Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Hearing this, Song Nian suddenly looked up, shock spreading across his face.

This was barely even a hint—it was practically an outright declaration.

"Your younger brother is no longer a kid; it's time for him to start learning about the family business. Since you're still recovering, let him help shoulder the burden."

With that, Li Yi took a sip of tea, saying it casually, yet his tone brooked no argument.

Though it was under the guise of concern for his health, and "shouldering the burden" sounded nice, the real intention was to force him to give up his position.

Once the company fell into Li Wenguang's hands, there would be no getting it back.

Li Yanchuan glanced at Li Yi at the head of the table. Li Yi’s expression was stern, but perhaps aware of his own wrongdoing, he only looked down at his cup, not daring to meet Li Yanchuan’s eyes.

With a sidelong glance at Li Wenguang across the table, the man wore a smug smile, looking back at him in a provocative way, as if victory was assured.

Clearly, the two had colluded.

This banquet was a trap, devoid of any familial affection, with the sole purpose of forcing him to relinquish power and withdraw from management.

Back when Li Yanchuan had to step down due to his health condition, Li Yi had wanted to make his younger son the successor.

But since Li Yanchuan was the most capable and the popular choice at the time, Li Yi had to remain neutral and allow him to succeed to avoid going against the other shareholders.

Now, with the car accident, he seized the opportunity, citing Li Yanchuan's poor health as an excuse to convince some shareholders, clearing the way for his younger son.

He had secured the support of several major shareholders. Given the current distribution of shares, he was confident that Li Yanchuan couldn't win, which was why he dared to call him back to discuss this.

A negotiated settlement would be the easiest way, but if that failed, it would just take a bit more effort. Although he had sold some shares earlier to cover a capital shortfall, he still believed he had a 70% chance of success.

Recalling the information his assistant had uncovered earlier, Li Yanchuan sneered, the last trace of warmth in his eyes vanished.

The flames of vengeance burned fiercely in his heart. Even if he had to sacrifice himself, he would consume these people, not caring if it ended in mutual destruction.

The words of refusal were about to slip out when he caught a glimpse of Song Nian in his peripheral vision. That delicate face came into view, and as if by magic, he unexpectedly calmed down. The surge of impulsiveness fizzled out in an instant.

Changing his mind, he thought it was better to take a step back to leap forward rather than fight to the death.

Moreover, Li Yi didn't know that with his current stake, he could retake control of Li Corporation in another way and get revenge on all three of them.

Thus, a new plan took shape in his mind.

Just as he let out a sneer and was about to speak, Song Nian beside him acted first.

The man suddenly pounded the table and stood up, pointing aggressively at Li Yi and cursing:

"What right do you have to take away what belongs to Yan Chuan? How dare you do something so shameless?"

"Everyone can see Yan Chuan's ability and achievements. In terms of ability and experience, how does your younger son compare?"

"Is Li Wenguang your son, and Li Yanchuan not?"

How could there be such a biased and shameless person, unworthy of being a father? Song Nian was so angry that he pounded the table, making the dishes rattle and clatter.

A barrage of words rained down, leaving everyone at the table stunned. For a moment, no one dared to interrupt him, letting him finish everything.

Probably never expecting a younger person to dare point a finger at him, Li Yi's face turned red and pale by turns, quite a spectacle.

Li Wenguang stammered in rebuttal:

"Song Nian, don't be impertinent! It's just sharing the burden—don't make it sound so bad!"

He had completely seen through it now. Song Nian was like someone who had been bewitched, completely partial to Li Yanchuan.

"So speaking the truth is rude? Who doesn't know what you're thinking? A guilty conscience needs no accuser!"

Song Nian shouted back.

"Nonsense! What manners! Who taught you to shout at your elders?"

Li Yi, after being scolded for a while, finally snapped out of his shock. He slammed his teacup on the table with a loud crash.

"Even if I lack manners, I'm still better than you! How can a biased person like you be worthy of being an elder?"

"You…!"

Completely unable to talk back, Li Yi was furious and turned his anger toward Li Yanchuan.

"Is this how you control the people around you?"

