From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Chapter 717: Chapter 687: Guidance from a Master

Huang Youlong said, "If he had listed the valuable items in the house beforehand and the will explicitly left these or some of them to Xu Chunliang, your current actions would be suspected of misappropriating someone else’s property."

He paused and continued, "As far as I know, Article 270 of the Criminal Law explains the crime of embezzlement: illegally taking someone else’s property entrusted for safekeeping, in large amounts, and refusing to return it, can result in a sentence of no more than two years’ imprisonment, detention, or fines; if the amount is huge or there are other serious circumstances, a sentence of more than two years and less than five years’ imprisonment, along with fines, could be imposed."

Zhou Yi Wu gasped; his aim was to cut losses and he didn’t think there was anything inappropriate. It was only after Huang Youlong’s reminder that he realized the potential severe consequences. If everything was as Huang Youlong said, and Xu Chunliang pursued it later, not only would he have to return everything he had taken, he would also bear the corresponding legal responsibilities.

Huang Youlong had long known Zhou Yi Wu’s lack of foresight. Renhe Hall’s most valuable asset was not the house, or even these pieces of furniture, medicines, paintings, or antiques, but the name ’Renhe Hall’. In times like this, shouldn’t Zhou Yi Wu be thinking first about reclaiming the trademark of Renhe Hall?

Huang Youlong could only feel angry at his inability and pity his misfortune. He advised Zhou Yi Wu to consider sacrificing some interests if necessary, to strive to reclaim the trademark of Renhe Hall.

Zhou Yi Wu said angrily, "The trademark of Renhe Hall originally belonged to our Zhou Family, how is it reasonable to spend money to buy it back from outsiders?"

At this time, Zhou Yiwen returned from outside. He was much more clear-headed than Zhou Yi Wu, having been busy sorting out the registered pharmaceuticals of Renhe Hall to see how many drugs their brothers still had the right to use.

Seeing the messy condition of Renhe Hall, Zhou Yiwen couldn’t help but frown. Although he agreed with Zhou Yi Wu’s opinion of taking some valuable items, he didn’t expect it to be so blatant that they had even hired a moving company, as if fearing others would not know.

Zhou Yiwen was too lazy to scold him, and even if he did, Zhou Yi Wu might not listen. Now, the brothers stood united in the face of common grief, but they were never in harmony before.

Zhou Yiwen invited Huang Youlong to the backyard for tea and saw several people preparing to take out his office’s tea set. Zhou Yiwen furiously said, "What are you doing? This is my room, get out of here!"

Several workers, scolded and confused, put down the tea set and left.

Zhou Yiwen apologetically said, "President Huang, I’m sorry you had to see that."

Huang Youlong sat down on the grand armchair, sighed lightly, and said, "You can’t let him act recklessly!"

Zhou Yiwen said, "He has a short fuse and can’t change."

Huang Youlong said, "Although Xu Chunliang is young, he’s very shrewd, and the forces behind him are astonishing. You need to be cautious."

Zhou Yiwen said, "This really caught us off guard."

Huang Youlong said, "All these years you never noticed their relationship?"

Zhou Yiwen said, "The old man hid it well. I only realized something was amiss a short while ago, but before I could find out the truth, things had already happened. Now it’s too late to say anything."

Huang Youlong said, "I shouldn’t meddle in your family affairs, but with your wisdom, you did something so foolish. No matter what, you should have organized this funeral. Do you know how the outside world views you now?"

Zhou Yiwen also felt a bit regretful. Organizing the old man’s funeral wouldn’t have taken much effort or cost much money, but at the time, they both lost their reason, thinking the old man had left all the inheritance to Xu Chunliang, and refused to manage his affairs, leading to serious consequences. Outsiders didn’t care who the old man left his inheritance to; most saw that the brothers refused to attend their father’s funeral and thought they were unfilial.

Zhou Yiwen said, "We were just saying things in anger. Little did we know Xu Chunliang would actually take over everything by himself. He did it on purpose to embarrass us!"

Huang Youlong sighed and said, "Even the wisest person can be confused when it comes to family issues. President Zhou, the trademark ownership of Renhe Hall is no small matter."

Zhou Yiwen said, "I’m collecting evidence from various sources to try to reclaim the trademark."

Huang Youlong said, "Cooperation benefits both, while conflict harms both. Sometimes the right compromise isn’t a bad thing."

Zhou Yiwen said, "I’m just afraid we are willing to compromise, but others won’t let go."

Huang Youlong said, "Family scandals should not be exposed. As far as I know, the old man’s background is quite legendary."

Zhou Yiwen looked at Huang Youlong, puzzled. Huang Youlong passed him a file folder, patted his shoulder, and turned to leave.

That afternoon, the Zhou brothers returned to the old house again. Xu Chunliang thought they were up to something, but this time the brothers didn’t cause trouble. They entered the mourning hall clad in mourning clothes, fulfilling their duties as filial sons.

Xu Chunliang suspected these two of plotting mischief, ready to throw them out, but Xu Changshan stopped him, saying since they came, give them a chance to fulfill their filial duties.

Zhou Yiwen actively sought out Xu Changshan and knelt down before he could say a word.

