0054 59 Rebirth from the Ashes

Zhou Xiye knew she had lost this battle. She sent her younger brother to prison, and her parents were wailing every night after they had just been released from court—it was almost as if her family had been destroyed and her life was ruined.

However, his behavior wasn't much better. He angered Old Madam Kong to death, and he also lost Kong Lingqi. They were evenly matched. From this perspective, Zhou Xiye had caused trouble for the Ling and Kong families, so she could be considered to have won. But the biggest difference was that such damage was just a minor scratch for powerful families, while for Zhou Xiye's family, it was almost a devastating blow.

This was not the outcome Zhou Xiye had hoped for, but she had tried her best and painstakingly stabilized the situation. However, the seasoned political veteran was ruthless and cunning, acting faster, more decisively, and more accurately than anyone else. He even went so far as to destroy a witness; this method and purpose of murder terrified Zhou Xiye.

It wasn't out of fear of Ling Qingyun.

Rather, they feared the power behind him.

On the battlefield, people fight each other to protect their homeland and their nation. Sacrificing some lives to maximize national interests may sound inhumane, but that's the harsh reality—some people are destined to be without human rights, because human rights only exist in civilized society.

Zhou Xiye accepted the rules of the battlefield.

But she couldn't accept killing for personal gain, even if it was a common tactic in politics—political enemies must die, the victor takes all—but one person has no right to decide another's life or death. Ironically, power grants these people the power of life and death; they kill you if they want, do they need a reason?

Zhou Xiye had no evidence whatsoever that Ling Qingyun helped his son kill someone.

Even if she could, she would be helpless. Laws are made for ordinary people, and the essence of law is the manifestation of the ruling class's demands in state actions. As someone within the system, she had no way to use legal means to fight against Ling Qingyun.

The parents were behaving very differently at home. The father smoked all day, and the mother was constantly in tears. Unlike before, they were no longer shouting and irritable; the atmosphere was somber and oppressive.

Zhou Xiye is a human being too; she has a heart of flesh and blood. She has reflected on her actions regarding her brother's imprisonment—if only she hadn't been an enemy of Ling Xingzhi, if only she hadn't become an official, if only she hadn't been so selfish back then…

There is no solution.

Zhou Xiye smoked a cigarette, gazing at the night sky outside the balcony. Several beer bottles beside her were empty; the more she drank, the more sober she became. Some things seemed like destiny; she and Ling Xingzhi were destined to be political enemies.

It seems that every step she has taken has been planned, and encountering Ling Xingzhi was unavoidable.

She couldn't help but smile bitterly. Ashes fell onto her arm. Zhou Xiye looked down and felt a little pain, but not enough to make her cramp up and her skin peel off.

She raised her arm, blew away the ash, stubbed out the cigarette, and got up to walk towards the bedroom.

Not long after, Ye Lifeng called her office and invited Zhou Xiye to his home.

Are you alright?

Zhou Xiye shook his head, watching Ye Lifeng tease the bird in the cage, "It's nothing."

Ye Lifeng nodded, picked up a bit of birdseed with his fingers, and tossed it out. "I know about your brother's situation. You can't entirely blame the Ling family. He got himself into trouble. People shouldn't be greedy; that's a weakness, and people took advantage of it..."

Zhou Xiye stood silently beside Ye Lifeng. He didn't hear Zhou Xiye's reply, so he straightened up, put down the birdseed, and turned to look at her.

“Xiao Zhou, since you’ve chosen this path, you have to be prepared for the destruction of your family. Why are there so many officials with family members living abroad? Besides the need to transfer assets through corruption, it’s mostly because the safety of their families can only be guaranteed overseas. Well…” Ye Lifeng turned around, walked forward, and patted Zhou Xiye on the shoulder.

