This time, I have to take Shenyu away.

At eight or nine o'clock, a police car was parked on Sha'er Street, its lights flashing. The police took Ding Erhe away. Material worth several hundred thousand, privately hiding compensated goods, reselling them at a loss—but no matter the sentence, when he got out, he'd be scorned by everyone from one end of the street to the other.

It wasn't just this street; the news would spread throughout their entire trade. For the rest of his life, he'd be a laughingstock, a topic of after-dinner gossip.

Ding Hanbai was stern-faced. From returning and turning hostile, to holding him accountable, to now driving him out of the house, he hadn't softened in the slightest at any stage. Turning to face Ding Houkang, the anxious father was already drenched in sweat.

Ding Houkang pleaded, "Hanbai, Second Uncle watched you grow up—"

Ding Hanbai said, "Then you should know what kind of person I am." He didn't even let the other finish speaking. "Second Uncle, didn't my dad watch Second Brother grow up? You even grew up with my dad. You're blood brothers."

When his own son embezzled the material, when he misappropriated the public funds of the Third Shop, when he forced the family to split with a smile on his face, what was this pathetic father doing? "You just kept indulging him. The family rules are for the Ding Family, not just rules to discipline me. You should have used them well." Ding Hanbai said, "To raise a child without teaching him is the father's fault. You can't escape the blame."

He didn't want to say more and went back to the Front Courtyard to see Ding Yanshou. Perhaps the blows of the evening had been too heavy. Ding Yanshou was holding his breath, leaning back against the headboard, even breathing seemed difficult. Everyone was worried, so they drove straight to the hospital's emergency room. His blood pressure was taken, an ECG was done—it was quite an ordeal.

It was an attack brought on by extreme anger and anxiety. It was finally brought under control after he was put on an IV drip. A temporary hospital room was arranged, and everyone gathered around the bed. Ding Yanshou slowly opened his eyes and scanned the room: his worried wife, his sister-in-law wiping her tears, his fourth apprentice blocking the light, and the doctor and nurse.

He grunted, "Why are two people missing?" Jiang Shuliu leaned close to his ear and said, "Hanbai went to handle the paperwork, and Shenyu went to get water."

After finishing the paperwork, Ding Hanbai sat on a bench in the hallway, not going inside. Feelings, face—his father cared about both, and would probably blame him for being ruthless. What he feared more was that after everything was settled, the conflict between father and son would be brought up again, and that lowered blood pressure would likely shoot right back up.

Ji Shenyu returned with the water, went in and handed it to Jiang Caiwei, then poured a cup and brought it out for Ding Hanbai. He sat down beside him, trying to lighten the mood: "It's a shame we didn't get to eat that nice copper hot pot."

Ding Hanbai fell for his act, smiled, and turned his head to look at him. "Are you hungry? I can buy you something to eat?" Ding Hanbai asked, drinking the water. "Second Brother's reputation is ruined. If he wants to stay in this trade in the future, it'll be difficult."

This move of reporting him to the police wasn't for the sake of any specific punishment, but purely as a public declaration. This trade is first and foremost about "trust." What the customer wants, what materials are used, guaranteeing authenticity, guaranteeing quality—these are essential. Furthermore, it's about the master who creates the piece. This trade recognizes people; when a piece is presented, knowing whose hands it came from gives the customer face.

After this incident with Ding Erhe, his reputation, credibility, and good name were all ruined in one fell swoop. The subsequent negative effects would be endless.

This move by Ding Hanbai was much harsher than closing the door and breaking the other's legs. He showed not an ounce of mercy and completely disregarded their brotherly bond. He was a little tired. He leaned back against the cold, hard wall, wondering if he had gone a bit too far.

He even wondered, many years later, after Ding Erhe had a family and children, if they ran into each other on the street, would that nephew or niece call him 'First Uncle'? His thoughts had drifted far away. His palm warmed—fortunately, Ji Shenyu pulled him back to reality.

"Senior Brother, don't think about what's already done. Why not think about what needs to be done next." Ji Shenyu kneaded that large hand, gently picking at the calluses in the palm. He knew what the other was worrying about and added, "Just let Master handle the family matters himself. You don't need to worry about it. You should focus on figuring out how to raise the money."

A direct hit to a weak spot. Ding Hanbai hissed, "I'd just managed to forget about that. Can't you say a couple of nice things to cheer me up?!"

Ji Shenyu started to grin, his lips parting without a sound. Then he said seriously, "Senior Brother, after Master gets out of the hospital, let me go with you."

