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Facing Shen Lingchen, Xiao Mu's expression began to turn playful and disdainful. In the long, sleepless night, having such a ridiculous conversation wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Especially with the police officer who was so accustomed to lecturing and comforting others; how could one bear to dismiss their well-meaning but trivial concerns?
Of course, one couldn't bear it, but don’t expect them to actually listen. From a psychological perspective, most people were opponents that Xiao Mu looked down upon.
Shen Lingchen seemed to have caught onto this point. He smiled and said, "Your father is a person of gentle exterior but strong character. Whether you like to hear it or not, I must say a few good words about him. He dropped out of school at fifteen, became an apprentice at twenty, and brought your mother, First Wife, along with him as they struggled to make a living in Binhai. Starting from street stalls thirty years ago, he has built his business up to this scale. I’ve heard that Boss Mu still cooks himself and has taught hundreds of disciples by example. In Binhai, Wuyang Cuisine is one of the notable establishments; he’s quite an accomplished figure. To excel in any field requires dedication—even the smallest tasks are significant. Your father is definitely one of those."
Shen Lingchen gave a thumbs-up, while Xiao Mu rolled her eyes in response, her expression cold and unappreciative of the praise.
"Regardless of whether you want to hear it or not, I must also say a few bad things about him," Shen Lingchen continued as if unaware. "For every achievement, there are challenges that come with it. Your father's success is also his failure in some ways. You might not know what being an apprentice meant back in the last century. For someone learning to cook like this, it would take at least three years—waking up at dawn and working late into the night, doing all the menial tasks in the shop without earning a single cent in wages; at most, they would get food. As for accommodation? Just a long bench in the shop. If you had to live like that, how long do you think you could endure?"
"Could it be that my dad was once treated so poorly?" Xiao Mu's interest was piqued.
"Yes, it was even worse than that. A moment's carelessness could lead to scolding or even beatings. You probably don’t remember your grandfather very well; he passed away when you were around nine," Shen Lingchen asked.
"My grandfather?" Xiao Mu was taken aback; it was clear she had no memory of him.
"Yes, he was also a great chef and your father's mentor. There's an interesting story here: back then, your grandfather had many apprentices. Your mother's family was quite affluent, but there was only one daughter. The old man’s condition for marrying into their family was that he would have to move in with them. However, there was a twist—your mother didn’t fancy the suitor who agreed to this arrangement. The one she liked was stubborn and refused to marry into her family or give up her inheritance," Shen Lingchen chuckled.
"Is that true?" Xiao Mu was astonished; she realized just how little she knew about her family's past.
"Commissioner Zhang mentioned that your father and his brothers, including Old Wu, had some connections with the Political Commissar. He even asked the Political Commissar if he could help you get into the police force," Shen Lingchen added.
That couldn’t be fabricated; Xiao Mu curiously asked, "So what happened next?"
"Are you asking how this issue was resolved?"
"Yeah, I know the result; it's me. But what about the process?"
"The process is quite simple. Your dad eloped with your mom and came to Binhai. By the time they returned, you were already on the way," Shen Lingchen said with a smile.
Xiao Mu was stunned, her expression one of disbelief as she muttered, "My dad was that impressive back then?"
To deceive a girl is one thing, but to abandon both money and family wealth is something only extraordinary people can do.
"So I say, your dad is just that," Shen Lingchen continued, giving a thumbs up as he reminisced about Old Mu's past. He had sent off two elderly people and supported his wife's family, earning quite a good reputation back home.
As the conversation went on, Xiao Mu's expression began to sour again. It was a reflex; any mention of her father made her uncomfortable and uneasy.
Shen Lingchen shifted the topic slightly, saying, "Still, it's true what they say: extraordinary abilities come with extraordinary hardships. Your mother endured several tough years with your father. Just when they finally saw some light, she fell seriously ill and passed away early. Your dad felt guilty towards you and your mom, so he worked himself to the bone to make it up to you... This is why you have the life you do now. You can spend his money freely and do whatever you want... But look at you now; your financial sources are controlled, and your living expenses are barely on par with our salaries."
