Chapter 64

Today is the 16th day of the first lunar month. Chen Meilan received a money order from an unknown sender, though the amount wasn't much, only 50 yuan.

Looking at the address, it was sent from a military compound in the capital.

Chen Meilan secretly guessed that it might be New Year's money sent by Yan Peiheng for his two grandsons.

Meanwhile, at her Qinchuan Group construction site, migrant workers were arriving.

They had chosen an auspicious day to hold the groundbreaking ceremony soon.

Qinchuan Group had even invited high-ranking officials from the city for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Afterwards, Chen Meilan would receive an interim payment of 120,000 yuan. The large excavators, cement mixers, and bulldozers rented by Chen Degong would all enter the site at that time.

The building was about to officially begin construction.

For a construction team to get contracts, they needed credentials. Qinchuan Group was her credential. Once the building was completed, Chen Meilan would be able to secure projects even without relying on Yan Zhao's connections.

However, today another exasperating incident occurred.

Huang Zhengde was Chen Meilan's technical director and, like Chen Degong, was her right-hand man. Recently, because his third sister-in-law was hospitalized, even though it was winter break and he didn't need to go to school, he was running back and forth between the hospital and the construction site, looking exhausted and gaunt.

But just last night, as he was rushing from the site to the hospital, he was almost hit by a car.

At an intersection without traffic lights, around 11 pm, just as the car was about to hit Huang, the large truck suddenly braked. The driver rolled down the window and even gave Huang a thumbs up.

Today, Third Sister-in-law Huang was discharged from the hospital. Although the baby wasn't a month old yet, because the couple was well-liked, many people came to see the child.

Huang Zhengde told this story as if it were a joke. He laughed and said, "After what happened to Little Xiang, I'm especially careful when crossing the road. That driver was probably scared too, kept apologizing to me."

Third Sister-in-law Huang was feeding the baby formula. Looking at the plump little boy eagerly gulping down the milk, she said, "The traffic these days is so chaotic, nobody's managing it."

Chen Meilan, however, listened with her heart pounding.

She couldn't help but feel that this was Fan Xiang's way of teaching her a lesson and showing his colors. He wouldn't kill people indiscriminately, but he was trying to threaten her through Huang.

Fan Xiang was a ticking time bomb that had to be dealt with. Yesterday, Yan Zhao had only said lightly that he would certainly handle the matter before leaving.

She didn't know exactly how he would handle it, but if he couldn't handle it well, Yan Xishan's mockery would be the least of their worries. The safety of her family and the friends and relatives around her was what mattered most.

"Teacher Huang, from now on don't go out after dark. If you need to go out, I'll find someone to accompany you and carry your bag," Chen Meilan said.

Huang replied, "We're already short-staffed, and you want to assign someone to carry my bag? Meilan, aren't we getting a bit ahead of ourselves before the project has even grown big?"

"This has nothing to do with getting ahead of ourselves. We must assign someone to you," Meilan insisted.

Safety was more important than anything!

There were many guests at Huang Zhengde's home. Chen Meilan, Sister Mao, and Second Sister-in-law Liu were in the kitchen boiling water and making tea to serve the guests. Suddenly, a woman pinched her from behind: "Meilan?"

"Chunxia, what are you doing?" Chen Meilan turned around to see Su Chunxia and gave her a pat.

"Female contractor, you must be making good money. You've become a big boss but you're still willing to make tea here, aren't you worried about lowering your status? It's strange, people used to curse Yan Xishan as a stinking dog turd, and spit on the ground he walked on. How come no one in the Seventh Brigade is jealous of you as a contractor?" Su Chunxia asked with a smile.

Although Chen Meilan was a contractor, indeed no one was jealous of her.

Firstly, she wasn't really making money, still living an ordinary life. Secondly, even though they now had air conditioning, a color TV, and recently Yuanyuan got a piano, in the eyes of the neighbors, Chen Meilan was down-to-earth, always willing to help when neighbors had problems, even ready to lend a hand to an elderly person she met on the street. She didn't brag or show off, so what was there for people to be jealous of?

"Are you jealous? Then don't drink the tea I made," Chen Meilan said as she snatched back the teacup from Su Chunxia's hand.

Su Chunxia almost got scalded and cried out, "Why would I be jealous of you? By the way, that money from my aunt, the interest should increase this year, right? Is it fifty percent?"

"What interest?" Chen Meilan asked back.

