{"id":10705,"date":"2020-02-08T12:00:36","date_gmt":"2020-02-08T17:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/?p=10705"},"modified":"2020-03-21T10:38:20","modified_gmt":"2020-03-21T14:38:20","slug":"epiphanies-of-rebirth-28","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/epiphanies-of-rebirth-28\/","title":{"rendered":"Epiphanies of Rebirth 28"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Chapter 28<\/span><\/h1>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Lin Runsheng stumbled and almost fell down the small hill, but Lin Jingzhe deftly caught his arm.<\/span><\/p>

The older man\u2019s expression remained stiff, but in fact, his mind was completely blank. This state lasted until they left the campus and entered a nearby teahouse.<\/span><\/p>

Actually, Lin Jingzhe knew that Lin Runsheng preferred drinking coffee; when he was young, he was sent abroad and many traces of his time in foreign lands remained in his habits and daily routine. Unfortunately, though in the future the street behind Yan University\u2019s campus would be full of trendy cafes and other such establishments, transforming into a famous holy land for hipsters, it had yet to develop to that scale.<\/span><\/p>

However, Lin Jingzhe liked to drink tea<\/span>, <\/span>or rather, he liked the quiet and sense of peace he felt when going through the process of brewing tea. He ordered a pot of\u2014judging by the price\u2014inauthentic <\/span>Longjing tea<\/b><\/a>, and asked his father, \u201cThis should be fine, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Runsheng stared at him in a daze. Of course, no trace of the turbulent feelings raging in his heart was visible on his face.<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe\u2019s temperament was far beyond what he had originally imagined. He knew that his son was a fine boy. When they talked on the phone, Mr. Jiang often praised his excellent character and academic achievements\u2014ever since elementary school, his grades had always been among the best.<\/span><\/p>

Once, the old man heaved a sigh, saying that Lin Jingzhe was a very good child, but was a little introverted, somewhat cynical, and that while it wasn\u2019t obvious, his personality was a bit rebellious.<\/span><\/p>

But seeing his son again, he noticed that in the youth\u2019s eyes, there was a maturity and composure that he shouldn\u2019t have at his age.<\/span><\/p>

Lin Runsheng was silent for a long time, and when he finally opened his mouth, what came out was, \u201cUh-huh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe had given up on normal communication with him a long time ago. The only long conversation they had ever had happened when Lin Runsheng was dying of a heart attack; Lin Jingzhe was nearly 30 at that time. It was only then that he learned that his father had been voluntarily paying for child support, and not a low amount.<\/span><\/p>

But before that, Lin Runsheng had never mentioned it during their many arguments. The man was stuffy and stubborn; like a smelly, hard stone in a cesspit, unless it was thoroughly cracked open, no one could see what was hiding inside.<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe remembered that as a kid, whenever he had shown some rebellious tendencies, his grandfather had often reminded him not to hate his father, and that adults had their own difficulties.<\/span><\/p>

At that time, he didn\u2019t know what \u201cdifficulties\u201d the old man was referring to and why he always avoided giving a straightforward explanation, but as the time went by and he became more worldly-wise, he understood.<\/span><\/p>

How could Jiang Jiping explain? After all, it was his daughter who was in the wrong. Lin Jingzhe often thought that his grandpa had basically no shortcomings, except for the fact that he really didn\u2019t know how to properly raise children.<\/span><\/p>

It was to the extent that Jiang Qiaqia, Jiang Xiaoyun, Jiang Zhi, and Lin Jingzhe all developed somewhat eccentric personalities and sets of morals that didn\u2019t quite follow societal standards.<\/span><\/p>

The tea was served. Although the tea offered by the small teahouse wasn\u2019t authentic, it still had a nice aroma. No one at their table spoke. Lin Jingzhe was quite comfortable in this familiar silence; he took the pot, poured a cup of tea, and pushed it slightly forward, offering it to his father.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThank you,\u201d Lin Runsheng thanked him subconsciously, accepting the tea. Then his mind finally caught up with the situation and he reacted by freezing with the hot cup in his hand, completely at a loss.<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe didn\u2019t look at him anymore. After pouring the tea, he took his cup and quietly watched the street outside the window, his face serene.<\/span><\/p>

His attitude gradually relaxed Lin Runsheng, who was so nervous that his back was sweating. The middle-aged man sipped some tea, his face set in its naturally fierce expression, then asked, carefully choosing his words, \u201cYou know me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

