Wang Yan Sheng hung up the phone. His whole face was black.
Back then, he always had the feeling that his fifth younger brother, Wang Xin Sheng wasn’t dead. Instead, he should be lost in the midst of the ocean of people. Due to the constraints of various conditions at that time, he had no way of finding out his whereabouts.
During this period, he had people help to pay attention, but there was no news. Later, he almost accepted that he was dead. After all, he hadn't appeared for so many years.
Unexpectedly, after disappearing for thirteen years, he suddenly appeared again!
Qiao Hong Xia came out from the kitchen with a plate of braised pork. Seeing his behavior, she asked concerned, "What's the matter? Who called? Why do you have such an expression?"
Wang Yan Sheng hadn't recovered from the shock. He remained sitting down on the sofa. Then a breath was exhaled: "Old Fifth is still alive."
Qiao Hong Xia didn't understand for a moment who he was talking about: "Old Fifth? Which old Fifth?"
"My younger brother, Wang Xin Sheng, who had been dead for thirteen years. He is still alive!" Wang Yan Sheng uttered out with pauses and breaks.
When Qiao Hong Xia heard this, she dropped the rag in her hand to the ground. It took her a long time to recover her voice: "What are you talking about? He's still alive? This...how is this possible?"
Wang Yan Sheng sighed again: "Yeah, I thought he was dead for a period of time. Just now Shen City’s police station called me, saying that he killed someone and was arrested!"
Qiao Hong Xia was shocked again: "Then what do we do now? Do they want you to go there? Or does he want your help to bail him?"
It didn't matter if she was selfish or she had no conscience, she didn't want what happened to Wang Xin Sheng to affect their family.
When Wang Xin was living back then, he was a scumbag. He had an affair with a female educated youth and beat up his pregnant wife. Then he was never heard from again and resulted in his mom dying of a stroke on the spot.
All these incidents made her have an extremely bad impression of him. She didn't want to have any contact with this kind of person at all!
Wang Yan Sheng said: "Don't worry. I don't have the power to. Even if I did, I wouldn't do that!"
He didn't like this younger brother, Wang Xin Sheng either. When he made such a mess back then, he almost dragged the entire Wang Family into the abyss. Besides, a life for a life. Only then he would know the law shouldn’t be broken!
Still, he had to make this trip. He had to figure out what happened back then!
Qiao Hong Xia wanted to go with him, but there were three children at home. She couldn't leave them behind. In the end Wang Yan Sheng went to Shen City alone.
When he came to Shen City, he was swiftly arranged to meet Wang Xin Sheng because of his identity. It was in a separate and closed room.
The door was pushed open with a bang. The prison guard sternly shouted, "Go in, don't make any trouble, or you will suffer!"
As this voice spoke, Wang Yan Sheng raised his head and looked towards the door. He was stunned.
He saw a man in a prison uniform walking in the door. His hands were in handcuffs. There were several long and thick scars on his face. His face was disfigured, while his eyes were dark and cold. Completely exuding a bloodthirsty aura. His left trousers were empty. It was clear a leg was gone.
If Wang Yan Sheng hadn't confirmed his identity earlier or if the other party hadn't looked somewhat similar to what he was back then, Wang Yan Sheng wouldn't have dared to recognize him.
When Wang Yan Sheng was looking at Wang Xin Sheng, the other party was also looking at him, Third Elder Brother.
His appearance hadn’t changed much from that year, but his temperament had changed a lot.
When he left home back then, he was still young and had the innocence of a young man around him. Now Wang Yan Sheng exuded the calm and self-prestige that only a superior can have.
Looking at him like this, he knew that Third Elder Brother was doing well. That’s right. Third Elder Brother was never the same as the other brothers.
Wang Xin Sheng limped and walked over step by step with a cane. Because his hands were still in handcuffs, he walked very slowly and with great difficulty. It took him three minutes to walk this short distance.
He sat down on the stool opposite Wang Yan Sheng. The two brothers looked at each other without speaking.
In the end, Wang Xin Sheng gave in.
He twitched his mouth, "Third Elder Brother, you don't seem surprised at all?"
