Era: Starting with the struggle to refuse being taken advantage of

Chapter 266 Reunion with Shen Wei
After saying this, Wang Tieshan muttered something in puzzlement:
"This Captain Wang is really strange. Why did he ask my Cheng Peng to go to the opening ceremony?"

"If we didn't have a pretty good relationship, I would have really thought there was some kind of trap waiting for me."

Wang Tieshan has learned his lesson and knows there's no such thing as a free lunch, so he's quite puzzled by Captain Wang's behavior.

After all, no matter how you look at it, Wang Chengpeng has absolutely nothing to do with the sugar factory.

Oh, right, besides the name, after all, the sugar factory is named Dapeng.

Wang Tieshan probably never dreamed that without Wang Chengpeng's behind-the-scenes management, the sugar factory would never have been built.

From the initial idea to funding, factory construction, and equipment, Wang Chengpeng played a crucial role in every step of the process.

In other words, Dapeng Sugar Factory would have collapsed without Wang Chengpeng!

the day after tomorrow?

Wang Chengpeng naturally understood Wang Fucheng's meaning, nodded, and said:

"I don't have anything planned for the day after tomorrow, and since I live nearby, I can go there."

"What time is it? I'll be there on time."

Scratching his head, Wang Tieshan said, "Captain Wang didn't say the exact time, but you can't go wrong if you come with me and go to work on time."

It's just a little earlier, so it doesn't seem to matter.

Thinking this, Wang Chengpeng nodded and said, "Okay, then I'll go to work with Dad and experience the atmosphere of the sugar factory."

At this point, Wang Tieshan's expression instantly darkened, and he said with self-reproach:
“Xiaopeng, if your father weren’t so useless, you should be the one working at the sugar factory. You’ve sacrificed so much for our family.”

If Wang Tieshan had previously been somewhat puzzled as to why Wang Chengpeng would make such an outrageous request,

However, after learning that he was not Wang Degong and Zhao Yuju's biological son,
He instantly understood Wang Chengpeng's thoughts.

The reason her sensible son did that must be because he had heard something beforehand and didn't want to be held hostage by family ties and caught in a dilemma.

What kind of obligation is this to support one's parents? It should clearly be his obligation, but in the end, he put the blame on his own son.

"Dad!" Seeing the self-reproach in Wang Tieshan's eyes, Wang Chengpeng said with some heartache, "What are you saying?"

"We are family, why make such a distinction?"

"If you separate things too clearly, won't you end up like my uncle's family, with no family ties and only scheming left?"

"Besides, I should be secretly happy that I didn't do this job, since I'm not going to the fields to earn work points now, but just staying at home eating and drinking for free."

Seeing that Wang Tieshan was about to say something, Wang Chengpeng interrupted him directly:

"Dad, are you saying that you think it's not good for me to just stay at home and freeload, and you're planning to make me earn work points?"

How could you go back on your word?

That's not what I meant at all!

Upon hearing Wang Chengpeng's words, Wang Tieshan immediately intended to explain, but no matter how he thought about it, he felt something was amiss, and in the end, he only uttered a few words:
"No, that's not how it is."

At this point, Liu Chunhua stepped in to smooth things over, saying:

"Old Wang, you should talk less. Even such a wonderful show can't shut you up."

"Isn't it better for the family to be harmonious? You always say these discouraging things and ruin the atmosphere."

“If you don’t want to raise this son, then I will.”

Glaring at Wang Chengpeng, who was smirking, Liu Chunhua shouted:

"Xiao Peng, you know your dad is bad at talking and always bullies him."

"With your unpleasant personality, how will you ever get married?"

Seeing that the conversation was getting out of control, Wang Chengpeng quickly stood up and said:

"Dad, Mom, you two get some rest. I'll cook for you tonight."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Wang Chengpeng vanished in the blink of an eye.

Only Wang Meiyan, whose mind was only on food, let out a cheer and said:
"Yay! Brother Zhu is back today, and he even cooked a meal. What a wonderful day!"

"Next time, I'll definitely write about what happened today in my essay, and I'll title it..."

"That's it! Let's call it 'Happy Family'!"

……

Shen Wei committed the crime in Wangjia Village and was eventually arrested by the Hetian Town Police Station, so he was detained in Hetian Town, making it very convenient for him to visit Shen Wei in prison.

