After Mad Dragon was released from prison, I shocked the world!

"Yes, he's gone. He left three years ago."

Lin Li hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly: "I personally saw him off."

Having received a definite answer, Li Zhongliang silently closed his eyes, two streams of tears flowing down his wrinkled cheeks.

"My benefactor... I've searched for you for so many years... but I never imagined it would all be too late..."

Lin Li didn't say anything, but silently handed over a tissue.

Although the old man is probably not dead, this matter cannot be known to outsiders.

After a while, Li Zhongliang slowly wiped away his tears and looked at Lin Li: "Although our benefactor is gone, he left you behind."

He said solemnly, "Xiao Lin, from now on, I am your family. Anyone who dares to harm you is harming me, Li Zhongliang!"

"Thank you, Mr. Li."

Lin Li felt a warmth in his heart and said, "However, I'm a master at causing trouble, so just don't find me annoying."

"Hahaha! Good for stirring up trouble! Young people should have guts!"

Li Zhongliang laughed loudly, "As long as it doesn't violate principles, even if the sky falls, this old man will hold it up for you!"

After they finished talking, Li Zhongliang got out of the car first, followed closely by Lin Li.

"Lin, come here too."

Su Lin paused for a moment, then, amidst the envious, jealous, and resentful gazes of the crowd, she quickly walked to Li Zhongliang's side.

"Old Li."

Li Zhongliang nodded, then suddenly grabbed Lin Li with one hand and Su Lin with the other, pulling them both to his side.

"Come on, come with this old man to see this land."

With that, he led the two men forward.

This scene was like a bombshell, exploding in the minds of all the officials.

The fat director who had previously stopped Lin Li turned pale.

Who exactly is this kid? Not only can he ride in the same car as Old Li, but he can also receive such intimate treatment from Old Li?

That's clearly a show of support for this kid!

Li Zhongliang led his men through the abandoned old brick factory, where the weeds had grown up to their knees.

He pointed to the vast wasteland before him and said to Lin Li and Su Lin beside him, "Do you know why I came here?"

Lin Li and Su Lin exchanged a glance and shook their heads.

"The outside world thought that this was just an ordinary urban renewal project, or a slightly larger commercial real estate project."

Li Zhongliang sneered, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes, "If that's all there is to it, it's not worth this old man of mine making the trip himself."

He stopped and gestured with his hand.

"This place will become the largest e-commerce project base in all of China! It will be a core hub of the national digital economy strategy!"

Upon hearing this, Su Lin gasped.

Although she knew the project was important, she only thought it was a key provincial project, never expecting it to rise to the level of a national strategy!

"E-commerce hub?"

Lin Li raised an eyebrow and asked a crucial question: "Old Li, since this is a national-level project, there must be quite a few people eyeing this lucrative opportunity, right?"

"clever."

Li Zhongliang nodded, then chuckled, "This pie is too big, big enough to change the fate of many families. Those families in the capital have been eyeing it for a while now."

"The reason why Ni Haichao and those old fogies from the Fan family came to Jiangcheng and won't leave is because of this."

Speaking of this, a hint of disgust flashed across Li Zhongliang's face: "These people want to turn this national project into their private property? Humph, what a pipe dream!"

"So, Mr. Li, what you mean is..."

Su Lin asked tentatively.

"I don't want to see any one company dominate."

Li Zhongliang looked into the distance, his tone meaningful: "National projects must be kept in the hands of the state."

He looked at Lin Li and said slowly, "We need to bring in new, powerful investors with clean backgrounds to create a check and balance."

"Only by stirring up the water will the big fish hiding at the bottom surface."

Lin Li's heart skipped a beat; they were going to make him the "catfish"!

"Mr. Li, are you putting me on the hot seat?"

He couldn't help but smile wryly.

"What? Scared?"

Li Zhongliang looked at Lin Li with a half-smile and deliberately teased, "How come I didn't realize you were such a coward?"

"Afraid?"

Lin Li would certainly not fall for it, but getting involved would only benefit him.

"I don't even know the word 'fear.' As long as the money's right, I'll take the job!"

"Hahaha! Great!"

Li Zhongliang laughed heartily and patted Lin Li's shoulder forcefully. "Don't worry, you'll get your share of the benefits! As long as you can stir things up, I'll reserve a first-class ticket for you to join this e-commerce base!"

After the inspection, a welcome banquet was held at the Wangjiang Hotel.

Because Mr. Li had instructed them in advance not to be too high-profile, the hotel was not decorated with lanterns and streamers, but the security level was raised to the highest level.

In the largest private room on the second floor, "Wangjiang Pavilion," a huge mahogany round table was laden with exquisite dishes.

Although there were only three tables, everyone who could sit in this private room was a key figure in the officialdom of Yizhou.

The hotel's general manager personally served as a waiter, carefully attending to every detail, afraid of making the slightest mistake.

At the main table, Li Zhongliang sat in the head seat.

According to the rules, Lin Li, as a junior without an official position, was not qualified to sit at the main table, let alone next to Elder Li.

However, Li Zhongliang insisted that Lin Li sit to his left, while Su Lin sat next to Lin Li.

This led to an awkward situation: Xue Minghui, who was supposed to be sitting next to Mr. Li and taking care of his daily life, was pushed to the other side.

Xue Minghui is a middle-aged woman around forty years old. She is well-maintained, with fair skin, and looks intellectual and capable.

She worked for Li Zhongliang for more than ten years and was deeply trusted by him.

"Mr. Li, this is Jiangcheng's specialty dish, 'Steamed Wuchang Fish.' The fish is tender and delicious. Please try it."

As Xue Minghui spoke, she picked up the wine dispenser to pour wine for Old Li.

Lin Li sat next to her, chatting with Su Lin, but his eyes were constantly observing the personal assistant.

Although the man seemed normal, when they passed each other just now, he felt that there was something wrong with the smell on the other person.

Just as Xue Minghui picked up the white porcelain wine cup in front of Old Li, preparing to pour the wine...

Lin Li's eyes narrowed slightly, and a golden light flashed in his pupils.

In his view, Xue Minghui's movements were slowed down countless times.

As soon as her left thumb touched the inside of the wine cup, she pressed it very subtly.

The movement was so fast that he wouldn't have noticed it if he hadn't trained.

Moreover, this person's nails were trimmed so neatly that there seemed to be nowhere to hide anything.

But as Xue Minghui pressed her thumb, it became clear that something dissolved into the wine and disappeared.