Chapter 5: Returning Home Part Two

  The black Audi sped down the highway like lightning, with Xu Yi sitting in the back seat, watching the scenery fly by quickly, his eyebrows tightly furrowed.

  After getting on the car, Xu Yi carefully looked at his father's face and found that his Yintang was somewhat dim, which had changed a lot compared to the previous photos. What happened?

  "Dad, I've already picked up Xiao Yi. Yes, right in the county town of Wusong. We have to thank Uncle for this too. If it weren't for their real-time tracking information, we wouldn't have been able to pick up Xiao Yi so smoothly."

  Xu Zhengchun did not notice Xu Yi's change, he was making a phone call home, and smoothly got through to Xu Yi who naturally wanted to report to the old man waiting at home as soon as possible.

  "Dad, don't worry about this, I understand what's going on. I'll report to Director Chang and besides, by the time we get back to Changqiu City, the inspection team's work should be over too. Director Chang said he has to return to Beijing tonight."

  Xu Zhengchun smiled, "Dad, should we also inform my sister and third brother? Ah, you've already informed them. Alright, after returning to Beijing tonight, I'll head straight to your place."

  "Xiao Yi, your grandfather told us to go directly to his courtyard in Xishan."

  Xu Zhengchun hung up the phone, turned his head and took a look at Xu Yi, with a worried face asked, "Son, are you tired? If you're tired, take a nap. After we arrive in Changqiu City later, I'll go report to Vice Premier Chang, then we can head home."

  "Dad, I'm fine, how are Grandpa and Grandma?"

  Xu shook his head again, took another look at his father's face, and basically didn't see much difference. It was clear that something had happened recently. What exactly had happened? How could someone dare to make a move on the Xu family? After all, Grandpa was one of the nine leaders.

  Although Grandpa has retired now, it's only been a few years. As the saying goes, "a tiger's power remains even after its death", let alone when the old man is still alive and well.

  Who dares to lay hands on Lao Xu's family?

  "Don't worry, the old master's body is still healthy, especially after retiring and not stopping thinking about you. Now that you're back, he must want to keep you in his courtyard."

  Xu Zhengchun smiled and suddenly remembered something, "Right, son, you won't be coming back after going down the mountain this time, will you?"

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

  Xu's face revealed a hint of bitter smile, and his heart felt a tinge of reluctance. "Two months ago, when Master was traveling, he said my kung fu wasn't good enough, and I hadn't mastered the art of divination by astrology. This time, after returning from his travels, he didn't even bother to assess my progress, but instead told me to leave the mountain directly."

  "Alright, alright, it's fine now that you're fully recovered, there's no need to continue with this suffering." Xu Zhengchun lightly coughed, after all, he was a deputy ministerial leader, and his son openly talked about these feudal superstitions in front of the driver and secretary. If word got out, it wouldn't be good for the reputation of the Xu family.

  Moreover, when the old master let the old Taoist take Xu Yi away at first, it was only to save Xu Yi's life. In addition, Xu Yi was born in a year when the domestic situation was chaotic, and it was not for Xu Yi to become a Taoist. These years he has also mentioned many times to the old master about bringing Xu Yi back, but the old master just doesn't agree.

  Twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye, twenty years, how many twenty years does a person have in their life? Even if his son's talent is not good enough, with the influence of the old Xu family, after graduating from university and entering officialdom, he should be able to mix up some kind of figure. But his son's twenty years were spent like this.

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

  Xu Zhengchun turned his head to look at Xu Yi's face, "Have you ever thought about going back to school to study? Although you're a bit older now, it's not a problem to go to university as an auditor. In today's society, having no cultural knowledge is unacceptable."

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

  Xu Yi fell silent for a moment, then turned his head to look out the window. School, what a strange word. Changbai Mountain was his school, where he practiced martial arts, learned acupuncture, studied tactics, and learned how to catch rabbits and snow wolves. His teachers were nature and his master, and he was the only student, except for that colorful bird who could barely be counted as one.

  Xu Zhengchun furrowed his brow, somewhat dissatisfied with his son's lack of ambition. Having already wasted twenty years, if he didn't seize the opportunity to catch up now, he would inevitably be abandoned by his peers. The Xu family had some reputation after all, and although Old Man Xu had always worked in the Military Commission, he had many friends in both the government and the opposition. With himself and Eldest Brother supporting him, they managed not to bring shame to the Xu family.

  The third generation of the He family didn't produce many talents, especially their own son who was likely to bring shame to the He family. It's also this young man's misfortune that he had poor health since birth and had no choice but to leave home to study Taoism. Fortunately, it was made clear back then that one could still get married, have children, and carry on the family line after becoming a Taoist priest; otherwise, there was no way he would have agreed to let the old Taoist take his son away.

