Volume One, Chapter 18: Completely Split Apart

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Upon hearing this, Liu Minghua fainted on the spot.

What kind of reassurance is that—someone’s at the police station, don’t worry?

Who the hell would be in the police station at a time like this?

It was obvious without a doubt that Chen Yang had been caught for some shady profiteering.

This time it was serious!

No need for Huang Zhiqing to inform anyone; he was going straight to the slammer on his own.

Not only Liu Minghua, even Chen Zhilin nearly lost consciousness from anxiety.

The people from the commune delivered the message and rode away, paying no further attention to them.

“Zhilin, what are we going to do about this?”

Li Zhiquan asked helplessly.

He had initially heard from his son how capable Chen Yang was, even giving him five yuan a day, thinking the boy had turned over a new leaf.

Who would have thought at the crucial moment, he’d land in such deep trouble?

“What else can we do? Huang Zhiqing is still waiting over there. We have to tell her what’s going on with Chen Yang, or how long will she have to wait? Brother Lao Li, I really have no face to go myself. I’ll have to trouble you to run this errand.”

Chen Zhilin, an honest and straightforward man, had tears welling in his eyes.

He had lived a life of integrity, never imagining he would have such a rotten son.

Had he known it would come to this, he might have been better off leaving him to die on the wall long ago.

“Didn’t Chen Yang say not to worry? Maybe... we should wait a little longer?”

Li Zhiquan realized that if he went over now, Chen Yang would have no way out.

“Ah...”

Chen Zhilin sighed in resignation and squatted in the corner, smoking a dry tobacco pipe.

Deep down, he knew this was just a delay tactic.

Once Chen Yang was inside the station, there was no way he’d return soon.

The end result would be the same—shame upon shame!

When Liu Minghua regained consciousness, she neither cried nor fussed, just sat there dazed.

The respected elders in the Chen family all favored Chen Zhilin, their nephew.

So they didn’t make any immediate plans to leave, deciding to wait—it wouldn’t take too long anyway.

However, some who disliked Chen Yang rushed off to the educated youth settlement.

They intended to give Huang Zhiyao the firsthand news and then watch the Chen family’s downfall unfold...

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After about ten minutes, Chen Zhilin stood up from the ground.

“Brother Lao Li, don’t wait any longer. Go and tell Huang Zhiqing already.”

It was too late now; Chen Yang wouldn’t be coming back, so what was the point in waiting?

“Alright, fine. What a mess this is!”

Li Zhiquan said helplessly, then mounted his bicycle and headed towards the educated youth settlement.

“Beep beep beep!”

At that moment, the horn of a jeep sounded.

Soon, a police car came into view from afar, and everyone stopped what they were doing.

In those days, seeing a police car sparked immediate fear.

It seemed Chen Yang’s offense was serious; otherwise, why would a police car show up?

Chen Yang, sitting in the front passenger seat, was clueless about what was happening, his face beaming with excitement.

Though he had come back late, the message had been delivered, so nothing was delayed.

Before Li Chengping’s car had even come to a complete stop, Chen Yang jumped out, opening the door.

“Mom, Dad, I’m back. Let’s go propose marriage!”

“I’ll kill you, you little bastard!”

His father, Chen Zhilin, grabbed a hoe and swung it directly at his head.

Damn!

This was life-threatening!

Chen Yang quickly dodged to the side and grabbed the handle of the hoe.

“Dad, what are you doing? Trying to kill your own son?”

“With a son like you, I’m cursed for eight generations! Today, I’m going to finish you off and might as well have the police take me away too!”

He said this as he struggled to wrest the hoe back and continued to strike Chen Yang.

Chen Yang was completely stunned. He had clearly told the commune folks to come with a message—why was his father so furious?

Desperately holding onto the hoe, he turned to Li Zhiquan and asked, “Sir, what’s going on here?”

“What do you think’s going on? You got caught by the police for profiteering. How can your father not be angry? Don’t you know what day it is, you scoundrel!”

Profiteering?

Caught by the police?

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How in the world did the commune get their message so wrong?

Hadn’t he told them at home not to worry, that he’d be back soon?

It had clearly been miscommunicated, no wonder his father was so angry.

Now he was in deep trouble—no longer just dirt on his pants, but effectively dirt turned into something worse.

No matter how he explained, they wouldn’t believe it; only Li Chengping could clear things up.

“Captain Li! Captain Li! Come quick, or someone’s going to get hurt!”

Li Chengping didn’t understand either. How could this family be unhappy when their son had done such a great deed?

He hurried over, carrying a banner made by Director Lin, smiling as he said, “Uncle, Auntie, I’m Li Chengping, head of the county criminal police. Chen Yang just helped us crack a major case downtown. He was giving statements, so he came back late. He said he didn’t want to miss the proposal today, so I drove him back. Look, this banner was personally presented by our director. Without Chen Yang, the consequences could have been disastrous!”

He then handed the banner to Chen Zhilin.

Everyone read the words on the banner and was momentarily stunned, unable to grasp the situation.

“I’ve already told Director Lin to call the commune to pass the message. Why haven’t they come?”

Only then did Chen Yang dare to let go of the hoe handle.

“They came. They said you’re at the county police station and told us not to worry. We all thought you got caught for profiteering and were arrested! Boo hoo...”

Liu Minghua finally broke down and cried.

In just half an hour, she had experienced the full spectrum from hell to heaven.

She hated the person from the commune who came to deliver the message—what a reckless transmission causing such a huge misunderstanding!

But Chen Yang himself admitted they weren’t wrong. He had indeed said that.

It was just that his family still saw him as a petty thief; nothing could be done about that.

Just hearing “at the police station” instantly meant trouble—how strange people’s impressions could be.

“What profiteering? If you don’t believe me, ask Captain Li. Everything I did was legal and proper.”

“Uncle, Auntie, Chen Yang was supplying the state-run grand hotel, not profiteering. You should be proud to have such an outstanding son. He’s truly remarkable!”

Li Chengping quickly explained. He had talked at length with Chen Yang on the way and was impressed by his character.

This young man was thoughtful and capable—a real talent.

“Now do you believe me? Take that bicycle off the roof rack—that’s my betrothal gift for Zhiyao! I’m going to change clothes and head over to the youth settlement to propose.”

Saying this, he hurried into the house. After wrestling with Zheng Wuyang on the ground for nearly half an hour, he was indeed quite a mess...