Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

If it weren't for the complex situation in Handong, just based on the name Sha Ruijin...

Chen Yanshi was an 'invisible' figure in the entire Handong region, someone no one dared to provoke or underestimate.

His "Second Prosecutor's Office" was clearly the most powerful institution in Handong.

To say that Chen Yanshi was a corrupt and power-hungry villain is an oversimplification.

But to say he was honest, upright, and selfless—

That's truly blind.

This person is a sophisticated egoist.

Despite being of humble origins himself, he looked down on others who were also from humble backgrounds, like Qi Tongwei, as if associating with him would be an insult to himself.

His words were full of disdainful arrogance, and he used his status as a "veteran comrade" with a lot of influence.

They've completely forgotten how he got to where he is today.

Those old comrades-in-arms and old friends he cared about, which one of them didn't come from humble beginnings?

Mud legs?

Without the help of peasants, he'd probably be scraping by on some landlord's land right now!

Ignoring Zheng Xipo's unreasonable behavior, Hou Liangping stepped forward and pulled Chen Yanshi aside, intending to talk to him alone.

Chen Yanshi treated him better than Qi Tongwei.

After all, Hou Liangping came from the city.

Ultimately, people look down on their own background.

Being a peasant is a dark chapter in his history that he doesn't want to revisit.

Chief Prosecutor Chen Yanshi is now a proper city dweller.

But that's about it; I just want him to give me a friendly look.

no way.

"Get to the point. Don't try to pull me through this. I'm an upright person. What can't I say in front of everyone?"

"Yes, what can't be said in front of everyone? What kind of trick are you trying to pull?"

Zheng Xipo, like a troublemaker, used Chen Yanshi's influence to boss people around.

Hou Liangping was so angry at those two old bastards that he laughed.

Fine, you don't appreciate my kindness, huh!

"In that case, there's nothing more to discuss. You are a senior chief prosecutor with high prestige. With you in charge of Dafeng Factory, what is there to worry about?"

Hou Liangping left after saying that. Since he likes to meddle, he should meddle to the end and make sure things don't fall apart.

He needs to go see his old senior now.

Qi Tongwei was actually a little surprised to learn that Hou Liangping had come to see him.

This junior of mine is arrogant and proud. He only respects me and doesn't care about anyone else.

Even Teacher Gao is only passable on the surface.

The sun must have risen in the west today, to come and pay a visit to this incompetent old senior.

"Senior, I've come to see you."

As soon as he entered, Hou Liangping was exceptionally enthusiastic, and Qi Tongwei didn't contradict him, playing along with his feigned enthusiasm.

The atmosphere in the office became harmonious, and the two talked at length, reminiscing about their school days.

"You monkey, you really made quite a commotion back then."

"Hey, I'm not as good as my senior. A simple study session turned out to be a leap forward."

"What's wrong? Is your Zhong Xiaoai not to your liking?"

Hearing this teasing remark, even though he knew there were no outsiders present, Hou Liangping still looked around nervously. "You can't say things like that. We have a great relationship!"

"Look how scared you are. Zhong Xiaoai can eat you up."

"It's not fear I feel, it's respect."

Hou Liangping's mouth is the hardest thing in the whole body.

Even if he were put into the furnace a hundred years later, the sparks wouldn't burn his mouth off.

"Okay, okay, I'll respect you, I'll respect you. It was my fault for being so rude."

Qi Tongwei didn't expose him, but just chuckled and joked a couple of times before asking him the purpose of his visit.

There was another knock at the door. "Director Qi, your wife is here. She said she just happened to be passing by and brought you some food."

"Oh, please let her in." Qi Tongwei responded with a smile, then said to Hou Liangping, "Perfect timing, let me introduce you to my wife, you haven't met her yet!"

"Where am I supposed to see you? You've been hiding so well. I didn't even see you having a wedding banquet back then."

"Haha~"

Qi Tongwei smiled without saying a word and then invited everyone to dinner.

Back then, he was more than happy to cut ties with these people and never have anything to do with them again in this lifetime.

Later, as he got older, he was transferred back to work in Handong.

Otherwise, he would never take the initiative to contact anyone in his life.

We're not even on the same wavelength, so what's the point of talking?

Even if he tries to force himself on someone, no one will respect him; instead, they'll just laugh at him for being a "gold digger."

However, Qi Tongwei is now much more mature and has taken a more relaxed view of the rumors and gossip of the past.

Ultimately, you live your own life, and only you know whether it's good or bad.

No matter what outsiders say, it won't affect his life, and he doesn't have the time or energy to waste on such trivial matters.

Instead of wasting time on that, it would be better to do something else, or spend a fulfilling day with your wife and kids at an amusement park or park.

Chapter 903 The Great Defenses Have Been Broken, and the Family Throne?

"Tongwei, we have a guest!"

Zhiyi entered the room carrying a lunchbox and greeted Hou Liangping politely and warmly when she saw him on the sofa: "Hello, I am Qi Tongwei's wife, Yang Zhiyi."

"Hello, hello, my name is Hou Liangping. I've known my senior for a long time. You can just call me Monkey."

