Names: Uncle Zhao Mengsheng, Father-in-law Pei Yihong

Suddenly, it became very quiet.

No one speaks.

Someone on TV was laughing; the laughter was sarcastic.

Chen Yanshi's lips moved slightly. "That's because Chen Shan himself lacked backbone. He knelt before Liang Lu, who's to blame?"

What can I say?

That's all I can say.

Chen Yang took a step closer. "Now that the Liang family has been investigated and fallen on hard times, you're saying this."

You didn't say that back then.

Chen Yanshi was furious. "What did I say back then?"

"You said Chen Shan can walk and knows how to make choices. You said that in this life, having backbone is useless; you also need a path. You said the Liang family can provide him with that path." Chen Yang brought up the shortcut theory that Chen Yanshi had mentioned years ago.

Wang Fuzhen stood up and pulled her, "Yangyang, stop talking."

Chen Yang didn't move. "Mom, let me finish. If I don't say it today, I'll never have the chance again."

I've made up my mind not to come back.

Chen Yanshi's chest heaved. "So you've come back to settle scores?"

"It's not about settling accounts, it's about showing you the ledgers." Chen Yang pointed to the living room and bedroom. "Some people, I really don't know what they're thinking. They have sons, daughters, grandchildren, and they live in nursing homes. Some people spend their whole lives concerned about their reputation, principles, and family traditions, and in the end, they've turned their families into this. Aren't they ashamed?"

"Chen Yang! You good-for-nothing!" Chen Yanshi's shout startled Wang Fuzhen so much that her hand trembled.

Chen Hai quickly stepped between the two, "Sister, Dad isn't feeling well."

"Hai Zi, don't stop me." Chen Yang looked at Chen Hai. "If it weren't for Chen Shan's accident, I would never have come back. This house has never been a home; it's a place for you to hold meetings and judge others. Anyone who doesn't live according to your wishes is considered unreasonable and heartless."

Chen Yanshi, panting, said, "I'm your father!"

"So what?" Chen Yang's eyes reddened, but his words remained unwavering. "Just because you're my father doesn't mean you can decide for me who I marry and who I don't marry. You can portray Qi Tongwei as climbing the social ladder, and Chen Shan kneeling before Liang Lu as having a way out, a shortcut? The same thing is called spineless when it happens to others, but when it happens to your son, it's called being good at making choices. Dad, you've never been fair to everyone."

Chen Yanshi slammed his fist on the table and said, "Chen Yang, that's enough."

"Enough? Enough already." Chen Yang picked up her bag. "I, Chen Yang, have my pride. I'm telling you this now, I will never come to Fuxing Nursing Home again. If you want to see me in the future, go to Beijing. If you want to see me, then see me; if you don't, then pretend I'm not your daughter. I don't owe you anything. You've arranged my life perfectly."

Wang Fuzhen burst into tears, "Yangyang, don't be so cruel."

Chen Yang paused for a moment.

She didn't turn around.

"Mom, I'm not being cruel. I'm just tired."

The door was pulled open.

Chen Hai chased after her, calling out, "Sister!"

Chen Yang walked quickly, without looking back. "Hai Zi, don't try to persuade me anymore. We're leaving Mom and Dad in your care."

Chen Hai stood behind her and said, "Sis, that's just Dad's temper; he's stubborn."

"Being stubborn is no excuse for hurting others." Chen Yang quickened his pace. "Go back. Secretary Sha and the others are coming; you need to be there."

Chen Hai was taken aback. "What's wrong with you...?"

"I heard Secretary Bai calling your cell phone."

Chen Yang waved and flagged down a taxi.

Chen Yang got into the car and glanced at Chen Hai again.

"Take good care of Mom. As for Dad, what he loved most in his life was his principles, his feathers, and his workers at the Dafeng Factory, not us."

The taxi sped away.

Chen Hai stood there for a long while before turning back.

Inside the room, Chen Yanshi turned his head to the side.