"There was a 'black five category' person who smuggled himself to Southeast Asia. Because my aunt saved his life, and Yan Xing's death seemed to have something to do with him, he sent a sum of money to my aunt after the Reform and Opening Up. That money is being held by my uncle. When my aunt was about to pass away, she said that money should be left to Little Wang. My uncle used to have my second cousin send the interest to Zhou Xueqin. Now he sends it to you, right?"

If Su Chunxia hadn't mentioned it, Chen Meilan wouldn't have thought of it. Indeed, she had received a sum of money today, fifty yuan.

So, that money wasn't New Year's money from Yan Peiheng for the children, but interest from money someone had given to Su Wen and saved?

Little Wang happened to be helping out, arranging the eggs that people had brought with Yuanyuan. The kitchen cabinet was almost full of eggs.

Chen Meilan asked the young man, "Do you know about the money your grandmother had, and that your second uncle gives interest every year?"

Little Wang hesitated for a moment before saying, "I know." But at the same time, the young man frowned, "Mom, can you not ask about this?"

"I can't," Chen Meilan said seriously. "And mom must ask. Haven't you noticed? Since mom married your dad, mom still hasn't met your grandfather. What if your grandfather isn't happy, doesn't like mom, and in the future asks mom to divorce your dad? What will you do? Or do you want a new mom?"

She always felt that many things weren't right, but couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong.

Although it didn't have much to do with her.

But Yan Zhao was after all a second-generation official. If he really moved against Fan Xiang and his son without someone covering for him from above, and if the provincial leaders found someone to deal with him, wouldn't that also be trouble?

Their father-son relationship was bad, and if his father didn't find someone above to give him backing, just as Yan Xishan said, he would sooner or later be brought down by someone.

When Little Wang heard about getting a new mom, he immediately became anxious: "He wouldn't dare! I heard my mom say he has a mistress in the capital. If he dares to abandon you, I'll shout this matter out loud!"

Goodness, this boy's words scared Chen Meilan so much that she covered his mouth: "Don't you dare talk nonsense. If you shout and others hear, how would that look?"

Yuanyuan and Little Lang also came over. The little one was still too young to understand what his brother was so anxious about.

Little Wang said in a low voice: "I heard my original mom and grandmother talking about it. It's absolutely true. They said my grandpa pretending to be angry and not coming home is fake, but having a mistress in the capital is true! My original mom even borrowed a lot of money from grandpa using this as leverage."

Yan Peiheng has a mistress in the capital?

Originally, the money Su Wen had was a thank-you gift from someone who had been sent down to Yanguan Village for re-education but later smuggled himself to Southeast Asia, grateful that she had saved his life.

But it was when that person was sent down to Yanguan Village that Yan Xing died.

Yan Peiheng not only blamed his wife for not taking good care of the child, but he probably implicitly believed that the child's death was entirely his wife's responsibility.

Chen Meilan secretly guessed that, at the very least, Yan Peiheng believed that during that period, Su Wen had been emotionally unfaithful.

When Su Wen died, Little Wang was two years old. Because Su Wen said that money should be given to Little Wang, Zhou Xueqin definitely wanted to get that money as soon as possible.

But in Yan Peiheng's eyes, that "black five category" person was the adulterer. Yan Peiheng's acceptance of that money was probably out of helplessness. How could he possibly give the money to Zhou Xueqin?

So Zhou Xueqin, instead of resolving family conflicts, used the fact that Yan Peiheng had a mistress to threaten him and demand money from him, fighting fire with fire.

If that's the case, wouldn't Yan Peiheng hate Yan Zhao and his mother even more?

After all, the two older ones had always been in the capital, while Yan Zhao grew up with his mother in Yanguan Village.

The mother and son had also led to the death of old man's most beloved little Yan Xing.

But regardless.

In her later years, Su Wen's mind wasn't very clear, and she had a hard time living alone. If her husband had a mistress and because of that didn't even attend her funeral...

Yan Peiheng would truly be an extraordinarily terrible person.

However, all of this was speculation. Regardless of what kind of person Yan Peiheng was, Little Wang shouldn't disrespect his elders or speak ill of them.

Thinking of this, Chen Meilan suddenly said, "Yuanyuan, do you think your original dad was good?"

Yan Xishan?

Yuanyuan thought he wasn't good, truly disappointing, but could she say that?

She smiled, turned and walked out the door, saying as she ran: "Mom, I'm going to see the baby!"

Chen Meilan turned around and was about to speak, but Little Wang quickly said: "No need to make an example of me, I know not to speak ill of elders. Do you think I'd tell others if they asked?"

