Keeping the promise

A few days later, the once prosperous, bustling, peaceful and harmonious city of H was suddenly shocked by earth-shattering news - the wealthy Xie family went bankrupt.

This news was like a bombshell, and it instantly caused an uproar in the entire city, with everyone talking about it.

Some speculated that the financial chaos was caused by power struggles within the family, some said that major mistakes in investment decisions led to the break of the capital chain, and others said that it was the result of careful calculations by business rivals.

On the streets and in the alleys, after dinner, people were enthusiastically discussing the changes in the Xie family.

In the vegetable market, the aunties were selecting vegetables while whispering to each other: "Have you heard that the Xie family went bankrupt? I heard that the old man of the Xie family turned gray overnight. This is a huge blow."

Office workers in the crowded subway also talked about: "The Xie family used to be so prosperous, but now it's bankrupt. How unpredictable things are."

At school, students gathered together during breaks and asked curiously, "I heard that the young masters and young ladies of the Xie family don't know what to do now."

"Yeah, they were so arrogant before! Now they are like rats crossing the street. It's really unpredictable. The big intestines are bound to be small intestines!"

"As a human being, it's better to keep a low profile!"

In the business circle, bosses of major companies were secretly analyzing the market gaps and opportunities brought about by the bankruptcy of the Xie family.

The Xie family's mansion, which was once crowded with people, is now deserted. Those who once surrounded the Xie family and flattered them are now avoiding them.

The rise and fall of the Xie family has become an enduring topic among the people of H City, and has made everyone deeply feel the cruelty and impermanence of the business world, which is like a battlefield.

In the magnificent but now somewhat deserted main residence of the Xie family, the old man of the Xie family sat blankly on the armchair. Overnight, his originally jet-black hair had turned completely white, his face was haggard, and his eyes were full of despair and anger.

Xie Jin, the eldest son of the Xie family, was kneeling on the ground, with his head lowered and his body trembling slightly. He knew that he had committed an unforgivable mistake, which led to the bankruptcy of the family, and his heart was filled with regret and fear.

The old man of the Xie family had his eyes wide open, his chest heaving violently, and his fingers trembling with anger.

"You rebellious son! The century-old foundation of our family is destroyed in your hands!" The old man's voice was trembling and filled with grief and indignation.

The servants beside him were trembling with fear, not daring to breathe. The master suddenly picked up the family discipline stick beside him and hit Xie Jin fiercely.

"Snap!" A crisp sound echoed in the empty house. A red mark instantly appeared on Xie Jin's back, but he gritted his teeth and said nothing.

"Why did I raise such a good-for-nothing like you!" The old man roared as he beat the boy, tears welling up in his eyes.

Every blow seemed to carry with him his unwillingness and despair over the ruined future of his family.

Xie Jin pressed his forehead against the ground, tears and sweat mixed together, "Father, I know I was wrong, and I am willing to bear all the consequences!"

However, the old man's anger did not subside. Wooden sticks continued to fall, and the entire main house was filled with an atmosphere of pain and despair.

The old man was tired from beating, and the wooden stick in his hand fell to the ground with a clang. He was breathing heavily, and his body swayed, as if he had suddenly become much older.

Xie Jin was still kneeling on the ground, not daring to stand up. At this moment, the lady who had been hiding in the corner rushed out, threw herself on Xie Jin, and cried, "Master, stop hitting me. If you continue, my son will die!"

The old man glared at his wife and shouted, "It's because you spoiled him that he got into this terrible disaster!"

Mrs. Xie burst into tears: "Master, now that things have come to this, what's the point of beating and scolding? Let's think about what to do next."

"At the beginning, I repeatedly emphasized to you not to provoke Li Yunting. Xie Wan is a lesson for you, but you just wouldn't listen. Now that it has come to this, what should I do?" Master Xie looked at the two people on the ground and felt very disappointed.

At this time, the young lady of the Xie family also hurried over, her face full of tears, and she pleaded: "Father, my eldest brother was also confused for a moment. We can't collapse like this. We have to find a way to revive the family."

Mr. Xie sighed, slowly sat back in his chair, stared blankly ahead, and murmured, "Revitalizing the family? That's easier said than done. In this situation, I'm afraid there's no way to save it."

The room fell into a deathly silence. After a long while, Xie Jin raised his head and said firmly, "Father, I will definitely make up for my mistake this time. Even if it takes me the rest of my life, I will make the Xie family rise again."

The master remained silent, but a complicated look flashed in his eyes.

After a while, Mr. Xie seemed to have suddenly aged ten years. He slowly stood up, sighed deeply and said, "Stop fighting and go back to the old house! I remember there should be some money there. We can open a small shop and our family can live a stable life!" As he spoke, he shook his head helplessly.

The family began to pack their bags and prepare to move back to the old house. Xie Jin felt guilty when he saw that the once glorious house had become so deserted.