HCB Chapter 165 Vested Interests
Chapter 165 Vested Interests
The old Shen family home in the old cadre compound of Shanghai.
Shen Guoqing came home, and Grandma Shen was very happy. She prepared a table of delicious food. She was ten years younger than Grandpa Shen and had given birth to Shen Guoqing at an advanced age, so Grandma Shen doted on her youngest son the most.
The family hadn't been together for a long time, so Old Shen called his eldest son and daughter back.
Shen Ning laughed and said, "Mom, you're still so biased. Guoqing caused such a big mess, and you still prepared so much good food to reward him."
The daughter accused her of favoring her younger brother, but Grandma Shen was used to it. "All this food can't shut you up," she said.
Shen Ning picked up a piece of braised pork and handed it to Shen Guoqing. "Here, Guoqing, eat more to nourish your brain so you won't be used as a pawn next time."
Shen Guoqing protested, "Sister, I was just helping out out of loyalty to a friend. It wasn't me who was wrong."
Shen Ning put down her chopsticks, having almost finished eating. "I'm not saying you acted as a legal representative for someone else; I'm saying you shouldn't have gone to the airport to persuade Cao Xinwei. Now that Cao Xinwei is dead, some people see you as an accomplice."
Shen Guoqing was even more indignant, "Sister, isn't this turning right and wrong upside down? Cao Xinwei hijacked the plane and took hostages, and I did nothing wrong by advising him to turn himself in out of friendship."
Shen Ning particularly suspected that her younger brother was missing a screw in his head. "Guoqing, let me be blunt with you. You weren't born into an ordinary family, so you need to be more politically astute. If you don't go to the airport, whether Cao Xinwei lives or dies has nothing to do with you. But if you go, then you'll bear some responsibility for Cao Xinwei's death."
Shen Guoqing disagreed, saying, "Sister, you officials are always thinking about politics. I don't want to be that tired. Let others think what they want; I'll just be myself."
Shen Ning shook his head, "There's no hope for him. Dad, the smuggling case is solved. That kid actually did a great job, but he couldn't control his mouth. What he said to Vice Mayor Cao was just political idiocy."
Old Shen took a sip of baijiu. "Ningning, I don't quite agree with what you're saying. That kid was telling the truth, but the truth can be hurtful."
"Countless revolutionary martyrs sacrificed their lives. Those who survived were heroes and the lucky ones, but some became the beneficiaries. This has been the case throughout history, and your father is one of them."
"As my children, you have benefited not only from your own efforts and abilities, but also from the glory of your parents. That is a fact."
"Therefore, you must always remember not to put yourselves in opposition to the people, and even less to be aloof and superior."
Shen Ning wanted to refute her father's words, but her reasons seemed weak and unconvincing. If it was all due to her own abilities, then she, as a farmer's daughter, would have had no chance at all.
Shen Zhenhua, having come all this way, was well aware of the help his father had given him. "Dad, we'll remember that. That kid is still too young; some of his words came across as arrogant and presumptuous."
Old Shen poured himself another glass of baijiu. He was actually quite worried that once the older generation passed away, their revolutionary beliefs might not be able to be passed on.
"The spirit of defiance and resistance that young man possesses is something our entire Chinese nation must never lose, otherwise, something terrible will happen."
"Dad, aren't you giving that kid too much credit? We know that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it, of course. But there have to be rules in everything. We can't just act like a reckless fool. If it weren't for Secretary Zhu's support, that kid would probably be in jail by now."
In Shen Ning's view, Qi Tongwei was at best an idiot with no political wisdom, and such a person would never go far in officialdom.
Old Shen took another sip of baijiu. He was actually quite disappointed in his daughter. To put it nicely, she was mediocre; to put it bluntly, she was selfish. Of course, after those ten years of political movements, his children were all somewhat apprehensive.
Shen Zhenhua saw through his father's thoughts. If everyone in the officialdom is just trying to please each other, then in the end, nothing will turn out well, because thousands of years of history have clearly shown that.
The saying "Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?" is etched into everyone's bones. The person with great fortune will always appear at the right time.
"Dad, drink less. Everyone has their own destiny. That kid might just make it all the way to the Minister of Public Security."
Shen Ning wanted to argue, but shut up when she saw her older brother's warning look.
Grandma Shen quickly chimed in, "Zhenhua is right, old man, don't think so much. You're so old, just rest well."
Old Shen smiled and said, "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings, and so does the country. I'm just worrying unnecessarily. I came out this National Day holiday hoping to do something worthwhile."
Shen Guoqing was speechless. He had been doing legitimate things. "Dad, just leave me alone. I definitely won't break the law."
Old Shen had basically given up on his youngest son. "Do whatever you want, old woman. Don't give him any more money, and neither should you two."
Shen Guoqing wasn't angry at all; he was thick-skinned anyway. "Dad, I'm a grown man; I can support myself."
Shen Ning immediately exposed him, "Guoqing, if you've got the guts, don't ask Qin Ge for money."
"Sister, Qin Ge gave it to me herself; I didn't ask her for it."
Shen Guoqing spoke of being a kept man with great confidence, but of course, he only did so to Qin Ge.
The whole family was speechless after hearing Shen Guoqing's words.
"You and Qin Ge are childhood sweethearts, why don't you just marry her?"
Shen Guoqing immediately objected, "Sis, don't try to play matchmaker. She and I are just good buddies."
Old Shen couldn't listen anymore. "You still don't want to? Qin Ge is such a good girl, what kind of man can't she find? Even if you have such thoughts, you should break them off immediately. I can't afford to lose face like that."
"Dad, you're getting old, say whatever you want."
"You damned bastard!"
Seeing his father get angry, Shen Guoqing stood up and left.
"What a misfortune for our family!"
Old Shen sighed deeply. The whole family was used to the love-hate relationship between the father and son.
Peace Hotel.
Qi Tongwei and Tian Xiaobing each drank a case of beer. They were a little dizzy from the wind and it took them a while to find the key when they opened the door.
Short-haired assassin Ah Huo hid by the door with a sharp dagger, while long-haired Ah Feng hid behind him with a silenced pistol, ready to finish him off at any moment. They knew Qi Tongwei was highly skilled in martial arts and dared not be careless.
As Qi Tongwei pushed open the door, he inserted the key into the lock and turned the lock wheel. Suddenly, a gleaming dagger came hurtling toward his neck. In a flash, he dodged and grabbed Ah Huo's wrist.
Bang bang bang.
Qi Tongwei, disregarding martial ethics, pulled the trigger and fired three shots at close range into Ah Huo.
Enraged, the long-haired assassin, Ah Feng, fired two shots, but Qi Tongwei dodged them both thanks to Ah Huo's obstructed view.
Qi Tongwei kicked Ah Feng's gun away, and Ah Feng also kicked Qi Tongwei's gun away. Instantly, the two engaged in a fierce fight, with their fists landing squarely.