Chapter 162: Chapter 162 Dao De Jing
Memories tugged at his mind, and without realizing it, Chu Yuxuan had finished an entire plate of salmon. Just as he put down his chopsticks, the waiter brought out a plate of tuna.
Chu Yuxuan glanced at Chu Zhiqing. He didn't need to think twice; it was clear that his father had secretly informed the bodyguard outside to order more dishes.
"I told you not to waste food. I was just in the mood for a small taste," Chu Yuxuan said.
Chu Zhiqing smiled warmly. "My son wants to eat. Who cares about wasting food? Try a piece."
Chu Yuxuan picked up a slice and put it into his mouth, nodding slightly. "Not bad. Tender... You should try some too. You've been too busy drinking; I haven't seen you eat."
Chu Zhiqing's smile grew wider as he picked up his chopsticks to taste the food. It had been so long since father and son had shared such a peaceful meal.
"Once Wang Long finds a suitable candidate, you'll need to cooperate and show yourself a bit," Chu Yuxuan said casually as he ate. Chu Zhiqing hummed in agreement, knowing exactly what his son had in mind. Finding someone to impersonate Liu Jun was just a way to make sure those behind the scenes believed Liu Jun was still alive.
Although Liu Jun had the courage to die rather than reveal anything, as long as he was alive and in Chu Zhiqing's hands, the people behind him wouldn't be able to sleep soundly. They'd definitely come to silence him.
But the problem was that although father and son knew someone was watching them, they hadn't figured out where that person was hiding. If they acted out the whole play and the watcher missed it, wouldn't it all be for nothing?
Chu Zhiqing voiced his concern, but Chu Yuxuan remained calm. "Don't worry. They'll definitely know. Once Wang Long finds the right person tomorrow, I'll send Nan Nan to the villa to stay for a few days."
Chu Zhiqing understood. His son was short on manpower. "Alright, the villa's security is tight. She'll be safe there. If you need more people, I'll send a few your way."
Chu Yuxuan thought for a moment and nodded. "That's good. Five or six will do."
With the plan set, they ate a few more bites and then went their separate ways.
When they reached the parking lot, just before getting into the car, Chu Yuxuan glanced around casually. Not far away, a silver Volkswagen Magotan sat, out of place among the surrounding luxury cars. He looked away, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Lao Si whispered, "She arrived about ten minutes after you went up. She's been tailing us for days, changing cars almost every day."
Chu Yuxuan got into the car and closed the door, muttering, "Let her keep following... Just don't mess up."
Lao Wu asked, "What do you mean?"
At the same time, in the Xue family residence, Xue Can was locked in a storage room in the basement of his luxurious home. After days of confinement, the once arrogant young master had lost all his spirit. He sat slumped against the wall, staring blankly at the small ventilation hole, looking like a dead man.
The room had only a bed, a toilet, and a desk. On the desk lay a copy of the Dao De Jing, its pages worn and dog-eared, showing signs of age. Xue Can had first been punished by being locked in this room when he was fourteen. The Dao De Jing had been bought for him then, and now, he could recite it from memory.
Suddenly, the door at the top of the stairs opened, and his mother's tearful voice floated down. "Husband, please forgive him this time! He's really changed! He'll never make you angry again! Please, let him go!"
"Changed? You think that brat can change? Get out of my way!" His father's furious voice echoed down the stairs.
Hearing his father's wrath, Xue Can felt as though he had fallen into an ice cave. Fear flooded his eyes as he scrambled to get up from the corner, but his legs were too weak. He crawled toward the desk, propping himself up with trembling hands. Finally managing to stand, he grabbed a pen and began copying the Dao De Jing. Sweat poured from his face in mere moments; hearing his father return home was a thousand times more terrifying to him than hearing the house was haunted.
Outside, heavy footsteps descended the stairs. His mother continued to plead, "Husband, please don't hit him! He knows he's wrong! Don't use the whip! It's covered in iron spikes! You'll kill him!"
"Knows he's wrong? Has he ever truly known? I've turned a blind eye to his usual misdeeds, but now he's gone and tried to kill Chu Zhiqing's son? Do you really think Chu Zhiqing fears me? He's wary of my power, of my position! But that position isn't mine alone! Do you understand?"
Hearing their argument, Xue Fei rushed over. Although he couldn't stand his eternally immature younger brother, they were still siblings. Besides, his father's punishments were always brutal, often leaving Xue Can covered in wounds. He pleaded, "Dad, I've already disciplined him. Please spare him this time... Besides, we haven't completely broken ties with the Chu family. That matter's already resolved."
Xue Can's face turned deathly pale as he trembled, listening to the conversation outside, praying for a miracle that his father would show mercy.
His father roared, "It's a good thing he failed! Do you know what kind of man Chu Zhiqing is? His in-law Zhao Yunbo was once one of Jiangcheng's top figures, and where is he now? In prison! Chu Zhiqing was summoned by the inspection team and walked out unscathed. Do you think he's just some pushover? If this brat had killed his son, can you imagine what that old wolf would do to me? You can't even imagine! Even a cornered rabbit will bite, and Chu Zhiqing is a wolf! Even his father, Chu Xiaotian, has to tread carefully around him now! I'll beat this ungrateful son to death today! Both of you, move aside and go upstairs!"
Xue Can's mother stood at the door, crying desperately, "You call him a beast, but have you ever thought about when you've been there for him? All you care about is power! Is it so important to you? You can only sneak home once a month, our two children can't even take your surname, and I can't openly be your wife. I've had enough of this life!"
"I'm doing this for the family! How can Fei'er do business if everyone knows he's my son? And if people find out that b*st*rd is mine, how can I stay in power?"
"Then don't stay in power!" she sobbed. "I haven't slept well since the inspection team came to Jiangcheng. Let's just leave everything behind and go abroad. We have over seventy million in cash, antiques, and gold stored away. Find someone to launder it, or just leave it! Fei'er's company in the U.S. is worth a fortune. We could live comfortably for generations!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the whip cracked.
"Get out of my way! It's taken me thirty years to climb to where I am today! I won't let anyone shake my position! Fei'er, take your mother upstairs!"
Xue Fei, unable to go against his father's temper, dragged his mother away. Inside the storage room, Xue Can's body went rigid as the door slowly opened. The sight of a hand holding the whip greeted him. Xue Can closed his eyes in despair, overwhelmed by fear, his body trembling uncontrollably as he began to recite the Dao De Jing aloud. "Everyone knows the beauty of beauty, and thus arises ugliness; everyone knows the good, and thus arises evil..."
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