From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Zhao Feiyang felt he had to step in to explain: "Dad, where did you hear these rumors? Pei Lin has nothing to do with Changxing. She’s currently with Huanyan Health. Even though Huanyan Health and Changxing Hospital both belong to Huayuan Group, these two departments are parallel and unrelated. Our income can withstand scrutiny."

The old lady said, "Old man, have you been drinking too much again? Why bring this up during the New Year?"

Zhao Daqiang said, "I’ll say just one last thing. There are two things in life that cause the most trouble: money and women."

Pei Lin clenched her fists tight, her nails digging into her palms. Ultimately, the Zhao Family still looked down on her. Her father-in-law’s words were clearly directed at her. Although she married Zhao Feiyang, in her father-in-law’s eyes, she was still an undesirable woman causing setbacks for Zhao Feiyang and affecting his future.

Zhao Feiyang quietly held Pei Lin’s hand under the table, finding it as cold as ice.

Zhao Feiyang said, "Dad, I understand what you’re saying. Rest assured."

Pei Lin gently placed the card on the table and slowly pushed it toward Zhao Daqiang: "Dad, we absolutely cannot accept your retirement money."

##

Even though fireworks and firecrackers were banned in Dongzhou City District, many citizens were still challenging the ban.

Tong Guangsheng listened to the sporadic sound of firecrackers outside and couldn’t help but sigh: "The city is just not as lively as the countryside."

Wang Jinwu said, "This year Hu Shan Town also started banning fireworks and firecrackers."

Tong Guangsheng said, "There’s no festive atmosphere at all now."

Gao Hong Hall said, "I heard on the news, some experts said fireworks cause air pollution and can easily lead to fires."

Wang Jinwu cursed, "I can’t stand Korea, they’re shameless."

Xu Chunliang said, "What’s the point of that? Their plastic surgery is so advanced because they don’t care about shame, they’re willing to operate on their faces. Our bodies are a gift from our parents, and they don’t even respect that. How can you expect them to care about shame?"

Su Qing couldn’t help but laugh.

Zhen Chun also laughed, saying to Su Qing, "Are they what you call ’angry youth’ in the mainland?"

Everyone misunderstood by Zhen Chun looked helpless.

Xu Jiawen couldn’t help but frown. This girl really leaves him speechless. Angry youth or not, calling them ’big angry youth’ easily causes misunderstanding.

Gao Xiaobai said, "Culture is like that. If you don’t cherish it and don’t know how to pass it on and develop it, once others learn it, they might claim it as their own."

Ruan Xingmei said, "I think you shouldn’t look at the issue so narrowly. Chinese civilization is indeed profound, but it is also part of human civilization. Don’t you often say that the Chinese Dream is China’s dream and also the world’s dream?"

Shu Yuanhang smiled, as his wife is not from China, her perspective is naturally different from others.

Zhen Chun nodded and said, "I think my sister-in-law is right. In this era, countries should break down barriers and merge their economies and cultures for continuous human civilization development."

Tong Guangsheng said, "I don’t see it that way. Imperialists will never give up the desire to destroy us. Between countries, as between people, it’s mostly about ’you can be good, but you can’t be better than me.’ Whether it’s Old Rice or Neon, haven’t they set enough traps for us over the years?"

Shu Yuanhang worried that if his father continued, his wife would feel awkward. He smiled and said, "Let’s not discuss national affairs." He glanced at Ruan Xingmei, who understood her husband’s intention and softly said, "I’ll go check on the kids."

After Ruan Xingmei left, Gao Xinhua said, "Guangsheng, your daughter-in-law is from An Nan, mind your words."

Tong Guangsheng said, "An Nan is also socialist. Manufacturing has been moving there in recent years, and they’ve benefited from it."

Xu Changshan laughed, "Let’s not talk about national affairs!"

Everyone laughed.

As the drinks flowed, Xu Chunliang received a video call from his father, Xu Jiaxuan, wanting to wish the old man a Happy New Year in advance.

Xu Chunliang noticed Xu Jiaxuan wearing a red hat in the video and curiously asked, "When did you start wearing hats?"

Xu Jiaxuan said, "It’s New Year, of course. Chinese red for festivity."

Xu Chunliang handed the phone to his grandfather, allowing them to chat directly.

Xu Changshan glanced at his son on the phone and grumpily said, "Did you go bankrupt? Can’t even afford a plane ticket home?"

Xu Jiaxuan laughed, "Dad, don’t curse me during the New Year. I intended to come back, but I’m tied up with some business here. I’ll try my best to come back in the first half of the year. Son wishes you a Happy New Year. I sent you a red envelope on your phone, please accept it."

"I don’t want it!" The old man wasn’t interested in money.

Zhen Chun chimed in, "Uncle, I want it!"

Xu Jiaxuan laughed heartily, "Uncle hasn’t forgotten, you all have a share."

