The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

"Okay, okay. I won't shout, I won't shout! How's work going? Are you out of money?"

"That's great, Mom! I work at an import and export trading company now. My base salary is 10,000 yuan a month. If I do well, earning tens of thousands a month is not a problem."

"Oh! You've changed jobs again, and they're so good! Great job! Mom knew you'd amount to something. Just focus on your work. Don't worry about anything else. Your dad and I are working on a solution to pay off your debts, and we'll get them paid off soon."

"Mom! I've let you worry about me all these years. Don't worry about the money, I'll earn it back myself. You and Dad, please take good care of yourselves." Shen Lian's eyes were slightly red, and she quickly changed the subject to stop herself from crying.

"Where's my dad?"

"What else can he do? He writes, earning a thousand or eight hundred yuan a month, and he's really into it."

Shen Lian's father, Shen Xingwen, is the manager of a gas station in town. Due to his family's academic background, he has loved literature and writing since childhood. In recent years, he has become obsessed with writing online novels, although they have always flopped and he hasn't achieved any great success. However, he is quite content with it.

He chatted with his mother for a while, asking about his grandparents. After hanging up, Shen Lian opened a website and found his father Shen Xingwen's book.

I discovered my dad has started another cultivation novel, and it's already almost 200,000 words long. It has over 50,000 favorites and gets two to three thousand reads a day, which is pretty good.

Shen Lian read a few chapters; the writing was decent but unremarkable. He could only say it was passable.

Shen Lian smirked and gave it a five-star review, leaving a comment: "Excellent writing, a great book, worth reading. Keep it up, author, you have the potential to be a master! I'm giving a 10,000 yuan reward as encouragement." Then he sent 10,000 yuan worth of gifts to his dad!

Thinking of his father's delighted expression, Shen Lian chuckled and let out a pig-like squeal.

As soon as the car exited the highway and came out of the toll station, Shen Lian saw Wu Chengxiu standing by the roadside waving, with a flashy sapphire blue Porsche supercar parked behind her. He quickly told the driver to pull over.

"Second Brother!" Wu Chengxiu hurriedly came to greet him.

"Not bad! Sixth brother, you really are a sixth brother. You told us your family owns a small factory, and you're already driving a supercar." Shen Lian patted Wu Chengxiu's shoulder hard.

"Ouch! Be gentle, Second Brother. You're taking advantage of this to poison me!" Wu Chengxiu said, grimacing.

"I'll deal with you later. I didn't expect you to be so cunning!"

Shen Lian put the suitcase into Wu Chengxiu's trunk, then sent the driver away and drove into the city.

"Second brother, when I heard that you and Zhang Na got divorced, I was worried that you wouldn't be able to handle the blow and would become depressed! Look at how spirited you are now, you didn't deliberately let her leave, did you? Hehe!" Wu Chengxiu said with a smile, turning his head to look at Shen Lian while driving.

"Am I that despicable? It's just that she has her own pursuits, and I can't give her the life she wants."

Shen Lian shook his head. He used to harbor some resentment towards his ex-wife. But after everything that had happened, he had come to terms with it. After all, they had lived together for several years; it would be a lie to say there were no feelings left. It was best to part ways amicably and wish each other well.

"It's good that you're divorced! I always thought Zhang Na wasn't a settled person, and you insisted on giving up a whole forest for her. I feel so sorry for you. Do you know how envious we were of your luck with women back then? You just didn't appreciate it," Wu Chengxiu said through gritted teeth.

Perhaps influenced by his family's traditions, Shen Lian naturally possessed a scholarly air and had beautiful handwriting. He also sang quite well and was rather handsome. Back in his school days, quite a few girls had a crush on him.

Unfortunately, he stubbornly chose Zhang Na and didn't change his mind for three years. His roommates constantly scolded him for wasting her talent.

"Alright! It's all in the past, let's not talk about her anymore. How have you been these past few years? Looks like you're doing pretty well." Shen Lian lit two cigarettes, putting one into Wu Chengxiu's mouth.

"What do you mean 'not bad'? I'm just putting on a brave face. As soon as I came back after graduation, my dad arranged for me to work in the factory, learning management and sales with him. After a few years, the old man has basically let go. I handle the general things; he only takes care of the big things."

"You know the current economic situation, business is tough for everyone! I'm under a lot of pressure right now." Wu Chengxiu irritably flicked his cigarette ash out the window.

Shen Lian nodded silently; there was nothing he could do to help. He didn't understand mechanical manufacturing either, so he didn't say much.

The car soon stopped in front of a restaurant, and the two parked and walked to the entrance. Two scantily clad women came to greet them.

"Second Brother, this is my girlfriend Sasha, and this is her best friend Yingzi." Wu Chengxiu introduced them, while secretly winking at Shen Lian.

"You haven't called anyone yet!"

"Second Brother, hello! Ah Xiu has been talking about you to me for ages. I'm finally meeting you in person today! Hehe! You really are handsome and dashing, no wonder you were the famous school heartthrob back then."

"Sister-in-law, since you've called me Second Brother, I can't just not show it off!" Shen Lian nodded.

"Sixth Brother, give me the car keys!"

"Second brother, no need! Why are we brothers so formal?" Wu Chengxiu quickly waved his hand. He figured Shen Lian's financial situation couldn't be too good.

"Hey, you talk too much! It's my first time meeting my sister-in-law, how can I, as her older brother, not give her a gift! Hurry up, I'm starving. Don't waste time."

Wu Chengxiu had no choice but to give the car keys to Shen Lian.

Shen Lian opened the trunk, shielding himself from the others' gazes, and quietly took out two boxes from his spatial storage.

"Sister-in-law, you're in luck today! I happen to have some things with me, consider it a gift from your brother."

Sasha looked up and glanced at Wu Chengxiu.

"Why are you looking at me! Since your second brother gave it to you, just take it! He's not an outsider; I've slept with him more than you have. Haha!"

"You're so annoying!" Sasha blushed slightly and punched Wu Chengxiu lightly. She then took the gift; "Thank you, Second Brother!"

"Yingzi, right? Nice to meet you. Here's a small gift, just a token of my appreciation!" Shen Lian handed over another box, which she accepted graciously.

"Alright! Let's eat quickly! I'm starving. Sixth Brother, what dishes did you prepare? If they're not good, I won't let you off the hook." Shen Lian patted his stomach exaggeratedly.

"Don't worry, Second Brother, I guarantee you'll be satisfied today!"

The group walked towards the private room, and Wu Chengxiu called to the waiter at the door to hurry up and serve the dishes.

The four of them sat down, and the waiters, who had been waiting, began to serve the dishes. Plates of cold dishes were served first.

"Second Brother, how about some red wine today? I can't outdrink you when it comes to white wine, hehe!" Wu Chengxiu took out four bottles of red wine from a paper bag.

"Alright, I'll go with the flow! With your small frame, what difference does it make what you drink!"