Chapter 19 Standoff
At the construction site of the Rongjiang Garden project, in front of a school gate, several construction vehicles were lined up in a row, their engines running, but none dared to move forward.
A woman stood in front of the construction vehicles with her arms outstretched.
"If you want to demolish the school, you'll have to run over me first!"
Yu Lan's face was resolute, with no trace of fear in front of the towering construction vehicles.
"And me too!"
Li Shu rushed over and stood beside Yu Lan.
"I'm sorry, Yu Lan. I didn't protect the school well." Li Shu looked apologetic. After Shen Qihao disappeared, he understood that the forced demolition of the school was Shen Qihao's idea.
Li Shu had just called Yu Qing, intending to inform him about the situation. But Yu Qing and his father were busy, stating they were in a board meeting.
Li Shu chose not to burden them with this trivial issue. "No, Li Shu, it's not your fault! You've been a great help, and thank you for coming to support me today," Yu Lan said to Li Shu.
The two stood in front of the construction vehicles until nightfall.
"This Li Shu! He's really starting to irritate me!" Shen Qihao exclaimed in frustration in his office.
Although he held significant power in Huacheng, he couldn't allow the construction vehicles to run over people in broad daylight.
"Mr. Shen, what should we do now?" Secretary He inquired.
Shen Qihao sighed and said, "Let the construction vehicles retreat for now! We'll resume tomorrow, I want to see how long they can prolong this."
The following day, as the sun rose, the construction vehicles arrived at the school gate once more.
But Li Shu and Yu Lan had arrived even earlier.
Shen Qihao listened to the construction updates while pacing in the room.
At that moment, Shen Tianlin entered.
"Dad, the finance department has uncovered a major issue. Li Shu embezzled two million from the sales department."
Shen Qihao felt like a drowning man who had suddenly found a lifeline, his face brightening.
"Is this true?"
"Dad, if he didn't embezzle company funds, where did he get the money for his Mercedes? A farmer's son, does he have that much money?"
Shen Qihao now needed to address the situation with Li Shu. If the embezzlement was true, it could lead to his imprisonment, removing any obstacles to the Phase Two project.
Moreover, if Li Shu was found guilty of breaking the law, Yu Qing would not defend him.
After reviewing all the accounts, Shen Qihao's eyes gleamed.
"Excellent! Tianlin, you've done a remarkable job this time. I'll contact the authorities immediately!"
Suddenly, Shen Qihao had a thought that sparked excitement in his eyes, "Li Shu has a close relationship with that girl, they must be involved together. The embezzlement also involves that girl! We can apprehend them both."
...
Li Shu and Yu Lan were facing off against the construction vehicles when suddenly, a car from the City Bureau pulled up.
Without a word, the bureau officials handcuffed the two and escorted them into the car to take them to the station.
"What are you doing! What have we done wrong?" The two protested.
"You'll find out when you get to the bureau."
And so, the two were taken to the bureau.
When the accounts of Huamei Company and all the evidence were presented to Li Shu, he finally grasped the situation.
Embezzled two million in funds.
All the evidence was clear. And Li Shu's signature was so expertly forged that it was indistinguishable from the real one.
"I didn't do this, I was framed!" Li Shu defended.
"Then how do you explain the source of your substantial wealth? Where did your money come from?"
"My dad gave it to me!"
"Your dad is just a farmer, how could he give you so much money?"
Li Shu was at a loss for words.
Based on Shen Qihao's relationship with the bureau, this matter did not require much investigation; it could be determined directly.
Li Shu could not leave for the time being. However, Yu Lan was not heavily implicated, and Shen Qihao did not want to create difficulties for her. The school had been demolished while they were both away, and Yu Lan was free to leave.
"Yu Lan, could you do me a favor?"
"What favor?" Yu Lan inquired.
"After you depart, go to Huamei and locate Shui Lihua. Ask her to find a girl named Lan Meng, who works at a flower shop in the western suburbs. Chairman Li Yingjie of Huamei will be arriving in Huacheng soon. When the time comes, have Shui Lihua find Li Yingjie."
A cold smile appeared on Li Shu's face.
Yu Lan was slightly taken aback, "Who is Li Yingjie to you?"
Li Shu did not elaborate, simply stating, "He will assist me."
"Alright, I understand."
Yu Lan left, and a faint smile crossed Li Shu's lips; Shen Qihao's days were numbered.
However, he also pondered many things.
During his time in Huacheng, he had made numerous errors. The most significant was neglecting Lan Meng, underestimating Yin Rong, and even underestimating Shen Tianlin and Shen Qihao.
Yu Lan departed from the bureau and arrived at the school.
The classrooms had already been demolished, rendering it unrecognizable as a school.
There was no hint of disappointment on Yu Lan's face; instead, there was a resigned smile.
"I thought I could leave their lives behind, but it seems I cannot escape them after all! I thought I could stay in Huacheng a bit longer, but it appears I must bid farewell sooner than expected."
A sly smile suddenly appeared on her lips.
"Li Shu? Li Yingjie? Quite intriguing..."
...
Li Yingjie, the chairman of Huamei Group, wanted to familiarize himself with the operations and decided to inspect the subsidiary companies.
For his first stop, he selected the Northwest branch.
After just one day at the Northwest branch, Li Yingjie altered his schedule and expressed his desire to visit the subsidiary companies further down the line, with Huacheng being the initial inspection point.
In the afternoon, Li Yingjie would be arriving in Huacheng.
Shen Qihao was occupied at the company, first reviewing all the accounts, then examining the work records of all departments.
"It is an honor that the chairman chose Huacheng as the first stop. We must present our best selves to welcome him."
Shen Qihao scanned the room and noticed one person was missing.
"Where did Shui Lihua go?"
"She was here this morning but suddenly disappeared."
"Hurry, call her. On such an important day, what is she up to! If she makes a mistake today, I will dismiss her!"
"Her phone is switched off," Secretary He informed.
"Damn it, I believe she no longer wants to work! Try reaching out to her again!"
...
Li Yingjie's car, a convoy of four Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles, all with Beijing license plates, was truly striking.
Gazing at the familiar streets of Huacheng, Li Yingjie could not help but feel deeply moved. He had spent most of his life here and never expected to return in this capacity.
The car in front suddenly slammed on the brakes; if the convoy had not been driving slowly, they would have collided.
"What is happening?" Li Yingjie rolled down the window and inquired.
Yao Shimei, the manager of the Northwest Branch, had already stepped out of the car to investigate and was now approaching with a woman.
"Chairman, this woman halted our car and wishes to speak with you."
"Ma'am, why did you stop my car?" Li Yingjie asked curiously.