"That's why I said your girlfriend, that girl named Yan Di, isn't really a problem in my opinion." Qiao Qiao's father smiled and took a drag of his cigarette. "In this world, you and I belong to the elite level of men. We have power, influence, ability, and wealth. We possess far more social wealth and resources than others. In short, we are the strong. Which man of our status doesn't have several women? It would be abnormal to spend your whole life with only one woman. For the vast majority of men in this world, many do indeed only have one woman in their lives… but it's not that they don't want more… it's just that they don't have the ability. Given the ability, 99% of men would want to have more women. It's in a man's nature."
My heart was pounding.
What exactly did Qiaoqiao's father mean by saying all this to me?!
"Chen Yang, don't tell me you don't have any other women besides Miss Yan Di and... Qiao Qiao... If you say that, I'll think you're hypocritical." Qiao Qiao's father raised his eyebrows and said calmly, "We are essentially in the same social class; we are people of the same class. My wife is Qiao Qiao's mother, but I won't deny that I have other women. I have different women in America, Japan, and China, and I spend at least a million on these women every year. I will never deny that, nor do I intend to... Indeed, it's illegal, but how many rich people don't do this? What a joke! Is it strange that rich people have several women?"
I'm getting more and more nervous... Damn it, is he implying or encouraging me to... find more women?
“Of course…” Qiaoqiao’s father looked at my expression and smiled, “If you were just a friend I knew, if you weren’t with my daughter… well, then I would take your situation in stride. Even if you had ten other women besides your girlfriend, I would only smile at you, toast you, and say, ‘Well done, young man.’” He then changed his tone, sighed, and lowered his voice, “But unfortunately, although I am a man and can understand this kind of thing, I am also a father. From a man’s perspective, I understand you, but from a father’s perspective… I cannot tolerate my daughter encountering this kind of situation. People are selfish and contradictory.”
"You're quite good, at least from what I see now. I think you're outstanding and meet my criteria for a candidate. Qiaoqiao can accept you, which is the most important thing. So, even if there really is something between you and Qiaoqiao, you don't need to hide it from me. I'd be happy to see my daughter find an excellent man. Oh, I know you're involved with the underworld now, but so what... hehe, the underworld is still power. In this world, there's no black or white, only profit. In my opinion, you're a very promising young man, and that's enough. As for getting involved with the underworld... how many powerful people are clean? So, Chen Yang, to be honest, I'd be happy to see you and my daughter develop feelings for each other, and I wouldn't mind if you... possibly became my son-in-law. That's good, very good."
However, you have other girlfriends… and even now my daughter is with you without any official status, which makes me, as a father, very angry. I cannot accept this. But I understand you, I truly understand you. With your status and current power and wealth, it's perfectly reasonable for you to have several women. Frankly, even if you really become my son-in-law… I don't expect you to spend your whole life with my daughter, nor do I expect you to be completely honest and not have any other affairs or other women… because in my opinion, that's simply impossible. Therefore, my ideal standard is: you can become my son-in-law, you can be with Qiaoqiao and marry her, and at the same time, you can have other women outside, and I won't interfere, because I understand you. As long as you don't go too far.”
Qiaoqiao's father was ridiculously open-minded! He said these shocking things to me, then laughed and said, "You see, I'm a very open-minded father and father-in-law. So, I don't think that girl named Yandi outside is a problem. She's not a problem... Don't even mention her, even if you had ten or eight more women, I don't think it would be a problem. But I think your only mistake is... you shouldn't have let my daughter secretly follow you, do you understand? My daughter, my daughter, Qiaoqiao's daughter, will not be someone else's mistress! This is unacceptable!! So, you should give Qiaoqiao a title, marry her, or at least acknowledge her as your girlfriend, your fiancée, give her a title... As for the other women, you can treat them as mistresses."
I was stunned, completely stunned!
That's ridiculous!
