Chapter 85

"Father, I was wrong!"

Shu Yunlong knelt down in front of Shu Fang with a thud, hugging his father's legs, and for a moment, he sobbed uncontrollably, filled with regret and self-blame, his heart aching.

After a long while, Shu Fang said, "It's good that you know you were wrong. When your mother comes out, we'll move to the factory. You should take a break from school for a while. I'll use my connections to get you a job at the factory. Once our family's finances improve, you can return to school and continue your studies."

Shu Yunlong had no objections, only nodding. To him, continuing university now seemed pointless, and returning to school would only make him a laughingstock.

Silence fell in the rented apartment!

---

Chen Dasheng never expected things to escalate to this point. Throughout the entire incident, he had never initiated any trouble; everything was due to Shu Yunlong's own actions. Therefore, Chen Dasheng felt no guilt over Shu Yunlong's withdrawal from school. Everyone was an adult and had to bear the consequences of their actions.

On Friday, Shu Yunlong withdrew from school, causing a significant stir in the Materials and Chemistry Department. Wang Hu and others had long known about the Shu family's misfortune. In recent days, they either avoided Chen Dasheng or actively tried to befriend him. No one dared to underestimate this seemingly ordinary rural youth anymore.

"Brother Sheng, it's Saturday tomorrow. Do you have any plans for the weekend?" After class at noon, Guo Hui asked Chen Dasheng.

Chen Dasheng, while packing his things, replied, "What do you want to do?"

Guo Hui chuckled, "The weather has been so nice lately. Let's call Potato and Egg and find a place to play mahjong."

"Are you really a dog that can't stop eating shit? Have you forgotten the last lesson?" Chen Dasheng raised his head and gave Guo Hui a look, saying, "My sister is coming back today, so I don't have the time to play with you guys!"

"Come on, if your sister is back, she's back. We can still play, it won't be a problem!" Guo Hui said.

Chen Dasheng hit Guo Hui on the head with his book and said, "You know nothing. You guys play on your own. Just don't lose your pants. Don't even think about me coming to save you again."

Guo Hui's face twitched, "If you don't come, we'll only have three people. We're one short."

"Three short? Don't you know how to play Landlord? Besides, it's easy to find someone. Egg has a girlfriend, why not ask her to join?"

"Forget it, Egg's woman doesn't even know how many tiles are in a mahjong set. What kind of game is that?" Guo Hui rolled his eyes.

Chen Dasheng shrugged, "Isn't that perfect? You can make some pocket money from a beginner!"

Guo Hui was speechless. Playing cards with a gambling master was indeed suicidal. He just wanted to use this opportunity to learn a few gambling tricks from Chen Dasheng, but that plan was now ruined.

"By the way, what does Egg's girlfriend look like?" As they walked out after packing their things, Chen Dasheng asked, puzzled. He had thought Guo Hui was joking when he mentioned Egg having a girlfriend. With Egg's appearance, which resembled testicles, how could any woman like him?

Guo Hui shrugged, "They look like a perfect match, just like a pair!"

"Hmm?"

Chen Dasheng was taken aback. Although the short sentence didn't describe her beauty, an image of Egg's girlfriend formed in his mind. For some reason, the corners of Chen Dasheng's mouth curved upward involuntarily.

---

There were no more classes in the afternoon, so Chen Dasheng took the bus back to Wenshu Temple. Last night, Chen Xiaoli had called him, repeatedly urging him to bring an elder home today, and to hurry back after class and dress neatly.

Chen Dasheng was somewhat puzzled. Who could this person be that made Chen Xiaoli so cautious? He and Chen Xiaoli had grown up together, and he had never heard of any relatives or elders.

Chen Dasheng strolled toward Sister's Workshop. The street was bustling with people, and various snack stalls lined the way from one end to the other. The vendors called out enthusiastically, greeting the passing faces, creating a lively scene.

Bang!

While Chen Dasheng was lost in thought, he was suddenly bumped on the shoulder as he approached the entrance of Sister's Workshop.

Frowning, he turned to see a frail old man with gray hair and a thin build.

"Sorry, sorry!"

The old man's face was dark and wrinkled, clearly weathered by life. He was dressed simply, with a thin Zhongshan suit that had two patches, and his back was slightly hunched. He repeatedly apologized to Chen Dasheng, his eyes filled with regret.

"It's okay, sir, are you alright?" Chen Dasheng was initially annoyed at being bumped, but seeing the frail old man, his anger dissipated.

"I'm fine, I'm fine!"

The old man waved his hands hurriedly, smiled at Chen Dasheng, and turned to leave.

Chen Dasheng was taken aback, then his lips curved slightly. He had often seen news stories on TV about old people falling and asking for help, and he had been slightly worried that this old man might be a scammer. But now, he realized he had overthought it.

"Life should be more positive!" Chen Dasheng smiled contentedly as he watched the old man's back.

"Damn!"

Just as he turned, Chen Dasheng's face suddenly changed, and he cursed, chasing after the old man.

The people around him were stunned, seeing a young man cursing and chasing someone, with no idea what was happening. Those in his path quickly moved out of the way to avoid being hit by the furious Chen Dasheng.

The old man, seeing Chen Dasheng chasing him, his face changed dramatically, and he suddenly ran faster, moving like a monkey, completely at odds with his frail appearance.

"Old man, stop right there!"

Chen Dasheng shouted, watching the old man dodge left and right, about to run out of the street. He grabbed a piece of stinky tofu from a nearby stall, gathered his strength, and threw it at the old man.

"Ouch!"

The stinky tofu whizzed through the air and hit the old man's right knee, causing him to stumble and fall with a thud.

The old man, who had been running at high speed, was dazed and groaned in pain on the ground. The people around him immediately formed a circle, hesitant to help until they understood the situation.

Chen Dasheng walked over, a cold smile on his face, "You thought you could run, didn't you?"

The old man felt around on the ground and found the smashed stinky tofu that had caused him to fall. His face showed a strange expression.

Seeing Chen Dasheng approach, a look of fear flashed across the old man's weathered face, and he stammered, "W-What do you want?"

"What do I want?" Chen Dasheng was both amused and angry, squatting in front of the old man, "Where's my wallet? Give it back to me!"

Just as Chen Dasheng was feeling positive about life, he reached into his pocket and found his wallet missing. Recalling the old man's sudden bump, he immediately realized he had been pickpocketed. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and didn't let the old man get away.

"What wallet?" The old man struggled to sit up, looking at Chen Dasheng with an innocent expression, "Young man, don't make false accusations. How could your wallet be with me?"

"Ha?" Chen Dasheng had expected the old man wouldn't admit it easily, "If you didn't steal it, why did you run?"

The old man still looked innocent, "Of course I ran when you chased me!"

"You're quite good at lying. Hand over the wallet, or I'll call the police!" Chen Dasheng frowned. He was almost 100% sure that this old man had stolen his wallet. Tired of the old man's nonsense, he ignored the onlookers and shouted at him.