However, Shen Wei refused Wang Chengpeng's prison visit without even thinking about it.

Seeing this, Wang Zhong said with some difficulty, "Cousin, prisoners also have human rights. If Shen Wei really doesn't want to see you, then there's nothing I can do."

Wang Zhong did have methods to break the law and violate regulations, but he knew that Wang Chengpeng would never do such a thing, so he naturally didn't mention it.

Shen Wei's refusal was within Wang Chengpeng's expectations. He simply smiled and said:
"Then please pass on a message to Shen Wei for me, saying that if he wants his family to be ruined by Liu Yanran while Liu Yanran goes unpunished, then he is free to refuse to see me."

Frowning slightly, Wang Zhong said, "Cousin, it seems a bit inappropriate for you to provoke the prisoner like that."

"Shen Wei has already become somewhat deranged due to the series of blows he has suffered. Doing this will probably make him even more..."

Madness? That's a good thing!
Wang Chengpeng sighed and said, "Cousin, you've misunderstood me."

"I'm here to save Shen Wei, not to keep him trapped in prison."

"Don't worry, as long as you get my message across, I guarantee his spirits will improve considerably."

After hesitating for a moment, Wang Zhong decided to trust Wang Chengpeng.

It's just a matter of a few words; it shouldn't have too much of an impact on Shen Wei.

Shen Wei slumped in the corner of the dimly lit room, his hair disheveled like withered grass, a few strands hanging lifelessly on his filthy forehead.

His cheeks were sunken, his cheekbones protruded sharply, and his skin had a sickly bluish-gray hue, as if all the blood had been drained from it.

His eyes were sunken, and his once bright eyes were now bloodshot, empty and lifeless, like a stagnant pool that could no longer reflect any light or hope.

His eyes were filled with confusion as he stared blankly into the void, oblivious to everything around him.

The cracked lips were bloodless, like earth that had been exposed to the scorching sun for a long time, with dried blood seeping from the cracks.

His chin was covered in a messy stubble, making him look incredibly unkempt.

The muscles on his face were loose and sagging, filled with fatigue and pain, and every wrinkle was like a deep scar etched by fate.

His expression was frozen in a twisted contortion of extreme pain, as if the relentless blows had utterly crushed his soul, leaving only this emaciated body, tormented beyond recognition, enduring endless suffering alone in this world. This was the scene that greeted Wang Zhong when he arrived at the cell; he could not reconcile the man before him with the Shen Wei of the past.

A pang of reluctance flashed through Wang Zhong's mind, but it was instantly replaced by determination.

Shen Wei is not worthy of pity. His sentence is commensurate with his actions and he deserves it.

With this thought in mind, Wang Zhong felt no pity left and relayed Wang Chengpeng's message to Shen Wei.

However, it was precisely these seemingly casual words that made Shen Wei even more agitated, and he roared loudly:

"What does Wang Chengpeng mean? Hasn't that bitch Liu Yanran been shot yet?"

"Liars, they're all liars, they cheated me so badly."

"I have nothing left now, what is he trying to do to me now?"

"I don't want to see him!"

At this point, Shen Wei started banging his head against the iron gate, which startled Wang Zhong, who immediately rushed in and subdued Shen Wei.

If Wang Zhong's words really provoked Shen Wei and caused him to get into trouble, he would be in deep trouble.

With a bitter smile, Wang Zhong muttered, "My resourceful cousin, you've really messed up this time."

"Look at Shen Wei's appearance, why would he want to see you?"

However, just as Wang Zhong was thinking that, Shen Wei, who was being controlled, suddenly fell silent.

His eyes were filled with madness, yet Shen Wei incongruously fell silent, and muttered:
"Let me see Wang Chengpeng! I want to see him! I want to see what other tricks he has up his sleeve!"

A hint of surprise flashed in Wang Zhong's eyes; he hadn't expected things to turn out so quickly.

Since Shen Wei had finally agreed to see Wang Chengpeng, he had completed the task Wang Chengpeng had assigned him, so he immediately took Shen Wei to see Wang Chengpeng.

The moment they met, before Shen Wei could speak, Wang Chengpeng took the initiative and said:

"Tsk tsk tsk, it seems your mental state is a bit abnormal. It seems what happened before had a big impact on you."

