For Luo Zhiyong’s son-in-law, he was still satisfied. The young man had been outstanding in his military career and was good to Pingying and her children. However, because he was too young and inexperienced, he wasn’t harsh enough when he needed to be, and couldn’t hold back when necessary. Thus, he found himself in a difficult position, caught between his wife and his family. Upon hearing Zhao Longsheng’s words, Luo Zhiyong let out a long sigh, his tone anxious, "I know, I’ve actually tried to stay out of the family matters and even thought about not meddling anymore. This time with Zhiming’s issue, though I thought about it, I never voiced that I would intervene. It was the alcohol that day that caused the trouble." "Zhiyong, it’s not about the drinking itself, it’s about your intentions," Zhao Longsheng advised him, "Think about it. Even if you don’t say anything, Pingying can feel it. If there’s a rift between the two of you, it will affect your relationship." Luo Zhiyong felt somewhat ashamed by Zhao Longsheng’s words, and, at a loss for what to say next, he just apologetically said to Uncle Zhao, "Uncle Zhao, I’m sorry. I know I haven’t taken good care of Pingying, and it made you and mom worry." Zhao Longsheng gave him a reassuring smile, echoing the old saying that the drum cannot be beaten hard repeatedly. Since Luo Zhiyong had understood naturally, it wasn’t good for him to dwell on it. In the end, he just left Luo Zhiyong with one last piece of advice, "Zhiyong, I know you and Pingying have always had a strong relationship. It’s not easy to find someone you love in this world, so cherish it. Handle the family matters with more assertiveness. Believe that no matter how big the issue, even without you, they will come up with a solution and life will go on. If you don’t believe me, just treat this situation as a test and see if they can settle the money issue without your help." Looking at Luo Zhiyong, Zhao Longsheng spoke with certainty, "In my view, they will surely manage to repay the money in the end. It definitely won’t get to the point of costing someone’s life." After finishing, Zhao Longsheng felt he had said enough. Mentioning that Li Aihua was waiting for him at home, he took his leave first, leaving Luo Zhiyong to think over the matter. Luo Zhiyong nodded and went alone to the bus station heading back to his military base. On his way, he pondered over and over the words of Zhao Longsheng, unable to deny that every word hit the mark, undebatable and chilling to his core, bringing some clarity to his thoughts. Indeed, Zhao Longsheng was right; the root of the problem lay in his indulgence of his family. If this continued, not only would Pingying be unable to bear it, but no one could. So, what he could do was either reform them, or limit his indulgence, knowing where to draw the line. Speaking of reform, Luo Zhiyong knew his family well – it would take a miracle to change them. Thus, what he needed to do was rein in his indulgence. Originally, he had planned to gather some money to help Zhiming pay off his debts this time, to prevent loan sharks from harassing Dashan and the others. However, now, he changed his mind. Perhaps Zhao Longsheng was right. He should treat this as a trial to see if they could solve it without him intervening. Discover more novels at novel(ꜰ)ire.net After mulling it over, upon reaching the military base, he immediately went back to the office and called home. He asked the Village Branch Secretary to gather his family, stating he had something to discuss with them. When he called again, he asked Zhiming to pick up the phone. On the call, Luo Zhiyong’s voice was steady as he asked Zhiming, "Zhiming, how do you plan to handle the debt you owe?" "I don’t know, mom said we don’t have a penny at home, she told me to figure it out myself. I haven’t been working these past six months, where am I supposed to find a solution?" Zhiming’s tone was somewhat resigned, or perhaps he was outright irresponsibly saying he simply couldn’t pay and didn’t care what happened. Luo Zhiyong picked up on this, scoffed coldly, and asked Zhiming, "Zhiming, from the sound of it, are you planning to default on your debt?" Zhiming bluntly admitted, "What can I do if I’m not defaulting? I can’t pay it myself, and no family members care..." Before he could finish, Zhou Yunmei snatched the phone away, and her voice came through immediately, "Zhiyong, your brother really has no money, maybe you can find a way to repay it for him, alright?" Hearing Zhou Yunmei talking as if it was natural for him to repay the debt, Luo Zhiyong laughed a few times on the phone, a laughter that sounded unsettling to Yun Mei. Since Yun Mei couldn’t see Luo Zhiyong’s expression, she didn’t dare to speak recklessly, and just held the phone waiting. After a moment, Luo Zhiyong controlled his laughter and asked indifferently, "Mom, didn’t I phone last time and tell you to try gathering some money? Have you really not managed to gather a single penny during this time?" Yun Mei pondered for a moment before replying, "No, life has been hard, we truly have no money." Luo Zhiyong noticed Yun Mei’s hesitation, and knowing her well, since she hesitated, it implied they had actually gathered some money at home recently but she was reluctant to use it, testing his reaction instead. If she was absolutely forced, she would take it out, but if Luo Zhiyong had money on his side, she wouldn’t, to save what she could. In her mind, it seemed like the money on Luo Zhiyong’s side was someone else’s money and grabbing any amount she could was a gain, always scheming whenever an issue arose. Having understood this, Luo Zhiyong frowned, impatiently asking, "So, after all is said and done, the idea of repaying still falls on me, does it?" Luo Zhiyong’s direct approach left Yun Mei unsure how to respond. After pausing, Yun Mei still ventured, "Zhiyong, Pingying is quite capable of earning now, two thousand yuan shouldn’t be a big deal for her, please just help repay it." Mentioning Pingying, Luo Zhiyong closed his eyes on the other end of the phone; their marriage was already strained to this extent due to family issues, yet Yun Mei was still scheming. If Pingying heard this, Luo Zhiyong felt that even if he didn’t want a divorce, this marriage couldn’t last. As a man, in such a situation, his family was still plotting to have his wife clean up their mess; he had no dignity in front of Pingying, nor in front of everyone else. He sighed on the phone, not as furious as before, but instead calmly countered Yun Mei, "Mom, do you think because Pingying can earn money, you’re planning for her to support the entire Luo Family in the future? If Pingying and I were no longer together and she was no longer a wife of the Luo Family, would the entire Luo Family starve to death?" (Next, I really have to start being tough, haha, so excited!)