Chapter 1513: Confrontation
Ye Fan and Li Tong were sitting on the sofa chatting, and Ye Fan was casually learning about the situation in Li Tong’s family.
Being the only daughter of the elderly couple from the Li Family, Li Tong’s mother was naturally very concerned about her marriage.
Pity the hearts of all parents; Li Tong’s mother’s concern was quite understandable.
If only Li Tong could be a little more ambitious and start a family sooner, her mother wouldn’t worry so much. Unfortunately, Li Tong was at the age of settling down but showed no signs of it, so how could her mother not be anxious?
From Li Tong’s words, Ye Fan got a direct understanding of Li Dingguo, a veteran and contributor to the research institute.
As it was, Li Dingguo was still engrossed in his work in the study, unaware of Ye Fan’s visit to their home.
Considering Li Dingguo’s temperament, neither Li Tong nor her mother went to disturb him.
Li Tong’s mother was beaming with joy and busily working in the kitchen with a happy expression.
Soon, the dishes were served.
Under Li Tong’s mother’s call, Li Dingguo finally came out of the study. Seeing Ye Fan, he looked a bit puzzled and solemnly asked, "Who is this?"
Li Dingguo’s reaction was very calm, neither as joyous as Li Tong’s mother’s nor overly reactive.
It was as if it was an extremely ordinary matter that did not evoke any emotional response in him, and he only asked symbolically.
"Tongtong’s friend, don’t keep such a stern face." Li Tong’s mother advised Li Dingguo pointedly.
"Tongtong has grown, knows to bring friends home as guests." Li Dingguo said sternly.
Ye Fan noticed that Li Tong was noticeably more reserved in front of Li Dingguo, probably a result of the strict family upbringing and education. However, in front of Li Tong’s mother, Li Dingguo seemed like he was afraid of his wife, showing no strict demeanor, only gentleness.
Li Dingguo seriously looked Ye Fan over and then politely said, "Sit, let’s sit down and chat, it’s just a family meal, make yourself at home, don’t be reserved."
Ye Fan responded with an air of calmness.
"Tongtong, get the wine." Li Dingguo demanded without room for argument.
"Ye Fan doesn’t drink." Li Tong replied without hesitation.
"Nonsense, what kind of man doesn’t drink?" Li Dingguo’s expression changed as he fixated on his daughter.
"Someone can’t drink, did you forget the doctor’s advice? If you don’t want to die prematurely, it’s best to drink less." Li Tong unceremoniously retorted, not giving Li Dingguo an ounce of face.
"You’re driving me mad. You’re my daughter, not my son; is this how you talk to your father?" Li Dingguo said sternly.
"Who told you to raise me like a tomboy, then? If you have the skills, go have a son yourself." Li Tong replied boldly.
"With you here to anger me, I bet I’ll live ten years less. The illness won’t defeat me, but you could anger me to death." Li Dingguo said, strict in his demeanor.
Ye Fan watched as Li Dingguo and Li Tong clashed, feeling a bit awkward as this was not a situation he could interject, let alone say anything to mediate.
He realized that Li Tong was worried about Li Dingguo’s health though; Li Dingguo had heart issues.
However, the concern expressed in this manner altered its essence.
Despite being angry, Li Dingguo genuinely did not care much.
"Even with guests here, you still don’t mind the embarrassment." Li Tong’s mother glared sharply, her look was very serious, causing Li Dingguo to fall silent.
"Xiao Ye, don’t mind them; they argue as a habit. If they don’t bicker, I think they won’t feel right." Li Tong’s mother explained to Ye Fan, afraid he might be frightened and thus change his opinion of Li Tong, which wouldn’t be good.
Li Tong’s mother regarded Ye Fan as her daughter’s boyfriend, so of course, she wanted to consider Ye Fan’s feelings.
"Auntie, it’s okay, don’t worry about me." Ye Fan replied calmly.
Seeing that Ye Fan was really not intimidated by the display from Li Dingguo and Li Tong, Li Tong’s mother was relieved.
Ye Fan stayed with Li Tong and her family, beginning to eat.
Of course, since Li Dingguo wanted wine, it was naturally placed on the table.
As someone who loved wine, after having health issues, he drank less under the supervision of Li Tong and her mother. But it was unrealistic to make him not drink at all.
"Xiao Ye, come, eat more." Li Tong’s mother’s enthusiasm towards Ye Fan was evident, frequently picking dishes for him and asking about this and that.
Ye Fan responded politely and tried to answer Li Tong’s mother’s questions fully.
After some conversation, Li Tong’s mother and Ye Fan had become familiar, and Ye Fan grew increasingly likable to her.
Ye Fan symbolically drank a few glasses with Li Dingguo.
After the meal, Li Tong helped her mother tidy up the dishes.
"Come with me." Li Dingguo said as he looked at Ye Fan.
Ye Fan followed Li Dingguo to the study. After they sat down, Li Dingguo gazed at Ye Fan intently and asked, "You are not just Tongtong’s friend, are you? Tell me, who are you really?"
"Old Li, why do you say that?" Ye Fan asked.
"Youngsters like you, I rarely encounter. You give me a feeling that is hard to understand, seemingly unfathomable beneath the ordinary." Li Dingguo said very seriously, with no ambiguity.
"Old Li, your insight is sharp, nothing can be hidden from you." Ye Fan confessed frankly, "You’re right, I am not just Li Tong’s friend. This time, I am responsible for clearing out the traitors in the research institute."
Ye Fan had to come clean with Li Dingguo sooner or later, telling him everything that needed to be said.
Since Li Dingguo already saw he wasn’t just anyone ordinary, might as well be straightforward with it.
There was no longer any need to hide or obscure the truth.
"Hiss!"
Li Dingguo took a deep breath. Despite having guessed that Ye Fan’s identity was not simple, knowing his origin and purpose still made him unable to hold back his shock.
Li Dingguo stood up and paced, in deep thought, his eyes revealing a different color.
Ye Fan waited quietly, allowing Li Dingguo time to accept and digest the information.
After a while, Li Dingguo intensely stared at Ye Fan and asked, word by word, "How serious is the problem inside the research institute?"
Asking this question had taken much courage, as if he was making a very difficult decision.
"It’s not clear for the time being just how serious the problem is, but it’s not small." Ye Fan said, not intending to conceal anything, but the specific situation could only be observed after further investigation. Right now, it was impossible to know the size of the issue just by guessing.
"Since you’ve put it this way, you must have solid evidence discerning there’s indeed an issue at the research institute." Li Dingguo’s expression was no longer relaxed, laden with heaviness, asking, "Based on your current information, what exactly is the issue?"
"You’ll understand after you see what’s in here." Ye Fan said, taking out a portable hard drive he carried with him.
Li Dingguo opened the computer, and upon taking one glance at the contents within the hard drive, his expression drastically changed, exclaiming in shock, "How could this be?"