Chapter 565: Chapter 565: Father and Son Reconciliation

"You knew they were cheating and you still went to gamble?" Mu Wan glared at Mu Chengzhen and snapped.

Hearing this, Mu Chengzhen scratched his head in embarrassment. He had only meant to have a little fun, but he got sucked in and went on tilt.

"Alright, I’m a cardsharp too, and a very good one at that. Don’t worry, just come with me," Lin Kuang said, looking at Mu Chengzhen with a smile. "By the way, what time do things get started over there?"

"Anytime after eight o’clock tonight. We can go whenever," Mu Chengzhen replied quickly after a moment’s thought.

"Oh, good. We’ll head over and try our luck then," Lin Kuang said.

"Brother-in-law, are you sure about this? Forget about whether we can win, I’m worried they’ll come after us the second we set foot on San Ye Sect’s territory because of what happened with He Xue," Mu Chengzhen said, his voice laced with fear.

"Don’t worry. As long as I’m there, they won’t lay a finger on you. Relax," Lin Kuang said calmly.

"Don’t be reckless, Kuang," Zeng Yuxiang interjected. "If it’s too risky, your Uncle Mu and I can scrape the money together. Eighty million is a huge sum, but I’m sure we can figure something out." After all, she was worried Lin Kuang would also get dragged into this mess, which would spell disaster for everyone.

"Oh, don’t worry, Mom. He’ll be fine," Mu Wan said. She knew Lin Kuang better than anyone. How could a little thing like this possibly stop him?

"Really? He’ll be fine?" Zeng Yuxiang asked, still not entirely convinced.

"Yes, he will be. Don’t worry," Mu Wan replied with a reassuring smile.

Hearing her daughter’s confident words, Zeng Yuxiang finally nodded, though she was still half in doubt.

"Mom, what time will Dad be back?" Mu Wan asked with a smile after checking the time.

"Around five, maybe closer to six," Zeng Yuxiang replied, also smiling.

"Alright. Mu Chengzhen, you will apologize to Dad the moment he gets back," Mu Wan said, looking at her brother with a threatening glint in her eyes.

Upon hearing this, Mu Chengzhen nodded miserably. The thought of having to face his father tonight was utterly depressing.

The four of them chatted until noon, when Zeng Yuxiang cooked a few dishes for them all to eat together. Now that Mu Chengzhen had turned over a new leaf, the atmosphere was quite harmonious. Nothing much happened that afternoon. They chatted idly and watched TV, and the time passed quickly.

At around five-thirty, nearly six o’clock, a car pulled into the manor, and a man in his late forties stepped out. He was dressed in casual clothes, but his square-jawed face radiated a stern authority that was almost forbidding. This was Mu Junwen, the father of Mu Wan and Mu Chengzhen.

His foul expression was due to the red car parked by the entrance. It belonged to his good-for-nothing son, so if the car was here, that worthless brat must be as well. The very thought of Mu Chengzhen made Mu Junwen’s blood boil.

However, as Mu Junwen stepped into the main hall, he abruptly saw Lin Kuang sitting on the sofa. And sitting right beside him was Mu Wan! He wasn’t mistaken; the girl next to Lin Kuang was his daughter, Mu Wan, who had been missing for over a year!

"Wan... Wan’er... is that you?" Even a man as composed as Mu Junwen couldn’t hide the tremor in his voice, his composure shattering at the sight of his daughter.

"Dad." Mu Wan shot up from her seat and, like a swallow returning to its nest, flew into Mu Junwen’s arms, hugging the father who now seemed so much older.

Confirming the scene before him was real, Mu Junwen wrapped his trembling hands around Mu Wan, holding her tightly.

"You troublesome girl... As long as you’re alive, that’s all that matters. That’s all that matters," Mu Junwen murmured, embracing his daughter.

"I’m okay, Dad. I’m okay... You’ve aged so much," Mu Wan whispered, her beautiful eyes shimmering with tears.

"Well, everyone gets old. Who gets younger as they live? You silly girl," Mu Junwen teased with a laugh. His foul mood from moments before vanished, replaced by pure joy.

They held each other for a long time before finally separating. Father and daughter met each other’s gaze and then broke into smiles.

"Have a seat," Mu Junwen said with a smile.

"Yes, Dad, you sit too," Mu Wan said.

"Alright, let’s all sit," Mu Junwen said cheerfully.

"Uncle Mu," Lin Kuang said, standing up to greet him with a smile.

"Well now, the boy has become a man," Mu Junwen said with a laugh, patting Lin Kuang’s shoulder. He was genuinely fond of Lin Kuang.

"Dad," Mu Chengzhen mumbled, also rising to his feet.

"I have no son like you! Get out!" Hearing Mu Chengzhen’s voice, the good mood Mu Junwen had found instantly evaporated, and his tone became furious.

Mu Chengzhen fell silent. In front of his father, he was like so many other sons who desperately wanted to explain themselves but couldn’t, creating a rift that soured their relationship.

"Dad, don’t be angry. Chengzhen knows he was wrong," Mu Wan said, shooting her brother a pointed look.

Seeing his sister’s signal, Mu Chengzhen hesitantly spoke up. "Dad, I know I was wrong. Please don’t be angry."

"Hmph, you know you were wrong? You’re even capable of knowing you’re wrong?" Mu Junwen sneered.

Mu Wan spoke up again, explaining the whole series of events and stressing once more that her brother truly regretted his actions. As he listened to her account, Mu Junwen nearly exploded with rage.

"Mu Chengzhen, oh, Mu Chengzhen! How did I end up with such a worthless son? You’re a damn idiot!" Mu Junwen roared, so angry he felt his lungs might burst.

Mu Chengzhen’s face flushed crimson, but he didn’t dare to retort.

"Uncle Mu, please calm down. Chengzhen really has learned his lesson this time. Please forgive him," Lin Kuang urged.

With Mu Wan and her mother Zeng Yuxiang also chiming in to soothe him, Mu Junwen’s expression finally softened a fraction.

"If you truly know you were wrong, then after this business is over, you’re joining me in the military district," Mu Junwen said, his voice level as he looked at Mu Chengzhen.

"Okay, I’ll go," Mu Chengzhen agreed without hesitation.

He had truly seen the light. What’s the point of messing around? A real man defends his home and his country!

"You gave your word. Once you’re in the military district, if you dare to disobey, you’ll be punished according to military regulations!" Mu Junwen stated firmly.

"Okay," Mu Chengzhen affirmed once more.

Seeing this, most of Mu Junwen’s anger finally dissipated. The main reason, of course, was his immense happiness at seeing his daughter alive and well; otherwise, he never would have forgiven Mu Chengzhen so easily.