Siheyuan: The Era of Struggle

Chapter 399 Hoping for a Son's Success
By now, the middle-aged policeman had realized that he had been misled by the informant. He would believe that these people went to the black market to buy grain, but to say that they were reselling large quantities of grain was just nonsense.

Seeing Zhang Lide's work ID further solidified my belief in this.

Who has ever seen a competent deputy director or deputy division-level cadre not running a black market to resell goods? If he were to report this back, his superiors would probably give him a hard time, even if they didn't reprimand him.

Actually, this is due to the ingrained mindset of middle-aged police officers, who always believe that high-ranking officials' families will have an easier life.

But to be honest, right now most high-ranking officials with large families are also having a hard time. They are no different from ordinary people and are also tightening their belts to make ends meet.

The middle-aged policeman no longer had a good impression of He Yuanchao, and he was also unwilling to get too involved with Zhang Lide. He was too high-ranking, and he didn't want to get any benefits while being a bystander.

After asking a few simple questions and recording the names and workplaces of the people, the middle-aged policeman led the other three policemen out of the restaurant.

No matter the era, ordinary people don't want to be associated with people in uniforms and carrying guns.

The people eating in the restaurant now looked at He Yuanchao and his group with some fear, and spoke cautiously. The restaurant was much quieter now, without the noise from before.

Two people who had finished their meal and were planning to sit and chat for a while to pass the time got up and left the restaurant as soon as they saw this, no longer wanting to watch the excitement.

Standing to the side, Liu Caixia ignored the guests leaving and walked to He Yuanchao's side. After watching the four policemen walk out of the restaurant, she lowered her voice and said:
"Brother who aided Korea, what does the Public Security Bureau want with you? Is it about the food?"

Liu Caixia had been urging the head chef to cook in the kitchen. When she came over after hearing the commotion, she only heard something about reporting something, but didn't hear what it was about.

Seeing the nervous look on Liu Caixia's face, He Yuanchao knew she was afraid of being implicated, so he quickly explained the reason for the matter.

Liu Caixia's face turned ashen after hearing this, and she gritted her teeth and whispered:

"I know who reported her. I never imagined that the bitch took leave for this. That damn thing, I'll teach her a lesson tomorrow..."

After more than half a year of experience, He Yuanchao has gained a basic understanding of the art of intrigue and backstabbing.

Upon hearing Liu Caixia's words, he immediately thought of the middle-aged woman who had glared at him for no reason earlier.

This woman is quite ruthless; she always targets vital areas. If it weren't for our high-ranking positions, we probably would have ended up going to the police station even without evidence.

He Yuanchao wasn't a magnanimous person at heart, but this time he really didn't intend to do anything to the middle-aged woman. Firstly, he hadn't lost anything, and secondly, he was about to return to the capital, and he would never see this woman again, so there was no need to cause trouble.

Besides, the more you ignore someone who only talks behind your back, the more frustrated and angry they become.

Seeing Liu Caixia's indignant and fierce expression, He Yuanchao smiled and comforted her:
"Alright, sis, it's not worth getting angry with this kind of person. We've not lost anything, so let's not cause any more trouble. Once we know what kind of person she is, we can just stay away from her in the future."

Liu Caixia nodded in agreement, but in her heart she was thinking about finding an opportunity to teach that damned woman a lesson.

After such an incident, the group lost their appetite for drinking. They quickly filled their stomachs, paid for their tickets, and returned to the guesthouse early.

Driver Xiao Wang thought he would have to drive back to Yuantai at night, but unexpectedly Zhang Lide said he would stay in Yangqu for two more days. Xiao Wang was very happy and returned to his room with a satisfied smile.

As for the near-being taken away by the police, it's nothing compared to the delicious meal of three meals at a restaurant that day!

He Yuanchao didn't want to get involved in the affairs of Zhang Lide and Zhang Zhao. He took out his key and was about to open his room when Zhang Lide stopped him. He had no choice but to follow Zhang Lide into his room.

