After settling Yu Lingxiao, Chen Jin Chao went to another prison alone.
Standing in front of the prison, Chen Jin Chao suddenly felt he had a connection with prisons and hospitals, often visiting such places every few days.
After all, others avoided them like the plague.
The reason he came alone this time was that the person he was going to visit was Tao Qiyue’s grandfather.
The two met.
Tao Zixing’s condition was no better than Yu Lingxiao’s; he was also dispirited.
Chen Jin Chao carefully calculated that Tao Zixing was already 72 years old this year.
Upon seeing Chen Jin Chao, Tao Zixing was greatly surprised, "You, didn't you die already? Are you here to take me to hell? Can you wait a little longer? I want to see my Qiyue again. She hasn’t visited me in a long time, and I’m worried about her."
Chen Jin Chao remained silent for a long time before telling Tao Zixing that he was still alive.
Tao Zixing’s emotions calmed down, and he said bitterly, "You are truly blessed to have survived this ordeal."
"You are lucky, but what about my Qiyue?"
Facing Tao Zixing’s question, Chen Jin Chao could not answer.
Tao Zixing choked back a sob, "Qiyue said she was going to look for you, and she’s been gone for nearly three years. Chen Jin Chao, can you help me find Qiyue?"
"Consider it my plea!"
"I don’t mind kneeling down and kowtowing to you."
Chen Jin Chao quickly said, "Old Sir, there’s no need for that. I will do my best to find Qiyue and will surely give you a satisfactory account."
Alive, we see the person; dead, we see the body.
Tao Zixing trusted Chen Jin Chao immensely, believing there was nothing he couldn't do.
Seeing that Tao Zixing’s mood had calmed down, Chen Jin Chao asked, "Do you want to get out now? If you do, I might be able to get you medical parole. You are getting old, and staying in this prison might gradually wear away your enthusiasm for life."
Tao Zixing smiled bitterly at this.
"Forget it."
"I know I have committed heinous crimes, so I wish to stay here and atone for my mistakes. If I leave this prison even half a step, I will feel uneasy."
"It’s better to stay here."
Chen Jin Chao respected Tao Zixing’s choice and did not force the old man.
As he left, Chen Jin Chao promised Tao Zixing that he would visit him regularly. If he had any needs, he could have someone contact him. Besides that, after leaving the prison, Chen Jin Chao sat outside the gate for half an hour before finally deciding to find the person in charge of the prison and ask him to look after Tao Zixing to the best of his ability, out of respect for Chen Jin Chao.
This was the first time Chen Jin Chao had done such a thing.
He also realized that his mindset was changing, especially after having a daughter; his previous views were beginning to crumble.
"I am ultimately not a saint; the selfish gene is still in my bones," Chen Jin Chao sighed.
After dealing with the matters in Jiangning, the family of three returned to the capital.
The Li family only sent Li Tiannan to welcome Chen Jin Chao, without extending an invitation for him to dine with them, which made Yu Mengzhi quite displeased. Chen Jin Chao, however, saw nothing amiss, as the Li family’s standing gave them the capital to be aloof.
To Chen Jin Chao’s surprise, on the first day back in the capital, he received an invitation to a welcoming banquet from Qin Fengwu.
Yu Mengzhi felt something was amiss and hoped Chen Jin Chao would not attend.
However, after learning that Qin Fengwu had also been helping in secret, Chen Jin Chao decided to meet Qin Fengwu and see what he was up to.
Before attending the welcoming banquet that evening, Chen Jin Chao had one more important matter to attend to – visiting Xu Hanchen.
This old gentleman was his guide and, in a way, Chen Jin Chao’s mentor.
Chen Jin Chao owed much of his current achievements to Xu Hanchen.
In the afternoon.
Chen Jin Chao, carrying his daughter, visited the Xu family.
The Xu family was no longer as lively as before; even the guards at the entrance had been replaced. Chen Jin Chao felt these people were not there to protect Xu Hanchen but to monitor him, which inevitably made Chen Jin Chao feel the sadness of being neglected after one has fallen from grace.
Xu Yaoyao had already learned that Chen Jin Chao was coming, so she waited at the entrance early.
Upon seeing Chen Jin Chao and his daughter, Xu Yaoyao stepped forward with a smile to welcome them and took Chen Sinian from Chen Jin Chao’s arms.
"Auntie Xu, hello," little Sinian said.
Chen Jin Chao said in mock annoyance, "Why are you calling her Auntie? You’re making your Sister Xu sound old."
Chen Sinian said plaintively, "But Auntie Xu told me to call her that. My mom used to tell me to call her sister, but she refused…"
"Ahem, why are we talking about this? Come in and sit," Xu Yaoyao said without blushing.
Chen Jin Chao didn't think much of it and entered the house with Xu Yaoyao.
The mansion was also much quieter than before, making Chen Jin Chao sigh inwardly. Xu Yaoyao seemed to sense his thoughts and said calmly, "Since Grandfather fell ill, those who were very attentive to him no longer visit, fearing contamination. Take Lin Zhige, for instance. He used to visit my grandfather every year, but after my grandfather fell ill, he stopped coming."
"This is human nature; I've long since gotten used to it," Chen Jin Chao said.
"Where is Old Xu? I'll go see him."
Xu Yaoyao pursed her lips and said, "Follow me. Grandfather is basking in the sun in the backyard."
Chen Jin Chao grunted and followed her to the backyard. The moment he entered, Chen Jin Chao saw a forlorn figure standing under a bare tree in the backyard, basking in the sun. Xu Yaoyao, holding little Sinian, walked up to Xu Hanchen and softly said, "Grandpa, Brother Jin Chao is here."
"Hmm?"
Xu Hanchen turned around and saw Chen Sinian at a glance.
Chen Sinian said with a giggle to Xu Hanchen, "Grandpa Xu, hello."
"Ah, hello. I'm good," Xu Hanchen nodded.
Xu Yaoyao glanced at Chen Jin Chao with some awkwardness. It seemed Xu Hanchen hadn’t heard her. So, Xu Yaoyao said again, "Grandpa, Brother Jin Chao is also here."
"Who?" Xu Hanchen’s expression faltered.
Following Xu Yaoyao’s gaze into the distance, Xu Hanchen saw Chen Jin Chao standing tall but remained silent.
Xu Yaoyao said to Chen Jin Chao, "Brother Jin Chao, don't blame my grandfather. Besides me and little Sinian, my grandfather has forgotten many people."
The implication was—
He might not even remember Chen Jin Chao.
Chen Jin Chao walked up to Xu Hanchen, his eyes slightly red, and then gave a very standard military salute, "General Xu, I’m back!"
"You are..." Xu Hanchen hesitated.
Chen Jin Chao’s nose twitched, and his voice was hoarse, "Old Xu, I am Chen Jin Chao, your soldier."
Xu Hanchen showed a look of realization and, to Xu Yaoyao’s stunned gaze, burst into laughter, "Hahaha, I knew you would come back! It’s good that you’re back, it’s good. You must do well from now on, don’t disappoint me, don’t disappoint the country, and certainly don’t disappoint the people."
Xu Yaoyao and Chen Jin Chao exchanged a glance. Had Xu Hanchen remembered everything?
"Grandpa, have you remembered everything?" Xu Yaoyao asked excitedly.
Xu Hanchen still laughed, "What are you talking about? I’ve never forgotten. Chen Jin Chao is my most promising disciple, and now he’s finally back. Remember a few days ago when I went to Ninghai to ask him to rejoin the ranks? This boy absolutely refused."
"It is a great virtue to amend one's mistakes."