One of Lin Jingzhe\u2019s hands cradled the cup that was resting on the table as his other hand propped up his cheek, his gaze still fixed on the lush wall of trees framing the campus. \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Runsheng felt his mouth go dry. He took another sip of the tea, using this action to secretly peek at the youth. \u201cDid your mother show you my picture?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cMy grandfather did.\u201d Lin Jingzhe turned back around, staring fearlessly at the face that could scare rebellious students into behaving with a single look. \u201cAre you still paying child support?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The change of a subject was too abrupt and Lin Runsheng\u2019s response was delayed by a beat. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cJust stop.\u201d Apparently, Lin Jingzhe didn\u2019t bring up this topic in order to have a conversation about it as he went on by himself, \u201cIt\u2019s useless for you to remit money to Jiang Qiaqia, she won\u2019t spend it on me. She never has.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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It took Lin Runsheng about five seconds to comprehend the meaning of this sentence, and his stern expression finally changed a bit, but it only made him look more ferocious. \u201cWhat?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

He startled the teahouse worker and she hurriedly ducked into the corridor, peeking out to watch. She sympathized with the young and handsome guest who was clearly being bullied, but at the same time feared that the two would fight and destroy the furnishings.<\/span><\/p>

However, in the face of the other man\u2019s fierce emotions, Lin Jingzhe was still astonishingly calm. In his last life, he and Lin Runsheng had fought for many years. The first time he came to Yan City and saw his father act like this, he inevitably thought that he wasn\u2019t welcome. By the time he realized Lin Runsheng was just a paper tiger, the rancor accumulated on both sides had already grown too big for either of them to back off gracefully.<\/span><\/p>

In the end, his father was an opponent who usually suffered defeat in his hands; Lin Jingzhe felt guilt towards him but no reverence. \u201cDon\u2019t blame Grandpa, he was good to me and I was not lacking for anything. After he and Jiang Qiaqia became estranged, he never gave her a penny, but she was his flesh and blood after all\u2014he couldn\u2019t find it in himself to completely cut off all her sources of income.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

He still overestimated Lin Runsheng\u2019s reaction time\u2014after everything had been said, the other side had only finally finished digesting his previous statement. \u201cShe never spent it on you? How could this be?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe sighed. With his father\u2019s dullness, he was really curious to know how this man was able to study abstruse ICT technology. \u201cShouldn\u2019t you know? Her actions are only natural since my existence is not important to her. By the way, she\u2019s just decided to have a second child, with Qi Qing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

What Lin Jingzhe was telling him was quite different from the information Lin Runsheng had received in the past ten years. He sat there, stunned, as the order established in his mind was completely collapsing. \u201cBut we signed an agreement\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAgreement?\u201d Lin Jingzhe sneered, wondering if he should laugh at his stupidity or at Jiang Qiaqia\u2019s methods. \u201cProfessor Lin, do you think you\u2019re still abroad? Your bullshit agreement on not having any more children is not legally binding in our country.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

He paused, his chest filled with an indescribable rage. He couldn\u2019t believe how easily he had been played by that woman in his last life; really, it was a farce deserving of a thunderous applause.<\/span><\/p>

He stood up abruptly and drank all the tea left in his cup. The still hot liquid entered his stomach but failed to quench the flames of his anger.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAnyway, I\u2019m just informing you so you can stop wasting money, but the decision of what to do belongs to you.\u201d Lin Jingzhe glanced at his watch. He didn\u2019t want to stay here any longer or he was afraid that he would lose control of his temper as he often had in his last life. He should hurry up and leave. \u201cI have something to do in the dormitory, I need to go back now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Runsheng was stuck in a stupor from the huge amount of information he had yet to digest, but when he saw that the young man wanted to leave, he still stood up inadvertently.<\/span><\/p>

He opened his mouth, his expression determined and his face flushed with agitation, and uttered, \u201c…Evening… would you like to come over for dinner this evening?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThank you.\u201d Lin Jingzhe saw the uneasiness hidden under his appearance, and his mood turned a little complicated. After a moment of hesitation, he still rejected the invitation. \u201cBut no.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Runsheng opened his mouth wanting to say something more, but he didn\u2019t know what to say. Lin Jingzhe gritted his teeth and passed by him. When he came down to the first floor, he looked back from the foot of the staircase.<\/span><\/p>

The tall middle-aged man was still standing where he had left him, his back illuminated by the light, apparently watching him leave. Lin Jingzhe couldn\u2019t see his expression, but from his posture, he could sense a deep loneliness.<\/span><\/p>