If Chen Meilan hadn't asked, if she hadn't said he might be disowned by his grandfather if he didn't talk, would Little Wang have said anything?

When Zhou Xueqin's friends bullied him so badly, did he tell anyone?

When has he ever not kept everything bottled up inside?

This mom is really going too far!

It's entrapment!

Chen Meilan saw him take several eggs as he was heading out, and said: "Those are Teacher Huang's eggs. Little Wang, we don't need eggs..."

"Teacher Huang said any eggs that don't fit in the cabinet are mine. Now the cabinet is full, so these belong to me!" Little Wang ran off cradling the eggs.

The little miser, Chen Meilan thought as she followed him out and watched him take careful small steps toward the market with the eggs.

Selling them for money - what a schemer.

A true miser, through and through. A penny-pincher and hoarder.

Apparently the kid has already amassed the enormous fortune of 220 yuan.

His dad, Chen Meilan gives him 10 yuan a week. Compared to him, his dad is practically a pauper!

At the same time, at the Jindong Branch Bureau, with city leaders coming to investigate, officials big and small were scrambling frantically.

In Yan Zhao's office, Yan Xishan was smoking while Yan Bin rubbed his forehead. Wu Qianhong, the madam of Dream Paris, and one of her girls sat across from them. They exchanged glances and bitter smiles.

Internal police conflicts, a battle of the gods - either way, mere mortals like them would suffer.

Reluctantly but necessarily, they came because today Yan Zhao wanted to bring up the hit-and-run case.

Yan Zhao's office rarely had visitors, especially prostitutes and madams.

But that's how it is at the police station - you never know what kind of people will show up for what cases.

Deputy Bureau Chief Zhao actually knew Wu Qianhong and the prostitute. When invited and unable to refuse, he would partake in their services. But in this setting, who would dare admit to knowing prostitutes and madams?

However, Deputy Bureau Chief Zhao found it rather amusing that prostitutes and a madam had appeared in Yan Zhao's office. Did this prove that Yan Zhao wasn't as immune to vice as rumors suggested?

The city bureau leaders were coming to inspect their work.

On the surface, everyone was busy with their own tasks, putting on a show of productivity.

But there were subtleties at play. For instance, on Zhao Lei's desk lay the case file of Qi Dongmei and Hu Xiaomei's baby trafficking.

In this case, he had set up Fan Zhenhua's wife Ren Qian as an exemplar. S~eaʀᴄh the Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

She had accepted bribes and privately charged money to inform many pregnant women about their fetuses' sex, leading to at least 70-80 abortions of female fetuses, some as late as 7-8 months - tantamount to murder.

This should be enough for criminal sentencing, right?

But not in Zhao Lei's hands, because in the 1990s there was a get-out-of-jail-free card when it came to sentencing: claiming ignorance of the law.

After all, this was still the era of promoting legal awareness. Anyone who committed a crime could claim they didn't understand or know the law, shifting responsibility to law enforcement for failing to educate them about the illegality of their actions.

Ignorance of the law could lead to lighter sentences.

This was a legal grey area that only those well-versed in the law could exploit.

He placed this case on his desk, knowing the leaders would surely inquire about it when they arrived.

After all, Fan Zhenhua's wife had broken the law, and Fan Zhenhua would need to give an internal explanation. When the time came, he would bring up the case first, allowing Fan Zhenhua to make his apologies in front of the bureau chief and others. Then he'd invoke the ignorance of law defense, and the matter would be settled.

It was all planned out perfectly. Zhao Lei went out to greet the leaders, and Ma Bo entered his office, directly swapping out the case files laid open on his desk.

The city bureau chief's surname was Zhang, Zhang Chao, also a military-turned-civilian official.

Upon arrival, he first shook hands with Yan Zhao: "Jindong Branch Bureau, thank you for your hard work, Captain Yan."

Jindong District was part of the high-tech zone, with many complex cases involving several large factories - major cases that were particularly difficult to handle.

The current state of public security was not bad, and the leaders had their own measuring stick.

"We wouldn't dare embarrass the leaders," said Yan Zhao.

Chief Zhang then shook hands with Zhao Lei, naturally glancing at his desk: "What case are you currently working on?"

Zhao Lei had left the case files open before stepping out. How had they ended up back in the folder? He internally cursed whoever had "helpfully" tidied his desk, but it didn't matter - he could still open the folder and report on their work.

Yan Zhao was quick, handing the folder to Chief Zhang: "This is the case that our Deputy Bureau Chief Zhao has ordered us to focus on."

