Outside the lake view villa, the main gate.
After a procession of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars came to a stop, the business car carrying Li Xuan, Elder Li, and Li Enzhong slowly drove through the gate.
“I hadn’t expected Elder Li to reside here; it’s quite a surprise,” Li Xuan remarked with a hint of astonishment as he surveyed the surrounding architecture.
If Baoxiu Garden was considered the domain of Hangzhou’s upper class, then this lake view villa was the pinnacle of luxury residences.
Although its footprint was only a third of Baoxiu Garden’s, it was privately owned. Now that Li Xuan had arrived, he naturally knew who the owner of this lake view villa was.
“Mr. Li doesn’t seem very surprised?” Li Enzhong asked, looking at Li Xuan.
Li Enzhong had initially expected Li Xuan to be awestruck by the lake view villa. However, Li Xuan had only shown a fleeting surprise before recovering. His expression didn’t appear feigned at all, as if the lake view villa was merely ordinary.
Li Xuan smiled and replied, “While I was somewhat curious about who owned this lake view villa, it was merely curiosity.”
“Li De Group is the foremost of Hangzhou’s four major conglomerates and boasts nearly a century of history. It’s not unreasonable for them to own this lake view villa. Seeing it today merely confirms my prior conjecture.”
Although the lake view villa was indeed exceptionally luxurious and grand, it lacked a certain aura compared to the Potala Palace Li Xuan had seen previously.
Furthermore, the palaces he had witnessed on his own continent were far more imposing than this lake view villa. In light of this, the lake view villa naturally seemed insignificant.
“Mr. Li is indeed as steady as a mountain. It is merely a residence, yet it has made my son a little too proud,” Elder Li chuckled, his gaze on Li Xuan intensifying. It was evident that Elder Li held Li Xuan in much higher regard.
“Mr. Li, feel free to choose any room here. The household staff cleans daily, so you need not worry,” Li Enzhong said with a smile after they entered the residence.
“Alright,” Li Xuan nodded, then walked into a room, glanced around, and smiled, “This one will do.”
“As long as Mr. Li likes it. Mr. Li, perhaps you should rest for a while, and I will have someone inform you when it’s time for dinner,” Elder Li said with a nod and a questioning tone.
“Very well,” Li Xuan nodded slightly.
Elder Li and Li Enzhong bowed to Li Xuan and then turned to leave.
“The Li family, by the looks of it, intends to win me over.” After Elder Li and Li Enzhong departed, Li Xuan closed the door and mused with a smile and a shake of his head.
The worldly humans with their schemes and intrigues were inescapable, even for figures like the Li family. With the Li family harboring such intentions, it was natural that they could not avoid them. Li Xuan’s choice was already made.
“Father, do you think it’s possible for us to win over this Mr. Li?” Li Enzhong asked his father in the study.
Elder Li smiled wryly and shook his head. “Someone like him is neither pleased by wealth nor satisfied by a luxurious life. If we treat him with a worldly perspective, we will only fall short.”
“Enzhong, I have managed to linger in this world, and what I wish to see is not just your current mindset. To treat worthy individuals with respect is the path of a successful person. This Mr. Li, I hope you will strive to befriend him with sincerity.”
“I have a feeling that if you can gain even a fraction of Mr. Li’s friendship, it will be enough to ensure your smooth succession of the group in the future. I hope you will think carefully about how you should proceed.”
“Father, do you value Mr. Li so highly?” Li Enzhong looked at his father with surprise, clearly not expecting such a high evaluation of Li Xuan.
However, Li Enzhong took his father’s words very seriously. The Li De Group had not always been this powerful. When the Li De Group faced a crisis in the past, it was only due to his father’s valiant efforts that it had reached its current status.
Li Enzhong had great faith in his father’s judgment of people. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of bewilderment. After all, this was only the second time he and his father had met Li Xuan.
“I know what you are thinking. This is indeed our second meeting with Mr. Li. However, for him to pull me back from the brink of death, his methods are beyond our comprehension.”
“Moreover, to endure humiliation by being subservient to Li Wan’er’s household, such resilience is not something an ordinary person possesses. Although he divorced Li Wan’er today, you were present and must have seen that Mr. Li’s demeanor never wavered.”
“It would not be an exaggeration to say he remained unfazed even as a mountain collapsed before him. He also did not leverage our Li family’s influence to regain his pride. The ambition of such a person is evident,” Elder Li said with a smile.
“After hearing your words, Father, I am enlightened,” Li Enzhong said with a serious expression.
Li Enzhong was not an unintelligent person. After listening to his father, he finally understood. Recalling Li Xuan’s various actions, they were indeed extraordinary. To have him as a friend would be ideal. But to have him as an enemy, Li Enzhong couldn't help but tremble.
“Good. I am content that you understand. Now, go and rest. Regarding investigating Mr. Li, it is best to cease those efforts. A person of his caliber is not as simple as what can be uncovered through superficial investigation.”
“Furthermore, if he were to detect our inquiries, it might create a rift. This would undoubtedly hinder your future relationship with him,” Elder Li nodded slightly, then paused before continuing.
“Yes, Father.” Li Enzhong nodded and then made a phone call before turning and walking out.
Two hours passed, in Li Xuan’s room.
“The light of dawn will break through the darkness. Shattering all fear, I can find the answer…”
“Hello, I am Li Xuan.” A ringtone sounded, and Li Xuan, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, opened them. He glanced at the unfamiliar number on his phone, frowned slightly, but still answered.
“Li Xuan, is it really you!” A voice filled with pleasant surprise came from the other end of the phone.
“Who…?” Li Xuan felt a sense of curiosity. The tone didn’t sound familiar, yet the speaker knew him, so it was likely someone he knew.
“It’s Luo Wei. Li Xuan, it’s been so many years since graduation, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten me,” the voice on the other end exclaimed.
“Luo Wei… it’s you!”