Le Jing learned from Le Zhengye that drug addiction is actually more of a mental addiction. The body can get rid of its dependence on drugs, but mental addiction is not so easy to eliminate. Therefore, most drug addicts will relapse again and again after quitting. Drug addicts harm others and themselves. Many people have lost their families and lives because of drugs and have not had a good end.

Although Le Jing inherited Li Jingran's memory, he only watched it from the perspective of a bystander. He did not have a deep sense of immersion, and naturally he did not have as strong an addiction as Li Jingran.

But if he smoked opium here today and felt the "benefits" of the drug, he would most likely become addicted, and it would be difficult for him to quit in the future.

Li Jingran's drug use certainly made Li's father furious, but judging by the way he ordered him to quit drugs, he had not completely given up on his eldest son. If Li Jingran relapsed and continued to smoke in the house... that would be when Li's father would be completely disheartened and give up on his eldest son.

In this way, Le Jing can be sure that after Li's father dies, Li Jingran, the eldest son, will not get a penny of the Li family's property.

Wang is really good at calculating.

With Li Jingran's stupid personality, he might even burst into tears of gratitude for his stepmother's "consideration" at this time.

Once a person gets addicted to drugs, he will turn into an irrational beast who doesn't recognize his relatives or friends - this is the advice Le Jing has heard from countless police officers.

It's a pity that Wang would never have dreamed that there would be such a strange thing as the resurrection of the dead in this world.

Le Jing originally wanted to keep a low profile and quit drugs before making any plans, but now it seems that his plans have to be changed.

At least he couldn't stay in the Li residence anymore. He could escape this time, but he might not be so lucky next time. As long as Wang was determined to secretly put opium in his food, all his efforts to quit drugs would be in vain.

This series of thoughts seemed numerous but in fact they only flashed through Le Jing's mind. From the servant's point of view, the young master was stunned for a moment, then slightly turned his head to avoid the sunlight outside the window. His pale and sickly face was hidden in the shadows, obscure and inexplicable. "Madam... do you want me to serve you a cigarette?"

The servant felt an inexplicable chill in his heart. He intuitively felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He laughed dryly, "Yes, it's because the Madam feels sorry for the Master..."

His habitual endless boasting was interrupted by the young man's chuckle.

The eldest young master raised his chin slightly and looked at him. His dark eyes were like cold spring water in winter. His words were clear and hoarse with an inexplicable rhythm: "My father strictly ordered me to quit smoking, saying that opium is harmful to people. But my wife sent me this harmful opium because she "felt sorry for me". Jing Ran was confused about my wife's intentions."

The servant choked. For someone who was usually eloquent and witty, it was rare for him to be speechless.

Le Jing took a breath, his brain became more and more dizzy, and his body was weak as if he would collapse to the ground in the next moment. He knew that this was the withdrawal reaction that was getting more serious. While he was still conscious, he had to solve this matter as soon as possible.

So he forced himself to stand up, grabbed the gift box that the servant had presented to him, strode out of the room, threw the gift box hard on the ground, and said angrily to the busy courtyard with his voice raised as much as he could:

"Since the advent of opium, countless families have lost their fortunes and died suddenly in their prime because of this poison! Jing Ran was young and ignorant and went astray. Now, after hearing his father's words, he has come to his senses and decided to change his ways and quit opium. But today, the madam sent someone to trick me into smoking in the name of sending tonics. Jing Ran really wants to ask the madam what she is thinking!"

He did not give the servant behind him a chance to react, and spoke quickly: "Jingran's biological mother died young, and although stepmother Wang was promoted from a concubine, I believe that I have served her respectfully. As a junior, I have never criticized the mistakes of my elders. But if the mother is not kind, how can the son be filial?!"

He grabbed the stunned Li Shuran and said in a stern voice, "My sister is only thirteen years old, and she has been promised to a sickly girl for marriage! I have inquired about the young master of that family. He is lustful and tyrannical. Jingran is my only sister. If anything happens to her, how can I face my dead mother?"

The servant behind him also reacted. He staggered out and shouted loudly: "Master, you..."

But it was too late. Le Jing used his last bit of strength to tear his voice, "There is no one from Jingran's mother's family. We have to let the elders of the Li family do justice in this matter!" After that, he took Li Shuran's hand and strode out of the courtyard.

