If it weren't for Chen Ping's job search, he wouldn't have come to beg Sun Fuhai.
"Mom, you know Dad's personality. I'll be careful when I get there. Once I earn money from my job, our family's life will get better…"
Chen Ping said to Tang Hongying.
Chen Ping had ten million in his pocket now, but he couldn't tell his parents. After all, he couldn't explain where the money came from, and his parents wouldn't believe him if he told them the truth, especially given how legendary his three years in prison had been!
At this moment, in a two-story villa in Phoenix Manor, Sun Fuhai, over fifty years old, was adjusting an old military uniform in front of a mirror!
On the sofa, a girl in her early twenties, quite attractive, and tall, wearing a floral pajama set, was lounging and playing with her phone!
"Dad, what are you doing? That old military uniform is from years ago. Why are you wearing it?"
The girl glanced at Sun Fuhai and said.
This girl was Sun Fuhai's only daughter, Sun Xiaomeng.
"Your dad is going to see an old comrade, that's why he's wearing it. But my belly is too big, and the uniform doesn't fit anymore!"
A middle-aged woman came out of the kitchen with a plate of fruit. She was wearing a black suit dress with a white shirt underneath, sheer stockings, and high heels, clearly dressed like a professional white-collar worker. With light makeup, she looked quite young!
This woman was Sun Fuhai's wife, Li Fengxia, a sales manager at their company!
"Old Sun, who is this comrade coming to see you this time? I heard some of your comrades have become successful. You should keep in touch with them and let them help us out. Maybe our company can get through this difficult time. Otherwise, if we hold on any longer, we'll go bankrupt…"
Li Fengxia put down the fruit and asked Sun Fuhai worriedly.
"Don't worry about it. Our old squad leader is coming over. We haven't seen each other in years. Everyone, be polite…"
Sun Fuhai said to Li Fengxia impatiently!
"Old squad leader? He might be very successful now. I remember you mentioned before that he saved your life. After retiring from the army, he went into politics…"
Li Fengxia continued to ask.
Chapter 65 Plainness
"Yes, but we haven't been in touch for the past few years. I don't know how he's doing!" Sun Fuhai nodded.
"He might be a high-ranking official now. When he arrives, you all should catch up properly…" Li Fengxia said excitedly, then looked at Sun Xiaomeng on the sofa. "Hurry up and change your clothes. Guests are coming over soon. What will people think if you're dressed like this? Besides, your dad's old squad leader has a son. Maybe when they come, they might…"
"Oh, Mom, please stop. I have a boyfriend now, you know that. It's so annoying…"
Sun Xiaomeng stood up from the sofa and walked towards the bedroom with annoyance!
"You silly girl, aren't I doing this for your own good? Cui Zhiyuan is just a company sales manager. The person coming is the son of an official. Are they comparable?"
Li Fengxia yelled from behind!
Sun Xiaomeng didn't say anything but slammed the bedroom door shut after entering.
"This child is too disobedient…" Li Fengxia muttered, then said to Sun Fuhai, "Old Sun, I'll go wash some more fruit. Remember to call and book a hotel, a good one, for lunch."
"Okay!" Sun Fuhai nodded!
Soon, Chen Ping's family arrived. After ringing the doorbell, Sun Fuhai rushed to open the door.
When Chen Baoguo and Sun Fuhai saw each other, they both froze for a moment before hugging each other tightly.
"Old squad leader, I've missed you so much. You've changed so much over the years; your hair has turned quite gray…"
Sun Fuhai said with a smile!
"Haha, you've gained weight too, kid. With your current physique, you dare to wear a military uniform…"
Chen Baoguo laughed and playfully punched Sun Fuhai.
Sun Fuhai's gaze fell on Tang Hongying and Chen Ping. When he noticed that Tang Hongying's eyes were open but vacant, as if she couldn't see, he was slightly stunned!
Seeing this, Chen Baoguo quickly introduced, "This is my wife, Tang Hongying. She fell ill a few years ago and lost her sight."
Sun Fuhai quickly said to Tang Hongying, "Hello, sister-in-law. Please come inside and have a seat…"
Tang Hongying smiled and nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay. I often hear Old Chen talking about your past together at home…"
"Back then, if it wasn't for Old squad leader, I would have been reincarnated long ago!"
Sun Fuhai quickly helped Tang Hongying into the house.
"Uncle Sun, let me help…" Chen Ping stepped forward and helped Tang Hongying.
"This is my son, Chen Ping…" Chen Baoguo said!
