In name only: In the name of Zhao Mengsheng's son!

Li Kangjian and Zhao Donglai's performance wasn't awkward at all. As long as I wasn't embarrassed, it was everyone else who was. So, Qi Tongwei was standing there feeling very awkward. Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing? And what are you all doing?

Qi Tongwei really wants to sing a song!

"Listen to me, thank you. Because of you, the four seasons are warm! Thank you!"

"Brother Xin, I..."

Qi Tongwei was about to give a good talking-to, after all, his side job back in the day was flattery, so he was a very qualified person to talk about it!

Hou Liangping said, "I'm the best at digging me up and praising me, while Qi Tongwei is an amateur!"

"Alright, alright. It's fortunate you're here. If others heard this, what would they think of our Han University gang? All this talk about loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, living off the emperor's bounty, acting like we're some kind of feudal lords and vassals! We're serving the people! You should just do good deeds and not worry about the future! That's what my grandfather said!"

Fearing that Qi Tongwei might perform exceptionally well, Zhao Zhongxin quickly interrupted him, even quoting his grandfather's words!

"Brother Xin, your words are profound! No, no, it's the old general's words that are profound! 'Do good deeds and don't worry about the future,' that's so insightful!"

Qi Tongwei finally spoke up, mimicking Li Dakang's sentences!

"I didn't sit down, senior is right. Come on, senior, let's have a drink!"

Li Kangjian picked up his wine glass. The women outside looked at the group of people laughing in the study with some curiosity, but when they saw that it was them who picked up the wine, they were speechless. They just drank when they got together!

"Lele, your Ada is the best. He doesn't drink or smoke. These guys are usually so serious, but when they get together, they're like completely different people!"

Zhang Wanxin shook her head helplessly. She felt a little guilty towards the wives of her husband's subordinates. She felt that her husband had led them astray. Others might not know about her husband's reputation in Beijing when he was young, but he certainly did.

But why was Zhang Wanxin willing to marry Zhao Zhongxin without resisting? The reason is simple: Zhao Zhongxin is good-looking, like a pretty boy, and he doesn't bully her. When he bullies others, she doesn't see it, so she feels no fear at all!

The main reason is the age gap, which is eight years. If they were only one or two years apart, they would definitely be studying at the same school. If Zhang Wanxin saw how Zhao Zhongxin behaved so badly at school when he was young, she might also make a fuss with her father and refuse to marry him. But no matter how much she made a fuss, she couldn't cancel the engagement. It was arranged by the two elders. They agreed that even if one of them was mentally challenged, the two of them would still have to get married!

Why didn't Zhao Ying marry Zhang Dongxin? The main reason is that Zhao Ying was born prematurely and the two elders couldn't act as matchmakers in case she really died. In addition, Zhao Mengsheng was already very heartbroken at the time and didn't mention the matter. Later, Zhao Ying recovered, but the two elders didn't bring it up again. The reason is simple: they never believed in feudal superstitions or fortune telling. They both felt that Zhao Ying might not grow up and couldn't be saved!

This is also one of the advantages of Zhao Ying escaping a political marriage. When Zhao Ying grew up and the two old men passed away, no one mentioned it anymore. To be honest, Zhao Mengsheng was overjoyed with Zhao Zhongxin's political marriage; after all, he was raising a pig! Zhang Likai raised cabbage, and the pig rooted for it. Although a forced marriage isn't sweet, it's still satisfying. Moreover, Zhao Mengsheng had noticed since childhood that Zhang Wanxin liked being with Zhao Zhongxin. Now, it's much better to find someone who loves you than someone you love. Of course, mutual love is the best outcome!

Furthermore, his son hadn't been unfaithful, which gave him a satisfactory explanation to his longtime friend. He also doted on his daughter. If his daughter, Zhao Ying, had married Zhang Dongxin, who wasn't as upright as his son—and who had a mistress and an illegitimate child—he would have been furious!

So now is the best time. Back then, because Zhao Ying was in poor health, they didn't arrange a political marriage for her!

Little did anyone know how difficult it was for Zhang Likai back then. He knew that Zhao Zhongxin was a demon, but he and Zhao Mengsheng had been brothers for so many years, and it was arranged by the elders of both families. He had no choice but to bite the bullet and marry his daughter to Zhao Zhongxin!

Fortunately, during the five years Zhao Zhongxin worked at Xiyuan in Beijing after returning to Beijing, he was honest and upright, and there was not a single fault to be found. It was as if he was a completely different person from the boxer he was in Beijing before he went to university!

After the marriage, Zhang Likai was still quite satisfied. Although his son-in-law had argued with his daughter to his doorstep over the years, he had at least never hit her. He was genuinely afraid that Zhao Zhongxin would hit his daughter. If he did, Zhang Likai would definitely come and beat Zhao Zhongxin. Moreover, over the years, Zhao Zhongxin had no hobbies other than boxing at the gym and spas. Zhang Likai couldn't help but feel that Zhao Zhongxin was more sensible than his own son!

How could he not know about the mistress his son was keeping? He had no choice but to keep it a secret. His daughter-in-law had a fiery temper; if it were exposed, it could cause a huge uproar. After all, that other family was a prominent clan! Although it couldn't compare to his own, it was ultimately his son's fault! Besides, that other family had used their political resources to help him and his brother Zhao Mengsheng back then!

Zhang Likai secretly met with his son and confronted him directly in front of his son and that woman's illegitimate child, basically saying one thing.

"I will never acknowledge this illegitimate child of yours. If you bring him back, I will disown you as my son! I forbid him to have the surname Zhang, and his name will not contain the water radical!"

Zhang Likai's face was very pale at the time, and Zhang Dongxin was also a little afraid of his aging, so he changed the child's name that very day! The child was originally named Zhang Hao! But that day, he took his mother's surname, Liu, and was named Liu Hao!

Actually, Zhang Likai wouldn't be so angry if there weren't children. You two have had children, so there must be feelings between you. People who favor concubines over their wives never have a good ending!

Therefore, Zhang Likai felt that his son-in-law was more stable than his son. To be honest, he would rather push his son-in-law than his son, even though it wasn't a stain on his reputation, as long as it didn't cause a scene.

The main reason is that he likes his eldest grandson, Zhang Cheng. Zhang Cheng was raised by his side since he was a child, so their relationship is definitely not as good as that of his illegitimate son. If this kid wants to favor others in the future, someone has to be able to stop him. Zhao Zhongxin is the one who can stop Zhang Dongxin. He can't control his son forever; he will die eventually! His grandson must inherit the Zhang family!

The fact that he had an illegitimate child was known only to a few people who upheld the law and Zhao Zhongxin. Even Zhang Wanxin was unaware of it, so he had to pave the way for his grandson!

(First chapter today!)