Zhang Lide noticed He Yuanchao's reluctance, and after sitting down inside, he didn't waste any words and went straight to asking Zhang Zhao about the divorce.

"There are no outsiders here. Tell me, is this divorce a decision you've made up your mind, or just a momentary impulse?"

Zhang Zhao lowered his head, took out a cigarette, lit it, took a deep drag, and exhaled a long plume of smoke before raising his head. "It's not an impulsive decision; I've made up my mind that this divorce is inevitable."

Seeing that Zhang Lide and He Yuanchao were both looking at him, Zhang Zhao felt embarrassed. The courage he had just mustered vanished instantly, and he lowered his head to take deep drags on his cigarette.

Seeing Zhang Zhao's pathetic state, Zhang Lide didn't say anything, but got up, poured a glass of water, and handed it to him.

"Your life is your own, and I have no right to interfere with your decisions, but what about Dongdong?"

Upon hearing his son mentioned, Zhang Zhao looked up and replied without hesitation, "Dongdong's surname is Zhang, so of course he'll stay with me. I can raise him no matter what."

His attitude was very firm, and his tone was very resolute.

Zhang Lide nodded and sat down on the bed opposite Zhang Zhao, saying, "I believe you can raise him, but have you considered what will happen if the Lü family doesn't agree to give the child to you?"

Zhang Zhao had just breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Zhang Lide didn't object to her divorce, but upon hearing this, she immediately became nervous again.

"Impossible. Besides, the child is mine. Why shouldn't the Lü family give him to me?"

Zhang Lide originally intended to talk to Zhang Zhao calmly, but upon hearing his childish words, he couldn't help but frown and say:

“Why is it impossible? You are the child’s father, so isn’t Lü Wenli the child’s mother? Even if a lawsuit is filed, the court will favor the child staying with the mother.”

At this point, Zhang Lide stopped speaking, looking at the dejected and irresponsible Zhang Zhao. He shook his head, sighed, and then continued:

"The best solution now is to get the Lü family to voluntarily give up custody of the child; otherwise, the chances of us taking the child away are very slim."

"What should I do?"

Upon hearing that he might not be able to take Dongdong with him, Zhang Zhao immediately became anxious. He stood up abruptly, walked up to Zhang Lide, and asked him with exaggerated gestures.

Zhang Lide couldn't stand Zhang Zhao's indecisiveness and retorted irritably.

"If I knew what to do, why would I be asking you? Can't you use your own brain for everything?"

After being scolded by Zhang Lide, Zhang Zhao became much more obedient. He sat back in his chair, took out a cigarette, lit it, and scratched his head, trying to think of a solution.

Sometimes, those involved are confused while bystanders see things clearly. Zhang Lide's anxious expression seemed fake; he definitely already had a solution. Zhang Zhao didn't notice, but He Yuanchao did.

Upon further thought, He Yuanchao guessed Zhang Lide's purpose, and without saying a word, he got up and poured himself a glass of water.

Zhang Zhao finished his cigarette but still couldn't come up with a good solution. He looked up at Zhang Lide and saw that he was frowning and obviously had no ideas either. After hesitating for a moment, he turned to look at He Yuanchao.

This brother-in-law is a man of vision. If he has a way, he's willing to put aside all pride and appearances for his son.

Looking at the pitiful Zhang Zhao, He Yuanchao did not quite agree with Zhang Lide's approach.

Professor Zhang Zhao's ideas about life and conduct are not wrong, but there's a right time to do them! Right now, Zhang Zhao is so anxious, how can he calm down and think about things?

Besides, Zhang Zhao isn't a quick-witted person. No matter how much you force him, it won't work. It's better to set an example and let him figure it out on his own!

Thinking this, He Yuanchao was unwilling to see Zhang Zhao suffer, so after organizing his thoughts, he told his brother-in-law a solution.

(End of this chapter)