The Game of Life

Chapter 632: Chapter 630: The Iron Fist of Socialism

Jiang Weiming’s slap seemed to have knocked the power of speech right out of Jiang Yanlu. He stood frozen on the spot, unable to utter a word, mouth slightly open, holding his cheek, his expression indistinguishable between shock and an inexpressible mix of emotions.

“Get out, don’t block the TV; I don’t want to hit you a second time,” Jiang Weiming continued watching television, no longer paying any attention to Jiang Yanlu, as if what had just happened was a trivial matter.

At this moment, Jiang Weiming radiated the aura of a mafia boss.

Upon reflection, throughout Jiang Weiming’s tumultuous life, experiences of war, desertion, and even fleeing over mountains into Shu land to evade capture, 90% of fugitives and mafia bosses had not led a life as thrilling or as rich as his.

It was only now that Jiang Zhe, belatedly realizing the situation, recognized that the plot had completely deviated from his previous expectations—his carefully planned script was now utterly useless.

“Dad…” Jiang Yanlu still wanted to stammer something out, but Jiang Zhe, deciding not to procrastinate, immediately altered his approach on the spur of the moment.

“Grandpa, I really had no choice but to do this. I was deceived by those guys; I wouldn’t be in debt of over a million otherwise,” Jiang Zhe’s face changed, shifting from a brash hooligan demanding protection money to one pleading on his knees after being beaten.

And then, with a thud, Jiang Zhe kneeled down, tears streaming down his face as though a faucet had been turned on.

Jiang Feng: ?

Fuck, you kneel way too skillfully; how many times have you done this before?

Jiang Weiming remained unmoved, focused on the television.

“Grandpa, please save me. This really is the last time, I swear. I’ve already reformed. Those things I did before, I’ll never do them again. I was just cheated this time, I would never have owed so much money otherwise. It was all a setup by those who wanted our house!” Jiang Zhe knelt on the ground, crying bitterly; his performance well-rehearsed, suggesting plenty of practice at home.

Zhang Li placed the sliced apple she had peeled into a fruit plate, and Jiang Weiming picked up the plate, starting to eat the apple slices while watching television. Seeing this, Zhang Li began peeling a second apple.

Go to 𝑛𝘰𝘷𝗴𝘰.co

Jiang Weisheng glared at Jiang Zhe, as though itching to peel him.

Jiang Yanlu was completely dumbfounded; he couldn’t have imagined Jiang Zhe would owe even more than the last time, over a million this time around.

Jiang Feng had started privately messaging Jiang Shoucheng, asking why he hadn’t arrived at the ward yet; if Jiang Shoucheng didn’t come soon, he wouldn’t be able to help swinging into action.

No one paid any attention to Jiang Zhe’s spectacular performance.

“Grandpa, if you don’t believe me, ask my dad. I really was cheated. I’ve actually started to work hard. I even bought dad a new phone at the beginning of the year, didn’t I, Dad?”

Buying the phone was true. At that time, Jiang Zhe had won over two hundred thousand and thought himself a gambling god, becoming excessively arrogant and spendthrift, even willing to buy a new phone for Jiang Yanlu.

“Yeah, Dad, Zhe really has improved. He bought quite a few things for the house at the beginning of the year, he really was cheated,” Jiang Yanlu hastily concurred.

Jiang Feng, finally having a moment’s respite after sending the message, couldn’t help asking, “How was he cheated out of over a hundred thousand?”

“He, he…” Jiang Yanlu stuttered again, unable to articulate.

“Stock trading, futures?” Jiang Feng gave Jiang Yanlu two options.

“Stock trading, it was stock trading. Zhe was cheated by stock trading!” Jiang Yanlu said loudly, with certainty, “Zhe made over two hundred thousand at the beginning of this year through stocks, someone must have been jealous and deliberately tricked him!”

“He made over two hundred thousand from stocks? How much was his principal? How was he cheated? Which stocks did he buy?” Jiang Feng fired off four questions in rapid succession, completely deflating the dramatic emotion Jiang Zhe had managed to summon while kneeling on the floor.

Having suffered so many setbacks in such a short time, Jiang Zhe, who was not known for his patience or good temper to begin with, dropped the act. Still kneeling, he burst out at Jiang Feng, eyes bulging, a glare filled with fierce rage, as if trying to intimidate Jiang Feng with his fury and expressions.

“This is my family’s business, what the hell does it have to do with you? What right do you have to interfere? You don’t understand family matters, let me tell you, outsiders should stay out of it. If you know what’s good for you, you’d better scram right away, or I won’t be polite!” Jiang Zhe cursed angrily.

Would Jiang Feng be intimidated by Jiang Zhe’s false bravado? Only Mrs. Wang Xiulian’s slap could scare him.

Unmoved, Jiang Feng glanced at his phone to see if Jiang Shoucheng had replied to his message and then said slowly, “I forgot to introduce myself; I’m your cousin, Jiang Feng. This is indeed a family matter, but it’s our own family affair.”

