From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Xu Chunliang said, "Good suggestion, I’ll go find a place to lay bricks when I get back."

"Take advice and you’ll never go hungry."

Elder Qiao pushed open the courtyard gate and walked in. The time that has passed is hard to return to; entering this courtyard feels like stepping into a yellowed world, as memories of the past unfold like a movie in his mind.

Xu Chunliang asked, "Did you live here before?"

Elder Qiao nodded and said, "It’s been years. Our family lived here, your god-grandfather’s family lived in the back, and the Wang Family was in the front. Our three families moved in almost simultaneously, so our relationships are the best."

Only then did Xu Chunliang understand the longstanding connection between the three families.

Elder Qiao sighed, "Things have changed."

Xu Chunliang said, "You must have had a happy time here in the past."

Elder Qiao asked, "What makes you say that?"

"If you weren’t happy, you wouldn’t come back to reminisce."

Elder Qiao smiled, "Happiness is always relative, which is why there’s the saying ’blessed but unaware.’ Only when you’re truly unhappy do you realize that those calm days were happiness. Happiness is fleeting. You don’t cherish it when you have it, and when you want it, it’s already out of reach."

Xu Chunliang said, "People with low expectations for life tend to find happiness more easily."

Elder Qiao said, "One has to grow. The higher you climb in life, the lower your sense of happiness. Others think you’ve gained everything, but they don’t know that you suffer more than the average person."

Xu Chunliang said, "People only see the thief eating meat, not being beaten."

Elder Qiao scolded with a smile, "Impudent!"

Xu Chunliang said, "Don’t misunderstand my meaning, please."

Elder Qiao asked, "Did you go to the Ye Family?"

Xu Chunliang nodded.

Elder Qiao said, "It’s of no use. Qingya and Rulong will likely part ways."

Xu Chunliang said, "Not necessarily. As long as Brother Long recovers, they can still live their little happy lives as before." Xu Chunliang didn’t think Qiao Rulong had done anything outrageous; he merely failed to keep secrets properly.

Elder Qiao said, "In families like ours, marriage is never just between two people."

Inwardly, Xu Chunliang thought, these words were likely for him. Although Elder Qiao tacitly approved of his relationship with Mei Ru Xue, he never openly endorsed their marriage. In Elder Qiao’s heart, Xu Chunliang was never the ideal marriage partner for Mei Ru Xue.

Elder Qiao said, "Don’t over-interpret my words."

Xu Chunliang said, "It’s hard not to think too much."

Elder Qiao said, "Your resilience is strong; I can’t break you."

Xu Chunliang sighed, "You know me too well. My face can withstand hits."

Elder Qiao said, "On our way back from Dongzhou, I had a nightmare where I died."

Xu Chunliang coughed, "Good fortune, I heard dreams and reality are reversed, so you must be due for something lucky."

Elder Qiao said, "Listen to me first. In the dream, I died, lying alone in a coffin, draped in the party flag. Apart from Xiaoxue crying, my family and friends were all laughing."

Xu Chunliang realized, did it mean he had no part in it? Even in a momentous dream, Mei Ru Xue appeared, could it be he wouldn’t be there for her during such significant events?

Elder Qiao said, "I’ve always tried hard to do things for those around me, but what I offer may not be what they want."

Xu Chunliang understood well Elder Qiao’s authoritative role in the family. He became quite familiar with matters of the Qiao Family; Qiao Yuanjiang and his siblings’ marriages were all orchestrated by Elder Qiao, especially Qiao Yuanshan’s choice to leave home as a silent protest against Elder Qiao’s authority.

"Rulong actually never wanted to go into politics; it was my suggestion. He clearly understands my expectations, and these years have burdened him with a lot of pressure."

Xu Chunliang said, "You don’t blame him?"

Elder Qiao shook his head, "What’s the use of blaming him for things that have happened? Even if I blamed him, could I never forgive him?"

Xu Chunliang said, "I feel Elder Ye’s attitude still has some room for negotiation."

Elder Qiao said, "What if I’m gone? All the pent-up anger will come back double-fold. Who else in the Qiao Family can withstand the oncoming storm?" He slowly shook his head and said, "Not a single one!"

Xu Chunliang said, "Are you afraid of accepting a mediocre next generation?"

Elder Qiao said, "In families like ours, the sense of crisis should be stronger. In the system, trying to achieve something will inevitably make enemies. I have lived my life with a clear conscience, upholding the masses’ interests will naturally affect a minority’s. As the saying goes, cutting someone’s financial road is like killing their parents. You don’t know how many eyes are watching me from the shadows. They dare not move against the Qiao Family now because I’m still here. If I’m gone one day, those people will unleash all their hatred onto my family."

Xu Chunliang fell silent. Elder Qiao had never spoken so candidly to him as today. He wasn’t exaggerating; everything he said was reality.

Elder Qiao said, "On the battlefield, once you’re injured, in the eyes of others, you’ve lost your combat power. Most people won’t see you as a comrade but as a burden. Leaving you behind to wait for death is already the most merciful way. If they’re worried about you falling into enemy hands and leaking secrets, there’s a huge chance they’ll give you a quick death."

