Fan Yu recently couldn’t eat or sleep well, and Xia Dajun was anxious seeing her with her large belly, worried about his precious son’s development.

If returning to Yunan could improve Fan Yu’s mood, Xia Dajun was willing to make that sacrifice.

In truth, he just didn’t want to admit his incompetence, that he couldn’t make it in the Special Zone. When faced with setbacks, he wanted to run away. Pengcheng had transformed from a place of pride to one of embarrassment for him.

Fan Yu’s suggestion gave Xia Dajun an excuse to retreat.

While he was quite willing to return to their hometown in Yunan, Xia Hongbing’s family, including Grandmother Xia, were completely stunned.

“I won’t go back! From city folk to farming? Dajun, this is unfilial…” Grandmother Xia was the first to object.

Everyone knew she had come to the city to enjoy a comfortable life. How could she face the villagers if they returned to Yunan?

Before Xia Dajun could speak, Fan Yu gently interjected: “Mother, at your age, how could we children force you to endure such a long journey? You should stay in Pengcheng with your Uncle and his family. We’ll cover your living expenses, and once Dajun and I are settled, we’ll bring you back?”

Fan Yu’s unexpected thoughtfulness left Grandmother Xia feeling like she had a mouthful of flies, unsure whether to swallow or spit.

The news was too sudden. Xia Hongbing and Wang Jingui wanted time to discuss before making a decision.

However, Xia Hongxia was firm – regardless of whether her parents returned, she wouldn’t go back to their hometown.

She couldn’t accept a deteriorating lifestyle. Her relationship with her prospect in Anqing County had ended, and Xia Hongxia wanted to stay in Pengcheng. After all, she had obtained a border pass to enter the Special Zone legally – why should she go back?

Xia Dajun was easily swayed. One moment he felt proud about bringing his three nephews to study in Pengcheng.

The next moment, he fell from these lofty heights, following Fan Yu’s suggestion to return home. The poor children had been through enough upheaval.

Xia Junfeng and Xia Junshan would certainly follow their parents. Xia Changzheng’s younger son, Xia Junbao, now depended entirely on his Second Uncle Xia Dajun. Fan Yu knew that while they could shake off other parasites, this burden would have to remain with them for now, so she didn’t object to keeping Xia Junbao.

When Xia Junbao returned from school, he was unusually well-behaved, affectionately calling Fan Yu “Second Aunt” and offering to talk to his unborn little brother in her belly. He was the most cunning of the three boys.

With the house in chaos, Xia Dajun escaped to seek a moment’s peace.

The neighbors were discussing an advertisement in today’s newspaper. Because Fan Yu had previously wanted to buy a house in Jinsha Pool, Grandmother Xia had earlier bragged that her son worked for a Hong Kong company and was only temporarily renting here, planning to move to a Jinsha Pool house.

She’d even mentioned getting Pengcheng residency.

Now the neighbors cornered Xia Dajun:

“They’re selling the Jinsha Pool houses now, did you know? The houses are beautiful but expensive. Your family must be wealthy!”

They were indeed expensive. The newspaper announced sales would begin on December 14th, starting at 1,999 yuan per square meter.

Such expensive buildings could only be afforded by Hong Kong people or those like Xia Dajun who worked for big Hong Kong companies, right?

Ordinary people could only gossip about it.

At the mention of Jinsha Pool, Xia Dajun fell into a daze. He and Yu’er had planned their future so carefully, who knew plans could change so quickly… Thinking about the Jinsha Pool house they couldn’t have, the potential Pengcheng residency they’d lost, Xia Dajun felt an empty ache in his heart.

Ke Yixiong’s people had directed him to look for someone at Jinsha Pool, saying Xia Xiaolan was there.

What connection did that unfilial daughter have with Jinsha Pool?

Wasn’t that unfilial girl studying at university in the capital, just in her second year?

Was it Liu Yong, or someone else?

Just thinking about how Xia Xiaolan had found a good match and was showing off, even helping her good-for-nothing former brother-in-law get back on his feet, made Xia Dajun’s feelings incredibly complicated.

“Unfilial daughter, abandoning family and causing trouble everywhere, let’s see if heaven has eyes…” Xia Dajun muttered.

If heaven had eyes, it wouldn’t let someone who abandoned their family and acted so ruthlessly succeed in life.

People’s thoughts change with time, heavily influenced by their environment.

Xia Dajun had gone through several phases: initial guilt, then embarrassment at failed reconciliation attempts, followed by pride in marrying a young wife and anticipating their child’s birth… Now that he couldn’t make it in Pengcheng and had to return home, his emotions were incredibly complex.

He dared not go to Jinsha Pool, not only because of Guan Hui’e’s original threats but also out of fear.

He feared that Xia Xiaolan and her mother were living too well now – a reality he couldn’t accept.

Not asking, not knowing, meant not hurting.

“Dajun, what size house is your family planning to buy? With your large family, you’ll probably need at least 135 square meters, maybe even a duplex apartment – two whole floors just for your family!”

“Huh, this is the first time I’ve heard of a duplex…”

“They say they have smaller units too, but 70 square meters is small? That’s the size only unit leaders get allocated, right?”

Since none of them could afford it anyway, they were just making conversation.

The neighbors weren’t necessarily ill-intentioned, but surrounded by their buzzing discussion, Xia Dajun hunched over.

A house costing 2,000 yuan per square meter – even if he were still working for Young Master Du, it would take years to save up.

Now it was completely out of reach.

Xia Dajun had a vague feeling that meeting Du Zhaohui might have been his only chance at success in this life.

Such opportunities, once lost, would never come again – just like his lost college-educated daughter, the house he couldn’t afford, the missed residency qualification… Suddenly, Xia Dajun let out a cry and slammed his head against the wall, frightening the neighbors.

“So it’s true, he was fired from the Hong Kong company.”

“Now he’s just driving for others, the income isn’t bad, but buying a Jinsha Pool house is impossible.”

“Shh, don’t upset him, quick, get his family!”

It was terrifying – the wall was bloody from his impact.

…

“They’re starting to sell the Jinsha Pool houses.”

Ke Yixiong had lost weight recently, the flesh was gone from his round face, and he no longer appeared as amiable as before.

His subordinates who were arrested earlier had all been sentenced.

Cao Liu, as the ringleader, received the heaviest sentence.

They were officially labeled a “criminal gang,” not just for attacking Bai Zhenzhu. Ke Yixiong had done plenty of violent things while trying to establish himself in Pengcheng, fighting with local thugs for territory.

Those whose territory and business Ke Yixiong had stolen harbored grudges, and when his people were arrested, they naturally jumped at the chance to pile on. Cao Liu and others received combined sentences for multiple crimes.

Fortunately, Cao Liu remained loyal to Ke Yixiong and took all the blame.

Ke Yixiong had been investigated many times but hadn’t been arrested yet, though he knew he was under police surveillance.

He naturally didn’t dare make any moves, while others seized many of his businesses.

His transport team was under scrutiny, the sand quarry was frequently inspected – the business had suffered heavy losses.

He had hoped to rely on the Chengrong Group, taking on more projects from Du Zhaohui to make up for losses, but Du Zhaohui had turned his back on him, completely forgetting past promises.

How wonderful!

Now facing both internal and external troubles, Ke Yixiong’s previous fixation on Xia Xiaolan had turned to hatred in equal measure. Hearing about Jinsha Pool’s upcoming sale, he lowered his eyes:

“Even trash has its uses. You know what to do – keep it clean.”