After pushing open the doors of the teahouse and coming out into the scorching sun, Lin Jingzhe stood absentminded for a moment, and then determinedly walked towards the side entrance of the campus.<\/span><\/p>

That was it. His father already had a new family. In his past life, his ending had been too tragic\u2014Lin Jingzhe didn\u2019t want to repeat it again.<\/span><\/p>

The best thing he could do for the man he\u2019d been feeling guilty towards for so many years was to stay far away from him.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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When Lin Runsheng got back, his whole body emanated a \u2018you\u2019d better keep away from me\u2019 aura, so strong that the sentries at the intersection were intimidated and instinctively stood up even straighter. He got out of the car and entered the front door. As he was taking off his shoes in the hall, his second wife, Shen Juanying, came down the stairs. At the sight of him, she was stunned.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAh!\u201d Exclaiming in shock, she rushed to his side. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? Why are you crying?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Runsheng glanced towards the inside of the house. Shen Juanying followed his gaze, immediately understanding, and said, \u201cTiantian has gone out to play and Aunt Li isn\u2019t here now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

In response, the tears in Lin Runsheng\u2019s eyes fell down and he began to sob.<\/span><\/p>

Shen Juanying was both frightened and distressed. She touched her husband\u2019s face, which was still set in a scary expression, wiped his tears, and tugged at him to sit down on the sofa, soothing him with a gentle voice.<\/span><\/p>

Lin Runsheng cried for a long time before slowly calming down. Shen Juanying gave him a sidelong glance. \u201cHow come you always cry at the drop of a hat? Come on, tell me what happened\u2014did the professors in the research lab bully you again? Those damn people, I\u2019ll help you get back at them!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cNo.\u201d Lin Runsheng took his wife\u2019s hand and sobbed out what Lin Jingzhe had told him.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhat?! It can\u2019t be! You send her thousands of yuan every month. Jiang Qiaqia is a mother after all, would she really be so callous?\u201d Looking shocked, Shen Juanying passed him several tissues. \u201cShouldn\u2019t it just be a child talking nonsense? You have to be careful not to accuse her unjustly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Eyes red, Lin Runsheng stared at the phone. \u201cYou can call her and ask.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cIf you want to pick a fight with her, you should do it personally. What reason do I have to ask her?\u201d his wife said helplessly.<\/span><\/p>

Lin Runsheng was usually afraid to talk to Jiang Qiaqia, but now his outrage overcame his timidity. Bristling with anger, he dialed the phone under Shen Juanying\u2019s worried gaze.<\/span><\/p>

Jiang Qiaqia\u2019s voice was as pleasing to the ear as ever. {Hello?}<\/span><\/p>

\u201cQiaqia, it\u2019s me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The pleasant voice fell silent in an instant and there was some kind of a muffled commotion on the other side of the phone. After a moment, Jiang Qiaqia said with impatience, {You? Haven\u2019t I told you, don\u2019t call me if there\u2019s nothing.} She paused, then continued, {Why haven\u2019t I received the remittance slip this month? Did you forget?}<\/span><\/p>

Lin Runsheng sniffed and said loudly, \u201cYou dare to ask me about that? Let me ask you, how do you spend the money I send you every month? Is it used for Jingzhe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

After a moment of hesitation, Jiang Qiaqia replied as if nothing was wrong, {What do you mean? Did someone say something to you?}<\/span><\/p>

Lin Runsheng banged his hand against the table. \u201cDon\u2019t try to lie to me! I\u2019ve met Jingzhe, it was he who told me!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Jiang Qiaqia\u2019s voice immediately came to a halt, then she quickly replied, {And you actually believed him?! What does a child understand!}<\/span><\/p>

She sounded so full of confidence that Lin Runsheng\u2019s anger was suppressed. Probably guessing his reaction, her words came out in a rush, bringing out a tone of deep grievance and resentment, {You called me just to ask this? That\u2019s what you think of me? Lin Runsheng, you haven\u2019t seen your child for over a decade yet you have the audacity to question me like this? Did he grow up with you or me? He\u2019s my own son, how can I treat him badly? Search your conscience and ask yourself if you are qualified to ask me such a question!}<\/span><\/p>

Lin Runsheng had never been able to successfully argue against her. Hearing the barrage of questions, he countered weakly, \u201cIt\u2019s because you asked me not to disturb his life\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

{So what?! What does it matter?!} Jiang Qiaqia rebuked. {I\u2019m asking you who raised him!}<\/span><\/p>