Hearing this, Li Yanchuan, who was being targeted, remained unperturbed. He calmly took a sip of wine, and only after Song Nian finished his tirade did he pat him on the shoulder unhurriedly, signaling that it was enough.

Seeing this, Song Nian, who had also vented enough, took the cue and sat down with a snort, drinking the juice that was handed to him to soothe his throat.

"Hmph, disgraceful."

Li Yi, having been berated head-on, wanted to vent his anger, but since his ulterior motives had been exposed, he didn't dare to lash out. He just adjusted his collar with a snort and muttered a curse.

Meanwhile, Li Wenguang and Qiu Shi were so intimidated by this bold outburst that they shrank like frightened quails, bowing their heads as if they hadn't heard anything.

"Think carefully about what I just said."

After a moment of silence, Li Yi shamelessly returned to the original topic.

Just as Song Nian thought Li Yanchuan would refuse outright, he was surprised to see the man in the wheelchair fall silent for a moment, then nod in agreement.

Wait, what?

Am I hallucinating?

Almost unable to believe his ears, Song Nian widened his eyes in disbelief and turned to him, shaking his arm in anxiety.

Feeling the questioning gaze, Li Yanchuan calmly placed his hand over Song Nian's and gave it a gentle squeeze.

A silent signal for him not to get worked up.

The sudden warmth of a broad palm covering his hand had a calming effect. Song Nian paused, and his anger dissipated.

So he didn't flip the table again and sat down obediently.

"I'm doing this for your own good. Company affairs are complicated, and overworking yourself isn't good for your health. Once you recover, of course, you can return to the company."

Such a verbal promise was naturally impossible to fulfill—just an empty promise. Li Yanchuan's expression darkened, but he said nothing.

On the other hand, Li Wenguang's eyes lit up. He gave a triumphant snort and lifted his chin high.

The atmosphere at the dinner table from then on was a stark divide of icy hostility and fiery tension.

Having succeeded in their plan, the three of them—Father Li and the others—put on fake trademark smiles, pretended to look concerned, and began urging him to eat more.

Li Yanchuan, on the other hand, remained silent, barely speaking, only lowering his eyes and drinking wine without pause.

This behavior, in the eyes of others, looked exactly like someone drowning his sorrows after being forced to step down, which made Li Wenguang reveal a smug smirk.

Utterly disgusted by the faces of these people, Song Nian muttered a few words under his breath, turned his grief and anger into appetite, spitefully ate an extra bowl of rice, and piled mountains of food into both of their bowls.

That was to leave these people with nothing to eat!

After dinner, the Li family members, each harboring their own ulterior motives, exchanged a few perfunctory words and then went about their own affairs.

Judging by how hurriedly Li Yi and Qiu Shi went to the study, they must have been eager to discuss the follow-up operations for the company's change of leadership.

Song Nian and Li Yanchuan stayed alone in the garden.

The evening sun had more than half its circle hidden below the horizon. A slightly cool evening breeze blew in, clearing one's thoughts.

Having drunk quite a bit, Li Yanchuan gently pinched the bridge of his nose, letting the evening breeze sober him up.

Seeing this, Song Nian walked behind him and voluntarily massaged his temples.

"Why did you agree to them? That position was rightfully yours."

He couldn't help asking, his voice filled with worry.

This direction was different from the plot in the original story. Although he didn't want Li Yanchuan to fight them to the death, he also didn't want him to have what was rightfully his taken away.

Hearing this, Li Yanchuan, who had his eyes half-closed, slowly raised his eyelids. He pressed down on Song Nian's hand and turned his head to look back.

He remained silent, as if he was carefully examining and tracing every part of Song Nian with his gaze, bit by bit.

The deep gaze was firmly fixed on him, almost piercing through him. Song Nian met his eyes, and as they looked at each other, he couldn't read the complex thoughts surging within them.

"Song Nian, don't worry. I—"

He began in a deep voice.

But before he could finish, they were suddenly interrupted by someone approaching from behind.

"Li, Yan, chuan."

The two of them turned to look simultaneously, and saw Li Wenguang, who had come out of the house at some point.

He spoke through gritted teeth, glaring viciously, as if he wished he could devour them alive.

