Chapter 2796 - 2858: Front and Back Seats

Li Dazhuang was secretly sizing up Li Yifei as well. In terms of looks, Li Yifei couldn’t be considered handsome, but he wasn’t unremarkable either. He carried a unique aura, not just because of his years in the military, but also because... this smiling, seemingly innocuous man was wealthier than his own family, with assets exceeding tens of billions.

Li Yifei understood Li Dazhuang’s background, and Li Dazhuang was also aware of the students this term. In his view, a few of them were worth befriending, but most didn’t require him to be proactive. As for the beauties... they were beautiful, but not worth chasing eagerly, which is why he sat there.

After the two figured out each other’s identity, Li Dazhuang remarked with some emotion: "I didn’t expect to meet Brother Li. We should have a good drink after class this afternoon."

"Brother Li is also willing to drink?"

"I served in the military for three years and was a drinking expert. After leaving the army these years, I don’t have many hobbies except enjoying a drink," said Li Dazhuang. "But I’m not a drunkard, just enough, too much is as bad as too little."

"Well said, moderation in all things. Many matters follow this principle," Li Yifei agreed.

"Alright then, it’s settled. Today, I’ll be the host and treat you to a drink," said Li Dazhuang.

Li Yifei nodded and glanced around: "It seems like there’ll be a dinner party today, with so many classmates meeting for the first time. Aren’t we going to have a meal?"

"Who knows, not everyone is here yet. Haha, I saw you came with Ms. Wu. How come, do you two know each other?" Li Dazhuang asked.

"Sort of, we know each other," Li Yifei replied vaguely.

Li Dazhuang didn’t ask further, saying: "Quite a capable woman, whoever marries her would be lucky!"

"Naturally, but the person who marries her must be more capable."

"Oh, I almost forgot the main thing!" Li Dazhuang suddenly slapped his forehead, took out his phone from his pocket, and Li Yifei looked at him confusedly. Then Li Dazhuang said: "My daughter, she’s a fan of yours. She’s mentioned you several times at home. A few days ago, she even called me about some pervert paparazzi incident, asking me to order our employees to deal firmly if such a pervert is found in the company, without mercy."

"Haha, that incident, I was just furious at the time," Li Yifei laughed.

"No, this is about one’s integrity. The issue was quite big; I’ve heard some things too. You must be under a lot of pressure, but this is a good thing. If it were me, I’d do the same. Everyone has some female relatives, and if they encountered such a thing, as a man, I’d want to chop him up," said Li Dazhuang with sincerity, and Li Yifei nodded in agreement. Then Li Dazhuang suggested: "Let’s take a photo together; I’ll send it to my daughter, she’ll definitely be happy."

"Sure, sure."

With a few clicks, Li Yifei and Li Dazhuang took some photos together, exchanged phone numbers, and Li Dazhuang sent the photos to Li Yifei’s phone as well. In the photos, both men were making peace signs, which added a bit of humor.

After sending the photos to his daughter, Li Dazhuang laughed merrily: "I got married early, wed right after leaving the army, and had a child that year, so my daughter is in her third year of high school now. She’s usually busy with her studies, and I run around everywhere, don’t have much free time, so we mostly communicate online, via phone. She’s mentioned you several times, saying she’s a fan and if she could get an autograph, it would be perfect."

"Brother, you shouldn’t say that; I don’t even know how to respond. Forget the autograph; when I get the chance to meet your little niece, I’ll give her a gift."

"That’s what you said, not me forcing you. I’ll send this to my daughter." Li Dazhuang swiftly edited the message and sent it out.

In less than two minutes, several messages came through, Li Dazhuang glanced at them, then turned the phone to Li Yifei who saw: "Dad, oh my gosh, it’s really Comrade veteran! How come you’re together, where are you? I... I’m in piano class, I can’t sit still, Dad, where are you? Tell me quickly."

The second message read: "Comrade veteran... Uncle, hello, I’m Li Ling’er, nice name, right? I’m in class, are you with my dad? You guys go ahead, finish your work first, then chat later. But thank you for the gift beforehand, no matter what it is, I’ll like it."

The third message was for Li Dazhuang, saying: "Dad, I’m so nervous, isn’t asking straight for a gift inappropriate? But my friends and I all admire Comrade veteran; he’s so impressive, and so righteous. My friend says he’s like the country’s Superman!"

Li Yifei’s old face blushed, feeling a bit shy about such praise, but Li Dazhuang laughed heartily and said: "My daughter admires heroes like you, much better than idolizing some celebrities, as a father, I support her."

