Chapter 2

Listen to the autumn wind rustling!

The closer Wang Chong got to the main hall, the more nervous he became. Perhaps it was true that only those who had lost something truly understood its value.

In his previous life, he had been aimless and indifferent, not caring about anything. It was hard to imagine that just going to have a meal could make him so nervous.

"This must be what they call the fear of returning home," Wang Chong thought to himself. He lifted his head, and before him stood the two lion-headed doors, leading to the family dining hall.

The Wang family was not a noble household with strict rules, but they were a family of high-ranking officials. Although his mother had not set many strict rules, the customs of a large family still existed.

There were many children in the family, and regardless of who it was, including his father, if they were still in the capital, they had to gather for a meal once a week. Everyone would sit around a large table and enjoy a happy meal together.

This was the last day of Wang Chong's confinement and the first family gathering in seven days. However, what Wang Chong was concerned about was not this.

If everything went as expected, his father would have returned from outside by now. Due to his official duties, his father left early in the morning and returned late at night, and even as his son, Wang Chong could not see him whenever he wanted.

After that incident, his father would soon leave the capital and return to the military camp. He might not see his father for at least half a year.

If he wanted to prevent that incident and change the fate of the family, this family gathering was the best and last opportunity.

But would his father believe him?

Wang Chong thought about himself and fell silent.

As the saying goes, "You reap what you sow." In his previous life, he had considered himself a穿越者 (穿越者 means "穿越者" in Chinese, which can be translated as "time traveler" or "穿越者" in a more literal sense, but in this context, it refers to someone who has been transported to another world or era), and he had been cynical and carefree, doing many foolish things.

In the early days, he had wanted to live freely in this world, staying out all night and making a lot of bad friends.

The "Ma Zhou" that his younger sister mentioned was one of them.

In his previous life, Wang Chong had been straightforward and honest, not thinking much about the ulterior motives of others. He had always believed that friends should be honest with each other. Little did he know that these second-generation rich kids had deep thoughts, calling him brother to his face but stabbing him in the back.

These guys had used his name to cause chaos outside, even to the point of forcibly taking a woman in broad daylight.

Other things could be forgiven, but "forcibly taking a woman" was too much. Even his father, who rarely disciplined him, was furious when he heard about it and rushed back from the camp.

Wang Chong was then confined for seven days.

In this matter, his father had completely lost hope in him. After he had traveled to this world, although he had been rebellious for a long time and done many outrageous things, he had not sunk to such a level.

But forcibly taking a woman...

This had crossed his father's底线 (底线 means "底线" in Chinese, which can be translated as "bottom line" or "limit" in this context), and from then on, his father had given up on him and stopped paying attention.

Wang Chong only found out about this much later. Being betrayed by Ma Zhou and his gang had left him feeling very depressed.

But he couldn't say anything about it. If he had been more discerning, he wouldn't have been betrayed. Given his parents' current mood, no matter what he said, they probably wouldn't listen.

What could a good-for-nothing rich kid say or do that would be taken seriously?

Thinking about this, Wang Chong felt bitter. He had to bear the consequences of his own actions.

"No matter what, I can't continue being such a fool. No matter what, I must change my father's impression of me."

Wang Chong knew that to change his parents' preconceived notions, this family gathering was the last chance. He had to make them understand that he was no longer the same person.

He had to gradually win back their trust in him.

Wang Chong took a deep breath, knowing what he had to do.

"Master!"

The lion-headed doors were tightly closed. Seeing Wang Chong approach, the two strong guards at the entrance immediately bowed and saluted.

These two men, with their broad shoulders and backs, stood like door gods, clearly seasoned soldiers from the battlefield.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Wang Chong paused beside them and said sincerely.

He recognized these two guards. They were chosen by his father, Wang Yan, from the military camp to stay in the mansion.

In his previous life, Wang Chong had never cared about the names of these guards. It was only after the family's great upheaval, when all the guards and servants had scattered, that these two guards, along with a few others, had remained loyal and stayed by his side.

Even during the great chaos, these two guards had died while still performing their duties.

It was then that Wang Chong deeply remembered their names: Shen Hai and Meng Long, the most loyal guards in the mansion.

"Master?"

The two guards stared at Wang Chong, greatly surprised. In the past, this master had always been arrogant and rebellious, never speaking to them.

This was the first time he had greeted them!

Both of them saw the surprise in each other's eyes.

Wang Chong knew what they were thinking, smiled, and did not explain. It would take time to change his image, which had been so poor.

But taking the first step would lead to the second, and eventually, they would see that he had truly changed.

With his hands on the lion-headed door rings, Wang Chong pushed the door open and walked in. The creaking of the door echoed loudly in the main hall.

"Smells good!"

Wang Chong walked in and, before he could see clearly, the rich aroma of the dishes filled his nose. In the large room, a table for a dozen people was set, with over twenty sumptuous dishes.

