From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Zhao Feiyang said, "Mr. Qiao, just focus on recovering, everything else can wait."

Qiao Rulong said, "I don’t even know why I called you, I just suddenly wanted to chat with a friend. Sadly, I don’t even have anyone to talk to around me now."

Zhao Feiyang said, "It’s understandable during isolation. Once you’re discharged, everything will return to normal."

"Return to normal? That’s impossible for me." A bitter smile appeared on Qiao Rulong’s lips, as fate played a cruel joke on him.

Zhao Feiyang said, "Nothing is more important than being alive. As long as you’re alive, there’s a chance to start over." He thought of Pei Lin, who had disappeared from this world forever. Or rather, she hadn’t completely disappeared; she left behind a son and a heart beating within Qiao Rulong’s chest.

Qiao Rulong hung up the phone, the white surroundings made him feel even more lonely. Start over? Easier said than done. Even if he managed to regain his health, his chances of advancing within the system were slim.

One wrong move and the whole game was lost. Qi Shuang was willing to be the woman behind him, ready to forego any title just to be with him. Qiao Rulong thought he had handled everything well, but the sudden accident turned all his well-laid plans into naught.

What Qiao Rulong truly worried about was his grandfather. Since his grandfather returned to Beijing, he hadn’t even called him once. It was evident that the negotiations with the Ye Family weren’t going well.

Qiao Rulong didn’t think there was anything regrettable about divorcing Ye Qingya, but he cared about his grandfather’s feelings. In his grandfather’s long political career, Elder Ye was his best friend and partner. Their decades-long friendship could suffer greatly because of this incident.

Back then, it was the Ye Family who initiated the marriage with Ye Qingya. In fact, the Ye Family gained significantly from the union. Without his grandfather’s support, his father-in-law Ye Changyuan wouldn’t have progressed so smoothly within the system in recent years, nor reached the spotlight of the core institutions.

If it weren’t for Xu Chunliang’s intervention, Elder Ye probably wouldn’t have escaped misfortune. Even if the surgery succeeded, he would have become a fool.

Thinking of this filled Qiao Rulong with rage. If Ye Qingya’s divorce proposal was instigated by the Ye Family, the real reason wasn’t the breakdown of their relationship. From the beginning, there was no affection between them. They both knew very well that their marriage was a union of interests, a political alliance.

Qi Shuang’s matter was just an excuse for them. The root cause was that the Ye Family no longer saw potential in him. They deemed him a waste, with no future in the system, and his grandfather’s influence greatly diminished. The Ye Family was cutting their losses in time.

Although Qiao Rulong had long understood the ruthlessness of politics, experiencing it firsthand still made him angry. Had this happened five years ago, the Ye Family wouldn’t have minded even if he had multiple women, let alone one Qi Shuang.

But life has no "what ifs". Since he made the mistakes first, he couldn’t blame others for distancing themselves.

After much thought, Qiao Rulong picked up his phone and sent his grandfather a message: "Grandpa, I’m sorry!"

Qiao Rulong stared at the screen, waiting for his grandfather’s reply. After waiting over ten minutes, he finally saw his grandfather’s message: "Focus on recovering, Hua Tou is waiting for you to return to work."

Qiao Rulong felt a stabbing pain in his heart. He could imagine his grandfather rushing around for his sake. For him, his grandfather even lowered his proud head. He felt truly unfilial.

Qiao Rulong shed tears. He desperately wanted to call his grandfather but feared his grandfather would sense his abnormality. He needed to recover quickly and couldn’t let his grandfather down.

Elder Ye sat in his study smoking. When Ye Changyuan entered, he was so irritated by the thick smoke that he coughed continuously. He quickly opened the window: "Dad, it’s like a gas chamber in here."

Elder Ye said, "You’re becoming more controlling, I can’t even have a smoke."

Ye Changyuan said, "You’ve only been recovering for a few days, shouldn’t indulge your body like that."

Elder Ye said, "Changquan should be going to Neon in the second half of the year."

Ye Changyuan was pleasantly surprised, "Really? Neon is on a whole different level from those small South American countries. This means my brother’s status in the foreign affairs field has been elevated, and his power increased. Both brothers have progressed smoothly these past few years."

Elder Ye said, "When I named you two brothers, many said the names were rustic, but I had my reasons. I named you Changyuan to remind you throughout your life to always remember your origins. I named Changquan to mean returning a favor a hundredfold."

Ye Changyuan stood behind his father, massaging his shoulders.

Elder Ye said, "I’ve known your Uncle Qiao for most of my life, and we’ve always gotten along well, hardly ever had arguments."

Ye Changyuan understood what his father was implying and sighed, "Dad, I understand what you mean, but Rulong really went too far this time."

Elder Ye said, "Qingya and Rulong’s marriage was arranged by your Uncle Qiao and me. Looking back now, we ignored the wishes of the two kids. I’ve been pondering repeatedly these past few days, where exactly did the problem arise?"