“Since I went to Shu last year to bring Granduncle Weiming back, I haven’t seen either of you, and neither of you were there when he was initially hospitalized. Now, as he’s about to be discharged from the hospital fully recovered, you two show up with this attitude. It’s not for you to ask who I think I am; it’s for me to ask you the same question.”

Didn’t anyone tell you what our family does? You really think I, Jiang Feng, get scared easily?

Even Wang Hao runs for cover when he sees my rolling pin!

Jiang Jianguo, Jiang Jiandang, Jiang Jiankang, Jiang Jianshe, and Jiang Jianye, the five brothers, had already set out, so Jiang Feng was full of confidence.

Joking aside, everyone who had ever met his three cousins and Chen Xiuxiu, even the local thugs from outside of school, would avoid Jiang Feng.

“If you’re here to be dutiful descendants, then by all means, welcome. If not, I suggest you leave within the next five minutes because I cannot guarantee what might happen after that time,” Jiang Feng earnestly advised.

To Jiang Zhe, this grand statement sounded like a threat and intimidation. He’d played his part, cried his tears, and knelt down today. Seeing no sight of any money, and now to be threatened by some kid who popped out of nowhere, Jiang Zhe lost his temper on the spot. He scrambled up from the ground and charged, aiming to punch Jiang Feng.

Before Jiang Feng could dodge, Jiang Zhe was kicked and sent flying.

He was literally kicked away. From Jiang Feng’s point of view, Jiang Zhe had just rushed at him and before he could throw a punch, he was instantly relocated to the wall, crashed into it, and fell to the ground.

Face down.

With two shoe prints on his pants.

Wait, two?

One of the prints obviously came from Jiang Weisheng, who had twisted his leg with that kick and was now holding it and groaning in pain; Zhang Li hurriedly put down the half-peeled apple she was holding to check on him.

“What nonsense are you blathering about? Still think you’re the young lad from 20 years ago, kicking someone without hurting yourself; didn’t you see Master Jiang just made a move? Why don’t you learn more from Master Jiang?” scolded Zhang Li.

The other print belonged to Jiang Yong, who was currently livid, pointing at Jiang Zhe and cursing loudly, “You little beast, you dare to lash out.”

Compared to the kick he gave Jiang Xiaoran over a decade ago, Jiang Yong’s kicking technique had greatly improved.

“Brother, how could you…” Jiang Yanlu’s first reaction wasn’t to check his son’s injuries; instead, he was shocked to see Jiang Yong there.

“Uncle Jiang Yong, why have you come back?” Jiang Feng was also surprised.

“The more I thought about it, the more I felt something was off while waiting in line for the security check. I sent a message to Jiang Yanlu; he didn’t reply, and he didn’t answer when I called. So I changed my ticket and headed back,” said Jiang Yong with a grim look at Jiang Yanlu. “Luckily I came back; otherwise, I would have never known this little beast had the guts to strike.”

Struggling, Jiang Zhe climbed up from the ground. Although those kicks were heavy, he wasn’t seriously hurt; at worst, he’d have some bruises, not enough to warrant an admission to the neighboring room.

“You old fart, you actually dared to kick me!” Now Jiang Zhe was truly furious. “I swear I’ll kill you today.”

Then Jiang Feng heard a familiar loud shout, “What’s going on? Who’s throwing punches?”

The next second, Jiang Jianguo barged in with a rolling pin in hand. Following closely behind was Jiang Jiankang. Jiang Jianguo’s sleeves were dusted with flour, which he hadn’t managed to completely wipe off – likely he was making dumplings at home when Jiang Feng sent the message, and ended up bringing his rolling pin along.

Then Jiang Jianguo and Jiang Jiankang saw Jiang Weisheng, limping along and groaning in pain.

“Who started it? What happened to Jiang’s leg? Who did it? Was it you?” Jiang Jianguo pointed his rolling pin at Jiang Yanlu.

Frightened and unable to speak clearly, Jiang Yanlu had never seen such a scene before. He was used to seeing Jiang Zhe getting beaten up when the loan sharks came to collect debts years ago, not this kind of confrontation. Jiang Jianguo’s pointing made his legs weak.

“It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me,” Jiang Yanlu stammered, trembling with fear, forgetting that if it wasn’t him, the only other option was his precious son.

“Was it you?” Jiang Jianguo walked up to Jiang Zhe, his towering presence of 1.9 meters and over 200 pounds reminding Jiang Zhe of the feeling he had when the loan sharks were after him years ago.

A familiar fear washed over him.

“It wasn’t me, really it wasn’t me. I didn’t lay a hand on him, I didn’t,” Jiang Zhe repeatedly denied.

“If it wasn’t you, who else could it be? You little shit, you even dare to deny it at a time like this? You dare hit a person over 60 years old. You’re asking for a beating!” Jiang Jianguo grabbed Jiang Zhe by the collar.

“Dad, he even wanted to hit me just now. Uncle Jiang Yong saw it!” Jiang Feng took the chance to tattle.

