When Lin Shufang answered the phone and heard that it was a matter of life and death, she immediately agreed. No matter what wrong Lu Qingquan had done in the past, he was still family and Lu Mo was a cousin who was connected by blood. She couldn't just abandon him.

"Hurry up and eat before heading back to the compound. Qingquan is dying. The old man wants us to go back and discuss it." Lin Shufang relayed the old man's words, then hurriedly ate a few bites, having no appetite for the rest of the meal.

Ye Qingqing frowned. She hadn't heard from this person in a long time. Lu Qingquan had been released from prison five years ago. As she expected, his health had deteriorated drastically, and most of his hair had turned white. He looked even older than his father, Lu Jiangang.

Although the old man had given up on his grandson, he still hadn't considered giving up. He found Lu Qingquan a job as an apprentice in a machinery factory. Although he was a bit old, a prodigal son returning home is more precious than gold, and it's never too late no matter how old you are.

But Lu Qingquan refused to go. An apprentice only earns five hundred yuan a month, which isn't even enough to eat. Moreover, his master is more than ten years younger than him. He couldn't bear the embarrassment of apprenticing with a bunch of eighteen or nineteen-year-old kids.

When the old man learned that Lu Qingquan hadn't reported to the factory, he gave him a good scolding and tried to force him to go to work. But Lu Qingquan left without a word, without even saying goodbye, and then disappeared without a trace. In the past five years, he hasn't even called back, and there's been no news of him at all.

Lu Jiangang had completely given up on his son and was too lazy to care about his life or death. He was indifferent and even thought it was better that Lu Qingquan didn't come back, so as not to embarrass him. After all, he was a respectable cadre, and having a son in jail was embarrassing enough. If he was always at home, it would be too much of a headache for him. It was better for him to stay outside and not come home.

Although He Hongxia was also disappointed in her son, he was still her own flesh and blood, unlike Lu Jiangang who was so heartless. For five years, she had asked around everywhere, but without any information. She didn't know how she found out this time.

"Mom, did Lu Qingquan come back by himself?" Ye Qingqing inquired.

“He didn’t say it on the phone. Your grandfather only said he was dying. Sigh, what a tragedy for this child. How could a perfectly healthy person turn out like this?” Lin Shufang sighed.

In her memory, Lu Qingquan was a sweet-talking little boy when he was a child. Not only was he sweet-talking, but he was also very perceptive. He Hongxia was not easy to get along with, but Lu Qingquan was lovable when he was a child. He would call her "auntie" and "mother" and would help her with chores. To be honest, Lu Qingquan was much more likable than Lu Mo when he was a child.

When Lu Mo was a child, he was taciturn and didn't like to greet people. He also never smiled. If it weren't for his good looks, he would have been disliked by everyone. Who would have thought that these two brothers would be so different when they grew up?

Her son, Amo, is the big boss of a company, while Lu Qingquan has become a prisoner and his health has deteriorated. Now he is nearing the end of his life. The two brothers are only one day apart and are both 36 years old this year, which is the prime of their lives. Alas!

Ye Qingqing snorted, "You reap what you sow, so you can't blame anyone else."

Lin Shufang sighed again, knowing that Ye Qingqing still had a grudge. Lu Qingquan had indeed gone too far back then, and she was heartbroken at the time. However, her family's life was getting better and better, while her second son's family was getting worse and worse, and Lu Jiangang was not doing well at work.

While others were being promoted, Lu Jiangang was being demoted. He used to have some real power, but in recent years he has become a nobody. His position hasn't changed, but it's a dead-end job with no real benefits, just a fixed salary.

He Hongxia has retired, and her family is doing alright, but her son is unsuccessful and her daughter is not well-married, making life very stressful.