"Hmm, he's a fine young man, just like your father back then!" Sun Fuhai chuckled after glancing at Chen Ping.
Chen Ping smiled too. Sun Fuhai gave him a good impression; his smile was sincere and not forced!
However, no one noticed that after Sun Fuhai's remark, Chen Baoguo and Tang Hongying's expressions changed slightly, though it was fleeting.
"Old Sun, is that Old squad leader here?"
Li Fengxia came out of the kitchen with a large plate of fruit and quickly went to greet them!
"Old squad leader, this is my wife, Li Fengxia…"
Sun Fuhai introduced them to Chen Baoguo!
"Hello, sister-in-law…" Chen Baoguo smiled slightly!
Li Fengxia was stunned. She noticed Chen Baoguo was wearing ordinary clothes and had graying hair, lacking the aura of a high-ranking official. Looking at Tang Hongying, who was with Chen Ping, they also looked simple and ordinary!
"Are all powerful officials so plain nowadays?" Li Fengxia muttered to herself!
"What are you spacing out for? Old squad leader is talking to you!" Sun Fuhai nudged Li Fengxia when he saw her stunned.
"Oh, hello, big brother, hello, sister-in-law. Please sit down. I'll get you some washed fruit!"
Li Fengxia snapped back to reality and greeted them with a smile!
Chapter 66 Checking Household Registration?
Chen Ping's family sat on the sofa. Sun Fuhai quickly poured tea and water, not forgetting to call towards the bedroom, "Xiaomeng, your Uncle Chen and the others are here, come out quickly…"
"Fuhai, don't be so polite. We came to disturb you so suddenly, it feels quite awkward…"
Chen Baoguo felt a little embarrassed by Sun Fuhai's enthusiasm!
"Old squad leader, what's there to be embarrassed about? We haven't seen each other in years. When you're here, consider it your own home. I've booked a hotel for lunch, and we'll have a good drink…"
Sun Fuhai said while pouring tea for Chen Baoguo!
At this moment, Sun Xiaomeng came out, changed into sportswear, and had her hair tied in a ponytail, looking youthful and energetic.
Sun Xiaomeng glanced around and her gaze landed on Chen Ping. She noticed he was wearing cheap clothes and looked like a country bumpkin, nothing like the son of an official!
"Xiaomeng, why aren't you greeting Uncle Chen…"
Sun Fuhai said to Sun Xiaomeng!
"Hello, Uncle Chen!" Sun Xiaomeng called out absentmindedly, looking completely uninterested, with a hint of disdain in her eyes!
"You child, how could you…"
Sun Fuhai was about to get angry seeing Sun Xiaomeng's attitude, but Chen Baoguo stopped him.
"Alright, alright…" Chen Baoguo quickly stopped Sun Fuhai and nodded at Sun Xiaomeng with a smile!
The two families sat together and chatted. It was clear that Sun Xiaomeng was feeling uncomfortable.
"Brother Chen, I heard my Old Sun say that you went into politics after retiring from the army. So many years have passed; you must be at the bureau chief level by now, right?"
Li Fengxia asked Chen Baoguo.
Li Fengxia's question made Chen Baoguo blush, and he gave an awkward smile. "No, I… I've already retired…"
"You retired so young? That's too early!" Li Fengxia was shocked!
"Enough, why so many questions, asking about everything, like household registration!"
Sun Fuhai glared at Li Fengxia.
In fact, from the moment Chen Baoguo and his family entered, Sun Fuhai had sensed something was amiss. He ran a company and dealt with various officials, and Chen Baoguo didn't have that official aura about him.
He just didn't expose it because he knew his wife was snobbish. If she knew Chen Baoguo's family were ordinary people, she might have flipped out on the spot.
"I was just asking out of curiosity. Why are you so impatient?" Li Fengxia shot Sun Fuhai a glance and then continued to ask Chen Baoguo, "Brother Chen, what level did you reach before you retired?"
Seeing Li Fengxia's continued questioning, Chen Baoguo knew he couldn't hide it any longer. Moreover, he was asking for a favor, so there was no need to hide anything. He gave an awkward smile. "I was dismissed…"
Chen Baoguo recounted his experiences over the past few years in detail. At this point, Chen Baoguo no longer cared about losing face; it was worthless to him now.
When Li Fengxia finished listening, the smile on her face instantly vanished, followed by an eye-roll.
However, Sun Fuhai looked shocked. "Old squad leader, you've had such a tough time these years; why didn't you let me know?"
