Li Zetian nodded and said: “I have already thought of a way.
After granduncle’s funeral is over, I will tell you guys!”
“Still keeping your mom in suspense…” Xiao Zhixuan smiled and gently patted Li Zetian’s head.
“This method is not completely perfect yet.
I plan to think about it carefully tonight and then tell you…” Li Zetian pretended to be very “innocent” and said.
“Alright, then let’s not talk about this.
Tell me about your life at Harvard University!” Xiao Zhixuan changed the subject and asked: “Did you get a girlfriend there?”
“Mom, why are you asking this?”
“You little rascal, still pretending with me!
Whose women’s perfume smell is on you!
Also, since you were a kid, you always folded your clothes casually without paying any attention.
But look at your suitcase; the clothes are actually folded neatly.
I was wondering, who exactly folded these clothes for you?!”
Li Zetian froze for a moment and smiled bitterly.
Oh, my dear mother, you really have piercing eyes and know your son inside out…
“Tell me, what’s the girl’s name?
Is she pretty?”
At this time, Xiao Zhixuan put on a posture of a joint trial, and Li Zetian had to confess for leniency.
“Her name is Yu Jingqiu, and she’s as pretty as you, Mom!”
“Stop flattering me.
Your mom is old, how am I pretty?” Although Xiao Zhixuan said this, the words obviously made her very happy, and she felt delighted inside.
Then, she continued to ask: “How did you two meet?
And how did you court her?”
“Well, you might not believe this…
but actually, she courted me!” Li Zetian said.
Hearing this, Xiao Zhixuan was taken aback: “What?
She actively courted you?!”
“Yes, she actively courted me!” Li Zetian nodded to confirm.
Xiao Zhixuan’s eyes instantly lit up.
She became even more interested in Li Zetian getting a girlfriend and hurriedly asked for specific details.
Li Zetian gave her a rough outline but changed the part about him getting beaten up into having a fever and a cold.
After Li Zetian finished telling the love story between him and Yu Jingqiu, Xiao Zhixuan nodded and said: “Mhm, Yu Jingqiu is a good girl.
You are not allowed to bully her!”
“Mom, she hasn’t even married into the family yet, and you’re already siding with her…”
“Your mother is a woman, of course women have to help women!” Xiao Zhixuan smiled.
Get some rest early.
Tomorrow we have to get up early for granduncle’s funeral procession!”
“Mhm, you rest early too!”
…
The next day, it was still faintly bright when Li Zetian and Xiao Zhixuan went out and took a car to granduncle’s house.
Granduncle’s cemetery had already been chosen, costing 1 million Taiwan dollars.
According to a feng shui master, it was a “Coiling Dragon and Crouching Tiger” feng shui treasure land that could bless descendants with wealth and peace!
At 8 o’clock, the auspicious time arrived.
A large group of people carried the coffin out the door.
Li Zetian held a wreath in each hand and walked in the crowd.
Next to him was a ten-year-old child named Li Zhengyu, granduncle’s youngest grandson and also his most beloved grandson.
Li Zhengyu’s parents died in a plane crash in his early years, so Li Zhengyu had lived with his grandfather since childhood.
Li Zhengyu’s eldest uncle and second uncle were both selfish people.
Granduncle was worried that no one would take care of Li Zhengyu in the future, so he established a 100 million Taiwan dollar trust fund for him early on, which was roughly over 2.5 million US dollars.
The money in this trust fund could only be withdrawn after Li Zhengyu became an adult at the age of 20.
Before that, only a portion of the money would be taken out each year to pay for Li Zhengyu’s living and educational expenses.
With his grandfather dead, Li Zhengyu was very sad, his small eyes crying red.
Li Zetian looked at him and felt he was quite pitiful.
Once his grandfather died, he had no one to rely on.
His two uncles were blinded by greed.
The old man’s bones were not yet cold, but they had already started fighting bitterly over the inheritance, probably still coveting the money in Li Zhengyu’s trust fund.
“Brother Zetian, what are you going to write for your next book?” Li Zhengyu asked, looking up at Li Zetian with his small head.
Li Zhengyu liked Li Chengzhi’s family very much, and he had been particularly fascinated by mystery novels since childhood.
After reading “The Devotion of Suspect X” and “Journey Under the Midnight Sun,” he regarded Li Zetian as his biggest idol.
Li Zetian shook his head, “I’m not writing anymore!”
“Why aren’t you writing anymore?”
“Your uncles have decided to sell ‘Life’ magazine, so I’m not writing anymore!”
Li Zhengyu was very young and didn’t quite understand adult matters.
He didn’t know why his uncles wanted to sell ‘Life’ magazine, but obviously, he was completely powerless to do anything about it!
At this time, Li Zetian added: “However, I might publish novels elsewhere!”
Li Zhengyu didn’t care where Li Zetian published his novels; hearing that he would continue to publish them, his mood instantly turned happy!
…
After the burial, Li Zetian’s relationship with granduncle’s family was basically severed.
Will he be taken care of by his uncles?” Li Zetian was quite sympathetic to the child.
“His maternal grandparents will take him to live with them!” Li Chengzhi replied.
Hearing this, Li Zetian nodded: “Mhm, that’s for the best!
By the way, Dad, is ‘Life’ magazine going to be sold?”
“How did you know?
Your mom told you?”
“Yes!” Li Zetian nodded, then said, “Dad, since ‘Life’ magazine is going to be sold, you might as well resign and set up on your own!
Let’s start by establishing a simple newspaper company first!!!”
Li Chengzhi lowered his head, lost in thought.
Li Zetian struck while the iron was hot and said: “The hardest part about starting a newspaper is applying for a publication number, but I have already thought of a way.”
Li Chengzhi looked at Li Zetian, signaling him to continue.
“Aren’t there many large publishing houses approaching us right now to discuss the publication of ‘The Devotion of Suspect X’ and ‘Journey Under the Midnight Sun’?
When we negotiate with them, we add a condition: they must help us apply for a publication number!
For ordinary citizens like us, applying for a publication number is indeed very difficult, but for them, it’s a very simple matter!”
“Mhm, yes, that’s right!” Li Chengzhi nodded in agreement.
Usually, large publishing houses have good relationships with the propaganda department, and Li Chengzhi himself was a veteran in the industry.
The success of “Life” magazine was a medal of honor on his shoulder, so the success rate of applying for a publication number was quite high.
“Dad, since we are going to establish our own newspaper, we have to consider many issues, such as content sources, printing factories, sales channels, and so on.
As the head of ‘Life’ magazine, you should have information and contact details in this regard, right?”
“You want me to make a copy and bring it back?”
“Right!”
“But this behavior is considered unfair business practice…”
Li Zetian shook his head.
The business world is like a battlefield; people who are too upright are not suited for business.
“Alright, then let’s think of another way…
Mhm, how about this.
After the newspaper company is established, we will hold a press conference and announce that our newspaper will serialize the new work of Mr.
Li, the author of ‘The Devotion of Suspect X’ and ‘Journey Under the Midnight Sun’!
I think the media will report on this, and subsequently, distributors who hear the news might come looking for us on their own.”
“Mhm, this is a good idea!!!”
Li Zetian had a smile on his face, but in his heart, he was pondering what work to write this time.
Having already written two mystery novels, it was time to change styles…