"You mean, you want me to be your son-in-law, and you don't forbid me from having affairs while I'm with Qiaoqiao?" I swallowed hard and tried to say.
“Of course, these are the rules of the game. We are men, and men of status at that. These are the rules of the game for people at our level.” Qiaoqiao’s father casually threw away his cigarette butt, crossed his fingers and looked at me: “Well? Chen Yang? You don’t need to hide your affair with Qiaoqiao anymore. I think I see things very clearly today. I’m not a fool. I have my own eyes to see and my own ears to hear.”
To be honest... or to put it more bluntly...
I'm smitten!
I'm really tempted!! It might sound shameless, even despicable. I'm even ashamed of the thoughts that have crossed my mind—but I can't control my thoughts, I'm really tempted… even if it's only a tiny, tiny bit.
Qiaoqiao's father is ridiculously open-minded; I even have to admit that most of what he said makes a lot of sense! These words don't conform to so-called "morality" or so-called "righteousness."
Although it's harsh, every word is the truth!
Morality is something that's been promoted, and righteousness is something that's been embellished. But all of that is fake.
Qiaoqiao's father undoubtedly saw through and understood many things about our time very well. In this respect, he was very carefree.
In fact, I had imagined that if he found out I was with Qiaoqiao at the same time and had other girlfriends, he would definitely be furious and cause me trouble in his rage… even if he was very open-minded. He might let me go for Qiaoqiao's sake, but he would still order me to be devoted to Qiaoqiao from then on and threaten to force me to break up with Yandi…
I think that's normal.
But unexpectedly, Qiaoqiao's father was so... open-minded!
He didn't even ask me to break up with Yan Di, and even allowed me to maintain relationships with other women, on the sole condition that I give my status to Qiao Qiao.
Even from the perspective of marrying someone of equal social standing, Qiaoqiao's family background and her father's power seem quite suitable for her to be my legal wife.
Damn it! What am I thinking?! I can't help but feel ashamed of these thoughts in my mind.
What should I do about Yan Di? She's practically penniless, yet she loves me with all her heart. She's endured so much torment and pain for me, and even traveled a long way to be by my side. She asks of me almost nothing… She's so kind, so fragile…
I won't even give her a formal title?!
"I know what you're thinking..." With a sigh, Qiaoqiao's father spoke again. His voice was like a devil's, carrying endless temptation and incitement...
“Chen Yang, I can see it in your eyes. You're very fond of that girl named Yan Di outside. Right… Hmm, you're confused, you're troubled. Do you feel that doing this is unfair to her? You can't give her a proper status, you can't let her see anyone… You feel sorry for her. You think she shouldn't be your mistress, when she's clearly your girlfriend. Why should she give up her position… You must be thinking like this, right?” Qiao Qiao's father smiled, and I saw the muscles at the corner of his eye twitch slightly. “Still young… But that's good. At least it shows you're a sentimental person. I won't force you to answer me now, nor will I force you to make a decision now. Don't worry, you have enough time to think this through. To be honest, I didn't expect you to be so… Hmm…”
He stood up and patted his clothes: "Alright, I've been sitting here long enough. Take your time to think it over. Think it through, and then you can come see me and tell me your answer. But before you've thought it through, I'm taking Qiaoqiao away."
My heart sank... But I couldn't refuse him... I had nothing to say.
If anyone tries to kidnap Qiaoqiao, I'm willing to kill them!
But this person is Qiaoqiao's father! Can I use force to keep him here?
Besides, do I have any reason to keep them here?
Am I supposed to say, "Keep your daughter here so she can be my mistress..."?
Depend on!!
“Young man, I have no aversion to you.” He even patted me on the shoulder: “Your appearance may actually solve a big problem for me. But my daughter cannot be without a proper status; that is my minimum tolerance.”
Reaching the door, he turned back to look at me. "I know this decision is incredibly difficult... Well, I was young once too, and I was passionate once. When I was younger than you, there was a girl in my life I loved, but I couldn't marry her because her family was too different from mine. But she stayed with me for nine years... after I got married. You see, this is the reality of the world... a damn, awful world, isn't it? Heh, you'll get used to it."