Hou Liangping knew Yang Zhiyi's background and origins.

Her father in the capital had been a powerful figure for over twenty years, and his influence remained undiminished.

Even now, he remains a prominent figure in the capital, holding a high position with immense power and influence, and is irreplaceable.

Even the Yue family was quite wary of Yang Jianguo.

How could a nobody like him dare to underestimate a high-born girl like Yang Zhiyi?

Hou Liangping's biggest flaw is his tendency to curry favor with those in power.

Anyone who is a head taller than him, he can kowtow to the ground.

But if you are inferior to him, he would love to stomp your head into a cesspool so that you can never rise again.

However, in his work, his style is somewhat domineering and unruly.

The purpose was good, even if it was hypocritical, it was ultimately doing something practical for the people. I just don't know if he can maintain this kind of 'hypocrisy' for a lifetime.

"I've heard Tongwei mention you before. You two were known as the Three Heroes of Hanzhong University back then, right?"

Qi Tongwei smiled calmly as he made Zhiyi a cup of tea, watching her sit on the sofa chatting with the monkey with doting eyes.

Seeing Qi Tongwei's obsequious and subservient manner, Hou Liangping felt incredibly pleased.

I thought he was different, so powerful at home.

So, they're just like me!

"Yes, my senior was a very popular figure at school. Countless girls were infatuated with him and insisted on marrying him."

"Really?" Zhiyi looked at her husband with a smile. Qi Tongwei smiled back, his calm face showing no sign of panic.

As an old married couple, Zhiyi knows what kind of person he is, just as he knows Zhiyi.

There's no need to argue about this; neither of them will take it seriously.

It was just a fun chat, a lively activity, and Qi Tongwei let her have her way.

After chatting for a while, Zhiyi saw that it was almost time and that they had exchanged pleasantries, so she stood up and said, "Alright, it's getting late, I won't disturb your business conversation any longer."

"Since you've come all this way to Handong, your senior brother should show you hospitality. Come home for dinner tonight, and I'll prepare some good dishes."

Hou Liangping was stunned when he heard this.

No, why are you entertaining them? If it were my own family, Zhong Xiaoai wouldn't even bother to respond.

She hates entertaining her "friends" at home the most, and the mere mention of it fills her with impatience and disdain.

"Tongwei, here's some mutton soup I made. You should drink more mutton soup in this weather to get rid of dampness. Next to it is your favorite stir-fried mutton offal. It smells a bit strong, so remember to open the window when you eat it."

"I specially made these pancakes; they're made with unleavened dough, so they're chewy..."

Listening to Zhiyi's incessant chatter as she explained to her senior brother the food in the cloth bag, every single item was his favorite flavor, taking into account health, taste, habits, and preferences.

Finally, they took out a small fruit box, which contained washed and cut fruit.

Click~

At that moment, Hou Liangping felt something inside his body crack open.

No, you—

Hou Liangping was speechless; he was truly at his breaking point.

They're all marrying up, so why should they get to marry someone of higher social standing?!

Thinking about how subservient he usually was to Zhong Xiaoai, and then looking at how highly his wife praised Qi Tongwei.

Her concern for him, and the genuine affection in her eyes.

During their conversation, their intimate physical gestures and little habits made her think, "I don't believe it, I don't believe it, it's fake, it's all fake."

Hou Liangping completely broke down, and tears almost welled up in his eyes.

After Zhiyi affectionately rubbed Qi Tongwei's forearm and turned to leave, Hou Liangping fell into complete silence.

Why do I suddenly feel like I can't live like this anymore?

"Monkey, what are you standing there for? Come and help!"

Taking the lunchbox out of the cloth bag and setting it up, Qi Tongwei smiled and joked, "You're in luck today; this isn't something you can eat every day."

"Oh." Hou Liangping felt a glimmer of hope. 'So, she's deliberately putting on a show, to make Qi Tongwei look good, to give everyone the impression that their family is harmonious, and to create a good reputation for him.'

Thinking of this possibility, Hou Liangping's dead heart came back to life. "What? Your wife doesn't usually cook, so you have to cook for her too? You're such a busy person as the head of the hall."

"It's not that she doesn't want to cook, it's just that she's too busy," Qi Tongwei chuckled as he spoke about Zhiyi's work.

Medical biology, the highest level of secrecy, I just took over as the chief of the research institute, and I'm so busy all day long that I can only spare a moment to cook myself a meal that suits my taste.

Normally, the couple eats at the school cafeteria, and their child also eats at school, which saves them the trouble of cooking at home.

Click~

The heart, which had barely managed to heal, shattered and crumbled once more.

'He did it on purpose.'

Hou Liangping gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with a fierce hostility as he looked at Qi Tongwei.

This isn't regret on his part; he's clearly showing off to himself that he found a good wife who's much more comfortable than he is.

He has a commanding presence even at home, truly the head of the household.

Unlike myself, I'm just a 'tenant' who has to be mindful of others' moods every day.

At home, he watches over his wife; when he goes to his wife's family home, he visits everyone...