"Hmm." Xu Zhengyang looked out the car window at the rapidly receding lampposts and trees, took out his phone, and made a call.
After a few beeps, a steady voice came from the phone: "Who is it?"
"I'm back."
After saying that, Xu Zhengyang hung up the phone.
Sitting on the living room sofa at the other end, Wan Yun couldn't help but shiver. So what if you're back? Humph!
Xu Zhengyang grinned coldly and muttered, "You scared the hell out of me, you old bastard!"
"Zhengyang, who are you cursing?" Li Chengzong asked, turning around with a smile.
"Wan Yun".
The Audi braked sharply before regaining a smooth ride.
Li Chengzong turned around, leaning tightly against the back of his seat, his heart pounding faster; while Zhu Jun, who was driving, had his palms soaked with sweat as he gripped the steering wheel.
Volume 5, Spirit Official, Chapter 290: Two Decisions
As the first rays of morning sunlight shone through the light blue curtains, Xu Zhengyang opened his eyes.
The air conditioner made a barely audible sound, blowing a gentle breeze and adjusting the bedroom temperature to a cool and comfortable level.
How long has it been since he'd had such a comfortable and sweet sleep? Xu Zhengyang thought for a moment, then gave a wry smile, suddenly feeling a pang of nostalgia for the days when he was an ordinary person. Turning his head, he looked at Li Bingjie, who was resting her head on his arm, her face nestled against his chest. She was sleeping soundly, like a docile kitten, emitting soft, even breaths. Her fine, dark hair was slightly disheveled, exuding a delicate fragrance.
"Breath as fragrant as orchids?" Xu Zhengyang, a semi-literate man, thought of such an elegant phrase.
Looking at the time, it was only 5:30 in the morning.
Xu Zhengyang lay still, afraid of waking Li Bingjie. He had exhausted his wife last night, and she was also scared... because when they were making love, Li Bingjie had seen the clear wounds all over Xu Zhengyang's naked body, which were not yet fully healed. Although they had healed incredibly, the wounds were still redder and more swollen than normal skin.
Li Bingjie shed a few tears of heartache, but she was quickly overwhelmed by the passionate flames ignited by Xu Zhengyang and lost in them.
As the clouds parted and the fog cleared, the wind stopped and the rain ceased, Li Bingjie, filled with worry, scolded Xu Zhengyang for his injuries not yet healed and yet...
Xu Zhengyang said, "Minor injuries don't keep you from the front lines, and besides, you're a man in that kind of physique, right?"
"How... how did we get onto the front lines again?"
"This was originally a war, a war between men and women, or to put it simply, a hand-to-hand combat between men and women!"
"Hate."
"Honey, shall we have another fight?"
"go……"
...
Recalling the passionate yet tender night before, with his beautiful wife's fragrance wafting around him and her body pressed against his skin, Xu Zhengyang suddenly felt his manhood stir again. However, Xu Zhengyang couldn't bear to torment his wife any longer, so he suppressed his innocent thoughts and turned to think about other things.
When he got home last night, Li Ruiyu, Jiang Lan, Li Binghe and his wife, and Li Bingjie were all waiting for him to come home.
Originally, Li Ruiqing was also going to come, but because Xu Zhengyang brought Ding Changri back, there were many things that needed to be arranged urgently, such as holding a meeting and attending another meeting. Moreover, with Xu Zhengyang's return, who knows what big things might happen, so he had to make all the necessary preparations in advance.
Seemingly aware that Xu Zhengyang was in a bad mood and very annoyed, Li Ruiyu and his wife didn't ask about his situation in Vancouver. They simply had a meal together as a family, chatted for a bit, and then told Xu Zhengyang to remember to call his family in Fuhe City to reassure his parents.
After dinner, Li Ruiyu said he had some things to do and wouldn't be back that night, so he left with Jiang Lan and her husband; Li Binghe and his wife, who had their own home, chatted for a few more minutes before leaving.
This made Xu Zhengyang feel very relaxed and quite satisfied.
Xu Zhengyang had just returned and didn't want to immediately discuss those messy, stressful things. He just wanted to rest for the night, whisper sweet nothings to his wife, and do some intimate things... you know, young people. Of course, the main thing was that the couple's longing for each other really needed some comforting.
Li Bingjie was extremely worried when she learned about the crises and injuries he encountered during his time in Vancouver.
