"Dad, the only thing you care about is the last question, right?"
Yan Chou's cheerful disposition made Yan Shouyi wonder if he was the one visiting his father in prison, while his dad was out enjoying life.
Yan Chou chuckled, "I've spent most of my life in prison. You're the only family I have left. What else could I hope for? Am I supposed to hope to hold my grandson? Or am I supposed to have another brother for you? Even if my physical condition allowed it, your mother's spirit in the afterlife wouldn't agree!"
According to Yan Chou, Yan Shouyi's mother was still protecting the father and son from the other side. If Yan Chou caused trouble and displeased Yan Shouyi's mother, she wouldn't be with them anymore.
Yan Shouyi smiled helplessly. He had never met his mother. However, if his father could be happy, he wouldn't mind having a stepmother.
"Stop pretending. You wouldn't know who the person I like is?" Yan Shouyi said, "Didn't you send a letter to Old Jin, asking him to pass it to Zhitong?"
"Oh, your kid's brain is quite sharp. Looks like I don't have to worry too much about you," Yan Chou chuckled. "The young lady from the Lin family is very good, and she's worthy of you."
If Yan Shouyi couldn't grasp such simple logic, he would be no different from an idiot. Clearly, Yan Chou was pretending to be foolish, and after being exposed by Yan Shouyi, he found an excuse to back down.
Listening to Yan Chou, Yan Shouyi felt as if he would end with a "but." However, Yan Chou stopped mid-sentence, as if holding back half of his words. This made Yan Shouyi feel stifled.
Despite being in prison, Yan Chou seemed to know everything that was happening outside. It was as if a pair of eyes was constantly watching Yan Shouyi. Sometimes Yan Shouyi suspected these eyes belonged to Mu Niao San Yuan, but San Yuan had no opportunity to report to Yan Chou.
Alternatively, his father's fortune-telling skills had become extraordinary, allowing him to foresee everything outside even while imprisoned. Finally, there was one last possibility, which was precisely why Yan Shouyi had come today.
He grew serious and asked, "Dad, I actually have many questions for you."
"Just a moment." Yan Chou interrupted Yan Shouyi and turned to ask a nearby police officer for two cigarettes. Other inmates watched Yan Chou enviously. Yan Chou smiled and greeted them while holding a cigarette. It was evident that Yan Chou not only had a good relationship with the police officers but also got along well with the inmates.
He lit a cigarette, crossed his legs leisurely, and said, "Ask away."
Yan Shouyi asked, "Do you know Xue Kai?"
"Xue Kai? Yes, I do. Hasn't he contacted you yet?" Yan Chou countered.
"Why would he contact me? Who is he?"
"Son! How can you not understand such a simple question? Xue Kai is very perceptive. During my time serving my sentence, I imparted some contents of the Lu Ban Book to him. After his release, in gratitude, he promised to protect you for three years."
Yan Shouyi's mouth widened in surprise, yet it felt within expectations. He had analyzed Xue Kai's behavior before, and it seemed he was protecting him.
Yan Chou continued, "In the past, you had your grandfather to protect you, and he handled many troubles for you. Now you're venturing out on your own and have found a beloved girl. You're bound to do some foolish things. I trained Xue Kai precisely to become your shadow, to do things for you that you can't do yourself."
Things you can't do yourself?
"For example?"
"Killing," Yan Chou replied simply. He took a puff of his cigarette and said softly, "You should know your destiny. You killed so many people in your previous life and are here to repay your debts. If you kill again and become tainted by malevolence, even your grandfather rising from his grave won't save you! That's why I trained Xue Kai. Xue Kai is just an ordinary person filled with hatred. He can kill, but you cannot. Do you understand?"
Yan Shouyi's lips twitched. He took a deep breath, leaned back in his chair, and suddenly felt that his father seemed more unfamiliar than before. The changes in his appearance and personality were nothing compared to the changes in his state of mind. It seemed his seemingly open-minded and cheerful father wasn't as he appeared on the surface. But he was still his father, and everything he did was for him.
Yan Chou said, "Your own strength is considerable now, and you possess the body of a Heavenly Corpse Puppet. In fact, Xue Kai may not be your match, but his existence is essential."
"I... don't need Xue Kai," Yan Shouyi said, frowning.
"Stop pretending," Yan Chou smiled. "Since you're here to ask about Xue Kai today, you must have already met him. I previously instructed Xue Kai not to reveal himself easily unless necessary. This means Xue Kai has shown himself, and the only reason he would do so is – you harbored killing intent!"
Yan Shouyi had indeed harbored killing intent, to protect Lin Zitong. He wanted to retaliate in kind against Liu Quan and the others. He couldn't deny this, nor could he guarantee what would have happened if Xue Kai hadn't intervened then. At the same time, Yan Shouyi understood why Xue Kai had been avoiding him. His father wanted Xue Kai to be his shadow, but he didn't want this shadow to interfere with his life.
Yan Chou finished his first cigarette and lit another with the butt. He said meaningfully, "Having Xue Kai is better than not having him. If I had had a shadow back then, I wouldn't be sitting here now, and I wouldn't have missed your growth or your grandfather's funeral."
Looking at his greatly changed father, Yan Shouyi suddenly understood his father's good intentions. He didn't want his son to walk the same path he had.
"Son, you must understand that the world now is different from the chaotic times of the past. Now, rules are important. But some people simply refuse to abide by them, and you can't do anything about it. At such times... you need a shadow to break the rules for you."
Yan Chou held a cigarette, spread his palms, and placed them on the glass between them, saying softly, "Ultimately, your destiny is my fault as your father. If I had died back then, your pressure wouldn't be so great. As your father, I have missed your growth and don't want to miss your future. I will do everything in my power to protect your safety."
When Yan Chou said these words, all the unfamiliarity Yan Shouyi felt previously vanished. He was still the father he knew. Their family, the Yan family, was willing to sacrifice everything to protect their loved ones. His mother, grandmother, and grandfather had all passed away in this manner. Now, only he and his father were left to rely on each other, so his father would naturally spare no effort.
Yan Shouyi closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. He compromised, "I accept Xue Kai's existence, but I don't want him to hide. Tell me where he is, and I'll meet him and talk to him."
Unexpectedly, Yan Chou spread his hands and said helplessly, "I really don't know about that. Where Xue Kai goes is his freedom. In fact, if he doesn't want to be your shadow, I can't force him."
"You can't calculate it?"
"You can try to calculate it yourself." Yan Chou looked at Yan Shouyi with anticipation.
Yan Shouyi shook his head helplessly, "Are you testing me again?"
Since childhood, Yan Chou had never let Yan Shouyi slack off, often giving him problems to solve, with the goal of training him. Thus, Yan Shouyi immediately understood Yan Chou's intention. Yan Chou also wanted to see who was superior – Xue Kai, whom he had personally trained for five years, or his own son, Yan Shouyi. He truly was enjoying the spectacle!
"I understand. I'll find him myself," Yan Shouyi said.
"Good son, keep it up! When Dad gets out of prison, I'll give you another big gift!" Yan Chou chuckled.
"Let's forgo the gift. I just hope we can both be safe."