Over a decade had passed. The 17-year-old Zhou Aichen was seated in the studio at the Xisan villa, carefully repairing a porcelain basin when the door opened. A young boy, around the same age, walked in. Zhou Aichen glanced at him briefly but said nothing, continuing focusing on his repair work. The young boy approached and said:
"Aichen, why aren't you working on your ornament? Where did this basin come from?"
Zhou Aichen replied without looking up.
"It was sent by Uncle Zhang Tianming for my Pa to repair. He asked my Pa to do it so I'm helping out."
"Uncle Zhou really trusts your skills. Hey, where is Zihui?"
"My Pa planned to repair this originally, but since it is such a nice day, he decided to sunbathe on the balcony. He let Zihui escort Uncle Yang to the balcony to enjoy the sunshine and tea. So, I thought I would lend a hand. I think he should be back soon because he hasn't finished working on his Maitreya yet. This Maitreya is his first item to be auctioned. But what are you here for? I thought you were going to hunting with Yang Wu. You usually have no patience for sitting around."
"I just got off the phone with my eldest brother, Zichun. He told me to warn you not to argue with him, or he'll come back and punish you himself. What's going on between you and my eldest cousin?"
"You're really idle, always sticking around here once you are on vacation. Uncle Jing will definitely call Dad in a couple of days and scold my Dad and you again. Zizhan, you really enjoy seeing them quarrelling with each other."
"I think it's quite interesting. You don't know that in the Yichun Presidential residence, I grew up listening to my father scolding Uncle Chen every day and complaining to my mom that he was forced to take on the highest position in the Yang family, managing all the national affairs and finally becoming the president. He blames Uncle Chen for resigning from all his official positions after the war and going to Ferceland with all of you for medical treating your Pa and Uncle Yang. You stayed there for over a year until all major domestic matters were settled before returning. My father had to leave the military factory, which he was interested in, and take on the tedious administrative affairs for over a decade. I think he is about to turn into a dictator."
Zhou Aichen countered:
"But my Dad didn't shirk his duty either. When he returned, he had no choice but to take on the role of commander-in-chief. The primary reason was that Uncle Jing indeed does a good job. Look at what he has achieved in over a decade, our country has transformed from post-war poverty to becoming one of the world's fastest-growing nations, largely because of Uncle Jing's leadership. That's why he has been elected to be the President every five years."
Yang Zizhan sighed and said:
"However, I know my father is reluctant to continue his position after his presidential term ends. As for the vacant position of commander-in-chief, who dared to take it on? It had remained unfilled for over a year before you returned. Chen Shuyu had ambitions for it, but his abilities were not qualified for this role. Not only did the officers and the generals from other warlords refused to submit to him, but even his own generals lacked full confidence in his leadership. My father provided significant support to Chen Shuyu in managing affairs in the northern region, especially in stabilizing its economy there. On the other hand, Chen Shuzhang merely followed the lead of his wife, Aunt Sanhua, who is far more capable than Chen Shuyu is. However, Aunt Sanhua was only involved herself in certain women-related tasks and had never delved into the internal affairs of the north. What the people in the north want is to have a stable and prosperous life forever. For that to happen, Chen Shuyu had no choice but to relinquish some of his power in the northern and genuinely align himself with the president. Feng Quan'an also aspired to this position but at that time he was still under the command of Uncle Chen so how could he be the commander-in-chief? Furthermore, his father constantly pesters my grandpa with unreasonable demands in Qudu. Although my grandpa had kicked him out many times, Feng Xiao came back within a few days. Now it became a regular occurrence for them. In the southern territory, since Grandpa Liao passed away, Liao Yuanpeng had prefered to maintain his power locally while readily assisting Uncle Chen whenever needed. These circumstances led to the vacancy lasting a year until Uncle Chen returned. Yet, he is undoubtedly the most qualified for the role of commander-in-chief. Beyond his expertise in the army, who else possesses such extensive knowledge of both the navy and the air force? What Uncle Chen gives suggestions about the navy have significantly strengthened Wang Lei's naval forces, even making Liao Yuanpeng feel overshadowed. As for the air force, it was entirely established by Uncle Chen from training personnel to acquiring the military aircraft. He has made substantial investments in both areas."
Hearing this, Zhou Aichen added:
"I remember my Pa carving numerous items for auction and Dad didn't receive any support from the government until Dad succeeded and received national support. Zizhan, does Grandpa Feng still go to Qudu now? Why does he like staying there so much? And why does he insist on staying at your grandpa's mansion, especially when your grandpa kicks him out each time? Does his grandson always accompany him every time? Ge mentioned that he wanted to beat up his grandson every time he saw him."
