Volume 1 Chapter 5 Has Changed?

  The Zhē River Collection is located in Qiao's residence on the most prosperous street in town.

  In the main room, an old man in his fifties or sixties, wearing a pair of reading glasses, sat at a willow wood square table, flipping through a thick account book with his left hand and skillfully manipulating the worn-out abacus with his right hand. This person was none other than Qiao Anbang's father, Qiao Siyuan.

  Qiao Siyuan was the fourth among his siblings, so he was also nicknamed Qiao Laosi and Qiao Siye.

  Generally, older relatives or acquaintances will address the former, while younger generations will address the latter.

  Talking about Qiao Siyuan's family, they still have a connection with the famous Shanxi merchant family, Qiao family. Due to the long passage of time, by the time of Qiao Siyuan's generation, their connection with the Shanxi Qiao family had already been severed, and even Qiao Siyuan himself could no longer remember how his family branched off from the Shanxi Qiaos.

  As for Qiao Siyuan's family, although it can't compare to the wealth of the Qiao family in Shanxi, it is still considered one of the top households in the Zhuheshang area. When Qiao Siyuan took over the family business from his father's generation, the Qiao family's assets were already astonishing, owning hundreds of hectares of good land and dozens of large and small shops specializing in the sale of tea leaves, tuoguan wine and other local specialties.

  After Qiao Siyuan took over the family business, he worked hard to expand it. In just over 20 years, he increased the family's assets by more than tenfold. At this point, the Qiao family owned thousands of hectares of good land, hundreds of large and small shops scattered throughout the counties and towns of northern Anhui, and had also expanded into livestock such as cattle and sheep, as well as medicinal materials.

  In short, the Qiao family is now a well-known name in northern Anhui, and in the Zhongyuan area, they are the largest landlord and the richest household.

  All the girls from far and near were eager to marry the eldest and second sons of the Qiao family, but no one was willing to marry the notorious third son of the Qiao family.

  Qiao Siyuan, although over fifty years old, was still mentally sharp and quickly finished calculating the accounts. He put away his account book, adjusted his reading glasses, and immediately walked out of the main hall.

  Just then, a middle-aged man came rushing towards him. Qiao Siyuan looked up to see that it was their family's steward, Qiao Wu.

  Qiao Wuben's original surname was not Qiao, but he came to this place ten years ago as a refugee from elsewhere. Just when he was about to starve to death by the roadside, Qiao Siyuan, who had returned from collecting land rent from outside, saved him. To repay Qiao Siyuan for saving his life, he changed his surname to Qiao and named himself Wuben because Qiao Siyuan was the fourth in his family's birth order.

  Later, Qiao Siyuan learned that Qiao Wu was not an ordinary fugitive. He was originally from the Beiyang Army of Yuan Shikai. During the Northern Expedition of the Revolutionary Army, his unit was defeated and he became a deserter. Qiao Wu, who had changed his name and surname, stayed with the Qiao family from then on, being extremely loyal to them. Moreover, since childhood, he also taught Qiao Anguo martial arts and shooting skills.

  As for Qiao An's family, due to his introverted nature, he liked literature but not martial arts, so he didn't learn martial arts or practice shooting with his older brother. The third son, Qiao Anbang, was mischievous and naughty since childhood, although he also followed to learn for a few years, but because of his lack of diligence, whether it was marksmanship or kung fu, he learned nothing useful. However, he shamelessly thought he was good enough, bullying some widows and big girls was sufficient.

  Qiao Wu quickly walked up to Qiao Siyuan and bowed his head respectfully, saying: "Master, I didn't find Third Young Master. I asked the girls in the brothel, they said that Third Young Master did indeed stay there last night, but early this morning he left with two popular courtesans from the brothel. It's said that he even hired a horse carriage, but no one knows where he went."

  "Hmph!" Qiao Siyuan's face changed instantly, and he coldly scolded: "You good-for-nothing, always idle and causing trouble, it's best if you die outside and never come back, so I won't have to worry about you!" As for his son's various misdeeds, Qiao Siyuan was well aware of them. In his eyes, his eldest and second sons were both talented, one in literature and the other in martial arts. Only his third son, Qiao Anbang, had been a bully and a rascal since he grew up, causing trouble in the countryside, doing whatever he pleased, and spending all his time eating, drinking, and having fun with local thugs and thieves, or stealing money from home to visit brothels. At such a young age, he had no ambition whatsoever.