  However, seeing his son like this, he was probably unwilling to read books. Xuzhengchun took out a cigarette and lit it, taking a sip, and sighed with a hint of sadness, thinking of the hardships his son had endured alone for twenty years, and the dissatisfaction in his heart slowly dissipated.

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

  "Minister Xu, we've finished our work here. Is there anything else you need to take care of on your end? If not, we can head out from this side first."

  "It's okay, it's okay, I'm fine here, you guys go ahead first, I'll catch up later."

  Xu Zhengchun smiled and hung up the phone, instructing the driver not to return to the Liaoning Provincial Party Committee compound but to head back to Beijing directly. Then he leaned his head against the car seat and slowly closed his eyes.

  Under the sunset, a black Audi sped all the way towards Beijing.

  Xu Yi Ben thought of telling his father's fortune, but after a busy day he felt somewhat tired. With his mood fluctuating between joy and worry, as soon as he relaxed, fatigue rushed in like a tidal wave, and with his head leaning against the back of the chair, he fell fast asleep.

  Sitting in the passenger seat was Xu Zhengchun's secretary, Wanquan. He raised his head and glanced at the rearview mirror inside the car, where Xu Yi had already fallen asleep with a bitter smile on his face.

  Just now, Wanquan heard the conversation between Xu Zhengchun and Xu Yi. Having followed Xu Zhengchun for so many years, Wanquan naturally understood what kind of person his boss was. Among the children of the wealthy and influential families like the Xu family, Xu Zhengchun was absolutely a top-notch talent among his peers, not only because of his outstanding abilities but also because he worked in a practical and steady manner.

  Moreover, Xu Zhengchun was a clean and honest official. He had been in several departments such as the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Industry, without any department having a bad reputation. Moreover, he also had very strict requirements for his family members. It is precisely because of this that he has become one of the outstanding young leaders in his 50s.

  Xu Zhengchun is a man of upright character, but he has a bit of a good face. His daughter Xu Lin is already a deputy director-level leader before the age of thirty, however, Xu Lin is after all a woman and not enough to be the hope for the rise of the Xu family.

  Xu Zhengchun's son, Xu Yi, was said to be weak and sickly from a young age. At the age of three, he almost died from illness, but was saved by an old Taoist priest who took him away, not to return for twenty years.

  For those families in the capital, the heir can be mediocre, can be a spoiled brat, and can even be dissolute, but must be a normal person, a normal person who can read books and graduate to enter the system.

  However, Xu Zhongchun's only son, Xu Yi, is not a normal person. He left the capital at the age of three and did not attend university for twenty years. Instead, he studied feudal decadent ideas such as divination, astrology, Feng Shui, and other superstitions. Although they are disguised under the name of Taoism, which seems to be more noble, in fact, they are all feudal cultural thoughts.

  How can such a useless person like Xu Yi possibly take on the responsibility of making the Xu family rise again?

  Wan Quan secretly sighed, somewhat understanding the boss's inner conflict and why he wanted to let Xu Yi attend university, even if it was just as an auditor.

  With the power of the Lao Xu family, it's not a problem to send Xu Yi directly to any university in the country, and his academic record from primary school to high school will be perfectly arranged. Then, graduating and entering officialdom is also possible.

  However, such actions are too dangerous. On the one hand, Xu Yi is old and has been isolated from the world for 20 years. It's not to mention whether he understands officialdom or not, but he may know little about human relationships and worldly affairs. Such a person entering officialdom may become a stain on the Xu family.

  Another thing is that no matter how secretly this matter is handled, it will still be leaked out. Once the political opponents publicize it, the Lao Xu family will suffer a great loss of face, especially when it comes to the appointment and removal of officials. This kind of thing can be big or small, but if the political opponents grasp it tightly, the impact will naturally be very large.

  So, it seems that when Xu Yi returns, apart from allowing the Xu family to enjoy some familial bliss, he can only become a spoiled son who indulges in food, drink, and pleasure. However, if Xu Yi wants to be a carefree and indulgent spoiled son, he might find himself constrained. After all, the Xu family is not a wealthy or influential clan, nor do they have any involvement in commerce, so their economic foundation is naturally not that solid.

  What a useless person, Wan Quan turned his head to look out of the window, and let out a sigh in his heart.

  The black Audi sped down the highway in the darkness, and Xu Zhengchun opened his eyes at the right time, took a look at Xu Yi who was sleeping soundly beside him, and revealed a hint of desolation on his face.

  "Minister, there is a clothing store up ahead."

  Wan Quan turned his head and took a glance at Xu Yi who was wearing a Taoist robe, then softly said a sentence.

  "Okay, you get off and buy a set of clothes for Xiao Yi."

  Xu Zhengchun nodded, his voice revealing a hint of helplessness. He pulled out a cigarette, lit it and took a drag. The neon lights shone through the glass, casting a reflection on his resolute cheek.

  The car slowed down and came to a stop. Xu Yi opened her eyes, stretched lazily, and a hint of sadness flashed in her eyes.