Xiao Mu pursed her lips, feeling that familiar discomfort again. No matter how much she admired her father's struggles, it was impossible for her to replicate them. Besides, Xiao Mu only wanted to be as wealthy as her father; she didn't want to go through what he had experienced.
Shen Lingchen gently filled Xiao Mu's glass with wine and asked with a smile, "You're studying psychology; how does all this make you feel?"
"Not much," Xiao Mu replied, sipping her drink while still feeling that lingering sense of frustration.
"Shadow—psychological shadow. You've been living in his shadow all along," Shen Lingchen said.
"That's nonsense! Even if he was a famous chef or a Master, do I look like I have Master qualities?" Xiao Mu scoffed.
"I'm talking about psychological shadows. Deep down, you know that the boys in Binhai who cause endless trouble are actually seeking more love and attention. Unfortunately, your father only knew how to make money. To support his new family, he sent you abroad—from Singapore to the Netherlands and then from the Netherlands to America. Think about it; wasn't everything done under his shadow? Even now it's still the same. I heard he left a will stating that the inheritance for you can't be touched until you're forty. That's an even bigger shadow than before, forcing you to live within restricted conditions and limited frameworks. Don't you think so?" Shen Lingchen asked, his voice taking on a darker tone of provocation.
Xiao Mu felt a surge of emotion rising within her. Slowly extending her left hand, she revealed scars on her middle finger from an old cut. Gritting her teeth, she said fiercely, "No freedom? I'd rather die."
"You're just bragging. If you had that kind of courage, would you still be going to a technical school?" Shen Lingchen casually picked at a sore spot for Xiao Mu.
Xiao Mu slammed his glass down, a torrent of grievances bubbling up inside him. He examined his left hand, scarred from the blade of a kitchen knife, and lamented, "You don't know my struggles. My friends are all wealthy; they treat each other to meals every day. I can't keep relying on them, can I? But when they invite me out, it's always a few thousand at least. Ugh... I have no choice. I can't carry heavy things or lift anything. My diploma isn't recognized here. What am I supposed to do? Don't you think I want to make my old man happy so he might loosen the purse strings a bit?"
"And what happened?" Shen Lingchen asked.
"The old man is dead set on making my life miserable. The lawyer shows no mercy; if I delay sending her the medical report by even a day, she won't give me even five thousand," Xiao Mu fumed, banging the table. "Do you have any idea how I've been living these past few months? I've sold off all the good liquor, handbags, and jewelry we had at home for next to nothing. It's humiliating! I can't even sell them openly; I've had to sneak around to Suzhou and Hangzhou to get rid of them."
Shen Lingchen lowered his head, hiding his smile as he watched Xiao Mu's frustration boil over. He kept refilling Young Master Mu's glass as Xiao Mu neared the brink of collapse, drinking cup after cup to vent his dissatisfaction.
After venting, feeling slightly relieved, Shen Lingchen seized the moment to ask, "Have you thought about what you'll do next? Just staying stuck like this?"
"Next..." Xiao Mu exhaled deeply. Seeing Shen Lingchen's smile pulled him out of his anger. He reflected, "Why am I telling you all this? Listen, Political Commissar, if you want to drink and eat with me, I'm always available... but don't try to use me as your informant. You can't seriously think I've fallen so low that I rely on you for meals?"
"Look at you, speaking so harshly. Do you really think I would use you? You are the first Red Line Informant ever rewarded by the Shaanxi Provincial Public Security Department. Do you know how impressive that is? One major case led to the promotion of over ten people. Remember Ye Tianshu from the special task force? He went from being a city bureau chief to the party committee secretary in the provincial capital," Shen Lingchen explained. This was true and indeed related to the person before him, but it wasn't as exaggerated as it sounded.
Still, it shocked Xiao Mu. He exclaimed in disbelief, "No way! Ye Tianshu was such a petty person; he actually got promoted?"