"This is a uniquely Chinese characteristic. There's no way around it. Political struggle is something passed down from our ancestors. It's inherent in Chinese culture and is deeply ingrained in the hearts of every Chinese person. Look at the security guard team at the gate. There's politics involved. The security captain has the final say. Whether you can get in or not, whether you need to register or not, it's all up to him. If you have a little power, you have to use it."

The two walked to the bookshelf, and Ye Lifeng sat down, gesturing for Zhou Xiye to sit down as well. "This is a game with no way out. This time, it's also a chance for you to gain experience and get rid of the unnecessary things."

Zhou Xiye nodded. She understood perfectly. In the end, a society based on personal connections is just a system of political checks and balances. You help me with this, and I'll help you with that. If you're obedient, you're mine. If you're disobedient, I'll use any means necessary to bring you down. And even bringing you down isn't enough; you have to die. Even if you're completely dead, I'll whip your corpse if you come out of your grave.

This is how China has lived for five thousand years; the philosophy of thick-skinnedness and ruthlessness has a long and rich history.

"Thank you for your guidance, Minister. I understand and will adjust my mindset to work well."

Ye Lifeng smiled, his gaze towards Zhou Xiye carrying a meaningful meaning, "Military theory teacher... how are you adapting to your new job?"

"It's alright. Although it's easier than my previous job, I still have to do my best when lecturing to students and not mislead them."

Ye Lifeng nodded in satisfaction. "That's good. The Beijing Liaison Office is a good place to make money, but it's not a good way to get promoted. Spend some time in the military for now. It's best not to cause any trouble during this period. The person above is keeping a close eye on you."

"good."

Ye Lifeng briefly explained the follow-up work, "Ye Rouxin will also be back for the New Year. You keep a close eye on him and don't let him do anything reckless."

"good."

Ye Lifeng looked at Zhou Xiye, who seemed out of sorts, and smiled. "You're still young. It just so happens that you're in a relatively easy job right now. Just get yourself in shape. You'll have plenty of work to do at Renmin University later."

Zhou Xiye nodded and got up to leave. Ye Lifeng watched Zhou Xiye's slender figure, pondered for a moment, and called out before she left, "Wait."

"What's wrong?" Zhou Xi was absent-minded, and it was clear that she was in a bad mood lately—she had been promoted but demoted at work, her parents were complaining about her, and her entanglement with Yi Chenling in love was not over yet. In short, she was very unhappy.

Ye Lifeng pulled a letter from the drawer, placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of Zhou Xiye. "This is a letter I intercepted yesterday. Take a look."

Zhou Xiye walked over, puzzled, and opened the envelope. The handwriting on it was flowing and elegant; it was her father's handwriting.

As Zhou Xiye read through the letter, her brows furrowed more and more. After putting down the envelope, the confusion and sadness in her eyes disappeared. Ye Lifeng picked up his thermos and took a sip. After putting down the thermos, his face turned gloomy, and a cold smile with a murderous aura appeared on his lips. "Xiye, these are your parents. They are going to send you to hell for the sake of their other child."

Zhou Xiye smiled bitterly, her eyes slightly red, but she stubbornly refused to let the tears fall.

Zhou Xiye's hand, holding the letter of complaint, fell limply to the side, and she lowered her head. Ye Lifeng couldn't see her expression. On the surface, he was cold, but inside he was excited, every inch of his blood was surging, and the dormant volcano that had been buried in his heart for a long time finally erupted. Zhou Xiye was finally going to break her soul and reshape it for him.

Just like the ancient swordsmiths: only by sacrificing a person to the sword can the person and the sword become one.

Psychology says that a person who has long lacked maternal and paternal love will inevitably seek validation from others, or seek more love and care from others to comfort themselves. Ye Lifeng silently observed Zhou Xiye. She grew up in a family that favored sons over daughters, and neither of her parents loved her. She knew this herself, but Zhou Xiye was different from others. She was strong-willed, only concerned with what she wanted, and never cared about trivial matters.