"It's all in the past. Now that Chen Ping is out, I was hoping you could help him find a job. It's okay if it's tough or tiring!"
Chen Baoguo asked humbly.
"A former inmate; which company would dare to hire him now…"
Before Sun Fuhai could speak, Li Fengxia scoffed.
Li Fengxia's attitude now was completely different from the beginning.
Sun Fuhai's brow furrowed slightly, and his expression became serious.
Chen Baoguo said anxiously, "If it's too difficult, then forget it. I'll have him find work on a construction site then."
Chapter 67 I Appreciate the Sentiment
"Old squad leader, to be honest, my company is facing some difficulties. If we can't overcome them, we might go bankrupt. Hiring Chen Ping would only hold him back."
Sun Fuhai sighed.
Chen Baoguo felt embarrassed upon hearing this. "Fuhai, I'm really causing you trouble. Don't worry about Chen Ping's job. What's happening with your company?"
"What's happening? Can you solve it?" Li Fengxia asked sarcastically.
"I…" Chen Baoguo's face turned red with embarrassment.
"You, shut up!" Sun Fuhai glared fiercely at Li Fengxia and then said apologetically, "Old squad leader, please ignore these women. My company has some business dealings with Fuyao Decoration, but they're withholding the payment for the goods. Now our cash flow is cut off, and we might not last long."
"However, regarding Chen Ping's job, I'll have Xiaomeng ask at their company. Their company is a large group, with good benefits. Let Chen Ping start from the bottom and work his way up!"
"Dad, I'm just a salesperson. How can I have that kind of influence? Don't cause me trouble…"
As soon as Sun Fuhai finished speaking, Sun Xiaomeng immediately said unhappily.
"If you don't have influence, isn't Cui Zhiyuan a sales manager there? Can't a manager hire an employee?"
Sun Fuhai questioned.
"He…"
"Alright, it's decided. If that Cui Zhiyuan doesn't even have that much ability, I don't think you two are suitable for each other…"
Before Sun Xiaomeng could reply, Sun Fuhai directly threatened her.
Sun Xiaomeng immediately fell silent, only pouting angrily.
"Old Sun, it took a lot of effort for Xiaomeng to get into that company. Why are you causing her trouble? Besides, that's a large conglomerate; can a former inmate get in?" Li Fengxia glanced at Chen Ping and then said displeasely to Sun Fuhai.
Chen Ping felt uncomfortable hearing Li Fengxia call him a former inmate repeatedly, but since Sun Fuhai was a good person, Chen Ping didn't want to lose his temper.
"Dad, I'm stating this upfront. I'll only help get him an interview; whether he passes depends on his own abilities…"
Sun Xiaomeng rolled her eyes and got up to leave, returning to her bedroom.
"Old squad leader, this girl has this kind of personality. Please don't take offense…"
Sun Fuhai explained awkwardly to Chen Baoguo!
Chen Baoguo gave a wry smile. At this point, what else could he do but accept it?
"Fuhai, thank you for your trouble. I have some other matters to attend to, so I won't stay any longer…"
Chen Baoguo knew that staying longer would be pointless and he couldn't cause trouble in their home.
"Old squad leader, I've already booked a table at a hotel. Let's have a meal together…"
Sun Fuhai said urgently!
"No, thank you. We'll do it another time!" Chen Baoguo waved his hand.
Chen Ping also helped Tang Hongying to her feet.
Sun Fuhai knew that his wife and daughter's attitudes were indeed unpleasant, but he couldn't do anything about it. He could only give an apologetic smile. "When we have time, I'll have a drink with Old squad leader alone!"
Sun Fuhai saw Chen Baoguo's family out. Li Fengxia remained seated on the sofa, not moving at all.
"Uncle Sun, what's the name of the company that owes you money?"
After walking out the door, Chen Ping asked Sun Fuhai.
"It's called Fuyao Decoration. Does your nephew know anyone there?"
Sun Fuhai asked suspiciously.
Chen Ping shook his head. "No, but I'll try to help Uncle Sun collect the debt…"
"Nephew, I appreciate your intention. You've just gotten out, and you can't do anything illegal. Take good care of your parents. Don't worry about my affairs…"
Sun Fuhai thought Chen Ping was going to use force to collect the debt, especially since Chen Ping had just been released from prison and might know some troublemakers.
Chapter 68 A Few Days' Grace
Chen Ping smiled. "Uncle Sun, don't worry. I won't do anything foolish again!"