"Brother!" Li Shuran's surprised voice came from behind him, "Why...?"

The eldest brother tilted his head to look at her, with a warm smile on his face, and his tone was so firm that it made her heart tremble: "Don't be afraid, I'm here to protect you."

Li Shuran's nose felt sore and her eyes were red. She never thought that one day she would hear these words from her brother.

My brother said he would protect her.

Her brother still loves her.

So she forgot about Li's father's subsequent anger and her stepmother's thundering methods. An endless courage surged from her heart, and she was suddenly not afraid of anything.

She quietly clenched the boy's thin fingers, and looked at her brother's thin but tall back with infinite attachment. As long as there are people in this world who love her, she is not afraid of anything.

Le Jing's sudden attack caught Wang off guard. By the time Wang's intercepting troops chased out of the mansion, Le Jing and Li Shuran had already boarded the carriage leading to the ancestral home.

※

Li Tingfang was chatting and laughing with his good friend Wang Zhengbai when he heard from the servants that Li Jingran and his sister were coming to visit.

Wang Zhengbai said solemnly: "In that case, I will take my leave."

"No problem, just go behind the screen for a while." Li Tingfang smiled with a hint of sarcasm: "My nephew is just a playboy, wait for me to get rid of him quickly, and then I will have tea with you."

Soon two figures appeared on the other side of the door frame.

The leader was a thin young man in a grey gown. His face was pale, his lips were colourless, and he looked sick. The grey gown was loose on him, but his eyes were clear and bright. He did not look sick, but rather had a noble and upright spirit that made people feel proud. He walked calmly, his frail body did not make him hesitate at all. His posture was upright, and his gown fluttered, like a strong bamboo in the wind.

He stood still in front of Li Tingfang, his lips slightly curled, revealing a gentle and calm smile, and bowed to him and said, "My nephew Li Jingran greets my uncle."

Li Tingfang was stunned for a moment and was shocked.

The promising young man with a good temperament in front of him turned out to be the dissolute and indulgent Li Jingran!

Li Tingfang looked at the sickly young man in front of him.

As a famous playboy in the clan, Li Jingran has always been an excellent negative example for them to teach their younger generations. Li Tingfang has of course met his nephew Li Jingran, although they have only met briefly a few times, but he has been deeply impressed by his lust, frivolity, bullying, narrow-mindedness, and pettiness. It can be said that he dislikes Li Jingran very much.

However, the appearance of the young man before him could only be described as completely transformed compared to the Li Jingran in his memory.

What happened to Li Jingran that caused his personality to change so drastically? Li Tingfang was rarely curious.

Li Jingran added, "This is my sister Shuran. Shuran, come and say hello to your uncle."

Li Tingfang then paid some attention to the timid girl hiding behind Li Jingran. The girl was only in her teens, with a gentle and beautiful appearance. When her brother called her, she blushed and bowed to him, saying in a whisper, "Shuran greets uncle."

Li Tingfang nodded slightly, asked the two to sit down, and ordered someone to serve tea. Li Jingran was seen leaning back in the chair exhausted, his face was pale, sweating profusely, and his whole body was shivering. He forced himself to hold the tea, but the tea spilled all over him.

"Nonsense!" Li Tingfang could not help but scold: "If you are sick, you should rest well! Come, go find a doctor."

Le Jing felt relieved. It turned out that it was the right decision for him to come and meet Li Tingfang.

Li Jingran's mother died early, and his maternal family declined, relying on his father's support to survive. Therefore, even though Li Shuran was promised to such a family by Wang, Li Jingran's uncles had no objection. Since his maternal family could not be relied on, Le Jing could only think of a way out from his paternal family.

Just then, he thought of Li Tingfang.

Li Tingfang is also a famous person in later generations, and is known as the founder of Chinese secondary education. He is upright and honest, and is an upright gentleman with the endorsement of history books. He spent all his family wealth to establish secondary education.

Nanming Middle School, where Li Jingran studied, was a private middle school founded by Li Tingfang. Nanming Middle School advocated education for all, and Li Tingfang spent a lot of money to invite overseas students and foreigners to teach. The teaching staff was strong but the tuition was low, and there were scholarships for poor students, which was well-known in the local area.

Li Jingran, this uneducated and unlearned playboy, was able to enter such a school thanks to his surname.

