The Divorced Wife of the Richest Man is Reborn

The scene was deathly silent, followed by an awkward silence. Someone said, "I don't recognize any of these kids."

Another person chimed in, "Neither do I."

Chao Commander stared for a long time, then turned to Yan Peiheng and asked, "Which one of them claimed to be my grandson?"

Yan Peiheng replied, "I don't know either. At least among those I know, none of your grandsons are among them."

Currently, currying favor, networking, and corrupting the second and third generations are indeed serious issues in Hua Country's political circles. People like Chao Commander, while he himself may not be involved, all the retired leaders from the military are his subordinates. As long as they use his name, they can get things done smoothly.

His voice was low, yet authoritative without the need to raise it. Looking around, he said, "If anyone wants to believe them, go ahead. If anyone wants to use my name, Chao Xin, to deceive others, claiming to handle relationships, policies, or even rescuing people, feel free to do so. But I, Chao Xin, will not take responsibility. I am also about to retire soon, and Yan Peiheng will take over. You all know his temper."

Slowly, everyone's gaze shifted to Yan Peiheng.

How could they not know? Today's gathering was organized by Yan Peiheng after hearing that someone was using his name.

Having worked in the military for a lifetime, his style is well-known among the retired leaders.

Even his own son can be taken to court and deported; who wouldn't be afraid?

Just like when the tide recedes, you can see who is swimming naked.

At this moment, everyone spontaneously moved away, distancing themselves from Wang Xudong, the deputy director.

Among that group of troublemakers, only Wang Xudong's child was there, the rest were just a bunch of small-time crooks using the name of an old leader to deceive others.

How laughable, Wang Xudong's nephew, the one his four brothers had high hopes for, was mixed up with such a bunch of small-time crooks.

Wang Xudong looked shocked, but in such a situation, he still had to defend himself.

Kids, after all, play and mess around; even if his nephew had befriended small-time crooks, it wasn't a big deal.

Moreover, he saw Yan Ha. Who doesn't know Yan Ha, the adopted son of Yan Wei? After his biological mother, Mi Xue, passed away, his stepmother, Mi Lan, married Feng Yu, and the child was raised by Mi Lan and Feng Yu.

It wasn't a big deal, and without Feng Ha, his nephew wouldn't have mixed with these crooks.

Yan Peiheng wasn't a steel that could be without desire; he also had flaws, and Feng Ha was his flaw.

With a forced smile, Wang Xudong was about to speak up to defend himself when Yan Peiheng said again, "Let's go, let's eat. Yan Zhao, during his time abroad, collected some evidence. The evidence indicates that certain capitalist powers are quietly transporting toxic waste into our country through ports in Xiamen, and a group of unscrupulous businessmen have been taking in medical and nuclear waste. He claims to have already obtained the evidence. Let's eat and listen to his report."

Deputy Director Wang's head buzzed again.

Three of his brothers were in Xiamen doing import-export business.

Doing business was good; after all, their formerly poor family had gradually improved due to their business. His wife often urged him to persuade his brothers not to break the law, as compared to poverty, a stable future was more important for him and his daughter.

Whenever his wife mentioned this, Wang Xudong would glare at her, accusing her of being petty and always suspecting his brothers of wrongdoing. He believed that his brothers, for his career, would never break the law, and everyone was making money, so why couldn't his brothers?

But now, the truth was laid bare, and the facts were clear. His brothers, who had grown up with him, eating sweet potatoes and sharing hardships, had pulled him into this mess without his knowledge.

How could they still eat? This was his own banquet of doom!

He reached for his belt, wanting to beat his nephew, but would it still be useful?

At that moment, a voice came from behind, "Director Wang, let's go, let's eat."

Turning around, everyone had left, and standing in the sunlight was Yan Zhao.

The sunlight behind him illuminated his crew cut, each hair standing out clearly.

This was once his most capable regimental commander, a living devil on the battlefield.

They had even made a pact: Yan Zhao would serve in the military for life, guarding the border, while he would transfer to local governance.

Yan Zhao had once held his hand and said, "Not being corrupt, not accepting bribes, that's the bottom line. We are both from poor backgrounds, not afraid of bleeding and sweating on the battlefield, but afraid of not resisting the temptation. In peacetime, we must also agree not to cross that line."

How did he not hold on? No, he did hold on, but his brothers, those born from the same father, for whom he and his wife were even considering divorce, how did they stab him in the back?

Step by step, Wang Xudong felt like he was drowning, walking up to Yan Zhao, reaching out to grasp his hand.

Yan Zhao's strong hand clasped Wang Xudong's, leading him to eat.

Meanwhile, Little Wang was facing the dilemma of inviting guests.

It wasn't that he didn't want to invite them to dinner; he had the money ready, but the Chinese restaurant at the Grand Hotel was not accepting individual guests today, so he was subjected to a barrage of curses from a group of so-called 'high-ranking officials' children.

In Little Wang's mind, figures like Chao Commander, his grandfather, should come in, recognizing these little bastards.