Zhao Lei hadn't managed to grab the folder first, which annoyed him, but he said nothing.

After all, he and Fan Zhenhua had already come to an understanding - Fan Zhenhua would credit him for handling this matter.

The bureau chief and several deputy chiefs were present. Chief Zhang flipped through the folder, then passed it to another deputy chief, turning to ask Fan Zhenhua: "Isn't your father retiring soon from Dongfang Group?"

"Yes," said Fan Zhenhua.

Looking at Chief Zhang's expression, he felt something was off. Wasn't it just about his wife accepting some money in the ultrasound department?

In today's society, what position doesn't involve taking a little money? For such a small matter, shouldn't a simple apology suffice? His relationship with Chief Zhang had always been good, so why was he looking at him like that?

"Is all the evidence and witnesses accounted for? This case was handled by the Jindong Branch, right? Fan Xiang instructing someone to hit a person with a car - that's premeditated murder, isn't it?" said another deputy chief.

Zhao Lei was stunned. Everyone present was stunned. Fan Zhenhua snatched the case file, and a photo fell to the ground - it was the accident scene where Huang Quanan had fatally struck someone.

The victim, Li Fugui, had his brains spilled out - a horrific sight.

Hadn't this case been closed and the person released? Who had dug it up?

"Deputy Bureau Chief Zhao ordered us to thoroughly investigate this case. As subordinates, we wouldn't dare embarrass our leaders," Ma Bo added. "Currently, the witness who can prove Fan Xiang and Huang Quanan's conspiracy is in Captain Yan's office."

"Witness? What witness?" Chief Zhang asked.

Ma Bo explained: "A prostitute from Dream Paris. Both Fan Xiang and Huang Quanan had visited her."

"You're joking. How can you trust a prostitute's word? And how could my father possibly visit prostitutes? Ma Bo, you're slandering a superior..." Fan Zhenhua roared angrily, while also feeling confused.

He sensed something was wrong and realized someone must be targeting him.

But why the hell would Zhao Lei do this to him?

On what grounds? Zhao Lei was supposed to be on his side.

Had he recently cozied up to other leaders?

"There's also Yan Bin, the former police chief of Yanguan Village, who can testify that he personally saw Huang Quanan make no attempt to brake before hitting Li Fugui..." Before Ma Bo could finish, Fan Zhenhua suddenly pointed at his nose and said: "Bullshit! Ma Bo, where are you from? Ankang, right? Fine, I'll remember you. I'll remember this!"

Ma Bo choked, frozen in place.

Bringing up someone's hometown was a direct threat to dig up graves.

If Fan Zhenhua didn't fall from power, Ma Bo's father might get hit by a car the next day.

However, Yan Zhao immediately said coldly: "Director Fan, what does Ma Bo matter? I'm above him, and Deputy Bureau Chief Zhao is above me."

"So you're all in cahoots," Fan Zhenhua's voice trembled. Suddenly seeming to understand something, he lunged at Deputy Bureau Chief Zhao, red-faced and shouting: "You've ganged up to take me down. There are cases out there you're not investigating, but behind closed doors you're secretly targeting leaders?"

Zhao Lei felt that Yan Zhao had sold him out, played him.

But with everyone watching, leaders all around, what could he say?

Was he the head of the branch bureau?

Of course he was - recently, he had been taking credit for all the high-profile cases and accolades the branch should have received.

To him, Yan Zhao was just a workhorse.

But now this workhorse had outmaneuvered him.

In front of the leaders, he was speechless!

Several team leaders from the branch tried to mediate and pull them apart. The city bureau leaders collectively remained silent. Zhao Lei was cornered by Fan Zhenhua, at a loss for words, not knowing what to say.

Yan Zhao was the only one who grabbed Fan Zhenhua's shoulder with his large hand, holding him in place: "Director Fan, when Deputy Bureau Chief Ma Kai was investigated, didn't you say Ma Kai was covering up and condoning criminals, seriously damaging the image of our Party and our system? You said you'd represent the city bureau and ask the court to conduct a fair trial and severely punish the perpetrators. Now it's your turn, and you say we're going after you? What about the law then, and what about the image of our public security system? Is this how you act now? Threatening subordinates, digging up people's ancestral graves?"

Fan Zhenhua tried to struggle and break free from Yan Zhao's grip, but was pinned in place, unable to move an inch.

He looked up and met Yan Zhao's eyes, suddenly realizing that what Yan Zhao had just said was exactly the same, word for word, as what he himself had said at the public trial meeting.

