Chapter 5

The large black Audi sped forward on the highway like a bolt of lightning. Xu Yi sat in the back seat, watching the scenery fly past, his brows tightly furrowed.

After getting into the car, Xu Yi carefully examined his father's face. The area between his eyebrows was slightly dark, a significant change from the photos he had seen before. Why was this happening?

"Dad, I've already picked up Xiao Yi. Yes, yes, I picked him up in Wusong County. I have to thank Uncle Yu. Without the real-time tracking information they provided, I wouldn't have been able to pick up Xiao Yi so smoothly."

Xu Zhengchun didn't notice Xu Yi's change. He was on the phone, reporting to the old man at home who was waiting for news. "Dad, rest assured. I understand. I'll report to Premier Chang. Besides, by the time we get back to Changqiu City, the inspection team's work will likely be over. Premier Chang said he's returning to Beijing tonight."

Xu Zhengchun chuckled, "Dad, should we also notify Big Sister and Third Brother? Ah, you've already notified them. Good, after we return to Beijing tonight, I'll go straight to your place."

"Xiao Yi, your grandfather wants us to go directly to his courtyard in the Western Hills."

Xu Zhengchun hung up the phone and turned to look at Xu Yi with concern, "Son, are you tired? If you're tired, you can sleep. When we get to Changqiu City, I'll report to Vice Premier Chang, and then we'll go home."

"Dad, I'm fine. How are Grandpa and the others?"

Xu Yi shook his head and looked at his father's face again. There was no significant change, indicating that something had happened recently. What could have happened? Who would dare to take action against the Xu family? Grandpa was still one of the nine elders, after all.

Although Grandpa has retired, it was only in recent years. They say a tiger's power remains even after death, let alone when the old man is still alive and well.

Who would dare to take action against the Xu family?

"Rest assured, the old man is still in good health. Especially after retiring, he often talks about you. Now that you're back, he'll definitely want to keep you in his courtyard."

Xu Zhengchun chuckled, suddenly remembering something, "By the way, son, are you not going back to the mountain after this?"

"Dad, don't worry. Master has already sent me down the mountain."

A hint of bitterness appeared on Xu Yi's face, and he felt a bit reluctant. "Two months ago, when Master was traveling, he said my kung fu wasn't good enough and my divination skills weren't up to par. When he returned from his travels, he didn't even test my progress and just sent me down the mountain."

"Alright, alright, it's good that you're off the mountain. Since you're fully recovered, there's no need to endure this hardship anymore." Xu Zhengchun lightly coughed. As a deputy minister, he didn't want his son to talk about these feudal superstitions in front of the driver and secretary. It would be bad for the Xu family's reputation if it got out.

Moreover, when the old man had the old Taoist take Xu Yi away, it was just to save his life. The situation in the country was chaotic when Xu Yi was born, but it wasn't to make him a Taoist. Over the years, he had often mentioned bringing Xu Yi back, but the old man never agreed.

In the blink of an eye, twenty years had passed. How many twenty-year periods does a person have? Even if his son's talent was poor, with the Xu family's influence, he could have at least made a decent living after graduating from university and entering the political arena. But his son's twenty years were wasted.

"Son, have you thought about what you want to do in the future?"

Xu Zhengchun turned to look at Xu Yi, "Have you thought about going back to school? Although you're a bit older now, it's still possible to be a旁听生 (auditor) at a university. In today's society, you can't get by without knowledge and education."

"Dad, let me think about it when I get back. I should also listen to Grandpa's opinion, right?"

Xu Yi fell silent for a moment, then turned to look out the window. School, such a foreign concept. Changbai Mountain was his school, where he practiced martial arts, learned Daoist techniques, acupuncture, and how to catch rabbits and snow wolves. His teachers were nature and his master, and he was the only student. Of course, the lecherous bird could勉强 (barely) be considered a student as well.

Xu Zhengchun frowned, dissatisfied with his son's lack of ambition. Twenty years had been wasted, and if he didn't catch up soon, he would be left behind by his peers. The Xu family had a good reputation, and although the old man had always worked in the military, he had many friends in both the government and the military. With himself and Third Brother supporting the second generation, they had not disgraced the Xu family.

