Pretending To Be A Boss

Li Xiaonian was in a daze for a long time before picking up the letter again and carefully reading each paragraph.

It included many business details, how to manage, which employees could be trusted but not placed in high positions, and those who could be placed in high positions but not befriended. Then there were those who could neither be trusted nor given high positions, but had good reputations; it was necessary to maintain a superficial harmony with them.

Li Xiaoyu had always been responsible for handling the various businesses of the Li family, though they were peripheral businesses. It was Li Zheng who handled the core affairs of the family.

But the difficulty of managing these businesses was even greater than that of the family's own.

Only then did Li Xiaonian understand what his sister had experienced and borne over the years.

In the envelope, there was also a strand of hair.

This was also mentioned in the letter.

"The identity of the Li family is too high-profile, and I could only choose this way to leave. From this day on, I no longer consider myself Miss Li."

Li Xiaonian's feelings were complex. He blamed himself for not observing carefully enough but also admired his sister's courage.

Because the man she liked was the enemy of this world, or at least that's what the world believed.

Not to let the Li family fall into disrepute, nor to compromise to such obstacles.

So in the end, she made this decision.

If he went to tell his father now, perhaps it would still be on time.

But in the end, Li Xiaonian just sealed the envelope again. He placed it in the drawer, in the deepest compartment.

The next morning.

Li Zheng came early to visit Li Xiaoyu. No matter what, he was still very concerned about his sister.

But upon entering the inner courtyard, he saw Li Xiaonian instead. Li Xiaonian had not slept all night. He looked very tired.

"Why are you here?"

Li Xiaonian didn't speak.

"Where's your sister?"

Li Zheng looked at the silent Li Xiaonian, at the black gothic dress he was wearing.

He of course knew some of his brother's quirks, but he also knew that Li Xiaonian would never deliberately dress very similar to Li Xiaoyu, because that would upset her.

In an instant, Li Zheng thought of something and said disbelievingly,

"She... ran away? Are you pretending to be her?"

Li Xiaonian did not conceal it and just nodded.

Li Zheng, infuriated, demanded, "Where did she go? The mining area?"

"Perhaps... She didn't say, only that she was going to find Tang Xian."

Li Xiaonian didn't know where his sister had gone.

Li Zheng laughed angrily and exclaimed,
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"Do you know how dangerous the mining area is? Do you know the forest sea is a red zone?"

Li Xiaonian nodded and said,

"I know."

"You know? Then do you know, in the Pyramid, your sister is the revered Miss Li, but in the mining area, she is nothing!"

Li Zheng turned to leave, but at that moment, Li Xiaonian raised his head and said,

"This is my sister's own choice. Maybe it's only outside of the Pyramid that she truly feels like nothing."

Li Zheng stopped and looked at Li Xiaonian in amazement.

Li Xiaonian said,

"Li Xiaoyu is my sister, your sister, and Father's daughter. But now, she is no longer a part of the Li family. Brother, help me delay a few more days. In a few more days, with my sister's intelligence, she'll definitely find a way to ensure we can't find her."

"Do you realize what you're saying?" Li Zheng stared at Li Xiaonian.

"From today on, I will learn how to manage business. I will become someone Father can entrust with confidence. I'm certain I can fill the vacancy left by Sister in the shortest time possible.

We've been taught from a young age what kind of people to be, to accept what plans. Just like you didn't truly love your wife once, I can also accept marrying someone I don't love in the future. But among the three of us siblings, shouldn't at least one person... be able to live for themselves?"

Li Xiaonian looked at Li Zheng earnestly, every word heartfelt.

Li Zheng suddenly stiffened, feeling a strange sense of unfamiliarity with this younger brother, who was known for being indolent. It was as if overnight, the boy had become aware of the responsibility he had to bear for the Li family.

Li Zheng lit a cigarette and squatted down in the yard, not minding the dirt.

Li Xiaonian stood as before.

"You've grown up. What you just said, that's like a man of the Li family. But life isn't about saying beautiful words alone."

Li Zheng took a deep drag on his cigarette and said,

"Father once said that only a father understands the helplessness of only being able to give his children the best, yet not what they desire. I don't understand that helplessness, but I'm willing to believe his words. I want to give Xiaoyu the best. Maybe it's not what she wants, but someday in the future, her life will not be too bad."

"But Sister, she's crazy! She's different!"

Li Zheng was stunned again.

Li Xiaonian's words, he could refute each one.

But the final statement that she's crazy, left him speechless.

After a long time, when the cigarette had burned out, he finally came back to his senses, showing a helpless, bitter smile.

Li Xiaonian watched Li Zheng anxiously.

Li Zheng stood up, flicked off the ash from his cigarette, patted the dust off his trousers, and said,

"Everyone loves in a different way. Someday I will become someone like Father, who just wants my family to be alive and well. Even if that well-being is at odds with spiritual satisfaction, it doesn't matter. Because however beautiful the words, they're meaningless if you're dead."

"So… Big Brother, you're still unwilling to let Sister go?"

Li Zheng shook his head, his face full of helplessness. He even didn't know why he hadn't immediately gone to report to Li Wanye.