Wasn't this guy just a brute?

Wasn't he just a stubborn mule who only knew how to work blindly?

Fan Zhenhua had been convinced he wouldn't last a few days before being taken down.

But how the hell was this stubborn mule Yan Zhao still in his position, while he himself was about to be taken down?

How was this possible?

They dare to go after him?

Nobody in this branch bureau would get off easy.

"You dare to mess with me? I have people above me, just you wait!" Fan Zhenhua roared angrily.

Bureau Chief Zhang had been holding that photo the whole time and couldn't hold back any longer. He suddenly slapped it against Fan Zhenhua's chest: "Investigate! Thoroughly investigate! If we don't, I'm afraid Director Fan won't even spare us. Are you still a government official? I think you're nothing but a [expletive]!"

"Deputy Bureau Chief Zhao... Chief... listen to my explanation, this is retaliation, retaliation!" Fan Zhenhua looked left and right, calling out several times.

But all the leaders in the bureau were trying hard to avoid his gaze.

Only then did he realize he may have been a bit too impulsive earlier.

He still wanted to plead with Bureau Chief Zhang, but when he turned back to look at Ma Bo and Yan Zhao, they had an expression of "I don't know who the hell is going after me, but when I get out, I'll make sure they pay for it."

His resentful gaze happened to sweep over Yan Zhao, who immediately said: "Xiong Xiangdang, why aren't you arresting him yet?"

"Why haven't you made the arrest?" Bureau Chief Zhang also shouted.

"Should we detain Director Fan? At our branch?" Ma Bo asked.

Bureau Chief Zhang said: "Of course, the case happened in your branch, do I need to do it myself?"

"Yes!" Xiong Xiangdang led his men and actually put handcuffs on Fan Zhenhua.

"Zhao Lei, you just wait, you just wait!" Fan Zhenhua was still shouting and struggling as he was being handcuffed.

Suddenly, there were several loud crashes. The city bureau leaders thought Fan Zhenhua had drawn a gun, thinking it was gunshots, and were so frightened they covered their heads.

But when everyone looked back, they realized there was a row of thermos flasks against the wall, originally prepared to make tea for the leaders. Fan Zhenhua had kicked and knocked over several flasks, which crashed to the ground with loud bangs, hot water shattering and steam rising.

Bureau Chief Zhang was silent for a while, waiting for some police officers to come in and clean up the thermos debris before saying: "Everyone should learn from Comrade Zhao Lei, who is diligent in his work and persistent in his pursuit, especially fearless in the face of superiors and brave in exposing all illegal acts of superiors. Let's give Comrade Zhao Lei a round of applause!"

There was a sparse, halfhearted applause, sounding more like a ghostly summons.

Fan Zhenhua may have been arrested, but he did indeed have people above him. Zhao Lei was very brave, but wouldn't he also face retaliation?

When a rabbit dies, the fox grieves. Who could muster any enthusiasm to applaud?

Not to mention the group at the bureau applauding with trepidation.

Not far away, in Yan Zhao's office.

Yan Xishan was also applauding, but with genuine feeling and jubilation.

In government agencies, interpersonal relationships are even harder to navigate than for nouveau riche. After all, nouveau riche encounter only enemies when they go out, so they can just fight.

The people Yan Zhao encounters are colleagues, leaders, superiors - it's unclear if they are friends or enemies, or people who want his life.

He clearly investigated Fan Zhenhua himself, yet pinned the blame on Deputy Bureau Chief Zhao.

This was truly a masterful move of using another's knife to kill.

He played it beautifully.

That bastard Yan Zhao, even without connections above, he could still make his way to the top.

Bold, ruthless, and skilled - truly a living King of Hell.

But Yan Xishan had to leave quickly now. This kind of godly battle was not for a mere mortal like him to get involved in.

As he left the public security bureau and approached his car, he smelled something foul. Damn it, some dog had left a huge pile of shit by his tire.

Even more disgusting was that he had stepped in it.

But shit brings good fortune, Yan Xishan consoled himself, and smiled even more happily.

...

It was time to get off work. Deputy Bureau Chief Zhao saw Yan Zhao also tidying up his desk, so he walked over and asked, "Team Leader Yan, not leaving early?"

Yan Zhao was answering a phone call with one hand while cleaning his desk with the other. He had just hung up and stood up: "I'm about to leave. You go ahead, leader."

Zhao Lei also smiled: "Let's go together!"

This is what you call depth. Killing without a knife, being humble and low-key, yet with one sentence at the crucial moment, Deputy Bureau Chief Zhao couldn't clear his name even if he had a mouthful of explanations.