When his eyes fell on Song Nian, a flicker of disappointment flashed through them, only to be covered by hatred.

"How does it feel to have something taken away by me? Not so good, is it?"

He put his hands in his pockets and sneered mockingly.

"The Li Corporation will fall into my hands sooner or later. You won't get anything."

"What nonsense are you talking?"

Hearing this, Song Nian was so angry he wanted to punch him, but the person beside him raised a hand to stop him.

"So what?"

Li Yanchuan's tone remained as calm as water, not stirred by these provocative words.

As if he had never regarded the person in front of him as worth noticing.

"A waste who can only get what he wants by relying on others. Haven't the recent events taught you a lesson yet?"

He retorted coldly.

The recent events referred to the capital chain rupture and the illegal entry into a private residence. To solve those two matters, Li Wenguang had been scolded relentlessly by his father, and even now, thinking about it made him feel ashamed.

Being exposed so ruthlessly, he became furious with shame, his face turning red with anger.

"You, a cripple who can only sit in a wheelchair, what right do you have to talk about me!"

Being suppressed at every turn, even when he wanted to taunt at this moment when the other had been stripped of power, he was still countered sharply. Unable to save face, he gritted his teeth and decided to play his trump card.

He suddenly pulled something out of his pocket and shook it in his hand.

"Remember this?"

After recognizing the object, Li Yanchuan's pupils suddenly contracted. His previously calm expression cracked, and his fists on the wheelchair armrests clenched imperceptibly.

It was a woman's necklace. The string of pearls was crystal clear and round, with a drop-shaped emerald at the center, exuding a rich and elegant aura, quietly revealing nobility.

Taking in the other's reaction completely, Li Wenguang showed a triumphant smile.

He certainly knew that this necklace would strike a chord with Li Yanchuan.

Because it was a memento from his mother.

Back when Li Yanchuan moved out of the house, he had taken all his mother's belongings with him, but this necklace that was left behind was secretly hidden by Qiu Shi, who had taken a liking to it.

Although he had noticed it was missing, he could never track down its whereabouts. At that time, unwilling to make further trouble, he didn't pursue the matter.

Now seeing it in Li Wenguang's hands, he naturally understood what had happened back then.

Faced with his mother's keepsake, he couldn't remain unmoved. Li Yanchuan's face instantly darkened, his eyes fixed intensely on the other, as if he had turned into a tiger or leopard, about to pounce and sink his teeth into the prey's neck in the next second.

But he could not give Li Wenguang the satisfaction, precisely because the latter was deliberately provoking him, intending to goad him into showing a weakness.

He pressed his lower lip tightly, forcibly restraining the impulse to snatch it back, struggling to maintain his composure.

"What? This was left by your mother. A cold-hearted person like you actually has no reaction at all?"

Catching a momentary waver in him, Li Wenguang intensified his provocation, his smile growing more arrogant.

He wanted Li Yanchuan to know that times had changed. In the past, it was he who had kept him under his thumb; now it was his turn to have the upper hand.

This is Li Yanchuan's mother's keepsake?

Hearing this, Song Nian was stunned.

"Even if I throw the necklace away, can you still remain as indifferent as you are now?"

"Do as you please."

Li Yanchuan clenched his fists and spoke in a hoarse voice, but the slight trembling and the marks on his palms betrayed his inner turmoil.

Provoked by the other's calm expression, Li Wenguang was so furious he ground his teeth. He simply decided to go all the way, turned around, and flung the necklace viciously into the garden.

The necklace traced a beautiful parabola in the air before falling into an unknown flowerbed in the distance, merging seamlessly with the riot of plants.

At the sight, Li Yanchuan’s eyes narrowed sharply, and he instinctively started to go after it.

But something—both in his body and mind—held him back, keeping him pinned to the wheelchair.

"From now on, without the Li Corporation, you're nothing but a complete waste, my defeated opponent."

Having vented his anger, Li Wenguang spat and raised his middle finger at him.

Just as he was about to turn and swagger away in triumph, someone darted past Li Yanchuan and charged forward.

Hearing the commotion, he turned to look, and at that moment, a heavy punch landed squarely on his face.

The person who threw that punch was Song Nian himself.