Rebirth: I Became Mr.President's Beloved-Chapter 1180: Is It Really Okay Not to Keep in Touch for a Few Days?
So, the identity of Isa’s mysterious mistress colluding with Li Hao remains a mystery.
Li Hao is unafraid of her eavesdropping, naturally confident she can’t uncover anything.
Nonetheless, when Tang Li returned to the Li Residence, she still went online to search, but found nothing.
When Li Ruan came to see her in the evening, Tang Li asked about the mistress.
Li Ruan explained truthfully, "Considering his own safety, Isa has stayed in the Nanwa Army base these past few years. I went with Kun to see Isa at Nanwa two years ago, and indeed met a woman from country S at the base."
Unexpectedly, she was the mistress in charge of accounts.
Li Ruan wasn’t clear about her detailed information.
It wasn’t because he didn’t inquire, but even Isa’s close associates weren’t clear about her background.
"It’s only said that she’s been with Isa for almost ten years."
Tang Li saw that Li Ruan didn’t seem to be lying and also mentioned what she heard in the hospital room.
Upon learning that Li Hao was making a deal with her, Li Ruan looked directly at Tang Li, confirming she wasn’t fabricating. He revealed, "After I returned from country S, the elder indeed said he wanted to suspend the operations against Isa."
Li Ruan initially thought the plan changed because Kun was captured.
Yet Tang Li’s words at this moment made him realize the elder had other arrangements.
If that mistress is truly willing to hand over a copy of the account book, they could then trace from Isa’s businesses to uncover his criminal activities.
Isa’s goods don’t only circulate in the Golden Triangle.
Once evidence is obtained proving he sold goods to country S and even other major countries, then arresting Isa would become a demand from multiple nations.
As for that child—
Hearing Tang Li say he was in country D, Li Ruan refrained from commenting.
After leaving the Li Residence, Li Ruan went to the hospital once more.
Li Hao wasn’t surprised to see him.
He even guessed why he had come.
"That girl mentioned my plans to you?"
Li Ruan didn’t answer and instead asked, "Why did you deceive her?"
Although the Li Family has branches in country D, they hire local people because the Li Family isn’t rooted there. They never planted any hidden agents in country D. If they wanted to abduct a child in country D, they would have to send someone over, and besides, country D is far in Europe, making the return journey foreseeably dangerous.
Even if Li Hao was eager for revenge, he wouldn’t be reckless to such an extent.
Unless, that child is in Southeast Asia.
Li Hao did not confirm or deny this, continuing to play his go game: "If I told her the truth, she’d probably make a scene, perhaps even inform someone."
Li Ruan detected some information: "That child knows Ah Li?"
Li Hao looked up, smiling at his grandson: "If I told you, would you intend to tell her?"
Li Ruan did not directly answer, only saying, "When Ah Li learns the truth later, she might resent you."
"Let her resent me then," Li Hao sighed, but remained unwavering in his plans: "Everything I do is for the Li Family."
He continued to explain, "I’m merely having that child return to his family, arranging for someone to take him to Burma, it doesn’t count as harm."
Before Li Ruan left, Li Hao spoke again: "What I’ve told you, you can relay to that girl, as long as you’re prepared for the possibility that your cousins might not return from country S."
"Did you send Li Yin north?" Li Ruan turned back.
Li Hao didn’t deny it: "That child’s identity is too special, and I don’t trust anyone else to handle it."
With that, Li Hao ceased to conceal anything—
"Come to think of it, you should have met that child before."
... He had indeed seen that child.
A short and sturdy figure flashed through Li Ruan’s mind.
Before he could ask, Li Hao said: "Li Yin and his team have already set their plans in motion. Whether to tell Tang Li and risk their exposure or make a trade for the account book with the child, is your choice."
This choice isn’t difficult to make.
As a member of the Li Family, naturally, the family interest should come first.
But, he is also Tang Li’s cousin.
Even if their sibling bond is still shallow.
However, Tang Li confided in him out of trust.
He had seen Tang Li with that child in the Northern Myanmar Village, and it’s clear Tang Li cared about that child deeply.
Tang Li told Li Ruan about her ’secret’ discovery, hoping that Li Ruan could gather some information, as he could extract something from Li Hao easier than she could.
Through several interactions, she knew this cousin wasn’t one for smooth words.
Even if Li Hao truly went ahead with the abduction, knowing the developments would be good.
That night, after Tang Li finished her bath, she also received a call from Song Baiyan.
When she heard the man’s voice while wrapped in a dry towel around her hair, she couldn’t help but feel a bit of longing. They had only been apart for over thirty hours, yet thinking this made her inadvertently scratch her cheek.
On the other end, Song Baiyan expressed his concern: "Are you comfortable staying in the Chiang Mai Prefecture?"
"... It’s been fine."
Tang Li spoke truthfully: "It’s just that the internet speed is a bit slow."
This complaint had a touch of childish pouting to it.
Song Baiyan responded indulgently, with a hint of coaxing: "Next time you go abroad, remember to bring portable wireless equipment."
"I should have brought it myself," Tang Li replied.
She had been in too much of a rush this time, failing to plan her travel adequately.
By now, it was already nearly ten o’clock at night in China.
Holding her cellphone, Tang Li asked, "Are you back in your room?"
After receiving Song Baiyan’s affirmative answer, Tang Li followed up with: "Remember to get some rest early."
These words were spoken with ease by Tang Li.
Because in the past, it was always Song Baiyan who insisted on this.
Now the roles were reversed.
Song Baiyan had called to inform her that he would be heading to the Northwest for a few days for an investigation, where the signal could be spotty and unreliable, which could hinder immediate contact.
Having informed her in advance, Tang Li naturally wouldn’t sulk over trivial matters.
"Take care of yourself," she reminded him.
After a pause, she added: "There’s a lot of sandstorms there, so make sure to take protective measures."
Song Baiyan asked, "Not contacting each other for a few days, will that be alright?"
"..." Tang Li thought, could her objection magically improve the signal in the Northwest?
She found Song Baiyan’s question somewhat unnecessary, yet she answered, "I might be quite busy myself lately, the elder’s health isn’t good, so he wants me to spend more time at the hospital with him."
In this way, both would be busy with their own matters.
Not wanting him to worry about her while on a business trip, Tang Li added, "When you return, I might not even be done with my own work."