  Qiao Anbang's usual behavior often provokes public outrage, but due to the Qiao family's power, no one dares to do anything to him.

  It can be said that Qiao Anbang has lost face for the entire Qiao family, and everyone near and far knows that the third young master of the Qiao family is a idle and dissolute son.

  If it weren't for the fact that he was his own flesh and blood, if he hadn't promised his deceased mother to take good care of him, perhaps Qiao Siyuan would have long since endured the pain and cut ties with him, letting him fend for himself.

  Qiao Wu had followed Qiao Si for over a decade, so he naturally understood his thoughts and ideas very well. He knew that although Old Master was extremely annoyed with Third Young Master on the surface, he still cared about him in his heart. Otherwise, he wouldn't have hurriedly sent someone to look for him as soon as he didn't return for one night.

  Actually, the old master was just angry that the third young master was not making an effort. The Qiao family is a well-known and respected local family with a large business empire. The eldest son, Qiao Anguo, has already joined the military to serve the country. Although the second son is diligent and studious, he lacks talent and has a weak personality, making him unsuitable to take over the management of the Qiao family's vast assets. Originally, the old master had high hopes for the third young master, who was intelligent from a young age, and expected him to take over the family business with the second son's assistance when he grew up. However, no one expected that as the third young master grew older, his character would gradually deteriorate, turning him into a complete idle rich young man.

  This made Old Master both angry and annoyed. For Third Young Master, he could be said to have worried excessively, but when Old Master was young, he also had a stubborn temper. Although his mouth scolded and raged at Third Young Master, in his heart, there was even more a sense of helpless frustration that iron cannot be made into steel. Of course, only Qiao Wu understood this.

  "Master, I think the young master will be back soon. When that happens, I'll advise him properly. After all, he's still young." Zhou Wu said calmly.

  "Alas, our family is unfortunate. How did I, Old Fourth Jo, give birth to such a prodigal son?" Jo Siyuan sighed and turned to leave.

  Just then, a man in his early twenties rushed in with quick steps. Qiao Siyuan heard the sound and turned back to see that it was none other than Xiao Wu, their own partner.

  "The old master and young master have returned." Xiao Wu reported, panting heavily.

  As soon as Xiao Wu's voice fell, a burst of footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate. Jo Anbang and Yalixi Fei hurried in, carrying two large bags in their hands.

  Qiao Anbang stepped inside and saw Qiao Siyuan's solemn face, memories of him flooded his mind, he hastily stepped forward and said: "Father, I'm back." His tone was sincere and his face full of affection.

  "Hmph, you still know how to come back." Qiao Siyuan's face turned stern as soon as he saw that Qiao Anbang had brought a woman back.

  "It's all right as long as Young Master comes back, it's all right!" Qiao Wu hastily chimed in to smooth things over when he saw Qiao Siyuan's unpleasant expression.

  "Dad, Fifth Uncle, let me introduce you. This is my friend, Yifei, surname Liu. She's just returned from studying abroad and majored in medicine. I know your old leg injury hasn't healed for years, so I invited Yifei to our home to take a look at it. And these are the supplements I bought for you."

  "Hello, Uncle!" Yalifeng said respectfully with a slight bow. On the way here, Qiao Anbang had made all the arrangements. In order to avoid arousing suspicion from Old Man Liu and others, he had arranged for Yali to assume this identity. The reason he added the surname "Liu" to Yali was also to make it easier for people to call her name smoothly, after all, the surname "Yalifeng" still sounded a bit unusual in today's China.

  And also ordered Wang Gen-sheng not to leak this matter out.

  Qiao Siyuan was never too fond of Qiao Anbang, his third son, due to the latter's past misdeeds. His previous sons had never shown concern for him, and even his father didn't care about him.

  He can't help but feel a warmth in his heart as he now actively cares about himself, and the small change in his son is also very comforting to him as a father.

  Feeling relieved in her heart, Qiao Siyuan looked at Qiao Anbang and found him slightly more pleasing to the eye. Naturally, she also felt less averse to Yalifei, who had come with Qiao Anbang. She nodded lightly and said, "Miss Liu has traveled far, please rest first."

  After finishing speaking, Qiao Siyuan's eyes turned serious and he looked at Qiao Anbang with a solemn tone, saying: "Anbang, come with me for a moment."

  "Oh, okay." Jo Ann responded with a nod and gave Yalai a glance before quickly turning around to follow Jo Sifang away.