Lin Runsheng was silent.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Jiang Qiaqia\u2019s words became increasingly aggressive. {Open your mouth and speak! Why are you still like this even after all these years, silent and gutless? And you call yourself a man? I gave you all my youth, I married you and bore a son for you. I accompanied you through thick and thin, even when you were a poor teacher in Qunnan City. I\u2019ve endured for so many years and this is how you repay me?! Is Lin Jingzhe your son or isn\u2019t he? Then shouldn\u2019t you pay for his upkeep? Have I asked you for anything else all these years? No? Then how can you begrudge this small amount of money!}<\/span><\/p>

She took a breath and continued to scold, {And why did you go see him? We signed an agreement, do you plan not to abide by it any longer?!}<\/span><\/p>

Lin Runsheng said anxiously, \u201cI didn\u2019t, he\u2026 It was him who recognized me, I\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

{Bullshit!!!} Jiang Qiaqia rudely interrupted his explanation, reducing him to silence.<\/span><\/p>

Shen Juanying, who was sitting beside him listening to the conversation, narrowed her eyes. Seeing that her husband was really falling for this sophistry and that he was about to cry again, her fury rose and she snatched the receiver from him. \u201cJiang Qiaqia, you better speak politely. Can\u2019t we solve this peacefully?\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>

Jiang Qiaqia just sneered. {Who are you to concern yourself with this matter? This is between me and Lin Runsheng, don\u2019t just butt in. Aren\u2019t you taking yourself too seriously?}<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAm I? I don\u2019t think so. Jiang Qiaqia, don\u2019t forget why you two divorced in the first place.\u201d Unlike her husband, Shen Juanying wasn\u2019t someone easy to pick on. Not afraid of Jiang Qiaqia at all, she stabbed right back, \u201cI really don\u2019t know how you have the audacity to speak as if justice is on your side. You couldn\u2019t have possibly forgotten that you were caught in bed with Qi Qing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Jiang Qiaqia choked up, feeling as though she was suffocating, but because of Shen Yuanying\u2019s status, she didn\u2019t dare speak rashly. She could only gnash her teeth and snap back, {With Lin Runsheng being the way he is, who wouldn\u2019t look for a better man? You must be the only one who could be satisfied with his personality!}<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWe aren\u2019t talking about that.\u201d Calm, Shen Juanying switched the receiver to her other hand. \u201cToday, we\u2019re calling you to check on what happened to Lin Jingzhe\u2019s living expenses we have remitted to you over the years. Manager Jiang, both you and your husband are entrepreneurs\u2014you must understand what I mean by that, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Jiang Qiaqia was far less confident when facing her than when facing her former husband. She really couldn\u2019t figure out how Lin Runsheng, who had been transferred to Yan City after their divorce, could climb such a high branch like Shen Juanying. She couldn\u2019t understand Shen Juanying either\u2014she came from a wealthy and powerful family and held a high position. She must\u2019ve met all kinds of excellent men, so why would she fall in love with Lin Runsheng? After living together for many years, Jiang Qiaqia knew her ex-husband\u2019s character all too well; although he looked like a serious and capable man, in fact, he was really just an embroidered pillow! He didn\u2019t know how to do anything except research, he could neither make money nor climb the social ladder, and when he was wronged, he\u2019d go home and cry!<\/span><\/p>

Jiang Qiaqia felt almost sick enough to throw up when she thought about the cold and hard-looking man shedding tears at her behind a closed door!<\/span><\/p>

{Check? How?} she said crossly. {All the money has been spent, on his living expenses and tuition. Do you still need to check?}<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Shen Juanying replied. \u201cI might not have any other skills, but checking a few personal accounts shouldn\u2019t be a problem. Manager Jiang, if you don\u2019t have any objections, why don\u2019t I ask someone in Qunnan City to go to your house and get your account book? Oh, but perhaps you didn\u2019t keep a record\u2014that\u2019s fine, the remittance slips proving you were sending the money to Lin Jingzhe will work as well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Jiang Qiaqia felt weak\u2014how could she have something like that? But she also knew that if Shen Juanying dared to say this, she definitely had the ability to follow through on her words.<\/span><\/p>

She found herself riding a tiger.<\/span><\/p>

After a long pause, she said stiffly, {Why should I need to prove it to you? I\u2019m Lin Jingzhe\u2019s mother\u2014is it any of your business how and when I gave him the money? What right do you have to take this up with me? Did you give birth to him?}<\/span><\/p>

Shen Juanying was a shrewd and experienced reader of people; hearing Jiang Qiaqia\u2019s reply, she knew at once that the other woman was indeed guilty. Though she didn\u2019t want to believe it, she had no choice but to acknowledge that the news her husband brought back was true.<\/span><\/p>