She doesn't care what others think of her, and she doesn't need anyone's approval.

Ye Lifeng chuckled. Zhou Xiye also needed love. He noticed the crack in her soul—what she wanted was submission. What's the quickest way to make someone submit? Power.

Once Zhou Xiye had power, her parents wouldn't dare provoke her, and her younger brother wouldn't dare to act recklessly. Only those who bowed their noble bodies to Zhou Xiye and kissed the insteps of her feet were worthy of her love, just like in the Bible when Jesus saved a prostitute, and the prostitute knelt on the ground, prostrated herself, and kissed Jesus' toes.

Ye Lifeng didn't need to love Zhou Xiye; he just wanted to tell her that following him would bring her power, and that whoever she wanted would kneel down and kiss her feet. It could be said that her childhood environment shaped Zhou Xiye's personality and mindset—realistic and ruthless.

These qualities are perfect; they are exactly the treasured sword Ye Lifeng was looking for.

Now, after this battle without gunpowder between Zhou Xiye and Ling Xingzhi, Zhou Xiye's abilities and ambitions have been fully revealed.

He wanted the knife to belong entirely to him, not only to make her feel guilty about the death of the fool, but also to make her realize that only he would not hurt her, and that he was her only support.

Zhou Xiye took a deep breath, his expression calm and sincere, "Thank you, I will handle this matter well."

Once in the car, Zhou Xiye gripped the steering wheel tightly and let out a long breath. After a few seconds, she turned her head to look at the open envelope on the passenger seat, her clenched, purple hand slowly loosening. She picked up the envelope and read it again.

I looked through it carefully, not wanting to miss any details.

Finally, she reached into the center console and found a lighter, lighting a corner of the envelope. The flames reflected in Zhou Xiye's eyes, like the burning fire in her heart. After a few seconds of hesitation, she rolled down the window and threw the burning letter out.

"Hey! How could you start a fire—"

Zhou Xiye ignored the guards' reprimands, stepped on the gas, turned the steering wheel, and drove away.

After she left, she walked from Ye Lifeng to the hall, where an old monk with a kind face sat. "Mr. Yao, you've been waiting for a long time."

Mr. Yao shook his head, "Not long after... that child left?"

Ye Lifeng strolled to the side and said, "Let's go."

"Amitabha……"

Hearing this, Ye Lifeng laughed, "No matter how many times you chant Amitabha Buddha, it won't change the fact that you are ruthless."

Mr. Yao smiled and said, "I didn't expect you to actually make a move."

Ye Lifeng turned around, one hand behind his back, "Zhou Xiye is on the verge of collapse right now. I just need to... give her a gentle push, and she will be reborn from the ashes. Isn't that good?"

Mr. Yao shook his head, "She's too obsessed."

Ye Lifeng didn't take his words seriously. "Come on, let's play a game of chess."

Over the weekend, Zhou Xiye took his parents to Miyun Reservoir, which was basically a farmhouse inn with some new-style fireplaces added to the courtyard. His parents didn't look happy at all. Zhou Xiye rubbed his hands together and looked at his parents, "This is some fresh chicken, very fresh. Have some. I just went fishing; I drew a circle on the lake and caught quite a few fish. They've already prepared them, so you can grill them..."

Zhou Xiye's mother rolled her eyes. "You're doing just fine here, eating and drinking like a king, while your brother's in jail and you're still in the mood to eat fish?"

"..."

Zhou Xiye ignored his mother's scolding, while his father lit another cigarette beside him.

A waiter came over and stopped him, saying, "Sir, smoking is not allowed here."

The father pointed at Zhou Xiye with the two fingers he used to hold the cigarette, "This is a cadre from the Central Military Commission. Do you dare to stop me from smoking?"

Upon hearing the words "Central Military Commission cadre," Zhou Xiye narrowed his eyes slightly.

The waitress looked at Zhou Xiye, and she smiled and waved her hand, "I'll give you some money in a bit!"

