Chu Zhenbei's smile froze on his face. Make Cao Yang face justice? This wasn't just unlikely—it was absurd.
"Ah…" he let out a long sigh.
"Brother Qingshan, I know you're upset. I don't like that little bastard Cao Yang either, but there's nothing I can do."
"You probably don't realize it yet, but Cao Yang actually has some powerful backing now."
"His great-grandfather, Cao Ying, was once a warlord who had multiple encounters with my father and even saved him. That earns him a lot of goodwill from Old Master Chu."
"Cao Ying's fourth son, Cao Tailin—Cao Yang's great-uncle—is now the Grand General of Nanluo. Conveniently, the oil field project is in his territory. Cao Tailin dotes on Cao Yang. If he throws a wrench into things, the project can't proceed smoothly."
"Is it worth letting a few insignificant people get in the way of a national energy project? Brother Qingshan, you need to know what truly matters!"
Han Qingshan lit a cigarette and tapped his fingers on the desk.
"Your old man helps him out of gratitude. You help him so the project can run smoothly. You both have your benefits… but what about me?"
"You're making me a laughingstock for the sake of your own goals?"
"Brother Qingshan, you exaggerate. This is about national energy…"
"Stop. Don't throw the word 'nation' around to pressure me. I don't believe some massive project will change because of a single Cao Yang, nor do I believe Cao Tailin would offend the royal family or our nation just to help him."
Chu Zhenbei didn't expect Han Qingshan to be so adamant. Helpless, he sighed.
"Brother Qingshan, Old Master Chu is determined to help Cao Yang. You probably won't be able to stop him. Better to nod and compromise, so everyone saves face."
"Hmph…" Han Qingshan sneered. "I naturally can't block Old Master Chu, but I will make my stance clear. Whatever Chu does afterward is his business."
"Brother Qingshan, must it come to this?"
"Enough. That's all I have to say."
Han Qingshan gave Chu Zhenbei the hint to leave.
After Chu Zhenbei left, Han Qingshan sat alone in his office, smoking several cigarettes in succession.
Chu Zhenbei was right—he couldn't stop Chu Yizhong, but he also couldn't agree.
Even if he couldn't intervene, he had to show his stance. At the very least, after this, the Chu family would feel indebted to him, needing to make some compensation.
He was ready for Cao Yang to return home exonerated and flauntingly, but fate seemed to be on his side.
Before Chu Zhenbei even got home, he received a call from Chu Baiwei, urging him to rush to the hospital.
Old Master Chu had suffered a sudden stroke and was rushed in for emergency treatment.
"How could this happen? Father has always been healthy! He gets regular check-ups every week!" Chu Zhenbei exploded outside the ICU.
"Mr. Chu, please calm down. Your father had a sudden stroke. Such conditions often have no warning," the hospital director explained, wiping sweat from his brow.
Several hours later, the ICU doors opened, and medical staff wheeled Old Master Chu out.
"How is he?" the family asked anxiously.
The doctor removed his mask. "We saved his life, but his limbs are paralyzed and he has lost speech. We need more observation to see how it develops."
Chu Zhenan rushed back from Beijing upon hearing the news.
Chu Zhaonan returned from abroad.
Chu Tianxing hurried from the military.
Others arrived as well, filling the hospital to bursting with prominent figures.
…
Cao Yang called Chu Zhenbei again to check on progress, only to be yelled at from the start!
He was completely bewildered.
A call to Chu Baiwei revealed the truth: Old Master Chu had fallen ill.
He slammed his fist on the coffee table, shattering the glass.
How could someone perfectly healthy suddenly collapse?
Although the Old Master was elderly with some underlying conditions, of all times, it had to happen now. Cao Yang was furious, suspecting some hidden hand—but had no proof.
Back at his villa, Hu Qing noticed his grim expression and asked with concern.
Cao Yang recounted the events, and Hu Qing's face darkened as well.
Seeing this, he reassured her: "It's okay. As long as Great-Grandpa is still around, they'll help me handle things."
Hu Qing shook her head lightly. "Yang, don't be too optimistic. A bad beginning often leads to a bad ending.
"Even if your great-grandfather treats you well, never forget: interests come first. You're not his direct grandson. If helping you harms his or his son's or his legitimate grandson's interests, would he still help you?"
"Of course, I'm just speculating. In any case, always prepare for the worst."
Hearing this, Cao Yang's mood sank further.
"Daddy, have some candy." Little Cao Yinuo handed him a piece of chocolate, lifting his spirits slightly.
A few days later, Old Master Chu was fully paralyzed, unable to speak or move. Though alive, he was like the walking dead.
Chu Zhenan and Chu Zhenbei sighed in despair. With the Old Master down, their path ahead would be much harder.
"Big brother, the task father assigned isn't finished. Should I continue?"
Chu Zhenbei explained Cao Yang's situation and the stakes to Chu Zhenan, seeking guidance.
Even with the Old Master incapacitated, Chu Zhenan said: "Though father has collapsed, his orders must still be carried out. You go talk to Han Qingshan again."
Chu Zhenbei hesitated: "Even when father was well, he rejected me. Now, with father down, he'll reject me even more. I think you should go—you'll get some respect at least."
Chu Zhenan patted his brother's shoulder meaningfully: "No, you must go."
Only then did Chu Zhenbei understand. Whether he agreed or not, they had to try.
"Nanluo Petroleum is a major concern. We can't afford mistakes over a minor person. We must prepare multiple contingencies.
"I've applied for a visit to Nanluo and will leave in a few days.
"Contact Cao Hua to prepare them mentally. Cao Yang is just a distant nephew. They can distinguish priorities."
"Understood," Chu Zhenbei nodded.
…
Half a month had passed since the agreement with Chu Zhenbei, but there was no good news.
A few days ago, calls were met with impatience—"we're working on it, just wait." Now, calls went unanswered.
Fuming, Cao Yang called Chu Baiwei again. She tactfully explained the family situation was complicated; she couldn't interfere. He had to remain calm and wait…
Damn it!
Unable to wait, Cao Yang directly called Cao Tailin.
"Great-Grandpa, those people are playing me! They still haven't released my people!"
Cao Tailin chuckled. "And what do you expect Great-Grandpa to do?"
"I want to remind them a little, give them some trouble, make them feel the pinch."
Cao Tailin readily agreed: "Fine. I'll arrange it immediately."
"Thank you, Great-Grandpa." Cao Yang was deeply moved. With Great-Grandpa willing to help, he felt a renewed confidence.