Siheyuan: Domineering life

That evening, the group of guests rested at Yang Jun's manor.

Their estate wasn't finished yet, so they had to stay with Yang Jun for the time being. Of course, some young people, being playful and afraid of being restrained by adults, went straight to the hotel in town.

The next morning, after Yang Jun got up and washed, he paced around the yard with his hands behind his back.

Although the manor was built in the style of Peng Garden, there were many subtle differences. He wanted to appreciate it properly. Sure enough, Xiao Wu was quite reliable. The manor not only gave people a sense of familiarity, but also brought surprises from time to time in the details. In particular, the decoration styles of each courtyard were not the same. There were Chinese gardens, Song Dynasty aesthetics, French style, and European style. The courtyard where Yang Jun was located was a typical example of Song Dynasty aesthetics.

He likes simplicity, and only Song's style can achieve all of this. However, Song's aesthetics also incorporates a lot of modern style, giving people a refreshing feeling, and it does not cause aesthetic fatigue even after looking at it for a long time.

Yang Jun visited each courtyard, giving high praise to Xiao Wu's good intentions.

As expected, the young man lived up to his expectations, managing the place perfectly, which greatly pleased him.

"dad!"

Yang Jun was admiring a Podocarpus macrophyllus tree in front of a Hui-style building when he suddenly heard someone calling him from behind, so he turned around.

When he saw the person behind him, his happy face suddenly turned gloomy.

"Are you still breastfeeding? Why do you follow me everywhere I go?"

Yang Jun stood with his hands behind his back, his face sullen and looking unhappy. He muttered, "I've come all this way, and you still won't let me have some peace and quiet?"

The visitor was none other than his eldest son, Yang Chengdao.

Yang Chengdao looked travel-worn, clearly having just arrived and hadn't had a chance to rest before coming to see him.

Upon hearing this, Yang Chengdao chuckled twice and, ignoring Yang Jun's dark expression, shamelessly approached.

"A father's journey of a thousand miles is a father's worry; I'm just missing you."

As Yang Chengdao spoke, he pulled out a cigarette and handed it to him.

Upon hearing this, Yang Jun's face twitched.

His eldest son completely inherited his thick-skinned style, and with so many years of experience, his skin is even thicker than a city wall, the kind that you can't poke with a knife.

"You're such a high-ranking leader, yet you're still so frivolous?" Yang Jun scolded as he took the cigarette.

"Hehe, no matter how high a leader I am, I'm still a junior in front of you, Dad." Yang Chengdao, with great tact, lit one for him and then lit one for himself as well.

Since entering the corrupt officialdom, this kid has picked up a whole host of bad habits, indulging in everything from eating and drinking to gambling and whoring, even surpassing his father in these vices.

"Why did you rush over from thousands of kilometers away? What happened?" Yang Jun asked.

"No."

Seeing Yang Jun's sharp gaze, Yang Chengdao quickly said, "Dad, it's really nothing. If something had happened, I would have called you already. I really miss you and Mom."

"Is it really okay?"

"It's okay."

Yang Jun rolled his eyes after hearing this.

In truth, he knew in his heart that if his son were alright, he would never have personally traveled thousands of kilometers to come here.

However, since he said that, it probably isn't a big deal.

So he walked over to a stone table with his hands behind his back, sat on a stool, and Yang Chengdao sat down opposite him.

"Tell me, what's going on?"

Yang Chengdao wanted to deny it, but seeing Yang Jun's murderous look, he quickly changed his tune and said, "You really can't hide anything from me, but... it's nothing serious, just a little disturbance, I've already taken care of it."

After she finished speaking, she told her son everything that had happened during that time.

The problems Yang Chengdao encountered were nothing more than work-related difficulties, but these difficulties were quickly resolved under his decisive methods. He came here this time to communicate with his father, after all, he was also under a lot of pressure and wanted to confide in him.

Yang Jun could understand the pressure his son was under. After all, he carried the lives of hundreds of people in the Yang family on his shoulders. Every move he made was related to the fate of the entire family. He dared not make a mistake and every step he took was like walking on thin ice.

He came here to talk about work and to see how he got to where he was back then.

"Hmm, you're not bad, kid."

"Completely exceeded my expectations, very good."