She was horrified\u2014she never expected that in this world, there could be a \u201cmother\u201d such as Jiang Qiaqia. Consequently, she lost her usual good temper. \u201cWhat funny things you say, Manager Jiang. Of course I didn\u2019t give birth to him, but as for what right do I have to take this matter up with you\u2014you haven\u2019t forgotten who remits money to you every month? If you refuse to cooperate, don\u2019t blame us for doing the same starting from next month.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

{What do you mean? You don\u2019t plan to pay child support anymore?!} Jiang Qiaqia asked, shocked.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cNot necessarily. Take out either your account book or the remittance slips to prove that the money went to the right place and all will be well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

{You can\u2019t do this!} This time, Jiang Qiaqia really panicked. Recently, all of a sudden, Qunnan Province\u2019s authorities had started an all-out war with smugglers, apprehending a large number of them. Many of the provincial government higher-ups, including Section Head Wang whose support she had previously sought, were also arrested and had taken a lot of people down with them.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Section Head Wang getting arrested would normally be water off a duck\u2019s back to Jiang Qiaqia\u2014the problem was, when he was asked to explain the bribes and \u201cgifts\u201d found at his home, he revealed the origins of the rare, expensive model of his cell phone. Since then, she and Qi Qing had been invited for questioning several times and their company was frequently audited, greatly affecting their business.<\/span><\/p>

Her father had passed away, her siblings were useless, and though she had long wanted to buy Qiqing Real Estate\u2019s shares, she never found an opportunity. Except for the salary, less than 1,000 yuan per month, that she received for being the \u201cgeneral manager\u201d of the company and the pocket money given to her by Qi Qing, she hardly had any sources of income. If she lost her ex-husband\u2019s monthly remittance of 5,000 yuan, she really didn\u2019t know how she would continue to live in the Qi family\u2019s home.<\/span><\/p>

{That\u2019s not what the agreement says!} she shrieked. {I signed an agreement with Lin Runsheng\u2014he has to pay child support until Lin Jingzhe gets married! You can\u2019t just break it!}<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThis kind of agreement has no legal effect at all, Manager Jiang, don\u2019t pretend you don\u2019t know. Even that rule about not having more children\u2014how would one even enforce that? Doesn\u2019t this agreement just depend on your conscience?\u201d Shen Juanying wasn\u2019t going to let her off so easily. Cool and collected, she continued, \u201cLet\u2019s put aside the fact that Lin Jingzhe is already an adult. Even if he was a minor, are you aware of how much monthly child support is as stipulated by the law?\u201d She laughed mockingly. \u201cFifty yuan! You think we remit 5,000 yuan to you every month because of your bullshit agreement? Wrong, it\u2019s only because my husband cares about his son!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Jiang Qiaqia was rendered speechless.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAlright, enough of this nonsense. Around\u2014\u201d Shen Juanying glanced at her watch, \u201cBefore nine o\u2019clock, somebody will appear at your house to pick up either the account book or the remittance slips. You\u2019d better cooperate and don\u2019t try to play any tricks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

She hung up, ignoring Jiang Qiaqia\u2019s attempts to speak.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYou\u2019re so stupid!\u201d Exasperated, she turned to her husband and jabbed his forehead hard. \u201cYou\u2019re the only one who ever took that shitty agreement seriously. What we sent her over the years amounts to hundreds of thousands of yuan! You called your former father-in-law regularly\u2014he never mentioned it?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHe only said not to send so much in the future,\u201d Lin Runsheng replied with a gloomy face, feeling wronged. \u201cHow was I to know\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

He pursed his lips, feeling miserable.<\/span><\/p>

At this moment Shen Tiantian, Shen Juanying\u2019s daughter, pushed the door open. Frightened by dark aura emanating from Lin Runsheng, she instinctively took a few steps back and froze in place.<\/span><\/p>

Lin Runsheng raised his head at the sound. Seeing his stepdaughter, his expression immediately changed to a deep frown, making him look as if his eyes were red because he was angry, not because he\u2019d been crying.<\/span><\/p>

