Pan Shaohang laughed triumphantly, spreading his arms wide, strutting into the living room with an air of not recognizing any of his relatives.

"Who's here today? How are we going to drink? Yo, Wen Yu, Little Zheng, what are you guys just standing around for?"

The first people Pan Shaohang noticed, of course, were Wen Yu and District Director Zheng, who had not yet taken their seats.

Then, in the main seat facing the entrance of the hall, he saw Liao Miaochen.

"Ha, Second Brother, what's with the dark circles? Who did you stay up drinking with?"

Then without waiting for anyone to reply, he quickly glanced around and, not seeing Chen Yanfei, felt a bit sad inside but also somewhat relieved.

—Chen Yanfei and Han Lie were sitting opposite Liao Miaochen, with their backs to the entrance of the hall. With the sofa being so big, one could only see half a head, which even a god wouldn't recognize.

Since Chen Yanfei wasn't there, he naturally had to shoot off his mouth a bit.

"My future wife didn't come, huh? Makes sense, she usually doesn't go to these kinds of get-togethers... Damn, this woman is getting more and more aloof, always responding on the phone with those noncommittal hums and ahs. She needs a lesson sooner or later!"

Liao Miaochen's eyes widened, and his mouth gaped open.

He really did want to stop him.

Unfortunately, Pan Shaohang had been grounded by his father for too long and was finally released today, boasting so extravagantly that he didn't give anyone a chance to interject.

Liao Miaochen tried to comfort himself. It's not a big problem... uh, it shouldn't be, right?

District Director Zheng, as Pan Shaohang's number one sidekick, naturally thought of his big brother's feelings, so he hurriedly went over to him.

"Bro, Yanfei is here..."

The smile on Pan Shaohang's face froze instantly. District Director Zheng clearly saw his big brother's pupils dilate dramatically, losing their previous luster.

Man, that's freakin' tragic...

District Director Zheng felt a pang of empathetic sorrow, but for some reason, he also felt like laughing...

Of course, I couldn't possibly laugh. I'd rather die than do that.

He hurriedly helped Pan Shaohang smooth things over and divert attention. "Bro, you arrived just in time! We were just talking about you!"

"Ah? Hahaha! Really?"

Pan Shaohang quickly forced a chuckle and regained his composure, then gave District Director Zheng an approving look and asked loudly, "What about? Laughing at the shameful incident of me repeating a year again?"

It was apparent that Pan Shaohang had learned something from the last lesson.

At least he had learned to be self-deprecating, right?

He thought, If I play up my own misery, Chen Yanfei might feel too embarrassed to hold me to account. My repeating a year has a teensy bit to do with you, right? Are you still going to berate me?!

It was a beautiful thought, but he never expected District Director Zheng to say what he did.

"Who else but that fucking idiot Han Lie? Taking your money and making a fortune in the Magic Capital, and then coming back and showing off like he's something special. Shit, he doesn't even take a piss to look at what he's really worth!"

Pan Shaohang was completely stunned.

Are you sick or something? Why the hell are you bringing up Han Lie?!

If there was one name that Pan Shaohang, at this moment, absolutely did not want to mention, or even hear, it would definitely be Han Lie.

「That happened the day before yesterday.」

He was at home reviewing diligently, striving for improvement, preparing to test into a C9 university to make everyone look at him anew and completely wash away the shame of repeating a year.

Then his father came back from outside.

He happened to be eating watermelon downstairs and hurriedly went over, gripping the watermelon, and greeted him obsequiously, "Dad, it's the New Year holidays, when will you let me go out?"

In fact, Pan Dajun was in a very good mood, since his interaction with Han Lie that day had been very relaxed and pleasant.

But upon seeing his son, a surge of anger sprang from nowhere.

Without thinking, he went up and landed a hefty kick, sending Pan Shaohang sprawling onto the couch, the watermelon rind slapped over his eyes.

Pan Shaohang let out a cry, startling his mother.

Pan's mother was deeply distressed and rushed over to check his injuries, scolding as she examined him.

"Pan Dajun, what the hell are you doing?! If you're pissed off about something outside, you should vent it out there! Why take it out on my son? I..."

But before she could finish her tirade, Pan Dajun roared, "Shut up! Or else, pack him up and both of you get the hell back to your hometown!"

Both mother and son were immediately silenced.

Before this, Pan Dajun very rarely lost his temper with them. Firstly, he had neither the time nor energy for domestic quarrels. Secondly, he had a smooth temperament and wasn't prone to rage.

This was only the second time in history.

Not daring to provoke her husband further, Pan's mother asked timidly, "What's the matter, Old Pan? Is there some big trouble? Don't panic, we can face it together..."

Pan Shaohang also hurriedly tried to curry favor. "Dad, don't worry, I'll be obedient!"

Then with a single sentence, Pan Dajun left both mother and son dumbfounded—

"Today, I paid a visit to Han Lie. From now on, we'll be pretty much addressing each other as equals. If you ever get the chance to meet him again, you make damn sure you respectfully call him 'Uncle'!"

At that moment, Pan Shaohang completely fell apart.

Not even being struck by lightning could describe it; it was like ten thousand alpacas had trampled over him, again and again, and they even defecated on him!

"Why?!"

The question burst out spontaneously.

"Because he's the one who can save your dad's life!"

Pan Dajun's response came just as spontaneously, and he stepped forward, about to kick again.

Luckily, he was stopped in time by Pan's mother.

Not daring to further agitate her husband, she quickly soothed him, "Husband, sit down and let's talk it over slowly. You've got to give a reason, and let the child have time to accept it..."