Chapter 297: I’m Already Married
’Liming got all sixteen million of the project funds back?’
’And we’re discussing engagement matters?’
This huge surprise instantly woke Xiao Yating up!
"Dad, your daughter has good taste, right? See? You can’t judge the younger generation like you do the older ones! I remember you strictly warning me not to get too close to the Yan Family."
"It’s all my fault. Liming is like a lotus flower rising from the mud, pure and untainted! To turn out so successful despite Yan Song’s influence... it’s truly remarkable."
"Okay, Dad, I have to go. I’m going to tell Liming the good news. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled."
With that, Xiao Yating hung up and immediately called Yan Liming.
Yan Liming had barely slept last night. He had called in many favors but still couldn’t get in touch with Mei Chao.
First thing this morning, Yan Liming tried calling Mei Chao again, but Mei Chao wouldn’t pick up, which left Yan Liming feeling very frustrated.
Suddenly, Yan Liming’s phone rang. It was Xiao Yating.
Seeing the caller ID, Yan Liming’s expression soured. ’Yating must be calling to chew me out. What am I going to do?’
Yan Liming didn’t dare to answer, letting the call ring until it disconnected automatically.
Xiao Yating didn’t think much of it, assuming Yan Liming wasn’t awake yet. Instead of calling again, she sent him a text message.
"Liming, you’re amazing! You actually got the entire sixteen million in project funds for our Self-Improvement Decoration back! My dad is so happy and fully supports us! He told me to discuss our engagement with you! Call me when you see this."
Seeing Xiao Yating’s text, Yan Liming was completely baffled.
’What the hell?’
’The whole sixteen million was paid?’
’Didn’t Young Master Mei say he was only going to pay one hundred thousand?’
Just as Yan Liming was stewing in his confusion, he received a call from a subordinate named Zhang Bin.
Yan Liming answered the call, and Zhang Bin’s slightly sycophantic voice came through: "Captain, our Vice Director is in trouble. The only ones with a shot at replacing him are you and the guy from Criminal Investigations. You need to start pulling some strings, fast."
Yan Liming’s eyes lit up. He instantly ’figured out’ why Mei Chao had paid Self-Improvement Decoration the full amount.
’Mei Chao must have heard that I might be getting a promotion. He doesn’t want to offend a future Vice Director!’
"Good, I understand. Xiaozhang, you’ve done well. If I get this promotion, I’ll look out for you."
"Then allow me to congratulate you in advance, Vice Director Yan. I will rally closely around you."
Yan Liming hung up and immediately called Xiao Yating. "Yating, sorry, I was in a meeting. It’s great that the project funds were paid! It seems I have some pull with Young Master Mei after all."
"Liming, you’re being too modest. This isn’t just ’some’ pull, this is a lot of pull! I never knew you were so close with Young Master Mei!"
Yan Liming said, with a touch of feigned modesty, "Actually, my relationship with Young Master Mei isn’t quite that strong. He probably just caught wind of my upcoming promotion."
Xiao Yating was ecstatic. "Liming, you’re getting a promotion? That’s fantastic news! We have to celebrate properly!"
Yan Liming said calmly, "Yating, let’s be low-key. We need to keep this on the down-low, since the appointment isn’t official yet. A small celebration among ourselves will be fine."
Xiao Yating nodded vigorously. "You’re right. Yesterday was no fun with all the elders around. Let’s have another get-together today with just us younger folks."
Yan Liming nodded slightly. "Alright. And invite Cheng Yuan. He left early yesterday, so he has to have a few more drinks today."
"Okay."
Xiao Yating quickly called Cheng Yuan, but there was no answer. So, she sent him a text message.
"Brother Yuan, Liming’s getting a promotion! We’re celebrating at noon today in the Qingyun Ascending Hall at the Qingyuan Hotel."
When Cheng Yuan woke up, it was already past ten o’clock.
He had several missed calls. The first person Cheng Yuan called back was Lin Ruoxi.
"Honey, is everything going smoothly in the Provincial City?"
Lin Ruoxi feigned anger. "You’re such a great hands-off boss. You said you were coming to the Provincial City to help me, but it’s been days and I haven’t seen you at all. Are you coming today?"
Cheng Yuan was about to agree, but then he saw the text messages from Xiao Yating and Xiao Ziqiang and immediately changed his mind.
"Ruoxi, something’s come up here. If you run into any problems over there, you can contact the Hu Family or the Zhu Family for help. I’ll send you their numbers."
Cheng Yuan hung up the phone and furrowed his brow. Xiao Yating’s text was one thing—just an invitation to lunch.
But Xiao Ziqiang’s message made Cheng Yuan nervous.
Cheng Yuan quickly called Xiao Ziqiang. Xiao Ziqiang’s voice was clearly excited. "Xiaoyuan, did you get my text? You have to come to Yating’s engagement party!"
Cheng Yuan’s tone was very serious. "Uncle Xiao, why are you letting Yating marry Yan Liming? Didn’t you always look down on him?"
"Xiaoyuan, I was the one who was prejudiced against Liming before. I thought he was just like Yan Song—a smiling tiger, all smooth talk and big boasts, but unreliable when it came to getting things done. But I was wrong! Liming got all the project funds back for our Self-Improvement Decoration! I made a promise at the banquet yesterday, and Liming delivered. I can’t go back on my word!"
Cheng Yuan rolled his eyes, speechless. He was the one who’d gotten the money back, but Yan Liming actually had the nerve to take credit for it!
Cheng Yuan really wanted to tell Xiao Ziqiang the truth, but he was worried about Xiao Ziqiang’s big mouth. He’d spread the story all over town, and then his father’s old army buddies and their children would definitely start asking him for favors, which would be an endless hassle.
Cheng Yuan had to settle for the next best thing and find another way to stop the engagement.
"Uncle Xiao, they can’t get engaged!"
Xiao Ziqiang froze for a second, then he seemed to realize something.
"Xiaoyuan, is it because you like Yating? If you just say the word, even if it means going back on my word, I’ll cancel the engagement and let Yating marry you."
Cheng Yuan quickly explained, "That’s not it! I’m already married!"
Xiao Ziqiang didn’t believe his nonsense for a second. "Xiaoyuan, don’t try to fool your Uncle Xiao. If you were married, would your old squad leader not have invited me to the wedding banquet?"
"Just tell me if you like Yating or not! Stop with the useless excuses!"
"I’ve always seen Yating as a little sister."
"If you don’t like Yating, then don’t stop her from marrying Liming. The way Liming handled this business has really made me see him in a new light!"
"Uncle, Yating really can’t marry Yan Liming. I know a bit of physiognomy. I read his face yesterday. His fortunes and his career prospects are tainted by bad luck. He’s heading for disaster—jail time. I don’t want Yating to become a ’widow’ with a living husband, and I don’t want Self-Improvement Decoration to get dragged into it!"
Xiao Ziqiang rolled his eyes, speechless. "Xiaoyuan, your uncle does believe in Feng Shui and physiognomy, but you must be an amateur. Liming has solid news that he’s about to get a promotion, so how could he be facing jail time? Stop trying to cause trouble! It wasn’t easy for me to finally find a son-in-law I can approve of."