Chapter 14: Seeking Advice

In the Jiangnan region, economic development in the mid-to-late 1980s was only slightly behind that of Guangdong. Therefore, relevant departments placed great importance on any overseas Chinese who expressed investment interest.

However, just like Ye Tian’s homeroom teacher, Yu Haoran, the comrades from the United Front Work Department also did not know Liao Haode’s purpose. They only came to Ye Tian’s home with Yu Haoran because Liao Haode requested their help in finding Ye Tian’s address.

The people from the United Front Work Department originally thought Liao Haode was looking for Ye Tian’s father. They never expected he wanted the child’s help, and for a moment, they were all confused.

Perhaps only Guo Xiaolong knew why his great-uncle was looking for Ye Tian. But before coming, he was warned by his great-uncle not to say anything out of turn once they arrived.

After a moment of silence in the yard, Yu Haoran cautiously asked, “Mr. Liao, are you sure? Ye Tian is just a child. What could he possibly help you with?”

“Well, um… I have a private matter and wanted to ask little friend Ye Tian…”

Upon hearing Teacher Yu’s words, Liao Haode looked around but did not explain further. Clearly, he did not want to discuss the matter in front of everyone.

Even though Liao Haode was now an American citizen, he had previously moved to the United States from Taiwan. He still had some concerns about Mainland policies.

Especially because the matter he wanted to ask about involved Feudal Superstition, which the Mainland deeply despised. He could finish his business and just leave, but if it got the child involved, his conscience would not let him rest.

Hearing Liao Haode’s words, the faces of the United Front Work Department comrades present turned somewhat unpleasant. Wasn’t this clearly trying to make them leave?

A young man who had not worked long heard Liao Haode’s words and immediately felt he could not tolerate it. He spoke up, “Mr. Liao, we fulfilled your request. But what is it that cannot be said?”

“Cough, no, that’s not what I meant…”

Liao Haode felt awkward at the question. But having weathered the business world for decades, his adaptability was strong. After a quick thought, he already had an excuse prepared.

“Gentlemen, here’s the situation. Before my father went to Taiwan, he was a Daoism Lay Practitioner. He always wanted to donate some funds to a Maoshan Taoist Temple. But the old man has passed away, and I want to fulfill his final wish…”

“But… what does that have to do with little friend Ye Tian?”

The young man pressed on relentlessly. This was not yet a time completely dominated by economics; national security was still very important. Especially towards returning overseas Chinese with certain backgrounds, vigilance could not be relaxed in the slightest.

“It’s like this. When I met little friend Ye Tian the day before yesterday, he was wearing Taoist robes. So I wanted him to take me up the mountain to have a look…”

At this point, a bitter smile appeared on Liao Haode’s face. “I am a person who likes to be thorough. I want to see the environment first before deciding whether to donate. So I didn’t want to trouble the relevant departments… but you’ve managed to get it out of me anyway.”

As soon as Liao Haode said this, the faces of the accompanying people immediately showed understanding. So this Boss Liao was afraid that with government staff leading him, he wouldn’t see the real situation. That’s why he wanted a little kid to guide him.

Although the United Front Work Department comrades were somewhat displeased with Liao Haode’s distrust of the local government, this explanation was indeed plausible. Seeing Liao Haode like this, he also didn’t seem like he wanted to do anything harmful to the country.

Besides, even if Liao Haode had such intentions, what use would finding a child like Ye Tian be?

In recent years, the United Front Work Department had also received many overseas Chinese returning to visit relatives. They knew that due to not understanding national policies, these people often had many concerns and frequently did unexpected things. They had seen people even more bizarre than Liao Haode.

Thinking he had guessed Liao Haode’s thoughts correctly, Minister Wang smiled and said, “Mr. Liao, you still don’t quite understand our country’s policies. Well then, we’ll take our leave first. Mr. Liao, if you need anything, please contact us anytime…”

“Minister Wang, this…”

“Xiao Zhang, we must understand Mr. Liao’s feelings and dispel his concerns. Let Mr. Liao walk around and see for himself. It’s fine.” The young man wanted to say more, but was cut off by Minister Wang.

In recent years, the state had strongly supported Maoshan’s Taoist culture. Last year, even when the country was not wealthy, they allocated thirty million to renovate Maoshan Taoist Temple.

Now that this overseas Chinese wanted to donate, it was certainly a good thing. If Liao Haode refused to donate because of them, the blame would probably fall on them in the end.

“Minister Wang, thank you for your understanding. Actually, I could have asked my family members about this, but I was afraid they would spread it around. That’s why I thought of little friend Ye Tian…”

Liao Haode’s words completely dispelled Minister Wang’s confusion. He had received many overseas Chinese returning to visit relatives and knew that some relatives of overseas Chinese were indeed rather inappropriate, constantly asking the returnees for this and that, causing many to leave after just a few days.

