Zeng Yu found a coffee shop, and the three of them sat down. After ordering coffee, Xiao Xiao took the initiative to speak. “Here’s the situation. My dad and the others are still squatting in the apartment I rented, and they won’t leave. I had to run away. I was planning to call the police, but after all, they’re my parents. I only have one request now, and that’s to sever all ties with this family.”
“You can handle this through legal means. There have been cases like this before, and the news has reported on it. But are you sure this is what you want?” Jiang Nan asked.
After all, it was a family matter, and even if they wanted to help, the person involved had to make up their mind.
“What other choice do I have? From the time my brother was born until I started working, I never wore new clothes except during the New Year. I could tolerate that because my family’s circumstances were what they were—my parents are farmers with low income. This isn’t the first time they’ve hit me. During my first year working, when I went home for New Year’s, my parents demanded I hand over all my savings. I kept a thousand yuan for myself and gave them the rest. But when my dad found out I kept a thousand, he beat me with a stick, and my mom scolded me all day. After that, I never went back home, and they didn’t care if I did or not, as long as I sent money. They have quite the skill—no matter where I hid, they always found me. Every time they found me, it was the same: a beating and then demanding money. This happened several times. Later, whenever they had any issues, they came to me for money, and I tried my best to give it to them. But this time, I just can’t bear it anymore.”
Xiao Xiao spoke slowly, her expression indifferent, her eyes empty, as if she were talking about someone else’s life. The deepest sorrow comes from a dead heart—how devastating it must be for a person to lose all hope in their own family.
Jiang Nan found it hard to fully understand. She couldn’t grasp why, despite being children of the same parents, Xiao Xiao’s family would treat her so differently.
Xiao Xiao’s story stirred Jiang Nan’s sympathy. She held Xiao Xiao’s hand and said, “Don’t worry, we’ll help you resolve this properly. Tomorrow morning, I’ll take you to meet a lawyer. Honestly, you should’ve used the law to protect your rights a long time ago.”
Wang Zheng trembled as he signed the documents. With that, the procedures for Wang Chenghan’s medical parole were completed. The lawyer went to handle the follow-up, while Wang Chengfu and Wang Zheng waited outside the prison. They didn’t want to go in because it was inconvenient to do anything inside.
The tall walls were topped with electric wires, and the massive iron gates remained tightly shut.
Standing outside, Wang Zheng felt restless, constantly looking down and smoking. How to face his father was a difficult question for him. Because of his mother, Wang Zheng’s feelings towards his father had always been complicated.
Because of Ye Xiyan’s situation, Wang Zheng hadn’t gone home the previous night. He had come straight to the prison early in the morning, but his mind was still filled with the image of Ye Xiyan’s despairing eyes and pale face.
A metallic clanging noise broke the silence as the iron gate opened. A lawyer, dressed in a suit, led out Wang Chenghan, who was wearing an old jacket. Wang Chenghan didn’t forget to turn back and say, “Thank you for all the trouble over the years.”
“Take care of your health after you get out, and don’t think about coming back. To be honest, if all the prisoners were like you, our jobs would be much easier.” one of the guards joked.
After thanking them repeatedly, Wang Chenghan turned around, and the massive gate slammed shut behind him.
Wang Chengfu and Yuan Lei walked toward him.
Not seeing his son, Wang Chenghan felt a pang of disappointment. He hadn’t expected his son to forgive him, but as a father, he had hoped to see Wang Zheng first.
Wang Zheng slammed the car door shut, threw down his cigarette, and stomped on it. Only then did he slowly walk over. He had finally made up his mind—no matter what, a father is still a father, the person who gave him life and treated him fairly well. Wang Zheng might not forgive him, but he had to fulfill his duties as a son.
“Big Brother, this is my wife.” Wang Chengfu broke the awkward silence as he had anticipated this scenario.
Yuan Lei stepped forward and said, “Hello, Big Brother!”
Wang Chenghan nodded, “Hello, hello, everyone’s well.”
At that moment, Wang Zheng walked over, gave his father a cold glance, snatched the backpack from his hands, and turned to leave.
Wang Chenghan felt a mix of relief, sentimentality, and a bit of heartache. He wiped away a tear with his hand.
Sensing the tension, Wang Chengfu quickly laughed and said, “It’s all in the past now. Let’s talk things over calmly when we get home.”
At the car, Wang Zheng opened the door without a word. Wang Chenghan gave a bitter smile as he climbed into the back seat. Wang Chengfu, seeing this, pulled Yuan Lei and the lawyer into another car.
Wang Zheng drove in silence, and so did Wang Chenghan, who closed his eyes and rested in the back seat.
Through the rearview mirror, Wang Zheng noticed that his father had aged significantly. His once black hair had turned white, and his previously rosy face was now marked with age spots.
His father had grown old, and Wang Zheng couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness in his heart.
“Did you suffer much in there?” Wang Zheng finally softened and spoke up.
