Chapter 46: Schemes

The scene in the political commissar's office flashed through Li Qiang's mind again.

Zhao Chengyu's undeniable voice seemed to echo in his ears.

"I've taken a liking to your sister, Li Yaqin, and I want to marry her."

Zhao Chengyu was absolutely serious.

He wasn't just playing around.

His sister was to marry into the prestigious Zhao family.

His future, Li Qiang's future, his wife's good job at the post office—everything hinged on this marriage.

He stared intently at the undisguised disgust on his sister's face.

A chill ran down his spine.

She didn't understand what this meant at all.

This opportunity, which had fallen from the sky and could change the fate of the entire family.

And she was so recklessly critical and complaining.

He stared intently at his sister's face, a face that had begun to become breathtakingly beautiful, now etched with disgust.

His heart felt like it was being clenched by an icy hand, a chill running down his spine.

It's over! His heart skipped a beat.

This girl has no idea what the consequences of her casual complaints will be!

This is the Zhao family!

It's the ladder that can lift the Li family out of this quagmire and propel them to the top!

How dare she?

How could she throw a tantrum like a spoiled princess at this crucial moment?

He had to make her realize the power and status of the Zhao family.

From this moment on, Li Qiang had to keep a close eye on Li Yaqin, like watching her own eyes.

Until she smoothly marries into the Zhao family and becomes a member.

This marriage, which could completely turn the Li family's fortunes around, absolutely, absolutely cannot afford the slightest mistake.

Is this brat really stupid or just pretending?

Li Qiang was sweating profusely with anxiety.

He only mentioned it yesterday, and this afternoon she can come directly to start her job.

Without even going through the formalities of file review and political vetting, how much influence must she have? How powerful must her connections be?

For someone like Commander Zhao to go to such lengths for her, surely she understands the significance of his influence.

This isn't just an ordinary job arrangement; it's a blatant signal!

She casually mentioned wanting a job yesterday, and the very next afternoon she's onboarding.

The countless procedures and favors skipped—what astonishing power lies hidden within?

Once she latches onto that power, the potential benefits for her entire family are immeasurable.

What if, what if her ungrateful behavior reaches Commander Zhao's ears?

If she angers that living devil, a single frown from him could ruin not only the job, but even the marriage!

Then Li Qiang, his wife, his entire family—wouldn't they have gained nothing, plummeting from heaven back to the mud?

When that time really comes, who will Li Qiang cry to?

He simply cannot afford such a massive loss, falling from grace like that.

His small Li family, in particular, cannot even bear a fraction of it.

Li Qiang took a deep breath of the air, a mixture of his sister's fragrance and the faint, distant smell of fish.

He forcibly suppressed the anger and worry rising within him, fueled by fear and anxiety.

He absolutely cannot, absolutely cannot let his sister's foolish complaints and potential misbehavior ruin this momentous event that could change the fate of his family.

Zhao Chengyu is serious.

The imposing tone of that important figure echoed in his mind—an announcement, not a discussion.

The marriage application had already been submitted, so quickly it startled him.

His wife, Li Panpan's coveted post office job was also a done deal—a tangible benefit.

This was a golden opportunity to climb the social ladder and change the fate of his entire family, a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Absolutely, absolutely no mistakes could be made, or the consequences would be unimaginable.

He now had to keep his arrogant younger sister in check, to make her obedient.

Li Qiang took a deep breath, the air seeming to carry the lingering stench of blood from a slaughterhouse, making his heart race.

He forced a smile, trying to force a fawning, gentle one.

But the muscles in his face wouldn't obey him.

His lips twitched unnaturally, as if pulled by a string, looking more like a grimace.

He tried his best to soften his tone, attempting to make his voice sound steady and patient.

Every word carried a deliberately crafted gentleness, as if coaxing a nagging child.

“My dear sister! My darling!” Li Qiang’s voice trembled, almost breaking into tears.