Yang Zizhan said in confused:
"I'm not sure why Grandpa Feng enjoys staying in Qudu, but his grandson is definitely unlikeable. Not just my eldest brother even my elder brother, Zixiao and I also want to beat him up sometimes. That's why we often find the opportunities to tease him or play pranks on him. He is just a stupid person. No matter what we talk about, he never understands what we mean." Zhou Aichen smiled and remained silent as Zizhan continued, "Aichen, you still haven't said what happened between you and my eldest brother."
Zhou Aichen sighed before said:
"It's nothing serious. I simply refused to follow his plans. He had mapped out the future for all of your brothers and you all, obviously, follow his lead but my surname is not Yang so I saw no reason that I should go along with his agenda. He was a bit annoyed with me for that."
Zizhan looked surprised:
"You dared to defy him? He is the same kind of the person as Uncle Chen. His word is law for us and he's stringent. Even my elder brother, Yang Zixiao and Yang Yong, the eldest son of Uncle Yang Zaihua's, followed his directives. Why don't you listen to him? Yes, your surname isn't Yang but you are still the member of our Yang family, aren't you? My elder brother has made his own decision, agreed by my eldest brother, to follow in my father's footsteps, studying the same major as my father did in university in Ferceland. Yang Yong has been assigned to study the materials science. The two of them are living together in Ferceland now. I've been assigned to study the chemical engineering in the future. He is enrolled in the military academy in Aron Country. What do you have been assigned to study?"
Zhou Aichen replied calmly:
"I've been assigned to stay home until he comes back."
Yang Zizhan chuckled and remarked:
"My eldest brother misses you. He doesn't want you to leave him again so he wants you to stay at home. Aichen, are the eldest brother and you the same relationship as Uncle Chen and your Pa?"
Zhou Aichen shot him a glance and said:
"You've got a sharp tongue. If the twins from the Chen family hear this, you'll be in big trouble. Both of them have their eyes on Ge."
"Do you think which one the eldest brother will choose, Chen Yanfen or Chen Yanrong?"
"How could I tell them apart? They look exactly the same and I have only met them once. I can't even remember what they look like. But I've heard they both like Ge, is that right?"
Zizhan replied with a grin:
"It's not just them. I've heard that all the girls in the Midlands have their eyes on my eldest brother. Not only is he handsome and talented, but also there is no mother-in-law in your family, which makes the girls even more desirable. Look at my Mom, she is the First Lady now, but she personally takes care of Grandma Liu even though Grandma Liu is just a concubine of Grandpa's. Of course Grandma Liu always says that it is unnecessary for my Mom to visit Qudu so often. Aichen, one time I overheard Grandpa Feng asking Grandpa why Aunt Sihua didn't marry his youngest son. He complained that Grandpa was biased because two girls from the Yang family married separately into the Chen family and the Liao family but no girl from the Yang family married into the Feng family. Do you think that is the reason Grandpa Feng always quarrelling with Grandpa or not?"
"But Aunt Sanhua likes Chen Shuzhang. I don't think your grandpa could decide whom your aunt married. Is this the reason that Grandpa Feng often goes to Qudu to complain to your grandpa about this or ask the Yang family to send a girl to his family?"
"Maybe it is true. I've heard he's now setting his sights on my younger sister for his second grandson whose mother is the concubine of Feng Quan'an. Apparently, this guy is much better than his eldest brother."
Zhou Aichen remarked:
"But your younger sister is only 15 years old and his second grandson is already 20 years old so does that mean that this guy has to wait for your sister to grow up? It is lucky for me that I am not a child from your family."
Yang Zizhan flashed a sly smile and said:
"Who would dare to target you? If anyone tried to focus on you, my eldest brother isn't someone to be trifled with."
Zhou Aichen laughed:
"You are really something. Let me explain about Ge and me. I am the only child in my family, responsible for carrying on my family name. Ge is also Dad's only son. I think he's responsible for carrying on your family name too. Besides, Ge is also the eldest son and the eldest grandson in your family. He has to consider all that. Can you really accept him being with another man?"
Zizhan said thoughtfully:
"I think we could all accept it. After all, times have changed, especially after what happened with your Pa and your Dad in public. I heard there was a lot of criticism at the beginning but it sparked social discussion when Uncle Chen resigned from all his official positions. Now homosexuality is widely accepted by the public. Actually no one cares about this anymore. Well, I think the only one who minds is Grandpa. If it were true that the eldest brother were with you, I think Grandpa would explode with rage and come after you with a pistol."
"Even if it were a matter of my life, I wouldn't dare to provoke Ge. Alright, to tell you the truth I do like girls so please stop talking nonsense."