Wang Chenghan was taken aback. He had been wondering how to start a conversation with his son, but didn’t expect Wang Zheng to speak first. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say, and tears welled up uncontrollably.
“No, I wasn’t mistreated. People kept sending things in, and I got along well with the others in there. But you, you must have suffered a lot out here on your own.” Wang Chenghan replied, his voice thick with emotion.
Hearing this, Wang Zheng felt a lump in his throat.
“Suffer? What’s there to suffer? Back then, I didn’t have to work and still lived a lavish life. It was only after I started earning my own money that I realized it’s more fulfilling to spend what you earn. Most importantly, I’ve come to see what people are really like.”
Wang Zheng’s words came from the heart. His past life might have seemed enjoyable, but it was actually empty. The people around him only stuck with him because of his money. When the Wang family fell, they all disappeared—except for Zeng Yu, who treated him the same whether he was rich or poor.
“There’s still true affection in this world, but sometimes you don’t see it when it’s right next to you, and you forget to cherish it. People often focus on personal gain and forget that loyalty and friendship are priceless. Living without principles and disregarding loyalty might work for a while, but sooner or later, you’ll fall and won’t be able to get back up. Unfortunately, I realized this too late. I hope you don’t make the same mistake.” Wang Chenghan said earnestly, hoping to pass on the lessons he had learned over the years to his son. He could feel that he was getting old, and the future of the Wang family rested on Wang Zheng.
After more than four hours of driving, Wang Zheng brought Wang Chenghan to Wang Chengfu’s villa.
After the long drive, Wang Chenghan looked very tired. Although Wang Chengfu suggested he rest, Wang Chenghan stood at the door and said, “Why isn’t there a fire basin prepared? We can’t bring bad luck into the house. Also, get some mugwort to boil water for a bath.”
Wang Chengfu smirked slightly. He was the kind of person who believed his fate was in his own hands, not in superstitions. He had encountered plenty of bad luck during his years in Africa, so he wasn’t worried about it anymore. However, out of respect, he still had someone fetch a fire basin and mugwort. They burned a pile of newspapers, and Wang Chenghan stepped over the fire basin. The bodyguard also brought back the mugwort.
After all the fuss, Wang Zheng didn’t say a word. When Wang Chenghan went to take a bath, Wang Chengfu smiled and said, “Don’t mind your father’s nagging. He means well.”
Wang Zheng nodded, “I understand. It’s just for peace of mind. What’s important is that he’s still here, and that’s what matters most.”
At that moment, a bodyguard came in and whispered something to Wang Chengfu.
Wang Chengfu smirked coldly and nodded, “Alright, she’s here right on time. Let her in.”
Wang Zheng looked over. “Who is it?”
Wang Chengfu’s eyes gleamed with coldness as he replied, “Leng Qing. It took me two months to find her.”
Wang Zheng froze. Leng Qing was the woman who left the country after Wang Chenghan got into trouble.
Leng Qing walked in with the bodyguard, her expression calm.
Wang Zheng stared at her, his eyes filled with resentment. This woman hadn’t changed at all. She looked just the same as when she left; time hadn’t left any marks on her face.
Leng Qing seemed prepared for this scene and asked calmly, “Where’s Wang Chenghan?”
Hearing this, Wang Zheng couldn’t help but sneer.
Leng Qing glanced at him and said, “I know you hate me, but I have a clear conscience.”
Wang Zheng slammed the table and shouted, “What about my mother’s death? How can you say you have a clear conscience now?”
Leng Qing didn’t answer immediately. She set down her suitcase, opened it, and took out a document envelope, handing it to Wang Zheng. Her voice was calm. “Take a look. This is what your mother left for you. She asked me to tell you to watch the USB drive first.”
Wang Zheng took it, puzzled, and opened the envelope to find some documents and a USB drive inside. Wang Chengfu quickly brought a laptop from the study, and after turning it on, they plugged in the USB drive.
A video began to play.
“Wang Zheng, your mother has been lying to you all this time. I wasn’t going out every day to play mahjong; I was going for chemotherapy. That trip I took was actually for surgery. I’m sorry I lied to you, my dearest son. The doctors told me I had only a month left to live, so while I can still handle things on my own, I don’t want to die in a hospital bed and leave behind a horrible image. I asked Leng Qing to give these things to you when the time was right. These documents are the results of my private investments. Your mom is pretty impressive, isn’t she?”
At this point in the video, Wang Zheng’s mother’s face twisted in pain. The intense agony seemed unbearable as she opened a bottle of pills and swallowed a few. “You see, I have to take a lot of painkillers just to finish recording this video.” She struggled to finish her sentence, raised her hand, and waved at the camera. “So, goodbye, my son. When you visit me next time, don’t forget to bring your wife.”
Sitting in front of the computer, Wang Zheng was now sobbing uncontrollably.
Be my Patron ~ Buy me Ko-Fi
✨Be a part of the story – support my translations✨
✨Buy me some Ko-FI | Paypal to support my effort✨
✨✨Advance chapter at Patreon✨✨