Ding Hanbai turned his hand to grip Ji Shenyu's tightly and nodded.

This earthquake in the Ding Family was no small matter. Within three days, word had spread throughout the trade. Thanks to Ding Hanbai changing professions, the antiques circle had also heard a thing or two. And just like that, Ding Hanbai, a rising star in his early twenties, had established his authority and instantly became famous.

But with things having reached this point, splitting the family was a foregone conclusion. It wasn't just about Jade Pavilion; they could no longer live together in the compound, separated only by a wall. Ding Yanshou's illness was acute; once it was under control, he could be discharged. But, as if avoiding it all, he actually took the initiative to extend his stay for another two days.

Jiang Shuliu was annoyed. He might be happy to stay, but she certainly wasn't happy running to the hospital, so she warned him that he had to be discharged in two days. Ding Yanshou coaxed, "The new bracelets from the Third Shop are quite beautiful. I'll give you one to wear."

Jiang Shuliu said, "My drawers are already stuffed full of jewelry. Do you think I'd still care for more?" From courtship to marriage, up to now, she'd received countless pieces of jewelry and trinkets, but alas, she only had one neck and two arms. After a pause, she asked, "After the family splits, we're disowning our own son, our adopted son holds no shares, and Ting'en's skills aren't up to par... What will happen to Jade Pavilion a hundred years from now?"

Why were all these people closest to him so good at hitting where it hurt? Ding Yanshou's head instantly ached. Wasn't he stalling for time precisely because he couldn't figure it out? A baby cried from the hallway. He said, "How about... we have another one?"

Jiang Shuliu flew into a rage. When her anger subsided, she turned her face away and cried. Her son was so wonderful, a man of integrity and ability, why did he have to have that kind of problem? Day and night, she fantasized that the two boys would change for the better, that everything would return to normal. But unfortunately, her wonderful, upright son was dead set on it.

Ding Hanbai, dressed in a shirt and trousers, was immersed in the porcelain kiln, inspecting the genuine articles that Ji Shenyu had previously restored, as well as a batch of top-quality pieces. He couldn't tolerate the slightest flaw and actually found three substandard pieces.

Ji Shenyu's eyes nearly popped out of his head. After Ding Hanbai pointed them out, he had no choice but to obediently take them back for a do-over.

After a busy day, Ding Hanbai's white shirt was stained the color of mud, and Ji Shenyu even had a smudged face. They bought some food and rushed to the hospital. Outside the room, Ding Hanbai stopped.

Ji Shenyu went in alone, set out the bowl and chopsticks, and ate with his Master and Madam. He wolfed down his food, eating shredded pickles with the gusto of someone eating Dongpo pork. He then grabbed a steamed bun, took a noisy bite, and looked like he wanted to swallow it whole.

Ding Yanshou and Jiang Shuliu knew very well that he couldn't be this hungry just from working at Jade Pavilion. Jiang Shuliu said, "Drink some soup. Don't wait until you choke to wash it down."

Ji Shenyu obediently picked up his bowl and drank the soup.

Ding Yanshou said, "Don't you see that slice of pork loin? Are you waiting for me to pick it up for you?"

Ji Shenyu reached out and picked up the meat.

He was like a child, with his parents nagging him, yet every word was laced with care. He glanced at the door, and his eyes suddenly reddened. Ding Hanbai was out there, eating silently, all alone, with no one to care for him.

Ji Shenyu put down his steamed bun, slipped to the floor, and knelt down. "Master, Madam, please forgive Senior Brother, okay?" He grabbed Ding Yanshou's hand. "Master, please agree to let us be together, I'm begging you..."

The hospital room fell silent, as if no one was breathing.

He received no response for a long time. He understood. He stood up and ran out, colliding with Ding Hanbai's embrace the moment he opened the door. This was a hospital. Any embrace of comfort could be easily explained away as just receiving bad news. Ding Hanbai rubbed his shoulders and said, "I heard everything."

He lowered his head, his lips close to Ji Shenyu's ear. "Don't be like this. We have no right to make our parents agree. If our being together is like a knife cut in their hearts, why must we demand their forgiveness and cut them a second time?"

Ji Shenyu said, "I don't want you to be wronged."

Ding Hanbai held him a little tighter. He wasn't wronged. Life is long; one is bound to experience some disappointments. He comforted Ji Shenyu and, estimating that they had finished eating inside, straightened his clothes, dusted himself off, and pushed the door open to enter.