If Liao Haode had such thoughts, it was likely his family relatives also saw him as a big piece of fatty meat, each wanting to cut off a piece with their knives.

Thinking this, Minister Wang couldn’t help but glance at a young man beside Liao Haode. “The country’s image is damaged by these short-sighted people.”

After clarifying the matter, the United Front Work Department people said their goodbyes and left. Since the other party clearly did not trust them, staying longer would only invite awkwardness.

However, Yu Haoran stayed behind with his daughter. Moreover, Liao Haode had no reason to ask these two to leave. They were not government officials and had no relation to the Liao family. If he drove them away too, it would seem suspicious.

After the United Front Work Department people left, Ye Dongping glanced at his son and said, “Ye Tian, take Mr. Liao up the mountain to have a look. Your Master’s Taoist Temple happens to be under renovation. Since Mr. Liao has the intention, let him contribute a bit. I believe Master Li will not disappoint Mr. Liao.”

As the saying goes, no one knows a son better than his father. From Ye Tian’s expression when Liao Haode spoke, Ye Dongping sensed something. The matter was far from as simple as Liao Haode claimed. He suspected it had something to do with Ye Tian’s Physiognomy.

Ye Dongping was a sensible person. He did not want to expose this in front of everyone; otherwise, his son might later get a reputation as a little fraud.

But Ye Dongping’s words contained another layer of meaning, which only Ye Tian understood. It was to let Liao Haode take any issues to the Old Taoist to solve. He was still concerned about Ye Tian’s health.

“Dad, I understand,” Ye Tian replied, winking at his father. His right hand, resting by his leg, gave Ye Dongping a thumbs-up.

“Alright, Mr. Liao, I won’t keep you. Go early and return early.”

Seeing that he had guessed correctly, Ye Dongping felt both amused and exasperated. The child was only a few years old and already showed potential to be a fraud. And looking at Liao Haode’s respectful attitude towards Ye Tian, it was genuinely deferential.

Liao Haode was also a perceptive person. Of course, he understood the meaning behind Ye Dongping’s words and quickly said, “Good, good. I, Liao, will certainly do my best. Please rest assured, Mr. Ye.”

“Hey, Teacher Yu, you don’t need to go. Come on, let’s brothers play a couple rounds of chess…”

Seeing Yu Haoran also wanted to go up the mountain, Ye Dongping grabbed him. Matters concerning his son’s reputation were best known by as few people as possible.

Hearing Ye Dongping’s words, Yu Haoran hesitated for a moment and said, “Alright then. Qingya, you can go play with Ye Tian and the others. Be careful on the road…”

“Okay!” The little girl answered crisply and walked to Ye Tian’s side. With her dad sitting right there, she wasn’t afraid Ye Tian would bully her anymore.

…

The person who came with Liao Haode was his cousin’s son, in his twenties and very clever. After leaving Li Village, he took out many candies and snacks from his pocket and gathered Yu Qingya and Fatty Dun and the other kids around him. Only Liao Haode and Ye Tian were left walking about ten meters behind.

“It’s really difficult to get things done.”

Thinking about the nonsense he had just spouted to deal with people, Liao Haode could not help but sigh. Actually, he knew those people might not have entirely believed him.

“Grandpa Liao, if even adults find it so hard to do things, then a kid like me can’t do anything at all.”

Ye Tian knew the purpose of Liao Haode’s visit. But since the Qi Backlash incident happened just yesterday, Ye Tian was still a bit scared and did not want to use the Tortoise Shell again so soon.

Seeing they had distanced themselves from the kids ahead, Liao Haode did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point. “Little friend Ye Tian, can you tell me now what you said at the market before?”

Liao Haode knew that the Mainland of his homeland was full of hidden talents. An ancient saying went that among those drifting in the Jianghu, three types of people were the most dangerous.

The first were monks and Taoists. The second were women. The third were children. Therefore, Liao Haode did not look down on Ye Tian at all because of his age.

“Grandpa Liao, what did I say?”

Ye Tian smiled, a flicker of cunning in his eyes, but he refused to admit anything. The favor of the sugar figure was already repaid. Why should he meddle further?

“Little fellow, this matter is very important to Grandpa Liao. As long as you can help Grandpa Liao, you can make any request. Grandpa Liao will try his best to fulfill it…”

The change in Ye Tian’s expression did not escape Liao Haode’s notice. He did not have much experience dealing with children and could only blatantly appeal to his interests.

“Grandpa Liao, I don’t even know what you’re talking about. How can I help you?”

Although Ye Tian was still dodging the question, he felt a bit curious inside. Didn’t he already tell him the tomb was six hundred steps from the village entrance?

If Liao Haode found his mother’s Burial Mound, he would have buried his parents together. He shouldn’t have time to come thank him now.

Conversely, if he didn’t find his mother’s tomb there, Liao Haode would only think he was a little liar. So why would he come looking for him so eagerly?