Aside from calling Xu Zhengyang the morning after the attack, she never called him first; it was always Xu Zhengyang who called her. Li Bingjie knew Xu Zhengyang would be alright, and that he must have many things to consider, so she sensibly suppressed her worry and longing, choosing not to disturb him.
"Zhengyang, what are you thinking about?" Li Bingjie suddenly opened her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering, showing no signs of being sleepy after just waking up.
"Hmm?" Xu Zhengyang turned his head. He pinched Li Bingjie's nose and smiled, "I was thinking, our parents, our brother, our sister-in-law... they're quite perceptive. They know we're like newlyweds after a long separation, so they were afraid of disturbing us. Last night they..."
"Go away, stop talking such inappropriate things."
Xu Zhengyang smiled, tightened his grip on Li Bingjie's left arm slightly, his left hand roaming over her smooth arm, while his right hand slid down her alluring face to her breasts, gently kneading and enjoying the sensation, a lecherous smile on his face.
"Get up, get up. Mom and Dad will be back soon." Li Bingjie blushed and gently nudged Xu Zhengyang.
"Oh, right." Xu Zhengyang withdrew his wolf claws, lifted the thin blanket, got out of bed naked and started to dress, saying, "Tell Mom later that she should go back and manage the affairs of Huatong Company."
Li Bingjie paused, tears welling in her eyes. She quickly rubbed her eyes, turned over, pulled the thin blanket over herself, and sat up. She covered her exposed chest with one hand and picked up the clothes placed by the bed with the other, turning her back to put them on.
Xu Zhengyang chuckled, "We're an old married couple, what's there to be shy about?"
Li Bingjie ignored him.
"To be honest, honey, your back is really sexy. So alluring, um, and most of your butt is showing..."
"Ah! You bad guy!"
...
As he washed up after leaving the bedroom, Xu Zhengyang pondered taking some time to visit the underworld and change the Book of Life and Death, adding ten years back to Jiang Lan's lifespan and erasing her suffering from illness. Sigh, he thought, "Just this once, for a moment of selfishness. After all, she's my mother-in-law, and the changes are indeed quite good."
However, it is absolutely impossible to completely restore her lifespan to its previous level.
Anyone who knew of the existence of powerful deities, and that the gods above them would truly punish them, would repent and start anew.
Therefore, the punishment that is due should still be given. Giving her ten years of lifespan and relieving her of illness is already against the authority of the gods.
Aunt Wu had already prepared breakfast and was just waiting for the young couple to come downstairs.
Just as they sat down, Li Ruiyu and Jiang Lan returned, accompanied by Li Ruiqing, who looked somewhat tired.
The family didn't say much, and after having breakfast at the dining table, Li Ruiyu and Li Ruiqing invited Xu Zhengyang to the study on the second floor.
Li Bingjie and her mother sat on the sofa in the living room chatting, waiting for the men upstairs to finish their conversation. Jiang Lan was different from the average housewife; she still had absolute say in many things, at least the right to know how to make decisions and preparations.
It was probably because of this son-in-law that Jiang Lan was forced or perhaps somewhat afraid to participate in the conversation.
“Mom, Zhengyang said… in a few days, he wants you to go back and manage Huatong Company,” Li Bingjie said softly.
Jiang Lan froze, her eyes instantly welling up with tears, just like her daughter's. She knew all too well that since their engagement and marriage, although Xu Zhengyang outwardly showed her absolute respect, it was only because of her status as an elder, and also because he was considering Li Bingjie's feelings.
This time, Xu Zhengyang suddenly informed Jiang Lan of his decision through Li Bingjie. Jiang Lan understood that this meant Xu Zhengyang no longer harbored resentment towards her.
That makes sense. Why would a dignified deity hold a grudge against a mere mortal like you?
However, Xu Zhengyang's attitude in sending this message through his daughter was so direct, almost like an order. He didn't seem to realize that he no longer wanted to worry about those things and only hoped that the two of them would have a son or daughter soon, so he could help them take care of the child and enjoy the joys of family life.
Jiang Lan shook her head with a helpless, bitter smile.
"Mom, you...you don't want to go?"
"No, my son-in-law asked me to help him, how could I not help? Besides, the company belongs to my daughter, how could I, as her mother, not do my best?" Jiang Lan said with a smile, her face full of affection as she gently stroked her daughter's soft, black hair.
Li Bingjie leaned against Jiang Lan's shoulder and whispered, "Mom, please don't blame Zhengyang anymore, okay?"