He had already done the evil deed of not tolerating his brother, so he might as well play the villain's role to the end. Ding Yanshou and Jiang Shuliu looked over in unison, their faces momentarily blank. He said, "Mom, you and Shenyu should go back and get some rest."

Jiang Shuliu asked, "Are you still living in Chongshui?"

Ding Hanbai nodded, putting on a nonchalant air. "I'll stay and watch over him tonight. The sofa here is more comfortable than that broken bed over there."

After Ji Shenyu left with Jiang Shuliu, Ding Hanbai strolled to the bedside, sat down, and started peeling an apple. Ding Yanshou stared at those hands—hands that carved stone and jade—and wondered how long it had been since they last touched a carving knife. At this thought, he said angrily, "I'm not eating it!"

The last strip of peel fell away. Ding Hanbai took a bite. "I'm eating it." He slowly finished half of it, his expression calm, as if making casual, unimportant conversation. "Have you thought about how to split the family?"

Ding Yanshou said, "However we split, it has nothing to do with you."

Ding Hanbai said, "Stop being fierce in appearance but timid in heart. I'm not asking you and Mom to accept it, nor am I asking for your forgiveness. Even if I get skinned alive outside, I won't come back shamelessly to admit I was wrong. But aren't you my dad? Isn't she my mom? When something happens to the family that raised me, I can't possibly pretend to be deaf and dumb."

The first half of his words was cold, the second half earnest. He said, "Dad, this is my opinion. Of the three Jade Pavilion shops, you keep the First and Third Shop, and give the Second Shop to Second Uncle's family. Second Brother is done for, but there's still the third. When Keyu gets married in the future, he'll need a family business to support him."

After the shops, there was the house. Ding Hanbai thought for a moment. "For the three-courtyard residence back then, our family paid the larger share and Second Uncle paid the smaller share. If they move out, just give them the money. The Ding Family values craftsmanship. Splitting it this way doesn't wrong them in the slightest. You won't have to feel guilty in the future, and you won't have to worry about people gossiping."

Ding Yanshou was silent for a long time. What was so difficult about splitting the family? It was just a matter of dividing those assets. The problem was that splitting up meant growing apart; no one would have a say over anyone else. He had no interest in managing people, but the Second Shop bore the Jade Pavilion sign. He couldn't just ignore it.

Ding Hanbai saw through him and said, "Dad, customers recognize the Jade Pavilion name because the items from Jade Pavilion are superior. Whether they manage it poorly or their skills are lacking, they will reap what they sow. Whether they go out of business or something else happens, it has nothing to do with us."

Ding Yanshou said anxiously, "That's a shop passed down from our ancestors!"

Ding Hanbai helped him calm his breathing and took the opportunity to move closer. "Our ancestors had several shops, didn't they also get reduced to three? You're only worried about their shop declining, why not think about expanding the ones you have? You are the leader in this trade. You still have Shenyu, and you have Ting'en. If you're willing... you also have me."

Ding Yanshou suddenly looked up. Father and son's eyes met. With their hereditary jet-black pupils and identically sculpted straight noses and thin lips, a thousand unspoken words were caught between them. Ding Hanbai's voice was very low. "For a long time now, I've been secretly running a porcelain kiln and dealing in antiques. Now I'm raising money to open an Antique City. I've started my own business, but I never thought of shedding my responsibility to the family. My carving skills and talent also dictate that I must hold a knife for the rest of my life."

His affair with Ji Shenyu was a bomb, and a time bomb at that. Emotionally, career-wise, all the huge, buried disagreements were now laid bare. Ding Yanshou leaned his head back against the wall, thinking in alarm, "And what about later?"

If the family business is gone, it can be earned back. But what if the skills are lost to time?

Ding Hanbai said, "Dad, all that matters in this life is having a clear conscience. Tong Ren Tang has been in business for a century, but didn't they also hand over their secret formulas and become state-controlled? Nothing is forever. To have been glorious, to have been satisfied—people are living beings. What's most important is to prioritize one's own happiness."

Ding Yanshou was shaken by this open-mindedness, even a little stunned. After a long while, he let out a breath. "I'll check out of the hospital tomorrow. We'll split the family." After saying the word "family," he opened his mouth, trying to bring up the matter of Ding Hanbai and Ji Shenyu again, but felt it was futile, so he said nothing more.

A night passed. The hospital room was empty.

