167: Chapter 167 First Encounter Approaching

Li Dakang knew clearly in his heart that this meeting was by no means a simple blind date; it concerned the grand marriage alliance between two major families and was an important choice that would determine the trajectory of his life.

He calculated inwardly that he must take this opportunity to properly understand Zhang Yiyi's character and talents, rather than focusing solely on family interests.

On the third day of the National Day holiday, in order to show sincerity and respect to the Zhang family, Li Hongji personally brought his son to pay a visit.

People were already waiting in front of the Zhang family residence, and as soon as the father and son got out of the car, they were warmly welcomed inside.

Passing through a secluded garden with winding paths, they were led to an antique-style living room.

The hall was elegantly furnished, with sandalwood furniture emitting a faint, subtle fragrance.

Zhang Jinrong was already seated in the main seat. Seeing the guests arrive, he immediately stood up to welcome them, his face full of undisguised joy: "Brother Li, your esteemed presence brings great light to my humble abode!"

Li Hongji cupped his hands in return: "Brother Zhang, you are too kind. I've brought my son along today, and I hope we aren't causing too much trouble."

"Hello, Uncle Zhang."

Li Dakang stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

His posture was upright, his manners were appropriate, and his brow revealed a sense of composure.

Zhang Jinrong scrutinized the talented young man before him. Seeing his dignified appearance and extraordinary speech, he couldn't help but nod repeatedly: "My nephew is truly a man of great talent and exceptional bearing. The Li family has indeed raised you well!"

In terms of appearance, Li Dakang was indeed strikingly handsome, with sword-like brows and star-bright eyes that carried a natural air of heroism, and his upright posture made him appear even more imposing.

Especially after more than a year of training at the grassroots level, he had gained a sense of composure and calmness that transcended his age. The natural air of authority he exuded in every gesture was something ordinary scions of noble families could not compare to.

"Uncle Zhang, you are too kind."

Li Dakang bowed slightly, his voice as gentle as jade.

Zhang Jinrong's eyes flashed with a keen light as he scrutinized the young man: "It is truly rare for a nephew of your young age to be able to work steadily at the grassroots level and achieve such tangible results."

"As the saying goes, 'The young phoenix outshines the old.' It seems us old folks are about to be surpassed by the younger generation!"

After saying this, he turned to Li Hongji and smiled: "Brother Li, you are truly blessed. Your son is so outstanding; you certainly have a worthy successor!"

In fact, long before this meeting, Zhang Jinrong had already thoroughly investigated Li Dakang through his own channels.

He knew that this young master of the Li family had passed up the comfortable life in the capital, voluntarily requesting to be posted to a remote, impoverished township in Jiang Province. Within just one year, he had managed to lead that township, which had once been at the bottom of the entire city, to achieve the miracle of doubling its economic indicators.

As a former high-ranking regional official, Zhang Jinrong's eyes, which had seen countless people, now shone with admiration.

He knew very well how rare it was for a top-tier family scion like Li Dakang to be able to settle down and work hard at the grassroots level.

What was even rarer was that this young man had no trace of a playboy's habits, but instead displayed extraordinary practical spirit and leadership ability.

"The Li family has a worthy successor..."

Zhang Jinrong sighed inwardly.

Looking at the steady and capable young man before him, and then thinking of his own descendants who were still being coddled in a greenhouse, a clear thought became increasingly firm in his mind: The Zhang family must accelerate the pace of cultivating the next generation.

After the pleasantries, Zhang Jinrong turned his head slightly and said to his younger brother, Zhang Jinhui, who was standing to the side: "Jinhui, go and call Yiyi over to meet her Uncle Li and Li Dakang."

Zhang Jinhui acknowledged the request and turned to leave.

At this moment, in Zhang Yiyi's boudoir, incense smoke curled in the air. A young girl of about sixteen or seventeen was whispering in her ear, her brows knitted with a touch of urgency.

"Sister Yiyi, you must think carefully."

The young girl knitted her moth-like eyebrows and lowered her voice: "I specifically asked people to inquire, and that Li Dakang is a notorious playboy in the capital. I heard he spends his days hanging out with those spoiled brats, and even..."

Speaking of this, a flush appeared on the young girl's face.

"He also often frequents clubs and dance halls."

This young girl was Zhang Yiyi's cousin, Zhang Wanqing. Although she was young, she was already a budding beauty who did not lose to her cousin.

Her almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks held a spiritual elegance inherited from the same lineage as Zhang Yiyi. Given time, she would surely be another dazzling pearl in the capital.

But how could Zhang Wanqing know that the information she had gone to such great lengths to find was already outdated gossip?

Over the past year or more, apart from occasionally meeting up with his two best friends, Third Young Master and Sun Xin, as well as his cousin Zhou Mingyuan, Li Dakang had long since cut ties with his former fair-weather friends.

How could those young scions in the capital, still immersed in a life of debauchery, know that the Li Dakang of today had long since been reborn through his training at the grassroots level?

After listening to Zhang Wanqing's words, Zhang Yiyi's slender fingers unconsciously twisted the silk handkerchief in her hand. When she lowered her eyelids, her thick eyelashes cast a shadow on her face, completely masking the ripples in her eyes.

"Wanqing..."

Zhang Yiyi called out softly, her voice as soft as a sycamore leaf falling in autumn.

"I understand your intentions."

When she raised her eyes, her delicate face had already returned to calmness, only a faint, almost imperceptible bitter smile at the corner of her lips betrayed her inner thoughts.

A ray of sunlight slanted in from outside the window, making the pearl earrings at her ears glisten.

Zhang Yiyi knew clearly in her heart that as a legitimate daughter of the Zhang family, her marriage was never up to her.

But even if she were a pawn, she still wanted to see clearly the person to whom she would entrust her life.