“Silly girl, if you two don’t blame me, I’ll burn incense and worship the gods every day.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the mother and daughter were both stunned, and then burst into laughter. Burning incense and worshipping gods, wasn't that worshipping Xu Zhengyang?
"Bingjie, are you feeling unwell?" Jiang Lan suddenly asked.
"Huh? No." Li Bingjie shook her head in surprise.
Are your periods regular?
Li Bingjie immediately understood what her mother was asking about. She blushed, sat up straight, lowered her head, and whispered, "It's fine."
"Oh." Jiang Lan showed a hint of disappointment.
...
The atmosphere in the study on the second floor was heavy and somewhat oppressive.
Amidst the swirling smoke, the three men maintained relatively calm expressions, though a serious and heavy undertone lingered beneath their composure.
Everything that needed to be said has been said. Now, we just need to wait for Xu Zhengyang to make his statement.
Li Ruiyu and Li Ruiqing, of course, advised Xu Zhengyang to let go this time and not to touch Wan Yun. Political power struggles are an unavoidable part of officialdom since ancient times. However, it is rare for factions to actually kill someone after winning a power struggle.
This could be considered an unspoken rule, right?
Because fortunes can change drastically over time, it's essential to always leave room for maneuver.
Moreover, Wan Yun felt he was a good official, having made significant contributions to the country and its people. If one had to find fault with him… well, as the saying goes, too much clarity leaves no room for fish. Which official's background is so spotless that it leaves no room for criticism?
If you shake Li Ruiyu and Li Ruiqing, a lot of grime will fall off their bodies.
Li Ruiyu and Li Ruiqing spoke these words frankly to Xu Zhengyang without any concealment. This surprised Xu Zhengyang quite a bit, so he had to reconsider his previous decision.
After a long silence, Xu Zhengyang said calmly, "Your so-called 'leaving a way out for others, not putting them to death'... but how do you explain those who died because of your struggles? Perhaps you haven't even considered that?"
"Admittedly, most of those who died deserved to die."
"But is that fair?"
Li Ruiyu and Li Ruiqing exchanged a heavy glance, their hearts sinking. They knew that Xu Zhengyang's decision was irreversible.
Volume 5, Spirit Official, Chapter 291: Calm and Composed, Taking Steps
In the sweltering summer heat, most people are like trees and grass wilted by the scorching sun. Listless, drowsy, and unwilling to do anything.
However, people's spirits have lifted considerably in the past few days because the Far East smuggling case, which had gradually faded from public view, has seen new developments. Ding Changri, chairman of the Far East International Group, who had previously fled to Canada, and the world-renowned mastermind behind the smuggling case, has been extradited back to China.
As a result, people's attention to this news was like a flame that was about to go out being suddenly doused with a bucket of gasoline, causing it to suddenly flare up and burn fiercely.
While receiving treatment in the hospital, Ding Changri cooperated fully with the investigation and questioning by relevant departments, and voluntarily provided a laptop containing important evidence. In addition to a list of officials and the time and amount of each bribe, the laptop also contained detailed records of his smuggling activities, including bills. Furthermore, there was a large number of video and audio recordings, which left the investigators speechless.
Now, many of the officials involved in the case who still clung to a sliver of hope and wishful thinking finally realized that there was absolutely no chance of things turning around.
However, on the other hand, just as Xu Zhengyang said to Ding Changri in Vancouver: "Do you really think these things you rely on to save your life are of much use?"
Indeed, the issues and related materials that Ding Changri provided merely accelerated the investigation and provided stronger evidence. To be honest, without these things from Ding Changri, the final outcome of this case would have been essentially the same.
After all... this isn't a Western country.
If someone wants to prosecute you and is certain you've committed a crime, then evidence is a joke—how hard is it to get as much as you need? Admittedly, this will inevitably lead to some wrongful convictions; but unlike many Western countries, it won't allow many well-known criminals to go unpunished.
It's like that notorious kidnapper who specialized in extorting huge sums of money from the families of the world's top billionaires. In other countries, no one could do anything to him due to insufficient evidence. But here... he was arrested, a case was opened, an investigation was conducted, and... well... the evidence was conclusive, so he was executed.
Where is the solid evidence? I'm sorry, this needs to be kept confidential and cannot be made public.
Who cares...
Therefore, the most tangible thing Ding Changri could actually offer upon his return was nothing more than his enormous wealth. And don't underestimate this money; don't assume that just because the country is rich, it won't care about the small amount of money an individual holds. Ding Changri has far too much money.