With a pleased smile, Yang Jun affirmed, "You've got half of my decisive and efficient style."

"Strike when the iron is hot, and once you strike, don't hold back. Even an eagle needs to go all out to catch a rabbit. Mercy to the enemy is cruelty to yourself."

"There is no mercy on this path. To put it bluntly, once you embark on this path, everyone on it will become your opponent. You must be ruthless to your enemies."

Yang Jun looked at his son with a face full of satisfaction, and became even happier. All his hard work over the years had not been in vain. His son had been raised to be the person he expected. Although he was not mature enough yet, he believed that he would be fine after two more years of training.

This is the path that can truly hone a person's character; that's how he walked this path step by step back then.

My son is in his thirties, still young, and will have plenty of time to develop his skills later, so there's no rush.

"Hehe, thanks for the compliment, Dad."

Yang Chengdao took a deep drag on his cigarette and said with a smile, "This is the first time in all these years that I've heard you praise me like this. I feel quite flattered."

"Do you feel uncomfortable if I don't scold you?" Yang Jun rolled his eyes at him.

"Hehe, you're absolutely right," Yang Cheng said. "The more you praise me, the more uncomfortable I feel."

"Why don't you scold me a couple of times?" Yang Chengdao approached with a grin.

Yang Jun remained silent upon hearing this.

After taking a couple of puffs of his cigarette, he said, "Chengdao, you've grown up. Dad can't beat or scold you like before. Besides, there's really nothing for Dad to criticize. Dad is very satisfied with how you are now."

Seeing his father's heartfelt approval, Yang Chengdao immediately straightened up and became serious, abandoning his previous lazy demeanor.

“When I was your age, I was still working hard in the steel rolling mill. I didn’t achieve as much as you did. You’ve accomplished in your thirties what I took sixty years to do. As your father, I’m already very proud.”

"Your future is limitless, and your father is very proud of you."

Yang Chengdao said solemnly, "Thank you, Dad."

"I am where I am today entirely because of your efforts. Without your hard work behind the scenes, I would not have achieved what I have today."

"Dad, thank you."

After saying that, Yang Chengdao suddenly stood up and bowed to Yang Jun.

"Sit down and talk." Yang Jun waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down. A smile played on his lips, and he was increasingly satisfied with his son.

"Why didn't you bring Bai He and her children with you this time?"

After sitting down again, Yang Chengdao lit another cigarette for himself and also lit one for Yang Jun.

"They don't want to come, they think it's too far."

"Yes, it's a few thousand kilometers away, and I wouldn't want to come either," Yang Jun chuckled.

Since marrying Bai He, Yang Chengdao has had two sons and a daughter, and they have lived a relatively happy life. Now that Yang Chengdao is working hard outside, the family business is managed by his daughter-in-law, Bai He. Yang Jun and Yi Qiushui basically no longer get involved in business matters, but they will still lend a hand when difficulties arise.

After so many years of experience, Bai He has gradually become a workplace elite, adept at handling interpersonal relationships and business matters, and basically capable of taking on major responsibilities on her own.

His son and daughter-in-law are so capable, which is why he and Yi Qiushui are able to travel and enjoy themselves so leisurely.

"Are my grandchildren all doing well?" Yang Jun asked.

"Hey, I'm fine."

Yang Chengdao gets a headache whenever he thinks about those kids. They're seven or eight years old, going through a rebellious teenage years. When they get naughty, they'll even bother the dogs. As their father, it's a real headache for him.

"If you don't cause the roof tiles to fall off the house even once, then..."

Seeing this, Yang Jun knew he was about to start nagging about the children again, so he interrupted, "Be more patient with the children."

"When you can't control your temper, think about how I treated you back then. I need to..."

"Hey, why am I suddenly remembering how you used to beat and scold me back then?" Yang Chengdao slapped his forehead and said.

"Nonsense, when have I ever hit or scolded you?" Yang Jun said sternly.

"You're getting old and your memory isn't what it used to be, but I remember it all. Out of all my brothers and sisters, I'm the one who got beaten by you the most," Yang Chengdao said, pursing his lips.

That's because you're the one who causes the most trouble.

"Hehe, you admit it now, and you even said you never hit or scolded me back then."

