Chapter 238 - 235: Ping’an’s Return

Chapter 238: Chapter 235: Ping’an’s Return

"Also, that kid from the Lan family can only act as your confidant for now. He can only be let out on his own once you’ve returned to the Capital City. Understand?" Li Xiu said sternly.

"Is something wrong, Brother?" Ping’an asked, taken aback for a moment. He got along well with the Lan family’s Xiao Wu. ’He’s not a two-faced backstabber!’

Shaking his head in resignation, Li Xiu softened his tone and said, "In politics, you can confide in your subordinates, but you can’t confide in them completely, understand? That kid is decent enough, but his mother, that Old Madam Lan... she’s a woman with grand ambitions!"

After a moment of thought, Ping’an nodded. Still, he couldn’t suppress his curiosity. "Brother, how did you know Old Madam Lan has such ambitions? I remember her always being Mr. Lan’s supportive wife—very gentle and kind!"

Ping’an wasn’t questioning Li Xiu. On the contrary, he always trusted Li Xiu’s words completely. He was just curious. He hadn’t seen through Old Madam Lan in all these years, so how had Li Xiu managed it? ’They’ve hardly ever met!’

Li Xiu understood his disposition and took the opportunity to teach him. He explained gently, "It’s simple. Sons take after their fathers, and daughters take after their mothers. The Lan family’s daughter is no pushover. We all know Mr. Lan’s personality, so where could she have learned that from? On top of that, Old Madam Lan is the very model of a supportive wife, with practically no flaws. You should understand that everyone who is human has flaws. Some people are just better at hiding them!"

Ping’an nodded. ’Lesson learned.’ ’Wait,’ he thought, ’I remember an ancient book dedicated to the study of human nature. I know that book so well I can almost recite it backward. I let my first impressions cloud my judgment and failed to see the truth behind the facade!’

The two of them talked in the study until it was almost noon. By the time they emerged, Zhou Lian was already home from work. Seeing Ping’an’s dejected, crestfallen look, Zhou Lian couldn’t help but laugh. ’Looks like Li Xiu gave him another dressing-down!’

"Sis, can you at least try to hide how much you’re enjoying this!" Ping’an flared up at Zhou Lian’s open mockery. The moment the words left his mouth, he felt the air temperature plummet. Ping’an shuddered. ’Damn it, I forgot Li Jincheng is a total wife-doting maniac!’

"No, wait, Sis, I’m your little brother! You could at least have a little sympathy for me!" Ping’an scrambled to backtrack. Watching Zhou Lian’s smile grow even more mischievous, he cautiously glanced up at Li Xiu. That one look was all it took. Ping’an leaped to his feet and bolted, shouting over his shoulder, "I’m heading home to see Mom and Dad! I’ll come back tomorrow!" He was gone before the words even finished echoing.

Zhou Lian burst out laughing, her bright eyes twinkling as if a star had just fallen within them. Li Xiu watched her, completely captivated. ’My wife is so beautiful.’

As if sensing his burning gaze, Zhou Lian turned to look at him. The intimidating man from moments before was gone, replaced by someone with a dazed, silly expression that was almost too embarrassing to look at. "Jin Chen, what are you looking at?"

"I’m looking at Bao’er. You’re so beautiful like this, it’s like you’re glowing!"

Zhou Lian couldn’t help but cover her face. ’Li Xiu’s cheesy lines are just too sweet.’ Feeling a little flustered, she said, "What are you talking about, Jin Chen? How is that kid, Ping’an, doing?"

He gently pulled Zhou Lian into his embrace and gave her a soft kiss. "He’s not bad," he said softly. "He’s just not quite thorough enough yet, but that’s because he’s too young and lacks experience. Overall, he’s fine. He’s back for ten days, so I’ll give him some intensive training. It’s nothing major. Besides, Elder Ping will teach him some of the unwritten rules and share his experience. That’s something I can’t provide."

Nestled in Li Xiu’s arms, Zhou Lian said nonchalantly, "You can handle these things however you see fit. I won’t interfere. Just make sure you don’t get dragged into it yourself."

"I won’t. I don’t care for this stuff anyway. As for Ping’an, first, I’m repaying a favor. Second, we need a ’protective umbrella.’ And third, while Ping’an is smart, he’s also good-natured. The kid has potential. I’ll do my best for him, but I won’t bet my life on him. Bao’er, you must know that nothing is more important to me than you."

"Mmm," Zhou Lian hummed softly. There was no need for formalities between them. Zhou Lian knew she was Li Xiu’s entire world, and she wouldn’t be coy and deny it. As for her own feelings, while they might not be quite at that level, they were getting close.

「In the Ping household」

Looking at her youngest son, who had returned so suddenly, Mrs. Ping couldn’t stop her eyes from welling up. She hadn’t seen him in so long. "Why are you back all of a sudden?" she asked softly. "How many days can you stay?"

Looking at his mother, Ping’an paused for a moment before saying, "Mom, it wasn’t busy, so I combined all my vacation days. I can stay for ten days, but..."

"What is it?" Mrs. Ping asked, growing nervous at his hesitation.

Glancing at his mother, Ping’an lowered his head and said, "Mom, I had to stop by Jin Chen’s place first. He told me to come over for extra training starting tomorrow. He said I’m still lacking in many areas and wants to use these next few days to give me some proper lessons."

"Is that all? What were you hesitating for!" Mrs. Ping said, exasperated. ’He’s still such a child!’

Ping’an looked up at Mrs. Ping and smiled sweetly. "It’s just that I won’t have time to spend with you, Mom. I feel a little guilty about it."

When Elder Ping returned that evening, he found his wife utterly charmed by their youngest son. Taking advantage of a moment when she wasn’t looking, he shot Ping’an a fierce glare. ’This rotten kid.’ After greeting his wife and giving Ping’an another look, Elder Ping went to his study. Ping’an looked at his mother and said softly, "Mom, I’m going to the study to talk with Dad."

Mrs. Ping knew the two of them had things to discuss, so she waved him off. She then went to wash up and get ready for bed. ’Her son has been away for so long; he must have a lot to talk about with his father.’

In the study, father and son sat in silence on the sofa. Neither spoke first. Elder Ping was a patient man, but Ping’an was no slouch either. Never mind all the time he’d been trained by Li Xiu; his years of fending for himself had taught him a great deal of self-control.

After a long while, Ping’an decided he ought to be the one to show some respect for his elder. He spoke to Elder Ping, "Dad, my train got in early this morning, and I went straight to Jin Chen’s. We talked all morning. He wants me to come over starting tomorrow. I can stay for about ten days, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to spend time with you and Mom. Jin Chen said he’s going to give me some extra training."

Seeing his youngest son’s frustrated expression, Elder Ping figured Li Xiu must have discovered one of the boy’s weaknesses. ’But that’s a good thing. With Li Xiu guiding him, I can rest easy.’ For once, Elder Ping’s tone softened. "Did you run into any trouble out there? Or was there anything that gave you a hard time?"

Ping’an answered his father’s questions seriously. He glanced at his father, who was listening intently, and then suddenly asked, "Dad, about Old Madam Lan..."

"That has nothing to do with you," Elder Ping cut him off. "Just focus on handling your own affairs with the Lan family’s Xiao Wu!" ’My son couldn’t have found something out, could he? That woman is nothing but trouble.’