, now that he's old, he knows how much his wife cherishes him and is willing to help his grandmother cook.

Li Ye rolled up his sleeves and went inside, saying with a grin, "Grandpa, you've become more and more talented since you retired; you've even learned to cook!"

Li Zhongfa threw down the small basin and said irritably, "Isn't it because you came back late? I heard you always insist on cooking at your father-in-law's house, but at home you just eat what's served to you?"

"Yes, yes, I was wrong. I'll cook today. You and Grandma can go inside and have some tea. I'll bring up six dishes and a soup in no time."

Li Ye knew that his grandfather was trying to save face for a grown man, so he quickly admitted his mistake and prepared to replace his grandparents. After all, his grandparents were almost seventy years old, and he couldn't stand outside the kitchen waiting for the two elderly people to cook for him.

But Grandma Wu Juying pushed Li Ye and Li Zhongfa out of the kitchen: "I'm almost finished with my work, what are you two doing here making things worse? Go check on things in the living room and dining room."
"If you see anything that doesn't look right, tidy it up quickly. Don't leave it messy so people will think we don't care."

Li Ye said helplessly, "Two elderly people taking care of two young people, isn't that a lack of respect? Besides, there's nothing to clean in our living room and dining room!"

Grandpa's courtyard was originally purchased in bulk by Jin Peng at Li Ye's request, and later underwent careful renovation.

Although it is not as luxurious as some courtyard houses, it uses the best materials and craftsmanship, and its style is "understated yet sophisticated", making people feel comfortable when they enter.

"Just go when we tell you to. If there's nothing to tidy up, then mop the floor again."

"Okay, I'll go right now."

Li Ye and his grandfather quickly left the kitchen and tidied up the already spotless living room and dining room. Li Zhongfa then said, "Don't blame your grandmother for making a fuss. It's just that Meiwen's notification today was so sudden, and your aunt and uncle are far away in Dongshan and can't come right away, so your grandmother was both anxious and worried."
Besides, she was also very worried. "Your three younger sisters are all getting on in years, but no matter how much we urge them, none of them seem to be in a hurry. Now that Meiwen has finally found someone, your grandma hopes it will be a good start."

"What's the use of us worrying about things that concern young people?"

At this point, Li Ye became somewhat worried.

Because Fu Yiruo, Li Juan and Zhao Meiwen were all twenty-three or twenty-four years old, which was the best "marriageable age" in the 1980s and 1990s. If they were to wait a few more years, they would go from being young girls to "old maids". How could Wu Juying not be anxious?

Li Zhongfa glared at her and said, "What's the use of us being anxious? Meiwen's boyfriend this time is all thanks to your wife, isn't he?"

"Without your wife's advice, could Meiwen have gone on to graduate school? If she hadn't gone on to graduate school, would her advisor have introduced her to her current boyfriend?"

Li Ye scratched his head sheepishly and said, "I guess this is a case of unintentionally causing a pleasant surprise!"

Zhao Meiwen is studying medicine, so last year, Li Ye suggested that she pursue further studies. Wen Leyu then helped her get the opportunity to study for a master's degree.
Then, during her graduate studies, Zhao Meiwen's supervisor introduced her to the son of one of her classmates, so it's not wrong to say that Zhao Meiwen benefited from Wen Leyu's connections.

"Whether it's intentional or not, as long as you can help Meiwen find a suitable partner, that will be a good deed for you two."

Li Zhongfa glanced at Li Ye and then said, "But you'd better take a good look at this kid's character later. Don't let him turn out like that scheming fellow from last time."

Li Ye nodded and said, "I understand, I understand. With our eyes, we're even better than Sun Wukong's fiery eyes. We can see through any demon's true form."

When Zhao Meiwen was an undergraduate, she had a boyfriend who wanted to use her to study abroad. In the end, Li Ye ruined the plan, which is why Li Zhongfa reminded Li Ye again today.

. . . . . . . . .

"Buzz~"

As the roar of a motorcycle came to a stop at the gate of the courtyard, Li Ye knew that Zhao Meiwen had arrived.

In recent years, my sister-in-law Li Mingxiang's home appliance business has been very successful, so she is willing to "sponsor" her daughter. A car worth tens of thousands of yuan is too flashy and not appropriate, but a scooter worth tens of thousands of yuan is not stingy at all.

As Li Ye stepped out of the courtyard, he saw the two young people taking off their helmets, so he smiled and said, "Not bad, Meiwen. You know you have to wear a helmet when riding a bike. That safety awareness deserves praise."

Zhao Meiwen chuckled and said, "Isn't this all thanks to your excellent teaching, big brother? You wouldn't let Uncle ride your motorcycle without a helmet, and I remembered that immediately."

Li Ye laughed along with him.

Back then, Li Ye's brother-in-law, Wen Guohua, gave him a "red cannon" motorcycle. Li Kaijian was so fascinated by it that he wanted to take it for himself, but Li Ye insisted that he wear a helmet. The father and son struggled for a long time, and in the end, Li Kaijian gave in, making Li Mingxiang and others laugh at him for a long time.

Zhao Meiwen pointed to the boy next to her: "Look, this is Xiao Ji. He insists on seeing you today. You should have a good talk with him later."

"You insist on seeing me?"

Li Ye's gaze toward Xiao Ji turned strange.

(End of this chapter)