“Keep your voice down! What’s wrong with this job? It’s easy! It’s respectable! So many people would kill for it!”

“This is because Commander Zhao thinks highly of you, thinks highly of our family! It’s more real than gold falling from the sky!”

“Countless people outside are desperately trying to get a job like this, pulling every string they can, but none of them can get it!”

He had to make her understand immediately the heavy weight behind this job.

This was far more than just a simple job.

This was a clear, benevolent signal from the high and mighty Zhao Chengyu, from the Zhao family, to her, and to their Li family.

The forced smile on his face almost crumbled, but he still tried to make his tone sound sincere.

“Yaqin,” he softened his voice, almost ingratiatingly.

“Zhao Chengyu’s feelings for you are truly impeccable.”

He deliberately emphasized the word “feelings,” as if to remind her of the extraordinary weight behind it.

He pointed to the dusty gray work uniform, trying to gloss over it with a lighthearted tone.

“Work uniforms, they’re just for appearances at work, aren’t they in every workplace?”

He tried to use this commonality to downplay his sister’s dissatisfaction, to make her think it was normal.

“Later…” He paused abruptly, seemingly carefully choosing his next words.

A calculating glint flashed in his eyes, targeting what his sister might care about most.

“Later… when you two really get together,” his voice was filled with boundless longing, his eyes shining.

"You'll be the young mistress of the Zhao family! Forget work clothes, you can wear whatever you want—silk, foreign fabrics, anything!"

"Who would dare let you suffer the slightest grievance then? You'll have a car to ride in wherever you go!"

He painted a picture of tangible wealth, confident it would sway her.

Using such real, visible benefits to entice her was the most direct and effective method.

He thought to himself, knowing his sister's deep-seated yearning for a better life would surely fall for this.

Li Qiang rubbed his hands together, forcing an even more strained smile, trying to mask any hint of sincerity.

His tone was unequivocal: "Just focus on your work here and don't think about anything else."

He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice, as if imparting a secret: "Show him a good attitude."

"You also need to let Zhao Chengyu, the regimental commander, see your goodness, see your maturity."

"So that you're not some clueless, ungrateful girl."

Li Qiang thought fiercely to himself, this was the most crucial thing right now.

No matter what, he had to satisfy the powerful Zhao Chengyu.

Li Qiang clenched his fists tightly; this would definitely turn the Li family's fortunes around.

The marriage, a marriage that would elevate everyone involved, had to proceed smoothly and without any mishaps.

Li Yaqin's icy gaze was like a searchlight.

It swept inch by inch across Li Qiang's face, a face etched with anxiety, obsequiousness, and calculation.

Looking at his forced smile, distorted by fear and barely perceptible.

A cold sneer ripped through her; her last shred of doubt vanished.

Just as she expected.

Zhao Chengyu, that man, that cunning and ruthless fellow.

This old fox is truly cunning.

He must have secretly given Li Qiang some tangible benefit he couldn't refuse.

Li Yaqin thought to herself.

He didn't even need to appear personally; just a little something, something visible and tangible.

Or perhaps just a vague promise, was enough to completely turn her ambitious brother against her.

He became Zhao Chengyu's most loyal lobbyist and overseer.

It seems he really went to great lengths to get her to comply.

Enough to make Li Qiang dizzy and unable to see the enormous pie in the sky.

Li Yaqin knew her brother too well. Although he usually seemed honest and upright, not particularly wicked,

his deep-rooted, opportunistic, and self-serving nature was something that could never be changed.

He would absolutely, without the slightest hesitation, accept any benefit offered to him, no matter how large.

Even if this immense benefit ultimately came at the cost of his own sister's wishes and happiness, he wouldn't bat an eye.

Li Yaqin's lips curled into a mocking smile.

But it's fine, since he's so easily bought off, so eager to curry favor with the powerful.

Then she could make good use of that in the future.

She could make him willingly serve her, shielding her from unnecessary trouble.