Zhen Chun pulled Su Qing and Gao Xiaobai into the frame, "There’s also Sister Su Qing and Sister Xiaobai."

Su Qing and Gao Xiaobai simultaneously wished, "Uncle, Happy New Year and all the best!"

"Haha, happy New Year to you all too, wishing you both success in love and career!"

The phone was passed around among the crowd, and everyone exchanged warm blessings.

It made its way back to Xu Chunliang, who initially wanted to hang up, but his father wanted to have a few private words with him.

Xu Chunliang got up and went outside.

Xu Jiaxuan said, "Are you and Su Qing dating?" It was normal for Xu Jiaxuan to have this thought, after all, he saw Su Qing attending the family banquet.

"Not at all."

Xu Jiaxuan said, "She’s a nice girl, don’t let her slip away."

Xu Chunliang said, "Since when did you care so much about me?"

Xu Jiaxuan said, "I didn’t buy such a big house for you for nothing. You’re the only child of the Xu family, and we’re expecting you to continue the lineage. Don’t forget my words, when you meet a good girl, it’s better to hold on tight than let her go. Back then, I was too traditional and didn’t give you more siblings."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself, what an unreliable dad, and teased, "You’re still in your prime, it’s not like you can’t have more kids, why don’t you have another brother for me?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Stop teasing me, you little rascal, that... um..."

"Has it already happened? It’s okay, tell me, I can handle it."

Xu Jiaxuan said, "I got divorced."

"No way?"

Xu Jiaxuan said, "Why would I lie to you about something this big? I’ve been going through the divorce procedures recently."

Xu Chunliang said, "Did you do something to let down that mother and daughter?"

Xu Jiaxuan, with a sorrowful face, said, "This time it’s her who let me down. That sister of yours... oh no... daughter of mine... or rather, she’s not my biological child."

Xu Chunliang now understood, his father had been cheated on. In fact, when he first saw the photo, he felt something was off, anyway, he didn’t see any Xu Jiaxuan traits in that girl.

Xu Chunliang said, "At your age, try to see the bigger picture. As the saying goes, if you walk by the river often, how can you not get your feet wet? Besides, you still have me." He couldn’t feel any sympathy for him, and even found it a bit amusing, not how a son should behave!

Xu Jiaxuan said, "Don’t mention this to your grandfather, or anyone, I’m afraid of losing face."

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "These things are quite normal nowadays, and it’s not your first divorce. Don’t worry, I’ll keep this to myself."

Xu Jiaxuan said, "I have a favor to ask, an old friend of mine passed away today, could you find a moment to go to Hu Hai?"

"What?"

"A good friend of mine, her name was Chen Biyuan, she passed away this afternoon. The funeral is probably on the third day of the New Year. Can you make some time to go?"

Although Xu Chunliang didn’t have much affection for his father, this was the first time his father asked him for help. It was clear the person was very important to him, and Xu Chunliang didn’t have anything important planned in the near future. He got the address and agreed.

Xu Jiaxuan advised him to go as soon as possible, preferably the next day.

Xu Chunliang rarely saw his father being so earnest, and he decided to take a trip on New Year’s Day. While others were cheerfully celebrating the New Year, he would be heading to Hu Hai for a funeral. It would be a truly unique New Year celebration.

On the morning of the first day of the New Year, after paying respects to his grandfather, he headed to the high-speed railway station. The high-speed train made travel much more convenient—a trip from Dongzhou to Hu Hai took just three hours one way, allowing for a same-day return without any issues. Since he was going, he decided to linger and look around. When Zhen Chun heard he was going to Hu Hai, she insisted on going with him, planning to visit their aunt Xu Jia’an’s place for a few days.

Tickets for New Year’s Day weren’t hard to come by. Xu Chunliang bought round-trip tickets, planning to go today and return tomorrow.

Zhen Chun, however, only got a one-way ticket, intending to stay in Hu Hai for a good few days.

By noon, they had arrived at Hongqiao, where their cousin Liang Linan was assigned to pick them up, waiting at the exit to welcome them.

Zhen Chun rushed forward and hugged her cousin, "Big cousin! Happy New Year."

Liang Linan, somewhat helpless, said, "You two are quite something, coming to Hu Hai on New Year’s Day. You’ve disrupted my morning plans."

Xu Chunliang hadn’t informed him—Zhen Chun had taken it upon herself to call their aunt.

Zhen Chun said, "Who doesn’t take a holiday for New Year’s? What plans do you have? You don’t welcome us? We’ll take a cab."

Liang Linan, both crying and laughing, said, "Little missy, I didn’t mean it that way. I was supposed to watch a movie with a friend this morning." He led them to the parking lot.

"Girlfriend?" Zhen Chun inquired.

"Just a friend."

Xu Chunliang said, "Cousin, thank you for your trouble."

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