"But don't worry, I've come to tell you some good news."

"Liu Yanran's trial was postponed due to her pregnancy."

"It was during this time that Liu Yanran's accomplice used some connections to help her overturn the verdict."

"Although the case has been turned around, she still managed to escape, and her whereabouts are now unknown."

Perhaps because of the precautions Wang Chengpeng had taken beforehand, Shen Wei remained unusually calm upon hearing such explosive news.

He just stared intently at Wang Chengpeng without saying a word, trying to see through Wang Chengpeng, or perhaps until he felt guilty.

Wang Chengpeng was the victim from beginning to end in this matter. He only used legal means to protect his legitimate rights and interests, so what is there for him to be ashamed of?
Therefore, when faced with Shen Wei's crazed gaze, he appeared completely calm and composed, without the slightest sense of shame or embarrassment.

In the end, it was Shen Wei who was the first to give in, loudly questioning:

"What bad idea are you planning?"

With a harmless smile, Wang Chengpeng said:
"What bad ideas could I possibly have? Do you believe me if I say I'm here to save you and your mother?"

“As the main party involved, as long as I am willing to issue a letter of understanding, you should be able to come out immediately, and your mother should not need much more time.”

With a disdainful smile, Shen Wei sneered, "You would be so kind? It's like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken."

Faced with Shen Wei's questioning, Wang Chengpeng readily admitted it, saying:

"Of course I wouldn't be so kind. On the contrary, the reason I'm willing to let you out is just to use you and make Liu Yanran suffer."

"I'm not afraid to tell you the truth, I actually know where Liu Yanran is, but I don't want to let her get away with it so easily."

"So I plan to release you. After all, you are Liu Yanran's husband in name only, so you can legitimately help me torment her."

"This deal is fair and reasonable. As for whether or not to do it, that depends on your opinion as the party involved."

With his eyes slightly narrowed, Shen Wei looked at Wang Chengpeng with a hint of instinctive fear in his eyes.

This was the Wang Chengpeng he knew, terrifying enough to send chills down one's spine.

This is why he refused to meet Wang Chengpeng; it wasn't that he was unwilling, but simply that he was afraid.

Unfortunately, Wang Chengpeng still managed to manipulate his thoughts, and a simple sentence from him broke his defenses, so he ultimately chose to meet him.

Then he became like a puppet being controlled, completely following Wang Chengpeng's rhythm.

Stubbornly turning his head away, Shen Wei said in a deep voice, "Sounds like a very good deal."

"But where do you get the confidence to think I'll definitely do what you say?"

"If I agree to your conditions and then release you but don't go looking for Liu Yanran, wouldn't your wishful thinking be thwarted?"

"After all, a letter of understanding cannot be withdrawn."

Seeing Shen Wei still trying to show off, Wang Chengpeng didn't answer his question directly. Instead, he asked him a question in return:
"Do you know?"

Shen Wei felt utterly hopeless; he knew he could never defeat the evil spirit before him.

It was indeed impossible for him not to go to Liu Yanran, not because he was afraid of Wang Chengpeng, but simply because of his hatred for Liu Yanran.

That woman not only cheated on him, but also ruined his fertility. She even made him take over and raise her and her lover's child. In the end, she caused his family to be destroyed and his life to end tragically.

Let alone all of these things, just one of them is something that no man could accept.

Compared to him, Wang Chengpeng can be considered kind.

Not only did he tolerate his despicable methods time and time again, but even at this point, he was willing to give himself another chance.

Thinking of this, a hint of regret suddenly flashed in Shen Wei's eyes.

If I hadn't competed with Wang Chengpeng from the beginning and had just lived my own life, wouldn't my family have been able to live a happy and carefree life, instead of being in prison or living alone like we are now?

There's only one medicine for regret in this world, and Wang Chengpeng has already swallowed it, so Shen Wei's regret is useless now.

In an instant, a sudden realization flashed through Shen Wei's mind.

You can't change the past, but you can change the future; your future is in your own hands.

After figuring all this out, the madness in Shen Wei's eyes faded away, leaving only complete clarity.

When he looked at Wang Chengpeng again, the hatred in his eyes was gone. Instead, he sincerely apologized and said:
I need to apologize to you.

(End of this chapter)