Wang Fuzhen sat on the edge of the bed wiping away tears.

No one spoke.

Chen Hai decided to sweep the floor.

A dozen minutes later, footsteps could be heard outside.

Sha Ruijin, Tian Guofu, and Secretary Bai led the way, while Hou Liangping followed behind.

"Uncle Chen," Sha Ruijin called out as he entered the room.

Chen Yanshi turned around, trying his best to stand up.

Sha Ruijin pressed down on his shoulder, "Uncle Chen, don't move."

Chen Yanshi looked at Sha Ruijin, "Little Jinzi, why did you come in person?"

The people in the room reacted differently to the word "Little Gold".

Secretary Bai placed the gift on the table and bowed her head.

Tian Guofu stood still.

Hou Liangping had just arrived at the door.

Going in is not an option, and not going in is also not an option.

Sha Ruijin didn't mind being called "Little Jinzi".

"Uncle Chen, such a big thing has happened, I should come."

Chen Yanshi snorted, "You're the provincial party secretary, busy with your important matters. I'm just an old geezer, not worth your trip."

Wang Fuzhen quickly greeted them, "Xiao Jinzi, Guofu, Xiao Hou, please have a seat!"

"You're no ordinary old man." Sha Ruijin pulled up a chair and sat down next to Chen Yanshi. "Chen Shan's matter is related to the case and also to the Chen family. We're here today not to cause you trouble, but to ask for your help."

"Help?" Chen Yanshi looked up. "What help can I offer? My legs are failing, and I'm old. If you need to arrest someone, go to the police. If you need to investigate a case, go to the disciplinary committee. I'm useless as an old man."

Tian Guofu hesitated for a moment, but spoke up anyway, "Mr. Chen, Chen Shan is currently out. We believe that if he contacts his family, there's a high chance he'll contact you."

"If he dares to contact me, I'll curse him to death!" Chen Yanshi slammed his hand on the armrest. "Run? How could he do such a thing! The Chen family doesn't have deserters. What a disgrace! What a tragedy! How could I, Chen Yanshi, have given birth to such a good-for-nothing son?"

Sha Ruijin looked at Hou Liangping, indicating that he should ask Hou Liangping to persuade him.

Hou Liangping stepped forward. "Old Chen, if you can persuade him to come back and turn himself in, it will be a good thing for him, for the case, and for the Chen family."

Chen Yanshi looked at Hou Liangping, his brows furrowed, and asked, "Who are you?"

Hou Liangping smiled awkwardly, "Mr. Chen, I am Hou Liangping."

"I know your name is Hou Liangping." Chen Yanshi was anything but polite. "I'm asking you, in what capacity are you standing here advising me? The head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau? Or an acquaintance of the Chen family?"

Hou Liangping was speechless.

He had thought that Old Chen would be difficult to talk to before he came, but he didn't expect that the first thing Old Chen said to him would be directed at him.

"Mr. Chen, Chen Hai and I are classmates and good friends. I am also familiar with the Chen family."

"Know them?" Chen Yanshi scoffed. "How well? Well enough to control my son? Or well enough to make decisions for the Chen family?"

Just as Chen Hai was about to speak, Hou Liangping raised his hand to stop him.

He didn't want to lose face in front of Sha Ruijin.

"Old Chen, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to say that the most important thing now is to get Chen Shan back and make things clear. Running away won't solve anything. Turning himself in can reduce his punishment."

"Do you think I need to be taught this?" Chen Yanshi stared at Hou Liangping. "The best thing you've ever said in your life is how to preach. You've been living off the Zhong family's food and housing, and you've gotten to where you are today thanks to your father-in-law's connections. And you, a son-in-law, are coming here to lecture me? You're not even as good as Qi Tongwei."

Qi Tongwei did not hear it.

I wonder what Qi Tongwei would think if he heard this.

Tian Guofu was wondering if Qi Tongwei would explode, and angrily confronted Lao Shitou.