"It's been a long time since I've had such a feast."

The aroma made Wang Chong feel hungry. He remembered that during his seven days of confinement, the food had been very plain, nothing like this.

However, although the dishes were sumptuous, the atmosphere in the hall was not right.

Wang Chong was slightly startled. He looked up and immediately saw his father and mother sitting at the long table, their faces as cold as water, not looking at him.

The table was filled with the aroma of food, but neither of them had touched it. Only his younger sister, the big eater, was buried in her food, one hand holding chopsticks and the other a bowl, her mouth wide open, her two pigtails bouncing as she ate.

Wang Chong's younger sister had two main hobbies: eating and playing.

The first time he saw her eat, he had almost been scared to death. She was more like a hungry giant beast than a little girl.

But thinking about her incredible strength, Wang Chong later understood.

In the family, only his younger sister was allowed to eat whenever she wanted. However, this time, her bowl was silent, and her mouth was wide open, clearly aware of the tense atmosphere.

The entire hall was deathly silent.

"You! Are! Dead!"

His younger sister, holding her bowl, gave him a sympathetic look while eating. She could already see his miserable fate.

Although the little girl was innocent, she was also very vengeful and had not forgotten how he had tricked her before!

Wang Chong had no time to deal with his annoying younger sister. He knew that although his parents had released him, the matter was far from over.

"Father, Mother!"

Wang Chong did not sit down at the table in silence as usual, burying his head like an ostrich. Instead, he walked around the table and stopped beside his parents.

His younger sister watched his actions with her mouth open.

What was her brother doing? Didn't he know that their parents were still angry? Walking over now was like asking for trouble!

But what happened next surprised the younger sister even more:

"About this matter, I know I was wrong. From now on, I will cut ties with those people and not associate with them anymore."

Wang Chong said, his head lowered.

"Clatter!"

His younger sister, holding her chopsticks, looked at her brother in shock. Was this really happening? Her brother was actually admitting his mistake.

Had she heard wrong?

She rubbed her eyes and realized she had not heard wrong.

In the hall, the heavy, oppressive atmosphere suddenly eased. On the main seat at the table, a middle-aged woman in a green silk robe with large peony flowers, her hair styled in a cloud bun, looked at Wang Chong with a mix of surprise and shock.

This child was actually admitting his mistake?

Zhao Shuhua almost couldn't believe her ears. She had scolded him countless times, but he had never listened. Even confinement and beatings had not changed him.

Sometimes, Zhao Shuhua felt like a complete failure as a mother, which made her very depressed, though she never showed it to her children.

But this time, he was actually apologizing. Could this child really have changed?

For a moment, Zhao Shuhua was at a loss.

She hoped her child had truly changed, but she was afraid it was just wishful thinking. After all, his previous behavior had been terrible.

"You, my rebellious son! Do you even know what you did wrong?"

A cold voice came from beside Wang Chong. It was his father, Wang Yan, who had a stern face and piercing eyes, sitting there like a spear, exuding a powerful presence.

The "Li Ji" says, "A father should be kind, and a son should be filial," but Wang Chong felt a great deal of pressure. He knew that this was actually the result of his father restraining his aura.

"You speak as if Chong cannot change. Didn't you hear him admit his mistake?"

Zhao Shuhua, who had been worried that Wang Chong was just trying to please her, was immediately displeased by her husband's words. Women were not supposed to interfere in politics, but Zhao Shuhua never meddled in her husband's political or military affairs.

However, with her husband often away leading troops, the household, including the four children and the large mansion, was managed by her. In matters of educating the children, she had absolute authority.

Although her husband was a great general, he had no influence in this area.

Wang Chong, though his head was lowered, could clearly see that his father, Wang Yan, though still cold-faced and not looking at him, had slightly relaxed his expression, not as rigid and tense as before.

Clearly, his apology had not been in vain.

"Father, I was indeed too rebellious and foolish, causing you and Mother worry. From now on, I will change and start anew."

Wang Chong said, his head still lowered.

His words made both his father and mother look up, seeing the surprise in each other's eyes. This rebellious son had apologized before, but this time, he had not argued back after being scolded. This was truly unprecedented.

Once might be a coincidence, but twice was a pattern. Could this rebellious son really have changed and realized his mistakes?

"Chong, don't listen to your father. Sit down and eat. It's not good to have a stern face during a family meal."

Wang's mother quickly instructed.

Wang Chong responded with a "yes" and returned to his seat, sitting properly with his eyes downcast, not moving. His parents had not started eating, so he did not either.

This behavior surprised his parents even more.

"This child has really changed."

At this moment, Wang's mother, Zhao Shuhua, was the most relieved.

Who doesn't hope their children will succeed?

Unfortunately, this child's behavior had been so disappointing. Could her prayers have been answered, and this child really grown up?

At this moment, Zhao Shuhua was almost moved to tears.