Sun Fuhai smiled and patted Chen Ping's shoulder. "I'm happy you have this intention, Uncle."
After leaving Sun Fuhai's house, Chen Baoguo sighed softly. "Chen Ping, your Uncle Sun is a good person. If you find a job tomorrow, work hard and don't let anyone look down on you again!"
It was clear that Chen Baoguo was quite upset by Sun Fuhai's wife and daughter, but there was nothing he could do. He was powerless and needed to ask for favors.
"Yeah, I know…" Chen Ping nodded.
"What about Hanhans job? Given today's situation, we don't dare to ask anymore…" Tang Hongying said with some frustration.
They had originally agreed to help Wang Hanhan find a job together, but now they didn't even mention it to Wang Hanhan.
Chen Baoguo lit a cigarette and lowered his head in silence, not knowing how to explain to Wang Changfeng.
"Mom, Dad, don't worry about it. I'll figure out a job for Hanhans. If I can get into the company, I can bring her in too…" Chen Ping comforted his parents upon seeing their dejection.
"That's the only way, I guess," Chen Baoguo nodded!
They hailed a taxi and headed home. Chen Ping sat in the car and sent a message to Lin Tianhu, telling him about Sun Fuhai's situation and asking Lin Tianhu to go to Fuyao Decoration to retrieve the money.
After giving the instructions, Chen Ping put away his phone and closed his eyes to rest.
Soon, Chen Ping and his family returned to the entrance of their residential complex. Wang Hanhan was pacing back and forth, seeming to be in a hurry.
"Hanhans, what are you doing here?" Seeing Wang Hanhan at the entrance, Chen Ping asked curiously.
"Brother Chen Ping, I…" Just as Wang Hanhan was about to speak, she saw Chen Baoguo and Tang Hongying getting out of the car and decided to stay silent.
Chen Baoguo saw Wang Hanhan at the entrance and thought she was waiting for them to discuss her job. He blushed and said to Chen Ping, "Chen Ping, you talk to Hanhans. Your mother and I will go home first…"
Chen Baoguo didn't know how to explain to Wang Hanhan, especially after he had confidently made promises yesterday and accomplished nothing today.
After Chen Baoguo and Tang Hongying left, Chen Ping asked Wang Hanhan, "Hanhans, is something wrong?"
"Brother Chen Ping, I… I'm scared. Those loan sharks are going to come looking for me, and I'm afraid my mother will find out…" Wang Hanhan said anxiously to Chen Ping with tears in her eyes.
"Hanhans, don't be afraid. I'm here. If they come, I'll handle it…" Chen Ping gently patted Wang Hanhan to comfort her.
"Brother Chen Ping, you… you won't fight, will you? I don't want you to get arrested again because of me!"
Wang Hanhan could only rely on Chen Ping now, but she didn't want Chen Ping to get into a fight over her.
"Don't worry, I won't fight!" Chen Ping smiled slightly!
Just as Chen Ping was talking to Wang Hanhan, an SUV suddenly stopped in front of them. Four burly men got out of the car. One of them, wearing a thick gold chain and sporting a buzz cut, had a fierce expression.
Seeing these people, Wang Hanhan immediately hid behind Chen Ping, terrified.
"Little girl, how's the money coming along? If you don't pay up today, I'll have to start taking your family's belongings…" The guy with the gold chain asked Wang Hanhan.
"I… I don't have the money. Can you give me a few more days?" Wang Hanhan asked timidly.
"No, not even a day. If your family has nothing valuable, then you'll come with me. You look quite pretty; you could fetch a good price…" The guy with the gold chain said, then reached out to grab Wang Hanhan, completely ignoring Chen Ping's presence!
Chapter 69 I'll Pay
But just as the guy's hand reached out, Chen Ping grabbed it!
"I'll pay the money she owes you. Don't lay a hand on her…" Chen Ping said calmly to the guy with the gold chain.
"You'll pay?" The guy sized Chen Ping up, saw his plain clothes, and estimated Chen Ping wasn't worth more than two hundred yuan. He sneered, "Do you know how much she owes us?"
"One million…" Chen Ping said!
"Hmph, one million isn't enough…" The guy with the gold chain snorted.
"Why wouldn't it be enough? You told me last week that as long as I paid one million, it would be fine…" Wang Hanhan quickly questioned loudly upon hearing this.
"Last week was last week. Don't my debts accrue interest? It's 1.3 million now. Not a penny less!" The guy with the gold chain smirked contemptuously!