Chen Jinzhao couldn't help but chuckle.
He never imagined a day would come when Qin Fengwu, his sworn enemy, would stand before him and offer counsel.
The feeling was truly bizarre.
Seeing Chen Jinzhao still able to smile, Qin Fengwu echoed his laughter, "I underestimated your resolve. You can still laugh, so it seems there's no major issue."
"Let's talk business," Chen Jinzhao said.
Qin Fengwu sat down opposite Chen Jinzhao. "As you know, I'm not one for idle chatter. So, I'll get straight to the point with my current thoughts. I hope you can lend me a hand and defeat Li Tianze on this path."
Chen Jinzhao looked at Qin Fengwu, "You don't think you're Li Tianze's match?"
"Then, in what way do you think I can compare to Li Tianze?" Qin Fengwu retorted, implicitly confirming Chen Jinzhao's question.
Chen Jinzhao remained silent.
Qin Fengwu continued, "Back when you were around, Li Tianze and I were evenly matched. After you left, Li Tianze's influence in the military grew stronger. You should know that Li Tiannan has now replaced your former position, becoming the youngest general in Huaguo. And I don't hold a monopoly in the civilian sector, which gives Li Tianze an absolute advantage."
"I rarely admit defeat, but this time, I truly believe I'm not Li Tianze's opponent."
Ruthless and cunning, willing to do anything to achieve his goals.
Coupled with Li Buyan's full support, Li Tianze had gradually pulled ahead of Qin Fengwu, leaving Qin Fengwu increasingly out of his depth.
Chen Jinzhao nodded, agreeing with Qin Fengwu's assessment.
"Since you know Li Tianze's strengths, you should understand that I'm not the person I used to be. Even if I wanted to help you, it would be futile," Chen Jinzhao said with a wry smile, thinking Qin Fengwu's idea was too simplistic.
"No!"
Qin Fengwu's eyes flickered. "Your prestige is still intact!"
"As long as you're willing, you can re-enter the military at any time, though your rank might not be as high as before."
"During this process, I will provide you with support to help you regain your former position as soon as possible."
Chen Jinzhao didn't answer immediately, clearly weighing the pros and cons.
Qin Fengwu sighed softly, "I'll be forty next year. I only have ten years left, which isn't long, nor is it particularly short."
His intuition told Qin Fengwu that Chen Jinzhao was the key to breaking the deadlock.
"As long as you agree to help me, I can give you all the assistance I can," Qin Fengwu said with genuine sincerity. If it were anyone else, they wouldn't be able to refuse. However, Chen Jinzhao shook his head and said, "I'm afraid I cannot agree. As someone from an influential family, there are things you simply cannot understand. The existence of these families blocks the paths of many people. Whether you or Li Tianze become the leader, this situation will only worsen."
"Therefore—"
"I appreciate your good intentions, but I cannot agree."
In Chen Jinzhao's view, influential families were an existence that must be eliminated, as their existence was inherently unreasonable.
Qin Fengwu sighed, "It seems you haven't given up on this idea. I'd like to know why you're so fixated on it."
Chen Jinzhao suddenly smiled.
"Perhaps you think I'm overestimating myself, but everyone has some unrealistic dreams in life. I might as well call them ideals."
"Though in a humble position, I dare not forget my country's worries; my deeds will be judged only when the coffin lid closes."
Qin Fengwu remained silent for a long time.
Finally, he silently offered Chen Jinzhao a cigarette and lit one for himself. "I understand. This is what you call the responsibility of every man for the rise and fall of the world. I just don't understand, is the existence of these influential families really that important to you? Would the world be a better place without them?"
In Qin Fengwu's eyes, influential families were an inevitable product of society.
Therefore, no matter what Chen Jinzhao did, it would ultimately be in vain, and he couldn't comprehend it.
"Of course, it's important. Even if these families cannot be eradicated, their behavior must be reined in. Otherwise, the anger of countless souls will ignite them," Chen Jinzhao's gaze grew firm. He seemed to have rediscovered his convictions.
Xu Hanchen's unfulfilled wish was still not complete.
Having been entrusted by Xu Hanchen, Chen Jinzhao did not want to let the old man down.
Qin Fengwu couldn't understand Chen Jinzhao's mindset and said with a bitter smile, "So, it seems we ultimately cannot walk together. That's fine. I won't force you, but my door will always be open to you. If you need my help with anything, you can ask anytime."
As he left the private room, Qin Fengwu patted Chen Jinzhao on the shoulder.
After sitting in the private room for a while, Chen Jinzhao also got up and left the hotel, returning home. He needed some time to process what had happened that evening.
It was already ten o'clock at night when he returned home.
Yu Mengzhi was standing at the door to welcome Chen Jinzhao. He smiled wryly, "It's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?"
"I can't sleep. I want to chat with you," Yu Mengzhi said frankly.
Chen Jinzhao sat alone on the sofa in the living room. Yu Mengzhi brought him a cup of hot tea. As Chen Jinzhao took the cup, he asked, "What about Simian, is she asleep?"
Yu Mengzhi nodded.
She also told Chen Jinzhao that Li Qiurong had moved in with Shanli Qianhui and planned to stay there to take care of the pregnant Shanli Qianhui.
"If you have time, remember to check on Qianhui often. Pregnant women are always prone to suspicion; I have experience as someone who's been through it," Yu Mengzhi said. Chen Jinzhao collected his thoughts and looked at Yu Mengzhi, "It was my fault that I couldn't take care of you back then."
Yu Mengzhi covered Chen Jinzhao's mouth with her hand. "What's past is past. We need to look forward."
"I know what happened tonight."
"What do you think?"
Chen Jinzhao hesitated, as Yu Mengzhi had blood ties with the Li family, and their relationship wasn't something that could be easily disentangled.
"I can understand why the Li family did what they did, but I cannot forgive them," Chen Jinzhao said his inner thoughts.
Yu Mengzhi nodded. "I'm different from you. I can't understand why they would do such a thing. If they force me to choose between you and the Li family, I will unhesitatingly stand by your side."
Chen Jinzhao's heart trembled.
Yu Mengzhi had made a very difficult decision. He couldn't let her trust go to waste.
They talked for a long time, finally resolving their inner conflicts.
Chen Jinzhao's fighting spirit reignited, determined to reclaim everything he had lost! Anyone who stood in his way deserved to be removed!
"Oh, by the way, Xu Jinsong wants to see you. He said he has something to tell you," Yu Mengzhi said.
Xu Jinsong had protected Yu Mengzhi and her daughter for three years, working tirelessly and without complaint. Therefore, both Yu Mengzhi and Chen Jinzhao were very grateful to him.
"Alright, I'll go see him," Chen Jinzhao said.
Xu Jinsong lived nearby, making it convenient for him to respond to any crisis at any time.
As Chen Jinzhao stepped out, he saw Xu Jinsong standing in the night. Before Chen Jinzhao could speak, Xu Jinsong said, "I have something to tell you."
"Perhaps, the Divine Kingdom Research Institute was not destroyed. They are still lingering on."