Wang Yan Sheng said: "Back then I suspected that you were faking your death. But in the past thirteen years, we haven’t heard anything about you. I think any person with a bit of conscience will not disappear for so long without any news. After all, because of your fake death, Mom died of a stroke on the spot. Dad followed in less than a year. If you are still alive, there should be contact!"
"You, what did you say?"
Wang Xin Sheng's eyes were tearing up. The cane in his hand fell to the ground with a loud noise. The prison guard outside took a look from the door and went out again.
Wang Yan Sheng coldly stared at him, "You know better than anyone how much our Mom and Dad love you. So what were you thinking when you faked your death?"
Wang Xin Sheng's eyes were red. His gaze intently fixated on the other party, as if his eyeballs were about to burst out in an instant: "I, I don't believe it! You must be lying to me!"
"I don't have the time and mood to curse Mom and Dad to deceive you. The reason for seeing me is probably wanting me to rescue you?" Wang Yan Sheng sneered.
How much of the other party's shock was due to heartache? And how much was worry about his parents' departure and couldn't get them to intercede for him?
Based on his understanding of Wang Xin Sheng, the latter should be the majority.
Wang Yan Sheng guessed right. The reason why Wang Xin Sheng was so shocked was because he never expected that his parents were gone.
When he left home, the two of them were only about 60 years old. He thought that one of them would survive to this day. As long as one of them was still alive, he would have a chance to have his sentence reduced. Or even get released by stealing the day. Let it out!
It never crossed his mind that his parents had left so early. And it was because of him!
He squeezed out two tears. He left the seat and knelt down to Wang Yan Sheng: "Third Elder Brother, I'm a beast. I shouldn't have left without saying a word. I didn't expect Mom and Dad... I deserve to die. I'm a bastard!"
As he spoke, he slapped himself with his hands.
Wang Yan Sheng didn't stop him. His gaze became frostier: "You really deserve to die. For the sake of glory and wealth, you can actually take other people's lives. A bastard like you should have died thirteen years ago!"
Wang Xin Sheng cried until snot and tears were dripping: "Third Elder Brother, I know I was wrong. I regretted it a long time ago. I was forced to do that back then. It was that woman Fang Xiao Juan who forced me! Third Elder Brother, please help me! Save me, for the sake of Mom and Dad. I want to go back and worship them and let them be able to rest in peace!"
Wang Yan Sheng almost laughed out of anger.
He raised his foot and kicked him in the face: "At this time, you still have the face to mention Mom and Dad?"
Wang Xin Sheng was kicked to the ground and couldn't even get up: "Third Elder Brother, I know you hate me. But it's not that I didn't want to go home for more than ten years. I can't go back. If I go home, I will definitely implicate you guys!"
Back then, he and his friend Cai Zheng Ping killed that unlucky man named Wang Guang Sheng and used his identity to smuggle to Xiangjiang. Then he smoothly entered Wang Guang Sheng's Eldest Uncle’s company.
Everything went well at first. But something happened in the year when he was about to take over the company. The problem was Cai Zheng Ping. Cai Zheng Ping told all the things they did when he was drunk. This happened to be heard by Wang Guang Sheng's Eldest Uncle.
That old man was a ruthless man. After the investigation was done, he killed Cai Zheng Ping on the spot. Then with a turn of a head, he targeted him next. Fortunately he was clever enough to notice something was wrong and immediately escaped.
Still, the other party didn't let him go. He got people to hunt him down all the way. That was how the scar on his face came about.
Later, he had no choice but to smuggle back to the mainland. That old man still didn't give up and vowed to kill him. Over the years, he hid like a street mouse and never lived a single normal day.
Last month, he was found again by that damned man’s henchman. In order to survive, he killed the two assassins. However, he was also caught in the act by the police.
What he said just now about being afraid of implicating his family, it wasn't true.
He wanted to contact his family a long time ago, but he had no money and didn't trust other people. Due to this, he couldn't pass the news back, let alone leave Shen City.
Wang Yan Sheng wasn't a fool. It went without saying, he didn’t believe his words: "When you go to the underworld, you can slowly repent to Mom and Dad and the people you killed!"
After speaking, he turned around and resolutely walked out.
While crawling towards him, Wang Xin Sheng screeching shouted, "Third Elder Brother, Third Elder Brother, don't go away...Third Elder Brother!"