"I want my son to succeed, so of course I'm stricter with you. Don't you know I've never hit or scolded the other kids?" Yang Jun rolled his eyes.

"As long as you admit it, that's fine."

Yang Chengdao said with a smile, "I treat Mingchan the same way you treated me back then. I have high hopes for him. In the future, the whole Yang family business will be handed over to him, so of course I will be strict with him."

This time, Yang Jun did not refute.

As the third-generation successor of the Yang family, Yang Mingchan was placed on high hopes by the whole family. Of course, he was subject to stricter discipline, just like Yang Jun had done for Yang Chengdao back then, even stricter than before. The child was trained by Yang Chengdao every day at a young age.

Fortunately, Yang Mingchan's child inherited the excellent genes of the Yang family. He is strong and resilient, and also intelligent. At a young age, he already possesses the qualities of a dragon and phoenix, and he stands out among his peers. This is very gratifying.

Each generation of the Yang family's heirs undergoes training and upbringing unlike that of ordinary people. The family concentrates its best resources to hone this child, who is also the hope of the entire clan.

"Dad, I have good news for you. Baihe is pregnant again." Yang Chengdao sighed, "It's a boy."

Upon hearing this, Yang Jun paused for a moment, then said, "This is a good thing, why are you looking so gloomy?"

"Sigh, how can I not worry? Counting this child, we have four now. Why do I, as a father, feel so much pressure?" Yang Chengdao said, rubbing his face vigorously with both hands, deepening the wrinkles on his forehead.

"What bullshit pressure? I have more than twenty kids and I don't feel any pressure." Yang Jun glared at him.

“You’re not worried at all. With so many children, you can easily leave them to your aunts to take care of. You’re happy to be a hands-off parent,” Yang Chengdao said sourly.

Upon hearing this, Yang Jun paused for a moment, then said with an angry expression,
"Are you trying to make a veiled attack on me...?"

"Tell me, are you having an affair?"

How could Yang Jun not understand his son? He only needs to bend over to know what kind of shit he's going to take. Yang Chengdao wouldn't bring up this topic for no reason; he must be trying to get the ball rolling.

However, Yang Jun seemed to have anticipated this day.

It's hard not to get carried away when you're in a high position; if he can't even do it himself, how could his son possibly?

Once people have power and money, they will consume in all sorts of ways. For men, women are also a form of consumption. Moreover, men are animals that think with their lower bodies. If a man doesn't think about women, then he is not a man.

Yang Chengdao achieved fame and fortune at a young age, and naturally had no shortage of women around him. If he guessed correctly, he probably even had illegitimate children.

"Dad, I..."

Just as Yang Chengdao was about to accept, Yang Jun waved his hand to interrupt him.

"Alright, stop explaining. I don't want to explain either."

Yang Jun said, "Dad is a man too, and I've been through your age, so I naturally know what you're thinking. Actually, if you didn't have any women outside, I would look down on you."

Upon hearing this, Yang Chengdao looked constipated. He stared at his father with suspicion, wondering if it was a compliment or not.

Anyway, he felt relieved.

Instead of scolding him, his father felt that this was what a man should do, which made him feel somewhat relieved.

"dad!"

Yang Jun didn't give him a chance to speak, and continued, "I don't care if you find women outside, but I have only one condition, which is that you are not allowed to bring women home. This is a red line, and it cannot be crossed."

Seeing the suspicious look in his son's eyes, Yang Jun knew what he was thinking, so he explained,

“Listen to Dad, he’s been through this, so I’m the most qualified to speak on this matter.”

"You can do whatever you want outside, but you're not allowed to bring women home. As long as you don't bring them home, you can avoid 80% of family conflicts. I have a deep understanding of this."

"Don't follow my example. You don't have the courage. Don't be fooled by how well your mother and aunts get along; you can't do it."

Yang Jun sighed deeply and frowned.

Actually, he really didn't want to discuss this topic with his son, but he had no choice but to bring it up.

"Women can't rely solely on power and money to maintain their lives. Sometimes they need something beyond money and power, something you don't have."

"Is it a man's charm?" Yang Chengdao asked in a low voice.

"No."

Yang Jun gently shook his head, then said, "Don't ask anymore. What I have, you don't. Our situations are different." (End of Chapter)