That roar was like a chunk of ice dropped into a boiling pot.
Jiang Chen felt an explosion inside his chest.
He didn't want to argue with his father, but he knew—this was a line he could not retreat from.
He calmed himself and said, "Dad, this is something I can decide for myself."
"So your wings have hardened? You don't need me anymore?" his father slammed the table.
"You're right," Jiang Chen said evenly. "I've grown up. I don't want to be controlled anymore. That's my right, my freedom. Talking with you about it was just a gesture of respect."
His father looked at him as if seeing a stranger.
For a moment, it seemed he suddenly realized something.
The child had grown up.
And couldn't be controlled anymore.
But the pride of a father pushed him to keep going:
"I raised you all these years, just so you'd disobey me now?"
Jiang Chen spread his hands. "Dad, think about it. Did you raise me just so I'd follow orders? Of course not."
His father fell silent.
He didn't know what to say.
Jiang Chen's words were solid reasoning.
But something still felt wrong.
In his mind, according to the tradition passed down from their ancestors, a son should both honor and obey his parents—that was the way of the world.
"Jiang Chen," his father said slowly, "I never thought you'd be so rebellious."
"Dad," Jiang Chen said calmly, "Respecting one's parents is a virtue—even animals do that. Like crows feeding their parents. But blind obedience? That's ignorance. In five thousand years of our culture, we never emphasized blind obedience. It wasn't until the Qing dynasty that it became a thing—and a foolish one at that. Obedience means submitting to the old ways. If the next generation always submits to the previous one, how will humanity ever progress?"
His father was so angry he could barely breathe. He waved his hand and said, "Fine, fine, I won't argue anymore."
"You don't want to talk, but I still need to speak," Jiang Chen pressed on. "When I got kicked out of the hospital, I had less than thirty yuan to my name. I had no food, no shelter. Wen-xian gave me food, gave me a place to stay. She helped me make the medicine. Without her, I wouldn't be here today. If I leave her now, that's not just ungrateful—it's a hundred times more disgraceful than disobedience."
His father was quiet. He seemed to be convinced, at least a little.
His mother spoke up: "Son, I agree with you. Besides, the Jiang family only has one son each generation. Look at Wen-xian's figure—wide hips, narrow waist—she'll definitely bear a boy."
Jiang Juan clapped and smiled. "I agree too. My brother loves her so much. I have to support him."
His father let out a long sigh. "Do whatever you want."
The next morning, Jiang Chen got up early and drove straight to Peach Blossom Village.
On the road, he called Wen-xian:"Sister Wen, my family has all agreed."
"Agreed to what?" Wen-xian teased.
"To us getting married."
"Married? What marriage? You want to marry me?"
"If not you, who else? I'm going to marry you, for sure."
On the other end of the line, Wen-xian's heart nearly burst with joy. "Jiang Chen, think it through carefully. Don't regret it later."
"What would I regret?"
"I've been married before. I'm older than you. I've got a kid. You're settling for less."
"You're a gift from heaven. I'm the lucky one." Jiang Chen laughed. "Even my mom said with your figure, you're bound to give me sons."
Wen-xian paused and began to sob softly.
"Don't cry," Jiang Chen said anxiously. "What did I say wrong?"
"Jiang Chen, I'm just so happy. I know your family didn't really agree. You're just saying that to comfort me. They must have opposed it, and you insisted. Since you're willing to stand by me, I'll never let you down. I'll give you sons—lots of them. I'll make you proud."
"Sister Wen…"
"Hurry home. I'm waiting for you. I've already made dumplings. Tonight, I'll give you my body—just like you've been craving. I'll serve you well…"
"Alright. Once I get back, let's talk about building a new house. I'm going to build a beautiful one, and marry you in style."
"You're just getting started. Don't worry about a new house. Let's just get married in my old place. It may be small, but I'll cook for you, wash your clothes, have your kids. It's enough."
"No, Sister Wen. We'll build the biggest house in the whole village—"
Just then, Zheng Qiang called.
"Jiang Chen! Wu and I just sold 25 bottles of the wine in one shot!" Zheng Qiang shouted over the phone. "Ten grand a bottle—250,000 in total. We're transferring it to your account right now!"
"Thank you—and thank President Wu too!"
A few minutes later, Jiang Chen's phone chimed.
He checked and saw the 250,000 yuan had arrived.
He called Wen-xian again. "Sister Wen, we've got the money for our new house!"
"I just want to see you. I made dumplings. Come home now. Let's have our wedding night tonight… let me show you what a real woman feels like."
"You're amazing, Sister Wen."
Jiang Chen drove toward Peach Blossom Village.
From a distance, he saw something strange: several vehicles were parked outside the clinic.
Two police cars. And several white trucks marked with the logo of the Food and Drug Administration.
A crowd had gathered.
Jiang Chen's heart sank.
What's going on?
He pulled up and stopped.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw Xu Peng standing there in uniform, arms crossed, walking over.
"Xu Peng? Why are you here?"
Jiang Chen was truly stunned this time.
He never expected to see him here.
"Old classmate," Xu Peng grinned. "Someone reported that your wine business is booming. They say it works wonders—every man who drinks it says it makes him hard."
"What do you want?" Jiang Chen felt a chill run down his spine. This was bad.
"What do I want?" Xu Peng squinted. "You're illegally producing and selling unapproved medicinal products. You think we wouldn't come check it out?"
"Which eye of yours saw anything illegal?" Jiang Chen barked.
"You don't get to decide what's legal," Xu Peng waved his hand. "We've already seized your stock. Evidence and product in hand. Please get in the car."
He pointed at the police car. "The officers would like you to come try out their sewing machine."
Jiang Chen was dumbfounded.
This was so sudden.
Disaster had struck.
He looked around, trying to find Wen-xian.
He wanted to say something to her.
"Move!"
A cop shoved him hard.
Two officers grabbed him and pushed him into the police car.
The door slammed shut.
Outside the window, Xu Peng clasped his hands mockingly and said loudly:"Heh heh. Congrats, old classmate. The end has come."