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

Wang Fuzhen's words struck a nerve with Chen Yanshi, hitting the most sensitive nerve in his heart.

Chen Yanshi lowered his head, let out a long sigh, and looked utterly helpless.

"Oh, my dear, it's all tears when I talk about it."

Back then, Liang Qunfeng's secretary deliberately stirred up trouble, spreading rumors and slander everywhere, and I was confused for a moment.

Ultimately, Liang Qunfeng was too cunning, and Liang Lu, with her shrewish nature, was truly harmful.

He sighed and shook his head, his tone harsh, but he showed no remorse.

Wang Fuzhen leaned back on the sofa and muttered softly, "Old Chen, you can't blame anyone else for this. You brought it all on yourself."

Back then, everyone in the industry avoided Liang Lu, afraid of getting involved and getting into trouble. But you were the fool who went to Liang's family.

Liang Qunfeng was just your former boss. He was just being polite, but you went out of your way to curry favor with him.

And Chen Shan, he's also spineless.

In his quest for advancement, he publicly knelt down and proposed to Liang Lu at the gate of Handong University, even bringing a carload of flowers. The Chen family has utterly lost face.

Chen Yanshi took out a cigarette and lit it, the smoke swirling around him, obscuring the complex expression in his eyes.

"My dear wife, Chen Shan had no choice."

In the ups and downs of officialdom, when there's no way to get promoted, living off a woman is a safe and reliable way out.

"Without Liang Lu and the Liang family, how could Chen Shan possibly be the Director of the Public Security Bureau of Handong Province now? This is inseparable from Liang Qunfeng, and also from Gao Yuliang."

Wang Fuzhen sighed, "Yes, Lao Chen, you're right. But as a mother, I just feel awkward. I feel like our Chen family is always inferior to the Liang family."

Chen Yanshi took a puff of his cigarette and exhaled the smoke. "Back then, our Chen family was no match for the Liang family."

No one expected that Liang Lu was a hen that couldn't lay eggs.

So what if he rose to a high position by relying on the Liang family's influence?

Chen Shan's incense offerings have ceased.

The old saying is true: of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is having no offspring.

Wang Fuzhen looked out the window, filled with regret.

She often thought that if she had been more assertive back then, hadn't listened to Chen Yanshi, and had considered her daughter Chen Yang's feelings.

If Chen Yang and Qi Tongwei had been brought together, the Chen family would be in a completely different world now.

I've lost the title of "Governor's Mother-in-Law," and I really regret it.

"Old Chen, your children and grandchildren will have their own blessings; there's no use in forcing it."

Fortunately, Chen Hai still has Little Ball, and we have a grandson.

If Chen Shan is promoted to vice governor this time, his career will be firmly established.

But Yangyang is the only one who weighs on my heart. This child resents us, the old couple, for being away from home so often. We've essentially lost our little darling in this lifetime.

"In my opinion, Yangyang is just ignorant and unfilial, a complete waste of money!" Chen Yanshi's eyes flashed, instantly sweeping away his depression, and he became full of confidence. "But the most successful investment I've ever made was adopting Xiao Jinzi. It was also my suggestion to make him the descendant of our old squad leader, Sha Zhenjiang. We raised Xiao Jinzi for two years, and for that alone, I, Chen Yanshi, am a true and undisputed adoptive father of the province."

"Yes, Old Chen, with this round of cadre promotions, Chen Shan is now a vice-minister, Chen Hai a director-general, and our Little Jin is in charge of Handong. Our younger generation's careers are soaring." Wang Fuzhen held Chen Yanshi's hand. "Old Chen, you really know how to judge people. No matter how much trouble Qi Tongwei causes or how much investment he can bring in, he's still just a vice-minister. In Handong, the power is in Little Jin's hands. Little Jin brought in 2 billion yuan for compound fertilizer. What is Qi Tongwei doing? Fishing, 1 billion yuan? Did he get the money from the wind? Fishing? That's too wasteful."