Though the two had always maintained a relationship of <\/span>noninterference<\/b><\/a>, Shen Tiantian was still a little scared of this fierce-looking stepfather. She stayed in the hall, shopping bag in hand, and glanced warily at her mother. \u201cAre you two\u2026 having a fight?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cNo.\u201d Shen Juanying had never been able to resolve other people\u2019s misunderstandings about her husband. She gave a feeble wave of her hand and motioned towards the stairs. \u201cAnyway, this doesn\u2019t involve you. Go upstairs and do your homework.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shen Tiantian promptly rushed away and Lin Runsheng relaxed a little. He took a tissue and blew his nose, then, recalling something, he mumbled aggrievedly, \u201cJingzhe must hate me. I invited him to come for dinner but he refused.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shen Juanying crossed her arms and watched him fret. \u201cAnd you just gave up like that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Runsheng looked up at her, teary-eyed. \u201cAh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Seeing that he really didn\u2019t understand, Shen Juanying sighed and gave up. \u201cForget it\u2014with the way you are, it was to be expected. I\u2019d better go see him when I\u2019m free, I guess.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Lin Jingzhe quickly adjusted his emotions that were in turmoil after meeting his father. Used to making choices and equally used to the sense of emptiness in his chest, he had learned to ignore his negative feelings.<\/span><\/p>

Fang Wenhao moved quickly and had a lot of connections; it only took him a few days to fulfill Lin Jingzhe\u2019s request to find a reliable supplementary school.<\/span><\/p>

In the eighties, many people in China began to enter the business world. These bold pioneers stirred countless waves in the formerly stagnant economic circle, turning it into a stormy sea, but this didn\u2019t mean that prior to that, they had been working in business-related jobs.<\/span><\/p>

Among them were state-owned enterprise workers, the lowest rung officials, ordinary farmers, and even unemployed vagrants. These people, by sheer audacity, vision, and a little bit of luck, earned their first pot of gold and usually decided to become private entrepreneurs who needed to manage employees henceforth. At this point, they often found that their knowledge and experience was insufficient.<\/span><\/p>

And so, all kinds of short-term training courses for business owners appeared to allow these bewildered \u201cnew rich\u201d to learn all the knowledge they were lacking, like the basics of business management.<\/span><\/p>

The training market, however, was chaotic\u2014with private entrepreneurs willing to spend money, various so-called \u201clecturers,\u201d who in actuality were just swindlers, had spawned in great numbers. This was also the area the government had to regulate, but it would be a while yet before that happened.<\/span><\/p>

The school Fang Wenhao found was close to Yan University. Rumor had it that a lot of high school students who failed the college entrance examination attended to study for the retake. Many professors from well-known local universities worked there part-time, so the education quality was comparatively high, and the number of students whose results visibly improved was impressive. As such, it enjoyed great popularity. In the past few years, it expanded to provide short-term courses on finances and economy. They were very expensive, despite lasting only one or two months.<\/span><\/p>

Fang Wenhao said, \u201cIt\u2019s not that I think the most expensive is the best, but do you know who\u2019s teaching this course?\u201d He shook his head, sighing. \u201cThe famous professor of economics from our department and the professor of finance from the nearby University of Science and Engineering, the one whose classes are always fully booked. The professors from the prestigious universities in Yan City often teach a class here, as a side job. Although the fees are slightly higher than those of other cram schools, you\u2019ll definitely get your money\u2019s worth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe glanced through the faculty list and was surprised to see several names that would be well-known in the future. However, he knew that in the current era, the teachers\u2019 salaries weren\u2019t high and the Ministry of Education didn\u2019t restrict them for earning extra income. Professors also needed to eat. Since this supplementary school charged such high tuition and could recruit so many excellent teachers, it was presumably generous with the teachers\u2019 pay.<\/span><\/p>

He nodded and said, \u201cIt\u2019s fine. Help me book it, please.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Deng Mai had come with him. The tuition alone dazed him; when he heard Lin Jingzhe settle on it, his face paled with shock. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t agree!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe handed Fang Wenhao his wallet and Deng Mai\u2019s ID card, signalling for him to handle the formalities while he stayed behind to deal with his friend.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThis course only lasts for a month. Do your best to study for that month\u2014after you graduate, you will be able to help me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Deng Mai hesitated. Lin Jingzhe added, \u201cDon\u2019t forget, I still owe 700,000 yuan.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The young man shuddered at the reminder. The signs of his struggle showed on his face, but he didn\u2019t give up quite yet. \u201cBut this course is too expensive! Even more so for it being so short. Aren\u2019t there cheaper ones\u2026?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYou get what you pay for. You\u2019ll understand later.\u201d Lin Jinghe patted his arm.<\/span><\/p>

Deng Mai wanted to cry. He stood there, tall and big, with a face full of grievances and teary eyes. \u201cBig Bro, if I knew it would be like this, I\u2019d have just attended the college I got into. What you paid for that class just now is so much more than my four-year tuition would\u2019ve been.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe pinched his face. \u201cSo you have to study hard, you know? I spent the last of my savings on you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