However, the third generation of the Xu family wasn't producing much talent, especially his own son, who was likely to disgrace the family. It was a hard life for the boy, who had been sickly since birth and had to become a Taoist to save his life. Fortunately, it was agreed that he could marry and have children, or he would never have allowed the old Taoist to take his son away.

However, it seemed that Xu Yi was unwilling to go back to school. Xu Zhengchun took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a puff, sighing. Thinking about his son's lonely and bitter life over the past twenty years, his dissatisfaction slowly faded.

The Audi had just entered Changqiu City when Xu Zhengchun's phone rang. He took it out and answered, "Director Sun, hello."

"Minister Xu, the work here is done. Is there anything else on your end? If not, we'll leave first."

"No, no, everything is fine. You can go ahead. I'll follow shortly."

Xu Zhengchun smiled and hung up, instructing the driver to go directly to Beijing instead of the Liaoh River Provincial Party Committee compound. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

In the setting sun, the large black Audi sped towards Beijing.

Xu Yi had wanted to cast a divination for his father, but after a busy day, he felt tired. His mood was fluctuating between joy and worry, and as soon as he relaxed, a wave of drowsiness washed over him. He leaned his head back and fell into a deep sleep.

Wan Quan, Xu Zhengchun's secretary, sitting in the front passenger seat, looked up at the rearview mirror. Xu Yi was already sound asleep, and a hint of bitterness appeared on his face.

He had heard the conversation between Xu Zhengchun and Xu Yi. Having followed Xu Zhengchun for so many years, Wan Quan knew his boss well. Among the offspring of the Xu family, Xu Zhengchun was an outstanding figure, not only because of his outstanding abilities but also because of his steady and pragmatic work style.

Moreover, Xu Zhengchun was a clean and upright official, having worked in several departments, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Industry, all of which had good reputations. He was also very strict with his family, which is why, at over fifty, he had become a leading figure among the younger generation of officials.

Xu Zhengchun had a straightforward and upright personality but was also somewhat concerned about his reputation. His daughter, Xu Lin, was already a deputy director-level official at under thirty, but as a woman, she couldn't be the hope for the Xu family's rise.

Xu Zhengchun's son, Xu Yi, was said to have been sickly since childhood and almost died at the age of three. Fortunately, an old Taoist saved his life and took him away, and he didn't return for twenty years.

For the families in Beijing, the heir could be mediocre, even a playboy, but they had to be normal, someone who could graduate from a university and enter the political system.

However, Xu Zhengchun's only son, Xu Yi, was not normal. He left Beijing at the age of three and didn't attend university for twenty years. He learned feudal and superstitious practices like divination and feng shui, which, despite being labeled as Daoist, were still feudal and superstitious.

How could such a person bear the responsibility of making the Xu family rise?

Wan Quan sighed inwardly, understanding his boss's dilemma and why he wanted Xu Yi to go to university, even as an auditor.

With the Xu family's influence, it wouldn't be a problem to get Xu Yi into any university in the country, and his academic records from primary to high school could be arranged perfectly. He could then graduate and enter the political arena.

However, such a move was too risky. Xu Yi was already older and had been isolated from the world for twenty years. Whether he understood the ways of the political arena or not, he likely knew little about social norms. Such a person entering the political arena could become a stain on the Xu family.

Moreover, no matter how secret such a move was, it would eventually leak out. If political opponents publicized it, the Xu family would lose face, especially in matters of official appointments. If the political opponents seized on it, the impact would be significant.

In that case, Xu Yi's return could only bring the Xu family the joy of family reunions and make him a playboy. However, even if Xu Yi wanted to be a playboy, he would be constrained. The Xu family was not a wealthy and influential family, and no one was involved in business, so their economic foundation was not solid.

Xu Yi was a waste, Wan Quan turned to look out the window, sighing.

The large black Audi sped down the highway in the night. Xu Zhengchun opened his eyes at the right moment, looking at Xu Yi, who was sound asleep beside him, with a sad expression.

"Minister, there's a clothing store ahead."

Wan Quan looked back at Xu Yi, who was wearing a Taoist robe, and said softly.

"Good, get out and buy a set of clothes for Xiao Yi."

Xu Zhengchun nodded, his voice revealing a hint of helplessness. He took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a puff. The neon lights shone through the glass, illuminating his resolute face.

The car slowly came to a stop. Xu Yi opened his eyes, stretched, and a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes.

Page AD begins

Page AD ends