Initially, Jiang Jiankang thought his older brother could handle it by himself and just wanted to stand back and enjoy the show, but upon hearing his son say that this brat had dared to lay a hand on his precious child, Jiang Jiankang instantly became enraged and quickly stepped forward to encircle Jiang Zhe with Jiang Jianguo.

Jiang Zhe instantly regretted his past actions. If he had known what Jiang Feng’s father looked like, he wouldn’t have dared to be so arrogant toward Jiang Feng just now.

Jiang Feng silently closed the door for Jiang Jiankang and Jiang Jianguo.

In the matter of disciplining children, although Jiang Jiankang and Jiang Jianguo were not as professional as the old man, after all the years of leading by example, they had learned a thing or two.

Firstly, avoid hitting the face; it’s not only easy for others to notice, but a heavy blow could also leave irreparable damage. Secondly, don’t hit the torso. Everyone is over 200 pounds and rugged, and they can take the beating; however, a small build like Jiang Feng’s could result in serious injuries.

The last and most important point is to make reasonable use of everything at hand because beating someone is also a physical activity. It isn’t ideal when people like Jiang Weisheng hurt themselves while beating others.

As Jiang Zhe was undergoing ‘socialistic reform’ via fists, the door opened once again, and a robust man in a white coat walked in.

Seeing the white coat, Jiang Zhe thought he saw a savior and, struggling, stretched out a hand, shouting, “Doctor, doctor, someone is beating people!”

“Who’s causing trouble? This is a hospital, don’t you understand!” Jiang Shoucheng feigned ignorance.

Jiang Jianguo and Jiang Jiankang felt that they had given enough ‘fire control’ and stopped. Jiang Zhe didn’t know that. Thinking Jiang Jianguo and Jiang Jiankang were afraid of Jiang Shoucheng, he quickly sought help, “Doctor, help me call the police, I want to report them! They beat and threatened me for no reason, they’re gangsters, arrest them!”

Jiang Shoucheng walked over to Jiang Zhe and lifted him up.

Jiang Zhe realized once again that things weren’t going as he had imagined.

Noticing Jiang Weisheng’s leg, Jiang Shoucheng said, “Well, look at you, causing trouble and injuring someone in a hospital ward. Do you know where you are? It’s a hospital, a place for treating and saving lives. Come with me; I need to give you a good talking to!”

With that, Jiang Shoucheng dragged Jiang Zhe out with him.

Jiang Zhe: ???

Are you blind, doctor? Didn’t you see who was hitting whom just now?

Having had some rough times on the fringes of the underworld, Jiang Zhe thought of many things.

He thought about his kidney, his liver, and even his corneas.

Jiang Zhe began to struggle violently, shouting in a futile effort to draw the attention of others in the corridor.

“Mr. Jiang, go get registered and go to the emergency room to check your leg,” Jiang Shoucheng suggested.

Jiang Weisheng and Zhang Li nodded, and Zhang Li helped Jiang Weisheng walk out, following behind Jiang Shoucheng.

“Save me, save me, the doctor is hitting people!” Jiang Zhe shouted with all his might.

Patients, doctors, and nurses on the way were unfazed by the scene, and some nurses even greeted Jiang Shoucheng, “Dr. Jiang, working hard.”

“No trouble at all, I’m just going outside to handle a minor issue.”

“My goodness, Madam Zhang, what happened to Mr. Jiang’s leg?” The nurse recognized Zhang Li and Jiang Weisheng.

“It’s all his fault, thank goodness Dr. Jiang arrived in time. Now I’m taking my husband to the emergency room to see his leg,” Zhang Li said.

“You go ahead; is everything okay in the ward?” the nurse asked with concern.

“All good, just my husband got a bit hurt,” Zhang Li replied.

“I won’t disturb you any longer; go to the emergency room,” the nurse said.

Jiang Zhe being dragged away: ???

What kind of unscrupulous hospital is this?

Is there no justice in the world?

Jiang Zhe’s subsequent issues were left to Jiang Shoucheng, who specialized in dealing with medical disturbances, and the ward now had to start dealing with the matter of Jiang Yanlu.

Handling Jiang Yanlu didn’t require anyone else to personally get involved; just a word from Jiang Yong was enough.

“What are you still doing here? Not going to check if your precious son might end up missing an arm or leg later?” Jiang Yong sneered.

“Brother, I…” Jiang Yanlu, whose main trait was his inability to articulate a full sentence without faltering, hesitated for a few seconds before quickly leaving in pursuit.

Once Jiang Yanlu had left, Jiang Yong asked, “What are they here for?”

Jiang Feng thought for a moment, “Seems like… they came to borrow money from Granduncle Weiming?”

“Borrow money?” Jiang Yong found it inconceivable. Jiang Zhe and Jiang Yanlu would not travel all this way by train to borrow money from Jiang Weiming, even if they swapped brains with dogs.

Jiang Weiming’s coffin had already been emptied by them.

“Maybe, I forgot to ask what exactly they came here for?”

“Right, what did they come here to do?”