For the first time, the young man who grew up in a small town felt he carried a heavy weight on his shoulders. For some reason, he had the vague feeling that just now, the course of his future life changed entirely.<\/span><\/p>

After paying the fee and bidding goodbye to Deng Mai, Fang Wenhao joked, \u201cYour buddy is going to cry when he goes back. You saw how clingy he was? I think he really hated he couldn\u2019t go to school with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Lin Jingzhe just smiled. \u201cDon\u2019t be too harsh on him, Brother Fang, he\u2019s still young and foolish.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Y<\/span>ou\u2019re even younger than him<\/span><\/em>,<\/em> Fang Wenhao thought, giving him a strange look. Despite that, Lin Jingzhe\u2019s words sounded quite natural\u2014in him, he had maturity that belied his tender age, so much so that at times, Fang Wenhao felt as if he faced an elder.<\/span><\/p>

He sighed inwardly\u2014to have such a buddy would be all anyone could wish for in their life.<\/span><\/p>

And so, he invited this new acquaintance of his to accompany him for dinner in a certain restaurant famous in Yan City and introduced him to his close friends. It was unusual for him to do that with somebody he\u2019d known for barely a few days.<\/span><\/p>

Finally, Lin Jingzhe met somebody familiar, except in his previous life, they were barely nodding acquaintances. Well, they each had their own circles and young people tended to be proud\u2014they looked down on Lin Jingzhe, and Lin Jingzhe didn\u2019t necessarily think much of them either. Therefore, although in this life he was at best a poor boy with no background, he was able to easily handle these \u201cold friends\u201d.<\/span><\/p>

His attitude was just right, neither humble nor arrogant, and his composure and calm temperament was something rare among people of his age. What\u2019s more, his appearance was outstanding. Additionally, Fang Wenhao did his best to make him feel welcome, and he was accepted without much rejection.<\/span><\/p>

When boys get together, they just eat, drink and gossip. Apart from drinking more, they were no different from girls in this aspect.<\/span><\/p>

Fang Wenhao had little reservations in front of this group. After a few rounds of drinks, he urged Lin Jingzhe to eat more then grabbed a glass of his own and began to air his grievances.<\/span><\/p>

He started a real estate company, but things weren\u2019t going according to plan\u2014he wanted to purchase a piece of land some time ago, but was outbid by his opponent. This opponent was of the same age and had a similarly strong background. Even in school, he tended to make life difficult for Fang Wenhao.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHu Shaofeng, that bastard!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

His buddies naturally helped him curse and say bad things about his foe\u2014\u2014<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHe\u2019s just a show-off! He\u2019s so useless I wonder why his father doesn\u2019t give him a beating every day!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI had long heard he wanted to go to Qunnan to smuggle with Qi Kai. He\u2019s been talking about it for more than a year, but he still hasn\u2019t managed it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cQi Kai is in trouble now\u2014he brought big trouble to his family too. It turned out Hu Shaofeng got lucky because he dawdled so much. Eh, whatever, he\u2019ll get his comeuppance sooner or later!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAs if he\u2019d care about you. Now that he\u2019s hugged Xiao Chi\u2019s thigh, it\u2019s as if all his dreams came true. It really makes you want to curse the universe!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Everyone burst into laughter. Somebody wondered, \u201cSay, why did Xiao Chi return to China? I\u2019ve heard he\u2019s been doing well abroad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

A young man with more social connections waved the hand holding his glass, a mysterious expression on his face. \u201cNot only him, his sister also came back. My father, too, told my uncle to pick up his daughter and return to China as soon as possible. It seems that something might have happened.\u201d He drank a mouthful of alcohol and continued, \u201cAnyway, did you know? They say Xiao Chi went to Shen City when the stock exchange opened and made a lot of money. My father talked about it every day, telling me to learn from him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

These youngsters were still in the age of longing for independence, so he said it with admiration and envy. The topic changed to stock exchanges, the ones already open and those that were to open soon.<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe was sensitive to this topic. After listening to a few more sentences, he recalled the two people they talked about.<\/span><\/p>

Needless to say, Hu Shaofeng was the number one show-off among the young masters in Yan City\u2014this hadn\u2019t changed even in the next few decades. What\u2019s more, he was also successful in business; he truly was what one would call a winner in life. Although Lin Jingzhe never met him in his last life, he was as envious as these young people at the table.<\/span><\/p>