After Qiaoqiao's father left, I sat blankly in the chair.
I know that Qiaoqiao's father will take her away when he goes out... but I can't bring myself to stand up and walk out the door... because I don't want to watch Qiaoqiao leave.
I couldn't stop her from leaving, and I couldn't even confront her father with a clear conscience.
Indeed, this is a damn bastard world.
Just two hours ago today, my relationship with Qiaoqiao took a significant turn, but what followed was this sudden change!
I don't know how long I sat in the study, so long that I started to hate myself! Why didn't I go out? At least say goodbye to Qiaoqiao?
What about Yan Di? Although she is kind, she is not stupid. In today's situation, even the most oblivious person would have sensed something.
How long have you been sitting? Twenty minutes? Half an hour?
Finally, the door clicked open, and someone turned the handle and pushed the door open to come in.
The footsteps were very light. I was sitting on the sofa, head down, when I felt them approach me. They seemed to stand in front of me for a moment, then moved behind me…
A pair of fair arms wrapped around my neck and gently embraced me. My head sank into a soft chest, and I could even hear the heartbeat.
“You…” I forced a smile, as if trying to turn my head to look at her: “Yan Di, I…”
But as soon as I turned my head, I felt the arms holding me gently but firmly pressing down on me, preventing me from turning my head. Then I heard Yan Di's gentle voice.
Yes, very gentle.
I originally thought Yan Di would cry, would choke up... I wouldn't even be surprised if she cried loudly in front of me.
But her voice sounded calm and gentle, as gentle as ever.
"Xiao Wu, Qiao Qiao is gone."
With the sound, a soft little hand gently stroked my face.
"Oh." I sighed and didn't say anything more.
"Well, if..." Yan Di's voice was very soft, "if my existence is a burden to you, you can tell me anytime, okay?"
...
A sudden wave of fear washed over me! I jumped up from the sofa, turned around, and pulled her tightly into my arms: "What nonsense are you talking about! What nonsense are you talking about?!" I was terrified because Yan Di's voice was so calm!
"You're not allowed to leave me! No matter what, under any circumstances, you're absolutely not allowed to leave me!!" I gritted my teeth.
Yan Di seemed to sigh. She was in my arms, letting me hold her like this. Finally, she whispered, "Before Qiao Qiao left, she said something to me. She said, 'I'm sorry.'"
I frowned, unable to say anything, and could only hold Yan Di tightly, just holding her like that...
For the next two days, I was in a very bad mood. I had just bought a house and was living with two close female friends, starting a new life. Everything seemed to be going very smoothly for me.
Even, through an accidental mishap, my relationship with Qiaoqiao crossed the final line...
But then, Qiaoqiao left. I didn't even see her off.
The message left by Qiaoqiao's father was simple and his meaning was clear: he wouldn't force me, but I should think it over before going to see him.
But how should I go to their house? To propose?
And what about Yan Di? This poor girl, will she have to hide in my shadow forever, following me without any official status?!
Yes, Yan Di is very gentle and compliant. But that doesn't mean she doesn't have her own pursuits, nor does it mean she's a mindless blockhead unaware of pain! She may not say anything, but she understands very well in her heart!
Yes, that's right, she's very docile. But even the most docile woman can't accept her man suddenly becoming someone else's man! Even the most docile woman can't stand by and watch her man have another woman!
Perhaps with Yan Di's personality, she might follow me without seeking any official status?
Wrong! No woman in this world doesn't need a title or status!! No woman, no matter how gentle and weak-willed, can understand the importance of a title or status to a woman—a importance that men cannot comprehend!!
To expect Yan Di to accept the fact that I have other women, and then to accept that I can't give her a formal title... what does she think Yan Di is? A lifeless doll?!