Wang Fuzhen felt that Qi Tongwei's decision to return to his hometown to promote himself immediately after taking office was no different from a street vendor shouting to attract customers; his vision was pitifully small.

Sooner or later, Qi Tongwei will squander all of Handong's wealth.

"There's no difference whatsoever. Years ago, I went to Qijia Village with Liang Lu and her group. That place was incredibly poor, a complete desolate mountain village." Chen Yanshi tossed away his cigarette butt. "If Yangyang had really married into that family back then, she would have starved to death long ago. It's all just fleeting. With Xiao Jinzi as a backer, and with the connections of my old comrades, our Chen family will be fine in the future."

As Wang Fuzhen listened, the corners of her mouth turned up. "Old Chen, even if you didn't get promoted to vice minister in your life, your descendants will be fulfilled. Our lives have been worthwhile."

Chen Yanshi got worked up. "Back then, Zhao Lichun was one step ahead of me and blocked my path to becoming a deputy minister. I can't swallow this insult. As long as I, Chen Yanshi, have a breath left, I will resolutely report this to the end."

Wang Fuzhen sighed helplessly, "Old Chen, you understand everything, but you get stuck on this one thing. You can't reach Zhao Lichun even if you stand on tiptoe. Even Xiao Jinzi has to respectfully call Zhao Lichun 'Old Leader' when he sees him."

Footsteps suddenly came from outside the nursing home, and the two changed the subject, chatting about trivial matters of the nursing home.

Chen Shan, dressed in a police uniform and looking exhausted, pushed open the door and came in. "Dad, Mom, I've come to see you."

Wang Fuzhen looked at her eldest son, Chen Shan, and said, "Chen Shan, you and Liang Lu have been married for so many years, but you still don't have a child."

Why don't you adopt one?

Chen Shan raised his hand to rub his temples. "Dad, Mom, it's Liang Lu who can't lay eggs. Why should I adopt her? I, Chen Shan, will either raise my own son or not have any children at all and raise my nephew, Little Ball, as my son. Raising someone else's child? Impossible, absolutely impossible."

Wang Fuzhen sighed, "Chen Shan, then let's not raise him. You've gotten so thin lately."

No matter what, a mother will always care about her child.

"I haven't had much of an appetite lately. Secretary Sha's arrival in Handong has changed the landscape. My bid for vice governor is fraught with uncertainty, and I've been feeling anxious." Chen Shan said, head down. "Dad, Mom, have you heard? Qi Tongwei is now the executive vice governor."

Chen Yanshi raised an eyebrow. "So what if he's the executive vice governor? He's just a vice minister."

Chen Shan didn't want to listen to Chen Yanshi's rambling about his comrades, so he said bluntly, "Dad, Qi Tongwei is my sister's ex-boyfriend. A couple of days ago, I went to the provincial capital to report on my work and took the initiative to introduce myself, but he coldly interrupted me and didn't give me any face. I think he definitely holds a grudge against our Chen family because you broke him up with my sister back then."

He looked up at Chen Yanshi with a pleading expression.

"Dad, why don't you apologize to Qi Tongwei? It would definitely help me get into the provincial government leadership team."

If it weren't for this purpose, Chen Shan would never have come to the nursing home.

Chen Yanshi's face instantly darkened, his arrogance palpable. "Apologize? Does he even deserve it? I, Chen Yanshi, have always upheld integrity and will never bow my head to anyone! Chen Shan, to put it bluntly, you're only after the vice-governor's position. Let me tell you, the most crucial thing right now is to stabilize your backyard. Maintain good relationships with Liang Lu and Liang Qunfeng. At this critical juncture in your career, trouble at home is tantamount to ruining your future."

Chen Shan pursed his lips. "I understand. I have other things to do in the hall, so I'll be leaving now."

Old Stone truly lived up to his reputation.

Stubborn to the end.

Chen Shan didn't want to listen to his rambling and boasting.

Of the thirty-six stratagems, running away is the best.