Xu Changshan said, "What are you doing? Get up and speak!"

Zhou Yiwen said, "Mr. Xu, it was our mistake before. After going back, the more we thought about it, the more we regretted it. We’ve come today firstly to keep vigil for our father, and secondly to apologize to you."

Xu Changshan sighed and said, "It’s great that you recognize your mistakes and want to improve. It’s good that you still remember the father-son bond."

Zhou Yiwen said, "The gratitude for raising us is unforgettable. Uncle, it’s not that we didn’t want to fulfill our filial duties before, but everything happened so suddenly, we couldn’t accept it at the time, and that’s why we acted so foolishly."

Xu Changshan said, "Since you’ve figured it out, there’s no need to bring up the past. Let’s give your father a respectable send-off."

Zhou Yiwen discussed with Xu Changshan about burying their father in Jizhou. However, Xu Changshan disagreed because Zhou Renhe’s dying wish was to be buried in the Xu Family’s Old Forest, and he had already agreed to it. He couldn’t go against his elder brother’s final wishes.

Seeing that he couldn’t persuade Xu Changshan, Zhou Yiwen suggested that he and his brother keep vigil for their father tonight. This request was reasonable, so Xu Changshan naturally agreed.

Xu Chunliang and his father left the mourning hall, leaving it to the Zhou Brothers.

Xu Chunliang whispered, "Who knows what kind of bad intention these two bastards have this time."

Xu Jiaxuan said, "Deal with whatever comes your way. You’re more than capable of handling those two."

Xu Chunliang said, "Why me? When something this big happens in the Xu Family, shouldn’t you, as the father, be taking the lead?"

Xu Jiaxuan said, "I would like to step up, but I can’t represent the Xu Family. In your grandfather’s eyes, you’re the face of the Xu Family."

Xu Chunliang knew he was right, so he laughed and said, "Being this old and still doing unreliable things? No wonder Grandpa doesn’t think much of you."

Xu Jiaxuan said, "Too much leniency from a parent spoils a child. It’s because of my unreliability that you were able to grow up quickly. Now you can handle things on your own; you should thank me for letting you grow unrestrained."

Xu Chunliang said, "Old Xu, don’t you feel even a little guilty towards me?"

Xu Jiaxuan said, "Guilty for what? Having a son like you makes me proud!"

The two returned to the old house and saw Zhen Chunzheng and Mei Ru Xue who had just arrived, chatting warmly. Xu Jiaan’s children had yet to arrive, but it was confirmed that they would attend tomorrow’s funeral.

Xu Chunliang didn’t join their conversation. He sought out his grandfather to ask why he relented and allowed the Zhou Brothers to join in.

Xu Changshan mainly considered that despite everything, they were still father and sons. The elder brother clearly had two sons, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to have no one to see him off in the end. Besides, it’s better to resolve conflicts than to escalate them.

Xu Chunliang had already learned that Zhou Yi Wu moved their things back mid-way through the relocation. It seemed he had finally realized the consequences, perhaps with some advice from a mentor behind the scenes.

Xu Chunliang didn’t believe the Zhou Brothers came back out of conscience. They must have other plans, starting with the Renhe Hall trademark. They were likely worried that Xu Chunliang might stir up trouble after the funeral by leveraging his inheritance rights.

Xu Changshan said, "Chunliang, regardless of their motive, it’s good they came. You mustn’t hold grudges against them. I’m sure your great uncle would not wish to see this conflict continue."

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’ll listen to you. As long as they don’t scheme, I won’t make things difficult for them."

Xu Changshan sighed and said, "Your great uncle instructed that the Renhe Hall trademark should be passed on to you. However, he hoped you wouldn’t use it to eradicate them completely. As long as they work honestly, it’s okay to let them continue using the Renhe Hall name."

Xu Chunliang knew his grandfather was soft-hearted. Whether the great uncle genuinely said that was debatable. He remembered the old man insisting on severing father-son ties with those two unfilial beings on his deathbed, but he couldn’t question his grandfather’s words. He assured him he wouldn’t go too far.

Zhou Yi Wu squatted by the brazier, burning yellow paper while murmuring, "Brother, I really don’t get it. What are you afraid of him for? Why do you want to bow down and show weakness voluntarily?"

Zhou Yiwen said, "We aren’t bowing to him; we’re bowing to the old man." He glanced up at their father’s portrait and felt that the smile held a hint of indifference. From the will their father left, it was clear he harbored no affection for them as sons.

Zhou Yi Wu said, "Brother, we have swallowed our pride in front of the old man for most of our lives, obeying him in everything. But in the end? He gave all the family assets to Xu Chunliang and even wanted to cut ties with us."

Zhou Yiwen said, "Yi Wu, Dad is gone now, so let’s not hold onto so much resentment. No matter what, it was Dad who raised us. Without him, we would have grown up in a welfare institution. Don’t let hatred blind you. Think more about the benefits Dad provided us."

Zhou Yi Wu was surprised by his brother’s change of attitude. Earlier today, he despised the old man just as much. Had he lost his mind? Why was he suddenly so full of gratitude?

These past few days have been about enrolling the kids, causing irregular updates. The best I can do is try my best, but things will return to normal after July 2.