It was still quite hot in the capital in September, and gentle gusts of wind blew through, making the two dilapidated doors in this rundown building creak!
Zhang Chen held an urn of ashes in his arms, kneeling inside the building, his eyes filled with despair and rage.
“Mother, your unfilial son, Zhang Chen, is here to see you!”
“Mother, time flies so fast, three years have passed in the blink of an eye! For the past three years, you’ve been all alone here, surely very lonely! Mother, your unfilial son has come to atone for his sins!”
With that, Zhang Chen kowtowed three times heavily to the urn of ashes.
Everything that happened three years ago was still etched deeply in his mind as if it were just yesterday.
Three years ago, a major incident occurred within the Zhang family in the capital, and his mother was targeted by rivals using extremely cruel methods.
And his mother’s dying words, Zhang Chen still remembered clearly to this day.
“Chen’er, the Zhang family’s power is too great; you cannot contend with them.
Promise me, don’t seek revenge for me! All I want is for you to live peacefully; only then can I rest easy!”
“After I’m gone, you must leave the capital.
I’ve already made arrangements for you. Leave the capital and go straight to the Fang family in Huaibei, and become a live-in son-in-law there.
After that, just pretend to be naive and foolish, and live well. That way, the Zhang family won’t be wary of you anymore, and you can avoid disaster!”
“But Mother…”
“No buts! Chen’er, you must promise me, otherwise, I won’t be able to rest in peace! For three years, at least for the first three years, you must not return to the capital!”
Therefore, Zhang Chen obeyed his mother’s dying wish, left the capital, and became a live-in son-in-law with the Fang family in Huaibei.
For the past three years.
Zhang Chen had never set foot in the capital.
It was only because today marked the end of the three-year mourning period that Zhang Chen quietly returned to his old home.
Over the past three years, Zhang Chen had been a son-in-law in the Fang family, pretending to be naive and foolish, enduring all kinds of ridicule and sarcasm.
But Zhang Chen had never felt humiliated or wronged, because he knew that no matter how much humiliation he suffered, it couldn’t compare to the injustice his mother endured.
It was precisely because he feared attracting the attention of the Zhang family, which would lead them to eliminate this powerless illegitimate son.
Therefore, for the past three years, his mother could only remain in this urn of ashes, without even a proper grave.
Zhang Chen was filled with hatred!
As a son, he couldn’t even provide his mother with a proper burial after her death.
It was truly too unfilial.
But he hated the Zhang family even more!
If it weren’t for the Zhang family, how could he and his mother be separated by life and death!
But Zhang Chen knew that everything would soon pass.
The him of today was no longer the naive youth of that year, and he no longer feared the Zhang family.
“Mother, sooner or later, there will be a day when I come for the Zhang family, to demand justice for you! To make those people regret it!”
Zhang Chen clenched his fists and swore to himself.
Suddenly, the sound of the door being pushed open pulled Zhang Chen’s thoughts back!
His eyes were filled with coldness as he stared straight at the two uninvited guests who had barged into his home!
When he looked over, he saw an old man and a young woman. The old man’s face was pale, clearly showing the marks of age, and his breathing was ragged, clearly indicating he was injured.
The young woman had beautiful eyes, but they were filled with terror. Her pretty oval face was pale with fear!
As Zhang Chen assessed them, they were also observing him!
From the astonished looks in their eyes, it was clear they hadn’t expected anyone to be living in a place like this.
Seeing the spiderwebs covering the corner of the wall, Mo Feier didn’t have time to think much.
They didn’t have much time left!
In their panic, they randomly picked a house that looked inconspicuous, little did they know it was occupied!
"Get out of here!" Zhang Chen's voice was almost mechanical, devoid of any emotion.
In three years, this was the first time he had come here to visit his mother, and he didn't want to be disturbed by anyone else!
"Brother, please! We're being pursued, and we intruded by accident. Please let my grandfather and me take shelter for a moment!" Mo Fei'er supported the old man; hearing her words, it was clear this extraordinary old man was her grandfather!
Zhang Chen didn't move a muscle.
If it were any other time, he might have helped as much as he could, but now, he only wanted to be quietly by his mother's side.
"Fei'er, stop it, child. Life and death are fated, and I'm already this old. You must escape, understand?!" The old man helplessly waved his hand, but how could Mo Fei'er possibly listen to her grandfather?!
Outside, at least a dozen people were surrounding them; going out now would only mean death!
Her eyes scanned the surroundings; she pondered for a moment, then immediately spoke up: "Sir, we are from the Mo family in the capital. Later, if you wish, the Mo family can give you your own domain in the capital! Luxury cars worth millions, beautiful houses worth billions—none of that is a problem. We only beg you to let us hide here for a moment!"
However, Zhang Chen still didn't move a muscle, like a wooden man, his eyes fixed on the grandfather and granddaughter!
"I won't say it twice!" Zhang Chen said coldly.
"Sir, can you truly be so merciless as to watch us die without helping?" Mo Fei'er felt despair.
But no sooner had she finished speaking than triumphant laughter erupted from outside!
"Haha, brothers, the old man and that bitch are in here!"
Immediately after, countless replies rang out, and then, the wooden door, already battered, finally gave up its life, falling to pieces on the ground!
A dozen or so men, brandishing gleaming daggers, stood there. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, and an suffocating aura of murderous intent slowly spread!
All of them were dressed in black, seemingly afraid of revealing their identities, so each had their faces covered with black cloths!