Wang Yan Sheng didn't pause a step, went out, and directly asked the people from the police station about what Wang Xin Sheng had done over the years. After listening, he let the other party follow procedure.
He left Shen City the next day.
Wang Xin Sheng was shot to death three months later.
As the eldest brother, Wang Shui Sheng traveled thousands of miles to Shen City, brought back his ashes, and buried them next to his parents.
Good or bad, Wang Yan Sheng had no comment about his eldest brother's behavior. It was fine as long as he wasn’t bothered or blamed for not saving Wang Xin Sheng.
In fact, as Wang Yan Sheng's position continued to rise, the other brothers in the family didn’t dare to question any of his decisions.
——
In the blink of an eye, it was the end of the year again.
This year's Spring Festival, Qiao Family had a big event - Xue An Xu was invited by the Spring Festival Gala program!
‘Little Shi Tou Going Home’ was too popular. Now almost everyone in the country knew the young actor, Xue An Xu. Originally, the program crew wanted to invite him last year, but there was a change in plan later and the invitation wasn't sent out.
When the people from Haisheng Filming received the invitation from the program crew, their faces flushed with excitement.
This was the Spring Festival Gala!
Although the Spring Festival Gala was only created in 1983, they were supported by the state. On New Year's Eve, anyone with a TV at home can watch this program from all over the country!
In the past few years, those who can attend the Spring Festival Gala were either athletes who have won great glory for the country or popular actors and stars. Anyway, they must have enough popularity to go there.
Now they have invited Xue An Xu, it showed that this drama was really popular. After the Spring Festival Gala, it will rise to an even higher level!
As Xue An Xu became popular, the company became famous along with him. It went without saying the money flowed in.
Director Zhao went to Qiao's house in person after receiving the invitation letter. He asked them to agree to let Xue An Xu participate in the Spring Festival Gala.
After discussing it, Qiao Family nodded in agreement.
Firstly, the Spring Festival Gala will be held in the capital. There was no need to go out of the city. Secondly, Xue An Xu truly loved to perform. He was mostly likely to continue to engage in this industry when he grows up. In this case, it was better to pave the way for him from a young age.
Wan Chun Ju knew that Xue An Xu was invited to the Spring Festival Gala and little Dong Yun wasn't, she was so angry that she almost went to the filming company for a fight.
She felt that little Dong Yun was more popular than Xue An Xu and made more money than him. Why could Xue An Xu go but little Dong Yun couldn't?
In fact, what she didn't know was that when Qiao Xiu Zhi decided to sign the contract with Haisheng Filming, one of the conditions was to not reveal little Dong Yun's appearance and she wouldn’t participate in any programs that required appearances.
Qiao Xiu Zhi didn't disdain her granddaughter’s unattractiveness. But it was a fact that little Dong Yun wasn't good-looking. If she was pushed in front of the public, some people with bad mouths will say ugly things. She didn't want little Dong Yun to face these things at such a young age.
Little Dong Yun was very strong. But no matter how strong a person was, one can't withstand so many people’s malicious attacks. That was why she put forward such a condition.
Although little Dong Yun was a little envious of Xue An Xu, she understood that her grandparents did this for her own good. So not only was she not jealous, she even persuaded her mom in turn.
On New Year's Eve, Qiao Family and Huo Family gathered together in the courtyard dwelling. They had New Year's Eve dinner as they watched the Spring Festival Gala.
When Xue An Xu came on stage, Qiao Family all halted their chopsticks. A few dozen pair of eyes stared at the TV screen.
After the introduction by the host, Xue An Xu and Han Man An walked onto the stage hand in hand.
Xue An Xu was wearing a small black suit, a white shirt, and a red tie. With his hair combed back, his fair and tender face was revealed. He looked extremely handsome.
Han Man An was wearing a pink princess dress and a flower crown on her head. Holding hands with Xue An Xu, they looked like a golden boy and jade girl.
As soon as the two appeared on the stage, they immediately attracted everyone's attention.
Everyone felt these two children were quite a beautiful picture. If their children can be half as good-looking as them, they will be satisfied.
