Early the next morning, Su Qing groggily got out of bed, finding the absence of a girl in his arms rather disconcerting.

Before going to sleep last night, he had a phone call with Shen Yi, during which he casually told her what had happened on his end, and then the laughter on her side never stopped.

She wasn't laughing at Su Qing for losing 10,000 gold coins, but at how rare it was for this little man of hers to suffer a loss.

Ten thousand bucks, no big deal, just enjoy the spectacle. She was also quite interested in that 'loyal and righteous' family.

Could such a family really manage to live well? Stealing his sister's betrothal gift to gamble on a whim, then resorting to online scams to pay off debts, and now not only is the debt unpaid, but he's also in trouble, with his sister facing a broken engagement and the groom's family reclaiming the dowry, refusing to proceed with the wedding.

One thing after another, just hearing it made Shen Yi's blood pressure rise a bit. Fortunately, she's an only child—had she a brother like that, she would have disowned him long ago.

As they say, a person's success is a chemical reaction resulting from multiple factors. Had Shen Yi been placed in such a family, she most likely wouldn't have achieved her current success.

Not to mention, her career is just picking up, and if her brother were gambling debts from their family inability to pay, she'd have to pitch in, depleting her capital and exhausting her efforts. How could it not have an impact?

Su Qing's long-absent cousin has a gambling total of only a few hundred thousand just because his family doesn't have much money; if there were tens of millions at home, his gambling amounts would likely soar.

If he had a rich sister, this cousin of his would dare to hit Macau's big casinos, envisioning a night with sensual dealers, live shuffling, and gambling hundreds of thousands or millions.

Some people are never destined to succeed because the road to success, just like the pursuit of dreams, is laden with debt and thorns, a path one cannot bear any burden and must wholeheartedly commit.

Sometimes family isn't necessarily an aid; they can be a burden.

Shen Yi's parents can be considered an aid, while old Su and his wife Zhou Hui are neither a great help nor a burden. They relied on ability, and a tad of luck, which allowed them to stand out.

"Morning, Dad. Where's Mom?"

Su Qing rubbed his eyes and greeted old Su.

At this, old Su took off his apron and smiled wryly, "She hasn't gotten up. This morning it's just us two for breakfast; your mom is upset. Once she gets hungry by noon, she'll come out and find something to eat."

Living together for more than twenty years, he understood this habit: since father and son confirmed last night they couldn't retrieve the ten thousand, his mom's mood turned sour.

One could say she's now a rich lady with millions in her hand, most of which Su Qing contributed, along with old Su's salary. She shouldn't be so narrow-minded, but she's a penny-pincher at heart.

"Okay," Su Qing chuckled, shaking his head.

Neither Su Qing nor old Su really cared too much about it. In the end, it's just ten thousand coins. Men have broad minds. Of course, mainly because Su Qing isn't short of money anymore, so he doesn't focus on it.

If this were a year ago, before the narrator, try it? He would have exploded. Would that ten thousand bucks be just money to him? It was his lifeline.

Without eating, drinking, or renting, he would need about two and a half months to earn it. Why should someone else take it, fill their family's hole, and it might never come back?

"Son, if you see your aunt or your uncle's wife at the police station today, talk... be tactful. Your mom and I won't go; we won't be of any help there anyway. And in your mom's current state, I'm afraid she'll demand repayment right there," old Su whispered.

"Don't worry, Dad, I know what to do, but..."

"What is it? Speak plainly. Just us here, why so hesitant?" old Su smiled, seeing this.

Whether it was because Su Qing was a year older after New Year or because he'd earned money, since after the New Year old Su felt his son matured, and naturally, his way of speaking changed.

"It's nothing. I just wanted to say, behind people's smiles hide their intentions; my aunt..."

Before he could finish, old Su interrupted, waving his hand, "Okay, your dad gets it. You're just a kid, teaching me? Besides, matters of the older generation concern your mom and me. Good or bad, you don't have to meddle. To put it bluntly, in this situation, once your mom and I are gone, whether you youngsters keep in touch is uncertain, so why bother? When you go to the police station, help if you can. If it's troublesome or affects you, don't hesitate. Just say you can't handle it; our family doesn't owe anyone."

As soon as the words were out, a prompt sounded in Su Qing's mind.

[The reason your ever-strong father stays strong ties closely to the family back home. He knows more about their past grudges and can anticipate some of your aunt's thoughts, even realizing she deliberately brought people over yesterday. But as the family pillar and being your mom's elder sister, he wouldn't say much. After all, it's better to have fewer troubles than more.]

With this reminder, Su Qing's lips slightly curved upward. Indeed, old Su is truly suited as the household head. His years haven't gone to waste, deserving the title of the family's strategist.

Honestly, in terms of brains, Su Qing had to admit he wasn't as smart as his dad. In matters of social interaction or vision, he fell short. After all, old Su isn't a stubborn person, coupled with having eaten so many more years, naturally having his reasoning.

Without the narrator correcting him on the side, at least the current gap between him and old Su would still be substantial.

"Understood, just watch me."

With that, the father and son began their meal. Breakfast was alright: porridge cooked by old Su, reheated buns bought yesterday, and a small plate of pickles—just right.

"Dad, I'm heading to the police station now!"

Old Su waved, dismissing him swiftly. It's finally a rare Saturday off, and he wanted to enjoy some couple time with his wife.

With the thaw in relations, Su Qing felt good too and headed directly for East City Public Security Bureau.

Taking a bus to the subway, it was only a bit after 9 AM when he arrived. If nothing went wrong, Shen Yi might still be lounging in bed at this time.

Even in the morning, it was bustling here. As soon as he entered, he noticed a large group of people gathered in the lobby on the left, nearly twenty people.

"Officer, can I see my son?"

"Officer, my son is young and ignorant. He didn't know it was illegal. Can he be dealt with leniently?"

"Our family is willing to compensate; can we apply for bail?"

"Young man, do you know Li Zijun? She's my niece, Feng Lei's cousin. Can we work something out?"

Hearing this, Su Qing glanced in the direction of the voice. There stood a woman with a full, harsh face, her brows and eyes sharp and mean.

Oh boy, using Zijun's name without missing a beat—if he hadn't known Zijun's stance, he'd have thought Li Zijun had really told her something.

Without needing to wonder, just from the look, Su Qing knew this must be the person pestering Li Zijun with calls, given the familiar tone and voice etched in his memory.

"What are you doing? Your son broke the law. What does his cousin matter? That's against regulations, understand? I'm telling you: your son's crime is serious this time. This approach won't help him!"

Officer Lao Gao, on duty, sternly knocked on the table and scolded, his tone serious and commanding.

"Ah! Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean that!"

Watching the woman's repeated apologies, Su Qing chuckled, then hurried upstairs to inquire about the situation, as he'd soon be meeting his relatives.

...

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