Chapter 31: Godfather

Baiyun District.

Xie Family Courtyard.

Mo Han looked up, and a bitter smile appeared on his face.

Without realizing it, he had arrived at the entrance of the Xie Family Courtyard.

He was familiar with this place.

After all, he had lived here for twelve years.

At the age of eight, his adoptive father, Jiang Zhizhong, brought him here, and he stayed for eight years.

Jiang Zhizhong had served in the army, and it was said he had once been on the battlefield. His left foot had been wounded by a bullet, and because treatment was delayed, it left him with a lasting injury, eventually making him lame.

He was nicknamed "Lame Jiang."

Mo Han remembered that when he was fifteen, someone had insulted Jiang Zhizhong by calling him "Lame," and Mo Han had fought that person.

But Jiang Zhizhong hadn't praised him; instead, he gave him a harsh beating...

These old memories flashed through his mind, and just as Mo Han was about to leave, a smile tugged at his lips. He changed his mind.

"I haven't been back for almost a year; I might as well go in for a walk."

Mo Han turned and entered the narrow alley of the Xie Family Courtyard.

Inside the alley, rough, low houses and haphazardly strung old wires spoke of poverty in this area.

The road still held a hint of dampness.

Yesterday's rain had been heavy.

A few children skipped and played past him, and Mo Han was reminded of his own childhood.

His childhood could be divided into two periods.

In the first, he was one of the rare wealthy children in the world, a young master whose meal could cost tens of thousands.

In the second, he was like these children, laughing and playing, making mud pies.

Of course, back then, the only one who played in the mud with him was Jiang Zhizhong's daughter, Jiang Yiran.

Thinking of Jiang Yiran brought a sigh to his heart.

The taste of childhood always changes as one grows up.

But Mo Han had never blamed Jiang Yiran for changing as she matured.

In truth, he always wished for her to live well, better than anyone.

After all, in his heart, Jiang Yiran would always be his sister.

Soon, Mo Han arrived at the Jiang family's door.

From a distance, he saw a middle-aged man leaning on a bamboo chair, smoking a pipe.

"Didn't I tell you to smoke Zhongnanhai? Why are you back to smoking the pipe?"

Mo Han approached, feigning a reproach, but a faint smile lingered on his face.

Jiang Zhizhong recognized Mo Han, his eyes softened with affection, but quickly settled into their usual casualness.

"Is that cigarette for real men? There's barely any flavor. This pipe is much more satisfying," Jiang Zhizhong said grimly.

"Fine, suit yourself. If a man has to weigh every decision, life becomes too exhausting," Mo Han said, sitting beside Jiang Zhizhong and lighting a cigarette himself.

"How's Xiaoxiao? Is she well? I haven't seen the little one for almost a year. Bring her over during the New Year," Jiang Zhizhong said.

"Xiaoxiao is very well. Yes, I'll bring her over for the New Year," Mo Han replied with a smile, not intending to tell his adoptive father about recent events.

Jiang Zhizhong didn't mind, took a few puffs from his pipe, and stood up. "Come inside. We'll sit for a while. Yiran and her boyfriend will be here soon. Let's have a few drinks together, just the two of us."

As he spoke, a hint of regret flickered in Jiang Zhizhong's heart.

Five years ago, he had hoped for Mo Han to become his son-in-law. Unfortunately, his wife had firmly opposed it, and for the sake of thirty thousand, forced Mo Han to marry into the Li family.

Mo Han was the son of his benefactor, raised by his own hand, someone he knew thoroughly. What a pity.

"Alright," Mo Han nodded and followed Jiang Zhizhong into the house.

"Xiaohan, you're here, sit down," Wang Qin called out with a smile as she emerged from the kitchen.

Mo Han nodded and took a seat.

He felt little affection for his adoptive mother.

He still remembered five years ago, when he and Jiang Zhizhong went to the bank to withdraw money for a new house. At the bank entrance, a girl of five or six crossed the street just as a Changan car sped by.

Seeing the child about to be caught under the wheels, Mo Han, waiting with Jiang Zhizhong, reacted quickly, grabbing the girl and throwing himself clear, saving her from death.

But in the process, he accidentally scraped the girl's face. The girl's parents, seeing the driver flee, turned on Mo Han, demanding compensation.