As the patriarch of the Li family, Li Tingfang has always been highly respected. As long as he can be persuaded to temporarily protect Le Jing and his sister, once Le Jing successfully quits drugs, he will not have to be afraid of Li's father and others.

"No need to find a doctor." The young man coughed and said frankly: "I am weak now because I am addicted to smoking. When I quit smoking, my body will naturally get better."

"Quit smoking?" Li Tingfang was surprised: "You want to quit smoking?"

"Yes, I want to quit smoking." Le Jing replied calmly: "Since I became addicted to smoking, I realized that the harm of tobacco is worse than that of a tiger. Since England brought this poison to our country, the emperor and empress dowager above us smoke, and the peddlers and hawkers below us also smoke. In the new era today, the revolutionaries also smoke. Everyone is puffing away, and this tobacco poison hurts their brains and destroys their bodies. The army has no soldiers to use, and the farmers have no land to plant. If this continues, the country will no longer be a country!"

Li Tingfang looked at him with surprise now.

He had never expected that Li Jingran, a well-known dandy, could have such a clear understanding of opium. Thinking of the article he had seen in the newspaper today by a "famous scholar" advocating the wonderful uses of opium, he felt more sadness than ridicule.

It's a problem that a young boy can see clearly, but it's ridiculous that hundreds of millions of people in this huge country can't understand it... or rather, they don't want to understand it.

Li Tingfang had seen those people who were addicted to smoking. All of them were ugly and heart-wrenching beasts. But Li Jingran was still able to stay sober and rational, and gave such a clear and coherent answer. What a strong willpower this must have taken! Li Tingfang glanced at him and couldn't help but change his mind a little.

It seems that the rumors cannot be fully trusted.

"I didn't expect that my nephew has such an accurate understanding of this drug. This is rare." Li Tingfang shook his head and sighed, "It's just that it's easy to get addicted to this drug, but it's hard to quit!"

"This is why I brought my younger sister to visit my uncle." Le Jing endured the discomfort, struggled to stand up and bowed deeply to Li Tingfang. His voice was weak and hoarse but firm: "Jing Ran begs my uncle to help me quit smoking!"

Li Tingfang was surprised: "How do you want me to help you quit smoking?"

"Jingran knows this request is very presumptuous, but my sister is young, so I can only shamelessly ask my uncle for help." Le Jing stood up, solemnly bowed and said, "I beg my uncle to take my brother and me in to stay in your house for a month. After I quit smoking, I will take my younger sister away."

Li Tingfang wondered: "You have a father and a mother, why do you want me to take you in to help you quit smoking?"

Le Jing didn't have any of those ridiculous feudal ideas that family disgrace should not be made public and sons should not criticize their fathers. He told Li Tingfang everything about his father's concubines and his stepmother's strategy of praising him to death over the years.

"I am a dull person. I only vaguely noticed my stepmother's scheme in recent years. So I simply played along and pretended to be a foolish playboy to deceive my stepmother and hope for a glimmer of hope. I didn't even reveal the slightest flaw in front of Shuran. But I was young and inexperienced. Under the temptation of someone with ulterior motives, I took this opium for the sake of novelty. Only after I became addicted did I realize how powerful this poison is!

Since then, I have been ill and have been bedridden, smoking and having no interest in work. So when my stepmother arranged such a bad marriage for my sister, I was unable to refute it because I was addicted to smoking.

Le Jing took a deep breath and spoke in a cold voice amid the silence in the room: "It was at that time that I made the final decision to quit smoking."

Le Jing had no evidence to prove that Wang was behind Li Jingran's smoking, but he had a hunch that Wang was also behind it. So although he didn't mention Wang directly, every sentence he said hinted that it was Wang, and he believed that Li Tingfang could understand it. Sure enough, after hearing what he said, Li Tingfang's expression became more solemn, and anger appeared in his eyes.

The young man raised his head and met Li Tingfang's gaze. His face was pale and his whole body was shaking unconsciously, but his back was still straight. His black eyes were cold and sharp like a cold iron sword drawn from its sheath. His voice was weak but resounding: "There are still two months before Shuran gets married. I want to quit smoking successfully during these two months, and then take Shuran away with me."

