Chapter 424: Chen Xueru

August.

A single cannon blast fully opened the curtain of the era.

The Red Scarf group began spreading rapidly across the nation.

This year, Yingjiang and the Bear's two super‑size bombers roamed everywhere with nuclear warheads.

This year, Yingjiang's bomber dropped four hydrogen bombs on Bullfighting Country, almost sparking the Third Great War.

This year, Master Dai broke away from the Northern Contract.

This year, negotiations with the Euro‑Communist Union began.

This year, Yingjiang and the Bear's unmanned probes landed on Yueqiu.

This year, the Bear deployed dozens of thousands of Chen Bing in our Beifang, continuously creating border clashes. Yingjiang launched a full‑scale war against Annan in our south, also fielding dozens of thousands of Chen Bing, and Annan was nearly wiped out.

(I write this to show how great the difficulties we faced were; if other nations had been in our place they would have collapsed early. We not only avoided collapse, but by 1975 had achieved a full‑range industrial layout, a foundation that gave us fifty years of dividends, otherwise we would not have become a fully industrialized nation.)

(Don't use backwardness as an excuse; the industry may lag a bit, but the quality of industrial workers is not lagging at all—talent is the most important.)

Gangdao.

As events developed rapidly, Toutiao News published a column.

"A new group has stepped onto the stage of history; this is an ideological struggle."

"Yet chaos often heralds a feast of wealth; this open‑ended struggle lacks systematic rules or guarantees, and it is often nothing but chaos, chaos."

"Historical experience tells us that a youth who slays a dragon will become a vicious dragon; what miraculous elixir does the Mainland have to eradicate this historical fate?"

"Wealth, power, and Benefit not only create new vested interests, but their circulation inevitably causes immense losses."

"Who will foot the bill for these losses?"

"Culture, relics, and ancient architecture are the accumulation of a nation's civilization; how can we ensure their safety?"

"At this moment many things may be seen as decayed and guilty, but history develops; does a contemporary perception become truth?"

"Will the things deemed decayed now shine brilliantly again in the future?"

"Ancient culture shaped the nation's backbone; does eradicating all old culture amount to cutting the nation's roots?"

"When children ask about our history in the future, must we seek roots only for a comfortable life? Where does national pride remain?"

"Is it to seal away or to destroy?"

"Hero or sinner?"

"Will the ideological struggle expand? Will it be exploited? Will lives be lost?"

"Is slaughter sparked by differing thoughts persecution?"

The language of Toutiao News was unprecedentedly fierce; the point is, you may unify thought, but you must keep it in check—don't disrupt production, don't be wasteful, don't endanger lives.

(Don't spray me; I know speaking from the sidelines doesn't hurt the waist, it's just a sharp tongue.)

When the article was released, it caused a massive uproar in Gangdao.

Many emotion‑driven crowds, without distinguishing right from wrong, surrounded the Toutiao News office.

Terrified, Yang Qing and the others had to relocate.

You may besiege, but the reporting cannot change.

On the wall at the newspaper's entrance were huge characters.

"We do not worship authority; we question everything."

"The newspaper may go bankrupt, but its format cannot collapse."

Toutiao News's firmness drew many supporters; circulation did not drop, but rose.

It broke the hundred‑thousand mark in one go.

Seeing headlines surpass his own, Jin Daxia felt a sense of defeat.

He dares to write, but he lacks the courage to say anything.

After Toutiao's report, Hua Run approached Yang Qing, who firmly refused.

"The newspaper is free; we cannot turn a blind eye to problems."

Yang Qing's firmness caused many who doubted his collusion with the Mainland to change their stance outright.

Yang Qing's career suddenly smoothed out.

Many premium properties beyond his reach, Imperial City also became a participant.

Hui Feng Bank directly boosted his qualifications by a large margin.

Hu Lianxi was most pleased; his infiltration of Hong Fu suddenly became much easier.

The only one who might be unlucky is Chen Xueru.

Splendid World was greatly affected.

Chen Xueru that day stormed to the villa in a fury.

When she arrived, Yang Rong and the others were eating; she dared not act rashly, only glared at Yang Qing.

Yang Qing ignored her, saying, "Any problem you bring to me, am I your nanny?"

Seeing no one attend to her, Chen Xueru's anger turned into appetite; she seized food to eat, grabbed wine to drink.

By the time they finished eating, the woman was already drunk and muddled.

Yang Qing was speechless for a moment.

He signaled Qin Huairu to help her to the guest room.

Chen Hong smiled and leaned in, blowing air into Yang Qing's ear.

"I think she did it on purpose?"

"Hmm?"

Yang Qing's mind went blank.

Chen Hong said softly.

"The old drunkard's intention is not in the wine; I think she came for you."

"Believe it or not, she'll come looking for you in the middle of the night."

Yang Qing stared wide-eyed and said doubtfully.

"No way?"

Chen Hong said with feeling.

"You don't know how much damage age does to a woman."

"I'm thirty, she's already over thirty, she can't wait any longer."

Yang Qing said helplessly.

"I really don't have a mother complex; Qin Huairu was just an accident. If I really wanted to stray, looking for a young girl would be better—there are so many pretty girls in Gangdao."

"Our local girls aren't enough; there are also all kinds of foreign girls."

As he spoke, Yang Qing put his arm around Chen Hong's waist.

"Meeting you in this lifetime is already enough."

This is sincere; any man who transmigrated from the modern world would be lucky to have such a wife.

What else could you possibly be unsatisfied with?

Although the complicated relationships of the modern world have made his heart cold, without love, isn't there still familial affection?

Yang Qing saying such cheesy words made Chen Hong's heart feel sweet beyond measure.

The pressure in his heart from worrying about his mother and brother was greatly relieved.

The two embraced, enjoying the quiet time.

After a while, Chen Hong shifted, still shouldering her responsibility as a wealthy family's wife.

"Chen Xueru can be taken in; I can still keep her under control. If you really go looking for a young girl, I truly won't be able to manage this household."

She took in Qin Huairu and Chen Xueru precisely because they both come from the same place, rootless and drifting, naturally like sisters.

Since the fate of the wealthy family cannot be changed, might as well find two who are comfortable together.

Chen Hong left, and Yang Qing remained silent for a long time.

Upon reaching upstairs, Qin Huairu was already waiting.

She was excited; finally she wouldn't have to endure bullying anymore—she truly couldn't take it any longer.

Women can also suffer from kidney deficiency, right?

She laughed, pushing Yang Qing.

"Come in, I've already washed everything for you."

"Fragrant and delicious, it will definitely be tasty."

Yang Qing felt fucking shit; although Chen Xueru was alluring, he really didn't want to provoke a widow.

If he's going to look, he should look for someone young—who doesn't like youth?

No matter how pretty Chen Xueru is, it's no use—she's already over thirty.

Wouldn't an eighteen-year-old her be attractive?