Eventually, they called in some underworld thugs, threatening to break Mo Han's leg. Left with no choice, Jiang Zhizhong paid them the ten thousand he had just withdrawn.

Afterward, Wang Qin berated Mo Han fiercely, even threatening to divorce Jiang Zhizhong.

The next day, upon hearing that the Li family was seeking a son-in-law, Wang Qin forced Mo Han to marry into the Li family to pay off the debt.

Jiang Zhizhong initially disagreed, but Wang Qin threatened divorce, and Jiang Yiran threatened to run away, refusing to attend university.

Mo Han, unwilling to see the family fall apart, had no choice but to agree.

The Li family gave Wang Qin thirty thousand, and from then on, Wang Qin treated Mo Han with warmth.

After all, after raising Mo Han for twelve years, he had earned them thirty thousand.

Even so, every year during the Spring Festival, Mo Han would bring his daughter to pay respects.

Sometimes, Li An'an would accompany them, and Wang Qin was always extremely courteous.

Half an hour later, the sound of a car arrived, and soon Jiang Yiran and her boyfriend Gao Jun walked in.

Jiang Yiran, now twenty-four, was more mature, her whole being radiating youthful energy.

Her boyfriend, Gao Jun, was a second-generation rich kid. His family owned a company and was said to be quite wealthy.

Gao Jun stood at one seventy-five, dressed in a tailored suit, looking elegant and refined. The golden watch on his left wrist occasionally flashed a dazzling light—luxurious and ostentatious.

In truth, his looks were unremarkable.

But wealth lent him confidence and vigor.

He was young and ambitious, and it was not an exaggeration to say he was destined for success.

As Wang Qin often said, Gao Jun was a dragon among men, the prized son-in-law that made the neighbors envious.

The two now sized up Mo Han. Gao Jun had never met Mo Han, but he knew of him.

"Xiaohan, you're back," Gao Jun said, calling him "brother," but his tone was flat and casual, even a bit perfunctory.

Jiang Yiran greeted Mo Han and went to help in the kitchen, not even waiting for his reply.

Mo Han smiled faintly and didn't mind.

After all, the grown-up Jiang Yiran looked down on him, the orphan, to some extent.

Especially after Mo Han married into the Li family. She never said it, but her heart harbored contempt.

"So you're Yiran's brother, the one who married into the Li family. I've heard of you. Brother-in-law, I've been looking forward to meeting you," Gao Jun's eyes flashed with sarcasm before turning into a smile as he casually sat beside Mo Han.

"Xiaohan, this is Yiran's boyfriend, Gao Jun. His family owns a company, and his father's assets are worth over a hundred million. He's a real tycoon in Qiancheng. You and Jun should get to know each other," Wang Qin introduced, her eyes full of satisfaction.

Certainly, her satisfaction was for her future wealthy son-in-law.

Her daughter marrying into the Gao family was like Cinderella entering a noble house; Wang Qin was always proud.

Jiang Zhizhong, however, was displeased, letting out a grunt to show his dissatisfaction.

He could hear the contempt in Gao Jun's words toward his adopted son and disliked the young man's attitude.

Mo Han only nodded, saying nothing more.

With his current mindset, he wouldn't stoop to Gao Jun's level.

He had brushed aside even the top-tier Tan family, let alone the insignificant Gao family.

With Jiang Yiran's help, the dishes were soon ready. Jiang Zhizhong brought out a bottle of white liquor, poured a glass for himself and Mo Han, and after hesitating, poured one for Gao Jun as well.

Jiang Zhizhong and Mo Han drained their glasses in one gulp, while Gao Jun only sipped, his gaze measuring Mo Han. He suddenly smiled and said, "I heard my stubborn old father-in-law was quite fond of you, almost married Yiran to you. If you hadn't gone for an easy life, I guess I wouldn't even be here now."

He paused, then continued with a smirk, "By the way, Mo Han, you've been living off the Li family for five years now. Share some tips on living as a kept man. Honestly, as a man, I can't imagine what that's like."

He spoke as he set down his glass, eyes filled with mockery.

"Enough!"

Jiang Zhizhong could no longer bear it. He slammed the table and stood up, pointing at Gao Jun and shouting angrily, "Gao Jun, just because my daughter likes you doesn't mean you can do whatever you please in my house! If I don't approve, this marriage won't happen!"