He raised his head proudly, "I don't care about my father's little family business. Now the country is in crisis and war is raging. A good man's ambition is to rule the world. He doesn't seek to leave a name in history, but only to be used by the country and live a life worthy of this life!"

Li Tingfang stared at the young man in gray standing proudly, and his heart was filled with turbulent waves.

At his age, what kind of person can't see through? No matter how bad Li Jingran's reputation was outside, he only believed in his own eyes.

After this conversation with Li Jingran, the image of a young hero who is determined, humble, patient, and has a great ambition has been established in his mind.

Li Jingran said very little, but he could hear the treacherous and thrilling words in it. If Li Jingran had been a little frivolous because of his frustration, would he still be alive today? With this kind of character, now that the country is in crisis and everything needs to be rebuilt, who knows, he might really be able to make a career!

No matter how turbulent his heart was, Li Tingfang remained calm and composed as usual, "If what you said is true, why did you come to me today and ask me to help you quit smoking?" Shouldn't you conserve your energy, endure the humiliation, and plan for revenge in the future?

Le Jing sighed and told Li Tingfang about his stepmother's gift of opium today. "I can never smoke this opium again. It will ruin everything for me." He said in a hoarse voice, "Jingran's mother's family is not prominent. After thinking about it, I think only my uncle can be trusted."

"Oh?" Li Tingfang asked calmly, "Why do you think that I will go against your father for you? And in terms of etiquette and law, I should not interfere in your family affairs."

Le Jing said, "What my father and stepmother did is already unacceptable under the law. As the head of the Li family, you have every right to intervene in this matter." He paused, then calmly met Li Tingfang's gaze, which was indistinguishable from his emotions. "The reason I chose to ask you for help is because you are Li Tingfang."

Li Tingfang was stunned: "What kind of answer is this?"

"Li Tingfang is a man of integrity, a man who cares about the world, a man who would rather break than bend, and a man full of passion." The young man raised his eyes and said seriously, "I believe he will save me."

The words were spoken softly, but they were filled with a heavy trust.

Li Tingfang was silent for a moment, but he couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth and chuckled. He shook his head and sighed, "Forget it, forget it. I'll just mind my business for once."

What Li Tingye did was indeed outrageous. It was his fault as the patriarch that his legitimate son was treated so harshly by his stepmother. This son had already alienated Li Tingye, so if he helped him now, it would be considered as accumulating good karma for the Li family.

It is said that it is better to bully an old man than to bully a young man because he is poor.

Le Jing closed his eyes in peace and breathed a sigh of relief.

He bent his knees and kowtowed to Li Tingfang earnestly. His voice was soft but full of awe: "I, Li Jingran, will avenge my enemies and repay my kindness. I will never forget the kindness of my uncle."

※

Wang Zhengbai walked out from behind the screen and sat down in the place where Li Jingran left. He frowned and said to Li Tingfang, "If you leave him here, I'm afraid Li Tingye won't let it go."

"I'm afraid of him?" Li Tingfang raised his eyebrows and smiled strangely: "I didn't expect that Li Tingye, that vulgar guy, could give birth to a son with such a bad temper. I'm afraid he will regret it in the future!"

Wang Zhengbai smiled: "Do you think highly of that boy?" Although he said so, he admired Li Jingran in his heart. He heard the conversation between the two clearly behind the screen. In his opinion, Li Jingran did not lose his ambition in the face of adversity. He had a strong character, a tough mind, and was measured in his words and deeds. What was more frightening was that he was only 16 years old this year. How handsome and handsome would he be when he grew up?

Li Tingfang chuckled and said, "Do you know what words I remembered when I saw him?"

"What?"

"If this child doesn't fly, he will soar into the sky; if he doesn't sing, he will sing astonishingly."

Wang Zhengbai was well-read, so he certainly knew the story of a man who did not make any achievements for three years but then made a great success. The King of Chu Zhuang, who was addicted to wine and women, did achieve great success in the future. So he stroked his beard and laughed, saying, "As the ancients said, a prodigal who returns is worth more than gold. So I will wait and see."

Li Tingfang laughed heartily and said, "My Li family might have found a treasure this time!"

The author has something to say:

Li Tingfang: Why do you trust me so much?

Le Jing: Because your reliability is backed by history books!

My original name was Li Tingfang, but later I checked Baidu and found that there was such a person in the Republic of China, so I changed it to Li Tingfang 233333