But how could that be? Chao Commander and the others were very busy today, and they certainly wouldn't come to recognize these little brats.

So Little Wang watched his grandfather approach the entrance of the coffee shop and then watched him leave.

"Are you going to treat us to dinner or not?" the skinny monkey impatiently asked.

...

"Fine, I'll call Hu Baiye and let him treat us. Damn it, what bad luck," the skinny monkey said, standing up. There were sugar cubes on the table; he was a bit angry, suddenly grabbing a few and throwing them at Little Wang's head before walking away.

Little Lang couldn't stand it and jumped up to grab the skinny monkey's arm, "What the hell are you doing?"

"What, I'm pissed that you guys stood me up, what's wrong with that? If you have the guts, hit me. My uncle is..." the skinny monkey shouted loudly.

Little Wang had to calm the situation; after all, his father's goal had been achieved. He had to look after John and Little Lang; his brother Little Lang still wanted to join the military in the future, and he couldn't have any scars. That was the most important bottom line. For this, Little Wang could endure being scolded but would never fight.

"Stupid idiot, can't even afford a Sprite," the skinny monkey said as he left.

Little Wang got a bit angry again, "I can afford Sprite, buddy, how about a bottle?"

"Sprite without XO is just a fart. Goodbye, don't let me see you in the Capital City again, or I'll beat you up every time," the skinny monkey said, pointing at Little Wang as he left.

Well, a bunch of small-time crooks, still so arrogant, left.

John's clothes should be Little Wang's. The three boys' heads were shaved yesterday by Yan Peiheng, because these years the Guo Fucheng hairstyle was popular, and Little Wang and Little Lang were secretly growing their hair, planning to get a middle parting, but today they all had crew cuts.

The three boys, who had come to make a splash, ended up being looked down upon by a group of second-generation elites. Sitting in the coffee shop, they looked like three little quails, huddled together.

Just then, a group of so-called 'high-ranking officials' children passed by Chen Meilan, who was about to call Little Wang and take them to the Western restaurant for a meal.

But at that moment, someone called out from behind, "Chen Meilan?"

It was Gu Xiao. He had probably been here for a while, sitting in a wheelchair at the coffee shop bar, watching a group of second-generation elites pass by his eyes.

Just now, Chao Commander and Yan Peiheng were also here, so he must have heard their entire conversation from start to finish.

Overall, the effect was not bad, as he was able to hear what Chao Commander said on the spot.

Chen Meilan then walked over.

Gu Xiao gestured for her to lean down, and his gaze was fixed on the group of delinquent-like youngsters who had just left the café. Pointing at them, Gu Xiao cleared his throat and said, "Chen Meilan, you see these kids, don't you? With their multicolored hair, their vulgar language, and their despicable behavior, they are the new generation born in the 1980s in Hua Country. Looking at them, do you still believe this country has any hope?"

This statement was rather harsh.

After all, Chen Meilan has three children, all born in the 1980s.

At this moment, Little Wang, Little Lang, and John were also sitting in the café.

His sweeping criticism included Little Wang and Little Lang as well.

Yan Dongxue, fearing Chen Meilan would be upset, quickly gave her a look, signaling her not to be angry.

Chen Meilan was not angry; in fact, she felt quite gratified.

Gu Xiao, this old man, is proud and stubborn.

In the past, he would see the chaos in Hua Country but never speak up.

He even enjoyed playing small tricks, allowing those who sought to profit from him to suffer, watching them fail and be humiliated.

Back then, he didn't love Hua Country, or perhaps he hadn't yet discovered the deep affection and hidden love he had for his homeland. Now, despite his harsh words, he has truly come to regard Hua Country as his own.

The deeper the love, the deeper the criticism, and the more concern.

He finds fault with everything because he cares about the development of this country.

He worries about its future.

Children are the hope and future of the nation.

Little Wang and Little Lang, along with those delinquents, were all born in the 1980s.

Before meeting that skinny kid, Chen Meilan hadn't realized something, but after seeing him, a memory from her past life clicked into place.

In her previous life, Yuanyuan had a particularly close girl friend who, at the age of fifteen or sixteen, disfigured a group of young boys and was even rumored to have committed rape. Her parents, after that, went mad, petitioning everywhere in Xiping City, hoping the court would help catch the perpetrators.

But after a long time of petitioning, the case was never resolved.

That was in 1997, the year Hong Kong returned. The case eventually faded away.

At the time, Chen Meilan had seen the materials the girl's parents posted outside the court. There was a boy, skinny as a monkey, and today, after meeting Wang Xudong's nephew Wang Qi, she recognized him as the main culprit who disfigured the girl.

A Shaanxi native, his uncle was the deputy director of the municipal bureau in Capital City.

In her previous life, at this time, Yan Zhao was still a small patrol captain in the Jindong branch, and the relationships within the higher echelons of Hua Country were more complex, deeper waters. The girl's parents, up against the director of the Capital City police bureau and his beloved nephew, were bound to suffer in vain.