The host asked them to introduce themselves. Then he squatted down and asked Xue An Xu: "Little An Xu, many people say your acting skills are very realistic. I want to ask you, what were you thinking when you were acting? Why are you able to tear up at will?"
No stage fright from Xue An Xu. He held the microphone and answered: "When I was acting in the crying scene, I would imagine being forced to leave my elder sister, I would definitely be very sad. Then the tears flowed out by themselves!"
The host put on a surprise expression and exclaimed, "Why do you think of your elder sister first and not your parents?"
Xue An Xu crisply replied: "Because I like my elder sister the most. If I leave my mom, I will also be very sad!"
The host asked: "So no sadness when leaving Dad?"
Xue An Xu tilted his head and pondered for a while, "I will, but not as sad as leaving my elder sister and mom."
As soon as the words came out, everyone immediately burst into laughter.
Qiao Zhen Jun, who had come to accompany Xue An Xu and was sitting under the stage and : "..."
Don’t know if it was intentional, the cameraman happened to have the camera aimed at Qiao Zhen Jun's embarrassed face. So people all over the country witnessed this scene.
Qiao Family, who were watching the TV screen at this moment, teared up from laughter.
Seeing how good the audience’s reaction was to his answer, the host asked another question on the spot: "Then why is Elder Sister ahead of Mom? Do you have a close relationship with your elder sister?"
Xue An Xu nodded his head: "Very close. My elder sister isn't just beautiful and smart, but also gentle and generous. She is the most beautiful elder sister in the world. I like her the most. Elder Sister, I love you!"
Da Qiao looked at her younger brother on the TV and the corners of her mouth curled up.
Seeing this, Huo Chi, who was sitting beside her, immediately became jealous. He leaned over and said, "Nian Nian, I love you too!"
Da Qiao's face turned red in a swoosh. It was pink and tender. Quite an alluring sight.
After the Spring Festival Gala, people all over the country knew little Shi Tou had a beautiful, smart, gentle, and generous sister. Many people were curious about ger.
After Xue An Xu stepped off the stage, Huo Chi took out a few beeper and gave one to Qiao's first and fifth branch respectively.
While second branch received two. One for Da Qiao, one for future father-in-law, Qiao Zhen Jun. The other two were for Grandfather and Grandmother.
Qiao Zhen Min held the beeper as his eyes lit up immediately: "Huo Chi, was this the beep thingy?"
Huo Chi nodded: "It's called a pager, but many people call it a beeper. It is developed by our company and can receive calling numbers."
Everyone was full of curiosity about the pager. In order to let everyone understand, Huo Chi even picked up the phone to operate it.
Everyone expressed surprise and novelty and got together to study this new thing.
Da Qiao held the beeper in her hand. Suddenly, she noticed her one was different from other people's.
Huo Chi winked at her, signaling her not to speak out. Later when everyone was studying the pager, he held her hand and pulled her into the yard.
Lanterns were lit in the yard. The warm light shone on the white snow, dyeing a blush on the white snow.
Da Qiao leaned on the jujube tree. Puffing out a cloud, she spoke, "Elder Brother Huo Chi, why was my pager different from everyone else's?"
Huo Chi trapped her between himself and the jujube tree. He stared at her: "Your pager is newly developed by our company. In addition to displaying the caller number, it can also display characters. Since it hasn’t been put in the market yet, it can only be given to you."
When Da Qiao heard this, she was immediately shocked: "Can characters really be displayed?"
Huo Chi nodded: "Turn on the switch here and take a look."
Da Qiao followed his instructions to turn on the pager. Then a message came in, showing a number on it and a line of words below the number. It displayed—’Qiao Niani Nan, say you love me.’
Looking at the word, Da Qiao blushed again. Her heart beat sped up.
Huo Chi lowered his eyes. He raised his hand to gently twist her pink earlobe under the light and uttered in a low voice, "Nian Nian, I'm still waiting."
His hot breath sprayed on her face, making her shiver uncontrollably: "Elder Brother Huo Chi, I...I love you too."
When she finished the last word, Huo Chi lowered his head to cover her tender lips: "I have always loved you, Nian Nian."
The author had something to say: The development of beeper have reference to reality, but it isn't the same as reality. Everyone should treat it as fiction.