"What did you expect? It was a sensational case that made headlines nationwide—especially since they recovered stolen funds and captured Lu Hongbo, the Madman Lu. That became a textbook example for fugitive recovery... Oh right, let me show you something." Shen Lingchen pulled out an internal journal he had painstakingly acquired; this case was indeed celebrated in Shaanxi Province as an achievement and was representative of a major pyramid scheme case that drew attention from various quarters.
However, it lacked the expected surprise. Xiao Mu flipped through it and found it so heavily edited that he couldn't stand it anymore. He angrily tossed his phone aside and said, "All I see are names like Lu and Yang—none of them are mine! What's worse is that someone like me doesn't even get a code name like 'Mu'—that's just too much."
"That was to protect you! Among the officers you know, who has their name mentioned in there?" Shen Lingchen put away his phone with a smile. He regretted adding unnecessary details; this guy in front of him had no sense of honor.
And indeed he didn't. Xiao Mu retorted angrily, "It doesn't mean anything! You guys at the West Lake Police Station showed me no mercy at all; they fined me a thousand bucks just because of this incident! I'm not going to let this go."
"Does that include me?" Shen Lingchen asked.
Xiao Mu glared, having developed an inexplicable fondness for Shen Lingchen. He chuckled, "You're the second exception. Come on, let's toast."
"Then I'm honored, but let's wait a moment before toasting. I need to finish what I have to say; I don't want to delay things later when work gets busy," Shen Lingchen replied, setting down his glass and looking at Xiao Mu. Xiao Mu dismissively pointed at him, "How boring. Are you going to keep going in circles? Like I said, if you help me out, I'll do anything."
Shen Lingchen laughed. In truth, it was Xiao Mu who had tangled himself up and couldn't find a way out. He reminded him, "Don't worry about my intentions; let's talk about yours. Haven't you thought about ways to change your current situation?"
"I have, but none of them work," Xiao Mu said.
"I've thought of one for you," Shen Lingchen said with a surprising remark.
Xiao Mu leaned in, curious. "Go on."
"It's simple. Your dad has given you an unattainable peach; his intention is to force you. As long as you want to reach for that peach, you'll feel bound and unable to do anything you like. Am I right?" Shen Lingchen explained.
"Right, right! Just tell me the solution," Xiao Mu urged, looking at Shen Lingchen in astonishment. This cop was much smarter than Baldy.
"You need to go against the grain and push back," Shen Lingchen suggested.
This left Xiao Mu stunned.
Shen Lingchen continued bluntly, "According to our police system records, you're just a broke loser with nothing. The house isn't even yours; the property fees are overdue—just throw it back. You can't afford the car either; you can't even pay the insurance on a hundred-thousand-dollar vehicle—just toss it back. Get rid of everything... Be a man and tell your dad that he doesn't need to care about anything anymore; sever your father-son relationship."
Xiao Mu's eyes widened in shock as he exclaimed, "What the hell! I mean, Shen Commissioner, you're really something else as a cop—are you trying to ruin me completely?"
"This is called harsh advice; the heartache between you two needs strong medicine. Do you think your father can actually bring himself to do that?" Shen Lingchen asked.
"Well..." Xiao Mu hesitated. Blood is thicker than water; it seemed unlikely he could be that ruthless. But thinking about his father's actions made him waver. He uncertainly replied, "It's hard to say... If it were legal to strangle me, I think my dad would eventually do it."
Shen Lingchen chuckled lightly, steadying his mindset as he extended two fingers and said, "There are two possible outcomes. The first is that he remembers the bond between father and son, and then, under pressure, he gets anxious. You could return to the life where you can do as you please, and I would bless you."
"And the second? What if it really ends? What if the house and car are taken back, and I end up leaving with nothing?" Xiao Mu asked nervously.
"Exactly. A man with integrity is worth trusting. If you don't even have the courage to start over from scratch, how could your father possibly take you seriously? In other words, if by the age of forty you're still in this state, do you really think your father would hand over a fortune worth hundreds of millions to you?" Shen Lingchen replied.