Though he said that, he couldn't shake off his father's words:
"I have always felt guilty toward your Dad when I was with him. After the war, he resigned from all his official position for my sake, giving up the chance to become president. He took us to see the best doctors and found the best prosthetics for my leg. He treated you as his own son. Not only that, but because I said I couldn't enter the Yang family's door, and the Grand Marshal refused to let me near him. For over ten years, your Dad never returned to Qudu for New Year's. Even Chun'er sometimes skips going back. Honestly, the Grand Marshal resents me. I understand, after all, your Dad is their eldest son and the future head of the Yang family. Although no one in this family has ever said anything to me outright, I know they hold grievance against me, for example Yang Jing's attitude towards me. While he can accept our relationship, your Dad's resignation pushed him into the spotlight within this family, a role he wasn't willing to accept. He certainly has complaints about me but he has never spoken harshly toward me. Yang Yang, on the other hand, has spent more time with me because he lives with us. We have gotten along well. Mrs. Chen, Yang Sanhua, has been friendly with me because of the cordial conversation she had with your Dad and me. But Mrs. Guan, Yang Sihua, refuses to meet me even though her husband, Guan Zhengtao, interacts with me very often. I know how hard it has been for your Dad to navigate these relationships. This makes me feel even more sad and sorry for your Dad. If everything could be taken back, I would never have provoked your Dad in the first place. Of course if your Dad heard this, he would be irritated to madness."
Zhou Di couldn't tell his son that if Yang Chen ever got truly furious, he would carry Zhou Di onto the bed and make love until Zhou Di had to admit his mistake. Sometime this led Zhou Di bedridden for two or three days. This was the way that Yang Chen punished Zhou Di.
At this moment, the door opened again. Yang Zihui, the son of Yang Yang, walked in carrying a food box in his hand. Looking at Yang Zizhan, he smiled and said:
"I knew you'd be here. When Aunt Yang heard that Uncle Zhou was going to have tea with my dad, she made some snacks for them. She was supposed to have Yang Wu bring the snacks to you. When she saw me there, she asked me to bring the snacks over."
After saying that, he opened the food box and took out some snacks. Yang Zizhan took a piece and asked:
"What is Yang Wu doing?"
Yang Zihui replied:
"Aunt Yang told me that he's being lazy, lying in bed."
"If Yang Yong were here, he would scold and beat him to the ground. It is lucky for Yang Wu that Yang Yong is not in the country right now."
Yang Zihui chuckled and said:
"I just overheard the conversation between Uncle Zhou and my dad that Uncle Chen and Uncle Zaihua are coming back today. Bro. Zizhan, I reckon you're going to be kicked out again."
Zizhan sighed:
"Aren't you going back to Qudu for New Year's? I know Uncle Chen does not want to go back so I will go with you."
Zihui shrugged:
"Just now I heard my dad trying to persuade Uncle Zhou to celebrate the New Year in Qudu but Uncle Zhou only agreed to persuade Uncle Chen to go back to Qudu."
Zizhan muttered:
"What a tough job! Zihui, don't you plan to visit your mother at your grandma's house?"
Zihui's expression darkened:
"She does not want me anymore. Why should I visit her? Everyone knows why my mom married my dad, just for the Yang family name. She idolized Aunt Suqiao wanted a life like hers. But my dad isn't like Uncle Chen. He is a blind person who needs someone to take care of him. She couldn't stand it any longer and thought she could get a significant amount of money by divorcing my dad when I was two years old. But unfortunately my dad didn't have much personal wealth. The money he spent on treating his eyes came either from my grandpa or from Uncle Chen. Unlike Uncle Chen and Uncle Jing, my dad has never invested in any business for extra money. We just rely on the family allowance. Every time my mom calls me and the only topic is about the money. She has never asked me how my dad and I are doing. She even lets me ask Grandpa for more money. But my dad and I are still living in Uncle Chen's villa. How can I ask Grandpa for more money now? Grandpa already feels embarrassed because Uncle Zhou treats me like Aichen. Yes, my dad and I are the youngest in this family but I won't humiliate myself by asking for extra money. Besides, Grandpa does not like my mom. He thinks my dad and I are pitiful so he gives extra money in private but why would I give that to her? I am also selfish too. I am a child of the Yang family."
Zhou Aichen chuckled as he ate snacks and said:
"Zihui, you're really selling out your grandpa, telling us that your grandpa gives you extra money in front of your Bro. Zizhan."
Yang Zihui laughed and leaned on Zizhan, coquettishly saying:
"My third bro., Bro. Zizhan, please forget what I have just said. Just pretend I didn't say it."
Yang Zizhan lightly tapped Zihui on the head and replied:
"Don't worry so much. No one will say anything about it. As far as I know, my dad also gives extra money to uncle Yang and you in private, right?"
Yang Zihui chuckled.