When it comes to compulsive gamblers who can’t change their ways, there’s really no exaggeration.

Rong Yuhe had just lost a billion in Macau, almost lost his life, and was saved by his son. You’d think he’d learn his lesson and be honest for a while.

But we overestimated this gambler.

He couldn’t hold back, and in just a few days, he found his way to an underground casino. Jingzhou is full of rich people, and the stakes are even higher. Rong Yuhe got carried away and fell into a high-interest loan trap. Eventually, the compound interest piled up, and he completely fell into a pit.

This time wasn’t as absurd as the one in Macau, but it still amounted to several million, which has to be paid off within a week. If not, the debt collectors would chop off his fingers one by one.

Rong Yuhe now doesn’t fear more lice, as he knows that no matter how much he gambles, someone will always cover for him.

Once back, he called Rong Xianning incessantly, but unfortunately, no one ever answered.

"A thousand bucks a month, like giving to a beggar."

Rong Yuhe angrily slammed down the bank card Rong Xianning left behind on the table.

"Rong Yuhe, didn’t you promise me you wouldn’t gamble anymore? I shouldn’t have believed you, you vile creature."

Zhou Rong was too lazy to even curse him.

"A few million is nothing to our son, why worry?"

"He covered a billion in gambling debt for you last time. Before he left, he spoke harshly. If he knows you owe a few more million, he’ll go mad. I just want a few good days funded by him, but you keep causing trouble."

Zhou Rong was seething with rage.

Rong Yuhe was unfazed: "He paid off a billion-dollar debt, do you think he’s broke? He’s lying to keep us from thinking about his money. I’ve seen online that a single endorsement from him costs millions. Count how many endorsements he has? This kid is rich, call him and tell him to come back immediately."

Zhou Rong frowned: "Pressing him too hard isn’t good, the kid has a stubborn streak, might backfire."

"What are you afraid of? He’s our son, that’s a fact that can’t change. He’s a big celebrity, most afraid of public opinion. If we go to the media claiming he’s neglecting his parents, the public scrutiny will drown him. If he’s smart, he’ll know what to do."

Rong Yuhe was nearly deceived by the kid. A few days ago, he heard two teenage girls in a convenience store talking about their idol Rong Xianning, boasting he was about to announce a new endorsement and his commercial value was high. Rong Yuhe realized something was off.

After checking online, oh boy, a star like Rong Xianning, his annual income is counted in billions. Even if he shares with his company, what’s left for him isn’t small.

Rong Yuhe realized he was tricked by Rong Xianning, so he became unapologetically demanding.

Zhou Rong subsequently made countless phone calls to Rong Xianning, which he never answered. Zhou Rong was furious, thinking Rong Xianning was trying to get rid of them with a monthly thousand bucks.

"Tell him I’m seriously ill, if he still doesn’t come back, he’ll confirm his lack of filial piety, and I’ll go to the media claiming it."

Zhou Rong feared Rong Xianning’s independence would lead him to abandon them completely, so she complied with Rong Yuhe’s words.

Upon hearing Rong Xianning was dining at a barbecue place tonight, she rushed on over.

She wasn’t afraid of embarrassment; she wanted everyone to know Rong Xianning was an unfilial son. The kid would have to comply to save face.

Before coming, Zhou Rong had imagined it all splendidly.

She scolded Rong Xianning a great deal in front of everyone, not caring about the audience, wishing for more spectators.

After venting, her resentment was finally gone, with a smug smile lingering in her eyes.

The kid would never escape her grasp.

"Is uncle sick?" A cold youthful voice sounded nearby.

Zhou Rong glanced over and recognized the girl who brought Rong Xianning home that night.

"Then you should take him to the hospital. Aning isn’t a doctor; how could finding him heal his uncle?"

The woman’s helpless demeanor seemed to say she was being unreasonable.

Zhou Rong’s anger shot to her head; did this damn girl have the right to speak?

"Indeed, if he’s sick, send him to a hospital. Xiao Rong just finished filming in icy conditions and is having his first hot meal, and his own mother not only doesn’t care but comes in and curses him. Are you even his real mother?"

A braver staff member stood up to speak for Rong Xianning.

Upon hearing the last sentence, Zhou Rong’s expression froze for a moment, panic involuntarily flashing in her eyes as she yelled back: "Am I not his real mother, then are you? I nursed him through ten months of pregnancy, who doubts that?"

The person speaking was merely responding with words and didn’t mean anything else. Everyone understood, only questioning whether the mother was unworthy, not doubting she was Rong Xianning’s biological mother.

But Zhou Rong’s guilty demeanor truly started stirring suspicions in the crowd.

Without speaking, Rong Xianning grabbed Zhou Rong’s wrist and began to leave.

"Zhou Rong."

A voice full of vigor suddenly sounded, seemingly seething with endless anger, yet ultimately fell into a peculiar calm, even more frightening.

Like the momentary calm before a storm.

Zhou Rong paused, reflexively turning her head to look toward the source.

Shen You’an stepped aside at that moment, revealing a figure behind him.

The person walked from the shadows into the light, their delicate yet dignified face abruptly exposed.

The stern eyes behind spectacles gazed intently at Zhou Rong’s face, as if they’d seen into her soul.

Zhou Rong stared wide-eyed in horror.

"You... you..."

How could she possibly forget this face?

Rong Xianning frowned deeply, his gaze shifting between Zhou Rong and Na Amo.

Do they know each other?

Zhou Rong realized something, grabbing Rong Xianning’s wrist and turning to run without saying a word.

Her fingers gripping Rong Xianning’s wrist tightly, leaving bruises without knowing; he followed her frantically, confused.

Na Amo immediately chased after them: "Zhou Rong, stop!"

Xiao Hu instinctively looked at Shen You’an.

Who would’ve thought Professor Na actually knew Zhou Rong, their statuses worlds apart. How exactly did they know each other?

More chilling was how Shen You’an knew?

The play she orchestrated between the two, what was her purpose?

Xiao Hu was baffled, yet clueless.

Shen You’an’s smile conveyed a sense of overarching insight, making Xiao Hu shiver instinctively - too terrifying.

"Still dawdling, chase them." Shen You’an tossed out the words, sprinting toward the direction the three left.