Elder Tong is a descendant of the royal family. Yi Roujing felt a bit wistful; time is harsh. The pride rooted in one’s blood has had its edges smoothed over by the years. In his seventies, with no children or grandchildren by his side, how lonely he must be.

Though he says dismissive things, his actions tell a different story. After interacting with Elder Tong today, Yi Roujing found him to be like an old child, sharp-tongued but soft-hearted, truly a lonely and solitary person deep down.

"We should invite Elder Tong to our home often; he always talks about the baozi. We could also introduce a few friends to him so he won’t feel so lonely," Yi Roujing suggested, looking at Xu Ancheng.

"Ah," Xu Ancheng sighed, "You’re so considerate. To be honest, even if I can guess some things, I don’t think deeply about them. After all, I’m a man. I only suggested before that Elder Tong should go out and see the world a bit more."

"I actually planned to introduce you and Baozi to Elder Tong once things settled down, but I didn’t expect that through this jewelry-making incident, you’d get along so well. Elder Tong isn’t willing to interact with just anyone, even with me as a middleman. The way he treats you shows he truly likes you," Xu Ancheng said with a smile.

"I’m naturally likable," Yi Roujing said coquettishly, giving Xu Ancheng a sidelong glance.

"Since Elder Tong gave me such a valuable gift, I should return the favor," Yi Roujing pondered, "What do you think would be appropriate?"

"A painting or calligraphy piece," Xu Ancheng suggested. "Elder Tong is a refined person who likes these things. Even after all these years, he still cherishes and misses his past life."

Yi Roujing could sense it—from Elder Tong’s life, from the exquisite pastries he made, from his love for tea, from his fondness for that style of architecture.

Yi Roujing searched through their collection and found a painting and calligraphy piece featuring lotuses, placed it in a finely crafted long wooden case for storing art, wrapped it in cloth, and brought it to Beiluo Lane.

On Sunday, June 25th, Xu Ancheng took Yi Roujing and Baozi to Elder Tong’s house early, planning to personally accompany him to Beiluo Lane. However, when they reached the alley entrance, they saw a crowd gathered at Elder Tong’s door.

The trio quickened their pace and, upon approaching, heard lots of discussions.

"That old crazy man is so ruthless, he won’t even acknowledge his own son."

"Isn’t it? Because of him, his son suffered back then, losing a good government job. Now that he can’t make ends meet, he comes seeking help, yet the door is shut in his face. You have to wonder if he’s really the biological father."

"Definitely not biological. Elder Tong is over seventy and never married. Where would a son come from? Just an adopted son. So what if he doesn’t recognize him? It’s not illegal."

"How’s it not illegal? With formal adoption paperwork, he’s just like a real son. Not recognizing or supporting him, how’s that legal?"

"Hey, he’s not a child needing milk. The kid’s grown. So what if he doesn’t recognize or support him?"

"Didn’t you hear his adopted child lost his job because of him? Isn’t it too much to behave like this now?"

...

Yi Roujing didn’t expect Elder Tong to have an adopted son. She looked up at Xu Ancheng, noticing the deeper color of his eyes and his unhappy expression.

"Wang Qianjin, how do you have the nerve to come here?" Xu Ancheng stepped through the gossiping crowd to confront a middle-aged man kneeling on the ground. Wang Qianjin, now with a scruffy beard and sunken eyes, looked like he had fallen on hard times.

Kneeling alongside Wang Qianjin was his wife and son, Wang Chengze—the three of them forming a pitiful picture.

"It’s you," Wang Qianjin took a moment to recognize Xu Ancheng.

Wang Chengze also remembered Xu Ancheng, but after a few years, Xu Ancheng’s aura and stance were even more commanding. Wang Chengze bowed his head timidly. He had experienced Xu Ancheng’s methods before. The ribs once cracked in a fight now ached subtly, unsure if it was a psychological effect or a lasting ailment, but Wang Chengze dared not speak.

"Wang Qianjin, you grew up orphaned, doing all sorts of petty thefts. At age ten, when you stole from Elder Tong’s house, he took pity on you, gave you a meal, was happy to see you reform, and adopted you, providing you shelter."

"He sent you to school to learn to read and write, giving you the ability to support yourself. When you got married, Elder Tong even let you live in his house so you could start your married life properly."

"And how did you repay him?" Xu Ancheng looked at Wang Qianjin as if he were garbage. "The story of the farmer and the snake isn’t sufficient to describe you. You are colder and more ruthless than the snake. While the snake only took the farmer’s life, you not only wanted Elder Tong dead, but you also wanted to trample his pride and dignity beneath your feet."

"To gain a position in the Gomei Committee, you betrayed Elder Tong, got him humiliated, and even published a severance of adoption in the newspaper. You achieved your goal, but instead of living your life well, why come knocking now?"

Xu Ancheng stared where Wang Qianjin dared not lift his head.

"What? Severance of relationship? Was he the one who betrayed that crazy old man?"

"Didn’t they say this guy lost his job because of the crazy old man? What’s the real story here?"

...

Xu Ancheng addressed the neighbors, "Would someone kindly go to the police station and report this?"

"As for the facts, you can ask the police when they arrive. This incident is archived at the Jing City Police Bureau. Those with some years of age should remember."

"Creak." The tightly shut door opened, and Elder Tong came out, wearing a Lei Feng hat and a blue long gown. He gave Xu Ancheng a glare. "You’ve come, why aren’t you coming in? Why waste words on those disgusting things? Doesn’t that stink unbearable?"

"Dad, I know I was wrong, you..."

"Who’s your dad? I don’t even have a wife, where’d you come from?" Elder Tong pointed at Wang Qianjin, jumping with some irritation.

"How did you get such a thick skin? Surely, no matter how good the teaching, innate nature is what matters. Mud can’t stick to the wall; it’ll just fall off," Elder Tong said calmly, looking at Wang Qianjin.

"I already choose not to hassle you about past events, so don’t come pestering me. Let’s be strangers. If you insist on causing trouble, then I’ll have to make you unhappy," Elder Tong warned.

"Indeed, not being biological makes a difference." Wang Qianjin’s lips curled into a cold smile, his eyes like cold ice. "If you hadn’t been so guarded with me, if you’d treated me like your biological son, I wouldn’t have betrayed you."

Elder Tong shook his head in disappointment. "Just because I didn’t transfer the house you lived in to your name back then, you’ve held it against me all these years?"