Some people were born with luck\u2014no matter how unbridled they were, life was smooth sailing for them.<\/span><\/p>

But when they mentioned Xiao Chi, Lin Jingzhe was a little surprised. These two had a connection? No wonder.<\/span><\/p>

This Xiao Chi, who later became more well-known than Hu Shaofeng, was even more mysterious. Anyway, with the difference in their social circles, Lin Jingzhe had basically had no chance to meet either.<\/span><\/p>

But it was clear that Fang Wenhao\u2019s circle had this chance, and not only a chance\u2014the two sides seemed to have accumulated a number of grudges. It was a valuable piece of information.<\/span><\/p>

After everyone got drunk, Lin Jingzhe, the only person who remained sober, supported Fang Wenhao to help him go outside.<\/span><\/p>

As they took a few steps, he heard somebody behind him curse: \u201cFuck, don\u2019t you know you shouldn\u2019t bad-mouth people behind their backs?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

He turned around and saw Fang Wenhao\u2019s friends get up, eager for a fight. Even Fang Wenhao, sluggish from all the alcohol he poured in himself, suddenly livened up and looked in that direction.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cSee that person there, Lin Jingzhe? That\u2019s Hu Shaofeng, your brother\u2019s sworn enemy! It\u2019s impossible for both of us to live under the same sky!\u201d Fang Wenhao said loudly. Then, his eyebrows jumped, and he rolled his eyes at his friends. \u201cSit down, Xiao Chi\u2019s fuckin\u2019 here too, we won\u2019t be able to beat him up today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe followed his line of sight, and his gaze suddenly sharpened.<\/span><\/p>

A young man walked towards them with a swagger. He wore a flower-print shirt and similarly patterned trousers, had his hands in his pockets, and an unlit cigarette dangled from his mouth. He looked disreputable at a glance.<\/span><\/p>

But Lin Jingzhe didn\u2019t care about him, what he cared about was the man next to him!<\/span><\/p>

Curly!!!<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Today, Curly\u2019s hair was carefully slicked back. He wore clothes completely different from his companion\u2019s in style, and was speaking to him as they walked.<\/span><\/p>

His face was expressionless, and there was a string of Buddhist prayer beads in one of the hands hanging loosely by his sides. He passed his thumb over them.<\/span><\/p>

Fang Wenhao\u2019s group was too conspicuous. Flower Shirt soon noticed them and his lackadaisical expression suddenly became sharper, even his slouching back straightened.<\/span><\/p>

At his change, the speaking Curly also paused and looked in their direction.<\/span><\/p>

Both sides stopped and stared at each other in silence.<\/span><\/p>

Flower Shirt looked as if he couldn\u2019t wait but step forward and launch into a quarrel, but Curly Hair\u2019s face radiated disinterest and boredom.<\/span><\/p>

However, this expression disappeared the second he met Lin Jingzhe\u2019s eyes!<\/span><\/p>

It was as if thunder rolled across the sky and earthquakes split the earth and felled the mountains.<\/span><\/p>

Xiao Chi, whose nether regions began to ache faintly: \u201c!!!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe, who felt a dull pain in his stomach: \u201c!!!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

What should I do?<\/span><\/em><\/p>

I really want to beat him up.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Translator’s Notes:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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  1. \u201cLike a stone in a cesspit\u2014smelly and hard\u201d<\/i><\/strong> [\u7cde\u5751\u88cf\u7684\u77f3\u982d\u2014\u2014\u53c8\u81ed\u53c8\u786c] – a Chinese proverb, meaning someone unreasonably stubborn.<\/span><\/li>\n \t
  2. \u201cAlthough he looked like a serious and capable man, in fact, he was really just an <\/i><\/strong>embroidered pillow<\/i><\/strong><\/span>!\u201d<\/i><\/b> [\u7e61\u82b1\u6795\u982d] – means someone who is outwardly attractive but lacking ability or talent inside; just a pretty face; people or things which have only the beautiful appearance but lack the real worth. (<\/span>Source<\/strong><\/a>)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Translator: Eques<\/em>
    Consultant: Austera<\/em>
    Editor: Luoshenhua, Bet<\/em>
    Proofreader: Austera<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Eques:<\/h2>

    Until further notice, new chapters will be posted every second Saturday. However, the chapters won’t be split anymore, which means you’ll have a lot<\/em> to read every time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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    ...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[35,39,68,41],"class_list":["post-10705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-eor","tag-bl","tag-modern","tag-power-couple","tag-second-chance"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10705","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10705"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10705\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11263,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10705\/revisions\/11263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10705"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}