In name only: The land of Handong, I shall rule its fate.

"Change your surname to Zhong!"

Hou Liangping said with utmost seriousness, "Let Haoran take your surname! Take our father's surname!"

"Are you serious?"

A hazy mist rose in Zhong Xiaoai's eyes, as if the whole world had become unreal.

She had hinted at this matter before, both openly and secretly, even before she became pregnant. But Hou Liangping, who was both arrogant and insecure, was like a firecracker that had been lit when he heard this, and he refused to agree no matter what.

He even dared to talk back to her.

At that time, her eldest uncle still held the reins of the family. The fact that her grandson had the surname Zhong could easily cause conflicts, so she and her father backed down.

"Yes, I'm sure."

Hou Liangping also recalled the past, awkwardly touching his nose, looking somewhat shy like a young man. "Xiao Ai, back then I knew I wasn't good enough for you, that I was a live-in son-in-law, so I always wanted to find some sense of belonging. At that time, Haoran's surname was my last obsession and self-respect."

"If even Haoran doesn't take my surname."

"I couldn't even find meaning in my future existence, so I lost control of my emotions."

Everyone envied Hou Liangping because he was transferred to the Anti-Corruption Bureau for the absurd reason that he was not suitable for living apart from his wife, but no one knew his fear and anxiety at the time.

The gap between the two families is too big.

The initial joy and self-satisfaction quickly shattered under the impact of reality, and the opportunity that others envied became a painful thorn that tormented the proud soul.

He was one of the three outstanding students at Han University.

But when he went to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, he was just an inconspicuous figure among the masses. For a time, he even thought of himself as a pet that Zhong Xiaoai kept when she was in a good mood, to be teased when she was happy and to be coldly rebuked when she was unhappy.

The question of the surname of a child who hasn't even been conceived becomes the final drop of water that destroys the last line of defense.

He began to become irritable, out of control, and on the verge of collapse, eventually evolving into the arrogant and domineering manner he displayed when handling cases in the eyes of others. It was during this time that the reputation of Marquis Changxin spread far and wide.

Until her son was born.

It wasn't until Hou Haoran's name was truly written on the household registration book, and he saw the vibrant life that inherited his bloodline, with eyebrows, nose, and mouth so exactly like his own, that he finally found meaning in life again.

He wanted to set an example for his son.

He wanted to secure a bright future for his son, using his own name, Hou Liangping, not his mother's or his maternal grandfather's.

He still carried the title of the Zhong family's son-in-law, because the Zhong family's name was really useful; he still walked with his head held high, because some people were just despicable and didn't deserve his attention. His most broken moments were when he was arrogant in handling cases, but some people were lucidly crazy and had no bottom line; he began to specialize in handling major cases, dancing on the edge of a knife. He was always one step behind Zhong Xiaoai, and he had to fight desperately.

But as they kept fighting...

He seemed to have met a different group of people, gained reliable subordinates and like-minded comrades-in-arms. Of course, there were still people who looked down on him, and he still couldn't surpass Zhong Xiaoai.

"Surnames are about identification and preference."

Hou Liangping looked directly into Zhong Xiaoai's eyes, unlike before when he would look away. "Now I'm very sure I love my son. He is, and will always be, my only child."

"But preference has its value."

"Grandpa Haoran's favoritism carries more weight than mine as his father."

Adults don't talk about feelings, they only talk about interests, even with their closest relatives like spouses and children.

"Fool…"

Zhong Xiaoai reached out and touched that handsome and flamboyant face that was still there after twenty years. It all felt like yesterday, at Han University.

She chose Hou Liangping because of his appearance, his abilities, his personality, and most importantly, because of her girlish heart.

The past twenty years.

Zhong Xiaoai was certain that she still loved Hou Liangping, but perhaps because of her initial intentions or interests, she seemed to have never been as honest with him as she was now. She seemed to have never truly understood her husband and his grievances, and she felt as if she owed him a great deal.

Pooh!

I have bullied him quite a bit.

Hou Liangping has also used the Zhong family's name to cause trouble for others, and I don't know how many times I've had to clean up his messes. In fact, he almost killed me and my father in the Zhao Dehan incident.

I don't owe him anything.

But in the end, he risked his life to fight his way back in Handong, a place littered with mines.

A warm tear slid down her cheek and fell from the sky. Zhong Xiaoai then leaped gently into her husband's arms.

Hou Liangping was confused and thought that Zhong Xiaoai was worried that her parents-in-law would not agree, so he patted her on the back and comforted her, "I will talk to my parents. They are more sensible than me."

puff!

Zhong Xiaoai raised her face and couldn't help but laugh out loud. Where did she learn such anti-heavenly words?

"I'm giving you one last chance, don't regret it!"

Zhong Xiaoai replied just as earnestly.

Actually, it's fine not to change it.

Really!

If Lin Zhiyuan is willing to protect Hou Liangping, coupled with Hou Liangping's own abilities, it's only a matter of time before he becomes the vice president, and he can also strive for a full-time position. There will definitely be a gap between him and his father, but with the Zhong family background, Hou Haoran's starting line will not be worse than other families.

"Um!"

Although Hou Liangping was surprised, he nodded again.

"Do you still want to have another child?"

Zhong Xiaoai moved closer to his face and suddenly asked.

what?

Hou Liangping trembled, as if he had heard something terrifying, and began to shake. "Can I not take it?"

"No! It has to be!"

Zhong Xiaoai's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Lin Zhiyuan is quite the schemer. He traded me for your chance to advance further, and he's confident that our father will agree. He's using the Zhong family as a knife, no, a cleaver, to pave the way for Lin Zhiyuan."

"hehe!"

"Even with his brilliant strategies, he never imagined I could give birth."

Female cadres within the system, especially those in frontline positions like discipline inspection, generally age much faster than ordinary women. Given her age, she probably never considered this, so she thought she had Zhong Xiaoai under her control.

But as long as she gets pregnant...

In addition, there was her status as an elderly pregnant woman.

She could naturally escape from the cage that Lin Zhiyuan had carefully woven.

Let him suffer in silence.

Do you really think that Zhong Xiaoai and her Zhong family are easy to bully?

"That could be very dangerous."

Hou Liangping knew that once Zhong Xiaoai made a decision, nothing could change her mind, so he simply changed his perspective.

"I consulted a specialist before coming here. I am in very good health, and with the advanced medical technology available today, the risk is minimal."

Zhong Xiaoai was prepared, and rolled her eyes at Hou Liangping again, "Otherwise, what do you think I came to Handong a week early for?"

"So you need to work hard during this time."

"But I've been very busy lately."

Hou Liangping's legs began to tremble as he tried to refuse.

He was really busy. He had just taken office as the executive deputy mayor of Diaozhou, and everything was in need of being rebuilt. He was as busy as a spinning top.

Oh, yes, some do.

A spinning top needs someone to spin it to get it going, but he doesn't.

"You're not happy about it?"

Zhong Xiaoai's tone instantly turned cold.