A family is hard to build but easy to break. Jade Pavilion, which had been closed for several days, still did not open today, but the Ding Family compound had regained some life. The whole family gathered in the living room. Ding Keyu supported Ding Houkang, not knowing whether to stand or sit.

On the table sat a box, inside which were piled various documents: for the house, the shops, and a will left by Ding Hanbai's grandfather. Ding Yanshou downed a cup of tea and swiftly divided the family assets. After finishing, he choked out a few words of instruction. He looked at Ding Keyu and said, "Take good care of your father."

Ding Keyu asked, "First Uncle, will I still be considered your apprentice in the future? Can I still learn the craft from you?"

Ding Yanshou nodded in assent. His gaze moved to Ding Houkang. They looked at each other for several seconds, and he forgot what he had wanted to say. Ding Houkang took the items, sighed, and brought up moving out.

Ding Yanshou nodded, agreeing to that as well. After Second Uncle and his family returned to the East Courtyard to pack, no one in the living room spoke. After a moment of silence, Ding Hanbai stood up from his chair and said, "It's all taken care of. I'm leaving."

After speaking, he walked to Ji Shenyu's side and gently took his right hand. He did this in front of everyone, but it should have been expected. He added, "This time, I have to take Shenyu away."

Ji Shenyu said, "I want to go with Senior Brother."

Everyone knew that Ding Yanshou had threatened to kill himself to make Ji Shenyu stay. It was just a delaying tactic; how could it be a long-term solution? How could one control a living, breathing person? In the end, he wouldn't be able to keep either of them.

Jiang Shuliu turned her back and cried. Ding Yanshou sat upright in his armchair and, after a long pause, said he was tired. The couple walked out of the living room with their arms around each other, returned to their bedroom, and closed the door, powerlessly yet stubbornly, they tacitly approved of this departure.

They couldn't accept the affection between Ding Hanbai and Ji Shenyu, and the two young men didn't ask for their acceptance. But they no longer obstructed them. They let go. From now on, their two sons were cast out to make their own way in the world.

Ding Hanbai and Ji Shenyu returned to the small courtyard. That bush of roses was blooming so beautifully. They hugged, smiled, and then packed their belongings together. Ji Shenyu's three wooden chests from before came in handy. They were filled with books, materials, and his favorite decorations.

Jiang Ting'en came over to help. He looked at his big brother, then at his "sister-in-law," and was about to cry. "Are you just going to abandon Jade Pavilion?" He opened a cabinet. "Uncle and Aunt are so sad. It's a pity I'm the only son, otherwise I'd have myself adopted by them. Th-this... what is this..."

Ji Shenyu glanced over; it was the Secret Play Porcelain figurine holding a Sanxian. He snatched it away and hid it behind his back, comforting him, "I'm the grandmaster of the Third Shop, how could I not go? And Senior Brother, it's the same if he does his work elsewhere."

The cars they had called arrived one after another, and the boxes were almost all moved. Together, Ding Hanbai and Ji Shenyu wiped the table, watered the flowers, and swept the floor before leaving. As they left, they stopped in the Front Courtyard, stood side-by-side at the bedroom door, and kowtowed.

The grace of raising them, the grace of teaching them—they were fated to betray it all.

Ding Yanshou and Jiang Shuliu sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the footsteps recede. Outside, the roar of a car engine also grew more and more distant. Ding Yanshou helped his wife lie down, covered her with the quilt, and patted her shoulder, trying to create a peaceful afternoon.

The movements of that large, thickly callused hand were very gentle. It had once held Jiang Shuliu's hand and led her into the hall of marriage. It had once held Ding Hanbai's small hand to teach him carving. It had once firmly gripped Ji Fangxu's, accepting the promise to care for his orphan.

That was all yesterday's scenery now.

As the sun was about to set, Ding Yanshou walked out of the bedroom, stepped on the stone tiles in the courtyard, and walked around the spirit screen. The East Courtyard was empty, and the small courtyard was empty too. Even the spring breeze felt bleak. From this point on, this large family had scattered in all directions.

An illness had left him needing a cane, so he leaned on it, standing alone before the spirit screen. He looked out the main gate, but there was nothing outside. No Ding Hanbai returning from school. No Ding Erhe and Ding Keyu chasing each other and roughhousing. And no Ding Houkang carrying a jin of braised beef, calling for him to share a pot of wine the moment he entered.

Empty and desolate. Ding Yanshou stood there for a long time.

This family... in the end, he had failed to be a good head of it.

The author has something to say: Zhang Sinian: Don't come live at my place, OK?