"If only your brother could give you more money to come out!"

Zhou Xiye leaned back in his chair, watching the fish sizzle as it grilled. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "I know you prefer boys, but did you feel even a shred of joy when I was born?"

The father was smoking, while the mother was staring intently at something.

Zhou Xiye suddenly laughed. She turned her head to look at the fish. "I heard from my aunt that when I was born, my dad sat outside the delivery room and kept saying, 'How could it be a girl? How could it be a girl?' Is that true, Dad?"

The father didn't move.

Zhou Xiye continued, "Mom, you often say that my grandpa knew I was a girl, and he didn't come to see me even once when I was a month old."

No one spoke; the only sound was the sizzling of the fish being grilled.

"Later, because you wanted a boy, you registered my household registration with my aunt. When Zhou Guodong was born, the whole family was overjoyed. I watched you celebrate his birthday, buy him clothes, and everyone doted on him. I was so envious at the time."

Zhou Xiye's voice was calm and even, "But I know that you two don't have a strong desire to have a second child, but my grandmother does. But I just don't understand why my father, who is usually so strong and independent, is so submissive to my grandmother." Zhou Xiye turned to look at them, "From that time on, I knew that power and money are the main reasons that determine your status in the family."

The parents' faces remained blank, devoid of any expression.

Zhou Xiye laughed heartily, "You have no idea how happy I am to see you like this." Gradually, tears streamed down her face as she laughed. "Since you don't care about me at all, then so be it." She patted non-existent dust off her legs and stood up.

The mother simply looked up and watched Zhou Xiye walk away; she had no urge to chase after him.

Zhou Xiye walked out of the farmhouse, walked to a white car, knocked on the window, and the person inside got out, wearing a mask.

"Dr. Chen, my parents couldn't handle the shock of my younger brother going to prison, and they've developed mental health issues."

Dr. Chen nodded and looked at Zhou Xiye, "Okay, leave the rest of the physical examination and hospitalization procedures to me."

Zhou Xiye pulled his clothes tighter, letting in a gust of wind. "Then I'll have to trouble you."

After speaking, she turned slightly and watched a group of people in white coats walk in. Zhou Xiye got into the car but didn't rush off, turning on the heater and music. A little while later, through the car window, she saw the people in white coats pull her parents out and carry them into the car.

Watching the car drive away, the light in Zhou Xiye's eyes went out. She slowly closed her eyes and leaned back in her seat. A few minutes later, she slowly opened her eyes, and the light in them shone again.

The pale yellow grass of Miyun was noisy. Birds flew by in the distance and landed on the roof. The sky was very bright, so bright that it lost its original blue color and had a tragic yellow hue.

The phone rang beside him. Zhou Xiye glanced at the name and answered, "Secretary Lu, hello."

How's work?

Zhou Xiye smiled, "That's great, Secretary Lu, is there anything I can help you with?"

Lu Daiyuan on the other end of the phone was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, "You're really proud of yourself. You're in this state and you don't even think about asking for help. Instead, you think I need your help?"

"It is my good fortune to have met Secretary Lu, and it is my honor to be able to help you."

Lu Daiyuan didn't beat around the bush anymore, "I did have something to ask you... How about this, let's have a meal together sometime when you're free."

Zhou Xiye smiled and said, "Okay."

It was already dark when she left Miyun. The car headlights illuminated the road ahead, and the shadows of the tree branches were run over by her car.

As the saying goes, misfortunes never come singly.

Zhou Xiye encountered Ling Qingyun after the ideological education class on the second day.

This legendary minister had a demeanor very similar to another person she knew, with an air of superiority.

Ling Qingyun was followed by several guards. He walked up to Zhou Xiye.

He brazenly looked the woman up and down before fixing his gaze on Zhou Xiye's eyes.

"You're Zhou Xiye, the one who reported Ling Xingzhi?"