"Fourth Brother, no need to make too much of a fuss. Just send this grandfather and granddaughter to meet Meng Po!"
The one called "Fourth Brother" nodded repeatedly, only then withdrawing the hand that had been resting on his waist.
It turned out, he had originally intended to use a gun!
"Fei'er, get back!" the old man shouted, trying with all his might to shield his granddaughter behind him. "You must escape..."
"Grandfather!" Mo Fei'er's small face was drenched in tears. Then she looked towards Zhang Chen with an urgent, pleading expression!
Although she didn't think Zhang Chen alone could deal with these dozen or so fully armed men, as long as there was a chance, she had to try!
With the thought that more people meant more hope, Mo Fei'er immediately knelt down before Zhang Chen.
"Sir, if only you can save my grandfather from this sea of suffering, this Mo Fei'er will serve you like a beast of burden for the rest of her life without complaint!" The situation was critical now; she could only stake herself!
The dozen or so men, who were about to make their move, froze, and the leader slightly furrowed his brow.
He stepped closer, his voice, cold as ice, rang out.
"Killing two is killing, killing three is also killing! To avoid any complications, we might as well kill this brat too. If he has anyone to blame, it's his bad luck. He could mourn anywhere, but he just had to be here holding an urn!"
Immediately after, the crowd surged forward, and only then did Zhang Chen turn his gaze to them.
“You dare insult my mother? Die!” A frigid sound escaped Zhang Chen’s lips, and instantly, a dozen or so golden needles suddenly appeared before his eyes.
Zhang Chen waved his hand, and the needles flashed with a dazzling light, like a series of venomous snakes darting out to claim lives.
A few soft rustling sounds rang out, and the dozen or so people who had been so aggressive just moments ago seemed to be struck by a body-fixing spell, standing there motionless.
Only when Zhang Chen’s hand dropped did they all collapse to the ground!
“Hua Yu Shou?”
Looking at the people fallen on the ground, the old man exclaimed in surprise, completely forgetting his own injuries!
“To use Hua Yu Shou, one’s medical skills must reach a peak level, relying on a profound understanding of techniques and acupoints. But this… this is just the basics…”
The old man looked at Zhang Chen in astonishment. What kind of background did this young man, whom he had coincidentally met while fleeing, truly possess?
“Cough, cough!” The old man suddenly let out a heavy cough, and fresh blood gushed from the corner of his mouth. His worsening wound pulled his thoughts back to reality.
“Grandpa!” Mo Fei’er cried out in surprise. Just as she was about to rush over to support him, the old man could no longer hold on, collapsing straight backward!
“Grandpa, hold on! The family will be here soon!”
“Old Man Wang isn’t here. If he were, he would surely save you!”
Mo Fei’er’s tears flowed endlessly, dripping onto the floor. Immediately after, as if remembering something, her gaze suddenly turned towards Zhang Chen!
“Just now I heard Grandpa mention Hua Yu Shou.
I know what Hua Yu Shou is, so you must be skilled in medicine. I beg you, please save my grandpa!”
“Just now I also heard you look at the urn and call out ‘Mother,’ so you must be a filial child.
I beg you, I don’t want to lose my grandpa!”
The girl who had just calmly faced a dozen pursuers, using money, power, and status to negotiate with Zhang Chen, was now as humble as dirt. Her tearful appearance, like a pear blossom in the rain, would surely awaken any man’s protective instincts!
Zhang Chen looked at Mo Fei’er with annoyance. This girl was quite pretty, even on par with his current wife, but that was still no reason for him to act!
“I’ll say it again, don’t disturb my mother!”
The cold words came from Zhang Chen’s mouth, and at the same time, a murderous aura immediately appeared around him.
The difference was that just now this murderous aura had been aimed at the people who insulted his mother, but now it was aimed at Mo Fei’er!
Mo Fei’er felt her body turn cold as if standing in the depths of winter. She looked at Zhang Chen’s emotionless eyes as if seeing a walking puppet; she was desperate!
Suddenly, her gaze turned to the urn next to Zhang Chen and the unburnt joss paper, deciding to put everything into one final gamble!
She knew nothing about Zhang Chen’s identity or past, but she was certain that the man before her was a filial person!
Sure enough, she noticed Zhang Chen’s gaze towards the urn became much gentler. That gaze was like the April sun, a complete contrast to his icy demeanor just moments ago!
“Brother, Fei’er begs you! Fei’er will help you build a tomb for Auntie in the capital’s cemetery, will fast for three days and wear mourning clothes to mourn Auntie, as long as you can help save my grandpa…”
“Fei’er begs you!”
“No need for mourning clothes!” Zhang Chen was finally moved.
The capital city was originally his and his mother's hometown, but he couldn't even give his mother a grave!
His gaze swept to the old man who had collapsed on the ground. Zhang Chen's golden needle reappeared in his hand, piercing the Bai Jiao acupoint on the old man's chest!
In just an instant, Mo Fei'er's worried gaze turned to joy; she saw that her grandfather's eyes had opened.
"Mother, Zhang Chen is unfilial, I will visit you another day..."
Ignoring the old man who had opened his eyes, Zhang Chen heavily kowtowed three times before the urn of ashes, then left his contact number nearby.
"I have stimulated three of his main acupoints and protected his arteries. Quickly take him to the hospital, and after a period of recuperation, there will be nothing to worry about!"
"I hope you can keep your word. Just send the address to my phone on time!"
"Benefactor, may I ask who you are..." the weak old man was about to ask for Zhang Chen's other information, but his figure was already gone.