Xiao Mu hesitated, feeling embarrassed, but still murmured, "If he doesn't give it to me, who will? After all, we are father and son."
"True, a father can't have another son like you. But a son can certainly have another father," Shen Lingchen said seriously, staring intently at Xiao Mu's increasingly fearful face as he delivered the most shocking news: "You must be wondering about your father's change, right? You probably don't know that your stepmother, Zhong Xiaomei, is pregnant."
Silence fell; all sounds ceased. Every expression froze. Xiao Mu stood there like a statue, unable to process what he had just heard. His lost expression resembled someone experiencing a second heavy blow in life.
It felt akin to losing a beloved for the first time; this time brought about the same sensation.
"There’s a saying: what tires you out isn’t the distant mountains but a grain of sand in your shoe. It reveals a truth: what often breaks a person isn’t a monumental challenge but rather the accumulation of trivial events that lead to exhaustion."
Shen Lingchen spoke softly, occasionally glancing at Xiao Mu's expression.
With no visible reaction from Xiao Mu, he continued: "The worst situation isn't poverty or misfortune; it's being in a state of ignorant fatigue—unable to find inspiration or attraction or goals. Sometimes even hunger and hatred can feel like real emotions. But when you lack those feelings in a life filled with trivialities, it only leads to gradual decay."
Xiao Mu finally showed some emotion; he took a deep breath and raised the bottle of wine to his lips, pouring its contents down his throat.
"No one can save you; you must save yourself. No matter what you do, learn to seek passion in life. I believe your father has found it again; unfortunately for you, you haven't... You've already consumed enough of your father's patience, indulgence, and even money. Do you think he will continue to let you drift aimlessly? From my perspective, if you keep going like this, even by forty years old, you won't inherit anything from him," Shen Lingchen said. Noticing Xiao Mu's increasingly pained expression, he added with more venomous speculation: "But he won't let you starve; he'll give you some living expenses each month and provide you with a house. He'll treat you like an ornament in his home. Your only purpose for existing is to showcase your father's greatness and kindness... or perhaps for other purposes—like continuing the Mu family line. But can you imagine how your son and wife would look at you?"
Xiao Mu was provoked; gripping the bottle tightly, he continued drinking until every last drop was gone. He wiped his sleeve angrily and slammed the bottle down on the coffee table with a loud thud, his face darkening to an extreme.
"I have one last question," Shen Lingchen said slowly as he stood up, looking pityingly at Xiao Mu before softly asking, "Do you want to live like this?"
Xiao Mu did not respond, casting a sideways glance at Shen Lingchen, and said with malice, "You're quite impressive; you've stirred me up. But you're not helping me find a way to live; you're just leading me to my death."
"To be placed in a dire situation and then find a way to survive—what is that if not a way of life? It's a pity; I've come here for nothing. You've nearly lost the courage to even try. Soon enough, you'll become just another freeloader in your father's vast estate, or perhaps in a few decades, you'll find yourself in court, fighting over inheritance with your stepmother and half-brothers, crying and sniffling," Shen Lingchen scoffed.
Furious, Xiao Mu grabbed a bottle and hurled it with a crash, smashing the television in the living room and creating a large hole. Amidst his rage, he shouted, "Get out!"
He was on the brink of collapse, his head hanging heavily as he rubbed his forehead vigorously, as if it were about to split from pain.
Shen Lingchen left without making a sound; only the derisive laughter lingered behind him. That laughter pierced Mulin Shen's heart like a venomous sting. When he looked up, he saw a business card lying on the coffee table—Shen Lingchen's card from the Suzhou and Hangzhou Criminal Investigation Team, Deputy Political Commissar.
Xiao Mu flicked the card with his fingers; it spun lightly before landing back on the table. His heart sank along with it as he collapsed heavily onto the sofa, staring at the ceiling. His vision blurred, turning blood-red before fading into darkness.
In the empty living room, chaos reigned. Alone and weary, Xiao Mu fell into an unknowing sleep, tears tracing down his tired face in his dreams…
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