She didn't say it, but she understood everything in her heart! She was waiting for me to make a decision, waiting for me to make a choice.
In other words, although she didn't say it, she definitely wasn't admitting it!
Part Two: The Road to Success, Chapter 101: Eliminating Hidden Dangers
My depressed mood directly led to an increase in the workload of Zhou with protruding teeth. For the next two days, I didn't have time to go to Huaxing Company to do the company setup work. I basically just glanced at the recruitment and talent selection, and left most of the work to Zhou with protruding teeth.
The place I spent most of my time was my senior brother's martial arts gym. I spent most of the two days there. I even went back to the days I used to spend in the gym at the auto repair shop, practicing my skills and boxing every day. My senior brother saw that I was depressed and knew I had something on my mind, but since he's not a woman, he didn't bother me by asking questions.
He examined my current physical condition and skill level, then didn't offer much comment, only sighing, "How have you managed to get through these past few years?"
Seeing his furrowed brow, I knew that my senior brother was somewhat dissatisfied with my current situation. He thought my current level was a bit too weak.
I blushed slightly.
Originally, with my skills, I was already far superior to the average person... Not to mention, when I was on the run, I could fight a dozen people single-handedly on the streets of Guangzhou! And I still managed to escape alive! With my current skills, I could win against seven or eight burly men. But if I were to face seven or eight burly men wielding knives, I would most likely lose.
I am a human, not a superman. Even those who know martial arts are only slightly stronger than ordinary people. But to think that one can take on a hundred people at once, or that a single palm strike can send sand and stones flying... that's just for movies.
In a regular fight, I could take on seven or eight strong men by myself. I could use ruthless tactics to quickly take down two or three of them, inflicting serious injuries, mainly to break their morale... I'm more ruthless and fiercer than others, that's the key. As long as I kill two or three people quickly, the rest will be afraid, their fighting spirit will crumble, and they will choose to retreat and run away.
However, if the other side were to fight me to the death, and both sides were fighting desperately, it would be quite difficult for me to take on seven or eight strong men by myself. Even if I won, I would be injured.
Moreover, if the other party has a knife or other weapon, I will have no choice but to fight and run.
It was like being on the streets of Guangzhou, facing off against a dozen burly men wielding knives all by myself. Although I managed to kill several of them, I was also seriously injured and had no choice but to run away.
This is real "kung fu," without so many dazzling and magical special effects, because this isn't a movie.
Or to put it another way, which might discourage most people: even the real Wong Fei-hung in history, a universally acknowledged martial arts master and one of the leading figures in Chinese martial arts during the late Qing Dynasty, wasn't as exaggerated as depicted in the movies.
The real Wong Fei-hung in history was indeed a master of martial arts, a renowned expert. However, he wasn't a superhuman when it came to fighting others... The most historically recorded instance of him single-handedly defeating forty-seven henchmen of a local tyrant in a group battle.
One vs. Forty-Seven
This is already the most impressive record of one person taking on multiple opponents. Even now, if you randomly pick one of the top martial arts masters in the country, who would dare say they could defeat forty-seven people by themselves?
However, those martial arts masters in movies who always wield a knife or sword and can easily defeat hundreds of people... that's all fake.
To put it simply, it's about defeating an ordinary person. "Defeating" doesn't just mean making them fall to the ground. It means actually incapacitating them temporarily! Injuring them, or knocking them unconscious.
Anyone with even a little martial arts knowledge knows that the most effective way to truly and temporarily incapacitate an opponent is to deliver a heavy punch or strike a vital or vulnerable part of their body.
Okay, let's assume that to knock someone down, you need to deliver a powerful punch—not a regular punch, but a heavy punch!! Like the kind of "heavy hand" I used before, or the "right-hand heavy punch" used by professional boxers. Such a forceful attack consumes a tremendous amount of energy from the attacker! (And, in real combat, don't expect to knock down an opponent with every punch. Do you think dozens of opponents are just sitting there like sitting ducks?)