Chen Meilan never forgot this incident in her past life and had been quietly investigating the girl, but since she hadn't found the main culprit, she hadn't mentioned it to Yan Zhao.

Today, this matter had to be brought up.

And so, when Gu Xiao said that the 1980s generation made him feel this country and its people had no hope, Chen Meilan found herself at a loss for words.

But just then, suddenly, Little Wang jumped up in the café and shouted, "Yan John, that's not fair. Yes, even if I can't mix with those delinquents and suffer, you saying I don't understand Hua Country culture and can't read ancient books, that I don't accept. Come on, let me recite the longest ancient poem for you."

Adults have their own affairs, and children have theirs.

Apart from external matters, the conflicts and frictions between John and Little Wang had not yet been resolved.

Little Wang's actions with those 'high-ranking officials's children' were still a mystery to John.

But boys don't like to suffer.

So today, after Little Wang, John, and Little Lang suffered a setback in front of the 'high-ranking officials's children', John felt very uncomfortable.

And recently, John had been studying Hua Country culture.

"The Art of War" was too difficult, and most of the characters were unfamiliar to him, so Yuanyuan, very considerately, gave him a "300 Tang Poems," saying even a three-year-old in Hua Country could understand it.

John tried it at home, and even Little Beibei could recite the first poem, "Spring Morning."

But that was simple, only 20 characters.

He still didn't believe it; he thought Little Wang, who never opened a book, certainly couldn't understand it either.

Little Wang played his own game, and John played his. From the moment they left the house until now, John had been holding a "300 Tang Poems," flipping through it, and he found a particularly long poem with very obscure characters, "The Song of the Lute." He didn't believe that such a difficult and lengthy poem could be recited by Hua Country's children.

So now, holding the book, he said, "Go ahead, I'm listening."

In fact, if it were any other poem, Little Wang wouldn't be able to recite it. His mind was on making money, and ancient poems were nothing.

But "The Song of the Lute" is what? A must-memorize for the college entrance exam, just like "Ten Chapters of the Analects," "The Peach Blossom Source Record," and "The Memorial of the Warring States." The teacher repeatedly emphasized that those who couldn't recite it were fools, better not to enter the exam room and embarrass themselves.

And he's in his first year of high school now; "The Song of the Lute" is nothing. When it comes to Tang poems, Song ci, and Yuan qu, that's the peak of his life's richness. This was like hitting the jackpot.

It was time for the kids to go home.

In their big blue canvas school uniforms and neatly cropped, close-shaven hair, if it weren't for their tall stature, with Little Wang's childlike face, they could pass for elementary school students.

He walked and recited: "At the riverside of Xunyang at night to see off a guest, maple leaves and reed flowers rustle in the autumn breeze. The host dismounts and the guest boards the boat, raising cups to drink without music..."

He recited quickly and walked fast, from the dark to the light, stepping into the brightness. John, holding the book, had to run after him, flipping through the complex characters, his eyes darting back and forth.

And Little Wang had already recited: "I left the imperial capital last year, banished to Xunyang, where I lay sick. Xunyang is remote and lacks music, never hearing the sound of strings all year. Living near the low and wet land by the Pen River, with yellow reeds and bitter bamboo around my house..."

These were a few clean-cut youngsters.

With beaming smiles, they walked over from the other side of the café.

Little Lang, recalling something, continued from where his brother left off: "In August, the autumn wind howls fiercely, lifting three layers of thatch from my roof. The thatch flies across the river, scattering over the riverside..." The little guy met Chen Meilan head-on, his dark face beaming with a mouthful of white teeth: "Mom!"

John, walking and tripping over the table legs, swayed and continued flipping the book. Little Wang was still reciting "The Song of the Lute," and Little Lang's middle school must-memorize "The Thatched Cottage Blown Apart by Autumn Wind" was halfway through. The kids stopped simultaneously upon seeing Chen Meilan.

John, holding that "300 Tang Poems," was about to be crushed on the spot.

He couldn't believe it, he simply couldn't believe it. How could Little Wang and Little Lang recite such complex texts off the cuff? He was about to lose it, his world was in chaos.

He had once thought himself a well-read scholar, a top student, but now he felt like a fool.

"Let's go, I'll take you guys out for some Western food today," Chen Meilan said with a smile.

Little Wang and Little Lang were now using the superficial knowledge they had crammed to impress poor John, and Chen Meilan, who heard them reciting poems every day, knew this all too well.

So, meeting their eyes, the two boys blushed with shame.

"Professor Gu, would you like to join us for dinner?" Chen Meilan asked, looking down at Gu Xiao.

Gu Xiao clasped his hands together, quietly watching John, Little Wang, and Little Lang.

Three clean, refreshing young men, each looking at the other, smiling brightly.

He gazed at the three clean and neat boys for a long time. After a while, he gently patted Chen Meilan's hand and raised his head to say, "Chen Meilan, I take back what I just said."

Children like Feng Ha, Wang Qi, and Hu Haihe made Gu Xiao feel that this country had no hope.

But children like Little Wang, Little Lang, and John.

Aren't they the very hope of this country?

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