"That’s not the same, and I’m not a hero," Li Yifei continued to blush.

Li Dazhuang slightly straightened his expression and said, "I might not surf the internet much, but I still know a lot of things."

"Your daughter said so," Li Yifei reminded.

"Yeah, lately when chatting with her, she keeps bringing up your name. My daughter admires heroes, and as her father, I do too. If our country had more heroes, although they can’t change everything, they can inspire many to learn, which is a good thing."

Li Yifei shook his head and said: "Brother, I’m truly not a hero; I just do what’s right. If I didn’t, I’d feel uneasy. That’s all there is to it!"

"That’s already quite rare. Considering your current status, going out to do such things is even harder, yet you still did it!" Li Dazhuang said earnestly.

Alright, this card of praise, I’ll accept it, Li Yifei grinned.

Li Dazhuang then replied to his daughter: "Study hard, when the holidays come, come to Haicheng to see Dad. Then you’ll meet your idol in person!"

"Really, that’s great, Dad! I’ll definitely be on time! So excited, I’ll finally meet my idol!" Li Dazhuang’s daughter responded.

Li Yifei watched from the side, clearly amused, knowing well that Li Dazhuang was an open-minded and clever person. He understood Li Yifei’s status, so his actions carried an intention of deliberate befriending, which Li Yifei could sense as well.

Nonetheless, knowing a couple of capable and interesting people, why not? After all, he came here not for the lessons, but to make friends.

"Brother Li, that chubby guy’s gaze at you isn’t very friendly," Li Dazhuang suddenly nudged Li Yifei’s arm, lowering his voice.

Li Yifei had already noticed; the unfriendly glare came from the dark, chubby Xiang Ba. However, such a glare was akin to a fool puffing their cheeks; if he truly had guts, he should come over and throw a punch, then Li Yifei would at least respect him.

Shaking his head, Li Yifei said: "No worries, let him glare if he wants. In a class like this, to still have such people, it’s astonishing."

Li Dazhuang nodded, smiling mildly: "In society, there are always more mediocrities, but that’s a good thing, it makes others appear smarter!"

While they chatted here, other parts weren’t idle either; a group surrounded Wu Shuwei, saying things one after another, seemingly trying to get close to her. Zhang Bai grew impatient, wanting to shout: "Why the hell are you all crowding? I’m chasing a woman here, what are you guys doing? All of you are no kids, yet crowding a beauty like this, so creepy."

Of course, he’d only say this in his heart, as even with courage, he couldn’t voice it out loud, lest he offend too many people.

Wu Shuwei didn’t actually enjoy these social engagements, especially surrounded by a bunch of smelly men. She couldn’t help but glance at Li Yifei, seeing him having a lively chat, she furrowed her brows slightly and said to those around: "Sorry, classmates, let’s chat another time, I’m going to sit for a while."

"Sure, of course, Wu classmate, you sit here, this spot is great," a man said, pulling out a chair invitingly.

The others couldn’t help but glare, thinking they were just a bit slow and missed the chance.

These men weren’t all interested in Wu Shuwei romantically, but they wanted to make a good impression. Beauties are common, but beauties with status and capability are rare, just in case...

Wu Shuwei smiled and tilted her head, pointing to the seat ahead of Li Yifei, asking: "Is anyone sitting there? If not, may I sit there?"

A few men simultaneously turned around; at that moment, Li Yifei was happily chatting with Li Dazhuang, seemingly unaware of the situation. Zhang Bai’s eyelid twitched, thinking what’s wrong with this woman, why insist on sitting beside Li Yifei, damn, how am I inferior to him?

On the surface, Zhang Bai had to say: "Sure, of course, Wu classmate, so many seats, pick any you like."

"Thank you very much!" Wu Shuwei said as she walked over, and those surrounding her dispersed, while Zhang Bai’s fingers twitched, searching for a spot he finally decided to sit next to Wu Shuwei’s table. During class, desks were individual, with aisles between, but not far apart.

Hesitating for a moment, Zhang Bai realized the more he acted this way, the harder it might be to win the beauty’s favor, so he finally chose to sit in a row not far from Wu Shuwei.

Xiang Ba glared at Li Yifei; he was quite interested in Wu Shuwei too but wanted more to teach Li Yifei a lesson. However, he had checked Li Yifei’s background when he returned, and the information was shocking to him. Consequently, he didn’t dare provoke Li Yifei, as the latter’s background seemed overwhelming, akin to a small fish in front of a big predator.

This feeling brought a sense of humiliation; Xiang Ba considered himself a big shot in the Shu Region, with influential parents locally. Why should he fear Li Yifei?