Han Qingshan was telling the truth. Not long after returning to the country, Han Xixi got married—already with a child.
She claimed the child was Cao Yang's. That bastard in Japan had been violating her every day.
Some people believed her, some didn't. Han Qingshan didn't—if it were really Cao Yang's child, she would have terminated it long ago.
As for the real father, Han Qingshan knew well enough. Their social status was worlds apart; it was impossible for them to be together.
Even knowing the truth, Han Qingshan wouldn't reveal it. First, it painted Han Xixi as a victim. Second, it could subtly make Cao Yang offend the Liu family. And third, now, it was a card to silence anyone trying to plead for Cao Yang.
Chu Zhenbei awkwardly excused himself and returned home to tell Old Master Chu.
"Dad, there was nothing I could do. Before I even spoke, he shut me up. I couldn't get a word in."
Old Master Chu was silent. He hadn't expected that little bastard Cao Yang would do such things to Han Xixi.
Chu Baiwei was furious too. That scoundrel really couldn't resist women!
Chu Haoyuan and Gao Yourong were also present. Gao Yourong paid particular attention to the news about Cao Yang.
Chu Haoyuan felt a twinge of sadness, but seeing Gao Yourong's large belly, he felt a sense of relief.
Although her first time was with Cao Yang, the child in her womb would definitely be his.
Gao Yourong had confessed everything to Chu Haoyuan before marriage, saying Cao Yang had forced her. Chu Haoyuan accepted it quietly, never telling anyone else.
No one doubted Han Qingshan's statement. The rumor that Han Xixi got married two months ago and was already three months pregnant had circulated in their circles. Few expected it to be Cao Yang's doing.
Even Chu Baiwei, who knew him best, believed Cao Yang capable of such acts.
Cao Yang sneezed several times, pinched his nose, wondering who was thinking about him.
He set aside the accounts and sent Ji Mao and the others away.
This Wu Qian was skilled. In just a few days, he had the accounts mostly in order. Ji Mao and the others had already identified a few embezzlers.
They were ready to mete out their justice, waiting only for Cao Yang's order.
But Cao Yang waved them off, deciding to give them one more chance—to see how they performed this month.
Ji Mao and Ah Hu thought their boss was merciful. In reality, Cao Yang just didn't care.
After all, it wasn't his money—it was Situ Meixin's. He hadn't touched the tens of millions he borrowed from his sister-in-law.
He was about to return home. He was done with the Loyal Order Hall, too lazy to deal with petty matters, leaving it to Situ Meixin.
After everyone left, he took out his phone and called Chu Zhenbei to check the progress—when the person would be released, and when he could return.
"Hello." Chu Zhenbei's tone was less than friendly.
"Uncle Chu, how's the situation?"
"Hmph! Everything was going smoothly, but your bastard has caused too much trouble, now it's stuck!"
"What trouble have I caused?" Cao Yang was baffled.
"What you did to Han Xixi in Japan—don't you even realize?!"
Cao Yang fell silent. In Japan, he had treated Han Xixi brutally, using her like a servant. It was indeed excessive.
"Why bring up the past? Just promise me—you'll settle it within half a month. I expect you to keep your word."
Cao Yang didn't argue. To the Chu family, that was an implicit admission.
"Look at this little bastard. Not an ounce of remorse, and still so arrogant!" Chu Zhenbei gave him a scolding.
Old Master Chu sighed. "No matter what, I will fulfill the promise I made."
"Dad, the Han family obviously knows my intention. They surely won't agree!"
Old Master Chu pondered, deciding to repay Cao Ying's favor and remove the knot in his heart.
"Baiwei, make a call for me."
"Dad, who?"
"If Han Qingshan won't cooperate, I won't force him. We'll just go over his head."
Chu Zhenbei shook his head. "No, Dad. Doing that would slap him in the face. It would damage our family relations."
"Then what do you suggest?"
"I'm not just resolving my own issues—I'm also protecting the country. If we break our word, Cao Yang could meddle with Cao Tailin, and your project in Nanluo would stall."
"I know, I know. But don't rush. I'll talk to him tomorrow. I trust he'll understand."
Old Master Chu nodded, putting down the phone.
"Fine. Make him understand the severity of the situation—don't let him misjudge."
"Though I'm old, I'm not dead yet. If I want to, I can still rescue a few people."
...
The next day, Chu Zhenbei returned to Han Qingshan's office.
"Brother Qingshan, we're family. I won't beat around the bush."
Han Qingshan sipped his tea, signaling him to speak.
Looking at his expression, Chu Zhenbei knew he was displeased but continued straight to the point. Otherwise, Old Master Chu would bypass him to secure the release—then relations would truly sour.
"Brother Qingshan, I want you to release Cao Yang's relatives."
"They're insignificant people, inside or outside. They can't affect you in any way."
Han Qingshan paused, saying nothing for a long moment.
In officialdom, yielding and compromise were an art. Han Qingshan had practiced it many times—but yielding to Cao Yang? That was a dream!
What was Cao Yang? Just a martial man. If someone like him could make Han Qingshan yield, then he'd be seen as weak!
He stared coldly at Chu Zhenbei, anger burning—not just at Cao Yang, but at the Chu family too.
He had been displeased when Chu Baiwei went to Nanluo before. Previously, her closeness with Cao Yang was one thing—they weren't married yet.
Now she was the Han family daughter-in-law. Her going there brought shame to him.
If it were just her personal whim, fine. But Chu Zhenbei allowed it, even tacitly. That annoyed him.
He had made his stance clear yesterday. And now Chu Zhenbei came asking again. Was this to confront him over a certain Cao Yang?
"Brother Qingshan…" Chu Zhenbei called softly.
Han Qingshan regained composure, a faint smile appearing.
"Fine. But they're just a few trivial people."
"However, I have one condition before releasing them."
Hearing this, Chu Zhenbei's face brightened.
"Speak freely, Brother Qingshan."
"Let Cao Yang come back and face justice. Once he does, I'll release them immediately."