The game of power begins with the police officers at the local police station.

Chen Xing took a sip of tea and looked at Chen Shi: "Xiao Shi, we invited Mom and Dad. They've never been here before. It's market day, so the whole family came to sit here."

"Mom and Dad, if you're alright, come sit here with me." Chen Shi said with a smile, "Brother and sister-in-law, your presence today saves me the trouble of going back. The 50,000 yuan is already prepared and I'll return it to you now."

Chen Xing quickly said, "I'm here today to apologize to you. Your sister-in-law is straightforward and speaks without thinking. She didn't mean to ask for money."

Wang Xiufen said with a forced smile, "Xiaoshi, I was wrong. I said something nonsense. I promise you I will never mention it again. Please forgive me, okay?"

Chen Shi got up, took out the 50,000 yuan he had saved, and placed it on the table.

"Even between brothers, accounts should be kept clear. This money was given to me by my brother to support my studies. Today, I'm returning it to you with interest, and from now on, no one owes anyone anything."

Chen Xing smiled broadly and said, "Xiao Shi, look at you, we're all family, why are you being so calculating? When you were in school, you said that this money was for your education, how can you ask for it back?"

Wang Xiufen quickly chimed in, "Yes, we're all family. Your brother's money is yours too..."

Chen Shi interrupted Wang Xiufen, saying, "Don't say anymore. I will definitely pay you back. When you leave, take the money to the credit union and deposit it safely. Don't keep it on your person; it's not safe."

Wang Xiufen's face flashed with displeasure, but Chen Xing glared at her and she shut up.

Chen Xing looked at Chen Yanshi and Wang Guihua with pleading eyes, hoping his parents would put in a good word for him.

Wang Guihua said softly, "Xiaoshi, your sister-in-law didn't mean it. Forgive her this time. You are brothers, how can you be so calculating? Blood is thicker than water."

When you were in school, your brother sent you living expenses. After you started working and became a leader, he also arranged for your brother and sister-in-law to work at the power management office.

They don't need to leave their homes to work on the coast more than 2,000 kilometers away; they can earn money at home.

Without you, they wouldn't even get a chance to sweep the streets, let alone get a job at the power management office.

You two are both good children, and you know how to repay kindness.

Wang Guihua looked at Wang Xiufen: "Xiufen, you need to make a statement that you will not mention this matter again."

Wang Xiufen forced a smile: "Mom, Xiaoshi, don't worry. If I bring this up again, may I die a horrible death."

"Pah, pah, pah, don't say such unlucky things." Wang Guihua looked at Chen Shi: "Xiao Shi, your sister-in-law promised that we'll let it go this time. Mom knows you spend money a lot, so keep this money for entertainment."

Chen Shi took a sip of tea and gently put down the teacup.

"Mom, my brother is married and has his own family. I'm in school, so he has no obligation to give me money."

Now that I'm working, I don't need this money; it's time to pay them back.

Chen Shi pushed the money on the table in front of Chen Xing.

"Brother, don't say anything more. I remember this kindness. Take this money. You need it to build a house after the New Year."

"I..." Chen Xing had a thousand words to say, but seeing that Chen Shi insisted on returning the money, he didn't know what to say.

I'll accept this money. Our brotherhood ends here. If I need Chen Shi's help again in the future, he won't owe me anything.

Chen Yanshi took one puff of his cigarette after another, smoking two in a row. He coughed lightly and said, "Xiaoxing, Xiaoshi is right. Now that you're married, you have to pay him back. After all, you have no obligation to pay for his education."

The responsibility lies with me. I lack the ability and cannot earn enough money to support Xiaoshi's university education.

I'm very pleased to see how successful you all are now.

Wang Xiufen secretly glanced at Chen Yanshi, cursing inwardly, "You old bastard, we called you here to help, why are you adding fuel to the fire by making Chen Shi pay us back?"

I hate this father-in-law so much! He's never earned anything in his life, what a waste! He can't even afford to send his son to college. If I were you, I'd have the nerve to say I'm happy about this. I'd rather buy a block of tofu and smash my head against it.

Chen Yanshi changed the subject: "Xiao Shi, you're brothers. Just pay back the principal, and forget about the interest. Don't let this cause any rift between you or affect your brotherhood."

When Chen Xing saw that Chen Shi insisted on repaying the money, he said that he would only accept the principal. The brotherhood would remain, and Chen Shi would help him in the future. However, if interest was charged, the situation would be completely different, and the brotherhood would end there.

He quickly said, "Xiao Shi, if you insist on repaying, then listen to your father. I will take the principal, and I won't take a single penny more."

Chen Shi took a deep breath. Blood is thicker than water. He couldn't just cut off all contact with his own brother, especially since their parents were still alive.

He is a grateful person; his brother gave him phone expenses at the time, so it can't be simply considered a loan.

It's like being in the desert, dying of thirst, and someone gives you a bottle of water. That has a completely different meaning compared to being out in the desert.

This is life-saving water; I can never repay it in my lifetime.

"Okay, take your principal."

Seeing that Chen Shi had relented, Chen Xing beamed with joy; the brotherhood had been preserved.

Wang Xiufen was secretly delighted. How could she refuse to pay back the money? No matter what, Chen Xing was her own brother. If he really needed her help, she didn't believe she would just stand by and watch him die.

He reached for the money, but Chen Xing slapped him across the face, and he quickly pulled his hand back.

Chen Shi smiled and said, "It's right for you to take the money, sister-in-law. Count it in front of everyone."

Chen Xing quickly said, "No need, we're family, no need to order."

Chen Shi pushed the money in front of Wang Xiufen and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, count it. We should count it carefully since it's ours. This is originally yours, so don't have any objections."

Wang Xiufen glanced at Chen Xing and, seeing his expressionless face, said with a forced smile, "Then I won't stand on ceremony and will count it out in front of you."

Chen Shi hummed in agreement.

Wang Xiufen counted the money with a joyful expression; she felt that the happiest thing in the world was counting money.

Holding stacks of red bills in his hand, he looked completely satisfied.

Fearing she might have made a mistake, she clicked twice to confirm there was no error before handing the remaining ten thousand yuan to Chen Shi.

"Xiao Shi, this is unnecessary, here you go."

Chen Shi took the money: "Sister-in-law, please count it carefully. I won't recognize it after we leave."

"Don't worry, sister-in-law, you never make a mistake when counting money."

Chen Xing glared at Wang Xiufen with a dark expression, thinking, "You brainless woman, you have no emotional intelligence at all."

Wang Xiufen glared at Chen Xing. "Why are you glaring at me? He insisted on returning the money, so you have to accept it too. You have to count it out in front of everyone. Even if it's my parents, there has to be some money involved. One thing at a time."

Ignoring Chen Xing, she happily put the money into her bag.

Just then, Wang Yanhong returned with a smile and said, "There were too many people at the market today, so we had to queue, which took up a lot of time."

I'll do it right now, it'll be done in a minute.

Uncle, Aunt, Brother, Sister-in-law, please wait a moment.

"Yan Hong, don't rush, I'll help you." Wang Guihua stood up to help, but Wang Yan Hong refused.

"Auntie, cooking hot pot is easy, you can just sit and it'll be done in a minute."

Wang Yanhong quickly finished preparing the hot pot, brought it out, and started cooking it on an induction cooker.

Chen Shi took out a bottle of fine wine that his brother-in-law had given him from the room, and the three of them drank and chatted happily, as if the previous unpleasantness had never happened.

Chen Xing felt a distance growing between himself and Chen Shi; the feeling of being family was gone.