Ye Changyuan said, "Do we even need to think? It was all caused by Qiao Rulong."

Elder Ye shook his head: "Changyuan, if this had happened five years ago, would you have insisted on them divorcing?"

Ye Changyuan was stumped by his father’s question, but he still persisted, "I certainly wouldn’t want Qingya to be wronged."

Elder Ye said, "Qingya indeed suffered, and Rulong may not be happy. Who truly benefited from this marriage?"

Under his father’s meaningful gaze, Ye Changyuan’s heart couldn’t help but start to race. He was unwilling to admit it, yet he had to acknowledge that his smooth journey over the years was not unrelated to Elder Qiao’s support. Although his work ability was widely recognized, there were many capable people in the system. Why did this position fall to him?

Elder Ye said, "It’s the same with Changquan. My influence is nothing compared to Elder Qiao’s, and we must avoid suspicion in matters like this."

Ye Changyuan said, "Dad, I admit that Uncle Qiao has been good to me, but each matter should be addressed on its own merit. We cannot ignore Qiao Rulong’s misbehavior just because of this incident."

Elder Ye sighed, "Your Uncle Qiao has agreed to respect Qingya’s choice this time. Consider your and Changquan’s situation as Qiao Family’s compensation to us. Are you satisfied with that?"

Ye Changyuan said, "Even if the two kids break up, you and Uncle Qiao are still friends."

Elder Ye said, "Friends should share hardships and joys. My relationship with Old Qiao comes from calamity. Although he hasn’t said anything, I know deep down, he doesn’t want our families to become strangers. Changyuan, I ask you to promise me three things."

Ye Changyuan nodded, "Dad, go ahead."

"No matter what choice Qingya makes, you must not interfere."

"No problem."

"From now on, do not bring up Rulong’s matters. Pretend nothing happened, and don’t make an issue out of it."

Ye Changyuan said, "Dad, rest assured. After all, Qiao Rulong and I were once father and son-in-law. Even if not for Elder Qiao’s sake, I wouldn’t take it to the extreme."

Elder Ye was satisfied with his answer and, after a sigh of relief, said, "When Rulong recovers and if he remains at Hua Tou, I want you and Changquan to support him without holding grudges."

Ye Changyuan frowned. This request from his father troubled him. If his daughter’s marriage to Qiao Rulong broke down, they should become strangers and draw a clear line.

Thinking again, he could understand why his father said this. In his father’s view, Elder Qiao had extended them a great favor.

Given Elder Qiao’s insight, he surely could see the real reason behind the Ye and Qiao families distancing themselves. It wasn’t because of Qiao Rulong’s betrayal, but Elder Qiao’s declining influence.

Elder Ye said, "What Rulong owes Qingya, we owe the Qiao Family. You just said to address each matter on its own. I also hope you can do what you say."

Ye Changyuan nodded, "Dad, I will give him as much support as policy allows."

Elder Ye said, "Also, with Wang Zhengdao, keep your distance. I generally dislike speaking ill of others, but I don’t like this person."

Ye Changyuan said, "Dad, don’t worry. It’s clear to me what his intentions are."

Elder Ye’s gaze fell on a photo on the table, a group photo of the Ye, Qiao, and Wang families. Back then, they were all in their prime. Elder Ye lamented, "Those times are gone."

Ye Changyuan said, "The past is past. We can only look forward now. I believe the Ye family will only get better."

Elder Ye discerned something in his son’s words, sensing that in his son’s heart, the Qiao family had become a thing of the past. As time passed, Elder Qiao’s brilliance was gradually fading. The younger, strong generation no longer looked up to the old generation, although they didn’t show it obviously, they must think so in their hearts.

Elder Ye looked at the photo of Elder Qiao, a friend whom he had always respected and trusted. Now, their relationship had unknowingly developed a rift. No one understood this old friend better than he did. Elder Qiao’s tenacity exceeded everyone’s imagination. Anyone who dared to ignore Elder Qiao would eventually regret it one day.

But now their generation is indeed getting old. Even if you were a fierce tiger, when you’re old and toothless, you have to face the fate of a tiger fallen to the plains.

Elder Ye remembered his father once saying that one shouldn’t be too aggressive. If a person is too sharp, some bad things will befall his descendants. So, whether in life or work, leaving room is always good.

In the past, Elder Qiao’s personality was extremely dominant. Among the trio of himself, Elder Wang, and Elder Qiao, it was always Elder Qiao making the final decisions, even though Elder Wang was the oldest. It wasn’t until Qiao Yuanshan had an accident that Elder Qiao’s personality changed, becoming gentle and low-key, but he couldn’t change the stubbornness in his bones.

This incident with Qiao Rulong was no less a blow to Elder Qiao than Qiao Yuanshan’s sudden disappearance. Elder Ye saw Elder Qiao’s aging and, for the first time, saw sorrow and helplessness in his eyes. The greatest enemy of the strong is always fate. No matter how formidable you are, in the face of fate, you can only bow your head.