Xu Chunliang said, "Luckily, it’s a time of peace."

Elder Qiao said softly, "War is everywhere." He walked to the front door, which was still locked, and when Xu Chunliang was about to repeat his old trick, Elder Qiao stopped him, "No need."

Xu Chunliang said, "Actually, things aren’t as pessimistic as you think. Brother Long is recovering well."

Elder Qiao said, "Even if he fully recovers, he can’t return to his former position. Someone will exploit this incident to ruin him."

Xu Chunliang said, "If worst comes to worst, he can go back to business; staying away from trouble isn’t so bad."

Elder Qiao said, "Xiaoxue’s father also ran into issues during the peak of his career. All these years, I’ve been searching for an answer."

Xu Chunliang said, "Why should you keep dwelling on what has happened?"

Elder Qiao said, "Chunliang, you’re a good kid, and your grandfather was a good man. In my heart, I’ve never thought you’re unworthy of Xiaoxue—I just feel that you don’t need to get involved in the Qiao family’s affairs."

Xu Chunliang said, "Grandpa Qiao, I never intended to intervene in your family’s matters. I just want to help share Xiaoxue’s burdens."

Elder Qiao gazed into Xu Chunliang’s eyes for a long time and then quietly said, "You can’t share her burdens."

Xu Chunliang’s heart sank. What did Elder Qiao mean?

Elder Qiao said, "Everyone in the Qiao family is unable to choose their own fate. You’re different; you have a choice."

Xu Chunliang said, "I’ve chosen Xiaoxue."

Elder Qiao nodded, "What if I say that Xiaoxue might bring disaster to you and even your Xu family in the future?"

Xu Chunliang’s heart sank again.

Elder Qiao said, "I’m just giving an example. If that’s the case, would you regret your current choice?"

Xu Chunliang said, "All I know is, if anyone dares to bully Xiaoxue, I won’t let them off."

Elder Qiao patted his shoulder, "My granddaughter meeting you is her fortune. Chunliang, promise me one thing: don’t get involved in Rulong’s affairs in the future."

Xu Chunliang said, "Since you’ve already taken charge, it’s naturally not my concern. The main reason I came to the capital this time was because Xiaoxue asked me. She’s worried about your health."

Elder Qiao said, "Xiaoxue is filial. You don’t need to stay with me; I just want some time alone. You have things to do, and... I won’t be going to Dongzhou for the time being."

When Xu Chunliang left, Xiaowu was waiting outside, and Xu Chunliang greeted him.

Xiaowu said softly, "How is Elder Qiao’s mood?"

Xu Chunliang said, "The old man has seen many storms; what’s a little breeze and wave to him?"

In fact, he understood that the car accident of Qiao Rulong was a huge blow to Elder Qiao. From the earlier conversation, it was clear that Elder Qiao had decided to have Qiao Rulong withdraw from the system to protect the Qiao family’s reputation. This meant that Qiao Rulong’s path in the system had just begun and already ended.

Xiaowu said, "This time it’s all my fault. If I had been driving, maybe none of this would have happened."

Xu Chunliang said, "This thing probably wasn’t up to you."

Xiaowu sighed.

Xu Chunliang advised him to take good care of the old man and then walked away.

After leaving, he first called Mei Ru Xue and told her about Elder Qiao’s situation to put her mind at ease.

Mei Ru Xue told Xu Chunliang that she had planned to return tomorrow, but Ye Qingya just left, and she suspected that Ye Qingya must’ve learned something, and her departure was likely connected to Wang Jiancheng.

It was only then that Xu Chunliang realized that Wang Jiancheng had gone to Dongzhou specifically to visit Qiao Rulong. After hearing Mei Ru Xue out, it dawned on him. Wang Jiancheng had always been fond of Ye Qingya, not Mei Ru Xue, and this trip to Dongzhou, ostensibly to visit Qiao Rulong, was actually to see Ye Qingya.

Xu Chunliang used to have a decent impression of Wang Jiancheng, thinking he was someone who could take things up and let them go. But this time, his actions were simply disappointing. Qiao Rulong wasn’t even dead, and here he was coveting another man’s wife.

No wonder Elder Qiao was deeply concerned. The Qiao family now seemed to be surrounded by crises on all sides. If Elder Qiao truly aged and passed away, the Qiao family would likely face an unprecedented storm.

However, from what Xu Chunliang knew of Elder Qiao, the old man was never one to sit by and endure hardship. It’s most likely that he was already planning a counterattack. But for families like theirs, it ultimately comes down to competing for the future. The Qiao family currently had Qiao Yuanjiang as the highest climber in the system, but Qiao Yuanjiang couldn’t compare with Ye Changyuan. As for Qiao Rulong, his path in the system was virtually over.

Xu Chunliang was very curious about what cards Elder Qiao had left to play. Could he place all his hopes on Mei Ru Xue? Though Mei Ru Xue had some skills, she was still a girl with natural limitations, and she herself wasn’t that interested in the path within the system.

This Chapter was overdue since last month. Thanks to Chen Zucheng, our alliance leader, for the constant support. An extra update is here—though late, it won’t be missing.

Other alliance leaders, please be patient for the overdue updates! Octopus will catch up soon!

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