Now the city bureau leaders all saw him as a living target.

Walking side by side, Yan Zhao suddenly asked: "Deputy Bureau Chief Zhao, when it comes time to interrogate Fan Zhenhua, will you do it or should I?"

Deputy Bureau Chief Zhao hesitated for a moment, reflexively saying: "You do it."

If he were to interrogate, he was afraid Fan Zhenhua might expose his corruption and bribery.

How embarrassing would that be?

But as soon as the words left his mouth, Deputy Bureau Chief Zhao regretted it.

If Yan Zhao interrogated, would Fan Zhenhua reveal things about him to Yan Zhao?

If Fan Zhenhua told Yan Zhao about him, would Yan Zhao take the opportunity to remove him from the Jindong Branch Bureau?

Or would he let him retire safely out of respect for the old leader?

The more he thought about it, the more confused he became. Deputy Bureau Chief Zhao couldn't walk anymore and had to lean against the wall to rest.

After confirming the deputy bureau chief wasn't walking, Yan Zhao said softly, "See you tomorrow," and walked past Zhao Lei. His olive green police uniform, hat tucked under his arm, he strode forward with one arm swinging freely.

Down the stairs, through the lobby, he yanked open the door. Outside was dazzling sunlight, instantly bathing his broad, flat chest.

In a flash, it also illuminated the golden badge on his sleeve, that shield representing judicial fairness and justice gradually lit up by the evening glow, becoming blindingly bright.

Without hesitation, he stepped into the sunlight.

...

Yan Zhao was in a good mood today. After leaving the bureau, he saw someone selling small hair clips by the road. After careful selection, he splurged and bought one.

Entering the courtyard, he saw three children playing.

Little Lang was holding a large bottle of cola and drinking it.

Yuanyuan and Little Wang were on either side, seemingly criticizing him.

Little Lang took a sip of cola, and Little Wang immediately pointed at his nose and said: "If you drink any more, you won't grow taller!"

Yuanyuan then said: "Your teeth will also be dissolved by the cola, and your belly will get even bigger. You'll grow uglier and uglier."

Little Lang liked drinking cola, but being threatened like this by his brother and sister, he would take a sip and then sigh worriedly.

But sighing was sighing, it didn't stop him from guzzling cola into his mouth.

Since he already couldn't grow taller, might as well drown his sorrows with the big jug of cola in his arms!

Burp, it tasted so good!

But just as Little Lang was savoring it, with one swoop, Black Dad snatched away his cola jug.

"Black Dad, mean Black Dad!" Little Lang wailed, his mouth wide open as he started crying.

He'd rather not grow taller, he loved drinking cola.

Chen Meilan was on the phone in the bedroom, her expression a bit strange, neither smiling nor not. Seeing Yan Zhao come in, she smiled and said: "Alright, we'll wait for you to come back."

Why did Yan Zhao feel like this call was from his father?

He unconsciously furrowed his brow.

Actually, the call Yan Zhao had received earlier in the office was from Yan Peiheng.

When Yan Zhao got married, he had mentioned to the old man that he was still living in Yanguan Village and had married a local woman. She was divorced, but a very good person.

However, he hadn't mentioned that the woman was a relative of Zhou Xueqin's family.

He had downplayed all of that.

So in Yan Peiheng's understanding, Yan Zhao had married an ordinary local rural woman.

This woman had a history of divorce but was willing to raise Little Wang and Little Lang.

For a father, nothing could be better than his son finding a well-behaved, decent woman.

But just a few days ago, Zhou Xueqin in the south called Mi Lan, the wife of the Yan family's second son, Yan Wei. It was probably about needing connections to handle some matter.

Speaking of Yan Zhao, those in the capital only then learned that Chen Meilan was actually the sister-in-law of Zhou Xueqin's younger sister.

Moreover, she was Yan Xishan's ex-wife.

In Yan Peiheng's eyes, Yan Xishan from the Seventh Team wasn't even worth a pile of dog shit.

How could his ex-wife be any good?

Yan Zhao had been blind once, but this time he must have gone completely mad.

So today, the old man called and roared at Yan Zhao.

Yan Zhao simply hung up the phone.

Now, he's calling back home directly.

"Your father says he'll probably be home in a few days," Chen Meilan said after hanging up the phone.

Little Lang drank too much cola, so his black dad snatched the cola away.

Yan Zhao won't answer the phone, so his black dad is personally rushing home to break up this love affair!