  After seeing the two people off, Qiao Wu smiled and bowed his hands to Ya Li: "Miss Liu, please follow me."

  "Oh." After glancing at Qiao Anbang's back, Yalifeng responded with a sound and followed Qiao Wu to the sedan chair.

  Qiao Siyuan walked into his own account house with a steady pace, carrying something on his back. This was not only an account house but also his study room. The interior decoration was very simple and unadorned, with a wooden desk made of willow wood, several chairs, and a three-meter-long wooden bookshelf against the wall behind the desk.

  On the bookshelf, there were many books and some account books. Qiao Siyuan walked to the back of the office desk, picked up an account book at random, and asked in a tone with a hint of reprimand: "Anbang, you're not young anymore, can't always go on like this! Think about it, was it easy for your old man to start this business? Your elder brother is devoted to the country, joined the army, your second brother has been following me to learn how to do business and negotiate deals all these years. But wanting to take over such a large family business alone, it's still a bit too much for you to handle!"

  "So it still requires your two brothers to work together in harmony to continue our Qiao family business, carry it forward and make it flourish, and fight for the honor of our old Qiao family!"

  "Alas, never mind, I know you'll just ignore what I'm saying again. Alas, our family is really unfortunate..."

  But Qiao Anbang's next words were unexpected by Qiao Siyuan.

  "Dad, you're absolutely right. I'll be a good person from now on and won't disappoint your expectations. For you, for our old Jiao family, I'll study hard and strive to do my best!" said Jiao Anbang with a sincere face.

  Qiao Siyuan turned his head in disbelief and asked in shock: "What did you just say? You...say it again."

  "Dad! I, your son, promise to be a good person from now on, work hard and strive to repay the kindness you've shown me in raising me!" As he spoke, Qiao Anbang knelt down with a thud, his expression sincere as he said: "Dad, I've come to my senses. In the past, my actions have disappointed your expectations and brought shame to our family. From now on, I will be a good person and properly take care of you! Please forgive me for my ignorance and foolishness in the past! Let me kowtow to you!"

  Qiao An bowed his head heavily to Qiao Siyuan, whether it was because he had taken away his son's body or out of respect for this old man who had been waiting for his son to become a dragon. Qiao Anbang felt that he should do so, which would not only achieve his own goal but also fulfill the wish of a father waiting for his son to become a dragon.

  Looking at Qiao Anbang's sudden change, Qiao Siyuan's hands trembled with excitement. A huge wave had been stirred up in his heart. He couldn't understand how his own son could say such things and even took the initiative to apologize to him by kowtowing.

  If it weren't for him standing right in front of her, Qiao Siyuan would have even doubted whether this was really her own son, or the one who had broken her heart and made her almost completely lose hope.

  Looking at Qiao Anbang kneeling on the ground, Qiao Siyuan only felt a sour nose, and tears kept flowing from his wrinkled eyes.

  "It's been over twenty years, a whole twenty plus years, and my own son has finally grown up and become sensible." For a father who is eager for his son to succeed, there is nothing more comforting than this.

  Qiao Anbang knelt on the ground, looked up and saw Qiao Siyuan in tears, his face somewhat distressed, saying: "Dad, don't you want to forgive your son? Your son will definitely change, please give your son a chance to start anew! Dad!"

  "No! Good son, hurry up and get up, Dad forgives you, Dad believes you can change!" Qiao Siyuan hastily stepped forward, his trembling hands helping Qiao Anbang to his feet, his shaking hands tightly grasping Qiao Anbang's arms, carefully examining this son who had undergone a huge transformation.

  Facing Qiao Siyuan's gaze filled with paternal love, Qiao Anbang also felt a lump in his throat, his nose sour, and his eyes moist. From Qiao Siyuan's eyes, he saw the comfort and joy of a father, which were entirely due to his own changes.

  In silence, Qiao Anbang made a vow that he would make this old father happy and joyful forever, not for anything else, but for the paternal love that had been absent from his life for so long.

  PS: Everyone should be able to see that Autumn Wind's chapters are over 3,000 words each, and this chapter is even a big one with over 4,000 words. It's all for everyone to enjoy reading, not just for rushing up the rankings or cheating clicks with 2,000-word chapters. Please recommend, collect and support Autumn Wind, I'll definitely work hard to update every day and strive upwards! Endless gratitude.